Chapter Fifty: So Much Helplessness

A request like Yang Guozhong’s might seem excessive to outsiders, but Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan took it in stride, for Yang Guozhong had always acted thus, and Li Longji had long placed such trust in him.

To Li Longji, Yang Guozhong’s words were nothing less than considerate and caring.

“Well, Guozhong, I’ll leave it to you. Please pay extra attention to the affairs of Tongguan on my behalf. I truly need a good sleep.” Li Longji spoke, stifling a faint yawn, then asked, “Guozhong, you must also take care. I know you haven’t returned home in days, working night and day in the palace—such hard labor! By the way, does your lady know that Fourth Son has led the troops to reinforce Tongguan?”

“Your Majesty, your servant does not find it arduous. In these times of national peril, as a minister entrusted with grave responsibilities, I ought to serve diligently and never slacken!” Yang Guozhong straightened his chest, then softly addressed the latter question: “Your Majesty, I haven’t dared tell my wife that Fourth Son is leading troops to Tongguan. If she learned of it, she might rush to the palace and weep before Your Majesty…”

Yang Guozhong looked embarrassed; he knew better than anyone how deeply his wife cherished their youngest son. He had strictly ordered the household staff not to reveal Yang Xi’s mission to Madam Pei Rou. If she found out, who could predict how she would wail and threaten, perhaps even brandish a knife to force him to summon their son back; or she might come to the palace, beseeching the emperor to recall Yang Xi.

He had told Pei Rou that Yang Xi was staying at a manor outside the city for a few days to recuperate—city life was too stifling. Yet Pei Rou remained half-convinced, for Yang Xi had left without informing her, which was unusual. Her own weakness prevented her from investigating further. Yang Guozhong could only say that Yang Xi had gone to rest by imperial decree, leaving while she slept, unwilling to wake her.

Yet Yang Guozhong knew that eventually Pei Rou would learn the truth. He would keep her in the dark for as long as possible; as long as Yang Xi returned safely, nothing else mattered.

“Mm, best not to let her know,” Li Longji said with a faint smile at his lips. He slowly closed his eyes, waved Yang Guozhong away, and said, “Guozhong, go about your duties. Settle what you can on my behalf; anything you cannot resolve, bring to me in the palace. And if any major news comes from Tongguan, do come and tell me. I truly cannot rest easy about the situation at the front—there are too few troops at Tongguan!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Should any news arrive from Tongguan, I will report at once. Do not worry, Your Majesty—Tongguan will surely be safe! Please rest well; I will handle affairs of state for you. Take these days to restore your spirit. I take my leave!” Yang Guozhong said, casting a final glance at the alluring figure of Yang Yuhuan beside Li Longji, and withdrew from the emperor’s bedchamber.

He immediately penned a letter to Yang Xi at Tongguan, sending it by express courier, instructing him on matters that needed attention.

Yang Guozhong had already received the letter Yang Xi sent after slaying Bian Lingcheng. He bore no resentment for Yang Xi’s actions, in fact praised his decisiveness—it won the support of the officers. In his reply, he encouraged Yang Xi to act boldly, to do everything possible to seize military command, and to write at once if he encountered difficulties; he would petition the emperor on Yang Xi’s behalf.

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Yang Xi, who had been observing the battle atop Tongguan’s city walls, knew nothing of the complex situation in Chang’an, nor that his “treacherous prime minister” father had secured for him the title of “Deputy Marshal of Troops”—a position both sacred and respected. He was also unaware that Chen Xuanli had arrived hoping to profit from the conflict. At this moment, Yang Xi’s attention was wholly absorbed by the fierce combat unfolding before Han Tongguan’s gates.

The rebel army’s eighth reckless assault had been repelled, but another wave was already forming. The defenders atop the city walls were exhausted; many could no longer draw their bows, let alone pull them to the full. The rebels’ attacks were faster and larger in scale than before. Yang Xi knew the situation was growing more dire, and the fighting would only become more brutal.

Night was rapidly falling; the sun had lost its radiance and was sinking behind the mountains. He hoped that Li Fude and Pang Zhong could hold out until dark.

Gao Shi, who had been watching from the city walls, could no longer restrain himself. He hurried to Yang Xi, voicing his thoughts: “Marshal Yang, General Li and General Pang are fighting brilliantly at Han Tongguan—there’s nothing for the rebels to gain. I believe, if we send another force, we can surely hold Han Tongguan and prevent the rebels from taking it! I am willing to lead two thousand cavalry to reinforce them, and I ask for your approval!”

Gao Shi spoke with passion and fervor; the intense battle at Han Tongguan had ignited every spark of manly resolve within him. Not only him—all the officers and soldiers, even those who had survived defeat at Lingbao, felt their blood surge anew, eager and ready! Gao Shi was the most enthusiastic, once again petitioning Yang Xi for a chance to fight.

“General Gao, I still cannot grant your request,” Yang Xi replied, refusing Gao Shi once more. “If we had ten thousand more troops, I would not hesitate to send you to reinforce Han Tongguan, to hold it at all costs. But our current strength is too meager; even defending Tongguan itself is a struggle. If we split our forces further, the city we now stand upon will have even fewer defenders. Don’t you see that Marshal Geshu not only withdrew the garrison at Han Tongguan, but also pulled troops from the Twelve Linked Cities? He fears the walls will be undermanned and unable to withstand a large-scale assault. I will not only refuse to send anyone to reinforce Han Tongguan, but will also withdraw the few thousand stationed there, so that together we may defend Sui Tongguan here!”

Yang Xi spoke firmly, but with helplessness—he simply had too few troops. He feared that if more men were sent to Han Tongguan and could not retreat, they would be devastated by the rebels, leaving him without strength to defend Sui Tongguan.

Sui Tongguan was the last bastion guarding Chang’an; if it fell, the rebels could march straight to the capital, for there was no natural barrier between Tongguan and Chang’an.

If he had ample troops, he would not hesitate to send more to Han Tongguan, even if they all perished, so long as the city held. But now, he was determined to focus all defenses on Sui Tongguan, using its advantageous terrain to keep the rebels at bay.

How he wished reinforcements would arrive immediately, before Han Tongguan was abandoned, so he could send support instead of ordering a retreat!

How frustrating!

Yang Xi was bitterly resentful at the tardiness of the relief forces.

Yet he knew that, most likely, before nightfall tomorrow, major reinforcements would not arrive; at best, a few thousand would come, not enough to truly resolve the crisis.

Of course, Yang Xi harbored other thoughts he did not share with Gao Shi.