Chapter Ten: Gao Xianzhi

  Gao Xianzhi, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty, was skilled in mountain warfare and is one of the few experts in mountain warfare in Chinese history. Due to his great success in mountain warfare, he was called "King of Mountain Warfare" by Western historians.

  At this time, Gao Xianzhi was the deputy governor of Anxi Protectorate, concurrently serving as the commander-in-chief of the army and the vice-ambassador of the four towns. He was the second most important person in Anxi Protectorate. At that time, the number one person in Anxi Protectorate was Husband Mong Linggui, but Gao Xianzhi was highly respected by people due to his outstanding military talent, and he had already made great achievements, with strong appeal, he was already the spiritual leader of Anxi Protectorate.

  "The expedition is about to begin!" Li Changguo's heart was filled with excitement.

  According to historical development, Gao Xianzhi will use troops against Lesser Bolü this year, achieving his reputation as the "King of the Mountains". Gao Xianzhi's life was marked by battles, and his most glorious battle was the conquest of Lesser Bolü in the sixth year of Tianbao. His greatest regret was the defeat at Talas, which hindered the Tang Dynasty's westward expansion.

  If Gao Xianzhi were to use troops against Small Balur, Li Changguo would have a place to use his skills. The reason why Li Changguo became a garrison soldier in Congling Garrison was closely related to this.

  "Go! Welcome Vice Mayor!" Duan Xiushi waved his hand and led the way out.

  Li Changguo gave Kang De a glance, and the two of them hastily followed. As soon as they left the military headquarters, they saw a team of cavalry rushing towards them.

  This team of people is no less than a hundred, with bright clothes and angry horses, shiny helmets and armor, extraordinary momentum, very fierce, the killing intent on their bodies is faintly visible, at a glance it can be known that they are veterans who have been through many battles.

  The first man was extremely tall and strong, wearing bright armor, carrying a hard bow and strong arrows, with an air of heroism that made people feel good.

  This person is extremely handsome, with a face that has smooth and beautiful lines, he's the most handsome among all handsome men. When walking on the street, people often turn their heads to look at him. Although he's already a middle-aged uncle, his handsomeness hasn't decreased at all, but instead increased several points of mature man charm.

  He is Gao Xianzhi!

  According to historical records, Gao Xianzhi was extremely handsome and a perfect gentleman.

  His personal guards, all in bright armor and helmets, were riding fine horses that had been carefully selected from the western regions. According to historical records, Gao Xianzhi always brought more than thirty attendants with him on his expeditions, and indeed it was so.

  "Met the Deputy Governor!"

  Duan Xiushi stepped forward quickly and paid his respects to Gao Xian with extreme reverence.

  Gao Xianzhi was a young man when he joined the army, and by his early twenties, he had already been promoted to general, with the same rank as his father Gao Lishi. He relied on his outstanding military talent, accumulated merit, and rose through the ranks, becoming a famous general through his own abilities, not relying on his family's influence. His prestige was extremely high, and the soldiers of the Anxi Protectorate adored him, including even heroes like Duan Xiushi.

  "Let him off!" Gao Xianzhi flew down from his horse, landed silently, and didn't stir up any dust, displaying extremely impressive martial skills.

  Li Changguo watched with his eyes, raised an eyebrow, nodded slightly, and secretly admired: "The martial arts of the Great Tang Dynasty are brilliant, that's because the Great Tang Dynasty has a lot of talented people, and there is no shortage of heroes!"

  Duan Xiushi then paid his respects to the eunuch, Bian Lingcheng. Bian Lingcheng was a eunuch who had been sent to supervise the army and he waved his hand dismissively at Duan Xiushi. His voice was shrill and somewhat piercing, and Li Changguo couldn't help but steal a few glances at him. Sure enough, he saw that Bian's chin was smooth and hairless, with pale skin, just like a woman's.

  "They are......" Gao Xianzhi's eyes flashed with a hint of light, sizing up Kang De and Li Changguo, his gaze fell on Li Changguo, his eyes gleaming brightly, as if he wanted to see through him.

  Li Changguo stood like a javelin, with no slackness, calm and composed, without any constraint, and a hint of surprise flashed in Gao Xianzhi's eyes.

  Compared to Li Changguo, Kang De's performance was somewhat disappointing. With a look of excitement on his face, he saw Gao Xianzhi as if he had seen an old ancestor, and hurried forward to pay his respects: "I've seen the deputy capital protector!" His voice trembled, apparently due to excessive excitement.

  "I've seen the Deputy Commander!" Li Changguo stepped forward and saluted, his voice steady: "We are the garrison soldiers of Congling Garrison, we defeated 500 small Bo people, came to report our victory! We just arrived, and the Deputy Commander is here, please instruct us, Deputy Commander!"

  He spoke calmly and clearly, without being arrogant or condescending, and explained the whole thing thoroughly.

  "Oh!" Gao Xianzhi was quite surprised: "Is this true? Where are the captives?"

  Duan Xiushi hastily stepped forward and said: "It's right in the military headquarters! Vice Commander, please!"

  Gao Xianzhi strode forward with the majestic gait of a dragon, his footsteps ringing out loudly, exuding great authority. Bian Lingcheng, on the other hand, took quick, short steps to hurry along, each step not very large in stride, yet somehow managing to keep up with the others.

  As soon as he entered the military headquarters, Gao Xianzhi saw more than 200 captives and was taken aback. Rubbing his forehead, he pondered for a moment before saying, "Kang De, did you join forces with the nearby garrison?"

  He also didn't believe it was something Li Changguo and his garrison could accomplish on their own, he just didn't say it out loud.

  "Report to the Deputy Commander, no! It was our garrison that fought!" Since entering Shule, Kangde didn't know how many times he had encountered such doubts. He felt stifled and, regardless of the consequences, poured out the whole story like dumping beans from a bamboo tube.

  "We have heroes like Li Shichang in our Weihaiwei, let alone a mere 500-strong Japanese army, even if they come with 1,000 men, we can still win the battle!" Kangde said excitedly, his voice very high, loudly praising Li Changgui.

  "You killed sixty-three?"

  A sharp, fine voice rang out, full of doubt and with a very severe tone: "Your build is quite robust, your skills should be excellent, but to kill sixty-three people, it's not too possible. This requires the bravery of Qin Qiong or Wei Wuji, do you have that?"

  "May I ask, General, what would make you believe?" Li Changguo didn't defend himself, but instead asked a question in return.

  This remark left Bian Lingcheng speechless, he opened his mouth but couldn't say a word, and turned to look at Gao Xianzhi.

  Duan Xiu Shi and Bian Ling Cheng are all questioning, but they only question and can't produce evidence. Li Chang Guo's victory or defeat must have a conclusion. It is possible to question, but questioning must be based on evidence.

  This matter must be investigated clearly, and since Bian Lingcheng had no way out, he naturally handed the matter over to Gao Xianzhi.

  "Whether there is a false report or not will be known after trying!" Gao Xianzhi's eyebrows stood up, and he pondered for a moment before making up his mind.

  "Deputy Commander, how can this be tested?" Bian Lingcheng couldn't understand Gao Xianzhi's plan and asked.

  "Are you Li Changguo?" Gao Xianzhi's eyes shone brightly, staring at Li Changguo as if trying to see through him: "To verify whether your military achievements are true or not, I have a method, but it's not easy, I don't know if you dare to try?"

  "Please, Vice Governor, show your hand!" Li Changguo's voice was still calm, but there was a hint of arrogance in it, as if to say "go ahead and make your move".

  Gao Xianzhi took the hard bow from his back and threw it to Li Changguo, saying: "This hard bow of mine is a six-stone bow. If you can draw it, I believe in you!"

  This statement is only half said, and the other half sentence is that if you can't open it, then it's a false report of military merit, which should be punished.

  Li Changguo took the hard bow in his hand and did not open it, but instead held it up, stepped forward one step, and handed it back to Gao Xianzhi.

  "Hmm!" Gao Xianzhi was somewhat surprised, raising an eyebrow and asking: "What do you mean by this?"

  "Deputy Commander, this is your precious bow. If it's damaged in any way, it would be a crime. Please, Deputy Commander, exchange it for another one." Li Changguo's words were very calm.

  The tone is calm, but the arrogant meaning is clearer than ever: it's easy to open your bow, not difficult at all!