Chapter 18: The Cancellation of the Marriage Alliance Between the Civil Official Princess and Tibet—The Tang Dynasty's Firm Response to Tubo!

"Giddyap!"
"Giddyap!"
...
The urgent sound of hooves thundered through the streets of Chang'an, so intense that the roof tiles along the thoroughfare seemed to tremble.

"Make way! Everyone, move aside!"

The booming command echoed through the streets like a tolling bell, carrying an unquestionable authority. A hundred Jinyiwei guards, dressed in their signature flying-fish robes, swept through the city like a black gale. The scales on their garments glinted coldly in the sunlight, as if every sliver spoke of the mystery and lethality of this elite unit. Their gazes were cold and resolute, fixed straight ahead, their horses galloping at full tilt, utterly indifferent to the shock and panic of the commoners along the way.

The local people, busy with their trades—some carrying shoulder poles, others pushing carts, or haggling at roadside stalls—were caught completely off guard. Terrified, they scrambled to get out of the way. In an instant, the street descended into chaos, filled with the sounds of shrieking, shouting, and the clatter of hooves.

Only after the black blur of the squadron had passed did the people breathe a sigh of relief, followed immediately by a chorus of grievances.

"Which high-ranking noble is this? How dare they be so reckless and gallop through the streets of Chang'an?" a young man demanded, his face flushed with indignation.

Before he could finish, an older man beside him hurriedly clamped a hand over his mouth. Casting a nervous glance around, he whispered sharply, "Hush! That is the Jinyiwei, the Emperor's personal guard. They must be on urgent imperial business!"

The young man stiffened, a flash of fear crossing his eyes as he swallowed hard. When the elder released him, he prepared to offer thanks, but upon noticing that the man behind him was wearing official robes, he turned deathly pale and dared not utter another word.

...

Gar Dtongtsen rode atop a magnificent steed, its coat sleek and glossy, adorned with ornate, regal tack. Dressed in the vibrant attire of the Tibetan Empire, his cap—a symbol of his status—shimmered brilliantly in the sun. A faint, smug smile played on his lips; he relished the attention of the Chang'an crowds. He deliberately slowed his pace, letting the caravan trail behind, savoring his moment in the spotlight.

However, the pleasant atmosphere was abruptly shattered. The clamor of hooves rose like a surging tide from behind the caravan, growing rapidly closer. Gar Dtongtsen frowned, a flicker of confusion stirring within him. Before he could react, the Jinyiwei, clad in their flying-fish robes, appeared like ghosts, encircling the front of the caravan and sealing off the path completely. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their robes snapping in the wind as they stood like cold, merciless gods of war.

Gar Dtongtsen was startled. Reflexively, he pulled the reins, causing his horse to rear up with a piercing neigh before coming to a steady halt. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, though he quickly masked it.

Li Daozong, watching from his own horse, wore a look of profound confusion. Having been deeply preoccupied with the matter of Princess Wencheng and absent from the morning court, he was unaware of the Jinyiwei's existence and found himself bewildered by this mysterious arrival.

Zhang Xianhuai, wearing a flying-fish robe that seemed tailored to highlight his imposing physique, sat atop a horse as white as a drifting cloud, without a single stray hair. He reined in his mount before the caravan, looking down at Gar Dtongtsen with a cold and majestic gaze.

Gar Dtongtsen’s expression darkened, but he quickly realized this was not the time for impulsivity and held his tongue. Feigning composure, he asked, "May I ask who you are, to dare intercept the wedding procession of Princess Wencheng?" His tone was accusatory, an attempt to seize the moral high ground.

Before he could finish, a horse whip struck his face like a bolt of lightning.

"Crack!" The sharp sound echoed through the air. Gar Dtongtsen felt a searing, burning pain across his cheek.

Seeing this, the Tibetan soldiers were overcome with fury. With a collective "shing," they drew their swords, their eyes blazing with rage as they roared their war songs and surged toward the Jinyiwei.

The drawn blades gleamed with a chilling light. Yet, the Jinyiwei remained unmoved. As one, they drew their Xiuchun blades. The cold light of their steel reflected the sun, directed squarely at the Tibetan soldiers, radiating a murderous aura.

The onlookers, who had been enjoying the spectacle, turned pale with fright. With cries of alarm, they scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing far from the site of the confrontation.

***

Curiosity, however, won out. Rather than leaving entirely, they hid in distant alleyways and under eaves, peering out to see how the conflict would unfold. Some of the more timid souls, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire, scurried toward the local magistrate's office, shouting, "Help! A fight is breaking out!"

Gar Dtongtsen, enduring the burning sensation on his face, felt his anger boil over. As the Great Minister of the Tibetan Empire, when had he ever suffered such humiliation? But he was a wise man, an advisor to Songtsen Gampo. He knew this was Chang'an, not Tibet. If he were to engage this unknown force here, his party would surely be the ones to suffer.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his rage, and bellowed, "It is a misunderstanding! Sheathe your weapons, all of you!" His voice was raspy but carried an undeniable authority.

Though the Tibetan soldiers remained resentful, they obeyed, sullenly returning their weapons to their scabbards, their eyes still burning with defiance and suspicion. At the same moment, the Jinyiwei sheathed their blades in a clean, unified motion.

As a man of wisdom, Gar Dtongtsen felt a chill run down his spine at their discipline. *This is no ordinary military unit,* he thought. *They are highly trained, disciplined, and move as a single entity. They are far superior to standard troops.*

He glanced at Li Daozong, only to see the same confusion on his face. Clearly, he was just as clueless.

Gar Dtongtsen frowned, adjusted his expression, and despite the throbbing pain, forced a polite smile to ease the tension. He bowed to Zhang Xianhuai and asked respectfully, "Officer, my apologies for my earlier rudeness. May I ask your name and official title?"

Zhang Xianhuai sat tall, looking down at Gar Dtongtsen with an air of haughty arrogance. Yet, inwardly, his estimation of the man rose. *This fellow knows how to bend and stretch; he is no simpleton.*

"Since you ask, I shall tell you. I am a Second-Rank official of the Great Tang, Commander of the Jinyiwei, granted the Imperial authority to act at my own discretion!" His voice was resonant and confident, every word carrying immense weight.

Gar Dtongtsen’s confusion deepened. He had never heard of the "Jinyiwei," but he maintained a posture of humble inquiry. "Dare I ask, sir, what exactly are the Jinyiwei?"

Even Li Daozong, standing to the side, was completely bewildered, his brow furrowed in curiosity.

Inside the carriage, Princess Wencheng heard the commotion and felt a surge of panic. She pulled back the curtain slightly, revealing a pair of beautiful, intelligent eyes. She saw a handsome young man, brimming with spirit, mounted on a white horse. He was heroic and possessed an extraordinary aura, like a brilliant star. He had forcefully halted the entire procession, emanating a presence that commanded awe. Her heart hammered in her chest. She did not know who he was or what would happen next, only watching the scene outside with bated breath.

The white horse beneath Zhang Xianhuai seemed to sense its master's authority, letting out a long, high-pitched neigh that echoed through the air. Zhang Xianhuai squinted, looking down at Gar Dtongtsen.

"Since you ask what the Jinyiwei are, I will tell you."

"Cases others cannot solve, we, the Jinyiwei, shall solve!" He paused, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Those others dare not kill, we, the Jinyiwei, shall kill!"

His voice grew more impassioned: "Matters others dare not meddle with, we, the Jinyiwei, shall manage!"

"In a word!"

"What others can manage, we shall manage; what others cannot manage, we shall manage all the more!"

"The Emperor's personal guard!"

"Authority to execute first and report later, granted by the Throne! That is the Jinyiwei!"

Seeing Zhang Xianhuai’s arrogance, Gar Dtongtsen couldn't help but probe further: "And what is your role within the Jinyiwei?" He was curious about this young Second-Rank official and was silently gauging his strength and background.

"I command the Northern and Southern Investigation Bureaus, holding the rank of Second-Rank official."

"By the grace of His Majesty, I oversee all Jinyiwei in the Great Tang. I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Jinyiwei, Zhang Xianhuai." Zhang stated proudly, his eyes reflecting his loyalty and pride. "Is there anything else you do not understand that requires my reply?"

***

His presence was like that of a fierce tiger; the sheer pressure left the Tibetan soldiers gasping for air, their heads bowed, not daring to make a sound.

Gar Dtongtsen swallowed hard, deeply shocked. He had assumed the youth was merely a spoiled brat relying on his family’s influence to secure a hollow title. He never expected him to hold real power at the Second Rank, commanding such a mysterious and formidable force. *What is the Tang Emperor thinking?* he pondered. *To grant such a young man Second-Rank status and such vast authority—won't he eventually dominate the entire court?* A flash of anxiety crossed his mind, which he quickly hid.

Gar Dtongtsen became solemn. A real Second-Rank official of the Tang was not to be trifled with. He bowed again and asked, "I understand now. But since you hold such a high position, why stop our wedding procession? Do you wish to destroy the friendship between our nations and incite war? If war breaks out, you will surely be held accountable!" He attempted to leverage the diplomatic ties to make Zhang back down.

"Hahahaha!" Zhang Xianhuai laughed with disdain.

Suddenly, he stopped laughing, his expression turning solemn and severe, his eyes filled with confidence. "Listen well! By the decree of the Tang Emperor, the matter of Princess Wencheng entering Tibet is cancelled! All treasures and gifts brought by the Tibetans are to be returned! Execute this immediately!"

His voice exploded like thunder, every word carrying an irresistible command.

Gar Dtongtsen’s face turned leaden, his eyes filled with rage and disbelief. Before he could argue, Zhang Xianhuai pulled a scroll from his robes, held it high, and shouted, "His Majesty’s oral decree!"

His gaze swept over the procession like lightning. "Kneel!"

As the command fell, the fully armed soldiers of the Three Great Camps and waves of Jinyiwei emerging from the shadows surrounded the Tibetan procession. The soldiers, clad in heavy armor that glinted like a moving iron fortress, held their spears at the ready, the tips gleaming like a dense forest. The Jinyiwei stood on all sides, their flying-fish robes striking, their cold gazes fixed on the Tibetans.

Panic engulfed the Tibetan soldiers; they felt an unprecedented pressure, as if the scythe of death were pressed against their necks.

Gar Dtongtsen looked at the soldiers surrounding him and sighed inwardly. He knew that to resist now would be certain death. Gritting his teeth, he dismounted and knelt. His movements were stiff, his eyes still brimming with resentment.

Li Daozong, knowing the weight of an imperial decree, knelt prostrate on the ground, anxious about how this sudden turn of events would impact relations between the two empires. Even Princess Wencheng, inside her sedan chair, lifted her skirts and, with the help of her maid, stepped out to kneel. A flicker of hope ignited in her eyes—her fate was about to change!

Seeing the entire procession kneeling, Zhang Xianhuai began to recite the Emperor’s decree with solemnity.

"I am the Emperor of the Great Tang, Li Chengqian. Today, I have words to impart to you."

"Your master, Songtsen Gampo, once sought a marriage alliance. While there was the precedent of the late Emperor’s six marriage trials, My mind is made up: this marriage shall not proceed."

"Years ago, when your master’s request was rejected, he mobilized his army to attack Tuyuhun, forcing them to flee north of Qinghai Lake."

"Later, his influence expanded eastward, invading the western borders of My Great Tang and plundering the land of Songzhou."

"At that time, My Great Tang faced internal and external strife, and we were unable to resist, but that does not mean I can tolerate such an insult."

"I view this as a grave provocation. Is your master’s conduct that of a suitor? It is clearly an act of bullying, attempting to use force to coerce Me. I am no cowardly ruler. I have spent fifteen years as Crown Prince, weathering storms; do you think I would lightly grant a Princess of the Tang to one who has invaded My borders?"

"I know that a marriage alliance might buy temporary peace, but I am unwilling to sacrifice the happiness of a Princess or disgrace the dignity of the Great Tang. If your master truly seeks a marriage, he should come to Chang'an in person to show his sincerity, rather than relying on past precedents."

"My decision is final. Return at once and tell Songtsen Gampo: My Great Tang has dignity and backbone; we will not be moved by threats."

"If Tibet dares to invade My borders again, I will mobilize the entire strength of My nation to resist."

"I shall destroy your kingdom and extinguish your lineage. Take heed and act accordingly! Do not invite the wrath of Heaven!"

Zhang Xianhuai’s voice echoed through the silent street, each word striking the hearts of all present like a heavy hammer.