Chapter 922: North Liang North Liang

All good things must come to an end. The Beiliang pair, Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi, parted ways with Chen Wang. Chen Wang continued his journey homeward, the young eunuch naturally still serving as his carriage driver. Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi, after entering Tongguan, the treacherous pass guarding Liangzhou’s eastern gateway, made a brief stop before pressing westward. According to intelligence from the Fushui Chamber, the Liyang imperial envoy’s convoy, carrying the imperial decree, was less than half a day’s journey from the young prince. The three eunuchs in python robes from the Imperial Supervisorate never suspected that the King of Beiliang, who was supposed to be waiting at Qingliang Mountain to receive the decree, was actually trailing right behind them. Along the main post road, which was far more developed than those in the Central Plains, both parties traveled west. Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi declined the escort of Tongguan's elite cavalry, thus they were accompanied only by Mi Fengjie and Fan Xiaochai as attendants. The four men on four horses looked like wealthy young masters enjoying a leisurely journey through the scenic lands.

Mi Fengjie had painstakingly cultivated his martial arts, step by step, to the Zhixuan realm. His battle in the rain brought him much insight, and there were faint signs of his bottleneck loosening. In contrast, Fan Xiaochai gained nothing from it. This was likely their individual destinies, something to be intuitively understood rather than explicitly stated.

For this reason, Mi Fengjie specifically consulted Xu Fengnian about the profound mysteries of the Heavenly Phenomenon realm. During their conversation, he also revealed his longing for the "Two-Sleeved Green Serpent," the famous ultimate technique of the old Sword God Li Chungang. Xu Fengnian was well aware of Mi Fengjie's thoughts and spoke frankly with this late-blooming swordsman. Although "Two-Sleeved Green Serpent" was indeed incredibly powerful, it was unfortunately not suited for Mi Fengjie's personal sword path, especially not for him to change his ways at this juncture. Mi Fengjie pondered for a moment and understood the rationale, though he couldn't help but feel some regret. Unlike Xu Fengnian, Mi Fengjie had diligently practiced swordsmanship for over forty years, and his personal sword techniques and intent had already become "fixed patterns." "Two-Sleeved Green Serpent" required the practitioner's essence, qi, and spirit to be integrated into it. It wasn't that Mi Fengjie couldn't study "Two-Sleeved Green Serpent," nor was it impossible for him to break through and establish something new, advancing further in his cultivation. However, Mi Fengjie was currently on the verge of reaching the Heavenly Phenomenon realm; there was no need to stake everything at this critical moment. This was like a court official who had already become a Vice Minister, the second-in-command of the Ministry of Works, but insisted on rashly transferring to the Ministry of Personnel to start as a Supervising Secretary. Even if the Ministry of Personnel indeed held more power, the risk was too great, and he might not adapt, ultimately ending up with nothing.

Xu Beizhi had already heard Xu Fengnian describe the situation of the battle in the rain. Despite his notoriously carefree attitude in Beiliang officialdom, he still felt a lingering fear.

As the four riders stopped to rest at a roadside teahouse, Xu Fengnian drank a bowl of weak tea that offered no relief against the lingering summer heat. He suddenly said to Xu Beizhi, "After we finish our tea..."

Xu Beizhi was not afraid of cold, but he dreaded heat the most. At that moment, while drinking tea, he asked the teahouse owner for a cattail leaf fan and fanned himself vigorously. He quipped, "What? Are you going to make exorbitant demands? Did that strange eunuch give you a hard time, and now you want to vent your anger on those castrated men from the Imperial Supervisorate?"

Xu Fengnian ignored his sarcastic remarks. "Taking this opportunity," he said, "I plan to request an additional Deputy Military Commissioner and Deputy Commander from the imperial court for Beiliang. I'll inform them beforehand to prevent them from being caught off guard."

Xu Beizhi frowned. "This won't be easy. If it were just an ordinary official's appointment decree, it would be fine. But the decrees for Deputy Military Commissioner and Deputy Commander fall under 'general and minister appointments,' requiring approval from high-ranking officials of the Menxia Province. Although Chen Wang happens to be a Sanji Changshi of the Menxia Province, making it somewhat legitimate, he definitely won't be carrying his official seal on this trip. Moreover, given Chen Wang's cautious nature, he would absolutely not agree to your impromptu plan."

Traditionally, appointment decrees for officials below the third rank were issued by the Ministry of Personnel for civil posts and the Ministry of War for military posts. In the past two decades, during Xu Xiao's lifetime, the Ministries of Personnel and War successively issued over seven hundred blank appointment decrees to Beiliang on three occasions, allowing Beiliang to select and appoint its own officials, with the court merely rubber-stamping the process. This wasn't Beiliang's overbearing attempt at secession; in fact, apart from the feudal territory of Zhao Ying, Prince of Huainan, even Zhao Sui, Prince of Jiaodong – whose influence was the weakest and closest to Tai'an City – could manage this, though certainly not on the same scale as Beiliang or Yan Chi. However, appointment decrees for high-ranking frontier officials like Ministers of the Six Ministries, or Provincial Governors and Generals, have been known as "general and minister appointments" since the Dafeng Dynasty. They were invariably written by officials of the Menxia Province on golden-flowered five-colored silk paper and then submitted to the monarch. The quality of the paper was also linked to the specific official rank. The reason Song Dongming, the former Deputy Commander of Beiliang, was not recognized by the Central Plains was precisely because he lacked this indispensable procedure.

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "At worst, we'll just have Tai'an City issue them retroactively. It's just another trip for the post riders."

Xu Beizhi's tone was far from as nonchalant as Xu Fengnian's. "Will Yang Shenxing have an issue with this?"

Xu Fengnian replied, "I've already spoken with Yang Shenxing, and the old man seemed relieved."

Xu Beizhi sneered, "And you believe him?"

Xu Fengnian calmly said, "Perhaps one day, Yang Shenxing will genuinely thank Beiliang."

Xu Beizhi turned and asked the teahouse owner for another bowl of tea. Taking the bowl, he waited for the old man to walk away. He then asked, "Your unpredictable father-in-law, Lu Dongjiang, is being promoted from Liangzhou Governor to Deputy Commander? If so, won't it seem like a veiled demotion?"

Xu Fengnian gently set down his teacup and slowly said, "Lu Dongjiang is someone who values reputation more than power. Furthermore, Li Gongde has repeatedly offered to resign from the Commander's post, so Lu Dongjiang will only feel that his dealings with Beiliang's top civil official are progressing further."

At this point, Xu Fengnian lowered his gaze to his empty teacup, lost in thought. He then looked up with a smile and said, "So it's settled, you will serve as the Deputy Military Commissioner."

Xu Beizhi subconsciously mumbled in agreement. After taking a sip of tea, he suddenly snapped back to reality. He glared and exclaimed, "Not the Liangzhou Governor?!"

Xu Fengnian burst into laughter, "That position is better reserved for Bai Yu."

Xu Beizhi stared intently at the young prince, gritting his teeth and cursing, "Bullshit!"

Xu Fengnian remained silent.

Mi Fengjie and Fan Xiaochai were completely unaware of why the two had suddenly turned hostile towards each other.

Xu Beizhi laughed in extreme anger. "Do I, Xu Beizhi, need you to arrange a retreat for me? Do I need you, Xu Fengnian, to build a ladder for my future in the Liyang court?"

The second war between Liang and Mang was destined to determine victory, defeat, life, or death. If Beiliang lost, the Liyang court would inevitably absorb a large number of Beiliang officials. Beiliang's military generals would generally die fighting outside the pass; while fence-sitters might exist, they wouldn't be many, and at most, opportunistic individuals like Cao Xing would leave the northwest. As for Beiliang's civil officials, their significance would diminish greatly after the fall of Jubei City outside the pass. Xu Fengnian would not force them to either hold Beiliang to the death or withdraw from the northwest. In that scenario, Xu Beizhi, as the Deputy Military Commissioner in charge of Beiliang's internal military power, would likely be the highest-ranking military official, making him a prized asset for the Liyang Dynasty to absorb. The implications of a second-rank military official from Beiliang were now universally known. If Beiliang miraculously won, the position of Deputy Military Commissioner would naturally be an added bonus. At that time, only Heaven knew how many of Beiliang's 300,000 iron cavalry would remain. The integration of Beiliang and Central Plains officialdom would very likely be an inevitable trend. The four prefectures under Beiliang's jurisdiction, with their dilapidated livelihoods and severely depleted vitality, would likely also need someone to serve as an official in the imperial court to speak for the people of Beiliang. Chen Wang alone would be far from enough, especially since he would also not be suitable for openly representing Beiliang in the future.

After all, Xu Beizhi was no longer the same "Orange" who had just entered Beiliang; he had been tempered in officialdom for many years. He quickly understood the young prince's painstaking efforts, sighed, and said firmly, "Leave this opportunity to Chen Xiliang. As for me, forget it."

Xu Fengnian, who was becoming increasingly powerful in Beiliang, for once did not insist on his own opinion. He nodded with a smile, "As you wish."

Mi Fengjie and Fan Xiaochai simultaneously looked up at the sky. A black speck appeared in their line of sight.

A magnificent raptor swooped down from the sky, carried by a gentle breeze, and landed near the four. It affectionately pecked at the young prince's hand.

Xu Fengnian skillfully removed the Fushui Chamber's secret reed tube tied to the leg of the six-year-old falcon. He gently tipped out the intelligence report, opened it, and a smile played on his lips, as if he was struggling to suppress his laughter.

Xu Beizhi asked, "Military intelligence from the Western Regions?"

Xu Fengnian handed the rolled paper to Xu Beizhi, who took it and, after reading it, exclaimed, "This time, it's truly a relief!"

Regarding Cao Wei and Xie Xichui's unauthorized alteration of the Protectorate's established strategy for Liuzhou, and their impromptu decision to intercept Zhong Tan's cavalry at Miyun Pass, couriers swiftly relayed the military intelligence from Fengxiang, Linyao, and Qingcang all the way to Qingliang Mountain and Huaiyang Pass, causing a sensation among Beiliang's high command. Some experienced and steady border generals, had they not been mindful of the King of Beiliang's prestige (since Cao Wei and Xie Xichui, both young cavalry generals, were Xu Fengnian's trusted proteges), would likely have publicly cursed them out. It could be said that Xu Fengnian, against much opposition, deployed a large number of troops to Liuzhou, especially appointing newcomers like Cao Wei and Yu Luandao, and equally young outsiders like Xie Xichui and Kou Jianghuai, as principal commanders for the Liuzhou campaign. Xu Fengnian bore immense pressure. Should the battle turn unfavorable, leading to the complete collapse of the Liuzhou front, Xu Fengnian's immense military prestige, accumulated from the first Liang-Mang War, would undoubtedly suffer severe damage. Furthermore, Liangzhou, which was closely linked with Liuzhou, would also be doomed to a perilous situation.

Xu Beizhi clicked his tongue. "Those two are truly desperate individuals! They actually wiped out Zhong Tan's cavalry right under the noses of the Lantuoshan monk-soldiers!"

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Cao Wei and Xie Xichui risked their lives to create such a favorable situation; we can't let it go to waste."

Xu Beizhi retorted impatiently, "I know exactly what you're thinking. Alright, I, the temporary Deputy Military Commissioner of Beiliang, will make a trip to Lantuoshan."

Xu Fengnian playfully asked, "Why the change of heart?"

Xu Beizhi uttered a perplexing remark, "For me, it's all the same, actually."

Xu Fengnian didn't press for details. He turned to Mi Fengjie and Fan Xiaochai and said, "You two will escort Deputy Military Commissioner Xu to Lantuoshan. While you're there, have the Fushui Chamber send a message to Cao Wei and Xie Xichui. After the three of you have helped them ascend the mountain and persuaded Lantuoshan to ally with Beiliang, their subsequent military maneuvers will be free from the oversight of the Liuzhou Governor's Mansion, Qingliang Mountain, and the Protectorate."

Xu Beizhi suddenly stood up. Xu Fengnian asked, "No need to rush, is there?"

Xu Beizhi rolled his eyes and walked directly towards the horses. Xu Fengnian had no choice but to get up and see them off. As Mi Fengjie was paying the teahouse owner, Xu Fengnian suddenly chuckled, "Give him a few more copper coins. And I'll have two more bowls of wine."

After mounting his horse, Xu Beizhi looked down at the young prince and said sternly, "Remember, don't get carried away!"

Xu Fengnian, with an innocent expression, said, "What great challenges haven't I faced? How could I possibly get carried away?"

Xu Beizhi scoffed and exposed him, "Your mouth is practically grinning to your ears!"

Xu Fengnian felt disgruntled but didn't retort.

Mi Fengjie and Fan Xiaochai exchanged glances. The old man's eyes were full of smiles, clearly delighted by this harmonious scene between the Beiliang lord and his minister. Fan Xiaochai, however, seemed somewhat annoyed, apparently displeased with Xu Beizhi's attitude.

Xu Fengnian waved goodbye to the three riders.

Only when the three riders' figures vanished from sight did Xu Fengnian turn back and sit down at the table. Two large white bowls of coarse "green ant wine" were already on the table: one for Xu Fengnian, and one for the Sea Dongqing falcon that Chu Lushan had personally nurtured years ago.

Xu Fengnian reached out and stroked its feathers, his eyes gentle. He chuckled, "Old friend, drink slowly."

Through two journeys in Liyang's martial world and one in Beimang's, countless partings and reunions, life and death, only this old friend had remained by his side.

The teahouse owner was just an ordinary commoner, easily impressed. Witnessing a bird drinking wine was an eye-opener for him, and he couldn't resist pulling up a chair and curiously asking, "Young master, what kind of bird is this? It looks truly magnificent!"

Xu Fengnian raised his wine bowl, took a sip, and laughed heartily, "A Sea Dongqing from Liaodong."

The old man, who had never heard of a Sea Dongqing, let out an "oh." Then he tentatively asked, "To be able to raise such a spirited and fine bird, your family background must be quite extraordinary, young master, wouldn't you say?"

Xu Fengnian grinned, "Indeed! My father fought wars his whole life to build up this family fortune, and now that it's in my hands, many influential figures outside Beiliang are envious and covetous of it."

The old man thought this young man was just like those local descendants of Beiliang generals, who loved to boast about their fathers' military achievements and were never afraid of choking on their big talk. Who didn't know that wealthy people in Beiliang, even the rich old men from Liangzhou, always felt less confident when they met the patriarchs of great clans from neighboring prefectures, never daring to claim they had a lot of silver in their pockets?

Xu Fengnian took off the jade pendant hanging from his waist. "Old man, I'm happy today, so I invite you to drink! I don't have any silver on me, so I'll pawn this here, and someone will redeem it with silver later."

The old man first glanced at the jade pendant, unsure if it was genuine, then at the bird pecking at its wine on the table, hesitating. Finally, he nodded and went to fetch two jars of good "green ant wine" that he hadn't been able to sell.

The old man initially drank moderately; only after the young master finished a large bowl did he drink less than half a bowl. Moreover, the old man had a good tolerance for alcohol; if he truly indulged, he could probably handle seven or eight bowls. However, he managed the teahouse business by himself and worried that if he got drunk, the young man might simply slip away. Then his wife at home would surely scold him from that day until the New Year. Furthermore, he had a young grandson studying at the village school, and the old man planned to use the silver scraps he saved to buy the child what they called the "Four Treasures of the Study" for the New Year. Not long ago, his grandson came home saying that a young teacher, who had originally studied at a great academy and whose knowledge was as vast as the sky, had arrived at the village school. He had told them many things about Jiangnan, describing its small bridges, flowing water, and homes. The young teacher also spoke of his family's garden scenery, though the child couldn't articulate it clearly, and the old man, who had never touched a book, understood even less. But as he listened, the old man, who had toiled his whole life, felt a new sense of hope emerge in his heart.

Their village, with its hundred or so households, had seen some better-off families secretly flee when the war with the Beimang barbarians first broke out outside the pass. But once the war outside the pass was won, they all rushed back. Now that war was coming again, no one made excuses to visit relatives in Liangzhou or leave Beiliang.

The old man, having managed the teahouse and constantly receiving and sending off travelers, naturally had more worldly experience than his fellow villagers who spent the year farming. After hearing countless casual conversations from tea and wine drinkers, the old man gradually came to understand a simple truth: for hundreds of years, the most powerful and unified nomadic forces, claiming millions of iron cavalry and armored soldiers, had consistently failed to advance even half a step south into the Central Plains for the past two decades.

Because before there was Grand General Xu Xiao, and now there was the new King of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian.

Because Beiliang had two generations of the Xu family: father and son.

The old man didn't understand the harm that feudal lords' secession posed to the imperial court, nor did he understand the friction between Beiliang and the Zhao imperial family of Liyang. Living in Beiliang, the old man only knew that no matter how fiercely Beiliang fought outside the pass, for over two decades, not a single Beimang barbarian on horseback with a sabre had been seen within Beiliang's borders.

For unarmed common people to live in peace, and to be able to support their families as long as they were willing to work hard, could there be anything more comforting in the world? No.

Gradually, the old man also got tipsy and happy.

The young master also got drunk and spoke a lot of nonsense and big words. He said that he had once toasted many grand generals in his family's great hall, even using poetic language like, "Call forth your son, and sell him for good wine!" He claimed that at that time, old military generals like Yan Wenluan, He Zhonghu, Chen Yunshui, and Zhong Hongwu, as well as civil officials like Li Gongde and Yan Jiexi, sat in his family's great hall, along with young people like Chen Zhibao, Chu Lushan, Yuan Zuozong, Qi Dangguo, Yao Jian, and Ye Xizhen.

The old man, already seven or eight parts drunk, laughed heartily, not taking it seriously. He scoffed at the young man, "Hmph, just spouting nonsense!"

Finally, the young man, who seemed to have read some poetry, began to sing loudly, claiming there were some words he wanted the Central Plains to hear:

"You only see, you only see the myriad carp leaping over the Dragon Gate at Tingchao Lake!But you do not see Qingliang Mountain, where countless nameless stone tablets stand!You only see, you only see the piles of heads forming a victory mound at Hulukou!But you do not see the dead beneath the high walls, their bones supporting each other!You only see, you only see riders galloping north of Liangzhou, whistling against the west wind!But you do not see, south of the border pass, the clear sound of reading emerging from humble huts!You only see, you only see 300,000 iron cavalry, unmatched under heaven!But you do not see the people of Beiliang, their homes draped in white mourning!"

Later, whenever the young man sang "Central Plains" after "You only see," the old man would also belt out "Beiliang" loudly in between "But you do not see."

The old man understood nothing, but he merely wished to join the revelry.

The young man's voice was desolate, like the tip-bottomed persimmon trees commonly seen throughout Beiliang, bare and empty in winter, with only withered branches remaining.

Finally, the teahouse owner fell into a drunken slumber, his head on the table. The young man swayed as he stood up, placed the jade pendant into the old man's hand, helped him clench his palm, and then walked towards his horse.

Under the setting sun, one man and one horse slowly rode west.

The young man dozed as he rode. His body swayed with the rise and fall of the horse's back.

He slept profoundly.

To sleep and not wake up is truly death.