My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 454 Conquest of Tibet
Princess Wencheng pointed to a box of "Chang'an Crispy Candy" on the table.

This was sent by the Crown Prince last month, packaged in a Tang-style brocade box. The Tibetans have always been curious about Central Plains pastries, but they never examine them closely.

She folded the secret letter into thin strips and stuffed them into the bottom layer of the brocade box, then covered it with sugar candy: "Have the old soldier disguise himself as a servant delivering snacks to the Tang army post station on the border, saying, 'The princess appreciates the hard work of the soldiers guarding the border and is sending some delicacies from Chang'an.' The post station captain is one of my old subordinates who followed me into Tibet. He will know the purpose of the letter when he sees the brocade box."

She paused, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes: "Back then, His Majesty sent me to Tibet, hoping for a lasting peace between the Tang and Tibet. Now that His Highness the Crown Prince is protecting me, all I can do is prevent this peace from being shattered by the ambitions of wolves."

She handed the brocade box to Li Cheng and gently pressed it: "Tell His Highness the Crown Prince that although the Tibetan nobles have made some unusual moves, the Zanpu (Tibetan king) is still hesitant. Although the Arab envoy left with documents, the alliance has not been formally signed, so there is still room for maneuver. Tell him to take precautions as soon as possible."

Li Cheng accepted the brocade box and bowed solemnly: "Princess, rest assured, I will deliver this letter to the Eastern Palace even at the cost of my life!"

The night deepened, and the wind and snow swirled the flickering lamplight in the corridor. Princess Wencheng stood by the window, watching three riders in black quietly emerge from the side gate, their hooves crunching through the snow before disappearing into the vast darkness.

She stroked the image of Vermilion Bird Street on the screen and murmured to herself, "Your Highness, the winds of change are blowing in the Snow Region. You must be on your guard..."

The patrols outside the mansion continued, the soft clanging of their armor particularly clear in the snowy night.

These thousand guards from Chang'an were not only a favor from the Crown Prince, but also the strongest bond between her and the Tang Dynasty.

At this moment, this bond is carrying her sincere heart, breaking through the cold winter of the snowy region, and speeding towards Chang'an, three thousand miles away.

The butter lamps inside the red walls are still lit, like a lonely star hanging in the snowy region, guarding the last warmth between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet, and also guarding a patriotic sentiment that has never faded.
-
On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month of the 24th year of the Zhenguan era, three days of auspicious snow had fallen in Chang'an. Thick snow had accumulated under the eaves of the study in the Eastern Palace, and the subtle fragrance of winter plum blossoms mixed with sandalwood wafted into the window.

Li Chengqian unfolded the secret letter in his hand. The edges of the letter were slightly damp from being delivered in the snowy night, but Princess Wencheng's elegant handwriting revealed her urgency: "Tibet and the Arabs are secretly negotiating the exchange of military equipment. The alliance is pending signing, but the Zanpu (Tibetan king) is still hesitant. I hope Your Highness will take precautions as soon as possible..."

He handed the secret letter to the eunuch Wenzhong who was standing by: "Go and invite Minister Changsun, Minister Wei, Chancellor Fang, Du He, and Zhao Jie to the study to discuss matters. Tell them that there is an urgent report from the Western Regions."

In less than half an hour, the five ministers arrived, their bodies still carrying the chill of the snow.

As soon as Fang Xuanling sat down, he couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, the end of the year is approaching. Could there be some unusual activity in the Western Regions?"

Li Chengqian read the secret letter and said in a deep voice: "The news from Princess Wencheng in Lhasa is that an Arab envoy has arrived in Tibet with a treaty to discuss jointly controlling the Tang Dynasty. Although the Tibetan king has not signed the treaty, he has already accepted Arab warhorses and ironware, and the patrols at the Bolu fortress are becoming more and more frequent."

After reading the secret letter, Fang Xuanling's white beard trembled slightly: "The Arabs were already powerful after destroying Persia. If they were to form an alliance with Tibet and attack Anxi from the south and north, the trade routes and cultural foundations of our Great Tang in the Western Regions would be shaken. When Emperor Wu of Han conquered the Western Regions, he was most wary of the Xiongnu uniting with the Western Regions states. How similar the situation is now!"

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard, his gaze falling on the Central Asian region on the map: "What Prime Minister Fang said is quite right, but the alliance between Tibet and Arabia is bound by interests and may not be very strong. Tibet fears the expansion of the Tang Dynasty, and Arabia needs Tibet to restrain Anxi. However, one of them believes in the Snow Mountain God, and the other believes in Allah; one values ​​pastures, and the other values ​​trade routes. Their fundamental interests are different, and this is our breakthrough point."

"In my opinion, we should send a secret envoy to Lhasa to offer Tibet more preferential trade routes in order to undermine its alliance with the Arabs."

Fang Xuanling nodded in agreement, his white beard glistening with snow: "What Minister Changsun says is absolutely right. We can reduce the customs duty on Tibetan wool by 30%, and send them some newly made looms from Chang'an, so they can taste the sweetness of trade. The Arabs are far away in the Western Regions; all they can offer are some ironware, which cannot compare to the precious silk and tea of ​​our Great Tang."

Wei Zheng shook his head, his voice as sharp as a sword: "Pacification is not enough! We should reinforce Anxi with troops and let Guo Xiaoke show off his military might on the Bolu border, with cannons firing every three days, so that the Tibetans can see the might of the Tang Dynasty's army! At the same time, we should send envoys to question the Zanpu about 'why he is secretly colluding with the Arabs.' Only by using both kindness and force can we stabilize the situation."

Unable to contain himself, Du He stepped forward and said, "Lord Wei is right! I am willing to lead 5,000 troops to aid Anxi. As long as the Tibetans dare to make a move, we will make them taste the power of firearms!"

Zhao Jieze worried about logistics: "Gentlemen, war consumes provisions. The Western Regions are bitterly cold, and transporting provisions is difficult. If we only rely on intimidation, we should consider a longer-term plan..."

The ministers each held their own opinions, some advocating peace, others power, some discussing the economy, others logistics, but none of them mentioned the word "war."

Li Chengqian listened quietly, his gaze sweeping across the Tibetan territory on the map.

There, snow-capped mountains stretch endlessly and pastures abound, serving as both a barrier to the southwest of the Tang Dynasty and a sword of Damocles hanging over Anxi.

Four years into the new administration, taxes and levies were reduced, granaries were full, and firearms workshops produced thousands of muskets and dozens of cannons annually. The nation's strength was far beyond what it had been in the past.

Having ruled the court for four years, Li Chengqian had completely seized power and was just one step away from ascending the throne.

However, in Li Chengqian's view, he lacked the military prestige of "establishing the dynasty".

This secret alliance between Tibet and the Arabs, amidst the crisis, actually contained an opportunity.

"You all have a point."

Li Chengqian finally spoke, his voice low, yet instantly silencing the noisy study: "Divide, bribe, and intimidate—all are good strategies. But…"

He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "What if Tibet is determined to ally with the Arabs? What if they acquire iron weapons and warhorses and then raid Anxi in the spring? Passive defense is ultimately impossible to prevent."

Changsun Wuji was taken aback, then said, "Your Highness is right, but Tibet and the Tang Dynasty have a marriage alliance, so the Zanpu may not dare to break off relations."

Li Chengqian chuckled lightly: "A marriage alliance?"

"When the interests are great enough, friendship is nothing but thin paper. Back then, His Majesty sent Princess Wencheng to Tibet in the hope of lasting peace between Tang and Tibet, but when have the Tibetan cavalry ever truly stayed away from the Anxi border?"

He looked at Du He, his tone slightly guiding: "Du He, how many firearms does the Anxi military garrison currently possess? If war were to break out, what are the odds of victory?"

Du He's spirits lifted, and he replied loudly, "Your Highness! Anxi currently has eighty cannons, 1,200 muskets, and 11,000 elite troops, all of whom are battle-hardened! Although the Tibetan cavalry are fierce and brave, they are not good at attacking cities, and they do not know how to counter firearms. If a war really breaks out, our army can defend the city and then use light cavalry to harass their supply lines. We have a chance of winning more than 70%!"

“A 70% chance of victory…” Li Chengqian pondered, his gaze falling on Fang Xuanling: “Prime Minister Fang, if war breaks out, how long can our supplies last?”

Fang Xuanling's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Your Highness, although the national treasury is full, we must not start a war lightly! The transportation of grain and supplies to the Western Regions is extremely costly. If the war is prolonged, it may affect the new policies..."

"Delay?" Li Chengqian interrupted him, his tone suddenly becoming firm. "If we really have to fight, then let's make it quick! Bombard their fortresses with cannons, break their cavalry with muskets, and give the Tubo a good beating so that they won't dare to look south for ten years! Besides, if the Tubo's pastures and copper mines can be incorporated into the Tang Dynasty's territory, in the long run, how can the cost of grain and fodder be compared to that?"

After these words were spoken, the study fell completely silent.

The ministers all understood the unspoken message: what His Highness the Crown Prince wanted was not passive defense, but proactive attack!

Du He was the first to react, his eyes flashing with excitement: "Your Highness is wise! The collusion between Tibet and the Arabs is an act of treason! Our Great Tang is at the height of its power, and it is time to show our might in the snowy region and wipe out this threat in one fell swoop! I am willing to lead the troops to conquer Lhasa!"

Although Du He followed the Crown Prince through Xuanwu Gate, his own achievements were not particularly significant. The new policies did have merit, but they were not particularly outstanding.

If one can achieve brilliant military exploits, then everything will be completely different.

Of course, this doesn't mean he can be the head coach, but just going along would be a great opportunity to gain experience and recognition.

Wei Zheng urged, "Your Highness, please reconsider! Princess Wencheng is still in Tibet. Going to war could cost her her life! Moreover, initiating an attack on Tibet might invite criticism..."

Li Chengqian said calmly, "Princess Wencheng has a thousand guards from the Eastern Palace, so she is safe and sound."

"As for criticism? Tibet colluded with foreign enemies and threatened Anxi. It was perfectly justified for the Tang Dynasty to send troops to quell the rebellion! Four years into the new administration, the people are living in peace and the national treasury is full. It is the time to demonstrate our national power and consolidate our territory! If we don't even dare to fight Tibet, how can we talk about 'educating all nations'? How can we make all nations truly submit?"

Looking at the light in Li Chengqian's eyes, Changsun Wuji suddenly understood.

His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't just want a simple breakthrough; he wants a victory that will solidify his prestige!

He bowed and said, "Your Highness has foresight, which this old minister cannot match. If war is truly to be waged, we should first issue an edict rebuking Tibet for 'colluding with the Arabs and breaking the alliance,' and then use the Anxi army as the main force, with troops from Shuofang and Longyou providing support, to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Fang Xuanling also bowed and said, "I will immediately instruct the Ministry of Revenue to prepare sufficient grain and open up the Hexi Corridor transport route to ensure that there is no risk of food shortages at the front line."

At this point, everyone knows that the Crown Prince wants war.

To oppose at this time would be to go against the Crown Prince.

However, given the current strength of the Tang Dynasty, dealing with any war would not be a big deal.

As Li Chengqian watched his ministers finally turn to the topic of war, a subtle smile crept onto his lips. He didn't proactively propose an attack on the barbarians, but instead used the discussions to gradually steer the conversation toward his own objective.

This war was not only meant to break the alliance between Tibet and the Arabs, but also to pave a blood-stained path of prestige for him to ascend the throne.

“Good.” Li Chengqian stood up, his gaze sweeping over the snowy region on the map, his voice filled with resolute determination, “Issue my order: the Protector-General of Anxi, Guo Xiaoke, shall prepare his troops for battle and closely monitor the movements of the Tubo; Pei Xingjian shall be the vanguard and Du He the deputy vanguard, each leading three thousand elite troops to reinforce Anxi.”

"Prime Minister Fang and Zhao Jie should prepare provisions and weapons; Minister Changsun should draft a letter of condemnation against Tibet. Before the fifteenth of the first month, Tibet must know that the Tang Dynasty's benevolence is only for those who submit, and the Tang Dynasty's weapons are only for killing traitors!"

The snow was still falling outside the window, but the candlelight in the study seemed to burn even brighter.

Li Chengqian's decision to conquer Tibet was not driven by momentary ambition for power, but rather by a combination of factors, including his predictions of historical trends, a weighing of practical strategies, and his personal political needs.

Behind this decision lies his warning about the border troubles that would plague the Tang Dynasty for the next three hundred years, as well as his underlying design for a blueprint to educate all nations.

Historically, Tibet was by no means a friendly nation that could be appeased through marriage alliances; rather, it was the most persistent threat to the southwestern Tang Dynasty.

After the An Lushan Rebellion, the Tibetan Empire took advantage of the situation and occupied dozens of prefectures in Hexi and Longyou, cutting off the connection between the Four Garrisons of Anxi and the Central Plains. In the first year of Guangde, they even attacked Chang'an and looted the palace.

Throughout the Tang Dynasty, Tibet and the Tang Dynasty fought hundreds of battles, large and small. From the Four Garrisons of Anxi to Jiannan Xichuan, the border was constantly engulfed in flames, which greatly depleted the Tang Dynasty's national strength.

Even after the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the descendants of the Tubo Kingdom still formed a separatist force on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, becoming a snowy barrier that was difficult for the Central Plains dynasties to penetrate.

At present, Tibet is still in the early stages of its rise. Although Songtsen Gampo has unified the snowy region, the foundation of his regime is not yet stable, and his military system still relies on traditional cavalry. He has not yet formed the strength to contend with the Tang Dynasty for a long time in later generations.

At this time, it is the best opportunity to conquer them before they have fully grown their strength.

Rather than leaving it to become a major threat to future generations, it is better to take advantage of the current prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and bring it into the territory once and for all, thus eliminating the border troubles that have plagued the country for thousands of years at their root.

From a geopolitical perspective, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which was occupied by the Tubo Kingdom, was a transportation hub connecting East Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia.

To the east, it could threaten the Jiannan and Longyou regions of the Tang Dynasty. To the west, it could connect with Arabia and Persia via the Pamir Mountains.

To the south, it can radiate to India and Southeast Asian countries.

Li Chengqian's blueprint for educating all nations required not only trade routes to the Western Regions, but also the opening of north-south passages.

If Tibet could be brought under control, the pastures of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau could be used to breed warhorses, thus supplementing the Tang Dynasty's cavalry.

Using Tibet as a springboard, agricultural techniques and calendar systems could be spread to South Asia and Southeast Asia, expanding the influence of the "Great Tang Civilization Sphere".

This could completely sever the possibility of an alliance between the Arab Empire and Tibet, prevent Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau from forming a strategic alliance to attack the Tang Dynasty, and consolidate the Tang Dynasty's hegemonic position.

For Li Chengqian, Tibet was not a distant foreign land, but a strategic high ground that he had to control.

Only by controlling the snowy region can we truly realize the geopolitical layout of connecting the Central Plains to the east, Central Asia to the west, and the sea frontier to the south.

Tibet also had economic value; the snowy region was rich in fine horses, copper mines, and medicinal herbs, all of which were strategic resources urgently needed by the Tang Dynasty.

Warhorses can bolster military strength, copper mines can be used to mint coins and firearms, and medicinal herbs can enrich the medical system of the Central Plains.

Tibetan specialties such as wool and leather could be sold to the Central Plains and the Western Regions through the trade routes of the Tang Dynasty, forming an economic cycle from Tibetan resources to the Central Plains market, which in turn supported the people's livelihood and commercial reforms in the new policies.

If Tang Dynasty agricultural techniques could be promoted in Tibet and the river valleys and plains transformed, millions of acres of fertile land could be added, alleviating the food pressure in the Central Plains.

After all, the climate conditions in Tibet were still quite good at that time, not as severe as they would become in later periods.

For Li Chengqian, this war was never a matter of whether or not to fight, but a matter of having to fight and having to win.

The next question is how to implement education and civilization in Tibet.

(End of this chapter)