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

The two leaders of the Subi and Yangtong tribes and Songtsen Gampo standing behind the Tang army saw that Li Chengqian was deeply loved by the Tang army. The eyes of the Tang soldiers, whether they were under Li Chengqian's command or the frontier garrison, were full of enthusiasm when they looked at Li Chengqian. That kind of enthusiasm was that even if Li Chengqian ordered them to commit suicide immediately, the Tang soldiers on the scene would gladly obey.

The three of them were all shocked when they saw this. The two leaders of the Subi and Yangtong tribes were even more awed by Li Chengqian. Songtsen Gampo frowned, curled his lips, pretended to be disdainful, and said in a low voice.

"Hmph, just putting on airs." Although Songtsen Gampo said this, he could not hide the fear in his eyes.

"Zanpu, don't underestimate the enemy. Li Chengqian is a man of top-notch mind, strategy, and skills. Zanpu needs to be patient at this time." Dugu Wuwang, who was beside him, looked at his old master in front of him with a complicated look in his eyes.

"Now that you have met your old master, have you changed your mind?" Songtsen Gampo asked calmly.

"Mo Wen has completed the mission for his old master and has repaid his old master's kindness. Now standing next to the Zamp is the Tubo Zamp's father-in-law, Lunqi (Tubo Prime Minister) Dugu Wuwang. Ever since the old minister came up with a counter-espionage plan for the Zamp and handed over the list of Jinyiwei's secret agents in the royal city, Mo Wen has been dead." Dugu Wuwang's face was calm, but his eyes were full of desire for power.

Songtsen Gampo had actually discovered that there were secret agents from the Tang Dynasty around him during the Tubo civil strife, but he had no evidence. Therefore, he secretly ordered the Tubo intelligence department, the "Eunuch Camp", to conduct a strict investigation. The Eunuch Camp was established by Dugu Wuwang based on the Jinyiwei. Although it was much simpler than the Jinyiwei, it still had a certain role as a professional intelligence department.

Although the Eunuchs lost in the intelligence battle with the Royal Guards, they still got some clues after paying a heavy price. As a wise ruler, Songtsen Gampo locked Dugu Wuwang through clues, but there was no direct evidence.

After repeated consideration, Songtsen Gampo decided to have a frank talk with Dugu Wuwang, his respected teacher. Unexpectedly, Dugu Wuwang readily admitted it and told him all the plans that Li Chengqian was going to implement in Tubo. Dugu Wuwang's frankness actually made Songtsen Gampo feel helpless.

Dugu Wuwang saw Songtsen Gampo’s conflicted look and spoke frankly.

"I am a well-read man who passed the imperial examinations in the previous dynasty. However, I was caught in natural disasters and man-made disasters. In order to have a chance to survive, I joined Li Chengqian's army. With my talent, how could I be content to be a soldier? I have been waiting for an opportunity to take revenge, but Li Chengqian only has his childhood friend and a reckless man in his eyes. I have submitted many letters to him to make suggestions, but all of them fell on deaf ears.

I was disheartened and accepted the mission of being an undercover agent in Tubo. After I came to Tubo, the king trusted me and I had a stage to display my talents.

Now, I have completed Li Chengqian's mission, and I have repaid my old master's kindness. If the Zanpu is still willing to trust and use me, I am willing to hand over the list of the Royal City Jinyiwei as a token of my loyalty, and from now on I will assist the Zanpu with peace of mind and make Tubo strong again. If the Zanpu does not trust me, you can chop off my head immediately."

Songtsen Gampo thought about it again and again, and felt that Dugu Wuwang's use of the secret agent of the Royal City Jinyiwei as a token of surrender showed his sincerity. Moreover, the master and apprentice had been together for many years and had a deep relationship, so he couldn't bear to kill him. Dugu Wuwang was also capable, and at this time he must have wanted a high position and a rich title, and didn't want to be inferior to others.

After Songtsen Gampo came to his senses, he readily forgave Dugu Wuwang and had a frank conversation with him. Dugu Wuwang also analyzed the pros and cons of the situation for Songtsen Gampo, and gave him advice on how to deal with the Tang Dynasty and how to strengthen Tubo. Songtsen Gampo agreed with Dugu Wuwang and was overjoyed. He recognized Dugu Wuwang as his father-in-law and handed over the military and political power of Tubo to him.

Back to the present, Li Chengqian, surrounded by the generals and soldiers of the Tang Dynasty's Anxi Army, came to the three Tibetan tribes. When the leaders of the two tribes, Su Pi and Yang Tong, saw Li Chengqian coming, they knelt on one knee and touched their chests with their right hands and said excitedly.

"Your subject, King Renzeng of Yangtong/Queen Suobi Mojie (Suobi was founded on women's rights, a matriarchal country, and the prototype of the Kingdom of Women in Journey to the West), pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Great Tang. May God protect His Royal Highness the benevolent and wise Crown Prince of the Great Tang."

"Haha, please stand up, both kings. I have come from afar and am sorry to disturb you all." Li Chengqian smiled and helped the two men up, then looked at Songtsen Gampo.

Songtsen Gampo was reluctant at first, but when he saw the generals around Li Chengqian all holding swords and glaring at him, the Deng brothers even drew their swords.

Songtsen Gampo had no choice but to step forward and bow perfunctorily.

"The Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo has met the Crown Prince of Tang. Humph, the Crown Prince has really put a lot of effort into Tibetan affairs, and Tibetans will always remember the Crown Prince's kindness. But I think Tibetans would be better off without the Crown Prince." Songtsen Gampo was so angry that his tone turned sarcastic.

The generals around Li Chengqian were shocked when they heard this, and then they all flew into a rage. The generals at all levels of the Prince's Army drew their swords and stepped forward, ready to kill Songtsen Gampo immediately if he didn't apologize.

Zhuge Fu sneered, put his right hand behind his back, and made a gesture. When the Anxi Army saw this, they immediately surrounded him and prepared to fight. Li Dejian had a dark face throughout the whole process, and he did not hide it. He raised his right hand and hooked it forward, and the Prince's Palace Guards also surrounded him immediately.

Guo Xiaoke stroked the tiger's beard with his left hand, tightly grasped his sword with his right hand, squinted his eyes, and murderous intent flashed in his eyes from time to time. Chang Sun Chong turned his head and glanced at the leader of the Jinyiwei Anbu Li Guangwei behind him. The latter nodded obscurely, and then the Anbu quietly dispersed and appeared behind the Tubo ministers and generals without a trace.

Deng Xiaohu was even more furious. He drew his sword, pointed it at Songtsen Gampo, and shouted angrily.

"How rude of the Tubo king! My master has come from afar to your Tubo for the peace of your Tubo. You did not treat him with state courtesy, but instead made sarcastic remarks. What do you mean by 'Tubo would be better off without the crown prince'? Hey! Little thief, do you want to curse my master? Do you recognize the sharp sword in the hand of my Great Tang Tiger Marquis?"

Songtsen Gampo did not expect that his angry words would provoke such great anger in the Tang army. Looking at this scene, if he did not bow his head, he would probably die today. The two leaders of the Subi and Yangtong tribes were so frightened by the murderous aura of the Tang army that they broke out in cold sweats and dared not speak. Songtsen Gampo was shouted at by Deng Xiaohu at this time, as if he was stared at by a hungry tiger, and he trembled with fear.

Li Chengqian saw this and laughed to come to the rescue.

"Haha, my Tiger Lord, please calm down. Brother, I was just joking with you. Ah Hu, don't make a fuss. If you scare your brother and the two kings, it's my fault." Li Chengqian pulled the sword from Deng Xiaohu's hand and waved his hand back. Deng Xiaohu was still angry and snorted coldly to retract his sword. The Tang army behind him also withdrew immediately after seeing this.

"Zanpu, the one-eyed villain opposite is the Marquis of Xingping County who pulled out arrows and ate his eyes in the Tang Dynasty. People call him 'Tiger Marquis'. This colleague is Li Chengqian's servant. He is the most loyal but also the most vicious. The situation is not favorable to me now. Zanpu must not lose the big picture for the small one." Dugu Wuwang saw Songtsen Gampo standing there in a daze and reminded him hurriedly.

Songtsen Gampo shuddered all over, feeling soaked in cold sweat, and hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted.

"I may have said something wrong, please don't blame me."

"Haha, brother, you don't have to blame yourself. I just arrived today and I'm a little tired. I will host a banquet for you all at the Tang army camp tomorrow." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the two tribes' leaders and Songtsen Gampo felt as if they had been pardoned and hurriedly took their leave.

Li Chengqian returned to the Tang army camp with other generals, and Zhuge Fu stepped forward to ask for instructions.

"My lord, you have come a long way and your camp is simple. Would you like to move to Damu City, which is occupied by General Guo? Only with the protection of the city can you be safe."

"Yes, Your Highness. I have ordered people to clean up the Damu City Lord's Mansion and are waiting for Your Highness to take up residence." Guo Xiaoke said with a smile.

"Zhici, I have been through battles since I was young. When have I ever coveted pleasure? Why can't I live in the camp just because I haven't led troops to fight in the past few years? Or did you, brother Zhici, hide something in the camp that you don't want me to see?

"Old general and fellow soldiers, has our Grand Commander hidden something shameful in the camp?" Li Chengqian asked jokingly.

"Hey, I see there's a handsome guard among the Grand Commander's personal guards. Could he be a woman disguised as a man?" Li Zhen, the commander of the Shenji Army, said with a smile.

"Nonsense, the commander-in-chief is very strict in disciplining the army, much like his ancestor. How could there be women in the army?" Li Jingheng, the commander of the Feidiao Army, said seriously.

"Then the Grand Commander likes Long Yang's goodness?" Chai Lingwu, deputy commander of the Feidiao Army, said with certainty.

"It's possible." Li Dejian nodded. When the generals heard what they said, they all laughed. Zhuge Fu smiled helplessly.

"I am devoted to the Lord, why should my brothers and sisters plot against me? How can a man of seven feet tall like men? I don't have any children yet. Dejian, you have learned bad things." After Zhuge Fu finished speaking, all the generals burst into laughter.

"Alright, alright, stop making fun of our great military advisor and commander-in-chief. I'm sorry for the trouble, old general. I appreciate your kindness. But I've been in the army for many years, and I still like to live with the soldiers.

"Zhici, you are already 25 years old this year, and you have been married for seven years. How come you still don't have any children? Who will inherit your title of Marquis of Wuxiang? Do you really have a hobby in that area?" After saying this, Li Chengqian and the generals laughed and went into the tent. Zhuge Fu stood there in shock, then stamped his feet and said angrily.

"Damn it, hurry up and give birth to a son when you get back."

Li Chengqian ordered a banquet to be arranged to entertain the generals and soldiers of the Tang Anxi Army. After taking a bath, Li Chengqian, with his hair loose, dressed in a white inner garment and a fur coat, sat casually in the middle of the camp with the generals. On a grill in front of them, a fat sheep was sizzling with oil.

In front, the Anxi Army soldiers were sitting together in rows, with a big fat sheep being roasted in the middle. Li Chengqian saw the soldiers sitting down and was about to toast, but he saw a small golden wine glass in front of him and frowned.

"Ling'er, this is a military banquet. Those sitting here are warriors who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the Tang Dynasty. The small wine glasses used in palace banquets cannot be used at this time. Change them to large military bowls." Li Ling'er rolled her eyes and muttered when she heard this.

"You don't know how much alcohol you can drink. If you get drunk, I won't lift you up." Although he said that, he still changed the big bowl in the army for Li Chengqian.

"Haha, Madam, don't worry. We haven't had a drink with you for a long time. If you get drunk, we will carry you back." Liao Siyuan laughed.

"Liao Chou'er, you have grown up and dared to underestimate the Lord's drinking capacity. Come, drink three hundred cups with me." Deng Yinlong said with a smile. Liao Siyuan looked fierce and fierce, and the old men in the Prince's Mansion Army called him 'Chou'er'. Liao Siyuan was not angry, but if it was someone else, he would be angry.

"Hehe, Brother Long, don't joke. Everyone in the Prince's Mansion knows your alcohol tolerance. It's a rare opportunity for me to drink with the lord today. I want to drink a few more glasses with the lord. I'll drink with you another day." Liao Siyuan scratched his head and smiled foolishly.

"My fellow soldiers of the Great Tang, you left your homes and careers to travel far to Tibet and made great achievements for the Great Tang. I, Li Chengqian, would like to thank you on behalf of the Great Tang. My fellow warriors of the Great Tang, follow me and drink this bowl of wine. You are worthy of the title of the warriors of the Great Tang and the title of the sharp sword of the empire." After saying this, Li Chengqian drank the liquor in the bowl.

All the soldiers stood up and drank.

"May the empire be victorious, and the prince be mighty." He then finished the wine in the bowl. Li Chengqian gestured to fill the second bowl and said loudly.

"This second bowl is for your relatives. It is their selfless support and dedication that allow my warriors to fight with peace of mind. I, Li Chengqian, promise you that anyone who has made contributions to our Tang Dynasty will be in the best interest of our Li Tang royal family. Your efforts will surely bring your families a life of luxury, happiness and peace." After saying this, Li Chengqian drank the full amount of liquor in the bowl.

"Long live the saint, and a thousand years for the prince." The soldiers finished drinking the wine in their bowls.

"The third bowl, I want to toast my dead comrades. You died on the battlefield for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and the eternal peace of the people. You are all the heroic spirits of the Tang Dynasty. Your heroic spirits are not far away, and they will protect the eternal prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

Brothers, please wait in the Shrine of Heroes. A hundred years later, I will go to the underworld and drink with you to thank you for your contribution to the Tang Dynasty." After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he poured the wine in the bowl onto the ground. The soldiers also poured the wine in their bowls onto the ground with solemn expressions.

"Okay, let's eat. Damn it, I didn't eat much in the morning and at noon for this dinner. The way of eating in the camp is more to my taste and it whets my appetite. Usually, that's what children eat, and there are too many rules and it's not pleasant.

Ah Hu, cut me a leg of lamb. Damn it, I'm starving." Li Chengqian shouted. All the soldiers burst into laughter and started cutting meat and drinking. Deng Xiaohu smiled and handed Li Chengqian a leg of lamb. After Li Chengqian took it, he held it and ate it without any image.

"Da Lang, if your uncle and aunt saw the way you eat, they would scold you to death. And the fur robe you are wearing was given by the emperor, so are you just using it to wipe your hands?" Chang Sun Chong couldn't help laughing when he saw Li Chengqian's eating habits.

"Burp! It's just a piece of clothing. My old man eats more generously than me in the military camp. Even my uncle eats voraciously. Cousin, don't blame me. Eat quickly. It won't taste good if it gets cold." Li Chengqian said with a burp, and then continued to gnaw.

"Haha, Sikong, don't be surprised. This is how our lord and I usually have banquets. My lord, let Chou'er toast you." Liao Siyuan came to Li Chengqian with a wine bowl. Li Chengqian put down the wine bowl, wiped his hands on his robe twice casually, picked up the bowl and smiled.

"Chou'er, you have killed the most powerful general of Tubo in battle, and you have made a great contribution. You are now an earl, right? When the war is over, I will make you a marquis. With your ability, you can lead an army on your own. Do you want to be transferred from the Feilong Army to lead an army on your own?"

"Marquis, that's great. Chou'er thanks you, my lord. As for the transfer, forget it. I'm doing well in the Flying Dragon Army. Chou'er's life and everything he has now are given by you, my lord. Chou'er doesn't want any high position or wealth. As long as I follow you, I'll be happy even if I'm just a small soldier." Liao Siyuan said with a naive smile.

"That's right. We all depend on our lord for our lives. Without him, our graves would be covered with grass and we wouldn't have the luxury of living and high positions and salaries we have today. We will fight to the death for our lord." Liu Yuan, the commander of the Third Division of the Flying Dragon Army, said with a smile. Li Chengqian cursed with a smile and drank a bowl of wine with Liao Siyuan.

Li Chengqian drank so much wine that night that he passed out and was carried back to the tent.