Chapter Eleven: The Discussion (I)

Shouts echoed down the imperial path step by step. Under the watchful eyes of the high-ranking officials, the generals from Longyou, led by Gao Xiuyan, ascended the stone path step by step based on their military achievements and entered the Hanyuan Hall.

According to the report submitted by Geshu Han, Gao Xiuyan had made outstanding contributions and ranked first among the meritorious soldiers. Thus, it was Gao Xiuyan, the triumphant guerrilla general, who led the procession, rather than Abusi, the Turk with a higher official rank.

For some reason, they felt a sense of familiarity—the stone path adorned with dragons and phoenixes resembled the mountain trail on Chilin Mountain, and the exotic birds and beasts carved on the railings looked just like the red phosphorescent stones in front of the Stone Fortress.

It turned out that warfare and political struggles were similar; only those at the top could enjoy the most beautiful views. Many perished to enable one general’s success. They had survived by stepping on the bones of their comrades, and thus they could rightfully enjoy the honors of today.

Despite trying to restrain himself, Geshu Han’s pride still showed on his face. He was excited and proud—he had accomplished what seemed impossible! No one else—neither Gai Jiayun, nor Huangfu Weiming, nor even his former superior Wang Zhongsi—had succeeded, yet it was him who had done it. How could he not be delighted? He wanted the whole world to know that it was he, Geshu Han, who had brought Stone Fortress back under the rule of the Tang Dynasty!

Glancing at Li Linfu to his left, he saw the Tang Chancellor standing straight ahead, expressionless like a monk in meditation, showing no emotion.

What was he thinking?

Geshu Han was eager to know. Li Linfu’s attitude would greatly influence the outcome of this reward distribution. After all, this enfeoffment was the result of power struggles within the court.

Following behind Gao Xiuyan were Abusi, Zhang Shouyu, Li Ziguo, and other capable generals. They strode into the hall and stopped there. Gao Xiuyan gave Li Kuo a slight nod.

To show his favor toward the young man, the Tang Emperor specially ordered him to enter the hall for an audience. As a result, despite being a meritorious soldier from Longyou, he could not enter the hall with his comrades, which was somewhat awkward.

Facing Gao Xiuyan’s provocative gaze, Li Kuo thought for a moment before stepping out of the line and joining the ranks of the Longyou generals.

Ignoring the young man’s actions, Gao Xiuyan quickly approached the imperial desk.

“Your Majesty, long live your Majesty!”

Led by Gao Xiuyan, the meritorious generals from Longyou knelt down and proclaimed their loyalty three times.

“Stand up, generals.”

Emperor Li Longji waved his hand and smiled slightly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Gao Xiuyan stood up proudly, bowing in gratitude.
“Cui Aiqing, please read out the rewards planned for the troops.”
Li Longji turned his gaze to Cui Qian, the Deputy Minister of War, and said calmly.
“As ordered!”
Cui Qian, holding the imperial edict board, stepped forward and unrolled it in front of the hall. This edict, after being approved by the emperor and stamped by the Secretariat and the Chancellery, represented the final decision on the rewards. (Note 1) Clearing his throat, Cui Qian read aloud, “At the end of March in the eighth year of Tianbao, the court mobilized a total of 150,000 troops from the three military regions of Longyou, Hexi, and Shuofang to the Huhuang area. Additionally, 300,000 able-bodied men from the five provinces of Shan, Lan, Yuan, Jing, and Long, along with those from the regions within the passes, were summoned as reinforcements. Nearly ten million ox carts and horse carts were provided for the army. The troops engaged in battles with the Tubo forces over three months, until the capture of Shibao City. In total, 45,871 soldiers were killed and 57,413 were injured, resulting in a glorious victory in the Huhuang battles. At the request of Ge Shu Han, the commander of Longyou, and upon approval by the Ministry of War, the following rewards are hereby granted.”
“The soldiers of Longyou shall receive 500,000 strings of coins and 300,000 bolts of silk, as well as 20,000 mu of fertile land. Promotions and rewards for the other troops will be determined based on their military achievements. Additional compensation is not included…”
Cui Qian read out each item according to the decrees issued by the Secretariat, taking a full fifteen minutes. Li Longji coughed impatiently, causing Cui Qian to start speaking faster.
“Eleven outstanding generals from Longyou, who achieved remarkable military feats, are granted the following rewards.”
“Ge Shu Han, the governor of Longyou, demonstrated excellent command and strategic planning, earning him the highest honors. He is hereby appointed Duke of Lai, granted the rank equivalent to that of a three-rank minister, and appointed as supervisor of the Ministry of Rites. He is also awarded 20,000 taels of silver and 20,000 bolts of silk.”
Ge Shu Han stood up, beaming with pride, and knelt down, saying, “I, Ge Shu Han, thank the emperor for his great kindness.”
Cui Qian nodded at Ge Shu Han and then continued, “Among the military officers of Longyou, General Gao Xiuyan led 30,000 elite troops across Qinghai, launching a surprise attack on Jiuku City, forcing the Tubo forces stationed along the Chiling line to send reinforcements. For his contributions, he is hereby appointed General of the Jinyu Guard, granted the title of General Guidede, promoted to deputy governor of Longyou, and appointed as governor of Liangzhou in Hexi.”
“I, Gao Xiuyan, accept this decree and thank the emperor for his grace. Long live our emperor!”
Gao Xiuyan glanced at Li Kuo beside him, then knelt down proudly to express his gratitude.
Li Kuo had already learned about the order of rewards from his third brother. To preserve the face of Gao Xianzhi, the governor of Anxi, Ge Shu Han had to rank Gao Xiuyan first. Thus, despite the young man’s dissatisfaction, nothing could be changed.

“Abu Si, the commander of the Longyou Army, led his elite cavalry to effectively contain the Tibetan forces along the southern line of Chilin, buying significant time for the frontal attack on Shibao City. His contributions were invaluable, and he was specially appointed as the Governor of Shuofang, Right Grand Master of the Imperial Household, with permission granted for all his clansmen to migrate inland and settle in the Lingzhou Governorate.”
Hearing this, Abu Si was overjoyed. To be honest, he paid no attention to the titles of Governor of Shuofang or the civil official positions; it was the last decree that truly delighted him. Allowing his clansmen to migrate inland meant he would have his own grazing lands, in other words, autonomy.
“Your servant Abu Si thanks His Majesty for this grace. I pray that the Heavenly Khan may reign forever, and that our Tang Dynasty may endure for ten thousand years!”
A hint of satisfaction appeared on Li Longji’s face. A single fiefdom had won over Abu Si’s thirty thousand elite cavalry—how could he possibly have any other ambitions?
“Hmm.”
After a brief pause, Cui Qian declared loudly, “Li Kuo, commander of the Longyou Army and valiant officer, assisted General Gao Xiuyan in launching a surprise attack on Jiuqu and devised a plan to flood the city, earning great merits. He is specially appointed as the Military Commander of Shule, General of Bright Might, and Imperial Gentleman of the Direct Service.”
As soon as these words were spoken, whispers spread instantly throughout the silent court. All the princes, nobles, generals, and high-ranking officials turned their attention to the young man. Jealousy, admiration, resentment, and disdain—all sorts of emotions reflected in their dark eyes.
Note 1: In the Tang Dynasty, imperial edicts, or decrees, were not decided solely by the emperor like in the Qing Dynasty. They had to go through a series of procedures involving the Central Secretariat and the Chancellery. Simply put, under the Tang Dynasty’s system of three departments and six ministries, the Central Secretariat drafted the decrees, the Chancellery rejected them, and the Ministry of State executed them. The six ministries were under the Ministry of State, and even the emperor’s edicts had to be rejected by the Chancellery before being executed by the Ministry of State.