Chapter Forty: Yang Lian’s Proposal

With the subtle fragrance lingering in the air, Yang Lian was uncertain about the purpose behind Prince Qi’s summons. Judging from Princess Huairou’s expression, Prince Qi must be aware of last night’s events—but what would he make of them? Although the discord between Prince Qi, Li Jingsui, and Duke Dongping, Li Hongji, was common knowledge, the matter was of great significance, and it was difficult to predict Prince Qi’s next move.

Princess Huairou gazed at Yang Lian, resting her delicate chin upon her hand, hope shining in her eyes. “That melody from last night—could you play it for me?”

Yang Lian was taken aback. How did she know?

Princess Huairou laughed gleefully, her tone triumphant. “Surprised? Yesterday, Father and I were at Xiaoxiang Pavilion as well.”

Yang Lian exclaimed, “Prince Qi was there too?”

“My father was present, and he witnessed everything that transpired. Who would have expected Brother Hongji to act in such a way?” Princess Huairou’s brows arched as she continued, “No wonder Uncle, the Emperor, dislikes him—there’s reason for it.”

Yang Lian smiled faintly. No wonder Li Hongji, as the eldest imperial son, held only the title of duke; there was cause behind it. Li Jing, whose literary talent rivaled Li Yu’s, was not a fallen monarch, and his wife lacked the fame of the Zhou empresses, hence his reputation suffered by comparison.

An emperor fond of chess, music, painting, and calligraphy was, by nature, likely somewhat gentle. With Li Jing’s temperament, it was plausible that he disliked Li Hongji. As Yang Lian drifted into contemplation, Princess Huairou prodded him, “Hey, you blockhead, what are you thinking about?”

“I was wondering, if His Majesty knew about this, what would he think?” Yang Lian replied with a smile.

“What could he think? Even Uncle, the Emperor, has gone to brothels—at most, he’d scold him a couple of times,” Princess Huairou retorted with disdain.

Yang Lian rolled his eyes inwardly. Truly, like father like son; the children of mice dig holes. Li Jing loved visiting brothels, and his sons were no less eager, each generation outdoing the last.

Princess Huairou noted Yang Lian’s expression and smiled gently. Though she herself disliked her father frequenting such places, in this world, how many men did not love beautiful women? Her father had yet to establish a princess consort, which already made him a rare, upright man.

As they conversed, they arrived at Prince Qi’s residence, Princess Huairou leading Yang Lian inside—passing through without hindrance.

Prince Qi, Li Jingsui, was seated on a soft couch, sipping tea, lost in thought. Upon seeing Yang Lian enter, he narrowed his eyes, reassessing him—a man capable of surprising him. To call him a mere warrior would be wrong, for he also mastered music. Was he truly a man of both letters and arms, a gift from Heaven?

“Yang Lian, Deputy Commander of the Divine Martial Army, greets Prince Qi!” Yang Lian bowed respectfully.

“No need for formalities, Yang Lian. Come, sit over here,” Li Jingsui gestured with a smile, wondering why Yang Lian was so old-fashioned.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Yang Lian replied, moved to the side, removed his boots, and sat cross-legged.

“How have you been these days in the Divine Martial Army? Has anyone bullied you?” Li Jingsui asked with genuine concern.

Princess Huairou interjected, “Who would dare bully him? I’d say it’s fortunate if he doesn’t bully others!”

Yang Lian smiled slightly, thinking she knew him well.

Li Jingsui’s brows knitted. “Enough, I have matters to discuss with Yang Lian. You may withdraw.”

Though Princess Huairou was usually mischievous, she understood propriety. She bowed, “Father, your daughter takes her leave.”

No sooner had she withdrawn than several eunuchs entered, setting tea and pastries upon the table.

“Have some refreshments, Yang Lian. We can discuss matters at leisure,” Li Jingsui said.

Yang Lian nodded, unceremoniously taking up his tea. “Though the Divine Martial Army is the elite of the imperial guard, in my opinion, a soldier who hasn’t seen battle is no true soldier. These years, the Tang dynasty has recuperated; though national strength has revived, the realm is now in turmoil. In the north, Jin and the Khitans are tense, war could erupt at any moment. In the south, Wuyue is Tang’s greatest adversary, meddling in the destruction of Min. With external threats, there are also internal ones; without a strong army, the nation cannot be defended.”

Li Jingsui uttered an “Oh,” gazing at Yang Lian earnestly. “External threats exist, but for now, they do not concern the Tang. What do you mean by internal troubles?”

Yang Lian smiled, “Does Your Highness not understand? It is factional strife.”

“Factional strife?” Li Jingsui repeated.

“Precisely. Your Highness, has the matter of campaigning against Wuyue been settled?” Yang Lian inquired.

Li Jingsui shook his head. “At present, Song Qiqiu and Feng Yansi advocate attacking Wuyue, claiming they are bold and must be taught a lesson. Meanwhile, Lin Zaixi, Xu Xuan, and Sun Sheng oppose war, saying the realm has suffered chaos long enough and must not rashly wield arms.”

“What does Your Highness think?” Yang Lian asked.

Li Jingsui replied, “Though rash warfare is undesirable, Tang’s geography is surrounded by enemies; we cannot simply wait to die.”

Yang Lian cast an incredulous glance at Li Jingsui. Though somewhat gentle, he was not pedantic and understood the principle. He said, “Your Highness is correct. The Tang should go to war, but the direction is mistaken.”

Li Jingsui asked curiously, “Where is the mistake?”

“First, Min is mountainous and barren; occupying it yields little benefit except for strategic encirclement of Wuyue. Second, ‘when the lips perish, the teeth grow cold,’ Wuyue, to resist Tang, has always maintained good relations with the Central Plains dynasties—even Chu and Nanping are in contact. Tang is actually in great peril,” Yang Lian analyzed.

Li Jingsui deeply agreed with these points, nodding in approval.

Yang Lian continued, “If Min falls to Tang, Wuyue will inevitably respond. Though Jin and the Khitans are embroiled in tension and cannot send troops to aid Wuyue, Wuyue can persuade Chu, Han, and Nanping to join in attacking Tang. Even with Tang’s strength, simultaneous border wars would severely drain its resources.”

Li Jingsui nodded, valuing Yang Lian even more. This analysis was highly reasonable. Indeed, the court had debated, but no one had offered a better solution. He asked, “Yang Lian, what advice do you have?”

“If Tang still had generals like Li Shenfu, An Renyi, and Zhou Ben, pacifying Min might not be difficult. But with prolonged warfare in Min, Tang has already paid the price, even giving Wuyue an excuse to drag Tang into a quagmire. Min now is like a chicken’s rib—too precious to discard, too tasteless to consume.”

“Your Highness, I am but a minor official, yet my suggestion is to withdraw from Min, train the army vigorously. When war erupts between Khitans and Jin and the dust settles, send a great general to recover the Central Plains and unify the realm.”

Yang Lian’s words surprised Li Jingsui. In fact, to counter Duke Dongping, Li Jingsui intended to oppose him. Since Sun Sheng and Han Xizai, allies of Li Hongji, advocated peace, Prince Qi had to push for war, striving to make it happen.

Li Jingsui believed Min was resisting desperately but was at its end; dispatching a great general with fifty or sixty thousand troops could recapture it and crush the rebels. Yet Yang Lian opposed war, disappointing him.

Yang Lian understood Li Jingsui’s intentions. However, Tang’s best opportunity to reclaim the Central Plains was when the Khitans marched south and destroyed Later Jin. If they waited for Later Han to be established and Guo Wei to take power, the situation would change dramatically. Though Yang Lian had his own motives, he did not wish for strong external enemies to complicate matters.

But Li Jingsui’s expression showed clear dissatisfaction, and Yang Lian sighed inwardly. “Your Highness, if you truly wish for war, I advise you not to participate but let others petition.”

“Hm!” Li Jingsui nodded silently, but took no heed.

Yang Lian said no more, picking up a pastry and eating with focused attention. He had given his advice; whether it was heeded was Prince Qi’s affair.

After a brief silence, they chatted for a while longer. Li Jingsui assured Yang Lian that, despite the conflict at Xiaoxiang Pavilion with Duke Dongping, he was willing to mediate. Though Yang Lian’s answer disappointed him, his analysis was sound, and Li Jingsui still hoped Yang Lian would serve him in the future.

Seeing it was late, Yang Lian took his leave. Li Jingsui offered an escort, but Yang Lian declined. Leaving Prince Qi’s residence, Yang Lian sighed deeply. No wonder history recorded Li Jingsui’s death at Li Hongji’s hands; the man lacked decisiveness. Yet, such men were easier to control—unlike Li Hongji, who was beyond consideration.

Upon returning to the inn, night had already fallen. Xiao Hei was busy inside, and after measurements and surveying, the carpenters were ready to begin work the next day. Yang Lian inspected everything, was quite satisfied with Xiao Hei’s efficiency, praised him, and retired for the night.

In the days that followed, Yang Lian remained busy, training soldiers each day, inspecting the progress on the inn and tavern renovations, his days full and productive. Li Hongji had not come to cause trouble, which surprised Yang Lian.

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye. As the renovations neared completion, Yang Lian received news that, after repeated debate in court, a decision had finally been reached.

With the support of Prime Minister Feng Yansi and founding elder Song Qiqiu, Emperor Li Jing determined to send Feng Yanlu, Wang Chongwen, and Wei Cen with troops to Fuzhou, to support Chen Jue and ensure the capture of Fuzhou, thereby encircling Wuyue.

Upon hearing this, Yang Lian sighed softly. His butterfly wings were still too fragile to influence events.

Yet fortune favored him; Prince Qi, Li Jingsui, had heeded Yang Lian’s counsel. While he had others petition for war, he secretly advised Li Jing to withdraw from Min, conserve strength, and await the changes in the Central Plains before marching north to restore the heartland. Though Li Jing ultimately decided to go to war, Yang Lian’s purpose was half achieved. As long as Li Jing remained favorably disposed toward Li Jingsui and allowed him to ascend to the position of Crown Prince, Yang Lian’s chances of success increased.