Chapter Seventy-Three: The Treatment of High Officials

The first year of Martial Virtue was a restless time for the newly established Li Tang dynasty. The nascent empire brewed with the threat of internal schisms, while on its borders the Turkic and Tibetan tribes stirred restlessly. The Turkic warriors, sharpening their blades, weighed heavily on the mind of Li Yuan, now in his fifties.

Against the swift, elusive Turkic cavalry, Li Yuan found himself at a loss. Though Li Shimin had captured Xue Ren’guo alive and annihilated Western Qin, temporarily stabilizing the northwest, the scheming Liang Shidu of the Liang Kingdom remained unyielding. On the fourth day of the seventh lunar month, as Great Tang clashed with Xue Ju of Western Qin, Liang Shidu personally led over six thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Lingzhou, only to be repelled by General Lin Xingcan. In early September, Liang Shidu struck at Yanzhou again. The governor, Duan De’cao, withheld his troops until Liang Shidu’s forces grew lax, then launched a surprise attack. Amidst the heated battle, Duan De’cao led his light cavalry around the flanks, routing Liang Shidu, who fled in defeat. Duan De’cao pursued him for two hundred li, capturing many prisoners.

Yet Liang Shidu’s ambitions remained undimmed. In early November, he attacked Lingzhou once more, this time with the support of over five thousand Turks who camped at Wild Boar Ridge. Liang Shidu himself posed little threat; both Lin Xingcan and Yang Ze were seasoned commanders. What truly troubled Li Yuan were the five thousand Turkic cavalrymen.

Should the Turks join the fray, Lingzhou would surely fall. Yet as winter deepened, it became increasingly difficult to send reinforcements. Without aid, both Yanzhou and Lingzhou might be lost to the Tang.

Li Yuan lost sleep over these troubles; even the joy of Li Shimin’s victory over Xue Ju and the destruction of Western Qin was muted. Just yesterday, Li Yuan had dreamed of Turkic soldiers slaughtering Lingzhou, rivers of blood and mountains of corpses. As he watched snowflakes drift across the sky, his mood soured further.

At the brink of despair, Li Xiuning entered the palace bearing a quilt.

Her arrival lifted Li Yuan’s spirits.

“Third Daughter, you sensed your father’s distress and brought a new quilt?”

Li Xiuning smiled. “Father, you don’t know how valuable this is!”

Though the empire faced hardship, Li Yuan, as emperor, was never neglected. He did not suffer the cold like Chen Ying, for his bedding was made from fine bear pelts, offering excellent warmth. What mattered most to the ruler of all was not wealth, but the filial devotion of his children.

Li Yuan said, “Third Daughter, what do you want? Anything you wish, except dissolving your marriage to Chai Shao—your father will grant it!”

Hearing this, Li Xiuning felt a surge of frustration. She indeed wished to end her nominal marriage to Chai Shao, but Li Yuan had cut off the discussion before she could speak.

Her expression darkened.

Li Yuan was forced to explain patiently, “Third Daughter, endure a while longer. Your father has his reasons. Though Great Tang shines outwardly, we are in a season of turmoil; the realm cannot withstand more upheaval!”

Li Xiuning retorted, “Must my happiness be sacrificed?”

“Not for your whole life!” Li Yuan sighed. “Behind Chai Shao stands the Chai clan, entangled with the Guanlong faction. To pull one thread is to move the whole web!”

The Chai family, in truth, was not Han. Their ancestors belonged to the Achai tribe of the Tuoba Xianbei, known in history as the A’lu. During the Sui Emperor’s reign, the Xianbei surnames were collectively Han-ized, and A’chai became Chai. Though Li Xiuning herself had Xianbei blood, she looked down upon Chai Shao.

A man who could not protect his own wife was, in her eyes, a disgrace. Of course, Li Xiuning never considered his perspective. Among nomadic peoples, love and fidelity were not as portrayed in later dramas—romantic notions like “you are the wind, I am the sand” were mere fantasy. Even Temujin, in his lowest days, abandoned his wife; the Tuo Tuo chief took her and even fathered a son with her, whom Temujin accepted as his own.

Chai Shao was no different; cultural habits shaped his response to his wife. Among nomads, women were seen as bearers of children, interchangeable and accepted.

This was Li Xiuning’s grievance. She would never forgive Chai Shao, though he felt he had done nothing wrong.

Li Yuan took the soft down coat and immediately sensed its difference.

He scarcely needed Li Xiuning’s explanation to recognize its military value. If such a down quilt were made into a sleeping bag, it would protect soldiers from freezing injuries or losses even in icy conditions. It was like receiving a pillow when one needed to sleep.

Upon learning from Li Xiuning that the inventor, Chen Ying, was only sixteen, Li Yuan’s interest grew.

…

Chen Ying followed Chen Qi as they made their way to the Vermilion Bird Gate of the palace. Entering this gate meant stepping into the imperial city. Liang Zan and the escort stayed behind, while Chen Ying, unarmed and summoned by Li Yuan, passed through the inspection by the imperial guards. He walked north along the corridor, passing the Temple of Music, the Office of Clan Affairs, the Palace Stable, and the Secretariat, before arriving at the Sixteen Guards Command. First they entered the Left and Right Martial Guard Offices, then the Left and Right Imperial Guard, and finally the Secretariat.

At the Gate of Heavenly Order, Chen Ying was searched again, this time with particular thoroughness—even his boots were removed and inspected. Sensing Chen Ying’s discomfort, Chen Qi hurried to explain, “General Chen, they are only doing their duty, not making things difficult for you!”

Chen Ying’s expression softened.

Luckily, the process did not take long. Once inside the Gate of Heavenly Order, the grounds opened up; the surrounding halls and towers grew grander. After another quarter hour’s walk, they reached the Heavenly Street outside the Gate, where clusters of ministers had already gathered—more than a hundred, most in crimson robes, with only ten in purple. Chen Ying’s arrival caused a stir; the civil and military officials whispered and speculated about the identity of this new favorite.

Chen Qi, worried that Li Yuan might be kept waiting, ignored those seeking to inquire about Chen Ying's identity.

Pointing to a side hall, Chen Qi said, “General Chen, please rest here for a moment. I must go report!”

Chen Ying nodded.

Chen Qi hurried off toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Within the palace, only veteran ministers enjoyed the privilege of the side halls—if the emperor was unable to meet with them promptly, they could rest and take tea there. It was a mark of imperial favor, but most officials were not entitled to such honors.

Soon, Chen Ying realized he was fortunate to be among those granted this privilege.

“Summon General Chen Ying of the Far Reaches to audience!”

“Summon General Chen Ying of the Far Reaches to audience!”

Before Chen Ying could finish his tea, he heard the cry of the palace guards, echoing ever louder down the corridors.

He quickly set down his cup and made his way toward the Hall of Sweet Dew.