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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 178
"Jian Cheng, your troops should be arriving soon."
Shibi Khan hinted, "Soon, we will have a major operation. In the coming days, emissaries from Khitan, Shiwey, Tuguhun, and Kucha will be arriving."
Clearly, after Yang Guang's display, Shibi Khan was eager to experience the sensation of nations coming to pay homage. He had been actively contacting various countries recently, not only demanding goods but also insisting that they come to Dali City for annual tributes.
"Does the Khan intend to attack Mayi?"
Beyond Yanmen lies Mayi, a place where the Central Plains and the grasslands intertwine for trade, forming a vital artery connecting the Central Plains with the Desert, Central Asia, and Europe, maintaining a flow similar to the Silk Road.
General Meng Tian of Qin Shi Huang had once pushed north against the Xiongnu outside Yanmen Pass, surrounding cities and raising horses, thus establishing Mayi. During Emperor Wu of Han's reign, Mayi's strategy marked the beginning of the Northern Expedition against the Xiongnu in the Western Han Dynasty.
Therefore, it was not surprising that Shibi Khan wanted to seize this location. Moreover, according to Li Jian Cheng's assessment, with the emperor having retreated to Jiangdu, several counties in Mayi were already unable to resist the Turkic Army. The main troops were moving southward and could likely achieve victory without a fight.
Thus, Shibi Khan was merely using this as an impetus for Li Jian Cheng to summon his troops so that he could completely absorb these elite forces. By then, he would have no worries as he moved southward.
Otherwise, if he sent his troops southward with these fools around him, they might easily capture Dali City. Shibi Khan was far too experienced; during the Yanmen Siege last time, if he had delayed even a few more days, trouble would have arisen.
If it could be said that there were too many clever people in the Central Plains leading to chaos in the situation, then on the grasslands there were too many fools dragging him down.
Often these illiterate fools acted without considering the consequences; driven solely by reckless bravery, they dared to do anything.
That was why he treated Li Jian Cheng this way; he genuinely hoped to share the world with him. As long as he could control a larger and wealthier territory, it would suffice. Such vast lands as the grasslands and Central Plains could not be ruled by a single family or clan.
Shibi Khan nodded. "Jian Cheng, once your troops arrive, we will first sweep through the Sui Dynasty's Northern Frontier. Then we will observe the world's disputes and wait for an opportunity to conquer the Central Plains and then absorb Western Turkic.
What a vast territory that would be! This is an achievement that neither your Han Chinese Qin Emperor nor Han Wu ever accomplished. Our names will be etched in history; as long as there are herders on the grasslands and people in the Central Plains, no one will ever forget us!"
Li Jian Cheng couldn't help but sigh at Shibi Khan's grand ambitions. Moreover, they were not blind ambitions; if they truly joined forces sincerely, there was indeed a chance to create a monumental entity that would stand in history.
Even if it wouldn't take long before it fell apart on its own, it would still shine brightly for future generations.
But this was not what Li Jian Cheng wanted. He had put in so much effort to build his power, not to become a subordinate of Shibi Khan, creating a fleeting glory while leaving chaos for the world.
After more than a decade of turmoil under Yang Guang, the people of the Sui Dynasty had truly reached their limit. He was no longer concerned about what position he might occupy in history; all he wanted was to stabilize the realm as soon as possible.
His visit to the Turkic lands was not solely to avoid Yang Guang. The relationship between the Central Plains and the grasslands had always been one of mutual rise and fall, and reversing the balance of power required time.
Li Jian Cheng did not wish to engage in conflict with the Turkic tribes immediately after pacifying the realm. Regardless of victory or defeat, the people's livelihoods would suffer greatly. He needed to secure an opportunity for his subjects to rest and recuperate.
Li Jian Cheng said, "Khan, there is something I must speak about today."
Shibi Khan was somewhat surprised but asked, "What is it? We are brothers; your wife is my own sister. There is nothing we cannot discuss."
"I believe Khan sees me as a true brother, but what I must say today concerns your own brother."
"They are my blood brothers, but in my eyes, you are more trustworthy than they are, so please speak freely."
"Ashina Silifu has secretly met with Ashina Tuo Bi in recent days. As for what they discussed, no one knows."
Seeing Shibi Khan's serious expression, Li Jian Cheng continued, "They are also blood brothers, and Khan has never restricted their meetings. However, their actions are quite suspicious.
I heard that during the Yanmen Siege, the Tiele tribes were stirring restlessly and seemed to be gathering troops towards Dali City. The Tiele lacked siege equipment; how could they possibly capture such a stronghold relying solely on bravery? The wise men of the Tiele Tribe cannot be unaware of this, yet they still took the risk to gather forces.
Who gave them such courage? Who has the authority to promise great rewards to the Tiele tribes? Khan, we Han Chinese have a saying: 'To repel external threats, one must first pacify internal troubles.' The chaos in the Central Plains will not settle down in ten or twenty years, and the dangers lurking behind you could erupt at any moment."
Shibi Khan lowered his head with a grim expression and asked, "Where did you get this information?"
Li Jian Cheng did not hesitate to name a few individuals: "Khan, people fear you as they would fear a deity. Even when drunk, they would not dare to burp in your presence; yet before me, they have nothing to hold back."
Li Jian Cheng was not speaking without basis. Ashina Silifu would later be known as Chuluo Khan, and Ashina Tuo Bi would become Xieli Khan. These two would take turns ruling as Turkic Khagans after Shibi Khan's death.
The three brothers shared a common trait: they all married their stepmother, Princess Yicheng.
The news about Li Jian Cheng came from Princess Yicheng herself. Years ago, the two had tested her loyalty, but at that time, Yicheng felt that Shibi Khan still respected the Sui Dynasty, so she refrained from engaging with them.
However, after the Yanmen Siege, Princess Yicheng harbored deep resentment towards Shibi Khan for stripping the emperor of his last semblance of dignity, which left the Yang Family with no hope. As a result, she began to establish contact with the two brothers.
Preparations were already underway. The Turkic Khagan, Kehe Dun, held a highly esteemed position due to his considerable power. If not for Li Jian Cheng's intervention, it would have been inevitable for Shibi Khan to meet an untimely demise within a few years.
Shibi Khan said little and simply instructed Li Jian Cheng to leave. In the following half month, those individuals mentioned by Li Jian Cheng began to disappear one by one. Then, Khan suddenly issued a golden decree commanding several of his brothers to return to Dali City.
The two brothers, who had already received word from Princess Yicheng, led their troops without hesitation and fled to the Tiele Tribe. Ultimately, only the usually timid Ashina Bulishe and Ashina Chijishe made their way to Dali City.
Their escape spoke volumes more than any tangible evidence could. Shibi Khan was furious; he had suspected treachery but never imagined that both of his brothers would harbor such intentions.
Thus, he personally led an army to quell the rebellion but did not forget to bring along Li Jian Cheng, clearly wary of him taking advantage of the situation to flee.
Although Ashina Anar had vented her anger at her brother, it did not alter Shibi Khan's resolve.
……………
(End of Chapter)
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