Chapter 3

She rampages through the capital on ordinary days, relying on the audacity of the Xu family, not expecting that such boldness would be applied in this manner! Indeed, she is a member of the Xu family!

Everyone detected the tone of disbelief in those words and all chose to remain silent on the matter

She let out a sound of realization; it turned out that the handkerchief Fifth Brother gave to Fourth Sister had this meaning. Fourth Sister, not understanding its significance, passed it on to her. Fifth Brother would surely be disappointed, but... she had already used it and did not really want to return it

"Are you sure you want to give it to me?" she asked Fourth Sister. "Don't you want it?"

"Who would know about such trivial matters?" the official said dismissively

She let out a sound of realization, thought for a moment, and said: "The enemy is using fire from the advantageous position, and our forces are being attacked from behind. At this moment, dispersing our troops and blindly fleeing will only lead to certain death."

However, miss, it has always been the case that others come to our residence to bow and apologize; when have we ever endured humiliation in silence

Three hundred years ago, the general of the Western Xuan Yin realm appeared in the world. Why did he not engage in battle with the Great Wei, but instead allowed the Great Wei to attack Beitang and Nanlin?

Her heart skipped a beat, and she moved away as if nothing had happened

The owner of the establishment is correct. Regardless of whether General Xu is the commander, in our hearts, they have devoted their entire lives to guarding Nanlin, which allows us to freely express our opinions here, discussing the past and present, ensuring our peaceful lives. For this reason, we respect them from the bottom of our hearts. He paid no attention to Fang Sanlang's displeased expression and continued: "It is said that the Western Xuan Yin soldiers travel the path of the underworld. Historically, there have been instances where the Western Xuan Yin soldiers annihilated two hundred thousand enemy troops in the valleys without leaving a single survivor. However, the number of these soldiers at that time is unknown; how they killed is also unknown, and even the corpses were shattered, with not a single complete body. Thus, it is said in unofficial histories that whenever the Western Xuan Yin soldiers appear, war is sure to follow. Fortunately, the general of the underworld died young, preventing the suffering of all living beings in the world at that time." He added: "It is said that the Western Xuan Yin soldiers travel the path of the underworld. Historically, there have been instances where the Western Xuan Yin soldiers annihilated two hundred thousand enemy troops in the valleys without leaving a single survivor. However, the number of these soldiers at that time is unknown; how they killed is also unknown, and even the corpses were shattered, with not a single complete body. Thus, it is said in unofficial histories that whenever the Western Xuan Yin soldiers appear, war is sure to follow. Fortunately, the general of the underworld died young, preventing the suffering of all living beings in the world at that time."

He listened absentmindedly to the officials from Nanlin introducing the local customs and culture, while thinking about the deeply impressive figure of the woman he had just seen

In the end, she stepped back in shock. Why was this person looking at her with such intense gaze

If ... . ... If such a king and his subjects could be reset in his small country, it would truly be a blessing for the nation

It truly makes Lord Li laugh.

The Bachelor Pavilion consists of three floors. The first floor serves as a hall, while the second and third floors are arched and hollow, each containing seven to eight small rooms, providing a quiet space for literati who wish to discuss various topics.

The Bachelor Hall has opened in the past two years in a prime location in the capital, and the owner is a renowned scholar. The term "scholar" transcends national boundaries, referring to exceptionally talented individuals with high intelligence and specialized skills. Once these individuals become scholars, their country of origin becomes ambiguous; they can choose to settle in any country but cannot serve or act as advocates for any specific nation. Should their country of birth be destroyed one day, they may preserve their lives under the title of scholar and leave freely. Once these individuals become scholars, their country of origin becomes ambiguous; they can choose to settle in any country but cannot serve or act as advocates for any specific nation. Should their country of birth be destroyed one day, they may preserve their lives under the title of scholar and leave freely

Sending blessings ... ... Sending blessings. ... ... This warm stone is an item of the Great Wei, a place where Fifth Brother once visited. Her eyes were misty; if she could obtain this warm stone herself, could she not also pretend that she had been to the Great Wei? That she had stayed in the same place as Fifth Brother?

My mood has relaxed, and the corners of my mouth have lifted

She slightly raised her gaze, landing on the second floor

The resolution of the non-issue is not mere rhetoric

She listened to a stick of incense, finding it utterly uninteresting; the fanciful ideas of these people had no solid foundation. Just as she was about to quietly leave, Jie Fei also seemed to understand that the people present today had no good insights. He intentionally sought to end the topic and said with a smile:

There are two copies; it was Fifth Brother who suddenly thought of her and casually brought one back. She thinks that her life is not a failure, right? As for the one copy, it was all that Fourth Sister did not want, which is why it ended up with her

It turns out that Xu Liu, despite being so young, possesses a heart for the nation and even dares to wear armor into the palace

She still possesses a certain level of self-awareness. Before the age of twelve, she would cling to others, eager to see if there was anything to be given to her. Now, however, if it is hers, she will take it; if it is not, she will not insist.

A smile curved at the corners of her lips as she thought that he was already in his twenties this year. It would not be long before he returned to Nanlin to marry Fourth Sister. Although there was a slight sense of distance, she still needed to consider what gift to present as a congratulation.

She carefully extended her slender white fingertip to gently touch the warm stone, softly exclaiming: "Indeed, it is warm."

She should be grateful that her fourth sister has no particular needs or preferences on a daily basis, which has allowed her, a girl who has not seen much of the world, to obtain some good things

It is me. He did not look at her, but directly used five-tenths of his strength to grip the fist that was aimed at her chest, and with a squeeze, it made a cracking sound

The southern kingdom has only one empress, unlike other nations that boast thousands of beautiful women in their harem. If the King of Xia ascends to the throne, his family's young lady will surely become the mother of the nation. Even if the Great Phoenix Princess were to ascend, and the King of Xia were to take other concubines, his family's young lady would still be the primary wife, and the Xu family would ultimately have to bow to her. Not to mention that Xu Liu, who holds no official position.

The reappearance of the Great Wei Golden Blade signifies the time of the unification of the Four Nations—thus the myth of Great Wei is maliciously circulated.

What if Fifth Brother asks her how she is?

Suddenly, he rushed forward and snatched the embroidered handkerchief. With a tearing sound, the handkerchief was ripped in half, with the other half tightly held in her hand

Everyone is delighted, she thought, but she is afraid that by calling out at night, she might inadvertently summon Fifth Sister back to Fourth Sister.

As she walked to a corner, he happened to turn towards the hall and they came face to face

The ruler of Nanlin, weak and ineffectual, cowered in the palace while the officials led the Nanlin army in a bloody battle. Ultimately, although Nanlin lost some territory and signed a ceasefire agreement, it at least managed to hold onto important cities, preventing its complete annihilation from history. The people of Nanlin were spared from becoming the inferior subjects of another nation, forever unable to rise again.

"Fang Twelve, you foul-mouthed bastard, do not speak of my father and brothers in such a manner!" She scolded fiercely and began to fight with him in front of the academy.

The Xu family, led by Xu Jialing, is held in high esteem; regardless of which member of the Xu family one encounters in the capital, they are always treated with three parts of respect. However, to speak with a clear conscience and say that Xu Liu is a dragon among men...

So it is. Li Mo appeared calm and indifferent on the surface, but deep down he longed to rush to the highest point of the southern capital and shout at these ignorant commoners:

Xu Liefeng was stunned, staring blankly at the half of the handkerchief in her hand that only had a red thread bat left. Then, her hands trembled, she gritted her teeth, and lunged at Fang Twelve.

What?

I do not need it

In the hall, some people showed surprise upon hearing these words. "Why does the host say this? His Majesty often summons Xu Liu into the palace to joke and relieve boredom because he is fond of him; does this also count as a dragon among men?"

The country of barbarians, even the tea is not as good as that of Nanlin. She glared at him resentfully and said: "This kind of tea could force a criminal to confess! It is simply incomparable to that of Nanlin!"

She gazed into his beautiful eyes, unknowingly drawn to the small beauty mark beneath his eye. Jie Fei felt a slight surprise; this was the first time a girl was not looking at his appearance, but rather at that tiny beauty mark.

In fact, Fifth Brother's approach to winning Fourth Sister's favor is truly misguided; how can he possibly marry Fourth Sister in this manner

Immediately following, she felt something was amiss. What nationality is this Jiefei exactly? This seemingly simple flattery, coming from a scholar specialized in military affairs, is indeed a supreme honor for those literati who idolize scholars. In the future, these literati might very well rush towards the national military affairs, could this be considered as this person intentionally guiding their attention towards the military in the south?

According to historical records, Xu Zhi, a scholar of the Western Xuan, ultimately chose to pledge allegiance to the Western Xuan. It was said that she should have been stripped of her title as a scholar; however, due to her significant contributions and remarkable reputation, she remains the only individual from the Western Xuan in history to retain the title of scholar despite the exceptional circumstances.

"Excuse me, excuse me!" This female knight is approximately sixteen or seventeen years old, and her horsemanship is exceptional. The common people on the street often do not react in time to avoid her, as the horse glides past like a slippery fish.

A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd, accompanied by continuous exclamations of wonder

Xu Liefeng did not understand why he had to assist her, but in the midst of this tugging, the embroidered handkerchief at her waist fell to the ground. She was startled and immediately abandoned the thought of reclaiming the warm stone, deciding instead to retrieve her bat-embroidered handkerchief first

"A stick of incense." He replied hoarsely

She widened her eyes. It turns out that the owner of the establishment is someone else, so why the concealment? Is that Xixuan tea also brought by this Jiefei? It is so bitter, yet he actually brought it all the way from Nanjin? This person is truly boring

Then, she shamelessly accepted it, without even looking at what Fifth Brother had written in the letter or whether he had sent anything else.

Xu Liefeng responded with a sound, took a sip, and spat it all on the ground. "So bitter!"

Do you feel that after getting rid of Anu, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief

Is the Xu surname associated with the Xu people

Miss Liu is a member of the Xu family, so she naturally thinks that everything about Nanlin is excellent

Now she cannot soar like an eagle in the sky, freely overlooking the world, but she can continuously expand her little well a bit. Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, her well, regardless of its size, is merely a well, but in her heart, a slightly larger well is always more pleasing to the eye

Send us the Xu family members you do not want! You extravagant and unappreciative people of Nanlin! We are willing to offer the most beautiful princess to Xu Wu!

Xu Liefeng, in a vague state of mind, had this thought, and then he heard him call for a servant to bring an item, addressing everyone present:

The official from Nanlin sighed softly: "The glory of the past, the glory of the past. Now Xu Wu is merely an ordinary youth; although he has traveled abroad, he is still somewhat better than the daughters of the Xu family. Now, who knows where he is wandering? With his appearance, it is truly difficult for him to find a wife in the capital of Nanlin!"

Thus, the Southern Lin dynasty, with the Xu family serving as generals for generations, appointed outstanding individuals as commanders to guard the borders. They withdrew the three thousand beauties from the imperial harem, emulating the Great Wei's Emperor Tiande, who took only one empress. Although they did not adopt the dual-king system together, each generation of emperors earnestly followed this practice. To this day, Southern Lin still maintains one king and one queen, whereas in Great Wei, apart from Emperor Tiande and Empress Jindao, no other emperor has adhered to the ancestral teachings of Great Wei by following the system of having only one empress.

A trivial matter? Li Mo was once again shaken. If his country had such a divine rider, they would have long since compelled her to pledge allegiance to the nation, even if it meant just being a coach. If she could train cavalry like herself, their small nation might be able to protect their homeland on their own, without having to cautiously align themselves with these great powers

He cannot soar in Nanlin, but in other countries, he will surely be able to showcase his talents... Other countries will not be like Nanlin, only focusing on status and appearance

She wanted this thing, very much so. She stood up straight and tilted her head, pondering for a moment. The second volume of Fifth Brother's "Changmu Military Strategy" did not mention the technique of fire attack either, making it impossible for her to cheat. In fact, the second volume of "Changmu Military Strategy" was merely the second part, with more to follow, but Fifth Brother had stopped writing, merely stating, "My status is not suitable; writing would be of no use."

The Western Xuan army? Someone on the first floor said: "Nanlin is connected to the Great Wei on the east, and to the small state of Zhou in the northwest. Directly above the small state of Zhou is Western Xuan. The terrain of the small state of Zhou is narrow and elongated, which allows Nanlin and Western Xuan to gaze at each other from a distance. The first volume of 'Changmu Military Strategy' mentioned that if Western Xuan intends to attack Nanlin, it will certainly not take the route through the Great Wei, but will instead choose the path through the small state of Zhou."

Indeed. She is Xu Liefeng, the daughter of the Xu family from Nanlin. The official sitting with him smiled wryly, unsure whether to express a hint of embarrassment.

Xu Liefeng listened attentively from the side. The knowledge these literati had about the Western Xuan Yin soldiers was similar to what she had heard from her fifth brother, thus the conclusion remained: unsolvable

... Bachelor Jie Fei, I have made known to everyone what she has done, are you satisfied now

Her social circle revolves solely within the royal family, her talents are not on par with Xu Wu from years past, and her patriotic spirit is even inferior to that of her adopted daughter Xu Si. To say she is a dragon among people is indeed somewhat of an exaggeration

Isn't it like this these days? It is not about who is right or wrong, but rather about whose backing is stronger.

A moment of silence enveloped the crowd, even Fang Sanlang lowered his gaze, feigning to brush off the dust from his sleeves.

If even these individuals gathered together are still unable to discern the method to crack the Western Mysterious Yin Soldiers, she thought, for the Southern Lin, the Western Mysterious Yin Soldiers will likely remain an eternal enigma

"It sounds as if all those with the surname Xu are extraordinary beings. If those with the surname Xu are extraordinary, then what are the kings of various nations..." Someone blurted this out, only to immediately fall silent.

Xu Liefeng took a step back, his arms crossed over his chest, partially hidden beside a corner pillar. The curator walked to the center of the second-floor staircase, speaking loudly about something, which caused a stir. She listened intently - "... Therefore, today we will focus on military affairs."

Xu Liefeng frowned slightly. This voice was somewhat similar to that of Fifth Brother, but much clearer, like ripples in a mirror, gently falling into the listener's heart with a refreshing coolness

Xu Liefeng lowered her head, the corners of her mouth subtly lifting. If someone were to see her expression at this moment, they would surely be greatly startled, for the usually extroverted Xu Liu was actually feeling shy.

Xu Liefeng stepped out of the Bachelor Pavilion with a cheerful smile. The sky was still drizzling, but she paid no attention to it. She tossed a warm little cloth bag, feeling proud and self-satisfied.

After a while, she came to her senses and realized that her palms were actually sweating. She looked closely at the person. The person was not wearing the white of the Xu family, and from the side, did not resemble Fifth Brother.

Of course, that is possible

The Xu clan has been granted the surname Xu by me. From now on, the Southern Lin royal family shall honor the Xu family for generations, sharing seven parts of their esteem. The descendants of the Xiao family must remember that without the Xu family, there would be no current Southern Lin royal family. In the future, even if the descendants of the Xu family commit grave mistakes, they must not be pardoned. The monarch of Southern Lin is often frail, and soon, this majesty will also depart.

The envoy at the restaurant was still gazing intently in the direction where the swift horse had disappeared. The official from the southern side remarked:

Standing in the hollow arched corridor is the curator in his thirties, dressed in a long robe with a red badge tied around his waist. He casually glances over the literati on the first floor while conversing with a young man beside him

She is not complaining! It was she who felt unwell and lay at home for two days, and it was only when Your Majesty summoned her that she forced herself to come! How can she be called a sycophant! Absolutely not! She is a descendant of the Xu family, a loyal minister's descendant! What right do you have to speak of her father and brother in such a manner! As long as Your Majesty is willing to issue an edict, she is willing to immediately go to the border and contribute her efforts! As long as Your Majesty is willing to issue an edict!

She heard these people chatting aimlessly again, and the owner of the establishment, who was compared to Fifth Brother, Jie Fei, was surprisingly listening attentively, as if trying to find a solution he had never considered before from the insights of different individuals

Xu Liefeng found Rong Sheng much more pleasing to the eye, but his disgust towards the one named Jie Fei only intensified

Since five hundred years ago we were all one family, and we all share the surname Xu, in battle our abilities would not differ greatly from one another. The spies from various countries speculate that at that time, the Southern Lin monarch was holding onto a mindset of treating a dead horse as if it were alive.

Another scholar from the south leaned out from the second floor and said: "I have heard of this, because back in the day, the general of the underworld was surnamed Xu, and she was naturally unable to take action against the Empress Xu Da of the Great Wei, as they were sisters."

Xu Liefeng had exceptionally sharp hearing. Upon hearing this sentence, he raised his eyes to look. The curator was glancing at the young man with a tear mole under his eye, wearing a smile that was neither fully a smile nor fully devoid of one.

A faint expression of shyness suddenly appeared on her face as she asked

Is this the shape of the Great Wei bat? she asked

"It is indeed a bat. The bat of the Great Wei signifies good fortune." He replied perfunctorily

In the Bachelor Pavilion, some literati are inclined to pursue the path of scholarship, their eyes lighting up with excitement. What they value is not the warmth of stones they have never seen, but the significance bestowed by "Jie Fei".

At that time, the renowned scholar Xu Zhizheng was reading a book titled "On the Possibility of the Four Nations and Four Surnames Being One Family"—the Xu surname of the Great Wei, the Xu surname of the Western Xuan, the Xu surname of the Northern Tang, and the Xu people of the Southern Lin were originally one family in ancient times. Moreover, before the four nations, they were all under one surname in the world

A woman wearing a hood exclaimed, "This is the technique of fire attack"

Fifth Brother

Brother Wu, it has been a long time since we last met

When the soldiers of Nanlin returned to the capital, the king of Nanlin finally emerged from the palace. At that time, his hair had turned white, and he looked at the remains of the lord and the ashes of the younger generation of the Xu people. A soldier carried a jar of Xu people's ashes, which continued to flow towards the city gate. The citizens of the capital were all speechless, kneeling on the ground in prostration. The king of Nanlin said:

After a moment of silence in the carriage, he said: "Since this is General Xu's residence, let us consider it as if nothing happened. Let's go."

Even if Fifth Brother is a genius, he has no way to decipher the shadow soldiers, of whom not a single word or phrase has been passed down to posterity

She then heard another girl in the hall, disguised as a man, say:

A crowd squeezed out from the entrance, and upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the young lady who had amazed him, engaged in a fight with someone

In the past two years, Xu Jia presented the "Military Armor Improvement Manual". Aside from His Majesty Nanlin, no one has seen it until now, and the elder has not made any moves. It was not until a year ago that Xu Liu donned the armor from the "Military Armor Improvement Manual" and entered the palace to meet the emperor, that His Majesty Nanlin issued an edict to improve the frontier military armor according to the manual. It is said that the improved armor can protect the limbs of the soldiers and significantly enhance their chances of survival. However, the financial aspect is currently held up in the hands of the Minister of Finance, and it has not yet been resolved. It seems that this matter has not been publicized, which is why everyone is unaware.

The Xu family is certainly not composed of divine beings. If they were divine beings, the Xu clan would not have been completely annihilated on the battlefield back then

You were born in Nanlin, how could you not know the current peace and prosperity of Nanlin and who the benefactors behind it are? Today, you merely experienced a bit of fright, and you wish to publicly seek justice from the General's Mansion. In the future, if Nanlin encounters difficulties, do you intend to fairly lead troops for Nanlin?" The young lady of the Luo family in the sedan chair spoke lightly, "Even if you do not wish to speak of fairness, do not make it so obvious, do you understand?"

Therefore, when her temper flared that day, she "armed herself for battle"

Fang Sanlang said softly

Today, it would be better to go find Xiao Yuanxia to play archery, she thought. ... This Summer King, she did not know what was wrong with him, avoiding her for two months, even when she went to the royal residence to seek an audience, she was turned away at the door ... ? ... Wasn't their friendship as close as brothers? How did it end up with only her left in the end?

This warm stone resembles the bat on Xu Liefeng's scarf, as she stepped out of the shadowy corner and headed towards the central staircase

She thought for a moment and could only come up with a few words: I am fine

"Jie Fei?" Someone approached from the second floor. Xu Liefeng recognized him as the third son of the Fang family, who had previously been stationed at the border for a while. Later, he was recalled by the Fang family to secure a respectable official position in the court. He bowed to Jie Fei and said joyfully, "Scholar Jie Fei has conducted extensive research on military formations throughout history, unmatched by anyone in the world. It is truly a stroke of luck for me to meet you here in Nanlin today"

Do not doubt the ministers, respect the ministers, and place great trust in the ministers. For three hundred years, the emperors of Nanlin have ignored the spies of other nations who secretly sow discord and mockery. Not a single emperor of Nanlin has taken the opportunity to strip the Xu family of their military power. The Xu family generals guard the nation from the outside, while the rulers of Nanlin govern the people from within, complementing each other and creating the Nanlin of today

First, let us not speak of Xu Wuchang's current whereabouts, nor compare the two individuals' knowledge. Just considering the scholar's understanding, it is not necessary to rely solely on books to grasp the intricacies of ancient and modern military strategies, the detailed terrains of various countries, the troop numbers in each battle, and how to turn defeat into victory... It is not just that Xu Wuchang cannot compare; I fear even the current General Xu would find it difficult to match. Otherwise, His Majesty would have long conferred upon the Xu family the title of commander, rather than merely that of a general.

What excellent horsemanship... Oh, it's a young lady... In the southern region, both literature and martial arts are emphasized, but few women engage in martial pursuits. Could it be that she is...

From her perspective, it was mostly common women who came to witness the academic brilliance, and there were hardly any children of ministers or nobles present

Immediately after, she turned her head to take a glance and exclaimed, "It is you!"

Mr. Xie is absolutely right. I see that the golden knife is indeed the invincible divine knife, which is why it has achieved consecutive victories over Beitang and Nanlin. Someone quickly chimed in to prevent this statement from spreading, as it would be detrimental to the Xu family.

They are siblings, how can they get married? They both share the surname Xu! Then I thought, the fourth sister is not a true member of the Xu family, and the two are only a few months apart in age. This is truly a joyous occasion, a match made in heaven!

Xu Liu! The furious roar echoed throughout the streets of the capital.

She waved her sleeve to shake off the water droplets and, taking advantage of the still sparse crowd, occupied a chair in the corner. She took a silk handkerchief from her waist to wipe the rainwater from her face, her gaze briefly resting on the red-threaded bat at the corner of the handkerchief

She said calmly

Hey, how awkward it is, even she would blush upon hearing it. However, she truly does not know how to talk to Fifth Brother, having not seen him for so many years. Even though they are siblings, a distance will inevitably arise.

What nationality is this man? She cannot tell. However, she is very clear that she is from Nanlin, and the beauty of Nanlin people is quite similar. Why has this person been staring at her for so long?

Fang Sanlang was very close, originally pondering strategies for fire attacks and defensive tactics, when he heard the sixth daughter of the Xu family ask this question, he was taken aback. Indeed! Why would the Emperor of the Western Xuan inquire about fire attack defense techniques and related diagrams and books? The Western Xuan's southward advance is towards Xiao Zhou, and beyond Xiao Zhou lies Nanlin. ... As one moves south from Xiao Zhou, the area is mostly lush with grass and trees, with few rocky or sandy terrains. The Western Xuan intends to...

This has always been an understanding among nations; if a scholar serves a foreign country, the title of scholar will be stripped from him for life, and he will be despised by others for eternity

The envoy from the small state of Zhou, visiting Nanlin for the first time, gazed with a dazed expression at the bustling streets of the capital, contemplating the endless peace and beauty of the land he had traversed along the way

In fact, she did not think so much; it was simply that she could not bear to see the demeanor of Fifth Brother, which led to her being overlooked. On that day, she had meticulously drawn it out, and at the time, she did not understand. Only afterward did she gain clarity. In the past, the armor of various countries focused on protecting the chest and back, neglecting the limbs. Therefore, if a wounded soldier lost a limb, he could only wait to die on the battlefield, rendering him completely powerless in combat.

Today, when speaking of the Western Xuan army, it indeed brings to mind a formidable force within it known as the Yin soldiers. Since the founding of the Western Xuan dynasty, these Yin soldiers have existed; they are not summoned into formation by the commands of the Western Xuan monarch, but rather take shape whenever the generals from the underworld manifest in the mortal realm after a certain period. The intervals between the appearances of these underworld generals are unpredictable. The previous generation of Western Xuan Yin soldiers appeared approximately three hundred years ago, leaving no survivors in their wake. Thus, it is not without reason that I entertain the thought: why not discuss this indomitable force of Yin soldiers today?

This is the famous warm stone of the Great Wei. Each year, the quantity is limited, and due to climatic reasons, it does not enter the southern regions. If the topic of fire attack can satisfy Jie Fei, although this small item cannot be considered precious, it represents Jie Fei's heartfelt intentions

The person was named Xie Fei, and was also a scholar, she thought to herself. The person responded with a similarly soft laugh, saying: Xie Fei is grateful

"The situation is urgent. If we cannot retreat from the scorched earth, it will lead to a disastrous defeat. Therefore, we should take the initiative and not wait for the fire attack to come. We should first set the outer perimeter of the army ablaze to block the fire attack. In this way, we can temporarily disregard the fire and focus on planning to defeat the enemy in the rear." She hesitated for a moment, looking at Jie Fei. "I have never been on the battlefield; my knowledge is merely theoretical and may not be of any use. I wonder how the candidates for generals responded to the questions posed by the Emperor of Xixuan?"

The young attendant stifled a laugh. "This is how the Western Xuan tea is."

"Please have some tea." The young servant brought the tea and, upon reaching her, smiled and said: "Miss Liu, you are in luck today. A few days ago, the owner returned and conveniently brought back some Xixuan tea for you to try."

Isn't this nonsense?" Fang Sanlang scoffed.

In the hall below, the voice of the innkeeper, tinged with a hint of jest, spoke softly

She brushed her fingers over the corners of her eyes... She did not feel that her eyesight had deteriorated over the years, so it seems that the heavens did not heed her prayers... Now, who would be taking care of Fifth Brother, accompanying him on his travels, and explaining the world to him?

The Xu family has held such a lofty status in Nanlin for three hundred years.

Upon hearing this, the maid finally closed her mouth, yet she remained indignant in her heart. As descendants of high-ranking officials, how many people come to curry favor with the Luo family, and who does not show them a modicum of respect? Even those of lower status like them walk with a certain air. The people in General Xu's household are very disciplined; usually, even if they do not flatter them, they each go their own way. Yet this Xu family's sixth son is simply too arrogant

No matter how much more is said, he may not necessarily be willing to listen. Moreover, she does not want to be shameless any longer

She half-lowered her eyelashes, what is Fifth Brother like now? She had imagined many times what he looked like now, probably still similar to four years ago, just taller and more mature.

During my travels to various countries, I have gained some knowledge of the more obscure and undisclosed political matters of other nations. A year ago, His Majesty the Western Emperor summoned three candidates for the position of general and presented them with a question. The question was rather simple—if, while leading troops on a campaign, one were to reach a dense forest where the enemy has the advantage and sets fire to the area, with elite troops blocking the rear, what should be done in such a situation

The bystanders near the sedan chair, upon hearing this, kindly reminded

Is it not on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony ...? ... Clearly, his hands are cold, and he needs someone to accompany him, yet, in his heart, the person he truly wishes to be with is not her

Hey! You, with your eyes closed! How dare you bump into us! The maid beside the sedan chair was so frightened that her heart nearly jumped out; she clumsily fell to the ground and shouted in the direction that had long since disappeared: "Daring to bump into our young lady! You are doomed, I will definitely report this to the palace!"

This person is indeed strikingly beautiful; at first glance, they are incredibly stunning. Upon closer inspection, this individual has sword-like eyebrows that arch elegantly, and their hair is as dark as ink, possessing the ethereal charm of a spring dawn in the southern region. However, the brilliance in their features overshadows the delicate beauty typical of the south, making it difficult for one to look away.

Therefore, it is correct for Brother Wu to leave Nanlin

"Oh dear, come back later to apologize!" In the blink of an eye, they had vanished without a trace

"It is indeed the technique of fire attack," Jie Fei said with a smile towards her. The woman in the veil turned her face away, seemingly blushing.

Xu Zhi was a renowned scholar of his time, and his words were always truthful. Although this book was ultimately chosen to be destroyed, spies from various countries had already gathered information and reported back to their homelands.

The man before her, named Jie Fei, was currently filled with astonishment and delight in his eyes, as well as the kind of intense gaze from Xiao Yuanxia that she did not quite understand, yet it seemed even more fervent than Xiao Yuanxia's and did not shy away from her

Brother Wu, have you been doing well these past few years

As the master of the Bachelor Pavilion, I naturally must obey you, the master responded softly.

Recently, it has been raining continuously in Nanlin

In the bachelor's hall, there are both men and women, though the number of women is significantly fewer. Some women disguise themselves as men, while others cover their faces with veils. Of course, there are also those who, like her, do not conceal their faces at all, but such young ladies are few and far between

Xiao Yuanxia is indeed better; she does not say one thing and do another, allowing her to distinguish things clearly.

She has never been looked at this way by anyone... Upon careful consideration, only His Majesty and Xiao Yuanxia have truly looked at her seriously

Beside her, Rongsheng also looked at her in astonishment

Occasionally, Fifth Brother would ask someone to bring back some peculiar items that this little frog had never seen before, sometimes there would be two items, and other times only one.

Xu Liefeng recalled that at the bottom of the second volume of "Changmu Military Strategy," under the section on the Western Mysterious Yin Soldiers, it was written: No solution

Fang Shier saw her being held down and scolded, "Shameless!" He kicked at Xie Fei, forcing the other party to release his fist

She strikes with agility and straightforwardness, focusing solely on offense without any defense, completely oblivious to the underhanded tactics of others. Judging by her punches, she must be a person with a very straightforward temperament

The red thread embroidery signifies great blessings. In the context of the Great Wei, the bat depicted in the red thread embroidery symbolizes the sending of good fortune

Jie Fei did not respond to the conversation.

Therefore, when the Xu surname Empress of the Great Wei personally led the troops to the battlefield, the weak king of Nanlin, disregarding all consequences, clung to the thigh of the head of the Xu family, promoting this minor civil official to the position of general and forcing them to mobilize for battle

This person is neither Fifth Brother, nor does he resemble Fifth Brother, nor does he resemble a person from Nanlin.

Jie Fei originally did not take her seriously, but upon hearing her first sentence, he was taken aback and his gaze met hers

In the first volume of "Changmu Military Strategy," Rong Sheng has also read it. The young men from the Xu family are all exceptional talents. Not to mention Xu Da, Xu Er, Xu San, and Xu Si, who have guarded the borders for many years, Xu Wu is also exceptionally talented... He cast a seemingly casual glance at the young man whom Xu Liefeng had just scrutinized, a hint of genuine amusement in his eyes, and said, "Even Xu Liu is not an ordinary person."

"Apart from General Xu's residence, which woman would dare to ride like this?" The maid huffed indignantly

She looked at the man who had the same tear mole as Fifth Brother and suddenly asked

He squinted his beautiful eyes. The person who was sparring with her attempted to take the opportunity to insult her. He strode forward, pulling her waist, and she instinctively threw a punch, which he dodged.

She carefully put away the handkerchief and focused on listening to the various scholars in the academy, each holding different opinions. Some discussed folk customs, others the current situation, and sometimes it was merely academic debates. She did not necessarily understand all of it, but she purely wanted to touch upon something beyond the capital, allowing herself to slightly broaden her horizons

The curator Rong Sheng said with a smile

This was sent back by Fifth Brother through someone from Wei a few years ago, and it is free to use

Upon hearing this, everyone appeared bewildered, and finally, someone naturally responded: "The monarch should be this way, should he not?"

Who still dares to say she is a little green girl? She may not be able to be an eagle soaring in the sky, but she can pretend to be a little green frog that has traveled the world. She feels immensely happy, gently caressing the warm stone through the cloth bag.

"Miss Xu Liu, are you going to the Bachelor’s Hall? Oh, what is this? It’s quite warm indeed." Xu Liefeng took a closer look and felt a surge of anger. "Fang Twelve, return my belongings! How is your behavior any different from that of a robber?"

Indeed. Another literati on the second floor boasted of his knowledge, saying: "It is precisely because this legion of ghostly soldiers is invincible in battle and never leaves any survivors, that to this day, no one has ever discovered what kind of specters these ghostly soldiers truly are"

He returned a bow without being overly polite

The subsequent emperors of Nanlin were cautious, and no one dared to jeopardize what could almost be considered a fortunate acquisition. Therefore, the emperors of Nanlin harbored either weak or superstitious thoughts—if Nanlin had a Xu surnamed minister, and if the emperor were to emulate the great Wei's Emperor Tiande, could it be that Nanlin might also partake in the prosperity of the great Wei?

She remembers that during that time, Fourth Sister Ding Ping was staying in the capital, and it just so happened that she encountered Fourth Sister reading a letter, who casually tossed this handkerchief to her

She felt a slight sense of regret in her heart. Those gathered here are mostly literati and scholars from the south, whose thoughts are not antiquated. Each of them is well-read in poetry and literature, and they possess a certain understanding of the situations in various countries, which is how they became aware of the existence of the Western Xuan Yin soldiers

Considering this, she felt that a person's life is most important in relation to their master, and this resentment would eventually be expressed

Most scholars from various countries believe that the weakness of the Southern Lin monarch is akin to the inherent frailty of the Southern Lin people, which cannot be changed. This is why they cling to the thigh of a minister with a legendary invincible surname. However, there is a very small number of scholars who insist that the Southern Lin emperor is the true enlightened ruler of the world

She is the sixth young lady of the Xu residence. Generally, when a sedan chair turns from an alley to a street, the bearers must call out "Getting out of the sedan" to avoid colliding with those outside who are unaware. Just now, he approached closely and clearly noticed that this sedan chair had not called out at all, and he understood that the owner inside this magnificent sedan chair must be a person of great power.

Xu Liefeng secretly spat in disdain. What use is it for a big man to rely on his looks? ... This woman from Nanlin is truly embarrassing; what is there to admire about this man's face? The only thing worth looking at is ... . ... It is merely that tear mole beneath his eye.

This cannot be called a wise ruler; could it still be a foolish ruler

Here you go

On that day, she did not intentionally eavesdrop on the conversation between her father and brother; they were deliberately trying to bring this pair of siblings together. At that moment, her eyes widened in disbelief, thinking that she must have misheard.

May I touch this warm stone

The curator merely smiled, and Xiao Xiao changed the subject, saying: "Have you all heard of the Western Xuan army?"

"Is it the Xu family army?" a scholar from the south inquired.

The curator smiled faintly, yet Xu Liefeng sensed a hint of bitterness in his smile. The curator nodded and said with a smile

Rong Sheng smiled gently and said, "Let alone intelligence, just based on the fact that the Xu family of Nanlin is willing to sacrifice their lives for the country, we scholars are far inferior."

Xu Liefeng narrowed her beautiful eyes and clenched her fists

She recalled that day when Fifth Brother clearly said that Anu would accompany him, which was wonderful. However, the reality was completely different, leaving her feeling very frightened and thinking herself as foolish as a pig, unable to distinguish between truth and falsehood

That person, like a hand, swept past her while simultaneously drawing their gaze back to fixate on her face, encountering her once again

Her mouth is bitter. When did she become timid as a mouse? However, she cannot be blamed; the world she sees is not vast, and with one misstep, she could easily be deceived, so she must be cautious.

A gentle murmur unique to the women of the southern region came from the carriage: "Is this the residence of General Xu?"

If she had been able to heed Third Brother's words earlier, everything would have been her own misguided feelings. On that day, she would have certainly sought Fourth Sister to accompany Fifth Brother... Perhaps Fifth Brother would not have any regrets before going abroad... Now that I think about it, I feel quite foolish; I have completely forgotten what I wrote during those two years. What was I truly sad about back then!

Fifth Brother's divine talent incorporates both the shoulder armor and the skirt armor, ensuring that even the horse's equipment is well protected, preventing the cavalry's mounts from becoming a weakness.

Her martial arts skills were formidable, and her fists were like the wind of a tiger. Fang Twelve was not her match at all. Although he felt a bit unwilling, he noticed that she was more beautiful than any woman from Nanlin. A thought crossed his mind, and suddenly he threw the warm stone, tempting her to seize it, and took the opportunity to reach towards her chest while she was unprepared

A scholar laughed heartily: "Before the monarch, the bond of brotherhood is even less than cow dung. There is a saying that at that time, the Western Xuan was in internal turmoil, precisely missing the opportunity; there is also a saying that because the general of the underworld had a nemesis, and that nemesis was surnamed Xu or was the Golden Blade. At that time, the only one in the Great Wei who could wield the Golden Blade was the empress surnamed Xu. Therefore, to this day, it remains unclear whether the nemesis of the underworld general is from the Xu family or that Golden Blade."

Someone in the hall remarked: "I have indeed heard of Bachelor Xie Fei, who specializes in military arts and has a remarkable reputation. However, Nan Lin Chang Mu is not an ordinary person either. I wonder who among the two is superior?"

She hesitated for a moment, slowly got up, and walked around the corner of the hall. If, she said if, that person was indeed Fifth Brother, what should she say when they met?

Although there is no obligation for conversation in the Bachelor’s Pavilion, one can be unrestrained; however, there are indeed some topics that should not be too outrageous. Unintentionally or intentionally helping the Xu family out of a predicament, he smiled faintly and said

For three hundred years, amidst the chaos of borders, it has relied on the valiant Xu family army; for three hundred years, the ministers in the court have been dissatisfied with the Xu surname, yet the emperor has consistently stood against the majority, placing full trust in the Xu family, who hold military power. Consequently, the territory that had once been bled dry by the Xu clan has rapidly flourished in a small yet beautiful manner over these three hundred years

The Western sage took an incense stick's worth of time to respond as you have.

The owner of the establishment smiled and said: "In Nanlin, who does not know the Xu family army? Discussing them is merely singing their praises and adding embellishments. In my opinion, a good general also requires a wise ruler to match. If it were not for the clear intentions of the successive rulers of Nanlin, how could the Xu family army have protected Nanlin for so many years?"

"Fortune?" she asked again, "Does the bat embroidered with a red thread also carry this meaning?"

This Xu Liu's elder brother, Xu Wu, is the one who wrote "The Longing for War Strategies" a few years ago, right? A family of generals, all strong warriors, what a blessing for Nanlin

Myth is, after all, just myth, and the possibility of it becoming reality is slim. Moreover, my brothers have not mentioned anything about the Fifth Brother changing his appearance, nor have they mentioned that his eyesight has improved... They only said one thing: he is doing well

I wonder if Fifth Brother bought this kind of stone when he went to Da Wei. Did he keep this stone by his side? ... If he kept a piece ... then, then, she and he would have warm stones under the same sky, which could be considered as good siblings.

Nanjing has been too comfortable for too long, and its military strength is far inferior to Beitang. Even Beitang has been steadily defeated by the Great Wei, so Nanjing is merely engaged in a war that is destined to be lost.

His Majesty enjoys watching her, his gaze always filled with gentle affection, never seeming to tire of looking at her. Xiao Yuanxia gazes at her with warm fondness and tenderness, and occasionally, when she turns her head, she catches a fleeting glimpse of the burning light in Xiao Yuanxia's eyes

Fang Shier opened the bag and took out a stone, weighing it in his hand. "I have truly never seen such a thing before, where did it come from? How novel! I shall give it to my sister-in-law, the princess; she will surely be delighted."

Xu Liefeng's cheeks were slightly flushed as she took a step back, allowing herself to be fully shrouded in shadow. She did not feel ashamed; it was impossible for everyone in a family to stand out. If her brothers believed that her position in the capital was satisfactory, to the extent that they were unwilling to petition His Majesty, then... She thought that staying in the capital must be better than being elsewhere.

Jie Fei walked over to Rong Sheng, glancing over the literati in the hall. The scholars who had been debating in the small rooms on the second and third floors, curious at the sound, came out. He then spoke in a clear voice:

If it is the Xu surname, then that would be great... We also have the Xu family in Nanlin, so what is there to fear from the Western Xuan Yin soldiers

Xu Liefeng in the corner was taken aback. She looked at him strangely; having been born into a military family and having followed her fifth brother for several years, she understood that even if she only grasped theoretical knowledge, the insights these scholars presented were merely superficial. He should have understood that his comprehension was far from half of her fifth brother's capabilities.

The envoy in the restaurant, upon hearing the character "Xu," curiously leaned forward, gasped, and exclaimed in admiration:

Seeing that she was still young, she had no interest in the questions he posed, but was instead filled with curiosity about the warm stone, feeling quite skeptical in her heart

Xu Liefeng, unaware of others' deep contemplation, boldly placed his hands behind his back as he ascended the stairs, stopping on the second and third steps below him, carefully examining the warm stone in his hand

Relying on the backing of the Xu family and the childhood friendship with the King of Xia... there was a time when everyone believed that His Majesty would arrange a marriage between the two. However, now that Xu Liu is already seventeen, she is considered an adult among the women of Nanlin. Not only has His Majesty not mentioned it at all, but he has also recently increased the frequency of the young lady's visits to the palace, each time coinciding with the King of Xia. It is clear that His Majesty has a deliberate intention...

Since her birth, it has rained every day during this season for the first time. Xu Liefeng nimbly dismounted, raised his face to welcome the raindrops for a while, and then handed the reins to the young boy before stepping into the Scholar's Pavilion

This Bachelor Pavilion was first seen in the capital to the south, Xu Liefeng thought. Sometimes, she would mention the amusing anecdotes of the literati's idle conversations in the Bachelor Pavilion to His Majesty, to alleviate his discomfort from the ailments that had plagued him in recent years. However, she always felt that although His Majesty listened with a smile, he did not particularly like this Bachelor Pavilion

The person just now looked different from Fifth Brother, yet possessed a magnificent elegance that she had never seen before—she instinctively sought to look back again

She inadvertently met Fang Sanlang's gaze, and in her heart, she scoffed coldly; the people of the Fang family are all detestable

At that time, she did not understand its meaning, but now that she has grown up, she vaguely perceives that the royal family’s disdain for the lower class far exceeds her imagination

Jie Fei stood on the central staircase, looking down at the crowd, and with a bow said, "I am grateful that you all do not mind, today we discuss military affairs together with Jie Fei, which has taught me a great deal. It is only now that I understand that in the South, regardless of literature or martial arts, or of gender, everyone is concerned about national security. This is why there is an understanding of military matters throughout the ages, which truly makes me admire them." Upon hearing this, Fang Sanlang's face showed signs of pleasure.

Does your back head hurt? That time I hit you, did the Xu family dare to complain? You, a sycophant relying on power, actually have the audacity to report to His Majesty, causing me to be unable to leave the residence for half a year! Who do you think you are? In front of His Majesty, you are nothing but a flatterer. Or is it that your father and brothers are plotting something against His Majesty, using you to seduce him?

Her expression brightened with joy, and she exclaimed, "Then this bat warming stone belongs to me?"

Did Emperor Xi Xuan really inquire about the fire attack and defense techniques when leading troops during campaigns in areas with lush vegetation?

Sister-in-law Princess is none other than Princess Dafeng. A year ago, Fang's eldest son became a supplementary horseman, and the good-for-nothing younger son of the Fang family has become increasingly unruly, even inferior to fried fish! Xu Liefeng squinted, delivering a flying kick, but Fang Twelve was already prepared, stepping back and snickering.

Xu Liefeng was stunned

A few young women dressed as men gathered at the bottom of the stairs, wanting to take a closer look, but when they slightly raised their heads and met the gaze of Bachelor Xie Fei, each of them turned beet red.

She was completely bewildered as she caressed the silk scarf. The texture of silk varied from place to place, and this was her first time experiencing such a sensation. However, as her mind turned, she exclaimed, "Oh!" It was the scarf that Fifth Brother had sent back.

She had never gone upstairs, merely listening casually in the lobby on the first floor. However, she did not quite understand today's theme, so she became distracted and began to look around.

Even someone as lacking in insight as her can see that this is an unprecedented protective strategy, so why can Your Majesty not recognize it and has delayed granting permission for its implementation? If other countries discover this and take the lead, what shall we do then

She glared at him fiercely, and he was momentarily taken aback. He politely raised the corners of his mouth, then turned his gaze away, no longer looking in her direction

In the blink of an eye, the knight had passed the tavern when a sedan chair suddenly emerged from the alley. The envoy from the tavern, witnessing this scene from a high vantage point, exclaimed in surprise as it seemed that the two parties were about to collide. The knight deftly pulled the reins and gracefully leaped over. As she turned back, her long hair concealed her unparalleled beauty, and she shouted:

She happily tossed the small cloth bag into the air, only to have a hand unexpectedly reach out from midair and snatch it away

No, no..." The envoy Li Mo of the small state of Zhou reluctantly suppressed the shock in his heart and smiled, saying: "Miss Liu, your equestrian skills are remarkable. May I ask where you received your training?"

Since the beginning of recorded history, the four great nations of Beitang, Xixuan, Dawei, and the southern nation of Nanlin have existed and maintained a balance of power among themselves. It was not until three hundred years ago, when Emperor Tiande of Dawei married Empress Xu of Jindao, that subtle changes began to emerge among the four nations

The literati to the south nodded in agreement. One of the literati said:

The young man, slightly turning his face, had a tear mole beneath his eye... Xu Liefeng's heart skipped a beat, and he was completely stunned