Zhao Yong went into the military camp to inquire about Yang Muzhi’s whereabouts. Inside, he found the place empty, with no one around, except for a yellowed copy of the “Yi Jing (I Ching)” on a table, and several maps hanging on the wall. As Zhao Yong turned to leave, he encountered an elderly man with a dignified and profound demeanour, dressed in a wide-brimmed hat and a generous robe.

　　Zhao Yong hurried forward and bowed, saying, “May I ask if you are Master Yang, originally from Jinling?”

　　The old man smiled and replied, “No, no! I am just a military physician here in the army.”

　　Zhao Yong asked, “Sir, do you happen to know where Master Yang is now?”

　　The old man stroked his beard and said, “Master Yang is probably in the stable feeding the horses at this moment.”

　　Confused, Zhao Yong asked, “Sir, what do you mean by that?”

　　The old man beckoned Zhao Yong to sit on a stone bench in the courtyard and spoke slowly, “Yang Muzhi’s ancestor was Yang Hou, who served as an attendant official during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Yang Hou had studied the “Yi Jing” diligently since childhood, devoting his energy to its contemplation. In the third year of Yongchu during the reign of Emperor Han An (109 AD), there was a celestial phenomenon where Jupiter entered the Northern Dipper, and Luoyang experienced a great flood. At that time, Yang Hou’s father, Yang Tong, was also serving as an attendant official in the capital. When the court sought advice on this matter, Yang Tong declined due to his old age and failing eyesight, suggesting that his son, Yang Hou, who was knowledgeable in divination and astrology, could provide insights. Empress Dowager Deng then dispatched a eunuch attendant to formally inquire of Yang Hou.”

　　Zhao Yong exclaimed happily, “It turns out that Yang Muzhi comes from a scholarly and knowledgeable family. It seems I’ve made the right choice in seeking him out to assist with devising our training strategies.”

　　The old man paused, ignoring Zhao Yong’s remark, and continued speaking to himself, “Yang Hou believed that with so many princes in the capital, there might be extraordinary events unfolding, and it was advisable to promptly send them back to their respective states. Empress Dowager Deng agreed, and the phenomenon of the disappearing stars was indeed observed. Additionally, the receding of the floodwaters occurred on the predicted dates, validating his predictions. As a result, he was appointed as a Chamberlain. During the reign of Emperor Han Shun, Yang Hou was further appointed as an Adviser, and he was promoted three times until he became an attendant official.”

　　Zhao Yong, growing impatient, asked, “When will Master Yang return? I urgently need to find him.”

　　The old man replied, “I don’t know either. Master Zhao, be patient and listen attentively while you wait.”

　　The old man unexpectedly reclined on the stone bench, casually playing with a large gourd in his hand as he slowly recounted, “During the Sui Dynasty, an ancestor of Yang Muzhi, the great-grandfather, served in the household of the Duke of Chu, Yang Su. He was intelligent and studious. At that time, Li Jing and Lady Hongfu were also in the household of Yang Su. Yang Muzhi’s great-grandfather, younger than Li Jing, was already proficient in the “Yi Jing” and divination. He often discussed military tactics and formations with Li Jing. Impressed by his talent, Li Jing presented him with the unfinished manuscript of his military treatise “Li Jing’s Six Secret Teachings”[ Which is lost now.], hoping that Yang Muzhi’s great-grandfather would benefit from studying it.”

　　Zhao Yong asked, “How does Captain Yang compare to his ancestors?”

　　“Yang Muzhi, having passed the imperial examinations and excelled in his studies of poetry and classical texts, is thoroughly knowledgeable in Confucian classics, well-versed in the family tradition of graphomancy, as well as proficient in the ‘Yi Jing’ and the art of qi-men-dun-jia. His understanding of Daoist philosophy, Han Feizi’s legalist teachings, Sun Tzu’s Art of War, and the military strategies handed down by his great-grandfather Li Jing is profound. His talent can be likened to that of the great strategist Zhuge Liang and the skilled military leader, making him a remarkable figure in his own right.” The elder spoke vividly, even mimicking the gesture of lightly waving a feather fan, embodying the essence of a strategist capable of devising plans within the tent and achieving victories from afar.

　　Zhao Yong asked with puzzlement, “With such great talent, why is he only tending horses in the stables?”

　　The elderly man tilted his head back, took a sip of water, and continued slowly, “Yang Muzhi is ignorant of worldly affairs. Since taking up his post last year, he has never paid bribes to his superiors. Allowing him to tend to horses is already a form of special treatment. If he were to encounter someone less forgiving...”

　　The elderly man, still eager to talk, noticed Zhao Yong’s impatience as he turned away and headed towards the stables to find Yang Muzhi. The elder muttered to himself, “He hasn’t even heard me talk about Yang Muzhi’s age or appearance before rushing off. Zhao Changshi really can’t contain his impatience.”

　　Zhao Yong arrived at the stables and saw a young teenager, around sixteen or seventeen years old, feeding the horses. He called out to him, “Hey! Do you know where Captain Yang from Jinling is right now?”

　　The young man turned around and smiled, saying, “Are you the Chief Clerk looking for Yang Muzhi? May I ask what the matter is?” Zhao Yong replied happily, “Young man, do you know where Captain Yang is? Please tell me quickly, I have urgent matters to discuss with him.”

　　The young man bowed respectfully and said, “I am indeed Yang Muzhi.” Zhao Yong scolded him, “Don’t try to deceive me, young man! Captain Yang is an accomplished scholar with vast knowledge. How could you, a mere inexperienced youth, claim to be him?”

　　The young man smiled and replied, “I wouldn’t dare deceive you, Chief Clerk. I am indeed the real Yang Muzhi from Jinling. May I ask what urgent matter brings you to seek me?”

　　Zhao Yong exclaimed, “I never expected that Captain Yang, at such a young age, has already passed the imperial examination for the advanced scholar degree! Truly a rare and gifted talent! How old is Captain Yang now?”

　　Yang Muzhi rubbed his chin and humbly replied, “Senior Officer, you overpraise me. I am ashamed to accept such compliments. As for your question, I am seventeen years old this year.”

　　Zhao Yong carefully scrutinized Yang Muzhi, observing that he stood at a height of six feet (approximately 180 cm by today’s standards), with handsome features, a clear and refined demeanour, and a noble bearing. However, there was still a hint of youthful innocence lingering on his face.

　　After Zhao Yong expressed his intentions, Yang Muzhi smiled faintly, gazing at the deep blue sky for a long while before slowly turning his eyes back to Zhao Yong. He calmly said, “Senior Officer, please do not worry. I will handle the strategic planning on your behalf. However, our immediate priority is to train in military tactics to guard against the Tibetans. Senior Officer, there is no need to wait for Captain Chen’s training strategy. Instead, under the guise of daily training, we should organize and intensify our drills promptly. Otherwise, if a conflict arises, it will be too late!”

　　Senior Secretary of Palace Guards Zhao Yong was delighted and said to Yang Muzhi, “This is excellent news. However, the Tibetans have always been fierce and formidable. Captain Yang, do you have a strategy to deal with the enemy?”

　　Yang Muzhi rubbed his chin and replied, “Although the Tibetan army is fierce, they lack knowledge of battlefield formations. Duke Weiguo (Li Jing) once passed down the Six Petal Formation to our ancestors. I can assist the Senior Officer in training our troops, allowing our soldiers to study the Six Petal Formation. When we engage the Tibetans in battle, we can lure their troops into our formation, ensuring they have no way out. It’s a pity that Duke Weiguo only imparted half of the military strategy to our ancestors. Legend has it that the other half was taken by a mysterious guest with a bushy beard to the country of Fusang[ Ancient name of Japan.] and has since disappeared. Rumours in the martial world suggest that this guest, known as Qiu Ran, hid his lifelong collection of martial arts secrets, including Fusang Swordsmanship, Wind-Blown Swordsmanship, Primordial Qi Technique, Minor Immaterial Divine Skill, and Eighteen-Plate Linked Swordsmanship, along with Duke Weiguo’s “Li Jing’s Six Secret Teachings” and other military strategies, in a famous mountain, awaiting a destined individual.”

　　Zhao Yong sighed deeply and said, “If Captain Yang could obtain Duke Weiguo’s military strategies and comprehend their mysteries, then our Great Tang would indeed be free from external threats!”

　　“Even if I were to comprehend the mysteries of the military strategies, as a low-ranking official with little influence, I am afraid I would have no opportunity to make use of them,” Yang Muzhi said, gently smoothing the mane of a black horse in the stable.

　　Emperor Xuanzong dispatched Censor Zhao Huicong to inspect the military situation in Liangzhou. Captain Chen Gang attentively served Zhao Huicong, emphasizing that the Western Liang troops were well-trained while the Tibetan forces were lax in their vigilance. Chen suggested that launching a surprise attack on the Tibetans at this opportune moment would ensure victory, thereby earning great credit for Zhao Huicong as well.

　　Upon hearing the instigations of Chen Gang and others, Zhao Huicong issued a forged decree commanding General Cui Xiyi of Hexi Circuit to launch a surprise attack on the Tibetans. Previously, Cui Xiyi had entered into an alliance with the Tibetans and had withdrawn their respective defences, shaking hands in peace. Now, receiving the decree to unexpectedly attack the Tibetans, Cui Xiyi was forced to hastily prepare for battle.

　　Upon hearing this news, Yang Muzhi said to Zhao Yong, “If our troops are rushed into battle, I fear there will be heavy casualties. I cannot bear to see our comrades-in-arms suffer. Fortunately, our soldiers are well-trained. I wonder if the Senior Officer would be willing to recommend me to General Cui as a volunteer so that our troops can lead the vanguard against the Tibetans? This way, we may have a chance to defeat them and prevent unnecessary loss.”

　　“Couldn’t be better,” Zhao Yong agreed, his anger evident as he complained, “Captain Chen Gang is truly insidious! He constantly busies the generals and soldiers with writing training strategies but never actually conducts proper drills. Now, he boasts in front of Censor Zhao Huicong. If it weren’t for Captain Yang, I fear more than half of our soldiers would perish.”

　　Thus, Zhao Yong bravely volunteered to lead his troops as the vanguard, marching south from Liangzhou into Tibetan territory for over two thousand miles until reaching the western shore of Qinghai Lake, where they set up camp, preparing for battle against the Tibetans. Zhao Yong then asked Yang Muzhi, “Captain Yang, what strategy do you propose to defeat the enemy?”

　　Yang Muzhi pondered briefly and replied, “Duke Weiguo’s Six Petal Formation is derived from Zhuge Liang’s Eight Trigrams Formation. The larger formation encloses the smaller, and the main camp encompasses the subsidiary ones, linking the corners and intertwining them in a complex arrangement. By outlining squares on the outside and circles within, the formation creates the six ‘petals’ as commonly known. Tomorrow in battle, we can send a young officer forward to challenge the enemy. Then, feigning defeat, we can lure the enemy into our formation. When the time is right, we will use our flags as signals, causing the Tibetan army to suffer a great defeat.”

　　On the second day of battle, the Western Liang troops executed the plan as advised. The Tibetan forces, underestimating Captain Chen Gang as usual, believed the Western Liang troops were no match for them. They advanced confidently, only to be lured into Yang Muzhi’s Six Petal Formation.

　　Yang Muzhi used the flags to signal, organizing soldiers into groups of three, then combining three squads into one platoon, and five platoons into one battalion, forming an outer square and inner circle. The larger formation encompassed the smaller ones, interlocking and connecting closely. When the Tibetan army advanced, Yang Muzhi manipulated the flags, causing the Six Petal Formation to shift unpredictably. The Tibetan forces fell into disarray, and Zhao Yong led a pursuit, resulting in the capture of over two thousand enemy soldiers. The remaining troops fled in disarray, and thereafter, the Tibetans ceased their tribute payments.

　　In the 24th year of the Kaiyuan era (736 AD), various tribes of the Xianbei and Khitan peoples rebelled. Zhang Shougui dispatched General An Lushan of the Left Valiant Guard to suppress the rebels. However, An Lushan, overconfident in his bravery, rushed into battle and suffered a major defeat. According to military orders, An Lushan was to be executed, but Zhang Shougui wished to spare his life. He therefore sent An Lushan under escort to the capital to let the court decide his fate.

　　Upon reviewing the memorial, Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling remarked, “In ancient times, Rangju executed Zhuang Jia, and Sun Wu beheaded palace concubines. If General Shougui’s military orders were to be followed, Lushan should not be spared from death.”

　　Emperor Xuanzong, valuing An Lushan’s talents, ordered that he be stripped of his official rank and command troops as a commoner. However, Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling strongly argued, “Lushan’s breach of discipline led to the loss of the army, and according to the law, he must be punished. Moreover, I suspect his appearance harbours treacherous intentions. If not killed, he will surely become a future threat.”

　　Emperor Xuanzong rebuked Zhang Jiuling, warning him not to make the mistake of misjudging loyal subjects like Wang Yan’s discernment of Shi Le in historical tales. Despite objections, the emperor insisted on sparing An Lushan from death.

　　It is said that An Lushan, at the age of around thirty, was strong and stout. An Lushan’s original name was Alixian. His mother was a Tujue witch, and his father was a Sogdian. After his father’s death, his mother remarried a Tujue man named An Yanyan, and thus his name was changed to An Lushan.

　　An Lushan had a fellow villager named Shi Luogan, who was the same age as him, born just a day apart. The two were childhood friends and both were proficient in various languages of the Western Regions. As they grew up, they both became market agents engaged in mutual trade and locally they were renowned for their valour and prowess.

　　Zhang Shougui appointed An Lushan as his capturing officer, specifically tasked with capturing live Khitan soldiers. Every time An Lushan led his cavalry into action, he would return with dozens of Khitan prisoners alive. Despite his simple and honest appearance, An Lushan always greeted people with a smile and was very adept at socializing. Zhang Shougui admired his abilities and adopted him as his foster son.

　　Shi Zuo Gan, owing gambling debts, fled to the Xi tribe’s settlement. Captured by Xi sentinels, he faced imminent execution. Shi Zuo Gan deceitfully claimed to the Xi people that he was an envoy from the Tang Dynasty sent for diplomatic relations. He warned that if the Tang officials learned of his death, they would surely send troops to attack the Xi tribe. The sentinels believed his words and brought him to the chieftain’s tent.

　　Shi Zuo Gan, upon meeting the Xi King, bowed in courtesy but did not kneel in submission. Although the Xi king was displeased, he feared the might of the Tang Dynasty and dared not kill him. Instead, he treated him with the etiquette of a guest, providing him lodging, and sent a hundred men with Shi Zuo Gan to accompany him to the Tang court to express gratitude.

　　Shi Zuo Gan said to the Xi king, “Although the people you have dispatched are numerous, none of them possess the talent to meet the Emperor. I have heard of a capable general named Suo Gao under your command. Why not send him to the court instead?”

　　The Xi people sent Suo Gao and three hundred men with Shi Zuo Gan to the capital. As they neared Pinglu, Shi Zuo Gan first sent messengers to inform the commander of Pinglu that the Xi people had sent Suo Gao and elite troops to accompany him to the capital. In reality, they intended to launch a surprise attack on the military city, believing that striking first would give them the advantage.

　　The military envoy from Pinglu, Pei Xiuzi, arranged the troops and ceremonial escorts to greet them upon arrival at the residence. However, they launched a sudden attack, capturing and burying alive all the Xi soldiers. Suo Gao was sent to Youzhou. Zhang Shougui considered Shi Zuo Gan’s actions meritorious and reported to the court to promote him to the rank of general. Later, Shi Zuo Gan returned to the court to report on his achievements. Emperor Xuanzong greatly favoured him and bestowed upon him the name Shi Siming.

　　Without further ado, during an early morning court session, Emperor Xuanzong insisted on sparing An Lushan from the death penalty. Additionally, a minister reported that Liu Zhicheng, the leader of the Maitreya Teaching, had gathered one hundred thousand followers at Liquan to revolt. They attacked cities, plundered land, and robbed passersby, using illusions to deceive people, with many commoners joining their cause.

　　If you want to know how the Maitreya Teaching used illusions to deceive people, stay tuned for the next chapter.