Chapter 504: An Unexpected Incident
In late February of the second year of Zhenzhi, news that Tabaristán had been captured by the Tang army reached Suoye City. By then, Li Qing’an, the governor of Anxi, had already returned to Suoye. Upon hearing this news, he immediately ordered the Anxi army and the Anxi Administrative Office to launch the Tocharian Plan.
The Tibetans’ strategic intentions were also clear—they were seeking a second homeland outside the plateau, a land more conducive to their development and growth. After repeated battles with the Tang Dynasty for Longyou, the Tibetans finally realized it was impossible to gain control of that region. Especially after their defeat at the Battle of Shibao City in the sixth year of Tianbao, they gave up their attempts to seize the Helong area and shifted their focus to Anxi. Tocharistán was undoubtedly the ideal land: it allowed control over Sindh and India to the south, faced the Arab world to the east, and had vast, sparsely populated yet fertile pastures to the north. More importantly, Tocharistán bordered the Tibetan Plateau, enabling it to be integrated with it. For these reasons, the Tibetans attached great importance to occupying Tocharistán. They continued to conscript soldiers, and by now their forces had reached 180,000. Even the Tibetan king, Trisong Detsen, personally visited Tocharistán to inspect the situation, showing the Tibetans’ determination to hold Tocharistán permanently.
It was precisely because the Tibetans were so focused on Tocharistán that Anxi faced an unprecedented crisis and test. The impending battle in Tocharistán would be a decisive struggle for Anxi’s survival. If the Tang army lost this battle, the Tibetans would surely launch a major offensive northward, completely driving the Tang forces out of Anxi. Li Qing’an could not afford to lose this battle. To ensure victory, he temporarily set aside the power struggles in Chang’an and went to Anxi in person to command the campaign.
The Tibetans also could not afford to lose this battle. They realized that the Tang army would launch an attack in spring, so the young king personally went to Tocharistán to command this battle that determined their fate.
The entire region of Anxi was mobilized. Troops from Shiguo, Ningyuan, Juzhan Ti, Suoye itself, Shule, and Kucha streamed continuously toward Jiesu Country, totaling 150,000 soldiers. The Anxi Administrative Office also organized 300,000 Han and non-Han laborers from various places to transport large amounts of military supplies such as food and fodder.
In the Suoye River Valley, massive convoys of food traveled along the official roads, filled with noise and activity. Carriages loaded with food and fodder stretched for miles. Most of those driving the carriages were immigrants from the interior. To prepare for the battle in Tocharistán, the Anxi Administrative Office imposed a special war tax, raising it from the usual rate of 20% to 15% temporarily.
As an ordinary citizen, paying the official taxes fulfilled one’s duties. But as members of Anxi, to protect their own interests, the 300,000 military households and settlers there showed unprecedented enthusiasm, with almost every family donating all their extra food and money. Each county formed a combat unit led by the county magistrate and deputy magistrate, heading to the nearest military depot. The nearest depot in the Suiye region was naturally Suiye City, where Anxi had hundreds of large warehouses storing over a million dan of grain and various supplies. This grain convoy, about ten li long, came from the five counties in the Suiye River Valley. At this moment, it entered Chuhe County, and the combat unit from Chuhe County joined as well. The convoy immediately became lively; many of them were originally from the same village and had been scattered across different counties after coming to Anxi. They usually kept in touch, and meeting again in the convoy made them feel especially close. Wei Jiyuan, a tea farmer from Chuhe County, also brought a cart into the convoy. Back when Li Qingan inspected Chuhe County, he had visited his home specifically. For this preparation for war in Anxi, his whole family had spent half a month preparing themselves fully for the effort. “Uncle Ji!” Someone called out loudly. Wei Jiyuan turned and saw his distant nephew, Wei Qun. Wei Qun was in his early thirties, lived in Chuxi County to the northwest of Chuhe County, owned 150 mu of land, and had also joined the combat unit. “My dear nephew, you’re here too!” Although the Wei family had gathered at the New Year just a month earlier, meeting again in the convoy made them feel especially close. “Hello, Uncle Ji!” A few other young farmers with Wei Qun also greeted him. Seeing their cart filled with grain, Wei Jiyuan laughed and said, “What, have you spent all your savings on getting a wife?” The young men scratched their heads sheepishly and laughed. One of them peeked at his cart and saw it was filled with tea cakes, worth at least a thousand guan. He was amazed and said, “Uncle Ji, you’ve even spent your life savings!” “How can you speak like that?” Wei Jiyuan tapped him on the head with his whip and scolded jokingly, “Those who can afford to contribute should do so, and those who have strength should help out. I already sent 50 dan of rice ten days ago; this is my second trip. I’m not like you young people who fear death. If I were twenty years younger, I’d join the army too. But since my two sons are already in the army, I can rest easy. You bunch of fools, why don’t you join the army?”
“Uncle Ji, we are part of the militia and must go to the front line at any time; we’re not afraid of death.” At that moment, his nephew Wei Qun asked curiously, “Uncle Ji, has Eldest Brother also joined the army?” “Yes, he registered in Suiye City on the 16th day of the first lunar month.” Wei Jiyuan was quite proud and, fearing that others might not know his two sons had joined the army, he said loudly, “I even wrote to Eldest Brother and Second Brother yesterday, telling them that if they were afraid of death and unwilling to fight bravely, once the Tubo people captured Anxi, their parents, wives, and children would become slaves to the Tubo people with no chance of redemption. I left it up to them to decide what to do.” His words drew applause from everyone. Su Yi, the new county magistrate of Chuhe County, also said excitedly, “This Mr. Wei actually has three sons. His second son died in battle in Huoxun Country. Two months ago, he personally sent his eldest son to the front line. General Zhao Wang even wrote a plaque for him, calling him ‘the backbone of Anxi.’ With so many strong men supporting Anxi, our Tang army will surely win this battle against the Toharans!” County Magistrate Su’s words resonated with everyone. Someone shouted, “The Tang army will win! Anxi will win!” With hearts full of passion, many people joined in shouting, “We will win! The Tang army will win!” The belief in victory burned in everyone’s hearts. They rallied their spirits, sped up, and marched grandly toward Suiye City. … Outside Suiye City, 50,000 Tang soldiers had already assembled. They would be the third batch to head to Jiesu Country. This time, the Tang army sent almost all its forces—except for 40,000 troops left in Hezhong, 50,000 new recruits in Suiye, and 20,000 troops in Beiting—every remaining army stationed in Anxi headed to Toharistan. Even so, the Tang army still only numbered 150,000, still 30,000 fewer than the Tubo army’s 180,000 troops. Though the gap wasn’t huge, Li Qing’an, who had dealt with the Tubo army for years, understood that the Tubo king’s personal presence to oversee the battle would greatly boost their morale. Therefore, Li Qing’an didn’t dare take any chances. He ordered ten kings of Toharistan to join the army, using their influence to gain the support of the local people. Li Qing’an wore a golden helmet and iron armor, carried a battle sword, and had a black cloak over his shoulders. He rode a white Arabian warhorse. Along the moat behind him, 50,000 soldiers in bright armor, full of vigor, each mounted on their warhorses, looked imposing. In addition to the 50,000 cavalry, there was also a logistics convoy of 20,000 camels, carrying heavy supplies ready to set off at any moment.
Outside Suiye City, in addition to the 50,000 Tang troops and their logistical support units, hundreds of thousands of civilians also left the city to see the Tang army off on its southern campaign. At that moment, a group of civil officials from the Anxi Administrative Office approached. Wang Changling bowed to Li Qing’an and said, “Please rest assured, General. The Administrative Office will ensure the logistical support for the army and stabilize the situation behind Suiye.”
Li Qing’an nodded and said to everyone, “The importance of this battle against Toharistan is clear even without my explanation. This campaign will last at least two months and up to half a year. I hope everyone will unite wholeheartedly, with everyone in Anxi working as one, not only to win this battle but also to weaken Tubo and ensure a century of peace for Anxi.”
He then said to Duan Xiushi, “There are still 50,000 new troops in Suiye. I hope you will strengthen defenses in the north and not be the least bit careless. Also, do not slack off in training the civilian militias!”
Duan Xiushi bowed and said, “I understand, General. Please rest assured.”
After giving all his instructions, Li Qing’an gazed into the distance. In the far distance, he saw Wu Yi and Ru Shi standing among the farewell crowds. Wu Yi’s eyes were filled with deep concern as she waved goodbye to him. Ru Shi was holding their daughter in her arms. It seemed Ru Shi also sensed Li Qing’an’s gaze; she raised her daughter’s small hand and waved goodbye to him.
Looking at his beautiful wife and his daughter’s adorable face, Li Qing’an’s heart swelled with emotion. Suddenly, he clasped his fists and said to everyone, “Farewell, my friends!”
“Wish the General success in this campaign!”
Li Qing’an turned his horse around and waved at the army, saying, “Let’s set off!”
The Tang troops began to move off. Relatives rushed forward, helping the elderly, holding the children, and bidding farewell to their husbands and sons.
……
“Husband, take care on your journey!”
……
“Elder son, remember to defend our country!”
……
Amidst words of farewell and good wishes, the Tang soldiers, with tears in their eyes, stepped forward with firm steps toward the distant Toharistan.
……
The rebellion in A’huan City of Toharistan had been quelled. During this bloody suppression, over 10,000 laborers were killed, and their heads were hung throughout the streets and alleys of A’huan City. Amidst the carnage, A’huan City welcomed the arrival of the Tubo king.
40,000 of Tubo’s main troops were lined up on both sides of a 20-li-long stone road, waiting. The road hadn’t been fully repaired yet, and the bloodstains were difficult to wash away. King Shangxi Dongzan was deeply troubled. Although the situation in Toharistan hadn’t worsened and was still under Tubo’s control, the resistance of the Toharistani people put him in an awkward position. How could he explain this to the king?
Shangxi Dongzan felt extremely helpless. Although he had mercilessly suppressed the rebellions of the road-building laborers, he feared that the tide of resistance would spread, so he suspended the special tax on hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep. He knew well that if he increased the taxes further, uprisings in Toharistan would surely erupt everywhere. Yet if he did not collect taxes, their military provisions would not last even two months. It was a dilemma for him!
“Governor, the Zanpu is here!” an officer shouted, pointing in the distance.
“Woo~~~” The sound of horns rang out.
“Woo~~~!”
……
Low, resonant horn sounds echoed through the sky and earth. Amidst those sounds, the army of the Tibetan Zanpu appeared in the distance.
It was a massive Tibetan army of eighty thousand men, stretching for ten miles. These eighty thousand were the finest troops of Tibet, all coming from the core regions of Tibet. Equipped with advanced gear and thoroughly trained, they formed a formidable force.
In the middle of the army, thousands of soldiers carrying red banners lifted a huge wooden platform. On the platform stood a white woolen tent adorned with gold and silver threads, covered in thousands of dazzling gems. Dozens of guards stood in front of the tent, and a few people sat inside. The leader among them was the young Tibetan Zanpu, Trisong Detsen. Though it was his first time in Toharistan, it was clear he was unhappy—more precisely, he was dissatisfied with Shangxi Dongzan.
When his army passed through Shuangquan City, several elders came to offer them land. He received them graciously, but unexpectedly, these elders attacked him with clay pots filled with soil, attempting to assassinate him. Though he was unharmed, this incident filled Trisong Detsen with rage.
If he couldn’t win the hearts of the Toharians, then he would destroy their bodies. Yet Shangxi Dongzan had failed to achieve either.
Behind Trisong Detsen stood General Shangjiasu, the commander of the Tibetan army in the north who had fled from Qiemo City. He and over a hundred of his men survived by hunting horses along the way, trying to return to Luoshe. But on the way, they encountered the Zanpu’s army and accused Shangxi Dongzan of framing them, claiming that it was due to his lack of troops that their entire army was destroyed.
Shangjiasu’s accusations also made Trisong Detsen slightly dissatisfied with Shangxi Dongzan. Although Shangxi Dongzan had made great contributions by conquering Toharistan, he had indeed violated his orders. His original command had been for the Tibetan army to capture Shule and enter Toharistan from Xiaobo Li, thereby opening the way to attack Anxi and laying the foundation for capturing Beiting and blocking any reinforcements from the Tang Dynasty.
It was precisely Shangxi Dongzan who altered the orders, leading to the complete destruction of the northern expeditionary force and thwarting his plan to occupy Shule. This also added to Chisong Dezan’s dissatisfaction with Shangxi Dongzan. At that moment, the sound of horns in the distance woke the young king from his thoughts. He looked up and saw Shangxi Dongzan leading over a hundred men toward him. He waved his hand and ordered, “Stop!” The troops halted, and thousands of Red Flag soldiers slowly lowered the king’s sacred seat. Shangxi Dongzan had already rushed forward, knelt down, and bowed deeply, saying, “Your humble servant, Shangxi Dongzan, pays his respects to His Majesty the King!” “General Shangxi Dongzan, please rise.” The young king possessed a maturity and wisdom beyond his years. He hid his dissatisfaction with Shangxi Dongzan and smiled faintly, saying, “General, you have worked hard in defending Tokharistan.” “Your humble servant does not deserve such praise; it was all under the king’s orders.” Shangxi Dongzan looked up and saw Shang Jiasu. He was stunned—how could he be here? Shang Jiasu sneered, “General Shangxi Dongzan, are you regretful or surprised that I’m still alive?” Shangxi Dongzan’s expression darkened. “I feel neither regret nor surprise. I’m just wondering what crime you deserve after fifty thousand Tibetan troops were wiped out at your hands.” “It’s you who deserves to be blamed!” Shang Jiasu retorted. “Enough!” Chisong Dezan said irritably, “With a great enemy at hand, I don’t want to hear you argue. Who’s right or wrong can be discussed later when we return to Lhasa. For now, let’s discuss military matters upon entering the city.” Shangxi Dongzan was stunned. The king’s words implied that he might be held accountable in the future. He hurriedly explained, “Your Majesty, your humble servant concentrated most of our forces on the southern front to seize Tokharistan first. Otherwise, if we were trapped by the Tang forces in Qiemo while their main army entered Tokharistan first, the troops in the south would also face destruction, and Tokharistan might not be conquered…” “I’ve said it—let’s discuss this later when we return to Lhasa. Not now!” Chisong Dezan’s tone became stern. Shangxi Dongzan dared not explain further and simply bowed, saying, “Your humble servant understands.” “Very well! Enter A’huan City.” At the king’s command, thousands of Red Flag soldiers lifted the sacred seat again, and eighty thousand Tibetan troops set off in grand procession toward A’huan City. … Amid the brutal suppression of laborers by the Tibetan army, Zhou Bi’s Tang scout team found refuge in the residence of Alan, the deputy minister of Tokharistan’s government, and escaped disaster. They had remained hidden in the residence all these days, avoiding public view.
In the morning, Alan told Zhou Bi and the others that the Tibetan king had arrived, and all officials were required to go out of the city to welcome him. He repeatedly warned them not to leave under any circumstances. Alan was right—curfews had been imposed in A’huan City, and the streets were empty, with no one around. Alan had originally planned to have dozens of elders from A’huan City welcome the Tibetan king into the city, but that plan was canceled due to the assassination attempt on the king in Shuangquan Prefecture. Alan’s residence was located on the main street of A’huan City, a grand white building. Zhou Bi and his nine companions hid in a small room on the roof, from where they could clearly see what was happening on the main street through a peephole in the wall. At that moment, the sound of galloping horses grew louder, and countless Tibetan soldiers could be seen running along both sides of the street. Anyone who dared to open the door to peek would be struck down with a sword. “Captain, look! That’s the Tibetan king!” one of his comrades whispered in shock. Zhou Bi could already see the large wooden platform where the Tibetan king stood, surrounded by a sea of Tibetan soldiers. On the platform stood a young man wearing a white pointed hat and a long cloak, with his hands behind his back. He was curiously observing the largest city of Khotan, surrounded by guards holding shields and scanning the surroundings warily. By then, Zhou Bi had calculated the distance between him and the Tibetan king—it was over seventy steps but less than eighty. With a crossbow arrow, it would be possible to pierce his head. Although the Tibetan guards’ shields protected him from below, there was an opening above. Their hiding place, located at the highest point on the street, allowed them to see the Tibetan king’s head unobstructed from above. Zhou Bi slowly picked up the powerful crossbow, which they had hidden in a camel’s hump to avoid detection by the Tibetan army. He drew the string, a fierce desire rising in his heart. He loaded a highly poisonous arrow specific to scouts into the arrow slot and carefully inserted the crossbow through the peephole, aiming at the Tibetan king’s head. Meanwhile, his companions silently watched their captain. They all knew that once this arrow was shot, whether it succeeded or not, their lives would likely be in danger. Yet they were willing to risk their lives for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Wang Yiqing, the falcon trainer, climbed up the wall and wrote on a piece of paper, “The Tibetan king has been killed by Tang scouts,” then placed it in a red letter tube. Gently stroking the feathers of the eagle on his shoulder, he tied the letter tube to the eagle’s leg, waiting for the final outcome.
At that moment, Zhou Bi turned to look at them. Everyone silently nodded and slowly drew their long knives from their waists. A determined look flashed in Zhou Bi’s eyes—assassination was also one of the scouts’ duties, and they were willing to pay with their lives for it. He turned his head back to the street, his eyes narrowing slowly. A soft click was heard as the knives were drawn, followed by a faint scream from outside. Soon, chaos erupted on the street—roars and screams filled the air. Then, Zhou Bi slowly turned back, smiled at everyone, and nodded. Wang Yiqing rushed out of the hut, throwing his eagle high into the air. The eagle spread its wings and flew away. With tears streaming down his face, he shouted with all his strength, “Go! Tell them what kind of achievements we have made.”