Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4869 Tang Envoy

Gongri Gongzan threw away the kettle in his hand and took out two small and exquisite porcelain bottles from a secret compartment in the carriage. He threw one of them to Sairu Gongdun, took the other one in his hand, pulled out the cork, tilted his head back and took a sip. A rich aroma of wine filled the carriage.

"Whoo~"

Gongri Gongzan exhaled a breath of wine, and two blushes appeared on his pale cheeks. He sighed: "You should drink a sip too, your body is frozen."

Sairu Gongdun took the bottle and sniffed the wine in it. He had drunk this kind of wine before. It was brought over from the Tang Dynasty and was called "Fangfu Fine Wine". It was extremely rare. A bottle of this size cost about half its weight in gold, and it would take a mountain of barley to exchange for it...

He also took a sip. The strong liquor had a rich aroma when it entered his throat. It went down his throat like a line of fire going straight to his stomach, and the hot taste drove away the coldness in his body.

He was just a minister, and not the so-called "honest minister" who would not ask whether the prince was overly extravagant.

"Your Highness is weak, why didn't you come here by carriage but on horseback? What if he gets sick in this freezing weather? I won't be able to explain to the King!"

Gongri Gongzan took another sip of wine and sighed, "It is precisely because I am weak and have been sick since childhood that I have to pretend this time, so that outsiders can see that I can also fight with the army and feel at ease. Otherwise, all kinds of slanderous words all day long are really annoying."

Serugundun expressed his understanding.

As the only son of Songtsen Gampo, the frail and sickly Gongri Gongzan can almost be regarded as the only and huge flaw of Songtsen Gampo. Without a qualified successor, what will happen to those subordinates who follow you if there is a change in the future?

Everyone follows you to conquer the world, and naturally hopes for long-term wealth and glory. But if the Tibetan Empire perishes in one generation and returns to its previous chaotic state, wouldn't everyone's efforts be in vain?
Serugundun consoled him gently: "Prince, don't worry about those gossips. You are the son of the Zamp, the prince of Tubo, and naturally the only heir to the Zamp. We, the old ministers, fully support you. Who dares to say anything? Your position as prince is as solid as a rock!"

It was obvious that Gongri Gongzan also thought so. He smiled and clinked the bottle with Serugondon and took a sip of wine: "That's why I won't pretend when I meet the general. I will throw away all the hypocrisy in front of you and treat each other with sincerity."

No matter what Serugundun thought, the prince's attitude made him feel very comfortable. Although he was physically weak, he had been taught by the Zamp himself since he was a child and had been involved in political affairs since he was thirteen years old. He still had some means to win people's hearts.

When the army arrived at the southern slope of Dangla Mountain, Sai Rugong Dun said, "You are leading the Zamp's direct troops, which are not under the command of my troops. However, if we are stationed together at the mountain pass, it may be difficult to command and coordinate if something happens. At that time, not only will we not be able to demonstrate our military advantage, but it will also be easy to cause trouble. It is better for us to station here. If the enemy attacks the mountain pass and I cannot resist, I will ask the prince for help. What do you think?"

Gongri Gongzan readily accepted the advice: "You are a veteran general on the battlefield and a Tibetan hero. My military ability is not enough to stand up to you. When I came here, the Zamp has already given me many instructions and told me to take charge of everything. I will do whatever you say."

It would normally be a good thing not to interfere, but Sai Rugongdon was a little disappointed. The successor to the Zamp had no ideas at all. How would he govern such a big country in the future?
Do you just follow the crowd and do what others say?

"I am deeply grateful for the trust of the Zanpu. I will do my best to defeat the rebels and repay the kindness of the Zanpu and the prince!"

……

When the army arrived at the southern slope of Dangla Mountain, Sairu Gongdun had already selected a camp for Gongri Gongzan. They set up the camp on a flat ground in a leeward place, about ten miles away from the mountain pass, which was neither too far nor too close. It could provide timely reinforcements in case of an emergency, and they could keep to themselves in normal times without interfering with each other.

Gongri Gongzan was weak, and after the camp was set up and he chatted with Sairu Gongdun about the current battle situation, he began to yawn. When Sairu Gongdun tactfully left, he did not even eat and dived into the thick quilt. He asked the guards to light the brazier and then fell into a deep sleep.

I slept until midnight.

He got out from under the quilt and urinated in the toilet, asking the guard to take it out and throw it away. He felt hungry and asked the guard to bring him some food. After eating and drinking, he went out of the tent for a walk and saw that the camp was set up firmly and there was no problem. Then he went back into the tent.

Although the camp was at the foot of the mountain and there was not much wind, the heavy snow formed a thick layer on the ground. When you stepped on it, it was not even up to your knees. It was so cold.

He placed a kettle on the brazier and boiled butter tea. It was very comfortable to drink the hot butter tea while hugging the fur quilt, but Gongri Gongzan did not feel at ease.

He knew that his father asked him to lead the army personally to reinforce Serugundun in order to allow him to gain meritorious service and prepare for his future ascension to the throne, but he did not agree.

Who stipulated that the Zanpu must have military merits?
The emperor of the Tang Dynasty also grew up in the deep palace. Not only did he not have any military merit, he even had to face the overt and covert competition from his brothers who coveted the throne. Yet, didn't he still ascend the throne in the end?

It all depends on the support of the generals.

Compared with Serugondon, Gongrigongzan trusted Chisangyangdon more. When that day comes in the future, with Sangbuza in civil affairs and Chisangyangdon in military affairs, as well as the support of the entire Yalong tribe, the position of Zamp will naturally be secure.

Why go to Dangla Mountain in the wind and snow to provide assistance?
He knew his own body. Not to mention the Han Chinese saying "A gentleman should not stand under a dangerous wall", as a prince, he should stay away from dangerous places. The bad weather alone could make him seriously ill and even lose his life...

*****
When Sairugongdun returned to the tent at the mountain pass, he had no appetite to eat. He asked someone to warm up a pot of wine and roast a piece of meat. He cut the meat with a knife, chewed it slowly, and drank in small sips, thinking about the prince Gongrigongzan.

There is no doubt that the reason why Zamp asked Gongri Gongzan to lead his troops here, in addition to providing support, was also for surveillance.

After all, Dangla Mountain is equivalent to the heartland of Tubo. Once this line of defense is broken, the city of Lhasa is within reach, which will inevitably cause turmoil in the core of the highest power of the entire Tubo.

There is no room for error at Dangla Mountain.

However, Gongri Gongzan's seemingly friendly but actually too superficial acting cast a shadow in Sairu Gongdun's heart.

If a prince who is weak, has no opinion of his own and is not close to me succeeds to the throne in the future, will it be a good thing for me or the entire Tubo?

However, the Zamp only had this one son, and whether it was good or bad, it was destined that Gongri Gongzan would become the Zamp in the future...

Suddenly I was filled with worry about the future of Tubo.

Gongri Gongzan's son has just been born, and it is still unknown whether he will inherit his father's weak physique and mediocre qualifications. What if both the father and the son do not have the strong physique, wisdom and bravery of their grandfather? How will Tubo face the prosperous and powerful Tang Dynasty?

Internal and external troubles...

The wine of Sai Rugongdun makes my heart sad and my brows frown.

"Tuk-tuk!"

There was a knock on the door.

Serugondon said unhappily, “Come in!”

The guard pushed the door open and came in, bringing with him a gust of wind and snow. The cold wind made the flame in the brazier flicker and sparks fly. Sai Rugundun started cursing.

"what's up?"

The guard was scolded until his face turned red and he was terrified. He said quickly, "Master, there is someone outside claiming to be a Tang envoy. He said he has something important to discuss with you."

"Tang envoy?"

Sai Rugongdun was shocked. The Dangla Mountains stretched from east to west, and this was the only mountain pass connecting the north and the south within hundreds of miles. He was at the mountain pass, and was blocked by Lun Qinling on the north side of the mountain. Could it be that the Tang envoy had fallen from the sky?

"Catch him and chop him up!"

Serugundun gave the order, but immediately stopped the guard who was about to leave the door: "Wait, bring him to me."

He first thought that the so-called Tang envoy was probably sent by Lun Qinling to deceive him, after all, he had been cheated before. But after careful consideration, he felt that it was not the case. It was precisely because he had fallen into Lun Qinling's trap before, could it be that Lun Qinling wanted to repeat the same trick?
There's no harm in meeting him.

If they are really Tang envoys...

"Yes!"

The guard stepped out of the door and soon led a man in.

The man was wearing a fur coat and a felt hat, and he was tall and thin. After taking off his felt hat and veil, he revealed an elegant appearance. Even though he was walking in the ice and snow, his clothes were bulky, and his usual outstanding temperament could still be seen. He smiled, showing his white teeth, and saluted with his fists: "I am Su Liangsi, the recorder of the Anxi Grand Protectorate, and I am honored to meet you, the great leader."

Sai Rugongdun's eyes showed a thoughtful expression, and then he shook his head: "Forgive me for my ignorance, I have never heard of it. Maybe it's not that you are unknown, but that there are so many talented people and heroes in the Tang Dynasty, each of them is so talented and capable, and I am far away from the Tang Dynasty, so I don't know who the hero is. Please forgive me."

The Tibetans were strong and skilled in archery and horse riding, but they were relatively simple and honest in character. People as resourceful and quick-witted as Lu Dongzan and his son were rare, so Sai Rugongdun was not hypocritical or polite. He just hadn't heard of it.

However, being simple and honest does not mean being a fool. These words also revealed his true intention: You can't just give a name and say you are an envoy from the Tang Dynasty, right?

Su Liangsi was very clear-headed. He smiled and took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Sai Rugongdun with both hands: "This is a handwritten letter from Protector Pei. Once you read it, you will know whether it is true or not."

Sai Rugongdun looked hesitant and said, "I don't know Chinese characters, what letter do you want me to read?"

Su Liangsi said: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Protector Pei wrote in Tibetan characters."

Sai Rugongdun frowned. How could the Great Protector General of Anxi be proficient in Tibetan characters?
He took the letter, asked Su Liangsi to sit down, and asked the guards to serve tea. Then he opened the letter. It was indeed written in Tibetan. He read it quickly and finally identified the last bright red seal. It seemed to be the seal of the Anxi Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty, but he could not tell its authenticity.

The content of the letter was simple. It just said that he had heard that General Sai Ru was the bravest among the three armies and was a master of military tactics. He had admired him for a long time. It was a pity that they were separated by the north and the south and had never met. He hoped that they could travel together and drink together in the future. In addition, he would give him a great fortune. Su Liangsi would discuss the details...

A great fortune?

Sai Rugongdun's eyes flickered. Since he expelled Lu Dongzan, he had been second only to the emperor in Tubo and enjoyed great honor and favor. What else could he desire?
That's the only thing left...