The Road to Glory

Chapter 187

"Very well, then this Marquis shall beg you..."

All Wolf Cavalry members who had accompanied him dismounted. As Xiao Li walked through their ranks, they automatically formed two lines, placing one hand over their chests and bowing their heads in silent, restrained reverence amid the bitter wind.

Though the Wolf Cavalry was founded by Wei Qishan, this contingent had always been led by Liao Jiang.

Xiao Li had repelled the barbarians for them, defended the Northern Border, and avenged their general.

Henceforth, Xiao Li would forever be their benefactor.

The heavy snow continued until the next day without ceasing. Yanle Mountain's various Border Defense Camps had been replanted with Wei banners, with nearby rooftiles and distant hilltops all blanketed in frosty white.

Since the Border Defense Camp served as a permanent garrison, beyond military tents, numerous more winter-resistant earthen-walled tile-roofed houses had been constructed throughout the compound.

After last night's grueling battle, all soldiers were utterly exhausted. Rather than leading the righteous army troops down the mountain overnight, Xiao Li had them rest temporarily at the mountain camp.

Tao Kui, who had just arrived from Weizhou with Zhang Huai today, now stood guard outside Xiao Li's quarters. He broke off crumbs from the half-eaten steamed bun he'd been carrying in his robe to feed sparrows struggling to find food in the severe winter mountains.

Zhang Huai had instructed that no one should disturb Xiao Li before he woke naturally.

He guarded the door diligently, having already turned away several groups seeking Xiao Li. After feeding the chirping sparrows perched on bare branches, he shooed away these bothersome birds too.

This counteroffensive had lasted nearly half a month. Throughout this period, none of the participants had enjoyed proper sleep, often napping in whatever shelter they could find while clutching their weapons, ready to leap up and engage suddenly attacking barbarians.

The fierce battle that only ended last night had stalemated for two full days and nights. Anyone less resilient than these iron-willed men would surely have collapsed.

The military medic had come several times hoping to check Xiao Li's pulse, but since Xiao Li was naturally a light sleeper, Tao Kui kept the medic outside to avoid waking him.

During the morning, Tao Kui had tiptoed in to check on Xiao Li several times. He indeed slept restlessly, his brow perpetually furrowed with fierce intensity as if still trapped in days of slaughter within his dreams.

But when Tao Kui carefully retrieved that silver-gray cloak—the one Xiao Li always carried yet kept meticulously stored and rarely used—and draped it over him, just as he'd done when Xiao Li was struck by the poison arrow in Jinzhou, Xiao Li seemed comforted by some protective barrier separating him from the outside world. His tightly knit brows finally relaxed slightly as he sank into deeper sleep.

Song Qin and Zheng Hu, who had fought alongside Xiao Li, were equally exhausted from these grueling days. Tao Kui still hadn't seen them by this hour.

Bored, he began gathering snow from the steps to build snowmen when Zhang Huai approached with a Wei general. Learning Xiao Li remained asleep, the two conversed in hushed tones under the eaves.

The Wei general treated Zhang Huai with evident respect: "Rest assured, sir, our Wei camp will erect monuments for all righteous army soldiers who fell helping Northern Wei repel the barbarians. Compensation for bereaved families will also be delivered in full..."

They later discussed military supplies and other matters too complex for Tao Kui to comprehend. But during their journey, the strategist had promised the righteous army wouldn't fight this battle in vain, so the negotiations likely wouldn't shortchange them.No matter what Zhang Huai said, the Wei general responded with humble deference to each point, only adding at the end: "But I still earnestly request the Governor to meet with the Marquis one more time."

Zhang Huai's expression remained amiable, yet his words left no room for concession: "General, you should know that our Governor had already settled all accounts with your Wei clan before coming to aid Yanle Mountain. Previously, when your young master was married, you also earnestly invited our Governor to attend the wedding ceremony and personally bid farewell to your Marquis of Shuobian. What was the outcome?"

At this point, a hint of coldness finally surfaced at the corners of his lifted lips: "Taking advantage of our Governor going alone to the meeting, you imprisoned him, didn't you? If we hadn't rescued the Governor, and if your Yanle Mountain hadn't been in dire straits, how did your Wei camp intend to treat our Governor?"

Wei Ang, filled with shame, said: "The Marquis also holds Governor Xiao in high esteem. It was only upon learning that the Governor had concealed the identity of Princess Han Yang that he became so enraged. Detaining Governor Xiao was also to renew the bonds of ruler and subject, father and son. Who could have foreseen that the previous matter of having the righteous army guard Yanle Mountain would, through a series of misunderstandings, create such a rift that there was no room for maneuver? The Marquis is also deeply pained and regretful. Now that Governor Xiao has shown such great kindness to the Northern Border, the Marquis is more grateful than anything—how could he possibly trouble Governor Xiao again?"

Tao Kui, bowing his head, poked at the snowman he had just built, scratching his ear in irritation, unsure whether to remind them to move further away to talk.

Just then, the door under the eaves was pulled open from inside.

Xiao Li's stern features still carried traces of sleepiness and the fierce intensity brought back from the battlefield.

Tao Kui had just called out "Governor," while Zhang Huai and Wei Ang under the eaves also bowed to Xiao Li with clasped hands.

Zhang Huai asked: "Did we wake you, Governor?"

Wei Ang, upon hearing this, bowed his head even more apologetically.

Xiao Li did not respond, his cold gaze fixed directly on Wei Ang: "The righteous army aids the Northern Border for the sake of its people. There is nothing left for me to discuss with your Marquis."

Wei Ang hurriedly said: "General Liao has passed away, and the Marquis was ambushed by that traitor Pei Song in Luodu..."

Thinking of Wei Qishan, severely wounded, learning of Liao Jiang's death and vomiting blood, falling gravely ill, he said sorrowfully: "The Marquis surely has words he wishes to share with Governor Xiao. This humble general earnestly requests the Governor to meet with the Marquis once more..."

As he spoke, he actually lifted his robe, intending to kneel before Xiao Li.

Zhang Huai, quick to react, supported him and exclaimed: "General, what are you doing!"

But Zhang Huai, after all, was a civil official and could not hold Wei Ang back, allowing him to kneel down. Choking up, Wei Ang said to Xiao Li: "This humble general begs you. The Marquis... his health has been deteriorating lately. I fear..."

He could not continue, saying sorrowfully: "If the Governor does not agree, this humble general will remain kneeling here."

Xiao Li endured Wei Ang's kneeling, his brow furrowed. As he reached out to help Wei Ang up, he finally said: "General Wei, please rise quickly. I will go see your Marquis."

Wei Ang then expressed his boundless gratitude: "This humble general thanks Governor Xiao."

Wei Qishan had suffered a defeat at Luodu, was severely wounded, and upon learning of the upheavals in the Northern Border, Liao Jiang's death became the final straw that crushed his spirit.

Yet, with the Northern Border now in turmoil and hearts unsettled, he still needed to return to Weizhou as soon as possible to take charge. Thus, he led the ten thousand troops remaining after the battle at Luodu back north. The matter of cooperating with the Liang Camp to jointly attack Luodu and assault Pei Song was entrusted to Yuan Fang.When Xiao Li led the righteous army south and saw him again, it was in Dingzhou.

The northern wind blew snow, and clouds congealed for thousands of miles.

Xiao Li entered the Protectorate with Song Qin, Zheng Hu, and over ten personal guards. Wei Xian personally came to greet him, saying, "The Marquis has been waiting for Lord Xiao for a long time."

After passing through three sets of moon gates, the servants in the residence all stepped aside with bowed heads and remained silent, as if a heavy dark cloud hung over the entire Protectorate.

Passing through the corridor to the inner courtyard, the tiger guards stationed outside the door finally stopped Song Qin and the others who were accompanying Xiao Li.

Zheng Hu let out a dissatisfied snort from his nose.

Wei Xian said, "May I trouble the generals to have some tea and snacks in the side hall first?"

Song Qin nearby said, "Thank you for your kindness, we'll wait here for Lord Xiao."

Anyone could see that they were afraid of a repeat of the incident when Xiao Li went alone to the Wei residence and was detained.

Wei Xian said nothing more, only bowed and led Xiao Li inside.

When the door curtain was lifted, a strong smell of medicine rushed out.

Wei Pingjin was kneeling by the bed in the inner room, serving medicine to Wei Qishan. Wei Ang stepped forward and said, "Marquis, Lord Xiao is here."

Wei Qishan raised his hand to signal Wei Pingjin to stop feeding him medicine, saying, "You may leave."

Wei Pingjin held the medicine bowl that was still more than half full and anxiously called out, "Father..."

He seemed to want to persuade Wei Qishan to take more medicine, but after glancing towards the outer room behind the curtain and considering Xiao Li's presence outside, he ultimately didn't humbly plead further for the sake of face. With a gloomy expression, he withdrew.

Not long after, Wei Xian led Xiao Li in by lifting the curtain.

Wei Qishan instructed, "Bring a seat."

Wei Xian brought a Huanghuali wooden armchair that had been placed against the wall, bowing as he invited Xiao Li to sit.

Xiao Li didn't decline. After sitting down, looking at the Northern Border warlord on the sickbed who seemed to have aged ten years overnight, he suddenly understood the pain and oppression felt by Wei Ang and other Wei generals.

The Northern Border seemed to be collapsing along with its master's decline.

After the battles at Yanle Mountain and Luodu, the Wolf Cavalry had suffered over half casualties, and another garrison general had fallen. The entire Wei camp was already severely weakened.

To make matters worse, Wei Qishan was both injured and ill, and his physical condition didn't look promising at all.

If anything were to happen to Wei Qishan, even if the entire Northern Border wouldn't immediately collapse into disarray, in the current chaotic situation, it probably wouldn't hold out for long.

Wei Qishan sat leaning against soft pillows. Although his expression remained as stern as before, his near-death illness and weakness had greatly diminished his authority.

After coughing for a while, he said, "I am deeply comforted that you could come. Thank you for the Northern Border campaign..."

Xiao Li said, "The righteous army soldiers charged into battle for the people of the Northern Border, it has nothing to do with the Wei camp."

After speaking, he raised his head. Although the ferocity and defiance in his eyes were slightly restrained, their sharpness was even greater than before: "What does the Marquis want with me?"

Having his goodwill ruthlessly rejected and hearing such distant words, Wei Qishan's eyes seemed somewhat melancholy and complex. After coughing, he paused to catch his breath, then retrieved something from behind his pillow and handed it to him, saying, "Keep this from now on."

Xiao Li naturally recognized the tiger tally that Wei Ang had delivered to him not long ago.

After repelling the barbarians, he had returned the tiger tally to Wei Ang. Since Liao Jiang had died, he presumed Wei Ang had someone deliver the tally along with the battle report.

Xiao Li didn't accept it, as if he understood why Wei Qishan had summoned him this time. His long eyes half-lowered as he said, "I don't need it."

"After today's meeting, all favors and obligations are settled. Let us part here."He rose and made to leave without the slightest hesitation.

"Stop right there!" Wei Qishan seemed suddenly enraged. After that shout, he leaned against the bedframe coughing violently. Wei Xian hurried forward to pat his back and soothe his breathing, anxiously calling out, "Marquis..."

Then he called out to Xiao Li as well: "Governor Xiao!"

Xiao Li halted his steps, his back still turned.

After catching his breath somewhat, Wei Qishan said to Wei Xian, "You leave too!"

Wei Xian was clearly worried about his lord, but understood his temperament. He could only withdraw anxiously with a bow.

Once the door closed again, Wei Qishan finally seemed to resign himself. Gazing at Xiao Li's back, he said, "Must you force this old man to beg you?"

He struggled to rise while supporting himself on the bedframe: "Very well, then this old man shall beg you..."

He had grown so thin he was practically just bones now, making it extremely difficult for him to get out of bed.

Xiao Li turned and pressed Wei Qishan back down. The line of his jaw was cold and hard, his lips pressed tightly together as he said, "The Marquis has countless worthy officials and fine generals under his command. You can certainly select another worthy of commanding the tiger tally. Xiao Li is wild and undisciplined, and my ambitions lie elsewhere. The Marquis has misjudged me."

He released his hold and made to rise.

But Wei Qishan grabbed him. Though emaciated, the strength in his grip at this moment was astonishing. He shouted, "The Wolf Cavalry is the foundation of our Northern Wei! Do you understand what you're refusing?"

Perhaps from excessive emotion, he coughed violently again before having the strength to continue: "I don't require you to assist my unworthy son either. Just spare his life, allow him to live in idle wealth in the future."

This meant entrusting the entire Northern Border to him.

Xiao Li answered "I understand," yet what followed was still: "The Marquis should find someone more suitable."

Having spoken to this extent and receiving such refusal, Wei Qishan suddenly felt uncontrollable rage rising again. He shouted, "No matter how renowned Han Yang is now, it doesn't change the fact that she once suspected you and sought your life! For the two thousand righteous troops who died under your command at Yanle Mountain, you were willing to break with me. Now have you forgotten past grievances so completely that you would turn to her Liang Camp?"

The estrangement between Xiao Li and him, along with the deception about Wen Yu's identity and signs of defecting to Liang Camp, remained a barrier Wei Qishan couldn't overcome.

He demanded almost accusingly: "When have I ever treated you poorly? So many righteous troops dying at Yanle Mountain was never my intention! But her Liang Camp genuinely sought your life! If you claim this makes me inferior to Han Yang, I refuse to accept it!"

Xiao Li said coldly, "I will not join her Liang Camp either."

South of the Northern Border, the two major powers now were only Wen Yu and Pei Song.

His words meant he intended to establish his own faction with the righteous army.

This answer somewhat comforted Wei Qishan. Coughing and wheezing, he said, "The tripartite division of the realm is now inevitable. I know my time is limited. After I'm gone, with wolves circling Northern Wei, it may not last long. But with just your followers, fighting alone, how much can you truly take from Pei Song?"

"After conquering Pei Song, when Han Yang seeks to unify north and south, if you don't submit and instead take up arms against her Liang Camp, what justification will you have before the world?"Wei Qishan gazed at Xiao Li, his eyes filled with boundless desolation. "You took pity on the people of our Northern Border, leading the righteous army to help defend Yanle Mountain. Now you insist on leaving. If one day our Northern Wei collapses, unable to hold even an inch of land beneath our feet, and the people suffer the ravages of war and displacement—could you then turn your army back and openly establish your Xiao family's forces upon the ruins of Northern Wei? But after sacrificing so many soldiers to rescue them from peril, is it only to watch them die miserably in future wars? What does that mean for those soldiers under your command who now lie buried in Yanle Mountain?"

Xiao Li lifted his sharp gaze, a cold mockery hidden in his tone. "Is the Marquis blaming me for the future failure of the Wei camp to defend the Northern Border?"

Wei Qishan felt he had never been so humiliated in his life. His eyes revealed utter dejection and weariness. "This old man is begging you... to take over Northern Wei."

There was a time when he believed that as long as he paved the way for Wei Pingjin and left behind capable ministers and generals, even if he could no longer hold on, Wei Pingjin could lead the officials of Northern Wei to restore the Jin dynasty. But this southern campaign made him clearly realize—they could not win.

Whether it was Pei Song or Wen Shi Hanyang, neither was someone Wei Pingjin could handle.

Once he was gone, Northern Wei would be devoured in an instant, leaving not even bones behind! Let alone whether Wei Pingjin, his mother and siblings, and the Wei clan would survive.

Wei Qishan breathed heavily. "For the sake of that thirty-five-year obsession, I have already made mistakes. I cannot continue down this path... letting my subordinates die in vain."

This was the best arrangement he could conceive for the Northern Border and the Wei clan after days of deep contemplation—as the former lord of the Northern Border and the leader of the Wei family.

Rather than letting Wei Pingjin tread this path of no return, dying meaninglessly in political machinations, and watching the foundation he painstakingly built over thirty years collapse overnight, it was better to choose another candidate and let Northern Wei "survive" in a different form.

Xiao Li remained unmoved. "If it is for the sake of your subordinates, why doesn't the Marquis return to being a subject of Liang? Hanyang... might not necessarily hold you accountable for the attempt to restore Jin."

Wei Qishan shook his head, his eyes reflecting the desolation and resentment accumulated over thirty-five years. "Thirty-five years ago, I retreated for the people of the Northern Border, only to bring about today's outcome—carnage and suffering, the people living in destitution. It has merely arrived thirty-five years later. What meaning did my retreat back then hold?"

His final question seemed directed at no one in particular, yet his eyes still held ambition—burned out but unwilling to extinguish—and the sorrow of losing his beloved, living half his life in confusion after that retreat.

"My wife hated me until her death for not fighting for her. When she took her own life, she was even carrying our daughter, who was just months away from being born!" Recalling this most painful memory, Wei Qishan's eyes filled with agony. "In the past, I could claim I surrendered to the former Liang for so-called righteousness. Now that I have witnessed the Wen family's empire collapse in the blink of an eye, knowing the ruler I surrendered to was not wise—how could I, for the people of the Northern Border, surrender again to the Wen family? How could I be willing? What face would I have to see my wife in the afterlife!"Author's Note: Sorry for the delayed update due to health issues. As someone who frequently visits hospitals, I sincerely advise everyone to take good care of your health. While you might still succeed in winning back your lover after a rocky relationship, it's extremely difficult to remedy the consequences of neglecting your body. Thank you all for your concern. May we all stay healthy~