Chapter 367: This Person Is Called Li Yishan

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"Title" by Fenghuo Xizhu Hou

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All of Beiliang knew that outside the provincial capital, there was a group of elite light cavalry, often described as "stepmother's sons," stationed there. Most were sons of wealthy families, occasionally descendants of generals, whose fathers held relatively low official positions. Their numbers consistently hovered around eight hundred. Because they lacked a clear leader and were bound by regulations, this cavalry unit rarely had opportunities to appear publicly. Only last year were five men drawn from each of nearly twenty units, forming a hundred-strong cavalry, which was considered their "trip through the jianghu." They returned with over a dozen bodies of fallen comrades and also brought back many boxes of martial arts manuals from a place called Mount Hui's Guniu Ridge. The outside world didn't pay much attention. After all these years, hadn't His Royal Highness the Crown Prince done enough absurd things?

What could only eight hundred cavalry accomplish? Cavalryman Wang Chong once privately asked Commander Yuan Meng this question. Yuan Meng told him that when General Chu Lushan led his troops to conquer Shu, he only had two or three thousand men, yet he still utterly defeated Western Shu, which was supposedly protected by continuous natural defenses.

Cavalryman Wang Chong's good brother, Lin Heng, died in the Battle of Xiangfan City's Reed Marsh, impaled by a halberd from Wang Mingyin, the eleventh greatest expert in the world. While on a night watch together on a boat passing through Guimenguan, Lin Heng saw that person sitting at the bow, flicking his blade with his fingers, and remarked that the person was not just for show and had clearly mastered his blade skills. Although Wang Chong's martial arts were not as formidable as Lin Heng's, who always boasted that his future blade skills would surpass Gu Jiantang's, Wang Chong didn't believe it at the time. Later, outside Xiangfan City, when they were ambushed by Wang Mingyin, one of the few top martial arts masters, Wang Chong personally witnessed that person draw his blade and finally became convinced, but Lin Heng had died.

However, Wang Chong didn't resent that person because on that day, their mere ninety cavalry faced Prince Jing'an's thousand cavalry. With the two armies in a standoff, that person took the lead and killed a fierce general of the Qingzhou army with a single, light spear thrust. After ordering his men to sheathe their blades, that person didn't say anything to stabilize morale but personally helped Wang Chong bandage his wound. Wang Chong wasn't a greenhorn; he joined the Phoenix Cavalry because his father, a former Chongdu Commander, had told him there would be a day to earn military merits with a clear conscience. Wang Chong naturally didn't think he was going to sacrifice his life. "Is my life not a life? Why should I die for you? My father isn't bad either; after serving on the Beiliang border, he at least became a military leader of a prefecture."

However, after that "jianghu trip," not only Wang Chong but even a hardened veteran like Wang Donglin changed after returning to the Beiliang unit. If anyone in the Phoenix Cavalry spoke ill of that person, Wang Donglin would not waste words. He would challenge them to a cavalry duel in the training ground and won three consecutive matches. In the fourth match, he was poked off his horse with a wooden spear, and the other person, still on horseback, held the spear tip to his chest, asking if he submitted. Before Wang Donglin could reply, Hong Shuwen, another member of their unit who had also been on the trip, flipped onto his horse, raised his spear, and in turn knocked that person off his horse, then asked him if he submitted.

Hong Shuwen was one of the toughest individuals in the Phoenix Cavalry, excelling in both mounted and foot combat. Even Commander Yuan said this kid was a "silent dog" who bit without knowing limits. Soon, no one in the Phoenix Cavalry dared to speak ill of that young man who had never set foot in a military camp. It wasn't that they didn't want to, but they simply didn't dare. Hong Shuwen, with a few others, had privately beaten up more people than could be counted on two hands. Commander Yuan always talked about punishment but never followed through. Some even saw Commander Yuan giving Hong Shuwen special lessons, teaching him several spear techniques. Everyone finally understood: Commander Yuan had also defected to that guy's side! What's more, after that, Ning Emei, the famous Halberd of the Beiliang Army, would frequently visit the Phoenix Cavalry's barracks, specifically seeking out Wang Chong, Wang Donglin, and their group of cavalrymen. During these visits, he even took on two unofficial disciples. Although they weren't formally recognized as master and apprentice, it was close enough; he taught them everything he knew about throwing short halberds. In his free time, he would even pay for these unranked soldiers, who had yet to earn military honors, to drink, which made others quite envious. After all, Ning Emei was no ordinary figure; as one of the four great "Beiliang Tusks," he was on equal footing with powerful generals like Dian Xiongchu, who commanded six thousand elite Iron Pagoda cavalry.

Although the morale of the eight hundred men in the Phoenix Cavalry was currently dispersed, every one of them was worthy of the Beiliang blade at their waist. In terms of individual combat strength, they were definitely not inferior to any elite Beiliang force, especially scoundrels like "Fierce Hong" who fought as often as they ate. They should have become elite skirmishers long ago.

The eight hundred light cavalry held their breath, concentrating, and quietly awaited that person's arrival. They only knew they were embarking on a long-distance raid. Who they were to kill, they did not know. How many enemy troops there were, they did not know. Their fate after the battle, they did not know.

Xu Xiao entered the carriage. The coachman was Han Laozhu, the junior disciple of the Spear Immortal, Wang Xiu. Chen Xiliang and the little girl unceremoniously followed him into the carriage. Xu Beizhi was left behind to enter Liangzhou Prefecture City, accompanying them to the Prince's Estate. He rode on horseback, accompanied by several elderly retainers whose presence was as profound as rivers. The carriage suddenly stopped. Xu Beizhi suddenly saw the King of Beiliang lift the curtain and wave to him.

Xu Beizhi entered the carriage. While not exactly trembling with fear, he was still filled with mixed emotions. This hunchbacked old man before him, along with Huang Sanjia, had ruined the "Spring and Autumn Grand Righteousness" and was even said to have brutally broken the backbone of a million scholars. Xu Beizhi truly couldn't imagine the "Butcher" being an old man who chatted and laughed freely with peddlers and common folk.

Xu Xiao leaned against the carriage wall, hands tucked into his sleeves, and said to this grandson of an old friend, "Don't resent Xu Huainan's death. Of course, if you must resent someone, resent me."

Xu Beizhi knelt, lowering his head, and said, "Xu Beizhi would not dare."

Xu Xiao smiled, "Would not dare?"

Xu Beizhi's green robe immediately became soaked with sweat, and he was drenched. Yet, his tone remained unchanged. With his gaze still lowered, he slowly said in a deep voice, "Since Xu Beizhi has arrived in Beiliang, I will serve Beiliang wholeheartedly. However, if you ask me to harbor absolutely no resentment, Xu Beizhi is not a saint, so that is impossible."

Xu Xiao nodded, "That's honest. Very good."

Xu Beizhi remained silent.

Xu Xiao said softly, "Sit and talk. Strictly speaking, we're distant relatives. You can just call me Uncle Xu from now on."

Xu Beizhi sat cross-legged and upright, formally.

Xu Xiao asked, "This time, Prince Zhao Kai is traveling far to the Western Regions. As expected, the eight hundred Phoenix Cavalry will confront him between Jiange Pass and Liusha River, in the strategic choke point between the Northern and Southern Borders. Besides a powerful esoteric Buddhist Dharma King, Zhao Kai is accompanied by two hundred elite Imperial Guards cavalry and sixteen Golden Blade Imperial Bodyguards. As for his hidden forces, Beiliang's spies haven't uncovered much. Do you think this assassination attempt is worthwhile? Even if successful, what are the pros and cons?"

Xu Beizhi calmly counter-questioned, "May I ask, General, how many turncoat officers do you have at Jiange Pass?"

Xu Xiao frowned slightly and softly said, "Turncoat?" The old man then smiled and said, "Let's use your term then. Jiange Pass has always been a first-rate strategic stronghold on the frontier. Its importance ranks among the top ten in the entire Liyang Dynasty. The total garrison numbers sixteen thousand, half infantry and half cavalry. Eight thousand infantry are mostly former subordinates of Gu Jiantang, also mixed with some of Prince Yan Chi's troops. As for the cavalry, three thousand cavalrymen are currently in the area west of Jiange Pass, suppressing a band of roaming bandits."

Xu Beizhi continued to ask, "Of the remaining five thousand cavalry, how many can be dispatched urgently from the pass?"

Xu Xiao replied, "A little over half, also three thousand troops. But the prerequisite is to have Gu Jiantang's Minister of War tiger tally, to be sent urgently over eight hundred *li* to Jiange Pass. Unfortunately, along the post road leading to Jiange Pass, I have some old subordinates who are getting on in years and might slow down the military intelligence transmission."

Xu Beizhi shook his head and said, "I dare to assert that the troops who will make a move will not be these three thousand, but the remaining two thousand cavalry. Because even if Gu Jiantang is willing to issue this troop deployment order, there will be a certain woman in the imperial palace in the capital who will obstruct it."

Xu Xiao frowned, "Oh? Who has such audacity?"

Xu Beizhi calmly replied, "The Zhao family's Emperor, or more precisely, Han Diaosi, who is determined to support Zhao Kai as emperor. This powerful eunuch, who appears to be gradually losing favor within the palace, is very likely to leave the capital himself. Furthermore, for Han Diaosi to do so means he will truly begin his decline from within the imperial palace. After all, a eunuch overtly participating in the succession struggle is a major taboo for the imperial family. Moreover, the current Emperor is not a muddle-headed ruler; no matter how close a relationship he formed with a personal eunuch before ascending the throne, it cannot withstand such extravagance. Even if the Zhao family's Emperor truly intends for Zhao Kai to succeed, Han Diaosi will inevitably have to relinquish his position."

Xu Xiao nodded, "That explanation makes sense."

Chen Liangxi, who had been holding the little girl, looked down at her, their sole companion, and smiled knowingly. She didn't know what Brother Chen was smiling about; she just habitually gave him a bright smile.

Xu Beizhi sincerely sighed, "Even if the Crown Prince is dead set on killing Zhao Kai and his two hundred Imperial Guards, it will likely be a constant game of 'mantis stalking cicada,' with each side having endless tricks up their sleeve."

Xu Xiao suddenly burst into loud laughter, pointed at Chen Xiliang, and then said to Xu Beizhi, "You two largely share the same view, like heroes, but there are still some minor differences."

Xu Beizhi did not look at Chen Xiliang. Chen Xiliang also did not look up at Xu Beizhi. One was the grandson on whom Xu Huainan, the Great King of the Northern Court, had placed great hopes. The other was a poor scholar who originally didn't even qualify for the Qushui Liushang gathering at Baoguo Temple.

"Like a woman from a powerful clan, even with average looks, she possesses an inherent distinguished demeanor. She requires careful sculpting in subtle details, removing any arrogance, to gradually reveal her heavenly beauty and attain perfection."

"Like a beauty from a poor family, though exceedingly charming and captivating, she ultimately lacks a natural noble bearing. She requires a broader infusion of grace and an expansive perspective to become perfectly rounded and charming without being seductive."

On a desk in a secluded top-floor room of the Listening Tide Pavilion, lay a piece of Xuan paper with a few concise comments about Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang, written by a national scholar before his death.

Xu Xiao softly said, "You two are much luckier to have met Fengnian than those scholars who met me."

Xu Xiao chuckled softly, "Beiliang will rely on your hard work from now on. Starting a new venture and maintaining an existing one are both difficult. It's even harder if those tasked with maintaining the current state must also strive to build a new one."

Both Chen and Xu were simultaneously stunned and alarmed.

A rare trace of melancholy appeared in Xu Xiao's eyes. "After we enter the city, you two should first go to a grave on Fengnian's behalf and offer a toast to someone. He held both of you in high regard when he was alive. Don't disappoint him."

"That person's name is Li Yishan."

A team of riders thundered into view on a secluded path not typically used as a post road. Yuan Meng's eyes suddenly widened, his gaze instantly burning with intensity. This martial general, who had long been mocked by his colleagues, now had hands trembling even as he gripped his spear. The leading rider was an extremely dashing young master. However, on that handsome face, which ought to have been frivolous, there was a solemn, heroic aura unfamiliar even to the eight hundred White Horse Volunteers. A short knife was at his left waist, and a long sword at his right. The second rider was the Butcher's second son, dressed in black and barefoot. Who in Beimang or Liyang doesn't know of the Dragon Elephant Army today? Who doesn't know Xu Longxiang, the enemy of ten thousand? The third rider was Yuan Zuozong, the White Bear, known as one of the top three combatants in the Liyang Dynasty's army! This unparalleled fierce general, whose name became known throughout the land after the Battle of the Western Chu Concubine's Tomb, needed only a single Beiliang blade to suffice. The fourth rider was a woman in green, carrying a long spear. The fifth rider was a woman whose arms were hidden within the large sleeves of a vermillion robe, and whose head was covered by a red scarf, her face obscured. Yet, she exuded a chilling, ghostly aura, and her presence was in no way inferior to Yuan Zuozong's!

The five riders passed the Phoenix Cavalry one by one. Yuan Meng was the first to turn his horse's head. The other light cavalrymen silently followed close behind.

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Female warrior has ascended to Wenqu; this illiterate seeks guidance. Hope we can continue to chat happily.

Damn, so far back!

Professional post booster

Reading the boss's books, the imagery is just so deep and intense.

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