Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 470 Leveraging the Power of the Tang Dynasty
A morning drum sounded, accompanied by the temple bells, waking Helu.

He sat up abruptly, looked around, and thought he had returned to Huwang Street in Chang'an.

It took him a long time to come to his senses that he had already left Chang'an City and was now in Suyab, the western border city of the Tang Dynasty.

"Hmph, the Tang people are really crazy. They have to beat drums so early in the morning in such a remote city as Suyab. They really can't let people have any peace and quiet."

He Lu grumbled and tried to sleep a little longer, but he couldn't fall asleep no matter what he did.

He's getting old and doesn't need to sleep as much. Besides, today is an important day that could very well determine whether he can regain control of the five Turkic tribes!

Before leaving Chang'an, He Lu went to Ashina Misha, hoping he could help him. Misha was very prestigious among the five tribes of Nushibi.

Unfortunately, Misha never really looked down on him, a member of a branch of the royal family, and gave him the cold shoulder.

Now, if he wants to regain control of the Nushibi Five Tribes, he can only rely on himself.

He Lu was from the Dulu tribe and had deep roots there. If the Dulu tribe had remained in the Tang Dynasty, he wouldn't have had such a headache.

Unfortunately, the Dulu tribe had already fled to the Abbasid Caliphate. The current five tribes of Nushibi were not very convinced of his loyalty back then, and now that ten years have passed, he really has no confidence that he can gain the support of the five tribes.

He had originally intended to win him over with wealth, but after that kid Bili Du left him, he disappeared without a trace. He didn't know if something had happened to him or if he had run away.

Now that things have come to this, he can only rely on the Tang Dynasty.

When he was first expelled by Yipi Shekui Khan, he had no fixed abode and was able to make a comeback only because the Tang Dynasty took him in.

Now, twenty years later, he has to rely on the Tang Dynasty's help to reclaim his tribe. Life is unpredictable and truly hard to fathom.

After thinking for a while, and as the sky outside grew brighter, He Lu got dressed and prepared to visit Pei Xingjian.

He lived in a separate flower hall in the Anxi Protectorate, not far from Pei Xingjian's backyard. Soon he arrived at a door and informed the guards at the gate.

After the gatekeeper announced his arrival, he was led into the backyard. After walking a few steps, he heard a whooshing sound coming from ahead. Looking up, he saw that Pei Xingjian was practicing martial arts.

Pei Xingjian used a strange weapon: a wide-bladed double-edged sword with an extremely long handle, somewhat similar to a lance, but with a much wider blade.

As Pei Xingjian swung his sword, a fierce wind howled, and his power was unparalleled. With a single slash, he was unstoppable.

Helu, being the Khan of the Turks, had keen eyesight and immediately recognized that this weapon was for infantry, requiring the user to generate power from the waist and demanding a high level of skill.

However, if someone could wield this sword like Pei Xingjian, its power would far surpass that of a spear.

Just then, a voice called out from beside him: "Vice Protector-General He Lu, good morning."

He Lu turned his head and saw that the person who came was Cui Zhibian, who was also the deputy protector of Anxi. He quickly greeted him and said, "Deputy Protector Cui, good morning."

Cui Zhibian laughed and said, "I just received news that Li Zhefu and the other chieftains of the five tribes of Nushibi have passed Qianquan Mountain and should arrive at Suyab City around noon."

He Lu nodded; he was more concerned about something else right now.

"Vice Protector Cui, what is that long sword in Protector Pei's hand? Why have I never seen it before?"

Cui Zhibian laughed and said, "This sword is called the Mo Dao. It is an infantry weapon in our Tang army. Because the blade weighs twenty catties, it is too heavy and difficult for ordinary people to use. Therefore, not many people use this sword."

He Lu exclaimed in surprise, "Twenty catties? That is indeed too heavy. However, this sword is incredibly powerful. If we can select some elite soldiers to practice with this sword and form a battalion, it will become a powerful army to deal with cavalry!"

Cui Zhibian nodded secretly, thinking that Helu was indeed a hero among the Turks. Even after being trapped in Chang'an for ten years, he still had such insight.

Pei Xingjian did indeed assemble a Mo Dao (陌刀) team, which currently only has eight hundred members.

These eight hundred people were carefully selected; they were all highly skilled in martial arts and possessed immense strength.

Among all the Anxi troops, they had the best food, the most arduous daily training, and it was all done in secret.

This will be an elite infantry force in the Anxi Army, which Pei Xingjian plans to use against the Arabs when attacking Tokharistan.

He naturally wouldn't tell He Lu such military secrets. He just nodded and smiled, "Vice Protector He is right. However, our Tang infantry are used to long spears, which can also stop cavalry. There's no need to go to so much trouble."

He Lu remained silent after hearing this.

After a while, Pei Xingjian finished practicing a set of sword techniques, took water from his attendant to wash his face, and then strode over, asking, "I'm sorry to have kept you both waiting. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Cui Zhibian explained that the chieftains of the five Turkic tribes were about to enter the city.

Pei Xingjian said, "They arrived quite quickly. Alright, let's hold a banquet at noon to welcome them back."

He Lu asked, "Protector Pei, may I go to the city gate to greet them?"

Pei Xingjian said, "You haven't seen these old subordinates for many years, you must miss them dearly. Go then, we'll need you to keep them in check in the future."

He Lu hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Protector Pei."

Pei Xingjian took his hand and said with a smile, "There's no need to rush. Come on, let's go have a meal together first."

Seeing that Pei Xingjian was trying so hard to win him over, He Lu realized that the Tang Dynasty really needed someone to keep the Turkic tribes in check, and he couldn't help but feel a little smug.

As long as the Tang people needed him, he could leverage their influence to enhance his prestige among the Turks.

He's very good at this, and that's how he gained momentum back then.

After breakfast, He Lu did not go to the city gate immediately, but went to his office and ordered his subordinate Tang officials to be invited.

The official system of the Protectorate consists of two sets of civil and military positions. Normally, two deputy protectors are in charge of one set.

The deputy protector-general position that He Lu took over was in charge of the civil service system, and most of the officials who came were civil servants. They originally thought that He Lu was just holding a nominal position, since he was a barbarian and wouldn't understand the ins and outs of the Tang Dynasty's officialdom. They thought that even if he were put in charge, he wouldn't be able to manage it all.

Who would have thought that He Lu would suddenly invite them over?

All the civil officials greeted He Lu together. After the greeting, they all looked at He Lu's expression, wondering why he had called them over.

He Lu smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "I am old, but I am fortunate to have His Majesty's trust and be appointed as the Deputy Protector-General of Anxi. I hope my colleagues will take care of me in the future."

The officials were both surprised and amused to see him speaking in such a literary style, mimicking the manner of the Tang people.

A military advisor bowed and said, "Vice Protector-General He, you are too modest. We will definitely do our best to assist you in fulfilling the duties of the Protector-General's office."

He Lu said, "Then thank you very much. His Majesty has ordered me to take charge of the five divisions of Nushibi. Firstly, I haven't seen them for a long time, and secondly, I am old and worried that I won't be able to control them. I would like to ask my colleagues to accompany me to welcome them, which can be considered as giving me some support!"

After hearing this, the officials exchanged glances.

In reality, they were too busy with work to really support He Lu.

He Lu spoke frankly and without hiding anything, so they didn't feel offended. Besides, He Lu had just mentioned the Sage, saying that he controlled the five tribes of Nushibi by the Sage's order, so they should cooperate.

After the officials reached a consensus, Chief Secretary Su Haizheng said, "Since the Deputy Protector has given the order, we dare not disobey."

Therefore, when He Lu arrived at the West Gate city wall, he was followed by a large group of Tang Dynasty officials, making him appear extremely impressive.

While waiting, He Lu did not forget to ask Su Haizheng about the situation of the leaders of the five tribes of Nushibi.

He knew all five leaders; three of them were his former subordinates, and the other two were relatives and subordinates of his former subordinates.

The person he was most wary of was naturally Li Zhefu.

The son's father was originally an Eastern Turkic, a descendant of the royal family. He led his people to submit to the Western Turks and joined the Asijieque tribe, where he was appointed as a garrison leader by Yibi Shekui Khan.

When Helu became Khan, someone falsely accused him of wanting to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, and Helu killed him.

Later, the false accusation was exposed, and in order to appease the public, He Lu had no choice but to let Li Zhefu inherit his father's position as garrison commander. However, he secretly ordered people to suppress him and prevent him from being promoted.

Who would have thought that after ten years, this young man, relying on his royal status as a member of the Ashina clan, would become the chieftain of the Ashigieque tribe.

Su Haizheng also told him that because Protector Pei valued Li Zhefu highly, Li Zhefu now had a very high reputation within the Turkic community and was tantamount to the leader of the five tribes.

Helu knew that this man was the biggest obstacle to his taking over the Turkic Khaganate. Moreover, the two had a blood feud over the murder of their fathers, so he had to find an opportunity to eliminate him in order to establish his authority and regain control of the tribes.

As the sun rose higher, a cavalry unit of several dozen men appeared on the horizon.

He Lu squinted and looked closely, quickly recognizing the clothing of those people as belonging to the Nushibi Five Tribes.

He ordered a Tang Dynasty official to go down and greet the five tribal chiefs on his behalf.

The Tang official received his orders, arrived at the city gate, and stood with his hands behind his back.

The chieftains of the five Turkic tribes did not hold official positions in the Protectorate General. Upon seeing the Tang official, they were all surprised. The five, led by Li Zhefu, dismounted and stepped forward to greet the man.

"I have met with Ma Lushi."

Ma Lushi said calmly, "Vice Protector-General He is waiting for you all on the city wall. Please come up with me."

Li Zhefu was startled upon hearing this: "You mean the Deputy Protector-General He?"

Ma Lushi said, "This is your former Khan, Helu. He is now the Deputy Protector-General of Anxi. Please follow me." After saying this, he turned and led the way.

The five followed him up the city wall and were immediately shocked to see Helu surrounded by Tang Dynasty officials.

After ten years apart, they had lost all loyalty to He Lu.

Before coming, Li Zhefu had specifically gathered everyone together to ask about their attitudes toward He Lu, implying that he wanted them to take sides.

The other four naturally expressed their support for Li Zhefu, which pleased him greatly.

However, seeing Helu's imposing presence now, and recalling his authority when he was Khan, the three former subordinates' thoughts began to subtly change.

He Lu greeted the group with a smile, first catching up with three of his former subordinates, then inquiring about Li Zhefu and the other man. He spoke with confidence, completely controlling the conversation.

Seeing this, Li Zhefu also put aside his contempt for Helu and smiled as he pretended to be friendly with him.

He Lu immediately led the five men to the Protectorate General's residence for a banquet.

When Pei Xingjian saw the five people arrive, he held a banquet to entertain them. Not only did Cui Zhibian accompany them, but Tang Dynasty officials such as Su Haizheng also attended the banquet.

During the banquet, Li Zhefu's heart sank. He noticed that while Pei Xingjian still treated him with courtesy, he was much more enthusiastic towards He Lu.

He Lu kept toasting and reminiscing with his three former subordinates, having a great time!
Although a single banquet may not change the attitudes of the three men, in the long run, Helu will inevitably regain control of the five Turkic tribes.

Li Zhefu originally did not want to take immediate action against Helu, thinking that he would first sideline him and then kill him to establish his authority when Helu rebelled against the Tang Dynasty.

Now, however, they have to change their minds. If they don't kill him, it won't be long before this old fox turns the tables and he'll be the one who dies.

At the end of the banquet, Pei Xingjian's words solidified his resolve.

"Gentlemen, the reason His Majesty sent Deputy Protector-General Helu to Anxi was because he was afraid that you would not be doing well and would have difficulty reporting it to His Majesty. Now that we have Deputy Protector-General Helu, he will be in charge of your five Turkic tribes. If you have any requests or grievances, you can convey them to His Majesty through him!"

(End of this chapter)