Chapter 39: Ordered to March Eastward

In September, the Tubo troops stationed across the Bo Yi River, seeing no hope of recapturing Xiao Bo Li, returned to Luoshe City before supplies ran out. Gao Xianzhi then appointed Xue Lian, the daughter of Subishi, as the new king of Xiao Bo Li. He left Xi Yuanqing with 2,000 troops to garrison there and led the main force back to Lianyun Fort via the Chifo Tang route.

As the year neared its end, the Tang Dynasty’s annual polo tournament was set to begin in January of the seventh year of Tianbao. This tournament was akin to the World Cup of that era, with teams from various provinces, border regions, as well as the imperial family and even the emperor’s personal teams all competing eagerly. The Anxi Army was no exception; they had won third place in the previous tournament and attracted widespread attention. At the beginning of October, a summons from Fumeng Lingcha arrived at Lianyun Fort. The Anxi Polo Team split into two groups—one set off from Kucha, while the seven men who had participated in the battle of Xiao Bo Li, including Duan Xiushi, Bai Yuanguang, Li Qing’an, and Li Fei Shouyu, headed straight from Lianyun Fort to Chang’an to compete.

That evening, Gao Xianzhi called Li Qing’an into his room. Deep in thought, he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. After a long while, he turned to Li Qing’an and asked, “Li Qing’an, I plan to bypass Fumeng Lingcha and report directly to the imperial court. What do you think?”

Gao Xianzhi had been considering this for a long time. The emperor’s edict had appointed him as the military commander for this campaign without mentioning Fumeng Lingcha at all, clearly indicating that he was meant to replace Fumeng Lingcha. If Fumeng Lingcha were to write the report, how would it be? Could it change the emperor’s mind? Gao Xianzhi was deeply worried.

Li Qing’an thought for a moment before saying, “General, after all, Fumeng Lingcha is still the military commander. Bypassing him goes against the established rules and could easily lead to criticism. It would be better to take two steps at once, making slight adjustments in approach.”

“Oh? How?”

“It’s simple. First, create a time difference—send Fumeng Lingcha’s report three days later, so that your report arrives at the court earlier. Second, don’t use a formal report; instead, send an urgent military message via the fastest route, ensuring the content is detailed. Finally, consult with the supervising general and have him sign as well. This way, it becomes a joint report by you and the supervising general. Even if Fumeng Lingcha gets furious, he won’t be able to do anything.”

Gao Xianzhi nodded slowly. He had to admit that Li Qingan’s tactics were ingenious, far more thorough than his own. He took out a letter and handed it to Li Qingan, saying, “This is a letter for Prime Minister Li. When you go to the capital this time, please deliver it to him on my behalf.”
“Don’t worry, my lord. I will definitely do it.”
……
At the beginning of December, heavy snow fell heavily, turning the Guanzhong region into a silver world. Rivers and streams froze into jade-like surfaces; trees on both banks were adorned with delicate branches, and the distant mountains were covered in snow, making the landscape look like a picturesque poem amidst the plum-blossom-like snowflakes.
The Three Bridges in Chang’an had always been a place for welcoming and seeing off travelers. There was a post station by the roadside, and a farewell pavilion on the hill behind it. A straight official road ran east-west beneath the pavilion—eastward leading to the prosperous regions of Hedong and Luoyang, while westward led to the Gobi Desert and the sunset over the poplar trees.
One day, a group of riders arrived on the official road in front of the Three Bridges. They looked weary from their long journey, clearly coming from afar. It was a team of over twenty Tang cavalrymen, all tall, strong, and imposing. Their long plumes on black helmets fluttered in the wind. They carried long bows on their backs and swords at their waists—this was Li Qingan and his group returning to Chang’an from Lianyun Fort.
Having set out from Lianyun Fort, crossed the vast deserts, and passed through the Hexi Corridor, they had traveled thousands of miles. The hardships of wind, sand, and storms had left them exhausted and emaciated, and their military uniforms were tattered. The bloodstains from the Battle of Xiaobolü had turned dark brown. Their trials in Anxi had instilled in them a maturity and determination unseen in people from the Central Plains. As people came and went on the road, everyone stared in surprise at these distinctive cavalrymen.
Li Qingan walked in the middle of the group. It was his first time in the capital. He curiously observed everything around him. Although he had been to Hexi and Longyou before, the scenery of Chang’an gave him a completely different feeling. He couldn’t explain where this difference came from—perhaps the people here were more confident; even the cart drivers stood with straight backs. There were also wide roads, as well as temples and the residences of nobles hidden among the distant mountains.
Behind him, Li Fei Yuanli, who had been talking nonstop, fell silent. He gazed at every plant and tree in Chang’an with mixed emotions, his eyes filled with reverence.
“Qilang! Qilang!” A shout from behind interrupted Li Qingan’s thoughts. He stopped his horse and turned to see Bai Yuanguang waving at him.
“Yuanguang, what’s the matter?”

Bai Yuanguang stepped forward with a smile and said, “Qilang, Jin Guang Gate is right ahead. But I wish to enter the capital through Ming De Gate to show my respect for Chang’an. Would you be willing to join me?”
Li Qing’an nodded and smiled, “I’m not very familiar with Chang’an either. It would be great to go and see it with you.”
Li Siyeh, who was entering the capital with them, also said with a smile, “Let’s go together!”
Nearly half of the twenty-some people were visiting Chang’an for the first time. They all expressed their desire to enter through Ming De Gate. The group turned their horses and headed toward another official road.
After another fifteen minutes, they climbed a slope, and the capital of the Tang Dynasty, Chang’an, unfolded before their eyes like a painting—a truly magnificent sight.
Amid the drifting snow, the vast and majestic city of Chang’an stood by the Wei River. Its towering city towers resembled giants standing tall. The Grand Ming Palace on Longshouyuan was awe-inspiring, with its massive buildings and lofty structures.
This was the political, economic, and cultural center of the Tang Dynasty, as well as one of the greatest cities in the world. It resembled a giant dragon, overlooking the vast lands of the Tang Empire, embodying its grandeur and dignity.
Even though he had been there many times, Bai Yuanguang was still deeply moved by the magnificence of Chang’an. He knelt down involuntarily, prostrating himself at the foot of the city, and kissed the sacred ground devoutly. Even the tallest of them, He Lou Yurun, knelt down as well. At that moment, he felt incredibly small and humble.
Li Qing’an dismounted from his horse, looking at the heart of the Tang Empire with excitement. After 1,300 years, he finally saw Chang’an, which had only appeared in his dreams. Several Han soldiers visiting Chang’an for the first time were so moved that tears streamed down their faces. They also knelt down, crying uncontrollably. At that moment, they were willing to sacrifice their lives to defend the borders of the Tang Dynasty.