Chapter 328 – The General’s Late Bloom

After the meeting, Xu Fengyen took Xu Beihuan to visit veteran general He Zhonghu in a small courtyard, only to find that Yan Wenluan was also there, the four of them were sitting around a stone table, Xu Fengyen looked at the left cavalry commander who couldn’t hide his fatigue and was a bit worried, He Zhonghu’s body and bones had suddenly gotten worse in the last one or two years, giving off a twilight impression of a thinning day, so much so, that after the first Liangmang battle, the veteran general had once submitted his resignation to the Qingliang Mountain and the capital government in private, while recommending Yu Luan Knife to Xu Fengyen and Chu Lushan for the position of second vice-commander of left cavalry. After the first Liangmang battle, the old general had privately submitted his resignation to the Qingliang Mountain and the capital government, and at the same time to Xu Fengyen and Chu Lushan recommended Yu Luanjie to serve as the second vice marshal of the left cavalry army, the reason why he did not let that young and famous Yu cavalry general to ascend to the sky, directly presided over the left cavalry army, but also the old man’s old and powerful, after all, unruly and untamable Liangzhou border army has always despised the military of the Yuzhou army, Yu Luanjie, who comes from the central China Plain’s powerful valves, and has no affinity to the Liangzhou border army, if he suddenly ascends to the top position, he will be able to get the position. If he is suddenly in a high position, to be able to take charge of an army alone, may not be able to convince the public, once in the second Liang Mang war in the error, the destruction of a Northern Liang military law not to mention the great material, will also be a mistake in the border situation, he He Zhonghu naturally can not resign from the blame, then it is really late in the day.

Only He Zhonghu can abandon the mountain head of opinion, suggest Yu Luan knife become the left cavalry nominal three handles actually when the family, can be seen in the spring and autumn veteran’s capacity and vision, and in the previous Xu Fengyen to take the left and right cavalry to open fire, there is a suspicion of demolition of the east wall to make up for the west wall to supplement the strength of other cavalry, such as the withdrawal of troops to the Cao Wei and so on, but also He Zhonghu take the lead in responding to the no objections, in this regard, the nicknamed Jin Partridge The right cavalry general Zhou Kang, obviously to be inferior to many, openly and secretly there are quite a lot of complaints, although Xu Fengyen privately also laughed and scolded Zhou Kang is only a hairless iron rooster, but after all, Zhou Kang is one of the hundreds of old pawns for him to send off, there is the friendship of the send-off, in a sense, Zhou Kang and that moment has not yet been hereditary succession of the Shizi His Highness has had a hard time, so even if Zhou Kang is not enough to be cool, Xu Fengyen is in fact also Not to mention that Zhou Kang’s reaction is also human nature, just like He Zhonghu’s previous gesture of being the head of the Huaiyang Pass Protectorate, there were some broken words within the Left Cavalry, and many of the young and strong generals didn’t quite understand it, thinking that the old general was too nice to talk to, and that he had cut down on the power of the Left Cavalry, not to mention that it had also degraded the reputation of the Left Cavalry. The reason why Xu Fengyen specially came here, because of a left cavalry infighting storm, Xu Fengyen wants to listen to He Zhonghu’s thoughts, not as a last resort, Qingliang Mountain will not intervene in the affairs of the left cavalry, I believe that Yan Wenluan this trip to come in a hurry, but also a few points to give his old friend backing to the entire Beiliang side riding look at the meaning in the beginning.

Small courtyard four people do not drink wine or tea, He Zhonghu seems to not expect the young feudal king will come to visit, full of surprises, as the real power of the Northern Liang iron horsemen ranked in the top ten characters, He Zhonghu understand the general process of the Dragon’s Eye child plains, know that Xu Fengyen killed the Zojiran iron horsemen Hong Jingyan with his own hands in a great deal of excitement, but also know that Chen Zhi Bao previously came to Huai Yang Pass, so Xu Fengyen in the Council Hall before the words try to speak as briefly and concise as possible, his face is pale! To make the old general feel guilty, always feel that it is the fault of the Liangzhou cavalry, can not afford the cultivation of the great general Xu Snapdragon, in the end, even caused the great general’s first son to do everything himself, even kill people also have to personally on the battlefield, then also want to do what they have to do with the 300,000 iron cavalry in Northern Liang? As an old friend of Yan Wenluan, He Zhonghu of course, there is a layer of hidden identity, the old man used to be a member of the Xu family Fu Long faction, this group of people in the first place to the strategist Zhao Changling as the leader, Chen Zhi Bao as a successor, both the general Xu Snapdragon’s brother-in-law and one of the main generals of the Xu family cavalry Wu Qi, Yan Wenluan, He Zhonghu, etc., belongs to the middle forces, Yao Jian Ye Xizhen, two of the righteous son of the two with them is also very close to the faction of the Xu family Fu Long, which was ridiculed as the inverted dragon system. Ridiculed as the inverted dragon Li Yishan faction, in the overall strength to be much weaker, if not at the last moment is the princess Wu Su clearly state that does not support Xu Snap rebel out of Liyang to rule the river, I’m afraid that there is no Xu family claimed the king of northern Liang said, perhaps now Xu Fengyen is the entire south of the Guangling River, the monarch of the vast territory, but there may be a complete lack of old man’s statement of the border army of northern Liang, because they are all the plotting to lose the death of a dead man. Due to such a layer of difficult to talk about relationship, He Zhonghu to the young king, has been some obscure thoughts, not from the left cavalry within the promotion of the direct line of the next commander-in-chief, but choose outsiders Yu Luan knife to turtledove, late old man may not be no compensation and atonement mentality.

Yan Wenluan, the first person of the Northern Liang infantry army, his face gloomy, straight to the point: “Your Highness, there is something that you must have heard, Li Yanchao that boy is an ungrateful white-eyed wolf, He Zhonghu single-handedly brought him to today’s position, to him more than his own son, just did not give him a left cavalry commander in chief, that boy dares to rebel, thinking of going to the Zhoukang as a deputy! This little son of a bitch is not bad, but his behavior is not good, in the future, he will definitely be used but not used greatly, and he will be given an official position as a vice general of an army!”

Xu Fengyen didn’t really expect that Yan Wenluan who seldom showed his emotions would be so furious, for a while he didn’t know how to respond, rebellion, ingratitude, misbehavior, these words that carry a lot of weight, from the mouth of Yan Wenluan who is one of the few officials in Beiliang, that would almost make any one of Beiliang’s middle and upper level generals have no access to the real power of the high position, in fact Xu Fengyen is not a stranger to the infamous Li Yanchao. One of the four teeth of the northern Liang, with Dian Xiongzou, Wei Fu Cheng and Ning Emei three together, outstanding achievements, in the border army, is in addition to Yan Wenluan Chen Yuntui He Zhongku this set of spring and autumn old man, second only to Liu Yunu a few prima generals, because it is at the time of the fight, is the kind of important generals who can fight for the Xu family for another twenty years of victories and bitter battles, only with the Dragon Elephant Army vice general Li Mo Fan and Youzhou Cao Xiaojiao similar to the character of radical, bullying Proud of things, are notorious prickly characters, mixed reputation, if it is shelved in the Liyang officialdom, belongs to the three days two to three days to be impeached by the Qingliu officials to the death of the role.

He Zhonghu glared at Yan Wenluan, turned his head to Xu Fengnian and said with a bitter smile: ”Your Highness, when it rains, it pours, and when it marries, you can’t stop it, since Zhou Kang has promised to let Li Yanchao take over as the commander in chief of the Right Cavalry Army in the future, let him go, Yanchao, this boy has been fighting in the Left Cavalry for many years, and has made enough military achievements to be able to stand up to this prospect. There’s nothing wrong with people going higher.”

Yan Wenluan some helpless, in fact, not his Li Yanchao this person really have how many eyes, is just thinking of helping He Zhonghu to stir up the topic, by his Yan Wenluan to do the villain, then wipe the face of He Zhonghu next as long as the head can be, Li Yanchao is not not to leave the left cavalry, but absolutely can not help this wind, or else that guy in the hand of the partridge that the hoe may not be planed to fly up? You He Zhonghu is already very sick, do you really want to lie on your deathbed in the future to hear the sad news that the right cavalry is falling apart? Are you really not afraid to die in peace? Yan Wenluan sighed, and He Zhonghu recognized most of his life, the old man is very admirable, but no family, only a few lame old horses, the military with soldiers, with a rambling aunt, treating soldiers like children, eating, drinking, pooping and spoiling in the army, and ordinary soldiers are no different, never half a point of special treatment can be said, so Li Yanchao, these young people, it can be said to be He Zhonghu a handful of shit and a handful of urine from small The young people of Li Yanchao, can be said to be He Zhonghu a handful of shit and urine from the small pawns cultivated into meritorious generals, heard Li Yanchao want to leave the left cavalry, Yan Wenluan how can not be angry in the fire? Clear official difficult to break family affairs, it can be seen, even to the point of father and son against the general separation, He Zhonghu still can not bear to delay Li Yanchao’s career, lest the young king of the clan on Li Yanchao have bad feelings, so that to the right cavalry of the partridge is difficult to promote.

Xu Fengyen pondered for a moment, slowly said: ”To be honest, as long as Li Yanchao remains in Guanwai, whether to serve in the left cavalry or to go to the right cavalry to climb up the ladder, there is no difference for me, furthermore the extreme xenophobic traditions of the left and right cavalry are indeed unfavorable to Beiliang, after all, flowing water does not rot in the household, even if there is no Li Yanchao this matter, I originally wanted to let the left and right cavalry to carry out some generals exchange , when I made a big effort to integrate the three states’ military within Northern Liang, only setting up fourteen actual school captains, but with the first Liang-Mang war on the horizon, I was afraid that too much commotion would lead to an unstable border army, which would affect the war situation, and that’s why I didn’t go ahead and move the Guanwai Border Army.”

Yan Wenluan narrowed that one eye and fell silent.

The reorganization of the border army, Yan Wenluan was not against it.

But the point that makes this Northern Liang infantry commander feel less adaptable is that the young feudal king is so not dragging his feet to put forward in person, especially at this time when the Left Cavalry’s civil unrest is rampant, when He Zhonghu is about to quit the border army due to illness, these words, it appears to be a bit of a stern and chilling feeling.

He Zhonghu is also a heart of emotion, I do not know where to start, the old man is full of disillusionment and despondency, eyes in a trance.

Some of the twilight years of the rich and noble old man, only until the people in the disease, all the thoughts are discouraged, only began to envy the poor and healthy people.

But He Zhonghu is not the same, although he is in the northern Liang border army high power, but no children and grandchildren can inherit the family business, and even in the northern Liang Guan also has no home, and Huaihua General Zhong Hongwu kind of the whole Lingzhou as the backyard of the Spring and Autumn veteran generals, very different.

He Zhonghu’s old and sickly face is the hero’s twilight.

And this kind of inexorable heroic lateness was familiar to Xu Fengyen.

Xu Fengyen and Xu Beihuan left the courtyard, Xu Beihuan frowned.

Xu Fengyen smiled and asked, “Orange, isn’t it strange why I didn’t help He Zhonghu pacify the left cavalry?”

Xu Beihuan glanced back at the courtyard gate, “He Zhonghu is just fine, aren’t you afraid of pissing off Yan Wenluan? Aren’t you afraid that the two old men will think that you’re mean-spirited? Thinking of you as a mean and ungrateful vassal king?”

Xu Fengyen and Xu Beihuan walked side by side in the shadowy alleyway, stretching out a hand against the wall and gently wiping it over, saying as he walked, “Then you’ll think I’m bullying the good old man.”

Xu Beihao snickered, “Isn’t it? Who in the entire Northern Liang Border Army doesn’t know the violent temper of the Jin Partridge, the child who can yell has sugar to eat, that’s why you, the King of Northern Liang, tolerated the Right Cavalry in military affairs. In the end, you are half the culprit for He Zhonghu’s fall to this state.”

Xu Fengnian said some windy words, “Xu Snap used to like to recite a saying that people who are evil are afraid of the sky, and people who are good are not bullied by the sky. I used to think that this kind of axiom is all bullshit, but then I realized that the reason why axioms are axioms is because they really make sense.”

Xu Beihuan laughed, “I knew that you wouldn’t just let He Zhonghu leave the Left Cavalry in a nest like that!”

Xu Fengnian lamented, “I certainly value these talented young foreign generals like Yu Luan Blade Kou Jianghuai Xie Xijian, but for He Zhonghu, these old men of Beiliang who have followed Xu Snapdragon in honor and disgrace, that kind of feeling ……”

Xu Fengnian didn’t continue, but Xu Beihuan could feel that that kind of feeling was probably like just like the elders in his own family.

Xu Beihuan smiled and asked, “In that case?”

Xu Fengnian replied, “Then go and meet Li Yanchao for a while.”

Xu Beihuan hesitated for a moment, but still reminded, “Don’t get carried away, Li Yanchao actually means a very large set of Beiliang border army generals, ambitious, with notable war achievements, bent on climbing upwards, Li Morfan Cao Xiaojiao are all like this, these people are similar and different from Yan Wenluan He Zhonghu, the Xu family’s family business is the great generals and the old men around them who fought for their rivers and mountains, and the more youthful ones Xu Fengnian said, “It is impossible to expect everyone to be as indifferent to fame and fortune as Liu Yunu, and the great war is approaching, it is not a bad thing to be ambitious, you want to splash some cool water, not impossible, but it can’t be made to feel like you are being stripped naked and thrown into the freezing cold.”

Xu Fengnian smiled, “In the past, when I heard books and plays, I could often hear a phrase called ‘chilling the hearts of the generals’, I understand the reasoning.”

Xu Beihao suddenly stared at the guy, “How come it doesn’t sound quite right?”

Xu Fengyen playfully reached out to hook shoulders with Xu Beihuan, fawning, “Still Orange understands me!”

Xu Beiheng broke away and said in a bad mood, “Cool off!”

When the two of them came to another courtyard, there was a young and strong military general who ran from behind them and rushed to the courtyard, maybe it was an emergency situation, he bumped off Xu Beiheit’s shoulder, and after striding up the steps, he didn’t stop and turned his head around to glare at him, but he was silenced when he looked at him, he didn’t recognize Xu Beiheit as the governor of Lingshou but the King of Northern Liang would not recognize him. He did not recognize Xu Beihao, but he would not recognize the King of Northern Liang!

Not waiting for this left cavalry captain to apologize, Xu Fengyen asked with a smile: ”Are you tipping off Li Yanchao? So as to give him a reminder that this king has just been to Old General He’s courtyard?”

The lieutenant was immediately covered in cold sweat, drooping his head, as if he had lost his life.

Xu Fengyen laughed it off, walked up the steps and brushed past this lieutenant, taking the lead to cross the threshold of the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, no less than ten border army generals gathered, not too old, but the title is not small, the stars, surrounded by a general about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, this person is a great figure, even if he sits, there is a sharp temperament.

It is the third vice marshal of the left cavalry Li Yanchao, is the root of the left cavalry origin, reputation is very high, naturally regarded as the future of the left cavalry helmsman candidate.

Li Yang set up four levy four town four flat twelve permanent generals, levy head official body highest, the second grade, and the six ministries of Shangshu comparable, the town word general is from the second grade is the third grade have, the word general is clear is the third grade, according to the reasoning of a feudal king jurisdiction, should not appear comparable enough to the town word head of the general’s title, at most with the word of the general is the level of the word general, such as in charge of the military affairs of a state’s general is the third grade, but in the north of the Liang Road, it’s very interesting! He Zhonghu, Zhou Kang and Gu Dazu, Chen Yuntui, these cavalry and foot marshals, with Yan Wenluan Yuan Zuozong two commanders, are from the second grade generals, only half a step lower than the Northern Liang Du Guo Chu Lushan, so almost all the young and strong generals, are staring at these hot positions, waiting for when their respective old men in the army retired, according to the order of the turn of them to take a step forward, do not say that the Yan Wenluan Yuan Zuozong sitting on the head of the two handles under the buttocks, but also the head of the generals. The first two chairs under the ass of Yan Wenluan Yuan Zuozong, one day as the left and right cavalry commander-in-chief, either to go to the big snow dragon cavalry, or the worst leave the border army as a state general, are good road, so when the new Liang Wang unconventional promotion of some “outsiders”, will undoubtedly make people’s minds fluctuating, especially Yu Luan knife, such as the rapid rise of the rapid rise of the people, Huangfu Ping and Kou Jiangzhong, the new Liang King. Huangfu Ping and Kou Jianghuai, as well as Han Laoshan, took up their respective shares of the three state generals, followed by Shi Fu as the general of Liangzhou, so there is a lot less to look forward to and think about.

After the military generals saw this young feudal king who came to visit, after the shock, all of them rose violently from their chairs and stools unanimously and cupped their fists and said in a deep voice: “The last generals will see the king!”

The left cavalry lieutenant who originally stood behind Xu Fengnian and Xu Beihao with his hands and feet at a loss, also hurriedly trotted to the ranks of his peers, which was a relief.

A military general hurriedly vacated two chairs for the young vassal king, after Xu Fengyen and Xu Beihao sat down, he raised his hand and pressed it downward two times in a false manner, “All of you sit down and talk, today is not a military matter deliberation, there is no need to talk about red tape.”

All the generals after seeing Li Yanchao frankly take his seat, only then carefully each of them sat back to their original position, the two military generals who were robbed of their position stood not far away, one by one, their eyes gleamed, their eyes wide open looking at this legendary new Liang King.

The first eldest son of the People’s Slaughter, a great master of martial arts evaluation.

He had killed Wang Xianzhi and recently killed Hong Jingyan.

Having made a big mess of Tai’an City’s Chintian Supervisor, it was rumored that even those heavenly immortals who came out of the hanging statues, the old ancestors of Longhu Mountain who had already certified their ascension, had all been taken out by this young man in one fell swoop!

What’s more, this easy-going Liyang’s only king with a different surname in front of him has never been ambiguous in the sand, and the battle under Hutou City and the thousand-mile run outside Hulukou are all nail-biting facts.

So even if these generals are the left cavalry in the unruly generation, but in the face of this young feudal king, is really not in awe, and awe, and then there is a heartfelt admiration.

The people of Northern Liang are martial, and the border army emphasizes military service.

The new Liang King led the Northern Liang iron horsemen to win a great victory over the Northern Mang barbarians, Hulukou beheading within the building of the capital view, how exciting!

The more this happens, the more apprehensive everyone here is.

Why the young feudal king will appear in the small courtyard, they know in their hearts, must be running to Li Yanchao left the left cavalry to join the right cavalry.

But who does not know that the Yu Luan knife, the new Liang Wang’s beloved general? Even the noble identity of the vassal king, but also in the new battalion of the Yu Riding hung name. And the origin of this storm, it is the old general recommended Yu Luan knife into the left cavalry!

Li Yanbin looked calm, but the depths of his eyes revealed a strong heart of discontent.

In this deep minded fierce generals view, since the new Liang Wang personally came here, although not yet set out to ask for punishment, but he Li Yanbin will definitely not have good fruit to eat.

With Li Yanbin together with the generals and lieutenants, all for Li Yanbin pinched a cold sweat, lest the young feudal king suddenly turn the other cheek, then they guys how to do? Not to mention that they have the guts to go against the world-famous new king of Liang, even if they have the courage to do so, but is it meaningful?

Even if they have the courage, what’s the point? Is this courtyard enough for the New Liang King?

Xu Fengnian asked with a smile, “Is there any wine here? If so, bring it out.”

Li Yanchao said flatly, “Your Highness, we followed the Lord Commander into Huaiyang Pass this trip and did not bring any wine.”

Xu Fengnian turned his head to Xu Beihuan and said, “Trouble you to make a trip?”

Xu Beihuan nodded and got up to leave the courtyard, naturally going to fight with Chu Lushan.

Xu Fengyen joked after Xu Beihuan left, “Before drinking, there is something to make clear to all of you, in the past, this king once drank once inside Hutou City with Liu Yunu Chu Hanqing Ma Tribulus, these people, and then they all died, are you afraid of it?”

Li Yanchao pursed up his lips, that angular Ying Yi face looking more and more profound.

When the leader Li Yanchao didn’t speak, the atmosphere of the small courtyard was especially dull and gloomy.

Previously bumped Xu Beihao’s lieutenant’s eyeballs turned, snorted out: “To be able to drink with His Majesty, enough for the last general and others to go back to the left cavalry army, and properly brag about it with their subordinates for three to five years, although death is not afraid!”

Xu Fengnian nodded: “Everyone here, not afraid to die in battle, I have no doubt.”

Then Xu Fengnian laughed again, “Our Northern Liang Border Army, not afraid of death is not strange, if there is anyone who is afraid of death, that would be strange, right?”

Once this sentence came out, even Li Yanbin pulled the corners of his mouth with a few knowing smiles. The rest of the military generals even laughed out loud.

Xu Fengyen stopped talking after the joke.

Beiliang King was silent, Li Yanchao followed with silence, then everyone could only obediently watch with their eyes and noses.

Xu Beihuan carried two jars of green ant wine from the capital residence, Xu Fengyen slapped open the clay seal of one jar of wine, there are some cups and bowls in the small courtyard, like Xu Fengyen and Li Yanchao two are definitely divided into large white bowls that hold more wine, the rest of the generals and lieutenants will do as they see fit. Only Xu Beihao had no intention of drinking tea, and no one dared to persuade this wine.

Xu Fengnian raised his wine bowl, “To all of you.”

Li Yanchao and the crowd raised their cups and bowls and shouted, “To His Majesty!”

Xu Fengyen drank it all in one go and did not continue to pour, “After drinking, then this king will casually say a few words, this time to invite you to drink, not to talk about a toast and a fine, but just to take this opportunity to meet you all, this king does not know you all, but if anyone declares their name, this king will be able to tell your biography and military service, these things, whisking the water room spies on the newspaper has long been there, and I am also verbatim are all I’ve read it long ago, it’s even more detailed than the archives of the Huai Yang Guan Capital Palace.”

Xu Fengnian glanced at another unopened altar of green ant wine, and then looked at Li Yanchao, “You feel that there is no hope of climbing up in the left cavalry army, so you want to go to the right cavalry army to earn the war merit to become an army commander, for a military general, there is no fault, and I have just come over from He Zhongshu’s courtyard, and the old general didn’t feel that you can’t afford to be with him, but instead, also advised the king to come here, fearing that the king will give you the best service in the future, and that you will be the one who will be the most important person in the future. Instead, he even advised this king that he was afraid that this king would give you Li Yanchao small shoes in the future.”

Li Yanchao was about to speak.

Xu Fengyen said blandly: “How the old general treats you in these 20 years, you have more experience than me, no need for this king to say anything more, in the hands of Xu Snapdragon, the Beiliang Border Army, only look at the military achievements and do not recognize the body, so you, Li Yanchao, in the left cavalry of He Zhongshu is to kill the enemy, and in the right cavalry of Zhou Kang, the same is to kill the enemy, maybe with the hope of being amongst the commanders in chief, the killing of the enemy will only be more. However, the old general, in the end, still old, just like me Xu Fengnian, the sky is not afraid of the earth, not afraid of anything, but still will be afraid to see Xu Snap’s life in those years of light, walk to the top of Qingliang Mountain have to rest. My father Xu Snapdragon or not, take you as a son He Zhonghu also, wait until they are really old, know things before they will they willingly serve their old age?”

Xu Fengyen asked himself, “That would be when they feel that their sons have excelled before they dare to admit that they are old.”

Xu Fengyen stood up and looked at Li Yanchao and the Left Cavalry crowd, “In that courtyard today, I didn’t see any Northern Liang Left Cavalry commander who had experienced the Spring and Autumn wars, I only saw an old man. That’s why I came here to ask you all to drink an altar of wine, and I also hope that with the remaining altar of wine, you can bring it to ask that old man who is about to leave the sands, to ask him to drink a bowl of it, so that the old man doesn’t leave the border with regrets.”

There was silence.

Li Yanchao silently got up, held up the altar of green ant wine, and walked out of the small courtyard.

In the end, only Xu Fenian and Xu Beihao were left behind.

Xu Beihao sighed, “I had thought you wanted to kill someone.”

Xu Fenian poured himself a bowl of wine and said with a lowered head, “Who said I didn’t want to?”

Xu Beihuan froze for a moment, then laughed, “Give me a bowl as well.”