Chapter 385: Two Strategies, Two Heads; He Xinliang

Grand General Huaihua's kneel deeply impacted the hearts of common folk like Old Gang Leader Liu and Liu Nirong.

Zhong Hongwu looked down at the ground. The old man feared the young man's masterful flying sword techniques, but what truly terrified him was the Crown Prince's "absurdity." Zhong Hongwu vividly recalled that after the old emperor's death, the young Xu Fengnian, still a boy, held lavish festivities on Qingliang Mountain. The entire city could see the bright lights and hear the magnificent "Spirit-Suppressing Song." Throughout his military career, Zhong Hongwu admired Chen Zhibao, yet he harbored no fear of the "White-Robed War Saint," whose legendary plum-wine spear never saw the light of day. Zhong Hongwu had vied for power with Yan Wenluan for many years and did not fear the sullen infantry commander either. These men were opponents who played by the rules. For instance, Chen Zhibao had dragged Jiang Baikui's wife and children to death on the battlefield, but he would never treat his own people with such cruelty. Yan Wenluan might secretly set traps for Zhong Hongwu, but he would never openly break ties. Even a scoundrel like Chu Lushan would always appear smiling and harmless in public. But Xu Fengnian was different; Zhong Hongwu had no idea where his bottom line lay, and that was the most terrifying thing. What if this fellow actually used his sword to kill his only son, Zhong Chengxin, or even killed Zhong Hongwu, who himself was walking a fine line? Could the King of Beiliang then truly kill his legitimate eldest son to compensate the Zhong family? Zhong Hongwu was regarded by the Beiliang official circles as naive in worldly affairs and less skilled in political maneuvering than Yan Wenluan, but that was only in relative terms. If Zhong Hongwu were merely an arrogant, boorish soldier relying on favor, he wouldn't have reached the high position of Cavalry Commander. However, the humiliation he suffered today was unprecedented in his life. Zhong Hongwu had already decided that after today, he would return to the Beiliang army, grasp his general's tally, and properly confront this Crown Prince again! "You may become the King of Beiliang, and I cannot stop you. But if you wish to rule with ease, you must first overcome me, Zhong Hongwu, and the hundred thousand cavalry behind me!"

Even in his fury, the Grand General Huaihua, a second-rank martial artist, boasted he could defeat two hundred Xu Fengnians. But at the same time, he cunningly used his words to corner the young Crown Prince. Among the five people in the hall—Xu Fengnian, Xu Beizhi, Chen Xiliang, Qingniao, and Wang Zhi—the two frail scholars were clearly inconsequential. If Xu Fengnian were to let Qingniao, who had demonstrated her skill, or the cavalry general Wang Zhi intervene, it would be tantamount to admitting he let others do everything for him, even allowing just anyone to become King of Beiliang. This showed that Zhong Hongwu was not a simple-minded military man. Unfortunately, he had encountered another prodigy from the Wu Family Sword Mound, a master of the sword, following Deng Taia. No matter how well he calculated, it was useless. Zhong Hongwu was not so arrogant as to confront a monster capable of wielding twelve swords at once. In other words, if Zhong Hongwu lost to Yan Wenluan, he would accept it. To die at the hands of Chen Zhibao, who had slain the Spear Immortal Wang Xiu, would be a glorious death. But to die obscurely in this wretched place, at Xu Fengnian's hands—what kind of death would that be?

Xu Fengnian retracted his sword into his sleeve and went to help Zhong Hongwu. As the old general, whose title was still intact, slowly rose, Xu Fengnian quietly spoke in a voice audible only to the two of them. "Thinking of going back to continue being the Grand General Huaihua in name and fact? It might be too late. Yuan Zuozong is about to take your place as Cavalry Commander. As for the Beiliang Protectorate left vacant by Chen Zhibao, neither you nor Yan Wenluan should even dream of it."

"This is going too far! This is a vicious move to pull the rug out from under me!" Zhong Hongwu glared angrily at the young Crown Prince, whom he had always disliked, and said in a deep voice, "Can Yuan Zuozong truly command the respect of the masses? Is the Crown Prince perhaps taking too much for granted?"

The implication was clear: "I, Zhong Hongwu, have been the sole revered figure in this military establishment for over a decade, with countless disciples and followers. My direct lineage all look to the Grand General Huaihua as their leader. Yuan Zuozong might have sufficient prestige within the Snow Dragon Cavalry's specific domain, but for the vast forces of hundreds of thousands of cavalry, his influence might not be effective."

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, "Zhong Hongwu, I know you desperately want to complain to Xu Xiao right now. Don't worry, I'll make sure you can't even get past the main gate of the King of Beiliang's residence."

Zhong Hongwu muttered "Good, good, good" several times.

Xu Fengnian continued, "You might be thinking that my actions are bound to dishearten the Beiliang officers and soldiers. And you might arrange for your subordinates to constantly stir up trouble, creating momentum for your return to the military. You can also rest assured that anyone who dares to speak nonsense will be smoothly expelled from the Beiliang army by Yuan Zuozong. He's just looking for places to install his loyal followers."

Zhong Hongwu's expression shifted slightly.

For the first time, he truly began to seriously consider this young man whom he had continuously underestimated since childhood.

Xu Fengnian waved his sleeve and said with a smile to Wang Zhi, "General Wang, why haven't you untied Young Master Zhong and helped him up?"

That casual wave of the sleeve had already turned the nervous Zhong Chengxin's face ashen. Lying on the ground, he said in a trembling voice, "Reporting to Your Highness, there's no need to untie me. I'll just lie here." Zhong Chengxin was truly terrified that the volatile Crown Prince would untie him only to use a flying sword to decapitate him if he displeased him. It was much safer to lie there and play dead. Any grievances or thoughts of revenge could only be considered after safely returning to the Zhong mansion. In any case, Zhong Chengxin was determined not to get up unless his father personally rescued him after reconciling with the Crown Prince.

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Your son and I seem to be cut from the same cloth. Why haven't you broken his arms and legs to stop him from running around and making a fool of himself?"

Zhong Hongwu's face was livid; he said nothing.

Xu Fengnian, with extreme "impropriety," patted Zhong Hongwu's shoulder. "I won't see you out. Remember to collect the bodies with Young Master Zhong."

Zhong Hongwu, with a dark expression, went to untie Zhong Chengxin, then picked up the body of Tang Duan, the son of his old family friend. As for the other lieutenant, he didn't even spare a glance. Before Zhong Hongwu left the hall, he tried to pull out his iron spear. Xu Fengnian calmly said, "Leave it." Zhong Hongwu turned to look at the Crown Prince, who offered him no way out, and smiled with narrowed eyes. Zhong Chengxin jolted in fear, disregarding his father's expression. He quickly mustered his courage, turned, bowed, and flattered, "I hear Your Highness is exceptionally skilled in poetry. My humble residence possesses an ancient inkstone named 'Hundred Eight.' When rubbed, it is silently smooth; it produces ink without harming the brush hairs. I will have it sent to Your Highness for your enjoyment."

Living up to his reputation as Beiliang's foremost dandy, Xu Fengnian laughed, "Your eyesight is better than your father's. Originally, you wouldn't have even thought about being the Magistrate of Longjing Commandery. But since you're sensible, you can take up your post today."

Beiliang's geography was long and narrow, and its registered households were modest compared to the densely populated prefectures in Jiangnan. Thus, there was no custom for local people to seek official posts elsewhere. It was amusing to note that Xu Xiao had personally destroyed the foundations of the Spring and Autumn period's noble families, yet within Beiliang's not-so-vast territory, the embryonic forms of no fewer than twenty aristocratic clans had emerged in just twenty years. Without exception, the few native gentry families of Beiliang had chosen to intermarry with prominent military houses, becoming immensely powerful and arrogant. Chen Xiliang's so-called "salt and iron protection"—which rendered the official salt supervisor position a mere formality—was largely due to their "contributions."

As the father and son walked out of the Fish Dragon Gang compound, Tang Ziyi lay dead on the martial arts hall's sandy ground, unheeded.

Zhong Chengxin ignored etiquette and walked ahead of Zhong Hongwu, genuinely fearing a sword strike through his heart from behind. His sword practice was purely for show and self-amusement, but due to his family background, he knew that truly superior flying sword techniques existed in the world. Among the retainers his family kept, there were two renowned sword masters who often debated whether Li Chungang's sword intent was stronger or Deng Taia's flying sword killing technique was superior. As for the two sword masters themselves, if they pushed their practical limits to wield a sword, a mere few feet was the extent of their mastery. Witnessing Xu Fengnian invisibly slay twelve men with his sword this time truly opened Zhong Chengxin's eyes. In normal times, with a different identity, he would have gladly invited Xu Fengnian to his residence for drinks and conversation, and offered him any of the beautiful, graceful maids he desired!

Zhong Chengxin sat in the carriage, a great weight finally lifted from his mind. He slumped against the carriage wall and cautiously asked, "Father, what should we do? Should I accept this position as Magistrate of Longjing Commandery, or not?"

Zhong Hongwu sneered, "Of course you'll accept it! Why wouldn't you? This is a reward bestowed upon the Zhong family by the Grand General, not something Xu Fengnian decides!"

Zhong Chengxin privately disagreed with this forced justification, but dared not retort at the moment. Catching sight of Tang Duan's body, he quickly shuffled away, putting some distance between them.

Seeing this gesture, Zhong Hongwu felt a surge of emotion and sighed. His decision not to let his only son join the army was a deliberate one. Besides the inevitable pampering of a child born late in life, he naturally didn't want Zhong Chengxin to risk his life fighting on the frontier and return "wrapped in horse hide." Let the soldiers lacking prospects and military achievements do that; as the Grand General Huaihua, one of the top five powerful figures in Beiliang, he had no need for "gilding the lily." Beyond this personal bias, Zhong Hongwu also saw the major trends of the next two decades more clearly than anyone else. With military generals currently holding power and governing, flaws were gradually appearing. The positions of county magistrate were destined to be replaced by "literati." He didn't expect the King of Beiliang to suppress the military in favor of civil officials, but at the very least, it would be a delicate situation where civil and military powers achieved parity. This had always been the prevailing trend after times of peace, something that one Grand General could not stop, not even Xu Xiao, the King of Beiliang, or the "Butcher of Men" himself.

Zhong Chengxin suddenly felt a pang of heartache for his cherished "Hundred Eight" inkstone, which he valued more than his favorite concubine. He timidly asked, "Should that ancient inkstone still be sent?"

Zhong Hongwu glared at him.

Zhong Chengxin gave an awkward, dry laugh. "No, no, we won't send it."

Zhong Hongwu slammed his fist on the carriage floor and said in a deep voice, "If you, Xu Fengnian, behave without propriety, then don't blame me, Zhong Hongwu, for not playing fair!"

Zhong Chengxin was stunned. He avoided looking at the body of the man with whom he had been drinking and reveling just yesterday, and leaned closer to ask, "Father, are you going to rebel?"

Zhong Hongwu was furious at his son's lack of ambition. He steadied his breathing and retorted, "The Grand General can tolerate civil officials defecting from Beiliang. But how many military generals have you seen defect from Beiliang and live to tell the tale?"

Zhong Chengxin mumbled, looking down, "How would I know that?"

Zhong Hongwu raised his hand to deliver a slap, but after holding it suspended for a moment, he did not strike. He withdrew his hand and slowly said, "There has never been a general who wins every single battle in this world. Jiang Baikui, one of the Thirteen Greats of the Spring and Autumn Period, was once considered one, but after the Battle of West Leibei, his family was ruined, his nation fell, and he lost everything. This is where a true Grand General's strength lies: the ability to fall and rise again. Zhong Hongwu lost this round today due to overconfidence, but it's nothing significant."

Zhong Chengxin's mind raced, and a sudden realization struck him. He exclaimed, "Father, are you going to team up with that old fox Yan Wenluan, who is full of evil schemes?"

Zhong Hongwu smiled with satisfaction, neither nodding nor shaking his head. Such matters were best left unsaid between father and son, with a mutual understanding.

The carriage stopped abruptly, and Zhong Hongwu pulled back the curtain.

A rider galloped up. Wang Zhi pointed his scabbard directly at Grand General Huaihua, who had been humiliated today. "Zhong Hongwu, mark my words!"

Zhong Hongwu dismissed it with a smile. Just as he was about to lower the curtain, he hesitated for a moment. "Who is your father?"

Wang Zhi sneered, "Wang Shiqu!"

The rider galloped away.

Zhong Hongwu slowly lowered the curtain, suddenly realizing. So it was that Beiliang traitor, who had gone to become a superfluous general of minor rank at the mighty Sword Pavilion pass in Western Shu.

Zhong Hongwu did not take Wang Zhi's words to heart.

As the carriage neared the Grand General's residence, a sudden realization struck Zhong Hongwu.

Recently, Xu Xiao, the Grand General, had personally donned armor and led ten thousand iron cavalry south, confronting Gu Jiantang's forty thousand former cavalry troops at the border of Lingzhou and Shuzhou. The King of Beiliang had deployed, pressing his forces against the border. Wang Zhi was the son of Wang Shiqu, the commander of Sword Pavilion. Prince Zhao Kai had gone to the Western Regions with a bottle, then disappeared without a trace. The Crown Prince's hair turned white for no apparent reason.

Zhong Hongwu clenched his fist and muttered to himself, "What exactly have you been doing all these years?"

Before Zhong Hongwu stepped out of the carriage, he said calmly, "You go deliver the ancient inkstone."

Zhong Chengxin was torn between worry and relief. He tentatively asked, "Should I send someone else to deliver it?"

Zhong Hongwu finally delivered that resounding slap.

The atmosphere at the Fish Dragon Gang was extremely awkward. Old Gang Leader Liu and several elders knelt and kowtowed before the Crown Prince. Their introductions varied: some simply called themselves "common folk," others didn't forget to state their full names, not even omitting their own nicknames. Xu Fengnian smiled and urged them to rise quickly. He paid no mind to Liu Nirong's stubborn immobility or the young Wang Dashi's utter stupefaction. The elders, all having lived fifty or sixty years, quickly took their leave. They were pleased with the current situation, where the "magpie's nest was occupied by the dove." After winking at his granddaughter Liu Nirong, Old Gang Leader Liu went to pacify the gang members, only daring to hint that the storm had subsided, not even daring to mention that the Crown Prince himself had visited the Fish Dragon Gang.

With Wang Zhi gone, the only people left in the hall were the Crown Prince's trusted confidants, all privy to the secret assassination at Iron Gate Pass. Xu Fengnian jested, "Xiliang, shall we make a wager?"

Chen Xiliang smiled, "Are we betting on whether that Hundred Eight ancient inkstone will be delivered? And whether Zhong Chengxin will reluctantly part with it and personally present it?"

Xu Fengnian nodded, "I bet it won't be sent, let alone personally delivered by Young Master Zhong. If you win, the ancient inkstone is yours."

Chen Xiliang smiled confidently, "Then when I get it, I'll use this ancient inkstone to grind ink and paint dragons, and present Your Highness with a 'Three Dragons Stirring the Sea' painting."

Xu Beizhi picked up his porcelain cup, took a sip of tea, and slowly remarked, "You are forcing Zhong Hongwu into Yan Wenluan's camp."

Xu Fengnian settled back into his grand armchair, loosening his horsewhip, and leaned against the backrest. "I only fear that Yan Wenluan won't agree easily. But this fire is burning too fiercely to extinguish easily, and I'm in a difficult position. Otherwise, it would be best for Zhong Hongwu to send a secret letter to Yan Wenluan as soon as he returns to his residence, or dispatch a trusted confidant to deliver a message by urgent horse."

Xu Beizhi shook his head. "Yan Wenluan understands the bigger picture and is known as the 'Mud Buddha.' Unless Zhong Hongwu pays a huge price, he won't be able to sway this great figure. If he were still the powerful Grand General Huaihua, there might be some possibility, but now that he has fallen from grace, it will likely be difficult to drag the Mud Buddha down with him."

Xu Fengnian shamelessly replied, "It depends on human effort, doesn't it? We must believe in Zhong Hongwu's capabilities."

Regarding the restructuring of the Beiliang army, Xu Xiao had previously asked Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang to each submit a secret memorial. Both came to the same conclusion, advocating for a swift and decisive approach, starting directly with the top leadership.

Chu Lushan's appointment as Beiliang Protector and the exceptional promotion of a large number of young and strong captains came from Chen Xiliang's memorial.

The necessity of forcing Zhong Hongwu and Yan Wenluan to withdraw from the frontier and retire to behind-the-scenes roles was Xu Beizhi's idea. The general principle was: if you don't retreat, I will make you retreat. One was an overt scheme, the other a covert one.

Wang Dashi kept wanting to speak but dared not interrupt.

Xu Fengnian turned and chuckled, "What is it?"

Wang Dashi belatedly asked, blushing, "Young Master Xu, are you truly our Beiliang Crown Prince?"

Xu Fengnian teased, "Am I not allowed to roam the jianghu like you?"

The young man scratched his head and gave a silly grin. "Of course you are!"

Xu Fengnian asked with a smile, "How are you practicing the set of boxing techniques I taught you?"

Wang Dashi blushed. "I practice every day, but Young Master Xu—oh, no, Your Highness—you know I'm slow-witted; I can't practice it well."

Xu Fengnian laughed, "If you were smart, I wouldn't teach you this boxing set. Oh, by the way, this set was created by Hong Xixiang of Wudang. He isn't very clever either, so it's quite suitable for you to learn."

Wang Dashi was utterly dumbfounded.

Hong Xixiang, the Wudang Sect Master—he was an immortal who rode a crane to Jiangnan and suppressed dragons and tigers with a flying sword from a thousand miles away!

Sect Master Hong isn't clever enough?

The indeed not-so-clever Wang Dashi was even more bewildered.

With the teapot and tea set within reach, Xu Fengnian turned over a teacup, poured a cup, and stood up to hand it to Liu Nirong, who was standing opposite him. "Sit down and drink."

Liu Nirong took the teacup but did not sit down. Her face clouded over as she said, "This humble woman dare not."

Xu Fengnian glanced at her. "The Fish Dragon Gang should raise its banner tomorrow. That Wang Zhi will support you."

Liu Nirong bit her lip and shook her head.

Xu Fengnian had traveled with her before and knew her stubborn nature, so he was not surprised. He didn't press the jianghu woman further. After bidding farewell, he walked towards the hall entrance. Before stepping over the threshold, he whispered something to Qingniao.

Then Liu Nirong saw a copper coin tossed from afar.

This time, Liu Nirong did not deliberately ignore it as she had on the sandy slope that stretched for thousands of miles. Instead, she caught the copper coin.

That time, Xu Fengnian had lectured her, telling her to be adaptable on the outside but principled on the inside.

Liu Nirong lowered her head and said, "The Fish Dragon Gang will raise its banner."

Xu Fengnian had already walked away.

Wang Dashi quietly asked, "Miss, will we never see Young Master Xu again?"

Liu Nirong nodded.

Wang Dashi ran to the door, the grateful young man filled with a sense of melancholy.

Sitting in the small carriage on the street, Xu Fengnian said to Xu Beizhi, "I originally wanted to make you the Magistrate of Longjing Commandery to spite the Zhong family. But on second thought, let's not; having Zhong Chengxin take the post seems even more irritating. Actually, leaving aside the irritation, the more 'carp leaps over the dragon gate' you make, the more exaggerated, the better."

Xu Beizhi, looking straight ahead, chuckled, "I'll pass."

Chen Xiliang frowned.

His words were like viewing tea in a cup or painting a dragon on paper—it was the empty space that provided the lasting appeal. The unspoken meaning behind Xu Beizhi's words was clear to all three in the carriage. He, Xu Beizhi, would not be that carp; he preferred to be a wild carp in the river. That left the remaining "domestic carp" from Listening Tide Lake, Chen Xiliang, to take the role.

Who is superior and who is inferior, only time will tell.

Xu Fengnian seemed oblivious to the undercurrents within the carriage. He chuckled, "I just realized that these years of being a dandy weren't wasted. Now, no matter how unreasonable my actions are, outsiders aren't surprised. People's hearts are like bowstrings, and Beiliang's bow has been drawn taut enough."

Before the carriage left the city, Xu Beizhi was about to alight, no longer seeing them off. Zhong Chengxin, with dozens of guards following him at a distance, nervously rushed over to deliver the famous "Hundred Eight" inkstone.

Inside the carriage, Chen Xiliang received the priceless famous inkstone.

Outside the carriage, Xu Beizhi politely declined the gift of a prized horse from Zhong Chengxin, who was now the Magistrate. The latter also dared not ride away; instead, he led his horse and walked alongside the Crown Prince's confidant. After a brief conversation, Zhong Chengxin was sincerely convinced.

Chen Xiliang put down the sandalwood box and calmly asked, "When will the world know that Your Highness personally slew Fifth He, the master of Tibing Mountain?"

Xu Fengnian glanced at him and chuckled, "You already know the answer, yet you ask me."

Chen Xiliang twitched the corner of his mouth.

That same day, a shocking secret, with Longjing Commandery as its center, spread like wildfire throughout Beiliang.

Crown Prince Xu Fengnian had personally severed the head of Xu Huainan, the King of the Northern Court of Beiman, by the Ruoshui River. He had also personally cut off Fifth He's head in the Rouran Mountains.

And these two earth-shattering events were unquestioned by anyone.

Because the one who spoke of them was Xu Huainan's grandson, Xu Beizhi.

Two heads.

A toast to the New Beiliang!