Chapter Two: The Opposition of Crown Prince Li Heng

Geshu Han had heard from Yang Xi that he would plead before the emperor for pardon, asking that the generals whose defeat at Lingbao had a direct bearing on the disaster be spared punishment. He had not expected Yang Xi to speak up for them from the very beginning, and even to ask that they be rewarded. This was before the emperor had even granted Yang Xi his own honors; how could he not be astonished?

Yang Guozhong was astonished as well. He had originally intended to use today’s court audience to urge the emperor to deal severely with Chen Xuanli, who had deliberately dragged his feet in bringing aid, as well as with Geshu Han, Wang Sili, Pang Zhong, and the rest of the commanders who were displeased with him and whom he hoped to remove while the opportunity still remained. He had never imagined that Yang Xi would move first, asking that they be pardoned and even rewarded.

How could his own son act in this way? For a matter so important, why had he not even discussed it with his father before making the decision?

Yet while he silently grumbled to himself, Yang Xi sent him a meaningful glance. That only deepened Yang Guozhong’s confusion, though he also understood that Yang Xi must have his own purpose in doing this, so he held his tongue and said nothing.

Li Longji was somewhat surprised as well when he heard Yang Xi’s words, but he was also rather pleased. Yang Xi was not as petty-minded as he had feared, and had not taken advantage of the moment to kick other generals while they were down.

Even so, he still frowned and said, “Yang Xi, you ought to know that Geshu Han and the generals under his command suffered a crushing defeat at Lingbao. Of the two hundred thousand troops, only eight thousand escaped. Countless sons of Han died on the banks of the Yellow River. Their guilt is unforgivable. Though they later distinguished themselves in the defense of Tong Pass, their merits can never outweigh their crimes. They must be punished.”

As Li Longji was speaking, Geshu Han, who had been standing to one side, could bear it no longer. With a thud, he dropped to his knees before the hall, preparing to confess his guilt. But Yang Xi was quicker, and spoke before him.

“Your Majesty, after I arrived at Tong Pass, I also learned something of the defeat at Lingbao. Marshal Geshu and the other generals bore a heavy share of the blame, but the main cause was that the supervising censor Bian Lingcheng interfered too deeply in military affairs and showed no respect for the Marshal’s plans or the counsel of the generals. It was also Bian Lingcheng’s flight after the fighting began that threw the army into chaos and sent the troops fleeing in all directions, ending in the great disaster at Lingbao!”

With the air of one who had staked everything on his words, Yang Xi went on, “It was precisely because I understood all this that, after Bian Lingcheng fled back to Tong Pass, I had him beheaded before the assembled troops, so that his fate might serve as a warning. I used his head to rally the army’s spirit. Your Majesty, the real culprit behind the defeat at Lingbao was the supervising censor Bian Lingcheng. He knew nothing of military affairs, yet he interfered in Marshal Geshu’s deployments; when battle broke out, he abandoned his post and fled, which shattered the army’s morale...”

“The other officers should of course be held responsible, but they ought to be allowed to redeem their crimes with fresh merit. If they earn outstanding distinction in battle, like Generals Wang Sili and Pang Zhong, they should receive due rewards, so as to inspire the troops and help them better resist the enemy. After the defeat, Marshal Geshu responded swiftly once he retreated to Tong Pass, made careful arrangements, and did not yield even when Huo Ba Gui Ren held him under coercion. In the ensuing fighting he remained on the city walls giving orders, and he overruled the dissenting voices to support my decision; otherwise Tong Pass would already have fallen. I beg Your Majesty to consider carefully the bravery with which Marshal Geshu and the others have fought the enemy.”

Yang Xi’s words startled everyone in the hall. After he finished speaking, no one immediately stepped forward to support him or oppose him.

“Hm, what Young Lord Yang says is not without reason.” Li Longji nodded in agreement, but he made no immediate ruling. Instead, he said mildly, “As to how Geshu Han and the generals at Tong Pass should be dealt with, I must consider it carefully before making a decision. But Young Lord Yang’s reward cannot be withheld; I shall also think on that and announce it in due course.”

He signaled for Yang Xi and the other ministers not to speak further, then continued, “My lords, Tong Pass has finally been held after Young Lord Yang led the troops in a bitter struggle. With Tong Pass secure, there is no need to fear for the safety of Chang’an. But the rebels have still not been driven back. Cui Qianyou and his several tens of thousands of men have retreated to Shan Commandery, and the Eastern Capital Luoyang remains in the hands of the rebel An. I do not wish to see the common people suffer under the yoke of An’s rebel army any longer; this uprising must be suppressed as swiftly as possible. At today’s court audience, I want to hear what wise plans you all may have for putting an end to the rebellion at once.”

Hearing this, Yang Xi felt a faint unease. It seemed quite possible that Li Longji had not learned the lesson of Lingbao’s defeat and intended once again to send troops out from Tong Pass to fight. Some among the ministers appeared to think the same.

Sure enough, no sooner had Li Longji finished speaking than a minister whom Yang Xi did not know by name stepped forward and said fervently, “Your Majesty, the rebels are now weak. After suffering heavy losses before Tong Pass, they have no choice but to retreat to Shan Commandery and Luoyang. The courier roads between Luoyang and Fanyang have been cut in many places, while loyalist forces from across the realm are arriving one after another. I believe we should seize this excellent opportunity and destroy the rebels in Henan in a single stroke, so they cannot return to their Fanyang lair!”

“Your Majesty, I oppose this!” Yang Xi said at once.

“The victory at Tong Pass was only won by taking advantage of the rebels before they had fully grasped the situation. We prevailed because of Tong Pass’s perilous terrain and because Heaven favored us with a torrential rain; otherwise there would have been no way to drive the rebels off!” Yang Xi spoke with great force.

“Even now, the rebel forces still enjoy an overwhelming advantage in the region around Tong Pass. The road leading out of the pass is extremely narrow and easily lends itself to ambush, and the defeat at Lingbao is right before our eyes as a warning.” Amid the emperor’s and the ministers’ astonishment, Yang Xi spoke calmly and at length. “Therefore, Your Majesty, I believe the Tong Pass garrison must still hold the pass and defend it, guarding carefully against any rebel assault. At the same time, we should intensify training and raise the combat strength of the Tong Pass troops as quickly as possible, rather than sending them out to fight in the field! If we forcibly order this near-rabble of a garrison out beyond the pass, the tragedy of Lingbao may yet happen again. Your Majesty, now is not the time to chase quick success. The rebels are powerful, but they are far from their Fanyang stronghold, and what they fear most is a stalemate with our army. They want a swift decision so they can take Chang’an and use it to command the realm. We must not comply with their wishes by marching out to fight. We should hold Tong Pass and defend it!”

“Father Emperor, your son does not agree with Marshal Yang’s proposal!” The Crown Prince, Li Heng, who had been watching coldly, now stepped forward and openly opposed Yang Xi. “The situation is entirely different from what it was days ago. The rebels suffered a crushing defeat beneath Tong Pass and were forced, however unwillingly, to retreat to Shan Commandery. The rebel An is even considering withdrawing from Luoyang. Generals such as Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi, and Yan Zhenqing have already achieved repeated successes. We have already taken the lesson of the defeat at Lingbao to heart. No matter who commands, the same mistake cannot be made a second time. So long as one is cautious, there is no possibility of being ambushed by the rebels.”

Li Heng then changed his tone. “Father Emperor, Marshal Yang is still young and has never commanded a great army in a major campaign. Holding the pass can be done with a few clever tricks and still bring success, but commanding a large force in open battle requires a general to have been tempered by many campaigns; otherwise he cannot adapt to changing circumstances. Father Emperor, I believe Marshal Yang’s mission has already been completed. The battles that follow should be entrusted to another commander, or the consequences will be impossible to predict!”

Li Heng’s request surprised not only Li Longji, but also the other ministers in the hall, including Geshu Han, who had said nothing until now, as well as Yang Guozhong, Wei Jiansu, and Wei Fangjin. Yang Xi was even more taken aback. He had not imagined that the current Crown Prince, already well past middle age, would at such a moment propose that Li Longji strip him of his post as commander and assign the army to someone else.