Chapter 562: Spring and Autumn Is a Piece of Land, Beside It an Old Farmer

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*He Xinliang*, Chapter 163: The Spring and Autumn is a Field, with an Old...

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He XinliangFeng Huo Xi Zhu Hou

Xu Fengnian entered the Wang family mansion under the cover of night, his eyes opened wide. Among the four prominent noble families of Huangnan, the Shui Jing Wang clan was slightly overshadowed by the Long Yi Wang clan. However, the mansion exuded a rich yet not overwhelming scholarly atmosphere, with exquisitely carved railings and painted beams. Even the maids and servants seemed to possess a more refined, bookish air than those in other residences, appearing delicate, graceful, and pleasantly adorned with light makeup. Wang Xihua opened the ceremonial gate and personally led the way. This family head was both the lifelong sworn enemy of the Grand Strategist and a close friend of Yao Baifeng, the Libationer of the Imperial Academy. Xu Fengnian had always held him in high regard, thanks to the high praise Wang Chonglou, the old grandmaster of Wudang, had given Wang Xihua through physiognomy. Now, Jiao Wuyi, the adopted son of Aide Wang, had entered the Lingzhou General's Mansion and joined the ranks of the fourteen influential lieutenants, greatly boosting the reputation of the Shui Jing Wang clan, which was skilled in both literature and military arts. If Li Gongde did not have a capable son who distinguished himself on the battlefield at the border, the Long Yi Wang clan might truly have been surpassed. This world was utterly snobbish; unproductive descendants relied on their fathers' prestige to flaunt their power when outside, while ambitious noble families depended on their descendants' achievements to bring glory back to the family. Wang Xihua had four wives and concubines, but his children were clearly more female-dominant. His only son, Wang Yunshu, was not at home tonight; he wasn't indulging in his usual nightly revelries but had genuinely enlisted in the army. Since spring this year, his fair-weather friends in Huangnan County could barely find any trace of him. As the conversations were not about military secrets, the hosts and guests enjoyed a harmonious atmosphere. Although the sycophantic Wang Yunshu was absent, Wang Xihua's daughters were paraded before the guests. As for who truly feasted their eyes, that was hard to say.

In any case, Cao Wei sat boldly beside Xu Fengnian, his back straight, hand on his saber hilt, wishing he could strip a few pounds of flesh off those charming young women with his gaze. Unfortunately, not one of these attractive ladies paid him any mind; their misty eyes were all fixed on the young Prince of Beiliang. It was likely that Wang Xihua and his son Wang Yunshu had often spoken of Xu Fengnian, the newly appointed Grand Pillar of the State, during their idle chats at home. This infuriated Cao Wei to no end. He coughed deliberately several times but failed to attract much attention. Moreover, Xu Fengnian deliberately refrained from grandly introducing who he was. Cao Wei eventually gave up, and whenever Xu Fengnian spoke, he would either snort disdainfully or twist his mouth in a grimace. He finally managed to amuse the youngest daughter of Aide Wang, who hid behind her two sisters, laughing heartily. The half-dead Cao Wei immediately perked up, as if he had taken an aphrodisiac sold cheaply in jars by a street quack. How shrewd was Wang Xihua! He didn't need any introduction from Xu Fengnian to realize that this unassuming, short man with a saber was not simple. Otherwise, who would dare to sit on equal footing with the Prince of Beiliang and even challenge him? In the vast Beiliang, Governor Xu Beizhi was one such person, while scout Li Hanlin could only be considered half. However, their Wang family was the foremost scholarly family in Beiliang, and everyone in the mansion was proud. Furthermore, Wang Xihua, who was highly praised by Yao Baifeng as one of the top three interpreters of the *Book of Changes* in their era, was not so base as to need to use his daughters to curry favor with the powerful. Of course, among the powerful, Xu Fengnian was certainly an exception. Wang Xihua held a heartfelt reverence for this young lord of Beiliang. If one of his daughters were truly favored, it would not just be a case of offering help in dire straits for the Shui Jing Wang clan, but definitely a wonderful addition to their prosperity. As for the short man with the saber, if any of his daughters found him appealing, Wang Xihua would gladly approve.

Slightly tipsy from wine, Xu Fengnian was quite talkative. Wang Xihua, not daring to get carried away, left only his innocent younger daughter to pour tea and serve wine. Xu Fengnian mentioned to Aide Wang that Cai Junchen had some antiques and calligraphies that he wanted to sell soon. Wang Xihua, understanding the implied meaning, nodded gently and jokingly remarked that several priceless pieces of calligraphy and painting in his mansion had been stamped by Xu Fengnian in the most conspicuous spot with the world-renowned words "Fake." Xu Fengnian, uncharacteristically, felt a little embarrassed. In his younger, wilder days, Wutong Courtyard had several valuable personal seals, one of which was a Qin Dynasty small seal script with the characters "Fake" carved in intaglio. Back then, even the most exquisite and cherished calligraphies and paintings in the Wang family mansion could not escape the "clutches" of the young prince. Having long been influenced by Li Yishan's scholarship and achievements, Xu Fengnian had painstakingly honed his eye for art appraisal, becoming remarkably accurate. Without exception, all those "fakes" were actually genuine articles, showcasing Xu Fengnian's past rebellious nature. However, by a strange twist of fate, regardless of how much the scholars of the Central Plains resented Beiliang, owning a piece of calligraphy or painting stamped with "Fake" became a beautiful thing—something that guaranteed its value while also serving as a bragging right. Before Xu Fengnian left the mansion, Wang Xihua presented him with a piece of calligraphy he had personally written during the Awakening of Insects season. It was considered an incomplete version of the Shui Jing Wang family's precepts: "Those who surpass themselves, those of profound virtue, and those who are interesting can be trusted friends. Those with differing ambitions, those without character, and those who harbor resentment and forget kindness—if not enemies, they will be strangers." This differed slightly from the complete Wang family precepts; for instance, "those who speak frankly" were missing from the trusted friends category, and "those of shallow virtue" were missing from the strangers category. This likely represented Wang Xihua's unique insights gained from years of dedicated study and practical governance. Earlier, during their casual chat, they touched upon the three persistent maladies of past dynasties: regional warlordism, the problem of eunuchs, and factionalism. Wang Xihua had also offered some unconventional and insightful views. Xu Fengnian had previously harbored considerable prejudice against scholars, but after several journeys, his views had gradually improved. Tonight's open conversation with Wang Xihua prompted Xu Fengnian to reflect on himself.

After stepping out, Cao Wei saw the "Maiden Slayer" idly strolling around the carriage. She hadn't accompanied them into the mansion earlier and was now walking with that ridiculously withered stick. Cao Wei was truly terrified of this exceedingly eccentric girl; as Yang Guangdou would put it, "a wicked person is dealt with by another wicked person."

Sitting inside the carriage, Xu Fengnian asked, "Wang Xihua just mentioned that Beiliang's approach to appointing officials is to utilize those who have made mistakes rather than those who have achieved merit. What are your thoughts on this, Elder Yang?"

Yang Guangdou patted his sleeve and chuckled, "If this had been said three months ago, it would have been easy talk with no practical burden. There are countless lazy yamen runners and clerks, many occupying positions without performing duties, and few actually getting things done. Replacing them with scholars and literati is the prevailing trend in our Beiliang. Aide Wang's original intention was merely to worry about the instability of Beiliang's structure. However, since a new Liuzhou is to be established in the land of refugees, this statement makes sense. Has Aide Wang also stumbled upon some clues? Just as a tree dies when moved but a person lives when they move, since Song Yan, after much effort, couldn't even become the Prefect of Huangnan County, it would be better for him to go to Liuzhou to find opportunities. Moreover, Aide Wang is not a rigidly conventional scholar; his going to Liuzhou would be beneficial both for himself and for Beiliang. Officials who made mistakes in Beiliang's old three prefectures could all be sent to Liuzhou. With Wang Xihua, who is skilled in governance and enjoys an excellent reputation, to pacify the people, everyone would show him respect. Furthermore, with the young prince's 30,000 Dragon-Elephant Army stationed there, Wang Xihua might very well become the next Governor of Liuzhou."

Xu Fengnian nodded with a smile. The candidate for the first Governor of Liuzhou had actually been decided long ago, seemingly far away but actually close at hand: it was Yang Guangdou, who had returned to service. Xu Fengnian had originally favored Chen Xiliang, but this scholar, who seemed to prefer remaining hidden behind multiple curtains, stubbornly refused. Xu Fengnian couldn't force him to accept. Honestly, Chen Xiliang was still suspected of having "lofty ideals but limited ability." If it weren't for the impending war with Liangmang, entrusting Liuzhou to him for slow development would be fine. But since the border would be embroiled in conflict within one to two years, Xu Fengnian truly dared not entrust Liuzhou entirely to Chen Xiliang. Yang Guangdou, inside the carriage, was both knowledgeable in adapting to circumstances and adept at dealing with people. When the time came, Xu Fengnian could present Xu Xiao's "last will" as a diversion. The old man's age and qualifications would be clearly displayed, making him far more convincing than the "beardless" Chen Xiliang. Haste makes waste; the more Xu Fengnian valued Chen Xiliang, the more he feared hindering his growth by pushing him too quickly. This young scholar was not only a talent he had personally "brought" from Jiangnan to Beiliang but also the core strategist of Beiliang's second generation, highly esteemed by his master Li Yishan!

The young girl sat in the corner of the carriage, amusing herself. One moment she'd press a fingertip to her face, making a "charming" smile; the next, she'd clasp her hands over her heart, furrowing her brow slightly; or she'd imitate a noble young lady, sitting primly with sleeves neatly folded. Even Cao Wei, whose skin was as thick as a city wall, was utterly helpless against this devastating power, which was no less potent than that of an immortal. He silently left the warm carriage and sat next to Xu Yanbing, sighing and complaining that he shouldn't have come out on this trip. If he had known, he would have stayed in the back mountains of Qingliang Mountain, where he would have avoided a few more hand chops. Xu Fengnian watched the girl mimicking the various poses of women from bustling streets, offering no comment, his eyes warm. Even the elderly Yang Guangdou found the interaction between these two somewhat unfathomable. Whether he was the former Prince or the current King of Beiliang, regardless of his reputation outside Qingliang Mountain, Yang Guangdou knew that this young man was truly cold and aloof towards anyone who didn't catch his eye. However, he seemed exceptionally doting towards the little girl before him. After encountering the "Maiden Slayer," especially after learning about her relationship with Huang Sanjia, Yang Guangdou repeatedly hinted to Xu Fengnian to extract more secrets from her. Even a few casual words or a name from her might influence Beiliang's future course. But Xu Fengnian refused, leaving Yang Guangdou helpless. Currently, Xu Fengnian possessed a profound, yet unrevealed, accumulated prestige—partially inherited innate qualities from the Grand General and the Princess, partially due to Li Yishan's painstaking cultivation, and partially from his numerous travels and dangerous battles. Yang Guangdou constantly reminded himself never again to view Xu Fengnian as the wayward youth he once was. The Zhong Hongwu incident was clear proof: the new King of Beiliang handled the mess that the old King of Beiliang was unwilling to clean up without any hesitation. Furthermore, what the Grand General had been unwilling to do—to openly confront the Zhao imperial family of Liyang—the new King of Beiliang had already done, creating an implicit impression that Beiliang could indeed declare independence and assert itself. This was likely the root cause of the imperial court's eventual reluctant loosening of its grip on the grain transport. The new King of Beiliang and the new Beiliang had begun to make one thing clear to the imperial court: "The burden Xu Xiao entrusted to me, Xu Fengnian, I have shouldered. We in Beiliang are willing to guard the frontier for the imperial court—this is our bottom line. If you repeatedly come with disgusting provocations, first weigh the great price you will have to pay."

Beiliang deployed troops on its eastern front, rejecting the imperial edict bestowing a posthumous title. The imperial court, seemingly enraged, immediately retaliated by refusing mourning exemption. Yet, at the same time, it was forced to offer two forms of compensation: bestowing the title of Grand Pillar of the State and lifting the ban on grain transport. During this period, if Xu Fengnian had acted on impulse and again refused the Grand Pillar title, the imperial court would likely have preferred to let the grain rot in Xiangfan granaries rather than transport a single grain to Feishou City. It might even have used thunderous measures to block all major postal routes from neighboring prefectures into Beiliang. These were all intricate maneuvers requiring both sides to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Such back-and-forth exchanges would only become more frequent in the future.

The young girl suddenly said, "Over the years, Old Huang stopped with me in over a hundred places. He said they were all farmlands where he had planted crops. Some were abandoned, some were still in a state of scarcity, and some had poor harvests, but ultimately, there was always some yield."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "My master and Chu Lushan both consider Huang Longshi the greatest and most formidable spy of the Spring and Autumn period. Whoever can take over his entire intelligence system will gain a decisive advantage. However, none of us know how he managed it—how he selected the rice seedlings, how he irrigated them, how he monitored their growth, or how he harvested the autumn rice. No one knows how Huang Longshi did it."

The young girl very seriously said, "Scrounge for food, drink, chat, curse, deceive, leave. Go to another place and do it all again."

Yang Guangdou sighed, rubbing his forehead. Such a monumental challenge, the greatest secret of the Spring and Autumn period, was so carelessly dismissed by the young girl's twelve-character mantra.

The young girl tilted her head and asked, "Aren't you going to ask me where those hundred-plus places were, or who those people were?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head with a smile, "Beiliang has enough on its plate and lacks the energy and ability to compete with various powerful figures for control of the realm."

The young girl let out a small laugh, "Even if you asked me, I wouldn't remember many of them."

Yang Guangdou felt that spending time with these two was truly suffering; he somewhat understood Cao Wei's dismal mood.

Xu Fengnian extended his hands and playfully pulled the young girl's slightly round cheeks, stretching them.

The girl wasn't angry and mumbled, "I don't understand what you mean by the convergence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, but Old Huang said you have a 'medicine primer' on you."

Xu Fengnian thought for a moment, "I see. Huang Longshi must have been talking about the bowl of blood the Dragon Tree Monk made me drink. But I haven't felt anything from it these past two years, so I didn't pay it much mind."

The girl tried hard to recall, then added, "Four hundred years ago, there was a Gao Shulu, the one you mentioned a while ago. I just remembered; Old Huang brought him up. He said that guy is half-dead, half-alive, somewhere in Tai'an City, and he's a life-saving talisman for the Zhao family, originally intended to suppress Wang Xianzhi. Longhu Mountain seems... Oh, I forgot about that."

Xu Fengnian withdrew his hand and tapped her forehead with a bent finger. "It's Longhu Mountain."

The girl mumbled, "Oh."

Xu Fengnian leaned against the carriage wall beside her and whispered, "Others can't comprehend what Huang Longshi gains by stirring up such chaos, but I understand a little. 'Cultivating oneself, regulating one's family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world' has always been the essence of Confucian thought. However, Huang Longshi is clearly a step higher, because he has no emperor in his eyes. He is a solitary figure who doesn't need to cultivate himself or regulate a family. By not acknowledging an emperor, he also doesn't need to help one govern the state or bring peace to the world. That's why he can be different from everyone else. Perhaps all he wants is a peaceful era that none of us can see or even imagine."

The girl nodded, pointing to her knees. "Yes, that's probably what he meant. And Old Huang also said this thing isn't meant for kneeling."

Xu Fengnian fell into thought, muttering to himself, "This old farmer who overturned the entire field of Spring and Autumn."

The girl bent her knees and rested her chin on them. "Old Huang said he's going to die too."

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