White Horse, Silver Spear, Grand Commandant Gao

Chapter 101 How Can Military Supplies Be Given to the Enemy Court?

In the short distance from the entrance to the hall, the eunuch spoke hurriedly, quickly instructing the attendants on the various etiquette procedures for meeting the emperor.

Gao Huaide's ears were ringing, but he didn't pay any attention to it, thinking that he was about to see the emperor in person.

"If someone loses their composure before the Emperor, it is a grave offense that could lead to execution and also implicate Grand Tutor Gao."

The eunuch tried to intimidate him. In truth, His Majesty had hosted a banquet at Grand Tutor Gao's private residence on the eve of the Lantern Festival, showing such great favor. How could a minor breach of etiquette be punished? A mere reminder would suffice.

Upon reaching the hall, the guards became even tighter, with soldiers in the front and back rows blocking the entrance, making it impossible to break in. With such heavy defenses, even if the emperor were to leave the palace, assassinating him would be no easy task.

"Gao Huaide, Commander-in-Chief of the Zhangwu Army, requests an audience."

The eunuch called out the name in a drawn-out tone, and a deep voice came from inside the hall: "No need for formalities, let him in."

The soldiers parted to make way for Gao Huaide as he entered the hall. A giant man sitting in the center came into view. The man's enormous body occupied most of the table, and his ochre-yellow robe was particularly eye-catching.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his father sitting below him, while the person at the head of the table was a handsome young man, about two or three years older than him.

Following the instructions of the eunuch, Gao Huaide knelt and kowtowed three times. Just as he stood up, the giant beckoned and said, "Come closer and let me see the son of an old friend."

Gao Huaide thought to himself, "This distance is close enough, surely they can see what I look like?" He didn't move immediately.

"His Majesty has summoned you; step forward boldly."

Gao Xingzhou gave the instructions.

The thought that the supreme emperor was just a dozen steps away filled Gao Huaide's young heart with excitement and awe, making it difficult for him to take a step.

He glanced at his father and, whether it was his imagination or not, felt that Gao Xingzhou's gaze was filled with contempt. A surge of anger welled up inside him.

He strode a few steps and walked straight to the table, standing within five steps of the emperor, chest puffed out.

"Haha, Gao Qing's son has quite the nerve."

The emperor praised, "Not bad, not bad. At such a young age, you have the spirit of a dignified military general."

The giant was none other than the current emperor, Li Congke, who then sighed, "Little Gao, we're all getting old."

When the emperor addressed him by his old title, Gao Xingzhou replied in a proper and respectful manner: "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, and I, too, have aspirations to serve the country, and dare not speak of my age."

"Although it's a routine response, the way you say it makes it sound more sincere."

Li Congke laughed: "Your suppression of the Dingnan Army has deterred some people's wicked intentions. Your words of serving the country are true."

Gao Xingzhou remained silent. Some matters were extremely sensitive and could not be discussed by someone from an outer region like himself. He could only wait for Li Congke to speak up.

"Shigemi, come here."

Li Congke was not in a hurry to discuss state affairs. He called the boy to sit down beside him, stroked his hair, and looked at him with affection.

"Chongmei's elder brother died young, so he has to shoulder heavy responsibilities at such a young age. After the Lantern Festival, I plan to confer upon him the title of Prince Yong and settle his status as soon as possible."

Prince Yong was a prince of the first rank, and Emperor Dezong of Tang ascended the throne as Prince Yong. This move elevated Li Chongmei to a higher position, adding the official titles of Governor of Henan and Prefect of the Six Armies and Guards. He could be appointed Crown Prince and regent at any time.

The crown prince is the foundation of the country. Li Congke's adoption of the late emperor as his heir ensured the legitimacy of the throne as soon as possible and eliminated any unwarranted thoughts from outsiders.

Li Chongmei already knew about her father's arrangements, but she still took a few steps back and bowed before the table to express her gratitude.

"Although the prince is young, he is as intelligent and perceptive as an adult, and will surely be a great help to the emperor."

Gao Xingzhou praised him, completely disregarding what his son thought.

Hmph, well, other people's kids are all successful anyway.

Gao Huaide was indignant, but he also felt that there were too many royal rules, and that it was too formal for fathers and sons to kowtow and express their gratitude so often.

"The first year of Changxing was six years ago."

Li Congke recalled the past and spoke to Gao Huaide: "Because of An Conghui's slander, I have been living in seclusion. When you, Minister Gao, were promoted from the military commissioner of Yingzhou to the military governor of Zhenwu, you brought you with you to visit me on your way to the capital to receive your orders."

"You were only four or five years old then, so you probably don't remember ever meeting me and Chongmei once."

Li Congke smiled and said, "You two are close in age, so you should get to know each other better in the future."

Gao Huaide vaguely remembered the emperor mentioning it.

I was too young to remember back then, and now the other party is an emperor and a prince, their demeanor is completely different from before, I didn't recognize them at first glance.

"His Majesty has issued a decree; why are you not kneeling to receive it?"

Once the emperor spoke, it was all the emperor's decree. Hearing his father's instructions, Gao Huaide came to his senses and knelt down to bow twice more, thinking that if he stayed by the emperor's side for too long, his knees would surely be worn raw.

He stood up, glanced at Li Chongmei, and thought to himself, "You're in Luoyang and I'm in Yanzhou. You're a prince and I'm just a young master. We're completely unrelated. What kind of interaction or intimacy could we possibly have?"

"Alright, go sit down with your father and try some of the dishes prepared by the imperial chef. See if they suit your taste."

Li Congke invited Gao Huaide to sit down, treating him as if he were a close friend or relative, and had a eunuch introduce the imperial cuisine he had brought.

The Five Raw Dishes consist of five kinds of meat: lamb, pork, beef, bear, and deer, sliced ​​as thin as paper and eaten raw with dipping sauce.

"Tender, smooth, salty, and savory, not bad at all."

Cold-cooked lamb jelly, made by cooling and solidifying lamb into a cake. It was also known as Zhenlang because it was bestowed upon the brothers Zhang Yizhi, who were favored by Empress Wu Zetian.

"Soft, sweet, and delicious."

Shengping roasting involves taking the tender parts of sheep's tongue and deer's tongue, stirring them three hundred times, and then roasting them.

"Delicate and chewy, delicious and tasty."

Lingxiaozhi is made by taking only four ounces of the essence from a sheep and roasting it. It can be preserved for an entire hot summer without spoiling.

"Wow, how can mutton be made so delicious?"

As Gao Huaide savored the various delicacies, he thoroughly enjoyed his meal and secretly thought to himself that emperors really knew how to enjoy life.

Li Congke ate very little food, but drank one cup of wine after another. Gao Xingzhou was extremely restrained, occasionally sharing a drink with the emperor and chatting idly.

Li Congke casually asked, "The curfew was lifted today, and Gao Qing said you went out to stroll around and admire the lanterns. Why did you come back so soon? Was the lantern festival not fun?"

Should we tell the truth?

Gao Huaide hesitated. Would it be disrespectful to say something that would spoil the emperor's mood at this moment?

"When His Majesty asks a question, answer truthfully."

Since his father had said so, Gao Huaide didn't stand on ceremony: "This humble servant saw someone by the Luo River."

"Who?"

"Bao Wenshen, the garrison commander of Bao'an! Wasn't he arrested and taken to the capital? How did he escape again?"

boom!

The emperor slammed his hand on the table, causing the cups and plates to clatter and rattle. The eunuchs were startled, and several guards rushed in from outside the hall.

"Get down!"

Li Congke thought for a moment and called them back: "Come back and convey my imperial edict to arrest someone immediately."

He instructed the guards and explained to Gao Xingzhou, "I truly knew nothing about this matter. I had previously ordered a severe punishment, yet someone dared to disobey and let it go unpunished! I will investigate thoroughly once I return."

White Plague God, let's see if you don't die now.

Gao Huaide felt secretly relieved. He didn't think about whether there was any inside story behind this matter. He embellished the story and told the story of Bai Wenshen leading a group of people to move the valuables while the Jinwu Guards sat idly by. His words were full of contempt.

The security situation in the capital is nothing special.

Li Congke gave the location of a residence and asked if it was there. Gao Huaide nodded repeatedly, unaware that his father's expression had become serious.

The emperor smiled calmly: "That was because Chief Steward Shi, the Imperial Son-in-Law, was wholeheartedly devoted to the country, donating his possessions from Luoyang to be transported to Jinyang to help with military expenses." (Note 1)

Gao Huaide thought to himself that this high-ranking official surnamed Shi was truly a selfless person, completely oblivious to the sarcasm in the emperor's tone.

Gao Xingzhou carefully considered his words before slowly saying, "So, is Hedong truly unstable?"

"Last July, Hedong reported that Li Hui, the commander of the horse-riding unit, and thirty-six others had been executed for plotting a rebellion."

Li Congke did not answer directly, but mentioned another matter: "At that time, Shi Jingtang was stationed in Xinzhou. I sent an envoy to deliver an imperial edict to appease him, and bestowed summer clothes upon the soldiers. They shouted 'Long live the Emperor' several times."

"Duan Xiyao, an official, said: 'Weapons are like fire; if they are not controlled, they will burn themselves.' Shi Jingtang then ordered Liu Zhiyuan to kill thirty-six people as sacrifices, and the shouts ceased."

"These thirty-six men are all loyal and capable generals who serve me well."

Gao Xingzhou knew that most of these people were spies planted by the imperial court in the Hedong army, but they were unexpectedly lured out by the imperial edict and the bestowal of clothes.

Shi Jingtang was ruthless enough to immediately label them as mutinous soldiers and have them all executed, leaving the court with no way to complain. (Note 2)

"What suggestions do you gentlemen have?"

"I can't count on Lu Wenji, Yao Yi, Fang Gao, Han Zhaoyin, Liu Yanlang, and other trusted followers of mine to come up with any ideas."

Gao Xingzhou recalled Feng Dao's words and sighed, "His Majesty has no one to assist him."

"Do you still remember that Khitan prince you and Fu Yanqing captured alive in Dingzhou?"

"He is Abaoji's youngest son, named Yaliguo, and the late emperor bestowed upon him the name Di Huaizhong?" (Note 3)

Gao Xingzhou recalled the past: "The Battle of Dingzhou taught the Khitans a lesson, and they were quiet for several years afterward." (Note 4)

"Lu Qi, Li Song and others suggested that Hedong could not independently resist the Central Plains and could only rely on foreign troops."

Li Congke's attitude showed no sign of praise or criticism; he calmly relayed his subordinates' suggestion: "Simply release those few Khitans and offer them over 100,000 strings of cash annually as gifts, and they will gladly comply. In this way, even if Hedong wants to overthrow the Khitans, they will be powerless to do so."

"Zhang Yanlang, the Commissioner of the Three Departments, also said: 'According to the scholar's plan, not only can we control Hedong, but we can also save nineteen percent of the border expenses. There is no better plan than this. As long as I agree, he will allocate the corresponding funds in addition to the military expenses.'"

Seeing Gao Xingzhou's expression, which looked like he had swallowed a fly whole, Li Congke burst into laughter.

"Those who wish to buy peace with money and goods in later generations will not dare to be the first to do so and leave behind a bad reputation, so they will fabricate such stories. They may even fabricate a scenario in which I gladly accepted it."

Li Congke stroked his chin: "Yes, and then went back on his word. An impulsive emperor who went back on his word, coupled with a hot-blooded minister who couldn't bear humiliation, thus lost the country. This story serves as a cautionary tale for the present, and can be used to guide governance."

"In some people's eyes, the best choice is to compromise and endure for a while, and spend money to pay tribute to foreigners."

"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words!"

When the emperor uttered such words, Gao Xingzhou had no choice but to remonstrate with him.

Li Congke didn't take it seriously: "Chongmei, recite that poem about Wang Zhaojun to me again."

Li Chongmei stood up, his youthful voice clear and melodious, and began to recite a poem by Rong Yu of the Tang Dynasty, titled "Ode to History and Peace with the Barbarians".

"In the annals of the Han dynasty, the plan of peace through marriage was clumsy. The state relied on a wise ruler, and its safety was entrusted to a woman. How could one expect to quell the barbarian hordes with a beautiful face? A thousand years later, whose bones lie buried beneath the earth, who will be the minister to assist them?"

"How could I change my mind just because Scholar Xue recited a poem or because I pity a young girl?"

Li Congke slammed his fist on the table again, and rose to his feet, exclaiming, "How can we give away the money meant to support our scholars to the enemy's court!" (Note 5)

Clang!

He was tall and imposing, which shocked Gao Huaide. The words were deeply imprinted in his mind.