Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 474 Different Strategies of Offense and Defense

Luoyang.

After the victory at the Battle of Juyanze, Yujiulü Dengzhusili and other members of the Rouran royal family were escorted to Luoyang, where the Luoyang court established the Juyan Fortress.

In addition, the letter from Tuyuhun Khan Kualü was sent to Luoyang along with these high-ranking prisoners of war, expressing his submission, and he also sent a hostage to Chang'an.

From then on, Tuyuhun officially became a vassal state, not only obligated to pay tribute but also to accept military conscription.

With the threats from the north and south of Liangzhou eliminated, the conditions were ripe to send a large army to the Western Regions.

However, Li Shuang did not take advantage of the alliance with the Hephthalites to extend his influence into the Western Regions. He remained very restrained, and his army always stopped at Yumen Pass.

The Western Regions states such as Gaochang, Kucha, and Yanqi, amidst the rivalry between the Hephthalites and the Rouran, sensed something amiss and dispatched envoys to Luoyang to pay tribute.

These Western Region states were considered small countries by the Southern Liang and Northern Wei dynasties, and even by Tuyuhun and Goguryeo. However, in the Western Regions, Gaochang, Kucha, and Yanqi were considered large countries, capable of assembling armies of tens of thousands to fight.

These armies were only effective against the small states of the Western Regions and were no match for nomadic cavalry.

Of course, the armies of these kingdoms were merely used to defend their own cities and bully the surrounding smaller states; they had no power to dominate the Western Regions. Located at the heart of the Silk Road, kingdoms like Gaochang and Kucha were sitting on a gold mine, only needing to collect tolls and protection fees.

For example, Gaochang first submitted to the Gaoche Kingdom, but later, when the Hephthalites arrived, they submitted to the Hephthalite Empire. After the Rouran's westward expedition, they first destroyed the Gaoche Kingdom, and now they are at war with the Hephthalite Empire. Gaochang, unable to offend either side, sent envoys to Luoyang.

She can be described as incredibly shrewd and resourceful!

The Siyi Pavilion in Luoyang hadn't been this lively in a long time.

After receiving a group of envoys from Western Region countries in Sitongfang, Cui Ling, who had been appointed Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, hurriedly took his leave and went to Lu Wenwei's residence.

Lu Wenwei held a banquet at his residence and invited Cui Ling.

However, Cui Ling had arrived earlier and when she met Lu Wenwei, the latter was drinking tea in the back courtyard.

"Is Lord Lu also having tea?"

Cui Ling sat down opposite Lu Wenwei and joked.

It is unclear when exactly, but merchants began selling new tea from Hanzhong and Sichuan in the West Market of Luoyang, and the custom of drinking it in its pure form spread in Luoyang and became popular among aristocratic families.

Lu Wenwei poured Cui Ling a cup of tea and asked:
"I heard that each of the envoys who came from the Western Regions this time will bring tea bricks. Are you aware of this?"

Cui Ling took a small sip and smiled:

"How could I not know? The King of Qin specifically instructed that it must be done well."

Lu Wenwei nodded, seemingly lost in thought, and said:
"Thus, although the situation in Sichuan and Chongqing may fluctuate, it is largely settled."

The officials and nobles in Luoyang only had a general understanding of the situation in places west of Luoyang, such as Guanzhong, Bashu, Longyou, Hedong, and Beidi.

However, tea is mostly produced in Sichuan and Chongqing. If Li Shuang wants to promote tea on a large scale, it at least means that the rebellion of the Liao people in Sichuan and Chongqing has been quelled, or at least the counties near the water and land routes have been unaffected.

Cui Ling, who had been walking for a while and was feeling a bit hot, replied upon hearing this:

"Fine, then so be it!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenwei realized that Cui Ling was ignoring him, so he smiled slightly and asked instead:
"How about the Four Barbarian Tribes Pavilion?"

"After that group of northerners started causing trouble, the Siyiguan (Foreigners' Pavilion) hasn't been this lively for a long time," Cui Ling sighed. "But all that's left is the liveliness; it's not enough."

The Siyiguan (Four Barbarians' Residence) retained the previous Northern Wei system, being a small city south of the Luo River, connected to the outer city of Luoyang by the Yongqiao (Eternal Bridge).

The city had four pavilions—Jinling Pavilion, Yanran Pavilion, Fusang Pavilion, and Yanzi Pavilion—to receive envoys from all directions, hence the name "Four Barbarian Pavilions." Outside the city, there was also a market called Sitong Market, allowing envoys from afar and merchants from the Central Asian countries to trade.

During the height of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Siyi Pavilion was a symbol of national strength.

But now, it's just a facade.

In the present Northern Dynasty, the court nominally controls foreign affairs, but in addition to the official diplomatic system in Luoyang, there is also the Heavenly Khan system.

For example, in the case of Tuyuhun, the official letter was sent to Luoyang, but the hostage went to Chang'an, and the army in the country that accepted the conscription only obeyed the orders of the Heavenly Khan.

"The envoys from Gaochang and Kucha didn't even bother to inquire. The real place to get things done is the Shanglin Temple in Chang'an. Coming to the Siyi Pavilion in Luoyang is just a waste of time."

Lu Wenwei heard Cui Ling's complaints, but he didn't respond. Instead, he asked:

"Which of the four foreign tribes' quarters has the fewest people now?"

"That would naturally be the Fusōkan!"

Fusangguan was a place connecting to the eastern countries of Goguryeo, Silla, Baekje, and Wa.

After Cui Ling finished speaking, she looked at Lu Wenwei, who seemed to have a deeper meaning in his eyes, and suddenly realized what he meant, falling silent for a moment. Lu Wenwei said slowly:

“If the barbarians do not submit, we shall make them submit.”

Cui Ling's expression changed, and he asked:

"Does the King of Qin intend to..."

"Before the troops from Longyou left Yumen Pass, the King of Qin had his own plans."

Cui Ling's heart tightened, and his expression became even more unpleasant.

"Then what should I do?"

Lu Wenwei took out a visiting card and handed it to Cui Ling.

The other person looked at it and murmured:

"Gao Huan, the Duke of Wei?"

……

Huan Tai Fang.

The Duke of Wei's Mansion!

A knocking sound came at the door. Lou Zhaojun got up from the bed and scolded:

"Why aren't you looking for that guy surnamed Zheng? Why are you bothering me after drinking?"

As Lou Zhaojun spoke, an awkward voice came from outside the door.

"Mother, it's me!"

Gao Cheng's somewhat urgent voice came, and Lou Zhaojun immediately changed. After dressing, she took a lamp, opened the door, and looked around.

Gao Cheng was taken to a banquet by Gao Huan, and Lou Zhaojun thought that Gao Huan had gotten drunk and had been brought back by Gao Cheng. But outside the door, there was only Gao Cheng.

"Cheng'er, where is your grandfather?"

"I do not know either."

Lou Zhaojun frowned at Gao Cheng's words and asked:

"What do you mean? Didn't your grandfather come back with you?"

“My grandfather and I went to a banquet at Lord Lu’s mansion. During the banquet, everyone drank with my grandfather and said a lot of flattering things. My grandfather got drunk, and I led him back on horseback. But I don’t know when, my grandfather disappeared. I searched back and forth but couldn’t find him.”

Lou Zhaojun listened and said:
"Don't worry about this. Go back to sleep. Your grandpa might be back early in the morning."

"Can……"

"Listen to your mother."

After Gao Cheng left, Lou Zhaojun looked at the moonlight, but her sleepiness vanished completely, and she murmured:
"I'm afraid we're in big trouble again."

……

The Mansion of Duke of Liang.

Hou Jing was sleeping soundly in his arms on the bed when a sound came from outside.

"What's the matter?"

"My lord, the Duke of Wei has arrived."

"If you don't want to see me, just say I'm sick."

"Can……"

Before he could finish speaking, Gao Huan's voice rang out from outside.

"Wan Jing, we're all brothers, this isn't right of you!"

……

(End of this chapter)