My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 456 National War!

Songtsen Gampo was no fool to have risen to the position of Tsangpo and united various tribes.

He knew very well that the Tang Dynasty was too powerful, so powerful that it was suffocating.

Despite the natural barriers that hindered the rise of the Arab Empire, Tibet certainly knew more about it than the Tang Dynasty.

That was a powerful dynasty that was in no way inferior to the Tang Dynasty in terms of territory and population.

They had almost never suffered a defeat before facing the Tang Dynasty.

It can be said that since its rise, it has always been invincible.

The powerful Persian dynasty was directly destroyed by the Arab Empire.

It's important to remember that Persia was once a power comparable to the Chinese dynasties, ancient and strong, yet it was still destroyed.

But the firearms of the Tang Dynasty Crown Prince were simply outrageous.

Although the Arab expedition was somewhat exhausted, the results were still too exaggerated, almost a one-sided massacre.

They were also defeated twice in a row.

Having heard that the prince had pacified the three kingdoms of Liaodong with firearms, Songtsen Gampo had already overestimated him, but he hadn't expected to underestimate him.

Moreover, the current Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty seized power directly from the Heavenly Khan at Xuanwu Gate.

The quality of this skill is simply terrifying.

The Heavenly Khan was already powerful enough, having destroyed both the Eastern and Western Turks. Who would have thought that his son would be even more powerful than him?

Therefore, Songtsen Gampo would never harm Princess Wencheng under any circumstances, because she was his last resort.

Tibet could never defeat the Tang Dynasty, but Tibet's terrain was high, and the Tang people could not rule there forever; they still had to rely on local rule.

So even if he loses, as long as Princess Wencheng is safe, he will have a way out.

Otherwise, if Tibet were defeated, the Crown Prince of Tang would be the first to eliminate him.

However, Songtsen Gampo was unwilling to admit defeat so easily. After offering an even higher reward for firearms, he began to contact Arab envoys.

In the late spring of the twenty-fifth year of the Zhenguan era, in a side hall of the palace of the Zanpu in Lhasa, the steam from butter tea mingled with the aroma of Arabic spices, swirling in the air.

Songtsen Gampo wore a dark blue woolen robe and had a jade-inlaid curved knife hanging at his waist.

The Arab envoy opposite him wore a plain-colored turban and nervously rubbed the silver ornaments at his waist.

He had just heard Songtsen Gampo's suggestion, and his face was full of hesitation.

“Your Excellency,” Songtsen Gampo spoke first, his tone earnest and unquestionable: “The Tang Dynasty’s muskets are already mounted on the walls of Yanqi, and Duhe’s vanguard is only a hundred li from Bolu. If Tibet is defeated, your country’s Central Asian trade routes will be next.”

"Do you think that the firearms of the Great Tang Dynasty will stop at the snowy region? Persia was so powerful back then, but it still fell to your country's iron hooves. But now, the only thing that can make your country lose two battles in a row and lose tens of thousands of cavalry is the firearms of the Great Tang Dynasty."

The Arab envoy coughed lightly, avoiding Songtsen Gampo's gaze: "Your Highness, the Caliph is indeed wary of the Tang Dynasty's firearms. However, in the Battle of Talas last year, our army suffered heavy losses, General Khalid was captured, and Amr's remnants have not yet regrouped... If we send another expeditionary force, I'm afraid the nobles in the country will have objections."

He spread his hands, his tone tinged with helplessness, “Your country wants us to send troops and help build fire-resistant fortresses. This requires the deployment of tens of thousands of soldiers and thousands of loads of military equipment. The cost is too high.”

“The cost?” Songtsen Gampo sneered, stood up and walked to the sand table, tracing the route from Central Asia to the snowy plateau with his finger: “If we don’t invest, the cost will be even greater! Tibet can act as a guide for your expeditionary force, leading you to avoid the beacon towers of the Tang Dynasty and build fortresses in the valleys north of the Pamir Mountains.”

"The terrain there is treacherous and can be protected from artillery fire. We can also provide provisions and warhorses, so that your army will not have to make long-distance transport."

He pointed heavily at the word "Talas" on the sand table: "If your country sends an expeditionary force to garrison here, forming a pincer movement with Tibet, the Tang Dynasty will not dare to advance westward easily. Otherwise, once the Tang Dynasty destroys Tibet, it will turn around and attack Talas, seize the Transoxiana region, and then your country's trade routes will be cut off, and your spices and ironware will not be sold. The losses will be far more than just tens of thousands of cavalry."

The Arab envoy frowned, clearly somewhat persuaded.

He was well aware, of course, that the Central Asian trade routes were the lifeblood of the Arab Empire. Last year, after the Tang Dynasty established a military garrison to protect merchants in Talas, tax revenue from the former Persian territories had decreased by 30%.

If Tibet were truly defeated, the Tang army would inevitably advance towards Central Asia. At that time, the existing forces would be no match for the volley of musket fire.

"But... the firearms of the Great Tang are too powerful." The envoy said in a low voice, "Although your cavalry are brave, even decent armor cannot stop musket bullets. Even if our expeditionary force comes, what can they do?"

“That’s why we need to build fortresses and learn how to counter firearms!” Songtsen Gampo immediately replied, “Tibet has offered a reward of a thousand gold pieces for a strategy to defeat the enemy. If your country sends craftsmen to study this with our wise men, we will surely find a way to resist.”

"The fortress is built with rammed earth mixed with copper sand, and it is more than ten feet thick. I don't believe that the Tang Dynasty's cannons can blast it open! As long as we can hold the Pamir Mountains defense line and drag it out until the Tang Dynasty's food supplies run out, they will naturally retreat."

He leaned closer to the envoy, lowering his voice even further: "Your Excellency, this is not helping Tibet, but helping your own country. Tibet and Arabia are interdependent. If we block the southern flank of the Tang Dynasty, and you guard the western flank, then the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty will not dare to act rashly."

"Otherwise, once he has free time, not only Central Asia, but even the Red Sea trade routes could be harassed by the Tang navy. Do you think His Majesty the Caliph would want to see such a situation?"

The Arab envoy remained silent.

Songtsen Gampo's words were like a key, unlocking his deepest concerns.

Although the Caliph hesitated to send troops, his focus on trade routes outweighed everything else. If he could use Tibet to restrain the Tang Dynasty and preserve Central Asian tax revenue, even investing some troops would be worthwhile. However, the previous crushing defeat was still fresh in his mind, and the sight of tens of thousands of cavalrymen falling under musket fire made him hesitant to make a promise.

“His Highness’s proposal… is indeed reasonable.” The envoy finally spoke, his tone softening: “But I have no authority to make such a significant decision. We must immediately send a fast horse back to Baghdad to report your proposal and its implications to His Majesty the Caliph, and ask him to make a decision.”

He paused, then added, "I will state in the letter that Tibet is willing to provide guides, provisions, and fortress sites, only requesting that your country send an expeditionary force to defend the Pamir Mountains and share the profits of the trade route." A hint of satisfaction flashed in Songtsen Gampo's eyes: "That's enough. Your Excellency, time is running out. The Tang army has already assembled in Hexi and may set out after the spring planting season. Please tell His Majesty the Caliph that Tibet's sincerity is hidden in every inch of the snowy land. And the threat from the Tang Dynasty is only a step away from your country's trade route."

The envoy bowed and said, "I will set off as soon as possible. May God protect us and help us withstand the Tang Dynasty's firearms."

As the door to the side hall closed, Songtsen Gampo watched the envoy's departing figure and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew that the Arabs would not easily send a large force, but as long as they were willing to consult the Caliph, it meant there was a glimmer of hope.

At least, before the arrival of the Tang army, he had bought Tibet some breathing time and added another uncertain piece to this game that was destined to be lost.

The spring sun was shining brightly outside the window, illuminating the rooftops of Lhasa, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in Songtsen Gampo's heart.

He knew that Arab reinforcements might come or not, but in any case, the fate of the snowy region would ultimately be decided amidst the clash of swords and the roar of firearms.

All he could do was wait, wait for an echo from Baghdad in the distance, and wait for the day when the Tang cavalry would cross the snow-capped mountains.

In early summer, in the Caliph's palace in Baghdad, the midday sun shines through the stained glass windows, casting dappled light on the Persian carpet.

Caliph Umar sat enthroned on a lion-skin throne, clutching a secret letter from a Tibetan envoy. The edges of the letter were worn from the long journey, yet the promise—"I am willing to be your guide, to build fortresses together, and to defend the Pamir Mountains"—was clearly written. Below him, the ministers wore varying expressions; a debate concerning the fate of Central Asia was unfolding.

"May God protect you, Your Majesty the Caliph!" Finance Minister Abdullah bowed first, his voice filled with devout sincerity.

"The smoke of the battle of Talas last year has not yet cleared, 30,000 loyal believers have fallen under the firearms of the Tang Dynasty, General Khalid has been disgraced, and the fine iron in the national treasury has been consumed like morning dew in the desert."

"If we send another expeditionary force, it may shake the foundation that God has given us! We have already shed too much blood for the righteous path. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Military Minister Hamid stepped forward, his hand on his sword, the silver studs on his armor gleaming like stars in the sunlight: "May God illuminate your decision, Your chosen ruler! Lord Abdullah only sees the depletion of provisions, but forgets that trade routes are the lifeline God has given to Arabia!"

"If the Tang Dynasty seizes the oases of the Transoxiana region and the tax revenues of the former Persian lands, we will become beggars in the desert!"

"The Tibetans are willing to act as guides and offer pastures to raise horses. This is a gift from God. With them keeping things in check on the southern front, we can build a barrier in the Pamir Mountains and protect the Prophet's followers!"

Umar lightly twirled the rosary beads between his fingers, his gaze sweeping over the eagles circling outside the temple, his voice as steady as the foundation of the holy city: "Hamid's loyalty is as pure as gold, and Abdullah's worries are as warnings from God."

He handed the secret letter to Prime Minister Walid, saying, "Songtsen Gampo of Tibet is a powerful ruler of the snowy land. If it weren't for the Tang Dynasty's firearms spreading like wildfire, why would he lower his head and ask for help? But should we put our hopes on this snowy kingdom?"

Walid unfolded the secret letter, his aged fingers tracing the words "exchanging wool for iron, using fortresses to resist firearms," ​​and bowed, saying, "May God praise your wisdom, Your Majesty! The value of Tibet lies not in its weapons, but in its position."

"They are like eagles perched on snow-capped mountains, able to overlook the supply routes of the Tang army in Anxi. They are familiar with every valley in the Pamir Mountains and can help us avoid the traps of the Tang Dynasty."

"What is even more valuable is that they have a marriage alliance with the Tang Dynasty, yet they still extend a helping hand to us. This shows that the threat from the Tang Dynasty has made them feel extremely uneasy. Such allies are like a spring in the desert, something that is hard to come by."

“But the muskets of the Tang Dynasty…” a general who had personally experienced the Battle of Talas began, his voice trembling, “Their volleys were like thunderbolts, and the cavalry charges were snapped like straws under the flames. May God never again let believers experience such terror…”

"Therefore we must build fortresses!" Hamid exclaimed. "The Tibetans say that rammed earth fortresses can be built in the Pamir Valley, mixed with copper sand to a thickness of over ten feet, capable of withstanding artillery fire! We will send our most skilled craftsmen to teach them to build walls using the wisdom bestowed by God, and equip them with catapults and heavy crossbows. The followers of God are never afraid of powerful enemies. Once the fortresses are erected, the Tang Dynasty's firearms will be like a torrential rain hitting a rock, and will eventually stop!"

Umar stood up, his rosary beads stopping at his fingertips, his gaze as sharp as the desert sun: "God says, 'The believer should be brave and fight for the righteous path.' We have indeed suffered heavy losses, but retreat is not in the Arab nature!"

He said to Hamid, “Form an elite expeditionary force of 20,000 men, select veterans who have experienced battles, equip them with plenty of oil, fine iron armor and catapults blessed by God, and tell them that this is not an ordinary expedition, but a war to protect trade routes and to ensure that the Arab flag flies forever over the oasis of the Amu Darya!”

Umar then turned to Walid, his tone resolute: “Reply to Tibet: The Caliph accepts the alliance! The expeditionary force will march along the Amu Darya, guided by their guides, and jointly build three fortresses in the Pamir Mountains. However, we demand that Tibet supply half of our provisions, and after the fortresses are completed, we will jointly manage them, with trade route taxes split 40/60 – 40% for us and 60% for them. This is a fair deal witnessed by God!”

Abdullah still wanted to offer advice, but Umar stopped him by raising his hand: "God has given us the courage to expand, and also the wisdom to weigh things. If this battle can make Tibet a nail driven into the southwest of the Tang Dynasty, and prevent their cavalry from easily advancing westward, this loss will be like a seed sown, which will eventually reap a hundredfold reward."

The ministers bowed in unison: "May God bless the Caliph's majesty, which shines like the sun forever!"

As Umar gazed out the window at the soaring eagles, he whispered a prayer: "May God guide the expeditionary force, and may the fortresses of the Pamir Mountains be as strong as the walls of the holy city. Let the Tang Dynasty know that the Arab believers never fear challenges, nor will they abandon the land bestowed by God!"

The afternoon call to prayer echoed through the streets of Baghdad, and the order to assemble 20,000 expeditionary troops was carried by the wind across the desert.

General Hamid's armor has been polished, craftsmen are forging new weapons, and the distant Pamir Mountains will soon welcome the alliance of the desert eagle and the snow lion.

This alliance, based on faith and interests, will ultimately test each other's resolve amidst the roar of Tang Dynasty firearms.

Caliph Umar knew that this move was extremely risky, but for the sake of Arab trade routes and glory, and to prevent the banner of God from being tarnished by the firearms of infidels, this expedition had to be carried out.

midsummer.

News of the Arab disturbances and the Tibetan actions reached Chang'an.

East Palace.

Li Chengqian's expression turned serious as he read the scout's secret letter.

The original plan was to quickly conquer Tibet and achieve a swift victory, avoiding significant losses.

But the Arab Empire's expeditionary force clearly wouldn't allow his plans to succeed.

Once the Tang Dynasty is dragged into a quagmire of war, it will also incur enormous losses.

Should we give up?
Where is the prince's dignity now?!
We've already announced it to the world; to give up now would be like rubbing our own face in the dirt.

Li Chengqian's gaze suddenly sharpened.

(End of this chapter)