Moma Liangshan

Chapter 111 Brothers Arguing, Planting Spies

Gao Que sneered, saying, "The prestigious Bohai clan? That was seven hundred years ago. The Gao family of today is nothing more than a local gentry in Longwang Town!" Gao Chang, at a loss for words, changed the subject, saying, "Since you know the Gao family is declining, then you should be even more aware of the general trend of the world!" Gao Que stared at his brother and questioned, "If a family abandons loyalty, courage, and the ambition to be a pioneer, how can it not be abandoned by the world?" Seeing Gao Chang remain silent, Gao Que continued, "Indeed, I admire the princess, but I am more concerned about the people. With the princess alive, the imperial army is still there, and the people of Liaodong still have a sliver of support, something to look forward to in times of natural disasters and man-made calamities. If the princess is defeated and bandits rise up everywhere, does my elder brother think the Jurchens will shoulder the responsibilities of an imperial court? Or, can the Gao family turn the tide and save the people from their suffering?"

Gao Chang, filled with shame and indignation, repeatedly shouted, "Good! Good! Good!" Then he said, "You are righteous and awe-inspiring, you are unparalleled in benevolence and justice, so please tell me, how will Her Highness the Princess save the people from their suffering?" Gao Que straightened his clothes, suddenly turned around and stood under the Mingtang Hall, shouting, "Gao Chang, receive the decree!" At this moment, Gao Que no longer performed the brotherly rituals, and directly read out the official decree. Gao Chang dared not be negligent and could only kneel to receive the appointment. Gao Que read out: "The Gao family of Bohai is a family that values ​​learning and respects etiquette. Now, Gao Chang, whose virtue is known in the court, is hereby appointed as the magistrate of Jinzhou County, to take office immediately!" Gao Chang took the appointment letter, saw that it was Gao Que's handwriting, and couldn't help but feel even more resentful, saying, "Thank you, Chief Secretary!" The conflict between the Gao brothers was merely a matter of pride, and there was no real enmity between them. Gao Que asked, "Brother, do you know why Her Highness the Princess suddenly appointed you as the magistrate of Jinzhou County?" Gao Chang realized that things were not so simple and quickly asked, "Why?" Gao Que explained, "The Jurchen cavalry ravaged Liaodong, destroying hundreds of villages and fortresses, and leaving tens of thousands of people homeless. However, Liaoyang Prefecture is in dire need of funds and cannot accommodate the refugees. Therefore, Her Highness the Princess asked you to set up soup kitchens and build houses in Jinzhou City to attract refugees to move south."

Gao Chang was stunned and questioned, "Liaoyang Prefecture is strapped for cash, and Jinzhou City is hardly wealthy either. How could you take on such a difficult task?" Gao Que, displeased, gave a cold snort and said, "Her Highness the Princess has already reached an agreement with Wang Hao, and the one million shi of grain from Song will be delivered soon. The rest, elder brother, should be more than capable of handling!" Gao Chang was surprised and asked, "One million shi of grain? Second brother, don't lie to me!" Gao Que became even angrier and questioned, "We are brothers from the same mother, why are you so suspicious of me today?" Gao Chang, realizing he had gone too far, quickly said, "Second brother, please don't be offended, but this matter is too strange, truly baffling!" Gao Que believed his brother was judging him by his own petty standards. "Your Highness has the people at heart," Gao Chang said irritably. "Your Highness has lowered yourself to sign an agreement with Wang Hao. Such a bold and reckless act is baffling." Gao Chang looked around and, seeing no one else was present, laughed and said, "We're brothers, may I speak my mind?" Gao Que agreed with his elder brother's insight. Seeing Gao Chang suddenly become cautious, Gao Que dared not ignore it and said, "Please watch your words, elder brother!" Gao Chang leaned closer and whispered, "If all the people of Liaodong come to Jinzhou, Liaoyang Prefecture will become an isolated city. Your Highness must know this simple truth. Knowing the serious consequences yet still insisting on doing it can only mean that Your Highness has a plan, a plan you are unaware of!"

Gao Que felt a pang of sorrow, but said aloud, "Her Highness the Princess is unparalleled in wisdom. She has her reasons for not letting me know; Brother, there's no need to deliberately sow discord!" Gao Chang's lips curled into a smile, and he said, "Just because you don't know doesn't mean others don't!" Gao Que jolted, blurting out, "You mean Xiao Shanbie?" Gao Chang shook his head, saying, "If I'm not mistaken, Xiao Shanbie wouldn't know either." Gao Que was even more puzzled, saying, "If it's not Xiao Shanbie, then who else could it be?" Gao Chang said, "The Song envoy—Wang Hao!" Gao Que shook his head and smiled, saying, "I know all about his agreement with the Princess; it's about using Liao's gold and silver to buy Song's grain." Gao Chang said, "The Jurchen cavalry can already bypass Liaoyang Prefecture and roam Liaodong; so Song's grain..." "After Lu Jinzhou, how will the supplies continue north to Liaoyang Prefecture? Have you considered that?" Gao Que refused to admit defeat and said, "We will certainly send a large force to escort them!" Gao Chang said, "The troops in Liaoyang Prefecture are barely enough to garrison the city, how many can they spare to escort the supplies?" Seeing Gao Que remain silent, he continued, "Have you considered that since Liaoyang Prefecture will become a completely isolated city after the people evacuate, what if Her Highness also leads her troops south?" Gao Que suddenly realized and said, "Liaonan is long and narrow. With 30,000 troops and the terrain of Jinzhou, it would be enough to make it impregnable. In addition, hundreds of miles of land in Liaodong would be deserted; if the Jurchens led their troops to attack, the supply lines would be long and difficult to sustain for a long time. And Her Highness is only abandoning a dilapidated city!"

Gao Chang nodded and shook his head, saying, "Yes and no! Liaonan is narrow and mountainous, unable to support its people. Therefore, the sea route will become the lifeline of Jinzhou City." Gao Que's heart was wounded again, and he said, "So it seems that Her Highness the Princess has entrusted the lifeline of Liaodong to a Song person!" Gao Chang comforted him, "Given the current situation, Her Highness the Princess must have no other choice but to negotiate with a tiger for its skin!" Gao Que sighed and said, "I have followed the Princess for so long, yet I am not as insightful as my elder brother." Gao Chang was not as sentimental as Gao Que, and said, "A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; Her Highness the Princess has allowed me to govern Jinzhou, which shows that she still trusts my younger brother greatly!" The conversation with his elder brother resolved many of Gao Que's doubts. Gao Que once thought that he would always follow in the footsteps of the Shu princess, offering her advice and leading by example; but now it seems that the Shu princess's courage and boldness have already surpassed his own; perhaps soon, he, as her strategist, will become more and more nominal.

Eight days later, Wang Hao and Li Cangbai arrived in Jinzhou City, where Gao Chang personally led the county officials out to greet them. Reunited with old friends, they were filled with emotion. Wang Hao said, "It's only been a month, and Mr. Gao has already become the magistrate of Jinzhou County! Congratulations!" Gao Chang smiled casually and replied, "Thanks to your good fortune, Young Master Wang!" Wang Hao unconsciously scrutinized Gao Chang, thinking to himself, "I advised the Princess of Shu to abandon Liaoyang Prefecture and focus entirely on developing Jinzhou. Gao Chang's appointment as magistrate of Jinzhou must be part of the Princess of Shu's plan to retreat south. However, such a top-secret matter would never have been leaked beforehand by either of us. Gao Chang's direct statement of 'thanks to my good fortune' can only be his speculation, not a leak of information. This is a subtle observation." "Such skill! Truly a hero!" Feigning a daze, he said, "Although we serve different masters, in this world, Song and Liao are on friendly terms, so Jinzhou and Laoshan can be as close as brothers!" Gao Chang beamed, saying, "Her Highness the Princess has clearly instructed me to settle refugees in Jinzhou; however, Liaonan is exhausted and lacks provisions, so we can only rely on you and the Song Dynasty!" Wang Hao turned to look at the gold on the cavalry and said, "The first batch of 300,000 shi of grain should be delivered within three days, and the remaining 700,000 shi within fifteen days, is that acceptable?" Whether it was the Jinzhou treasury or the Gao, Gongsun, and Xue families, all had provisions, more than enough to last a month. Gao Chang feigned urgency, actually testing Wang Hao's abilities, and quickly replied, "Excellent! Excellent!"

As they talked, the group entered the city. Wang Hao took the initiative to say, "With the influx of refugees, the shortages aren't just of food and fodder; housing, blankets, and disease control are also issues. If Lord Gao needs any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. As long as the reward is reasonable, I will not refuse!" Wang Hao's frankness made Gao Chang feel awkward for a moment, and he slowly said, "I am merely a county magistrate; important matters should be decided by Her Highness the Princess herself!" The group quickly arrived at the post station, and Wang Hao ordered, "Rest tonight, and tomorrow we will proceed without stopping to the seaside camp." He then instructed, "Please trouble Lord Gao to keep an eye on these 100,000 taels of gold. Once the grain arrives, it will be cash on delivery, with no delays!"

Wang Hao closed the door to rest, and Li Cangbai came to Gao Chang's side, saying, "I request that Magistrate Gao hand over this 100,000 taels of gold to me!" This was a matter of great importance, and Gao Chang said, "The county government is poorly guarded. General Li, could you lend me ten men to guard the gold?" Li Cangbai pondered for a moment and said, "Before setting out, Her Highness the Princess instructed me to assist you in settling the refugees. Since the county government is poorly guarded, how about I temporarily borrow eighty soldiers from you?" Although the Gao, Gongsun, and Xue families had a local militia, in such chaotic times, to prevent the Shu princess from forcibly conscripting them, Gao Chang was already struggling to conceal his private army, let alone have them transferred to the county government for immediate command. Li Cangbai's willingness to lend troops was of course a welcome surprise, especially since his soldiers were all cavalry. Gao Chang quickly said, "General Li is so selfless; he is truly a role model for us all!" Li Cangbai, however, did not become complacent, saying, "There are rules in the army. These eighty men are all the princess's personal guards; their pay and armor will still be provided by the princess's residence." Gao Chang, taken aback, said, "My brothers have worked hard for Jinzhou; it is only right that I fulfill my duty as host!" Li Cangbai sneered, saying, "Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king. We are all serving the Liao Dynasty and the princess. Lord Gao..." "I appreciate your kindness!" Seeing Li Cangbai's resolute attitude, Gao Chang had no choice but to say, "I'd be honored to comply!" After the gold exchange was completed, Li Cangbai summoned his deputy and instructed him, "Jinzhou City has become the financial and logistical hub of Liaoyang Prefecture, and there must be no mishaps. Although Magistrate Gao is the elder brother of Chief Clerk Gao, we must still be wary of him. You will lead eighty men to stay and guard Jinzhou; firstly, to focus on assisting Magistrate Gao in resettling refugees and maintaining order in Jinzhou City; secondly, to monitor Gao Chang. If he does anything unexpected, report it immediately. If he remains consistent, write a report on your observations in Jinzhou City every five days and submit it to me!"