Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Debate over the Military Inspector

Li Heng's earlier proposal to severely punish Yang Xi and suspend his position had irritated Li Longji. He knew that Li Heng was acting out of personal resentment rather than for the greater good of the court, so he refused without hesitation and openly declared his trust in both Yang Guozhong and Yang Xi in the hall.

The way Li Longji addressed Yang Guozhong as "Guozhong" was enough to reveal the emperor's favoritism toward him. However, Li Longji would never use such an intimate form of address during a formal court session; today was merely an emergency meeting.

Had it been any other minister, the defeat at Lingbao would have been sufficient grounds for punishment—perhaps even execution for Yang Guozhong. Everyone present in the hall was well aware of Yang Guozhong’s favored status, so few dared to seize upon Gao Lishi’s suggestion to demand his punishment, except for Crown Prince Li Heng. Yet Li Heng only dared to speak up once; after Li Longji dismissed his words, he did not dare to accuse Yang Xi again, understanding he had spoken too hastily.

What Yang Xi had done was essentially what the supervising eunuchs were originally meant to do. These eunuchs were tasked with monitoring the commanders for the court, and if any general faltered or hesitated before the enemy, they could be executed immediately. Yang Xi, entrusted with full authority by the emperor, could be said to be acting within reason. If Bian Lingcheng had not been a supervising eunuch, no one would have found it unusual.

With the emperor’s words, Yang Guozhong felt completely at ease and said nothing more. But just then, Crown Prince Li Heng stepped forward again and loudly declared, "Father, with Bian Lingcheng executed, the troops at Tongguan now lack a supervisor. Your son believes it is urgent to appoint another eunuch to oversee the army!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Guozhong’s heart skipped a beat; he looked to Li Longji, hoping he would oppose the suggestion.

To his disappointment, Li Longji, after considering for a moment, nodded in agreement.

“Hm, the crown prince’s suggestion makes sense. We should appoint someone as supervisor to oversee military affairs at Tongguan,” Li Longji said, glancing at Gao Lishi beside him, then sweeping his gaze over the assembled ministers. “My beloved ministers, whom do you think would be suited for the post at Tongguan?”

Li Heng was delighted that his proposal was accepted and that the emperor was now seeking recommendations. Without waiting for the others to respond, he immediately stepped forward and reported, “Father, I have someone to recommend: Yu Chao’en, a eunuch from the Department of Palace Attendants! He has served in the palace for many years, handles matters with caution, has never erred, and is both clever and capable. I recommend him for the position at Tongguan, confident that he will not disappoint your expectations. You may summon Yu Chao’en to the hall and test his abilities yourself!”

Li Longji hesitated after hearing Li Heng’s words, looking at Gao Lishi, then at Yang Guozhong, whose face was filled with anxiety. He neither agreed nor opposed immediately. He had heard of Yu Chao’en but had little contact with him and thus could not make a quick decision. He wished to hear more opinions; after all, the appointment of a supervising eunuch was no trivial matter, and a poor choice could ruin everything.

Seeing Li Heng’s advocacy and the emperor’s apparent interest, Yang Guozhong could not hold back any longer and immediately stood to object: “Your Majesty, I do not agree with the crown prince’s suggestion! Since Your Majesty has already entrusted Yang Xi with full authority over Tongguan’s affairs, there is no need to appoint another supervisor. The troops at Tongguan are those who have retreated from Lingbao’s defeat. If someone goes now to interfere, it may disturb their morale further! I believe that even if a supervisor is needed, it should be after the situation stabilizes and the rebels are repelled. Also, the choice must be considered carefully. Yu Chao’en has not served for long in the palace and has never served directly before Your Majesty; You know little about him. How can such an important post be entrusted to him so lightly?”

Naturally, Yang Guozhong was not opposed to sending a eunuch to supervise at Tongguan, but he objected to Li Heng’s proposal. He knew well that Li Heng, having brought up the matter, would immediately recommend someone—and that person would surely be his own confidant.

Li Heng’s reaction was entirely expected; the crown prince promptly nominated his trusted eunuch, Yu Chao’en.

Yang Guozhong knew well who Yu Chao’en was—one of Li Heng’s closest confidants, always by his side. If Li Heng recommended Yu Chao’en to supervise the troops at Tongguan, Yang Guozhong could hardly fail to see the prince’s intentions.

How could he tolerate Li Heng sending his own confidant to oversee his son? If anyone were to be appointed, it had to be someone he could trust—someone who would not constrain Yang Xi.

There were plenty of eunuchs in the palace whom he trusted, but none as capable and loyal as Bian Lingcheng. He could not think of a suitable candidate on the spot. He was somewhat annoyed; his son had acted too boldly, executing Bian Lingcheng without warning, thus presenting him with a difficult problem and forcing him into conflict with Li Heng in the hall.

But this time, Li Heng did not back down. He stepped forward once more and argued forcefully, “Father, the rules of the realm must not be discarded. If the supervisor system has been established in the army, and supervisors are stationed with every force, there can be no exceptions. Tongguan’s troops must have a supervisor immediately. Otherwise, if other armies were to execute their supervisors under similar pretexts, would not all forces escape the court’s oversight? Such a situation would surely throw the realm into chaos, with rebellions everywhere! I cannot accept Minister Yang’s earlier argument!”

“Your Highness, you are mistaken! Those inclined to rebel will do so even with a supervisor present, as with An Lushan and his ilk. Those without supervisors do not necessarily rebel, as with the troops at Tongguan now,” Yang Guozhong replied, turning to address the emperor directly: “Your Majesty, appointing a supervisor at Tongguan is not an urgent matter. The most important task now is to hasten the rescue forces toward Tongguan, so they may arrive as soon as possible and jointly defend against the rebels’ assault! I estimate that the enemy’s retreat is only temporary; they will not withdraw far, nor will they delay attacking Tongguan for long. Yang Xi’s letter also explains that the rebels will surely take advantage of our recent defeat and the weakened defenses to launch a major assault—their swift attack today is proof! I beseech Your Majesty to issue orders for General Chen to quicken his march!”

“Hm, Guozhong speaks rightly. The most important thing now is to rescue Tongguan quickly and prevent it from being seized by the rebels, not to appoint a supervisor at once. As for the post at Tongguan, I will consider and decide later,” Li Longji said, sitting up straight and loudly commanding, “Transmit my order to Grand General Chen Xuanli of the Imperial Guards: he must hasten his march and arrive at Tongguan before nightfall tomorrow—or else face severe punishment!”

“Yes!” A eunuch immediately answered and rushed out to deliver the command.