Chapter 610: Chapter 81: Fleeing the Country in Disgrace, Exposing Ugliness
Geshu Han commanded the western frontier, and his importance was self-evident. It could be said that, apart from him, no one else could stabilize the crisis in Longyou so hastily.
This concerned not only individual talent and experience but was also rooted in the systemic ailments of the Great Tang.
Since Li Longji had entrusted the military, administrative, and financial powers of the frontier to the Jiedu Envoys, these border armies had effectively become their private forces.
The sudden demise of Geshu Han would have unimaginable consequences for the morale of the troops and the destruction of the command structure.
In just over a month!
The Tubo army breached the Longyou defense line, aiming directly at the strategic Dazhen Pass at Long Mountain, and the Guanzhong heartland was in imminent danger.
In a panic, Li Longji had no choice but to draw troops from various regions to resist the Tubo.
At this juncture, Emperor Xuanzong was hardly a semblance of wisdom.
An intense sense of crisis left him in desperate disarray— even after deploying troops from all sides, he turned his attention to the navy stationed far away in Mingzhou State!
In his eyes, this fleet, constructed with vast sums, was the most elite force of the Great Tang.
With Guanzhong in distress, how could it not be utilized?
Thus, he ignored the fierce objections of his ministers and insisted on deploying the navy northward.
The chain reaction of this decision was immediate; the once unchecked pirates took advantage and suddenly struck, halting the sea trade at Mingzhou instantly!
Even Gu Yi did not expect Li Longji to make this decision.
Ultimately, Gu Yi underestimated the underlying extreme fear and muddled state of this aging emperor when faced with a life-and-death threat.
He lacked any semblance of an emperor’s wisdom and dignity.
The impact of this on the entire Great Tang was enormous.
With sea trade flourishing and under imperial regulation nowadays, it already accounted for forty percent of the Great Tang’s tax revenue.
At first glance, this may not seem like an astonishing number.
But don’t forget, what era is this?
The current Great Tang was not modern and still based on agriculture, yet this nearly forty percent sea trade revenue was proof of a quiet revolution in productivity.
The industries involved were so numerous that they far surpassed the entire court’s imagination.
And remember, although Mingzhou is merely a coastal port, it controls the critical junction of river and sea, being the lifeline of Great Tang’s sea trade!
And from the moment flames erupted over Mingzhou—
This disaster, originally confined to the northwest, swept like a tidal wave across the entire Jiangnan!
This was a misstep leading to further mistakes.
Even Gu Jing, in his time, cautiously advanced the sea trade, let alone Li Longji?
Moreover, the most critical point is—
Don’t forget, these were times of chaos across the land!
Countless affected people would follow the rumors spread all over the world and, with various people fanning the flames, vent their grievances against the court and Li Longji without any restraint.
The situation, completely out of control!
....
Deep within the Imperial Palace at Luoyang.
In the dim light, fragments of broken porcelain, each worth a fortune, were strewn across the floor, their edges reflecting a cold and sharp gleam.
According to Li Longji, he was emulating the style of the "Marquis Zhongwu, Gu Xiao" from years past.
——Gu Xiao fought wars all his life, and once the world was unified, he enjoyed the peace; similarly, he governed the nation all his life, and now that the prosperous era has arrived, he naturally should enjoy the blessings of the world.
But all this grandeur of the past now appeared so ironic.
The turmoil in Jiangnan shattered all of Li Longji’s illusions.
He knew all too well what this signified.
Everything was out of control.
This emperor, who had prided himself on being a ruler for the ages, had completely ruined the Great Tang.
If he could not defy fate and change destiny.
He might become the second Emperor Yang of Sui, letting a rising dynasty perish by his own hands.
As for defying fate?
Li Longji couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh, full of self-mockery.
He lacked such courage.
Li Longji had more than once contemplated leading the troops himself, but the idea was ultimately quashed by fear.
He no longer had a shred of courage!
"Report—!"
At this moment, anxious shouts came from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, Chancellor Yang has sent an urgent letter!"
Upon hearing this, Li Longji’s expression changed instantly, and his body even began to tremble slightly as his bloodshot eyes rigidly stared outside the palace.
Could it be another battle defeat report?
Or is it that... the enemy is about to kill their way here?
Countless thoughts made him tremble uncontrollably, and he didn’t even have the courage to read the letter himself, so he had the inner official read it aloud.
Fortunately, it wasn’t a defeat report.
But the news wasn’t much better.
In the letter, Yang Guozhong explained the pros and cons of the current situation and, in the end, advised him to leave Luoyang, move to the perilous lands of the Shu Region temporarily, to avoid the sharpness of the moment, and plan for the future.
Listening to the slightly trembling voice of the inner official, Li Longji’s whole expression suddenly froze.
Abandoning Guanzhong and fleeing to the Shu Region?
He knew all too well what this meant.
Even if he could regroup one day, lead the royal troops to quell the rebellion, and return to Chang’an, the scattering of Guanzhong people’s hearts, or the knife-pen of history’s harsh judgment, would forever be an indelible mark of shame in his imperial career!
If it was his former self, he’d rather die than make such a choice.
Even now, he feels the same way.
The first reaction was still a sense of being humiliated, somewhat angry.
But merely a moment later, he calmed down again.
Besides this, did he have any other choice?
Even Geshu Han was dead; could the generals he appointed temporarily really stop the Tubo forces?
And as long as the Tubo army crossed Long Mountain.
The entire Guanzhong region would be an open plain, with no strategic terrains to defend.
Even if the west could be temporarily disregarded, what about An Lushan?
What about the chaos in Jiangnan?
"Perhaps... it’s better to temporarily seek refuge in the natural barriers of Shu, reorganize the military, and plan for future moves!"
In the next instant, a thought rose in Li Longji’s mind and, however he tried, he could not shake it off.
Such is human nature.
When one finds themselves in dire straits, they will invariably and uncontrollably grasp at anything, even if they understand this will come at a great cost.
They might even find excuses for themselves.
And Li Longji was no different now.
"The natural barriers of the Shu Region, whether it is An Lushan’s cavalry, or those Tubo barbarians, none can cross the Jian Pavilion."
"As long as I hold Jian Pavilion, I will have an opportunity to reorganize my forces."
"The might of my Great Tang remains."
"By then, with my ability, I will surely lead the army to revive the glory of Taizong from years past!"
Li Longji constantly reminded himself in his heart.
Just in that brief instant, he seemed to have already made some kind of decision.
....
The next day, Champion Marquis Mansion.
"Brother!" Gu Hui burst in with brisk steps, a peculiar gleam on his face, "There’s news from the palace!"
"His Majesty has decided to personally lead the campaign, vowing to clear the world and eliminate all the rebels!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Yi’s heart sank heavily.
He silently gazed in the direction of the Imperial Palace, his gaze deep and grave.
Had it come to this level of confusion?
In the original history, Li Longji had only fled Chang’an after the fall of Tong Pass.
Although the current situation is indeed much worse than the original history.
But as an emperor, could he be so feeble?
Gu Yi manipulated Gu Xuan and let out an almost inaudible sigh, his gaze turning to the still jubilant Gu Hui, asking calmly, "Do you believe it?"
"Brother, what do you mean by this?" Gu Hui’s excitement instantly froze, a trace of doubt and confusion flashing in his eyes, "Would His Majesty... Would His Majesty joke about such serious matters of war and the nation?"
Gu Yi did not offer any further explanation, merely gesturing for Gu Hui to leave, then summoned Gu Xuan’s personal guard, his gaze solemn, and addressed the guard clearly with, "Quickly go to the Eastern Palace, and ask the Crown Prince—"
"In the clear history, has there ever been an Emperor who abandoned the nation and fled?!"
"Then inform the Crown Prince—"
"The state affairs are as precarious as eggs piled in a pyramid, please decide swiftly, Your Highness!"
He need not say more, fully confident in the decision Li Heng would make.
This was something that had to be done.
When it comes to matters concerning imperial power, the decision must be made by the Li family themselves, while the Gu Clan’s concern could only be the entirety of the Kyushu!...
......
(Ps: Kneeling and pleading for monthly votes, asking brothers for more support, just a note, Qidian charges per 200 characters, and the historical records content in this book is almost free.... and placing it in the author’s comments section means some people won’t see it.)
