Withdrawal from Gaoyang

A young voice rang out from the crowd. Hearing it, Sun Chengzong smiled and beckoned. "Zhili, come here to Grandpa!"

Sun Zhili was Sun Chengzong's twelfth grandson, barely six years old, with his hair tied into two little tufts. His short legs carried him flying into Sun Chengzong's arms. "Grandpa, don't be sad. I'll recite a poem for you!"

"Oh? What can you recite?" His grandson's sweetness warmed Sun Chengzong's heart, yet made it ache all the more. Was such a young child truly to die in Gaoyang alongside an old man like him?

While he pondered this, Sun Zhili began: "Three thousand newly trained eagle archers, fine steeds neighing amid thunderous blasts. If you doubt an empty bowstring can startle wicked birds, would those twin eagles dare cross western Liao?"

"That's Grandpa's poem. How did I do?" Having finished, Sun Zhili fixed his large, dark, grape-like eyes on Sun Chengzong, his face all but saying, "Quick, praise me!"

Sun Chengzong nodded repeatedly, smiling as he said "Good" several times. Then he turned to Sun Yue. "Have your wife take Zhili to your eldest brother's place. That way, at least one root of our Sun family will remain!"

"My eldest brother is the magistrate of Gaoyuan, and his whole family is there. Our Sun family already has roots!" Sun Yue refused, shaking his head stubbornly.

If only his own wife and son were spared, how could he face the other brothers of the Sun family?

Looking at the sons and grandsons before him, Sun Chengzong's face filled with sorrow, then instantly hardened with resolve. "Good. That is how descendants of our Sun family should be. Go, invite the magistrate here. We shall draw up a proper plan to defend the city!"

Someone answered and went to fetch him. Sun Chengzong discussed the city's defense with several of his sons and grandsons: demolishing houses to use their wooden pillars and stones as weapons, or filling basins and jars with gunpowder to fight the Jurchens.

Before long, however, the messenger came rushing back in a panic. "Grandpa, the magistrate has fled!"

"Fled?" Sun Chengzong froze, then looked toward the government offices with a bitter laugh. Before the enemy had even reached the walls, the magistrate had abandoned the entire city's people and run for his own life. How laughable!

Sun Chengzong had borne great responsibilities, after all. After only a moment's daze, he regained his composure and calmly gave his orders. "Gather the people in front of the government offices. From this moment on, I shall defend Gaoyang!"

"Father, go to my eldest brother's place. We will defend this city!" Sun Qian stepped forward.

Sun Chengzong did not answer. He walked past Sun Qian toward the government offices. "Do as I said!"

"Grandpa, government troops have entered the city!" Just as Sun Chengzong stepped out through his residence's gates, his seventh grandson, Sun Zhijie, came running up and pointed toward the city gate.

"Are they Ming troops... or Jurchens?"

It was the middle of the night, and the city gate should have been tightly shut. But the magistrate's sudden flight had left it standing wide open, and there was truly no telling which side these newly arrived troops belonged to.

Sun Chengzong clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the direction of the city gate. He was already prepared to die for his country.

If they were Jurchens, any preparations now would be too late. All he could do was bare his neck to the blade and preserve the loyalty and honor of the Sun family!

He stood listening for a while. There were no screams, only the rhythmic pounding of hooves. His heart suddenly steadied. "They're Ming troops!"

Had they been Jurchens, they would already have begun slaughtering people. How could it have been so peaceful?

To Sun Chengzong's surprise, however, the troops did not head for the government offices. Instead, they stopped outside his residence, and the general at their head dismounted and respectfully saluted him with clasped hands.

"This general is..."

"I am Yang Tinglin, serving under Governor Lu. My respects, Elder Sun." After introducing himself, Yang Tinglin straightened and glanced at the brightly lit residence. "I have been ordered to escort you out of Gaoyang and protect you on your way to seek refuge in the capital!"

At the mention of withdrawing from Gaoyang, Sun Chengzong's eyes narrowed slightly. Though he was an old man of seventy, his gaze remained sharp. With his right hand resting on the hilt of the saber at his side, Yang Tinglin suddenly found that gaze rather difficult to withstand.

He forced himself to lift his head and meet it, unwilling to let anyone see his unease. Then he heard Sun Chengzong ask, "What strategy does Governor Lu have in mind? Withdraw from Gaoyang, and then what?"

"I am acting on orders and know nothing else. Governor Lu has given me only three days. Within three days, every resident of Gaoyang, along with your entire household, Elder Sun, must withdraw from the city!"

Sun Chengzong pressed his lips together, his expression darkening. Seeing that Yang Tinglin would say no more, he flicked his sleeve. "Then I am sorry for the trouble!"

With the troops taking over, Sun Chengzong returned to his residence and dismissed everyone to rest. He summoned Sun Qian, however, and instructed him, "Quietly find out what has happened in the capital."

Sun Qian was still only a provincial examination graduate and truly had little talent for scholarly pursuits. When it came to dealing with people, however, he possessed an innate warmth that somehow won their trust.

"Yes. Rest assured, Father!" Sun Qian agreed. He watched Sun Chengzong return to his room, then turned and headed straight for the household kitchen.

In such bitter cold, these soldiers had arrived weary and travel-worn. Nothing could soothe their hearts better than a bowl of hot noodle soup. If one would not do, then two!

After lying down on his bed, Sun Chengzong remained puzzled. Try as he might, he could not understand why Lu Xiangsheng had issued such an order.

The Jurchens had breached the passes many times, but never had anyone called for such a sweeping operation. If the Jurchens came, they should fight them. A few civilians fleeing a city was commonplace, and even a magistrate running away was no surprise. But making an entire city flee-what was that supposed to be?

A welcoming gift for the Jurchens?

Hmm... a welcoming gift!

Sun Chengzong's heart jolted, and a dreadful premonition suddenly came over him.