A small Qingcang City was currently aglow with prestige. Not only were the Xue Fengnian and Xu Longxiang brothers of Beiliang both present, but there was also said to be a newly established deputy governor never seen in the Liyang Dynasty. As dusk fell and just before the city gates closed, an imposing cavalry procession entered Qingcang. The honor guards were from the Wei River Camp, a privilege reserved only for those “royal relatives” who had marital ties with the Xu family throughout the Beiliang region—either the prestigious Lu family of Qingzhou or the Lin family, known for producing a god of wealth. Indeed, Liu Zhen, the official in charge of welcoming dignitaries in Liuzhou, quickly spotted the tall figure of Wang Linquan amidst the dust of travel.
Initially, Liu Zhen felt some unease. After all, Wang Linquan had once been a standard-bearer for the great general, a most trusted confidant, and now had become the father-in-law of the new Prince of Liang—an aristocrat of two dynasties. How could a mere official like Liu Zhen dare to put on airs before such a prominent figure? However, Wang Linquan proved to be very approachable. Although not overly warm in speech, his gaze carried sincerity, which eased Liu Zhen’s nerves. Liu had previously heard that among the two influential families from Qingzhou who had settled in Beiliang, the Lu family led by the renowned scholar Lu Dongjiang was notoriously difficult to please, while Wang Linquan, a veteran of the old Beiliang army and now the richest man in Qingzhou, was known for his courteousness, with no rumors of his servants abusing their power. Now seeing it firsthand, Liu Zhen believed it to be mostly true.
Wang Linquan was led by Liu Zhen to a quiet northern courtyard in the former Dragon King’s Palace. There was no strict military guard along the way, and Wang Linquan, with his sharp eye, initially felt a bit uneasy, thinking Governor Yang Guangdou too careless. But he soon relaxed, reasoning that in today’s world, who would dare to show off martial prowess before the Prince of Beiliang?
However, as Wang Linquan and Liu Zhen crossed the courtyard gate, they exchanged glances in surprise. The young prince was sitting on the steps, sleeves rolled up, washing his younger brother Xu Longxiang’s hair. The boyish commander of thirty thousand Longxiang cavalry squatted on the lower steps, his backside raised as he bent over the basin.
Liu Zhen dared not linger and quickly took his leave. Xu Fengnian, one hand holding his brother’s hair and the other applying a crude homemade soap, could only gesture with his elbow for Wang Linquan to sit beside him upon seeing his father-in-law. Xu Longxiang turned his head and grinned, offering a greeting of his own. Wang Linquan couldn’t help but feel honored—after all, in Beiliang, the young prince rarely showed warmth to anyone, not even to his own sister Xu Weixiong.
As he continued washing his brother’s hair, Xu Fengnian spoke casually, “Only when the business of Liuzhou is entrusted to you, Uncle Wang, can I feel at ease. There will definitely be whispers—people will accuse me of favoritism, of being money-driven, of caring only for the Xu family’s wealth and not for Beiliang’s long-term future. Otherwise, why would I favor the Wang family while ignoring the talented Lu family? You, Uncle Wang, surely understand the intricacies better than anyone else. Since the passing of the former senior minister Lu Feichi, Lu Dongjiang hasn’t yet proven himself capable of leading the Lu family. Our esteemed Lu Boke, the literary giant, came to Beiliang first seeking official posts for his family’s youth, only to be rejected by his daughter Lu Chengyan. Now he’s competing for the position of Beiliang’s literary leader. He hasn’t stopped bustling about. I can’t really say much—I can only let him be. As long as he doesn’t cross the line, there will always be a seat for the Lu family at the New Year’s Eve banquet at Qingliang Hill.”
Wang Linquan sighed, saying nothing. Although the Xu, Lu, and Wang families were now bound together like grasshoppers on the same string, sharing the same fate, even a fair official would find it hard to mediate family affairs. The Lu family simply lacked foresight. Wang Linquan couldn’t very well go to Lu Dongjiang and lecture him. Besides, the Lu family was full of proud scholars, each more arrogant than the last, who would never deign to take advice from a mere merchant like himself, who reeked of coin.
Though both families had risen to equal status through their daughters’ marriages into the Xu family, the Wangs didn’t mind it, but the Lus, with generations of officialdom, considered it a disgrace. Xu Fengnian helped wring out his brother’s hair, then looked up at Wang Linquan, who still seemed uneasy, and smiled, “What’s wrong, Uncle Wang? Don’t you recognize me anymore?”
Wang Linquan gave a faint, bitter smile. “Your Highness, my daughter Chudong has never been good at social graces. She’s off causing trouble at the academy again—utterly undignified. Please, don’t hesitate to scold or punish her if needed.”
Xu Fengnian teased, “I could never bring myself to do that. I don’t know how others marry, but in our Xu family, we’ve never kept women hidden at home. Uncle Wang, you’ve met my mother—do you think Xu Shao dared to?”
Wang Linquan burst into hearty laughter. “Your Highness jests. The Princess is a rare and extraordinary woman. How could my daughter ever compare? The General’s deep respect for the Princess was well deserved.”
Xu Fengnian wiped his face with his sleeve and asked, “Uncle Wang, why don’t you tell me some stories about Xu Shao from before? He and I and Huangman always talk about his heroic deeds, but whenever I ask about his major defeats, he always avoids the subject.”
Wang Linquan nodded, his gaze distant for a moment, clearly lost in memories of the past. Elderly men often became like this—recalling old times was like opening a yellowed, worn book and reading its ancient tales.
Sitting on the steps and gazing at the empty courtyard, Wang Linquan began recounting the brutal battles that had nearly crushed the Xu army beyond recovery. The enemies who had given Xu Shao such hardship were now long forgotten, and history had barely recorded them. Among them were two generals from the old Liyang Dynasty who had conspired against Xu Shao. Wang Linquan described a rainy alley skirmish where Xu Shao, then merely a junior officer, led six hundred elite soldiers into a city only to face three thousand infantry. In the end, only forty-six men, including Xu Shao, escaped the city. That wasn’t even the worst part—those two generals later submitted the heads of the Xu soldiers as proof of defeating rebels and received commendations from the imperial court. The court accepted their claims.
Within a year, Xu Shao led his private forces to crush those two nominally loyal but rebellious provinces. At his most destitute, Xu Shao was little better than a wandering bandit. With no imperial stipend and regarded as an enemy by local officials, he had no choice but to rob the roads—though he tried not to harm anyone, and always secretly recorded the names of those he robbed. Later, when Xu Shao rose to power, he repaid them generously. Among them was the Liu family of Chishui Commandery, who had nearly been listed in the *Biographies of Corrupt Officials*. Back then, they had merely lost goods worth two hundred taels to Xu Shao—a trivial sum for the Liu family. But had Xu Shao not intervened, the Liu family’s inclusion in the *Biographies of Corrupt Officials* would have meant the ruin of their noble legacy for five generations.
As Wang Linquan spoke, his eyes reddened, though he smiled. “I remember when we decided to attack Xichu. Many in the army were deeply dissatisfied with the court’s strategy. They thought it impossible to fight against Ye Baikui’s Xichu while the court was scheming behind our backs. We Xu soldiers had fought in the north and south for years—why should we be the ones to die at the front? Several senior generals, already granted titles, were the loudest in protest. It was a time of great unrest. Xu Shao met with them once. I was his personal guard at the time, stationed outside the tent. I remember it clearly—the argument was fierce. Afterward, most of those generals returned to Taian City, leaving only a few behind. Then men like Chu Duhu, Yuan Tongling, and Yan Wenyuan, who were still young and vigorous at the time, were entrusted with command.
Not only did the court doubt us, but even our own people were uncertain. Fortunately, General Chu and Commander Yuan led the way with a few incredible victories—battles that seemed impossible to win. In my years in Qingzhou, I’ve met several old soldiers who left the Xu army, as well as many wounded veterans who had to retire. I’ve noticed an interesting pattern: those who contributed little but benefited much often failed to show gratitude, frequently speaking ill of Beiliang in sarcastic tones. But those who gave much and remained unknown always spoke fondly of the General, even though back then, no one would listen to their humble voices.”
Xu Fengnian nodded. “The situation in Beiliang today is much the same. The principle isn’t complicated—many people are, at heart, businessmen. They calculate everything—friendships, officialdom, marriages, poetry gatherings—all with a ledger of self-interest. But such people are still the minority.”
He smiled faintly. “Because they’ve never given anything, they can afford to not care.”
Wang Linquan sighed. “Now that Your Highness thinks this way, I feel reassured.”
After finishing Xu Longxiang’s hair and tying it up, Xu Fengnian stood to pour out the basin water. Wang Linquan, the god of wealth, had many affairs awaiting his decision and thus took his leave. Watching the old man’s back disappear beyond the courtyard, Xu Fengnian thought to himself that it was time to choose an auspicious day to marry. Otherwise, if he delayed much longer, the previously peaceful Wang and Lu families might turn hostile. In the end, the one caught in the middle would still be him—the son-in-law. One Wang Linquan might be kind-hearted, but that didn’t mean every member of the Wang family was equally virtuous. As for the Lu family, though they had caused much laughter and chaos at Qingliang Hill, they would be essential in the future for communicating with the scholars within Beiliang. Holding the wooden basin at the top of the steps, Xu Fengnian smiled wryly, “All just calculating merchants.”
Beside him stood Xu Longxiang. The boy’s face had begun to show the first hints of stubble. He was still thin, but much taller now.
Just as Xu Fengnian was about to speak some long-suppressed words to his younger brother, a white-and-blue falcon dove from the sky, delivering a brief secret message. The letter contained two pieces of news.
Nearly a hundred cultivators from the Nanhai Guanyin Sect had entered Lanzhou.
A sudden appearance of a hundred riders from the Wu family sword burial grounds had set their course for Beiliang.
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