Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 249 Heaven, Earth, Four Directions, Six Harmonies Spear

Both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and martial arts have shown a trend of moving away from practical application and towards abstract concepts during their development, largely because they have become detached from real combat. In reality, TCM was originally a very simple, empirical medical system, and martial arts were simply a summary of practical combat experience. Both possess vibrant vitality when used in practice, but become mysterious and difficult to understand when used to deceive people.

There are many interpretations of the "six harmonies" in the Six Harmonies Spear, but the original concept should be the same as the "six harmonies" in "Qin King sweeps across the six directions," which refers to the four directions of heaven and earth, that is, the all-round three-dimensional offensive and defensive technology of up, down, left, right, front and back, meaning "I am invincible, you can do whatever you want!"
Ma Xianglin practiced the Liuhe spear from a young age. Historical records state that he was "skilled in using the long spear, able to leap more than ten feet on horseback with the spear, and thrust accurately." Ma Xianglin was not incapable of using a lance, nor was Cao Bianjiao incapable of using the Liuhe spear. Wielding a long spear is a basic skill for every martial artist. It's just that the two were proficient in different weapons, so there was no need for them to meddle in each other's areas of expertise and invite humiliation.

"Long" does not equate to cumbersome. Cao Bianjiao's horse spear weighed 15 jin (approximately 7.5 kg), while his infantry spear weighed 11 jin (approximately 6.5 kg). In contrast, Ma Xianglin's Liuhe spear was thin and long, with a thinner front and a thicker back for easy weight distribution, and its total weight was only 8 jin (approximately 4 catties). Compared to the thick spearhead of the horse spear, the tip of the Liuhe spear was quite small.

Both horse lances and infantry lances were designed to penetrate heavy armor; in mountain warfare, the White-Spear Soldiers faced opponents with light or no armor, so lightweight weapons were a natural consideration. These two were engaged in a duel, not a true fight to the death, so the lance's armor-piercing advantage was not apparent in this situation.

The core technique of the spear is "thrusting," and its core advantage lies in "long-range attacks." With the Liuhe Spear in hand, Ma Xianglin stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, his right hand gripping the middle of the shaft slightly behind him, and his left hand lightly supporting the front. The spear tip was aimed directly at Cao Bianjiao's chest, which was the "middle-level spear" stance of the Liuhe Spear.

The "Selection of Long Spear Techniques" states that "the central spear is the king of spears, effective at all distances and heights." This seemingly ordinary stance made Cao Bianjiao's scalp tingle: the central spear blocks both the upper and lower paths, with the spear tip always locked on his heart. His infantry spear is shorter than his opponent's, so if he rushes forward rashly, he will be stabbed before he can even get close. He can only look for an opportunity to break through this "long-range lock-on defense."

"The sooner I die, the sooner I'll be free!" Cao Bianjiao steeled his heart and took the lead in attacking!

Half an hour later, Cao Bianjiao lay sprawled on the ground, looking as if he had burned out completely. He knew he probably couldn't beat Ma Xianglin, that was true, but he hadn't even been able to get close to him from beginning to end, and hadn't even touched the hem of his clothes much, which was a bit embarrassing.

Cao Bianjiao got his wish and the hammer fell to him, and the White-Spear Soldiers in the camp erupted in cheers. Ma Xianglin walked up to him, carrying his spear, and looked down at Cao Bianjiao. The coldness on his face disappeared, and he smiled and said, "You flatter me, General Cao."

"Hmph!" Cao Bianjiao rolled on the ground, turning his face to the side, not wanting to pay any attention to Ma Xianglin. His chest hurt terribly; he didn't know if his ribs were broken, but his hands and feet were definitely bruised. Sigh, he didn't know how to explain this to the princess when he got back. His bottom was a little itchy, and he wanted to scratch it, but His Majesty was watching... sigh, it was so embarrassing.

"Huh?!" Just as Cao Bianjiao was lying on the ground acting spoiled, he saw a pair of embroidered shoes approaching from afar.

"Your Highness, the Virtuous Consort!" Ma Xianglin bowed respectfully, holding his spear.

"Your Majesty?!" Upon hearing this, Cao Bianjiao jumped to his feet, scrambling to his feet. He had married a princess, and according to etiquette, the emperor and his wife were his elders. It was human nature for men to feel somewhat intimidated when facing female elders.

Cao Bianjiao hurriedly got up. Having just been beaten again, he almost stumbled and fell. Ma Xianglin quickly reached out to help him up, feeling somewhat embarrassed that he might have hit him too hard.

The two muscular men huddled together, watching Consort Sun approach step by step. Despite being a head taller than her, they looked like obedient children, instantly diminishing her presence. They exchanged glances out of the corner of their eyes, but both only saw confusion in the other's eyes. Not only them, but everyone present was puzzled by Sun Shiwan's actions.

Cao Bianjiao followed Ma Xianglin's example and bowed to Consort Sun. Sun Shiwan nodded to him and said in a clear and gentle voice, "Commander Ma, may I borrow your weapon?"

"Huh?!" Ma Xianglin blankly handed over the large spear in his hand.

Sun Shiwan swiftly caught the Six Harmonies Spear, then kicked it and flipped the shaft, twirling it with one hand while holding it loosely in the palm, letting the spear fly out with the momentum.

Just as it was about to slip from his grasp, Sun Shiwan gave a soft shout, gripped the end of the spear with both hands, and held it steadily. His wide sleeves slipped down slightly, revealing half of his fair arm. The interplay of light and shadow on his arm clearly outlined the powerful muscle lines that were originally hidden beneath his delicate skin.

"Good!" A burst of enthusiastic cheers suddenly erupted in the Jingshan training ground. This was not an intentional offense, but simply the soldiers' heartfelt praise.

The Six Harmonies Spear weighs only eight jin (approximately 4 catties), but lifting it by holding only the butt requires immense wrist strength. The White-Spear Soldiers are extremely familiar with the spear; this spear-raising posture is rarely achieved even by men, making it somewhat astonishing for a woman, especially since this is the emperor's wife, a noble concubine! They must be very respectful!

Following the direction of Sun Shiwan's spear, the target was none other than Zhang Fengyi, the newly appointed commander of the White-Spear Northern Guard. This was no coincidence. Zhang Fengyi's expression changed slightly as she met Sun Shiwan's imposing gaze. "General Zhang," Sun Shiwan said loudly, "I have practiced martial arts since childhood. Today, seeing the two generals' duel so spectacularly, I am itching to try my hand at it. I also remember that we women should not let men outdo us in beauty. Therefore, I would like to request a friendly exchange with you to make today's competition as perfect as possible. Would you be so kind as to offer your guidance?"

The cheers abruptly ceased. Everyone wasn't stupid; they all sensed something unpleasant was brewing. They instinctively looked at the emperor, only to see him also wearing a bewildered expression.

Sun Shiwan had experienced the days when Zhu Youjian's spirit was broken and he was completely dejected. Those few days were a nightmare for her. As a result, she was extremely sensitive to the emperor's emotional changes.

In her view, Zhang Fengyi had many ways to ask for the salary. With her husband being the commander of the emperor's guards, it would have been easy for her to get the emperor's approval. However, she chose a way that would embarrass the emperor the most, forcing him to apologize and promote her, and almost driving the emperor to the brink of collapse.

Sun Shiwan couldn't swallow this insult. The emperor, out of affection for Zhang Fengyi, trusted her abilities, but she wasn't about to act so irrationally. She wanted to ask, "Why?! Just because you're the daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Zhongzhen, you can be promoted from a commoner to commander? She's Qin Liangyu's apprentice! Where's the fairness? What will the other soldiers think?!"

Sun Shiwan felt that Zhang Fengyi was a petty person who sought fame through honesty, a petty person who had no loyalty to the emperor or his father! Sun Shiwan felt that the emperor was wrong, but at this moment, she did not want to advise the emperor. All the mistakes were simply because Zhang Fengyi, this scheming woman, had deceived His Majesty.

"I dare not presume to offer guidance, but since Your Majesty has requested it, how could I dare disobey?" Zhang Fengyi replied with her phoenix eyes slightly lowered, once again ignoring her husband's gesturing.

Zhu Youjian quietly beckoned to Ma Xianglin. Cao Bianjiao carefully picked up the horse spear from the ground and moved away without making a sound, leaving the two terrifying women alone.

"Your Majesty!" Ma Xianglin walked quickly to the emperor's side, his voice filled with anxiety.

"Stop, we can talk about this later," Zhu Youjian interrupted him. Ma Xianglin opened his mouth, then fell silent. The assembled officials exchanged glances, a sense of shared misfortune welling up within them, before both of them turned their gazes to Cao Bianjiao.

"W-what's wrong? No, I, I didn't, I'm not!" Cao Bianjiao shook his head vigorously. He glanced at the emperor and his concubine in the center of the drill ground, as well as Ma Xianglin's wife, and silently raised his right hand, which was hanging by his side, with a thumbs up.

"Drink!" Sun Shiwan and Zhang Fengyi shouted simultaneously, and then their two spears clashed like thunderbolts. The Six Harmonies Spear Techniques—Mount Tai Pressing Down, Iron Ox Plowing the Field, Azure Dragon Probing Claws, Parting the Grass to Find the Snake, Returning Spear! They were all taught by the same person; their moves were unbreakable!

In the blink of an eye, the two women's spears moved in and out of each other's hands. After more than a dozen moves, it turned out that their spear techniques had been tuned by Qin Liangyu, and even their breathing techniques were the same!

The fancy names of their moves didn't mean they were just for show. Both men's spear techniques were lethal, swift and decisive, and neither wore any protective gear. They remained locked in a stalemate for dozens of rounds, clearly fighting with real intensity. Sun Shiwan's sleeve was even torn by the spear, and Zhu Youjian's fists clenched so tightly he could barely sit still.

His children had been raised to be quite daring, but at this moment, because it was their own family members in danger, they were still so nervous that they covered their eyes and dared not look any further.

"Father, please tell Mother to stop hitting her!" Chou Chou tugged at Zhu Youjian's sleeve, her voice trembling with tears.

"Your Majesty, my wife and the Empress are evenly matched. If they continue fighting, they may both be severely injured. Let me go and stop them!" Ma Xianglin said anxiously.

He wasn't afraid of his wife getting hurt; he was afraid that his wife might stab the imperial concubine, and then he wouldn't be able to explain himself!
Sun Shiwan could initially hold his own against Zhang Fengyi, but Zhang Fengyi was from a remote area and was older. The physical development process of men and women is similar, and adulthood is not the peak of a person's physical strength. Generally, one is strongest around the age of thirty.

Sun Shiwan was inferior to Zhang Fengyi in both physique and experience. The biggest difference was that Zhang Fengyi had been on the battlefield and killed people. This difference in life and death experience was something that Sun Shiwan could not make up for through closed-door practice.

She felt the emperor was acting impulsively, but how could her hasty decision to go to war in order to protect the emperor be rational?

Zhang Fengyi fought with increasing ferocity, and Sun Shiwan was on the verge of defeat. Just as Zhu Youjian was about to send Cao Bianjiao to mediate, Sun Shixiu shouted, "Sister, I'm here to help you!" and suddenly darted out!
(End of this chapter)