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

The news that Zhuge Fu had designed a plan to defeat Songtsen Gampo in the Tang army's first battle against Tubo was reported back to Chang'an. When Li Chengqian learned about it, he was overjoyed and wrote a commendation order in his own handwriting, and issued the latest appointment for Zhuge Fu. Zhuge Fu was appointed as the Grand Commander of the Anxi Army and the Grand Administrator of Longyou Road. He was fully responsible for all Tubo affairs and was allowed to make decisions on the spot.

Li Chengqian wrote another letter in his own handwriting, which read:

"My brother's battle has enhanced the reputation of the Tang Dynasty and also demonstrated my brother's strategy. Now I hear that my brother has won a great victory, and I am very happy. I have received great kindness, like Wu Hou meeting Zhou Lang, and Zhaolie meeting Wu Hou. Now I will entrust the affairs of Tibet to you, and I hope that you will not bring disgrace to the reputation of our ancestors and live up to my expectations.

Brother, please concentrate on handling the Tubo affairs. I will stay in Chang'an to support you. Brother, you can act boldly and realize your ambitions. When you return after your success, I will prepare a bed for you and personally go ten miles out of Chang'an to entertain you with fine wine.

In addition, I hope you take good care of yourself. I will wait for good news in Changjing."

The angel was summoned to the camp, and Zhuge Fu led all the generals to kneel in the central army tent to receive the imperial edict. When the generals saw that Zhuge Fu was appointed as the Grand Commander of the Anxi Army and the Grand Administrator of Longyou Road, they all congratulated him, and Zhuge Fu humbly bowed in return.

All the generals dispersed, and the summoning angel took out Li Chengqian's handwritten letter and handed it to Zhuge Fu. After reading it, Zhuge Fu sighed.

"My lord, I will never forget your kindness. With such a wise lord, how dare I not die for him? I'll trouble the angel to go back and tell you that I can only repay you by following the example of my ancestor, Marquis Wu, and devote myself to the cause with my meager strength until my death."

"You are too polite, Governor. I will report your words truthfully to the Crown Prince. You should also take care of your health. Your Highness values ​​you very much. If anything happens to you, Your Highness will be extremely sad." The summoning angel said with a smile.

After sending off the summoning angel, Zhuge Fu thought for a while, then stood up and shouted and beat the drum to gather the generals. All the generals came to the central army tent and bowed and saluted.

"I am waiting to see the Grand Commander."

"Everyone, after our army defeated Songtsen Gampo in the first battle, the Tibetan army retreated thirty miles overnight. The Tibetans have been hanging up the banner of no war and refused to fight.

Now, the chiefs of the two tribes, Supi and Yangtong, have arrived in Chang'an and will be canonized by the saint soon. Our follow-up troops have also arrived. In order to complete the master's plan as soon as possible, Bendu thought again and again and decided to send out a large army to attack the Tubo army.

The purpose of this war was to make the Tibetan army completely terrified of our Tang Dynasty, so that they would no longer be able to fight against our Tang Dynasty, thus forcing Songtsen Gampo to accept the outcome of the division of Tibet into three parts.

All the generals, listen to my orders!" Zhuge Fu said loudly.

"We are waiting for the order from the Grand Commander." The generals stood up and clasped their fists.

"Where is Li Zhen, the commander of the Shenji Army?" Zhuge Fu asked loudly.

"I am here." Li Zhen clasped his fists and stepped out.

"In this battle, your Shenji Army is the protagonist. Pull out all your cannons and bombard the Tubo camp. The Shenji Army was established not long ago, but the lord has invested the most in you and has the highest expectations.

Do you have the confidence to defeat Tubo and make it so nervous that its color changes? "Zhuge Fu said.

"Please rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, I will let the Tibetans know what it means to wipe out the land with artillery fire." Li Zhen said loudly.

"Where is Li Jingheng, the commander of the Feidiao Army?" Zhuge Fu asked loudly again.

"I am here." Li Jingheng clasped his fists and stepped out.

"I order you to lead your troops to line up in front of the Shenji Army. The Tibetan army will surely come out in full force when bombarded by the Shenji Army. Your mission is to protect the Shenji Army while pinning down the Tibetan army until the two wings are able to complete the encirclement.

By then, when the Tubo army of more than 100,000 will charge in, are you confident that you can hold off the enemy for the time of an incense stick?" Zhuge Fu said.

"Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief. If I and my troops take a step back, I will commit suicide to apologize." Li Jingheng said loudly.

"Where is Qin Huaiyu, the deputy commander of the Flying Dragon Army?" Zhuge Fu said.

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

"I order you to divide the Flying Dragon Army into two parts. After leaving the camp, they will take a detour and ambush 50 miles on both sides of the battlefield. As soon as you receive the signal, outflank the enemy." Zhuge Fu said.

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

"Old General Guo Xiaoke." Zhuge Fu looked at the old general and smiled.

"I am here." The old general clasped his fists and walked out.

"The old general will lead 5 cavalrymen from the Anxi Protectorate to leave the camp in the evening and take a detour to Gechuan Post. This place is where Songtsen Gampo stores food, and there are 5 garrison troops. The old general can raid Gechuan Post tonight, burn the Tibetan army's food and grass, and then march directly to Damu to block Songtsen Gampo's way back to Lhasa.

Old General, the commander of the Gechuan Post is a fierce general of Tubo named Duoji Ciren. Old General, please pay attention to your safety. If you can't do anything, protect yourself first. "Zhuge Fu said.

"Does the Grand Commander think I am too old? A real man should be proud to die wrapped in the hide of his horse. In the past, Lian Po, at the age of seventy, could still eat one bucket of rice and ten catties of meat, ride a war horse, and pull a strong bow. Now I am not even sixty years old, I can wield a broadsword and ride a fast horse, why do you underestimate me, Commander?

I am willing to sign a military order. If I cannot complete the governor's order, I will offer my white head as a sacrifice." Guo Xiaoke said dissatisfiedly.

"The old general is so mighty. I'll leave it to you now. The army will attack the Tubo army tomorrow. Generals, please remember that Songtsen Gampo's life must not be harmed in this battle." Zhuge Fu instructed.

"Yes!" The generals clasped their fists and said.

On the second day, the Tang army lined up outside the Tubo camp. The Tubo army hung up a banner not to fight. Seeing this, Zhuge Fu did not waste any words and directly ordered the bombardment of the Tubo camp. The Shenji army immediately launched a fierce bombardment of the Tubo camp.

Shells and incendiary bombs were fired into the Tibetan camp, and the Tibetan army was stunned and a fire broke out in the camp. Countless people were killed or injured. The Tibetan army had never seen the power of artillery, and everyone was terrified.

When Songtsen Gampo saw the Tang army's artillery attack, he was stunned for a moment. At this time, a cannonball hit Songtsen Gampo. The guards around him hurriedly pushed Songtsen Gampo away, but they were smashed to pieces by the cannonball.

Songtsen Gampo was covered in blood from his guards. Seeing the corpses scattered all over the ground, he suddenly got a chill and hurriedly ordered the army to march out of the camp and attack the Tang army, hoping to fight the Tang army in close combat and stop the Tang army's artillery attack.

Hundreds of thousands of Tubo troops gathered out of the camp and attacked the Tang army. Li Zhen, the commander of the Fei Diao Army in front of the Shenji Army, looked at the Tubo army attacking like a tide and spat on the ground. He pulled down his armor and said loudly.

"Brothers, the Tibetans are coming to attack us, please treat them well."

The entire Fei Diao Army was lined up, with the front row holding shields in their left hands and inserting them into the ground, and holding guns in their right hands and resting them on top of their shields. The weapons used by the Fei Diao Army were designed based on those used by the Bai Gan Army. The Bai Gan guns used by the Fei Diao Army were made of solid white wood (white ash) and were made into long poles with bladed hooks on top and hard iron rings on the bottom. In combat, the hooks could be used for chopping and pulling, and the rings could be used as hammering weapons.

The Fei Diao soldiers took out their crossbows and fired arrows at the Tubo soldiers. The arrows cut through the sky and nailed the Tubo soldiers to the ground. After the Tubo soldiers were finally killed and wounded, they entered the range of their own arrows. However, they found that the Fei Diao soldiers raised their shields to make themselves like tortoise shells. The arrows shot by their own side hit the shields and made a clanging sound, but could not hurt the Fei Diao soldiers at all.

Seeing that the Tubo army was close at hand, Li Zhen did not defend but ordered an attack. The 5 Fei Diao troops were organized into platoons, with the front platoon cutting the legs of horses and people, and the back platoon stabbing the knights and infantry, coordinating well with each other.

Faced with an enemy force several times their size, the Fei Diao Army relied on their sophisticated equipment and tacit formations, like a harvester, reaping the lives of the enemy in an orderly and efficient manner.

Although the number of troops was far less than that of the enemy, the Fei Diao Army prevented the Tubo Army from advancing a single step, and even forced the enemy to retreat step by step. While the two sides were fighting desperately, large groups of cavalry suddenly rushed into the battlefield from both sides.

The Flying Dragon Army, dressed in black armor, was like a god descending from heaven, constantly tearing apart the Tubo Army. With the cooperation of the Flying Dragon Army and the Flying Diao Army, the Tubo Army suffered heavy casualties. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Songtsen Gampo sighed and led the remaining 5 soldiers and horses to break through.

It is said that the night before Zhuge Fu's army attacked Tubo, Guo Xiaoke led his troops to a place not far from the Gechuan Posthouse where the Tubo army stored grain. At this time, the moonlight was dim, the surroundings were as dark as ink, and there was a strong wind. Seeing this, Guo Xiaoke was overjoyed and said to his son Guo Daizhao.

"Today, the sky is as dark as ink, and the wind is blowing violently. This is God helping me to accomplish great success." Guo Xiaoke then ordered the entire army to stop advancing, and Guo Xiaoke shouted loudly in front of the army.

"Brothers, I am already fifty-four years old this year, and I am not afraid of dangers and obstacles, and I am loyal to the empire. You are the brave and valiant men of the Tang Dynasty, how can you fall behind me?

Today is the time for us to kill the enemy and make merit, and to be honored with titles for our wives and children. Follow me as I ride into the enemy camp, and let the world know that not only is the Prince's Army invincible, but the Anxi Protectorate Army is also equally brave and unrivaled.

All the troops, listen to my orders, hold your tongue, and follow me to destroy Gechuan Posthouse."

5 Anxi soldiers, with their mouths sealed and their horses wrapped, approached Gechuan Post quietly. At this time, the 5 soldiers guarding Gechuan Post thought that it was dark and windy, and it was impossible for the enemy to attack, so they were not on guard. The guarding general Dorje Tsering was drinking in the camp and had just fallen asleep drunk.

When the Tang army arrived at Gechuan Post, they saw that the Tubo army was completely defenseless. Guo Xiaoke raised his sword and shouted,

"Brothers, the time has come to serve the empire and kill the enemies. If you are a man, follow me and ride into the enemy camp." Then he took the lead and rushed towards the Tubo camp.

The 5 Tang soldiers shouted and killed and rushed towards the Tubo camp. The Tubo army did not expect that in such bad weather, the Tang army could bypass them and attack them. The army was in a panic, and the Tang army took the opportunity to cut open the camp gate, rushed into the camp, and killed and set fire everywhere in the camp.

Dorje Tsering heard shouts and cries everywhere outside, and hurriedly stood up, put on his armor and mounted his horse. Seeing the Tubo army in chaos and fire everywhere, Dorje Tsering shouted loudly to his soldiers and horses not to panic, and the generals at all levels gathered their troops to fight against the Tang army.

Guo Xiaoke saw a general on horseback in front of him, shouting at the Tibetan soldiers, and guessed that this man was Dorje Tsering, the commander of the Gechuan Post. Guo Xiaoke urged his horse and swung his sword to attack Dorje Tsering.

Guo Xiaoke rode his horse to Dorje Tsering and roared like a tiger, "The Great Tang Anxi Protector General Guo Xiaoke is here, the thief will die." Then he chopped down with his sword. Dorje Tsering was drunk and had no strength. Guo Xiaoke chopped him in two from the shoulder.

Guo Xiaoke cut off Dorje Tsering's head and held it high with his knife. He shouted.

"Here is the head of the traitorous general Dorje Tsering. Why don't you kneel down and surrender immediately?"

When the Tibetan army saw that their leader was dead, they dropped their weapons and knelt down to surrender. Guo Xiaoke ordered the Tang army to burn the Tibetan army's food and grass, and then drove the surrendered troops to Damu City overnight.

Guo Xiaoke mixed the Tang army into the surrendered army, and let the surrendered army use the Tubo army's defeat, the Tang army attacked Gechuan Post, killed Dorje Tsering, and the remaining defeated soldiers of Gechuan Post demanded to enter the city as an excuse to open the gates of Damu City.

The commander of Damu City saw the flames rising from the direction of Gechuan Post Station and saw familiar faces at the torches below the city. He did not suspect anything and hurriedly ordered the city to be opened. The Tang army immediately rushed into the city and occupied Damu City.

On the second day, Songtsen Gampo led the remaining 5 troops and fled towards Luoshui City. When they arrived near Gechuan Post, scouts reported that the Tang army had attacked Gechuan Post, the defending general Dorje Tsering was beheaded and his head was hung high at the camp gate, the defending troops were all killed, and all the food and grass were burned.

Songtsen Gampo and the Tibetan army were horrified and fled to Damu City. When the defeated Tibetan army arrived at Damu City, they saw that the gates were closed and no one was on the city wall. Songtsen Gampo and his military commanders came to the city wall and shouted.

"Where is the commander of Damu City? The Zamp has arrived in person. Open the city gates quickly."

As soon as he finished speaking, a horn was heard, and several Tang army flags were erected on the city wall. An old general appeared on the city wall wearing a helmet and armor. He stroked his beard and laughed.

"Your Highness the Zamp has come from afar, and I, the Great Tang Anxi Protector General Guo Jing (Guo Xiaoke's real name is Guo Jing, with the courtesy name Xiaoke), have been waiting here for a long time."

"Guo Jing? Guo Xiaoke?" Songtsen Gampo asked in surprise.

"I didn't expect that Your Highness knew my name. I feel deeply honored. Now that the Zamp's army has arrived, should we surrender or fight? If they surrender, I will treat them with courtesy. If they fight, I welcome Your Highness to attack the city." Guo Xiaoke stroked his beard and smiled.

Songtsen Gampo wanted to attack the city, but his army was exhausted and morale was low after a recent defeat. Guo Xiaoke was a famous general of the Tang Dynasty and was not an easy opponent, so he had no choice but to order the army to withdraw and set up camp.

When Songtsen Gampo was at a loss and the Tubo army was in panic and worry, Zhuge Fu led his army to march quickly and completed the encirclement of the Tubo army. Zhuge Fu sent an envoy to persuade Songtsen Gampo to surrender. Songtsen Gampo was so angry that he wanted to kill the envoy. The envoy was arrogant and fearless and said contemptuously.

"If you want to kill me, then kill me. If I frown, I am not a man of the Tang Dynasty."

Then he broke free from the Tibetan soldiers and turned to walk out. The Tibetan national teacher Dugu Wuwang hurriedly dissuaded him.

"The Zanpu must not kill the Tang envoy. Since ancient times, when two countries are at war, they do not kill envoys. If the Zanpu kills the Tang envoy, it means that he will fight to the death with the Tang army. Given the temper of the Tang monarch and generals, they will definitely attack our army with all their strength. Our army is now in low morale and urgently needs to be repaired. If the Tang army attacks at this time, how can our army resist?

The best strategy is to hold back your anger for a while and work it out slowly."

Songtsen Gampo heard this and knew that what Dugu Wuwang said made sense. He had to suppress his anger and ordered the release of the envoy. He also asked the envoy to tell Zhuge Fu that the two armies would fight a decisive battle three days later.