Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 403 Wang Zhongsi's Father! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

The Tang army had previously encountered small groups of Tibetan cavalry active in Minzhou and along the banks of the Tao River. They had ventured deep into Tang territory to scout and raid the pastures of Didao.

Didao is located in the Taohe River Valley Basin. The terrain is flat and the climate is warm and humid. It was the location of the official pasture of the Tang Dynasty, which the Tibetans had long coveted.

Besides pastures, the granaries of Weizhou and Minzhou were also their targets.

Historically, this is exactly what the Tibetans did. Taking advantage of the turmoil caused by the Xiantian Coup, they not only successfully seized a large number of fine horses and grain, but also abducted many people from within the Tang Dynasty, turning them into Tibetan slaves.

But before the Tibetans could launch a full-scale attack, reinforcements from Chang'an rushed over and blocked their path.

There was nothing they could do; Li Longji had purged the court ahead of time, turning those officials who used to constantly disagree with the emperor into well-behaved kindergarten children, and no one dared to argue like they were possessed by an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) device anymore.

Upon hearing of the Tibetan invasion, the emperor immediately ordered Xue Ne to lead his army to attack, giving the Tibetans no chance to penetrate deeper.

Holding a horse spear, Wang Zhihuan abandoned his former decadent, drunken, and handsome demeanor, moving freely through the army and killing many Tibetan generals.

After a brief struggle, he picked up the walkie-talkie and said to Li Bai:

"Taibai, send a gust of east wind so the Tibetan archers can't open their eyes!"

The two sides are now locked in fierce combat in the valley of the upper reaches of the Tao River. Tens of thousands of Tibetan regular troops are locked in a close battle with the Tang army in a narrow area. Behind the army formation, there are also many Tibetan archers who are taking advantage of the situation to fire arrows from the shadows.

Holding the Confucian sage's carving knife, Li Bai instantly changed the wind direction, turning the original southwest wind into an east wind. As the strong wind blew across the valley, it also stirred up sand and dust, which suddenly enveloped the Tibetan archers behind the general's formation.

Now, the pressure on the Tang side dropped sharply. Li Bai pressed on, constantly using micro-management to change the terrain of the Tibetan army formation, sometimes turning it into a depression, and sometimes into a hill.

After a few exchanges, the Tibetan formation fell into disarray, unable to withstand the Tang army's formation. They collapsed at the first blow, and many Tibetans turned and ran, fearing they would die there.

But Li Bai didn't give them that chance. With a stroke of his carving knife, the originally narrow Tao River suddenly widened, taking over the entire canyon. The Tibetans, who couldn't swim by nature, were instantly soaked to the bone.

The Tang forces pressed their advantage and continued to expand their gains.

Wang Haibin, the vanguard commander who had originally been resisting the Tibetan army here, rode up and bowed to the crowd:
"Many thanks to everyone for your great help. This battle has swept away the gloom of the past and brought smiles to the faces of our entire army!"

Wang Haibin was known for his bravery and martial prowess, but he was not very famous in history. However, he had a very powerful son, Wang Zhongsi, who was known as the Huo Qubing of the Tang Dynasty.

Historically, Wang Haibin participated in the battle against the Tubo in the second year of the Kaiyuan era. He was unstoppable and killed many Tubo people.

His colleagues were jealous of his military achievements and stood by while Wang Haibin's troops fought against a Tibetan force that outnumbered them several times over, which led to Wang Haibin's death in battle. His son, Wang Xun, was adopted by Li Longji and renamed Zhongsi.

Unfortunately, Wang Zhongsi did not have a good end either. He was distrusted by Li Longji and framed by Li Linfu and An Lushan, so he was stripped of his military power and demoted repeatedly. He eventually died in depression.

Wang Zhongsi's daughter, Wang Yunxiu, married Yuan Zai, a notorious treacherous minister of the Tang Dynasty. Later, Emperor Daizong of Tang executed Yuan Zai's entire family, and Wang Yunxiu also suffered a tragic fate... Three generations of her family met with untimely ends, a truly lamentable situation.

Li Bai wielded his carving knife, restoring the Tao River channel, which had just been widened, to its original state, making it easier for the Tang army to pursue the Tibetans. After finishing, he took a stainless steel thermos from his satchel and handed it to Wang Haibin.

“My master once mentioned you. I am giving this cup to you in the hope that you can understand its meaning.”

Wang Haibin, puzzled, touched the stainless steel exterior of the water glass and tentatively asked:

"Does the Immortal Master mean that I should smash into any enemy I encounter to destroy their leader?"

Li Bai thought Wang Haibin looked quite refined, so why did he speak like a boorish man?

Hu Ziyang said with a smile:

"General Wang, this thing is called a thermos. If you fill it with boiling water during the day, it will still scald your mouth when you drink it at night..."

Wang Haibin hadn't reacted yet:
"Does the Taoist priest mean to use this to hold boiling water and scald the Tibetans' heads?"

Cen Xun couldn't stand it any longer:
"The water is too hot, so you have to sip it slowly. It's like trying to gain military merit. Don't rush, take your time... The immortal is telling you to change your temper. Don't rush into things on a whim. Leave some room for maneuver. It will only benefit you."

Given Wang Haibin's self-centered and uncaring attitude, even if he hadn't died on the Tibetan battlefield, he would have died somewhere else... Warfare requires cooperation; if you don't cooperate with others, they naturally won't cooperate with you either. It requires comprehensive planning and consideration.

Even great generals like Li Jing and Wei Qing would fully consider the military achievements of their subordinates when formulating offensive strategies. They couldn't allow one person to become too powerful while everyone else watched, otherwise the army would be impossible to lead.

However, Wang Haibin's style makes him unsuitable to be a commander-in-chief. Instead, he should act as Huo Qubing under a great commander, leading an army and conquering all sides, avoiding cooperation with others as much as possible.

Wang Haibin nodded, seemingly understanding, indicating he would try to make changes. Li Bai asked:

Where is your son, Wang Xun, now?

Wang Haibin put away his thermos and said:

"The land of Longshang is bitterly cold, and my son and wife live at home in Chang'an... Does Master Qinglian also know my son's name?"

Li Bai nodded:

“My master once mentioned… By the way, I’ll record a video for you. You can tell your wife and children how much you miss them, and then have your wife send Wang Xun to Yiyuan Temple to study. There’s a tutoring class there, full of the most outstanding talents of the Tang Dynasty.”

With the prime minister Yan Zhenqing from Yiyuan Temple, and now with the addition of the general Wang Zhongsi, the next generation of pillars of the court is complete.

Wang Haibin had never recorded a video before, so he found it very novel. He stammered for a long time, unable to even speak a coherent sentence.

Li Bai showed him the video, and Wang Haibin watched it twice before he learned how to mentally prepare his speech. He then gave his wife and children a long lecture, even revealing the location of his hidden stash of money.
“My wife, there are a few gold ingots buried under the jujube tree at home. If we can’t make ends meet, we can dig them up to buy rice and flour. Don’t let Xun’er suffer any injustice. I’ll go back as soon as I drive away the Tibetan scoundrels. I won’t keep you two waiting for too long.”

Hu Ziyang chuckled. This Wang Haibin really had a straightforward temper, even revealing the location of the gold buried in his house. Wasn't he afraid of attracting unwanted attention?
After the video recording was completed, Li Bai said:
"Once I arrive at Master's Immortal Abode, I will give this video to Sister Gongsun of Yiyuan Temple. She will then present it to your wife and children... By the way, where in Chang'an is your home located?"

Wang Haibin scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“I used to own a house in the inner city, but I sold it to pay off debts so I could take up my post as soon as possible. I had hoped to save enough money to buy a house in the inner city, but the prices kept rising, so I had to stay in the outer city for the time being.”

Wang Haibin was a member of the Wang clan of Taiyuan. He entered officialdom through hereditary privilege... The so-called hereditary privilege was that his father died in office, which led to his official position.

However, his efforts did have an effect. He started his career as the Right Guard Commander of the Crown Prince, making him a close advisor and confidant of Li Longji. This is also the reason why Li Longji adopted Wang Zhongsi in history.

Li Bai wrote it down and said to Wang Haibin:

"If nothing unexpected happens, Sister Gongsun will arrange for your wife and children to move into Daozhengfang, so that it will be convenient for them to go to and from school and they will not encounter any danger."

The security of the entire Daozhengfang area was taken over by the Wanqi cavalry, and all unauthorized personnel were prohibited from entering, making it a quiet place in Chang'an.

Wang Haibin thanked him repeatedly, then mounted his horse and rode off to fight the enemy, intending to repay the immortal's care and compassion with the heads of the Tibetans.

After a major battle, Xue Ne gathered his soldiers together, leaving those suffering from altitude sickness to guard the prisoners and repair the road, and then led the remaining army to continue westward in pursuit of the Tibetans.

Altitude sickness requires gradual adaptation; it cannot be rushed. Once the soldiers have adapted, they can continue westward until they penetrate deep into the heart of Tibet, taking advantage of the warming climate of the Tang Dynasty to thrive and multiply on the plateau.

As for the Tibetan regime, it will completely disappear into the annals of history. Many years later, like those small, vanished kingdoms in the Western Regions, its very name will be forgotten.

During Xue Ne's pursuit, a small incident occurred.

Princess Jincheng's former eunuch, who was also the princess's personal attendant, swaggered over and ordered Xue Ne to retreat, indicating that the entire area along the Yellow River was the princess's fiefdom and that the Tang soldiers should not act rashly.

Unfortunately, before the eunuch could finish speaking, Xue Ne ordered him to be bound.
"Princess Jincheng is dead! You treacherous villains who betray our own people have actually colluded with outsiders to seize the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Even if I am dismissed from my post, I will still cut off your heads to avenge the princess!"

The eunuch shouted that the princess was still alive, but no one listened to him, and soon the arrogant eunuch was beheaded.

Hu Ziyang sighed deeply.
"Some people are so stupid they're practically starving. Their family is their biggest advantage, yet they try to take advantage of it at every turn. A daughter like that is better off without."

Xue Ne's unilateral declaration that Princess Jincheng was dead was also based on this plan.

If you argue with the Tibetans and side with the Tang Dynasty, the Tang soldiers will bring you back safely, even if it costs them their lives. From then on, wealth and honor will be yours, and everything else will be no problem.

Unfortunately, Princess Jincheng believed the nonsense about "marrying a chicken, following the chicken; marrying a dog, following the dog," and actually considered herself a part of the plateau.

Since that's the case, then you can stay there forever. Anyway, the Tang Dynasty has no shortage of princesses.

Inside the Hunyuan Palace, Zhou Yi flipped through the black notebook and discovered that not only had he accumulated a lot of merits, but even the fates of Wang Zhongsi and his son had been reversed and changed.

"If Wang Haibin hadn't died, Wang Xun wouldn't have changed his name to Wang Zhongsi... How about I, in the name of the gods, bestow upon Wang Xun the courtesy name Zhongsi?"

The Tang Dynasty had many famous generals, but only a few could be considered military strategists. Wang Zhongsi was one of them. He was not only outstanding himself, but also good at cultivating talent. Famous generals such as Geshu Han and Li Guangbi, who made a series of brilliant moves during the An Lushan Rebellion, were all under Wang Zhongsi's command.

Thinking of the famous generals of the Tang Dynasty, Zhou Yi suddenly remembered the Qujiang Military Academy that Li Longji was preparing. He wondered how the preparations were going. He would have to ask about the progress when Gongsun Da Niang came next time, and also gather all the famous generals of the Tang Dynasty.

Great generals need to be cultivated from a young age!
(End of this chapter)