Chapter Forty-Nine: The Marshal's Duties

During the Tang dynasty, especially during the reign of Li Longji, it was customary for the imperial princes to be appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the expeditionary forces, holding the highest command over all the armies. Yet, this was often a ceremonial title; the princes rarely led troops into battle themselves. When the court named a prince as Commander-in-Chief, it simultaneously appointed a seasoned and capable general as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, who would actually direct military operations—such as Gao Xianzhi and Geshu Han in recent times.

For example, when Gao Xianzhi was dispatched, Prince Rong, Li Wan, served as Commander-in-Chief, while Gao Xianzhi was his deputy. When Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were killed, the court appointed Geshu Han as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, with Crown Prince Li Heng nominally as Commander-in-Chief. Yet Li Heng did not assume command, leaving all affairs to Geshu Han.

In practice, military officers would omit the “deputy” and simply refer to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief as “Commander-in-Chief.” This deputy was, in truth, the effective leader, wielding immense authority to command any force on the battlefield unless the opposing officer held the title of Commander-in-Chief or Deputy Commander-in-Chief. After arriving at Tongguan, Geshu Han commanded over two hundred thousand troops in the area, asserting his power; even Yang Guozhong was wary of him. Thus, Yang organized three thousand elite soldiers under Li Fude and Liu Guangting, and stationed his confidant Du Qianyuan with over ten thousand troops at Ba Shang, aiming to guard against any potential threat from Geshu Han. Yet, in the end, Du Qianyuan’s forces were absorbed by Geshu Han.

If Yang Xi were appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief by the court, and thus commanded the defense of Tongguan as Commander-in-Chief, he would never again need to worry about military officers threatening the Yang family. Yang Xi distinguished himself upon arriving at Tongguan, temporarily intimidating the generals and achieving unified command over the forces. Yang Guozhong became increasingly confident in his son's future performance.

Yet, with Chen Xuanli’s arrival at Tongguan, the situation might change rapidly; Yang Xi could be marginalized, for Chen Xuanli possessed considerable prestige, and many officers among the tens of thousands of troops were his confidants. Unless Yang Xi received the court’s formal appointment as Commander-in-Chief, he might not be able to command Chen Xuanli.

Yang Guozhong understood this well. Thus, when he entered the palace today, he was intent on securing the Deputy Commander-in-Chief position for Yang Xi. Knowing he was making a bold request, he first informed Yang Yuhuan and her three sisters, preparing to ask them to speak favorably to Li Longji if his own petition failed, so the emperor might grant his wish.

To their relief, Li Longji agreed without hesitation. "Hmm! This is a sound proposal. With Geshu Han relieved of his deputy command, it is fitting to appoint another to that post, to oversee the armies. Guozhong, I grant your request: Yang Xi shall be Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the expeditionary forces, commanding the troops at Tongguan!"

After making his decision, Li Longji pondered further and added, "Let Chen Xuanli serve as Commandant of Tongguan, assisting Fourth Young Master in military affairs. All matters shall defer to Yang Xi. Also, bestow upon Fourth Young Master the rank of General of the Right Dragon Martial Guard. Attend me! Deliver my decree to Tongguan at once!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yang Guozhong breathed a deep sigh of relief and bowed in gratitude.

He had not expected the emperor to grant his request so easily; he had prepared to plead earnestly and to enlist Yang Yuhuan and her sisters to persuade the emperor to appoint Yang Xi as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, commanding the Tongguan armies.

The emperor’s ready assent rendered their help unnecessary. Moreover, with the imperial decree dispatched immediately, Yang Guozhong’s worries were dispelled.

After Yang Xi departed for Tongguan, Yang Guozhong had feared his young, inexperienced son would be unable to command the generals there. Yang Xi’s rank as Commandant of Tongguan and the emperor’s sword might not suffice to command respect, especially with Chen Xuanli leading reinforcements. Yang Guozhong feared Chen Xuanli might ignore Yang Xi’s orders or even seek to dominate military affairs with his superior forces.

Now, these concerns were largely resolved. The Commandant’s rank fell far short of Commander-in-Chief; but the court’s appointment of Yang Xi as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and the additional rank of General of the Right Dragon Martial Guard, left Geshu Han and Chen Xuanli little choice but to obey Yang Xi’s command unless they intended rebellion.

Seeing Yang Guozhong’s wish fulfilled, Yang Yuhuan also relaxed. As she continued to massage Li Longji’s back, she spoke softly, "Your Majesty, I believe your decision is most wise. Your discernment is unparalleled; in such dire times, you dared appoint Fourth Young Master as Commandant of Tongguan, sending him to the front, and the results have met expectations. Now you appoint him Commander-in-Chief at Tongguan, leading the generals—he will surely repay your trust and favor with a string of victories! These days, Your Majesty has borne the burden of military affairs at the front, scarcely sleeping well, which has worried me and all your loyal ministers. Now all matters are settled; Your Majesty may at last rest peacefully!"

She spoke with genuine concern.

Though Yang Yuhuan was not young, and had been alarmed by recent events and the ongoing war, causing several sleepless nights as she personally tended to the restless Li Longji, her beauty remained undiminished. The heat compelled her to dress lightly, making her voluptuous figure impossible to conceal, her fair skin and alluring curves drawing every eye. Even Yang Guozhong, whose thoughts had been consumed by Tongguan and his son Yang Xi, could not help but glance repeatedly, his Adam’s apple moving involuntarily.

Yet Li Longji, whose vitality had faded and whose health suffered from continuous sleepless nights, could muster little masculine interest in the splendid figure before him. Indifferent to her charms, he merely patted Yang Yuhuan’s hand as she massaged his back and smiled gently. "Yuhuan, let us hope all proceeds as you say, and I need worry no longer over the affairs at Tongguan. These days, I bear these burdens and cannot sleep well. I truly hope the news from Tongguan is always good, with no more urgent pleas for aid!"

"Your Majesty, please rest well. I will personally monitor the military affairs at Tongguan and ensure the messages are promptly attended to. With me here, Your Majesty need not worry or trouble yourself—take care of your health!" Yang Guozhong’s words were perhaps overly familiar to others, but Li Longji found them heartwarming. Confidently, Yang Guozhong continued, "Your Majesty, I too believe Fourth Young Master will bring us good news! In a few days, we shall hear of the rebels’ defeat and their expulsion from Tongguan. As long as Your Majesty grants Fourth Young Master full authority over military affairs there, I am certain he will not disappoint the imperial trust!"