Under One Person: Starting from the Inheritance of Gods

Chapter 454 A Complex Situation, Dong Zhuo's Army Arrives
"Marriage!"

Fan Xian's pupils contracted upon hearing this. He gently stroked his teacup with his fingers, then looked up and asked, "Are you talking about Zhao Fengya?"

Li Yishan nodded and said, "That's right. Zhao Fengya is the most beloved daughter of Zhao Li, the old emperor of the Liyang Dynasty. Her title is Princess Suizhu, which means 'bright pearl' was presented as tribute by the Sui Kingdom when she was born."

"Although she is spoiled and domineering, times have changed. It is probably unlikely that you will inherit the throne of the Northern Liang King. In fact, many people in the Liyang court would love for the Northern Liang to be abolished."

"The best outcome I can foresee is a demotion in rank, either becoming the Prince of Beiliang or the Duke of Liang. If you marry Zhao Fengya now, with some maneuvering, you should be able to keep your title of Prince."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian couldn't help but chuckle a few times: "Although Li Yang is wary of the 300,000 iron cavalry of Bei Liang, in their eyes, I, a playboy, am also weak and easy to bully."

"Therefore, they cannot sit idly by and watch Chen Zhibao take over Beiliang. They will definitely support me as a puppet. It can be said that Li Yang will now become my help."

“However…” Fan Xian narrowed his eyes.

"But what?" Li Yishan asked curiously.

"If I don't want to be this puppet, my father can hold onto the throne of the King of Beiliang, and so can I. His reputation was earned through bloodshed, and I might not be any worse off," Fan Xian said confidently.

"You want to expose yourself?"

Fan Xian nodded: "That's right. After pretending to be a playboy for so many years, it's time to live with a different face."

Li Yishan's expression turned serious: "But if this happens, the two sides will fight, and the fisherman will benefit. Not only will Liyang not become your ally, but it is also very likely that they will support Chen Zhibao."

"Li Yang will absolutely not stand idly by and allow a second King of Beiliang to emerge!"

Fan Xian said dismissively, "I don't care about what I get by relying on others' charity. I want to take it for myself. Chen Zhibao is also a smart man. Beiliang can be chaotic, but it cannot be disintegrated."

"He understands this principle as well. Moreover, the military situation is urgent right now. In order to consolidate my position and win the hearts of the people, I must expose myself. Hiding and retreating is not in my nature."

Li Yishan was silent for a moment, then sighed: "This will put you in a difficult position."

Fan Xian chuckled and said, "It may be difficult, but how many overlords have it easy?"

"As for the marriage alliance..."

Fan Xian pondered for a moment: "Let's play it safe and take a multi-pronged approach. We can express our intentions to Li Yang, but we need to delay it, preferably until I truly control Bei Liang."

Marrying Fan Xian is impossible, after all, he already has Lin Wan'er. If Wan'er knew that he went out and brought back a sister, wouldn't she be angry?
He's perfectly content with his life now, living with only one person for life.

In the past few days, Xu Fengnian hasn't even been to Wutong Garden. He claims to be observing mourning for his father, repenting of his past mistakes, and abstaining from women.

This left Jiang Ni with nowhere to vent her anger on Xu Fengnian.

At this moment, Li Yishan stared at Fan Xian, a hint of relief flashing in his cloudy eyes: "Since the young master has this intention, I will do my best to help him."

The rain outside the window intensified, with large raindrops pounding against the blue tiles, making a dense sound.

Fan Xian stood up and walked forward, gazing at the pitch-black night: "Master, I will make a public appearance tomorrow to personally inspect the Iron Pagoda."

Li Yishan frowned: "It's too risky. The Iron Pagoda is managed by Dian Xiongchu like an iron plate, and Chen Zhibao's influence within the Iron Pagoda..."

"That's exactly what we need to do to catch him off guard."

Fan Xian turned around, the candlelight flickering in his eyes. "Dian Xiong has always prided himself on his strict military discipline. I'll see who commands this elite heavy cavalry of Beiliang."

At the same time, Fan Xian thought to himself, "I want to push him a little and see if Chen Zhibao can really sit still!"

The next morning, the rain stopped and the sky cleared.

Dressed in plain clothes, with a Northern Liang sword hanging at his waist, Fan Xian, accompanied by Yuan Zuozong and Qi Dangguo, carrying the Xu-character King's Banner, suddenly appeared at the Iron Pagoda's encampment.

The soldiers at the gate tried to stop him, but they couldn't stop the Xu-character King's banner. When Dian Xiong rushed over upon hearing the news, Fan Xian had already ascended the command platform.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Dian Xiong sat arrogantly on his horse, but his eyes held a hint of wariness: "I wonder what business the young master has with my Iron Pagoda's camp?"

"Your Ironclad Cavalry?!"

Fan Xian looked at him with a half-smile, focusing on a single word and relentlessly attacking his will: "It seems General Dian treats the Iron Pagoda as his own private army!"

Dian Xiongchu frowned and said, "This humble general misspoke; it should be the Iron Cavalry of Beiliang."

Fan Xian ignored Dian Xiongchu and instead looked around at the six thousand heavily armored cavalrymen below the platform. Some of these Ironclad Cavalry soldiers were curious about Fan Xian, but most of them looked down on him.

After all, Xu Fengnian's reputation for being dissolute and纨绔 (a spoiled, dissolute young man) was well-known throughout the entire Northern Liang.
"My lords, my father has just passed away, and Northern Liang is on the verge of collapse. I have come today to ask only one question..."

Xu Fengnian suddenly drew his Northern Liang sword, the blade pointing straight at the sky: "Northern Liang Iron Cavalry, do you still recognize this Xu-character royal banner?!"

A moment of silence fell over the audience. Some looked at Dian Xiongchu, but most of them immediately erupted in a thunderous roar: "We swear to be loyal to Beiliang to the death!"

The roar was deafening, and Dian Xiong's face instantly turned ugly.

Fan Xian then looked at Dian Xiongchu with a half-smile: "General Dian, it seems your soldiers still recognize their true master."

Dian Xiongchu's expression was displeased: "Your Highness is joking. This humble general and his Ironclad Cavalry will naturally be loyal to Northern Liang."

"Isn't pledging allegiance to Beiliang the same as pledging allegiance to my Xu family?" Fan Xian approached step by step, looking at Dian Xiongchu.

Dian Xiongchu remained unresponsive, only saying, "To be loyal to Beiliang is to be loyal to the Xu family."

"Forget it, this is pointless!" Fan Xian sheathed his sword. "From this day forward, I will personally lead the Iron Pagoda. General Dian will assist me."

Dian Xiong wanted to object and even tried to implicate Chen Zhibao, but Fan Xian didn't give him time to react. He left the document stamped with the seal of the King of Beiliang and left.

Dian Xiong held the document in his hands, his face as black as a pot.

This news spread like wildfire throughout Northern Liang.

That afternoon, Fan Xian sent another letter, inviting Chen Zhibao to meet him on the top floor of Tingchao Pavilion.

As dusk settled, Chen Zhibao, dressed in pristine white, ascended the Listening Tide Pavilion alone. Fan Xian, clad in dark robes, leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance.

Chen Zhibao's tone remained completely calm as he simply said, "Your Highness has displayed impressive skills today."

Fan Xian chuckled: "It can't compare to General Chen's years of secret planning."

After a moment of silence, Chen Zhibao finally spoke: "Does the young master really want to fight for Beiliang?"

“It’s not about fighting,” Fan Xian said firmly. “It’s about taking back what rightfully belongs to me.”

Chen Zhibao turned around, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Beiliang is not child's play, and 300,000 iron cavalry are not toys. Has the young master considered how much Beiliang land the Northern Barbarian cavalry will trample once war breaks out?"

“That’s why I’ve come to see you.” Fan Xian didn’t back down. “I can give you a chance. After this battle, take your trusted men and leave Beiliang. I will guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and honor.”

Chen Zhibao's eyes were icy: "Is the young master trying to get rid of me?" "I'm giving you a way out," Fan Xian's tone grew colder, "Otherwise, if internal strife breaks out in Beiliang, we'll both be sinners, you don't deny that, do you?"

Chen Zhibao remained calm, simply cupped his hands in greeting, and went downstairs.

That night, in an inconspicuous courtyard west of Liangzhou City.

Chen Zhibao removed his armor, donned a plain white robe, and was playing chess alone. The black and white chess pieces gleamed coldly under the lamplight, like thousands of troops on a battlefield.

Dian Xiongchu knelt on one knee to the side, constantly reporting: "General, the Crown Prince is really going too far. Today he forcibly seized the command of the Iron Pagoda Army, clearly trying to cut off your arm!"

Ye Xizhen also said in a deep voice, "The Crown Prince's move is intended to force you to take action. If you endure it, he will press you step by step; if you retaliate, you will play right into his hands and be branded as a traitor."

“If the Crown Prince dares to seize the Iron Pagoda today, he will dare to move other troops tomorrow. He has the moral high ground, Li Yishan is planning behind him, and he is supported by Chu Lushan, Yuan Zuozong and others. If we act rashly, we will be put on the defensive.”

Chen Zhibao held a black chess piece between his fingers, hesitating to place it. Instead, he suddenly smiled and said, "The young master has changed quite a bit since his return."

"The Crown Prince used to despise power struggles, but now he is a master strategist; he used to be ignorant of military affairs, but now he is an expert in military tactics. Three years of travel have transformed him so much. Perhaps the Crown Prince has truly grown up."

Ye Xizhen shook her head and said, "It's also very possible that the young master was faking it all along."

Chen Zhibao pointed out, "Of course he's faking it."

Seeing the two men's unhurried manner, Dian Xiongxu gritted his teeth and said, "General, we can't wait any longer. Although he has taken the Iron Pagoda, there are still generals in the army who are loyal to you. As long as you give the order..."

"shut up!"

Chen Zhibao gave a cold shout, and a black piece landed on the chessboard with a "thud," revealing his murderous intent.

He slowly rose to his feet, standing with his hands behind his back: "What we need to do now is wait, and only wait, and remain still."

"General?" Dian Xiongchu looked puzzled.

“Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Today, the Crown Prince just seized your Iron Pagoda, and then he came to me to offer me kind words and advice, using both kindness and severity. However, these are all too superficial, and anyone can see through them.”

Chen Zhibao's gaze was deep and unfathomable: "What we need to wait for now is whether the Crown Prince's plan will work. It is true that Chu Lushan is capable, and the Crown Prince's plan does have its merits."

"However, there is a critical point: can Chu Lushan, a man who is loyal to Beiliang, convince Dong Zhuo that he has truly betrayed the regime?"

"Dong Zhuo fought against Chu Lushan many times and was one of the people who knew Chu Lushan best. Do you think he would believe that?"

Chen Zhibao looked at Ye Xizhen.

Ye Xizhen shook her head: "I'm afraid it will be difficult!"

Chen Zhibao said, "That's right. If the prince's plan fails and he loses the morale of the army, the military power will still be mine. The gains and losses at present are nothing."

"I'm more patient than the Crown Prince imagines!"

-----

Seven days later, at Huaiyang Pass.

Due to the death of Xu Xiao, the King of Beiliang, the generals under the King of Beiliang were in disarray. Chen Zhibao, under the pretext that Xu Fengnian was not in Beiliang, pretended to support Xu Longxiang in order to stabilize the overall situation, but in reality, he was the true leader of Beiliang.

Chu Lushan, therefore, led his troops away in a huff, and Chen Zhibao issued a military order, commanding him to guard Huaiyang Pass. It is said that he was wounded and even had to be carried into Huaiyang Pass to set up camp.

Fifteen days later, Dong Zhuo of the Northern Barbarians finally led 100,000 cavalry south.

Outside Huaiyang Pass, yellow sand swirled in the sky. Dong Zhuo reined in his horse and stood on a hilltop, squinting at the distant city gate. His deputy, Tuoba Xiong, leaned closer and said, "General, Crow's Den reports that Chu Lushan and Chen Zhibao are indeed fighting amongst themselves."

Dong Zhuo stroked the curved sword at his waist, then suddenly sneered, "Chu Bacha is a master actor. Issue the order to the entire army..."

He suddenly drew his scimitar. "The vanguard will feign an attack on the city, the central army will ambush on both flanks, and the rear guard will prepare oil!"

Inside the pass, Chu Lushan was pale-faced, sitting with his legs crossed, gnawing on a lamb leg. To make the performance more realistic, he had himself whipped dozens of times, leaving his back raw and bleeding.

A guard rushed in, panicking: "General! The vanguard of the Northern Barbarians is less than ten li from the pass!"

Chu Lushan ran his greasy fingers across the military report: "Tell Yuan Baixiong that it's time to hook this bait."

The first battle between the two was just a preliminary test, so it was not a fierce one. Chu Lushan led his troops in a feigned retreat, deliberately abandoning the first line of defense outside Huaiyang Pass, which allowed Dong Zhuo's vanguard to advance rapidly.

"Report——!"

A messenger from the Northern Barbarian tribe rode swiftly to report, "General, Chu Lushan's army has been routed and has retreated to defend the second pass."

Dong Zhuo frowned, tapping his fingers on the saddle, and suddenly sneered: "Send down the order, the entire army to cease pursuit."

The lieutenant, Tuoba Xiong, asked in bewilderment, "General, if we don't pursue the victory now, when will we?"

Dong Zhuo narrowed his eyes and slowly said, "Chu Lushan is as cunning as a fox. If he were truly defeated, he would surely defend Huaiyang Pass to the death. How could he retreat so easily? This is a trap to lure the enemy!"

He looked up at the distant mountains and said in a deep voice, "Order the entire army to retreat five miles and set up an ambush on both sides of the valley. I want to see if Chu Lushan dares to chase after us!"

Inside Huaiyang Pass.

After hearing the scout's report, Chu Lushan laughed heartily: "That Dong Zhuo is indeed cautious!"

He wiped the grease from his mouth, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "Since he won't take the bait, let's add fuel to the fire."

He turned to his personal guard and said, "Two days later, spread the word that my wound has reopened... Well, that's all. Any more and that fat Dong won't believe it."

"Remember, do it unintentionally."

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, many people from Fan Xian's Supervisory Bureau have also arrived here.

In addition, Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng led the thirty-six Heavenly Generals, the seventy-two Earthly Fiends, and many Bad Guys to the Snow World.

Sanzenin even infiltrated the Northern Mang army.

As night deepened, in the Northern Mang army camp.

As Dong Zhuo was discussing military matters with his generals, a trusted confidant rushed into the tent and whispered, "General, I just received a secret report that Chu Lushan's wound has reopened, and Huaiyang Pass is in complete chaos."

Dong Zhuo's eyes flashed, but he was still not convinced: "Investigate further. I want to know why Chu Lushan's wound reopened?"

By the evening of the following day, the confidant reported somewhat hesitantly, "It seems that Chu Lushan was enraged by the death of Bai Xiong Yuan Zuo Zong, which caused his wound to reopen."

Dong Zhuo immediately frowned: "What did you say? Yuan Zuo Zong is dead?"

The confidant lowered his head: "That's right, the chaos in Beiliang seems to be more serious than we imagined, and because of this news, three of our spies in Liangzhou City have died."

(End of this chapter)