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

Chapter 426 One Final Battle [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

The Gobi Desert outside Gaochang City took on a cold, hard, earthy yellow hue in the twilight.

The campfires in the Tang army camp blazed like stars, illuminating Xue Rengui's iron armor.

He held the victory report sent back by Su Dingfang from the Western Turkic front in his hand, his fingertips slightly tingling from the pressure.

Ashina Helu's camp had been destroyed, and the remnants of his forces fled westward. Gaochang's last hope for reinforcements had completely vanished.

"Commander Xue, the figures on the city wall are very chaotic!"

Deputy General Wang Haibin strode forward, pointing to the city walls of Gaochang not far away, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Xue Rengui looked in the direction he pointed.

Sure enough, the torches on the city wall flickered erratically, and the cold glint of clashing weapons could be vaguely seen. Indistinct curses and screams could even be heard carried on the night wind.

"It's an internal conflict."

Xue Rengui's lips curled into a cold smile as he handed the good news to Wang Haibin:
"General Su has cut off the Western Turks' reinforcements. We've been beating drums and making a show of force these past few days, blocking the trade routes. Qu Wentai's men have been panicking for a while now. With no hope left, it would be strange if they didn't rebel."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a rapid sound of hooves came from outside the camp. The scout tumbled off his horse and knelt on one knee.

"General! Ashina Ju, the prime minister of Gaochang, has come down the city wall from the east gate with more than ten personal guards. He says he wants to see you and that he wants to surrender the city!"

A glint flashed in Xue Rengui's eyes, and he raised his hand, saying, "Bring him in."

Before long, a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe but with a face covered in dust was brought in. He was none other than Ashina Ju, the prime minister of Gaochang.

Upon seeing Xue Rengui, he immediately knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling:

"General Xue! Please spare the people of Gaochang!"

"Qu Wentai is a foolish and incompetent ruler who insists on being an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. He is now under house arrest in the palace. I am willing to surrender the city, only asking that the Tang Dynasty not harm the innocent!"

Xue Rengui walked slowly to him, his gaze piercing:
"Do you know the consequences of deceiving the Tang army? If the surrender on the city wall is a ruse, you and the city of Gaochang behind you will be reduced to ashes today."

Xiang Ashina Ju kowtowed repeatedly, and blood quickly seeped from his forehead:
"I dare not! I would stake my entire family's lives on this!"

"The palace is in chaos. Qu Wentai's personal guards are still resisting, but most of the soldiers are unwilling to fight anymore. As long as the general gives the order, I will immediately return and open the city gates!"

Xue Rengui pondered for a moment, then turned to Wang Haibin and said:
"Take 500 light cavalry and follow Ashina Ju to the east gate. If the city gate opens, take control of the gate tower and fire a signal flare. If there is any unusual activity, immediately withdraw the troops, and I will lead the main force to follow and provide support."

"I will obey your orders!"

Wang Haibin clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, picked up Ashina Ju, mounted his horse, and led five hundred light cavalrymen at a gallop toward the east gate.

Xue Rengui immediately summoned his generals and stood before the map, saying in a deep voice:
"All battalions, assemble immediately! If the east gate is captured, the left battalion will follow me to attack the palace, the right battalion will take control of the granary and armory, and the rear battalion will be responsible for maintaining order within the city. Anyone who dares to resist with weapons will be killed without exception! Anyone who plunders the people will be dealt with according to military law!"

"promise!"

The generals inside the tent responded in unison.

Footsteps quickly echoed throughout the camp, the sounds of clashing armor and neighing horses mingling together as an elite force rapidly assembled, awaiting the signal from the east gate.

Half an hour later, a red signal flare suddenly pierced the night sky, standing out conspicuously in the Gobi Desert.

Xue Rengui suddenly drew his sword from his waist and shouted, "All troops, attack!"

"kill--!"

Tang soldiers surged out of the camp like a tide, their iron armor gleaming coldly in the moonlight, their horses' hooves pounding the Gobi Desert, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Sure enough, there was no more sound of fighting from the east gate. Wang Haibin appeared on the city gate tower, waving the Tang army's black flag with red characters.

The city gates slowly opened, and Xue Rengui took the lead, leading the left battalion straight to the Gaochang Palace.

Along the way, many Gaochang residents hid behind their doors, secretly observing this disciplined army.

They had heard rumors that the Tang army would massacre entire cities, but seeing the soldiers looking straight ahead without looting, the fear in their eyes gradually faded.

Outside the palace, several hundred of Qu Wentai's personal guards still resisted, wielding curved swords and guarding the palace gates, shouting, "We swear to protect the King to the death!"

Xue Rengui reined in his horse and said coldly, "Archers, prepare!"

In an instant, hundreds of Tang archers drew their bows and aimed their arrows at the palace guards at the gate.

"This is the last time I'm trying to persuade you to surrender! Lay down your weapons and you'll be spared!"

Xue Rengui's voice pierced the night sky and reached the ears of every soldier.

But the guards seemed to have gone mad, and the leading general roared, "We are the king's loyal dogs, and we will never surrender to Tang!"

Having said that, he brandished his sword and charged towards the Tang army.

"Fire arrows!"

At Xue Rengui's command, arrows rained down like a storm, and the guards at the forefront fell to the ground instantly, their blood staining the stone steps in front of the palace.

Seeing this, the remaining men's offensive faltered somewhat, but they still put up a stubborn resistance.

Xue Rengui frowned and raised his hand, saying, "Ironclad Cavalry, step forward!"

The heavily armored cavalry, who were already prepared, immediately spurred their horses forward. The heavy hooves thundered, and their spears were pointed directly at the enemy. Their iron armor could withstand ordinary scimitars.

"rush--!"

The Ironclad Cavalry, like a moving city wall, crashed fiercely into the formation of the personal guards.

The sounds of spears piercing armor and bones breaking echoed throughout the room.

The guards who had been holding the palace gates were quickly scattered; some died in battle, while others knelt and surrendered.

The palace gates were opened, and Xue Rengui entered the palace with his personal guards.

The palace was in complete disarray, with jade and porcelain shattered everywhere, and palace maids and eunuchs fleeing in all directions.

Where is Qu Wentai?

Xue Rengui grabbed a eunuch and asked him sternly.

The eunuch trembled with fear and pointed to the inner hall: "The King is in the inner hall, with several trusted confidants."

Xue Rengui immediately led his men to rush into the inner hall. Just as they reached the hall's entrance, they heard the sound of a wine cup shattering inside.

"A bunch of useless trash! All of you are useless!"

Qu Wentai's furious roar rang out: "I've raised you all for so long, and you can't even guard a city gate!"

Xue Rengui kicked open the palace door.

Qu Wentai was dressed in a dragon robe, his hair disheveled, and the table in front of him was filled with wine jars. Several confidants stood to the side, their faces pale.

When Qu Wentai saw Xue Rengui, he was first stunned, then a mad light flashed in his eyes. He grabbed the curved knife on the table and pounced on Xue Rengui.
"I am the King of Gaochang, how dare you be so insolent!"

Xue Rengui dodged to the side and slapped Qu Wentai in the chest with his palm.

Qu Wentai screamed in agony, vomited blood, and collapsed to the ground.

He struggled to get up, but Xue Rengui's guards held him down by the shoulder, preventing him from moving.

"Qu Wentai, you colluded with the Western Turks, robbed Tang Dynasty caravans, and harassed border cities. Now that you have been captured, what else do you have to say?"

Xue Rengui looked down at him, his tone icy.

Qu Wentai, panting heavily, his eyes filled with resentment, said, "I only wanted to protect the land of Gaochang. What wrong have I done? Why does your Great Tang have the right to annex other countries?"

"Your Gaochang has blocked the Silk Road of the Tang Dynasty and harmed merchants along the way!"

Xue Rengui sneered, "His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered that all those who resist should be exterminated! Since you refuse to surrender, then you can wait to be tried!"

After saying this, he signaled to his guards to take Qu Wentai away.

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the palace, and Wang Haibin hurried in to report:
"Commander Xue! There is a group of about two thousand remnants of the Gaochang army in the west of the city. They are looting the people and are trying to break out through the west gate!"

Xue Rengui's face darkened: "Outrageous! Issue my order to lead a thousand light cavalry to the west gate and stop them at all costs, protecting the people!"

Wang Haibin accepted the order and left, while Xue Rengui continued to purge the remaining enemies within the palace.

Half an hour later, Wang Haibin sent back a message that the remnants of the army had been defeated, their leader had been killed, and the rest had either surrendered or been captured.

At this point, Gaochang City was completely under the control of the Tang army, and the people on the streets gradually came out of their homes, looking at the patrolling Tang soldiers with a sense of relief in their eyes.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away on the Western Turkic steppe.

Su Dingfang was leading 30,000 elite cavalry in pursuit of the remnants of Ashina Helu's forces.

After breaching the enemy's stronghold, Ashina Helu fled westward with several thousand of his followers, attempting to seek refuge with the Karluk tribe in Central Asia.

Su Dingfang knew that if the problem wasn't eradicated, it would become a major threat in the future, so he dared not slacken his efforts and pursued it day and night.

"Commander, the Moheyan Desert is just ahead. Ashina Helu's men have entered the desert!"

The scout came to report, his tone tinged with anxiety.

The Moheyanqi Desert, also known as the "Eight Hundred Li of Shifting Sands," has a harsh climate and is short of water and food. Once inside, the difficulty of the pursuit will increase significantly.

Su Dingfang reined in his horse, gazing at the distant, sand-swept Qikou with a furrowed brow.

Lieutenant General Xi Junmai stepped forward and said, "Commander, the Moheyanqi is dangerous. Our warhorses and soldiers are exhausted. Why don't we rest for a day and then make further plans?"

“No!” Su Dingfang shook his head and said, “Once Ashina Helu joins forces with the Karluks, it will be difficult to wipe them out!”

"Pass on my order: select five thousand elite light cavalry, bring three days' worth of rations and water, and follow me into the desert to pursue them!"

"The rest of you stay put, guard the prisoners and supplies, and await news!"

"Commander, this is too dangerous!"

Xi Junmai said anxiously, "There aren't even roads in the Moheyan Desert. What if we encounter a sandstorm?"

"What is this danger compared to the peace of the western border of the Tang Dynasty?"

Su Dingfang interrupted him, saying firmly, "My mind is made up, you don't need to say anything more! Select your men immediately, and we'll depart in half an hour!"

Seeing Su Dingfang's resolute attitude, Xi Junmai had no choice but to clasp his hands in obeisance and accept the order.

Half an hour later, five thousand elite light cavalry had assembled.

Su Dingfang mounted his horse and headed towards Moheyanqi.

The desert was filled with yellow sand, visibility was extremely low, and the shifting sand underfoot could swallow you up at any moment.

The Tang soldiers could only lead their horses forward, trudging along with the muddy water, their mouths parched and their lips soon cracked and bleeding.

After marching for a full day and night, just when the soldiers were about to give up, a scout suddenly reported: "Commander! We have spotted Ashina Helu ahead. They are resting under the sand dunes!"

Su Dingfang's spirits lifted, and he immediately ordered: "All troops, take cover and slowly approach. Wait until they lower their guard before launching a surprise attack!"

The Tang soldiers immediately lay in ambush behind the sand dunes and slowly approached Ashina Helu's camp.

Beneath the sand dunes, the remnants of the Western Turkic army lay resting on the ground, their warhorses scattered around them, and many were drinking water, clearly exhausted.

Ashina Helu sat on a rock, his face gloomy, lost in thought.

"Now! Kill—!"

Su Dingfang suddenly drew his sword and charged out first.

Five thousand Tang cavalrymen descended the mountain like tigers, rushing towards the remnants of the Western Turkic army.

Caught completely off guard, the Western Turks were thrown into chaos. Many were cut down by the Tang army's scimitars before they could even react.

Upon seeing this, Ashina Helu was terrified and scrambled onto his warhorse, intending to flee once more.

Su Dingfang spotted him immediately, spurred his horse on and chased after him, shouting, "Ashina Helu, where are you going!"

Ashina Helu looked back and saw Su Dingfang getting closer and closer. He was both afraid and angry, so he turned around and swung his knife at Su Dingfang.

Su Dingfang dodged to the side, and thrust out his lance, striking Ashina Helu squarely in the shoulder.

Ashina Helu screamed and fell off his horse, where he was subdued by Tang soldiers who arrived shortly afterward.

"Ashina Helu, you colluded with the Tibetans and repeatedly violated the border. Today you have finally been captured. What else do you have to say?"

Su Dingfang reined in his horse and looked down at him.

Ashina Helu lay on the ground, blood flowing from his shoulder, staining the yellow sand beneath him red.

He looked at Su Dingfang, his eyes filled with resentment: "My Western Turks and the Tang Dynasty have never interfered with each other, why do you want to exterminate us?"

"The water in the well will not interfere with the water in the river?"

Su Dingfang sneered, "You robbed Tang Dynasty caravans, killed Tang Dynasty citizens, and even wanted to collude with Tibet to attack my Tang Dynasty from both sides. Is this what you call keeping to yourself?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince has decreed that anyone who opposes the Tang Dynasty shall perish!"

"You chose this fate!"

Having said that, he signaled to his personal guards to take Ashina Helu away.

After defeating Ashina Helu, Su Dingfang immediately ordered a headcount of the prisoners and then led his troops to withdraw from the Moheyan Desert.

When they returned to their camp outside the desert, the Tang soldiers who were waiting there immediately cheered, their voices echoing across the grassland.

Looking at the scene before him, Su Dingfang smiled with satisfaction.

With the main force of the Western Turks destroyed and Ashina Helu captured, the western border of the Tang Dynasty could finally be stabilized.

Three days later, news of the victory in Gaochang and the Western Turkic front reached the old royal court of Tuyuhun in Fuzhou at the same time.

Li Chengqian was inspecting new firearms on the drill ground when he heard the news, and a rare smile appeared on his face.

He took the report of victory, read it carefully, and then handed it to Pei Xingjian, who was standing beside him:
"Xue Rengui and Su Dingfang did not disappoint me. Gaochang fell, the Western Turks collapsed, and the matter in the Western Regions has finally been settled."

Pei Xingjian received the good news and was also very excited after reading it:
"Your Highness is wise! With the submission of Gaochang and the Western Turks, the Silk Road of our Great Tang will be unobstructed, and the kingdoms of the Western Regions will no longer dare to be enemies of the Great Tang!"

Li Chengqian nodded, gazing westward with a distant look in his eyes:
"What I want is not only the submission of the Western Regions, but also the complete integration of the Western Regions into the Tang Dynasty, so that the people there will forever be subjects of my Tang Dynasty."

"By order of the Emperor, a Western Prefecture was established in Gaochang, and two Protectorates, Mengchi and Kunling, were established in the former territory of the Western Turks. Honest and capable officials from Jiangling were selected to govern these areas, and taxes were reduced for three years. The local people were taught farming, weaving, poetry, and literature."

"Let them know that submitting to our Great Tang is the right choice."

"I will obey your orders!"

Pei Xingjian clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and turned to convey it.

Li Chengqian stood on the training ground, looking at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, his heart filled with emotion.

From Xueyantuo to Tuyuhun, to Tubo, to Gaochang, and then to the Western Turks, the past two years have been quite surreal.

However, there is still one final battle, and it is unknown whether Li Er will give him that chance.

Should we destroy Goguryeo first, and then take action?

On the other side, ten miles outside Chang'an City.

When they went to Liaodong, they marched like the wind and arrived at the battlefield in less than two months.

The subsequent battles were also unstoppable, leading Li Shimin to believe that this victory could be achieved in one battle.

However, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

They almost lost even their last shred of dignity.

Fortunately, Li Shimin cleverly had Sun Daiyin send over a hundred bolts of silk; otherwise, his return to the capital this time would have been quite a humiliating affair.

"Hey."

Li Shimin looked at the approaching city of Chang'an and sighed silently.

Although the slow march greatly improved his condition, he felt more fear and uncertainty about the unknown than about his health.

"His Majesty!"

Changsun Wuji's voice came from outside the carriage. Li Shimin immediately composed himself and said in a deep voice:
"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, news has come from Tibet that His Highness the Crown Prince has reached Pibo City. Songtsen Gampo, knowing he was no match for them, surrendered to our Great Tang. He has now been escorted back to Chang'an by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Upon hearing this news, Li Shimin was first startled, and then a bitter smile appeared on his face.

That rebellious son's military talent is truly no less than mine!
No wonder the Emperor chose him; he probably foresaw the future of the Tang Dynasty long ago.

only……

Thinking of this, he recalled the deaths of Li Ke and his brother, and an indescribable feeling suddenly spread through his heart. Finally, he said indifferently, "I know."

Changsun Wuji was somewhat annoyed, but he could understand Li Er's current mood, so he changed the subject:

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Jiangxia just asked me whether we should notify the city to arrange for the people and ministers to welcome him?"

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly, then said in a deep voice, "Welcome what? Are you all here to laugh at me?"

"But we can't just abruptly enter the city like this, can we? After all, it's the emperor returning to court; we need to maintain a dignified presence!"

Upon hearing Changsun Wuji's words, Li Shimin fell silent.

Just then, Yun Duan rode over and said, "Your Majesty, we have spotted a group of people ahead. They seem to be members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Court of Judicial Review."

"They are escorting some prisoners, and it seems they are heading towards Chang'an..."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately lifted the carriage curtain and asked urgently, "Is this true? Are you sure these are prisoners being escorted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Court of Judicial Review?"

"I'm sure! Their clothes are easy to recognize, there's no mistake!" Yun Duan said confidently.

Li Shimin glanced at Yun Duan, then looked at Changsun Wuji, who instantly understood Li Shimin's thoughts.

He quickly bowed and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the successful completion of your reservation with them."

"Hahaha!"

Li Shimin threw his head back and laughed heartily, instantly becoming invigorated: "Guards, send word to the Prince of Jiangxia that I wish to welcome my people of the Great Tang at the city gate!"

"Furthermore, issue my decree that all civil and military officials, dukes, marquises, kings, and the people of Chang'an should come out and see the glorious era of the Zhenguan reign of our Great Tang Dynasty!"

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)