White Horse, Silver Spear, Grand Commandant Gao

Did my father surrender to the Khitan?

Gao Huaide stood there, stunned, not wanting to hear the truth.

However, Zhao Dejun spoke with absolute certainty, and the defeat of the reinforcements was undeniable. If the government troops at Jin'an Village hadn't been dealt with, how could the Khitans have been able to spare the resources to deal with the reinforcements at Tuanbo Valley?

Reason told Gao Huaide that what Zhao Dejun said was very likely the truth, but emotionally he was unwilling to accept this fact. These two thoughts tore at his young heart, until finally he found a way out.

Zhao Dejun, if it weren't for you, you old thief, delaying the rescue and failing to provide adequate assistance, how could my father have ended up in the predicament of having no choice but to surrender to the enemy!

Gao Huaide gritted his teeth. If anything happened to his father, with new grudges added to old ones, he would definitely take revenge!

Zhao Dejun didn't care about a child's thoughts. After taking a nap and having a meal, he woke up feeling much better and discussed the next steps with Zhao Yanshou.

"Yanshou, my plan this time went wrong, and it has implicated you."

"What are you saying, Father? We are one family, what is there to implicate or not implicate?"

"I originally intended to seize the opportunity to take over the world, but I am over sixty years old and won't be able to sit on the dragon throne for long. It will be yours."

Zhao Yanshou comforted him, "That's fate, Father, don't be discouraged."

Zhao Dejun gazed at his son's handsome face and sighed, "You really look like your mother. In the blink of an eye, you're almost forty. We've been father and son for over thirty years."

Zhao Yanshou's original surname was Liu. He was not Zhao Dejun's biological son. His biological father, Liu Jian, served as the magistrate of Xiu County.

In the early years of the Liang Dynasty's Kaiping era, Liu Shouwen, the military governor of Cangzhou, captured his town. At that time, Zhao Dejun was a subordinate general. He captured Zhao Yanshou and his mother, Lady Zhong, and then raised them as his son.

"I will never forget my father's kindness in raising me."

Zhao Dejun waved his hand and said, "You married the late emperor's daughter, which earned me your trust. In truth, I owe it all to you. From now on, we, father and son, must continue to support each other."

"Father is right."

The two shared their tender moments, climbed the city wall, and gazed northwards.

The majestic Taihang Mountains are the backbone of the nation. If this great edifice is about to collapse, can Luzhou hold it up?

"Luzhou must not be defended."

Zhao Yanshou knew perfectly well that the treasury had already been nearly depleted by his own embezzlement and misappropriation. Unlike Li Sizhao, who had governed the prefecture for many years and was deeply loved by the locals, the two men would likely fall to the city as soon as the Khitan army arrived.

"Liu Yanlang and Liu Zaiming can escape south, but my son and I cannot."

Zhao Dejun knew very well why the situation had deteriorated to this point and that going to the capital was absolutely out of the question.

Previously, Li Congke had used his power to coerce him, and he deeply hated him. Even if he, the emperor, didn't have many days left to live, he would definitely deal with his father and son if given the chance.

Surrender to the Khitan? Times have changed. Now that we've lost our bargaining chip, who knows if Shi Jingtang will try to sabotage us? It's not a good option either.

After much deliberation, I decided that returning to Youzhou and establishing my own independent power would be the most comfortable option. However, I needed to carefully plan the route for the return journey and the supplies along the way.

Of the eight passes of Taihang, the northern route was blocked by the Khitan army, the southern Taihang Pass and Zhiguan Pass would lead to Li Congke, and the eastern Fukou Pass would require passing through Fan Yanguang's territory.

He had originally intended to annex Fan Yanguang's forces, but what if he offered himself up and was captured by Fan Yanguang, and then handed over to the emperor to vent his anger?

"Send a group of people to escort Zan'er to Luoyang first. For the sake of the late emperor, Li Congke will not make things difficult for him and Princess Xingping."

Zhao Dejun sighed, "I'm getting old. I should think more about my children and grandchildren."

Zhao Yanshou considerately draped a coat over him, saying, "It's winter and the wind is cold, Father, don't catch a cold."

As Zhao Dejun fled, a mountain breeze blew through him, causing him to cough a few times. He muttered to himself, "I really can't understand why Yelü Deguang, with his greed and caution, would refuse the conditions I offered and instead support Shi Jingtang—what benefits did he promise?"

He was unaware that Shi Jingtang had already sold him out completely.

The father and son discussed it for a while, but could not find a solution.

No matter how bold their ideas were, they could never have imagined that Shi Jingtang would be so heartless as to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!

……

At this moment, Gao Huaide relayed Zhao Dejun's words, and the whole family fell into panic.

Upon hearing that Gao Xingzhou might surrender to the Khitan, everyone's first reaction was the same as Gao Huaide's: disbelief.

"Zhao Dejun said your father surrendered to the Khitan? Absolutely impossible!"

Madam Gao didn't believe it at all and categorically denied it: "Since I married your father, we have been fighting the Khitans in Zhenzhou, Dingzhou, and Shuozhou for so many years. How could I surrender to the enemy in my old age? What Zhao Dejun said must be false."

Gao Huailiang echoed his mother's words: "Yes, elder brother. Father has always been loyal to the emperor and loved his country. How could he possibly surrender to the northern barbarians?"

Gao Huaide had the same thought, but from the words of his mother and brother, the blame was being directed at him, as if he were the one who spread the rumors.

"De-di is merely relaying what others have said; he doesn't actually think that way."

Gao Huaixuan spoke up to defuse the situation, which eased some of the grievances in Gao Huaide's heart.

"Regardless, the defeat of the imperial army is a fact. The Khitans and Shi Jingtang's troops are about to march south. Luzhou is not a place to stay for long, and we must make plans as soon as possible."

Remembering Lu Qian's reminder, Gao Huaide discussed with his mother whether to stay or leave.

With his father missing for months and his fate uncertain, he, as the eldest son, had to shoulder the responsibility and suddenly felt a heavy burden pressing down on his shoulders.

"Go pack your things, take your valuables and leave behind your heavy furniture."

Mrs. Gao made her decision with a sigh.

"We just moved here from Luoyang, and we're going back again after only a few months. We don't know how long the capital will remain peaceful. Let's take it one step at a time and slowly try to find out about your father."

However, things are unpredictable, and no one in the Gao family expected that news of Gao Xingzhou would come so quickly.

……

Standing atop the high platform called Shangdang Gate, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city.

Zhao Dejun looked out of the city and saw a cliff in the distance that looked like it had been cleaved by a knife. What was strange was that there was a row of caves on the cliff, which seemed to be naturally formed, yet also seemed to be man-made.

Zhao Yanshou stayed in Luzhou for more than a month and knew about the local scenic spots. When he saw Zhao Dejun looking at that place, he took the initiative to introduce it: "Father, that cliff is called Huangya Cave."

As the two were admiring the scenery, they spotted several riders approaching from the north, galloping towards Luzhou. They were clearly not defeated or wounded soldiers, and they couldn't help but wonder who these people were.

A moment later, several riders galloped into the city, showing no sign of slowing down, heading straight for the government office.

The leader, with sharp eyes, looked up and saw Zhao Dejun and his son on the fortified city wall. He then reined in his horse and stopped.

Zhao Dejun also saw the person's appearance clearly, and was filled with surprise and doubt.

Just half a day ago, I was so sure that this man had surrendered to the Khitan with Yang Guangyuan. How come he has caught up with me in Luzhou? Could it be that the Khitan army has already followed us here?

The visitor was none other than Gao Xingzhou!

In the Battle of Tuanbai Valley, Zhao Dejun's army suffered a crushing defeat. Gao Xingzhou, worried about the safety of his family, offered to go ahead under the pretext of preparing food for the army.

He was then the military governor of Luzhou, making him the perfect candidate. He could not cause any trouble by going alone, so Yelü Deguang and Shi Jingtang had no suspicions and agreed to the request.

Nevertheless, they did not let their guard down and dispatched a team of Khitan soldiers to escort and monitor Gao Xingzhou on his way to Luzhou.

Despite the danger of scattered soldiers and disorder, Gao Xingzhou traversed the chaotic battlefield and returned to Luzhou that same day, only a few hours later than Zhao Dejun.

Upon seeing that it was the commander returning, the soldiers guarding the city quickly opened the gates to welcome him and urgently reported to the inner court.

When Gao Xingzhou arrived at the destination, his heart was at ease. He did not rush inside but spoke with Zhao Dejun and his son.

He knew that it was the selfishness of the person in front of him that had ruined the overall situation of the court, but now it was pointless to hold anyone accountable.

Surrounded by Khitan soldiers with blades drawn, Gao Xingzhou sighed inwardly and shouted, "I am a fellow countryman of Your Majesty, and I should give you some honest advice."

Zhao Dejun and Zhao Yanshou listened attentively.

"There is no grain of rice left in the city. Your Majesty, please hurry to welcome the imperial carriage and make your own plans so that you will not have any regrets later." (Note 1)

This statement doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Gao Xingzhou had been away from Luzhou for several months and had only just returned, not even having entered the city yet. How could he know that the city was short of food?

If there really is no grain left in the city, how will they provide provisions for the tens of thousands of Khitan troops that follow?

Besides, whose car is being referred to?

Luzhou is 400 li from Tuanbai Valley and 300 li from Huaizhou. If Zhao Dejun can put aside the past and quickly welcome Li Congke's imperial troops to come here first, there is still hope of holding the city.

The food supply in Taiyuan is insufficient to sustain the army in a prolonged campaign, so the imperial court can transfer military supplies from Hebei and Henan.

This battle is far from over.

Gao Xingzhou said this under the watchful eyes of the Khitans; it remains to be seen how the father and son will choose.

However, to Zhao Dejun and Zhao Yanshou, the painstaking plan had failed, the route back to their old camp was blocked, and the Khitan army was in pursuit. The two were already under heavy pressure, and the fact that the Luzhou treasury was empty added another weight to their burden.

"Father, Gao Xingzhou's words make some sense. What should we do?"

Zhao Yanshou's tone began to waver, and Zhao Dejun stroked the white beard under his chin.

"Hmm... that's not impossible. Let me think it over."

After the two returned inside, Gao Xingzhou entered the outer city. At this moment, a figure stood up on the bell and drum tower on the left.

"They actually surrendered to the Khitans."

On Gao Huaide's naive face, shock, disappointment, pain, resentment, contempt, confusion, and disillusionment intertwined, finally settling into a cold laugh.

"Hurry to welcome the imperial carriage, then slaughter your own saddle and horse, lest you regret it? How interesting."