The Road to Glory

Chapter 182: What Is the Great Cause?

Upon hearing this, Zheng Hu seemed somewhat stunned and hurriedly called out, "Second Brother!"

Even the usually steady Song Qin slightly furrowed his brow and said, "Prefect, the barbarians are advancing fiercely this time. After this battle, we don't know how many casualties our troops will suffer. If the Marquis of Shuobian, who is campaigning in the south, learns of the changes in the Northern Border and hastily turns back, we will no longer have the strength to fight him."

Since Xiao Li was no longer willing to remain under Wei Qishan, given Wei Qishan's temperament, he would certainly not let a tiger return to the mountains.

Other brothers also chimed in, "That's right, Prefect. The great cause is not yet accomplished. Why should we sacrifice our own troops for the sake of the Northern Border's common people?"

Everyone looked at Xiao Li. He raised his head and scanned the crowd, but only asked quietly, "What is the great cause?"

This was not an accusation but more like he himself had never truly figured out the answer.

To become superior to others, to be revered and worshipped by thousands?

That was not what he desired.

Nor was it his ambition.

His initial pursuit of power and profit was for two women.

One was the woman who gave birth to and raised him. He had failed to fulfill his filial duties and had not avenged her.

The other was the woman he loved. He could not give her what she sought, nor could he protect her in this chaotic world.

These two reasons were deeply branded into his soul.

But after raising such a righteous army in Tongzhou and leading them through countless life-and-death battles, ensuring that every one of them survived each battle as much as possible had also become his obsession.

That was why he had been so enraged when Wei Qishan, in order to weaken his influence in the army, sent his soldiers to their deaths.

During every sleepless night after deciding to leave Northern Wei, he had also pondered: With such an army in his hands, aside from attacking Pei Song and striving to become the strongest to make Wen Yu realize she had made the wrong choice, what else should he do?

He thought he must also order the demolition of all brothels and entertainment houses, strictly revise the laws against abducting and selling women from respectable families, and rigorously investigate corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants to prevent them from exploiting loopholes to oppress the people...

But all those things seemed so distant, and now he was faced with the dilemma of whether to save the majority of the Northern Border's people.

If Yanle Mountain were completely lost, Weizhou and several adjacent prefectures would inevitably fall as well.

If Wei Qishan's base were threatened, even if he had to abandon his campaign against Pei Song and rush back with his army to drive the barbarians beyond the passes, it would take considerable time.

No one could calculate how many innocent commoners would suffer during that time.

Perhaps Northern Wei would collapse entirely from then on, which would be a good opportunity for him to escape Wei Qishan's suppression and grow rapidly.

But an opportunity gained by ignoring the deaths of tens of thousands of commoners under the barbarians' blades—even without the world's condemnation—was something he himself would despise.

On the long street filled with panicked cries and chaotic clamor, the group of men on horseback fell silent after Xiao Li asked that question.

Xiao Li seemed still unable to find the answer and said, "If it's about sitting on that dragon throne, how many emperors throughout history have been dragged down from it?"

"Were they not the best at self-preservation? Did they not make choices that most benefited imperial power?""My brothers have entrusted their lives to me, following me through troubled waters onto this path, all because the world is unjust and war never ceases. The rebel kings across the prefectures can't squeeze oil from our scalps, so they peel off another layer of skin with blood and flesh, leaving us no way to survive. I never intended to lead everyone to risk their lives fighting for that blood-soaked dragon throne in Luodu's imperial palace. What I've always wanted is to avenge my mother, then help everyone secure a good future—so each can protect their own plot of land. When the world is finally at peace and war ceases, even without official positions, we can all live prosperous lives."

He looked at these brothers who had followed him through life and death since Yongcheng, and said, "The people fleeing in panic from the Northern Border today are no different from us in the past."

The north wind blew head-on, sweeping up countless snowflakes scattered in the cold night.

Xiao Li turned back to look at the streets still filled with weeping, his sharply defined profile illuminated by firelight. "Back when our brothers rose in rebellion, we hated the local governments that stood by watching bandits slaughter people. Now that the barbarians have breached the pass and begun their massacre, the carnage will only be worse than when bandits slaughtered entire counties in Tongzhou. This is Liang territory, and we are all Liang people. If we coldly watch our own people being slaughtered by foreigners today, just like those governments we overthrew in the past, we won't need others to point fingers—I'm afraid we won't be able to hold our heads up ourselves."

"This isn't about helping the Wei camp, but about all the people of the Northern Border."

"It's not that the Northern Border's people exist because of the Wei clan, but that the Wei clan exists today because generations of Northern Border people have put down roots here. Dynasties rise and fall as routine, and this Northern Border land won't always bear the Wei name forever."

After speaking, he clasped his hands toward the crowd. "If Xiao Li's aspirations run counter to yours, consider it my failure to live up to your trust."

Hearing these final words, Zheng Hu suddenly roared in frustration, "Second Brother, what kind of talk is that! What do you take us for? How many times have we followed you through life and death? Is any among us afraid to die? We're uneducated mud-legged fellows, we hold grudges and are shortsighted—we'll never forget what Wei Qishan did before! But just give the word, Second Brother, and even if it's a mountain of blades or sea of fire ahead, would your brothers not go through it with you?"

By the end, Zheng Hu's eyes were red-rimmed. "Talking about conflicting aspirations and failing each other—that really doesn't sit right with your brothers."

After speaking, he awkwardly turned his head away. The other brothers all fell into similarly uncomfortable silence.

Song Qin looked at Xiao Li and said, "What Tiger said is what I wanted to say too. You're our regional lord—if your decisions have flaws, we as your subordinates should advise and remonstrate. But you're also our brother. Even if you're wrong, your brothers will walk this road with you to the end. We can reason things out properly—why say such hurtful, distant words to your own brothers?"

He patted Xiao Li's shoulder and smiled meaningfully. "Big Brother only warns you this once—don't do it again, or your brothers might really turn against you."

Xiao Li looked at Song Qin, then at Zheng Hu and all his brothers. All their loyalty and affection needed no words.His emotions churned several times within. After taking a deep breath, he hastily lowered his long eyes in the heavy snow and said, "I was foolish, unwilling to let brothers follow me into danger merely out of personal loyalty. I spoke carelessly and offer my apologies to all brothers here."

Only then did Song Qin laugh: "What general fears death on the battlefield? Especially when killing barbarians. If you didn't treat us as brothers, you wouldn't have considered these matters - this precisely shows you do regard us as brothers."

The previously somewhat despondent brothers were persuaded to smile again.

Someone laughed while hastily wiping his eyes: "Ever since my gambling house days, I've followed Second Brother. Not just killing barbarians - I'd follow him to the underworld to slay Yama himself!"

Zheng Hu turned back to retort: "Don't steal my lines!"

The laughter grew louder.

Zheng Hu looked at Xiao Li, his eyes still somewhat red: "Second Brother speaks truth - we've all been forced out by these times! How can we be like those fat-bellied officials who stand by watching common people suffer? Our original purpose coming to the Northern Border was to kill barbarians anyway. Tonight let's slaughter to our heart's content! If that Wei Camp still dares ingratitude afterward, I'll just use my barbarian-cleaving axe on those ungrateful wolves of Wei Camp!"

Another added: "I only started serving the Prefect in Tongzhou. Perhaps I'm not as close as the Yongzhou brothers, but I genuinely respect the Prefect and wish to follow him always."

He smiled somewhat shyly: "Before following the Prefect, I served mountain bandits and hypocritical officials. Their words sounded sweet, but to them we mud-legged folk were worth less than wild grass - dead and forgotten without pay for our families, our names unremembered. Only under the Prefect did I learn that when he has meat, we truly get our share of broth."

Someone smacked the back of his head: "So you follow the Prefect just for meat broth!"

Rubbing his head amid roaring laughter, he joined in: "I'd take swill too!"

As laughter swelled, Xiao Li couldn't smile. His gaze solemnly swept every face among the mounted men. "Good brothers," he said.

Their expressions turned unprecedentedly lighthearted. In this snowy night, as if invigorated by chicken blood, they eagerly clamored about when to kill barbarians.

Song Qin told Xiao Li: "I'll take A Niu out of the city first, back to the army to inform the strategist."

Xiao Li nodded. "I'll have Wei Ang and Liao Jiang guarantee that after defending the Northern Border, when Northern Wei's southern expedition forces return, they won't trouble the righteous army."

After thirty thousand righteous troops had blockaded the city gates demanding his release, the entire Northern Border knew of his imprisonment.

Once this battle ended, Wei Camp would at least owe them another enormous debt on surface. As long as Wei Qishan retained any shame, he couldn't openly move against them again. With Wei Ang and Liao Jiang's guarantee, they gained additional security.

Seeing Xiao Li had already considered all his earlier concerns, Song Qin looked even more approving. After nodding to Xiao Li again, he made to leave with Tao Kui, but Tao Kui shouted: "No! A Niu wants to kill barbarians too..."Without waiting for Xiao Li to speak, Zheng Hu laughed heartily: "You foolish lad, you only know how to knock people out with a wooden mallet and dare not strike harder. The battlefield is perilous, and the barbarians are utterly ruthless—do you want to become their appetizer? If we hadn’t been unable to dissuade you this time, we wouldn’t have let you come along to rescue anyone."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of fear toward the barbarians crossed Tao Kui’s honest face, but he still had no intention of giving up. Stumbling over his words, he pleaded, "A Niu…"

Knowing his temperament, Xiao Li said to him, "The strategist alone is worth the lives of thousands of soldiers. By returning to protect the strategist and your grandfather, you will have accomplished a great deed."

Finally persuaded, Tao Kui obediently followed Xiao Li’s instructions.

As Song Qin led him on horseback, following the crowd toward the city gates, he kept turning his head to look back longingly.

He saw Xiao Li turn his horse around, shout "Giddyup!" and lead the remaining dozen or so riders against the flow of the crowd exiting the city.

People in the crowd repeatedly glanced back at them, some with panic, others with suspicion.

The dozen riders galloped swiftly against the wind, none looking back. The iron blades at their saddles gleamed like cold stars moving against their ordained paths.

Wei Qishan was resting his elbow in his tent, dozing lightly. When Wei Xian lifted the tent flap and entered with a bowl of freshly brewed medicine, a gust of cold wind blew in, rousing Wei Qishan. He opened his eyes, his expression grim.

Wei Xian approached with the medicine and asked, "Did I disturb you, Marquis?"

Rubbing his temples, Wei Qishan could not conceal his weariness. "I’ve been having many dreams lately. Even in this short nap, I had several."

Judging by his expression, they seemed to be unpleasant dreams.

Wei Xian said, "This old servant will ask the military physician to prepare a calming herbal concoction for you later."

Wei Qishan waved his hand dismissively, indicating it was unnecessary. As he sifted through the battle reports piled on his desk, he asked, "Has there been any news from the Northern Border?"

Wei Xian bowed and retrieved a report delivered just four hours earlier: "Only this one."

Wei Qishan had already read it. It stated that the barbarians, seeing half the troops withdrawn from the north, had invaded again, and Liao Jiang had personally gone to defend Yanle Mountain.

Wei Qishan said, "If any urgent reports arrive, bring them to me immediately."

Wei Xian knew he was worried about the northern conflict and advised, "With the battle against Bandit Pei imminent, Marquis, you must not strain yourself too much. General Liao is guarding the Northern Border—you can rest a little easier."

Wei Qishan coughed lightly into his hand and sighed. "This southern campaign is my attempt to resolve a lifelong regret—to walk the path I didn’t take thirty-five years ago and see a different outcome. But the barbarians are cunning. Even with Liao Jiang personally commanding the defense, how can I rest easy until victory is assured?"

Feeling stifled by the charcoal fire in the tent, he said, "Accompany me for a walk outside."

Wei Xian wanted to dissuade him but understood his master’s troubled state of mind. A breath of fresh air might do him good, so he fetched the heavy cloak hanging on the wall and helped Wei Qishan drape it over his shoulders.

As they stepped out of the tent, a blizzard raged outside, the wind and snow nearly blinding them.

Wei Xian followed behind Wei Qishan and seized an appropriate moment to speak: "Although we’ve diverted half the Northern Border’s forces for this southern campaign, aren’t thirty thousand righteous army troops still stationed outside Weizhou City? And that Xiao family youth is imprisoned. You left instructions, Marquis, that if necessary, his life could be used as leverage to compel those thirty thousand troops to rush to Yanle Mountain for reinforcement. The righteous army already had tactics to counter the barbarians before—there’s no reason they can’t hold Yanle Mountain now, especially with the Wolf Cavalry’s support. You need not worry excessively."When Xiao Li was mentioned, Wei Qishan's eyes, dignified yet concealing endless hardships, held too much complexity. In the end, he only sighed: "If this child were more gentle and kind, I would have intended for him to succeed Liao Jiang."

He didn't elaborate further, but Wei Xian understood—whether as ruler and subject or father and son, there was no longer any possibility between them.

Xiao Li was like a wolf galloping across the wilderness, unwilling to bear any shackles around its neck.

But such a fierce and untamed creature, without any restraint—who would dare employ him?

Wei Xian nodded and said, "No matter how wild the horse or eagle, they must ultimately serve humans to be considered good horses or eagles."

After hearing this, Wei Qishan, draped in his cloak, continued walking forward through the wind and snow without comment.

On the horse path left between the tents ahead, a patrol of soldiers rode by on horseback. Spotting the two figures from afar, they seemed about to call out and question them. But as they drew nearer and recognized Wei Qishan, the leader dismounted in surprise and exclaimed, "Father? It's so late—why are you still awake?"

Wei Qishan, surprised to see his son leading the night patrol, maintained his usual stern and authoritative demeanor in front of his son. There was no trace of a doting father, not even a hint of a benevolent general: "You're on patrol tonight?"

Wei Pingjin made no attempt to claim credit, simply clasping his fists and nodding: "General Yuan has gone to Fengyang. I wanted to familiarize myself more with military affairs so that in times of war, I can share your burdens."

Wei Qishan's expression remained unsoftened as he said, "Continue with your patrol."

Though coldly dismissed this time, Wei Pingjin showed no further signs of discontent. After another nod, he mounted his horse and soon rode off with the rest of the patrol.

Wei Xian remarked, "The young master seems much more composed than before. The day before yesterday, after arriving at Anguan, he sent letters to his mother and the county princess in Zhuojun to assure them of his safety. When your cough was severe during the day and the army doctor was summoned, the young master immediately had people gather numerous cough-relief herbs."

Wei Qishan said, "If he had put even half the effort he spends on these matters into his studies, he wouldn't be so mediocre now."

Though his tone remained stern, it no longer carried the former frustration of hoping for more from disappointing material.

"How much longer until Yuan Fang reaches Fengyang?" he asked.

Wei Xian calculated the time since Yuan Fang had parted from them: "Barring any mishaps, it should be within these two days. As you instructed, we feigned covert movements along the way, creating the illusion that this expedition is a secret attack on Fengyang. Presumably, Pei's camp has already heavily fortified Fengyang."

Wei Qishan said, "Let this grand gift be presented to her, Han Yang."

Wei Xian smiled: "After Princess Han Yang and Pei Song engage in a fierce battle at Fengyang, General Yuan's arrival will, at the very least, not leave us at a disadvantage. When you and the young master seize Luodu, relying on the strength of the Northern Border, neither Pei Song nor Princess Han Yang will be able to reclaim the imperial capital from you in the future. Once the Northern Wei cavalry sweeps south after spring, who in Liang territory will still be able to stop you?"

By the roadside stood a Cheval de frise, already covered in a thick layer of snow.

Wei Qishan halted, gazing at the thousands of military tents behind him in the firelight, and suddenly said, "If we win this southern campaign, if only these thirty-five years could be lived over again."

Hongyan Temple.

Zhao Bai hurried into the hall, his clothes and hair still dotted with scattered snowflakes. He clasped his fists toward Wen Yu, who was still copying scriptures with a brush, and reported: "Princess, we've extracted the mastermind behind this."Author's Note: I struggled a lot with this chapter, revising and deleting repeatedly, and couldn't deliver a lengthy update. My apologies to everyone.

When writing political intrigue, it's like pursuing enlightenment in xianxia—everyone eventually finds their own path. When my skill with words and narrative strength can't fully convey the story I want to tell or express the intended themes, I often hit frustrating roadblocks, like being trapped in a maze. I repeatedly revise or even rewrite these sections until they feel passable before moving forward. I apologize again for not being able to push the plot further with more content.

But please don't worry about me rushing the ending. If I wanted to wrap things up perfunctorily, I could have finished this long ago and handed it over to the copyright holders. Yet I've been wrestling with myself, delaying submissions multiple times, all just to strive and write it as well as possible.

The stories and characters born from my pen—I need to take responsibility for them, and for the reader friends who've been eagerly following and loving this tale.

I've said this many times but want to reiterate: if you have confidence in this story, keep following it; if it doesn't meet expectations, cut your losses in time. You're all spending money to read—prioritize your own experience first. Don't compromise for any book.

About changing the synopsis—many have asked. The reason is indeed because it felt too spoiler-heavy, and some readers clicking in based on the original synopsis might find the actual content not matching their expectations (with very little romance). To avoid setting such expectations for future readers, I kept only those two lines.

Regarding the main characters' personas: current online debates about gender are intense, especially concerning fictional roles. Everyone has different definitions and understandings of various labels, so I've never tagged the story with such labels (even though tagging might bring positive engagement). Rather than using a label to crudely box in things that aren't fully defined, I believe readers—approaching the ending naturally without spoilers—will understand the characters better. Not by judging their every word and action based on a label or preset persona. (I hope this makes sense and doesn't offend—just want everyone to understand why many authors now hesitate to use certain tags.)