Late Tang Dynasty: Descendants of the Imperial Clan

After the officers and soldiers gradually dispersed, the bedroom fell silent again.

Zheng Tian leaned back on the soft pillows, looking somewhat tired.

The discussion just now, from writing the memorial to swearing a blood oath, to assigning military duties and promoting Li Cenji, took up more than half an hour.

For an elderly person who has just recovered from paralysis, it was indeed a bit of a strain.

Li Cenji had already left the bedroom with the others and walked to the corridor, but suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He hesitated for a moment, then turned around, gently pushed open the half-closed door, and went back inside.

Zheng Tian was resting with his eyes closed when he heard footsteps. He opened his eyes and saw that Li Cenji had returned. He was slightly taken aback and asked:

"Jingzhi, is there anything else?"

Li Cenji stepped forward two steps, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Master, there is one more thing I haven't reported to you in the hall just now."

Zheng Tian said "Oh" and raised his hand to signal him to continue.

Li Cenji then said:

"It concerns the hundred or so garrison soldiers in Peng Jingrou's residence. That night, I confiscated all their weapons and armor, and brought them back to the camp for temporary custody. I've investigated them carefully these past few days. The brigade commander's name is Zhang Yansi; he's an honest and law-abiding man. His soldiers are mostly ordinary garrison soldiers, merely ordered to guard the military supervisor's residence, and unaware of Peng Jingrou's eunuch scheme. I dare to plead for them; could they perhaps be treated leniently?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Tian stroked his beard and smiled slightly.

He naturally understood Li Cenji's thoughts. Although these hundred or so town soldiers were deceived by Peng Jingrou, they were still the ones who carried knives and guns and guarded the gate for the traitorous eunuch at that night banquet.

If the matter were to be investigated, although it wouldn't warrant the death penalty, a beating or being sent to a hard labor camp would be a common punishment.

But since Li Cenji had brought it up, how could Zheng Tian possibly refute him?

Moreover, Zheng Tian had just accepted Li Cenji as his disciple in front of all the generals and promoted him to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry. It was the perfect time to bestow favors and show his affection.

The mere hundred or so garrison soldiers were nothing more than a favor done in a convenient way.

"This is a trivial matter; you can decide for yourself."

Zheng Tian waved his hand casually.

"Since those people were kept in the dark by that scoundrel Peng Jingrou, they can't be considered traitors. You can decide what to do with them; there's no need to ask me again."

Li Cenji was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying:

"Thank you very much, my teacher."

Seeing his serious expression, Zheng Tian couldn't help but chuckle and said:

"A mere hundred or so soldiers, is it worth your seriousness? You are now the commander of the cavalry, with two thousand men under your command. These hundred or so are nothing more than a piece of cake."

Li Cenji said seriously:

"Master, you are mistaken. Although I have been promoted by you to the position of Commander of the Cavalry, I still only have about five hundred brothers under my command. This brigade of garrison soldiers may only have a hundred men, but they are still a hundred lives and a hundred fighting forces. Moreover, I think that brigade commander Zhang Yansi is a useful man, and it would be a pity to abandon him."

Zheng Tian nodded slightly upon hearing this, a hint of approval in his eyes.

For a general, cherishing his soldiers as if they were his own life is simply his duty.

Li Cenji paused, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Zheng Tian glanced at him and said:

"Anything else to say? Say it all at once."

Li Cenji took a deep breath and said:

"Master, I have another matter on my mind."

"speak."

"If I were to lead troops into the field, what would become of the guards protecting you, Master?"

Li Cenji raised his head, his eyes filled with genuine worry.

"These five hundred imperial guards under my command were selected by my master from among the various armies of the Northern Army, specifically to protect the Jie Mansion. If I were to assume the position of Commander of the Cavalry, I would inevitably have to lead troops out of the city to fight on all sides. At that time, wouldn't the guards beside my master be rendered ineffective?"

Zheng Tian remained silent for a moment after hearing this.

He leaned against the soft pillows, his gaze shifting slightly upwards to look at the top of the tent, as if deep in thought.

After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, looked at Li Cenji, a smile appearing on his face, and said:

"The fact that you thought of this shows how thoughtful you are."

He paused, then said:

"Right now, I am not fully recovered, so you will continue to serve as the garrison commander. Your five hundred imperial guards will remain stationed in the main city and continue their duties as usual. After some time, I will have someone gather the defeated soldiers from Guanzhong, and then select five hundred loyal and reliable men from among them to form a new personal guard."

Upon hearing this, Li Cenji finally felt relieved.

He did have some concerns initially:

If I were promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry, my troops would inevitably expand, and the safety of the military governor's office would become a problem when I was away on campaign.

If Zheng Tian were to refuse to release him from his post or reduce the number of troops under his command because of this, that would be disastrous.

Zheng Tian's arrangement allows him to continue commanding the original 500 Imperial Guards while also promising to establish a new force of elite soldiers to take over the garrison duties, a win-win situation.

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said:

"Your disciple obeys. Master, rest assured, the safety of the Commander's Mansion is entrusted to your disciple until the new guard is formed."

Zheng Tian nodded and waved his hand, saying:

"Go on. I'm tired and need to rest."

Li Cenji bowed respectfully, tiptoed out of the bedroom, and gently closed the door behind him.

After leaving the Marshal's Mansion, Li Cenji looked up at the sky.

The sun had risen high in the sky, and the bright autumn sunlight shone down, making people feel warm and comfortable.

He stood under the corridor for a moment, mentally going over the whole ordeal he had just experienced: becoming an apprentice, being promoted, being recruited into the army, being given armor, and being granted a horse—the more he thought about it, the more his heart swelled with emotion.

But now was not the time for sentimentality. He straightened his clothes, strode off toward the military camp.

Like most prefectures in the Tang Dynasty, Fengxiang City was divided into three layers of walls: inner, middle, and outer.

The innermost layer, called "Yacheng," is where the military governor's office and the residences of his core staff are located.

Although the city walls are not very high, they are extremely thick, with corner towers at the four corners. Once the city gates are closed, it becomes a city within a city.

Zheng Tian's military headquarters was located in the very center of this city, and the barracks of Li Cenji's five hundred imperial guards were also located within the city.

The central floor is called "Inner City".

The offices of the Fengxiang Prefectural Government, the Longyou Military Governor's Office, and the offices of various departments and judges were all located here.

On ordinary days, official documents, financial transactions, and criminal cases all take place in this area.

The outermost layer, called "Luocheng," was the "outer wall" where ordinary people lived and multiplied.

The streets and alleys, shops, workshops, residences, temples and monasteries are lined up one after another, bustling with activity.

The outer camps and garrison troops were set up at the four corners of Luocheng, protecting the entire city.

That night, Li Cenji instructed Chen An at the banquet, "If chaos breaks out, seize the city gates first," which was based on this principle.

Yacheng is not large, with only one city gate. As long as we seize control of it first and defend it with five hundred imperial guards, even if there are thousands of garrison troops outside, they will not be able to break in for a while.

If we can hold out until reinforcements arrive or the situation in the city becomes clearer, there will be a chance to turn things around.

Fortunately, no fighting broke out that night, so all the arrangements were unnecessary.

Li Cenji left the governor's mansion and rode his horse. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he arrived at the camp where the Imperial Guards were stationed.

The soldiers on duty at the camp gate saw Li Cenji approaching from afar, immediately straightened their backs, propped themselves up with their spears, and shouted loudly:

"Captain, return to camp!"

This shout immediately caused a stir in the camp.

The soldiers who were training on the drill ground stopped what they were doing and looked toward the camp gate.

Several old soldiers who were sitting idly at the entrance of the barracks also stood up, dusted off the dust on their robes, and saluted Li Cenji.

Li Cenji strode into the camp gate, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers on the drill ground. He nodded slightly as a greeting.

He didn't linger, heading straight into the depths of the camp. At the same time, he summoned a member of the Imperial Guard and gave him instructions:

"Go and summon Zhang Yansi. He is the garrison commander we brought back from the military supervisor's office that night."

The guard responded and jogged off.

Before long, Zhang Yansi followed the personal guard and walked quickly over.

This former military commander has been under house arrest in his camp for the past few days. Although he has not suffered any hardship, he has been disarmed and is in the same condition as a prisoner, and he looks quite haggard.

He was only wearing a worn-out linen undergarment, over which was a coarse cloth robe temporarily lent to him by the camp. It didn't fit him very well, and the cuffs were rolled up twice, revealing a pair of hands with calloused knuckles, clearly indicating his skill in archery and horsemanship.

Upon seeing Li Cenji, he quickly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"The guilty general Zhang Yansi pays his respects to Commandant Li."

Li Cenji waved his hand and said, "Get up and talk."

Zhang Yansi got up as instructed, stood to the side with his hands at his sides, and looked somewhat uneasy.

He didn't know whether Li Cenji's sudden summons was a blessing or a curse.

Although Li Cenji had publicly guaranteed that he would not hold these ordinary soldiers accountable for their crimes that night, in this day and age, an official's word can change in an instant.

He has been on edge every day in the camp these past few days, and he hasn't been able to sleep well at night.

Li Cenji looked him up and down, and then said:

"Commander Zhang, I just went to see Lord Zheng."

Zhang Yansi stiffened slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't dare to reply.

Li Cenji didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point:

"I pleaded with Lord Zheng on your behalf and that of your brothers. Lord Zheng has already agreed. You and your entire brigade were kept in the dark by that eunuch Peng Jingrou and were unaware of his treasonous collusion with the enemy. Therefore, the crime does not lie with you. From this moment on, you are no longer guilty."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yansi trembled violently, his lips quivered a few times, and his eyes immediately reddened.

He knelt down again with a thud, kowtowed heavily, and his voice trembled:

"Thank you so much, Commandant Li! Thank you so much, Commandant Li, for giving me a second chance at life! Your kindness and virtue are beyond measure; even if I were to repay you with my life, I could never do so!"

Li Cenji reached out and helped him up, saying:

"There's no need for that. I was merely informing Lord Zheng of the truth; it's hardly a favor."

He paused, then said:

"However, there is one more thing I need to discuss with you."

Zhang Yansi quickly replied:

"Please speak, Commandant, and I will obey without question!"

Li Cenji then said:

"Lord Zheng has promoted me to Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry, granting me permission to recruit soldiers and expand my forces. I am currently short of manpower. Your brigade of garrison troops were originally selected by Peng Jingrou from various camps to serve as his personal guards; in terms of quality, they are considered elite. If you are willing, you can stay with your brothers and serve me. If you are not willing—"

He glanced at Zhang Yansi, his tone indifferent:

"I will not force you to stay. You may leave on your own and join another camp; it is entirely up to you."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yansi no longer hesitated at all.

He knelt down again, his voice loud and resolute:

"Commander! This humble general is willing to lead all the brothers of my brigade to follow you, Commander, through fire and water, without hesitation!"

His shout was so loud that several imperial guards nearby heard it and looked over.

Li Cenji nodded, a smile appearing on his face, and said:

"Very well. In that case, you are now one of my men. Go and gather your brothers and spread this message."

Zhang Yansi responded loudly:

"Yes, sir!" After saying that, he kowtowed again, then got up and left with light steps.

Li Cenji watched him leave, then instructed his personal guards: "Summon the four brigade commanders, Chen An, Zhou Ping, Xu Tai, and Wu Kang, to the central command tent. Tell them I have important matters to discuss with them."

The guards obeyed and left.

Li Cenji turned and entered the central command tent. He sat down behind the desk, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, and mentally reviewed his experiences at the military governor's mansion.

Before long, footsteps could be heard outside the tent.

The first to enter was Chen An, a seasoned brigade commander in his early forties, who was on duty today. He was fully armored and had a neatly trimmed beard.

He entered the tent and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Captain, your humble servant has arrived."

Li Cenji nodded and said, "Please sit down first, and I will tell you everything when the others arrive."

Zhou Ping followed closely behind.

Next is Wu Kang.

Xu Tai was the last to enter.

This brute was on his day off and was sleeping soundly in the barracks when his personal guards dragged him out of bed. His hair was still messy and there was still sleep in the corner of his eyes.

As soon as he entered the tent, he let out a big yawn and muttered:

"Captain, what's the rush? I was just dreaming about getting married..."

Li Cenji glared at him, and Xu Tai shrank back and obediently found a chair to sit down.

Once all four had arrived, Li Cenji stood up, his gaze sweeping over each of them, and said:

"I have summoned you here today because I have some important matters to discuss with you."

Seeing his solemn expression, the four of them also stopped laughing and sat up straight.

Li Cenji said:

"The first matter. Lord Zheng has regained consciousness, his mind is clear, he can get up and speak. This morning, he summoned all the generals and officers in his bedroom to discuss matters, wrote a memorial, and sent it to the emperor's temporary residence in Chengdu. He also swore an oath of blood with the generals to fight against Huang Chao and to prepare the army for war."

Upon hearing this, all four showed joy on their faces.

Xu Tai was the first to lose his temper, slapping his thigh and saying:

"Good! Lord Zheng is awake. We can finally breathe a sigh of relief after being on edge for the past few days!"

Chen An nodded and said:

"With Lord Zheng safe and sound, Fengxiang has a pillar of support. Although the city has been relatively peaceful these past few days, people have been filled with anxiety. Now that things are better, everyone can finally relax."

Li Cenji nodded and then said:

"The second thing."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four people, and slowly said:

"Lord Zheng has promoted me to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry."