Chapter 239: Yang Ye Repels the Enemy

Hezhong Prefecture — the entire Military Governor's yamen was steeped in a grim, murderous atmosphere. Several hundred armored soldiers, fully equipped, stood guard throughout, and especially around the main hall, the Hezhong yabing guards bristled with killing intent, poised for action.

"This is the imperial edict personally issued by the little emperor?" In the hall, before all the assembled civil and military officials of Hedong, Li Shouzhen weighed the document in his hand, sneering coldly at the imperial envoy standing alone in the center of the hall.

"As a subject, how dare you, Governor, show such disrespect to His Majesty?" The envoy was a middle-aged scholar with a short beard and a learned air, but he seemed somewhat single-minded — deep in a den of tigers and wolves, he still questioned Li Shouzhen without yielding on propriety.

Li Shouzhen smiled contemptuously, staring at the envoy with disdain: "The little emperor thinks this edict can bring me to heel?"

Seeing Li Shouzhen's arrogance, the envoy said in a deep voice: "By imperial decree, the Governor is ordered to transfer his seat to Jinzhou!"

At these words, Li Shouzhen's contempt only deepened. He ordered a brazier brought in, and before everyone's eyes, cast the edict into the flames.

The envoy glared at him in fury.

Watching the edict burn, slowly at first then quickly consumed by the flames, Li Shouzhen turned his head and fixed the envoy with a murderous stare: "Back when Feng Dao was here with me, he had to smile and tread carefully. You sour pedant — how dare you act so insolent before me? Are you not afraid of death?"

At this, a flicker of fear passed through the envoy's eyes, his lips trembled slightly, but he raised his chin and declared loudly: "If the Governor dares to slay an imperial envoy without cause, that will give the court all the justification it needs to send an army against you. Why should I begrudge my own death?"

"Who would have thought — with a court like this, and an emperor who is but a child, there are still loyal ministers like you who do not fear death." Hearing this, Li Shouzhen seemed somewhat moved, and with a sigh, he said solemnly: "Very well then, I shall grant your wish — you will serve as the sacrifice to consecrate my banners before I rise!"

Thereupon, as the envoy's eyes widened in alarm, Li Shouzhen gestured to the yabing guards, who dragged him away and dispatched him. Soon, a scream rang out, and his severed head was presented — Li Shouzhen seized the bloody head, raised it high, and standing before the commander's table, declared in a harsh voice: "Matters have reached this point — there is no turning back. I have resolved to raise the army at once, to punish the unjust!"

"We will follow the Military Governor in rising!" The assembled civil and military officials of Hezhong said in unison. This was, perhaps, the last time they would shout so neatly and loudly together.

In the autumn of the first year of Qianyou, on the jiyi day (the twelfth) of the seventh month, Hezhong Military Governor Li Shouzhen raised the banner of rebellion at Puzhou, styling himself the King of Qin, and sent proclamations across the realm, summoning heroes of every faction to join in punishing the "tyrannical Han."

After rising in rebellion, Li Shouzhen's first act was to send men to contact his two brothers in Tongzhou and Huazhou, and to dispatch his son Li Chongxun and yabing officer Wang Jixun with ten thousand troops southward, heading straight for Fengling Ford, intending — as planned — to cross the river south and seize Tong Pass.

And then they ran headfirst into a wall of blood.

On the south bank of Fengling Ford, at the ferry landing, a line of stockades linked together — seemingly hastily built, yet baring their fangs. A burst of vigorous cheering erupted from within; they had just won another small victory.

In the river waters below the stockades, visible to the naked eye, was a scene of utter chaos — wrecked boats, rafts, and corpses drifting downstream, while more rebels bearing the banners of the Pu army retreated in disarray toward the north bank.

On the watchtower, Yang Ye watched the panicked rebels with a composed but puzzled expression: "The Pu army is so utterly ignorant of military strategy that they simply came to throw their lives away. Could there be some scheme behind this — to deceive me into lowering my guard?"

Having followed Wang Jun to break the Shu army, and then held sole command at Tong Pass for several months — through this series of trials, Yang Ye had clearly grown tremendously compared to before; one could tell as much from the steadiness and thoughtfulness now written on his face.

On the Pu army's side, after Li Chongxun and Wang Jixun led their troops to Fengling Ford, they did not pause to adjust but urged their men aboard boats and rafts, charging straight at the government army's camp on the south bank, seeking to take the southern beach and then advance on Tong Pass city — with not a shred of tactical subtlety.

As a nail that Liu Chengyou had planted west of the pass, Yang Ye was most diligent, watching the river situation at all times. Upon learning of the enemy's move, he immediately responded swiftly, leading fifteen hundred archers into the defensive stockade that had been prepared in advance. The rebels, charging recklessly across the water in light boats and hide rafts, were nothing but living targets, easily driven back by the government army with arrows alone.

Wang Jixun organized three consecutive waves of assault, all ending in failure, with five to six hundred men lost. On the government side, the only cost was sore arms for the soldiers and some expended arrows — and in recent times, Liu Chengyou had been shipping ample military supplies from the Eastern Capital to Tong Pass, so arrow reserves were still plentiful.

This time, the Pu army seemed to have finally learned their lesson — they hunkered down on the opposite bank, set up camp, and dared not launch another rash attack.

Standing beside Yang Ye was a scholar — wearing an official robe beneath and a military cuirass over it, looking rather incongruous. This man was Zhao Xiuji, who had sought refuge at Tong Pass. Yang Ye had submitted a memorial recommending him, and given his past record of competence, his ability to read the times, and his early defection to the right side, Liu Chengyou had simply appointed him Deputy Commander of the Tong'an Army, to assist Yang Ye.

"Li Shouzhen chose his men poorly." Seeing Yang Ye's doubts, Zhao Xiuji spoke with a mix of lament and contempt, explaining: "Li Chongxun is mediocre in talent — no aptitude for administration, no military experience; he was made commander solely by birth. As for Wang Jixun — brave he may be, but he is crude and reckless, without strategy. If used to lead a charge, he might achieve wonders, but to command a great army..."

Zhao Xiuji had essentially said all there was to say. Yang Ye thought for a moment, then said: "So you're saying I was overthinking it?"

"The Army Commander bears the heavy responsibility of the vital pass of Tong Pass — caution and prudence are the marks of a fine general!" Zhao Xiuji added a flattering remark.

Yang Ye had grown a layer of beard by now; he stroked it unconsciously as he gazed across the river: "Looking at the rebels on the far bank, they number about ten thousand — Li Shouzhen has sent out half of his entire Pu army!"

"From what I know, the only somewhat formidable force among the rebels is those four thousand Hezhong yabing guards; the rest are newly recruited rabble with little fighting ability."

"Just from their disorderly banners and chaotic troop arrangements, one can tell their condition." Yang Ye muttered: "I'm half tempted to lead a band of daredevils across the river and test their mettle!"

Hearing this, Zhao Xiuji's face changed, and he hurriedly urged: "The Army Commander must not! After this battle, the rebels' momentum has been somewhat checked, but they still have numbers on their side. For now, holding Tong Pass securely and controlling this throat of the realm, awaiting the court's arrangements to suppress the rebellion — that is what matters most!"

In the time he had worked with Yang Ye, Zhao Xiuji had come to hold a high opinion of his generalship, and he understood why the court dared entrust Tong Pass to his defense. But still — he was young, and Zhao Xiuji feared he might be too eager for glory.

Hearing his counsel, Yang Ye waved a hand and smiled openly: "Rest assured, sir — I know well which matters are weighty and which are light."

Seeing this, Zhao Xiuji could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Reflecting on how calmly and steadily Yang Ye had managed the troops and defenses these past days, he chuckled at himself for worrying needlessly.

Glancing at the sky, Yang Ye pondered for a moment, then said: "It's getting late — the rebels shouldn't make any more moves tonight. This ford is a vital throat; as long as we hold the southern crossing, even if their numbers doubled, they could not easily cross. I'll leave the defense here to you, Master Zhao — tonight, take the opportunity to reinforce the riverbank defenses. Also, stay vigilant, in case they attempt a night raid!"

Hearing Yang Ye's arrangements, Zhao Xiuji was somewhat surprised and could not help asking: "The Army Commander entrusts me with such a weighty task — what do you intend to do?"

"There are still worries at our rear — the pass city must not be lost!" Yang Ye glanced toward the west.

Following his gaze westward, Zhao Xiuji said thoughtfully: "You're concerned about Hou Zhang in Huazhou!"

Yang Ye drew a deep breath and said with confidence: "For the rebellion in Hezhong, the Son of Heaven and the court long ago made preparations. Lord Bai of Jingzhao and Lord Zhao of Shanzhou will soon send troops. We only need to hold the pass city and the ford for two days!"