Harue Kagetsu

From Liyang back to Jiankang, hundreds of miles away, the counties and villages passing by along the way have long lost the peace and tranquility of the past.

The actual war caused by the rebellion of Tianshijiao and Xu Mi had not spread to this place close to the capital due to the obstruction of the army, but the original peaceful life of the people here had already been shattered.

The fields on both sides of the road are endless, and it is not slack, but there are only scattered people working there. At the gate of the city, in the alleys, in the fields, and at the head of the village, there are all people who gather to discuss the current situation, and everyone frowns and sighs. On the way, there were even teams of people who took their belongings and dragged their children and daughters to the direction of Jiankang. In their eyes, the city where the emperor lived must be unbreakable.

As early as when the Heavenly Teachers were in chaos, rumors continued, saying that the Heavenly Teachers had body protection and were invincible and invincible. Wherever he passed, it was like a locust passing by, but anyone with a little surplus of food and wealth would be disemboweled if he did not follow suit. People were already panicking, but now with the addition of Xu Mi's chaotic army, there are rumors that they will be called in a few days, adding fuel to the fire.

The closer to Jiankang, the more such rumors and the accompanying fear and turmoil spread.

Passersby have become extremely sensitive, and any slight disturbance can make them tremble with fear.

Along the way, Gao Qiao has seen countless passers-by who were running away in fear because they encountered his own group. After finally recognizing that the soldiers who were rushing were the imperial army, he finally stopped his hasty steps. one scene.

His mood was extremely sad.

Geographically, Jiankang faces northward, and the Yangtze River is a moat, but in the face of the current civil strife, it has become flat on three sides and has no power to defend.

Congenital deficiencies determine that once a strong enemy moves down the river or attacks from the hinterland, it will completely lose its defensive value.

In terms of military strength, even with the addition of the Lu family's army, which was previously included, it is now completely at a disadvantage.

According to local reports, there are more than 200,000 chaotic members of the 16 counties and 70 counties involved in Yangzhou, and these people are like madmen who are incited to attack the city and conquer the land. When faced with a battle against the imperial army sent to encircle and suppress him, even a few battle-hardened veterans under Gao Qiao's men were shocked when they saw it.

The numbers are still snowballing, not to mention that there are now many more of this rebel army.

Although the offensive of the Xuancheng rebels had been temporarily suppressed, Jiankang was given a chance to breathe. But this is just a respite.

Gao Qiao knew in his heart that what he was about to face next was a more difficult battle.

Facing the rebel army from Jingzhou, Wuchang County could not hold on for long. In this direction, the number of troops he can divide to defend is also limited. Arming them all is a completely unrealistic fantasy.

He chose to deploy heavy defenses in the further downstream Wangjiang County, hoping to use the solid city defense and terrain to block the rebels' attack on Jiankang as much as possible.

Regarding Jiankang, he has also made a decision.

Making such a decision was an extremely difficult process for him.

But he knew in his heart that, on the premise that Xu Mi's rebel army and Tianshijiao would echo each other, and judging from the passive situation the Guangling army was in, such an arrangement was absolutely necessary.

Under the premise of knowing that Jiankang is completely safe from danger, instead of holding on to the idea of ​​fluke, if it is out of control at the end, it is better to plan ahead, take retreat as advance, and gain more for this inevitable battle of defense. more time and opportunities.

He is even less likely to pin his hopes entirely on reinforcements.

Although he realized the seriousness of the situation the first time he learned that Xu Mi was also taking advantage of the chaos to attack Jiankang, he sent an urgent call to Li Mu, who was still far away in Longxi.

But he is not sure whether Li Mu will immediately answer the call.

He knew that Li Mu was doing well in Longxi. Once Longxi is settled, taking advantage of the high morale, one move out of the gate, and Luoyang, such a temptation, and the call, returning from a long march to aid Jiankang, the premise that the court's opponents hold real power. Next, for a foreign minister with a special status like Li Mu, even if it is replaced by himself, I am afraid it will take a lot of thought.

Not to mention him.

As for the thoughts of his son-in-law, to be honest, Gao Qiao still feels a little unpredictable to this day.

Therefore, he did not dare to hold Jiankang's hope and pin it on rescue.

This capital of the Southern Dynasty, even if it was weak, Gao Qiao would not give up easily.

But before that, he needs to arrange everything so that he can do it without any worries.

He hadn't closed his eyes well for days and nights. He rode on a horse, his eyes were so sour that he couldn't blink smoothly, and the wind blowing on him almost made him cry.

He was clearly extremely tired, but his whole body was controlled by a tense emotion from the inside out, and he couldn't feel any tiredness from his body at all.

At noon on the third day after the Battle of Liyang, Gao Qiao and his party finally rushed back to Jiankang.

He rode his horse and passed through the gate of Jiankang's South City.

He hadn't worn armor for years. The people in Jiankang City are also more accustomed to their Gao Xianggong's white-clothed celebrity demeanor. So much so that when he first saw him riding into the city, the people nearby didn't recognize him. They just looked at the line of people who seemed to have just returned from the battlefield with uneasy eyes.

"It's Gao Xianggong! Gao Xianggong is back!"

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

The people around finally recognized it, and they became excited, calling him and rushing towards him.

There was a commotion near the South City Gate.

Those worries and fears about Jiankang's uncertain future that came from their eyes because of the terrible rumors all over the sky disappeared when they saw Gao Qiao in military uniform suddenly appear in front of them.

Instead, there is excitement and excitement full of trust and dependence.

For the first time in his life, Gao Qiao did not dare to face the gaze that Jiankang people cast on him.

He suppressed the feeling of guilt that was pouring out of his heart, suddenly urged the horse, and left behind the group of people who were following him. When he reached the fork in the road leading to the palace and his home, he hesitated, and then went to the palace. .

He went straight into the palace, unhindered. When the palace servant saw him, he showed a very grateful expression, as if he had seen the savior, and almost didn't cry: "Gao Xianggong, you can go back! Your Majesty has been watching you every day these days—"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Gao Xianggong is back!"

The palace servants seemed to have forgotten the palace rules, and led Gao Qiao to enter the palace in a hurry.

Accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps, Gao Qiao looked up and saw a figure appearing from behind the curtain of the inner hall, rushing towards him.

"Xiang Gong! You are back!"

The young emperor, as if ill, had a sallow face and puffy eyes.

He lost his past graceful bearing. Running to Gao Qiao, when Gao Qiao was about to kneel to him, he reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"There are rumors all over the city that the rebels and the Tianshijiao are about to attack Jiankang! The ministers have written letters, and although Liyang has been defended, I'm afraid it won't last long. They want me to leave the palace, lest Jiankang fall! "

"Gao Xianggong, what do you think is good?"

Gao Qiao stared at the emperor in front of him who was asking him a question.

In the eyes of the emperor, he saw the anxious gaze full of longing that came from his heart.

In his heart, there was a sudden sense of powerlessness.

These days, the tiredness accumulated from fighting, running around, and at this moment, seemed to suddenly attack him.

He was silent for a moment and did not answer.

"Xiang Gong, wait, I'll show you those books!"

The emperor's well-maintained five-fingered slender and elegant hands loosened Gao Qiao's armour sleeves, turned around, and hurried to get the memorial.

"His Majesty!"

Suddenly, another voice came from the back of the palace. There seemed to be a hint of unpleasantness in his voice.

The emperor turned around, saw Gao Yongrong coming, hesitated, and finally stopped.

Gao Yongrong stopped the emperor's move and hurriedly came to Gao Qiao.

"Uncle, I just heard that in the battle of Liyang, my uncle repelled the rebels. How is everything, uncle?"

Gao Qiao's eyes slowly fell from the emperor's body to his niece's face, watching her.

"I'm fine."

After a moment, he said.

Gao Yongrong breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully: "We all rely on Uncle to turn the tide and protect Jiankang. Otherwise, if Xuancheng rebels come, I don't know what will happen here at this moment. These days, when Uncle is not here, ministers send letters every day. , Dao Jiankang is not a place to be defended, and I advise Your Majesty to move out temporarily. His Majesty was intimidated by the ministers, so he lost his composure. Whether to leave or not, everything is at the discretion of the uncle. "

Gao Qiao calmed down, looked at the emperor again, and his expression had returned to his usual calm.

"To build the imperial capital of Kang, the minister will swear to stick to it. The minister's concerns are not unreasonable. The minister came back for this reason. For the sake of safety, His Majesty can first move to Qu'a. The terrain there can be defended and the city defense is strong. A safe place. The minister will send someone to **** Your Majesty, and Lu Jian will respond. Your Majesty can rest assured."

The emperor breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, he could simply describe his feelings as overjoyed.

From the pampered and carefree King of Dongyang to the emperor of this country, it still seems like a dream to him.

Compared to being the emperor now, the enjoyment he can get is not much more than when he was the king of Dongyang. On the contrary, he had to listen to the advice from Gao Qiao all the time, which made him feel extremely tired.

He had been frightened by the raging rebels and the rumors on all sides.

I thought that Gao Qiao would firmly oppose him leaving Jiankang, and wanted him to stay and advance and retreat with Jiankang. Unexpectedly, Gao Qiao had already prepared a retreat for him.

He was simply grateful. If it wasn't for Gao Yongrong standing beside him, he would have held Gao Qiao's hand and shed tears of gratitude.

Gao Yongrong said: "Uncle, for the sake of the national system, Your Majesty can go first. If Uncle needs it, the niece and the prince can stay in Jiankang with Uncle, and advance and retreat together with Jiankang!"

Gao Qiao shook his head slightly: "No need. You all go, I can stay. I will also arrange evacuation of the residents of the city."

"uncle-"

Gao Yongrong seemed to want to persuade him again.

Gao Qiao waved his hand: "You and Your Majesty should prepare first. When I arrange it, you can leave."

He left the palace and walked in a hurry in the direction of the Gao family.