The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 289 Guarding the Northern Frontier
"I intend to circulate these words so that the ministers in the court can read them from time to time and understand the meaning behind them."

Li Chengqian replied: "Father, I think we should at least not forget the spirit of hardship and simplicity."

"Hard work and plain living..." Li Shimin said with a smile, "You really understand it very well."

In fact, among the officials in power in the court today, Duke Zheng is a very realistic person. He is not an idealist.

Duke Zheng just kept slapping the cruel reality in the emperor's face so that the emperor could see the reality clearly.

It was in this way time and time again that my father's originally proud spirit was polished time and time again.

It is not without reason to say that the Tang Empire declined in this atmosphere of arrogance and extravagance. Without the spirit of hard work and plain living, there would not be much left.

Should I write a paper for my father on the correlation between dynasties and economic ups and downs?

Facts have proved time and again that the emperor may not read such long articles.

Moreover, since the materials are taken from the Han and Jin dynasties, the scope of research is not large enough.

It would be better to do as Duke Zheng did and point at the emperor and curse him directly.

After leaving Ganlu Palace, Li Chengqian was still thinking about his father's words.

In July of the 13th year of Zhenguan, Su Wan's pregnancy was already obvious. She was always a little worried about the fetus, but fortunately, she was surrounded by a group of sisters, which made her much more cheerful.

Li Chengqian looked at Su Wan who was surrounded by his sisters and whispered, "I'm sorry to trouble you to take care of me these days."

Ning Er bowed and said, "Your Highness, please don't say that. This is what I should do."

Seeing that the prince had finished his bowl of wontons, she said, "It is time for your highness to attend the morning court."

"It's okay, I'll go later."

Su Wan was sitting in front of the bedroom. She was talking to her sisters with a smile on her face. Bathed in the morning light, she looked very beautiful with a smile on her face.

After watching for a while, Li Chengqian went to attend the morning court.

There was a quarrel in the court today because of the things on the grassland. Although the Turkic Khan Ashina Jieshelu seemed powerful among his own Turkic tribe, facing the repeated plundering by the people of Mobei, this little Khan kept dodging and retreating.

Now is the season when the grassland is the most fertile and the best season for grazing. People in Mobei are competing for the best grassland for grazing.

The people of Mobei went south again and again to seize pastures, and the Turks could only retreat south again and again. This time they retreated to the southern foot of the Yin Mountains, and further down was the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

After Jie Li was defeated, the Turks never recovered. The only capable fighter, Ashina She'er, went to fight in Tianshan Mountains. There was no Qibi Heli to command the army. Tuli Khan, who had succeeded Jie Li, died early, and now Ashina Jieshelu was a Khan who did not live up to his title.

Cheng Yaojin said: "Your Majesty, the people of Mobei are rampant! I am willing to rush to Mobei and destroy them!"

Cen Wenben stood out from the court and said loudly: "Your Majesty, there is a great battle going on in Tianshan, and the supply of food and grass is still tight. Now is not the time to send troops to intimidate Mobei."

Cheng Yaojin said loudly: "Are we just going to sit there and watch? Once the people from Mobei cross the Yinshan Mountains, we will be in trouble!"

The argument started again in class.

Li Chengqian looked up and saw his father sitting on the throne, stroking his forehead in silence.

Zhenzhu Khan of Mobei was very good at choosing opportunities. He took advantage of the fact that the Tang people were fighting in Tianshan and they certainly had no intention of paying attention to Yinshan at this time.

Li Ji stood out from the court and said loudly: "I will fight!"

After a long debate, Fang Xuanling stepped out of the court and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I recommend someone to take charge of Yinshan affairs."

The court suddenly became quiet again.

Li Shimin asked: "Who?"

"Ashina Simo."

Everyone present almost forgot about this person, but the generals in the court still remembered that it was the fourth year of Zhenguan when Li Jing led his troops to attack Jie Li, and Ashina Simo was captured and brought to Chang'an at the same time as Jie Li.

When Jie Li passed away, Ashina Simo was still living in Chang'an. Your Majesty, considering his loyalty to Jie Li and his character, gave him the position of general. Now he is leading the army to guard the horses.

Cheng Yaojin slapped his forehead and stood back in his seat. He had also forgotten about the existence of Ashina Simo.

Ashina Simo was Jie Li's right-hand man at that time, and he had a good reputation among the Turks.

Cen Wenben said in a loud voice: "I second your opinion. Ashina Simo was quite prestigious in the Turkic people. It would be great if he could return to Yinshan to stabilize the situation."

Li Shimin saw that everyone in the court had no objection, so he stood up and said, "Crown Prince, Prime Minister Fang, Duke Zheng came to Ganlu Hall to discuss matters, summon Ashina Simo."

All the ministers bowed in greeting.

After the court session, Li Chengqian followed his teacher, thinking about the current situation in the north and south of the desert.

It seems that the teacher and Duke Zheng are still worried that Ashina Simo has returned to the Turks, which is like letting a tiger return to the mountains.

Walking all the way to Ganlu Palace, Li Chengqian sat down next to his father, with his hands in his pockets, listening to Prime Minister Fang and his father analyzing the situation.

Soon, a voice came from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, the people have arrived."

"Enter the hall." Li Shimin said without hesitation.

The one who walked into the hall was a middle-aged man with gray hair on his temples, wearing Tang army armor. He walked into the hall with his head lowered, saluted respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty!"

"No need to be polite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing Fang Xiang coming towards him, Ashina Simo lowered his salute even more.

Fang Xiang whispered: "The expedition against the Turks was caused by Jie Li. Besides, Jie Li and Your Majesty had already made peace with each other."

"I thank your majesty for giving the Khan dignity and allowing him to receive enough respect. I shed tears."

This Ashina Simo does not look like a Turk, but more like a genuine Tang general.

Li Shimin said in a loud voice: "The grudges of the past have been settled. Unfortunately, Jie Li has passed away. If he were still alive, the people of Mobei should not be so arrogant. Now the people of Mobei are heading south, and the court is fighting in Tianshan. I am concerned that the Turkic herdsmen are innocent, and Qibi Heli and Ashina She'er are fighting for me. How can I watch the Turkic people suffer such a disaster!"

Ashina Simo bowed his head and waited for His Majesty's order.

Li Shimin raised his hand and said, "Simo, Jieshelu is a useless person. Are you willing to return to Yinshan and take charge of the overall situation of the Turks?"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to return to Yinshan and guard the northern barrier for the Tang Dynasty for generations."

"Okay!" Li Shimin responded readily, and then said firmly: "When everything is sorted out, you and I will join forces to pacify and wipe out Mobei. I will keep my word."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Chengqian suddenly felt a little uncomfortable and frowned slightly.

The atmosphere in the hall also improved a lot. Fang Xiang said with a smile: "This is very good. Don't worry, the people of Mobei will definitely suffer the consequences of their own actions."

Li Shimin personally escorted Ashina Simo out of Ganlu Palace, and repeatedly gave him instructions.

Three days later, on the day when Ashina Simo was leaving for the war, Tian Khan personally saw off the Turkic general, appointed Ashina Simo as Khan, and restored the old country.

The emperor also mentioned that the tombs of Ashina Simo's parents are still north of the Yellow River. The Turks are the branches of the Tang Dynasty, and the flourishing branches and leaves are something that the Heavenly Khan is proud of.

After that, they drank to say goodbye.

Li Chengqian had been standing aside, watching his father's tactics.

Ashina Simo shed tears and said loudly: "I was a defeated general. I should have died by the sword and been buried in the ground." Li Chengqian was quite touched when he heard it. He should have been the fattest man in the ground back then.

Ashina Simo added: "Fortunately, your majesty has saved us. Before Jie Li Khan passed away, he told me to obey the orders of the Heavenly Khan. Now your majesty has appointed me as Khan. I am willing to serve your majesty forever for thousands of years!"

Li Shimin's eyes were filled with an approving smile, as if he was looking at a younger brother who had finally grown up. He patted Ashina Simo's back heavily and said, "When the court is free, we will work together to pacify Mobei."

"I am willing to guard the northern border for your majesty and await your orders!"

Ashina Simo immediately bowed deeply.

The emperor gave Ashina Simo 10,000 soldiers and horses and set out from Chang'an to Yinshan.

At the same time, he also brought several imperial edicts, appointing Ashina Zhong and Ashina Nisu on the grassland to assist Ashina Simo.

The old forces that followed Jie Li in the past once again went to the Turks, as if to tell the people in the northern desert that the elite of the Turks were still there, and they wanted to revitalize the Turks and guard the northern border for the Heavenly Khan.

The emperor's promise was effective, and he ordered Hejian Prince Li Xiaogong and Honglu Temple Minister Liu Shan to take the imperial edict to the Turks and recite it.

"The Turks are about to regain their strength."

Suddenly he heard a murmur, and Li Chengqian turned around and saw Du Zhenglun.

Du Zhenglun was a little surprised, as if he had just realized that he was standing behind His Highness, and he saluted hastily, "Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Li Chengqian retracted his gaze, put his hands in his pockets and watched the soldiers leave, saying, "I don't like people talking behind my back."

Du Zhenglun said: "I'm used to it."

"Are you like this when you are with Father?"

"I am not usually like this."

After seeing the crowd disperse and witnessing his father's skill, Li Chengqian also walked back to the East Palace with his hands in his pockets. Seeing Du Zhenglun still following him, he said impatiently: "Sometimes I really want to throw you to the Western Regions to dig a karez."

Du Zhenglun smiled and said, "I am not good at digging wells."

"Picking cotton, that's it."

"Your Highness, there is no need to be so wary of me. I have no ill will towards you."

"How can I know if you have been secretly investigating all the people related to me and are going to write these things into a book and hand it over to my father?"

"Your Highness has misunderstood me."

Li Chengqian stopped and raised his head slightly.

Du Zhenglun also stopped immediately.

"Minister Du, if it's not necessary... you never appear in front of others."

"I have found out that Cui Renshi was the one who killed Lu Yuan. After hearing about the incident in Luoyang, Cui Renshi went to Qinghe County and may have been lobbying the local nobles. In addition to Qinghe, other nobles in various places have also had a lot of words with the court. Therefore, more people should have participated in the imperial examination this year."

"But this year there are only 3,000 people. This is the result of their lobbying of local nobles, and it is still going on."

"You spent a year researching and this is all you found?"

Du Zhenglun continued to walk behind His Highness and whispered, "If Your Highness wants me to investigate something, I can do it when I am busy."

"Do you know what undercover is?"

"do not know."

"I'll tell you."

After listening to the prince's words, Du Zhenglun suddenly realized, "It's just a spy, Your Highness, just tell me directly."

"Can you do this, too?"

"It can't be done."

"Why?"

Du Zhenglun explained: "I have always acted uprightly and honestly, and I am not good at this."

"Ha ha……"

"It made His Highness laugh."

Li Chengqian added: "I really want to beat you up now."

Du Zhenglun bowed tactfully and said, "I will take my leave."

Seeing that he really left, Li Chengqian walked into Chengtian Gate with many officials, hoping that Du Zhenglun could do more important things in the court, but he only worked for his father.

For someone who works hard for the country, there should be no difference between being loyal to the prince and being loyal to the emperor.

This year, the Tang army in Tianshan may not be able to go home for Mid-Autumn Festival.

This is the battlefield at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Teams of Tang troops marching through the Tianshan pastures are like tigers looking around for prey to hunt.

Xue Rengui led a cavalry of 200 men and broke into an enemy camp. He drew his bow and drew his arrow. Every time an arrow was fired, the metal tip pierced the air with a whistling sound. Every time an arrow was fired, an enemy fell to the ground.

Last night, Zhang Shigui issued a military order, dividing the 100,000-strong army into six routes and launching an attack towards the Yili River.

There is no shortage of horses at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. If a horse can no longer run, you can replace it with a war horse.

The Uighurs rode on horseback, shouting and killing enemies outside the Tang army.

A Western Turkic cavalryman who had managed to escape crawled out from a pile of corpses and fled far away in the cold night, but the bright moonlight illuminated his figure and the sound of arrows whistling came from behind him.

He was so cold that his legs were trembling and he could not move for a moment. The arrow pierced his waist and abdomen and he fell to the ground.

Tonight, a massacre is taking place in the Tianshan Mountains. Under the bright moon, fine snow is floating on the Tianshan Mountains. Pei Xingjian and Liang Jianfang have also joined the battlefield and launched another attack towards the Ili River in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains.

The Tang army's offensive was like waves of torrents, and the Western Turkic cavalry, exhausted from dealing with them, felt like there were endless enemies to fight.

This was exactly the attack plan arranged by Zhang Shigui, a general of the Tang army and commander-in-chief of Qiu Xingdao's army. The terrain of the Tianshan Mountains is complex, but it is also simple.

Su Dingfang, Qibi Heli, Ashina She'er, Pei Xingjian, Xue Rengui, and Liu Renyuan, a total of six armies, surrounded the northern and western sides of the Tianshan Mountains and began to encircle and suppress the enemy, trying their best to avoid the expansion of mobile warfare. The eastern section of the Ili River Valley was the final battlefield between the Tang army and Yugu.

On the battlefield covering an area of ​​150,000 square kilometers, the Tang army was like a big net, being spread towards the Ili River. Like rows of chess pieces advancing and retreating in a measured manner, the vast army seemed to be able to swallow everything.

Pei Xingjian met Wang Wendu again and asked, "Aren't you in Songzhou?"

Wang Wendu exhaled a breath of hot air and said, "We have already reached Tianshan Mountain, but Brother Pei has been staying in the south of Tianshan Mountain."

As he was speaking, several more teams passed by and attacked the enemies in the distance.

Xue Rengui was leading the team at the front. He drew his bow and aimed an arrow at a tribal chief who was giving orders in the distance. He shot an arrow and the other man fell off his horse.

The sudden fall of a tribal chief caused the team to panic a little, but before they could come to their senses, Ashina She'er had already arrived with his men, wielding long swords, blood splattered, and the hot blood covered their faces, which even lifted Ashina She'er's spirits.

Only three or five of the Western Turkic cavalry escaped far away, but they soon fell to the ground under the attack of another Tang army team.

There were also places that had been attacked by the Tang army. Many Western Turks who were lying on the ground pretending to be dead stood up hastily and fled further west, but were killed again by the Tang army that attacked from behind.

(End of this chapter)