Chapter 640: Hidden Appearance

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A trade caravan entered Liuzhou territory, arriving at Manzon Mountain, located between Liangzhou and Qingcang City. As far as the eye could see, there were only brown-yellow Gobi remnants and barren hills, unsuitable for cultivation. The mountain ranges stretched in north-south rows, like a flock of geese in flight. Between the mountain passes, fierce winds whipped up the sand, cutting like knives. The caravan, traveling from east to west, was about to pass through this area. After the imperial court incorporated Beiliang's original three prefectures into its domain, leaving this place used to mean exiting the frontier. In the past two decades, many poets traveled here, and their popular frontier poems circulated widely throughout the court and among the common people.

The establishment of Liuzhou in Beiliang Dao was decreed by the Liyang imperial court about half a year later. Dozens of people were promoted, most notably Yang Guangdou, who was appointed as the Prefect of Liuzhou. Officials in the Central Plains had never heard of this person, but they secretly understood that this was the Zhao court begrudgingly acknowledging the Xu family's overwhelming influence in Beiliang. The imperial decree from Tai'an City was issued almost simultaneously with news of Beimang's full-scale southern invasion. People in the capital immediately gloated, spreading the saying, "Let's see how long Beiliang can run rampant." As rumors of Beimang massing troops on the western border were confirmed, it surprisingly dispelled much of the gloom from the failed campaign in Guangling Dao. In the eyes of many, as long as the eastern front, guarded by General Gu Jiantang, remained untouched, Liyang wouldn't have to fight on two fronts. Furthermore, the fierce conflict between Liang and Mang was seen as a "dog-eat-dog" fight. After all, if Beimang was a wild dog coveting the fertile Central Plains, Beiliang was not much better; to the Liyang imperial court, it had always been a disobedient guard dog, difficult to tame.

As Beiliang Dao gradually relaxed many restrictions on Liuzhou, some displaced people could not only return to their hometowns to honor their ancestors but also join the frontier army. Furthermore, the old residents of Beiliang's original three prefectures could smoothly enter Liuzhou, keenly seeking opportunities for new businesses. This caravan traversing Manzon Mountain was one such example. Its owner was a prominent family from Lingzhou, who had for generations managed large-scale businesses like tea, horses, salt, and iron. Their ancestor was a martial artist who had followed the Butcher in campaigns for many years. After the Xu family settled in Beiliang, this elderly official, who had only risen to the rank of a fourth-grade military officer, died from old battlefield wounds. It was said that even the King of Beiliang personally attended his funeral rites, an honor rarely seen among the numerous military families in Beiliang. With the death of the old King of Beiliang, Xu Xiao, that special treatment became even more of a protective charm for this family. While other families' border businesses began to dwindle and struggle, their operations became increasingly unimpeded, and they even successfully extended their family's reach into Liuzhou.

Among the nearly one-hundred-person Fu family caravan were two outsiders: a master and his apprentice. Several of the caravan's long-time guides, who were accustomed to dangerous frontier routes, were not particularly welcoming of them. However, they heard that a popular official in Lingzhou, whom even the Fu family dared not offend, had insisted on their inclusion, stating that the young noble, being bored, wanted to travel beyond the frontier. Apart from the hard-earned goodwill accumulated by the old family head, the two subsequent generations of the Fu family, having followed their ancestors' advice to stay out of officialdom, inevitably showed signs of weakness, as they still had to defer to others. The nominal leader of the Fu family caravan was Fu Zhensheng, the eldest grandson of the third branch of the Fu family, accompanied by two experienced frontier veterans. Fu Zhensheng himself was scholarly, but rumors said the family's martial arts instructors highly praised his talent for martial arts. As for the depth of his skills, no one had ever seen him make a move. Even Zhao Jiabao and Feng Qianxiang, two seasoned veterans who had developed keen discernment through their experiences in the martial world, couldn't quite tell. According to martial arts etiquette, it's easy to underestimate someone but hard to overestimate them, so Fu Zhensheng's skills were probably quite good.

The caravan made a short stop behind a goose-shaped mountain to rest and avoid the wind and sand. Fu Zhensheng sat with his back against the mountain wall, carefully lifting his newly made deerskin waterskin and taking a sip of the warm, foul-smelling water. It was a long-standing Fu family tradition: the first time a Fu family member traveled to the border, the elder women of the family would sew a waterskin, which would then be presented by a male elder. Even after being dried to remove the gamey smell, the new waterskin's stored water was still unbearable, a torment for the pampered scions of a wealthy family. However, the Fu family had a simple and unpretentious style, and most of their descendants were resilient. After initial discomfort, Fu Zhensheng could now drink the water without batting an eye. He glanced at the master and apprentice standing in the distance. The master seemed to be around his age, handsome and refined, looking like someone who belonged in the pleasure quarters of Lingzhou. He wondered why such a person would choose to suffer hardships on the frontier. The apprentice was an unremarkable child, but after entering Liuzhou, he adapted even better than many of the Fu family members who were accustomed to life beyond the Great Wall. Fu Zhensheng had observed them closely throughout the journey. He now turned to the two elders and said, "Uncle Zhao, Uncle Feng, that Xu Qi doesn't seem like someone traveling beyond the frontier for the first time. He doesn't need us to remind him; he takes just the right amount of water each time and never over-drinks, even when thirsty. He's also very adept at dealing with people, unlike those naive noble scions. Furthermore, there aren't many prominent Lingzhou families that can make our Fu family wary, and I've never heard of anyone like him."

Zhao Jiabao, who had served as a retainer for the Fu family for over twenty years, never had to humble himself before the family head, and his relationship with the head of the third branch was particularly close. Thus, throughout the journey, he had been unreservedly teaching Fu Zhensheng, treating him like his own junior. Hearing Fu Zhensheng's seasoned remarks, he felt greatly comforted, and a sincere smile creased his weathered, aged face. He nodded and said, "Although that young man, Xu Qi, travels in the middle of the caravan, suffering less from the wind and sand than the young master, his composure isn't something that can be faked. His riding and eating habits are as unpretentious as those of old bones like me and Qianxiang, who are accustomed to the harsh frontier. Logically speaking, it is indeed a bit strange, and we must be wary. It's a good thing for the young master to be so observant. Since the young master has spoken, Qianxiang, you can reveal the truth now."

Feng Qianxiang, who had a long saber on his back, smiled and said in a deep voice, "Young master, rest assured. Before this trip, the family head privately instructed me and old Zhao that although Xu Qi's origin is unknown, his identity is guaranteed to be clean; he is definitely not a bad person. However, old Zhao and I both had our own intentions. We wanted to see if the young master could discern the unusual aspects of that master and apprentice on his own, which is why we didn't explicitly say anything. Please don't take offense, young master."

"That's understandable," Fu Zhensheng said. Having been steeped in a family tradition vastly different from ordinary military households since childhood, his nature was reserved. He slowly put away his deerskin waterskin, pursed his chapped lips, and self-mockingly remarked, "Only after this journey do I truly understand the taste of the northwestern wind. It's really not that great."

Fu Zhensheng suddenly sighed and said, "This new Liuzhou is a place surrounded by jackals. Previously, Chen Xiliang, a trusted aide to the Beiliang King's Mansion, was indeed suspected of being overly compassionate, too focused on immediate gains and losses, and refused to abandon the city. As a result, ten thousand bandits besieged Qingcang City, pointlessly sacrificing the lives of dozens of White Horse Righteous Guards. For Beiliang, which has guarded the frontier for so many years, such losses are rare. I wonder what kind of character the new Prefect Yang Guangdou is. If he is cut from the same cloth as Chen Xiliang, that prominent figure from Qingliang Mountain, then our Fu family's journey might have an unpredictable future. Even if I, Fu Zhensheng, were to die, if I were to delay Beiliang's grand undertaking, my grandfather, if he were still alive, would likely forbid this good-for-nothing grandson from entering the family home."

Zhao Jiabao was clearly not optimistic about their future either. He worriedly said, "Our Fu family has toiled for Beiliang for nearly twenty years. Nominally, we've been venturing into border trade, but in reality, we've secretly been searching for mines everywhere. It can be said that most of Beiliang's gold and iron mines were discovered by the Fu family. This trip back to the Fengxiang area of Liuzhou to confirm the quality and output of that iron mine seems rather precarious to me."

Feng Qianxiang chuckled, "Ultimately, I just hope Beiliang wins this war; otherwise, the family fortune I've accumulated for half my life will all go down the drain. If that happens, even if the King of Beiliang stood right in front of me, I'd still point at his nose and give him a good scolding."

Zhao Jiabao burst into laughter, seeing the young master's bewildered expression. He explained, "As soon as news of war broke out, many heartless and timid prominent families in Lingzhou started to flee. But since they couldn't take their houses and land with them, they had to sell them off for next to nothing. A good house that might have originally cost over two thousand taels of silver could now be bought for eight hundred taels. Qianxiang took advantage of this by acquiring four properties, even borrowing a thousand taels from me for it. It's strange, but despite such a huge commotion, the government completely turned a blind eye. All the rules about inquiring among relatives and neighbors were ignored. Anyone who went to the yamen could obtain a formal contract and a legitimate deed, not just a blank one, but a true 'red deed.' However, thankfully, the Protectorate General's office finally imposed a restriction at the last moment: no gold or silver exceeding one hundred gold coins and one thousand silver taels could be taken out of the border each time."

Fu Zhensheng asked curiously, "With such a small amount of gold and silver, do they have to send people back and forth across Beiliang? Don't those rich people find it troublesome? Even if they only have a fortune of 100,000 taels of silver, at 100 gold and 1,000 silver per trip, they'd have to make fifty trips!"

Feng Qianxiang shook his head and chuckled, "It's simple, actually. You don't need to carry gold and silver out of the country. People just bought antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and curiosities instead. It's easy and convenient; no one cares how much of that you take, and it can still be exchanged for silver outside Beiliang. Those impoverished scholars, skilled in connoisseurship, have transformed themselves into honored guests in every household, now profiting handsomely. Young master, you must have heard of that mysteriously rising Fish-Dragon Gang in our Lingzhou, right? My modest gains are nothing compared to their aggressive profiteering. Their approach is simply to spend every last ounce of their fortune buying up land and houses. I don't even know where they got so much silver. By my rough estimate, based on the properties I know of, the Fish-Dragon Gang has already invested over 800,000 taels of silver in real estate, and the true amount must be double that. They're about to become landlords owning half of Lingzhou! I, a grown man, am utterly impressed by the audacity of the Fish-Dragon Gang's female leader. Young master, why don't you go and marry that woman?"

Fu Zhensheng wasn't someone who couldn't take a joke, but he still felt a bit helpless. He self-deprecatingly remarked, "A heroine as renowned as the Purple Clothed Woman of Huishan, how could she ever take an interest in me?"

Zhao Jiabao exclaimed in surprise, realizing that the master and apprentice had vanished right under their noses. Several Fu family members who had been near the outsiders also hadn't noticed. Bearing the dual responsibilities for Beiliang and his family on this trip, Fu Zhensheng was somewhat annoyed by Xu Qi's self-directed actions. He looked up at the sky and said, "We'll wait for them for half an hour. If they're still not found, we must set off. The journey between Qingcang and Fengxiang is truly difficult; we cannot indulge them."

Xu Fengnian, who had brought Yu Dilong into Liuzhou, rounded another goose-shaped mountain wall and saw an unexpected pair of acquaintances: Song Dongming of the Luming Song clan and his pageboy. They looked at each other, and Song Dongming first paused in surprise, then burst into hearty laughter. "From the beautiful mountains and clear waters of Wudang to these desolate lands, to meet you again, young master, truly destiny brings people together everywhere! If you don't mind, I still have a small portion of wine here. It's Beiliang's Green Ant, very potent. It burns your throat at first, but moments later, you can taste a refreshing coolness. I've only just discovered this trick myself. I wish I had bought a few more bottles earlier; I regret worrying about being short on cash then. I should have bought two more bottles of Green Ant on credit!"

Xu Fengnian didn't bother with much ceremony. He took the waterskin, lifted it, poured a small sip, and handed it back to Song Dongming. The latter asked with a smile, "Young master, won't you drink a few more sips? It's no trouble."

Xu Fengnian shook his head and chuckled, "Xu Qi won't take advantage of your generosity."

Seeing Xu Fengnian introduce himself, Song Dongming probably assumed that a young master with a Beiliang accent wouldn't know the prestige of the Luming Song clan. He said, "I am Song Dongming, my ancestral home is Luming Commandery in Jiangnan. To meet Young Master Xu twice, our fate truly is not small..."

Mid-sentence, Song Dongming's face was struck by dry needlegrass carried by the wind and sand. He reached out, grasped a piece of withered yellow thatch grass that had detached from the ground and was floating like catkins after maturing, and sighed emotionally, "It withers twice a year and floats away with the long wind."

The pageboy suddenly pointed and exclaimed, "Sir, look! Is that a wolf smoke beacon?"

Following the pageboy's finger, Song Dongming saw a thick column of 'wolf smoke' rising from the desert. It seemed to be from the direction of Qingcang City, signaling peace towards Liangzhou. They hadn't seen such a sight when they first entered Liuzhou, so it was no wonder his pageboy was so surprised. Song Dongming murmured to himself, "Ancient texts say that frontier wolf smoke differs from that in the Central Plains; it's named for being made by burning wolf dung, and its smoke is perfectly straight and extremely black, unwavering even in the wind. But looking at it now, this wolf smoke, apart from being thicker, doesn't seem different in color or density from those in the Central Plains."

Xu Fengnian chuckled softly, "That's probably a misconception from some frontier poets. In the northwestern border regions, burning wolf dung for smoke might happen occasionally, but it's a last resort when cattle and sheep dung are insufficient. Mostly, they use readily available local materials like poplar and red willow wood as fuel, supplemented by easily found flammable grasses like dry reeds. Moreover, the supply of so-called 'wolf smoke' combustibles for the beacon towers of Beiliang's frontier army is strictly regulated. If border patrols find any beacon tower lacking sufficient reserves, the responsibility is traced all the way up to fourth-grade officials, all of whom are beheaded on the spot, and no amount of pleading helps. In Beiliang, over the past nearly twenty years, approximately three hundred people have died because of this 'minor incident.' The number was relatively smaller four or five years ago, but this year it's the highest, with over sixty negligent border soldiers executed in one go."

Song Dongming was startled. He took a sip of the Green Ant wine before saying, "With two generations of vassal kings succeeding each other, and Beiliang's frontier army being different from other vassal armies—many unruly, meritorious old generals holding military power—one would expect them to prioritize stability and prevent chaos. Why then such violent methods? Taking this small detail as an example, combined with earlier rumors that General Zhong Hongwu was secretly killed over a disagreement, aren't they afraid of triggering a mutiny? Young Master Xu, listening to your explanation of the wolf smoke's origin, you clearly understand military affairs well. Could you enlighten Song Dongming on this matter?"

Xu Fengnian smiled and countered, "A mere disagreement?"

Song Dongming was exceptionally astute. Although his initial inquiries were mostly tests, he knew that spouting amateurish remarks wouldn't elicit expert responses. He composed himself and said, "The Beiliang army is fragmented with many factions. When a new king takes power, he must make an example to warn others. Otherwise, without war to prove himself through military achievements, it's difficult to command the respect of the masses."

Xu Fengnian listened to this clichéd talk, which he found tiresome. With no further conversation to be had, he decided to return to the Fu family caravan. He had to ensure their safe arrival at Qingcang City, where elite cavalry would then secretly escort them to the newly discovered mine near Fengxiang. If the Fu family, who had contributed so much to Beiliang through their hard work, were to learn that the King of Beiliang himself was protecting them, he wondered what they would think. Would they feel that years of hard work had been worthwhile? Of course, Xu Fengnian would not let them know the truth. This was perhaps something Xu Weixiong, who valued attention to detail, would dislike: as a ruler, he was unwilling to win people's hearts through subtle means.

Seeing signs that Xu Fengnian was about to take his leave, Song Dongming quickly tried to salvage the conversation. He said, "Young Master Xu, I've heard that your Beiliang King's Mansion has two young advisors. Xu Beizhi, the grandson of Beimang's Northern King, became the Prefect of Lingzhou—this shows the Beiliang King's unwavering trust in his appointments. And by employing the humble scholar Chen Xiliang, it demonstrates a willingness to appoint based on merit regardless of rank, which is highly effective in attracting hidden talents from common households to Beiliang. If I may be so bold, if your Beiliang Dao were to become its own nation, then these two would undoubtedly be future prime ministerial talents. However, historically, high-ranking officials in the imperial court have always progressed from public recognition to private influence; that is, they first entered the central government through their scholarly achievements and contributions, then, after gaining the emperor's notice, they earned the right to be at the emperor's side. Considering this, it seems your Qingliang Mountain does not quite adhere to such conventions."

Xu Fengnian nodded and said, "Indeed, it doesn't quite adhere to conventions. But speaking of that, in your view, Mr. Song, what are the pros and cons of such extraordinary promotions?"

Song Dongming smiled faintly. Perhaps because he was speaking on a topic he excelled at, his demeanor instantly became extraordinary. He eloquently explained, "In the short term, it's naturally a good thing, like buying bones for a thousand gold, especially beneficial for appeasing scholars who come to Beiliang. Since even Chen Xiliang, who suffered setbacks in two major events, wasn't punished by the King of Beiliang, then how could we scholars, who are well-versed in literature and from backgrounds no worse than Chen Xiliang's, not become high officials?"

Xu Fengnian unceremoniously interrupted Song Dongming, asking, "Mr. Song, what is your view on Chen Xiliang's desperate defense of Qingcang? Do you believe the King of Beiliang should have punished him or not?"

The pageboy, standing by, widened his eyes. Could his usually gentle and refined master be so outspoken? The pageboy was about to scold the insensitive fellow when Song Dongming subtly glanced at him, startling the highly disciplined pageboy into immediate silence. Song Dongming continued, "Regarding Chen Xiliang, both reward and punishment should be applied. His defense of the city seemed muddled, leading everyone in Beiliang to believe he was an ambitious but incompetent individual. Yet, they don't realize that Beiliang does not lack armored soldiers, fine blades, or strong horses, nor even silver. What it truly lacks are two words: the people's heart."

Song Dongming gazed into the distance. "The people's heart is precisely the essence of 'harmony among people' among the 'right time, right place, and right people.' The true danger to a nation has never been the geographical perils of mountains and rivers, but rather the unity or dispersion of people's hearts. Geography is inanimate. The debate between heaven and man naturally falls upon the elements of 'right time' and 'harmony among people.' Confucianism, Daoism, and Mohism each have their own insights, and countless sages have never fully resolved this. I, Song Dongming, naturally dare not speak presumptuously. However, for a monarch or ruler, if they can maintain a righteous heart, accumulate merits, and turn misfortune into blessing, this is to prove the Way of Heaven through human action. Even if one cannot reverse the heavenly timing, one will ultimately not go far wrong. If Beiliang under the old King of Beiliang, Xu Xiao, was known for its mighty armored soldiers and three hundred thousand elite cavalry, then if the new King of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian, can gather the people's hearts, then Beiliang's million households, every person, can become willing soldiers ready to fight. Even if Beimang boasts a million archers, how could they possibly humiliate Beiliang then?"

Song Dongming softly said, "Therefore, Chen Xiliang initiated a good beginning for Beiliang. Those displaced people who entered the city, numbering three thousand, after surviving, their 'word of mouth'—that is, their widespread praise—will naturally lead to thirty thousand, or even more, displaced people in Liuzhou knowing the young vassal king's benevolence. He is not merely a Beiliang ruler full of empty talk about benevolence and righteousness, nor is he merely someone who sets out porridge at the city gates as a pretense of kindness. Rather, he is someone who can truly help them defend the four prefectures of Youzhou, Liangzhou, Lingzhou, and Liuzhou in Beiliang!"

The middle-aged scholar, speaking to himself, wore a solemn expression. "If Chen Xiliang had chosen to retreat then, yes, he would have indeed preserved the White Horse Righteous Guards within the city for the King of Beiliang. But sadly, Li Yishan's plans from back then would have all come to nothing. Using both benevolence and power, Li Yishan expelled displaced people, preventing their return home, and regularly dispatched Beiliang armored soldiers to kill and train. This was 'power' taking precedence. When Chen Xiliang refused to abandon Qingcang, tens of thousands of displaced people inside and outside the city were watching. Did Xu Fengnian expect these displaced people to fight to the death for Beiliang? A fool's dream! Beiliang believed that the meticulous Xu Beizhi was far superior to the overly compassionate Chen Xiliang. Hmph, that is truly shortsighted! To be a sage within and a king without, only by governing with virtue can one be like the North Star in the heavens, staying in place yet having all other stars revolve around it. Only then can one truly gain widespread support. Beiliang had military morale but no popular support; even if all three hundred thousand armored soldiers perished, they still couldn't defend Liyang's northwest gate! Therefore, what Xu Fengnian, then still the Crown Prince, declared on the imperial road in the capital—that he would guard the nation's gate for the people of the Central Plains, protecting them from the chaos of Beimang's cavalry—was utterly laughable nonsense!"

The pageboy, standing by, widened his eyes. Could his usually gentle and refined master be so outspoken?

Xu Fengnian nodded silently.

Yu Dilong squatted beside his master, certainly not understanding what was being said, but he still found the slightly older Jiangnan scholar's speech quite spirited, seemingly more imposing than even martial arts masters. Imposing. Yu Dilong, staring intently at Song Dongming, was somewhat puzzled. Could scholars gain such imposing presence just by reading a few books? Was there such a good thing in the world? Perhaps he should ask his master later if they could also learn to read.

After a moment of silence, Xu Fengnian smiled and "knowingly asked," "Grand Chancellor Yin Maochun is currently overseeing the imperial examinations for officials outside the capital. Mr. Song, your journey to Liang at this time suggests you're not pursuing an official career? With your strategic brilliance, Mr. Song, why are you not serving as an official?"

The pageboy let out a heavy snort, clearly thinking such a foolish question was an insult to his master.

Song Dongming suddenly felt a touch of sadness. He closed his eyes, and a barely suppressed look of pain flickered across his face. He softly sighed, "To be honest, someone in the capital once asked me the same question. I can only say that what they offered was not what I sought."

Song Dongming seemed to realize that his emotional display was inappropriate. He smiled freely and said, "Young Master Xu, are you heading to Qingcang City on this trip?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head.

Yu Dilong subtly glanced at his master.

Song Dongming said, "Then, let us part ways here."

Xu Fengnian clasped his hands in a farewell gesture and returned to the Fu family caravan with Yu Dilong.

Xu Fengnian suddenly recalled something recorded in Beiliang's intelligence reports: Song Dongming, whom Yuan Benxi had recognized early on, had achieved both 'great' and 'small' successes in his youth. First, he passed the highest imperial examination with distinction, becoming a second-place graduate even before reaching manhood. Even the young emperor was astonished by his vast knowledge and strong memory, almost arranging a marriage for him. Unexpectedly, upon returning home, Song Dongming immediately married a woman of low family status. The 'great success' was only one step below the first-place graduate, but the 'small success' was regrettably minor. It was regrettable that such a remarkable figure chose not to marry a woman from the compatible Zhao clan. Afterward, Song Dongming quickly became a widower, with no children, and for many years, he neither remarried nor took any concubines, spending his time traveling extensively across the land, devoted solely to nature. The intelligence report subtly mentioned that his wife's death was not normal. The Luming Song clan was a powerful family, and Song Dongming was a brilliant young man from a prominent family, with the potential to become a chancellor. Who would dare act in such a deranged manner? In all of Liyang, such individuals could be counted on one hand.

Having walked a considerable distance, Xu Fengnian couldn't help but look back.

He had once missed an opportunity with Lu Xu in Xiangfan City; this time, he shouldn't let it slip away again.

Xu Fengnian blew a whistle, slowly raised his arm, and shortly after, a majestic white falcon swiftly descended and landed on his forearm.

Meanwhile, Song Dongming and his pageboy continued their difficult journey through the wind and sand of Manzon Mountain. The pageboy, walking beside his master, adjusted the gauze mask covering his mouth to shield against the yellow sand and said loudly, "Sir, this Xu Qi must be from a prominent branch of a 'short' family in Beiliang, right?"

Song Dongming chuckled, "Your words are even more convoluted than mine."

The pageboy chuckled, quickly turned his head, and spat out the sand that had entered his mouth. "Sir, we're just wandering around aimlessly. When will we finally meet that young vassal king? Didn't you say Beiliang still lacks a capable minister to strategize for them? You have that 'Ten Victories and Ten Defeats' strategy in your mind!"

Song Dongming said calmly, "It depends on fate. Besides, whether Xu Fengnian is truly the enlightened ruler I envision, remains to be seen."

The pageboy said with a distressed look, "Sir, even if this Xu fellow can realize his ambitions, what about our Luming Song clan? The Yu clan, whose eldest grandson Yu Luandao went to Beiliang to join the army, serves as a cautionary tale."

Song Dongming shook his head and said, "Times have changed. With the restoration of Western Chu, if the imperial court were to suppress my Song clan, they would pay the price of causing unrest in the heartland of the Central Plains, which would be counterproductive. Besides, I, Song Dongming, am already a pawn of Tai'an City. It doesn't matter where I land; perhaps Mr. Yuan would even be pleased."

The pageboy sighed, sounding prematurely old.

Song Dongming's gaze was resolute as he looked ahead.

Mr. Yuan, you said, "to gain, one must first give." You forced me to make a choice. But how could I, Song Dongming, not know this simple truth? It's just that I'm unwilling to exchange what you consider a small sacrifice for the position of chancellor.

I, Song Dongming, have always been an impractical fool, just as I don't know if good people truly receive good rewards, but I am willing to believe. Just as the world doesn't believe that Xu Fengnian of Beiliang can defend the Northwest, I am willing to believe.

As Song Dongming walked, his eyes grew moist.

His lips trembled slightly.

He hummed, almost silently, a little tune that the prematurely deceased woman often sang.

"East, west, south, north, north, south, east, west,Only wish to follow without parting.This life and the next,Who can gather and meet again?"