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Chapter 809: Not Worth a Damn (3)

Xu Fengnian dismounted, and Yang Shenxing followed suit, getting off his carriage. As they walked side by side, Xu Fengnian took the opportunity to introduce the new Deputy Military Commissioner to the group of people present. They were local officials from Tongshan Commandery, led by the Prefect, essentially brought out to widen their horizons. While Xu Fengnian might not have taken Yang Shenxing seriously, for the Tongshan Commandery officials, this "local emperor" of Jizhou was incredibly renowned. Yang Shenxing's Jixian infantry, in particular, were famed as unrivaled, and they had been competing with Yan Wenluan's Youzhou army for years. Being able to meet old General Yang today was certainly a top-tier topic for after-dinner conversation.

Xu Fengnian politely asked the old man if his journey west had been smooth, and Yang Shenxing answered with a warm smile, creating an atmosphere so harmonious that the Tongshan Commandery officials were utterly bewildered. In reality, Yang Shenxing, despite appearing to be enjoying a long-awaited reunion with the young prince, was breaking out in a cold sweat. Beiliang had even refused imperial edicts in the past. With Beiliang in the midst of war and chaos, and their current location in the desolate wilderness, what was the big deal about leaving a body or two? They could simply blame it on bandits; would the imperial court truly bother to investigate thoroughly? The warmer Xu Fengnian was, the more uneasy Yang Shenxing became. Just as Yang Huchen had previously surmised, given the Yang family's difficult predicament—like a dragon trapped in shallow waters—even a Youzhou governor greeting them would have been the highest honor. Yang Shenxing was not so arrogant as to believe he held enough importance to warrant the King of Beiliang leaving the front lines to personally greet him.

Fortunately, Xu Fengnian didn't prolong the suspense. He first sent the Tongshan Commandery officials of all ranks back to their residences. Then, they stopped at a small tea stall by the post road to rest. Xu Fengnian woke the napping woman and, smiling, ordered three bowls of tea. After sitting down, he spoke to Yang Shenxing frankly: "My trip to Youzhou was incidentally for picking you up. After tea, I will soon depart for the Helan Mountains in northeast Youzhou. Wang Sui and his tens of thousands of Beimang elite cavalry are currently observing from the entrance to Youzhou. If I arrive too late, I'm afraid I won't get to see this renowned Son-in-law of Dongyue."

Yang Shenxing nodded, his expression unchanged, but in his mind, he was rapidly calculating. This time, he had left the capital in low spirits, bearing the merely ceremonial title of Beiliang Dao Deputy Military Commissioner. He was also considered utterly irrelevant. There had been no correspondence during his journey, and he hadn't interacted with anyone along the way, leaving him completely blind to the world's situation. He only knew the news from before he left the capital: Hutou City had fallen, Dong Zhuo's army was able to spread out its lines, making the first line of defense outside Liangzhou Pass precarious. So much so that Yang Shenxing thought he would see scenes of large numbers of refugees hastily fleeing Beiliang as he neared Youzhou. But Xu Fengnian's casual remark about going to the Helan Mountains to confront Wang Sui's cavalry startled Yang Shenxing greatly. Could Beiliang be preparing to abandon the entire battlefield outside Liangzhou Pass? Half a year ago, many war reports related to Beiliang were frequently sent to the capital from the Lianghuai region, and Beiliang hadn't deliberately blockaded them. But since the spring of the second year of Xiangfu, it had become difficult for Zhao Gou spies and Lianghuai officials to obtain first-hand Beiliang military intelligence. Yang Shenxing heard they were all rooted out, and some spies disguised as Jianghu people seemed to have been quickly detained by Fushui Manor after accompanying Xuanyuan Qingfeng to Beiliang. For this, the imperial Ministry of War and Ministry of Justice were greatly infuriated.

When Xu Fengnian took the tea bowl from the woman, Yang Huchen couldn't help but roll his eyes. The woman had delivered tea to the father and son by simply setting the bowls down on the table. But only for the young prince did she approach the table holding the bowl with both hands, twisting her stout waist like a large water snake. She wasn't in a hurry to place the bowl on the table, and when Xu Fengnian reached out for it, there was naturally a brief, light brush of hands. The woman, having gained an advantage, didn't stop there; she jokingly teased, "Handsome young man, are you married? If not, we have a lovely girl in our village; Auntie can be your matchmaker." This utterly astonished Yang Huchen, making him wonder, "Are all Beiliang women this wild and fierce?" Even stranger, Xu Fengnian not only didn't get angry but even smiled and bantered back a few words, showing no thinner skin than a ruffian from the marketplace. Instead, he made the woman blush like never before. Yang Huchen immediately felt a sense of displeasure. As a seasoned first-rate military general, Yang Huchen already had a poor impression of this new King of Beiliang. Now, witnessing Xu Fengnian's frivolous behavior firsthand, Yang Huchen's brow furrowed even deeper. But for some reason, out of the corner of his eye, Yang Huchen saw his father's smiling face, which didn't seem feigned, but rather like an experienced playboy observing a rising star. Yang Huchen was somewhat bewildered.

Xu Fengnian took a sip of tea, and his next words startled Yang Huchen so much that he nearly dropped his bowl: "Along the central front, Dong Zhuo's army, after a long and unsuccessful siege of Huaiyang Pass, has retreated. The battle in Liuzhou was the most brutal; only one-tenth of the 30,000 Dragon Elephant Army remained, and Liu Gui led the remnants to Longyao Prefecture. As for outside Hulu Pass in Youzhou, Yang Yuanzan is dead, and Zhong Tan and Hong Jingyan are missing."

Yang Shenxing lowered his head to drink, his expression unclear, but the ripples on the surface of the tea in his bowl were continuous.

Yang Huchen unconsciously blurted out, "This is impossible!"

Yang Shenxing suddenly looked up, his face filled with anger, and said, "Huchen, how dare you!"

Yang Shenxing put down his tea bowl, turned to Xu Fengnian, and apologized, "My Lord, Huchen has been extremely rude; please forgive him."

Xu Fengnian said playfully, "Forgive what sin? I, Xu Fengnian, am not the Liyang Emperor; how could I punish a Jizhou deputy general?"

Sweat beaded on Yang Shenxing's forehead.

Yang Huchen clenched one hand into a fist, pressing it tightly against his knee under the table. He no longer cared about being scolded by the old man. Staring into Xu Fengnian's eyes, he asked, "Did Beiliang truly crush Beimang's million iron cavalry?!"

Xu Fengnian answered evasively, slowly saying, "Many people died in Beiliang."

Yang Shenxing said sternly, "Yang Huchen! Shut up!"

Yang Huchen, who had received the exceptionally rare commendation of "both loyal and filial" after meeting the emperor, now had veins bulging on his neck. He actually turned a deaf ear to the old man's rebuke, staring wide-eyed, as if willing to risk his life to challenge the young prince to the very end.

Xu Fengnian smiled slightly, "Whether it's you, Yang Huchen, or your father, are you worth me deceiving?"

The single-minded Yang Huchen pressed further, "May I ask, My Lord, how did Beiliang manage to win three battles simultaneously?"

Before Xu Fengnian could speak, Yang Shenxing stood up and slapped his son hard on the head. "You scoundrel, no one will mistake you for a mute if you keep quiet!"

A man who held the respectable rank of Jizhou deputy general, his hair disheveled from being hit by his own father, still didn't give up. He continued, gritting his teeth, and asked, "My Lord, did Beiliang truly defeat the Beimang barbarians?!"

Xu Fengnian nodded, "Yes, we won."

Yang Shenxing almost kicked this scoundrel flying. Xu Fengnian waved his hand at the old man, "Elder Yang, never mind."

Yang Shenxing stamped his foot heavily, saying with deep anguish, "My Lord, it's not that I'm boasting, but if Huchen didn't have this damned stubborn temper, with his ability to lead troops, he could have long ago landed a position as one of the four influential generals in Taian City. I truly don't feel at ease with him dealing with those slick officials in Taian City! My Lord, just look, when his bad temper flares up, he even dares to be impudent in front of you. If he went to the capital, what would become of him! Not to mention losing his official post, he might even lose his head!"

Xu Fengnian laughed, "General Yang is only suited to leading and managing troops in the provinces. If he were an official in the capital, he certainly couldn't compare to those figures who have long become extremely shrewd. I reckon General Yang wouldn't be happy even if he became one of the Four Pillars generals."

Yang Shenxing sighed with emotion, "Yes, that's right. So this time Huchen volunteered to return to Jizhou, and I didn't stop him; I couldn't have even if I tried."

Yang Huchen muttered, utterly dejected, "Won? Really won?"

Xu Fengnian teased, "What, General Yang, do you not wish for Beiliang to win? Aren't you afraid your father, after traveling thousands of li to Beiliang, would find the post roads filled with rampant Beimang cavalry?"

Yang Huchen, who had finally regained his senses, instinctively reached out and touched his empty sleeve. "Losing an arm, I, Yang Huchen, never thought it was anything significant. It's just a pity that it was cut off by our own Liyang people on the battlefield, and not in the borderlands, under the blade of a Beimang barbarian."

Yang Huchen grinned, then suddenly stood up, making the old man flinch in fright. Yang Shenxing was afraid this fellow would contradict Xu Fengnian again. He raised his hand and pressed it on his son's shoulder, "Sit down and speak!"

Yang Huchen shook his head, reached out and raised his tea bowl, and spoke to Xu Fengnian with a solemn and deep voice: "My Lord, without wine, I, Yang Huchen, boldly take the liberty to use tea instead of wine, to toast you, and to toast all Beiliang soldiers with a bowl! My greatest wish in this life, Beiliang has accomplished it. Regardless of what a messy situation Liyang and Beiliang might be in later, I, Yang Huchen, owe you a bowl of wine. If one day you die on the Liangmang battlefield, I will lead my troops to the battlefield where you fell to toast you! If you, Xu Fengnian, die at the hands of the Liyang court, then I will go alone to the execution ground to toast you that bowl of wine!"

Yang Shenxing closed his eyes, thinking, "This child, Huchen, truly has a death wish. Can such treasonous and ominous words be spoken aloud?"

But unexpectedly, Xu Fengnian also raised his tea bowl, stood up, and laughed, "This bowl of tea offered as wine, I must drink. Also, if you, Yang Huchen, ever have the chance to come to Beiliang in the future, whether I am alive or dead, remember to bring a jar of good wine. How can one bowl be enough?"

Tea bowls clinked, and Xu Fengnian and Yang Huchen each drank theirs dry.

In the distance, the woman, who couldn't clearly hear the conversation, glanced back at the three customers. While tidying up her things, she grumbled irritably, "These gentlemen, really! Drinking tea worth a few coppers and acting all heroic and ambitious? Such poor affectation!"

After drinking the tea, Yang Huchen, formerly Jizhou's foremost fierce general, bid farewell and turned to leave. Yang Shenxing, still with lingering fear, laughed and scolded, "Hurry up and get out!"

Xu Fengnian and Yang Shenxing sat back down on their stools. The woman quickly picked up the teapot and promptly poured them another bowl of tea. Xu Fengnian laughed, "Madam, don't just add water without adding tea leaves; that's not very honest of you. Before, a bowl of tea cost two coins; now these two bowls can only be counted as one coin per bowl."

The woman gently twisted Xu Fengnian's arm with two fingers, laughing irritably, "Alright, alright, one coin it is. Just consider it Auntie giving you a bargain. It's not Auntie criticizing you, but you're handsome and your accent sounds like one of us Beiliang people, yet why are you not straightforward at all? Don't get me wrong, Auntie finds you pleasing to the eye, but if I were truly choosing a man to spend my life with, I'd still pick my rough-and-tumble husband."

Xu Fengnian grinned mischievously, "Yes, yes, strong and powerful, right?"

The woman blushed and glared, "You little rascal! Such a glib talker, clearly a scholar! And the kind who can't even pass the imperial exams!"

Finally, the woman hesitated for a moment, then asked persistently, "Do you really not want Auntie to be your matchmaker?"

Xu Fengnian laughed heartily, shook his head, and said, "I already have a wife."

At this sight, Yang Shenxing felt a sense of melancholy. Beiliang, it truly was different from Liyang.

Xu Fengnian put away his smile and said softly, "People from poor places have hard lives, but many, while enduring hardship, refuse to surrender to fate."

Yang Shenxing nodded, "The world's elite soldiers come from Liaodong and Lianglong; the ancient saying is not without reason."

Xu Fengnian asked, "Elder Yang, there are two paths now. One is to be an idle Deputy Military Commissioner, essentially spending your later years in peace on Qingliang Mountain."

Before Xu Fengnian could mention the second path, Yang Shenxing said calmly, "My Lord, I'll choose this path. I'm old; I can't stand much more trouble. Moreover, even if Huchen has left the capital, he is still in Jizhou after all."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Alright. Our Beiliang isn't large, and its scenery naturally can't compare to the Central Plains. But at least Mount Wudang offers a cool retreat in summer, and Lingzhou, our 'Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall,' is also a good place for winter. Whenever you get bored staying on Qingliang Mountain, feel free to travel around."

Yang Shenxing wished to speak but stopped himself.

The old man couldn't believe Xu Fengnian would be so generous.

To tolerate Yang Huchen's offense, and even allow Yang Shenxing to live comfortably in Beiliang.

"If it were anyone else coming to Beiliang Dao as this Deputy Military Commissioner, they wouldn't even think of entering Youzhou."

Xu Fengnian looked into the distance and said softly, "Yang Huchen has a father for whom he is willing to be a stable boy; I, Xu Fengnian, didn't just pop out of a rock, so of course I also have one. My father Xu Xiao has an old ledger of accounts from this life. Of those owed to him, some he got back, some he couldn't. And there are also those he owed others: some he repaid, and some he was destined not to repay."

Xu Fengnian glanced at the old man, who had clearly forgotten a certain past incident, and smiled slightly, "Back then, after a Liyang captain repeatedly lost to Wang Sui of Dongyue, even though he had managed to save some money, no one was willing to sell him a few hundred soldiers. At that time, there was only one military general named Yang Shenxing who, although he also didn't part with his own troops, was the only one who didn't make cynical remarks. Once, on the way to the Ministry of War, he even initiated a few words of conversation. Many years later, that person, who was no longer what he used to be, said that one should remember grudges, but also remember people's good deeds. Among those, he mentioned a general named Yang Shenxing, saying he wasn't good at leading troops in battle, but as a person, he was 'just alright'."

Yang Shenxing said wistfully, "So there was such an old story, I had forgotten all about it. I never thought the Grand General remembered it, and even told Your Royal Highness."

Then the old man stroked his white beard and chuckled, "To have the Grand General himself say the three words 'just alright,' I, Yang Shenxing, should be content. Of course, as a general, being told I'm not good at fighting, even if it's the Grand General saying it, I, Yang Shenxing, am still a bit unconvinced."

Xu Fengnian neither confirmed nor denied this. He said with a smile, "Someone will escort Elder Yang to Liangzhou shortly. I won't see you off."

Yang Shenxing nodded, "Rightly so. I wouldn't dare delay Your Royal Highness's journey."

Xu Fengnian paid the bill. Soon, dozens of cavalry rode swiftly along the post road. Among them was a tall horse, unridden. Yang Shenxing vaulted onto the horse, clasped his fist to Xu Fengnian and said, "My Lord, I take my leave!"

Xu Fengnian nodded, "We'll meet again in Liangzhou."

The tea stall woman, intimidated by the dozens of armored cavalry, opened her mouth wide. She carefully pricked up her ears when she heard the title "Wangye" (Prince/Lord). After the cavalry rode far away, she leaned closer to Xu Fengnian and asked curiously, "Young man, your name is strange. Surname Wang, given name Ye? Such a grand name, your parents must have quite the ambitions. But from your looks, your father must be a general from our Beiliang, right? Otherwise, take this tea money back?"

Xu Fengnian, who was actually going to Lingzhou instead of the Helan Mountains, shook his head and said with a smile, "If in another two years, Madam, you can still peacefully sell tea here, and I happen to come for tea again, how about giving me a discount?"

The woman laughed, "Sure, it's just a few coins. At most, my man will scold me for being a spendthrift wife. Alas, it's a pity, but by then, Auntie probably wouldn't dare touch you again."

Xu Fengnian said helplessly, "You're still so bold."

Threads of sunlight filtered through the tree shade, dappling the small table, long bench, and tea bowls, quiet and peaceful.

Yang Shenxing, on horseback, looked back and vaguely saw that scene.

For some reason, a thought inexplicably arose in the old man's heart, being in Beiliang.

"Completely useless, that's the Central Plains."

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