Hutou City was a critical stronghold that the Beiman army had to eliminate in their southern campaign.
Hutou City, with its immense size and majestic fortifications, was often described as “the only bastion on the frontier, unmatched in the northwest.” Stretching four and a half miles east to west and five miles north to south, its construction, which took six years, reportedly exhausted half the stone and timber resources of the northwest. Its main southern gate, the Dingding Gate, was particularly criticized by the ministers of Liyang. On the northern ramparts alone, twelve giant crossbow machines were installed, each with seven arrow tracks. The arrows, as large as beams, were fitted with iron vanes and could be fired with the force of thunder, reaching as far as seven hundred paces. During the final years of the Spring and Autumn Period, Gu Jiantang used these crossbows to pierce the large warships of the Southern Tang navy, showcasing the might of Liyang’s forces. Without the deterrent and containment provided by these massive crossbows, allowing the Beiman infantry to advance freely with their siege equipment would have made Hutou City’s defenses far less effective. Deploying over a thousand catapults against a single city was an act only a madman would consider, and historically, only the once-mighty Feng Dynasty attempted such a feat during its decline, targeting its own capital, a city rivaling the grandeur of Tai’an.
Although the Beiman forces had amassed a similar number of catapults on their central front, the weight of the projectiles was only slightly greater, making their overall firepower significantly inferior to the legendary “celestial rain of stones” assault of the Feng Dynasty.
Hutou City’s strength lay not only in its natural defensibility but also in the support of two military garrisons, Liuya and Fuling, behind it, preventing it from suffering the fate of Xiangfan, the “decade-long isolated fortress.” With six thousand cavalry ready to launch counterattacks from within the city and coordinated with elite cavalry from Liuya and Fuling, the city was further protected by the Huaiyang Pass defense line, which was no more than a hundred miles from the heavily fortified Zhongzhong garrisons. These garrisons were manned by elite cavalry of the Beiliang border forces, skilled in both mounted archery and dismounted defense. Without the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Beiman central forces, Beiliang could have launched a large-scale cavalry offensive at any time. Thus, in the spring of Xiangfu Year 2, Hutou City became the focal point of attention for both Liang and Man forces.
After the Beiliang Commandery, or rather Xu Fengnian personally, decided that Hutou City must hold for a full year, Vice Governor Song Dongming and Liangzhou Governor Tian Peifang swiftly reinforced the Liuya and Fuling garrisons with over ten thousand infantry, including four thousand young men from Liuzhou, who brought with them large quantities of equipment and supplies. Under the strict escort of the White Feather Guard led personally by Qi Dangguo, they advanced northward into the two garrisons. In response, the Beiman forces symbolically deployed twenty thousand cavalry to bypass Hutou City and attempt to intercept them in the south, but ultimately refrained from a full-scale confrontation with the White Feather Guard, resulting in only two minor skirmishes.
After this, the Beiman forces likely deduced Beiliang’s strategic intentions and intensified their assault on Hutou City. Their siege tactics, inspired by the Huzhou Pass in Youzhou, were more sophisticated than the crude methods used against the Wogong and Luange cities. In addition to catapults, Southern artisans constructed numerous “frog carts” to fill trenches, “flying towers” for archers to shoot level arrows and destroy battlements, and even attempted to pile earth into hills near the city walls. They also dispatched tunneling experts to dig underground passages to undermine the walls or infiltrate the city. In response, Hutou City implemented various countermeasures. Beiman infantry, undeterred by death, rushed forward with bundles of grass and branches to fill the trenches, throwing them in droves. Hutou City countered by firing red-hot iron pellets into the trenches, embedding them into the straw, resulting in only a slight increase in the trench’s height, far short of the Beiman forces’ expectations. Tunnels dug beneath the city were intercepted by digging counter-trenches inside the walls, then set ablaze, suffocating nearly a thousand Beiman soldiers, their deaths gruesome and pitiful. In anticipation of the continuous bombardment from nearly a thousand Beiman catapults, Liu Jinu meticulously prepared, ordering the production of over four hundred thousand earthen bricks in advance. These were used to reinforce the walls as they were damaged, restoring them immediately. Although not as strong as the original rammed-earth walls, this strategy rendered the Beiman catapults little more than ornamental displays. When the Beiman forces resorted to the crude method of piling earth into hills outside Hutou City, with every soldier from the Wanfu rank and below carrying soil, Liu Jinu turned the tactic against them by digging underground tunnels to undermine the base, causing the hills to collapse and burying thousands of Beiman soldiers. Amidst the earth-shattering collapse and flying dust, even the Beiliang Commandery at Huaiyang Pass could see the spectacle.
Even the usually stingy-in-praise Chu Lushan could not help but exclaim in admiration, “What a master of both offense and defense, this Liu Jinu!”
As for the Beiman generals who had suffered greatly, their hatred for Liu Jinu, a renowned Beiliang general whose fame had long spread, only deepened, with each wishing to feast on his flesh.
After Liuya and Fuling each received five thousand additional infantry for defense, their light cavalry forces were finally unleashed. Meanwhile, Xu Fengnian personally ordered several major horse ranches in Liangzhou, including the Qianli Ranch, to replace or supplement the horses of the Liuya and Fuling garrisons, which had previously been used for long-range raids. The new horses were selected solely for their explosive power. Xu Fengnian and the Commandery established a new rule for Liuya and Fuling: in the upcoming battles, any engagement within two hundred miles should be seized as an opportunity, and they were not required to report to the Commandery before launching an attack. The only requirement was to preserve the main force, regardless of victory or defeat. This unprecedented military order was bewildering to the Beiliang border forces—how could there be a rule that allowed defeats without punishment? The commanders of the Liuya and Fuling garrisons even went to Huaiyang Pass to confirm the order, fearing a miscommunication, but the answer they received was indeed affirmative. Afterward, the two cavalry commanders met and felt both frustrated and indignant, believing that the Prince and Commander Chu were underestimating their cavalry’s combat effectiveness.
The Fuling cavalry, still seething with anger, soon found an outlet. After receiving reports from the scouting units, they engaged a Beiman cavalry detachment near the Yachi Slope. After a fierce battle, four thousand Beiman cavalry were decisively defeated and fled westward. A Beiman cavalry officer named Qifu Longguan advised the Fuling commander Wei Liang not to pursue, but Wei ignored the warning and chased the retreating forces for over thirty miles, only to fall into an ambush by eight thousand Beiman cavalry. At the critical moment, Qifu Longguan, who was at the rear of the Fuling cavalry, led five hundred riders to break through the enemy formation and charge directly at the Beiman commander’s banner. He then stayed behind to cover the retreat, allowing the main Fuling force to withdraw safely. Qifu’s armor was pierced by as many as six arrows, and of his five hundred men, fewer than a hundred survived. Although the Beiman forces suffered heavier losses, the Fuling cavalry nearly faced annihilation, leaving the city’s second defensive line vulnerable. Even with five thousand infantry still defending Fuling, the loss of the cavalry meant that one wing of the originally balanced defense had been crippled. Wei Liang went to Huaiyang Pass to bear the blame, but Xu Fengnian did not punish him. Instead, he promoted Qifu Longguan, who had been a low-ranking officer in Fuling, to the position of junior officer above a commander but below a general, placing him in charge of a newly formed cavalry unit of one thousand men. This unit, named the Zhandao Battalion, was allowed to increase its numbers based on merit, with a maximum strength of three thousand riders. This was another significant event following the disbandment of the Hupu Battalion in Huzhou and the establishment of the Butui Battalion in Youzhou. Qifu Longguan, a former Beiman cavalry scout with no prior fame, began to make a name for himself in the Beiliang border forces.
Inside the Beiliang Commandery, Chu Lushan was engaged in a heated debate with his generals over whether to reinforce Hutou City. The main point of contention was whether the enormous cost of opening such a route was justified. Everyone knew that Hutou City could easily accommodate another fifteen thousand troops, but the real issue was whether those troops could actually reach the city. The cavalry of Liuya and Fuling could temporarily prevent the Beiman forces from launching a stable attack on the southern side of Hutou City, but this was vastly different from the Beiliang forces being able to march openly through the southern gate to reinforce the city. One faction argued that the cost of sending fifteen thousand troops into Hutou City would likely be the loss of over ten thousand cavalry. The opposing faction insisted that this estimate severely underestimated the Beiman forces’ strength and determination. Such a risky maneuver would play directly into the Beiman’s hands, giving them the opportunity they desperately sought. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if ten thousand cavalry were lost, or even thirty thousand, all swallowed up by the southern front of Hutou City.
Someone then suggested that both Liuya and Fuling launch simultaneous offensives to harass the Beiman forces stationed on the Longyan Plain, creating a diversion for the troop movements coming from Huaiyang Pass. However, this idea was quickly opposed. With men like Duan Zhuo in command, such a move would be akin to openly signaling the Beiman forces, making them fully aware of Beiliang’s intentions.
As the noise of the debate filled the air, Chu Lushan calmly said, “With the reinforcements to Liuya and Fuling, the Beiman must have already deduced our intention to use Hutou City as a strategic stronghold. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have set a trap for the Fuling cavalry just a few days ago. Therefore, the Beiman are now trying to guess when we will reinforce Hutou City, not whether we will reinforce it. This is beyond doubt.”
When Chu Lushan spoke, the entire room fell silent, and even the most unruly border generals instinctively leaned in to listen.
Chu Lushan continued in his usual calm manner, “So we must choose a moment they least expect to carry out this operation. If such an opportunity doesn’t arise, then we simply won’t do it. Gentlemen, we must hold Hutou City, but don’t forget the original purpose of defending it. It’s not just about holding the city for the sake of holding it, but about preserving our defenses in Liangzhou to the greatest extent possible. Exchanging lives, even if it means one of our men for two Beiman soldiers, is meaningless. Of course, we can also lure some Beiman cavalry away from their main force. Alternatively, we can keep the fifteen thousand troops behind Huaiyang Pass without moving them, while ordering the cavalry from Zhongzhong to launch a large-scale offensive that the Beiman would never anticipate. If we win, we withdraw.”
Chu Lushan tapped his head with his finger, his smile not reaching his eyes, “Liu Jinu is in Hutou City, and he will handle the defense. As for the rest of us, we have not only our two legs but also four-legged horses to help us move. Don’t get stuck on a single path.”
Although no clear conclusion was reached regarding the reinforcement of Hutou City, after Chu Lushan spoke, the generals no longer voiced any objections. Later, as Chu Lushan accompanied Xu Fengnian on a walk through the Commandery, he sighed softly, “A pity. The plan backfired.”
Xu Fengnian chuckled lightly, “Perhaps this is just fate’s way of reminding us that human plans are no match for the whims of heaven. I’ll consider it a case of my own stone crushing my foot.”
Chu Lushan shook his head, still wearing a look of regret. When Xu Fengnian had issued that military order to the Liuya and Fuling garrisons, Wei Liang’s reckless pursuit and the Beiman ambush had been anticipated by the Commandery. In fact, if Wei Liang’s cavalry were to find themselves in a desperate battle, a long-range cavalry unit from Qingyuan was supposed to enter the battlefield and eliminate both the Beiman bait force and the subsequent ambushers. However, the sudden emergence of Qifu Longguan, a low-ranking officer with both a sense of crisis and the courage to fight to the death, disrupted all their plans. Xu Fengnian and the Commandery had no choice but to swallow their bitterness in silence. Such an opportunity, once missed, would never come again. The Beiman forces would assume that Beiliang would not “repeat the same mistake” by walking into an ambush again, and Beiliang thus lost the chance to set a double trap for the Beiman.
Chu Lushan suddenly laughed, “Finally, the Ministry of War in the capital has remembered to ask us for intelligence on the Beiman offensive.”
Xu Fengnian sneered, “Ignore them. If those bureaucrats in the Ministry had had the guts to go to the Huzhou Pass in Youzhou or come to our Huaiyang Pass to observe the battlefield, I wouldn’t have stopped them. Now that they’ve chosen to leave on their own, there’s no such thing as sitting back and enjoying the fruits of victory without effort.”
Chu Lushan nodded, somewhat gleefully, “That mad dog Yuan is now in a tight spot. Wang Jingchong and the two Nabo generals have handed him a great victory on a silver platter. Now the entire court looks down on the Beiman’s combat capability, and Yuan Tingshan has finally achieved his wish to become the general of Jizhou. I bet even Gu Jiantang wishes he could kill this son-in-law who only cares about his own promotion and wealth. The more ‘pathetic’ the Beiman forces appear on the eastern front, the harder it will be for our Gu General to secure funds, food, and weapons from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. For example, when the two Liaos requested funds to build a six-thousand-man halberd infantry formation, the Deputy Minister of Revenue immediately replied with the blunt message, ‘We have lives to spare, but no money to give.'”
Xu Fengnian sighed, “Looking back now, when Yuan Guo was promoted from the Ministry of Rites, a relatively powerless department, to the Ministry of Revenue, which controls the nation’s finances, it seemed like he had gained the emperor’s favor. But in reality, it was quite the opposite. The emperor’s true confidants among the six ministries were led by the Ministry of Rites, followed by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War, while the Ministry of Revenue was only slightly higher than the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Works. To make matters worse, Yuan Guo made another mistake by choosing the wrong side in a factional dispute during a small court meeting. The only uncertainty now is who between him and the Minister of War, Lu Baijie, will be the first to leave the six ministries.”
Chu Lushan scoffed, “In the end, the new emperor simply doesn’t trust the disciples of the Gu family. The revision of the Liyang registry was just a test of Yuan Guo and others. Now there are rumors that the court plans to establish deputy military commissioners in the domains of the feudal princes. I estimate that both Lu Baijie and Yuan Guo will be sent out of Tai’an. One will go to the southern frontier to annoy the Yan ruler, while the other will be dispatched to a newly enfeoffed territory.”
Xu Fengnian nodded and said, “There will definitely be some in the Southern Frontier. Most likely, it will be Tangxi Sword Immortal, who has never been regarded as one of Zhao Zhuan’s own people from the beginning to the end, and who will surely disappoint him greatly. Yuan Guo will fare relatively better; he will probably join the Han King’s side, with whom Zhao Zhuan has always been at odds. If Yuan performs well, there might still be a slight chance for him to return to the central court. As for Lu Baijie, he is destined to spend his entire life rotating through local posts. Besides, with one less Minister of War, there will inevitably be a series of promotions and adjustments, which will help the court appease some local military commanders. It’s a two-fold benefit, after all—posthumous titles are conferred only after death, but official posts in the Ministry of War are tangible and real.”
Chu Lushan sneered, “Except for the chaotic days when the Zhao family of Liyang was cornered in their early days, it has been many years since the imperial court has seen such dramatic high-level turbulence.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head, “Actually, it’s not quite the same. What appears chaotic now is only chaos to commoners watching the spectacle; in reality, it’s chaotic yet orderly. The officials in the capital all know what’s going on.”
Chu Lushan nodded, “That’s exactly why Qi Yanglong still has some skill. He truly deserves to replace that old fellow Bi Yan.”
Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, “Zhao Zhuan’s willingness to sincerely rely on the old gentleman Tantan Weng shows that this young emperor, who is busy warming the Dragon Throne with his own backside, hasn’t completely lost his mind yet.”
As Chu Lushan and Xu Fengnian unconsciously walked to the corridor outside the office where Yu Luandao had once worked, the two stood beneath the eaves. One interlaced his fingers, while the other kept his hands in his sleeves. These two most prominent figures of Beiliang stood side by side, a somewhat comical sight.
Chu Lushan exhaled softly, watching the mist dissipate slowly before him, and said, “In the Youzhou cavalry, there is Yu Luandao; in Xiaguang City, Liu Haojian has repeatedly achieved merit. Now, Liangzhou finally has Qifu Longguan. These are good signs. I’m just waiting to see who among those hundreds of thousands of refugees in Liuzhou will rise to prominence first. Moreover, that Hong Biao also seems quite capable. His temperament reminds me a bit of Huangfu Ping—these kinds of men are born for times of chaos.”
Xu Fengnian replied helplessly, “Beiman also has someone like Zhan, who will gradually surface as the tides of events rise.”
As Chu Lushan was about to speak, a Bai Ma Yi Cong officer suddenly strode into the courtyard, his expression somewhat difficult to conceal. He saluted solemnly and said, “Prince, Commander, someone has come to see you, claiming to be Kou Jianghuai from the Guangling Route.”
Even Xu Fengnian and Chu Lushan could not help exchanging glances.
What was going on now?
Chu Lushan chuckled and asked, “Shall we sweep the mats and welcome this famous Western Chu general, or shall we let him wait?”
Xu Fengnian said to the Bai Ma Yi Cong officer, “Bring him here.”
Soon, a tall and robust young man appeared in their sights. It was as if he had boldly stepped into the entire Beiliang border army’s field of vision.
Kou Jianghuai, who had come alone to the Beiliang Route, carried neither sword nor saber, nor did he display the refined elegance typical of scholars. He appeared more like a local Beiliang scholar—someone who had studied the classics and was also capable of riding into battle.
Kou Jianghuai glanced briefly at the hard-to-ignore Commander Chu, then fixed his gaze on Xu Fengnian and said bluntly, “Xu Fengnian, I, Kou Jianghuai, can serve Beiliang, but I have one condition: if one day I must lead ten thousand Beiliang cavalry to the Guangling Route, you need not ask what for. I, Kou Jianghuai, am confident that I am worth ten thousand cavalrymen.”
Chu Lushan laughed heartily, “Even courtesans raising their prices in the pleasure quarters don’t have the audacity you do. If you were still in the Guangling Route, I could tolerate you being worth not just ten thousand, but even twenty or thirty thousand cavalrymen. But here, where do you get the confidence to claim the value of a full ten thousand Beiliang iron riders? What, has defeating Zhao Yi and Song Li given you such confidence? Are their cavalry’s ‘excellent’ fighting capabilities even worthy of cleaning Beiliang riders’ boots?”
Kou Jianghuai’s face darkened, but he kept his eyes fixed on the younger man before him, the northwestern vassal king.
Xu Fengnian shook his head, “You want to use Beiliang cavalry to change the situation—I won’t agree.”
Kou Jianghuai smiled mockingly, “I didn’t expect the vassal king with the largest military force in the Liyang Dynasty to have such a small amount of courage. Don’t you know that the more chaotic the Guangling Route becomes for the imperial court, the more the Zhao clan will truly rely on you, the northwestern Xu family? When that time comes, if you, Xu Fengnian, are willing to lend me troops, will the court dare to continue pressuring Beiliang over matters of registry and grain transport? To take a step back, I won’t openly use the Beiliang cavalry’s banner when borrowing troops. To take two steps back, wouldn’t it be more beneficial for Beiliang if the imperial surname changed from Zhao to Jiang? Whether it’s the Princess, Cao Changqing, or myself, Kou Jianghuai—we are all destined not to be part of the Liyang Zhao clan, and we certainly won’t drag Beiliang down…”
Xu Fengnian replied calmly, “To be honest, I’ve thought about this kind of thing during my idle moments. I’ve even considered biting the bullet and giving you two or three ten-thousand-strong cavalry forces, which would be enough to take the Guangling Route. But if you want to use them to help the Western Chu seize the empire, then even five or ten ten-thousands would be like pouring a drop of water into a cartload of firewood. Do you really think that Chen Zhibao of Western Shu and Gu Jiantang of the Two Liao regions are just wooden stakes? Do you really think those more than one hundred thousand elite Southern Frontier border troops are just spectators? By the time you expect the Jiang clan to ascend the throne and fully support the northwest, the Beiman barbarians will have already marched deep into the south. Kou Jianghuai, you say I lack vision—I won’t deny it, but your vision is even narrower.”
Xu Fengnian suppressed a smile and said, “Besides, your clumsy persuasion technique—this ‘speak or die’ approach—is really not very skillful. Back when I traveled the jianghu, I used to pretend to be a fortune-teller and put on mystical acts, and at least I could trick a few copper coins out of people. As for you, not only ten thousand cavalry, but not even one single rider will you take out of Beiliang.”
Chu Lushan laughed heartily.
Kou Jianghuai did not show the expected anger, but instead looked somewhat regretful yet slightly relieved. The young man stood silently in the courtyard, appearing somewhat solitary and bleak.
Xu Fengnian stepped down from the platform and asked, “Do you know why Cao Changqing didn’t allow you to lead troops?”
Kou Jianghuai replied in a detached tone, “He believes I am merely a general, not a commander, that I should be looking further ahead to the Tai’an City, rather than focusing on the gains and losses of the Guangling Route.”
This time, it was Xu Fengnian’s turn to be surprised, and he asked curiously, “Then what do you really think?”
Kou Jianghuai replied calmly, “I only know one thing: even if Western Chu alone could reach the gates of Tai’an City, what would that achieve?”
Chu Lushan clicked his tongue in amazement and said, “You’re not stupid at all. But compared to the diligent Xie Xichui, your appetite, Kou Jianghuai, is even bigger.”
Kou Jianghuai looked at this “small mountain” before him and asked in return, “As a military general, between Xusui, who repeatedly fought and lost and lost and fought again, and Ye Baikui, who was undefeated in a hundred battles but suffered only one defeat in his life, who would you choose to be?”
Chu Lushan nodded, “That makes sense.”
Kou Jianghuai smiled bitterly, then turned and walked away directly.
Xu Fengnian did not call out as he left the courtyard.
Chu Lushan asked softly, “Are you really going to let this river-crossing dragon slip away like this?”
Xu Fengnian replied softly, “Compared to Kou Jianghuai, I still prefer Xie Xichui, who bears burdens without complaint.”
Chu Lushan nodded, “Xie Xichui is reliable to use, but Kou Jianghuai is unpredictable.”
Suddenly, Xu Fengnian called out, “Kou Jianghuai, come back. Don’t walk so slowly after leaving the courtyard—trying to impress whom?”
Sure enough, Kou Jianghuai returned, reappearing at the courtyard entrance.
Smiling, Xu Fengnian said, “How many Beiliang cavalry you can take will depend entirely on your own ability. Starting today, not only will the Huaiyang Pass be under your command, but also the cavalry forces of Liuya and Fuling towns. Subtracting Beiliang’s losses, how many Beiman you can kill will determine how many Daxue Long riders and any cavalry forces other than the two heavy cavalry divisions I will give you. But let me make this clear beforehand: those cavalry forces are not for you to attack Tai’an City. They are merely to help preserve some of Western Chu’s remaining strength. Then you must bring everyone back here. In fact, you and I both know the truth: the Guangling Route is not suitable for you, Kou Jianghuai, but Beiliang is. What do you say to this deal?”
Kou Jianghuai’s expression fluctuated between joy and anger.
Xu Fengnian pointed with his finger and said, “Alright, alright. The trick of asking for the sky and settling for the ground—I, Xu Fengnian, am also your senior in this. You came here with this intention from the very beginning, and I haven’t bargained much. You should be satisfied.”
Kou Jianghuai smiled, “I may not be good at acting, but don’t you, Xu Fengnian, go around pretending you’re not gaining an advantage. Once Western Chu falls and the tide turns, will you truly be able to let go and not rescue our Princess? Won’t you still lead your troops to save her? I’m just giving you a way to save face.”
Xu Fengnian nodded solemnly, “Yes, it seems neither of us is a good bird.”
Watching this unexpected scene unfold before him, Chu Lushan was momentarily speechless. These young people these days…
Dusty and unceremonious, Kou Jianghuai said, “Got any place where I can sleep? I’ll sleep for a full day and night first. As for leading troops against the Beiman barbarians, I’ll think about that after I’ve had enough rest.”
Chu Lushan laughed and scolded, “You really are the master here.”
After Kou Jianghuai was led away, Xu Fengnian looked up at the gray sky and fell into thought. Chu Lushan, standing beside him, did not interrupt, quietly closing his eyes nearby.
After a long while, Xu Fengnian slowly said, “Even if Kou Jianghuai uses a false name, the future benefits and drawbacks are still hard to predict.”
Chu Lushan was somewhat puzzled, “We don’t need to worry about the imperial court; the situation is already almost as bad as it can get. That young man’s claim of being worth ten thousand cavalry is actually not an exaggeration. With Zhou Kang and Gu Dazu guarding the Qinghe and Chongzhong front, there’s nothing to worry about. But if a major battle really breaks out at Huaiyang Pass, people like Huang Laifu won’t be enough, and I’ll have to personally take the field. Having Kou Jianghuai would make things much easier for us. Why do you still have such concerns?”
Xu Fengnian replied with a bitter smile, “Maybe I’m thinking too far ahead.”
Chu Lushan quickly understood and sighed, “That’s indeed thinking too far. But distant water cannot put out a nearby fire.”
Xu Fengnian nodded and smiled, “That’s right. Let’s first use Kou Jianghuai to solve our immediate crisis.”
Chu Lushan hesitated slightly.
Xu Fengnian patted his shoulder and walked out of the courtyard.
Standing still, Chu Lushan murmured to himself, “Could it be that you, Xu Fengnian, agreed to let Kou Jianghuai stay out of fear that one day I, Chu Lushan, might leave three hundred jin of flesh on the battlefield?”
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