Chapter 572: Old Veteran

The inn initially held some apprehension towards the young man with the saber. However, when he stood up, he showed no signs of angry indignation or desire to exact revenge. He merely stood foolishly by the pipa-playing storyteller. Naturally, he was taken for an ineffectual fop, someone with a desire to play the hero but lacking the power to draw a sword and help. Such timid rich young masters were rare in Beiliang. The soldiers at those tables who had been throwing money and objects largely had influential family backgrounds; otherwise, they wouldn't dare drink, eat, and listen to stories in an inn while on patrol. Furthermore, they were armored guards specifically tasked with monitoring the descendants of generals to ensure they didn't break laws or regulations. They could have easily seized the young man if he had dared to draw his sword, given him dozens of lashes, and thrown him into prison, from which he wouldn't get out without two or three hundred taels of silver. Er'yu, holding her pipa, looked up at the young man with vacant eyes. Although his appearance had changed, she was certain it was him—the young master who had traveled through Northern Mang and sat at the same table as her grandfather. After an unknown period, he, who now called himself the Prince of Beiliang, seemed to awaken. His lifeless eyes regained their brilliant sparkle, and he turned his back to her. Xu Fengnian calmly addressed Xu Yanbing, who looked relieved, "Guard the door; Huangfu Ping will arrive soon."

The woman with her dark hair neatly tied up summoned six avatars, yet still failed to stop the 'celestial being' from traveling far. Her expression was strange, as if she were seeing this man for the first time. Xu Yanbing seemed on the verge of speaking but ultimately remained silent. He walked to the inn entrance, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Some patrons, sensing trouble, tried to slip away, but before they could reach the door, they were violently thrown back. Xu Fengnian slowly approached the tables where the armored guards had risen. His finger rested on a Beiliang saber that had been unhooked from a waist and placed on a table. The Yuzhou cavalryman, who was supposed to be regulating noble youths in the city, couldn't pull the saber free, even with all his might. More than a dozen armored guards were led by a stout captain. He was shrewd enough to know he had encountered a formidable opponent, but he did not deliberately show weakness. He stated grimly, "Young Master, I am Captain Huang Yi, from the Huang clan of Yihe Commandery. Consider your actions carefully. If we both concede a step today, I can still treat you as a brother. Once you leave this inn, if you ever drink in Yihe Commandery again, I guarantee you won't need to spend a single copper coin."

Xu Fengnian said expressionlessly, "You can say that to Huangfu Ping later."

The captain, from a prominent Yihe clan, was deeply shaken. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the urgent yet disciplined sound of hooves from outside the inn. To discern soldiers by their horses was a skill every veteran should possess. Though arrogant in his conduct, this captain's martial arts skills in formation were not sloppy. Even if Yuzhou troops were a tier below the border armies, they were still countless times stronger than those from Lingzhou. The captain gritted his teeth and sneered chillingly, "The General of Yuzhou holds a high office, but my father followed Grand General Yan in campaigns for many years. He is not someone Huangfu Ping can provoke at will!"

Xu Yanbing allowed Huangfu Ping, dressed in official military robes and unarmored, to stride into the inn. Seeing the Prince of Beiliang for the second time that day, Huangfu Ping said nothing, prostrating himself in utter obeisance.

Xu Fengnian picked up the ordinary Beiliang saber, ignoring the horrified patrons throughout the inn. He walked up to Huangfu Ping and asked, "I'll ask you one thing: Do you know what happened in this inn?"

Huangfu Ping lay prostrate on the ground, trembling as he replied, "My residence is only three and a half streets from here; your humble subordinate has heard! However, as the General of Yuzhou, I only dare to manage the military affairs of this province and would not overstep my bounds to interfere with its civil administration."

Xu Fengnian smiled. "Truly a dutiful and competent general. To entrust you with Yuzhou's military power, it's hard for this prince not to feel reassured."

The mighty General of Yuzhou, a Third Rank official with undeniable real authority, remained absolutely still, not daring to breathe. Xu Fengnian extended a foot and directly pressed Huangfu Ping's head, which was already pressed against the cold ground, making a thudding sound. Spectators nearby saw blood oozing onto the ground where the General of Yuzhou's face had touched, yet this general, who had once appeared on stage during the spring review at Hulu Pass, remained motionless. Xu Fengnian gazed coldly at the back of Huangfu Ping's head, muttering to himself, "If I give you authority and you're afraid to offend people, then I'll just do it myself."

Xu Fengnian suddenly extended an arm. Captain Huang Yi, who hadn't even had a chance to pay respects to the Prince of Beiliang, was uncontrollably pulled forward into a stumbling lurch. The Beiliang saber was drawn, and a head dropped to the ground. Xu Fengnian casually pushed aside the headless corpse that slumped forward. Those armored guards, no matter how foolish, now knew they had encountered the new Prince of Beiliang. They wouldn't dare draw their swords against him, not even if it meant death. The Prince of Beiliang's identity alone was enough to paralyze them, let alone the fact that this Prince of Beiliang, on his private visit to Yuzhou's prefectural city, was rumored to be a top master who had personally slain Fifth Mo of Tibing Mountain. Their family backgrounds were not as influential as Captain Huang Yi's, and they had no impressive life-saving connections, so they could only kneel to beg for forgiveness and mercy. Xu Fengnian lifted the Beiliang saber; its blade shone like a clean mirror. Though it hadn't yet been replaced by the newly forged sixth-generation Liang saber nicknamed "Great-Grandson," it was still undeniably the sharpest battle saber in the world. As Xu Fengnian ran two fingers along the blade, the heads of the kneeling cavalrymen dropped one by one. Including Captain Huang Yi, the first to suffer, all sixteen of them were utterly dead. Xu Fengnian sheathed the Liang saber in his hand and dropped it beside Huangfu Ping, casually adding, "You can stay kneeling." Then he said to Xu Yanbing, "Call Deputy General Le Dian of Yuzhou in."

A young, robust general strode into the inn and knelt near Huangfu Ping, not daring to look at the dismembered bodies on the floor, nor at the vast, dark expanse of kneeling patrons. He only heard the Prince of Beiliang casually issue an order, "Confiscate the assets of everyone inside this inn. Anyone with an official position, drag them out and kill them immediately. As for these cavalrymen's bodies on the ground, have your men hang them on the screen wall of the Yuzhou General's residence. Announce that I will be sitting in the general's mansion. Whoever wishes to see me, whether to collect bodies or to plead for mercy, will not be stopped at the mansion gates."

Xu Fengnian walked over, took Er'yu's hand, and led her out of the inn. The girl held her pipa, silent and crestfallen.

As they settled into the carriage, slowly heading towards the Yuzhou General's residence, Xu Fengnian sat upright. He didn't look at the girl but said softly, "Telling stories for me is not worth it. My recent out-of-body spiritual journey was to find out if your grandfather and you, one sacrificing his life and the other her maiden's purity, still thought it was worth speaking for Beiliang. I visited many places, and the answer was always no, until the last place, where I saw a family of ordinary Beiliang folk who knew nothing of the world's great affairs, only hard work. Only then did I feel that many things aren't about 'worth.' I've already wronged you, and I cannot wrong those good common people any further. Er'yu, I don't dare to hope that you will ask for a reward from me to ease my conscience. I only want to promise you and your deceased grandfather that I will steadfastly guard the borders. As long as I live for one more day, people like you in Beiliang will have one more day of peace. Even one more day is good."

The suffering woman, without complaint or resentment, smiled sweetly. She looked up at his profile, about to address him as "Prince of Beiliang," but immediately stopped. She shook her head and said gently, "Young Master Xu, you owe us nothing. My grandfather said you were a good man, and I believe it too. Er'yu believes Grandpa would have no regrets, even if he knew from the afterlife. I won't go to the general's residence; please let me out."

Xu Fengnian turned to look at the young girl. Her smile was pure, her eyes clear. She covered her mouth and softly laughed, "Young Master Xu, have you forgotten? Er'yu only tells stories for others to hear."

The carriage stopped. The girl jumped out, walked a short distance, then turned around. Holding her pipa, she curtsied slightly towards the carriage.

Hehe, who had previously been leaping across nearby rooftops, now squatted on the tiles, silently holding the withered sunflower stalk that she was reluctant to part with.

Six-Bead Bodhisattva waited until the girl had gone far before entering the carriage. She sat opposite the Prince of Beiliang, who had his fists clenched on his knees. He said grimly, "Get out!"

The female immortal from Lantuo Mountain was not angered; instead, she said calmly, "Freedom for oneself is small freedom; there is greater freedom to pursue."

Xu Fengnian looked up and sneered, "To hell with your greater freedom!"

That day at the Yuzhou General's residence, descendants of generals arrived successively, either to collect bodies or offer counsel. As a result, more and more corpses were hung on the screen wall, and half of the Huang clan of Yihe were killed in one fell swoop. Soon, a series of mutinies and camp explosions erupted outside Yihe City. Deputy General Le Dian led 1,000 elite soldiers, killing until his arm grew numb; by the end, he could no longer bear to raise his saber. A spear-wielding man, a complete stranger to Yuzhou, took over. Subsequently, two Yuzhou colonels almost rebelled, moving their camps to demonstrate at the Yuzhou prefectural city. Huangfu Ping's personal guards had to be increased from 1,000 to 3,000 to continue the internal conflict and killings. The outcome was without suspense: the heads of the two colonels were hung on the wall of Yihe City's main gate. Furthermore, most of Yihe's powerful and arrogant aristocrats either knelt on the street outside the general's mansion to "force a change" or fled the city to unite with in-laws and influential figures outside the city, jointly exerting pressure on Xu Fengnian through various means. Without exception, all city officials were stripped of their positions, their families confiscated, and their members conscripted, to the point that even some within Huangfu Ping's and Le Dian's personal guard battalions deserted. By the end of spring in the first year of Xiangfu, this top-to-bottom upheaval in Yuzhou showed no signs of abating. The overconfident, fierce backlash from Yuzhou's military and political factions ironically drew in 8,000 Great Snow Dragon Riders from Liangzhou, who advanced deep into Yuzhou. Additionally, Wang Zhi of Lingzhou deployed his newly added 3,000 direct subordinates, heading straight for the Yuzhou border. Not to mention Colonel Xin Yinma of Tongmen Pass, who had never left the pass, also led 6,000 elite cavalry on an emergency deployment. Furthermore, Beiliang Protector-General Chu Lushan personally commanded troops, ordering Ning Emei to lead half of the Iron Buddha heavy cavalry and 2,000 White Feather Crossbow cavalry, majestically setting out and stationing them west of Yuzhou, watching with hostile intent.

If General Zhong Hongwu of Huaihua was once the de facto master of most of Lingzhou, then Yuzhou, from its border army to its internal garrisons, was entirely Grand General Yan Wenluan's private domain. Most of Yuzhou's "eight hundred general's households" were disciples and descendants of the old military man, Yan Wenluan. Their escalating resistance finally made the old man, who was stationed at the border, unable to sit still. However, he did not muster a large army and march south. Instead, he traveled lightly and quietly, arriving at Yihe City in Yuzhou without a sound. His carriage stopped outside the city. The one-eyed old man walked alone into the city, down the street filled with a chilling atmosphere, until he reached the general's mansion, which reeked heavily of blood. The old man had expected the young madman to be arrogant enough to refuse to see him, or even to directly arrest him, the Beiliang Infantry Commander, on the spot. At the very least, he expected to be kept waiting for days before being allowed entry. But the old man was wrong; the young man sat alone on the steps outside the mansion, seemingly having waited for him all along.

After the Human Butcher died, the old general, whose prestige in the Beiliang army was unmatched, demanded, "Xu Fengnian! Why?"

Xu Fengnian, his hands tucked into his sleeves, did not look at Yan Wenluan, who had once wholeheartedly desired Xu Xiao to ascend the throne and become emperor. He gazed at the end of the street and calmly said, "I once heard it said that Lingzhou is surnamed Zhong, Yuzhou is surnamed Yan, and only Liangzhou is surnamed Xu. Xu Xiao never cared about this. I know it, you, Yan Wenluan, know it, but Zhong Hongwu probably doesn't quite know it. Because the moment Zhong Hongwu heard the imperial court not only intended to cultivate his son, Zhong Chengxin, but also grant him a Grand General position – promising him that if Western Chu rebelled and rose up, the Zhao dynasty would allow him to lead troops on behalf of Prince Zhao Ying of Huainan to get a share – he began to incite trouble in Yuzhou, intending to drag you down, so he could escape Beiliang during the chaos. These past few days, I've had hawks watching you, but you remained still. In the end, you entered Yihe City alone."

The old general angrily retorted, "If the Grand General could live his life without rebelling against Liyang, then I naturally live my life without rebelling against Beiliang! What good-for-nothing is that Zhong Hongwu, to be compared with me, Yan Wenluan?! Are you, Xu Fengnian, so impatient to kick me, Yan Wenluan, out of the border, just so your confidantes can take my place?! Do you really think I, Yan Wenluan, am clinging to the position of Infantry Commander out of greed for power? Do you truly believe anyone can sit in this chair, and anyone can sit firmly? If not for my respect for your courage in refusing that ridiculous imperial edict, at least doing something that didn't disgrace the Grand General, I would have long ago led 100,000 troops south in one fell swoop! Then, with cavalry and infantry divided, what kind of Prince of Beiliang would you be?! What would you use to resist the restless Northern Mang cavalry?!"

Xu Fengnian smiled. "I know the old general wouldn't do that."

The old general was so enraged he almost struck him, wanting to slap the cunning brat dead.

Xu Fengnian patted the steps beside him, motioning for the old general to sit and talk. Yan Wenluan scoffed. Xu Fengnian didn't insist, continuing, "My master fought the 'Green-Eyed Man' for the latter half of his life. Old General, do you know what my master admired most about Zhang Julu?"

At the mention of Li Yishan, Yan Wenluan's mood calmed a little.

In the entire world, Li Yishan was most deserving of Beiliang's trust.

Although Yan Wenluan was a pivotal military general of Zhao Changling's lineage, he still showed no disrespect towards Li Yishan, with whom he merely differed in approach.

Xu Fengnian quietly explained, "It's not, as the Old General might imagine, Zhang Julu making the Zhao dynasty flourish, nor is it his cunning in monopolizing court power. Rather, it was that when he was rising but before he achieved great influence, he moved his parents and family to Tai'an City early on. This gave no one an opportunity to criticize Zhang Julu, because the Grand Councilor already knew that once he became the head of all officials, no matter how upright he conducted himself, he would still have family, relatives, and disciples. If they were thousands of miles away, someone would inevitably abuse his name to wield power and abuse others locally. Even if everyone in court and society could only grumble silently and dared not openly impeach him, the very spirit that sustained Zhang Julu in governing the realm would inevitably weaken. That's why my master admired Zhang Julu the most. Looking back at our Beiliang, Xu Xiao and my master didn't actually expect all of you to have Zhang Julu's magnanimity and foresight. Before Xu Xiao died, he was still worried and told me to be tolerant, to tolerate others' mistakes. Previously, that's what I did. In the Lingzhou bureaucracy, I endured; I didn't kill anyone, not a single one."

Yan Wenluan's expression remained grim, though it had improved slightly compared to before.

Xu Fengnian continued to speak to himself, "But I found that Xu Xiao wasn't wrong, but he wasn't entirely right either. Beiliang, the land beneath our feet, is nominally the Xu family's, but fundamentally, it belongs to the people of Beiliang themselves. I, Xu Fengnian, could actually completely ignore your disregard for the law, as long as you fought and killed for the Xu family on the battlefield. I could be the Prince of Beiliang with a clear conscience, and perhaps even leave a name in history – not official history, but maybe some good words in unofficial histories. Everyone says that since I fought for the realm with my life, then ruling it is what I deserve. I, Xu Fengnian, never said you shouldn't enjoy prosperity. But while enjoying prosperity isn't wrong, cherishing it isn't a bad thing, is it? Old General, you and I, let's just speak honestly as if to Xu Xiao: in Yuzhou, Lingzhou, and Liangzhou, how many of these descendants of generals truly treat the common people as human beings? I didn't stay in Qingliang Mountain Prince's Mansion making idle remarks; I personally traveled through Yuzhou, stopping and walking, eventually reaching Yihe City. I actually want to tell all officials in Beiliang: whether you became officials through your own ability or through your fathers' merits, if you want to enjoy prosperity, then enjoy it with peace of mind, but don't harm people too terribly. However, such words cannot be openly publicized. And even if I sincerely told Zhong Hongwu such words, he would only find it a bad joke. What could I do? He sought his own death, so I had no choice but to let him die. Oh, and by the way, the person who exposed Zhong Hongwu was none other than the Governor of Longqing Commandery, his son Zhong Chengxin."

Yan Wenluan's expression was fluctuating.

Xu Fengnian looked into the distance, biting his lip. "Failing to manage Yuzhou is Huangfu Ping's fault, and even more so, your fault, Old General. Of course, if Beiliang cannot be defended in the future, ultimately, that will be my fault."

The old man hesitated, then climbed the steps and sat a few steps below Xu Fengnian's feet.

Xu Fengnian suddenly smiled. "I heard Xu Xiao say that, in your younger days, Old General, you always dreamed of riding a horse, swaggering into Tai'an City's imperial palace, just like you once entered the Northern Han imperial city."

The old man, his back to the Prince of Beiliang, grinned, a silent smile.

Xu Fengnian said softly, "Old General, don't even think about that. However, a few days ago, my spirit traveled to the Northern Mang imperial palace, and it's not much worse than Tai'an City. Old General, how about we aim for that instead? We'll strive to ride our horses and crack our whips there?"

Yan Wenluan turned and asked, "Seriously?"

Xu Fengnian smiled back, asking, "It's just an idea. As for the ability, Old General, do you really think I can do it alone?"

Yan Wenluan paused, lowered his head, and grumbled, "Damn it, just like the Grand General when he was young! Back then, he tricked me, saying that if I followed him, I could ride horses until my butt was worn smooth. And I, the old fool, actually fell for it..."

Yan Wenluan paused for a long time, then looked up at the sky and murmured, "But the Grand General really didn't lie to me, did he?"

The old man withdrew his gaze, stood up abruptly, and said grimly, "If that day truly comes, even if I, Yan Wenluan, am too old to ride a warhorse, I hope the Prince of Beiliang will have someone carry me there. And if I am already dead, since the Prince of Beiliang can promise to bear the coffin for that old veteran of the Fish Drum Battalion, Xu Yongguan, then surely you wouldn't mind bearing Yan Wenluan's coffin just once, would you?"

Xu Fengnian rose with him and calmly said, "Xu Fengnian thanks Old General Yan."

The old man descended the steps, turned to face Xu Fengnian, cupped his hands, and declared loudly, "Yan Wenluan, cavalryman of the Fish Drum Battalion, comrade of Xu Yongguan, pays respects to the Prince of Beiliang!"

The old man then turned and walked directly away, leaving Yihe, leaving Yuzhou, and heading to the border.

Xu Fengnian sat back on the steps and rubbed his cheeks.

Beside him, Xu Yanbing remarked with great emotion, "During the Battle of Xileibi, only sixteen men were left in the Fish Drum Battalion. Even I didn't know Yan Wenluan was one of them."

Xu Fengnian nodded. "Xu Xiao never mentioned it."

Xu Yanbing said, "When we trample Northern Mang with our horses, count me in too?"

Xu Fengnian laughed, "It's not like fighting over a wife; what's there to compete for?"

Xu Yanbing dismissed it with a smile. He sat near the Prince of Beiliang, his eyes firm, and slowly said, "Don't worry. With you here, Beiliang will have more than just 300,000 cavalry."

A long silence fell between them.

Hehe, at some unknown point, was sitting behind Xu Fengnian. For some reason, her constant companion, the sunflower stalk, was gone. She rested her chin on her hands, quietly watching his back.

"Beiliang, with its million diverse households, how many iron-clad skeletons lie within?"

Xu Yanbing began to pat his knee and sing.

The song was stirring and passionate.

What young man doesn't envy the knight-errant with his sword and green robe wandering the jianghu?

What young man doesn't yearn for fame and glory amidst vast deserts?

"Good men, do not say that the world's heroes have fallen into my grasp.

Young ladies, do not keep your admiration and longing hidden deep within.

Come, come, listen, who beats the beauty drum?

Come, come, see who is the Human Butcher in the world.

Come, come, ask who will vie for the realm with me..."