Chapter 1, Sharpening the Sword (4)
Note 2: The Book of Songs, also known as Shijing, is the foremost of the Five Classics and is essential reading for scholars in ancient times
"It is indeed a good thing, yet even Han Wang's own men do not come to claim it!" Ning Yanzhang murmured as he looked at the various uncles and elders. His voice was too low and was soon swallowed by the tsunami-like cheers.
... ...
But now, in this chaotic time of war, where can one find a legitimate livelihood if not as a mountain bandit? Even the regional governors are merely bandit leaders with slightly greater power! There is essentially no difference between them and those who claim kingship over the mountains
"Stop talking nonsense, the Han Wang is not as you think!" Han Chongyun was taken aback and quickly pushed him, reminding him in a lower yet very urgent voice. "Are you really foolish or just pretending? Such an opportunity is something others can't even beg for. If it weren't for my grandfather having fought alongside Uncle Wu in the Control Crane Army back in the day, how could such good fortune fall upon your Wagangzhai? As long as we drive away the Khitan, the Han Wang can soar to great heights. If it weren't for my grandfather having fought alongside Uncle Wu in the Control Crane Army back in the day, how could such good fortune fall upon your Wagangzhai? As long as we drive away the Khitan, the Han Wang can soar to great heights. Uncle Wu, and several of the leaders here, would all be credited with founding the nation. Even if we cannot be granted titles or positions, at the very least, returning home in glory will not be a problem."
However, he would not share these heartfelt thoughts with Ning Caichen. They originally did not belong to the same stronghold, and it was only by chance last summer that they set up camp together at the Baima Temple on Mount Wagang. In the future, it would be best for them to have no further dealings with each other. After all, when carrying such a large sum of money to purchase land and live in seclusion, the fewer people who know each other's backgrounds, the better.
Staring at Li Tieguai's sharp-tongued mouth all day, he unknowingly became greatly influenced. The words spoken left no room for the other party's feelings. Han Chongjun was immediately left with a flushed face and a damp forehead. Gritting his teeth and gasping for breath several times, he finally, with the intention of not stooping to the level of a foolish boy, slowly explained: "The Han King has been preparing for this day for a long time, so he is naturally confident of victory. You are not unaware of how many heads the Khitan have lost in just the past few months? The Khitan barbarian king Yelü Deguang has only about one hundred thousand soldiers under his command. Even if the Han King cannot defeat him immediately, by continuing to spend money to hire heroes to take heads, he will eventually turn all one hundred thousand Khitan dogs into headless wild ghosts!"
Training a person who has been rendered foolish to take the imperial examination in Jiangnan during the Tang Dynasty seems to him even less realistic than teaching wild boars to climb trees. Rather than expending that energy, it would be better to carefully plan how to make a clean getaway when Wu Laoda returns with the bounty from selling heads, in order to avoid being pursued and killed by Zhao Yanshou's henchmen
Willing to die for Han Wang
"Are you saying that the one who spends money to buy brains is that Han Wang from your family?" Ning Yanzhang suddenly realized at this moment, his eyes wide open as he spoke.
Unable to feel any anger due to his foolish appearance, Han Chongyun stamped his foot and helplessly added, "Of course, it was Han Wang's money; otherwise, which wealthy family would be willing to spend such a large sum?! Hey, did you even listen to what Wu Bo said just now? Didn't he explain everything to you?"
"I was just so happy to come for you that I didn't listen carefully!" Ning Yanzhang scratched the back of his head and said awkwardly. Then, he quickly furrowed his brows and continued, "Why doesn't the Han King continue to buy the heads of Khitan dogs? Why is he in such a hurry to pacify us? I understand now, the Han King is out of money, so he is trying to fool us with his offer of pacification!"
He did not return alone; he was accompanied by his old friend Han Pu, whom Ning Yanzhang had seen about twenty days ago, as well as Han Pu's son, Han Chongyun, a broad-shouldered and sturdy young man. The latter was about the same age as Ning Yanzhang, so he quickly sneaked over and they hid together in a corner, whispering to each other
Why should we be joyful? Is it just to serve your adoptive father and that Han Wang? How do you know he will definitely win in the end? Moreover, war has never been without casualties! Unsatisfied with the arrogance displayed by Han Chongyun in his speech, Ning Yanzhang's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a series of questioning words followed.
As a result, Ning Yanzhang's days became increasingly "difficult". Just after he had memorized the "Thousand Character Classic", he was forced to take on a copy of the "Three Hundred Poems" that he had no idea where it came from. He had only just memorized the first two poems of the "Three Hundred Poems" when, in the blink of an eye, another tattered volume of the "Book of Documents" was added to his morning lessons. If it weren't for the chaos and turmoil outside, with the markets in decline, it wouldn't be surprising if even the "Analects" and the "Mencius" were directly used by Uncle Ning as teaching materials for him. He had only just memorized the first two poems of the "Three Hundred Poems" when, in the blink of an eye, another tattered volume of the "Book of Documents" was added to his morning lessons. If it weren't for the chaos and turmoil outside, with the markets in decline, it wouldn't be surprising if even the "Analects" and the "Mencius" were directly used by Uncle Ning as teaching materials for him.
Note 1: Jiangnan Datang, also known as Nantung, was established by Xu Zhigao. In the year 938, Xu Zhigao changed his name to Li Bian and renamed the state as Tang. Subsequently, the father and son focused on managing the southern regions, and at its peak, they incorporated parts of Hunan and the two Guang provinces into their territory. However, they soon lost these regions and thereafter fell into a state of decline.
The fifth master, Li Tieguai, was momentarily taken aback by the question, biting his lip and left speechless for a while. The martial world is a road of no return; if given a choice, who would willingly become a bandit? No matter how illustrious the reputation or how imposing one may appear in the eyes of peers, raising a son outside the mountains still makes him a thief's child. Generations to come will never be able to stand on a legitimate platform
Ning Yanzhang had lost most of his memory and had no idea which Han Wang Wu Ruofu was referring to. He was even more unaware of the significance of the position of the Six Armies' Commander, which could make the leader feel so honored just to meet him. As for some of the things Wu Ruofu said afterward, such as "Once this mission is successful, the entire stronghold can be incorporated under Han Wang's command, with provisions and the Imperial Guard being equivalent..." he was completely baffled. Therefore, when he saw the young man with the surname Han approaching to speak with him, his attention immediately wandered. He turned his head and lowered his voice to ask, "Is your father a high-ranking official? Did he come here specifically to recruit us?"
The pre-war mobilization led by Wu Ruofu was highly successful. The second-in-command, Ning Caichen, the third-in-command, Xu Yuanju, along with several other leaders, and the various heads of the stronghold were all in high spirits, ready at any moment to charge out of the mountains in pursuit of fame and merit
Oh! Ning Yanzhang seemed to understand but instinctively felt that there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. However, before he could voice his rebuttal, a wave of excited shouts erupted around him, "Willing to serve the Han King unto death! Through mountains of knives and seas of fire, I will never turn back"
Fortunately, the great leader Wu Ruofu returned just in time. Otherwise, Ning Yanzhang would have been forced to "hang his head from the beam and pierce his bones with a awl." On the very first day of the great leader's return, he announced the official end of his "student life." Wagangzhai has secured a major deal, and if it goes smoothly, everyone will no longer be bandits; they may have the opportunity to completely change their fortunes, just like the legendary Cheng Yaojin and Xu Maogong, and even achieve fame that reaches the heavens.
The entire Wagangzhai is immersed in the sweet dream of cleansing identities and changing its facade, wishing only to sleep long and never awaken again
The second-in-command, Ning Caichen, similarly did not expect Li Tieguai to support him. He was originally the son of a wealthy family, but due to the destruction of his home by war, he had no choice but to become a bandit. Since then, many of the ideals he held in his youth have completely turned into mere illusions. Over the past few months, he has always seen his younger self in Xiao Fei. Thus, he is eager to impart all his knowledge and experiences to the latter, allowing him to replace himself and fulfill the regrets of his past.
I heard that the imperial examination has reopened in the Jiangnan region of the Tang Dynasty! As if anticipating the question in Li Tieguai's mind, Ning Caichen withdrew his gaze from Ning Yanzhang and said in a very low voice, "The Li father and son have lowered themselves to associate with the commoners, and many people from the north of the river have been entrusted with important responsibilities. If Xiao Fei has a respectable family background..."
The Han Wang has raised an army, vowing to expel the Khitan beyond the borders. The wealth we previously acquired actually originated entirely from the Han Wang. The person responsible for this matter is the Han Wang's right-hand man, General Chang of the Six Armies. On this occasion, I, Wu, have come out to engage in trade, introduced by an old friend, and I specifically went to pay a visit to General Chang, where we had a very pleasant conversation. After gathering the core members of the stronghold, the leader Wu Ruofu excitedly announced without taking a breath that...
In this light, it becomes clear why Ning Caichen was unwilling to accept Xiao Fei as his godson. It was not out of fear for his own misfortune, but rather a desire to spare Xiao Fei from the infamous reputation of being the son of a mountain bandit. The child does not resemble a bandit at all and possesses a kind heart. He is destined for greater achievements, rather than being burdened with the sins of the previous generation until death.
Willing to die for Han Wang
Note 3: The Six Armies' Chief Commanders are equivalent to the commanders of the imperial guards. During the Five Dynasties, this position would not be granted to anyone who was not a staunch confidant of the military governor. It is often recalled that both Liu Zhiyuan, the later Emperor of the Later Han, and he served as low-ranking soldiers under Li Siyuan in their early years, having shared life-and-death experiences as comrades. Therefore, Liu Zhiyuan always placed great trust in him, fully aware of his rather average abilities, yet he consistently promoted him.
"How could I not see your misfortune?" Li Tieguai could not stand Ning Caichen's constant self-pity and frowned as he scolded him. "Isn't it just a matter of falling into the grass? It's better than being unable to escape and getting killed. Besides, who in the entire Green Forest Path doesn't know that you are the second leader Ning?"
Han Chongyun had met with Ning Yanzhang more than half a month ago and was aware that his head had been struck by an iron hammer. Therefore, he was not angered by his indiscreet remarks. He smiled and responded in a similarly low voice, "He is just a cavalry general, nothing significant! However, my adoptive father, the one they refer to as Lord Chang, has been a trusted elder who has followed the Han King for over twenty years. Thus, whatever he has promised, the Han King will certainly honor it, and you will not be left with empty hopes!"
"Then you must be tired!" Li Tieguai did not expect Ning Caichen to plan so far ahead for Xiao Fei, and was momentarily taken aback, shaking his head with a pout.
Jiangnan Datang is a respectful title for the regime established by the Li family in the south. Since Xu Zhigao changed his name to Li Bian and renamed the country to Tang nine years ago, through the diligent efforts of two generations, its territory has expanded from a corner of Wu to Jingchu and Lingnan. It is not inferior to the peak of the Great Jin. In terms of people's livelihood, it far surpasses the Great Jin in the north. Although it has not yet reached the point where valuables are left on the road and doors are left unlocked at night, it has at least gradually distanced itself from warfare. The military men holding significant power do not dare to act wantonly as they do in the north.
***
With the intention of refining jade from the details, from this moment on, he took Ning Yanzhang's teachings more seriously. If one time was not enough, then he would try twice; if two times were still insufficient, he would try three times, four times, and even up to eighty or ninety times. After all, the recent winds outside were strong, and everyone could not risk being targeted by Zhao Yanshou to go out and "do business." Rather than idling and feeling restless, it was better to focus all his energy on Xiao Fei.
So what? Aren't you also dreaming of washing your hands of it all?" The second-in-command, Ning Caichen, glanced at him and continued to shake his head with a bitter smile. "If there were a choice, who would want to be the son of the mountain bandit?"