Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 428 When I pacify the Turks in the future, I will definitely ask His Majesty for permission.

The carriages heading towards the residence of Qibi Heli rolled across Zhuque Avenue in Chang'an.

The sounds of people and vendors outside the car mingled together.

The carriage was unusually quiet.

Qibi Heli sat upright on the cushion, his back ramrod straight.

He hadn't said a word since getting on the bus, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

His mind was filled with the words Wen He had just said.

My mother said that people in the Tang Dynasty always spoke subtly, with hidden meanings in their words; one shouldn't just take it as it appears on the surface.

Qibi Heli muttered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the leather scabbard at his waist.

Those were his father's keepsakes, which had accompanied him through countless difficult days and nights on the grassland.

"The master said, 'We welcome friends with fine wine, but we face enemies with swords and spears.' Is this a reminder to restrain my people, or a warning to our Qibi tribe that if we dare to harbor disloyal thoughts, the Tang Dynasty will show no mercy?"

This thought made his heart tighten.

He recalled the endless arguments among the elders of his clan before they submitted to the Tang Dynasty.

Some say that Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty was a man of great talent and ambition, but also a man of great suspicion, and that he accepted them only to use the Qibi tribe to contain the Turks.

Some people say that although Chang'an is nice, it is not the grassland. The Han people have always been xenophobic, and these foreigners will be squeezed out sooner or later.

But his uncle told him that they had no choice.

Because if they didn't leave the grasslands, they would die under Jieli's sword.

Even after arriving in Chang'an, he remained uneasy.

Especially before, when the Tang emperor asked him if he was willing to let the Qibi tribe fight for the Tang Dynasty.

He started to feel scared.

Qibi Heli secretly glanced at Wen He sitting opposite him.

Seeing that the other person was lifting the carriage curtain and looking at the street scene outside the window with great interest, with a calm expression and no sign of anything unusual, his doubts deepened.

What troubled him even more was the phrase "we, the people of the Tang Dynasty".

Qibi Heli was filled with doubt.

'Sir, do you mistake me for a person from the Tang Dynasty?'

He grew up on the grasslands, drinking mare's milk wine, riding fine horses, and had the blood of the Qibi tribe flowing in his veins.

But after arriving in Chang'an, he wore Han Chinese clothes, read Han Chinese books, and learned Han Chinese etiquette, gradually getting used to life there.

He longed to integrate into the Tang Dynasty and enjoy its peace and prosperity, yet he feared he would forget his roots and disappoint his people.

This contradiction was like an invisible net, tightly binding him and making it hard for him to breathe.

Seeing his absent-minded appearance, with his brows almost furrowed together, Wen He couldn't help but feel curious.

What is this kid thinking? His features are all scrunched up.

Since he got on the bus, he hasn't relaxed his brow once, and even his breathing has been somewhat heavy.

However, Qibi Heli did not speak up, and Wen He did not ask any further questions.

He knew that the child was thoughtful, especially when it came to matters concerning his clan, he was particularly cautious.

Some things, no matter how much others say, are useless; he has to figure them out himself.

The carriage traveled through the bustling Zhuque Street.

Qibi Heli would occasionally lift a corner of the carriage curtain, looking at this unfamiliar yet bustling scene, his feelings becoming even more complicated.

The grasslands were once only boundless pastures and herds of cattle and sheep; there had never been such a lively scene before. Yet, this liveliness made him feel somewhat alienated.

The caravan gradually entered the market town where the Qibi tribe was located. It was not as bustling as Zhuque Street, but it was still very well-organized.

Before they even reached Qibi Heli's residence, they heard a commotion outside, with a lot of talk clearly reaching the carriage.

"Are they Turks? Look at their clothes and attire, definitely Turkic style."

"So that empty mansion was inhabited by Turks! I thought it was some official's villa."

"You must be new to Chang'an, right? It's already been spread that the Qibi tribe of the Turks has surrendered to our Great Tang, and His Majesty has specially granted them a mansion to live in."

"They surrendered? Then we'd better stay away. I've heard that the Turks are very fierce and eat raw meat and drink blood."

"You can't say that. His Majesty has accepted them, so there must be a reason. But they are, after all, a different race, so it's best to be careful."

These whispers pierced Qibi Heli's ears like needles, making him instantly uneasy.

All those chaotic thoughts from before were thrown to the back of my mind, replaced by an indescribable sense of embarrassment and awkwardness.

His gaze was fixed on the carriage curtain, as if he wanted to see through the fabric to the faces of the people talking outside.

He knew that the people of Chang'an didn't know much about the nomadic tribes and were bound to have prejudices.

Hearing these words with my own ears still felt like a heavy stone was lodged in my heart.

"Young master, the road ahead is blocked. There are many people from the Qibi tribe gathered at the entrance."

The voice of Qi San, the attendant, came from outside the carriage, tinged with caution.

Qibi Heli could no longer contain himself and suddenly stood up to walk out of the car.

But as soon as he took a step, he suddenly remembered something, stopped, and turned to look at Wen He with a questioning look in his eyes, as if seeking Wen He's consent.

Seeing his anxious yet hesitant expression, Wen He understood, nodded to him, and said gently.

"go together."

Upon hearing this, Qibi Heli's face instantly lit up with joy. He quickly lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down without hesitation.

Wen He also got out of the car, her gaze sweeping over the scene ahead.

A large crowd had gathered at the entrance of the Qibi tribe's residence. Most of them were dressed in grassland-style clothing, and there were men, women, and children of all ages. Their faces showed the fatigue of a long journey, but they could not hide their excitement at the reunion.

The Qibi tribe must have arrived in the morning, and Lady Guzang must have already sent people to meet them outside the city gate.

Judging from the crowd, quite a few people have come.

However, it is likely that most people were accommodated in the post station outside Chang'an City, and only the core members of the tribe, about ten people, entered the city.

As soon as Qibi Heli got out of the car, she saw several familiar figures, and her eyes instantly reddened.

He shouted in Turkic, his voice filled with excitement, and then ran quickly toward a middle-aged man in the crowd.

The man was tall and had a dark complexion, typical of a nomadic people. He wore a slightly worn Turkic robe, with the sleeve of his right arm hanging empty, clearly indicating that he was missing an arm.

"Uncle!"

Qibi Heli choked back tears and threw herself into the middle-aged man's arms.

The middle-aged man was none other than Qibi Gan, the elder of the Qibi tribe, and also the younger brother of Qibi Heli's father.

He held Qibi Heli tightly, his rough hands patting his back forcefully, his eyes reddening, and he choked out something in Turkic, his voice full of longing and worry.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding Qibi tribesmen also gathered around.

They chattered amongst themselves in Turkic with Qibi Heli, their faces showing concern.

Wen He stood aside, quietly watching this scene with a gentle smile on her face.

Although he couldn't understand the Turkic language, he could feel the sincere emotions of a long-awaited reunion.

Qibi Heli has been in Chang'an for so long, his people must have been thinking of him.

If it weren't for the overwhelming force of Jieli Khan, who wanted to annex the Qibi tribe...

Why would they leave their homes and come to this unfamiliar Han Chinese city to seek refuge?
Only they themselves truly understand the helplessness and hardship they endured.

And Qibi Heli was their hope.

Qi San stood behind Wen He, looking at the Turks surrounding Qibi Heli, a hint of resentment on his face, and whispered to Wen He.

“Young master, these Turks are so impolite! You came to visit in person, and not a single one of them came to greet you. They all surrounded Qibi Heli and left you standing there.”

Upon hearing this, Wen He smiled faintly and waved her hand.

"It's alright. They've finally reunited. We're here to meet their parents, not to intimidate them. There's no need to make a fuss about it."

That's right, one of the purposes of Wen He's visit today is to conduct a home visit.

This is his identity as Mr. Qibi Heli.

Another purpose was to appease.

This is the duty of an official of the Tang Dynasty.

So many people from the Qibi tribe came to the Tang Dynasty, yet neither the Ministry of Rites nor the Court of State Ceremonies sent anyone.

That means they received a message from Li Shimin that they would not interfere in this matter.

Just then, Lady Guzang, who was comforting her clansmen and Qibi Heli, turned around unintentionally and happened to see Wenhe standing not far away.

She was taken aback and quickly spoke a few words in Turkic to those around her, signaling them to calm down. Then she strode towards Wen He.

Her steps were somewhat hurried, and her face was full of apology and respect.

Upon hearing Lady Guzang's words, the members of the Qibi tribe turned around and looked at Wen He with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

Most of them were seeing Wen He for the first time and only knew that he was an official of the Tang Dynasty.

"Respected Lord Gaoyang, I never expected you to come in person today. I am truly flattered."

Lady Guzang walked up to Wen He, bowed deeply, and spoke with exceptional respect, even with a hint of caution.

"He Li was too excited just now and forgot to report to you or greet you. It was his fault. I hope you will not take offense."

She speaks Mandarin fairly fluently, though with a slight grassland accent.

This excessive respect made Wen He feel somewhat uncomfortable.

He quickly raised his hand in a gesture of support, and said with a smile.

"Madam, there's no need for such formality. It's only natural for He Li to be excited to reunite with his clansmen after so long. How could I possibly blame him?"

"I have come today for two reasons: first, to congratulate the Qibi tribe on their successful arrival in Chang'an; and second, to visit your clansmen. I have prepared some small gifts, which are of little importance."

As she spoke, Wen He gestured to Qi San behind her to unload the gifts from the car.

Upon hearing this, Qi San immediately instructed his entourage to unload the goods.
Boxes of silk, tea, porcelain, and grain were unloaded one after another and piled up at the entrance, a dazzling array.

The Qibi tribe members all looked surprised.

They were short of supplies on the grasslands and rarely saw such exquisite things, let alone so many at once.

Lady Guzang was deeply moved upon seeing this and bowed again.

“Lord County, you are too kind. Your personal visit is the greatest honor you can bestow upon us. These gifts are far too valuable for us to accept.”

“Madam, there’s no need to refuse,” Wen He said with a smile.

“I am Qibi Heli’s teacher. In the Tang Dynasty, a teacher for a day is a father for life. I am also his half-father.”

Hmm... even though I'm only two years older than him.

But a teacher is like a father.

Lady Guzang was stunned for a long time, whether she didn't understand or misunderstood something.

After blinking a few times, he looked Wen He up and down, then burst out laughing.

What does she mean by this?

'Was the look she gave me just now because she thought I was too young?'

'No, no, what is she thinking? She's not a proper married woman!'

"Madam, you misunderstand. What I mean is that a teacher is an elder, and since He Li's family is here, it is only right that I prepare a gift."

Wen He gave a dry laugh and changed the subject.

Just as Wen He was exchanging pleasantries with Madam Guzang, Qibi Heli had already pulled the one-armed middle-aged man over quickly.

The middle-aged man had a dark complexion, and his deep eyes held an undisguised scrutiny and wariness.

It seemed to be a defensiveness ingrained in the bones of the grassland tribes, like a lone wolf on the wilderness encountering a strange hunter.

But this wariness lasted only a moment before he subtly concealed it.

"Sir, this is my uncle, Qibi Gan!"

Qibi Heli stood between the two, tilting her small face up as she introduced them, her tone full of pride and honor.

Upon hearing this, Qibi Gan solemnly placed his left hand on his right chest, leaned forward slightly, and performed a standard grassland salute.

He uttered a string of halting Turkic words.

Although Wen He couldn't understand the specific meaning, she could sense a certain seriousness from his expression.

Qibi Heli, standing beside him, immediately stepped in as a translator, her little face full of seriousness.

“Sir, my uncle said, ‘Respected Earl of Gaoyang County, Qibibu Silifa Qibi Gan expresses his respects to you.’”

"Si Lifa"

It was an extremely high rank among the Turkic tribes, which even ordinary tribal leaders could hardly obtain, demonstrating Qibi Gan's status within the tribe.

Wen He dared not be negligent and immediately returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, his tone sincere.

"Qibi Silifa is very polite. I have long admired your name."

"After my father passed away, it was my uncle who overruled all objections and supported me in becoming the Khan of the Qibi tribe!"

Qibi Heli clenched her small fists, and her voice suddenly rose.

"When Jieli attacked us before, my uncle led three hundred warriors to cover the tribe's retreat, holding off Jieli's three thousand cavalry. It was at that time..."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Qibi Gan's empty right sleeve, his voice gradually lowered, and his eyes reddened.

"My uncle lost an arm. He was the fiercest wolf on the grassland!"

These words shocked Wen He.

To be able to successfully cover the rear with only 300 against 3,000 is truly a display of courage and fighting prowess.

His gaze toward Qibi Gan held a newfound genuine admiration.

When Qibi Heli said this, his pride was mixed with worry.

He knew all too well the rules of the wolf pack on the grasslands.

Even the fiercest wolf, if it loses its claws and fangs, will eventually be abandoned by the pack.

He feared that Wenhe would think his uncle had become a useless person and would no longer value the Qibi tribe.

Wen He naturally understood the worry in the boy's eyes.

He took a step forward, looking directly at Qibi Gan, his tone resolute.

"Losing an arm is never a stain on a warrior's reputation, but rather a medal of honor."

"You, with three hundred brave warriors, held off three thousand formidable enemies and protected the safety of your entire clan. Such a heroic act is admirable. The people of our Great Tang Dynasty admire true warriors like you the most!"

Lady Guzang immediately translated these words accurately into Turkic.

Upon hearing this, Qibi Gan's body trembled violently, and a storm raged in his deep eyes.

He had previously learned from Qibi Heli's letter that this Earl of Gaoyang County was only twelve years old, and he had initially held him in some contempt.

On the grasslands, even the Khan's sons wouldn't be truly respected by the tribe until they were old enough to draw a bow and hunt. That's why he sent Qibi Heli to Chang'an as a hostage while he stayed in Lingzhou to stabilize the tribe.

But this young county magistrate showed no disrespect whatsoever. On the contrary, he could see through the merits behind the missing arm at a glance. This insight and magnanimity made people ignore his age.

At this moment, most of the defensiveness and doubt in Qibi Gan's heart dissipated.

He bowed deeply again and spoke in broken Chinese.

"Thank you... thank you, County Earl."

Wen He wanted to reach out to help him, but when she looked up, she realized that she had to raise her hand to touch his arm.

Qibi Gan was tall; even standing there, he was more than two heads taller than twelve-year-old Wen He.

The height difference is outrageous.

He simply withdrew his hand and smoothed things over with a smile.

"Si Lifa, there's no need for such formalities. It's not a good idea for us to just stand here on the street. Many passersby are watching. Why don't we go inside and talk in detail?"

Lady Guzang then realized that she had been so busy exchanging pleasantries that she had forgotten to invite the distinguished guest into the mansion, and she quickly apologized.

"It was my fault for being impolite, Lord Gaoyang, please forgive me, please go first!"

As she spoke, she made a standard "please" gesture, her posture extremely respectful.

Qibi Gan also stepped aside to make way, gesturing for Wen He to go first.

On the grasslands, only the most distinguished guests are allowed to walk at the front; this is the highest honor they are shown.

Wen He wasn't being pretentious.

His presence here today is not only that of Mr. Qibi Heli, but also represents the attitude of the Tang Dynasty.

Excessive politeness would only make the Qibi tribe think that the Tang Dynasty was all bark and no bite.

He straightened his back and strode confidently toward the Qibi residence.

The surrounding crowd immediately erupted in discussion, with voices rising and falling.

"Who is this child? Why are the Turks treating him with such respect? Could he be some prince?"

No sooner had he said that than someone nearby scoffed.

"Are you perhaps just arrived in Chang'an from the countryside? You don't even recognize the Earl of Gaoyang County?"

"That's right! Everyone in Chang'an knows that this Earl of Gaoyang made great contributions at the age of twelve and was personally appointed Earl by His Majesty!"

Another middle-aged man leaned over, his voice full of pride.

"I've heard that the young Khan of the Qibi tribe is a student of the Earl of Gaoyang County!"

"Good heavens! Teaching the Khan to read at the age of twelve, that's even more impressive than Gan Luo back then! He's truly bringing honor to our Great Tang Dynasty!"

"Of course! The glass bottles in the West Market last time were made by this county magistrate. I heard that even nobles in the palace were scrambling to get them!"

The discussions were full of praise, and the people who were originally wary of the Qibi tribe looked at Wen He with more admiration.

The main hall of Qibi's residence was decorated simply yet solemnly.

Unlike the residences of Tang Dynasty officials, there were no heavy desks here, but more than ten Hu stools, which were obviously specially prepared for the customs of the nomadic people.

The head seat in the center of the main hall was cushioned, and Wen He did not refuse, but went straight over and sat down.

This is the main seat, the seat where the representative of the Tang Dynasty should sit.

Lady Guzang sat in the guest seat to his left.

Qibi Gan sat with several tribal elders at the bottom, while Qibi Heli stood obediently behind Wen He, like a little servant.

As soon as I sat down, a maid brought me several bowls of mare's milk wine.

The milky white liquid was served in an exquisite porcelain bowl, exuding a rich milky aroma.

Wen He picked it up, smelled it, and frowned slightly.

This mare's milk wine had a faint muttony smell, which was quite strong for him.

He quietly put the bowl back on the table.

"He Li and I have come here today for two reasons."

Wen He picked up her teacup, took a sip, and got straight to the point.

Lady Guzang immediately put down her bowl, listened attentively, and prepared to translate.

"Firstly, He Li has been missing his clansmen for a long time, so I brought him here to reunite with his family and ease his homesickness."

"Secondly, I also want you to see the sincerity of the Great Tang Dynasty. His Majesty bestowed this mansion upon you to save you from the hardships of wandering. It is by no means that he wants to keep you in captivity, but rather that he sincerely accepts the Qibi tribe as subjects of the Great Tang Dynasty."

Lady Guzang translated these words word for word into Turkic.

Qibi Heli stood behind, his cheeks instantly turning red.

I'm a little embarrassed that you've put your homesickness so bluntly.

He was a warrior of the grasslands.

He's the future wolf king!

How could the wolf king be homesick?
After listening, Qibi Gan and the elders exchanged glances, and the unease in their eyes gradually dissipated.

Before coming to Chang'an, their biggest worry was being treated as war booty by the Tang Dynasty and kept as captives, losing their tribal freedom and dignity.

But now it seems that the mansion is spacious and bright, even more exquisite than the Khan's tent on the grassland.

Wen He's attitude was frank and sincere, without the slightest arrogance of someone in a superior position.

Looking at Qibi Heli, he was not only much stronger than when he left, but he was obviously doing very well in Chang'an.

"Thank you for the kindness of the Earl of Gaoyang County, and thank you for the benevolence of the Emperor of the Great Tang!"

Qibi Gan was the first to stand up, and he and several elders were about to bow in respect.

The people of the grasslands are very straightforward. Once they sense sincerity, they will express their respect without reservation.

"Wait a minute!"

Wen He raised her hand to stop them, her tone becoming more serious.

"This is not a favor from me, but His Majesty's sincerity towards the Qibi tribe. His Majesty has already shown goodwill, so shouldn't it be the Qibi tribe's turn to express their attitude next?"

Lady Guzang's smile froze, and she did not translate immediately.

She hadn't expected Wen He to be so direct, and was afraid that her words would anger Qibi Gan.

Grassland tribes are most averse to being coerced; even if they submit, they still hope to be respected.

Wen He, however, didn't care at all.

He knew that dealing with the straightforward grassland people by beating around the bush would only make them think he was being hypocritical, so it was better to get straight to the point.

After a moment's hesitation, Lady Guzang translated Wen He's words.

Qibi Gan's face darkened as expected, and his fingers unconsciously tightened around the short knife at his waist.

He recalled what Lady Guzang had said in her letter.

The Tang emperor hoped that the Qibi tribe would fight for him.

On the grasslands, it was common for tribes to serve the strong; if they could fight for Jieli, they could naturally serve the Tang Dynasty as well.

But the key question is, what could the Tang Dynasty offer the Qibi tribe?
Should they be allowed to continue as tribes on the grasslands, or should they be broken up and incorporated into the Tang army, thus completely losing their tribal foundation?
Qibi Gan didn't speak, but looked at Madam Guzang with a questioning look in her eyes. Madam Guzang understood, cleared her throat, and spoke to Wen He.

“Lord of Gaoyang County, now that the Qibi tribe has surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, it will naturally serve His Majesty and protect the territory of the Tang Dynasty. However, my tribe has just experienced war and suffered heavy casualties. We really need some time to rest and recover our strength.”

Wen He secretly praised him.

This Lady Guzang was indeed a heroine among women; her words were tactful yet every one of them made sense.

She appeared to be complaining, but in reality, she was inquiring about the Tang Dynasty's relief policies.

Wen He's gaze swept over every member of the Qibi tribe present, and she slowly began to speak.

“I am here today as Mr. He Li for a home visit, not as a court official. Therefore, I cannot promise you specific relief policies on behalf of His Majesty. That would be disrespectful to His Majesty and dishonest to you.”

The atmosphere in the main hall instantly turned cold upon hearing this.

Qibi Gan's expression grew even more unpleasant, and the elders whispered amongst themselves in Turkic, their faces filled with displeasure.

The people of the grasslands are always straightforward; they either offer benefits or negotiate terms. To them, such unpromising statements are no different from a refusal.

Qibi Heli also became anxious, tugged at Wen He's sleeve, and whispered.

"gentlemen……"

Wen He raised her hand to signal him to calm down and continued speaking.

"But I can show you the way."

"Your Majesty is currently preparing for war and urgently needs skilled warriors who are proficient in horsemanship and archery, as well as generals who are familiar with the grassland terrain and understand Turkic tactics."

“The warriors of your Qibi tribe are all brave and skilled in battle. If you are willing to join the army, I can personally recommend you to His Majesty so that you can form cavalry units by tribe and join the army of my Great Tang.”

"Moreover, as long as you perform meritorious service, you can be rewarded with cattle and sheep, fields, or pastures."

These words struck like a thunderbolt in the main hall. Qibi Gan abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Cavalry units were organized by tribe.

This means that the Qibi tribe will not only not be dismantled, but will also retain its tribal structure and even receive military pay and provisions from the Tang Dynasty!

It's important to understand that when they were under the Turks' command, they relied entirely on plunder to win wars. They could only share the spoils of war if they won, and if they lost, they were left to fend for themselves.

The fact that the Tang Dynasty was willing to let them lead their tribes into battle and even provide supplies was a stark contrast to the Tang Dynasty's treatment.

Seeing their shocked expressions, Wen He understood.

Li Shimin wanted a steppe cavalry force capable of fighting the Turks, while the Qibi tribe wanted to preserve its tribal foundation and dignity; their needs were not in conflict.

He continued.

“I know what you’re worried about: being used as a shield by the Tang Dynasty, or being discarded after the war.”

“But His Majesty is not like Jieli. He has always been fair in rewarding and punishing. The current Duke of Wu was once an enemy of the Tang Dynasty, but after surrendering to the Tang Dynasty, he was still granted a dukedom and appointed as a general.”

"The Duke of Yi was once a general who surrendered from Wagang. Now he commands the most elite troops of the Tang Dynasty. As long as you make contributions to the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty will not be stingy with titles, salaries, and land."

He paused, his gaze falling on Qibi Heli, his tone softening slightly.

"He Li studied in Chang'an, learning the military strategies and tactics of the Tang Dynasty."

"If your tribe's cavalry can combine the formations of the Tang Dynasty with the horse archery of the grasslands, they will surely become the strongest cavalry in the world."

"At that time, you will not only be able to avenge your dead clansmen, but also make the name of the Qibi tribe resound throughout the Tang Dynasty, and ensure that your descendants can live in peace. Isn't that what you want?"

Lady Guzang's translation became increasingly passionate, each word striking a chord in the hearts of the Qibi people.

Qibi Gan thought of the tribesmen who died in the war, the days when the tribe wandered on the grasslands, and the prosperity of Chang'an described in Qibi Heli's letter.

That was the peace and glory they had never dared to hope for.

Just then, Qibi Heli suddenly stood up, his face flushed, and spoke loudly in Turkic.

"Uncle! What the master said is true! His Majesty treats me very well, and the master has taught me many skills!"

"As long as we are loyal to the Tang Dynasty, we will surely be able to make the Qibi tribe better! I am not afraid of war, and I will fight alongside my uncle to avenge my father!"

The boy's voice, though immature, carried a resolute courage.

Qibi Gan looked at his nephew, then at Wen He's clear and determined eyes, and the last trace of hesitation in his heart vanished.

He suddenly stood up, drew the short knife from his waist, slammed the scabbard heavily on the table, and shouted in Turkic.

Wen He's body trembled.

Qi San, who was standing next to him, immediately placed his hand on the horizontal sword.

Are these barbarians going to turn against us?

However, Wen He quickly calmed down.

This is Chang'an. No matter how foolish Qibi Gan is, he wouldn't dare to fight him here.

Wen He was unaware that what Qibi Gan was referring to was the oath of allegiance sworn by the grassland tribes.

Lady Guzang's voice was tinged with excitement as she translated.

“Qibi Gan said, ‘The entire Qibi tribe swears an oath by Mangu Tengri to serve the Tang Dynasty for life and to follow Your Majesty in conquering all directions. If anyone has a disloyal heart, may Mangu Tengri bring down divine punishment!’”

Upon seeing this, Wen He immediately stood up, quickly walked to Qi Bi Gan, and personally helped him up.

This time, he didn't need to raise his hand.

He tiptoed slightly, but his eyes were incredibly determined.

"Silifa, rest assured! As long as the Qibi tribe performs meritorious service for the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty will bestow upon you not only stability and prosperity, but also glory that will be the envy of all the tribes of the grasslands!"

"When the Turks are pacified in the future, I will definitely ask His Majesty for permission to allow the Qibi tribe to return to their homeland on the grasslands and serve as a bulwark for the Tang Dynasty's borders!"

Yes, let the Qibi tribe return to the grasslands.

However, it won't just be the Qibi tribe that will go.

There will also be people from the Tang Dynasty at that time.

For the Tang Dynasty at present, immigration is the best policy to control the grasslands.

Then, starting from the Tang Dynasty, a highway was built that could directly connect to the core area of ​​the grasslands.

Then they built a fortress on the grassland.

It used to be inconvenient, but with cement, it will be much easier.

Only by constantly letting the people on the grasslands feel the military might of the Tang army can we achieve this.

They will gradually assimilate.

From then on, they sang and danced.

"Thank you very much, Lord Gaoyang."

Lady Guzang had tears in her eyes.

Large tears slid down Qibi Heli's face.

After comforting them, Wen He let Qi Bi He Li stay at home for a few days before leaving with Qi San.

"Ke He Dun, can we trust what this Tang man says?"

After seeing Wen He off onto the carriage, Qibi Gan asked Madam Guzang in a low voice.

Lady Guzang's face now showed no trace of emotion, only helplessness.

"He is the teacher of the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty. The five eldest children of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty are all his students. He is only twelve years old this year, but he is already the founding county magistrate of the Tang Dynasty."

"Therefore, his attitude today represents the attitude of the Tang Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Qibi Gan nodded solemnly.

And not long after.

Inside the Lizheng Hall, on Li Shimin's desk was the content of Wen He's speech at Qibi's residence.

Li Shimin looked at it for about half an incense stick's time before finally putting it down with a stern face and saying to Gao Yue.

"It's rumored to be Wen Jiaying."

(End of this chapter)