xymnovel Chapter 144 Where Do We Go in Yecheng and Luoyang?
Chapter 144 Where Do We Go in Yecheng and Luoyang?
Upon hearing the news, Madam Gao, Gao Huaixuan, and Gao Huailiang hurriedly came out to greet him. They were overjoyed to see Gao Xingzhou, as the family had not seen each other for half a year.
Upon seeing the group of Khitan soldiers with shaved heads and disheveled hair surrounding him, he was taken aback once again.
This confirmed Zhao Dejun's previous statement. However, as long as he returned safely, the whole family couldn't worry about anything else for the time being and quickly led him inside.
When Gao Xingzhou saw that Gao Huaide was not there, he wondered where the boy had gone in the midst of the chaos of war. He snorted heavily, bowed to Zhao Dejun and his son, and entered the mansion with his family.
It was evening, and Madam Gao and Gao Huaixuan personally cooked a delicious meal. Gao Huaide also appeared at the table.
The donkey meat, with its rich red color and delicate texture, is fragrant and flavorful. The flatbread baked with donkey oil is golden and tempting. Paired with steaming hot Huguan mutton soup, one bite warms the whole body. There is nothing more comforting than eating and drinking like this in the cold winter.
After several months apart, the family reunited, which should have been a cause for celebration, but instead, an argument broke out.
It all started with a small incident.
Amidst the joyful atmosphere, a sense of solemn restraint lingered. Everyone carefully avoided topics related to the war, showing interest in Gao Xingzhou's experiences over the past few days while avoiding the sensitive question of how he returned.
Outside the hall, the Khitan soldiers and their personal guards were clearly separated, which added to the tense atmosphere.
Mrs. Gao mentioned that she was already preparing to move, and her luggage was all packed. She tentatively asked her husband if it was necessary to leave.
Gao Huaide blurted out a complaint without thinking: "They say they're moving one minute, and the next they say they're not. They're so fickle and unpredictable."
Before Gao Xingzhou could react, Madam Gao rebuked him, "Your father just returned, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Gao Huaide argued, "I was talking about moving, nothing else."
His explanation only made things worse. Realizing she had overreacted, Madam Gao forced a smile and said, "Really, you're all grown up, and you still don't know how to speak properly."
Normally, a gentle rebuke from his mother would be enough for Gao Huaide to acquiesce and let the matter rest. But at this moment, a fire was burning inside him, and he retorted, "How am I being unreasonable? Is it okay to do it but not to say it?"
Gao Xingzhou had no choice but to speak up, slamming his rice bowl and chopsticks on the table.
"Let him talk! I want to hear what kind of logic he has to come up with."
How could Gao Huaide truly confront his father about his betrayal of the enemy? He glared at him angrily and remained silent.
Gao Huaixuan and Gao Huailiang came over to mediate. One said that the younger brother was being unreasonable and asked their father to forgive him; the other told the older brother to apologize to their father and that would be enough.
Gao Huaide felt that his whole family was not on his side, and his feelings of grievance were even more intense. He stood up and walked out without looking back.
"They always talk about being upright and loyal to their masters, and they're so eloquent when they're lecturing others. But what happens in the end? They still kneel down and surrender to the enemy."
The more Gao Huaide thought about it, the more he couldn't swallow his anger, and a thought gradually sprouted from the bottom of his heart.
……
The 14th day of the intercalary winter month, the day of Ji Si.
Liu Yanlang, Liu Zaiming, and others fled all the way to the imperial camp in Huaizhou.
Li Congke had just learned of a series of news: Shi Jingtang's ascension to the throne, Zhang Jingda's death, Yang Guangyuan's surrender, the fall of Jin'an Village, the Khitan army's southward advance, and the crushing defeat of Zhao Dejun's reinforcements. It was as if he had fallen from a towering building.
The situation reversed. With the addition of surrendered troops, Shi Jingtang's forces numbered over 100,000, while he himself only had about 10,000 men. The disparity in strength was obvious.
Since Fan Yanguang's troops were still intact, and the Tianxiong Army was still in good standing, the Khitans would surely fear Shandong and dare not march south. Therefore, the emperor should go to Weizhou.
Li Song, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, once served as Fan Yanguang's chief secretary. When Fan Yanguang became the Privy Councilor, Li Song was appointed as a Remonstrance Official and then served directly in the Privy Council. Li Congke summoned him to discuss matters.
Hanlin Academician Xue Wenyu arrived unexpectedly, causing Li Congke to change color in anger. Li Song lightly stepped on Xue Wenyu's foot and then left.
Li Congke said, "When I saw this thing trembling, I was about to draw my knife and stab it."
Li Song replied, "If a scholar encounters a petty person, it will lead to a major mistake. To criticize him would only make things worse."
Therefore, I request that the Emperor return to the capital.
Should we go to Ye City? Or return to Luoyang?
Li Congke pondered the matter deeply and found it difficult to make a decision. Li Song offered several reasons on his behalf:
Firstly, the capital city is a crucial location and cannot be easily abandoned. Many officials and their families live there, and if Shi Jingtang were to occupy it, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Secondly, Hebei, backed by Hedong, was originally a close neighbor, but now it has become an enemy state. Shi Jingtang could march east out of the Taihang Mountains at any time, emulating Emperor Gao Huan of the Northern and Southern Dynasties' rule over Hebei. From his high position, he would be difficult to resist.
Thirdly, if Luoyang falls, they can still retreat to Guanzhong and continue resisting using the strategic passes of Xiaohan. However, if they are trapped in the flat plains of Hebei, they may not even be able to escape the Yellow River. In the war when the Northern Zhou destroyed the Northern Qi, Emperor Gao Wei was trapped in Yedu and was caught up before he could escape to Qingzhou. We must learn from this lesson and not repeat the same mistake.
After some persuasion, Li Congke abandoned his idea of going to Yecheng to join forces with Fan Yanguang and agreed to Li Song's request to return to the capital.
However, the emperor seemed to have forgotten that several years ago, when the court was selecting a general to garrison Taiyuan, it was Li Song who strongly recommended that no one but Grand Commandant Shi be chosen. Just then, Emperor Mingzong ordered an imperial envoy to urge the matter, and everyone followed his advice.
After receiving the order, Shi Jingtang sent his trusted aide to convey his message to Li Songyun: "The stupa must be combined with the sharp point."
It means that the pagoda has closed its top cover, which is a sign of deep gratitude.
Two years ago, Li Song released Shi Jingtang back to his post, and this year he offered advice on establishing friendly relations with the Khitan. Li Song played a crucial role in both. Li Congke judged people solely by their resumes, which was a mistake.
Ye City, where Li Cunxu established his dynasty, is also known as Xing Tang Prefecture, the place where this dynasty rose to power.
……
The 17th day of the intercalary winter month in the third year of Qingtai, the day of Renshen.
When Li Congke arrived in Heyang, he ordered his generals to guard the southern and northern cities, intending to use the three cities of Heyang as the last line of defense for the capital. He personally guarded the city to defend against the enemy and called on all the towns to come to the aid of the emperor.
The day before, Yelü Deguang led a large army through Tuanbo Valley and offered wine and food as sacrifices to Heaven and Earth.
Even at this point, the people's hearts had not yet turned to Shi Jingtang, and the situation was still manageable.
In Daizhou, the governor Zhang Lang beheaded the envoy.
In Xinzhou, Lu Qi, a scholar of the Duanming Hall, was ordered to reward the Northern Army when he encountered the Jin envoy and beheaded him as well.
Lu Qi persuaded Governor Ding Shenqi to lead his troops and people from Wutai to Zhenzhou. Ding Shenqi initially agreed, but changed his mind when it was time to depart, closed the main city, and refused to go.
The state troops were under the command of Lü Qi, who wanted to launch a joint attack. Lü Qi said, "Our country is in such a state, why should we slaughter each other again!"
He then led his army to Zhenzhou. His second son, Lü Duan, was born last year in Anci, Youzhou, and is only one year old this year.
In Jinzhou, Jiedushi Zhang Jingda led an expedition, and Gao Hanjun, the Left General of the Golden Guard, took over as governor. Jiedushi Deputy Governor Tian Chengzhao led his troops to attack the prefectural government.
Gao Hanyun opened the door to welcome him in and calmly asked, "Both of us have been appointed by the imperial court, why are you pressuring me like this?"
"I wish to appoint you as military governor!"
Gao Hanyun was kind and generous. Although he had served in the military, he never uttered any illegal words and was proud of his innocence.
Now he also sternly refused: "I am old and frail, and dare not be the first to cause chaos. My life and death are in your hands."
Tian Chengzhao glanced to the left and right, signaling to step forward and attack. The soldiers threw their weapons to the ground, saying, "Gao Jinwu has a long-standing reputation and cannot be killed unjustly."
This is the power of prestige; the will of the people is hard to refuse, so Tian Chengzhao could only apologize: "It was just a joke!"
Gao Hanyun then hurried back to the capital, where Li Congke encountered him on the way. Fortunately, he was safe and sound: "I was worried that you might be injured by the rebel soldiers, but I am very happy to see you now."
Luoyang.
Heyang is only fifty li away from Luoyang, practically within arm's reach. When news of the emperor's retreat to this place and the defeat of the government troops reached the capital, the people were greatly alarmed, and residents fled in all directions, scattering into the valleys.
The gatekeeper requested permission to forbid it, but Prince Yong, Li Chongmei, said: "The country is in great turmoil, and I have failed to govern the people. To forbid them from seeking survival would only increase my bad reputation. It would be better to let them do as they please and let them return to their place."
The order to let them go wherever they wanted brought some relief, but when unexpected events occurred, they tossed and turned, unable to sleep soundly.
Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night for many.
……
Luzhou, the back hall of the prefectural government office.
Gao Huailiang, with a serious expression, pulled Gao Huaide aside and asked, "Brother, what are you packing your bags for?"
Having his intentions exposed by his younger brother, Gao Huaide remained calm and instead asked, "You didn't tell Mother and Sister Xuan, did you?"
Gao Huailiang shook his head. He didn't know whether he should tell his parents to stop his brother from running away from home.
Gao Huaide had traveled on his own before, but times had changed. Now, the outside world was in chaos and danger.
"Brother, even if Father is angry, he'll be fine in a few days. It's happened before, why do you have to cause trouble now?"
His younger brother's earnest persuasion failed to sway him; Gao Huaide simply shook his head and said, "This time is different."
Gao Xingzhou used to admonish his son with the right path. Although he was unhappy about it, he could still distinguish right from wrong to some extent.
Who would have thought that his seemingly righteous father would turn around and subdue a foreign tribe, causing his image to collapse and leaving a thorn deeply embedded in the boy's heart.
They talk a good game, but their actions are completely different; they're so hypocritical.
As for Gao Xingzhou's reasons for surrendering to the enemy, he wouldn't think about them, nor did he want to; they were just excuses anyway.
Gao Huailiang pleaded again, "Brother, it's too chaotic and dangerous outside. You should stay in the manor."
Touched by his younger brother's concern, Gao Huaide patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."
"Take care of Ruhua for me for a few days. That lazy dog is very picky and only likes to eat chicken frames."
Gao Huaide took out a pair of bamboo armor: "And this, give it to Sister Xuan later tomorrow."
These past two days, as usual, he shaved a pair of finger guards for Gao Huaixuan to use when playing the piano.
The finger picks for the harp are usually replaced every few months, and they should last until next summer, which is more than enough. (Note 1)
However, Gao Huaide never expected that his runaway would last for a long time and take him far away.