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Chapter 217: Qin Wang's Northern Expedition
In truth, Li Jian Cheng was not overly concerned about the alliance with the Western Turkic. Shibi Khan had been in poor health for the past two years, as both Sogdian and Princess Yicheng had informed him through secret letters.
As long as they could repel Shibi Khan's invasion this time, the Eastern Turkic would likely enter into a dispute over the position of Khan.
Tongye Hubei and Tiele, blocking Persia to the west and connecting with Kashgar to the south, dominated the Western Regions and controlled an important route of the Silk Road, making them a highly valuable marriage ally.
The Western Regions were also something Li Jian Cheng needed to secure. Thus, leveraging a marriage alliance to win over a group of pro-Tang Western Turkic nobles in advance was a strategic move, preparing to declare his authority over the Western Turkic once the princess bore offspring.
After Li Jian Cheng nodded in agreement, the Western Turkic Emissary immediately presented a prepared golden belt adorned with thousands of nails and hundreds of carts filled with treasures from the Western Regions. They promised that next year, they would send five thousand fine horses as a bridal gift for the princess.
Li Jian Cheng rewarded them with a thousand colorful silk robes and tens of thousands of bolts of silk to take back to Tongye Hugu Khan.
He then personally left the palace to meet his sister, Princess Gaomi. The princess had already heard about this matter and welcomed her brother into her residence with her maidservants.
The princess was graceful and beautiful, frowning slightly as she respectfully offered tea. Li Jian Cheng accepted it and asked, "Do you have any grievances?"
The Li Clan shook her head and said, "Born into this family, I have enjoyed wealth and privilege without having to toil for my livelihood. I have not labored on the Yongji Canal nor fought in battles like my father or brothers. As a princess, now that I am a widow, how could I dare voice any complaints about marrying a ruler? I only feel anxious about leaving my homeland to marry far away."
Li Jian Cheng nodded reassuringly. "Do not worry; I will arrange everything for you so that you can live as comfortably in the Western Turkic court as you do in Chang'an."
"Moreover, Tongye Hu has moved the royal court to Qianquan. That place is surrounded by snow-capped mountains to the south and has fertile land with lush trees. In late spring, flowers bloom beautifully, and there are many deer adorned with bells. The numerous springs there give it its name; it is truly a treasure land..."
Listening to her brother's gentle description, the princess felt much more at ease. She truly had no grievances; her two younger brothers were still fighting against Eastern Turkic at the Northern Frontier. Compared to their struggles, what was her own slight discomfort for the family?
Besides, even if it were not for the Western Turkic Khan, she would eventually marry some noble or a confidant general of her royal brothers. What significant difference could there be?
Being a mother of a nation would always be more advantageous than being merely a general or a noblewoman.
Seeing that his sister had accepted this well enough, Li Jian Cheng began to explain the situation regarding the Western Turkic and various countries in the Western Regions. The Li Clan listened attentively; she understood that her family was her support but that living in a foreign land often required self-reliance to ensure she maintained her rightful status and rights.
"Your offspring will be the master of that prosperous land; I will grant him kingship."
In the Northern Frontier, Li Shimin led his troops to break through the encirclement, arriving just in time to relieve the siege of Mayi County.
Meanwhile, Li Mi and Qin Shubao, who had been left behind by Li Shimin at Lou Fan, awaited the court's orders. Soon, they were replaced by King Qi's Bingzhou Protectorate forces led by Li Yuanji.
Li Mi and Qin Shubao launched an offensive against the Turkic forces. After several days of fierce fighting, the Turkic army began to retreat. Unable to capture the county seat and facing blocked routes southward, continuing their advance would yield no benefits. The Turkic withdrawal was anticipated.
It was also expected that a few months later, before winter set in, the Turkic forces would likely invade again. Although they had not taken Mayi, they had already plundered a considerable amount of food and wealth.
When Li Mi and his troops arrived at Mayi County to join forces with Qin Wang, they were ready to return home. However, Qin Wang ordered them to pursue the Turkic army. Despite Li Mi and others' attempts to dissuade him, they had no choice but to follow. The Turks, laden with their spoils, were caught off guard because they believed retreating would spare the Central Plains people.
Regardless of who ruled the Central Plains, most would only hide within their cities and lacked the courage to actively pursue them.
Thus, Qin Wang achieved a great victory. His subordinates—Qin Shubao, Dan Xiongxin, and Xue Wanchu—were all valiant cavalry commanders who easily overwhelmed the Turkic leaders, allowing them to divide the enemy forces at will.
Qin Wang continued his victorious march northward, covering over two hundred miles in a day and night while engaging in dozens of battles, winning every encounter without capturing or pursuing any remnants; he remained focused on the Turkic army.
As they approached Turkic territory, Qin Wang pressed on with relentless pursuit. Duke Yangdu Li Mi dismounted and grabbed hold of Qin Wang's reins, urging him: "Your Highness has already dealt a blow to the enemy by advancing this far north; your achievements are sufficient. To go deeper is reckless. If His Majesty learns of this, will he not blame us for failing to dissuade you?
Moreover, our soldiers are hungry and fatigued; we lack provisions and have no guides or reinforcements. Advancing alone into barren lands is perilous!"
Li Shimin glanced at his generals before drawing his sword and pointing northward: "The Turkic forces are retreating; morale is low among their ranks. It is said that success is hard-won but easily lost; opportunities are rare but can slip away quickly. I must seize this momentum!
If we hesitate or look back now that our plans are set in motion, we will lose our chance to strike again. I am devoted to my country; how can I consider my own safety?"
Dan Xiongxin and Qin Shubao were invigorated: "We wish to follow Your Highness in pursuing the Turkic forces! We will not hesitate to sacrifice ourselves in gratitude for His Majesty's favor!"
The morale of the Tang army soared. Li Mi quietly moved to the rear of the army to manage logistics for Shian while ensuring that markers were left along the way so that regardless of victory or defeat, the army could return safely to Tang territory.
Li Shimin then led his troops forward once more, catching up with the lax Turkic army. They fought eight battles in one day, defeating them each time and capturing or killing tens of thousands.
Qin Wang went without food for two days and did not remove his armor for three days. At night, they slaughtered sheep and horses for food which was shared among the soldiers. They continued their pursuit for three more days until the Turkic army collapsed and vanished without a trace before finally returning home.
But the pursuit was too deep. The soldiers were exhausted, and halfway through, they were ambushed by Shibi Khan himself leading his troops. Qin Wang was at the forefront, and during the fierce battle, he was struck by an arrow and fell from his horse, which was also hit by arrows and collapsed after a cry.
"Save Qin Wang!"
Qin Shubao and Dan Xiongxin charged towards Shibi Khan without regard for their lives, forcing the Turkic central army to contract their defenses. Xue Wanchu galloped forward and lifted Qin Wang onto his horse, while Li Mi calmly took command of the troops and began issuing orders.
The saying goes that sorrowful soldiers must win; Li Mi exerted every last ounce of strength from this army and finally managed to repel the Turkic forces, gaining an opportunity to retreat.
Qin Shubao and Dan Xiongxin were also dragged back by their personal guards, covered in blood, uncertain if they would survive, let alone having time for rescue.
Shibi Khan's troops were still pursuing from behind. Li Mi had already decided to leave half of his troops to cover the rear, but suddenly Tang army scouts appeared ahead. It turned out that His Majesty had learned of Qin Wang's retreat northward and immediately ordered the troops from Shuofang and Yanmen to enter the grasslands for support.
However, the grasslands were vast, and without clear guidance, it wasn't until they approached the border that both sides could meet. With tens of thousands of fresh troops joining Li Mi, he immediately ordered them to escort Qin Wang and the two generals back for medical treatment.
He then forced the Shuofang and Yanmen reinforcements to form a defensive formation. Soon, Shibi Khan caught up, but seeing that they had gained tens of thousands more men, he refrained from attacking.
Li Mi led Xue Wanchu forward on horseback and scolded Shibi Khan for violating the Yulin Alliance and daring to invade the Emperor's territory; he would surely face divine retribution!
………
(End of Chapter)
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