Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 792: The Zanpu is young and ignorant, we should learn from him
Oh oh oh!
The howling of the north wind outside the window sounded like ghosts and wolves howling.

The name of Liangzhou is very well chosen, and it directly reflects the word "cool". The lowest temperature in Liangzhou area during the severe winter nights directly soars to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Even the Tibetans, who claimed to be cold-resistant, did not stand on the city wall to be blown by the cold wind, but hid in the corner tower to warm themselves by the fire.

It was already late at night. In a signing room on a tower in Liangzhou City, Dazha Lugong was looking at the Tibetan monk in front of him with a frown on his face, and the atmosphere in the room was somewhat solemn.

"Yixi Wangbo, I believe you should understand that a general is not always subject to military orders when he is away from home.

This military order was indeed issued by the Zamp, but as the Grand Chancellor, I have the power to make my own decisions and do not have to obey the Zamp's orders.

When the army returns to the capital, I will explain to the Zamp if there is anything."

Dazhagulu Gong raised the letter in his hand and spoke seriously to the Tubo Imperial Master who was sitting opposite him.

The military order brought by Yixi Wangbo was to withdraw his troops to defend Shanzhou, so as to avoid being cut off by the Tang army. Obviously, this Tibetan king was very smart, or he had capable people around him, who saw through Dazha Lugong's plot at a glance!
The Tibetan general in Liangzhou was trying to lure the Tang army to attack Shanzhou, even if they could capture the Hehuang Valley. In this case, the Tibetan border defense would be seriously threatened, just like when Shibao City was captured by the Tang army!
By then, even the nobles in Tubo who supported Buddhism would have to temporarily compromise on border military affairs and support Dazalugong.

Trisong Detsen ordered Dazha Lugong to retreat to Shanzhou. They had already won this round, and the places they occupied were the defense areas of the two Jiedushi of Hexi and Longyou in the past.

Eating one is a huge profit, but eating two will put you at risk of being stuffed to death! The previous failure of Dazalugong's attack on Guanzhong is an example.

If they retreated to Shanzhou, they would get direct support from Tubo. The Tang army had always suffered more defeats than victories in the Hehuang Valley, and even suffered a disastrous defeat like the one in Dafeichuan. Since the current situation was unfavorable, it was not a bad idea to retreat.

In the political structure of Tubo, the Dalun itself shared some of the power that should have belonged to the emperor, which was very similar to the power of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang in the Shu Han Dynasty.

When the Zamp was incompetent, this system worked smoothly. On the contrary, when the Zamp became increasingly powerful, the country would fall into chaos.

For example, now.

Although Trisong Detsen was young, he had the potential to be a great leader and had a thorough understanding of the situation in the border towns. In view of this, Dazha Lugong did not dare to retreat even a step.

If they retreat to Shanzhou, the next step will be to be idle. Decades ago, there was the incident of Qinling, so no matter who is the Tubo minister now, they dare not take it lightly!
"The Huihe have formed an alliance with the Tang Dynasty. The land west of the Yellow River is very long and narrow, with Liangzhou in the east and Shazhou in the west. It is very difficult to support them. The Zamp thought that we have turned the situation of the border town from offense to defense, and we should not take it lightly.

Now that things have come to this, the Great Theorist should know what the Zamp is worried about. If Hexi is defeated, the Zamp will definitely hold the Great Theorist responsible!"

Yixi Wangbo threatened bluntly.

The Zamp told you to withdraw, but you didn't. When you are defeated, you will definitely suffer the consequences!

At that time, they will definitely be punished, transferred, or even exterminated! Military failure often means political reshuffle, and there are countless such things since ancient times.

"Please ask the Imperial Master to go back and tell the Zamp that I am deeply indebted to the country and will not let the loyal and brave soldiers sacrifice in vain. Now is the critical moment of the confrontation with the Tang army, and we cannot retreat."

Daza Lugong gently waved his hand and said, although he looked calm, he was secretly groaning in his heart.

Things are not that simple!

Trisong Detsen's malicious intent was no longer concealed, how could Dazha Lugong dare to retreat!

Even if he wanted to reach a compromise with the Zamp, he could only do so after defeating the Tang army.

Tubo has an extremely bad precedent of internal strife, which is really chilling.

Back then, Lun Qinling beat Wu Zhou so hard that they almost lost the Hexi Corridor. It was only when Heichi Changzhi risked his life to save the situation that the situation was stabilized.

If the situation had continued to develop normally at that time, it would only be a matter of time before Tubo seized Hexi.

But then... Dazalugong learned the phrase "self-destruction of the Great Wall" from Sinology, and it is just right to use it here. The intensity of the internal strife in Tubo is probably only comparable to the Eight Kings Rebellion in the Western Jin Dynasty.

"Well, you can do whatever you want."

Yixi Wangbo snorted coldly, turned around, opened the door of the signing room, and walked out. Suddenly, he felt a cold wind blowing in his face, and he shivered all over.

After Yixi Wangbo left, Dazha Lugong called a personal soldier and whispered something to him. Soon, the personal soldier walked into the signing room carrying Yixi Wangbo's head, with red ice chips still on the broken neck.

Dazha Lugong glanced at Yixi Wangbo, who had been arrogant to him just now, and a sneer of contempt appeared on his face.

The emperor is the one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses!
"Although Enlan cannot be the Zanpu, there is no problem in supporting another Zanpu to take the throne."

Dazha Lugong looked at Yixi Wangbo's head and talked to himself.

He felt that the ambitious king Trisong Detsen seemed to have overlooked a crucial issue: the king's half-brothers were all deposed by Trisong Detsen's biological mother after they had already succeeded to the throne.

Also deposed at the same time was the unfortunate Tibetan great minister!
Of course, this was not possible without the strong support of the Lhasa Imperial Guards controlled by Dazhalugong. When the coup was successful, Trisong Dezan became the Zamp and Dazhalugong became the Great Theorist. The winner of the political struggle was the winner-takes-all.

Since Dazhaligong was able to support Trisong Detsen to ascend to the throne, he could naturally also depose him like he did his brother!
When it comes to eating manners, Fang Qing's is much better looking than Dazhalu Gong's.

At this moment, Nanang Chitojie hurriedly pushed open the door of the detention room on the city wall and saw the head of Tubo State Master Yixi Wangbo at a glance. The expression on his face froze in an instant.

"Da Lun, why did you kill the national teacher?"

Nanang Chitojie asked back without hesitation.

"This man has been bribed by Fang Qing and has been lurking in the Zamp's place for more than ten years. He knows too many secrets and must be killed.

When I return to Luoshui with my troops, I will explain this matter to the Zamp. You don't have to worry, it has nothing to do with you."

Daza Lugong explained lightly.

"I didn't expect Fang Qing to be so capable! Even the Imperial Master is his spy!"

Nanang Chitojie muttered to himself, looking like he was intimidated by the ridiculous excuse that Dazha Lugong made up.

"What do you want to report here so late at night?"

Daza Lu Gong suddenly asked.

"Da Lun, here is the secret order from the Zamp, please take a look."

Nanang Chitojie lowered his voice and handed a letter to Dazha Lugong. When the latter saw it, his hair stood on end!

A gust of cold air rushed from the soles of the feet to the sky!

In the letter, Trisong Detsen asked Nanang Tritogyi to find an opportunity to tie up Dazhalugong and bring him back to Luoshui City for trial. If that didn't work, he could behead him and lead the army to retreat to Shanzhou and abandon the Hexi Corridor.

After much thought, Nanang Chitojie still felt that the young king was a bit too radical.

When Trisong Detsen got rid of Lunqinling, Tubo almost fell apart! It is no exaggeration to say that it took decades to recover. The Tubo army that had been rampant in the Hehuang Valley suddenly stopped fighting!

Not to mention the domestic situation, where various aristocratic rebellions broke out one after another.

If he now follows the order of the Tibetan king to get rid of Dazalugong, I am afraid that the tragic situation of the past will repeat itself.

"I have devoted my life to the country, but I didn't expect the Zanpu to listen to the slander of the state teacher. Alas!"

Dazha Lugong said with great sorrow.

It is hard to say whether he is disloyal or not. After all, in this kind of matter, actions are judged rather than intentions. As long as he has not raised the banner of rebellion, he is still a loyal minister.

But it is an indisputable fact that Trisong Detsen treated him unfairly.

But then again, given the political traditions of Tubo, what Trisong Detsen and Dazha Lugong are thinking is perfectly normal. It is the mutual trust and sincerity between them that is the most bizarre thing.

"Da Lun, what should we do now?" Nanang Chitojie asked, feeling a little worried about the current situation.

Handing over this letter was only to dispel Dazalugong's suspicion, but it could not solve the military dilemma they were currently facing.

"Lure Fang Qing to attack Shanzhou."

Daza Lugong said word by word.

As long as the Bianzhou army starts to attack Shanzhou, the opposition forces in Tubo will have to gather under his banner.

That was his chance to break the impasse!
"But what if, I mean what if... Fang Qing doesn't attack Shanzhou, but directly attacks Liangzhou?"

Nanang Chitojie asked back.

It has to be said that even if Dazhalu Gong deliberately cleared out the troops in Shanzhou and deliberately exposed a flaw, Fang Qing might not be fooled.

When fighting a war, one naturally has to be lenient with the enemy and always take some unexpected situations into consideration.

"In that case, we'll go through the Dadouba Valley and return to Shanzhou."

Daza Lugong said calmly.

Obviously, he also expected that he might not be able to defend the Hexi Corridor. Of course, this situation also occurred frequently during the hundred years of confrontation between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty.

"If the Zamp asks for punishment..."

Nanang Chitojie asked with some hesitation.

"We retreated to Shanzhou because we were defeated by the Tang army, and we retreated directly to Shanzhou, which is two different things."

Dazalugong patiently explained that since Nanang Chitojie had proved his loyalty, it was necessary to inform him of his plan.

"If we retreat directly to Shanzhou, those Buddhists will unite closely around the Zamp, and they are afraid that we will return to Lhasa to attack us.

If we were defeated by the Tang army and retreated to Shanzhou, who would not worry about Fang Qing returning to Shibao City? At that time, they would ask us to be a shield in front.

Therefore, it is not easy for the Zanpu to win them over. "

Hearing this, Nanang Chitojie nodded slightly. Otherwise, how could Dazha Lugong support the Zamp to take the throne? This person's political mind is not simple.

They and the Tibetan nobles who believed in Buddhism were enemies, opponents, and even the same kind of people. It is difficult to describe the right and wrong between them in a few words.

Clarifying who is a friend and who is an enemy, who can be won over and who must be killed from the complex relationships is one of the compulsory courses for being a leader.

"After the Great Theorist ordered the execution of the deserters from the Long Castle, there was quite a bit of discussion in the army. Alas!"

Nanang Chitojie sighed. He actually felt that Dazhalugong's tactics were too cruel.

Even though this was clearly Fang Qing's plan, these people could not be kept alive. But there was really no need to kill them so blatantly and hang their heads on the city walls.

There are examples of the Tibetan army surrendering to the Tang army in an organized manner. Even if they are so ruthless, what if an organized army surrenders in the future?
"The Huihe have joined forces with the Tang Dynasty. I'm afraid Shang Zanmo may not be able to resist Shazhou. Now the offensive and defensive positions have changed. The troops must try to move closer to the Dadouba Valley."

Daza Lu Gong sighed.

The more injustice there is in the country, the more internal and external troubles there are, the more a person's ability will be revealed.

Many things are not what he wants them to be. Reality is often changeable and cruel, and cannot be changed by personal will.

"Is Dalun already thinking about retreating?"

Nanang Chitojie was shocked, this time he was really surprised.

"The situation is like this, we can only deal with it properly, there is no shortcut. If we can win, we fight, if we can't, we leave.

Even if there is no opportunity now, it may be possible in five or ten years.

Why bother spending all your money here? "

Daza Lugong said with a smile, but the smile looked a little bitter.

The saying "Victory lies in oneself, victory lies in the enemy" is exactly this truth.

Whether you can win or not always depends on whether the enemy will show favor. Facing an opponent like Fang Qing, it is never too careful, and how can you not find a way out for yourself?

"Zanpu doesn't know the hardships of Dalun, nor the difficulties faced by the border troops. But it is us who are fighting against the fierce beasts like Fang Qing.

What can those who worship Buddha in Luoshui do?"

Nanang Chitojie also shook his head and sighed.

Damn it, those powerful people on the plateau have no idea how powerful Fang Qing is. They can only give orders behind my back.

He also felt sorry for Dazalugong.

"Zanpu is young and inexperienced, so we should learn from him."

Dazalugong patted Nanang Chitojie on the shoulder and said.

……

Not far to the west of Pipa Mountain is the former site of the Wucheng Shouzhuo garrison.

This is the boundary between Lanzhou and Liangzhou. In the past, the Tang army set up a guard post here, which was not only responsible for collecting taxes from passing merchants, but also for blocking the enemy and providing early warning for Lanzhou.

After crossing Pipa Mountain, you will reach the territory of Liangzhou, and this place is not far from Liangzhou City, the seat of Liangzhou Prefecture.

It was only about ten years ago that Wucheng Shouzhuo was abandoned. But now, the station is in ruins, and many bricks have been removed by nearby residents to build houses.

It looks like a building that was built a hundred years ago and is no longer habitable.

“The Great Wall still exists today, but Qin Shihuang is no longer with us.”

Fang Zhongyong suddenly sighed with emotion.

Seeing Fang's poetic inspiration, the staff member Cen Shen also echoed Fang's words, saying, "The world is not at peace, and I have nowhere to go. Since the war began, I feel that the world is small."

“Why did the world become narrower?”

Fang Zhongyong asked curiously. He thought Cen Shen would say "the world is vast". Because Liangzhou has a wide terrain, and after passing Pipa Mountain, the view will suddenly open up. Isn't that "the world is vast"?

Those of them who have traveled to Hexi many times are very familiar with this route, so there is no need to explain it in detail.

"When fighting against Tubo, you only have Tubo in your eyes, how can you care about the world? Naturally, your vision will become narrower."

Cen Shen explained.

Fang Zhongyong nodded slightly. He patted Cen Shen on the shoulder and said, "Tibet is not so easy to collapse. In the future, even if we don't come to Liangzhou, the imperial guards will come frequently. Just keep a normal mind and don't think about solving it once and for all."

(End of this chapter)