novelAbuy Chapter 23 Six Towns Join Forces to Attack Fengxiang
Chapter 23 Six Towns Join Forces to Attack Fengxiang
"Bai Wenshen, you've lost the duel, what more do you want?"
After cleaning up the bodies and wounded, Gao Xingzhou stared coldly at Bai Wenshen with two sharp eyes, waiting for him to make a decision.
Like a gambler who has lost everything except his last copper coin, Bai Wenshen's eyes were bloodshot. He drew his twin swords and clashed them together with a clang. The swords formed a cross, and he stood at attention, shouting, "This humble general would like to learn from the commander's spear technique."
Gao Xingzhou gently pulled on the reins, and Bai Wenshen hurriedly said, "This humble general is only capable of fighting on foot. If the commander insists on fighting on horseback, it would be an unfair victory."
"That fellow is cunning and treacherous."
When mounted against foot soldiers, the long spears are almost useless against those with short weapons.
As a military commander of a town, agreeing to a duel is already a great honor; there is absolutely no need to agree to such an unreasonable request.
For some reason, Gao Xingzhou actually accepted, dismounted, picked up his silver spear, and slowly walked into the circle.
……
"It's a pity you didn't see it with your own eyes. That White Plague God was carrying two short blades, twisting his waist and turning around, jumping up and down, just like a monkey, circling around Aye. It was hilarious."
Upon returning from Bao'an Town, Gao Huaide couldn't wait to find his older sister and younger brother and vividly recount the events of that day to them.
"Brother, Father has taught us how to use short weapons: with a single sword, watch your hand; with two swords, watch your movement. The sword should never leave your body, and your hands, feet, shoulders, and back should move in unison with the sword."
Gao Huailiang questioned, "Bai Wenshen's playing style is quite methodical."
Gao Huaide was displeased: "Go away, go away, only you remember clearly, okay? I'm not saying anything more."
"Liangdi, don't interrupt, listen to what Dedi has to say."
With his older sister smoothing things over, Gao Huaide continued recounting the duel: "When Aye thrust out his spear, Bai Wanshen raised his unicorn dagger in his left hand and used the forked tip to lock the spear shaft. Guess what happened?"
Before anyone could reply, he continued, "But it couldn't be locked up. The spearhead still went straight for his face, scaring Bai Wenshen so much that he quickly turned his head to dodge."
"Sigh, thinking you can block a spear attack with two short swords, how stupid."
Gao Huaide shook his head and sighed, feeling sympathy for the knife-wielders who died by gunfire.
Short weapons are advantageous for rapid advances, but they are ultimately difficult to engage in prolonged combat with long weapons. Prolonged engagements will inevitably lead to defeat. Only in narrow spaces such as streets, alleys, and indoors can long spears be effectively countered.
The eighteen-foot-long spear moved swiftly like a shooting star, advancing rapidly. Even those skilled in using weapons such as the hairpin rake, hook sickle, and crescent blade could only parry the spear without penetrating the body, let alone the two-foot-long unicorn horn blade.
With marksmanship mastered to Gao Xingzhou's level, all the body's strength is concentrated at the spearhead, making it no exaggeration to say that a single shot can pierce a wall. To fight a long spear with a short, butcher's blade is a plot device that would likely only appear in stories focusing on romance.
"The White Plague God narrowly escaped, breaking out in a cold sweat. Taking advantage of Aye's spear thrusting out and not yet retracted, he used a series of strikes, each landing on the spear shaft with a flowing, stabbing motion, and stepped forward to close in on the enemy."
The continuous strike is a combat technique that uses rapid short-range weapons to strike and suppress the spear shaft, preventing the spearhead from rising. Once the spearman is caught in the middle and forced into close combat, he is unable to fight effectively and is like a bare-handed fighter. He must withdraw his spear and step back to maintain distance in order to cope.
"This White Plague God is quite capable, isn't he?"
"That's right, but the outcome was decided in just one move."
Gao Xingzhou drew his gun, but stood firmly in place, letting Bai Wenshen rush in within three feet of him, seemingly about to stab him with his knife.
"Seeing that Aye's gate was wide open, the White Plague God swung his unicorn horn knife and used the blade to stab his chest and abdomen."
Although Gao Huaixuan and Gao Huailiang knew that their father was not injured, their hearts still raced.
To be honest, Gao Huaide was also very worried at that time.
A one-on-one duel is a life-or-death matter, and all sorts of unexpected things can happen. Unless you can overpower your opponent, who can guarantee a victory?
At some point, Gao Xingzhou switched to holding the gun at midsection, flicked his wrist, and swung the butt of the gun backward. The iron pommel at the butt of the gun weighed several ounces, like a small iron hammer, and slammed heavily into Bai Wenshen's shoulder!
With a single blow, Bai Wenshen was unable to hold the blade, and the Linjiao sword clattered to the ground, causing him to stagger backward.
Gao Xingzhou spun his spear halfway around, placing it precisely on his opponent's shoulder. The blade was only inches from the vital blood vessels in his neck; a slight movement would slit his throat. "Bai Wenshen, you've lost."
It's a long story, but the exchange was brief; he defeated his enemy in just one move.
The ringleader was apprehended, and his henchmen surrendered without resistance.
Gao Xingzhou ordered a notice to be posted, listing the generals of Bao'an Town who refused to accept the order, and that anyone who had been harmed by them could report and complain to the military governor's magistrate.
Even after witnessing the capture of the White Plague God who had plagued the town for years, the people, intimidated by his tyranny, dared not come forward for the time being. One woman spat angrily and turned to leave.
"I'm going to sue him!"
After a moment of silence, a young man pushed through the crowd and stood up, shouting at the top of his lungs, "I, Zhao Siwan, am suing Bai Wenshen, the magistrate of Bao'an Town, for the murder of my brother Zhao Siqian and his entire family of seventeen!"
……
Fengxiang Prefecture.
Just as a minor disturbance was brewing in Bao'an Town, a war on a hundred times the scale was about to break out.
March 4th, Jia Chen.
Zhang Qianzhao, the military governor of Shannan West Circuit, reported that he would join forces with the troops of Xijing to attack Li Congke.
The seventh day of the third month, Dingwei day.
Sun Hanshao, the military governor of Wuding Army in Yangzhou, reported that upon arriving in Xingyuan, he and Zhang Qianzhao jointly discussed advancing the army.
The imperial army set up camp in Fufeng County, a hundred miles away from Fengxiang. The Western Capital Garrison, the Hezhong Protectorate Army, the Jingzhou Zhangyi Army, and the Binzhou Jingnan Army arrived one after another. In addition, the troops of Zhang Qianzhao and Sun Hanshao, who set out from Hanzhong, took the Chencang Old Road, and passed through Dasanguan, made the army even more impressive.
However, before the war even began, the planned deployment went awry.
"Minister Zhang, why didn't Commander Sun come? Wasn't he with you?"
Wang Sitong asked in surprise, "Sun Hanshao submitted a memorial requesting to fight, and the court has already granted permission. The two of them should have led their troops here together."
"You mean Han Shao? I've left him to guard Xingyuan. We must be wary of Meng Zhixiang." (Note 1)
Sun Hanshao was only one year younger than Zhang Qianzhao, yet Zhang Qianzhao addressed him as a junior.
Sun Hanshao was the son of Li Cunjin, the Righteous Army. Zhang Qianzhao had served under Li Keyong, Li Cunxu, and Li Siyuan, and considered himself to be of the same generation as his father. Last year, he was appointed as the Chancellor and concurrently served as the Commander of the Western Cavalry and Infantry, ranking above him. Therefore, Zhang looked down on him.
"The Fengxiang Prefecture has less than 10,000 soldiers, while our army has more than 60,000. We are no less than the few thousand soldiers of the Wuding Army. It is crucial to defend the important location of Hanzhong."
Zhang Qianzhao's words made some sense. Meng Zhixiang had always been defiant of the court, existing in a semi-independent state. Four years ago, the late emperor sent Shi Jingtang to suppress him, but the campaign failed, resulting in the loss of a fierce general like Xia Luqi.
Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, chaos has broken out in Fengxiang. Meng Zhixiang harbors treacherous intentions, and it's hard to guarantee that he won't do something scheming.
Wang Sitong felt somewhat regretful, as Sun Hanshao had joined the army at the age of ten and repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. His father, Li Cunjin, was a fierce general under Li Keyong, who accompanied him into the pass and decisively defeated Huang Chao.
Li Cunxu subdued Weibo and appointed him as the Military Inspector of Tianxiong Army, responsible for monitoring the group of arrogant soldiers who had been running rampant for over a hundred years. The Silver Spear Xiaojie was strong and difficult to control, and he was always plotting to cause trouble. Li Cunxu used the law to deal with him. If any Weibo soldier violated orders, he would be beheaded and his body dismembered in the marketplace. All the other armies were terrified.
Unfortunately, in order to quell the rebellion of Zhang Wenli in Zhenzhou, famous generals such as Shi Jiantang, Yan Bao, and Li Sizhao died one after another in battle, and Li Cunjin succeeded him as commander-in-chief. One day, he sent troops out to graze at dawn, when more than a thousand enemy soldiers suddenly attacked. Li Cunjin had only a dozen or so personal guards left and had to hastily fight back.
The soldiers who had gone out to gather firewood returned one after another to reinforce the enemy, and finally wiped out the enemy forces. However, Li Cunjin died a heroic death on the bridge. (Note 2)
"In suppressing the rebellion in Zhenzhou, many famous generals were lost."
Wang Sitong shook his head, dismissing the ominous thought, and decided to focus on the present.
Yangzhou belonged to Shannan West Circuit and was under the control of Zhang Qianzhao. He could not interfere, so he could only discuss with his generals how to advance based on the existing lineup.
"There's no need to waste time planning; just launch a fierce attack, and Fengxiang can be taken in one fell swoop."
Zhang Qianzhao's words were laced with contempt, not only towards Li Congke, but also towards the head coach.
He was ten years older than Wang Sitong, had been promoted earlier, and his military experience far surpassed Wang Sitong's. Furthermore, his reputation as a military strategist at Jizhou was widely known; no wonder Zhang Qianzhao didn't take him seriously.
Deputy Commander Yao Yanchou wholeheartedly agreed: "If we surround the city with our troops, Li Congke can only cower like a tortoise. What tricks can he possibly use to turn the tide?"
The other generals felt that the two were too optimistic, but the situation was indeed much better, and it was time to take the initiative to attack.
As the art of war says, "Attack when the enemy is five times stronger." Our army outnumbers the enemy sixfold.
The military council concluded that on March 15th, the entire army would gather beneath Fengxiang City and launch an attack from all sides.
Zhang Qianzhao seemed to have forgotten the lesson of his failed assault on Dingzhou.
The other military governors also did not expect how this war to quell the rebellion, which should have been a foregone conclusion and a sure thing, would unfold and end.
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Place Name Comparison
Fufeng: present-day Fufeng County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province
Yangzhou: present-day Yangxian County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province
Xingyuan: The eastern part of present-day Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province