Chapter Sixty: Of Course I Have Confidence

In stark contrast to Cui Qianyou's anxious urgency, the Tang generals atop the Sui Tongguan city walls were filled with delight. Whether it was Geshu Han, who strove to maintain a low profile, or generals like Wang Sili, Li Chengguang, and Gao Shi, all wore broad smiles, gloating over the situation.

The arrangements made by Pang Zhong and Li Fude before their withdrawal had indeed achieved remarkable results. The rebel forces that stormed in suffered heavy losses, further delaying their assault. Some generals privately remarked that Pang Zhong and Li Fude’s "underhanded tactics" were truly vicious, causing Cui Qianyou tremendous hardship.

Of course, these "shadowy" strategies weren’t improvised; they had been prepared long ago. Such arrangements existed not only in Han Tongguan but also in Sui Tongguan. Neither city could claim invincibility; there would inevitably come a day when the gates might be breached. For such moments, certain last-ditch measures had to be reserved against the enemy. These measures were always pre-planned, such as removing stairs from the lower city—a task of considerable scale, impossible to accomplish on short notice without causing great commotion. Preparations had to be made in advance.

Large quantities of dry grass and oil had likewise been stored, ready for emergencies, as there would be nowhere to procure them at the last minute.

Watching the towering flames rising from Han Tongguan, Yang Xi, well rested and invigorated, stood atop the eastern gate, closely observing the situation. He was somewhat surprised by the effectiveness of Pang Zhong and Li Fude’s arrangements.

Not only had the attacking rebels suffered another heavy blow, but their assault on Sui Tongguan had also been successfully delayed.

"Marshal Yang, in my estimation, the fire at Old Tongguan will burn for at least an hour. The rebels won’t reach us before midday—we have one or two hours to rest and prepare!" Gao Shi, standing beside Yang Xi, spoke with heartfelt admiration. "Marshal, I truly respect you. It’s your first time commanding troops, your first arrival at Tongguan, yet you’ve managed to use the terrain so effectively! I believe even Marshal Geshu could not have made such arrangements! I’m confident that under your leadership, the defenders will hold the pass until the reinforcements arrive!"

"The reinforcements may arrive by nightfall. We must hope to hold out until then," Yang Xi replied, his heart tinged with quiet joy, though his face betrayed nothing, his gaze still fixed on Sui Tongguan’s direction. "May the arrangements at Old Tongguan delay the enemy as much as possible and win us more time!"

"No matter when the rebels arrive, I shall order the troops to fight to the death. Not a single rebel shall set foot on the walls of Tongguan!" Gao Shi straightened and answered loudly.

His heroic declaration drew an odd sideways glance from Li Chengguang, who stood nearby.

Li Chengguang couldn’t understand why Gao Shi, whose rank was lower and who had always held a grudge against Yang Guozhong, now enjoyed Yang Xi’s favor and had been rapidly promoted. Meanwhile, he himself—always on good terms with Yang Guozhong—had not received such special attention from Yang Xi. This troubled him, and he even began to resent Gao Shi, who had always been valued by Geshu Han.

However, a command from Yang Xi quickly dispelled his private misgivings.

"General Li, this is my first time commanding a battle. General Gao has little experience in warfare, but you are a veteran, with countless achievements and vast experience. When the rebels attack, I entrust the defense of the eastern gate entirely to your command. I will stand here and watch how you repel their assault!" Yang Xi turned to Li Chengguang, who stood with his hand on his sword, gazing towards Han Tongguan, and addressed him with great authority. "I will report every heroic deed of our soldiers to the court and request honors for all!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengguang felt both grateful and honored. He immediately turned and saluted, shouting loudly, "Marshal Yang, I will not disappoint you! I will lead my men and repel the rebels, not allowing a single enemy to step onto the walls of Tongguan! If the city stands, we stand; if the city falls, we die. My men and I shall live and die with Tongguan!"

"Good! I believe that our brave and skilled soldiers can surely repel the rebels!" Yang Xi shouted as well, his voice clear enough for the soldiers below the gate to hear. "The rebels have suffered repeated defeats; their morale must be low. If we fight desperately when they attack, they will surely be terrified and withdraw! Brothers, let us kill the enemy and extinguish their arrogance!"

"Rest assured, Marshal! We will fight to the death!" Li Chengguang immediately echoed, drawing his sword and roaring, "If the city stands, we stand; if the city falls, we die!"

"If the city stands, we stand; if the city falls, we die!" The soldiers on the walls brandished their weapons and shouted in unison.

The fervor inspired the other Tang soldiers, who joined in the shouts, startling birds from the nearby woods.

"Marshal, I never imagined the court would appoint Yang Xi as Marshal so swiftly!" Wang Sili, surprised, looked towards Geshu Han, who sat atop the city wall, staring intently in the direction of Han Tongguan. "I never expected Yang Xi to have such ability—to inflict consecutive heavy blows on the rebels with simple tactics. This young man is extraordinary!"

Geshu Han was silent for a while before replying softly, "Indeed, he is extraordinary. No one could have predicted he would be the one to rescue Tongguan from its peril! Today, I am convinced that the defenders, under his command, will hold the pass until reinforcements arrive. The rebels will not breach the walls! Ha! Yang Xi truly may save Tongguan and the Great Tang from disaster!"

"Marshal, do you truly believe that?" Wang Sili asked, surprised.

"I do," Geshu Han nodded slowly. "His abilities are exceptional; his decisiveness in killing and command surpasses even ours. Observe his actions these past days. With Yang Guozhong, his father, backing him in court, no one can hinder him! He acts as he pleases—even executing the imperial inspector, Bian Lingcheng, publicly, yet the court showed no reproach. Now he has been appointed Deputy Marshal of the army—such an honor for a young man is unprecedented since the founding of our dynasty. Once Chen Xuanli arrives with his forces, he will surely obey Yang Xi. With sixty or seventy thousand troops under his command, holding the city tightly, the rebels will never take Tongguan!"

"You speak truly, Marshal," Wang Sili nodded, though he expressed some concern. "But the reinforcements have not yet arrived. If the rebels attack desperately before they come, can we truly hold Tongguan?"

Geshu Han turned to Wang Sili with a bleak smile and sighed, "We will hold Tongguan, General Wang. Do you lack even this confidence?"

Geshu Han’s unusual gaze made Wang Sili shiver, and he straightened, replying loudly, "I do have confidence!"

Geshu Han said no more, once again turning his gaze toward Han Tongguan.

[End]