The leader of the White Lotus Society, Xu Hongru, was a master of unorthodox arts, capable of summoning spirits and commanding specters. A mere demonstration of his skill unleashed astonishing power; onlookers were struck dumb with awe, and consequently, a great tide of followers flocked to join his banner, chasing after him in droves.

Xu Hongru grew boastful, harboring treasonous intentions, preparing for rebellion. He produced a mirror and addressed his adherents: "This mirror possesses extraordinary divine ability; it can foresee future events—whether one will be poor or rich, a single glance reveals it." As he spoke, he hung the mirror in the courtyard. Each disciple stepped forward to gaze into it. Within the mirror’s phantoms, some were turbaned, others wore veiled caps; some were clad in silks, others possessed handsome visages—their forms varied widely, without end.

The disciples found this profoundly strange and spread the word excitedly. The rumor traveled from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, until those begging for a chance to look into the glass crowded shoulder to shoulder, blocking the thoroughfare. Seeing that the time was ripe, Xu Hongru declared, "Whoever sees themselves in the mirror wearing official robes are the heroes of the Longhua Assembly, dispatched by the Buddha to descend and save the common people under divine command. Future promotion to high office and nobility is assured. Everyone must strive for merit and show no hesitation."

As he finished speaking, he approached the mirror and peered into it himself. He saw a phantom wearing an imperial dragon robe and a crown, looking every inch the sovereign. The disciples exchanged glances, utterly astonished, and immediately knelt, shouting in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live!"

Having successfully won the hearts of the populace, Xu Hongru promptly raised his banner and rebelled. His disciples cheered jubilantly, vowing to follow him to the death, each envisioning future prosperity and magnificent wealth. Within months, Xu Hongru had amassed an army of over ten thousand. Wherever the bandits passed, the local authorities in Tengzhou and the Mount Yi region scattered like chaff, fleeing without a fight.

Later, the imperial court dispatched troops to suppress the uprising. Among the Qing soldiers was a Dusi (Commander) named Peng, a native of Changshan, whose martial prowess was flawlessly honed, and whose courage was unparalleled. When the two sides clashed, Xu Hongru sent forth two female generals to meet the enemy. Both women were barely thirteen or fourteen years old, wielding a pair of incomparably sharp twin sabers. They rode iron-clad mounts—magnificent tall horses that snorted in fury, exhibiting extraordinary spirit.

The two forces sparred back and forth, one repelling while the other advanced, fighting from dawn until dusk without a clear victor emerging. Commander Peng could not gain the upper hand, yet the two young women likewise could not defeat him. This pattern continued for three consecutive days. Commander Peng, locked in ceaseless battle, became utterly exhausted; an asthma attack seized him, and he died on the spot.

Subsequently, Xu Hongru was defeated and executed. When the authorities interrogated the captured rebels, they learned that the twin sabers were merely wooden swords, and the magnificent steeds were actually wooden horses.

That two young women, riding wooden horses and wielding wooden blades, could actually fight Commander Peng to the point of death by exhaustion was truly a rare marvel.