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Chapter 858: Wind and Snow Iron Cavalry Descends to Jiangnan (6)

Hoofbeats thundered, shaking the Central Plains.

The Northern Liang cavalry exited Beiliang Road, entered Lianghuai Road, and then swept south around Yancheng, bordering Hezhou and Jizhou. They crashed into the northern part of Jiangnan Road, driving straight through with overwhelming force, like splitting bamboo.

Like a brawny giant from the Northwest, they struck the delicate lands of Jiangnan, leaving them reeling.

In every area they passed through, officials from Liyang and local military forces were utterly silent, daring not make the slightest provocative move. Curfews were imposed extremely early, and even during the day, merchants were forbidden from entering or exiting. Garrisoned troops were strictly forbidden from leaving their camps by even half a step.

Petitions, like scattered snowflakes, piled up, moving from county yamen, to prefectural offices, to prefectural governors' residences, and then to the military commissioners' mansions. Finally, they were entrusted to elite dispatch riders, who swiftly delivered them at a speed of five hundred li to Tai'an City.

As the ten thousand iron cavalry advanced ruthlessly, more than a dozen families gradually came to light along their route. Not only were local officials and military leaders drenched in sweat from fear, but even Zhao Gou, who had been responsible for Liyang's intelligence for many years, was utterly horrified. These colossal clans, considered prominent families in various prefectures and commanderies, all possessed countless fertile fields and abundant grain stores. Four of these families were even dubbed the "Land Gods" of their respective regions. These dozens of powerful families, all marked with labels like "of clean origin" in Zhao Gou's secret files, turned out to be audacious traitors openly colluding with Northern Liang. They had supplied the Northern Liang cavalry with countless provisions. This kind of colossal disaster, now out in the open, meant that once the imperial court settled accounts, those dozen entrenched families were destined to face severe consequences. Furthermore, Zhao Gou's officials and civil and military officers in the major prefectures and commanderies would certainly be severely punished.

Among them, the first prominent family in Hezhou to provision the Northern Liang army, surprisingly, did not immediately flee as a clan into Northern Liang. Consequently, after the Northern Liang cavalry exited the region, the local government, in cooperation with the garrisoned troops, dispatched four hundred elite soldiers to fiercely attack, intending to raid the home of this disloyal, despicable family and hold them accountable. However, the old patriarch of this family simply moved a chair, sat on the steps of his doorway, basking in the warm early spring sun, with two Liang blades resting on his knees. The older, worn one was the battle blade he had carried when he fought against Western Chu alongside the old King of Liang, Xu Xiao. For all these years, even his most favored eldest grandson had no idea his grandfather possessed this treasured blade. The blade with the brighter sheath was the sixth-generation Xu family blade, the newest Liang blade, personally bestowed by the new King of Liang not long ago. Facing four hundred young and robust warriors from his own commandery, the old man smiled, raised the new Liang blade, and uttered just one sentence. Then, everyone who had arrived in a hurry departed just as quickly, not daring to utter even a single harsh word.

The elderly man, in his twilight years, said, "The King wants me to convey a message to you: if one person dies in the Song family residence today, ten thousand soldiers and officers in this commandery will die. If we cannot gather ten thousand heads, then the Northern Liang iron cavalry will go to other commanderies and prefectures to 'borrow' them."

After speaking, the white-haired old man bent down, picked up a flask of wine from beside his feet, and watched the embarrassed retreating figures. He drank the wine sip by sip, murmuring indistinctly to himself.

The old man was like an ancient, toothless dog, unable to howl anymore, yet he exuded a unique presence. Perhaps this was the "spirit that devours a thousand li like a tiger" that scholars read about in books.

After Cai Nan, the Military Commissioner of Lianghuai Road, bravely stepped forward, the second upright Liyang individual who dared to block their path was neither a military commander nor a civilian official governing a region. Instead, he was a scholar who had retired and returned home many years prior. Presumptuously, he dug out his sixth-rank censor's official robe from the bottom of a chest, put it on, and stood alone on the post road. His trembling family simply could not stop the deranged old man. Half of his clan moved overnight to a remote ancestral home in the countryside, while the other half hid at home, refusing to come out. Only the old man's least successful second son, a poor scholar who had failed to pass the imperial examinations his entire life, remained. Lacking courage and righteousness but possessing filial piety, he stood by the roadside, his face filled with dread, waiting to collect his father's body and carry it home.

After the iron cavalry surged past, only the father and son remained, sitting dejectedly by the post road, weeping with their heads in their hands.

Nalan Huaiyu, from the Wu family's hundred cavalry, had initially been following far behind. Unable to suppress her intense curiosity, she spurred her horse to ride swiftly to the young prince's side. The swordmaster, who had twice been named the most beautiful woman on the Rouge Scroll, asked with a smile, "My Lord, what happened?"

Xu Fengnian hesitated, then shook his head, having no desire to talk. He had just received a secret report from his Hai Dongqing, who had accompanied him for many years. Besides Yuan Tingshan leading the elite cavalry from Jibei to block the pass at Jizi Mouth, Shu had also dispatched twenty thousand troops to Guangling Road. The commander was none other than Wu Qi, who had angrily left the Xu family after the Battle of West Leibei. His deputy was Che Ye, a young, fierce general who had emerged from the border army, one of the few who had chosen to follow Chen Zhibao when he left Northern Liang. Both Ning Emei, who had dealt with this young man, and Han Laishan, the General of Lingzhou who now guarded the southern gateway of Northern Liang, held him in high regard, believing Che Ye was no less capable than Kou Jianghuai and Yu Luandao.

The spirited female swordswoman refused to give up, pressing for details.

Xu Fengnian was lost in thought, seemingly completely oblivious to Nalan Huaiyu's chatter.

Wu Liuding said helplessly, "Auntie, can we please be a bit more reserved?"

Nalan Huaiyu rolled her eyes and retorted, "Oh, now you know about being reserved? Who was it who desperately clung to Auntie's chest when he was little, saying he was scared of thunder and rain and needed a place to hide, or that winter was so cold his face was freezing..."

Wu Liuding cautiously glanced at Cuihua beside him, then quickly offered a placating smile to Nalan Huaiyu and pleaded, "Auntie, I surrender to you. As for what just happened, our Sword Grandfather and that Xu fellow are always inseparable. I'm sure that old man knows the inside story, so you should ask him."

The old man, who was discussing swordsmanship with Zhang Luantai and Liu Jianzhi, chuckled upon hearing this. "Nothing remarkable. The Prince just asked him if he wanted to gain a reputation among scholars to the point of a white-haired person burying a black-haired one. Then that boy Hong Shuwen drew his saber and made as if to charge and kill."

Yue Zhuowu, the once spirited young master of Xingzi Sword Forge, now a taciturn middle-aged swordsman, interjected, "Cultivating oneself, regulating one's family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world—these are the 'family precepts' of the Confucian ancestors. If one cannot even be a good person, how can one be a good official? Let alone bringing prosperity to the world and benefiting the people. I have always despised such scholars who seek fame through deceit, having no moral bottom line just to leave their names in history. Especially that former Liyang Grand Secretariat, the Green-Eyed Boy, he was especially not a good sort!"

Xu Fengnian suddenly snapped out of his reverie and turned, saying, "It's hard to speak for others, but only Zhang Julu, in my eyes, is a true scholar. If someone like him appears once every hundred years, it would be a great fortune for the entire realm."

Yue Zhuowu did not blindly agree simply because Xu Fengnian was the King of Northern Liang. He stuck to his opinion, shaking his head. "Someone who can even harm their own children, probably with righteous indignation, even if they are an incorruptible official who doesn't oppress the people, they are still not much good."

Xu Fengnian did not debate the point; he merely smiled.

History is like a book; some pages are incredibly heavy, and the hand turning them might break a finger if it doesn't persist. When passing down the torch, to transmit it to future generations, the torchbearer might burn their arm, or even immolate themselves, just to patiently wait for the younger generation to take up the flame. This world needs wise rulers, renowned ministers, heroes, strategists, romantics, those who sing praises, those with spirit, those who engage in refined conversation... it needs many people. But often, when smart people are showcasing their brilliance, what is actually needed are one or two fools.

Xu Fengnian chuckled softly for no apparent reason. "Actually, that old scholar was quite good. Blocking the path as a loyal subject, making way as a father. It's a pity he isn't from our Northern Liang."

Hong Shuwen, nicknamed "The Madman" in the army, said nonchalantly, "My Lord, we in Northern Liang have iron cavalry, Liang blades, powerful crossbows, and large horses. That's enough!"

Xu Fengnian murmured, "I hope there comes a day when it's not enough."

Hong Shuwen, who had been like Xu Fengnian's shadow the whole journey, suddenly sighed. "My Lord, if only I were a woman."

Wu Liuding immediately felt a chill, crossing his arms and shivering, indignantly saying, "Madman Hong, flattering is one thing, but can you at least have some dignity?"

Cuihua smiled knowingly.

Hong Shuwen retorted angrily, "If I were a woman, couldn't I go to Wutong Courtyard to serve the Prince tea and water? What are you thinking, Six Big Jars?!"

Then Hong Shuwen turned his head and said with a mischievous grin, "Sister Cuihua, you must be extra careful when you're with a pervert like him, who has nothing but improper thoughts in his head. But luckily, Sister Cuihua, your sword skills are superior to Six Big Jars'. If he dares to lay a hand on you, just chop off his three legs with one stroke. Then I'll pick up one of them and pickle it for a snack with wine!"

Not only Wu Liuding couldn't bear it, but even the other big men like Liu Jianzhi and Zhang Luantai found it a bit much, all laughing and scolding Hong Shuwen for his crude taste.

Cuihua, who usually kept her eyes closed all day, slightly opened them, gazing at Hong Shuwen as she slowly said, "What if one isn't enough for a wine snack? How about adding yours?"

Hong Shuwen instinctively quickly reached to protect his crotch, awkwardly saying, "Sister Cuihua, no need, really no need. I just quit drinking."

After the banter, Xu Fengnian squinted and looked up, then swiftly raised an arm.

A magnificent and extraordinary raptor descended diagonally, landing on Xu Fengnian's arm.

After Xu Fengnian read the secret message from the small bamboo tube, the Hai Dongqing, which had accompanied its master on three trips through the jianghu and two visits to the capital, affectionately pecked the back of Xu Fengnian's hand before flapping its wings and flying off.

Xu Fengnian called Yuan Zuozong, his expression complex, and whispered, "Second Brother Yuan, under Xie Xichui's command, Western Chu's main force, with the Empress personally leading them, has begun to break through towards the western front. And Cao Changqing has quietly set off, heading north to Tai'an City alone."

Yuan Zuozong was startled and asked, "Cao Changqing is going north alone?"

Xu Fengnian nodded heavily.

Yuan Zuozong sighed, "How could this grand official, widely known for his masterful closing moves, be so utterly chaotic at the very end?"

Xu Fengnian whispered, "I can only guess roughly. Cao Changqing probably chose to betray many people in the end. Perhaps among them are the humiliated and patient noble clans of Beimang's Southern Dynasty, Wang Sui who suddenly reappeared, and even Gu Jiantang, who had endured for years in the imperial court and Liangliao. To restore his nation, he strived for twenty years, traveling north and south, yet Cao Changqing could still abandon it all..."

Xu Fengnian did not continue.

Yuan Zuozong, being someone privy to many deep secrets, asked, "Could the Western Chu rumor that adopted father spoke of in his early years be true?"

Xu Fengnian suddenly smiled. "Everyone says scholars are the most unfaithful, but thankfully there's Cao Changqing, who showed the world that a seed of scholarship can also be the most devoted."

Yuan Zuozong hesitated, about to speak but stopping.

Xu Fengnian was uncharacteristically embarrassed, glaring at Yuan Zuozong, clearly not wanting him to say anything.

Yuan Zuozong, who was usually stern-faced, had a slight smile at the corner of his mouth and indeed said nothing.

After a moment of silence, Yuan Zuozong couldn't help but speak, but instead of his usual respectful address, "My Lord," he used the familiar "Xiao Nian," a term of endearment. "Xiao Nian, no matter what others think, Second Brother Yuan is very happy that you led the army south this time. The reason is simple: I just feel that this is what the adopted father's eldest legitimate son should do."

Xu Fengnian felt a bit helpless.

Such unreasonableness was indeed very much in Xu Xiao's style.

Indeed, like father, like son.

Yuan Zuozong quickly added with a smile, "Of course, for twenty full years, the Central Plains hasn't heard the hoofbeats of our Xu family's iron cavalry. It's time to make them remember!"

Yuan Zuozong looked up into the distance. "Adopted father once said, 'The only sound in this world louder than thunder is the hoofbeats of our Northern Liang!'"

Xu Fengnian whispered, "Xu Xiao couldn't possibly have said such a grand statement. It must have been my master who said it first, and then he borrowed it without returning it, even secretly cautioning my master not to say he plagiarized it."

Yuan Zuozong was speechless, rubbing his chin. "Now that you mention it, Xiao Nian, it really is possible."

Xu Fengnian laughed heartily. "But some words, whether Xu Xiao was the first to say them or not, as long as they come from his mouth, they are heroic!"

And that was the truth; the Spring and Autumn War had already proven one thing.

Some words could only, and should only, be spoken by that cripple!

And at this moment, as the Northern Liang iron cavalry swept south into the Central Plains...

A scholar in a green robe journeyed from south to north.

That renowned romantic scholar, once the pride of the Great Chu Cao family, whose temples had turned frosty white without anyone noticing, walked with effortless grace. After he became the Imperial Chess Master that day, he had never felt such relief.

After his nation was shattered and his home gone, this man in the green robe had entered the Liyang Imperial Palace four times. But this last time, he would not enter the city, nor the palace.

One man simply brought his "army" to the gates of Tai'an City.

Unprecedented and unmatched, the Hegemon of Western Chu, Cao Changqing!

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