Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5121 War Maniac
When someone is holding your life at stake, a real man must be able to bend and stretch. "Unwavering" may seem like a good word, but in the eyes of the Turks, nothing is more important than interests. With their sons detained and their foundation threatened, they had to just be loyal to the Tang people.

Since you are loyal to the Tang people, instead of being forced to charge into battle and go through fire and water, why not take the initiative to offer to be driven?

The result was destined to happen, that they had to help the Tang people to hedge against the attack of the Arab army, but the process was different.

Fang Jun seemed very satisfied with Ashina Helu's attitude, and said with a smile: "For me, attitude determines everything. No matter how much someone says, it is useless. We still have to see how to do it. Although the general has made many mistakes in the past, and sometimes he was even very confused, it is a great virtue to admit his mistakes and correct them. Who knows if the Turks will have another king of a different surname in the future?"

Today, the Turks are roughly divided into two factions and are very divided.

One group was completely frightened by the Tang Dynasty. They believed that the Tang Dynasty's military might was strong and invincible. Instead of fighting against a rock with an egg, why not surrender to the Tang Dynasty and become a part of it, using the Tang Dynasty's national strength to show off their military power and enjoy wealth and glory?
I don't know how many people envied Ashina Simo who submitted to the Tang Dynasty at an early stage. The Tang Dynasty was really generous. The title of "Prince of Huaihua" was a true king of a different surname, and his status was only second to the royal princes. Although he had to go to Chang'an from time to time to sing and dance for Emperor Taizong...but that was not a shame, but an honor.

The title of "Tian Khan" was not conferred by Emperor Taizong out of boredom, but was wholeheartedly respected and elected by all ethnic groups in the world.

The other faction is represented by Ashina Helu. Although they had to temporarily submit to the Tang Dynasty due to their own strength, they always wanted to restore the Khanate or even replace it...

But no matter which faction, whether sincere or false, they all need to be recognized by the Tang Dynasty.

If he could really be granted the title of a king of a different surname, Ashina Helu's status would be close to Ashina Simo, which would be an immense help to his future undertakings.

Ashina Helu's face flushed with excitement, and he could not suppress it: "Can you take the words of the commander seriously?"

Fang Jun said: "When I was discussing national policy with Your Majesty in Chang'an, I did propose this, but you also know that this is not an easy task. The contribution made by Ashina Simo to being named a prince is obvious to all. If you want to achieve such an achievement, you need to work harder. Only by showing off your merits for a while can you suppress public opinion and remove obstacles."

Ashina Helu patted his chest and said, "What orders does the commander have? Please give them to me!"

He is not a fool. Fang Jun has exposed his intention to betray, used Mishe and Buzhen to put pressure on him, and promised him an official position. After laying so much groundwork, it is natural that he must be useful, and he looks very dangerous.

But at this point, could there be any greater danger than being surrounded and suppressed by Mishe, Buzhen and Tang army?
No matter how great the danger is, there is always a glimmer of hope, otherwise Fang Jun would not waste all this effort in vain.

But once surrounded by three parties, there is no chance of survival...

Fang Jun said with a smile: "General, why do you have to do this? We are interdependent and have the same interests. We should work together and share the wealth. There is no reason for you to let yourself fall into a desperate situation. However, there is one thing that you really have to do..."

……

On the other hand, Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen lived in the government residence. Not only were they not separated, but there were no soldiers to monitor them, as if the Tang people trusted them very much...

Ashina Buzhen stood in front of the window, watching Ashina Helu and his entourage of personal soldiers stride out, jump on their horses, and gallop away.

He stroked his beard and said thoughtfully, "Di Yun did not leave with Helu. Did he really hand Di Yun over to the Tang people? He didn't really think that if Di Yun went to Chang'an, he would become an official of the Tang Dynasty and rise to wealth and glory from then on?"

On the other side, Ashina Mishe was sitting by the fire, warming his legs. Having lived in the northern frontier for many years, and having marched in the ice and snow, his knees had already suffered from severe rheumatism. When the disease flared up, it felt like thousands of ants were crawling in his flesh and blood, gnawing at his tendons, bones and meridians, causing him excruciating pain. Only the warm flames could slightly relieve the pain.

Hearing this, he took a sip of wine from the wine bag and sneered, "What can Helu do? He only has this one son. Fang Jun can hold him in his hands and make Helu obey his orders. From now on, he can only be a loyal dog of the Tang Dynasty and will not make any waves."

Ashina Buzhen turned around and sat on the chair on the other side of the stove. He took a piece of firewood and threw it into the stove. The flames licked the firewood and the fire suddenly became brighter.

The firelight illuminated his unshaven face, which was full of gloom. "Helu has been frightened out of his wits. What should we do?"

The reason why they were loyal to the Tang people and came whenever Fang Jun summoned them was that the two of them wanted to gain the trust of the Tang people and then replace Ashina Helu.

Now that Helu's rebellion has been exposed, he is so frightened that he obediently offers his son as a hostage, which in turn solidifies his position as the leader of the Turks. In this case, how could the Tang people support the two of them to replace Helu?
Ashina Mishe frowned, thought for a long time, and said in a deep voice: "Things may not be that simple. There is solid evidence that Helu is secretly colluding with the Arabs. Can the Tang people really give him full trust and let him continue to lead the Turks and sit in Mohe City? You have to know that once the Tang Dynasty and the Arabs go to war, Mohe City will become the rear base of the entire battle line. Whether Tingzhou and Xizhou can be stable can even directly determine the victory or defeat of this war... How can the Tang people be so magnanimous?"

"But Helu only has one son, Diyun. Diyun is controlled by the Tang people. What kind of waves can he make? Even if he divides the Western Regions and reestablishes the Khanate, what's the point without his son?"

"Helu is only in his early forties this year. He will marry many beautiful women in the future. Who knows if he will have children?"

"If he could have a son, how could he have only had one son, Di Yun? There were countless beauties from all races in his tent, and he reveled day and night, but he only had one son, Di Yun, and he hasn't had any children for many years."

"..."

The topic returns to the starting point.

Diyun was controlled by the Tang people, and Helu could only wag his tail and beg for mercy and allow himself to be driven around.

With Helu around, why would the Tang people sacrifice the two of them to replace him?
It's unnecessary.

After a long pause, Ashina Mishe asked, "In that case, Fang Jun summoned us here just to put some pressure on Helu?"

Ashina Buzhen also felt that it shouldn't be that simple: "Since they haven't let us leave yet, maybe there are still variables?"

Ashina Mishe groaned and said, "Then wait and see."

In the evening, someone came to invite you, saying that the Marshal had prepared a banquet and invited you two to the banquet...

The two men looked at each other without saying a word and went to the back hall of the office.

After three rounds of drinks, Fang Jun said frankly: "To be honest with you two, I am actually not confident about Helu."

Mishe and Buzhen looked at each other and put down their wine glasses, but did not respond. They listened to Fang Jun respectfully.

Fang Jun continued, "After the spring, a war is inevitable. For the Tang Dynasty, Suiye City cannot be lost, otherwise the war will spread to the entire Western Region and the situation may become more passive. The Tang army is brave, and we can defeat the enemy in front even if it is several times larger than us, but we are inevitably powerless against the enemy behind us. Therefore, I need the two of you to clamp down on Mohe City. If Helu is honest, it will be fine. Once he has a different mind, the two of you should help me to quickly pacify him."

This was not what Mishe and Buzhen expected.

Mishe pondered, revealing a puzzled expression: "Taiwei, I don't believe that Helu can be loyal to the Tang Dynasty, but after all, Diyun was sent to Chang'an. He is his only son. How could he disregard Diyun's life and death and rashly rebel against the Tang Dynasty?"

Fang Jun smiled and said, "That's right, but it's a serious matter after all. I dare not take any risks. I must make all the preparations in advance."

Mishe expressed his understanding: "Indeed, the safety of the Western Region cannot depend on the loyalty of one person, not to mention that this person has a history of rebellion several times."

Bu Zhen said anxiously: "Don't worry, General. As long as Helu makes the slightest move, we will gather our troops and destroy him in one fell swoop!"

Fang Jun raised his glass: "I hope Helu knows the current situation. If he really doesn't know how to appreciate it, after I wipe him out, I will personally write to Your Majesty and ask Your Majesty to confer the title of Duke on the two of us, to lead the Turks and guard the northern border!"

Mishe and Buzhen were overjoyed. They stood up and raised their glasses, saying, "We are willing to die for the general!"

Raise the glass and drink it all.

……

At night, candles were lit in the study, making it as bright as day.

Lu Dongzan looked at Fang Jun who was writing and drawing in front of the map, and asked curiously: "Are you sure that Helu will act according to your plan? If he turns against you at the last minute, it will be more dangerous than rebelling in Mohe City."

Fang Jun did not look up. He asked Pei Xingjian to light two more candles and said casually, "How can there be a perfect plan in this world? Everything has risks. The only difference is the probability. If the probability of success of something is as high as 70%, it is enough to give it a try."

Lu Dongzan frowned and said, "We should be extremely cautious when it comes to military and national affairs. How can we take such a risk?"

He felt that Fang Jun must have other plans and shouldn't take such a risk, but he just kept it hidden and refused to tell him.

Fang Jun did not answer, but looked at Xue Rengui who was standing solemnly on the side. "Once Kesan City is captured, the Arab army will inevitably fall apart. However, it is 6,000 miles from Kesan City to Damascus. In order to prevent the enemy from gathering and launching a counterattack, we can only gallop all the way. The logistics supply will inevitably not be able to keep up. The difficulties you will face are almost unpredictable. Are you mentally prepared?"

On the side, Lu Dongzan widened his eyes.

From Kesan City... to Damascus?!
What are the Tang people planning to do!
Although he knew that once the Tang army won the victory in the Suiye area, it would launch a counterattack and enter the territory of the Arab Empire in one fell swoop, he never thought that the Tang army actually wanted to attack Damascus!

The distance from Kesan to Damascus is almost the same as the distance from Kesan to Chang'an, so how could the distance be more than five thousand miles?
Is this a warmongerer?!

(End of this chapter)