Li Yuangui suddenly raised his face and opened his mouth, almost doubting whether he was in a dream. Could it be that he no longer needed to trek thousands of miles beyond the frontier to seek the hand of that so-called only daughter of the King of Gaochang? Could he openly remain in Chang'an by imperial decree, waiting until the mourning period ended to marry his beloved, now a free woman? And thereafter, stay together until their hair turned white with age?
Happiness had come too suddenly—he couldn’t believe it was real.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
The first one unable to hold back and stepping forward was Guo Fushan, Vice Minister of War. With the Minister of War, Hou Junji, currently leading troops on the front lines in Tuyuhun, all affairs of the Ministry of War were being managed by this Vice Minister Guo. Kneeling in formal petition, he spoke:
"Prince Wu was appointed as the special envoy to reciprocate the diplomatic mission. The edict has already been sent ahead to Gaochang, and the entire nation of Gaochang has prepared to receive the imperial envoy. If we suddenly reverse course now, not only will we lose credibility among the vassal states, but Qu Wentai may also become enraged and recklessly launch an attack on our West Sea Route Army, bringing unnecessary calamity. We implore Your Majesty to endure momentary displeasure, set aside fraternal affection, and proceed as originally planned. We dare to plead this at the risk of death!"
Listening to the memorial, Li Yuangui’s dazed mind cleared somewhat. He realized the matter was complicated—far from simply his half-brother suddenly showing kindness to fulfill a younger brother’s romantic wishes. If he didn’t go to Gaochang, what then? Relations between the two nations would inevitably deteriorate greatly, and it would bring no benefit to those envoys detained and enslaved by Gaochang either.
Unless...
"There is a military report from Tuyuhun that We only received yesterday. Hou Junji’s experimental Falcon Post is faster than couriers—you all will likely have to wait three to five more days for the official dispatch." The Son of Heaven tapped idly on the armrest of his throne. "That Murong Fuyun, who fled deep into the desert, has already been found by Xue Wanjun and He Li. Cornered and with his forces scattered, he hanged himself from a poplar tree. The body has been verified and is being prepared for transport in Fuqi City. It will be sent to Chang'an in the coming days."
A sudden uproar erupted in the hall. The death of the Tuyuhun Khagan meant the war was effectively over. Li Jing’s army could now arrange post-war pacification measures and withdraw. The ministers, exhausted from the demands of war logistics, couldn’t help but rejoice, murmuring among themselves before being led by Grand Secretary Zhangsun Wuji in offering formal congratulations to the Emperor.
"Enough, enough—ah, this Li Yaoshi has always had the same flaw in warfare. He never follows the expected tempo. While you’re still busy making arrangements in the rear, he’s already finished the fight up front, leaving no room for your meddling." The Emperor’s tone carried three parts pride, five parts sourness, and a hundred thousand parts sheer provocation—Li Yuangui couldn’t help but feel indignant on behalf of all the conquered enemy leaders over the years.
Rising from his bow, he caught a glimpse of Fang Xuanling’s unusual expression from the corner of his eye—the man was subtly glancing at someone as if signaling. Following his gaze, he saw Wei Zheng nodding faintly.
What were these two old friends silently plotting between them?"Your Majesty, the West Sea Route Army has achieved a great victory, but the civilian resources of Guanzhong and Longshang have reached their limit. I implore Your Majesty to issue an edict immediately, ordering Li Yaoshi to withdraw his entire army and allow the conscripted soldiers to return to their villages as soon as possible to seize the farming season and tend to their fields, lest famine spreads this winter and next spring." Wei Zheng bowed his head with the ceremonial tablet in hand as he presented his case, then raised his gaze to meet the Son of Heaven's eyes, emphasizing, "We absolutely must not prolong the war further by ordering Li Jing to turn his forces toward the Western Regions and launch a surprise attack on Gaochang! An exhausted army forced into a distant campaign was the very path that led Emperor Yang of Sui to his dynasty's downfall!"
Turn toward the Western Regions and launch a surprise attack on Gaochang.
In that instant, Li Yuangui suddenly understood. This was the Emperor's true intention—the real purpose of today's court deliberation.
"Yaoshi has truly had a hard time of it," the Emperor remarked casually, sidestepping Wei Zheng's counsel, his tone still relaxed. "He's sixty-six this year, isn't he? His legs have been troubling him, and he retired two years ago. Knowing how difficult it is to lead an expeditionary force, I specifically asked Xuanling to persuade the old general to return to service. This campaign against Tuyuhun has surely taken a toll on his aging bones. I believe—since all hearts are made of flesh—we must honor the principle of respecting our elders and the virtuous. When Yaoshi returns to the capital in triumph, let him retire with full honors—a perfect culmination of his military and political achievements, his virtue, and his longevity. We must not trouble him to lead another campaign."
These words were steeped in the benevolence of a sagely ruler, yet... the more Li Yuangui listened, the more something felt amiss.
"His Majesty's boundless grace surely reaches Dai Guogong even across thousands of miles," Zhangsun Wu-ji finally spoke, his plump face creased with a smile. "In my leisure, I've often conversed with Duke Yaoshi and know well his unyielding spirit—an old steed still yearning for the stable. Dai Guogong has always admired great generals like Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, Ban Chao and his son, Fu Jiezi, Chen Tang, and Gan Yanshou—men who expanded frontiers into the Western Regions, drove the Xiongnu beyond the wilderness, and secured four centuries of peace for the Han. Since this would be Yaoshi's final campaign before hanging up his bow, why not grant his lifelong wish, Your Majesty? Let him lead his army northward and achieve one last extraordinary feat."
In plain terms: squeeze every last drop of strength from Li Jing, the god of war, while he can still move. The shamelessness of you two brothers-in-law is truly unparalleled in this world...
From a purely military perspective, Li Yuangui had to admit the plan was sound—even efficient. The tens of thousands of troops from the West Sea Route Army had just won a great victory, their morale likely high, and they had seized vast herds of livestock from Tuyuhun to sustain their campaign. Following Li Jing's usual tactics, he would select a few thousand elite cavalry, equip them with fine steeds, and charge straight through the Tianshan Mountains to take Gaochang in one swift strike—a high probability of success.
The journey from Fuqi City to Gaochang was at least half the distance compared to starting from the Central Plains, and the attack would be entirely unexpected. Li Jing's current command also concentrated the finest generals of the Tang: Hou Junji, Li Daoxong, Li Daliang, and the Xue brothers—all seasoned commanders capable of independent operations—while Li Jing himself was a once-in-a-generation strategist. To let such an opportunity slip would be a pity even to Li Yuangui, let alone his elder brother the Emperor, whose very rise to power was built on conquest."The army has already been dispatched, just returning half a year late. There's no need for additional levies domestically, so the burden on the people will be limited." The Emperor pondered, then turned to Li Yuangui with a faint smile. "Fourteenth Young Master, this journey beyond the frontier must still be made, and quickly. Firstly, to deceive Qu Wentai into continuing preparations for his daughter's wedding without suspecting anything; secondly, the craftsmen and materials I've been training and assembling in the forbidden garden must reach Gaochang swiftly to be of use. Inform those foreign merchants—requisition their manpower, camels, horses, and all necessary arrangements along the way. If they can deliver the craftsmen to Gaochang within a month, they'll be handsomely rewarded."
Traveling from Chang'an to Gaochang in a month while disguised as a bridal procession to avoid suspicion would undoubtedly be grueling. Yet compared to the previous arrangement, Li Yuangui still felt as if he'd been struck by a sesame cake falling from the heavens.
He no longer had to reluctantly marry a stranger. Instead, he had the chance to participate in the frontier war he'd long yearned for, to achieve glory and make his name. By the time he returned from Gaochang, he could proudly welcome his beloved and perhaps even escort his half-sister to her wedding.
Even if his luck ran out and he returned wrapped in a horsehide shroud, it would still be far better than becoming a disgraced son-in-law burdened with crimes and debts.
Stepping forward, he knelt and raised his head to meet his elder brother's smile. He wanted to accept the decree with gratitude, but his throat and chest tightened uncontrollably. After several deep breaths, he heard his own weak, wavering voice:
"Your subject Yuangui... dares not accept the command. Humbly beseeches Your Majesty to revoke the order... and recall the West Sea Route Army to the capital."
Silence filled Wanchun Hall.
"Recall the army?" The Emperor's voice was incredulous. "You oppose the campaign against Gaochang? Do you know what awaits you then?"
"Your subject knows. Your subject... will depart anew for the Western Regions to marry into their family."
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