Chapter 902: General's Twilight

After the meeting, Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi made a special trip to a courtyard to visit veteran general He Zhonghu. Upon their arrival, they found Yan Wenluan was also there. The four men gathered around a stone table. Xu Fengnian observed the Left Cavalry Commander, who could barely conceal his exhaustion, with a sense of worry. He Zhonghu's health had deteriorated sharply over the past year or two, giving him the appearance of someone nearing the end of his days. Consequently, after the first war between Liang and Mang, the old general had privately submitted his resignation to Qingliang Mountain and the Protectorate General's office. At the same time, he recommended Yu Luandao to Xu Fengnian and Chu Lushan for the position of Second Deputy Commander of the Left Cavalry. His decision not to instantly elevate the renowned young commander of the You Cavalry to directly oversee the Left Cavalry was a testament to the old and influential general's shrewdness. After all, the unruly Liangzhou border troops had always held the Youzhou military in low regard, and Yu Luandao, hailing from a prominent Central Plains family, had no prior connections with the Liangzhou border forces. If he were to suddenly assume a high position and command an army independently, he might not gain the trust of his subordinates. Any misstep in the upcoming second Liang-Mang conflict would not only waste a brilliant military talent from Beiliang but also jeopardize the broader border situation, for which He Zhonghu would naturally be held accountable, thereby tarnishing his reputation in his twilight years.

Nevertheless, He Zhonghu's ability to set aside factional loyalties and recommend Yu Luandao to be the de facto leader, though nominally third-in-command, clearly demonstrated the old general's magnanimity and foresight. Furthermore, when Xu Fengnian previously reallocated troops from the Left and Right Cavalry—a move seen by some as "robbing Peter to pay Paul" to strengthen other cavalry units, such as assigning soldiers to Cao Wei and others—He Zhonghu was the first to respond without objection. In this regard, Zhou Kang, the commander of the Right Cavalry and nicknamed "Brocade Partridge," was notably less cooperative, harboring many complaints both openly and covertly. Although Xu Fengnian had privately teased Zhou Kang as a "tightfisted iron rooster," Zhou Kang was, after all, one of the hundreds of old veterans who had seen him off years ago. This camaraderie meant that, in a sense, Zhou Kang had forged a difficult bond with the then-prince, who had not yet inherited his title. Therefore, even if Zhou Kang was not always amenable, Xu Fengnian didn't take it to heart. Moreover, Zhou Kang's reaction was only human nature, much like He Zhonghu's earlier deferential attitude towards the Huaiyang Pass Protectorate General's office, which had sparked murmurs within the Left Cavalry. Many younger, ambitious generals struggled to understand, feeling that the old general was too yielding, not only weakening the Left Cavalry's power but also needlessly diminishing its prestige. Xu Fengnian's specific reason for visiting was precisely this internal conflict within the Left Cavalry. He wished to first hear He Zhonghu's thoughts, as Qingliang Mountain would not intervene in the Left Cavalry's affairs unless absolutely necessary. It was believed that Yan Wenluan's hurried arrival also partly served to support his old friend and set an example for the entire Beiliang border cavalry.

The four men drank neither wine nor tea. He Zhonghu seemed surprised and delighted by the young prince's personal visit. As one of the top ten most influential figures in Beiliang's cavalry, He Zhonghu was broadly aware of the events on Longyan'er Plain. He knew that Xu Fengnian had personally, and satisfyingly, killed Hong Jingyan, the co-leader of the Rouran Iron Cavalry, and that Chen Zhibao had previously arrived at Huaiyang Pass. Thus, Xu Fengnian's earlier words in the meeting hall had been as concise as possible, and his face was extremely pale. This only deepened the old general's remorse, making him feel that it was the Liangzhou cavalry's fault and a disservice to General Xu Xiao's nurturing that the General's eldest son had to be so hands-on, even personally engaging in combat to kill. What then was the purpose of Beiliang's 300,000 iron cavalry? As Yan Wenluan's closest friend, He Zhonghu naturally held another, hidden identity: he had once been a member of the Xu family's "Dragon-Upholding Faction." This group, initially led by strategist Zhao Changling, with Chen Zhibao as the successor—who was both General Xu Xiao's favored protégé and one of the Xu family's cavalry commanders like Wu Qi—included Yan Wenluan, He Zhonghu, and others as its core strength. Yao Jian and Ye Xizhen, the two adopted sons, were also very close to them. In contrast, Li Yishan's faction, derided by the "Dragon-Upholding Faction" as the "Dragon-Toppling Faction," was significantly weaker in overall strength. Had it not been for Princess Wu Su's clear declaration at the last moment that she did not support Xu Xiao rebelling against Liyang and dividing the land by the river, there likely would be no concept of the Xu family ruling Beiliang today. Perhaps Xu Fengnian would now be the ruler of the vast territories south of the Guangling River, or perhaps there would be no mention of the Beiliang border army's veterans at all, as they would all be dead traitors. Due to this unspeakable connection, He Zhonghu had always harbored complex and difficult-to-articulate feelings towards this young prince, who had single-handedly turned the tide. His choice not to promote a direct subordinate from within the Left Cavalry to succeed him as commander, but instead to select an "outsider" like Yu Luandao to "usurp the nest," might indeed stem from a desire for compensation and atonement.

Yan Wenluan, the foremost commander of Beiliang's infantry, spoke grimly and directly: "My Lord, I presume you have heard about a certain matter. Li Yanchao is truly an ungrateful wolf. He Zhonghu personally brought him to his current position, treating him better than a son. Yet, simply because he wasn't made Left Cavalry Commander, that fellow dared to rebel, thinking of running off to become Zhou Kang's deputy. While that scoundrel is indeed capable in leading troops, his character is flawed. In the future, he can certainly be utilized, but never in a major capacity—at most, he should serve as a deputy general!"

Xu Fengnian genuinely hadn't expected Yan Wenluan, who rarely showed much emotion, to become so enraged. For a moment, he was unsure how to react. Words as heavily weighted as 'rebellion,' 'ingratitude,' and 'flawed character,' coming from a powerful regional official as rare as Yan Wenluan, could virtually guarantee that any mid-to-high-ranking Beiliang military officer would be completely barred from holding positions of real power. In fact, Xu Fengnian was no stranger to the renowned Li Yanchao, one of the "Four Fangs of Beiliang," equally famous as Dian Xiongchu, Wei Fucheng, and Ning Emei. Li Yanchao boasted outstanding military achievements and, among the border forces, was a formidable general surpassed only by Liu Jinu and a handful of others, excluding the venerable old guard like Yan Wenluan, Chen Yunchui, and He Zhonghu. Being in the prime of his life, he was the kind of crucial commander who could fight victorious and arduous battles for the Xu family for another two decades. However, similar to Li Mofan, the deputy general of the Dragon Elephant Army, and Cao Xing from Youzhou, Li Yanchao was known for his extreme personality and arrogance stemming from his accomplishments, earning him a reputation as a difficult individual, with both praise and criticism. If he were in Liyang's officialdom, he would be the type of character constantly impeached by righteous censors.

He Zhonghu shot a look at Yan Wenluan, then turned to Xu Fengnian with a wry smile. "My Lord, some things are inevitable, like the sky wanting to rain or a mother wanting to marry. Since Zhou Kang has promised Li Yanchao will succeed him as commander of the Right Cavalry in the future, let him go. This child, Yanchao, has fought for many years in the Left Cavalry, and his military merits are certainly enough to earn him such a future. It's only natural for people to strive for higher positions; there's nothing wrong with that."

Yan Wenluan felt a sense of helplessness. In truth, it wasn't that he genuinely disliked Li Yanchao; rather, he intended to help He Zhonghu by raising the topic, playing the "bad guy" himself so that He Zhonghu, who struggled to refuse, would only need to nod in agreement. Li Yanchao could indeed leave the Left Cavalry, but such a precedent absolutely could not be set, otherwise, wouldn't that fellow "Brocade Partridge" (Zhou Kang) dig up everything with his little hoe? He Zhonghu was already seriously ill; did he truly want to lie on his deathbed and hear the devastating news of the Right Cavalry's disintegration? Wouldn't he truly die with regret? Yan Wenluan sighed. He had known He Zhonghu for most of his life and greatly admired the old man. In his old age, He Zhonghu had no family; he only kept a few lame old horses. He managed his troops much like a fussy old woman, treating his soldiers as his own children, eating, drinking, and relieving himself among them, with no special treatment whatsoever. Therefore, young men like Li Yanchao could be said to have been personally nurtured by He Zhonghu into meritorious generals. How could Yan Wenluan not be furious upon hearing that Li Yanchao intended to leave the Left Cavalry? Just as an upright official finds it difficult to mediate family disputes, it was clear that even at the point of a father-son-like estrangement and separation, He Zhonghu still couldn't bear to hinder Li Yanchao's career, fearing that the young prince's ill will might prevent his promotion even within "Brocade Partridge's" Right Cavalry.

Xu Fengnian pondered for a moment before slowly stating, "To be honest, as long as Li Yanchao remains outside the pass, whether he serves in the Left Cavalry or transfers to the Right Cavalry for promotion makes no difference to me. Furthermore, the extreme exclusivity of the Left and Right Cavalry is indeed detrimental to Beiliang. After all, 'flowing water does not stagnate, and a door hinge does not get worm-eaten,' meaning movement prevents decay. Even without this incident involving Li Yanchao, I had originally intended to implement some officer exchanges between the Left and Right Cavalry. When I previously undertook a major integration of the military forces within Beiliang's three provinces, establishing only fourteen powerful captains, I refrained from touching the border armies outside the pass because the first war with Mang was imminent, and I feared that such extensive changes would cause instability among the border troops and affect the overall war effort."

Yan Wenluan narrowed his single eye and remained silent. He did not oppose the reform of the border armies. However, what made Beiliang's infantry commander somewhat uncomfortable was the young prince's direct and unhesitating manner in bringing this up, especially at a time when the Left Cavalry was plagued by internal unrest and He Zhonghu was about to leave the border army due to his declining health. These words now carried a chilling, stark undertone.

He Zhonghu, too, was filled with a myriad of emotions, unsure where to begin. The old man's face was etched with despondency and loneliness, his eyes unfocused. Some wealthy elders in their twilight years only begin to envy the poor and humble, and exert themselves, when they are broken and utterly disheartened. But He Zhonghu was different. Although he held a high and powerful position in the Beiliang border army, he had no descendants to inherit a family legacy, nor even a single property or courtyard within Beiliang. This was in stark contrast to old generals like Zhong Hongwu, the General of Huaihua, who treated the entire Lingzhou as his personal backyard. He Zhonghu's aged and ailing appearance was that of a hero in decline. And this kind of helpless twilight of a hero was something Xu Fengnian knew very well.

As Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi left the courtyard, Xu Beizhi's brow was deeply furrowed. Xu Fengnian asked with a smile, "Orange, aren't you curious why I didn't help He Zhonghu settle the cavalry's affairs?" Xu Beizhi glanced back at the courtyard gate. "He Zhonghu is one thing, but aren't you afraid of annoying Yan Wenluan? Aren't you afraid both old generals will think you're heartless? That they'll see you as a harsh and ungracious prince?" Walking side by side with Xu Beizhi in the dim alley, Xu Fengnian reached out a hand, lightly brushing it against the wall as he spoke, "Then just assume I'm bullying a good person." Xu Beizhi retorted playfully, "Isn't it true? Everyone in the Beiliang border army knows about Brocade Partridge's bad temper; the squeaky wheel gets the grease, which is why you, the King of Beiliang, tolerate everything related to the Right Cavalry. Ultimately, you're half to blame for He Zhonghu ending up in this situation." Xu Fengnian spoke some seemingly unrelated words. "Xu Xiao used to love to repeat a saying: 'A wicked person fears a wicked person, but not heaven; a good person is bullied by people, but not by heaven.' I used to think such grand principles were nonsense, but later I realized they are grand principles precisely because they are indeed very reasonable." Xu Beizhi laughed heartily. "I knew it! You wouldn't just let He Zhonghu leave the Left Cavalry in such a dejected way!" Xu Fengnian remarked with emotion, "Of course, I value talented young generals from other regions like Yu Luandao, Kou Jianghuai, and Xie Xichui, but the feelings I have for veterans like He Zhonghu, who shared honor and hardship with Xu Xiao..." Xu Fengnian didn't continue, but Xu Beizhi understood that feeling was probably like one's own elders. Xu Beizhi asked with a smile, "If that's the case?" Xu Fengnian replied, "Then I'll go meet Li Yanchao." Xu Beizhi hesitated for a moment, then cautioned, "Above all, don't act on impulse. Li Yanchao actually represents a large group of ambitious, meritorious Beiliang border generals who are eager to climb the ranks. Li Mofan and Cao Xing are just like him. These people are similar to Yan Wenluan and He Zhonghu, yet different. The Xu family's legacy was built by the Grand General and his old comrades, and younger generations cannot all be expected to be as indifferent to fame and fortune as Liu Jinu. Moreover, with war imminent, ambition isn't a bad thing. You can certainly temper their enthusiasm, but you can't make them feel like they've been stripped naked and thrown into the bitter cold." Xu Fengnian smiled faintly. "I used to hear a phrase often in storytelling and plays: 'chilling the hearts of the soldiers.' I understand the principle." Xu Beizhi suddenly stared at him. "Why does that sound a little off?" Xu Fengnian, with a roguish grin, reached out to hook his arm around Xu Beizhi's shoulder, flattering him, "Only Orange truly understands me!" Xu Beizhi pulled away irritably, retorting, "Go cool off somewhere else!"

Just as the two men turned a corner and approached another courtyard, a young military officer came sprinting from behind them, excitedly rushing towards the entrance. Perhaps due to the urgency, he bumped into Xu Beizhi's shoulder and, without stopping, continued inside. Carelessly, he even turned to glare back, but upon catching sight of Xu Fengnian, he instantly froze, utterly terrified. He didn't recognize Xu Beizhi, who had once served as the Prefect of Lingzhou, but how could he not recognize the venerable King of Beiliang?! Before the valiant Left Cavalry captain could even beg for forgiveness, Xu Fengnian asked with a smile, "Have you come to tip off Li Yanchao? To give him a heads-up that I just visited old General He's courtyard?" The captain immediately broke out in a cold sweat, his head bowed, looking as if he had just lost a parent. With a slight inclination of his head, Xu Fengnian walked past the captain, stepping over the threshold and into the courtyard first.

Inside the courtyard, voices buzzed. No fewer than ten border generals were gathered, none of them old, yet all held significant titles. They circled a general who appeared to be around thirty-five or thirty-six. This man had a commanding physique and exuded a sharp, formidable presence, even while seated. This was indeed Li Yanchao, the Third Deputy Commander of the Left Cavalry. He was a true product of the Left Cavalry, with deep roots and a formidable reputation, naturally regarded as the top candidate to lead the Left Cavalry in the future. Liyang established twelve permanent general ranks: Four "Zheng" generals, four "Zhen" generals, and four "Ping" generals. "Zheng" generals held the highest rank, Second Grade, equivalent to Ministers of the Six Boards. "Zhen" generals ranged from Junior Second Grade to Full Third Grade, while "Ping" generals were exclusively Full Third Grade. Theoretically, a prince's domain should not have titles comparable to "Zhen" generals, at most on par with "Ping" generals, such as a general commanding a province's military being Full Third Grade. However, in Beiliang, it was quite interesting: deputy commanders like He Zhonghu, Zhou Kang, Gu Dazu, and Chen Yunchui, whether cavalry or infantry, held the same Junior Second Grade military rank as the two commanders, Yan Wenluan and Yuan Zuozong—only half a rank lower than Chu Lushan, the Protector General of Beiliang. Consequently, almost all younger, ambitious generals eagerly eyed these highly coveted positions, waiting for the old guard in their respective armies to retire, anticipating their turn to advance. Not only did they dream of sitting in the two top seats held by Yan Wenluan and Yuan Zuozong, but one day commanding the Left or Right Cavalry, or joining the Great Snow Dragon Riders, or at the very least leaving the border army to serve as a provincial general, were all considered excellent paths. Therefore, when the new King of Beiliang unconventionally promoted some "outsiders," it inevitably caused their ambitions to stir, especially with the rapid rise of Yu Luandao and others. Huangfu Ping, Kou Jianghuai, and Han Laohshan each secured a provincial general's share, with Shi Fu closely following to become the General of Liangzhou. This significantly diminished the hopes and prospects for many.

After seeing the young prince's grand arrival, all the military officers, after their initial shock, simultaneously rose from their chairs and benches, cupping their fists and speaking in a deep voice: "Your humble subordinates greet Your Lordship!" The Left Cavalry captain, who had been standing awkwardly behind Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi, quickly squeezed into the ranks of his colleagues, finally letting out a sigh of relief. A military officer immediately cleared two chairs for the young prince. After Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi sat down, Xu Fengnian waved his hand dismissively twice downwards, "Please all sit and speak. This is not a military council today, so there's no need for elaborate formalities." All the generals carefully took their seats only after seeing Li Yanchao calmly sit down. The two military officers whose seats had been taken stood nearby, their eyes sparkling, gazing intently at the legendary new King of Beiliang. The eldest son of the Human Butcher, a Grandmaster of martial arts. He had killed Wang Xianzhi, and more recently, Hong Jingyan. He had caused a huge commotion at the Imperial Observatory in Tai'an City; it was said that even the celestial immortals who walked out of paintings and the patriarchs of Longhu Mountain who had ascended to Daoist immortality were all "cleaned out" by this young man! Moreover, this approachable sole prince of Liyang who was not of the imperial family was never ambiguous on the battlefield. The battle below Hutou City and the thousand-mile raid outside Hulu Pass were undeniable facts. Therefore, even though these military officers were notoriously unruly within the Left Cavalry, they couldn't help but feel awe and reverence in the presence of this young prince. And beyond the reverence, there was genuine admiration. The people of Beiliang were martial, and the border army valued military merit above all. The new King of Beiliang had led the Beiliang Iron Cavalry to a great victory against the Northern Mang barbarians, even building a "Jingguan" (a mound of heads) inside Hulu Pass—how gratifying that was! The more they thought of it, the more anxious the assembled generals became. They knew full well why the young prince had appeared in the courtyard: he was surely here about Li Yanchao's indignant departure from the Left Cavalry to join the Right Cavalry. But who in all of Beiliang didn't know that Yu Luandao was the new King's trusted general? He had even, despite his princely status, registered his name in that new You Cavalry camp. And the origin of this whole storm was precisely the old general's recommendation of Yu Luandao into the Left Cavalry! Li Yanchao's expression was calm, but in the depths of his eyes, a strong sense of unwillingness was revealed. In the eyes of this shrewd and fierce general, since the new King of Beiliang had personally come here, even if he hadn't yet adopted the posture of an inquisitor, Li Yanchao was certainly not going to have an easy time. The generals and captains who had shared life and death with Li Yanchao all broke out in a cold sweat for him, fearing that the young prince might suddenly turn hostile. What would become of them then? Setting aside whether they had the courage to confront this world-renowned new King, even if they possessed such spirit and audacity, what would be the point? Could this entire courtyard full of men withstand a single hand from the new King of Beiliang?

Xu Fengnian asked with a smile, "Is there any wine here? If so, bring it out." Li Yanchao replied calmly, "My Lord, we did not bring any wine with us on this trip, accompanying the commander into Huaiyang Pass." Xu Fengnian turned to Xu Beizhi and said, "Could I trouble you for a moment?" Xu Beizhi nodded, rose, and left the courtyard, undoubtedly to "borrow" some from Chu Lushan. After Xu Beizhi departed, Xu Fengnian joked, "Before we drink, there's something I should clarify for everyone. I once drank with people like Liu Jinu, Chu Hanqing, and Ma Jili in Hutou City, and then they all died. Are you scared?" Li Yanchao pressed his lips together, his sharp, heroic face appearing even more resolute. With Li Yanchao, the leader, remaining silent, the atmosphere in the courtyard became particularly heavy and solemn. The captain who had earlier bumped into Xu Beizhi's eyes darted around, then he nervously chuckled, "To have a drink with Your Lordship is enough for us humble officers to boast about to our subordinates for three to five years after returning to the Left Cavalry. We're not afraid to die!" Xu Fengnian nodded. "I have no doubt that none of you present here fear dying in battle." Then Xu Fengnian chuckled again, "It's not strange for our Beiliang border army not to fear death. If anything, it would be strange if someone *was* afraid to die, wouldn't it?" At this remark, even Li Yanchao's lips curled into a knowing smile. The other military officers burst into hearty laughter. After his joke, Xu Fengnian fell silent. The King of Beiliang's silence was echoed by Li Yanchao's silence, leaving everyone else to quietly observe.

Xu Beizhi returned from the Protectorate General's office, carrying two jars of Green Ant wine. Xu Fengnian broke the mud seal of one jar. There were some cups and bowls in the courtyard; Xu Fengnian and Li Yanchao were certainly given larger white bowls with more wine, while the other generals and captains made do with what was available. Only Xu Beizhi had no intention of drinking, and no one dared to press him. Xu Fengnian raised his wine bowl. "To everyone." Li Yanchao and the others raised their cups and bowls, loudly proclaiming, "To Your Lordship!" Xu Fengnian drained his bowl in one gulp and didn't pour any more. "The wine has been drunk," he said casually. "Now, I'll just say a few words. My invitation for you to drink today isn't about formal toasts, but merely an opportunity to meet you all. I may not know each of you personally, but if anyone states their name, I can recite your entire resume and military achievements. All of this information has long been in the Flush Water House intelligence reports, and I have read every word, far more detailed than the archives of the Huaiyang Pass Protectorate General's office." Xu Fengnian glanced at the other unopened jar of Green Ant wine, then looked at Li Yanchao. "You feel that promotion is hopeless in the Left Cavalry, so you want to go to the Right Cavalry to earn merits and become a commander. For a military officer, there's nothing wrong with that. Moreover, I just came from He Zhonghu's courtyard; the old general didn't feel you had wronged him. In fact, he advised me, worried that I might make things difficult for you, Li Yanchao, in the future." Li Yanchao seemed about to speak but stopped himself. Xu Fengnian said calmly, "You know better than I how the old general has treated you over these past ten or twenty years; I don't need to say more. Under Xu Xiao, the Beiliang border army only valued military merit, not background. So, whether you, Li Yanchao, are fighting enemies in He Zhonghu's Left Cavalry or Zhou Kang's Right Cavalry, it's still fighting enemies. Perhaps with the hope of becoming a commander, you will only kill more enemies. However, the old general, after all, is truly old. Just like me, Xu Fengnian, I fear nothing under heaven or on earth, but I still fear seeing the state Xu Xiao was in during his last few years, needing to rest even when walking to the peak of Qingliang Mountain. Whether it's my father, Xu Xiao, or He Zhonghu, who treated you like his sons, do you think they will willingly admit their old age only when they truly get old and realize certain things?" Xu Fengnian answered his own question: "That is, only when they feel their sons have achieved something, will they dare to acknowledge their own age." Xu Fengnian stood up, looking at Li Yanchao and the Left Cavalry officers. "Today, in that courtyard, I didn't see the commander of the Beiliang Left Cavalry who had experienced the Spring and Autumn Wars; I only saw an old man. That is why I came here to invite you to drink one jar of wine, and I hope you can take the remaining jar to that old man who is about to leave the battlefield, and ask him to drink a bowl, so that he does not leave the border with regret." A profound silence fell. Li Yanchao silently rose, picked up the jar of Green Ant wine, and walked out of the courtyard. In the end, only Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi remained. Xu Beizhi sighed. "I thought you intended to kill someone." Xu Fengnian poured himself a bowl of wine, looking down as he said, "Who says I didn't want to?" Xu Beizhi paused, then smiled. "Pour me a bowl too."