Volume One, Chapter 12: The Hearts of the People of the Tang Dynasty Are Trustworthy
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Li Heng felt a surge of secret joy. The old man’s words would further erode the morale of the Imperial Guards and place the Emperor in an unbearably awkward position. He had never imagined that the commoners summoned by Li Chu would be far more passionate than he expected. Nor were all the soldiers under Chen Xuanli mere brutes who only knew how to kill; many were young men deeply loyal to their country and family.
The hearts of the people could be harnessed! The spirit of the army could be inspired! With such fervent citizens, the Great Tang would never fall!
If tonight’s plan succeeded, he would lead them to the front lines and eradicate every traitor who threatened the Tang dynasty’s realm without leaving a single one alive.
Yet now was not the time to rejoice; he had to remain composed.
Feigning deep sorrow, he said, “Honored elders and fellow villagers, please do not blame the soldiers. Their duty is to obey orders. They are the Emperor’s personal guards and have their own burdens to bear.”
Chen Xuanli looked up at Li Heng, sensing something different in the Crown Prince’s gaze. It was vague, elusive—something he could not quite grasp.
His doubts grew heavier and more numerous; he could not figure out what the Crown Prince was scheming.
Darkness deepened like a black curtain gradually descending, enveloping the courier station in shadow.
The soldiers lit torches, the flickering flames fiercely tearing at the darkness. The light danced over faces, revealing expressions of resolve and doubt alike.
At that moment, a young man dressed in brown stepped through the crowd and approached Li Heng and Chen Xuanli. “Sir Captain, I know your hardships. But with His Highness the Crown Prince here, the Great Tang still stands. He is our hope.
If the Crown Prince commands, we commoners would brave fire and water without a single frown.”
As he spoke, he tore off his jacket, revealing a strong, muscular body, then prostrated himself on the ground. “I, Cui Shiren, swear my life to follow the Crown Prince!”
One by one, other young men followed suit, removing their shirts and kneeling.
“I, Liu Sanyong, swear my life to follow the Crown Prince!”
“I, Wei Youde, swear my life to follow the Crown Prince!”
“I, Wu Yizhi, swear my life to follow the Crown Prince!”
…
Soon, hundreds, even thousands of robust men lay prostrate before Li Heng and Chen Xuanli.
Together, they shouted, “We beseech His Highness the Crown Prince to return swiftly to Chang’an!”
At this, Chen Xuanli began to understand. He glanced at the Crown Prince, who remained calm and seemingly detached from the scene.
Chen Xuanli looked coldly at the young men and said, “Do you think reclaiming Chang’an is so easy? The rebel forces are strong; generals Feng Changqing, Gao Xianzhi, Geshu Han, and Yan Gaoqing have all suffered crushing defeats. What chance do you commoners and the Crown Prince have?”
Cui Shiren answered without fear, “Captain, I have studied the classics and understand some truths. We are born of the Great Tang, and in death, we become its ghosts.
From the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Wu in Jinyang to Emperor Taizong’s establishment of the realm, over a hundred years have passed. My ancestors and I have thrived under the Tang’s blessings and spread our roots in this fertile land.
Even if we must sacrifice our heads and shed our blood, we will protect the Crown Prince and defend the Great Tang!”
He paused, then looked up at Li Heng and declared with resolute strength, “As long as the Crown Prince calls, we will face fire and water, death a thousand times over without hesitation!”
“Better to die beneath Chang’an’s walls than live a meaningless life!” Liu Sanyong, Wei Youde, Wu Yizhi, and others shouted in unison.
Hearing these brave words, Li Heng felt deeply gratified.
The decline of the Great Tang to this state was all due to the treacheries of Li Longji and the corrupt ministers Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, and An Lushan.
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Especially that deceitful and jealous Li Linfu, who, ignorant of military affairs and unwilling to entrust Han generals, recklessly promoted foreign commanders such as Gao Xianzhi, Geshu Han, and An Lushan, leading to their rapid rise.
The An Lushan Rebellion was not only a conflict between the central court and regional governors but also a clash among foreign generals themselves. Later figures such as Li Guangbi and Pugu Huai’en were also foreign commanders.
Had Li Longji, like in the early Kaiyuan era, employed loyal ministers like Yao Chong and Song Jing to block the likes of Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, and Chen Xilie from entering the court, things would never have come to this pass.
Stepping forward, Li Heng cupped his hands and said, “Dear villagers, I understand your resolve. But this matter requires careful planning. I cannot allow the people of the Great Tang to die in vain.”
He had to buy time until Li Longji personally came forth to meet these commoners.
Chen Xuanli observed Li Heng’s every move, convinced that all this was the Crown Prince’s carefully laid plan.
Yet, lacking concrete evidence, he dared not act rashly and could only watch developments closely to guard against misfortune.
Li Heng continued passionately, “With war ravaging the land, rivers and mountains lost, and countless souls suffering, how could I not share your pain? This is the great realm of the Great Tang; these are our cherished people!
I too am deeply grieved and long to rush immediately to the front, to confront the rebels and restore peace and prosperity to our people!”
Hearing the Crown Prince’s words, the villagers grew emotional, their cries and shouts rising like thunder into the night sky.
The Imperial Guards cast glances at Li Heng, their hearts stirred.
Their parents, wives, children, and possessions were all in Chang’an; they yearned to return even more than these outsiders.
If someone now led them back to Chang’an, even if it meant dying on the city walls, they would follow without hesitation.
Within the courier station, Li Longji listened to the commotion outside, his heart heavy with suspicion.
He summoned Gao Lishi. “Lishi, go and see what is happening outside.”
Gao Lishi obeyed. After decades in the inner palace, his intuition told him that today’s events were no ordinary matter.
Perhaps, a greater storm was brewing.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! We must see you!” The commoners shouted as Gao Lishi emerged.
“Crown Prince, General, what is the matter?” Gao Lishi asked.
“We come to petition the Emperor, to ask the Crown Prince to return to Chang’an!” Cui Shiren declared loudly.
“A petition? How outrageous!” Gao Lishi snapped. He could not understand the thoughts of these commoners.
“Old eunuch, we must see the Emperor!” they repeated in chorus.
“Do you think the Emperor is someone you can see at will? From where I stand, you are a bunch of rebels!” Gao Lishi said angrily. “General Chen, hurry and drive them away!”
Chen Xuanli glanced at Gao Lishi but said nothing.
“Old eunuch, who do you call rebels? We are all subjects of the Great Tang, born of the Tang, and in death, its ghosts!” Cui Shiren glared fiercely at Gao Lishi, his eyes burning with fiery defiance.
Gao Lishi was intimidated, involuntarily stepping back. Without soldiers behind him, he might have fallen to the ground.
In this world, no one dared to confront him like this except the Emperor himself. Inwardly, Gao Lishi thought: Chaos, chaos, all in chaos!
“Old eunuch, please report to His Majesty promptly,” Chen Xuanli interceded to prevent the commoners’ anger from falling upon Gao Lishi.
Defeated, Gao Lishi slunk back into the courier station.
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“His Majesty approaches!” No sooner had Gao Lishi entered than Li Longji emerged, flanked by princes and eunuchs. Clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, he retained the dignity and bearing of an emperor even in flight.
His brow furrowed lightly, the wrinkles on his aged face deepened by the flickering firelight, revealing his unsettled mood.
Outside, the torches blazed even brighter, flames roaring as if gasping under the weight of tension.
Seeing the true Son of Heaven, the commoners knelt in unison, shouting “Long live the Emperor!” Their voices thundered like bells, imposing a heavy pressure on the Imperial Guards.
Li Heng and Chen Xuanli hurried forward to greet him.
Li Longji smiled warmly as he walked out. The guards quickly formed a protective circle, shielding the Emperor’s body, weapons gripped tightly, alert for any sign of danger.
If harm befell the Emperor, all present would bear the guilt of annihilation for nine generations.
“Honored elders and villagers, what brings you so far?” Li Longji asked loudly, standing about fifty paces from them.
“Your Majesty, we request the Crown Prince’s return to Chang’an to purge the rebels!” An old man spoke boldly.
Having just received Gao Lishi’s report, Li Longji realized he had nowhere left to retreat.
Before court ministers and nobles, he could manipulate events with ease. But now, facing unarmed commoners—the true foundation of the Great Tang—he knew the principle of supporting or overturning a ruler.
He must tread carefully.
Stirring a popular uprising now, amid this fragile storm, would spell disaster beyond salvation.
He cast a meaningful glance at Li Heng.
“And this elder, what is your name?” Li Longji asked without directly responding.
“Your Majesty, I am Zhao Fusheng,” the old man replied respectfully.
“Zhao Fusheng, you ask the Crown Prince to return to Chang’an. Have you considered that the rebels are strong and our forces few? How can we hold the city?” Li Longji fixed his gaze on him.
“Your Majesty, you are mistaken. Chang’an’s walls are high and moats deep, with plenty of grain and people. Once the Crown Prince returns and raises his voice, many will rally.
If we can hold for half a month to twenty days until the loyal armies arrive, what fear is there that the rebels will not retreat?” Zhao swallowed hard and continued earnestly.
Zhao’s words struck a chord with Li Longji; he had not expected such courage and vision from a mere commoner.
Li Longji nodded slightly and looked to the others. “Do you all share this conviction?”
“Your Majesty, we are willing to follow the Crown Prince to life or death!” the crowd shouted in unison, voices echoing to the heavens.
Li Heng, standing nearby, rejoiced inwardly but remained outwardly calm and respectful, his eyes fixed on Li Longji.
He knew the scales of victory were tipping in his favor.
At that moment, a scout galloped in, shouting, “Rebels are attacking! Rebels are attacking!”
The news sent waves of panic across the gathering.
A cold night wind blew, chilling the sweat on their bodies, a shiver running straight up their spines.