The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 870 Jie Li's Wrist

Jie Li told Shi Luodie the last top-secret details of his cooperation with Datang. In Shi Luodie's changing expression, he said earnestly: "Li Yan is known as the devil in the night on the grassland. He has unparalleled combat power and no one can defeat him."

"But so what?"

"He is still a victim of political struggle. In Liaodong City, there are 230,000 Tang troops surrounding him. No matter how good he is at fighting, he can't escape. Shi Luodie, you must also remember that the secret struggle in the power field is more terrifying than the open fighting."

"Don't just rely on force, learn to use your wisdom to defeat the enemy."

Shi Luodie did not show the relief that Jie Li hoped for. Instead, he looked extremely frustrated and a little sad. He showed reluctance on his face: "Father Khan, do you really have to do this? Li Yan really has no intention of competing with me for the Khanship. He just wants to return to the Central Plains."

"Not only did he save our lives, he also led the troops and helped us establish the current Turkic Khanate."

"My prestige was insufficient, and he planned to march south, leaving all opportunities to me. But we betrayed him, revealed his true identity to Li Shimin, and let the Tang army kill him in Liaodong City."

"Isn't it a bit ungrateful to do this?"

Jie Li's face turned cold, and he reprimanded him with a look of disappointment: "Shi Luodie, you are the future supreme Khan of the grassland, how can you be so soft-hearted? This is a place surrounded by wolves. If you are not ruthless enough, how can you intimidate the beasts?"

"I'm telling you, do you think I want to do this kind of thing?"

"It's because you can't hold on. Why did I get rid of Li Yan? It's not because I was afraid that he would compete with you for the Khanship, but because I was afraid that he would drag the Turks into the quagmire of war with the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty now is different from six years ago. The ruler is wise and the ministers are idle, and it is as solid as a rock."

"Even if I were ten years younger, I still couldn't conquer you, let alone you."

A trace of guilt flashed across Jie Li's old eyes, but it was quickly replaced by coldness: "In the final analysis, it's because you are too incompetent. If you had the same scheming and fighting ability as Li Yan, why would I have to be such a villain?"

"Do you know that even if you conquer Liaodong now, in my eyes, you are still a sheep. At most, you can become a ferocious-looking wild dog, not even a wolf. But Li Yan is a real tiger."

"You can't control him."

Shi Luodie was still a little unconvinced and said, "But didn't you marry your sister to Li Yan? With this relationship, Li Yan will never rebel against me. If you kill him like this, if those savages in the east rebel, who will suppress it for me?"

"Shi Luodie, even with your reliance on Li Yan, I can't keep him."

Jie Li's eyes exuded a wolf-like ferocity: "As the Great Khan of our Turkic people, you must not rely on others. Even if he is a Central Plains person who will not threaten your Khanship, you can only conquer those tribes by yourself."

"Without teeth, you can't even eat meat, so what kind of Khan are you?"

Although Shi Luodie lacked ability, he was not a treacherous or cruel person. He disagreed with Jie Li's behavior of killing the dog after the rabbit was dead: "Father Khan, did you want to kill Li Yan a long time ago? Then why did you betroth your sister to him?"

Jie Li shook his head, with a trace of heartache in his eyes: "Before going south, I really wanted to win him over, and I betrothed Jing'er to him sincerely. Originally, Li Yan was a sharp sword and a shield I left for you."

"Unfortunately, you successfully conquered the Three Kingdoms of Korea during this trip southwards, and initially established your prestige in the army. The Tang Dynasty is willing to acknowledge the existence of the Khanate and live in peace with us. Under this circumstance, the Tang Dynasty will not invade us again."

"And the areas surrounding us are all the territory of the Tang Dynasty, so there is naturally no need for expansion. Without this need, you can maintain the remaining situation. There is no point in keeping Li Yan, and it will only cause more trouble."

"That's why I decided to use the Tang Dynasty to get rid of him. Can you take over the Khanship without any worries about the threat from him?"

Shi Luodie's face was full of conflict, but the matter was done. Li Yan's fate had been determined several days ago, and no one could change it. Perhaps he had been dead for a long time now.

"Father Khan, the Right Wise King's tribe still has 30,000 troops, and the tribal leaders, if they knew that we harmed Li Yan, I'm afraid they would not let it go."

"Don't worry, son!"

Jie Li smiled slightly, showing his confidence that the situation was under control, and showed his political skills to his silly son: "When I return to Urge, I will announce in the name of the Khan that the Right Wise King died heroically during the conquest of Goguryeo."

"We should come forward and give him a grand funeral. We should also publicize the Right Wise King's dedication to the Turkic Khanate and call on more warriors to learn from him."

"The death of the Right Wise King will not only avoid unrest, but will also make the grassland tribes more united around our Ashina clan."

"When the time comes, I will spread the word about your great achievements in the Southern Expedition and transfer everyone's respect for the Right Wise King to you. When your reputation is high, you can smoothly take over the throne." When he heard Jie Li say that he would pass the throne to him, the great joy immediately dispelled the slight guilt he felt in his heart towards Li Yan.

Shi Luodie became happy, puffed out his chest and said: "Father Khan, I will not let you down. In my lifetime, I will definitely defeat Biheli and Yi Nan and reunite the grassland."

Jie Li nodded with satisfaction: "Father Khan believes in you, but there is no rush. You are still young, younger than Li Shimin and Biheli. As long as you wait silently, Changshengtian will give you a chance."

After saying that, Jie Li stood up and looked at the endless army covering the mountains and plains. He frowned and said, "It's too slow for so many people to move together. I plan to ask the generals under your command to take most of the troops back in advance and make all preparations."

"We, father and son, are escorting the last batch of valuables with five thousand elite soldiers, and we are slowly heading back."

The Turks had been transporting people and property to the grasslands since two months ago, or even earlier. The long journey of thousands of miles looked like an intermittent march of ants when viewed from the sky.

Jie Li and Shi Luodie were also part of that group, but in order to prevent any changes in the Tang Dynasty, Jie Li left behind 30,000 troops to guard against the remnants of the Right Wise King.

In fact, on the second day after leaving Liaodong City, Jie Li was escorting the last batch of supplies. Not long after he left, he received a messenger sent by Zhangsun Wuji, telling him that the Tang army had surrounded the Youxian King's troops and set up three lines of defense.

With world-famous generals like Hou Junji and Yuchi Gong around, it is guaranteed that the Right Wise King's troops will have a hard time escaping.

Jie Li was still extremely cautious. It had been half a month now, and he hadn't even seen a single shadow of the Right Wise King's tribe.

Jie Li then put his worries to rest, but he began to worry that the property he had previously transported back to the Khan's court would be secretly taken away. In addition, there were often horse thieves on the grassland, and a large army was really needed to guard the route, so he decided to send the army out to keep an eye on those things for him.

When they set out in the afternoon, Jie Li sent the remaining 20,000 troops to escort them along the way, and he himself led 5,000 elite troops to march at the end to guard the battle.

When night falls, the starry sky is bright, the Milky Way stretches across the sky, and the full moon, like a silver disk, illuminates the earth as if it were daytime. The starry sky on the grassland seems even more vast and boundless than that in the Central Plains, like countless sparkling diamonds inlaid on black velvet.

The stars seem to be within reach.

The grassland in autumn represents both the joy of harvest and the foreshadowing of the coming silence of winter. In its own unique way, it displays the cycle of life and the charm of nature.

Two hundred miles directly south of where Jie Li stayed during the day.

The 20,000-strong army of the Right Wise King, who escaped from Liaodong City, was camping here. Beside the bonfires that could be seen everywhere, the soldiers sat together and sang melodious pastoral songs. The songs floated in the wind, echoing in this ancient and mysterious land, making people feel a sense of tranquility and freedom away from the hustle and bustle.

After escaping the encirclement of the Tang army and returning to the grassland, it was like returning to the arms of a mother. Everyone felt grateful for having survived the calamity. At the same time, they felt particularly close to the grassland that gave birth to them and that they were familiar with.

After five years in the desert, Li Yan fell deeply in love with this grassland, which he had previously considered to be a bitter and cold place. It must be said that every place on Mother Earth has its unique charm and scenery.

On such nights, the grassland becomes even more mysterious, as if hiding endless stories and legends.

The night breeze blows gently, bringing with it the fresh scent of earth and grass, making people feel relaxed and happy.

Lying on the soft wool blanket, a sense of security with the earth behind him arose spontaneously. Looking at the starry sky, Li Yan held a piece of rabbit tail grass in the corner of his mouth, feeling extremely relaxed, as if he could touch the stars in the sky with his hands.

Hermu beside him looked at the mysterious young man in awe.

Unexpectedly, the other party really persuaded Hou Junji, a core general of the Tang Dynasty, to release everyone. Although Li Yan used 200,000 taels of gold as a cover-up, Heermu knew that although gold was valuable, it could not buy the future and life of a general of the Tang Dynasty's right guard.

Even if Hou Junji played those tricks, if the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty really took it seriously, the charge of treason could directly cost the lives of Hou Junji and his entire family.

What kind of relationship is worth Hou Junji taking such a big risk?

Could it be that our king is really Li Jiancheng’s eldest son, and Hou Junji is also an old subordinate of Prince Yin?

But Li Shimin's throne was extremely solid. If Heermu were in his place, he would rather kill people than get involved in this mess with Li Yan. Even if Li Yan could return to the Tang Dynasty in the future and take back the throne, what he could give to Hou Junji would not be more than what Li Shimin gave him now.

In short, the cards Li Yan revealed at the critical moment once again refreshed Helmu's view of him.

(End of this chapter)