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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 245: Smooth Progress
After two days of rapid marching, Tuli began to encounter resistance. How could Xieli set out without leaving some backup to guard against this wolf cub?
With over twenty thousand cavalry, it was indeed enough to deal with Tuli. After all, he was young and constantly constrained and attacked by Xieli. However, Tuli had three thousand elite troops from Li Shimin behind him.
Thus, Tuli took the initiative to engage the enemy in battle, while Li Shimin observed with a few guards, not rushing to lead his troops forward despite Tuli being at a disadvantage.
It wasn't until the two armies were locked in fierce combat that he ordered Yuchi Jingde to bring his troops forward. The sudden appearance of thirty thousand cavalry startled the troops who had come to capture Tuli.
But in the midst of battle, it was impossible to easily break free, and Yuchi Jingde would not let go of the prey so close at hand, leading his troops into a fierce assault.
The Turkic forces also had many cavalry commanders, but few were as fierce and brave as Yuchi Jingde. Wherever he went, there was hardly any enemy left standing.
King Li Shimin was not one to stay back and command from a distance either. Seeing Yuchi Jingde's valor in battle, he too began to fight fiercely.
However, his personal guards did not give him the opportunity to engage directly; he could only abandon his spear and take up a bow, shooting arrows like falling stars, each one striking down an enemy.
Soon enough, the enemy forces fled in panic. Li Shimin restrained his subordinates from pursuing them, but Tuli was unwilling to miss this chance. He led his troops in pursuit for quite a distance and returned after slaying several hundred foes.
After clearing the battlefield, Tuli approached Li Shimin and said, "This time we can’t keep it a secret any longer. Xieli’s troops will likely return from Yin Mountain."
Li Shimin reassured him, "Don’t worry. His Majesty has already ordered the Bingzhou troops to march north. By now they must have begun their own battle and cannot easily retreat."
The key still lay with Dali City. If they could eliminate Xieli’s confidants there, Tuli along with Princess Yicheng could directly command the Turkic forces.
He could then cut across the grasslands to sever Xieli's escape route, trapping the Turkic Khagan of both eastern and western divisions within Tang territory.
The Tang army achieved a great victory that boosted morale. Li Shimin allocated the captured prisoners and most of the horses to Tuli while distributing all portable gold and silver ornaments as rewards to the soldiers.
Of course, more importantly were the promised rewards. Since Li Jian Cheng began leading troops, there had been no issues in this regard; promises were kept without allowing commanders to skimp on their shares.
After distributing the spoils of war, they set off again towards Dali City. Although Li Shimin had brought a guide, they still relied on the Turks to find their way across the vast grasslands.
Along the way, small groups of cavalry frequently harassed them, but none dared to launch a full-scale attack. Instead, messengers often came to see Tuli, likely trying to persuade him to abandon darkness for light and not betray his own bloodline.
Though Tuli was young, he was extremely resolute. However, it seemed that his determination stemmed not from hatred towards Uncle, but rather from a desire for Turkic power.
Thus, they successfully arrived at Dali City, a fortress built by artisans dispatched by the Sui Dynasty for Qimin Khan. While it could not compare to the grandeur of Chang'an and Luoyang, it was still comparable to the prefectural cities of the Central Plains, not easily taken down. Moreover, the troops gathered in Dali City were not fewer than theirs.
Relying on a strong assault was unrealistic; at this moment, it would depend on Tuli and Princess Yicheng.
The power of the Turkic tribes was traditionally quite decentralized. The Khan was merely the greatest leader, and Xieli had only recently inherited the title of Khan. The troops he commanded were limited.
Over a hundred thousand had followed him southward, while another hundred thousand had been dispatched to the borders for support. They were now firmly held back by the Tang army, leaving him with insufficient forces to maintain his position.
Li Shimin allowed Tuli to contact and meet with the leaders of various Turkic tribes as well as the nobles within Dali City. However, he did not wait idly; instead, he took the initiative to confront the Turkic reinforcements arriving and ordered an assault on the city.
Within Dali City, Princess Yicheng was also conversing with the nobles, promising that as long as they supported her son as Khan, the Tang army would withdraw. They would not suffer any harm and would gain more pastures and livestock.
Days later, what had once seemed an impregnable city gate surprisingly opened. Li Shimin commanded Yuchi Jingde to lead his troops inside while he personally waited with his forces for reinforcements, wary of potential ambushes within.
To his astonishment, everything went smoothly. Once the Tang army fully controlled one side of the city wall and gate, Li Shimin continued to dispatch troops until Princess Yicheng had largely stabilized the situation.
Li Shimin wished to meet with Princess Yicheng, but she refused to see him, clearly wary that the Tang might take advantage of the situation to eliminate her and her son.
Looking back, he realized that even Tuli had vanished. Princess Yicheng demanded they eliminate some die-hard loyalists of Xieli before requesting their withdrawal from Dali City.
This was evidently different from their initial agreement. Yuchi Jingde said, "Prince Qin, we have already occupied a city gate; we can advance or retreat at will. Why should we still heed their words? In my view, we can discuss further once we have exhausted our options!"
Li Shimin felt tempted but restrained himself: "Even if we succeed in killing Yicheng and Tuli, it would only benefit other Turks."
The urgent matter was still to follow through with their plan to intercept Xieli; as for everything else, they could deal with it later.
Two days later, Tuli reappeared. This time his attire was evidently more luxurious, and he no longer bore the warmth he once had towards Li Shimin.
In Li Shimin's eyes, Tuli's attempt to project authority was quite laughable. Nevertheless, he offered a few compliments before requesting that Tuli honor their agreement and accompany him in ambushing Xieli.
Without the Turks leading the way, it was uncertain whether they would stray off course, but the journey was already fraught with Turkic tribes, and frequent stops would surely lead to delays.
However, Tuli unexpectedly said, "Dali City is still unstable. My troops need to eliminate Xieli's confidants among the tribes, so I can only send you a guide and my token."
Li Shimin cast a deep glance at Tuli. "Khan, do not forget that Xieli is our common enemy."
Tuli smiled. "That's why I believe he won't return alive. Please thank the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty on my behalf."
Li Shimin chuckled. "I wonder if Shibi Khan has ever mentioned my elder brother to you, and how benevolent and forgiving he is. Perhaps if Xieli Khan were to come forward and apologize, His Majesty might even grant him mercy."
Tuli's expression changed, and he instinctively turned to look back. Li Shimin addressed the person behind him. "The princess should know that if you do not honor the agreement, we can change our plans as well. Xieli Khan does not have to die after all.
In comparison, perhaps a never-ending civil war among the Turkic tribes aligns better with the interests of our Tang Dynasty."
The person disguised as a servant turned and walked away. Tuli Khan felt somewhat at a loss; faced with Li Shimin's sharp pressure, he could only agree to send troops as guides to clear the way.
He would also summon troops prepared to assist Xieli in returning to the grasslands to withdraw immediately.
………………
(End of Chapter)
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