As the first light of dawn broke, Xu Beizhi slowly ascended to the mountaintop. He watched Xu Fengnian, wrapped in a heavy fur coat, approach the stone table and sit down. Xu Fengnian shook the empty wine flask in his hand and softly murmured, “A common man bearing treasures invites death; a hundred ghosts covet the heights of wisdom.”
Xu Fengnian, whose scent of wine had long been swept away by the cold mountain wind, sighed, “Last night I was thinking—what if someone else becomes emperor, even if that person was once my close friend? Would he tolerate someone of another surname commanding hundreds of thousands of elite troops?”
Xu Beizhi shook his head, “You’d better not hope for it, to avoid disappointment. Even if that person could endure it, those around him would never agree. How one ascends the dragon throne and how one maintains power upon it are two entirely different matters. The people of Beiliang always think the three emperors of the Zhao family of Liyang are of the same ilk, fond of discarding loyal retainers once the prey is caught. This view isn’t entirely unjust. But aside from the newly enthroned Zhao Zhuan, Zhao Yin and Zhao Dun are destined to be recorded in history as enlightened rulers, for they each have their own remarkable strengths. Even an ordinary commoner, wanting to manage a household well and ensure prosperity year after year, must exhaust his mind and body. How much more so for ruling a vast dynasty? Zhao Yin might trust that Xu Shao would never rebel against the Zhao family, but he cannot trust that Xu Shao’s son would willingly remain stationed in the northwest. Zhao Dun might know your Bottom line is not low, but he still cannot trust that the next heteronymous king of the Xu family won’t become arrogant and uncontrollable. He must be thinking, is it possible that one day the King of Beiliang might suddenly decide to dig up the foundation of the Zhao family?”
The blunt Xu Beizhi glanced at Xu Fengnian, who seemed to want to speak but hesitated, and sneered, “Perhaps you’ll say that Xu Shao won’t rebel, that you yourself won’t rebel, and that your descendants won’t either.”
Xu Fengnian could only offer a bitter smile in silence.
Xu Beizhi continued his sharp words, “Hearts are separated by flesh; no one can read your mind. There’s no rule that says one person must trust another, especially not those born into imperial bloodlines. If they weren’t naturally suspicious, how could they sit on the dragon throne? How could they contend with warlords, imperial relatives, eunuchs, and the entire court of civil and military officials? Besides, a family would rather see its legacy squandered by its own descendants than stolen by outsiders. This dark mindset isn’t unique to emperors. Can you, Xu Fengnian, say you’ve never felt even a trace of it?”
Xu Fengnian chuckled, “Perhaps you’re right.”
Suddenly, Xu Beizhi asked, “Aren’t you one of the Four Great Grandmasters? How come you still fear the cold?”
Xu Fengnian replied with self-mockery, “After the battle in Liuzhou, my strength greatly diminished. I’ve felt a chill deep in my bones ever since. This fur coat doesn’t even keep me warm—it’s just something to wear to feel slightly better. Like many aging swordsmen who have retired from the martial world, I occasionally look at the sword gathering dust on the shelf. Retired generals also often touch their armor and blades.”
Xu Beizhi asked, “What’s the story with Kou Beishang, the deputy general of Liangzhou?”
Xu Fengnian teased, “A new favorite, is it? What, are you, my old favorite, here to scold me?”
Xu Beizhi stared at him expressionlessly.
Xu Fengnian finally dropped his joking tone with a helpless sigh, “It’s that Jianghuai from Xichu in Guangling Circuit. I made a deal with him. We both gained what we needed.”
Xu Beizhi’s expression softened slightly, and he said gravely, “Liuzhou only has three half-finished military outposts to rely on, yet it must face Liu Gui’s 100,000 troops and Tuoba Pusa’s elite forces. Among the two deputy generals of the Longxiang Army, Wang Lingbao is merely a fierce frontline commander, while Li Mofan, though a capable general, cannot magically multiply his forces. The Longxiang Army remains in a perilous situation, needing a top-tier general like Jianghuai, who possesses the potential of a Spring and Autumn period general, to come to the rescue.”
Xu Fengnian nodded, “Once Jianghuai establishes some reputation along the Poria-Liuya-Huaiyang defensive line, I plan to appoint him as the general of Liuzhou. In the northern frontier of Liangzhou, our maneuverability against the Northern Liang is extremely limited. It’s just a brutal, head-on clash. With so many border strongholds and garrisons, both sides are constrained. But Liuzhou is like a blank canvas, offering Jianghuai ample space to fully demonstrate his military genius.”
Xu Fengnian suddenly grinned, “Hey, Orange, you’re actually worried about Chen Xiliang in Qingcang City, aren’t you?”
Xu Beizhi retorted, “Do I really have to scheme against my own colleagues every day for you, the King of Beiliang, to feel at ease?”
Xu Fengnian slammed the table in anger, “Hey, Orange, don’t take out your frustrations on me just because you got scolded in Lanzhou and were mocked as the ‘rice-buying governor’! Can’t we just talk like normal people?!”
Kou Jianghuai, strolling leisurely on Qingshan Mountain, happened to witness this scene and overheard their conversation. He couldn’t help but shudder involuntarily. Could it be that these two Xus had a secret affair? Otherwise, how could a governor with little influence make a mighty prince kneel like this? Kou Jianghuai quickly turned to leave, but Xu Fengnian called him back. The three of them then sat around the stone table, forming a triangular standoff. Kou Jianghuai wore an expression that clearly said, “You two flirt all you want—I’m deaf, blind, and mute.”
Xu Fengnian looked at Kou Jianghuai, who pretended not to notice, and cheerfully introduced, “This is Xu Beizhi, the governor of Lanzhou, praised by Master Song Dongming as a man capable of governing the realm and stabilizing the nation. Unfortunately, his drinking capacity is poor, and his behavior when drunk is even worse. Once in Lanzhou, at the Fish and Dragon Gang, I even carried him home myself.”
Kou Jianghuai responded respectfully, “It’s an honor to meet Governor Xu.”
Xu Beizhi, regaining his usual refined and aloof demeanor, smiled, “General Kou joining the frontier army of Beiliang is like giving a tiger wings.”
Xu Fengnian teased, “Isn’t it more like aiding a tiger in its mischief?”
Xu Beizhi sneered, “Oh, how clever. One insult hits three people, even yourself.”
Kou Jianghuai replied solemnly, “It’s like wounding the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred yourself. It shows the prince’s strategy is… rather mediocre.”
Xu Fengnian grinned proudly, “Just with words, I can destroy both you, Kou Jianghuai, and Xu Beizhi together. If that’s considered mediocre, then what if I actually fight? Hmm? Why don’t we try it?”
At that moment, a large group of people who had just reached the summit began to clamor.
“Try it! Definitely try it!”
“General Kou, we’re rooting for you! Win this battle, and you’ll be one of the top grandmasters in the world.”
“Don’t say you’re just a deputy general of Liangzhou—you could be the general! If you still think it’s too small a post, I’ll even give you my position as deputy commander of the infantry.”
“General Kou, we’ve long wanted to challenge the prince, but we’re too old. Even if we won, it wouldn’t be honorable. Today, you and the prince are of the same generation. You must help us vent our frustrations! At the very least, if you lose, I, He Zhonghu, will personally carry you down the mountain.”
Turning to face this group of the most powerful officials in Beiliang, Kou Jianghuai’s lips twitched slightly. He was unaccustomed to such a scene. In Guangling Circuit, whether during his student days at the Shangyin Academy or later in the court of the Great Chu, there had never been a moment where a group of old men ganged up on a young junior. While finding it absurd and amusing, Kou Jianghuai also felt an indescribable surge of emotion—perhaps it could be called passionate ambition. Among these elders before him were Gudaizu, the former top general of the Southern Tang; Jin Zhegu Zhou Kang; He Zhonghu, who once defeated 40,000 enemy infantry with only 8,000 cavalry; and Chen Yunchui, who always led the charge in battle. Behind these four deputy commanders of the Beiliang border army stood the civil officials: Jinglue Shi Li Degong, his deputy Song Dongming, and Huang Chang, known as the “conscience of the local officials” under the Liyang court. In addition, Kou Jianghuai recognized, based on their official robes and decorations, Tian Peifang, the governor of Liangzhou; Hu Kui, the governor of Youzhou; and Han Laoshan, the deputy general of Lanzhou. Unfortunately, Kou Jianghuai never got to see the commander of the Beiliang cavalry, Bai Xiong Yuan Zong, or the commander of the infantry, Yan Wenluan. Nor did he see the famed Yu Luandao of the Yu family, which left him with a sense of regret.
Back at the Shangyin Academy, Kou Jianghuai had spent countless nights studying Gu Daizu’s treatises and reenacting the classic battles led by Zhou Kang, He Zhonghu, and Chen Yunchui—battles that stirred the soul and were worthy of toasting with wine.
Kou Jianghuai noticed, further behind, about twenty or thirty younger officers, mostly around thirty-four years old, likely the newly promoted and highly valued junior commanders under the Beiliang reforms.
For some reason, Kou Jianghuai instinctively stood and suddenly bowed deeply to them all.
It was He Zhonghu who first returned the bow, and soon everyone else followed with smiles.
Kou Jianghuai noticed that even a scholar like Tian Peifang showed no hesitation when bowing alongside the generals.
Then, together, they all climbed the tower to overlook the city.
As time passed, the group gradually dispersed. By noon, only Xu Fengnian, Xu Beizhi, and Kou Jianghuai remained, along with two young tiger-like beasts playfully circling Xu Fengnian. Later, Xu Beizhi left to attend a meeting with Song Dongming at his residence halfway up the mountain. With nothing better to do, Kou Jianghuai followed him down the hill toward the Tide-Listening Pavilion. Xu Fengnian remained in the tower, where he was soon joined by a group of five: Xu Yanbing, a family of three, and a young man from Northern Liang. Looking at the middle-aged man who now appeared entirely like a commoner of Liyang, Xu Fengnian’s eyes flickered with complexity as he said, “It really is you.” The man, none other than Huyan Daguan, simply grinned without responding. His daughter, however, widened her eyes and stared intently at Xu Fengnian—the young nobleman she had “chosen” as her master. After scrutinizing him for a while, she seemed somewhat disappointed and sighed with old-fashioned solemnity, muttering, “Turns out he’s just like my dad—doesn’t look all that impressive.”
Xu Yanbing said calmly, “We had two matches, neither decided. In the last one, neither of us was in a hurry.”
Xu Fengnian, relieved, smiled, “Indeed, there’s no need to rush.”
Looking at the young man whose name often appeared in the Feishui intelligence reports—Tiemudier—with a plain-looking sword at his waist, Xu Fengnian spoke in a Northern Liang accent, “A fine sword.”
Tiemudier took it as mere politeness and merely nodded coldly. Yet his expression betrayed some unease. After all, this man before him was not only the most powerful warlord in the Liyang dynasty but also a martial grandmaster who had defeated Wang Xianzhi of Wudicheng.
Outside the tower’s corridor, Huyan Daguan lifted his daughter onto the railing.
Seeing a distant figure, Xu Fengnian excused himself and descended the stairs.
Seated in her wheelchair, Xu Weixiong glanced at the people upstairs and said softly, “Ten days ago, the Western Shu sent word through the Wutong Academy, asking you to meet them at the border of Lanzhou. I ignored it.”
Xu Fengnian frowned, “He wants to see me?”
Xu Weixiong replied calmly, “He, along with Xie Guanying and that woman from the Spring Post Studio, has already entered Lanzhou. He says he’ll wait at the border between Lanzhou and Liangzhou.”
Xu Fengnian smiled, “Then I’ll go meet him.”
Xu Weixiong nodded, “Bring Master Xu, and Tanping Jing. If Huyan Daguan is willing to accompany you, that would be best.”
Xu Fengnian nodded in agreement.
On Qingming Festival of the Xiangfu era, at dusk, tens of thousands in mourning attire gathered at the rear of Qingshan Mountain.
King of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian, led nearly a hundred civil and military officials in offering wine to honor the fallen soldiers of the Longxiang Army who died in Liuzhou, the cavalry of Youzhou who perished in Jibei and outside the Hulu Pass, those who fell within and beyond the cities of Wogong and Luanhe, and those who died defending Hutou City.
In the forest of stone tablets, thirty thousand nameless monuments now bore thirty-six thousand eight hundred and seventy-two names.
As night fell, countless lanterns of prayer slowly rose into the sky over Liangzhou.
After five riders left the city, Xu Fengnian halted his horse and looked back. He took a swig from his wine flask.
How many in the Beiliang army would no longer be able to taste this wine a year from now?
And in a few years, how many among the millions of Beiliang would die thinking of this green-ant wine?
At this moment, the scene in Xu Fengnian’s eyes resembled a city ablaze with spirits of fire.
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