Under One Person: Starting from the Inheritance of Gods

Chapter 453 I'm determined to take this military power. Even if Chen Zhibao came, he couldn't stop me. I said it!
An uproar immediately erupted inside the pavilion.

Chen Zhibao frowned slightly: "Where did the Crown Prince get his information? Our scouts have not yet reported back."

"Is General Chen questioning me, the young master?" Fan Xian placed the secret letter on the table and tapped it lightly with his fingertips. "Or does the general believe that I have fabricated military intelligence?"

The air suddenly solidified.

Chu Lushan leaned forward slightly, his hand already on the hilt of his sword; Yuan Zuozong squinted his eyes, like a polar bear poised to pounce.

Both of them were loyal to the Xu family and Xu Fengnian, and Qi Dangguo was also watching them with covetous eyes.

Behind Chen Zhibao, Dian Xiongchu, Ye Xizhen, and others stood up and stood behind Chen Zhibao.

Yao Jian, on the other hand, was undecided.

Dian Xiongchu was one of the core military generals of the Northern Liang army. He once served as a third-rank military general and commanded 6,000 Iron Pagoda heavy cavalry. Later, he followed Chen Zhibao in betraying Northern Liang and entering Western Shu, where he served as a second-rank military general.

As for Yao Jian and Ye Xizhen, they are both among Xu Xiao's six adopted sons.

Yao Jian was from a side branch of the Taoist sect. He was skilled in finding dragon veins and observing sand formations, and always carried with him a well-worn copy of the "Geographical Classic".

He likes to squat on the ground and chew on the soil when he has nothing to do. He is skilled in the art of geomancy and dragon finding. He used to be close to Xu Fengnian, but he was influenced by the prophecy that Huang Longshi in white would kill the python dragon together, so he favored Chen Zhibao.

Ye Xizhen was a scholar-general, skilled in open strategies and planning behind the scenes, in stark contrast to Lu Qiu'er, who preferred underhanded schemes. He was a student of Zhao Changling.

He controlled half of Beiliang's intelligence agency, inherited Zhao Changling's will, and firmly believed that Chen Zhibao would control Beiliang's iron cavalry. Later, he hired someone to assassinate Xu Fengnian, but was stopped by Lu Qiu'er's countermeasure.

In the original novel, the two ultimately meet their end by being given poisoned wine by Xu Xiao and dying.

Chen Zhibao's expression remained unchanged: "This humble general dares not presume, but the military situation is of great importance, and the source needs to be verified."

"The source is very simple."

Fan Xian said calmly, "After three years of traveling, I, the young master, have not only been indulging in eating, drinking, and having fun. I have a force under my command called the Surveillance Bureau, and this information was obtained by them."

"If the news is true, the Northern Barbarians are taking advantage of our recent loss to carry out their treacherous acts," Yuan Zuozong said in a deep voice.

Fan Xian nodded: "That's right. The reason I invited you all here today is to discuss and decide on a strategy."

He looked around at everyone: "My father has just passed away, and the Northern Liang is leaderless. The Northern Barbarians are eyeing us covetously from the outside, and the Li Yang court is secretly coveting us from within. In this critical situation, someone needs to take charge."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Zhibao said, "The prince died suddenly and did not leave a will. Logically speaking, it is only right for the heir to succeed him. However, the heir does not understand the art of war. In this critical situation, I hope the heir will just do what he should do."

Fan Xian sneered inwardly. What did he mean by "doing what he was supposed to do"? Was he being made a figurehead?

"The succession is not urgent, and in name, our Northern Liang is still under the jurisdiction of Li Yang. We must wait for news from there."

Fan Xian suddenly turned around and looked at the rain outside the pavilion. "My father's body is not yet cold. As his son, how can I be in a hurry for power? The most urgent task is to repel the enemy and bring peace to the people."

"As the saying goes, 'Even if there are dates, you can still try your luck.' This time, it's nothing more than the Northern Barbarians seeing that my father left suddenly, thinking that my Northern Liang is weak and easy to bully, and wanting to take advantage of the situation, or perhaps they want to test the strength of my Northern Liang."

Fan Xian turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Then let them know that the blades of the Northern Liang cavalry are not dull yet!"

Chu Lushan grinned, his fat face squeezing into a ball: "The young master is right! The men of Beiliang are not to be trifled with!"

Fan Xian said solemnly, "There are two solutions right now. One is to fight back decisively to avoid a hundred blows. Bei Liang and Bei Mang should fight to the bitter end. A desperate army will surely win. We can show our strength and prestige, and then we can also deter Li Yang."

"However, this will inevitably lead to countless Northern Liang soldiers dying on the battlefield, their bodies wrapped in horsehide. Although it is said that a merciful person should not command troops, I do not wish to do so."

Yuan Zuozong pondered for a moment and said, "The Northern Barbarians are coming with great force this time, and we must deal with them with caution. In my opinion, we should immediately dispatch border troops to strengthen defenses, and at the same time send elite scouts to investigate the enemy's strength and weaknesses."

Fan Xian nodded: "General Yuan is absolutely right, but..."

He then changed the subject, saying, "Since the Northern Barbarians dare to come, they must have something to rely on. Why don't we turn the tables on them?"

Chen Zhibao's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Xu Fengnian and asked, "What does the young master mean?"

"Show your enemy your weakness."

Fan Xian's lips curled into a cold smile: "Spread the word that Northern Liang is plagued by internal strife and low morale due to the recent death of its prince. Wait for Northern Mang to underestimate us and advance recklessly, then we'll annihilate them in one fell swoop!"

Yao Jian finally spoke up: "This plan is ingenious, but extremely risky. If the Northern Barbarians don't fall for it and instead launch a strong attack, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Fan Xian looked at Yao Jian and said calmly, "General Yao's concerns are not without merit. Therefore, we need to take a two-pronged approach."

He walked to the sand table and pointed to a pass on the border: "First, my men will completely block the news of my return. Chu Lushan will lead 50,000 cavalry out of Huaiyang Pass to make a show of force and make it appear as if the main force is going to meet the enemy."

"But at the same time, the Fushuifang needs to take action to create a false impression for the Northern Mang intelligence department that, apart from Chu Lushan, the other generals of Northern Liang are holding back."

Chu Lushan asked with a smile, "Does Your Highness want me to act as if I'm being forced?"

Fan Xian smiled knowingly: "You should also be a little injured, and it would be best if you left in a huff. I don't need to tell you what to do next, do I?"

Chu Lushan's fat face trembled as he silently looked at Chen Zhibao and said with a sinister smile, "I understand. Old Chu is putting on a good show. First, he'll be loyal and unyielding, then he'll pretend to defect to the enemy!"

"Secondly, in order to cooperate with Chu Lushan, after Chu Lushan fought with the Northern Barbarians, Yuan Zuozong faked his death and actually led 30,000 light cavalry to detour through Hulu Pass to cut off the enemy's supply line."

Thirdly, Qi was in power...

"Fourth, send an urgent report to Liyang..."

.........

As Fan Xian spoke, a chill inexplicably ran down the spines of the Northern Liang generals. Well, who said the young master didn't understand military strategy? In just a few short strategies, he used intrigue, open schemes, open competition, covert seizures, and even the manipulation of people's hearts.

Fan Xian's gaze fell on Chen Zhibao. "Finally, I ask General Chen to take charge of Liangzhou City and oversee the entire situation."

Didn't you say that I, the young master, don't understand military affairs?
Then I'll arrange it for you to see. Moreover, Chu Lushan, Yuan Zuozong, Qi Dangguo, and others are all loyal to the Xu family. Fan Xian's purpose in arranging them is very clear: to divide military power.

I will firmly hold more than half of the Northern Liang cavalry in my hands, while you, Chen Zhibao, will be imprisoned in this Northern Liang city, serving as a figurehead who is not truly in charge of the overall situation.

You sidelined me, I'll sideline you in return.

Let's see who can outmaneuver whom!

The pavilion was completely silent.

Chen Zhibao stared at the sand table for a moment and then said, "Your Highness's plan is indeed feasible. However, the commander must be chosen carefully."

Fan Xian smiled slightly: "General Chen, who do you think is the most suitable?"

Chen Zhibao readily replied, "This humble general is willing to lead the troops there."

Fan Xian remained expressionless: "General Chen is the bravest in the army, naturally the best choice. However, Beiliang City is equally important, and someone still needs to be stationed there." "Moreover, this is my first time commanding troops, so you'll have to lend me a lot of support!"

Then, he changed the subject: "Moreover, the Liyang court has recently mobilized 200,000 troops to garrison the two Liaodong regions, and its intentions are self-evident. If General Chen is not here, I will have no one to rely on!"

Dian Xiong said in a deep voice, "Your Highness is mistaken. General Chen is the soul of the Northern Liang army, how could he..."

"General Dian!"

Fan Xian interrupted sharply, "There is only one military spirit of Beiliang, and that is the Xu-character royal banner. Military orders are as solid as mountains. Do you intend to disobey orders?"

At the opportune moment, Chu Lushan drew half of his sword, its cold light reflecting off his fat face, making him appear particularly ferocious.

Chen Zhibao raised his hand to stop Dian Xiongchu and slowly stood up. He stared intently at the young prince, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Your humble servant obeys," Chen Zhibao said, enunciating each word clearly, his voice eerily calm.

Fan Xian nodded slightly: "Very good. Then, everyone, proceed according to the plan immediately. I want to see all the troops mobilized within three days."

After the meeting, everyone left one after another.

Fan Xian stood by the pavilion, watching Chen Zhibao's departing figure through the rain, a calculating glint in his eyes.

Chen Zhibao must die, but not in Beiliang City. Today's words were merely to dampen his spirits; we'll see what happens next.

“Your Highness, Chen Zhibao won’t just admit defeat like that,” Yuan Zuozong said in a low voice as he walked to Fan Xian’s side.

Fan Xian chuckled: "Of course not. If he gave in so easily, he wouldn't be the White-Clad Soldier Immortal."

"But General Chen is my father's adopted son after all. His struggle with me for military power in Beiliang is for the good of Beiliang. He is afraid that Beiliang will be ruined in the hands of a playboy like me. I know all of this."

"I don't want to break ties with him. Keeping him by my side and keeping him under house arrest is the best solution I can think of."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zuozong couldn't help but praise, "Your Highness is benevolent and righteous, but when two tigers fight, one will surely be injured. You should make a decision as soon as possible!"

After everyone left, Fan Xian glanced upstairs and then departed as well.

That night, Fan Xian took wine and food and went straight to the eighth floor of Tingchao Pavilion, where Li Yishan was copying books.

The rain fell in fine threads, making the lights on the eighth floor of Tingchao Pavilion appear exceptionally bright in the rainy night. Fan Xian shook the water droplets off his cloak and pushed open the door. Li Yishan was engrossed in writing at his desk and didn't even look up when he heard the noise.

"You've arrived?" Li Yishan's voice was as hoarse as ever.

"Master!"

Fan Xian bowed respectfully, his gaze sweeping over the mountain of military reports and maps piled on the table. Although Li Yishan did not hold military power, he was the true strategist of Beiliang, and Xu Xiao's most trusted advisor during his lifetime.

Li Yishan finally put down his brush and looked up at Fan Xian: "Your Highness, your methods were excellent in today's discussion in the pavilion."

Fan Xian smiled slightly, sat down opposite Li Yishan, and poured himself a cup of tea: "You know everything?"

“I’m not blind or deaf. As soon as that fat man Chu Lushan left the mansion, he packed his things in a big way, cursing and saying that he was going to lead his troops away; Yuan Zuozong went to the military camp quietly; and Qi Dangguo mobilized his personal guard cavalry.”

Li Yishan coughed twice, "With such a commotion, it would be hard for me not to know."

Fan Xian took a sip of tea, which was cold, just like his expression at that moment: "Chen Zhibao will not sit idly by and wait for his death."

"nature."

Li Yishan pulled a secret letter from under the desk and pushed it to Fan Xian: "In the three years you've been gone, he's placed many trusted confidants in the army."

"Moreover, Dian Xiongchu commands six thousand Iron Cavalry, and Ye Xizhen controls half of the Northern Liang's intelligence system. Although you seized his military power today under the pretext of military intelligence, these two are still his men."

Fan Xian unfolded the secret letter, which detailed all of Chen Zhibao's actions over the past three years, including the troops he had secretly mobilized and the list of generals he had bribed.

He raised an eyebrow slightly: "You were already on guard against him?"

"It's your father."

Li Yishan sighed, "His biggest worry is Chen Zhibao. Chen Zhibao is too much like the King of Beiliang when he was young. He is ambitious and capable."

Fan Xian burned the secret letter over the candle flame, the firelight illuminating his sharply defined profile: "I deliberately left Chen Zhibao in Liangzhou City today to see what his next move would be."

Li Yishan shook his head: "He's a smart man, he won't make any moves anytime soon."

For a moment, both of them fell silent.

A flash of lightning streaked across the window, illuminating Fan Xian's cold, stern face. Li Yishan pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "The Supervisory Council you mentioned during the meeting earlier today, is that real?"

Fan Xian's lips curled up slightly: "Of course it's true. In the past three years, I have traveled all over the world. On the surface, I am a playboy who enjoys the scenery, but in secret, I have built my own intelligence network. The Supervisory Council has eight departments and more than 3,000 spies, spread all over Beiliang, Beimang, Liyang and even the Southern Frontier."

He took out a booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Li Yishan: "The specific route and troop deployment of the Northern Mang army this time will be delivered to your desk in three days."

Li Yishan flipped through the booklet, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "When did you manage to do all this?"

"The first year is for establishing the framework, the second year for infiltration, and the third year for closing the net," Fan Xian said casually. "My father actually knew about this, but he didn't tell anyone."

Anyway, Xu Xiao is dead now, there's no way to verify anything, so who can find out?

Fan Xian also needed a reasonable excuse to slowly infiltrate his people into Bei Liang.

Li Yishan closed the register and gave Fan Xian a deep look: "Like father, like son. If the King of Beiliang is watching from heaven, he will be pleased."

Fan Xian shook his head, walked to the window and looked at Liangzhou City in the rainy night: "It's not enough. Chen Zhibao is eyeing Beiliang covetously from within, the Northern Mang army is pressing in from the outside, and the Liyang court has 200,000 troops stationed in Liaodong. These three forces are like three knives, which could cut off Beiliang's head at any time."

"So you deliberately provoked Chen Zhibao today?" Li Yishan asked thoughtfully.

Fan Xian turned around, a calculating glint in his eyes: "I need to get him moving. If Chen Zhibao stays obediently in Liangzhou City, he'll be harder to deal with."

"Indeed, a venomous snake lying beside you that doesn't bite is far more dangerous."

Li Yishan suddenly coughed violently, and Fan Xian quickly stepped forward to pat his back. The old man waved his hand and said, "It seems my body won't last much longer."

Fan Xian laughed and said, "What are you saying? You still have a long life ahead of you!"

Li Yishan sighed and coughed a few times: "There's another matter. The Li Yang court will definitely send someone here, ostensibly to offer condolences to the King of Bei Liang, but in reality to probe Bei Liang's strength. How do you plan to deal with that?"

Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and asked, "Master, what are your thoughts?"

Li Yishan's gaze was deep and unfathomable as he uttered two words...

(End of this chapter)