Compared to the imminent threat of smoke and warfare looming over You and Liang provinces, Ling Province, as the backyard of Northern Liang, was still enjoying a serene spring season. Many young men and women were strolling together through the blossoming willows, while children joyfully flew kites in the city streets. Wealthy families even strung colorful lanterns along their kite strings. Near this courtyard, the sky was filled with no fewer than ten kites, and the laughter of children eased the tension between the two groups meeting here. However, Xu Fengnian’s unexpected opening remark seemed somewhat out of place.
Hailing from Xishu, Xie Xie, the most enchanting woman of the past twenty years and a member of the Spring Placard Hermitage, had first appeared on the The Rouge Ranking (Lip Rouge List) at the age of fourteen, renowned for her “skin like jade and hands like budding lotus.” A decade later, she was still featured on the list. Though she was now twenty-six, she looked no older than a delicate maiden of sixteen. Like many women from Shu, Xie Xie was slender and graceful, with an especially fair complexion, earning her the nickname “Fairy of the Moon Palace.” Countless men from Shu were captivated by her beauty. Even in Northern Liang, Xu Fengnian had heard how the Circuit Commissioner of Xishu had long desired her. If it weren’t for Chen Zhibao’s enfeoffment in Xishu and his patronage of the Spring Placard Hermitage, perhaps after Xie Lingzhen’s death at Xu Fengnian’s hands by the shores of the Spring Spirit Lake, she would have become a caged bird in the Commissioner’s mansion.
After teasing Xie Xie, Xu Fengnian led his horse forward without immediately glancing at the white-robed man standing in the middle of the three at the entrance. Instead, his gaze fell on Xie Guanying, a middle-aged scholar-like figure with the courtesy name Shuyang and self-styled name Feiyu (Flying Fish). Once ranked alongside Li Yishan as “Xie of the North and Li of the South,” he was famed for his commentary on the refined and elegant styles of the Spring and Autumn periods. But what intrigued Xu Fengnian most was not his legendary feat of capturing dragons and nurturing true imperial qi, but rather his identity as the father of Bai Huer Lian (White Fox Face). Bai Huer Lian had once claimed to be dead and even changed his surname from Xie to Nangong, a tangled and sorrowful tale indeed.
In Xu Fengnian’s view, there were only three individuals in the Liang dynasty who could be said to possess the mandate of heaven. The first was naturally Emperor Zhao Zhuan. The second was Chen Zhibao, now standing not far ahead, who was being strongly supported by Xie Guanying. Seated in the southwestern corner of Shu, Chen Zhibao eyed the Central Plains hungrily. Recently, he had successfully turned the former crown prince of Northern Liang, Su Su, and the old scholar Zhao Dingxiu to his side. With Nanzhao as his base, his wings were now fully formed, awaiting only the winds of change. Xu Fengnian could guess at Chen Zhibao’s intentions for this meeting. The third contender for the dragon throne was Zhao Zhu, the heir of the Yanke Prince, once a little beggar. Thus, the upcoming power struggle would resemble the battle of the Eight Princes under the late Emperor Zhao Dun. Northern Liang, without directly involving itself, could still play a pivotal role. For Chen Zhibao to legitimately march out of Xishu, he would need to capitalize on the resurgence of the Xichu Kingdom, positioning himself as the decisive force who would defeat the Xichu capital before the Southern armies arrived. In this scenario, Northern Liang would serve as the critical factor—capable of sabotaging success even if it couldn’t ensure victory. If Xu Fengnian were determined to restrain Xishu’s forces, Zhao Zhu’s chances of success would far outweigh Chen Zhibao’s. Of course, Xishu had not come with humble intentions but rather to broker a covert exchange. As long as Northern Liang did not hinder Xishu’s advance into the Central Plains, Xishu would refrain from igniting conflicts in Northern Liang’s rear. This would test the tacit understanding between the two sides. If both agreed, all would be well. But if either Xu Fengnian or Chen Zhibao refused to yield, the two sides would sever ties completely, leading to mutual destruction. Northern Liang would face threats from both fronts, while Xishu would lose its advantageous position in the race for the Central Plains, falling behind step by step.
This negotiation might well determine the fate of the entire Central Plains—and perhaps even the entire world. Otherwise, given Chen Zhibao’s nature, would he have willingly returned to Northern Liang to meet Xu Fengnian? It was likely due to Xie Guanying’s persuasion that the White-Robed Master of War had left Shu for Northern Liang.
Clearly, Xie Xie was indeed Chen Zhibao’s trusted confidante, fully aware of the meeting’s significance. Even though Xu Fengnian’s teasing had struck her hard, she did not show any resentment.
The group entered a luxurious Jiangnan-style mansion. Xu Fengnian and Chen Zhibao walked side by side at the front. Behind them followed Tantai Pingjing and Xie Xie, with Xie Guanying and Xu Yanbing bringing up the rear. Huyan Daguan and Temur did not follow. Huyan remarked that the situation didn’t seem to be heading toward an immediate confrontation, so he decided to go shopping in the city for some clever trinkets for his wife and daughter before leaving directly. In truth, during this trip to Ling Province, Huyan had already made clear to Xu Fengnian on Cool Mountain that he would not fight for Northern Liang, but if Xu Fengnian’s life were ever in danger, he would intervene. Xu Fengnian naturally did not expect anything more from him. At Huyan’s level, nearing the realm of Wang Xianzhi, unless one had too many attachments like Xu Yanbing or Cao Changqing, one would not care much about the state of the world. Take Deng Tai’a, for example, though he had a distant familial relationship with Xu Fengnian, he still refused to involve himself in the conflict between Northern Liang and the Northern Barbarians. The same went for Sui Xiegǔ. The only reason he remained in Northern Liang was likely just to occasionally appear near Tantai Pingjing and receive a scolding.
Leaving aside the delicate Xie Xie, Northern Liang’s side included Xu Fengnian, whose cultivation had been weakened, Xu Yanbing, who was “just half a step away,” and Tantai Pingjing, the foremost cultivator in the land. On Xishu’s side were Chen Zhibao, whose cultivation level was uncertain, and Xie Guanying, who ranked first on the Lu Di Shen Xian Tu (Chart of Immortal Beings on Earth).
It was a balanced match.
The six took their seats in a quiet courtyard. As a woman who had twice appeared on the The Rouge Ranking, Xie Xie possessed many unique skills. Her tea ceremony was known as the “Feather Ascension Tea.” With hands as graceful as lotus buds and mastery of tea-making, countless Daoist priests from Shu praised her tea as “serene and refined, elegant and tranquil, drinking it brings a cool breeze from both armpits, as if ascending to immortality.” The tea she brewed today was the finest pre-Qingming Spring Spirit Tea, known as the “Riding Fire’s First Treasure.” The tea utensils she brought from the Spring Placard Hermitage numbered as many as eighteen, likely the priceless “Eighteen Scholars” set. Even Xu Fengnian had to admit that watching her prepare tea was a feast for the eyes. Her every movement exuded charm and grace, and more importantly, it carried a sense of meditative stillness, which was why Daoist priests in Shu held her in such high esteem.
Xie Guanying was the first to drink the tea. After setting down his cup, he broke the silence without any trivial pleasantries, going straight to the point: “Cao Changqing knows full well that for Xichu to march all the way to Tai’an City without losing a single battle, every engagement must be a victory. Otherwise, the entire Guangling Circuit’s situation will quickly deteriorate. Currently, the Madao formation, evolved from the Great Halberd Formation, has emerged, and several elite cavalry units have also appeared. Excluding the navy of 60,000, Xichu’s land forces number 170,000, which is roughly equal to the imperial forces led by Lu Shengxiang in the north and the 100,000 troops from the Southern Frontier. However, war is never simply a matter of numbers. The Southern Frontier army’s combat effectiveness far surpasses that of Xichu.”
Xu Fengnian took a sip of tea, which was indeed refreshing. He twirled the rim of the cup with two fingers and smiled: “The situation remains balanced. Cao Changqing’s navy will certainly absorb the Guangling Prince Zhao Yi’s fleet. Once merged, the Guangling River will greatly hinder the Southern Frontier army’s advance. Xie Xichui, with 170,000 troops, has a high chance of defeating Lu Shengxiang, who is at a numerical disadvantage. Then it will depend on whether the Qingzhou navy can assist the Southern forces in crossing that natural barrier. Otherwise, Cao Changqing will march all the way to Tai’an City, and Gu Jiantang’s border army in the Two Liaos will naturally move southward… This is why the Taiping Edict prompted the two Nabo commanders on the easternmost front of the Northern Barbarians to feign weakness against Yuan Tingshan in Jibei. In this rapidly evolving situation, aside from Gu Jiantang, the other factions are like distant water sources unable to quench an immediate fire.”
Xie Guanying appeared calm and confident, shaking his head slightly: “The Qingzhou navy may not be so easily defeated, and Lu Shengxiang is certainly no ordinary general.”
Xu Fengnian gazed at this middle-aged man with frosty temples, momentarily lost in thought. No wonder he was Bai Huer Lian’s father—his charm still captivated women even in old age. When it came to refined demeanor, perhaps only the Grand Master Cao Changqing could rival him. “A person filled with knowledge radiates grace,” was no mere saying. In contrast, genuine martial artists like the Sheepskin Cloak Old Man, Deng Tai’a, and Huyan Daguan fell far short. Of course, the young Li Old Man, both with sword and presence, had been unrivaled in his time.
Xie Guanying, watching this young feudal lord so openly lost in thought, couldn’t help but smile wryly. Glancing at the white-robed man beside him, who remained expressionless, he mused that it was no wonder Zhao Changling had chosen the one surnamed Chen over the prince of Northern Liang.
Xu Fengnian smiled apologetically and curiously asked, “Master Xie, your plans for the Qingzhou navy are not surprising. But if I recall correctly, Lu Shengxiang left the Guangling Spring Snow Pavilion at Yuan Benxi’s behest. Would he agree to let you claim the glory of capturing the city? That would determine whether Lu Shengxiang could rise from a general to a Minister of War, for in the future, generals would merely be titles, while ministers with real power would be the coveted positions.”
Xie Guanying smiled and countered, “Even if he wished to become the Northern Liang King who once decisively conquered the Central Plains, could he truly achieve it? Moreover, times have changed. Even if he successfully lays siege to the city, he would need to hurry to engage in a struggle with the young prince of the Southern Frontier.”
Xie Xie, keenly attuned to the man she admired, noticed him subtly furrow his brow.
While brewing tea, she could forget herself, but she could never forget him.
Most women in the world, no matter how ethereal or refined, eventually return to the mortal realm for one man, willingly preparing tea and lighting incense for him.
Xu Fengnian softly chuckled: “If so, then Emperor Zhao Dun died too early. Otherwise, Master Xie wouldn’t be so troubled.”
Xie Guanying nodded: “If the late Emperor were still alive, I would not be in Ling Province now, but in the Qingzhou navy.”
It was well known that Emperor Zhao Dun favored Chen Zhibao. Naturally, had he lived, he would not have refused Chen Zhibao’s request to send just ten thousand troops out of Shu to suppress rebellion, as the current Emperor Zhao Zhuan had done.
The two emperors of the Zhao dynasty shared some traditions, such as treating Northern Liang similarly—always seeking to exhaust Northern Liang’s military strength as much as possible without destabilizing the Central Plains, for as long as the Xu family remained in Northern Liang, the idea of reducing their power would be a mockery. However, some matters had quietly changed, such as their attitudes toward the King of Shu. Zhao Dun had an almost obsessive trust and admiration for Chen Zhibao. As a self-proclaimed enlightened ruler, he was deeply attached to the idea of having an unparalleled general serving him. In contrast, Zhao Zhuan harbored suspicion and wariness.
Earlier, Xie Guanying, who had conversed like old friends reuniting, shook his head and declined Xie Xie’s offer to pour more tea. His demeanor suddenly shifted, his tone growing colder: “Earlier, I and the King of Shu analyzed Northern Liang’s military situation. If we evaluated the Prince as an ordinary official, he would only rank below average. If the Prince had not built a major fortress in the north of Liang Province, he wouldn’t even reach that level.”
Xu Fengnian smiled without speaking.
Xie Guanying continued: “Northern Liang’s best strategy is to use its ten thousand elite cavalry to achieve a decisive victory!”
Xu Fengnian asked calmly: “Master Xie is suggesting that the Northern Barbarian army of a million should all be stationed north of the Hutan Wall in Liang Province, reenacting the Battle of Xilei Wall?”
Xie Guanying smiled without answering.
Xie Xie, who had been playing the role of a charming companion, felt a slight surprise. This seemingly detestable young feudal lord wasn’t so foolish after all. Master Xie wasn’t merely speaking in alarmist terms but had engaged in an all-night sand-table simulation with the man beside her. However, the simulation was based on the premise that he, rather than this young Xu, would command Northern Liang. Under that assumption, the Northern Barbarians would not dare to divide their forces into three fronts but would instead gamble everything in a single decisive battle against Northern Liang. Accurately speaking, it would be a final showdown between him and the silent Chen Zhibao beside Xie Xie. Master Xie played the role of Dong Zhuo, while Chen Zhibao commanded the Northern Liang defense. The two sides maneuvered their forces, reminiscent of the Battle of Xilei Wall, with both sides suffering heavy losses and reinforcements, competing to see who would collapse first. Ultimately, despite his best efforts, Master Xie lost to Chen Zhibao, who had only three thousand cavalry left and had lost all his infantry. In that astonishing simulation, Liuzhou, Youzhou, and Ling Province merely watched from the sidelines. All the fierce, cunning, and brilliant battles occurred only north of Liang Province. But this was only the opening move of the simulation, not even reaching the middle game. Next would be Northern Liang forcing the weakened Northern Barbarians to turn their attention to the Two Liaos, allowing Northern Liang to shift from being the vanguard of the Liang dynasty to a “leisurely observer” with several years to recuperate. After integrating refugees from Liuzhou, Northern Liang would form alliances, eventually unifying the Western Regions and absorbing Xishu and Nanzhao. In this same tripartite balance, the Liang dynasty and the Northern Barbarians would gradually weaken, while Northern Liang, after rebuilding, would quickly regain a cavalry force of 150,000. Then Xishu and Nanzhao would raise an army of 150,000 infantry, once again joining the struggle for supremacy with a total of 300,000 troops. At the time, Xie Xie watched the simulation. As the middle game neared its end, she had thought he would seize the opportunity to march directly to Tai’an City, becoming the legitimate ruler of the Central Plains before engaging in a final decisive battle with the Northern Barbarians. But she was wrong. At that time, he chose to advance north from Liangzhou and Jizhou, first conquering the Southern Court of the Northern Barbarians before turning his gaze toward the Central Plains. Eventually, after becoming the ruler of six major territories—Northern Liang, the Southern Court, the Western Regions, Xishu, and Nanzhao—he would look down from his high position, bypassing the already weakened Gu Jiantang’s defenses in the Two Liaos, directly engaging the Liang dynasty’s forces in the Huainan Circuit, then advancing south into the Guangling Circuit, completely ignoring Tai’an City, and finally confronting the Southern Frontier army. At that time, whether Gu Jiantang’s border forces fought or not would no longer matter.
Xie Xie smiled happily. Xu Fengnian probably only understood the opening moves of that simulation. How could he guess the twists and turns of the middle game and the final moves?
Then she was stunned, hearing that man ask with a smile: “According to Master Xie’s simulation rules, wouldn’t Gu Jiantang have to serve as the Minister of War for the new dynasty for another twenty years?”
Tantai Pingjing glanced at Xie Xie, and even this great cultivator smiled.
At last, the King of Shu, who had remained completely detached until now, turned to look at Xu Fengnian, the young ruler of Northern Liang whom he had coldly observed growing stronger over the years.
Xie Guanying raised his hand slightly, and Xie Xie immediately poured more tea. He smiled and took a sip.
The flavor of the tea seemed to emerge at last.
Only now could the two sides be considered roughly equal.
Before this moment, Xie Guanying had never regarded Xu Fengnian as a true rival.
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