The barracks was a long building with a thatched roof and a wide awning in front of the entrance, resembling an open veranda. In places the wood had blackened and worn, giving it a rather gloomy look. Dirt and dust had gathered on the veranda floor, with narrow paths trodden by many feet. As if mocking the inhabitants, three brooms leaned against the wall, but no signs of cleaning were visible.
In front of the building stretched a spacious yard where a stove smoked, tables stood under the open sky, and clothes hung on wooden racks. On both sides of the barracks rose other structures of unknown purpose; there was also a woodpile with a heap of kindling for the fire. A dirt road ran past the yard, and across from it stood another identical barracks.
"Hey! Newcomers. Come with me, I’ll show you your sleeping places!" shouted the bandit responsible for order in the barracks.
"Alright!" Lin Bo responded, then turned to Zhang Min. "Can you get up?"
"I think so".
"Xiao Bai, help him!"
The newly made bandits entered the barracks and glanced around the bare room, devoid of furniture, tables, or chairs. Mats that had seen better days lay scattered on the floor, bundles of hay mixed with old clothes and woven baskets. Despite the wide-open door, the air reeked of sweat and damp boots, competing with the stench of old animal hides hanging on the walls.
After dinner, several bandits came in. Some already snored, one sat absorbed in picking at his feet by the light of a crude candle made from animal fat. Those who weren’t asleep gave the newcomers a cursory glance, then lost interest. The bandit who had led them there assigned five places in a row, lazily explained the rules of the Brown Boar squad, and left with a sense of duty done.
"Well, brothers, here begins our new life!" Lin Bo declared.
"Mm", the others nodded.
"Zhang Min, I know you didn’t end up here by choice, but this place isn’t worse than others. Believe me".
"Food’s free and there’s nothing to bother about", added Lu Han.
"Rest and recover. We’ll look after you!" Lin Bin supported the others.
"Ha-ha-ha. Don’t worry, Brother Min. With us, you’ll be fine". The elder peasant gave Zhang Min a reassuring pat on the back.
"Please take care of me from now on", Zhang Min replied politely, settling down on the floor.
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For about an hour they chatted about this and that, and Zhang Min learned much about his new companions. Oppressive taxes, corrupt officials, and complete lawlessness from the nobility had driven them from their homes. Men their age usually had families, but these traveled only in the company of men. Seeing the shadows on their faces, Zhang Min didn’t press for details. Clearly, something very unpleasant had happened to them.
After several hours, the barracks filled with the discordant snores of bandits. The stench inside thickened, and unused to it, he couldn’t fall asleep. Going outside, Zhang Min settled on the wooden floor of the veranda and meditated to recover faster, then sat gazing at the stars, lost in thought.
I’m stuck here! Even if I slip past the walls, I’ve no idea where to go. Forest all around, and I never saw the road here. After that encounter with the bear, wandering blindly is the last thing I want. He sighed. I’ll stay here for now. Sooner or later, a chance to escape will come.
Despite the hundreds of bandits around, Zhang Min didn’t feel his life was threatened. Aside from his sword, he carried nothing of value, not even travel money and his clothes inspired more pity than envy. The locals had no reason to harm him. Besides, he had arrived with four peasants, so he wasn’t the only newcomer and drew less attention.
“The money! I completely forgot about it!” Zhang Min exclaimed as his greatest loss hit him. He snapped back toward the barracks and ground out through clenched teeth, “Damn it! Now the Zhao Clan won’t pay me! The job promised such good money, and I got stuck in this hole! Damn all of you!”
He spent almost the entire night sitting in the courtyard, lamenting the loss of a fortune by slum standards, the blow to his reputation as a mercenary, and the dire situation he had found himself in. Toward dawn, when weariness finally overcame him, Zhang Min returned to the barracks and fell asleep on a smelly old mat. He dreamed an unpleasant dream, watching the lives of Xue and Mingzhu from afar, as though it were a film he could not enter.
In the dream, the two girls were captured and sold to a brothel. At first, they worked as servants, helping the prostitutes, and when they grew older, they were forced to serve random patrons of the red-light district, drawn ever deeper into the whirlpool of endless feasts, wine, and humiliation. Once they fell ill and ceased to bring profit, they were simply cast into the street, where they died forgotten and unwanted.
Awakening in a cold sweat, Zhang Min sat up abruptly, wiping his reddened eyes with his sleeve. Morning had already come; sunbeams pierced the cracks in the wall, illuminating the swirling dust, while outside came the song of birds. Taking a deep breath, Zhang Min steadied his thoughts and even slapped his own cheeks lightly.
What a strange dream. Why would I worry about someone else’s kids? Those little ones can take care of themselves better than I can. I got rid of their drunkard father, fed them, clothed them, even left them some money. They’re fine. Better off than me, anyway. He rubbed his face with his rough palms. Besides, they’re not expecting me back for another month anyway…
Though his reasoning seemed sound, the image of the shabby hut in the slums and the two little girls watching him from the doorway kept surfacing in his mind. His heart betrayed him with a pang, and he slapped his cheeks again, chasing away unnecessary thoughts. By then most of the barracks’ inhabitants were slowly waking, yawning wide, and Zhang Min’s antics drew laughter.
"Newbie, want me to bust your mug?" one of them offered.
"No need anymore", Zhang Min replied, rising to his feet.
