Chapter 141: The Emperor’s Audience

Li Qing’an was already injured. Though three days of nonstop work left him exhausted, it was the pitiful cries of the soldiers’ families that truly wore him down. Even a man as strong as him could no longer endure the physical strain and fell ill. He had to leave the remaining matters to Colonel He Yingchuan.

That evening, the Anxi Army entered Chang’an City. Mingde Gate was crowded with people coming in and out, creating a bustling scene. There were young men and women returning from outings, villagers buying goods to take home, and the ongoing repairs at the city gates made it difficult to enter or exit.

“This is our military pass!” The leading colonel handed a document to the guard at the gate.

It was the Anxi Army returning from Longyou. The guard at the gate immediately showed respect, waving his hand and saying, “Everyone, step aside and let them in first.”

The crowd waiting at the gate heard that they were soldiers returning from Longyou and quickly parted ways, curiously observing these emaciated soldiers. Two hundred Anxi soldiers silently entered the city. Soon, the crowd began to whisper among themselves.

“Could they be them?”
“Bro Gu, what are you talking about?”
“Don’t you know? That Anxi Army that tried to stop the Tibetan forces was almost completely wiped out.”
“You mean Li Qing’an’s Anxi Army? But we haven’t seen him!”
“It must be them. Look at that carriage; he’s probably inside.”

The chatter grew louder. These days, the legendary story of three thousand Anxi soldiers resisting eighty thousand Tibetan troops during the battle of Longyou had spread throughout Chang’an. Only then did the people of the Tang Dynasty realize that the victory at Shibao City had come at the cost of the entire three-thousand-strong Tang army, leaving many in sorrow.

Someone took the lead, and thunderous applause erupted at the gate. Someone shouted, “Well done! You are the true heroes of the Tang Dynasty!”

The Anxi soldiers bowed and slowly entered Chang’an City.

Today is the 11th day of the first lunar month, and Chang’an is bustling with preparations for the Lantern Festival. This year, the New Year coincided with a great victory in Longyou, and in his excitement, Emperor Li Longji ordered a nationwide celebration. As a result, the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month became an extremely grand celebration. Also known as the Flower Lantern Festival, it is named for the enjoyment of flower lanterns. Every market district would be adorned with colorful lights, and wealthy families would go to great lengths to create something new and unique, hoping for continued prosperity in the new year. Yet, neither the market districts nor the wealthy families could compare to the official lanterns in Chang’an. Year after year, the Lantern Festival saw countless dazzling decorations strung along Zhuque Street and Chunming Street, forming the focal point of the entire city.

Decorating two streets that stretched for dozens of miles was a massive undertaking. Although it was only the 11th day of the first month, the lantern installation was already in full swing. On Zhuque Street, countless servants and craftsmen were working busily. After entering the city gate, Li Qing’an and his group stopped, waiting for his instructions.

Li Qing’an was too weak to ride a horse. He lay half-reclined in a temporarily rented carriage, silently watching this unparalleled metropolis through the window. The towering palaces in the distance, the crowded streets—Chang’an’s prosperity and grandeur filled him with an indescribable emotion. A fierce and tragic battle, a trial of life and death, had made him feel as if he had aged ten years.

“General, the men don’t know where to go.”

The speaker was Li Qing’an’s new head of the personal guard, named Jiang Xiaonian. Like the fallen He Yanming, he was also a descendant of the warriors from the Anxi Campaign. He had originally been a squad leader in the Anxi scout camp. At just 20 years old, he was not only tall and strong but also very clever.

“Go to Guangfu Fang!”

Guangfu Fang was where Li Qing’an’s new residence was located. Although the house wasn’t large—slightly crowded with 200 people—it was indeed the only place he could go. As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged man ran over from the other side of the road, calling out from afar, “General Li!”

It turned out to be Manager Luo from Gao Lishi’s household. He rushed forward, overjoyed, saying, “I’ve been waiting here since morning, all this time, until I finally saw General Li.”

“Oh, it’s Manager Luo.”

Li Qing’an smiled slightly and said, “How did Manager Luo know I would enter the city through Mingde Gate?”

“Not at all. All the city gate officials have sent people to wait. The lord said General Li might not have a place to accommodate his subordinates, so he ordered us to bring General Li back to his residence. My lord has already made arrangements—five large courtyards have been cleared, hot water prepared, and meals ready. We’re just waiting for General Li to bring his men to stay there.”
Gao Lishi’s meticulous arrangements moved Li Qing’an somewhat. He nodded and smiled, saying, “Then fine! Let’s go to Lord Gao’s residence.”
“Great! Everyone, follow me!”
Butler Luo successfully completed the task assigned by Gao Lishi. He happily led the Anxi troops toward Yishan Fang.
“Butler Luo, is Lord Gao in good health?”
“My lord is in excellent health! Yesterday he accompanied the emperor to the training ground to inspect the troops in Longyou. I heard he even shot a few arrows, earning applause from everyone present.”
At that, Butler Luo asked curiously, “General Li, why didn’t you attend the city entry ceremony the day before yesterday? It was really grand! Many of my servants and those from the residence went as well. Everyone who came back said they wanted to join the army. Ah! That majestic atmosphere was truly exciting.”
Li Qing’an smiled and changed the subject, asking, “Are there any interesting things happening in Chang’an lately?”
“Interesting things? Well, there’s the Lantern Festival in four days.”
At that, Butler Luo suddenly remembered something and slapped his forehead, saying, “Oh right! In a few days, the imperial concubine will hold a music competition at Qujiang Xingyuan. It’s said to be a grand event, and ordinary people are also allowed to participate. If General Li has time, he might as well go and take a look.”
“I’m not in very good health. I’ll go check it out later.”
Before long, they entered Yishan Fang and arrived at Gao Lishi’s residence. Gao Lishi hadn’t returned from the palace yet, but his son had already received orders. Upon hearing that Li Qing’an had arrived, he immediately ordered the side gate to be opened. Hundreds of household servants rushed out to lead their horses, carry their bags, and serve each person individually, leaving the Anxi troops a bit at a loss. Li Qing’an smiled and said to his subordinates, “This isn’t an official government office. It’s due to my personal relationship with them. Be casual—just follow them. Take a bath, eat, and get some good sleep.”
With Li Qing’an’s instructions, the men followed the servants into the residence. Gao Lishi’s son was named Feng Jisi. He was adopted by Gao Lishi’s elder brother and served as an official in the Dali Temple. He was a very shrewd and capable official. He bowed and stepped forward, lowering his voice with a smile, saying, “General Li, don’t worry about any issues from the Ministry of War. Allowing General Li’s subordinates to stay at Lord Gao’s residence was specifically approved by the emperor.”
“That puts my mind at ease.”
Li Qing’an smiled again and asked, “I wonder when Lord Gao will return?”

“Let’s wait a bit longer! These past two days, the Emperor has been busy with matters related to the troops in Longyou, and my father has to attend to his duties. But he has already given orders that General Li should follow my arrangements.”
“Then I’ll have to trouble Brother Feng.”
Feng Jisi arranged everything very thoughtfully. He not only sent people with experience in caring for the wounded to bathe Li Qingan but also invited several renowned doctors to treat Li Qingan and his subordinates. After all that hustle, Li Qingan had dinner before changing into new clothes and returning to his room to rest.
He stayed in the same Furong Tower as before, with the same furnishings, but without the beautiful sisters by his side, which made Li Qingan feel a sense of longing.
Li Qingan slowly walked to the window and pushed it open. A cold night breeze blew in. He gazed silently at the frozen lotus pond, his mind filled with thoughts. Although the Battle of Shibao City had left indelible memories on him, Li Qingan knew that his most important task now was to emerge from the shadow of that battle. The comrades who had died in battle were at rest, but their families were still alive. It was the duty of those who remained to take care of their families—in short, it was an unshirkable responsibility for Li Qingan.
To take care of the families of the fallen soldiers, he needed resources. Money was one aspect, but more importantly, he had to ensure that their parents could live comfortably in their old age without worries, and that their children could receive an education so they could support themselves in the future, just as if their sons, husbands, or fathers were still alive. Only then could the fallen comrades rest in peace.
For this, he needed land and the authority to rule it. In the Tang Dynasty, such a position was held by civil officials as prefects or military officials as military governors, at least as governors of a province.
Li Qingan thought again of Geshu Han. When they parted in Jincheng City, Geshu Han had been very displeased. Actually, even during the command exchange in Longyou, he had sensed a hint of wariness and unease behind Geshu Han’s cheerful smile. This was an inevitable result of one person overshadowing another—the Anxi Army’s prominence had already threatened the interests of the Longyou Army.
Geshu Han was the commander of the Longyou campaign, and Li Longji would surely rely on him to capture Jiuqu and Dafeichuan. Under such circumstances, Geshu Han’s self-perception became crucial. But would Geshu Han praise him highly?
Suddenly, Li Qingan sensed something and turned around to see Gao Lishi standing at the door, smiling at him.
“Elder Gao!” Li Qingan quickly bowed in greeting.
“Come! Sit down and talk.”

Gao Lishi waved his hand, asking Li Qingan to sit down. Concernedly, he asked, “Qilang, how are your injuries?”
“I had two renowned doctors examine me today. They said my muscles and bones are strong, and it’s not a serious issue. As long as the wounds don’t reopen, I’ll be back to normal in a month.”
Gao Lishi nodded and added, “The emperor also inquired about you just now. He hopes to see you soon. You can decide on the specific time.”
At that, Gao Lishi sighed and said, “Qilang, to be honest, the emperor has been quite lenient with you. You skipped the celebration without permission, yet he forgave you. It should have been the Ministry of War’s responsibility to comfort the families of the soldiers, but you went there instead—again, the emperor forgave you.”
Li Qingan nodded silently. After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Elder Gao, what plans does the court have to support the families of the fallen soldiers?”
“A plan has been made, divided into two parts. First, the court will directly provide a funeral subsidy of ten thousand coins per person. Additionally, they’ll give three hundred coins and seven dou of rice per month for twenty years—this will be covered by local governments, who will also receive tax reductions.”
“Just ten guan!”
Li Qingan suddenly raised his head, his eyes burning with anger. “Elder Gao, forgive my rudeness. The soldiers sacrificed their lives to capture Shibao City and defend the Tang Dynasty’s lands, yet the court disrespects them so much. Who will still be willing to fight for the Tang Dynasty?”
“Qilang, don’t get so agitated.”
Gao Lishi quickly tried to calm him down. “The court knows that ten guan is a bit too little, so they’ve added monthly payments of money and rice as compensation. In total, it adds up to a hundred guan. If rice prices rise, it could even be more!”
Li Qingan suppressed his grief and anger and said slowly, “Elder Gao, things aren’t that simple. The court wants to shift the burden to local governments. But what if they refuse to take it on? What if the officials embezzle funds? Over twenty years, do you really think local governments will stick to it without fail?”
Gao Lishi was speechless. He knew full well that although there wasn’t enough money and grain now, taxes from various provinces would arrive in the capital by March or April, allowing for further payments at that time. But the emperor insisted on monthly payments, as his ultimate goal was still to shift the burden of supporting the fallen soldiers to local governments.
Li Qingan stared at Gao Lishi. Knowing that the compensation plan was fixed and unchangeable, he said, “Alright! I won’t discuss this anymore. I’d like to ask Elder Gao—what kind of reward does the emperor plan to give me?”

“That’s why I came to see you tonight. Actually, it was the Emperor who sent me, though he didn’t say so explicitly.”
Li Qing’an suddenly felt uneasy. What Gao Lishi brought might be news unfavorable to him.
“Elder Gao, go ahead! I’m ready to hear it.”
Gao Lishi sighed softly and said, “Today, Ge Shu Han officially submitted a report on the Battle of Shibao City to the court. Although he acknowledges your great contribution in blocking the Tibetan main force, he believes capturing Shibao City was the real achievement. Moreover, he argues that although Li Siyeh was ultimately the one who took Shibao City, his success came at the cost of 12,000 soldiers from the Longyou Army. Therefore, in his report, the top merit goes to Gao Xiuyan, the vanguard of the Longyou Army, followed by Li Siyeh, and then you.”
At this point, Gao Lishi glanced secretly at Li Qing’an. Seeing that he didn’t leap up in anger as he had expected, Gao Lishi was somewhat surprised and asked, “Seventh Brother, do you also think this is reasonable?”
Li Qing’an replied calmly, “He is the commander of the Longyou campaign. It’s his right to decide how to credit his achievements. Just because I’m dissatisfied, will the court reject his official report?”
“The court indeed won’t reject a commander’s report because of a subordinate’s dissatisfaction. But the Emperor knows this is unfair to you, so he hopes to talk to you and find a solution that satisfies everyone.”
Li Qing’an stood up. “Elder Gao, I want to see the Emperor tomorrow.”
……
Early the next morning, slightly recovered from his illness, Li Qing’an went to Xingqing Palace. After waiting for a while, an eunuch led him into the Datong Hall.
“Your Majesty, Li Qing’an has arrived.”
“Bring him in!” came Li Longji’s voice from the imperial study.
These days, Li Longji had been unusually diligent in his duties. After capturing Shibao City, his attention turned to Dafei Chuan and the Nine Bends of the Yellow River. These areas had originally been territory of Tuyuhun. After Tuyuhun was conquered by the Tang Dynasty, it became a vassal state.
However, with the rise of Tibet, in the third year of the Longshuo era, Tuyuhun was destroyed by Tibet, and Dafei Chuan and the Nine Bends eventually fell under Tibetan control, becoming logistical bases for Tibet to attack Longyou.
Li Longji was well aware that if Shibao City was Tibet’s bridgehead to the Tang Dynasty, then Dafei Chuan and the Nine Bends were Tibet’s means to invade Longyou. Decades of experience had taught him that only by taking control of Dafei Chuan and the Nine Bends could he gain a true strategic advantage.
Li Longji stood in front of the map, gazing at it for a long time, planning the next campaign. By then, Li Qing’an had already entered the study. He didn’t disturb Li Longji’s deep thoughts but stood quietly to the side.

“Your Majesty! He’s here,” Gao Lishi whispered as a reminder.
Li Longji turned and saw Li Qing’an had entered, so he regained his focus and smiled. “General Li, the person I most want to see right now is you.”
“Your servant pays his respects to Your Majesty!”
“No need for formalities. Please, take a seat.”
A eunuch brought a carved stool for Li Qing’an.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Li Qing’an sat down and bowed. “I am deeply grateful that Your Majesty understands my feelings.”
“General Li, I am already well aware of your achievements. You managed to hold off 80,000 Tubo troops with just 3,000 soldiers, and at the cost of nearly losing your entire army, you bought time for our forces to capture Shibao City. I will not deny your merits.”
At this point, Li Longji took out Ge Shu Han’s report and shook his head. “But there is one thing I must make clear: the rewards from the Ministry of War must be determined based on General Ge Shu Han’s report. This has always been the rule, and it won’t change just because General Ge has a low opinion of you.”
After saying this, Li Longji stared at Li Qing’an, waiting for his response. Ge Shu Han would be his reliance in seizing Dafeichuan and Jiuqu. Even if Li Qing’an achieved great feats, Li Longji would not disregard Ge Shu Han’s report—this was a prerequisite that Li Qing’an had to accept.
“Your Majesty, the state has its laws, and the army has its rules. I understand.”
Li Longji smiled. Li Qing’an’s response relieved him slightly. As long as Li Qing’an accepted this, everything else could be negotiated. He nodded and said, “In this battle in Longyou, there were both merits and faults. Those who merited rewards will receive generous compensation, and those who were at fault will face severe punishment. I will ensure fair rewards and punishments. Although your role in blocking the enemy was ranked third in this battle, you have other merits, such as the development of gunpowder. Based on that alone, I can grant you additional rewards beyond what’s tied to the battle. Do you understand?”
This was Li Longji’s compromise: respecting Ge Shu Han’s decision by giving him top credit for the battle in Longyou, while using other reasons to appease Li Qing’an. Li Qing’an understood Li Longji’s intention. He said solemnly, “Your servant understands Your Majesty’s difficulties and has no objections. However, there are two other matters I must report to Your Majesty.”
Li Longji nodded in satisfaction. “Go ahead. What else?”
“One is gunpowder. After the battle in Longyou, the military uses of gunpowder will surely become widely known. I beg Your Majesty to impose strict controls on its production to prevent the formula from leaking out.”

“I am aware of this. I have already ordered the Bureau of Construction and the Bureau of Military Equipment to handle this matter, using the strictest measures to control the distribution of gunpowder. General Li, rest assured. What is the second matter you wish to report?”
Li Qing’an thought for a moment before saying, “There is another major matter that I cannot conceal from Your Majesty.”
Li Longji’s expression turned grave. “Speak. What is it?”
Li Qing’an sighed and said, “After the battle, I ordered my men to collect the bodies of the fallen soldiers. By chance, we captured two deserters from the Tuyuhun. I heard that the Tubo king, Chizudezan, was killed in an explosion during the fierce battle with me.”
“What!” Li Longji was shocked. He stood up abruptly.
“What are you talking about?”