Late Tang Dynasty: Descendants of the Imperial Clan

The following day, at the main camp outside Mei County.

Zheng Tian summoned all the regional commanders and meritorious officers and announced the rewards for the Battle of Longweipo in public, calling out their names one by one, and everyone was overjoyed.

"Congratulations, Li Liuhou. You have reached such a high position at such a young age; your future is limitless."

Wang Lu squeezed through the crowd, walked up to Li Cenji, coughed lightly, and forced a somewhat stiff smile onto his old face, clasping his hands in a gesture of flattery.

The veteran envoy was in good spirits today. Knowing that the roll call would be held today to reward meritorious officers, he got up very early. However, his eyes still showed some dark circles from last night's hangover.

He spoke sincerely, but his gaze kept drifting to the side, refusing to meet Li Cenji's eyes.

She looked just like an old hen who had been stared at by a weasel once and had learned her lesson. She knew this young man was not to be trifled with, but she didn't want to offend him, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and come to offer her congratulations. After she finished, she wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Li Cenji smiled and nodded. Thinking of how this guy avoided him like the plague last night, a mischievous thought suddenly arose in his mind. He reached out and put his arm around Wang Lu's shoulder.

The action was both sudden and intimate, and Wang Lu froze completely, feeling the heavy arm on his shoulder as if someone had a spear held against his neck.

He stared wide-eyed at Li Cenji, only to see the young man with an innocent smile on his face, leaning closer and whispering:

"Commander Wang, yesterday you said you also led your troops to raid the camp..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lu's hair stood on end, and he hurriedly tried to explain:

"It's all for the sake of face, just boasting on purpose. Commander Zhao Buying has extremely strict military discipline. I haven't actually done anything."

He had no doubt that if he remained stubborn, the arm that was on his shoulder could strangle him.

If he were younger, even if Li Cenji were his boss, he still wouldn't have listened. Anyone can be two-faced and say one thing to your face and another behind your back.

However, Wang Lu was old, and the hidden injuries on his body gradually flared up. He had long lost his spirit, otherwise he would not have allowed Li Changyan, the Right Wing Army Commander, to overpower him, a veteran.

Now he only wants to retire peacefully and secure a place for his descendants in the army, so naturally he dares not offend a powerful and ruthless man like Li Cenji who has a strong background, ability, and a ruthless heart.

Li Cenji valued the old fox's consistent self-preservation attitude, which was why he gave him this warning today. Seeing that he had achieved his goal, he smiled and whispered reassuringly:

"Don't panic, don't panic. I'm not a stubborn person. The past is the past, it's just the future..."

Wang Lu couldn't wait to express his opinion:

"From now on, I will strictly enforce military discipline and restrain my soldiers."

Li Cenji patted his shoulder before letting go, then turned around, cupped his hands in greeting to the others, and continued with his social engagements.

Wang Lu stood there, unable to express his bitterness. He could only cover his face with his teacup and secretly curse himself for being meddlesome and talkative last night.

-----------------

Meanwhile, while the celebrations were in full swing outside Mei County, a completely different scene was unfolding in the river hundreds of miles away.

Zhu Wen and Huang Ye rode side by side, fleeing eastward in panic amidst the tide of fleeing soldiers.

Both men were covered in soot and dirt. Zhu Wen's bright armor was splattered with mud, and his short mustache was singed and uneven by the smoke and fire.

Huang Ye was in an even worse state. He had lost his helmet at some point, his hair was half undone, and he lay sprawled on his horse with disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes.

The two men, acting on Huang Chao's orders, led 50,000 troops to besiege Hezhong, and had already trapped Wang Chongrong in the city for over a month.

Wang Chongrong had few soldiers and dared not venture out of the city to fight in the open; he simply defended the city to the death.

Seeing that the city was too strong to take, Zhu Wen and Huang Ye did not rush to attack it. Instead, they set up a joint camp outside the city, intending to exhaust the city's food supplies before taking it over.

After besieging the camp for so many days, the rebels have become complacent. The night patrols are perfunctory, and they don't even bother to repair the deer antlers outside the stockade.

Unexpectedly, at midnight last night, Wang Chongrong suddenly opened the city gates and personally led three thousand elite cavalry to break out in the dark.

The cavalrymen, their horses' hooves wrapped in cloth and their mouths gagged, reached the rebel camp just as the sentries were fast asleep.

Wang Chongrong charged into the camp on horseback, setting fire to dozens of tents. As soon as the fire started, the rebel camp was thrown into chaos.

The soldiers, awakened from their sleep by the shouts of battle, fled barefoot in all directions without even having time to put on their armor.

Zhu Wen and Huang Ye rushed out of their respective tents, mounted their horses, and tried to organize a resistance, only to find the camp full of routed soldiers. The generals could not find their soldiers, and the soldiers could not find their generals. Countless people were trampled to death or wounded.

Knowing that the situation was hopeless, the two had no choice but to gather several thousand troops that could still be organized and desperately break out of the camp, fleeing all the way towards Chang'an.

After escaping for dozens of miles, the shouts of battle behind them gradually faded into the distance.

Zhu Wen reined in his horse, turned around to inspect his troops, and found that only about 10,000 of the 50,000-strong army had followed him out. The rest had either died in battle or scattered, and their supplies and provisions had been completely lost.

He remained silent with a somber expression, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the reins.

Huang Ye rode forward, his expression even more unpleasant than Zhu Wen's.

He said in a hoarse voice:

"Brother Zhu, after this battle with Wang Chongrong, Hezhong is completely out of our hands. We've lost so many soldiers; how are we going to explain this to our elder brother?"

Zhu Wen did not answer.

Huang Ye continued speaking to himself:

"What's worse, we suffered defeats on both the eastern and western fronts. We lost 50,000 men, and Grand Commandant Shang's 50,000 men were also wiped out. I heard that Shang Rang himself died at Longwei Slope. Of the 50,000 troops, not even the commander-in-chief escaped. My brother, you must be heartbroken..."

As he spoke, his voice became so low it was almost a murmur.

Although Huang Ye lacked military strategy, he was aware of the current situation in Guanzhong.

The Qi army only had so many elite troops. Shang Rang took 50,000, and he and Zhu Wen took 50,000. These two groups of troops were the most capable forces under Huang Chao's command.

Now that both sides have been defeated, only 30,000 to 40,000 troops remain to defend Chang'an, while the Jingxi Allied Forces, along with King Chongrong of Hezhong, number at least 70,000 to 80,000.

What's even more critical is that every single one of the regional military governors outside Chang'an is eyeing the city with covetous intent.

Once they learn of the defeat of the Great Qi army, they will surely send troops to attack as well.

By then, Chang'an will be surrounded by enemies on all sides.

"My brother will be furious."

Huang Ye gazed at the hazy horizon ahead and murmured,

"All the wealth he had accumulated from south to north after his resurrection was wiped out in Guanzhong. To the east and to the west, there were only dead ends."

Zhu Wen remained silent throughout.

He simply shifted his gaze from Huang Ye's face to the end of the official road ahead.

He tightened his grip on the reins, his dark face displaying an inscrutable expression.

-----------------

On the same day that the names of those who had been named and awarded were announced, the excitement in the camp outside Mei County had not yet subsided when another rider on horseback galloped in from outside the gate.

The rider, covered in dust from the journey and carrying a flag on his back, dismounted at the camp gate, presented his calling card, and said, "Song Wentong, Commander under the Chengde Military Governor, requests an audience with Minister Zheng."

Zheng Tian received the calling card in the central command tent and then ordered someone to invite him in.

Before long, a general in his mid-twenties strode into the tent.

This man was tall and slender, with a neatly trimmed short beard. Although his eyes were not large, they exuded a sharp and capable air.

Upon entering the tent, he knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"This humble general, Song Wentong, with 800 troops, seized Wugong County by night while Shang Rang was in defeat, capturing over 3,000 prisoners. Now, having heard that Prime Minister Zheng has recaptured Mei County, I have come to offer up the city and the prisoners, requesting that the main army move its garrison to Wugong!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Tian's face showed a hint of joy.

Wugong County is located just over a hundred li west of Chang'an, serving as the gateway to the western part of the capital. If the garrison could be moved to Wugong, the army could directly threaten Chang'an.

He immediately helped Song Wentong up and asked him in detail about the process of capturing the city, as well as about the grain reserves in Wugong City and the resettlement of the surrendered soldiers.

Song Wentong answered each question correctly and logically, clearly having done his homework.

Zheng Tian stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then said:

"The army was already preparing to continue eastward, and all supplies and provisions have been packed up. Your arrival is timely. Today, issue the order for the entire army to set off and move to Wugong."

Song Wentong quickly clasped his hands in thanks, but lingered in the tent for a moment longer, waiting until the other officers had dispersed, before stepping forward and bowing again:

"Lord Zheng, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

Zheng Tian glanced at him and gestured for him to sit down and talk.

Song Wentong sat on one side of the stool, his back ramrod straight, and began to speak:

"This humble general was originally a member of the Boye Army under the command of the Chengde Military Governor. Last year, when Huang Chao broke through Chang'an, the Boye Army collapsed, and this humble general, along with more than a thousand brothers, wandered to western Beijing. We have been separated from our main force for several months. During these months, we have been hiding here and there, having to guard against the rebel army's encirclement and suppression while also trying to raise food and fodder. We live a precarious life. Now, I have been fortunate enough to have made some small contributions. I only hope to find a place under Prime Minister Zheng's command, to do my part in the court's fight against the rebels, and to find a way to survive for my more than a thousand brothers."

When he said these words, his tone was sincere, and there was not a trace of arrogance on his face, which was completely unlike the fierce general who "seized martial arts with eight hundred men and captured thousands of enemies".

Zheng Tian studied him for a moment and nodded inwardly.

This person has made such a great contribution, yet he is neither arrogant nor conceited, and he speaks and acts with great discretion. He is indeed a promising talent.

"If you are willing to serve under my command, I will naturally not refuse."

Zheng Tian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly,

"Your merits this time are considerable, so I hereby appoint you as the military commander of the front wing of Fengxiang and Longyou. However, you only have a little over a thousand troops under your command, and you only brought your personal guards with you to Mei County this time. Once you have achieved martial prowess, you should gather your old troops together and join forces with Li Cenji, and then obey his orders."

Zheng Tian then introduced Li Cenji's identity and official position to Song Wentong.

When Song Wentong heard that Li Cenji was not only Zheng Tian's closed-door disciple, but also the fierce man who killed Shang Rang with a hundred riders, he was both surprised and overjoyed.

Serving under such influential and capable individuals, how could one not achieve merit?

He immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying:

"This humble general will certainly live up to your high expectations!"

Zheng Tian spoke with him for a few more minutes, then ordered someone to lead him to see Li Cenji.

After leaving the central command tent, Song Wentong inquired about the whereabouts of Li Liuhou, a military officer, and then headed straight for Li Cenji's camp.

Li Cenji was in his tent discussing the departure arrangements with Zhou Ping, Chen An, and others when he suddenly heard a soldier outside the tent announce that "the Song military envoy requests an audience." He put down the documents in his hand and got up to greet him.

The curtain was lifted, and Song Wentong strode in, bowing respectfully to Li Cenji, and said:

"This humble general, Song Wentong, has been ordered by Prime Minister Zheng to serve under Commander Li. I have little to offer, but my thousand Boye soldiers are still somewhat capable. I am willing to follow Commander Li to quell the rebellion..."

After listening to his introduction, Li Cenji helped him up and looked him over.

This person had a respectful but not overly solicitous expression, and spoke concisely and without beating around the bush; he was a straightforward person.

He laughed:

"Soldier Song, you're too kind. From now on, we're brothers in arms, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."

Song Wentong repeatedly said he dared not accept such praise, and then greeted Zhou Ping, Chen An, and others one by one before taking his leave.

He left the camp, mounted his horse, and hurried back with a few soldiers.

The army will be arriving at Wugong soon, so he needs to return early to settle all the affairs in the city before welcoming Zheng Tian into the city.

Li Cenji stood at the tent entrance, watching Song Wentong ride away into the distance, his brows furrowing slightly.

He felt that the name "Song Wentong" sounded familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

When he studied history in his previous life, he didn't read the late Tang Dynasty section very carefully; he had probably only seen the name in some online article or marketing account post.

He racked his brains for a moment but came up with nothing. He remembered that this person must have had some achievements in history and was not some nobody, but he didn't pay much attention to it and turned back to his tent to continue his military affairs.

Once the order for the army to set off was given, each battalion immediately began to prepare.

The wounded from the Battle of Longweibei had already marched eastward with the supply battalion the day before. The remaining battalions set up camp, loaded their provisions and equipment onto carts, and worked from dawn until the sun was high in the sky before finally assembling their ranks.

The army marched for two full days.

The official road was flat, and there were no more rebels blocking the way, so the marching speed was much faster than before.

The following afternoon, the vanguard, led by Qiu Gongyu, had already spotted the three large banners fluttering in the wind atop Wugong City:

"Zhenzhou", "Boye Army", "Song Dynasty".

Qiu Gongyu set up camp outside the city, sent people into the city to contact Song Wentong, and also sent a part of his troops north to take over the defense of Fengtian.

When the army arrived at Wugong City, Song Wentong had already tidied up the city.

The captured rebel soldiers were divided into dozens of groups and placed in the drill ground west of the city, where they were guarded by veteran soldiers of the Boye Army.

After the city's treasury was inventoried, the quantities of grain, arrows, and armor were recorded and handed over to Sun Chu, who was sent by Zheng Tian, ​​for verification.

Song Wentong then ordered people to clean both sides of the city gate and spread some yellow sand along the street, which was the greatest sincerity he could offer in this dilapidated little town.

The army rested for a day in Wugong.

The next day, Zheng Tian sent Tang Hongfu across the Wei River to attack Zhouzhi County in the south, and also gave Tang Hongfu a warning, though it is unknown whether he listened.

The rebel garrison in Zhouzhi numbered only a few hundred. As soon as the Tang soldiers arrived at the city, they surrendered without resistance, and the gateway on the south bank of the Wei River had been captured by the Tang army.

Immediately afterwards, news from all sides flooded Zheng Tian's desk like snowflakes.

The first news was the great victory of King Chong Rong of the River Valley.

In his letter, Wang Chongrong detailed how he took advantage of the rebels' laxity to launch a night raid on the joint camp of Zhu Wen and Huang Ye, killing over ten thousand enemies and capturing countless supplies.

Zhu Wen and Huang Ye fled back to Chang'an in disarray with only ten thousand or so remaining troops. The news sent shockwaves through Guanzhong.

The second case came from Binzhou.

After Huang Chao entered Chang'an, he sent his general Wang Mei to serve as the military governor of Binning, guarding the strategic northwest of Chang'an.

When news of Shang Rang's defeat reached Binzhou, Zhu Mei, the general of Tongsai Town, immediately raised an army, killed Wang Mei, and elected Li Chonggu, another general, to temporarily assume the position of military governor. He himself led his troops to respond to Zheng Tian's call and sent troops to defend the emperor.

The third case came from Weibei.

Upon hearing of the great victory of the Jingxi Allied Forces, Wang Chucun, the military governor of Yiwu Army, personally selected 5,000 elite cavalrymen, all of whom were marked with white silk ribbons, and they have already advanced to the north of the Wei River.

The white-clad cavalry were well-organized, with swords and spears like a forest, appearing from afar like a streak of frost and snow, and wherever they passed, the rebels trembled with fear.

The fourth case came from Heyang.

Zhuge Shuang, the military governor of Heyang, changed his tune when Huang Chao attacked Chang'an. He submitted a memorial to surrender, but secretly maintained contact with the imperial court.

Seeing the Jingxi Allied Army achieve successive victories, and Wang Chongrong decisively defeating the rebel army in the east, they turned against each other and led their troops from Heyang to join forces with Wang Chongrong, advancing on Chang'an.

When Sun Chu carried these documents into the camp, even the usually composed old registrar walked with a lighter pace than usual.

He placed the documents one by one on Zheng Tian's desk, stroked his beard, and smiled:

"General, good news keeps coming one after another; my desk is almost overflowing with it."

Zheng Tian put down his teacup and read through the documents one by one. Although he remained calm, the glint in his eyes was unmistakable.

After reading the last letter, he gently placed it on the table, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly said:

"Jingzang (Sun Chu's courtesy name), do you remember when I awoke from my stroke, I asked you, 'How many loyal and righteous men are left in the world today?'"

Sun Chu was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said:

"I remember."

"At that time, the entire court was in disarray, with some officials surrendering and others fleeing. Chang'an was lost, the emperor fled far away, and I, an old man bedridden with paralysis, had only a few thousand remaining soldiers under my command."

Zheng Tian spoke slowly, his gaze falling on the documents on the table.

"Now, the Jingxi Allied Army has 40,000 to 50,000 troops, and the armies from the south, north, east, and west of Beijing... King Chongrong of Hezhong, Zhuge Shuang of Heyang, Zhu Mei of Binzhou, and King Chucun of Yiwu have all mobilized. It has only been about three months."

He raised his eyes, gazing at the bright sunlight outside the tent, and gently exhaled a long breath, saying:

"The tide has finally turned. It's our turn now."