South of Jiankang, at Liyang, only a few hundred li from the capital.

Not long ago, when the Xuan City rebels first gathered their forces attempting to attack Jiankang, Gao Qiao had personally rushed here from Jiankang, delivering a crushing blow to the rebels and successfully blocking them, once forcing them to retreat and cower.

But that brief victory had not lasted long before this place was once again plunged into warfare.

One side was still that court army, the other still rebels from Xuan City.

But unlike before, this time the rebels had also incorporated a Celestial Master sect force.

This battle for Liyang had already entered its fifth day.

The court army had repeatedly repelled enemy attacks. But the rebels formed by the combined Xuan City army and Celestial Master sect members seemed like endless locusts crawling up from the depths of the earth, covering mountains and fields. They couldn’t be completely beaten or destroyed—when one wave retreated, another came.

Especially that vanguard force of several thousand composed of Celestial Master sect disciples—each with rigid faces, blood-red eyes flashing with beast-like excited strange light, wielding sharp swords and charging wildly, hacking at anyone they encountered.

Nothing could stop their advance. These people seemed not human but a vast horde of zombies with life but no souls. Unless they died or had their legs severed, even with arms chopped off and blood streaming, they would continue dragging their severed limbs while trampling over companions’ corpses to charge forward.

When one person fell, more immediately surged up from behind.

In a field battle competing for advantageous terrain, Li Xie personally witnessed a Celestial Master sect disciple whose head he had severed with a single stroke—the headless body with neck level with shoulders actually continued charging straight forward for seven or eight more steps before finally collapsing, the sword still tightly gripped in his hand.

Even he felt his hair stand on end at such a sight.

Liyang was the final gateway south of Jiankang. If Liyang fell, it would be like opening the door directly to Jiankang for the rebels. And Jiankang, aside from Shitou City that Gao Qiao had carefully developed over the years and its not particularly tall city walls, had no other barriers worth mentioning.

Everyone knew Liyang’s importance. Moreover, in every battle from start to finish, Gao Qiao personally appeared to command combat, even ignoring subordinates’ desperate pleas and personally donning armor to fight alongside his soldiers. Inspired by him, whether Guangling Army troops or the central army left to defend the city, all had their eyes red with killing fury by this point, with no one daring to think of retreat.

With this united morale, after several days, the court army not only recaptured previously lost positions but pushed the rebels back fifty li.

However, before they could catch their breath, when the fierce battle entered its seventh day, Gao Qiao still had to make the decision to contract defensive positions, retreat to defend within the city, and split forces to return to Jiankang.

Because he had no other choice.

He had received the latest battle reports.

Wangjiang Commandery had been captured several days ago. The Jingzhou rebels split into two routes—one taking the riverside land route, capturing commanderies and counties along the way with unstoppable momentum, while another under Xu Mi’s personal supervision chose boats over roads, sailing swiftly downriver with favorable winds, heading directly for Jiankang with fierce intent.

This rebel force traveling by water would arrive any day.

The joy of victory vanished instantly.

When Gao Qiao arranged who would stay to defend Liyang, the council hall fell momentarily silent.

Everyone clearly understood that after splitting forces to go to Jiankang, with numbers fundamentally unable to match the enemy, relying on this single city gate to resist those countless nearly crazed rebels outside for an extended time would be extremely pressuring.

This was no longer simply a matter of death or survival, but if the city fell, even dying in battle, one might very well bear the stigma of incompetent governance and face people’s curses.

No one could bear such a stigma.

“If Lord Gao trusts me, I’m willing to lead the army and hold this city!”

In the complete silence, Li Xie slowly stepped forward, bowed, and spoke.

Gao Qiao gazed at him, and in those deeply sunken eyes, a trace of comfort gradually appeared.

He rose from behind his seat, personally walked to Li Xie, helped him up, and said: “I will return to the capital and do everything possible to resist the Jingzhou forces, striving to keep Jiankang secure. If you can lead our sons to keep this gateway closed before I defeat the western Jingzhou forces, you will hold the primary merit in this battle!”

“My lord, rest assured! All officers and soldiers have hearts firm as iron! Without your orders, even if blood spatters three feet, we will not retreat a single step!”

Li Xie spoke word by word.

Gao Qiao assigned two lieutenant generals who had volunteered to remain in Jiankang that day to defend the city alongside Li Xie. After leaving the garrison forces, he immediately led the remaining troops back to Jiankang through the night.

Shitou City west of Jiankang was built during the previous dynasty as a fortress to protect Jiankang. Years ago before the northern expedition, Gao Qiao had begun developing it again—not only were its gates high and deep, but its walls were solid as metal and stone, known as the premier stronghold of Jiangdong.

Having served at court for years, Xu Mi would certainly know Shitou City’s strength. Upon arrival, Gao Qiao expected he would bypass Shitou City. The most likely route would be through Jiangling and Fuzhoushan area, where he would set ambushes early.

Indeed, his prediction proved correct.

That night, the rebels took advantage of darkness to abandon ships and land at the riverside dozens of li from Shitou City, circling around to attack Jiankang.

What was originally a planned surprise attack unexpectedly encountered ambush forces when passing through a low mountain valley near Jiangling. Instantly, fire arrows flew like locusts from both mountain peaks with rolling boulders. The rebels were caught off guard, trampling each other in the valley trying to avoid attacks. When the ambush forces charged out, they offered only brief resistance before completely collapsing.

Seeing the situation turning bad, Xu Mi hastily ordered retreat, abandoning dead and wounded soldiers and scattered armor and supplies. Pursued by court forces, he fled in terror with his defeated army through half the night until dawn, escaping to wilderness in Jiangcheng County northwest of Jiankang where he used flat terrain to regroup, finally escaping disaster.

His reason for splitting forces between water and land routes, personally leading this waterborne force to eagerly attack Jiankang first, was entirely due to Li Mu.

He had always harbored ambitions for great achievements. But unexpectedly, the previous northern expedition not only failed to achieve its purpose of undermining Gao Qiao but actually cost him his foothold at court.

Just as he hesitated over whether and when to continue rebelling, the massive Celestial Master sect rebellion arising in Wu region and rapidly spreading gave him a heaven-sent feeling. No longer hesitating, he decided to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rise up and establish his enterprise.

But looking across the Southern Dynasties, he still feared one person.

That person was Li Mu.

He knew Li Mu was a formidable opponent.

Once he returned to the Southern Dynasties, if he hadn’t gained control of the situation by then, he would very likely face difficulties and might even suffer unexpected defeat if careless.

So from the beginning, he planned to capture Li Mu’s mother, secretly dispatching people to Jingkou. Unexpectedly, Li Mu’s mother lived in a heavily guarded estate where there was no opportunity to act. So he simply directed those river pirates to openly attack Jingkou.

He originally thought this should succeed.

But the final news still disappointed him.

Worse yet, he also received intelligence that Li Mu, as he had anticipated, was already marching south.

So he needed to capture Jiankang even more urgently.

In his planning, though Jiankang had no natural defenses, if he could take Jiankang before Li Mu’s return and then capture Jingkou, firmly controlling Guangling Crossing, it would mean that from upstream Jingzhou to downstream Jiangdong, the entire river domain and the commerce and canal transport that constituted a major portion of the court’s treasury revenues would all fall into his hands.

He would grasp the Southern Dynasties’ lifeline, then keep Li Mu north of the river, preventing him from crossing south. Thus, he could completely rely on this great river to contend against Li Mu and the court retreated to the southeast corner, plotting for the remainder.

This was why he personally led troops in a surprise attack on Jiankang.

Since using the Celestial Master sect rebellion’s opportunity to openly rebel, everything had gone smoothly.

Compared to Gao Qiao’s desperate situation of being pulled in all directions and struggling to respond, he had been remarkably smooth sailing and successful, becoming somewhat complacent.

Unexpectedly, his first battle after landing fell into Gao Qiao’s ambush with such an embarrassing defeat.

Xu Mi was both angry and annoyed. After resting two days in Jiangcheng County, he received new victorious reports saying Yang Xuan’s force had been invincible all along, capturing cities and territories with unstoppable momentum. Some small commandery and county officials didn’t even resist, directly opening city gates to surrender.

The army had reached Dangtu area, only three or four days’ march from Jiankang.

Xu Mi was overjoyed, spread this news, and motivated soldiers with heavy rewards, then deployed forces to attack Jiankang again.

After Gao Qiao’s initial victory, knowing Xu Mi would return, he sent Jiangcheng Magistrate Cui Gao to guard Xiling north of Jiankang, Lujiang Prefect Shang Gang to guard eastward Qingxi, Shitou City garrison to guard the west gate, while he personally led forces to defend southward Yunlong Gate of Tai City.

After three days of bloody battle, Cui Gao and Shang Gang died in succession, with Xiling and Qingxi falling to Xu Mi.

Xu Mi’s morale soared. He advanced triumphantly toward Yunlong Gate where Gao Qiao personally led forces in formation. During battle, Xu Mi was struck in the chest by his arrow and fell from his horse. Those nearby initially thought he was killed and fled in panic carrying him. Gao Qiao seized the opportunity to counterattack, forcing the rebels back dozens of li and finally recapturing Xiling and Qingxi.

That arrow was merely blocked by his chest armor, only cracking the armor and penetrating an inch into flesh—no serious harm.

Though it was a false alarm and narrow escape, Xu Mi had not expected that Jiankang, which he thought could be easily taken, would be so difficult to capture. Not only had he nearly died at Gao Qiao’s hands, but his subordinate soldiers also suffered heavy casualties and exhaustion. Recalling earlier when he tried to conscript local civilians as military laborers, people complained bitterly and fled in all directions. Temporarily having no heart to fight again, he ordered camps to rest in place, anxiously awaiting Yang Xuan’s arrival.

Though the rebels were beaten back a second time and Jiankang again gained breathing room, this battle also cost the court army dearly. Not only ordinary soldiers but even mid-level and higher officers suffered over ten casualties—a shocking sight.

As Gao Qiao, ignoring fatigue, was visiting wounded soldiers in the temporary camp established outside Tai City’s Yunlong Gate, a blood-covered messenger suddenly rushed through the gate entrance, bringing terrible news.

Piling had fallen.

General Zhong Ming, responsible for defending Piling, came from an aristocratic family and had followed Gao Yun in campaigns for years. Originally stationed at Guangling, when Gao Qiao moved forces south this time, Zhong Ming was transferred to serve under Gao Yin.

Considering himself experienced and able to call Gao Yun brother by seniority, being Gao Yin’s elder, he looked down on the young man and was dissatisfied with being assigned under him. But knowing Gao Yin was the next Gao family head whom Gao Qiao valued, constrained by Gao Qiao’s orders, he dared not openly express his feelings. After being sent to Piling, he completed deployments and repelled several Celestial Master sect attacks, then became contemptuous, feeling Gao Yin’s serious treatment was making much ado about nothing. The Celestial Master sect was merely a rabble—nothing special. Gao Yin treating them as formidable enemies was simply due to his incompetence.

Just days ago, after Gao Yin inspected the camp and left, Zhong Ming actually summoned several trusted subordinates to drink and make merry in his tent, privately mocking Gao Yin as cowardly and incompetent. Everyone chimed in, all drinking to complete intoxication.

Coincidentally that very night in the deep hours, the previously defeated Celestial Master sect gathered over a hundred thousand followers. Under sect leader Wu Cang’s personal leadership, they launched a massive night assault on Piling.

The result was predictable.

When Zhong Ming sobered up and wanted to form battle lines, it was too late.

By the time Gao Yin rushed to the scene, Piling had fallen and Zhong Ming had been killed in the chaos, his head hanging high on the city wall.

The triangular defensive line established earlier was torn open overnight. The next day, Wu Cang led disciples and sect members without stopping toward Qu’e where the Emperor and Empress were located.

“Lord Gao! The Celestial Master sect has mobilized everything—no fewer than a hundred thousand people with that sect leader personally commanding. They’re extremely fierce! Qu’e’s garrison is insufficient and has been surrounded on all sides. General Gao was wounded by stray arrows while commanding battle. Young Master Lu is leading forces in his stead, desperately defending the city in extremely urgent circumstances! Several messengers sent earlier were discovered and killed shortly after leaving the city. I crept out and escaped with my life, finally reaching here by luck to report!”

The messenger knelt and shouted.

Gao Qiao’s vision suddenly darkened, his ears buzzing, his body swaying slightly.

Those around him hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

He steadied himself, pushed away the supporting hands, grabbed the personal letter from Gao Yin brought by the messenger, read through it rapidly, and his shoulders stiffened.

In the tent before him stood over ten deputy generals with grave expressions, all holding their breath awaiting his decision.

Gao Qiao’s figure was like a stone-carved pillar, motionless.

Gradually, his hand dropped powerlessly, and in those bloodshot eyes appeared a melancholy full of resentment and helplessness.

“If heaven wills it so, what can I do?”

He murmured this as if talking to himself, his expression neither crying nor smiling, extremely strange.

Surroundings were completely quiet with no one speaking—the atmosphere unbearably heavy.

“Send word to Li Xie—no need to defend Liyang to the death. Have him arrange retreat routes and withdraw to Qu’e.”

After staring blankly for moments, he instructed.

Immediately someone received orders and left the camp.

“Give the order. Immediately withdraw all Jiankang deployments, arrange proper rear guard to prevent Xu Mi from seizing opportunities to pursue and attack, and depart for Qu’e through the night.”

He told his subordinates.

When saying these words, the desolation and sorrow in his bearing moved everyone standing before him.

“Lord Gao!”

A family retainer who had followed him in northern expeditions since youth suddenly knelt down, calling to him with a choked voice.

“Please Lord Gao lead troops quickly to Qu’e to protect His Majesty. Leave this place to this subordinate! This subordinate will certainly defend to the death and never let those traitors succeed!”

“This subordinate also volunteers to defend the city!”

“This subordinate requests the same!”

Voices rose one after another as everyone knelt.

Gao Qiao’s complexion was ashen as he shook his head.

“At Qu’e are not only the Emperor and Empress but countless evacuated residents. Jiankang can be lost, but Qu’e absolutely cannot fall!”

“…Moreover, Yang Xuan’s force will arrive in one or two days at the earliest, at most three or four days, then unite with Xu Mi.”

“The court’s existing forces were already struggling to cope, let alone with such an unexpected development requiring further division?”

He closed his eyes, reopened them, and his gaze swept over the familiar faces of family retainers who had followed him in campaigns for years. In his eyes, a layer of shimmering moisture faintly appeared.

“You’ve all followed me for many years. This time it seems heaven wills it so—you need not sacrifice your lives in vain for this city. All follow my orders and immediately gather your respective forces to depart quickly!”

“We obey orders!”

Everyone rose from the ground. Some secretly wiped their eyes while others looked stern, discussing retreat methods.

Just then, suddenly from outside the camp, at the end of the road leading toward the southern suburbs, faint unusual sounds seemed to be transmitted.

The commotion approached from afar, at first like distant muffled thunder on flat ground—vague and unclear. As people tried to listen carefully, before they could discern anything in the confusion, it seemed swift as lightning, suddenly rolling forth and arriving nearby.

Everyone in that instant heard clearly.

It was the awe-inspiring sound that only rapidly advancing armies could produce.

Accompanying increasingly clear thunderous footsteps and shouts of thousands of troops sweeping forward, the earth beneath their feet seemed to tremble slightly.

The Jingzhou rebels had actually arrived as promised!

Everyone in that instant had the same thought flash through their minds.

Everyone’s complexion changed as they all simultaneously looked toward Gao Qiao.

The atmosphere seemed instantly frozen.

Gao Qiao’s gaze also suddenly intensified.

His shoulders bore weight like two Mount Tais as he stood up from behind his desk.

“Send orders—deploy the suicide battalion to immediately exit the city and block with their lives! All other forces immediately assemble and withdraw rapidly in battalion order!”

His subordinates received orders and strode out to arrange various matters when suddenly a scout’s figure appeared outside the camp gate.

The scout ran wildly like lightning, rushing desperately into Gao Qiao’s camp and throwing himself to the ground.

“Lord Gao! Prefect Li—Prefect Li has arrived with troops!”

The ecstatic voice from this scout reached everyone’s ears.

The atmosphere again suddenly solidified. In the camp, except for the scout’s heavy panting, there was no other sound.

But in the next moment, everyone seemed to come alive at once. Seven or eight hands all reached for the scout on the ground, lifting him up.

“Say that again?”

The scout swallowed saliva.

“Reporting to Lord Gao and all generals—Prefect Li has arrived! The Jingzhou rebels were scattered by Prefect Li’s pursuit attack at Dangtu. Prefect Li has just arrived at Jiankang with his army and can enter the city immediately!”

Everyone exchanged glances, then suddenly, with no one leading, they all burst into loud laughter.

The hearty laughter was filled with incredible wild joy and satisfaction like survivors of a catastrophe.

“Lord Gao, did you hear? Prefect Li has returned—”

The deputy general turned to look at Gao Qiao, seeing his eyes fixed on the camp tent entrance, suddenly radiating strange light. He lifted his feet and hurriedly seemed about to walk outside, but his steps were somewhat unsteady. Feeling something was wrong and about to help support him, he saw Gao Qiao’s body sway and without warning, collapse headfirst to the ground.