The Great Tang General

Moheda Gan was worried that the ambitious Yidijian would gather his cronies and establish himself as the Great Khan after the Great Khan's death. So he sent a letter to Yidijian, informing him of the Great Khan's last words and asking him to curb his ambitions.

If you are not in the right position on the grassland, you will often suffer backlash.

For example, after the Later Turkic Khan Bilge was poisoned, six great khans were replaced in just ten years, causing the Later Turkic Khaganate to fall apart.

Mohedagan didn't want to see that happen.

After Moyanchuo's death, Mohedagan followed his will and sent envoys to Chang'an to invite Prince Yehu to return to Shanyu City to inherit the throne of Great Khan.

He will keep an eye on Prince Yehu's route after he enters the grassland.

Once Prince Yehu went deep into the grassland, he would send his cavalry general to kill Prince Yehu and put the blame on some small nomadic tribes that were hostile to the Uighurs.

This is to explain to the Tang Dynasty.

And he was appointed as the successor of the Great Khan.

Two days after Mo Yanchuo's death, the Uighur army escorted his body away from the Sayan Mountains.

There was no time to consolidate the victory in Sayan Mountains.

……

Chang'an, the autumn weather is clear and refreshing.

Prince Yehu had been waiting for Li Xuan to invite him to go autumn hunting, but he had not gotten a specific time.

He couldn't ask Li Xuan directly, but thought that the Khan was busy with many things and would decide when the autumn hunt would be held when he had some free time.

On weekdays, Prince Yehu wandered around Chang'an City.

Sometimes you can see it at night markets.

The people of the Tang Dynasty were extremely hardworking. When the wheat was ripe outside the city of Chang'an, the golden waves of wheat rose and fell like waves, and the harvesters came and went, with carts of wheat on the road all the time. He still remembers the spectacular scene.

Chicken, duck, goose, sheep and pig were the main meats in the Tang Dynasty.

A variety of pasta and seasonal vegetables of different flavors.

All kinds of fruits, sweet or sour, are priceless in Shanyu City.

There are also a wide variety of entertainment games and unexpected daily necessities.

If we only talk about the quality of life, the princes and nobles of the Tang Dynasty are more fulfilled than the Khan on the grassland.

This is also the reason why some small kings were willing to give up their power in the country and stay in Chang'an.

On this day, the news of the death of the Uighur Khan Moyanchuo reached Chang'an before the Uighur envoy.

Li Xuan sent someone to inform Prince Yehu of the unfortunate news.

Upon hearing the sad news, Prince Yehu burst into tears.

Although Mo Yanchuo gradually distanced himself from him and became disgusted with him, he had many good memories of becoming the crown prince.

As the Crown Prince of Yehu, he should go back to inherit the throne, but Crown Prince Yehu was worried about unexpected changes.

As Mo Yanchu became more and more fond of Yidijian, many nobles and officials began to get closer to Yidijian.

Yidijian's power in Huihe was enormous, especially in the past three years, when Crown Prince Yehu had been traveling to and from the Tang Dynasty.

Many of the tribes around Yu Dujun Mountain, with Shanyu City as its center, nobles of various surnames, and affiliated tribes are related to Yidijian.

And how could he not know the rumor that Mo Yanchuo wanted to "depose the eldest and establish the youngest"?

Perhaps Mo Yanchu had changed his successor before his death.

Even so, Prince Yehu still had to go back as soon as possible.

The Great Khan is the master of the grassland and he cannot give up his power easily.

So he asked to see Li Xuan and prepared to return to Shanyu City.

Li Xuan summoned Prince Yehu to Ganlu Palace.

"Yingwu Khan was a promising leader of the grasslands, but unfortunately he died young. It is a pity. He and I were old friends. We once rode together to destroy the Turks. I am very sorry for his death!"

"I had originally thought that after the Double Ninth Festival, I would go hunting with Yehu in Xianyang Plain to witness Yehu's superb archery skills. Now that Yingwu Khan has passed away, I am willing to give up this year's hunting to express my condolences. Yehu also mourns!"

After Prince Yehu paid his respects to Li Xuan, Li Xuan comforted him.

As fate would have it, Moyanchu died at a time when the Huihe people were at their most chaotic.

All in all, the Uighurs were only a khanate that had only existed for a dozen years.

They successively conquered the original Turkic tribes, the Nine-Surname Tiele, and merged with a part of the Karluk people, the Northern Hu and other tribes.

The Huihe people fought wars in the south and the north, and there were many conflicts within the country.

What’s more, there is the huge Tang Dynasty.

The Uighurs will surely fall into turmoil for a period of time.

"I am here to ask for permission from the Khan to return to the country and take charge of the overall situation."

Prince Yehu bowed to Li Xuan again.

"Your envoys will arrive in Chang'an soon if they gallop. I will also send envoys to pay tribute to Yingwu Khan. In a few days, Yehu can return to Shanyu City with the Tang envoys."

"Yingwu Khan has passed away. Yehu is the successor of the Great Khan and should follow the succession. I enthrone you as Jingwen Khan. I hope you can pacify the grassland and improve the culture of the grassland. The two countries will always be friends."

Li Xuan gave instructions to Crown Prince Yehu and personally appointed him to the title of Khan.

"Thank God Khan..."

Prince Yehu hurriedly thanked him.

It won't affect anything if we wait until the envoy from the Uighurs arrives before leaving.

With the enthronement of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he was the legitimate Khan of the grassland and there was no need to worry about Yidi Jian seizing his throne.

After discussing with Prince Yehu for a while, Li Xuan ordered him to leave.

The next day, Liao Zhengrong asked to see Li Xuan.

"What's the situation in Huihe now?"

Li Xuan asked Liao Zhengrong.

Liao Zhengrong’s arrival now means there is new news.

He was waiting for Yidi Jiandeng to take the throne of Khan.

At that time, no matter what the reason, Li Xuan would claim that Yi Dijian usurped power and was committing treason.

After all, Prince Yehu is the nominal heir.

Li Xuan believed that Yidijian would not give up power easily. Even if it would offend the Tang Dynasty, he would fight for the position of Great Khan which was within his reach.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Jinlongsi Jinyiwei in the Shuofang and Hexi areas, together with the internal intelligence, have learned that Crown Prince Moyanchu Xuanyehu has returned to Shanyu City to inherit the position of Great Khan."

Liao Zhengrong replied to Li Xuan.

The two main divisions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were the Golden Dragon Division and the Luanfeng Division.

Among them, the Luanfengsi is responsible for the core area of ​​​​the Central Plains.

The Jinlong Division was responsible for the Jinyiwei in the border areas. These Jinyiwei were very skilled and often disguised themselves as merchants, entered the Huihe tribe, contacted some small Huihe tribes and bribed them.

Now the Embroidered Uniform Guards have learned that before Mo Yanchu died in Sayan Mountains, he recalled Crown Prince Yehu to succeed the throne.

When Mo Yanchu died, he was surrounded by only a dozen trusted generals and ministers.

These people of the Tang Dynasty were infiltrated and did not know Mo Yanchu's last words.

"All the Huihe tribes know that Moyanchuo likes Yidijian and dislikes Crown Prince Yehu. Crown Prince Yehu has been in the Tang Dynasty for more than half a year, so Moyanchuo must be suspicious. Now that Yidijian is powerful, what is Moyanchuo thinking by passing the throne to Crown Prince Yehu? Isn't he afraid that Yidijian will seize power after his death?"

Li Xuan was caught off guard by the news from Liao Zhengrong.

It didn't go as he expected.

Historically, Yidijian inherited the throne of Great Khan.

This is a generation of ruthless people.

The hostility between the Tang Dynasty and the Uighurs began with Yi Dijian.

If Prince Yehu returned to Shanyu City and succeeded to the throne as the Great Khan, Li Xuan's plan to conquer the Uighurs would fail.

When the Tang Dynasty used military force, it always insisted on having a legitimate reason.

Especially after the Hundred Nations Gathering.

All countries in the world regard the Tang Dynasty as their suzerain state and hope that the Tang Dynasty will uphold justice.

Before the grand gathering of a hundred nations, the Tang Dynasty conquered Tubo, Bohai, Heishui Mohe, etc., all of which were justified.

Li Xuan knew very well that if he did not integrate the grassland and set up a protectorate during his reign.

It may threaten the Central Plains in the future.

Often within a few decades, a nomadic dynasty would be born.

"Your Majesty, perhaps Mo Yanchuo feels that you have a special relationship with Ye Hu and dares not disobey you." Liao Zhengrong replied to Li Xuan.

"Mo Yanchu has a strong character. He won't accept this."

Li Xuan shook his head.

In history, in order to support Yidijian to succeed to the throne, Mo Yanchuo directly executed Crown Prince Yehu.

This shows that in Moyanchuo's heart, Yidijian is more qualified for the position of Great Khan in all aspects.

When a king begins to doubt his son, he will feel that his son is useless.

The Tang Dynasty has been sucking the blood of the Uighurs, making the Tang Dynasty stronger and stronger.

The current Uighur Khanate is far inferior to the Uighur Khanate in history.

"Zhengrong, the Huihe have always refused to obey the king and are waiting for the decline of the Tang Dynasty. I don't want Crown Prince Yehu to return to Shanyu City. Given the current situation, how should we implement the plan?"

Li Xuan said to Liao Zhengrong.

"Perhaps the Supreme should wait and see whether Yi Di Jian seizes power first?"

"Prince Yehu is far away in Chang'an, and the Great Khan is dead. This is a good opportunity for Yidijian to usurp the throne. I heard that Yidijian is very ambitious and has tried to win over many tribes in the past few years. Even Moyanchuo's close associates are friends with Yidijian."

"Combining all these factors, if Yi Dijian does not seize power, it will appear that there is something fishy going on."

Liao Zhengrong expressed his opinion.

"Mo Yanchu is dead. He insisted on going back. I couldn't stop him for a few days."

Li Xuan said to Liao Zhengrong.

Prince Yehu was paying homage in Chang'an, not as a hostage.

He thought that what Mo Yanchuo said made sense and that he could wait for Yi Dijian to rebel before taking action.

"If Yidijian takes action, he must do so quickly. He must seize the throne before Crown Prince Yehu returns. Your Majesty does not need to deliberately stop Crown Prince Yehu from returning to Shanyu City."

Liao Zhengrong replied to Li Xuan.

"Zhengrong, is it possible that Crown Prince Yehu was killed on his way back to Shanyu City, and the nobles then supported Yidijian as the Great Khan?"

After pondering for a while, Li Xuan told Liao Zhengrong this possibility.

If Prince Yehu was killed on the way, a small tribe could be picked as a scapegoat.

It is not easy for the Tang Dynasty to hold them accountable.

This is an internal matter of the Uighurs.

"Your Majesty, what you said makes sense. I will do my best to have the Jinlongsi Jinyiwei in Hexi and Shuofang investigate the news from the Huihe."

Liao Zhengrong agrees with Li Xuan.

He would seriously consider and implement whatever Li Xuan said.

"It takes too long and the news is delayed."

Li Xuan felt that if the news was delayed, it would be difficult to grasp and he would miss the opportunity.

"Your Majesty can first summon Yidijian to Chang'an. I will let the Golden Dragon Division spread the word that Crown Prince Yehu is deeply favored by Your Majesty and it was Crown Prince Yehu who slandered and planned to murder Yidijian, so as to force Yidijian to rebel."

Liao Zhengrong is no longer the chivalrous warrior he once was.

After the nine ranks and eighteen levels were promulgated, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be a first-rank official.

He was given the title of Duke, and enjoyed the emperor's salary and shared his worries.

From a knight to a countryman, you can use some sinister means for the benefit of the country.

"can!"

"After listening to Zheng Rong's words, I now understand how to keep Crown Prince Yehu."

Li Xuan agreed with Liao Zhengrong's strategy.

No matter what decision Mo Yanchu made before his death, summoning Di Jian to Chang'an seemed to be the best solution.

As long as Yi Dijian becomes suspicious, he will never go to Chang'an.

Instead, he decided to seize power because Prince Yehu was harming him.

……

After Liao Zhengrong left, Li Xuan summoned Prince Yehu who was waiting to return.

"Meet the Supreme One!"

"No need to be polite! I just got some bad news and I must inform Ye Hu."

Li Xuan signaled Prince Yehu to excuse himself from the formalities and went straight to the point: "The Huihe tribe sent a message to the Feng'an Army under the command of Lingwu Governor, saying that Yidijian wanted to send cavalry to kill Yehu."

He was not sure whether this guess was true or not, he just didn't want Prince Yehu to leave.

"What…how dare he?"

Prince Yehu was horrified.

Although he had a bad relationship with Yidijian, he was the Great Khan appointed by Tian Khan himself.

"When Yingwu Khan left Shanyu City and went on a personal expedition to Sayan Mountains, he entrusted important military and political affairs to Yidijian. He won over the nobles and various clans, and it seems that he was unwilling to give up power."

"Power is like a golden knife, like poison. Whether it is the Central Plains or the grasslands, history will continue to repeat itself. It is my fault that I should not have allowed Ye Hu to go on the autumn hunt, which put Ye Hu in a passive position."

Li Xuan slapped his thigh and said this, looking regretful, as if he had let down Prince Yehu.

"The Khan cannot say that. When he was in Chanyu City, Yidijian did not respect his elder brother and wanted to compete with me for the position of Crown Prince. After hearing the news of the Khan's death, I have always been worried about Yidijian. Now that my worries have become reality, I just can't believe it."

"I thank the Supreme for reminding me and saving my life."

Prince Yehu bowed to Li Xuan.

Because of his own experience, he believed what Li Xuan said.

He also has confidants, but they are all in Shanyu City. Now he has only a few dozen guards around him. Going back would be courting death.

"Has Ye Hu made any decision?"

Li Xuan helped Prince Yehu up and asked him.

"Huitian Khan, I am stupid and don't know what to do."

Prince Yehu shook his head, he was now completely confused.

Without Yidi Jian's might, even if he goes back, he may not be able to defeat Yidi Jian.

He looked at Li Xuan in front of him, suddenly bowed to Li Xuan again, and hugged Li Xuan's thigh: "Please ask the Khan to do justice for me."

"If there is an external invasion of Huihe, I can send troops to help. But this is your internal struggle. Besides, I have just ascended the throne and the country has just stabilized..."

"In this way, I will send an imperial edict to Yidijian to Chang'an, so that Yidijian's forces will be leaderless. Then I will escort Yehu back to Shanyu City to succeed to the throne."

Li Xuan seemed to be about to reject Prince Yehu, but then he changed his tone and expressed his willingness to lend him a helping hand.

The implication is that if Yidijian disobeys orders and does not come, the Tang Dynasty is unlikely to send troops.

"I thank the Khan of Heaven. If I return safely to the city of Chanyu, I will offer a great gift to the Khan of Heaven."

Prince Yehu was extremely excited.

He knew that the Uighurs were nominally a vassal of the Tang Dynasty.

Compared with other subordinate states, the Tang Dynasty was not qualified to command or mobilize the Uighur troops.

In this case, the Tang Dynasty had no obligation to help Prince Yehu quell the civil strife.

The fact that Tian Khan ordered Yidijian to join the Tang Dynasty was the greatest help to Prince Yehu.

Prince Yehu no longer thought about returning to his country.

Ten days later, the Uighur envoy rode quickly into the Tang Dynasty and delivered the letter to Prince Yehu.

The letter contained Moyanchuo's last will and testament, ordering Crown Prince Yehu to return to Shanyu City as soon as possible to succeed to the throne.

There have been countless examples of brothers killing each other since ancient times. Prince Yehu had already determined that Yidijian wanted to harm him, and he turned a deaf ear to the letter.

In winter, Li Xuan's edict reached Shanyu City.

Along with this came the news that Crown Prince Yehu would not return to Huihe for the time being.

Under the manipulation of Jinlongsi of Jinyiwei, the words of Prince Yehu advising Li Xuan to summon Yidijian to Chang'an reached Yidijian's ears.

"If I go to Chang'an, my life will be in danger..."

Inside Shanyu City, Yidijian, dressed in gorgeous sable fur, had a look of surprise on his face.

He called his cousin Mohedagan to the palace to seek a solution...

(End of this chapter)