Chapter 1: The Scent of Sophora (I)

The situation in Hexiang during the ninth year of Tianbao was unpredictable and shrouded in mystery. As September arrived, the sudden withdrawal of the Arabs shocked the barbarian tribes of Hexiang. Though no one knew why the Arabs would abandon their advantageous position at this time, it was clear that the Tang forces in Anxi would soon regain control of Hexiang.

Thus, from Suiye River to Baishui City, from Qigelong to Tiemen Pass, rulers and chieftains of various sizes were secretly preparing their own escape routes. Gao Xianzhi was not someone easy to deceive; to convince this governor of Anxi of his “unwavering loyalty” to the Tian Khan, genuine sincerity was required.

Faced with the nearly unanimous defection of the tribes in Hexiang, King Teli of the Shi State was furious and vowed to teach these weaklings a lesson. As a pro-Arab force, the Shi State had significant interests in Hexiang—how could it tolerate the Tang Dynasty regaining control? However, without Arab support, its influence and deterrence power had diminished greatly. Ashilanda, the ruler of Bawhanna, was the first to condemn Teli as an accomplice to the Arabs, harming the people. Later, Ku Chabi Shi, the deputy king of the Shi State, gathered his followers to assassinate Teli in the palace.

But the plot was leaked before the assassination attempt. Enraged, Teli ordered his troops to impose martial law throughout the city and launch a thorough investigation. With no other choice, Ku Chabi Shi led his people to seek refuge in Bawhanna. Upon hearing this, Teli led ten thousand elite soldiers on a rapid march to Bawhanna’s gates, demanding Ashilanda hand over Teli. (Note 1) Ashilanda, of course, was not one to back down easily. He immediately ordered his archers to fire arrows. After several waves of attacks, more than a dozen Shi State cavalrymen died on the spot. In a fit of rage, Teli ordered an assault on Bawhanna’s city.

The barbarian city-states in Hexiang were not as sturdy and fortified as those in the Central Plains. Under repeated attacks, their walls crumbled, and they risked being completely destroyed by the Shi State. Seeing the situation worsening, Ashilanda led his people in a desperate defense while sending trusted allies out of the city at night to seek help from the Tang forces in Anxi.

Upon receiving this report, Gao Xianzhi was furious and decided to use this opportunity to restore order in Hexiang. Since the Arabs were gradually withdrawing, he no longer had to worry about their interference. After consulting with his trusted secretary Cen Shen, Gao Xianzhi personally selected ten thousand elite soldiers, along with Li Kuo, the military envoy of Shule, and General Li Siye, along with other key officers, to march on Bawhanna. After a fierce battle, the Shi State army was defeated.

Gao Xianzhi sent Li Kuo to pursue them. Li Kuo led three thousand light cavalry in a series of attacks over two hundred miles. In a mountain pass not far from Ku Zhan Ti, he captured King Teli of the Shi State and brought him back to report to the army.

Upon hearing the tragic news, the Turkic Khagan named Huang led 20,000 cavalry to rescue Teli. Although the Turkic forces outnumbered the Tang army by far, they had long lost their former fighting strength due to internal strife and were swiftly defeated by the Tang troops after just a few encounters. Khagan Yibala failed to rescue Teli and instead lost his own life. Gao Xianzhi had long suspected Yibala’s disloyalty and had been worried about lacking an opportunity to recapture Shuye; now, Yibala had brought himself to him! In these two battles, the Tang army lost only 513 men, suffered over 800 injuries, killed 3,713 enemy soldiers, and captured more than 7,000 others. It was a great victory—a victory that declared the Tang forces in Anxi’s reconquest of Hexi! After the reign of Emperor Gaozong, vassal states such as the various tribes of Hexi reappeared on the map of the Tang Empire! Gao Xianzhi was to be granted the title of prince, on par with Ge Shu Han and An Lushan! Such achievements were unprecedented and unrepeatable. Overjoyed, Gao Xianzhi, after supporting his deputy Juchebishi as the ruler of the Shi state, led his army back to Anxi. The various tribes of Hexi were shaken, and some indecisive rulers declared their loyalty to the Tang Dynasty. By capturing the king first, Gao Xianzhi’s long-distance campaign held great strategic significance. Shortly after returning to Kuqa in Anxi to rest, Gao Xianzhi prepared reports praising the merits of Li Fei Yuanli, Li Siye, and others. But when deciding whom to take with him to Chang’an to report his achievements, he hesitated. Logically, it was Li Kuo who captured Teli, the king of the Shi state, so he should accompany Gao Xianzhi to Chang’an. Yet in terms of seniority, Li Siye far surpassed this young man. Even officials like Bai Yuanguang and Li Fei Yuanli, though of lower rank, were experienced veterans of the Tang forces in Anxi. It would be unwise to offend the core of these forces over one Li Kuo. The imperial court set a limit of 500 people for those returning to Chang’an for official duties and 3 for border generals. Thus, aside from himself, Gao Xianzhi could only take two trusted officers with him. In the end, he decided to go to Chang’an with the more renowned Li Siye to calm the unrest among the Tang forces in Anxi. In November of the ninth year of the Tianbao era, a guard force of 500 people set off from Kuqa City on their way to Chang’an. Li Kuo tried his best to persuade Gao Xianzhi, hoping to use this opportunity to return to Chang’an and see his mother, A Tian, Li Niang, and others. But in the end, Gao Xianzhi prioritized practical interests and abandoned him. The young man was naturally disappointed, but there was nothing more he could do. As a soldier, Li Kuo would not ignore the safety of Shule City. After sighing slightly, he led his generals to Shule to defend the border.……

Inside the Shule Governor’s Office, Li Kuo gazed into the east from afar and let out a long sigh.
“Another late autumn. I suddenly miss the locust flowers in Chang’an greatly.”
Seeing Li Kuo staring eastward, Ni Xin stepped closer and draped a dark blue robe over him.
“The weather is getting cold. Take care of your health—don’t catch a chill.”
It was unclear when it started, but Ni Xin had begun to care about others, which left Li Kuo somewhat uncomfortable.
“Do you know? In Chang’an, once October arrives, the entire Zhuque Street is filled with the fragrance of locust flowers. I loved eating the locust-flavored pastries from Li Fujie’s bakery. Back then, as a naive youth, I thought life couldn’t be more perfect. Looking back now, it was so childish.”
Li Kuo sighed deeply and shook his head with a bitter smile.
If he hadn’t gone to serve in Longyou or traveled to Anxi, perhaps he would still be in Chang’an, breathing in that delicate, enchanting scent.
It was a truly wonderful scent—filled with the sweetness of locust flowers, the freshness of sheep jelly, and, of course, the captivating fragrance of the woman he loved.
“You silly guy, get up already! I made your favorite scrambled eggs!”
A Tian’s ethereal laughter rang in his ears once again. Yes, how could he let go of this affection? How could he ever let it go?
When love is at its peak, one moves forward without regret. But what does home taste like? Does he even still know?…
Note 1: At that time, the Shi State had a dual-king system. The chief king was Teli, who was pro-Tang. The deputy king’s lineage was Quchebishe, who was once granted the title of King of Shunyi by the Tang court.
Note 2: Li Siye was a famous general of the mid-Tang period, skilled in using the mo dao sword, and played a role in suppressing the An Lushan Rebellion.