Chapter 845: You Only See the Monarch Alone

Xu Fengnian finished his last cup of wine and gently set it down. Since it was a shared table, as more large dishes of meat and wine were brought to the other diners, his own plates and bowls were pushed together, looking pitifully squashed. It was a complete usurpation.

As if afraid this unwelcome man would covet their beauty and shamelessly ask the waiter for more wine, the four men cast unfriendly glances at Xu Fengnian when he put down his cup.

Xu Fengnian smiled and was about to discreetly pay the bill and leave.

This was because Xu Beizhi, who had found his way here for some unknown reason, was actually standing behind the woman. He had earlier declined Xu Fengnian's offer to sit down, having been standing for the duration of two cups of wine, and would cackle gleefully whenever he heard the two scholars mock Xu Fengnian.

Xu Fengnian felt quite guilty about this young strategist whom he had personally "abducted" from Beiliang. The rivalry between Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang had been subtly foreshadowed by their master, Li Yishan, when he was alive. Regarding the cultivation of these two "uncut gems," Li Yishan had also offered Xu Fengnian unique insights, sharing his wisdom. He had said, "Xu Beizhi is like a noblewoman: even with an average appearance, she possesses an inherent air of grandeur. She needs careful sculpting in the finer details, removing any negative arrogance, to gradually reveal her stunning beauty and improve. Chen Xiliang is like a beautiful woman from a poor family: though extremely charming and attractive, she ultimately lacks an innate sense of wealth and status. She needs to be given spirit and a broader perspective in the larger scheme of things to become truly accomplished and captivating without being overtly seductive."

For these reasons, in recent years, Xu Fengnian had tried to keep Chen Xiliang "by his side," first entrusting him with the management of Beiliang's salt and iron, and later putting him in charge of the military and administrative reforms in Beiliang. Conversely, he had "cast out" Xu Beizhi, sending him away from Qingliang Mountain to slowly climb the ranks in Lingzhou's bureaucracy. Only when the war with Beimang was imminent, forcing the hasty removal of Zhong Hongwu, did Xu Beizhi rapidly advance. Now, their career trajectories were perfectly inverted: Chen Xiliang was far away in Liuzhou in the Western Regions, while Xu Beizhi was in the Qingliang Mountain Prince's Residence—a clear twist of fate. On the surface, Xu Beizhi had served as the Prefect of Lingzhou, a pragmatic regional governor. Now, as the Beiliang Dao Transport Commissioner, his role seemed slightly less substantive but was akin to a provincial official in Liyang entering the capital to serve as a Minister of one of the Six Boards. If he could experience another period of provincial service followed by a recall to the central government, he would almost certainly become a Grand Tutor or Junior Grand Tutor. In contrast, Chen Xiliang's involvement in the three matters of salt, iron, transport, and military administration had seen two failures and one success. His official positions had consistently been neither high nor low, and he had only just become the Inspector in Qingcang City, Liuzhou—a rank even lower than Xu Beizhi's former Prefect of Lingzhou, making it seem as if he had been left far behind by Xu Beizhi. However, in reality, the powerful military officers within Beiliang who had benefited from the reforms, such as Wang Zhi, Huang Xiaokuai, and Jiao Wuyi, felt a sense of gratitude towards Chen Xiliang as the mastermind behind them. Moreover, the desperate defense of Qingcang City elevated Chen Xiliang to a transcendent status, and both the Beiliang bureaucracy and scholars traveling to Beiliang highly praised his decision to exchange his pen for a sword. One was a second-rank Transport Commissioner not yet formally recognized by the imperial court, while the other was a widely respected and steadily rising Inspector of Liuzhou. One was a Prefect "hidden" in Beiliang's inner regions, who would continue to deal with taxes and provisions, while the other was a key civilian official in Liuzhou who had personally heard the hooves of Beimang's cavalry and seen their iron armor. The future achievements of these two would not be judged by the height of their official ranks.

Deep down, Xu Fengnian knew that Xu Beizhi, with his grand strategic talent, had been "hidden" in Lingzhou simply because Xu Fengnian needed a stable transition for his hereditary succession. Otherwise, Xu Beizhi should have been overseeing major affairs in Youzhou or Liuzhou; one of the Prefect positions held by Yang Guangdou or Hu Kui should have originally gone to Xu Beizhi. Unfortunately, the second Beiliang-Mang war was imminent, and Xu Fengnian still needed Xu Beizhi to stay away from the battlefield, securing a stable rear for Beiliang's border armies. This kind of "battlefield without smoke and fire" would inevitably go unnoticed by the common people, and even overlooked by the Beiliang bureaucracy. Naturally, it would not shine as brightly or spectacularly as Chen Xiliang's work on the front lines.

As Xu Fengnian stood up to call the waiter, Xu Beizhi, as if a nerve had misfired, stepped forward, smilingly patted the woman's shoulder, and when she turned around in surprise, asked, "May I ask your name?"

The two scholars who had traveled from afar glared furiously at this lewd fellow. The chivalrous man from Liaodong abruptly stood up, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and said in a deep voice, "Boy, I advise you to take your filthy paw off Miss Lu's shoulder!"

The four only saw the young man reluctantly withdraw his hand, but then he raised both hands and clapped them together loudly.

Soon, a Beiliang warrior in iron armor strode into the tavern. The hall immediately fell silent.

This general was clearly no ordinary soldier; even guessing he was a border army captain would be underestimating him.

Xu Beizhi acted exactly like an overbearing dandy, placing his "filthy paw" on the woman's shoulder again, and with his other hand, pointed behind him, smiling, "What? Not convinced?!"

The burly, murderous-looking general stood behind Xu Beizhi, his presence formidable, but his eyes conveyed helplessness. *Damn it, I'm a dignified, powerful military commandant from Lingzhou, and I've become the type of lackey who helps his young master bully men and women? And this is happening right in front of the Prince of Beiliang!*

Xu Fengnian, who was pulling out money to pay the bill, felt a headache coming on. The waiter quickly took the money for the wine and fled.

The Liaodong chivalrous man immediately loosened his grip on his sword hilt. Although he said nothing to indicate submission, he was clearly intent on resolving the matter peacefully.

Xu Beizhi suddenly turned to face the Jizhou strongman, took two steps forward, slapped the man's head, and cursed, "Your accent sounds like Jizhou? Jizhou, right? I was almost going to be your Military Commissioner in Jizhou! Damn your Jizhou..."

If it were up to Xu Beizhi, Beiliang's iron cavalry would indeed "borrow grain" from Hezhou and Jizhou, advancing all the way to the western part of the imperial capital region.

This pent-up frustration was something Xu Fengnian, being a tough Grandmaster, couldn't vent. Today, Xu Beizhi finally seized a convenient opportunity.

The Jizhou hero was truly at a loss for words, almost wanting to cry. "I wasn't the one who provoked you! I was just busy with that greasy chicken leg, I even missed my chance to butter up Miss Lu, and I certainly didn't have time to glare at you. Why are you unleashing your anger on me?"

Besides the Lingzhou commandant, seven or eight armored soldiers quickly moved in, making Xu Beizhi's "bullying with power" even more obvious.

Xu Fengnian stood up, walked around the table, took Xu Beizhi's hand, and softly said, "Let's go."

Xu Beizhi violently shook off Xu Fengnian's hand and angrily said, "Go, go, go! All you know is concession! If you showed even a shred of the spirit you have against Beimang to Liyang's court, they wouldn't dare send Wen Taiyi and Ma Zhongxian to Jing'an Dao to take over the grain transport! When I was in Lingzhou, I was called the 'Rice-Buying Prefect,' and now I'm here in Qingliang Mountain, a Transport Commissioner, still a 'Grain-Buying Official'! That's fine, but our Beiliang iron cavalry, that *does* matter!"

Xu Beizhi, who had accumulated countless grievances, finally erupted in rage, punching Xu Fengnian in the chest. "Liyang wants fewer deaths in the world, and Beiliang agrees to that! But if Liyang wants *more* deaths in Beiliang, I, Xu Beizhi, will be the first to refuse!"

The repeated mentions of "Wen Taiyi," "Ma Zhongxian," and "I, Xu Beizhi."

Not only were the two scholars who had just mocked Beiliang over the grain transport situation now scared silent.

The entire tavern held its breath.

Xu Fengnian looked as if he wanted to speak but refrained.

Xu Beizhi's expression suddenly became like that of a disheartened old man, his spirit fading, as he self-mockingly said, "I know, eventually you'll ensure the imperial court doesn't withhold a single stone of grain or fodder from Beiliang. You, as the Prince of Beiliang, have actually done very well."

Xu Beizhi looked at the young prince. "But, I feel it's not worth it for you!"

Xu Beizhi suddenly spun around and almost roared at the five people, "Do you think everyone in Beiliang is a fool? Are all those names on the stone tablets fools? Did they generously go to war and die outside the pass just for this bastard named Xu Fengnian?!"

Xu Beizhi, who hadn't been drinking but seemed drunk, surveyed his surroundings. "If I were Xu Fengnian, that spineless bastard, I would have long ago cut down you lot, who aren't even worthy of being called bastards! South of the Pass, that's my Beiliang! Don't forget, south of Beiliang is your Central Plains!"

Xu Fengnian shook his head and said, "Orange, I'm not feeling wronged."

Xu Beizhi stared blankly at him, then said in a low, bitter voice, "I am wronged."

Xu Fengnian smiled, picked up an unopened pot of wine from the table, and put an arm around Xu Beizhi's shoulder. "Alright, I'll buy you a drink."

Without further ado, Xu Fengnian led Xu Beizhi away, not forgetting to turn to the waiter, who stood frozen with the copper coins that should have been Xu Fengnian's change but dared not approach, and joked, "Don't charge these guests for one pot of wine; that makes us even."

The powerful military commandant acting as Xu Beizhi's escort was Wang Zhi, son of the old Beiliang general Wang Shiqu. After the Battle of Jianmen Pass, he was put in charge of the Lazikou section of Micang Ridge Road, bordering Lingzhou and Western Shu. He was now one of Beiliang's fourteen powerful military commandants. Hong Shuwen, who had distinguished himself in the Phoenix Battalion, now served under Wang Zhi, which clearly indicated Wang Zhi's standing in the young prince's eyes.

Some voices were heard by the Fushui Chamber, and thus by Xu Fengnian as well.

In Beiliang, to become a power center—literally "eating from the mountain by relying on the mountain"—one needed to reach the position of a military leader, or at the very least, be connected to the border army and military authority. Otherwise, no matter how high one's position, like Li Gongde as a Governor-General, one would not have a significant voice in Beiliang. Before Xu Fengnian took over as prince, would Li Gongde have dared to glare at Zhong Hongwu? No, not even Zhong Hongwu's subordinates would have dared. The true power centers in Beiliang, besides the genuinely old generals like Yan Wenluan, He Zhonghu, and Chen Yunchui, also included figures like Huangfu Ping and Hu Kui, because they held military power. However, Tian Peifang, the Prefect of Liangzhou, whose official rank was half a step higher, did not qualify. Currently, Chen Xiliang could also be considered a power center because he had the advantage of proximity to the Dragon-Elephant Army, and during the Battle of Qingcang City, he forged a life-and-death bond with Liuzhou General Kou Jianghuai. But Xu Beizhi was different. As he left Lingzhou and entered the Prince's Residence, the group of young and strong military officers like Wang Zhi, who had good relations with Xu Beizhi, would start having their own thoughts. Thus, when Beiliang's top figures met in Jubei City, Wang Zhi's departure from Lazikou to north of the pass was not just Wang Zhi's personal desire to advocate for Xu Beizhi; it was also implicitly sanctioned by Lingzhou General Han Laoshan, and indeed, a collective "statement" from the entire Lingzhou military system, which held high hopes for Xu Beizhi.

Xu Beizhi was one example; in fact, almost all border army generals were similarly constrained by circumstances. Why was Zhou Kang, the commander of the Left Cavalry Army, so vehemently opposed to the division of forces? Was it truly because "Brocade Pheasant" (Zhou Kang's nickname) was greedy for power? It was not that simple. Zhou Kang enjoyed the support of many prominent military families in the region. Zhou Kang often had to consider their interests. As long as Zhou Kang, the Deputy Commander of the Cavalry, wished to advance further in the border army, he undoubtedly needed to reassure those behind him. It was just that Xu Fengnian was too dominant; he caught Zhou Kang off guard on the city wall in front of everyone, forcing "Brocade Pheasant" to submit. So, after descending from the city wall, He Zhonghu, the commander of the Right Cavalry Army, whose troops were also redistributed, called Zhou Kang to drink together. Xu Fengnian observed and kept all these actions in mind. As long as "Brocade Pheasant" did not take extreme measures, it was acceptable; there was no reason to strip someone of their military authority and then not allow them to complain a bit.

Chu Lushang, nominally the foremost figure of the Beiliang border army, remained at the Huaiyang Pass Protectorate this time and did not appear at all. Perhaps even he, the "villain," found this particular villainous act impossible to perform. Rather than being ineffective and inviting resentment, he simply chose to stay secluded.

Liyang's former Emperor Zhao Dun killed Zhang Julu.

So, one day, if Beimang were truly defeated, would Xu Fengnian also have to make choices between Xu Beizhi, Chen Xiliang, and certain larger strategic goals?

Similarly, would Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang also have to choose between the Prince of Beiliang and certain ideals and dreams?

Perhaps not, perhaps so.

This "perhaps" was already unsettling and uncomfortable enough.

For common folk nibbling on steamed buns and for princes feasting amidst bells and cauldrons, their respective pains and comforts might differ in scope, but the weight of that pain and comfort was never greater or lesser.

For immortal couples roaming the martial world, for talented scholars and beautiful women in small towns, or for elderly couples growing old together in remote villages, love might differ in its grandeur or serenity, but the depth of their mutual affection was actually no different.

Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi walked onto a not-so-tall parapet of a market outer wall. Wang Zhi, understanding the situation, did not follow.

Xu Fengnian squatted on the low wall, eating a roasted naan he had just bought from a vendor. He had bought two, and since Xu Beizhi didn't want one, he ate both of them stacked together.

Xu Beizhi sat cross-legged, his fists resting on his legs, staring blankly into space.

Xu Fengnian asked indistinctly, "Orange, why did you suddenly get so angry? Besides me, who else provoked you?"

Xu Beizhi slowly replied, "This world provoked me, and you're so spineless, passively enduring humiliation. Of course I'm unhappy."

Xu Fengnian, his cheeks puffed out from eating the naan, turned and grinned flatteringly, "Actually, I'm unhappy too. Maybe my skin's just too thick for you to tell."

Xu Beizhi didn't turn his head. "If one day Beiliang conquers Beimang and takes control of the world, I won't go to the Central Plains; I'll return to Beimang."

Xu Fengnian let out a surprised "Ah." "That would truly be a pity. Let me tell you, my elder sister used to tell me that the land and water in Jiangnan were good, producing beautiful, delightful maidens everywhere, just to trick me into going. I didn't believe her then, but when I went to see for myself, it was really true. If it weren't for the women of Rouge County giving Beiliang some face, I'd truly be reluctant to leave the Central Plains and Jiangnan. Even if you don't want to be a Liyang official, you should at least go see it."

Xu Beizhi looked up at the sun, squinting, "No, I won't go. This life, I've walked from north to south, and reaching Lingzhou in Beiliang is already south enough."

Xu Fengnian leaned his shoulder against Xu Beizhi. "Orange, didn't you fancy any girls in Lingzhou? If you did, and she didn't agree, I'll help you snatch her."

Xu Beizhi turned to look at this unseemly young prince and said seriously, "If you become emperor, don't let Chen Xiliang be the Grand Tutor. It would be better for both of you."

Xu Fengnian paused, then laughed, "Don't worry, I won't be emperor."

Xu Beizhi added, "Then don't let Chen Xiliang become Liyang's second Zhang Julu."

Xu Fengnian patted his chest, "If we truly defeat Beimang and have no more worries, controlling who lives and who dies won't be as difficult as you imagine."

Xu Beizhi shook his head. "Zhang Julu wanted to die."

Xu Fengnian fell into thought.

Xu Beizhi sighed, "Chen Xiliang is not suited for the central court. He would only be able to enjoy his later years, perhaps having a day to play with his grandchildren, if he served as an Inspector of a single province, or at most, a Governor-General far from the capital."

Xu Fengnian nodded. "I'll pass on your words when I have the chance, but as for what Chen Xiliang himself thinks, I won't stop him, and I probably couldn't anyway."

Xu Beizhi extended his hand.

Xu Fengnian asked puzzled, "What for?"

Xu Beizhi glared, "The naan!"

Xu Fengnian broke off half of the remaining roasted naan and handed it to Xu Beizhi.

Xu Beizhi devoured the naan, then wiped his mouth. "Persimmon, when I'm unhappy, I can vent on you. But what do you do when you're unhappy?"

Xu Fengnian replied without hesitation, "Fight the Beimang barbarians!"

Xu Beizhi, sitting on the ground, closed his eyes and patted his knees with his hands.

Xu Fengnian followed the beat, whistling.

One Persimmon, one Orange.

Accompanied by Persimmon's light whistle, Orange suddenly said loudly:"You only see, you only see ten thousand carp leaping over the Dragon Gate in Tide-Listening Lake!"Persimmon followed with a hearty laugh:"But you don't see Qingliang Mountain, where countless stone tablets bear names!""You only see, you only see heads piled into a Jingguan at Calabash Pass!""But you don't see beneath the high walls, where the bones of the dead support each other!""You only see, you only see cavalry galloping into the west wind north of Liangzhou!""But you don't see south of the border pass, where the clear sounds of reading emerge from humble huts!""You only see, you only see three hundred thousand iron cavalry, peerless under heaven!""But you don't see the people of Beiliang, with every household clad in white mourning!"

Many years later, the Prince of Beiliang's Residence on Qingliang Mountain had long become the Governor-General's Residence for the Beiliang Dao.

In the dead of night, a white-haired old man stood alone with a cane in the windy, snowy night, gazing at the end of the street.

The old man surnamed Chen, hailed as the foremost border official of Liyang's new dynasty, had guarded this residence, originally belonging to the Xu family, for forty years.

A full forty years.

For this reason, in the late autumn of the previous year, he had refused the newly enthroned Liyang Emperor's summons to become the new dynasty's Grand Tutor.

Thus, he had effectively turned away the posthumous title of "Wenzheng" himself.

Everyone in Liyang, both within and outside the court, knew that this humble scholar from Jiangnan, who had risen through the ranks in Beiliang and never left its borders, had harbored the grand ambition of being posthumously honored as "Wenzheng" even before he came to Beiliang.

He had just resigned from his office yesterday.

Now, the frail old man's frosted hair was the same color as the wind and snow.

Just as the old man, whose vision was blurring, thought no one would arrive, a carriage slowly pulled up.

The old man tremblingly walked down the steps.

From the carriage stepped another equally white-haired old man.

The old man who had traveled a long distance was clearly not as robust as the old man surnamed Chen from the large residence. The old man surnamed Xu, clad in a heavy fur coat, needed the support of the coachman, also surnamed Xu, to walk up to Lord Chen.

The three of them walked up the steps together, then turned to look at the heavy snowfall on the street.

Separated by the person in the middle who showed the fewest signs of aging, Chen Xiliang, the Governor-General of Beiliang Dao who had held his position for over thirty years without budging, leaned slightly forward and turned to look at the other old man, saying in a soft, hoarse chuckle, "I helped His Highness guard Beiliang Dao and this Qingliang Mountain for forty years, so you're not as good as me, right, Xu Beizhi?"

The decrepit old man in the thick fur coat mustered all his strength to let out a cold snort. "You won... you won, alright?"

The old man in the middle, though of similar age, appeared to be only a little over forty. He took Chen Xiliang's hand in one and Xu Beizhi's in the other, and softly chuckled, "Stop bickering."

Liyang's emperors changed, and regnal eras changed.

But the three old men—Xu Fengnian, Xu Beizhi, and Chen Xiliang—

Only this night, witnessed a great snowfall in Beiliang.