Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: The Rebel Assault?

Page 1/3

Chen Xuanli proved worthy of his veteran status, responding with remarkable swiftness.

“Soldiers, do not panic! All middle-ranking commanders, captains, company commanders, and brigade leaders, return swiftly to the main camp. Each battalion, immediately form your ranks as ordered! Cavalry mount and hold the reins at the ready. Crossbowmen, string your bows. All other units, take your positions, grasp your weapons, and prepare for battle! The Imperial Guards are to escort His Majesty and the Crown Prince back to the pavilion without delay!”

In an instant, Chen Xuanli issued several orders.

Though Li Longji felt uneasy, he maintained his imperial composure. He respectfully bowed to the common folk and, under the protection of Chen Hanxiong and others, slowly made his way to the relay station.

The sharp clatter of hurried footsteps and the metallic clash of armor echoed as the Left Dragon Military Guards swiftly realigned their formation. The buglers puffed their cheeks, blowing the ox horn; the haunting, long-drawn calls spiraled through the night sky, tense and nerve-wracking, tightening everyone’s nerves.

“What should we do with these civilians?” a middle-ranking commander asked loudly.

“What other choice is there? Immediately gather your men and lead the civilians into our ranks!” Chen Xuanli replied.

“General, this is too dangerous! The civilians have never seen such a display; if they panic and riot, our formation will collapse!” the commander protested.

“These are the people of the Great Tang. Shall we stand by and watch them be slaughtered by the rebels?” Chen Xuanli retorted.

The commander was momentarily speechless.

“Do not hesitate—carry out the orders!” Chen Xuanli shouted, his white beard trembling slightly in the firelight.

“Report!” As the Dragon Military Guards formed their ranks, a scout horseman arrived with news. “General, the rebels are still ten li away. Their numbers remain unclear.”

“Send out another scout!” Chen Xuanli commanded loudly.

“Yes!” The scout turned his horse around and galloped off.

Soon, another mounted scout raced in. “Report! General, the rebels have deployed cavalry! Their vanguard is only five li away!”

“How many cavalry?”

“Fewer than three hundred.”

“Send out another scout!”

“Yes!”

“Wang Yingwu!” Chen Xuanli called out.

“Present!” responded the middle-ranking commander who had earlier captured the assassin.

“I’m assigning you two hundred cavalry. Advance two li to engage the enemy!” Chen Xuanli commanded.

“As you order!” Wang Yingwu respectfully saluted and mounted his horse.

“Wait! Do not seek battle recklessly! If you encounter heavy rebel infantry, retreat immediately!” Chen Xuanli warned, knowing that light cavalry against heavy infantry was a death sentence.

“As commanded!” Wang Yingwu cracked his whip and led his cavalry toward the battlefield.

“Quickly dispatch orders to Jiang Yilong and Liu Chuanshi!” Chen Xuanli instructed the nearby messenger.

Shortly after, a captain hurried over.

“Jiang Yilong, immediately lead your troops and gather some civilians. Time is of the essence—dig trenches and build barricades without delay!” Chen Xuanli’s orders were decisive.

“As you command!” Jiang Yilong turned and left.

In moments, over two thousand civilians, under Jiang Yilong’s leadership, orderly emerged from the ranks, digging trenches and constructing defenses with all their might.

Page 2/3

At that moment, Captain Liu Chuanshi arrived in haste. “General, I await your orders!”

“We must face the enemy hastily; the defenses may not be completed in time. Gather all vehicles and arrange them in a circle before the formation,” Chen Xuanli ordered.

“All vehicles? Including the imperial sedan chairs for His Majesty and the Crown Prince?” Liu Chuanshi asked.

“You idiot! You even have to ask that?” Chen Xuanli glared fiercely and scolded loudly.

Liu Chuanshi hurried off at a run to execute the command.

“Report!” Another scout galloped in.

“General, the rebels number fewer than a thousand. They have halted five li away, and their cavalry has withdrawn.”

“Excellent! Dispatch a swift rider to summon Wang Yingwu back to camp!” Chen Xuanli felt a slight relief and immediately gave the order.

“As you command!” The scout wiped sweat from his brow, turned his horse around, cracked his long whip sharply across the horse’s back. The steed neighed in pain and galloped away at full speed.

The rebel force was small and dared not attack, granting Chen Xuanli a brief moment of respite. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

A personal guard presented a water pouch, which Chen Xuanli drank from in gulps before handing it back.

With His Majesty and the Crown Prince close behind, he was acutely aware of the grave responsibility and dared not slacken.

He judged this was merely the rebel vanguard. Once the main rebel force arrived tomorrow, they would surely attack the camp.

He must promptly report the situation to His Majesty.

“Li Kaifeng!” Chen Xuanli called aloud.

A middle-ranking commander responded.

“Keep watch here. Report immediately should anything occur. I will meet with His Majesty and report the details.”

“As you command!”

Having arranged all military matters, Chen Xuanli briskly entered the pavilion to meet His Majesty.

Inside, the pavilion was brightly lit but heavy with a tense, oppressive atmosphere.

Li Longji and Consort Yang sat on lacquered chairs, their faces weary. Li Heng and others stood with hands lowered, tense expressions shadowing their faces, eyes filled with unease.

All remained silent. The flickering light deepened the tension.

Li Longji furrowed his brow, thoughts adrift as numerous doubts swirled through his mind.

Just two days ago, news arrived of Tongguan’s fall. Only last night, they departed Chang’an city. How could the rebels arrive so swiftly? Where did they come from?

By all reason, even if Chang’an fell, the rebels could not have reached Mawei so quickly.

What could explain this? Could the rebels have descended from the heavens?

Or perhaps An Lushan, that treacherous traitor, was cunningly recruiting troops here in secret, laying a trap, waiting for him to come? But that seemed too incredible.

If he had chosen another route, would he have walked into an empty trap?

Page 3/3

Watching Li Longji’s furrowed brow, Li Heng’s expression shifted between shadow and light.

“This time, whether we succeed rests on you,” he silently prayed.

“General Chen has arrived!” a young eunuch’s voice broke the silence at the door.

All eyes turned expectantly toward the entrance, hoping Chen Xuanli bore good news.

“Your humble servant greets His Majesty,” Chen Xuanli strode before Li Longji and bowed respectfully.

“Spare me the formalities; what time is this for that!” Li Longji asked urgently. “What is the situation outside?”

“Your Majesty, scouts just reported that the rebels number fewer than a thousand and have halted five li away, showing no further movement. I have arranged scouts to keep close watch,” Chen Xuanli bowed in reply.

Hearing this, the tense nerves of the assembly relaxed considerably, and many exhaled deeply, the oppressive atmosphere easing somewhat.

“However, I believe this is only the rebel vanguard. Their main force surely remains behind. If my judgment is correct, the rebel main body will arrive by noon tomorrow at the latest,” Chen Xuanli added.

Though his tone was calm, his words stirred great waves.

Hearing this, the assembly’s newly eased hearts tightened once again.

Gao Lishi cursed inwardly: “Chen Xuanli, you’re a menace, always causing such alarms that nearly kill us of fright.”

“Third Prince, Prime Minister Wei, General Chen, what are your thoughts?” Li Longji pondered briefly, then surveyed the group in turn.

“I believe defense is paramount,” Wei Jiansu, the sole chancellor and Minister of War, responded promptly. “I urge Your Majesty to quickly issue a royal decree summoning troops from Fufeng, Xinping, Qianyang, and Pengyuan prefectures. If we hold here for five or seven days, the relief forces should arrive, and the crisis will be resolved.”

“General Chen, your opinion?” Li Longji asked.

“I believe holding out is tantamount to walking into a trap,” Chen Xuanli said quietly but with unwavering resolve.

“Bold words!” Gao Lishi immediately scolded, finding Chen’s words rebellious.

Li Longji waved him silent.

“For now, the enemy’s strength is unclear. I propose sending a small detachment to cover the rear. The rest should escort His Majesty, Consort Yang, and the Crown Prince to take refuge in Wugong County and await reinforcements. The city walls there are sturdy, making defense more viable.”

Chen Xuanli spoke methodically.

The assembly nodded in agreement. Compared to the indefensible Mawei relay station, Wugong’s solid walls offered a clearer chance of survival.

Moreover, they need not necessarily remain in Wugong. If the rebels did not pursue, they could continue westward toward Fufeng County.

“I do not think this is wise,” Li Heng suddenly voiced opposition.

All turned to him, eyes full of curiosity, wondering what insight the Crown Prince might offer.