Chapter 197: I Shall Leave Him Nothing Standing
Get a glimpse of "The Great Ming in the Box" Chapter 193: Every time Liang Shixian came to Gaojia Village, it brought trouble.He either came to borrow... Continue the adventure now!
Every time Liang Shixian came to Gaojia Village, it brought trouble.He either came 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 melon 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, âThis visit⌠ahem⌠is to borrow some bows once moreâŚâ
He trailed off, so embarrassed he wished to dig a hole and disappear.
Thirty-Two nodded, âHave the bandits returned?â
Liang Shixian sighed deeply. âIndeed. And itâs our old acquaintance, Bu Zhan Ni of Luochuan.â
Thirty-Two raised an eyebrow. âOh? He suffered two defeats in our Chengcheng County. He dares show his face again?â
Liang Shixian replied gravely, âThis requires an explanation of the northern situationâŚâ
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 government control.
Wang Er marched freely through Luochuan and continued northward.
Meanwhile, Bu Zhan Ni, emerging 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 Niâs Eighth Squad would become known by another nameâLi Zicheng.
But for now, it remained vacant.
Liang Shixian continued, âBu Zhan Ni rampages across Luochuan with growing power. His seven divisions advance along multiple routes. Two of them⌠are headed toward Chengcheng County.â
Thirty-Two frowned, âWouldnât uniting make them stronger? Why split their forces?â
Patrol Officer Fang Wushang snorted coldly, âIf all seven divisions united, theyâd number tens of thousands. How could plundered village grain sustain so many mouths? Unable to capture fortified towns, they must scatter to scavenge.â
Only then did Thirty-Two understand, his face darkening, âThis scattered pillaging⌠surely makes life even harder for the common people.â
Liang Shixian sighed, âThe Luochuan people suffer terribly. Alas, as Chengcheng County Magistrate, Luochuan lies beyond my authority. But here, I shall act against these bandits!â
He unfurled a detailed official map, pointing. âFirst 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.â
Thirty-Two inquired, âWhat are Your Honorâs intentions?â
Liang Shixian laid out his plan: âBoth Fengyuan Town and Bai Family Fortress must be held. I shall lead the magistratesâ troops and Fengyuanâs militia against Yan Qianer. For Bai Family Fortressâs front, its militia and Gaojia Villageâs shall jointly defend it.â
Fang Wushang added, âIâll position troops between Fengyuan and the fortress. Whichever flank the bandits assault, I reinforce.â
Li Daoxuan gave a slight nod; this strategy seemed sound.
Liang Shixian concluded, âThus, I request Gaojia Village send its militia to Bai Family Fortress. Their militia instructor, Bai Yuan, comes from a kind-hearted family. Once I persuade him to house your men within the fortress, he will surely honor my request.â
Just then, hoofbeats sounded. Several riders approached at speed.
Leading them, clad in white robesâBai 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 Deityâfor propriety was his creed.
He galloped toward the fort, dismounted, and stood before Liang Shixian and Thirty-Two.
âAh! County Lord? General Fang!â Bai Yuan bowed deeply with flawless courtesy. âWhat fortune brings us together!â
Liang Shixian smiled. âMaster Bai! We were just speaking of you. Bu Zhan Ni splits his forces for another assault. I hoped Gaojia Villageâs militia might reinforce your position at Bai Family Fortress. And here you are!â
Bai Yuan replied, âI came precisely for this! Hunters brought word: bandits mass again on Huanglong Mountain. I came to warn Gaojia Village. AhemâŚâ
Coughing meaningfully, he pulled a book from his saddlebagâElementary Math: Sixth Grade, Volume 2. Waving it triumphantly, he declared, âAnd to discipline my insolent son.â
Seeing this, Li Daoxuan understood: Bai Yuan had completed all twelve volumes. The textbook was his trophy.
Liang Shixian asked curiously, âWhat book is this? Why discipline your son here?â
Bai Yuan laughed heartily. âMathematics!â
Turning to the sentinel on the fort wall, he called, âSummon my unruly son! Tell him, his father challenges him to a math duel! This time⌠I shall leave him nothing standing!â
Liang Shixian raised an eyebrow. âMathematics? Fascinating! Iâm somewhat skilled myself.â
Bai Yuanâs eyes lit up. âYour Honor excels too? Excellent! Come! Solve this first: Pheasants and rabbits share one cage. Thirty-five heads, ninety-four legs. How many of each?â
Immediately, Liang Shixianâs mind shifted into calculation. Flocks of pheasants and rabbits swirled before himâthirty-five heads and ninety-four legs whirling chaotically. Lines connected heads to legs, sketching phantom bodies. When the mental image coheredâŚâDing!â The scene froze into clarity.
In his mindâs suspended world, Liang Shixian pointed and counted meticulously. The result: twenty-three pheasants, twelve rabbits.
He announced proudly, âTwenty-three pheasants. Twelve rabbits.â