Chapter 166 Sima's Return

Zhang Mai attacked the night of fire and defeated Arslan. The next day, the report came from an urgent flight, saying that He Chunshan had welcomed the Grand Protector Sima Liu An and Guo Bian, and all the people detained by Satuk had arrived at Chongtianzhai safely.

Zhang Mai was surprised and happy and shouted, "He Chunshan is doing things well! He was not wrong this time."

Guo Luo was naturally very happy when he heard that his younger brother Ping'an came back, but after his joy, he frowned and said, "Think about the day, even if He Chunshan set out from Ningyuan and headed straight for Talas, and then took Liu An and the others back, it shouldn't be so fast."

At this time, the messenger said, "In addition, Satuk sent back the coffin of our old guardian."

"What!"

Zhang Mai and Guo Luo shouted as soon as he heard this.

On that day, under He Chunshan's step by step, Su Lai finally agreed to lead him into the country and take him to greet Liu An.

He Ziying came to see me off, and was a little worried that Satuk would detain He Chunshan like he was detaining Liu An, but He Chunshan was not worried at all: "This is the time, and that is the same as before. The current situation is different from that, and Satuk is useless to detain me. Besides, my position is too low, so he could not even achieve the purpose of venting anger."

Then he followed Su Lai north and left Chongtian Village. After leaving Chongtian Village, he said for only one day, Su Lai said, "Here." He Chunshan was very strange. Su Lai led him to a valley, but saw countless people and horses hidden in the valley. He was ambushed everywhere with the terrain. Although there was no tent, he was directly in the cave. He Chunshan was shocked: "They actually ambushed a soldier here! It took only one day to get from here to Chongtian Village. Light cavalry arrived in half a day. If the other party wanted to attack at night, we would be caught off guard."

He had always thought that he was leading the other party's nose in negotiations, but he had the upper hand. He suddenly discovered Satuk's camp here before he was secretly alert.

When he arrived in the depths of the valley, he saw Satuk in a cave. This Western hero seemed very depressed at this moment, and he did not hide his down-and-out in front of outsiders. When he saw He Chunshan, he did not dare to put on any airs and seemed very humble. Beside him was a man who was not old but had frosty hair. The guard Huo Chang who followed He Chunshan was an old man from Xinshuoye City, so he recognized it as Liu An and quietly told He Chunshan.

Liu An did not recognize He Chunshan. He was a prisoner in the enemy camp for a long time and seemed very cautious in every word and deed. He refused to say a word before he figured out the situation. His eyes seemed to be open and closed, but he did not let go of all the details around him. After experiencing this hardship, the general staff of the Tang army had a higher mind and scheming.

Su Lai said to He Chunshan with a smile: "He Lushi, we Bogra Khan personally sent Liu Sima. I also hope that Special Envoy Zhang can consider entering."

He Chunshan understood that he had something in his words, and was implying that this negotiation Satuk was taking the initiative to show kindness, not passing the person. When Liu An heard this, he knew that He Chunshan was his own person. He felt secretly happy, but he still refused to speak out.

Su Lai sent another order. After a while, the soldiers brought a group of people. The leader was a young man, which turned out to be Guo Bian. Guo Bian couldn't figure out the situation. Although he had known that he had already missed the incident of pretending to be Satuk's son, the young man had also developed a bit of perseverance in the enemy camp. He didn't recognize He Chunshan. When he saw Liu An, he just took a look and said nothing.

Then, the Uighur soldiers carried out two coffins, one with the words "Guo Dadu's coffin" and the other with the words "An Changshi's coffin".

Guo Bian's eyes turned red suddenly, but he still didn't say anything. Liu An felt a sense of grief. But seeing that the general Guo Bian was able to restrain his emotions, he thought to himself: "In the past few months, A Bian has grown at least ten years."

Su Lai respectfully kowtowed to Guo Shidao's coffin, and then said to Liu An: "Liu Sima, when the two families fought against each other, it was not for personal grudges. When the city of Gulan was destroyed, Bogra Khan repeatedly advised him, but unfortunately, the guardian of Guo would rather die than surrender. My Uighurs respected all of this passion from Bogra Khan. Therefore, he also carefully guarded his body and dared not make any mistakes. Now he is here to return it. Please ask Liu Sima to escort back to the territory and express his condolences to the special envoy Zhang, Mrs. Zhang, General Guo Luo, etc.."

At this time, even the Uighurs had already known that Zhang Mai was Guo Shidao's son-in-law.

Only then did Liu An speak and said, "Are you going to let me go?"

"Liu Sima Yan is so serious." Satuk said: "Liu Sima is an envoy sent by the Tang army to our army. Now that the mission has been completed, I should send Liu Sima back to the territory with respect."

Liu An said hey: "Tang Army, Tang Army!" No one could understand these two sighs. You should know that when Liu An came to Satuk's army, Shu Yibar and others kept talking about "Tang Corps". Now that he was going back, even Satuk said "Tang Army" respectfully. When Liu An saw such changes, he naturally understood that the Tang Army must have the upper hand now! Isn't this situation just for his own struggle to die? Thinking of this, how deep the feelings in his heart can be understood by outsiders?

But he did not express his emotions. In silently following the guidance of the Uighurs, he took He Chunshan, Guo Bian and others out of the valley. Su Lai sent it out. Before leaving, he said: "Liu Sima and Special Envoy Zhang have not even promised us a promise. But Bograhan respects Special Envoy Zhang's character and really hopes to make friends with him. So without saying a word, he sent back the coffins of the Lima Sima, Mr. Guo and the Protector of the Lima Guo unconditionally. If Special Envoy Zhang is not satisfied with this and still refuses to let us down, then we will have no other way except to take risks." He also said: "In ten days, I will go to the fortress again, and I will not want to hear the refusal of the entreaties."

Liu An snorted softly, without comment, and then he called everyone, "Let's go." After walking for several miles, He Chunshan saw that no one was following him, so he turned over and bowed to Liu An, saying, "He Chunshan, the director of the Sima Office of the Great Protector, pays homage to Liu Sima." Liu An quickly helped him up and said, "Sima Office of the Great Protector?"

When the Tang army was in Xinxuye City, although the departments were complete, the Great Guardian Sima and the Five Chiefs of the Military Commanders were all commanders, almost one person was one department, and at most other people were drawn to help when the affairs were busy. When the Tang army arrived in Talas, Liu An only had three documents to help him run away, but there were no yamen. The "Sima Office of the Great Guardian Sima" was established by the Tang army after Shule gained a foothold.

He Chunshan is a new official, and he doesn't understand this source. Huo Chang, who is guarding him, smiled and said, "Liu Sima, our Anxi Protectorate has a large territory and a large number of people. All the five military leaders of the Protectorate have opened yamen and built a government office. You are one of the three auxiliary officials of the Protectorate, and of course you have to set up a bureau. When you are not here, the Sima Office was served by Li Bin, but he is also the deputy Sima, the position of Sima, and the special envoy is still keeping it for you."

Although He Chunshan's mission was headed by He Chunshan this time, Huo Chang was the old friend of Xinxuyecheng. Therefore, Liu An could not trust He Chunshan, who had first met, at once. After hearing the Huo Chang's words, he was overjoyed and said: "So, our army has indeed arrived in Shule?" He also heard many rumors in the Satuk army, but it was not confirmed.

He Chunshan said: "It's not just about reaching Shule. Liu Sima, it's better for us to walk and talk."

Liu An said: "Okay, that's what it should be."

Along the way, He Chunshan briefly explained the achievements made by the Tang army in Shule and the current situation. When Guo Bian heard that the Tang army flooded Saman and defeated the siege of 100,000 Hu horses, he was so excited that he turned somersaults on the horse's back. Liu An couldn't help but burst into tears. Looking back at the coffin of Guo Shidao behind him, he cried and cried: "Master, Dadu, have you heard it! Your lifelong wishes have been fulfilled by your men! Tang army, Tang army... Now even Satuk dares to call us Tang Kou again!"

Because he carried the coffin and walked along the mountain road, the return journey took longer than when he arrived. On the third day, he arrived at Chongtianzhai. On the way, Liu An heard that He Chunshan, his new subordinate, was a descendant of the Mergers' Mansion, and his psychological distance was closer to him. When he saw Chongtianzhai, He Ziying had already sent a team of cavalry to pick them up.

It was not until he saw He Ziying and entered his own camp that Liu An was truly relieved. However, when he saw Guo Shidao's coffin in Chongtian Village, he cried a large area.

The Tang army in Anxi had three auxiliary officials below the Great Protector and the Deputy Great Protector. Among them, the Great Protector General Shi, the Internal Affairs of Prime Minister Shi, was taken over by Zheng Wei after An Er's death; the Great Protector Sima was the general staff officer of the entire army and had great power; the Great Protector General Li Yan was in charge of the military laws of the entire army and impeached good and evil, which was the discipline inspection department of the Tang army.

Although Yang Yi and Guo Shiyong are the highest among the generals, they will be left half of their shoulders when they meet the Sima, Liu An has a high status and fulfills his mission at this time and returns with integrity. After returning, all the soldiers and generals of Chongtianzhai respect him. He Ziying and He Chunshan all came to ask him for instructions and ask him what to do next.

Liu An had already asked He Chunshan about the situation on the way, and said, "Su Lai will come again in a few days. The envoy should still be in Yihei and Arslan, and may not be able to meet Su Lai. I will stay here to deal with him. Abian, you will lead your brother, uncle who returned from the enemy camp and the coffin of the old guard to Ningyuan. Since Brother Shi Yong is in Ningyuan, he will make arrangements after he arrives there."

At the same time, he ordered someone to send an urgent messenger to Ningyuan.

He Chunshan said again: "Satuk actually has placed heavy troops nearby and may invade at any time. Liu Sima, we should send messengers to Ningyuan and ask the other side to increase troops to Chongtianzhai as soon as possible."

Liu An said, "No. I have seen the surrounding terrain before entering the village just now. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Moreover, the terrain is narrow and there is no effect when the troops are too strong. It will only increase the loss of military capital. Now we only need to take strict precautions. If Satuk really dares to attack, we cannot resist it, and it will not be too late to ask for help at that time." After all, He Chunshan is a child of a merchant and is proficient in the way of traversing and tracing, but he is not good at attacking and defending the specific war.

Although Xue Fu was very favored by Zhang Mai during this period, when he was facing a major event, Zhang Mai took Guo Luo and Xi Sheng to Yi Hei to meet the enemy, but handed over Ning Yuan's military power to Guo Shiyong with Li Bin assisting him.

When Guo Shiyong heard the news, he quickly sent cavalry to welcome Guo Shidao's coffin, and sent someone to Shule to report the message. Li Bin thought to himself: "Liu Sima's 'Beihai Shepherd' this time, and he is the only leader who has been cut off that day, and he will definitely be reused in the future. He is my boss again. During this period, I was all about Sima's office. Now that he is back, I'd better go to see him first, so as not to have misunderstandings and rifts in the future." So he said to Guo Shiyong: "Liu Sima is in the enemy camp for a long time, and may know some of the facts of Satuk. I think the envoy may ask him to take charge of the major affairs of the Northwest, but he may not know completely about the recent situation and secrets of our army. It is better for me to go to Chongtianzhai to give him a brief explanation of Sima's office."

Guo Shiyong said: "Okay, but you can't stay in Chongtianzhai for a long time. Ningyuan also needs you. Come back after the matter is finished."

Li Bin agreed. Although his legs were useless, he could not walk the road. Fortunately, he was able to ride a horse and rushed to Chongtianzhai. Liu An knew that his deputy had arrived and welcomed him out of the village gate. He said, "In the past few months, my brothers have sacrificed their lives and captured Shule, Shache, Ningyuan. Our army has great power. Today's Tang army is no longer the Tang army of the past. I am very ashamed, but I have not made any contribution. In fact, this position of Sima should have been done by Brother Li."

Li Bin hurriedly said, "What is Sima saying this! If it weren't for the Protector Guo, the Chief Secretary An, General Yang Dingbang and Liu Sima, you tried all your plans and made time for our army's main force. How could we deceive Ejisan and crossed Geluoling to enter Shule? All the subsequent military achievements were all due to the sacrifice of the Queen. Liu Sima, you are humble to say this, but you have placed the Protector Guo, where is the Chief Secretary An?"

Liu An yelled and said, "It's me that I've been wronged, it's me that I've been wronged."

After entering the village, Li Bin briefly reported the important matters of Sima's office to Liu An, and then talked about the military information and war reports since the separation. Many things were secrets that He Chunshan could not contact.

Li Bin stayed in Chongtianzhai for two days before saying goodbye to Ningyuan. On the third day, Yihei had another quick horse. This time he came was Ma Xiaochun. After seeing Liu An, he looked him left and right, looked up and down, and suddenly started crying. Liu An shouted, "What are you doing?"

Ma Xiaochun said, "The special envoy sent me here this time. Before leaving, he gave a special reminder and said, "Xiaochun, this time you go to Chongtianzhai. In addition to sending orders for official business, you should also help me see if Liu Sima has gained weight or lost weight, but is old or haggard. He has been detained by Satuk for so long, but has he suffered some illness or pain. "Ma Xiaochun said, pointing to Liu An's temples and said, "Liu Sima, I remember that when you parted, you had black hair, but now your hair on both sides is white. This... you must have suffered a lot! After returning, I will tell the special envoy that he would launch troops to destroy Satuk, give you and the Mass Protectors to avenge them!"

After hearing this, Liu An couldn't help but shed tears and said, "I didn't expect to come back after I went to the Satuk army that day. The envoy, the old brothers, and the new brothers, still remember me so much and care about me so much. OK, let's not talk about these things, tell me about the military life of the envoy."

Ma Xiaochun then passed the order, but Zhang Mai handed over the negotiation power with Satuk and Saman to Liu An for handling, and ordered He Chunshan to assist. After Ma Xiaochun passed the order, he said: "Liu Sima, Satuk killed Lao Guo's Protector, and caused you so much trouble. If you want to take revenge, all the soldiers of our Anxi Tang Army will support you!"

Liu An asked, "Is this also the special envoy's words?"

Ma Xiaochun quickly slapped himself in the mouth and said, "No, it's me who talks nonsense."

Liu An said: "This matter is very important, but it cannot be joked. Go back and report to the special envoy and tell him that I already know that the internal internal of our army is quite empty and it is not suitable to fight for a long time. In the current situation, state affairs are the priority, and personal grudges are the least. At present, consolidating existing territory and forcing Arslan to retreat. As for the revenge of Guo Dadu, huh, a gentleman will take revenge for ten years. As long as our strength is strong, are you afraid that there will be no chance?"

Ma Xiaochun said: "I remember it."

Liu An said again: "Since the special envoy has delivered the power to me, Satuk and Saman, I will try my best to mediate to relieve the pressure from Bukhara and Talas. You can let the special envoy deal with Arslan with confidence."

After Ma Xiaochun left, Liu An called He Chunshan to discuss strategies against Satuk and Saman. He Chunshan said: "Sula said that if we don't let him go, they will take risks. This statement is probably true. Now Satuk is at the end of his journey. Any of the three surrounding forces may destroy him with all their strength. Even if you don't attack, as long as you use the word "trap" technique, you can also trap him to death."

Liu An nodded, and he returned from the Satuk army. Although he was restricted from his movements, the despairing atmosphere in the army could not be concealed.

He Chunshan continued: "Among the three major forces around Talas, Arslan and Satuk are named as the same tribe, but in fact they are the most incompatible, because if he defeats Satuk, he can annex his tribes and formally unify the Western Uighurs of Lingxi. Although Satuk has formed an alliance, now things and people have changed, their relationship seems dark and unclear, but there is still a possibility of a good relationship. Although we have a grudge against them, because we do not have the power to occupy Talas at the moment, the threat to Satuk is the least."

Although there is a small path between Talas and Ningyuan City, it is not convenient to transport a large amount of military supplies. If you want to go to Yar and Mirki, you will be attacked by Balashaguon at any time. If the Tang army wants to continue to attack Satuk, not only will he risk his death attack, but even if it can succeed, after occupying Talas, it will score a large number of troops to face the pressure from Saman and Balashaguon at the same time, and the result will be that it will be more than worth the loss.

Liu An said: "Your analysis makes sense. If Satuk asks Saman, it should be easier to succeed than asking us for help. Why did he come to us first?"

He Chunshan said: "Although Saman and they were allies, Satuk had just been exhausted and lost a lot of money to King Naisl II. Satuk was defeated by our army, and seemed to have no power to fight back. His prestige was ruined. The major forces in the Western Regions lost confidence in him. If he was standing by the grave and waiting for death. If Satuk now goes to surrender to Satuk now, Bukhara will not give him a good look. But if we can get the understanding of our army, he will leak this news to Satuk again. After Satuk heard about it, he will most likely come to fight for Satuk. At that time, he will be able to survive in the gaps between the three major forces."
Chapter completed!