Chapter Sixty-Four: The Mountain Rain Has Come

Although the Son of Heaven had pardoned the Divine Martial Army and the Heavenly Hero Army, some remained relentless in their grievances.

Even before Li Zhenggu returned to the capital, a faction led by Han Xizai and Xu Xuan had submitted petitions, blaming the commanders heavily for the defeats at Fuzhou and Suchang, urging the emperor to punish them severely. When the Divine Martial and Heavenly Hero armies arrived in Jinling, they were first ordered to encamp outside the city walls, then disarmed. Both Han Xizai and Xu Xuan believed that the Divine Martial and Heavenly Hero armies were doomed.

However, events did not unfold as they had anticipated. Li Zhenggu, Gao Shensi, and Zhu Kuangye suffered only minor punishments, which to Han Xizai and Xu Xuan seemed merely symbolic. Meanwhile, a certain Yang Lian, a general sharing the same name as the former crown prince of the previous dynasty, astonishingly received multiple promotions in quick succession. He was now a fifth-rank commander and had even been granted a silver fish pouch as a reward.

This was intolerable! Han Xizai could not comprehend it. Was the emperor confused? But the emperor was at the zenith of his reign, surely not muddled.

It had to be the work of villains, deceiving the sovereign’s ears. As a loyal minister, Han Xizai felt compelled to warn the emperor. Half an hour later, a petition filled with eloquence and heartfelt concern for the nation and its people was composed. Anxious, Han Xizai finished writing and immediately commanded his servants to prepare a carriage, hastening to the imperial city.

Along the way, Han Xizai pondered how best to persuade the emperor. The carriage trotted briskly along the Qinhuai River. Suddenly, it came to an abrupt halt. Han Xizai, lost in thought, nearly fell forward but was saved by the thick Sichuan brocade lining the carriage.

Furious, Han Xizai lifted the curtain and glared at the coachman, ready to curse. But then he noticed the street ahead was packed with people, crowds pressing shoulder to shoulder.

“What on earth is going on?” Han Xizai muttered, rubbing his forehead in frustration. Despite his erudition, he came from humble origins—some habits die hard.

Startled, the coachman looked back at Han Xizai and said, “Master, I don’t know why, but suddenly there are many people up ahead.”

“Pull over to the side,” Han Xizai ordered. The coachman steered the carriage to the roadside.

“Go and see what’s happening. Where are the constables?” Han Xizai instructed.

The coachman nodded, dismounted, and mingled among the crowd, asking questions here and there. After a while, he hurried back and reported to Han Xizai.

Hearing the news, Han Xizai’s face brightened. “Quick, to the imperial city!”

The coachman quickly climbed aboard and forced the horses through a narrow path in the crowd, provoking curses from the onlookers. Han Xizai rushed toward the palace like a man fleeing for his life.

Upon arrival, Han Xizai changed into his crimson official robe. Though only a sixth-rank Doctor of Rites, Han Xizai was granted the rare privilege of wearing the scarlet robe, a favor bestowed by the emperor when he was still crown prince, due to their close relationship.

Feeling proud, Han Xizai suddenly recalled that Yang Lian had been promoted from a mere junior general to a commander, even surpassing his own rank and the right to wear the scarlet robe. This stung his pride, and he silently grumbled before composing himself and proceeding to pay homage to the emperor.

Li Jing was taking his midday nap, weary and troubled by recent affairs. Just as spring blossoms brought a rare moment of peace, a trusted eunuch roused him. “Your Majesty, Doctor of Rites Han Xizai requests an audience.”

“At this hour? What could he want?” Li Jing rubbed his eyes, annoyed. He and Han Xizai had once been confidants, sharing long talks through the night. After ascending the throne, Li Jing had instructed his attendants not to deny Han Xizai if he appeared. This was no exception.

“Your Majesty, Doctor Han has a petition to present,” the eunuch said respectfully, wary of provoking the emperor’s ire.

Li Jing nodded. Since Han Xizai bore a petition, it must be important. Donning a cloak, he said, “Bring him to the study.”

Moments later, Han Xizai hurried in and bowed deeply. “Your servant Han Xizai pays respects, Your Majesty.”

“Shuyan, no need for formalities,” Li Jing said, using Han Xizai’s courtesy name.

Han Xizai smiled faintly. Their bond was close; accusing a newly promoted commander was no challenge. Moreover, Yang Lian had even bribed soldiers of the Divine Martial Army—this was a grave offense.

“Your Majesty, here is my petition. I humbly request your consideration,” Han Xizai said.

“Hm, what matter requires you to come personally with a petition?” Li Jing asked, curious, taking the document.

Han Xizai seized the moment. “Your Majesty, the defeats at Fuzhou and Suchang have emboldened the state of Wuyue. The root cause lies with villains deceiving Your Majesty.”

Li Jing set down the petition, displeased but curious. “Deceiving me? Whom do you accuse?”

“Your Majesty, I have written it clearly in the petition. Chancellor Feng, Chief Councilor Chen, Minister of Works Song, and others have formed factions for personal gain, harming the nation and people. It is detestable that the defeated Yang Lian was promoted to fifth rank. This is unforgivable.”

Han Xizai was proud and outspoken. Though he bore no personal grudge against Yang Lian, the latter’s rank and association with Li Zhenggu’s faction stirred his anger.

Li Jing raised an eyebrow. He did not need to read the petition to grasp its contents. Controlling his temper, he said, “Very well, I understand. You may withdraw.”

Han Xizai hesitated, sensing the emperor’s weariness. “Your Majesty is wise; I trust you will give me an answer,” he said before taking his leave.

Li Jing watched him go, suddenly wide awake. As Doctor of Rites, Han Xizai managed the five rites competently. More importantly, he was diligent and avoided factional struggles, handling entrusted matters admirably. Yet recently, his conduct was disappointing.

Moreover, Han Xizai’s earlier words were baseless in the first half and seethed with resentment in the second. Was the emperor’s favor, the special scarlet robe, insufficient to satisfy his vanity?

Li Jing quickly skimmed the petition, growing more displeased and wide awake, rising to peruse other petitions piled on his desk.

There were petitions from Song Qiqiu and Minister of Works Song, Chancellor Feng Yansi, and others. They all conveyed the same sentiment: the defeat at Fuzhou was misfortune, but the Tang Empire was at its peak and destined to expand its dominion. A single loss was insignificant; even the illustrious Tang Taizong had suffered defeats.

Li Jing frowned slightly. Then he read petitions from Xu Xuan, Sun Sheng, and Chang Mengxi, all demanding harsh punishment for the defeated Chen Jue and Feng Yanlu.

“This court is on the brink of chaos,” Li Jing muttered with a bitter smile, dreading the troubles ahead.

At that moment, Yang Lian was saying the same.

Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie sat opposite Yang Lian, sharing drinks.

“According to Prince Qi, Han Xizai, Xu Xuan, Sun Sheng, and others have already submitted petitions impeaching Chen Jue and Feng Yanlu, which Prince Qi has forwarded to the emperor’s study as planned,” Yang Lian said.

Chen Tie was puzzled. “Commander Yang, though Chen Jue and Feng Yanlu have not openly supported Prince Qi, they are followers of Song Qiqiu, who is close to the prince. Why send these petitions to the emperor?”

Lin Renzhao smiled. “Better to block than to avoid. The emperor will know sooner or later. Besides, Han Xizai was once an old courtier of the Eastern Palace and trusted by the emperor. If these petitions were not submitted, Han Xizai would find another way to inform the emperor.”

“Exactly,” Yang Lian nodded, sipping his wine. “A storm is brewing over Jinling. Let us watch closely and see who will laugh last in this battle of dragons and tigers.”

After some brief conversation, the three parted ways. As Yang Lian predicted, the Tang court soon changed its colors.

The defeated Chen Jue, Feng Yanlu, Wang Chongwen, and Wei Cen were arrested and sent back to the capital. Li Jing ordered them imprisoned in the royal dungeon, given only food and water daily. They petitioned for an audience, but Li Jing refused to see them.

Yang Lian anticipated Han Xizai’s next move. Indeed, Han Xizai submitted another petition demanding severe punishment for Chen Jue and Feng Yanlu. Following his lead, Sun Sheng, Chang Mengxi, Xu Xuan, and others also submitted petitions. Within a single day, more than fifty petitions piled up, all calling for harsh penalties for the defeated commanders.

Li Jing was overwhelmed by the mountain of documents. Unlike Han Xizai’s faction, Song Qiqiu and Feng Yansi remained silent, as if unaffected. Yet Yang Lian worried; after all, he had advised Prince Qi, who merely used his status to suppress Song Qiqiu and Feng Yansi’s ambitions. If Han Xizai, Xu Xuan, and others persisted, Feng Yansi might intervene—after all, Feng Yanlu was his younger brother; he could not stand idly by while his kin perished.

Around the defeats at Fuzhou and Suchang, the Tang court plunged into brief turmoil. Officials debated fiercely, and common folk in the markets discussed the matter. Some claimed that Feng Yansi, Feng Yanlu, Chen Jue, and others colluded, causing the loss of more than 20,000 soldiers, either dead or captured, bringing grief to their families. The crimes of Feng Yanlu and Chen Jue must be punished; execution was necessary to appease public anger.

Others argued that victory and defeat are common in warfare. Who could guarantee a lifetime of success? War always costs lives; those afraid of death should not be soldiers but return home to farm.

For a time, Jinling buzzed with all manner of opinions. Yang Lian’s tavern became an excellent hub for gathering intelligence. Scholars and literati gathered daily, pontificating grandly, as if they alone understood the empire’s fate, much to Yang Lian’s exasperation.

Yang Lian did not disdain scholars but felt this group was lacking. Song Qiqiu, though autocratic and factional, was exceptionally talented and had helped Li Bian seize the Yang and Wu territories. That was true merit—scholars of such caliber shaped the world.

The court’s dispute lasted half a month with no clear victor. The emperor had yet to make a statement. Yet then, more troubling news arrived.

Following the defeat at Fuzhou, Tang deserters swept into Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, pillaging and burning, stirring public outrage. The former Min general Liu Congxiao was furious, leading troops to expel the Tang forces, becoming the de facto ruler of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou.

This news struck the Tang court like a thunderclap. Reflecting on the years of futile campaigns in Min territory, with tens of thousands of soldiers lost and over a million shi of grain consumed, it was truly a costly and fruitless endeavor.