Chapter Ten: Awe Across Goguryeo

Daytime thoughts become nighttime dreams, and that evening, Xue Rengui had a dream.

In his dream, Xue Rengui found himself back in his impoverished hometown, where he still worked as a farmer. One day, as he was preparing to relocate his ancestral tomb, his wife Lady Liu said to him, “Husband, the Emperor is now recruiting warriors for the campaign against Liaodong. This is a rare opportunity—why not strive for honor and distinction? When you return home in glory, you can relocate the tomb then. Would it not gladden the hearts of our ancestors?”

Xue Rengui thought this made perfect sense, so he left his home and family to join the army, believing that his martial prowess would soon bring him renown. Yet, in the blink of an eye, three years passed, and he remained a nameless foot soldier.

Three years is not a long time, but for the ever-proud Xue Rengui, it felt like an eternity. He felt deeply ashamed that he had yet to accomplish a single feat and could hardly bear to face his wife, children, or ancestors. In his dream, Xue Rengui roared with frustration, but no one responded. Unable to vent his feelings, he shed a few tears—tears that happened to fall on the head of Zhou Hongxian, who he had taken to sleeping with as a pet.

It was still early spring, and the land of Liaodong was icy cold. Zhou Hongxian, feeling the chill on his head, was also dreaming. In his dream, he was cultivating beneath the waterfall of Heaven Lake, believing the icy sensation was the water flowing over him. Suddenly, Old Fox’s voice echoed in his ear: “Little fox, you’ve mastered your divine skills and can now transform into a human!”

Delighted, Zhou Hongxian leapt from the waterfall—when had he ever learned to fly? But in dreams, anything is possible. Landing before Old Fox, and under his kindly gaze, Zhou Hongxian transformed into a handsome young man.

Unlike in his previous life, where he barely stood over 170 centimeters tall and had unremarkable looks, in this dream he was tall and striking, his features reminiscent of a young Daniel Wu. Just as he grinned, ready to dazzle the world and win the hearts of countless maidens, dawn broke.

Sunlight streaming into the military tent woke Zhou Hongxian, and Xue Rengui awoke at the same time. Both man and fox felt somewhat out of sorts.

Seeing the red veins in Zhou Hongxian’s eyes, Xue Rengui was surprised. “Little Red, why are you so listless? Do foxes dream as well?”

Zhou Hongxian became even more dejected upon hearing this.

That very day, Xue Rengui rose early and went to the training ground. An electrifying piece of news swept through the Tang camp: Emperor Li Shimin had departed Chang’an and was personally leading a campaign—his target, Liaodong!

In the second month of the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era, Li Shimin arrived in Liaodong, taking over as supreme commander of the campaign against Goguryeo from Li Ji, the Grand Commander of Liaodong.

The first thing Li Shimin did upon arriving was to tour the camp and visit the soldiers, accompanied by Li Ji and other generals. Zhou Hongxian hid away in an obscure corner, yet managed to catch a glimpse of the illustrious Emperor Taizong of Tang. Of course, at this time, Li Shimin had not yet passed away, and the posthumous title “Taizong” was not yet known.

To Zhou Hongxian, although Li Ji’s reputation and appearance were quite distinguished, following behind the emperor, slightly stooped and modest, he faded into the background.

What truly stunned Zhou Hongxian was Li Shimin—not because he was emperor, but because his visage was so unlike the images found in later history books. Li Shimin wore no jade belt to hold up imperial robes, nor was he the least bit portly. On the contrary, though nearly fifty, he was tall, lean, and powerfully built.

More surprising still were his features: sharply defined, deep-set eyes, a prominent hooked nose, fair skin, and slightly curled hair and beard. He hardly looked fully Han Chinese; in modern times, one might have called him a mixed-blood.

What Zhou Hongxian did not know was that Li Shimin was indeed of mixed descent: his mother and even his Empress Zhangsun were both Xianbei, and the Xianbei originated in large part from Caucasian peoples—hence the old moniker “White Barbarians” during the Five Barbarians’ Invasion of China.

Putting aside his appearance, as an emperor who had spent his life on horseback, Li Shimin radiated an effortless authority. Though approachable and warm to the soldiers, every gesture and movement revealed his commanding presence.

When the inspection reached Xue Rengui’s tent, Li Shimin’s eyes immediately singled him out from among a dozen soldiers—Xue Rengui simply stood out too much.

“Maogong, which of your generals is this stalwart man?” Li Shimin asked with a smile, pointing to Xue Rengui.

Li Ji shook his head. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, I do not know him. This is a tent for ordinary soldiers; I imagine he is one of them.”

Face flushing, Xue Rengui stepped forward and saluted. “Your Majesty, my surname is Xue, given name Li, courtesy name Rengui, a native of Hedong. I am just a humble soldier, so it is natural that the Grand Commander does not know me.”

Li Shimin was impressed by his powerful voice, like a tiger’s roar, and nodded. “You are a Xue from Hedong. Are you related to the Hedong Xue clan?”

“I am indeed of the Hedong Xue clan.”

“So, you are a descendant of the Prince of Hedong. Tell me, how long have you served?”

Xue Rengui hesitated. “Three years.”

“Three years is not short. As a scion of famous generals, have you not yet won promotion by merit?”

Xue Rengui’s face turned crimson. He wanted to say that fate had not favored him, but that would sound like an excuse. At last, he managed, “My abilities are lacking, so I have not distinguished myself.”

Li Shimin smiled. “Since your abilities are lacking, all the more reason to strive hard—do not let down your fine physique and glorious ancestry.” With that, he led Li Ji and the others away.

After Li Shimin left, Xue Rengui stood there for a long while, clenching and unclenching his fists.

Soon after, he carried Zhou Hongxian into a secluded corner. “Little Red, you’re a spirit fox, and last time you said I would make a name for myself. Tell me, how long will I have to wait for my chance?”

Zhou Hongxian was at a loss. He knew Xue Rengui would be famous because of what he’d read in later history, but he had no idea exactly when that would happen, and besides, he dared not answer aloud.

Xue Rengui muttered, “Oh, right, you can’t speak. Asking you is no use.”

Zhou Hongxian thought, “Exactly! Glad you figured it out.”

“Then let me ask this way: Is the opportunity for merit far off? Nod if it’s far, shake your head if it isn’t.”

“Not again!” Zhou Hongxian smiled bitterly and, despite himself, shook his head.

Xue Rengui was overjoyed. “So you mean my opportunity is near?”

“I didn’t answer—I just reacted!” Zhou Hongxian felt trapped, but Xue Rengui cared nothing for that. Having received the answer he wanted, he slapped his thigh and declared, “Good! If your words prove true, you are my lucky fox, and I will treat you well all my life!”

Zhou Hongxian could have wept—this was all Xue Rengui’s wishful thinking. If things went wrong, surely he’d be blamed! But fate is a strange thing, and sometimes fortune smiles when least expected—Xue Rengui’s chance was indeed coming soon.

After Li Shimin finished inspecting the camp, he personally directed the assault on Goguryeo. The emperor’s arrival greatly boosted morale, and Li Shimin was a commander of rare talent. Yet, even with all these advantages, the Tang army’s results were not as great as hoped.

In the third month of the nineteenth year of Zhenguan, the Tang-Goguryeo war reached a stalemate. One of the Tang officers, Liu Junqiong, was surrounded by Goguryeo troops and could not escape.

In the Tang command tent, Li Shimin, seated as supreme commander, frowned. “Though our losses are not great and Liu Junqiong is but a minor officer, he has shed blood for the Tang. We cannot abandon him. But who shall I send to lead a rescue? Does anyone have a recommendation?”

Li Ji said, “Your Majesty, perhaps I could send Yang Cheng, a captain under my command. He is both brave and resourceful—well suited to the task.”

Li Shimin nodded. “Very well, as you suggest.” But just as he spoke, a general hurried in—it was Zhang Shigui, a renowned early Tang general and old retainer of the Prince of Qin’s household, much trusted by Li Shimin. Face alight with joy, Zhang bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, I have glad tidings!”

Li Shimin was puzzled. “What glad tidings?”

Zhang Shigui replied, “Your Majesty, a private in my command named Xue Rengui has single-handedly fought his way into the Goguryeo lines, slain the enemy officer besieging Liu Junqiong, and spread terror among the enemy ranks. Liu Junqiong is now safe!”

The tent erupted in astonishment, and Li Shimin rose from his seat. “Is this true?”

Zhang Shigui smiled. “Would I dare lie, Your Majesty? Xue Rengui has returned, enemy commander’s head tied to his saddle, and Liu Junqiong safely in tow!”

Li Shimin recalled the young soldier he’d recently met during the inspection—could it be him? Overjoyed, he exclaimed, “A truly valiant warrior—no less than Yuchi Jingde! Summon him to me at once!”

Li Shimin met with Xue Rengui personally, praising and rewarding him, though not yet promoting him in rank. Still, for Xue Rengui, this recognition alone was cause for joy.

How had this come about? The story was a long one. Xue Rengui had enlisted under Zhang Shigui, but with thirty thousand recruits that year, Zhang had never noticed him. Liu Junqiong, however, had once been a junior officer with whom Xue Rengui had served; Liu was generous and kind, so Xue Rengui felt indebted. Hearing Liu was in danger, he rushed to the rescue without a second thought.

This exploit made Xue Rengui’s name resound throughout both Tang and Goguryeo armies. Thereafter, the Tang forces, as if breaking through a barrier, drove the Goguryeo back in defeat and by the sixth month of that year, reached the city of Anshi (present-day Haicheng, Liaoning).

Yeon Gaesomun, the Goguryeo prime minister, sent his generals Gao Yanshou and Gao Huizhen with 250,000 troops to defend the mountains. Li Shimin, after surveying the terrain, ordered his commanders to attack Anshi from multiple directions.

In the tent, Xue Rengui adjusted his white robe, strapped on twin bows, picked up Zhou Hongxian, and kissed him on the head. “Little Red, you really are my lucky fox. Since meeting you, I feel my fortunes have turned!”

Zhou Hongxian was utterly disgusted: “Kiss your own kind, why don’t you? We’re both men, isn’t that gross?”

Xue Rengui could not read his thoughts and laughed heartily. “Today I go to battle. I want His Majesty to see my prowess amidst the enemy hosts. Today is the day a man earns his glory!” With that, he strode off, head held high.

On the twenty-first day of the sixth month, Li Shimin ordered Li Ji to engage Gao Yanshou west of Anshi, while Changsun Wuji and Niu Jinda led troops to flank the rear. Li Shimin himself took position on the northern heights, overseeing the field.

That day, the two armies clashed, banners filling the sky, the roar of battle shaking the earth. Watching the field, Li Shimin frowned. “After so many defeats, I thought the Goguryeo would be easily routed today, yet Gao Yanshou dares to give battle and his men’s morale is high. It seems a swift victory is not so easily won.”

A counselor said, “Your Majesty, Gao Yanshou is a famed general of Goguryeo, renowned for his training and ability to inspire troops. That is why today’s fight is so hard.”

Li Shimin nodded. Just as he did, a figure burst from the Tang ranks—a man in white, unarmored, wielding a halberd, twin bows at his waist, charging and shouting.

Li Shimin was momentarily stunned. Searching the field, he saw the man plunge into the Goguryeo lines, halberd whirling like a tempest. Left and right he struck, felling enemy officers one after another. Lifting his bow, he shot left and right, each arrow felling an enemy, many with a single shot through the head.

Like a god of war, he tore through the enemy ranks like a tiger among sheep, striking terror into the Goguryeo troops. The Tang soldiers surged forward in his wake, while the enemy turned and fled in panic—the battle’s momentum was instantly transformed.

“What a divine general!” Li Shimin exclaimed. “Who is this man in white?”

One replied with a laugh, “Your Majesty forgets? This is the very Xue Rengui whom you praised not long ago!”

Li Shimin rose, laughing. “So it is him!”

In the battle for Anshi, Xue Rengui again displayed supernatural valor, routing the Goguryeo. Over twenty thousand enemy heads were taken, and all of Goguryeo was shaken.

In recognition, Li Shimin summoned Xue Rengui, awarding him two horses, forty bolts of silk, and ten captives as slaves, and promoted him to General of the Vanguard and Commander of Yunquan Prefecture. Thus, Xue Rengui at last rose from common soldier to general.

As a rising young commander, Li Shimin placed great hopes in him, saying, “My old generals are aging, no longer able to bear heavy burdens. Whenever I seek to promote a bold and vigorous leader, I find none to match you. My greatest joy is not in conquering Liaodong, but in gaining your service!”

Xue Rengui was moved to tears by the emperor’s favor.

Night fell. Within a grand mansion in Anshi, now serving as Li Shimin’s temporary palace, lights blazed inside and out. Li Shimin sat in his room, melancholy, reciting a poem:

“In morning light before the mirror stand,
Makeup done, I linger by the stand.
A thousand gold for a single smile,
Yet when summoned, can she come at hand?”

The eunuch at his side asked, “Is Your Majesty thinking of Lady Hui?”

Lady Hui, or Consort Xu Hui, was Li Shimin’s beloved. Not only was she beautiful, but also prodigiously gifted—she was said to have spoken at five months, mastered the Analects by four, and composed poetry by eight. Hearing of her talents and beauty, Li Shimin summoned her to the palace at the age of fourteen.

The poem Li Shimin recited had a story: once, when he summoned Consort Hui and she came late, he grew angry. In response, she wrote this poem, explaining that she had lingered only to better prepare herself for him. Li Shimin, upon reading it, was charmed and loved her all the more.

Now, Li Shimin sighed, “Ah, a day without Lady Hui and it is as if three autumns have passed! I wonder, having been away from Chang’an so long, does she resent me?”

The eunuch smiled. “Your Majesty worries needlessly. You toil for the empire, and Lady Hui, with her gentle and understanding nature, surely knows to be considerate.”

Li Shimin replied, “What do you know of women, you eunuch? When a woman pouts, she cares for nothing else!”

The eunuch showed no embarrassment, only grinning foolishly. “Perhaps, when Your Majesty returns to Chang’an, you should prepare a special gift for Lady Hui. If she’s delighted, she won’t blame you anymore!”

Li Shimin’s eyes lit up. “That’s a fine idea! But what gift could be considered special? Gold and jewels are too ordinary.”

The eunuch had just been about to suggest something, but at Li Shimin’s words, he sensibly kept his mouth shut.

Suddenly, Li Shimin slapped his forehead. “How could I have forgotten? Two years ago, the King of Goguryeo sent me a fine fox fur as tribute. Lady Hui loved it dearly, but last year it was singed by a candle and she was sad for a long time. If I can find another fox fur of equal quality, she’ll be overjoyed—though such a thing is hard to find.”

At this, the eunuch’s face brightened. “Your Majesty, this is surely heaven’s will, moved by your devotion to Lady Hui!”

“Oh? Why do you say so?”

“Your Majesty may not know, but a few days ago, when I went to deliver your edict to General Xue, I saw he kept a red fox whose coat was the most splendid I’ve ever seen!”

At this, Li Shimin’s lips curled into a subtle smile.