Chapter 7: The Golden Palace (I)

The broad roads of Chang’an wind narrow and slant; green oxen, white horses, and fragrant chariots ply the way. Jade palanquins traverse the rulers’ residences, while golden whips lead processions to the nobles’ homes.
The dragon holds up a precious canopy beneath the morning sun; the phoenix spews tassels adorned with the evening glow. The red city walls loom over the jade pathways, while distant green canopies vanish beyond the golden embankments.
The nights in Chang’an are always so gentle and splendid, carrying a hint of brightness amidst the mist, and a touch of brilliance within their verdant beauty.
Inside Xingqing Palace, the lights are bright as day, turning the long night into a day.
Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty and his concubine Yang Yuhuan sat together on the imperial throne, ready to receive Gao Xianzhi, the military governor of the four garrisons in Anxi. Ever since learning of Gao Xianzhi’s great victory in Hezhong, Li Longji had been overjoyed and had not slept properly for several days. This was the greatest victory achieved by the Tang forces in Hezhong since the reign of Emperor Gaozong—not only had they reclaimed Tang territory from the Arabs, but they had also captured the rebel chieftains and brought them to Chang’an, greatly boosting the nation’s prestige!
Gao Xianzhi was truly capable; what had taken Lingcha years to accomplish, he had done in just three years, living up to all the efforts invested in his training.
Satisfied, Li Longji nodded to the eunuch at his side, signaling him to issue an order to summon Gao Xianzhi.
The eunuch understood immediately. After bowing to Li Longji, he waved his hand and proclaimed, “Gao Xianzhi, military governor of the four garrisons in Anxi, specially promoted to the rank of Honglu Qing with equal status to a regular official, acting as Censor-in-Chief—has captured Khan Yibala of the Turkic tribes, as well as King Teli of the Shi people and their leader Jieshuai, and brings them before the emperor in the Imperial Office of Diligence!” (Note 1)
The eunuch’s sharp voice echoed throughout the office, sparking murmurs of admiration among the court officials. Gao Xianzhi was not old nor came from a prominent background, yet he had risen to such a high position in just a few years—truly remarkable. Now, having achieved great feats in Hezhong, what other reward could be given besides a royal title?
Yet Gao Xianzhi paid no attention to the officials’ reactions and strode up the stairs to the pavilion. Kneeling before Li Longji, he said, “Your servant Gao Xianzhi prays for your safety, long live your Majesty!”
“Gao, rise quickly!”
Li Longji stepped forward and helped Gao Xianzhi up, smiling. “Gao, you have truly done great service for me this time. I must reward you well!”
Overjoyed inside, Gao Xianzhi pretended modesty and said, “It’s all because the barbarians were terrified by the might of the Heavenly Khan. Upon seeing our Tang army, they lost their will to fight. Your servant truly does not deserve such praise!”
“Sigh!”

Li Longji waved his hand and said, “I am not a foolish ruler. How could I compete with my subjects for credit? My Tang soldiers risk their lives fighting the enemy at the borders. If I cannot reward and punish fairly, wouldn’t that dishearten people? Rest assured, I will not shortchange you in any rewards due to you!” After saying this, Li Longji waved at the eunuch again, signaling him to read out the imperial edict of promotion. The eunuch bowed slightly and shouted at Gao Xianzhi, “Gao Xianzhi, the military governor of the Four Garrison Commands in Anxi, receive the imperial edict!” “Your servant Gao Xianzhi receives the edict!” Overjoyed, Gao Xianzhi immediately knelt on the ground. After longing for so long, the royal title he desired was finally within reach, and he couldn’t help but feel proud. “Gao Xianzhi, the military governor of the Four Garrison Commands in Anxi, is brave and decisive, with exceptional strategic skills. At the end of the ninth year of the Tianbao era, he defeated the various tribes in Hezhong, captured their leaders, and enhanced the glory of our Tang dynasty. I am greatly relieved, so I specially grant Gao Xianzhi the rank equivalent to that of a minister, the position of acting censor-in-chief, as well as a fifth-rank official position for one of his sons. All other privileges remain unchanged as a reward for his merits.” The eunuch had finished reading the imperial edict and took a short breath. Not seeing Gao Xianzhi accept it yet, he grew impatient. “General Gao, haven’t you accepted the edict yet?” It was only after the eunuch reminded him that Gao Xianzhi realized there was a problem. But in such a situation, he couldn’t show any dissatisfaction, nor could he ask why the promised royal title hadn’t been given. He could only bow resentfully and say, “Your servant Gao Xianzhi thanks His Majesty for his great kindness and is willing to serve him to the death!” He said these words through gritted teeth, but Li Longji didn’t detect any resentment, thinking it was due to Gao Xianzhi’s gratitude. He simply waved his hand and said, “Stand up!” Although his wish hadn’t come true, Gao Xianzhi still had to seek official positions for his subordinates. Most of these positions were low-ranking officials below the fourth rank, so there were no major surprises. Before coming here, Gao Xianzhi had already filled out the lists based on each person’s merits using forms obtained from the Ministry of War. His trip to the capital was merely a formality. As usual, the eunuch read out the names listed in Gao Xianzhi’s submission. After a long time of reading, it took as long as the burning of a stick of incense, and the civil and military officials standing on both sides grew drowsy. Finally, after enduring the reward ceremony, Gao Xianzhi could breathe a sigh of relief. Next was the banquet to reward the soldiers. At the emperor’s command, musicians and dancers entered the hall to perform and compete in beauty. But at this moment, Gao Xianzhi found the usual soothing music particularly annoying, and the usually charming women lost their allure, seeming as dull and lifeless as flat bread.

Watching the joy and splendor in the palace, Gao Xianzhi felt extreme disgust. Amidst the music and songs in the three thousand worlds, amidst the splendor of the twelve capitals! While they risked their lives fighting the enemy on the front lines, these rulers and courtiers were probably just drinking wine and entertaining performers in Chang’an!
He was still the ruler of a nation, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, yet he couldn’t even keep his own promises. Was it that difficult to become a prince? Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, those of non-imperial lineage were not allowed to be granted princely titles—but that was in the past! Waren’t An Lushan and Ge Shuhuan also generals of non-imperial lineage? Why could they be granted princely titles while he couldn’t? In what way was he inferior to them? Why was he dismissed with a mere nominal position?
Yet he couldn’t say any of this, simply because the one who made that decision was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, his own father!
How ridiculous! How utterly ridiculous!
Gao Xianzhi felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart. He grabbed a cup of wine and downed it in one gulp.
Trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol only made it worse. He hadn’t traveled thousands of miles to Chang’an to hand over captives just to face such a ridiculous outcome.
“General Gao, come, drink this cup with me!”
Prince Li Hen, sitting at the head, clearly noticed Gao Xianzhi’s gloomy mood and watched him with a half-smile.
Gao Xianzhi’s heart turned cold, and he immediately became alert. Did he know about all this? Recalling the prince’s expression and various moments when he welcomed him outside Mingde Gate, Gao Xianzhi suddenly seemed to understand something.
So that’s how it is! So that’s how it is!
He now understood everything, and a bitter smile crossed his lips.
“In that case, I’ll drink this cup with Your Highness!”