Chapter Eighteen: Unexpected Figures

After Li Fude received his orders and left, Pang Zhong glanced at Geshu Han, then stepped forward to bow to Yang Xi and request permission: “Commander Yang, I also request to lead troops out of the city to set up an ambush! The old Han Tongguan fortress is an excellent place for laying an ambush and mounting a defense. If we station troops there, we can slow the rebels’ advance by half a day! Marshal Geshu, Commander Yang, I am willing to take five hundred men to the Han Tongguan fortress to resist the rebels!”

The present Tongguan fortress was constructed during the Sui dynasty, while the old Han Tongguan fortress lay several li southeast of the current one, set atop the plateau by Tongguan, between the Changluo Highway and Yuanwang Valley. To the north, the Yellow River’s edge was impassable, so one had to detour along the plateau. After passing the old Han Tongguan, one would descend from its western side into the bottom of Jin Valley, march northward, and only then enter the present Tongguan fortress. If the gates of Han Tongguan were shut, the Changluo Highway would be completely cut off. To its east lay the natural barrier of Yuanwang Valley—so steep that even apes could scarcely climb it, let alone men. It was truly a place where “one man could hold the pass against ten thousand.”

Yet after the recent defeat, the garrison of Han Tongguan had abandoned their post and fled into the current Tongguan fortress, leaving the old fortress undefended.

Understanding Yang Xi’s intentions, Pang Zhong immediately volunteered to lead troops to defend Han Tongguan. If he was prepared to sacrifice his men, then by relying on the old fortress, he could easily delay the rebels for half a day.

Yang Xi considered briefly, glanced at Geshu Han, but without waiting for Geshu Han to object, promptly issued his command: “I grant your request! General Pang, take eight hundred men to defend Han Tongguan. Cooperate with General Li to jointly slow the rebels’ advance! Once General Li completes his mission, you will withdraw together into Han Tongguan. If you successfully repel the rebels, you will then retreat into Tongguan itself!”

“Yes, I obey!” Pang Zhong saluted both Geshu Han and Yang Xi with solemn military courtesy, then strode out, head held high.

Realizing he had gained Pang Zhong’s initial trust and respect, Yang Xi felt momentarily at ease. He turned to Geshu Han, a faint smile on his lips. “Marshal Geshu, I believe Generals Pang and Li will surely slow the rebels’ progress. Perhaps they can keep the rebels outside Chang’an for a day or two! Let us now continue to discuss our other defenses, and summon the remaining generals to the command tent.”

Geshu Han did not object, but instead called out in a loud voice, “Attend me! Quickly summon all the generals to my command tent!”

When Pang Zhong departed, he left several of his personal guards with Geshu Han, who in turn sent them to summon the other generals.

Had Yang Xi sent his own men to summon the generals, it would certainly not have worked! Geshu Han’s standing in the army was irreplaceable, and as the son of Yang Guozhong, Yang Xi commanded no respect—none of the officers would heed him. In fact, it might have had the opposite effect!

This had just been illustrated with Pang Zhong. Had Yang Xi not decisively dealt with Huonu Guiren upon entering the city and rescued Geshu Han, Pang Zhong would never have paid him any mind. It was his unexpected decisiveness that earned Pang Zhong’s initial trust and goodwill, ensuring his temporary obedience.

But this was only possible because Geshu Han had not objected throughout. If Geshu Han had shown mistrust or open defiance, Pang Zhong would never have followed Yang Xi’s orders.

Given Geshu Han’s attitude, Yang Xi felt that rescuing him from Huonu Guiren’s hands had laid a strong foundation for his plan to take command of Tongguan’s defenses. His timing in coming to Tongguan was indeed fortuitous; perhaps everything was destined to unfold this way.

While waiting for the other generals to arrive, Yang Xi briefly inquired about the current troop strength and deployments within Tongguan. Geshu Han cooperated fully, answering every question in detail.

But before they got far, the sound of hoofbeats came from outside—the generals summoned by Geshu Han were arriving one after another.

The first to report to the command tent was Geshu Han’s most capable subordinate, Wang Sili.

He was a tall, robust middle-aged officer, half a head taller than Yang Xi, who himself stood about 1.78 meters. His thick black eyebrows and beard, together with his well-fitted armor, gave him a commanding presence, though his face and uniform were covered in dust and fatigue, making him look somewhat haggard. Entering hurriedly, he saluted Geshu Han, then caught sight of Yang Xi at his side and was taken aback.

He naturally recognized Yang Guozhong and his sons. To see Yang Xi standing beside Geshu Han, with none of Geshu Han’s familiar guards present, he immediately suspected that Yang Xi had come under imperial orders to arrest Geshu Han and those defeated generals. Anger flared within him, and his hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, ready to strike first.

“General Wang, Commander Yang has arrived under imperial command, leading three thousand men on a forced march through the night, arriving at Tongguan at dawn to reinforce us. He has already ordered his troops out to ambush the rebels and bolster our morale, delaying the enemy’s advance. Now we must discuss how best to defend Tongguan!” Geshu Han spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, signaling repeatedly with his eyes.

As one of Geshu Han’s most trusted officers, Wang Sili was no fool; he understood the meaning behind Geshu Han’s words and glances. Though suspicious, he released his grip on his sword and sat down beside Geshu Han.

Geshu Han sighed and explained further, “General Wang, Huoba Guiren just now killed all my personal guards, took me hostage, and planned to summon all the generals in my name to seize you all and open the gates to surrender to the rebels. Commander Yang’s forces happened to enter the city at this time, witnessed the incident, intervened immediately, slew Huoba Guiren and his accomplices, and secured the south gate. Had it not been for Commander Yang’s decisive action, I would now be a prisoner of Huoba Guiren!”

“What?” Wang Sili sprang to his feet, veins bulging in his neck, his face contorted with anger and a sudden sense of dread.

If what Geshu Han said was true, and not merely words forced by Yang Xi, it was terrifying indeed.

After their defeat, all their efforts had gone into rallying the remnants and reorganizing Tongguan’s defenses. Who would have thought that their commander himself had nearly been coerced into surrender! Had Geshu Han been taken out of the city, Tongguan would have been lost without a fight—they would have had to abandon it outright.

Geshu Han waved for Wang Sili to sit. Wang Sili obeyed, though his face remained grim, and he glared fiercely at Yang Xi.

Yang Xi met Wang Sili’s gaze calmly, sitting upright, and said with a trace of authority, “General Wang, today our only concern is to hold Tongguan by any means necessary until the imperial reinforcements arrive. Any personal grievances can wait! The court has ordered me to assist Marshal Geshu in managing Tongguan’s military affairs. I hope you will put the greater good first and focus on resisting the enemy—otherwise, do not blame me for being ruthless!”

Though Yang Xi’s words were not overtly severe, his piercing gaze unsettled Wang Sili. He could not comprehend how this young man, leading troops for the first time, could command such presence—eyes that held the chill of one who had faced death many times, no less formidable than Geshu Han himself. Startled, he no longer dared glare at Yang Xi.

More commotion and hoofbeats sounded outside, and another officer hurried in. When Yang Xi saw who it was, he was taken aback—it was none other than the man named Gao Shi, whom he had met and spoken with at a tavern in Chang’an days earlier! This Gao Shi, sharing a name with the famous frontier poet of history, now appeared in Geshu Han’s camp. Dressed in armor and addressing Geshu Han with formal respect, it was clear that this Gao Shi held a significant position in the army. Yang Xi could not help but connect him with the historical figure and paid particular attention to him.

Gao Shi, too, was surprised to see the young man he’d met in the Chang’an tavern, whose passionate words he still remembered, now clad in armor and standing as Geshu Han’s equal. Like Wang Sili, he was taken aback.

For years, Gao Shi had served under Geshu Han as a staff officer; he knew Yang Guozhong by reputation, but not his son, and could not at first deduce Yang Xi’s identity. Only after Geshu Han’s introduction did he realize who Yang Xi truly was.

Upon learning the truth, Gao Shi was both shocked and pleased—shocked that the youth whose remarkable words he had heard was actually the son of the infamous Yang Guozhong, and that he had now arrived as Commander of Tongguan’s troops. What would happen now was impossible to predict; yet he was pleased, for he remembered Yang Xi’s bold ideas from their previous meeting and knew that his approach to military affairs must differ greatly from his father’s.

It was only a pity that Yang Xi had come too late: Geshu Han had already been defeated, two hundred thousand troops nearly annihilated, and Tongguan stood on the brink of disaster.

Gao Shi had followed Geshu Han for years, serving as chief secretary within his army, holding the posts of Left Reminder and Censorate Inspector—he was Geshu Han’s trusted confidant. After the defeat, he was one of the few who escaped with Geshu Han back into the city and was fully aware of how dire the situation was. Before being summoned to the council, he too had been busy organizing the defense on Geshu Han’s orders.

Neither Yang Xi nor Gao Shi could have imagined that after their brief meeting in the tavern, they would encounter each other again so soon, and under such circumstances.