Chapter 701: A Doomed Clan

Perhaps it was because this general's attitude was quite sincere, Sun Li's expression softened somewhat, and he said in a relaxed posture: "I am but a simple military man, usually just commanding troops and drilling soldiers. As for where you people go from here, that's not for me to decide—that's the Bureau of Military Affairs' business. Rather than spending your efforts on me, you'd be better off finding the people who truly decide your futures!"

In many people's impression, Sun Li was an arrogant military brute—crude, unruly, and eccentric in temperament—but at this moment, amid the banquet and the rouge-scented company, he presented the image of a shrewd and calculating man.

The Jingnan general was briefly stunned, then said: "Pray, Chief General, enlighten us!"

"I wouldn't presume to enlighten—but seeing as you've put on this banquet, I'll grudgingly offer a suggestion!" Sun Li chuckled, pointing with his hand: "Duke Xing is at Jiangling, overseeing the army's water and land transport. He is also the father of Guo Rong, the Commissioner of Military Affairs. If you want a future in the Great Han's military and government, you should go see Duke Xing!"

When Sun Li finished, the Jingnan general's spirits sank somewhat, and he gave a bitter smile: "What standing does Duke Xing have? How could men like us ever get near him? Does the General not know that since Jiangling submitted to the court, countless people have sought an audience, only to be turned away at Duke Xing's door..."

"Heh. From what you're saying, I'm lower in rank, so that's why you came begging to me?" Sun Li's eyes widened as he shot back.

"This officer would never dare such a thought!" Though that was exactly what he meant, the general shook his head frantically, hurrying to deny it.

"Enough! Even if you did think it, it's no matter—I have self-awareness. I can't compare to Duke Xing!" Sun Li waved his hand.

Releasing the hand that had been roaming over the beauty in his embrace, he leaned forward slightly and continued: "I'll give you another piece of advice! You submitted to the court along with Gao Baorong. If you want a future, a good arrangement, you need to earn merit. The Great Han court has never been stingy with rewards for meritorious generals, and His Majesty has always treated those with accomplishments generously!"

The Jingnan general replied: "Unfortunately, we are not like Generals Liang Tingsi and Wei Lin, who could follow the main army to fight Zhou Xingfeng. Staying in Jiangling, there's truly no place for us to distinguish ourselves!"

"Who says there's no chance for merit in Jiangling?" Sun Li asked back with some satisfaction.

"Pray the General show us the way!" The general clasped his hands.

"Sun Guangxian returned south from the Eastern Capital, bringing the court's decree to move the entire Gao clan north. You mentioned this matter yourself just now. However, yesterday Sun Guangxian came to me, saying some people want to stay put, reluctant to move, intending to defy the court's command!" Sun Li's tone grew several degrees colder: "I plan to send troops, coordinating with Sun Guangxian, to carry out the relocation of the Gao clan. This task, I intend to entrust to you few!"

Sun Li looked at this Jingnan general and said: "What arrangements you get in the future, I can't decide—but for now, I'm in charge of military affairs in Jiangling. Under my command, I can still give you the chance to serve the court. So, what do you say—think it over, will you do it or not?"

Hearing this, a flicker of hesitation crossed the general's face, and he said uncertainly: "Chief General, didn't the court say it would treat the Gao clan well? The Son of Heaven personally promised to preserve their property. Using troops to coerce the relocation—would that not be..."

"Would that not be what?" Sun Li cut him off forcefully, snorting through his nose with undisguised contempt: "Who is the court's preferential treatment for? The Lady Gao—old and young, over a hundred people—can they all be kept at high rank and fat salary?

Some people, without the whip cracking, without a blade at their throat, don't know what's good for them! The court's commands, His Majesty's grace—they're not meant to be used to resist the relocation policy. These people have been in Jingnan too long. The more they don't want to move north, the more they must be forced. If they won't move, what's the point of keeping them around—to plot a comeback?"

As he spoke, Sun Li looked at the man, already growing impatient with his hesitant demeanor: "I'm giving this task to you because you've been in Jingnan long and know the local situation well. Will you do it or not? If not, I'll find someone else!"

"Thank you, General! This officer and his men will certainly fully cooperate with the court's policy!" Seeing the situation, the general hurriedly agreed.

The reason for his hesitation was still his wariness of the Gao clan. After all, the Gao family had ruled Jingnan for decades, and they had been their subjects. Toward a "royal family," one inevitably felt some reverence. Moreover, there was the court's promise of "preferential treatment" on record.

But after Sun Li's speech, he quickly came to his senses. The Gao clan, that whole great family, was parasitic on Jingnan—how could the court possibly give preferential treatment to all of them? Furthermore, after the Gao clan moved north, their future circumstances would likely be worse than those of these nameless officers. At least if one served the court diligently, there was still a future to be had.

Only then did Sun Li show a satisfied expression at his declaration, and he remarked with feeling: "That's more like it! Speaking of which, that Gao Baoyin—he's quite sensible, actively responding to the court's command, knowing to sell off his property in advance and prepare for the move north."

Hearing Sun Li say this, the general's mind turned again, and he probed further: "This Dingshi Pavilion—this officer observed that the General is quite pleased with it. Might you have an interest?"

At this, Sun Li pondered for a moment before responding in a casual tone: "This place is truly fine! If it were a proper transfer transaction, there'd be no problem at all!"

The general immediately showed a look of understanding, smiling obsequiously: "This officer understands—I'll see to it that everything is handled properly!"

Unable to help himself, Sun Li let out a burp, drunkenness showing on his face, his gaze growing hazy again. He wrapped his arms around the two beauties once more and called out loudly: "Come! Drink! Today we must make merry to the fullest..."

"This officer toasts the General!"

Soon, the atmosphere at the scene grew lively once more—a perfect picture of song and dance amid the backdrop of war.

The Nanping Prince's residence remained one of the highest-security locations in Jiangling city. Han soldiers guarded the surrounding streets, patrolling strictly. Inside the residence, the personal guards belonging to the Gao clan also held their posts steadfastly.

Yet compared to usual, the residence had grown much quieter. After all, the city's military and political center had shifted to the government office. Though there were no explicit restrictions on Gao Baorong's movements, nor any ban on visits, the only people coming and going from the residence were Gao Baorong's brothers and relatives—no one else. And Gao Baorong himself stayed obediently within his residence, seeking his pleasures, enjoying his amusements, still at ease.

A carriage approached slowly, breaking the quiet before the residence. A servant deftly placed a stool for stepping, lifted the carriage curtain, and Sun Guangxian was helped down to the ground. Gazing at the familiar Nanping Prince's residence, a sigh escaped his aged face—a feeling that all was changed, and people were no longer what they once were.

He sent in his name card and waited in the main hall. Since returning from the Eastern Capital to Jiangling, bringing the decrees of the Han Son of Heaven and the court, Sun Guangxian had formally taken over Jiangling's governance in his capacity as a Han official, and the hearts of the people above and below had grown more settled.

During this period, he had been mainly occupied with two matters. The first was assisting Guo Wei in raising funds and grain in the three prefectures of Jingnan to supply the army. The second was the matter of relocating the Gao clan north. Of course, for him, the second matter was somewhat more difficult.

A maidservant served tea, and he sipped lightly. He did not wait long before Gao Baorong appeared, yawning, looking utterly drained and depleted. Lately, it seemed, he had been venting all the gloom of his "fallen kingdom" upon the beauties of his inner chambers.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Sun Guangxian rose and stepped forward, still maintaining proper etiquette.

Waving his hand, Gao Baorong glanced at Sun Guangxian, pointing at the fourth-rank vermilion official robe he wore: "This official robe of yours, Duke Sun—new and well-fitted. It must be quite comfortable to wear!"

Sun Guangxian revealed a restrained smile and replied: "Donning this new robe, I feel as though I carry a thousand jun upon my shoulders!"

"Well said! The court trusts you so greatly, Duke Sun—you can do some good for the people of Jingnan!" Gao Baorong said.

"Holding office in a place, one should naturally bring blessings to one's hometown—that is what I ought to do!" said Sun Guangxian.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gao Baorong lost patience and yawned again: "Duke Sun is a busy man—why not sit in the government office instead of coming to my humble residence? What business brings you here? Speak plainly, so as not to delay your official duties?"

Gao Baorong's tone was full of distance. Sun Guangxian took no offense, knowing where the anger came from and understanding it. With a genial smile, Sun Guangxian clasped his hands: "Your Highness, when I returned that day, I fully conveyed His Majesty's grace toward you. You should now pack your belongings and set off north to the Eastern Capital, to appear before the Son of Heaven and give thanks! I observe that there is still no sign of activity in your residence—you should not delay any longer!"

Sun Guangxian's expression was calm, but upon hearing his purpose, Gao Baorong's face immediately darkened. After a moment of silence, Gao Baorong could not help but say: "My family has lived here for three generations, decades now. Why must I go to the Eastern Capital? I've handed over the army and civil administration entirely—I live peacefully in my residence..."

"Your Highness!" Hearing the complaint in Gao Baorong's mouth, Sun Guangxian cut him off directly: "The northward relocation of the Gao clan is a decision of the Son of Heaven—not open to negotiation, and it must be carried out. Your Highness has already delayed for quite some time; you should not defy the command!

I know Your Highness is attached to this land and loath to move, but you must not go against the Son of Heaven's will. Rest assured—the Son of Heaven's promise of preferential treatment has been proclaimed to the world in an edict; he will never go back on it. When I left Kaifeng, the residence specially built for you had already been completed. The Son of Heaven's sincerity is such—as a subject, Your Highness should go to the capital to give thanks."

"At present, the members of the Gao clan are all watching Your Highness's reaction. If Your Highness does not move, those Gao clan members will have unsettled minds and intend to resist. The court does have its preferential policies, but if one resists those policies, it will only wear away the court's patience. The longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for the Gao clan!"

Sun Guangxian counseled him slowly, and the more he spoke, the uglier Gao Baorong's expression grew.

Seeing this, Sun Guangxian continued: "I have heard that Sun Li, the Chief Commander of the Xiaodi Army, is already planning to use troops to relocate the Gao clan and suppress those who dare to oppose. For now, I can still mediate somewhat, but if too much time passes, it will be beyond my control."

"Your Highness is now the clan head of the Gao family. Even for the safety of the Gao clan, you should not defy the Son of Heaven and the court. I beg Your Highness to think carefully!"

After frowning deeply for a long while, Gao Baorong turned his head to look at Sun Guangxian and said: "Say no more. I will move."

Seeing this, Sun Guangxian broke into a smile and clasped his hands again: "Then I ask Your Highness to write a letter, admonishing the Gao clan members to relocate as soon as possible. The court has already set aside land in Henan, more than enough to settle them!"

"The entire Gao clan must move?" Gao Baorong's brows knitted tightly.

Sun Guangxian nodded calmly: "It must be."

Meeting his gaze, struggling for a moment, Gao Baorong finally nodded dejectedly: "I'll write it."