Chapter 113: The Five Emperors of Hexi

When the news that Zhang Mai had seized Dunhuang reached Julan City, Arslan couldn't help but curse, "The East's bastards are really useless!" His heart was shocked. Although his army had approached Talas City, Guo Luo soon sent a mediation letter with a strong threat. Arslan scolded Guo Luo's envoy on the spot. However, when he heard that Yi Hei was building a large ship raft, he was also unstable in his heart.

At this moment, Satuk sent an envoy to come and called in, but it was Hushagar.

Hushagar was not only an important general of Satuk, but also very prestige among the Uighur tribe. He also had a close relationship with Arslan. When he met him, Arslan said, "Hushagar, why are you still following Satuk? Go back to Balashaguon? As long as you surrender to me, I will let you live a dignified life again."

Hushagar said: "Khan, I'm here this time, and I'm just trying to do this."

Arslan was stunned, and Hushagar said: "Not only me, but also the deputy Khan is ready to surrender to you, just hope you can accept it."

Gesadanmo was overjoyed and shouted repeatedly: "Congratulations to Khan, congratulations to Khan! Khan is intimidating the grassland, and Satuk surrenders without fighting. It is the power of Khan!"

Although Arslan took the city in the battle of Julan City, he made Satuk's main force escape unscrupulously. He felt very uncomfortable when he heard that Satuk was going to surrender, so he was out of hope and asked: "Satuk really has this sincerity?"

Hushagar said: "Yes, but we Khan have a small condition."

“What conditions?”

Hushagar said: "We hope to keep Talas."

Arslan frowned when he heard this, "What's that? What's the difference between it and now!"

"There is a difference." Hushagar said: "As long as the Khan agrees to this condition and informs the entire tribe, and withdraws the army surrounding Talas to Julan City. When the army retreats, we order Ibar to withdraw from Melki and to double the walls east of Talas to show that we will no longer dare to resist the majesty of the Khan like a lion. From then on, we will pay tribute every year. Please decide the amount of offerings. The two sons of the Deputy Khan were captured by the Tang army. Last year, the Deputy Khan gave birth to another child, which has been established.

As the prince, he is still in his infancy, he is willing to hand over to the Khan to ask the queen to raise him. If there is another war on the Khan in the future, as long as a command is passed, the Deputy Khan will immediately send troops to meet him." He paused and said, "Khan, our Uighur tribe has always been governed by various parts. I think the Khan's sincerity with the Khan, I think the Khan's subordinate tribes cannot surpass him. If Khan is not satisfied with this, then our Deputy Khan will have no way out and have to fight to the death on the city."

Hushagar was very clear about the ruling pattern within the Uighurs. The people in the northern desert do not have a strong tradition of county-level divisions. After so many years of development, the rule of the Uighurs in Lingxi is still between the bureaucratic organizations and tribal alliances. The patriarchs and chiefs of the Arslan tribes actually have a very high autonomy. As Hushagar said, Satuk had five items of demolishing cities, offering land, raising qualities, tribute, and military service. Even if he was re-incorporated into the Arslan ruling system, Arslan could claim to unify the Lingxi Uighurs. At that time, Toulon and others, as well as other tribes under his command today, were only solely, and most tribes could not even do these five items. If Arslan was not satisfied with these five items, it would mean that Satuk could only fight to the death with him.

Arslan was concerned about the situation in the east at this time. In order to maintain his face, he scolded Guo Luo's envoy away. However, if he said that he was not worried about Guo Luo's attack, it would be fake. If Zhang Mai's army returned west, even if Guo Luo's attack was possible, it might force him to withdraw from the Talas area. At that time, his losses would be greater - not only would he not be able to obtain the city of Mörkijulan, but he would also lose his reputation.

Moreover, although Melki was small, he was extremely uncomfortable like a thorn in his eyes behind him. If he could remove Melki and get the city of Julan, then the Talas region would lose a complete line of defense. Satuk had a Talas that could not stand on its own, and he said, "Okay, I promised him, but he would have to reduce his troops and horses. He would not be allowed to let me allow him. The number of troops must be controlled below 10,000. If Satuk could do it, I would let him come to Balashaguen as my prime minister. After all, he is my younger brother, and I don't want to force him too much. If he could come to Balashaguen to assist me, then our brothers would be harmonious, and the superiors could comfort their parents' souls in heaven, and the inferiors could set an example for the Uighur tribes."

Hushagar said: "The Khan is willing to forgive the Deputy Khan. The two Khans reconciled again. This will be a blessing for the entire Uighur tribe. However, for reducing the troops and horses, I have to ask the Deputy Khan again. The Deputy Khan will never disobey the Khan's orders. However, Talas is newly defeated and in chaos, if the Deputy Khan leaves immediately, I am afraid that the Tang army in the south and Saman in the west will develop a covetous heart. Can the Khan be asked to be kind to the Deputy Khan and let the Deputy Khan guard here for half a year, and then go to Balashaguen to serve in his post after half a year."

Arslan thought to himself: "Only by Talas alone, Satuk will never be able to revitalize within half a year, and he will not even be able to recover from his injuries. As long as Melki gets it, I can fight back anytime after he changes any more abnormally in the future." He agreed.

When the news came out, Arslan's subordinates cheered. They had been away from home for a long time and knew that the deputy Khan was brave and good at fighting. Now there was only one city left. If they attacked the opponent, they would fight to the death. It was expected that the casualties would be severe in this siege battle. Maybe it would be their turn one day. Therefore, when they heard that Satuk surrendered, everyone cheered.

Although Arslan agreed, he still had some precautions. The army just retreated slowly. When he retreated to Julan City, Satuk indeed ordered Hushagarchi to order Shu Yibal to withdraw from Melki. Arslan wanted Shu Yibal to go back to Balashagun with him to entrust the important tasks, but Shu Yibal said: "I belong to the deputy Khan. This army was handed over to me by the deputy Khan. I must take these troops back and hand them to the deputy Khan first. When the deputy Khan allows me, I will come to Balashagun to be loyal to the great Khan."

This is also a habit among people from Mobei. Arslan didn't care. As soon as Melki changed hands, Ashina Corensu immediately advised Arslan to kill Shu Yibar, annex his army, and then send troops to attack Talas again.

Gesadan said hurriedly: "You can't do this, you must not! If the Khan does this, it will be a breach of trust in the entire Uighur tribe! Who else dares to follow the Khan's orders in the future?"

Arslan also nodded and said, "Why am I a person who goes against my word?"

He then let the sword go back, but let Gzadanmo set a very heavy number of offerings. He had calculated: how to increase the offering tax, how to persuade Satuk's soldiers and generals, how to *** the supply of Talas, how to secretly send people to harass the herdsmen and farmers belonging to Talas, and gradually squeeze Satuk's living space, and how to order Satuk to attack Saman, harass Ningyuan, and make him offend the countries, but at the same time, he ambushed the heavy troops. If Satuk obeys, he will fall into his trap step by step. If he doesn't follow, he will immediately send troops, and rightfully crush Talas.

As soon as Shuyibar returned to Talas, Satuk indeed sent someone to send his young son over. Arslan's army retreated east in batches and prepared to return to his hometown to spend the winter. At the same time, Satuk indeed began to tear down the low city walls. Arslan heard that he was relieved to go back, but ordered Gesandam's younger brother to lead a 15,000 army to station in Julan City, and sent a confidant general to milki, thinking that the line of defense was standing up, even if Satuk wanted to rebel, it would not be easy to succeed. If Arslan had defeated Satuk, he could go straight in at any time, and there would be no obstacles.

Another month later, Satuk indeed ordered the layoffs, but it aroused a fierce reaction from his subordinates. General Holland was angry at Satuk's weakness and believed that he surrendered to Zhang Mai first and then Arslan, without any stance. Therefore, he argued with reason, but Satuk beat him in public. In shame and anger, Holland led his people to the west to escape into the surroundings of the Huoxunhai.

Even Holland left, and many of the laid-off generals refused to be a bitter herdsman. They scattered with many stars. Talas was desolate very much. Arslan sent people to check and found that there were only seven or eight thousand troops left in the city. At this point, Balashagun felt at ease. Although the offerings were a little hindered, Hushagar always said that Talas was dilapidated and could not raise so much money and grain. He asked Arslan to be graceful for a few months. After this winter, "Otherwise, the people inside and outside the city of Talas would be frozen to death and starved to death. Please see that the Khan was also the Khans people in Talas, and the Khans would be graceful until next spring."

At this moment, the situation in the East changed significantly, so Arslan's mind gradually changed.

Satuk suddenly had such a big change, and Guo Luo could not have known it. He discussed with Liu An and He Chunshan and said, "What do you think Satuk does this for?"

Liu An said: "Satuk is like a jackal and tiger. He is willing to spit out a piece of meat for a bigger piece of meat. He bent down and the people who are bowed to him should be careful. I think he should be worried about it, but Arslan."

Guo Luo said: "I also thought that he wanted to plot against Arslan. But what he did now is equivalent to handing over his life to Arslan little by little, abandoning the fortress of Erki, tearing down the walls of Talas, and offering protons and reducing troops. He offended us and Saman and made everyone betrayal of their relatives within a year. In less than a year, Arslan could kill him with justice."

Liu An said: "I don't think it's that simple. Why don't we send an envoy to blame him for betraying the alliance, see what his reaction is, and then make plans."

As the Western Front was changing, the game between the Tang army and the outside world on the Eastern Front was also continuing.

Zhang Mai set up a tent in Changle and asked the ministers' generals about the next strategy. Xue Fu ruling the west attacked Beiting, and Murong Guiying ruling the east acquisition of Hexi. Zhang Mai was undecided for a moment and asked Yang Yi's opinion.

Yang Yi pondered under the eyes of everyone for a long time. He remembered the deep conversation with Zheng Wei that night, and wanted to speak, but he felt that there were too many people in the tent and that he couldn't say something. At this moment, the ringtone outside the tent rang, and Zhang Maixi said: "Here you come!"

It turned out that Zhang Mai stationed a large army in Changle, but sent Xue Yunshan, Cao Kun, Jiangshan, Dou Jiannan and Xue Yunfei to lead 1,200 people to take advantage of the victory to enter the Suzhou area. With Dou Jiannan as the guide and Xue Yunfei as the logistics to collect Suzhou.

He gave the horse bell to the five people Xue, Cao, Jiang and Dou. If the war goes well, they can tie the bells on the way to win. In the big tent, only Yang Yishiba and others knew this.

At this time, he heard the ringtone and Zhang Mai ordered the consignor to ride a horse to the tent.

After a moment, the messenger rushed to the tent and turned over to the tent and reported, "Report... the Great Protector..." When the five generals of Hexi set off, Murong Guiying and others had not yet regarded Zhang Mai as the general, so the messenger still used the old name. He came in a hurry and kept breathing. Zhang Mai smiled and said, "Don't worry, come slowly."

He looked at Ma Xiaochun. Ma Xiaochun had already taken twice the milk and stepped forward to moisten his throat. By the way, he bent down his head and whispered in the messenger's ear.

The messenger thanked him and took him, raised his head and poured him down, and then said, "Report to the general, Xue Cao, Jiang and Dou, five deputy commanders, rushed into Suzhou from Zebei, climbed the mountain alone, and there was no obstacle all the way. They arrived at Jiuquan City, the capital of Suzhou in three days. The people of Suzhou were panicked and confused. Yao Luoge Diping, the general of the Uighur General in Ganzhou, led the remnants of the troops to guard the city. Dou Jiannan, the deputy commander, raised his arms and promoted the general's intention to restore Tang to love the people. There were many serfs from the Han family outside the city.

They rose up and helped the five generals to attack the city. Less than three days after the siege of the city, news came from Ganzhou - the descendants of Wu Chongyingong, the descendants of Zhangye Wu Ainong, who was famous among the Han people, called on the Han people to raise an army, killed all the Uighur men over four feet in Zhangye City overnight, occupied the city, and sent a letter to ask our army to go to reinforce. Xue Yunshan and five other deputy commanders were given the power to act cheaply as the general had given him the power to act, so they entrust Deputy Commander Cao Kun to lead the army to go!"

He said so much in one breath, and almost all the generals in the tent held their breath and listened to his remarks. The messenger finally swallowed a saliva and continued: "Deputy Commander Cao, with 800 cavalry, rushed to Zhangye for three days and three nights. When he arrived, there were only 500 people left. However, as soon as my Tang Dynasty flag was inserted into the city of Zhangye, the city cheered and shook a hundred miles! The news of the resumption of Ganzhou reached Suzhou, and the Han people in the city immediately rose up, killed Diping, and opened the city to welcome our army! When Beishi returned, news had also been heard from Liangzhou that the elders of all the prefectures in Hexi sincerely invited the guru to tour the east as soon as possible! To determine Hexi!"

When the generals in the tent heard this, they were all surprised and happy. Zhang Mai said happily: "I just wanted the five generals to take Suzhou, but I didn't want them to take Ganzhou for me! OK, okay! The five generals in Hexi have achieved great achievements. Zhongmou, how do you think you should reward me?"

Zhang Zhongmou's status was not high, and he was in the account at that time, who was responsible for recording the military account meeting. He said: "This contribution can be rewarded with 100 taels of silver, fifty pieces of silk, and a beautiful house in Dunhuang. All the soldiers and generals will be promoted to the next level."

Zhang Mai laughed and said, "The silk house is gone first. We are fighting immediately. What are you going to do with these enjoyable things so soon! Don't lose your temper! The order: Reward a five generals and a bloody horse! Five of them are still deputy commanders. I will be promoted to them one level and become commanders!" He also said, "These five new commanders in Hexi are newly returned generals, but they will immediately establish a great achievement. All the 'veterans' in the tent, don't just give me a reward, you can give them some advice."

Yang Yi pondered slightly, then took his helmet and a horizontal knife, and rewarded Xue Yunshan, Xue Fu, Murong Chunhua and Shi Ba, and each followed suit, each took his helmets and rewarded Jiangshan, Cao Kun, Dou Jiannan, and Li Bin took off his protective soft armor and the Yutian jade belt, and rewarded Xue Yunfei.

Zhang Mai ordered people to take out their helmets, swords, soft armor, and ordered Guo Zhang and Tian Han to say, "You two have worked harder. Let's go to Suzhou now and reward them on my behalf, asking them to fight well, defend their territory, and treat the people well. I will send troops to help me."

After Guo Zhang and Tian Han took the order, Zhang Mai smiled and said, "After Gansu is taken, Hexi will become a treasure. We originally planned to discuss major issues, so we should not be frivolous, but such good news is worthy of being revealed. Xiaochun, let's bring you good wine. Everyone will drink three cups of each one. After celebrating the great victory in Gansu, it will be no longer too late to discuss it."

Although I feel very sympathetic to the people in prison, I just stop sympathizing with them. I will only take another step and my influence is not enough to do so. In the name of justice, I may not be able to obtain the benefits, but it will also defile justice. The collapse of a civilization always starts with digging for its own credibility. Thinking about the respect for those people ten years ago, today I look back on it like a different life. Although I have complained about this dynasty, I also feel that peace-price is becoming more and more a joke.
Chapter completed!