Chapter 39: Passing Years (6)

On the 27th day of the first lunar month, Chang’an experienced its third snowfall since winter began.
The heavy snowflakes, like goose feathers, weighed heavily on the hearts of every inhabitant of Chang’an. Nearly three months had passed since An Lushan raised his troops, and the rebels had advanced triumphantly, capturing several cities and approaching the capital, Chang’an.
While the Hu cavalry from Youzhou ravaged the central plains as if unopposed, the imperial army holed up in Tongguan, retreating in fear—this situation truly disheartened the people of Chang’an. Most critically, the emperor had just executed two prominent generals, Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing, a severe blow to the morale of the imperial forces. Without elite cavalry and capable commanders, the Tang court seemed to have no advantage at all. The people living in Chang’an were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, living in constant fear.
It was well known that An Lushan was a cruel man who enjoyed digging out people’s hearts to use as food. From Hebei to Henan, from Fanyang to the Eastern Capital, wherever the rebels advanced, any city that resisted was slaughtered, leaving no survivors—blood flowed like rivers. In such times, if a disobedient child cried and insisted on going out to play, parents would scold them harshly. If the child persisted, elders would threaten to hand them over to An Lushan as food. At such threats, even the most mischievous children would stop making trouble.
The phrase “to stop a child’s night crying” seems to refer precisely to An Lushan.
With the enemy army pressing on Chang’an, a gloomy shadow fell over its people. Even the most optimistic could not help but sigh or go to Ci’en Temple to seek divine guidance for the future. Those with weaker mental resilience might start packing their belongings, ready to flee Chang’an at the first sign that the rebels had broken through Tongguan.
It was in such an atmosphere that the people of Chang’an spent an extraordinary New Year.
As disaster loomed, ordinary people were affected, and so were the wealthy nobles. Some impatient aristocratic families had already moved their relatives to Western Shu. As a result, families like the Cui, Wei, Pei, and Zheng clans, aside from those still holding official positions in the court, had all fled this once-prosperous capital.
The continuation of a family is crucial in every dynasty, and for these aristocratic families, inheritance is far more important than so-called loyalty.
After all, this once-prosperous golden city was about to face a storm that would darken the sky.

A horseman can ride three thousand li in one stride—Guanlong is in turmoil, and Chang’an is in chaos!…
“I want to change into that set of ruqun, the goose-yellow one with purplish edges. Make sure there are no wrinkles. Oh, and the light in the Government Affairs Building is too bright. This time, I need a hairpin that’s not too bright; it’s better if it’s a darker shade.”
Lady Yang Huahua was dressing in front of the bronze mirror, constantly instructing her personal maid to bring her favorite clothes and accessories. Tonight, the emperor would hold a private banquet in the Government Affairs Building, and she certainly couldn’t be underestimated.
“Madam, why are you in such a good mood today? Have you taken a fancy to some young man again and plan to act as a matchmaker for our young ladies?”
The personal maid placed a complete set of clothes on the couch beside Yang Huahua and asked gently.
Having lived with her masteress for so many years, the maid knew her temperament very well. She, who usually wore simple clothes, why was she suddenly dressing up today?
“Go away! Always guessing nonsense. If I can’t act as a matchmaker, can’t I at least dress up for myself? Am I really so unlikable that I’m destined to be a widow with no one to support me?”
Yang Huahua irritably removed the hairpin from her forehead and teased the maid.
“Of course! Well, let me guess—has there been news from General Li, saying he’s returning to Chang’an?”
The maid nodded and grinned mischievously, tilting her head.
“You’re asking for trouble!”
Yang Huahua pinched the maid playfully, her face turning red. Even though she tried to lower her head, the maid saw through her disguise.
“I’m now on opposite sides of the world from him. There’s no chance anymore. Besides…”
Besides, he already has a family! Tears welled up in Yang Huahua’s eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
“Ah, Madam, why are you crying just now?”
The maid quickly stepped forward and gently wiped away Yang Huahua’s tears with a damp cloth.
“Damn it! All my foundation has turned into paste. I have to apply it again!”
“If you’re upset, go play somewhere else. I’ll do it myself!”
Yang Huahua snatched the eyebrow pencil and powder puff from the maid’s hands and prepared to apply them to her face.
“Madam!”
The maid twisted her waist and said through gritted teeth, “Why make things so difficult for yourself? If General Li isn’t right for you, why keep thinking about him?”
Ever since her masteress fell in love with that General Li, she became obsessed. Although she couldn’t admit it out loud for pride’s sake, her longing when no one was around was heart-wrenching to see.
“You don’t understand!”

Yang Huahua turned away and sighed, “When you reach this stage, you’ll understand.”
The young maid, however, shrugged and said, “I don’t want to get married at all. The lady treats me so well; I want to serve her for life.”
At these words, she refused to budge an inch, unyielding.
“Silly girl!”
Yang Huahua glared at her, her eyes filled with indescribable desolation: “A woman ultimately still relies on men. Otherwise, in the end, she ends up as a laughingstock in others’ eyes, despite appearing glamorous on the surface.”
The maid replied, “Those people have no taste! How wonderful it is to be like the lady—doing whatever one wants without having to cater to those vile men.”
“Is that really the case?”
Yang Huahua sneered, “No need to cater to vile men… haha, no need at all.”
“Lady, lady, I said something wrong! Please don’t be like this!”
Only then did the maid realize she had made a grave mistake; she knelt down and pleaded earnestly.
“Enough, enough. Help me apply my makeup. In this life, nothing goes as one wishes, whether in real life or in plays. Even if one feels extremely frustrated, one still has to put on makeup and continue acting.”
Yang Huahua slowly closed her eyes, letting tears spill over from her sockets…
Since ancient times, heroes have been like beauties—never allowed to show their gray hair in the world.
Years later, sitting once again in the office for handling state affairs, Geshu Han clearly felt his life force and vitality draining away mercilessly. Ever since he fell ill with the wind disease, his mobility had greatly diminished. Though he could still ride a horse when not in an attack, his speed and endurance were far inferior.
Whether he admitted it or not, he had indeed aged. If there was anything in the world that could leave Geshu Han helpless, it was probably the passage of time.
A hero in his twilight years… cough, a hero in his twilight years…
“My dear minister, come, drink this cup of wine!”
Geshu Han looked up at the imperial throne at the head of the hall and saw Li Longji smiling as he held a jade cup. Geshu Han quickly raised the cup filled with fine wine with both hands and bowed deeply, saying, “Your servant pays tribute to Your Majesty, wishing you a long life!”
Upon closer inspection, Geshu Han noticed that the emperor, who had ruled the Tang Dynasty for over forty years, now had gray hair, and even his once valiant eyebrows were streaked with the marks of time. He was trying hard to keep his hunched back straight, yet the jade cup in his hand trembled involuntarily…
The Heavenly Khan, whose authority stretched across the land, had somehow become so aged.
Yes, they were all old, all of them.
“I wonder how many troops you’ve brought to Chang’an this time?”

Li Longji set down the jade cup and picked up his chopsticks to put a piece of roasted deer meat into his mouth.
“Your Majesty, I came to Chang’an at full speed through the night, without a single soldier—just myself,” Geshu Han replied with deep respect, nodding slightly.
Snap!
The ivory chopsticks were thrown down abruptly, causing Li Longji’s lips to twitch involuntarily for a moment.
“Just you? Only you?” Li Longji stared at Geshu Han in disbelief before asking again after a long pause.
“Yes, just myself,” Geshu Han replied firmly, completely shattering Li Longji’s illusions.
“Well, with a loyal general like you, even a thousand troops are no match!” Li Longji forced a smile and said, “With the courage you showed when capturing Shibao City back then, defeating those mere 20,000 rebels will be a piece of cake. When you return victorious, I will personally go out to welcome you.”
“I thank Your Majesty for your grace!” Geshu Han quickly knelt down before the most noble man in the land.
“Get up quickly!” Li Longji reverted to his enigmatic demeanor, smiling faintly.
“Yuan Yi, bring me my coat!” Li Longji waved his hand at Gao Lishi nearby, giving him a nod. Gao Lishi immediately understood and signaled the eunuch below, who promptly brought over the cotton coat that had been prepared in advance. Li Longji took the coat from Gao Lishi’s hands and walked over to Geshu Han.
“The weather is cold in the first month of the year. Tongguan is different from Chang’an—it’s more humid! You suffer from wind-related illnesses; don’t always focus on battles and neglect taking care of yourself!” Li Longji personally draped the bright yellow brocade coat embroidered with dragons and clouds over Geshu Han’s shoulders and patted him gently.