Chapter 771: Wind Rises in the Northwest Longshang (Part 1)

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The wind stirred over Beiliang and Longshang.

On the border where Liangzhou and Liuzhou met, a convoy of over ten people, with carriages and horses, slowly proceeded from east to west. There was an elderly man, already past seventy, who had pulled aside the curtain to sit outside the carriage. Middle-aged knights carefully guarded the vicinity of the carriages. Young men and women, drawn by the vast, open scenery of the northwest frontier, eventually couldn't resist galloping their horses, competing in horsemanship. At the front and rear of the convoy, two steady men, exuding the strong aura of jianghu wanderers, occasionally surveyed their surroundings to guard against unforeseen events. The white-haired old man, clearly the linchpin of this convoy, sighed softly: "It’s the start of summer, when the Big Dipper points southeast, a great solar term when all things should grow and flourish. If even plants are like this, then how many people, alas, will die?"

The coachman was an old man of similar age, but being a martial arts grandmaster, his vitality was much more vigorous compared to his old friend behind him, who showed signs of advanced age. After hearing his friend of half a lifetime express such sentiments, he remained silent. In his heart, he truly understood why his friend, having emerged from seclusion, didn't choose to pursue his ambitions in Tai'an City. Even if he was slightly less influential than the "Zhong Ling" who said, "If we don't go out, what will become of the common people?", he certainly wasn't far off. He could at least stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Yao Baifeng, the Neo-Confucian master who had just become the first Six-Hall Scholar. However, since his old friend said he wanted to journey through the war-torn Beiliang, he naturally wouldn't refuse. Without a word, he brought two junior jianghu figures, who, like him, disdained participating in martial arts gatherings, to escort his friend's group from Shangyin Academy into Beiliang Dao, located on the northwest frontier. But he also had his own bottom line: if his old friend was heading straight for Qingliang Mountain in Liangzhou, he would only escort them to the outskirts of Liangzhou's provincial capital and absolutely not enter the city. After all, years ago, the Old King of Liang led the Xu family's iron cavalry to trample through the jianghu, and his sect was among those affected. Even after so many years, having long since retired from jianghu and retreated to the mountains, the old man's knot in his heart remained untied. Fortunately, on this trip to the northwest, they only wandered around outside Xiaguang City, near Hulu Pass in Youzhou, before entering Liangzhou, bypassing Qingliang Mountain, and heading to Qingcang City in Liuzhou. The Beiliang King's Mansion, for its part, deliberately turned a blind eye, not harassing them. It was worth noting that Xu Weixiong, the Second Princess of Beiliang, was one of his friend Han Guzi's closest disciples, and several members of the convoy, including Xu Huang, Sima Can, and Liu Duanmao, were her fellow disciples.

The old man, whose reputation at Shangyin Academy rivaled that of Grand Sacrificer Qi Yanglong, chuckled softly: "It's the beginning of summer. On this day, the Emperor of Liyang, as is customary, leads his civil and military officials to the southern suburbs of Tai'an City to welcome summer. Whether it’s the Emperor, who would usually wear his bright yellow dragon robe for court sessions, or the court officials, who would be adorned in yellow and purple for all gatherings, on this day, they must all wear vermilion ceremonial robes, as tirelessly reminded by the Ministry of Rites officials. After the ceremony, the Emperor opens the imperial ice cellar and bestows ice stored from the previous winter upon officials rated as superior by the Ministry of Personnel. It's a pity my unregistered disciple, Xu Gong, who serves as the Vice Minister of War, was somewhat implicated by his junior sister Xu and had to remain on patrol in Liangliao; otherwise, he would surely have received a share. By the way, Old Song, your hometown has the custom of drinking 'farewell-to-spring wine' when transitioning from spring to summer, doesn't it?"

The coachman nodded, grumbling: "The wine we brought when we set off ran out long ago. Due to the suggestion of that Rice-Buying Governor in Lingzhou, alcohol is now banned everywhere in Beiliang. Mostly what's available is that 'green ant wine' – I don't like to drink it."

Han Guzi sighed helplessly: "Song Sheng, Song Sheng, why are you old drunkard upset with green ant wine? Aren't you just making trouble for yourself? If you're truly capable, go fight that young grandmaster named Xu."

The coachman became even more annoyed, scoffing: "Can't beat him! If I could, I would have drunk hundreds, even thousands of catties of his green ant wine by now!"

As the two old men chatted, four or five riders galloped from a distance. Apart from Han Guzi's granddaughter, Han Guoxiu, the rest were the old man's prized disciples. The eldest man, in his forties, was Xu Huang, widely acknowledged as a master of military strategy in his time but unwilling to join the imperial court. There was also Sima Can, a strategist in his early thirties, and Liu Duanmao, a handsome jurist. The sword-wielding woman with a cool demeanor was Jin Baoshi, an extraordinary martial arts genius known as the "Living Arsenal." From a young age, she displayed an astonishing photographic memory, poring over martial arts manuals from major sects across the land, yet she chose not to practice martial arts herself. Among them, Liu Duanmao's appearance was quite unsightly: his parietal bone was sunken, his nose bridge was flat, and his teeth showed their roots. His physiognomy suggested an early death, a short life, and poverty. Especially when he was with the graceful Jin Baoshi, he appeared grotesquely ugly; a timid woman might have nightmares just from looking at him.

After Xu Huang approached the carriage, he said softly: "Master, about three li north of here, we encountered Beimang scouts. From their attire, they appear to be Black Fox Lancers under Liu Gui. There was nearly a full company, likely targeting us. Without a doubt, a cavalry force will soon emerge. Judging by the similar scouting regulations of Liang and Mang, the cavalry unit behind that company of Lancers should number at least a thousand. The Beiliang cavalry following us from afar, however, only has five hundred riders. If we continue forward, they might not be able to enter the battle in time. Should we head south or turn back to buy time for those five hundred Beiliang cavalrymen?"

Han Guzi, with a geomancy map on his lap, glanced around, then stretched out his hand, rapidly calculating with his fingers. He smiled: "It's a good omen, no harm. Let's proceed openly. Even if the sky falls, someone will be there to hold it up."

Xu Huang smiled and said no more. Not only he, but everyone deeply believed him, completely disregarding the large Beimang cavalry force that was about to charge. This wasn't because they were arrogant or overly reliant on the martial prowess of Grandmaster Song Sheng; rather, it was because their teacher, Han Guzi, was a scholar of profound knowledge, a master of foresight, and infallible. When Huang Longshi was just an ordinary student at Jixia Academy in Shangyin, he was already supremely confident, leading to the saying, "Beyond Guzi, all others are mere children."

The group brazenly continued westward into Liuzhou, treating the Beimang cavalry as if they were nothing. Jin Baoshi, unable to resist Han Guoxiu's clingy coaxing, agreed to share a horse. They whispered girlish confidences, and even Jin Baoshi, usually as aloof as Xu Weixiong at Shangyin Academy, showed a hint of a smile. Liu Duanmao rode alongside his two senior brothers, Xu Huang and Sima Can, and asked curiously: "Senior Brother Xu, compared to the fierce battles raging at Tiger Head City in Liangzhou and Hulu Pass in Youzhou, the standoff between the two armies around Qingcang City in Liuzhou seems exceptionally quiet. Apart from a minor skirmish involving light cavalry, there has been no movement. So, will this battle ever truly begin?"

Xu Huang, well-versed in military strategy, chuckled: "You should ask Sima Can about that; asking me is actually useless."

Liu Duanmao looked puzzled. Sima Can, who specialized in the art of political maneuvering, smiled faintly: "Whether the battle in Liuzhou begins or not doesn't depend on Beiliang's Dragon Elephant Army or Beimang's Grand General Liu Gui. It depends on the Southern Court's imperial court to the north. Liu Gui, whom the Beimang Empress praised as 'half a Butcher,' has now become the biggest laughingstock on the Liang-Mang border. In the Southern Barbarians' court, a clamor has arisen, with officials advocating for Liu Gui's removal from his position as commander of the western front, suggesting that the virtuous Northern Court King Tuoba Pusa should take his place. However, at this sensitive moment, the King of Beiliang provided significant assistance. Didn't we hear a few days ago that this young vassal king had a fierce fight with the Northern Court King Tuoba Pusa, who had already entered Liuzhou? Two grandmasters of martial arts, fighting one-on-one, battling across a thousand li..."

As Sima Can spoke, Xu Huang, with his handsome beard, stroked it and smiled, seemingly lost in admiration. Liu Duanmao, however, snorted coldly, clearly having a poor impression of that powerful young vassal king. Sima Can continued: "Speaking of Beimang's three fronts, leaving aside Southern Court King Dong Zhuo's central front, Grand General Yang Yuanzan, who is in charge at Hulu Pass, is an old fox who deeply understands court rules. He proactively absorbed many children of Beimang's northern and southern powerful families to serve as vanguard in assaults, with Zhong Tan being an example. Yang Yuanzan is willing to share military merits, so although his troops suffered heavy losses, there were no impeachments in court. Otherwise, with so many deaths, and only reaching Xiaguang City, he would have been drowned in criticism long ago. In contrast, the unyielding Liu Gui is not well-liked. Fortunately, Tuoba Pusa himself went to Beiting to meet His Majesty under public scrutiny. Especially since this Beimang military god deliberately lowered his posture mid-journey, even discussing military affairs with Liu Gui as a deputy commander, showing no signs of usurping power, which finally earned this old general a precious opportunity to breathe."

Sima Can suddenly burst into hearty laughter: "But those old bureaucrats from the Southern Court who were initially given the cold shoulder at Liu Gui's doorstep are not easy to deal with. When one scheme failed, another arose. Soon, rumors spread that the reason the young vassal king risked his life to fight the Northern Court King across a thousand li in the desert was to preserve Liu Gui's command, in exchange for peace in Liuzhou. Otherwise, if the overly conservative Liu Gui were replaced, Beiliang's border would simultaneously endure the crushing force of Beimang's iron cavalry on all three fronts. With over a hundred thousand young men from Beimang dead in battle, and the battlefields of Tiger Head City and Xiaguang City still in a stalemate, resentment within the Beimang army was already rampant. Liu Gui, who oversees Liuzhou's military affairs, naturally became the target of public criticism, the best choice for Southern Court civil and military officials to vent their anger and grievances. The old Beimang woman, who has always trusted Liu Gui implicitly, probably wouldn't doubt the eastern front because of these rumors. The reason she didn't suppress the rumors was also a necessary measure to maintain morale. I guess she must have sent secret letters to Liu Gui privately, comforting him well."

Sima Can gazed into the distance, his expression solemn. "Will Liuzhou, without mighty cities and high walls, see battle? The answer is definitively yes, and it will be exceptionally brutal! The rate of casualties on both sides will certainly exceed that of Tiger Head City and Hulu Pass. As for when it will start, that probably depends on when Tuoba Pusa quietly departs to return to Liuzhou. A battlefield far from the imperial court, even thousands of li from the dragon throne, has always been the bloodstained 'groundcover' beneath that chair. How much blood flows on the carpet beneath the chair's legs is always decided by one person, or rather, the group of people near that chair."

Liu Duanmao said softly: "Senior Brother, you should go to Tai'an City."

Sima Can shook his head and laughed: "Senior Brother Xu should go; I should not."

At this moment, Jin Baoshi and Han Guoxiu rode up to the three men. The youthful Han Guoxiu smiled charmingly and asked: "Why not?"

Sima Can laughed heartily: "Because in Tai'an City, there are many who are skilled at armchair strategizing, but few who can truly deploy troops and commanders. Senior Brother Xu, with his vast military knowledge, would quickly stand out there. As for me, it's quite the opposite; I'm suited for Beiliang, where there are many fierce generals but few strategists. Alas, Master didn't take us to Qingliang Mountain. Otherwise, I'd have already planned how to catch up with Junior Sister Xu and how to boast to Song Dongming, the Vice Military Commissioner."

Han Guoxiu, sitting behind Jin Baoshi, made a playful face and teased: "Sima Can, no wonder Grandpa says your thick skin ranks among the top ten masters in the world!"

Sima Can turned to the carriage, grinning, and shouted: "Master, you really are something! Why do you always prefer to praise people behind their backs? If you praised me to my face, I wouldn't get arrogant, you know!"

Han Guzi, renowned for his ability to teach all types of students and tailor his instruction to individual aptitudes, retorted irritably: "Get lost!"

Even Liu Duanmao, who would usually become filled with indignation at any mention of Beiliang and that young vassal king, found his mood brightening.

Just then, to the north, the figures of Beimang's Black Fox Lancers were faintly visible. And directly in front of the convoy, a lone rider appeared, blocking their path, neither friend nor foe known.

The jianghu man leading the convoy, though a junior to Grandmaster Song Sheng, was of no low rank himself; he had already stepped halfway into the realm of a second-grade minor grandmaster. Moreover, with his renowned divine weapon in hand, he had once withstood a hundred moves from a first-grade Vajra Realm master without defeat. The man, wielding the inherited peerless blade "Forbidden Fire," instinctively felt as if facing a formidable enemy, his aura erupting. However, he soon realized that the approaching rider's aura was not terrifying. Still, out of caution, his muscles remained tense, and he gripped his sword hilt.

Han Guzi told Song Sheng to stop the carriage, then stood up and smiled at the leading rider: "Tao Duanyang, no need to be nervous."

The rider in front did not stop, drawing closer and closer. Han Guoxiu's head peered out from behind Jin Baoshi's back. She saw a handsome young man on horseback. Turning to Liu Duanmao, she joked: "Look at his appearance, he might be your long-lost brother!"

Liu Duanmao nearly choked.

The rider reached the carriage, cupped his fists respectfully from horseback, and said: "Elder Han, there are three thousand Beimang cavalry to the north. I've come to escort you for a while."

Upon hearing about three thousand Beimang cavalry, the fearless Han Guoxiu still had the spirit to joke: "You've got some nerve, kid! Are you sure you're not just in a hurry to be reincarnated?"

Then she turned and shouted: "Sima Can, Sima Can! You've met another one of the top ten masters! Hurry up and spar to see whose 'thick skin' martial art is better!"