Chapter Fourteen: A Moment of Peril

"Report to Commander Yang, the city of Tong Pass is just fifteen li ahead!"

A squad of soldiers, torches held high, galloped swiftly to Yang Xi and shouted the news.

"Understood! Order the troops to speed up. We must enter Tong Pass as soon as possible!"

Without slowing his horse, Yang Xi issued his command loudly and pressed on at full gallop.

The closer they drew to Tong Pass, the more fleeing soldiers they encountered—so many that they clogged the main road, impeding the advance of Yang Xi's force. He had no choice but to dispatch Liu Guangting, one of his officers, with two hundred men to drive off and round up the stragglers, ordering them back to Tong Pass.

Surely Tong Pass was now undermanned, but if these routed soldiers could be gathered, calmed, and reorganized, they might yet fight again and strengthen the city's defenses.

Liu Guangting, a trusted confidant of Yang Xi’s father, Yang Guozhong, had proven his loyalty and ability on the march. Yang Xi, having observed this middle-aged commander, was confident Liu could fulfill this task.

Perhaps these men could become a fresh fighting force.

The delays cost them some time, but they still arrived more than an hour earlier than expected. Night still shrouded the world; dawn was an hour off—likely around four o’clock in summer.

To arrive at Tong Pass before daybreak, and to have encountered only scattered fugitives without hearing news that the city had fallen to the rebels, settled Yang Xi’s heart. Scenes from the book he’d read on the An Lushan Rebellion flashed before his mind.

If his memory served, General Geshu Han was ultimately carried off by a subordinate barbarian commander to the rebel camp, surrendered to An Lushan himself, and soon after, Tong Pass fell. With no good news from Tong Pass, Emperor Li Longji, sensing the tide had turned, fled Chang’an before the rebels ever reached its gates. Geshu Han was later killed by An Qingxu, and his reputation was lost to history.

As Yang Xi mused on Geshu Han’s fate, he recalled something else. Slowing his horse, he called for his personal guards and immediately sent word to Chang’an that Tong Pass was secure.

If the news of Tong Pass’s safety reached the capital, Emperor Li Longji would be reassured and not flee so hastily as in the original timeline. Yet mere good news might not be enough; as a frightened emperor, Li Longji might still decide to run. So Yang Xi chose to send an even more reassuring message, reporting that his troops had arrived safely, the city was secure, and there was no need for undue alarm.

At the same time, he entreated the main army to hurry their advance, so they might defeat the besieging rebels.

Having dispatched his urgent message by courier post, Yang Xi continued on, urging his men to ride at their fastest, caring not if their mounts were run to death.

Regardless of whether Geshu Han’s abduction would occur now, Yang Xi was determined to reach Tong Pass as soon as possible and take over the city’s defenses. Arriving sooner might prevent the incident altogether. The name of the barbarian commander who seized Geshu Han escaped him for the moment, but he was sure he would recognize it if he heard it.

Upon reaching Tong Pass, beyond taking over its defenses and securing the city, he intended to immediately purge any with divided loyalties—or at least place them under control. He was not about to risk being stabbed in the back after taking up the city’s defense; such a death would be too unjust.

Riding hard, the fifteen-li stretch quickly vanished beneath their hooves. Soon, the distant lights atop Tong Pass’s walls came into view, and a surge of joy rose in Yang Xi’s heart.

"Order the army to quicken the pace! We enter the city at once!"

Having learned they were only fifteen li out, Yang Xi had already sent men ahead with the imperial edict, instructing the West Gate commander to open the gates for his three thousand troops. Now, as the city lights became visible, a scout galloped back with news: Commander Pang Zhong had opened the West Gate and was coming out in person to welcome the imperial reinforcements.

Overjoyed, Yang Xi ordered his personal guard to ride at once, racing ahead of the main force to enter the city first. Before long, two lines of torchlight converged outside the yawning West Gate.

Commander Pang Zhong, dispirited by defeat, could scarcely express his joy at the arrival of imperial troops—it was truly "timely help in a snowstorm." The city was full of battered and demoralized soldiers; the news of reinforcements arriving before dawn would surely revive their spirits.

At least Pang Zhong was in far higher spirits than when he had first fled back to Tong Pass.

But his relief was short-lived. As he advanced to greet the newcomers, his heart sank upon recognizing the leading rider.

The commander was none other than Yang Guozhong’s fourth son, Yang Xi.

Pang Zhong knew Yang Guozhong’s sons by sight, though he had no dealings with them. He was well aware of the enmity between Yang Guozhong and Geshu Han. He and Wang Sili had more than once urged that Yang Guozhong be lured to Tong Pass and killed, though Geshu Han always refused. Now, with Geshu Han defeated, the court had sent Yang Guozhong’s son to command the relief forces. The meaning was obvious—Geshu Han would be accused and the army placed under new command.

His joy vanished, replaced by a surge of anger and sorrow, and for a moment Pang Zhong considered capturing Yang Xi on the spot.

Yang Xi was well aware of the animosity between his notorious father and Geshu Han’s officers. He had not forgotten the episode recounted in history, where several of Geshu Han’s lieutenants urged him to lure Yang Guozhong to his death. He guessed the city’s defenders would be shocked to see him, but there was no time for explanations.

Yang Xi rode up to Pang Zhong, saluted briefly, displayed the imperial edict, and announced in a loud voice, "General Pang, His Majesty appoints me as Commander of Tong Pass to assist Marshal Geshu in the city’s defense. Allow my troops to enter at once—the rebels may attack at dawn! General Chen of the Left Dragon Guard leads the main force and will arrive soon. Also, be warned: Marshal Geshu may be seized by a subordinate barbarian commander and forced to surrender the city to the rebels. Take me to Marshal Geshu at once!"

Though his words calmed Pang Zhong slightly, mention of Geshu Han’s possible seizure stung his pride. He was about to protest when a horseman galloped from the city, a soldier tumbling to the ground before Pang Zhong, sobbing, "General, Marshal Geshu has been seized by Huoba Guiren! They’re headed for the South Gate!"

"What?" Pang Zhong was stunned, dropping his whip in shock. How could this be? Did Yang Xi possess second sight? He had predicted this before even arriving, and now, at the very moment he entered the city, it had come to pass.

This uncanny prescience lessened Pang Zhong’s hostility, but he was left at a loss.

Yang Xi’s good mood vanished entirely at the news; gripped by urgency and anger, he issued an unhesitating order: "All soldiers, follow me into the city at once! Suppress the traitor Huoba Guiren and his accomplices!"

The name Huoba Guiren instantly jogged his memory—this was the very barbarian commander who, according to the book, had seized Geshu Han and defected.

With Geshu Han already captured, there was no time to lose. Ignoring Pang Zhong’s reaction, Yang Xi spurred his horse forward. His three hundred personal guards followed at a run, and soon his three thousand men, led by Li Fude, poured into the city.

Pang Zhong, bloodless and hesitant, quickly recovered and ordered his soldiers to let Yang Xi’s men through. He himself led his guards after Yang Xi at a run.

A veteran of many battles, Pang Zhong swiftly regained his composure. He commanded the city troops to close the gates as soon as Yang Xi’s force was inside, and not to open them again for anyone without his explicit order.

---

"Marshal Geshu, you are not well—let the soldiers carry you," Huoba Guiren said as he led Geshu Han outside. Seeing the old general faltering, he immediately ordered two soldiers to help him.

But Geshu Han could barely walk. They fetched a campaign bed and carried him.

After years of campaigning, Geshu Han’s body was wracked with injuries. Before being appointed marshal and commander at Tong Pass, he had been convalescing at home. He could barely manage horseback riding, but walking was agony.

Now, forced from his quarters by Huoba Guiren’s men, he nearly collapsed, saved only by the soldiers supporting him.

Growing anxious, Huoba Guiren ordered his men to hurry. He feared that the longer they tarried, the greater the risk.

But fate had other plans. As Huoba Guiren’s party prepared to leave, the pounding of hooves sounded from afar. Seasoned warriors all, Huoba Guiren and his men sensed disaster at once. At his command, weapons were drawn and they braced for battle.

The hoofbeats rapidly approached—a long column of torches streaming toward them. In the flickering light, Huoba Guiren saw a young general leading hundreds of troops at a gallop.

It was Yang Xi. Having received the report, he had sped into the city with his guards, swiftly encircling Huoba Guiren’s party and cutting off their escape, his troops forming a ring around the hundred or so men.

[End of chapter.]