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The child was robust and unafraid of people. After several months, Li Jian Cheng finally revealed a hint of a smile: "Looking at the eyebrows and eyes, he resembles my princess from her childhood."
It was no wonder, after all, as they were both children of the Li Clan and the Ashina Clan.
Tongye Hu hurriedly said, "I have brought gifts for the princes and princesses."
Li Jian Cheng handed the child back to his sister: "We are family, so I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Upon closer inspection, it was evident that the emperor had endured quite a bit. Princess Gaomi tearfully said, "Elder brother, please take care of your health."
The siblings exchanged a few heartfelt words before Gao Mi took the child to pay respects to the Retired Emperor.
A Khan who fled before battle could only be seen as a disgrace; who would still be willing to obey his commands?
Tuli proactively sent envoys to request submission, but the emperor refused until Tuli's head was severed and Princess Yicheng perished amidst the chaos.
The troops defending Dali City were struggling, let alone splitting forces to fend off the six armies of the Tang.
In theory, in Central Plains, it should stabilize the country; however, in Turkic lands, they had always feared power rather than felt benevolence. Many factions below began to harbor ulterior motives.
In the summer of Peace Year Seven, the emperor appointed Duke of Wei Li Jing as the marching Governor and Zhang Gongjin as Deputy Governor. They were dispatched to Dingxiang Road. British Duke Xu Shijie went to Tonghan Road, King Li Shimin to Jinhhe Road, Hejian Wang Li Xiaogong to Heng'an Road, Duke Zhang Hutan of Ying to Changwu Road, and Zhangqiu Duke to Datong Road.
Within the country, the emperor was the Son of Heaven; abroad, he was Tengri Khan. Acting in his capacity as Tang Emperor regarding Khan affairs resembled some remote small nations that maintained their original systems while accepting appointments from the Tang Emperor as officials.
The emperor granted a seat to Western Turkic Khan: "I have heard that things are not going well on your side."
After resolving issues on the grasslands, Tang's next step was towards the Western Regions—specifically Western Turkic.
Tongye Hu suddenly left his seat and knelt down but did not speak. Li Wei hurriedly dismissed many attending servants and kept only a few strong eunuchs behind.
No answer is the best answer. Tongye Hu received confirmation that his greatest worry was indeed about to happen.
The six armies, totaling just over one hundred thousand troops, were like six gleaming swords simultaneously thrusting toward the northern desert, directly piercing Tuli's yurt.
Duke of Wei Li Jing led the army in pursuit of Tuli, while Hejian Wang Li Xiaogong commanded the loyal Turkic Clan Soldiers to sweep away the rebellious tribes.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to offer my land in submission."
"Your Majesty, you just said we are one family. Is that true?"
Not only did the various factions remain unresponsive, but even a few smaller tribes that had previously obeyed orders began to harbor doubts, forcing Tuli to first execute Zhao Deyan, the sinner.
Thus, at Zhao Deyan's suggestion, Tuli decided to make a swift retreat to Shikou, north of Yin Mountain, where he established a yurt and issued commands to those who came.
Li Jian Cheng pondered and asked, "Do I need to send Qin Wang to assist you in suppressing the rebellion?"
The northern grasslands were quite submissive. The elite forces of the Andong Protectorate were stationed there. To the east, the Liaodong Three Kingdoms had fallen, and Wa Country had already been occupied by half its territory. They struggled against the Tang army while also dealing with internal strife.
Li Jian Cheng was somewhat surprised. "Of course."
The Tang army encountered no organized resistance and smoothly occupied Dali City. King Li Shimin proclaimed an edict in Dali City, officially incorporating the grasslands into the Tang Dynasty's territory and commanding the various tribes of the grasslands to come and pledge allegiance.
After returning from the Tang Dynasty, Tongye Hu cleared out his uncle's confidants and devoted himself entirely to his wife and children. He became much more lenient toward his subordinates and no longer exhibited his previous cruelty.
Compared to Eastern Turkic, Western Turkic was naturally stronger but only marginally so. Moreover, internal power dynamics were even more complex; any sudden changes could prove fatal.
This battle ended in a great victory, with tens of thousands of Turkic cavalry slain and hundreds of thousands of troops surrendered. The vast lands stretching from Yin Mountain in the north to the Desert in the south fell entirely under Tang control.
After incorporating the grasslands, the Emperor became the Supreme Tengri, managing everything on the plains in the guise of a celestial deity, under the oaths of various tribes and the veneration of nations such as Khitan, Shiwey, and Yiwuz.
The Emperor divided the grasslands into ten provinces and established the Northern Protectorate. The Turkic princes and nobles were forcibly relocated to Luoyang and the surrounding areas of Jiangdu, where they were granted official positions, and their offspring were directly admitted to the National Academy.
Li Jian Cheng remained silent, gazing at Tongye Hu with a look of confusion. What significance was there in speaking such things aloud?
Tongye Hu continued, "Is Your Majesty preparing for a northern expedition against Tuli?"
Unable to hold back his tears, Tongye Hu looked up at the Emperor, who sat quietly observing him.
This also meant that the Tang Empire had secured its position as the leader of an international alliance, not only serving as the dominant force in maintaining international order but also as the sole arbitrator in resolving international disputes.
Upon receiving this news, Tuli hastily ordered various tribes to prepare for defense; however, only a few small tribes responded, totaling no more than twenty thousand people.
After a moment of silence, Tongye Hu spoke again, "What is the next target for the Tang Empire, Your Majesty? You are still in your thirties."
The establishment of a substantial international political system indicated that Li Jian Cheng was not just the Tang Emperor but had also become the King of All Kings, revered by all foreign tribes.
"These two rebellions I can still manage; it's just..."
Tongye Hu nodded. "Shebadaqan and the Nushibi Tribe have united in rebellion and gained support from several Western Region sovereigns."
With Qin Wang returning home after a short period, just months later he led troops westward again. The nations of the Western Regions found themselves under threat from the Tang Empire and had no choice but to come to Luoyang to pay their respects.
The Tang Dynasty was currently in a phase of rapid growth, expanding its territory year after year while generously rewarding its meritorious officials and generals.
Upon hearing this, Li Jian Cheng did not feel joy; instead, he furrowed his brow. It was easy to feast on meat, but consuming a living creature with four limbs and horns could easily upset one's stomach.
"This matter is not to be taken lightly."
...
Tongye Hu did not believe that the Western Turkic he led could withstand such a nation.
Tongye Hu shook his head: "Tuli has caused widespread anger; no tribe will obey his orders issued from Dali City. He is destined to fail, and the grasslands will return under the rule of the Tang Dynasty."
"I speak with sincerity, there is no falsehood."
The world praises: "The virtue of Tang is great! Under heaven's cover, all subjects belong to it; within and beyond the seas, there is no state or county that does not submit. Thus, the Son of Heaven is honored as 'Tengri.' Since the time of the Three Kings, none have surpassed it."
Tuli had no choice but to tearfully drag Zhao Deyan to death with horses and humiliatingly bestow over a hundred of his concubines to his subordinates, but in the end, he lost even his last shred of dignity.
The emperor slowly leaned back in his chair, his tone devoid of emotion: "Yes, in two months, the army will march. If you wish to share in this, you may send word back to prepare."
To the lords of the wild regions, only when the Tang Imperial Banner is raised can one be considered a nation; otherwise, they will be treated as mere captives!
...
(End of Chapter)
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