novelAbuy Chapter 27 A Difficult Choice: Who Should Be the Hostage?
Chapter 27 A Difficult Choice: Who Should Be the Hostage?
Exchanging hostages was a practice used by feudal lords to establish trust with each other since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
Although an alliance would be mutually beneficial, opposing the Dingnan Army is no trivial matter; it concerns the rise and fall of the entire clan. If betrayed, the outcome would most likely be the destruction of the family and the extermination of the clan.
Since Gao Xingzhou was unwilling to take the lead, it was reasonable for Yang Hongxin to settle for second best and request an alliance, with both sides exchanging hostages.
However, Gao Xingzhou was a military governor of a town, while Yang Hongxin was just a local tyrant in Linzhou. Their statuses were not equal, so they subtly made their request by exchanging swordsmanship for spearmanship, following the Jianghu custom of exchanging swordsmanship for spearmanship.
"Yang Chonggui is Yang Hongxin's eldest son and is betrothed to Zhe's granddaughter. If Commander Gao adopts him as his son, the three families will be as close as one and will surely advance and retreat together."
Zhe Congruan added from the side, "Gao Shuai's eldest son should be kept by his side for constant guidance, so that he can inherit the foundation of the military governorship in the future. If Yang Hongxin is fortunate enough to pass on his swordsmanship to Gao Shuai's second son, he will already be extremely fortunate."
Yang Chonggui was born in the same year as Gao Huailiang. He was betrothed to a girl named Saihua, the granddaughter of Zhe Congruan who was born not long ago. He was the key figure in the marriage between the two families.
Zhe Congruan made his point clear, offering Yang Chonggui as a hostage, which demonstrated the sincerity of both the Zhe and Yang families. Furthermore, by making a concession by not requiring Gao Xingzhou's eldest son as a hostage, he highlighted the difference in social standing between the two sides.
These are the bottom-line conditions offered by the two companies. Gao Xingzhou only needs to nod in agreement, and the three-party alliance will be formed.
Knowing that this was a crucial moment and there could be no hesitation, Gao Xingzhou immediately agreed: "That's excellent!"
With a clang.
Gao Huaixuan, who was serving warm water and towels to her father and guests, happened to hear these words. She was deeply shocked and couldn't hold the copper basin with both hands, so she spilled the water all over the ground, wetting her skirt and embroidered shoes.
Gao Xingzhou was surprised that his daughter knew about this. In front of the guests, he could not comfort her, so he told her to pack up and leave, and whispered, "Don't tell your mother and brother. I will tell them myself later."
Gao Huaixuan nodded blankly.
She returned to the back room with heavy steps. Madam Gao did not notice anything unusual about her daughter's expression and told her to tell her two younger brothers to rest early.
"sister."
Gao Huaide and Gao Huailiang greeted them as usual.
The thought that one of them would soon be leaving home filled Gao Huaixuan with sorrow. But she couldn't tell them because of her father's instructions, and a heavy weight pressed on her chest.
The two brothers were completely unaware that they were about to part ways. They insisted on hearing their sister play a piece on the zither before they would go to sleep. The young girl was in no mood to play the zither at that moment, but she could not resist their pleas and also wanted to calm her chaotic thoughts, so she had no choice but to play a piece.
With a cry of "Immortal Elder," the sound of a zither began to play.
"The grass on the plain grows lush and green, withers and dies each year. Wildfires cannot burn it all, the spring breeze brings it back to life. Its fragrance spreads far along the ancient road, its verdant green reaches the desolate city. Once again, I see off a young nobleman, my heart filled with parting sorrow."
Bai Letian's poem, titled "Ode to the Ancient Grassland at Parting," has a widely circulated first half, while the second half, which fully expresses the sorrow of parting, is rarely known because it was cut off.
Gao Huaixuan's heart was in turmoil, and her fingers immediately became chaotic, playing several wrong notes in a row.
Gao Huaide, a connoisseur of music, noticed something amiss in the piece. Deeply moved by the siblings' affection, he immediately asked, "Sister Xuan, are you alright?"
"No, no, I'm fine."
Gao Huaixuan stopped pressing the strings and quickly shook her head in denial.
"No, Sister Xuan is definitely hiding something from us."
Gao Huailiang clung to his sister like a leech, grabbing her hand and shaking it: "Tell us!"
"Ha, could it be that Father has arranged a marriage for you, Sister Xuan?"
Gao Huaixuan was already in a bad mood when she heard this, and she punched Gao Huaide on the head: "I'm only a year older than you, what kind of kinship are you talking about?"
"Childhood betrothals do happen."
"Don't make wild guesses, it has nothing to do with me."
Gao Huaixuan's tone was weak. Unable to withstand her two younger brothers' unreasonable nagging, she hesitated for a moment before speaking out: "Father is discussing an alliance with the guests. One of you two will be sent to the Yang family in Linzhou as a hostage."
Gao Huaide and Gao Huailiang looked at each other in disbelief, never expecting such news to come from their sister.
……
Meanwhile, in Fengxiang Prefecture, a thousand miles away, Prince Lu, Li Congke, was longing for his two children, who were held hostage in the capital and unable to see him.
"A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs; a phoenix in distress is worse than a chicken. What is the meaning of a phoenix singing in Qi and soaring in Yong? It's all just a cage."
Li Congke sighed silently, picked up the golden goblet, and drank it all in one gulp.
Fengxiang Prefecture's Liulin Town has been skilled in winemaking since ancient times. When Zhang Qian went to the Western Regions, he not only introduced grape wine in a luminous cup, but also exported Liulin wine to other parts of the country.
During the Yifeng era of the Tang Dynasty, Pei Xingjian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, escorted a Persian prince back to his country. On their way, they passed through Fengxiang and witnessed the wondrous sight of Liulin wine, which intoxicated bees and butterflies. He then wrote the poem: "At the pavilion where guests are seen off, bees are drunk and butterflies do not dance. The three yangs usher in a prosperous nation, how wonderful is Liulin wine!"
However, after swallowing the sweet wine, Li Congke felt an indescribable bitterness.
Both were disobeying orders, yet the court didn't deal with Shi Jingtang of Hedong or Meng Zhixiang of Bashu, but instead targeted Fengxiang Prefecture. Li Congke knew very well why.
My stance is too similar to that of my adoptive father back then.
The late emperor's adopted son, the eldest in age, with outstanding military achievements, was a high-ranking official in a region.
The adoptive father was coerced by the rebel army to become emperor and eventually ascended the throne. It would not be surprising if this experience were repeated. The emperor and his ministers probably thought so too.
His eldest son, Li Chongji, originally commanded the Imperial Guards in the capital, serving as the Commander of the Crane Control Army. However, upon the new emperor's ascension to the throne, he was stripped of his power and sent to a remote post as the Prefect of Bozhou. By this time, he was likely under surveillance.
His son has already entered officialdom; this is his fate.
My daughter, Li Youcheng, has been devoted to Buddhism since childhood. She became a nun in a temple in Luoyang with the Dharma name Huiming. She had already transcended worldly affairs and lived a life of peace. Unexpectedly, she was still drawn into this mess. How can anyone bear to see her like this?
A trusted confidant placed by her side reported that her daughter had been summoned to the palace, clearly as a hostage. (Note 1)
It was beyond our reach, and there was nothing we could do.
Back then, Li Congjing, the eldest son of my adoptive father, was killed by Yuan Xingqin during that turmoil. Although he obtained the throne, he paid a heavy price.
Li Congke dared not think too much about the worst possible outcome for his children. He raised his cup, ready to drink it all in one gulp, when a hand reached out and gently pressed it down.
Madam Liu brought over a steaming bowl of Qishan minced meat noodles, shaking her head to indicate to her husband that he shouldn't drink alcohol on an empty stomach and should eat something to settle down.
The toppings sprinkled on top are a vibrant mix of colors: emerald green coriander and scallions, bright red meat sauce and radish, bright yellow eggs and daylily buds, snow-white fermented beans, and jet-black wood ear mushrooms. The colors are enticing, the ingredients are plentiful, and the aroma is irresistible, making one's mouth water.
Li Congke had no appetite, but unwilling to go against his wife's wishes, he picked up his chopsticks and shoveled down two large mouthfuls.
Liu was always strong-willed, and he had always been wary of her.
With their children in grave danger, his wife felt just as anxious and worried as he did. However, contrary to her usual behavior, she did not complain or blame him, but instead offered her silent support through her actions.
Li Congke held Liu's hand, and the couple sat side by side, leaning on each other.
Currently, they are struggling to protect themselves, and their letters and proclamations to neighboring towns have been ignored. Only Xue Wenyu, the judge sent by Xiangli Jin, the defense commissioner of Longzhou in the west, can discuss important matters with them. (Note 2)
"Fortunately, we weren't surrounded by enemies on all sides."
Li Congke said self-deprecatingly.
Forty years ago, Li Maozhen occupied Fengxiang and interfered in the court. He defeated the punitive army sent by Emperor Zhaozong of Tang and forced the prime minister and the privy councilor to commit suicide before the war ended.
He called himself the King of Qi, established his own government and appointed officials, made his wife his queen, played music and waved a fan while holding court, imitated the emperor in his comings and goings, and finally died a peaceful death.
That was because when Li Maozhen was at his peak, he controlled four towns and fifteen prefectures, with a strong and powerful army, while the imperial court was weak and powerless.
Now I only have one town's worth of troops. How can I resist the attack of the imperial army?
As disaster loomed, Li Congke couldn't help but think of several seemingly unrelated things, mysteries that had been buried in his heart for many years.
When my adoptive father was ordered to quell the rebellion in Weibo, how could he, with his military leadership skills and prestige in the army, be easily coerced by the rebel soldiers?
My adoptive father led an expedition from Luoyang, and the troops under his command were not the main forces of Zhenzhou, but rather the Imperial Guards. How could they have become enemies with Li Cunxu, then launched a mutiny, and murdered the emperor?
Yuan Xingqin was adopted by his adoptive father. Even if he did not care about their past relationship, why did he try his best to prevent his adoptive father from writing a letter to defend himself, ultimately pushing the situation to an unmanageable point?
These questions remain unanswered.
The incident happened suddenly. Li Congke was then the commander of the Tuqi cavalry, guarding Shimen and stationing troops at Hengshui. After receiving the message, he traveled south at double speed, only catching up with his adoptive father's army heading to Luoyang at Bianliang.
"What exactly happened?"
For eight years, this mystery remained deep in Li Congke's heart, concerning the circumstances of the late emperor's ascension to the throne, and he had no way of asking others about it.
When faced with a life-or-death situation, these questions suddenly surfaced and could no longer be suppressed.
As Li Congke was lost in thought, his subordinates reported that the punitive army was advancing on the city walls, and a major battle was about to begin.
He put aside his thoughts, asked Liu to comfort the family members, and went to the city wall to organize the defense.
Zhang Qianzhao, who was preparing to launch an attack outside the city, Shi Jingtang, who was sitting on the east bank of the river watching his own misfortune unfold, and Gao Xingzhou, who was guarding Yanzhou, were all by their adoptive father's side at the time and most of them knew the whole story.
Li Congke sighed softly: "If I manage to survive this time, I really want to ask you all a few questions."
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Place Name Comparison
Shimen: present-day Shimen Township, Tang County, Baoding City, Hebei Province
Hengshui: now Henghe River, located 60 li west of Tang County at Henghekou.