Chapter 55: Greetings, Elder Brother!

After a truly restful night’s sleep, Su Wu washed up early in the morning and stepped out of the military garrison’s guardroom, finally taking the time to properly observe the barracks within the city.

The garrison was quite expansive, featuring several rows of residential quarters arranged front-to-back and side-to-side, enclosing a spacious drill ground in the center complete with a commanding platform. Such a layout undoubtedly served a practical purpose, such as effectively preventing the spread of fire from one row of quarters to another while also allowing soldiers to assemble swiftly at the drill ground from all directions.

Ordinarily, many of the foot soldiers brought their entire families along, and actual residents within the barracks were few.

Luan Tingyu, however, had been waiting by the entrance from the early hours. Seeing Su Wu emerge, he cupped his fists in a salute and said, "General, you are a bit late today!"

Luan Tingyu was indeed a conscientious and responsible man. In the classic tales of the marshes, he had single-handedly defeated over a dozen heroes of Liangshan Mountain, including Li Kui and Guan Sheng, and even Wu Song could not best him in combat, ultimately falling only to Lu Junyi when surrounded by a mob of fighters.

For a man in his forties to possess such combat prowess, he must have been exceptionally self-disciplined, dedicating his entire life to the mastery of martial arts.

Su Wu felt a touch of embarrassment as he replied, "Master Luan might not know, but over the past few days, I have been traveling back and forth, often journeying through the night, so I truly haven't had much rest..."

Luan Tingyu waved a hand dismissively. "Today is fine, but let this not become a habit. Please, General, this way!"

Nodding, Su Wu followed Luan Tingyu toward the drill ground, where two long spears had already been prepared. Both were cast from solid iron—not particularly sharp, but exceedingly heavy, making them ideal for practicing techniques and building strength.

Luan Tingyu assumed his stance with utmost seriousness. Observing Su Wu imitate his posture, he began his instruction: "While the arts of the spear and the staff share certain similarities, they are in truth vastly different. Staves are frequently used in the martial world; if forged from solid iron, they serve as blunt weapons capable of shattering armor upon the battlefield, relying primarily on brute force for heavy strikes. The spear is altogether different. The essence of the spear lies in stability, precision, and ruthlessness, with an even greater emphasis on agility and reach..."

Listening intently, Su Wu absorbed every word with the utmost focus.

After these preliminary remarks, Luan Tingyu proceeded to slowly demonstrate the fundamental techniques of spear and staff play...

To Su Wu's surprise, wielding the weapons did not feel particularly difficult; even the heavy solid iron spear felt remarkably balanced in his hands, clearly a result of Luan Tingyu assessing his physique and selecting this specific weapon from the armory.

It had distinct advantages: it could function as a blunt instrument, serve as a long spear, and effectively condition the body.

When one is truly engaged in learning, time flies swiftly, and the span of two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

Suo Chao could be seen approaching from afar with a retinue. Upon arrival, he offered his assessment: "I would never have believed our brother was a novice. After only a brief lesson, he is already handling the weapon with genuine proficiency. During our earlier skirmish, brother was able to easily unseat enemy riders, truly displaying extraordinary comprehension."

"It does feel rather natural in hand," Su Wu replied with a nod. Pausing his practice, he knew it was time to attend to more pressing matters.

Luan Tingyu chimed in from the side, "In the realm of martial arts, whether one is sparring or locked in a life-or-death battle, many principles are universally connected, underpinned by sheer courage and tactical response. Numerous people acquire a vast repertoire of martial techniques, yet freeze up on the battlefield, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. Conversely, others who have never received formal martial training can strike down men without hesitation, weapon rising and falling as one. The underlying principle is far from complex..."

Upon hearing this, Suo Chao glanced at Luan Tingyu and remarked, "This gentleman possesses truly remarkable insight."

Su Wu introduced them, saying, "This is my newly appointed master of spear and staff, surnamed Luan, given name Tingyu."

"An honor to meet you!" Suo Chao's tone instantly carried a measure of genuine respect.

Luan Tingyu cupped his fists in return. "Likewise!"

With that, Suo Chao stepped closer to Su Wu and said, "That prefect of ours has truly been exceptionally generous to you, brother. My troops have kept the residence of Dong Ping surrounded for quite some time, waiting specifically for your return before conducting the search and seizure."

"Let us go, then..." Su Wu said with a smile, turning to Luan Tingyu. "If Master Luan has no other engagements, would you care to accompany me? I intend to retain Master Luan as the chief instructor for the Dong Ping garrison. The monthly stipend will certainly be generous. What are your thoughts on this, Master?"

Luan Tingyu simply cupped his fists. "I thank the General for his high regard and shall fulfill this duty to the utmost."

In times of peace, a man like Luan Tingyu could at best secure employment with some wealthy local landowner, yielding meager earnings. Now, however, Su Wu was offering him genuine status and proper compensation.

Su Wu returned the gesture with a cupped-fist salute. "I am deeply grateful for Master Luan's willingness to bestow his favor. Su Wu expresses his sincere thanks here."

Luan Tingyu hastily stepped forward to support him by the arm. "General, please refrain from such excessive formalities in the future. I know that the respect and regard in your heart are entirely genuine; if you continue to treat me with such ceremony, would it not mean you still consider me an outsider?"

For men of the martial world, particularly disciplined ones like Luan Tingyu, a favor given was invariably repaid in kind.

Just as in the tales, when the Zhu family estate engaged him as an instructor, he was willing to lay down his life in battle for them.

Without further pleasantries, Su Wu casually took Luan Tingyu by the hand and strode forward.

Such were the customs of the era; men holding hands was entirely commonplace, and even sharing a single blanket to sleep foot-to-foot served merely as a testament to deep fraternal bonds.

Indeed, this had been the tradition in China since ancient times—though one day, that too would change.

Upon arriving at Dong Ping's estate, the soldiers moved with the ferocity of wolves and tigers, initiating the confiscation. Basket after basket, chest after chest of wealth was hauled out into the courtyard.

As Suo Chao and Su Wu stood watching the proceedings, Su Wu observed, "I fear the total value of these goods and treasures will not fall short of twenty thousand strings of cash."

Suo Chao clicked his tongue in disdain. "This scoundrel was truly adept at accumulating wealth. Who knows how much blood he has sucked from the common soldiers..."

"Since it was extorted from the soldiers in the first place, it should be returned to their use," Su Wu remarked. He glanced at Suo Chao and continued, "Brother, you have labored hard in this endeavor. Calculating it as twenty thousand strings, take ten thousand for yourself. After all, your own men have suffered casualties that require compensation, and no one embarks on a perilous journey without expecting some reward."

Hearing this, Suo Chao waved his hands repeatedly. "The prefect has already bestowed some rewards, and upon our return to Daming Prefecture, the Chief Councilor will undoubtedly grant further favors. You are the one who currently has a pressing need for funds, brother. Under no circumstances can I accept this money."

"You speak incorrectly, brother. In the days to come, I may well travel to Daming Prefecture to assist you; surely you would not send me away empty-handed then?" Su Wu said with a smile.

Taken aback for a moment, Suo Chao seemed lost in thought before murmuring, "You know, these past few years have been truly strange. Bandits are multiplying, outlaws are increasing, more and more men are taking to the hills to rebel, and even military commanders are colluding with outlaws... You speak of possibly coming to my aid in the future; at first hearing, one assumes Daming Prefecture would never face a major crisis, but upon deeper reflection—heh—one can no longer be certain."

"Precisely my point. Take the ten thousand strings," Suo Chao insisted.

Still, Suo Chao shook his head. "Very well, I shall take a portion... five thousand strings. Brother, say no more; it is settled."

Pondering for a moment, Su Wu agreed. "As you wish."

"Brother, there is a matter between the two of us that we must not forget," Suo Chao suddenly said with a smile, prompting him.

Su Wu immediately replied, "That certainly cannot be forgotten."

"Good!" Suo Chao gestured to his sides.

An incense table was brought forward, candles were lit, and paper burned. A jar of aged wine and a rooster completed the ritualistic setting.

To a scholar, such proceedings might appear laughable, perhaps even evoking a sense of aversion, or constituting a legally punishable act under certain circumstances.

To fighting men, however, it was a matter of utmost gravity!

With a slash of the blade, the rooster's neck twitched repeatedly as warm blood spurted forth, dripping into two bowls of aged wine.

The two men burned incense before the altar and pressed their foreheads to the ground.

They swore by heaven and earth that as sworn brothers they would not necessarily be born on the same day, but would face fortunes and misfortunes together, remaining forever loyal to one another. Should any breach this oath, may they incur the wrath of gods and men alike, suffer a violent end, and perish miserably.

With three more prostrations, the blood-mixed wine was drained in a single gulp.

As Su Wu turned his head, to his surprise, Suo Chao spoke first, bowing low: "Greetings, Elder Brother!"

"Ah..." Su Wu quickly reached out to steady him, asking in bewilderment, "This surely..."

"Brother's tactical wisdom surpasses mine, and your official rank exceeds mine; it is only right that you are the elder brother!" Whether Suo Chao harbored other thoughts or not, his mind was made up.

"This..." Su Wu was not feigning reluctance; he genuinely felt a degree of embarrassment.

"Brother, say no more!" Suo Chao had already taken Su Wu by both hands and pulled him to his feet.

Once standing, the two men even exchanged a warm embrace, which felt entirely natural.

From that moment on, their conversation grew even deeper and more sincere.