A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 1162: Defection to Mobei

After leaving the Grand Protectorate, Guo Xiaoke mounted his horse and left Gaochang City, then rode eastward to take up his post in Shazhou.

The three brothers Guo Daifeng, Guo Daizhao and Guo Daipin sent their father to the city gate and then went to the Grand Protectorate to pay a visit to Wu Huaiyu.

When the three brothers met, they kowtowed three times.

"Hurry up and get up. How can you perform such a great ceremony?"

Wu Huaiyu looked at the three brothers. They were like little tigers, strong and sturdy. It was obvious that they were strong and skilled in martial arts.

The three brothers came up and performed the ceremony of paying homage to their teacher. The eldest brother, who was waiting to be crowned, said, "Aye said that the Prime Minister kept us three brothers as his attendants and allowed us to study in the Anxi Military Academy and be selected into the Anxi Army. We are very excited and feel honored.

Wu Xiang is the headmaster of the Military Academy. My three brothers can enter the Military Academy and serve beside Wu Xiang to listen to his teachings. We are his students, and we must perform this apprenticeship ceremony."

Not only did they kowtow to show their respect to the master, they even prepared gifts.

"30 sets of mink fur and brocade robes, dozens of accessories, 100 taels of gold, 30,000 silver coins, 500 bolts of silk fabrics, 30 foreign concubines, and 500 foreign slaves."

Wu Huaiyu looked at their apprenticeship ceremony.

It was said that Guo Xiaoke came from a grassroots background, but he became extremely extravagant after he became rich. His servants, concubines, and toys were all extremely luxurious. Even when he was in the army, his bed curtains and other utensils were decorated with gold and jade.

Guo Xiaoke loved gold the most. Everything he wore and used in daily life had to be inlaid with gold. Even when he was on the march, his tents and other items had to be decorated with gold and jade. Even his weapons had to be gilded.

Perhaps it is because he was too grassroots in the past, so now that he has become a noble, he can't help but like luxury, even a little ostentatious.

Now that he was exiled, he also arranged a way for his son.

This gift is quite generous. It is a gift for apprenticeship, but not entirely a gift for apprenticeship.

One hundred taels of gold is worth eight hundred strings of cash, thirty thousand silver coins is worth nearly a thousand strings of cash, and a thousand rolls of silk is worth two or three hundred strings of cash, which is worth about two thousand strings of cash.
There were also dozens of sable fur robes, dozens of Hu concubines and hundreds of slaves, which were worth two or three thousand strings of cash.
The gifts that Guo Xiaoke's three sons received as apprentices were worth no less than six thousand strings of cash.

The gift for a son's apprenticeship is 2,000 guan.

This is simply too generous.
It clearly goes beyond the ceremony of becoming a disciple.

Wu Huaiyu could understand Guo Xiaoke's thoughts. He was Li Ji's confidant when he was in Wagang. After surrendering to the Tang Dynasty, he fought many battles in the east and west and made many military achievements. He was also awarded the title of Shangzhuguo and Jungong, served as the general manager, the governor, and the governor.
But after serving in the court for more than 20 years, he was demoted to the governor of Shazhou and his title was reduced to that of a county lord.

Look at his leader Li Ji, who has been pinned down in Bingzhou for many years and unable to move.

To be honest, there is no light on his hilltop.

On the contrary, the hill where Wu Huaiyu, Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin are located is now extremely dazzling.

Since Guo Xiaoke was a person who liked extreme luxury, it showed that he attached great importance to fame and fortune.

However, Wu Huaiyu quite likes Guo Xiaoke's working style.
Simple, crude and direct.

I, Guo Xiaoke, a great and powerful official, want to join your mountain and board your ship.
I have entrusted my three sons to you, Prime Minister Wu.
Isn’t this direct and frank enough?
As for what Guo Xiaoke wanted, it was even simpler and more direct. He just wanted to be like his old brothers who had gathered together in Wagang in those days, such as Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda.
After a lifetime of military service, in the end all he could do was to obtain a high position, a prestigious title, and a place for his wife and children.

In the same Western Expedition, Cheng came and was promoted to the rank of Second Rank General of the State. Fan Xing came and was also promoted to the rank of General of the State.

When Wu Huaiyi came, he was appointed as the Inspector of the Palace Supervisor and General of the Right Guard, and was promoted to the title of Duke of Shixing County, with a fief of 300 households.

Others such as Niu Jinda, Liu Lancheng, Qiu Xinggong, Li Xiuxing and others who served as general managers of the Western Expedition were basically promoted.

Several people also added the number of sealed households.

Whether he was in Wagang or later returned to Tang with Li Ji, Guo Xiaoke's official title and even honorary title were the same as Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin, without any difference. However, he had been in Tang for twenty years.
But now they have been left far behind.

Even if Guo Xiaoke didn't consider himself, he had to consider his sons. Cheng Yaojin's eldest son is now the governor of Annan, and his second son is the son-in-law of the emperor. Both of them have the title of county duke. Even the third, fourth and fifth sons have been granted the title of baron based on their father's merits.

Guo Xiaoke fell down, and he wanted to get up again.
He chose to move closer to Wu Huaiyu. After all, they still had a bond with Wagang.

"Your apprenticeship gift is too heavy. Confucius set the gift of apprenticeship as a gift of ten pieces of preserved meat."

Guo Daifeng looks a lot like his father, but his temperament is very different. Although Guo Xiaoke is a founding noble, he always has the flavor of a nouveau riche, especially his love of gold and jade, which makes him look even more nouveau riche.

Although Guo Daifeng did not receive much education, he grew up in a family of nobles and was quite polite in his speech.

"This is our sincere gift. It is also what our grandfather told us before he left. He said that there are so many people in the world who want to become Wu Xiang's disciples but don't have the chance. Even a few words of advice from Wu Xiang would be worth a thousand gold."

"In that case, I will accept this apprenticeship gift. From now on, you will be my registered students. As for whether you can become my inner disciple in the future, it depends on you."

He called in Li Keyong, the military commander of the Yanei Army.
"Feiyaer, they are the three sons of Lord Yangdi, and now they are my registered disciples."

"They will be in Anxiya Army from now on. You lead them."

Li Keyong smiled at the three brothers and took them away.

Qibi Heli also came to say goodbye to Wu Huaiyu and express his gratitude. Wu Huaiyu didn't have a good impression of this guy. He disobeyed his military orders twice. Wu Huaiyu once thought of beheading him.

But then I thought about it and decided not to.
He was the emperor's cousin-in-law and a surrendered leader of the Tibetans. During this Western Expedition, the Qibi tribe was quite dedicated, dispatching 3,000 tribal cavalrymen, who traveled thousands of miles with their own clothing, armor and dry food to fight in the Western Regions.

In the battles of Gaochang Tiandi City and Khan Futu City, although Qibi Heli disobeyed military orders and attacked on his own, he won the battles anyway.
The most important thing is that after several battles, the Khitan tribe suffered five to six hundred casualties.

Just for this, Wu Huaiyu had to give him a chance.

If Wu Huaiyu killed him, the emperor would have a hard time explaining himself to him, and it would also make the Qibi tribe feel disheartened. Even in the future, who among the other barbarians in the Western Regions would be willing to work for the Tang Dynasty?

How powerful is Qibi coming in?

Wu Huaiyu didn't even make him a cup of tea.
"When will Duke Liang leave?"

"I'll leave tomorrow."

"Going back to Chang'an?"

Qibi Heli smiled bitterly, "My mother is in poor health in Liangzhou, and I have asked the saint to let me go home to visit her. The saint understands and has granted my request."

This is a euphemism.

In fact, He Li repeatedly violated military orders this time, and Wu Huaiyu reported him to the emperor, which made Li Shimin very dissatisfied. In addition, He Li also revealed that he wanted to lead the Qibi tribe back to the Western Regions, and even wanted to ask Jin Manzhou to resettle the tribe, which made Li Shimin wary. He trusted He Li before because he led the tribe to submit to the Tang Dynasty, and he became a general in the court. He performed well in the past ten years and made some contributions.

But if you want to go back and start your own business, that won’t work.

Therefore, the emperor gave Qibi Heli an imperial decree, asking him to return to Liangzhou to visit his relatives, visit his mother, and appease the tribe. In fact, it was just to leave him alone and suspend his post temporarily.

His previous position as General of the Right Dragon Army had been removed and replaced by Fan Xing.

Now He Li doesn’t need to go back to Chang’an, let him go back to Liangzhou to calm down.

Of course, there is another meaning, that is, after experiencing the Qibi expedition to the Western Regions, many people in the Qibi tribe became dissatisfied with the imperial court. They felt that they had made great contributions but were not rewarded, but were punished and demoted instead.

Even though the Qibi tribe fought for the imperial court and suffered so many casualties, the imperial court was unwilling to give them Khanfutu City and Jin Manchuria.
The Qibi tribe was originally a branch of the Tiele tribe. He Li's grandfather and the grandfather of the current Xueyantuo Khan Yinan united the Tiele tribes in the Western Regions, established the Tiele Khanate, rebelled against the Western Turks, and killed the Khan.
Now Xueyantuo is the dominant power in Mobei.
They also kept sending people to persuade the Qibi tribe to move to the northern desert and join the Khanate.
After this incident, many people in the Qibi tribe wanted to move north.

This matter cannot be hidden from Chang'an.

Therefore, the emperor asked He Li to return to Liangzhou to appease the tribes, which was not only to prevent the Qibi tribe from defecting, but also a test for Qibi He Li.

If He Li returned to Liangzhou and chose to lead the Khitan tribe north to Xueyantuo, then He Li would no longer be trusted by Li Shimin.

Wu Huaiyu doesn't like He Li.

But he is now also the governor of Liangzhou. Qibi Heli's younger brother Qibi Shamen is the governor of Helanzhou, commanding thousands of Qibi tribes settled between Gansu and Liang.

Ten years ago, the Qibi brothers Heli and their mother led 6,000 tents of the Qibi tribe to submit to the Tang Dynasty. After ten years of recuperation, the Qibi tribe is no longer in the dire straits it was when it fled eastward, and its population has increased greatly.

In fact, they are very strong. From this Western Expedition, we can see that the 3,000 Khibi tribal troops are very powerful, especially with the support of the Tang Dynasty's logistical equipment, they are even more powerful.

If they rebel and defect to Mobei, that would also be a huge threat.

And if they cause chaos in Hexi, the consequences will be even more serious.

From this perspective, Wu Huaiyu had to meet Qibi Heli today, and even have a straight talk with him. Some things had to be laid out.

We must make Qibi Heli understand the pros and cons of this.

As long as the real head of the Qibi tribe, Heli, does not waver in his position, it will still be possible to remedy the situation if some leaders of the Hexi Qibi tribe want to defect to Mobei.

"The court has not agreed to give Tingzhou to your Qibi tribe. Do you feel resentful, General?"

"Don't dare."

"Are you from the Qibi tribe resentful?"

"Don't dare."

Wu Huaiyu said coldly, "Don't dare? That means you have resentment in your heart."

"Prime Minister Wu, we do want to return to the Western Regions and gather our scattered tribesmen in Tingzhou, but the imperial court does not agree. Although we are not very satisfied, we have no choice but to accept it, and we dare not complain."

"General Qibi, I hope you can understand how the imperial court treated you when you came to the Tang Dynasty because you were desperate. The imperial court sent troops to pick you up, mobilized a lot of food and grass at the mouth of Shazhou to supply you, and settled you between Gansu and Liang. They even set up a Helan Prefecture for you to govern yourself."

"After you entered the court, the Saint trusted you even more. Not only did he confer the title of General to you, but he also gave you the wife of a county lady from the imperial clan."

At this point, Wu Huaiyu paused.
"But the imperial court has been so kind to you for the past ten years. But just because you wanted Tingzhou and the imperial court didn't agree, you, the Qibi tribe, planned to rebel and join the Xueyantuo in the northern desert. Don't you think this is unreasonable?"

Qibi Heli was stunned. "Prime Minister Wu, please stop slandering me. I, Qibi Heli, swear to heaven that I am loyal to the emperor. The sun and the sky are clear, and the heavens can bear witness to it!"

"So you didn't know that the Qibi tribe was going to defect? ​​Was it your brother Qibi Shamen's idea, or was your brother coerced by some people in the Qibi tribe?"

Qibi Heli shook his head, "The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty has been so kind to our Qibi tribe, how could we possibly rebel!"

"I believe in General Qibi, but I also want to remind you that the 8,000-member Qibi tribe in Helan Prefecture between Gansu and Liang are indeed planning to rebel and surrender to the Xueyantuo in the northern desert. If you are truly loyal to the court, then hurry back to appease the tribe and eliminate the traitors."

"Take your actual actions to prove your loyalty to the Qibi tribe."

"I will give you another piece of advice. If the Qibi tribe really rebels, then they will never have a good end. I, Wu Huaiyu, am still the governor of Liangzhou. I will never sit idly by and watch the Qibi tribe's 8,000 tents defect to Mobei.
If they dare to rebel, I will immediately lead my army back to suppress the rebellion.

Then, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Qibi Heli was so angry that he pulled out a knife and cut his face, swearing, "The Qibi tribe will never betray the Tang Dynasty, and I, Qibi Heli, will never betray the Tang Dynasty."

After saying this, without caring about the blood on his face, he hurriedly said goodbye and rushed back to Hexi Liangzhou to appease the tribes.

"Why did Wu Guo tell He Li all this?" Li Keyong, the military commander of the yamen who was guarding the door, came in and asked his adoptive father in some confusion.

"Although Qibi Heli is unruly, he is not stupid, and he is also relatively loyal to the emperor. Many people in the Qibi tribe are dissatisfied with the status quo and want to return to the Western Regions or flee to the northern desert. This matter cannot be suppressed.
Let Qibi Heli handle it first. If he can handle it well, that would be the best and it would save us from a big fight.

If he can't handle it, then I will take action and I won't show mercy."

Wu Huaiyu felt that the Helan Prefecture vassal state established between Gansu and Liang was no longer necessary. The Khitan tribe originally came with 6,000 tents and had developed steadily in the past ten years. The population and livestock grew rapidly and their strength had become quite strong, even threatening the stability and security of the Hexi region.

If it is not resolved now, it will become a big problem sooner or later.

Now, taking this opportunity, Wu Huaiyu, the governor of Liangzhou, wants to withdraw Helanzhou. He has a reason for the withdrawal, and the reason is now in front of him.

"Father, do you think Qibi Heli can pacify the tribe?"

Wu Huaiyu shook his head.

"The Qibi tribe has been resting for ten years and has regained its strength. They have been restless for a long time. This western expedition has made many Qibi people dissatisfied. No matter how powerful Qibi is, they cannot be suppressed by a few words."

"Will the Qibi tribe really rebel?"

"Be prepared. In all likelihood, the Qibi tribe will defect to Xueyantuo in the north. We must not let them defect."

If the eight thousand tents rebelled and defected to Mobei, it would be a great help to the Xueyantuo. The relationship between Xueyantuo and the Tang Dynasty has become increasingly tense in recent years. A war will come sooner or later, and the battle is not far away. At this time, of course, Qibi cannot be allowed to defect to the north.

The emperor was not too optimistic about the Khibi tribe, and even trusted too much in Khibi Heli's control over the Khibi tribe. Wu Huaiyu was already making preparations for both scenarios.

(End of this chapter)