Late Tang Dynasty: Descendants of the Imperial Clan

Meanwhile, in the western suburbs of Chang'an, there was a rebel army camp.

Huang Chao's mood has been quite complicated these past few days.

Since the day he abandoned the city and left for the east, he had already prepared to retreat to the Guandong region.

Unexpectedly, halfway there, a scout suddenly came to report:

Tang troops were looting rampages in the markets and wards of Chang'an, leaving the city defenses weak and several city gates without a single decent guard.

Huang Chao immediately reined in his horse, looked back towards Chang'an, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp light:

"A golden opportunity has presented itself; we must seize it and launch a counterattack!"

The civil and military officials beside him looked at each other in bewilderment.

Someone said cautiously, "Your Majesty, we finally managed to break out, and now we're going back..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Huang Chao sneered, pointing the tip of his whip at Chang'an.

"The Tang army entered the city and only cared about looting. They had no discipline and were nothing but a rabble. I still have forty or fifty thousand troops at my disposal. Why should I be afraid of a bunch of rabid soldiers who are blinded by greed?"

He immediately issued the order:

The vanguard became the rearguard, turned west, and marched back to Chang'an!

This tactic worked.

The Tang army was scattered throughout the city, with generals unable to find their soldiers and soldiers unable to find their generals. They were routed by a single counterattack from the rebel army.

Cheng Zongchu and Qiu Gongyu led their remaining troops in a hasty escape, only to be surrounded in the west of the city.

Tang Hongfu fared even worse, leading over a thousand remaining soldiers as they were chased all the way to Li Cenji's camp, without even having time to put on their armor.

Huang Chao recaptured Chang'an, but instead of entering the city, he set up a large camp outside the city and besieged the Tang army's camp from all sides.

He knew in his heart that Chang'an was too big to defend, so it was better to concentrate his forces to fight in the field than to disperse his troops on the city walls.

Once this Tang army is wiped out, the various regions west of the capital will be leaderless, and those hesitant regional military governors will retreat back into their fold.

However, after attacking for two days, they still couldn't break through the camp.

Huang Chao stopped his horse on a mound outside the camp, looking at the large banner with the character "Li" that was riddled with holes but still fluttering in the distance, his face ashen.

In the past two days, he has deployed 30,000 troops to launch a series of fierce attacks from three directions. Several times they have managed to breach the stockade walls, but each time a general and his men forcefully drove them back down.

"Who is that person?"

Huang Chao pointed with the tip of his whip at the large banner in the distance and asked in a deep voice.

A surrendered general, trapped in Chang'an, leaned closer and whispered:

"Your Majesty, that is Li Cenji, the acting governor of Fengxiang and Longyou, and Zheng Tian's last disciple."

Huang Chao frowned, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes:

"It was him? The one who stabbed Grand Commandant Shang to death at Longwei Slope?!"

The surrendered general nodded and said:

"It is indeed this man. I only heard that he was originally a member of the imperial family, and he only joined Zheng Tian's tutelage at the beginning of the year. In the Battle of Longwei Slope, he led a hundred cavalrymen to charge into the enemy lines, making three charges in and out, and took the head of Grand Commandant Shang amidst ten thousand troops. Now, his name is being spread throughout the armies of all the circuits in Jingxi."

Huang Chao remained silent for a moment, then said coldly:

"A hundred horsemen charging into battle, taking the general's head from among ten thousand soldiers... What a boastful claim! I'd like to see just how much steel he can actually withstand!"

He turned his horse around, about to return to camp, when suddenly a scout came galloping from the east. The rider, his face covered in dust, dismounted at the foot of the mound, knelt on one knee, and said urgently:

"Your Majesty! A large contingent of Tang troops has been spotted to the east!"

Huang Chao reined in his horse and said in a deep voice:

"Which route? How many people? How far is it from here?"

"Judging by the banners, it's King Chongrong of Hezhong and Zhuge Shuang of Heyang! The two armies combined have at least fifty or sixty thousand men, and they are advancing westward along the Wei River. Their vanguard has already reached Xinfeng, and they are less than fifty li from Chang'an!"

Huang Chao's expression changed drastically.

The generals around him exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves.

"Weren't they in Shayuan? How come they arrived so quickly?"

Huang Chao's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible anxiety.

The scout said:

"Your Majesty, Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang occupied Weinan the day before yesterday. Yesterday, they marched westward day and night, covering dozens of miles in a single day. When I returned, their vanguard had already set up camp at Xinfeng. The entire army should be there by now, and they will be camping there tonight!"

Huang Chao tightened his grip on the reins and loosened it again and again.

He felt a surge of indescribable emotions.

Why are these Tang soldiers suddenly acting like they've been injected with chicken blood?

In the past, various warlords harbored their own ulterior motives, and it was common for them to refuse to help those in distress, while remaining unmoved when allies were in trouble was the norm.

Why is everyone rushing to get in Chang'an?

After defeating Zhu Wen at Shayuan, Wang Chongrong rushed to Chang'an without taking a break; Zhuge Shuang traveled a long way from Heyang, not afraid of having his rear route cut off.

When Tang Hongfu recaptured Chang'an, he acted recklessly, leading over ten thousand troops to approach the city.

Are these still the Tang soldiers he knew?

"His Majesty……"

A general beside him said cautiously,

"Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang are coming on strong. Should we retreat first?"

"withdraw?"

Huang Chao suddenly turned his head, staring at the general with eyes as sharp as knives.

"Where can we retreat to? To the east are Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang, to the west is Zheng Tian, ​​to the north is Wang Chucun, who suffered relatively few losses, and to the south are various armies coming to the aid of the emperor. Tang troops are on all four sides. Where do you expect me to retreat to?"

If Wang Chucun in the north had also suffered heavy losses in Chang'an the day before yesterday, he could still escape north, and I doubt Wang Chucun would dare to stop him.

The problem lies with Wang Chucun. This fellow did not participate in the looting of Chang'an. When he saw the Qi army returning, he quickly retreated north to preserve his strength.

The man shrank back in fright at his glare and dared not utter another word.

Huang Chao took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his chest, and turned his gaze back to the large banner with the character "Li" in the distance.

A complex look flashed in his eyes, a mixture of anger, resentment, and a hint of unease that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

He suddenly remembered what the Tang officials who had surrendered had said when he led his army northward from Fujian and Lingnan years before.

They said that the regional military governors of the Tang Dynasty each had their own agendas, and that as long as they occupied Chang'an, the whole country would belong to the Great Qi.

They said that those military governors only cared about protecting themselves and would never sincerely serve the court.

Huang Chao believed it.

But now, Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang are rushing along the Wei River, Zheng Tian is probably also mobilizing troops to advance eastward, and Wang Chucun is preparing for war north of the Wei River...

These warlords, whom he had assumed would only protect themselves, had all turned against him.

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

Inside the central command tent, candlelight blazed brightly.

Huang Chao sat behind his desk, his face ashen.

The civil and military officials stood on either side of the tent, each with their hands at their sides, not daring to utter a sound.

"Tell me about it."

Huang Chao's gaze slowly swept across the tent.

"Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang are coming with great force. What good strategies do you have to repel them?"

A moment of silence fell over the tent. The generals looked at each other, but none of them spoke first.

Huang Chao's brows furrowed more and more, and he was about to get angry when he suddenly saw a man step out from the ranks. It was none other than Zhao Zhang, the Chamberlain.

This man had a fair complexion and a light beard, with a refined and scholarly appearance, but his triangular eyes revealed a hint of shrewdness and cunning.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Huang Chao and said:

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

"explain."

Huang Chao raised his hand.

Zhao Zhang said unhurriedly:

"Does Your Majesty still remember how Zheng Tian defeated Grand Commandant Shang at Longwei Slope?"

Huang Chao raised an eyebrow and said:

"Zheng Tian waited in comfort for the enemy to tire themselves out, and then set up an ambush."

"Exactly."

Zhao Zhang nodded, stroked his beard, and said,

"If Zheng Tian can use the same methods, why can't we? Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang have traveled day and night from Weinan. Their men and horses are exhausted, and they are eager to gain merit, so they will surely be lax in their defenses. If Your Majesty sends an elite force to attack them halfway when they are unprepared, we will surely achieve a great victory."

Upon hearing this, the generals in the tent began to whisper among themselves, and discussions arose everywhere.

Huang Chao pondered for a moment, and then his eyes gradually lit up.

He stood up, paced back and forth behind the desk a few times, then suddenly stopped and said:

"This plan is excellent. However..."

His gaze swept over the generals in the tent, and his voice deepened.

"But who should we send?"

Silence fell again in the tent.

Huang Chao originally had several generals under his command:

The likes of Shang Rang, Zhu Wen, Huang Ye, Meng Kai, Gai Hong, and Lin Yan.

But now, Shang Rang died at Longwei Slope, Wang Fan and Lin Yan also perished in the chaos of battle, and Huang Ye followed Zhu Wen back to Chang'an in defeat, still shaken. Truly capable generals who can lead independently are now few and far between.

Huang Chao's gaze first fell on Zhu Wen.

Zhu Wen stood in the ranks, broad-shouldered and burly, with dark skin and a short beard that stood on end.

This man was originally a valiant general under Huang Chao, who repeatedly made military achievements and was deeply trusted.

"Zhu Wen".

Huang Chao called out.

Zhu Wen stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Your subject is here."

Huang Chao stared at him and slowly said:

"If I give you ten thousand soldiers, do you think you can stop Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang?"

Zhu Wen remained silent for a moment, cursing inwardly.

Back in Hezhong, he had twice the strength of Wang Chongrong's troops, yet he was still defeated.

Now that Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang have a combined force of 30,000 to 50,000 men, and he only has 10,000 men to give him, he really doesn't have much confidence.

Zhu Wen made up his mind, so he raised his head to meet Huang Chao's gaze, his voice low and hoarse, carrying an indescribable weariness:

"Your Majesty, I have just suffered a defeat in Hezhong, and my elite troops have been almost entirely wiped out. Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang have joined forces, claiming to number fifty or sixty thousand, and their momentum is strong. I... am not confident of victory."

An uproar erupted inside the tent.

Several generals looked disdainful and muttered under their breath:

"Zhu Wen was terrified of Wang Chongrong."

"A stray dog, does it even deserve to be called a general?"

Zhu Wen heard the whispers, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply lowered his eyes, memorized the names of the people, and said nothing more.

Huang Chao stared at him for a long time, but ultimately did not retaliate. He simply waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

He knew in his heart that Zhu Wen was telling the truth.

The defeat at Hezhong resulted in the annihilation of 50,000 troops. It was a miracle that Zhu Wen was able to return alive. To ask him to lead 10,000 soldiers to block the fierce army of Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang was indeed asking too much of a man.

Huang Chao's gaze swept around the tent again, passing over Huang Ye, who was hiding his head in the ranks, wishing he could conceal himself.

He passed by several young generals, each of whom looked fearful and clearly unfit for the task.

His brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and he sighed inwardly.

If Shang Rang were still alive, things would not have come to this.

Just as they were pondering, a person suddenly stepped out of the train.

This man was eight feet tall, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with a face like a red date, and a thick beard that was neatly trimmed. He was none other than Meng Kai, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently the Left Military Commissioner.

This man was Huang Chao's old comrade-in-arms, who had followed him since the uprising in Caozhou. In terms of seniority and military achievements, although he was not as good as Shang Rang, he was still a fierce general.

"His Majesty!"

Meng Kai clasped his hands and said loudly,

"I am willing to go!"

Huang Chao looked up at him, a glint of light flashing in his eyes:

Are you confident?

Meng Kai proudly declared:

"I dare not say I am absolutely certain, but Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang are nothing but opportunistic villains who have become arrogant after a few lucky victories. I am willing to lead an elite force to strike them off their way out before they have a firm foothold. If I fail, I will offer my head to you!"

These words resonated deeply, and the spirits of the generals in the tent were lifted.

Huang Chao laughed heartily and clapped his hands, saying:

"Excellent! Minister Meng truly possesses the demeanor of a great general!"

He paused, then said,

"I'm worried about you going alone. Gai Hong!"

Gai Hong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently the Right Military Commander, stepped forward in response. He was a man with a dark face, a short beard, and a robust build; he was also a veteran general.

He clasped his hands in greeting and said:

"Your subject is here."

"You will go with Meng Qing."

Huang Chao's Road,

"I am giving you ten thousand soldiers. The two of you must work together to hold off Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang!"

Meng Kai and Gai Hong exchanged a glance, then clasped their hands in unison and said:

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

Huang Chao immediately unfolded the map and discussed it carefully with Meng Kai and Gai Hong.

Heading east from Chang'an, the official road winds along the south bank of the Wei River, and after passing Ba Bridge, you reach Mount Li.

Mount Li has undulating terrain and dense forests. The official road passes through the foot of the mountain, with high slopes on both sides, making it an excellent place to set up an ambush.

"It's right here at Mount Li."

Huang Chao pointed to the map and said in a deep voice,

"Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang will come from the east and will surely pass through this place. You should leave the camp at night, cross the Ba Bridge, and then sneak into Mount Li, where you should lie in ambush for the night. When Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang's army passes by tomorrow, you should attack from both sides and catch them off guard."

Meng Kai nodded and said:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will understand."

That night, around the second watch.

In the western suburbs of Chang'an, a group of people quietly assembled in the rebel camp.

Meng Kai and Gai Hong each led 5,000 soldiers, all of whom were elite warriors selected from their respective camps. They were all seasoned veterans, and their armor was gleaming.

The horse's hooves were wrapped in thick cloth, and when it stepped on the ground, it only made a dull thud.

The horse had a piece of wood in its mouth, so even the sound of it snorting was suppressed.

The soldiers did not carry torches, make noise, or whisper to each other. Instead, led by their respective squad leaders, they filed out and crept eastward along the path behind the camp.

The bright moon hung high in the sky that night, its radiant light seemingly aided by the heavens themselves.

Marching by moonlight was extremely slow; it took about an hour before the outline of Chang'an City appeared ahead.

Under the moonlight, the majestic city wall resembled a sleeping giant, stretching across the sky and earth.

The city walls were ablaze with lights, the torches of the night watchmen.

Meng Kai reined in his horse and glanced back.

The procession behind me snaked through the night like a long serpent, its beginning and end nowhere in sight.

He took a deep breath and whispered:

"Passing through the city."

The army passed under Chang'an City. The guards on the city walls were originally from the Great Qi, and having received the news beforehand, they naturally did not come to stop them.

After passing through Chang'an, Meng Kai ordered his army to stop in the open fields east of the city and set up camp there.

It was called camping, but in reality, they just hastily set up some tents for shelter from the wind by moonlight and campfire, and there wasn't even a bed inside.

The soldiers simply slept with their horses as pillows and their weapons as pillows, fully clothed.

Meng Kai then sent someone to knock on the gate of the eastern ward of the city and ordered the local officials to prepare food and provisions overnight and send them to the camp.

The people in the city were awakened from their sleep. When they heard that the rebels wanted to collect grain, how could they dare to be negligent?

Every household rummaged through their belongings, gathering some dried biscuits, millet, and pickled vegetables, and nervously delivered them to the camp.

Meng Kai was not picky. He ordered his men to distribute the food to the soldiers, and he ate two dry biscuits with cold water before leaning back on his horse and taking a nap.