Chapter 57: Manipulation (III)

Not long after Cen Shen submitted the secret letter to Gao Xianzhi, the guard officer in charge of the northern city gate of Kucha welcomed a delegation of imperial envoys who had traveled from Chang’an. After bringing the envoys into the city, the guard officer sent someone to deliver a letter to the grand commander. Thus, before Xue Bo and his party arrived at the commander’s residence, Gao Xianzhi already led Cen Shen and other trusted aides to meet them.

Enjoying the colorful flags and endless cheers along the way, the proud Xue Bo was filled with arrogance. Upon meeting Gao Xianzhi, he merely bowed briefly. Normally, although he was an imperial envoy, his rank was far lower than Gao Xianzhi’s, so he should have bowed as a subordinate, with the right to have Gao Xianzhi kneel only when reading the imperial edict. But Xue Bo, clearly accustomed to being domineering, showed no respect for Gao Xianzhi at all.

Had it not been for Gao Xianzhi’s gentle nature, the soldiers of the Anxi army might have clashed with Xue Bo’s guards.

Once inside the rear courtyard of the commander’s residence, the deputy of the imperial envoy’s delegation finally breathed a sigh of relief. The generals of the Tang army in the border regions were mostly domineering; they could hardly tolerate such an arrogant attitude. After all, the envoy was still young and unable to control his temper!

The central building in the rear courtyard was a two-story pavilion used by the grand commander to receive distinguished guests. Having received news in advance, Gao Xianzhi had already ordered incense altars and yellow silk prepared to welcome the envoy.

Xue Bo, without any courtesy, entered the pavilion and immediately began reading the imperial edict aloud. Though Gao Xianzhi was seething with anger, he had no choice but to kneel and listen to the edict.

In fact, the edict contained little substantive content—nothing more than empty praise from the emperor for Gao Xianzhi’s skill in fighting enemies and maintaining peace in the Anxi region. Gao Xianzhi found the edict tedious and the reading time unbearably long.

Unfortunately, the envoy failed to notice the gloomy expression on Gao Xianzhi’s face and continued reading cheerfully. It took about half a cup of tea before Xue Bo finished reading the edict.

After Gao Xianzhi accepted the edict and expressed his gratitude, Xue Bo feigned concern by helping him up and asking after his well-being. Though Gao Xianzhi found Xue Bo’s behavior insincere and disgusting, he had to force a smile and engage in polite conversation with him, feeling immense pain. Fortunately, having spent many years in the political world, he had seen all kinds of people.

Finally, after enduring the empty rhetoric, Gao Xianzhi was able to sit down with Xue Bo as host and guest as he had wished. At this point, the complicated ceremony of receiving the edict was over, and Xue Bo would have to think carefully before trying to dominate Gao Xianzhi under the guise of his imperial authority.

Sighing in relief, Gao Xianzhi picked up his teacup and took a small sip. “Lord Xue has traveled a long way from Chang’an—surely you must be exhausted. I’ll hold a banquet in the military governor’s residence tonight to welcome you and relieve your fatigue!”
Although Xue Bo was a domineering man in Chang’an, Gao Xianzhi’s high status meant he couldn’t be too overbearing. Bowing slightly, Xue Bo said with a forced smile, “In that case, I owe you my gratitude, Great Military Governor.”
Coughing lightly, Gao Xianzhi asked tentatively, “When Lord Xue came from Chang’an, did the Emperor say anything to you?”
The imperial edict had done little more than confer some titles on the soldiers in Anxi. The Emperor would surely not send an envoy all the way to Anxi just to deliver empty words of encouragement!
“Everyone says the Great Military Governor is meticulous. At first, I didn’t believe it, but now it seems true.”
Xue Bo stroked his short beard and smiled. “Indeed. I did bring the Emperor’s orders with me on this journey from Chang’an.”
Though young, Xue Bo came from a noble family, and under the influence of his elders, he had developed a certain demeanor befitting a scholar-official. His speech was quite appropriate; if it weren’t for Gao Xianzhi, one might indeed be impressed by his presence.
“The Emperor hopes that General Gao can expand the Tang Dynasty’s territory and recreate the heroic feat of General Xue Rengui, who conquered Tianshan with just three arrows!”
Xue Bo’s eyes gleamed as he spoke firmly to Gao Xianzhi.
Gao Xianzhi was shocked—this matter had finally come to light. He had expected the current emperor to remain fixated on the affairs of Hezhong, always hoping to restore the Tang Dynasty’s former territories in the Western Regions. Though the Tang Dynasty was prosperous, its military strength was no longer as formidable as during the Gaozong era. Moreover, they now faced well-trained Abbasid soldiers, not the mediocre tribesmen of Hezhong.
Of course, from every perspective, the Tang army’s policy toward the Western Regions could only move forward, not backward. But that didn’t mean engaging in a decisive battle with the Abbasids in Hezhong. The total strength of the four garrisons in Anxi was only fifty to sixty thousand, plus another ten thousand elite soldiers, bringing the total to just over sixty thousand. Many of them were old, weak, or disabled, and some had to be left to defend the cities. If war broke out, the Tang army would face immense pressure.
This was why he had remained cautious. It wasn’t that he, Gao Xianzhi, was ineffective—it was that he wanted to defeat the enemy but lacked the means to do so!

Of course, His Majesty the Emperor would not listen to such explanations. In his eyes, changes in territory were nothing more than a gentle arc drawn with a charcoal pencil on a map. As for how many people would die in war, how many cities would be destroyed, and how much fertile land would become uncultivated wasteland—these were not matters for His Majesty to worry about. As the saying goes, “One general’s success comes at the cost of thousands of bones.” If this is true for a general, it is even more so for a monarch. What rulers spare the least is the strength of their people. As long as their goals can be achieved and they can leave behind a reputation for both civil and military achievements, sacrificing a few subjects seems insignificant to His Majesty.

Of course, His Majesty could not write such things in an imperial edict to announce to the world, nor could he admit that he was a tyrant willing to sacrifice his people’s welfare…

So these words could only be spoken through an imperial envoy, with no evidence left behind. The blame for starting the war could only fall on Gao Xianzhi.

“Has His Majesty specified a time for war? Recently, the border defenses in Anxi have been under great pressure from the Arabs, and the Turgesh people are also preparing for battle in the Suiye River area…”

Although Gao Xianzhi knew the situation was irreversible, he skillfully voiced his grievances. In the eyes of these politicians, gaining even a little more benefit was always good.

Xue Bo snorted and waved his hand, saying, “His Majesty is aware of the heavy pressure on Anxi’s border defenses, which is why he has sent brave soldiers there. As for the date of deployment, His Majesty hasn’t set a limit. But he hopes the war starts as soon as possible. Once Xiu Xun Prefecture is recovered, he will confer upon you the title of Prince of Xiping!”

At this point, Xue Bo clearly felt jealous. The Tang Dynasty rarely conferred titles of prince on ministers of the opposite sex. Even those who were highly favored by the emperor, like Geshu Han and An Lushan, were only granted such titles after achieving great feats.

Although Gao Xianzhi had led battles against strong opponents like the Small Bule, he lacked any higher-level campaigns to prove himself. This decisive battle against the Arabs was an excellent opportunity—a chance to prove his worth.

Gao Xianzhi had always believed he was no worse than An Lushan or Geshu Han. He absolutely could not miss this opportunity!

“Gao Xianzhi is willing to die serving His Majesty the Emperor!” he said, clenching his fists and emphasizing each word.