Chapter Nine: The Dispute Within Xingqing

On the way to Xingqing Palace, Yang Xi had already firmly resolved to request command of the army and rush to the rescue of Tong Pass.

Since Heaven had sent him to the Tang Dynasty at this very moment, it must have been to “assign” him the task of saving the empire in its hour of peril. Given such a mission, he could not shrink from responsibility—he had to step forward and petition for the command to relieve Tong Pass with all due haste.

He had led troops in his previous life, participated in many combat exercises close to real warfare, commanded many actual operations, and even killed. Though the tactics of ancient soldiers differed greatly from those of later ages, as a military academy graduate who had re-enlisted, he had studied the strategies of cold-weapon warfare and was not unfamiliar with the ways of ancient combat. Coupled with his rich practical experience, he was confident that, if entrusted with a force of elite soldiers, he might well be able to alter the fate of Tong Pass and prevent its capture by the rebels.

The book “The An Lushan Rebellion,” which he had read before crossing over, had taught him many methods of resisting the enemy and holding the rebels at bay beneath the walls of Tong Pass. Whether these would be effective, he could not say for sure. But Yang Xi knew that, as things stood, the most urgent need was to lead the army to Tong Pass without delay.

If they tarried, any plans for the defense of the pass would become empty words and vapor.

More crucially, the situation was now dire; Tong Pass was on the verge of falling. If no one like him intervened, history would unfold as it had before: Tong Pass lost, Emperor Li Longji fleeing, Chang’an taken by the rebels, and Yang Guozhong and Lady Yang executed amid the chaos at Mawei Slope, plunging the realm into interminable civil strife and bringing the glorious era to an abrupt end.

Perhaps, with his foresight and special skills as one who had crossed time, he could manage to avoid death, but that would be too humiliating and wretched a fate.

That spark of courage that lingered in his veins would not allow him to accept such a miserable destiny, nor did he wish to see the era he lived in sink into further chaos. These considerations left him without much hesitation; he stood up and volunteered.

Yang Guozhong, still reeling in shock, finally grasped what was happening. He glared fiercely at Yang Xi and hissed, “Xi’er, how can you speak thus? Hold your tongue at once!” He hoped Yang Xi’s words were nothing more than youthful impulsiveness and quickly tried to silence him, lest the emperor make a mockery of them.

How could a seventeen-year-old youth, who had never served in the military, hope to lead an army to the rescue of Tong Pass? Did he think this was all a jest?

Yang Guozhong rather regretted bringing Yang Xi to court.

But Yang Xi, full of confidence, replied softly, “Father, rest assured. If you truly let me lead a force to relieve Tong Pass, I am confident I can use the natural defenses to hold the gates, keep the rebels outside, and bring glory to your name!”

Yang Guozhong tried to say more, but Emperor Li Longji spoke first: “Guozhong, so you and your fourth son have already discussed this at length. I trust you must have devised a sound plan to repel the enemy. Speak, let Us hear it!”

Yang Xi had spoken before Yang Guozhong could, souring the latter’s mood, but he did not protest openly. Li Longji was now even more convinced that father and son had conspired beforehand and were putting on a show for the court—no doubt, they had already prepared their countermeasures. Not wishing to chastise Yang Guozhong at this moment, the emperor was curious to hear what the pair had concocted.

“Your Majesty! This minister is at fault and submits to Your Majesty’s judgment!” Yang Guozhong sighed and knelt, ready to explain and chastise Yang Xi for his rashness. But as he bowed, Yang Xi stepped forward and helped him up.

Amid Yang Guozhong’s astonishment and confusion, Yang Xi straightened up and addressed Li Longji, whose face now showed a glimmer of hope: “Your Majesty, though General Geshu Han suffered a terrible defeat, he still managed to lead nearly ten thousand men back to Tong Pass, where he now holds the fortress. Along the way, he will certainly have set up roadblocks to delay the rebel advance. And though the rebels have won a victory, they have paid dearly for it. They must clear the battlefield and deal with the remnants of the imperial army. It will be difficult for them to press on immediately and launch a direct assault on Tong Pass. What must be done now is to dispatch a general with troops at once to reinforce Tong Pass and ensure it does not fall. So long as Tong Pass holds, Chang’an will be safe!”

As Yang Xi began to speak, several high-ranking ministers entered the hall: Minister of War Wei Jiansu, Grand General of the Dragon Martial Guard Chen Xuanli, Vice Minister of War Xiao Hua, Vice Minister of Justice Fang Guan, Minister of the Imperial Stables Zhang Ji, and Prefect of the Capital Wei Fangjin, among others.

They had already heard the news of the disaster at Tong Pass and were deeply unsettled. Seeing Yang Xi speak so passionately before the emperor only added to their astonishment, but his words quickly drew their attention. After greeting the emperor, they stood aside to listen.

Drawing on what remained of his predecessor’s memories, Yang Xi recognized Wei Jiansu, Chen Xuanli, and others among the court’s leading figures, as well as Wei Fangjin, a confidant of Yang Guozhong. The rest were strangers to him.

But, fired with enthusiasm, and seeing that old Li Longji was listening intently, Yang Xi ignored the presence of so many courtiers and pressed on: “Your Majesty, the road before Tong Pass is rough and obstructed. The baggage trains and carts brought out by Geshu Han, along with the bodies of the fallen, are blocking the way. The rebels must clear these obstacles before they can advance. This will take at least a day or a night. In other words, even if the rebels move with all speed, they cannot reach the gates of Tong Pass before tomorrow morning or afternoon!”

“If the court acts with all its might, sending reinforcements before the rebels break through, and strengthens the garrison, the enemy will not be able to take the pass! Hesitation now will only delay the matter and bring disaster. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to send an army at once to the relief of Tong Pass! Grant me the command, and should I fail, I submit to any punishment Your Majesty sees fit! If the army is defeated, I will lay down my life for the country!”

With that, he dropped to one knee, performed a deep bow, and again petitioned in a loud voice.

Yang Xi’s resolve and proud bearing stunned not only Li Longji and Yang Guozhong, but also Wei Jiansu, Wei Fangjin, and even Chen Xuanli and Xiao Hua, who had always harbored reservations about Yang Guozhong.

His words were full of manly spirit, so different from the image they had of Yang Guozhong and his son.

With so many officials present, Yang Guozhong found himself in a very awkward position. He could not rebuke Yang Xi now—for to do so would make him look cowardly, as if he were trying to prevent his own son from volunteering in the realm’s crisis, and might even bring censure from the emperor and his peers. But he knew his son’s character well; could one so young truly command an army? To hope Yang Xi could break the siege of Tong Pass was nothing short of a delusion.

How had his son changed so much, daring to request command before the entire court? Yang Guozhong was utterly baffled and deeply shocked.

His feelings were so tangled that he stood there in a daze, at a complete loss for words, his usual wit and adaptability gone.

The eyes of everyone in the hall shifted back and forth between Yang Guozhong and Yang Xi. Seeing Yang Guozhong’s silence, many immediately assumed this was all his doing—a performance for the emperor’s benefit. Ministers began to voice their opinions.

Wei Jiansu was the first to step forward and address the throne: “Your Majesty, I agree with Fourth Young Master Yang that the only way to save Tong Pass is to send the army at once! However, the command should not go to Fourth Young Master Yang. Your Majesty should appoint another capable general to lead the relief force and dispatch them without delay, or Tong Pass will be lost!”

Wei Fangjin quickly echoed Wei Jiansu’s view. Both recognized Yang Guozhong’s predicament; as the emperor’s favorite, he could not easily oppose his own son in public, so they spoke on his behalf.

Both men interpreted today’s events as a father and son putting on a show of sacrifice before the emperor.

Relieved that others had voiced what he dared not say, Yang Guozhong straightened his robe, ready to speak. But just then, Grand General Chen Xuanli stepped forward to offer a different opinion: “Your Majesty, I fully support Fourth Young Master Yang’s proposal to send all available forces to Tong Pass. At present, all the most capable generals are in the field, and there is no one else who can command the garrison with authority. I myself lack the necessary experience. However, Prime Minister Yang enjoys the highest prestige at court. If Fourth Young Master Yang leads the army, with Your Majesty’s decree and the Prime Minister’s backing, he will surely be able to rally the troops and hold the rebels at bay beneath the walls of Tong Pass!”

The subtle mockery in Chen Xuanli’s words was not lost on Yang Guozhong, nor on the others present. Yet, given the extraordinary circumstances, no one dared to contradict him outright, unsure of the emperor’s own thoughts. Those who wished to oppose Chen Xuanli’s suggestion hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

At that moment, Vice Minister of War Xiao Hua stepped forward and declared passionately, “Your Majesty, I believe Prime Minister Yang bears the greatest responsibility for the defeat at Lingbao! Marshal Geshu repeatedly petitioned that he could not leave the pass and should remain on the defensive, or defeat was certain. It was Prime Minister Yang who insisted, against all advice, that Geshu lead the army out to battle. Now that Geshu has been routed, I believe not only should he be punished for his defeat, but Prime Minister Yang must also answer for his reckless insistence. However, this is not the time for punishment, and I am sure Your Majesty will agree. No doubt Prime Minister Yang, aware of his heavy guilt, wishes his son to redeem the disaster by turning the tide. I, too, support letting Fourth Young Master Yang command the relief of Tong Pass. If he can succeed in holding the rebels at the gates, then and only then should a portion of Prime Minister Yang’s culpability be forgiven. I beg Your Majesty to grant Fourth Young Master Yang command of the army to rescue Tong Pass!”