Chen Xiliang was not wearing the official robe of a fourth-grade civil servant in Qingcang City, nor even the attire of a scholar; he looked no different from a poor wandering refugee. The only item on him that could be considered decent was the pair of exceptionally sturdy wolf-hide boots he wore. When Xu Fengnian personally saw this man, who appeared even more like a refugee than the refugees themselves, he could only shake his head in helpless amusement. However, around Chen Xiliang were a dozen riders of the White Horse Retinue, guarding him closely, which at least salvaged a bit of dignity for this scholar who had been at the center of political storms in Beiliang.
At this moment, Chen Xiliang stood at the head of a village, leading a group of government clerks and laborers in constructing a pulley system to dig a well. The village happened to be located in a lowland area where spring water emerged, a rare small oasis within Liuzhou. Generally speaking, areas like this that controlled water sources were inevitably contested territories among multiple factions, for where there was water, there was also bloodshed.
Over a hundred villagers squatted at a distance, watching curiously. Some men chewed on hard, iron-like flatbreads, while many more looked longingly, mixed with awe, at the White Horse Retinue. Even after dismounting, these guards still carried swords and crossbows, their clothing and armor bright and clean. Before Liuzhou was incorporated into Beiliang’s territory, border soldiers became wandering archers only after coming here to kill people, using the heads of refugees as currency for promotion. Occasionally, small cavalry units were completely wiped out by large bands of horse bandits. The swords and armor on those fallen riders had always been the most enviable treasures for refugee leaders. To have a horse and a sword, and even wear armor, meant you could be the lord of lords in the refugee lands. Thus, the sudden appearance of these White Horse guards made the villagers both envious and fearful. Yet this leading young official, it was said, held a position so high it was terrifying in Beiliang. Strangely, upon entering the village, he neither molested women nor looted money or grain. Instead, he spoke at length, saying things that seemed too good to be true. Was there really such good fortune in the world? He claimed that any household with one person joining the army would be registered as a legitimate citizen in Lingshou and even be given land to cultivate. Moreover, whether to enlist on the border or within Lingshou was entirely optional, with no compulsion. The only difference was that border soldiers received significantly higher pay than those in Lingshou. Initially, no one paid much attention, but later, when they heard that this young official had stubbornly defended Qingcang City against ten thousand fierce horse bandits, and that he had caused many of the Beiliang King’s personal guards to die, and was soon to be bound and taken back to Liangzhou for execution, even if spared death, his official position would certainly be lost. Many refugees who had survived in the city at that time all spoke of this matter in vivid detail, suggesting it was likely true. Therefore, this official was indeed a courageous man, but if he were eventually punished by the Beiliang King, would his promises still hold? They might not know the saying “not to act without seeing the rabbit,” but they certainly understood the principle of “not taking off trousers without seeing a wife.”
Then, when these villagers saw yet another cavalry unit galloping toward them, stopping outside the village before gradually approaching, they noticed a young man whose appearance was even more handsome than a woman’s, accompanied by a small, dark-skinned child, and followed by a tall, burly man who looked like a general. That kind of attire was truly dazzling to the eye—indeed, he must be a general capable of commanding hundreds of soldiers. Some of the village’s native, fearless youths wanted to circle around for a better look, but were chased away by their elders. Yet some strong women, capable of felling a man from Jiangnan with one hand, had their eyes shining. “Oh, what a charming young man! I wonder which lucky woman will have the fortune to enjoy his company.” Their menfolk didn’t mind this much, at most grumbling a bit, while the women dared to retort a few words. The boldest among them smacked their thick lips, eyes filled with desire, as if wanting to swallow the handsome young man with the phoenix-like eyes whole.
But soon, all the villagers were terrified, their scalps tingling, when they saw the White Horse Retinue kneel on one knee before the young man, one hand on the ground and the other resting on their swords, simultaneously declaring in a deep voice: “Salutations to the King!”
With this single act of kneeling by the White Horse Retinue, the Liuzhou officials who had been digging the well also fell to their knees in a great commotion. Compared to the solemn White Horse Retinue, they were even more anxious and fearful.
In recent days, many bald monks had been traveling busily within Liuzhou, preaching and begging alms. Later, young Daoist immortals from Wudang Mountain also came to wander here, all describing the young feudal king either as a Bodhisattva reincarnated or as the True Martial God descended. This had great persuasive power among the poorly educated refugee populace.
Xu Fengnian lightly said, “Rise,” then walked toward Chen Xiliang. The dozen White Horse Retinue members naturally followed behind the Beiliang King, subtly separating him from the retinue accompanying Qingcang Captain Wei Shihui, who scratched his nose slightly, feeling a bit awkward, though he dared not show any dissatisfaction. During the previous defense of Qingcang City, the odds had been heavily against them. Although defenders generally had the advantage of position, Qingcang’s walls were neither high nor sturdy. Moreover, the several thousand original troops in Qingcang had already been in disarray. Without the White Horse Retinue of fewer than a hundred men, who led the defense with personal bravery, Qingcang City would have been sacked several times by the ten thousand fierce horse bandits. Whenever a breach occurred in the city defenses, a group of silver-armored warriors would rush forward as suicide fighters, holding the line against the surging enemy without retreating even in death. It was said that each of these White Horse Retinue members was worth the lives of a hundred Qingcang citizens. It was precisely their willingness to sacrifice themselves that inspired the remnants of the Qingcang Dragon Prince’s Mansion’s old forces to fight to the death. The intensity of the battle could be seen in a single detail: every fallen White Horse Retinue member, hated by the attacking horse bandits, was left with no intact corpse. After the arrival of the Longxiang Army for rescue and the retreat of the bandits, the burial of the dead in Qingcang could only result in numerous nearly empty tombs containing only clothing and personal effects.
When Chen Xiliang saw Xu Fengnian, his face showed some guilt, as if wanting to say something but hesitating. Xu Fengnian patted his shoulder and, sitting on the edge of the well, smiled upward and said, “You can either return to the Prince’s Mansionas an unofficial advisor without rank or serve as the deputy governor of Liuzhou. The choice is yours.”
Chen Xiliang casually squatted by the well, quite unlike his usual reserved etiquette on Qingliang Mountain, and softly replied, “Although I still fear seeing people die, I always thought of returning to Qingliang Mountain to theorize from books. Even if I couldn’t become a wealthy idle man there, at least I wouldn’t have to live in constant fear. But now I feel that just leaving like this would be deserting. Back then in Qingcang City, not a single of your White Horse Retinue retreated, nor did the several thousand armored soldiers, or even the city’s refugees. If I leave now, it just doesn’t seem right.”
Xu Fengnian asked, “So you’re agreeing to be the deputy governor of Liuzhou? Yang Cishi also has this intention; he holds you in high regard. With the two of you working together in Liuzhou, I can feel at ease.”
Chen Xiliang shook his head and said, “The deputy governor is the most important assistant in a province. If it were Lingshou, far from the rear of Beiliang and away from war, I might Reluctantly manage. But Liuzhou’s current appointments tend to favor those who are both literate and martial. I think I should first do well as the governor of Qingcang City. Whatever ideas I have, I will directly share with the Cishi, so I don’t need the title of deputy governor.”
Xu Fengnian did not press him, simply nodding and saying, “As you wish. If you ever feel like becoming a high-ranking official later, just go directly to Yang Guangdou and ask for the position. You don’t need to inform Qingliang Mountain.”
Nearby, Qingcang Captain Wei Shihui, upon hearing this conversation, felt his heart churning. Where else in the world could one find such an accommodating feudal king? Could official titles really be chosen at will? Clearly, those rumors about the Beiliang King severely punishing Chen, the City Governor, were all nonsense! Wei Shihui had long heard of the two prominent figures from Qingliang Mountain, Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang. Within Beiliang, it was generally believed that Xu Beizhi’s abilities far surpassed Chen Xiliang’s, and that he had skillfully governed Lingshou with a balance of firmness and flexibility, even reportedly nearly overshadowing the Chief Civilian Officer, Li Degong. However, Wei Shihui personally favored Chen Xiliang more, without any particular reason, simply because this scholar had stubbornly defended Qingcang City—and succeeded!
Chen Xiliang suddenly asked, “Your Highness, have you been to that field of memorial tombs?”
Xu Fengnian replied, “I entered the city only last night, thinking of going together with you to offer wine in tribute.”
Chen Xiliang nodded, stood up, and called over a small team leader from the laborers to quietly give instructions. At this moment, a tall, strong youth stepped out from among the laborers and walked toward them. He was quickly stopped by two members of the White Horse Retinue, their cold blades already halfway out of their sheaths, exuding a deep killing intent.
Xu Fengnian glanced at the youth and recognized him as an old acquaintance. Previously, when he had ridden alone into the refugee lands, outside Qingcang City, there had been an incident where refugees, greedy for profit, tried to rob him of his horse and sword. This youth, skilled in spear techniques, was one of them. He had the fierce and bold spirit typical of refugees. If Xu Fengnian hadn’t mistaken, the youth also had a sister as thin as a rail. It was precisely her sudden appearance that had stopped Xu from killing them, and he had even given the siblings a bag of silver coins. Xu Fengnian called out, “Let him come over.”
The youth, who had impulsively wanted to step forward, was already quite frightened when the White Horse Retinue partially drew their swords. He had always remembered the superior martial arts of that handsome wandering swordsman and felt grateful for the spared life and the silver given. Now, that piece of silver had been pierced by the youth with a small hole, strung on a rope, and hung around his sister’s neck, which she greatly cherished. Upon learning that this person was actually the King who held the power of life and death over all the refugees, the youth didn’t think much—he simply feared he might never see him again and wanted to personally express his gratitude. Feeling nervous, his steps were unsteady. When he finally reached a place about five or six paces away from the young feudal king, his mind went completely blank, and he didn’t know what to say. His face turned red, and he didn’t even know where to put his hands.
Xu Fengnian softly smiled and asked, “What’s your name? I still remember you have a sister who is braver than you.”
The youth finally regained his composure, swallowed hard, and answered in a trembling voice, “Your Highness, my name is Liu Sheng, and my sister is Liu Yu.”
Xu Fengnian teased, “You even know the term ‘Your Highness’?”
The youth secretly pinched his waist to regain some clarity, and with a shy smile, he replied, “I learned it from the officials in the workshop. They speak like this when they report to the city governor.”
Chen Xiliang, standing to the side, explained to Xu Fengnian with a smile, “Liu Sheng wants to enlist at the border, but I thought he was too young and refused. However, this boy is quite strong, so I allowed him to help around the office, earning some money for food. He is quick and nimble, clever, and can already recognize over a hundred characters. In his spare time, he writes characters on the ground with sticks. Actually, the boy and his sister originally only had family names, no given names, only nicknames. Liu Sheng and Liu Yu were names he gave himself.”
Xu Fengnian looked at the boy with a smile and asked, “If you go to the border and die, what will happen to your sister? Why not choose to join the army in Lingshou, where you at least won’t have to go into battle?”
The boy answered earnestly, “The official in charge of recruitment said that the border troops receive higher pay and get it quickly. Not only do they get a large sum of silver upon enlistment, but they also immediately allocate a piece of good farmland in Lingshou. Besides, isn’t it said that one of our Beiliang soldiers can take on three or four Northern Barbarians? Going to the border doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll die. If I can kill a few Northern Barbarians with my spear and become a squad leader, then my sister can live comfortably for the rest of her life. Maybe even have a dowry!”
As if suddenly remembering something, the boy quickly added, “Your Highness!”
Xu Fengnian burst into laughter and thought for a moment before saying, “Alright, I’ll allow you to enlist in Youzhou. I’ve seen your spear skills firsthand. Once you learn to ride a horse, I’ll have Huangfu Ping promote you to squad leader. I’ll also help your sister find a good family to stay with in Lingshou.”
The boy bargained, “Your Highness, can my sister still keep the surname Liu?”
Xu Fengnian nodded and joked, “How about you take my surname Xu? What do you think? I can promote you to squad leader right now.”
Qingcang Captain Wei Shihui and his retinue were staring with green eyes, thinking, “This is like a huge piece of luck falling from the sky! Although nowadays it’s not as common as during the Spring and Autumn Periods to bestow surnames, being granted a surname by an emperor or a feudal king was still a great honor for heroes from the common folk. General Xu Xiao, with over forty years of military experience, had bestowed surnames only a few times. Xu Yanbing, the younger martial arts brother of the Spear Immortal, was one of them.”
However, to their surprise, the boy hesitated for a moment and then shook his head, saying, “I can’t become a squad leader without even killing a Northern Barbarian yet. Also, if my parents found out that my sister and I changed our surname, they’d probably come in my dreams to beat me to death.”
Wei Shihui was almost ready to hang up this ungrateful little brat and give him a thorough beating, thinking, “Your parents would really come in your dreams to beat you if they knew you refused the Beiliang King’s kindness.”
Xu Fengnian laughed and said, “Alright then. Anyway, once you go to Youzhou, go find a general named Huangfu Ping and tell him I sent you to enlist.”
The boy timidly asked, “Not to Liangzhou? I heard the soldiers there get more pay and better land.”
Xu Fengnian replied with a wry smile, “Liangzhou is about to go to war. Your spear skills are good, but without battlefield experience, even the best martial skills won’t withstand the charge of Northern Barbarian cavalry.”
The boy nodded vaguely, saying, “Oh.”
The villagers, who had previously left upon hearing the Beiliang King’s arrival, returned and watched in fascination as this bold child spoke before the King, feeling somewhat envious. What kind of immense blessing must this kid have accumulated in his past life to even get a word with the King? And how high-ranking must the King be? After all, they all knew that the entire Beiliang was his family estate, though, of course, this King wasn’t at all old.
Later, Xu Fengnian and Chen Xiliang went together to the southern outskirts of Qingcang City, ten miles away, to the burial ground where the fallen members of the White Horse Retinue lay. The tombs were located within the oasis, and Xu Fengnian’s apprentice, Yu Dilong, and several attendants carried large packs of green-ant wine.
Xu Fengnian and Chen Xiliang paid their respects at each tomb, offering wine.
Chen Xiliang’s expression was heavy, and with each tomb, he recounted to Xu Fengnian when and where the White Horse Righteous Cavalry inside had died.
After the memorial, Xu Fengnian felt as if something were missing.
Suddenly, a rider arrived with news that two strangers had entered the area, saying they wished to offer water in place of wine to honor the fallen heroes.
Xu Fengnian led his horse forward and found himself looking at Song Dongming, who had arrived in Qingcang City half a day later than him.
This man, one of the hidden chancellors of Liyang, upon seeing the entourage around Xu Fengnian, especially the bright armor worn by Captain Wei Shihui, quickly deduced the young man’s identity. After bowing slightly, he looked up and smiled, saying, “Your Highness, I must say you’re not exactly being sincere.”
Xu Fengnian smiled but did not deny it, apologizing, “I hope Master Song can forgive me.”
Song Dongming glanced at the young scholar beside Xu Fengnian, then looked away and spoke directly, “Your Highness, you don’t seem to be the kind of wise ruler worthy of the people’s loyalty and the soldiers’ sacrifice.”
Without hesitation, Wei Shihui drew his Beiliang saber, wanting to cut off the head of this reckless fool.
Xu Fengnian raised his hand, stopping the hot-tempered Qingcang Captain behind him, and asked with a smile, “Why do you say that?”
Song Dongming remained unshaken, calmly saying, “There are hundreds of border poems in Liyang, among which the line ‘Why must the dead be wrapped in horsehide?’ is the most celebrated. In my opinion, this is just a useless saying from a scholar who speaks without knowing the pain. Therefore, I have a question for the Beiliang King.”
Xu Fengnian remained calm and said, “Please ask.”
Song Dongming looked around and coldly said, “The Butcher Xu Xiao had ten thousand Snow Dragon Cavalry, the second son Xu Longxiang had thirty thousand Longxiang Army, Beiliang’s protector Chu Lushan had his personal guards, and Yuan Zuozong and Yan Wenshan also had their own personal guards. These soldiers were naturally brave and willing to fight for Beiliang. But what then? When the entire Northern Meng nation invades the south, can you really rely on these seventy or eighty thousand soldiers to win? In fact, can you even win with the thirty thousand Beiliang soldiers? Or perhaps, King of Beiliang, you believe it is a sure defeat, and as long as you are ready to die, you have fulfilled your duty to Beiliang?”
Xu Fengnian remained silent without showing anger.
Chen Xiliang’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Song Dongming continued with mockery, “So I ask the King of Beiliang, since Beiliang is destined to face the Northern Meng’s hundred thousand cavalry alone, regardless of the outcome, you must ensure that every death is meaningful and honored. Do you agree, King of Beiliang?”
Xu Fengnian nodded and said, “That should be the case.”
Song Dongming loudly said, “Then I request the King of Beiliang to find a place within his territory to build a Hero’s Tomb, and erect thirty thousand memorial tablets!”
Song Dongming stared at Xu Fengnian, squeezing out each word from between his teeth, “One death! One name!”
Xu Fengnian said, “Alright, the back mountain of Qingliang Mountain can be used for this tomb.”
Song Dongming asked again, “Among the thirty thousand, will there be a tablet for you, Xu Fengnian?”
Xu Fengnian replied without hesitation, “Yes. First write ‘Xu Fengnian of Beiliang,’ no different from any other Beiliang soldier. For now, only record the time and place of birth. When I die, add the time and place of death in battle.”
Song Dongming looked into Xu Fengnian’s eyes for a long time before solemnly bowing and saying, “Song Dongming is willing to serve as a minister of Beiliang and offer my strategies for the King of Beiliang!”
Xu Fengnian smiled and said, “Good.”
After Song Dongming straightened up and raised his head, Xu Fengnian walked to the side of this young man from the Song Clan of Luming and stood beside him. Xu Fengnian lowered his voice and said softly, “I know in your heart you actually serve Zhao rather than Xu, but what does it matter.”
Song Dongming also softly replied, “Your Highness is wrong. Serving Beiliang is serving Liyang; I do not serve the emperor, I serve the people!”
Xu Fengnian gave no definite response and said, “For now, you will serve as the Deputy Governor of Beiliang Circuit, stationed at Qingliang Mountain. Is that enough?”
Song Dongming nodded and said, “That is sufficient.”
In this autumn of the first year of the Xiangfu era, Song Dongming of the Song Clan of Luming entered the service of Beiliang, causing a great stir in the imperial court and among the common people.
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