Chapter 880: Spring Rain Has Arrived, Autumn Wind is Coming

The Qingming rains are the most sorrowful.

Along the post road in Beiliang, amidst the fine rain, large detachments of Youzhou cavalry continuously streamed towards the passes outside Liangzhou. This, combined with the Liangzhou cavalry units that had previously rushed to aid Qingcang City but had not yet returned to their garrisons, meant that almost all of Beiliang's main field forces, especially its cavalry, had now come to the fore. They were destined to be the absolute main force in the upcoming great war between Liang and Mang, a conflict that would evolve from city sieges into an unprecedented large-scale cavalry battle. In the fierce clash between the nomadic civilization of the north and the agrarian civilization of the Central Plains, the contrast was stark: one dynamic, the other static. The former relied on numerical superiority in warhorses to breach defenses and ride freely, while the latter depended on fortified cities and crossbows for defense. Throughout history, countless frontier cities and those near the borders had been successively engulfed by tides of cavalry. In the thunder of northern hooves, the words 'isolated city' and 'massacre' were constant companions. Consequently, for the past two decades, countless civil officials had privately entertained the 'foolish dream' in the imperial court: what a magnificent and heroic sight it would be if the two elite cavalry forces of Liyang – the tens of thousands of Beiliang iron cavalry and the nearly hundred thousand Liaodong border cavalry – could wholeheartedly cooperate and unite against the enemy, competing with the Northern Mang barbarians on horseback.

In Yanzhi County, bordering Youzhou and Liangzhou, two riders paused at a fork in a muddy road, making way for a merchant caravan. The young man wore a green robe, a Liangdao saber at his waist, and rode one of Youzhou Army's rare Jiazi warhorses. The woman in white carried a long, cylindrical cotton cloth bag on her back and also had a saber hanging from her waist. The young man, with his grand horse and Liangdao saber, halted to yield the road, and the woman beside him, his peer, was breathtakingly beautiful. This made the caravan's leading guard captain's heart tremble. He quickly ordered his subordinates to ride back and warn the arrogant, vulgar-tongued members of the convoy behind them: "Guard your words. Do not act recklessly just because you have some connection to the Beiliang border army. A young man who dares to openly wear the new-style Liangdao saber is clearly a general's progeny and not someone our second- or third-rate Fish-Dragon Gang can provoke." Perhaps thanks to the captain's prior warning, although the merchant guards eyed the woman with intense gazes, none dared to verbally harass her or whistle.

As the merchant procession slowly moved on, a rider suddenly turned back and galloped towards them. The handsome young knight reined in his horse about a dozen paces from the pair, a radiant smile on his face. He cupped his fist and said to the woman in white, whom he found astonishingly beautiful, "I am Chen Jianzhai of the Fish-Dragon Gang. May I ask your esteemed name, miss? Please rest assured, I have no ill intentions. It’s just that my friends in the gang dared me; they bet that I wouldn't be able to learn your name. If they lose, they’ll have to treat me to half a year’s worth of Green Ant Wine."

The handsome young man from the Fish-Dragon Gang grinned, showing understanding. "If it's inconvenient to tell me your real name, miss, any name will do."

Unfortunately, even with Chen Jianzhai's concession, the woman remained unfazed. Her gaze was calm, devoid of the typical indignation a Central Plains lady might show towards a rogue, and equally lacking the angry glare a Beiliang girl might give a wandering stranger.

Amidst the drizzling rain, Chen Jianzhai, with slightly damp hair, maintained his sunny smile, showing no intention of retreating.

The young man with the saber, whom Chen Jianzhai had pointedly ignored, chuckled and said, "Her name is Jiang Baicai, Baicai as in 'Chinese cabbage'."

The beautiful woman, referred to as 'Baicai' by her companion, glared furiously and retorted, "And you're Xu Shizi, Shizi as in 'rotten persimmon'!"

Chen Jianzhai, who was now somewhat renowned in the Fish-Dragon Gang, felt a little hurt. He thought to himself, "This playful banter between you two, disguised as bickering, is even more infuriating than outright flirting to a bachelor like me!"

The young man, called 'rotten persimmon,' smiled and asked, "I hear your gang leader, Liu Nirong, is stepping down for someone else?" Chen Jianzhai’s expression immediately turned serious. He finally took a proper look at the fellow who dared to openly wear a Liangdao saber without official authorization. The Fish-Dragon Gang — what a prescient name! Its mixed membership surpassed that of all other nine major sects and gangs in Liyang, gathering nearly twenty thousand martial arts vagrants. Everyone in this colossal organization, unrivaled in numbers, knew perfectly well that if the Fish-Dragon Gang hadn't been personally supported and cultivated by a powerful figure in Beiliang, it would never have expanded to its current scale. However, the old veterans who had helped the former gang leader establish the gang had all retired, and the subsequent leaders had been replaced. Thus, rumors about the Fish-Dragon Gang’s inner workings were varied and colorful. Some claimed that Xu Beizhi, the former Prefect of Lingzhou, had elevated the originally obscure Fish-Dragon Gang from a mere 'little maid' to the 'Queen' of Beiliang's martial arts world. Others said that Zhong Hongwu, the former General of Huaihua and the 'local emperor' of Lingzhou at the time, had attempted to collude with martial arts factions, but Liu Nirong, the Fish-Dragon Gang leader, had turned against him, aligning herself with Qingliang Mountain and offering the old general's head as a token of allegiance. Now, there were even private rumors that Liu Nirong was merely a private favorite of Wutongyuan, implying she was unfit to steer the future of twenty thousand men. A large gang could flirt with official circles, but it absolutely could not become a concubine in a high-ranking household. Hence, undercurrents stirred, and the news of Liu Nirong's resignation as gang leader emerged against this backdrop. Chen Jianzhai, largely a rising star from the fourth wave of recruits into the Fish-Dragon Gang, had mixed feelings about the matter. Deep down, he admired Liu Nirong's way with people, but he also did not want the Fish-Dragon Gang to become too entangled with officialdom and the border army. The martial arts world was its own domain, and its people should conduct its affairs. Otherwise, in the second great war between Liang and Mang, if the situation beyond the passes became critical, would all twenty thousand members of their Fish-Dragon Gang be expected to fight for their lives there? Fighting desperately with one's life on the line was something small gangs did when they had no territory or money. Now, the Fish-Dragon Gang was deeply rooted in Beiliang, showing signs of becoming a semi-independent regional power, and it was located in Lingzhou, far from the relatively weaker border garrisons. Chen Jianzhai believed that within the vast and diverse Fish-Dragon Gang, many people's minds would certainly be stirring with alternative ideas.

Chen Jianzhai’s prolonged silence was met with a dismissive smile from the man with the saber. Losing patience, he turned to the woman and said, "Let's go." He nudged his horse's flank, and the two riders brushed past Chen Jianzhai. Chen Jianzhai did not stop them. He slowly turned his horse and gazed at the two retreating figures as they headed further into Liangzhou territory.

The two riders were Xu Fengnian and Jiang Ni, who had just entered Youzhou from outside Jibei Pass.

Jiang Ni subtly glanced at Xu Fengnian. The sudden emergence of the Fish-Dragon Gang was the subject of many rumors in the Central Plains martial arts world. She knew that during his journey to Northern Mang years ago, he had seemingly exited the pass accompanied by a group from the Fish-Dragon Gang.

Xu Fengnian, guessing her thoughts, smiled and said, "When I was young, I had no worries about life and death. Even when I was smaller, my mother often admonished me, saying that women in the world are both lovable and pitiable, and should be cherished more. So back then, I always wondered why I shouldn't like such wonderful women. If I could have them, why wouldn't I? I used to love collecting rare ancient calligraphy scrolls. For instance, I spent a great deal of money to complete the Four Seasons set, including the 'Ten Miles of Spring Breeze,' 'Heavy Rain Cooling Summer,' 'Autumn Cicada on High Branch,' and 'First Clear Snow' scrolls. I even had all but three of the twenty-four solar terms scrolls, including the 'Frost' scroll. At that time, I was only concerned with wanting the women I liked to like me back. I wished they would all reside in my Wutongyuan, like those precious, unique calligraphy scrolls—preserved well, free from wind, rain, or insects, while the women themselves would live carefree lives, without displacement or hardship."

Jiang Ni tsk-tsked, "I bet when Gu Jiantang wanted to help you become emperor, you were secretly delighted, weren't you? As emperor, you'd rightfully have three palaces and six courtyards, with ministers begging to help you find concubines. Then you'd pretend to say it's inappropriate while happily accepting them. What are the Four Seasons or twenty-four solar terms scrolls? A hundred scrolls wouldn't even be enough then!"

Rarely, Xu Fengnian didn't retort. He tilted his head, squinting, as if feeling the cool mist of the light rain, and mused, "Later, I discovered that all the lovable and charming women in the world could live perfectly well without my unrequited affections. In fact, perhaps they could live even better without me. No matter how chaotic the world outside Wutongyuan became, it might not be worse than that small courtyard with walls on all sides, where there was neither wind nor rain. How could women be like those inanimate calligraphy scrolls? And how could they be confined, as if placed on a high shelf, within Wutongyuan or Qingliang Mountain? Tingchao Lake is vast, but the martial arts world is even vaster. It was only much later that I realized if I could start over, I would probably still like them in my heart, but I would definitely not flirt with them again. For instance, Xuanyuan Qingfeng of Daxiueping lives very freely, and Yu Youwei, as a Jishang lecturer at Shangyin Academy, must also be quite comfortable. However, there are some people I don't regret, like bringing Chen Yu to Beiliang and rescuing Zhao Fengya from Tai'an City. I had no ulterior motives; I simply hoped they could live for themselves."

Jiang Ni huffed, "Anyway, you always have the logic on your side. But I know I just can't argue with you!"

Xu Fengnian wisely changed the subject, remarking with emotion, "If your uncle, the Chess Attendant, had held real power in the Great Chu army earlier, instead of being confined to a corner south of Guangling River, my father might not have won the Battle of Xileibi. At that time, both sides were essentially vying to see who would run out of steam first. If Cao Changqing had taken over from Ye Baikui and raised the banner, the spirit of Great Chu would have endured. This time, I was able to largely negotiate with Wang Sui and successfully connect the long Liyang border defense line—comprising the entire Liaodong, Jibei, Beiliang, and Western Regions. My master, Cao Changqing, and you—the three of you have made immense contributions. Under this grand strategy, Prince Zhao Sui of Jiaodong, Military Commissioner Cai Nan of Lianghuai, Grand Coordinator Han Lin, and Jizhou Deputy General Han Fang, among others, will also become indispensable key figures. Of course, this also includes Beiliang outsiders like Yu Luandao, Kou Jianghuai, Xie Xichui, and Xu Huang. As for the twenty-thousand-strong Fish-Dragon Gang, they might also play a role in the future. However, if that great war reaches the point where the Fish-Dragon Gang is needed on the battlefield after the able-bodied men of Liuzhou, it would mean both Liang and Mang have suffered severe losses."

Jiang Ni, momentarily forgetting her sorrow over the Chess Attendant uncle's death, worriedly said, "There are so many Northern Mang barbarians, an overwhelming number."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Yes, there are many, but I have contingencies in Northern Mang as well. Just wait. As long as Northern Mang can't break through Jubei City in one fell swoop, I can make their backyard catch fire."

Jiang Ni, completely off-topic, suddenly asked, "That Chen Yu, is she very beautiful?"

Xu Fengnian grimaced, feigning ignorance and foolishness, refusing to answer the question. Some things, if spoken, are wrong; the more said, the more mistakes made.

Jiang Ni seemed to be talking to herself: "Just how beautiful is this top beauty from the Rouge Rankings, kept as if in a gilded cage? I must find a chance to see her. Sigh, I just worry I'll feel inferior then."

Xu Fengnian suddenly turned and said, "Though I know this request is excessive and you'll definitely be unhappy when you hear it, I still have to say it: if one day I am no longer here, take them and leave Beiliang. The farther, the better."

Jiang Ni, her face flushed with anger, stated bluntly, "Impossible!"

This answer was precisely what Xu Fengnian expected, so he showed no surprise.

Xu Fengnian rubbed his slightly stubbled chin, chuckling self-deprecatingly, "Just thinking that if I die on the battlefield, I'll never see any of you again, makes me very gloomy, both in my current state and... well, everywhere."

After the jest, Xu Fengnian's gaze gradually grew serious.

Wherever there are weapons and warhorses, there will surely be corpses.

Once spring passes this year, and perhaps one more relatively peaceful summer, by the time the autumn winds begin to stir, there will likely be so many deaths outside the Liangzhou Pass and throughout Liuzhou that there won't be enough time to collect the bodies.

Among the Four Grandmasters of Martial Arts, excluding Deng Tai'a, the Peach Blossom Sword God who had no attachments, Western Chu had Cao Changqing, Northern Mang had Tuoba Pusa, and Beiliang had Xu Fengnian.

The latter three were all destined to die if the great war was lost.

Just then, Xu Fengnian heard the 'Little Mud Man' utter words he had never even imagined.

Her words were not auspicious, but her tone was resolute.

"If that day truly comes, then wherever your body, Xu Fengnian, lies, that's where I'll stand!"