Chapter 69: The Hunt

Li Hongji felt displeased upon hearing this, his resentment toward Yang Lian deepening. Just as he was about to lash out with insults, a noise came from behind. It turned out that Li Jing, Li Jingsui, and the others had waited for some time without seeing Li Hongji return, so they had come to investigate.

Li Jingsui, with his sharp gaze, spotted Yang Lian at once and whispered, "Your Majesty, that is Yang Lian."

Having been left with a deeper impression of Yang Lian following the Changzhou incident, Li Jing scrutinized him carefully. Seeing that it was indeed Yang Lian, he could not help but smile. "Who would have thought that although this Yang Lian is a brute, he actually possesses some talent for commanding troops?" As he spoke, the group drew closer. Seeing Li Hongji’s face ashen, Li Jing assumed his son was unwell. After all, he was his eldest son; even if he disliked his personality, he still asked, "Hongji, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Hongji paused to think, then pointed ahead and said, "Father, your son wished to see the commander just now, but I was insulted by him. He claimed that since I was not there on official business and lacked a royal decree, he would never open the gates." Though Li Hongji seethed with hatred, he dared not speak recklessly.

"Oh?" Li Jing lifted his head upon hearing this and glanced forward. This Yang Lian was quite interesting.

Prince of Qi, Li Jingsui, who was standing nearby, quickly interjected, "Royal Brother, Yang Lian is a mere martial man; he likely does not understand the nuances of officialdom."

"Ah, do not worry; I have no intention of blaming him." Li Jing waved his hand, aware of the Prince of Qi’s protective stance toward Yang Lian.

"Although I am not well-versed in military affairs, I did lead troops alongside the late Emperor. Before receiving concrete intelligence, it is indeed improper for Yang Lian to open the camp gates, let alone risk his life easily. Otherwise, in a standoff between two armies, such a decision could lead to defeat," Li Jing said with a smile, looking quite pleased with himself, thinking that he, too, understood military strategy.

Li Jingsui quickly cupped his hands and smiled, "Your Majesty is wise."

Li Hongji was so angry that his nose nearly went crooked; this was clearly an open defense of Yang Lian. He could not understand what was so good about the man. Was it not just that he broke the siege at Changzhou once, which was then blown out of proportion?

By this time, Yang Lian had noticed Li Jing, Li Jingsui, and the others. He ordered the camp gates opened and rode out to meet them. "Your humble subject greets Your Majesty and the Prince of Qi." As he bowed to the group, Yang Lian did not even look at Li Hongji, nor did he offer a greeting. The chill in Li Hongji’s eyes deepened. Casting a glance at the triumphant Prince of Qi, Li Hongji became even more convinced that Yang Lian was part of the Prince of Qi’s faction.

"Minister Yang, I have observed your camp, and it is superior to all others. It seems you truly have a way with troops. Tomorrow, during the hunt at Mount Zhong, you shall accompany me to witness it," Li Jing said.

Yang Lian quickly bowed and replied, "Your humble subject, Yang Lian, thanks Your Majesty. Tomorrow, I shall do my utmost to live up to your expectations."

"Good, very good!" Li Jing said. Feeling hungry, he decided to dine within Yang Lian’s camp.

When Yang Lian first arrived at the Shenwu Army, the soldiers' pay was constantly embezzled by superior officers, leaving very little for the rank-and-file. Following the defeat at Changzhou, Bian Hao took office, the commanders of other units were replaced, and the Privy Council was reshuffled. From top to bottom, everyone was in a wait-and-see mode, not daring to act too brazenly. Upon receiving the military funds, Yang Lian did not pocket a single cent, distributing it all while strictly forbidding his subordinates and officers from graft.

Consequently, the soldiers in Yang Lian’s army ate well, with plenty of fatty meat, giving them a healthy, robust appearance. This was one of the ways Yang Lian hoped to improve his soldiers' physical condition and combat night blindness.

Li Jing, unaware of the underlying reasons, assumed the Shenwu Army’s rations were always this way. After finishing his meal and taking a look around, he returned to his quarters.

According to the plan, the Jiankang Army was to accompany Li Jing on the hunt, while the Shenwu and Tianxiong Armies were stationed on the flanks to provide protection. That Yang Lian’s command received the favor of accompanying Li Jing was already an extraordinary honor. The soldiers, upon hearing the news, were eager to perform well before the Emperor, hoping that perhaps they might earn a promotion.

The following day, at the foothills of Mount Zhong, the air was filled with clamor and the fluttering of military banners. Soldiers of the Jiankang Army, clad in armor and mounted on horses, triumphantly cleared the path. After a long procession of the Jiankang Army passed, the royal family members and officials followed. Yang Lian was positioned on the periphery of the main force and could see nothing of what was happening inside. Once he received word, Li Jing had already begun moving slowly with his ministers, and Yang Lian had no choice but to follow. After walking about five miles, they stopped in a relatively wide clearing.

This was the royal hunting ground, where a five-story pavilion had been built, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding five or six miles. Li Jing ascended the pavilion, followed by Li Jingsui, Li Jingda, Li Hongji, and Li Congjia. Standing on the pavilion, Li Jing looked into the distance. The royal hunting grounds were stocked primarily with mild animals like deer, sheep, rabbits, and pheasants. From the pavilion, one could see herds of deer and sheep frolicking in the forest.

"In previous years, we would hunt collectively and then distribute the catch to celebrate the festival. This year, I think doing it that way is tiresome; we should change the method," Li Jing said with a smile.

Prince of Qi, Li Jingsui, asked, "How does Your Majesty intend to proceed?"

"An independent hunt. Whoever claims the most game wins. I shall bestow upon them a special prize," Li Jing chuckled.

Among the royal family, Li Jingda was skilled in archery and horsemanship. The late Emperor had nearly named him crown prince. Although Li Jing treated him well, Li Jingda knew the Emperor was wary of him, so he remained silent. Li Hongji, however, was delighted. He loved archery and horses and considered himself the premier general of the Great Tang, though his father never gave him the chance to prove it. Hearing this, he quickly said, "Your son seconds this motion."

Li Congjia spread his hands and said, "Father, your son cannot ride or shoot; I shall forgo this hunt."

Li Hongji laughed and said, "Sixth Brother, as a man, how can you not know how to ride or shoot? Come, I will teach you."

Li Jing looked slightly displeased, but he did not want his mood ruined while in such high spirits.

Prince of Qi, Li Jingsui, stroked his beard and said, "Royal Brother, I shall also forgo it."

Li Jing then remembered that many of the royal family were men of letters. The chaos at the end of the Tang Dynasty had hit the north hardest, leading many northerners to flee to the Southern Wu. When the late Emperor replaced the Southern Wu and established his own rule, he held civil service examinations to recruit talent. Because the late Emperor prioritized peace, the Great Tang had enjoyed many years of tranquility, and the cultural atmosphere was very strong.

If Li Congjia, Li Jingsui, and the others were not participating, what was the point of the hunt?

Li Hongji, not wanting to miss the chance to gain merit, quickly said, "Father, I have a suggestion: if one does not wish to participate, they may have someone take their place."

"That is a good idea," Li Jing smiled. He looked back at Li Jingsui, Li Congjia, and the others, saying, "Let it be done this way. Although you cannot ride or shoot, you all have retainers; having them take your place is acceptable."

Li Congjia scratched his head. Although he had guards with him, he decided to pass, hoping to use this time to find Zhou Ehuang, which was far more important.

Li Jingsui thought for a moment and said, "Royal Brother, I would like to have Yang Lian take my place."

"Yang Lian?" Li Jing mused for a moment, then waved his hand with a smile. "If he agrees, I have no objections."

"Many thanks, Royal Brother," Li Jingsui said.

During this hunt, the men were on one side and the families on the other. Empress Zhong was about forty, but she looked very young, as if she were only thirty. She was the second daughter of Xu Wen’s trusted general, Zhong Taizhang. She was fourteen when she married Li Jing, who was then known as Xu Jingtong, while Xu Wen was still alive. Who would have thought that twenty years later, she would be the Empress of a nation?

Empress Zhong had a gentle, frugal, and indifferent personality. She had given birth to princes Li Hongji, Li Congjia, Li Congshan, and Li Congqian. The eldest, Li Hongji, was already in his twenties, while the youngest, Li Congqian, was only ten or so. Li Jing did not have many concubines and treated Empress Zhong with great respect; after all these years, his favor for her had not waned.

Beside Empress Zhong, the Princess of Huairou, Li Yushuang, was chattering away like a magpie. Empress Zhong had four sons but no daughters, so she doted on the Princess of Huairou. Listening to her now, a kind smile appeared on her face.

"Since this Yang Lian is so bad, I shall advise His Majesty to have him dealt with and thrown into prison," Empress Zhong said with a smile. She was secretly surprised, but since the Emperor had rewarded him, he must have some understanding of the man.

The Princess of Huairou was startled and said, "This Yang Lian, although a bit bad, doesn’t deserve to be thrown into prison. A stern reprimand to make him change his ways would suffice."

Empress Zhong was a woman of experience; how could she not understand the Princess of Huairou’s feelings? She did not point it out, allowing the girl to keep her little bit of pride. However, she herself had developed some interest in Yang Lian. Even deep within the palace, Empress Zhong had heard of the recent events, and she was curious to see him for herself.

Seeing Empress Zhong lost in thought, the Princess of Huairou assumed she had made up her mind and tugged on the Empress’s sleeve. "Auntie."

Empress Zhong returned to her senses, chuckled, and patted the Princess of Huairou’s head affectionately. "Don’t worry, I won’t lodge a complaint. However, based on what you’ve said, I’ve become quite interested in this Yang Lian. What kind of person is he, really?"

As they spoke, Yang Lian, having received the message, was slowly riding over. He was clad in fine-scaled armor, wearing a helmet. Bathed in the golden sunlight, with that faint scar on his face, he possessed a certain heroic air.

When the Princess of Huairou saw Yang Lian, she raised her hand and pointed at him, shouting loudly, "Yang Lian, come here quickly!" She ignored all royal decorum.

Yang Lian had been lost in thought, so he was moving slowly. Hearing someone call him, he stopped and looked around.

"Are you blind? Over here, over here!" The Princess of Huairou waved frantically.

Empress Zhong was speechless. This princess’s personality was like a man’s, perhaps even more boisterous; how would she ever be married off? She thought to herself that she would have to discipline her eventually, so as not to lose face for the royal family.

As the Princess of Huairou jumped about, Yang Lian finally spotted her. He signaled to Li Jingsui’s guards and walked over. When he was thirty paces from Empress Zhong, a dozen guards stopped him.

"Let him come over, let him come over!" The Princess of Huairou waved again.

Empress Zhong instructed a palace maid beside her, "Go and bring General Yang here!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the maid replied and hurried off.