Chapter 86: Composed Response

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  No one expected that just as Chen Xuanli led his army to arrive at Tongguan, the imperial court's urgent summons for him to return to the capital would follow immediately. This not only shocked Chen Xuanli himself and his various generals but also shocked Geshu Han, Wang Silie, and Pong Zhong extremely.

  The only one who was not surprised was Yang Hui, for this was what he had requested in a secret letter to his father Yang Guozhong and also made a similar request in a memorial to Emperor Xuanzong.

  Chen Xuanli deliberately slowed down the rescue efforts, almost causing an irretrievable crisis at Tongguan. This is a despicable act that disregards national justice. Regardless of any past conflicts between him and Yang Guozhong, anyone who tries to vent personal grievances through the Tongguan crisis cannot be tolerated.

  Yang Jie was extremely angry and wanted to punish Chen Xuanli. He also feared that after Chen Xuanli arrived at Tongguan, he would contend with him for military power, leading to internal strife in Tongguan and giving the rebels an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

  Whether from a personal perspective or from the standpoint of national and ethnic righteousness, he did not want Chen Xuanli to stay in Tongguan. Therefore, he wrote a letter to the imperial court to clearly state that while dealing with Chen Xuanli, the emperor should summon him back. In his letter to his father Yang Guozhong, he also stated the harm of Chen Xuanli staying in Tongguan and asked his father to find a way to get rid of him no matter what.

  Chen Xuanli left Tongguan, and the 600,000 to 700,000 troops stationed in Tongguan were all placed under his command. No one else had the prestige to challenge his authority, which was what Yang Hui had been longing for. He also hoped to use Chen Xuanli's affair to establish himself again. Now that the imperial edict had arrived, it came at a very opportune time, and Yang Hui was overjoyed. He believed that Emperor Li Longji was also angry with Chen Xuanli's intentional delay and would punish him.

  For someone who puts national interests above personal considerations, Yang Hui had no good feelings towards him, no matter how excellent he had performed in the past.

  Even if the imperial court immediately ordered Chen Xuanyu's execution, he would still welcome it with applause.

  "General Chen, I didn't expect that as soon as you arrived at Tongguan, the imperial court's edict summoning you back to the capital for an important mission would follow right behind. Originally, I had hoped to cooperate with General Chen and fight together to keep the rebel army outside the city of Tongguan, but it seems there is no opportunity now, and we can only wait until later!" Yang Hui had already put away his unexpected expression from earlier and spoke in a calm tone to Chen Xuanyu, who was still in a daze: "However, General Chen led the army on a long and urgent march, so you must be extremely exhausted. Why not rest for a while at Tongguan before setting out again? I'm sure His Majesty will understand."

  After seeing the imperial edict ordering him to return to the capital immediately, Chen Xuanli was extremely shocked and began to wonder why the emperor had done this. His mind was racing with thoughts, and he didn't even notice what Yang Jue had just said until he finished speaking. Only then did he come back to his senses, saying somewhat awkwardly: "General Yang, I didn't expect an urgent imperial edict to arrive!"

  Yang Hui's eyes were very calm, while the expressions of Geshu Han, Wang Silie, and Pang Zhong were not too friendly. The many generals under his command were all in a state of extreme shock, Chen Xuanli's original plan was rendered useless, and he even felt a sense of being at a loss for what to do.

  "Is this Yang Guozhong's doing?" A thought flashed through Chen Xuanli's mind.

  But before he could react, a soldier rushed to Yang's side and reported loudly: "Report to the General, the rebels have started attacking the city!"

  As soon as the rebel army attacked the city again, Yang Gui's heart skipped a beat. He didn't have the mind to argue with Chen Xuanyi anymore, but instead loudly declared his order: "General Tian, General Gao, you are in charge of arranging for General Chen's reinforcements to rest well, no matter what, and not allowing any negligence! All other generals, follow me to the city head to resist the enemy. If anyone dares to show cowardice and not move forward, they will be killed without pardon!"

  Yang Kai's last sentence, full of murderous intent, shocked Chen Xuanli and also startled the other generals who had just arrived. Yang Kai's aura was extraordinary, making many people feel uneasy.

  After the generals received their orders, Yang Gui made another bow to Chen Xuanli, "General Chen, the rebels have started attacking the city again. I don't know whether General Chen wants to return to Chang'an immediately, or rest for a while before leaving? Or follow this commander to the city head to defend against the enemy or watch the battle?"

  At this time, Wang Silie and Pang Zhong were just about to leave, but after hearing Yang Hui's words, they slowed down a bit, wanting to see how Chen Xuanyu would react.

  Facing Yang Gui and the gaze of the other generals, Chen Xuanli could not remain silent. After a slight hesitation, he replied unnaturally: "This general will follow Geshu Yuan and Yang Yuan to the city head to observe the battle, and when necessary, this general can also go up to the city head to kill the enemy!"

  The development of the situation was completely beyond his control. As soon as he arrived at Tongguan, he seemed to be somewhat out of control. From Yang's resolute arrangements and the obedience of the other generals, he had already judged that Yang had grasped the situation in Tongguan. If he showed disobedience, the other generals might attack him, so he could only follow Yang's intentions and act accordingly. He couldn't show cowardice, and going to the city wall to observe or participate in the battle was his only choice at this point.

  "Alright, then please ask General Chen and the other generals who have just arrived at Tongguan to follow me to the city gate. The rebel army's attack will certainly be fierce, we must defend with all our might!" Yang said, without further delay, he ordered each general to take action, and himself whipped his horse and rushed towards the south gate tower. Chen Xuanyi and the generals who came with him could only follow Yang and the other generals behind him towards the south gate.

  As soon as they arrived at the south gate, many people were shocked by what they saw. Countless rebel soldiers were frantically attacking towards the south gate, with many carrying bamboo or wooden shields to charge forward.

  The bed crossbows on the city wall have started firing, and the rebels have not yet reached the range of the bows and arrows. However, all the bows in the hands of the Tang army soldiers on the city wall are fully drawn, with arrows already nocked.

  When Yang Guozhong led Geshu Han, Wang Silie, Pang Zhong, Tian Liangqiu, and Gao Shi to welcome Chen Xuanli's reinforcements, there were still many main generals left in the city. To the east gate was Li Chengguang, on the south gate tower were Li Fude, Liu Guangting, and Lü Chongpi, it was because of these capable generals that Yang Guozhong dared to lead other generals to welcome Chen Xuanli.

  The rebel army's overwhelming offensive exceeded Yang Gui's previous expectations, but he was not surprised at all. However, Chen Xuanli and other generals who came to rescue Tongguan with him were shocked, never expecting the rebels' formation to be so grand. Judging from the rebels' lineup, at least 20,000 soldiers were deployed in a single frontal assault, armed with bamboo and wooden shields, aiming to fill up the moat and launch an attack.

  Yang Kai ignored Chen Xuanli's surprise and calmly issued new orders. The soldiers on the city wall still acted as they did yesterday, starting a dense arrow attack when the rebels arrived at the east bank of Jin Gou and entered the range of the bow and arrow. At the same time, he ordered the soldiers to prepare a large amount of hay and hot oil. After issuing these orders, he turned his head and shouted loudly at Wang Silie on one side: "Where is General Wang Silie?"

  Wang Silie was slightly stunned, but immediately stood up straight and responded loudly: "The last general is here!"

  "General Wang, I command you to lead three thousand cavalry and prepare to launch a surprise attack on the enemy outside the city!"

  Wang Silie was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood Yang Hui's meaning, and stood up straight to respond: "Yes, General! The end will follow the order!"