Chapter 5 The Fifth Chapter: The Tang Emperor's Chariot Meeting, Lu Xiang, and the Heavenly Soldiers Crossing the Sad Moraine

When Lu Dongzan tried his best to see Li Jinyan's face, Li Shimin was hunting in Jiucheng Palace.On this day, he said to Tang Jian who was accompanying him: "That Tubo Xiangguo has stayed in Beijing for a long time this time, and it is time to see him. After I return to Beijing, you bring him here." The emperor kept his promise. Although Tang Jian was in Jiucheng Palace at this time, he hurriedly sent someone back to Beijing to send a message to Lu Dongzan, making him ready to face the saint. On the eve of Li Shimin's return to Beijing, an incident occurred in Jiucheng Palace that prompted him to change his mind.

In the middle of the night that day, the sky was covered with dense clouds. With the twilight of the full moon, one could see clusters of dark clouds, like a group of wild horses galloping on the prairie, taking advantage of the wind to gallop in the chaotic sky.There was a strong gust of wind around Jiucheng Palace, and when the cool wind from the north passed over the rocks and the corridors between the palace rooms, it left behind a series of ear-piercing screams.Because of the strong wind, Jin Wang Li Zhi originally planned to go out of the palace to lead the guards to prepare the imperial battle for Li Shimin at the fourth drum, so he had to postpone it until the wind calmed down before leaving the palace.Chang He asked people to light candles in the Xuanhua Hall in front, and talked with Li Zhi. In order not to delay the time, he called people to the kitchen to urge him to cook, and wanted to wait for the wind to stop while eating.

Just after the fourth drum, a guard with an arrow in his arm stumbled into the Xuanhua Palace, and said in a trembling voice: "Lord Chang, something happened, someone outside stormed the palace gate." Chang He hurriedly stood up, saw that the arrow wound on the man's arm was still bleeding, and knew that the man was not lying, so he said in a deep voice: "Don't panic! Who are the people outside? How many people are there in total?" "I can't see anything clearly in the dark night. They don't fight close to each other, but attack fiercely. Now they have broken through the second defense and are approaching the palace gate." The man thought he had lost a lot of blood, and ran all the way. He lost his strength, his body suddenly went limp, and he fell to the ground.

Chang He was not flustered, and said as he walked out: "Leave ten people here to guard the King of Jin, and order the guards of the emperor and ministers to prevent them from leaving their posts without permission. For the rest, hurry up and follow me." Go forward." Chang He learned that this group of people fought with bows and arrows, and the accompanying people were not allowed to carry torches, but let them run along the corridor in the dark.It was pitch black outside, and from time to time someone bumped into obstacles and fell to the ground.Relying on their familiarity with the terrain in the palace, most people quickly reached the second gate.Chang He raised his eyes in the dim light and saw more than 200 people gathered around him, he thought that these people are all selected brave men, they can resist for a while.Seeing that the thieves hadn't attacked the second gate, he shouted: "Close the palace gate tightly. Everyone quickly go to the second gate to choose a favorable location, hide your body, take out your bow and arrow to defeat the enemy. After a while, as long as someone comes to the second gate , Immediately shoot all arrows and shoot him to death."

Someone timidly asked: "What if the person who came here is one of our own?" Chang He resolutely said: "In the dark night, it is difficult to distinguish between the enemy and the enemy, so I can't care about it! It is important to guard the palace gate. Well, the gate has changed in a hurry, and I may not be able to support it for a long time. Everyone arranges it." Everyone dispersed as ordered. Chang He also ordered the two people around him: "Try to sneak out of the gate, don't fight with the culprit, and find out what the culprit is." The two agreed and left.

After a while, I heard a bang at the gate, and then a burst of noise approaching the second gate.Everyone knows that the thieves have already broken through the gate, so they widened their eyes and opened their bows.Suddenly, a group of shadowy black figures could be seen rushing towards him, and Chang He let out a low shout, and everyone shot their arrows out one after another.When the bowstring rang here, there was a burst of mourning over there. Frustrated by this, the group of people on the opposite side immediately changed their tactics.They dispersed on the spot, each looking for a hiding place, took out their bows and arrows and shot at the old guards.After all, Chang He and the old guards had been prepared for a long time, and the arrows were also injured, but compared with the thieves, the damage was very small.

Time passed by in the confrontation, and at some point, the wind gradually weakened.When the wind was howling, the noise of the two sides attacking was covered by the wind, and now the wind died down, both sides buried their heads in shooting arrows, neither made a sound, only heard the occasional sound of the bowstring, the scene seemed very silent. The east slowly reveals a twilight, and before you know it, the dawn is coming.At this time, Chang He suddenly felt that the other party was silent. Soon, he heard the sound of horseshoes outside the palace gate. He knew that the thief was about to rise when he saw the light. Fleeing in a hurry, Chang He shouted loudly in a flash: "Open the torch and open the two doors."

Dozens of torches were ignited, illuminating the outside of the palace gate like daytime.Under the light of the fire, there were more than 30 people lying in disorder in front of them, and some seriously injured people were moaning there.Chang He searched among them with a torch in his hand, and saw that a person who was not in the uniform of the old guard was still alive, so he kicked the person and cursed: "He Luofu, it was you. You led this group of people What do you intend to do by coming here to make trouble?" He Luohu is the eldest son of Tuli Khan, who has been staying in the capital and leading the post of Yunqiwei.Now his legs were pierced by arrows, bleeding profusely, and his face was as white as paper under the firelight.Hearing Chang He's question, he struggled and replied in panic: "It's not me, it's not me, my uncle led people to do it."

Chang He's heart sank when he first saw Heluohu, thinking that it was Tuli Khan who caused the chaos, so the situation would be serious.When he heard that it was Tuli Khan's younger brother who formed an association and led the rebellion here, he felt relieved.It is well known that the association rate and Tuli Khan have turned against each other. Chang He didn't pay any attention to He Luofu, and when he saw the two scouts approaching, he hurriedly asked, "Where did the thieves flee to?" One of them replied: "Master Chang, we are lying outside the gate of the palace. Just now we saw more than 20 people jumping on their horses and rushing away. From their appearance, the leader seems to be a Turkic association leader."

"That's right, where are they fleeing to?" "Fleeing north along the official road, it should be five miles away now." Chang He turned his head and said, "Sun Wukai." Sun Wukai, the captain of Zhechong, stepped forward upon hearing the sound, and replied, "The last general is here." "Quickly lead two hundred warriors, follow and chase along the route where the association led the rout, and be sure to take the heads of the association and others. There are only more than 20 thieves. If the two hundred of you can't win completely, you don't have to come back. gone."

"The last general takes orders." Soon, Sun Wukai led two hundred soldiers to pursue northward like a whirlwind. Chang He ordered people to clean up the battlefield. In the service, more than 30 guards died, and the thieves also left more than 20 corpses.These corpses were quickly moved to another place, and the guards brought fresh water to carefully wash away the blood stains on the ground. When the wind howled, Li Shimin was still in a sweet sleep, and later, he heard the abnormal noise in front of him, and the habit of fighting he had developed over the years made him fall asleep.He quickly put on his clothes and got up, asking what happened outside, but the people around him didn't know, so Li Shimin wanted to go out with his sword, but the guards were strictly ordered not to let him go out, so Li Shimin had to worry. After Chang He finished his business outside, he hurried to Li Shimin's bedroom. Li Shimin asked in a loud voice, "Chang He, what happened outside?" "Your Majesty, the chaos came at night, but it was the leader of the association who led more than forty Turkic children to come to commit the crime. They flew moths into the flames, and more than 20 of them were killed on the spot. The leader of the association now leads the remaining people to flee north. Order Sun Wukai to lead two hundred Xiaoqi in pursuit." "Well, that's very good. What kind of heart and guts did the association rate eat to dare to hit a stone with an egg? By the way, does he dare to resent me for not being promoted to his official position for a long time?" "Your Majesty is wise. This person is narrow-minded, which led to this change." At the beginning, Tuli was appointed as the governor of Shunzhou, and Li Shimin left his younger brother, the leader of the association, and his son, He Luohu, to live in Beijing as officials.The rate of association was awarded as Zhonglang General. He stayed in the capital for a long time, and his rogue nature gradually became apparent, causing troubles at every turn.When Tuli learned of these behaviors of the association, when he returned to Beijing, he often reprimanded him sharply, and even taught him a lesson, which caused the association to avoid him and feel resentful.On this day, he wrote a book to report to Li Shimin that Tuli was training soldiers in Shunzhou in order to plot rebellion.Naturally, some people often report to Li Shimin about what Tuli did in Shunzhou. Li Shimin was quite satisfied with the fact that he appeased the people there and devoted himself to herding and farming.Therefore, Li Shimin knew that he was committing a false accusation when he saw the association rate's letter, so he asked Hou Junji to come forward and severely punished the association rate, and no longer promoted him to a higher rank, so that the association rate had a heavy impact on Li Shimin again. Resentment, this is something that all officials in Beijing know. Chang He went on to report to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, I asked the surviving person, and I know that the association has been in the past few years with the children of his tribe, and has contacted more than 40 people. His ambition is not small. The thing about Ye Lai is actually very dangerous. , They found out that King Jin was going out of the palace to prepare a battle for His Majesty at the time of the four drums, so they planned to kidnap King Jin, and then broke into the palace gate and went straight to His Majesty's bedroom in an attempt to harm His Majesty. It was windy at night, and King Jin did not go out of the palace at the time of the four drums , They couldn't bear it anymore, so they attacked each other, and even tore through the four defenses of the guards. This time, more than 30 guards died and died for the country. The minister failed to check the matter in advance, so that The emperor is frightened, please Your Majesty punish the crime of the minister." Li Shimin shook his hand and said: "Forget it, you don't have to blame yourself. The people who do the conspiracy hide in the dark, who can see the details? Hmph, the rate of association wants to shake the foundation stone of me with the power of dozens of people, it's beyond self-control! Often Hey, if Sun Wukai can capture the rebels, that's all. If not, you can tell the border and the Turkic tribes on my behalf, let them pay attention to the people passing by, and immediately go to the spot when they find the traces of the association rate and others Capture. In life, you must see people, and in death, you must see corpses." "The minister leads the order." Hearing that there were changes in the palace, Chu Suiliang, Ma Zhou, Cen Wenwen, Du Zhenglun, Tang Jian and other officials who came with him were concerned about Li Shimin's safety, and they all went to wait in front of the bedroom.Li Shimin asked them to enter the palace, and said to Chang He: "You go, and let Zhi'er go out to arrange the imperial battle, drive back to Beijing as usual today, before returning to Beijing, there must be a result on the association rate. " Chang He bowed and stepped back. The ministers now knew about the fact that the association led to chaos, and Du Zhenglun said angrily: "The Turkic people are impermanent and prone to chaos at every turn. It seems that we must guard against it. The emperor has treated them with sincerity and shown them love for so many years. Who knows that his wolf ambition has not changed at all." Tang Jian did not agree with Du Zhenglun's words: "Association rate is a rogue person, and he did such a perverse act, but it cannot be said that all Turkic people are like this. Tuli and his mother compatriots understand the righteousness and are grateful for Dade, which just shows that It has the benefit of the emperor's entrusting him with virtue." "People who are not of my race must have a different heart." Du Zhenglun insisted on his own opinion. Li Shimin listened attentively to what Du Zhenglun said, and at this moment he was pleased with Du Zhenglun's words, and said: "The association is a rogue, that's all, but more than forty Turkic noble children participated in it, can it be said that they are all muddleheaded?" People? Du Qing's statement that 'if you are not of my race, your heart must be different' is a bit extreme, but it also makes sense. As the Son of Heaven, I cannot treat others with a benevolent and weak heart." Ma Zhou was taken aback when he heard this, feeling that Li Shimin's mood had changed after this incident. Li Shimin went on to say: "The Chinese people are indeed the foundation of the world. The people of the four barbarians are the same branches and leaves, disturbing the roots and thickening the branches and leaves, and seeking long-term security. There is no such thing." Ma Zhou opened his mouth wide in surprise, thinking that the emperor who has always regarded Huayi as one family, will he change his mind from now on and separate Huayi from them?He hastily stepped forward, bowed and said: "Your Majesty has taught the world for many years, and now it is gradually getting results. How can you change the course because of trivial matters? People from China and people from the barbarians cannot be separated because of this. If there is a difference, I am afraid it will hurt Your Majesty." loss of prestige." Li Shimin didn't want to continue talking about this topic, and said: "Forget it, I think the imperial battle outside is ready, and it's time for us to drive back to Beijing." Seeing that Li Shimin was in a bad mood, Tang Jian asked, "After your Majesty returns to Beijing, will you still receive the Tubo envoys?" Li Shimin was displeased, and reprimanded: "Did I say I didn't see you? Turks and Tubo, one north and one south, how can they be compared?" Seeing that Li Shimin was very angry, the officials did not dare to speak up again, lest they would be embarrassing. In the middle of the imperial battle, Chang He reported to Li Shimin that the people led by the association had just crossed the Wei River, and they were chased by Sun Wukai who followed.After a fierce battle, Jie Jie and others fought against trapped beasts, but they were defeated by all hands and were beheaded one by one. Li Shimin's expression was indifferent, and he said: "Understood." Then he stopped talking. When Lu Dongzan learned that Li Shimin was going to meet him when he returned to Beijing, he said to He Jiluo: "At last, I can see the emperor, and it is better not to have any more accidents." He Jiluo shook his head, saying that the emperor kept his promise, and there should be no more accidents. Two days later, the news that Li Shimin was attacked in Jiucheng Palace reached Beijing.Lu Dong praised the words, his face was worried, and he sighed: "Perhaps it's a good thing that took a long time. I hope that the attack this time will not affect the emperor's mind." The place where Li Shimin met Lu Dongzan this time was not in Liangyi Hall, but in Furong Garden. It was a sunny day, and the golden sunlight shone on the earth, which absorbed a lot of the coolness of late autumn, and a sense of warmth floated on the earth.In the Hibiscus Garden under the sun, the water surface looks white and bright. Several kingfishers are either chirping among the flowers or playing on the water surface, making the garden very peaceful. Tang Jian asked Dali Cheng to wait with Lu Dongzan outside the garden, but He Jiluo could not accompany Lu Dongzan as an interpreter because he had no official rank.Tang Jian also selected a subordinate official who knew Tubo from Honglu Temple to follow him. Tang Jian waited in the garden with Ashina Simo. Ashina Simo was a veteran of the Eastern Turks, and was classified as the uncle of Jieli Khan according to his seniority.Because he did not look like a Turkic man, but looked like a foreigner, Chuluo Khan and Jieli Khan believed that he was not of the Ashina tribe, so they were very suspicious and did not use him more seriously.In July of the eighth year of Wude, Jieli Khan, with the help of Liang Shidu, led an army through Shuofang and drove straight to Longzhou. Li Shimin and Li Yuanji led the troops to fight. Prompted Xieli to retreat.Ashina Simo participated in this battle, witnessed the majesty of the Tang army and the power of the Tang Dynasty, and felt envious.In addition, Li Shimin respected him very much, which was in sharp contrast to the indifference of his tribe.Not long after he returned to the Turkic tent, he finally led his family to escape from the Turkic territory with light clothes and went straight to Chang'an by taking advantage of the dark night of the month.When Li Yuan saw him coming, he was overjoyed and conferred the title of king of Heshun, enfeoffing one thousand households in Shiyi. Tang Jian and Ashina Simo waited in the garden for a while, when they suddenly heard movement at the exit of the narrow passage, and then saw a red umbrella and two round fans first exposed, knowing that the emperor was coming, they knelt down on the ground to greet them. Li Shimin soon arrived in front of the two of them. Six maids carried their chariots on their shoulders or supported them with their hands. . Li Shimin saw the two kneeling on the ground, and said, "Let's get flat." The two stood up after thanking them, only to find that after the six court ladies, Yan Liben followed closely, holding a painting book in his hand.Li Shimin said something softly, and the six court ladies stopped walking and stopped there.Li Shimin didn't get off the chariot, but still sat on the chariot.When he met the foreign envoy today, he didn't wear heavy formal attire, only a black cape on his head, and a purple gown with round neck and narrow sleeves, looking more casual.Probably because of the influence of the Jiucheng Palace incident, he sat there with a solemn expression, deep eyes, and no smile. Seeing Li Shimin's expression, Ashina Simo couldn't help feeling worried when he remembered what the association had done.Thinking of this, he bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I heard that the association led a group of children of the clan to commit treason and injustice. The emperor has been kind to the clan for so many years. They are really not as good as pigs and dogs for doing this." .Some elders of this family have discussed recently that they should strengthen the discipline of their children to prevent them from committing misdemeanors again." Li Shimin looked indifferent, and said: "Forget it, there is no need to mention this matter again. The dragon gave birth to nine sons, good and bad, so why force it. Simo, you have been in my dynasty for a long time. From today on, your surname can be changed. How about giving you the surname Li?" Ashina Simo was overjoyed, and hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "Thank you, Majesty Long En, my family has been the national surname from now on, and my descendants will be grateful." You must know that since Li Shimin ascended the throne, he did not give a surname as easily as Li Yuan, so today he will give it to him. It's rare for Ashina Simo to be given the surname, and it's rare that Ashina Simo isn't excited. Li Shimin continued: "Li Qing, it is not an ordinary act for me to give you a surname today. I have a difficult matter, but I want you to do it." "Your Majesty, please issue an order, and I will never refuse to die." Li Shimin raised his head and sighed: "This matter is difficult to say, and easy to say. After the defeat of the Eastern Turks, the ministers said that they should be returned to their original land, or placed inside the Great Wall. I will take the latter. Now It seems that there is something wrong with this matter. Today I want to restore you as Khan, lead the people back to the old land, establish teeth and Dingxiang, what do you think?" Tang Jian was by his side, very surprised. He couldn't figure out that the emperor changed his mind so quickly. At the beginning, Li Shimin followed Wen Yanbo's advice and set up a governor's office to stabilize the Turkic tribes. He also left more than 10,000 Turkic families to live in the capital, and appointed the relevant people as generals and generals.For a time, the Turkic people set up the imperial court, and there were more than one hundred people above the fifth rank, half of the original officials above the fifth rank.At this time, some officials represented by Li Daliang thought that doing so would be useless and a waste of national wealth, and they went to the public school to oppose it.Li Daliang's Shang Shu is the most comprehensive, and his Shu said: I heard that those who want to go far away must first get closer.The Chinese people are the foundation of the world, and the people of the four barbarians are still like branches and leaves, disturbing their roots with thick branches and leaves, and seeking long-term security, there is no such thing.Since ancient times, the king of Ming has transformed China with faith and controlled barbarians as power.Therefore, "Spring and Autumn" says: "Rongdi, wolves, and wolves should not be hated; all Xia are intimate, and should not be abandoned."Today, the Turkic people are incurring, even if they are promoted, the officials feel a little tired, but they don't realize that it is beneficial.However, the people in the west of Hexi, the towns and barbarians, the prefectures and counties are in depression, and the household registration is rare. Due to the chaos in the Sui Dynasty, the consumption was reduced. For fear of causing damage, I am confused by my ministers, please stop soliciting comfort.And those who are called barren clothes are not accepted by old ministers.Therefore, the Zhou family loved the people and fought against the Di, and it lasted for eight hundred years; the King of Qin was known for light wars, so he was extinct for forty years.The Chinese language raises troops and guards quietly, and the world is safe and prosperous; filial piety and martial arts are used to spread the power, and the domestic waste is wasted. Although the wheel platform is destroyed, it cannot be caught up.As for the Sui Dynasty, they acquired Yiwu early and also ruled Shanshan. After they acquired it, their labor costs increased day by day, emptiness from the inside to the outside, and the loss was useless.Looking at the Qin and Han Dynasties from afar, and watching the Sui Dynasty up close, the safety and security of the movement is clearly prepared.Although Yiwu has been subordinated, he is far away in the moraine, and the people are not from Xia, and the land is sandy and bitter.Those who have established themselves as vassals, please accept them, so that they will be afraid of power and virtue outside the Great Wall, and will always be vassals.Recently, the Turkic Turks invaded the imperial court, and they could not capture Jianghuai to change their customs. Instead, they were placed in the interior, not far from Beijing.Every time a person comes down for the first time, he will be given five horses and a robe.It is not China's interest to use China's rent and tax to pay for the vicious captives who have accumulated evil. When Li Shimin saw this letter, he carefully read it several times, but he did not accept Li Daliang's opinion.After the attack on Jiucheng Palace this time, Li Daliang's sparse words suddenly came to mind, and he casually quoted Li Daliang's original words, which shows that his attitude towards the Turkic people has changed a lot.This time, Li Simo is going to be named a Khan, and let him lead his followers to return his old land, and establish his teeth and Dingxiang, which is a continuation of this concern. In fact, Li Shimin had a deeper consideration in doing this, that is, to let the Turks return their old land and act as a barrier between the northern border and the Tang Dynasty.In recent years, Xue Yantuo has stood out in the northern region, implicitly calling himself the leader of the northern tribes.In order to weaken his power and prevent him from threatening the Tang Dynasty when he became powerful, Li Shimin deliberately appointed Yi Nan's son and important ministers as little khans to divide his power.If Li Simo led his tribe to build teeth in the old place, he could restrain Xue Yantuo. In case Xue Yantuo provoked the Tang Dynasty, the Turkic territory could be used as a fan screen to buffer Xue Yantuo's attack speed. Now that Li Simo heard that he was asked to return to his hometown to build teeth, he was also very scruples about Xue Yantuo's influence, and said in embarrassment: "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for the holy grace. However, the land of Monan has long been Xue Yantuo's territory. If I rule all the people in the past, I'm afraid the barbarians don't want to." "It's okay. I will send someone to give Xue Yantuo the seal book, let him retreat to Mobei, and don't allow him to harass you." Seeing that the incident had come to this, Li Simo hurriedly received an order to thank him, and bowed out of the Furong Garden. After Li Simo left, Li Shimin said to Tang Jian, "Is Lu Dongzan waiting outside the garden now?" "He has been waiting outside the garden for more than an hour." "It has been in Beijing for a long time, do you have any complaints?" "The minister has never heard of it." "In your opinion, is there any difference between the Turks and the Tibetans?" Tang Jian thought for a while and replied resolutely: "Your Majesty, I remember that after the collapse of the Eastern Turks, there was a debate among the officials on how to arrange them. Wei Zheng believed that there was a difference between the Turks and the Chinese. His Majesty's approval of "There is no education without class" was refuted by His Majesty. Over the years, His Majesty has used morality to caress the four barbarians, and his ministers have been the ministers of Honglu. He feels that such a national policy is really wise. The longer the time, the better the effect. Your Majesty asked the Tubo people and the Turks There is no difference between people, according to my view, they are not different. If you educate them, you can get good results." Li Shimin understood that Tang Jian was admonishing him, and asked instead: "However, the association has led them to live in the capital for a long time, why are they so stubborn and difficult to use virtue? Therefore, when we have diplomatic relations, we can only use force to force each other. In short, it is a woman's benevolence that others will laugh." Tang Jian shook his head and said, "It's unexpected that such an accident would make it difficult for Your Majesty to let go. I remember that Your Majesty once said: 'Yi and Di have human ears, and their feelings are not different from those of Zhongxia. The master has no virtue, so there is no need to be jealous of the different. Gaide Zeqia, the four barbarians can be like a family; if there is a lot of suspicion, the flesh and blood will inevitably become enemies.' The rate of association is small, so there is no need to disturb your majesty's mind because of him." "I caress them with virtue, but they repay virtue with resentment. Tang Qing, you must know that you must be on guard against others." Seeing that Li Shimin had such a heart, Tang Jian didn't dare to say more, so he remained silent. "Tang Qing, why are you standing there? Pass Lu Dongzan into the garden." Li Shimin didn't want to talk about this topic. Tang Jian turned his head and ordered Lu Dongzan to be summoned to the garden for an audience. In an instant, Cheng Dali, who was wearing a red dress, entered the garden first; behind him was Lu Dongzan, wearing a felt hat and a scarlet gown; The interpreter of the white robe is an official. Dali Cheng and the translator's subordinate officials saluted Li Shimin according to the court regulations, and Lu Dongzan also bowed his hands in salute, saying: "The envoy of the Tubo Kingdom, Lu Dongzan, wishes the Emperor of Tang Dynasty long live, long live, long live." The interpreter translated this to Li Shimin, Li Shimin smiled and said: "The envoy learned a lot of etiquette when he came to Beijing, that's all, let's all stand up and talk." Lu Dongzan stood up straight when he heard the words, then clasped his hands together and continued to salute. When Li Shimin looked at Lu Dongzan's appearance, he felt that there was nothing special about it, only those bright eyes made people unforgettable, so he asked: "Lu Dongzan, you brought Tubo Zanpu's greetings, I Let the crown prince answer the ceremony on your behalf. This matter is over, why do you stay here until now? I heard that you are a small talker of the Tubo kingdom, and there are many things in the country that need you to preside over them. Does it mean that seeing the prosperity of the capital makes you feel like you don’t want to leave?" Li Shimin went straight to the point, making it difficult for Lu Dongzan to answer for a while. He gathered his mind, and then slowly replied: "I am an envoy to the Tang Dynasty, and I am very envious of Chang'an when I see the prosperity of Chang'an. That's why I have stayed until now. I want to see the majesty of the emperor. Your majesty, although the poor country Zanpu has not been to the Tang Dynasty, he still admires the Tang Dynasty and the emperor, and his heart is no different from that of me. I will tell the truth, if it is difficult to see the emperor this time, I will be praised when I return home General punishment, so it must be done." "Oh, it turns out that you have the same temper as Qi Zong Nongzan. If you fail to seek marriage, you will use force to force you; if you fail to seek a meeting, you will spend a long time here. Lu Dongzan, you are very capable, and you have even sent many important ministers to our court. Speak your kind words in front of me." Lu Dong praised that he was neither humble nor overbearing, and said proudly: "Your Majesty thinks so, and I think it's a little inappropriate." Li Shimin raised his eyebrows imperceptibly, and asked, "What's wrong? You can tell me in detail." "There are two ways to do things, to be good and to be evil. It is true that Zanpu's soldiers invaded the Tang Dynasty, and then he took the initiative to withdraw his troops. His troops and retreat were all for the sake of friendship with the Tang Dynasty, that is, to be good." "Hmph, I never heard that military invasion of other countries is an act of kindness. Lu Dongzan, it seems that you are quite good at debating." "I don't dare. The reason why I say to be good, please look at Zanpu's deeds. When I was thirteen years old, I provoked the important task of Tubo Zanpu. After three years of fighting, he dominated the plateau and became a king supported by Tubo subjects." Monarch. That year, Zanpu moved the capital to Luoxie and began to plan for peace and harmony with his neighbors. Friendship with Datang is the first thing that Zanpu should think about. Since then, the envoys of the two countries have communicated back and forth to express their good intentions. As for Talking about border issues, Tubo and Tuyuhun have always had grievances, thus disturbing the border of the Tang Dynasty, of course it should not be, but Zanpu wants to observe the appearance of the people of the Tang Dynasty, it is also common sense. Your Majesty, Tubo people In the year of Pian An plateau, he never set foot on the border of the Tang Dynasty, when the army of the Tang Dynasty arrived in Songzhou, Zanpu took the initiative to withdraw his troops, which is an example." "Hey, if you say that, it's actually superfluous for me to send Hou Junji to fight?" "It is not superfluous. If the two countries do not communicate with each other, there is no way to talk about grievances. The most important thing is to contact first. From this point of view, it is not superfluous for Hou Shangshu to go, at least it will allow His Majesty to pay attention to the country." Li Shimin saw that Lu Dongzan was talking here without a trace of fear, and there was no lack of sophistry in his words, but his tone was smooth and smooth without any trace of bluntness, which left a good impression on him.Hearing this, he smiled slightly, and said, "What a eloquent emissary, Lu Dongzan, I ask you, why did Tubo welcome Princess Nipo Luo Chizun after he proposed marriage to Tang Dynasty?" After abandoning his ancestors and praising the establishment of the capital, he knew that the establishment of the new dynasty needed to be stable and strong, and to be harmonious with neighbors. He first established a good relationship with the neighboring country of Nibera, and welcomed Princess Chizun, the daughter of King Suvamo, as the new king. wife. Lu Dongzan felt that this was not a difficult problem, and replied bluntly: "Your Majesty, in order to be good-neighborly and friendly, it is better to become relatives. Zanpu, the poor country, is willing to become the son-in-law of the mudra country for the sake of stability in the southwestern border. Similarly, in order to serve the great Tang asked for marriage many times, and it was also for the sake of the country's general situation. Zanpu did this not for the sake of seeking the beauty of a foreign country. If Tang and Tibet get married, they will go from Chang'an to Luoxie, and then go as far as Niboluo. Thousands of miles of peace will be the blessings of several countries Zanpu did this because he longed for Tang Feng. Not to mention, in recent years, when Ashinasheer entered the court, His Majesty’s wife was Princess Nanyang; Princess Honghua. In addition, she lost her mind and Lishang Jiujiang Princess, and Qibi Heli married Lintao County Lord. Zanpu admired all these, so I sent my servant to ask for marriage many times. In a word, the country is the biggest, and the people are the second. .Your Majesty is all over the world, you have all kinds of strategies in your mind, and I have very little knowledge. I wonder if this statement can be approved by Your Majesty?" How could Li Shimin not know the truths Lu Dongzan said?The reason why he asked Lu Dongzan was just to see how he would respond, and to verify the character of Qizong Nongzan.Generally speaking, in a country and a dynasty, if the monarch is outstanding in martial arts and good at knowing people, then he must have a group of capable civil servants and generals under his command.After Li Shimin had a short answer with Lu Dongzan, he already knew it in his heart. Lu Dongzan bowed again and said: "May Your Majesty be sympathetic to Zanpu's heart, so that he can fulfill his wish as soon as possible. In order to welcome the princess of the Tang Dynasty, Zanpu has built a palace on the Potala Mountain according to the Chinese style. The subjects, also pray every day for the early arrival of Princess Tang." Li Shimin stopped answering him, turned to Tang Jian and said, "Tang Qing, I met the Tubo envoy today, do I also need to give a banquet?" According to the rules of etiquette, when foreign monarchs or envoys come to the court, the emperor first sends envoys to preside over the ceremony to greet them, which is called welcoming labor;When Lu Dongzan came to Beijing this time, the crown prince Li Chengqian had already performed all the ceremonies on his behalf. Now that Li Shimin asked this question, it was obvious that he wanted to invite Lu Dongzan to a banquet in person again. Tang Jian was quite witty, bowed and replied: "I know that the matter is still in the food bureau, let them prepare a banquet at noon." Li Shimin nodded and said: "Well, Lu Dongzan, you can follow Tang Qing's guidance and enter the palace for dinner at noon. Tang Qing, if Jingde, Yaojin, Zhixuan are in Beijing, and Ma Zhou, let them come also at noon Accompanying banquet." Tang Jian bowed to receive the order. After Li Shimin finished speaking, he asked the palace ladies who carried the chariot to return to the palace, and Tang Jian, Lu Dongzan and others bowed and saw them off. Yan Liben, who was standing by the side, had finished the painting at this time. This painting selected the alchemy of Wuling wells, the sand of grinding sand, the sky green of Yue Jun, the Zeng Qing of Wei, the flat green of Wuchang, the lead flower of Shu County, and the solution of Shixing. Using tin and other materials as materials, he described the scene just now.The right half of the picture scroll is Li Shimin sitting on a walking chariot surrounded by court ladies, and the three on the left are Honglu Cheng, Lu Dongzan, and Tongyi subordinate officials.Li Shimin is the center of gravity of the whole picture. Yan Liben uses the petite and immature body of the court ladies to set off Li Shimin's burly, deep and steady; Lu Dongzan's sincerity, humility, solemnity and courtesy set off Li Shimin's dignified, peaceful, amiable state.Sitting there, Li Shimin had deep eyes and a solemn expression, revealing the demeanor and majesty of a generation of Mingjun between his glances.Yan Liben painted countless paintings in his life, but only forty-two of them have been kept in the imperial palace and handed down to later generations, and "Bucharian Picture" is one of them. Besides the conquest of Gaochang, Li Shimin appointed Hou Junji as chief commander of the Jiaohe Road march, and Xue Wandu as deputy commander. They led 100,000 troops and arrived at Yumen Pass in a few days. Legend has it that in ancient times, beautiful jade from the Western Regions was exported to China from here, so it was named Yumen.In the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, in order to combat the intrusion of the Huns, he sent Huo Qubing, a general of hussars, to lead his troops to the west. Since then, Yumen Pass was established, and Yang Pass was also established 120 miles south of Yumen Pass.Yumen Pass and Yang Pass have become important passes on the road to the Western Regions. Going out of Dunhuang to the northwest via Yumen Pass and Shanshan to the north is called Tianshan North Road; a road going out of Dunhuang to the southwest via Yang Pass and Annanba and going south along the Taklamakan Desert is called Tianshan south road. Hou Junji wanted to stop at Yumen Pass for a short time before rushing to Yizhou and finally to Gaochang.He is now standing at the gate and looking westward. There is a vastness in the distance. A clear road winds and stretches to the sky. On both sides of the road, there are ravines and swamps. Several clumps of Populus euphratica sway with the remaining dead leaves.On the road, camel bells are playing, people are shouting, and caravans are coming and going.These travelers had no idea that a battle between Datang and Gaochang was about to begin. Hou Junji said to Xue Wanjun beside him: "If we step out of this pass, the road will be difficult." Xue Wanjun looked up at the sky, and said worriedly: "Going to Gaochang here is mostly a land of sand and moraine, and there is no water or grass along the way. Since the founding of our dynasty, except for the last battle against Tuyuhun, the terrain is similar to this. I have never experienced such a long-distance trek through sand and moraine, and it was a long-distance attack. I heard that the climate there is also very strange, either hot or cold, with a huge difference between day and night. Hou Shangshu, if our soldiers arrive in Gaochang, we cannot start a war immediately , need to rest for a period of time before speaking.” Hou Junji didn't think so, and said with emotion: "General Xue, you say that, you are losing your ambition! I dare to lead the battle, if I don't have confidence in my heart, how can I be willing to take the risk? We dare to run a long distance of two thousand miles, and look at the land of sand and moraine. For a smooth journey, do you know what I rely on?" "I do not know." "We rely on horsepower and the ambition of the soldiers. I am in charge of the horse, and Zhang Wansui and Wei Panti work hard to do it. I can be proud of the world. Li Yaoshi attacked Dingxiang with 3,000 horses, and brought out the Turkic people who are the best equestrian The unexpected accident, and the extraordinary achievements of the world, relying on the horses that can gallop in the desert and the soldiers with strong physique! If our country's brave cavalry can't beat the cavalry of the barbarians, we will not dare to go on a long-distance expedition." Taiyuan Shouyi, Li Yuan got Zhang Wansui to raise horses.From that time on, the Tang Dynasty horse administration began to be established.Zhang Wansui selected good horses and crossbred them. From thousands of horses at the beginning to more than 700,000 horses, it can be seen that he has made great achievements.After Li Shimin ascended the throne, in order to deal with nomadic tribes such as Turks and Tuyuhun, and also to carry out rapid assaults in the vast and boundless desert, he devoted himself to cultivating good horses and training soldiers who were good at riding and shooting.He recruited Wei Panti and Hu Sizheng, two horse-breeding talents from Youzhou, to serve as Zhang Wansui's deputy, and gave them special treatment, which aroused Ma Zhou's dissatisfaction.Ma Zhou didn't understand Li Shimin's intention of favoring Wei Panti and Hu Sizheng. He thought that they were ignorant and only knew equestrian skills and were in the court class, so he was ashamed to be with them. Li Shimin usually obeys Ma Zhou's words, but he is indifferent to this point, noncommittal.It may be that Ma Zhou has never experienced the founding of the country and wars, and he does not understand the role of good horses in wars. However, Li Shimin himself has conquered east and west for many years and won victories over the enemy, so he understands the close relationship between good horses and martial arts. What Hou Junji said is true. After years of continuous efforts, Datang has created a cavalry team with a large number, excellent horses, strong riders, and excellent riding and shooting skills. In terms of quantity and quality, no country around can be compared with it. Xue Wanjun still didn't take it seriously, and said: "Our brave cavalry is certainly majestic, but there is no water and no grass in the sand, how can it last?" Hou Junji closed his fingers and said, "Those big guys can be recruited and used." 薛万均明白，侯君集所指的是背有两个驼峰的骆驼。 第二日，侯君集整兵五万向高昌进发，剩余五万人马留驻玉门关。他用中郎将辛獠儿为前锋，阿史那社尔、契苾何力兵继其后，自统中军，让薛万均殿后。薛万均果然征来许多头骆驼，上面载满清水、粮草等物。 大队人马出了阳关，举目四望，四周皆是展平展平的戈壁沙原。荒原上早被数遍寒风掠过，看不到一丝嫩绿，满目皆是一派土黄色。远处，可以依稀看到连绵的山影，在日光的反衬下，山顶上闪亮着寒冷的银光，那是洁白的积雪所致。 为了不走漏消息，侯君集向阳关守将下令，阻断所有由东向西的行旅。这样一来，沿途仅见有自西向东的商贾，路上安静许多。 侯君集骑在马上，眼睛微眯着，身子随着马的起伏有节奏地晃动。他知道，眼前最大的敌人不是麴文泰，而是这千余里的茫茫戈壁。商旅行走时可以多带骆驼，备足清水和粮草。眼前的五万兵马，每日要消耗大量的清水和粮草，靠身后数千只骆驼来转运，实在是杯水车薪。 出阳关不远，这里还有数口甜水井，再向西行，茫茫戈壁滩上寸草不生，难觅清水。侯君集眼望前方被风扬起的红旗，心里忽然一动，思忖道：“大军若到了戈壁滩中，进不了，退不得，将如何是好？看来自己原来有些过于乐观了。”想到这里，他下令：“传令辛獠儿，停止前进，大军就地扎营。再传薛将军前来议事。” 大军很快停止了脚步，薛万均也从后面骑着马，急促前来。他到侯君集面前滚鞍下马，气喘吁吁地问道：“侯尚书，何故停止前进？” 侯君集手指队伍，说道：“薛将军，我们临行之时，让将士们备足了十日用的清水和粮草。十日内，我们能到达高昌吗？” “十日内能勉强到达伊州，若粮草不足，可以让伊州接济，或者靠随行的骆驼转运。” “伊州弹丸之地，其所需粮草亦需后方转运，我们五万人马到了伊州，清水也就罢了，粮草万难供应。再说骆驼转运，薛将军你看，大军前锋已出玉门关二十余里，那些骆驼呢？至多出关五里吧。骆驼以如此走法，如何能够跟随大军？” 薛万均想起自己昨日与侯君集的一番对话，侯君集当时意气风发，视戈壁为坦途，如何刚刚起行，就畏惧不前呢？他想到这里，不禁心里责怪侯君集行事不周密，揶揄道：“侯尚书昨日还说我军骁骑强盛，如此戈壁可以一驰而过，何至于裹足不前呢？” 侯君集听出薛万均的意思，心里恼怒，有心想发作，又想大战在即，将帅不和为大忌，就将怒火压了下来，但口气中添了一分严厉：“薛将军负责殿后之职，后方粮草转运之事亦在职责之列。我所以叫你，即是要商议粮草之事，不可脱节误了军机大事。”上次吐谷浑战事之后，薛万均因贪功受到李世民的斥责，众将因此事有些瞧不起薛万均。 侯君集为李世民的功勋爱将，又任兵部尚书，薛万均见之不免气馁。他听出了侯君集话中夹杂严厉，遂垂下双肩不再言声。 侯君集扫射一眼灰暗的天空以及停顿的队伍，断然说道：“这里还有可汲水之处，大队人马就此驻扎，十天以后再出发。你可让所有骆驼继续前进，沿途不得停留和放缓脚步。” “大队人马随骆驼缓缓行走，一样可以接续粮草嘛。” “哼，大家若像骆驼这样行走，未到高昌，大家都会饿得骨瘦如柴，再经热风一烤，冷风一浸，顿时成了人干儿。好了，无须多言，你速去布置吧。” 侯君集这样做，是想让骆驼先进发，待大军行至中途的时候，以为补充清水和粮草，使人马有了接续之力。为了防止在大漠中出没的盗贼劫持，侯君集又让阿史那社尔带领部分精干突厥兵护持而行。 后来的经历证明侯君集此举是英明的。若白天无水，人畜难以在热浪中行走；若入夜后肚中无粮，人畜同样难以熬过寒冷的黑夜。 当太阳刺破夜幕，夜来的清冷随着阳光的增强而散去，代之以热浪。茫茫戈壁滩上，无遮无阴，阳光无遮挡地亮堂堂地洒向地面，透入戈壁滩上的石头缝隙间。这里，以晴空为多，天上往往没有一丝儿云，太阳像火一样悬挂在天空，熊熊地燎烧着大地。因为戈壁滩中没有遮阳歇息的地方，白日时，大军必须前进。热度随着太阳的逐步升高而加剧，大军行走时随着其脚步趟起了一阵又一阵的灰尘，如黄雾般地翻腾着一条拉长的烟幕。头上热浪阵阵，地上也热得发烫，很快，汗从每一个人的头上流下来，“吧嗒”“吧嗒”掉在地上，又很快消失得无影无踪。 毋庸置疑，白日消耗清水最多。为了使人畜不至于消耗体力过大，又要保证行进速度，侯君集让辛獠儿在前头掌握好行军速度，不许扬鞭狂奔，以匀速缓缓前进。另对人畜进水有严格的限制，规定出玉门关时每人携带的水量，必须够十日使用，若某人使用不当，则咎由自取。 薛万均想起吐谷浑之战中，契苾何力杀战马度过危难的做法，因向侯君集献言。侯君集厉言道：“战马驯养不易，且此后征战中要倚靠其脚力，岂能杀之食肉饮血？传令军中，每人须爱护坐骑，马在人在，无须多言。” 人在戈壁滩中，若失去了坐骑而靠双脚行走，那是万难走出绝地的。将士们知道坐骑的重要，分配水量时往往先让马匹畅饮，自己则轻饮数口，能忍则忍。 太阳隐去之后，夜幕降临，寒冷似乎一下子笼罩过来。这里的气候特点，即是昼夜温差极大，人们在白日身穿纱衣，未感凉爽，到了夜里，要身穿夹袄，犹感寒冷。有时候，在戈壁尽头，又圆又红的月亮就地升起，升至冷清的天空，给大地洒去白晃晃的一片晶莹。当此时，将士们聚作一团相拥取暖，抬头望见明月，心中想起故乡的亲人，心中泛起一阵温馨；有时候，天忽然变得阴沉沉的，大块大块的乌云，把天空压得很低很低，四面过来的寒风，掀起打人的沙砾，既而漫天的飞雪下来，使大队人马陷入难堪的境地。 唐军的西征人马在戈壁滩中艰难地挪动，过了二十余日，终于到达碛口，这里距离高昌边境已近在咫尺。