My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 455 The Great Tang Dynasty Punishes the Disobedient to Pacify the Four Barbarian Tribes

On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month of the 24th year of the Zhenguan era, the snow in Chang'an had just stopped, and the bulletin boards on both sides of Zhuque Street were already crowded with people.

The post station staff had just posted the newly published "Great Tang Gazette" on the wall, and the still-wet ink on the headline immediately attracted everyone's attention.

"Tibetans have been secretly colluding with Arabs and plotting rebellion. The court will raise an army to punish them."

Below it are the large vermilion seals of the Eastern Palace and the Secretariat, each character as sharp as a torch.

The official gazette begins by quoting a secret letter sent back from Tibet by Princess Wencheng, which is copied in small cinnabar characters. It reads, "The Arabs have gifted fifty loads of fine iron, and the alliance is pending signing. They intend to jointly control Anxi." The gazette then lists three major crimes committed by Tibet.

Firstly, the alliance was broken: Your Majesty arranged for Princess Wencheng to marry into the Tibetan Empire, bestowing upon her looms and rice seeds, hoping for lasting peace between the Tang and Tibetan Empires. However, Tibet secretly colluded with the Arabs and privately entered into an alliance, which was truly "repaying kindness with enmity and breaking faith and righteousness."

Secondly, they threatened the territory of Anxi: the Tibetans built fortresses and increased troops in Bolu, cut off the trade routes in the Western Regions, and allowed tribes to destroy the Yanqi irrigation canal, causing the rice seedlings taught by the agricultural technicians of the Tang Dynasty to wither and die. They "disregarded the education of the Tang Dynasty and regarded the livelihood of the border people as worthless."

Third, colluding with foreign enemies to plot rebellion: After the Arab Empire destroyed Persia, it coveted Central Asia. Tibet secretly communicated with it, "intending to borrow troops from foreign lands to disturb the western border of our Great Tang. This is the reality of colluding with the enemy and plotting rebellion."

The article concludes with a statement in the name of Crown Prince Li Chengqian, delivered with earnest yet resounding words: "The Great Tang governs the world with benevolence and treats all nations with righteousness. However, benevolence is not without its edge, and righteousness cannot tolerate deceit! The Tibetans have betrayed our imperial grace and have allied with foreign enemies to covet our territory. If they are not severely punished, how can we secure the Western Regions? How can we inform the border people? The righteous army we are raising today is not for territorial expansion, but for punishing the disobedient, protecting trade routes, and safeguarding the people's livelihood. We hope that the whole nation will unite as one to jointly punish the traitors!"

In addition to the Crown Prince's seal, the signature also included the words "Approved" personally written by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin).

The official gazette had been posted for only half an hour when Zhuque Street was in an uproar.

The old man selling flatbreads, holding a rolling pin, muttered, "No wonder Tibet has been so restless lately; turns out they've hooked up with the Arabs! The princess brought so many good things with her when she married them, and they dare to be so ungrateful!"

Scholars dressed in Confucian robes gathered together and discussed: "The Spring and Autumn Annals says, 'Barbarians are untrustworthy; without attacking them, one cannot establish authority.' The Tibetans' secret collusion with foreign enemies is truly their own doing. The court's actions are perfectly justified!"

Persian merchants from the West Market also gathered in front of the official gazette and said to the interpreter in broken Tang language: "The Arabs have occupied our Persian land and are trying to collude with the Tibetans to harm the Great Tang. If they win, the trade routes in the Western Regions will be completely ruined! We support the Great Tang and are willing to donate camels to transport grain!"

Even the children playing on the street corner joined the adults in shouting, "Fight the Tibetans! Fight the disobedient!"

Inside the study of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian looked at the summary of public opinion in the city handed to him by a eunuch, a faint smile appearing on his lips. This official report was the result of repeated deliberations by him, Fang Xuanling, and Wei Zheng.

It uses Princess Wencheng's secret letter as irrefutable evidence, and also cites Emperor Taizong's imperial edict to enhance its authority.

The charges were justified, and the emphasis was placed on protecting trade routes and safeguarding people's livelihoods. This linked the war with the people's livelihoods, making it clear to ordinary people that this war was not for the emperor's ambition, but to protect their homeland.

"Your Highness!" Du He rushed in excitedly: "Merchants in the West Market have jointly submitted a petition, offering to donate 100,000 strings of cash to aid the army; herdsmen in Longyou say they want to donate a thousand fine horses; even tea merchants from Jiangnan say they want to transport more tea to Anxi to boost the morale of the soldiers!"

Zhao Jie also reported: "The Ministry of Revenue just received a report that grain supplies from various places are being gathered in Hexi via the Grand Canal and post roads. When the people along the way heard that the grain being transported was for the purpose of suppressing rebellion, they all took the initiative to help push the carts, and even reduced the porters' wages by half!"

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and exclaimed, "Your Highness's decision to issue this imperial edict is brilliant! In previous years, when we waged war, the people were often burdened with hard labor. Now everyone knows that Tibet is disloyal and that this war is to protect the peace of the Western Regions. The people's hearts are spontaneously united, which is more effective than ten imperial edicts."

Li Chengqian gazed at the snow outside the window, his tone calm: "The people's hearts are usable, and we must cherish them. When we set out in the spring, we must ensure strict military discipline, not disturb the border people, and not plunder the Tibetan people. Let them know that the Great Tang is attacking a rebellious minister, not the common people of the snowy land."

On New Year's Eve, the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, every household in Chang'an put up Spring Festival couplets and hung lanterns. However, many families also pasted an extra red paper strip on their door lintels, which read "Purge the rebels and secure the borders."

The post horses carrying the newly published official gazettes rushed to various prefectures, from Luoyang to Chengdu, from Yangzhou to Dunhuang. The news of "Tibet's secret communication with the Arabs" spread like a spring breeze, spreading the righteous cause of "punishing the disobedient" throughout the Tang Dynasty's territory.

Upon seeing the official gazette, the soldiers stationed in Dunhuang carved the words "We vow to protect the West" on the city wall.

The chieftain of Jiannan sent an envoy to Chang'an, offering to lead his tribe to assist in the war; even the leader of the Li tribe, far away in Lingnan, wrote a letter: "I am willing to offer elephant troops to follow the Tang Dynasty in punishing the rebels."

A war that could have sparked controversy gradually became a just cause recognized by the entire nation, thanks to the public opinion that it was justified.

Standing atop the corner tower of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian gazed at the city lights and knew that the propaganda war had begun to show results.

With the people's hearts united and provisions gradually prepared, the next step was to let the artillery and muskets of Anxi demonstrate the righteousness of the Tang Dynasty, not only in the official gazette but also etched on the land of the snowy plateau.

The three words "punish the disobedient" will become the loudest clarion call for the Tang army to march into the snowy region after the spring.
-
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month of the 24th year of the Zhenguan era, in the warm pavilion of the Imperial Garden, the winter sun shone through the carved window lattice onto the bluestone table.

Li Shimin, wearing a sable cloak, held a chess piece between his fingers. Gao Shilian, opposite him, though his hair was as white as snow, was in high spirits and was slowly placing his piece.

If it weren't for Crown Prince Li Chengqian's vigorous promotion of medical reform three years ago, which led to the mobilization of the best physicians in Chang'an to treat his old ailments, this veteran official from the Zhenguan era would probably have already been buried in Zhaoling.

"That was a ruthless move."

Li Shimin looked at the black pieces surrounded on the chessboard, then looked up at Gao Shilian, his tone tinged with amusement: "Your methods are quite similar to Chengqian's now."

Gao Shilian put down the chess piece, stroked his beard and smiled, "Your Majesty is referring to the Crown Prince's plan to attack Tibet? This old minister read the official gazette yesterday. The seven characters 'to attack the disobedient in order to pacify the four barbarians' were written with great force, and the people's hearts were stirred. Back when the Crown Prince first took over the reins of government, he still had some youthful impetuosity. Now, his composure and restraint are just like Your Majesty's style back then."

Li Shimin gazed at the snow-covered pines and cypresses outside the pavilion, remained silent for a moment, and then said in a softer voice: "Do you know that what I was most worried about back then was his impatient nature?"

"But looking at him over the past few years, his new policies have filled the granaries with light taxes and levies. In reforming the bureaucracy, he uprooted Hou Junji's cronies without implicating others, striking a perfect balance. Even you, this old man, were saved by him forcing the doctors to defy fate. This kid has really grown up."

Gao Shilian sighed, his tone full of emotion: "It's not just about growing up; this old minister's life was saved by the Crown Prince's medical innovations. He established medical clinics in the Eastern Palace, compiled medical books, and ordered the establishment of public pharmacies in various prefectures. He not only saved this old minister but also spared countless people across the land from illness."

"This benevolence is innate; yet his handling of the Tibetan matter reveals his keen insight and ruthlessness." "Knowing that Tibet was secretly colluding with the Arabs, he remained calm and composed. He first had Princess Wencheng send a message to leave evidence, and then used the official gazette to announce it to the world, establishing the righteous cause of 'punishing the disobedient.' Even His Majesty personally approved the request. This approach is even more thorough than His Majesty's back then."

Li Shimin gazed into the distance: "When I conquered the world, I relied on swords and spears; now he guards the world, relying on the hearts of the people, righteousness, and shrewdness."

“You see, he doesn’t directly mention war, but instead leads Du He and the others to request war; he’s not in a hurry to mobilize troops, but first lets the official gazette spread the crimes of Tibet throughout the world.”

"This shows that the concept of 'having a legitimate reason for war' is ingrained in his very being. He knows that the Tang Dynasty today not only needs to win, but also needs to win in a way that wins the hearts and minds of all nations."

Gao Shilian nodded: "This is precisely what makes the Crown Prince so special."

"Yesterday, I saw the list of military rations submitted by the Ministry of Revenue. The transport of grain in the Hexi Corridor is 30% faster than in previous years. People along the way are spontaneously helping, saying, 'The Crown Prince is going to fight the rebellion, we have to help him.'"

"This is the will of the people!"

"Back then, His Majesty sent Princess Wencheng to marry a foreign ruler in the hope of peace between Tang and Tibet. But the Crown Prince saw further ahead. He knew that marriage could only bring temporary stability. True peace could only be achieved through the Tang Dynasty's own strength and the people's approval."

Looking at the gradually clearing situation on the chessboard, Li Shimin suddenly laughed and said, "This child, he clearly had a plan all along, but he insisted on letting the old ministers speak first. This showed that the court officials were of one mind, and at the same time, he concealed his own sharpness. He is better at hiding his talents than I was back then."

Gao Shilian laughed heartily: "The Crown Prince is showing respect to His Majesty and to the veteran ministers. He knows that there are still people in the court who cherish the old friendship of the marriage alliance and are afraid that his youthful impetuosity will cause criticism. That's why he used the official gazette and the memorials of the court officials to lay the groundwork. This caution shows that he puts the stability of the Tang Dynasty first, which is better than anything else."

The wind outside the pavilion whipped up snowflakes, but the sunlight grew even warmer. Li Shimin gazed in the distance toward the Eastern Palace, his tone tinged with relief.

Now that I see his new policies are successful, the people are won over, even you, this old man, can play chess with me, and you've handled the Tibetan matter so well… I can finally rest assured.”

Gao Shilian bowed and said, "Your Majesty created the prosperous Zhenguan era, and the Crown Prince has succeeded you and opened up a new chapter. This is a blessing for the Tang Dynasty. When we launch our campaign against Tibet in the spring, the Crown Prince will surely be able to pacify the snowy region in one battle. At that time, all nations will come to pay tribute, and that will be a true scene of peace and prosperity."

Li Shimin picked up a chess piece and gently placed it in the center of the board, completely surrounding the black pieces: "Yes, I have been waiting for that day. This empire will eventually be handed over to someone who can make it more stable and prosperous. Chengqian has not disappointed me."
-
In the early spring of the twenty-fifth year of the Zhenguan era, the snow in Lhasa City had just melted, and the sound of ice cracking on the Yarlung Tsangpo River echoed through the valley.

Songtsen Gampo was discussing spring plowing matters with the nobles when a courier, covered in mud, burst into the palace, holding a scroll of yellowed paper aloft.

That was the "Great Tang Gazette" that came from Chang'an a month ago. It traveled thousands of miles through the Hexi Corridor and the four towns of Anxi before finally arriving in the snowy region.

"Your Majesty! The Great Tang... the Great Tang's proclamation!" The courier knelt on the ground, his voice hoarse from the long journey.

The nobleman in the red robe snatched the official gazette, and the moment he unfolded it, the headline "Tibetans collude with Arabs, plotting rebellion and disloyalty; the court will raise a righteous army to punish them" exploded like thunder, casting a chilling coldness into the warm spring palace.

"Absurd!" The nobleman in the red robe threw the official gazette on the ground and ground it with his sheepskin boots. "It's already spring, and they're only now sending this tattered paper! The Tang Dynasty must have planned this all along, deliberately choosing to send the proclamation during the spring plowing season to disrupt our farming schedule!"

Another nobleman picked up the official gazette, his finger tracing the words "Princess Wencheng's secret letter," his face turning ashen: "That Princess Wencheng! She sent a secret letter to Chang'an in the twelfth lunar month, and we were completely unaware! No wonder the Tang Dynasty spoke so vividly, even clearly writing about the fifty loads of fine iron sent by the Arabs. She lived in Lhasa for more than ten years, yet she secretly communicated with her homeland, revealing all our secrets!"

The hall instantly erupted in excitement, and the topic of spring plowing was completely forgotten.

Princess Wencheng must be severely punished!

"Arrest all her palace guards and bring them to justice!"

"Send envoys to Chang'an to hurl insults, saying they framed their allies!"

The calls rose and fell, and even the most composed old nobleman couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty has already spread the proclamation of 'punishing the disobedient' throughout the world. If we don't deal with the traitors, the tribes will think we are afraid!"

Songtsen Gampo sat on his throne, stroking the Tang-style jade belt at his waist. His gaze swept over the budding willow branches outside the window. It should have been the season for sowing hope, but this belated imperial report felt like a sudden cold snap, chilling everyone to the bone. He spoke slowly, his voice rising above the clamor: "Severe punishment? How severe?"

The nobleman in red robes blurted out, "Depose her from her position as a Zanmon and throw her into the dungeon!"

"And then?" Songtsen Gampo countered. "The Tang Dynasty's Anxi military garrison has already assembled artillery in Yanqi, and the vanguard is said to have already passed Yumen Pass. Do you think they will retreat if Princess Wencheng is imprisoned?"

He rose and walked into the hall, picked up the official gazette, and pointed to the four characters "justified in action": "What they want is 'justification'! If we take action against her, it will confirm the crime of 'Tibet breaking its alliance and imprisoning the princess,' and the Tang army can rightfully march across the snow-capped mountains!"

A nobleman with military power said urgently, "But she is, after all, the source of the secret message! If the Tang Dynasty uses this as an excuse, all the nations of the world will believe them!"

"So what if it's a letter?" Songtsen Gampo sneered. "Last year in the Battle of Talas, the Arabs had tens of thousands of cavalry, but they were still routed by the Tang Dynasty's muskets."

"Now the official gazettes of the Great Tang have spread throughout the Western Regions. Even the small tribes of Shule know that 'Tang army cannons can bombard and collapse the stone city.' We only have fifty loads of fine iron given to us by the Arabs. We don't even have firearms. If a real war breaks out, what will we rely on to win? Rely on the severe punishments you talk about?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the nobles, his tone weary yet unusually clear: "Princess Wencheng cannot be touched. Her princess residence has a thousand guards from the Eastern Palace, each carrying a Tang sword. If we really make a move, Lhasa will be awash in blood, spring planting will be abandoned, and we will be thrown into chaos before the Tang army even arrives."

The old nobleman spoke tremblingly: "But... we can't just stand by and watch the Tang Dynasty use her secret letter to interrogate her, can we?"

“Of course not.” Songtsen Gampo walked to the map and pointed to Chiling on the Tang-Tibet border: “Send an order to send an envoy with generous gifts to Chiling, saying that it is to express condolences to the soldiers guarding the border of the Great Tang, and to ask why the official report does not match the facts. Keep a low profile and appease them first.”

Then Songtsen Gampo turned to the crowd, his tone resolute and unquestionable: "As for Princess Wencheng, not only should she not be punished, but she should also be treated well. Have the Imperial Household Department send some new tea and silk to the princess's residence, saying that the emperor, mindful of the marriage alliance, hopes that the princess can live there with peace of mind."

(End of this chapter)