Chapter 240: Seeking Guidance on the Horse Spear? Invitation to Jointly Worship Grandfather

The next day.

New Duke's manor.

The golden wind swept past the vermilion‑lacquered corner gate, painting the manor's back garden in a brilliant scroll.

The wilted leaves of the lotus pond drooped, and sparse lotus pods floated among the dark‑red stalks; the water reflected the faded vermilion corridor, while a few ginkgo leaves spiraled down, scattering the ripples left by swimming fish.

Walking slowly along the pebble path, the golden osmanthus in the corner bloomed perfectly, its tiny yellow flowers covering the branches, its sweet fragrance wrapped in a thin mist and seeped into the lungs.

Turning past the moon‑shaped gate built of Taihu stones, a maple forest suddenly appeared, its flames searing half the plaster wall; the frosted‑red maple leaves mirrored the dark tiles, and the dried persimmon cakes hanging in the corridor flickered in light and shadow like scattered lanterns.

"Brother Wang, you say this Old Master's legitimate grandson never comes early or late; why does he insist on showing up at this critical moment to visit you?"

Dou Lu Cheng and Wang Xiong sat opposite each other at the stone table, sipped a mouthful of tea from their bowls, and asked with a smile.

Dou Lu Cheng, father of Dou Luling, the Eternal Prosperity Duke, formerly under Chen Laoyezi, and one of the Twelve Great Generals.

"You've asked a good question…."

Wang Zheng lightly pinched his beard, a teasing curve lifting his mouth, and said, "I, the Duke, also wish to know what the red‑handed figure beside this Grand Overseer, the newly appointed Chief of the Mingjing Office, is really selling in his gourd!"

Though they spoke as such, the general purpose behind Chen Yan's actions was already understood without words…

Otherwise, Dou Luling could not be appearing at the New Duke's manor at this very moment…

"Old Master, the Chief of the Mingjing Office, Chen, has arrived!"

The manor's steward stepped forward and reported respectfully.

"You see, as soon as we mention him, he shows up…"

Wang Zheng raised his hand, pointing, and laughed, "Please, invite him quickly!"

Immediately, he added, "Send A Xiong to greet him…"

Wang Xiong, the legitimate eldest son of the Wang family and heir of the manor, being sent to receive him both saves face and avoids delay, while also sending a certain signal…

In the courtyard.

"Brother Wang, long time no see!"

Chen Yan saw from afar the Wang Xiong coming to greet him, and clasped his fists, saying.

"Brother Chen, hope you are well!"

Wang Xiong laughed heartily, raised his hands, and said, "Congratulations on your promotion to Chief!"

"Brother Wang, haven't you also been promoted to the Cavalry Colonel?" Chen Yan raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"We'll catch up later…"

Wang Xiong recalled his father and elder uncle still waiting, and said, "This way, please!"

As he spoke, he made a welcoming gesture.

Back Garden.

"Wang Shibo, Dou Lu Shibo!"

Chen Yan stopped beside the stone table, faced Wang Zheng and Dou Lu Cheng, performed the junior salute, and said respectfully.

"Chief Chen!" the two replied.

"Calling you both 'Shibo' is a bit too formal…"

Chen Yan shook his head, smiled warmly, and said, "The nephew is younger; just call me by my name!"

Dou Luling sized up Chen Yan from head to toe, exchanged a glance with Wang Xiong, then nodded and exclaimed, "A Yan, you truly have been reborn!"

As he spoke, his fingertips lightly tapped a spot beside the stone table, indicating where to sit.

The young man before them, unseen for a long time, gave an impression vastly different from before…

Perhaps, as rumors say, this child who lost his mother early has been concealing his talent, biding his time…

"Dou Lu Shibo, you overpraise!"

Chen Yan smoothly sat at the stone table, laughing, "No matter how the nephew changes, he remains Old Master's grandson…"

His words were full of deep meaning.

Chen Yan was stating his stance and highlighting that rarely mentioned identity…

"Ha ha, that's right!"

Wang Zheng laughed loudly, stared at Chen Yan, and, without beating around the bush, asked directly, "A Yan, what brings you here today…?"

"When Grandfather was alive, he often praised that Wang Shibo's horse spear was unparalleled in the world!"

Chen Yan, unhurried, stood, bowed to Wang Zheng, and loudly said, "I, the nephew, have come especially to seek instruction!"

"I hope, Shibo, you will not withhold your teaching!"

Chen Yan chose this moment to come, and the motives were undoubtedly many…

But part of the reason was truly to refine the horse spear!

After all, now that he's here, learning something from Master Ma Suo is greatly beneficial…

"Did Old Master really say that?!"

Wang Zheng was startled, a smile tugging his mouth, and said, "Since A Yan has come personally to learn, how could the Shibo not give everything he knows?"

No wonder Wang Zheng's smile was so priceless.

That was praise from their senior brother, the old leader!

Now spoken by Old Master's legitimate grandson, it is an even greater endorsement!

"Then thank you, Shibo!"

Wang Zheng sent someone to fetch the horse spear, and said, "Here, let's start with the most basic grip and stance…"

"Alright." Chen Yan nodded, focusing intently.

Beside him, Wang Xiong dared not drift off; this was his father's personal instruction!

It is something that countless people have begged for but cannot obtain…

Wang Zheng directly demonstrated with a horse spear.

Grip: both hands hold the shaft, the right hand forward (near the spear tip) steers, the left hand behind supplies power, the tail of the shaft rests under the armpit or elbow pit, forming a stable support.

Stance: when cavalry rides, the spear body tilts forward and upward, keeping the tip pointing forward, ready for thrusts or blocks, while reducing riding resistance.

After letting Chen Yan try and correcting some details, Wang Zheng, enthusiastic, continued: "Next, let's discuss the main uses of the horse spear…".

Thrust (primary attack): using the Warhorse's charge force, aim the spear tip at the enemy's torso, armor gaps, or other weak spots, instantly push forward, and with inertia pierce the target, similar to a "Chang Qiang thrust".

Horizontal sweep and cleave: when a thrust misses or when facing a cluster of foes, rotate the body around the waist as an axis, swinging the spear horizontally to strike the enemy's neck, horses, and other parts;

Cleave is used to strike an enemy's head or shoulder from above, requiring coordinated power from the arm and waist, but because the spear tip is heavy, cleaving occurs less frequently than thrusting.

Parry and defense: when facing enemy weapons (such as knives or swords), use the middle or near‑tip part of the spear shaft to block horizontally, leveraging the long handle to push the enemy weapon away, while adjusting stance to prepare a counter‑attack.

Wang Zheng was about to continue his explanation, seemed to recall something, waved his hand and laughed: "As for this tactical coordination, I'm afraid A Yan is no longer beneath the elder uncle, so I'll say no more…".

Whether it was the Qinzhou pacification or the Jingzhou bandit suppression, all showed that this child before us has already mastered tactical coordination to a consummate level.

"Elder uncle, you've crushed the nephew!"

Chen Yan held the horse spear, his face beaming with a smile, and said: "The nephew is young; there's still much to learn from the two elder uncles!"

"You really know how to speak, kid!"

Wang Zheng, delighted by the flattery, raised his hand, pointed at Chen Yan, and reminded: "Remember the horse spear's Eight‑Character Core Technique: use the horse for momentum, the spear for edge!"

Wang Zheng finally understood Da Zhongzai's reason for liking him so much…

His sweet‑tongued charm, coupled with an outstanding ability, makes any elder hard not to favor him…

"Yes." Chen Yan nodded, committing the Eight‑Character True Words firmly to his heart.

"No amount of talk beats practicing on the spot…"

Wang Zheng straight‑away tossed his horse spear to Wang Xiong, shouting: "A Xiong, come over and spar with A Yan for practice!"

"Yes."

Wang Xiong replied, then immediately went with Chen Yan to an open area, and ordered the household troops to bring armored warhorses and unsharpened horse spears.

"Brother Wang, shall we start right now?" Chen Yan, already eager, smiled.

"Brother Chen, I won't hold back!" Wang Xiong's eyes sparkled, having long wanted to spar with him.

Immediately, the two clashed in a whirl of battle.

"Dou, do you think his looks are just like the Old Master's when he was young…?" Wang Zheng gazed over, lifted his tea bowl and sipped lightly, sighing.

Under the sunlight, the young, handsome face on the warhorse overlapped unmistakably with the face from memory…

"Not just his appearance?"

Dou Cheng exhaled a foul breath, stared straight at Chen Yan without averting his gaze, and sighed: "His heroism, his tactics, all flow from the same lineage!"

"His mind and methods even surpass his predecessors!"

Since returning from Jingzhou, Dou Luling has been praising Chen Yan to the heavens…

Especially that move, using the situation to guide, employing an insider to relay messages, a divine stroke that lured thieves into a trap.

"Indeed, compared to that, the Old Master's sons and grandsons are truly a pile of dog‑shit…"

Wang Zheng pursed his lips, gave a light hum, and sneered: "They only fight among themselves and can't match others!"

Between the lines, all disdain.

Regarding Chen Tongyuan and the like, Wang Zheng's assessment is simple:

"Useless mud that can't even hold a wall!"

Especially Chen Gubai's actions last night were even more disgraceful…

Choosing a side like this, let alone thinking of the future, will only plunge one into endless internal strife!

"It seems Brother Wang has already made a choice…" Dou Cheng said meaningfully.

"Dou, aren't you the same?" Wang Zheng frowned, retorting.

The two exchanged a glance and burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha!"

"Thank you, elder uncle, for the instruction!"

Chen Yan, drenched in sweat, returned, clasped his fist to Wang Zheng and thanked: "The nephew has greatly benefited!"

"As long as it's useful…"

Wang Zheng tapped his hand, smiled, and asked: "A Yan, with your grand wedding imminent, you've come in the midst of countless duties; it can't be just to learn the horse spear, can it?"

"Nothing can hide from the elder uncle!"

"The nephew still has one more matter…"

Chen Yan nodded, did not deny, smiled calmly, and solemnly said: "I wish to invite all elder uncles to, before the grand wedding, go to the nephew's residence and together pay respects at the grandfather's Spirit Tablet!"