Chapter 34: The Tibetan Reinforcements (Addendum)

  Finally broke into the new book 15, thanks to friends for their support. Still three names short of making it to the front page, please help me out and give me a boost! If I make it to the front page, I'll post three updates every day as promised, no excuses!

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  Xiao Bolu betrayed the Tang Dynasty and surrendered to Tubo. This crime must be accounted for. However, this accounting matter should be handled by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Li Longji. Others do not have that power, let alone Li Changguo, even Gao Xianzhi does not have that power.

  Li Changguo said he didn't mind, but this was originally a trap.

  The Tang army rushed forward and captured a group of ministers. In the face of the ferocious Tang army, the small Pu Lu's ministers were as gentle as sheep, without any resistance.

  Li Siye looked at Su Shi Li for a moment, and couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Haha! Is this really the young King of Balhae? No matter how I look at him, he doesn't seem like it. Even a wealthy landowner from the countryside in Great Tang has more presence than him!"

  "Pffft!"

  Li Changguo couldn't help but laugh, pointing at Li Siye and saying: "You really can think of it! However, this phrase is quite vivid. Su Shi said that as the ruler of a country, I haven't seen him having any majestic aura, nor does he have a strong physique, but instead, he has a big belly, no different from a rural landlord!"

  Xiaobo's law is too small, which can't produce any great talents. Su Shi is like a wealthy landlord, and his group of ministers are like the lackeys of a wealthy landlord's family. Whether it's their clothing or temperament, way of doing things, there's not a bit of the air of a superior, and they can't even be mentioned in the same breath as the word "minister".

  "Ah!" Su Shi-li was already frightened, seeing Li Chang-guo and Li Si-ye teasing him, he felt extremely ashamed and couldn't bear it anymore. Along with a faint sound from his pants, a foul smell filled the air.

  Li Changguo and Li Sili covered their noses and retreated far away, gazing at Su Shi's pale face, his whole body covered in flour, and the unbearable stench, speechless.

  The dignified ruler of a country was actually scared shitless on the spot, who would believe it?

  This is not all, Su Shi's courage was indeed not big, almost scared to death, face turned green, breathing urgently, eyes bulging out, and could have died at any moment.

  Although he was a criminal, he couldn't die because he had to be escorted to Chang'an and handed over to Li Longji for disposal. Li Siye rubbed his hands together, loudly comforting him: "Su Shi, you can't die! How come you're so timid? We were just teasing you a few times. Don't be afraid, I won't laugh at you anymore, I won't laugh at you anymore."

  He said with a loud voice, but Su Shi was even more frightened, and a few words burst out from between his teeth: "How do you plan to deal with me?"

  The voice was very faint and stuttered, if Li Changguo's hearing wasn't good, he really couldn't hear clearly.

  "Don't worry, we won't kill you..." Li Changguo reassured in a tone that brooked no doubt.

  But it was no use, Su Shi lost control and fell to the ground, convulsing uncontrollably and foaming at the mouth.

  "Think of Wei Zheng, his crimes were heinous, but the Tang Dynasty didn't kill him, how could they kill you?" Li Changguo saw that he was about to be scared out of his wits and quickly brought up a classic example.

  Jiali is the Khan of the Turkic country, Jiali Khan. Li Jing launched a surprise attack on Yinshan at night and destroyed his lair in one fell swoop. Jiali Khan fled in panic and was eventually captured by the Tang army at Boluokou.

  Jie Li Khan took advantage of the great chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty to dominate the Central Plains, forcing Liu Wuzhou, Liang Shidu, Xue Ju and even Li Yuan to surrender and pay tribute. This was a great humiliation for the Tang Dynasty. What's more hateful is that when Emperor Taizong of Tang had just ascended to the throne, he led tens of thousands of Turkic troops to the banks of the Wei River, forcing Emperor Taizong to sign the "Treaty of the Convenient Bridge".

  As for the crime, Qibi Heli Khan was much more guilty than Su Heili, and he was a person who wanted to be obtained by the Tang Dynasty and was willing to do so. He was an enemy of life and death. Even such an enemy, the Tang Dynasty did not kill him, but instead gave him an official title, until he grew old and died in Chang'an.

  This was something Su Shi knew, and as soon as he heard these words, his lifeless eyes regained their luster, and he was no longer so afraid.

  Xiang Jili Khagan, a person whom the Tang Dynasty hated to the bone, was not killed by the Tang Dynasty. He was just an insignificant king of Buluo, and the Tang Dynasty would definitely not kill him. As long as he could keep his life, Su Shi Li's worries disappeared, and he actually stood up.

  "We will send you to Chang'an, and let His Majesty deal with you." Li Changguo continued to comfort him: "Think carefully, what's the benefit of being a small king of Balhae? Besides treacherous mountains and evil waters, which are also treacherous mountains and evil waters, where is there a place as rich as Chang'an? You will definitely be dazzled by its prosperity."

  Chang'an's prosperity was renowned throughout the world, it was the center of the world at that time, even the capital of the Arab Empire couldn't compare to it, and Su Shi's eyes shone with even more divine light.

  "Of course, if you can dance, your days will be even better!"

  Li Changguo did not forget to point out a bright road for him.

  After being escorted to Chang'an, Li Yuan was overjoyed and set up a banquet, inviting all officials. During the banquet, Li Yuan ordered Jiali Khan to dance to liven things up. Although Jiali Khan was once the master of the great desert, he had now become a prisoner under the Tang Dynasty, his former heroic spirit gone, and not daring to disobey orders, could only jump and dance to the Turkic rhythm to help with the drinking.

  This is a great event of the Tang Dynasty, spreading throughout the world!

  Su Shi's dance was a great insult to Li Longji, but he was delighted and nodded repeatedly, his worries gone.

  Li Changguo felt a wave of weakness in his eyes.

  With Su Zong's character, courage and talent, he actually became the ruler of a country. It's really a stroke of luck. If it weren't for the strategic location of Lesser Bolü, which is on the only path that Tibet can take to enter the Western Regions, and if the Tang Dynasty hadn't been at war with Tibet for a hundred years, who would have cared about Lesser Bolü?

  By now, Little Bolü had perished. From the king, Sulu, and the queen, the Princess of Tibet, down to the ordinary soldiers, all were taken prisoner by the Tang army.

  Gao Xianzhi arrived, overjoyed and praised Li Changguo highly.

  This time in the southern expedition, it has basically been completed to this extent. It only needs to destroy the rattan bridge on the Ba Yi River sixty miles east of the city of Moxie, and Tubo will not be able to enter the Western Regions again. The strategic intention of Gao Xianzhi was achieved.

  Gao Xian's eyebrows stretched out and upwards, as if a bird announcing good news had perched on them.

  Since the small Bo Lu betrayed the Tang Dynasty and defected to Tubo, he had caused great trouble for the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty had launched several southern expeditions but failed due to the treacherous mountains and rivers of Congling. Now that Gao Xianzhi's southern expedition was successful, it was a huge joy, even if Gao Xianzhi had won many battles in his life, he couldn't express his delight.

  "Deputy Commander, I will lead the troops to Babai River and cut off the rattan bridge!"

  Duan Xiushi stepped forward and loudly asked for orders.

  Cut off the rattan bridge and cut off the Tibetan passage. This is the last thing to conquer the south. As long as this is done, we can return to our camp.

  "Good!"

  Gao Xianzhi nodded his head heavily and agreed with a smile.

  The generals also had no dissent and expressed deep approval.

  Duan Xiushi turned around and was about to leave. Just then, Li Changguo hurried in and blocked his way, saying: "Wait."

  "Oh!" Gao Xianzhi was somewhat surprised and stared at Li Changguo, asking: "Xiaoyong Colonel, what do you want to say?"

  "Deputy Commander, cutting off the rattan bridge may be easy, but it would have been a good opportunity to defeat the Tubo people. We can't let it go." Li Changguo said clearly.

  "Are you thinking of letting the Tubo people in and giving them a good beating? " Gao Xianzhi, a famous general, had already thought about this: "I've thought about it, but it's not feasible! Once we let the Tubo army in, the terrain is narrow and we can't deploy our forces. We will have a hard time winning. Moreover, as long as the vine bridge remains unbroken, the Tubo army can pour in endlessly from the bridge."

  "Yes indeed!" Duan Xiushi expressed his deep agreement, saying: "The terrain near Tengqiao is narrow and cramped, even with more troops it's hard to deploy them, very crowded, not suitable for a big battle. Otherwise, as the Deputy Capital Protector's astuteness, how could he miss such a good opportunity?"

  Historically, Gao Xianzhi only ordered the cutting off of the rattan bridge and blocked the Tibetan army to the east of the Ba River, without heavily attacking the Tibetan army. It was not that he did not know the benefits of this, but rather that he had no way to take action.

  Li Changguo beckoned with his hand, and Kang De and Fei Re led the way, carrying large and small buckets into the room and setting them down on the floor.

  "That's enough!" Li Changguo pointed at the wooden bucket.

  Gao Xianzhi was somewhat curious, and quickly walked over to lift the lid of the bucket. At first, he was surprised, then seemed to understand something, his eyes becoming brighter and brighter, like a fierce sun in the ninth heaven.