Chapter 860: South of the Great River, North of the Great River

Xu Fengnian made a brief stop at Qingliang Mountain before swiftly leading the Fengzi Battalion’s light cavalry to the newly constructed city that had broken ground earlier that year. Accompanying him were Xu Beizhi, who had just stepped down as the governor of Lingzhou, and Chen Xiliang, whose official rank in Liuzhou had remained stagnant.

The women who had previously entered Liang with the Northern Liang King—his aunt Zhao Yutai, who stayed by Xu Weixiong’s side, and Chen Yu, who formed an unexpected bond with the little girl in green—remained at Qingliang Mountain. The two often amused themselves by tossing wishing coins into the lotus pond at Tingchao Lake. Jia Jia and Xu Ying, who had become playmates in Tai’an City, now went their separate ways at the Northern Liang Palace. The cheerful girl loved running up and down the mountain with her two tiger-like Kui Beasts, only stopping occasionally to laugh when she encountered Lu Chengyan. Meanwhile, Xu Ying inexplicably took a liking to listening to Wang Chudong, a renowned scholar of the Liyang literary circle, tell stories. In short, Qingliang Mountain suddenly became a lively place.

Chen Yu, who had once vied with Nangong for the top spot on the Yan Zhi rankings, made a breathtaking appearance. Every time she strolled by Tingchao Lake, the young talents under Song Dongming and Bai Yu would spread the word like wildfire. No matter how busy they were, they would shamelessly find excuses to gather by the railing outside the government offices to “admire the scenery.” Deputy Commissioner Song turned a blind eye to this, never obstructing these earnest young scholars.

Despite successfully repelling the Northern Mang invasion, the construction of the unprecedented new city continued unabated, even working day and night. The outer walls rose at an astonishing speed, a spectacle that came at an immense cost to Northern Liang’s resources. Many scholars criticized this as draining the pond to catch the fish, citing historical precedents where large-scale projects were halted to allow the people to rest. However, the young officials led by Deputy Commissioner Song Dongming dismissed these criticisms, sparking a widespread debate among Northern Liang’s literati. Meanwhile, the construction site remained bustling.

Xu Fengnian, nominally the chief architect, rode alongside Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang, followed by Xu Yanbing and Yu Xinlang, who were deep in conversation. Chen Xiliang, once a fair-skinned scholar from the south, now had calloused hands and a sunburned, gaunt appearance, though his eyes shone with determination. He proposed, “If Qingliang Mountain can provide the funds, Liuzhou can immediately send 40,000 laborers to the new city. But I hope, besides paying their wages, Your Highness will grant them official household registration. Our people in Liuzhou have suffered too much!”

Xu Fengnian hesitated, “Silver…”

Xu Beizhi, rolling his eyes, interjected, “After defeating the Northern Mang, we distributed nearly 900,000 taels in rewards, not counting military pay and compensation. If not for the generals refusing additional rewards, our treasury would be empty. Lingzhou can spare another million taels, but that must prioritize purchasing provisions. The imperial court hasn’t lifted the embargo on grain transport, so we can’t rely on them. Lingzhou officials are buying grain privately with public funds. Unless absolutely necessary, we can’t touch Lingzhou’s money.”

Chen Xiliang, undeterred, suggested, “What if Liuzhou laborers work for a year without pay in exchange for Liangzhou household registration?”

Xu Beizhi shook his head. “Under normal circumstances, yes. But now, after the war, only those who fought at Xiaguang City and Hulu Pass gained official status. Granting registration just for construction would breed resentment. Inequality is always the root of discontent.”

Chen Xiliang clenched his lips, recalling the desperate battle at Qingcang City, where countless Liuzhou men had rushed into the fray, picking up weapons from fallen soldiers—Northern Liang or Northern Mang—and died fighting.

Xu Fengnian asked softly, “Chen Xiliang, have you ever imagined a day when all 300,000 people in Liuzhou are registered as Northern Liang citizens, without having to risk their lives for another region’s status?”

Chen Xiliang took a deep breath, silent, his eyes distant as if envisioning that future.

Xu Beizhi teased, “Your Highness, you’re painting a grand vision without spending a single coin. Quite the frugal ruler now.”

Xu Fengnian laughed heartily, riding without holding the reins, swaying with the horse’s gait. Chen Xiliang smiled too. “Indeed, a thrifty approach.”

Xu Fengnian then joked, “Xiliang, I know you don’t care about rank, but after defending Qingcang and Liuzhou, you’ve earned at least ‘indispensable merit.’ If you refuse promotion, how will your colleagues feel? You might be comfortable, but they won’t be.”

Chen Xiliang shook his head. “Reward the military as you see fit. Liuzhou’s bureaucracy isn’t as convoluted as Liangzhou or Lingzhou.”

Xu Fengnian said casually, “Governor Yang Guangdou knows he won’t stay in Liuzhou forever. Once the war ends, Liuzhou will undergo changes. With its future as a trade hub between Liyang and the Western Regions, its officials will become coveted positions. Without Yang, who will lead Liuzhou’s officials and refugees?”

Chen Xiliang fell silent.

Xu Beizhi changed the subject, smirking. “Our Northern Liang’s ‘God of Wealth,’ who claimed to have traversed every inch of Liang and Liuzhou in two years and served as deputy supervisor of the new city, suddenly fell ill. Didn’t you visit him, Your Highness?”

Xu Fengnian rubbed his temples.

Xu Beizhi continued, “I took the liberty of visiting Wang Linquan, your future father-in-law. He’s resentful. The Wang family followed the Xu family early, amassed wealth in Qingzhou, and moved to Northern Liang without seeking official favors. All they wanted was for their daughter to be your principal consort, not a secondary one.”

Xu Fengnian sighed. It was only fair.

Xu Beizhi added, “Wang Linquan drunkenly admitted that even if Wang Chudong couldn’t be principal consort, as long as Lu Chengyan was also a secondary consort without hierarchy, it would suffice. But now? The Lu family, from the arrogant Lu Dongjiang to his spoiled relatives, only care about their own interests, demanding high positions in Northern Liang’s government. A bunch of delusional fools!”

Xu Fengnian glanced at him. Xu Beizhi grinned. “The last part was mine. Wang Linquan wouldn’t say that even drunk.”

Xu Fengnian sighed. “I know you’re upset about the grain transport issue, but don’t push it. Do you think I’m a clay Buddha who won’t get angry?”

Xu Beizhi retorted, “Let me be blunt. Qi Yanglong is Qi Yanglong, the court is the court. Since Zhang Julu’s death, the rift in the court has been irreparable. The harmony between ruler and ministers is gone. The emperor sent Wen Taiyi and Ma Zhongxian to Jing’an Dao, along with Zhao Xun in Qingzhou. What good can come of that? Even if Qi Yanglong and Huan Wen objected, once those two took office, delays in grain transport would be inevitable. Qi Yanglong is the chief minister, not the finance minister! Huan Wen is in the Secretariat, not the Ministry of Personnel!”

Xu Fengnian clutched his chest, feigning pain. “Ah, the battles in Tai’an City left me severely injured. My heart aches, my head hurts. I must rest in the carriage.”

The mighty Northwestern Prince and martial arts grandmaster fled the scene.

Chen Xiliang smiled. Xu Beizhi called after him, “If you’re so brave, lie all the way to the new city outside the pass!”

After Xu Fengnian left, Xu Beizhi glanced at Chen Xiliang, who rode as if walking. “I’m not as good a rider as you. My thighs are burning.”

Chen Xiliang chuckled. “Liuzhou is vast and sparsely populated. The postal roads from Liangzhou to Qingcang are just starting. We ride fast horses everywhere. At first, it was exhausting—backaches, dizziness, even feeling like you’re still riding in bed. But now, if I don’t ride dozens of miles a day, it feels wrong.”

Xu Beizhi said softly, “After his trip to the capital, he seems to have resolved many issues. He wouldn’t have painted such a vision before. Perhaps he’s confident about the next Northern Mang war. If so, we can afford to be optimistic. Liuzhou, as Northern Liang’s fourth province, will rise in status. With the Western Regions potentially adding fifth and sixth provinces, Liuzhou will be the bridge, a coveted position. Militarily, Xu Longxiang’s Dragon-Elephant Army will dominate, but Liuzhou’s government seats will be hotly contested. Even in Lingzhou, Huang Yan, despite his merits, didn’t become governor. As tensions ease, His Highness will face more, not fewer, considerations. Chen Xiliang, you’ve worked hard in Liuzhou. For your future and Liuzhou’s, you should aim higher. A county official is more powerful than a provincial deputy.”

Chen Xiliang admitted, “I understand. On the way here, I thought about it. Once the war ends, Liuzhou will stand equal to the other three provinces, possibly even becoming Liyang’s focal point.”

Xu Beizhi nodded. “Exactly! If the Northern Mang retreats, the court might send an official to oversee Liuzhou, not as docile as Yang Shenxing. Think of the many governors dispatched from Tai’an—Wang Xionggui, Lu Baijie, Yuan Huo, Han Lin, Wen Taiyi, Ma Zhongxian—none are fools.”

Chen Xiliang frowned. “What if the court sends Yao Baifeng, the Left Sacrificial Wine of the Imperial Academy? He’s from Northern Liang and sympathetic to us. His arrival would please the palace and officials.”

Xu Beizhi agreed. “Like Zhang Julu, Yao might prioritize the court over the Zhao family. Back in Northern Liang, he’d likely advocate for Liyang.”

Chen Xiliang sighed. “I suppose I should compete for Liuzhou’s deputy governor position.”

Xu Beizhi narrowed his eyes. “Better aim for governor. The court wouldn’t dare make Yao Baifeng a deputy, would they?”

Chen Xiliang smiled. “As a provincial commissioner, it’d be legitimate.”

Xu Beizhi scoffed. “Commissioner at Qingliang Mountain? He’d be devoured by Song Dongming and the others. Besides, how many Liyang officials would dare follow Yao to Northern Liang? They’d wake up each morning checking if their heads were still attached.”

Chen Xiliang nodded, amused. “True.”

Suddenly, someone called out, “Beizhi, Xiliang, I feel better now. How about you ride in the carriage, and I’ll drive?”

The White Horse Guards nearby chuckled.

Xu Beizhi turned to Chen Xiliang. “What do you say?”

Chen Xiliang deadpanned, “Why not?”

Both turned their horses.

Seated in the driver’s seat, the Northern Liang King Xu Fengnian watched his two strategists approach.

He gazed into the distance.

A gaunt scholar from Tingchao Pavilion had died without a grave, his ashes scattered beyond Northern Liang’s borders.

South of the great river, north of the great river.

South of the southern mountains, north of Northern Liang.

Three thousand miles of Jiangnan in the south.

Three hundred thousand tombstones in Northern Liang.