Linzhou was not as militarily imposing as Youzhou and Liangzhou, where weapons gleamed and swords stood ready for battle. Life here was simple and peaceful. The officials were mostly retired generals who, having long abandoned the need to risk their lives, now had nothing better to do than to enjoy the fruits of peace and prosperity together. Ever since Li Degong, the Iron-Fisted Magistrate, became the Regional Governor, he had become a master at smoothing over conflicts and promoting harmony. He always encouraged reconciliation rather than division. Thus, Linzhou became increasingly harmonious, with the exception of the Zhong family, whose roots lay in Longqing Prefecture and who had suffered some setbacks. However, even the venerable General Zhong’s eldest son, Zhong Chengxin, had become the Prefect of Longqing, while XU Beizhi, the rising star of Beiliang, had merely been promoted three ranks from a minor military clerk. His position was not particularly high, and he still served under Prefect Zhong. This clearly indicated that the Zhong and Xu families were far from reaching a point of open hostility.
However, a piece of news spread quickly among the officials of Linzhou who had sharp ears and keen eyes. The two retainers of the Great General, Han Laoshan and Xu Yanbing, had both been promoted to Deputy Commanders of Linzhou. Even more astonishing was the fact that the Crown Prince, who had returned in glory from his tumultuous escapades in the capital, had taken the position of Commander of Linzhou himself. This seemed quite baffling to many. Numerous retired generals muttered in discontent, wondering why the Crown Prince did not simply sit in the seat of the Beiliang Commander-in-Chief. Why did he extend his hand into the affairs of Linzhou? It seemed a bit underhanded.
As the New Year approached in the borderlands of Youzhou, the triennial military review was about to commence. Everyone knew that the Great General had already begun making arrangements for the future, preparing for the possibility of his own passing. According to whispered conversations among the officials of Linzhou, it would have been better for Prince Xu Fengnian to let his two adopted brothers, Chu Lushan and Yuan Zuozong, assist him at the border rather than take on the ungrateful task of governing Linzhou. Whether it was to display military might or to bide his time like a hidden dragon, it would have been more comfortable for everyone to avoid the hot potato of the Linzhou Commandership.
At the Governor’s Mansion, lanterns were hung and banners unfurled, the main gate thrown open in celebration to welcome a distinguished guest. Governor Li, now a second-grade official in charge of a vast territory, smiled so broadly that his mouth seemed unable to close. He treated the sudden arrival of the Great General like the coming of a living Buddha. Having learned beforehand of the Prince’s secret appointment as Commander of Linzhou, Li Degong had used every ounce of persuasion to convince a neighbor on the same street to vacate a luxurious mansion. A hastily carved plaque was hung, and thus the Linzhou Commander’s Mansion was born.
In the city of Linzhou, there was a picturesque lake known as Jin’ou Lake. Only a handful of mansions were privileged enough to have water from the lake diverted into their courtyards. The previous owner of this mansion had been an old general aligned with Zhong Hongwu of the Beiliang cavalry. Later, he had grown close to younger generals under the command of Chen Zhibao, such as Dian Xiongchu. Li Degong had seized upon this vulnerability, employing both persuasion and pressure to force the old general, along with his many beautiful concubines, to pack up and leave.
Now promoted to the rank of a fourth-grade military officer, Xu Fengnian strolled leisurely within the Commander’s Mansion. Earlier, he had merely made a brief appearance at Governor Li’s residence, unwilling to endure the excessive hospitality of the overly eager official. He had left Xu Xiao behind with Yuan Zuozong, who served more as a ceremonial companion, and had brought Xu Yanbing, one of the nominal Deputy Commanders of Linzhou, to tour the mansion’s corridors and halls. Among Wang Xiu’s disciples, Han Laoshan was relatively well-versed in military strategy, but Xu Yanbing, though a martial arts enthusiast, was only mediocre in comparison. Unlike Han, who was meant to establish a firm foothold in Linzhou and steadily advance, Xu Yanbing was merely a contingency for unexpected situations, and his heart was not truly in this role.
Before departing from Governor Li’s mansion, Xu Xiao had given a meaningful glance, hinting that there was a small surprise waiting for him at his new residence. Xu Fengnian did not hold much hope. He had already encountered many martial cultivators who flew through the skies like immortals. Since he had abandoned the path of martial cultivation, even secret manuals were not worth much to him—indeed, the Tingchao Pavilion would sell them by the pound at a discount. As for divine weapons, he no longer cared much for them either. As for women, his two future concubines had already followed him to Beiliang, and he had no desire to entangle himself in further romantic debts. However, when Xu Fengnian suddenly caught sight of a young girl dressed in the style of the Northern Desolate Steppe, he was both startled and delighted. He never would have guessed that it would be the young girl with deep ties to the Northern Desolate royal family—Huyan Guanyin. It was precisely to save her tribe that he had once blocked a stampede of wild oxen in a canyon, and it was during that time that he had engaged in a deadly hunt against Tuoba Chunsun, the favored son of heaven, who had the advantage of both terrain and timing. During that encounter, Xu Fengnian had nearly lost his life to the thunderous spear of Duan Bo Huihui.
Xu Yanbing, understanding the situation, tactfully withdrew to admire the scenery elsewhere, leaving Xu Fengnian alone with the young woman. Xu Fengnian gave it some thought and quickly understood. After his return from the Northern Desolate, he had recounted every detail of that perilous journey. In passing, he had mentioned Huyan Guanyin’s Qiang flute, and it was likely that Xu Xiao had followed that clue to bring the girl from the Northern Desolate to Linzhou.
Seated together in a pavilion, Xu Fengnian spoke to her in the language of the steppes: “Did your younger brother, Abaoji, not come to Beiliang?”
The girl, whose beauty could be rated at ninety-five out of a hundred, was clearly not as melancholic or sentimental as women from the Central Plains. She shook her head with a cheerful smile: “My younger brother is a young eagle of the grasslands, and the grasslands are his home. He himself says that he must become the greatest Xiti of the steppes, possessing the most fertile and vast pastures. In the future, he will ride alongside his benefactor, seizing the most beautiful women, the fiercest warhorses, and the finest wine for you.”
Xu Fengnian recalled the boy’s bold and carefree nature, the one who loved to roll in sheep pens and who had the strength to toss lambs about with ease. He chuckled: “He has far more ambition than I do.”
The young woman, whose charm hovered somewhere between that of a maiden and a married woman, looked at him with curiosity and gently asked: “You always said you were a scholar from Guse Prefecture. How did you become the son of a noble family in Beiliang, the sworn enemy of the Northern Desolate?”
Leaning casually against a pavilion pillar, Xu Fengnian gazed toward the small pond within the mansion and sighed: “Perhaps it is simply what people call the unpredictable nature of fate.”
A soft voice murmured: “An old man, more dignified than even the greatest Xiti of the grasslands, told me to become your servant, to attend to your every need.”
Xu Fengnian replied gently: “From now on, you don’t have to listen to him. Women in Beiliang are used to carrying knives, riding horses, and drawing bows. No one will bind you here. If you ever find this place dull and wish to return to the grasslands to see your brother, I will personally send you north.”
The exquisitely beautiful woman, her waist adorned with a finely crafted Qiang flute, unexpectedly fell silent, her expression dimming.
Sishi Yin suddenly appeared outside the pavilion, speaking in a respectful yet neutral tone: “Your Highness, Xu Beizhi of Longjing Prefecture and General Wang Zhi have arrived for an audience.”
The Linzhou Commander’s Mansion was, for now, merely a façade, a hollow shell that could be described as gilded on the outside but rotten within. After all, the position of Linzhou Commander was nothing more than a nominal post meant to bridge the gap between higher and lower ranks. Xu Fengnian nodded with a smile: “From now on, they need not announce their arrival when they come.”
Attendants were dispatched to guide the two guests. Xu Fengnian stepped out of the pavilion to greet them. Wang Zhi’s father, Wang Shiqu, had long been a loyal subordinate of Beiliang and the commander of the Jianguan Pass, serving as a hidden piece placed by Li Yishan in the Kuimen region for many years. Father and son had played a crucial role in the battle at Tiemenguan. Wang Zhi himself was indeed a valiant general, bold enough to fight to the death against Han Diaosi, sacrificing a thousand of his three thousand elite cavalry to halt the advance of the “Cat Man.” After joining Beiliang, only a thousand of his two thousand personal guards remained. His performance in Longqing Prefecture had also been impressive, earning him Xu Fengnian’s admiration. Xu Beizhi had quickly adapted to local customs, dressing as a refined scholar of Qingcheng, even more elegant than the literati of Jiangnan. Wang Zhi escorted him, a perfect pairing of scholar and warrior. Meanwhile, Huyan Guanyin stood timidly and alone within the pavilion, clearly out of place. Such was often the case with women, who were merely embellishments upon the grand landscape.
Xu Fengnian placed an arm around Xu Beizhi’s shoulder and smiled at Wang Zhi: “This time, I didn’t promote you, a great contributor, to the rank of Deputy Commander of Linzhou. Do you harbor any resentment? If you do, feel free to speak it aloud. But I must say, I still cannot grant you that position.”
Wang Zhi, unafraid and unhesitant, grinned broadly: “Your Highness, we rough soldiers know that without merit, one should not expect reward. Without notable military achievements, we have no complaints. But if we do earn great merit in the future, not only the rank of Deputy Commander, but even Your Highness’s position as Linzhou Commander, we would dare to vie for it without hesitation!”
Xu Fengnian nodded with a smile, pointing to Xu Yanbing, who had quietly returned to the pavilion’s edge: “This is the newly appointed Deputy Commander of Linzhou, Xu Yanbing. Wang Zhi, you should work closely with him in the future. General Xu is one of the top martial experts in Beiliang. Compared to lingering around me, a powerless Linzhou Commander, associating with him will be far more beneficial.”
Wang Zhi’s eyes lit up. The phrase “one of the top” carried far more weight than the title of Deputy Commander. Yuan Zuozong was ranked third among the martial experts of Liyang, behind only Gu Jiantang and Chen Zhibao. If Xu Yanbing was among the top two, he must be on the same level as Yuan Zuozong, the peerless cavalry general. Wang Zhi dared not slight him and immediately offered a deep bow. Xu Yanbing merely nodded slightly in return.
Xu Fengnian turned to Xu Beizhi with a smile: “Orange, how did you get along with the eldest son of the Zhong family? I’ve heard that his many concubines greatly admire your literary talent, even competing to offer themselves to you, nearly sparking jealousy with the courtesans of Linzhou. Now, the entire Beiliang Circuit is abuzz with tales of Xu Beizhi, the aristocratic son of the Northern Desolate, enjoying nightly revels more joyously than immortals.”
Xu Beizhi smiled faintly: “I fall short of comparison. With Your Highness as the shining example, such romantic escapades are hardly remarkable achievements.”
Wang Zhi secretly marveled. Rumors had long circulated that Xu Beizhi, who had served as an official with little dignity, shared a deep and intimate bond with the Crown Prince. Now, seeing it for himself, he realized the rumors were true. Another person in such a situation might have been sweating with fear. But Wang Zhi dared not treat this Prince, who had dared to personally intercept the imperial envoy carrying a sacred decree, as a mere noble wastrel. Ordinary princes would be too busy flattering and currying favor with the old generals who had fought alongside their fathers. Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi sat within the pavilion, while Wang Zhi naturally followed Xu Yanbing to stand guard outside. Xu Fengnian glanced at Wang Zhi’s broad back and, turning his gaze back, smiled: “This time, hundreds of people from Lu Family of Qingzhou and the Shangyin Academy are eagerly awaiting positions. The bureaucracy of Linzhou is bloated, with many fat targets. Governor Li, as the mediator of Beiliang, claims the second spot for himself, so he won’t play the villain. Chen Xiliang is busy reforming the salt and iron monopolies. Why don’t you take charge? It’s a good opportunity to streamline the ranks of military officials, removing the many idle generals with honorary titles. Let’s follow the Northern Desolate’s example and make the ranks of officers more meaningful.”
Xu Beizhi remained silent, his demeanor composed and dignified. Wang Zhi, listening intently, felt a hint of concern. Serving a ruler was like walking beside a tiger. Beiliang was far from the imperial court, and otherwise, the Great General would not have been secretly called the “Second Emperor” by the court. The Crown Prince was, in essence, no different from a crown prince of a nation. Wang Zhi might seem bold and careless in front of Xu Fengnian, but in reality, he was cautious and precise, carefully measuring his every move. The seemingly rough and crude warriors in the tales of chivalry were, in the annals of history, all shrewd and meticulous individuals. To remain close to a ruler, ensuring blessings for generations to come, required a depth of knowledge that was nearly unfathomable. Earlier, when Wang Zhi had shared wine with Xu Beizhi, and when the Crown Prince had refused to kneel before the Son of Heaven in Taian City, Xu Beizhi had been drunk and elated, revealing only a glimpse of his vast knowledge. When discussing the art of securing livelihood, he had categorized officials into nineteen types, including solitary ministers, governing ministers, capable ministers, frog officials, cat officials, and corpse officials—far more complex than the nine ranks of martial cultivators. Wang Zhi had listened in awe and admiration, thinking to himself that this Xu Young Master had truly cultivated into an immortal within the bureaucratic halls.
Xu Fengnian continued: “There is a tradition in Beiliang of bestowing sable hats as year-end rewards. During the period from late winter to early spring, hundreds of new sable hats will be distributed in Linzhou. How would you like to handle their distribution?”
Xu Beizhi countered: “Will the Regional Governor not interfere at all in this matter?”
Xu Fengnian nodded: “Otherwise, why would I take this position? Isn’t it precisely to shield you from all criticism? I promise you, whatever words or people may come, everything will stop with me. You need not see or hear any of it.”
Xu Beizhi calmly replied: “The current Prefect of Linzhou is still held by Regional Governor Li. Can you grant me that position first?”
Wang Zhi inwardly marveled. Xu Beizhi, the esteemed Xu Young Master, was truly bold, asking outright for a fourth-grade official’s post, and doing so with such calm confidence. If this were known, it would surely infuriate countless officials from Liyang who had spent their entire careers stuck at this very threshold.
Huyan Guanyin, who had learned some of the Liyang dialect while staying in this mansion, listened intently to the conversation. She understood its meaning and gazed at the gray-haired man with slightly parted lips, her eyes filled with a dazed wonder.
Xu Fengnian stood up with a smile: “Then I shall grant it to you immediately.”
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