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

Chapter 731 No matter how respectful you are, an outsider is always an outsider (Second Update)
Luoxie, Hongshan.

East Upper Pavilion of Potala Palace.

Luo Binwang knelt on the right side of the seat of honor. The midsummer afternoon sun shone in from outside the hall, warm and clear, but Luo Binwang's face was solemn.

The Grand Consort Mengjiechiga and the King Mangsong Mangzan sat together on the royal couch.

Seated at the head of the left is Shang Jiezan, the current prime minister of Tibet.

“They have already marched to Shannan. Once Shannan falls, our last escape route to Tibet will be cut off.” Shang Jiezan cupped his hands and looked at Meng Jiechiga and Mangsong Mangzan, saying, “I request that a force of 10,000 cavalry be dispatched to their aid.”

Although Mangsong Mangtsen is now fifteen years old, he is not adept at handling various internal and external affairs and is far less decisive and shrewd than his grandfather Songtsen Gampo.

Therefore, the affairs of the Tubo Kingdom are now decided by its mother, the Grand Consort Mengjiechiga.

Meng Jiechi hesitated for a moment, then looked at Luo Binwang and asked, "What do you think, sir?"

Luo Binwang bowed slightly and said cautiously, "Now that the lower reaches of the Lhasa River are occupied by the Tang army, I wonder if the Grand Minister plans to fight the Tang army and then head south from the lower reaches, or if there is another route?"

Meng Jiechiga turned to look at Shang Jiezan.

Shang Jiezan hesitated slightly, but still said, "Since you came to Lhasa, you have made many arrangements and have contributed to Tibet. Therefore, I will not hide anything from you."

Indeed, there is a small path in the mountains leading to the south, allowing ten thousand cavalry to travel there quietly without the Tang people's knowledge.

Luo Binwang was not surprised at all. He asked directly, "I wonder if the Prime Minister is planning to send 10,000 elite troops, or a combination of elite troops and common soldiers?"

Shang Jiezan was taken aback, then lowered his head and said, "Five thousand elite troops and five thousand common soldiers."

Luo Binwang shook his head in disappointment and said, "If that's the case, in my opinion, it's better not to go."

"Why?" Shang Jiezan couldn't help but ask, and Meng Jiechiga also looked surprised.

Luo Binwang sighed and said, "Prime Minister, the Tang Dynasty has a strong army and a large number of troops, so they can easily send out a force to sweep through. But we, even though we know that half of the camps downstream of the Lhasa River are empty, do not dare to leave Lhasa City to launch a strong attack."

There were 70,000 soldiers in Lhasa, but only about 30,000 were actually usable. The rest were temporarily drawn from the civilian population to help defend the city.

With the 30,000 elite troops inside the city, plus the 20,000 elite troops outside the city, and the city itself as a stronghold, Tibet had the confidence to confront the Tang Dynasty on the north bank of the Lhasa River.

However, this is only a barely acceptable solution. If another 10,000 men were to be drawn from this group, even if they were 5,000 elite soldiers and 5,000 common soldiers, it would have a huge impact.

"Be careful and don't let the Tang people know. It seems they have no intention of launching a full-scale attack," Shang Jiezan said cautiously.

“The problem isn’t there.” Luo Binwang shook his head and said, “The people will definitely arrive in Shannan, and then Su Dingfang will soon find out. At that time, he will definitely send troops to attack the city… But what I’m worried about is not here.”

"Please explain in detail, sir." Meng Jiechiga raised her head slightly.

"If it's just five thousand elite troops and five thousand common soldiers, I think they'd be no match for Tang generals, especially Xue Rengui." Luo Binwang sighed and said, "The Grand Consort doesn't know much about Xue Rengui. Back in Anxi, Xue Rengui had only five thousand cavalrymen under his command, yet he dared to personally charge into the heart of the Western Turkic 30,000 elite cavalrymen, leading the charge alone, and ultimately defeating them in the final battle..."

hiss!
Meng Jiechi couldn't help but gasp.

Shang Jiezan glanced at Luo Binwang and asked, "At that time, it seems that you were in Anxi, sir."

“Yes.” Luo Binwang nodded and said, “This is only now. Back then, Xue Rengui followed the late emperor to fight in Liaodong. He was also alone and treated the army as nothing.”

"If that's the case, as long as we set up a trap, wouldn't that be..." Shang Jiezan's eyes narrowed.

“All the enemies who died under his halberd thought the same thing.” Luo Binwang calmed down and said, “Even if that is the case, I do not recommend sending only five thousand elite cavalry and five thousand common soldiers, because such a force is no match for Xue Rengui. Once they are wiped out by him, Xue Rengui may follow their route and come straight to Luoxie.”

Luo Binwang said heavily, "This is what I am truly worried about."

Meng Jiechiga's expression changed slightly.

Shannan is the ancestral home of the Zanpu people. Although the Zanpu people have migrated to Lhasa over the years, they still maintain a strong grasp on their ancestral home.

This is why, despite suffering heavy losses in the Tanggula Mountains, they were still able to muster a fighting force of 100,000.

But Shannan is Shannan, and Luoxie is Luoxie.

"Therefore, we should either send 10,000 elite troops, led by outstanding generals, to leave Lhasa via the mountain road and head south of the mountains, have some of the city leaders feign surrender to lure the enemy deep into our territory, and then ambush Xue Rengui and Qibi Heli somewhere," Luo Binwang said with a cold expression and bowed. "Then we should have them come back from the south of the mountains and join forces with Lhasa to attack from the north and south, and defeat the great enemy together."

Meng Jiechi looked at Luo Binwang in surprise and nodded, saying, "Sir, you are indeed remarkable."

"You flatter me, Your Highness." Luo Binwang calmly rose and then looked at Shang Jiezan: "Prime Minister."

Shang Jiezan nodded solemnly and said, "Sir, your strategy is magnificent, and I admire it. However, I am worried that if these 10,000 elite troops are insufficient and something unexpected happens..."

"Then send 20,000."

“If we send 20,000, what if Lhasa goes to war? What if Lhasa suffers a major defeat because of insufficient troops?” Shang Jiezan turned to look at Meng Jiechiga.

"In the end, it's still a matter of insufficient troops," Meng Jiechi sighed.

After several major battles, ordinary soldiers could be replenished, but truly elite troops were difficult to replace. In the end, if stability was desired between Shannan and Lhasa, Lhasa was the only viable option.

“Then abandon the reinforcement of Shannan. As before, let them resist for as long as they can. If they can’t, let them feign surrender.” Luo Binwang leaned forward slightly and said with sharp eyes, “Don’t be fooled by the Tang army’s superior strength and large number of generals. They have a fatal weakness.”

"What?" Monk Mengjiechiga looked up as he agreed.

“Insufficient troops.” Luo Binwang couldn’t help but smile, and said under the incredulous gaze of the monk Jiezan, “Yes, insufficient troops. Tibet is vast, from Greater and Lesser Bolu to Rigze, to Lhasa, and Linzhi in the south of the mountains. It is not difficult for the Tang Dynasty to conquer it, but it is not easy to occupy and conquer it. Putting aside everything else, every time a city is occupied, troops need to be left to garrison it, right?”

Monk Mengjiechiga nodded subconsciously.

Luo Binwang raised his head slightly and said, "So, either they simply couldn't spare any troops to return and provide support, or they brought back a large number of their 'conquered' main forces."

Luo Binwang emphasized the word "conquer".

Once the local main forces are mobilized, even if they rebel again in the middle, it will be easy for the Tang Dynasty to return in the future.

“A feigned surrender, a conquest—Sir, you want them to hold back in the final battle!” Shang Jiezan was the first to understand.

Luo Binwang nodded and said, "That's right. Set a time, open the dam and release the water, attack from both inside and outside, and then win in one fell swoop. After that, drive the entire Tang army out of Lhasa."

At this point, Luo Binwang bowed deeply and said, "Your Highness, this is our only way to win now."

Meng Jiechiga turned to look at Shang Jiezan. Shang Jiezan nodded and said, "We are currently storing water very carefully at a very high altitude upstream. The water level hasn't changed much. In two more months, when it gets hot, the water level will drop due to the heat, and we won't be able to detect it anymore."

"Let's arrange it this way," Meng Jiechiga decided directly.

"Yes!" Shang Jiezan and Luo Binwang bowed simultaneously.

Slightly relieved, Meng Jiechi looked at Luo Binwang and asked, "Sir, the Tang Dynasty won't just wait like this. They will try to attack the city. What methods do you think they will use to attack the city?"

Luo Binwang fell silent, then looked up and said, "Right now, as long as the 20,000 cavalrymen outside the city are still there, they will never be able to attack the city. Therefore, what they want most is to annihilate the 20,000 cavalrymen outside the city. So, before the dam is opened, those 20,000 cavalrymen must not be moved under any circumstances."

"Yes!" Shang Jiezan nodded; Luo Binwang was right.

"As for the rest," Luo Binwang said, looking at Meng Jiechiga, "Luosi is a fortified city, one of the few strong cities in the Tang Dynasty. And in the Tang Dynasty, the most famous and influential siege in the past sixty years was none other than Emperor Taizong's attack on Luoyang."

“Luoyang.” Meng Jiechi nodded and said, “Luoyang is a great city in the world.”

"When Emperor Taizong besieged Luoyang, he cut off the city from the outside world, which led to a shortage of food in the city. Then, after only eight months, Wang Shichong surrendered to the late emperor." Luo Binwang turned to Shang Jiezan and said, "Therefore, to defend Luoxie City, food must be plentiful. Whether it is nobles or commoners, at critical moments, either side could become the key to the city's fall."

Shang Jiezan nodded seriously and said, "The food in Lhasa is sufficient, and we also have a large amount of stored grain in the mountains, which should last for two or three years without any problem."

“That’s enough.” Luo Binwang looked at Meng Jiechiga and bowed slightly. “But I still don’t want things to come to that point, because once food shortages begin, everything that is thought to be collapsing will happen faster than anyone imagines.”

"Thank you, sir!" Meng Jiechiga nodded slightly and said, "I am grateful for your help today. I hope you will continue to offer your advice in the future."

"Yes!" Luo Binwang bowed and stood up, saying, "I'll take my leave."

“Hmm!” Meng Jiechi nodded calmly.

……

After Luo Binwang had completely left, Meng Jiechiga turned to Shang Jiezan and asked, "Well, can this person be trusted?"

“Yes, he can.” Shang Jiezan nodded and said, “He has done so much, many of which I had not thought of before. He can be completely trusted.”

“Then let’s do as he says.” After a slight pause, Meng Jiechiga said, “In a few days, find him a suitable royal woman and have him get married in Lhasa. You will be in charge of it personally. That way, he will be one of our own.”

"Yes!" Shang Jiezan bowed respectfully.

Meng Jiechi breathed a sigh of relief and looked up, saying, "The Tang people will use every possible means to attack the city. Let him be mainly responsible for defense. Your main task is to train troops. The Tang army is short of manpower, and so are ours."

"Yes!" Shang Jiezan nodded solemnly.

Although Lhasa appears to have an army of 90,000, only about 50,000 are actually capable of fighting, which is insufficient compared to the Tang Dynasty, let alone waging war.

"In addition," Meng Jiechiga said, his eyes narrowing slightly, "among the Tang army, there are Tuyuhun people, Yangtong people, and Supi people."

"Take some men from the Guangjun army, contact these people, bribe them heavily, and get them to let you pass at a crucial moment."

The Tang Dynasty was the one that wanted to destroy Lhasa. After the Tang Dynasty was destroyed, it would not actually bring much benefit to the Tuyuhun, Yangtong, and Supi people, especially their generals.

Such people are the easiest to bribe with large sums of money, especially since the Tibetans had a deep understanding of them.

This is Mengjiechiga's real trump card.

"Yes!" Shang Jiezan bowed respectfully, his expression solemn.

Meng Jiechiga raised her hand slightly and asked, "What's the news from Nepal?"

Shang Jiezan bowed solemnly and said, "Nepal is still observing and has no plans to send troops for the time being."

Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal was a consort of Songtsen Gampo. Although Songtsen Gampo died, Tibet maintained a deep control over Nepal for many years. Even Mongchechiga was preparing to have Mangsong Mangtsen marry the Nepal princess.

However, this time the Tibetans suffered another defeat at Tuyuhun, which led the Tang Dynasty to send troops to the Tanggula Pass. Nepal's attitude immediately became ambiguous.

Of course, this is also related to the reason why India suddenly sent troops north.

Many Tibetans stationed in Nepal were dispatched to the south of Nepal to guard against India, and some even severed ties with Tibet.

"Although the situation is difficult, we can still hold on." Meng Jiechiga looked at Shang Jiezan and said seriously, "Time, time. As long as India withdraws its troops and the Tang Dynasty is unable to capture Lhasa for a long time, then Nepal will send troops... After all, if the Tang Dynasty really destroys Tibet, Nepal will be next."

"Your subject knows what to do," Shang Jiezan said solemnly, bowing deeply.

"You've worked hard, Prime Minister." Meng Jiechi waved his hand, and Shang Jiezan bowed and withdrew.

Soon only Mengjiechiga and Mangsong Mangzan remained in the hall.

Meng Jiechiga then looked at Mangsong Mangzan and asked seriously, "Did you understand everything you just said?"

"Yes!" Mangsong Mangzan nodded slightly, then asked, "Can't Luo Binwang be trusted?"

“There is a difference between insiders and outsiders. He is ultimately a Tang person. The affairs of Guangjun are something that people like him can never get involved in.” Meng Jiechiga shook his head calmly before saying, “Although there are many pros and cons to consider in today’s matter, we must also be prepared for all possible failures. Therefore, holding Lhasa is the most important thing.”

"Yes!" Mangsong and Mangzan nodded. No matter how respectful they were, outsiders were still outsiders, and the real secrets must never be touched by them.

“What Luo Binwang just said was very useful.” Meng Jiechiga raised his head slightly and said, “Tibet is vast, and it is not easy for the Tang Dynasty to govern it, especially the conflicts between the various ethnic groups. Even when the late king was alive, it was difficult to deal with. So even if Lhasa suffers a temporary setback, as long as the conflicts between the Tang Dynasty and the local powerful ethnic groups resurface and the Nepalese begin to stir again, that will be the time for you to leave the Potala Palace.”

Mangsong Mangzan nodded slowly. Guangjun had never made any major changes to the previous arrangements; he had only sent people to make contacts and bribes.

But Guangjun was the Tibetan royal family's strongest trump card.

However, only the Tibetan emperor could mobilize the Guangjun army.

No matter how fierce the battles outside, Mangsong Mangtsen must always firmly guard the Potala Palace. He will wait two more years until the conflicts between the Tang Dynasty and the various Tibetan tribes resurface, and they are distracted by the commotion in Nepal. That will be the beginning of Mangsong Mangtsen truly stepping out of the Potala Palace and shining brightly throughout the world.

……

Meng Jiechi glanced at the box beside her; inside was a letter from Li Chengqian.

As long as Princess Wencheng remains safe, even if Lhasa is conquered in the future, Mangsong Mangtsen will still be able to continue as the Tibetan king, albeit only ruling the city of Lhasa. But this gives Mengjiechiga enough confidence.

Ultimately, we'll have to wait until Mangsong Mangtsen has fully grown up.

(End of this chapter)