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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 135: Leading the Troops
However, Luoyang could not afford to delay in sending reinforcements. The longer they waited, the more likely it was that the enemy would break through from outside, and the situation inside could deteriorate as well. Fan Zigai's prestige was insufficient; he could only maintain stability for a time.
The Emperor summoned the courtiers to discuss strategies. Initially, they could only muster supplies for about forty to fifty thousand troops, and that was contingent on the prefectures along the way providing food.
After ten consecutive years of conscription and labor, repairing the Eastern Capital, constructing the Summer Palace, digging riverbanks, building expressways, and fortifying the Great Wall, along with two years of leading a million-strong army on expeditions, they had nearly exhausted all the grain accumulated by the Sui Dynasty's prefectures.
Moreover, the Liyang Granary and several large granaries around Luoyang still had substantial supplies, but they were under Yang Xuangan's control.
"Your Majesty, the urgent matter at hand is to disperse some soldiers and commoners from nearby prefectures, allowing them to return home and farm for their livelihoods. This would alleviate some burdens."
"Agreed."
"Your Majesty, we currently have enough supplies for five thousand troops to rush to aid. I suggest dispatching the Valiant Fruit Army's elite."
Yang Guang nodded and then looked at the generals. He needed someone loyal and trustworthy who had no ties to Yang Xuangan. Yuwen Shu fit that description; Come to Protect the Child would have been suitable as well, but his son had defected to Yang Xuangan, which disqualified him.
While Yang Guang trusted Yuwen Shu's loyalty, he was still concerned about whether he could withstand Yang Xuangan. After much deliberation, he appointed Left Guard General Qutu Tong as his deputy.
"Your Majesty, Chang'an has abundant supplies; we should order them to send troops again for reinforcement."
"Whom do you think should be appointed as commander?"
For a moment, everyone furrowed their brows in deep thought. Chang'an was originally the stronghold of the Noble Families of Guanlong. Wei Wensheng had specifically led those with no ties to Yang Xuangan into battle; now it was difficult to say who remained.
If there were any signs of rebellion, those who recommended candidates would also face repercussions. Thus, they fell silent and left it for the Emperor to decide.
Yang Guang pondered for a long time, the name Li Jian Cheng flashing through his mind repeatedly. He had personally nurtured this confidant, and according to a letter from his grandson, both Li Family father and son were quite proper. He remembered that Li Jian Cheng had even specifically reminded him that Yang Xuangan seemed to be making some moves.
Of course, the most crucial point was that his father, Li Yan, was currently under Wei Wensheng's command.
"What about Li Jian Cheng?"
The crowd exchanged glances; some wanted to voice their disapproval but hesitated. If they did not recommend one, who else could they suggest?
Moreover, saying such things would inevitably offend Li Jian Cheng. After Yang Xuangan, the representative of the Noble Families of Guanlong would either fall to the Yuwen Family or the Li Family. But Yuwen Shu was already of considerable age, while Li Jian Cheng was still quite young.
"Your Majesty is wise. In this time of national crisis, your decision to appoint him will surely inspire him to give his all."
Seeing that no one directly opposed, Li Jian Cheng's relatives and old friends instead offered some tepid objections. Being too agreeable was not a good thing; it could shake the Emperor's resolve.
Indeed, when Yang Guang heard these trivial matters, he felt reassured in his choice of personnel.
He immediately ordered someone to rush to Chang'an with the imperial decree and urged Yuwen Shu and others to prepare for battle.
...
As usual, after hearing news from Luoyang, under the leadership of the Prince of Dai, everyone began another day of performance—first cursing Yang Xuangan, then looking ahead to the future after the Suppression of Rebellion.
In short, they could not agree on anything substantial until the Emperor's decree arrived. The Prince of Dai received it and then instructed his uncle to announce it.
"Li Jian Cheng, receive the decree!"
In the center stood Li Jian Cheng, dressed in a coarse robe, bowing respectfully to the imperial edict. Deputy Minister of Justice Wei Yijie proclaimed, "The state affairs are difficult, and the military situation is urgent. We must not delay in sending aid to Luoyang. You have always been loyal and filial, and I wish to preserve both; however... it has been half a year of filial mourning, and your loyalty has already been demonstrated. I shall set aside my feelings and restore your official position. You are to lead the troops into battle immediately. This is my decree!"
Li Jian Cheng remained kneeling, tears streaming down his face, unable to rise. The court officials hurried to console him, and after a long while, he finally stood up with a sigh, saying, "It is difficult to fulfill both loyalty and filial piety. Today, I must obey the decree and forsake my filial duty for the sake of loyalty."
"Lord, you act with righteousness. The Old Matriarch will surely be comforted in spirit," someone remarked.
The Crown Prince dismissed the irrelevant officials, leaving only those who held important positions in various regions. Li Jian Cheng no longer appeared sorrowful; instead, he spoke plainly, "Yang Ni now commands an army of over one hundred thousand. This is no trivial matter. How many troops can we still muster from Chang'an?"
The Deputy Minister of War replied, "Li Taishou, we cannot afford any losses in Chang'an either. At most, there are only twenty thousand troops available for you to lead into battle."
Although there was an imperial decree, the lack of specified troop numbers implied that they were to negotiate among themselves. Those holding military power were naturally reluctant to hand over troops to Li Jian Cheng.
Before Li Jian Cheng could speak further, an official from the Dou Family interjected, "Chang'an has at least over one hundred thousand elite soldiers remaining; how can you claim only twenty thousand?"
A Minister of Civil Affairs from the Dugu Clan added, "Do you intend to defy the decree? Commanding Li Taishou to lead the elite forces to aid Luoyang is His Majesty's order; how dare you act so hypocritically?"
The Deputy Minister of War waved his hand dismissively, saying, "How could I dare? It was merely that Minister Wei specifically instructed before his departure that regardless of success or failure on this mission, we cannot withdraw a large number of troops from Chang'an."
"Hmph! Wei Wensheng wastes our troops; one battle and they crumble. His words are hardly trustworthy. Once we quell Yang Ni, we will petition to impeach him," another official scoffed.
After listening for a while, Dai Wang Yang You felt uneasy; two thousand troops seemed far too few. Wei Wensheng had led seventy thousand elite soldiers and within half a month had been reduced to merely ten thousand; what use would it be to give Li Jian Cheng only twenty thousand?
Li Jian Cheng ignored their bickering and addressed the Crown Prince directly: "Your Highness, I do not seek to defeat the rebels or quell the insurrection with this mission. My aim is simply to hold off until we can gather reinforcements from various prefectures or until Your Majesty can assemble enough provisions and troops for a grand southern advance."
Therefore, the Troops must not be lacking, but defending Chang'an is equally crucial. Thus, a force of thirty thousand elite soldiers is sufficient. However, among the hundred thousand young men working on the city walls, I wish to draw some from them. Additionally, I request Your Highness's permission to conduct Recruitment in Chang'an.
"Thirty thousand elite soldiers can be gathered by the Ministry of War for Li Taishou. Moreover, I believe Li Taishou is absolutely correct. At this moment, Yang Ni's momentum is strong; we should not rush to achieve results like Minister Wei suggests. A steady defense and gradual annihilation is the right approach. I support what Li Taishou has said."
In truth, their bottom line was forty thousand, but since Li Jian Cheng only needed thirty thousand, they naturally had to reciprocate.
Dai Wang Yang You clearly could not handle such a large matter and instinctively turned his gaze to his most trusted uncle. Li Jian Cheng also glanced at Wei Yijie in turn.
Wei Yijie silently weighed the pros and cons, not only for the Sui Dynasty and his nephew but more so for his own family.
The world was becoming increasingly chaotic; this was evident to all. Since His Majesty had returned to Zhuojun, it meant that the campaign against Goguryeo had failed again—His Majesty had faced two defeats.
"I also support what Li Taishou has said."
"Then it shall be so."
Li Jian Cheng solemnly bowed: "Thank you, Your Highness. I will surely fight for our Sui Dynasty against the rebels and restore order!"
……………
(End of Chapter)
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