This was an autumn filled with troubles.
Yet for the common folk, long accustomed to peaceful days, it was merely the addition of a few more anecdotes to chat about over tea after meals. Unaware of the impending storm, they remained unshaken and unafraid.
Since returning to Beiliang from the Northern Desert, Xu Fengnian had first rushed to Tiemen Pass to intercept Zhao Kai. Upon returning to the Prince’s Mansion, he had to stay by Xu Wei Xiong’s side without a moment’s respite. Later, he began to utilize the strategies of Xu and Chen to pave the way for future plans. Only today did he finally ascend the tower carrying a pot of green-ant wine. It was not that he couldn’t squeeze in time earlier to visit Tingchao Pavilion; rather, he dared not.
As a child, his limbs were frail, yet he could swiftly climb up and down the Tingchao Pavilion. Now, despite having fallen from the peak and still possessing second-tier internal energy, he walked so slowly.
A gaunt man who had sat at the top of the pavilion for nearly twenty years, stern and unsmiling. After Zhao Changling, the chief strategist of Beiliang, passed away, he had been overshadowed for years. Now was the time for him to rise and be recognized by the Liyang Dynasty, to make a name for himself in history. Yet he remained in seclusion—why? Isn’t the purpose of a strategist to guide a wise lord to glory, and to be remembered for eternity after death?
Li Yishan left no grave, and thus no monument.
His ashes were personally scattered by Xu Xiao at the border. According to Li Yishan’s words, being denied a burial place was his fate. He had also wished to quietly watch the north after death, hoping his unacknowledged apprentice would fulfill his dream of conquering the Northern Desert with an army. Xu Xiao never shared this with Xu Fengnian, but how could Xu Fengnian not understand?
Pushing open the fragile pavilion door, the air was dim and damp. Xu Fengnian placed the green-ant wine on the desk, lit the oil lamp at the corner, and saw a simple, lonely writing brush hanging from the brush rack. Unlike the usual mess of books scattered across the floor, the room had clearly been tidied by Xu Xiao himself, making it seem even more desolate. As a child, Xu Fengnian had feared this place. He had to study history and copy texts with this half-master, and play chess with him. Whenever he displeased him, he would be soundly beaten—without being able to complain to anyone. He would have to watch him drink and listen to his coughing, as if death from drunkenness might come at any moment. Beneath the desk, there was a chessboard with worn lines and two boxes of smooth, well-worn black and white stones. Xu Fengnian bent down, placed them on the desk, and took a handful of black stones from the box. In the past, they used to point in the air to play, testing and sharpening young Xu Fengnian’s memory. The board and stones were rarely used anymore.
One seat was empty.
Before, it was often Xu Fengnian who was absent, traveling. This time, it was Li Yishan who was missing.
And it would always be this way from now on.
Xu Fengnian softly said, “Chen Zhibao went to Xishu alone, without a single soldier. I’ve chosen such an opponent, making my master worry.”
“Chen Zhibao left without hesitation, but his loyal followers, willing to die for him, followed—nearly a hundred men. I let Xu Xiao let them go. If you want to scold me, go ahead. If I lose in the future, wild histories will surely say the second incompetent Beiliang King let the tiger return to the mountains, allowing a hundred riders to enter Shu. Xu Fengnian indeed lacks the capacity for great responsibility. Chen Zhibao’s skill in commanding generals is second only to Xu Xiao, and his ability to lead troops is unmatched in the world. As King of Shu, once he raises the banner of the Chen family, he might soon command tens of thousands of elite troops ready for both attack and defense. But I think, since we are destined to fight, let’s do so openly and fairly, without resorting to petty schemes.”
“Nangong Puyu, who once secluded himself with you in the pavilion, has already gone out to intercept the eunuch Han Diaosi. I don’t know if it’s because the eunuch is one of the four enemies of the White Fox. Before I killed the fifth demon in the Northern Desert, I thought I could surpass him in cultivation. But after the battle at Tiemen Pass, I was brought back to reality. It seems you never opposed my martial arts training. Among the nine games played at Tingchao, one was a bet between you and Xu Xiao on whether I could reach the first-tier realm. I did, then fell, and now I wonder if I’ve disappointed you.”
“Following your plan, Murong Tonghuang, wearing a divine mask, has infiltrated the Northern Desert court. Shu Xiu has gone to Xiangfan City, trading ten years of life for the luxury she always dreamed of—not a queen, but better than one. As for whether Murong Tonghuang can take root and Shu Xiu can successfully sow discord between Zhao Xun and the Lu Xu I once passed by, you said success depends on heaven, and I can wait.”
“Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang each have their strengths. It’s not yet clear who resembles you and who resembles Zhao Changling. I offered Xu Huainan’s head at Ruoshui, and indeed, Xu Beizhi willingly revealed the truth. He is a remarkable strategist, not bound by schemes behind curtains, and excels in governance. His foresight is also exceptional. Without a doubt, I will make him my first choice for the next strategist. Though Chen Xiliang comes from humble origins, his insight, adaptability, and literary talent are all top-notch. You once said that strategists progress from self to others, from soldiers to nation to the world. Only when one secures peace for oneself can one help others. You said that the ability to command troops is rare and should not be recommended by scholars for military affairs. One can skip that stage, but must not lack the vision to govern a nation. You said the Beiliang situation is a desperate game, requiring bold moves. If a strategist aims to govern the world, it would drain Beiliang’s twenty years of hard-earned strength. Instead, one must follow the trend more patiently. I’m not sure what Xu and Chen truly think, so I can only take one step at a time. Beiliang can only afford to lose once, while the Northern Desert and Liyang can afford many losses. I don’t mind playing it safe—it’s become second nature after all these years.”
“My second sister is likely capable of commanding troops. I will make Wutong Courtyard a military command center like the Guangling King Zhao Yi’s Chunsnow Tower. Who says women cannot achieve greatness like the Longquan kiln, which never produced masterpieces?”
Xu Fengnian rambled on like this.
He was never a talkative person. Killing enemies was the same—whether it was Tao Qianzhi in Liuxia City during Qingming, the demon Xie Ling, the attendants of Tuoba Chunsun, or the fifth warlord of the Ti Bing Mountain, he never spoke much.
Xu Fengnian lowered his head and said, “You once used the strength and skill of a Go player to evaluate several strategists across the land. Huang Longshi was first with seventy-six stones, followed by Yuan Benxi, who remained hidden behind the emperor, with sixty-seven. Today, I dare to give my master a final assessment.”
“During the Spring and Autumn Periods, you helped Xu Xiao, effectively planning for the Zhao family to unify the Central Plains. The vast territory of the Liyang Dynasty rivals the great Qin Empire eight hundred years ago. Ten stones.”
Xu Fengnian placed ten stones on the board.
“For foresight, you alone advised Xu Xiao not to seize the throne, not to sit on that scorching imperial seat. Six stones. You also orchestrated Chen Zhibao’s exile to Shu, earning four more.”
After placing six stones, Xu Fengnian took another handful from the box.
“For geography, under your guidance, the court allowed Xu Xiao to lead troops into Beiliang, granting him the title of a king of a different surname, far from the capital, securing the northwest border of the dynasty. Nine stones.”
“For military affairs, you personally planned the battle at Feizi Tomb and the thousand riders opening Shu under Chu Lushan. After pacifying Shu, you devised the ultimate strategy. Upon entering Beiliang, you gathered over ten thousand criminals and refugees into a ready army, waiting for me to become King of Beiliang and issue a decree of amnesty, instantly gaining over a hundred thousand troops. Eight stones.”
“For diplomacy, following your plan, Xu Xiao maneuvered with the court, Zhang Julu, and Gu Jiantang for over a decade, outperforming the strategist under the Yan Chi King. You were undoubtedly the strongest strategist in this desperate game. Nine stones.”
“For astronomy, you did not believe in ghosts or deities, so no stones.”
“For talent recognition, Xu Xiao’s six adopted sons—Yuan Zuozong, Chu Lushan, and Qi Dangguo—were all chosen by your discerning eye. Six stones. But for Yao Jian and Ye Xizhen, deduct four. Later, you personally wrote the training methods for Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang, so add four more.”
“Beiliang is barren, holding only three provinces. Yet under your tireless governance and planning, the Northern Desert dared not move, and Xu Xiao was granted hereditary rule. Even a fool like me had the chance to become King of Beiliang. Eight stones.”
Sixty stones now lay on the board.
Then came the relatively leisurely six cultural matters, and eleven more stones were slowly added.
Xu Fengnian gazed at the board, whispering, “A strategist must first plan for himself. Huang Longshi, who masterfully ended the Spring and Autumn chaos, still roams as a celestial being. Yuan Benxi, the emperor’s hidden calculator, remains safe and hidden in court. The chief strategist of the Yan Chi King enjoys the highest status in the southern jungles. Master, what about you?”
He lifted the pot of green-ant wine.
Poured it onto the board.
The pot was emptied. Alone in the room, Xu Fengnian wept, sobbing, “Master, who will drink with me now?”
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