Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4722: Tubo Storm (Continued)

Lu Dongzan has always been afraid of the Tang Dynasty. What's more, he has been squeezed out of Lhasa City, far away from the power center of Tubo. He has to rely on the support of the Tang Dynasty to lead his family to take root in Qinghai Lake. How can he have the ability to conquer Tang territory?

He also understood Pei Xingjian's purpose. After the demise of the Turks, Xueyantuo, Goguryeo and Tuyuhun, the Tang Dynasty regarded Tubo as the most powerful enemy in the future. If the Gar family could be instigated to provoke a civil war in Tubo, then no matter whether it was Tharu Dongzan who counterattacked Luoshui and seized the Tibetan regime, or Songtsen Gampo who defeated the Gar family from a high position, both sides would suffer losses, and the beneficiary would be the Tang Dynasty.

But now, the Gar family actually does not have much choice. They are unwilling to submit to the Tang people, but they have to rely on the power of the Tang people to resist the city of Lhasa. If Songtsen Gampo completes the integration of the nobles and lords of the city of Lhasa and stabilizes the rear, his cavalry will surely swoop down from the plateau.

Without the support of the Tang people, the Gar family would have been crushed to pieces under the iron hoof of Songtsen Gampo.

The Gar family needed the support of the Tang people far more urgently than the Tang people needed the Gar family to resist the iron hoof of Tubo.

Pei Xingjian was very elegant and asked with a smile, "Just ask for whatever the Gar family needs. As long as it's in the Tang Dynasty, we will not be stingy."

Lu Dongzan had very long eyebrows, which drooped down to make his eyes look triangular. His eyes sparkled: "What if I want those firearms?"

Firearms were the basis for the Tang army to dominate the world. If the Tibetans had firearms, they would definitely be able to fight the Tang Dynasty. However, contrary to his expectations, Pei Xingjian still smiled and said, "Firearms won't work. The production is too small and the Tang army can't equip them in large quantities. Forget about artillery. It's not that we are reluctant to give them, but we really don't have them... But thunder bombs will work."

Lu Dongzan's eyes widened: "Really?"

Pei Xingjian nodded: "It's true!"

The secret of firearms lies not only in the formula of gunpowder, but also in the casting technique. Lu Dongzan has neither, so even if he is given some firearms, there will be no problem. Although the Gar family is one of the largest tribes in Tubo, it is still weak compared to Songtsen Gampo. Firearms can also boost the combat power of the Gar family and consume more of Songtsen Gampo's strength.

Lu Dongzan was silent for a while, then sighed and said, "Does the Tang Dynasty really believe that the Gar family will have a war with Luoshui City?"

Pei Xingjian shook his head: "Whether to fight or not is not something the Tang people can decide, but there are only friends and no enemies on the borders of the Tang Dynasty."

How can I allow others to snore beside my bed? Either you become a friend and get the help of Tang Dynasty to attack the enemy, or you become an enemy and Tang Dynasty will find friends to attack you.

Lu Dongzan had a sad look on his face and remained silent for a long while.

From the moment Pei Xingjian arrived in Fuqi City, we knew the determination of the Tang Dynasty. The fact that such a promising and powerful figure came to Fuqi City in person meant that the patience of the Tang Dynasty had been exhausted and the Gar family had few options left.

To put it mildly, "whether to fight or not is not something that the Tang Dynasty can decide." In fact, the Gar family was sandwiched between Luoshui City and the Tang Dynasty, and had no choice at all. Either they could merge with Luoshui City and swoop down from the Helan Mountain Pass to invade the Hexi Corridor, or they could attack Luoshui City from above with the help of the Tang Dynasty.

There are only these two ways.

No matter which one is chosen, it means huge risks, enough to destroy the entire Gar family.

Even Lu Dongzan, who was known as "the wisest man in Tubo", was at a loss and in a dilemma when faced with such a dead end.

"This is a serious matter. Let me think about it."

"I'm sorry, but the Arab Empire is coveting the East and is ready to make a move. The madman Muawiyah may mobilize the whole country to invade the Anxi Protectorate at any time. We must resolve the threat of the Hexi Corridor before that. I don't have time to consider it. After I return to Hexi, either countless food and weapons will enter Fuqi City for support, or tens of thousands of well-equipped cavalry will rush out of the Helan Pass to fight you to the death. You can only choose one of the two."

The Gar family blocked the Tibetan cavalry at Qinghai Lake and ensured the safety of the Hexi Corridor for the Tang Dynasty, which was what the Tang Dynasty wanted to see. However, the Gar family tirelessly sucked blood from the Tang Dynasty and strengthened itself, which was against the interests of the Tang Dynasty.

The weak Gar family is a shield, while the strong Gar family may become a threat.

Lu Dongzan's eyes flashed with ferocity: "Why does the Tang Dynasty have to be so aggressive and not give the Gar family a chance to survive?"

No matter what choice they made, either they would face the iron cavalry of Lhasa or the Tang army armed to the teeth. Even if the Gar family survived in the end, countless of their descendants would fall and stain the land red with their blood.

Is this the fate of the weak?
Cannon fodder used in gaming between powerful nations?
Not reconciled!

Pei Xingjian refused to give in. "Before your Gar family has paid any price, how can the Tang Dynasty believe that you will be friendly neighbors instead of wolves and tigers? There is no such thing as getting something for nothing in this world. If you want the Tang Dynasty's assistance and support, you must give something in exchange. There is no other way. Because every grain of rice, every piece of cloth, and every piece of iron in the Tang Dynasty is the tax of hundreds of millions of people. No one dares to waste it in vain."

Lu Dongzan's face was pale, his lips moved, and he said in a low voice: "But how can the Tang Dynasty guarantee that it will always support the Gar family?"

He was afraid of going to war with the city of Lhasa; but he was even more afraid if the Tang Dynasty tore up the contract halfway!
For now, they can still maintain a lingering situation, but once the war breaks out, it will be a fight to the death. When the soldiers of the Gar family attack the plateau and reach Luoshui, the Tang Dynasty suddenly withdraws all aid. At that time, the Gar family will be helpless. What should they do?
Pei Xingjian knelt down, his hands resting on his legs, his upper body slightly leaning forward, his eyes sharp and stern: "As I said before, you have no choice. Every country on the border of the Tang Dynasty is either a friend of the Tang Dynasty or an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. Which one do you want to be?"

Lu Dongzan closed his eyes in pain.

No matter which one they want to become, they must go to war with Tubo. Otherwise, the Tang Dynasty will first concentrate its strength on eliminating the Gar family, acquiring Fuqi City, and then relying on the Helan Mountains to deal with Tubo.

As for whether the Tang Dynasty will provide assistance to the end, or withdraw halfway and leave the Gar family stranded on the plateau, it all depends on the conscience of the Tang Dynasty.

However, in recent years, the Tang Dynasty has always advocated that "imperial interests are above all else". Face, reputation, conscience, etc. are worthless in the face of imperial interests. If the loss of both the Gar family and Tubo is in line with the Tang Dynasty's border strategy, then when it is time to retreat, they will retreat without hesitation, leaving the Gar family alone on the plateau to face Songtsen Gampo's army.

……

Pei Xingjian walked in a very elegant manner, wearing a wide robe and a wide belt as he rode his horse at a fast speed. The wind blew his sleeves, making him flutter like a fairy, and he had the temperament of a young man from a noble family.

Lu Dongzan in Fuqi City was caught in a long coughing fit, his face was red as blood, and he almost coughed out his internal organs...

"Father, are you feeling better?"

The eldest son, Zan Xiruo, sent Pei Xingjian away. After returning to the city, he discovered that his father was abnormal. He hurried forward to pat his father on the back to calm him down. Just as he was about to call a doctor, Lu Dongzan raised his hand to stop him: "Don't make a fuss. It's just a temporary gas. How can those witch doctors cure illnesses? They just made some talismans and burned them into ashes for me to drink. Instead, they made people panic. At this critical moment, you must let people know my illness."

Having said this, I feel more and more regretful and sad that I was not able to marry into the royal family back then.

Given the strength of Tubo at that time, once it succeeded in making peace with the Tang Dynasty, it could have confidently demanded that the Tang Dynasty provide a dowry of talents in agriculture, smelting, medicine, etc. Tubo would have dominated the plateau and its national strength would have soared. Why was it that there was not even a doctor proficient in medicine in the country, and the only way to treat illnesses was to feed wood ash?
One wrong step, then another. Watching the country's fortune slip away before his eyes, how could Lu Dongzan not feel depressed and regretful?
After taking a sip of water, Lu Dongzan finally caught his breath and panted, "Get ready. As soon as the food, fodder, weapons, and firearms promised by the Tang Dynasty arrive, we will go to Luoshui City and attack the plateau."

Although he was outside the door during the negotiation just now and didn't know the details, he was not surprised by Lu Dongzan's decision. Being sandwiched between two powerful countries, it was impossible to have the best of both worlds. He could only choose one side and follow it. Compared with Luoshui City, which hated the Gar family's immortality, the more powerful Tang Dynasty was obviously a better choice.

Zan Xiruo shook his head and said hesitantly, "What the Tang people hope most is that we and Luoshui City will both be defeated and no longer threaten the foothills of the Helan Mountains. Pei Xingjian made a solemn promise today, and he may not stop taking advantage of us in the future."

Lu Dongzan panted heavily for a while, grabbed his eldest son's hand, and said earnestly: "You must remember, no matter what happens after this battle, you must bring your brothers, nephews and nieces to submit to the Tang Dynasty and be loyal to the Tang Dynasty for generations to come!"

Zan Xiruo was shocked: "How can this be possible? Although our Gar family has bad luck, we have a strong foundation. Even if our strength is weak for a while, as long as we can recover from this, we can still dominate Tibet and look down on the Tang Dynasty!"

"fart!"

Lu Dongzan cursed loudly, causing another round of coughing. After a long while, he said, "Don't be delusional. The final outcome of the Gar family sandwiched between the two countries can only be to be reduced to dust and ashes. If you want to pass on your bloodline, you can only submit to the Tang Dynasty. The Tang people have the ambition to roam the world and look down on the eight wildernesses. They don't care about the origin of the family bloodline. As long as there is talent, they can use it. Only in the Tang Dynasty can the Gar family continue."

Zan Xiruo's wisdom was only slightly inferior to his father's. He now understood Lu Dongzan's painstaking efforts and agreed with his vision and decision. However, he was young after all, and his blood was boiling and his resentment was rising. He said in hatred, "But even so, there is no need to use the lives of my children of the Gar family to prove your loyalty and win the trust of the Tang people, right?"

It was difficult for him to accept for a while that he was in a war that he knew was doomed to fail, and that pushed his clan members into an abyss of no return, all for the purpose of allowing the direct descendants of the Gar family to completely gain the trust of the Tang Dynasty and integrate into the Tang Dynasty.