Northern Dynasties

Chapter 1325 Betrothal to Jinlan

During the Hou Jing Rebellion, Huainan suffered particularly badly. Not only did it suffer from the war during the period of the rebellion, but after the rebellion was quelled, the war in Huainan did not stop, but intensified. Guangling, an important town in Huainan, also changed its owner several times during this process and hardly enjoyed real peace.

It was not until the diplomatic relations between the Southern Chen and the Guanzhong regime stabilized and the Northern Qi forces passively withdrew from Huainan that the turmoil in the region came to an end. The people living in this area also gained a long-lost period of peace and were able to recuperate.

However, as Guangling was a central town in the region, its ownership was still coveted, and it was finally transferred again a few days ago, from the Southern Chen to the control of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty's Yangzhou General Administration Office was also officially transferred from Shouyang to Guangling.

The war and unrest that had lasted for several years had caused great damage to Guangling City, and both the city buildings and the residents had suffered greatly.

The original Guangling City was also a structure of outer Luocheng and inner Jincheng, but after several long and arduous offensive and defensive battles, the outer Luocheng was already in ruins. The last time the Southern Chen took control of the city, they simply kept only the Jincheng located on the high hill in the city, and built an outer city at the foot of the hill, causing the main body of Guangling City to shift several miles to the south, closer to the river bank.

It should be said that the Southern Chen court was quite attentive to the reconstruction and management of Guangling City. In addition to the large-scale construction of the reconstruction of the outer city, thousands of households who had crossed the river from Huainan to escape the war were gradually moved back to Guangling, allowing the city to regain some vitality.

This scale of construction and personnel relocation may not be a big deal for the powerful Tang Dynasty, but it is still a heavy burden for the Southern Chen Dynasty. However, in order to maintain its influence over Jiangbei, the Southern Chen Dynasty gritted its teeth and endured it. It can be seen that they still have certain plans and fantasies about Jiangbei, and they regard Guangling as an important fulcrum of this plan.

However, as the country's fortunes declined, this fantasy became increasingly unrealistic and even a little ridiculous. In the recent negotiations between the two countries, Chen Chang, the ruler of Chen, finally chose to accept the military assistance of the Tang Dynasty to quell the Nanchuan Rebellion and gain control of Nanchuan, thus giving up Guangling City. This also meant that the Southern Chen court completely gave up all its plans for Jiangbei, and internal power struggles became its main contradiction.

Cai Jingli rode an ox cart on the newly built streets of Guangling Outer City, watching the people coming and going on the streets. He felt that life in the city was still in good order, and he did not see how much impact and damage the change of ownership of the city had brought to the people's livelihood.

The good order in the city made this minister of the Southern Dynasty feel both relieved and filled with mixed feelings.

After years of confrontation between the North and the South, the Tang Dynasty today can be said to be different from any previous enemy in the North. Although they are very powerful, they do not blindly oppress and bully the Southern Dynasty with their powerful military force. Instead, they always maintain a generous and tolerant attitude, allowing the people of the Southern Dynasty to gradually adapt to and accept their existence in a relatively peaceful and stable atmosphere.

This kind of tender and gentle approach could hardly conceal the Tang Emperor's ambition to unify the world, but to ordinary people, the Tang Emperor was a rare benevolent ruler who always tried his best to avoid causing tragic harm to ordinary people.

Just like the Guangling City today, the people in the city were all citizens of the Southern Dynasty who had been relocated back from Jiangdong, but they did not show any discomfort or resistance to the change of management rights in the city.

After the Tang army entered the city, they were not in a hurry to demonstrate their presence or emphasize their authority. They still maintained the original rules and order in the management of the city and only strengthened the city's defense.

The strength of the Tang army was naturally far stronger than that of the Southern Chen army. From this perspective, the change of ownership of Guangling City brought almost no other changes except making the city safer and the order in the city more secure. In this way, it is no wonder that the people in the city did not mind it at all.

“I wonder if Jingkou will be able to maintain this state after the Tang army leaves for the south?”

Cai Jingli muttered to himself that the reason why he went to Jingkou to persuade Xu Du to surrender to the Tang Dynasty was certainly due to the direct influence of his relatives, but more importantly, it was due to his disappointment with the current situation in Southern Chen.

The world situation was increasingly leaning towards the Tang Dynasty, while the infighting within the Southern Chen royal family was becoming more and more intense. Neither Chen Chang nor Chen Qian faced up to the future direction of the Jiangdong regime. In other words, they each only held on to their own selfish interests and did not truly put the welfare of the people of Jiangdong first.

Cai Jingli believed that the only way to preserve the people of Jiangdong was to kowtow to the Northern Dynasty and beg for mercy. The first ruler Chen Baxian was a perfect example. But the problem was that there was only one Chen Baxian in Jiangdong, and now there is no more. None of the remaining people who still hold positions have the style of the first ruler.

Moreover, even Chen Baxian was helpless against the growing power of the Western Wei during his lifetime. He could only adopt a very passive defensive posture, but it was difficult to restore the strategic balance between the two sides.

Today, the Tang Dynasty is more powerful, while the Southern Chen Dynasty is getting weaker. Compared with supporting those who are not as talented as them and continue to resist stubbornly, which will only increase casualties, choosing to submit to the Tang Dynasty is undoubtedly the most suitable choice for the people of Jiangdong in the current reality.

As the carriage approached the General Manager's Mansion, Cai Jingli hurriedly calmed himself down and cheered himself up. When the ox cart stopped in front of the General Manager's Mansion, the first thing that caught his eye was a familiar figure.

"I have been away from my parents for a long time, and have been in the hustle and bustle of the world. I have never visited my parents, so how dare I wait for my uncle to come and greet me in person!"

Cai Jingli jumped off the ox cart, then quickly walked to Cai Dabao who was standing in front of the gate of the General Manager's Mansion and bowed deeply.

Cai Dabao bent down and helped Cai Jingli up. He looked his nephew up and sighed, "The world is in turmoil, forcing people to separate and it's hard to be together for a long time. It's not your fault. Now that we can still meet in the world, we should thank our ancestors for their protection and be grateful to the heroes of the time for eliminating chaos and evil. Knowing that you will come north, Dai Gong has been waiting for you in the mansion for a long time!"

After hearing this, Cai Jingli became a little nervous again. He held his uncle's wrist with his backhand and whispered, "I have been in Jiangdong for a long time, and I am unfamiliar with the people of the Northern Dynasty. I came to pay my respects to Mr. Dai today. I wonder if my uncle has any experience to teach me?"

Cai Dabao knew that he was in a state of anxiety, so he smiled and patted his shoulder, saying with a smile, "You came to discuss a plan that would benefit both the north and the south, not to curry favor with me. There is no need to feel uneasy. Although Mr. Dai was born in a family of generals in the North Town, he has been raised by the current supreme ruler since he was young. He has a dignified and upright temperament. Just be polite when you give me advice!"

After hearing what Cai Dabao said, Cai Jingli heaved a sigh of relief, and then followed his uncle into the General Manager's Mansion. In the main hall of the General Manager's Mansion, Ruo Feng looked up and saw Cai Dabao and his nephew walking into the hall one after another. He stood up from the table, smiled and talked to Cai Dabao, and his eyes were already looking at Cai Jingli behind him: "Recently, the chief secretary has repeatedly said that he wants to introduce me to a virtuous man from the Jiangzuo family. I have been eager to see him for a long time. Today, there is a breeze blowing around the corridor, washing away the dust, and as expected, I saw the distinguished guest entering the hall!

I have heard that in the past, a great bandit invaded Liang and the ruler of Liang was imprisoned. Cai Qing, a scholar, dared to save his father and ruler from the bandit's lair. Although the plan was not completed, his ambition is admirable. Now that you have entered here, my room will be filled with fragrance!"

Ruo Fengsheng was tall and handsome, standing in the hall in his military uniform, which was very oppressive. However, when he smiled and complimented Cai Jingli, he felt like he was in spring breeze. He bowed his head and said, "I am really unworthy of your praise, sir! Your reputation is so great that it shakes the Jiangnan region. I have heard of it for a long time. Today, I have the honor to pay my respects to you. I am secretly happy to see your majestic appearance. I feel that your reputation is well-deserved!"

After some greetings and compliments to each other, the atmosphere was quite harmonious. Then Ruo Feng invited Cai Jingli to sit in the hall, and with the company of Cai Dabao, they talked about the purpose of Cai Jingli's visit.

When she learned that Cai Jingli had persuaded Xu Du of Jingkou and that Xu Du also had ambitions to move to Beitou, her eyebrows raised suddenly, but she did not show her joy too much.

When he saw the soldiers carrying the gifts and treasures brought by Cai Jingli into the hall one by one, Ruo Feng raised his hand and pointed at the gold and treasures and said, "If it is true as you said, Xu Gong of Jingkou really wants to obey the will of heaven and return to justice, this thought alone is better than these gold, jade and jewels.

Now Mr. Xu has used this as a testimony, I would be disrespectful to refuse it, but I am not greedy for this gift. If the matter is successful, I will double it! A life of righteousness can save countless lives. If a benevolent and brave man is not rich and noble, who in the world can enjoy glory with a clear conscience? Cai Qing, please tell Mr. Xu this. With this merit of Jiangdong's first righteousness, the blessings of his whole family are on the way and waiting to enter the house in due time! "

Ruo Ruofeng's enthusiastic and positive attitude also greatly encouraged Cai Jingli. Seeing the encouraging look in his uncle Cai Dabao's eyes, he hurriedly talked about the planned steps for the next negotiations between the two sides.

Now Xu Du is still a minister of Southern Chen after all, and it is naturally taboo to make friends with the Tang army rashly. Although the Southern Chen court is also flattering the Tang Dynasty, it does not mean that Chen Chang is happy to see the border general do the same.

Once this matter was exposed, Xu Du would inevitably have to bear the blame and various pressures from the court, and this would definitely affect the diplomatic relations between the Tang Dynasty and the Southern Chen Dynasty. Therefore, it was very important for both parties to decide whether to continue to maintain secret contact or to make the matter public.

As the party that took the initiative to surrender, Cai Jingli was not in a hurry to finalize the next interaction mode, but on behalf of Xu Du, he said that no matter what decision Ruofeng made, Jingkou would try its best to cooperate. Of course, the premise is that the next action must fully guarantee Xu Du's interests and the stability and safety of Jingkou.

Regarding this, Ruoyu Feng also weighed many things. As the party accepting the surrender, he seemed to be strong and proactive, but there were also many issues that needed to be considered.

The first and most important point is how sincere Xu Du is in his request for surrender this time. Will he go back on his word during the negotiations between the two sides? Or will he simply pretend to surrender in order to destroy the current diplomatic relations between Southern Chen and the Tang Dynasty?

Secondly, the court now has a set pace for its attack on Jiangdong. Suddenly strengthening the interactive contact with Jingkou may be too aggressive and affect the court's overall plan.

If the Tang army reacted too positively, would it affect Xu Du's feelings and make him think that his power was being violated? If the reaction was negative, would it make him think that the Tang army was still not ready to cross the river in a large scale and thus become arrogant?

For such an important decision, Ruo Ruofeng would of course consult the court, but as the big boss in charge of the southeast, he must also make his own judgment and make timely feedback to consolidate this relationship.

After some thought, Ruo Feng had the gold sent by Xu Du melted and cast into two golden shrines, one for his father Ruo Hui and the other for Xu Du's father. Then he had Cai Jingli summoned and said to him, "If we can get Xu Gong's help to turn this great river into a thoroughfare, there will no longer be a north-south divide in the world, and the country will no longer be in danger of being torn apart. All people will be converted and there will be no distinction between the two. I dare to ask Xu Gong to establish a friendship of gold and stone, to make an agreement to work together for special achievements, and to swear an oath of brotherhood. Please convey this to Cai Jingli!"

After saying this, he bowed several times to the two golden shrines in the hall, and pierced his fingers to draw blood, smearing the blood on the bases of the two shrines, and then handed it to Cai Jingli to take back to Jingkou to reply to Xu Du. He showed great sincerity here, and it was also a very sincere promise to Xu Du. It depends on how Xu Du will respond.

When Cai Jingli returned to Jingkou with two golden shrines and told the story of his trip to Guangling, Xu Du was also very pleased. After making this decision, he was most worried that Guangling would not respond well to it, which would make him very unhappy. Now the other side gave a positive response, which gave him great encouragement.

But when he saw Cai Jingli put out the two blood-stained shrines, Xu Du showed a helpless expression, sighed and said: "I am over fifty years old, although I am not known for my stubbornness, but I didn't expect that I would have to bow down and worship the old Hu spirit of the northern barbarian. The world is really unpredictable!"

Although he sighed like this, he still bowed respectfully in front of the two shrines and asked Cai Jingli to witness and write down the event. Ruo Hui never expected that many years after his death, after his son's operation, he would have another godson out of thin air.

Witnessed by these two golden shrines, the two sides completed this sworn brotherhood from a distance. Although this matter was carried out in secret, it was a historic breakthrough for the long-standing confrontation between the North and the South!

After becoming sworn brothers with Ruoerfeng, Xu Du's next move was even more decisive. He ordered his wife and children to be sent to Guangling for resettlement, and personally wrote a letter to Ruoerfeng, hoping that his sworn brother would send several hundred elite soldiers to serve as his personal guards.

Ruo Ruofeng welcomed his elder sister-in-law and nephew in Guangling, and naturally gave them a warm welcome. However, he was a little hesitant about Xu Du's request for Guangling to send troops south to Jingkou, because he had not yet received a reply to his request to Guanzhong.

But after weighing the pros and cons, he decided to send a thousand elite soldiers to make the relationship between the two closer. After these thousand elite soldiers arrived at Jingkou, it became the first time that the Northern Dynasty army entered Jingkou, a key river defense town of the Southern Dynasty, since the division of the North and the South!