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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 218: A Request for Battle
Shibi Khan was eager to engage in battle, but his troops had been intimidated by the earlier Tang army and were reluctant to clash with the enemy. After all, there was little gold or food to plunder in this area; even if they won, what benefit would it bring? Khan had become increasingly stingy over the years.
After exchanging insults for a while, both sides retreated. Li Mi let out a sigh of relief. This was Turkic territory, and if they were delayed, who knew how many troops might emerge to cut off their retreat?
Once safely back within the Tang borders, Li Mi immediately set up defenses. In theory, the Turkic forces would not invade again in the short term; Qin Wang's recent campaign had severely weakened them.
However, at that moment, Qin Wang was unconscious, King Qi had been demoted, and both Qin Shubao and Dan Xiongxin were in critical condition. As the current commander, he had to ensure everything was foolproof.
Li Mi arranged everything and then focused on the physicians treating Qin Wang and Dan Xiongxin and Qin Shubao. Fortunately, Qin Wang had only been shot in the left shoulder; the other arrows had been blocked by his armor and helmet.
Dan Xiongxin and Qin Shubao were in more danger. They had sustained multiple injuries, and judging by the damage to their armor from front to back, they had also suffered blunt force trauma that affected their lungs. Thankfully, due to their strong physiques and the skill of the physicians, both generals managed to cling to life but would need over a year of recovery to regain their strength.
This was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune; if any of these three had died, Li Mi would have found it difficult to explain to the emperor.
Li Yuanji naturally received news of the army's return first. When he learned that Li Shimin was injured, he released days of pent-up frustration and ordered a grand feast with plenty of wine.
It took another two days for the court to receive accurate news: Qin Wang had achieved great merit by delivering a heavy blow to the Turkic forces, allowing the Tang dynasty to approach Turkic matters with much more ease.
Many tribes that were still hesitant might now turn against the Turkic forces and side with the Tang dynasty because of this battle.
However, Qin Wang's mistakes were significant as well; without the emperor's orders, he had taken it upon himself to lead troops across borders. Although there were gains from this action, it nearly cost the court two great generals.
The court generally leaned towards rewarding Qin Wang. The emperor ultimately decided that those who contributed would be rewarded, while those who erred would be punished. Qin Wang was granted golden armor and a prized steed, and was promoted to the position of Special Assistant to the Chancellor.
His position as the Governor of Henan was revoked, and he faced a penalty of one year's salary forfeiture. He would remain under observation until his injuries healed, receiving one hundred strokes from the Imperial Staff.
Sometimes, ten strokes from the Imperial Staff could kill a warrior, while at other times, even a hundred or a thousand strokes would only result in superficial wounds.
After handling matters concerning Li Shimin, Li Jian Cheng immediately arranged for the imperial physician to bring precious medicinal herbs to care for Shan Qin Er Jiang. He also granted favor to the offspring of the two generals, bestowing the title of Seventh-Rank Cloud Cavalry Officer upon the Eldest Son and awarding a horse to the Horse Evaluator.
He then praised Li Mi greatly, directly promoting him to Second-Rank Grand Minister of Ceremonies while concurrently appointing him as Minister of Personnel.
He promptly instructed the Minister of Rites: “Send word to Eastern Turkic about the Western Turkic Khan dispatching an emissary to seek a marriage alliance.”
“Yes.”
The two Turkic factions were constant rivals, each eager to swallow the other and restore the glory of the Turkic Empire. For Shibi Khan, nothing was more terrifying than this rival seeking an alliance with the Central Plains.
However, having recently exercised military force and suffered losses, he had no choice but to seek peace through concessions.
Good news also arrived from Li Jing, who had achieved a great victory over Tuguhun, capturing Murong Xiaojun, a key minister of Tuguhun's loyal subjects. He seized tens of thousands of livestock and acquired a thousand excellent steeds known as Azure Wind Antelope.
Before the court could issue rewards, Li Jing sent another report of success. Duke Xue Ju of Fen Yang County led generals Pei Xingyan and Cheng Zhijie in a significant defeat of Tuguhun's three tribes at Red Sea, capturing two hundred thousand livestock.
Li Jian Cheng clapped his hands in delight: “With Li Jing as our commander, how wonderful!”
He ordered the Secretariat and Ministry of War to handle matters regarding rewards for various generals. However, the emperor specifically promoted Duke of Wei’s Eldest Son, Li Deqian, to Fourth-Rank Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Minister Shao, and further elevated him to Silver Blue Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
Soon, the Turkic envoy requested peace, and the Tuguhun sent envoys to seek harmony. Following this, Lin Yi Wang dispatched envoys to pay tribute, while the White Jian Qiang and White Dog Qiang also sent representatives to offer their respects. Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla all accepted the emperor's decree of enfeoffment.
The civil and military courtiers celebrated joyously, but the emperor showed little response. Not only did he refrain from further expanding his influence, but he also began to retract his forces.
After the grand army returned, the emperor started to disband troops, allowing the soldiers who had been conscripted to return home and farm. However, recruitment at court did not cease. With the example of the Divine Martial Army before them, although more soldiers were being dismissed, there were still many eager young men willing to enlist, increasingly drawn to battle.
Citing the longevity of the Empress Dowager as a reason, the emperor once again granted a general amnesty, exempting the six provinces of Guannei, Pu, Rui, Yu, Tai, Shan, and Ding from land taxes and levies for two years, while reducing corvée labor in other provinces by one year.
In the second year of Taiping, after six months of warfare, Safe and Sound passed through the latter half of the year. Rebellions and banditry became increasingly rare; gradually, those who could gather a thousand followers were considered formidable bandits.
Meanwhile, Shibi Khan's continuous failures culminated in an outbreak of unrest due to past grievances against Tiele. The rebellions from Xue Yantuo and Uyghur erupted. Shibi Khan personally led an expedition that barely quelled the uprisings but returned to Dali City filled with suspicion.
He began to place great faith in a Sorcerer who had given him five stones (cinnabar, realgar, alum, greenstone, and compassion stone) at Princess Yicheng's behest. Not long after harboring grand ambitions to co-rule with Li Jian Cheng, Shibi Khan succumbed to a festering sore and died.
...
Li Jian Cheng stood before the gates of Zheng Zhao Yi's palace. Before he could take a few steps inside, he heard the sound of a baby's cries from within. In addition to his eldest son born to the Queen, he had welcomed two daughters in these past two months.
The midwife emerged with a beaming smile and congratulated him: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Heaven has blessed you with a prince."
"We servants congratulate Your Majesty as well and wish for the prince's long-lasting joy!"
Hearing this, Li Jian Cheng smiled and said: "Good! Everyone shall be rewarded!"
Soon, the rewards from the Retired Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress arrived. Li Jian Cheng, having learned that mother and child were safe, took his leave.
In the inner chamber, a graceful and delicate woman lay weakly on the bed. Strands of hair clung to her fragile face, making her appear extremely vulnerable and pitiable.
Even the palace maids and midwives nearby couldn't help but feel a surge of compassion as they carefully attended to her.
"Has His Majesty left?"
"Replying to the Consort, His Majesty only left after carefully inquiring about you and the Little Prince. I heard that the Council Hall is still in session. His Majesty made a special trip here despite leaving behind the Gentlemen of the previous court, which shows how much he values you, Consort."
"Indeed, when the other two gave birth, His Majesty did not come to attend to them."
Zheng Guanyin smiled with relief but soon felt drowsy. She could only whisper instructions to her maidservant from her family to take good care of the Little Prince before she fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, in the Queen's palace, the Xiao Family was playfully coaxing their son, who was just over a year old. "Chengzong, call for your father, Father~"
At this age, children still struggled with their words, but their chubby faces and adorable babbling were utterly charming. The Xiao Family affectionately leaned in close to their son.
………
(End of Chapter)
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