Li Yuanji suddenly lifted his face with his mouth agape, almost believing he was in a dream. He wouldn’t have to journey thousands of miles beyond the frontier to marry the only princess of the so-called Gaochang King. He could openly stay in Chang’an by imperial decree, wait until his mourning period ended, and then marry his beloved who was now a free person. They could live together until old age?
This happiness came too suddenly; he dared not believe it was real.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”
The first to lose composure was Vice Minister of War Guo Fushan. With Minister of War Hou Junji currently leading troops against Tuyuhun at the front, all military affairs were managed by Vice Minister Guo. He stepped forward and knelt to submit:
“The Prince of Wu has been appointed special envoy for the betrothal, and the imperial edict has already been sent to Gaochang. Their entire kingdom has prepared to welcome the imperial envoy. To suddenly renege now would not only break faith with the barbarian states but might also cause Qu Wentai to react in angry humiliation and rashly attack our Western Sea Route army, bringing needless disaster. We beg Your Majesty to suppress momentary anger and set aside fraternal affection, continuing with the original plan. We risk death to implore you!”
Listening to this memorial, Li Yuanji’s dizzy mind cleared somewhat, realizing this matter was complex, definitely not as simple as his half-brother suddenly showing kindness to fulfill his younger brother’s marriage wishes. If he didn’t go to Gaochang, then what? Relations between the two countries would surely sour greatly, which would do nothing to help those Chinese people detained and enslaved by Gaochang.
Unless…
“There’s a military report from Tuyuhun that I only received yesterday. The carrier falcons Hou Junji trained for messages are faster than postal riders—you all probably won’t receive the official dispatch for another three to five days.” The Emperor casually tapped his armrest on the throne. “Murong Fu Yun, who fled deep into the desert, has been found by Xue Wanjun and He Li. With nowhere to go and his forces scattered, he hanged himself from a poplar tree. The body was verified without doubt, properly wrapped at Fuxi City, and will be transported back to Chang’an in the coming days.”
A thunderous commotion erupted in the hall. The death of the Tuyuhun Khagan meant this campaign was officially over, and Li Jing’s army could arrange the subsequent pacification matters and withdraw. How could the various ministers, exhausted from supporting the military expedition, not show their joy and congratulate each other? As they buzzed with discussion, Minister of Works Long Sun Wuji led them in formal congratulations to the Emperor.
“Ministers, you may cease—ah, that Li Yaoshi’s way of fighting has always had the same flaw: he never follows the rhythm step by step. While you’re still busy making arrangements in the rear, he’s already finished fighting at the front, completely negating your needless worrying.” The Emperor’s tone carried three or four parts pride, five or six parts sourness, and a hundred thousand parts deserving a punch—Li Yuanji couldn’t help but feel indignant on behalf of all the enemy chiefs who had been crushed over these years.
Rising from his bow, his eye caught an unusual expression on Fang Xuanling’s face opposite him, glancing sideways as if signaling someone. Following his gaze, he saw Minister Wei Zheng quietly nodding.
What were these old friends silently plotting?
“Your servant addresses Your Majesty: With the Western Sea Route army’s great victory concluded, the people of Guanzhong and Longshang have been stretched to their limit. We beseech Your Majesty to immediately issue an edict commanding Li Yaoshi to withdraw all forces, allowing frontier soldiers to return home early to catch the farming season, lest famine spread this winter and next spring.” Wei Zheng raised his tablet and bowed his head to present these words, then lifted his head to look directly at the Emperor, emphasizing, “We absolutely must not prolong the war by ordering Li Jing to continue fighting in the Western Regions and raid Gaochang! Know that when troops are old and weary, forcing them on distant campaigns was the path to Sui Emperor Yang’s downfall!”
Continue fighting in the Western Regions and raid Gaochang.
In an instant, Li Yuanji understood completely. This was the Emperor’s true intention—the real purpose of today’s court discussion.
“Ah, Yaoshi has it tough,” the Emperor didn’t directly respond to Minister Wei, his tone still casual and calm. “He must be sixty-six this year, right? His legs aren’t good either; he retired home two years ago. You see, I know leading an expedition army isn’t easy, so I especially troubled Xuanling to invite the old general out of retirement. This Tuyuhun campaign has worn out his old bones. I think, since people’s hearts are made of flesh, we should speak of respecting and honoring the elderly. When Yaoshi returns to the capital, let him enjoy his twilight years with both military and civil honors complete—we can’t trouble him to lead troops again.”
These words were full of implications of an enlightened ruler’s grace and mercy, but… why did Li Yuanji feel increasingly uneasy as he listened?
“Your Majesty’s heavenly grace and merciful heart surely reach the Duke of Dai even thousands of miles away,” Long Sun Wuji finally spoke, his fat face creased in a smile. “In my idle conversations with Lord Yaoshi, I well know his ambition still burns like an old war-horse at the stable. Throughout his life, the Duke of Dai has most admired generals like Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, the Ban Zhao father and son, Fu Jiezi, Chen Tang, and Gan Yanshou, who opened the frontier to the Western Regions, drove the Xiongnu thousands of miles away, and secured four hundred years of peace for the Han dynasty. Since this is Yaoshi’s last battle before hanging up his bow, why not fulfill his life’s wish and command him to lead north for one more remarkable achievement?”
In plain words: While the divine warrior Li Jing can still move, squeeze out his last bit of strength. The shamelessness of your uncle and nephew pair is truly rare in this world…
Purely from a military perspective, Li Yuanji had to admit this planning was reasonable and could even achieve twice the result with half the effort. The Western Sea Route’s tens of thousands of troops had just won a great victory, morale should be quite high, and they had captured large numbers of cattle and horses from Tuyuhun for supplies, so there was no fear of shortage. Following Li Jing’s usual style, he would select a few thousand cavalry with good horses and charge through the Tianshan Mountains straight to Gaochang in one swift strike, with high chances of success.
Setting out for Gaochang from Fuxi City would cut at least half the distance compared to departing from the Central Plains, and it would be a surprise attack catching them unprepared. Li Jing’s command currently concentrated the Great Tang’s elite commanders—Hou Junji, Li Daozong, Li Daliang, the Xue brothers were all veteran generals capable of independent command, and Li Jing himself was worth a thousand troops but hard to find another like him. Even Li Yuanji felt it would be a shame to miss such an excellent opportunity, let alone his imperial brother who had risen to power through warfare.
“The army has already been dispatched, it would only return half a year later. No need for additional levies at home, minimal burden on the people.” The Emperor said thoughtfully, then turned to Li Yuanji with a faint smile. “Fourteenth Brother still needs to make this frontier journey, and quickly. First, to deceive Qu Wentai, keeping him busy preparing his daughter’s wedding without thinking of other matters. Second, those craftsmen and materials I’ve been training and preparing in the imperial park need to be quickly brought outside Gaochang City to be put to use. Go back and tell those merchant Hu that we’re requisitioning their manpower and camels, along with various connections and assistance along the way. Within one month, you must be able to deliver the craftsmen to Gaochang—they won’t miss out on rewards.”
Walking from Chang’an to Gaochang in one month while disguised as a marriage alliance merchant group without letting news leak would surely be exhaustingly difficult. But compared to the previous arrangements, Li Yuanji still felt as if he’d been hit by a gift from heaven.
He wouldn’t have to go against his heart to marry a stranger; instead, he had the chance to personally participate in the frontier warfare he had always yearned for, to achieve merit and fame. When he returned to Chang’an from Gaochang, he could gloriously marry his beloved, and perhaps even personally escort his full sister at her wedding.
Even if his luck was truly bad and he returned wrapped in horsehide, it would still be far better than going as a son-in-law bearing crimes and huge debts.
He stepped forward and knelt, raising his head to look at his brother’s smile, wanting to express gratitude for the imperial favor, but his throat and chest were too choked with emotion. After several deep breaths, he heard his own floating, weak voice:
“Your servant Yuanji… dares not accept the decree. I humbly request Your Majesty withdraw the command… and order the Western Sea Route army to return to court.”
Wanchun Palace fell completely silent.
“Return?” The Emperor’s question was incredulous. “You don’t agree with attacking Gaochang? Then do you know what fate awaits you?”
“Your servant knows. I… will set out again, to be married into the Western Regions.”