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Chapter 188: Determining Yang
"Chang'an must be reclaimed," Li Jian Cheng affirmed their words, then pointed northward. "But I wish to first repel the Turkic forces. Their southward advance will surely bring suffering to the common people; this is our responsibility."
Everyone's gaze focused on Li Jian Cheng's face. The journey to Chang'an was not just a simple return; it was a declaration of independence, a claim to kingship and emperorship. Whoever took the lead would be eager to move forward without delay.
Yet, Li Jian Cheng managed to restrain himself and intended to personally confront the Turkic forces. Sovereign, they were not unaware of the impending invasion; after all, the ambitions of the Turkic were hardly concealed.
However, compared to the struggle for supremacy, it was possible to send a general to defend against the Turkic threat and deal with it later once peace was restored. Although this would inevitably lead to suffering among the people of the Northern Frontier, it was an unavoidable situation.
In today's world, where were the people not suffering? For instance, Zhang Jincheng and his ilk were even more brutal than the Turks.
Wang Yi suddenly spoke up, "My Lord wishes to first repel the Turkic forces; this is indeed a noble cause. We shall not persuade you further, but the more pressing matter is that of heirs. The Old Matriarch's mourning period has ended; it is time for you to bring Young Lady here."
The others immediately echoed this sentiment. This was indeed a significant issue. The Duke of Tang occupied Chang'an but had yet to establish a new era while waiting for their Lord, indicating that the Li Clan had already made a decision.
If everything proceeded smoothly and he ascended as emperor, then Li Jian Cheng would be the founding ruler, while Li Yan would follow the precedent set by previous dynasties as the Retired Emperor.
With such clarity in leadership roles, it was no wonder they came rushing to pledge their support. While various factions vied for power across the land, only the Li Family stood as a refreshing stream with aspirations of ruling over all.
Li Jian Cheng smiled and said, "I have already sent someone."
"Oh dear, my Lord! Such an important matter as welcoming our matriarch should be done with great fanfare. Why go about it so quietly?"
After some light-hearted banter, they began discussing strategies against the Turkic forces. The counties north of Taiyuan—Mayi, Lou Fan, Dingxiang, Yulin—and those in the west like Shuofang and Lingwu had all been infiltrated by Turkic elements.
Li Jian Cheng dispatched envoys to each county, hoping to consolidate their strength for mutual support in repelling the Turkic threat and eliminate any officials or generals that had been placed there by Turkic supporters.
...
In Chang'an, Qin Shubao led a thousand riders into the city and soon met with Li Yan. Shortly after, Xiao Cong arrived as well. Both were somewhat displeased upon hearing that Li Jian Cheng would not be returning to Chang'an for the time being.
However, they could not force Li Jian Cheng into any action; doing so would only stir unrest among some elders who had just settled down. Not everyone supported Li Jian Cheng's claim to leadership.
Or rather, they did not support him bypassing Li Yan; after all, there was a sense of filial duty involved. If it weren't for Li Yan's insistence on this matter, it could have taken much longer to resolve.
There are always varying degrees of closeness among people; moreover, Li Yan was well-connected and naturally had many who would speak on his behalf.
After inquiring about Qin Shubao's intentions, a look of joy immediately appeared on Xiao Cong's face. It was far better for him to personally deliver the news than to have a confidant sent to receive it.
He had already heard of Qin Shubao's abilities, which were no less than those of the former Shiwansui and Yang Xuangan. Such a person was worthy of guarding the future queen who would serve as a model for the world.
The Li Family and Xiao Family wasted no time and quickly arranged for hundreds of servants, some specifically to attend to people, others to prepare medicinal dishes for nourishment, as well as midwives for pregnancy care and childbirth.
Additionally, there were several Hundred Riders, all noble youths from various families in Chang'an, who were to serve under Li Jian Cheng. This was something the Li Family had to accept.
In principle, there should have been several concubines as well, but since the Xiao Family was the most important ally of the Li Family, Li Yan had to wait for the Xiao Family to give birth to their Eldest Son before he could take them in.
Li Yan specifically instructed Qin Shubao: "If you encounter danger along the way, ensure the safety of my wife; everyone else can be abandoned."
"Understood!"
Meanwhile, Xiao Chanyan, who had already received the news, listened attentively to her mother's teachings. With skills in flattery and managing relationships with her husband, she showed no displeasure on her face.
The next day, under the watchful eyes of the entire city and accompanied by over a thousand armored cavalrymen, she left Chang'an. By the time she returned, she would be crowned as the Queen of Chang'an.
Qin Shubao proceeded with utmost caution. Even the Young Adventurer who had hurriedly come to seek refuge was arranged to follow from ten miles away, leaving no opportunity for any ill-intentioned individuals.
The alliance between the Li and Xiao families largely depended on Xiao Chanyan. Although the Xiao Family had other eligible daughters waiting in their chambers, Liang Guo Gong and Xiao Cong had only this one daughter.
…………
As Li Jian Cheng anticipated, just a few days later, the Turkic forces launched a surprise attack on Mayi. The Marquis of Mayi, Wang Rengong, fought valiantly but was betrayed by his subordinate Liu Wuzhou, the City Gate Captain. He died heroically in battle.
With Mayi lost, Liu Wuzhou received support from Shibi Khan and opened granaries to aid the poor. He sent out proclamations within the territory and gathered over twenty thousand troops. Seizing the opportunity, he allied with the Turkic forces to attack Loufan County.
Upon receiving this news, Li Jian Cheng immediately warned Yanmen County Magistrate Chen Xiaoyi to be cautious and dispatched Zhang Hutan with fifty thousand troops for support.
Winter was approaching; this battle could not last long. The real contest would begin after the snow melted next year.
Thanks to Zhang Hutan's timely support, Loufan County was preserved. Liu Wuzhou retreated, and Shibi Khan rewarded him with a horse's bones worth a fortune and conferred upon him the title of Khan of Dingyang along with a wolf-headed banner.
Liu Wuzhou immediately pledged loyalty to Shibi Khan: "The General shall lead our Khan into Jinyang and fight southward for supremacy!"
In the case of Liu Wuzhou, several nearby counties began to investigate generals colluding with the Turkic people, as it was better to be anxious than to be backstabbed.
Shuofang successfully eliminated the Turkic spies, but this also implicated innocent people, leading to a rebellion among the common folk. Taking advantage of the chaos, the local bandit leader, Liang Shidu, raised an army and killed Shuofang County Magistrate Tang Shizong to declare himself independent.
He feared that Li Jian Cheng would mobilize troops against him, so he proactively contacted Shibi Khan. Shibi Khan gladly bestowed upon him the Wolf Head Banner and conferred upon him the title of Great Khan Bika.
As a result, counties such as Diao Yin, Honghua, and Yan'an felt threatened and could no longer afford to wait for a better offer; they all turned to Li Jian Cheng for support. The county governors personally rushed to Taiyuan to pay their respects.
Upon learning of this, Shibi Khan immediately reappointed Liu Wuzhou as Dingyang Emperor and Liang Shidu as the Heavenly Son of Resolution.
Li Jian Cheng ignored Shibi Khan's petty tactics. He reassured the arriving county governors and then sent them back to Chang'an, ordering his subordinates to take control of those counties and prepare for war.
It was impossible to eliminate the Turkic people now; Li Jian Cheng could not afford to mobilize troops for a campaign against the grasslands. However, if he could inflict pain on Shibi Khan and provoke internal conflicts within their ranks, he would force them to retreat.
Li Jian Cheng even took the time to send a letter inquiring about Shibi Khan's health and requested him to return Ashina Anar. In response, he only received a string of insults from the Turkic envoy.
Clearly, Shibi Khan was very displeased that Li Jian Cheng had treated him so poorly.
……………
(End of Chapter)
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