Chapter 686: Taking Jiangling with Ease 3

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I will do everything in my power to persuade the Son of Heaven!" Sun Guangxian declared with great fervor.

The bond between this lord and his minister reeked of something rather "plastic." Meanwhile, Liang Tingsi opened his mouth as if to speak, but no sound came out—his expression suggested he wished to accompany Sun Guangxian.

"However!" Gao Baorong hesitated once more, saying, "The Han cavalry will soon arrive at the city walls. How are we to resolve this immediate threat?"

This was a weighty topic—for this lord and his minister, it was the most pressing issue at hand. But Sun Guangxian appeared to be a man of deep calculation; since he had suggested surrender, he had given the matter thorough consideration.

Though equally astonished by the swiftness of the Han army's movements, he was not yet panicked. Hearing Gao Baorong's question, he answered directly: "Your Highness should seal all gates and hold fast to Jiangling. Though the Han cavalry and armor are elite, they will find it difficult to breach a sturdy city.

At the same time, send men out of the city to reward and feast the troops. I shall journey north to the Eastern Capital; Your Highness should send another envoy to the central army to make contact with Commander-in-Chief Murong, expressing our intent to submit and offer our territory—stating that we will only open Jiangling's gates upon receiving the Son of Heaven's edict!"

Pausing briefly, Sun Guangxian continued: "Your Highness, Commander-in-Chief Murong is a man of strategy who understands the greater good and considers the broader picture—he may well show leniency. However, the vanguard Han cavalry are eager to claim merit. If we close the gates and defend, friction may arise and provoke the Han generals. We can have the Han envoy Cao Bin serve as a go-between to calm the troops and prevent misunderstandings!"

"Excellent! Sir Sun is truly a worthy minister!" Only then did Gao Baorong feel somewhat reassured.

"Reporting to Your Highness! Watch posts report that several thousand imperial iron cavalry are racing south at full speed—they may be less than ten li from the city!" Amid their discussion, a gate junior officer received the news and hurried in to report.

Gao Baorong could no longer sit still. He sprang up as if his seat were on fire, gesturing urgently: "Quickly—go to the guesthouse and summon the Han envoy Cao Bin!"

Then he looked around at his ministers: "Sir Sun is going to Kaifeng. Who among you will go on my behalf to pay respects to Murong Yanzhao?"

"I suppose I'll make the trip!" Gao Baoxu sighed, rising to his feet.

"I shall accompany you as your guard!" Liang Tingsi said hastily.

Gao Baorong seemed to harbor genuine affection for his younger brother and could not help but worry, saying to Gao Baoxu: "Your health is poor, and the safety of this journey is uncertain..."

"My elder brother has already shown intent to offer our territory with utmost sincerity—how could the court harm me? Besides, my going also represents the Gao clan and demonstrates our good faith!" Gao Baoxu gave a light cough and spoke with composure.

Hearing this, Gao Baorong finally nodded.

It was not long before Cao Bin was escorted from the guesthouse into the mansion's main hall with even greater deference. Briefly scanning the oppressive atmosphere filling the room, a flicker of understanding crossed Cao Bin's calm eyes. His bearing grew ever more composed as he clasped his hands to Gao Baorong: "I have barely rested at the guesthouse. I wonder what Your Highness has summoned me for—could it be that you have already reached a decision? May I ask what your answer is?"

Seeing that Cao Bin was holding himself with some reserve, Gao Baorong immediately said: "The court wishes to punish the rebels of Hunan. My Gao clan are subjects of the Great Han and naturally must lend our full support. What need is there to discuss the matter of passage! I shall now issue orders for the garrisons at all water and land checkpoints along the way to let the army pass without obstruction."

Watching Cao Bin's expression—calm, with little visible excitement—Gao Baorong felt somewhat disappointed and continued: "I have resolved to submit to the Han. I am sending Vice Censor Sun Guangxian to the Eastern Capital to meet the Son of Heaven in person and discuss the surrender of our territory...

However, the Great Han's iron cavalry are about to reach Jiangling, and their military might is formidable. The people of Jiangling have not seen warfare in many years. To avoid frightening the populace, I would ask that the vanguard troops temporarily camp outside the city.

Yet, since there is no one familiar within the city, and to prevent misunderstandings, I have prepared some provisions to reward the troops. I hope the General will go out of the city to help pacify them on my behalf. If this matter succeeds, I shall surely reward you handsomely!"

Hearing Gao Baorong's speech, Cao Bin essentially understood the situation—and why this lord and his minister were so anxious and pressed. His brow barely shifted, but a slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. After a moment's thought, he replied: "Since Your Highness has the heart to submit, how could I dare refuse? However, if I am to go out of the city to pacify the troops, I shall need one gift!"

"Please, speak, General!" Hearing this, Gao Baorong's expression relaxed slightly as he hurriedly said: "Whether gold, silver, wealth, or rare treasures—if Jiangling has it, I will not begrudge it!"

"I need no rare treasures! For Your Highness, obtaining this would be as easy as turning over one's hand!" Cao Bin shook his head slightly.

"Please speak, General!" Gao Baorong said.

"I hear that the rebel Zhou's envoy is currently in Jiangling. Since Your Highness is a loyal subject of the court, it would be unwise to have any connection with traitors. If word spreads, it would not bode well for Your Highness..." Cao Bin said in a low, measured tone.

Cao Bin's words were not entirely explicit, but Gao Baorong seemed to have a sudden revelation. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and commanded sternly: "Someone! Go at once and bring me the head of the Chu envoy!"

Several hundred light cavalry arrived at double speed, kicking up a trail of dust, and halted a hundred zhang north of Jiangling. Deputy Chief Commander of the Tieqi Army Shi Yanchao led at the front in person, reining in his horse, squinting as he surveyed the situation above and below the city walls.

Shi Yanchao had originally served in the Longjie Army of the Imperial Guard Command. After the southern campaign against Huainan, he had been promoted on merit to the Palace Command. In recent years, senior generals of the imperial army had all been transferred and promoted in this manner. This southern campaign, too, had required tremendous effort contending with various generals before he had won this opportunity to join the expedition.

Though only a few hundred riders had arrived first at the gates, Jiangling under the setting sun looked rather helpless. The city gates stood wide open, and a convoy of carts and horses slowly emerged—loaded with rice, flour, wine, meat, and other reward provisions.

Cao Bin rode out ahead at a gallop, carrying a box in his hand. Because of Guo Wei, Shi Yanchao knew Cao Bin; seeing him, he relaxed his guard somewhat.

"Your subordinate Cao Bin pays respects to the General!"

"Guohua! What is this?" Shi Yanchao looked him over, then pointed at the reward convoy below the city and asked: "What does Jiangling mean by this?"

"Wherever the General's troops pass, their might shakes the heavens. The civil and military officials of Jiangling are terrified and have specially prepared a batch of wine and meat to reward the troops. Fearing the General's tiger-like might, they have respectfully asked me to serve as a liaison, hoping the iron cavalry might temporarily camp outside the city!" Cao Bin explained to Shi Yanchao in a relaxed tone.

"Oh?" Shi Yanchao responded with contempt, then noticed the box in Cao Bin's hand and asked: "What heavy gift did Gao Baorong give you?"

"Just the head of Zhou Xingfeng's envoy!" Cao Bin said.

Shi Yanchao was slightly surprised, then smiled: "Well done, Cao Guohua! Taking Jiangling will surely earn you a share of the credit!"

Cao Bin appeared unconcerned and changed the subject: "General, why have you come with only a few hundred riders?"

"I was impatient and sent only the vanguard ahead—the main force is still behind and will arrive shortly!" Shi Yanchao replied.

His gaze returned to Jiangling, noting the wide-open city gates. Shi Yanchao instinctively lowered his voice and asked: "How are Jiangling's defenses? Can we charge straight in?"

A cold light like that of a starving wolf blazed in Shi Yanchao's eyes. He had a considerable reputation in the Han army—skilled in martial arts, fearless in the face of death. Though he had only a few hundred riders, seeing an opportunity, he was inclined to make a dash at Jiangling.

Seeing this, Cao Bin quickly shook his head and said: "Jiangling still has over ten thousand defenders, supported by a navy in coordination. They are well prepared. Even if we charged in, we would face ten times our number. Moreover, the General has come a long way at double speed—the troops are exhausted and not fit for battle!"

"What a pity!" Hearing this, Shi Yanchao's brow furrowed and he could not help but sigh.

"What about the matter of passage? Gao Baorong wouldn't dare refuse the court, would he?" Though he regretted missing the merit of taking the city, Shi Yanchao was still more concerned with the main business.

Cao Bin said: "Among Jingnan's civil and military officials, there are no shortage of those who understand the times. Gao Baorong already intends to offer his territory and submit!"

"If so, why not open the gates and welcome the army inside!" Shi Yanchao's tone carried displeasure.

"Gao Baorong wishes to send envoys to the Eastern Capital and Xiangyang to discuss this matter!" Cao Bin said in a speculative tone: "Your subordinate surmises that Gao Baorong wants to use Jiangling to bargain for favorable treatment from the court. Without an imperial edict, he will not easily surrender the city!"

"The military situation is urgent—the army is marching south to pacify Hunan and can barely afford delay, yet this Gao clan still harbors such selfish motives, delaying our army!" Shi Yanchao cursed angrily.

Cao Bin shook his head, a cold glint flashing in his keen eyes: "In your subordinate's view, the General should camp outside the city, accept their provisions, and continue to intimidate Jiangling. Report this situation to the central army! Several thousand iron cavalry cannot easily breach a sturdy city—once Commander-in-Chief's main force arrives, Gao Baorong will have no say in the matter!"