White Horse, Silver Spear, Grand Commandant Gao

Gao Xingzhou's return to the capital signaled the end of Gao Huaide's carefree days.

What made him even more jealous was that, under his father's personal guidance, Yang Chonggui's marksmanship had improved rapidly. Although he was still far behind him, it made him feel nervous that he would be overtaken.

"Could there really be naturally born martial arts prodigies in this world?"

Gao Yanei could be carefree and irresponsible, but it would be unacceptable for him to lose to someone who came later, forcing him to take things more seriously.

Gao Xingzhou's teaching method has always been progressive, covering everything from spear stances and pole shaking to spear thrusting, basic routines, variations in moves, and combat scenarios.

Gao Huaide learned all the moves, but he still had to practice thrusting the spear constantly.

Practice three hundred thrusts a day and two hundred thrusts a night until you can advance one shot, hitting the eye of a coin three zhang away during the day and extinguishing an incense stick without breaking it at night. Only then can your accuracy be considered basically qualified.

Further training leads to the levels of "slaying small, moving creatures" and "striking a target while riding a horse," respectively.

Gao Xingzhou said that only when one's kung fu reaches that level can one be considered to be able to use it with ease and not embarrass oneself on the battlefield.

"You were just lucky to kill the enemy before."

Hmph, luck again.

His father was always strict, and Gao Huaide was used to being suppressed. Instead of becoming passive and self-conscious, he became more rebellious and often outwardly complied but inwardly defied his father.

Yang Chonggui was the complete opposite of him. He was tenacious and resilient, and he would never give up even when he was at a disadvantage in sparring, often making a comeback from a desperate situation.

In the past, when sparring with his younger brother, Gao Huaide would always take care of his pride and self-esteem. But when fighting Yang Chonggui, no matter how much the boy lost, he would not be discouraged and could go all out.

After practicing with a gun, Yang Chonggui would always grab a knife and have another match. Although he never won, his strength lay in his ability to become more courageous with each setback.

That day, the two were playing ping-pong, and Gao Huaide caught a glimpse of his sister coming to the sidelines, seemingly wanting to say something. He blocked her way and shouted, "Stop playing! Let's hear what Sister Xuan has to say first."

Upon hearing this, Yang Chonggui quickly stopped, turned around and saw Gao Huaixuan standing behind him with a smile. He blushed and lowered his head, just in time to see that she was holding a piece of paper in her slender hand.

"Liangdi sent a letter home."

Gao Huaixuan waved the letter in her hand and said gently to Yang Chonggui, "Would you like to write a letter home too?"

Yang Chonggui's face flushed even redder, and he murmured softly, "I'm not very literate."

Gao Huaide almost burst out laughing, but forgot that his literacy was also limited and he wasn't much better at it.

Many sons of military families are illiterate, which did not surprise the Gao siblings. For example, the late Emperor Li Siyuan was illiterate, and he had the Privy Councilor An Chonghui read all the memorials to the throne, yet he was still a good emperor.

An Chonghui was only a mediocre scholar, but he suggested establishing the position of Academician of the Duanming Hall. He found Feng Dao, who was renowned for his literary talent, to take the position, and from then on, his official career was smooth sailing.

Yang Chonggui originally thought that being illiterate was no big deal, but Gao Huailiang was able to write back, while he was crude and uncultured. He felt that he would be looked down upon by the Gao siblings, and suddenly felt somewhat disheartened.

Gao Huaixuan gently comforted her, saying, "Reading and learning to read are only for understanding principles, knowing right from wrong, and being upright. That is what makes a hero and a great man. Otherwise, the more you read, the more wicked you become, and the more harm you will cause."

Just as Yang Chonggui felt a little better, Gao Huaide said, "It's no big deal, you can have someone else write it for you."

"don't want."

Yang Chonggui sternly refused.

"Ha, it must be some mushy stuff you're saying because you miss your little wife and don't want anyone to know."

"You're talking nonsense! Who misses her?"

Yang Chonggui gripped the golden knife tightly, feeling increasingly embarrassed and awkward.

Gao Huaide guessed half right. He was indeed quite conflicted. He wanted to write to his parents and brothers to inquire about their well-being, but he also felt that as a man, what was the point of being sentimental? He didn't want others to know about his inner vulnerability.

"De-di, you're bullying me again."

Gao Huaixuan scolded her younger brother, then continued to persuade Yang Chonggui: "It is only natural to feel homesick when looking at the clouds. After being away from home for so long, it would be best to send a letter back to put your family at ease."

Looking at the clouds? What clouds are you looking at?

Gao Huaide was unaware that this was a story about the famous minister Di Renjie, who, when serving as the legal advisor in Bingzhou, climbed Mount Taihang and saw a lone white cloud flying by. He lamented to his follower Li Yuanfang, "I live below it," and remained lost in thought for a long time until the cloud moved away. This shows that Gao Huaide's own learning was not very good.

He was about to tease Yang Chonggui when his sister glared at him and stopped him: "Just tell me, I'll write it for you, okay?"

Yang Chonggui found it hard to refuse such kindness and finally nodded.

……

"Dad, Mom, it's been almost two months since I left home. I miss you so much. I can't sleep well every night because I can't hear you talking. I just miss you even more."

"I have been away from my parents for two months since I started my family business. I miss them terribly. I have not been able to receive their teachings. I am filled with anxiety day and night. This has only increased my longing for them."

"Your son is staying in a very nice guest room here. He has brought enough clothes, food, and other necessities, so you don't need to worry."

At this point, Yang Chonggui looked up at Gao Huaixuan, who was writing furiously, and Gao Huaide, who was making faces at him, and added, "The Gao family has been very good to me. I've made friends with them and have had a great time."

"My son is staying in the east wing of the governor's mansion. He has plenty of clothing and food, so don't worry. He is getting along well with the Gao family's sons and they have formed a close friendship since childhood. They are very happy together."

"Gao Jieshuai devoted himself to teaching boxing and spear techniques. I practiced diligently and have already begun to grasp the basics. I have also not given up the family's traditional sword techniques."

Gao Huaixuan wrote it down as instructed, glancing at Gao Huaide as if to say, "Look at what others are like."

Gao Huaide raised his head and snorted disdainfully.

"My younger brother takes care of our parents while I'm away. Even though we're separated by thousands of miles, I'm at ease."

"Brother, you are going on a long journey. Your brothers must be filial and do their best to serve you. Seek fish from the ice and bamboo shoots from the frost. Although we are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers and are on different paths, you can put your mind at ease."

"That's all I'll write. I have a lot on my mind, but I can't put it all into words right away."

"A letter cannot fully express my feelings, but I will briefly convey them. My son... wishes you good health and happiness."

Gao Huaixuan left a blank space and smiled, "It's done. See if it's okay. Here, write your name here."

Following her finger, Yang Chonggui saw a piece of small regular script, the ink still wet and warm.

The characters are delicate and long like silk threads, and the short strokes resemble carvings, hence the name "Zanhua Xiaokai" (Hairpin Flower Small Regular Script). It was created by Lady Wei, who inspired Wang Xizhi's calligraphy.

Although Yang Chonggui did not know the origin, his writing was still beautiful and neat. As for the content, it was mostly too literary to understand, so it was probably written according to his own ideas.

"Yes, yes, that's great!"

Yang Chonggui picked up the pen, the pen in his hand feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds, much heavier than a golden knife, and wrote his name with trepidation.

He put down his pen, remembering that Gao Huaixuan had just held it, and for some reason his face turned red again. Looking at the three crooked characters, so out of place with the otherwise elegant writing, Yang Chonggui wished he could disappear into the ground.

"Hey, it's just a letter home, it's not like you're being asked to sign it and start a rebellion, what's there to be so upset about?"

Gao Huaide put his arm around his shoulder: "Come on, before the sun sets, let's take the dog for a walk, and I'll continue teaching you how to play cards tonight."

……

In the evening, Yang Chonggui said he wasn't in the mood to play cards, and Gao Huaide didn't force him.

He returned to his room, lit the oil lamp, and unfolded the letter his younger brother had sent him.

His parents and sister had already read it. Gao Huaide asked for the letter, but he was in no hurry. He waited until late at night to read it slowly.

Gao Huailiang wrote two full pages, and the contents of his letter were much richer than those of Yang Chonggui, that taciturn fellow who was not good at expressing himself.

"After parting, we traveled a hundred li a day and arrived in Linzhou in five days. We rode along the way, and fortunately, we did not disgrace the Gao family."

When Gao Huaide went to Bao'an Town, he experienced the feeling of forced marching. It was really not easy for his younger brother, who was so young, to be able to endure it.

He pursed his lips. His father's face was saved, but his mother and sister must be heartbroken. That Yang Hongxin was probably just testing his younger brother's character; how despicable.

"Going upstream against the current, from southeast to northwest, the terrain gradually rises. After crossing hills and ravines, the Great Wall stretches out like a dragon, visible in the distance."

There is also a section of the Great Wall in Yanzhou, located in Wuqi Town at the westernmost tip of the prefecture. Gao Huaide has not yet visited it. However, he had seen it before when he was in the Zhenwu Army. From his words, one can sense the awe his younger brother felt upon seeing such a magnificent structure.

"Linzhou City is located on a mountain ridge, and its shape resembles a clear stream but is wider. It is said that it was first built in the twelfth year of the Kaiyuan era, and it has been more than two hundred years since then."

"Surrounded by steep cliffs on all sides, with numerous beacon towers, and a river flowing at the foot of the mountain, named Kuno River."

"Three ancient pine trees outside the city welcome guests; locals call them sacred trees."

Gao Huaide scratched his head. Was his younger brother writing a travelogue, expressing the scenes he saw, and wanting the family to feel as if they were there?

"The entrance to the city is a place surrounded by walls on all sides, with the gate opening on the side. After turning a corner and passing through a long passageway, you finally enter the inner city."

It even has a barbican; that's pretty impressive.

"The inner city of Linzhou is commonly known as Zijin City. Climbing the city wall and looking north, the scenery changes dramatically, with patches of blue and green dotting the vast expanse of yellow sand dunes. According to the Yang family, these are all grassland lakes, commonly known as Haizi."

Gao Huailiang then mentioned his life in the Yang family, which was far less refined than the governor's mansion, but had its own unique charm.

The Yang family was large, and every meal consisted of eight bowls and three plates, with everyone gathered around to eat a traditional feast, which was very lively.

Yang Hongxin also carefully taught him swordsmanship: "Once I have mastered it all, I believe my skills will catch up with yours, brother."

Gao Huaide shook his head repeatedly. "Dual cultivation of spear and sword is a joke. Even Yang Chonggui, the direct descendant, couldn't beat me, let alone someone like you who started halfway through. Brother, don't go astray!"

"Yang Chongxun, the second son of the Yang family, took me to the lake and taught me to swim, a skill that my elder brother didn't know. The fish we caught were set up on a rack and either grilled or stewed, and they smelled delicious."

"Well, how dare you mock me for being a landlubber? It's not like I'm Cao Mengde leading the southern expedition; so what if I can't swim?"

Gao Huaide was familiar with plays about the Three Kingdoms, such as "Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats," "Borrowing the East Wind," "Burning the Red Cliffs," and "Huarong Road." The northern soldiers were not good at swimming and were defeated by Zhou Yu's fire and Zhuge Liang's borrowing of the east wind.

So what? What does it have to do with me?

"Linzhou is very windy, often with sand and dust flying everywhere. If you don't wear a straw hat and face mask when you go out, a gust of wind will blow your mouth full of sand. Sometimes there is thunder and hail, so you have to stay indoors."

"When I had free time, I would think about my father, mother, sister, and brother. What were you all doing?"

In the final lines of the letter, Gao Huailiang still revealed a hint of homesickness.

Upon reading this, Gao Huaide jumped up.

I need to write something for my younger brother.

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Place Name Comparison

Tongzhou: present-day Dali County, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province