Chapter 2: Wuling (II)

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wuze raised his eyebrows and said, “If he refuses to obey orders, so be it. But does Li Heng really think he’s the emperor of Tang, chosen by heaven? The reason An Lushan was able to seize the two capitals and sweep across the Central Plains is largely because he fought for power and favor with the treacherous prime minister Yang Guozhong!”
In Zhou Wuze’s view, the Tang crown prince never cared about the common people; his mind was always occupied with scheming against his enemies and calculating his own gains and losses. He never even bothered to consider the pros and cons of governance.
Such a person actually forced his way into the palace, staged a coup, and declared himself emperor. Even if Li Longji was foolish, he was still Li Heng’s father. Yet this wretch ignored all moral principles to seize his father’s throne. How could such a ruthless and shameless man be worthy of being the emperor of Tang, let alone give orders to his brother Li Kuo?
“You can’t put it that way. Though what he did was wrong, he’s still the emperor of Tang.”
Li Kuo sighed softly, his eyes filled with helplessness. Although Li Heng was suspected of forcing his way into the palace, he had the approval of Li Longji. With his status as the heir to the throne and the support of the ministers, it seemed reasonable for him to ascend the throne. All lands under heaven belonged to the king, and all people were his subjects. Though Li Kuo wasn’t one to blindly obey, openly defying orders would likely earn him the contempt of everyone.
“Why worry about these things? If he’s the emperor of Tang, let him fulfill his duties as such. Anyway, we’re not going to get involved in this mess!”
Zhou Wuze shrugged and said, “Don’t forget how Generals Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing died. Li Heng is the son of the old emperor, yet his heart is even narrower than his father’s. You also have irreconcilable differences with him. If you really go to Lingwu as ordered, having your military power taken away would be the least of your problems. I’m afraid…”
Zhou Wuze didn’t finish his sentence, only sighing. “Fortunately, neither you nor your family are in that wretch’s hands now, so there’s nothing to worry about. In such chaotic times, even if we defy him, what can he do to us? Besides, can’t we find another way to get by?”
“How?”
Li Kuo spread his hands and smiled bitterly, signaling he was ready to listen.
“Like this!”
Zhou Wuze stepped closer to Li Kuo and whispered in his ear, “In this way, even if he’s the emperor, he won’t be able to find any reason to accuse us!”……
Things had progressed beyond Li Kuo’s control. Going to Lingwu as ordered might bring disaster, but openly defying orders could make him a target for all the righteous people in the land. The only option now was to start a battle!

Even the Emperor himself cannot stop the rebels from besieging cities and seizing lands, right? In such a situation, even if one truly wishes to return to the north to report, they must first drive the rebels away, don’t they?
“Qilang, sometimes I wonder if what we’re doing is really worth it.”
Zhou Wucui held the reins in one hand and gazed at the dark gray city walls in the distance, letting out a deep sigh.
They had rushed all the way from Tangzhou without encountering any obstacles. Perhaps the rebels’ main forces were concentrated around Yongqiu, leaving the southern areas relatively weak.
Along the way, many small towns, upon seeing the massive imperial army, assumed it was there to suppress the rebellion and dared not resist, instead hiding in their cities and praying the army would spare them.
Thus, their journey was relatively unimpeded.
But so what? After traveling through countless mountains and rivers, for whom were they actually risking their lives? Or rather, whose hands would end up holding what they had fought so hard for?
The vast and beautiful lands were truly enviable!
The imperial court, the country, the rebels, and the common people—these four seemed trapped in a vicious cycle, each holding back the others, while they themselves were like victims being strangled, suffocating under pressure.
Sometimes, he felt like a knife, a sharp weapon being used by others. No matter how sharp a knife is, it must keep killing to maintain its edge; if there are no enemies or rebels left to kill, perhaps it’s time to sheathe it.
And once a knife loses its usefulness, what awaits them?
“That can’t be said. After all, the Tang Dynasty today deserves to be protected by each of us. What we’re defending isn’t just the land of a single family!”
Li Kuo drew his sword and pointed at the city walls miles away. “Take that city, for example. It’s now in the hands of the rebels, but what about the thousands of people inside? They don’t care whether the imperial court is led by the Li or the An family. All they want is enough food to eat and clothes to wear. Of course, the rebels’ brutality has pushed them to a desperate situation, and when there’s no choice left, people often unleash their greatest strength.”
The reason the rebels couldn’t advance further after capturing the two capitals was their lax discipline and brutal behavior. After witnessing the rebels’ acts of burning, killing, and looting, the people of the Tang Dynasty no longer had any illusions about them. Even if the imperial court was corrupt, it could at least ensure everyone had enough to eat. But the rebels? They were nothing but demons, determined to destroy everything beautiful they saw.

“You’re right. If it weren’t the Hu troops under An Lushan’s control, things probably wouldn’t have turned out this way.”
Zhou Wucui shrugged and nodded in agreement. The reason the common people were able to unite and take up hoes and knives to resist the rebels was precisely because of their Hu identity. If the rebels had truly seized control of the Tang Dynasty, it would likely have led to another tragedy like the chaos caused by the Five Hu Tribes during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.
The Southern and Northern Dynasties had only been over two hundred years ago; the wounds from that time hadn’t healed yet. Whenever war broke out, those wounds would ache again, so how could these people remain calm?
“That’s why, from now on, we needn’t care about the Li Tang court or the Tang Dynasty’s territory. What we must protect is Chinese civilization!”
Li Kuo clenched his fist and spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.
“Chinese civilization?”
Zhou Wucui murmured those words, momentarily lost in thought。……
Leaving Tangzhou and passing through Yuzhou and Chenzhou, the five thousand Tang troops finally arrived outside Taikang City after three days.
The defending troops this time were slightly more numerous and more skilled. At least they dared to shoot at the Tang cavalry as they circled the city, trying to dampen the Tang troops’ momentum. As for where the arrows would land, that was clearly not something they needed to worry about.
Li Kuo took out a map and circled Ningling City with a charcoal pencil, sighing deeply. “Young Master Zhang, Brother Nan, please don’t blame me. Previously, the situation at Tongguan was critical, and I was too confused to send reinforcements, which led to Yongqiu falling to the rebels. But I will never make the same mistake again. We must fight tooth and nail to defend Ningling City!”……