Chapter 748: This Year's Qingming Without Bitter Rain

Hu Tou City was a critical stronghold that the Northern Mang army had to eliminate on their southern campaign.

Hu Tou City, immense and majestic, was renowned as "unrivaled in the frontier, without equal in the northwest." It stretched four and a half li from east to west and about five li from north to south. After taking six years for Beiliang Road to construct, it was rumored to have consumed half the giant stones and timber of the dynasty's northwest. Its main south gate, named Dingding Gate, was particularly criticized by Liyang civil officials. On its north wall alone, Hu Tou City mounted twelve powerful trebuchet crossbows. Their arrow paths had seven channels, and the arrows, as large as roof beams with iron fletching, launched with a thunderous roar, reaching up to seven hundred paces away! Towards the end of the Spring and Autumn period, Gu Jiantang used these very crossbows to pierce the large battleship of the Southern Tang navy during his attack on Old Southern Tang, showcasing Liyang's military might. If not for the deterrence and containment provided by these colossal siege crossbows, allowing Northern Mang infantry to freely advance their siege engines, Hu Tou City's defenses would not have retained as much strength as they did. Using over a thousand trebuchets of various sizes to attack a single city was an act only a madman would attempt. This had occurred only once in history, during the mid-period of the Great Feng Dynasty's decline, when its capital, a city no smaller than Tai'an, suffered this fate. Although today the Northern Mang central front has amassed an equivalent number of trebuchets, their stones are merely twenty to thirty jin heavier. Therefore, the overall concentrated power is still far inferior to the "heavenly chaos" offensive of the Great Feng Dynasty's mid-period, as it was later praised.

Besides its inherent defensibility, Hu Tou City also benefited from the support of two military garrisons, Liuya and Fuling, located to its rear. These garrisons helped contain Northern Mang forces, preventing Hu Tou City from becoming an isolated stronghold like Xiangfan, which endured a decade-long siege. Furthermore, Hu Tou City itself housed six thousand cavalry ready for active deployment, capable of coordinating with the elite cavalry of Liuya and Fuling. The Huaiyang Pass defense line, situated less than a hundred li from the four Chongzhong garrisons further back, was manned by Beiliang border troops, all elite soldiers skilled in both dismounted city defense and mounted archery. Had the Northern Mang central front not possessed ample troops and an overwhelming numerical advantage, Beiliang would have readily launched a large-scale cavalry battle first. Thus, in the spring of the second year of Xiangfu, Hu Tou City became the sole focus, drawing most of the attention from both Beiliang and Northern Mang.

After the Beiliang Protectorate, or more precisely, Xu Fengnian himself, resolved to have Hu Tou City hold out for a year, Deputy Military Commissioner Song Dongming and Liangzhou Governor Tian Peifang oversaw the rapid reinforcement of the Liuya and Fuling garrisons within Liangzhou with over ten thousand infantry. Four thousand of these were young men from Liuzhou, who carried a large amount of equipment and supplies northward, entering the two garrisons under the strict escort of the White Feather Guards, personally led by Qi Dangguo. In response, Northern Mang symbolically dispatched twenty thousand cavalry to bypass Hu Tou City and attempt an interception to the south. However, they ultimately avoided a full confrontation with the White Feather Guards, engaging only in two minor skirmishes. Following this, Northern Mang likely surmised Beiliang's strategic intent and intensified its assault on Hu Tou City. Their siege tactics were primarily derived from those used at Hulukou in Youzhou, but unlike the straightforward brutality employed against Wogong and Luanhe cities, the attack on Hu Tou City incorporated many new innovations. Besides trebuchets, Southern Dynasty artisans constructed numerous "toad carts" for the Northern Mang army, used to fill in moats, as well as "flying towers" to elevate archers for level firing and to demolish city battlements. They also attempted to build earthen hills against the city walls and even dispatched sappers to survey the terrain, digging tunnels day and night to collapse walls or infiltrate the city. Hu Tou City responded with various countermeasures. Northern Mang infantry, facing death unflinchingly, rushed forward, throwing earth wrapped in straw and branches into the moats in a continuous stream. Hu Tou City retaliated by firing red-hot iron balls into the moats, which burrowed into the straw and kindling. Ultimately, the accumulated ash and earth increased the moat depth by only a few inches, far short of Northern Mang's expectations. Within the city walls, Hu Tou City dug trenches to intercept tunnels and launched fire attacks, suffocating nearly a thousand Northern Mang soldiers to a tragic end. Hu Tou City was also well-prepared for the continuous assault of Northern Mang's almost thousand trebuchets. Liu Jinu, with meticulous foresight, had already ordered the preparation of over four hundred thousand adobe bricks. These were used to reinforce the city walls during battle, repairing damage as it occurred. While not as strong as the original rammed-earth walls, this rendered Northern Mang's trebuchets, originally intended as a decisive weapon, little more than a fancy addition. When Northern Mang resorted to the most laborious method, building an earthen mountain outside Hu Tou City with every man below the rank of myriad-chief carrying earth, Liu Jinu counterattacked in kind. He excavated tunnels beneath the mountain's foundation, causing a catastrophic collapse that swallowed thousands of Northern Mang enemy soldiers. Dust billowed during the earth-shattering event, visible even from the Beiliang Protectorate far away at Huaiyang Pass.

Even Chu Lushan, who rarely praised others, couldn't help but exclaim, "What a master of both offense and defense, Liu Jinu!"

As for the Northern Mang generals, who had suffered greatly, their hatred for this already renowned Beiliang commander grew, each wishing they could devour his flesh.

After Liuya and Fuling each received five thousand infantry to assist in city defense, the light cavalry of both garrisons were completely unleashed. Simultaneously, Xu Fengnian personally ordered several major horse farms in Liangzhou, including Qianli Ranch, to replace or supplement the warhorses for Liuya and Fuling, who previously had to consider long-distance raids. The new directive focused solely on maximizing burst power. Xu Fengnian and the Protectorate established a rule for Liuya and Fuling: future battles should be confined to within a two-hundred-li radius. As long as they found an opportune moment, they could sally forth independently to engage Northern Mang cavalry without reporting to the Protectorate. The only requirement was to preserve the main force after the battle, regardless of victory or defeat! This was an incredible order for the Beiliang border army—a situation where even a defeat incurred no punishment? The chief generals of Fuling and Liuya garrisons specifically traveled to Huaiyang Pass to inquire, fearing a miscommunication. Yet, the answer was affirmative. Afterward, the two cavalry generals met to discuss, feeling somewhat aggrieved and resentful, believing that the Prince and Protector Chu looked down on the combat strength of their garrisons' cavalry. The Fuling garrison cavalry, fueled by this perceived slight, soon found an outlet for their frustration. Taking thousands of "new brides" (horses) recently acquired from the major ranches, they engaged a detached Northern Mang cavalry unit fiercely near Yazhipo after receiving a report from a scout. Four thousand Northern Mang cavalry fought desperately but were defeated, fleeing west. A cavalry captain named Qi Fu Longguan advised the chief general, Wei Liang, against pursuit, but Wei Liang ignored the advice and chased them for over thirty li, falling into an ambush by eight thousand Northern Mang cavalry. Qi Fu Longguan, bringing up the rear of the Fuling cavalry, at the crucial moment, led five hundred horsemen to break through the enemy lines and charge directly towards the Northern Mang's main banner. He then vowed to defend the rear to the death, thus buying precious time for the main Fuling cavalry force to retreat. Qi Fu Longguan's iron armor was embedded with as many as six arrows, and his five hundred men were reduced to less than a squad. Although Northern Mang suffered greater losses in this battle than Beiliang, the Fuling cavalry on Liangzhou's second defensive line nearly faced complete annihilation. Even with five thousand infantry still defending the city, without cavalry, the originally dual-flanked defense line would have one wing broken. Wei Liang subsequently went to Huaiyang Pass to apologize, but Xu Fengnian did not punish the Fuling general. Instead, he promoted Qi Fu Longguan, whom he had casually assigned as a junior captain in the Fuling garrison, to the rank of Jianjiao Officer, above captain but below colonel. Qi Fu Longguan was put in command of a thousand cavalry after their numbers were replenished, establishing the "Banner-Slaying Camp," which was allowed to incrementally increase its troop strength with each achievement, eventually reaching a maximum of three thousand cavalry. This was another significant event after the disbandment of the Hulukou Infantry's Tiger Pounce Battalion and the establishment of Youzhou Cavalry's Non-Retreat Battalion. Qi Fu Longguan, an unknown soldier from a Northern Mang horse ranch, began to make a name for himself in the Beiliang border army.

Inside the Beiliang Protectorate, Chu Lushan was in a heated discussion with his generals about whether to transport troops to Hu Tou City. The core of their argument was whether the enormous cost of opening such a path was worthwhile. Everyone knew that Hu Tou City could accommodate another fifteen thousand men; the real issue was whether they could get in. The current diversion created by Liuya and Fuling's cavalry only prevented Northern Mang from launching a stable offensive south of Hu Tou City, a vastly different scenario from Beiliang's border army openly reinforcing the city through its south gate. One faction argued that sending fifteen thousand men into Hu Tou City would likely cost over ten thousand cavalry. The opposing faction insisted this estimate severely underestimated Northern Mang's combat power and resolve, claiming such a risky move would play right into Northern Mang's hands. Northern Mang was already struggling to break the stalemate, and this would be like Beiliang handing them a pillow when they were drowsy. At that point, not only would ten thousand cavalry be lost, but even thirty thousand wouldn't be enough to fill the massive hole south of Hu Tou City. Someone then proposed that the Fuling and Liuya garrisons launch a simultaneous, bold advance to harass the Northern Mang army stationed on Longyan'er Plain, providing cover for troop transportation via Huaiyang Pass. However, this was quickly opposed. With the minds of Dong Zhuo and others, such seemingly well-intentioned but actually inferior tactics would be tantamount to openly signaling their movements to the "Northern Barbarians," ensuring Northern Mang knew exactly what Beiliang was up to.

Chu Lushan, amidst the noisy debate, calmly stated, "With the reinforcements to Liuya and Fuling, Northern Mang must have deduced our intention to use Hu Tou City as a strongpoint; otherwise, they wouldn't have ambushed the Fuling cavalry a few days ago. So, Northern Mang is now guessing *when* we will reinforce Hu Tou City, not *if* we will. That much is certain."

As soon as Chu Lushan spoke, silence fell immediately. All the unruly and fierce border generals naturally pricked up their ears, listening intently.

Chu Lushan continued, in a measured tone, "Then we must seize the opportunity to do this at a time they least expect. If such an opportunity doesn't arise, then we simply won't do it. Gentlemen, Hu Tou City must be defended, but don't forget the original purpose of defending it. It's not to defend for the sake of defending, but to preserve our Liangzhou defense line to the greatest extent possible. Exchanging troops, even if our border army sacrifices one life for two Northern Mang barbarians, is meaningless. Of course, during this time, we can opportunistically draw several Northern Mang cavalry units away from their main army, or even simply station fifteen thousand men behind Huaiyang Pass without moving them. Instead, we can dispatch the cavalry from the Chongzhong garrison line in full force to launch a large-scale battle that Northern Mang would never anticipate. Fight and then withdraw."

At this point, Chu Lushan tapped his head with a finger, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Liu Jinu is at Hu Tou City; he will handle the defense. As for all of you present, besides our two legs, we have our warhorses' four legs to help us move. Don't blindly stick to one path. Ultimately, we and the Northern Mang army are now locked in a stare-down around Hu Tou City and Huaiyang Pass, both operating in confined spaces. It's a game of wits, and it remains to be seen whose strategy will be more surprising."

Although no clear conclusion was reached regarding the reinforcement of Hu Tou City, the generals present no longer voiced objections after Chu Lushan spoke. Afterwards, Chu Lushan accompanied Xu Fengnian on a stroll through the Protectorate's grounds. Chu Lushan sighed softly, "What a pity. It backfired."

Xu Fengnian chuckled softly, "Perhaps that's just man proposing, God disposing. Consider it me shooting myself in the foot."

Chu Lushan shook his head, still looking a little regretful. When Xu Fengnian had issued that military order to the Liuya and Fuling garrisons, Wei Liang's reckless pursuit and Northern Mang's ambush were actually within the Protectorate's expectations. In fact, once Wei Liang's cavalry became embroiled in a desperate fight, they would have held out for little more than half an hour before a Qingyuan cavalry unit, arriving from a long-distance raid, would join the battle, swiftly destroying Northern Mang's decoy cavalry and subsequent ambushers. However, the unexpected emergence of a young captain, Qi Fu Longguan, who possessed both a keen sense of crisis and a willingness to fight to the death, disrupted the entire plan. Xu Fengnian and the Protectorate were left with a bitter pill to swallow, unable to speak of their predicament. Such an opportunity, once missed, was gone forever. Northern Mang would surely assume Beiliang wouldn't "repeat the mistake" by rushing into another ambush, and Beiliang, in turn, lost a prime chance to spring a multi-layered trap on Northern Mang.

Chu Lushan suddenly smiled. "The Ministry of War in the capital has finally remembered to ask us for intelligence on Northern Mang's offensive."

Xu Fengnian sneered, "Just ignore them. If those officials from the Ministry of War who were observing affairs on the frontier had the guts to go to Hulukou in Youzhou or come to our Huaiyang Pass back then, I wouldn't have stopped them from watching the battle. But since they've already left, there's no such thing as enjoying benefits while doing nothing in this world."

Chu Lushan nodded, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice. "That mad dog Yuan is now in a bind. Wang Jingchong and Da Ruzhe Shiwei, those two Nabo envoys, handed him a great victory on a silver platter. Now, everyone in court and society scoffs at Northern Mang's combat strength, and Yuan Tingshan has gotten his wish of becoming Jizhou General. Gu Jiantang probably wishes he could hack this son-in-law to death, who only cares about his own promotion and wealth. The more 'vulnerable' Northern Mang's easternmost front appears, the harder it will be for our General Gu to request money, grain, and weapons from the Ministries of Revenue and War, won't it? Didn't Liangliao propose to build a six-thousand-man infantry formation with Mo Dao broadswords, and before the Minister of Revenue could even say anything, the Vice Minister directly gave a crisp reply of 'You have your life, but no money'?"

Xu Fengnian remarked, "Looking back now, when Yuan Guo was promoted from the relatively minor Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Revenue, which controls the dynasty's finances, it seemed on the surface that he had gained the Emperor's deep favor. But that's not true. Zhao Zhuan's true confidantes, among the Six Ministries, would always have the Ministry of Rites first, then the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. The Ministry of Revenue would only be slightly higher than the Ministries of Justice and Public Works. As if it weren't bad enough, Yuan Guo then made another blunder by choosing the wrong side during a minor court session. The only suspense now is who between him and Lu Baijie of the Ministry of War will leave the Six Ministries first."

Chu Lushan scoffed, "Ultimately, the new Emperor deeply distrusts Gu Lu's proteges. The matter of revising Liyang's household registration system was nothing short of a test for Yuan Guo and others. Aren't there rumors now about establishing Deputy Military Commissioners within the princely domains? I reckon both Lu Baijie and Yuan Guo will be kicked out of Tai'an City—one to the Southern Frontier to annoy Prince Yan Chi, and the other to a recently established principality."

Xu Fengnian nodded, "The Southern Frontier region will definitely get one, likely the Tangxi Sword Immortal, who has greatly disappointed Zhao Zhuan and has never been regarded as one of his own. Yuan Guo, on the other hand, will fare relatively better; he'll likely be sent to Prince Han's domain, who Zhao Zhuan has always been at odds with. If Yuan Guo performs exceptionally, he might have a slim chance of returning to the central court. Lu Baijie, however, is certainly destined for a lifetime of moving around in provincial posts. Furthermore, with one less Minister of War, a series of promotions and changes are inevitable, which will also allow the court to appease some local military commanders – killing two birds with one stone. After all, posthumous titles are for the dead, but official positions in the Ministry of War are real and tangible."

Chu Lushan sneered, "Apart from the court chaos when the Liyang Zhao family was confined to a corner, it's been many years since such a dazzling high-level upheaval has occurred."

Xu Fengnian shook his head, "Actually, it's quite different. The current 'chaos' only appears as a mess to ordinary people watching the spectacle. In reality, it's an ordered chaos; the capital officials know exactly what's going on."

Chu Lushan nodded, "So, Qi Yanglong still has some tricks up his sleeve. He's indeed the old fellow Zhao Dun used to replace that 'Green-Eyed Boy.'"

Xu Fengnian chuckled softly, "Zhao Zhuan's willingness to genuinely rely on Tantan Weng proves that this young emperor, busy warming his dragon throne, hasn't completely lost his mind yet."

Unbeknownst to them, Chu Lushan and Xu Fengnian had walked to the corridor outside the official residence where Yu Luandao once served. They stood beneath the eaves, one with fingers interlaced, the other with hands tucked into his sleeves. These two most influential figures of Beiliang, standing side-by-side like this, presented a somewhat comical sight.

Chu Lushan gently exhaled, watching his breath slowly dissipate in the air. He said, "The Youzhou cavalry produced a Yu Luandao, Xiaguang City also saw the rise of a frequently distinguished Liu Haojian, and now Liangzhou finally has a Qi Fu Longguan. This is good. I'm just waiting to see who among the hundreds of thousands of refugees in Liuzhou will emerge first. And that Hong Biao seems promising too; his temperament is a bit like Huangfu Ping's. People like them are born for turbulent times."

Xu Fengnian sighed helplessly, "Northern Mang also has people like Zhong Tan, who will gradually surface as events unfold."

Just as Chu Lushan was about to speak, a White Horse Guard captain quickly entered the courtyard, his expression oddly difficult to conceal. He cupped his fist and said in a deep voice, "My Lord, Protector, someone requests an audience. He claims to be Kou Jianghuai from Guangling Dao."

Even Xu Fengnian and Chu Lushan couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances.

"What's this about?"

Chu Lushan asked with a chuckle, "Shall we roll out the red carpet for this famous Western Chu general, renowned throughout the land, or keep him waiting?"

Xu Fengnian instructed the White Horse Guard, "Bring him here."

Soon, a burly young man appeared in their view, as if boldly entering the sight of the entire Beiliang border army.

Kou Jianghuai, entering Beiliang Dao alone, carried neither sword nor saber, nor did he possess the refined elegance of many scholars traveling to Liangzhou. Instead, he resembled a local Beiliang scholar, looking like someone who, having read the classics, could also ride a horse into battle and slay enemies.

Kou Jianghuai glanced at the Protector, who was indeed hard to miss, then fixed his gaze on Xu Fengnian and spoke directly, "Xu Fengnian, I, Kou Jianghuai, can serve Beiliang, but with one condition: if there comes a day when I must lead ten thousand Beiliang iron cavalry to Guangling Dao, you need not concern yourself with the purpose. Kou Jianghuai is confident he is worth ten thousand cavalry."

Chu Lushan laughed heartily. "Even courtesans inflate their worth, but none are as shameless as you, Kou Jianghuai. If you were in Guangling Dao, I could tolerate you claiming to be worth not just ten thousand cavalry, but twenty or thirty thousand. But here, where do you get the confidence to claim the value of a full ten thousand Beiliang iron cavalry? What, did defeating Zhao Yi and Song Li give you such confidence? Their cavalry's 'exceptional' combat strength? Are they even worthy of tying the shoes of our Beiliang cavalry?"

Kou Jianghuai's face turned ashen, but he continued to stare at the northwestern princely king, who was even younger than himself.

Xu Fengnian shook his head, "You want to use Beiliang cavalry to break the deadlock. I won't agree to that."

Kou Jianghuai smirked sarcastically, "I didn't expect the most powerful princely king of the great Liyang Dynasty to have such limited ambition. Don't you know, Xu Fengnian, that the more Guangling Dao troubles the Liyang court, the more the Zhao imperial family will truly rely on your Xu family in the northwest? At that point, if you, Xu Fengnian, are willing to lend me troops, let's see if the court dares to continue making things difficult for Beiliang with matters of household registration and grain transport. Stepping back, even if I borrowed troops, I wouldn't openly fly the banner of Beiliang cavalry. Stepping back further, wouldn't it be even more beneficial for Beiliang if the imperial surname changed from Zhao to Jiang? Whether it's the princess, Cao Changqing, or myself, Kou Jianghuai, we are all certainly not from the Liyang Zhao imperial family, and far from being a hindrance to Beiliang..."

Xu Fengnian calmly said, "To be frank, I've considered such things privately when bored. With a bit of resolve, giving you twenty or thirty thousand cavalry might indeed conquer Guangling Dao. But if you're talking about helping your Western Chu contend for the world, then even fifty or a hundred thousand would be a drop in the bucket. Do you truly believe Chen Zhibao of Western Shu and Gu Jiantang of Liangliao are mere wooden stakes? Do you truly believe the over hundred thousand elite border troops of the Southern Frontier are just spectators? By the time your Jiang family becomes emperor and fully supports the northwest, Northern Mang would likely have already swept south. Kou Jianghuai, you say my vision isn't broad, and I won't deny it, but yours is even narrower."

Xu Fengnian, suppressing a smile, added, "Furthermore, your clumsy salesmanship, especially this dramatic, never-give-up approach, is truly not skillful. When I was traveling the jianghu back then, pretending to be a fortune-teller and playing tricks, I could at least fool people into giving me some copper coins each time. As for you, let alone ten thousand cavalry, you couldn't even take one horse out of Beiliang."

Chu Lushan burst into hearty laughter.

Kou Jianghuai showed no signs of the expected indignation. Instead, he appeared somewhat regretful yet also a little relieved. The young man simply stood silently in the courtyard, looking slightly solitary and desolate.

Xu Fengnian stepped down the stairs and asked, "Do you know why Cao Changqing didn't let you lead troops?"

Kou Jianghuai replied indifferently, "He believes I am merely a general, not a strategist, and should focus on the distant Tai'an City, not the trivial gains and losses of Guangling Dao."

Now it was Xu Fengnian's turn to be surprised. He asked curiously, "Then what are your thoughts?"

Kou Jianghuai calmly said, "I only know one thing: with only Western Chu's own strength, what good is it to reach the gates of Tai'an City?"

Chu Lushan clicked his tongue in wonder, "You're not stupid, kid. It's just that compared to the diligent Xie Xichui, you, Kou Jianghuai, have a much bigger appetite."

Kou Jianghuai looked at the "small mountain" (Chu Lushan) and retorted, "As a military general, between Xu Xiao, who fought countless battles, winning some and losing some, and Ye Baikui, who was victorious in a hundred battles in his lifetime with only one defeat, which would you choose to be?"

Chu Lushan nodded, "You have a point."

Kou Jianghuai gave a self-deprecating smile, then turned and walked away.

Xu Fengnian remained silent until he had walked out of the courtyard.

Chu Lushan quietly asked, "Are we really just letting this 'river dragon' slip away?"

Xu Fengnian said softly, "Compared to Kou Jianghuai, I still appreciate the diligent and hardworking Xie Xichui more."

Chu Lushan grunted in agreement. "Xie Xichui is reassuring to use, but Kou Jianghuai is a different matter."

Xu Fengnian suddenly called out, "Kou Jianghuai, come back in. Why are you walking so slowly after leaving the courtyard? Who are you trying to impress?"

Kou Jianghuai indeed turned back and reappeared at the courtyard entrance.

Xu Fengnian said with a smile, "How many Beiliang cavalry you can take depends on your own ability. From today onwards, not only the cavalry at Huaiyang Pass but also those from the Liuya and Fuling garrisons will be under your command. After deducting Beiliang's losses, I will give you an equivalent number of cavalry from any unit other than the Great Snow Dragon Riders and the two heavy cavalry brigades. But let's be clear beforehand, those cavalry are not for you to attack Tai'an City. They are merely to help you preserve some of Western Chu's vitality. Then you must bring everyone back here. In truth, you and I both know that Guangling Dao is not suitable for you, Kou Jianghuai, but Beiliang is perfect. Is this a deal you'll take?"

Kou Jianghuai's expression fluctuated.

Xu Fengnian pointed a finger. "Alright, alright, the trick of asking for the moon and bargaining down to the ground—I, Xu Fengnian, am also your senior in that regard. You, Kou Jianghuai, came with this intention from the very beginning, and I haven't even haggled much, so you should be content."

Kou Jianghuai smiled. "I'm not good at acting, but you, Xu Fengnian, shouldn't pretend to be virtuous after getting a good deal. Once Western Chu falls and the tide turns, would you really abandon our princess and not go rescue her? Wouldn't you still have to bring troops to seize her? I'm just helping you save face."

Xu Fengnian nodded solemnly, "Hmm, it seems neither of us are entirely virtuous characters?"

Chu Lushan watched the dramatic turn of events before him, somewhat speechless. These young people today!

Kou Jianghuai, covered in dust, said casually, "Is there anywhere I can sleep? I'll get a good day and night's rest first. As for leading troops to kill Northern Mang barbarians, we can talk about that after I've had enough sleep."

Chu Lushan cursed with a laugh, "You're the master now!"

After Kou Jianghuai was led away, Xu Fengnian looked up at the overcast sky and fell into thought. Chu Lushan, stepping down from the stairs, did not disturb him, quietly standing nearby with his eyes closed, resting.

After a long while, Xu Fengnian slowly said, "Even if Kou Jianghuai uses an alias, the long-term benefits and drawbacks are still uncertain."

Chu Lushan looked somewhat puzzled. "We don't need to concern ourselves with the court; the situation is pretty much as bad as it can get already. Kou Jianghuai being worth ten thousand cavalry isn't actually that kid bragging. The Qinghe-Chongzhong line is well-guarded by Zhou Kang and Gu Dazu, so there's nothing to worry about there. But if there's a major battle here at Huaiyang Pass and Huang Laifu and others can't handle it, then I'll have to take the field myself. With Kou Jianghuai, things would be much easier for us. Why do you still say that?"

Xu Fengnian said with a bitter smile, "Perhaps I'm thinking too far ahead."

Chu Lushan quickly understood, remarking, "It is indeed a bit far. But distant water doesn't quench immediate thirst."

Xu Fengnian nodded and chuckled, "True. Let's first use Kou Jianghuai to solve our immediate problems."

Chu Lushan hesitated.

Xu Fengnian patted his shoulder and walked out of the courtyard.

Chu Lushan stood in place, muttering to himself, "Was it because he feared I, Chu Lushan, might one day truly leave my three hundred jin of flesh on the battlefield that he agreed to let Kou Jianghuai stay?"

Qingming Festival was approaching.

This year, Beiliang saw no rain at this time.

The morale of Beiliang Dao was also stabilizing. Hu Tou City in Liangzhou remained as steady as a mountain, and Xiaguang City, which had been precarious at Hulukou, was also defended. Young men from Liuzhou continuously joined the border armies of various prefectures, while the chief generals of the Liuya and Fuling garrisons suddenly found an influential general named Kou above them, nominally holding the title of Liangzhou Deputy General. With Yu Luandao's illustrious military achievements outside Hulukou already setting a precedent in Youzhou, the Liangzhou frontier guards were not surprised by this. This also indirectly proved the young princely king's increasing control over Beiliang's military and government affairs, something that could certainly not be achieved merely by being named Xu.

The Qingming solar term, falling between mid-spring and late spring, is when the air is clear and the scenery bright, and all things become visible, hence its name. In previous years, Beiliang generally shared customs with the Central Plains. Besides the tradition of sweeping graves and honoring ancestors, there were practices like lighting lanterns for blessings and inserting willow branches to ward off evil. However, this year, all prefectural and county governments in Beiliang Dao specifically ordered the prohibition of inserting or wearing willow branches, without offering any explanation. Qingming is inherently one of the "Ghost Festivals," and it occurs when willow branches sprout green buds, leading to the popular saying, "Willow branches hung on doors keep a hundred ghosts out of the house." Yet, many troublesome individuals in Beiliang had either already left or had been thoroughly subdued, so there was no controversy or objection to such a harmless minor issue.

In the second year of Xiangfu, there was no rain during Qingming in Liangzhou; the weather was gentle and auspicious.

However, the prefectural city where Mount Qingliang was located held an unspoken solemnity, as prominent figures continually rode into the city with their personal cavalry. Aside from Chu Lushan of the Beiliang Protectorate remaining at Huaiyang Pass, Yuan Zuozong, the chief commander of the cavalry, not having moved south, and Yan Wenluan, the chief commander of the infantry, stationed at the Youzhou border, almost all other frontier generals, without exception, rushed to this prefectural city. Zhou Kang, Gu Dazu, He Zhonghu, Chen Yunshui, Youzhou Governor Hu Kui, Youzhou General Huangfu Ping, and even Military Commissioner Li Gongde and Lingzhou Governor Xu Beizhi arrived one after another.

This was the first time since Xu Fengnian inherited the title of King of Beiliang that the King's Mansion on Mount Qingliang saw such an unprecedented gathering of military stars.

The next day was Qingming Festival. As night fell, two riders from the northern border of Liangzhou quietly entered the city through the South Gate. They proceeded north along the main street, heading directly for the King of Beiliang's Mansion, a place full of legendary significance for both the Liyang court and its populace.

Kou Jianghuai, the Liangzhou Deputy General traveling north under an assumed name, turned to Xu Fengnian beside him as they rode slowly. He chuckled, "Is anyone still trying to assassinate you at the King's Mansion? Probably not anymore. As one of the Four Grandmasters under Heaven, whether you're the King of Beiliang or not, no one would dare invite bad luck by coming after you."

Xu Fengnian simply smiled in response.

Only after truly getting to know Kou Jianghuai did Xu Fengnian discover that despite his aloof, unapproachable demeanor, he was actually quite a chatterbox; once he started talking, he couldn't stop. Throughout their journey, Kou Jianghuai probed Xu Fengnian relentlessly for every story and embarrassing anecdote from his first journey through the martial world. Conversely, Kou Jianghuai never proactively inquired about Beiliang's military or political affairs. When he occasionally brought up Guangling's military matters, which could sway the hearts of the world, he always maintained a nonchalant attitude, which greatly opened Xu Fengnian's eyes—realizing there was another type of general, distinct from both the unparalleled, fierce vanguard and the scholarly general with a feathered fan and silk scarf. As a swordsman, Kou Jianghuai's eyes gleamed with excitement upon learning that Xu Fengnian had not only traveled the jianghu with Li Chungang but also interacted with Deng Tai'a. He wished Xu Fengnian had asked the two successive Sword Gods about their preferences for clothing and food. So, when Xu Fengnian revealed the truth that the old man in the sheepskin coat liked picking his feet and digging out earwax, Kou Jianghuai collapsed on the spot, falling silent for about half a day. He finally recovered, muttering, "So that's the true demeanor of a master," and "Not conforming to worldly ways, no wonder he could achieve the world's finest sword. It seems I also need to wear a tattered fur coat." However, when Xu Fengnian then mentioned that the Peach Blossom Sword God's appearance was not at all elegant and jade-like, but in fact more "approachable" than Kou Jianghuai himself, Kou Jianghuai fell silent again. Just when Kou Jianghuai finally finished recovering from his "injuries," Xu Fengnian added that he had only practiced martial arts for three or four years and became a Grandmaster by "luck." This utterly devastated Kou Jianghuai, whose swordsmanship was actually quite formidable, and he completely shut up. It wasn't until they entered Liangzhou City just now that Kou Jianghuai finally seemed to come back to life.

After they could faintly see the lights of Mount Qingliang, Kou Jianghuai suddenly said with a sense of relief, "Although you deliberately speak lightly of it, I actually know that your current glory was hard-won."

Xu Fengnian chuckled casually, "If thinking that way helps you feel a bit more balanced, then go ahead and believe it. Hmm, let me roughly calculate: from when I started practicing sabers on Wudang, progressing from a Second-Rank Junior Grandmaster to the Celestial Realm beyond Land Immortals, if you truly count it, six realms, it seems I broke through more than once a year. Oh, by the way, you still seem to be a Junior Grandmaster, not yet at the Vajra Realm, right? If you're 'lucky,' in four or five years, you might just be the world's foremost master."

So Kou Jianghuai fell silent.

The Liangzhou Deputy General remained dispirited as he entered the magnificent King's Mansion.

Two young Huxi eagerly ran to greet Xu Fengnian. The one nicknamed Vajra directly pounced into Xu Fengnian's arms, while its sister, "Bodhisattva," affectionately nibbled at Xu Fengnian's robe.

Then Xu Fengnian left Kou Jianghuai at Tingchao Lake and took the two joyful young Huxi to Wutong Courtyard. His second sister, Xu Weixiong, and Lu Chengyan were naturally there, busy annotating documents with other young women renowned as "female Hanlin scholars." His second sister merely looked up at Xu Fengnian before lowering her head again. Xu Fengnian walked over to Lu Chengyan's desk, and to his surprise, Wang Chudong had also found a place in Wutong Courtyard, with her desk right next to Lu Chengyan's. She seemed to be compiling a "Collection of Beiliang Heroes" that was destined to be ignored by Liyang literary circles. When Xu Fengnian pulled up a chair and sat between them, the young girl was still holding her brush, lost in thought. Her earnest, yet playful, expression as she stared blankly made Xu Fengnian and Lu Chengyan exchange smiles.

Not far away, after Xu Weixiong finished annotating an intelligence report, she put down her brush, rubbed her wrist, and softly said, "Lu Xu will enter the capital in the next few days. You should have had Mi Fengjie and Fan Xiaochai tie him up and bring him to Mount Qingliang then. Deputy Military Commissioner Song would have had a much easier time."

Xu Fengnian raised his hands in supplication. "Didn't I bring back a Kou Jianghuai? That should count as atonement."

Xu Weixiong glared. "Kou Jianghuai not coming to Beiliang is merely a 'missed opportunity.' But Lu Xu, who submitted strategies to Zhao Xun and is now in Tai'an City being used by Zhao Zhuan, will harm Beiliang. That's a 'loss.' How can the two be confused?"

Xu Fengnian wore a bitter expression, not daring to retort.

Lu Chengyan did not offer any verbal help, merely giving him a faint smile.

The somewhat oblivious Wang Chudong, the great literary figure known for "winning first place with a single book," finally noticed Xu Fengnian sitting so close. Startled, she leaned back, tipping over with her chair. Xu Fengnian lightly reached out, pretending to pull, and the chair returned to its upright position. The embarrassed Wang Chudong, who had made a fool of herself, looked utterly mortified, seemingly wanting to hide like a frightened little fox. Xu Fengnian made a funny face at her, and she immediately burst into a radiant smile, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons, dimples appearing on her cheeks.

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Don't overwork yourselves; remember to balance work and rest. You can also practice that Wudang Mountain boxing set in your free time."

Xu Weixiong grumbled, "It's easy for you to say when you're not doing the work."

Xu Fengnian subtly rolled his eyes at Lu Chengyan and Wang Chudong. The Wutong Courtyard maids whose tables were in that direction couldn't help but secretly giggle.

Just as Xu Weixiong was about to continue her lecture, Xu Fengnian quickly stood up and said, "I'll go check on Mr. Song."

Watching the King of Beiliang scamper away with the two Huxi, the atmosphere in Wutong Courtyard visibly lightened.

The treatment Xu Fengnian received from Song Dongming was, of course, a world apart from the cold shoulder he got in Wutong Courtyard. Currently, many officials serving under Deputy Military Commissioner Song were young scholars distinguished in both practical administration and academic knowledge within Beiliang, each with their own strengths. However, unlike the younger generation of jianghu, who primarily revered and envied Xu Fengnian's Grandmaster status, these scholars, after gaining a deeper understanding of Beiliang's current situation, felt genuine awe for Xu Fengnian, the master of three hundred thousand iron cavalry. Thus, when Xu Fengnian and Song Dongming, who was stealing a moment of leisure, sat across from each other drinking tea, the young officials observed the young princely king's every move. Song Dongming held the tea cup that Xu Fengnian had personally prepared and poured. He did not rush to drink, merely using it to ward off the spring chill, and softly said, "All the scholars coming to Liangzhou have arrived, as have the families of the fallen soldiers. There will inevitably be some murmurs and words, I hope Your Highness won't take them to heart."

Xu Fengnian nodded.

Some rumors and whispers, like the ones that arose when many first heard he was going to Hulukou, claiming he was merely displaying individual bravery, were of the same tone. Xu Fengnian genuinely preferred to ignore them.

Some were the sounds of extreme sorrow, tears of anguish—those, Xu Fengnian dared not listen to.

After discussing some Beiliang governmental affairs, Song Dongming rose and walked outside with Xu Fengnian. The middle-aged man, once groomed by Yuan Benxi as a potential Grand Councilor, hesitated for a moment before saying, "Previously, I wanted to be the Military Commissioner to better exercise my abilities. But after interacting with Li Gongde, I now hope he can continue in that role. I'll be in Liangzhou, and Lord Li in Lingzhou; this arrangement will not cause any delays."

Xu Fengnian nodded. "Since Mr. Song has said so, there's no problem."

Song Dongming paused and smiled, "I still have a heap of matters to attend to, so I won't see you off far."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Quite right."

Song Dongming spoke to Xu Fengnian's back, "Before, I only knew Beiliang as a place where military men wielded their might. Now, I, Song Dongming, and many other scholars, have discovered that Beiliang is also a place where civil officials can 'put pen to paper' and make a difference. On behalf of these people, I wish to express our gratitude to Your Highness."

Xu Fengnian turned his head and smiled happily.

Song Dongming suddenly winked, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Your Highness, several junior women in my Song family, all of virtuous temperament, have written to me. They said that even if I had to steal them, I must send them back some small items like Your Highness's seals or calligraphy samples. The boldest one, who has yearned to roam the jianghu and become a female knight-errant since childhood, said it would be best if I sent her even one of Your Highness's garments. If I don't send anything back, she threatens to disown me as her uncle."

Xu Fengnian awkwardly rubbed his forehead.

Song Dongming's laughter was hearty as he quipped, "Forget about the clothes. Just send me a few calligraphy samples with four or five characters each, Your Highness, and that'll be enough."

On the night before Qingming, Xu Fengnian sat alone on the mountaintop, watching the city lights at the foot of the mountain gradually appear and then fade. He finished a pot of green ant wine.