Chapter 85: What?

Page 1 of 3

"Marshal Yang, the rebel forces are indeed felling vast quantities of trees and bamboo to construct bamboo and wooden rafts. They intend to use these to fill in the Forbidden Moat and then launch a massive assault on the city," Wang Sili personally reported the latest intelligence to Yang Xi, seeking instructions for the army’s next move.

“There’s nothing to fear. We have over thirty thousand soldiers in Tongguan, all well-rested. Let the rebels come—there is no need for alarm!” Yang Xi paced to the window of the city gate tower, gazing out at the rebel troops arrayed beneath the blazing sun, facing Tongguan. A contemptuous smile curled on his lips as he instructed Wang Sili, “General Wang, prepare plenty of dry grass and hot oil. We shall greet An Qingxu and Cui Qianyou with these. Perhaps Cui Qianyou will once again taste the agony of being burned alive. Let’s hope An Qingxu throws all his one hundred thousand men into the attack. I want to see who will have the last laugh!”

Yang Xi’s proud confidence infected Wang Sili, who straightened his chest and replied with newfound assurance, “Marshal, I will fight valiantly and not allow a single rebel to set foot upon Tongguan’s walls!”

After the arrival of the contingents led by Dou Hua, Zhang Jian, and Zheng Ang, the troops in Tongguan now numbered over thirty thousand. Yang Xi did not allow Dou Hua, Zhang Jian, or Zheng Ang to command separately; instead, he reorganized their soldiers under the banners of Wang Sili, Pang Zhong, Li Chengguang, Tian Liangqiu, Gao Shi, and other trusted generals. Wang Sili’s own forces now numbered ten thousand. Yang Xi placed complete trust in him, showing no sign of suspicion. This moved Wang Sili deeply, filling him with pride and determination to prove his worth through action, to demonstrate that Yang Xi’s faith in him was not misplaced.

Yang Xi stepped before Wang Sili, fixing his gaze coldly upon this general who, only days before, had harbored bitter resentment toward his father and, by extension, toward him as well. In a grave tone, he said, “General Wang, I know when Lingbao fell, you, leading the vanguard, failed to act. If you returned to the capital now, the emperor would surely punish you severely. But I also know you are a rare and courageous tiger general. That defeat was a pure misfortune. I wish to spare you from the court’s reproach, and the best way to redeem yourself is to fight bravely for military merit. I hope the court will not only forgive your past but reward you for your valor.”

Yang Xi’s words sent a chill through Wang Sili, filling him with sorrow, but he straightened and growled, “Rest assured, Marshal. I will defend this city with my life, vowing to live or die with Tongguan!”

“If the rebels are repulsed before Tongguan and are forced to retreat, I shall personally plead your case before His Majesty, requesting that you be pardoned and allowed to continue winning merit in battle.” Gazing up at Wang Sili, who stood half a head taller than himself, Yang Xi finally allowed a smile. “I have always admired heroes and wish to become one myself, someone worthy of respect. I hope both our wishes may come to pass, and that you, General Wang, will earn my deep admiration.”

“I will not fail you, Marshal!” Wang Sili roared his resolve, then saluted respectfully. “Marshal, I shall go make the necessary arrangements now. Please rest a while longer.”

Before Yang Xi could reply, a soldier hurried in to report that Grand General Chen Xuanli, commander of the Left Dragon Guard, had arrived with his thirty thousand troops, now camped five miles outside the western gate of Tongguan.

“At last, he’s here!” Yang Xi breathed, then said to Wang Sili, who had stopped upon hearing the news, “General Wang, once you’ve finished your preparations, come to the west gate and join Generals Pang and Gao. We shall go together with Marshal Geshu to receive General Chen and his reinforcements.”

“Yes, Marshal! Your orders will be obeyed!” Wang Sili saluted again and strode away.

Page 2 of 3

Yang Xi immediately went to invite Geshu Han, the old general whose military achievements far eclipsed Chen Xuanli’s, to join him in welcoming the new reinforcements.

Chen Xuanli had brought only about thirty thousand men himself; the final ten thousand infantry were still en route, their arrival time uncertain.

Yang Xi accompanied the ailing Geshu Han toward the west gate. Before long, Wang Sili, Pang Zhong, and Gao Shi arrived in succession. The other generals remained on the city walls, ready to defend against any opportunistic rebel attack.

It was just past noon. The soldiers had rested and eaten, and should the rebels attack now, all could rush to the walls to fight. Yang Xi felt no concern about personally greeting Chen Xuanli at this time.

He did, however, worry that Chen Xuanli’s arrival might disrupt morale, that these newcomers might refuse to take his orders and ruin everything.

The west gate stood open. Yang Xi, accompanied by Geshu Han, Wang Sili, Pang Zhong, Gao Shi, and his own three hundred personal guards, rode out to welcome Chen Xuanli’s army. Chen Xuanli, with his deputy Fan Zhicheng and other staff, had already arrived beneath the city walls.

“I am Chen Xuanli, Grand General of the Left Dragon Guard and newly appointed commander of Tongguan’s forces. Greetings to Marshals Geshu and Yang!” Chen Xuanli, still mounted, clasped his hands in salute. “The heat has been oppressive, and yesterday afternoon’s violent storm further delayed our march. I apologize for our late arrival, and beg forgiveness from both Marshals.”

“General Chen, at last you are here! Tongguan is saved; the rebels will never breach our walls now! You and your men have suffered much—please, rest awhile. The rebels may launch a major assault at any moment.” Yang Xi’s face wore a broad, relieved smile, like a lost child reunited with his family, as he exclaimed with “excitement”: “Tongguan has just endured several bloody battles. With our defenders too few, the city was nearly lost. Now that you have brought more than thirty thousand troops, all difficulties are at an end!”

“You are too kind, Marshal Yang!” Chen Xuanli, taken aback by such courtesy, could only force a polite reply.

But Wang Sili, standing behind Yang Xi, could contain himself no longer. He angrily rebuked, “General Chen, why did your troops arrive so late? Generals Dou Hua, Zhang Jian, and Zheng Ang all reached Tongguan well before you. If not for their timely arrival, the city might already have fallen to the rebels! Were you deliberately delaying your march, hoping we would all perish here?”

Chen Xuanli’s intentional delay was known to all within Tongguan. Wang Sili, straightforward by nature, was incensed by Chen’s lack of respect toward Geshu Han and Yang Xi, and could not hold back his condemnation. Being of Goguryeo descent, Wang Sili was known for his bluntness. Now, as commander of the Marshal’s cavalry and holding high rank, he was in no way inferior to Chen Xuanli and thus dared to speak his mind.

Page 3 of 3

Wang Sili’s blunt accusation instantly dispelled the fleeting air of camaraderie. Chen Xuanli and the officers behind him all darkened in countenance.

At that moment, a messenger galloped up to Yang Xi with an urgent dispatch, shouting, “Marshal Yang, an imperial edict!”

Hearing this, Yang Xi’s heart leapt, but he kept his composure as he broke the wax seal and read the decree.

With only a glance, all his worries melted away. As expected, his resourceful father had removed his last concern.

He immediately handed the edict to Chen Xuanli beside him, saying coolly, “An urgent order from the emperor: unrest has broken out among the refugees in Chang’an, and troops are needed to suppress it. General Chen, after handing over command of the palace guards, you are to return to Chang’an at once.”

“What?” Chen Xuanli exclaimed in disbelief, snatching the edict and reading it carefully.

[End of page 3 of 3]