Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 425 Not Killing is More Despairing Than Killing [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Xue Rengui stood on the snowy plain outside Pibo City, the frost flowers on his iron armor being swept away by the wind into dust.

Upon hearing that Songtsen Gampo was willing to surrender, he reined in his horse, pointed his spear at the snow on the ground, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Pass on my order: the entire army shall retreat three miles, and send ten men with me into the city."

Yu Gu said urgently, "General! This trip may be a trap! Songtsen Gampo is known for his ruthlessness and might be a delaying tactic!"

"If he wanted to fight, why would he open the city gates?"

Xue Rengui patted his shoulder and laughed, "You lead your troops to guard the city gate. If I don't come out by noon, I will raze this city to the ground."

Having said that, he led a group of personal guards and headed towards Pibo City.

Before long, they appeared outside Pibo City.

The city gates of Pibo City slowly opened with a dull creak, like a heavy sigh from the Tubo Dynasty.

Songtsen Gampo removed his royal robes and wore only a plain white fur robe as he walked alone on the empty street.

The wind and snow whipped up his disheveled hair and slapped against his pale but resolute face.

Behind them were the complex and unspeakable gaze of Lu Dongzan, the flickering eyes of Qigan Chengji, and the fearful and bewildered faces of countless Tibetan soldiers and civilians.

Xue Rengui and his personal guards lined up in battle on the snowy plains outside the city.

The Tang army's black banners with red characters stood proudly in the cold wind, forming a stark contrast with the gray sky.

Upon seeing Songtsen Gampo approaching alone, Xue Rengui raised his hand to stop his men's wary movements. He spurred his horse forward a few steps, looking down at Songtsen Gampo with piercing eyes.
“Songtsen Gampo, since you are willing to surrender, you should know that His Highness the Crown Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty has the world in his heart and spreads benevolence throughout the land.”

"His Highness has decreed: If Tibet truly submits, not only will not a single person be killed, but a governor's office will be established, and they will be taught farming and weaving, and given poetry and books, so that they may forever be subjects of the Great Tang and share in peace!"

His voice was loud and clear, penetrating the wind and snow, reaching not only Songtsen Gampo's ears but also resonating clearly in the hearts of every Tibetan who listened attentively.

Songtsen Gampo tilted his head back, snowflakes landing on his thick eyelashes:
"General Xue, the victor is king and the loser is villain, Songtsen has nothing to say. I only hope that you will keep your promise and not let my Tibetan people suffer the pain of war."

"My life is at Your Highness's mercy."

He took the Golden Crow Sword, a symbol of the Zanpu's power, from his waist and presented it with both hands.

At this moment, he was no longer the ambitious overlord of the plateau, but a monarch who would bear the fate of defeat for the sake of his people.

Xue Rengui did not immediately take the precious sword, but said in a deep voice:
"His Highness the Crown Prince often said that Songtsen Gampo was also a hero of his time, who unified the plateau and created a script. His merits and demerits should be judged by history books."

"His Highness has decreed that the Zanpu (Tibetan King) be summoned to Fuzhou City, where the Crown Prince will treat him with the utmost respect."

These words stunned not only Songtsen Gampo, but also Gar Tongtsen and others behind him.

They originally thought that Songtsen Gampo would be taken to a prison cart or even die, but they never expected this arrangement.

A complex light flashed in Songtsen Gampo's eyes, a mixture of shock and doubt, which finally turned into a long sigh: "Li Chengqian has such magnanimity! Such methods! I am impressed."

He eventually handed over the precious sword.

This transition marked the end of an era.

Xue Rengui took the precious sword and said loudly:

"His Highness the Crown Prince decrees: The Lhasa Prefecture shall be established in the Tibetan territory! All Tibetan tribes whose leaders sincerely submit shall be granted official positions!"

"Reduce or exempt taxes for three years, open trade markets, and facilitate the exchange of goods!"

The news spread quickly, and the initially fearful civilians and soldiers in the city gradually laid down their weapons, their anxieties about being overshadowed by the promise of life gradually dispelled.

Several days later, Yu Gu rushed back on horseback, bringing the latest news from the northern Tibetan grasslands:
Upon hearing the news that Pibo City had opened its gates and that the Zanpu (Tibetan king) had voluntarily surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and given that the Tang army had indeed not committed any offenses against them, the several large tribes that had been observing or even harboring ambitions finally gave up their plans and sent envoys to express their submission.

Qigan Chengji, a petty man who tried to seize power amidst the chaos, was quickly taken down by Xue Rengui on charges of "sowing discord and harboring ulterior motives."

Xue Rengui said coldly, "His Highness the Crown Prince hates those who betray their masters for personal gain the most. Even if you were once a Tang general, your heart is not righteous, and you must not be allowed to live!"

Qigan Chengji's face turned deathly pale instantly. As he was dragged away, he looked pleadingly at Lu Dongzan.

Lu Dongzan simply turned his head away indifferently.

Xue Rengui temporarily retained Lu Dongzan, using his prestige and abilities in Tibet to help the Tang Dynasty initially stabilize the situation, but he did not relax his surveillance of him.

……

time flies.

Three days later, a large convoy, under the close escort of the Tang army's elite troops, left Pibo City and slowly headed east.

In a specially made carriage in the center of the convoy, Songtsen Gampo gazed out the window at the gradually greening highland grasslands, his eyes distant and complex.

He lost power and land, but unexpectedly saved his life and the temporary peace of his people.

He muttered to himself, his voice blending into the sound of wheels rolling over fresh mud:
"Li Chengqian, we are about to meet again. Perhaps only by seeing you can I truly understand where the future of Tibet lies."

His tone carried a hint of resentment, a hint of confusion, and perhaps even a glimmer of hope for an unknown fate that he himself was unaware of.

However, he was completely wrong.

Half a month later, in Fuzhou, inside the former royal court of Tuyuhun.

Contrary to Songtsen Gampo's expectations, Li Chengqian did not receive his former adversary in a magnificent palace.

Instead, after inspecting the new firearms at the drill ground, he casually received the former Tibetan king in a nearby duty room.

The room was filled with the mixed smell of freshly wiped weapons and ink.

Li Chengqian didn't even change into formal robes; he was still wearing his smart riding and archery attire, with some gunpowder stains on his fingertips.

He dismissed his attendants, leaving only two guards from the Hundred Cavalry Division standing with their hands on their swords.

Songtsen Gampo was led into the room, where he tried his best to maintain the last shred of his royal dignity, but the environment was far from the 'honorable guest' he had imagined.

Li Chengqian didn't exchange pleasantries or even offer him a seat.

He picked up a report, without looking up, and spoke in a flat tone as if inquiring about routine official business:
"Songtsen Gampo, when you were at the foot of Pibo City, you said to Xue Rengui, 'I am willing to let you do as you please'?"

Songtsen Gampo's throat bobbed, and he said in a deep voice, "Yes. As a defeated general, I only ask that Your Highness treat the Tibetan people kindly."

"The Tibetan people are now subjects of the Tang Dynasty, and I will treat them all equally. You don't need to ask me."

Li Chengqian put down the report, finally raised his eyes to look at him, his gaze sharp as a knife, devoid of any victor's smugness, only a cold scrutiny:

"I ask you, when you sent envoys to ask for the marriage of a princess from the Tang Dynasty, were you genuinely admiring the culture of our Tang Dynasty, or did you only want to deceive us into giving us artisans, grain, and books to strengthen your Tibet and one day turn against the Central Plains?"

Songtsen Gampo was startled, not expecting Li Chengqian to be so blunt and scathing.

He opened his mouth, wanting to use high-sounding words to evade the question, but under the gaze of those eyes that seemed to see through everything, he was momentarily speechless.

Li Chengqian sneered, understanding the situation without needing a reply:
"When I advised my father against it, it was not out of pettiness, but because I had already seen through your ambition."

"A marriage cannot bind the heart of a wolf. Only swift and decisive action, sweeping away all threats, can truly eliminate future troubles."

"Look, now we've saved that princess from tears and grievances."

These words were like a slap in the face to Songtsen Gampo, tearing away the last shred of dignity he had left. His face turned deathly pale, and his body trembled slightly.

"As for you"

Li Chengqian stood up and walked up to him. Although he might not be as tall as Songtsen Gampo, his imposing presence made the other man involuntarily take a half-step back.
"Do you think I would let you stay in Tibet, or even go to Chang'an to enjoy wealth and luxury, becoming a spiritual symbol for those tribes that have not yet fully submitted, thus sowing the seeds of a restoration?"

Songtsen Gampo suddenly looked up, a hint of fear finally flashing in his eyes.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you."

Li Chengqian's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable resolve:
“You will live, and Lu Dongzan will live. But you will never have the chance to set foot on the plateau again.”

"Chang'an City has its own quiet and elegant places where you two can 'live out your old age in peace and comfort'."

"You will live to see how Tibet, under the rule of the Great Tang, is even more prosperous and wealthy than it was under your rule; you will see the plateau completely integrated into the Tang Dynasty, with no more barriers between them."

"This is how I will deal with you."

Boom!

Upon hearing this, Songtsen Gampo was struck dumb.

This is not a courtesy to heroes; it is the most thorough conquest and spiritual exile of the defeated.

Not killing is more despairing than killing.

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he stopped looking at him and waved his hand, as if he had finished dealing with a trivial matter.

The guards of the Hundred Cavalry stepped forward and, without expression, gestured for Songtsen Gampo to enter.

Songtsen Gampo was taken away in a daze.

None of the gamesmanship, dialogue, or even humiliation he had imagined occurred. Instead, the Crown Prince of Tang delivered a chilling and penetrating speech that shattered all his wishful thinking and pretense.

He will be imprisoned in a corner of Chang'an, spending the rest of his life repeatedly reliving this utter defeat.

Li Chengqian wouldn't even waste a moment more of his gaze on him.

After dealing with Songtsen Gampo, Li Chengqian immediately turned to Pei Xingjian, who was waiting nearby, and said:

"With Tibet settled and the plateau gradually stabilized, it's time to deal with the troubles in the Western Regions."

He walked to the huge map and pointed precisely at the locations of Gaochang and the Western Turks.

"Gaochang Qu Wentai is two-faced. He previously allied himself with the Western Turks and repeatedly plundered trade routes and harassed our border cities."

"Ashina Helu is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He has gathered the remnants of the Turkic tribes and repeatedly invaded the border. This time, he even wants to collude with Tibet!"

"If these two villains are not eliminated, the Western Regions will never have peace!"

His gaze was sharp, and his tone was resolute:
"Issue the order: allow the troops to rest and reorganize, and inventory their provisions and weapons. Order Xue Rengui's troops to advance westward and join forces with the Anxi Protectorate's troops to prepare for an advance on Gaochang!"

"Order Su Dingfang to reorganize the cavalry, penetrate deep into the western desert, and scout the movements of Ashina Helu's main force!"

"This time, we will not only destroy the kingdom, but also wipe it out completely! From Qu Wentai downwards, all those who stubbornly resist in the Gaochang Kingdom will be destroyed!" "The Western Turks, all the tribes of Ashina Helu, will be driven out and crushed! I want to show all the kingdoms of the Western Regions that those who submit to the Tang Dynasty live, and those who oppose the Tang Dynasty perish!"

"By taking Gaochang and defeating the Western Turks, the Silk Road of our Great Tang will be unobstructed, and the western border of the empire will be free from major threats!"

Pei Xingjian's eyes blazed with fighting spirit, and he roared in response: "Your subordinate obeys!"

"Furthermore, immediately summon all generals for a military meeting!"

"promise!"

Pei Xingjian agreed and withdrew.

……

Before long, they entered a room covered with a huge map of the Western Regions.

Li Chengqian stood barefoot on the map, as if surveying his own empire.

His footsteps precisely traversed Shazhou and Yizhou, finally stopping at the spot where a wooden sign bearing the word 'Gaochang' was nailed.

The candlelight cast a long shadow of him onto the mural depicting the Pamir Mountains and the Golden Sands, making him appear as if a giant were measuring his territory.

Qu Wentai.

Li Chengqian's voice was exceptionally clear in the silent room, carrying a hint of cold mockery:

"They occupy the northern route of the Silk Road, seize fertile lands, yet willingly serve as lackeys of the Western Turks, plundering merchants and harassing border towns."

As he spoke, he looked around at his generals and said jokingly, "Does he think that across the vast desert, the blades of our Great Tang Dynasty cannot sever his neck?"

Li Jing, who was standing to the side, stroked his beard and pondered: "Your Highness, Gaochang is a fortified city, and it is located deep in the desert, making supplies difficult."

He paused, then continued, "Although Qu Wentai's national strength is not great, he relies on the Western Turks for support and is quite skilled at defending cities. If we launch a strong attack, it will likely take a long time and leave our troops exhausted."

"storm?"

Li Chengqian chuckled lightly, then pressed his toe heavily against the dot representing Gaochang:
"When did I ever say I wanted to launch a full-scale attack?"

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Li Jing and Pei Xingjian, who stood solemnly to the side: "Qu Wentai can rely on two things: the city walls and the Turks. What if the city walls collapse from within, or if the Turkic reinforcements are unable to protect themselves?"

A glint of light flashed in Pei Xingjian's eyes: "Your Highness means..."

"Draft order."

Li Chengqian turned around, walked back to the desk, and spoke in an unquestionable tone:
"First, order the Anxi Protectorate to immediately block all trade routes to Gaochang. Not a single grain of rice or a foot of cloth shall enter Gaochang's territory!"

"Send spies to infiltrate Gaochang and spread rumors that Qu Wentai's perverse actions have angered the Celestial Empire, and that the Tang Dynasty's million-strong army will arrive soon. Those who submit to me will live, and those who oppose me will perish!"

"Second, order Xue Rengui to lead his Iron Pagoda troops and mobilize 10,000 elite cavalry from Hexi to immediately march west out of Yumen Pass and deploy troops in the eastern border of Gaochang."

"There's no need to rush the attack. Let's beat the drums every day as a show of force, making it seem like we're building siege weapons. I want to keep Gaochang in a state of constant fear!"

"three"

Li Chengqian's finger suddenly moved westward, striking heavily on the location of the Western Turkic headquarters:

"Issu Su Dingfang appointed as the Grand Commander of the Western Expedition, in command of the armies in the northern deserts and Anxi. He will select 30,000 cavalry and, disregarding Gaochang, will march straight to Ashina Helu's stronghold!"

“Tell him I don’t care how many I kill or how many I defeat; I want him to be like a red-hot knife plunged into butter, straight to the bottom!”

"Crush the backbone of the Western Turks, so that Ashina Helu has neither the strength nor the courage to even glance at Gaochang!"

Each command, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, gleamed with a chilling light, and was issued from the Eastern Palace, shooting towards the distant west.

Several days later, in the Kingdom of Gaochang.

King Qu Wentai of Gaochang stood on the watchtower of the palace, anxiously gazing eastward.

The oasis city beneath his feet was still bustling, and the faint sound of camel bells from the Silk Road could be heard, but he felt a chilling cold.

The caravans from the Tang Dynasty have been cut off for almost half a month, causing the prices of Tang goods in the market to skyrocket and causing unrest among the people.

What alarmed him even more was the constant stream of news coming from the border.

The banner of Tang general Xue Rengui has appeared on the border. The dark mass of Tang troops drills daily, the drums thunder, and huge siege weapons are being assembled. They look as if they are about to crush the entire city of Gaochang.

"Your Majesty, the price of grain in the city has risen by another 30%! Some caravans from Yanqi and Kucha are also hesitant to enter the city!" the Prime Minister reported with great concern.

"What about the Western Turks? When will Ashina Helu Khan's reinforcements arrive?" Qu Wentai asked urgently.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the messenger sent to request reinforcements has not yet returned..."

The Prime Minister's voice grew softer and softer: "Moreover, many rumors have been circulating in the city recently, saying that the Tang army's heavenly troops are coming, and if the city is not opened soon, after it is breached, not a single chicken or dog will be spared."

Qu Wentai's face turned deathly pale.

His two pillars of livelihood were commercial prosperity and the protection of the Western Turks.

They were simultaneously shaken by the precise strikes of the Tang Dynasty.

Panic spread like a plague throughout Gaochang.

Meanwhile, on the western foothills of Jinshan Mountain.

The cold wind whipped up snowflakes, lashing against the iron armor of the Tang army knights.

Su Dingfang immediately stood on a high slope, gazing at the distant, continuous rows of Western Turkic camps.

After a long march, his 30,000 elite cavalrymen appeared like ghosts near Ashina Helu's royal court.

"Commander Su, scouts report that Ashina Helu's main force is gathering in the valley ahead and has not yet noticed our army's arrival."

"I can't speak," said Vice General Xi Junmai in a low voice, his face showing both exhaustion from the long journey and barely suppressed excitement.

Su Dingfang nodded, his face expressionless: "He Lu is arrogant, thinking that with the Jinshan Mountain being so remote and dangerous, our Great Tang Dynasty can't do anything to him. Today, we will let him know what the might of Heaven is."

Instead of taking a break, he immediately gave the order:

"Order the entire army to change horses! Prepare all oil and thunderbolts! The vanguard light cavalry will charge straight for their king's banner!"

"Subsequent units shall, in accordance with orders, divide and encircle the enemy, and not let a single tribal chief escape!"

There were no drums, no horns.

The Tang army's elite troops, like a silent pack of wolves, began to accelerate across the snowy plains.

When the Western Turkic sentries spotted the rapidly expanding black line on the horizon, it was too late.

"Tang army! The Tang army is here—!"

The piercing alarm was instantly drowned out by the thunderous sound of horses' hooves.

Su Dingfang took the lead, his spear pointing directly at the enormous wolf-head banner.

The Tang cavalry, like red-hot iron spikes, fiercely pierced into the chaotic Turkic camp.

Rockets rained down, igniting tents and hay, and explosions echoed throughout the valley, accompanied by shouts of men and neighing of horses.

Ashina Helu was drinking in his tent when he heard the news and was greatly alarmed. He hastily tried to organize a resistance.

But the Tang army's attack was too fast and too fierce, giving him no chance to catch his breath. The Turkic cavalry were divided and scattered, fighting independently, and were unable to form an effective defense.

Su Dingfang's gaze locked onto the wolf-head banner, and he led his personal guards on a charge. Wherever they went, men and horses fell, and no one could withstand a single blow.

"Protect the Khan!"

Loyal Turkic warriors fought desperately to stop them.

But all is in vain.

The Tang army's swords and iron hooves ruthlessly tore through all obstacles.

Xi Junmai led a cavalry unit to flank Ashina Helu's personal guard, bombarding them with a barrage of crossbow bolts.

A sudden and unexpected massacre.

As the sun began to set, the once bustling Turkic royal court was now eerily silent, with only burning tents, fallen corpses, and terrified, unclaimed cattle and sheep remaining.

Ashina Helu, with the desperate protection of his personal guards, barely escaped with his life and fled westward in a sorry state, his followers scattering.

Su Dingfang reined in his horse, looked at the grassland before him stained with blood and flames, and said in a deep voice:

"Send a message to His Highness the Crown Prince: The Western Turkic stronghold has been breached, and Helu has fled far away, unable to look eastward. Also, inform Xue Rengui by fast horse that reinforcements from Gaochang have been cut off!"

Outside Gaochang City, the Tang army camp.

Xue Rengui received the good news from Su Dingfang.

He glanced at it, a cold smile appearing on his face.

Immediately afterwards, he stepped out of the tent and looked at the city of Gaochang, which appeared particularly lonely in the setting sun.

The city seemed to be in even greater chaos, with cries and shouts faintly audible.

"General, something seems to have happened in the city!"

Wang Haibin pointed to the city wall: "Look, it looks like people are fighting!"

Xue Rengui looked into the distance and indeed saw that there seemed to be infighting on the city wall, with some soldiers killing each other.

"It seems that His Highness the Crown Prince's strategy of winning hearts and minds has worked."

Xue Rengui said calmly, "Send out the order: prepare for battle. If they still haven't opened the city gates and surrendered by dawn tomorrow..."

He gripped the iron spear tightly: "Then help them open it!"

(End of this chapter)