Every ti Liang Shixian ca to Gaojia Village, it brought trouble.
He either ca to borrow grain or to borrow bows.
This visit, his awkward smile signaled yet another request for supplies.
Thirty-Two rushed to greet him first. Gao Yiye hurried back to the lookout tower to change into her formal attire.
Li Daoxuan settled on a small stool with lon seeds and peanuts, preparing to watch the drama unfold.
Liang Shixian and Thirty-Two exchanged a dizzying stream of polite formalities. The chaotic small talk made Fang Wushang and even the observing Li Daoxuan above show expressions of impatience.
After what felt like ages, the two finally reached the core matter.
Liang Shixian spoke first, “This visit… ahem… is to borrow so bows once more…”
He trailed off, so embarrassed he wished to dig a hole and disappear.
Thirty-Two nodded, “Have the bandits returned?”
Liang Shixian sighed deeply. “Indeed. And it’s our old acquaintance, Bu Zhan Ni of Luochuan.”
Thirty-Two raised an eyebrow. “Oh? He suffered two defeats in our Chengcheng County. He dares show his face again?”
Liang Shixian replied gravely, “This requires an explanation of the northern situation…”
He proceeded to narrate the events.
Days earlier, Bai Shui Wang Er had marched north from Yijun County into Luochuan territory.
The Luochuan patrol officer led his troops against Wang Er, confident of victory. Yet they suffered a devastating defeat and retreated in disarray to the county seat.
This left the entire Luochuan County beyond governnt control.
Wang Er marched freely through Luochuan and continued northward.
anwhile, Bu Zhan Ni, erging from Huanglong Mountain, seized his chance to regroup. Being a native of Luochuan with considerable influence, he rallied multiple rebel forces upon appearing, greatly swelling his ranks.
Now commanding a formidable host, Bu Zhan Ni led seven elite divisions:
First Team: Yan Qianer
Second Team: Dian Deng Zi (Zhao Sheng)
Third Team: Li Jin Wang
Fourth Team: Scorpion Block
Fifth Team: Old Zhang Fei
Sixth Team: King of Chaos
Seventh Team: Ye Bu Shou
Hearing this list, Li Daoxuan silently noted: Only seven teams now? Once the eighth joins… matters will turn truly dire.
For Bu Zhan Ni’s Eighth Squad would beco known by another na—Li Zicheng.
But for now, it remained vacant.
Liang Shixian continued, “Bu Zhan Ni rampages across Luochuan with growing power. His seven divisions advance along multiple routes. Two of them… are headed toward Chengcheng County.”
Thirty-Two frowned, “Wouldn’t uniting make them stronger? Why split their forces?”
Patrol Officer Fang Wushang snorted coldly, “If all seven divisions united, they’d number tens of thousands. How could plundered village grain sustain so many mouths? Unable to capture fortified towns, they must scatter to scavenge.”
Only then did Thirty-Two understand, his face darkening, “This scattered pillaging… surely makes life even harder for the common people.”
Liang Shixian sighed, “The Luochuan people suffer terribly. Alas, as Chengcheng County Magistrate, Luochuan lies beyond my authority. But here, I shall act against these bandits!”
He unfurled a detailed official map, pointing. “First Team: Yan Qianer will likely attack from Fengyuan Town. Second Team: Dian Deng Zi entered Huanglong Mountain, so they might strike from Bai Family Fortress.”
Thirty-Two inquired, “What are Your Honor’s intentions?”
Liang Shixian laid out his plan: “Both Fengyuan Town and Bai Family Fortress must be held. I shall lead the magistrates’ troops and Fengyuan’s militia against Yan Qianer. For Bai Family Fortress’s front, its militia and Gaojia Village’s shall jointly defend it.”
Fang Wushang added, “I’ll position troops between Fengyuan and the fortress. Whichever flank the bandits assault, I reinforce.”
Li Daoxuan gave a slight nod; this strategy seed sound.
Liang Shixian concluded, “Thus, I request Gaojia Village send its militia to Bai Family Fortress. Their militia instructor, Bai Yuan, cos from a kind-hearted family. Once I persuade him to house your n within the fortress, he will surely honor my request.”
Just then, hoofbeats sounded. Several riders approached at speed.
Leading them, clad in white robes—Bai Yuan himself. Followed by retainers, he cut an imposing figure.
Entering Gaojia Village, Bai Yuan raised clasped fists skyward from horseback, offering ritual obeisance to the Deity—for propriety was his creed.
He galloped toward the fort, dismounted, and stood before Liang Shixian and Thirty-Two.
“Ah! County Lord? General Fang!” Bai Yuan bowed deeply with flawless courtesy. “What fortune brings us together!”
Liang Shixian smiled. “Master Bai! We were just speaking of you. Bu Zhan Ni splits his forces for another assault. I hoped Gaojia Village’s militia might reinforce your position at Bai Family Fortress. And here you are!”
Bai Yuan replied, “I ca precisely for this! Hunters brought word: bandits mass again on Huanglong Mountain. I ca to warn Gaojia Village. Ahem…”
Coughing aningfully, he pulled a book from his saddlebag—Elentary Math: Sixth Grade, Volu 2. Waving it triumphantly, he declared, “And to discipline my insolent son.”
Seeing this, Li Daoxuan understood: Bai Yuan had completed all twelve volus. The textbook was his trophy.
Liang Shixian asked curiously, “What book is this? Why discipline your son here?”
Bai Yuan laughed heartily. “Mathematics!”
Turning to the sentinel on the fort wall, he called, “Summon my unruly son! Tell him, his father challenges him to a math duel! This ti… I shall leave him nothing standing!”
Liang Shixian raised an eyebrow. “Mathematics? Fascinating! I’m sowhat skilled myself.”
Bai Yuan’s eyes lit up. “Your Honor excels too? Excellent! Co! Solve this first: Pheasants and rabbits share one cage. Thirty-five heads, ninety-four legs. How many of each?”
Imdiately, Liang Shixian’s mind shifted into calculation. Flocks of pheasants and rabbits swirled before him—thirty-five heads and ninety-four legs whirling chaotically. Lines connected heads to legs, sketching phantom bodies. When the ntal image cohered…”Ding!” The scene froze into clarity.
In his mind’s suspended world, Liang Shixian pointed and counted ticulously. The result: twenty-three pheasants, twelve rabbits.
He announced proudly, “Twenty-three pheasants. Twelve rabbits.”
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