Titsigu came to wait outside the palace gate early, and the dew wet his purple monk's robe.
But he didn't care at all. As long as Khotan could be dragged into the arena of this religious war, he could endure all the humiliation, even his life.
The futon was also soaked with morning dew, and it was a little uncomfortable. Titsigu wanted to move, but his strong willpower helped him suppress his body's desire.
Although his career as a monk for more than thirty years cannot be regarded as the Ancient Buddha of Qingdeng, it is by no means a leisurely activity.
A cold wind blowing from the west caused goosebumps to appear on the skin under his thin monk robe, and Titsigu could not help but speed up in chanting Buddhist sutras in a low voice.
More than twenty years ago, he was just a young monk, but he could never forget that day when the same cold wind blew.
Twenty years ago, hundreds of elite cavalry belonging to Arslen Khan took advantage of the last chance before Balasagon was surrounded by all sides to protect the Khan's wife and children and ran to Shule.
As soon as the Great Khan's wife and children left, Ye Hu and Burke in the city opened the city gate. Everyone knelt on the ground in humiliation to welcome the Persians into the city, even the monks.
Everyone paid a huge price for resisting the Persians. Countless master Ye Hu, who was originally aloof, was pulled out and had his head chopped off, while ordinary people and monks paid a lot of money to buy their lives. '
A large number of howling warriors robbed the temple of gold, silver and Tang Dynasty copper coins. Even the gold powder smeared on the Buddha statues was scraped off, which was worth nothing at all.
Countless brothers were beaten and even killed until the Persian governor ordered a halt.
After that, the temples in Balasagon had to pay a large head tax that was only paid by pagans to the Governor's Palace every year, otherwise the Governor's Palace would not guarantee the safety of all the monks.
Titsigu never wanted to experience that hellish scene again, and he knew that if the Persians attacked Balasagun again this time, everyone would only face more cruel revenge.
"Master, apart from chanting the meaning of my Buddhist scriptures, does he know much about battle formations?"
A slow voice sounded in his ears, and Titsigu, who was immersed in memories, was startled.
I don't know when, a young man wearing a green robe, full of heaven, thick eyebrows and big eyes had stood beside him.
The young man was holding several huge white flour steamed cakes in his hands and was munching happily. His bright eyes were constantly looking at him, with a hint of teasing in his curiosity.
"This benefactor, this poor monk has not eaten for a long time and is very hungry. Can you make a steamed cake to relieve the hunger in your belly?"
Titsigu recognized who this was.
He didn't react just now because the person around him was too young. It was really hard for him to connect him with the Duke of Fengtian of the Great Jin Kingdom who was wearing a purple robe yesterday, with a goldfish bag hanging on his waist, and commanding thousands of soldiers.
Of course, this is also related to the fact that I, Grand Duke Zhang, did not put on a fake beard today. In ancient times, beards were regarded as beautiful. Zhang Zhao didn’t know why, but after time travel, his beard grew everywhere, even on certain parts of his body, but he never grew a beard.
So when he is not on the battlefield, he is used to putting a fake beard on his chin and cheeks. Needless to say, once the beard is put on, he becomes a lot more mature in an instant.
"Is this alms?" Zhang Zhao handed Titsigu a steamed cake and said with some pun.
Titsigu took the steamed cake and slowly took a small bite, with a look of nostalgia in his eyes.
"The poor monk's surname is Yao Geluo. Everyone says this is a great surname, but as long as I can remember, I have never felt that this surname has brought me any greatness. It is either regarded as a rare commodity to live in, or it is deeply feared by others. .
One year, my grandfather committed something, which was originally a matter of paying a few sheep and a cow. In the end, Alslenghan Basil found various excuses and severely punished him, and the family dispersed.
In the critical moment, my mother carried me to the Burana Buddhist Temple, where I escaped the disaster.
Since then, I have never seen my mother again. I have been growing up in the temple, from novice monk to monk to master and host.
The temple is my home, my master is my father, and my brothers are my brothers. In the heart of the poor monk, the temple has always been a sacred and peaceful place, and everyone who comes is respectful.
But Lord, can you imagine? A monk who had lived in peace for twenty years suddenly discovered that a group of extremely vicious people had broken into the temple. They stole gold and silver and destroyed the temple.
I saw with my own eyes that the statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, which I chanted in front of every day, had its golden paint and color scratched off, and it stood in front of me like a chicken or duck that had lost its feathers. "
As he spoke, Titsigu suddenly put down the steamed cake in his hands, clasped his hands together, and muttered "sin, sin, sin" several times.
"It seems that this matter has deeply stimulated the master! From now on, have you made up your mind to resist the Persian rule in Balasagon?" Zhang Zhao asked lightly.
Titsigu nodded first, then shook his head.
"The poor monk doesn't want to resist anyone, but the poor monk doesn't even want to miss a few Buddhist scriptures and needs someone to intervene. He doesn't want to have vicious people rushing into the poor monk's temple to loot and destroy it!"
That's easy to say. Zhang Zhao nodded. Titsigu was not only expressing his views on religion, but also telling Zhang Zhao that he could ignore the governance of Balashagon, as long as he did not interfere. Just go to the development of Buddhism.
"But even so, there is no need for the master to march hundreds of miles to fight with the Tianfang cultists of Talos, right? If we can securely defend the city, there may be something we can do."
Titsigu finally turned red and took a long breath.
"This is the reason why the poor monk asked the Great Sage and Emperor for help. I think this is also the reason why the Great Sage and Emperor sent the prince here."
Zhang Zhao was silent for a while, as if thinking about something, and then he shook his head.
"Master, do you know how big a country the Samanid Kingdom of Persia is? It has tens of millions of people and no less than a hundred thousand soldiers. Our Khotan Kingdom has only 700,000 people in the whole country.
In addition, Balashagon and Shule are separated by numerous snow-capped mountains and glaciers. Even with full support, they cannot resist! "
"The poor monk heard that Duke Zhang was at the gate of Polu Prefecture and defeated Bugra Khan Saktu's 20,000 elite cavalry with 2,000 infantry. Everyone said that Duke Zhang was a young hero and had the style of Duke Zhuang of the Xing Kingdom of the Tang Dynasty.
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Four years ago, Saktu conquered more than ten cities including Balasagun, Kulan, Talas, and Baishui with only more than 10,000 soldiers. Tens of thousands of elites from the Persian Samani Kingdom fled.
Isn't the prince worse than his defeated general? Could it be that the great sage, the emperor, and the princes would not bear the thought of the more than 100,000 followers of our Buddha in Balashagon suffering another disaster? "
Titsigu had some doubts and his voice couldn't help but become a little louder. He had already made it clear that he would give up the secular things of Balasagon and hand over the power to Zhang Zhao. Why did Zhang Zhao still push back?
Is this Balasagon so unattractive?
Zhang Zhao swallowed the last piece of steamed cake with a normal expression, and waited for Titsigu to calm down before speaking slowly.
"Master really doesn't understand military matters. Saktu was able to fight from Balashagon to Baishuihu City four years ago.
It was because this was his ancestral land, and his soldiers followed him to regain the old capital and rescue his compatriots.
Such righteous soldiers who are trying to punish the people and crusade against crime naturally have high morale and will do no harm!
In addition, at that time, the forces in various cities, including the master, had been suffering from the Persians for a long time, and all of them tried their best to help, even the Tianfang believers in Talas and other cities were interested in Saktu.
There are people inside to provide support, there are people to spy on military supplies, and there are people to transport food and fodder. This is not Saktu fighting the Persians. This is the entire Western Karakhan people fighting with Saktu against the Persians.
On the other hand, today, Balasagun and Talos are killing each other's people, and they are only a hundred miles away from Balasagun, just like enemy territory.
Moreover, there are only a few thousand people under a certain command, so how can tens of thousands of soldiers be used? Even if I have tens of thousands of soldiers, can Balasagon, after half a year of continuous campaign, supply the military supplies of tens of thousands of troops? "
Zhang Zhao's words were well-founded and immediately suppressed Titsigu. No matter where he came from, it must be said that Zhang Zhao was right.
After a long while, a look of despair appeared on Titsigu's face. He closed his eyes and chanted a few lines of Buddhist scriptures before looking at Zhang Zhao.
"Then according to what the Duke said, it will be extremely difficult to defend Balashagon? Will these hundreds of thousands of creatures have no choice but to endure the enslavement of foreign races?
Whatever! These mountains and rivers have nourished the poor monk. When the Persians come, the poor monk will return this body to these mountains, mountains and rivers! "
Damn, I was too scared. Zhang Zhao’s forehead jumped twice. But don’t really scare this monk too much. He still has to rely on his efforts.
After running through his mind for a few times, Zhang Zhao let out a long sigh and looked moved.
"The master looks down on life and death and only serves the common people in this world. It is really admirable. I originally wanted to persuade the master to evacuate to Shule with me, but it seems that the master will definitely not agree!"
As he spoke, the expression on Zhang Zhao's face changed twice, revealing a look that was hesitant to speak. After struggling for a while, he slapped his thigh again.
"Forget it! The master is so noble, wouldn't it look too despicable if a certain Zhang Erlang only knew how to escape!
It doesn't matter if the Persian Samanid Kingdom is strong. As long as you listen to my words, there is nothing to fear. I will accompany you to save the common people here! "
Titsigu was about to despair, because Zhang Zhao's analysis was very reasonable. With the size of the Khotan Kingdom and his previous wrong operations, he could not withstand the attack of the Persian Samani Kingdom. Now you will hear Zhang Zhao said again that he could fight, and he was overjoyed.
"Jun Gong is indeed a hero!" He quickly praised Zhang Zhao and then asked.
"The Duke said that I want the poor monk to listen to your words. I don't know if I have any clever ideas. Please tell me."
Zhang Zhao pulled Titsigu to squat down, took out two stones and placed them on both ends. Zhang Zhao pointed to the smaller one and said.
"This stone is Talos!" Then he pointed to the larger one and said, "This is Balasagon."
After speaking, Zhang Zhao drew a line on the ground with his finger to connect the two cities.
"Master, please see, these two places are about 800 miles apart. There are many mountains and valleys in between. The transportation is unchanged. If the Persian army comes from Talos, it will be difficult to transport food.
He must have the intention to collect food along the way. If the master can persuade the people who are three to four hundred miles away from Balasagun to evacuate to the east of Balasagun, he will take away those who can and those who cannot. Burning them down will cut off the food source of the Persian army on the way. This is a plan to strengthen the wall and clear the country.
Then when the Persian army arrived at the city of Balasagun, they would definitely be short of food, so they would definitely attack the city in an attempt to break Balasagun and obtain military rations.
If the situation is urgent and it is not possible to fight for a long time, it will definitely be too late to make large-scale siege equipment, and the difficulty of siege will naturally double.
At this time, the master led all the residents to resist desperately, while I led people into and out of the mountains and forests to the west to cut off the Persian army's food routes, harassing them day and night, killing small ones and leaving others.
If Balashagon can hold on for a month, its military morale will inevitably be unstable. If it cannot attack for a long time, the only option is to withdraw its troops.
When the time comes, I will use all my elite troops to pursue them one after another, and I will definitely make sure that the Persian army is wiped out!
By then, let alone defending Balashagon, it would be easy to counterattack Talos and Baishuihu City. "
Titsigu looked at Zhang Zhao with a complicated expression, not as overjoyed as he imagined.
"The Duke said that he would stand firm and clear the country, and that he would fight to the death to resist. You can see how much the people of Balashagon had to pay for these two words!"
After saying that, he sighed, "Forget it! Forget it! If you want to fight off the jackal, there's no reason why you won't get hurt. Don't worry, Lord, Titsigu will do his best to make arrangements."
However, if this effect is to be achieved, the cooperation of the Nestorian monks of Great Qin is necessary.
But recently they have been preparing to retreat, and the poor monk can't persuade them. Maybe only the county prince can come forward and talk to the two Nestorian sages about the friendship of the same clan, which may be able to impress them! "
"Master can't persuade me, so what's the point of me coming from afar..., wait! Master, what are you talking about? I have the same clan friendship with these two Nestorian sages?"
Zhang Zhao was suddenly shocked. Yesterday, he felt that Xuan Qing, the majestic and dignified Nestorian figure, looked very much like a Han Chinese.
Could it be?
"Don't you know, Duke?" Titsigu looked at Zhang Zhao in surprise.
"The poor monk heard that the Duke is a Tang son from Dunhuang. Among the three great Nestorian sages in Balasagon, Wei Yi and Prudence are both Tang sons from Shule!"
