Chapter Seventy-Three: The Military Contest (Part One)

The next morning, the training ground buzzed with activity as officers of all ranks from the Jiankang Army gathered together. Commanders and above from the Shenwu and Tianxiong armies were present, their banners fluttering proudly, exuding an imposing aura.

Emperor Li Jing of the Tang Dynasty stood atop the pavilion, observing the soldiers below. He spoke quietly with Prince Li Jingsui. Empress Zhong stood nearby, nodding repeatedly. To her, the soldiers appeared spirited and vigorous. Li Hongji was positioned a little further away, somewhat puzzled about his father’s intentions—wasn’t this supposed to be a hunting expedition?

Among the crowd, Yang Lian kept scanning his surroundings. The assailant who had launched a surprise attack the day before was very likely someone from within the army, yet Yang Lian had no clue who it might be. A profound sense of crisis had begun to take root in his heart. Everything had been progressing too smoothly lately; though not overly complacent, Yang Lian had let his guard down somewhat. That poisoned arrow had jolted him awake—there could be no negligence in the long road ahead.

Lin Renzhao stood beside Yang Lian, quietly conversing with Chen Tie behind them. Yang Lian had unexpectedly bagged quite a few game animals yesterday, winning much acclaim, and the two men were pleased. However, the attack on Yang Lian was too peculiar. Despite racking their brains, they could not fathom the attacker’s identity or motive.

Yang Lian’s keen hearing caught their private chatter, prompting him to whisper, “This is no place for such talk.”

Lin Renzhao straightened up immediately, no longer looking back, pretending nothing had happened. Chen Tie chuckled softly, his gaze fixed ahead.

At that moment, Li Jingsui stepped forward and loudly announced the suspension of the day’s hunting activities in favor of a martial competition. Calling it a competition was somewhat inaccurate. According to the prince, each army commander was to select two hundred elite soldiers to engage in combat under the leadership of their officers, right here on the training ground. The last one standing would be the victor.

Li Jingsui’s announcement was sudden, causing many officers to exchange bewildered glances. No one understood what the prince or the emperor truly intended. A competition was naturally meant to be thorough, yet the emperor’s abrupt declaration left everyone unprepared. Li Hongji was equally surprised, unsure of his father’s reasoning.

The soldiers on the training ground began to murmur excitedly. Many cracked their knuckles, eager to perform well. Yang Lian narrowed his eyes, watching Li Jingsui’s direction. It seemed the emperor was merely using the spring hunt as a pretext to reorganize the imperial guards. Clearly, his true intent lay elsewhere.

Li Jingsui raised his head and pressed his hand downward, signaling for silence. With the reassurance of the army commanders and officers, the training ground gradually quieted. The prince then announced that each army would have half an hour to prepare and select their fighters before drawing lots to decide the matchups. All soldiers were to remove the spear tips from their weapons or wrap them in cloth, minimizing casualties.

The contest aimed to seize the opponent’s command banner, testing not only the soldiers’ valor but also the commanders’ leadership skills.

Bian Hao gathered several of his officers. As commander of the Shenwu Army—the premier imperial force—he hoped his troops would rally after their recent defeat and restore their honor. Only the best would do; they must strive for first place.

As the crowds dispersed, Yang Lian pondered privately. Though termed a competition, it was more a test of command ability. The emperor likely wished to observe just that. Generals were scarce in the three armies—whether Feng Yanlu, Li Zhenggu, or Chen Jue, all were essentially scholars unsuited for warfare. In the secluded Southern Tang, literary pursuits flourished while military leadership waned. Only Liu Renzhan and Lin Renzhao stood out as true generals. Bian Hao and Li Zhenggu were consistent losers. In short, the emperor’s talent usage left much to be desired.

Behind Li Jing, Li Hongji suddenly stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute. “Father, I also wish to participate.”

“You wish to join? But swords and blades spare no one,” Li Jingsui remarked.

“Father, I have trained in martial arts since childhood, skilled in archery and horsemanship. I assure you I will not be harmed,” Li Hongji replied confidently.

Empress Zhong interjected. “Your Majesty, since Hongji is so eager, perhaps he should be allowed to try.”

Li Hongji was visibly eager. Li Jing hesitated, saying, “As a prince, if you join, the troops may not treat you as they would a regular soldier.”

“Father, I shall mask my face so no one recognizes me,” Li Hongji quickly reassured.

Li Jing considered briefly before conceding, “Very well, you may try.”

Elated, Li Hongji bowed and withdrew. He brought with him several hundred men from his household, all masked with black cloth, revealing only their eyes. Wearing a black helmet and face covering, he resembled a fearsome dark wraith.

Yang Lian surveyed the crowd and promptly selected Chen Tie, Li Ping, and Lu Mengjun. Since each team required two hundred men, the three commanders each led sixty soldiers, plus Yang Lian’s personal guard of twenty, totaling two hundred. Among them were forty sword-and-shield infantry, forty spearmen, one hundred archers, and twenty cavalry.

Yang Lian’s formation accounted for the Tang army’s shortage of warhorses. Infantry facing cavalry was a disadvantage. Since mid-Tang times, heavy cavalry had gradually faded from the battlefield, replaced mostly by light horsemen. Archers were the best countermeasure.

After half an hour, the three armies’ commanders assembled on the training ground, each searching for their units amid the disorder. Soldiers hurriedly adjusted their gear, anxious not to miss anything. Yang Lian led his men standing rigidly, conspicuous amidst the chaos.

“Whose troops are those?” Li Jing squinted, scrutinizing.

Li Jingsui smiled. “Your Majesty, those are Commander Yang Lian’s.”

“Ah, the Yang Lian who distinguished himself at the Battle of Suchang?” Empress Zhong asked playfully, feigning ignorance.

“That’s the one,” Li Jingsui confirmed.

“Seems he commands well,” Empress Zhong remarked. As a daughter of a military family, she understood a bit.

Li Jing nodded. “Yang Lian is indeed promising, though still in need of refinement.”

Li Jingsui assented. “Your Majesty is wise.”

After a moment’s pause, the three armies quieted. Each commander reported their numbers to their superior officers, who then relayed the totals to Li Jingsui. Each unit had exactly one hundred men. However, when it came to Li Hongji’s team, many were puzzled. The Jiankang, Shenwu, and Tianxiong armies combined had fifteen commanders total. How had a sixteenth team appeared?

Li Jingsui explained, “There are only fifteen commanders, so inevitably someone is left out. That’s why an extra team was added.”

The explanation was plausible, but Yang Lian found it odd that this team wore mysterious dark armor. Their leader, wearing a black helmet, frequently glanced in Yang Lian’s direction, arousing suspicion.

After the numbers were tallied, the commanders drew lots from a small jar to determine their opponents. Whether through fortune or misfortune, Yang Lian’s first opponent was Yao Feng of the Shenwu Army. Once a commander who fought in the campaign against Min, Yao was demoted to a lower rank for corruption after the emperor’s wrath. Following heavy casualties among officers at Suchang, Yao was promoted again. Bian Hao frowned upon hearing this; he least wanted to see Shenwu troops slaughtering each other. But since numbers were fixed, such internal clashes meant that Tianxiong or Jiankang might face the same problem.

After the lots were drawn, everyone returned to prepare. Though spacious, the training ground could only accommodate two armies battling at once. Drums began to beat, raising morale. Yang Lian, slated for the third match, remained calm atop his horse, observing the first battle coldly.

Li Jingsui announced the start. Spectators and low-ranking officers crowded the sidelines, while nobles watched from the pavilion above.

The first match was between the mysterious Dark Armor army and the Jiankang Army. Yang Lian glanced briefly and immediately sensed the Dark Armor troops would prevail. Their equipment was excellent, and their training meticulous. They assembled swiftly, while the Jiankang forces were sluggish, some yawning as if half asleep.

As the two sides arrayed, Li Jingsui gave the order to charge. The Dark Armor cavalry, comprising nearly half their force, surged forward, driving back Jiankang troops instantly. Their black-helmeted leader wielded a lance with devastating effect, breaking through ranks effortlessly.

Lin Renzhao frowned. “Where did this many cavalry come from?”

“Only the cavalry unit would have such numbers,” Chen Tie answered cautiously. Yet none of the Shenwu, Tianxiong, or Jiankang armies accompanying the emperor had many horsemen. This cavalry had appeared out of nowhere.

Yang Lian smiled softly. “His identity will soon be revealed. If I’m correct, that’s Li Hongji.”

“Li Hongji?” Chen Tie suddenly exclaimed, startling Lin Renzhao, who quickly clamped his hand over Chen’s mouth. A prince’s name was not to be uttered lightly. Fortunately, the others did not hear, still focused on the battle.

The black-clad commander led the cavalry straight for the Jiankang command banner. The cavalry’s charge was overwhelming, and Jiankang forces collapsed in moments, scattering in all directions.

Li Jing furrowed his brow. “Hongji’s victory is unseemly.”

“I think it’s quite impressive,” Empress Zhong said.

Li Jing shook his head. “Hongji relied on superior cavalry numbers to rout Jiankang’s formation. Had it been infantry alone, the outcome would be uncertain. Alas, I failed to consider this.”

Li Congjia, standing behind, remarked, “Father, even so, when two armies face off, the side with more cavalry rarely shows mercy.”

At that moment, Li Jingsui approached with news. “Your Majesty, the Duke of Dongping has won the first match.”