Chapter 645: Northward Gaze

The group was not in a hurry to return to Qingcang City. Xu Fengnian, Song Dongming, and Chen Xiliang sat by a stream. Following the principle of "don't doubt those you employ, don't employ those you doubt," Xu Fengnian did not conceal anything from the deputy military commissioner, who had not yet taken office. He revealed many of Beiliang's strategic plans, for example, Wang Lingbao leading troops to Fengxiang Military Town to suppress the fickle surrendered general Ma Liuke, which was to clear the path for Cao Wei's ten thousand light cavalry. The temporary expansion of the Dragon Elephant Army before the war could even be seen as a hidden preparation for these ten thousand cavalry. Furthermore, the main force of warrior monks in Fengxiang was a clandestine deal between Beiliang and the Six-Pearled Bodhisattva of Lantuo Mountain.

After listening, Song Dongming did not delve into details. Instead, he picked up some pebbles and arranged them on the ground, murmuring to himself, "Currently, there are three battlefronts. Chu Lushan is responsible for the main front north of Liangzhou, where the passes, military towns, fortresses, and post roads are all extremely well-developed, making it impregnable. North of Youzhou, Beiliang holds a natural advantage with its gourd-shaped terrain, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It's unlikely that Beimang will focus its main attack on Youzhou in the initial stages. However, Liuzhou is vast and relatively flat, like a horse galloping across plains, ideal for cavalry maneuvers. We have no major cities or strongholds to rely on there. Beimang has superior overall forces and doesn't need cunning strategies for troop deployment. If they choose this path southward, directly bypassing Youzhou and Liangzhou, the only thing they need to guard against is their supply lines being severed by the Xu family's iron cavalry stationed northwest of Liangzhou. This will test both sides' abilities in surprise attacks and counter-attacks."

Xu Fengnian glanced at Chen Xiliang, who slowly said, "If Beimang wants to successfully move south into Shu, regardless of whether Beiliang establishes Liuzhou in the refugee-settled area, they will attempt to open a breach here. Otherwise, attacking the northern defense line of Youzhou and Liangzhou would exhaust even their million-strong army, as our Beiliang army, whether cavalry or infantry, is extremely skilled in combat. Moreover, our cavalry can dismount to defend cities and remount to launch offensive attacks, which is what truly troubles Beimang. The Grand General established large granaries and armories in several of the most crucial border cities and fortresses very early on, preparing for a prolonged war."

Chen Xiliang paused and smiled, "But in reality, our Beiliang army has never considered purely defensive warfare to be the best strategy. This understanding has been passed down consistently, from the Grand General and Li Yishan, to Yan Wenluan, Chu Lushan, Yuan Zuozong, and all the young and strong generals, reaching a clear consensus. That's why Beiliang's frequent military exercises over the years have always strived for a balance of offense and defense. Beimang chose to start the war now because Xu Xiao finally died of old age, and Beiliang, in order to absorb refugees, had to deploy some forces to the Liuzhou plains. Firstly, this made them feel they finally had an opportunity. Secondly, they couldn't afford to wait. If the Liyang imperial court were to convert the national power of the Central Plains into border combat strength, the balance of power between the two nations would only shift further, leaving Beimang with no chance. One could say that choosing Liuzhou as the starting point for the war is both an entry point where Beimang believes it can gain an advantage, and a very proactive decision by Beiliang. This isn't Beiliang's arrogance, but confidence, especially in our cavalry's ability to fight on home ground."

Song Dongming smiled knowingly and nodded, "Beiliang's military and political affairs are actually like a well-tended field, just waiting for the harvest. I, as the deputy military commissioner who hasn't even received my official robes yet, won't add superfluous details. Compared to Beiliang, Beimang is a vast enterprise, but a house with many doors is bound to face more storms. I hear Empress Murong, to ensure no future worries, intends to unleash a massacre against the Yelü clan, the old rulers of the grasslands. Many great grassland chiefs who were unwilling to attack Beiliang southward have become lambs to the slaughter. We might as well add fuel to the fire: arbitrarily pick someone from the Yelü descendants and spread the word that Beiliang is willing to recognize them as the ruler of Beimang, refusing to acknowledge Empress Murong, who usurped power. This kind of thing certainly won't fundamentally harm Beimang, but it's still good to annoy them."

At this point, Song Dongming smiled and asked, "Beiliang probably has a contingency plan for this, right?"

Xu Fengnian nodded with a smile.

Song Dongming continued, "As for specific battle planning, I, Song Dongming, won't interfere. Beiliang is expert in warfare, with plenty of generals skilled in military affairs. Professionals will handle it, and I, an outsider, will just observe. However, Beimang's million-strong army, though seemingly formidable, actually only has a few truly desperate fighting forces: Dong Zhuo's nearly one hundred thousand Dong family troops, Hong Jingyan's Rouran Iron Cavalry, and the direct military units led by old generals like Yang Yuanzan and Liu Gui. More of their forces are not truly elite. When the time comes, without affecting the overall situation, we can eliminate a Beimang army that is mediocre in combat but sufficient in numbers in one go. Beimang is not a monolith; otherwise, the Beiting grassland chiefs wouldn't have withdrawn at this time. They have always had disagreements about fighting either the western front (Beiliang) or the eastern front (Gu Jiantang). If we take our time and cut them down slowly, we might have pleasant surprises. Of course, this is just a casual suggestion from me."

Xu Fengnian, who had been silent, finally interjected, "This is just a small part of Chu Lushan's continuous strategic plan."

Song Dongming chuckled delightedly, "Just a small part... Haha, now I finally understand why everyone fears that notorious 'Luqiu'er'. No wonder Dong Zhuo, the King of the Southern Court, also suffered greatly at the hands of our Protector-General."

Song Dongming narrowed his eyes, tossed a pebble into the stream, creating ripples, and said, "On the imperial court's side, I can do something. Regarding the grain tribute and salt and iron, I have a plan that can make the imperial court completely give in."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Oh? The imperial court has always wanted the ox to pull the cart without letting it eat grass; they're very stingy. Up to now, the half of the grain tribute they reluctantly agreed to hasn't even reached Beiliang's Lingzhou docks. If not for the initial severe blow from the restoration of Western Chu, that batch of grain probably wouldn't leave Xiangfan City for a hundred years."

Song Dongming said calmly, "It's very simple. We, Beiliang, will submit a memorial to the capital, proactively requesting to dispatch ten thousand troops to quell the rebellion. Border vassal kings have both the duty to guard the frontiers and the righteousness to quell national disasters, making it entirely justifiable. The imperial court has suffered two consecutive major defeats. Yang Shenxing's Jinan infantry were trapped like turtles in a jar, almost completely wiped out. Yan Zhenchun even sacrificed his life for the nation, with all his generals and soldiers dying in battle. Isn't this clearly telling the court that Western Chu is extremely difficult to deal with? We Beiliang have always been good at tackling tough challenges. If other vassal kings can't achieve success, then we Beiliang will do it. Is ten thousand not enough? How about thirty thousand?"

Chen Xiliang smiled faintly, "It seems the Ministry of War in Tai'an City is going to be in a complete mess."

Previously, Xu Fengnian had asked Song Dongming if a second-rank official position was sufficient. Now, Song Dongming's mocking "Is it enough?" could truly be considered a reciprocation of kindness.

Xu Fengnian laughed, "The imperial court will hate you to death. I'll have to assign masters to guard you closely, Deputy Military Commissioner, otherwise, Zhao Gou's assassins will surely come for your head."

Song Dongming had no hint of a smile, his eyes resolute. He said softly, "If the Zhao family lacks even this much courage, how can they rule the world? Do they truly believe Beiliang should sacrifice all three hundred thousand armored soldiers for their peaceful sleep? It's true that 'all under heaven is the king's land,' but since Beiliang is also Liyang territory, are the millions of Beiliang commoners not also subjects of their Zhao family? There's no such absurd logic in the world!"

Chen Xiliang sighed, deeply impressed by Song Dongming's character. For some reason, compared to Xu Beizhi, a peer who had defected from Beimang, Chen Xiliang felt a greater affinity for Song Dongming.

Just then, someone fell into the stream. On the bank, Yu Dilong shook his wrist, a look of disdain on his face.

Seeing his master turn to look, Yu Dilong loudly defended himself, "Master, it's not my fault. This kid asked me to hit him himself. He just said he could knock me down with one finger even if I stood still, and that there are only a few true masters in Beiliang. He also claimed he was a third-rank expert and hadn't met a single master since coming to Beiliang."

Yu Dilong glanced at the "drenched chicken" in the stream, disdainfully saying, "What third-rank? He made me use half my strength for that punch. If I had known he was so weak, I would have held back."

Wei Shihui secretly gave the boy a thumbs-up. Yu Dilong responded with a simple, guileless smile.

Song Dongming ignored his own bewildered and shocked pageboy and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, I heard you've taken three disciples. Which one is he?"

Xu Fengnian said with a hint of helplessness, "He's the youngest, my eldest disciple, and the most troublesome, which is why I keep him by my side. Otherwise, a great, unbridled devil would surely emerge in the martial world."

A Dragon Elephant Army cavalryman galloped over. After dismounting, he reported, "Reporting to Your Highness, General Xu and ninety elite cavalry have arrived at Dragon-Slaying Hill, ten *li* away."

Xu Fengnian stood up and smiled, "Chen Xiliang, please accompany Master Song back to Qingcang City first. I'm going to see my brother."

Chen Xiliang asked, "What about these White Horse Volunteers?"

Xu Fengnian smiled broadly, "Do you think it's the two of you who need protection, or me?"

Chen Xiliang smiled slightly and said no more.

A White Horse Volunteer hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage and spoke, "Your Highness."

Xu Fengnian was slightly puzzled, and calmly said, "Speak your mind."

The White Horse Volunteer took a deep breath, his young face still showing the naivety not yet completely weathered by the border winds and sands. He lowered his gaze slightly and whispered, "Qi Huayan, the one City Magistrate Chen mentioned earlier who died in Hair'er Lane inside Qingcang City... I was severely wounded at the time, leaning against a wall, waiting to die. He blocked more than ten blows from the horse bandits for me. He didn't manage to say anything before he died. But I feel I should tell Your Highness for him: Qi Huayan did not regret joining the White Horse Volunteers."

His eyes were clear. He smiled and asked, "Your Highness, when will the war start? I want to join the vanguard."

Xu Fengnian retorted, "Qi Huayan died in battle. If you, Ding Xuan, also die, how many people will remember him?"

The White Horse Volunteer, whose name had been called, bit his lip and smiled brightly, "Later, I'll be buried with many generals on the back mountain of Qingliang Mountain. I'm not afraid of being forgotten."

Ding Xuan scratched his head and said, "Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness. Thanks to Qi Huayan, I was able to escape death in Qingcang City, where corpses were piled high. I'm still very much afraid of death now. However, my whole family followed the Grand General to Beiliang back then, and we've made this our home. My grandfather said that even if he dies, he wants to die in Beiliang; this is the root of our Ding family. My elder brother at home became an official, and my younger brothers are all studying. All I need to do is go to the border and kill northern barbarians. Killing one breaks even; killing two is a profit."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "The vanguard won't be yours to snatch a spot in. Just stick to being a White Horse Volunteer. When the time truly comes for you to fight, at the very least, our graves can be neighbors."

Ding Xuan's mouth hung open, unsure what to say.

The next moment, the young vassal king's figure flashed and vanished. Everyone only felt a gentle breeze sweep past them.

Even the pageboy who had just climbed out of the stream widened his eyes. "He truly is the world's foremost expert, one who even prevented Old Monster Wang of Emperor Wu City from returning!"

Song Dongming suddenly remembered something. When they first met, the King of Beiliang had used the alias Xu Qi. The character "Qi" (奇 - strange/unusual) is not considered a good character when used in a name. Those with "strange fates" have historically been described in history books as figures who died prematurely before reaching their peak. For example, Ye Baikui, the military strategist of the Spring and Autumn period, not only failed to help Great Chu conquer the world but instead died for his nation. Another example is Luo Gongming, widely recognized as the top border military strategist four hundred years ago in the Dafeng Dynasty, yet who never became a Grand General before his death; both were attributed with an "unusual and irregular fate."

Chen Xiliang quietly spoke, "Three hundred thousand steles... I'm afraid they'll stretch for dozens of *li* from the back mountain of the Prince's Residence. It's a huge undertaking, and with war imminent, Master Song, won't this seem like civilian officials merely giving orders while military generals are exhausted?"

Song Dongming calmly said, "Don't worry, this initiative won't require a single cent from the Prince's Residence treasury, nor will it affect border military provisions. Innumerable families, whose sons are fighting on the border, will voluntarily contribute money and effort. Anyone who dares to shirk their responsibility, I, the newly appointed Deputy Military Commissioner, will unleash my first fire on them! I want them to know that fighting this war is not just the Xu family's affair, but the affair of the entire Beiliang!"

Chen Xiliang moved his lips.

Song Dongming looked at the young scholar, whose sharpness was subtly contained, and smiled softly, "Xiliang, do you think what I'm doing is inhumane?"

Chen Xiliang shook his head.

Song Dongming sighed with emotion, "If we don't do this, Beiliang cannot be defended, and ultimately, it's the common people who will suffer. How can the hardship of erecting one stele be compared to future devastation and family ruin? Huang Longshi spoke a lot of nonsense that plagued the Spring and Autumn period, but one of his sayings is thought-provoking!"

Chen Xiliang asked, "Is it that saying, 'To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the living, to carry on the lost teachings for past sages, and to create peace for all generations'?"

Song Dongming shook his head with a smile.

Chen Xiliang continued to ask, "A common man's will cannot be taken away?"

Song Dongming still shook his head, and said softly, "Since ancient times, kings have been the most foolish, and common people the most blameless."

Chen Xiliang's eyes gleamed as he nodded and said, "I've learned a valuable lesson!"

Dragon-Slaying Hill was a slightly elevated small mound. Historical records state that General Luo Gongming, a border general of the Dafeng Dynasty, once shot and killed a flood dragon here.

At the bottom of the hill, over ninety cavalrymen dismounted to rest. Everyone wore armor, which could not conceal the fresh red stains. Originally the pitch-black armor of the Dragon Elephant Army, it was soaked with too much bandit blood that they had no time to wipe off.

Xu Longxiang, now respectfully called "Little Prince" by the people of Beiliang, stood alone on the hilltop, gazing north. Ever since he led the Dragon Elephant Cavalry to completely crush the three major military towns, including Junziguan, people in Beiliang said that the Grand General's second son had awakened, and that he had been possessed by a deity since childhood, thus born with an Adamantine body and possessing the strength of a dragon and elephant. Even when Xu Fengnian was still the Crown Prince and served as Lingzhou General, rumors abounded that only if Xu Longxiang became the King of Beiliang would Beiliang truly find stability.

On this expedition, Xu Longxiang led his troops into Liuzhou. First, he annihilated the ten thousand horse bandits, who included Beimang elites, leaving no one alive. After that, he summoned his ninety or so commandants, said nothing, and simply led them, each with two horses, a saber, and a crossbow, to kill people everywhere. They fought over twenty skirmishes and battles, killing over 1,400 enemies, with not a single casualty on their side. These high-ranking commandants were utterly convinced, revering this commander, who was much younger than all of them, as a deity. It was a pity that during this "hunting expedition," they didn't see the Little Prince's black tiger, nor did they see him wearing his set of bright red talisman armor. Furthermore, Xu Longxiang was taciturn with everyone; to this day, no one has had the chance to exchange any unnecessary words with him.

Xu Longxiang stood on Dragon-Slaying Hill, his back to all his subordinates. No one at the base of the hill knew what this youthful commander was thinking.

Suddenly, almost everyone looked up simultaneously and saw a figure glide onto the hillside without warning. Everyone instinctively reached for their swords, but felt a wave of relief when they recognized the person's face. It was the King of Beiliang! Their commander's older brother.

Xu Fengnian walked to Xu Longxiang's side, gently resting a hand on the boy's head. The two brothers looked northward together.