Chapter 518: Ji Ge Returns to His Loyal Chang'an

Baqiao, the first stop east of Chang'an, is so famous that virtually everyone in the Tang Empire knows and understands it.

It was once part of Chang'an city, even a hotspot for the region's poets and scholars, leaving countless splendid verses.

Local chronicles recorded Baqiao as "five li of embankments, ten thousand willow trees, tourists shoulder‑to‑wheel, a spectacle of Chang'an."

Unfortunately, now sixty thousand troops from the Western Regions and Longyou are arrayed here, troops at the city gates, and no tourists can be seen.

All that can be seen everywhere are the gleaming Bright Light armor and various swords, bows, crossbows, and other weapons.

And a host of stout Northwestern men, clad in armor and brandishing weapons, like tigers about to burst from their cages.

Their imposing aura can be felt from afar!

From Baqiao one can gaze upon Chang'an city, the massive metropolis right before the eyes.

Many soldiers from Anxi and Beiting have never in their lives seen a city larger than Liangzhou; now they stare wide‑eyed, unable to believe such a colossal city exists.

It does not seem like something meant for the mortal world.

This is Chang'an, the heart of the Tang Empire, its glory and pride.

"General Li, have you sent someone to Chang'an to urge surrender?"

Ji Ge shot a glance at Li Guangbi, his questioning tone very unfriendly, as if on the brink of exploding.

Yesterday Ji Ge suffered such a huge loss, letting Zhang Guangsheng lead troops to charge the imperial tent—a disgrace beyond shame!

The real mastermind behind all this was not Zhang Guangsheng and his men, but Li Guangbi.

Li Guangbi indeed knows how to command troops, having almost wiped out the "bandit army" recruited by Yan Zhenqing, while his own losses were negligible.

Calling him a famed general is no exaggeration for Li Guangbi.

But he truly knows nothing about being a person!

As the overall commander of this battle, Li Guangbi neglected the defense of the imperial tent, giving the enemy an opening.

Just for that, a few years ago Ji Ge could have ordered his outright execution.

But now, in this time of staffing, Li Guangbi cannot be moved, not even corporal punishment.

With the emperor in the camp, protecting the sovereign comes first; everything else follows. Winning the enemy but losing the emperor would be meaningless.

In Ji Ge's view, Li Guangbi inherited a "bad habit" from his adoptive father Wang Zhongsi: good at tasks, poor at being human.

So when Li Guangbi returned last night to plead guilt, Ji Ge gave him no friendly look, and now still wears a stern face, anger unabated.

"Your Holiness, the rear general has already sent envoys into the city to deliver the final ultimatum; a response should arrive soon."

Li Guangbi replied cautiously, fearing to provoke Ji Ge's sensitive nerves.

"Hmph, better that there is a response."

Ji Ge let out a cold snort, a flash of resentment passing through his murky eyes.

Last night he wished to slaughter Zhang Guangsheng and Yan Zhenqing on the spot, but after a night's sleep he reconsidered and found that neither truly qualified as a "bad person."

At least Ji Ge thinks there are countless people in Chang'an worse than those two, innumerable.

While dealing with Zhang Guangsheng and Yan Zhenqing, the hidden figures in the shadows cannot be ignored or omitted.

Ji Ge silently tallied the list in his mind, pondering who might be undermining him, and inadvertently forgot last night's humiliation.

Zhang Guangsheng has long endured terrible conditions with no prospect of promotion; he merely wanted to show Li Chang his ability, using Ji Ge as leverage to flip his status.

He is a perpetually loyal but unappreciated wretch, who eventually turned dark, love turning to hatred.

Yan Zhenqing adheres to rigid Confucian doctrine, believing this emperor has brought heaven's wrath upon Tang, deserving abdication, with the crown prince succeeding, in line with the Mandate of Heaven.

Although Yan Zhenqing's actions resemble rebellion, he feels he is restoring the state and feels no shame.

Ji Ge thinks such a person can only be called "stupid," not "bad."

Then who truly is the "bad person"?

Obviously, the unobtrusive Guanzhong aristocrats within Chang'an.

The Wei, Pei, Du, Dou, Dugu families, and their own brothers, nephews, etc., each one uncleanable.

These are the true "bad people."

When I finally enter Chang'an, I will spare them no mercy! These families must answer for themselves!

Ji Ge silently swore in his heart.

Soon, the spacious Chunming Gate opened slowly, and a middle‑aged man in a purple official robe, leading the "Hundred Officials" (actually only a dozen or so), stepped out.

"Sinner Miao Jinqing, respectfully welcomes the Holy One into the palace!"

Miao Jinqing, upon seeing Ji Ge in a dragon robe, immediately knelt before him.

His move left Ji Ge somewhat puzzled.

Wasn't Miao Jinqing the guy I kicked out to the provinces as a prefect years ago?

Because of that some imperial examination cheating case, how did this guy end up back in Chang'an?

"Why are you wearing a purple robe? Weren't you sent out by me to be a prefect?"

Ji Ge, puzzled, his face as still as water, asked calmly.

Kneeling, Miao Jinqing could not rise, his voice trembling with tears, "I was the prefect of Hebei; Huangfu Weiming plotted rebellion, and I, unwilling to join the traitors, fled back to Chang'an."

Ji Ge, such a keen political animal, guessed the whole story at a glance.

Miao Jinqing had once been an invigilator for the imperial examinations, and due to a major oversight, his official career bore a stain.

Why is he the one to greet me?

Because he carries a blemish, was a prefect who fled back to Chang'an, once held a high office, and now idles at home.

So he deserves to go out and meet his death.

In fact, this is a gamble: win and return to office, lose and have the whole clan remade in the furnace; the stakes are enormous.

As for Li Chang when in Chang'an, those officials around him… heh, if they don't run, are they waiting to be settled by Ji Ge after his return?

Naturally, those who could run have already fled.

After understanding this, Ji Ge's face showed a cold smile, and he gave Li Guangbi a signal.

"Have all the garrison inside the city come out and surrender their weapons!"

Receiving Ji Ge's signal, Li Guangbi stepped forward and shouted at Miao Jinqing.

Zhang Guangsheng's night raid made Ji Ge a little jumpy, fearing that after entering the city someone would pull a similar stunt on him.

"Your Majesty, all the garrison is gathered inside Xuanwu Gate; please dispatch a general to control them, and that will suffice."

Miao Jinqing bowed again, so frightened he almost wet his pants.

Ji Ge then nodded with satisfaction and gave Li Guangbi a few instructions. Immediately, Li Guangbi ordered Zhang Boyi, with three thousand men, to enter the city first to scout and then take control of Xuanwu Gate.

The others remained in formation at Ba Bridge and would not act rashly.

If Zhang Boyi has already taken Xuanwu Gate, then signal fires will be the cue. Upon seeing the signal fires inside the city, Li Guangbi will escort Ji Ge through Chunming Gate into Chang'an.

At that time, the clearing will be cleared, the encampments will be set up, with no further discussion.

Ji Ge neither approved nor disapproved of the arrangement, but seemed quite satisfied.

Gao Lishi whispered something into his ear; Ji Ge listened and nodded, his expression softening slightly.

"By the way, where is that rebel Li Chang? Bring him to see me!"

Ji Ge seemed to recall this matter, his face turning cold again, and he stared at Miao Jinqing as he asked.

"Your Majesty, he fled to Longzhou. The other minor officials are also not very clear."

Miao Jinqing spoke word for word, choosing his phrasing carefully and leaving no gaps.

"General Li, dispatch ten thousand men to attack Longzhou."

With no alternative, Ji Ge had to issue an order to Li Guangbi.

He did not expect that such a simple order would put Li Guangbi, who never hesitates in battle, in a difficult position.

Seeing Li Guangbi remain silent for a long time, Ji Ge grew puzzled and asked him, "Is this matter difficult to handle?"

Hearing Ji Ge's question, Li Guangbi truly did not know what to say.

You might say Ji Ge is stupid, but in fact he is extremely clever, masterful at manipulating power.

But if you claim he is truly smart, sometimes he doesn't even understand basic common sense.

"Your Majesty, the soldiers marched from the Western Regions, traveling thousands of miles; they have just arrived at Chang'an today, after nearly a year has passed.

The troops have endured much hardship along the way and are already very fatigued.

At this moment they long for Chang'an's splendor and are unlikely to be willing to go elsewhere.

The soldiers need a proper rest in Chang'an before they can resume fighting to quell the rebels for Your Majesty.

Even a low-ranking general could not forcibly order them under such widespread discontent; I ask Your Majesty for forgiveness."

Li Guangbi's words were very tactful, yet the meaning was conveyed.

He believes that even if Ji Ge is foolish, he should understand what is being implied.

Pursuing and capturing the former Crown Prince Li Chang is the final and most crucial step of this military operation.

As the saying goes, when the flying birds are gone, the fine bow is stored; once Li Chang is captured, the usefulness of the sixty thousand Western troops will be greatly reduced.

Ji Ge must understand this principle; perhaps he is merely pretending to be clueless.

Therefore at this critical juncture, no matter how absent‑minded the Western troops are, they will not ignore Chang'an's bustling world and run to Longzhou to starve.

They have now seen the Gold Mountain; the elites can no longer lure the grassroots lowly soldiers with empty promises.

If no reward is given, then say nothing else; you can go cool off! I don't care what kind of dog emperor you are!

The reward Ji Ge can offer is to let the sixty thousand soldiers loot within Chang'an, preferably according to the list Ji Ge provides.

However, it is foreseeable that no force can supervise these lowly soldiers from running amok.

A three‑day great plunder of Chang'an is just the starting price! Ji Ge dares not even contemplate what will happen next.

If Ji Ge dares to renege, these lowly soldiers would now dare to turn hostile on the spot!

"Your Majesty, returning to Xingqing Palace first is urgent."

Gao Lishi whispered a suggestion into Ji Ge's ear.

He had already noticed that after Ji Ge had Li Guangbi send troops to chase Li Chang, the atmosphere on the spot became somewhat awkward.

"Then, enter the city first; we can discuss the other matters later."

Ji Ge suppressed his inner anger, feigned indifference, and said that he now fully understood his situation.

It is far from the outward appearance of a call that is answered by all.

Li Guangbi hurriedly defended himself, saying, "Your Majesty is wise; after the troops finish resting in Chang'an, conquering Longzhou and capturing Li Chang are merely tasks at hand, so please do not worry."

"Hmm, then I entrust this matter to General Li."

Ji Ge's expression remained calm; his murky gaze revealed no deeper meaning, but it was certainly not willing.

Li Guangbi felt a prickling at his back and could not say much more.

He is not that greedy nor that ambitious; life simply forces him. Many matters now have little to do with Li Guangbi.

When things reach this stage, regardless of what Ji Ge or senior generals like Li Guangbi say, the troops will execute orders unconditionally.

In name, Li Guangbi is the commander of this army and can dispatch troops.

But that is not because these troops are his private army, nor because the Tang establishment still exists for the imperial authority to be answered with a single call.

Rather, the Western army and Ji Ge are currently in a hard‑to‑describe power‑play, cooperating yet repelling each other.

The officers came to Guanzhong to "find opportunities," the soldiers came to Guanzhong to "seek wealth," and Ji Ge came to Guanzhong to "clear the field." They share common goals and a common enemy, so Li Guangbi can command them, and Ji Ge can command these senior generals.

If this balance breaks, for example when the lower‑rank soldiers have plundered enough in Chang'an, they will want to return to the Western Regions, to Hexi Longyou.

At that time, the officers find it hard to defy the lower soldiers' wishes. When the subordinates want to leave, the superiors can hardly hold them back.

Let alone Ji Ge, who can't even shoulder a pack or lift a hand‑cart!

Li Guangbi must both deal with Ji Ge and consider the feelings of the lower soldiers, a task as precarious as walking a tightrope.

Just as Li Guangbi was daydreaming, smoke signals rose from the direction of Xuanwu Gate within Chang'an city. Miao Jinqing was not lying; indeed, all the remaining garrison troops in Chang'an had gathered at Xuanwu Gate.

At this moment, a faint smile finally appeared on Ji Ge's withered, yellowed face.

Although the process was winding, he won this round.

Or rather, he almost won, about to win, only missing Li Chang!

"Send the order down: enter the city first. General Li's troops are to garrison Taiji Palace, Daming Palace, and Xuanwu Gate; General Gao's troops are to garrison Xingqing Palace and the outer city walls."

Ji Ge instructed Li Guangbi and Gao Xianzhi beside him.

Obviously, Li Guangbi had mishandled security before, losing Ji Ge's trust, so this capricious emperor handed the security of Xingqing Palace over to Gao Xianzhi.

That is, to the troops of the Anxi Northern Court.

Nevertheless, the two defense zones were divided quite fairly; Li Guangbi and Gao Xianzhi had no objections and each took their orders.

Accompanied by Gao Lishi, Ji Ge leisurely walked step by step toward Chunming Gate.

In an instant, Ji Ge seemed to see a phantom resembling his younger self, riding a tall steed, swift as lightning, charging out of the gate with a dozen or so men.

They wore fearless, soaring youthful expressions, shouting at each other, brandishing riding whips.

But when Ji Ge came to his senses, he found nothing there.

The huge Chunming Gate had no civilians, no gate officials, no life at all.

"Alas!"

Ji Ge let out a long sigh, not knowing what to say.

The main gate of Xingqing Palace is close to Chunming Gate; a few steps away.

However, when Ji Ge reached the entrance of Xingqing Palace's main gate, he was stunned.

Because a seal was pasted on the door.

Moreover, the seals were both new and old, and the door had several iron locks attached!

On the pristine palace wall, someone had even written a poem mocking him!

The wall bore the following lines:

Chang'an's white day shines on the spring sky, green willows knot smoke, hanging in the gentle wind.

Before the Perfume Hall, flowers just turn red, fragrance spreads, colors bloom within the embroidered doorway.

In the embroidered doorway, we pass one another.

The flying swallow queen dances lightly, the Purple Palace lady sings a peerless song.

The saintly ruler has 36,000 days, year after year, what joy is there?

"Tear it down! Pull down this wall! It's an eyesore! Too much trouble!"

Ji Ge pointed at the palace wall and shouted, almost in a fit of rage.

Being a "literary youth" since childhood, Ji Ge recognized at a glance that the poem was mocking him!

So he instantly lost his composure.

Gao Lishi was a bit dull, lacking cultural literacy, and failed to see how the poem mocked Ji Ge.

He lowered his voice and suggested, "Your Majesty, having just returned to Chang'an, the political situation is still unstable; perhaps wait a few days before acting."

This was a sincere remark; Ji Ge, angry, pointed at the outer wall of Xingqing Palace and said, "Scrape it all clean! Then find out who wrote this poem!"