Chapter 369: This Man is Named Li Yishan

The entire Beiliang knew that outside the capital city of Ben Dao, there was stationed a group of elite light cavalry, mostly the sons of wealthy families, occasionally the scions of generals, whose fathers held relatively low-ranking positions. The cavalry consistently maintained a number around eight hundred. Due to the lack of a leader and the constraints of established rules, this cavalry rarely had opportunities to show themselves, only last year did they draw five men each from nearly twenty battalions to form a hundred riders, thus embarking on a journey into the martial world. They returned carrying the corpses of over a dozen fallen comrades, and also brought back many boxes of martial arts manuals from a place called Huishan Guniu Gang. The outside world did not pay much attention to them. After all, how many absurd things had the Crown Prince done over the years?

What could eight hundred riders possibly accomplish? Wang Chong, a cavalryman, once privately asked this question to Lieutenant Yuan Meng. Yuan Meng told him that when General Chu Lushan led his troops into Shu, he had only two or three thousand men, yet he still managed to utterly defeat the Western Shu, which had the advantage of continuous natural fortifications.

Wang Chong’s good friend Lin Heng died in the reed marsh battle at Xiangfan City, pierced through the body by a single spear strike from Wang Mingyin, the eleventh strongest martial artist in the world. During the boat trip through the Ghost Gate, they shared night watch duty and saw that man sitting at the bow of the boat, plucking his blade with his fingers. Lin Heng remarked that the man was no mere show-off, and that his swordsmanship was already quite formidable. Although Wang Chong’s martial arts skills were not as good as Lin Heng, who always boasted that his sword techniques would eventually surpass even Gu Jiantang’s, he still didn’t believe it at the time. Later, outside Xiangfan City, when Wang Mingyin, one of the few top martial artists in the world, blocked their path for a deadly confrontation, Wang Chong finally saw the man’s sword drawn with his own eyes and was convinced beyond doubt. But by then, Lin Heng was already dead. Yet Wang Chong did not hold any grudge against that man, because on that day, when barely ninety riders faced off against the thousand cavalry of the Jing’an King, with the two armies at a standoff, that man charged ahead fearlessly and effortlessly killed one of Qingzhou’s fierce generals with a single spear strike. After ordering his men to sheath their weapons, the man did not say much to calm the troops, but personally bandaged Wang Chong’s wounds. Wang Chong was no hotheaded youth; the reason he joined the Fengzi Battalion was because his father, who had once served as a Chongdu Officer, told him there would come a day when he could earn honor and merit with a clear conscience. Naturally, Wang Chong did not think he was going to throw his life away. Was his life not worth anything? Why should he sacrifice himself for someone else? His father was no worse than others; after serving on the border of Beiliang’s army, he was at least the head of the troops in a certain commandery.

However, after that journey into the martial world, not only Wang Chong, but even old battle-hardened soldiers like Wang Donglin changed upon returning to Beiliang’s battalion. In the Fengzi Battalion, if anyone spoke ill of that man, Wang Donglin would not waste words—he’d challenge them to a mounted duel on the training ground. He won three matches in a row. In the fourth, he was unhorsed by an opponent’s wooden spear, who then sat high on his mount, spearpoint aimed at Wang Donglin’s chest, asking if he would yield. Before Wang Donglin could even open his mouth, Hong Shuwen, another rider from the same battalion, leapt onto his horse, raised his spear, and knocked the challenger off his mount in turn, then asked him if he would yield. Hong Shuwen was one of the fiercest fighters in the Fengzi Battalion, excelling in both mounted and foot combat, a true top-tier warrior. Even Lieutenant Yuan once remarked that the boy was like a silent dog—when he really bit, no one could predict how hard. Soon, no one in the Fengzi Battalion dared to speak ill of that young man who had never even set foot in a military camp. Not that they didn’t want to—they simply dared not. After all, Hong Shuwen and a few others had already silently taken down more than a dozen men. Lieutenant Yuan always scolded them verbally, but never actually punished them afterward. Some even claimed to have seen Yuan giving Hong a few private lessons in spear techniques. Everyone finally understood—Lieutenant Yuan had also switched sides and sided with that guy! Moreover, after that, Ning Emei, the famous wielder of the great halberd in the Beiliang army and one of the Four Tigers of Beiliang, occasionally visited the Fengzi Battalion’s encampment, specifically seeking out riders like Wang Chong and Wang Donglin. During this time, he took in two unofficial apprentices. Though no formal master-disciple relationship was established, he taught them his halberd throwing techniques in full. At leisure, he even paid out of pocket to treat these nameless, unproven soldiers to drinks, which made many envious. After all, Ning Emei was no ordinary figure—he was one of the Four Tigers of Beiliang, and on equal footing with generals like Dian Xiongxu, who commanded six thousand elite riders of the Iron Floating Barges.

Though the eight hundred riders of the Fengzi Battalion were currently scattered in spirit, each and every one of them was worthy of the Northern Liang sword at their waist. In terms of individual combat prowess, they were second to none among any elite force in Northern Liang, especially men like Hong the Fierce, who fought as naturally as others ate. They should have long been promoted to the elite reconnaissance units.

The eight hundred light cavalry held their breath, silently awaiting the arrival of that man.

They only knew they were about to embark on a long-range raid. Who they were to strike—unknown. The enemy’s numbers—unknown. Their own survival—unknown.

※※※

Xu Xiao sat inside a carriage, the driver being Han Laoshan, the younger martial brother of the Spear Immortal Wang Xiu.

Chen Xiliang and a little girl followed into the carriage without hesitation. Xu Beizhi was left behind to enter Liangzhou City and proceed to the mansion. He rode on horseback, accompanied by several elderly retinue whose breath was as long and enduring as rivers. Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Xu Beizhi unexpectedly saw the King of Beiliang lift the curtain and beckon him.

Xu Beizhi entered the carriage. Though not trembling with fear, he was deeply moved.

The hunched old man before him, together with Huang Sanjia, had destroyed the great righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Periods. He was said to have personally broken the spines of a hundred thousand Confucian scholars.

Xu Beizhi could hardly imagine that the Butcher of Men was merely an old man who could chat and laugh with commoners.

Xu Xiao leaned against the side of the carriage with his hands in his sleeves and said to this grandson of an old friend, “Don’t hold a grudge over Xu Huainan’s death. Of course, if you must, then blame me.”

Xu Beizhi knelt and bowed low, saying, “Xu Beizhi dares not.”

Xu Xiao smiled, “Dares not?”

Xu Beizhi’s back was instantly soaked with sweat, his body drenched, yet his tone remained unchanged. Keeping his gaze lowered, he slowly and solemnly said, “Now that Xu Beizhi has come to Beiliang, I will devote myself entirely to serving Beiliang. But if you ask me to forget all resentment, I am no saint—I cannot do it.”

Xu Xiao nodded, “That’s honest. Very good.”

Xu Beizhi remained silent.

Xu Xiao spoke softly, “Sit. Let’s speak as we should. Truth be told, we are still distant relatives. In the future, you may just call me Uncle Xu.”

Xu Beizhi sat cross-legged, upright and composed.

Xu Xiao asked, “This time, Prince Zhao Kai is heading west. As expected, the eight hundred Fengzi riders will intercept him between Jiange and Liusha River, at a strategic chokepoint between the northern and southern frontiers. Besides Zhao Kai, there is a formidable secret sect Dharma King, two hundred elite Yu Lin cavalry, and sixteen imperial golden sword guards. As for the hidden forces, even Beiliang’s spies and informants have uncovered little. Tell me, is this ambush worth it? Even if successful, what are the gains and losses?”

Xu Beizhi calmly countered, “May I ask how many soldiers in Jiange have been turned by General?”

Xu Xiao furrowed his brow slightly and murmured, “Turned?”

The old man then smiled and said, “Let’s go with your words. Jiange has always been a top-tier fortress on the border. Its importance ranks within the top ten in the entire Liyang Dynasty. The total garrison is sixteen thousand, half infantry and half cavalry. The eight thousand infantry are mostly former troops of Gu Jiantang, mixed with some from the Yan Chi King. As for the cavalry, there are three thousand riders currently stationed west of Jiange, engaged in suppressing a bandit gang.”

Xu Beizhi continued, “How many of the remaining five thousand cavalry can be mobilized urgently?”

Xu Xiao replied, “A little over half—about three thousand troops. But the prerequisite is obtaining the Tiger Talisman from Gu Jiantang’s Ministry of War, which must be delivered to Jiange via express courier. Unfortunately, on the Posthouseroad leading to Jiange, I have some old subordinates who are getting old. They might slow down the transmission of military intelligence.”

Xu Beizhi shook his head, “I dare to assert that the movement will not come from those three thousand troops, but from the remaining two thousand cavalry. Even if Gu Jiantang is willing to issue the mobilization order, there will be a woman in the imperial palace in the capital who will block it.”

Xu Xiao frowned, “Oh? Who dares to do such a thing?”

Xu Beizhi replied calmly, “The Emperor of the Zhao family. More precisely, it is the eunuch Han Diaosi, who is determined to support Zhao Kai as the next emperor. This powerful eunuch, who seems to be gradually losing favor within the palace, is highly likely to personally leave the capital. And Han Diaosi doing so means he will truly begin his decline from the imperial court. After all, it is a grave taboo for a palace eunuch to openly involve himself in the struggle for the throne. Moreover, the current Emperor is no fool. Even if he had a deep bond with this personal attendant before ascending the throne, such a relationship cannot withstand such reckless expenditure. Even if the Emperor indeed has intentions to let Zhao Kai inherit the throne, Han Diaosi will inevitably have to step down.”

Xu Xiao nodded, “That explanation makes sense.”

Chen Liangxi, who had been holding the little girl all along, looked down at her with a smile. She had no idea why Chen Brother was smiling, but she instinctively smiled back at him.

Xu Beizhi sincerely sighed, “Even if the Crown Prince is determined to kill Zhao Kai and his two hundred imperial guards, it will likely turn into a series of counter-moves, like a The mantis stalks the cicada. situation.”

Xu Xiao suddenly burst into loud laughter, pointed at Chen Xiliang, and said to Xu Beizhi, “You two are mostly in agreement, though there are still some small differences.”

Xu Beizhi did not look at Chen Xiliang.

Chen Xiliang did not raise his head to look at Xu Beizhi either.

One was the grandson of Xu Huainan, the Northern Court Grand Chancellor, who had placed great hopes on him.

The other was a poor scholar who had not even been qualified to attend the Qu Shui Shang gathering at the Baoguo Temple.

“One is like a noble lady—though of average appearance, she naturally exudes the grace of a great family. She must be carefully refined, removing arrogance, before her natural beauty can gradually shine through, becoming more and more enchanting.”

“The other is like a beauty from a poor family—though exquisitely beautiful, she lacks the innate nobility. She must be given a grand aura and a broad vision to become rounded and graceful, charming without being Demon.”

On a desk in the hidden uppermost floor of the Tingchao Pavilion, there was a sheet of Xuan paper. Before his death, a national strategist had written a few brief comments on Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang.

Xu Xiao softly said, “You two meeting Feng Nian is much luckier than meeting the scholars I once had.”

Xu Xiao smiled gently, “In the future, Beiliang will rely on you two. It’s difficult to establish and maintain a dynasty, but if, by chance, it falls upon those maintaining it to fight for a new empire, it will be even harder.”

Chen and Xu were both startled and deeply moved.

A rare trace of loneliness flickered in Xu Xiao’s eyes. “Once we enter the city, you two should first go to his grave and pour him a cup of wine. He valued both of you greatly in his lifetime. Don’t let him down.”

“This man’s name was Li Yishan.”

※※※

A group of riders thundered down a secluded path, far from the main Posthouseroad.

Yuan Meng suddenly widened his eyes, his gaze instantly burning with intensity. This general, often mocked by his peers, was now even trembling as he gripped his spear.

At the forefront rode a dashing young master. Yet the handsome face, which should have been carefree and playful, bore a solemn and martial air unfamiliar to the eight hundred White Horse Righteous Cavalry.

At his left waist hung a short saber, and at his right, a long sword.

The second rider was the barefoot, black-robed second son of the Butcher of Men.

Now, who in the Northern Man and Liyang did not know of the Dragon and Elephant Army? Who did not know the peerless warrior Xu Longxiang?

The third rider was Yuan Zuozong, the Black Bear, ranked among the top three martial warriors in the Liyang Dynasty’s army!

This unmatched general, famous from the Battle of the Concubine’s Tomb of Western Chu, needed nothing more than a single Northern Liang saber.

The fourth rider was a young woman in green, holding a long spear.

The fifth rider was a woman with arms hidden in red sleeves and a red scarf covering her face, her presence exuding ghostly aura, her aura not in the least inferior to Yuan Zuozong!

The five riders passed by the Fengzi Battalion in succession.

Yuan Meng was the first to turn his horse, the rest of the light cavalry silently following suit, falling in behind him.