Chapter 974: North Liang Has No Heroic Figures

During the Chushu (End of Heat) solar term, summer’s warmth reaches its peak, and the autumn air gradually turns crisp. Hawks, sensing this shift in atmosphere, begin to hunt flocks of birds.

Every year during this season, the Beiliang border army performs a long-standing ritual: the hawk release. Hawks and falcons, meticulously bred by Fushui Manor for the border army’s skirmishers, are set free outside Liangzhou Pass. A hundred cavalry ride out, and the multitude of hawks soar high, creating an extremely spectacular sight.

As the White Horse Skirmishers from outside Liangzhou Pass had been redeployed to the Liuzhou battlefield, the Jubei City Prince’s Manor assigned the elite cavalry of He Zhonghu's Left Cavalry Army to perform the ritual. This was for two reasons: firstly, the elderly Commander He was gravely ill, merely holding the title of Left Cavalry Army Commander in name. This hawk release would mark the esteemed veteran's farewell to the battlefield. Secondly, Lu Dayuan, a new deputy commander of the Left Cavalry Army who had been away from the border army for over a decade, was perfectly positioned to personally lead the hundred riders north of Jubei City for the hawk release.

On the day of the hawk release, as the sun set, the horse path along Jubei City's wall was bustling with people. Zhou Kang, the "Brocade Partridge" and commander of the Right Cavalry Army, ascended the city wall slowly, accompanied by Li Yanchao. His expression, initially stern, softened slightly upon seeing the ailing Commander He Zhonghu, who, having removed his armor, was wrapped in heavy furs to ward off the cold.

Li Yanchao, a formidable border general who had "defected" from the Left Cavalry Army to the Right, maintained an indifferent expression. Only in the depths of his shadowed eyes was there a flicker of guilt, yet it was a guilt he did not regret.

The young prince, a Liangdao sword at his waist, stood centrally on the city wall. He gazed into the distance, watching the multitude of hawks soar, and felt a sense of peace and contentment.

After observing Lu Dayuan leading the hundred riders back to Jubei City from a distance, Xu Fengnian turned to He Zhonghu beside him. The old man's aged body could no longer withstand the bumps of horseback riding; even wearing a sword and armor had become an extravagance. After today's hawk release, he would officially leave the battlefield. The old commander had no children and no residence within the pass. Xu Fengnian had expected that, given the veteran's nature, he would choose to retire in Jubei City, as he would be closer to the familiar sound of horse hooves. Xu Fengnian had even personally arranged for a quiet residence near the Prince's Manor. Yet, the old man eventually stated that while he still had some strength and before he was confined to a sickbed, he wished to travel to Lingzhou. He remarked that Lingzhou was considered "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall" in Beiliang, and he had long heard of its prosperity. After twenty years of dealing with horse manure outside the pass, he felt he deserved to enjoy some comforts and good meals there.

Xu Fengnian understood that the old man's talk of enjoying comforts was merely a pretext. The real reason was his desire to avoid frequent encounters with the incoming Left Cavalry Army commander, acting as a "retired emperor." Even if his successor wouldn't feel constrained, the old man remained resolute. Xu Fengnian even asked Xu family elders of the same generation as Commander He, such as Chen Yunchui and Lin Doufang, to intervene, but their efforts were futile. He Zhonghu, who had devoted his entire life to the battlefield, was determined to depart.

Sensing the young prince's gaze, He Zhonghu laughed freely. "My Lord, please don't try to persuade me further," he said. "I admit my talent for leading troops is mediocre. The victories I achieved were thanks to the old Xu family veterans from before and the current Beiliang border army, and by being open to others' opinions. It's embarrassing to say, but in my nearly fifty years of military life, while I wouldn't claim to have led every charge during the Spring and Autumn Wars, I certainly did so no less often than old fellows like Liu Yuanji and Wei Tieshan. For some reason, I ended up with the fewest injuries, far less than the Grand General himself. I recall when the Grand General first brought us to Beiliang, no matter how good our relationships were, everyone shamelessly competed for powerful general positions. My Lord, do you know how Wei Tieshan slandered me to the Grand General back then?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head, smiling.

The old man laughed heartily. "Liu Yuanji and Wei Tieshan, those two old scoundrels, were actually both single-mindedly after my position back then. Liu Yuanji, who had read a few books, was full of schemes; he didn't want to be the bad guy himself, so he incited the boorish Wei Tieshan to tell the Grand General that while I, He Zhonghu, rarely got injured on the battlefield, I had continuous minor ailments without major disasters. He claimed that someone who never gets sick might just collapse and never recover if they do get ill. Therefore, for the upcoming battles against the Northern Mang barbarians, I shouldn't be allowed to lead the cavalry in charges. If I accidentally died, it wouldn't just be my life lost, but also the border army's prestige. Could I tolerate that? Of course not! So, in a fit of rage, I went to the Grand General, drew the third-generation Xu family saber I was wearing at the time, and declared fiercely, 'Either let me be the Deputy Commander of the Cavalry, or I'll take this saber and hack that scoundrel Wei Tieshan to death!' The Grand General had no choice but to agree."

Xu Fengnian chuckled in amusement.

The ailing old man, close to death, fell silent. He gazed northwards alongside the young prince, who was not yet thirty.

Back then, Zhao Gou meticulously gathered an enormous amount of intelligence on the Northwest Border Army. Based on this, the Liyang Ministry of War once concluded that the Beiliang Iron Cavalry was deeply fragmented, with severe internal conflicts between cavalry and infantry units. Relations between the cavalry outside Liangzhou Pass and the Youling-Liangzhou cavalry were particularly strained, and connections between generals outside the pass and influential military officials within were lukewarm. Therefore, the supposed 300,000 Beiliang Iron Cavalry could only remain united because Xu Xiao, the "Human Butcher," was alive to awe all factions, and because Chen Zhibao, a figure of immense prestige, stood behind him. However, during the transition of military power between these two generations of cavalry leaders, significant turmoil was highly probable. The major Beiliang infantry faction, led by Yan Wenluan, was expected to firmly support Chen Zhibao, the Beiliang Protector-General, in his ascension. Yet, several important factions commanding the cavalry outside Liangzhou Pass, including Zhong Hongwu and He Zhonghu, might not be willing to submit. Liu Jinu of Hutou City would even more steadfastly uphold the "Human Butcher's" dying wish. As for ambitious young generals like Li Yanchao, Li Mofan, and Cao Xiaojiao, known for their unruly nature in Beiliang, their factional loyalties were less defined, and they would likely choose sides opportunistically between Beiliang Protector-General Chen Zhibao and His Royal Highness Xu Fengnian.

Among these factional military leaders, the Spring and Autumn veteran He Zhonghu's presence was quite unique. Although he had once been a "Dragon Supporter" general of the Zhao Changling lineage, alongside Yan Wenluan, and highly regarded Chen Zhibao, he was also universally recognized for his exceptional loyalty to the old King of Liang, Xu Xiao, and his minimal personal ambition.

Even the Ministry of War in Taian City, thousands of miles away, could discern this situation, and Tingchao Pavilion, naturally, saw it even more clearly. Consequently, Yan Wenluan's two direct deputy commanders, Wei Tieshan and Liu Yuanji, successively left the infantry. Meanwhile, Spring and Autumn veterans of similar age and standing, including Zhong Hongwu and He Zhonghu, consistently maintained a firm grip on the border cavalry's military power. Subsequently, Chen Zhibao rode alone to Shu, defecting from Beiliang. Zhong Hongwu, arrogant due to his achievements, failed to maintain his integrity in his later years, leading to the transfer of the entire Beiliang cavalry's military authority to Yuan Zuozong, "Brocade Partridge" Zhou Kang, and others. Concurrently, the outsider Gu Dazu was embedded as a deputy commander within the infantry faction. Then, with the Crown Prince's directives and Qingliang Mountain's covert support, Chen Xiliang, a humble scholar from Jiangnan, suddenly assumed great power. Although the salt and iron reforms faced immense resistance, causing Chen Xiliang to stumble and eventually fail, some people had no time to celebrate before Chen Xiliang began establishing fourteen powerful colonels within the pass. Xu Fengnian, who had just inherited the kingship of Beiliang, was particularly decisive in this matter. Yan Wenluan's initial silence after his audience with Xu Fengnian allowed this military power reform, which affected half of Beiliang, to proceed smoothly and without hindrance.

The Liyang court, having already lost its chief minister Zhang Julu, was utterly helpless concerning the gradual power transition within the Beiliang Iron Cavalry. It neither witnessed the anticipated internal strife nor was it ultimately able to intervene.

Ultimately, the changes within the Beiliang border army stemmed from a statement Li Yishan made during his lifetime: "My Xu family's 300,000 troops are sufficient to confront the Northern Mang Southern Dynasty border army. However, against the nomadic cavalry invading from the entire northern grassland, we will certainly be outmatched. The outcome will not change merely because the Beiliang Iron Cavalry is considered the finest in the world. Therefore, our Beiliang border army needs a new generation to create a new vitality."

While Xu Fengnian, on a personal level, might have favored Xu Beizhi between the two young strategists, Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang, Li Yishan's expectations for Chen Xiliang during his lifetime were subtly higher than for Xu Beizhi.

Currently, Chen Xiliang's prestige within the Beiliang border army, particularly among the refugee youth and Liuzhou cavalry, is no less than that of Governor Yang Guangdou or Liuzhou General Kou Jianghuai. He also maintains extremely close ties with young generals such as Yu Luandao and Cao Wei. Meanwhile, Xu Beizhi, who concurrently holds the positions of Beiliang Dao Transport Commissioner and Deputy Military Governor, is at the peak of his career in the official circles within the pass. During his tenure as Lingzhou Governor, he cultivated deep relationships with Lingzhou General Han Laosan and influential colonels like Huang Xiaokuai.

When Lu Dayuan, an old Xu family veteran who had returned to the border army and now wielded significant power, appeared outside the city wall leading over a hundred elite cavalry, the old commander, whose hands had been resting on the cold battlements, turned sideways. He didn't address the young man as "My Lord," but simply took Xu Fengnian's hand. Filled with mixed emotions, the old man softly said, "You've worked hard."

Xu Fengnian, in turn, clasped the old man's hand. "There has been some effort, but no hardship," he replied.

The old man, his face kindly and benevolent, smiled and asked, "Then I can rest assured?"

Xu Fengnian nodded and smiled slightly. "Old General, please rest assured!"

The old man did not ask Xu Fengnian to see him off. He departed in a simple carriage, accompanied by four or five old veterans who had followed him from the Left Cavalry Army. Their bond, forged by life and death, held true both on and off the battlefield.

After the carriage left the city, a lone rider had already stopped outside. The elderly coachman, who disliked the look of this rider, initially had no intention of stopping, but He Zhonghu seemed to have anticipated this; he lifted the curtain and asked the coachman to wait for a moment.

After Li Yanchao, the Deputy Commander of the Right Cavalry Army, dismounted, he watched the old man disembark with some difficulty but did not deliberately go forward to offer assistance or show goodwill.

He Zhonghu walked over to Li Yanchao, reached out, and gently patted the warhorse's back. He smiled, "Truly a magnificent Beiliang steed, unique to Qianli Pasture. Though its speed is slightly inferior to the top-grade warhorses from Tianjing Pasture, it is best suited for breaking through enemy formations."

Li Yanchao, his emotions complex, did not reply.

Qianli Pasture and Tianjing Pasture, located respectively to the left and right of Lianglong, had distinct affiliations: Qianli had a better relationship with Zhou Kang's "Brocade Partridge" Right Cavalry Army, while Tianjing was more familiar with the Left Cavalry Army. This was because most of the senior figures in power at both pastures originated from either the Left or Right Cavalry Armies. While Qingliang Mountain and the Protectorate naturally dictated the allocation of ordinary Grade A and B warhorses, leaving no room for the pastures to act independently, for exceptional steeds—even among the top-grade warhorses—due to their scarcity, the pastures would naturally reserve them for the generals and colonels of their respective Left or Right Cavalry Armies. This was a reasonable practice, one that two generations of Beiliang princes from the Xu family never questioned or interfered with. After Li Yanchao transferred from He Zhonghu's Left Cavalry Army to the Right Cavalry Army, the first thing Zhou Kang, the "Brocade Partridge," did was to gift this magnificent steed to Li Yanchao, one of the "Four Fangs of Beiliang" and a fierce battlefield general. The commander's seal and tiger tally were only presented afterward.

The stooped He Zhonghu and the burly Li Yanchao walked slowly side-by-side. The old man softly said, "General Zhou governs the army with strictness. Most of your brothers are hot-tempered. After joining the Right Cavalry Army, do not act arrogantly. Do not give others leverage over trivial matters; it's not worth it."

Li Yanchao nodded. "I have already spoken with my brothers," he said.

This change in Li Yanchao's official position led to a significant shake-up in the Liangzhou Cavalry. Not only did Li Yanchao himself transfer to the Right Cavalry Army, but more than a dozen of his trusted colonels and captains also joined the "Brocade Partridge's" command. However, only Li Yanchao received a promotion; the other military officers were either laterally transferred or demoted by one rank. After all, Zhou Kang's Left Cavalry Army already had a stable structure, and if more than ten people suddenly joined and everyone got promoted, the veterans of the Left Cavalry Army might revolt. Fortunately, Zhou Kang and Li Yanchao had already reached an agreement on this matter, and Li Yanchao's group of brothers were also agreeable. This demonstrates that Li Yanchao indeed possessed considerable skill in managing people, as it's common practice in official circles for a favored individual's rise to benefit their entire entourage.

He Zhonghu smiled openly and softly said, "Yanchao, I know you're very confused. You're wondering why, when I could clearly hold the position of commander of the Left Cavalry Army for another year or so, I insisted on making you give up early and made it clear that I intended to put an outsider, Yu Luandao, in the top position instead of you, Li Yanchao. Am I right?"

Li Yanchao nodded.

This is like a family fortune, no matter its size. If a father prefers to hand it over to an outsider rather than his legitimate eldest son, anyone would feel aggrieved, especially if that eldest son is certainly not a prodigal destined to squander the family's wealth.

The old man suddenly smiled. "Li Yanchao, there's something you young people might not pay much attention to, but old fellows like me, and Wei Tieshan and Liu Yuanji too, still care a lot about it. That is, the legacy we have in the border army is not actually ours; it belongs to the Xu family, to the two Kings of Liang, old and new."

The old man, seeing the Beiliang general about to speak, waved his hand. "Don't be quick to refute; let me finish," he said. "There's no need to elaborate on the Grand General; even you were convinced by him. In fact, from the Spring and Autumn era to the current Xiangfu period, from Liyang to Northern Mang, no one was not convinced. After the new King of Liang took over, while you all might respect him, you generally don't admire and revere him to the same extent as the Grand General. To be honest, I, He Zhonghu, am no exception. But don't forget, this is not a reason for us to become arrogant with our military power, nor is it a reason to treat our troops as our private property. Of course, if our young prince were a ruthless schemer, just like three generations of Liyang emperors, and famous troublemakers like you, Li Yanchao and Cao Xiaojiao, clung tightly to military power for self-preservation, to secure a retreat path for yourselves, I, He Zhonghu, could understand that. It's just..."

The old man lightly stamped his foot on the post road, which had softened slightly after the continuous autumn rain. Only then did he continue, "It's just that in our Beiliang, from two generations of princes, to us old fellows, then to Liu Jinu and Wang Lingbao, to you all, and finally to the young people who have just joined the border army—on this harsh, barren land, we never needed any ruthless schemers. Our Beiliang Iron Cavalry only produces heroes!"

The old man finally reached out and patted Li Yanchao's broad shoulder, smiling. "Since all 300,000 Iron Cavalry are heroes," he said, "does it make a difference whether you, Li Yanchao, kill enemies in the Left Cavalry Army or achieve merits in the Right Cavalry Army? In my opinion, it makes no difference."

The old man turned and walked towards the carriage. He raised his arm high and gently waved goodbye.

Facing the old man's retreating back, Li Yanchao straightened his posture, clasped his hands together firmly, and loudly declared, "Old Commander, do not die yet! Watch how I, Li Yanchao, will utterly defeat the Northern Mang cavalry!"

The old man did not stop or speak, but simply clasped his hands together above his head in a gesture of respect.