Chapter 848: Providing Timely Assistance to the World in Snow

White Horse from Liangzhou

This chapter is from

Previous Chapter: Chapter 272 - The Childhood Sweetheart General and the Widow

Two months later, Xu Fengnian returned from beyond the pass only at the end of winter, amidst heavy snowfall. If all went as expected, this would be Beiliang's last snow of Xiangfu Year Two.

Entering the city late at night, neither Xu Fengnian nor Xu Beizhi rode in a carriage. Behind them were eight hundred White Horse Volunteers, their white armor and white horses blending into the snowy night.

On this snow-melting morning, Xu Fengnian donned a fox fur coat he hadn't changed in years, walked out of the significantly expanded Wutong Courtyard, and went alone to the lakeside pavilion in Tingchao Lake. Leaning against a pillar, he gazed at the lake. He had heard that earlier, two women from the manor had treated the lotus flowers on the lake as small wishing ponds, frequently throwing copper coins into the water, with the result that the lotus roots soon became riddled with holes. In his youth, the four children surnamed Xu at Qingliang Mountain – two boys and two girls – along with Xu Xiao himself, didn't create a sense of female dominance over male. Now, however, things were different. Xu Fengnian and Huang Man'er were absent from Qingliang Mountain for most of the year, yet the number of women had increased significantly. Besides Lu Chengyan and Wang Chudong, there was Xu Ying, who favored crimson robes; Miss Haha, who wore a mink hat; the peerlessly beautiful Chen Yu; the young girl Chen Xiliang brought with him when he came to Liang; and Lv Pao'er, whom Yu Xinlang left at the manor. Occasionally, Huyan Daguan's daughter would also secretly visit Qingliang Mountain to play. Even Wutong Courtyard now had seven "female scholars" in red robes, nominally second and third-class maids of Wutong Courtyard, each named after one of the seven necessities: firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. This seemed to be Lu Chengyan's dubious idea, and it was truly on par with and a continuation of the names he, the young master of Wutong Courtyard, used to give his maids in earlier years, such as Green Ant, White Wine, and Cucumber.

Xu Fengnian stayed late last night at Song Dongming's and Bai Yu's yamen offices. Beyond general matters, even crucial issues concerning the promotion of fourth and fifth-rank officials, as long as they didn't involve sensitive local military affairs, Xu Fengnian granted both of them wide discretionary powers. Thus, last night was mostly a routine affair, with Song and Bai conducting business akin to a monarch receiving memorials, while Xu Fengnian, the hands-off manager, merely acted as a "nodding prince." However, there was one troublesome matter: Deputy Military Commissioner Song Dongming specifically presented it to Xu Fengnian as the final, most challenging issue. At the time, Master Bailian was by his side, head lowered, sipping hot tea with an amused smile. Xu Fengnian also felt a headache upon hearing this. It turned out that after Lu Chengyan was confirmed as Beiliang's principal consort, Lu Dongjiang, the father-in-law who had once been renowned throughout the Central Plains, became active, aiming to contend for the position of Liangzhou Governor. The former governor, Tian Peifang, whether out of sagacity to retire gracefully or forced by circumstances, submitted his resignation to Qingliang Mountain upon returning to Jubing City. Subsequently, with the Liangzhou Governor staying within the pass and the Vice-Governor outside, the formation of "internal and external governors" for areas within and beyond the pass was already a foregone conclusion. This made Lu Dongjiang, who had initially only coveted the Vice-Governor position, suddenly change his tune. Leveraging the favorable wind of his daughter's elevated status, he hoped to secure the third-highest civilian official position in Beiliang with one step. Xu Fengnian had no recourse but to employ a delaying tactic. Xu Fengnian was actually well aware of the Lu clan's actions since their arrival in Liang. That group of conceited scholars were either beyond help, or the very few truly useful talents among them should not be pushed too quickly. But Lu Dongjiang didn't see it that way. Even though Xu Fengnian had already compensated the Lu clan regarding the new city's construction, Lu Dongjiang clearly didn't believe this was the treatment due to the illustrious Lu clan of Qingzhou. Unfortunately, Beiliang was not the imperial court; it had no Hanlin Academy to support idlers, nor did it have titles like "Hall Academicians" to bestow upon people. Ultimately, in Beiliang, which his son-in-law Xu Fengnian governed, it wasn't that he didn't want the Lu family to flourish, but rather that he genuinely couldn't afford to grant them such a high status.

Xu Fengnian looked up to see Bai Yu slowly approaching. Xu Fengnian didn't deliberately adopt a welcoming posture, merely straightening his back. Before entering the lakeside pavilion, Bai Yu stamped his foot heavily on the steps, shaking off snow. The two sat facing each other, and Bai Yu was the first to speak, chuckling, "Ever since I entered the mountains as a child, I've seen several rather spectacular heavy snowfalls in Jiangnan over the years. But it wasn't until I came to Beiliang that I truly understood what heavy snow means; Jiangnan simply can't compare to the North."

Xu Fengnian smiled slightly, "I heard Xu Xiao say that the winter snow in Liaodong is even heavier; 'goose feather snow' doesn't even begin to describe it."

Bai Yu teased, "Snowflakes as big as hands, right? The Grand General's poem, I'd heard it much back when I was at Longhu Mountain."

Xu Fengnian's lips curled up. "The civil officials in Beiliang all found Xu Xiao difficult to serve because their flattery always missed the mark. Only my second sister's tutor, Grand Academician Wang, knew how to flatter him correctly. Actually, the secret to it was very simple: be as shameless as possible. One absolutely couldn't maintain the air of a scholar, because Xu Xiao couldn't understand anything too profound or subtle. He'd be completely confused, and just thinking about how to respond would be difficult for him. Grand Academician Wang was very straightforward. The two of them, both terrible chess players, would fight to a draw on the chessboard, and then he'd praise Xu Xiao, 'You're a master! That move was truly magnificent!' Xu Xiao naturally understood these compliments, so he'd be especially happy. Oh, and Huang Man'er's master, Zhao Xituo, also knew Xu Xiao's weak spot. I remember the first time he came here, he said Huang Man'er was naturally intelligent, handsome, and truly worthy of being the Grand General's son, and so on. Even I couldn't stand it at the time; I thought that old man was most likely a charlatan. Finally, I even had someone take dogs to scare the old Celestial Master. Looking back now, the saying 'true masters keep a low profile' is very true."

Xu Fengnian didn't know if he had opened a floodgate, but he couldn't stop talking. "I remember when I went to Wudang Mountain to practice martial arts and first met the old Sect Master, Wang Chonglou. At that time, I had heard many martial world rumors about him severing a river with one finger, and I greatly admired this Beiliang's top-tier Daoist immortal. When we met, the old Sect Master indeed had an ethereal demeanor and didn't disappoint. But he soon gave himself away. Can you guess what it was?"

Bai Yu shook his head.

Xu Fengnian smiled, his eyes narrowing, full of charm. He said softly, "I was curious and asked the old Sect Master if he really severed a river with one finger. The old man first shook his head and said no, then held up two fingers, saying it was two fingers. At that moment, besides being stunned, impressed, and yearning, I also felt that this old Sect Master, despite his aura of divinity, was quite down-to-earth. You didn't see his expression after he said 'two fingers.' He was clearly trying very hard to pretend to be that kind of reclusive master, but he didn't quite pull it off. In retrospect, you'd realize he was just an old man who had accomplished great deeds in his early years. When he got older and was remembered by young people, especially when mentioned to his face, he'd become so happy he couldn't hide it."

Bai Yu said softly, "The Celestial Master's Residence is quite different."

Xu Fengnian gazed at the lake and murmured, "Later, I finally understood that Xu Xiao, he's also that kind of old man. It's just that when I was young, I never praised him to his face. Instead, I often cursed him, even chased him to hit him, always wanting to make him lose face. At that time, I only thought, 'You killed my mother. Now I have no manners and no etiquette, but it's all your fault, Xu Xiao. Don't blame me, Xu Fengnian.'"

Bai Yu's gaze passed over Xu Fengnian's shoulder, looking towards the other side of Tingchao Lake. After a long silence, he slowly said, "My parents died during the great northern migration of Hongjia. Because they were devout patrons of Wudang Mountain in earlier years, I was taken to the mountain."

Xu Fengnian said, "No grudges?"

Bai Yu stated frankly, "Initially, I held many grudges. Not to mention ordinary folk, even we scholars, when reading history and coming across those fallen monarchs, the historical records only mentioned phrases like 'treacherous officials misled the emperor's ears,' implying the emperor couldn't be blamed. Nor could those civil officials newly listed in the Liyang 'Record of Loyal Officials' be blamed, or those generals who died on the battlefield. So, searching around, the only one left to blame was your father, Grand General Xu Xiao, nicknamed 'the Butcher.' How could a child, having witnessed the collapse of his nation and the ruin of his home, with familiar faces across the land, not harbor resentment?"

Xu Fengnian was silent.

Bai Yu suddenly sighed, "In the end, it turns out there's no one to resent."

Whether it meant one shouldn't resent, or that resentment was futile, Xu Fengnian did not ask.

Bai Yu turned his head to look at the distant path leading to the lakeside pavilion. At the end of the path was a graceful figure. Perhaps upon nearing and spotting them in the pavilion, she turned towards the frozen lake, walking further and further away.

Bai Yu smiled apologetically, "It seems I've ruined the scenery. Otherwise, it would be the Prince and her facing each other, a sight more beautiful than any other scenery."

Xu Fengnian glanced at the figure and said helplessly, "There's nothing between her and me."

Bai Yu's expression was odd.

Xu Fengnian was even more helpless. "Truly."

Bai Yu looked at the figure once more, joking, "Then that's truly a pity."

Xu Fengnian smiled but said nothing.

Just as the two were quietly enjoying the scenery, Song Yu, the manor steward, hurried over, announcing that Military Commissioner Yang Shenxing had come to visit. Xu Fengnian instructed him to bring the Military Commissioner, who had recently arrived in Liang, to the lakeside pavilion.

Bai Yu chuckled, "Old General Yang has been suffering quite a bit in the provincial city these days. The Military Commissioner's residence is practically attacked daily. Scholars throw books at the main gate, common folk hurl stones over the walls, and some even reportedly throw choppers. It's quite chaotic, and the manor servants are terrified, seeing it as a miserable ordeal."

Xu Fengnian saw Master Bailian rise to leave after speaking and suddenly said, "Master Bailian, perhaps you could accompany me to meet Yang Shenxing."

Bai Yu had just bent down to stand up. Upon hearing this, he hesitated for a moment, then sat back down.

As Yang Shenxing strode up the steps, he saw the young Prince sitting, wrapped in his fur coat with hands tucked into his sleeves. However, there was a refined scholar of unknown identity standing to greet him. When Yang Shenxing looked at him, the scholar was smiling, not with a hidden knife, but instead very amiable and natural. After Xu Fengnian introduced their identities, Yang Shenxing was greatly surprised to learn that the man before him was none other than the non-clan Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, Master Bailian, personally bestowed the title by the late Emperor. His heart immediately warmed, feeling a sense of closeness. When he heard Bai Yu personally say he would visit the Military Commissioner's residence for wine whenever he had time, Yang Shenxing, regardless of whether it was genuine or mere courtesy, felt a degree of kinship with Bai Yu. After all, since arriving in Liangzhou, the reason he had closed his doors to visitors was simply that he knew if he took half a step outside, he would be a street rat, cursed and even threatened by everyone. To this day, not a single civil or military official from Liangzhou had shown up, and even the servants and maids in his own residence had unfriendly looks in their eyes. Yang Shenxing had shamelessly come to Qingliang Mountain this time after previously sending a secret letter earnestly requesting Xu Fengnian to greet him upon his return to the provincial city from beyond the pass. Whether the old man entered Qingliang Mountain's princely manor, or rather, whether Xu Fengnian was willing to let this Military Commissioner in, the entire officialdom of Beiliang was watching with bated breath. If he succeeded, Yang Shenxing might not necessarily gain power in Beiliang, but if he failed, his future life would surely be unbearable. Yang Shenxing's initial thought was just to make this visit today, with no grand expectations for Xu Fengnian to put on a grand display; merely saving face would suffice. However, Bai Yu's appearance was an absolute pleasant surprise. As an old fox who had spent most of his life steeped in Liyang's officialdom, Yang Shenxing could often grasp the crux of any development in Beiliang with just a few words from his household servants. For example, the choice of the principal consort and Governor Tian Peifang's resignation: these two events seemed unrelated, but the subtle clues within were very telling. Tian Peifang was secretly showing goodwill to Lu Dongjiang. Given the precedent of the Lingzhou Governor being replaced, he found it better to proactively yield his position now rather than wait one or two years to be forced to give way to an outsider, thereby establishing a spiritual connection with the Lu clan, with Lu Dongjiang, the future Liangzhou Governor, and even with Princess Consort Lu Chengyan.

The three conversed merrily in the lakeside pavilion, not discussing state affairs, but merely light topics.

After enjoying themselves, Bai Yu personally escorted Yang Shenxing all the way out of the princely manor.

Bai Yu stood at the entrance, watching the Military Commissioner leave, a knowing smile on his face.

Since Song Dongming held more real power as Deputy Military Commissioner than Li Gongde, if Xu Fengnian agreed to Lu Dongjiang becoming governor, the entire Lu family would be indebted, and the Lu family would also need someone "in court" at Qingliang Mountain. Between the esteemed scholar Lu Dongjiang and the merchant Wang Linquan, choosing one was like picking the lesser of two evils, and Song Dongming would naturally choose the former. Bai Yu, on the other hand, was in a more awkward position, having no choice at all. But now with Yang Shenxing presenting himself, Bai Yu's situation changed. Just because Yang Shenxing currently had no voice in Beiliang's official circles didn't mean it would always be so. As long as Liang and Mang were still at war, and as long as Yang Shenxing was clever enough, he wouldn't fear missing his chance to rise. Thus, no matter how bustling the Military Commissioner's residence became in the future, Bai Yu would be the one who "knew Yang Shenxing when he was down," a benefactor who provided help in his time of need, rather than an idle person who merely added icing to the cake.

Just as Bai Yu was about to step over the threshold, he suddenly pulled his foot back, turned, walked down the steps, and then turned again to look at the grand gate.

Master Bailian looked up at the imposing plaque, then at the new Spring Festival couplets about to be put up on either side. Remembering the young man in the lakeside pavilion, he murmured to himself, "Beiliang, Liyang, this world… with you, Xu Fengnian, can it be considered a timely help in times of need?"

Just as a conflicted Bai Yu turned back into the princely manor and passed by Tingchao Lake, he witnessed a scene that nearly made Master Bailian jump up and curse.

No sooner had he left than the upright gentleman, who had vehemently claimed there was nothing between him and the "Rouge Scroll" woman, was already walking side-by-side with her on the lake's surface.

What was even more outrageous was that when the fellow saw him, not only did he show no guilt, but he even raised a hand to greet him.

Bai Yu muttered something under his breath indignantly.

On the distant lake, Xu Fengnian laughed heartily.

Chen Yu asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Master Bailian thought I couldn't hear him from afar, but I heard him perfectly clear."

Chen Yu asked, "What did the Master say?"

Xu Fengnian said solemnly, "He praised my elegant and handsome demeanor, saying he was ashamed of his own inferiority."

Chen Yu let out an "Oh," then bid farewell and left.

She then headed straight towards Master Bailian.

Xu Fengnian was dumbfounded.

Finally, Xu Fengnian, alone on the lake, smiled.

Looking around, everything was peaceful.

In such a Beiliang, women, whether beautiful as flowers or with intimidating looks, and men, whether scholars, martial artists, or commoners, all lived safely and peacefully. The sounds of reading, selling, hooves, snoring, and arguing all contributed to a lively atmosphere.

Xu Fengnian clasped his hands inside his sleeves and looked up at the sky.

Everything this young man did was merely to ensure that "the Spring and Autumn Annals would no longer blame the Xu family."