Chapter Eighty-four: To Severely Punish Chen Xuanli

  "Your Majesty, this is the urgent report from Tongguan that I just received!" In Chang'an, Xingqing Palace, Gongzheng Hall, Yang Guozhong was presenting an urgent report from Tongguan and several previous reports from Yang Hui to Emperor Li Longji.

  Emperor Li Longji took advantage of the coolness after last night's rain to sleep very soundly, and after getting up today, he felt quite spirited and went to the Diligent Government Building to handle government affairs. However, he didn't expect that as soon as he had read one memorial, Yang Guozhong would come in a flurry to request an audience. Seeing Yang Guozhong's anxious appearance, Li Longji's heart was again lifted with regard to the Tong Pass affair, and he immediately took it over and began to examine it carefully.

  At the sight, he immediately flew into a great rage, slamming his fist on the table with a loud "bang" and bellowing uncontrollably: "Chen Xuanli actually delayed the march for personal gain, not using all his might to rescue Tongguan - he deserves to die!"

  When Emperor Li Longji said this, Yang Guozhong's heart was slightly relieved and he immediately made a bow and memorialized: "Your Majesty, the front line at Tong Pass is extremely critical. Yang Hui has sent several urgent reports requesting that the court urge Chen Xuanli's troops to speed up their advance in order to prevent danger from arising at Tong Pass. Duo Hua and Zhang Jian's troops have rushed forward with all their might and arrived at Tong Pass last night after dark, immediately joining battle and blocking the rebels' nighttime assault on the city!

  "Zheng Ang's troops arrived at Tongguan early this morning and immediately joined the defense, but Chen Xuanli's men are still on their way, delayed by half a day. Your Majesty, Chen Xuanli has a personal grudge against me and is bringing it into official matters, disregarding the current national crisis and the urgency of Tongguan's situation. He intentionally delayed his troops' arrival, causing them to be nearly a day late compared to other routes. This is an attempt to put Yang Gui and the Tang soldiers at Tongguan in harm's way, completely disregarding the safety of the Tang Dynasty and ignoring Your Majesty's concerns. You must severely reprimand him, absolutely not tolerating this behavior, or it will dishearten the tens of thousands of soldiers fighting bravely at Tongguan!"

  Li Longji calmed down after hearing Yang Guozhong's words and did not immediately respond.

  Yang Guozhong found it strange that Emperor Xuanzong did not continue to show anger, and he immediately added: "Your Imperial Majesty, Chen Gao is so ignoring the crisis of Tong Pass, without any consideration for the overall situation. I think that after he arrived at Tong Pass, he would not listen to Yang Guo's command, and might even sing a different tune with the fourth brother. There are many people in this rescue mission who are close to Chen Gao, if Chen Gao really wanted to do so, it is possible that there will be internal strife within the troops at Tong Pass after he arrives! Your Imperial Majesty, I am deeply worried and fear that Yang Guo cannot command the troops brought by Chen Gao. Therefore, upon receiving Yang Guo's new petition, I did not dare to delay and immediately came to the palace to request an audience with you!"

  "Your Majesty, the country is in dire straits and the situation is critical. Yang Guo is commanding the remaining soldiers at Tong Pass and has repelled the rebels' large-scale attack on the city. He can completely command his troops to block the rebels outside Tong Pass. Your Majesty must not let Chen Xuanli's narrow-mindedness ruin everything, giving the rebels an opportunity! Your Majesty, you cannot show leniency towards Chen Xuanli just because he is a veteran minister who has followed you for many years. You must severely punish him!"

  Yang Guozhong said, "With a thud" he knelt on the ground and knocked his head heavily several times, then tearfully said: "Your Majesty, Yang Hui also requested in his urgent report from 600 miles away to punish Chen Miao's crime. At least summon him back to the capital and do not allow him to interfere with military affairs at Tongguan. For the smooth defense of Tongguan, for the sake of strict military discipline, to prevent other generals from doing so for personal gain and intentionally delaying military actions, I implore Your Majesty to immediately issue an edict summoning Chen Miao back to the capital to be punished. If not, it will surely chill the hearts of the soldiers on the front lines, they will lose their will to fight! Once the army's morale is lost, even if Yang Hui has great endurance, there will be no turning back!"

  "Guo Zhong, hurry up!" Seeing Yang Guozhong so "honest and fearful", Li Longji was very moved, personally got up from his seat to help Yang Guozhong up, "Guo Zhong, don't worry, I know the situation at Tongguan is critical, the army at Tongguan must not have internal conflicts, Chen Xuanli deliberately delayed the march, I am aware of this point, I will definitely punish him severely!"

  Before that, Yang Guozhong had already inserted his trusted personnel into Chen Xuanli's department and sent back a secret letter saying that Chen Xuanli deliberately delayed the progress of the army, wanting to reap the benefits. Yang Guozhong also reported this matter to Li Longji, but at that time Li Longji did not have any attitude towards it and did not intend to punish Chen Xuanli, only issuing an edict ordering him to speed up his advance. Li Longji hoped that after receiving several urging orders from the court, Chen Xuanli would be able to advance quickly and arrive at Tongguan as soon as possible, in order to eliminate the complaints of others. However, unexpectedly, Chen Xuanli remained unmoved and still has not arrived at Tongguan.

  The original text is translated to English as follows:

  "Originally, Zheng Ang's troops, who were marching with Chen Xuanli, all arrived at Tongguan this morning. Chen Xuanli's remaining 40,000 troops still have more than half a day's journey left. Anyone can see the subtlety in this. Although Li Longji is old, he hasn't become foolish and completely understands this point. Therefore, after seeing Yang Hui's "petition of grievances" sent by urgent courier from 600 li away, he became enraged and even said that Chen Xuanli deserved to die."

  But he also knew that Yang Guozhong's request just now was to kick him when he was down and wanted to put Chen Xuanli in a desperate situation, so he didn't immediately express his attitude towards punishing this old general who had always followed him with loyalty.

  However, after Yang Guozhong's "complaint", he still made up his mind to severely punish Chen Xuanli.

  Yang Guozhong was overjoyed at Li Longji's words, but still maintained a solemn and fearful demeanor. "Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty, I made this proposal not to vent personal grievances. Now that the country is in crisis and the rebel army is only several hundred miles away from Chang'an, everything we do is aimed at blocking the rebel army outside Tongguan. Anyone who tries to gain personal benefits from this will be severely punished as a warning to others!"

  "I have agreed to Yang Hui's request, and now I will issue an edict!" Li Longji said, sighing slightly, and immediately picked up his brush to write the edict. After finishing it, he stamped it with the imperial jade seal and handed it over to Yang Guozhong: "Guozhong, send this to Tongguan by express horse relay at once!"

  "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!" Yang Guozhong couldn't help but conceal the joy in his heart, and after making a bow, he hastily ran out.

  Li Longji was writing an imperial edict, and he stood at the side to watch. Whatever content fell into his eyes, of course, he understood what it meant. Chen Xuanli would definitely be unlucky, how could he not be happy? That day, Chen Xuanli openly criticized him in court, he held back his breath, today there was a feeling that the evil air was coming out, even walking felt very light, and the sun beating down didn't feel like anything.

  As Yang Guozhong walked out, Li Longji let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

  Gao Lishi walked over and whispered a few words in Li Longji's ear.

  Li Longji listened and remained silent, but finally nodded his head.