Chapter 75: Ten Thousand Li (III)

Kulan City, located in this region of the River Region, was neither particularly large nor small. Like other Hu states in the River Region, Kulan was a typical fickle state that shifted allegiance with the wind. Until last year when Gao Xianzhi decisively defeated the Shi State, capturing Khan Tukishi and the king of the Shi State, the ruler of Kulan had been a staunch supporter of the Abbasid Caliphate and, naturally, a true believer in Allah.

But since Gao Xianzhi established his dominance in the River Region last year, most of the Hu states near the Four Garrison Towns changed their allegiance, declaring their loyalty to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. As a result, Kulan City, Ashibulai City, and the Suiye area were nominally under the control of the Anxi army. However, due to the Tang Dynasty’s policy of indirect rule in the Western Regions, the Anxi army did not station troops in these Hu states, so it could not actually exercise military or political control over the region.

In other words, rulers like Li Huaizhong merely showed submission to the Tang Emperor, while retaining autonomy over their own affairs. There were about five thousand troops stationed in Kulan City, and if all of them were mobilized, along with able-bodied civilians, the total might exceed ten thousand. This was why Li Kuo was somewhat polite toward Li Huaizhong. Unless forced, the young man did not want to alienate Li Huaizhong, as this place was a necessary passage for the Anxi soldiers on their journey eastward. If relations became too strained and Li Huaizhong was pushed toward the Abbasids, it would be counterproductive.

Of course, from Li Huaizhong’s perspective, he wanted to please this highly influential governor of the Anxi army. At just eighteen or nineteen years old, he had already reached the high rank of governor of a garrison town. Given time, he would surely be appointed as the grand protector of Anxi. By then, his power would grow, making it much harder to win this man’s favor.

For people like Li Huaizhong, the ability to judge and seize opportunities was clearly exceptional. Years of gambling had made their nerves extremely sensitive; no matter how complicated the surface situation seemed, they could always discern the core and make decisions that benefited them the most.

The banquet held tonight in the palace of Kulan City was clearly Li Huaizhong’s first major decision. Though Kulan City was not very large, the palace at its center was spacious and luxurious to the extreme. Invited by Li Huaizhong, Li Kuo brought nearly a hundred of his trusted men from the Copper Military Camp to the palace for the banquet, and they were treated with the highest honors along the way.

Led by the palace governor, Li Kuo and his trusted followers took their seats. To the young man’s surprise, the main hall of the Khitan king’s palace was incredibly luxurious. Including Li Huaizhong’s confidants and senior attendants, the palace could accommodate five or six hundred people, yet the young man didn’t feel the slightest sense of crowding.

Li Kuo couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Tax the people to fund palaces and luxuries. It seemed this principle applied everywhere.

Thanks to Li Huaizhong’s permission, Li Kuo was seated on par with the ruler of Kulan. Their respective generals and attendants sat according to their status.

Due to the sudden arrival of Li Kuo’s group, Li Huaizhong hadn’t had time to carefully plan the banquet. Yet performances such as songs, dances, acrobatics, and other unique acts characteristic of the Khitan kingdom were essential.

Having been accustomed to the beauties of Chang’an, experiencing the Khitan dance was indeed a different experience. Moreover, the layout of the palace hall was almost identical to that of the grand residences of the Tang nobility—even the drapes and the placement of incense burners were meticulously arranged, making one think they were in the mansion of some powerful noble in Chang’an. But Li Kuo certainly didn’t have the heart to appreciate the performances now. After raising his cup to Li Huaizhong from afar, the young man smiled slightly and said, “I’ve heard that the ruler of Kulan admires our Tang culture, even adopting the styles of Central Plains architecture in his palace. Seeing it today, I confirm it’s well-deserved. Come, let me offer a toast to the ruler.”

Li Huaizhong, who was pondering the purpose of the Tianwei Army’s arrival in Kulan, quickly raised his jade cup with a smile at Li Kuo’s invitation. “Governor Li, you flatter me. Tang culture is profound and extensive; I’ve only learned the basics. As for my admiration for the Tang Dynasty, that is indeed true.”

Li Kuo took a sip of the fine wine and said, “Ruler Li is undoubtedly loyal to our Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, our Emperor would not have granted you a Han surname.”

He was right. Li Huaizhong was originally a Sogdian named Daganlan. Later, due to his outstanding performance in General Gao Xianzhi’s military campaigns to subdue the various ethnic groups, the Emperor bestowed upon him a royal surname and the name Huaizhong. The Tang Dynasty rarely granted royal surnames; throughout its history, only founding heroes like Duke Li Ji had received such honors. The Emperor was willing to bestow a name on Li Huaizhong precisely because of Kulan’s strategic location in the River Region.

He hoped to see the Tang army fully take control of River Region during his lifetime and extend the empire’s territory back to the former lands of the Persian satrapies. To accomplish such a feat, the first issue to address was the supply of food and provisions. If capturing Chuiye City opened the way to River Region, then recapturing Julan City served as an important staging point on the Anxi army’s western advance route. If Li Huaizhong truly pledged loyalty to the Tang Dynasty, the Anxi army would not need to take a long route for supplies; they could be delivered directly from Julan City, thus solving the supply problems faced by the Tang forces in Anxi.

Of course, Li Huaizhong’s sincerity would need time to prove. At least for now, the Anxi army would not hand over all their supplies to a barbarian who had just pledged allegiance.

Li Huaizhong clearly felt immensely honored to have been given a name by the Tang emperor. Nodding, he said, “To be so favored by the Heavenly Khan, how could I not devote my life to serving him? I truly wish I could personally take up a sword and bow to expand the Tang realm right now!”

His words were so passionate that foam flew from his mouth and his beard trembled violently.

Seeing his appearance, Li Kuo found him simple and endearing and said, “Your Majesty is kind and virtuous; he would not start a war recklessly and ignore the well-being of the people.”

After a brief pause, the young man raised his voice slightly and said, “But if someone dares to touch the whiskers of our Tang tiger, we certainly won’t hesitate to teach them a lesson with our swords.”

Li Huaizhong didn’t understand what the young man meant and simply bowed slightly, saying, “Of course, of course.”

Seeing that the timing was right, Li Kuo paused briefly with his wine cup in hand and said with a smile, “I know King Li is busy with state affairs day and night, reviewing memorials. I wonder if you are aware of the deployment of troops along the Julan City area?”

Though his words were subtle, how could Li Huaizhong not know what the young man was referring to? His heart sank slightly as he rubbed his palms together and said, “There are naturally many soldiers in this city, and there are also deployments in the border counties. I’m not sure exactly where the governor is referring to.”

Seeing that he had kicked the ball back to him, Li Kuo felt a hint of anger.

“Ahem. What I mean is, I wonder if the king has noticed any troops passing by along the Julan region?”

Upon hearing this, Li Huaizhong immediately became alert. He had earlier heard rumors from the west that Gao Xianzhi’s 30,000-strong army was engaged in fierce battles with the Arabs at Talas. Later, the Anxi army was overwhelmed by the Arabs and hastily crossed the Talas River to retreat eastward.

These days, local officials have frequently reported that many defeated soldiers have come from the west, passing through Kulan Country and heading east. However, since they couldn’t confirm the identities of these people and lacked enough troops to confront them, they simply watched as they went east.

Initially, Li Huaizhong suspected that these were defeated soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, but since they came in small groups and not in large numbers, he didn’t take it seriously. Now that Li Kuo has brought this up on his own, it seems quite likely to be true.

“If General Li is referring to other soldiers, I have indeed noticed a few. But most of them are scattered soldiers who have abandoned their armor and weapons; they’re just a ragtag bunch and certainly not the army General Li is looking for.”

Li Kuo inwardly cursed Li Huaizhong for being cunning but kept a calm expression. At least this proved that General Gao and his troops hadn’t arrived in Kulan City yet, so Li Huaizhong still couldn’t be sure that the Anxi Army had been defeated!

“That’s right!”

Li Kuo clapped his hands and laughed, “General Gao has sent me a message via pigeon, informing me of our army’s victory. Judging by the time, they should be arriving in Kulan City soon. That’s why I brought the troops from Suiye City to welcome them here.”

Li Kuo spoke very casually, without any hint of deception. Although Li Huaizhong still had doubts, he smiled and said, “In that case, congratulations, General. The Tang Dynasty’s mighty army has defeated the Arabs; it won’t be long before they unify Hexi.”

“Mm.”

Li Kuo nodded lightly and continued, “But since the Battle of Talas has just ended, my Anxi Army will likely take some time to rest in Kulan City. I hope His Majesty will treat them well.”

“What’s the problem? Leave this to me! I guarantee that General Gao Xianzhi and the entire Anxi Army will be satisfied!”

Li Huaizhong thought to himself that Li Kuo was referring to such a trivial matter and quickly patted his chest to assure him. Although the Anxi Army’s passage through Kulan City would cost him a lot of money, if he could gain some favor from Gao Xianzhi, his position in Hexi would surely improve greatly.

As for the money, well, it would just be spent. After all, Kulan Country belonged to him, so its wealth was inexhaustible. After the banquet, he would ask the chief minister to draft a new tax plan and announce it—within half a year, his treasury would be filled again.

“Come, General Li, let me toast you! We won’t leave until we’re drunk today!”

Thinking of this, Li Huaizhong was overjoyed. He raised his jade cup and toasted Li Kuo from afar.