Three riders took a slightly detoured path to visit the Qinglu Cave Academy. At the foot of the mountain, the master and his two apprentices dismounted and handed their horses to the academy’s servants for feeding, then proceeded up the mountain on foot. Although Xu Fengnian had traveled in haste, he climbed the mountain slowly. It was on this very path that he once faced Gao Shulu in a life-or-death confrontation, after which he gained the physique of a celestial being. From that day forth, Hehe Girl, wearing an ill-suited mink hat, went to intercept Wang Xianzhi, like an egg striking against stone.
While resting at a pavilion halfway up the mountain, Xu Fengnian gazed at the picturesque scenery of Youzhou and recalled, without warning, a scholar on the Snowy Peak who had once said, “I request the old ancestor to meet death.” Leaning against a freshly painted red pillar of the pavilion, Xu murmured to himself, “Xuan Yuan Jingcheng, I gifted books to Huishan last year. Perhaps your daughter suspects me of ulterior motives, thinking I intend to strike another deal with her. In reality, I simply hope to sow more seeds of martial cultivation. Xuan Yuan Qingfeng believes I am unaware of Zhao Huangchao’s hidden machinations at the moment of his death, but I merely choose not to dwell on it. If she wishes to become the leader of martial cultivators or the Wang Xianzhi of Huishan’s Snowy Peak, let her be. A hundred years from now, future heroes and villains may find the realm of the heavens even rarer than the immortals of today, and there will be no scholars reaching the realm of Confucian sages through study alone. Back then, you once said, ‘An ant trying to shake a giant tree—admirable yet foolish.’ At the time, I felt little, but now, recalling my situation in Beiliang, I cannot help but feel a sense of shared sorrow.”
Lu Yunzhang, whose bruises had not yet fully faded, muttered softly, “Master, going to Bian County is understandable, after all there’s Lady Pei, a woman of unparalleled grace, and it would be a shame to neglect her. But this Qinglu Cave Mountain—halfway up, I can already hear the students reciting their lessons, and it gives me a headache. Master, what are you even doing here? I must say in advance, if there’s no second Lady Pei and we’re just here to listen to people recite books, I really will lose my temper. Then I’ll raise my blade, strike again and again, cutting down those bookworms until they’re in chaos.”
Yu Dilong roared in anger, “Lu Yunzhang, do you want another beating? Do you think I won’t kill you with one punch?”
Lu Yunzhang, hopping with indignation, looked at Xu Fengnian with deep resentment, saying pitifully, “Master, you favor the eldest apprentice. It’s fine that Master Wang’s secret manual was given to him, but even the sword manual that was your grandfather’s life work was handed over to Yu Dilong. Am I just some orphan you picked up from the roadside and handed over to a stepmother?”
Xu Fengnian gently tapped Lu Yunzhang’s forehead with two fingers and smiled, “It’s not that I’m stingy or partial to Yu Dilong, but those two treasures simply do not suit you. When I one day gain some martial insights and have the opportunity to compile them into manuals, I will give them to you, not Yu Dilong or Wang Sheng.”
Lu Yunzhang exclaimed in delight, “Really?”
Xu Fengnian replied softly, “Let’s continue up the mountain.”
As Lu Yunzhang followed Xu Fengnian up the path, he cast a smug glance at Yu Dilong, who rolled his eyes in response.
Xu Fengnian smiled and asked, “Have you ever wondered why Buddhist temples are often built at the foot of mountains, Daoist temples at the peaks, while Confucian academies prefer the mid-slopes?”
Without hesitation, Lu Yunzhang replied, “The bald monks love their incense offerings and fear tiring the pilgrims. The Daoist cowards chase immortality and ascension, so they naturally choose a place closest to the heavens, where their chants can reach the gods. As for the scholars, perhaps the foot and peak were already taken, so they had to settle for the mid-slope. Master, isn’t my reasoning quite sound?”
Xu Fengnian gave no opinion and turned to Yu Dilong, asking, “What do you think?”
Yu Dilong, a shepherd by birth, had never seen temples, monasteries, or academies in his life, and had no knowledge of the three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, or Daoism. Naturally, he was at a loss. But since his master had asked, the boy tried hard to think. For the first time, he understood what Lu Yunzhang meant by a “headache.” Fortunately, his master was considerate and soon said, “If you can’t figure it out now, don’t dwell on it. But as you grow older, when faced with situations where you can either think or not, choose to think. When you can either act or not, choose to act. In this life, when you are safe and secure, pursue what your heart desires, not others’ convenience. If you become an immortal who only serves his own satisfaction, then better not to be one at all.”
Yu Dilong nodded firmly, “I’ll remember that.”
When the three reached the entrance of Qinglu Cave Academy, there was a rule that martial artists must remove their weapons before entering. Naturally, this was a rule set by Xu Fengnian himself. However, Yu Dilong was unwilling to part with the large sword he carried, and Lu Yunzhang was equally reluctant to separate from his beloved frosty longsword, which he affectionately called “Big-footed Wife.” Thus, the two waited in the open square outside the academy while Xu Fengnian removed his Beiliang sword from his waist and placed it into a large bamboo basket at the entrance, where six or seven ornate swords already lay. In Beiliang, carrying a battle sword was now forbidden, and those caught by the secret riders in brocade uniforms would be imprisoned without mercy. Otherwise, the basket would have been filled with six or seven Beiliang swords adorned with pearls and jade. The Yangli government did not suppress academies, with the Shangyin Academy being the most famous private school in the world. However, the Zhao court offered no support, and most academies were founded by local scholars and educators, rarely by local officials serving as “Shanchang” or “Dongzhu.” Beiliang was an exception. Under Xu Fengnian’s personal attention, the dozen or so academies in Youzhou, Liangzhou, and Lingzhou were funded by Qingliang Mountain and local authorities, and officials were forbidden from interfering with the academies’ criticisms of current affairs. The Dongzhu of Qinglu Cave Academy was Huang Chang, once a renowned critic in the Yangli court.
Although these academies were sanctuaries created by Xu Fengnian, the scholars who came to Beiliang did not adhere to the idea of “where there is milk, there is a mother.” When the war in Youzhou escalated, especially after the cities of Wo Gong and Xia Guang fell one after another, the academies were the loudest in their criticisms, which gradually spread to the common people, causing unrest. Not only generals like Yan Wenluan were deeply resentful, but even Youzhou’s governor Hu Kui and Liangzhou’s governor Tian Peifang, a traditional scholar, expressed concerns to Deputy Governor Song Dongming. However, officials like Governor Li Degong, who were considered “visionaries” in the bureaucracy, knew that the direction of the academies ultimately depended on the Beiliang King’s final decision. Most local officials in Beiliang believed that these “embroidered pillow” scholars dared to openly embarrass the Beiliang King and would not fare well, especially after Yu Luandao’s ten thousand riders achieved victory at the Hulukou Pass, easing the situation in Youzhou. They felt it was time to make an example of them and eliminate this dark and gloomy atmosphere.
At this moment, Xu Fengnian entered the Qinglu Cave Academy, where the sound of recitation filled the air. At the time, he had only met with Huang Chang and others at the entrance, and since the academy was filled with scholars from other regions, no one recognized him, mistaking him for a noble youth from Beiliang seeking education. Xu Fengnian entered a library where lectures focused on Confucian classics, supplemented by historical texts and poetry, occasionally touching on current affairs. Today was a lecture led by a senior scholar, explaining the art of writing official essays. Though the scholar was only a provincial graduate, he boldly critiqued martial arts masters, much like a ninth-rank expert commenting on grandmasters. Yet, Xu Fengnian listened attentively and found it enlightening, especially the scholar’s insights on predicting exam topics. This might help more Beiliang scholars pass the imperial examinations next year.
Since Xu Xiao’s time, Beiliang had turned a blind eye to scholars leaving for other regions. From Yan Jie Xi to Yao Bai Feng, Xu Xiao never deliberately obstructed them. Similarly, Xu Fengnian was pleased to see Sun Yin leave, for a simple reason: Li Yishan once made an analogy. A young bird, once grown, may still feed its mother. How much more so for humans? At the time, the young prince was puzzled, but Li Yishan smiled and said that even if only one or two out of ten scholars felt grateful to Beiliang, that was enough. If all ten were confined to Beiliang, their paths to official success blocked, then nine out of ten would harbor resentment toward Beiliang.
Next, the scholar selected a few less dry topics, allowing the hundred or so young scholars to express their views. These included the emperor’s establishment of six academies, the order for twelve renowned painters to depict the Spring and Autumn heroes, and the question of whether the current emperor’s portrait would be enshrined in the Temple of Merit alongside the ancestral temple. The scholar smiled and asked the scholars to guess whether the old Beiliang King would be among the honored, and if so, which master painter would depict him—would it be one of the celebrated “He and Liu,” known for their “wild” and “noble” styles, or the famed “Little Yuchi,” renowned for his depictions of Buddhist figures and demon-subduing scenes, or perhaps Zheng Sixun, recently honored by the emperor with the title of “Three Great Excellences in Poetry and Painting”?
The library buzzed with discussion, lively and animated.
Xu Fengnian sighed. After Zhao Zhuan lured ten thousand You cavalry into a trap in Ji Bei and then made a show of force in the northwest, he quickly followed with a mix of soft and hard tactics. Rumors circulated that the emperor intended to rectify the court’s past wrongs regarding Xu Xiao’s posthumous title, a wrong originally caused by the former prime minister Zhang Julu, while the new emperor Zhao Zhuan and his new court were making amends. If this was the work of Chancellor Qi Yanglong, Xu Fengnian would not be surprised. But if it was Zhao Zhuan’s own idea, it would be deeply troubling. Xu Fengnian was not worried about a petty-minded Yangli emperor; on the contrary, the more magnanimous Zhao Zhuan appeared, the more perilous Beiliang’s situation would become. Zhao Zhuan harbored deep hostility toward Beiliang, or rather, toward Xu Fengnian himself. The incidents in Ji Bei and the grain transport had already made this clear. The more Zhao Zhuan gave to Xu Xiao, the more he would demand from Xu Fengnian. What he gave was intangible, but what he sought was real and substantial. Yet, in the eyes of the Yangli court and people, this seemed perfectly “reasonable.”
Xu Fengnian was deep in thought when a sudden argument interrupted him. It turned out that seven or eight local and out-of-town scholars nearby had started quarreling. They were arguing about when the city of Xia Guang had fallen to the Northern Liang and the strength of the Tiger’s Head City. Both sides agreed that Xia Guang had fallen under the assault of over 200,000 Beiliang troops, but the local scholars believed it could have held out for another ten days or so. The out-of-town scholars, citing the previous fall of Wo Gong and Luan He, argued that Xia Guang was bound to fall soon. As for the Tiger’s Head City, reputed as the strongest fortress in the northwest, the debate grew more intense. Some thought holding out for a month would be a great achievement, while others blindly believed it could become the second “Central Plains Pillar” like Xiangfan City, standing firm against the tide of Northern Liang cavalry.
During this time, there was a sharp divide. Some argued over whether Xu Fengnian’s personal appearance at the Hulukou Pass, which crippled the Northern Liang supply lines, was a wise move. The out-of-town scholars, who believed in the saying “a son of noble birth should not sit where danger may fall,” criticized Xu Fengnian’s reckless action as childish, claiming it was driven by a desire for historical fame and should not be praised. If he were the emperor, they said, he would have been impeached and forced to issue a self-reproach edict. The Beiliang scholars, however, were at a disadvantage in the debate, often failing to express their points clearly. The scholars from other regions, well-versed in classical texts, used clever references to mock and ridicule them.
Eventually, the defeated Beiliang scholars, true to their roots, nearly rolled up their sleeves and resorted to fists against those “armchair critics” who talked without understanding the real struggle. An insult from a scholar of the Shangyin Academy—”barbarians”—sparked total chaos. Soon, fists and spittle flew around Xu Fengnian, creating quite a spectacle. The Beiliang scholars, thinking they might not win in words, relied on their physical strength, only to find that some of the out-of-town scholars were also skilled in martial arts.
Xu Fengnian, still sitting on the floor, was caught in the crossfire. He raised a hand to block a flying shoe sole and gently pushed it away. He quickly turned to dodge someone’s spit and steadied a scholar who had been knocked backward in the fray.
The sons of Beiliang generals, who had placed their swords in the bamboo basket upon entering the academy, quickly learned what was happening and were furious. They leaped over many scholars and joined the fray, quickly turning the tide in their favor.
The senior scholar, who had once taught at the Shangyin Academy but had a passion for military strategy, did not seem to think this was beneath his dignity. Instead of scolding them, he smiled, stroked his beard, and sat on the floor, offering lively commentary on the combat techniques of both sides.
Those out-of-town scholars who dared to come to Beiliang were not without courage and spirit, so the fight grew more intense. Soon, blood was drawn, but no one backed down. First, the sons of Beiliang generals, drawn by reputation, joined the local side, and their actions quickly inspired all the Beiliang scholars in the library to rise and rush toward the “battlefield” at the back of the building. Soon, the out-of-town scholars also formed groups based on their regions and states within the Yangli domain to join the fight.
The senior scholar remained calm, watching as the number of seated scholars dwindled. Many scholars with thin arms and legs also stood up and rushed forward, even if they didn’t fight, they would cheer and stir up the crowd from the sidelines.
Xu Fengnian helped the locals a few times, but always with restraint, only blocking overly aggressive moves. He even subtly pulled back a son of a general who had attempted a vicious low kick.
In the end, the battle at the back of the library ceased, and both sides faced off, glaring at each other, ready for the next round. Xu Fengnian naturally stood with the local scholars. A young noble from Youzhou, with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, winced in pain but turned to Xu Fengnian with a grin, saying, “Bro, thanks for helping me block that punch. Let me treat you to some wine and dancing girls when we go down the mountain. These bastards have been getting on my nerves for a while… Oh, by the way, my name’s Yang Hui Zhi, from She Liu County. Once you’re in the county, just mention my name, and everything will be smooth sailing. Of course, don’t go around killing people or looting. Even I wouldn’t dare to do that…”
Dongzhu Huang Chang arrived upon hearing the news, running into the library and shouting in anger, “This is a place for scholars to cultivate themselves and govern the world! What are you thinking? If you have the strength to fight, go join the Beiliang border army!”
Huang Chang did not look at the clearly divided two groups but sighed at the calm scholar lecturer, “Xue Ji, you didn’t try to stop them at all.”
Xue Ji smiled and said, “We scholars are not afraid of failing to reason with each other; we are only afraid of not reasoning at all. Peaceful discussion is reasoning, and so is a fierce fight. It’s better than letting it fester inside and waiting for revenge later. What’s the use of ‘a gentleman’s revenge takes ten years’? In the future, high-ranking officials will oppress those below them, and the lowly will oppress the common people. That’s truly terrifying. It’s better that everyone fights it out today, lets off steam, and then can sit down and discuss things calmly. I was just waiting for them to tire out before stepping in to guide and advise them. These half-baked scholars, always so arrogant, won’t learn unless they’ve suffered some losses.”
Huang Chang shook his head helplessly, saying, “Old Xue, you, you…”
Suddenly, Huang Chang caught sight of a familiar figure from the corner of his eye, and his heart sank.
The Beiliang bureaucracy was all waiting to see how the academies would fare. Huang Chang fully supported scholars’ right to discuss politics, but he was deeply concerned about the trend of the “mountain” academies interfering in border military affairs, which had already caused unrest among the “plains” populace. Although the Beiliang King had promised him that the government would not interfere in academic affairs and had assured that scholars would never be punished for their words, even protecting them from military humiliation, Huang Chang still doubted whether the young and impetuous Beiliang King could truly remain hands-off. Especially now, with the academy clearly “causing trouble” first. So when the Dongzhu of Qinglu Cave Academy saw Xu Fengnian in the middle of the chaos, his heart turned cold. Did Xu Fengnian intend to make a big issue of it? Was he going to shut down the academy? Would Beiliang’s intellectual seeds wither before they even took root?
Huang Chang, known for his integrity, grew colder in heart but refused to back down. He stepped forward and directly asked Xu Fengnian, “Has the Beiliang King come to accuse us? To shut down the academy? To forbid Beiliang scholars from studying?”
Xu Fengnian shook his head, glanced at the calligraphy on the wall, and said calmly, “I originally just wanted to take a look and then leave. But now I feel reassured. The words on the wall say, ‘Great matters of a thousand years require deep thought.'”
Xu Fengnian looked around and smiled, “I hope all you scholars will think deeply. Only after careful thought will your voices carry weight. Let us all strive together.”
Facing the senior scholar, Xu Fengnian bowed deeply, “This lesson was taught by you, Master Xu Fengnian has learned it well.”
Xue Ji should have risen to return the bow, but for some reason, at that moment, the old Confucian scholar, who had long felt stifled at the Shangyin Academy, deliberately sat back on his cushion, straightened his back, and silently accepted the bow.
Long after the young Beiliang King and Dongzhu Huang Chang had left the library, Xue Ji remained motionless. Finally, he lowered his hand and gently touched the ground outside the cushion, saying, “Who says that Beiliang’s soil only produces generals who ride horses and wear armor, and cannot nurture scholars?”
Facing the young scholars who had yet to recover from the shock, Xue Ji raised his hand to quiet them, his expression full of vigor and spirit, “You all sit down. Today, Xue Ji will finally teach you how to think—this is the kind of thinking that true scholars should have!”
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