Chapter 438: Two Ingots of Silver, Buy a Famous General of Spring and Autumn, Get a Loyal Civil Official for Free

Xu Fengnian and Huang Shang were speaking in riddles. Aside from Ning Zong, who was no longer young and vaguely caught on, most people thought the two found merely drinking too dull, and were imitating pretentious literati. This was especially true for a rough man like Duan Chunan, who felt utterly uncomfortable, dismissing their words as idle chatter. He lowered his head and drank in silence, feeling that every sip was a bonus. Outside, nearly eighty elite Tie Lu cavalrymen were waiting, not to mention a large contingent of infantry. It was clearly a trap. Thinking of this, Duan Chunan harbored some resentment towards the young master who had led their group into the inn, believing that it would have been better to fight their way out then and there, rather than sit by and wait for death, especially with such trepidation.

The rugged man, who had received two ingots of silver, was expressionless, as if he completely missed the underlying meaning, his eyes dull. Yet, the white-haired young man still wouldn't cease, drinking as he spoke with a smile, "After Grand Marshal Gu Zhun, commander of the Eastern Yue Navy, surrendered, the Liyang Navy gained immense strength and advanced with irresistible force. Tens of thousands of troops converged on Poyang Lake. Over a dozen large warships, like the 'Riding Dragon' and 'Supporting Crab,' were anchored just outside the lake entrance. The Poyang Lake commander, who had been appointed in a crisis, feigned executing his colleague Du Jiankang—who had vowed to fight to the death—and then took command of Du's naval forces. He forcibly ordered the evacuation of the two vital passes at the lake entrance and Lianhua Islet. The Liyang Navy mistakenly believed the Poyang Lake Navy intended to break through and escape, and their various units vied for military honors. The heavy, difficult-to-float 'Supporting Crab' and 'Riding Dragon' warships remained in the outer river, allowing only nimble and flexible sampan-like battleships to sail into the inner lake. Little did they know, the Poyang Lake commander had Du Jiankang—who had feigned his death—turn back and attack. This man personally led three thousand elite personal guards to block the narrow waterway at the lake entrance, effectively cutting the Liyang Navy in half, preventing their front and rear from supporting each other. He then sent his two sons into the 'Supporting Crab' and 'Riding Dragon' ships, their small boats loaded with oil jars, to set the ships ablaze, perishing with the giant vessels. This finally sealed the fate of the once unstoppable Liyang Navy, completely annihilating them on Poyang Lake. That fire, rumored to have been visible across the entire Southern Tang kingdom, burned for three days and three nights. Not only did this man's sons all die, but even his two daughters-in-law, from martial arts families, donned armor and perished with them at Poyang Lake. It was truly a case of one man with white hair sending off an entire family of black-haired youths. The severing of his family line was considered a great act of unfilial impiety. After this victory, the Poyang Lake Navy disembarked and, with a resolute determination to die, rushed to reinforce the capital. However, unbeknownst to them, the Southern Tang monarch had already been swayed by Liyang's offer to appoint him Duke of Southern State. He furiously denounced this man as disloyal and sent a secret envoy with two pots of poisoned wine. The Poyang Lake Navy surrendered without a fight. The eighty-year-old General Du Jiankang was executed, his head severed and placed in a box. The Southern Tang ruler, clad in sackcloth, opened the city gates, presented the box to beg forgiveness, and knelt to welcome the imperial mentor. On that day, the Southern Tang kingdom fell."

Huang Shang added fuel to the fire, interjecting, "Afterward, this last emperor of Southern Tang, a benighted ruler, went to Tai'an City with his fellow fallen monarchs from the Spring and Autumn kingdoms. The former Liyang emperor remarked with a smile that tens of thousands of naval soldiers had died, yet only Du Jiankang's life was offered in return, still owing him a head. That very day, he was granted the title Duke of Southern State, and that very day he died in the Duke of Southern State's mansion, becoming a laughingstock. When Master Song compiled the Spring and Autumn National History, he argued with the former Grand Secretariat over whether to bestow a derogatory or an honorable posthumous title upon the Duke of Southern State. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, and he was given a neutral posthumous title, neither good nor bad. People with the surname Hong, the imperial surname of Southern Tang, now feel ashamed of it."

The innkeeper's fleshy face twitched a few times. He seemed about to speak, then stopped himself, reaching up to wipe his face. He smiled, his eyes no longer clouded, and softly approached the wine table, asking with a quiet laugh, "Gentlemen, would you be so kind as to offer this humble country bumpkin a bowl of wine?"

Xu Fengnian gestured with an open hand, "Sit."

After rubbing his hands and sitting down, the innkeeper looked at Xu Fengnian. "Is the young master an influential figure within Liyang's Zhao Gou? Truly young and promising then; ordinary people couldn't enter this place."

Xu Fengnian shook his head and laughed, "I've had a few skirmishes with Zhao Gou, and also dealt with Beimang's Spiderweb—both are troublesome entities that flay you alive if you get involved. It's best to avoid them if possible. Don't worry, my current travels merely brought me through Dragon's Tail Slope by chance. Initially, I was just curious why someone would open an inn in such a desolate wilderness. If it's for profit, their judgment is poor; if it's for peace and quiet, then that's more plausible. Minister Huang mentioned he knows a bit about physiognomy, and I actually have a slight understanding myself. It's clear, Innkeeper, that you are of a mature age, yet your face appears far too young. Coincidentally, someone in my household excels at crafting facial masks, and I was puzzled upon our first meeting. To be honest, maintaining a facial mask is quite contrary to nurturing jade; jade becomes smoother and more exquisite with care, but a precious, deeply attached facial mask isn't meant to be worn for twenty years. Still, I just considered it everyone having their own hidden troubles, and that our encounter was destiny, so I let it be after a drink. However, when I stepped out of the inn to the thatched shed to enjoy the view, my gaze extended far enough to realize that on a clear day, one could see Southern Tang's Poyang Lake. And, Innkeeper, your vocabulary and speech, despite your efforts to conceal it during our earlier conversation and making it indistinguishable from the local accent, contained a few words pronounced with a distinct, deeply ingrained Southern Tang old sound. Isn't it a coincidence? I'm just a dissolute young man who pretends to be refined, learning all the bad things but none of the good, and I also happen to have some knowledge of Southern Tang's music and melodies, which only deepened my curiosity."

The old innkeeper glanced at the bewildered Duan Chunan, then let out a hearty laugh. "Young Master, your learning is profound, and your knowledge extensive. It truly makes an old man like me, with one foot in the grave, unable to deny his age. Young talents are indeed formidable."

Huang Shang, who had been closely observing the innkeeper's expression, felt a sudden chill upon seeing that glance. He quickly tried to remedy the situation, saying softly to Ning Zong and Duan Chunan, "Brother Ning, please take Senior Duan to the entrance to check on the situation outside."

Ning Zong, drenched in a cold sweat, felt as if he had been granted a reprieve. He rose, grabbed Duan Chunan's arm, and vigorously pulled him towards the door.

The old innkeeper's worldly demeanor vanished entirely. He smiled faintly and said, "Allow me to ask an impolite question. You are curious about this old man, and I am equally curious about what you just said—that you are familiar with Liyang's Zhao Gou and Beimang's Spiderweb. Ordinary young masters from noble families don't have that kind of experience."

Huang Shang, who was soon to become a capital official, abruptly interjected, "I, Huang, am simply enjoying the free wine today, and will only speak of wine-related matters in the future. If both of you trust me, I'll continue to sit and drink. If not..."

Before the old man Huang could finish, Xu Fengnian smiled, picked up the wine jar, and refilled Huang Shang's half-empty bowl. They were all intelligent people; words were unnecessary.

The innkeeper's eyes softened slightly. He took a long, gurgling sip of wine, then looked up at Yuan Zuozong, who had remained impassive, and stated directly, "Yuan Baixiong, the battle to the death at Princess's Tomb—this old man has long yearned to witness it."

Yuan Zuozong narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. "Compared to the battle at Poyang Lake, it pales in comparison by a hundred thousand li."

Huang Shang was first speechless with astonishment, then immediately understood. A wry smile appeared on his face, and finally, with an air of composure, he murmured, "I always say there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. This wine, though spicy to the tongue, warms the heart. After sitting here today, I shall have no great regrets in this life."

The innkeeper stared intently at Xu Fengnian, his words startling and relentless. "I've heard that the Prince of Beiliang has traveled three times, visiting both Liyang and Beimang. Surely it wasn't just for leisure? Young Master Xu, could you enlighten this old man a little?"

Xu Fengnian stopped drinking, hands tucked into his sleeves. "Initially, it was to escape calamity. The next trip, I wanted to walk and see—to retrace the paths my father once took, and to behold the magnificent lands he conquered. As for why I went to Beimang, if I were to truly explain, this small half-jar of leftover wine on the table wouldn't be enough."

The innkeeper shook his head. "There truly is no more wine."

Rubbing his face, he gazed out the window from his seat by the sill, and chuckled softly, "Beholding Southern Tang's vast lake, with tall buildings below, connecting to energies from all directions, supporting half the sky; beautiful mountains and waters all greet the eye. My accent hasn't changed, my accent hasn't changed. When the wind is clear and clouds are wide, bringing out a few jars of inferior wine, discussing the affairs of two dynasties, spanning the annals of history. Devouring and drinking to drown the lumps in one's chest, wouldn't that be delightful? Wouldn't that be delightful!"

Xu Fengnian said softly, "Right and wrong, merits and demerits are recorded in history; good and evil are weighed by the King of Hell."

Huang Shang, who should have remained silent, heard these words, took a deep drink of wine, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and sighed emotionally, "What's written in the annals of history across all dynasties is merely what emperors wished; a victorious king denounces the defeated, nothing more than five characters."

The old innkeeper repeatedly murmured the words "defeated villain," and tears streamed down his face. He suddenly looked up, drinking down the entire bowl of wine and tears. "It matters not that my entire Gu clan perished; at least there are still old Southern Tang loyalists who speak kindly of them. But my former emperor of Southern Tang, he carried a terrible reputation and died an injustice! Throughout five millennia of history, how many emperors, sitting on their thrones, would rather shame their ancestors than fail a single common person?! People say Du Jiankang cursed the former emperor's incompetence before drinking the poisoned wine—nonsense! They say Du Jiankang gouged out his own eyes before dying and threw them into Poyang Lake to watch the emperor's miserable end—nonsense! People say Grand Marshal Gu could have led his troops to fight beyond Southern Tang's borders, enough to preserve Southern Tang for another twenty years—nonsense! 'Right and wrong, good and evil weighed by the King of Hell,' 'a victorious king denounces the defeated'—what fine words! Grand Marshal Gu has merely lingered on for twenty years, and only today has he heard a few decent words!"

Xu Fengnian rose calmly and said, "Xu Fengnian of Beiliang greets General Gu. Xu Xiao once said that Grand Marshal Gu was full of courage, that 'Southern Gu' far surpassed 'Northern Gu,' and that he was the Li Chungang of the imperial court. My mentor, Li Yishan, also held General Gu's 'Manual of Martial Ashes' in high regard, calling it the foremost military treatise of its time, surpassing ancient works."

The old innkeeper shook his head without speaking.

Huang Shang put down his wine bowl and asked softly, "Some in the capital say that Beimang will not be allowed to set a single hoof on the plains. Is that true?"

Just as Xu Fengnian was about to speak, Yuan Zuozong scoffed from behind him, "Does Minister Huang know about the 'Hundred Cheers' farewell for Beiliang's old veterans?"

Huang Shang smiled. "I've heard a thing or two, but I didn't believe it before."

Xu Fengnian turned and said, "Second Brother Yuan, you have half a bowl of wine's time."

Yuan Zuozong smiled and walked away, heading out of the inn door, leaving with the words, "That's enough."

Huang Shang's expression subtly changed, and he sighed softly. Gu Dazhu, the innkeeper living under an assumed name, rubbed his temples, a knowing smile in his eyes.

The next words Xu Fengnian spoke were like a massive stone cast into a lake. "Beiliang's infantry still lacks a deputy commander. General Gu, since you accepted two silver ingots, you owe me an explanation. As for Minister Huang, don't go to the capital to your death. You can pick any official position in Beiliang. Whether you go or not isn't up to you, Minister Huang. Xu Fengnian is determined to use force before courtesy—even if I have to knock you out and tie you up, I'll take you. In any case, the Tie Lu soldiers died completely because of you, and Minister Huang, you couldn't wash yourself clean even if you jumped into Poyang Lake a hundred times. You might as well come with me to Beiliang."

Gu Dazhu laughed heartily. "Your methods are sharp, worthy of Xu Xiao's son, and very much to my liking. Let's be clear beforehand, you get what you pay for. Deputy commander? Grand Commander of the Infantry is more like it. And that useless Yan Luan who just sits on the privy without producing anything can serve as my grunt."

Huang Shang said helplessly, "In that case, I beg Your Highness, the Prince, to knock me out first."

Xu Fengnian, hands tucked into his sleeves, smiled like a fox.