Chapter 338: Noisy Voices and Buddhist Chants

The Southern Dynasty maintained its own imperial court, though officials of the same rank held half a grade lower in status compared to the Northern Royal Court. When the older generation of exiles first entered Northern Mang territory, some Central Plains noble families of sufficient standing had witnessed frequent brawls over disagreements in the imperial tent. At the time, they were deeply shocked, unable to imagine how such a barbaric court could challenge the Liyang Dynasty, which had already unified the Spring and Autumn periods.

Later, the Empress showed clemency, allowing the Southern Dynasty to be established. This court was noticeably more refined and cultured. While heated arguments and flushed faces were common during debates in the main hall, never in over a decade had a quarrel escalated as it did today, almost to the point of a physical fight. This all stemmed from the renewed conflict on the southern border. A force of ten thousand Dragon Elephant cavalry had first massacred the border stronghold of Wazhu. Had they stopped after this initial victory, it might have been tolerable, but then, led by the second son of the Prince of Beiliang, they bypassed and launched a surprise attack on the next stronghold, Junziguan. Six thousand Dragon Elephant cavalry shockingly annihilated eight thousand troops. Two major defeats for the Southern Dynasty were undeniable facts. The situation was not merely urgent, but painfully devastating. With the exception of Zhong Shentong, who dared not return, the other grand generals holding power all collectively remained silent. In the hall, their eyes occasionally met, accompanied by slight shakes of the head and sighs. In contrast, the civil officials from prominent noble families were in an uproar. Among them, a fat man in a purple robe, indicative of a high-ranking noble, cursed the most vehemently. He almost dragged out the entire ancestry of Hong Gu'an, who had died for the country, and cursed them all. He not only lambasted the civil officials who haphazardly issued orders but also implicitly criticized several old generals.

The fat man spat, "This bastard Hong was merely seeking fame; even if he had survived, I would have stabbed him to death! Wazhu City, with its elevated position and natural 'Qingwapen' basin, naturally favored cavalry charges. You underestimated the Dragon Elephant Army, you dared to sally forth from the city, and even had the audacity to let an incompetent lead troops down to the bottom of the slope! What, did you intend to engage the Beiliang cavalry in a completely fair fight? Didn't Hong Gu'an claim to have read tens of thousands of military texts? Did he read them only for it all to go to waste? Whose favored student was Hong Gu'an, I can't quite recall—would anyone dare to remind me?"

Everyone in the court quietly looked towards an old general who was meditating with closed eyes. The Grand General, with his white hair and youthful face, possessed excellent self-composure, remaining calm and unperturbed, seemingly uninterested in quibbling with the fat man, Dong.

Dong's jowls trembled as he pointed to a third-rank official in charge of the Southern Dynasty's Ministry of Revenue, "It took two major armies, from Wazhu and Junziguan, to destroy only half of the Beiliang Dragon Elephant Army. And you, damn you, you tell me to order the border garrisons of Ligou and Maolong to actively pursue them? What, are these fourteen thousand troops not human? Are they all just maids and servants from your Yuanzhen family, to be killed or given away as you please? You old man, you certainly have the gall to squander resources given your large family fortune, but you're merely being extravagant at His Majesty's expense and treating this as a game!"

The elderly civil official's face turned ashen with rage. He stood with righteous indignation, confronting the fat man, though his voice trembled, "Our Northern Mang's national prestige cannot be insulted! Our Southern Dynasty's soldiers cannot be humiliated!"

Dong's words were utterly scathing. He glared and said, "You old scoundrel, stick to your little plot in the Ministry of Revenue and fill your pockets! If you dare to overstep your bounds and talk about military affairs again, I'll bash you into your coffin! Don't think for a second that just because your pockmarked granddaughter bats her eyelashes at me, I won't deal with you!"

The old man was so humiliated that he fainted on the spot and had to be carried out.

A young official, who had leapt over the dragon gate through the imperial examinations, genuinely couldn't stand it. He said softly, "That second son of the Prince of Beiliang is deranged. It wasn't enough for him to bury nine thousand people alive; he still insists on massacring cities afterwards. He's clearly a madman. If the Beiliang cavalry is determined to proceed north, ignoring the two towns of Ligou and Maolong, they'll soon reach us. Do we really expect the grand generals to disregard the defensive layout and deploy troops here? What if it's a feint, with a single isolated force drawing too much of our imperial army, while Xu Xiao personally leads his elites northeast, advancing alongside Gu Jiantang's eastern front? That would be difficult to counter. We cannot be led by the nose by Beiliang. General Dong, I've always heard that when leading troops, you never cared about minor gains or losses, but today seems different."

This newly prominent official, who had once achieved the rank of *bangyan* and gained the Empress's favor, had a dignified appearance. His voice was not loud, but with the old Minister of Revenue having fainted, the main hall was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. What he said was not without merit, and thus sounded particularly authoritative.

Dong glanced sideways and sneered, "You pedantic scholar, spouting theories from books! Come talk sense to your Grandpa Dong after you've killed someone and seen some blood."

The young official replied with a cold smile. He didn't engage in a protracted argument with the incredibly lucky fat man, knowing when to stop and having made his point. If his predictions proved true later, and the Empress settled accounts in the autumn, it would mean stepping on Dong, subtly elevating his own prestige. However, before that day arrived, a statement from an old general made him feel utterly mortified. This was Grand General Huang Songpu, the first Spring and Autumn remnant to seize military power. Although the Southern Dynasty was now seeing newcomers surpass old veterans, with Liu Gui, praised by His Majesty as half a Xu Xiao, and Yang Yuanzan, a commoner who joined the army, both grand generals starting to overshadow Huang Songpu, seniority still mattered. Furthermore, Yang Yuanzan himself had once been half a foot soldier under Huang Songpu. Moreover, only old General Song was willing to handle the troublesome Dong Zhuo, this 'king of chaos'. Therefore, Huang Songpu's words carried the most weight in the Southern Dynasty. Hong Gu'an, who had caused such a disaster, was a disciple of Grand General Huang Songpu, and thus, in the court, he couldn't escape Dong's indirect accusations.

Surprisingly, this time the old general sided with Dong Zhuo. "Military treatises are dead; the people leading the troops are alive. In a battlefield confrontation, one must first consider the opponent's temperament. Firstly, the Dragon Elephant Army's initial attack on our border, their refusal to take prisoners, and even their massacres of cities are all inevitable. A policy of appeasement is a joke to both Liang and Mang sides. Secondly, as Dong Zhuo said, the Dragon Elephant Army's original intention was to bypass and capture all four towns—Wazhu, Junziguan, Ligou, and Maolong—at all costs. As for how many soldiers survive after the battle, I believe Xu Xiao doesn't care at all, and that astonishingly powerful young man cares even less. Using an isolated force and a single battle, they don't hope to destroy half of the Southern Dynasty's military strength, but rather to crush the morale and public support that the Southern Dynasty has painstakingly built over more than a decade. This is the true malevolent intention of Beiliang. When the next major war begins, and Beiliang's entire army unleashes, with the previous examples of their hooves, who would dare not surrender? Thirdly, it is presumed that the Dragon Elephant Army's northward advance will be followed by supporting forces, possibly around fifty thousand troops. Whether to engage them or not is undecided; it can be fought or not fought. If the Dragon Elephant Army captures Ligou and Maolong, then we must truly fight a decisive battle. If they cannot capture them, then we can finally catch our breath. As for Assistant Minister Liu's concerns, the Beiliang army indeed intends to shift our border forces westward, opening a gap for their main army to advance northeast. Of course, this is not entirely impossible. However, Assistant Minister Liu might not know that to prevent the Beiliang army from merging with Gu Jiantang's eastern front, the 'big pocket' in the central line over the years—even if the Beiliang army were allowed to advance eight hundred *li* in one go and send in one hundred sixty thousand troops—might not be filled. If it truly comes to that, it will not be up to us, not even the Prince of Beiliang or Gu Jiantang, but only His Majesty and the Zhao Imperial Family who can make the final decision. The matter of the central line is inconvenient to discuss further, nor can it be detailed. I hope Assistant Minister Liu will understand."

The young official was filled with apprehension, yet also held a touch of pride at having Huang Songpu, the Southern Court's Grand King, personally enlighten him. He cupped his hands and said gravely, "It is Liu Shu who has shown shallow insight."

As the Southern Court's Grand King, Huang Songpu nominally held authority over the Southern Dynasty's four hundred thousand troops. However, His Majesty the Empress always supported the Northern Mang grand generals and regional commanders in operating independently, forming their own systems and checking each other's power. Furthermore, Huang Songpu had gradually retreated behind the scenes over the years, and his title as Southern Court's Grand King would sooner or later fall into someone else's hands. Had it not been for the urgency of the current war, forcing him to intervene, he would have already faded from the Southern Dynasty's view. Huang Songpu had always been at odds with Grand Generals Liu Gui and Yang Yuanzan, and held no fondness for Dong Zhuo either. Yet, it was only when chaos truly struck that Huang Songpu found himself stretched thin, especially after his only competent protégé, Hong Gu'an, was killed in battle, which disheartened the old general even further.

The patriarch of a prominent noble clan frowned and asked, "Since that isolated force is determined to attack Ligou and Maolong regardless of the consequences, are we just going to let the remaining four thousand Beiliang cavalry run rampant within our territory?"

Liu Gui was known to have a good relationship with the fat man, but seeing the rascal's eyes darting about, the tall and imposing old general still couldn't contain his anger. He walked up to the fat man and gave him a hard kick, "You scoundrel who only moves when there's profit to be made, you've spewed gallons of saliva! Aren't you just trying to clean up this mess? Our Southern Court's Grand King is even speaking up for you, so why aren't you climbing the ladder this time?"

Dong Zhuo looked troubled and said, "Four thousand Dragon Elephant troops are manageable, but that Butcher's second son is truly a thorny problem. What if, during a confrontation, he takes the head of a general from amidst ten thousand troops, and kills me? My two beautiful wives would become widows; wouldn't they cry themselves to death?"

Liu Gui raised his leg to kick again, but the fat man quickly jumped away. The old general laughed and cursed, "Your young wife is the daughter of the Master of Tibing Mountain, so wouldn't you have powerful bodyguards around you? If you're afraid to go, then go to Tibing Mountain and call for help, and it'd be best to bring that person with you to Ligou too. I'll allow you to take eight thousand troops to Ligou, no more. If His Majesty holds you accountable later, I'll take the responsibility for you! But if you dare to bring one more soldier, then consider everything I've said unsaid."

Dong Zhuo said, half-believing, half-doubting, "Really? Don't go back on your word later, the entire court has heard you right now." After speaking, Dong Zhuo rolled his eyes and muttered, "And it seems no one will be willing to stand up and vouch for my innocence then."

The pillars of the Southern Dynasty all smiled knowingly.

This fat man, Dong, was cunning, but he never lacked self-awareness.

Liu Gui roared, "My word is more reliable than any oath you could swear!"

Dong rubbed his hands and chuckled, "In that case, the thankless and dangerous task of going to Maolong to die, I'll take it, I'll take it." With that, Dong Zhuo quickly slipped away.

Liu Gui and Yang Yuanzan, with whom he had a good personal relationship, also left one after another. Huang Songpu, however, had to remain in the court.

Liu Gui waited outside the hall. Only when Yang Yuanzan descended the stone steps, known for his concise speech, did he calmly ask, "Dong Zhuo is going to Maolong instead of Ligou?"

Liu Gui laughed, "It's obvious he's counting on the Dragon Elephant Army to massacre Ligou. That rascal is lazy to the bone; if he can sit, he won't stand, and if he can lie down, he won't sit."

Yang Yuanzan smiled stiffly.

Liu Gui suddenly asked, "What do you think of that Butcher's second son?"

Yang Yuanzan replied calmly, "On the battlefield, there's no such thing as an immortal warrior."

Dong Zhuo scurried away, not forgetting to glance back at the main hall. He picked his ear and sighed, "Damn, it's noisy! Ah, when will this place only have my voice?"

The Dao De Sect was built at the source of the Yellow River. Legend had it that beyond the Heavenly Gate lay a floating mountain, where the National Preceptor, having transcended to sainthood, cultivated immortality, having disregarded worldly affairs for thirty years.

Qilin Zhenren had six accomplished disciples. Apart from two Zhenren who resided at the Heavenly Gate and the foot of the mountain respectively, the others were dispersed across Northern Mang. However, when an old monk sat outside the mist-shrouded Heavenly Gate of the Dao De Sect, four of the 'immortals' who had been preaching and helping people outside, except for the one in the royal court, all returned to the Dao De Sect.

The benevolent-looking old monk sat silently, as if rooted to the ground outside the Heavenly Gate.

The Heavenly Gate was a natural aperture formed by two towering peaks facing each other. Inside, clouds and mist swirled, and outside, there were nine hundred and ninety-nine jade steps. Even ascending these steps to observe from close by the gate, one could not discern the mysteries within.

Outside the Heavenly Gate were eighteen Daoist temples, nine on each side. Pilgrims arrived in an endless stream, and the year-round continuous incense smoke merged into the mist, making the Dao De Sect appear even more like an earthly paradise.

A main path led to the Heavenly Gate.

The old monk sat in peaceful meditation on the flat ground before the first step of the staircase.

First, a purple-robed Zhenren, wielding a sword, emerged from the Heavenly Gate, his flying sword descending the mountain. The sword spiraled, and a dragon's roar continued for three days without ceasing. Yet, it could not enter within three *zhang* of the old monk. Subsequently, a Zhenren holding a jade *ruyi* scepter swept from the foot of the floating mountain to outside the Heavenly Gate. The purple-robed Zhenren controlled his sword, descending step by step. After walking for three days and three nights, he had only reached the three hundredth step. Then, three more Zhenren of immortal demeanor arrived. Two of these immortals either stood or sat cross-legged atop the Daoist temples at the foot of the mountain. The remaining one, the National Preceptor's last direct disciple, approached the old monk, forming hand seals. Each step he took was extremely slow, but every time his foot touched the ground, there was a tremor that shook heaven and earth.

After five days, the old monk began to read scripture. Word by word, he recited the Diamond Sutra. After reciting the Diamond Sutra once, the old monk, who himself admitted to knowing few characters and little dharma, began to preach.

More and more people gathered at the foot of the mountain, densely packed, no fewer than ten thousand. Almost ten days had passed since the old monk began his meditation. The flying sword had sliced through his faded, washed kasaya hundreds, even thousands, of times. The Daoist Zhenren whose small steps caused thunder had also reached a few feet behind the old monk. The old monk's entire body was golden-hued and covered in blood.

The old monk clasped his hands together, having finished speaking all the Buddhist dharma he knew, and softly said, "Amitābha." Many pilgrims anticipated what would happen next and turned their heads away, unable to bear watching further.

A white rainbow streaked across the sky, soaring above the Heavenly Gate. Behind it was a yellow waterfall!

"I do not enter the Heavenly Gate; I am higher than the heavens themselves."

The white rainbow paused, revealing a figure: a white-robed monk who declared loudly, "This humble monk has come to return the courtesy!"

"It is impolite not to return a courtesy."

The Yellow River hung in the sky.

This white-robed monk had pulled an entire Yellow River with him.