Chapter Eighty-Nine: Do You Mean to Doom the Tens of Thousands of Officers and Soldiers at Tong Pass to Death?

Cui Qianyou has no choice but to retreat! Watching the smoke rise and chaos unfold before the gates of Tong Pass, Yang Xi finally allowed a smile to appear on his face. With a relaxed tone, he said to Geshu Han, who stood beside him, “Marshal Geshu, the defense of Tong Pass will ultimately end in our victory. If An Qingxu has any sense, he will surely order a retreat and fall back to Shan Commandery.”

“Marshal Yang is absolutely right,” Geshu Han replied with a smile, nodding and exhaling a long breath before glancing at Yang Xi. “It is thanks to Marshal Yang’s efforts that Tong Pass remains in our hands. Otherwise, those manning the walls now would be the rebel troops of An the traitor.”

While Yang Xi and Geshu Han exchanged words of mutual appreciation, Wang Sili, having charged the enemy for a while, had already led his troops back. The drawbridge at the southern gate was lowered once more to bring in the three thousand men who had suffered little loss, before being raised again.

“Marshal Yang, why do you not order a full counterattack?” Chen Xuanli, standing nearby, furrowed his brow and questioned Yang Xi after Wang Sili’s forces had withdrawn. “The rebel forces before Tong Pass are in complete disarray. If we strike with all our might, we could surely rout them and achieve total victory in a single battle!”

“General Chen, have you already forgotten the disastrous defeat at Lingbao not long ago?” Yang Xi frowned as well, responding with a rhetorical question. “At court, did you not mock my father for nearly ruining the Tang by ordering Marshal Geshu to fight outside the pass? Why then do you offer the same advice today? Would you truly wish to see our army, having just won a defensive victory, repeat the calamity of Lingbao?”

“You—” Chen Xuanli’s face reddened with anger as he pointed a finger at Yang Xi, but in the end, he restrained himself and did not speak out his indignation.

Now in Tong Pass, Yang Xi’s word was law. The tens of thousands of troops Chen had brought had already been placed under the command of Yang Xi’s generals. The battle before the city was still ongoing. If he were to harshly rebuke Yang Xi at this moment, the consequences could be dire—at best a beating, at worst the loss of his life. He could only hold his tongue, though the ever-darkening hue of his face betrayed the fury and dissatisfaction in his heart.

Yang Xi did not wish to create a rift with Chen Xuanli at Tong Pass. He withdrew his gaze from Chen and looked steadily at the chaotic rebel forces shrouded in smoke before the city, softly explaining, “General Chen, you must have seen it yourself. Though the rebels have suffered heavy losses, their rear guard has not collapsed. An Qingxu and Tian Qianzhen’s men are both nearby and entirely capable of launching a counterattack. What they most desire is for our army to exit the city and fight them in the open. If we commit all our forces to an assault, we would fall right into their trap. We could easily be ambushed or surrounded by the rebels, unable to retreat back behind these walls. What we must do now is not to pursue a decisive victory outside the city, but to hold fast to Tong Pass—the last gateway to Chang’an! For the past six months, this is precisely what Marshal Geshu has done. Can you not see the wisdom in this, General Chen?”

Chen Xuanli was stung by these words, wishing to retort, but before he could speak, Geshu Han joined Yang Xi in admonishing him.

“General Chen, Marshal Yang speaks wisely. The situation at Tong Pass remains perilous. Our duty now is to defend the city at all costs and prevent the rebels from gaining the walls. An Qingxu commands one hundred fifty thousand men, and An Lushan’s army of one hundred eighty thousand is also on its way here. If we commit to an all-out attack, we could well repeat the tragedy at Lingbao! When I led the army outside the pass, the situation was just as it is today: the rebels besieged Tong Pass for months without success, leaving tens of thousands of corpses before departing! Not only was it presumptuous for you to question Marshal Yang, but your proposal is a threat to morale and grounds for punishment. Tell me, do you wish to send the tens of thousands of soldiers at Tong Pass to their deaths?!”

Yang Xi, having repelled the rebels’ renewed assault and even sent out troops to deal another blow to Cui Qianyou, had achieved a brilliant victory. Yet still Chen Xuanli voiced his reproach, much to the discontent of Geshu Han as well. However, Geshu Han was practiced in self-restraint; he followed Yang Xi in criticizing Chen Xuanli, but his words, though stern at the end, remained measured.

Geshu Han’s rebuke dealt Chen Xuanli another blow. His face changed from red to pale, but he could find no words to refute them.

Upon reflection, Yang Xi and Geshu Han were indeed correct. On that day at court, many had insisted that the situation favored the imperial forces, pressing Marshal Geshu to lead his troops outside the pass, which resulted in the disaster at Lingbao.

He had never wished to send the army at Tong Pass to their doom. It was just that seeing the rebel forces in such disorder had stirred a reckless urge within him, even making him want to lead a charge himself.

Yang Xi’s refusal to seize the moment for a total counterattack left Chen Xuanli deeply dissatisfied. Subconsciously, he still saw Yang Xi as merely an immature youth, and regarded himself as an elder in comparison. He thought little of speaking harshly, but had not expected even Geshu Han to join in reproving him.

What vexed him even more was that Yang Xi spoke up again to reject his proposal.

“General Chen, the city is filled with the battered remnants who fled from Lingbao, as well as the reinforcements you brought, who are themselves exhausted. All our men are in dire need of rest, yet the rebels’ relentless assaults have allowed none. Our soldiers are weary, and simply holding the city is an achievement in itself; we cannot dream of a single battle to wipe out the enemy. If more loyalist forces arrive to reinforce us and we can encircle the rebels, then we may consider engaging outside the walls. For now, our only duty is to defend Tong Pass and hold the line. Even if His Majesty’s orders arrive commanding me to lead the army out, I will not obey them!”

Yang Xi was, of course, speaking the plain truth. The Tang forces had little to fear from a standoff with the rebels at Tong Pass. So long as they held the gates, supplies and reinforcements would continually arrive—their provisions and armaments assured. The rebel army, however, outside the walls, could not count on the same. The journey from Luoyang to Tong Pass was long, and the route from Shan Commandery to Tong Pass was mostly narrow, treacherous mountain paths. Supplying the needs of tens of thousands was no easy task. The longer the standoff, the more likely the rebels would be forced to abandon the siege.

Though Chen Xuanli was now convinced by Yang Xi and Geshu Han, his pride was wounded. Seeing the rebels’ assault beaten back, he realized Tong Pass was safe for the moment. Remembering the emperor’s urgent summons for his return to Chang’an, he no longer wished to remain. He saluted Yang Xi and Geshu Han, saying, “Marshal Geshu, Marshal Yang, the rebels have been repelled and I am of little further use here. His Majesty has commanded my immediate return to court, and I dare not delay. I shall take my leave now!”

With those words, he did not wait for a reply. After a final salute, he strode away.

Yang Xi did not try to detain him. Once Chen Xuanli had departed, he turned to the other officers who had accompanied him. “The rebels are presently incapable of launching another assault. All of you should take this chance to rest. Tonight, I will convene all commanders to discuss the situation. Let none delay!”

“We obey, Marshal!”

Yang Xi’s authority left none daring to defy him. The officers followed the guides down from the gate tower and went to rest.

After they had left, Geshu Han spoke quietly, “Marshal Yang, are you not concerned that General Chen will speak ill of you to the emperor upon his return?”

“What good would worrying do? Let him say what he will. Our task now is to hold Tong Pass. If His Majesty has any reproach, I will go to the capital to explain myself in person. Thank you for your concern, Marshal Geshu.”

Geshu Han regarded Yang Xi for a moment longer, but said nothing more.