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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 133: Dividing the Troops
After Yang Xuangan explained that his actions were not for wealth or fame, but to resolve the urgent crisis of the world, the response was remarkable. The local gentry and elders from several prefectures rushed to offer cattle, sheep, and food, while young men flocked to the military gates to volunteer, numbering in the thousands daily.
As a result, Yang Xuangan's army quickly expanded to over fifty thousand men. Meanwhile, the conflicts within Luoyang City intensified. Although Fan Zigai established his authority through killings, he could not stop the people's desire for change.
What was even harder to contain was Yang Xuangan's growing momentum. During the siege, fierce battles erupted between the two armies. However, as the fighting progressed, Fan Zigai noticed that many noble youths had joined Yang Xuangan's ranks.
Some were captured during battles, while others intentionally defected. There were also those who directly sought to serve under Yang Xuangan's military banner. Most of these individuals lacked significant reputations but were either descendants of prominent figures from the Sui Dynasty, such as Han Qintiger, Yang Xiong, Yu Shiji, Come to Protect the Child, Pei Yun, Zheng Shanguo, and Zhou Luohou.
Alternatively, they were legitimate heirs from noble families like Longxi Li, Qinghe Cui, Rongyang Zheng, Wang of Langya, He Dong Pei, Lanling Xiao, and Henan Lu.
So far, there were over forty such individuals. It was easy to imagine that if Yang Xuangan could capture Luoyang, it might truly signal a change in dynasty.
Unfortunately, Fan Zigai acted like a turtle; he disregarded the thoughts of officials and nobles within the city and did not rely on them. He firmly held onto military power and fortified the city defenses.
Although Yang Xuangan's forces were somewhat more ample now, merely launching a brute attack would still make it difficult to breach the city even with two or three times more troops.
"We cannot continue with a direct assault," Yang Xuangan stated. "We should first capture several surrounding passes; otherwise, our army will be encircled without a place to defend."
Among Yang Xuangan's subordinates, the highest-ranking individual was Li Zixiong, who had defected to him. He was a general from Jianchang County and a key supporter left by Yang Su for his son.
However, since Li Zixiong had already reached this rank, he was reluctant to serve under Yang Xuangan. After Yang Su's death, he distanced himself from the Yang family but was forced back into service when Yang Xuangan revealed past misdeeds that angered the emperor and led to his dismissal.
Without an official position and under suspicion from the emperor, Li Zixiong found himself in danger of losing his life as well as his title. Thus, he had no choice but to follow Yang Xuangan down this path.
Upon hearing Li Zixiong's suggestion, Li Mi nodded in agreement: "Indeed, we cannot remain at a stalemate; time is of the essence!"
Taking everyone's opinions into account, Yang Xuangan issued orders: "Five thousand men will guard Citan Road; five thousand will defend Yiquedao; Han Shiye will surround Xingyang with three thousand men; Gu Jue will take Tiger Pass with five thousand men!"
Those mentioned immediately stepped forward to accept their orders. Most of them were not firstborns; if they could follow Yang Xuangan to achieve great success, their family fortunes would not fall into others' hands.
Thus far, they remained quite dedicated—especially with reports of support coming in from various regions.
Yang Xuangan's rebellion had a far greater impact than that of ten or twenty Wang Bos combined. Naturally, many bandits across the land responded enthusiastically. Some who had originally planned their own rebellions seized this opportunity to rise up as well.
There are always some who wish to follow Yang Xuangan but cannot due to the long journey. These people nominally honor Yang Xuangan and expand their influence in his name.
Yang Xuangan is also open to all, as long as the group has over ten thousand members, he generously offers official positions.
At this moment, as Wei Wensheng's army approaches, their actions naturally spread news. Yang Xuangan learns that his father's remains have turned to ashes, and in a fit of rage, he feels his blood boil and his eyes nearly burst; he is so tense that he cannot speak.
Li Mi and the others do not know how to comfort him. This is a deep-seated grudge that must be avenged by wiping out the entire clan and digging up the Ancestral Tomb.
However, since they have already embarked on the path of rebellion, Yang Xuangan forces himself to remain composed and does not recall his entire army to confront Wei Wensheng. He only whispers, "No amount of torture can alleviate my hatred; I will not rest until I avenge this grievance!"
Li Mi breathes a sigh of relief: "That is only natural; we will eventually punish his clan."
"However, should we still follow the original plan..."
Their original plan was to rely on the connections of the Yang Family to cause the reinforcements from Chang'an to disintegrate on their own. Yang Xuangan could gather over forty noble relatives in Luoyang.
Having operated in Chang'an for many years, he could influence even more people, which is why he did not deliberately ambush the reinforcements coming from Chang'an.
But that was under the premise that this incident had not occurred.
Yang Xuangan suppresses his grief: "As before, I only blame Wei Wensheng; I will not implicate anyone else."
The expressions of everyone are equally grim. This is no longer a matter of whether they are willing to be magnanimous; it is about whether the other side dares to believe it. If it were them, they would never entertain thoughts of surrender again; it would only be a fight to the death.
Wei Wensheng, that old scoundrel, is truly ruthless.
...
"You eat my salary yet cannot even protect the supplies at the rear; what use do I have for you!"
At this moment, the Emperor is furious in Zhuojun because a large stockpile of grain was set ablaze just before his arrival. The Million-Strong Army has finally returned to their territory but still has no food to eat.
"Your Majesty, it happened suddenly, and the enemy launched a night raid with two thousand elite cavalry. Clearly, this was arranged by that rebel Yang Xuangan. Zhuojun has only a few thousand defenders scattered everywhere; it was impossible to guard against them."
The prefects from several surrounding counties had also arrived, pleading for Li Jing. This was partly due to Li Jian Cheng's orders, and partly because their own granaries had been burned down. Whether the punishment was severe or lenient, they all needed to face this crisis together.
Li Jing himself looked pitiful, his hair singed and charred. Although the emperor was furious, he understood that this was not the time to harshly punish officials.
At that moment, Come to Protect the Child rushed back. He had almost reached Luoyang when the emperor issued several edicts, ordering him to hand over command to his deputy and return to the palace alone.
Come to Protect the Child felt reluctant but dared not disobey. After all, even if he managed to reach Luoyang and quell Yang Xuangan, what would it matter?
A general who did not obey imperial orders, no matter how great his abilities or achievements, would only deepen his own death sentence.
Arriving in front of the emperor, Come to Protect the Child disregarded the dust covering him and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, Eastern Capital is in peril! Why have you summoned me back in such haste?"
Yang Guang saw that Come to Protect the Child had returned alone and began to trust him again. Following orders was one thing; using excuses about not being bound by imperial commands was another. It was the best way to test a minister's loyalty.
However, just because Come to Protect the Child had no issues did not mean he could question Sovereign Father like this. The emperor sternly rebuked him: "Without receiving my edict, who permitted you to withdraw your troops and return?
You are already in a position of disgrace; how dare you act so recklessly? Even if you wish to serve your country, you should have immediately sent someone to explain your reasons to me. Do you still regard me in your eyes?"
…………
(End of Chapter)
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