Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Chapter 1244 Songtsen Gampo's Last Hope

Lun Qinling, who escaped from Qunu City, knew very well that the details of the Tang army that Zamp asked about were not the number of Tang troops, but the magic and commander mastered by the Tang army.

At present, the biggest threat that the Tang army poses to Tubo is the powerful sorcery.

If the Tang army did not have the magic to destroy the city wall, they would not have lost Qunu City so quickly, and they would even have had a chance to kill more than 100,000 Tang soldiers.

Unfortunately!

God blesses the Tang Dynasty, but not Tubo!

If the Tubo people were allowed to master such powerful magic, I'm afraid the offensive and defensive strategies of them and the Tang Dynasty would be reversed!

In the Battle of Qunu City, his father and elder brother were killed, and more than 100,000 troops surrendered to the Tang army.

The Indian territory they had fought so hard to conquer also became a wedding dress for the Tang army.

Lun Qinling took out a piece of paper from his wide sleeves, spread it out and read it, then reported in a deep voice.

"Report to the Zamp, the Tang army has approximately 70,000 to 80,000 men, led by Duke Du He of Han. He previously led troops to annihilate Baekje, the Xi, the Khitan, the Xi people, the Mohe, and the Western Turks."

"As for whether they brought any magic to break the city, I haven't found out yet."

There was a pause.

Lun Qinling said solemnly, "However, the Tang army dared to cross a thousand miles to our Luoshui City without worrying about their food supply being cut off. They must have brought weapons to break through the city."

"If we rely on defending the city, I'm afraid we won't be able to resist the Tang army!"

The Zamp sent 8 troops to garrison many cities in the north and east, but there were only less than 3 soldiers left to garrison the city of Lhasa.

Once the Tang army blew up the city wall, the 3 people in the city would not be able to hold out for long.

At this time, the soldiers dispatched from the surrounding cities could only mobilize more than 10,000 people, which was still not enough to face the tens of thousands of Tang troops.

There was silence for a long time.

Songtsen Gampo asked in a deep voice: "Lun Qinling, do you have any way to resist the Tang army?"

"What are the chances of success if we leave the city and ambush the Tang army?"

At present, there are no capable generals in Lhasa City. Those generals with rich combat experience have been killed by the Tang army, and the only reliable person is Lun Qinling.

If there is no way to deal with Qinling, then we can only fight to the death with the Tang army.

Lun Qinling shook his head and said, "Zanpu, our soldiers are less than 50% of the Tang army's. If we leave the city and ambush the Tang army, we will die."

"The current plan is to mobilize soldiers from the surrounding cities back to Luoshui City, fortify the city walls and strengthen the defenses."

"Let's bet that the Tang army doesn't have any monsters that can destroy the city!"

Betting on the monster that the Tang army failed to defeat?

How can this be done?

Relying on the Tang army for the fate of the Tubo nation was itself a suicidal act.

Songtsen Gampo shook his head, then propped himself up and stood up and said.

"Lun Qinling, you must immediately bring all the soldiers, civilians, food, and livestock from the surrounding cities back to Luoshui City. Send people to reinforce the city walls and find a way to prevent the Tang army from breaking through!"

"I'll go find the Queen and see if she can mediate."

The queen Songtsen Gampo mentioned was Princess Wencheng. Since she married him in the 15th year of Zhenguan (641), she has been spreading the technology and culture of the Tang Dynasty.

For example, vegetable seeds, medicines, handicrafts, and books on production techniques.

In addition, Princess Wencheng also assisted him in carrying out political reforms, reorganizing the bureaucratic system, and dividing administrative jurisdictions.

It was precisely because of Princess Wencheng's assistance that Tubo's national strength was able to increase rapidly.

The officials and people of Tubo all respectfully called Princess Wencheng "Jiamusa".

The Tibetan word means a female fairy of the Han Dynasty.

Lun Qinling said respectfully, "Zanpu, if the queen is willing to mediate, this may be our Tubo's greatest chance."

"I will make the arrangements right away to avoid being late."

After saying this, he bowed deeply again and then strode out of the hall.

After a while.

"Hey!"

Songtsen Gampo sighed heavily and then left the hall on a sedan chair.

Previously, the Tang Dynasty promised Tubo that it would conquer many territories of India and make them all Tubo's territories.

He and his ministers knew that the Tang Dynasty actually wanted to use them to destroy India, but they could not resist this huge temptation.

The fact that the country is now on the verge of destruction is also related to their greed.

The rear hall of the imperial palace.

The center of the pavilion faces a lake.

Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng sat opposite each other, quietly sipping tea and admiring the snow, neither of them taking the initiative to speak.

After a long time.

Songtsen Gampo stood up and saluted, saying, "Queen, the great Tang war god, Duke Han, is leading tens of thousands of Tang troops straight towards our Lhasa city."

"In order to preserve the Tubo Kingdom's century-old foundation, I ask you to mediate."

"I wonder if that's okay?"

Although the Tang army was attacking Tubo, he was full of respect for his wife, Princess Wencheng.

The people of Tubo have witnessed the contributions Princess Wencheng has made to Tubo over the years, and the Tang Dynasty's military expedition to them had nothing to do with Princess Wencheng.

There was silence for a long time.

Princess Wencheng shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, I am just a woman. I cannot influence the Tang Dynasty's determination to unify the world."

"But since I am the Queen of Tubo, I should do my part for Tubo."

There was a pause.

Princess Wencheng said softly, "I will go see the Duke of Han tomorrow to see if he is willing to withdraw his troops."

"If it doesn't work, Your Majesty, please don't blame me."

As an intelligent woman, she knew that the Tang Dynasty had a strong desire to expand its territory, and that it was not something that a mere woman like her could stop.

Why not go and meet the rumored Korean prince and see what solution he will come up with.

Songtsen Gampo said quickly, "My queen, I will never blame you. It's so cold today, and it's really hard for you to make this journey."

After saying this, Songtsen Gampo couldn't stop coughing.

Princess Wencheng stood up and said softly, "Your Majesty, it's cold outside. Please go back to your bedroom and rest."

"The snow scene is beautiful today. I will stay here for a while."

She didn't like Songtsen Gampo very much, after all, they were married through marriage, but Songtsen Gampo had been very respectful to her over the years, which touched her deeply.

After coughing for a while.

Songtsen Gampo shook his head and said, "I don't have many years left to live. I will stay here with you to watch the snow."

"Ah."

Princess Wencheng nodded slightly.

...

Two days later.

The Tang army captured the city of Pibo and the city lord's mansion was located in the Tang Dynasty.

Du He was sitting inside, warming himself by the fire and drinking tea, when suddenly Pei Xingjian strode in with a report.

"General Du, Princess Wencheng requests an audience."

Princess Wencheng?

Thinking that she came here at this time, she must have come to plead for Songtsen Gampo.

Du He said softly, "Please invite Princess Wencheng in."