Chapter 525: The Debt Collector Comes to the Door

Boom!

Thunder crashed, from far drawing near, exploding beside the ear.

Late summer weather was exceedingly capricious. One moment the sun blazed bright, the next it turned to a torrential downpour with lightning and thunder.

A gust of fierce wind blew in, and the windows of every room in the So line: Qinzhengwubenlou all creaked and groaned.

The imperial study, whose windows had been open, had its contents scattered everywhere by the wind.

Gao Lishi personally shut all the windows while picking up the books blown to the floor (all in scroll form) and stacking them on the shelves.

Brother Ji, who had been dozing with eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes and asked in a languid tone, "Lishi, has there been any word from Li Guangbi and the others? So many days have passed, and they still haven't taken Longzhou?"

His words carried dissatisfaction, because by calculating the travel time, Li Guangbi should have long since sent someone back to Chang'an to report.

Regardless of the outcome.

Even if the siege dragged on without success, he should have found some excuse to explain.

"Sage, the Longzhou area has many mountains and complex terrain. Perhaps the offensive hasn't gone smoothly, and Li Guangbi wants to wait until he has results before reporting back to you."

Gao Lishi made excuses for Li Guangbi.

Gao Lishi was unlike ordinary eunuchs; he still had some insight into political operations. At this critical juncture, no matter what, they had to set aside prejudices and unite to weather the crisis together.

Trust those you employ—since Li Guangbi and Gao Xianzhi had been given command of the troops to suppress the rebellion, it was inappropriate to undermine them from behind.

Otherwise, things would surely only get worse.

This was why Gao Lishi now consistently defended those generals sent out on campaign.

"I still feel somewhat uneasy in my heart.

Lishi, tell me this—where couldn't that beast Li Chang have run off to, that he had to run to Longzhou? That place has no people and is close to Chang'an. What is he after?

Even if he were blind, Quanzhong's eyes are not blind. How could they go there?

Even if they had gone to Liangzhou, I would have been helpless against them.

Liangzhou has hundreds of thousands of households and over a million people of fighting age—how is that inferior to Longzhou?"

Brother Ji asked with some puzzlement.

Lately, he had been puzzling over one thing.

What kind of man was Fang Youde? A military talent of the first order, capable of what others could not. If Fang Youde had taken Li Chang to Liangzhou, he might well have carved out territory and crowned himself king, becoming the "Huangfu Weiming" of the Hexi Corridor.

Such a fine move, yet he didn't take it, instead leaving things stranded in the backwater of Longzhou. A few thousand households, impoverished and weak. No people, no money.

What was he after?

Brother Ji didn't understand.

The torrential rain outside was still falling, just like Brother Ji's mood at this moment. Gloom tinged with a trace of helpless languor—he only wanted to lie on the soft couch in the imperial study, doing nothing, thinking of nothing.

The glory of the High Tang—that was long gone compared to former years. Let it be.

Those offspring scheming for power, the rotten and decadent Chang'an aristocrats—let them all go to hell!

He was tired. Let it all be destroyed.

Brother Ji slowly closed his eyes and lay back down.

He realized that after dealing with Li Chang, he still had to contend with Huangfu Weiming.

And his aging emperor's body might not necessarily last until the day the realm was pacified.

The road ahead was bleak and gray—it seemed that no matter what he did, he could never fill this bottomless pit.

Since effort was useless, then why keep trying?

Just then, the study door was pushed open directly! Utterly disregarding propriety, appallingly rude!

Cold wind mixed with rain blew into the room, making Brother Ji, lying on the soft couch, startle with a jolt.

"What is it, General Guo?"

Seeing that the newcomer was Guo Ziyi, Brother Ji slowly sat up and asked without hurry.

He couldn't even be bothered to put on the appearance of someone devoted to state affairs anymore.

"Sage, the main force of the Western Army led by Li Guangbi and Gao Xianzhi suffered a crushing defeat at Longzhou and was nearly annihilated!

Fang Youde led a counterattack and has already fought his way to Sizhuyuan!"

Guo Ziyi was drenched from head to toe, his armor thoroughly soaked, as though he had been fished out of a boiling pot, looking utterly wretched.

Where was Sizhuyuan?

It was the Bamboo Palace of the Sui dynasty, built by order of Yang Jian.

After Li Yuan took control of Guanzhong, he renamed it Sizhuyuan and expanded it. It was the largest imperial reserve west of Chang'an, and also the site of Luogu Pass, the most critical node on the Yueluo Road (connecting Guanzhong to Hanzhong).

It was the last barrier on the western side of Chang'an. Beyond it lay the West Wei Bridge, a place of equal significance to Ba Bridge.

In short, Fang Youde had led his troops right to the gates of Chang'an!

Although Brother Ji didn't know the specific terrain around Longzhou, he had visited Sizhuyuan many times. The lush bamboo groves there were a fine place to escape the summer heat, leaving a deep impression on him.

The moment he heard that Fang Youde had reached Sizhuyuan, Brother Ji instantly rose to his feet from the soft couch, eyes wide as he glared at Guo Ziyi.

On that aged face, it was as if the four characters "unbelievable" were written.

"General Guo, speak slowly. What exactly happened?"

Gao Lishi hurried over to help Guo Ziyi up, his hands unable to stop trembling.

As though he saw doomsday about to descend.

"Sage, I do not know the situation at the front lines. But a county lieutenant from Wugong County fled back to Chang'an and reported that the county seat has been seized by Fang Youde, and the main force of the Western Army was annihilated at Longzhou.

Since Fang Youde has arrived, then Generals Li Guangbi and Gao Xianzhi must certainly have been defeated—of this there is no doubt."

Guo Ziyi explained with a soft sigh.

In truth, he also had his suspicions: the likelihood of Li Guangbi and Gao Xianzhi surrendering to Li Chang was slim, and they couldn't have persuaded tens of thousands of men to surrender either. So defeated was defeated—this was plain to see.

"General Guo, given the present situation, what should be done?"

Brother Ji asked in a low voice, seemingly having regained his composure.

"This subordinate is willing to serve as Your Majesty's vanguard, stationing troops at West Wei Bridge to repel the enemy."

Guo Ziyi cupped his fists in salute and said.

"In that case, proceed according to plan."

Brother Ji nodded slightly and said, ignoring Gao Lishi's anxious expression, and waved his hand dismissively.

"Orders received! This subordinate will go make defensive arrangements at once!"

Guo Ziyi departed upon receiving the order, crisply and decisively.

After he left, Gao Lishi quickly shut the study door, disregarding all propriety of rank, and spoke up to dissuade him: "Sage, the situation has gone terribly wrong. Can that Guo Ziyi really be trusted? Li Chang could make him and the ten thousand troops under his command lay down their weapons with a single written order. Sage, we must guard against this..."

"Of course I know!"

Brother Ji rudely interrupted Gao Lishi's words.

"We leave right now, depart from Chang'an."

Brother Ji said resolutely.

"Leave?"

Gao Lishi was taken aback, recalling that it was still pouring rain outside.

How were they supposed to leave in this!

"Change into coarse hemp clothes, find a small carriage, just the two of us, and leave Chang'an. I will go with you right now! The faster the better!"

Having said that, Brother Ji walked to the cabinet, took out a set of coarse cloth clothes prepared in advance, and put them on.

"Go give instructions to those on duty in the palace, just say the Sage has gone to inspect Daming Palace."

At this moment, Brother Ji's mind seemed exceptionally calm, every detail accounted for.

"Sage, where shall we go then?"

Gao Lishi's face showed puzzlement—with the world so vast, was there still anywhere to go?

"To Shu."

Brother Ji tossed out two words, and casually tucked the Imperial Seal of State, engraved with "Mandate of Heaven, Longevity and Eternal Prosperity," into his robe.

Gao Lishi nodded, having already understood everything.

Going to Shu—that meant he planned to rot away in Shu, completely washing his hands of all worldly affairs!

Shu was geographically relatively isolated. No matter who it was, fighting their way through Shu would not be a quick matter. Brother Ji going to Shu meant he would live out his days there, asking nothing and concerning himself with nothing.

"Please wait a moment, Sage. This servant will go attend to it at once."

Gao Lishi said softly.

Finding a carriage in the palace would certainly be simple, but it would also expose their whereabouts. Fortunately, there were many carriage rental shops within Chang'an, where obtaining a carriage was also convenient.

Gao Lishi departed swiftly, leaving only Brother Ji alone in the study, deep in silent thought.

……

Over at Xuanwu Gate, after Guo Ziyi had finished reporting the military situation to Brother Ji, he too fell into deep contemplation in the duty room.

Li Guangbi and the others had been defeated—how were they defeated? That was unknown, but one thing was certain: Fang Youde was formidable, far outclassing Li Guangbi and the others.

Guo Ziyi felt that the ten thousand men under his command absolutely could not hold Chang'an.

Not to mention his limited prestige in the army, the troops under his command were not his loyalists, and their loyalties were divided.

But if they could not hold Chang'an, did that mean they had to surrender in advance? Not necessarily.

Surrender might seem simple, but in reality it was not. This was a difficult step to take, and there could be no suspicion of "betraying one's master to beg for mercy."

Left with no choice, Guo Ziyi summoned his subordinate general Chen Huiguang to discuss countermeasures.

Many of the generals in the army already knew that Fang Youde had led troops to Sizhulin, just a stone's throw from Chang'an.

At this point, concealing the news was unnecessary; better to be open and honest.

"General Guo, how should we respond now?"

Chen Huiguang asked cautiously.

At this moment, there were only the two of them in the Xuanwu Gate duty room. And the Xuanwu Gate where they were was not the Xuanwu Gate of Taiji Palace, but the Xuanwu Gate of Daming Palace!

Through here, one could go straight to Zichen Hall.

"I too am undecided. What do you think?"

Guo Ziyi did not state his own thoughts, but instead asked a counter-question.

Chen Huiguang spoke bluntly: "The current Sage... has grown old. General Guo, you must still prioritize the state. The Sage is not the entirety of the nation and its altars of soil and grain."

His calculating was practically shoved right in Guo Ziyi's face.

Brother Ji was old, the Western Army had suffered a crushing defeat, and had previously looted Chang'an extensively. At a time like this, if they did not find a new patron, were they just going to wait for death inside Xuanwu Gate?

After hearing these words, Guo Ziyi fell silent in thought. A moment later, his expression turned displeased as he demanded:

"Do you want to directly bind the Sage and deliver him before the new Son of Heaven?"

Such a thing absolutely could not be done—the risks were enormous.

"General Guo, how could we deliver the Sage before the new Son of Heaven?

We do not need to do anything. We only need to not do anything, and that will suffice."

Chen Huiguang hinted to Guo Ziyi with great bluntness.

Guo Ziyi understood this little scheme instantly.

We would not betray the Sage, but when Fang Youde led his troops charging in, whether we could stop him or not would be uncertain.

If Fang Youde ultimately brought the Sage to the new Son of Heaven's side, that would be his affair, nothing to do with us.

We would have already fulfilled our duty of guarding; losing would simply mean our skills were inferior.

If the new Sage came to urge surrender, we would not be able to do anything to him either.

Anyway, it's all the Li family's internal affairs; Brother Ji is an emperor, and Li Chang is also an emperor. Those damn nonsense matters have nothing to do with us soldiers who just eat rations.

"If so, then let's head to Xīwèi Bridge now to set up defenses."

General Guo Ziyi let out a long sigh, as if tacitly accepting Chen Huiguang's statement.

Defense, they still have to defend a bit; they can't do nothing at all, let alone hand Brother Ji over to Fang Youde.

But if they can't defend, that's merely a matter of capability, not of attitude.

Soldiers, after all, value "loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness." Whether they are truly loyal is another matter, but at least they must appear loyal to outsiders, otherwise they can't find a footing in the camp.

"Understood!"

Chen Huiguang clasped his fists in salute, yet did not depart, seeming to have something to say.

"Just say whatever it is directly; we're at a critical juncture."

Guo Ziyi waved his hand wearily.

"General Guo, the court's waters are too deep; shouldn't we keep our distance from Guanzhong?"

Today we pledge loyalty to the sage, tomorrow the new emperor will ascend.

Whether we are a loyalist army or rebels entirely depends on how others look at us.

"What should we do then?"

Chen Huiguang complained with some dissatisfaction.

Guo Ziyi had nothing to say; in fact, it wasn't only Chen Huiguang who was dissatisfied—he was also quite displeased.

In the end, whose orders should we follow, whether our position is stable, and whether we border troops might inadvertently become rebels?

Who can give a reliable word?

"We'll discuss those matters later; first, go to Xīwèi Bridge to set up defenses."

Guo Ziyi shook his head, unwilling to continue entangling himself.

……

The heavy rain had just passed, and the sky spat out a pale, fish‑belly white. A night's rain left a chilling dampness on the skin.

On the east side of Xīwèi Bridge, the West Army soldiers stood in neat ranks, forming a single file to clear a path. Guo Ziyi and several West Army commanders rode their horses in the middle of the road, blocking it.

Across the Wei River stood the Controlled Crane Army led by Fang Youde, with the emperor Li Chang at his side.

The two armies faced each other on both banks of Xīwèi Bridge.

Both sides were silent, only the rolling Wei River murmuring continuously.

The atmosphere on site was grim, yet the soldiers on both sides were not overly tense.

Because this battle could not be sparked, there was no need to fight.

The Controlled Crane Army wished to preserve its strength and did not want to strike first.

The West Army, having suffered a crushing defeat and heavy losses, only wanted to quickly complete the procedures, pledge loyalty to the new emperor, and find a way out.

Their backs are covered with bad debts; whether the plundered wealth can even be kept is doubtful—who has the mind to fight under those circumstances!

Since neither side wishes a deadly clash, the current forest of swords and spears is merely for show.

"Your Majesty, you can now walk straight across Xīwèi Bridge and persuade Guo Ziyi and the others to lay down their weapons and flags; I will wait here for you."

Fang Youde said to Li Chang beside him.

Originally, Li Chang had been preparing to wait in Longzhou.

But Li Chang's close eunuch Cheng Yuanzhen said that the matter of taking the throne in Chang'an could not be delegated; Li Chang must handle it personally.

Otherwise, if Brother Ji is still in Chang'an, who knows whether Fang Youde would be loyal to him?

Li Chang thought Cheng Yuanzhen's argument not without reason; at the very least, he should maintain influence within the army.

Thus, Li Chang, under the protection of Li Guangbi, Gao Xianzhi, and a group of West Army remnants, caught up with the Controlled Crane Army's forces.

In this way, at least in terms of face, it resembled a new ruler leading troops to force his father to abdicate.

This is also an old tradition of the Tang Dynasty's Xuanwu Gate succession law, considered ancestral law.

Hearing Fang Youde say that, Li Chang realized he had wrongly blamed the other side, and lightly nodded, "Then I shall go now."

Li Chang strode across Xīwèi Bridge with his head held high, and nothing untoward occurred during the crossing.

He walked step by step to the generals such as Guo Ziyi, who all dismounted, knelt, and clasped fists in salute, saying, "The guilty humbly welcome Your Majesty!"

"Rise, all of you; I pardon your crimes. The past is past, and I will not hold it against you."

Li Chang smiled and said, making a gesture of feigned support.

Hearing this, Chen Huiguang beside Guo Ziyi shouted, "Long live!"

"Long live!"

"Long live!"

"Long live!"

Behind them, the soldiers all shouted in unison, letting out a sigh.

Li Chang couldn't help but exhale in relief.

High risk, high reward; these soldiers were actually waiting for a chance to be handed a stepping stone. Once the stepping stone was offered, they would follow it down without any hesitation.

At that moment, Li Chang sensed the marvel of politics.

In fact, after Fang Youde annihilated fifty thousand West Army troops, the overall situation was settled. The remaining West Army's struggles were futile, and those people clearly understood their predicament.

"Old Zamao, are you ready? I am coming to collect a debt from you!"

A grim smile flashed across Li Chang's face, then vanished quickly.