Chapter Forty-Five: Commissioned to Suppress the Rebellion

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Many thanks to Three-Thousand Wolf for the 1000-coin reward, and heartfelt gratitude to Assassin of the Flourishing Tang and Moonlit Nostalgia, each for their 500-coin contributions.

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“What kind of man is this Pang Qidi, and how powerful is he? Why has he rebelled?” Chen Ying searched his memory but found not the slightest impression of this person. He could say a thing or two about men like Li Jing, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, or Luo Shixin, but Pang Qidi was utterly unfamiliar.

Li Renfang, having received Chen Ying’s money, was in an excellent mood and explained patiently. “Pang Qidi was originally the leader of the Jinshan tribe, one of the thirteen Qiang clans, based south of Shandan County in Gansu. In the sixth month of the thirteenth year of the Daye era, he and Qiang Zhong Lisu, the chief of the Minshan Qiang, led more than twenty thousand people to join Xue Ju. Qiang Zhong Lisu was appointed Marquess of Gaochang and Protector-General of the Qiang by Xue Ju’s puppet Qin court, while Pang Qidi was made Baron of Jinshan. Dissatisfied, Pang Qidi waited for the Tang campaign against Xue Ju, then turned coat in battle and surrendered to the Tang. His Majesty granted him the title of Lord of Guiyi, but who would have thought Pang Qidi, so treacherous at heart, would flee Chang’an a month and a half ago? After his escape, and coinciding with the Prince of Qin’s defeat at Qianshuiyuan, Pang Qidi gathered several hundred scattered soldiers and Qiang bandits. Half a month ago, he slipped into Baibu County and suddenly raised the banner of rebellion, annexed the Baishui Qiang, and amassed five to six thousand men, proclaiming himself the Heavenly King of Great Liang, growing ever more arrogant.”

Chen Ying said, “He is not of our race, and his heart must be different. Such a faithless traitor must be utterly eradicated.”

With matters pressing, Chen Ying dared not delay. He donned his armor and, together with Liang Zan, took a carriage to the Eastern Palace.

Upon arrival, he was told His Highness the Crown Prince could not receive guests and was asked to wait. Others were also awaiting audience in the side hall, but Chen Ying noticed there were no other commanders present, giving him an ominous feeling.

Yesterday, when Li Jiancheng stormed out of the Chen residence, Chen Ying had sensed trouble. Could this be a trap set especially for him by Li Jiancheng?

The Right Guard of the Eastern Palace’s Second Battalion had at most three hundred fifty-six men, with only a few dozen actual soldiers; the rest were officers from wealthy backgrounds, pampered young men who would hardly stand against the fierce Qiang, even if their number were ten times as great.

Standing alone in the empty side hall, Chen Ying waited listlessly for the Crown Prince’s summons. As he was growing drowsy, he suddenly noticed a pair of dark boots on the floor before him. Looking up, he saw Li Jiancheng, his eyes red as a rabbit’s.

“Your subject pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“No need for ceremony,” Li Jiancheng replied, his voice thick with exhaustion.

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Li Jiancheng dropped heavily onto the soft couch, grabbing a cup of cold tea that had sat on the table for who knew how long. The chill of the tea revived him a little, and he rubbed his face, regaining a measure of spirit.

“Chen Ying!”

“Your subject is here!”

“I very much want to kill you!”

“Uh...” Chen Ying was stunned. He had not expected Li Jiancheng to speak so bluntly.

Li Jiancheng rose and came before him, drawing his sword with a clang and pressing the keen blade to Chen Ying’s throat.

Chen Ying was inwardly terrified. He had surrendered his weapons to the palace guards before entering, and now stood defenseless. Of course, even if he possessed the strength of a champion, he could hardly fight his way out of the Eastern Palace alone.

Suddenly, a thought struck him—he recalled a famous saying from later times: “A dog that bites doesn't bark; a dog that barks doesn't bite!” By the same token, Li Jiancheng’s words suggested he had no true intention to kill him. Realizing this, Chen Ying relaxed and bowed his head. “The prince is lord, I am but a subject. If my lord wishes me dead, I must obey.”

“Nonsense!” Li Jiancheng retorted angrily. “Just now, you clenched your fists and leaned forward, clearly prepared for a desperate struggle. Do you take me for a blind man? If I truly bore murderous intent, perhaps it would be I lying dead now!”

Relieved, Chen Ying replied, “Your subject would not dare!”

“See that you don’t!” Li Jiancheng sheathed his sword and tossed it onto the table. “It’s not that I cannot or will not kill you, but I fear San-niang would be heartbroken. Our Li family owes her far too much.”

Back when Li Jiancheng discovered that Li Xiuning seemed unusually close to Chen Ying, he had, for the sake of family honor, once considered killing Chen Ying. But then he remembered: among himself and his siblings, apart from Li Xiuning, who did not keep concubines and enjoy every indulgence? Why should he be so harsh with Pingyang?

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Chen Ying wanted to protest that he and Princess Pingyang had nothing between them, but the words caught in his throat.

“With such courage, you can barely be called a hero,” said Li Jiancheng. “This time, regarding the rebellion at Shizhou led by Pang Qidi, I have recommended you to lead the campaign, despite many objections. Do you understand my meaning?”

Chen Ying bowed his head. “Your subject is slow-witted...”

“Our Tang dynasty is founded on military might; only through merit in war can one be ennobled,” Li Jiancheng declared. “As long as you win this battle beautifully, I will certainly petition for your ennoblement!”

“Thank you, Your Highness, for your favor. I shall spare no effort, risking life and limb, never failing your trust!” Chen Ying knew Li Jiancheng was magnanimous, but had not expected such generosity. It seemed he had misjudged him as too sinister. Realizing he had suspected a gentleman with a petty mind, Chen Ying felt his cheeks burn.

Li Jiancheng, apparently unaware of Chen Ying’s discomfort, asked solemnly, “Do you have a plan for this suppression?”

Chen Ying thought for a moment. “I believe troops should not be drawn from Chang’an. First, the city is now vulnerable and must retain sufficient forces to deter would-be traitors. Second, if we mobilize from Chang’an, preparing arms and provisions would take several days, and the march to Shizhou would take at least a month and a half. If given that much time, not only would the four prefectures of Liang, Shi, Han, and Yi fall into chaos, but all of Bashu might be ravaged by war. At present, speed is vital. The best course is to utilize the local garrisons of Liang and Shi prefectures and organize the suppression on the spot.”

“That is precisely what Secretary Wei proposed,” Li Jiancheng replied. “By tomorrow at the latest, the Ministry of War will appoint you acting commander to oversee the campaign. Go home, settle your affairs, and bid farewell to Pingyang.”

“Your subject obeys!” Chen Ying raised his head. “But if I go alone, I may not be able to command those unruly officers in Liangzhou. May I bring the Second Battalion of the Eastern Palace with me?”

Seeing Li Jiancheng hesitate, Chen Ying quickly added, “Though the battalion is understrength, most officers are present, and they know me to some extent. That’s better than relying on outsiders.”

Courtesy begets courtesy—this was Chen Ying’s principle. The Crown Prince was now offering him a golden opportunity to prove himself; he ought to do the same for Li Jiancheng. If he took the Second Battalion to suppress the revolt in Shizhou and achieved victory, the greatest credit would still belong to Li Jiancheng.

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