A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 1179: Heaven-fallen Stone Kingdom
"The position of the Suiye garrison commander,"

Wu Huaiyu glanced at all the Tang generals under his command. An Lushan, Li Keyong, Pang Yanzhang and Shi Shouxin, his four adopted sons, all held their heads high and were full of anticipation.

Zhonglang Jiang Xin Liaoer even volunteered, "Prime Minister Wu, I am willing to pacify Suiye."

This Xin Liaoer was once a general under Liang Shidu. More than ten years ago, Wu Huaiyu single-handedly destroyed the spear-faction Liang Shidu, and Xin Liaoer surrendered. Since then, he has followed Wu Huaiyu in many battles and is also a fierce general.

The four lieutenant generals in the hall, Qu Rifang, Li Hai'an, Cao Tong and Heng Zhixi, also expressed their willingness to accept the position and guard Suiye.

Only the higher-ranking General of the Left Tunwei Jiang Xingben, General of the Left Wuhou Xue Guwu Ren, and General of the Left Xiaowei Cao Qin, who were all Shangzhuguo, dukes of counties and prefectures, did not come to compete with them for the position.

"Since you are all willing to go to Suiye, I will be fair and just. Whoever can bring back Que Shijin and Ni Shushijin, I will recommend among you nine generals to be the garrison commander of Suiye."

Upon hearing this, all nine Lieutenants stood up and said they would lead their troops in pursuit immediately.

"Go ahead, if you're still alive I want to see him, if he's dead I want to see his body!"

The Tang army had been chasing the defeated army of Suiye since last night. Although there was no good news yet, Que Jijin and his men must have been exhausted in the snow.
They couldn't get far.

An Lushan and nine other generals each led a thousand soldiers in pursuit.

Wu Huaiyu and others continued to stay in Suiye City.
Que Shijin and Ni Shushijin fled in panic like stray dogs. They fled westwards and first fled to Miguo City.
They wanted to rest here, but the Tang army followed closely. They did not dare to enter the city and continued to flee westwards, heading straight for Ashibulai City.

The Ashibulai City was named after the Ashibulai River. It is located in the southwest of Qianquan Mountain in the Nanting Yazhang of the Western Turkic region and controls the exit of Qianquan Road.

Qianquan Mountain is an important mountain range between Suiye River and Zhaowu Sogdia. Although there are many small trails, most of them are rugged and difficult to travel. Only Qianquan Road is accessible to horses and carriages. Therefore, most of the goods of Silk Road merchants passed through this road, and thus the city of Ashibulai was built.

This city is not big, but it is strategically located.

The two great lords fled for a day and a night, and finally escaped into the city of Ashibulai.

After a thorough check, they found that they had less than a thousand cavalrymen under their command, and their men and horses were exhausted.

After entering the city, they immediately forcibly requisitioned horses, food and fodder, as well as young and strong men.

Before they had time to catch their breath, the Tang army came after them again.

Although there were not many pursuers, there seemed to be only a thousand cavalrymen.

But the two great generals were already like frightened birds, and they didn't even dare to defend the city. They simply abandoned the city and ran away.

The two great warriors fled in the snowstorm.

But they did not dare to surrender to Jiwangjue Khan Bobu of Qianquanshan Khan Court.
The Asikyi tribe had always had a bad relationship with Nisu Khan's line, and even Bobu's uncle Dilish Khan was conquered by them. Bobu's succession to the throne was also supported by Geshu and Basagan.

If you throw a thin cloth at this time, you will probably walk into a trap.

The two men did not dare to go north. Although the tribes of Asijie were all in Suiye River, their people were scattered at this time. They were being chased by the Tang army and had no time to gather their troops.

So the two of them discussed it and decided to cross Qianquan Mountain and go to Shiguo.

This escape,
It's hard to stop.

After escaping from Ashbulai City, they passed through Kulan City and Talas City, but the Tang army still held on tightly.
There are fewer and fewer people under my command.
When he arrived at Talas, he had only about 300 men left.
The two masters have never been so embarrassed before.

What made the two men even more sad was that the route they were taking to escape was very unlucky. In the autumn of the sixth year of Zhenguan, Siyehu Khan was attacked by a rebellion by the Nushipi tribe. After his defeat, he fled to Kangguo along their current route and died soon after.

Later, Dilishi Khan was defeated by the rebellion of Nushipi and Shiguotong Tutun. He also fled to Bukhara along this road and died there.

Now, they both embarked on this path.

This road is simply a road of no return.

Those Western Turks who fled to Transoxiana or even Tokharistan never came back.
The two elders almost burst into tears.

They had forced Siyehu Khan and Dilishi Khan to flee across the river.

Now, they have also embarked on this path of no return.

After passing Talas City, there is the vast Gobi Desert. There are oases in the desert. Fortunately, they are familiar with the route.

Although the journey was arduous, they finally arrived at the Stone Kingdom after going through untold hardships and entered Tuozhe City.

Shi State was one of the nine states of Zhaowu Sogdia. Most of the king and his people had the surname Shi. It was located beside the Yaosha River in the river. The capital was more than ten miles square. There were millets and wheat, and many good horses. The people were good at fighting. Tuozhe's army was not only famous in the Western Regions, but also in the Central Plains.

The Shi people were also good at dancing, and the Tuozhi dance was popular in Chang'an.
Nine thousand miles west of Chang'an.

Although it had a territory of thousands of miles, the Shi Kingdom was ruled by the Western Turks. During the Sui Dynasty, the Western Turkic Khan killed its king and appointed Teqinfu to rule the country.

Since the King of Shiguo, Shi Nie, rebelled against the Western Turks and was killed during the Daye period, the Western Turks sent Turkic nobles to serve as kings.
The Western Turks even built their Khanate in Qianquan Mountain, north of the Shi Kingdom, and firmly controlled the Shi Kingdom.

Previously, the defeat of Dilishi Khan was also caused by the participation of Shiguo Tong Tutun.

The current king of Shiguo is called Shunushe, also a Western Turkic noble. His full name is Shiguo Jielifa Shunushe.

There was another Tutun in Shi State, who was also sent by the Turkic Khan to Shi State to station troops to guard the country and collect taxes. His name was Yuqu Zhaomu and he was from the Shesheti tribe. People called him Kantutun Shesheti Yuqu Zhaomu.

King Shu Nuo She and Kan Tu Tun Yu Qu Zhao Mu had a good relationship with the Asi Jie tribe. They were neighbors across the Qianquan Mountain. As Asi Jie was powerful, the Shi Kingdom was greatly influenced by it.

Before this, Shiguo also followed Asijie in rebelling against Siyehu Khan and Dilish Khan.
Que Shijin and Ni Shushijin fled all the way into the Stone Kingdom and finally breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, there were only about a hundred people left, and many of them secretly abandoned the two big Shijins and fled.

"The city of Sudu is ahead. The city lord, Inedagan, is an old friend."

Que Jijin looked at the city in the distance, his eyes shining with light as he swept away the fatigue of many days.

The city lord Yinie was once Tongtutun's confidant. During the two rebellions against the Khan, Yiwuldu led the Shi Kingdom's troops north and fought side by side with Asijie. Yinie was a famous general of the Shi Kingdom and was awarded the title of Dagan. Now he is the lord of Sudu City, a large city in the Shi Kingdom.

"Now we don't have to worry about the Tang army."

With Qianquan Mountain blocking the way and the long and cold winter, the Tang army would not have the spare energy to attack the Shi Kingdom. Even if they came, they would not end up in trouble.

This winter is enough time for the two Dajijin to contact their troops, so that they can launch a counterattack in the spring and retake Suiye.

Que Shijin even swore that this time he would be irreconcilable with the Tang people and would drive them out of the Western Regions completely.

Sudu City,
The guards at the city gate were curious when they saw the group of people, and were even more surprised when they introduced themselves.

The guards asked them to wait outside the city gate and then go to report to the city lord.

cold winter season,

The city of Suduo is no longer as bustling as it used to be. The Silk Road merchants have stopped trading and the Lord of Ine City can hardly enjoy the quiet and slow time.

"Report to the city lord, more than a hundred people have come to the city gate. They are in a very bad state, but they claim to be Axijie Queshijin and Nishushijin. They want to see the city lord."

Lord Ine was enjoying the Takuji dance and drinking wine, but he was stunned when he heard the report.

"Which is better, the queshijin of Asiqie or the nishijin?"

When he heard that the team was in such a mess, he sneered, "How dare you to deceive Ben Dagan? Why did you pretend to be the two Da Jijins when you can pretend to be anyone else? Don't you know that I have known the two Da Jijins for more than ten years?

Drive them away!" The guards rushed to the city gate and announced the city lord's order.

Immediately, the Stone Kingdom warriors at the city gate began to drive them away.
Que Jijin and his friends were originally thinking about going into the city soon, taking a hot bath, having a bowl of delicious milk tea, and having a roasted lamb.
But what he didn't expect was to be driven away.

"Is this how Inedagan treats his old friends?" Que Jijin asked angrily.

"You damn liar, get out of here now! If you don't, I'll shoot you with arrows!"

Duman Teqin hurried forward,

"I am Asiji Dumanteqin. I am familiar with the Lord of Inedagan City and have been to Sudu City several times. Please take me to see the Lord of the City. Then the misunderstanding will be resolved."

As he said this, Duman Teqin quickly took off the jewel ring on his hand and put it into the hand of the officer guarding the city gate, "Please do me a favor. I will reward you handsomely later."

The guard officer looked at the ring. It was set in a gold setting with a beautiful gemstone. This thing must be very valuable, so he accepted the ring and asked, "Are you really Asiqidu Manteqin?"

"If I weren't, I wouldn't dare to go see Lord Ine."

"Why do you look like this?"

"This is a long story. Please help me to see the city lord first. I will buy you a drink and I will explain this matter in detail later."

The officer accepted the gift, thought about it, and decided to take Duman into the city.

When Lord Ine saw Duman, he almost didn't recognize him.

The officer who brought him in was so furious that he drew his knife and wanted to kill the liar. Fortunately, Duman quickly explained, and then the Lord of Ine finally recognized him.

"This is what you are doing?"

Duman made a long story short, and the city lord was extremely surprised.

Although shocked, due to their long-term friendship, Lord Ine and Duman went to the city gate to welcome Que Jijin and his party into the city.
First, take a hot spring bath, then change clothes, and then treat yourself to good food and wine.

They even called in beautiful women to perform the Takuzhi dance to liven up the atmosphere.

After eating and drinking, although I am very sleepy,
But Que Shijin and Ni Shushijin still briefly talked about the incident.
"Don't worry, since you have arrived in my Stone Country, I will definitely ensure your safety."

"No matter how powerful Wu Huaiyu is, he can't reach the Stone Kingdom."

The voice just fell,

A guard stumbled in.
"Dagan, something bad has happened,"

"Asshole, why are you panicking?" Lord Ine cursed.

The guard said anxiously, "Tang army, Tang army is coming to attack us."

"Where are the Tang troops? How many are there?"

Lord Ine, Que Shijin and Ni Shushijin asked the question almost at the same time.

"The Tang army suddenly appeared outside the royal city. They used thunder to knock down the city wall and entered the city. The king and Tutun were captured."

"A Tang army is heading towards Sudu City,"

This news shocked the Lord of Inedagan.

After a long while, he pointed at the guard and yelled, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"It's true. The city lord and the royal capital have been breached. The king and Tutun have been captured. The Tang army is heading towards Sudu City and will arrive soon."

Que Shijin and Ni Shushijin believed the news earlier than Lord Inie. After all, they still remembered that night in Suiye City.

How did the Tang army blast through the three city gates of Suiye in an instant?
I never thought that the gate of the Stone Kingdom’s capital could be broken so easily.

The two looked ashen.

Lord Ine gritted his teeth and shouted,
"Someone is coming,"

A team of guards rushed in.
The Lord of Inedagan pointed at Que Jijin, Ni Shujijin and Duman Teqin and said, "Capture them!"

Que Jijin and the others had not expected that the City Lord of Inedagan, who had just treated them to good food and drink, would suddenly turn hostile. Before they could even resist, they were surrounded by Ine's guards, with knives at their necks, and the three of them had no choice but to surrender.

"Inedagan?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help it,"

Inedagan sighed. Not only did the Tang army cross Qianquan Mountain to chase them, but they also easily broke through the capital of the Shi Kingdom so quickly and captured the king and Tutun alive.

How can you resist this?

Inedagan was very decisive.
The two great Jijins who had caused the disaster were captured and presented to the Tang army's heavenly soldiers who were coming to kill them.

When Li Keyong led a thousand troops to the city of Sudu and was about to use gunpowder to blow up the city gate and attack the city to catch Que Shijin and his men,
The gates of Sudu were opened.
The city lord of Inedagan personally escorted Que Shijin, Ni Shushijin and more than a hundred other people, who were tied up, out of the city gate.

Inedagan surrendered and handed over the two great leaders of the Asiqi tribe who had fled into the city.

Li Keyong was stunned.
He was originally a little upset that he didn't outrun An Lushan, allowing that guy to attack the capital of Shiguo first and capture the king and Tutun. Fortunately, after he learned that Que Jijin and his men did not escape to the capital of Shiguo, but came to Sudu City, he immediately rushed here.
Just as they were preparing for a big battle, unexpectedly the city lord opened the door and surrendered, and also gave out two big fish.

Li Keyong let out a long breath.

I just felt that all the depression and fatigue were swept away, and I felt refreshed.

"Lord Inedagan, you did a great job,"

Li Keyong accepted Inedagan's surrender.
"Take these rebels away," Li Keyong immediately ordered his men to take in Que Shijin and others. This time, he gained something in return. He arrived at the capital of Shi State one step later than An Lushan, so he broke into the capital first and captured the king and Tutun.

But who could have expected that these two big fish would finally fall into his hands without any effort at all.

Receive Que Shijin and others,
Li Keyong also accepted the invitation of the Lord of Inedagan and led his army into the city.

The Lord of Inedagan also immediately treated them to delicious food and drinks. He not only arranged a house for them to rest, but also immediately sent many cattle, sheep, and camels.

Even many beauties were sent to dance and drink with officers such as Li Keyong.

Finally, many carts of silk, gold, silver, etc. were brought in, saying they were to aid the army.

Then he prepared another one for Li Keyong and other officers as a personal gift to them.

Li Keyong accepted them all with a big laugh.

"Send a letter to General An and others, telling them that I have captured Que Shijin, Ni Shu Shijin, Du Manteqin and the others, and that all the brothers can have a good rest."

"Report the victory to the Minister of War in Suiye, and the mission will be accomplished immediately!"

(End of this chapter)