The sun sets over the western mountains.
This is the actual situation of Western Turks.
Since the fall of the Eastern Turks, the Western Turks wanted to encroach on the grassland territory, but who knew that they were defeated again and again by the Tang Dynasty. Nowadays, the vast territory of the Western Turks has also become the pasture of the Tang State. Although these tribes who are unwilling to submit have moved all the way west and survived, they are still lingering.
The power of the Western Turks today is nothing compared to its earlier glory days.
In such a miserable situation, where even survival was a problem, Ashinatag felt that even if the Turks went eastward, they might not get any good results. Since those tribes chose to submit to the Tang Dynasty, hand over their land, and accept rule from the beginning, it would be impossible for them to rebel unless the Tang Dynasty truly withered.
And as long as they don't rebel, the little strength of the Western Turks to start a war against the Tang Dynasty is tantamount to hitting an egg against a stone.
That's what he thought, but there were too many people in the Western Turks headquarters who dreamed of restoring the glory of their ancestors. Even when they were squirming in the belly of the concubine, they were dreaming of defeating the Tang Dynasty, and then, like their ancestors, they could oppress this weak nation every year and live a life where they could eat as much as they could reach out.
only....
After taking a look at the guards with exquisite armor and extraordinary bearings around the prince, and then thinking about the many guards who had just rushed out in a swarm, Ashinatag knew that fantasies could only be fantasies. At least, within a hundred years, he would not be able to see the west. The hope that the Turks can regain their old land.
Since it is impossible within a hundred years, then it is better to be honest. At least, when Datang itself is overeating and suffering from indigestion, it is impossible to eat a piece of mushy meat in the corner.
Heaving a long sigh of relief, Ashinatag said: "Your Highness is right. After these two people are dead, I will be able to breathe a sigh of relief during my trip to the Tang Dynasty. You may not have thought that our stupid Khan , still thinking about attacking the Tang Dynasty, this time I sent an envoy to find out the truth."
Hearing Ashina Tag's words, Li Xian was stunned for a moment, and then he was relieved.
Ashina Tag's choice is not wrong. Instead of being secretive, it is better to tell the truth. At least, sincerity. Sometimes, it can really be exchanged for sincerity.
Since Ashina Tag chose to tell the truth, Li Xian also chose to be half honest: "Ashina Yehu is quite sincere. He dares to say such things to Gu."
"There is nothing to hide. I think all the officials who come to Honglu Temple know these things, let alone you, the prince. In fact, those two dead guys had received secret orders to unite with Tubo and other countries when necessary. If necessary, we will attack the Tang Dynasty together with our envoys. I don’t know how Khan came up with such a stupid order. If possible, I will definitely refute his ridiculous idea after I return to Turks."
Li Xian smiled and said nothing as he listened to Ashina Tag's heartfelt words.
If he couldn't guess Ashina Tag's thoughts at this time, it would be wrong.
Sincerity, sometimes what you want in exchange may not be sincerity, it may be benefits.
Obviously, Ashina Tag refuted the Turkic Khan and explained his closeness to the Tang Dynasty because he wanted to gain the support of the Tang Dynasty.
Under normal circumstances, it would be a rare good thing to be able to create a pro-Tang Dynasty force within the enemy.
However, at the moment, it is obviously inappropriate.
First of all, the current Turks no longer have the qualifications to challenge the Tang Dynasty on their own. When there is a huge disparity in strength, conspiracy and conspiracy are dispensable.
Secondly, Ashina Tag is obviously someone with a deeper mind than that stupid Khan. A guy who can lead the hot-blooded Turks to calm down and accumulate strength truly has the ability to make an ethnic group "come back".
In this way, it is okay to put Ashinatag back, but supporting him is quite risky.
"Compared to that idiot Khan, Ashina Yehu obviously understands things better. Gu heard that several Turkic tribes had made some changes before, and there are actually tribes who dare to approach my border town of the Tang Dynasty. That idiot can Khan’s expression is unclear, can Ashina Yehu help me clear up my doubts?”
"It's not the stupid Khan, it's Bo Tuo..."
Seeing the Prince of the Tang Dynasty calling him "idiot Khan", although Ashinatag also felt that his Khan was an idiot, but... he didn't feel that way after all.
With a long sigh, Ashinatag continued: "To be honest with His Highness, Botu Khan really wanted to attack the Tang Dynasty, because there were rumors at that time that there was a drought in the mainland of the Tang Dynasty, and he had no time to take care of himself, let alone He said he would attack foreign countries. However, although he has this intention, and several border tribes do support him, most of our Turkic people are still unwilling to launch a war. You must believe this."
Li Xian nodded. Ashina Tag would not dare to lie casually, and he also believed that the Turks were now at a level where they had no time to take care of themselves.
Part of the land they now live in is the land left to them by their ancestors, and the other part was conquered by them fighting against the countries in the Western Region.
What kind of place is the Western Region? It is no exaggeration to say that even the merchants of the Tang Dynasty who are best at doing business are not willing to do business in person, even if the local people do not dare to make trouble against them.
The land of the Western Region is so chaotic that there are even examples of a country being established by a few thousand people. In one day, if you travel faster, you may be able to visit three or four countries.
The nine surnames of Khotan, Qiuci, and Zhaowu... some of these ethnic groups that have disappeared in the long history have chosen to submit, and some, like the remaining tribes of the Turks, have chosen to leave their ancestral lands and seek new lands in the Western Regions to settle down and live.
Since then, the land of the Western Region has been filled with smoke and wars can occur anytime and anywhere.
How could the Turks live peacefully in such a chaotic place?
Being driven by the Tang Dynasty to that desolate land, and now encountering obstacles to the west and unable to develop, when you look back and face the Tang Dynasty, will you forget the pain?
After all, that Khan with a cock is not a smart person.
Although he thought so, Li Xian still said to Ashina Tage: "Since it is a misunderstanding, let's solve it. But Ashina Yehu, Turk's sudden change this time made his father very angry. You guys ....”
Ashinatag said without hesitation: "Your Highness, don't worry, our contribution this time will definitely satisfy His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."
After saying that, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
This time, only a small part of the gifts brought by the envoy team were from Bo Tuo, and most of the rest were brought by him. When doing things, you need to make all preparations. In his opinion, you need to bring more to show the Turks' obedience to the Tang Dynasty. To put it in perspective, if anything happens, the Tang Dynasty really has no time to take care of itself. He brings These things can also be used as his capital to obtain the secrets of the Tang Dynasty, right?
However, if it fails, these things can only be given to the Emperor of Tang Dynasty as gifts to prevent the two countries from actually fighting.
He knew very well that the Tang Dynasty did not kill the remaining Turkic tribes, not out of mercy, but to allow them to become a barrier to the Tang Dynasty and block the war in the chaotic land of the Western Regions. But once the Turks really pissed off the Tang Dynasty, what would happen...
To be a human being, you must have self-awareness.
Sighing secretly again, Ashina Tag suddenly felt extremely tired. Perhaps, not only because the journey is coming to an end, but also because I am tired.
However, since he chose the path of the wise man in the first place, he must bear this.
Seeing that Ashina Tag stopped talking, Li Xian winked at the two eunuchs. The eunuchs trained by Zhou Quan were naturally smart. They naturally controlled the horses and pushed Ashina Tage to the back, leaving a small space of their own for His Royal Highness and Prince Liangdi.
Even though they do the right thing, they still get it wrong.
Because, at this moment, Li Xian was not at all leisurely talking about love with his little wife. Instead, with waves of fear, he forcibly suppressed his face and kept an expressionless look.
Smart people have a bad habit, that is, they like to consider the worst-case scenario no matter what happens.
Ashinatag is undoubtedly a smart man, so when other Turks heard the news and reveled, he stayed calm.
As for Li Xian, he considers himself a smart person, so he will naturally think of the worst case scenario.
Yes, the West Turks are indeed sunset and have no time to care for themselves. However, as the purest branch of the Turkic people, they still have influence on the Turkic tribes in the Anxi Protectorate.
Yes, although there are not many people left in the Turkic country, the Turkic people have not decreased much. After all, more shepherds chose to surrender because they were reluctant to part with their cattle and sheep, their own pastures, and their ancestors' land.
However, this surrender was based on the fact that the Tang Dynasty was strong enough and they had no choice. Just as he had worried before, once Datang was unable to sustain the current situation, their so-called loyalty might not be much.
In this era where blood determines everything, their temporary loyalty to the people of the Central Plains will be vulnerable to the call of their pure blood.
If it really reaches that level, perhaps the resurgence of the Turks is just a matter of time.
The team advanced slowly on the official road. As the leader of the escort team, Li Xian, and the leader of the envoy team, Ashina Tag, one had a deep face and the other had an expressionless face, but they were all so ups and downs in their hearts.
Because they were traveling slowly, it was not until the afternoon that the group returned to Chang'an.
The welcoming team from Honglu Temple waited in front of the gate of Chang'an City early.
The people of the Turkic headquarters are different from the Tubo people and require special arrangements.
Nowadays, the Khan who maintains the name of the Turkic country and the Khan who is the temporary leader of the Turks in the Anxi Protectorate are two different things. Because of this, it is necessary to house the two groups separately. In fact, no matter which branch it is, there will be officials from Honglu Temple monitoring the whole process.
After all, no one wants anything to go wrong in the Anxi Protectorate within the territory of the Tang Dynasty. If it was due to the exchange between the two envoy teams, Honglu Temple would be the first to bear the blame.
Seeing that Ashina Tag was taken away by Honglu Temple, Li Xian returned to the East Palace.
For the Tang Dynasty, the most powerful threat now is Tubo, and the greatest potential threat is the Turks.
Apart from these two, the remaining small countries are nothing at all.
If we say that the title of "Heavenly Khan" during the Taizong period was still that foreign ethnic groups, because they were afraid of further strife, gave Li Shimin the high title, which made him happy.
So, during the Li rule period, he wore this hat to complement each other.
Although Datang's land is now very fat, at this period, he really can't see many decent foreign enemies.
Thinking this way, Li Xian felt that the horse's speed had slowed down a lot, and Li Xian quickly came back to his senses.
The team has approached the Mingde Gate of the East Palace, but what is surprising is that there is a large group of people in front of the East Palace Gate. The guards of the East Palace are maintaining the order of the scene.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will go check on the situation."
After shouting, Li Yun drove the horses and stepped forward to check the situation.
Not long after, the crowd split to both sides and moved out of the way. Li Yun led a guy in leather armor back all the way.
As they got closer, Li Yunhui reported: "Your Highness, these are the people of Buzhen Khan, the Khan of the Turkic tribe. They are here to give you gifts."
After saying that, Li Yun stepped aside.
Although the guy who followed Li Yun was wearing leather armor, the decoration on his horse looked unusual.
"Ashna Buzhen, the Khan of the Turkic tribe, pays homage to His Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty."
After hearing this guy's identity, Li Xian wasn't surprised at all.
During the Xianqing period, after the Tang Dynasty annihilated Ashina Helu, it established the Mengchi Protectorate in the Wugu Shibi Department, supporting Ashina Buzhen as the successor to Jue Khan and the general of the hussar, Mengchi. Protector. Both the Mengchi and Kunling Protectorate's Palaces are affiliated with the Anxi Protectorate's Palace.
It is no exaggeration to say that Ashina Buzhen's situation is similar to that of Emperor Puyi. However, Puyi was puppeted by a small country, while Ashina Buzhen faced the giant Tang Dynasty. Tyrant.
With a slight cough, Li Xian pointed to the door of the East Palace and asked, "Ashina Buzhen, why did you bring so many people here?"
After immediately saluting again, Ashina Buzhen said: "I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince entered the East Palace before, and I really wanted to go to the Central Plains to celebrate you. However, the border officers strictly ordered us not to move without permission. Now that I have been summoned by the saint, I can enter. Guan. These people brought by Wei Chen are especially good at polo and want to perform a show for you as a entertainment."
"In addition, Wei Chen has also prepared some insignificant gifts for you, I hope you will accept them."
negligible?
Looking from a distance at the horses and boxes in the open space in front of the East Palace Gate, Li Xianzhen didn't know how insignificant this battle was.
