Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 225 Nanzhao's Ambition

Anxi Protectorate, Khotan.

Two months ago, Su Dingfang quietly led an army to Khotan to station there.

In order to conceal his true intentions, he first replaced the general stationed in Khotan with his own confidants, and then set up the military camp in a secret place called Black Mountain.

Even the people of Yutian Town did not know that there was an army nearby.

However, those who are attentive can still find clues.

Because recently a large number of horses, camels and supplies have been secretly transported to Khotan.

Yutian is the town with the least population among the four towns of Anxi. Because it is close to Kunlun Mountain and surrounded by uninhabited people, it does not need so many supplies at all.

But no matter how strange it is, no one knows the reason, let alone delve into it.

At this time, the Tang army camp at the foot of the Black Mountain was bustling with activity. There were more horses and camels in the camp than people. They ate a lot, so a large amount of fodder was needed.

There were more than 2,000 fodder carts for livestock alone, and more than 1,000 horse-drawn carts carrying food and weapons needed by the army.

Li Zhi made a big move in this expedition, with 10,000 soldiers, each equipped with five horses, three camels, and two winter coats.

Fortunately, a large number of horses and camels were obtained during the conquest of the Turks and Tiele, which ensured sufficient supply. Otherwise, they could only be requisitioned from government-run ranches, which would have affected the reproduction of horses.

Su Dingfang was studying the map in the tent.

He has been doing nothing recently. He has left the military training to his subordinates and has been concentrating on studying maps.

After Subi Lanya arrived in Khotan, he pulled her aside and asked her many questions about the situation on the map. However, after all the questions, even Lanya could not answer many of them.

There is no way around it. The north of Tubo is too desolate. Even the Tibetan maps may not be very detailed, and Subilanya doesn't know much about it either.

In the eyes of others, Su Dingfang's marching style is bold, but few people know that before each bold march, he would carefully study the battle plan.
Just as Su Dingfang was studying a place called "Anglaren", Pei Xingjian entered his tent.

"Protector General, there's news from Protector General Xue."

Pei Xingjian recently left Suiye City and was responsible for helping Su Dingfang dispatch logistical supplies, so he also stayed in Yutian.

Su Dingfang looked up and asked, "Have they decided on a time to send out their troops?"

"The first day of July."

"Has any order come from Chang'an?"

Pei Xingjian said, "No, it seems His Majesty really doesn't intend to interfere in the war on the front lines and is ready to hand it all over to us."

Su Dingfang nodded and said in a deep voice: "We can't wait until the first of July. We have to start early."

Pei Xingjian was stunned and asked, "In advance?"

Su Dingfang said slowly, "According to my careful research, it will take us at least five months and at most a year to travel from Khotan through the Kunlun Mountains to Lhasa City."

Pei Xingjian's face paled slightly as he asked, "Didn't Subilaya say it would only take a little over three months?"

Su Dingfang shook his head and said, "She calculated it based on the journey from Tubo to Khotan. The same route, taken from different directions, would have completely different levels of difficulty, not to mention that we have so much baggage to carry."

Pei Xingjian said, "If that's the case, we can reach Luoshui City by the end of the year at the earliest, and by June next year at the slowest."

Su Dingfang said: "So we need to set off as soon as possible. Xue Rengui's main force will provide cover for us. The longer we delay, the more disadvantageous it will be for us!"

Pei Xingjian nodded and said, "After you leave, I will gather troops in Liang Province according to the plan and prepare for the attack."

It was impossible for the Tang Dynasty to attack Tubo by sending troops only from Songzhou.

If there was no movement from the Anxi Protectorate, the Tibetans would become alert.

Therefore, Pei Xingjian needed to mobilize the Anxi troops and be ready to attack Tubo from the direction of Wuhai at any time.

Then Tubo would only send people to keep an eye on the army in Liangzhou, and would not think that there was another army that had already set out from Khotan.

Su Dingfang reminded: "We must also be careful of the movements of the Arabs. Two days ago, news came from the Shi Kingdom that the Arabs seem to be secretly mobilizing their troops. We must be on guard."

Pei Xingjian said, "Don't worry. If the Arabs make any unusual moves, I will return to Suiye City immediately."

……

While the Tang Dynasty was actively preparing to attack Tubo, the Six Zhao Kingdoms to the south of Lingnan Road also began to assemble their military forces.

Ever since Tubo launched a surprise invasion of India, they have had a strong sense of crisis and are eager for the Tang Dynasty to send troops to attack Tubo as soon as possible.

Even if it is impossible to destroy Tubo, as long as it can be severely damaged, the crisis of Liuzhao will be resolved.

As a result, they waited for half a year. During this period, they had been on guard against sneak attacks from Tubo, and they were almost on edge.

Among the Six Kingdoms, only the Nanzhao Kingdom had the easiest time. They were located in the southernmost part and did not border Tubo.

Nanzhao, also known as Mengshezhao, was originally a branch of the Ailao tribe. It migrated to the Xielong area, mixed with the indigenous people, and gradually grew stronger to form a country.

Like the other five states, Nanzhao had already submitted to the Tang Dynasty and was designated as a vassal state. Nanzhao was designated as Weizhou, and its leader Xinuluo served as the governor.

Two years ago, Xinuluo sent his son as an envoy to the Tang Dynasty, but his son was killed by the Tibetans.

The Tibetans also disguised themselves as envoys from Nanzhao and caused trouble in Chang'an.

After this incident, Xinuluo was extremely angry.

Although the Tang Emperor did not send anyone to reprimand him, his status in the Erhai area declined significantly after this incident.

In the past, when the Six Zhao States went to the Jiaozhou Military Governor's Office for a meeting, Nanzhao always sat third in line.

After this incident, the Jiaozhou Governor's Office became much colder towards him, his ranking was reduced to fifth, and his prestige in the Erhai area declined significantly.

From then on, Xinuluo began to actively train his troops, preparing to assist the Tang Dynasty in attacking Tubo and restoring its reputation.

On this day, he finally received news from the Jiaozhou Military Governor's Office that the Tang army was preparing to attack Tubo and asked the Six Zhao Kingdoms to cooperate in the attack.

Xinuluo immediately ordered his men to summon his generals to discuss the battle plan.

After he finished discussing with the generals, his favorite son, Luo Shengyan, came into the room.

"Father, are you really going to mobilize the entire country's troops to assist the Tang Dynasty in attacking Tubo?" Luo Shengyan asked.

Xinuluo said, "Of course. The Tubo people have gone too far, and we are going to teach them a lesson, to let them know how powerful we are!"

Luo Shengyan frowned and said, "Father, what good would it do if we helped the Tang people win? Look at the other Five Kingdoms. They were so excited before, and they couldn't wait to attack Tubo."

"But I sent people to inquire, and the number of troops they have assembled does not exceed 5,000."

Xinuluo glanced at him and said, "Are you questioning my decision?"

Luo Shengyan whispered, "I just don't understand. Even if we mobilize all the troops in the country, there are only 20,000 of them. If we use them all up in Tibet, the other states will definitely come and attack us!"

Xi Nu Luo snorted and said, "What do you know? Do you think I really only want revenge?"

Luo Shengyan was stunned and asked, "Then what are you doing this for?"

Xinuluo waved his hands to his left and right and said, "Everyone, step back and guard outside the door."

When only the father and son were left in the room, Xi Nuluo said in a deep voice, "Do you know what ambition your ancestors made when they left the Ailao clan?"

Luo Shengyan shook his head.

"Listen carefully! He was determined to reunify the Erhai region and restore the glory of the Ailao Kingdom!"

Luo Shengyan's expression changed. "Is this... possible?"

Xi Nu Luo snorted, "Of course we can't do it alone. Think about it, the He Man people are so powerful, why haven't they been able to unify the Six Kingdoms?"

The country where the Heman people live is Langqiong Zhao, which ranks first among the Six Zhaos. It has fought against the Tang Dynasty before and is far stronger than the other five Zhaos.

Luo Shengyan asked, "Is it because the Tang Dynasty doesn't allow it?"

Xinuluo smiled and said, "You're right. Whether the Six Kingdoms can be unified is not up to us. We need the support of the Tang Dynasty."

Luo Shengyan was stunned and asked, "Is that why you're trying so hard to please the Tang people?"

Xi Nuluo said in a deep voice, "It's not about trying to please them, but about using them. Once we unify the Six Kingdoms, we won't have to fear anyone."

Luo Shengyan asked doubtfully, "But will they really support us in unifying the Six Kingdoms?"

Xinuluo said slowly, "Trust needs to be built bit by bit. In short, this expedition to Tubo is a great opportunity. The other five states only sent 5,000 troops, but we sent 20,000. What do you think the Tang people will think?"

Luo Shengyan suddenly realized, "They will definitely see that we are the only ones who are helping wholeheartedly."

Xinuluo snorted coldly, "We must not only send more troops, but also win the battles. If we want to unify the Six Kingdoms, we can't rely solely on the Tang people. We must also continuously improve our own prestige!"

Half a month later, the coalition forces of the Six Kingdoms, totaling more than 40,000 people, assembled in Langqiong Kingdom.

Then, on the first day of July, the allied forces of the six nations entered the territory of Tubo.

At the same time, the Tang-Qiang coalition army led by Xue Rengui, totaling more than 100,000 people, also crossed the Baron River and entered the Tubo territory.

The shadow of war has loomed over the Western Qiang Plateau.

(End of this chapter)