Chapter 621: Reading Seeds

Xu Fengnian had originally intended to bid farewell and bypass Huanghua Pass to enter Liangzhou. However, Li Maozhen refused to let him go, insisting on taking him to the guerrilla general's residence. Even Liu Gongren and his companions couldn't escape the invitation. A grand banquet was held at the residence, where Li Maozhen invited his eldest son, Li Houshi. The old colonel dared not force drinks on the new King of Northern Liang, but he showed no such restraint towards Liu Gongren. Moreover, Li Maozhen, a seasoned drinker from the official world, was a master of drinking, toasting, and deftly avoiding drinks. A few young talents from the Tuntian Division initially tried to remain sober in front of the young feudal king, but they quickly drank themselves into a stupor. After getting completely drunk, Liu Gongren beat his bowl and sang "Liangzhou Great Horse" by Yu Luadao, bringing the banquet to a joyful close. Li Maozhen himself was blind drunk and had to rely on Li Houshi to see Xu Fengnian out of Huanghua Pass. As they left the residence, a refined-looking youth in a scholar's robe was trailing surreptitiously behind them. A mature Li Houshi looked helpless as he explained to Xu Fengnian that it was his youngest son, Li Jingfu, who had passed the imperial examination for xiucai at the age of eleven. This child, he added, deeply admired Xu Fengnian, the King of Northern Liang, who was considered the foremost figure in the realm. Xu Fengnian sincerely praised the boy, noting that Li Jingfu could be considered a rare intellectual talent in Northern Liang.

Li Houshi resembled his father, Li Maozhen, but lacked the strong air of officialdom. In the twilight, this cavalry commandant of Huanghua Pass, who, according to the Fushui House's secret files, had served for eight full years as the Suizhang of the Suoyin Beacon Towers, walked with Xu Fengnian on the deserted street, their shadows gradually lengthening. Young Li Jingfu, seeing that neither the King of Northern Liang nor his father reprimanded him for his impropriety, stealthily followed the four, gazing enviously at Lu Yunzhang, who carried a saber, and Wang Sheng, who bore a chest. Li Houshi hesitated, then softly said, "Your Highness, my father indeed has a private agenda. He hopes I will take over Huanghua Pass. He always said that even if he could inherit the hereditary title of guerrilla general, it wouldn't mean much. I hope Your Highness doesn't mind."

At this point, Li Houshi, who was not adept at speaking, blushed and smiled, seemingly at a loss for how to proceed.

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly and said, "Your father has a strong desire for an official position. This banquet was also a way for him to pave the road for you, to leave a good impression with the Royal Court at Qingliang Mountain, making future promotions easier. But you still underestimate your father. Before entering the pass city, he made a bet with me: if, after meeting you, I believed you could take on the vital duty of guarding Huanghua Pass, then I would have to allow him to serve as a veteran in either the Vanguard or the Assault battalions. In other words, your future position as Weak River Commandant was earned by your father risking his life today."

Li Houshi's face flushed red. After a long silence, he finally managed to stammer out, "Your Highness, don't listen to my father. He's well on in years. He can barely manage to ride a horse in civilian clothes; if he were to wear armor and carry a spear, he couldn't last even for a brief moment."

Xu Fengnian nodded.

Li Houshi continued, "Your Highness, our family line is still robust. I also have two younger brothers who are both in the military. There's no shortage of people to inherit our family's affairs concerning Huanghua Pass. It is my duty as the eldest son to fulfill my father's wish."

Xu Fengnian remained noncommittal. He turned his head and saw Lu Yunzhang with an arm around the scholar-robed youth's shoulder, whispering—most likely Lu Yunzhang, the sly one, was showing off his worldly wisdom again. After patiently waiting for the feudal king to turn around, Li Jingfu ducked down, shrugging off Lu Yunzhang's arm. He gathered his courage and walked a few steps forward. Just as he was about to speak, Li Houshi glared at him, "Don't overstep. Go back and read your books."

The youth's voice trembled slightly as he declared loudly, "We scholars, rather than having our writings inscribed in history, should have our heads hung from the nation's gate!"

As soon as these words were uttered, the already quiet street grew even more hushed. Li Houshi was a rough man, more accustomed to handling bows and spears than holding a writing brush. Wang Sheng and Lu Yunzhang were even more unlearned, only thinking this peer's words were overly flowery.

Xu Fengnian raised his hand, gesturing for Li Houshi to be silent, and said with a smile, "Young man, you're not old, but that's quite the bold statement. I've met Huang Longshi, Cao Changqing, and Xuanyuan Jingcheng. All three of them are Confucian Sages among the Land Gods."

Hearing this, in just one short sentence, three names that echoed like thunder were mentioned. Young Li Jingfu's eyes sparkled as he gazed in awe at the great hero standing so close, thinking, "The King of Northern Liang truly lives up to his reputation, having traveled extensively and witnessed more of the world than anyone!"

Xu Fengnian continued, "Yet, none of them boasted such an ambition to encompass mountains and rivers right from the start, as you just did."

Li Houshi couldn't help but chuckle softly, but seeing his youngest son's pale face, he quietly sighed again.

Xu Fengnian seemed to be talking to himself, "Scholars achieve lasting fame through their writings, while military officials have their heads adorning the nation's gate. These two paths are not mutually exclusive. If the former, when engrossed in writing their splendid prose, could praise the latter more, that would be excellent."

Xu Fengnian looked at Li Jingfu and said, "I'm not laughing at your underestimation of your own capabilities. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. When I practiced my saber back then, I also harbored a great ambition, and no one was optimistic about it. When a thought stirs in the heart, an intention forms, leading to destiny. The reason I'm telling you this is that you're still too young. Even if you were to abandon your studies for a military career and go to the battlefield, you'd only be a burden to others. Besides, Northern Liang boasts a formidable force of 300,000 iron cavalry, unmatched in the realm. It's not for a young scholar like you to go risking your head. Go back and study diligently."

After saying this, Xu Fengnian told Li Houshi he didn't need to escort them further, and he walked straight out of Huanghua Pass with his two apprentices.

It was a long time before Li Jingfu recovered himself. He gave his cheek a hard pinch and chuckled foolishly, "The King of Liang spoke to me?"

Li Houshi, who often found himself at a loss for words with his growing son, chuckled softly, "Silly boy."

Li Jingfu cheerfully walked towards the guerrilla general's residence. Li Houshi silently followed behind, watching his son's still slightly slender frame, feeling a bit proud.

Li Jingfu suddenly turned his head and asked, "Dad, want to go to the Jade Wall Restaurant for a drink?"

Li Houshi was momentarily startled and replied, "I can still drink a good deal."

Li Jingfu grinned and said, "Then I'll treat you to a drink."

Li Houshi was completely bewildered.

Li Jingfu blinked, walked over to Li Houshi, and whispered, "This year, when I went on a spring excursion outside the city, I met a girl whose father is the proprietor of the Jade Wall Restaurant. Whenever I get tired from studying, I go there just to catch a few glimpses of her. Without thinking of anything else, I feel completely invigorated."

Li Houshi burst into laughter.

Li Jingfu's lips curved slightly, and he feigned a sorrowful tone, "However, that girl is fond of a wandering rogue from the marketplace who is currently not within the pass."

Li Houshi stroked his youngest son's head, unsure how to comfort him.

Li Jingfu looked up and smiled, "Dad, I want to learn from the two former military advisors of Northern Liang, Zhao Changling and Li Yishan. When I've become accomplished, I'll offer counsel and devise strategies for the King of Liang, commanding from a thousand miles away."

Li Houshi hummed in response.

The father and son walked together towards the eatery two streets away. Li Houshi softly said, "Since you have a girl you like and you have ambitions, your grandfather doesn't allow you to drink, but I'll let you."

An hour later, Li Houshi, the commandant of Huanghua Pass, walked out of the eatery carrying his drunk youngest son, the rugged man's face full of warmth.

As they walked, the commandant's eyes grew steadily resolute. A scholar-to-be should be devoted to his books, but one thing the King had said resonated deeply with him: the three hundred thousand iron cavalry of Northern Liang would have to fall, every single one, including Li Houshi himself, before it was the people's turn to face the enemy.

"Aren't you Northern Mang said to boast a million mounted archers?"

"Even if you conquer Northern Liang, how many tens of thousands would be left?"

The youth on his back murmured drunkenly, "Dad, I want to study very hard, to become a Confucian Sage. I won't fear taking the winding, difficult path myself, but I want to pave a grand, sun-drenched road for all the people under heaven."

Li Houshi smiled, and with a broad smile said, "Even when you're drunk, you speak with such profound wisdom. You truly are better than your dad."