Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Ten Years of Taiping In the summer, the Tang Dynasty spent three whole years assimilating the grasslands, relocating all surplus Monastic Daoism from the Central Plains to that area, and strictly setting the Pasture Land for each tribe.
They ordered the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ministry of Works to search for suitable farmland in the grasslands, allowing nearby tribes to transition from herding to farming. Within the Grassland Ten Prefectures, they established Provincial Academy and County Academy, where outstanding individuals could serve as officials.
In the past two years, Imperial Scholars of Martial Examination have been assigned to govern in the grasslands, establishing a new order.
Meanwhile, in the Western Regions, under the governance of Tongye Hu, conflicts in the Western Regions became increasingly sharp, with various states continuously attacking each other over trade taxes.
At this time, Wa Country had also become another piece of fiefdom. The emperor granted land to the Northern Expedition Meritorious Officials there and completely destroyed the literary heritage of the Wa People.
The emperor issued an edict to change the era name to Common Era, effective next year, ensuring that the Tang Dynasty would no longer change it. The Vassal State would also adopt this era name for unification purposes.
In Year One of the Common Era, Gaochang Sovereign Qu Wen Tai, with support from Tongye Hu, launched an attack on Yarkand, capturing three cities and plundering their men and women.
Yengchi King Dragon Tujizhi could only shout from the City Wall: “Qu Wen Tai, you are so bold! How dare you disregard the will of Supreme Tengri and act on your own? Are you not afraid of divine retribution?”
Yarkand Iwu Kingdom then entered Luoyang to request national allegiance. The emperor graciously agreed and established an Anxi Protectorate in Gaochang Kingdom, temporarily appointing Duke of Wei as its protectorate.
The next day, Tang troops arrived at the city walls. Looking at the thick and tall walls, Duke of Wei was unconcerned and ordered a siege tower to be pushed out, towering ten zhang high, overlooking the city walls from afar.
That night, Qu Zhisheng hurriedly sent envoys: “The late king Qu Wen Tai has offended the supreme deity and has suffered divine punishment, falling ill and unable to rise. I have only recently ascended to the throne; I humbly ask you to show mercy and allow us to go plead for forgiveness from Your Majesty.”
The defenders of Kucha were confused as they saw several dark iron barrel-like objects being pushed out. With flashes of fire and a thunderous boom, bricks and stones rained down from the City Wall, blood splattering everywhere along with severed limbs.
Duke of Wei Li Jing stated: “Your nation's crime is one of deceiving heaven; it is unforgivable. You can only await execution!”
No one wishes to offer their head for death; moreover, it seemed that reinforcements from the Western Turkic would arrive soon. Thus, they decided to hold their ground as their capital was quite fortified.
Clearly, this was only temporary; the ambitions of the Tang Emperor Supreme Tengri for expansion were boundless.
Regarding dissent within his nation, he began building high walls and digging deep trenches while actively preparing for war, all while soothing his son and ministers.
Qu Wen Tai gladly accepted advice and rewarded his ministers to signify a spirit of shared prosperity.
Currently, the Eastern Extremity of the Great Tang stretches across the sea, extending west to Yarkand, south to Lin Yi, and north to the Desert. It encompasses various prefectures and counties, measuring nine thousand five hundred and ten miles from east to west, and nineteen thousand one hundred and eighteen miles from north to south.
Meanwhile, he also commanded a messenger to convey a message to Tongye Hu: "As a Khan, you should stand equal to the Son of Heaven. Why must you bow and scrape before the Tang Dynasty, worshipping in reverence?"
The courtiers turned pale, their hands and feet weak, nearly collapsing alongside the Sovereign.
When I visited Chang'an, I personally witnessed the desolation in the northern regions of Qinlong. The cities were in decline, far inferior to those of the Sui Dynasty. Now that they are attacking us, if they send too many troops, their supply lines will be stretched thin; if they send fewer than thirty thousand men, we have the strength to subdue them completely.
By the time the Gaochang Kingdom realized what was happening, our army was already on its way. The courtiers were horrified as they sought out the Sovereign but instead heard Crown Prince Qu Zhisheng lamenting: "Father has learned that the Tang army is approaching Shikou. He was so frightened that he fell ill and collapsed suddenly, losing consciousness. When he finally woke up, his face was distorted, half of his body paralyzed, and he could hardly speak..."
"What... what should we do here?"
The capital of Yarkand remains quite fortified. Qu Wen Tai merely tested their defenses before leading his troops back and dividing the spoils into three parts.
Upon hearing this, the courtiers found it very reasonable and began praising his wisdom while actively advising against capturing too many prisoners to avoid mutual destruction.
The troops from Yarkand who accompanied them knelt down in praise: "The Gaochang Army is like frost and snow; the Han Family Army is like the sun and moon. The sun and moon shine upon frost and snow, causing it to vanish!"
Qu Wen Tai sneered: "The eagle soars high in the sky while the wild chicken hides in the weeds; cats frolic in the hall while mice steal food from their holes. Each has its place—can't they all live their own lives in their own realms?"
King Li Shimin had already moved south to Lin Yi Kingdom.
In just two short days, he captured twenty-two cities of Kucha and took a total of seventeen thousand seven hundred prisoners; thus, Gaochang Kingdom was destroyed.
While Gaochang Kingdom was still in consultation, the Tang army arrived at Tiancheng City. The military personnel were exhausted; Duke of Wei ordered the defending troops to surrender. When they refused, Duke of Wei became furious and launched a fierce assault. In just half a day, he conquered it and captured over seven thousand people, all of whom were executed as a warning.
His strength was sufficient to swallow several neighboring countries; however, he had been restrained by his fear of Great Tang. But now he could no longer hold back.
Yengchi King Dragon Tujizhi did not hesitate to send his confidant to Luoyang to seek assistance from Supreme Tengri for justice.
During these three years, Qu Wen Tai had gained substantial support from Tongye Hu through monopolizing trade routes in previous years. He continuously recruited soldiers and horses; Gaochang Kingdom was no longer what it used to be.
One portion was sent to Qianquan City; one portion belonged to himself; and another portion was kept in case Tongye Hu could not appease Great Tang—then he would offer these as a plea for peace.
The Duke of Wei executed the Gaochang King, nobles, and all officials within his palace, distributing their severed heads to various nations. Thus, the national prestige was established, and the Western Regions were greatly frightened.
The Yengchi King’s plea for help was quickly granted; the Emperor dispatched the Earl of England to lead an army of eighty thousand westward to suppress the rebellion. They rushed along the newly constructed Expressway at great speed.
"You have forgotten your own glory, but I have not!"
"Chang'an is seven thousand miles away from us, with two thousand miles of desert and Gobi in between. The land lacks water and grass; the cold wind is like a knife, and the hot wind feels like fire. How can the army possibly pass through?"
Gradually losing respect for their officials and encroaching upon neighboring countries, this was the reason why after the Duke of Wei reported to the Emperor, he did not allow the Duke to lead the Anxi Protectorate's troops against the bandits.
Now our best strategy is to wait and let them tire themselves out. If the Tang army camps at the city gates, they will run out of food in no more than twenty days and will have to retreat. At that time, we can pursue them and capture them without any worries!
Soon, the Duke of Wei identified his target: Kucha, a powerful nation in the Western Regions located west of Yarkand, centered around Kuqa, stretching east to Luntai and west to Bachu, bordered by Tianshan in the north and Taklamakan Desert in the south, with over eighty cities.
Thus, they set up camp and began cooking. Not only were the people of Gaochang terrified to death, but even the spies from various Western Region nations who had come to observe were so frightened that they nearly lost control.
He appointed Ashina She'er, the left general of the cavalry from the grasslands, as commander, with Qibiheli, the right general of the Imperial Guards from the grasslands, as deputy commander. Together they gathered over one hundred thousand cavalry from thirteen Tiele tribes to launch a joint campaign against Kucha.
…………………
(End of Chapter)
Comment 0 Comment Count