White Horse, Silver Spear, Grand Commandant Gao

The next morning, Gao Huaide was awakened by the sound of drums. When he opened his eyes, the sky was still hazy, and it was only the beginning of dawn.

"Getting up early is the norm in the military."

After tidying up their bedding and having breakfast, they sounded the bugle and broke camp to start their army.

When the first horn sounds, the soldiers rise regardless of whether they have finished eating; when the second horn sounds, all internal and external affairs are completed, and the troops are lined up; when the horn sounds cease, the troops move out in unison.

Just like yesterday, it was another day of rapid travel. We took a short break at noon and arrived in Bao'an Town before sunset.

As a military town with only a few hundred households, Bao'an Town had no outer city walls. The group of town soldiers guarding the road checkpoints had just spotted the dust cloud of a large army when the vanguard scouts arrived and immediately ordered them to seize the troops and disarm them.

Gao Xingzhou then led his troops straight in, heading directly for the garrison commander's residence.

Since Bai Wenshen sent out messengers, he had ordered people to scout the city's movements every day. Unexpectedly, Gao Xingzhou acted decisively, traveling a hundred li a day. Before the scouts could report back, the city's troops were already pressing on the border.

Bai Wenshen felt heartbroken: As the local tyrant of Bao'an Town, what's the big deal about killing a dozen people and playing with a few girls? Is it worth making such a fuss?

He was a lawless scoundrel. How could the emperor have three palaces and six courtyards, possessing all the wealth and beauties of the world? Wasn't it because he had the biggest fist? Gao Xingzhou dared to intimidate him only because he had more soldiers.

Although Bai Wenshen thought this way, most of his accomplices looked panicked and didn't know what to do.

Seeing this, Bai Wenshen grinned maliciously and threatened, "We're all in the same boat. Everyone had blood on their hands that night. We all took turns sleeping with Zhao Siqian's wives. When Gao Xingzhou comes to question us, no one can escape."

Thirty people were involved in the bloodshed; they were his cronies and confidants who controlled the town's troops. After recovering from their initial panic, they shouted and encouraged each other.

"Even if Gao Xingzhou is a military governor, we still have to be reasonable."

"The law doesn't punish everyone; are they going to kill us all?"

"Let's go, grab our weapons and settle this with him."

After some encouraging words, the soldiers felt emboldened and blocked the gate of the garrison commander's mansion, intending to confront the state troops.

……

The crimson sunset cast its light on the high-flying banners and flags, the evening breeze causing the flags to flutter wildly. More than a thousand men stood like a forest of spears, their swords drawn, exuding a cold and murderous aura.

After a moment of silence, the entire army suddenly shouted in unison: "Our General has arrived! General Bai Wenshen, why are you not kneeling to welcome him!"

A military salute is given when meeting the commander-in-chief; one must kneel on one knee, clasp hands in a fist and bow, to express loyalty and reverence. If Bai Wenshen were to kneel and greet him outside his residence, it would signify that he had given up resistance.

"Give me an idea to get out of this."

The clerk's legs were trembling like a plucked pipa. If Bai Wenshen found out that he had betrayed him, before Gao Xingzhou even broke in, the murderer might kill him first to vent his anger.

He spoke cautiously, trembling with fear.

Bai Wenshen was overjoyed and patted him on the shoulder: "Scholars are indeed good at thinking, but it's a pity that your thing in your crotch is useless. The other day I put you in front, but you couldn't get it up, haha."

He raised his voice and shouted, "Those who are armed do not bow. This humble general, in full armor, bows to you, sir. May I ask what brings you to Bao'an Town?"

"This fellow actually knows the Book of Rites; does he think he's Zhou Yafu?" (Note 1)

Gao Xingzhou couldn't help but chuckle, and said loudly, "A serious case has occurred in Bao'an Town. Is Commander Bai going with me to the prefectural capital to explain things clearly, or are you planning to refuse my orders?"

The military governor's office reacted swiftly, arriving without delay upon receiving the report, and Bai Wenshen couldn't help but feel uneasy. However, he was in a difficult position, and still clung to a sliver of hope, shouting, "There's no need to trouble the military governor with the matter of Bao'an Town; this humble general can handle it himself."

Gao Xingzhou didn't waste any more words with him. He waved his hand, and his guards shouted, "The imperial banners are here. We'll give you a moment. If you don't surrender before sunset, we'll storm the mansion. Anyone who rebels or joins the traitors will be killed without mercy!"

As if to prove this statement true, crossbow bolts were nocked one after another, making a loud clicking sound.

After the silence subsided, Gao Xingzhou remained silent, clearly waiting for the appointed time to order the attack.

A disturbance broke out in the garrison commander's residence. Bai Wenshen knew perfectly well that the garrison soldiers had no will to fight, and that if the state troops launched an attack, they would probably surrender immediately.

"I have long admired your superb marksmanship and excellent military leadership, and I would like to learn from you. If you win, I will accept any punishment, however severe. But if I am fortunate enough to win even a single move or a duel, I would be grateful if you would leave."

"This damned fool actually wants to fight me in a duel to decide the victor."

Bai Wenshen struggled desperately. Gao Xingzhou originally had no reason to agree to such a request, but after thinking about it, he agreed and ordered the unrelated Bao'an Town soldiers to leave the mansion and surrender their weapons immediately.

The hundreds of soldiers immediately abandoned their armor and fled in disarray, leaving only thirty of their trusted confidants who knew they were doomed and bravely stayed by Bai Wenshen's side.

They pinned their hopes on Bai Wenshen's abilities, which he usually boasted about, as his unicorn dagger was particularly effective against long spears. What if he could turn the tide?

Bai Wenshen knew this was his only chance to survive, so he selected ten of his bravest and most desperate men: "First, ten against ten, a duel. Afterwards, I will demonstrate the commander's spear skills."

"Can."

Gao Xingzhou casually pointed to a dentist: "Go and test the mettle of the Bao'an Town soldiers."

"Yes, sir!"

The officer selected nine soldiers, who stood like ten bronze statues in the center, waiting for their opponents to come and die.

……

A clearing was set up outside the gate of the Bao'an Town magistrate's residence, and soldiers surrounded the area. Some of the bolder townspeople watched from a distance, pointing and whispering among themselves.

Ten soldiers from the security town lined up in a single horizontal formation: burly axe-wielding strong men, nimble spearmen, and swordsmen and shieldmen hunched over behind round shields. Their common features were ferocious expressions and menacing eyes as they nervously sized up their opponents.

The officers sent by Gao Xingzhou stood at the forefront with spears, less than three zhang away from the garrison's formation. If they took two quick steps forward, their spears could reach the other side.

One shield-wielding soldier and two spear-wielding soldiers stood side by side a step behind him;

Take another step back, and stand on each side, one shield-wielding soldier and one spear-wielding soldier.

The two soldiers behind the slings, each wielding a short hammer and axe, formed a narrow, cone-shaped formation.

At first glance, it was impossible to tell which side was stronger. Even if the military governor's troops had better armor and weapons, Bai Wenshen's garrison troops were not to be underestimated.

His plan was that as long as they fought to the death, it would be enough to humiliate Gao Xingzhou, and then Gao Xingzhou would still have the nerve to argue with him.

Accompanied by Lu Qian and Fu An, Gao Huaide arrived at the front lines to observe. As the newly appointed commander of the young masters, he wanted to see just how capable his subordinates were.

The next moment, the soldiers of Bao'an Town advanced in a horizontal formation, some fast and some slow, and surrounded the Ya School. Everyone understands the principle of capturing the leader first. As long as the leader is killed, the morale of the enemy will be greatly affected, and then they can take advantage of the chaos to attack.

The officer, fearless, stepped forward with his spear, followed by his soldiers, maintaining a tight formation.

"Drink it!"

One of the town's soldiers was the first to strike, thrusting his spear straight at the officer's face. A swordsman and shieldman nearby ducked and lunged forward, aiming for the officer's lower body, launching a coordinated attack from both above and below.

Ignoring the gleaming spearhead before him, the dentist thrust his spear downwards, blocking the attacker's momentum and causing him and his shield to stumble.

Two soldiers behind him suddenly thrust out their spears, one hitting his left shin and the other his right hip, both areas not covered by his shield.

The spearhead pierced through the leather armor, broke through the skin, penetrated deep into the muscle, and injured the bladder. The swordsman suffered immense pain, dropped his round shield and single-edged sword, and reached for the spear shaft, only to grasp empty air.

Having struck successfully, the spear was swiftly withdrawn, leaving two deep holes from which purplish-black blood gushed.

"I'm hurt! I'm hurt!"

The knife-wielder collapsed to the ground, curled up like a shrimp, clutching his wound and howling in pain.

A spear thrust was aimed at the fang school, but the shield-wielding fang soldier stepped forward to block it and parried it with all his might.

At the end of the Tang Dynasty, Zhu Wen invented the "Ba Dui Zhan" (a military execution method): if a general or officer died in battle, all his soldiers would be executed!

Although Gao Xingzhou did not carry out this cruel method, if officers fail to come to the rescue in a time of crisis, they will be severely punished afterward, and their future in the army will be ruined.

The dentist thwarted the enemy's offensive and, taking advantage of the fact that the enemy's weapon was blocked at the outer door, retaliated with a thrust of his spear.

The spearman had a companion who reached out with his spear to deflect the attack. The lancer roared and charged forward. The two spears clashed, their force overwhelming; the spearhead shattered the spear's teeth and pierced the soldier's face, silencing a bloodcurdling scream!

In the blink of an eye, one soldier from Bao'an Town was killed and another was wounded.

At this moment, several soldiers from both sides rushed forward. The soldiers split into two groups of eight, each with a shield between two spearmen and a short-range weapon. The two sides then engaged in combat.

The dentist, accompanied by the shield-bearer, charged directly into the enemy ranks.

The soldiers immediately realized the danger: if they allowed him to enter the formation and attack the enemy's flanks on the left and right, their own formation would immediately collapse. The burly man wielding the axe came over to stop him.

This man was the most ruthless of them all; he was Bai Wenshen's right-hand man and the leader of this group of town soldiers. It was he who kicked open the gate to the Zhao family's courtyard that day, broke into the bedroom, killed Zhao Siqian, and first forced himself on his wife.

He swung his axe, creating a whirlwind, and charged at the enemy. Judging from his fierce momentum, even a shield would be shattered to pieces.

The clash between the two will determine the outcome of this duel. If the commander can defeat the cavalry, the garrison can turn the tide; if the strongman loses, it will be difficult to recover. All eyes are on this side of the battle.

Close-quarters combat is a method of using one's strength to overcome another's weakness; the burly man lunged forward. He was confident in his superior martial prowess, believing that even the military officers and soldiers of the governor's mansion might not be his match.

A javelin flew out with a whoosh!

The shield bearers were equipped with javelins to confuse the enemy.

As the burly man dodged hastily, he was already a beat too slow. The schoolmaster's spear followed closely, stabbing him in the shoulder.

Protected by his armor, he was unharmed. The burly man swung his axe upwards, deflecting his opponent's weapon. Despite being shot, he was undeterred, his momentum undiminished, as he continued his tumbling and rolling attack.

The dentist calmly maintained his distance, using his spear to keep the enemy at bay. He occasionally launched counterattacks, but each shot was quickly withdrawn, causing no further damage.

The burly man grew increasingly agitated and shouted, "If you've got the guts, then fight me properly! Stop being so wishy-washy..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he noticed the situation in the room and felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

In the other two battle groups, their comrades lay scattered on the ground, groaning and wounded, each guarded by a gun-wielding soldier.

The remaining six soldiers, armed with spears, short weapons, and shields, flanked him from both sides from behind. Together with the officers and shield bearers in front, he was now surrounded on all sides!

The burly man knew perfectly well that a few weapons thrust forward in the next moment would take his life. With a clang, he dropped his axe, raised his hands, and shouted, "General, spare my life! I surrender!"

The dentist stared coldly at him, ordered the gunners to hold him back, and asked for instructions on how to deal with him.

Gao Xingzhou waved his hand, the officer bowed and gave the order, leaving the group of soldiers behind, and led his troops back to the ranks.

"That's incredible! Ten against ten, and not a single one was injured?"

Gao Huaide was speechless.

He could see clearly that in the two four-on-four battles, enemy soldiers thrust in from above with long spears, shield bearers raised their shields to pass over the spearheads, and long spears from within the ranks extended to kill the enemy. Regardless of whether they hit or missed, they quickly returned to their original formation.

Enemy soldiers thrust their spears at their feet, shield bearers sat down with their shields, and spearmen from within the formation extended to kill the enemy, but they quickly returned to their original positions five times.

The enemy soldier thrusts his spear from the left, intending to wound the shield soldier's buttocks. The spearman on the left attacks, and the short-range weapon immediately follows the spear. The long spear technique is used to defend against the enemy's attacks and provide support.

If the enemy's gun pierces the right, the same applies to the left.

If the enemy hesitates to advance, the shield bearers in the middle will advance while keeping their heads down and holding their shields, attacking with their left and right spears, providing close-quarters support.

Regardless of whether they advanced or stopped, opened or closed, moved left or right, or fought in front or behind, the original troops remained in perfect order, resulting in a crushing defeat for the garrison. (Note 2)

"These are the commander-in-chief's personal guards, seasoned veterans. With their formation and coordination, what's it to defeat a few disorganized garrison soldiers?"

After hearing Lu Qian's explanation and witnessing the ferocity of the soldiers firsthand, Gao Huaide had another thought: "When I first heard the story, Xia Luqi easily killed seven Weibo soldiers. My father's skills were about the same. Just how powerful must he be?"

He soon found out the answer to the question.