Chapter 24 The twenty-fourth chapter of the Taishang Emperor's burial in Xianling, the soul of the old fox returned to the moraine

The news of Murong Fuyun's escape into Shaqi spread to Beijing, which made Li Shimin both happy and worried.When he first heard the news, he said to his eldest grandson Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and Ma Zhou: "Brother Yao led the troops to encircle Fuyun and drive him into the moraine, which is the first step of victory. But then Fu Yun is known as the old fox of the desert, and he will never let it go, he will definitely rely on the terrain to deal with Brother Yao. If he gains power again, all previous efforts will be wasted. Thinking of Duan Zhixuan leading the army to the Qinghai Lake last time, isn't it just like this situation?"

Fang Xuanling said: "Li Yaoshi told the emperor's plan to surround Fu Yun on all sides before using troops. Fu Yun has now fled into the sandy moraine, but he is still within the encirclement. I think Li Yaoshi will not easily stop the army, and will not make Fu Yun Yun's plan has succeeded." At this time, the news that Li Jing divided his troops into two groups to attack Fu Yun had not yet reached the capital. Changsun Wuji said: "I think Li Yaoshi will continue to use troops in the next step. He has been urging food and grass these days, and he will probably go deep into the desert to pursue."

Li Shimin said happily: "Brother Yao came to my court from heaven, so that whenever I encounter conscription, I can entrust it and don't have to worry too much. Well, let's wait and see, he will be able to conquer Tuyuhun in one fell swoop this time." Fang Xuanling hesitated for a moment, and finally asked: "Your Majesty, Mr. Gao Zeng is currently in prison, and he wrote a secret report, accusing Li Jing of plotting rebellion." Li Shimin's heart moved, and he asked, "Does Gao Zengsheng have any credentials?" "There seems to be no solid evidence. He only said that Li Jing is authoritarian and self-reliant, monopolizing power and eliminating dissidents, because he has the heart of rebellion."

Li Shimin is usually frank with his ministers and rarely suspects.But the emperor is high above, and the most taboo thing is that the ministers have different ambitions.Looking all over the court, Li Shimin was actually the most worried about Li Jing and Li Shimin. Now that Gao Zengsheng, as the former member of the Qin Palace, sued Li Jing for treason, he would rather believe it than not.He thought for a while, and told Fang Xuanling: "Since Gao Zengsheng has reported this, you can ask Sun Fujia to send someone to investigate. But Gao Zengsheng broke the law and was punished by Li Jing. Is he falsely accusing him? Besides, Li Jing is Leading troops to fight in front, it is not good to spread the inspection, let them investigate it secretly."

Wei Zheng and Ma Zhou were on the side, both of them had the same thoughts.Gao Zengsheng's accusation of treason against Li Jing is obviously a false accusation, so there is no need to investigate it at all.However, the emperor had already opened his mouth, and asked him to find out secretly, so they couldn't object anymore. Li Shimin turned his head and called the eunuch to fetch a stack of silk boxes, distributed them among the four, and then said: "The post of "Lanting Preface" finally fell into my hands, and I can't enjoy it to myself. These days, I let Zhao Mo, Han Daozheng, Feng Chengsu, The four of Zhuge Zhen devoted themselves to rubbing the books, so as to distribute them to the close ministers and those who love books. What is contained in this box is the rubbings of the "Orchid Pavilion Preface."

The four were overjoyed and bowed to thank them. Li Shimin suddenly remembered something again, and asked Fang Xuanling: "Xuanling, I heard from the queen that the two palace servants I gave you last time were returned to the palace by you?" An embarrassing look appeared on Fang Xuanling's face, and he replied: "I have accepted the emperor's wishes. I have already accepted the money and things that I have given, but I really dare not accept the two maids." Changsun Wuji said beside him: "Your Majesty, the house servant has always been afraid of shooting. These two maids were kicked out by Mrs. Fang as soon as they arrived at the house. It must be the house servant who refused to accept the shot."

Li Shimin laughed, and said: "I know the story of Xuanling's one-eyed lady, so for many years, Xuanling has not kept concubines, and I don't ask. It's just that Xuanling is getting older these years, and the affairs of the court are so busy. There are also people who serve Tang Shui. Xuanling, there are concubines in the houses of Wuji, Wei Qing, and Ma Qing in front of you. This is the most common thing. After all, you are the head of the family. Are you so afraid of your wife? ?” At this time, it is not uncommon for high officials and dignitaries to have more concubines in their homes.In addition, some people also kept kabuki, which seemed to be the fashion at that time.

Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, and Ma Zhou looked at Fang Xuanling with smiles on their faces. Fang Xuanling and Ai Ai said: "Your Majesty, Jiannei has been loyal to Xuanling for many years. Since she does not agree to let the ministers have concubines, she has her own reasons." "Nonsense! As a wife, you should not be jealous. That's the most reasonable thing. Xuanling, I ask you, don't you think so?" "I dare not disobey the emperor's order. It's just...just..." "It's just that you are afraid of yourself. Well, since I have a purpose for this matter, I will definitely accomplish it. Xuanling, you enter the mansion now and call your one-eyed lady to see me."

Seeing Fang Xuanling exiting the hall, the four monarchs and ministers in the hall burst into laughter.The three courtiers thought to themselves that it would be nondescript for the emperor to personally persuade the minister's wife to take a concubine for his husband. When Fang Xuanling led his wife into the hall, Changsun Wuji and others had already left.The two bowed down to Li Shimin. Li Shimin looked serious and called him flat.Li Shimin looked at Mrs. Xuanling, and saw that there were wrinkles on her face, and coupled with that one eye, she looked even uglier.Thinking that she is forbidding Xuan Ling to take concubines, it is no wonder that Xuan Ling is not tired of seeing her old face every day, and a trace of anger arose in her heart.He asked in a deep voice: "Xuanling is a second-rank official in the imperial court. According to the regulations of the imperial court, he is allowed to reinstall concubine Ji. Seeing that Xuanling has been reluctant to accept it for a long time, I chose two court ladies who are beautiful and fragrant to give to him." Him. This is a good thing I have done, Mrs. Fang, I heard that you do not allow them to enter the house, do you want to resist the order?"

Mrs. Fang was generous, and said: "Your Majesty thinks of my husband, and the concubine is grateful. It's just that the concubine and Xuanling are husband and wife, and both of them are humble. We help each other, so we have today's glory. Xuanling has a concubine at home. It is actually enough for one person to serve. If you add another concubine, it will easily cause family disharmony, which is not beautiful. The reason why the concubine does not accept the maid is actually for the sake of Xuanling, not for the sake of selfish jealousy. Please think twice, take it back Fate is good."

Li Shimin raised his voice and said angrily: "What a sharp-tongued woman, you are obviously jealous, but you still speak so high-soundingly! How can I take back what I have said? Hmph, you let me take it back because you want to resist it deliberately." Do you know the consequences of resisting the decree and not obeying it?" Seeing that Li Shimin really got angry, Fang Xuanling knew that his wife was strong-tempered, and was afraid that the two of them would become stalemate, so he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, it is enough for me to have my wife serve me, and I dare not treat Ji Yu again. This matter has nothing to do with it." It doesn't matter if you are cheap, please the emperor punish the minister's crime." Li Shimin stood up, took a look at the dragon case, and shouted: "Xuanling, you don't need to interrupt, I have a reason." He waved his hand and shouted: "Bring the poisonous wine." A court lady holds a jade plate with a gold pot on it.It goes without saying that there is poisonous wine in the pot. Li Shimin looked at Mrs. Fang and said: "There is poisonous wine in this pot. If you allow Xuan Ling to take a concubine, you don't have to drink it; if you don't, you must drink this wine, and you will die if you drink it. You choose." Seeing this, Fang Xuanling knelt on the ground with a "plop", and begged: "Your Majesty, absolutely not..." Fang Xuanling hadn't finished speaking when he saw his wife walk up to the maid, grabbed the golden pot, put the spout into the mouth, raised her neck, and poured all the poisonous wine into her belly.She finished her wine and said to Fang Xuanling: "Xuanling, let's be husband and wife again in the next life." After finishing speaking, she lay down on the spot and quietly waited for death. Fang Xuanling was shocked, tears flowed out immediately, he rolled and crawled onto Madam's body, weeping: "Madam, how could you be like this..." Li Shimin was stunned by Mrs. Fang's actions. He was shocked at first, and then shouted angrily: "Come here, quickly take this jealous woman home." Four eunuchs carried Mrs. Fang out of the palace. Fang Xuanling was distraught, lost, and wanted to follow his wife back home.Li Shimin shouted at this time: "Xuanling, come here." Frightened by Li Shimin's majesty, Fang Xuanling couldn't help coming to Li Shimin.With tears in his eyes, he said in a trembling voice: "Why is the emperor doing this? The lady is dead, how can I let my servant live alone?" Li Shimin laughed loudly and said, "Xuanling, your wife will not die! To tell you the truth, what she drank was not poisonous wine, but mature vinegar from Taiyuan." Fang Xuanling was overjoyed, jumped up, stepped forward and grabbed Li Shimin's hand, shook it again and again, and said loudly: "Is it true? Is it true?" Between the ups and downs of his emotions, he had already forgotten the courtesy of a monarch and his ministers, and lost his composure. Li Shimin sighed and said: "She can't die. Alas, Xuanling, her temper is so strong that even I am afraid, let alone you?" "Thank you His Majesty for your grace, spare me the immortality." "Forget it, don't bring up this matter again in the future. It's just your fault. I think you will have no choice but to face her old face every day from now on." The story of Mrs. Fang's willingness to drink poison rather than court maids spread, and outsiders praised Mrs. Fang for being so fierce, and even lamented that their husband and wife are deeply affectionate and extremely loyal.It's just that the rumors gradually changed later, saying that Mrs. Fang was jealous, and her "jealous" story became synonymous with jealous women all over the world. At the turn of summer and autumn last year, Li Yuan suffered a stroke suddenly and was bedridden.Li Shimin would visit Da'an Palace every few days.Since this year, Li Yuan's symptoms seem to have worsened a lot.After Li Shimin heard the news, he asked the Imperial Medical Office to send someone to be on duty, and asked the food officer to deliver delicacies every morning and evening. He and the eldest grandson empress came to visit attentively. In the afternoon of this day, Li Shimin entered the Da'an Palace again, and went straight to the Chuigong Palace where Li Yuan lived.When he was about to reach the gate of the palace, he saw Li Yuanming, Li Yuan's eighteenth son, trotting over.Li Yuanming was just ten years old this year and was named King Shu.The little guy came in front of Li Shimin, saluted politely, and said, "Brother Huang, I don't want to salute the food official today, is that right?" The female officials in the palace are pampered and powerful in the palace, and the officials of the outer court are even more afraid of them because they are by the emperor's side.The Shangshi official who entered Da'an Palace to give away delicacies this time was ranked in the fifth rank, the highest rank among the women's palaces.Yuanming's master instructed him: "If you see a high-ranking food official in the palace, you must take the initiative to worship him." The little guy rolled his eyes and scolded: "Those food officials belong to my second brother's family. Maid, why should I worship her?" Li Shimin listened to Li Yuanming's brief narration of the process. After listening, he was overjoyed and stretched out his thumb in praise: "This is my good brother. When you see them in the future, you must let them salute." Li Shimin said in his mouth, In my heart, I felt the coldness of the world.It is conceivable that when these food officials went to the Supreme Emperor's palace, they were greeted safely by others. They were nothing more than relying on their own power.Thinking of this, there was some anger in his heart. But the little guy couldn't understand this. Seeing that the emperor's brother praised him, he ran away happily. When Li Shimin entered the palace and arrived at Li Yuan's couch, he saw that Li Yuan had just woken up.Li Yuan has lost a lot of weight now, his face is slack, his eyes are dull, but his mind is very clear, he turned his head to see Li Shimin coming, and nodded slightly as a greeting.Lying on the couch alone every day, there will be a lot of irritability for no reason.Li Yuan is like this, he often scolds those around him recently.If Li Shimin or the eldest grandson Jiamin came, he would regain his calm. Li Shimin asked with concern: "Father, are the meals that your son sent these days still delicious?" Li Yuan sighed, and murmured: "Alas, when a person is lying on the couch, no matter how good the meal is, he loses his appetite. Erlang, I know your filial piety, but I have enjoyed good food all my life. It took a lot of trouble." What Li Yuan said was true, his life was indeed a life of wealth and honor.He was born in an aristocratic family, and his official career went smoothly in the Sui Dynasty. The Taiyuan Uprising seemed to follow the trend. As for later becoming the emperor, and even abdicating as the Supreme Emperor, he was full of fine clothes and fine food. Li Shimin showed a little guilt, and said: "The son has been busy with state affairs these few years, and he doesn't care much about his father. His father had a stroke a few years ago, and it was because his son didn't pay attention." "Is this because of you? You have been busy with state affairs these years, and you are much more diligent than your father, so don't worry about me anymore. By the way, Li Jing went to conquer Tuyuhun, how is the process now?" "Li Jing has besieged Fu Yun and driven him into the moraine. These days, Li Jing has divided his troops into two groups and outflanked him. He swore on his watch that Fu Yun will be captured in this battle." Li Yuan moved his eyes to the top of the hall, and murmured: "This old fox may not escape Li Jing's hands this time. Erlang, if Tuyuhun surrenders from now on, the road to the Western Regions will be smooth, and it can be regarded as getting rid of a heartache of our dynasty." Li Shimin shook his head and said: "Tuyuhun is the closest to the capital, and its surrender will be of great benefit to the passage to the Western Regions. However, if you go further west, you will be the Gaochang Kingdom, and further west, you will be the Western Turks. They seem to be submissive to our court all these years. I come to pay tribute every year, but I am terrified of my dynasty's strength. When I think of Han Wu, the road to the Western Regions was so smooth. Now these small countries lie in between, and unreasonable blocking of envoys happens from time to time. If Tuyuhun's defeat this time, it will definitely be It will arouse their suspicions. The father and the son sometimes want to lead a strong army to fight westward along the road of Hanwu seeking horses, so as to restore the land in Han Dynasty. It is just that the country strives for peace. If it is easy to raise troops, it may provoke Let's talk about militarism." After listening, Li Yuan closed his eyes and rested for a while, then turned sideways, looked at Li Shimin quietly and said, "Erlang, this world is governed by you, and being a father is the most reassuring. Erlang, I know that my days are numbered." Yes. There is a saying called "a man who is about to die, his words are good". Being a father is not a foolish person. I have a few words from my heart that I must say to you today. You are brave and capable, knowledgeable and capable. Strategies, but also able to govern the country quietly. Although I have been living in the palace for many years as a father, I know that you have managed the country like a bunch of flowers. I am also very happy in my heart." When Li Yuan said this, his mouth felt a little dry, and he motioned The maid came over with a cup and took a shallow sip of water. Li Shimin persuaded: "Father, don't bother your mind too much, and speak slowly when you have something to say." Li Yuan shook his head and continued: "Father sees that everything is going well for you, but when you come to me, you always feel awkward. I know that you have always been worried about the matter of Xuanwumen, thinking that you have taken away my money." The throne, secondly, you hurt Dalang and Shiro's lives. You don't need it. Let me tell you, I was really angry with you at the beginning of the incident. However, after nearly ten years, I have thought about many things over and over again. Many times, it is now flat. You did this because of the situation, and you did not do it blindly." For Li Yuan and Li Shimin, the Xuanwu Gate incident has always been a sensitive topic.Over the years, the two have been careful not to talk about it, so as not to embarrass each other.Li Yuan took the initiative to mention it today, which really surprised Li Shimin.He didn't make any preparations in advance, so he didn't know how to answer for a while. Li Yuan went on to say: "Since ancient times, high positions have been occupied by those who require virtue and talent. I made Dalang the crown prince in accordance with the ancient precept of establishing the eldest son. But, most of the world came from you, which can be said to be of great merit. Let you You may have no complaints under Dalang, but Dalang's mind is unpredictable. Later, when I thought about the past, Dalang and Shiro had already shown signs of attacking you. So if you start in advance, it can be regarded as Forced by the situation. And we are the royal family, and there is only one emperor. It is not beautiful for brothers to kill each other, but it is also reasonable." Li Yuan was vaguely uneasy that he could not settle the fight between their brothers as soon as possible. As the emperor, Lao Tzu should do something about killing each other. Li Shimin's tears flowed down, and he kowtowed on the ground: "Father, the situation was so chaotic at that time, that the lives of the elder brother and the fourth brother were injured by his subordinates, and the son regretted it. Today, the father brought up the old things again, which made my son feel even stronger. Uneasy." Until this time, Li Yuan didn't know that it was Li Shimin who shot and killed Li Jiancheng first. Li Yuan sighed, and called softly: "Erlang, get up. They have been dead for many years, and it is useless to say. It is a lie to say that the palms and backs of the hands are all flesh, and I don't feel sorry for them. Alright, you Get up." With that, he waved his hand vigorously. Several palace maids came to help Li Shimin and helped him to sit on the chair. A palace maid handed over a sweat towel for Li Shimin to wipe away his tears. Li Yuan sighed: "After all, it's a sad matter, so it's better not to mention it. Erlang, these years, the country's prosperity and prosperity, and the barbarians' obedience are all thanks to you. Your ability is much better than being a father. I I have been thinking about it for a long time. The ancestors of my Li family started their fortune from Longxi, passed it down to me and established the country, and then carried it forward in your hands. Seeing the current situation of the country, it has never been seen since the Qin and Han Dynasties. Erlang, your deeds make my father proud, It also makes the ancestors feel more honored. As far as the country is concerned, it is really a great merit to make the country strong and the people have enough food and clothing. As I said just now, high positions must be occupied by people with virtue and ability, so that they can be blessed by the common people. In this regard, you Compare Dalang and Shiro." When Li Yuan said this, he obviously spoke from the bottom of his heart.Based on Li Shimin's talent and mind, he came to the conclusion that Li Shimin is the most suitable emperor for the livelihood of the common people, which is not easy.He jumped out of the circle of Li Shimin's fratricide, surpassed his own grief and rejoiced at Li Shimin's achievements in governing the world, and also demonstrated his mind and wisdom. Li Shimin saw Li Yuan forgiving himself so much, it was really unexpected good news for him.Over the years, he has always had something on his mind, that is, he killed his brother and forced his father to abdicate during the Xuanwumen Incident, wondering how the world would evaluate him?How will future generations comment on themselves?Father is depressed, is it because of this matter that he still can't let go?After all, fratricide is a great evil in ancient and modern times.Now that his father said in person that he did the right thing, he obviously forgave himself. Apart from his joy, he also sighed deeply for Li Yuan's broad mind.In this way, he completely got rid of a worry.At that moment, he was filled with grief and joy, and choked up, saying: "Father... if my son has a father, let me... let me..." In the end, he was speechless, knelt down again, and turned to Li Yuan. kowtow. Li Shimin bid farewell to Li Yuan and resigned from Da'an Palace, silently all the way.When he returned to the Tai Chi Hall, his eye circles were still bright red.At this time, Changsun Wuji had something to play, and when he saw Li Shimin's appearance, he asked why. Li Shimin briefly narrated the process of their father and son's conversation just now, and Changsun Wuji was also very moved after listening. Li Shimin finally sighed: "Wuji, what my father said made me feel a lot of emotion. After I ascended the throne, through the hard work of our monarchs and ministers, we finally realized the great rule of the world. The ministers discussed and piled all the credit on our heads In fact, going back to the root cause, like the current boom in agriculture and mulberry, if the father and emperor hadn't enacted the "Zuyong Tiao Law" and "Field Equalization Law" at the beginning of the second year of Wude, how could I have succeeded within a few years of being in power? Others are as follows: These laws and main practices are all based on the foundation laid by the emperor. What I have done is to implement them more strictly." After a pause, Li Shimin said again: "Da Lang is also responsible for this. During the Wude period, I was mostly engaged in conquests outside. Da Lang lived in the capital as the crown prince, and he did many things by himself." It took a long time for Li Shimin's expression to return to normal.Said: "Wuji, I think Father's days are numbered, it's time to prepare for his funeral." Changsun Wuji nodded and said: "Yes. The ancient emperors built mausoleums at the beginning of their ascension. The younger ones were built in more than ten years, and the elders took fifty years to complete them. Take care of your own mausoleum. I went to visit the Supreme Emperor with Jia Min that day, and saw that his health was deteriorating. It seems that there is not much time left, and it seems too hasty to start doing it now." "Well, we will discuss this matter with the ministers at the court meeting tomorrow. I think we should follow the story of Changling of the Han Dynasty, and the construction time should be grand and generous." Changling is the mausoleum of Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty. It is nine feet high and has a grand scale. Li Shimin expressed his thoughts at the court meeting on the second day, but he was immediately opposed by Yu Shinan. His memorial said: "It is not unfilial for a sage to bury his relatives lightly. Why is this so? They thought deeply and thought that burying their relatives generously would become relatives instead." I am so tired, so I don’t do it. Your majesty’s holiness survived the Tang and Yu, but the grand burial of the emperor was based on the Qin and Han Dynasties, and the officials thought it was not worth it. Your majesty said that gold and jade should not be hidden in the tomb to prevent people from robbing the tomb, but according to the Han Dynasty. The story of the mausoleum is nine feet long. When outsiders see such huge hills and ridges, how can they believe that there is no gold and jade in them? Moreover, the Supreme Emperor once said to his ministers that the construction of his mausoleum should be done in a frugal manner. His Majesty said that the important thing is to be grand and thick, which is a violation of the law. The original intention of the Supreme Emperor." "How does Yu Qing think it should be built?" "My minister thought that, as stipulated in the "Bai Hu Tong", when building a three-ren tomb, the system of utensils can be added or deleted, and carved stones should be placed beside the mausoleum, and a book about the deeds of the Supreme Emperor will be made, and it will be hidden in the ancestral temple and enshrined. For the eternal law of descendants." "This is no different from the graves of ordinary people. The father is the founder of the country, so it is too simple." "I think it took decades to build the Changling Mausoleum in the Han Dynasty. If your Majesty builds a cemetery of this scale, it will take a few months of work, and it will be impossible. I see that the mausoleum of Emperor Wenwen of the Han Dynasty was made of mountains, which can save manpower. If Your Majesty insists on If you want to build a high mausoleum, it will be magnificent if you build it because of the mountain." Li Shimin was not willing to adopt Yu Shinan's suggestion, he knew that burials would easily lead to tomb robbery, but if he saves effort to build a tomb for Li Yuan now, it would easily cause future generations to comment that he could not treat Lao Tzu kindly, he was not willing to take this charge. Fang Xuanling went out to play and said: "Your Majesty, I think it is too extravagant to build a mausoleum according to the Changling system, and the time for construction is not enough. When I was in Luoyang, I once visited the original mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiuzhi of the Han Dynasty. The mausoleum is six feet tall, which is really advisable. Emperor Guangwu is the master of Zhongxing Ming Dynasty, and the Supreme Emperor ruled the world in troubled times, which is comparable. I think the mausoleum of the Supreme Emperor can be built according to the original mausoleum system." The original mausoleum of Liu Xiuzhi, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, is located in Tiexie, which is now Mengjin. It leans against Mang Mountain in the south and faces the river in the north.When Fang Xuanling arrived at the original mausoleum that day, when he was besieging Wang Shichong of Luoyang, he accompanied Li Shimin through the mausoleum one day and stopped here to watch.Once Li Shimin was reminded at this time, the appearance of the original mausoleum and the surrounding environment immediately appeared in his mind. He also took into account Yu Shinan's bitter remonstrance, and no longer insisted on building a nine-foot-high mausoleum, so he said: "Okay, Xuanling's proposal is very high. It is appropriate. Now nine feet is too lofty, and three feet is too humble. According to Xuanling's proposal, according to the system of the original mausoleum, a mausoleum was built for the Supreme Emperor. The Taishang Emperor had no time to take care of it before. Today, I hurriedly built it, so it can be called' Presenting the mausoleum'. Yuan Qing, you are good at the art of yin and yang, and you must complete the survey and selection of the mausoleum site within three days." Yuan Tiangang came out of the squad and said: "Your Majesty, I see that there is a beautiful place in Tangzhu Village in Sanyuan County. It is fifteen miles west of the Mausoleum of the Emperor Taishang of the Han Dynasty. You can pile up soil there and use it as the site of the Mausoleum of the Emperor Taishang." The site of Li Yuan's tomb was thus determined, and Yousi began to get busy nervously. On May 11th in the ninth year of Zhenguan, Li Yuan swallowed his last breath in the Chuigong Hall at the age of seventy.Before his death, Li Shimin's last words were that he put the world's affairs first, and he was not allowed to guard him for three years.Because if Li Shimin kept the rules, he would no longer be able to see things in front of the court.After all, Prince Li Chengqian is young, so he must be powerless to govern the country.However, in order to show his filial piety, Li Shimin no longer listened to the government, and ordered the prince Li Chengqian to make a peace in the East Palace.A group of ministers asked Li Shimin to obey Li Yuan's last words, but Li Shimin insisted not. On October 7th, the imperial court held a large-scale funeral ceremony for Li Yuan. According to the funeral booklet, Li Yuan's hearse was drawn by six ropes, each of which was thirty feet long and seven inches in circumference. There are also 200 elegiac men, with two elegiac songs on the left and right, sixty-four in each.Afterwards, Li Shimin and Baiguan slowly followed the hearse, surrounded by guards of honor and wailers, which was spectacular.After various complicated funeral procedures, Li Yuan was buried in Xianling, and Li Shimin's biological mother, Empress Taimu, was also buried together.In order to avoid the loneliness of Li Yuan and his wife in the underworld, Li Shimin allowed the remains of Li Shentong, Li Wanniang and others to be moved around the Xianling Mausoleum for burial. After Li Yuan's death, the ministers gave him the posthumous title of Emperor Taiwu, and the temple name of Gaozu. Later generations often called him the temple name, that is, Tang Gaozu. With Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche brothers as the vanguard, Li Jing's Northern Route Army crossed Qinghai Lake and advanced westward.One day scouts came to report that they found traces of Tuyuhun people in the area of ​​Mantou Mountain.After discussing with each other, the two brothers thought that the Tuyuhun people had already become frightened birds. If they saw the shadow of the Tang army brigade, they would immediately disperse and flee. At this time, Qibi Heli led his troops to gather together. He opposed the opinions of the Xue brothers and said: "Fu Yun fled into the desert, and he relied on his familiarity with the terrain here. That's why the Tang army was able to drive him into the desert. , what we rely on is that there are many soldiers and generals. If the two generals break up the team, we will lose our advantage. I am not familiar with the terrain in the sandy moraine, let alone you? We might as well rely on Li Dadu According to the general strategy, step by step, gradually squeeze Fuyun, and then conquer it in one fell swoop after communicating with the South Route Army." The Xue brothers shook their heads and refused, the two of them led 300 riders and ran towards Mantou Mountain, Qibi Heli had no choice but to follow their footsteps, thinking of future response, to prevent their brothers from making mistakes. Unexpectedly, there is no Fuyun army stationed at Mantou Mountain, this place has always been the place where the Tuyuhun people gather sheep and horses, and there are only more than a thousand people defending there.The 300 cavalry led by the Xue brothers were elite soldiers selected from thousands of miles away. When they arrived at Mantou Mountain, they hacked back and forth among the Tuyuhun crowd, and soon scattered the Tuyuhun people.In this way, without much effort, they obtained more than 200,000 sheep, horses and cattle from the Tuyuhun people.Obtaining these miscellaneous animals supplemented the military food for the army.As for Fu Yun, he tried to use the familiar terrain to fight against the Tang army, but more than 100,000 people will always have food. Now that he lost these miscellaneous animals, it is undoubtedly a huge loss, and he will lose some of the Tang army. resistance capital. The Xue brothers were overjoyed. At this time, the follow-up army and Qibi Heli's troops also rushed to Mantou Mountain. The Xue brothers sent more than a thousand people to take care of these miscellaneous animals on the spot, and at the same time proudly showed off to Qibi Heli Said: "If we don't attack with light cavalry, how can we get so many spoils?" Qi Bi He Li was silent and speechless, he had nothing to say. Xue Wanjun wrote a book about the process of this victory and sent it to Li Jing who was behind.The book explained the reasons for his division of troops, and said that soldiers are expensive and fast, and he will lead Qingqi into the depths soon.At this time Li Jing was more than a hundred li away from Mantou Mountain, when he received Xue Wanjun's letter, it was already evening, the Xue brothers had already led the troops to set off.Li Jing was shocked after reading the book, and said: "Er Xue won the first battle, and he underestimated the enemy. Now there is no information about the location of Hou Junji and Li Daozong's Southern Route Army; where is Fu Yun's main force, and it is difficult to know where they are. Two Xue doesn't know the geography, so if he advances alone, he can easily fall into an ambush by Fu Yun." He knew that he had no time to recall the second brother Xue, so he ordered the follow-up troops to move forward step by step, and ordered Qibi Heli to lead his troops to speed up to meet Xue brothers. Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche led 300 riders into Chishuiyuan. They saw that half of the place was sand moraine and half was aquatic plants.Unexpectedly, there was such a beautiful place, so they ordered everyone to dismount and let the horses, which had been exhausted for several days, eat weeds and drink water.They also sat on the ground, ate some dry food and began to rest. Some people lay down on the ground, closed their eyes, and snored.These days, they kept looking for traces of the Tuyuhun people, they didn't get a full night's sleep, and they were extremely tired. It was noon at this time, the sky was blue and blue, the sun was shining directly, and its warmth enveloped Chishuiyuan, making people feel a little lazy.They fought for many days, and when they encountered such a place with sunshine and water plants, and the surroundings were extremely quiet, the snow-capped mountains in the distance came into view, which was very beautiful, and made them feel a rare sense of relaxation.On the Chishui Plain, there are groups of wild donkeys and antelopes living here.These animals are not afraid of people at all, they even come slowly and observe people with wide and curious eyes. When Xue Wanche saw these animals, he suddenly felt something, and said to Xue Wanjun: "Huh, outsiders don't go deep here, they say that this place is a barren land, and they say that there is no water or food, which is enough to trap people to death. Look here, there is water. Grass, and these stupid donkeys and sheep, how can we have nothing to eat?" Xue Wanjun also felt the same, and said: "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch a tiger cub? It seems that what outsiders say, if you don't see it with your own eyes, it can't be taken seriously." The two brothers were in high spirits there, they didn't expect a crisis to come soon. The Tuyuhun people had discovered their tracks long ago, saw them resting on their horses at Chishui Plain, and saw their number clearly, so they gathered more than 3,000 people and quietly surrounded them. There was only a rush of Jie drums sounding, and suddenly, there were Jie drums responding from the four corners, and the sound of horseshoes approaching from far and near.The Xue brothers and the accompanying soldiers raised their heads and saw thousands of Tuyuhun people rushing towards them.Xue Wanjun was shocked and shouted: "Everyone get on your horses and meet the enemy quickly." He and Xue Wanche got on the horses first, and the subordinates hurriedly searched for their horses, presenting a chaotic situation.At this time, the Tuyuhun people on all sides had rushed into the ranks of the Tang army like a whirlwind. At that time, less than half of the soldiers of the Tang army were on horseback.Those who have mounted their horses drive their horses to dodge and fight with the enemy. Many of those who have not mounted their horses have become ghosts under the knife of the Tuyuhun people.After the Tuyuhun people charged and killed, more than 70 corpses of Tang soldiers lay on the ground. The Xue brothers were no longer able to gather their own team, because the Tuyuhun people had surrounded them heavily and divided the Tang army soldiers into pieces so that they could gather and annihilate them separately. The battle lasted less than an hour, the Tuyuhun people took advantage of the large number of their own, often more than a dozen people surrounded the Tang soldiers and hacked and killed nearly 200 Tang soldiers by this time.There used to be more than 70 people around the Xue brothers, but now there are only more than 20 people struggling with the enemy.At this time, the Xue brothers already felt that it was difficult to do well today, and if they didn't make it right, Chishuiyuan would become their burial place.They have no other idea, they just want to kill one more enemy so that they can earn more money.The two brothers fought ahead, and their eyes were already red.His mount was shot several times, but it was still galloping and effective. In the end, it was really unable to hold on, so it lost its strength and fell down.The two brothers jumped off their horses and fought on foot with knives.They don't have a shield in their hands, and they are relatively at a disadvantage when fighting against their opponents on horseback.Not long after, the two of them were stabbed one after another, and blood flowed profusely immediately. Just when the Xue brothers were desperate, they suddenly saw the soldiers of Tuyuhun being killed by a group of men and horses, and they suddenly felt the pressure around them drop suddenly.Looking from a distance, the costume of this brave man and horse is roughly the same as that of the Tuyuhun people. They yelled loudly and slashed at the Tuyuhun people with the scimitar in their hands.The one who is the leader is the bravest, standing at the forefront, invincible, and all those who stand in his way fall down.When he came close, the Xue brothers recognized at a glance that this person was Qibi Heli.It goes without saying that the person behind him is Qibibu Xiaoqi. Qibi Heli saw the Erxue brothers and saw that they were fighting bloody battles there, so he called two horses from the left and right, and shouted: "General Erxue, I am here to meet you under the order of Li Dadudu. Come, hurry up Get on your horses and let us kill the enemy." It turned out that Qibi Heli received Li Jing's warrant and was deeply worried about their situation, so he ordered his troops to speed up and follow their footsteps.In such a hurry, even though they helped the Xue brothers out of the siege, they were still one step too late. Of the 300 knights brought by the Xue brothers, there were only less than a hundred left in front of them, and it was obvious that they had been severely injured. When the Tuyuhun people saw the arrival of reinforcements from the Tang army, they felt powerless for a while, seeing how hard it was to take advantage of them.At this time, the leader whistled, and his voice was extremely loud amidst the noise of the rebellious army.When the Tuyuhun people heard this order, they suddenly stopped attacking, turned around and fled in all directions. In the minds of the Xue brothers, Qibi Heli had always been regarded as a leader of a foreign race, who was in a subordinate position in this battle.When they were facing a catastrophe, Qibi Heli rescued them with all their strength and saved their lives. They should have been extremely grateful, but unexpectedly the two of them didn't appreciate it, Xue Wanjun even said carelessly: "Qibi Heli , you should have arrived one hour earlier, so there would not be so many injuries." Qi Bi He Li was furious. Not to be outdone, he reprimanded: "Governor Li Dajun told us to fight every step of the way, but you divided your troops and rushed forward, which finally caused this disaster. If you marched according to the plan as soon as possible, why did this disaster happen? I am here It's late, it seems that it's better to come a little later." Xue Wanjun said angrily: "Qibi Heli, do you have evil intentions in your heart and let us die?" "How can it be possible to march and fight without casualties? It's just that some people want to kill themselves, so they can't blame others." The Xue brothers saw that Qibi He Lixian was a stubborn stubble, and after thinking that they were at fault after all, they stopped arguing with Qibi He Li and angrily led the remnants to leave. Qi Bi He Li looked at the backs of the two of them, thinking that if you repay kindness with hatred, your behavior is no different from that of animals.One day, we will explain today's scene clearly. Fu Yun lost a large number of miscellaneous animals and felt the pressure of Li Jing's North Route Army, so he shrank his front and moved his troops south to avoid the edge of the North Route Army. Li Jing's Northern Route Army fought continuously with the Tuyuhun people, while the Southern Route Army led by Hou Junji and Li Daozong remained calm all the way. The places where the South Route Army went were deserted.They traveled day and night, traveling along Juru River and Xingsu River, with a journey of more than 2,000 li.这日，他们进至逻真谷，其中山深径险，这里更有奇观，眼下正是盛夏之时，谷中竟然降下霜雪。将士愈向前进，感觉愈冷，到了谷中间，又生困难，原来其中无水可汲，无草可依，让众人傻了眼。他们行程二千余里，早将身带粮草食尽，其时他们行军速度很快，后方粮草无法接续。他们只有就地汲水，好在路上有无数的野牛野羊，可为将士口中的美食。眼下到了谷中，无水无食，眼见是陷入了绝境。 一些将士萌生退意，李道宗、执失思力、阿史那社尔、拓跋赤辞觉得事态严重，就找侯君集请示下步行止。 侯君集询问拓跋赤辞道：“赤辞，这逻真谷到底有多长？出了谷外是什么光景？” 拓跋赤辞答道：“逻真谷向来有飞鸟难进的古谚，这些年来，包括吐谷浑人、党项人和契苾人一般都绕开此谷，不轻易进入。只是这里是通往乌海的一条捷径，出了谷，不远就是乌海，那里水草肥美，大军若行到那里，即可脱去困厄。我们已行到谷中央，依我估计，再有三日，即可出谷。” 侯君集决然道：“我们已行到中途，若折头返回，一样是无水无粮。赤辞说那乌海水草肥美，我们就加一把劲儿冲出此谷，赶到乌海，就免了此厄。我看了，谷中固然无水无草，然有冰有雪，我们渴了饿了，就吃冰为食，马儿无草，就让它们吃雪，好歹要熬过这几日。” 阿史那社尔踌躇道：“我们出了此谷，已经人困马乏，万一遇上吐谷浑人，岂不束手就擒？” 侯君集答道：“不妨，想伏允及吐谷浑人，压根就想不到我们会突然出现。他们惊慌之余，焉能有时间想我们肚中有无食物？他们定然会一哄而逃。任城王，你看呢？” 李道宗沉吟道：“我们入了此谷，唯有向前一途。只有这样，才能与北路军相呼应，以包抄吐谷浑。” 众人再无异议，大家鼓足劲儿前行。大家饿了渴了，就取过冰块啃食。人们肚中无食，冰凉的冰块下肚，那份苦楚非言语能表。当此时，将士们完全靠着一股心劲儿，方才越过此谷。许是人们有着求生的愿望，不自觉地加快步伐拉着马匹前行，待出了谷，大家才发现：原本需三日才能走完的路程，提前一日就走完了。 将士们出谷以后，眼睛顿时一亮。只见谷外与谷内风景迥异，这里生长有许多野草，更有许多野驴、野羊在这里悠闲地漫步。如此一来，将士们有了食物，马儿有了青草，人马都饱餐了一回，很快恢复了力气。侯君集眼望前方，思索着伏允现在何处，他派出斥候，出外四处打探。在斥候出外探事的当儿，他命令将士们就地休整，俟探明伏允的踪迹之后，即挥师出发，直捣伏允巢穴。 出去的斥候返回来，其中一路到乌海的斥候禀报，说他们在乌海畔发现了吐谷浑人的许多帐篷。侯君集闻言，说道：“这就对了。外人皆说伏允逃入沙碛，想那沙碛里少水无草，如何能使其十余万人生存？他驻在乌海边，方是长久之道。由此来看，这里正是伏允的巢穴。” 这日平明时分，侯君集、李道宗带领南路军杀向乌海。 伏允前些时在曼头山失去了一半的羊马牛，正自肉痛。他不愿意与唐军正面接仗，妄图凭着熟悉地势巧与周旋，争取使唐军知难而退。他当时感觉到了唐军北路军的压力，为了避其锋锐，主动南退，将其营盘扎在乌海畔。他想在这里观察唐军下步动静。这日午后，侯君集率领南路军踹入伏允营中，他们见人就砍，弄得伏允手脚忙乱。伏允万万想不到唐军会从南边杀来，那里山川险峻，气候恶劣，向无人居住，他们莫非是从天而降？如此，伏允只有仓皇逃跑，其手下番众无心接仗，各自逃生。他们无心恋战，一片混乱，许多人成了唐兵刀下之鬼。 伏允的逃跑线路已经没有太多选择，东有史大柰会同党项部在那里据守；北有李靖北路军；南有侯君集的南路军；他只剩下向西窜逃的路子，在其西南方，那里是一派茫茫沙碛，其中只有几处绿洲才有汲水之处，让如此多的人畜在那里度日，断难持久，因而只有向正西行走，越过蜀浑山后，到于阗一带方可喘息一阵。 伏允定下方略，即收拢残部，一哄向蜀浑山奔去。 他不知道，李大亮率领所部已于十日前到达蜀浑山张网等待。原来李靖默察伏允的逃路，知道他若受到侯君集和自己的南北夹击以后，定会从此路向西逃窜，因令李大亮将营盘东移，以重兵防守蜀浑山。 李大亮在蜀浑山上布下了许多檑木和灰瓶，并令兵士掘挖壕沟，待诸事完毕，李大亮观东面的来路上，没有任何人的踪影。他这样日日等待，渐渐等直了脖子，心里嘀咕道：“李药师向来算无遗策，这一次莫非失了算？伏允能从此路来吗？” 到了这日午后，李大亮看见东面来路上荡起尘埃，长长的人马争先恐后向这边奔来。此时，伏路小校已经探知这些人马正是吐谷浑人，并及时向李大亮禀报。李大亮大喜，对左右道：“看来伏允这只老狐狸毕竟难逃李药师的掌握，尽管迟了数日，他还是乖乖地来自投罗网了。”他又大声命令道：“传令各队，让他们先把头低伏在壕沟里，不能让敌人发现这里有埋伏。待听到中军炮响，再现身出来却敌。” 李大亮的策略收到了效果，伏允的疑心很重，他先是在山下观察片刻，又让人在前探路。看到前锋到了山腰处，山上皆是静悄悄的，没有任何动静，他方才放下心来，号令大队人马开始登山。伏允派出的前锋让李大亮犯了难，因为这些前锋到了山顶，势必发现唐军，如此一来，伏允的大队人马刚及山腰处，他们若发现这里有唐军埋伏，定会退回山脚处。依照李大亮的脾性，仅仅斩杀伏允的前锋，那是一点都不过瘾的。 这时候，李大亮的脑海中浮现出李靖那沉静的面庞，其谆谆说道：“大亮，你所带人马不多，不可与伏允硬拼。你只要将伏允挡在蜀浑山前，使他不能西进一步，即是完胜。”想到这里，李大亮心中顿时释然，骂了声：“如此，竟便宜了老狐狸，就拿他的这帮人先祭祭刀吧。” 当伏允的前锋到了离山顶二百步的地方，正在那里探头探脑的时候，李大亮手一挥，后面顿时响起三声大炮。唐兵闻听炮响，立刻现出身来。他们先是解开绳索，就见那些檑木快速地滚下山去，其先是撞倒伏允的先锋，后续檑木又不绝地向下滚去，沿途又带动石块，渐渐汇成了巨大的声音。 伏允人马见状，皆大惊失色，慌不迭地扔下辎重，抛下马匹，撒腿没命地向山下逃窜。待伏允在山下好不容易收拢手下，检点人数，才知已在山上丢下了一千余具尸体。 伏允大是烦闷，心想山上的唐军未伤一人一卒，依靠地利让自己伤折千余人，实在是划不来的买卖。想到这里，伏允方才感到了李靖的可怕：自己的招数皆被李靖识破，到了现在，所有先机都被李靖抢占，自己仅剩下被动挨打的份儿。观李靖的动作，不将自己赶尽杀绝，断不会善罢甘休！ 伏允无心恋战，喝令大队人马向南逃去。他现在仅剩下这一条路，妄想唐军不敢深入沙碛，能容自己喘息一阵。 由此向南一百余里，有一处名叫突伦川的地方，那里有水有草，是一个能容大军暂时歇脚的所在。 薛万均、薛万彻、契苾何力此时驻扎在柏海。薛氏兄弟惩其前败，不敢再轻易分兵冒进，变得小心翼翼起来。 契苾何力时刻关注着战事的发展，其手下人熟悉这里的地势，契苾何力选其精干者出外打探消息。伏允在乌海被侯君集袭破，逃向蜀浑山又被堵回，只好南向逃奔突伦川，这些消息都被契苾何力在第一时间掌握。这日他得知伏允已到达突伦川，急忙来见薛氏兄弟，急急说道：“二薛将军，伏允新败之后现逃奔突伦川。我意趁其立足未稳，我们悄悄掩杀袭之。” 薛万均问道：“你说去攻突伦川，莫非得到李都督的将令了？” “没有。然战机稍纵即逝，若再将此消息报给李大都督，这样一来一回，定会耽搁了时间。” “哼，上次我要分兵进击，你坚决反对。你现在要去进击突伦川，又未得李都督将令，莫非想擅专吗？” “我非敢擅专！想那伏允现在已无城郭可凭，随水草而迁徙，他现在带领人马聚于突伦川，新败之后心怀惊悸，正是进击的好时机。若其化整为零，人众星散，实难再寻其踪迹。二薛将军若不愿往，我自己带领部众前去进击了。”契苾何力说完，将手一拱团团一揖，然后决然地出帐而去。帐内的二薛兄弟大眼瞪小眼，心中不知是什么滋味。 好半天，薛万彻幽幽地说道：“哥，契苾何力此去，定与伏允交战。我们若按兵不动，将来皇上追究起来，定是罪过。” 薛万均叹了一口气，说道：“我何尝不知？我所以拒绝何力，是气他目中无人，傲视我们，因而故意不听其言。按说吧，这实在是一个战机，我们若按兵不动，也失去了一个机会。” “嗯，我们生气归生气，仗还是要打的。你说呢？哥。” 薛万均沉吟道：“好吧，我们待何力出发以后，也悄悄拔营，紧随其后。这样有两个好处，一者，契苾部从属我们，他们的胜利也是我们的成绩；二者，那何力桀骜不驯，让其为前驱与伏允硬碰，正好煞一煞他的威风，我待其有危难之时，再挺身相救，正好再嘲笑他一番。” 薛万彻有点不以为然，心想大敌当前，如何还能玩心机？他是一名直性子人，虽与兄乃一母同胞，在这一点上却与薛万均很不相同。 契苾何力回帐后，在其部落中挑选出千余骁骑，由自己亲自带领为先导，直奔突伦川，并令其他人紧随其后，以为接应。从柏海到突伦川，其间距离有四百余里，其中的一百余里为茫茫沙碛，其间向无人烟，无水可汲。契苾何力临行前，让从人带足了水、粮，然一路奔驰，尤其入沙碛之后，人喝马饮，将所带水尽数饮完。前方还有近百里无水源可寻，队伍因人马渴甚，行进速度渐渐缓了下来。 沙面上的热浪一阵阵袭来，使缺水的人马感觉头晕，心中又生出无数烦躁。契苾何力眼望前方，眉头紧皱，决然道：“全体下马。可将备用马匹斩杀，供人马止渴。” 轻骑突袭时，往往带有备用马匹，人们来回换乘，以使马儿能歇过劲儿，使行军速度不减。契苾何力为了快速通过这段绝地，号令斩杀备用马匹，让人马饮其血以止渴，不失为一条好计。然契苾人素来爱马如命，何况是与自己朝夕相伴的坐骑。契苾何力此令一下，部下许多人顿时眼含热泪，不愿下手。 契苾何力大怒，他下马拔出刀来，返身刺倒自己的备用马匹，大声喝道：“我们铁血男儿，岂能效妇人之仁？来，先饮尽此马之血！” 他顿了一顿，又道：“伏允那里，有无数的羊马，我们只要能到达突伦川，此战必胜，难道还会缺了马儿？” 众人心中尽管不忍，想想也是这个理儿，遂纷纷刺倒马儿，热饮马血。如此，他们方才艰难地越过绝地。后来的薛氏兄弟经过此地，见到这许多被刺倒的马儿，顿时明白契苾何力的用意，不禁也佩服他的决断之才。 这日薄暮时分，契苾何力的千余骁骑潜行至突伦川。他们到了吐谷浑的帐篷边，猛然发动，在其营盘中左冲右突。到了半夜，薛氏兄弟的后续兵马亦至，他们不事休息加入战团。共斩杀吐谷浑人数千名，俘虏无数。到了天明，就见营帐旁边，圈有二十余万头牲畜，这些也一股脑成了唐军的战利品。 吐谷浑人经过此役，大伤元气，今后再无本钱与大唐为敌。 伏允在黑夜中遭到唐军的袭击，一时惊慌失措，急忙带着自己的身边人向碛中逃去。因行色匆匆，他甚至不及叫起自己的妻子儿女。 顾名思义，碛中即是沙碛的中心地方，这里有一小片绿洲，可供数百人汲水。伏允带领二百余人逃到这里，已是第二日的午时。想到遭此大败，伏允心中万念俱灰，手下人为其送来肉食，他也无心食用，只是呆呆地望着头顶上的日头发呆。 到了日落之时，伏允叫来天柱王及十数名王。吐谷浑国官制：伏允之下为天柱王，再其下为三十余个名王，分统各个部落。经过这几场仗，伏允的二十余个名王或被唐军打死，或被俘虏，身边仅剩下这寥寥十数人。 伏允见众人到齐，说道：“我自隋及唐武德年间，采取了与中土相攻的策略，我这样做的原因，是看到天下大乱，借强硬来逐步扩大我们的地盘。这几年，我又看到，那唐朝的新皇帝专心于国内之事，不愿意轻易开战，就想借此机会全力拿下陇西地盘。唉，我想不到李靖如此厉害，对我们如此穷追猛打，将我们赶到此绝地。看来这一次，是我完全错了。” 天柱王等心里也有同感，暗暗埋怨伏允一味强硬，方招致今日结果。 伏允又叹道：“我今年已岁至七十，这些年数与隋、唐为敌，使其大为头痛。我能这样，心里也大为满足了。想外面的唐军，此时最想做的事就是生擒我。嘿嘿，他们的这份图谋，定是难以实现了。 “天柱王，我国遭此大败，今后再无力与唐为敌。为今之计，须要设法保证部众完整。他们中土有句话叫做'留得青山在，不怕没柴烧'。只要我们族人能够长久繁衍生息，则此战未败。为今之计，唐军若能得到我，就会宽宥我们的族人。天柱王，这件事，只好由你来做了。” 伏允说完立起身来，侧身抽出佩剑，然后快速在自己的脖项上一拉。众人惊呼声中，伏允的身子慢慢地倒在地上。 伏允的意思，是让天柱王带着自己的首级去向唐军乞和，以保全族人。其实伏允若自己向唐军投降，李世民也不会杀他，甚至会授给他一个官职。只是伏允觉得自己一生努力抗争，竟然得到这样一个全军覆灭的结果，不免万念俱灰，遂一死了之。他这样一死，倒是成了吐谷浑族的英雄。