Chapter 956: North Liang's Sorrow

The Spring Snow Tower of the Guangling Prince's Estate changed hands, and indeed, half of Liyang's territory changed owners overnight.

Nalan Youci, the architect of these events, sat on the rim of the Rouge Well, perched on a mountain peak by the river. In one hand, he held a dozen vibrant rain flower stones, a specialty of Guangling Dao, picking them up one by one and dropping them continuously into the well.

Standing beside Nalan Youci was Lu Baijie, the Tangxi Sword Immortal, now a captive. Unlike Wang Xiongxian, the Administrator who had been incarcerated, Lu Baijie, as the Military Governor of Guangling Dao, remained free within the Prince's Estate, provided he did not leave without authorization.

Lu Baijie asked, "Mr. Nalan, why have you sought me?"

Nalan Youci lowered his head, peering into the dark well, and chuckled softly. "Although the Yan Chi Prince's Estate has spies and loyal agents who have been entrenched in Tai'an City for many years—some even holding high official positions—they simply cannot compare to Mr. Tangxi, who has been at the very heart of the government for so long. I merely wish to ascertain, regarding Tai'an City, how many of Liyang's high-ranking officials, those eligible to attend the 'Small Court Session' at Yangshen Hall, are truly unwavering in their loyalty, how many will vacillate when things become precarious, and how many are alienated from the young emperor. If Mr. Tangxi is willing to speak frankly, we can then tailor our approach, which will ultimately mean fewer wronged souls and wandering spirits in Tai'an City."

Even as he uttered such profoundly ruthless and cutting remarks, the Spring and Autumn strategist's voice remained calm and measured, and his smile was subtle. He was truly an elegant and charming figure, one difficult to dislike.

Lu Baijie said, "Mr. Nalan, you are thinking too much."

Nalan Youci, with an expression that said "I knew it," elegantly waved his sleeve, stood up, and smiled faintly. "Come, I'll take you to a room. It's a study I painstakingly put together for Mr. Tangxi, which cost me a full three thousand *shi* of rice."

Lu Baijie was utterly bewildered. A study as a gift? And what was the meaning of the three thousand *shi* of rice? Even in his hometown of Jiangnan Dao, let alone the prohibitively expensive Tai'an City, how many quality writing instruments could such a small amount of rice, converted to silver, possibly acquire?

Nalan Youci, full of confidence, declared, "Mr. Tangxi, I encourage you to wait and see; you absolutely will not be disappointed!"

Lu Baijie followed Nalan Youci to a quiet side courtyard within the Prince's Estate. They passed through corridors and buildings until Nalan Youci pushed open a door, extending a hand to gesture for Lu Baijie to enter the room.

The first thing to catch the eye was a half-table made of dark-grained *huanghuali* wood. Being a low-style table, it was not intended for displaying valuable curios, but its waist was carved with banana leaf edges, undulating gracefully like water waves. The sides featured intricate carvings of flowering branches and birds, evoking the charm of Da Feng colored porcelain. Below the apron, dragon-shaped corner braces curved upward with great vitality, and the contrasting intricate patterns above and below created a distinct elegance. Further within the room stood a long table adorned with *chi*-dragon carvings. Upon it lay the "four treasures of the study," each an heirloom that any scholarly family from Jiangnan Dao would have yearned to possess.

Nalan Youci approached the table, deftly using two fingers to lift the lid of an ancient and exquisitely crafted purple clay teapot. The pot's body remained attached as he smiled. "This is precisely the 'Heaven and Earth Shared Spring' teapot, a model long lost from the old Dongyue kingdom. When this pot was popular across the land, the act of tea drinking itself became secondary, as the pot became a highly prized collector's item. Today, it is virtually unobtainable at any price. Unfortunately, most Dongyue scholars preferred to be buried with a Shared Spring pot, and so many were destroyed during the Hongjia Northern Campaign that these rare artifacts are now incredibly scarce. Mr. Tangxi, as a master of the tea ceremony, I imagine you appreciate the extraordinary nature of this pot even more than I do."

Lu Baijie merely glanced at the teapot, then scanned the room, his expression darkening. He asked gravely, "All these objects in this room... they only cost three thousand *shi* of rice?!"

Nalan Youci burst into laughter. "Don't worry, it's absolutely not the raging war in Guangling Dao that forced noble houses to sell off their treasures at rock-bottom prices. To be frank, ever since the fall of Great Chu twenty years ago, Guangling Dao's official circles have been dominated by newly rich upstarts, none of whom possess names of true value. The rest are mostly shrewd opportunists who quickly adapted when Spring Snow Tower changed hands, so they wouldn't need to trade such fine possessions for rice or silver."

Nalan Youci suddenly squatted, ducked under the *chi*-dragon carved desk, then poked his head out and beckoned to Lu Baijie.

Lu Baijie was utterly baffled by this strategist who had thrown Xiangfu into turmoil. After a brief hesitation, he nonetheless mirrored Nalan Youci's actions and ducked under the desk. Nalan Youci ran his fingers along the underside of the table and chuckled, "It's broad daylight, so lighting a candle isn't ideal, but with the Tangxi Sword Immortal's keen eyesight, you should still be able to discern this item's origin from the handwriting. Right here!"

Following Nalan Youci's finger, Lu Baijie looked up. He saw what appeared to be six characters, crudely carved with a dagger, childish and completely lacking any refined style. Yet, Lu Baijie was utterly astonished. The six characters represented three individuals, each with a given name but no surname: Fengnian, Zhihu, Longxiang!

It was common knowledge that Xu Zhihu, who had married far away into Jiangnan, was Lu Baijie's niece-in-law. Lu Baijie, among the Lu family elders, had always been the one most fond of her. Therefore, he confirmed without a doubt that this was indeed Xu Zhihu's handwriting. He recalled that on Qingliang Mountain, Xu Zhihu and Xu Weixiong had never been particularly close since childhood. The fact that among the four Xu family children, only Xu Weixiong's name was absent, served as powerful evidence that could not be faked by anyone! Lu Baijie could even vividly imagine the mischievous young girl in red, sitting on the ground years ago, playfully carving those words with a small knife.

Lu Baijie remained silent for a long time; even after he and Nalan Youci emerged from under the table, he still refrained from speaking.

Nalan Youci, with a gleeful expression as if having discovered a hidden gem, remarked, "I'd wager that even the table's owner didn't know his sister had carved words under it back then; otherwise, he surely wouldn't have been willing to sell it."

Recalling the young man who years ago had brazenly asked if he could "buy a few catties of benevolence and morality" from him, Lu Baijie's emotions were complex. He offered a bitter smile and said, "How could his Xu family fall to such a state? Mr. Nalan, didn't you say earlier that after Zhao Xun left Qingzhou, he completely lost control of Jing'an Dao? How then could he prevent grain shipments from reaching Liang? Moreover, you yourselves have, unusually, shown no interest in intervening in Jing'an Dao for the time being. I initially assumed it was out of concern that your forces would be too dispersed and your battle lines overextended, risking a swift southward advance by Wu Chongxuan's army. But now it appears this was *your* intention, Nalan Youci? To deliberately sow discord between Beiliang and the imperial court, fearing that if the Beiliang border army unexpectedly wins the second Liang-Mang war, the Xu family's iron cavalry would still have enough strength to rush to the Central Plains to suppress rebellions?!"

Nalan Youci leaned casually against the window, appearing refined and elegant. He said playfully, "Otherwise, do you truly believe an old Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wen Taiyi, could have so smoothly returned to Qingzhou to serve as Administrator? Imperial officials are forbidden from holding office in their hometowns—that's a law of Liyang!"

Nalan Youci's smile deepened. He tutted, "No matter how extensive Wen Taiyi's seniority in the capital or how robust his connections in Tai'an City, he should have received an exceptional promotion to a civil leadership position elsewhere. I expended considerable favors in Tai'an City just to get that fellow appointed as Jing'an Dao Administrator. Yet, to my utter astonishment, the Liyang court granted me an immense surprise: they appointed Ma Fulu's son to command the military power in Jing'an Dao. This arrangement ensured that, regarding the grain shipments to Liang, the two major regional civil and military authorities could secretly support those 'state parasites,' enabling them to withstand the pressure from Qi Yanglong and Huan Wen. Otherwise, with anyone else, it's hard to say; after all, when two high officials clash, it's no small matter. The remaining two million *shi* of grain might very well have ended up being sent to Lingzhou in Beiliang."

Lu Baijie pressed one palm firmly onto the tabletop. The table groaned and creaked, visibly bearing the immense pressure exerted by the Tangxi Sword Immortal.

Nalan Youci, in high spirits, chuckled to himself. "In this world, war always demands provisions. The Beiliang border army is no divine force, and thus no exception. Even if young Prefect Xu Beizhi, with remarkable foresight, took on the role of a 'rice-buying Prefect,' the resources of Lingzhou alone—despite being known as the 'Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall'—are clearly insufficient to sustain the Beiliang border army, which is on the verge of its second Liang-Mang War, without concern. So, what should Xu Beizhi, the Beiliang Transport Commissioner, do?"

Nalan Youci then answered his own question: "'Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice'—a truth understood even by illiterate commoners, let alone Xu Beizhi, the foremost Beiliang civil official whom Liyang's Zhao imperial family most desperately wishes to win over. So, Xu Beizhi went to Qingliang Mountain and told the Xu family's vassal king: 'Your family has a good deal of silver, but it's still not enough. Sell your family assets. I'll manage this for you, and you, Xu Fengnian, can be a hands-off manager, out of sight, out of mind. Coincidentally, that costly Jubei City needs to be built outside Liangzhou Pass. The wages for non-military households involved will come from these sales, and the border army's provisions will be earned from those who come to Lingzhou to buy your Xu family's assets. Quote them a price, don't take their silver, only grain. As long as they can, through their personal connections or various channels, extract grain from the various shipping officials along the Guangling River, big or small, no matter how they deliver it to Beiliang, the deal will count!'"

Nalan Youci extended a finger and pointed to a folding fan resting beside Lu Baijie. "This is the late-life masterpiece of Ma Xiaoguan, the renowned fan maker from the old Western Shu. Only two exist in the world today: one resides in the Liyang Emperor's imperial study, likely just for admiration on scorching summer days, too precious to be actually used to 'invite the cool breeze.' The other one is right here, by your hand, Mr. Tangxi. Do you know how many *shi* of rice it took to acquire this fan? Six hundred. Sounds incredibly low, doesn't it? Even factoring in the buyer's networking expenses, it's still an enormous profit, wouldn't you agree? But let's not unfairly accuse the King of Beiliang of being unaware of the cost of living; his method of accounting is quite different from ours. It's truly a pity, Mr. Tangxi, that you comprehend that calculation, and even Qi Yanglong and Huan Wen, those two pillars of the nation, grasp it, yet it remains utterly useless!"

Nalan Youci approached the dark-grained *huanghuali* half-table, then abruptly stood on his tiptoes and, with a rather undignified plop, seated himself on the table, facing the standing Lu Baijie. He spread his hands. "Mr. Tangxi is not one of those pedantic, rigid scholars who merely bury themselves in ancient texts. You served as a Minister in the Ministry of War in the capital; though not the head of the Ministry of Revenue, you naturally understand the annual food requirements for our Central Plains populace and the young men in the border army. While local customs and wealth vary, leading to slight deviations, the general consumption is quite consistent. Mr. Tangxi, being from a prominent Jiangnan Dao family, knows that in your region, which is unmatched in wealth, dining habits are lavish. Affluent households often enjoy four or even five meals a day, and even ordinary citizens can maintain three meals a day. The proverb, 'Two *shao*, three *shao*, fill the pot; the most prized fresh fish is the yellow croaker,' describes a life that even I, far away in the Southern Frontier, find enviable."

Nalan Youci lightly clapped one palm. "In stark contrast, in impoverished Beiliang, even the people of Lingzhou generally subsist on two meals a day. In summer and autumn, they have two vegetarian days for every one meat day; in spring and winter, it's three vegetarian days for one meat day. Young men engaged in heavy labor can each have a ladle of wine, and 'Green Ant' wine, as you know, is famously inexpensive. Given this, a young man in Beiliang consumes approximately eleven *shi* of rice per year, with rations for women and children halved. If we consider a household of five, and knowing that one able-bodied young man is often serving in the border army beyond the pass, then a Beiliang household with just one young man remaining inside the pass would require sixteen to seventeen *shi* of rice annually. Based on Xu Beizhi's food procurement efforts in Lingzhou over the past two years, he could roughly guarantee that the grain supply for the populace within the pass would remain unaffected by war for three years. In a crisis, they could even provide an emergency supply of five hundred thousand *shi* to the Beiliang border army. However, this is Beiliang's absolute limit! The second Liang-Mang War is imminent. If it drags on for a year, calculating at eleven *shi* of grain per able-bodied border soldier per year, by next autumn, they will need three million one hundred thousand *shi* of provisions!"

Nalan Youci lightly clapped his hands and smiled. "But the imperial court has only dispatched eight hundred thousand *shi* of provisions thus far. The remaining promised two million two hundred thousand *shi*... if I were one of those shipping officials who traditionally earned a fortune daily, I couldn't possibly turn that around either, could I? Furthermore, 'it's easy to embrace luxury, but difficult to revert to frugality.' To suddenly lose a dividend of three million *shi* of grain annually, for no reason—that's akin to murdering someone's parents by severing their livelihood. Can that truly be endured? Especially when it's for those Beiliang 'barbarians'! If it were for the Liaodong border army, under the command of Grand Pillar General Gu Jiantang, perhaps it would be bearable, one might simply pinch their nose and resign themselves to fate; after all, it's unwise to sacrifice one's future and life for mere money. But aren't the Beiliang barbarians and the Beiman barbarians already locked in a dog-eat-dog struggle? We'll simply prolong things. The Xu family's iron cavalry can barely protect themselves; how could they possibly spare the energy to contend with us shipping officials who are so far removed?"

The desk beneath Lu Baijie's palm suddenly shattered, its four legs splintering with a loud crack!

The entire tabletop dropped directly to the floor. The elegant scholar's curios, once priceless and rare but now utterly worthless, scattered and rolled away as if startled.

Nalan Youci, completely ignoring the damage, continued to chuckle. "Of course, even a cornered dog will jump over a wall. Beiliang isn't just relying on cheaply selling assets for provisions. Didn't that young man, Xu, organize the formidable 'Fish Dragon Gang'? He's had them clear paths along the Guangling River, setting up shops everywhere with countless antique treasures. And these martial artists are quite strong. It's said that Transport Commissioner Xu Beizhi has spread the word: any Liyang official who dares to obstruct the Fish Dragon Gang's legitimate business will find Beiliang's iron cavalry personally knocking on their door to 'reason' with them. In fact, the local government offices and garrisons along both banks, still shaken by the previous ten thousand Great Snow Dragon Riders, were indeed intimidated by this move. So, at this juncture, it falls to me, Nalan Youci, once again to muddy the waters."

Nalan Youci extended a finger, pointing to his own nose, his smile brilliant.

Lu Baijie clenched his fists, staring intently at this solitary remaining figure among the celebrated Spring and Autumn strategists.

Zhao Changling, Huang Longshi, Yuan Benxi, Li Yishan — all had died, one after another.

It seemed only Nalan Youci had survived to the very end, and he appeared to be having the last laugh.

Lu Baijie asked, "Nalan Youci, your sole aim is surely to help Zhao Bing usurp the throne; why resort to such extremes?!"

Nalan Youci's smile faded. He rested his hands on the delicate *huanghuali* tabletop. "The efforts I've invested in Beiliang have never been less than those in Tai'an City."

Lu Baijie, usually so gentle and refined, roared in an uncharacteristic display of rage, "Are you truly not afraid that as Liyang and Beiliang contend, only Beiman will profit like the fisherman? Nalan Youci, what exactly is your goal?!"

Nalan Youci was utterly indifferent to the killing intent radiating from Lu Baijie. He said languidly, "Those who know me say my heart is troubled; those who do not, ask what I seek."

Then Nalan Youci turned and smiled towards the door. "Everyone, step back. Mr. Tangxi is merely jesting."

Lu Baijie, his anger turning into a bitter laugh, retorted, "I'm joking with you, Nalan Youci?!"

Nalan Youci countered, "Otherwise, do you genuinely believe you could kill me?"

The Tangxi Sword Immortal immediately sagged in defeat.

Lu Baijie had never felt so utterly disheartened.

Whether it was his deliberate withdrawal into obscurity within a family teeming with brilliant talents for the sake of a woman, or his banishment from Tai'an City by the Liyang Emperor, or even his captivity in Spring Snow Tower, the naturally detached Lu Baijie had never experienced such profound helplessness.

Nalan Youci jumped off the table and chuckled mockingly. "The entire Central Plains will eventually feel as helpless as you do. You, Lu Baijie, are merely the first to experience it personally."

Lu Baijie silently squatted down, lifted the tabletop, and gazed blankly at the words the woman had carved years ago, lost in thought.

After uttering his final remark, Nalan Youci slowly walked out of the room, not forgetting to gently close the door behind him for Mr. Tangxi.

That remark was, "I'll be curious to see how that young man, Xu, intends to help you of the Central Plains defend the northwestern gate of the nation!"

Nalan Youci exited the room, left the courtyard, and ascended to the top floor of Spring Snow Tower. He stood by the corridor railing, gazing into the distance at the Guangling River.

He murmured to himself, "Drunkenly holding a wine cup, one can embrace the pure breeze of Jiangnan Wu and Yue, and absorb the robust spirit of Qin and Long in the Northwest!"

Yet now, I live in Jiangnan, while you, who once uttered such grand words, have long since perished in the Northwest.

Nalan Youci looked up and softly asked, "Li Yishan, if you were still alive, would you advise your student to abandon the defense of this northwestern national gate?"

Just then, a voice sounded behind Nalan Youci. "Li Yishan would never utter such words."

Nalan Youci didn't turn around. He quickly regained his composure and asked with a smile, "Why does the King of Shu also have the leisure to ascend to great heights and gaze into the distance?"

It was indeed Chen Zhibao, the uninvited guest, who calmly stated, "What is Wu Chongxuan? If he were assigned to the Beiliang border army, he wouldn't even be fit to be a Deputy Commander of the infantry. Is he truly worth my serious attention?"

Nalan Youci finally turned, leaning against the railing, and grinned. "Don't say that in front of Zhao Bing; it would be too much of an insult. Wu Chongxuan and I were once the very trusted lieutenants of the Yan Chi King back in the day."

Chen Zhibao sneered, "So your Southern Frontier forces are only good for internal conflicts within the Central Plains."

Nalan Youci sighed, "Ah, Chen Zhibao, Chen Zhibao, you truly must change that habit of yours, always insisting on speaking only the unvarnished truth."

The implication was that Nalan Youci clearly did not refute Chen Zhibao; he tacitly conceded the former Beiliang Protector-General's contempt for the elite Southern Frontier army.

Nalan Youci asked with a smile, "Do you regret leaving Beiliang?"

Chen Zhibao's lips twitched; he had lost even the desire to speak.

Nalan Youci turned back, gazing at the Guangling River, which flowed ceaselessly into the sea. He said, "'Iron cavalry resisting the north like a great halberd spanning the river'—who uttered that line?"

Chen Zhibao still did not speak.

Nalan Youci leaned on the railing, resting his chin gently on his stacked hands. "Beiliang, Beiliang... it's a homophone for 'bleak and desolate,' quite inauspicious. I wonder why that fellow didn't persuade Xu Xiao to change the name back then."

Chen Zhibao finally spoke, a cold sneer on his face. "Bleak and desolate?"

He walked to Nalan Youci's side and burst out laughing. "My Beiliang iron cavalry numbers three hundred thousand! We may live a bleak life, but our deaths are magnificent—a concept your 'land of gentle comforts' in the Central Plains will never grasp!"

Nalan Youci softly murmured, "You said 'my Beiliang'?"

Nalan Youci, suddenly enlightened, let out an "Oh," and continued to himself, "Once a Beiliang border soldier, always a Beiliang veteran. I understand now. Your actions have nothing to do with the new King of Liang, Xu Fengnian, nor even with the old King of Liang, Xu Xiao."

Nalan Youci shifted, supporting his chin with one hand and gently tapping the railing with the other, as he continued to gaze into the distance. "Chen Zhibao, rest assured, I will help make this Central Plains understand as well. Of course, this is precisely the very premise that allows us to stand here and converse."

Chen Zhibao asked, "Are you not afraid that Zhao Bing and his son Zhao Zhu will kill you? Especially Zhao Zhu?"

Nalan Youci offered a rather unfunny jest, "Me? I'm practically scared to death."

Chen Zhibao turned and departed, stating in a deep voice, "I, Chen Zhibao, care not for the process, only the outcome. If you fail to deliver when the time comes, never mind Zhao Bing and Zhao Zhu, I will kill you first."

Nalan Youci, his back to the White-Clad Military Sage, spoke with a voice as calm as an ancient well. "Let us two, along with this world, wait and see."