Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 132: Fishing in Troubled Waters
Over here, Yang Xuangan was passionately proclaiming his ambitions to the world, while Wei Wensheng, who was traveling day and night, made a special stop at Huayin, the ancestral tomb of the Yang Family.
In such a critical situation, it was obvious why he detoured here.
Wei Wensheng had no choice; no matter how he searched, it was exceedingly difficult to find officers in Chang'an who were not under Yang Su's command and had no ties with Yang Xuangan.
Thus, his greatest concern was that someone might defect at a crucial moment. He decided to come here to eliminate the guards of the Yang Family's tomb. He ordered the grave of Yang Su to be opened, took out the corpse to scold it, and finally burned it to ashes, scattering them away.
Although the other graves of Yang Xuangan's ancestors were not disturbed, they were all flattened and their stones pushed aside. Many in the Sui Army looked grim; as a son, how could Yang Xuangan accept such treatment?
Even if Yang Xuangan was willing to overlook it, they would not dare to do so; who knew if there would be repercussions later?
However, everyone’s resentment towards Wei Wensheng grew even larger. Regardless of whether they would defect from Yang Xuangan or not, no one wanted to partake in desecrating the graves of their ancestors.
Yang Xuangan was rebelling against the Yang Family and usurping the emperor's nation; what did that have to do with them?
Wei Wensheng knew he was taking a risky gamble. He hurriedly ordered his soldiers to clear a space on a scenic high mound and prepared three animal offerings to pay respects toward the tomb of the Predecessor Emperor.
"I, Minister of Justice and Minister of Internal Affairs Wei Wensheng, dare to announce to the spirit of Emperor Gaozu of the Wen Dynasty: since the royal establishment over thirty years ago, martial prowess and civil virtue have gradually spread overseas. Now, Yang Xuangan has betrayed your grace, acting like a snake and a pig, gathering like bees and ants to invade our kingdom.
I have served two generations under your grace, wholeheartedly devoted to my duties, leading bears and tigers against treachery. If the spirit of the state is still present, may you shatter these vile traitors. If great misfortune is upon us, I hope this old minister dies first."
The Predecessor Emperor naturally did not respond, and Wei Wensheng did not collapse on the spot either. However, speaking of the Predecessor Emperor did indeed soothe the soldiers' hearts; at least their morale eased somewhat after feeling on the brink of collapse.
Next came discussions about reinforcements. Wei Wensheng's intention was to strike directly at Yang Xuangan's rear forces and engage him at any cost. As long as they suppressed his momentum, with all troops encircling him, Yang Xuangan would surely face defeat.
However, the recent route would pass through Han Gu Pass. If Yang Xuangan set an ambush there, it would be disastrous. Li Yan suggested moving downstream from Shan County directly into Heyang to attack from behind.
Wei Wensheng did not want to take a detour: "Yang Xuangan lacks troops; he must be exerting all his efforts attacking Luoyang right now, trying to enter the city for defense before our army encircles him. Relay orders to the soldiers: advance!"
The gates of Duke Tang's residence were tightly shut, and not far away, some individuals were secretly observing, clearly sent by Wei Wensheng or the Crown Prince.
Inside the residence, Li Jian Cheng waited quietly in his study. Soon, he heard faint movements as Li Jin cautiously moved aside a bookcase and pulled open a partition, revealing someone who suddenly sprang out from within.
It was not easy to dig secret passages in Chang'an, and reaching outside the city was nearly impossible. However, it was much simpler to tunnel through to the same neighborhood.
Li Jian Cheng took the letter that was brought to him. How could he have made no arrangements regarding Yang Xuangan's rebellion? Historically, Yang Xuangan had been defeated too quickly; he wanted this kindling to burn a little longer.
First, there were the troops led by Wei Wensheng, whom he had dispatched early on. Once the time was right, his people placed beside Yang Xuangan would advise him to set an ambush at the pass.
But unexpectedly, Wei Wensheng forcibly took away Li Yan. Li Jian Cheng had considered taking advantage of the situation for a permanent solution but found himself unable to do so.
Although their father-son bond was not particularly deep, Li Yan had never treated him poorly. After more than ten years of companionship, how could there be no feelings at all? Moreover, even if he did not consider Li Yan himself, he had to think of his mother.
Furthermore, Li Yan had not lived these years in vain; Li Jian Cheng's wide circle of friends also extended to Li Yan. Thus, it was clear that among the Guanlong relatives, Li Yan had substantial connections.
To seize power without wasting any strength was crucial; otherwise, how could Li Shimin have survived under his command for so long?
Thus, he abandoned this plan. However, it was of little consequence; setting an ambush against Wei Wensheng would not be effective since Yang Xuangan was not his match. The main concern was Come to Protect the Child, who would soon return.
Come to Protect the Child could return so quickly because upon receiving news of Yang Xuangan's rebellion, he did not consult the emperor but directly ordered a retreat from Suppression of Rebellion.
Faced with his generals insisting on waiting for orders before withdrawing their troops, Come to Protect the Child firmly commanded, "Luoyang is besieged; my confidant is ill; Goguryeo defies orders like a plague. The nation is in peril; as ministers, we should act without hesitation. How can we be concerned about our own gains and losses? If His Majesty punishes me later, I will bear it alone. Anyone who disobeys my orders will face military law!"
But Come to Protect the Child was no fool. He personally led the Naval Forces in retreat and ordered his two sons to hurry to see the emperor. One reason was to explain in person the difficulties behind his unilateral retreat; the other was to serve as hostages to express loyalty.
Upon learning of the situation, the Emperor would have responded, "On the day of my decree to the Public Rotation Master, it is a day when the Ruler and Minister are in harmony, far removed from any discord." This would have created a beautiful tale of mutual trust between the Ruler and Minister.
However, Li Jian Cheng had already ordered the assassination of Hong Lai Zheng. Though this pair of brothers and their loyal guards were quite skilled, they were few in number and had to pass through Zhuojun. How could they possibly withstand the traps that Li Jian Cheng had set in advance? Until their last moments, they believed it was Yang Xuangan who had arranged for their ambush.
As a result, the Naval Forces, which should have quickly come to their aid, found themselves hindered by the Emperor's suspicious and harsh nature. Coupled with earlier rumors of Come to Protect the Child wanting to rebel—rumors that spread even before those concerning Yang Xuangan—it was inevitable that the Emperor would issue an edict stripping Come to Protect the Child of military power.
Changing commanders at such a critical moment was a grave mistake. The already weary Naval Forces, having traveled by water, would be left with little fighting strength after this.
Then there was the Emperor's army. This was even easier to manage; before the Emperor's forces could return to Zhuojun, Li Jian Cheng had already ordered that all emptied granaries be set ablaze, making it appear as if Yang Xuangan's men were responsible.
Yet he deliberately left some supplies for Li Jing and others to salvage, just enough to provide some explanation to the Emperor. However, it would never be sufficient for the Emperor's Million-Strong Army.
Consequently, the army would need to gather provisions from granaries across various prefectures, which would take considerable time. At most, the Emperor could only muster a small elite force with supplies to send for immediate support. This would allow Yang Xuangan to create more chaos for a while longer.
Not only would this give Li Jian Cheng additional time for preparations, but it would also provoke the Emperor into issuing orders driven by emotion. Wei Wensheng had only taken away seventy thousand elite troops; Long'an was a significant place with at least another hundred thousand elite soldiers remaining.
Of course, it was impossible for him to take them all away, but even a few tens of thousands would suffice. There were still a hundred thousand able-bodied commoners available; fully equipped, they represented a valuable military force.
………
(End of Chapter)
Comment 0 Comment Count