The residence of the Prince of Jubei City was shrouded in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Dong Zhuo, in addition to his original private army of 140,000 surrounding Huaiyang Pass, had also persuaded the emperor of the Northern Mang to mobilize 20,000 exiled criminals who had lost their status on the grasslands to participate in the assault on the outer city of Huaiyang Pass. The maddened Dong Zhuo boasted that he would pile corpses high enough to create a gentle slope up the city walls. The left and right cavalry armies led by Lu Dayuan and Li Yanchao, after a series of minor skirmishes with the vanguard forces of the Winter Thunder Elite Cavalry and the Rou Iron Cavalry, finally faced a major battle. Across two battlefields, the four cavalry forces of Liang and Mang engaged nearly 40,000 troops. Clearly, neither side had committed their full strength. The strength of the Northern Mang’s Winter Thunder Elite Cavalry was unexpectedly formidable, and the Rou Iron Cavalry, numbering ten thousand, was not to be underestimated. Compared to Jubei City’s earlier estimates, the left and right cavalry armies suffered slightly heavier casualties, meaning that once entangled by the forces of the two Northern Mang commanders, it would be difficult to disengage easily.
If this main field force of Northern Liang outside the pass lost its flexibility for large-scale battlefield maneuvers, aside from the 10,000 Great Snow Dragon Cavalry, which could still fight and retreat, the two heavy cavalry armies, destined to be unable to participate in large-scale battles alone, would likely find themselves in an awkward position. In contrast, the Northern Mang’s central army, behind the second front jointly established by Wang Yong and Helian Wuwei, had the Crown Prince himself “leading the expedition in person.” This noble figure, second only to the emperor in the Northern Mang, was accompanied not only by the rarely seen Imperial Guard Iron Cavalry but also by two heavy cavalry armies named after the two great noble clans, Yelü and Murong. Heavy cavalry was indeed terrifying in combat, but it heavily relied on large-scale main cavalry forces—much like Li Chungang’s “Two Sleeves of the Green Snake,” which required vast reserves of energy to be effective. Otherwise, it would be nothing more than an impractical, flashy technique. This was the difficulty of Northern Liang resisting the entire Northern Mang with its limited resources. If the Northern Liang border army could muster another 100,000 cavalry… then the Northern Mang would surely abandon Northern Liang as their path south and instead turn toward the two Liao borders to confront that “Pillar of the State,” Gu. They might even have enough strength to divide their forces and attack Ji Prefecture, following the familiar southern invasion route of the grassland cavalry, straight into the heart of the Central Plains or turning east toward the capital of Liyang, threatening the gates of Tai’an City. But in that case, the situation would no longer be as simple as the Northern Liang Iron Cavalry comfortably sleeping beside the Northern Mang cavalry. Instead, they could leisurely watch from afar, patiently waiting to reap the benefits. Whether the Central Plains and the grasslands would end up under the Zhao or Murong name would depend solely on the mood of that young prince. Who knows? They might even change their surname to Xu.
In the small study next to the second hall’s signing office, at high noon under the scorching sun, the tiny room was packed with six or seven high-ranking officials, including Wang Jijiu, Yang Shenxing, and Bai Yu. Aside from Deputy Military Commissioner Yang Shenxing, who had come to discuss military affairs, the others were openly seeking refuge from the heat. Though the study was small, it was used solely by the young prince for official business. The larger six-section office, on the other hand, was crammed with over a dozen people. Most importantly, the resourceful Governor Li had personally overseen the transplanting of a loquat tree into the courtyard outside the study—tall enough to provide shade without blocking too much light. Thus, the small study had unwittingly become the perfect summer retreat. As Yang Shenxing discussed matters with the young prince across the table, the “White Lotus Scholar” Bai Yu sat by the window, gently fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, creating a cool breeze. Wang Jijiu shamelessly dragged Li Gongde into a game of Go, enjoying the cool breeze from Bai Yu’s fan—truly a delightful scene.
The young prince had already reviewed detailed military reports on the left and right cavalry armies’ operations outside the pass. Yang Shenxing’s visit today was not to rehash old topics but to address a monumental challenge now facing Jubei City—or rather, all of Northern Liang’s border forces. The Qingyuan Army’s cavalry under Shi Fu, the Iron Pagoda, and the White Feather Light Cavalry—three crucial mobile forces outside Liangzhou Pass aside from the main field army—had already shifted their operations to the Old Woman Mountain in Liuzhou. If the left and right cavalry armies failed to decisively defeat Murong Baoding’s main force of 60,000 elite cavalry and were instead pinned down by the forces of the two Northern Mang commanders, Wang Yong and Helian Wuwei, what would Jubei City do? In fact, this risky troop movement could very well lead to a mutually destructive outcome for both Liang and Mang: the Southern Expedition’s main force under Huang Songpu might be annihilated at Old Woman Mountain, but Northern Liang would also lose the Huaiyang Pass line.
Yang Shenxing said worriedly, “We never expected that while Yu Luandao led his troops in a surprise attack on Xijing, Cao Wei’s 10,000 cavalry would also make a feint northward to support Yu Luandao’s forces. Yet the Northern Mang merely transferred the cavalry of Winter Nabo Wang Jingchong from the eastern front facing the two Liaos and did nothing else, as if they didn’t care at all about the safety of their southern capital. Instead, they ordered garrisons along the way to rush south to reinforce Old Woman Mountain. Could that old woman have lost her mind, truly indifferent to the flames of war engulfing the entire Gusai Prefecture? You must know that the two prefectures north of Gusai have always been thinly defended but have well-developed post roads. If we achieve a great victory at Old Woman Mountain and join forces with Yu Luandao and Cao Wei’s cavalry, coordinating from within and without, the Northern Mang would be handing over half of their southern territory to us!”
Xu Fengnian dared not make hasty conclusions, only smiling bitterly. “If it were the Liyang emperor, who cherishes his reputation, he would never dare do this. But with that old woman, it’s hard to say.”
Yang Shenxing frowned. “Who gains and who loses in this exchange? Doesn’t the Northern Mang fear our iron cavalry ravaging their southern territory, leaving them unable to recover for a decade, let alone march south into the Central Plains?”
Xu Fengnian shook his head. “In the past, when the Liyang court still controlled the Central Plains, that would have been the case. But now, with the three princes rising in rebellion, everything has become uncertain. The Northern Mang can afford to gamble recklessly.”
Xu Fengnian gently held a piece of white jade the size of an egg, warming it in his palm as he rubbed it slowly. The jade had a faint reddish hue, fine texture, and a simple, unpretentious shape. He couldn’t put it down. The object itself wasn’t particularly rare—far less valuable than exquisitely carved mutton-fat jade—but its origin was amusing. Not long ago, Jiang Ni, Xu Ying, and Jia Jia had secretly hauled a heavy cloth sack back to Jubei City from who-knows-where, their clothes covered in dust and dirt. They swaggered into the study as if to claim credit, untied the sack, and dumped its contents onto the floor—mostly playful, ordinary pebbles mixed with a few pieces of mediocre green jade that might fetch a few coins. But they had indeed stumbled upon a treasure: this high-quality white jade piece, which Xu Fengnian kept on his desk to fiddle with. Ever the sly fox, Xu Fengnian crouched down and pretended to disparage the stones, saying this one was worthless and that one wasn’t even fit for paving roads. Finally, with a sigh, he picked up the most charming piece, tossed it casually, and fished out five or six copper coins from his purse to toss to the travel-worn Jiang Ni, calling it a “friendship price.” Though Jiang Ni was suspicious and felt cheated, she was still a novice in business and thus fell for the young prince’s shameless trick. By rights, a jade piece of this quality, if sold to a scholarly family in Jiangnan, should fetch at least twenty taels of silver—and even more if carved by a master artisan. When the three women finally left the study, Jiang Ni’s once-empty money pouch, acquired after arriving in Jubei City, finally had some life in it. Jia Jia hoisted the sack of stones onto her shoulder, planning to build a little den in the courtyard for fun, while Xu Ying happily clutched the copper coin Jiang Ni had given her. Everyone was pleased.
After an internal struggle, Yang Shenxing lowered his voice and asked, “May I ask why Your Highness is so determined to win the battle in Liuzhou, even at the cost of transferring the Qingyuan Army away from Liangzhou?”
Xu Fengnian suddenly clenched the jade piece, now warmed by his palm, and stared at the deputy military commissioner who had found new life in Northern Liang. Out of the blue, he teased, “Guess?”
Caught off guard, Yang Shenxing didn’t know how to respond. Having truly integrated into Northern Liang’s official circles, this veteran of the Spring and Autumn Period had heard some amusing anecdotes that never reached the Central Plains or the capital—like how the old Prince Xu Xiao loved to say “guess,” one of his catchphrases.
Seeing the old man’s poorly concealed unease and helplessness, Xu Fengnian smiled and got straight to the point. “This involves many secrets. For instance, the Northern Mang Crown Prince once sent me a message. Yelü Dongchuang met with me privately before leaving the Central Plains for the grasslands. There’s also a long-term plan related to the Hongjia Northern Migration, and even connections to the Northern Mang’s western commander Wang Sui and that ‘Pillar of the State’ Gu stationed in the two Liaos. If I were to go into detail, I’d probably be talking until nightfall. But I trust General Yang can confirm one thing: on the battlefield north of Jubei City outside Liangzhou Pass, given the forces of both sides, our Northern Liang Iron Cavalry cannot achieve a decisive victory in a head-on confrontation. At best, we’d win at great cost—and one misstep could lead to total defeat. Isn’t that right?”
Yang Shenxing nodded without hesitation.
Xu Fengnian placed the white jade piece gently on the desk, like a move on a Go board. “When my master was alive, he repeatedly told me one thing: the depth of a master’s skill is never on the board itself. As a child, I thought he was making excuses for losing to my second sister in Go, blaming his lack of energy. But over time, I realized that in all matters where victory must be contested, the principle is the same.”
Xu Fengnian slowly stood and pressed a finger onto the jade piece. “In Xu Xiao’s early years, when his position in Liyang was most precarious, he often fought tough, deadly battles others avoided, so his forces were always small. Yet why did the Liyang Ministry of War’s bigwigs always bet on him? Simple: Xu Xiao always managed to pull off a victory when almost no one believed in him, drawing the court’s attention and making the old foxes holding military power feel it was worth betting on him again. The secrets I mentioned earlier, those masters hiding behind layers of curtains—they’re all illusory. Both Northern Liang and they know it’s all about not showing one’s hand too soon. We have no choice but to take unorthodox measures, making those standing at the gambling table feel it’s time to sit down and bet big—or else they’ll only get scraps if they act too late.”
Xu Fengnian smiled. “None of these people have small appetites, so I must show them sincerity. For example—”
Yang Shenxing instinctively pressed, “For example?”
Xu Fengnian said softly, “For example, while the Liangzhou cavalry outside the pass ensures Jubei City holds, the Liuzhou cavalry achieves a great victory at Old Woman Mountain, then marches north to capture the Northern Mang’s southern capital, Xijing.”
Yang Shenxing, a master of both court and battlefield, understood immediately.
But this veteran of the Spring and Autumn wars felt no relief—only growing heaviness in his heart.
The young prince only spoke of defending Jubei City. But what of the areas north of it?
Huaiyang Pass. The three garrison towns of Liuya, Fuling, and Chongzhong.
Chu Lushan, Zhou Kang, Li Yanchao, Lu Dayuan—four great generals.
※※※
At some point, the study had emptied save for the two standing across the table.
After Yang Shenxing left, the young prince clutched the jade piece and walked to the window, gazing up at the loquat tree. Though it was mid-autumn, its leaves remained lush and green.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter—leaves may stay evergreen. Birth, aging, sickness, death—man cannot live forever.
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