Chapter Five: Heroes Lament Their Silvered Hair

Yang Guozhong and the Yang sisters, including Lady Yang, belonged to the same clan, yet had little contact in the past. It wasn't until Yang Guozhong heard of Lady Yang's rise to power that he, weary and downtrodden, made his way from Shu to Chang'an. Through the introduction of Xianyu Zhongtong, he became entangled with Lady Guo, and with her mediation, he renewed his family ties with Lady Yang.

Subsequently, Emperor Xuanzong, ever the philanderer, bestowed his favor upon each of the four Yang sisters in turn. Yet, as was his wont, he soon tired of old loves, abandoning them but still granting them wealth and glory. The Five Yang Residences in Chang'an became a spectacle unto themselves, nestled close to the imperial palace, unparalleled in the emperor's favor.

In truth, Xuanzong's fickleness wasn't solely to blame. All knew Lady Yang for her beauty, but few realized she was also fiercely jealous. When her envy flared, even the emperor would retreat. Historical records tell that Lady Yang, in her fits of jealousy and outbursts, was sent back to her family twice for offending the emperor—yet she never fell from his favor, proof enough that she was no ordinary woman.

After Xuanzong deliberately distanced himself, the Ladies of Qin and Han, though their lives became decadent, still maintained some restraint. Lady Guo, however, utterly abandoned decorum, engaging in affairs with numerous nobles and officials to win their support.

Yang Guozhong disdained her conduct, yet was forced to yield to reality. His chief political rival was the all-powerful Li Linfu, leaving no room for moral hauteur. Thus, he maintained a perfunctory relationship with Lady Guo, even as he despised her—a contradiction he could not resolve.

It is worth noting that Yang Guozhong's legitimate wife was herself a courtesan, also a renowned beauty, though her character was only passable—thanks in no small part to Yang Guozhong himself.

Elsewhere, when Li Linfu saw the Lady Wu and learned the content of the imperial edict, he felt as if struck by lightning.

That night, all of Chang'an was restless. After the curfew drums, officials and carriages hurried up and down the streets, leaving the Imperial Guards trembling, fearing some great calamity had occurred.

Upon seeing the edict, An Lushan was about to seek out Yang Guozhong, only for Yang to arrive first. "Minister Yang, what is going on?"

Yang Guozhong, his face stern, replied, "Find a quiet place."

They entered a secluded chamber, where Yang Guozhong spoke first: "A-shan, something significant has happened in the palace."

"I know! At this hour, His Majesty's edict has surely spread through all of Chang'an. But why? Did you not consult Lady Yang?"

An Lushan, a hefty man prone to sweating, was now drenched as if in rain. Yang Guozhong found it distasteful, but since An commanded troops, he was indispensable for Yang's position at court. It wasn't that Yang Guozhong had no other options, but being unlettered and uncultured, the able generals looked down on him. Only the equally rough An Lushan found common ground with him, though in truth, An also held Yang in contempt. Yet, with those four beautiful sisters, their fates were intertwined—an alliance of mutual use and mutual disdain. In the end, when An Lushan rebelled under the banner of "purging the emperor's court," Yang Guozhong was his primary target.

"Why the anxiety?" Yang Guozhong frowned. "If you can't stand, then sit. The situation arose suddenly; I haven't grasped the details yet. But word from Lady Yang is to wait and see. Knowing your temperament, I came to inform you so that, in confusion, you don't make a misstep and give that villain Li Linfu an opening."

"Don't worry about that. Li Linfu hasn't yet warmed his seat as Right Chancellor—he's unlikely to trouble us for now. But the return of Old Pei and Huangfu Weiming is not good news for us."

"What is there to fear? We have little enmity with Old Pei and the others. Li Linfu is the one who should worry—if you strike at a snake and miss, it will bite back viciously. We need only wait and watch."

"But I've been ordered to leave Chang'an within three days and return to Fanyang."

"That's nothing to worry about. Leaving the capital in turbulent times is a blessing in disguise. Think about it—when the storm is raging, it's safer to avoid the mire. The court cannot do without you border generals. After the turmoil passes, you'll be needed again. Go home, reunite with your family during the New Year, and rest easy."

"Minister Yang, you're right. But once away from the capital, I'll be far from the center of power."

"With Lady Yang and me here, what have you to fear? Rest assured, I'll keep you informed of all developments in the capital. So long as you hold military command, we have nothing to worry about."

"That's true. By the way, regarding my request to be adopted as Lady Yang's son—if you see her, could you mention it again?"

This request embarrassed Yang Guozhong greatly. An Lushan was more than ten years older than his youngest sister, yet insisted on being adopted as Lady Yang's son. Yang had broached the topic with her before, only for her to laugh it off as drunken nonsense. Now, sober, An brought it up again, putting Yang in an awkward position. He could only give a vague promise.

Meanwhile, Li Shizhi, having received his orders, was suddenly tasked with finding five low-ranking juniors—a difficult task. One, at least, was easy to locate: Geshu Han, an officer of the Imperial Guards. The other four required sending men to their homes.

At the mansion of Left Imperial Guard General Li Qin, the door was pounded upon deep in the night.

"Who is it? Stop knocking—it's late and freezing! Don't people need their sleep?"

The heavy doors creaked open. "Who are you looking for—"

"Blind fool! Chancellor Li is here—open the main gate at once!" The officer's shout silenced the doorkeeper's complaints, and a troop of soldiers stormed in, rousing the household. Lights flickered on, voices rose in confusion.

"Who dares such insolence?" Li Qin demanded angrily as he emerged.

"I do," replied Li Shizhi, draped in his fur-lined cloak.

Li Qin quickly knelt. "Greetings, Chancellor."

"Rise. Is your son Li Sheng at home?"

"He is."

"Bring him here."

"Chancellor, may I ask what offense my son has committed to trouble you so?"

"Don't let your mind wander—it's a summons from His Majesty. Hurry up, there are three more boys to find."

"Father! What's happening?" Li Sheng entered hastily, his clothes disheveled.

Li Shizhi smiled. "So this is Li Sheng?"

"Yes, Chancellor."

"Remarkable—he is indeed a fine young man. Come with me."

"Where to?"

"So impatient—still young, I see. Don't ask what you shouldn't. Just follow." With that, Li Shizhi turned to leave.

Li Sheng, bewildered, looked to his father, who whispered, "His Majesty has summoned you. Be careful in your answers."

Hearing that the emperor wished to see him, Li Sheng felt both elated and apprehensive.

Li Shizhi gathered the others, then returned to the palace.

Seeing the nearly sixty-year-old Geshu Han kneeling before him, Gao Buyi felt a pang of sorrow at the old general's age. Fortunately, there was still Li Sheng and the others to rely on.