Although the military situation in the northwest remained urgent, reports of victory arrived one after another. Three small-scale encounters had temporarily concluded with three complete victories for the Hua Dynasty. Ning Xuan’s unconventional ideas regarding military discipline, deployment, and strategy had already caused a sensation at court. Now, even those harboring malicious intentions who had been waiting to watch his “armchair strategizing” end in disaster had no choice but to grit their teeth and give up entirely.
It was now an indisputable fact that Marquis Dingbei, Nalan Jian, had rendered great service by recommending him. Already distinguished by his illustrious achievements and standing above others, Marquis Dingbei rose even further in prominence, becoming unrivaled throughout the court and the realm for a time. Yet the man himself remained unconcerned, as though he had expected this from the beginning.
Feng Xuanyi and Feng Xuanzhe were naturally delighted. In every dynasty, military authority was something all contenders fought to seize in a struggle for power. When two factions were evenly matched, or the disparity between them was not too great, control of the army became a deadly weapon for forcing the palace and usurping the throne. Even if one had already ascended the throne, even if one had occupied it for many years, none of that could resist the blade pressed against one’s neck when the so-called tide had turned. Yet neither man could ignore the shock in his heart, especially Feng Xuanyi. Ning Xuan had spent far longer at Prince Rong’s Manor, after all. That a lowborn, impoverished servant could occasionally utter such astonishing words had made Feng Xuanyi suspicious more than once, and he had ordered investigations more than once as well. Yet every investigation had yielded no result. Given Feng Xuanyi’s position, repeatedly searching without finding anything meant that Ning Xuan was either truly ordinary or that the power behind him was so formidable it far exceeded that of a dignified imperial prince. What kind of background could that be? It was beyond estimation or imagination.
Everything about Ning Xuan was shrouded in suspicion and obscured by clouds and mist, making it impossible for Feng Xuanyi to dismiss the matter or put his mind at ease. Such an unknown figure, impossible to identify as friend or foe, had appeared at precisely such a critical moment. Feng Xuanyi could hardly be blamed for harboring concerns. Sometimes, even when he personally sounded Ning Xuan out with indirect questions, Ning Xuan would hesitate and evade them, looking left and right while speaking of something else. In that sense, Feng Xuanyi had no choice but to admire Feng Xuanzhe’s courage and audacity. He had dared to entrust important responsibilities to and cultivate someone whose background he could not grasp and whose allegiance he could not determine. Instead, an indescribable bitterness rose within Feng Xuanyi’s heart. It was like that day in the main hall, when Ning Xuan had calmly yet decisively told him of his decision and declared that only he could help Feng Xuanyi ascend the throne. He had been so dazzlingly confident, so resolute and determined, as though he might spread his wings in the next instant, fly out of Feng Xuanyi’s palm, and escape his control. Most incredible of all, the words Feng Xuanyi had dismissed as a joke at the time had unexpectedly come true. Ning Xuan was flying ever higher, becoming so brilliant that others could scarcely look directly at him, while Feng Xuanyi could only conceal himself and preserve his strength in secret.
Every household had its own troubles. Feng Xuanyi was unhappy, but Ning Xuan was not nearly as carefree or miraculous as the memorials sent back to the imperial capital—reporting only good news and concealing the bad—made him appear. Han Fei, who had previously remained completely silent and treated the campaign like a sightseeing excursion, had recently begun speaking quite frequently. Although his arguments were indeed based entirely on the matters at hand and contained no obvious bias, for some reason Feng Xuanzhen simply could not stand him. Whenever the two met, regardless of time, place, or occasion, they would immediately begin arguing. Sometimes even Ning Xuan felt that the answer was plainly obvious and there was nothing left to discuss, yet Feng Xuanzhen would stubbornly put forward several “constructive” but thoroughly mistaken ideas. Whether intentional or not, he always succeeded in leaving everyone unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Take the three small-scale clashes, for example. Before every siege, Ning Xuan sent a formal declaration of war and challenge two days in advance, stationed the troops beneath the city walls one day beforehand, and began beating the war drums at dawn on the agreed date. No matter how unanimously everyone advised and warned him against it, he personally entered battle without fail, regardless of wind or rain.
Ning Xuan naturally had his reasons for adopting such an excessively “courteous and well-mannered” mode of engagement, but neither Han Fei nor Feng Xuanzhen could understand them. Both wore expressions of doubt and opposition. Unfortunately, Han Fei was the first to voice his confusion and objections. Although Feng Xuanzhen clearly shared the same opinion, no one knew what suddenly possessed him. Without hesitation, he took the opposing side and joined Ning Xuan’s camp, repeatedly telling Han Fei not to issue reckless commands when he understood nothing, not to pretend knowledge he did not possess, and not to give irresponsible orders when he was still young and had never even set foot on a battlefield. Regardless of time, place, or occasion, Feng Xuanzhen also loudly shouted the new nickname he had invented for Han Fei, nearly angering Han Fei into overturning the table on the spot. Ning Xuan did not know whether to laugh or cry. The two had barely exchanged more than a few words, yet somehow they had already become sworn adversaries.
Whatever the reason, Ning Xuan was naturally pleased to have someone supporting him. Although even he could not understand Feng Xuanzhen’s behavior, only a fool would reject a favor delivered directly to his door. Afterward, Feng Xuanzhen was so depressed and regretful that he came to ask Ning Xuan what his true intention had been. Ning Xuan merely answered each time with a mysterious smile, wagging a finger. “The Buddha says it must not be spoken.”
Feng Xuanzhen’s face immediately twisted. He knew Ning Xuan’s temperament. Since Ning Xuan had explicitly told him it could not be revealed, then no amount of threats, enticements, or even prying his mouth open with a shovel would be of any use. With no other option, Feng Xuanzhen could only throw himself into battle and kill several more enemies.
Worse still, the most troublesome part came afterward. Ning Xuan, who could at most perform a few superficial moves, stubbornly insisted upon joining the front line and charging into battle, leaving Han Fei alone to command all the reserve forces. He apparently had no fear that a general in the field might disregard imperial orders and stab him in the back.
Since Ning Xuan entered battle, Xuan Guang, as his personal guard, naturally could not remain idle. Having only just grown accustomed to Ning Xuan’s barbed tongue and thinking he might finally enjoy a moment’s peace, Xuan Guang had seriously underestimated Ning Xuan’s ability to stir up trouble for no reason. Ning Xuan had actually decided to enter the fighting himself, making life miserable for Xuan Guang, who bore the responsibility of protecting him. Even Xuan Guang’s eternally unchanging, icy expression could not help twitching. He remained constantly tense, guarding Ning Xuan from before and behind, exuding an aura that warned all who approached that they would die. The instant the charge horn sounded, the soldiers surrounding them vanished without a trace as though swept away by the wind.
On the battlefield, Ning Xuan was not nearly as useless as an ineffectual scholar might have been. Although his abilities were limited, he still managed to carve out a “bloody path” for himself. For someone so young, entering the battlefield for the first time and fighting his first battle, Ning Xuan’s performance left everyone dumbfounded. The entire army’s morale soared, and their momentum became unstoppable.
The strategy of delivering the battle plan and deployment into the enemy’s hands, allowing them to study everything clearly before deciding the victor, succeeded in the very first battle. The voices of opposition immediately dwindled to almost nothing. Even Han Fei, who had been the first to leap forward and object, fell silent and adopted a neutral stance.
Having tasted the sweetness of their first victory, Feng Xuanzhen no longer had time—or any grounds—to object, no matter how many suspicions remained in his heart. When Ning Xuan insisted upon entering the battle personally, Feng Xuanzhen had already learned the art of selective hearing. Even if he truly could not stop him once they reached the battlefield, Ning Xuan at least had Xuan Guang at his side, to say nothing of the people secretly protecting him.
Compared with the Hua army led by Ning Xuan, however, the Xiliang forces, after suffering defeat after defeat, abandoned their previous wild arrogance and conceit. They continually withdrew into defensive positions and became increasingly cautious and vigilant.
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