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Zhu Xie Gu Zhu stood outside the tent with a dazed expression, his eyes reflecting the raging flames. The cold wind blew fiercely, fanning the fire, which licked around like the tongue of a demon. Tents in the camp were ignited one after another, and the entire encampment was engulfed in a sea of flames.
Countless Uyghur Cavalry surged in, followed closely by the elite Imperial Guards of the Tang Dynasty. These soldiers were well-prepared, and wherever they passed, rivers of blood flowed.
The warriors of the Chuyue Tribe were still sleeping by the bonfire, drooling as they dreamed of women. Some were somewhat alert, but as soon as they turned over, their heads fell to the ground. Many were beheaded in their dreams or trampled to death by the Cavalry, without even having time to scream.
The Xu Zhen rode on the Golden Armored White Elephant King, with Zhou Cang and the Demon-Slaying Guardian's War Elephants following closely behind, crushing everything in their path. The enemy discarded their helmets and armor, collapsing into disarray.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Zhu Xie Gu Zhu could only lead his personal guards to break through amidst the chaos and escape. Shatuo Nasu had long since ordered people to secretly monitor Zhu Xie Gu Zhu, and upon seeing him flee, he sent troops to pursue him.
The people of the Shatuo tribe had tied red cloth bands around their right arms. The Tang army had only received instructions from the Chief Steward before setting out, knowing that these individuals were internal collaborators from the Chuyue Tribe and dared not harm them. When Xu Zhen saw many Shatuo members pursuing Zhu Xie Gu Zhu, she quickly ordered Gao Deyi to lead light cavalry in pursuit.
The leaderless Chuyue Tribe faced certain defeat as the Tang Army charged everywhere to vent their anger and hatred accumulated over time, not stopping until dawn.
In this battle, over nine thousand heads were severed, six thousand enemy leaders captured, and more than ten thousand taken prisoner. They also seized over seventy thousand cattle and horses, marking a complete victory. Right Guard General Gao Deyi pursued for more than five hundred miles and finally surrounded Zhu Xie Gu Zhu, who resisted stubbornly but ultimately died under a hail of arrows.
When news reached Ashina Helu, he was shocked and feared that the Tang army would circle back to attack his main forces. He thus led his troops back to Western Turkic territory.
Liang Jianfang took advantage of the victory to pursue and ambush them but ultimately had to cease operations due to cold weather and insufficient supplies.
If Shatuo Nasu had not burned the Chuyue Tribe's supplies, they might have served as provisions for the Tang Army to continue pursuing Ashina Helu. Unfortunately, this great opportunity was wasted.
Once Ashina Helu escaped back to his territory, he would undoubtedly begin recuperating for future campaigns; however, that was a matter for another time.
Qibi Helix compiled clear statistics of achievements and formally requested to return home. Li Zhi agreed, marking a temporary end to the campaign against Western Turkic. After experiencing various hardships, Xu Zhen finally set off on her journey back home once again.
He did not forget his oath with Shatuo Nasu; he entrusted the remnants of the Chuyue Tribe's fleeing clans to Shatuo Nasu for handling. Shatuo Nasu finally achieved his wish and took command of the entire Chuyue Tribe.
Although the Chuyue Tribe suffered a heavy blow in this battle, Shatuo Nasu is fully confident in developing the Chuyue Tribe anew.
The leader of the Chumi Department, Shi Jian Si Jin, along with He Zhihe and others, will be escorted back to the Tang Dynasty by Qibi Helix. With no more constraints, Shatuo Nasu can finally lead the Chuyue Tribe on a new journey. The court has established the Yaochi Governor's Office in the territory of the Chuyue Tribe and appointed him as the Governor of Yaochi, which is expected to be officially announced soon.
Qibi Helix has always regarded Xu Zhen as a valued person. Since meeting Xu Zhenzhi during the Tuguhun, he has enjoyed continuous good fortune, winning every battle and achieving every goal. During the funeral incident following Taizong's death, Xu Zhen willingly resigned from her position to protect him and Asena Sher. This kindness has remained etched in his heart.
Therefore, when he presented his achievements, he not only did not downplay Xu Zhen's contributions but also added her merit for pacifying Shatuo Nasu. He detailed her accomplishments in establishing a vast reconnaissance network deep behind enemy lines.
Liang Jianfang, although a solitary minister without forming factions, has partnered with Qibi Helix several times, always returning victorious. He holds great respect for Qibi Helix and has changed his previous aloofness to become friends with Xu Zhen upon witnessing her wisdom and bravery.
Since entering government service, Xu Zhen has faced numerous entanglements. Liang Jianfang's willingness to befriend her shows his earnestness. Moreover, his straightforward nature means that Xu Zhen would naturally not reject him.
In the third year of Yonghui, in February, after nearly three years of diplomatic missions to Tuguhun, Xu Zhen finally returned to Chang'an.
Li Zhi personally received this Grand Minister and playfully teased her about her identity as the National Master of Tubo. His friendly demeanor made Xu Zhen ponder its deeper meaning. It had been a long time since Li Mingda left the palace, and it was rare for Li Zhi to summon his sister and grant her additional rewards.
The victory over the Western Turkic by Qibi Helix, Liang Jianfang, Xu Zhen, and others marked Li Zhi's greatest triumph since ascending to power. To celebrate this achievement, Li Zhi held a grand ceremony on Jia Yin Day at Anfu Gate Tower to watch various performances.
However, the next day, Changsun Wuji submitted a memorial stating that although the Sovereign intended to observe people's sentiments and customs regarding extravagance and frugality, the various tribes in the Western Regions perceived it as a fondness for music and entertainment by the Sovereign. They were trying to gauge the Tang Emperor's preferences. Such actions by an emperor should not be taken lightly; he urged His Majesty to take heed.
As soon as Changsun Wuji presented his memorial, many subordinate officials offered their advice against it. Li Zhi could only respond by ordering the burning of Anfu Gate Tower to deter further prying from the Western tribes and as a warning.
But two days later, Li Zhi appointed Zhu Suiliang as Minister of Rites at the same rank as the Third Division of the Secretariat and marginalized Changsun Wuji's faction from court affairs. Zhu Suiliang was recalled from his demotion as Governor of Tongzhou.
The conflict between Li Zhi and Changsun Wuji became increasingly clear and intense. It is no wonder that Li Zhi held a celebration for Xu Zhen and others to showcase their achievements.
Zhu Suiliang returned to his position as Prime Minister and indeed launched a vigorous counterattack. By the end of March, Li Zhi decreed Yuwen Jie as Imperial Attendant and Liu Shen as Chancellor while appointing Minister of War Han Yuan as acting Chamberlain at the same rank as the Third Division of the Secretariat to support Zhu Suiliang.
Unfortunately, the three of them were later implicated in the Rebellion case, and none of them ended up well, but that is a story for another time.
The Xu Zhen had just returned to court, and news of her imminent appointment had already spread privately. As a result, many people came to curry favor and establish connections with her. Although the Xu Zhen was quite displeased, she still had to maintain appearances, leading to her being busier than ever and having to decline all invitations under various pretexts.
Li Wushuang returned to her homeland and felt delighted. The Xu Zhen disguised herself and secretly visited the Prince of Jiangxia, Li Daozong's residence.
Li Daozong had distanced himself from court disputes and had not been in good health for the past two years. He thought he would never see his beloved daughter again in this lifetime. To his surprise, not only had she returned, but she also brought back a chubby grandson, which brought tears to his eyes.
He was also a seasoned official who understood that Li Wushuang could not return openly. Upon hearing about the Xu Zhen's plan to disguise their identities, he felt relieved and allowed her to frequently bring Li Wushuang and the little grandson back for visits. Regarding the current situation, he generously offered advice and analyzed the undercurrents of the Tang Court for the Xu Zhen.
Li Daozong stayed away from court due to his health issues, similar to Li Jue, who avoided disputes by keeping a low profile while spending his days at home.
When it comes to deciphering imperial intentions and feigning ignorance during the Sui-Tang period, two individuals are particularly notable: Pei Ju and Li Jue.
Pei Ju experienced the Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, Sui, the Founder’s Martial Virtue, and Taizong's Zhenguan Era. Meanwhile, Li Jue served under Gaozu, Taizong, and now Li Zhi across three dynasties. He held significant positions and was highly valued by the court, regarded as a bulwark of the nation.
Now that Li Jue had resigned from his position as Minister of the Left, Li Zhi still allowed him to participate in political affairs as Chief of the Three Departments. However, he knew that the court was fraught with danger and chose not to express his opinions lightly.
This time, when Li Zhi summoned Zhu Suiliang back, it was to compete with Changsun Wuji's faction for influence. It was said that officials were already discussing proposing that the Sovereign appoint Li Jue as Minister. If that happened, it would signal Li Jue's eventual return to the core of court struggles; as for which side he would take, it was already clear based on Li Zhi's stance.
Li Jue basked in the spring sunlight with an inscrutable smile on his face, embodying a demeanor of indifference amidst the winds of change.
The Xu Zhen arrived at Duke of England with her son Little Si Tang. Li Jue hurriedly instructed someone to invite them in but then called for an interpreter from within the residence and personally went out to greet them.
The Xu Zhen was not an ungrateful person; she had never forgotten how Li Jing and Li Jue had nurtured her. After declining all banquet invitations, her first thought was of Yan Lide and Li Chunfeng because she was eager to know how that particular item was coming along.
However, in order to avoid drawing attention, she could not visit them recently. Therefore, she came to Duke of England with disguised Li Wushuang and Little Si Tang while Old Black followed closely as a guard.
Li Jue held a small wine flask in his hand and approached with a smile. At this moment, the servants had already brought Xu Zhen into the residence. Li Jue moved swiftly; as he turned around a screen, he saw Xu Zhen and her entourage. However, his gaze fell upon Old Black, and he suddenly froze, his hand trembling, causing the wine flask to clatter to the ground.
For someone as composed as Li Jue, this was an unexpected display of emotion. Xu Zhen was equally astonished. Before she could regain her composure, Li Jue abruptly looked up, his eyes blazing with intensity as he rushed forward and engaged Old Black in a fierce fight with bare hands.
In his youth, Li Jue had also been skilled in martial arts, particularly with a spear, which he wielded exceptionally well. Although he hadn’t fought in a long time, his body remained quite agile. After several exchanges with Old Black, the two found themselves locked in a tight embrace, unable to hold back their tears.
“Where have you been all these years, Wu Zifu?!” Li Jue exclaimed emotionally as he grasped Old Black's shoulders, tears streaming down his face. Old Black waved his hand dismissively; his expression instantly turned somber. The two reunited as if they had not seen each other for ages, completely ignoring Xu Zhen and her family as they sat on the ground without regard for appearances. Li Jue continued to ask questions while Old Black wrote in Li Jue's palm, slowly communicating in this manner.
"Wu Zifu? Why does that name sound so unfamiliar... How is it that Old Black, the jailer from the Tuguhun black prison, is connected to Li Jue?" Xu Zhenxin wondered aloud. Although she knew Old Black was exceptionally skilled and had a mysterious background, his hair and eye color clearly indicated he was foreign; how could he be so familiar with Li Jue?
Li Wushuang widened her eyes in surprise at her husband’s musings and exclaimed, “My lord, you’ve never heard of the greatest swordsman of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zifu? I can’t believe it! The swordmaster Wu Zifu has actually become my lord's old servant…”
Xu Zhen was genuinely taken aback by Li Wushuang's response.
“The greatest swordsman of the Tang Dynasty? Is that even possible?!”
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