Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 470 They are all my half-brothers

At the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, the green fields stretch as far as the eye can see.

After several years of westward expeditions, the Rouran cavalry set out from Juyanze, crossed the Jinshan Mountains, and arrived in the northern frontier. After conquering the Gaoche tribes, they reached the former territory of the Wusun and fought against the Hephthalites along the way, driving them to the Qihe region.

In the royal court of Rouran, Anagui stroked the tribe's fine horses as if they were beautiful women.

From the frigid North Sea to the oasis at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, this ruler of the Rouran has aged considerably over the years.

However, the flame in his eyes remained.

Anger and hatred transformed this Rouran ruler, forging an iron will. This will for revenge enabled him to endure the cold and heat, overcome countless hardships, and finally secure a place for the Rouran in the Western Regions.

As Anagui was tending to the fine horses of Wusun, the Rouran's prime minister, Tutujia, approached Anagui and whispered:
"Khan, we have found out that the Hephthalites have sent an envoy to Chang'an to request aid."

Anagui was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

"The Hephthalites have even come to Ono Sou's door for help?"

Obviously, Chang'an is thousands of miles away and it is impossible for them to send reinforcements.

The influence of the recent garrison in Dunhuang has reached its limit in Gaochang.

Since military aid was practically impossible to obtain, the Hephthalites' intentions were quite intriguing.

Anagui pondered for a while and then came up with the answer.

"It seems the Hephthalites have quite a few informants!"

Now, the Persians, Rouran, and Tuyuhun have formed an alliance through the efforts of Anagui.

Persia and Hephthalites had been at war for a century, and conflict between them was inevitable.

Li Shuang could influence the Hephthalites' enemies to the east, including their former ally, the Rouran, and their former rival, the Tuyuhun.

Tutujia dared not say more, fearing that he would reopen Anagui's wounds.

However, Anagui chuckled self-deprecatingly and said it himself.

"It's just that the Hephthalites think that I was driven here by Ōno Sō, and that Khōlū is someone Ōno Sō could easily kill, so they went to him for help."

"Khan!"

Anagui waved his hand dismissively.

"This Khan was defeated twice by Daye Shuang, and the Rouran also moved here from their homeland. You and I both know the hardships they faced."

Anagui's voice was firm and possessed a captivating power.

"But I will not lose to Ōye Sō a third time, absolutely not!"

Anagui's words carried a strong sense of determination.

Tutujia also realized that this confrontation would be the last, and the outcome would be either victory or death.

Tutujia looked worried and sighed:
"Khan, now that traitor Tahan has seized the land of southern Mohe with the help of Fa, and has become the most loyal hound of Daye Shuang. Before I came here, I also had deep-seated hatred, but after I came here, I found that my longing for my homeland is weakening. I fear that one day when I am old, I will no longer be able to have the desire to return east."

Tutujia's statement was not unfounded; it was because the environment in the Western Regions was much more comfortable than that north and south of Yinshan.

The Rouran people, who had been trampled underfoot by the Xianbei, found themselves with hardly any rivals here.

When Han envoys traveled to the Western Regions, reaching as far as Kangju and other major Western Region states, the historical records about these states can be summarized in two characteristics.

The country is rich but the army is weak.

If you can rule here, why go back to the east to conquer?
Today, the Rouran people of Anagui's generation, who have suffered profound humiliation, still have the desire to return east. But what about the next generation?

Anagui was well aware of Tutujia's concerns, but simply said:

"It's not the right time yet!"

Anagui knew the gap between his cavalry and Li Shuang's cavalry. "We need more warriors from various tribes, and enough wealth to support our return east. Otherwise, even if we return to the east, we will not be a match for Da Ye Shuang."

As he was speaking, Anagui suddenly noticed a commotion in the distance.

Ashina Tumen of the Turkic tribe—Anagui's son-in-law—and his wife Ami, amidst a crowd, led a large number of livestock and Hephthalite prisoners of war into the royal court.

Under the leadership of Anagui, the Rouran led their troops on a westward expedition. The Turkic tribes, who were Rouran blacksmiths and lived in the Jinshan Mountains, played a significant role in this process.

Therefore, the influence and strength of the Turkic tribes gradually increased.

Looking at his daughter and son-in-law, Yujiulü Anagui suddenly felt a sense of worry.

"Tutujia!"

"Khan?"

Tutujia thought Anagui had something to tell him, but Anagui suddenly said something that Tutujia didn't understand at all.

"Tumen is so young!"

……

Luoyang.

Jinyong City.

The Hephthalite envoy arrived in Luoyang from Chang'an and finally met Li Shuang.

The Hephthalite envoy with a full beard did not come alone, but brought with him a Sogdian translator.

The Sogdians were a commercial people who spread their influence throughout the Western Regions and even the Central Plains via the Silk Road.

Therefore, they are proficient in various languages.

In its early rise, the Hephthalites conquered Sogdiana, Tokharistan, and Fergana. Their influence extended north to the Seven Rivers region, south into the territory of the Gupta Dynasty, west to the Sea of ​​Thunder, and east to control Gaochang.

The Hephthalites once fought against the Northern Wei, forcing the Northern Wei to negotiate peace with the Southern Liang to avoid fighting on two fronts.

However, at this time, the Hephthalites found themselves in an awkward situation under the tripartite alliance led by the Rouran.

Ultimately, the Hephthalites were not much different from the Rouran, controlling more than forty states in the Western Regions through their powerful military. However, once their military strength declined or they were annihilated, the mighty Hephthalite Empire would be quickly replaced by other nomadic peoples.

Clearly, Hephaestus was struggling to keep up.

"The name of the Heavenly Khan resounds throughout the four seas. Even we, thousands of miles away, have heard of him and admire him greatly. Now, the Rouran and Tuyuhun are both nephews and nieces of the Heavenly Khan, yet they have broken their alliance and arbitrarily provoked conflict. We, people from distant lands, have long admired this great nation and wish to pay tribute every year. However, these two nations have cut off our travel routes and have repeatedly waged war. We hope that the Heavenly Khan will restrain these two nations so that we may receive the grace of this great nation."

The purpose of the Hephthalite envoy's visit was translated from the Sogdians' words with great humility.

Of course, this wasn't just talk; the Hephthalite envoy also brought a letter of state, seeking an alliance.

“The envoy has misunderstood. I am not the same as Anagui and Kallu.” “Right and wrong are difficult to distinguish now, so how can I rashly interfere?”

The Sogdian whispered a few words in the ear of the Hephthalite envoy, who then whispered a few words back in return.

The Sogdian spoke up:

“Your Majesty, he said that if Your Majesty is willing to form an alliance with the Hephthalites, the Hephthalites are willing to offer the most beautiful pearl of Samarkand.”

"To be honest, envoy, one of them is my sworn brother, and the other is my sworn nephew. Even though they have some disagreements, they are still my relatives."

After the Sogdian finished translating, he asked:
"Your Majesty, the messenger asks what you mean by this question?"

"Giving women isn't enough, you have to pay more!"

……

(End of this chapter)