Chapter Sixty-Two: A Battle of Wits and Courage

The army advanced slowly, taking a full ten days to finally reach Jinling. When they were still over ten miles away from the city, they were informed to encamp outside the walls. Not long after, officials from the Privy Council arrived, ordering all the troops to surrender their weapons. Once disarmed, other elite imperial guards were dispatched within Jinling to be stationed on the flanks of the Shenwu and Tianxiong armies. The implications of this arrangement needed no further explanation.

From this alone, Yang Lian discerned that the emperor was a deeply suspicious man. Most of the Shenwu and Tianxiong soldiers had their families residing in Jinling, so such extreme caution seemed unnecessary. Yet the emperor’s wariness only served to unsettle the troops.

Yang Lian sought out Li Zhenggu and Gao Shensi to share his concerns. Li Zhenggu thought it was an overreaction, but Gao Shensi agreed with Yang Lian’s assessment. Restless soldiers inevitably breed discontent; if the Wu-Yue forces chose that moment to stir trouble, the situation could become perilous. They immediately summoned subordinates to soothe the troops, knowing that at this critical juncture, no mistakes could be afforded. Seeing Gao Shensi agree with Yang Lian, Li Zhenggu ordered the camp gates sealed—no one was to enter or leave without his command.

Around noon, a eunuch arrived at the camp with an imperial summons, calling Li Zhenggu, Gao Shensi, Zhu Kuangye, and Yang Lian to the palace.

It was customary for the emperor to summon Li Zhenggu, Gao Shensi, and Zhu Kuangye, as they were either commanders or high-ranking officers. But Yang Lian was merely a military commissioner—his summons must signify some reward.

Many eyes glared enviously at Yang Lian, but he paid no mind. He was to meet Li Jing sooner or later; better now than later.

Mounted and escorted by the eunuch, the group entered Jinling city. Yang Lian couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia; the grand departure from the capital had been a spectacle attracting thousands of gazes, but the return was bleak and mournful—most of the men were now accused criminals, their heads liable to fall at any moment.

They crossed the central axis and rode slowly along the Qinhuai River. Passing by his own inn and tavern, Yang Lian felt life was but a dream.

It took half an hour before they reached the imperial city. Within the palace, jade towers and pavilions gleamed with opulence, every corner blooming with flowers, a breathtaking sight. It was clear Li Jing took great care in maintaining the palace. A man so indulgent in pleasure explained why the Tang Empire’s strength waned after only a few battles—the wealth was squandered on such extravagance.

Within the imperial city lay the inner palace, the residence of the royal family—the empress, concubines, and young princes and princesses all dwelled there.

The inner palace was even more splendid, adorned with vermilion lacquer and brocades from Bashu. Such lavishness would be unsustainable without the Tang’s wealth.

After entering with Li Zhenggu and the others, they waited for the emperor’s summons. Yang Lian was unhurried, calm and composed, while Li Zhenggu grew more anxious—after this defeat, who knew what fate awaited them?

After half an hour, Li Zhenggu’s legs began to numb. Then, Prince Qi, Li Jingsui, emerged from the palace. Spotting Yang Lian, Li Jingsui nodded slightly and smiled before departing.

Moments later, a eunuch ushered Li Zhenggu inside. Yang Lian waited another half hour without Li Zhenggu’s return, but the eunuch soon came again to lead Gao Shensi in.

Could Li Zhenggu have been imprisoned? Yang Lian wondered.

Another half hour passed before the eunuch fetched Zhu Kuangye, still no sign of Li Zhenggu or Gao Shensi.

“What’s going on?” Yang Lian thought anxiously.

After waiting only half a incense stick’s time, the eunuch hurried out and beckoned Yang Lian inside.

“Eunuch, how are Deputy Commander Li and Commander Gao?” Yang Lian asked, glancing around to ensure privacy. From his sleeve, he discreetly produced a silver piece and slid it to the eunuch.

The eunuch grinned and whispered, “They are fine,” then proceeded toward the main hall.

Yang Lian followed, circling several times before entering a dimly lit chamber. The vermilion walls had darkened, an odd sight to Yang Lian. The eunuch smiled faintly and led him onward.

After twenty steps, the room remained gloomy. The eunuch stopped and whispered, “Your Majesty, Yang Lian has arrived.”

Yang Lian peered ahead to a shadowy figure about thirty paces away, flickering like a mirage.

Ignoring whatever theatrics the emperor intended, Yang Lian clasped his fists and said, “Your humble servant Yang Lian pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Yang Lian, do you know your crimes?” came the voice from within.

“The defeat at Suchang was due to my failure to warn Deputy Commander Li. I admit my guilt,” Yang Lian replied calmly.

“Hmph.” The voice sneered coldly. “That is not what I mean. You escaped by luck back then and should have left the Tang Empire. Yet you dared to return. Do you intend to restore the old kingdom?”

“What does Your Majesty mean? I have been in Jinling less than a year and before that never came here. I do not understand Your Majesty’s implication.” Yang Lian remained composed. He could not fathom why he was treated this way; the tone did not sound like the emperor’s, yet who else could it be?

“Hmph, excuses!” The voice sharpened. Seeing Yang Lian unmoved, it barked, “Seize him! Interrogate him harshly! Let us see if his mouth or my whip is stronger!”

Several armored guards emerged from the shadows, their armor clinking ominously. Blades gleamed menacingly in the candlelight.

A young eunuch lit more candles, brightening the room. Yang Lian finally saw the man before him: clad in a yellow robe and donned with a towering crown, about thirty years old.

As Yang Lian studied him, the man scrutinized Yang Lian in turn. Upon seeing Yang Lian’s scarred face, the man’s body jolted. Though not ugly, the scar gave Yang Lian a fierce appearance.

Fixing his gaze for a long moment, the man finally spoke, “Why do you still deny your identity?”

Yang Lian suddenly laughed, starting low but gradually swelling, unafraid despite facing the Tang emperor. His laughter grew louder, causing the guards to exchange confused glances.

After laughing for some time, Yang Lian stopped and seriously asked, “Does Your Majesty truly believe I am the former crown prince?”

“Is it not so?” the voice replied coldly.

“I am indeed Yang Lian, born in Chang’an of Guanzhong. If Your Majesty believes me the old crown prince, so be it. You are the ruler of Tang, and I but your servant. How dare I rebel?”

“If the sovereign wishes the servant dead, the servant must die. But before my death, I have one thing to say: I bear no relation to the former crown prince.”

Closing his eyes, Yang Lian seemed ready to offer his neck.

The man regarded him quietly. “Are you truly not afraid of death?”

“Of course I fear death. I fear dying without cause. Though I die, I still worry for Your Majesty!” Yang Lian replied calmly.

“You worry for me?” the man asked in surprise.

“The mutiny in Changzhou nearly led the defeated troops to assault the city. Had that happened, the people of Changzhou would suffer terribly, and the Wu-Yue kingdom might seize the moment, emboldened by the victory at Fuzhou, to attack Changzhou. Tang would plunge into chaos. Though unworthy, I was fortunate to prevent this disaster. Even if I claim no merit, I should not be punished. My death is of little consequence, but Your Majesty’s reputation may suffer if you kill a loyal subject. The ministers and common folk would say you slay those who serve you well, unfit to be a wise ruler.” Yang Lian spoke earnestly, as if considering the emperor’s welfare.

The man pondered. Yang Lian was merely a soldier, yet his words were sharp—this surprised him.

Next door, bright candlelight revealed Prince Qi Li Jingsui standing behind someone, smiling, “Brother Emperor, what do you think? Is this man truly the former crown prince?”

The one addressed as brother was Emperor Li Jing, while outside Yang Lian answered his younger brother Li Jingda’s questions. Though Li Jing doubted Yang Lian was the former crown prince, he tested him nonetheless.

Yang Lian’s words, though somewhat irreverent, showed a man of unwavering integrity. Since Prince Qi had told him Yang Lian had once saved the Princess of Huairou and that Yang Lian was a man of humble origins, Li Jing found no great offense. Especially since Yang Lian voluntarily offered his life but still showed concern for the emperor, Li Jing saw great potential in him.

Seeing Yang Lian like this, Li Jing laughed heartily and stepped out, followed by Prince Qi.

“Jingda, let this matter rest here,” Li Jing said with a smile.

Li Jingda quickly removed his yellow robe and crown, bowing to Li Jing. “Your Majesty, I have offended you.”

“You acted on orders; there is no fault,” Li Jing replied with a smile. He examined Yang Lian’s scar anew, forming a fresh appraisal.

Following Yang Lian’s recent merits—after the defeats at Fuzhou and Suchang, eliminating a Wu-Yue commander and several officers, and rescuing the Privy Council’s deputy commander and senior generals from the battlefield—his achievements were remarkable, especially considering he was only a military commissioner.

But that was not all. Who would have thought he single-handedly captured a Wu-Yue spy and lifted the siege of Changzhou?

For Li Jing, at a time when multiple fronts were collapsing, Yang Lian’s deed was like a candle in the darkness, illuminating his wounded heart.

Having confirmed Yang Lian was not the former crown prince—their appearances, voices, and temperaments were entirely different (the old crown prince was timid and literary, while this man was a clever soldier lacking refinement)—Li Jing’s doubts vanished, replaced by a smile. As the Tang’s great generals aged and chaos reigned, Li Jing needed capable warriors. The scar on Yang Lian’s face pleased him—it was the mark of a true soldier, a real man.

“Minister Yang, I was merely testing you just now. Do not be alarmed. I now know you bear no relation to the former crown prince,” Li Jing said.

Yang Lian stepped back in surprise, gazing at Li Jing, Li Jingsui, and Li Jingda, stammering, “Y-Your Majesty, what exactly is going on?”