Deep in the night, Gao Yongrong awoke from a nightmare, cold sweat streaming down.
She had dreamed of Xiao Daocheng’s face. His gaze cursed her with terrifying features, looking like a vengeful ghost.
She sat up suddenly, feeling her heart racing, instinctively looking around. Empty space everywhere.
She slowly exhaled, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, but could no longer fall asleep. Rising, she took a letter from a secret case and read it once more.
This letter came from the current Northern Yan Emperor Murong Ti. Several months ago, well before that national letter, it had already been secretly delivered to her hands.
Murong Ti’s letter was concise, merely three sentences.
The first said he had no intention of being enemies with the Southern Dynasty. As long as the Southern Dynasty didn’t launch northern expeditions or seize Yan territory, he would willingly cease hostilities and negotiate peace with the Southern Dynasty, establishing mutual relations.
The second said that throughout the Southern Dynasty’s history, those who advocated leading troops north always had deeper motives behind them—establishing prestige was one purpose. Li Mu’s northern expedition likely had intentions far beyond mere prestige.
The third said: If southerners gained Luoyang, the Xiao house would lose the realm. Which was more important, the Empress Dowager should consider carefully.
Gao Yongrong stared at the secret letter, lost in thought for a moment, then went alone to the rear hall, pushed open the door, and stopped before an object covered with brocade. She slowly reached out, gripped the fabric with her fingers, and suddenly yanked it away.
What lay beneath was revealed.
This was a stone, yet not an ordinary stone.
All officials, the rear palace, even the people—all had bowed in worship to it.
Her gaze fell upon that mark resembling an inscription that everyone knew about, her ears seeming to hear Liu Hui’s words again. Her lips slowly tightened, shadows passing through her eyes.
“Summon General Gao Yun to Jiankang immediately. Urgent audience!”
When she emerged from the hall, she issued this command to the palace servants.
…
Since removing his armor over a year ago, Gao Yun had resided in his estate in Wuxing, daily drinking wine and discussing metaphysics with local scholars. The two places weren’t far apart. Upon receiving the summons, he immediately departed, riding hard day and night. In just a few days, he returned to Jiankang for an imperial audience.
When he learned that Gao Yongrong had summoned him to rush to Chang’an to supervise Gao Yin’s army, and if necessary, to call upon his former troops to replace Gao Yin to quickly capture Chang’an, he fell silent for a moment, then shook his head: “I’m afraid I must disappoint the Empress Dowager. When I resigned from office, I resolved never again to concern myself with court affairs. This matter is somewhat inconvenient for me.”
Gao Yongrong said: “When Uncle resigned in disillusionment, your niece was extremely regretful. Uncle is in his prime—looking across the court, in family background, qualifications, and military achievements, who could surpass you? It was precisely the time for great accomplishments, yet it ended so dismally. Your niece desperately wanted to retain Uncle then. But the court was controlled by Li Mu, His Majesty was like a puppet—your niece knew that even if Uncle remained at court, you would inevitably face exclusion. Helplessly, I let Uncle depart.”
Gao Yun’s expression shifted slightly. He sighed and waved his hand: “Enough, all that is past—no need to mention it again. Since you’ve summoned me, let me ask: what exactly happened when A’Mi left the capital that day?”
“Your niece was just about to explain to Uncle. Uncle knows that these past years, it wasn’t I who forcibly kept A’Mi in Jiankang, but court protocol—everyone does the same. If Li Mu had proper cause to take A’Mi away, he need only explain to me. Would I be so unreasonable as to forcibly detain A’Mi? Yet he made threatening gestures involving His Majesty—his wolfish ambitions are clear as day! Does he still respect the court? The imperial house is already weak, aristocratic families have declined, yet he grows more ferocious, even forcing Uncle away. Your niece, orphaned and widowed, has no one to rely on—what can I do? I can only swallow anger and endure, letting him act recklessly…”
Speaking of painful matters, her eyes reddened and her voice choked.
Gao Yun had always been hot-tempered, and his prejudice against Li Mu had never faded since Li Mu forcibly married Luoshen—he had only endured it later for Gao Qiao’s sake. Unable to restrain himself further, he flew into rage: “Does he think it’s about time to truly plot usurpation and follow Xu Mi’s path?”
Gao Yongrong wiped tears: “When Yan sent envoys with their national letter last time, though Uncle was no longer at court, since it was so important, your niece sent Uncle word then. Your niece knows Uncle doesn’t trust Murong Ti and opposed this matter. But court officials were unanimous then, saying our Great Yu had fought long wars and the people urgently needed rest and recovery—such an opportunity shouldn’t be easily missed. Your niece was momentarily undecided, still hesitating, when that Li Mu again acted arbitrarily, leading troops to invade Yan without even consulting Jiankang. Such behavior—where does it place the court? Southern Dynasty subjects know the Grand Marshal but not His Majesty. Deng’er might as well abdicate his throne.”
Gao Yun said coldly: “From when he disregarded propriety to marry A’Mi, I knew he was no law-abiding person. It’s exactly as I predicted!”
“There’s another matter your niece dares not hide from Uncle. Uncle must also know about the auspicious omen Rong Kang presented earlier. Your niece was quite pleased then. Later Liu Hui reminded me that the ‘Wood Grain’ in ‘Wood Grain Rises, Nation Prospers’ could be interpreted as crops, but also secretly corresponds to Li Mu’s name. Who is rising? Not the current Son of Heaven, but Li Mu! This is absolutely no auspicious omen, but Heaven’s ominous prophecy…”
“Your niece also considered—if Li Mu truly has Heaven’s mandate to replace our Xiao house and assume the throne, your niece wouldn’t dare act against Heaven. Better to consider abdication to him, lest we end up with no burial place…”
With a “slap,” Gao Yun struck the table and rose furiously: “How can you be so spineless? What auspicious omen—it’s just a broken stone! The Great Yu realm—you’d give it away so easily? Where would that place our ancestors?”
“Your niece spoke wrongly! Uncle, please calm your anger!”
Gao Yongrong hastily wiped tears.
“Your niece was just driven to desperation, momentarily emotional. For our Great Yu realm, even knowing it’s like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, we must still fight. Therefore, I discussed with court ministers sending elder brother with troops to Chang’an, replacing Li Mu’s position as Chang’an Governor and taking control of Chang’an to constrain Li Mu.”
“Your niece knows Uncle now wholeheartedly pursues mountains and waters, and wouldn’t dare disturb Uncle, but this matter is truly of grave importance. Your niece fears she cannot bear such responsibility alone. And I won’t hide from Uncle—your niece knows elder brother has always been on good terms with Li Mu, so I’m somewhat uneasy about him. If things fail, your niece and His Majesty would only await doom. Thinking it over, only Uncle is trustworthy—I can only invite Uncle here, begging Uncle to emerge once more to protect our Great Yu. Uncle has always commanded respect in the Guangling army, with former generals throughout the camps. If Uncle comes forward, you’ll surely rally hundreds to your call. Taking Chang’an will be just a matter of time…”
Gao Yun said nothing.
Gao Yongrong glanced at him, hesitated, then said quietly: “Actually, when elder father left, bypassing Uncle to pass the family headship to elder brother, your niece felt it improper… In seniority, qualifications, reputation, and military achievements, which aspect doesn’t Uncle surpass elder brother? Yet elder father acted thus—your niece couldn’t understand…”
“Say no more!”
Gao Yun frowned, interrupting Gao Yongrong’s words.
“Yes!” Gao Yongrong replied respectfully.
“Your niece only dares feel indignant for Uncle privately—how would I dare question elder father’s actions? I know Uncle’s magnanimous nature wouldn’t calculate such things. Not just elder brother—Li Mu was also favored by elder father then. But Uncle, even if you yielded to avoid Li Mu’s sharp edge, once he succeeds in rebellion, how would he spare Uncle? Liu Hui’s deep dissatisfaction with Li Mu comes from his narrow-minded resentment. But when Li Mu promoted new policies to win hearts, even Duke Feng advised moderation, yet he ignored it completely, using ruthless methods that were horrifying. The Kuaiji Governor Liu Qiong had a scholar’s reputation and if not meritorious to the court, at least contributed labor—Li Mu killed him without hesitation. Uncle, could you really remain unmoved?”
“Li Mu comes from humble origins—he must deeply resent aristocratic families and scholars. Given his cruel ruthlessness, once in power, let my mother and son and Liu Hui and others perish if we must—I fear even Uncle wouldn’t escape his poison hand.”
“Uncle, you’re born of the Gao family, with noble status, a lifelong hero who established great merit for our Great Yu. Li Mu accumulated popular support through military achievements and northern expeditions. Uncle was in Guangling then, defending the realm’s gates for the court—that’s why you missed the opportunity, not because you’re inferior to Li Mu. Uncle, would you really willingly continue being suppressed by this lowly person of humble birth, ultimately surrendering without resistance?”
Gao Yun’s face darkened with stormy clouds, his gaze flickering uncertainly.
Gao Yongrong looked back toward the hall’s depths and coughed.
A curtain lifted, and the young emperor rushed out, running to Gao Yun and kneeling: “Deng’er is in trouble—I beg great-uncle to save me!”
Gao Yun hastily rose, stepped down to lift the young emperor, turned to Gao Yongrong and said: “Enough—even for the court’s sake, I cannot sit by and watch!”
Gao Yongrong showed grateful expression and personally bowed in thanks.
Gao Yun said: “Time brooks no delay—I’ll depart immediately. You and His Majesty rest assured, await my news.” Having spoken, he took leave.
Li Mu was currently battling Murong Ti around Tongguan. Even if he learned the news, being constrained, he couldn’t return troops in time—this was Heaven’s opportunity to seize Chang’an.
Sending Gao Yin to attack Chang’an, Gao Yongrong had felt somewhat uneasy. Now finally persuading Gao Yun to act, her confidence greatly increased.
As long as Murong Ti could constrain Li Mu and prevent his return to the passes, even if Li Mu learned the news, he would be powerless across such distance.
If Chang’an and Yicheng succeeded, without rear support, what could such a massive army use to fight the formidable Murong Ti?
Gao Yongrong could almost see his desperate end.
Watching Gao Yun’s hurried departing figure, she finally released a long breath. Suddenly remembering Luoshen’s accusations when leaving that day, shadows again passed through her heart.
She couldn’t say she lacked feelings for this cousin. Learning she was forced to marry an unfamiliar humble warrior, her unauthorized assassination attempt was not only to prevent the Gao family’s dignity being stained by this marriage, but also for her cousin’s sake. Knowing she was unwilling to marry down to that humble warrior, yet Gao Qiao and Xiao Yongjia were helpless.
Unfortunately, not only did it fail then, but later even they blamed her presumptuous actions.
Keeping Li Mu alive one more day, she felt unable to rest easy.
Naturally she wouldn’t believe Murong Ti’s nonsense about having no designs on the Southern Dynasty. Those barbarians were each more ferocious than the last—given ability and opportunity, who wouldn’t plot to continue south?
But under current circumstances, compared to Li Mu, threats from Northern Yan were truly insignificant. If she didn’t seize this once-in-a-millennium opportunity to join with Murong Ti in first eliminating Li Mu’s hidden danger, she feared that before Murong Ti struck in future, her son’s position would already be lost.
The Southern Dynasty now had newly captured vast Huai River regions north of the river as buffer, the Yangtze River natural barrier, the formidable Rong Kang who coveted Luoshen and would serve her, plus Gao family troops always loyal to her. Even if Northern Yan invaded later, she wasn’t without resources to resist.
Sitting in her current position, who could tolerate such a powerful minister as Li Mu?
She was merely acting in self-preservation. She had no choice.
…
This summer brought much rain to the north. Continuous heavy rains had filled the Jing and Wei rivers in Guanxi region until water levels nearly reached the embankment tops. Outside Chang’an city, some low-lying areas had accumulated standing water.
Gao Yin, following orders, had led his troops originally stationed around Huainan to arrive here several days ago.
He hadn’t immediately marched his army to Chang’an’s walls, but camped in wilderness several dozen li from the city, then sent men to announce the court’s imperial edict to Chang’an’s garrison.
Heavy rain had fallen again last night. Though morning rain had stopped, some areas of their encampment remained flooded past ankle-deep, preventing soldiers from pitching tents for the night. Early on, he found another higher ground and arranged for the army to break camp and relocate.
All officers and men immediately busied themselves.
Standing on high ground, gazing toward Chang’an city at the horizon’s end through humid, overcast air, brows tightly knitted and thoughts heavy, he suddenly heard faint sounds of dispute from outside the camp gates.
Gao Huan, in full armor with a squad of fierce soldiers, rode swift horses flying like the wind, crossing several horse barriers set outside the barracks, charging directly to the camp gates where guards blocked them, immediately causing conflict.
When Gao Yin arrived, he saw Gao Huan sitting high on horseback with stern brows and cold eyes, sword already drawn and pointed at one of his subordinate generals’ throat. Around him was a circle of soldiers with drawn blades surrounding him.
The atmosphere was tense, ready to explode.
“Everyone stop!”
Gao Yin strode forward, shouting sternly.