Chapter 28: Surrounded by Formidable Enemies? We’ll Take It One Step at a Time.
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Li Chengqian was consumed by anxiety, wishing he could sprout wings and fly straight back to Chang’an.
The situation now resembled the sea before a storm—calm on the surface, yet seething with hidden currents beneath.
The two hundred thousand troops of Xueyantuo in the northern desert pressed upon him like a weight crushing his lungs. Their covetous, predatory stance seemed to freeze even the air along the frontier.
And once the Tibetan envoys returned to Tibet, Tibet would surely send its own armies to the border. If Tang faced enemies on two fronts, the situation would become unimaginably perilous.
Li Chengqian, the young emperor who had only just ascended the throne, felt the burden upon his shoulders with unprecedented clarity.
It was the first time he had sat upon that supreme seat of power, and only now did he understand that behind its apparent glory lay countless agonizing decisions and a burden heavy enough to crush a mountain.
A multitude of affairs had become tangled together like a mass of hemp, leaving him barely able to cope.
Tibet was now at the height of its power. Songtsen Gampo was indeed a ruler of extraordinary ability, and under his command the Tibetan army advanced with unstoppable momentum.
Though Li Chengqian possessed abundant passion and fearless courage, he knew that war was filled with uncertainty. Even the slightest negligence could trigger catastrophic consequences.
Should the Tibetan army break through the defenses of Jiannan and charge deep into the heart of Tang, the realm would surely descend into chaos and the people would be driven from their homes. When that day came, Li Chengqian would become a sinner condemned by history, forever nailed to its pillar of shame.
The Prosperous Reign of Zhenguan was the golden age created by his father, Emperor Li Shimin. In the eyes of the world, Tang was prosperous, powerful, peaceful, and secure.
Yet Li Chengqian understood that beneath the appearance of a flourishing age lurked many unseen flaws and dangers. It was like a magnificent brocade robe that might conceal a swarm of lice beneath its splendor.
What he had to do now was become a mender, patching those hidden holes one by one and making the foundations of Tang more secure.
But with powerful enemies watching from without and the great aristocratic clans stirring restlessly within, governing this household was truly no easy task!
Fortunately, after years of development, Tang was now at the height of its strength and possessed enough power to face the crisis.
Li Chengqian did not choose to return at a leisurely pace with the funeral procession. Instead, he made an immediate decision. After quickly finding a swift horse in Xianyang, he led a squad of Brocade Guards and raced toward Chang’an like an arrow loosed from a bow.
His urgency infected the military commanders within the funeral procession.
Most of those generals were accomplished riders. Seeing how hurriedly the emperor was traveling, they followed his example.
Apart from a few elderly commanders in poor health who could not easily ride, everyone else mounted their horses and galloped toward Chang’an at full speed.
As the funeral procession passed through Xianyang’s gates, every person within it was thoroughly searched by the city guards. They were not permitted to continue until every suspicious detail had been examined.
Li Shimin and the other three secretly congratulated themselves. Fortunately, they had not brought the little bottle of white liquor with them; otherwise, such a strict inspection might truly have caused serious trouble.
The pounding of hooves rang across the earth like the beat of war drums, raising clouds of dust.
By evening, Li Chengqian had arrived in Chang’an in a whirlwind.
At that moment, Fang Xuanling was leading the court officials in welcoming Li Chengqian’s return at Vermilion Bird Gate.
The instant he saw Master Qi and Fang Xuanling, Li Chengqian had no time for pleasantries. He hurriedly asked, “How is the situation with Xueyantuo?”
Fang Xuanling stepped forward and gave a slight bow. “Your Majesty, Yinan, khan of the Xueyantuo Khanate, heard that Your Majesty intended to hold a funeral for the late emperor. Believing he had found an opportunity, he sought to annex the Turks.”
“He ordered his eldest son, Duoshe, to lead two hundred thousand troops drawn from the Xueyantuo heartland and the Tongluo, Pugu, Uighur, and Bairai tribes across the southern desert. They are now stationed at Baidao Valley.”
“Yesterday, the Turkish khan, Li Simo, withdrew into Chang’an and sent an envoy to request urgent assistance.”
Li Chengqian furrowed his brow. “Li Simo is here?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
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The Minister Fang once again cupped his hands and answered.
Li Chengqian made an immediate decision. “Summon him to the Liangyi Hall to await me. Also, when Li Ji arrives in Chang’an, have him come directly to the Liangyi Hall to see me.”
“What is the situation with Tibet?”
Master Qi stepped forward and declared with complete confidence, “Your Majesty, Tibet will have at least two months in which to catch its breath.”
“I have ordered the passes along the route to obstruct the Tibetan envoy’s party as much as possible. It will be difficult for them to make their way back to Tibet successfully; they will need at least two months.”
At this, Master Qi paused, a trace of pride flashing in his eyes. “Your Majesty need not worry. The Tang army has never known defeat.”
“In the twelfth year of the Zhenguan era, two hundred thousand Tibetan troops attacked our vassal state of Tuyuhun, and afterward continued their assault against Songzhou in our realm.”
“At the time, Han Wei, Governor of Songzhou, initially led several thousand Tang soldiers to Gansong Ridge to hold back the Tibetan army. Unfortunately, the enemy was too numerous, and our smaller force could not withstand them. We had no choice but to withdraw into Songzhou.”
“The Tibetan army pressed its advantage, rapidly reaching the walls of Songzhou and launching a fierce assault.”
“When the late emperor heard that Tibet had invaded in force, he immediately ordered Hou Junji to lead fifty thousand troops in relief.”
“Niu Jinda led the vanguard of more than ten thousand men, traveling day and night to reach Songzhou first.”
“Taking advantage of the Tibetan camp’s lax defenses, our army advanced silently through the night, racing upon the enemy camp like heavenly soldiers descending from the skies.”
“The Tibetan army was thrown into utter chaos, and nearly ten thousand of its men were killed or wounded by our forces. From this, it is clear that the Tibetan army is incapable of putting up a fight.”
Master Qi recounted the events at an unhurried pace.
“The Tibetan army besieged Songzhou for more than ten days. Though it suffered heavy losses, it was never able to breach the city.”
“Under the ferocious counterattacks of our forces, Songtsen Gampo was terrified and had no choice but to flee westward with his army. He even sent envoys to apologize.”
“Afterward, Songtsen Gampo once again requested a marriage alliance. For the sake of peace along the frontier, the late emperor decided to appease Tibet and agreed to marry Princess Wencheng to him.”
Li Chengqian glanced at Master Qi and smiled faintly.
“You deliberately put it that way to ease my burden, didn’t you? Now give me the unvarnished truth.”
Master Qi looked at Li Chengqian somewhat sheepishly.
“Your Majesty, every word I spoke was true. It is only that our own casualties were also considerable.”
“The individual abilities of Tibetan soldiers cannot be underestimated. They are no weaker than the soldiers of Tang.”
“That is precisely why the late emperor chose to appease Tibet at the time.”
“Nevertheless, Your Majesty need not worry excessively. So long as Li Jing is appointed commander in chief and Hou Junji his deputy, Tibet is nothing to fear!”
Hearing this, Li Chengqian’s burden was indeed lightened considerably. He smiled and said, “Grand Tutor Qi, listening to you speak is like basking in a warm spring breeze.”
“Your Majesty flatters me.”
“Let us return.”
Inside the Liangyi Hall, Li Simo stood anxiously in place, his eyes filled with fear and unease.
When he saw Li Chengqian enter, he hurriedly fell to his knees and said in a trembling voice, “Your Majesty, please send troops at once to save my people!”
Li Chengqian remained calm. “Rise. I already know everything.”
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He quietly studied Li Simo, his thoughts churning.
Li Simo could be considered one of Tang’s generals and was deeply loyal to the empire, yet Li Chengqian’s feelings toward him were somewhat complicated.
After all, these foreign commanders were more loyal to his father, Li Shimin. The title of Heavenly Khan had not been bestowed in vain; it truly had the power to make these foreign tribes serve Tang with their lives.
Even so, Li Chengqian was not worried that Li Simo would rebel. The kindness his father had shown him in the past was enough to remain engraved in Li Simo’s heart for a lifetime. He would never forget it, even unto death, and would never fail to repay the debt of gratitude.
With that thought, Li Chengqian decided to continue treating Li Simo as his father had.
“Simo, the journey must have been arduous. Xueyantuo has betrayed its word, and Tang will never stand by and do nothing!”
Li Chengqian’s voice was firm and powerful, every word carrying his determination to avenge the Turks and repay their suffering.
Hearing this, Li Simo was moved to tears.
Before coming, he had been filled with anxiety. He knew that the emperor of Tang had changed. The new ruler was no longer the Heavenly Khan he had revered, but the Heavenly Khan’s son, Li Chengqian.
He did not know the temperament or character of this new emperor, and feared that the new ruler might differ from his late father and pay no attention to the calamity facing the Turkish tribes.
Now, sensing Li Chengqian’s warmth and resolve, Li Simo’s heart surged like a storm-tossed sea. He had received the kindness of two generations of the Li family, and he no longer knew how he could ever repay it.
“Your Majesty, the Minister of War, Li Ji, and the Duke of Wei, Li Jing, request an audience!”
“Admit them!”
After leading the two great commanders inside, the young eunuch silently withdrew.
Li Jing and Li Ji exchanged a glance. Seeing Li Simo kneeling on the ground and weeping uncontrollably, they understood the general situation.
“I, Li Jing—”
“I, Li Ji—”
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty!”
The two men cupped their hands in salute.
Li Chengqian waved them off. “No need for ceremony. Be seated. Bring three chairs.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Before long, three young eunuchs carried in three chairs and placed them opposite Li Chengqian.
“Sit down, all of you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
After expressing their gratitude, Li Jing and Li Ji took their seats one after the other.
Li Chengqian looked toward Li Simo. “You may sit as well.”
Li Simo’s eyes filled with astonishment and gratitude, and he hurriedly called out,
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”