Chapter 558: Footing on Mountains and Rivers

The people of Beiliang only knew that a group of "people from behind the mountain" lived north of Qingliang Mountain, but what they did or who they were remained unknown. The back of Qingliang Mountain, also known as Beiyin Mountain, had always been a forbidden area. A wheelchair slowly descended the mountain. Xu Weixiong was wrapped in a thick black fur coat, her fingers gently held at her collar. At the foot of the mountain was a small cluster of inconspicuous navy-blue buildings. She knew, of course, that the true Beiliang Bureau of Ordnance was built underground, always brightly lit as if it were daytime.

When Liyang swallowed Chunqiu, the Mohist artisans dedicated their utmost to the Zhao imperial family. After greatly aiding the common people, they had hoped to retire successfully, live a solitary life, and pursue scholarly interests in the mountains. However, given the Zhao family's nature, and coupled with the Liyang Prime Minister's consistent disparagement of the Mohists as "the tenth rogue state of Chunqiu," thousands of Mohists throughout the court were slaughtered. Especially those Mohists serving under Gu Jiantang and several other generals, they virtually vanished overnight, their bodies never found. Fewer than a hundred survived, clinging to life under the protection of the Xu family. Among them, the master craftsmen Song Changsui and Yang Guangdou were highly respected. Song Changsui excelled in weapon forging, while Yang Guangdou specialized in offense and defense simulations. Both had been favored disciples of the old Grand Master Zuo Qilian.

During the period of mourning, Xu Fengnian, who was pushing the wheelchair from behind, went to the Bureau of Ordnance not only to "hunt for souls" and shamelessly badger Song Changsui and his apprentices to expedite the crafting of talisman armor, but also to consult Yang Guangdou on western front tactical simulations. Xu Fengnian was no stranger to the Bureau of Ordnance; it wasn't a case of "clutching at Buddha's feet" at the last minute. As a young prince, he frequently snuck into the underground lair of the Bureau of Ordnance to admire its unique, bustling scene. The "misleading" geographical map of Qingliang Mountain, which he deliberately leaked from the princely mansion as a "fishing" trick against his jianghu rivals, was co-created by Xu Fengnian and Cao Wei, Song Changsui's disciple. With this map, it wasn't difficult to enter Qingliang Mountain and approach Wutong Courtyard, but finding the exact location was impossible. It could be said that both the prince and Cao Wei were troublemakers, equally mischievous. In their youth, Xu Fengnian often ended up with bruises from fights instigated by Cao Wei. If Xu Xiao wanted to go to the Bureau of Ordnance to help his son get even, Song and Yang, the two old men, would just look up and pick their noses or glance sideways and pick their ears, feigning ignorance. In any case, finding Cao Wei in that labyrinth would require Xu Xiao to commit two to three thousand armored soldiers to dig up the ground. However, Xu Fengnian later grew clever, bribing many of his peers in the Bureau of Ordnance. They ganged up on Cao Wei, ambushing him and putting a sack over his head, which allowed Xu Fengnian to win back a few rounds. In short, Xu Fengnian and Cao Wei, who was a few years older, did not have a harmonious relationship; there was even a sense of natural antagonism between them. However, each had their weaknesses. For instance, if Xu Fengnian wanted to subtly plot against someone or tinker with fantastical contraptions, Cao Wei, no matter how much he grumbled, would work faster and more efficiently than anyone else once he got started.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Bureau of Ordnance, Xu Weixiong did not enter. She allowed Xu Fengnian to go in alone, while she took a detour, her wheelchair rolling along the quiet flagstone path, returning to the sunny side of Qingliang Mountain.

Xu Fengnian entered the Bureau of Ordnance, familiar with the route and unobstructed. Tunnels embedded with lights extended endlessly downwards, as if without end. The Bureau of Ordnance was said to be large enough to contain an inverted Qingliang Mountain, its scale immense. Xu Fengnian walked for almost half an hour, navigating through seven secret chambers and twelve hidden passages, before finally reaching a spacious area on the lowest level. There, a two-story tall forging furnace stood. Around the furnace, a dozen ladders were propped up. Tens of feet away from the furnace, a desk was placed, piled high with scribbled blueprints, with countless more scattered beneath the table. Several red-faced septuagenarians were vehemently arguing, occasionally pointing at the furnace. Xu Fengnian did not interrupt their bickering. He stood before the furnace, his face glowing red from the firelight. This furnace, named "Dingqi," had an extraordinary origin. Compared to the long-defunct Tangxi Sword Furnace or the still-active Fengxue Furnace of Dongyue Sword Pool, it dwarfed them all. It was said that when the Great Qin dynasty unified the realm, it collected all the iron artifacts to cast the Nine Tripods, used to suppress two cities, three rivers, and four mountains, and these were made using furnaces crafted by Mohist predecessors. Xu Fengnian smiled, lost in thought, when someone jumped up and playfully smacked him on the head. Too lazy to turn around, Xu Fengnian casually swatted the rude fellow away. Immediately, a stream of curses came from behind him. Since Xu Fengnian began practicing with the sabre, this guy behind him had become much more well-behaved, but old habits die hard; Cao still couldn't resist a few provocations, and this was always the outcome.

Cao Wei rubbed his cheek and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Xu Fengnian. This young man was short, but he never let his stature deter him. When with Xu Fengnian, he liked to stand on his tiptoes, but even then, he was still half a head shorter than Xu Fengnian. Xu Fengnian chuckled, "I heard you've finally managed to produce 'Great-Grandson'?"

Cao Wei boasted, "Compared to the sharpest 'Old Ancestor,' its sharpness is just a tiny bit less. Compared to the sturdiest 'Grandson,' its durability is half a bit less. Compared to the lightest 'Old Man,' it's only slightly heavier. Now you know how impressive it is, right?"

Xu Fengnian scoffed sarcastically, "They're all just 'a little bit off.' Is there nothing about it that's the best among all generations of Beiliang sabres?"

"Old Ancestor," "Grandson," and "Great-Grandson" were all nicknames Xu Fengnian and Cao Wei had given to the Beiliang sabres. "Old Ancestor" referred to the first truly perfected Xu family sabre. During the early Chunqiu wars, the Xu family's forces relied on these sharply pointed first-generation Liang sabres to conquer the realm, proving invincible. In the mid-to-late Chunqiu period, such as during the later stages of the campaigns against Western Shu and the defense of Xiangfan, they switched to the second-generation sabre. While less sharp than the original "Old Ancestor," it was relatively lighter and sturdier. Upon establishing control over Beiliang, the third-generation Beiliang sabre, "Old Man," saw another re-evaluation and design choice. Many of the Beiliang sabres currently worn by the dandies in neighboring provinces and prefectures were the "Son" series, known for their most beautiful blade curves. By the "Grandson" generation, the Beiliang sabre had gone through five iterations. Now, in Cao Wei's hands, it was like six generations under one roof, welcoming the youngest, "Great-Grandson." These six types of Liang sabres were difficult to distinguish for anyone other than battle-hardened veterans accustomed to weapons. The fifth-generation "Xu family sabre," privately dubbed "Grandson" by Xu and Cao, was already widely recognized by military strategists from both Liyang and Beimang dynasties as the best combat sabre for both offense and defense, unparalleled in the world for both infantry and cavalry combat. Renowned warriors like several great generals of the Beimang Southern Dynasty, and Liyang's Prince Yan Chi Zhao Bing and Prince Guangling Zhao Yi, had considered mass production and imitation. However, the seemingly simple production of a single sabre involved complex and profound knowledge, including iron ore quality, mining efficiency, furnace temperature, forging techniques, mold design, and even considerations for the wielder's body proportions, arm length, and strength. Besides Beiliang's superior iron ore quality and the artisans' superb craftsmanship, its most crucial advantage was that the Beiliang Iron Cavalry had guarded the frontier for twenty years. A sabre's "spirit" was profoundly influenced by whether it had tasted blood, and how much.

Although Xu Fengnian's mockery made Cao Wei's "Great-Grandson" sound unimpressive, the truth was that even without seeing or touching the sabre, its formidable power was evident from their brief conversation. It might not be the sharpest or sturdiest, but it was certainly the most effective killing weapon capable of sustained lethality!

As expected, Cao Wei, feeling insulted, stomped his foot and cursed, "You layman! If you're so capable, don't ever touch 'Great-Grandson' in your life!"

Xu Fengnian was too lazy to quibble with him. He extended his hand, and soon Cao Wei's fellow apprentices came forward, respectfully presenting three new sabres. This generation of Xu sabres was collectively referred to as "Great-Grandson," but as per custom, the sabres for cavalry, infantry, and the soldiers guarding the rear in Lingzhou each had subtle differences in emphasis. Generally, the Beiliang Iron Cavalry, especially its elite heavy cavalry units, were equipped with the newest and most exceptional Liang sabres, which they could receive almost immediately upon a new design's release. In contrast, regular garrisons within Lingzhou, such as those guarding less strategic towns, would receive their replacements much more slowly.

Xu Fengnian took a cavalry sabre, his left hand gripping the hilt, holding the blade across his chest. His right index finger traced the edge of the blade, ignoring the thin line of blood that seeped out. He narrowed his eyes, tapped the blade more than a dozen times, and cocked an ear to listen to the faint reverberations that ordinary people couldn't distinguish. He nodded with satisfaction, a warm, gentle smile slowly spreading across his refined face. The young Mohists, who had been deemed traitors by Cao Wei, exchanged relieved smiles.

Just as Xu Fengnian was about to speak, he heard a loud roar. An old man bellowed, "Hey, Xu!" Xu Fengnian handed the sabre back to the Mohist and walked towards the desk. The Mohist master, Song Changsui, stood with his hands behind his back, reeking of alcohol. He tilted his head, motioning for Xu Fengnian to follow him. The old man, whose beard was as unkempt as weeds, walked directly into a newly opened secret chamber. Yang Guangdou, unlike Song Changsui, was meticulously dressed in a clean, crisp blue gown. Walking beside Xu Fengnian, he spoke softly, "Old Song finished this according to your wishes, Your Highness; it took him two weeks. He had to drink six or seven pots of wine every day to stay alert. I've reviewed it, and I think it's quite good. Oh, and Your Highness, how is the Young Prince's talisman armor? How much of Murong Baoding's offensive did it withstand? In terms of weight, did it exceed our initial projection of 16,000 jin? How much resilience did the talisman armor develop on its own? Where does it need improvement? If the Heavenly Tribulation's purple lightning is measured by the eight-eight or nine-nine figures, what is its precise weight? Your Highness, you should give us an exact number so the Bureau of Ordnance can work with precision. We can't waste our efforts only to build a mirage; that's against our Mohist rules. Your Highness, you must know Old Song's temper, with his nature of digging to the bottom of everything..."

Ahead, Song Changsui let out a heavy snort.

Xu Fengnian pulled out a prepared letter from his sleeve and chuckled, "I've written all of this in the secret dispatch, Elder Yang. You can proceed methodically from here."

Yang Guangdou slipped it into his sleeve and nodded with a smile.

Song Changsui pushed open the secret chamber door, and the view suddenly opened up. Rivers and mountains lay beneath their feet! This was likely the grandest and most intricate sand table in history, encompassing the three states of Beiliang, the refugee lands, the Western Regions, Western Shu, and Nanzhao, as well as all thirteen states of the Beimang Dynasty. To be precise, it was an entire western front that spanned the realm!

Song Changsui felt no sense of accomplishment. Staring at the vast sand table, he said solemnly, "Twenty major rivers, sixty-seven mountains, and one hundred forty cities and garrisons are all included. According to the intelligence reports on troop deployments, we've used chess pieces, with each representing a thousand men, to roughly achieve clarity at a glance. The reason I worked day and night to help you with this is twofold: first, our Mohist school is dependent on others, and the Xu family has helped us, these remnants of outlaws, survive for over twenty years. It's only right and proper that we contribute fully. Second, your strategy truly suits my taste. For me, Song Changsui, nothing in this world is beyond precise calculation—from the smallest family's wealth to a nation's power, even the realm of an Immortal on Land can be calculated. Xu Fengnian, tell me frankly, is Beimang truly going to attack the western front first?"

Xu Fengnian hummed in affirmation, then calmly said, "The Beimang Empress herself said so. Now it's just a matter of when and where the fighting will begin. We in Beiliang no longer need to hope that Beimang will first plunge both feet into Liyang's eastern quagmire. Elder Yang's and Master Wang of Shangyin Academy's previous strategic simulations, which predicted attacks on both the east and west, must now be completely discarded and redone."

Yang Guangdou sighed, feeling guilty. "It is my fault for not being skilled enough and for misjudging, thus misleading the Grand General and Your Highness. The Second Princess did remind me back then to prepare for the worst, but after several simulations, I still couldn't see any chance of success for Beimang's Eastern Front campaign under the Grand Marshal..."

Xu Fengnian waved his hand, interrupting Yang Guangdou, and said softly, "It's alright, Elder Yang, no need to blame yourself. The gains and losses on the desk, in the end, must yield to the outcomes of hard-fought battles."

Song Changsui sneered, "Old Man Yang, listen to him talk. This kid, deep down, looks down on you strategists who only talk on paper. He's truly cut from the same cloth as Crippled Xu—doesn't believe in anything, and in the end, only trusts the sabre in his hand!"

Xu Fengnian and Yang Guangdou both simply smiled.

At some point, Cao Wei had stealthily snuck into the sand table, walked in an arc, and was now squatting in a spot, muttering incessantly. Xu Fengnian looked at the back of this fellow. The two were natural nemeses. Xu Fengnian knew Cao Wei all too well. This short man was incredibly annoying, the kind who would never stand if he could sit, and never sit if he could lie down. He was shameless; those unfamiliar with him would quickly find him insufferable, and those who knew him well would realize he was truly asking for a beating. Cao Wei feared death and despised the sight of blood, yet he fantasized about leading an army someday, dreaming of personally engaging in warfare. While others aspired to become marquises and generals for a splendid future and power, shorty Cao sought it for pure fun. When Xu Fengnian hadn't yet inherited the title of King of Beiliang, Cao Wei was relatively subdued, their interactions merely consisting of bickering and arguments. But in recent times, with Xu Fengnian becoming the King of Beiliang, Cao Wei became like a cat in heat, completely energized, demanding a few thousand light cavalry from Xu Fengnian so he could hide in the Western Regions and then launch a sneaky long-range raid. In his words, he wanted to "deliver a fierce blow right to Beimang's backside." Xu Fengnian initially ignored him, so the kid threatened to trade the sixth-generation "Xu sabre" for command of a few thousand cavalry, and indeed, he managed to produce "Great-Grandson." Cao Wei's military strategy was unconventional, and Xu Fengnian wasn't sure of its depth. However, Cao's style could be illustrated with a chess analogy: Cao Wei was unwilling to sit down and play a game because he found it too tiring; why bother with opening moves and long mid-game considerations? Cao Wei would just observe the two players from the sidelines, silent. But when the game was finally nearing its end, he would haphazardly take out pieces that shouldn't be on the board, bang one down, and declare, "The overall situation is decided!" He'd then claim that one or two of his pieces could solve an endgame that involved two hundred pieces. Who wouldn't want to beat such a scoundrel to death? However, the carefree Cao Wei feared only one person: Xu Weixiong. In fights, chess, military strategy, or arguments, Cao Wei had no chance against her and had no choice but to admit defeat. In the past, when Cao Wei was short, his catchphrase was, "When I become a great general who secures the nation, anyone who looks down on me will have their head chopped off. Then we'll see who's taller." But Xu Weixiong retorted indifferently that at his height, merely chopping off others' heads wouldn't help; he'd have to be cut in half to be taller than others. From then on, Cao Wei no longer dared to use that catchphrase.

Before Xu Fengnian left, old man Song, on a whim, thoroughly berated him. Song Changsui scolded him as a good-for-nothing spendthrift who still hadn't secured the Grand Canal transport system, criticized him for accepting the court's second imperial decree, taking the title of Supreme Pillar of State, and agreeing to the court's decision not to allow him to mourn and return to office. He called him spineless and accused him of neglecting military generals in favor of scholars, reversing priorities. In short, the old man cursed whatever came to mind, appearing dissatisfied with everything. The young King of Beiliang was sprayed with spittle, yet his smile remained unchanged, and he didn't talk back, simply wiping his face with his sleeve multiple times. If Yang Guangdou hadn't intervened, Song Changsui, in his fervor, would have rolled up his sleeves and directly pointed at the new prince's nose to curse him.

Xu Fengnian waited until the old man ran out of breath from scolding, then turned and left with a helpless expression.

Yang Guangdou stood at the door, saying helplessly, "Old Song, that's enough. Xu Fengnian is the King of Beiliang, after all."

Song Changsui glared. "What? Can't he be scolded just because he's a prince?"

Yang Guangdou glanced at the young man's receding back and softly said, "At least let him save some face. You and I both know this young man has a difficult task governing. If it were anyone else, after being scolded like that, they would have already lost their temper with you."

Song Changsui snorted, "He wouldn't dare?!"

Yang Guangdou smiled and countered, "Do you really think he wouldn't dare?"

Song Changsui paused, then smiled knowingly. "That kid, he wouldn't."

Yang Guangdou nodded slowly. "That's right."

Song Changsui sighed softly, "I'm too lazy to scold others, and I don't want to. In today's Beiliang, most of the old fellows who could scold him are gone. If even I don't scold him, then that kid will truly be lonely."

Cao Wei stealthily approached his two masters from behind, grinning, and said, "The sabre's been made. He can't possibly refuse to give me a single soldier, can he?"

Song Changsui instinctively slapped Cao Wei on the head. "Look at your ambition! Go play around!"

Cao Wei fumed, "That guy is so stingy he won't give me anything?! How dare he?! No, give me back the sabre!"

Yang Guangdou blinked, extended a hand, flipped it over, and said with a knowing smile, "That number, it's inevitable."

Cao Wei froze on the spot.

Xu Fengnian returned to the surface, carrying a new Xu family sabre. He walked along the Beiyin Mountain path to the peak of Qingliang Mountain. Sitting on a stone bench at the foot of a building, he drew the Liang sabre—which might soon be stained with blood on the border—from its sheath and lightly flicked it with his finger.

A vast, beautiful land, with countless heads to be severed.