Chapter 984: Thunder and rain are all the will of heaven

After the Autumn Equinox, the war outside Liangzhou Pass suddenly intensified.

Previously, scout forces from both Liang and Mang roamed the areas outside the pass, with roughly equal strength. Although Beiliang's Malanzi (cavalry scouts) had a numerical advantage, following the Battle of Longyan'er Plain, their two most elite scout units—Dong Zhuo's Crow Malanzi and General Liu Gui's Black Fox Malanzi—who were most familiar with the border military terrain and had the strongest combat capabilities, were almost completely wiped out. The subsequent Malanzi units that advanced with the main army south of Hutou City were not entirely aimless, but they still couldn't gain an advantage against Liangzhou's second-tier scouts, who were extremely familiar with the local geography. If unexpected skirmishes occurred, Liangzhou scouts outside the pass were ordered never to engage in prolonged combat without authorization, whereas Beiliang's Malanzi were commanded to attack proactively, regardless of casualties. In many close encounters, even when outnumbered in localized battles, Beiliang's Malanzi bravely charged, willing to sacrifice three lives for one. The wealthy Murong Baoding personally promised that any Malanzi unit advancing to the front lines, whether his direct subordinates or other divisions, would be rewarded not only based on the number of heads taken but also for their own casualties, which could be exchanged for military merit!

Amidst Beiliang's inexplicably fierce offensive, Northern Liang's scouts did not suffer significant casualties in individual battles. However, with cumulative losses, intelligence from the Left and Right Cavalry armies reported to Ju Bei City's princely residence that over 700 men had been killed in just two weeks!

The Liangzhou border army had to consolidate small scout units, simultaneously narrowing and shortening their reconnaissance lines, decisively abandoning the risky practice of sending out small squads of just five scouts to roam widely and penetrate deeply. The consequences of Northern Liang's earlier decision to prioritize the Liuzhou battlefield, shifting forces westward at great cost—for instance, Li Hanlin leading all his White Horse Crossbowmen to Liuzhou—gradually became apparent. Not to mention Ju Bei City's control over the border defense line, which included Huaiyang Pass, Liuya, Fuling, and Chongzhong (one pass and three towns); under the large-scale, aggressive southward infiltration by Beiliang's Malanzi, contact with the Left and Right Cavalry armies grew increasingly tenuous. This was certainly not a good sign. The Left and Right Cavalry armies, as Northern Liang border army's primary field force, were not primarily for killing enemies but served to connect Ju Bei City and Huaiyang Pass defense lines, preventing Beiliang's cavalry from completely dividing the battlefield outside Liangzhou Pass. However, it now appeared that unless Murong Baoding was reluctant to risk his elite Winter Thunder Cavalry and Rouran Iron Cavalry, slowing his southward advance and allowing Liangzhou scouts to regain the initiative, the overall strategic situation, specifically the troop standoff in the central area of the "chessboard," was already decided. During this time, Li Gongde, the Grand Administrator and the only second-rank official in Northern Liang Dao stationed in Ju Bei City, proposed that Li Hanlin lead the remaining White Horse Crossbowmen from Liuzhou back to the battlefield outside Liangzhou Pass. However, this proposal was simultaneously rejected by the young Prince and Deputy Military Commissioner Yang Shenxing.

Ju Bei City outside Liangzhou Pass had not yet received accurate intelligence regarding the outcome of the grand cavalry battle at Lao'e Mountain in Liuzhou, a battle destined to be recorded in history. The previous 600-li urgent military dispatch from a scout under Liangzhou General Shi Fu was still neatly placed on the desk in the small study next to the signing office. Even knowing that the formidable new Prince of Liang highly valued the "Twin Jade Discs" of Great Chu—no less than his two trusted native Northern Liang generals, Yu Luandao and Cao Wei—Shi Fu's handwritten dispatch was still blunt, revealing the unique cruelty of battlefield combat: "Xie Xichui's monastic soldiers, with 15,000 infantry, are blocking 50,000 cavalry in a corridor with no defensible points and no retreat route. I am unable to provide assistance. My forces will only adhere to the predetermined strategy of blocking the southward path of the remaining border cavalry of the Southern Dynasty. Together with Ning Emei's 4,000 Iron Buddhas, we will definitely cut off Huang Songpu's main force's retreat path northward. Whether Xie Xichui and the Lantuo Mountain monastic soldiers live or die, my Qingyuan Garrison Cavalry is powerless to help."

The true ruthlessness of the battlefield was further implied by Shi Fu's dispatch: even if his cavalry could reach the corridor battlefield in time, as long as Xie Xichui's infantry still had the capacity to hinder the Southern Dynasty's main border cavalry, the Qingyuan Garrison Cavalry would remain distant, choosing not to intervene and letting them die! This was to prevent the Southern Dynasty's main cavalry force from abandoning their relief effort for Lao'e Mountain and instead decisively fleeing north, returning to the Southern Dynasty and dispersing into various garrisons and passes.

The young Prince did not summon his top generals to the council hall to discuss the matter, nor did he send Shi Fu's dispatch—which Shi Fu had specifically instructed to be sent "directly to the study"—to the military office for viewing and circulation. That dusk, Xu Fengnian sat quietly in his study for a moment, then took up his brush to write a letter back to Liangzhou General Shi Fu. The content was equally concise, essentially stating that regarding the subsequent handling of the corridor battlefield, as a provincial general, Shi Fu should act at his own discretion and not report every detail to Ju Bei City. After the young Prince finally stamped his "Prince of Northern Liang" official seal on a large blank space in the letter, the blue-robed aide hurried away with the document. The young Prince sat alone in his study, silent for a long time.

The night was cool like water, and the Ju Bei City princely residence remained brightly lit. The constant sound of footsteps, like a flurry of night drums, was incessant, but everyone had long grown accustomed to it.

Xu Fengnian was in his study, intently gazing at two battle maps on his desk, centered on Lao'e Mountain and Huaiyang Pass. He suddenly looked up to see Yang Shenxing, Gu Dazu, and Bai Yu approaching together, their expressions extremely solemn. Gu Dazu's voice was hoarse as he spoke gravely: "We just received news that Murong Baoding personally led two forces, each with 20,000 elite Winter Thunder Cavalry and Rouran Cavalry, combined with 30,000 reinforcements from Baoping Prefecture's Military Governor Wang Yong. They successively attacked Lu Dayuan's Left Cavalry main force of 24,000 men. Zhou Kang and Li Yanchao were unable to provide timely assistance!"

Yang Shenxing said bitterly, "It seems that the 10,000 Rouran Iron Cavalry who previously engaged Li Yanchao's Right Cavalry were just a decoy. The remaining 20,000 Rouran Cavalry had already linked up with Murong Baoding's direct forces and were heading straight for the Left Cavalry from the very beginning. The so-called two-pronged attack, with 30,000 Rouran Cavalry rushing directly towards our Liangzhou Right Cavalry, and Murong Baoding remaining inactive with his 20,000 infantry in their main camp, were all feints. In reality, those 20,000 infantry were impersonating Rouran Iron Cavalry, ultimately combining with Wang Yong to encircle and annihilate the Left Cavalry."

Xu Fengnian's face paled as he murmured, "20,000 Winter Thunder private cavalry, 20,000 Rouran Iron Cavalry, plus 30,000 elite cavalry from Baoping Prefecture—a total of 70,000 top-tier Northern Mang cavalry."

Just as Yang Shenxing was about to speak, Bai Yu tugged at the sleeve of the old Spring and Autumn veteran, signaling him with his eyes to remain silent for now.

The young Prince, sitting upright behind his desk, slowly raised his head and asked, "What are the casualties for the Northern Mang barbarians?"

Yang Shenxing tried to calm his intense emotions and replied, "Murong Baoding did not commit all his forces at once. After his Winter Thunder private army suffered over 9,000 casualties, he still did not withdraw from the battlefield. Then he committed another 20,000 Rouran Iron Cavalry in one go. Lu Dayuan... the Left Cavalry fought until Wang Yong's cavalry broke into the battlefield. At that point, the remaining Winter Thunder Cavalry had to stand by idly, and there were almost no Rouran Iron Cavalry left on the field. Baoping Prefecture's cavalry still suffered over 6,000 casualties. Only 800 cavalry from the Left Cavalry broke through the encirclement and returned to Ju Bei City. Lu Dayuan, the first deputy commander of the Left Cavalry, along with two other deputy commanders, were all killed in action."

In early autumn, there were once strong soldiers from the Left Cavalry who, outside Ju Bei City, rode out in groups of a hundred, releasing their falcons with a flourish—a sight that remains vividly in memory.

Gu Dazu suddenly stated bluntly, "With the Left Cavalry gone, the Right Cavalry cannot stand alone and can no longer contain the situation outside Liangzhou Pass, north of Ju Bei City and south of Chongzhong. Your Highness absolutely cannot agree to Zhou Kang and Li Yanchao's request to engage in battle!"

Xu Fengnian nodded and said, "Immediately issue an order to Zhou Kang and Li Yanchao: the Right Cavalry must do everything to avoid Beiliang's upcoming main force advancing south!"

Bai Yu said with some helplessness, "That 'Brocade Partridge's' military pledge has actually reached Military Commissioner Yang's military office. From the commander to the three deputy commanders and all the captains, they have all signed with blood handprints, requesting to fight to the death and promising to at least completely annihilate Murong Baoding's Winter Thunder Cavalry and Wang Yong's main force."

Xu Fengnian stood up and said sternly, "Then add another sentence: clearly tell Zhou Kang and Li Yanchao that dying is easy. If they dare to disobey Ju Bei City's military orders, I, Xu Fengnian, will personally go outside the pass and twist off their heads!"

Yang Shenxing, who had never seen the young Prince openly enraged, was startled. Gu Dazu sighed softly, while Bai Yu remained composed, smiling, "With Ju Bei City replying to the Right Cavalry like this, it will be much easier for General Yang and me, as the Liangzhou Administrator."

The three high-ranking officials from Ju Bei City quickly departed, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. Wang Jijiu, on duty in the Rites Office, entered the study carrying two pots of "Green Ant" wine. He saw that the young Prince had not yet sat down; he was standing behind his desk, looking down at two large seals on it. One was, naturally, the renowned Prince of Liang Seal, considered throughout the Yonghui era of Liyang to be the most significant token of authority in the realm. For twenty years, in the northwestern frontier, any troop deployment or transfer involving more than 5,000 men required this seal. The design of this seal was identical to that of the current Zhao imperial court, imitating the style of the orthodox Great Chu from the Spring and Autumn period. It was a jade seal with "jade-chopstick" script, where the strokes were uniformly thick and thin, without pointed ends, embodying the Confucian ideals of moderation and harmony, and always lauded as a calligraphic masterpiece. However, next to this Prince of Liang Seal lay another large seal that had long since retired from Northern Liang's officialdom. After Xu Xiao, the Butcher who was granted a princedom and established his domain in Northern Liang, entered with his Iron Cavalry, this ancient copper seal, habitually called the "Grand General Seal," occasionally appeared on some important military documents from outside the pass. With Prince Xu Fengnian formally inheriting the title of Prince of Northern Liang, it completely vanished from the border army's view. The General's Seal used "willow-leaf" script, was a copper seal with a tiger knob, measuring three *cun* and three *fen* square, nine *fen* thick, shaped like a crouching tiger and coiling dragon. Nowadays, the Liyang military's permanent generals with real power whose titles begin with "Zheng," "Zhen," or "Ping" had long switched to silver seals with *chiding* script, abandoning the sharp, blade-like "willow-leaf" script. Qingliang Mountain actually had another large seal, primarily used for promotions and transfers of Northern Liang Dao officials. Xu Fengnian exceptionally entrusted it to Deputy Grand Administrator Song Dongming, allowing him to affix this seal himself after endorsing official documents, thereby highlighting his extraordinary status of "sole command."

After Wang Jijiu sat down, he opened two pots of wine, leaned forward, and offered one to the young Prince, stating, "It's better to share happiness than to enjoy it alone."

The old scholar took a long swig of strong liquor, letting out a satisfied cry, then looked sideways at Xu Fengnian. "I've already heard about the Left Cavalry. I have some words that have been accumulating in my stomach for nearly twenty years, and I must speak them. You don't need to say anything; just drink and listen to me."

Xu Fengnian quietly sat back in his chair and nodded.

The renowned literary master and leader of the scholarly world slowly said, "When it comes to military affairs on the battlefield, I've always been one of those who 'has seven apertures but six are blocked' – meaning, I know next to nothing. So, apart from bringing some scholars to your Northern Liang, which can be considered a minor contribution, I have no other notable achievements. I can only content myself with studying in a secluded academy. Over these many years, I've secretly traveled Northern Liang multiple times, meeting Xu Xiao a few times, and Li Yishan in Tingchao Pavilion a few times. Xu Xiao is famously a terrible chess player; his skill is among the worst in the world, but his ability to take back moves is the best. That's why I don't enjoy dealing with him..."

Noticing the young Prince's strange expression, the old master shamelessly continued, "Li Yishan is a rare individual who transcends the mundane. Naturally, he is very arrogant, but he regards me as his only true confidant."

Xu Fengnian finally couldn't help but say, "That's enough."

The old master must have choked on his wine; he coughed a few times, spilling the "Green Ant" wine all over his robes. He casually patted his gown. "Li Yishan, secluding himself on the top floor of Tingchao Pavilion, stands too high and sees too far, so loneliness is inevitable. All saints and sages throughout history are like this; they cannot escape it. Every time I visit him there, even though Li Yishan doesn't show a pleasant expression, I know that deep down, he's definitely a bit pleased. A few times, when he's had too much to drink, Li Yishan would speak from his heart, never mentioning the Liyang imperial court much, saying less about strategist Xu Xiao, and more about affairs in the northwest..."

At this point, the old master, highly suspected of being condescendingly boastful, paused slightly, took a large gulp of "Green Ant" wine, holding it in his mouth before suddenly tilting his head back and swallowing it instantly. His aged body shivered involuntarily, and his weathered cheeks flushed slightly. Only then did he continue: "Regarding the strategic planning of literati and the military tactics of scholars, I don't yield to Yuan Benxi of Liyang, nor to Nalan Youci of the Southern Frontier, and not even to Huang Longshi. As for Zhao Changling, who even after his death overshadowed Li Yishan, *heh*, let's not even mention him. As for why Zhao Changling could be more famous than Li Yishan both during his life and after his death, both Li Yishan himself and Xu Xiao, who was perfectly clear on the matter, had their reasons. Li Yishan came from humble scholar origins, while Zhao Changling, a princely scion of a powerful Great Chu clan, held a status akin to today's 'Song Family Jade Tree' of Western Chu, Song Maolin. What kind of spectacle was it when Zhao Changling chose to assist Xu Xiao during his period of decline? A grand retinue of eight hundred household servants! Can you imagine? Anyway, this old man doesn't want to think about it; the more I think, the more envious and jealous I get. If Xu Xiao wanted to win over the gentry across the land, Zhao Changling was a prominent banner. Otherwise, would Xu Xiao have uttered such outrageous words as 'The entire army can die in battle, but Master Zhao must live'?"

The old man smiled, "Of course, Zhao Changling's abilities were also formidable. During the mid-to-late stages of Xu Xiao's campaigns to conquer the six states in the Spring and Autumn period, Zhao Changling contributed greatly, gaining widespread fame and an excellent reputation, so much so that even the old Liyang Emperor Zhao Li wanted to invite him into the central court to be ennobled and appointed minister. But what about Li Yishan? The old Emperor Zhao Li never mentioned him. In fact, every time Xu Xiao reported military achievements, he praised Zhao Changling to the highest degree, and his memorials and victory reports were utterly flowery, but when it came to any strategy by Li Yishan, he never mentioned a single word. Your Highness, do you know why?"

Xu Fengnian said plainly, "I only know that those beautifully worded, ornate essays were all instructed by Xu Xiao and then personally written by my master."

The old man nodded, "So, the old emperor and Xu Xiao actually had a tacit understanding. As for Master Zhao, if the Liyang court could wield a hoe and dig away his support, Xu Xiao would accept it. But for Li Yishan, who was relatively unknown both in court and among the public, they shouldn't even think about it. Otherwise, they'd cross a line, and Xu Xiao might truly raise an army and rebel."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Raising an army to rebel, that's an overstatement. My master would be the first to object."

The old man hiccupped from the wine, then glared in annoyance, "It's an example, don't you understand?"

Xu Fengnian finally picked up the fragrant "Green Ant" wine, took a small sip, and said, "Please continue to enlighten me, old sir."

The old man suddenly asked, "What was I trying to say earlier?"

Xu Fengnian put down the wine pot. "You were talking about how you two often discussed affairs in the northwest."

The old man suddenly realized, "Right, right, right! Li Yishan once revealed a secret to me when he was drunk, saying that if Northern Liang wanted to defeat Beiliang in the worst-case scenario, they first had to create a certain situation!"

Deliberately being mysterious and stopping mid-sentence, the old man ceased speaking, squinted with a smile, and his peripheral vision scanned the various objects on the desk. When his gaze landed on the Prince of Liang Seal, Xu Fengnian asked with a smile, "Even if I were willing to give it to you, sir, would you dare accept it?"

The old man's gaze shifted slightly to the Grand General's copper seal, which now held only symbolic meaning. Xu Fengnian glared back, bluntly saying, "Don't even think about it!"

The old man, who had originally intended to take advantage of the situation, looked full of reluctance, muttering regretfully, "That 'willow-leaf' script, embodying the frontier spirit of Dafeng, is quite rare now."

Then the old man raised his chin, catching sight of the white jade pebble next to the young Prince's pot of "Green Ant" wine, and his eyes lit up. This impoverished new Prince of Liang actually still had something worth a bit of silver?

Xu Fengnian put away the pebble and sneered, "If Master Wang has the skill to take it, otherwise, don't dream foolishly."

The old man pouted. Trying to snatch something from a martial arts Grandmaster? With Wang Jijiu's martial arts aptitude, even a thousand more years of cultivation would be useless. No young man should bully an old man like this.

Xu Fengnian lightly gripped the white jade pebble and said directly, "I can actually guess what my master meant. The only chance for our Northern Liang Iron Cavalry to defeat Beiliang is to first exhaust all of Beiliang's Southern Dynasty's top-tier border armies and elite private forces from the grasslands. Then, even if Beiliang could, by exhausting its national resources, still support a third Liang-Mang war, its hundreds of thousands of cavalry, though seemingly just as formidable, would essentially be 'embroidered pillows'—looking good but useless—compared to the Beiliang cavalry Liu Jinu faced when he defended Hutou City, or what I now face defending Ju Bei City to the death. From Dong Zhuo's private cavalry and Yang Yuanzan's direct cavalry inside Hulu Pass, and Liu Gui's trusted cavalry in the first Liang-Mang war, to the Qiang cavalry, the former Hong Jingyan's Rouran Iron Cavalry, and Murong Baoding's Winter Thunder Elite Cavalry in the current second war, the 20,000 cavalry of Huang Songpu's central army in Liuzhou, the cavalry of the powerful Wanyan family from Long Pass, and so on—all fall into this category!"

Xu Fengnian said calmly, "For instance, if our Liuzhou wins the battle at Lao'e Mountain now, it's not just that Gusai Prefecture will have no elite border troops left. In fact, most of the Southern Dynasty will have been decimated by us. This is the potential advantage that the first Liang-Mang war brought to Northern Liang."

The old man asked doubtfully, "Are you saying that the Grand Administrator of Beiliang's strategy has a fatal flaw?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "You could say that's half right."

The old man was completely bewildered, almost scratching his head in confusion.

Xu Fengnian thought for a moment, then picked up the wine pot and slowly tilted it, as if to hold it horizontally before his eyes. "Up to now, Beiliang still has a greater chance of winning. But Northern Liang has lost so many lives, all for the sake of tilting this wine pot little by little. When that time comes, the more prosperous Beiliang's national power appears, the more violently it will collapse."

As the wine pot tilted further and further, with the wine about to spill from its mouth, Xu Fengnian gently pulled it back and placed it on the desk.

Xu Fengnian suddenly said, seemingly out of nowhere, "Now I only fear that the Old Woman and the Grand Administrator are willing to go for broke, abandoning not just Xijing, but even this half of the Southern Dynasty, determined to break through Ju Bei City."

The old man's face turned pale as he tentatively asked, "Beiliang wouldn't be so madly desperate, would they?"

Xu Fengnian looked out at the night sky. "Heaven knows."

The old man merely thought it was a casual remark from the young Prince, unaware that the words "Heaven knows" were to be taken literally.

Tuoba Pusa had inexplicably gained a divine physique, his martial arts cultivation directly rivaling the peak Wang Xianzhi, and at crucial moments, even surpassing him.

Since even Tuoba Pusa was so fortunate, wouldn't the old woman of Beiliang, who commanded half of the world's destiny, receive even greater blessings?

Thunder and rain are all the monarch's grace.

It was also the will of heaven!

Wang Jijiu, carrying the empty wine pot, bid farewell and departed.

The young Prince once again gazed intently at the map of the situation outside Liangzhou Pass spread on his desk.

Meanwhile, inside a heavily guarded tent in Beiliang, a candle flame as thick as a baby's arm flickered softly. The Grand Administrator stood alone before a table, also gazing down at a battle map, this one covering the four prefectures of Northern Liang, a much vaster territory. He chuckled softly, "All the chess players of the Central Plains say, 'Golden corners, silver sides, and grassy belly.' Is that truly so?"