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

When Jie Li and his entourage saw the Tang army retreating, they did not stop. At this time, Jie Li and his entourage had already been frightened birds, and they ran for another day. When they ran to a river, they were exhausted, hungry and thirsty. Jie Li had to order them to rest on the spot.

Jie Li sat on the grass, looking at the dozen or so people left, and suddenly felt desolate and exhausted. He said desolately.

"Back then, the Eastern Turks had a million cavalrymen. Wherever the cavalrymen went, all the people bowed their heads and paid tribute to the Eastern Turks.

I have been defeated many times by Li Chengqian's young son. I never thought that today, I would be defeated and flee with only a dozen riders. I am the Khan of the Eastern Turks, the pride of the grassland, but I have ended up like this. What is the point of my living? "After saying this, he raised his knife and wanted to commit suicide.

Upon seeing this, everyone hurriedly held down Jie Li, and Master Liang tried to comfort him.

"Victory and defeat are common in the military, so the Khan need not worry too much. Today's shame can be redeemed tomorrow. As long as the Khan is here, the Eastern Turks will be here, and we still have hope of restoring our country."

"Really? Imperial Master, do we still have hope of restoring our country?" Jie Li said in confusion, looking at the dozen or so people left around him.

"Great Khan, let's go to Gaochang now to avoid disaster, and then use the troops of Gaochang and Western Turks to restore our country. After recuperating for a few years, we will unite with Western Turks and Goguryeo to attack Tang together and avenge today's humiliation." Yin Zitan handed the kettle to Jie Li and said.

"Yehu, Tang has Li Shimin, and the national strength is growing. And we also have the monster Li Chengqian. Can we succeed?" Jie Li took a sip of water and said unconfidently.

"Yes, as long as we can borrow soldiers from Gaochang and Western Turks, we will have the capital to restore our country. As long as we restore our country, we can use all means, money, and beauty to assassinate Li Shimin and Li Chengqian. As long as these two are dead, the Tang Kingdom will not be our opponent.

At worst, we can surrender to the Tang Dynasty. No matter how rebellious Li Shimin and Li Chengqian are, they are still human beings. When they grow old, we, the Eastern Turks, can take revenge. "Yin Zi advised.

"What Yehu said makes sense. As long as the Khan cheers up, we will surely wait for his revenge plan." Liang Shidu said.

"Okay, I will go to Gaochang now and use the troops of Gaochang and Western Turks to restore my country. This time, I will work hard to govern the country, endure hardships and wait for the opportunity. I swear to avenge the destruction of my country." Jie Li stood up and said firmly.

"Thanks to the protection of the Eternal Heaven, I am lucky to have you two assisting me. This is really a blessing for this Khan and the Eastern Turks. This Khan swears here that when the country is restored in the future, you two will both be Khans. One day, when we conquer the Tang Dynasty, you two can choose your fiefdom at will." Jie Li said, holding the hands of Liang Shidu and Yin Zitan.

"We are willing to die for the Great Khan. The Eternal Heaven will bless the Great Khan to successfully restore his country and destroy the Tang Dynasty." The two men knelt down excitedly.

Jie Li smiled and helped the two men up, and the three of them chatted and laughed for a while. Seeing that everyone had rested enough, Jie Li ordered everyone to mount their horses and set off.

As they were about to mount their horses, they suddenly felt dizzy, their legs went weak, and they all fell to the ground.

"The water is poisonous. I am Jie Li Khan of Eastern Turkic Khanate. Who is the one who poisoned the water to frame me?" Jie Li shouted.

"Hey, stop shouting, there's no one else here." Yin Zi walked up to Jie Li and sat down, saying calmly.

"It's you, why did you poison?" Liang Shidu asked in surprise.

"Of course, I'll catch you and bring you back to collect the reward." Yin Zi said with a smile.

"Come and claim the reward? This Khan will give you double the reward, how about you let this Khan go?" Jie Li said.

"Double bounty? If it were for money, I wouldn't have participated in such a dangerous operation." Yin Zitan said disdainfully.

"Who are you?" asked Liang Shidu.

"I am Wu Qianyuan, the pacification envoy of the Northern Pacification Division of the Jinyiwei under the command of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, a fourth-rank official appointed by the imperial court. This pacification envoy was ordered by my lord to infiltrate the Eastern Turkestan and carry out the 'dark assassination' operation. Code name is 'dark assassination'." Yin Zitan, oh no, Wu Qianyuan said proudly.

"Are you Li Chengqian's man?" Jie Li asked in surprise.

"Everyone in my Jinyiwei is the lord's lackey, and I am naturally one of them." Wu Qianyuan nodded and smiled.

"Li Chengqian played with your life and only gave you a mere fourth-rank official position. This Khan has treated you well, why don't you rebel against Li Chengqian and serve this Khan. This Khan will definitely forgive you for your past misdeeds and continue to use you." Jie Li discussed.

"Haha, you treat me well? Old Jie Li, do you think I don't know that Ashina Baozhu is not your biological daughter at all, but you are using her to monitor me.

Baozhu told me everything in the third year of her marriage. Any news you got about me later was told to you by Baozhu at my instruction.

And as soon as I entered your Eastern Turks, I told you that I was a spy. You are just stupid. If you don't believe me, read my name backwards." Wu Qianyuan said contemptuously.

"Yin Zitan, Yin Tanzi. You." Jie Li said angrily.

"Jie Li, you Eastern Turks are all beasts. I am a farmer's son in Gaoling County. I have parents, an older sister, and a young and lovely nephew.

In the ninth year of Wude, you, the Eastern Turks, launched an attack on the Tang Dynasty. Your army conquered Gaoling County, and your bandits burned, killed, raped, and looted everywhere. One of them broke into my home and killed my father. These beasts also raped my mother and my eldest sister to death. They hanged my nephew alive.

I was out for some business and escaped this disaster, but I swore a blood oath: You evil Turks, you killed my whole family and humiliated my mother and sister. I wish I could eat your flesh and sleep on your skin.

God has mercy on me, my lord. Even if I die, I will drag you Turkic villains into a place of no return. "Wu Qianyuan said angrily with fire in his eyes.

"Hu. Alright, my revenge has been taken. You just wait for the lord to deal with you. Come out." Wu Qianyuan calmed down and clapped his hands.

Not far away, a group of Jinyiwei wearing flying fish uniforms walked out from behind the trees. The leader was wearing a red flying fish uniform, and it was Wang Lianghe, the pacification envoy of the Artifacts Department. Wang Lianghe walked up to Wu Qianyuan, clasped his fists, bowed his head and smiled.

"I am Wang Lianghe, the pacification envoy of the Jinyiwei Artifacts Division. I am honored to meet the Commander-in-Chief. I am here to meet the Commander-in-Chief Wu on the orders of my lord. You have been promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Jinyiwei by my lord, becoming the second person in the Jinyiwei. Congratulations, sir."

"Oh? My lord first gave me the credit for capturing Jie Li, and then promoted me to be the co-commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I will never be able to repay my lord's kindness, even if I die a thousand times." Wu Qianyuan said gratefully.

"Tongzhi Wu, hand these people over to me and I will take them away. Please go ahead, our lord is waiting for you in the camp." Wang Lianghe said with a smile. Upon hearing this, Wu Qianyuan quickly jumped on his horse and galloped away.

"Haha, everyone, follow me. Oh, by the way, don't even think about asking me to let you go. I owe my life to my lord, and I won't go against his wishes.

Besides, the Jinyiwei are all killers, and they are the most loyal henchmen of the lord. I don't want to be tortured by the Jinyiwei for letting you go." Wang Lianghe said with a smile. Wang Lianghe glanced at Liang Shidu and slapped his forehead.

"Oh, I almost forgot. My lord asked me to treat you well, damn it." Wang Lianghe shook his head and walked towards Liang Shidu, squatted down, took out a pill from his sleeve, and said.

"This pill is called Unforgettable. It sounds good, but what about its effect? ​​Hehe, it can make people suffer from pain worse than death.

Those who take this medicine will feel their internal organs being cut by knives and chopped by axes, and their heads being pierced by thousands of needles. It is extremely painful. However, they will be extremely conscious, and the pain will be magnified several times. After a day and a night of pain, they will die.

My lord said that Liang Shidu rebelled against the previous dynasty and established himself as king. After his defeat, he surrendered to the Eastern Turks and repeatedly instigated them to become enemies of the Tang Dynasty. He attempted to use the Eastern Turks to cause chaos in the Central Plains. He is an unkind and unjust traitor who has forgotten his ancestors. You cannot die too easily.

So, please take this medicine, Imperial Master. "Wang Lianghe stuffed the medicine into Liang Shidu's mouth and covered his mouth and nose. Liang Shidu was forced to spit out the pill.

"Yes, that's right. Someone break his limbs and remove his jaw. This will prevent him from committing suicide." Wang Lianghe clapped his hands and ordered. The accompanying captain broke Liang Shidu's limbs, removed his jaw, and threw him aside.

Wang Lianghe and his entourage then escorted Jie Li and his entourage to Li Chengqian's camp, with Liang Shidu screaming in agony. Just as Wang Lianghe said, Liang Shidu died after a day and a night of pain, with a hideous and horrible death.

Wu Qianyuan rushed back to the camp, dismounted and asked to see Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian laughed when he heard that Wu Qianyuan had returned.

"The hero of our Tang Dynasty is back."

Wu Qianyuan entered the tent, bowed down and said excitedly.

"Your subordinate, Jinyiwei Commander Wu Qianyuan greets the lord."

"Haha, get up, get up. Brother Qianyuan has worked hard and made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty. When I go back, I will ask the emperor for a reward for you." Li Chengqian laughed and helped Wu Qianyuan up.

"I just did my duty, I dare not take credit for it." Wu Qianyuan said with a bow. Li Chengqian chatted with Wu Qianyuan for a while, and ordered Wu Qianyuan to have a good rest. Wu Qianyuan took the order and left.

Li Chengqian was just about to have a sip of tea when Li Jing walked into the tent.

"Your Highness, scouts reported that Gaochang wanted to support Jie Li's 5 troops, but after learning that Jie Li was defeated, they withdrew their troops and returned home."

"Humph, supporting Jie Li means being an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. In the fourth year of the Zhenguan reign, Gaochang King Qu Wentai personally went to Chang'an to meet my father and offer gifts. Later, Qu Wentai attached himself to the Western Turks, preventing the Western Regions from paying tribute to the Tang Dynasty through his territory, and sent troops to harass the annexed countries of Yiwu and Yanqi.

Gaochang is located on the main transportation route leading to the countries in the Western Regions. Its geographical location is extremely important. However, the King of Gaochang is a greedy and capricious villain.

Since he sent troops to support Jie Li this time, he can use this as an excuse to destroy Gaochang. In order to open up the road to the Western Regions. "Li Chengqian said coldly. In fact, the main reason is that the system has released the main task: destroy Gaochang in a battle, and the task completion reward is 600 million system coins.

"Yes, that makes sense. Do you want to tell His Majesty before fighting?" Li Jing said.

"No need. I believe my father will support me. It will cost a lot of money if the army stays outside for one day. Uncle Yao Shi will lead the Flying Wing Archers to escort Jie Li to the capital. This is a siege, and the Flying Wing Archers are not suitable for the expedition. The rest of the troops will return to their stations. I will lead the Flying Dragon Army and the Black Tortoise Army to attack Gaochang. I will take away the food and grass in the camp. If it is not enough, I will eat from the enemy then," said Li Chengqian.

Seeing Li Chengqian's firm tone, Li Jing had no choice but to follow his orders. All the troops set out to return to their garrisons, and Li Jing escorted Jie Li back to Beijing. Li Chengqian asked Li Daozong to bring Heli, a Qibi who was familiar with the local terrain, as a guide, and led the Feilong Army and the Xuanwu Army to Gaochang. Before setting out, Li Chengqian still sent a memorial to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin received a memorial from Li Chengqian, the content of which was very simple.

"Father, I'm leading the troops to fight the King of Gaochang, and I won't be back for some time, don't worry. Jie Li, I've captured him alive for you, and Uncle Pharmacist is on the way to send him to you. Don't forget to check it, father." Li Shimin laughed and scolded after reading it.

"You bastard, you are getting more and more daring. After all, Gaochang is a country, and we can send troops to destroy it if we want. Oh, it's good to be young." Li Shimin sighed.

"Issue an imperial edict to appoint the crown prince as the commander-in-chief of the Jiaohe Road Army, with full responsibility for the expedition to Gaochang. Appoint Jie Li as the King of Guiyi and the General of the Right Guard, and grant him a mansion in Chang'an." Li Shimin issued another imperial edict.

When Gaochang King Qu Wentai learned that the Tang army had sent troops to Gaochang, he sneered.

"Tang is 7000 miles away from Gaochang, the sand dunes are about 2000 miles wide, there is no water or grass, and the climate is abnormal. Li Chengqian is arrogant and thinks that he can be invincible after defeating Jie Li? Humph, what an overconfident guy." The King of Gaochang always believed that the Tang Dynasty would not attack with a large army.

Under the guidance of Qibi Heli, Li Chengqian arrived at Shazhikou a month later. Gaochang King Qu Wentai was shocked when he heard the news and ordered the whole Gaochang to be on guard.

The Tang army entered Gaochang, and most of the soldiers had severe altitude sickness. Li Chengqian sat in the tent and was worried. Suddenly someone came to report that someone outside the camp offered medicine. Li Chengqian hurriedly sent someone. Li Chengqian was surprised when he saw the person.

"Okay."

"What do you mean?" the visitor asked in surprise.

"How can it be your meaning in a foreign language? This is not important. Old Taoist priest, aren't you a sword seller?" Li Chengqian said. It turned out that the visitor was the old Taoist priest who sold Qingshuang on the street in Chang'an.

"That's my side job." The old Taoist stroked his beard.

"Oh? What about your main business?" Li Chengqian asked curiously.

"I am proficient in divination and praying for blessings, drawing talismans to exorcise ghosts, Qimen Dunjia, and playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting." The old Taoist stroked his beard and said complacently.

"You are still good at bragging. What do you want from me, old Taoist? Why are you bragging to me?" Li Chengqian asked. Upon hearing this, the old Taoist's hand trembled and he pulled out a strand of his beard.

"Your Highness, do you have any troubles?" The old Taoist calmed himself down and showed an expression that said, "Just tell me and beg me."

"You want me to beg you? Hehe, the counselor's trick of shocking others with his words has no effect on me.

Come here, tie up this old guy, throw him into the pot and cook him. It will be our evening snack, stewed in an iron pot." Li Chengqian shouted.

"Slow down, kid, stop being so rude. I am Master Zi Yang, the master of Li Yuanba, King of Zhao in Western Palace. I am here to provide your army with medicine to deal with altitude sickness." Master Zi Yang shouted anxiously.

"Someone come and cook it." Li Chengqian was stunned for a while, then said happily.

"Why do we have to cook it again?" Zhenren Zi Yang jumped up on the spot and said in surprise.

"Oh, I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Someone, serve tea, good tea. This is a good omen for the world." Li Chengqian said with a smile. Ziyang Zhenren patted his chest and sat down to drink tea with lingering fear.

Zi Yang Zhenren gave the prescription to Li Chengqian, who ordered the military doctor to prepare it immediately. The army took it and it was indeed effective. The army's combat effectiveness was restored. Another month later, the Tang army captured Tiandi City and captured more than 7000 men and women.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian forced Master Zi Yang to stay in the camp. When Master Zi Yang was about to leave, Li Chengqian shouted, "Left and right, I want to drink the auspicious soup of the world, cook this old thing." Master Zi Yang had no choice but to stay in the camp.

Li Chengqian led his troops to Gaochang City, the capital of Gaochang. Qu Wentai urgently ordered the crown prince Qu Zhisheng to lead an army of 15 out of the city to fight against Li Chengqian.