Chapter 800: North Liang Four Battles (8)

The group walked across the soft grass of Tianjing Pasture. Occasionally, puddles of water gently overflowed around their boots, a clear testament to the fertile land and abundant grass of this pasture in Longxi. As Beiliang Dao's second-largest horse breeding ground after Qianli Pasture, Longxi, with its seamless transition between winter and spring, and continuous summer and autumn, boasts unique climatic conditions. Historically, it has been a crucial source of horses for every prosperous dynasty. The Da Feng Dynasty maintained 300,000 horses in the Longdong and Longxi regions and established the position of Longyou Equestrian Supervisor. Liu Ze, a monarch hailed as a restorer no less significant than Da Feng's founding emperor, once mustered 160,000 warhorses from this very region during his two northern expeditions. The nobles of Beimang's Longguan were, in fact, descendants of refugees from the Great Qin Dynasty who migrated north during times of war 800 years ago. Tracing their origins, they were once citizens of Great Qin, residing between Longxi and Tongguan.

Among the group, Zhao Luyuan, the manager of Tianjing Pasture, appeared particularly apprehensive. There was no other choice; the five or six figures temporarily serving as his backdrop were all powerful Beiliang's fourteen *Xiaowei* (commanders), like Horned Eagle Commander Luo Hongcai. The only one without an official post, Shi Fu, had previously served as a Beiliang general and Liangzhou General for several years. Unfortunately, burdened by his association with the previous Beiliang Protector-General, Shi Fu had shrewdly resigned and laid down his armor even before the new King of Liang officially inherited his title. Zhao Luyuan was unsure why Shi Fu had been called upon this time, whether it was for a reckoning or a resurgence. Zhao Luyuan's unease stemmed not only from the young man beside him, Xu Fengnian, but more so from Tianjing Pasture's inability to meet the current emergency demand. They could only provide fewer than 5,000 warhorses, with only slightly over 600 being top-grade. This was significantly short of the King of Liang's requirements. Zhao Luyuan knew his predicament: had the King asked for horses half a year earlier, he could have provided not just 8,000 warhorses of any grade, but even 8,000 top-grade Beiliang steeds. The Beiliang Protector-General's Office had previously made an emergency requisition of 10,000 warhorses from here, and these 600 top-grade horses were all that he had painstakingly managed to retain as his last reserve. He had furiously argued with the "imperial envoy" from Huaiyang Pass who came to demand horses, cursing the man for practicing "draining the pond to catch all the fish" and declaring, "What's so great about your Protector-General's Office?" Zhao Luyuan had even banged the table, threatening to appeal directly to the King at Qingliang Mountain's Wutong Courtyard. However, with the King of Liang, Xu Fengnian, now present, Zhao Luyuan dared not utter a single negative word about the Huaiyang Pass Protector-General's Office. He could only babble on about his inadequacy and failure to live up to expectations. Zhao Luyuan was not foolish; everyone, not just in Beiliang but throughout the land, knew that Protector-General Chu and the new King of Liang were truly family, despite their different surnames.

Xu Fengnian and Zhao Luyuan walked side-by-side on the pasture grass, followed by the perennially taciturn Shi Fu, who was in his prime, and others like Horned Eagle Commander Luo Hongcai. Among them was Zhao Rongguang, the Longxi Commander responsible for the security of Liangzhou's western gate. Tianjing Pasture was vast and picturesque. Longxi's climate was unique, with long winters and no summer, experiencing frost even in June, making it much cooler than other regions at this time of year. However, except for the expressionless Xu Fengnian, Luo Hongcai and the others appeared anxious. Even Shi Fu, who had retired from the military nearly two years ago, frowned deeply. As Xu Fengnian gazed at the lush pasture, he was filled with reflections. Ever since Da Feng's territory expanded to the Western Regions, half of the empire's military horses originated from the two Long regions. Many imperial relatives, princes, marquises, and generals privately raised horses here, enjoying the competition of power through the number of horses they owned. Li Gongde, the resourceful Governor-General of Beiliang Dao, had years ago suggested lifting the horse ban to sell horses below Class B warhorse standard to high-ranking officials and nobles in Tai'an City and the Central Plains. This would generate a massive income, alleviating Beiliang's tax burden, but Xu Xiao had directly refused. After scholars flocked to Beiliang, many intellectuals proposed similar strategies, making a big fuss over Liang horses. They argued that without reducing the reserves of Class A, B, and C warhorses, Beiliang could still increase tax revenue, boost military pay, forge connections with prominent figures in the capital, and show goodwill to the Zhao Imperial Family of Liyang – a policy seemingly beneficial in every way. Neither Song Dongming's Longmen nor Xu Weixiong's Wutong Courtyard dared to make a decision on this independently. After it was handed over to Xu Fengnian for a decision, he deliberated extensively but ultimately shelved the matter.

Xu Fengnian stopped at the top of a gently sloping hill and looked around. Verdant green stretched as far as the eye could see.

Xu Fengnian suddenly turned to Zhao Luyuan, who was nearing fifty and showing his age, and smiled. "Master Zhao, this is actually our second meeting. Back then, I was still young and accompanied Xu Xiao here to escape the summer heat. I remember you had just retired from the Liangzhou border army and hadn't been in charge of Tianjing Pasture for long. At that time, the stud farm was in disarray, and you famously thumped your chest, promising Xu Xiao that within ten years, Longxi would become Liyang's largest stud farm. Do you still remember, Master Zhao, that you also promised Xu Xiao that one day you would present the finest steed in the world to celebrate my coming-of-age ceremony as the Crown Prince?"

The old man, who had spent his entire life working with warhorses, immediately grew agitated. He stammered, "Your Royal Highness still remembers, you still remember... How could this humble servant ever forget? Not only has Tianjing Pasture diligently bred fine horses, but for many years, we've also entrusted border army officers and rangers to send any exceptionally magnificent wild horse kings they spot in the desert grasslands to Tianjing Pasture after capture. In fact, four years ago, a truly divine steed was brought to the pasture. It's just that when Your Royal Highness had your coming-of-age ceremony, this old man mistakenly thought you had forgotten about it. And I was afraid of being labeled a good-for-nothing official who only knew how to flatter, so after hesitating for many days, I ultimately didn't send it to the King's Residence on Qingliang Mountain. In the end, I couldn't resist the persistent requests of Deputy Commander Zhou of our cavalry, and so I reluctantly gave it away. If only I had known... Alas, this old man is filled with regret!"

Xu Fengnian smiled. "It's all right. The success of our Beiliang Iron Cavalry today owes a great deal to all the large and small stud farms, including Tianjing Pasture and Qianli Pasture. To this day, how many times have I actually been on a battlefield? To have two Class B horses to ride is already barely fitting; a top-grade Class A steed would be a sheer waste."

Likely sensing that Zhao Luyuan was about to complain on his behalf, Xu Fengnian waved his hand and said, "You all go back first. I have some things to discuss with General Shi."

The others left, leaving behind Shi Fu, widely known in Beiliang for his arduous career path. He and Hu Kui, the Governor of Youzhou, were once known as the "Twin Jades of Liangzhou," both young yet battle-hardened "veterans" of the border army with significant military achievements. The term "Twin Jades" originally referred to Wu Qi and Xu Pu, two cavalry generals who first distinguished themselves during the Spring and Autumn Wars. At that time, Xu Xiao was still campaigning during the Spring and Autumn period, not yet a king with his own fiefdom, which is why those two were called the "Twin Jades of the Xu family." Now, one lives in anonymity in Dunhuang City in Beimang, and the other has gone to Western Shu to assist Chen Zhibao. Chen Zhibao's departure from Beiliang to Shu, combined with Xu Fengnian's succession as the King of Beiliang, became a watershed moment in the official careers of Shi Fu and Hu Kui. The latter rose again to become a powerful regional official, while Shi Fu, despite his higher previous rank, faded into obscurity, resigning and returning to civilian life. Strangely, neither Qingliang Mountain nor the later established Huaiyang Pass Protector-General's Office acknowledged Shi Fu's resignation. Even when Chu Lushan later concurrently served as Liangzhou General, he never explicitly informed the Liangzhou military circles that Shi Fu had left the service. Military dispatches continued to be sent to the "Liangzhou General" Shi Fu, who was recuperating at home, twice a month as usual.

Xu Fengnian softly asked, "General Shi, this time, 10,000 elite troops from Western Shu Dao are heading to Guangling Dao. Wei Fucheng and Dian Xiongchu are merely serving as deputy generals, with an outsider, Hu Yanrourou, as the commanding general. On the border between Beiliang and Western Shu, Chen Zhibao has assigned a young man named Che Ye to guard Western Shu's northern gate. What are your thoughts on these two matters, General Shi?"

Shi Fu's brow furrowed even deeper, and he remained silent.

Xu Fengnian waited quietly for a response, seemingly determined to get the former confidant of the King of Shu to speak, as a token of loyalty. But Shi Fu gritted his teeth and said nothing, his expression growing increasingly despondent. If the young prince were to ask for advice on Liuzhou, or Hutou City in Liangzhou, or Hulu Pass in Youzhou, Shi Fu believed he would tell everything he knew without reservation. However, Chen Zhibao had shown him kindness and patronage. Regardless of whether Chen Zhibao was working against Beiliang, as long as Chen Zhibao did not explicitly turn his spear against Beiliang, Shi Fu would not turn against him. Even if it meant displeasing Xu Fengnian today, Shi Fu was prepared for the consequences. Shi Fu actually admired the young Xu family member beside him greatly, but there were certain matters that touched upon his bottom line, and he simply could not cross that internal threshold. This was why Zhong Hongwu, the Grand General of Huaihua and commander of the cavalry at the time, had made an exception and "looked at Shi Fu with new eyes," even considering him an eyesore.

Without receiving an answer, Xu Fengnian asked again, "If I were to say that General Shi could safely relocate all three hundred members of your clan to Western Shu, would you go to Western Shu?"

Shi Fu hesitated, then smiled wryly. "Unlike Wei Fucheng and Dian Xiongchu, and unlike Che Ye, who came from Beimang with nothing, my Shi clan is a large family in Liangzhou. Even if I myself were willing to go to Western Shu, and Your Royal Highness did not object, many elders in my family, accustomed to Beiliang's customs and climate, would not agree to leave their homeland. This has little to do with whether I, Shi Fu, can become a high-ranking official in Western Shu. To be honest with Your Royal Highness, it's quite helpless to say this, but even if we take ten thousand steps back, if the Shi family were truly to move to Western Shu with all our ancestral tablets, not to mention anything else, the three family members of my generation and the four young nephews serving in the Liangzhou border army would likely remain in Beiliang. In that case, even before leaving Beiliang Dao, the Shi family would already be torn apart."

Xu Fengnian gave a half-smile. "General Shi, you are quite frank."

Shi Fu chuckled and said, "There's no point in hiding anything. I know there are Fushui House spies embedded in the Shi family for many years. It's not that I possess extraordinary insight; rather, Chu Lushan made a special trip to the Shi family to 'speak frankly' with me before he assumed the position of Beiliang Protector-General. That's why for the past two years, I haven't had a single night of peaceful sleep. It's amusing, really; in my early years in the border army, even after many deep incursions into Beimang territory, resting wherever my warhorse stopped, I slept better than I do now in my own bed."

Xu Fengnian neither confirmed nor denied Chu Lushan's placement of spies within the Shi family. He changed the subject, smiling as he asked, "Tianjing Pasture currently has 800 White Horse Volunteers, Luo Hongcai and two commanders have 3,400 cavalry, and adding the Longxi garrison of the pasture itself, and Zhao Rongguang's 2,000 cavalry remaining at their original posts, the total is still less than 8,000. I can wait for three more days at most. Xin Yinma, one of the two major commanders at Tongguan, Liangzhou's eastern gate, will also arrive with 3,000 elite cavalry, bringing the total number to just over 10,000. General Shi, do you think this force of 10,000 cavalry, hastily deployed to the Liuzhou battlefield, will be a timely aid or too little, too late?"

Shi Fu countered, "If I, Shi Fu, speak frankly, will Your Royal Highness truly listen?"

Xu Fengnian calmly replied, "Speak first, and let's hear it. After all, you, Shi Fu, are not renowned generals of the Spring and Autumn era like Yan Wenluan or Chen Yunzhui, nor are you a distinguished member of the Xu family like Chu Lushan or Yuan Zuozong. You are not yet in a position to simply dictate what I should listen to."

Shi Fu sighed, then slowly began, "In my opinion, Your Royal Highness's 10,000 cavalry, while not a drop in the ocean, might benefit the situation in Liuzhou, but they will certainly not make a decisive difference to the overall strategic situation of Beiliang. If I were Your Royal Highness, I would be more decisive. I would have Deputy Generals Wang Zhi and Huang Xiaokuai of Lingzhou lead, with the cavalry of commanders like Yanxia Commander Jiao Wuyi as the main force. Not only should the cavalry within Liangzhou's borders pour into Liuzhou to alleviate the immediate crisis, but these capable Lingzhou cavalry units should also be decisively sent north into Liuzhou. After defeating Liu Gui's army on Beimang's western front, they should quickly fill the void outside Liangzhou Pass and south of Huaiyang Pass..." Shi Fu suddenly felt the young prince's killing intent. He calmly stated, "I didn't know the situation initially, but since coming to Tianjing Pasture and hearing about the number of warhorses here, by observing the subtle, I, Shi Fu, can somewhat deduce the plans of Your Royal Highness and the Protector-General's Office. Your Royal Highness need not overthink this."

Xu Fengnian nodded, squatted down, pulled up a stalk of licorice, and began to chew on it.

Shi Fu continued, "Ultimately, in the conflict between Liang and Mang, the three battlefields—outside Liangzhou Pass, Liuzhou, and Youzhou—will each see victories and defeats. However, the place that truly determines Beiliang's survival is only outside Liangzhou Pass. If we lose there, Beiliang will lose the great power that two generations, the Grand General and Your Royal Highness, painstakingly accumulated. Your Royal Highness's risky move, sending Commander Yuan's 10,000 Great Snow Dragon Riders and two heavy cavalry units to Hulu Pass in Youzhou to annihilate Yang Yuanzan's eastern army in one swift blow, is certainly not wrong; on the contrary, it is an extremely surprising victory. However, in military strategy, the 'unorthodox' and 'orthodox' methods should always complement each other. One cannot win a temporary battle in one place only to lose the greater strategic advantage. During the Spring and Autumn period, there were many ludicrous battles where generals won major engagements but caused their monarchs to lose their states. Before the final outcome of the Battle of Xileibi was decided, everyone outside favored Western Chu, which had won a series of minor victories. But the Grand General, even at the cost of rapidly depleting his forces, was determined to complete the siege of Xileibi. He even deliberately used several units to bait and draw out a large portion of Western Chu's elite forces on important but not critical battlefields, solely to create tiny openings in Xileibi's outer defenses. Commander Yuan's brilliant victory at Princess's Tomb is a clear testament to this."

Xu Fengnian abruptly stood up. "General Shi, these 10,000 cavalry are now entrusted to you. Within three days at the latest, you must lead them to Liuzhou to reinforce Qingcang City and the Dragon Elephant Army."

Shi Fu froze, bewildered as to why he was being entrusted with such a crucial task and why Xu Fengnian himself was not leading the army.

Xu Fengnian spat out the chewed root and said gravely, "The news arrived this morning: Hutou City has fallen. Beimang's main army is pressing down on the three towns of Huaiyang, Liuya, and Fuling."

Shi Fu's face changed dramatically, and he exclaimed in shock, "How could Hutou City fall so quickly?!"

Xu Fengnian turned to look north. "Dong Zhuo, that madman, previously sent men to dig tunnels to their deaths every few days. Sixteen tunnels, resulting in a total of 5,000 deaths. But no one expected that the fellow didn't dig sixteen secret tunnels at all, but a horrifying thirty-eight! Twelve of them stopped just outside the city walls, and then, combined with a no-holds-barred ground assault..." At this point, Xu Fengnian stopped speaking.

Shi Fu muttered, "That madman, that son of a bitch..."

Xu Fengnian turned to Shi Fu and said, "I'm going to Huaiyang Pass immediately. Shi Fu, from this moment on, you are reinstated as Liangzhou General. Not only will you command these 10,000 cavalry, but all Lingzhou cavalry units entering Liangzhou territory from now on will also be under your command."

Shi Fu let out a heavy breath, clasped his fists, and declared, "Your humble general obeys the order!"