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Jade River is the second line of defense for Western Mountain Castle. They have already received a plea for help from the royal city, as it is closer to them. By the time Qibi Helix and Xu Zhen's forces charge over, the garrison at Jade River has long since rushed to aid the royal city, even taking along the garrison from Black Jade River. Qibi Helix has effortlessly breached two lines of defense and is now heading straight for Western Mountain Castle!
Asena Sher and Qibi Helix had already discussed their strategy. Seeing the garrison retreating to the royal city, Asena Sher immediately led the cavalry in a withdrawal. The garrison pursued them relentlessly, attempting to encircle Asena Sher. However, just as they had barely left the vicinity of the royal city, a massive cavalry force surged forth from the west of the city like a raging tide, cutting off their escape route!
The tribal army under Qibi Helix had just witnessed the astonishing spoils of war from White Jade River's garrison. Their spirits were high after crushing two lines of defense, and they did not give the royal city's garrison any chance to catch their breath. With a fierce charge, the cavalry shattered the Khotan Garrison!
The Golden Armored White Elephant King of Xu Zhen and his troop of war elephants were like mountains wrapped in steel; wherever they went, there was no resistance. They trampled everything in their path while shooting and throwing spears, causing the garrison to flee in panic!
The Golden Armored White Elephant King has become a symbol of Xu Zhen's identity, akin to a medal for her achievements in sweeping through India. While there are elephants in Khotan, those elephants pale in comparison to the war elephants.
Khotan is a crucial route to India and has spread much knowledge about its culture. The people predominantly practice Theravada Buddhism. In the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, Master Xuanzang returned from India and passed through Khotan, where he received warm hospitality and was escorted to Tang Territory. The deeds of Xu Zhen in India are well-known even among the Turquoise Hu Man; how could the people of Khotan be unaware?
They never expected that Xu Zhen herself would arrive. Witnessing the war elephants trampling like ancient beasts, they were already terrified beyond belief. Asena Sher's cavalry seized this opportunity to counterattack, causing the garrison to scatter in disarray, fleeing into the desert without daring to return to the royal city!
With troops at their gates, how could Western Mountain Castle's low earthen walls withstand the war elephants? Vujashin climbed up onto the city wall and saw five thousand cavalry gathered in one place, while behind them lay countless corpses of the garrison scattered across the ground!
Hot blood splattered onto the dry sand, soaking it as if rivers of blood had washed over it!
The wealthy merchants and nobility celebrating within the city were all individuals of substantial means. Fearing that Qibi Helix and Asena Sher would massacre the city, they implored Sovereign Vujashin to surrender.
Vujashin was filled with regret; he felt that with the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty just having ascended to power, there was no time to intimidate various states in the Western Regions. He wanted to take advantage of this opportunity for some concessions but did not expect Xu Zhen to appear out of nowhere!
As early as year six of Zhenguan, King Wei Chi Wu Mi of Khotan sent envoys to Tang Dynasty bearing jade belts and was warmly received by Taizong. In year fourteen of Zhenguan Era, when Tang destroyed Gaochang, all states in the Western Regions were shocked; Uighur Khan could only send his offspring to serve at Tang court. Sons like Yuchi Le remained in Chang'an without returning.
Vujashin was not an unintelligent person who could make Khotan so prosperous; however, he did not expect that he would fall into Xu Zhen's hands this time around. With no other choice, he could only surrender.
Xu Zhen did not wish to compete with Qibi Helix for credit; she entrusted all post-war matters to Qibi Helix and Asena Sher. Qibi Helix also wanted to acknowledge Xu Zhen's contributions but she firmly refused. Thus, Qibi Helix had no choice but to attribute all merits to Yin Zong.
In this battle, all parties gained significant benefits; it was truly a joyous occasion for everyone. The tribal army borrowed by Yin Zong captured a large amount of spoils, including enough cattle and supplies for them to have an extremely prosperous winter. They became even more devoted to Yin Zong and depicted Xu Zhen riding on her white elephant Son of Ahura in portraits for worship within their tribe.
The Imperial Guards under Yin Zong also earned plenty of military achievements; they were originally promoted by Yin Zong himself. Now that they had achieved a great victory by capturing a ruler, such glory was hard to come by. If they returned to their territory without participating in this battle, those soldiers who stayed behind would surely regret it deeply.
Meanwhile, during this Tuguhun, bandits fully showcased their fine traditions. If it weren't for Xu Zhen's intervention, they might have plundered all the women from Khotan.
To show their gratitude, they presented a large amount of spoils to Tuguhun's envoy. The envoy negotiated on their behalf and contributed significantly to this battle's success while earning face for Tuguhun. They dared not accept these gifts alone and ordered that precious items be sent over to Xu Zhen.
Moreover, these bandits voluntarily took on escort duties, expressing their willingness to escort Xu Zhen's delegation to Tuguhun!
Li Mingda was overjoyed to see Xu Zhen return safely. Xu Zhen entrusted all the gold, silver, and jewels gifted by the Tuguhun envoy to Li Mingda for management. Although this figure from the Tang Dynasty was accustomed to rare treasures, he couldn't help but feel a surge of sweetness in his heart, as Xu Zhen treated herself like the head Young Lady of the household.
Gao Sheji, although he did not personally slay any enemies along the way, sat high on the back of the White Elephant King alongside Xu Zhen, gaining a clear view of the entire battlefield. He was deeply shaken and secretly resolved to diligently train in martial arts with Yin Zong, aiming to achieve military accomplishments in the future!
In December of the twenty-third year of Zhenguan, Qibi Helix and Asena Sher fulfilled their mission by bringing Uighur Khan Vujashin back to Chang'an to meet Tang Emperor Li Zhi. They presented offerings from Khotan and humbly submitted themselves as subjects. Li Zhi was overjoyed and appointed them as Right Guard General, while Qibi Helix was promoted to Left Guardian General with the title Duke of Cheng, and Asena Sher became Right Guard General and General of the Guard!
After this trial, Li Zhi finally set aside his suspicions about these two and relied on them as cornerstones of his military. Despite Li Jue's repeated requests for resignation, Li Zhi ultimately regarded Qibi Helix and Asena Sher as his most capable military generals.
Qibi Helix and Asena Sher were surprised by Li Zhi's stark contrast in behavior. However, upon returning to court, they quickly understood that Changsun Wuji and other civil officials exerted immense pressure on Li Zhi, especially after Zhu Suiliang was ousted from court, leaving Yuzhining and other old ministers silent.
In such circumstances, Li Zhi had no choice but to consider establishing his own faction. He initially believed that he had already built connections and a foundation during his time as crown prince. However, he soon realized that those individuals were loyal to Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu rather than himself!
If Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu were to act insincerely towards him, his imperial authority would be undermined. He began to feel fear and finally understood Li Shimin's intentions. He regretted not recognizing why Li Shimin wanted to cultivate Xu Zhen sooner and hoped she would return from Tuguhun soon.
Fearing that court officials might criticize Xu Zhen for meddling in military affairs, Qibi Helix did not mention her contributions in his memorial. However, when Li Zhi privately hosted him and Asena Sher, they recounted in detail their campaign against Khotan while Li Zhi remained silent.
When Liu Jinzhao, Deputy General of Yutian Prefecture, was replaced by Guoyi Duwei Yinzong, Xu Zhen's delegation had already arrived at Tuguhun under the escort of Tuguhun Cavalry!
Tubo Grand Chancellor Ge Er Dong Zan personally traveled thirty miles outside the city to welcome Xu Zhen's entourage. The news of Xu Zhen's deeds in Khotan had already been swiftly relayed back home by Tuguhun envoys. At this moment, the people of Tuguhun lined the streets in admiration of Xu Zhen's grace and poise!
When the Golden Armored White Elephant King appeared along with the War Elephants behind him, the Tubo people went wild with excitement, erupting into cheers that echoed like a tsunami. The Tuguhun envoys felt honored because they had played a part in those achievements!
Zanpu Qizonglongzan led Wencheng Princess, Princess Chizun of Nibola, and the Nine Ministers of State who managed state affairs to greet the Tang delegation at Lhasa's city gate.
However, when Xu Zhen saw Qizong Nongsan, she was completely stunned!
She had met Qizong Nongsan briefly at the end of the Battle of Tugu Hun; it could be considered their first acquaintance. Although she did not see him during the Battle of Songzhou, intelligence reports indicated that he still personally led troops.
But now this Songzan Ganbu appeared aged and frail, supported by someone else; he looked at least seventy years old!
"What is going on here!!!"
Xu Zhenxin was shocked; he could firmly conclude that the young man he had seen before was definitely not Qizong Nongsan. But who would dare so boldly use Qizong Nongsan's name to lead campaigns?
With confusion in his mind, he turned his gaze toward the plump woman beside Qizong Nongsan—Li Wushuang, who had become the national mother.
Li Wushuang seemed to understand Xu Zhen's confusion but merely maintained a polite smile as she warmly greeted Xu Zhen ’s delegation. Xu Zhen could only suppress her doubts and present her gifts along with a list of craftsmen to Qizong Nongsan.
The latter was overjoyed and hosted a banquet for the Xu Zhen in the Red Mountain Palace, where he accepted the title of Prince of the Western Sea conferred by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
Due to his exhaustion, after receiving the title and the official document, he returned to the palace to rest, leaving Great Lord Galdonzan to preside over the banquet.
The Xu Zhen paid her respects to Li Wushuang and presented a beautiful jade artifact obtained from the Battle of Khotan. Li Wushuang personally accepted the gift but secretly slipped a roll of Secret Letter into the palm of the Xu Zhen.
In front of everyone, if it weren't for the tacit understanding between Li Wushuang and Xu Zhenxin, it would have surely been noticed.
As the banquet reached a pause, a high monk arrived, claiming to offer a blessing to the Xu Zhen. As she was a Zoroastrian Messenger, she politely declined. Galdonzan then invited the monks to chant scriptures for everyone present. Halfway through, more than ten young men slowly stepped forward, each dressed in Zanpu attire!
The Xu Zhen was taken aback and thought to herself, "What is going on here?!"
When those young men sat down beside the monk, filled with curiosity, she scanned them one by one and indeed found among them someone she had previously seen—Qizong Nongsan!
"What on earth is happening?!"
(Note: During Songzan Ganbu's reign, he strengthened the absolute authority of Zanpu and divided Tuguhun officials into three categories: Gonglun, Nanglun, and Galun, with nine individuals managing state affairs known as the Nine Ministers of State.)
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