Chapter 81: Ten Thousand Li to Join

The two of them tended to their wounds, ate a little food, and it was already deep into the night.

Fang He Tong, utterly exhausted, went to sleep early. Today, his ability to lead three hundred civilian warriors with the Qishi of a thousand elite troops came entirely from the power of the “Achievement Scripture.” Bestowing this power on three hundred men drained him severely; within a short time, he had expended most of his magic power. Fortunately, Li Zhi had Soul-Nourishing Elixirs from the Four Holy Academies, and since both the Four Holy Academies and the Bai Feng Academy were Confucian cultivation sects, their elixirs were especially effective—one pill restored Fang He Tong’s magic power and even improved his hidden injuries. Though his magic power had recovered, his Primordial Spirit remained weary, so rest was essential.

The night was still long; Li Zhi sat in meditation to cultivate, while Xiang Weiyuan read by lamplight, cross-referencing today’s battle with the teachings in the books.

As the saying goes, knowledge gained from books is ultimately shallow; only after the relentless bloodshed with the Northern Liao did Xiang Weiyuan truly come to understand them, and gained new insights into the records of the Northern Liao in the texts. Now was the time to deepen those insights while they were fresh.

At first light the next morning, Li Zhi returned to Linxian with the corpses of his personal guards, to send them back to Southern Qi. Li Zhi held his men in high regard—he had been slashed by a blade while retrieving these bodies. Only six corpses had been recovered; the rest had to be left behind in Liao territory. If a corpse remained in Liao territory for more than a day, it was essentially lost. The land teemed with ferocious life—let alone that Liao horses were carnivorous.

All morning, Xiang Weiyuan and Fang He Tong worked on fortifying the town’s defenses, digging more pits. As he labored, Xiang Weiyuan listened to Fang He Tong’s analysis of the current political situation and the progress of the war, and found it immensely enlightening. Though Fang He Tong was down on his luck, nearly forty and holding no official post, he excelled in farming, teaching, training troops, and organizing armies. His analysis of the times was piercing and incisive.

Yet he could clearly dissect the political landscape and understand all the principles, but when it came to himself, he could never apply them. Seeing injustice would stir his blood, just as he had written that letter knowing full well he could not topple the Assistant Regional Commander—this was simply his nature, unsuited for officialdom.

For the past decade, Xiang Weiyuan had secluded himself in the Tai Chu Palace, his knowledge of the times limited to books. Now, in deep conversation with Fang He Tong, he finally understood the roots of the people’s suffering.

At noon, the aroma of food began to spread. Li Zhi had left behind many arrows and weapons, as well as all the military rations. Now the men of Shayang Village had not only meat broth but also refined rice and flour cakes mixed with spiritual rice and spiritual vegetable powder. Such military rations, eaten for a month, would turn the frail into sturdy men. Yet whenever these men received their rations, they always secretly set aside a little, hoping to save enough to send to their wives and daughters in the two villages behind. Xiang Weiyuan had repeated several times that the rations were plentiful, but it made no difference.

At lunch, Xiang Weiyuan asked Fang He Tong if he wished to serve Southern Qi—in effect, to follow Li Zhi. Xiang Weiyuan knew Li Zhi always sought out talented men; with Li Zhi, Fang He Tong’s abilities would finally find their use.

At Sun Chaoen’s banquet, even Xiang Weiyuan could see Fang He Tong’s nature was ill-suited for officialdom; perhaps seeking a wise lord as an advisor would suit him better.

Fang He Tong hesitated, saying nothing, and merely ate in silence.

Xiang Weiyuan urged again: “The sages spoke of three forms of immortality: establishing virtue, establishing merit, establishing words. Brother Fang, if you wish to establish virtue, you must first find a position where you can fully apply your talents—I believe County Magistrate Sun is right. Since you, too, harbor a heart to aid the people, what difference does it make whether you work for Southern Qi or Western Jin? The more merit you build, the more the world will praise you—and virtue will naturally follow.”

Fang He Tong replied: “Brother, don’t you plan to go out and accomplish something? I’ve heard that expanding territory is the tradition of the Tai Chu Palace. You’re about to reach Foundation Establishment—when that time comes, if you also have such intentions, I will lend you all my strength!”

“Me?” Xiang Weiyuan was startled, then shook his head. “I have no grand ambitions—I just want to cultivate quickly, earn as much immortal silver as I can, and when I eventually expand territory, it’ll likely be assisting my sect’s elders and claiming my share.”

Fang He Tong did not seem disappointed. “Once, I thought the same as you—read books, till the fields in spare time, care for wife and children, and live a quiet life. But years ago, when the Liao barbarians attacked, I realized that even peaceful days were a luxury in chaotic times. So I’ve often wondered: what is the point of us scholars reading so many principles? What is the point of daily cultivation, of gaining great power?”

Hearing this, Xiang Weiyuan suddenly recalled the words of the Daoist priest when he first entered the Tai Chu Palace: “Our Tai Chu Palace cultivators attain divine powers and magic strength so we may expand territory, shape heaven and earth, and secure more land for our people to thrive!”

Those words had struck deep into his young heart, leaving a powerful impression—but after ten years of arduous cultivation, he had gradually forgotten them. Now, hearing Fang He Tong’s words, he remembered that feeling once more.

Fang He Tong gazed upward, speaking slowly: “The ancients said: ‘Establish the heart of heaven and earth, secure the destiny of the people, continue the lost learning of the sages, and open peace for ten thousand generations!’ This is the meaning of scholarship—the Four Sages in the name of the Four Holy Academies derive from this. But you are right: to establish virtue, one must first have a position. After we repel the Liao barbarians, if General Li wishes to recruit me, I will serve.”

“That’s good!” Xiang Weiyuan was genuinely pleased. Fang He Tong’s talents could not be buried forever in the tiny Quyang County.

Fang He Tong looked at Xiang Weiyuan and added: “When the day comes that you decide to expand territory, no matter what post I hold, I will travel ten thousand li to join you!”

“What? Isn’t Li Zhi good enough? Before he left, he told me you’d be chief strategist if you joined him.” Xiang Weiyuan was confused.

“General Li comes from a distinguished lineage, possesses immense destiny, and bears the heart of a human king. Though young, he has already shown his brilliance—he will surely achieve greatness.”

Xiang Weiyuan had not expected such high praise for Li Zhi. “If Li Brother can achieve the throne of a human king, wouldn’t that be even better? Then you’d be one of his founding ministers.”

Fang He Tong shook his head: “General Li is still young, still humble and open to talent, still willing to listen to harsh truths. But when he achieves his hegemony, things will change. The heart of a human king is not always good for ministers—or for the people. If I see something unjust in the future, my nature will compel me to speak bluntly. He may tolerate me now, but he may not then.”

Realizing the conversation had grown heavy, Fang He Tong smiled. “Besides, what if one day my achievements overshadow him? Will General Li still let me retire in peace?”

Xiang Weiyuan laughed too. “Then you’d still come to me? If Li Zhi can’t tolerate you, do you think I can? Let me tell you plainly—I raise my blade, heads roll.”

Fang He Tong snorted, unconvinced. “With your nature, even if I stood in court and pointed at your nose to curse you, you’d only beat me up out of old friendship. I still have my third essay—fighting, I might not lose to you!”

Xiang Weiyuan disliked that. “Don’t speak of your third essay—even if you had thirty, I could suppress you! Let me be clear: if my Foundation Establishment is only Heavenly Grade, I won’t forgive myself.”

Fang He Tong burst into laughter, treating it as mere boasting. After this exchange of bravado, their bond grew closer.

But Xiang Weiyuan’s final words were no boast—he carried debts of tens of millions. If his Foundation Establishment were only Heavenly Grade, he’d never repay them. Zhang Sheng himself would clean house if he failed.

After laughing together, the gloom lifted considerably. Suddenly, a talisman disc in Xiang Weiyuan’s chest grew hot and vibrated—he leapt to his feet and pulled it out.

“What’s wrong?” Fang He Tong asked.

Xiang Weiyuan said gravely: “Someone is calling for aid!”

A light point on the disc flashed incessantly; his spiritual sense swept over it and read the message: Strong enemy approaching—hold fast and await reinforcement! Yu Fei of the Tai Chu Palace, Pinghe County.

(End of Chapter)