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In the year 650, Tang Gaozong, also known as Li Zhi, changed the era name to Yonghui, marking the first year of Yonghui. In January, he appointed Wang Sizheng's granddaughter, Lady Wang, as empress. Although Changsun Wuji and Zhu Suiliang appeared to be at odds, the court remained relatively stable. Li Zhi respected both of them and listened attentively, leading to a prosperous and peaceful society reminiscent of the Zhenguan era.
However, far away in Tuguhun, a significant crisis loomed over the dynasty for the first time since its establishment.
The elderly Qizong Nongsan lacked the energy to manage state affairs. His legitimate son Gongri Gongzan had passed away early, and his grandson Mangsong Mangzan was still young and inexperienced. At this critical moment, Daron Qiao Bang Se captured the Tang envoy Xu Zhen and Great Lord Galdonzan in the territory of Tibetan Nobility. He announced nationwide that he would publicly trial Xu Zhen and Lu Dongzan for the death of his son Anqiao.
This news spread throughout Tuguhun within just two days. The pro-war faction's various lords gathered their troops, while other lords prepared for battle. Wangcheng Luoxie was heavily fortified, and the imperial army retreated to defend the royal city. The entire Tuguhun region was shrouded in dark clouds, on the verge of erupting into a violent rebellion.
Qiang Bang Se understood that Xu Zhen was not the true culprit behind his son's death. He framed her to incite war as a pretext to force Qizong Nongsan to abdicate. With Mangsong Mangzan being young and naive, if Qizong Nongsan stepped down, Qiang Bang Se could control Tuguhun by manipulating the young ruler.
The so-called public trial was merely a display for Tuguhun's lords. Killing Xu Zhen and Lu Dongzan might provoke public outrage and lose popular support; thus, he ultimately spared their lives and delayed his actions while waiting for an opportunity.
He was skilled in schemes; otherwise, he wouldn't have successfully used deceit to cause Dalun Shangnang's accidental death at the hands of Qizong Nongsan, allowing him to rise to the position of Great Minister. Now he awaited an opportunity—specifically, a person who could ignite the flames of war.
That person was already leading five thousand elite cavalry from Nepal and over seven thousand troops from the Gerl tribe towards Qiang Bang Se's territory of Tibetan Nobility. This individual was Lu Dongzan's son, the young and renowned Tiger General, Gerlqinlin.
Gerlqinlin was brave and skilled in battle. He had received his father's directive early on to seek military aid from Nepal to prevent a potential rebellion in Tuguhun should Qizong Nongsan recover. He had always thought his father was overreacting; however, unexpectedly, even before Qizong Nongsan died, Qiang Bang Se could no longer sit idle and instigated rebellion by capturing his own father and the Tang envoy!
Being exceptionally filial, upon receiving this news, Gerlqinlin exchanged significant political benefits for five thousand elite cavalry from Nepal. He rushed back into Tuguhun without stopping, quickly regrouped with his clan's forces, and advanced towards the Border of Tibetan Nobility.
Worried about his father's safety, Gerlqinlin sent envoys to persuade Qiang Bang Se. However, Qiang Bang Se awaited his arrival and killed the messengers, displaying their heads on horseback as a response.
Furious, Gerlqinlin launched an offensive under his command. His troops swept through their enemies with ease; three fierce generals sent by the pro-war faction were all defeated by Gerlqinlin.
Those who had been observing now joined Gerlqinlin's ranks, significantly strengthening his forces. Finally, Qizong Nongsan spoke up but called for both sides to cease hostilities and negotiate!
Zanpu has grown old, fully aware that Qiang Bang Se harbors rebellious intentions, yet unwilling to see the people bleed and sacrifice. He hopes for a peaceful resolution to the matter; however, Qiang Bang Se has ignited the flames of war and is not willing to easily cease hostilities.
After suffering defeat in the first battle, Qiang Bang Se united various pro-war factions and their lords to launch a fierce offensive against Gerlqinlin. The two sides fought fiercely for several days, resulting in countless casualties and widespread mourning among the populace.
Gerlqinlin, determined to save her husband and stabilize the nation, showcased her exceptional military talents. She coordinated the forces of many pro-war faction lords, regaining the upper hand and seemingly on the verge of completely annihilating Qiang Bang Se's rebel forces. Just then, the Tuguhun Army, which had already been contacted by Qiang Bang Se, arrived unexpectedly.
After becoming a vassal state of the Tuguhun, Tuguhun harbored deep-seated resentment and had long sought an opportunity to vent it. Qiang Bang Se promised to return the territories of the Tuguhun and dissolve its vassal relationship in exchange for Tuguhun's military support. Nuohebo succumbed to temptation and indeed sent troops to assist.
Gerlqinlin did not anticipate that Qiang Bang Se had already devised such a plan. Eager for victory, she was unwilling to retreat even as she was on the brink of capturing the enemy city. As a result, she was caught off guard by the Tuguhun Cavalry and suffered a devastating defeat, forcing her to retreat in disarray.
Qiang Bang Se was overjoyed and rewarded the troops of the Tuguhun handsomely. With momentum on their side, they expanded their front lines. Gerlqinlin's army morale plummeted under pressure from the rebels, leading to a rapid retreat. Within just half a month, their defensive line had shrunk to the foot of Lhasa.
Qizong Nongsan was alarmed and entrusted Gerlqinlin with command over the garrison in the royal city. Many loyal tribal lords led their armies to rescue her but were defeated one by one by Qiang Bang Se, putting them in a dire situation.
As Qiang Bang Se approached the royal city, he ordered his troops to launch relentless assaults. The pro-war lords saw a glimmer of victory and no longer hesitated to commit their forces, joining Qiang Bang Se in a frenzied attack.
Gerlqinlin could only resist desperately, leveraging the advantageous terrain of the royal city to hold out for ten days. Just as it seemed they would be breached, a contingent bearing the Great Tang Banner charged into Fushi City of the Tuguhun with great momentum!
Zhou Cang had already received secret orders from Xu Zhen and returned early to Yutian Prefecture to prepare. After Yin Zong was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Zhechong Bureau, he gained control over an army. The Governor, seeing Liu Jinzhao dismissed, sought to curry favor with Xu Zhen and thus paid special attention to Yin Zong; this mutual interest forged an alliance between them.
Previously, when Xu Zhen borrowed troops to pacify Khotan, Qibi Helix and Asena Sher returned to prominence within the military. Those who had hesitated to participate in battle regretted their indecision deeply. Now Zhou Cang received orders from Xu Zhenzhi to borrow troops against Tuguhun; many tribes that had benefited from previous campaigns rushed to assist him, gathering an astonishing force of over ten thousand soldiers!
Under the leadership of Yin Zong and Zhou Cang, this massive army marched forth triumphantly without hindrance. The Tuguhun could not withstand their advance and soon found their defenses breached as they approached Fushi City!
The dream did not come true, and seeing the grand momentum of the Tang Dynasty Army was extremely frightening. Yin Zong, after all, did not receive a formal military order from the court and dared not act too recklessly. He looted within the territory of the Tuguhun before returning to his own domain.
Zhou Cang led over a hundred tribal warriors who voluntarily followed him through the Tuguhun to the battlefield of Tuguhun, where the situation had turned around once again.
Due to the withdrawal of the Tuguhun's army, the power of Qiang Bang Se was significantly diminished. Gerlqinlin seized this opportunity to counterattack and drove back the forces of Qiang Bang Se!
However, at that moment, news came from the inner court that Qizong Nongsan could not withstand the psychological blow of the rebellion and unexpectedly died!
Moreover, the hastily ascended New Zang Pumang Song Mangzan surprisingly took command of Gerlqinlin's troops and appointed Qiang Bang Se as the Chief Minister, with Qinsuo Luo as the Minister of Internal Affairs, summoning Qiang Bang Se to the palace for governance!
This sudden change stunned everyone. It turned out that Qinsuo Luo had not left Lhasa; he had been lurking in the royal city to incite Mangsong Mangzan to force a palace coup early!
Lu Dongzan, imprisoned, could hardly bear such a blow. He sighed deeply, reminiscing about Qizong Nongsan's recognition of his talents, shedding tears daily in profound sorrow.
Happiness came too suddenly; even Qiang Bang Se found it hard to accept. Although Gerlqinlin was stubborn, his Garrison was incredibly loyal. To them, court intrigues were insignificant; what mattered was the military orders issued from the royal city that they should care about and obey.
With morale unsteady, Gerlqinlin could only leave angrily with his troops, retreating from Lhasa to the borders of Nepal.
Qiang Bang Se swaggered into the city. Although there were no crowds welcoming him, he could already envision his future reign. For him, manipulating such a young Zanpu as Mangsong Mangzan was like child's play.
After officially receiving orders, Qiang Bang Se began rewarding those main faction Lords who followed him. The Pro-War Faction Lords could only retreat to their own territories, living in constant fear and mutually defending each other, unsure when Qiang Bang Se would come to besiege them.
Fortunately, Qiang Bang Se understood the importance of winning people's hearts. He did not punish these Lords but instead offered great comfort and rewards to win their loyalty. He even released Lu Dongzan, making him one of the Nine Ministers of State. This series of actions won him public support and truly solidified his position as Great Minister!
The so-called "Greed Leads to Overreach," Qiang Bang Se, with his military strength, harbored resentment because the Tang army had suddenly attacked the Tuguhun, forcing it to retreat and nearly causing him to fail. Thus, he finally resolved to kill Xu Zhen.
He aimed to completely destroy the image and status of the Tang Empire in the hearts of the people. He wanted to transform the entire Tuguhun into his own kingdom, creating momentum for his future takeover. He intended to execute this Tang envoy to signify a complete break.
Lu Dongzan decisively rejected Qiang Bang Se's invitation and returned to his residence, which was nominally for recuperation but was actually a form of house arrest. Qiang Bang Se even asked him to persuade Gerlqinlin to return and submit, but Lu Dongzan merely responded with indifference.
The news that the Tang envoy, General of the Guard from the Tang Empire, Grand Minister, and Xu Zhen were about to be executed spread rapidly throughout Tuguhun. This legendary man, known as the "Firewood Man" and "Son of Ahura," the Zoroastrian Messenger, was about to die far from home.
Moreover, there were reports that Qiang Bang Se intended to take revenge for his son's death by dismembering Xu Zhen by five horses.
This news had already spread, causing an uproar in Tuguhun. The deeds of Xu Zhen were well-known throughout Tuguhun, and even people from the borders of the Tang Empire and some inland provinces recognized Xu Zhenzhi's name. Upon hearing the news, crowds surged into Lhasa city to witness the execution like a raging tide.
Qiang Bang Se intended to win people's hearts; instead of stopping this, he presented it as a celebration, opening the city gates to welcome guests from all directions and even announcing the time and place of the execution.
While preparations for Xu Zhen's execution were bustling, she remained helpless in her prison cell. Fortunately, when Lu Dongzan left, he had delivered Xu Zhen's secret letter to Caesar, which provided her with some reassurance.
If Caesar could fulfill the arrangements outlined in Xu Zhen's secret letter, then not only could she save her own life but also potentially push Qiang Bang Se off his pedestal and take control of Tuguhun's fate.
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