Tang Dynasty: The Holy Prince, the Dragon that Reigns Over the World

A few days later, Jie Li sent an envoy to Chang'an. Li Shimin ordered people to arrange for the Eastern Turkic envoy to rest in the Honglu Guesthouse, and to meet Jie Li's envoy Zhishisili again the next morning.

Early morning on the second day.

"My lords, why did Jie Li send an envoy to Chang'an?" Li Shimin asked.

"It must be because of Shibobhi and Khitan Heli who came." said the Minister of the Central Secretariat Fang Xuanling.

"So are you going to hand him over or not?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty, now is the time for our Tang Dynasty to recuperate and it is not appropriate to make enemies with Jie Li. Exchanging Shibabhi and Qibi Heli for a few years of peace will be beneficial to the Tang Dynasty." Sikong Peiji said.

"No. If so, who will dare to surrender to the Tang Dynasty in the future?" Minister of Personnel Du Ruhui objected loudly.

The ministers in the hall each supported one side and debated endlessly. Li Shimin watched expressionlessly, and suddenly saw Li Chengqian standing there with his eyes closed and also expressionless. He couldn't help but ask, "What do you think, Prince?"

"Old man, you have clearly made up your mind, why are you asking me?" Li Chengqian thought to himself. However, he would never dare to say it out loud in such an occasion. Li Chengqian bowed to Li Shimin and saluted.

"I agree with what Uncle Du said. Shibobi and Qibi Heli rebelled and were defeated and surrendered. This is a good opportunity to divide and weaken the power of the Eastern Turks. This is one of them.

Secondly, the reason why the Shparabha and Khitan Heli tribes rebelled was because Jie Li’s harsh rule was too much, forcing the two tribes to rebel. The other Eastern Turkic tribes were intimidated by Jie Li’s tyranny and did not dare to rebel. Now that our Great Tang is open-minded and has accepted the two tribes without fear of pressure, how can the other tribes not be tempted?

Third, if we hand over the two tribes, wouldn't it mean that the Tang Dynasty is afraid of that old man Jie Li? Where is the dignity of the Tang Dynasty? Your Majesty has already granted these two people official positions in the Tang Dynasty. If we hand over these two people, where is the majesty of the emperor of the Tang Dynasty?

Moreover, Jie Li imposed heavy taxes and collected tyranny, and was cruel and inhumane, which had almost incurred the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people. What was there to fear from the dry bones in the tomb?

Whether to hand it over or not, I ask Your Majesty to let Heaven decide."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and ordered the Eastern Turkic envoys to come to the palace.

"I, Zhishishili, the envoy of the Eastern Turkic Khanate, greet the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian was frightened last time, but this time Zhishishili knelt down very respectfully to pay his respects.

"What brings the envoy to Tang?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.

"To the Emperor of Tang. One month ago, Shibobi and Qibi Heli led their troops in rebellion. Our Khan fought back and the rebels retreated all the way to the border of Tangtu. When our Khan was about to win, he saw the two armies retreat into Tang territory.

I heard that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty has allowed the Eastern Turkic traitors to submit to the Tang Dynasty. My Khan sent this envoy to inquire about this matter.

"It has been three years since the East Turks and the Tang Dynasty signed a brotherly alliance. The ink is not dry yet, and the oath is still there. Now the Tang Dynasty is taking in the rebellious East Turks. What is the reason? The Tang Dynasty wants to tear up the alliance and become an enemy of the East Turks?" Zhishisili asked sternly.

"Jie Li Khan has thought too much. Shibobi and Qibi Heli led the remnants of their tribe to surrender. The sage was kind and pitiful, so he took them in. He had no intention of breaking the alliance and becoming enemies with the Eastern Turks." Shangshu Zuo Pushe Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and smiled.

"In this case, please expel the Eastern Turkic rebels Shibobi and Khitan Heli from the Tang territory and hand them over to our Khan for punishment." Zhishisi said.

"I'm afraid that won't work. I have already appointed Shibobi as the General of the Right Guard and conferred the title of Prince of Beiping on him. I have also appointed Qibi Heli as the General of the Left Guard. These two are already ministers of the Tang Dynasty. How can I hand them over to Jie Li Khan so easily?" Li Shimin said with difficulty.

"Before my Khan sent me here, he had one message for me to tell His Majesty the Emperor of Tang:

In the battle of Weishui, our Turks were defeated because of their inferior armor and weapons. Moreover, these two bandits were disloyal and also had an unshirkable responsibility. If not for this, it would be clear who would win the battle of Weishui.

Now, we Turks have 10,000 war slaves who are invulnerable to swords and spears, have great strength, and are fearless of death. If the Emperor of Tang hands over these two thieves, the world will be peaceful, and Tang and Tu will remain brothers and form an eternal alliance. Otherwise, don't blame me for turning my face and taking it by myself." Zhishisili said proudly, thinking of the power of the war slaves.

"Is Jie Li threatening me?" Li Shimin said with a gloomy face. Seeing Jie Li's obvious threat, all the officials were furious.

"Hehe, what a big tone you have. Do you Turks like to brag and scare people? How could my royal family of Li and my Tang Dynasty men be brought up by being scared?" Li Chengqian sneered.

"In the Battle of Weishui, you rats attacked us when the new emperor of the Tang Dynasty was enthroned and the political situation was unstable. We were completely unprepared. When your army of 20 was lined up at the gates of Chang'an, we were never afraid.

In the battle in the past, I led 1 Flying Dragon Army and defeated your 15 Turkic cavalry, making them flee in panic.

If you want to attack, the whole Tang Dynasty will be united, and millions of soldiers will be ready to fight at any time, waiting for Jie Li Khan to come. But I don't know whether Jie Li and the Turks are ready to fight to the death with the Tang Dynasty.

"A defeated general dares to speak nonsense in the court of the Tang Dynasty and threaten the sage. Did you get kicked in the head by a donkey? Are you so arrogant that you have no brains?" Li Chengqian said sarcastically. The emperor and his ministers in the palace laughed when they heard this.

"The Tang Dynasty will not hand over anyone. Go back and tell your Jie Li that I have four words to give you: they may not dare to come." Li Chengqian said loudly and seriously.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of Tang, does what your country's crown prince said represent your Majesty's intentions?" Zhishisili said with a dark face.

"What the prince said is exactly what I mean. Go back and tell Jie Li that if he wants to fight me, I will join him in the fight. It is ridiculous to scare me as if I were a three-year-old child." Li Shimin nodded and said contemptuously.

Li Shimin knew that the Tang Dynasty was not ready to go to war with the Turks at this time. But Jie Li was also not ready to go to war with the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, the rebellion of Shibobi and Qibi Heli delayed the Turks' preparation time. Jie Li would never go to war with the Tang Dynasty at this time.

"In this case, I will take my leave." Zhishisili bowed and left.

After Zhishisili left, Li Shimin ordered the border troops to prepare for war and increase defense. He ordered Li Chengqian's troops to be ready to go to the border at any time to support the border troops. His Jinyiwei closely watched the movements of the Turks. Li Chengqian followed the order and acted.

Zhishisili returned to the Turks and reported the matter to Jie Li. Jie Li knew that he was not ready yet, so he had to swallow his anger and let it go.

Jie Li ordered Liang Shidu to intensify the training of soldiers and horses and to stockpile food and grass. He also ordered Yin Zitan to speed up the production of war slaves and strive to build a war slave team of 10,000 people as soon as possible.

Since then, Jie Li's exploitation of the Eastern Turkic tribes has intensified. The tribes were intimidated by Jie Li's tyranny and dared not speak out, but they had more and more private contacts with the Tang Dynasty, and their attitudes became more and more ambiguous.

A few days later, Tuli, his son Ashina Heluohu, his daughter Ashina Yun and Qibi Heli came to Chang'an with only a few followers. When the two surrendered, Li Shimin gave them two houses in Chang'an.

When the two entered the house, they saw that it was a magnificent house, something they had never seen before. The servants and daily necessities were all arranged in a complete and proper manner. The two were deeply grateful for the emperor's grace and sincerely submitted to him. When Li Shimin saw the two entering Chang'an City, he immediately ordered a banquet to be held in the Linde Hall, with the crown prince and all the officials accompanying them.

Tuli, along with his son Ashina Heluohu, his daughter Ashina Yun and Qibi Heli, entered the Linde Hall. When they saw Li Shimin, they bowed down and called themselves criminals. Li Shimin laughed and helped them up, calling them brothers, and took their hands to sit down.

During the banquet, Li Shimin had a pleasant conversation with Tuli and Qibi Heli. Seeing that Li Shimin had no intention of blaming them, the two men relaxed a lot and started drinking.

Li Chengqian was wearing the prince's uniform, with his hair tied up and draped over his shoulders, sitting at the table. Li Chengqian didn't like his hair being combed into two buns, so he often tied his hair up with a red string and draped it over his shoulders. Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wugou doted on Li Chengqian very much, and most of the ministers in the court also liked Li Chengqian, so they followed Li Chengqian.

Ashina Yun looked at Li Chengqian curiously. Although Li Chengqian was only 10 years old at that time, he was already tall, handsome, and had a handsome face. Ashina Yun blushed when she saw how handsome Li Chengqian was.

Li Chengqian felt Ashina Yun's gaze, looked at Ashina Yun politely, and greeted him with a polite smile. Ashina Yun's face turned even redder and he lowered his head.

Ashina Heluohu was surprised to see his sister like this. Usually his sister was very fierce and brave, just like a man. When had she ever acted like a little girl?

Ashina Heluohu looked at Li Chengqian curiously. As soon as he saw Li Chengqian's appearance, he understood instantly. He was a martial arts expert, brave and resourceful, his soldiers were the strongest army of the time, he was handsome, and I heard that he was also very talented in writing. It seemed that his sister was attracted to him.

A sturdy guard behind Tuli had always had a crush on Ashina Yun. Seeing his sweetheart looking at Li Chengqian with a hint of spring in her eyes, he could not help but feel jealous. He stepped out and clasped his fists to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is extremely brave and unrivaled in the world. I have always wanted to experience him in person. Since there is nothing else to do at this banquet, I would like to practice a few moves with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to toast him. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission."

As soon as the words fell, the hall fell silent. Li Shimin looked at Tuli unkindly, and saw that Tuli's expression of shock was not fake. He looked at the person in front of him curiously.

"Zhaluchuo, you must not be rude to the prince." Ashina Yun said anxiously.

Tuli was about to start scolding him, but he saw his daughter rushing to speak first, and then he saw his daughter looking at Li Chengqian with tenderness in her eyes. He understood in his heart, but just smiled and drank.

Li Shimin looked at the change in Tuli's expression, curiously followed Tuli's gaze to look at Ashina Yun, and saw his gaze. He understood instantly, and asked with a smile.

"Brother Wang, this warrior is."

"Your Majesty, this is the most courageous man under the command of the young prince (after Tuli surrendered, he was given the title of Prince of Beiping), Zhaluchu. He has the strength of a thousand pounds and the courage of ten thousand men.

He is more courageous than the Aruchi who was killed by the Crown Prince's halberd. But Zhaluchu is a plain person and doesn't like false reputation. So the strongest man in the Eastern Turkic region belongs to him, Aruchi. Otherwise, two Aruchis can't beat Zhaluchu. He became my guard because the little prince saved his mother.

Zaluchu offended Your Majesty during the banquet, please punish him." Tuli said with a smile.

"It's okay. Dalang, the real number one warrior of the Eastern Turks today challenges you. What do you think?" Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian with a smile.

"Okay, I also want to see the true number one warrior of the Eastern Turks." Li Chengqian replied with a smile.

The two men each took out their weapons and stood facing each other.

"Your Highness, does the halberd in your hand really weigh 900 kilograms?" Zaluchu asked.

"The purple-gold dragon-roaring halberd in my hand indeed weighs 900 kilograms. Why, warrior, don't you believe it?" Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"Your Highness, swords have no eyes, guns and sticks are merciless. Please be careful." Zaluchuo said expressionlessly.

"Zhaluchuo, don't be harsh on the prince. The prince must be careful." Ashina Yun looked worried.

Everyone present looked at Ashina Yun after hearing this, and then looked at the field with a thoughtful smile. Zhaluchu felt jealous after hearing this, and raised the axe in his hand with all his strength, splitting Huashan Mountain with one move, and chopped it towards Li Chengqian.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian swung out his halberd with one hand to meet the axe. A loud "bang" was heard, and everyone present covered their ears in pain.

Zhaluchu and Li Chengqian each took two steps back and stood still. Zhaluchu was shocked that a 10-year-old child could take his full-strength blow with a halberd in one hand. Li Chengqian was also very shocked.

"What a great strength. A little stronger than Li Yuanba. He is indeed the best warrior of the Eastern Turks. It is true that heroes should not be underestimated. It is so satisfying." Li Chengqian thought. Although the Zhantian Ji method is extremely sophisticated, Li Chengqian prefers the simple and rough force attack.

"Haha, what a great feeling. I haven't used my full strength in a long time. Today I can have a good fight." Li Chengqian said excitedly, and then grasped the halberd with both hands.

"Hey, Prince of Beiping. Your guard is really powerful. He can make my nephew use his full strength. I just don't know how many of Qian'er's moves he can withstand." Li Yuanba said curiously.

"What? The prince didn't use his full strength?" Tuli asked in astonishment. Zhaluchu and everyone present were all shocked.

At this moment, Li Chengqian stepped forward and used the move of splitting Huashan Mountain to chop towards Zhaluchu's head. Zhaluchu held up his axe to block, and the loud noise became louder. Zhaluchu stepped back several steps before he stood still. His arms ached, and his hands were numb from the huge force, and he could hardly hold the axe.

Li Chengqian followed up with another move, "Raise the Fire to the Sky". He then swept upwards towards Zhaluchu. Zhaluchu gritted his teeth, exerted all his strength, shouted loudly, and blocked with his axe. There was another loud noise, and Zhaluchu's hands bled from the knuckles. He could no longer hold the axe, and flew backwards with blood spitting out. The axe flew upwards and cut deeply into the beams of the roof of the main hall.

Zhaluchu spat out blood twice, barely stood up, clasped his fists and said, "The power of the emperor is unparalleled in the world. I am convinced of my defeat." After saying that, his eyes rolled back and he fainted. Zhaluchu was an open-minded man. Li Shimin ordered people to carry Zhaluchu down to let the imperial physician treat him. Li Chengqian also ordered people to get a rope, throw it into the air to wrap around the axe, pull it hard, and catch the axe with one hand. He ordered several people to carry the long halberd and the axe down, and he returned to his seat and sat down.

"The prince is so powerful. The Tang Dynasty is strong, and your majesty has the prince by your side. Duobi (the name of Tuli Khan) is trying to get involved in the Central Plains and become an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. He is like an ant trying to shake a tree. He overestimates his own abilities and his death is not far away." Tuli sighed.

"I have an unreasonable request, I hope Your Majesty will grant it." Tuli bowed and saluted.

"Please speak, brother." Li Shimin said with a smile.

"I want He Luohu to enter the Prince's Mansion and follow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Life at the border is difficult, and I want Yun'er to stay in the capital." Tu Li said.

"This means they want to leave their children as hostages. That's a good idea," Li Shimin thought.

"Well, what does Dalang think?" Li Shimin asked with a smile, stroking his beard.

"I will obey my father's orders." Li Chengqian leaned over and replied.

"Okay, then it's settled. Heluo Hu will be the Prince's Left Guard, of the fourth rank. Ashina Yun will stay in Chang'an and enjoy the treatment of a county princess (during the Tang Dynasty, the emperor's aunt was the eldest princess, the emperor's sisters were the eldest princesses, the emperor's daughters were princesses, the crown prince's daughters were county princesses, and the prince's daughters were county princesses). Ashina Yun spends more time with Qian'er in his free time." Li Shimin smiled, stroking his beard.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." Tuli, his son Ashina Heluohu and his daughter Ashina Yun knelt down to thank him. Ashina Yun smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits because she could see Li Chengqian from time to time.