Chapter 37 - Chapter 31: Shields at the Gate

🛡️Chapter 31: Shields at the Gate

🌍 May 6th, 98 BCE — Mid-Spring 🌸

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With the great stone wall complete and the watchtowers manned, the village of the Forgotten Valley had shifted from a hidden refuge to a well-defended stronghold. The militia, once a rotating band of farmers and apprentices with bows and spears, began to evolve into something sharper, more professional.

It started quietly. No announcement. No ceremony. Just a few of the best militia—disciplined, sharp-eyed, and steady under pressure—were asked to stay on full-time.

These men and women became the Valley Guard.

⚒️ Forging the Guard

Junjie, Chengde, and the council agreed on the need for a standing force. Not a huge army—just enough to monitor the gatehouse, patrol the valley paths, man the watchtowers, and keep order within. The idea was simple: constant vigilance without becoming a burden on village resources.

Around the council table, Chengde drummed his fingers. "Twelve is too few."

"It's twelve more than we had last year," Junjie answered evenly. "And better twelve chosen for judgment than fifty chosen for muscle."

An elder nodded. "Discipline first. If they can't be trusted not to strike a neighbor, they can't be trusted to guard the gate."

Lianhua, listening from the back, murmured, "If they become a burden, the people will notice before the enemy does."

No one argued.

Twelve guards were selected at first. That number would grow over time, but for now, a dozen elite was enough. They were drawn from those who had shown not just skill, but restraint, judgment, and the kind of discipline Junjie hoped would shape the village's future.

They received extra training, more intense than the regular militia drills. Swordplay. Formation tactics. Emergency responses. Even interrogation and coded communication.

Each guard was issued standard gear:

A reinforced leather cuirass with embedded metal scales.

A long spear for patrols, a curved short sword for close defense.

A bow or crossbow depending on preference.

And a dark cloak bearing the subtle emblem of the valley—an eye hidden within a mountain range, visible only when the light hit it just right.

When Junjie handed the first cloak to a woman named Renshu, she ran her fingers over the stitched emblem. "Feels heavier than it looks," she said quietly.

"It should," Junjie replied. "It carries more than fabric."

Their armor and weapons were carefully standardized, yet personalized just enough to feel like a badge of honor.

🏰 The Gatehouse Becomes a Garrison

With the main gate now a fortress in its own right, it became the base of operations for the Valley Guard. The gatehouse had quarters built into its second floor—warm in winter, shaded in summer—and a reinforced door that sealed the stairwell leading up to the battlements.

From here, guards could survey the only known entrance into the valley.

The watchtower rotation was strict: two-hour shifts, eyes on the horizon, bows ready. A bell system—cleverly disguised to maintain secrecy—connected the towers to the central bell tower near the village square. In case of an incursion, a single pull could alert the entire valley in seconds.

Chengde tested the rope himself one afternoon, listening to the bell peal across the rooftops. "That sound," he said, "is both comfort and warning."

"Then it's working," Junjie answered.

🚶‍♂️ Valley Patrol and Internal Order

Two guards patrolled the main valley trail daily, stopping by the mill, the workshops, and the farms to keep a friendly presence. This wasn't about intimidation—it was about keeping the peace, handling disputes, and watching for trouble before it had time to bloom.

When trouble did happen—drunken fights, rare thefts, or strange tracks near the river—these were the people who handled it.

They became symbols of trust.

Children started to salute them in the streets. Craftsmen offered them discounts. Their families were housed near the gate and provided food stipends—perks for risking their lives so others could sleep safely.

One child tugged at a guard's cloak as he passed. "Are you a knight now?"

The guard knelt, smiling. "No. Just someone who doesn't want you to be afraid."

🏹 A Culture of Readiness

Training for the general militia didn't stop. The rest of the villagers still drilled two hours a day, rain or shine, and they rotated into guard shadow duty—spending a week at a time patrolling or standing watch alongside the full-timers to keep their skills sharp and their heads clear.

Women and older teenagers made up the core of the archery corps, especially those not involved in fieldwork. Every citizen could string a bow and notch an arrow in seconds. Junjie made sure of that.

One evening, as the archery corps dismissed, Lianhua nudged Junjie with a grin. "You've turned gossiping mothers into hawk-eyed soldiers. Be careful—they might unionize."

Junjie chuckled. "If they do, I'll be the first to pay dues."

🗡️ The Hidden Spear

Despite the growing military professionalism, secrecy remained sacred. The Valley Guard were trained to blend in when needed. If a stranger ever breached the gate—or if scouts ventured out to trade or investigate—they would never suspect the villagers were this prepared.

Weapons were stored out of sight. Drills were done in forest clearings and hidden courtyards. Uniforms only came out when it was time to stand post.

From the outside? Just another mountain community.

From the inside? A hidden fortress with trained warriors, a loyal population, and secrets sharper than swords.