Chapter 737

Luo Yu'er let out a long sigh. This time, someone truly had him by the throat.

Although Cao Yanying had been a widow when she remarried him, and had even brought along two children from her previous marriage, in Luo Yu'er's heart, this Fourteenth Lady of the Cao family still held a place of incomparable importance.

She was his first love, his white moonlight!

Back in the day, when Luo Yu'er was still a poor boy, he had set his sights on this delicate young lady of the Cao family.

And at the time, Luo Yu'er could sense that Cao Yanying had feelings for him too.

But the gap in their stations was far too great. He, Luo Yu'er, was merely the son of an old yabing guard of a Military Governor, while Cao Yanying was the treasured pearl in the palm of Cao Yuande, eldest son of the Great King.

Luo Yu'er still remembered to this day how, when Cao Yanying was about to be married off, she had made a special detour to the western gate where Luo Yu'er stood watch, casting him that one heartbroken glance.

Of course, Luo Yu'er also still remembered the moment when, listening to the blaring drums and pipes of the wedding procession, his tears fell silently.

This was also a major reason why Luo Yu'er, as an elite yabing guard of the Cao family's Guiyi Army, had resolutely followed Zhang Zhao westward.

One can also imagine how overjoyed Luo Yu'er must have been when, after returning from Khotan, he discovered that Cao Yanying had become a widow.

His fists clenched until the knuckles cracked. Of the six children Cao Yanying had taken to Chang'an, two were from her previous husband, one was born to Luo Yu'er's late wife, two were born to concubines, and the youngest was the precious daughter Cao Yanying had borne him.

Luo Yu'er's branch of the family had never flourished. Of three brothers, only he had grown to manhood, and his father's generation had only two brothers as well.

So when Luo Yu'er suddenly found himself with six children, his father and uncle were extraordinarily excited, believing it a sign that the Luo family was about to rise.

If anything were to go wrong, Luo Yu'er dared not imagine whether his father's health could withstand the news.

"Lord of the Commandery, someone has come from the Chang'an prefectural office. Cao Yuanli is also waiting outside."

Just as Luo Yu'er's thoughts were drifting far away, the voice of his personal guard captain came from behind him.

Cao Yuanli was the eldest son of Cao Renzun, and also the Cao family's liaison with him this time.

At these words, the sorrowful look on Luo Yu'er's face vanished in an instant, and the tenderness disappeared just as quickly, replaced by a fierce, impatient expression.

This was the protective mask of his lordship the Commandery Duke. With this standard rough soldier's bearing, he had fooled countless people into letting down their guard.

"Have a hundred armored soldiers follow me. Pick the brothers we trust most, and do not make a sound.

Also, send word to Guo Guangwei to hold the pass tightly. No one opens the gates without orders. Anyone in Jinchang Garrison who dares leave camp — execute them!"

Guo Guangwei was from the Guo family of the East-Return faction, currently serving as Patrol Inspector of the eastern gate of Tong Pass and Commander of the Left Battalion of Changguo Garrison.

Although Luo Yu'er was not certain that the Cao family's ranks included former generals from Meng Shu, he had already realized that these several thousand former Shu troops might be a problem.

His orders given, Luo Yu'er strode out the door with feigned boldness and said to Cao Yuanli with a great laugh, "Uncle, there is already word from Uncle and Twenty-First Brother."

Cao Yuanli had in fact already received word from Cao Yancun, but he feigned ignorance, raised an eyebrow, and asked in surprise, "So soon? It has only been three days from the Chang'an prefectural office to Tong Pass."

Luo Yu'er pretended to laugh excitedly a few more times, while inwardly sneering with contempt.

He had merely said there was word, yet this Cao Yuanli was already certain that Cao Yancun had arrived. Such behavior — did he take him, Luo Yu'er, for a fool?

"Twenty-First Brother is a born commander! With the garrison troops of the Chang'an Three Guards under his command, they are no worse than the imperial troops of my Jinchang Garrison. They will reach the West Pass post station by evening. Uncle, come with me to receive them."

Even at this point, Cao Yuanli still did not realize he had misspoken. He leaned in closer to Luo Yu'er with feigned caution.

"Has Dalang's manpower been prepared? Whether this matter succeeds depends entirely on whether we can control the Three Guards.

These Guanzhong men are not as sensible as our own Hexi people. Those who came from Hexi all know what sort of man Pei Yuan is — how could we allow that treacherous minister to dominate the court? These Guanzhong men have little understanding, and might well stir up trouble."

Luo Yu'er waved his hand with complete confidence. "Uncle, rest assured. The three hundred men I have selected this time have all been raised with my heart and soul. They are absolutely reliable."

"Good then! Good then!" Cao Yuanli stroked his beard and repeated "good then" twice.

"Dalang is so righteous and clear-minded. Once we reach the Divine Capital, we will certainly guarantee you the post of Military Governor of the Three Garrisons, and enfeoff you as a prince."

The so-called Military Governor of the Three Garrisons was the price Cao Renzun and his faction had offered Luo Yu'er.

These three garrisons were Hezhong, Heyang, and Shanzhou — essentially handing everything from west of Tong Pass to Luoyang into Luo Yu'er's hands, and they would also enfeoff him as Prince of Wei.

Hearing Cao Yuanli speak thus, Luo Yu'er appeared even more delighted, and warmly took Cao Yuanli's hand as they walked down from the pass.

Cao Yuanli had been carefully observing Luo Yu'er's expression the whole time, but no matter how he looked, this Commandery Duke of Qingyang maintained that same rough, forthright appearance, without the slightest anomaly.

West Pass post station was a relay station west of Tong Pass. Travelers from Chang'an to Tong Pass generally stopped here to rest.

Luo Yu'er brought over a hundred armored soldiers, falsely claiming three hundred. Cao Yuanli also had a dozen or so armored men with him. Taking advantage of the dim evening light, they galloped from Tong Pass toward the West Pass post station.

As for why he brought only a hundred-odd armored soldiers, Luo Yu'er had thought it through. The current situation was that the Emperor had gone beyond the frontier, and had not returned to the seat of government for ten months.

In recent months, rumors had been flying everywhere, saying all sorts of things, but all of them were pessimistic about the Emperor's campaign north of the frontier. Everyone felt that the Emperor's rash decision to go beyond the frontier with only thirty thousand cavalry was extremely reckless, and could not possibly achieve any results.

Some even began comparing the Emperor's habit of riding out with tens of thousands of cavalry to roam at will to Sun Ce of the Three Kingdoms.

The implication was obvious: how did the Little Overlord of Jiangdong die? Was it not precisely because, like the Emperor, he loved to roam about courting danger, until someone finally seized the opportunity?

Of course, some also compared the Emperor to the late Zhuangzong Emperor of the Later Tang. The difference was that Li Tianxia loved actors and would even take the stage himself, while this Zhang the Unrivaled loved young warriors and was always roaming about with no proper business.

With these two examples for comparison, it seemed that overnight, the Emperor's image in people's minds was no longer so invincible — as if he had suddenly fallen from an immortal to a mortal man.

This was why Luo Yu'er was being so cautious. With rumors flying everywhere and his family held hostage, if he went and laid everything out to the entire Changguo Garrison, there was no telling whether the troops below would trust him — and Cao Yanying and the six children in the Chang'an prefectural office would certainly be in danger.

Moreover, the sudden rebellion of Cao Yancun and Cao Renzun had put Luo Yu'er on the highest alert. Now, apart from his own hundred-odd blood-sworn brothers, he dared not trust anyone.

If even Cao Yancun could turn traitor, who knew whether there were accomplices of theirs within Jinchang Garrison?

At the West Pass post station, the thirty-five hundred garrison troops of the Chang'an Three Guards had galloped two hundred li and finally reached this place, only a few li from Tong Pass.

Cao Yancun, his face dark, flatly refused the requests of several subordinate Commanders to shed their gear and rest on the spot.

The reason he gave was naturally that the changing of the guard could begin at any moment, and only after the handover could they rest.

However, Cao Yancun also feared the soldiers would make trouble right then and there, so he promised that if no one came from Tong Pass within another half shichen, they could rest in place and light fires to cook.

Before long, the sound of many hoofbeats came from the direction of Tong Pass, and soon a follower sent by Cao Yuanli arrived to report to Cao Yancun.

Cao Yancun was overjoyed at the sight. Seeing that everything had gone smoothly, he quickly ordered the soldiers to rest and prepare to light fires and cook.

Then, under the pretext of rewarding the troops, he summoned all officers above the rank of centurion from the Three Guards to the temporary command tent.

Since the place was called West Pass post station, it was no desolate spot — on the contrary, it was rather bustling, so Cao Yancun quickly arranged a banquet.

Though it was only stewed mutton, stewed chicken, and somewhat cloudy rice wine, it was enough to satisfy the exhausted officers of the Three Guards.

Normally in Zhang Zhou's army, drinking was strictly forbidden on assignment, but now that their direct superior was offering wine, it would be a waste not to drink. Most of the officers fell to with gusto, eating and drinking freely. Only a few barely touched the wine on the table.

Once the men were deep in their cups and had completely let down their guard, a commotion came from outside. The guard announced: Luo Yu'er, Defender of Tong Pass, Commander-in-Chief of Changguo Garrison, Supervisor of Troops and Horses of Weinan Prefecture, Commandery Duke of Qingyang, had arrived.

The officers of the Three Guards immediately fell silent, and everyone rose to welcome this powerful and senior founding general.

Only now did Cao Yancun feel that Luo Yu'er, who usually seemed out of favor — constantly being dispatched by the Emperor to garrison duty between Tong Pass and Chang'an — still carried considerable authority.

But fortunately, he had now joined their side.

Luo Yu'er was welcomed in, and at the same time, the dozen or so armored soldiers he had brought, along with the trusted men of Cao Yuanli and Cao Yancun, secretly donned inner armor and took up sharp blades, moving into position.

Cao Yancun felt much more at ease. He adjusted his state of mind, then suddenly heaved a long sigh, as if deeply distressed.

The officers had just been welcoming Luo Yu'er, so they had not yet returned to the atmosphere of raucous eating and drinking. Cao Yancun's display caused no small stir, and so all the officers turned to look at him.

At once, a trusted man responsible for playing along stepped forward and asked, "Today we gather here in joy, and Lord Luo has even graced us with his presence. Why does the Supervisor sigh?"

Cao Yancun labored to put on an expression of concern for the nation and its people. "The Sage has been on his northern hunt for eight months now, and no word has come back. The Mobei steppe stretches ten thousand li, and the steppe tribes come and go like the wind, hard to pin down.

The court's elite troops crossed the frontier wearing only thin clothing. Now even Guanzhong is bitterly cold, let alone the Mobei steppe. If any harm should come to them, what would become of the realm!"

The officers below listened in bewilderment. Was this matter something a mere Troop Supervisor of the Chang'an Prefecture forces under Jingzhao should be worrying about?

Of course, some of the sharper ones had already sensed that something was wrong.

Sure enough, Cao Yancun shifted his tone and immediately turned to other matters. "How hateful is that Pei Yuan! Unmindful of the Sage's grace in promoting and favoring him, at this critical moment for the nation he runs rampant with his vicious power, throwing the court into chaos, until the government and the people are all in turmoil.

We, as soldiers, bear the duty of securing the state and stabilizing the realm. How can we sit by and watch?"

"Right! There are treacherous ministers at court, and we cannot turn a blind eye. The Supervisor, as a kinsman of the Cao clan, should submit a petition to the Empress requesting orders."

As soon as Cao Yancun's words fell, another planted confidant immediately shouted out, even bringing up the Cao clan kinship, giving the impression that this dynasty was shared between the Zhang and Cao families.

And with this, everyone sensed that something was wrong. Even a centurion who normally had no contact with high-level political struggles thought of the word "rebellion" in his mind.

After all, this was the Five Dynasties. Emperor Zhang had only been working to change the prevailing atmosphere for two or three years — how could that compare to the deep-rooted poison of two hundred years?

In fact, had it not been for Zhang Zhao's strenuous efforts to suppress this atmosphere, this would have been nothing more than the most "normal" yabing guards mutiny process of this era. No one would have been surprised — in which year did these yabing guards and yabing officers not stir up several such upheavals?

Cao Yancun knew that this sort of matter could not be given time for those below to react, so the moment his confidant's words ended, he violently swept all the plates, dishes, cups, and bowls from the low table before him onto the ground.

Then he leaped onto the low table in one bound, pulled a piece of reddish-yellow silk from his bosom with his right hand, and shouted loudly.

"There is an edict: Zhao Guogong Pei Yuan, lawless and insubordinate, throwing the court into chaos, intimidating the imperial consorts — his crimes are monstrous.

The Empress has secretly ordered the State Father-in-Law, Qiao Guogong Cao Yuanzhong, to raise the troops of Guanzhong, march out through Tong Pass into the Divine Capital, protect the state, and set the court in order.

Qiao Guogong has issued orders, commanding me to lead the brave men of the Three Guards, join with the elite troops of Jinchang Garrison, and advance eastward at once."

The officers were instantly dumbfounded. They had never expected that coming to Tong Pass this time was actually for such a grave undertaking.

When Cao Yancun finished his shout, the trusted men around the tent immediately drew their swords and clamored.

"Will the officers of the Three Guards not accept the edict?"

"Follow the Supervisor, and in days to come we shall all be heroes who protected the state!"

"Right — wealth and glory ought to have a share for us too."

At this moment, the Commander of the Chang'an Central Guard, who was under Cao Yancun's control, imitated Cao Yancun by sweeping the tableware from his table to the ground, then led several Central Guard officers to stand on Cao Yancun's side.

"I follow the Supervisor. I beg the Supervisor to lead us into the Divine Capital to protect the state."

The remaining officers of the Three Guards, uncertain and alarmed, looked at Qingyang Commandery Duke Luo Yu'er, who had not spoken but clearly stood on Cao Yancun's side, and were greatly shocked.

Even a founding general like Luo Yu'er did not object, and Cao Yancun claimed to have the Empress's edict and the military orders of Cao Yuanzhong, Chief Minister of the Guanzhong Province and Defense Commissioner. Could it be that something had truly happened in the Eastern Capital?

Although many still felt something was off, it sounded as if there was nothing wrong.

The Emperor had indeed been absent from court for a long time, and Zhao Guogong Pei Yuan did indeed seem to be frequently cursed as a treacherous minister. For a moment, hearts wavered, and they were about to respond to Cao Yancun.

Cao Yancun narrowed his eyes. A strong liquor called ambition burned through his whole body. This matter was about to succeed!

"The Supervisor says there is an edict — would he be willing to let us see it? And where is Qiao Guogong now? Why does he not come out to summon us to the Divine Capital himself, instead of the Supervisor?"

At this most critical juncture, the atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Cao Yancun narrowed his eyes and looked. On the left side of the room, a short, stocky man, with five or six officers around him, stood against the wall, as if ready to resist at any moment.

Cao Yancun burned with fury. Narrowing his eyes, he pointed with his left hand. "Chen Wu, how dare you! A mere Left Guard Commander — what right do you have to receive an edict?

Qiao Guogong is stationed at Jingzhao with grave responsibilities. Could he possibly come in person to issue orders to a mere Commander like you?"

Chen Wu gritted his teeth, abruptly retreated into the protection of several trusted officers, and then shouted loudly.

"Brothers in arms! According to military law of the Guard garrisons, troop deployment requires the joint seals of the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Provincial Defense Commissioner's office, plus the Defense Commissioner's personal warrant.

The Supervisor holds only a single edict of unknown authenticity, yet he wants to lead us to the Divine Capital. Is it Zhao Guogong who is throwing the court into chaos, or is it you, Supervisor Cao, who intends insubordination and rebellion?"

With Chen Wu's words, the already hesitant soldiers and officers of the Three Guards grew even more uncertain. They cast questioning looks at one another, and whispers began to rise.

Seeing that he was gaining ground, Chen Wu immediately seized the chance to leap onto the low table before him. "Brothers in arms! The Sage, the Son of Heaven, sits on the throne. Even if there are powerful traitors, we should wait for the Sage to return to court and render judgment. How can we mobilize troops on our own and become disloyal ministers!"

At these words — the Emperor's prestige being high after all — most of the Three Guards officers actually moved to stand on Chen Wu's side.

Some even picked up meat-cutting daggers or tables and stools, intent on resisting. A few more glanced toward the exits, preparing to slip out when no one was watching.

Cao Yancun was furious. "Left Guard Commander Chen Wu disobeys military orders. He must be a confederate of the traitor Pei Yuan. Seize him!"

"Ha ha ha!" Just as Chen Wu and his men were about to be bloodied on the spot — for Cao Yancun had long prepared, and his trusted men were all armored and armed, while Chen Wu and his men had only meat-cutting daggers — Luo Yu'er suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Since Commander Chen wishes to see an edict, I happen to have received one as well. One look and you brothers will know whether it is genuine." As he spoke, Luo Yu'er reached into the clothing at his chest.

Cao Yancun was momentarily stunned. After all, Cao Renzun did not consult him on everything, and the contacts in the Divine Capital were also Cao Renzun's responsibility, so he was not certain whether Luo Yu'er truly carried some edict.

Involuntarily, everyone's gaze fixed on Luo Yu'er's hand. At that instant, in a flash of lightning, Luo Yu'er's right hand, reaching into his clothes, suddenly seized something and violently flung it out.

A choking cloud of dust burst forth. This thing seemed to be the powder charge loaded in a pear-blossom spear, blended from various poisonous powders, charcoal powder, and gunpowder.

Cao Yancun was closest, and Luo Yu'er had aimed mainly at him, so he was instantly sprayed full in the face and eyes.

He felt only a spreading bitterness in his mouth, and his eyes burned unbearably, impossible to open.

And with one successful strike, Luo Yu'er pressed forward directly. His large hand pulled Cao Yancun into his embrace, then his right hand gripped Cao Yancun's neck from behind, while his left hand, as if by magic, produced a long, cold-gleaming dagger.

'Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!' The long dagger swiftly stabbed three times in and out between Cao Yancun's neck and collarbone, blood spurting high.

Cao Yancun tried to break free, but found Luo Yu'er's hand like an iron clamp, impossible to escape. The energy of life rapidly drained from the wounds in his neck, spraying out with the blood.

His boundless ambition turned in an instant into a wave of weakness throughout his body. He could summon no strength at all.

The matter developed so quickly that even as Cao Yancun's consciousness began to blur, he had never even opened his eyes. The other soldiers and officers were utterly dumbfounded, completely unable to react.

"All officers, hear my order: kill the rebels!" At the very moment he stabbed Cao Yancun to death, Luo Yu'er also roared out, and in that instant the armored soldiers he had brought also began to move.

The prestige of a founding general was considerable. Cao Yancun had wanted to lead men to the Divine Capital, and despite all his scheming, the officers of the Three Guards were still hesitating.

But the moment Luo Yu'er spoke, every officer in the room would have thrown themselves bare-handed at Cao's fully armored soldiers.

Several officers standing beside the Commander of the Chang'an Central Guard exchanged glances. They rushed ahead of Luo Yu'er's armored men and suddenly tackled their own Commander to the ground. They had wavered just moments ago, and now they had to make amends quickly.

"You little whelp, what are you? You dare threaten me!"

Seeing the situation instantly reversed, Luo Yu'er gave a savage grin, released Cao Yancun's limp body, and then looked at Cao Yuanli, who stood nearby, already frightened witless.

"Luo... you... how dare you?" Cao Yuanli leaned against the wall, staring at Luo Yu'er in disbelief. His meaning was clear: do you not care about the lives of your wife and children, or your bright future?

A pained look surfaced on Luo Yu'er's face. Red-eyed, he stared at Cao Yuanli.

"A true man lives by two things alone: loyalty and filial piety!

You underestimate a founding general. Do you think he is still the muddled, coarse lout who once guarded the gate for your Cao family?

And you underestimate Yingniang too. Were she here, she would surely say that I, Luo Yu'er, have done right."

As he spoke, Luo Yu'er grabbed Cao Yuanli like a chick, then used the very dagger that had just stabbed Cao Yancun to death to nail Cao Yuanli's right palm to the bench.

Cao Yuanli had never endured such agony. He screamed wretchedly, tears and snot streaming down together.

"Tell me, Uncle, what exactly is your plan?"

By now, the shouts of killing had gradually alarmed the soldiers of the Three Guards, who were eating their meals. Countless men panicked, not knowing what was happening.

Luo Yu'er fished the golden seal of the Chang'an Prefecture Troop Supervisor from Cao Yancun's body and held it up. "All officers, hear my command: each of you restrain your soldiers. No running wild, no shouting, no moving about.

All officers of company commander rank and above are to don armor and patrol immediately. Anyone who disobeys military orders is to be executed without mercy!"

A quarter hour later, more than seventy of Cao Yancun's trusted men and the ten-odd men Cao Yuanli had brought were all dead. The smell of blood drifted through the temporary camp.

"You are Chen Wu, correct? Can you still move?" Luo Yu'er asked the young officer who had steadfastly refused to obey Cao Yancun.

Chen Wu was covered in blood. He had been in the corner where Cao Yancun's trusted men were thickest, and with them fighting like cornered beasts, Chen Wu had nearly been stabbed to death.

But his spirits were high. Nearly being stabbed to death was far better than being coerced into becoming a rebel.

"Lord Luo, this humble officer is unharmed."

"Then immediately select three hundred brave men of loyal and righteous heart from the Three Guards, and ride at full speed back to the seat of Jingzhao, to Chang'an, together with the personal guards under my command."

Chen Wu saluted with folded hands and accepted the order. The Guard Commander of Luo Yu'er's personal guard also clasped his hands and bowed. "Rest assured, young lord. I will certainly rescue the Fourteenth Lady and the others."

Luo Yu'er's face hardened, without the slightest hesitation. "What nonsense! Once you reach Chang'an, you must first rescue the Duke of Qiao, then protect the old man as he roots out all the traitors, and ensure that Chang'an does not fall into chaos."

The personal guard's nose stung with emotion. He saluted with folded hands, turned, and went to muster the troops. Chen Wu, too, gazed at this founding general who stood like a towering mountain and performed a most respectful bow.

Luo Yu'er drew a deep breath and walked up onto the temporary command platform. Around him, all officers of company commander rank and above from the Chang'an Three Guards had already donned their armor and assembled.

Not entirely assembled, that is. A dozen or so men already confirmed to be Cao Yancun's accomplices had been dragged out and stabbed to death. Their bodies lay not far away.

"I do not care whether any of you still among us took part in the rebellion. But from this moment on, if you obey orders, I guarantee you will come to no harm.

When the Sage asks about this in the future, I, Luo Yu'er, will certainly say that every man here is a loyal and brave son of the Sage."

A man's name is like a tree's shadow. If someone else said this, few would likely believe it. But coming from a founding general like Luo Yu'er, they were all willing to believe.

"We are willing to follow Lord Luo's command!" the officers cried out one after another.

"Good! Go down at once and select your brave men. The rebels have already gone to the canal to incite the surrendered Shu troops. We must move immediately to suppress them.

Remember: whether Shu surrendered troops or the imperial guard troops of the Jinchang Garrison inside Tong Pass, anyone not in the barracks is to be executed without mercy!"

Luo Yu'er had no other choice. He could not be certain there were no accomplices of Cao Renzun and the others in the Jinchang Garrison, but the Shu troops about to be incited also had to be wiped out. He could only sacrifice the lesser for the greater: first seize control of the Chang'an Three Guards, then use them to suppress the rebels.