Chapter One: Return to the Capital

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  Yang Gui set out on the sixth day after Geshu Han left Tongguan, preparing to return to Chang'an to report for duty and present many matters.

  He sorted out the things he needed to report, wrote a clean draft and brought it with him. He planned to express his goals and thoughts when he met with the Emperor and had a private conversation with his father Yang Guozhong.

  He has come to this era and is already involved in major historical events, unable to stand by. From every aspect, all the history that leads him will continue to participate, as the protagonist of many events, even the protagonist of the entire era.

  To achieve this, sufficient consideration must be given. Returning to the capital to report to the emperor and stating the reasons for the matter is a necessary task that cannot be delayed!

  He made the most meticulous arrangements for the affairs of Tongguan, and he also gave Wang Silie, Pang Zhong, Gao Shi and others the greatest trust, ordering them to take charge of the military affairs of Tongguan, and repeatedly asking them to strictly train the garrison troops in Tongguan, with the goal of training most of the 100,000 soldiers into elite troops. The selection and training of special small teams would have to wait until he returned from Chang'an; this task could not be accomplished by anyone else, only he himself could do it.

  Yang Jie arranged for Wang Silie, Pang Zhong and Gao Shi to have another important task, which was to repair the city of Hantanguan.

  Hantangguan City played a huge role in defending against the rebel army's siege, but it also suffered from frequent wars and several large fires that burned down, basically losing its defensive function. Yang Hui ordered the mobilization of soldiers and the recruitment of civilians to repair Hantangguan City and restore its defensive capabilities. The Tangguan City of Sui also suffered some damage in several battles, and the beacon towers of the Twelve Connected Cities were damaged, requiring urgent repairs. The filling materials and corpses inside the moat must be cleared out.

  To make Tongguan City have a good defense function, Jinggou Tianxian must be well protected.

  These days, Yang Qi personally went to the upper reaches of Jin Gou for inspection and did not find a suitable place to build a reservoir. The upper reaches of Jin Gou are all high and low mountain slopes, and under current conditions, it is impossible to build a reservoir, so we can only give up.

  After settling everything, Yang Hui embarked on his journey back to Chang'an.

  He didn't take away any soldiers, and even the Imperial Guards didn't all go with him. Only fifty Imperial Bodyguards led by Yang Dong followed him.

  There were few people, and they could hurry through the post station with fast horses. From Tongguan to Chang'an, there were many horses prepared at the post stations, which could be used by more than 50 people for relay riding. With fast horses, it would only take half a day to reach Chang'an. Because of the scorching heat during the day, neither humans nor horses could endure rapid galloping, so Yang Hui hurried along the road at night. It was already midnight, and the moonlight was bright, making objects vaguely visible. The vast official road lay before them for galloping.

  It took him just a little more than half a night, and by the time the sky was just beginning to lighten, Yang Hui had arrived outside Chang'an City.

  At a relay station closest to Chang'an, Yang Hui led the imperial guards to take a temporary rest, bathe and change clothes, so as not to enter the palace with a sweaty smell.

  At the relay station, Yang Hui slept for about an hour before getting up.

  It was unexpected and surprising to him that Geshu Han, who had set out five days earlier, was also resting at this post station. After inquiring, Yang Hui only then learned that Geshu Han, due to a leg ailment, found it inconvenient to move about, so for the past few days he could only travel by horse-drawn carriage, and as a result had not yet arrived at Chang'an.

  However, Yang Jie felt that Geshu Han did not want to arrive in Chang'an quickly, probably because he was afraid of being punished after meeting the emperor.

  "General Geshu, it's just as well that we can enter the palace together to pay our respects and report on the affairs of Tongguan." Yang Hui said with a smile after understanding the situation.

  "That's good too!" Geshu Han nodded with a white beard, feeling relieved.

  After the drums passed by the gate, Yang Hui accompanied Geshu Han and rushed through the Chunming Gate in front of the citizens entering the city, into the inner city of Chang'an.

  Today is Morning Assembly Day.

  Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, now older in age, was not as attentive to governance as before. However, with the Tong Pass situation having just stabilized and the rebellion still ongoing, Emperor Xuanzong needed to frequently discuss follow-up arrangements with his chancellors. Today, he unusually rose early to preside over the imperial gathering. When Yang Guozhong and Geshu Han entered Chang'an and arrived at the gate of the Xingqing Palace seeking an audience, the imperial gathering had just begun. Upon hearing that Yang Guozhong and Geshu Han were waiting outside the palace seeking an audience, Emperor Xuanzong immediately ordered them to enter the palace.

  Under the gaze of all ministers, Yang Hui, dressed in armor, supported the inconveniently moving Geshu Han to enter the Xingqing Hall, and they both paid homage to Emperor Li Longji who sat upright on the throne.

  "Yang Xiao Ai, Ge Shu Ai, calm down!" A few days ago, Li Longji had already received the news that Tongguan was holding out and the rebel army was retreating to Shaanxi Prefecture. He was overjoyed and smiled at Yang Hui and Ge Shuhan in the hall, saying: "Yang Xiao Ai, I didn't expect you to be so brave at such a young age. With just the remnants of Tongguan City's soldiers, you withstood the siege of tens of thousands of rebel troops until reinforcements arrived! You have achieved great merit, and I will surely reward you heavily!"

  Just as Yang Jie was about to show modesty, Wei Fangjin, the governor of Jingzhao, stepped forward and reported: "Your Majesty, Han's Huo Qubing started leading troops at the age of 17 and achieved great military achievements in his youth, earning him the title of Wolf of the Western Regions and leaving a name that will last for eternity! General Yang volunteered to lead the rescue mission to Tongguan during the crisis and successfully repelled the rebels' numerous attacks on the city, turning the tide and saving the Tang Dynasty from danger. His achievements are in no way inferior to those of Huo Qubing! Your Majesty, this is your good fortune, the good fortune of the Tang Dynasty, and a testament to Yang's excellent teaching methods! We must give General Yang and Yang Gong a heavy reward to recognize their contributions and boost the morale of our soldiers!"

  What Wei Fangjin said, although flattering and trying to please Yang Guozhong, was not unreasonable. Yang Hui's achievements at Tongguan were indeed great, and no one could deny this. When Wei Fangjin spoke up for Yang Hui in the imperial court, some people felt uncomfortable but did not stand up to oppose or criticize him.

  Yang Guozhong, standing at the head of the hall, did not show any expression, but the pride in his heart could not be concealed.

  This young son of the Yang family is truly a lucky star, not only did he help himself resolve the great difficulties he faced, but also brought honor to the Yang family. His decision to let Yang Hui lead the army to reinforce Tongguan was indeed correct.

  The decision made on that day was not a heroic sacrifice, but rather an added glory to one's own honor.

  This young son is really promising, far surpassing the three older sons. In the future, I must pour all my heart and soul into cultivating him. It's very likely that Yang Hui will carry on the glory of the Yang family and make it even more brilliant, reaching an unpredictable height.

  At the time when Yang Guozhong was secretly rejoicing and planning, Wei Jian, the Minister of War, also stood up and seconded Wei Fangjin's proposal: "Your Majesty, I agree with the proposal. General Yang made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Tongguan, holding off the rebel army's attack with over 10,000 defeated soldiers, such achievements, if not heavily rewarded by the court, would be unjust!"

  "Hmm, you all make sense. Yang Hui's great achievement at Tongguan will surely be rewarded by the imperial court! Those who have merits will be rewarded, and those who have faults will be punished. This is the only way to boost military morale and national prestige. Otherwise, it will dampen the spirits of our generals!" Li Longji stroked his beard and chuckled as he said these words in front of everyone, then suddenly shouted loudly: "Where is Yang Hui?"

  Yang Hui heard Li Longji's order and immediately came forward to respond: "Your Majesty, I am here!"

  Before Li Longji could speak, Yang Guifei immediately spoke out some words she had been thinking about: "Your Majesty, I have made military achievements in Tongguan, but the military achievements I have made are inseparable from the soldiers who fought to the death. I hope that when Your Majesty rewards me, you will also reward all the soldiers in Tongguan City! Also, I hope that Your Majesty can let the generals who bear the blame for losing the Divine Treasure Army continue to lead the army and fight, and redeem their crimes with merit!"

  When Yang Guifei actually made such a request, everyone in the hall was shocked, including Yang Guozhong who had just been self-satisfied and Geshu Han who was about to come out and apologize.