Chapter 64: Seizing Bones (IV)

Pei Mian’s heartfelt lamentations were so sincere that Li Heng was momentarily speechless. Indeed, there were no eternal loyal subjects in this world. Perhaps Li Kuo had been loyal to the Tang Dynasty before, but what could guarantee he wouldn’t side with the enemy once An Lushan offered him high positions and generous rewards? Those with talent in this world—if they weren’t useful to him, he would kill them. This had always been Li Heng’s principle. As an emperor, one must be decisive and ruthless. Now, in these chaotic times, it was hard to rule out the possibility that some would take advantage of the turmoil to establish their own power. Was Li Kuo such a person? He wasn’t sure. Since he wasn’t certain, he couldn’t completely rule out that possibility. From this perspective, Pei Mian’s words made some sense.
“Yet if General Li is truly loyal to the country but is suspected by me, won’t that dampen the morale of the soldiers?”
Li Heng sighed lightly and finally relented.
“Your Majesty needn’t worry about this!”
Pei Mian smiled and said, “I have a plan. If Your Majesty uses it to probe him, he will reveal his true intentions.”
Li Heng was overjoyed and quickly asked, “Oh? What good strategy do you have, Pei Qing? Please speak freely.”
“Your Majesty, since ancient times, those who amass troops and harbor rebellious intentions never dare leave their strongholds. Although Li Kuo is still weak and lacks support, he already controls over thirty counties. If ordered to abandon them immediately, he will surely feel reluctant. It would be better for Your Majesty to summon Li Kuo to lead troops to Shuofang and grant him some official position. If he comes with his troops, it will prove his loyalty. At that time, Your Majesty can take away his military power, thus filling the ranks of your imperial guards. If he refuses, it will be clear that he has ulterior motives and intends to rebel!”
Pei Mian rubbed his palms together and laid out his plan in one go.
“But if I really send an envoy like this, what if this man truly has rebellious intentions? Won’t I force him to rebel?”
Although Li Heng found Pei Mian’s reasoning sound, he still felt it was a bit rash. After all, Li Kuo’s troops were nominally under the court’s control. If he provoked him into rebellion, it would be counterproductive. After all, Li Kuo’s relatives were by his side, and he had no means to threaten him.
Pei Mian swallowed and said with a flattering smile, “Your Majesty needn’t worry. I have a plan to make him wary! Have You Majesty heard of a general under his command named Zhang Yanji?”
Li Heng shook his head.
“Ahem… He is the eldest son of Zhang Da, the vice minister of Rites. He joined General Li’s army in the seventh year of Tianbao!”

Pei Mian paused and said, “I’ve heard that General Li and General Zhang Yanji share a deep brotherly bond, almost as if they wore the same pants. Now that General Zhang has been transferred to guard Anxi, Your Majesty might as well issue an imperial edict to recall him first. If General Li obeys and leads his troops here, that’s fine. But if he refuses to return…”

Pei Mian made a gesture of beheading on his neck and waved it coldly!

Li Heng nodded and said, “Your proposal, Pei Qing, suits my heart perfectly. I’ll do as you suggest. First, have someone draft a report and bring it to me for my seal. It’s wartime—there’s no need for those complicated procedures involving the three departments!”

After thinking for a while, Li Heng found Pei Mian’s proposal flawless. Whether Li Kuo led troops to Lingwu or not, he would still benefit. If Li Kuo came, he could incorporate those over ten thousand troops into his imperial guards. If he didn’t, he could eliminate a traitorous general ahead of time!

“Your servant thanks Your Majesty for this great grace. I surely won’t disappoint You!”

Overjoyed, Pei Mian bowed deeply to Li Heng.

“Hmm, Pei Qing, you may go now.”

Satisfied, Li Heng waved his hand, signaling for Pei Mian to retire.

“Your servant takes his leave!”

Pei Mian bowed to Li Heng and stepped back toward the door.

“Wait!”

Just as Pei Mian was about to leave, Li Heng seemed to suddenly remember something and called out.

“Is there anything else Your Majesty wishes to order?”

“Hmm, Pei Qing, how is the construction of my temporary palace progressing?”

Li Heng cleared his throat and pressed further.

“Your Majesty, I’ve gathered fifty thousand laborers from Shuofang to work day and night on the palace. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year,” Pei Mian replied, proud as he saw Li Heng asking about this. As for other matters, Pei Mian might not be very good at them, but when it came to overseeing palace construction, no one in all of Tang could surpass him. Lingwu was located in the border region, with extremely harsh weather. September was still manageable, but once winter came, everything turned icy. No wonder the emperor was anxious—he had always lived a comfortable life in Chang’an and had never endured such hardships. It would be unreasonable to stay in this temporary military headquarters during winter.

Thus, the newly built hot spring palace was particularly important. Although it couldn’t reach the scale of Huaqing Palace due to time constraints, it could at least serve as a temporary solution. After all, what the emperor wanted most was to recapture the two capitals as soon as possible, and Lingwu certainly wasn’t a place to stay long.

“Hmm, that’s excellent! You’ve worked hard, Pei Qing. Once the palace is completed, I’ll order you to serve at the palace!”

Li Heng was very satisfied upon hearing this and waved his hand to issue an imperial decree.
“Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness! Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!”
Pei Mian was overjoyed and repeatedly bowed to Li Heng.
To accompany the emperor on his journey—what an honor only the most fortunate could enjoy! Back when the retired emperor was in power, he would only invite the Yang family when going to Huaqing Palace to escape the heat. Yet now, Pei Mian himself could accompany the emperor!
Pei Mian felt immense honor and was eager to sacrifice everything for Li Heng.
“Hmm, retire now. I’m feeling tired.”
Li Heng waved his hand slightly and smiled.
“Your servant withdraws!”
Pei Mian suppressed his joy and hurriedly left。……
With Pei Mian gone, only Li Heng and Yu Chaonan remained in the room.
“Da Ban, when do you think I can return to Chang’an?”
Li Heng pounded his shoulder blades and sighed deeply. He hadn’t noticed anything special in Chang’an before, but after months of wandering, he realized just how beautiful the nights in Daming Palace were.
“Perhaps by the New Year, Your Majesty could sit in Hanyuan Hall of Daming Palace and watch the fireworks?”
Yu Chaonan filled a cup with hot tea for Li Heng and handed it to him: “As long as the soldiers fight bravely and the military and civilians work together, what can’t be accomplished? Please stop worrying so much. If Your Majesty is safe, the whole country will be safe. Even for the sake of the nation, you must take care of yourself.”
“Hmm.”
Li Heng tightened his robe and gazed at the locust trees outside the window, murmuring wistfully, “It’s September again. Smelling this fresh scent reminds me of the locust flower cakes made in the imperial kitchen.”
Volume 8: Gazing at Qinchuan