The Great Tang General

When Chidai Zhudan saw Mashang Zhongbajie's words and expression, he knew that he had intolerable thoughts.

He lost power and was unable to suppress Maxiang Zhongbajie.

Today, Maxiang Zhongbajie came to disturb us, apparently just to tell us about this matter.

The great leader of the country, Zamp's Mashang, could no longer withstand the pressure from the Tang Dynasty.

Everything is just as the general trend.

I watched the avalanche and was powerless to do anything.

When Princess Wencheng entered the snowy plateau, she brought with her Han historical records.

The current situation of Tubo is just like that at the end of the dynasty.

Even with Tibet's current system, it is unable to suppress public grievances.

Those separated tribes were getting further and further away from the Tibetan Alliance...

It's not just the separation of people's hearts.

All the resentment is revealed in this way.

People regard Songtsen Gampo's alliance on the snowy plateau as a laughing stock.

It was a wrong decision that led to the current wrong situation.

The Tibetans are not as good as the "Mountain and River Tribe" established by the Tang Dynasty in Baihai.

"There's no way Li Xuan will let you go..."

Chidai Zhudan thought about it for a long time, and finally could only say this to Mashang Zhongbajie.

Let him understand the tragic consequences of surrendering to the Tang Dynasty.

A powerful official who had been in power in Tubo for ten years had influence on all aspects of Tubo.

"Zamp has seen the spring in Chang'an, but I have not seen the peonies of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. If I could see them, I would have no regrets in this life..."

Mashang Zhongbajie said with regret that he had no regrets.

All he has left behind during the past decade or so in power are regrets.

Sometimes, Mashang Zhongbajie also wondered why the Tang Dynasty was so powerful.

His good friend and ally, Enlan Dazhalugong, visited Chang'an many times.

But he understood that Enlan Dazhalugong wanted to arrive in Chang'an as a victor.

He could imagine the despair that Enlan Dazhalugong felt when he committed suicide in the Baihai area.

When a dead person closes his eyes, his eyes reflect the mountains and rivers.

For the living, the grass and trees wither and the flowers fall.

The Tubo people became the Mountain and River people.

It can be considered as eternal existence.

Bon religion may also be able to be preserved.

It would no longer be possible for Trisong Detsen and the old aristocratic forces to invite the "Buddha" from India to the snowy plateau to control the slaves and the people.

"When you arrive in the Tang Dynasty, you will understand that there is no spring breeze in Chang'an, only autumn wind. It is more bleak than the biting cold wind on the snowy plateau. The ten years I spent in Chang'an were ten years of hell."

The enraged Chidai Zhudan roared at Maxiang Zhongbajie.

Trying to change his mind.

"Dazhalugun has already gone to hell. I am not qualified to be part of the present situation of Tibet. A faithful Bon believer who repents during his lifetime is worthy of death."

Maxiang Zhongbajie calmly replied to Chidai Zhudan.

"If you are so cruel, why don't you fight to the death? If you believed in Buddha, Tubo would not have fallen into this situation."

Chidai Zhudan was furious and said meaningfully.

Mashang Zhongbajie was a fanatical Bon believer. In order to promote Bon religion, he destroyed Kacha and Zhensang temples, used the Jokhang Temple as a slaughterhouse, blasphemed Buddhism, exiled monks, sent away the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, banned the holding of funeral ceremonies, and established a "small law" to declare it.

Under power, the old nobles' support for the Buddha statues invited by Trisong Detsen was completely untenable.

"I used to be a demon, but now I can save millions of Tibetans with just a thought. Even Buddha is no match for me!"

After saying the last words to Chidai Zhudan, Maxiang Zhongbajie turned and left.

He had a clear answer in his mind and no longer cared about the ruler, belt, and pearl.

The Tubo royal family will then decline and fall apart.

"Maxiang Zhongbajie..."

Seeing Mashang Zhongbajie leaving the hall, Chidai Zhudan shouted anxiously.

But Maxiang Zhongbajie was completely disheartened and ignored it.

"Nanang Zhongbajie!"

Chidai Zhudan called out the name that Maxiang Zhongbajie used to use.

But Maxiang Zhongbajie just stopped and continued to walk out of the hall...

As Maxiang Zhongbajie said, Tubo did not perish now. In the Battle of Baihai, when Tubo lost 100,000 troops and more than 30,000 troops attacking Xichuan were defeated, it meant that Tubo had perished.

At this moment, Tubo was in pieces, no longer like a country, just barely surviving!

……

Half a month later, even the old aristocratic forces realized that the Tang Dynasty had entered the snowy plateau and was advancing unimpeded towards the city of Lhasa.

"What did Maxiang Zhongbajie want to do? Why did he lead the Tang army straight in without resisting? What is his duty as a great minister? What is his faith?"

"The Tang army easily passed through the passes along the way. By the time they reached the city of Luoshui, it was too late to fight back. The treacherous Maxiang Zhongbajie destroyed Tubo in his hands."

"In order to deal with us, Maxiang Zhongbajie transferred all his troops to Luoshui City, so that the Tang army had no obstacles."

"What should we do? Should we wait for Maxiang Zhongbajie and the Tang army to be defeated?"

"No matter what, my tribe will temporarily hide from the Tang army on their way south, and wait for the outcome between Maxiang Zhongbajie and the Tang army."

……

The reactions of the old aristocratic forces varied. They all accused Mashang Zhongbajie and put all the blame on him.

It was because Mashang Zhongbajie imprisoned the old and young Zamps that this tragedy happened to Tubo.

Some Tibetan tribes felt that they were very unlucky and that the Tang army would definitely attack them when it passed by their tribes while marching south.

They had to leave their territories and abandon their lands.

The leaders of the old nobles sent messages and discussed, but they were defeated by Mashang Zhongbajie in their fight with him. They had no initiative and were at a loss for a while.

We can only wait and see how Mashang Zhongbajie will respond.

……

On the snowy plateau, the Tang army had traveled for two months and entered the core area of ​​Tubo.

Every day after they marched, Nan Jiyun and Duan Xiushi would send scouts back to Baihai City to establish contact with the city and inform the city of the date and month, where the army was heading, and whether there were any unusual circumstances.

Every seven days, Bai Hai's postman heading to Chang'an would report the battle situation summarized by Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi to Li Xuan.

During the long journey on the snowy plateau, the soldiers' faces were carved by the bitter cold and strong winds. Even with cotton gloves, socks and hats, they could not avoid frostbite in the cold wind.

Fortunately, Tibet was already in ruins, and the Tang army was always able to find pastures to feed horses, cattle, sheep, dromedaries and mules through the Tibetans who surrendered to the Tang Dynasty.

They could also find woods, where the soldiers would light fires to keep warm on cold nights, slaughter the cattle and sheep they carried, and drink the broth to gain warmth and energy.

The soldiers stepped on the roof of the world, as if they were in sync with the heartbeat of the earth. Despite the raging cold miasma, they had iron wills. They took one step at a time to fight for the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

That determined look, like a bright star penetrating the wind and snow on the plateau, was not shaken in the slightest by any difficulties or obstacles.

At this time, the Tang army soldiers already had a certain sense of mission.

"Report... Report to the governor, the capture officers ahead have captured several Tibetans. They claim that they came here on the orders of Maxiang Zhongbajie to pay a visit to the governor."

On a starry night, Fang had just set up camp and the scout reported to Nan Jiyun.

"Bring him up!"

Nan Jiyun responded to the scout and ordered his guards to call Duan Xueshi to his tent.

Duan Xueshi was a Confucian general who was good at strategy, had a methodical approach to marching and deploying troops, and was always cautious.

Although Nan Jiyun was appointed as the marshal to destroy Tubo, he would usually consult Duan Xueshi on matters of concern.

After a while, the envoy of Maxiang Zhongbajie was brought before Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi.

"When two armies are at war, envoys are not killed. Tell us your purpose!"

Nan Jiyun asked the messenger in a deep tone.

They came along with little resistance.

Nan Jiyun did not think there was anything wrong with it, because they knew everything about Tubo through the surrendered tribes and the spies hidden in the Tubo tribes.

Although Mashang Zhongbajie defeated the old aristocratic forces, the counterattack of the old aristocratic forces has not stopped.

More and more Tibetans are dissatisfied with Mashang Zhongbajie.

On the northern ice field, it was impossible for Mashang Zhongbajie to send troops to fight a field battle with their army of more than 80,000.

If Nan Jiyun faced the dilemma of Maxiang Zhongbajie, he would also withdraw his troops to the vicinity of Lhasa City.

"Meet the Marshal."

"I came here on the orders of the Great Council to ask for surrender to the Tang Dynasty. Since Princess Wencheng entered the Snowy Plateau, Tubo and the Tang Dynasty should have been close, but because of the Zamp and various causes and effects, the relationship between the two countries has entered the abyss."

"In the past hundred years of war, countless Han and Tibetan people have died in the chaos of war. On the banks of Qinghai, on Jiuqu, and in the Yellow River, blood has been flowing non-stop..."

"This is Tubo's fault. We shouldn't have challenged the majesty of the Tang Dynasty. We regret it deeply..."

The Tubo envoy did not speak in the tone of an envoy. He kept a low profile, bowed to Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi, and then stated the purpose of his request for a meeting directly.

He is Maxiang Zhongbajie's nephew and understands that it is difficult for his elders to make this decision.

But in his mind, this might be for the family!

Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi exchanged a glance, and Nan Jiyun responded: "The Tang Dynasty could not bear the chaos caused by Tubo, so it sent troops on a long expedition. Maxiang Zhongbajie should understand the purpose of the Tang Dynasty. Surrender is not just a request for peace."

In the past, Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi thought that Mashang Zhongbajie was just an opportunist.

During the years when the Supreme Lord was in confrontation with Tubo, it was always Molu Qiongsang Woermang, Mojiesang Dongzebu, Lunxi Jiazang, Shangjiexi and Shangyexi.

When is it Maxiang Zhongbajie's turn?

It was only after the Supreme One swept away all the Tibetan ministers that Mashang Zhongbajie came to prominence.

But the ten years that Mashang Zhongbajie ruled Tubo made them look at him with new eyes.

It was not luck that enabled this person to oust Mo Jie Sangdongzebu and take the throne.

The army was ready to attack Luoshui City, but Maxiang Zhongbajie's sudden surrender caught them off guard.

"Replying to the commander, we are naturally clear. We surrendered wholeheartedly this time. Tubo is willing to be a true vassal of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty can station troops in Lhasa..."

The Tibetan envoy replied with an uneasy look on his face.

In that case, Tubo would be no different from a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions.

Just like the Anxi Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty was located in Qiuci City, the royal capital of the Qiuci Kingdom.

"Throughout history, the use of military force has often meant risking one's life in the face of death. Why didn't Maxiang Zhongbajie have the courage to fight to the death when he dared to stage a coup to seize power?"

Duan Xueshi asked the Tubo envoy.

To be on the safe side, in case it was a conspiracy by Tubo, they deliberately let the Tang expeditionary force relax.

Tubo often fought with the Tang army, often using conspiracies and tricks.

"Because of angering the heavenly soldiers, we have lost all our popularity in the country. And the opposition of the old nobles has repeatedly opposed us. If our great debate ends, the ending will be tragic. So we chose to offer Tibet's mandate of heaven and divine artifacts, and let the Zamp become history."

The Tibetan envoy replied to Duan Xueshi.

To this day, the prestige of the Zamp has continued to decline.

After Maxiang Zhongbajie came to power, he kept downplaying the influence of the Zamp for the sake of his own power. He intentionally or unintentionally blamed the failures of the Battle of Jiuqu and the Battle of Dafeichuan on the head of the previous Zamp Chidai Zhudan.

Zamp, the strong man, is no longer strong.

What the people saw was a king who could not even protect his country and was captured himself.

Chidai Zhudan has worked hard for decades to develop national strength. However, he lost half a million men, almost all the athletes in the country. No matter how great the achievements are, they are not enough to offset these.

"From what I understand, there are still many old aristocratic forces in Tubo. How should we deal with them?"

Nan Jiyun believed the words of the Tibetan envoy for the time being.

Inquire about the existence of the old aristocratic forces.

Mashang Zhongbajie only defeated the old aristocratic forces, allowing them to barely maintain their dominance in Tubo, but he did not completely defeat the old aristocratic forces.

"Reporting to the commander, the old noble forces can't even stop the troops of the Dalun, how can they resist the attack of the Heavenly Army? Our Dalun is willing to work with the Tang army to annihilate those stubborn remnants."

The Tibetan envoy said to Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi.

The old aristocratic forces suffered repeated setbacks amid numerous contradictions.

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They were not a monolithic group, and the drastic changes led to frequent slave rebellions.

The Tibetan warriors were almost unable to suppress the serfs who worked the land for them.

"Maxiang Zhongbajie is so convinced of defeat, does he have any requests?"

Nan Jiyun asked this key question again.

"Dalun is a devout Bon believer. He only hopes that the heavenly army will not impose the sins of Bon religion and will not destroy Bon temples."

The Tibetan envoy informed Mashang Zhongbajie of his entrustment.

For the disheartened Maxiang Zhongbajie, Bonism is his only belief.

"Arrange for the messenger to rest. I need to discuss something with Governor Duan."

Nan Jiyun gave an order to his personal guards.

The Tibetan envoy bowed and retreated.

"Commander Duan, do you think Maxiang Zhongbajie is sincere or fake?"

In the tent, Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi sat opposite each other and asked.

"We will know whether it is true or not after a try. The Tibetans are now exhausted, and our army is advancing step by step. Even if Maxiang Zhongbajie pretends to surrender, we can annihilate him once and for all."

Duan Xueshi replied.

The Tang army was so aggressive, mobilizing resources from Longyou and the Hexi Corridor, and was coming with the intention of destroying the country.

They are determined to destroy Tubo and pacify the southwest forever.

"What's Governor Duan's plan?"

After hearing what Duan Xueshi said, Nan Jiyun realized that Duan Xueshi had a plan in mind, so he asked him for advice.

"The old Tibetan nobles have always wanted to overthrow Maxiang Zhongbajie, and after a long period of civil strife, the two sides have become enemies and will fight to the death."

"I suggest inviting Maxiang Zhongbajie to Chuza, south of the Luoshui River, where the two armies will face off. Seduce the old noble forces to occupy Luoshui City, or let them have the intention of reaping the benefits, and then we will surprise the old noble forces."

"And our main force will separate a part of the elite troops as special forces to supervise Maxiang Zhongbajie's army. If Maxiang Zhongbajie makes any unusual moves, he will be wiped out immediately."

Duan Xueshi told Nan Jiyun his plan.

"What a good plan! If Maxiang Zhongbajie does not leave Luoshui City and leads his troops to Chuza, it means he has something to hide. We will act according to the original plan. If Maxiang Zhongbajie's army reaches Chuza and the old noble forces are fooled, our army will kill two birds with one stone and eliminate the old noble forces as well."

Nan Jiyun applauded Duan Xueshi's strategy.

He already knew the map of Tubo very well.

Chuza is located more than 60 miles northeast of Luoshui City. It was built on the south bank of the Luoshui River and serves as a barrier to protect Luoshui.

It would be the perfect place for the confrontation.

Once the Tang Dynasty's scouts and spies develop the army of the old aristocratic forces, they can launch a rapid surprise attack.

After Nan Jiyun and Duan Xiushi revisited the plan, they unanimously agreed to change the tactics to this point.

As for what Mashang Zhongbajie mentioned about preserving Bon religion and not destroying Bon temples, Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi agreed without thinking.

They looked down on religion and believed that it was insignificant compared to the lives of the people of the Tang Dynasty.

At dawn the next day, Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi called the Tibetan envoy again and told him what they had discussed with Duan Xueshi.

"Since Tubo has surrendered, they are devoted to the Tang Dynasty. I will go back and report this to the Grand Councilor immediately. I believe the Grand Councilor will quickly transfer the troops from Luoshui City to the Chuza area to listen to the instructions of the army the day after tomorrow."

After understanding the situation, the Tibetan envoy replied to Nan Jiyun.

"Shan, I believe that Ma Xiang Da Lun's decision is wise and reasonable."

As the head coach, Nan Jiyun praised him and comforted him.

"The matter must be done in secrecy. I ask Ma Xiang Da Lun to conceal this matter from the army and not let the spies of the old nobles find out Ma Xiang Da Lun's true intentions."

When the Tubo envoy left, Duan Xueshi did not forget to remind him.

"I will obey the governor. I will report the governor's words to the great minister."

The Tibetan envoy bowed and left.

Nan Jiyun specially sent a few personal guards to protect the Tibetan envoys. He wore Tibetan clothes and returned to Lhasa City with the Tibetan envoys.

After learning about Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi's request, Maxiang Zhongbajie nodded.

He won't play any more tricks.

A few days later, Mashang Zhongbajie rewarded all the gold, silver, jewelry, precious objects, silk, etc. in Lhasa City and Hongshan Palace to the soldiers in Lhasa City.

And promised to give the warriors the best pastures and the most fertile fields for them to choose from.

Mashang Zhongbajie used reckless rewards to boost the morale of Tibetan soldiers and made them obey his orders completely.

So as to avoid failing at the critical moment.

After rewarding the three armies, Mashang Zhongbajie vowed to leave the city of Lhasa and threatened to fight a decisive battle with the Tang army to protect the Tibetan territory.

Maxiang Zhongbajie was eloquent and helped his subordinates overcome their fear of the Tang army.

Afterwards, Maxiang Zhongbajie led an army of 20,000 consisting of the imperial guards, warriors, slaves, and private soldiers, and marched towards Chuza.

Only one thousand soldiers were left to guard the city of Lhasa.

Chidai Zhudan and Trisong Detsen were still imprisoned in the Hongshan Palace.

All of Mashang Zhongbajie's actions kept the "unseen" Chidai Zhudan in the dark.

The old aristocratic forces soon learned that Mashang Zhongbajie was going to fight to the death with the Tang army.

The leaders of various tribes gathered together to discuss how to deal with emergencies.

It is impossible to unite with Maxiang Zhongbajie.

Mashang Zhongbajie's methods are too clever. After driving away the Tang army, he will definitely punish them more fiercely.

Some leaders wanted to wait until the Tang army defeated Mashang Zhongbajie, and then they would take advantage of the Tang army's fatigue to engage in a decisive battle with the Tang army.

The old aristocratic forces headed by Gui Gan believed that the probability of Maxiang Zhongbajie defeating the Tang army was very slim.

If they confront the Tang army head-on, they will not gain any benefit.

Guigan decided to take advantage of the fact that Mashang Zhongbajie was away and the city of Lhasa was empty, to capture the city and rescue the old and young Zamp.

And occupied the city of Lhasa to resist the Tang army.

In the name of the old and young Zamp, he won over the tribes south of the snowy plateau and the Himalayas to support Tubo in driving out the Tang army.

No one wants the Tang Dynasty to dominate the snowy plateau.

Once the Tang army occupies Luosi and stabilizes the situation, the old aristocratic forces will be wiped out with thunder.

On the snowy plateau, they will be defeated one by one if you are not careful.

Because everyone knows the resources of the snowy plateau.

Tribes that lose their pastures, farmland, and iron mines will be ruthlessly eliminated.

When the Tang army was fighting with Mashang Zhongbajie, it was the best time to capture Lhasa.

After making a plan, the old aristocratic forces fought hard here and there, dispatched 5,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry, and prepared to occupy the city of Lhasa in the most covert manner.

Little did they know that the Tang army spies had been looking for traces of the old aristocratic forces.

Once they appear on the route they must take, they will be detected by the Tang army.

In the Chuza area, the Tang army and the army of Mashang Zhongbajie confronted each other across the Lhasa River.

The Loksop River has frozen into ice.

The Tang army only had less than 30,000 soldiers and horses.

Maxiang Zhongbajie has 20,000 soldiers and horses, so it is normal that he does not dare to attack.

The two armies had a tacit understanding and were in a stalemate for several days.

In mid-November, scouts reported that an army of more than 10,000 cavalry and infantry had formed to the west of Lhasa City and was marching rapidly towards the city.

Nan Jiyun immediately ordered Deputy Governor Qu Huan to dispatch 30,000 cavalry from the main camp of Chu Za, 20 miles away, to raid the army of the old aristocratic forces with absolute strength.

The remaining 20,000 troops continued to stand by.

The troops led by Qu Huan had already made preparations, with 10,000 troops from the Governor's Office as the main force and 20,000 vassal troops as the auxiliary force.

Fifty miles west of Lhasa City, they intercepted the army of the old aristocratic forces.

This was a battle without any suspense. From morale to number of people, to weapon and combat effectiveness, there was an unbridgeable gap between the two sides.

What’s more, the Tang army appeared unexpectedly.

When the Tibetan soldiers saw the Tang army descending from the sky, they were terrified.

They were confused for a while.

Gui Gan and other old noble leaders knew that they might be plotted against and now had no way out, so they could only fight to the death.

They commanded their armies and tried to overcome adversity and turn defeat into victory.

Qu Huan ordered the Tuyuhun and Dangxiang armies to cut off the cavalry and infantry of the old Tibetan nobles.

Order the Bailang Qiang cavalry to attack the enemy's border formation.

The Tongjia cavalry prevented the old Tibetan aristocratic forces from escaping.

Qu Huan led the main force to encircle and annihilate the Tubo cavalry, preparing to encircle and annihilate the cavalry of the old Tubo nobles first.

As a general, Qu Huan led the troops to the front and fought with the Tibetan cavalry.

The cold wind blew from the west like a knife.

It was icy and snowy, and bows and crossbows could not be drawn.

Qu Huan was wearing black armor, riding a white horse, and leading thousands of cavalrymen, rushing like a raging wave in the silver-white world.

"Pfft!"

Wherever his spear pointed, an enemy would be stabbed off his horse, and blood would splatter on the ice field. Wherever the cold light flashed, the Tibetan cavalry would be defeated, and their wailing sounds would echo throughout the frozen world.

The armored men under his command glared angrily and shouted like thunder. They followed Qu Huan like a tiger into a flock of sheep, charging left and right with unparalleled bravery. Groups of Tibetan cavalry were scattered...

In just half an hour, the Tibetan cavalry became scattered and disorganized, and were bound to be defeated.

As soon as the Tibetan cavalry was defeated, Qu Huan ordered a thousand armored cavalry to attack the Tibetan infantry.

In just one hour, the Tibetan infantry scattered like birds and beasts, and corpses were scattered all over the ground.

Most of the old nobles, led by Gui Gan, died in the chaos.

Seeing that they could not escape, the Tibetan infantry and cavalry surrendered to the Tang army one after another.

This battle also became the last swan song of Tubo.

(End of this chapter)