In the deep silence of night, a grand caravan of horses swiftly galloped out from the northern gate of Liangzhou city. Among them were the eight hundred Bai Ma Yi Cong (White Horse Retinue), who had gained renown alongside the new King of Liang, the more than a hundred swordsmen newly arrived from the Wu family, and over a dozen cultivators from the Nanhai Guanyin Sect. At the forefront rode several figures: the current backbone of Northern Liang, Xu Fengnian, dressed in plain clothes; Wu Liuding and Cui Hua, the famed sword master and sword attendant; Tan Tai Pingjing, the chief grandmaster of southern cultivators; and the frail old swordsman with white eyebrows, Sui Xiegu, who appeared ill. However, the one riding abreast of Xu Fengnian was not any of the aforementioned, but Xu Beizhi, who was supposed to be attending to administrative duties in Lingzhou.
Xu Fengnian had no intention of holding a grudge against Xu Beizhi for his unexpected arrival. He was overjoyed instead. Earlier that day, whispers had begun circulating on Gulu Mountain, hinting that the weary Governor Xu personally brought a basin for the weary official’s face upon his arrival at the mansion, and even smiled while the Governor washed his face. This left the mansion staff puzzled—should they say the Prince was showing respect to the virtuous, or was Xu Beizhi, this young official, simply too influential?
Xu Beizhi brought news so dire it could be called a catastrophe. The remnants of the former Western Shu kingdom, led by the exiled crown prince Su Su, had rendered all of Northern Liang’s previous strategies and investments futile. Worse still, they had inadvertently emboldened the prestige of the King of Shu, Chen Zhibao. In Xu Beizhi’s words, it was as though Northern Liang had painstakingly raised a watchdog that not only failed to earn its keep but might even turn on its master.
Xu Fengnian, however, remained relatively calm. Back when he first met Su Su and the old scholar Zhao Dingxiu in a small city in the Northern Barbarian lands, he had not held much hope for their success. Su Su was too indolent—perhaps he could thrive in the martial world, but when it came to courtly intrigue and strategy, he would eagerly abandon his responsibilities. Entrusting the restoration of the Shu dynasty to him was even more disheartening than relying on himself, the young heir apparent, to carry the banner of Northern Liang. As for Zhao Dingxiu, once a half-imperial teacher, his loyalty to Northern Liang and Xu Fengnian was not enough to outweigh his broader ambitions. He would not risk everything to oppose Chen Zhibao.
Ultimately, the former emperor Zhao had sent Zhao Kai westward with the aim of severing Northern Liang’s ties with Shu and Zhao, creating a vast arc-shaped encirclement with the Western Regions. Fortunately, Xu Fengnian had thwarted this plan at Tiemen Pass. However, Chen Zhibao’s appointment as King of Shu revived this imperial strategy. Though Xu Fengnian had quickly secured the allegiance of the Six-Pearl Guru and extended Northern Liang’s influence into the Western Regions, Chen Zhibao swiftly retaliated by positioning himself in Western Shu and eyeing the Southern Zhao. Thus, both sides had their victories and defeats, but for the imperial court in Taian City and Yuan Benxi, the strategist, it was all profit. Without Shu and Zhao as safe retreats for Northern Liang in times of military adversity, Northern Liang’s strategic advantage was compromised. Even if the war turned dire, they would have no choice but to fight to the bitter end, exhausting all the resources amassed by the Xu family under Xu Xiao.
Yet if Xu Beizhi had only come to deliver bad news, he wouldn’t have personally visited Gulu Mountain. The Governor’s urgent “audience” brought with it a proposal for reforming the Northern Liang military ranks. Previously, following Chen Xiliang’s advice, Xu Fengnian had implemented sweeping reforms, dismissing numerous officers and generals, elevating the rank of local commanders in Liang, You, and Ling provinces to positions of significant authority just below the provincial generals. He had also revoked many honorary titles previously granted to aging officials, shaking the foundations of many military families. The older generation of officers, once retired from the borderlands, had hoped to pass their honors down to their descendants, but now these titles were swept away, leaving a generation gap. Without new achievements, the younger generation could not carry on the family legacy.
Xu Beizhi said that in times of peace, Northern Liang’s redistribution of power might not have mattered, but with the Northern Barbarian army of a million pressing at the borders, it was crucial to win the support of these military families.
After leaving Liangzhou, Xu Fengnian did not interrupt Xu Beizhi’s detailed explanation. Xu Fengnian was not one to ignore advice, but he did have his own reservations.
If anyone else had proposed such reforms, Xu Fengnian would have readily accepted them. But coming from Xu Beizhi, he had to carefully consider the implications.
Xu Beizhi, unfazed by Xu Fengnian’s silence, continued outlining his vision for the Northern Liang military. “The border forces need not be tampered with; they should follow established traditions. The local commanders, both old and new, understand their duties. But now, Northern Liang needs more people willing to fight on the battlefield. In the war between Liang and the Northern Barbarians, Northern Liang has an edge in commanders and superior soldiers. Yet the greater the advantage, the more we must not fall behind in endurance. We cannot afford to win dozens of battles only to lose everything in one major defeat!”
Xu Beizhi’s eyes burned with determination as he continued, “Northern Liang has always been weak in resources. Now, many of the military families, seeing no future in Northern Liang, are eager to leave. Though many are indeed parasites, can they not be transformed into Northern Liang’s strength? In national conflicts, it’s always a matter of who can endure more. According to my plan, Northern Liang should establish three great martial titles—Zhen, Ping, and Zheng. These twelve titles will be reserved for the most distinguished border commanders. Then, there will be twelve ranks of martial officials—Xiao Zhu and Xiao Qi Wei—and two major civil titles—Zheng Zhi Qing and Zi Zhi Qing—designed for those wavering between loyalty and neutrality. These titles will be offered to military families willing to contribute resources and to scholars willing to offer counsel. However, you must ensure that these titles are recognized by the Liyang imperial court. If possible, you should also request an imperial edict from the Ministry of War in Taian City, compelling the Zhao emperor and the Ministry of War and Ministry of Personnel to not only recognize Northern Liang’s ranks but also allow Northern Liang officials to serve elsewhere at a slightly lower rank, without any excuse for refusal.”
Xu Fengnian smiled bitterly. “Juzhi, do you really think the Ministry of War in Taian City is just one of my courtyards? Though I have a decent relationship with Lu Baijie, I’m certain that this ‘Tangxi Sword Immortal’ will throw my petition to the ground the moment he sees it. Now that the court is suppressing local powers, even generals like Yan Zhenshun and Yang Shenxing are being sent to their deaths without hesitation. How could they possibly contradict their own policies? If we get our way, how could Gu Jiantang not demand even more? Do you think the Ministry of War and the emperor will agree or refuse?”
Xu Beizhi shook his head decisively. “This is different. The Zhao family is struggling to manage its own affairs. Right now, they rely on Northern Liang to resist the Northern Barbarians. There’s a fifty percent chance this petition will succeed.”
Xu Fengnian also shook his head. “The petition isn’t impossible, but you must understand one thing. Last time, with Song Dongming’s suggestion to send Northern Liang’s forces to quell the rebellion in Guangling, we barely managed to get the imperial court to send grain supplies. This time, I’m afraid it’s even more uncertain.”
Xu Beizhi loosened the reins and rubbed his hands. “The petition won’t be sent to the Ministry of War immediately. It depends on when Cao Changqing thoroughly defeats the imperial court.”
Xu Fengnian nodded, then suddenly asked, “Do you know what I’m thinking?”
Xu Beizhi turned to look at him, his expression calm. “Are you worried that I and Chen Xiliang will clash, each thinking the mountain cannot hold two tigers?”
Xu Fengnian sighed in relief, joking, “As long as you understand. You two are not only my friends but also the precious gems cherished by my master. Losing either of you would break my heart.”
Xu Beizhi also asked, “Do you know what I’m thinking?”
Xu Fengnian rolled his eyes. “You’re a worm in my gut, but I’m not one in yours.”
To Xu Fengnian’s surprise, Xu Beizhi did not retort as usual but instead said, “I think that once the war between Liang and the Northern Barbarians begins, we must find an excuse to prevent Gu Jiantang from sitting back and watching the tigers fight on the eastern front.”
Xu Fengnian was momentarily stunned. “This not only touches Yuan Benxi’s bottom line but likely won’t be accepted by Zhang Julu and Qi Yanglong either.”
Xu Beizhi remained calm. “Even Wang Xianzhi can lose. There should be no one in the world who can win a hundred battles.”
Xu Fengnian had no reply.
This was perhaps the greatest difference between Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang. Chen Xiliang always preferred to start with small, subtle actions, rarely making grand, sweeping moves. But Xu Beizhi was different—he seemed more visionary, grasping the big picture.
But neither approach was superior.
At least for now, that was the case.
Xu Beizhi suddenly smiled without reason.
Xu Fengnian looked at him, puzzled.
Under the moonlight, Xu Beizhi gazed northward, softly smiling. “When I was young, I always dreamed of one day following my grandfather southward to fight against Northern Liang. I never imagined it would end up reversed.”
Xu Fengnian curiously asked, “Don’t you have anyone in the Northern Court you care about? Like a childhood sweetheart, a kindred spirit, or someone you particularly want to humiliate?”
Xu Beizhi remained composed. “No.”
One strategy can be worth a city; a few words can determine a nation’s foundation.
Who would become the first strategist in Northern Liang worthy of such praise? Xu Fengnian eagerly awaited the answer.
At this moment, one of the Wu family’s hundred swordsmen quickened his pace, overtaking Wu Liuding and the female swordswoman, and rode to Xu Fengnian’s side. Bowing respectfully, he said, “I am Xie Cheng’an, a man of a fallen nation. May I boldly request a duel with Your Highness when you have the time?”
Xu Fengnian smiled. “Is this for yourself or for Western Shu?”
Xie Cheng’an, who had once been only half a sword inferior to the Western Shu Sword Emperor, replied honestly. “Both.”
Xu Fengnian pulled his reins lazily, adding salt to the wound of an elderly swordsman over a hundred years old. “Old Master Sui, someone wants to duel me. Shouldn’t he ask you first?”
Sui Xiegu, Xu Fengnian’s most recent defeated opponent, was furious, his white eyebrows fluttering wildly, but he did not refuse.
Xie Cheng’an, his face gaunt, spoke calmly. “I know I am no match for Your Highness, but if I do not draw my sword now, my conscience will never rest.”
Cui Hua, who had been meditating with her eyes closed, coldly asked, “Xie Cheng’an, after entering the tomb, what ‘own sword’ do you have left?”
Xie Banjian’s expression darkened, and he hesitated to speak.
Wu Liuding laughed heartily. “No problem, no problem. Since we’ve all left that dreary place, let’s not be too bound by rules. Grandpa Xie said it’s just a friendly match, not a life-or-death duel. I’m sure the King of Northern Liang, being a magnanimous man, wouldn’t refuse a match where he’s guaranteed victory.”
Xu Fengnian turned to look at Wu Liuding, whom he had never gotten along with. “Alright then, shall we spar too?”
Wu Liuding snorted. “Afraid of you? You pick the place, I’ll pick the time!”
Xu Fengnian said, “Right here.”
Wu Liuding shamelessly replied, “A hundred years from now!”
The expressions of the Wu family swordsmen were mostly awkward. Having such a leader was truly embarrassing.
An older swordsman also quickened his pace and laughed. “I’ve heard the King of Northern Liang started his martial training with a saber?”
Xu Fengnian smiled. “What, did Zhang Luantai, who once lost to Gu Jiantang before entering the Wu family’s sword tomb, now want to reclaim his honor by challenging me, a saber user?”
Zhang Luantai was honest. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking, though it seems as difficult as climbing the heavens.”
The swordswoman known as “Nalan Auntie” by Wu Liuding, though she did not join the commotion, cleared her throat and laughed. “Your Highness, I won’t embarrass myself by challenging you to a duel, but I do have a small question. Your Highness is so handsome. If I were twenty years younger, could we live together?”
Xu Fengnian turned with a smile. “Dear sister, how about being my child’s wet nurse instead?”
The woman’s chest heaved with the rhythm of her horse, but she was not offended. “I should have sought out the Queen back then, stubbornly insisting on becoming sisters. Perhaps now, Your Highness would call me something else.”
Xu Fengnian sighed helplessly. “Thankfully, you didn’t become my mother’s sister twenty years ago.”
The elder swordsmen, like He Lian Jian Chi (Sword Obsession) and Jian Seng Cui Mei Gong (Sword Monk Cui Mei Gong), who were among the oldest in the Wu family’s sword tomb, all shared a knowing smile.
After a round of laughter, Xu Fengnian said, “You are all masters of the sword, but dueling me is out of the question. I won’t agree to it.”
On this journey, Xu Fengnian carried only a Liang saber at his waist. He ran his fingers over the hilt, looked up at the sky, and smiled. “When we reach the border, you can see for yourselves just how superior the best saber in the world truly is.”
In the bitter cold of winter, when snow fell, the Liang saber was drawn. Whether upright or sideways, it cut through snow when alone and spilled blood when faced with enemies.
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