Chapter Sixty-Three: The Saint's Heart Is Unfathomable

Li Jing smiled faintly, unwilling to explain further.

Li Jingsui chuckled and said, “Yang Lian, there’s no need to be alarmed. I recommended you to His Majesty, since you once saved Princess Huairou. But you must know, your name is too sensitive, so His Majesty wanted to put you to the test.”

Yang Lian wiped the sweat from his brow and replied, “His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven. This test has truly frightened your humble servant.”

Li Jing laughed heartily, looked at Yang Lian, and seemed satisfied. “Beloved Minister Yang, you have performed a remarkable feat this time. I shall reward you handsomely. Speak—what is your desire?”

“Your Majesty, I have but one request,” Yang Lian said, bowing deeply.

“Speak freely,” Li Jing nodded.

Clad in armor, Yang Lian bowed once more. “Your Majesty, the recent turmoil in Changzhou was entirely caused by the secret machinations of the Wuyue people. Your servant was fortunate to quell the unrest and would not dare claim credit. But I beg Your Majesty to pardon the soldiers of the Shenwu Army and the Tianxiong Army. Your mercy will be remembered by all the troops, who will serve the Tang with unwavering loyalty, expanding the realm—a tale worthy of praise.”

Before Li Jing could answer, Li Jingsui laughed and exclaimed, “Splendid! What a fine ambition to expand the realm!”

Li Jingda also laughed and said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

Li Jing narrowed his eyes, studying Yang Lian. “Truly, heroes are born young. Your words, Minister Yang, are well noted. Since you plead for the others, I shall set aside this account for now and allow them to redeem themselves through merit. Yet, this may seem unfair to you.”

“I am just in reward and punishment. Since you have rendered great service, you must be rewarded. I hear the Shenwu Army has suffered severe losses; many commanders and captains have fallen. I hereby appoint you as Commander. If you distinguish yourself further, you shall be promoted again,” Li Jing declared.

Yang Lian bowed hastily. “Your humble servant Yang Lian thanks Your Majesty for the favor, and will devote himself entirely to the nation.”

Prince Qi, Li Jingsui, laughed, waving his hand. “Yang Lian, you’ve been campaigning for some days now. Why not return home and see your family?”

“Your servant takes his leave,” Yang Lian replied, backing out, as a young eunuch awaited him at the door to lead him from the palace.

Inside the grand hall, Li Jing paced slowly. “This man is indeed not the former crown prince of the previous dynasty.”

Li Jingsui said with a smile, “Elder brother, you are wise. If he were truly the old crown prince, would he dare come to Jinling? He’d have long since fled to some remote mountain forest.”

Li Jingda added, “Your Majesty, there is still a tomb for the old crown prince on Sakura Isle. How could he climb out from the grave? I simply don’t believe in the dead rising.”

Li Jingsui frowned slightly. “Fourth brother, mind your tongue.”

“It matters not,” Li Jing replied magnanimously. He trusted his own brothers well enough. After a moment’s thought, Li Jingsui said, “Though Yang Lian is not the old crown prince, his name is far too sensitive. If he serves in court, he’s bound to attract criticism from the censors. And with his stubborn nature, he won’t change his name—a real headache.”

Li Jing laughed, “You do speak up for him.”

“Elder brother, it’s only right—he did save Princess Huairou. If anything happened to him, I’d feel uneasy,” Li Jingsui replied.

Li Jing liked this display of benevolence and thought for a moment before saying, “Since that is so, I shall personally issue an imperial decree, appointing him Commander of the Shenwu Army, fifth rank, and bestowing upon him a silver carp pouch as a mark of honor.”

With the emperor’s own silver carp pouch, it was as if Li Jing had openly acknowledged Yang Lian’s identity. No one with sense would dare trouble him. At this, Li Jingsui cupped his hands, “I thank elder brother on Yang Lian’s behalf.”

Yang Lian left the imperial palace, glancing back at the city where he had once lived, his expression shifting slightly. Though he had appeared calm, he had actually been tense. Li Jing was a strange character—versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, a true scholar. Such men are typically gentle, but he was, after all, an emperor. Since ascending the throne, he had abandoned Li Bian’s peaceful policies, choosing instead to wage war on all sides—a man of grand ambition, or perhaps one who delighted in conquest. A single misstep earlier, and his head might have rolled.

Now, outside the palace, he felt cold sweat on his back. It had indeed been a dangerous encounter. Fortunately, he had Prince Qi, Li Jingsui, to help him. Things had not turned out so badly after all. On the contrary, Yang Lian had been promoted from a minor officer to Commander, joining the ranks of senior officers—a cause for some relief.

He walked along the Qinhuai River, lost in thought, and before he knew it, he was near home. Looking up, he saw a noisy crowd ahead. A line of more than ten carriages nearly blocked the road. Yang Lian hurried over, wondering what was happening. As he approached, he saw several menservants carrying chests into an inn.

This party was lively, so much so that neighbors peered out curiously. Yang Lian made his way forward, noting that the leader was a tall, slender man, pale-faced and beardless. At the door, Wang Hu emerged to meet them.

“We come by His Majesty’s command to deliver an imperial edict. Where is Yang Lian?” the man called out, his voice shrill—it was a eunuch. Since Yang Lian had walked, and this party was mounted and prepared, they had arrived a bit before him.

Wang Hu froze—his master had not returned yet. But hearing that this was an imperial decree, he was so startled he could hardly speak.

Yang Lian hurried up and saluted the eunuch. “Sir, I am Yang Lian.”

“Very well. Receive His Majesty’s edict!” the eunuch announced.

Yang Lian bowed and received the decree. The eunuch smiled and read aloud, “Yang Lian of the Shenwu Army, loyal and patriotic, calm in the face of peril, set right chaos amidst rebellion, achieving great merit for the nation and the people. He is hereby appointed Commander of the Shenwu Army, awarded a silver carp pouch, and given gold, silver, and silk. Thus decreed.”

The decree was brief and without literary flourish—Li Jing likely thought Yang Lian a military man, and kept it simple. Everyone present understood: the proprietor of the Yang Family Inn had gone to Suchang and returned an official. But what was a silver carp pouch? Some didn’t know, but those who did explained: it wasn’t an office, but an ornament worn at the waist by officials.

Since the Tang dynasty, third rank and above wore purple robes with gold carp pouches; fifth rank and above, crimson robes with silver carp pouches; below sixth rank, green robes without a pouch. Southern Tang followed much the same system. The position of Commander was fifth rank, barely qualifying for the silver carp pouch. But for the emperor to bestow it personally was an honor—one could not earn it by rank alone.

Yang Lian rose to accept the decree, but felt a chill in his heart. In the palace, Li Jing had constantly tested him; had he not kept his composure and denied everything, he might have been torn apart by soldiers. Having struck him with the stick, Li Jing now sent a sweet date, making sure everyone knew—it was a calculated act. Truly, the emperor’s heart is hard to fathom; though a scholar, Li Jing was no easy man to deal with.

The eunuch had the gifts set down, then left with his train. Yang Lian narrowed his eyes, watching them go. Wang Hu, coming to his senses, grinned obsequiously. “Congratulations, Master!”

Yang Lian shuddered at the smile and quickly said, “Go heat some water. I haven’t bathed in days.”

“Yes, sir,” Wang Hu replied, hurrying off.

Yang Lian stored the gifts, while Xiao Erhei and Zhao Peng were kept busy. The neighbors, smelling opportunity like leeches scenting blood, flocked to congratulate him—after all, he was the first fifth-rank official from this street. Yang Lian thought it over, had Xiao Erhei accept the gifts, and hosted a banquet for everyone at the restaurant.

Only when the crescent moon hung on the treetops did he finally see the guests off, thinking the whole affair more exhausting than battle. Returning to the inn’s rear courtyard, he bathed and slept soundly.

The next day, he rose early and left the city for the military camp to report. Li Zhenggu, Gao Shensi, and Zhu Kuangye had already returned and were discussing matters. Upon learning that Yang Lian was back, they all breathed a sigh of relief. The three of them had each seen the emperor the day before, and each had a different experience—stories that brought sighs all around.

Li Zhenggu, in particular, had knelt and confessed his faults, begging for punishment. Li Jing, who favored him, and knew his shortcomings as a commander, merely scolded him and sent him back to camp. Gao Shensi, still wounded, was told to rest and recover. Zhu Kuangye remained commander of the Tianxiong Army, but his salary was halved.

What puzzled them was the emperor’s attitude toward the defeated troops. The day before, he had spoken of harsh punishment for all involved in the mutiny; yet that morning, he sent word that the rebellion was the work of Wuyue agents, and, out of mercy, allowed the troops to redeem themselves.

The three didn’t understand until Yang Lian, with careful composure, hinted at the truth. They then realized it was thanks to Yang Lian’s intervention. Still, they wondered why the emperor would agree to his request.

Yang Lian, however, understood perfectly. If Li Jing had truly wished to slaughter the soldiers, he could have done so easily, even without a battle—by poisoning the army’s provisions under the pretense of rewarding them, not a single one would escape. But the sudden death of ten thousand men would bring universal condemnation; even an emperor must weigh the consequences.

Now, by granting Yang Lian this favor, he also extended it to every soldier of the Shenwu and Tianxiong Armies, demonstrating his magnanimity and earning public praise. Yang Lian did not resent this; it was, in fact, a win-win situation.

That same day, soldiers of the Shenwu and Tianxiong Armies were reorganized and sent back to their units. As the Commander of the First Division had been killed, Yang Lian took his place; Chen Tie was promoted to Captain under Yang Lian; Lin Renzhao was made Deputy Commander of the Second Division, acting as Commander for now. The Third Division remained under Zhou Hongzuo, with other positions unchanged. Li Ping, Yao Feng, and others were likewise promoted to Captain.

With Yang Lian’s promotion, the other Commanders came to offer their congratulations. After finishing his duties, Yang Lian invited them to a small gathering at the restaurant—only Zhou Hongzuo begged off, claiming illness. No doubt he was unhappy that his former subordinate had risen so quickly, now his equal. Yang Lian paid it no mind and drank and laughed with the others until they were all thoroughly drunk.