The kneeling of General Zhong Hongwu, the Huaihua Supreme Commander, was like a heavy blow straight into the hearts of the commoners such as Master Liu and Liu Niroong.
Zhong Hongwu lowered his head, gazing at the ground. The old man feared the young prince’s flawless mastery of flying swords, but what truly terrified him was the prince’s “absurdity.” Zhong Hongwu clearly remembered that after the old emperor’s death, the still-youthful Xu Fengnian had indulged in revelry atop Qingliang Mountain, where the entire city could see the brightly lit halls and hear the majestic song of Hymn of the Spirit Guardians. Zhong Hongwu, a veteran of countless campaigns, respected Chen Zhibao but was never afraid of that The White-Clad Saint of War, who never showed his Plum Wine flag in battle. Zhong had long competed with Yan Wenluan for power and influence, yet feared neither the dark-hearted infantry commander. Because these were opponents who still played by the rules. Like when Chen Zhibao dragged the wife and children of the Western Chu strategist Jiang Baikui behind his horse, he would never treat his own men so cruelly. Yan Wenluan might secretly set traps for Zhong Hongwu, but he would never tear off the mask of civility. Even a scoundrel like Chu Lushan always wore a smiling, harmless face when meeting in public. But Xu Fengnian was different. Zhong Hongwu had no idea where the young prince’s limits lay, and that was the most terrifying part. If this fellow truly sent his flying swords to kill Zhong’s only son, Zhong Chenxin—or even Zhong Hongwu himself—would the Prince of Beiliang later execute his own heir to atone for Zhong’s death? Zhong Hongwu was seen by the upper echelons of Beiliang’s bureaucracy as naive, his political cultivation falling short of Yan Wenluan’s, but only in comparison. If Zhong were merely a crude, arrogant military brute favored by the court, he would never have risen to command the cavalry. Yet today’s humiliation was unprecedented in his life. Zhong had already decided that after this day, he would return to the Beiliang army, take hold of the Tiger Talisman, and have another round with this prince! “You want to be the Prince of Beiliang? I cannot stop you. But if you want to enjoy the title freely, you must first get past me and my twelve thousand iron riders!”
Even though the second-tier martial artist Zhong Hongwu, the Huaihua Supreme Commander, was furious enough to claim he could knock down two hundred Xu Fengnians, he also cleverly boxed the young prince into a corner with his words. In the hall, there were five people: Xu Fengnian, Xu Beizhi, Chen Xiliang, Qingniao, and Wang Zhi. The two frail scholars were obviously not worth mentioning. If Xu Fengnian had Qingniao, who had already displayed her skills, or cavalry commander Wang Zhi intervene, it would mean he admitted to letting others do everything for him, and might as well let any random cat or dog become the Prince of Beiliang. Clearly, Zhong Hongwu was not the kind of one-dimensional general, but unfortunately, he had encountered another freak of sword cultivation, following in the footsteps of Wu Clan’s Duan Tai’a. No matter how well he calculated, it was of no use. Zhong Hongwu was not arrogant enough to believe he could stand face-to-face with a monster capable of commanding twelve swords at once. In other words, if he lost to Yan Wenluan, Zhong Hongwu would accept his fate. If he died at the hands of Chen Zhibao, who had slain the spear immortal Wang Xiu, he would die with honor. But to die senselessly in this wretched place, at the hands of Xu Fengnian—what kind of death would that be?
Xu Fengnian sheathed his sword and walked over to help Zhong Hongwu up. As the old general slowly rose, still holding his noble title, Xu Fengnian whispered softly, so only the two of them could hear: “Thinking of returning to continue being the rightful Huaihua Supreme Commander? It might be too late. Yuan Zuozong will soon replace you as the cavalry commander. As for the Beiliang protector position left vacant by Chen Zhibao, neither you nor Yan Wenluan will get it.”
This was an outrageous act of betrayal—this was a vicious move to pull the rug out from under him! Zhong Hongwu glared furiously at the young prince he had always disliked, and said gravely, “Can Yuan Zuozong really command the respect of the troops? Is the prince being too presumptuous?”
What he meant was: “I, Zhong Hongwu, have been the sole revered figure in this grand temple for over a decade, with countless disciples and followers who look to the Huaihua Supreme Commander as their leader. Yuan Zuozong may have sufficient prestige within the Snow Dragon Cavalry, but can he truly command the vast fields of ten thousand cavalry?”
Xu Fengnian smiled and said, “Zhong Hongwu, I know you’re now eager to complain to Xu Xiao. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you can’t even step through the gates of the Beiliang Prince’s Mansion.”
Zhong Hongwu softly muttered several “good” words.
Xu Fengnian continued, “You might be thinking that my actions today will surely demoralize the Beiliang soldiers. You can rest assured that if your subordinates start causing trouble to push for your return to the army, Yuan Zuozong will gladly help them leave Beiliang. He’s been looking for a place to station his own people.”
Zhong Hongwu’s face subtly changed.
This time, for the first time, he truly began to take seriously this young man, whom he had looked down upon since birth.
Xu Fengnian waved his sleeve and smiled at Wang Zhi, saying, “General Wang, why don’t you untie the young master Zhong and help him up?”
With this simple flick of his sleeve, Zhong Chenxin, already a bird startled by a bowstring, was terrified. Lying on the ground, he whimpered, “Your Highness, no need to untie me—I’m fine right here.”
Zhong Chenxin was genuinely afraid that if the prince, known for his unpredictable temper, were to release him, he might just behead him with a flying sword out of irritation. Lying on the ground playing dead was safer. As for any resentment or thoughts of revenge, those could wait until he was safely back at the Zhong residence. After all, Zhong Chenxin had resolved that unless his father reconciled with the prince and personally rescued him, he would never get up.
Xu Fengnian chuckled, “You and your son seem to be of the same kind, yet I don’t see you breaking his limbs to prevent him from running out and disgracing himself.”
Zhong Hongwu’s face darkened, and he said nothing.
Xu Fengnian, with complete disregard for “etiquette, patted Zhong Hongwu’s shoulder. “No need to see me out. Just remember to collect the bodies with young Zhong.”
Zhong Hongwu, his face black with anger, went to untie Zhong Chenxin, then picked up the body of Tang Duan, the son of his old friend. As for the junior officer, he didn’t even glance at him. Before leaving the hall, Zhong Hongwu tried to pull out the iron spear, but Xu Fengnian said calmly, “Leave it.”
Zhong Hongwu turned and looked at the prince, who gave him no chance to retreat, and narrowed his eyes with a faint smile. Zhong Chenxin shivered in fear, not caring about his father’s expression, and quickly turned around to flatter, “I’ve heard that Your Highness is a master of poetry. I have in my collection an ancient inkstone named Bai Ba, which feels silent and lonely to the touch, yet produces fine ink without damaging the brush hairs. I’ll have it sent to Your Highness for enjoyment.”
Xu Fengnian, living up to his reputation as the top young noble of Beiliang, said with a smile, “You have better eyesight than your father. Originally, you had no chance of becoming the governor of Longjing Commandery, but since you’re showing such good sense, you may take up the post today.”
Beiliang’s geography was long and narrow. Compared to the densely populated regions of Jiangnan, its registered households were sparse indeed. Thus, there was no rule requiring local officials to serve elsewhere. Ironically, Xu Xiao, with his own hands, had destroyed the entrenched power of the great clans from the Spring and Autumn Period. Within just twenty years, no fewer than twenty new aristocratic families had emerged in the relatively small territory of Beiliang. These few native Beiliang scholar-official clans had all chosen to intermarry with the high-ranking military families, growing powerful and domineering. Chen Xiliang’s so-called salt and iron monopolies had rendered the official Salt Commissioner little more than a figurehead, thanks largely to their “contributions.”
Father and son left the Fish Dragon Sect, where Tang Ziyi’s corpse lay on the sand of the martial arts hall, ignored by all.
Zhong Chenxin, disregarding etiquette, walked ahead of Zhong Hongwu, for he was too afraid that a sword might pierce through him from behind. He practiced swordplay purely for amusement, but due to his family background, he knew that there were indeed superior flying sword techniques in the world. His household had two sword experts as guests, who often argued over whose sword art was superior—Li Chungan’s sword intent or Duan Tai’a’s flying sword killing techniques. As for the two sword masters themselves, they pursued sword-flying to the point of sacrificing all practicality, considering a few feet of flight the pinnacle of their cultivation. Now, witnessing Xu Fengnian command twelve swords to kill silently, Zhong Chenxin was truly amazed. In other circumstances, and with a different identity, he would have loved to invite the prince into his home for wine and conversation, letting the beautiful, swaying maids serve and entertain!
Zhong Chenxin sat in the carriage, finally feeling the weight lift from his heart. Leaning back against the wall of the carriage, he carefully asked, “Father, what should we do? Should I accept the governorship of Longjing Commandery or not?”
Zhong Hongwu sneered, “Accept it, of course! This is the Supreme Commander’s reward for the Zhong family, not something Xu Fengnian can decide!”
Zhong Chenxin found this explanation rather flimsy, but he dared not argue at this moment. Glancing at Tang Duan’s corpse, he quickly scooted further away.
Seeing this, Zhong Hongwu sighed deeply. He had always decided not to let his only son join the military for a reason. Besides the indulgence that naturally came with having a late-born son, he also did not wish for Zhong Chenxin to risk his life on the borderlands, dying in battle like those soldiers who had little hope of advancement. As the Supreme Commander of Beiliang, ranked among the top five in real power, he had no need to add to his achievements.
Moreover, Zhong Hongwu saw clearly the overall trend of the next twenty years. Now that military officers were in charge of governance, the drawbacks were gradually becoming apparent. Those commandery governorships would inevitably be taken over by “scholars.” Even if the Prince of Beiliang did not favor scholars over soldiers, the balance would inevitably shift toward a delicate equilibrium between civil and military officials. This was the natural course of peace throughout the land, something no single commander, not even the Prince of Beiliang, Xu Xiao—the “Butcher”—could resist.
Zhong Chenxin suddenly felt a pang of regret for his beloved ancient inkstone, Ba Ba, which he cherished more than his favorite concubine. He hesitated and asked, “Should I still send the inkstone?”
Zhong Hongwu glared at him.
Zhong Chenxin forced a dry laugh and said, “No, no, I won’t send it.”
Zhong Hongwu slammed his fist on the carriage floor and said gravely, “You, Xu Fengnian, may not play fair, but don’t blame me, Zhong Hongwu, for not playing fair either!”
Zhong Chenxin was stunned. Avoiding the sight of the corpse of his drinking companion from the previous night, he leaned in and asked, “Father, are you planning to rebel?”
Zhong Hongwu was angry at his son’s lack of understanding. He steadied his breath and asked in return, “Have you ever seen a general survive after betraying Beiliang?”
Zhong Chenxin muttered, “How would I know?”
Zhong Hongwu raised his hand as if to slap him, but after holding it in the air for a moment, he did not strike. He withdrew his hand slowly and said, “There has never been an undefeated general in the world. Jiang Baikui of the Thirteen Masters of the Spring and Autumn Period was nearly one, but after the Battle of Xilei Wall, his family was destroyed, his country lost, and he lost everything. That is the true power of the Supreme Commander—he can fall, and he can rise again. Today, Zhong Hongwu lost this battle due to carelessness, but it is not that big of a deal.”
Zhong Chenxin’s mind raced, and suddenly an idea struck him. He exclaimed in surprise, “Father, are you planning to team up with Yan Wenluan, that old fox full of schemes?”
Zhong Hongwu smiled with satisfaction, neither confirming nor denying. Such matters were best left understood between father and son.
The carriage suddenly stopped. Zhong Hongwu lifted the curtain.
A rider came galloping toward them, and Wang Zhi pointed his sword scabbard directly at the disgraced Supreme Commander, “Zhong Hongwu, remember this!”
Zhong Hongwu merely smiled and was about to lower the curtain when he hesitated slightly, “Who is your father?”
Wang Zhi sneered, “Wang Shiqu!”
With that, the rider galloped away.
Zhong Hongwu slowly lowered the curtain, suddenly realizing the truth. It was this Beiliang traitor who had gone to Xishu and become a minor general at the famous Jiange Pass.
Zhong Hongwu did not take Wang Zhi’s words to heart.
As the carriage was about to reach the Supreme Commander’s mansion, Zhong Hongwu suddenly felt a chill.
Not long ago, the Supreme Commander had personally donned armor and led ten thousand cavalry southward, meeting the four thousand cavalry of Gu Jiantang’s former subordinates at the border between Lingzhou and Shuzhou.
The Prince of Beiliang himself had ridden out, pressing the border forces. The commander of Jiange Pass, Wang Shiqu’s son, Wang Zhi. The imperial prince Zhao Kai had carried a vase to the Western Regions, and then vanished without a trace.
The young prince had inexplicably turned white-haired.
Zhong Hongwu clenched his fist and muttered, “What have you been doing all these years?”
Before stepping out of the carriage, Zhong Hongwu said calmly, “You go deliver the inkstone.”
Zhong Chenxin was both worried and hopeful, cautiously asking, “Have someone else deliver it?”
Zhong Hongwu finally delivered the resounding slap.
The atmosphere at the Fish Dragon Sect was awkward. Master Liu and the elders knelt and bowed to the young prince. Their words varied—some called themselves commoners, while others insisted on stating their names and even their nicknames. Xu Fengnian smiled and urged them to rise quickly. As for Liu Niroong’s stubborn refusal to move, or the young Wang Dashi’s complete shock, he did not hold it against them. The elders, all in their fifties and sixties, soon took their leave voluntarily. For the current situation of “the magpie’s nest occupied by a cuckoo,” they were secretly glad. Master Liu gave his granddaughter Liu Niroong a meaningful look before going to calm the members of the sect, only saying briefly that the storm had passed, not daring to mention that the young prince himself had visited the Fish Dragon Sect.
With Wang Zhi gone, the hall was now filled with those close confidants of the young prince who were privy to the secret of the ambush at Tie Men Pass. Xu Fengnian teased, “Xiliang, shall we make a bet?”
Chen Xiliang smiled and said, “A bet on whether that Ba Ba inkstone will be delivered? Whether Zhong Chenxin will personally present it?”
Xu Fengnian nodded and said, “I bet it won’t be delivered, let alone presented by Zhong the Elder personally. If you win, the inkstone is yours.”
Chen Xiliang, confident, smiled and said, “Then later, I’ll use this inkstone to grind ink and paint a picture of three dragons shaking the sea, and present it to Your Highness.”
Xu Beizhi raised his porcelain cup and took a sip of tea, saying slowly, “You’re forcing Zhong Hongwu to turn to Yan Wenluan.”
Xu Fengnian sat back in the armchair, loosened his horsewhip, leaned back, and said, “I’m afraid Yan Wenluan won’t easily agree. But if the fire gets too big, it will be hard to put out. I’m in a difficult position too. Otherwise, I would have let Zhong Hongwu return home and send a secret letter to Yan Wenluan, or even send a trusted messenger to deliver a message in person, which would be best.”
Xu Beizhi shook his head and said, “Yan Wenluan understands the big picture and is known as the ‘Mud Buddha.’ Unless Zhong Hongwu offers something truly valuable, he won’t be able to move that statue. If Zhong were still the powerful Supreme Commander he once was, there might be a chance. But now that he’s fallen from grace, it will be hard to drag the ‘Mud Buddha’ down with him.”
Xu Fengnian said with a rogue’s grin, “It’s all about what people make of it. We should believe in Zhong Hongwu’s abilities.”
Regarding the changes to the military structure of Beiliang, Xu Xiao had previously asked Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang each to submit a confidential memorandum. Both took different approaches but arrived at the same conclusion: to act decisively and swiftly from the top down.
Chu Lushan was appointed as the Beiliang Protector, and a large number of young officers were promoted, following Chen Xiliang’s memorandum.
Forcing Zhong Hongwu and Yan Wenluan to retreat from the border and move into retirement was Xu Beizhi’s idea, with the general outline being: if you don’t step back willingly, I’ll make sure you have no choice.
One was a bold move, the other a subtle maneuver.
Wang Dashi wanted to say something but dared not interrupt.
Xu Fengnian turned and smiled, “What’s wrong?”
Wang Dashi hesitated and then asked, “Master Xu, are you really the Crown Prince of Beiliang?”
Xu Fengnian teased, “Can’t I travel the martial world like you?”
The boy scratched his head and laughed, “Of course you can!”
Xu Fengnian smiled and asked, “How’s your practice coming along with the boxing technique I taught you?”
Wang Dashi blushed and said, “I practice every day, but Master Xu, I mean, Your Highness, you know I’m not very smart, so I haven’t mastered it well.”
Xu Fengnian laughed and said, “If you were smart, I wouldn’t have taught it to you. By the way, I should tell you, this boxing technique was created by Hong Xixiang of Wudang. He wasn’t very smart either, so it’s perfect for you to learn.”
Wang Dashi was stunned beyond words.
Hong Xixiang, the Taoist Abbot of Wudang, who had ridden a crane to Jiangnan and flown a sword for a thousand miles to subdue Longhu Mountain—wasn’t he smart?
Wang Dashi, who wasn’t particularly bright himself, was even more confused.
The teapot and cups were within reach. Xu Fengnian flipped over a teacup, poured a cup, stood up, and handed it to Liu Niroong, who was standing opposite him. “Sit down and drink it.”
Liu Niroong took the cup but did not sit, her face darkened as she said, “This commoner dares not.”
Xu Fengnian looked at her and said, “The Fish Dragon Sect should fly its flag tomorrow. Wang Zhi will back you up.”
Liu Niroong bit her lip and shook her head.
Xu Fengnian had traveled with her before and knew she was stubborn about things, so he wasn’t surprised. He didn’t press the young woman further, said his farewell, and walked toward the hall’s entrance. Before stepping over the threshold, he whispered something to Qingniao.
Then Liu Niroong saw a copper coin flying toward her from afar.
This time, Liu Niroong did not pretend to ignore it like she had on that yellow-sand-covered hillside. She caught the coin.
That time, Xu Fengnian had told her some truths, saying some things about being outwardly flexible but inwardly firm.
Liu Niroong lowered her head and said, “The Fish Dragon Sect will fly its flag.”
Xu Fengnian had already walked far away.
Wang Dashi quietly asked, “Miss, do you think we’ll ever see Master Xu again?”
Liu Niroong nodded.
Wang Dashi ran to the door, his young heart filled with gratitude and sorrow.
Sitting in the small carriage on the street, Xu Fengnian said to Xu Beizhi, “I originally wanted to let you be the governor of Longjing Commandery to annoy the Zhong family, but after thinking about it, I changed my mind. Letting Zhong Chenxin take the position seems even more annoying. Actually, aside from annoying them, the more The Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate you make, the better.”
Xu Beizhi smiled without looking sideways and said, “I’ll pass.”
Chen Xiliang frowned slightly.
Words, like the tea in the cup or dragons painted on paper, leave space for imagination. The unspoken meaning behind Xu Beizhi’s words was clear to all three in the carriage. He, Xu Beizhi, would not be that Carp, but rather a wild carp in the river, leaving the other carp, seemingly a domesticated one from the Tingchao Lake, to be Chen Xiliang.
Who was higher or lower, only time would tell.
Xu Fengnian, seemingly unaware of the undercurrents in the carriage, smiled and said, “I just realized that all these years of being a spoiled nobleman have not been in vain. Now, no matter what unreasonable actions I take, outsiders are not surprised. The hearts of people are like a bowstring; the bow of Beiliang has been drawn back far enough.”
Before the carriage left the city, Xu Beizhi was about to get off, no longer seeing the prince off. Zhong Chenxin had dozens of escorts following from a distance, nervously coming to deliver the famous Ba Ba inkstone.
Inside the carriage, Chen Xiliang received the priceless inkstone.
Outside the carriage, Xu Beizhi politely declined the gift of a famous horse from Zhong Chenxin, now a prefecture governor. Zhong dared not ride the horse away but led it beside this trusted aide of the prince. After a brief conversation, Zhong was genuinely impressed.
Chen Xiliang put down the sandalwood box and asked calmly, “When will the world finally know that the prince personally killed the leader of the Tianshan Mountain, Di Wu Mo?”
Xu Fengnian looked at him and smiled, “You already know the answer, so why ask me?”
Chen Xiliang tugged at the corner of his mouth.
That very day, a shocking secret began to spread from Longjing Commandery like wildfire across all of Beiliang.
The Crown Prince Xu Fengnian had personally beheaded the Northern Wei’s Northern Court Chancellor Xu Huainan by the Weak River.
He had also personally beheaded Di Wu Mo in the Rou Ran Mountains.
No one doubted these two shocking events.
Because the one who revealed this was none other than Xu Huainan’s grandson, Xu Beizhi.
Two heads.
A new celebration for Beiliang.
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