Chapter 1022: The Messenger

Jinling, ancient capital of six dynasties, a famed city of eight hundred years, had weathered storms and endured vicissitudes, yet it had always awaited the arrival of strong armies in the posture of the conquered. Now, in these cold winter days, Jinling was once again treading history's old path—mighty troops besieging the city, at the end of its rope.

On the Qinhuai River, the scenery was no longer what it had been; the light boats and skiffs patrolling about flew the war banners of the Han army. After the army arrived at the city walls, the Han forces displayed even greater patience. Under Li Gu's unified command, generals Zhang Yongde, Zhao Yanjin, Yin Chongke, and others spent three days attacking from three sides, eliminating the fortified camps outside Jinling one by one.

Throughout this process, the southern army offered no particularly strong or tenacious resistance and was easily swept aside. However, the main city of Jinling itself would not be so easy.

Gazing from a height, even if one could hardly see the full extent of Jinling, one could imagine what a scene of panic and anxiety lay within those walls standing in the bleak winter wind. Though his body was somewhat unwell, it did not dampen Li Gu's excitement—the ambition of his early years to pacify the south was now being realized before his eyes.

Since the time of Yang Wu, Jinling had not seen the flames of war for fifty or sixty years. Thus, with the imperial army's arrival, this city of thriving population and prosperous economy was utterly unaccustomed to it.

Outside the city, the Han army was preparing for the siege—towering siege engines were being built and assembled, and cartloads of stone projectiles, fire-oil bombs, and gunpowder-made munitions were being transported to the front lines, as if intent on devouring and destroying Jinling itself.

Li Gu could not help but sigh: "Since the end of the Tang, the north has known war year after year. Jinling enjoyed decades of governance under Yang Wu and Jiangnan, which is how it came to have its present splendor. If it were destroyed in the flames of war, what a pity that would be!"

Accompanying Li Gu on the inspection, Shi Shouxin also gazed into the distance at Jinling against the wind. Hearing his words, he said, "Truly a pity! Why not try persuading them to surrender?"

"From intelligence coming out of the city, the sovereign and ministers of Jinling still harbor illusions. Chen Qiao and other ministers still insist on holding the city and resisting to the end! They still have forty to fifty thousand defenders and several hundred thousand civilians, hoping to rely on that!" Li Gu shook his head.

Because the Han army had moved swiftly and the war situation had turned abruptly, by the time the imperial army arrived at the city walls, few people in Jinling had managed to flee—all were trapped inside.

Sensing the concern in Li Gu's tone, Shi Shouxin smiled slightly and said confidently, "A few tens of thousands of demoralized troops and several hundred thousand terrified civilians—how could they block the imperial army's edge?"

"I have no doubt we can take Jinling! But if we could persuade them to surrender and take the whole city intact, it would be both a merit and a virtue. It may be worth a try!" Li Gu said.

"Lord Li is truly a man of benevolence and righteousness!" Shi Shouxin flattered.

That was, of course, flattery—a man of benevolence and righteousness could never serve as commander of a great army. Raising his hand, Li Gu asked, "How much longer for the siege preparations?"

"In three days, we can launch the attack!" Shi Shouxin answered with certainty.

"And military grain supplies?" Li Gu asked again.

"Zhang Mei has already mobilized local labor and boats, transshipping from Runzhou—supplies should pose no problem!" Shi Shouxin said.

"Excellent!" Li Gu's expression turned solemn. "I shall write a letter and send someone to urge surrender. If they do not comply, three days from now we launch the offensive, attacking from three sides, and end this war as quickly as possible! Cao Bin and the others have already surrounded Nanchang, and the city may fall at any moment—Jinling must not fall behind!"

"I am old and frail, no longer fit for the burden. The command of the siege shall be entirely in your hands, Shouxin!" Li Gu said, looking at Shi Shouxin.

"Yes!" Shi Shouxin stepped back a pace and replied with a cupped-fist salute.

After giving his orders, Li Gu could not help but shiver, feeling the pain spreading through his joints. He forced a smile and said, "This decaying body cannot withstand the cold—you must forgive me!"

Noticing Li Gu's expression, Shi Shouxin earnestly consoled him: "Lord Li is an unparalleled pillar of the state, a beam of the court. Please do take care of your health!"

"Thank you!" Li Gu acknowledged the kindness, let out a light breath, and the two returned to the tent together.

"Great Marshal, river patrols intercepted a boat. The man claims to be Xu Xuan, the Jiangnan chancellor returning from his mission to the Eastern Capital. He holds travel credentials and requests permission to enter Jinling. We dared not decide on our own and have come to seek your instructions!" Inside the command tent, Li Gu, huddled on an uncomfortable camp bed by the fire, had just finished writing a letter urging surrender when Zhang Yanqing, in charge of river patrols, came to report.

Hearing this, Li Gu's interest was piqued. He immediately ordered, "Bring Xu Xuan to the command tent—I shall see him!"

"Yes!"

Before long, guided by an officer, Xu Xuan entered the command tent. Ever since his heated argument with Emperor Liu at Chongzheng Hall, Xu Xuan's heart had been heavy, especially after learning of the war in the south.

He had hurried south with all possible speed, yet even so, by the time he reached the north bank of the Yangtze, word had already spread that the imperial army had crossed the great river with ease and surrounded Jinling. Paying no heed to anything else, he hastily found a boat to cross south, only to be detained by Han army river patrols.

Standing before Li Gu was a face full of wind and frost, exceptionally weary—a testament to the difficulty of Xu Xuan's journey. Looking at Xu Xuan, Li Gu's manner was quite gentle, and he smiled at him: "This old man is unwell and cannot rise to greet you. Master Xu is a famed scholar of Jiangnan; I regret I could not welcome you from afar. Please forgive any lapse in courtesy!"

A famed scholar of Jiangnan...

In the past, Xu Xuan might have taken pride in that, but after his journey to Kaifeng, hearing those words from the lips of the Northern Han sovereign and ministers, he felt only mockery. He glanced up at Li Gu, noticed the sickly look on the old man's face, and said coldly, "Why does the Han emperor not spare his old ministers, letting Lord Li bear the burden of military affairs in ill health?"

Xu Xuan's opening words carried a hint of aggression, but Li Gu did not take offense. Instead he asked, "I hear Master Xu has long been on good terms with Han Shuyan?"

Slightly startled, Xu Xuan wondered why Li Gu had brought up Han Xizai. He could not help asking, "What does Lord Li mean?"

Li Gu smiled faintly, looked at Xu Xuan, and said evenly, "Master Xu has returned from your mission and wishes to re-enter Jinling—this old man will not make difficulties for you. However, there are two matters I would like to entrust to you.

First, I ask that you enter the city and convey a message to Han Shuyan on my behalf—tell him that I wonder whether he still remembers the pact made at the Huai River thirty years ago.

Second, I have received the Son of Heaven's decree to lead the imperial army south to pacify the region. Today the great army stands before the city; Jinling's defeat is imminent, and the realm is about to be unified. I have written a letter, which I ask you to deliver to the sovereign of Jiangnan, advising him that for the sake of sparing the city's soldiers and civilians from destruction by war, he should surrender soon. Such is the situation—if he goes with the flow, he may yet preserve his life and wealth. Otherwise, regret will come too late!"

After hearing Li Gu's intent, Xu Xuan was silent for a moment, exchanged a look with Li Gu, then replied solemnly, "The letter, I can deliver for Lord Li. But the words urging surrender, I cannot convey!"

How pretentious!

Li Gu raised an eyebrow. No wonder such reports had come from the Eastern Capital—with His Majesty's forceful nature, tolerating this man's provocative temperament, it was no wonder he grew angry.

"Very well then!" Li Gu remained unbothered, displaying great cultivation and grace, and smiled: "My intentions are all on the paper, in the strokes of the brush. I trust that with the sovereign of Jiangnan's learning, he will grasp the meaning!"

"Master Xu has had a tiring journey. You may rest a while in the camp, wash away the dust and frost of the road, and take some food and wine. Then I shall send someone to escort you into the city!" Li Gu added.

Xu Xuan refused directly: "I appreciate Lord Li's kindness, but I shall keep it in my heart. If permitted, I wish to return to Jinling at once!"

Li Gu studied Xu Xuan for a moment, his manner still genial, and uttered a single word: "Granted!"

Thereupon, Li Gu had his son hand his letter to Xu Xuan. Xu Xuan did not stand on ceremony—he took it, made a bow, and turned to leave. Just before he exited the tent, Li Gu took the initiative to ask, "Master Xu is a famed scholar of Jiangnan, a great master of his generation, widely learned—surely you understand the great trends of the world?"

His steps halted, Xu Xuan turned around and, almost without thinking, said: "My sovereign is neither a tyrant like Jie or Zhou, nor a ruler without the Way. If a great power imposes arms upon him, even if he cannot resist, it is the mandate of heaven, not a failure of virtue on my lord's part. Xu may be untalented, but I know loyalty and righteousness. The Li clan has treated me with great kindness—even if the axe were laid upon my neck, I would still follow..."

Xu Xuan's face was full of righteous indignation, and his words rang with conviction. Seeing this, Li Gu was somewhat curious—if the day truly came when the axe was laid upon his neck, would he still be so bold and fearless?