Chapter 685: Taking Jiangling with Ease (2)

"Great King, what Zhou Xingfeng's envoy said truly has much merit. How could there be any principle in the world of borrowing passage to launch an attack? How could the Northern Han cross Jingnan to take Hunan? Their intent lies not only in Hunan, but in our Nanping as well!" At last, it was the waterborne forces Commander Wei Lin who spoke to Gao Baorong.

"I too have given this deep thought! What if we cite the fear of the people at a great army passing through, and request the court not to take the route through Jiangling, but instead go by way of the rivers and lakes? We would still let them pass, and supply a portion of grain and fodder!" Gao Baorong looked at Wei Lin and voiced his consideration.

Hearing this, Wei Lin nearly said outright that it was naive. He sighed and said: "How could the court be willing to accept that? Moreover, even if the Great King agrees, how could they entrust their rear and their supply lines to our army's hands? Even if the Great King submits in obedience with no harmful intent, the Han army would still harbor suspicion.

Just as the Chu envoy said, Nanping and Hunan have coexisted in peace for many years, mutually dependent as lips and teeth. If the court wishes to attack Hunan, it must first take our Nanping; and once our Nanping is lost, Hunan cannot be preserved either! Only if both sides join hands and unite to resist the court together might there be a chance of preserving even three parts in ten.

Once we open the road and allow the Han army to pass through our territory, trouble will surely arise, and the Great King and your subjects will all be captured by the court!"

"From General Wei's words, is he suggesting we ally with Zhou Xingfeng to resist the court's great army?" After Wei Lin finished, the young lord Commander Liang Tingsi spoke up, his tone somewhat pointed at Wei Lin.

"I am merely laying out the situation!" Wei Lin returned Liang Tingsi's gaze without courtesy, paused briefly, then seemed to adjust his position somewhat, saying: "However, the court's explicit decree of punishment targets Huxiang. What Zhou Xingfeng schemes is merely to borrow our Jingnan's strength to resist the court. Now the court's great army is massed at Jing-Han, and the ones directly facing its blade are we of Jingnan. How could the Great King risk opposing the court for the sake of the rebel Zhou of Hunan?"

"A grand speech full of useless words! Does any of it have the slightest utility against the present crisis?" Liang Tingsi said disdainfully.

At these words, Wei Lin immediately felt anger rise within him, and challenged: "I would like to hear what brilliant counsel Chief Commander Liang has to offer!"

In comparison, Liang Tingsi was far more direct. He said straight to Gao Baorong: "Your subordinate has been trusted by the Great King and entrusted with military affairs, and feels the depth of this kindness deeply; I can only repay it with all my strength. If the Great King chooses to refuse the court, your subordinate will surely lead the finest soldiers of the army and strive with all our might to hold the Han host at the Jiang-Han border!"

These words of Liang Tingsi were perhaps the most rousing Gao Baorong had heard in recent years. Gao Baorong could not help but take some interest, looking at him with expectation: "General Liang, the court's forty-thousand-strong army comes south. With our Jingnan military strength, can we preserve our territory and repel the enemy?"

At the question, Liang Tingsi answered Gao Baorong with an exceptionally certain tone: "I dare not deceive the Great King — with our army's strength, if we were to face the Han army in battle, defeat would be certain!"

Using the most resolute tone to speak the most cowardly words. Hearing this, even Gao Baorong was stunned for a moment, and that heart long weighed down felt as if pricked by a needle, stung with pain.

Liang Tingsi, however, still wore a serious expression, saying: "Your subordinate dares to guarantee to the Great King that if swords are drawn, I will fight the Han army to the very end, expending every last soldier!"

"General, this resolve of yours is too tragic and heroic!" Gao Baorong waved his hand with some listlessness, saying: "If it comes to that, we would not only offend the Great Han and make an enemy of the court, but also serve as a shield for Zhou Xingfeng of Hunan! It is not worth it!"

From Liang Tingsi's words, one could see that this man seemed well-versed in the art of "counter-admonition," ceaselessly striking at Gao Baorong's already feeble will to resist.

In truth, the awkward position of Jingnan was clear to any discerning person. The Northern Han's intentions were plain as day — a mighty army coming south, like a mountain crushing eggs, unstoppable. If they did not resist, the decades-long reign of Nanping would come to an end. If they did resist and provoked the court's wrath, should they fail, it would mean not just the loss of the state, but the destruction of the entire clan.

Zhou Xingfeng's sincerity in seeking alliance was substantial enough, but the Gao clan had been at ease for so many years; to risk death and the extermination of their clan in a lopsided struggle against the court — the Gao side had neither the strength nor that kind of ambition.

But since ancient times, whenever a regime or power faced peril, regardless of size, regardless of wisdom or folly, there would always be one or two loyal and upright men who stepped forward, raising their voices to heaven and earth, leaving their names in the annals of history.

At this moment in the prince's great hall, Deputy Commander Li Jingwei was such a man. Ordinary in appearance but high in spirit, seeing the dejection filling the hall, he could not help but rise and say excitedly to Gao Baorong: "Great King, though the foundation of Nanping is small, it was painstakingly built by two generations of former kings. How can it be handed over so readily? The northern soldiers may be fierce, but our Nanping has thirty thousand armored warriors — we are not necessarily without the strength for a single battle. If we surrender our land without a fight, what face will the Great King have to meet the former kings?"

Li Jingwei's words seemed to bring Gao Baorong some shame, and also a measure of anger. He asked huffily: "By the General's view, what should I do?"

"The Han army, relying on strength to bully the weak, will surely grow arrogant. Better to feign agreement to lend them passage, allow them to proceed, and secretly ambush elite troops at the narrow defiles of Jingmen. When they pass through, strike suddenly, capture their generals, and drive back their army!" Li Jingwei offered a workable suggestion.

No sooner had these words fallen than, before others could object, Gao Baorong himself was already afraid, shaking his head repeatedly.

"If we follow Jingwei's advice, the Gao clan will surely meet disaster!" A grave voice roused everyone's spirits.

Turning to look, the speaker was Sun Guangxian, who had until now sat silent as a clay statue. Gao Baorong looked at him and hurriedly asked: "Lord Sun, you are an old minister who has governed for many years with extraordinary insight, much trusted by the former kings. At this critical juncture, you are our pillar of heaven. In your view, how should we respond to the court's overbearing might?"

Facing Gao Baorong's inquiry, Sun Guangxian was silent for a moment, then spoke unhurriedly: "Great King, General Jingwei's loyalty is commendable, but his vision is shallow; he does not understand the balance of strength and weakness. Consider this — the Northern Han's imperial army is among the mightiest under heaven. These years they have campaigned east and west, north and south, and may be said to be undefeated in battle. Murong Yanzhao is also a famed general of the northern forces — how could we not be on guard?

Now the Han host comes south, intending to take all of Jinghu and seize the heart of the realm. Their great army presses upon our borders like a mountain crushing eggs — how dare we lightly speak of resistance? In my early years I was sent as envoy to the Eastern Capital and saw with my own eyes that the strength of the northern soldiers and the brilliance of the Han ruler are far beyond what Jingnan can oppose!

In my view, for this southern campaign of the Great Han, the Great King should serve them with full devotion, without the slightest delay or evasion. If the court is lenient and preserves Nanping, then offer troops, horses, money, and grain to express gratitude; if not, then surrender our territory to the court as early as possible. Once Jing-Chu is pacified, the Great King will not lose his princely rank and emoluments, will preserve the ancestral sacrifices, and enjoy wealth and honor for life.

If there is the slightest rebellious intent, I fear that not only will Jingnan collapse, but the Gao clan will also suffer calamity. I hope the Great King will think carefully and act resolutely — on no account act on impulse!"

A desire to surrender and submit, delivered by Sun Guangxian with such fervor, clearly moved Gao Baorong. But his face still bore hesitation. After deliberating a while, he looked to his younger brother Gao Baoxu: "Xinggong, what do you think?"

Gao Baoxu's health did not appear to be good either, and with the upheaval of the times, his complexion had grown even worse. Hearing Gao Baorong's question, he thought for a moment, then said: "I have nothing to say!"

"All of you, withdraw for now! Let me think!" Gao Baorong knitted his brows and waved his hand with some dejection.

"Yes!"

But before even an hour had passed, a report arrived from the garrison at Jingmen, saying that several thousand Han cavalry had already ridden south toward Jiangling.

Back in the great hall, several senior ministers were summoned again. Learning that the Han cavalry was approaching, Gao Baorong panicked, and nearly demanded angrily of the messenger: "I have not yet given the order — why did you not block the Han army!"

Intimidated, the messenger answered quietly: "The Han army is overwhelming; the Commander dared not oppose them, and so sent me ahead southward to report to the Great King, begging you to make preparations early!"

Though Gao Baorong was timid and weak-willed, he was not without understanding. He laughed in frustration: "As a garrison commander, not guarding the passes, not fulfilling his duty, allowing a great army to pass through at will. The Han army is about to descend upon Jiangling — what preparations does he expect me to make!"

"Great King, the Han army moves with such lightning speed, and the local garrison troops have no will to fight. At this point, there should be no more hesitation — a decision must be made!" Sun Guangxian was the first to step forward and urge Gao Baorong.

Immediately after, Liang Tingsi also voiced his agreement. Gao Baorong had entrusted military and civil affairs to Gao Baoxu, Sun Guangxian, and Liang Tingsi; and of the three, Gao Baoxu declined to take a position, while the remaining two — one civil, one military — both advocated surrender. What room for choice did Gao Baorong have left?

But in the end, he was an adult who had to consider more things. He said: "I had originally intended to offer our territory and submit as a vassal, but the Han army advances like fire, and to surrender only when the enemy is at the gates — I fear the court will look down upon our Gao clan!"

Gao Baorong's meaning, between the lines, was not exactly obscure — he was hinting at the question of treatment after surrender. Without that settled, he could not simply surrender outright.

Understanding the hidden meaning behind his words — that he was willing to surrender was good enough — Sun Guangxian immediately stepped forward and said: "Great King, your old minister is willing to travel personally to the Eastern Capital to plead your case before the Han Emperor!"

"Excellent! Lord Sun is truly a loyal and righteous minister, sparing no hardship. The safety of myself and the Gao clan is placed in your hands!" Gao Baorong was visibly moved.