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

When Songtsen Gampo learned that the Tang army flag appeared behind the rebels, he hurriedly led his troops out of the village. In the dust, he saw 5 cavalrymen in black heavy armor running towards him in an orderly manner. On a black flag, a giant dragon bared its fangs and claws, looking at the world with awe. The whole army was murderous and majestic.

When the two leading generals of the Tang army arrived beside the two Tibetan troops, the Tang general raised his hands and clenched his fists, and the Tang army messengers waved flags. For a moment, the Tang army stopped marching, and the whole army was in order, without any panic.

Songtsen Gampo sighed when he saw this.

"People say that the Tang army is invincible and is the most powerful force in the world. I think that's a lie. Today, I see that the Tang army is well-trained and disciplined. Our Tibetan army is far inferior to them."

Songtsen Gampo rode out on his horse and spoke loudly.

"What unit of the Tang army is this? Who is the commander? What are they here for?"

"Tanpu of Tubo, I am honored to meet you. I am the Chief Clerk of the Crown Prince's Office of the Great Tang Dynasty and the Governor of the Western Province of the Great Tang Dynasty, Zhuge Fu. Today, I am following the order of the Crown Prince and leading the troops of the Anxi Protectorate to protect our vassal state of the Great Tang Dynasty.

Now, I and General Guo Xiaoke, the Protector General of Anxi, have led 5 flying dragon knights here, and we ask the Zanpu to withdraw his troops." Zhuge Fu took off his helmet and said with a smile.

"A vassal state of the Tang Dynasty? How can Tubo be a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty?" Songtsen Gampo wondered.

"Wait, the vassal states of the Tang Dynasty you mentioned are the Subi and Yangtong tribes?" Songtsen Gampo suddenly asked in surprise.

"That's right." Zhuge Fu smiled and nodded.

"Asshole, the two tribes of Suobei and Yangtong are traitors to our Tubo, how can they become vassal states of the Tang Dynasty? The two tribes are Tubo tribes, and the Tang Dynasty recognizes the two tribes as vassal states, which means they want to split our Tubo.

Moreover, the civil war in Tibet is Tibet’s national affair. It is very rude for the Tang Dynasty to interfere in the internal affairs of another country. Tibet and the Tang Dynasty have signed a brotherly alliance. The Tang Dynasty’s behavior is a violation of the agreement. Please leave as soon as possible. "Songtsen Gampo said angrily.

"Zanpu, please don't be angry. The two tribes have submitted a petition requesting the Tang Dynasty to confer the title, and the Tang Dynasty has agreed. Today, I am here on the order of the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty to protect the vassal state. This is an official business. Zanpu, please don't make things difficult for me." Zhuge Fu bowed.

"Okay, I will write a letter to Li Chengqian right now. I want to ask this shameless villain Li Chengqian why he schemed against my Tubo." Songtsen Gampo said angrily.

"If the Zanpu wants to ask, he can ask my lord. However, I want to remind the Zanpu. I and the 5 Flying Dragon Army soldiers behind me are all under the command of the lord, and we share life and death with the lord. Flying Dragon soldiers, tell the Zanpu, what should be done if anyone insults the lord to his face and violates my lord's dignity?" Zhuge Fu said with narrowed eyes.

"Lingchi shattered!" the Flying Dragon Army shouted in unison.

"Zanpu, you heard it, right? Please be careful when you mention my master in the future. Otherwise, my Prince's Mansion Army will destroy him." Zhuge Fu said coldly.

"How arrogant! Do you think 5 troops can stop my Tibetan army of 25?" Songtsen Gampo said coldly.

"Haha, since our Prince's Mansion Army was founded, we have always been able to defeat the enemy with fewer troops and have never been victorious. As my master said, a truly invincible army is born to be surrounded. However, with only 25 troops, our Prince's Mansion Army does not take it seriously.

Moreover, the 5 troops of the Anxi Protectorate, as well as the 5 Feidiao troops and 1 Shenji troops under the Prince's Army are on their way. If the Zamp intends to fight with the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty will fight to the end.

Humph, if you are not convinced, you can give it a try. However, I remind you again that the stories of Jie Li of the Eastern Turkic and Yeon Gaesomun of Goguryeo are still vivid in our minds, so please be careful. "Zhuge Fu laughed.

"Are you threatening me? How can our Tubo be made of mud?" Songtsen Gampo said angrily.

"How can the men of the Great Tang fear a battle? I and the soldiers of the Great Tang all want to kill the enemy and serve the empire and Your Majesty with all our strength.

If you want to fight, just fight. You are so nagging, how can you be a man?" Anxi Protector General Guo Xiaoke said dissatisfiedly.

"The Tang army has arrived today. We should not fight with them lightly. Zanpu, let's retreat first and make long-term plans." Seeing that Songtsen Gampo was furious and was about to order a charge, the Tubo national teacher Dugu Wuwang hurriedly stopped Songtsen Gampo and advised him.

Songtsen Gampo had never seen the horror of the Flying Dragon Army, but Dugu Wuwang had. As a veteran of the first batch of the Black Tortoise Army, he knew very well how terrifying the killers on the opposite side were. They fought without regard for their lives and always believed that the death of the prince in battle was the highest honor. The Flying Dragon Army was so powerful that the Tubo people could not resist it.

Moreover, the Prince's Mansion Army worships Li Chengqian as a god. Anyone who dares to insult Li Chengqian will be beaten to death by the Prince's Mansion Army. Songtsen Gampo just cursed Li Chengqian, and the killers on the opposite side have already had the intention to kill him. If it weren't for the general's order, they would have killed him long ago.

After calm thinking, Songtsen Gampo felt that this was not the time to fight with the Tang Dynasty, so he swallowed his anger and ordered his troops to withdraw.

The three parties returned to their respective camps. The chieftains of the Renzeng and Subi tribes came to the Tang army camp to pay respect to Zhuge Fu. Zhuge Fu came out of the tent to greet them, giving the two chieftains enough face. Zhuge Fu conveyed Li Chengqian's order, asking the two chieftains to immediately go to Chang'an to pay respect to the saint and accept the saint's canonization. The two coalition forces also withdrew behind the Tang army. The Tang army would ensure the safety of the two troops in Tubo.

The two tribal leaders were overjoyed and immediately returned to the camp. After some preparations, they led their guards to Chang'an.

After the two clan leaders left, Guo Xiaoke came to Zhuge Fu's tent and spoke.

"Commander-in-chief, what are our military plans for the future?"

"Please take a seat, old general. I am young and hope you can teach me." Zhuge Fu helped Guo Xiaoke sit down and personally poured tea for him, saying with a smile.

"Alas, Commander, why should you be so modest? I am a military man who has been in the military all my life, and I hate beating around the bush. The Commander is appointed by the Crown Prince to be in charge of Tubo affairs, and I will assist the Commander with all my strength. As long as the Commander gives an order, I will obey it without any hesitation." Guo Xiaoke waved his hand proudly.

"In that case, I will not be polite. A letter came from my lord the other day, containing the words 'fight' and 'protect'." Zhuge Fu said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Guo Xiaoke asked puzzledly.

"My Lord, we will not take the initiative to attack Tubo. If Tubo attacks, we will strike back with thunder and lightning, but we cannot destroy them completely. As for protection, we must ensure the safety of the two groups of troops and ensure that Songtsen Gampo is not destroyed in one battle.

I guess your lordship's intention is to prepare to take three parts of Tubo." Zhuge Fu said with a smile.

"Why go through so much trouble? Just destroy it directly." Guo Xiaoke stroked his beard and frowned.

"Haha, old general. In recent years, the territory of the Tang Dynasty has expanded too fast. Although expanding territory is a good thing, no matter how large the territory is, people have to be there to cultivate and garrison it. In recent years, the Tang Dynasty is no longer in urgent need of land and military exploits, but needs to digest the existing spoils of war.

With a wise leader like Songtsen Gampo, Tibet will eventually become a threat to the Tang Dynasty. However, the Tang Dynasty cannot digest the entire Tibet now, so the best strategy is to divide Tibet and keep it in a state of division and war. Tibet has been in war for years and its national strength has weakened. The three countries need to buy supplies from the Tang Dynasty. Wouldn't it be better for the Tang Dynasty to watch the fire from the other side and reap the benefits?

Once the Tang Dynasty has digested the existing spoils, the Tang Dynasty will be able to completely annex Tubo. By then, Tubo will be weak, and the Tang Dynasty will be able to easily conquer it.

Alas, my lord’s plan is very far-reaching and comprehensive, and I am not as good as him.”

"The prince is truly a holy prince." Guo Xiaoke also praised.

"Old general, I don't think Songtsen Gampo will tolerate this. Besides, our army is far away. It is very likely that Songtsen Gampo will lead his troops to attack the camp tonight." Zhuge Fu said.

"Well, it is very possible. Do you have any way to deal with it, Governor?" Guo Xiaoke stroked his beard. Guo Xiaoke also wanted to test Zhuge Fu's ability.

Zhuge Fu knew what Guo Xiaoke meant, but he smiled calmly and ordered the drums to gather the generals. Qin Huaiyu and the five divisions of the Flying Dragon Army were coming to the big tent very quickly. After they greeted each other, Zhuge Fu said loudly.

"I predict that Songtsen Gampo will take advantage of our newly arrived army to attack our camp tonight. This governor has decided to take advantage of their strategy and fight Songtsen Gampo tonight. Where is Qin Huaiyu, the deputy commander of the Flying Dragon Army?"

"I am here." Qin Huaiyu clasped his fists and walked out.

"I order you to lead the First Division of the Flying Dragon Army to quietly leave the camp immediately and take a detour to hide on the left side of the Tibetan Army's main camp. When you receive a signal from our camp, lead your troops to attack the Tibetan camp. Remember to just break through the camp and do not linger in the battle. Return to the camp immediately after you have completed your mission."

"I obey your command." Qin Huaiyu said loudly.

"Where is Liao Siyuan, the commander of the second division of the Flying Dragon Army?" Zhuge Fu continued loudly.

"I am here." A burly general with a scar on his face clasped his fists and said loudly.

"I order you to lead our troops to ambush on the left side of the camp. As soon as you hear the signal, lead the troops into the camp to attack. I heard that there is a fierce general in the Tubo army with amazing martial arts, and it is said that his strength is not weaker than that of the lord. If you meet him, you can be confident that you can kill him." Zhuge Fu said.

"Hehe, don't worry, Military Advisor. If I meet this guy, I will kill him on the horse and present him to your tent." Liao Siyuan clasped his fists and said loudly.

The Prince's Legion is still accustomed to calling Zhuge Fu its military advisor, and this fierce Tibetan general and Liao Siyuan are fictional characters created by the system to balance Li Chengqian's extraordinary military power.

"General Guo, you can lead the Third Division to ambush on the right side of the camp. Once you receive the signal, march into the camp and attack." Zhuge Fu looked at Guo Xiaoke and smiled gently.

Seeing that Zhuge Fu had made proper arrangements and commanded in an orderly manner, Guo Xiaoke was impressed and said, "I will obey the governor's orders."

"Pontu personally led the remaining 2 troops to garrison the camp, waiting for the Tibetan army.

My lords, this battle is the first one that the Tang army has fought in Tibet. This battle is to show the prestige of the Tang and the reputation of the Tang army. Use the blood of the enemy to prove that the Tang is invincible, and let the enemy tremble under your iron hoofs and swords.

Gentlemen, I'm counting on you for this battle." Zhuge Fu stood up and clasped his fists.

"I am willing to die for the empire. May the Tang Dynasty win forever and long live our emperor." All the generals clasped their fists and said. The concepts of empire and nation were what Li Chengqian had intentionally instilled in the Tang Dynasty in the past two years in order to enhance the cohesion and pride of the people of the Tang Dynasty.

As Zhuge Fu expected, after Songtsen Gampo returned to the camp, he immediately arranged for his men to attack the Tang army camp at night.

When Dugu Wuwang, the Tubo national teacher, saw that Songtsen Gampo was going to attack the Tang camp at night, he knew that Tubo would be defeated. After all, the person who was appointed by Li Chengqian as the first counselor of the Prince's Mansion, the military advisor of the Prince's Mansion Army, and who was fully responsible for Tubo affairs, could not be an ordinary person.

According to the brothers of Wei Nei, this man was more strategic than the other generals in the Prince's Mansion, and had the style of his ancestor Zhuge Wuhou. However, this man was more cunning and changeable in his use of troops, and his strategies were known for being sinister and ruthless, making him a genius at the time.

Although Dugu Wuwang wanted to dissuade him, he could only close his eyes and remain silent because of his true identity and his mission.

That night, Songtsen Gampo ordered his general Tashi Dorje to lead 5 troops to attack the Tang camp. Tashi Dorje led 5 elite soldiers wearing equipment sold by the Tang Dynasty and rushed to the Tang army camp at midnight. Seeing that the Tang army camp was very calm and defenseless, Tashi Dorje was overjoyed and ordered an attack.

5 Tibetan troops cut open the gate of the Tang army camp and rushed into the camp. In the central army tent, they saw a general reading by lamplight at night. When he saw the Tibetan army, he smiled cunningly and said loudly.

"General, you have fallen into my trap." Then a flare was launched into the air and exploded. Then countless torches were lit behind the tent and on both sides of the camp, lighting up the camp like daylight.

The shouts of killing shook the four directions, and three armies rushed towards the Tubo army. Zhaxi Dorje was shocked when he saw this.

"Oh no, we've fallen into a trap. Retreat quickly."

The Tubo army wanted to retreat at this time, but was surrounded by the Tang army. Waves of armor-piercing arrows shot into the Tubo army. Although the Tubo army was wearing equipment bought from the Tang Dynasty, it was after all outdated equipment from the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, the equipment of the Flying Dragon Army was specially supplied and more advanced than the equipment of other main forces of the Tang Army.

Several waves of arrows killed countless Tubo soldiers. Seeing this, Tashi Doji hurriedly led his troops to break through. In the chaos, Liao Siyuan saw a very brave general in front of him, so he urged his horse forward and fought with him. After fighting with him, Tashi Doji was surprised.

"What a great strength! Who is coming?"

"Hmph, the person who killed you. If you want to know who killed you, go ask the King of Hell." Liao Siyuan snorted coldly, then swung his sword at Tashi Doji.

Tashi Doji was not interested in fighting at this time. He fought with Liao Siyuan for 5 rounds, then made a feint with his sword and forced Liao Siyuan to retreat. Then he led the remaining Tibetan troops to fight their way out of the encirclement and flee to the Tibetan camp. Zhuge Fu ordered not to pursue them, and the army returned to the camp.

On the other hand, after seeing the signal, Qin Huaiyu mounted his horse and led 1 Flying Dragon Army to attack the Tubo camp. The Tubo army did not expect that they would be attacked instead. They were in a panic, and Qin Huaiyu took advantage of the situation to attack and destroyed 30 Tubo camps, killing more than 3 Tubo soldiers and burning countless camps and food.

Songtsen Gampo heard the deafening shouts and screams outside and hurried out of his tent to check. He saw the Tang army in the dark night, like evil spirits, hacking and killing everywhere. The Tubo army was killed and fled everywhere, so he hurriedly ordered the army to gather and fight the enemy.

Qin Huaiyu saw that the Tubo army had begun to gather, so he ordered a retreat. Songtsen Gampo saw the Tang army retreating and wanted to order a pursuit, but at this time there was a fire everywhere in the camp, and the soldiers panicked, so he had to order the fire to be extinguished.

While the Tibetan army was busy putting out the fire, the Tibetan army that had attacked the Tang camp at night returned. Songtsen Gampo was frightened to see that only 5 troops had escaped, and immediately ordered the army to retreat miles overnight.