The Prefect’s residence in Shangdang is not comparable to grand mansions, and the winter scenery is quite ordinary. The leaves in the backyard have mostly fallen, making it not only desolate but also somewhat chilly. However, Liang Rong is not afraid of this cold. Wearing a lined robe and tying his sleeves, he stands spirited in the courtyard, practicing archery.
In the past few days, due to the great victory, the Chongwen Hall has been on holiday, and there are many affairs in the prefectural government that need to be handled. Liang Rong can’t afford to cause trouble, so he obediently stays in the backyard. Ideally, he should focus on studying and completing his daily assignments. However, these days, even the “Mencius” given by his father is hard to concentrate on for Liang Rong. He spends the whole day recalling what he saw in the rear court. With a clear sand table in front of him, the ambush, enemy enticement, frontline skirmishes, and even the logistics of the food and grass supply routes are vividly understood. It’s like witnessing a great battle firsthand, making it hard for him to calm down.
So, his usual archery practice every three days has turned into a daily routine. He truly wishes he could wield a bow, ride a horse, and join the army in the great battles!
Gripping the bow with one hand, Liang Rong takes a deep breath and forcefully pulls the bowstring. After two years of archery practice, not only does he maintain a proper posture, but his bow-drawing motion is also decisive. However, when the arrow is released, it doesn’t hit the target but flies past the wooden target into the grass behind.
Frowning, Liang Rong, feeling unsatisfied, readies another arrow to try again. However, a voice from behind interrupts him, “Stop shooting, the bow’s strength is not right.”
Hearing this voice, Liang Rong turns around in surprise, “General Yi… Master!”
He didn’t call him “General” but changed it to “Master,” unintentionally narrowing the distance between them. Although Yiyan taught Liang Rong archery, calling him in this manner implies a sense of seeking guidance.
Yiyan doesn’t mind and takes the bow from Liang Rong’s hand, pulling the bowstring, “Did you just switch to this bow?”
Liang Rong blushes, “Indeed.”
He has been practicing archery for a while and felt it was time to switch from the children’s bow to a regular recurve bow, which someone found for him.
“The strength varies. Your arm strength is not enough, using this bow will only mislead your posture. When you can lift a half-stone heavy object, then consider changing this bow,” Yiyan says as he effortlessly releases the arrow, which lands steadily in the bullseye. This sight stirs Liang Rong’s emotions once again.
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Liang Rong has always known that Yiyan is formidable. During his early years in the Liang family, the two spent countless times in the same room. However, at that time, his thoughts were still focused on his father, and he had not personally experienced Yiyan’s strength. This battle in Shangdang has dispelled much of his prejudice, and he even feels a hint of admiration.
Yiyan didn’t expect Liang Rong to be so obedient. He returned the bow and said, “Have you been safe in Shangdang these days? If you find the personal guards useful, you can keep them by your side.”
Taking the bow, Liang Rong blinked, “Personal guards? Aren’t they sent by Father?”
Wasn’t it because Father cared about him that he sent people to guard him?
Yiyan couldn’t guess Liang Rong’s small thoughts, “These are all my personal guards. The lord entrusted you to me, so I naturally have to protect you thoroughly.”
Upon hearing this, Liang Rong felt a strange feeling in his heart. Father really trusts the person in front of him; otherwise, he wouldn’t say such words. And this person sent personal guards to protect him? Personal guards are the elite of the military. Even a commander of Yiyan’s rank wouldn’t have too many personal guards. A commander heading to the battlefield needs personal guards more than a child like him who stays in the safety of the city. Shaking his head, Liang Rong whispered, “I didn’t know they were your guards. I’m fine in the prefectural government. Please, Master Yi, take back the personal guards.”
Now Yiyan also sensed that something was wrong. He looked at the little guy who was becoming more and more like the lord and, for a rare moment, softened his tone, “It’s okay. I still need to stay in Shangdang for a while. When I leave, I will ask the lord for permission.”
Liang Rong replied with a sound, and the two fell silent.
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Seeing Liang Rong’s somewhat disheartened look, Yiyan sighed inwardly and spoke again, “I heard from Prefect Cui that you’ve been following the news of the battles these days?”
This was something Liang Rong had been thinking about all along. He couldn’t help but perk up, “Did you really shoot and kill the enemy’s commander with one arrow?”
“Exactly,” Yiyan said.
“But didn’t that commander wear Bright Light Armor? Or did you shoot him in the face?” Liang Rong hurriedly asked.
“I used a three-stone bow and broke through his chest armor,” Yiyan answered succinctly.
Liang Rong’s eyes widened, and he took a deep breath, “Can it really penetrate armor?”
“General Li could shoot arrows into stone back in the day, so penetrating armor naturally isn’t difficult,” Yiyan rarely cited the story of Li Guang.
To his surprise, Liang Rong also understood and showed more curiosity, “So, did the enemy commander not have personal guards? Or did you charge directly at him?”
“He fell into an ambush. After the enemy troops broke, I led the team to surround and forced him into a trap.”
“What if they didn’t escape from that path? Wouldn’t the ambush be in vain?”
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“In the chaos of fleeing soldiers, there’s no time to think. As long as you chase properly, you can always force the prey into a dead end.”
“How do you make their troops panic and flee?”
Facing these incessant questions, Yiyan felt somewhat speechless. He didn’t like boasting about military achievements in front of others, but this barrage of questions reminded him of his younger self. Was he once like this in the eyes of the lord?
Breaking a twig, Yiyan casually drew a grass sketch on the ground, “The two armies were less than three li apart. As long as we block the enemy’s main force here, hold them for about two quarters, and then use cavalry to charge the formation…”
Liang Rong didn’t expect that this stern-faced general would actually draw diagrams to explain military strategies to him. However, for the young lad who had just experienced a major battle, it was difficult to resist. Especially when listening to someone experienced in warfare explaining the key points of troop movements and formations, it was truly fascinating! Any lingering awkwardness was thrown out of the window, and Liang Rong stood on the side, eagerly absorbing this rare lesson in military tactics.
※
“Boyuan also sent Liu Cong’s head?” Hearing this, Liang Feng couldn’t help but smile. However, after the laughter, he was struck by a fit of violent coughing.
These days, the temperature had been dropping, and his body was deteriorating. It was estimated that the strain from defending the city, coupled with the lingering effects of the Cold Food antidote, had damaged his foundation, triggering the onset of a cold syndrome. Due to this, he was ordered by Jiang Da and others to lie on the couch, and they even set up a silver-threaded charcoal heater, providing him with warm soups and medicines to nurture his weakened body, albeit with limited success.
This victory news truly lifted his spirits. The relief of the siege in Shangdang and the killing of Liu Yuan’s beloved son – how could it not be a cause for celebration?
“This victory, with over ten thousand enemies slain, is truly a great triumph. However, the defenders in Gaodu suffered considerable losses, with nine hundred casualties and many wounded,” reported Duan Qin on the side.
“It was a hard-fought battle…” Liang Feng sighed, “Compensation must be issued promptly. The defenses in Shangdang cannot be relaxed. Liu Yuan suffered such a significant loss; who knows how he might react in the future? In the areas suitable for winter farming, we must cultivate quickly so that we can continue to accommodate the refugees next year… *cough cough cough~*”
Before finishing his sentence, Liang Feng began coughing again. Qing Mei quickly pounded his back and offered him soup, hoping to make her lord more comfortable.
Zhang Bin on the side couldn’t help but frown, saying, “Lord, take good care of your health. We can handle these trivial matters. No need for you to bother.”
After taking a sip of sweet soup, easing the itch in his throat, Liang Feng said, “I’ve been lying down for more than ten days. Taking care of some official matters will do me good. By the way, this time, we must acknowledge the merits of Tuoba Xianbei. The matter of land grants should not be delayed any longer.”
Tuoba Yulu’s stance was also mentioned in Yiyan’s letter. This battle was hard-fought and showcased various strategies, revealing the cards held by Shangdang. How could Tuoba Yilu, as an ally, ignore this? He might inform his uncle when he returns. This tiger needed to be moved around a bit and not allowed to be too leisurely.
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Zhang Bin nodded, casually asking, “What about Liu Cong’s head? How should it be handled?”
Liang Feng paused for a moment. Indeed, this was a problem. In these times, hanging the head of a rebel general on the city wall was not uncommon. However, Liu Cong was Liu Yuan’s beloved son. If the disposition was too extreme, it might provoke a full-scale invasion by the Xiongnu. On the other hand, sending the head packaged back to Liu Yuan was also not suitable. Leaving aside the ongoing conflict between the two nations, it might be seen as a provocation.
After just a moment of contemplation, he suddenly smiled, “Naturally, it should be sent to Luoyang along with the victory news.”
Liu Cong was the enemy general, and presenting his head was not unusual; it was the best way to show merit. At the same time, this dilemma was thrown into the hands of the court. Liu Cong was originally a general conferred by the court. How to deal with him would be decided in Luoyang Palace. As for who exactly held sway in Luoyang Palace, that would be another matter.
Zhang Bin smiled subtly and bowed, “I will ensure that it is handled appropriately for my lord.”
This was also the answer he most wanted to hear. Since the request for provisions, the lord had come to realize the effectiveness of these subtle methods. Politics was not as straightforward as warfare; it was more like a surging undercurrent. Without the ability to strategize and calculate, one was bound to run into trouble sooner or later. However, Liang Zixi’s intelligence was exceptional, surpassing all expectations.
Ah, this person was excellent in every aspect, but unfortunately, his health was frail. The founding ruler of a nation couldn’t afford to be short-lived. Fortunately, the lord had a Buddhist name, and with a trusted and undefeated confidant like Yiyan, he followed orders without question. Otherwise, this weak physique alone would be enough to jeopardize the foundation.
Thinking of this, Zhang Bin continued, “The siege of Shangdang is temporarily lifted, and we should start garrisoning Jinyang. This time, the lord should consider using Linghu Kuang or Li Jun and others.”
Was this a suggestion to cultivate other commanders? Liang Feng’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t refute. Leading an army under Yiyan’s command when controlling just a county was not a mistake. However, when governing a whole province, the number of commanders had to increase in hierarchy. There needed to be several commanders capable of directing battles at the county level at least. This not only involved power division but also strategic balance. It might even require balancing various factions later on…
“Let’s use Li Jun.” Soon after, Liang Feng arrived at an answer.
Zhang Bin nodded in agreement. Although Linghu Kuang was obedient, his foundation was in the Linghu clan. To avoid further expansion of the Linghu lineage, promoting Li Jun, a commander with no significant background, was the best solution.
Duan Qin also understood the implied meaning in Zhang Bin’s words and sighed lightly, “The lord should also reward General Yiyan properly.”
He understood the tension that had existed between the lord and Yiyan for a while. Delegating authority was necessary, but it shouldn’t alienate the followers of the Liang family.
“Naturally,” Liang Feng said, rubbing his temples with his hand. Finally, fatigue showed on his face.
Seeing this, Duan Qin and Zhang Bin quickly handled the official business and left. Liang Feng pushed aside the tea offered by Qing Mei. Yiyan still needed to stay in Shangdang for some time. When the situation stabilized, they could summon him back. And as for Rong’er, they had to gather together for the New Year…
As if striking a chord deep within, Liang Feng let out a long sigh, leaning against the table.
Author’s message:
Wait a moment, why is there still sympathy for Liu Cong?
Among the various chieftains who declared themselves emperors during the era of the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms, there were not many reliable ones. Otherwise, each of them wouldn’t struggle to secure their rule.
A few snippets about Liu Cong from Baidu:
Liu Cong was valiant and exceptional, well-versed in history and classics, and adept at writing. During his reign, he successfully attacked and captured Luoyang and Chang’an, capturing and killing Jin Huai Emperor and Jin Min Emperor, overthrowing the political power of Western Jin and expanding the territory extensively. Politically, he established a system of governance that divided rule between the Hu and Han ethnicities. However, he also conducted widespread massacres, favored eunuchs like Jin Zhun, and in the later stages of his rule, neglected state affairs, indulging in pleasures.
This extraordinary figure who had four empresses concurrently… really, there’s no need for sympathy… _(:з」∠)_
The Prefect’s residence in Shangdang is not comparable to grand mansions, and the winter scenery is quite ordinary. The leaves in the backyard have mostly fallen, making it not only desolate but also somewhat chilly. However, Liang Rong is not afraid of this cold. Wearing a lined robe and tying his sleeves, he stands spirited in the courtyard, practicing archery.
In the past few days, due to the great victory, the Chongwen Hall has been on holiday, and there are many affairs in the prefectural government that need to be handled. Liang Rong can’t afford to cause trouble, so he obediently stays in the backyard. Ideally, he should focus on studying and completing his daily assignments. However, these days, even the “Mencius” given by his father is hard to concentrate on for Liang Rong. He spends the whole day recalling what he saw in the rear court. With a clear sand table in front of him, the ambush, enemy enticement, frontline skirmishes, and even the logistics of the food and grass supply routes are vividly understood. It’s like witnessing a great battle firsthand, making it hard for him to calm down.
So, his usual archery practice every three days has turned into a daily routine. He truly wishes he could wield a bow, ride a horse, and join the army in the great battles!
Gripping the bow with one hand, Liang Rong takes a deep breath and forcefully pulls the bowstring. After two years of archery practice, not only does he maintain a proper posture, but his bow-drawing motion is also decisive. However, when the arrow is released, it doesn’t hit the target but flies past the wooden target into the grass behind.
Frowning, Liang Rong, feeling unsatisfied, readies another arrow to try again. However, a voice from behind interrupts him, “Stop shooting, the bow’s strength is not right.”
Hearing this voice, Liang Rong turns around in surprise, “General Yi… Master!”
He didn’t call him “General” but changed it to “Master,” unintentionally narrowing the distance between them. Although Yiyan taught Liang Rong archery, calling him in this manner implies a sense of seeking guidance.
Yiyan doesn’t mind and takes the bow from Liang Rong’s hand, pulling the bowstring, “Did you just switch to this bow?”
Liang Rong blushes, “Indeed.”
He has been practicing archery for a while and felt it was time to switch from the children’s bow to a regular recurve bow, which someone found for him.
“The strength varies. Your arm strength is not enough, using this bow will only mislead your posture. When you can lift a half-stone heavy object, then consider changing this bow,” Yiyan says as he effortlessly releases the arrow, which lands steadily in the bullseye. This sight stirs Liang Rong’s emotions once again.
Advertisement
Liang Rong has always known that Yiyan is formidable. During his early years in the Liang family, the two spent countless times in the same room. However, at that time, his thoughts were still focused on his father, and he had not personally experienced Yiyan’s strength. This battle in Shangdang has dispelled much of his prejudice, and he even feels a hint of admiration.
Yiyan didn’t expect Liang Rong to be so obedient. He returned the bow and said, “Have you been safe in Shangdang these days? If you find the personal guards useful, you can keep them by your side.”
Taking the bow, Liang Rong blinked, “Personal guards? Aren’t they sent by Father?”
Wasn’t it because Father cared about him that he sent people to guard him?
Yiyan couldn’t guess Liang Rong’s small thoughts, “These are all my personal guards. The lord entrusted you to me, so I naturally have to protect you thoroughly.”
Upon hearing this, Liang Rong felt a strange feeling in his heart. Father really trusts the person in front of him; otherwise, he wouldn’t say such words. And this person sent personal guards to protect him? Personal guards are the elite of the military. Even a commander of Yiyan’s rank wouldn’t have too many personal guards. A commander heading to the battlefield needs personal guards more than a child like him who stays in the safety of the city. Shaking his head, Liang Rong whispered, “I didn’t know they were your guards. I’m fine in the prefectural government. Please, Master Yi, take back the personal guards.”
Now Yiyan also sensed that something was wrong. He looked at the little guy who was becoming more and more like the lord and, for a rare moment, softened his tone, “It’s okay. I still need to stay in Shangdang for a while. When I leave, I will ask the lord for permission.”
Liang Rong replied with a sound, and the two fell silent.
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Seeing Liang Rong’s somewhat disheartened look, Yiyan sighed inwardly and spoke again, “I heard from Prefect Cui that you’ve been following the news of the battles these days?”
This was something Liang Rong had been thinking about all along. He couldn’t help but perk up, “Did you really shoot and kill the enemy’s commander with one arrow?”
“Exactly,” Yiyan said.
“But didn’t that commander wear Bright Light Armor? Or did you shoot him in the face?” Liang Rong hurriedly asked.
“I used a three-stone bow and broke through his chest armor,” Yiyan answered succinctly.
Liang Rong’s eyes widened, and he took a deep breath, “Can it really penetrate armor?”
“General Li could shoot arrows into stone back in the day, so penetrating armor naturally isn’t difficult,” Yiyan rarely cited the story of Li Guang.
To his surprise, Liang Rong also understood and showed more curiosity, “So, did the enemy commander not have personal guards? Or did you charge directly at him?”
“He fell into an ambush. After the enemy troops broke, I led the team to surround and forced him into a trap.”
“What if they didn’t escape from that path? Wouldn’t the ambush be in vain?”
Advertisement
“In the chaos of fleeing soldiers, there’s no time to think. As long as you chase properly, you can always force the prey into a dead end.”
“How do you make their troops panic and flee?”
Facing these incessant questions, Yiyan felt somewhat speechless. He didn’t like boasting about military achievements in front of others, but this barrage of questions reminded him of his younger self. Was he once like this in the eyes of the lord?
Breaking a twig, Yiyan casually drew a grass sketch on the ground, “The two armies were less than three li apart. As long as we block the enemy’s main force here, hold them for about two quarters, and then use cavalry to charge the formation…”
Liang Rong didn’t expect that this stern-faced general would actually draw diagrams to explain military strategies to him. However, for the young lad who had just experienced a major battle, it was difficult to resist. Especially when listening to someone experienced in warfare explaining the key points of troop movements and formations, it was truly fascinating! Any lingering awkwardness was thrown out of the window, and Liang Rong stood on the side, eagerly absorbing this rare lesson in military tactics.
※
“Boyuan also sent Liu Cong’s head?” Hearing this, Liang Feng couldn’t help but smile. However, after the laughter, he was struck by a fit of violent coughing.
These days, the temperature had been dropping, and his body was deteriorating. It was estimated that the strain from defending the city, coupled with the lingering effects of the Cold Food antidote, had damaged his foundation, triggering the onset of a cold syndrome. Due to this, he was ordered by Jiang Da and others to lie on the couch, and they even set up a silver-threaded charcoal heater, providing him with warm soups and medicines to nurture his weakened body, albeit with limited success.
This victory news truly lifted his spirits. The relief of the siege in Shangdang and the killing of Liu Yuan’s beloved son – how could it not be a cause for celebration?
“This victory, with over ten thousand enemies slain, is truly a great triumph. However, the defenders in Gaodu suffered considerable losses, with nine hundred casualties and many wounded,” reported Duan Qin on the side.
“It was a hard-fought battle…” Liang Feng sighed, “Compensation must be issued promptly. The defenses in Shangdang cannot be relaxed. Liu Yuan suffered such a significant loss; who knows how he might react in the future? In the areas suitable for winter farming, we must cultivate quickly so that we can continue to accommodate the refugees next year… *cough cough cough~*”
Before finishing his sentence, Liang Feng began coughing again. Qing Mei quickly pounded his back and offered him soup, hoping to make her lord more comfortable.
Zhang Bin on the side couldn’t help but frown, saying, “Lord, take good care of your health. We can handle these trivial matters. No need for you to bother.”
After taking a sip of sweet soup, easing the itch in his throat, Liang Feng said, “I’ve been lying down for more than ten days. Taking care of some official matters will do me good. By the way, this time, we must acknowledge the merits of Tuoba Xianbei. The matter of land grants should not be delayed any longer.”
Tuoba Yulu’s stance was also mentioned in Yiyan’s letter. This battle was hard-fought and showcased various strategies, revealing the cards held by Shangdang. How could Tuoba Yilu, as an ally, ignore this? He might inform his uncle when he returns. This tiger needed to be moved around a bit and not allowed to be too leisurely.
Advertisement
Zhang Bin nodded, casually asking, “What about Liu Cong’s head? How should it be handled?”
Liang Feng paused for a moment. Indeed, this was a problem. In these times, hanging the head of a rebel general on the city wall was not uncommon. However, Liu Cong was Liu Yuan’s beloved son. If the disposition was too extreme, it might provoke a full-scale invasion by the Xiongnu. On the other hand, sending the head packaged back to Liu Yuan was also not suitable. Leaving aside the ongoing conflict between the two nations, it might be seen as a provocation.
After just a moment of contemplation, he suddenly smiled, “Naturally, it should be sent to Luoyang along with the victory news.”
Liu Cong was the enemy general, and presenting his head was not unusual; it was the best way to show merit. At the same time, this dilemma was thrown into the hands of the court. Liu Cong was originally a general conferred by the court. How to deal with him would be decided in Luoyang Palace. As for who exactly held sway in Luoyang Palace, that would be another matter.
Zhang Bin smiled subtly and bowed, “I will ensure that it is handled appropriately for my lord.”
This was also the answer he most wanted to hear. Since the request for provisions, the lord had come to realize the effectiveness of these subtle methods. Politics was not as straightforward as warfare; it was more like a surging undercurrent. Without the ability to strategize and calculate, one was bound to run into trouble sooner or later. However, Liang Zixi’s intelligence was exceptional, surpassing all expectations.
Ah, this person was excellent in every aspect, but unfortunately, his health was frail. The founding ruler of a nation couldn’t afford to be short-lived. Fortunately, the lord had a Buddhist name, and with a trusted and undefeated confidant like Yiyan, he followed orders without question. Otherwise, this weak physique alone would be enough to jeopardize the foundation.
Thinking of this, Zhang Bin continued, “The siege of Shangdang is temporarily lifted, and we should start garrisoning Jinyang. This time, the lord should consider using Linghu Kuang or Li Jun and others.”
Was this a suggestion to cultivate other commanders? Liang Feng’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t refute. Leading an army under Yiyan’s command when controlling just a county was not a mistake. However, when governing a whole province, the number of commanders had to increase in hierarchy. There needed to be several commanders capable of directing battles at the county level at least. This not only involved power division but also strategic balance. It might even require balancing various factions later on…
“Let’s use Li Jun.” Soon after, Liang Feng arrived at an answer.
Zhang Bin nodded in agreement. Although Linghu Kuang was obedient, his foundation was in the Linghu clan. To avoid further expansion of the Linghu lineage, promoting Li Jun, a commander with no significant background, was the best solution.
Duan Qin also understood the implied meaning in Zhang Bin’s words and sighed lightly, “The lord should also reward General Yiyan properly.”
He understood the tension that had existed between the lord and Yiyan for a while. Delegating authority was necessary, but it shouldn’t alienate the followers of the Liang family.
“Naturally,” Liang Feng said, rubbing his temples with his hand. Finally, fatigue showed on his face.
Seeing this, Duan Qin and Zhang Bin quickly handled the official business and left. Liang Feng pushed aside the tea offered by Qing Mei. Yiyan still needed to stay in Shangdang for some time. When the situation stabilized, they could summon him back. And as for Rong’er, they had to gather together for the New Year…
As if striking a chord deep within, Liang Feng let out a long sigh, leaning against the table.
Author’s message:
Wait a moment, why is there still sympathy for Liu Cong?
Among the various chieftains who declared themselves emperors during the era of the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms, there were not many reliable ones. Otherwise, each of them wouldn’t struggle to secure their rule.
A few snippets about Liu Cong from Baidu:
Liu Cong was valiant and exceptional, well-versed in history and classics, and adept at writing. During his reign, he successfully attacked and captured Luoyang and Chang’an, capturing and killing Jin Huai Emperor and Jin Min Emperor, overthrowing the political power of Western Jin and expanding the territory extensively. Politically, he established a system of governance that divided rule between the Hu and Han ethnicities. However, he also conducted widespread massacres, favored eunuchs like Jin Zhun, and in the later stages of his rule, neglected state affairs, indulging in pleasures.
This extraordinary figure who had four empresses concurrently… really, there’s no need for sympathy… _(:з」∠)_
