Moma Liangshan

Chapter 110 News from Jiaozhou, the Gao Brothers

Longwang Town is less than a hundred li from Jinzhou City, a half-day's ride on horseback. Gao Que arrived in Jinzhou City at dusk and immediately ordered the on-duty constables to proceed to Longwang Town that very night. The constables arrived at the Gao residence around midnight and rested temporarily in a side room, awaiting their audience with Gao Chang the following morning. Inside the main room of the Gao residence, the ever-burning fire kept the flowers and plants lush and green; the evaporation of moisture from the plants also prevented the room from becoming too dry. Gao Chang, wearing a fox fur coat that reached past his knees, slowly pushed open the door, enjoying the crisp chill of the December morning. Just then, the constables, led by the steward, hurriedly arrived, presenting Gao Que's letter. Gao Chang, full of doubt, took the letter, quickly glanced at it, and then verified, "Did you personally witness the arrival of Gao Que, the Chief Secretary of the Princess's Residence, in Jinzhou City?" The constables replied, "This letter was personally handed to me by Lord Gao Que!" Gao Que's words in the letter were urgent, but he did not specify what he wanted to discuss. Gao Chang, increasingly aware of the urgency of the situation, summoned his servants and ordered, "Bring this official a bottle of Jiaozhou's Eight Immortals Wine!" With the war raging in Liaodong, grain prices had already multiplied several times over, and wine was practically priceless. For ordinary people, Wang Hao's arrival shouldn't have caused any disturbance; however, the clear and fragrant Eight Immortals Wine made this mysterious Song Dynasty gentleman a topic of conversation among the common folk. The official presented the wine bottle with both hands, his face beaming with smiles, saying, "Such a valuable item, I cannot accept it!" Gao Chang smiled slightly and said, "The Gao family has never taken back anything they've given away!" The official immediately replied, "I will respectfully comply!" After dismissing the official, Gao Chang instructed, "I must go to Jinzhou City immediately at dawn tomorrow." The steward cautiously asked, "Has something happened in Jinzhou City that requires the eldest son to go in person?" Gao Chang said, "The second son is in Jinzhou City and wants me to go see him as soon as possible." Seeing the steward's confusion, he explained, "He stamped the letter with his official seal!"

The steward, a relative of Gao Chang, inquired with concern, "Although the Second Young Master holds a position in the court, he has always respected the Eldest Young Master. The fact that he has sent an official with a letter bearing the official seal suggests it is official business!" Gao Chang nodded and said, "The Jurchens are advancing rapidly, and the court is suffering repeated defeats. Which family isn't trying to distance itself from the Khitans? Otherwise, why would the three great families abandon the fertile plains of Liaodong and instead remain confined to this tiny place south of the Great Wall? The Second Young Master, however, is solely devoted to the Shu princess, completely disregarding the survival of his family!" The steward said, "The Second Young Master is still young and impetuous, lacking the foresight of the Eldest Young Master!" After a brief pause, observing the situation, he continued, "If the Second Young Master's invitation is truly for official business, why doesn't the Eldest Young Master feign illness and refuse to come?" "?" Gao Chang shook his head and said, "The world is already chaotic enough. If the Gao family cannot unite as one, we may truly face the danger of extinction! My second son and I, one in court and one out of the public eye, are the best match!" The steward pondered for a moment and said, "I understand! There is one more piece of news, would you like to hear, young master?" Gao Chang replied, "Speak!" The steward said, "Does the young master still remember the group of Mongols we gave to Wang Hao?" Gao Chang said, "Of course I remember, we gave him two hundred Mongol horses!" The steward said, "Wang Hao sent a ship to transport the elderly, weak, women and children of the Mongols to Jiaozhou, and that ship returned yesterday!" Gao Chang suddenly perked up and said, "If I remember correctly, there should be someone from our family on the ship!"

The steward nodded and said, "Gao He went with us, and he's back too!" Gao Chang was very satisfied and said, "Summon Gao He to see me immediately!" The steward replied, "I'll go and fetch him right away!" Half an incense stick later, Gao He arrived. Gao Chang said directly, "Tell me everything you've seen and heard in Jiaozhou." Gao He pondered for a moment and said, "Jiaozhou is nestled against mountains and beside water, with beautiful scenery. Everywhere there are roads, houses, ports, shipyards, and workshops under construction. Although the people there come from all over the country, the public security is excellent; fights, brawls, theft, and robbery are rare." Gao Chang pondered for a long time and said, "In that case, if the war spreads to Jinzhou, crossing south to the Song Dynasty would be a good choice!" Gao He nodded and added, "Wang Hao seems to have some kind of agreement with the Song emperor, roughly meaning that as long as Jiaozhou pays a certain amount of tax to the Song court every year, it will not be subject to the Song court's jurisdiction. The locals have even given it a special name, 'Directly Managed County.'" Gao Chang was incredulous. Gao Chang asked, "The Song emperor has always been suspicious. Isn't he afraid that Wang Hao will become too powerful to control in the future?" Gao He replied, "I've specifically inquired about this matter, and it's not a secret in Jiaozhou. Wang Hao recently became engaged to Princess Roufu of Song, who is said to be the Song emperor's most beloved daughter." Gao Chang finally had a general understanding of Wang Hao's background and said, "No wonder this man acts so unconventionally!" Gao He hesitated for a moment and continued, "Although the locals are used to calling themselves 'Jiaozhou,' there is actually no place called 'Jiaozhou' in the official records." Gao Chang asked in confusion, "If not 'Jiaozhou,' then what are they called?" Gao He replied, "Laoshan County! Moreover, Wang Hao's title is the founding viscount of Laoshan County!"

Gao Chang grew increasingly curious and said, "You've probably only been in Jiaozhou for less than three days. How do you know such confidential matters in such detail?" Gao He smiled obsequiously and took out a book from the bundle behind him. Gao Chang took the book and saw that the cover prominently displayed the four characters "Laoshan County Gazetteer." Opening the book, he found not only detailed textual explanations but also corresponding illustrations at each key point. He asked, "How did you obtain this book?" Gao He replied, "I dare not deceive you, young master; I bought it for thirty copper coins!" Gao Chang flipped through a couple of pages and found the entire book devoid of literary style and rhythm, written entirely in vernacular Chinese. He said, "The whole book is written in vernacular Chinese, no different from the slang of the marketplace. How can it be an official document?" Gao He was also helpless and said, "I had my doubts at first. Please, young master, turn to the last page!" Gao Chang immediately turned to the last page and saw the official seal of the "Laoshan County Government." Gao He then took the opportunity to take out a stack of bamboo paper and handed it to Gao Chang. Gao Chang took the bamboo paper and casually flipped through it, but seeing various political news, he became even more puzzled and asked, "How did you obtain the official gazette?" Gao He replied, "This isn't exactly the official gazette, but government decrees are indeed published in these newspapers." Gao Chang asked, "Newspapers?" Gao He nodded and said, "Paper used to report news is called a newspaper; the place that publishes newspapers is called a newspaper office. It is said that the largest newspaper office in Jiaozhou is owned by Wang Hao." Gao Chang seemed to understand and said, "Are these things sold by someone?" Gao He said, "Places that sell newspapers usually have a kiosk, called a newsstand; there are also some children who sell them on the street, called newsboys." Seeing that Gao Chang's expression remained serious, he continued, "Most teahouses in Jiaozhou subscribe to newspapers for their customers to read. I used a wolf skin to exchange for all the newspapers that a teahouse had accumulated."

Gao Chang was even more surprised and said, "You still have newspapers?" Gao He replied, "I still have some, but they only contain trivial matters from the streets." Without hesitation, Gao Chang said, "Send them all over later!" Gao He replied, "Yes!" After a moment, Gao Chang said again, "Gao He made a great profit on his trip to Jiaozhou; he deserves a reward." The steward said from the side, "Wang Hao is very powerful; we should strengthen our cooperation. Gao He is very shrewd; perhaps we should appoint him to be in charge of the business with Jiaozhou." Gao Chang thought this made sense and looked at Gao He, asking, "Do you have the courage to take on this responsibility?" Gao He quickly replied, "I will certainly not disappoint the young master's expectations!" Gao Chang nodded and said, "Two days later, there is a batch of medicinal herbs that need to be traded with Chen Song in Jiaozhou; you will be in charge of this matter." After a moment, he added, "Remember to be humble and cautious, and don't let the people of Jiaozhou become dissatisfied!" Gao He replied, "I will remember!"

The next morning, Gao Chang, escorted by several martial arts instructors, rode swiftly to Jinzhou City. Around noon, Gao Chang met with Gao Que at the Jinzhou County government office. Gao Chang asked, "Second brother, didn't you return to Liaoyang Prefecture? Why are you in Jinzhou City again?" Gao Que, unable to hide his melancholy, replied, "I don't know why the princess suddenly decided to appoint my elder brother as the magistrate of Jinzhou County. This is the letter of appointment personally issued by the princess!" He then handed the document to Gao Chang. Gao Chang took the document, glanced at it quickly, and said with a smile, "Your Highness is so generous with your praise, flattering a humble country bumpkin like myself. Perhaps you have something to ask of the Gao family?" Gao Que looked displeased and said, "Please watch your words, elder brother!" Gao Chang, knowing his brother's thoughts, said, "Everyone says the second son of the Gao family wants to become the prince consort of the Liao Dynasty. Is that true?" Gao Que's face flushed red, and he said, "Must we, brothers, be so confrontational?" Gao Chang, realizing his words were harsh, smiled and said, "It was my rudeness, elder brother, but I must understand your feelings for the Shu princess, for this concerns the rise and fall of the Gao clan!" Gao Que sighed sadly and said, "I admire the princess, but her talent and ambition are beyond my reach." "A mere mortal like myself is a match for you." Gao Chang was secretly pleased and said, "Do you really understand?" Gao Que replied, "I truly understand!" Gao Chang laughed loudly and said, "That's for the best. I can take up the post of magistrate of Jinzhou County, but you must leave the princess's residence." Gao Que smiled sadly and said, "Although I cannot be with Her Highness the Princess in this life, I am willing to stay by her side forever!" Gao Chang slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Idiot! Love-struck fool!" After catching his breath, he continued to scold, "What nobility can a princess of a country about to perish have? My Gao family is a prominent family in Bohai Prefecture. How dare a barbarian ruler like her presumptuously criticize us? The Liao Dynasty is now a rotten piece of wood riddled with holes, and yet sandstorms are raging all around it."