Chapter Forty-Eight: Yang Guozhong's Request

Chen Xuanli was intent on being the fisherman who benefits while others struggle, all because Yang Guozhong had, over the years, repeatedly excluded dissenters at court, monopolized power, and thrown the administration into chaos. It could be said that many at court regarded Yang Guozhong with hostility—some even wished for his death. Yet most dared not speak out, cowed by his tyranny. Others, indifferent so long as he did not target them, kept to the sidelines, treating the matter as none of their concern.

Such was Chen Xuanli. At court, he had little cause to deal with Yang Guozhong, thus no direct conflict of interest, and so he seldom opposed him openly. But when the country faced disaster—when Yang Guozhong’s blunders led to the defeat at Tong Pass—Chen Xuanli’s anger finally burst forth. He stood in the hall and openly denounced Yang Guozhong. Later, when Yang Xi led his troops to the urgent relief of Tong Pass and the emperor ordered Chen Xuanli to bring up the rear with reinforcements, Chen Xuanli deliberately delayed, even adopting a “watching tigers fight from the mountaintop” stance, wishing to see Yang Guozhong and his family brought to ruin.

This method was subtle enough that others could not easily fault him, nor did he fear imperial censure.

Yang Guozhong, however, was well aware of the situation—or at least anticipated Chen Xuanli’s procrastination. He repeatedly sought audiences with the emperor, urging him to issue orders for Chen Xuanli to hasten his march. Yang Guozhong knew that, in such times, no order he gave could compare to an imperial command—especially when it came to Chen Xuanli. He was also conscious that Chen Xuanli harbored deep resentment against him; after the defeat at Tong Pass, Chen had even publicly demanded his punishment before the court. This filled him with hateful bitterness, but he also realized that if Chen Xuanli’s army reached Tong Pass, he would never submit to Yang Xi’s command; Yang Xi might well be forced to obey Chen Xuanli instead, which was intolerable.

Thus, once Chen Xuanli set out with all his troops, Yang Guozhong immediately sought another audience with Emperor Li Longji.

Before requesting this audience, he first consulted with Consort Yang Yuhuan and her sisters—Lady Han, Lady Guo, and Lady Qin—explaining his intentions and asking them to plead his case before the emperor.

With their agreement secured, Yang Guozhong entered the palace to see the emperor.

In the wake of the disastrous defeat at Lingbao, with Tong Pass now a threatened city, Li Longji was beside himself with anxiety, unable to eat or sleep. He summoned Yang Guozhong, Wei Jiansu, and other ministers frequently to discuss military affairs and strategies, granting Yang Guozhong an immediate audience when he requested it.

When Yang Guozhong entered, he was dressed in modest court attire. The usually radiant Consort Yang Yuhuan, looking somewhat wan, was carefully massaging the back of the emperor, who lay on his couch with closed eyes. Yang Guozhong entered without being asked to withdraw.

“Your Majesty! General Chen Xuanli, commander of the Left Dragon Martial Army, has now departed with all his forces,” Yang Guozhong reported after receiving a subtle signal from Yang Yuhuan. He then immediately requested, “I fear they may tarry on the way, thus delaying the rescue of Tong Pass. I beg Your Majesty to issue another decree, ordering the army to hasten their march and reach Tong Pass as swiftly as possible, lest disaster befall us!”

“Very well. I understand,” Li Longji replied. “Convey my decree at once: Chen Xuanli must accelerate his advance and reach Tong Pass before nightfall tomorrow—there must be no delay!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Gao Lishi, standing to the side, immediately went to relay the imperial command.

After Gao Lishi departed, Li Longji opened his half-closed eyes, gazing for several moments at the respectful Yang Guozhong before him. A bitter smile touched his lips and, sighing, he said, “Guozhong, I never imagined that in such a national crisis, your underage son would have to take charge of military affairs! I truly did not expect Fourth Young Master to be so valiant—upon arrival at Tong Pass, he quickly restored order with decisive measures, won our first victory over the rebel forces, and dealt them a heavy blow, slowing their assault on the city! Having such an outstanding son must please you as much as it reassures me.”

“Your Majesty flatters me,” Yang Guozhong replied humbly, bowing low. “My son dared act only because I have indulged him too much, and so he has no regard for rules! Yet, by some stroke of fortune, his unruliness has brought unexpected victories! I, too, am surprised by his capabilities and hope he will show even more remarkable feats in the defense to come—perhaps he can hold the rebels before Tong Pass’s walls.”

At this, Consort Yang Yuhuan, who had been silent as she carefully massaged the emperor’s back, finally spoke. “Your Majesty, I have always said our Yang family is never short of talent. With Guozhong so capable, and Fourth Young Master surpassing all expectations—even before coming of age, he commands troops and inflicts heavy losses on the rebels—it is truly a delight! As the saying goes, ambition is not measured by age. The fact that generals like Geshu Han, Wang Sili, and Li Chengguang now willingly obey Fourth Young Master’s command suggests his performance may exceed our expectations!”

“Indeed, Yuhuan is right—Fourth Young Master is truly capable. I now place all my hopes on him to lead the generals at Tong Pass and keep the rebels at bay!” Li Longji’s lips curved into a faint smile. Glancing at Yang Guozhong, he said, with some emotion, “Guozhong, I find that Fourth Young Master’s decisiveness surpasses your own—he executed both Prince Huoba Guiren of Yanshan and the inspector general Bian Lingcheng within the army ranks! Such ruthless resolve shows his commitment and his intent to gain the generals’ support. By all accounts, he has succeeded! I suspect his future actions will surprise us even more.”

“Your Majesty, I, too, hope he can do even better—hold the rebels outside Tong Pass, perhaps even inflict a great defeat upon them,” Yang Guozhong echoed, then promptly put forth the purpose of his visit. “However, Your Majesty, I still have concerns! Fourth Young Master is, after all, very young and may struggle to command the likes of Geshu Han, Li Chengguang, and Wang Sili. For now, these men obey his orders only because they dare not defy your imperial might—this is likely because Geshu Han has lost all his troops. If Geshu Han still commanded a large force, he would certainly not submit to Fourth Young Master! I fear my son cannot control so many generals, let alone command tens of thousands of troops from General Chen Xuanli’s reinforcements!”

“Oh?” Li Longji responded softly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, his gaze fixed on Yang Guozhong, signaling him to continue.

Yang Guozhong pressed on, “Your Majesty has already relieved Geshu Han of his position as Deputy Marshal. Now, on the front lines at Tong Pass, there is no marshal in command. Whether Geshu Han, Chen Xuanli, Wang Sili, or Li Chengguang—their military ranks are no lower than Fourth Young Master’s. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to appoint Fourth Young Master as Deputy Marshal, giving him the marshal’s authority to command all forces. In this way, orders can be effectively carried out and confusion avoided!”

Having said this, Yang Guozhong watched Li Longji anxiously, discreetly signaling to Yang Yuhuan.

Yang Yuhuan nodded slightly, prepared to speak again should the emperor hesitate.