Chapter 584: Gao Baorong Arrives

As the de facto heir of the Nanping state, Gao Baorong's personal visit to Bianliang, the eastern capital, was no small matter.

Even though Nanping had never proclaimed an emperor throughout its history, that did not diminish its status as an independent state.

The last time a state ruler or heir had come to the Central Plains capital to pay homage was when Li Cunxu first entered Luoyang — Gao Baorong's grandfather, Gao Jixing, the founder of Nanping, had personally entered the court to pay his respects.

And that had been thirty-two years ago.

So this time, with Gao Baorong personally entering the court, it was the first time since the Later Tang's Zhuangzong, Li Yazi, had awed the realm that a vassal lord had come to audience, and Zhang Zhou took it with the utmost gravity from top to bottom.

Zhang Zhao urgently ordered the Minister of Rites, Feng Dao, to take the residence in Taiping Ward in the southeast of the inner city — originally planned and built for Zhang Zhao's eldest son, Zhang Xiancun — and immediately furnish it with household goods to serve as lodging for Gao Baorong and his close attendants.

All the civil and military officials who came from Nanping were also given quarters in the inner city; they were not allowed to stay in the Ministry of Rites' public lodgings.

It was further decided that Li Cunhui, Duke of Shouchang Commandery, would go out thirty li beyond the eastern capital to receive them.

Finally, it was confirmed that on the fifth day of the seventh month, when Gao Baorong was to arrive, a grand court assembly would be held, and all officials in the capital of the seventh rank and above could attend the assembly and observe the ceremony.

Of course, before Gao Baorong arrived, Zhang Zhao had already dispatched Li Xiaojie as a special envoy to communicate directly with Gao Baorong and the accompanying Nanping civil and military officials.

Because Zhang Zhao had laid out such a grand reception, it would be a joke if Gao Baorong turned out to be coming to wreck the stage.

So Zhang Zhao only made these arrangements after confirming that Gao Baorong was coming to pay tribute — and, it was said, bringing a peerless treasure as tribute.

On the first day of the seventh month, although it was the height of a blazing summer, a cool river breeze had lately been blowing through Kaifeng Prefecture, the eastern capital, so it did not feel particularly hot.

Today's grand court assembly was extraordinarily solemn, with a display only slightly less than when Zhang Zhao had first ascended the throne.

Escorting Gao Baorong on his journey were five hundred elite cavalry of the Yingyang Garrison stationed at Dengzhou, while the ones welcoming Gao Baorong into the city were one thousand riders of Li Cunhui's Right Yulin Guard.

Gao Baorong also rode a black horse. Although he was by nature honest and timid, he was still the third generation of a military-merit family; he was quite skilled at riding and archery, his swordsmanship was even rather good, and his physique was definitely far better than the average person's.

Gao Baorong had earlier looked at the five hundred elite cavalry of the Yingyang Garrison and already thought them extremely fierce; now, seeing Li Cunhui's one thousand Yulin riders, he was so astonished he could not speak.

These Yulin riders, a thousand men moving as one, radiated a killing aura that made even Gao Baorong feel a chill. He turned his head and said to the accompanying Nanping cavalry Chief Commander:

"The court's troops are so formidable — we should not display our meager skills before masters. Have the soldiers remove their armor and change into silk robes."

It turned out that when they had set out, Gao Conghui, fearing the court would look down on Nanping's forces, had scraped together everything he could to outfit Gao Baorong with two hundred armored cavalry.

These Nanping armored cavalry wore lamellar armor weighing several dozen jin, which they had only just put on outside the city.

But one look, and Gao Baorong felt it was better not to have them wear armor.

If one spoke of Nanping's navy, it was still quite strong — at least no less than the Central Plains court's, perhaps even a little stronger — but armored cavalry, forget it.

The Nanping soldiers were already impatient at having to wear several dozen jin of lamellar armor and cross the entire eastern capital in the great heat.

The moment they heard Gao Baorong say this, they immediately obeyed and changed into silk clothes, made themselves fragrant, puffed out their chests, and showed off to the young ladies and young wives of the eastern capital who had gathered around to watch the excitement — instantly drawing a round of cheers.

This formed a sharp contrast with the silent, forest-still Yulin riders of the Right Yulin Guard.

"By the Sage's decree: let Gao Baorong, Honorary Minister of Works, Vice Military Governor of Jingnan, and Prefect of Xiazhou, enter for audience!"

Before long, the procession arrived outside Qianyuan Palace, and the Qianyuan Palace steward in charge of the inner court personally came forward to deliver the order.

Gao Baorong then performed three kneelings and nine kowtows outside the Vermilion Bird Gate of Qianyuan Palace, calling out "Long live the Emperor" three times. Only after completing the obeisance did he rise and lead the Nanping officials in through the Vermilion Bird Gate.

Once he had finished his obeisance, someone naturally reported Gao Baorong's performance to Zhang Zhao.

The Vermilion Bird Gate was still some distance from Chongyuan Hall, the main hall of Qianyuan Palace — on foot, it would take at least a dozen minutes or so.

So before long, a palace attendant led a horse up before Gao Baorong.

"The Sage decrees: 'Minister Gao has come from afar; a fine horse is specially bestowed for his conveyance.'"

This was a third-generation Ferghana horse. It stood over five chi at the shoulder, its coat faintly tinged purple-red, its eyes lively — clearly no ordinary beast at a glance.

Just then, the horse saw Gao Baorong looking at it, and actually bared its teeth and neighed, tossing its long head, rather excited.

Gao Baorong immediately bowed again and said to the attendant: "This is a fine steed of the battlefield; its neighing carries a faint tiger's roar that shakes the four directions. Your servant has always been frail and bookish, unfit to master it."

Inside the palace, our Sage Zhang heard this and grinned. This curly-maned purple was a rather restless one in the imperial stables.

Its neighing was nothing else — it was excitement. Once it broke into a run, it was terrifying. Bestowing this curly-maned purple on Gao Baorong was, in truth, a test.

"If anyone ever tells me again that Gao Baorong is simple and timid, that is deceiving the sovereign. This heir of Nanping actually has a very good sense of measure in his heart.

Someone, give him a steady, fast horse. I can hardly wait to see this Gao Baorong."

And so, Gao Baorong, having walked only a few steps, encountered a third group of palace attendants. They bestowed on him a gelded, plump horse that looked gentle at a glance.

Gao Baorong was somewhat chubby, with a round face, completely unlike the somewhat imposing long faces of his father Gao Conghui and his tenth brother Gao Baoxu. Perhaps this was why Gao Baorong was so easily labeled as simple and timid.

As for Zhang Zhao, he was even more familiar with this face. Gao Baorong's appearance and bearing closely resembled those later-generation tech otaku — put him in a plaid shirt, and he would look exactly like the stereotypical senior programmer.

"Your servant Gao Baorong kowtows to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and peace."

Gao Baorong had not even clearly seen what the emperor on the throne looked like. He walked forward and simply collapsed like a toppling mountain of gold and a falling pillar of jade in a grand bow.

Zhang Zhao, beaming, personally came down and even reached out to help Gao Baorong up.

"You are indeed a man of fortune, with the countenance of blessings. Let me ask you: why do you call yourself only 'your servant,' and not state your office?"

Gao Baorong, with his hand held by Zhang Zhao, suddenly began to tremble slightly. He tried to answer in a steady tone:

"Your servant's posts of Honorary Minister of Works and Vice Military Governor of Jingnan were conferred by the false Shi Jin dynasty, and all of my father's offices were likewise. Therefore I did not dare mention them before the Sage."

Zhang Zhao nodded with satisfaction. Gao Baorong's mind was still clear.

For before Zhang Zhao's southern campaign against the Southern Tang, he had declared the Shi Jin court illegitimate — on the grounds that it had been installed by the Khitan — and proclaimed the emperorships of Shi Jingtang and Shi Chonggui unlawful, the Shi Jin a false dynasty.

Only because Shi Chonggui had been carried off captive, which carried a somewhat tragic tinge, and because the people of the eastern capital and the civil and military officials felt some sympathy for him, did Zhang Zhao refrain from thoroughly discrediting the Shi Jin.

"So your main purpose in coming to court this time is to seek investiture, is it?" Zhang Zhao narrowed his eyes, clearly speaking with something behind his words.

Cold sweat poured down Gao Baorong's back, but fortunately he had made a small contingency plan before setting out, so he was not too flustered.

With his hand held by Zhang Zhao, he hunched his back behind him and answered: "Your servant has come to plead guilty on behalf of my father and the soldiers and people of Jingnan. In the past, after the Khitan entered the Central Plains, my father was misled by petty men and raised troops to raid Xiangzhou and Yingzhou.

Although both were soundly defeated by the court's forces, the guilt remains. I beg the Sage, in view of our Gao family's long-standing deference, to deal with us leniently."

These words were also quite artful. By naming the Khitan's entry into the Central Plains, he was saying that the Xiangzhou and Yingzhou raided at the time were not yet Zhang Zhou territory.

Then, by saying they had been soundly defeated by the court's forces, he was indicating that not only had they caused little damage, they had already been taught a lesson — putting on a pitiful appearance to win sympathy.

Although Zhang Zhao knew full well this was Gao Baorong's rhetorical strategy, he still could not help but want to laugh. This Jingnan army was simply too ridiculous.

Being defeated by Jiao Jixun at Xiangzhou was one thing — at least he counted as a famous general — but what was this about being routed in a panic by Prefect Yin Shi of Yingzhou, who had mustered prefectural and county troops?

Isn't that a bit too weak?

Still, though much of the urge to punish had faded from his heart, Zhang Zhao had no intention of letting him off with words alone. He released Gao Baorong's hand, gave a cold snort, and his tone turned stern.

"We thought you and your father did not know the crimes you had committed? Sending Jingnan troops to raid Xiangzhou and Yingzhou — that is rebellion!"

At these words, Gao Baorong knelt again, knocked his head to the floor, and said through tears, "My father knows he is guilty, which is why he sent me to beg forgiveness. But I ask Your Majesty to hold back your thunderous wrath for a moment, for I have a second matter to report on this audience."

"What matter? Speak and let Us hear it." Zhang Zhao was also very curious what this peerless treasure was that Gao Baorong had 'quietly' revealed to Li Xiaojie.

Gao Baorong continued, his voice still trembling: "After my father returned in defeat from Yingzhou, he knew he had committed a grave error and was about to throw himself into the great river, lest he implicate his family.

But after walking a few steps, he saw an old man sitting alone by the riverbank, quite afflicted by the wind and cold.

My father thought to himself: since he was about to take his own life, the brocade fur coat on his body and the silver in his bosom were of no further use, so he at once took off the coat and offered it together with the silver.

The old man put on the brocade coat, took the silver, and suddenly laughed aloud, saying: 'Though you are a scoundrel, you still retain a measure of benevolence. Now a sage has appeared in the world to bless my homeland with ten thousand years of peace. Take this book — perhaps it can preserve your life.'

With that, the old man vanished. When my father looked again, there was no old man by the riverbank, only a wooden chest."

Cough, cough, cough! Zhang Zhao could not help coughing several times. Well now, telling me fairy tales, are you? Don't you know that's my favorite trick as Sage Zhang?

At that thought, Zhang Zhao fixed a hard stare on Gao Baorong. The meaning was plain: the fairy tale is finished, and if you cannot produce something worthy of it, you can wait to be dealt with.

But Gao Baorong was quite confident. His Gao family had kept it hidden for over a decade — if it were not precious, how would they dare call it a peerless treasure?

Two large chests were carried in by the personal guard soldiers. The open chests were full of books, with several large characters written on the topmost ones.

Zhang Zhao hurried over to look. The chest on the left bore the bold title Treatise on Cold Damage; the chest on the right bore Discussion of Cold Damage and Treatise on the Five Viscera.

Zhang Zhao drew a sharp breath, and even his voice was already trembling somewhat.

The Treatise on Cold Damage, together with the Discussion of Miscellaneous Diseases and the Treatise on the Five Viscera, added up to the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases.

"Could this be the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases of the Medical Sage Zhang Zhongjing?"

The reason he was so stirred was that as soon as Zhang Zhao had arrived in the Eastern Capital, he had begun searching for these epochal medical works.

Yet two years of searching — even sending out the Brocade Guard personal troops — had found nothing. Some even said that as early as Huang Chao's entry into Chang'an, a great fire had already burned them all to ashes.

Gao Baorong suddenly knocked his head to the ground. "A sage is born of Heaven to bring peace to the world, and therefore this peerless treasure has appeared. I congratulate Your Majesty!"

The court erupted in an uproar. A wondrous book of the Medical Sage, said to have been lost for nearly a hundred years, had appeared — if this was not proof of a Heaven-born sage, what was?

The Confucians also said that if one could not be a good minister, one should be a good physician. Zhang Xichong, He Ning, Fan Zhi, Feng Dao, Li Fang, and the others all stared fixedly.

For a moment, all the civil and military officials cried out in unison, "We too congratulate Your Majesty."

Historically, Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases had already lost its transmission by the late Tang and Five Dynasties.

But the Gao family of Nanping, by a stroke of fortune, had collected a set that was practically the sole surviving copy of the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases.

Later it was presented to the Northern Song by the last King of Nanping, Gao Jichong — that is, Gao Baorong's son.

Ha! My Second Brother Zhao was something else. I reckon in his eyes there was nothing but schemes and intrigues.

After the Gao family presented this basically certain peerless treasure, Zhao the Second just tossed it into the imperial book repository to gather dust.

It was only over eighty years later, during the Jiayou era of Emperor Renzong of Song (1056–1063), when the Northern Song established the Bureau for Editing Medical Texts, that it was discovered by chance.

But by then, the Discussion of Cold Damage, the Treatise on Oral and Dental Disorders, and other parts of the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases had long been lost.

As for the importance of the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases, there is no need to dwell on it — it is called the ancestor of all Chinese medical formulary books. Dozens of prescriptions such as Major and Minor Bluegreen Dragon Decoction and Major and Minor Bupleurum Decoction are still in common use in later ages.

To call it a peerless treasure, especially at this moment, is no exaggeration at all.

Zhang Zhao slowly rose to his feet, looked at Gao Baorong, and said, "Have your father submit a written plea for forgiveness. We may then pardon his crime of raiding Xiangzhou and Yingzhou."

Gao Baorong, hearing this, wept and prostrated himself on the ground, knocking his head repeatedly.

Zhang Zhao then looked at Zhao Jinfang and said, "Summon all the physicians of the Imperial Medical Office to carefully collate these volumes. Let not a single character be lost.

The Ministry of Works is to immediately summon craftsmen to carve printing blocks.

The Ministry of Rites is to issue an edict to the realm: any commoner who submits a lost or discontinued book shall, according to its importance, be given reward or office. For the highest, We shall requite them with the rank of count."