The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 187 Heart-piercing Theory
"That's what I planned." Li Heng answered honestly.

Aqisi said: "After driving the Arabs back to Khorasan, the Tang Dynasty will further establish small protectorates in the Western Regions. However, Kucha is too far away from the Western Regions, so a transit point is definitely needed. Bukhara is the best transit point."

The small protectorate that Aqisi mentioned was similar to a combination of an embassy and a garrison. It sent only a few people and a small number of soldiers to communicate with the countries in the Western Regions in a timely manner, and at the same time made it clear that these small countries were vassal states of the Tang Dynasty.

This step is indeed what the Tang Dynasty will do next.

Li Ying said: "You are very clear about the policies of the Tang Dynasty."

Aqisi smiled and said, "As an important transit point, Bukhara must deepen its relationship with the Tang Dynasty. Marriage is naturally one of the best ways to do this."

Historically, the Tang Dynasty did have a marriage alliance with the Kingdom of Bukhara, but the Tang Dynasty only conferred the title of princess on the royal family and married them off.

After hearing what Aqisi said, Li Ying was a little surprised and said, "You are really smart. When you told me that you would let me see your value, you had thought of all this, right?"

"Yes." Aqisi answered affirmatively.

Li Heng said: "According to your plan, you only need to ask your father Khan to write a letter to my father, the emperor, requesting a marriage alliance. Then I will not be able to refuse even if I want to. If that is the case, why bother doing so much?"

Aqisi said: "Because this is the only way I can be worthy of you."

Li Heng fell silent again. After a long while, Li Heng said, "I can go west with you along the Xieer River to find out the military situation of the Shi Kingdom."

Hearing this, Aqisi smiled knowingly and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

……

Li Heng let the generals rest for a day before calling them together to discuss the next battle plan.

Gao Xianzhi said, "Your Highness, we have defeated one of the three armies of the Arabs. I think there are two ways to attack them next. One is to continue to dispatch heavy troops to attack one of them, Baishui City in the north and Geluoling in the south. If Your Highness chooses this method, I suggest going north first and then south. First take Tuozhe City in Shiguo, and then approach Baishui City. There are deserts on both sides of Baishui City. As long as we take Tuozhe City, the enemy troops in Baishui City will be isolated. There are many small countries in the south, and the Arabs can fight and retreat at the same time, and hold the city all the way. If our advance is unfavorable, the Arab army in the north will support us, and then we will be attacked from both sides."

Gao Xianzhi gestured on the map and continued, "Another way to fight is to split the troops into two groups and advance from the north and south at the same time. This method is more risky, but if successful, it can speed up the progress of the war."

Li Heng nodded and asked the other generals, "What do you think?"

Half of the other generals agreed to advance on two fronts simultaneously, while the other half agreed to attack one place first.

Li Heng listened to the opinions of the generals and did not make a final decision. Instead, he said, "Bring Abu Muslim up first."

Li Siye took the order and left. After a while, he brought Abu Muslim over.

Li Heng saw that Abu Muslim was still tied up and said, "Quickly untie General Abu."

"Yes." Li Siye took the order and personally untied the rope for Abu Muslim.

After Li Siye untied Abu Muslim's rope, Li Heng smiled and said, "General Abu is a rare military talent. If you are willing to serve the Tang Dynasty, I will promise you wealth, honor, wine, beautiful women, and high positions and generous salaries."

Abu Muslim snorted and said, "I am not interested in what His Royal Highness Shou said. I know you Tang people are good at buying people's hearts, but no matter what His Royal Highness Shou said or did, I will not surrender to the Tang!" Li Siye was furious and said, "Don't be ungrateful! Do you think we have no one to use in the Tang Dynasty? His Royal Highness appreciates you, so he advises you kindly. If you know what's good for you, you should thank His Royal Highness for his kindness immediately."

Abu Muslim turned his face away and ignored Li Siye.

Li Siye was about to explode, but Li Heng raised his hand to interrupt him.

Li Heng stood up, walked to Abu Muslim, and said with a smile: "From what General Abu said, it seems that General Abu thinks that he is someone who cannot be touched by money, fame, or wealth?"

Abu Muslim glanced at Li Heng and still said nothing.

Li Heng asked: "As far as I know, you are Persian?"

Abu Muslim said, "So what?"

Li Heng said, "When you were fighting General Li Siye, you mentioned your creator god Ahura Mazda. Ahura Mazda can use fire to distinguish good from evil, and gave you the fire of truth, so you think you are kind and righteous?"

Abu Muslim said, "Of course."

"I don't think so." Li Heng returned to the table and picked up the letters of request for assistance from the Western Regions. He said, "These are the letters of request for assistance submitted by the countries invaded by the Arabs to the Tang Dynasty. You may not understand them, so I will read them to you."

"Kangguo asks for help: I ​​humbly ask the Heavenly Khan to send Han soldiers here to help us in our suffering. The Arabs were only supposed to be strong for a hundred years, and now that period has expired, if Han soldiers come here, we will surely defeat the Arabs."

"An Guo: I beg God to bless me with His grace and save me from my suffering. Please order me to send troops. I will lead my country's troops and defeat the Arabs."

"King Narayana of Kumi submitted a petition: I hope that God will punish the Arabs and exempt our country from taxation."

"..."

Li Heng put down the letter for help and said with his hands behind his back:

"All the countries in the Western Regions have requested assistance, so I will not read them one by one. In recent years, the Arabs have invaded the countries in the Western Regions, burning, killing, looting and committing all kinds of atrocities wherever they go. After the occupation, they also levied huge taxes."

"The annual tax of Anguo has always been no more than 200,000 dirhams of silver coins. But after the Arabs conquered Anguo, they ordered it to pay a compensation of 1 million dirhams of silver coins immediately, and then pay a tribute of 210,000 dirhams and 2,000 slaves every year. Kangguo paid 2 million dirhams in one go, and then paid a tribute of 200,000 dirhams and 3,000 slaves every year..."

When Li Ying said this, Abu Muslim's expression darkened and he lowered his head.

Li Heng saw Abu Muslim's look and changed the subject, saying, "You are Persian. The Tang Dynasty supported the Shamanshan Dynasty of your Persia, but unfortunately it failed to save you from the disaster of national destruction. You know how the Arabs treated you Persians after your country was destroyed. But what did you do?"

Li Heng emphasized his tone and continued:
"You are willing to be the vanguard of the Arabs, imposing the sufferings of you Persians on other countries! In front of the Arab general, you dare not say that you are a believer of Ahura Mazda, because the Arabs do not allow Persians to believe in your religion. But you cannot believe in the Arabs' religion, because if you convert to their religion, they will collect less taxes from you."

"General Abu, you are just an alien. You will never be forgiven by Ahura Mazda in this life. If the fire of truth of Ahura Mazda shines on you, it will only reflect your evil, cowardice and incompetence!"

Abu Muslim's face turned red when he heard this, and he said angrily: "I will resist! Submission to the Arabs is only a temporary solution. One day, I will overthrow the rule of the Arabs, and I will let the fire of truth of Ahura Mazda shine on the heads of every Persian!"

(End of this chapter)