Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5119: Face to Face Framing
The distant mountains are vast, the clouds are low, and the road to Luntai is covered with snow.

Ashina Helu, wearing a bearskin cloak, whipped his horse and rode fast in the snow, surrounded by a group of personal soldiers. Mohe City and Luntai were both under the jurisdiction of Tingzhou, but the two were far apart. Even though there was heavy snow and the road was difficult to travel, he did not dare to delay for fear that the situation would change.

He is now the nominal "Turkic leader", but even if we don't count Yibishekui Khan who fled to Tokharistan, Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen are both his brothers in blood, and are also direct blood relatives of Shidianmi Khan. In theory, they are both qualified to inherit the throne of Khan.

Perhaps the current strength of these two people is far inferior to his, but what if they can get support from the Tang people?

The Turks were brave and good at fighting, but their only weakness was their backward weaponry and insufficient supplies, which was precisely the strength of the Tang army. Once these weaknesses were made up for by the Tang army, the strength of Mishe and Buzhen would increase dramatically, which would be enough to threaten his position.

It just so happens that Fang Jun is the best person in the entire Tang Dynasty at "using barbarians to control barbarians". The "Tibetan War" which is now in a stalemate is a testament to this. The Tang army did not use a single soldier, but only paid some food, fodder and military equipment to support the Gar tribe, and it turned the entire Tibet upside down. The Tibetan Empire, which Songtsen Gampo had spent many years of hard work to unify and was growing stronger, fell apart in an instant.

Once this trick is used on the Turks, the effect may be better than that on the Tubo...

"Father!"

Di Yun urged his horse forward from behind, and after he was parallel to Ashina Helu, he shouted loudly: "The snow is too heavy, and some of us can't hold on any longer. Why don't we find a sheltered place, light a fire, warm ourselves, and rest for a while?"

"Shut up!"

Upon hearing this, Ashina Helu pulled the reins of his horse and looked back.

Snowflakes were flying everywhere, and the soldiers behind him followed his movements and reined in their horses. White steam came out of the horses' noses, and the cavalrymen on horseback staggered left and right, groaning continuously.

The more than 100 people on this trip were all carefully selected Turkic elites, but they had not yet charged into battle and fought to the death. They were just traveling in the snow, and they were all weak and complaining...

He sighed inwardly, looked up at the sky, and said in a muffled voice, "Then let's take a break! Send out scouts to find a safe place sheltered from the wind, set up camp, light a fire, and cook. We will set off again tomorrow morning."

The hundred or so cavalrymen who had just been exhausted and dejected suddenly burst into cheers, excited and in high spirits.

Ashina Helu: "..."

I shook my head helplessly, feeling unhappy.

The Turkic Khans of all dynasties had an extremely loyal and extremely good fighting force, called the "Tiger Division", which was brave enough to conquer cities and plunder lands, and was invincible, supporting the Khan's rule over the entire Turkic tribe. However, as Li Jing and Li Ji swept across the northern frontier and plundered the country, the once glorious Turkic Khanate disintegrated and was completely destroyed. The tribes fled in all directions, and now even assembling a fighting "Fu Li" has become a delusion...

If the previous plan had not been exposed, and if it was suddenly launched while the Tang and Arab armies were fighting to the death, there might have been a one or two chance of success. But now everything has been seen through by Fang Jun, and Lu Dongzan is very likely to surrender. How could there be any hope?

……

When Ashina Helu arrived in Luntai, the snow was still falling heavily with no sign of stopping. Under the tall city walls of Luntai, the snow was two feet thick, completely burying the base of the wall.

When they arrived at the city gate, Di Yun handed over the seal of "General of the Right Guard", and then soldiers rushed into the city to report the news.

Half an hour later, a general rode out of the city gate and stopped in front of Ashina Helu. He clasped his fists and said, "I, Gao Deyi, am ordered by the Grand Commandant to ask the general to put down his weapons and follow me into the city to see you."

Di Yun's eyes widened, and he shouted angrily, "How dare you! My father is of the bloodline of the Turkic Khan, and was bestowed the rank of general by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. How dare a small officer like them ask my father to lay down his weapon?"

Gao Deyi didn't even look at him, but stared at Ashina Helu: "This is the order of the Grand Commandant, there is no room for change."

Ashina Helu waved his hand to signal his son to shut up, and said with a smile: "The Tang army has strict military laws and orders are strictly enforced. Now my father and I are also part of the Tang army, so we naturally have to obey military orders."

After saying this, he took off the sword from his waist.

I had no choice but to follow the instructions...

Gao Deyi sat upright on his horse and saw that both father and son had taken off their swords. He said, "Only the general and your son can go into the city to pay homage. The rest of the soldiers can go to the post station, where the officials will take care of them."

Di Yun's face changed, and he opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Ashina Helu.

"Don't make any noise, follow me into the city!"

If Fang Jun really wanted to harm him, how could the mere hundred or so men under his command resist him?
It would be better to be obedient and submissive, and to speak more rationally when begging for mercy...

……

After entering the city, Gao Deyi rode in front and led the way to the government office. Ashina Helu and his son followed closely behind him. On the way, they saw military camps and densely packed warehouses on both sides of the road. Ashina Helu's eyelids twitched. The father and son looked at each other and understood each other's thoughts tacitly.

so close!

Although it was known that the Tang army would certainly gather a large force and stockpile supplies in preparation for a deadly battle with the Arab army after the spring, it was still surprising that so much food, fodder and military equipment had been quietly stockpiled in Luntai City.

If these warehouses were not empty, their number would be enough to support an army of 50,000 people for a year...

These grains, fodders and supplies stored here can be transported westward to Gongyue City and Suiye City, or turned northward to support the army's attack on Mohe City.

The father and son secretly rejoiced.

Arriving outside the government office, they saw a burly general wearing a helmet and armor standing solemnly. Ashina Helu and his son quickly dismounted, strode forward a few steps to the front, clasped their fists and saluted: "It turns out to be General Xue. I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you?"

Xue Rengui returned the greeting, his face solemn and dignified, without a trace of smile: "I have been waiting for a long time!"

Ashina Helu's heart skipped a beat, and he forced a smile and said, "Thank you, General!"

He was deeply afraid of Xue Rengui.

This man was not only the actual commander of the Anxi Army, but also had a close relationship with his immediate superior, Anxi Protector-General Pei Xingjian. He was also promoted by Fang Jun. He was brave in combat and had outstanding strategies, making him a well-known second-in-command in the Western Regions.

The serious expression on his face at this moment made him lose all hope...

Xue Rengui turned aside and said, "The commander-in-chief is in the office. Please come in and see him!"

Ashina Helu stopped talking, nodded in response, and strode inside.

……

Stepping into the main hall of the government office, Ashina Helu's eyes suddenly focused, his teeth clenched, and the flesh on his cheeks trembled.

Fang Jun sat in the middle, with Lu Dongzan, who was dressed in a brocade robe and looked like a rich man, on his left, and Pei Xingjian, who was dressed in official uniform and looked dignified, on his right. Below Pei Xingjian were two Turkic men dressed in furs, with braided hair and strong bodies...

It was his good brothers Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen.

Why were these two people also summoned by Fang Jun?

When will we arrive in Luntai?

Have you reached some kind of contract with Fang Jun?
For a moment, Ashina Helu was in a state of panic.

Fang Jun showed nothing on his face, and said with a smile: "I have issued the order many days ago, why is the general so late?"

Ashina Helu's heart tightened, and he said hurriedly: "I set out as soon as I received the order, but it snowed heavily and the road was difficult to travel, so I was delayed a little. I hope the general will not blame me."

Fang Jun waved his hand: "It's just a casual question, General, don't worry about it. Please take a seat and have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."

"Thank you, Commander."

Ashina Helu breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and wanted to sit down, but was in trouble again.

If he wanted to take a seat at this moment, he would either have to sit under Lu Dongzan or under Bu Zhen. However, he was the direct descendant of the Turkic Khan and was stationed in Mohe City. He was the leader of all the Turkic tribes and at least had an equal status with Lu Dongzan. How could he sit under Lu Dongzan?
He could only stare at the two brothers Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen, hoping that they would consider the overall situation and not bring ruin to the reputation of the Turks.

As for sitting below the two of them... they have to be able to bear it!

Ashina Helu stood where he was, looking down at his two cousins, his eyes wide open, the meaning of which was self-evident.

However, Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen both picked up the teacups beside them and sipped the tea, with drooping eyelids and not looking up, ignoring and being indifferent to Ashina Helu's stare.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became quiet.

Fang Jun's amused look made Ashina Helu angry and glared at his two cousins, shouting in a deep voice: "How can you have a seat when I'm here? Stand up and wait outside the door!"

Although this statement sounds domineering, it is actually not an exaggeration.

To this day, whether the Turks are convinced or not, they have to acknowledge Ashina Helu Khan's direct descendant status. Apart from the title of "Great Khan", Ashina Helu's power is no different from that of the Khan.

It is common sense to discuss the relationship between the monarch and his subjects first and then the blood relationship. Therefore, as long as Ashina Helu is present, how can there be seats for other brothers?

But these days are different.

Ashina Mishe put down his teacup, raised his head, and said with a playful smile: "Brother, what you said is wrong. If we were in Mohe City or in the tent, we would naturally respect you and would not dare to overstep the line. But now we are all summoned by the Taiwei and are all Taiwei's guests. Why should we put on an air of superiority and inferiority? If you want to show off, you have to wait until you restore the Turkic Khanate. By then, it will not only be a seat, but also the lives of our brothers, which will be at your disposal."

Ashina Buzhen beside him also smiled and said, "So, we all know that brother is very anxious to restore the Khanate, but I advise you not to be anxious. If you make a mistake, there will be no regrets."

Ashina Helu was sweating profusely. These two bastards were not just stabbing him in the back, but stabbing him in the face. They kept saying "reestablish the Khanate" and framed him in person. They were afraid that Fang Jun would not kill him, right?