Chapter 547: I Bet My Youth on Tomorrow

Li Bai returned to Licheng and met Prince Yong, Li Lian, in the main hall of the prefectural office.

However, the young Prince Yong seemed in a very bad mood, his face like a tiger, silent. It was unclear whether he was angry at Li Bai or at himself.

Wei Zichun, the chief chronicler of the royal household beside Li Lian, frantically signaled to Li Bai. The other staff, with expressions of "watching the spectacle," scrutinized the dust‑caked Li Bai who had hurried back.

They did not look at him more favorably merely because he was the world‑renowned Poet Immortal.

"Your Highness, Li (I) have returned to resume my duties."

Li Bai crossed his hands in a salute to Prince Yong Li Lian, saying he had already sensed the hall's atmosphere was off, yet he did not know where these oddities came from.

"Judge Li (Li Bai now serves under Li Lian as a Jiedushi judge), where is the great seal of the Dengzhou prefect? If the seal is missing, where is Prefect Wang Weizhong?"

"You are on official business in Dengzhou; there must be some result, right?"

Gao Shang, standing beside Prince Yong Li Lian, asked coldly. He had long been displeased with the unruly Li Bai, whom scholars disdain.

Just as Li Bai was about to suffer a great misfortune, his old friend, always brilliant in strategy and eloquence, the highly respected Wei Zichun in the Prince's staff, stepped forward to smooth things over, saying:

"Your Highness, our recent takeover of the Jiaodong provinces has not gone smoothly, and now we hear the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army has landed in Dengzhou; it seems unlikely that Wang Weizhong will hand the prefect's great seal to Li Taibai.

Perhaps we should first hear his report on Dengzhou's situation before making a judgment."

Wei Zichun both warned and nudged Li Bai, hinting at why Prince Yong Li Lian was in a bad mood, and also gave Li Bai a chance to defend himself.

If Li Bai fails to seize this opportunity, he is truly beyond remedy.

The jurisdiction of the Tianping Army Military Governor comprised only Jizhou, Qizhou, and Zizhou. Previously, the Tang court's political situation was unclear; a large territory was not a blessing and easily invited attacks from Hebei rebels.

Thus Li Lian chose to hold his forces, quietly lying in wait within those three prefectures.

Now Li Chang has lost the court's grand righteousness, and the chance to let the princes expand their territories has finally arrived. Consequently, Prince Yong Li Lian's thoughts began to stir.

He dispatched Li Bai to Dengzhou, Li Taiqing to Laizhou, Xue Liu to Yizhou, Cai Shang to Mizhou, and Wei Zichun to Qingzhou, ordering them, in the name of the Prince and the Tianping Army Military Governor, to persuade the five prefects to submit to him.

However, except for Qingzhou, which is nearest to Qizhou, the other prefects flatly refused! Some even threatened to report the matter to the court!

Li Bai was the farthest traveler on this mission and had been detained by Fang Chongyong for a day, so while everyone else had returned days ago, he only now hurried back.

Prince Yong Li Lian, despised by the prefects of those states, is now in a terrible mood; it is normal that he shows Li Bai no friendly expression.

Li Lian had originally thought it great: he is a prince, a potential future emperor! Anyone who backs his ascent will, once he ascends, enjoy wealth and luxury. The return on supporting a dragon's rise is extremely high, practically earning money while lying down!

There would absolutely be countless people flocking to him!

But harsh reality taught Li Lian a lesson.

The prefects of these states have no interest in Li Lian, a prince with few troops, few generals, no money, and no "righteous banner" to rally under.

Obviously, to attract others, one must have strength.

The saying that forging iron requires a solid core applies; merely relying on a prince's name cannot make the prefects bow their heads.

Heh, you still think the people of the world are that simple.

Li Lian now lacks strength; simply put, he lacks money, food, soldiers, generals, armaments, horses—almost nothing he needs is available. The administration and livelihood affairs of these three prefectures are also merely average.

"Your Highness, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army now occupies Dengzhou. However, the Fang Jiedushi is very obedient to you and has even drafted a letter. I have brought the correspondence back; please review it."

Li Bai lifted the letter with both hands, handing it to Gao Shang, who then passed it to Li Lian for perusal.

The great hall fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone present knew that whether Li Bai could extricate himself depended entirely on what the letter said. If it contained anything adverse to Li Bai, he would certainly be unable to walk away unscathed.

Prince Yong Li Lian skimmed through the letter at a glance, then read it again. His expression was tangled, and for a moment he could not utter a word.

Fang Chongyong mentioned several points in this letter:

First, Dengzhou's situation is complicated; with me, the Jiedushi, handling matters for you, that's sufficient. Even if you send someone, you won't be able to control it!

Second, the Tang realm is chaotic now, and the court in Chang'an is also in turmoil; you should encourage yourself and not fall into despair.

Third, Xuanwu Town and Tianping Town's defense zones are very close; I will share the military pressure from Hebei on your behalf.

However, the specifics of how to cooperate are hard to explain in a few words. I hope

If Your Highness is swamped with affairs and cannot find time, we can discuss it later; I'm not in a hurry.

All other idle talk is easy to accept, but the third point, though Fang Chongyong phrased it vaguely, plainly means: if you don't come this time, you will never be allowed to come again.

To go or not to go, that is a matter of life and death.

Don't say Li Lian could possibly go lightly and discreetly; even if he led ten thousand assorted soldiers, he would still not be a match for the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army!

So essentially, once he goes, his life will be in Fang Chongyong's hands.

Precisely because of this, Li Lian feels extremely troubled.

Why did the Jiaodong provinces previously ignore him? It was because under his command there were no notable commanders or elite troops!

With Fang Chongyong's strong assistance, this dead‑end chessboard revived.

Li Lian holds the title of prince, Fang Chongyong possesses the power to sweep across the Jiaodong provinces, and they have the six prefectures of Xuanwu Town as backing. Together, the states Li Lian controls would number over ten!

Such a large domain, while its potential may not match Hebei's, still has enough strength to grapple.

If it runs smoothly, this would be the third strongest power within the Tang realm, and everything is highly promising.

But the condition is that he must make a trip to Dengzhou to be considered admitted.

This can also be called the test Fang Chongyong presented.

You wouldn't even dare to come to Dengzhou, which is nearby and free of strong enemies; how can I believe you have the ability to ascend the throne?

Do you deserve it?

Prove it to me!

Fang Chongyong's challenge is not hard to do, but it greatly tests one's intellect and demeanor.

"Everyone, what do you think?"

Li Lian handed Fang Chongyong's letter to Gao Shang, who skimmed through it at a glance, said nothing, passed it to Wei Zichun, and then circulated it one by one.

When the letter made a round and returned to Li Lian's hands, the prince, whom Brother Ji had enfeoffed as the Eternal Prince, couldn't help but sigh.

I really want to take this step, but… what if disaster strikes, what then!

Li Lin weighed the matter repeatedly in his mind, indecisive.

"Your Highness, the situation is now murky and the risk of going to Dengzhou is enormous. Perhaps Your Highness should remain seated in Licheng while I go speak with Fang Qing on your behalf."

Gao Shang, with lowered brows and a gentle expression, offered his suggestion.

Li Lin noticed the empty space where Gao Shang's right arm should have been beneath his sleeve, recalling that the arm had been cut off by someone.

He then waved his hand lightly, clearly disapproving of Gao Shang's proposal.

Either we don't go at all, or we go openly and send someone, which would be like starting off already at a disadvantage.

How can we cooperate in the future then?

Moreover, Gao Shang's right arm was the one Fang Chongyong cut off, so what could be achieved if these two negotiate together?

Even if Li Lin were foolish, he knows the stakes involved, and could never simply be led by the nose by Gao Shang.

"Your Highness, I think we can go, and should even travel lightly and discreetly to show our sincerity."

Wei Zichun crossed his hands in a salute and said.

Li Lin gave a slight nod without a word, then looked at Li Bai and asked, "What does the magistrate Li think?"

"I think the same, and I dare stake my life as guarantee; Your Highness will be completely safe on this trip to Dengzhou."

Li Bai also went all out, directly offering to risk his life in return.

"Your Highness must not, Fang Qing's intentions are unclear. If someone intends to harm you, who can bear that responsibility?"

The magistrate Li said he would guarantee with his life, but what of it? If something happens to Your Highness, Li Taibai's suicide would not bring the dead back to flesh and bone!

The speaker, Liu Julin, a commander under Li Lin responsible for training the troops, launched a tirade at Li Bai.

His reason for opposing Li Lin's meeting with Fang Chongyong was simple: both Fang Chongyong and the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army are renowned and quite powerful.

If the other side supports Li Lin's rise, then Fang Chongyong would become the top commander of Li Lin's forces.

The military authority Liu Julin holds might even be subject to Fang Chongyong's control.

With someone like that blocking the way, Liu Julin's prospects are essentially hopeless. If he doesn't step forward to oppose now, does he intend to wait until Fang Chongyong arrives and then be slapped in the face?

Wei Zichun immediately retorted, "Liu Julin, do not let personal ambition ruin the Prince's great cause! If we cannot secure the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's service, we must eradicate them. Can you defeat Fang Qing? If you can, without further ado I would advise the Prince not to go to Dengzhou and let you lead troops to attack Dengzhou!"

Wei Zichun, being Li Lin's chief strategist and eloquent, at that moment berated Liu Julin so fiercely that Liu didn't know how to reply.

"Yeah, if you can do it, go ahead! Why haven't you gone up yet?"

Facing such a challenge, Liu Julin, a martial man by birth and naturally inarticulate, was left speechless.

His subordinates are just a handful of worthless brats; bullying the common folk is enough, but what combat power does the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army possess?

They roam unchecked in Hebei, a top‑tier force that countless bandit armies cannot handle. Liu Julin now leading his weak subordinates to attack Dengzhou is no different from a suicide mission.

"Enough, no more arguing!"

Li Lin shouted angrily, and the entire government hall fell silent at once.

"As Deputy Commander Wei said, I will go to Dengzhou myself; you all need not persuade me further."

Li Lin struck the table once, sealing the decision.

Wei Zichun hurriedly crossed his hands in salute to Li Lin, saying, "I will accompany Your Highness, with Li Taibai leading the way."

"Please grant Your Highness's permission!"

Li Bai also stepped forward, saluted Li Lin, and spoke.

Having said that, naturally no one stepped forward to block.

Gao Shang let out a silent sigh; his counsel against Prince Yong going to Dengzhou was not solely because Fang Chongyong had cut off his arm.

It was because of Li Lin… he is nowhere near Fang Chongyong's match! In the future this prince will be sidelined into a puppet, a foregone conclusion.

By then, Li Lin likely won't even have time to weep.

"That's it, Gao Shang, you handle the miscellaneous affairs of Licheng and need not come along. Tonight is late; we set out tomorrow."

Li Lin gave Gao Shang a brief instruction, fearing the eunuch might cause trouble.

……

That night, Li Bai, dragging his exhausted body back to his home in Licheng, lay down on the soft couch in the study, crossing his legs and closing his eyes to rest.

His wife, Lady Zong, quietly entered the study and massaged his legs and feet.

Lady Zong's grandfather was Zong Chuke, a chancellor during the Wu Zhou, whose mother was a clan sister of Wu Zetian, making the Zong family's lineage quite extraordinary.

Lady Zong married Li Bai purely out of love‑struck infatuation, also because she adored his poetry and the so‑called 'wanderer's sentiment.'

In a word: this is love!

Li Bai, now middle‑aged, having such a 'fangirl' from an official family by his side, naturally harbored no complaints; their relationship was excellent.

Lady Zong noticed Li Bai's unusually bright mood today and, curious, asked, "Ah Lang, you're beaming today—what joyous news have you encountered?"

Li Bai, never a scheming person, and with no guard at all toward his wife, immediately laid out the events of the past few days to Lady Zong.

However, despite the happy news, Lady Zong showed not a hint of a smile.

She said anxiously:

"Ah Lang, Fang Qing's father Fang Youde is renowned throughout the world, and this young Fang Jiedushi is no ordinary figure. The matters between these people and Prince Yong are not for you to intervene in."

Now that the Son of Heaven has murdered his father, the divine artifact is disgraced. Beyond Guanzhong, many restless factions stir.

If Prince Yong raises an army and succeeds, that's fine; but if he fails, Ah Lang, how will you fare?

Hearing this, Li Bai replied indifferently, 'What does this have to do with me? Don't speak so alarmingly.'

Li Bai seemed unconcerned; even if Li Lin were defeated, he would be fine, simply retreating to the mountains.

But Lady Zong continued, 'Ah Lang's name is known everywhere; everyone is interested in your affairs. If Prince Yong fails, others' fates are uncertain, but you will certainly be singled out by the victor. Because your fame drags you in, it's a burden of reputation!'

The more Lady Zong spoke, the more irritated Li Bai became.

'Now that the world is in chaos, a true man cannot help but strive for great deeds!'

'By linking the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army to support Prince Yong, he gains the capital to march into Guanzhong. Such a grand matter is beyond the comprehension of a woman like you.'

Stop talking so much! Time to sleep!

Li Bai, very angry, scolded Madam Zong for a while, then turned away and ignored her.

Having long grown accustomed to Li Bai's temper, Madam Zong could only sigh helplessly, having no way to handle Li Bai.

People tend to feel invincible when times are smooth; many are like that, and Li Bai is no exception.

In Madam Zong's view, whether it's Prince Yong or the Fang father and son, their affairs are like battles among immortals—any move could affect the livelihood and even the lives of thousands.

These matters are not ones that Li Bai, a mere mortal who only knows poetry, can take part in.

Outsiders call you a "Poetry Immortal," but don't actually think of yourself as an immortal!

Madam Zong muttered helplessly in her heart, "Li Bai has this flaw; it can't be changed, so we can only let him be."

She slipped out of the study, closed the door, and felt waves of worry in her heart.

Prince Yong seeks the backing of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, and Fang Qing governs the lands of six prefectures.

Isn't this just bargaining with a tiger for its skin?

Madam Zong, born into an official family, feels that the murky waters Li Bai wades into this time are truly bottomless.