551 The Yeomen (2/2)
”Has feudalism developed fully?”
A thought entered Fang Yuan's mind. Feudalism involved granting land to nobles in exchange for their services or labour.
The knights of Europe and the samurai of Japan were the most basic units of the feudal system. In Shang, they had the yeoman!
”The yeomen were exempted from conscription but would become commanders if they chose to pursue a military career. They had excellent prospects in academia too and would enjoy prestige wherever they chose to go ...above the yeoman in the social hierarchy were the gentlemen bureaucrats, the gentlemen ministers and the noble lords. The Shang King himself sat on the apex!”
A relevant memory had materialised in Fang Yuan's mind.
'Explains the attitude. This fellow is a nobleman!'
”Never mind…”
The yeoman was straightforward and waved a hand.
”Our army has just suffered a great defeat and this soldier is new. We can excuse him for being absent-minded...my name is Meng Kuo, a centurion in the army. Who is your immediate superior? Hmm?”
The man was about to sit down when he uttered an exclamation upon noticing the iron sword in Fang Yuan's hand.
”This is...my Brother Meng Guang's sword. How did you get hold of it?”
”How dare you!”
The accompanying soldier shouted accusingly.
”He must have stolen it!”
”Enough...if my brother's sword isn't with him, he must have already fallen in battle...my heart! How it hurts!”
Meng Kuo's eyes had reddened and a look of anguish crossed his face. Still, he remained rational in spite of his pain and did not accuse Fang Yuan of killing his brother and taking the sword.
At this point, it would have been appreciated if Fang Yuan decided to return the sword and offered his condolences.
Unfortunately, Fang Yuan would never part with something that he had obtained through skill. He would only part with some words of comfort.
”I had picked up this sword by chance. Your brother might still be alive. Don't get too worked up…”
'This fellow…'
Meng Kuo was a tolerant man but Fang Yuan's attitude was making him feel uncomfortable.
Anyone could see that Fang Yuan was being quite difficult.
”You…”
The accompanying soldier was preparing to rail at Fang Yuan when an object flew out of the forest and embedded itself in his neck. It was a dart.
”Pshh...Poof!”
Blood spurted out from the soldier's neck wound as he collapsed onto the ground with a stunned look on his face.
”There are pursuing soldiers?”
Meng Kuo's expression changed.
”It's the blowgunmen of Dongyi!”
The Dongyi people were barbarians that were unversed in the art of smelting. However, they were adept users of the blowgun and utilised poisonous darts, making them formidable guerilla fighters.
The Shang army had been undefeated right until they advanced right into the forest ambush of the Dongyi fighters, who had used the land to their advantage.
The collapsed soldier's face was blackening from the poison. He was not going to make it.
The dart sticking out of his neck had a tail of colourful feathers that danced in the wind. It was a chilling sight.
”The enemy...is catching up!”
Meng Kuo was stupefied.
More figures had emerged from the shadows of the forest. There was at least a dozen of them. On the contrary, there were only a few defenders. It was going to be a walkover.
”At the start...I was the only deserter, which definitely wouldn't warrant the pursuit of these agents...they are after the nobleman Meng Kuo...they must have been following him the whole time!”
Fang Yuan scanned his surroundings.
”How bothersome!”
Fan Yuan flicked the blade of the iron sword impatiently.
”We'll fend them off. Let our lord leave first!”
Meng Kuo's subordinate had spoken. He seemed to imply that as a foot soldier, it was Fang Yuan's duty to give up his life for the protection of the nobleman.
”How can I leave my men behind? If we have to fight to the death today, so be it!”
Meng Kuo drew his sword and roared.
”Charge!”
A flurry of poisonous darts flew out. Another two of Meng Kuo's men fell dead to the ground.
”It's fine if you want a fight to the death, but have you considered that we might not want to join you?”
Fang Yuan stood by with a cold look on his face. At this moment, a blowgunman shot a dart towards him.
”You must be tired of living!”
He brandished the iron sword and deflected the dart with ease.
Meng Kuo, who was on the ground, watched with amazement as Fang Yuan displayed his technique.
”I shall grant your death wishes!”
Fang Yuan charged into the forest and whipped up a storm of blood as he swished his sword.
Although Fang Yuan was still getting used to his new body, dealing with these attackers was elementary.
Meng Kuo could not believe his eyes.
”What a warrior! A warrior of the first class! Such abilities would be greatly regarded wherever he went. A yeoman rank would definitely be bestowed upon him together with money and gifts. No wonder he paid no heed to me when we first met!”