Chapter Fifty-Three: Dispatch

“Beat the drums.”

At Feng Changqing’s command, the Tang army camp in the Gilgit Valley erupted into action. Amid the resonant drumbeats, horsemen galloped one after another toward the central command tent perched on the heights of the valley.

Without exception, each was stopped at the entrance by the heavily armored guard troops of the Commander-in-Chief. Feng Changqing’s chief constable, a burly middle-aged man with a deep, booming voice, barked out an order that brooked no defiance.

“Dismount, state your name, and surrender your weapons.”

“Duanshoushi, Adjutant of the Sizhèn Circuit, Captain of the Scouts, and Acting Inspector-General, Duan Xiushi.” Nearest the entrance, Duan Xiushi dismounted, handed his sword and reins to his attendant, announced his title, and entered.

“Commander of Shule, Li Siyi.”

Li Siyi was not far behind. Once inside, he exchanged a glance with Duan Xiushi; the latter gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head, indicating he was as much in the dark as the rest. Only upon entering the main tent did they realize they were not the first to arrive.

“Tian Mazi, you money-grubbing cur, did you catch wind of some secret news?”

Strangely, Tian Zhen, normally quick to retort and never one to let a slight pass, merely cast a cold glance and turned away, his expression inscrutable. This piqued Li Siyi’s curiosity unbearably, yet he could do little, for as names were announced, the commanders of each camp arrived in quick succession.

“What’s happened?”

Everyone had the same question, but none had an answer. Before long, the tent was packed wall to wall with armored warriors, a mass of iron and sinew.

“Now that all are assembled, I present the Deputy Protector-General of Anxi, Acting Censor-in-Chief, Commander of the Four Garrisons of Anxi, and Deputy Envoy for Military Affairs and Agriculture—Lord Feng.”

As Feng Changqing, clad in full battle regalia, led forward a short, plump, beaming man in a round-collared robe and cross-lapped cap, silence fell. The earlier roll call had made it clear: Feng Changqing had officially received his imperial commission and was now master of the Four Garrisons of Anxi.

It was obvious that the stout, smiling man was the imperial envoy, both bearer of the decree and official overseer of the army.

Feng Changqing stepped to the great table, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officers. When all eyes were fixed on him, he cleared his throat.

“As of today, I assume command of all affairs in the Four Garrisons of Anxi. Secondly, the imperial envoy brings an edict from the court—please, declare the decree.” With that, Feng Changqing stepped aside, yielding the floor.

The envoy stepped forward unhesitatingly, unfurled a scroll, and in a nasal, drawn-out voice, read aloud:

“The Imperial Edict: To ignore the path and fall into confusion is to invite heavenly punishment; when the barbarians disrupt our borders, the Emperor must display his might. The Tubo devils have for years violated our passes, sacking our towns and enslaving our people. For the sake of our soldiers, this is a cause for deep anger and grief. Now, the northern cavalry is drawn, ten thousand crossbows are ready; the swift generals of Shanxi advance by a hundred routes. The time for sweeping the enemy away is at hand. Yet rewards and punishments must be trustworthy, and discipline enforced. If orders are unclear, how can loyalty and bravery be expected? Anyone who shirks or allows the enemy to escape shall answer to the law; those who capture or slay the enemy chiefs must be publicly rewarded. To the armies of Hexi, Longyou, Anxi, Jiannan, and others: Any who slay the Tubo tsanpo shall be ennobled as a prince, those who slay great generals shall be granted that rank, and those who capture lesser officers shall be promoted to colonel. All, regardless of prior rank, shall be rewarded accordingly. Let this be proclaimed so all may know.”

The generals listened respectfully, their faces brightening with excitement. There could be no doubt—war was at hand, and the rewards on offer from the court were lavish indeed, with princely titles up for grabs.

“You have all heard the edict. The Court has raised this army, and the Son of Heaven has bestowed his grace—today, we have only to fight bravely and repay our sovereign, carving out glory not only for ourselves but for our descendants. Do you agree?” Feng Changqing asked, bowing with joined hands.

“We await the Censor’s command,” came the unanimous reply, as the tent resounded with the clashing of armored fists upon chests. Feng Changqing exchanged a satisfied glance with the envoy.

The morale was high.

As the envoy withdrew, Feng Changqing resumed his place at the table and began assigning duties.

“This campaign, the five armies will encircle the enemy. Although our Four Garrisons of Anxi are the most remote, we must not fall behind. The Tubo forces are little more than a hundred li away, and scouts report they number only a few thousand. Even with skilled generals, they cannot withstand our might. Speed is of the essence. Here are my orders.”

“Liang Zai.”

His first choice was his confidant.

“Your subordinate awaits your command.”

“Your men will form the center. The army’s stores, baggage, craftsmen, medics, and the envoy’s safety are all your responsibility. Not a single error is permitted. Do you understand?”

Liang Zai hesitated—it sounded like the duties of a nursemaid. Feng Changqing, however, brooked no argument, his tone growing stern: “What, are you not up to it?”

“I accept the command,” Liang Zai replied hastily. Feng Changqing signaled the chief scribe, who recorded the order.

“Is Field Commander Tian Zhen present?”

Tian Zhen straightened and stepped forward with a fist salute. “I am here.”

“Your men are familiar with this region. You will form the vanguard. By noon tomorrow at the latest, you must reach the area near Boyi River, but do not approach the Teng Bridge or allow the enemy garrison there to detect you. Is that clear?”

“I understand, and I will not fail you.”

“Yang He, Commander of Khotan, your force will be the right flank. You must secure the forests and highlands to prevent any threat from the Tubo.”

“I obey.”

Yang He responded unhurriedly with a salute. With only two thousand men, the task suited him well.

As Liu Ji had said, the valleys here were twisted and mountainous, offering little room for large-scale maneuvers. Now, with the vanguard, center, and right wing assigned, Li Siyi wondered if he would be left only with the rearguard.

Indeed, the next order left him too exasperated even to feign politeness.

“Li Siyi, Commander of Shule, your men will form the rear guard. Be vigilant—the Tubo are cunning and may well have hidden troops in ambush.” As Feng Changqing spoke, he winked at Li Siyi repeatedly.

Ambush? Li Siyi nearly shouted in disbelief. With sheer cliffs and dense forests on one side and a river on the other, unless the Tubo could sprout wings, how could there be an ambush?

But before he could speak, he caught Feng Changqing’s urgent look and swallowed his protest, bowing uncertainly.

“I accept the command.”

His reluctance was plain for all to see—even the envoy, a newcomer, glanced curiously at him. Clearly a fierce general, why had Feng Changqing relegated him to the rear?

Was there some deeper reason? At once, everyone recalled the brawl from a few days before. At that moment, Yang Yu, who knew the details, suddenly realized—

Liu Ji, the instigator, had not shown up at all!