Chapter 344: Two Willow Branches

During their retreat, Dong Zhuo's two thousand light cavalry and six hundred infantry maintained a loose formation, with a noticeable gap between them. After galloping for three li, Dong Zhuo exhaled, reined in his horse, and slowly dragged the tip of his Green Spring Spear across the yellow sand, carving a furrow. He looked back, regretting that the Great Snow Dragon Riders had not pursued them. Dong Zhuo pursed his lips, took off his red-plumed helmet, and tucked it under his arm. He didn't mind showing a pained expression and sighing in front of his soldiers. A trusted commandant, who had dismounted to join the infantry, strode to catch up with the light cavalry and stopped by Dong Zhuo's horse. After pretending to flee like a stray dog for three li, he was calm and collected when he stopped, his mouth full of curses, mostly about the cowardice of Beiliang's elite cavalry. Dong Zhuo's soldiers were generally of this character. Dong Zhuo placed his Green Spring Spear on its rack, put on his helmet, and said, "Let's go."

The broad-shouldered commandant who had been following closely behind Dong Zhuo's horse asked, "General, are we really just leaving? Not going to turn back for a counter-attack?"

Dong Zhuo did not answer his subordinate's question. When he remained silent, the commandant abandoned the idea of pressing further. This was the unspoken understanding within the Dong Family Army. Dong Zhuo was not only skilled at leading small groups of elite cavalry on long-distance raids but also exceptionally adept at the 'turning-back spear' tactic (counter-attack). In many fierce battles, he could retreat dozens or even hundreds of li, even when at a slight disadvantage or when the situation was balanced, then turn around to fight again and secure victory. It's important to note that the 'turning-back spear' tactic is a double-edged sword: used well, it can have miraculous effects; used poorly, cleverness backfires, and a feigned retreat can become a real rout, leading to a catastrophic defeat. It requires a profound understanding of one's own troops' morale and the enemy's resilience. Such strategic calculations, which often cost hundreds or thousands of lives, are far from mere theoretical exercises.

Dong Zhuo mumbled to himself, "Six thousand against four thousand, and it was a draw. We've pretty much figured out the Dragon-Elephant Army's capabilities. General Hong Guoan of Wazhu didn't lose unfairly."

The commandant grunted, speaking without reservation, "General, if those Grand Secretaries in the Liyang imperial court heard you say that, they'd accuse us of being shameless again."

Dong Zhuo clicked his teeth and shifted slightly in his saddle. His wife, who was a royal relative, often teased him about developing calluses on his buttocks from riding, saying they were rough to the touch and he should ride less. Dong Zhuo was an exceptionally shrewd man; what seemed like intimate banter was actually a subtle suggestion for him, as her husband, to avoid personal danger in battle. After all, he was still young and had the status of an imperial in-law. He could gain less risky military achievements and, with patience, would eventually rise to a high position. However, for this mission to reinforce the imperiled Maolong Valley, he couldn't bring himself to not lead the troops personally. Losing six thousand personal guards to the Dragon-Elephant Army was painful, but Dong Zhuo was genuinely cold-blooded and ruthless. As long as his personal calculations weren't at a loss, he wouldn't bother feigning sadness or distress. However, the true strength of Dong Zhuo's sixty thousand troops lay unusually not in his cavalry, but in his twelve thousand infantry. If the latter had suffered six thousand casualties, Dong Zhuo would have long since gone to the Liyang Dynasty's great generals like Huang Songpu to curse them out.

After advancing a few more li, they encountered another five hundred cavalry from the Dong Family Army. These elite troops silently integrated into the main force. Dong Zhuo had always been known for his cunning and disliked putting all his resources into a desperate, life-or-death gamble. The reason his 'turning-back spear' tactic was used infrequently but always successfully was that before each retreat, at least one-sixth of his total forces, hidden cavalry, would remain fully energized and ready to act as the spearhead for the counter-attack.

In the battle at Gourd Pass, Dong Zhuo had initially assumed that since the Dragon-Elephant Army dared to set an ambush to intercept reinforcements, any seasoned general in charge of deploying troops would not commit their entire force. Therefore, he initially did not send all eight thousand cavalry into battle. As it turned out, apart from the unexpected fact that the Dragon-Elephant Army had no reserves, Dong Zhuo's other calculations were flawless. Had it not been for the sudden appearance of that peerless general, likely Yuan Zuozong, the White Bear, Dong Zhuo would not only have annihilated the four thousand Dragon-Elephant troops but also killed the Butcher's second son. Dong Zhuo was certainly not afraid of the Great Snow Dragon Riders. If it came to a full-scale fight, with the additional five hundred cavalry, he could have completely defeated Yuan Zuozong. However, killing both Yuan Zuozong and Xu Longxiang would be difficult. Dong Zhuo considered himself a pragmatic man, managing his sixty thousand Dong Family troops like a thrifty man manages a small household; he wouldn't release the hawk until he saw the rabbit. Since he couldn't kill Xu Longxiang, his sole target for this campaign, killing a few hundred or even a few thousand more Beiliang soldiers would be insignificant to the overall situation and would also mean shedding several pounds of his own 'flesh' (resources). Dong Zhuo found this painful and was unwilling to do it.

The 'dead fat man' said with a mournful, helpless face, "After this, I can forget about 'borrowing' things from my father-in-law's place under the guise of New Year visits. What's more, I probably won't be able to touch my young wife's hand for a month or two."

Dong Zhuo felt no guilt watching Gong Pu, the guest retainers, and the Penglai Cauldron-bearer die in battle for him. However, he anticipated continuous trouble for his future plans, especially since his father-in-law commanded Mount Tibing, a fortress akin to a powerful military stronghold, and was notoriously cold and calculating.

The commandant cautiously asked, "General, it seems we're not heading towards Maolong, are we?"

The enraged Fatty Dong glared, "Are you in a hurry to be reincarnated? Haven't you noticed the Beiliang King's personal Great Snow Dragon Riders showing up? Only eight hundred cavalry came. Where are the rest? Aren't they gnawing at Maolong Valley? Otherwise, would four thousand Dragon-Elephant troops be waiting for us at Gourd Pass, hoping to ambush us?!"

The commandant scratched his head, secretly rolling his eyes, and muttered, "My sister warned the General not to pick up this hot potato, but the General refused to listen."

Dong Zhuo forced a brilliant smile and waved, "Yelü Chucai, come here, come here."

The commandant felt a chill, slowed his pace, and let the General's summons go in one ear and out the other.

Dong Zhuo said with a smile, "Brother-in-law!"

The commandant obediently stepped forward and, sure enough, received a solid kick. Only then did the appeased fatty feel refreshed. "Look how stunning your sister is, and then look at you—a crooked melon and a cracked date. I told you the first time we met that you couldn't possibly be your parents' biological child; you were probably just picked up somewhere."

As Dong Zhuo's brother-in-law, the commandant was a genuine royal family member. Yet, upon hearing such disrespectful remarks, he dared not retort, which showed the extent of Fatty Dong's imposing authority. He was seething with suppressed anger, thinking that having such a rogue brother-in-law was truly a sign of heaven's oversight.

Dong Zhuo suddenly dropped his relaxed expression. "Get to the point."

The commandant, who was usually seen as nothing more than a reckless warrior, ran alongside Dong Zhuo's warhorse and said, "It's no surprise that ten thousand Dragon-Elephant troops defeated the Wazhu army that ventured out of the city without orders. But for Gentleman's Hall to remain fortified and still have four thousand fully combat-ready Dragon-Elephant troops appear at Gourd Pass, that suggests something is amiss at Gentleman's Hall. Although our North Mang military strongholds are not as tall and formidable as those in the Central Plains border defenses, Gentleman's Hall is still not something the Dragon-Elephant cavalry can easily take. Using cavalry that completely lacks siege equipment for an assault is ridiculous. This can only mean that Beiliang's infiltration of North Mang's border forces is far greater than the Liyang Dynasty imagined. Perhaps even Hong Guoan's rash decision to sally forth and engage the enemy was influenced by spies."

Dong Zhuo neither nodded nor shook his head, but continued to ask, "Then tell me, the Dragon-Elephant Army penetrated deep alone, with only four hundred remaining at Gourd Pass, plus the wounded and sick from before. A full ten thousand Beiliang elites are now down to less than two thousand. What was the purpose of such a huge sacrifice?"

The commandant, often teased by Fatty Dong as a "golden branch and jade leaf," thought for a moment and said, "Wazhu, Gentleman's Hall, Ligou, and Maolong—these four garrisons are, in the end, easy to defend and easy to attack. Aside from their troops, they don't hold much value. The Beiliang army would be foolish to leave troops stationed there, waiting for the Liyang Dynasty's old generals to seek revenge. To be honest, I can't understand what this war was fought for. Has the Beiliang King become senile? Or is he eager to send his second son into the Beiliang army as a general?"

Dong Zhuo kicked, but his brother-in-law dodged quickly. The fatty, whose kick missed, laughed in exasperation, "You've talked for ages and haven't hit the nail on the head! Your sister was right; you've read too many military texts and don't know how to look beyond them."

The commandant, accustomed to his brother-in-law's 'tough love,' brazenly smiled and said, "General, you are brilliant and mighty! Please enlighten this humble one."

Dong Zhuo smiled faintly. "Originally, all military garrisons along the border near Beiliang were quite arrogant about their combat strength, believing they could openly contend with Beiliang's iron cavalry one-on-one without losing ground. Not only did generals like Hong Guoan think this, but also Central Plains refugees, both old and young, yearned to return home, to honor their ancestors, or simply missed the rich and peaceful lands of the South. Therefore, they secretly fanned the flames, and with everyone adding fuel, the fire burned high. Unfortunately, it was all false fervor. First, the Liyang Dynasty's military underestimated the Beiliang army, and then the entire Liyang court became restless, inevitably affecting the mindset of the northern royal court and His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty's hurried move to target Buddhism was more or less because he felt he could conquer Beiliang and stabilize the realm in one swift stroke."

The commandant hesitated, then said, "Then let's fight! Since the Beiliang army, with just one Dragon-Elephant unit, threw Longyao Province into chaos, they clearly could have fought us to the death. Given the Liyang Dynasty's arrogance, we would surely suffer losses if a real fight broke out. Why did Beiliang send troops at this time? Could it be, as I said, that the Beiliang King has truly become senile? Now, after this battle, Longyao Province has virtually no power to retaliate. Her Majesty the Empress's proud network of post roads, signal fires, and fortified camps, built under her supervision, has been instantly riddled like a sieve. Only after actually fighting did we realize we were up against the Beiliang King, the progenitor of the entire post road system – there was no game to be played. In this way, our North Mang military will become more cautious. If we truly settle down for a few years and focus on building practical signal fire post roads instead of flashy ones, wouldn't the Beiliang army completely lose hope of advancing north and simply retreat south for good?"

Dong Zhuo slowly uttered two words: "Time."

The commandant paused, then, completely bewildered, asked, "What?"

Dong Zhuo gently stroked the shaft of his Green Spring Spear, which was resting by the saddle, and softly said, "Xu Xiao, that old tiger of Beiliang Mountain whose might still endures, is waiting for the Beiliang heir to gain enough strength to inherit his title and fully take over the Beiliang army. But to ensure that young heir doesn't lose ground in his struggle with Chen Zhibao, firstly, any effort Xu Xiao makes would be unappreciated and wrong, no matter how he acts. Secondly, Chen Zhibao accumulated an enormous inherent advantage during the Spring and Autumn War. Therefore, Xu Xiao must slowly sideline Chen Zhibao over the next few years to buy time for his eldest son. If North Mang moves south too quickly, even if the heir is hastily put in power, the majority of the Beiliang army's morale would still lean towards Chen Zhibao. In the end, perhaps only the Great Snow Dragon Riders and the Dragon-Elephant Weixiong units, as personal guards, would remain under the Xu family's royal banner. Getting back to the point, this 'beating' of North Mang, using his second son to lead the Dragon-Elephant Army, was almost the Beiliang King's only choice. It could pave the way for both his sons and also be justifiable to Chen Zhibao's faction. Sending troops to North Mang this time without using your direct lineage to fill the gaps saved face. Ultimately, Xu Xiao's strategy is elegant, leaving no grounds for criticism from any quarter within the Beiliang army."

Dong Zhuo mused to himself, "If it were me, I would do the same, sparing no expense. Even if the entire Dragon-Elephant Army were wiped out, I wouldn't feel pained. The pain of losing a general's talent versus a commander's talent is different. Moreover, the Dragon-Elephant Army still has two thousand men left. After reorganization, they can easily muster eight thousand strong and well-mounted cavalry. The Dragon-Elephant Army's combat strength won't be significantly reduced. I can tell with absolute certainty that these eight thousand troops must belong to a neutral figure or figures who will maintain neutrality during the transition of the Beiliang King. These are elite veterans under their command. This effectively becomes a subtle waxing and waning of power between the new Beiliang King and Chen Zhibao. This kind of maneuver is an overt strategy that cannot be learned from military treatises."

The commandant was stunned for a moment, then murmured, "That Butcher schemes so far ahead."

Dong Zhuo laughed, "Otherwise, how do you think Beiliang could stand as one of the three great powers alongside North Mang and Liyang? I heard that there's a strategist named Li Yishan at the Listening Tide Pavilion in the Beiliang King's residence. Previously, he was underestimated by important figures from both dynasties, dismissed as someone only capable of civil administration, with even the deceased strategist Zhao Changling surpassing him in military command and strategic planning. But I see it differently: it's all Li Yishan's clever concealment. This scholar, who uses both orthodox and unorthodox methods, is truly someone I, Dong Zhuo, respect. The Beiliang army's three hundred thousand iron cavalry have maintained their combat strength for over a decade, thriving in their remote corner. A large part of that credit goes to Li Yishan. If he were to die, I'd be very curious who else would have the qualifications and ability to strategize for the new Beiliang King."

The commandant chuckled, "Couldn't we just have Zhuwang assassinate him?"

Dong Zhuo heavily slapped his brother-in-law's helmet with his North Mang scabbard. "I just told you the importance of overt strategies, and you immediately think of such crooked ideas. You're like a stone in an outhouse – impossible to teach!"

The commandant said indignantly, "But General, aren't you renowned in North Mang for your countless schemes?"

Uncharacteristically, Dong Zhuo said nothing more, scoffing inwardly: *I just apply as much effort as the benefit warrants.*

Unable to bear his brother-in-law's silence, the commandant asked curiously, "General, do you think the Butcher's second son will die after taking that 'heart-gouging' sword strike? That fellow is known as 'Heart-gouger' within our Zhuwang."

Fatty Dong recalled the chief assassin of Zhuwang's sword strike and said regretfully, "That sword strike, oh, it was indeed terrifying, but not enough to kill Xu Longxiang."

On the battlefield at Gourd Pass, Yuan Zuozong, the White Bear, looked at the sword in Xu Longxiang's chest, his anger rising. As one of the top three generals in the Liyang Dynasty's army in terms of combat prowess, he knew the ruthlessness of that sword. It should not be pulled out rashly. The sword tip had initially pierced his heart, but due to Xu Longxiang's internal energy, it had slid to his left chest and penetrated. Not only had the blade passed through his chest, but as the sharp sword left the assassin's hand, it was like a rootless willow branch, capable of growing into shade wherever it was casually inserted. The sword qi within the black-clothed youth's body thrived and continued to surge. Despite Xu Longxiang's immense physique, it was only now that the bleeding from his chest showed a slight tendency to stop.

Though enraged, Yuan Zuozong, possessing excellent self-control, clenched his jaw slightly and committed the assassin to memory: Zhuwang's chief killer, known as "Willow Branch Heart-gouger."

Xu Longxiang asked a second question, "Do I still need to go north to find my brother?"

Yuan Zuozong felt a pang of sadness, then shook his head and smiled. "Your godfather said that once you reach Gourd Pass, you can go home. His Royal Highness will soon be able to return to Beiliang."

Xu Longxiang merely said, "Oh," then added, "Then I'll wait here."

Yuan Zuozong replied, "No need. Your godfather specifically instructed that His Highness's journey home does not pass through here."

Yuan Zuozong had expected to fail in persuading the young prince, who was born with a natural lack of understanding, but to his surprise, the black-clothed youth merely thought deeply for a moment before nodding.

Yuan Zuozong gazed at the blood-soaked battlefield, for the first time anticipating the return of the Great General's eldest legitimate son.

Only then did he recall that Xu Fengnian had already ventured out on three journeys.

Along Beiliang's post road, willows swayed gracefully. A scholar, leading a little girl, walked without a horse, let alone the means to hire a carriage. However, they were in no hurry. The willows lining the post road were stout, and walking in their shade offered decent protection from the sun.

The old and the young relied on each other, and they had walked happily for over a year. Both came from humble backgrounds and were not afraid of hardship.

"Brother Chen, are we going to meet that Young Master Xu?"

"Not necessarily. Whether I want to see him will depend on whether I've traveled all over Beiliang first. And of course, whether he's willing to meet me is another matter entirely. After all, he's the hereditary heir to Beiliang, not just anyone."

"Young Master Xu is a good person! He even helped me pick up money from the wishing well. And later, the watermelon he gave us – after we ate the fruit, you fried the rinds, Brother Chen, didn't you say it was delicious?"

"Good people can do bad things, and bad people can do good things. It's hard to say."

The little girl didn't quite understand; she just giggled and said, "Oh."

Seeing no one around, the scholar secretly broke off a long willow branch and wove it into a wreath, which he then placed on the little girl's head.

He once claimed that after his death, he should be posthumously honored as 'Wenzheng.' He had submitted the 'Memorial of Six Affairs' to General Xu Gong. He had also made a surprising impression debating 'Kingcraft and Hegemony' at the Bao'guo Temple's winding stream in Jiangnan Road.

This was Chen Liangxi, the impoverished scholar who traveled throughout the land with a young beggar girl.

Recalling the past, Zhao Changling, the 'Positive Talent,' first met Xu Xiao, the Butcher, accompanied by a grand entourage of six hundred servants and maids.

In contrast, Li Yishan, the 'Negative Talent,' was utterly alone and in a similarly disheveled state.