Chapter 908: Autumn Sunshine

Baima Academy was built following the ancient system of a central lecture hall flanked by residential wings. Three hundred students lived in the sixty residential rooms, thirty on each side. Currently, there were only nineteen teachers permanently residing and teaching at the academy, including Yao Baifeng and Xu Beizhi. Vice-Dean Bai Yu still needed to oversee official affairs at the Qingliang Mountain mansion. However, the academy planned to invite more than twenty guest lecturers this autumn and winter, an impressive list of names. These included Huang Shang, the master of Qingludong Academy; Song Yan, the new Yuzhou Governor who championed Legalism; Wang Xihua, the great Confucian scholar from Huangnan Commandery, whom Yao Baifeng praised as having "the talent of three governors"; Chang Sui, the eldest disciple who once studied under Han Guzi at Shangyin Academy alongside Xu Weixiong and Xu Huang; and reportedly, Yu Youwei, the renowned music master who now served as a Jishang lecturer at Shangyin Academy.

Xu Fengnian slowly walked through the grounds with Dai Yuanjie, finally stopping in the open space in front of the library. Yao Baifeng, along with veteran generals like Liu Yuanji and Wei Tieshan, sat together, basking in the sun. Meanwhile, Xu Beizhi was leading a group of young academy scholars in airing out books.

Yao Baifeng, who had retired from his position as Libationer of the Imperial Academy in the capital, looked hale and hearty. He was not as frail and sickly as rumored by the Liyang court, nor had he resigned due to illness. In fact, even Xu Fengnian did not know why Yao Baifeng voluntarily left Tai'an City or why he didn't enjoy his twilight years in the capital but instead returned to Beiliang. It was known that the Yao family's scholarship was reputed to rival the entire Shangyin Academy. Although this might be an exaggeration, no one questioned Yao Baifeng's high prestige in Liyang's literary and scholarly circles. In fact, in Tai'an City during recent years, Yao Baifeng was almost the only upright civil official willing to speak a few words of fairness for Beiliang's military and government in court. Xu Fengnian believed that if he hadn't been so "defiant" towards Emperor Zhao, with Yao Baifeng's popularity and knowledge, he would have long since joined the central Liyang government, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with figures like Huan Wen, Zhao Youling, and Yin Maochun, instead of being confined to the Imperial Academy, which offered prestige but no real power. Moreover, after Yao Baifeng followed Yan Jiexin to the capital to serve as an official, many Yao family members naturally entered officialdom. Yao Baifeng's choice to reside at Beiliang's Baima Academy at this time made even Xu Fengnian somewhat worried for the old man. So much so that during a previous discussion with Song Dongming at Qingliang Mountain, Xu Fengnian suggested whether Yao Baifeng could simply serve as a lecturer instead of the dean, to help the old man minimize gossip and rumors from the Liyang court. Song Dongming, the Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs, who was chosen by Yuan Benxi as a potential chancellor in earlier years and deeply understood the intricacies of Liyang officialdom, also supported this. But in the end, Yao Baifeng politely refused. He playfully quoted a sixteen-character saying: "Though not young, I have a great lust for officialdom; better to be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail," insisting on being the head of the academy himself. Qingliang Mountain, or rather Xu Fengnian, simply couldn't dissuade this esteemed elderly scholar, so they had no choice but to let Yao Baifeng lead Baima Academy.

Upon seeing Xu Fengnian's arrival, Liu Yuanji and Wei Tieshan, two former deputy commanders of the Beiliang border army, did not presume on their age but immediately rose to greet him. Especially Liu Yuanji, whose family members ran rampant in the countryside without his knowledge, appeared somewhat uneasy. On the eve of Xu Fengnian's succession, during the military exercise outside the pass, Liu Yuanji was severely reprimanded by his old comrade Lin Doufang, who pointed at his nose and cursed him mercilessly. Liu Yuanji, furious, rushed back to his mansion. The first thing he did was summon all his wayward descendants, who were always respectful in his presence, to the ancestral hall. Adopting a "better to kill by mistake than miss" attitude, he made over twenty Liu family juniors kneel on the ground and personally whipped each of them a hundred times with a leather whip. Seven or eight people fainted on the spot, bleeding profusely. The women of the Liu mansion outside the ancestral hall were so terrified they dared not even cry out. That day, three of the seven household stewards were beaten to death. All the companions of the young Liu family members packed their bags and left. From then on, the Liu family's discipline became strict. Liu Yuanji even shut himself away, refusing all visitors, until He Zhonghu, the commander of the Left Cavalry, sent him a message saying that these old men were needed back in the border army. Only then did Liu Yuanji reluctantly show himself. Otherwise, the old general probably wouldn't have intended to interact with his former comrades for the rest of his life.

It was certainly true that these Beiliang generals, who had experienced the Spring and Autumn Wars, were highly accomplished, unruly, and defiant of discipline.

However, there was one difference compared to many "founding" heroes of Liyang: an indescribable and deeply rooted emotional bond they had with the Xu family, or rather, Xu Xiao. If great Liyang generals like Yan Zhenchun, Yang Shenxing, and Ma Lulang helped the old emperor establish the Zhao Dynasty's empire, then fierce generals like Yan Wenluan, Wei Tieshan, and Liu Yuanji fought alongside Xu Xiao to establish the Xu family's domain. A single word difference, but a world apart. It was simple: Xu Xiao shared hardships and fought alongside them on the battlefield. There was not only the "bond between monarch and subject" but also the camaraderie of comrades-in-arms, willing to die for each other. In the court, things were obscure and hard to discern, and true intentions were rarely seen. On the battlefield, amidst life and death, one's true character was most easily revealed.

Before and after the infamous Xu Fengnian inherited the title of Prince of Beiliang, undercurrents surged. The former cavalry commander Zhong Hongwu was killed, and this was privately referred to in Beiliang Dao not as "killing a chicken to warn the monkeys," but "killing a tiger to warn the wolves." This showed the ferocity of Beiliang's spirit. When Xu Fengnian, as the heir apparent, served as General of Lingzhou, even when Xu Xiao was still alive, didn't the powerful military families controlling Lingzhou's officialdom still cause trouble?

After Xu Fengnian greeted everyone, he saw Lin Doufang, an old veteran of the Lianzi Camp, and suddenly realized something. That first-generation Xu family saber must be the one treasured by this one-armed old man. He remembered Xu Xiao mentioning it many times in his early years, saying that if a first-generation Xu saber still existed in the world today, it was most likely the one he personally gave to Lin Doufang as a token of their children's engagement. However, Lin Doufang later had no children, and this first commander of the Lianzi Camp, disheartened, disappeared in Beiliang. The engagement had to be called off. Yuan Nanting, the current commander of the White Feather Light Cavalry, came from Lianzi Camp. When six hundred old veterans escorted the Crown Prince to the capital, Lin Doufang, Yuan Nanting, and Zhou Kang, the "Brocade Partridge" who was the current commander of the Right Cavalry, all appeared.

Dai Yuanjie brought two chairs for Xu Fengnian and Song Yu. After Xu Fengnian took a chair, he did not rightfully occupy Yao Baifeng's central main seat. He simply placed it casually next to Lin Doufang and sat down. As for Song Yu, the chief steward of Qingliang Mountain, he didn't even take the chair, shaking his head with a smile and refusing it, standing silently at a distance.

Yao Baifeng took all this in, smiled slightly, and then his expression turned serious. He asked directly, "Your Highness, may I ask if Qingliang Mountain was involved in the incident at Chunxuelou in Guangling Dao?"

The early autumn sun was warm and pleasant, but after Yao Baifeng posed his question, even old generals like Lin Doufang and Wei Tieshan felt a jolt of alarm. Their previously relaxed postures immediately became upright and formal.

Xu Fengnian's expression remained normal. He shook his head gently and smiled, "I wish I had some connection to it, but unfortunately, I don't."

Yao Baifeng gazed at the young prince's slightly narrow eyes, remaining silent for a long time. He seemed not to have found the clue he expected. The old man sighed and muttered to himself, "The signs of a chaotic era. After only a little over twenty years of peace, how has it come to this?"

Xu Fengnian's expression remained serene. He smiled and asked, "Does Mr. Yao think that besides the smoke and fires along the Liang-Mang border, why is the Central Plains also plagued by war and chaos?"

Yao Baifeng was startled, then gave a wry smile. "Your Highness needn't be so sarcastic. I ask myself, and I have never believed that Beiliang soldiers should die on the frontier for the stability of the Central Plains."

Xu Fengnian pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Today's chaos in the Central Plains is largely the court's fault. The Liyang court's two main policies—reducing the power of the princes and suppressing local military strongmen—are correct in their general direction. However, the specific methods they employed were too cruel and severe. For example, old generals like Yan Zhenchun and Yang Shenxing, who held military power, were undoubtedly loyal to the Zhao imperial family. And Prince Huainan, Zhao Ying, didn't need to die on the battlefield at all. On the contrary, these people were the very vitality of Liyang. Letting them die of old age in their beds, though messy, would have been far better than orchestrating a war in Guangling Dao to swiftly eliminate them and seize power. Furthermore, no civil or military official in Liyang is a fool. While giving my father a posthumous derogatory title was within acceptable limits, the ruin of Grand Preceptor Zhang Julu's reputation in his later years was particularly disheartening. The current emperor cannot be called an incompetent ruler; he should have been called a rejuvenating monarch. Various measures, such as establishing new academies and granting Yan Zhenchun an exceptionally honorable posthumous title, also greatly comforted the officials and generals. It's just a pity that some things Zhang Julu did well as a minister, Zhao Zhuan, as a monarch, might not be able to do as well, or at least he doesn't have enough time."

Xu Fengnian said calmly, "Where does the current chaos in the Central Plains lie? It lies simply in people's hearts. Prince Huainan, Zhao Ying, died resentful. Prince Jiaodong, Zhao Sui, retired in frustration. Prince Jing'an, Zhao Xun, trembled with fear and fawned over Tai'an City. Prince Guangling, Zhao Yi, tarnished his own reputation to seek hereditary succession. So, it's only reasonable that Prince Yan Chi, Zhao Bing, would raise an army and march north. As for Liyang's military commanders, not to mention old men like Yan and Yang, even among the younger generation—Lu Shengxiang, Cai Nan, Tang Tieshuang, and others—I believe they all harbor some unspoken pain. If Zhang Julu hadn't died, even if he had left the court and retired to a distant life, or even if he hadn't suffered utter ruin, the Central Plains would absolutely not be in chaos today."

Yao Baifeng's face showed pain. He trembled, "No matter what, how innocent are the common people!"

Wei Tieshan shook his head slightly, and Liu Yuanji rolled his eyes. Most of these old Beiliang generals who had survived heaps of corpses generally scoffed at such scholarly idealism.

Xu Fengnian said plainly, "Since the establishment of Great Qin, for eight hundred years, there have been periods of unity and division, and constant warfare. In which dynasty were the common people not innocent? Moreover, Mr.'s four words 'no matter what' are too understated. Even if Emperor Zhao Zhuan has a thousand excuses, as long as he sits on the dragon throne, he must bear the burden of this calamity. Just like I, Xu Fengnian, stopped the Northern Mang cavalry and prevented them from riding straight into the Central Plains. The court doesn't appreciate it, but I don't care at all. If I couldn't stop them, if the second Liang-Mang war was lost, whether I'm cursed in future histories or if the Central Plains people of today point to my spine and curse me, I still wouldn't care."

Xu Beizhi, who was squatting nearby flipping through and airing out books, turned his head and coughed loudly, saying irritably, "Say less of these boastful, nonsensical, unlucky words. You, the Prince of Beiliang, might not care, but I, Xu Beizhi, do! And also, Mr. Yao is the dean of our Baima Academy; be more polite to him!"

Xu Fengnian was speechless and a bit deflated.

Yao Baifeng burst into hearty laughter and said cheerfully, "No matter, no matter. Your Highness is willing to speak such unpleasing words today. I, an old man with one foot in the grave, am very happy, truly very happy!"

Liu Yuanji chuckled, "Of course! Our Prince is a true Beiliang man, a straightforward person who never speaks the court's ridiculous officialese!"

Lin Doufang laughed and scolded, "The Prince's ancestral home is Jinzhou, Liaodong! Besides, he wasn't even born in Beiliang! You, Old Third Liu, have flattered countless times in your life, and not once has it been any good."

Liu Yuanji feared nothing and no one, respecting but not fearing Grand General Xu Xiao, yet he alone feared Lin Doufang, his old brother-in-arms who had faced life and death with him. Otherwise, back then, only Lin Doufang in all Beiliang dared to give Liu Yuanji a few old-fashioned punches. If Wei Tieshan and others hadn't desperately held him back, Liu Yuanji would probably have been kicked countless more times.

Wei Tieshan hesitated, wanting to speak.

Xu Fengnian, sharp-eyed, said gently, "Old General Wei, please speak your mind."

Wei Tieshan gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, does Beiliang truly have to rely on those young people? Are we entrusting the thirty thousand iron cavalry and the very survival of Beiliang to the war in Liuzhou?"

This time it was Yao Baifeng's turn to cough and subtly give Xu Beizhi a meaningful glance.

After all, the academy scholars airing books nearby were a mixed lot, and matters of great importance concerning the frontier needed to be handled with extreme care and discretion.

Xu Fengnian waved his hand and smiled, "It's fine. Discussing this here now won't leak any military secrets."

Xu Fengnian looked directly at Wei Tieshan. "Before Xie Xichui left for Liuzhou, he privately asked me a question: Did I wish for all thirty thousand Beiliang iron cavalry to die gloriously outside the pass, and then, with a clear conscience but regret, await the fall of Beiliang's four prefectures? Or should we take a gamble, potentially enduring eternal infamy, being cursed as a border-defending prince who, despite knowing nothing of military affairs, was eager for glory and recklessly advanced, and being seen by future historians as a classic example of a 'paper general,' all to seize a glimmer of hope for Beiliang?"

All the old generals fell into contemplation.

Lin Doufang was the first to snap back, his expression solemn. "Since Your Highness puts it that way, my trip today wasn't in vain. When I get back, I'll drink two catties of Green Ant wine. I'll save all the curses I had in my belly for later. If by chance we lose, then I'll go to the stele forest on Qingliang Mountain, point at that tombstone, pick up what's in my belly, and curse then."

Liu Yuanji said resentfully, "Lin Doufang, are you cursing His Highness too?"

Lin Doufang said fiercely, "Since he's the Prince of Beiliang, and he has the strongest elite troops in the world at his disposal, then winning a great victory is a matter of course! Grand General Xu Xiao conquered more than half of the Central Plains back then; now, why can't His Highness stop the Northern Mang barbarians?"

Yao Baifeng looked incredulous. Was there such logic in the world?

Xu Beizhi gloated, "Old General Lin's words are fair."

Wei Tieshan, whose temperament was the most peaceful, quickly tried to smooth things over. "Old Lin, you haven't even started drinking, so why are you talking like you're drunk? Your Highness, don't mind this stubborn ox. Old Lin has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. In fact, among us old fellows, when His Highness isn't around, he's the one who protects His Highness the most."

Lin Doufang, his true nature exposed, glared with furrowed brows.

Xu Fengnian's eyes crinkled in a sincere smile as he teased, "Old General Wei, I know it. Old General Lin almost became my father-in-law, after all. It would be strange if he didn't side with me."

Liu Yuanji ruined the mood, saying, "Your Highness is so handsome, and look at Old Lin's ugly appearance. Even if he had a daughter, she'd definitely not be worthy of Your Highness."

Lin Doufang, who in his military career was long accustomed to punching and kicking Liu Yuanji, almost kicked Old Third Liu, who spoke such vulgar words. But with the young prince and Yao Baifeng present, he managed to restrain himself with great difficulty.

Xu Fengnian suddenly said softly, "Mr. Yao, I have a suggestion: Could Baima Academy arrange for some scholars to regularly visit private village schools inside and outside Liangzhou City to teach children from poor families? The content doesn't need to be too detailed; a basic understanding will suffice. Firstly, it wouldn't delay the scholars' studies at the academy, and secondly, those children wouldn't understand profound topics anyway. Because I hope that the future scholars of Beiliang can learn about the customs and traditions of the Central Plains as early as possible. I want them to know that beyond their harsh homeland of Beiliang, there is a vast and wondrous world, inspiring them to aspire to 'read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand li.' So, the academy scholars can teach as they please, even if it's just casually telling the children about local Central Plains food and dishes."

Xu Fengnian paused for a moment, then tentatively said, "This might indeed be a bit of an overkill for their talent. If no academy scholar is willing to do it, I can offer the collection of books from Tide-Listening Pavilion as compensation for their lectures."

At these words, Yao Baifeng was stunned and speechless for a long time.

In the open space in front of the library, under the autumn sun, the young scholars helping to air out books might not have heard the details of the conversation, but everyone could see that scene.

An elderly scholar sat comfortably in the main seat.

Esteemed Beiliang generals, who had killed countless enemies, sat to his left and right.

A prince, holding command over thirty thousand iron cavalry, quietly sat on the periphery.

Then, the young people saw another scene.

That grand master of Neo-Confucianism, whose disciples were spread across the land, slowly stood up, bowed respectfully to the young prince, and with tears welling in his eyes as he lowered his head, he said tremblingly, "I, Yao Baifeng, and my Baima Academy, on behalf of all scholars in Beiliang, pay our respects to the Prince of Beiliang!"