Chapter 81: A Plan Takes Shape

“The rebels have ceased their attack! Order the soldiers to rest immediately, divided into shifts!”
On the city wall, Yang Xi issued the command decisively, instructing the troops to rotate their rest and conserve their strength.
“The rebels really stopped attacking?” Wang Silai, looking astonished, rushed to Yang Xi’s side. After confirming the new orders, he exclaimed incredulously, “What are An Qingxu and Cui Qianyou up to? Are they playing games with their soldiers’ lives?”
Observing Wang Silai’s puzzled face in the torchlight, along with several other officers who gathered around, Yang Xi chuckled softly and replied, “Perhaps the bloody battles yesterday and today left the rebels shaken; they dare not risk their lives anymore. They want to wait until dawn, assess the situation, and then decide their next move. This is good for us—our men are exhausted. As soon as the rebels cease their large-scale attacks, let our soldiers rest to regain their strength!”
With the peril of the Forbidden Ravine still present, the rebels found daytime assaults far more advantageous than nighttime ones. Launching a massive charge in the dark, unable to see their footing, would surely result in many rebels falling into the ravine. Without reinforcements, if Yang Xi were commanding the rebels, he too would choose to attack during the day and employ fatigue tactics at night—unless he intended to fill the ravine with corpses once more.
Of course, neither Yang Xi nor his officers expected the rebels to halt their assault so abruptly; An Qingxu was truly “decisive”!
A flash in the pan—that was Yang Xi’s verdict on tonight’s rebel operations. He could not be certain whether the rebels would act again after nightfall, but whatever the case, his soldiers needed rest, or they would lack the strength to fight.
The Twelve Linked Cities served as excellent outposts, allowing early observation of enemy movements. With no other viable routes near Tong Pass, the rebels could only attack through these passages. As long as the soldiers stationed at the Twelve Linked Cities remained vigilant, the rebels could never approach the walls undetected. Small rebel actions posed no threat, while large movements could be quickly discovered. Unconcerned about sudden developments, Yang Xi promptly ordered the troops to rest.
His orders were quickly relayed, and after arranging the rest shifts, the officers themselves also retired.
Most commanders and soldiers rested atop the city walls, prepared to respond swiftly should the rebels launch another major attack.
That night unfolded in ways none atop the city wall had expected. After nightfall, the rebels did not initiate any large-scale attacks, only occasionally dispatching small squads to feign assaults. Yet these feints were consistently detected and repelled by the defenders, each attempt ending in heavy losses for the rebels. The Tang soldiers atop the wall thus enjoyed a measure of respite.
So exhausted were the troops that, once seated, they could sleep; even the sounds of battle would not wake them unless exceptionally loud.
Yang Xi himself slept a restless but deeply restorative sleep.

The rebels’ failure to seize the night for continuous attacks reassured him, further convincing him that the situation was turning in favor of the Tang army.
Their lack of nighttime aggression was surprising enough, but what astonished him more was the arrival of fifteen thousand reinforcements at Tong Pass at dawn. This force was led by a detachment from Chen Xuanli’s troops, though commanded by Zheng Ang, a trusted aide of Yang Guozhong.
After questioning Zheng Ang, Yang Xi learned the truth.
Zheng Ang’s unit had received renewed orders from the court to hasten their march. Breaking away from Chen Xuanli’s main force, they advanced swiftly in the cool, post-rain night, arriving at Tong Pass with the first light.
According to Zheng Ang, Chen Xuanli himself would not reach Tong Pass until midday at the earliest.
Hearing Zheng Ang’s account of their march, Yang Xi understood perfectly—Chen Xuanli was deliberately delaying, not moving at full speed to relieve Tong Pass.
If it were not for his repeated appeals to the court and the court’s repeated orders to Chen Xuanli to accelerate, Zheng Ang’s force would never have arrived by dawn.
Yang Xi well understood Chen Xuanli’s motives: he wanted to see Yang Guozhong’s youngest son suffer defeat at Tong Pass, lose his reputation, and ultimately swoop in to reap the rewards—or perhaps had even deeper designs.
Enraged by the realization, Yang Xi, after settling Zheng Ang’s troops, immediately drafted two letters—one memorial to Emperor Li Longji, and one urgent missive to his father Yang Guozhong—sending them by the fastest couriers to Chang’an.
He had already sent similar reports and secret letters to Chang’an before; now, with clearer information on the reinforcements, his anger made his words even more direct.
Yang Xi did not wish for discord within the defenders of Tong Pass. Through his efforts and capable leadership, he had won over most of the officers and men; he was determined to maintain unity and would not allow anyone to undermine it.
Whether it was Chen Xuanli or his deputy Fan Zhicheng, Yang Xi would not permit them to play tricks. With an emperor-favored father, Yang Guozhong, he was confident all troubles would be swept away.
“Marshal Yang, I am concerned that when General Chen arrives at Tong Pass, he will refuse to follow your command!”
After settling the troops, Zheng Ang requested a private audience with Yang Xi and immediately voiced his worry.

When he first arrived with his troops, Yang Xi had gone out with most officers to greet them. With so many ears present, confidential matters could not be discussed, and there was still the matter of settling the troops. Only after the arrangements were made did Zheng Ang meet Yang Xi alone.
As a trusted aide of Yang Guozhong, Zheng Ang was deeply concerned that Yang Xi might not be able to keep Chen Xuanli in check—for Chen Xuanli was also greatly trusted by the emperor and, having participated in the Xuanwu Gate Incident, commanded troops composed largely of his own loyal officers.
Should those forty thousand men refuse Yang Xi’s command, chaos would erupt within the city.
Yang Xi saw through Zheng Ang’s concerns but felt no anxiety himself. Confident, he smiled at Zheng Ang, “Do not worry, General Zheng. I have my own plans. Go and rest; the rebels may attack soon, and today will be a grueling battle!”
“Yes, Marshal. I will go rest now!”
Reassured by Yang Xi’s confidence, Zheng Ang saluted and withdrew.
After Zheng Ang left, Yang Xi stood by the window, gazing at the fog-shrouded mountains outside, pondering. He was unconcerned about whatever threat Chen Xuanli’s arrival might pose, certain that his father Yang Guozhong would resolve any trouble for him. His mind turned to how best to eliminate the military threat at Tong Pass; after a moment of reflection, an idea struck him. He moved to his desk, wrote several documents, and summoned his bodyguard captain, Yang Dong.
“Take these announcements, and shoot them into the rebel camp!” Yang Xi handed the documents to Yang Dong, who had entered in response to the summons. “Use the bed-crossbows to launch them. Make sure An Qingxu and Cui Qianyou see them—and as many rebel soldiers as possible!”
“Yes, Fourth Young Master!” Yang Dong replied, took the documents, and hurried out.