Late Tang Dynasty: Descendants of the Imperial Clan

Li Cenji said:

"Why not divide these valuables into three parts? One part can be used to reward the entire army, one part can be kept as military supplies, and the third part can be divided among the three of us. The portion for rewarding the entire army should be distributed equally among all soldiers, regardless of whether they are from Fengxiang, Jingyuan, Qinzhou, or Boye. The soldiers should receive their share based on the number of soldiers and their merits. Those who die in battle will receive double compensation, which, along with the previously promised amount, will be given to their families. Those who are wounded will receive an additional allowance for recuperation. In this way, the soldiers will receive tangible benefits and be happy. Who would be willing to risk their lives to rob the common people of their possessions?"

Cheng Zongchu and Qiu Gongyu exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and delight in each other's eyes.

The spoils Huang Chao plundered were enormous; even if the three men could only each receive one-ninth, it would still be a considerable sum.

The two of them had initially thought Li Cenji was upright and honest, and were plotting how to persuade him to share the money. They never expected him to come to them on his own initiative.

"good!"

Cheng Zongchu slapped his thigh.

"That's settled then! I'll have people quickly inventory the goods, make a register, and distribute them according to the number of people!"

Qiu Gongyu nodded, using lofty words to mask his inner greed:

"That's excellent. The soldiers will be satisfied with their reward and will naturally be less inclined to plunder. The people will also be able to live in peace. It's a win-win situation."

The three of them had made a plan and then went off to carry it out separately.

Li Cenji returned to his base and summoned Chen An, Zhou Ping, Song Wentong, Xu Tai, and others, giving them instructions to prepare for entering the city that afternoon.

It was just past noon.

West of Chang'an City, outside the Golden Light Gate.

Three thousand soldiers were arrayed, their armor gleaming, their swords and spears like a forest.

The six banners at the forefront:

Fengxiang "Li", Jingyuan "Cheng", Qinzhou "Chou".

In the center of the three banners, there stands a broken banner: "Huang," and a long pole with a severed head preserved in lime hanging from its tip.

The head of Huang Chao.

As the wind blew, the large yellow banner fluttered wildly, and the severed head swayed slightly on the pole tip. Although its features were somewhat distorted, they were still vaguely discernible.

The city's garrison had already received news of the army's defeat and had gathered many of the routed soldiers.

However, rumors abounded among the routed soldiers:

Some say that King Huang escaped, some say that King Huang was captured by the Tang army, some say that King Huang surrendered to the Tang army, and some say that King Huang is already dead.

The commander in the city was unable to make a decision for the time being.

Upon seeing the head, the morale of the army immediately collapsed.

"King Huang...King Huang is dead!"

"That great banner! That's the Yellow King's great banner!"

"It really is King Huang! His head... his head is right there!"

Exclamations rose and fell, and the city walls were in turmoil.

Some of the defenders dropped their weapons and ran down the city wall, some collapsed on the wall and wept loudly, and some looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

Li Cenji spurred his horse forward, reined it in by the moat, looked up at the city walls, and shouted in a loud voice:

"Listen up, defenders on the city walls! Huang Chao, the usurper of the Qi dynasty, was executed this morning! His head is here, and the great banner is here! Whom will you fight for now?"

Behind him, the soldiers shouted in unison, their voices strong and clear, and the sound could be heard clearly both on and off the city walls.

The three thousand soldiers behind them also shouted in unison:

"Huang Chao is dead! Those who surrender will be spared! Huang Chao is dead! Those who surrender will be spared!"

The shouts were deafening, echoing endlessly between the city walls.

There was a moment of silence on the city wall, then suddenly there was a "clang" as someone dropped their weapon. Immediately afterwards, a series of clanging sounds followed as swords, spears, bows and arrows, and shields were scattered all over the ground.

The city gate slowly opened.

The first to step forward was an old general, about the same age as Huang Chao, with gray hair and beard, disheveled armor, and a face ashen as paper.

He held the seal of office in both hands, knelt on the ground, and said in a hoarse voice, "The guilty general Mi Shi... is willing to surrender."

Behind him, a dark mass of rebel soldiers knelt on the ground.

Li Cenji dismounted, stepped forward, took the seal of office from the old general, and said in a deep voice:

"Now that you have surrendered, I will forgive your past transgressions. Issue the order that all camps disarm on the spot and await further punishment."

The old general kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead hitting the bluestone slab, causing blood to flow freely.

Li Cenji didn't even look at him, turned around and returned to the front of the formation, saying to Cheng Zongchu and Qiu Gongyu:

"Commander Cheng, Commander Qiu, let's go into the city."

Cheng Zongchu laughed heartily and spurred his horse to follow. Qiu Gongyu also nodded and rode forward.

Three thousand elite soldiers filed in, lining up on both sides of the long street, the sound of their armor clashing crisply and in unison.

Li Cenji rode at the very front, with Cheng Zongchu on the left and Qiu Gongyu on the right, the three banners fluttering behind them.

On both sides of the long street, people peeked out from behind doors, windows, and alleyways, initially looking timidly. But when they saw the three banners and the severed head, some cried out in alarm, some covered their faces and wept, and some knelt down and wailed loudly.

"Huang Chao is dead! That traitor is really dead!"

"Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes!"

Cries, laughter, and cheers mingled together, echoing through the long street.

Li Cenji reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the common people, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He suddenly remembered the white banners he had seen on the main street of Mei County that day, the resentful gazes, and the children huddled in the corner, trembling with fear.

Those days are finally over.

He took a deep breath, turned his horse around, faced the three thousand elite soldiers, and shouted:

"Listen up, soldiers!"

Upon hearing his call, the soldiers immediately shouted in unison to relay the message.

Three thousand people stood up straight in unison.

"You followed Commanders Cheng and Qiu, and fought alongside me all the way from Fengxiang to Chang'an. From Longweipo to Wugong and the western suburbs of Chang'an, every battle was a hard-fought one, and every fight was bloody. I am deeply grateful, and the court will not forget your contributions."

He paused, then raised his voice slightly:

"Upon entering the city today, the three of us have only one instruction: Do not disturb the residents!"

The long street fell silent for a moment.

Li Cenji's gaze swept across those faces, and he slowly said:

"Do you know why you are not allowed to disturb the peace?"

The soldiers looked at each other, but no one answered.

Li Cenji asked himself the question and answered it, his voice becoming deep:

"Because the people are already poor, suffering, and terrified of being robbed. When Huang Chao was in power, he robbed them; a few days ago, the Tang army entered the city and robbed them too. They farm the land and pay taxes to support you, yet you want to rob them. What kind of logic is this? What kind of government army are you? How are you any different from bandits?"

He raised his hand and pointed to the timid people lining both sides of the long street:

"Look at those people, how much grain do they have left? How many clothes do they have? How many copper coins do they have? Don't you know?"

The soldiers lowered their heads, some with expressions of shame.

Li Cenji then said:

"Let me speak the truth again: the people are dirt poor, they don't even have a copper coin on them, and they can't even find a decent piece of clothing in their homes. Even if you went to rob them, how much could you possibly get? Rather than robbing a few copper coins and a few tattered clothes, incurring the people's resentment and hatred, it would be better for you to serve as government troops peacefully, waiting for the court's rewards and for Huang Chao's wealth. I assure you here: Huang Chao's wealth is enough to reward the entire army, everyone will get a share, no one will be left out. As long as you behave yourselves, do not disturb the people, and do not plunder, I keep my word, and you will receive every single penny!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers' eyes lit up.

Someone whispered to their comrade beside them:

"Really? Is there really enough wealth for Huang Chao to distribute?"

The fellow soldier lowered his voice and said:

"I heard from the commander that Huang Chao robbed his way from Lingnan to Guanzhong, and the gold and silver treasures are piled up like mountains. When they are divided among us, we will get at least a few strings of cash, enough for our whole family to eat for a long time."

"How many strings of cash?"

The man gasped.

"That's much more profitable than robbing ordinary people!"

"you do not say!"

His comrade laughed,

"How much money can you get by robbing civilians? You might even get beaten by the military. It's not worth it."

Similar whispers spread through the ranks, and the soldiers' expressions gradually changed.

Some people were initially dissatisfied, feeling it would be a waste not to plunder after entering the city. However, after hearing Li Cenji's words and learning that everyone would have a share of Huang Chao's wealth, their dissatisfaction vanished.

Several troublemakers who had been eager to cause trouble backed down.

They knew in their hearts that Li Cenji was a man of his word; if he said no one was allowed to disturb the people, then he meant no one was allowed to disturb the people.

He said that everyone had a share of Huang Chao's wealth, which meant that everyone would actually get a piece of it.

It's not worth offending this killer for a few pennies.

Cheng Zongchu and Qiu Gongyu exchanged a glance as they watched this scene.

This young man is not only good at fighting, but also knows how to win people's hearts.

His words, spoken in front of the people, both reasoned with the soldiers and offered them tangible benefits, employing a combination of persuasion and firmness, and balancing kindness with authority.

The soldiers were completely convinced, and the people were deeply grateful—a win-win situation.

"Let's go."

Cheng Zongchu said something in a low voice and urged his horse forward.

He was somewhat displeased. He should have been the one to say these polite words, but Li Cenji had beaten him to it. However, given their relationship, he couldn't very well argue with a junior who was also his savior.

Over the next few days, things gradually calmed down in Chang'an.

Li Cenji kept his word and divided Huang Chao's wealth into three parts:

One portion was given as a reward to the entire army, one portion was kept as military funds, and the remaining portion was divided between Cheng and Qiu.

The reward for the entire army was distributed equally among soldiers from Fengxiang, Jingyuan, Qinzhou, and Boye, based on the number of soldiers and their merits. Those who died in battle received double compensation, and the wounded received additional funds for recuperation.

The soldiers in each town received their rewards and were all smiles, no longer harboring any thoughts of looting.

Li Cenji then discussed with Cheng Zongchu and Qiu Gongyu the matter of dividing the troops from various towns outside the city into separate camps and stationing them there, forbidding them from entering the city without authorization.

The city had three thousand elite soldiers, each commanded by one of the three men, who were responsible for guarding the four gates and patrolling the streets.

In this way, the soldiers did not disturb the people, and the people were not alarmed by the soldiers. The city of Chang'an gradually returned to its former order.

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

Meanwhile, the troops of Li Xiaochang and Tuoba Sigong, having received orders from General Zheng Tian in Wugong, marched eastward along the Wei River, traveling day and night, intending to rush to Chang'an to provide reinforcements.

The two towns joined forces, with over ten thousand infantry and cavalry, their banners obscuring the sun, and marched eastward in a grand procession along the official road on the south bank of the Wei River.

On this day, the army marched into Xingping territory. The sun was already high in the sky, and the soldiers were about to set up camp and have a meal when they suddenly saw a scout on horseback galloping towards them on the official road ahead. The horse's hooves flew, kicking up a cloud of yellow dust.

The scout, his face covered in dust and his armor disheveled, dismounted before the army, knelt on one knee, and said urgently:

"General! Something terrible has happened! The puppet Qi army has laid an ambush at Lishan. The troops under Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang have fallen into the trap and suffered a crushing defeat! All their banners and supplies have been lost, and countless men have been killed or wounded!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaochang's expression changed drastically. His riding whip snapped to the ground, and he shouted sternly, "What did you say? Say it again!"

The scout was being pulled so hard he could barely breathe, but dared not struggle, and could only hiss:

"General, please calm your anger! I have obtained the truth: the puppet Qi army dispatched Meng Kai and Gai Hong with over ten thousand elite troops, who lay in ambush in Mount Li. Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly, falling into the ambush. The troops of both garrisons were routed. Wang Chongrong managed to break through the encirclement with only a few hundred cavalry, while Zhuge Shuang's fate is unknown!"

Li Xiaochang released his grip, his face ashen, and simply said, "Go and invite Commander Tuoba here."

When Tuoba Sigong rushed over and heard what had happened, he couldn't help but look at Li Xiaochang.

Li Xiaochang was also looking at him. The two looked at each other and saw fear and relief in each other's eyes.

What was alarming was that the combined forces of Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang, numbering 30,000 (though claiming to number 100,000), were utterly defeated in a single battle.

Fortunately, the two of them did not rush forward rashly; otherwise, they would probably be the ones fleeing back in such a sorry state.

"Pass down the order—"

Li Xiaochang said in a deep voice.

"Set up camp here and do not advance any further! Send out more scouts to explore the front lines and report back immediately if there is any movement!"

Once the military order was given, each camp sprang into action. Some dug trenches, others erected palisades, and still others pitched tents. In less than half an hour, a camp was set up on the south bank of the Wei River.

Inside the central command tent, Li Xiaochang and Tuoba Sigong sat facing each other. The tent was brightly lit by candlelight, casting their faces in intermittent light.

Li Xiaochang held his teacup, but couldn't drink a drop. He just tapped his fingers unconsciously on the table, making a dull thud.

He pondered for a long time, then suddenly spoke:

"Lord Tuoba, how long do you think... Cheng Zongchu and the others can hold out?"

Tuoba Sigong shook his head, his face, tanned dark by wind and sand, filled with solemnity:

"It's hard to say. Huang Chao has already sent troops to ambush Wang Chongrong and Zhuge Shuang, which means he still has enough troops at his disposal. Cheng Zongchu, Qiu Gongyu, Tang Hongfu, and Li Cenji are trapped in the western suburbs, surrounded by rebel troops on all sides, with running out of food and supplies and no reinforcements coming... I'm afraid their chances of survival are slim."

Li Xiaochang sighed, placed the teacup on the table, and said in a low voice:

"Cheng Zongchu, though rough and boorish, is a fierce general. Qiu Gongyu, calm and experienced, is also a rare talent for command. Tang Hongfu, though retired from his post, is still a veteran general. Li Cenji, that young man, is even more so the fierce man who beheaded Shang Rang at Longwei Slope... If they all perish in Chang'an, the court will have no one left to use in the western part of the capital."

At that time, their two towns will become the main force in resisting Huang Chao.

Tuoba Sigong was silent for a moment, then said:

"I have already sent someone to Zhouzhi to inform Lord Zheng of the defeat at Lishan. However... Lord Zheng is in poor health, and I heard that his old illness has flared up again recently. I don't know if he can hold on."

The two remained silent, with only the soft crackling of the candlelight in the tent.

After a long while, Li Xiaochang finally spoke:

"Very well, if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Let's set up camp first and wait for General Zheng's orders. Until then, we must not act rashly."

Tuoba Sigong nodded in agreement, and the two discussed the scouting arrangements for the next day for a while before returning to their respective tents to rest.

The next day, at the crack of dawn, the troops of the two towns broke camp and continued their eastward advance along the Wei River.

The march was even more cautious than the previous day. Scouts were sent out ten miles ahead, and cavalry patrolled the left and right flanks, for fear of falling into a rebel ambush.

The army marched and stopped intermittently, covering no more than twenty li a day.

The Wei River makes a bend here, widening its surface and calming its current.

The willows swaying on both banks, the fields crisscrossing, it was a beautiful scene, but no one had the heart to appreciate it at this moment.

Just then, a scout on horseback galloped along the official road, the sound of his hooves as rapid as drumbeats, and the dust he kicked up could be seen from afar.

Li Xiaochang's heart tightened, and he thought to himself:

Could it be that the rebels are up to something again?

The scout rode down the slope, dismounted, and staggered a few steps before regaining his balance. His expression was quite strange, a mixture of surprise, joy, and disbelief.

"General! Great...great joy!"

The scout's voice was trembling.

"Huang Chao... Huang Chao has been killed!"

Li Xiaochang was taken aback at first, then his eyes widened and he said sternly:

"What did you say? Say it again!"

The scout took a deep breath and raised his voice:

"Huang Chao has been killed! At dawn the day before yesterday, Li Cenji led his cavalry in a night raid on the rebel army's central camp, beheading Huang Chao amidst a sea of ​​soldiers! The rebel army suffered a crushing defeat, and Commanders Cheng and Qiu have already recaptured Chang'an!"

These words caused an uproar on the earthen slope.

Li Xiaochang stood there, mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time.

The officers and soldiers around him looked at each other, some stunned, some overjoyed, and some still doubtful. For a moment, they were all talking at once, creating a chaotic scene.

Tuoba Sigong, having just ridden his horse up the earthen slope, overheard the scout's words and was taken aback. He dismounted, strode to the scout, and said in a deep voice:

"Did you see it with your own eyes?"

The scout nodded repeatedly, took out a letter from his robes, and presented it with both hands:

"This humble man dares not speak presumptuously. This is a letter sent by Commander Cheng; please, both commanders, take a look."

Tuoba Sigong took the letter, opened it, and read it quickly, his expression changing. He then handed the letter to Li Xiaochang:

"General Li, just look! That Li Cenji has truly killed Huang Chao!"

Li Xiaochang took the letter, quickly glanced at it, and exclaimed in surprise:

"What a Li Cenji! I thought the four of them were doomed, and I was just figuring out how to report to Lord Zheng, but who knew... who knew this kid would actually kill Huang Chao! A night raid on the central army, taking the rebel king's head amidst ten thousand soldiers, is this... is this guy even human?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding officers could no longer contain themselves and swarmed around, bombarding him with questions:

"General, what exactly happened? Did Li Liuhou really kill Huang Chao?"

"How did he manage to break in? The rebels numbered in the tens of thousands!"

"Do you have a detailed battle report? Tell me quickly!"

Li Xiaochang handed the letter to the judge beside him and asked him to read it to everyone.

The judge cleared his throat, unfolded the letter, and read aloud:

"The bandit leader Huang Chao, like a cornered beast, fought on, gathering tens of thousands of troops and besieging me in the western suburbs of Chang'an. I, along with Qiu and Li, devised a plan to wear him down and keep him from resting. At dawn, Li Cenji personally led two thousand cavalrymen and stormed the bandit's central camp..."

Upon hearing this, all the officers and soldiers held their breath.

"...He broke through three layers of camps in succession, beheading the pseudo-Qi generals Meng Kai and Gai Hong. Huang Chao fled north in panic, and Cen Ji pursued him to the northern camp, blocking his escape route. Knowing that he could not escape, Huang Chao committed suicide. Cen Ji then took his head and presented it to the emperor..."

Before the letter was even finished being read, the tent was already in an uproar.

"A night raid on the central army, breaching three layers of camps in succession... how much courage does that take?"

"Two thousand cavalry dare to charge into a camp of tens of thousands?"

Discussions rose and fell, some in amazement, some in doubt, some in envy, and some indignant.

Regardless of what they said, everyone's eyes held an undisguised awe.

After the judge finished reading the letter, he added:

"The letter also said that Huang Chao's head had been preserved with lime and, along with the seal and banner of the puppet Qi regime, would soon be sent to Chengdu to be presented to the emperor. In Chang'an, the rebel army had already surrendered at the mere sight of them, and Commander Cheng, Commander Qiu, and Li Liuhou were stationed in the city to pacify the people and inventory the treasury."

After hearing this, Li Xiaochang sighed:

"When we beheaded Shang Rang at Longwei Slope, we were still able to share in his achievements. Now, having beheaded Huang Chao, it is an unprecedented feat. Such a person is truly first-rate in this era."

Tuoba Sigong stroked his beard, his eyes revealing a mixture of astonishment and solemnity.

He suddenly turned his head, looked at the Tangut officers behind him, and said a few words in the Tangut language.

Upon hearing this, the Tangut officers and soldiers all widened their eyes in astonishment, then nodded in agreement, muttering something under their breath.

Li Xiaochang couldn't understand the Tangut language, so he asked the interpreter beside him:

"What did they say?"

The interpreter was also full of surprise and whispered:

"The Tuoba general said that Li Liuhou was probably a god descended from heaven, otherwise how could a mortal have such strength? The Dangxiang generals and officers also said that Li Liuhou was a heavenly general, a divine being sent from heaven."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaochang burst into laughter and said, "General Tian? That's quite a title. This kid is destined to be famous throughout the land."

The tent was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation; the gloom that had been born from the defeat at Lishan had been completely swept away.

Now, let's talk about Zhouzhi, the imperial camp.

Zheng Tian had been unwell for the past few days. After receiving the news of the defeat in Chang'an, he fainted from the shock and anger. Although he was revived by medical staff, he has been bedridden ever since.

His complexion was ashen, his cheekbones were high, his eyes were sunken, and he was so thin that he was just skin and bones.

Wang Chu was not by his side; he had previously returned to Fengxiang with Li Changyan to oversee the transfer of grain and the resettlement of prisoners.

The military affairs in the headquarters were temporarily handed over to Sun Chu, but while Sun Chu was capable of managing military affairs, he was not up to the task of overseeing the overall situation.

Although Zheng Tian was bedridden, he still insisted on overseeing the overall situation. Every day, the documents on his desk were piled up high. He leaned on his pillow and reviewed them one by one, becoming dizzy from exhaustion, but he refused to rest.

One afternoon, Zheng Tian was leaning against his couch looking at a list of provisions when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

Immediately afterwards, the tent flap was flung open, and Sun Chu strode in, his face ashen, clutching a letter in his hand, his voice trembling slightly:

"General! Lishan...Lishan has suffered a crushing defeat!"

The document in Zheng Tian's hand fell to the couch with a "thud." He sat up abruptly, snatched the letter, and read it quickly.

As he watched, his face changed from ashen to deathly pale, then to ashen, and finally to a deathly gray.

The old eyes, which had once held some light, dimmed instantly, as if a candle flame had been blown out by the wind.

"Wang Chongrong... Zhuge Shuang..."

Zheng Tian murmured the two names, his voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible.

"Underestimating the enemy and advancing recklessly...ambushed...utterly defeated..."

He suddenly started coughing violently, coughing so hard that he curled up into a ball, his face turned bright red, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

Sun Chu was greatly alarmed and quickly stepped forward to support him, patting his back while calling out to the outside of the tent:

"Medical engineers! Medical engineers, come quick!"

The medical worker stumbled in, hurriedly opened his medicine box, took out silver needles, and inserted one needle into Zheng Tian's philtrum and Neiguan acupoints.

After a while, Zheng Tian's cough gradually subsided, but his face remained ashen and his lips were bloodless.