Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 707 The Pocket of War Has Been Fully Opened (One Update Today)
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, at Guanyun Hall.

Li Chengqian was beside the cradle, looking down at his son.

The newly born Prince Li Jiao, whose skin has already softened and looks rosy and tender, is now a baby.

Wearing a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and gold ornaments, Wang Youlan leaned against Li Chengqian's chest, her gaze never leaving her son.

She had been married to the emperor for fifteen years and finally had her own son.

Li Chengqian turned to look at Xuanzang beside him and said with a smile, "After more than ten years, the Virtuous Consort has finally given birth to a son, which is quite difficult. Therefore, I have invited the Master to come and pray for the son today."

"It is my honor to be able to pray for the prince." Xuanzang bowed calmly.

More than a decade has passed, and Xuanzang's appearance has not changed much since he first returned to Chang'an, except that his eyes now hold a great deal of vicissitude.

"Thank you for your trouble, Master." Li Chengqian bowed slightly and led Wang Youlan back a little.

Li Xiang stood in the hall, looking around with surprise.

He didn't understand why he had been called here today.

Although Li Jiao was his thirteenth brother, and had received blessings from Daoist Yin Wencao of Louguan Temple and Master Xuanzang of Daci'en Temple, it made him feel slightly uncomfortable, but that was all.

Xuanzang chanted the "Maitreya's Descent Sutra" in a low voice. At the same time, he took a palm leaf dipped in water from the alms bowl in the hands of a novice monk and gently touched it to Li Jiao's forehead. Then, he swept his pinky finger across it, and a drop of blood seeped out.

The blood droplet instantly transformed into a blood lotus, which was embedded in Li Jiao's brow.

Wang Youlan couldn't help but feel a little anxious, but Li Chengqian held her down firmly and gently shook his head.

Wang Youlan looked up with a pleading expression.

Li Chengqian smiled gently, then nodded slightly towards Li Jiao in the cradle.

Wang Youlan quickly looked at the child, and at that moment, Li Jiao in the cradle started to giggle.

Wang Youlan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Her son was her lifeblood!
……

In the stone pavilion outside the hall, Li Chengqian sat in the main seat.

Xuanzang sat at the head of the table on the left, while Li Xiang sat at the head of the table on the right.

Xuanzang was surprised for a moment, then put his palms together and said to Li Chengqian, "Amitabha."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I invited you here today, Master, partly to pray for my son's well-being, and partly because I have something to ask you."

"Your Majesty, please speak!" Xuanzang's expression turned solemn.

Li Chengqian looked up at the blue sky and white clouds outside the stone pavilion and said softly, "I have heard that when Songtsen Gampo created the Tibetan script, it was actually largely derived from Indian script. I wonder what the master thinks about this?"

Xuanzang nodded and said, "When I was in India, I heard about this. Back then, the Tibetan king sent one of his seven wise ministers, Thonmi Sambhota, to India to study ancient Sanskrit and Sanskrit. After seven years, Sambhota returned to Tibet and then secluded himself for three years. He combined ancient Sanskrit and Sanskrit with the Zhangzhung script and finally created the Tibetan script."

Li Chengqian nodded solemnly. The pursuit of literature is something that any country would inevitably pursue.

Leaving aside the Turkic and Khitan tribes, even Goguryeo secretly improved upon the Chinese language by using the pronunciation of Chinese characters and the Goguryeo people.

He attempted to create a new script by taking half a character and using it as an abbreviation, but before he could achieve anything, Goguryeo had already been destroyed.

The same was true for Tibet, except that in the early years, Tibet and the Tang Dynasty were too far apart, so Tibet eventually turned its attention to India in the south.

The pronunciation is reduced by half, the writing is reduced by half, and then the pronunciation and writing habits of Tibetans are combined to form Tibetan script.

Li Chengqian composed himself and looked at Xuanzang, saying, "So, Master, you can recognize Tibetan script?"

“Yes!” Xuanzang nodded and said, “Not only this humble monk, but any Buddhist monk who is fluent in Sanskrit can learn and write Tibetan script in half a year.”

"Good." Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Prime Minister Zhang is currently gathering manpower from the Secretariat, the Hongwen Academy, and the Court of State Ceremonies to further translate and annotate Tibetan and Tang texts, and to study some Tibetan history. If Buddhist disciples could assist, it would be of great benefit."

Xuanzang fell silent. He looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "Your Majesty, Buddhism is not a tool for killing."

Li Chengqian nodded calmly and said, "Buddhism is one of the best ways to govern the world, especially for those who are born in purgatory."

The Buddha spoke of liberation and the universal salvation of all beings. Millions are trapped in purgatory, unable to escape. Are all those he saw guilty?

"Amitabha," Xuanzang sighed softly, "but the power of Buddhism is insufficient."

“It’s alright.” Li Chengqian shook his head and said, “Tibet is a land that connects the Tang Dynasty and India. If the Tang Dynasty and India can send people to Tibet to exchange Buddhist teachings, that would be a great benefit.”

"When does Your Majesty intend to spread Buddhism in Tibet?" Xuanzang bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian fell silent, and finally said slowly, "It will take at least three years, and at most five years."

Xuanzang raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ask, "Is Your Majesty so confident?"

"More or less." Li Chengqian raised his head and said calmly, "Three years is enough for the Tang Dynasty to complete all preparations. If Tibet makes any more mistakes, the day when the Tang and Tibet are united will not be far off."

“In that case, this humble monk will await good news.” Xuanzang smiled, put his hands together and said, “If this humble monk has not yet passed away by then, I will go to Tibet to fulfill Your Majesty’s wish.”

"Master!" Li Chengqian couldn't help but stand up, looking at Xuanzang in surprise.

“Life and death are a cycle, and everything is predetermined.” Xuanzang stood up, put his palms together and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, “If Your Majesty is at peace, then the world is at peace. Amitabha, this humble monk takes his leave.”

Li Chengqian sighed softly and nodded, saying, "I will have someone escort the master."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xuanzang bowed, then followed Xu An, who was standing to the side, and headed towards Ganlu Gate.

Watching Xuanzang's retreating figure, Li Chengqian sighed softly and remarked, "It turns out that Buddha only gave him twenty years."

“Father!” Li Xiang stood to the side, his face solemn.

“It’s alright.” Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, “Most of the scriptures that the Master brought back from India should have been translated, and his disciples will take care of the transmission.”

"Yes!" Li Xiang's expression was already solemn. Xuanzang said that he would pass away within three to five years. Even if this sentence were to spread, the whole world would be in an uproar.

“Some people have passed away, so let’s remember them. There’s no need to be too sad.” Li Chengqian gently raised his head and said, “In this world, no matter who is missing, things still keep moving forward.”

“Yes!” Li Xiang’s expression calmed down, and he slowly sat down.

“In March, I will be making an eastern tour. As is customary, you will stay behind to oversee the country.” Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly.

Li Xiang suddenly stood up in surprise, then cupped his hands to Li Chengqian and said, "Yes!"

"You've realized that preparations are underway for war against Tibet." Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Ever since the Tibetans proposed marriage to your sister last year, this great war could have started at any time."

"Yes!" Li Xiang's expression turned cold. As the eldest son, when he heard that someone had come to ask for his sister's hand in marriage, he was just as angry as Li Chengqian was back then.

“This is a total war.” Li Chengqian stood up, walked to the front of the stone pavilion, looked up at the blue sky above, and said calmly, “The Tibetans will try to weaken the Tang Dynasty in every way, and I will naturally not let them have an easy time.”

"Yes!" Li Xiang calmed down, but his expression remained serious.

Li Chengqian said, "Before I leave, I will leave Li Dejian an imperial edict authorizing him to act expediently. This is something you and the Duke of Yingguo need to know."

"Yes!" Li Xiang immediately understood that Li Ji would remain in Chang'an to assist in governing this year as well.

"You are about to begin learning about warfare." Li Chengqian looked at Li Xiang and said, "Once I destroy Tibet, as long as I am alive, the surrounding countries will not dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts. Therefore, this is your last chance to learn about warfare."

"Your subject understands," Li Xiang said earnestly, bowing with his hands clasped.

“The reason why we should be close to virtuous ministers and keep away from petty men is because of this.” Li Chengqian sighed softly, then came to his senses and said, “If you have any questions about military matters, you can consult the Duke of Ying. As for what others say, there is no need to listen to them.”

"Yes!" Li Xiang nodded.

“Normally, you don’t need to do much.” After a slight pause, Li Chengqian said, “If there is trouble at the front lines or anywhere in the world, I will give you four words: ‘Calm it down, and the world will be at peace.’”

"Your subject will remember your father's teachings." Li Xiang bowed solemnly.

……

Morning light bathed the Liangyi Hall.

Li Chengqian put down the memorial in his hand and looked at the ministers in the hall, saying, "The Tibetan envoy is about to leave Chang'an. He said that Mangsong Mangtsen still wants to marry my Princess Yongkang. Now he is returning to Tibet to discuss with the whole court how to persuade me."

"It's just misleading talk." Changsun Wuji stepped forward from among the ministers, cupped his hands to Li Chengqian, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Tibetans' true purpose is no longer to ask for the princess's hand in marriage, but to begin full-scale preparations for war."

"I agree," Li Ji said, stepping out from among the officials and bowing. "In the past two years, the Western Turkic Left Prime Minister tribes of the Kunling Protectorate have been relatively stable, but the Western Turkic Right Wing tribes of the Mengchi Protectorate have been in serious conflict with the original tribal nobles and elders and the newly risen government troops. We have already discovered the involvement of the Tibetans."

Li Chengqian nodded, looked at Cui Dunli, and asked, "Minister Cui, how did the Ministry of War deduce that if the Tibetans were to take action, from which aspects would they begin?"

Cui Dunli stepped forward with a composed expression, cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has decided that if Tibet wants to send troops, it should first disrupt the Western Turks, the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun, and the various Dangxiang tribes. Then, taking advantage of the chaos, it should directly cross the Tongtian River and attack the troops of General Li Junxian of the Left Jinwu Guard. After that, it should sweep down and fight a major battle in Xichang Prefecture.”

Li Chengqian nodded and asked, "How should the Ministry of War respond?"

"I order the five commanderies of Li Dejian, Governor of Lanzhou; Yan Liben, Governor of Qizhou; Fang Renyu, Governor of Shazhou; Xi Junmai, Prefect of Xiazhou; and Luo Hongyi, Governor of Anxi, to support Xichangzhou. At the same time, Chang'an will send General Qibi Heli of the Left Valiant Guard and General Xue Rengui of the Left Guard to support Xichangzhou, General Zhishi Sili of the Left Imperial Guard to support Anxi, and General Xue Wanbei of the Left Golden Guard to go to Songzhou." After a slight pause, Cui Dunli cupped his hands and said, "Finally, the troops of General Li Junxian of the Left Golden Guard, if attacked by the enemy, should retreat directly to Songzhou by boat and not by land."

"Over the years, the Tanguts still haven't been properly tamed!" Li Chengqian sighed softly.

For many years, the Tang Dynasty had governed the Dangxiang people. Although most tribes were obedient, a small number of them remained loyal to Tibet.

They were familiar with the local terrain, and if anything changed, they could ambush Li Xiyu on his way from Tongtian River to Songzhou, where Li Xiyu would likely die.

Fortunately, in a calmer section of the lower reaches of the Tongtian River, the Tang Dynasty secretly built a wharf. From the wharf, they could retreat directly to the Litang and Ya'an areas, and then establish a foothold in Yazhou.

This is Li Xiyu's biggest secret over the years.

Cui Dunli cupped his hands and said, "This is the situation where Tibet takes the initiative to send troops. However, Tibet may not take the initiative to send troops and instead defend deep in the plateau. This would be the most disadvantageous situation for the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction and smiled gently.

If the Tibetans knew that the Tang Dynasty had already seen through all their thoughts, they would probably be furious.

In particular, the matter of the Western Turks was a trap that the Tang Dynasty had set up from the very beginning to lure them into getting involved.

……

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Dunli, his expression calming down, and asked, "What do you, Minister Cui, and the Ministry of War, think: will the Tibetans hold their ground deep in the plateau, or will they invade Xichang Prefecture?"

“They will invade Xichang Prefecture.” Cui Dunli said solemnly, bowing deeply, “Your Majesty, they have already begun plotting against the Western Turks. Unless the Great Tang takes swift and decisive action to resolve the Western Turk problem ahead of schedule, they will definitely march down from the plateau.”

Sunk costs.

Although Cui Dunli did not understand this principle, the Tibetans' minds were basically bound by this pattern.

Their sunk costs are too high.

"The Ministry of War's arrangements are all quite appropriate." Li Chengqian looked up and continued, "So, among all these arrangements, are there any hidden dangers?"

Cui Dunli fell silent, and finally he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, it is the Duke of Dai. Du Fengju, Luo Hongyi and Lai Ji are in charge of all matters concerning the Western Turks, so the court can rest assured. However, the Duke of Dai is in charge of Xichang Prefecture."

If nothing unexpected happens, the Tibetans and the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun will likely choose to assassinate him; if something happens to him, the situation could easily spiral out of control.

Whether it was the Western Turks or the Dangxiang regions, the true core of the Tang Dynasty was still Xichang Prefecture. There, the Tang Dynasty had 30,000 elite troops of its own, as well as 20,000 elite cavalry recruited from the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun. In addition, if the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun were fully mobilized, they could still muster 100,000 cavalry.

If something goes wrong, the whole situation could be reversed.

Li Chengqian nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "If the Tibetans are going to incite unrest, when does the Ministry of War think they will make their move?"

Cui Dunli bowed and said, "It could be before the autumn harvest in Guanzhong this July, or around the first month of the lunar calendar, or during the busy spring season next March, or next July..."

“As for after July next year, there’s no need to worry.” Li Chengqian shook his head and said, “At that time, the Tang Dynasty can send more troops.”

"Yes!" Cui Dunli nodded.

In two years, the Tang Dynasty's preparations for war against Tibet will be in their late stages, at which point there will be nothing to worry about.

“We don’t even need to wait until July next year. In March next year, I will send troops to resolve the matter of the Western Turks.” Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly and said, “I am very reassured by the actions of the officials of the Anxi Protectorate in the Western Turks. The establishment of the Western Turkic Garrison is progressing faster than I expected. Therefore, we can take the initiative to resolve the matter of the Western Turks next year.”

Li Chengqian underestimated the rebellious spirit of those oppressed herders.

When the Tang Dynasty extended an olive branch to them, those people seized it tightly.

This is why Li Chengqian began to seek out Xuanzang to carry out similar things in Tibet.

Once the Tibetan slaves rebelled, the power they unleashed far exceeded the imagination of the Tibetan nobles.

Especially now, those Tibetan nobles never imagined that something bad would happen to them.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "So, nothing will happen in Xichang Prefecture before July this year, right?"

“Yes!” Cui Dunli had no choice but to bow.

“Very good.” Li Chengqian nodded and said, “In that case, let’s summon the Duke of Dai back from Xichang Prefecture to report on his duties.”

"Your Majesty!" Cui Dunli was taken aback, then quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, once the Duke of Dai leaves Xichang Prefecture, the entire Xichang Prefecture will be in chaos."

"What, are you worried that Xin Liao'er can't be controlled?" Li Chengqian couldn't help but laugh.

Liang Jianfang was not alone in Xichang Prefecture. Xin Liao'er, as the Left Guard General and Acting Deputy Governor of Xichang Prefecture, was more than capable of suppressing the local population.

“Although I didn’t know that,” Cui Dunli said with a cupped hand, his voice filled with worry, “once the Duke of Dai leaves Xichang Prefecture, those people from the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun will be unable to resist speeding up their actions.”

"No matter how fast they speed things up, do you think they'll make their move in July, before the Tibetans are even ready?" Li Chengqian said calmly, raising his head.

Cui Dunli was taken aback, then shook his head and said, "No."

The Tuyuhun people in the east and west feared the Tang Dynasty like a tiger. If it weren't for the Tibetans behind them, they wouldn't have dared to make a move at all.

“In that case, let the Duke of Dai return to Chang’an first… no, to Luoyang.” Li Chengqian shook his head and said, “If those people from the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun want to make a move, let them make a move. It’s a good opportunity to see just how much they hate the Tang Dynasty these past years.”

The assembled officials solemnly bowed and said, "Yes!"

The emperor's meaning was clear: he wanted Liang Jianfang to leave Xichang Prefecture first, and then he wanted the people of the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun to make their move.

Over the years, the Tang Dynasty has completely taken control of all military and political power in the eastern and western Tuyuhun.

They only preserved the royal family of the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun.

It was precisely because of this that countless people in the royal families of the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun hated the Tang Dynasty.

Now, as long as they start moving, the Tang Dynasty can prepare in advance, thoroughly understand their movements, and then set traps to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

Finally, they swallowed up the entire Tuyuhun in one gulp, and then incorporated the entire Tuyuhun into the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

The time has come.

"Also, send a message to the Duke of Dai, telling him to be careful on his journey. The Tibetan army is not so easy to deal with. They may have already infiltrated Xichang Prefecture at some point. I don't want to see him assassinated on his way here." Li Chengqian slammed his fist on the imperial desk.

"Yes, sir!" The courtiers stood at attention.

Although the Tang Dynasty was stronger than Tibet in terms of national strength, the gap between the two countries was not so large that the Tang Dynasty could completely overwhelm Tibet.

A single general is enough to decide the outcome of a small battle.

"Now, things are generally peaceful until July this year." Li Chengqian sat up straight and looked at his ministers. "Therefore, I hereby issue my decree that all prefectures, counties and governors throughout the land must seize the time for spring planting and autumn harvest this year."

If there is fighting in Xichang Prefecture in July, then in August and September, grain and supplies from various regions must be sent to Chang'an and Luoyang in an orderly manner to ensure the needs of the major battle.

"Here!" The officials held their hands in awe.

……

Early summer in April, Luoyang.

Qianyuan Hall.

Li Chengqian stood before a huge map of Xichang Prefecture, tapping it lightly with a bamboo cane in his hand: "The real key to the Tang Dynasty's attack on Tibet lies in the fact that there are not many soldiers who can adapt to the high-altitude miasma."

Liang Jianfang stood to the side and glanced at Su Dingfang and Liu Demin beside him, saying, "I have trained troops many times in Maji Snow Mountain, and with the training done by the Duke of Ying in his early years, as well as the training done in Lanzhou, Songzhou and Shazhou, the number of soldiers I have gained is still only half."

To destroy Tibet, the Tang Dynasty would need to mobilize at least 100,000 troops, plus 30,000 elite soldiers from the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun, and 30,000 Turkic cavalry, for a total of 160,000.

Even after years of preparation, the Tang Dynasty can only mobilize 50,000 soldiers adapted to the high-altitude miasma.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Troops are being trained in various places, but I have also given this matter much thought to in court. There is a discussion in court that those who can quickly adapt to the high-altitude miasma should first be mountain troops from various places, such as Bazhou, Jingxi, western Henan, and finally soldiers from Bingzhou."

"Your Majesty is right." Su Dingfang nodded and said, "These people joining the army will indeed be a great support to the front."

“But that’s not enough.” Li Chengqian turned to Liu Demin and said, “For the last batch of soldiers to be sent to replenish the high-altitude miasma area, I have decided to choose water soldiers.”

"Water soldiers?" Liu Demin looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Select a group of soldiers who can dive the deepest and also reach the highest peak in Kuozhou, Fengyang Huangmaojian. Then, have them ride horses from Muzhou to Shezhou and then head north from Huizhou to Luoyang."

Liu Demin thought for a moment and said, "I don't know exactly how useful they are, but if Your Majesty allows me to do it, I can probably train three thousand soldiers like this in a year, nine thousand in two years, and twenty thousand in three years."

"Go ahead and do it. Select any people in the Jiangnan region you like and have them join your navy." Li Chengqian raised his hand and said, "Try to select ordinary people, because once they go to Tibet, they may very well settle down there in the future."

"Your subject understands." Liu Demin was not confused.

His elder brother, Liu Dewei, was once a prime minister. What the emperor cared about most was the contradiction between the encroachment of aristocratic families on land and the ever-increasing population of the common people.

It is not enough to simply clear out the land seized by powerful families. While allowing the population to grow unchecked, it is also necessary to transfer the surplus labor force out of the area.

The area after the pacification of Tibet will be able to accommodate the population to the greatest extent possible, thus alleviating conflicts.

Li Chengqian looked up at Su Dingfang and said, "As for you, my dear minister, you can choose any soldiers from the mountainous areas. It would be best to gather 10,000 soldiers as quickly as possible and have the Duke of Dai take them back to Xichang Prefecture."

"May I return now?" Liang Jianfang looked up in surprise. He had just returned!

"In June, you will return to Xichang Prefecture, but do not go through Lanzhou. Take the Yellow River route to the Jianzha-Tongren area and hide there. Once the Tibetans invade, you will fight your way out through the Yellow River route from behind and overthrow them directly." Li Chengqian's expression was fierce.

"Yes!" Liang Jianfang bowed forcefully.

"And then there's the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun." Li Chengqian said with a cold look in his eyes, "I have already sent Yin Yuan there secretly. He will hide by Xin Liao'er's side. Once the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun rebel, he will directly attack from the southeast of the Western Tuyuhun and completely dismember them."

Liang Jianfang was in the ancient Yellow River channel in the east, Xin Liao'er was in Qugou, the capital of Xichang Prefecture, and Yin Yuan was in Xituyuhun. In addition, there were Li Dejian in Lanzhou, Yan Liben in Qizhou, Fang Renyu in Shazhou, Xi Junmai in Xiazhou, and Luo Hongyi in Anxi.

A pocket, completely open.

(End of this chapter)