Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 234 Asking for an Order

The Qiangtang Plateau is the plateau with the harshest environment in Tubo.

Looking down from the air, this uninhabited land looks like a three-color chessboard made up of white, blue and yellow.

White represents snow-capped mountains and glaciers, blue represents lakes, and yellow represents land.

The temperature in this area is extremely low. In September, it was already colder than the lowest temperature in Chang'an. Now it is October, and the cold climate is not suitable for human survival at all.

Especially at night, it is very likely that you will fall asleep and never wake up again.

However, on this three-colored land, there is a team moving slowly forward. They carefully bypass the glaciers and snow-capped mountains and slowly circle along the yellow land.

This team was the Tang army led by Su Dingfang.

They have been walking in this uninhabited area for more than four months and have experienced various dangers during this period.

For example, when they first reached this high ground, many soldiers fell ill with strange diseases, felt dizzy, and had difficulty breathing.

Fortunately, Lan Ya, who was accompanying them, was experienced and told everyone not to panic, as this was a common miasma in the Tubo area.

Anyone from another place who enters the Tubo region may experience this symptom. A strong person can recover after a few days of rest.

Just as Lan Ya said, after the army had been stationed for a few days, everyone had recovered.

In addition, the army also encountered avalanches, strange insects, swamps, deserts, and dangerous roads. Of the 10,000 people who set out, more than 500 died on the road.

Even more livestock died. Many horses and camels fell off cliffs when passing through rugged and dangerous terrain. Many soldiers were dragged down in order to save the livestock.

Su Dingfang was wearing a thick cotton coat and walking at the end of the team. He looked up at the snow-capped peaks in the distance and calculated the team's location in his mind.

No matter what difficulties he encountered, he never wavered. It was because of him as the backbone that the soldiers gradually adapted to this area.

At this moment, the team in front suddenly stopped.

Su Dingfang frowned, rode his horse to the front, and asked, "Why stop the army?"

A deputy general came galloping over and explained, "General, it was Madam Subi who ordered us to stop. She discovered a stone tablet and is taking people to investigate."

Su Dingfang nodded and said, "Then tell the entire army to rest where they are."

More than half an hour later, Subiranya returned to the team with a small team.

Lan Ya had changed into Tibetan clothing, wearing a red and green fur coat, a fur belt around her waist, and a feather hat on her head.

"Madam Lan Ya, did you gain anything from surveying the stone tablet?"

Lan Ya's face was filled with joy. She said, "General, this is a stone tablet erected by the Zhangzhung people. It is engraved with scriptures, which means we have entered their territory."

"Zhang Xiong?"

Lan Ya said, "It's the Yangtong Kingdom. They were originally allies with Tubo and had joined forces to attack Subi. Later, Songtsen Gampo annexed Subi and, under the pretext that the Zhangzhung king had abused his sister, sent troops to destroy it."

Su Dingfang was surprised and asked, "You mean, the Zhangxiong people used to live here?"

Lan Ya smiled and said, "Even the most powerful warriors cannot survive here. However, the presence of the inscriptions on the stele indicates that we are not far from where the Zhangzhung people live."

Su Dingfang's face also showed a bit of joy, and he said, "So, we are finally going to cross this glacier and snowfield?"

Lan Ya smiled and said, "Yes, General, under your leadership, we have traveled through time."

Su Dingfang raised his head and gazed towards the south, then said slowly, "When we reach a place where people live, there are also new dangers. What is the current situation in the Xiangxiong Kingdom?"

Lan Ya said, "After Tubo destroyed Zhangzhung, it made it a vassal state and sent the Qiongbo clan as its governor to rule over them. They also transferred 50,000 men from Zhangzhung to expand the Wuru tribe. Today, the Zhangzhung tribe is very weak."

Su Dingfang said in a deep voice: "If it is as you said, we may soon encounter the Zhangzhung people, right?"

"Yes."

Su Dingfang said, "I understand. I will send scouts to investigate during the march. We must not let them discover us."

Lan Ya smiled and said, "I have specially prepared some Ze clan clothes. You can have the scouts wear them. If the Xiangxiong people see them, it won't arouse their vigilance."

"Ze's?"

Lan Ya said, "It's a bit complicated to explain. A long time ago, the Ze clan was also one of the three tribes of Zhangzhung. Now it is considered a large tribe living near the Zhangzhung people."

Su Dingfang nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

The army continued to march south, and the temperature began to rise a little. Three days later, many trees could be seen, and the ground was no longer covered in white.

Soon, the scouts ran into people from the Xiangxiong tribe. Fortunately, there were very few tribes, and the army avoided them and was not discovered by anyone.

After another three days, the scouts who went out to explore brought back a few people, who turned out to be spies of the Inner Guard lurking in Tubo.

They were ordered to search for Su Dingfang's army, but they did not dare to go deep into the uninhabited area of ​​Qiangtang, so they waited near the entrance, and they found it.

Su Dingfang immediately asked the spies for news from Tubo. After hearing what the spies said, everyone was shocked.

The situation had changed so drastically that it far exceeded their imagination. Just five hundred miles southwest of them, an Arab army was fiercely attacking the Tibetan city of Gar.

Lan Ya was disheartened when she heard this and said, "Then our surprise attack plan has failed."

Su Dingfang raised his hand and said, "No, as long as no one discovers us, we haven't failed." He turned his gaze to the inner guard and asked, "How is the situation with General Xue?"

The inner guard replied, "General Xue's army is stationed in Zaduo City, facing the Tibetan army in Nagqu City."

Su Dingfang said, "Map."

A soldier immediately spread the map on the ground, and everyone referred to the map while listening to the internal guard report on the recent situation of Xue Rengui's troops.

It turned out that since Xue Rengui learned that Su Bi had been eliminated, he had become very cautious.

He stationed the main force of the Tang army in Zaduo City, let the Dongnu tribe be the rear army, responsible for protecting the grain route, and let the Tuyuhun tribe march as the vanguard to test the attack on Nagqu City.

Nagqu City is a barrier to the northeast of Lhasa City. As long as Nagqu City is captured, the enemy can march straight into the Tubo capital.

After Tuyuhun marched to Nagqu City, they encountered Lu Dongzan's main force. After attacking the city for three days without success, they retreated back to Zaduo City.

Lu Dongzan did not see the main force of the Tang army and did not dare to pursue them easily.

Later, a small group of Tibetan troops attacked the grain route, but they were all destroyed by Queen Binju.

At the same time, hundreds of miles south of Xue Rengui's army, the coalition forces of the Six Zhao States also encountered strong resistance from Tubo in Nichi City.

The person in charge of guarding Nichi City was Lu Dongzan's eldest son, Xiruo.

Xue Rengui sent someone to convey a message to the coalition forces of the Six Kingdoms, asking them to use their troops with caution and not to advance rashly.

As a result, only the Nanzhao Kingdom obeyed Xue Rengui's orders well, stationed outside the city and stopped attacking the city.

The other five Zhao states disobeyed orders and, after a fierce attack for half a month, were exhausted. The Tubo army took the opportunity to rush out of the city and attacked them for a while.

If it weren't for Nanzhao's rescue, the Five Zhao coalition forces would have been wiped out.

This battle made Xue Rengui look up to Nanzhao, and he ordered the coalition forces of the six Zhaos to be led by the chief general of Nanzhao.

Nanzhao had the largest army to begin with, and with Xue Rengui's order, the other five Zhao generals had no choice but to obey the order and temporarily come under Nanzhao's command.

The situation has since reached a stalemate. At first, the Qiang and Liuzhao tribes did not understand what Xue Rengui was waiting for.

Later, two pieces of news came. First, the Arab Empire was attacking Tubo in the north. Second, Niangbo Jinniao and Dabo Wu of the Subi tribe had gathered their people again and were trying to take back the Subi tribe.

After Lu Dongzan defeated the Subi tribe, he was short of troops and only left 5,000 men, which made it difficult for him to resist the counterattack of the Subi.

As long as Niangbo Jinniao and the other two can recapture the Subi tribe, they can directly threaten the city of Lhasa.

Most of the defenders of Lhasa City were withdrawn, leaving only a few thousand old, weak, sick and disabled people, who were unable to withstand the fierce attack.

Moreover, even in the Xiangxiong Kingdom in the north, there were signs of rebellion. The governor sent by the Tibetans had been killed. It could be said that Tibet was in complete chaos.

After hearing the situation, the generals were confused and felt that the situation was completely out of control.

"General, what should we do now?"

"The Tibetan main force is in the north. If we attack Luoshui City by surprise, I'm afraid they will come to the rescue soon."

"The Xiangxiong Kingdom has also rebelled. Do you think we should send someone to contact them?"

Everyone expressed their opinions.

Su Dingfang glanced at Lan Ya and said, "Madam Lan Ya, in your opinion, what should we do now?"

Subi Lanya smiled and said, "General Su, I'm fine with you leading the way, but I know nothing about fighting."

Su Dingfang nodded and said in a deep voice: "Generals, listen up! Prepare for battle immediately and follow me to attack Xiangxiong!"

Although the generals were surprised, they had great respect for Su Dingfang and no one raised any objections.

Lan Ya could hardly hide her surprise and asked, "General Su, isn't the Xiangxiong Rebellion beneficial to us? Why should we attack them?"

Su Dingfang said slowly: "We must adapt to the current situation, so we need a stronghold to hide ourselves."

Lan Ya suddenly realized, "So you want to hide in the Xiangxiong tribe?"

Su Dingfang said: "That's right. After we take down Zhangzhung, we can gather them together, put on their clothes, and then act as the Zhangzhung tribe."

Lan Ya thought for a moment and said, "Since Xiangxiong has betrayed Tubo, why not send someone to negotiate with them? Perhaps they would be willing to submit to the Tang Dynasty?"

Su Dingfang said calmly: "I am a warrior. I only believe in those who are convinced by my beating, not those who are persuaded by me."

Lan Ya said no more. She had realized along the way that Su Dingfang was the type of person who, once he made a decision, no one could persuade him.

The inner guard said to Su Dingfang, "General Su, I will immediately report your situation to General Cheng. His Majesty is also anxious to know your situation."

Su Dingfang said, "Please ask General Cheng to ask His Majesty for an order for me."

The inner guard was stunned and asked, "What is the order?"

Su Dingfang's eyes flashed, and he slowly said, "The order to attack the Arab army."

The inner guard was startled and said with a bow, "I will remember this. Farewell."

(End of this chapter)