Chapter 490: Father and Son Side by Side

The gates of Liang and Ling prefectures in Beiliang Dao opened wide, and city garrisons and key passes across the region simultaneously eased their restrictions. Not only scholars streamed into Beiliang, but also people from all walks of life, a mixed bag of individuals, flocked there to seek fortune and risk. A small cavalry detachment quietly entered Ling Prefecture from Micangling Road, adjacent to Kuimen Sword Pavilion, heading northwest. The detachment consisted of only five or six men, all burly figures, with no women among them. The horse administration and post roads had gradually dwindled and decayed, no longer bustling as they had been during the Spring and Autumn Period of war and strife. However, Micangling Road, located between Shu and Liang, despite its rugged mountain paths, was still meticulously maintained annually at great expense, even surpassing its condition during the Spring and Autumn Period. For merchants from both regions, this was simply a great stroke of luck that required no deep thought. But to discerning individuals, it was merely a fine line between Beiliang's iron cavalry sweeping south or Shu's elite troops pushing north. The detachment stopped on a mountain peak with a wide vista, looking south. The elderly man leading them pointed his whip towards Sword Pavilion and chuckled, "Originally, according to Yishan's plan, Kuimen Pass had thousands of light cavalry controlled by the Wang family, plus six thousand elite armored soldiers hidden in Qingcheng Mountain. With an inside-out attack, if Beiliang truly harbored ambitions to conquer the Central Plains, or if the imperial court pushed us too hard, then, without exaggeration, the western front, including Western Shu and Southern Zhao, could be ours within three months. But now that Chen Zhibao has gone to Shu alone—though he hasn't been crowned King of Shu yet and is still serving as that ridiculous Minister of War—once he governs Shu for a few years, this will be a severing. Heh, Beiliang will be like a person with a festering sore in their armpit, uncomfortable whether you scratch it or not."

Besides the stooped old man, whose words were as mighty as a tiger's roar, there were also His Highness the Young Lord Xu Fengnian, the new commander of Beiliang's cavalry Yuan Zuozong, and Han Laohshan and Xu Yanbing, who were about to take up actual posts as Deputy Generals of Ling Prefecture. They stood shoulder to shoulder, looking south towards Western Shu. Xu Xiao rode his horse at the peak of Micangling Road. After putting on that red fox fur hat aboard the warship at Lake Chunshen, he had not taken it off throughout his journey. Xu Xiao turned his horse. "Earlier, Lu Qiu'er introduced me to Gu Dazu, a former general of Southern Tang, whom I've long admired. It was through him, an outsider, that I learned our Beiliang territory, though not vast, has so many intricate details. According to his geographical treatise, Beiliang Dao can be divided into three regions and fourteen distinct terrains, clear at a glance. As Gu Dazu sees it, Beiliang occupies the upstream position in the world, connected to the vital energies of various regions, and thus can control the destiny of the world. Before, I only heard Yishan say that after the unification by Great Qin, Beiliang experienced 1,281 battles in its history, making it a well-deserved land of a thousand wars. However, Yishan doesn't believe in destiny or spirits. Furthermore, I know deep down Yishan disapproves of Beiliang invading the Central Plains with overwhelming force, causing strife again. That's why, in these past years, he hasn't lived happily."

Xu Fengnian, with a Beiliang saber at his waist, smiled, "Master always said that great talents in the world must be restrained by knowledge, so their ambition doesn't run wild, allowing them to achieve things smoothly. This is truly a profound intention. Not to mention your notorious reputation during the Spring and Autumn wars, just considering our Xu family's origins, even if that old trickster Huang Sanjia conjured up some auspicious omens, it would be useless. The scholars and the people's hearts of the world would never side with the Xu family. The reason literati, especially frustrated scholars from humble backgrounds, are flocking to Beiliang now is because Beiliang is upholding the banner of guarding the northwest for the Central Plains, giving them a graceful way out. Otherwise, tell me, who would willingly come to Beiliang to be an official?"

Xu Xiao raised a hand, using his riding crop to nudge his fur hat, and chuckled, "Blame your father for being born a few centuries too early. Yishan said if I had been born a few centuries later, when humble scholars gained power and the aristocratic families' foundations were completely destroyed, and people were no longer so demanding about imperial legitimacy, then it would be a grand era where anyone could sit on the emperor's throne. As for the common people, who would care what your surname is? As long as you give them peaceful lives, they'll accept anyone. They don't care who sits on the dragon throne or who doesn't. But then again, your father's only remaining influence these years is in the military. Forget the Central Plains; even in Beiliang, if one day we were shattered by Beiman's iron cavalry, and if someone from Beiman could govern effectively, most common people, after a few years, would completely forget the Xu family's twenty years of protecting their homes. Speaking of which, the more I think about the Battle of Xileibi, the more I feel we won by sheer luck. In the Central Plains, the remnants of Western Chu who are determined to restore their kingdom are truly like weeds that can't be burned out; they rush forward relentlessly, as if they don't know the meaning of death. It will probably be difficult to unite the people of this nation like that again in the future. Our Beiliang, not to mention compared to Western Chu, even compared to Western Shu, still falls far short. That's your father's fault; I was decent at conquering the world on horseback, but after dismounting, I became negligent. Governing the world is ultimately the scholars' forte; they are best at it. I didn't used to think so, but now I truly have to admit it. Your father suffered too many losses because of them when he was young. Every time I saw their hypocritical faces, I couldn't help but want to beat them up. So, dealing with scholars in the future will be up to you. Don't ever learn from your father; you must have a better temper."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Youxi Plateau, Youbei Plain, Liangxi Corridor, Qilian Mountains, Longdong and Longxi, Helan Mountains, and so on—a total of fourteen areas. Since Gu Dazu has, from a high vantage point, meticulously divided the Beiliang warzone, I can now strategically place my trusted generals. Then, I can gradually surround the scholars responsible for governance, letting each fulfill their duties. With strong border troops guarding, like a thick filling in a meat bun, Beiliang won't easily fall into chaos. This influx of scholars to Beiliang certainly includes many imperial spies. I'm eager to see how adept they are at causing trouble. Beiliang has its limitations, but also its unique strengths. As long as our 300,000 iron cavalry remain, we can certainly protect ourselves. Except for the fertile Liangxi Corridor, most other areas in Beiliang are not abundant in resources, and we face concerns about grain reserves. The eastern water transport has always been controlled by the imperial court. However, we have excellent generals and strong soldiers; talented individuals have emerged from Hexi and Helong since ancient times, coveted even by grand figures in the imperial court like Zhang Julu. To put it bluntly, even if we're hungry, we can still make the so-called battle-hardened troops outside Beiliang cry for their parents."

Xu Xiao teased, "Oh, it sounds like you have ambitions to be a commander now. Your father remembers that when you were a child, you always dreamed of being a chivalrous hero who drew his sword to right wrongs, with no interest in leading armies."

Xu Fengnian calmly replied, "Only by truly experiencing the jianghu did I realize the limits of an individual's power, and the idea of being a great hero faded. Imagine, at the flick of a riding crop, tens of thousands of iron cavalry surge forth. Who could stop them? Wang Xianzhi? Or Cao Changqing?"

Yuan Zuozong chuckled softly, deflating the boast, "If it were them, they could probably put up a fight."

Xu Xiao burst into hearty laughter. He was delighted and relieved that this adopted son could joke freely with his eldest son. In those years, his six adopted sons were all high-spirited. Not to mention Lu Qiu'er, only the reserved Yao Jian had some interaction with his son, which had caused Xu Xiao no small worry. Among his adopted sons, Yuan Zuozong's temperament was as noble and unyielding as Chen Zhibao's; it was an unexpected joy that Bai Xiong could "bow his head," and Qi Dangguo was now almost completely devoted to Fengnian. The two unassuming attendants, Han Laohshan and Xu Yanbing, exchanged knowing smiles. In fact, both were fellow disciples of Wang Xiu, the Spear Immortal. However, the world only knew Han Laohshan as Wang Xiu's junior martial brother, but not Xu Yanbing. Because Wang Xiu was one of the previous generation's Four Grandmasters of the jianghu, enjoying unparalleled prestige in the Central Plains and northwest, not only was Han Laohshan overshadowed, but Xu Yanbing, who had left the sect early to wander the jianghu, was even less known. It was only during this journey back to Beiliang that Xu Fengnian learned from Han Laohshan that Xu Yanbing's talent was once so dazzling that he almost made the much older Wang Xiu feel hopeless in catching up, to the point of nearly losing his will. Wang Xiu's father had to semi-expel and semi-request this highly valued and promising non-familial disciple to leave the Wang family. Only then did Xu Fengnian surmise that the reason Xu Xiao dared to openly leave Beiliang and venture deep into the Central Plains was not relying on the more publicly known Spear Immortal's junior brother Han Laohshan, but rather on the obscure Xu Yanbing. The last time the King of Beiliang went to the capital, when Xu Xiao visited the Imperial Astronomy Bureau and met Empress Zhao Zhi, the Butcher also brought Xu Yanbing, not Han Laohshan.

The group continued slowly north along the mountain-top post road. Xu Xiao rode side by side with Xu Fengnian and quietly said, "Apart from the three top positions—the Protector-General of Beiliang and the commanders of the cavalry and infantry—which are now settled, with Lu Qiu'er and your second elder brother Yuan already in place, Yan Wenluan's infantry commander post also has to be given to Gu Dazu. Next, the most powerful positions are the generals of the three prefectures in Beiliang Dao: Liang, You, and Ling. Among these, the General of Liang Prefecture has always been concurrently held by the Protector-General of Beiliang. The General of You Prefecture has already been given to that ambitious Huangfu Cheng. Xu Yanbing and Han Laohshan will serve as Deputy Generals of Ling Prefecture, leaving only the main General position vacant. What are your plans?"

Xu Fengnian hesitated before replying, "Yan Wenluan is difficult to handle. After all, he's a veteran general with great accomplishments, and he's not as old as Zhong Hongwu. He's also a smooth operator with no obvious weaknesses. I plan to first let Gu Dazu take over the General of Liang Prefecture from Lu Qiu'er as a transitional measure. After Wang Zhi, the meritorious official who submitted his pledge during the Battle of Tiemen Pass, and some capable generals from the Feng-character Battalion have established themselves, it will be easier to deal with Yan Wenluan. To be honest, if Yan Wenluan shows good sense, even if it means bearing the stigma of 'burning the bridge after crossing,' if I must choose between Gu Dazu and Yan Wenluan, I would still be willing to inconvenience Gu Dazu and let this old general Yan Wenluan continue to stabilize the border. Anyway, Gu Dazu has no way out. At worst, I'll personally go to his door to apologize and let him scold or even hit me. Gu Dazu is a military fanatic; I don't believe he'd willingly leave Beiliang to become an old wine seller or a farmer."

Xu Xiao frowned. "Someone like Gu Dazu is unruly at heart. Aren't you worried he'll hold a grudge? People's hearts are fickle. If Gu Dazu intentionally performs half-heartedly, it would be an incalculable loss for Beiliang, which desperately needs a strong general to stabilize the situation."

Xu Fengnian smiled calmly. "When it comes to winning people's hearts, I'm not as capable as you. I never expect people to immediately prostrate themselves before me, become instant friends, and then be eternally loyal; that's a fool's dream. Besides, 'holding a bowl of water level' is, in itself, not holding it level. Yan Wenluan is a banner of the Beiliang army. This banner can fall, but if it falls in an undignified manner, merely to quickly establish Gu Dazu as a new leader, the loss would outweigh the gain. If Gu Dazu can't even wait for this little time, then he's only destined to be a general, not a commander."

Xu Xiao pointed at Xu Fengnian, smiling without speaking. Xu Fengnian was puzzled. Xu Xiao, unable to hide anything from his son, then spoke plainly, "Last time I drank and chatted with Gu Dazu, the two old men stayed awake all night. Finally, Gu Dazu confided in me. He said that after coming to Beiliang, he himself didn't wish to rise too quickly and cause unnecessary instability for his new master, Beiliang. However, he *must* obtain one of the three provincial generalships—at least Ling Prefecture General, but ideally Liang Prefecture General. If I promised him this, he would serve to the death. Ha, Gu Dazu, that desperado with courage in both literary and martial pursuits, has now even learned to weigh priorities. And you two are in complete agreement. Have you two, big and small foxes, been colluding all along?"

Xu Fengnian burst out laughing, "Gu Dazu is so understanding! It would be inexcusable not to give him an infantry commander post later."

Xu Xiao sighed, "Your father is truly admitting his old age."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "I'm just playing small tricks, nothing substantial. I'm far worse than you."

Xu Xiao shook his head, narrowing his eyes as if tipsy, "Don't comfort your father. For a father to admit old age because of his son is never a sad thing. There's nothing happier in this world."

Xu Fengnian said helplessly, "At noon, drinking and eating meat at the inn at the foot of the mountain, I didn't see you admitting old age at all. At your age, still competing in drinking with me? How many times did you sneak off to the latrine in between? Twice or thrice?"

The old man looked embarrassed.

The old man then chuckled, "This time, when your father meets that old woman at the border with Tuoba Pusa as her escort, I'll be relying on you to keep up appearances."