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The attendants and guards were unaware of the details, just like Yin Zong inquired. Yin Zong shook his head and smiled, briefly recounting the deeds of Xu Zhen and the Red Armored Fourteen Guards. The reputation of Xu Zhen's Red Armor guards was well-deserved, and the people immediately felt a sense of respect.
Seeing Zhou Cang kneeling and unable to rise, Yin Zong approached him and helped him up. He noticed that while Zhou Cang managed to stand, he did not dare to lift his head. Stealing a glance, he discovered that the Big Black Guy was shedding tears!
Xu Zhen was both amused and helpless; it turned out that Zhou Cang was afraid of being seen crying by her, which was likely his first time shedding tears in front of others.
Zhou Cang's return filled Xu Zhenxin with great joy. With battle imminent, Xu Zhen hosted a banquet for many tribal chiefs. Zhou Cang had previously taught Li Mingda martial arts, so Xu Zhen invited Li Mingda to meet him. Zhou Cang chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to address her, and finally called out, "Madam..."
Li Mingda instantly blushed with embarrassment, while Xu Zhen patted Zhou Cang on the shoulder and said with a smile, "From now on, you are my big brother, and this is your sister-in-law, not just any Madam!"
Zhou Cang was slightly taken aback but soon felt emotional. Yin Zong laughed from the side and teased Zhou Cang, saying, "Big Black Man, did you get your manhood cut off in Luoyang? Why are you crying like a Young Lady when you see the Lord? I was thinking of introducing one of our little sisters to you, but now I think better of it..."
"You’re the one who got your manhood cut off! What are you talking about? Little sister? Brother! You are my real brother! Come on, let’s see how the little sister looks..."
Xu Zhen and Li Mingda exchanged glances: "..."
The next day, the weather cleared up. In the northwest region, day and night could change drastically; it might be scorching during the day but freezing at night. With everything prepared, Xu Zhen handed over command to Old General Qibi Helix while she took charge of the War Elephants as the vanguard and officially set off towards Khotan!
Just as they began their journey, Xu Zhen sensed something was off; she felt as if someone was watching her from behind, which made her uncomfortable. Turning around, she saw a sneaky brat hanging from the tail of the White Elephant—it was none other than Li Chengjun, who had renamed himself Gao Sheji!
Once Gao Sheji was discovered, he could only smile sheepishly. Xu Zhen sighed in resignation and waved him over: "Come up!"
Upon hearing her call, his eyes lit up suddenly. He swung down from the White Elephant's tail and climbed onto its back like a nimble monkey.
At this point, he was already fifteen years old. Perhaps inheriting the bloodline of Jin Shu, he had grown exceptionally tall with sharp facial features. Although still somewhat youthful in appearance, he exuded a sense of heroism. He wore a short knife at his waist; inside his leather boots was the dagger that Xu Zhen had given him back then.
Looking at Gao Sheji, sadness and nostalgia surged in the heart of Xu Zhen. He remembered that admirable and lovely woman. He reached out to touch Gao Sheji's head, like a caring father or an older brother, saying, "Kid, what do you want to do by following me?"
It had been a long time since he spoke in Goguryeo, and Xu Zhen felt somewhat awkward, but he insisted on using Goguryeo to ask Gao Sheji, hoping it would make him feel warm.
Whether it was because of his mother's sudden demise or a familiarity with life and death, Gao Sheji had become taciturn, with a coldness in his eyes, like an injured wolf on guard. Normally, if someone touched his head, their fingers would have been severed by now. However, this time it was Xu Zhen, and he enjoyed this rare affection.
"I... I want to follow you..." Gao Sheji replied in Tang Language. Clearly, his thoughts were different from Xu Zhen's; he hoped to forget the past. Xu Zhen was taken aback; his consideration of this matter was indeed lacking. Allowing Gao Sheji to dwell in the past would only drown him in hatred.
Xu Zhen remained silent for a long time. He thought of Jin Shu, Gao Huizhen, and also Aga Shili far away in India. These women flashed through his life but left marks on his soul. He even thought that perhaps one day he could bring them all back to his side.
However, he ultimately shook his head with a bitter smile. Coming back to himself, he took off his Phoenix Wing Helmet and placed it on Gao Sheji's head, smiling at him as he said, "Then follow me."
Gao Sheji was still afraid that Xu Zhen would think he was too young and send him back. Unexpectedly, Xu Zhen readily agreed. He excitedly gripped his waist knife and raised his head high as if the moment he donned the helmet, he had grown up.
Xu Zhen's tribal army was approaching Khotan while Uighur Khan Vujashin was still hosting a banquet for his ministers. Having rejected Qibi Helix and Asena Sher for daring to intercept the Tang Envoy midway, they believed this was a great victory and celebrated lavishly!
This world has never lacked frogs at the bottom of wells or arrogant people. Among the many small tribal nations in the northwest, Khotan was relatively prosperous and began to grow proud and complacent. Their confidence swelled to the point of rejecting the Tang envoy and dismissing the renowned Qibi Helix and Asena Sher.
Vujashin could become the ruler of a nation and govern this small country vigorously; he was certainly not a foolish person. He had his own intelligence network and understood that the new Tang emperor had just ascended to the throne and urgently needed to stabilize domestic affairs by placing loyal subjects in key positions. It was impossible for him to launch military campaigns in the short term.
Moreover, if the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty were not foolish, he should not take the initiative to send troops but rather use benevolence to win over and consolidate relationships with many small nations.
This was also why Vujashin dared to expel Qibi Helix and Asena Sher; he needed to show the Tang Emperor his strength and value to negotiate greater benefits in communication and trade with the Tang Dynasty.
In other words, while he could not refuse Tang's authority, before complying, he must strive for greater interests. This is the survival wisdom of small nations like Kucha; they often jump back and forth—when you send troops, I will cease fire; when you cease fire, I will harass you.
At that time, it would be nothing more than going to Chang'an to meet His Majesty, and one could receive titles, rewards, and various favorable ethnic policies. Why not take advantage of that?
Vujashin's considerations were not wrong; the mistake lay in his decision to send people to assassinate Qibi Helix and Asena Sher. According to Vujashin's speculation, such extraordinary generals as Qibi Helix and Asena Sher being sent to a place like Khotan must mean they had offended some noble in the Court, perhaps even His Majesty himself!
If Vujashin were to eliminate these two outside, it might not be a bad thing for the Tang Dynasty Court. Not only would no one blame him, but some noble might even speak on his behalf and strive for greater benefits!
However, his thinking was too naive, and his actions were indeed excessive. Although Qibi Helix and Asena Sher had already fallen from grace, they were still veterans in the military. Their positions and power had been weakened, but their deterrent force remained. Li Zhi still harbored suspicions about them but had begun to attempt their re-employment.
This subtle probing would not go unnoticed by Qibi Helix and Asena Sher. As foreign generals, how could they have reached the position of General of the Sixteen Guards without any intelligence or strategy?
It was precisely for this reason that they insisted on capturing Khotan; this was also their declaration of loyalty to the new ruler. If they failed in Khotan, regaining Li Zhi's trust would become even more difficult.
Thus, the assistance from Xu Zhen in borrowing troops to attack Khotan was a bond that could not be described as anything less than monumental.
Vujashin initially thought that with Qibi Helix and Asena Sher losing power, they would have to flee back to Chang'an in disgrace. Little did he expect that Xu Zhen would emerge unexpectedly!
At this moment, they were still feasting, while Qibi Helix's army and Asena Sher's forces from the Tuguhun had already quietly entered the borders of Khotan!
The war had begun! Or rather, the sweep had commenced!
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