Volume One, Chapter Fourteen: Strategies for Confronting the Enemy-Rebelião de An Lushan: Tornei-me o Príncipe Herdeiro Li Heng(Pequeno Verme-Livro Rompendo o Casulo)

“Sanlang, the rebel forces are now at our doorstep, and the situation is dire. What strategy do you propose to repel the enemy?” Li Longji’s expression was grave, his eyes carrying a mixture of weariness and hope as he stared intently at Li Heng.

“Father, I believe the rebels are overconfident at present, and Mawei Post is an open terrain with no natural defenses, making it difficult to withstand a fierce assault,” Li Heng replied, lifting his head slightly, his face serious.

Chen Xuanli listened silently, inwardly scoffing: such obvious matters, who does not know?

Li Heng seemed to sense Chen Xuanli’s disdain. He paused briefly, then continued, “Moreover, the walls of Wugong City are low, and the moat shallow. Facing a full-scale siege by the rebels, I fear we cannot hold out for long.”

After speaking, Li Heng cast a deliberate glance at Chen Xuanli, as if issuing a subtle challenge.

“If we cannot fight, and cannot defend, what then?” Wei Jiansu asked upon seeing this.

“Safeguard the imperial carriage and proceed to Wugong,” Li Heng said with a deep breath, slowly letting the words out.

Gao Lishi interjected in surprise, “Just now General Chen also advocated holding Wugong. Your Highness now says it is unwise, yet you propose going there. What does this mean?”

Li Heng turned to Gao Lishi, his gaze tinged with reproach. “Eunuch Gao, think carefully. The rebels are brazen, and our troops are unsettled. With only three thousand soldiers of the Longwu Guard defending Wugong, how long can we possibly hold out?”

Gao Lishi was left speechless, forced to look to Chen Xuanli. Such a professional question could only be answered by a professional.

After some thought, Chen Xuanli said, “If the rebels number only ten thousand, we might hold out for over ten days.”

“What if the rebels number twenty thousand?” Wei Jiansu pressed anxiously.

“In that case, our forces could hold at most five days,” Chen Xuanli responded.

Hearing this, Gao Lishi said, “Five days is enough. As long as we hold on and wait for reinforcements, help will surely arrive.”

“Eunuch Gao, are you so certain reinforcements will arrive within five days? There are too many variables; a single misstep could spell utter ruin!” Li Heng retorted without mercy.

Gao Lishi was momentarily at a loss for words.

Li Heng went on, “Furthermore, the distance from here to Wugong is nearly a hundred li. Even riding day and night, it would take one whole day and night. The rebels only need to dispatch a light cavalry unit to easily intercept our forces. Then we would be trapped in a deadly pincer.”

Li Longji nodded slowly, looking at Li Heng. “Sanlang, in your opinion, what should we do?”

Li Heng stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, “Father, I believe the only way now is a night raid on the rebels to crush their morale first, thereby stabilizing our troops’ hearts.”

“A night raid?” Li Longji’s face showed doubt.

Li Heng nodded solemnly. “Father, I have just such a plan. When Sun Quan led a hundred thousand troops to attack Hefei, the city’s defenders numbered only seven thousand, and the situation was critical. Zhang Liao seized the moment when the enemy was unsteady, led eight hundred brave soldiers to strike proactively, and in a single battle broke their momentum, instilling fear in their ranks.

“Now our situation may be even more perilous. If we do not strike first to dampen the rebels’ arrogance, our soldiers will be demoralized and terrified like prey before a tiger. How then can we hold the city?”

Everyone nodded at his words. They had not expected the Crown Prince—usually so unobtrusive—to analyze military and state affairs with such clarity. It seemed his spirit and vigor had changed.

“Therefore, I earnestly request your Majesty’s permission to dispatch fifteen hundred troops. I am willing to lead the charge against the rebels,” Li Heng said, bowing deeply.

Li Longji fell into deep thought.

Currently, the Longwu Guard and the Crown Prince’s personal guard together numbered just over three thousand. Dividing the forces in half risked disaster. The situation was tangled and hearts unpredictable; one wrong move would mean total defeat and irreversible loss.

Chen Xuanli hurriedly opposed, “Your Majesty, I earnestly advise against it. Our Longwu Guard is thinly spread, with only one thousand cavalry. Although the rebel vanguard barely numbers a thousand, they are rested and hold advantageous ground. If we rashly engage, would the rebels be caught unawares? What if another rebel force attacks us then? How would we respond?”

Chen Xuanli’s concerns were valid. The rebels’ true strength was uncertain. If the thousand rebels were merely bait and another force was maneuvering to encircle us, dividing our troops would be catastrophic.

Moreover, the Crown Prince’s behavior was unlike before—unpredictable and possibly opportunistic in the chaos.

Hearing Chen Xuanli, both Gao Lishi and Wei Jiansu nodded in agreement.

Li Heng clasped his fists again and urged, “Father, I understand the risks. But our forces are few and morale fragile. Not to speak ill of General Chen, but even the palace guards are on the verge of mutiny. If we cannot rally the troops by striking the rebels, collapse is imminent.

“Furthermore, thousands of civilians remain within our ranks, many young and able-bodied. If organized, they can help defend our positions.

“If we do not launch a night raid to break the enemy’s momentum, I fear we cannot hold the line. The Tang realm is in grave peril!”

Li Longji fell silent.

He doubted these rebels were genuine. If they were not, might this be a trap?

“General Chen, send a small detachment out to skirmish,” Li Longji finally decided cautiously. He wanted a small force to probe the enemy, to see if they were truly rebels or some ruse.

“Your Majesty, what is your intent?” Chen Xuanli asked, puzzled.

“Do as I command. No questions,” Li Longji said firmly, allowing no dissent.

“As you command.” Chen Xuanli sent Wang Yingwu, who had just withdrawn, back into battle.

“Report!” After about the time it took to burn an incense stick, scouts returned.

“Northeast, rebel forces spotted, about fifteen li away. Their banners number no fewer than three thousand.”

Chen Xuanli was startled and ordered further scouting.

Just as he was about to report, another scout galloped in.

“Southeast, rebels sighted, about twelve li away. Their numbers are no fewer than three thousand.”

Chen Xuanli’s heart leapt as he hurried into the command post.

“Your Majesty, scouts report rebel forces to the northeast and southeast, totaling no fewer than six thousand!” Chen Xuanli panted as he relayed the intelligence to Li Longji.

“Ah?” Everyone present was stunned.

If it had been only a thousand rebels, the Longwu Guard could easily defend. But now six to seven thousand rebels pressed from three directions, making even a defensive stance precarious.

They exchanged anxious glances, none daring to speak, the air thick with suffocating tension.

Suddenly, Li Heng knelt heavily before Li Longji, speaking earnestly, “Father, please grant me permission to lead the attack. The frontmost rebel forces are smallest, and a small victory is still possible. If we hesitate now, it will truly be too late!”

Li Longji’s brow furrowed deeply, his eyes full of inner struggle. He stared at Li Heng, scratching his head in silence, clearly weighing the pros and cons with great difficulty.

At that moment, Chen Xuanli spoke suddenly, “Your Majesty, Commander Wang Yingwu took only two hundred men to skirmish. If all three rebel forces converge, it will be like an egg against a stone.”

Li Longji was taken aback, then ordered, “Quickly, send word for Wang Yingwu to withdraw at once!”

Though the rebel force was large, only two hundred cavalry risked the lives of his soldiers lightly. He would not sacrifice this strength needlessly.

Chen Xuanli hurried outside the command post and called a messenger, “Ride swiftly and catch up with General Wang. He must retreat immediately. No mistakes!”