Chapter 237: The death of the Tubo chief minister and the execution of the marshal
A camp two miles away from Chidaizhudan.

King Subi, along with his two sons, gathered together a group of captains of thousands, five hundred men, and centurions.

"They ran away! Today is the day we die!"

King Subi sighed and said.

After hearing this, many generals were indignant.

The Tibetans fled, leaving the Subi people to fight to the death.

Why don’t you think of them when good things happen on weekdays?
"Father, look at how Tubo treats you. Tubo is not worthy of our loyalty. Li Xuan is a god from heaven, invincible. We should abandon the camp, attack those Tubo warriors, and capture Moluqiongsang and Woermang. Let the Tang army in and pursue Chidai Zhudan..."

Mei Lingzan's eldest son suddenly spoke.

Now some of the retreating infantry are still in the camp, and Chidai Zhudan has not gone far. It is the right time.

"Yes, father! It's not us who are unjust, it's Tubo who are unkind. If we die in battle today, will they treat our families well?"

The second son said something even more hurtful.

These words immediately moved the Subi leaders.

is not that right?

Tubo does not treat them as human beings, so why should they work for Tubo?

Given the character of Tubo, they will definitely not treat their families well.

Perhaps the Tang army would directly occupy Doma and the family would fall.

The eldest prince was right. The fact that he had killed eighteen powerful generals in a row proved that Li Xuan was not an ordinary man. How could they, with their flesh and blood bodies, possibly defeat him?

"in this way……"

Mei Lingzan deliberately only spoke half of his words...

The leaders were anxious and immediately persuaded him: "Your Majesty, it's not that we are unjust. Surrendering to Li Xuan is not a shame! Your family is safe, your life is saved, why are you still hesitating?"

"Yes, my king. Li Xuan did not kill the captives. The Bailang Qiang and Tuyuhun surrendered. Aren't they treated well?"

"My lord, the opportunity is rare and will never come back."

"You must be decisive, my king..."

The other leaders all tried to persuade him.

"Okay! Open our camp immediately and remove all the antlers and chariots. The rest of you will raid the Tibetan warriors nearby!"

Mei Lingzan gave the order.

Li Xuan created a perfect opportunity for him, how could he not serve?
Before this, Duan Xueshi had advised him to give first and take later, and rewarded his subordinates with gold, silver, treasures, cattle and sheep, making them loyal to him.

Even if he suddenly changes sides during a battle, he will still listen to him, not to mention that there is still room for him to maneuver.

Mei Lingzan asked his second son to take out the prepared hemp rope and tie it on his head.

Every soldier must wear it.

After finishing, Mo Lingzan immediately led his soldiers to rush towards the camp of Tibetan warriors.

At the same time, Meilingzan's eldest son led people to clear the barricades and chariots in front of Subi's camp, allowing the Tang cavalry to charge into the camp.

"What are you doing, Subi?"

When Mo Lingzan rushed over with his second son, a Tibetan captain of ten thousand men came forward with his personal guards and rebuked them.

"Pfft!"

Mei Lingzan's second son suddenly took out a powerful crossbow and started shooting.

Just ten steps away, it hit the captain right in the face.

The rest of the Suobi soldiers rushed forward, with a dozen of them besieging one, and in an instant they chopped down all of the commander's personal guards.

There were also a large number of Subi soldiers, led by centurions, who raided the Tubo camp.

The Tibetan warriors who were on full alert in the front were still in a daze, while a large number of them had already been slaughtered by the Subi soldiers in the rear.

"Subi has betrayed! Kill them!"

Another Tibetan captain of ten thousand men roared loudly, and the horn sounded, and everyone in the camp was startled.

Mei Luzan was full of questions. Did Su Pi betray him?

Looking at the battlefield, isn't it?

It was Mei Lingzan who betrayed and was attacking the warriors.

The gate of the area defended by Mei Lingzan was already wide open.

Although Meiluzan and Meilingzan are brothers, they are also enemies fighting for the throne of King Subi. He hesitated whether to step forward to stop them?
……

Tang army camp.

"Those who have hemp ropes tied around their heads are friendly troops! The rest who refuse to surrender will be killed without mercy!"

When Li Xuan saw that Mei Lingzan had not taken any action, he asked the messenger beside him to convey his orders.

"Soldiers! Charge!"

After receiving the order, Cheshensai led the armored cavalry and rushed to where Subi was stationed.

A large number of armored infantry and crossbowmen began to advance.

The cavalry was also ready to charge in at any time.

Li Xuan ordered the light cavalry not to care about the Tibetan soldiers in the camp and to pursue them directly into the Dafeichuan Ancient Road.

He led it personally.

After the cavalry cleared out the Tibetan infantry, they pursued them together with the infantry.

The armored cavalry, led by the Suobei soldiers, easily entered the Tubo camp.

They were not responsible for pursuit, but directly attacked the Tibetan soldiers.

The Tang army's heavily armored infantry also arrived at other lines, holding huge shields and spears, and attacked the Tibetan soldiers.

Prepare to make it impossible for Tubo to take care of both ends!
"Dafeichuan has been lost, retreat immediately!"

Meiluzan put down the grease, ignored his infantry, and led two thousand cavalrymen to chase after Chidai Zhudan who had not yet gone far.

This caused the infantry under Meiluzan's command to collapse. Before the Tang cavalry could attack from the rear, they were shot by the Tang army's powerful crossbows and fled in panic.

The most difficult ones were the infantrymen who were preparing to retreat with their rulers and pearls.

They hadn't completely withdrawn from the camp yet, but they saw the cavalry rushing in.

Will they flee with the ruler and the pearl, or stay and resist?

The defense line collapsed. What can we use to resist the cavalry?

Che Shensai led more than 1,700 armored cavalrymen to attack the unprepared Tibetan infantry like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

Those who blocked it were either hit to death or stabbed to death.

Teams of a hundred men, like sharp knives, pierced through the formation.

The armored cavalry were not afraid of the spear formation formed by several spears. After a while, they cooperated with the Subi soldiers and killed the Tibetan warriors so badly that they were defeated.

Geshu Han, Cheng Gui, Li Guangbi and others led their cavalry to break through and join in. The slaves lost their will and after several attacks, they knelt down and surrendered.

The Tang army's heavily armored infantry broke through the Tibetan warriors on all fronts, and what followed was a process of encirclement and killing.

Meiluqiongsang Woermang tried hard to raise his head. He was lying on the couch, covered with a layer of white snow, watching the armored Tang army moving around him.

There was a sadness in his eyes. He only remembered that in a very short period of time, the Tang army was all around him.

He was unwilling to give up because he couldn't take his last breath.

After an unknown amount of time, a young face appeared in Moluqiongsang Woermang's eyes. He heard someone say in Chinese: "Marshal, he is the Tibetan great minister Moluqiongsang Woermang."

"Daron Hyung-sang!"

Li Xuan did not call Moluqiongsang Woermang by his name, which was considered as a respect for him.

Because he saw that Meiluqiongsangwoermang's lips were purple and he looked like a dead person.

Historically, some people speculated that Meiluqiongsang and Woermang were captured alive by Guo Xuji in Jiannan.

Because without Luqiongsang Woermang, he will disappear from the stage of history next year.

But Li Xuan never thought so.

As an important figure in Tubo and the chief prime minister for twenty years, if Li Longji had caught Moluqiongsang Woermang, the history books would not have been so calm.

Tubo had a system of three major theories, and the great Tubo theorist that Guo Xuji captured should be one of the other two.

The elderly Mo Luqiongsang Woermang died of illness the next year.

But Li Xuan changed history and made it so that Mo Luqiongsang Woermang could not survive this month.

"Li Xuan!"

Meiluqiongsang Woermang suddenly woke up and was able to speak, calling out Li Xuan's name.

In Helong, only Li Xuan is worthy of being called marshal.

"Thank you, Dalun Jiongsang, for leaving yourself to us. Your military merit is second only to Chidai Zhudan!"

Li Xuan said with a smile.

Now that Meiluqiongsang and Woermang have been captured by him, even if they die immediately, it will still be considered their military achievement.

"I regretted not having seen you before, but now I finally see your true face! Unfortunately, fate played tricks on me, and I met you when my Tubo was at its most powerful."

Mo Luqiongsang Woermang sighed that it was because of Li Xuan that he was in such a predicament.

"Just say so!"

Li Xuan didn't argue with him.

After the accumulation of the Kaiyuan Prosperity, the national strength of the Tang Dynasty was there. Even without him, the Tang Dynasty before the Anshi Rebellion was not something that Tubo could contend with.

"We Tubo and Tang were originally close uncles and nephews. The war has brought so much suffering to the people. It is all the fault of me, Qilixu and Xinuolu Gonglu. Now Qilixu and Xinuolu Gonglu are dead, and I am going to die too. You have taken over the Nine Bends of Qinghai. Is it okay if we go back to the time of Songtsen Gampo?"

Meiluqiongsangwoermang said slowly.

"Even if you die, there will be a new prime minister. When the troops are restored, ambitions will grow and desires will expand. That era can't be returned. Sooner or later, the flag of the Tang Dynasty will be raised on the city of Luoshui..."

Li Xuan reached out and took a snowflake, which melted in his palm.

Their so-called friendship is as short-lived as the time a snowflake stays in the palm of your hand.

"It is impossible for Tibet to be conquered by the Tang Dynasty. We already have 36 generations of kings, and the inheritance will last for thousands of generations and will never stop."

Meiluqiongsangwoermang's eyes gradually dimmed and he breathed heavily while speaking.

His words contained a final persistence, even a fantasy...

After saying this, his spirit was extremely weak, like the last ember of a candle after it was extinguished.

"Hexi was once not part of China, but now it is the prosperous place of the Tang Dynasty. Zhangye, the arm of the country, leads directly to the Western Regions; Wuwei, commemorates the martial arts reputation of expanding the territory. In a few years, the snowy plateau will be the next Wuwei Zhangye!"

Li Xuan smiled.

Although according to Tibetan tradition, Chidai Zhudan was the 36th Zamp.

But in that case, if China starts from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Li Longji would probably be ranked after the hundredth emperor.

"I……"

Meiluqiongsang Woermang wanted to say something but couldn't utter it anymore. After he uttered this word, his eyes became dull and he lay quietly on the bed without moving.

The last burst of energy he had just had didn't last him long.

Li Xuan's last words were brought to hell by him, which made him terrified.

He was destined to leave this world with endless regrets and many worries.

Everything has nothing to do with Meiluqiongsangwoermang anymore. He will become Li Xuan's background.

"Have the troops record it and capture the great Tibetan minister, Moluqiongsang Woermang, alive. He died of anger!"

Li Xuan asked his personal guards to inform the army to follow him.

"As ordered!"

The guards received the order and left the battlefield.

"King Suobi, we conquered the camp so smoothly. I will give you credit for your contribution. I will report you to the sage and make you a true king, just like I did with King Bailang Qiang!"

Li Xuan was very satisfied with King Subi's surrender.

If it weren't for King Subi, they would not only have suffered heavy casualties, but also wasted a lot of time.

It’s not like now. Although we are still encircling and suppressing the Tibetan infantry, the Tang army’s iron cavalry and light cavalry have been withdrawn to pursue the main Tibetan fleeing forces.

"It's all the Marshal's planning and his majesty is unrivaled. I dare not take any credit for it."

Mei Lingzan was extremely humble in front of Li Xuan, even more respectful than when he was facing Chidai Zhudan. He knew that the young man in front of him held the fate of the Subi tribe in his hands, and the fate of life and death depended entirely on Li Xuan's thoughts.

"I will discuss the details with you at the celebration banquet. I will pursue Chidai Zhudan. King Subi will cooperate with our heavy cavalry and heavy infantry to encircle and wipe out all the Tibetan soldiers in this camp. You will be the one to recruit the Subi soldiers under Meiluzan!"

Although the battle was not over, the Tibetan infantry were surrounded and put up a desperate resistance.

The Tang army was able to quickly encircle and wipe them out at a very small cost.

The light cavalry had already set out to surround and shoot the Tibetan infantry still in Dafeichuan.

The elite cavalry has also regrouped and is waiting for an opportunity to attack.

"Thank you Marshal!"

Mei Lingzan bowed to Li Xuan, who gave him the power to recruit Mei Luzan's troops, which made him overjoyed. He did not forget to remind Li Xuan: "Marshal, if you want to pursue Chi Dai Zhu Dan, he may go over the mountains and take a detour when the main road is blocked."

"People can go around, but horses can't. If we lose the horse, Chidai Zhudan won't want to walk back to Luoshui City, right?"

Li Xuan certainly knew that some mountains could be crossed.

There are tribes living within a hundred miles of the main road. Where there are people, there is a road.

The road is not suitable for riding horses, and walking around in heavy snow is life-threatening.

"Reporting to the Marshal, there is a road to the north of Wuhai. Although the mountain road is dangerous, we can lead the horse across to Baihai."

Wuhai is near Duoma, and Meilingzan is familiar with its road conditions.

He didn't know whether Chidai Zhudan would leave, he just wanted to give Li Xuan a reminder.

Mei Lingzan hoped that Li Xuan could kill Chidai Zhudan and collapse Tubo.

They, Subi, were in Doma and rebelled at the critical moment, which must have been a response to Chidai Zhudan's jealousy.

Once Chidai Zhudan recovers his strength, he will definitely find a way to attack Subi.

A lean camel is bigger than a horse. They could never be a match for Tubo.

"Find a few Subi soldiers who are familiar with the road conditions and have them follow me on horseback."

Li Xuan nodded carefully and gave an order to Mei Lingzan.

"As ordered!"

Mei Lingzan immediately chose one for Li Xuan.

He also asked his second son, who could speak Chinese, to follow him and act as an interpreter.

Immediately, Li Xuan led the Shen Ce Guards and the Chishui Jumping Elite Cavalry to catch up with the Tang Army's light cavalry and elite cavalry in front...

Although the battle on Dafei Ridge and in Dafei River has not yet ended, it has basically become a foregone conclusion.

……

As expected, Chidai Zhudan broke through the defense again. Before he ran a few miles out of Dayuechuan, he received the news that the Tang army had broken into the camp.

"Mei Lingzan is worse than a pig or a dog. I will definitely slaughter your entire clan in the future!"

Chidai Zhudan was furious when he learned that it was Meilingzan who betrayed him. He cursed with gnashing teeth.

Before, the Meilu clan had always been targeting Mei Lingzan, and he also wanted to depose Mei Lingzan.

In this battle, Mei Lingzan performed exceptionally actively, and he praised Mei Lingzan several times in his heart.

Xian Chidai Zhudan and the ministers finally understood the significance of the hundreds of trumpets blowing at the same time. It must be a signal to contact Mei Lingzan.

The old guy hid too deeply!

If Chidai Zhudan didn't let Meilingzan stay behind to cover the rear, Meilingzan would definitely look for a chance to attack Chidai Zhudan, which might be even more dangerous.

"Zanpu, we have no strategic location to defend now. The infantry and cattle and sheep will soon be caught up by the Tang cavalry. We need to reach Wuhai as soon as possible to join General Enlan!"

Nangzhong Bajie said to Chidai Zhudan.

"You said we should leave with more than 10,000 cavalrymen, leaving 60,000 to 70,000 elite infantrymen here to die? What will be left of Tubo in that case? Can we still keep the country in the future?"

Chidai Zhudan looked at Nangzhong Bajie with red eyes.

"We still have 30,000 cavalrymen under General Enlan; we also have soldiers guarding Jiannan, Nanzhao, the Western Regions, and Tianzhu; we also have the Tianniu and Bailang imperial guards; and we also have you, the great Zamp! If anything happens to you, the country will be in danger."

Nangzhong Bajie was not afraid of Chidai Zhudan's gaze and sacrificed the rook to save the king, which was the most correct choice.

"Zanpu, I am willing to lead the infantry and resist the Tang army on the spot!"

While Chidai Zhudan was hesitating, the monk Jiesi Xiuting bowed and asked for orders.

"The strong wind reveals the strong grass! That Nang General can fight and retreat at the same time!"

Chidai Zhudan held Nangshang Jiesi Xiuting's hand.

He thought that if he led the cavalry to run faster, the Tang army would not be able to catch up.

So I hope that Nang Shangjie Xiuting can save some of the soldiers.

"I understand!"

After receiving the order, Nang Shang Jie Si Xiu Ting immediately turned around to command the infantry.

With a heavy heart, Chidai Zhudan led the remaining 10,000 cavalrymen towards Huashixia in Wuhai.

The cavalry suffered tens of thousands of casualties in the great battle, tens of thousands of soldiers on Dafei Ridge found it difficult to escape, tens of thousands of casualties were suffered in Dafei River, and now tens of thousands of troops have to be left behind to cover the rear.

Three hundred and thirty thousand soldiers were cut off and consumed bit by bit.

This price is too much for Chidai Zhudan to bear.

But now Chidai Zhudan has no choice but to escape.

The snow is getting heavier...

The journey home is still a long way off...

On the ancient road plain beside the Dafei River, the Tang army's light cavalry were the first to catch up with them.

"Shhhhhh!"

Without giving the Tibetan infantry time to deploy, the Tang cavalry fired at the Tibetan infantry's wings and rear.

The Tang army's light cavalry did not seek to kill or injure the Tubo people, but only to disrupt their formation and prevent them from forming a military formation.

Obviously, Nanang Shangjiesi Xiuting could not command this Tibetan army with ease.

Although he managed to block the road behind him, the Tang army's light cavalry, under the command of Li Zhushi and Xin Yunjing, took the lead in occupying the high ground on both wings.

This gathered the Tubo people into a small basin.

The Tang army's light cavalry was waiting for the iron cavalry to charge over, break up the Tibetan formation, and then they could strangle the Tibetan infantry.

The Tibetan slaves and women were driving hundreds of thousands of cattle, sheep and camels, and they were the first to be intercepted by the Tang army's light cavalry.

The slaves surrendered to the Tang army without a second thought. When the women saw the Tang army draw their bows, they were so frightened that they also gave up resistance.

The Tang army's light cavalry drove them back into the Dayuechuan River, protecting the cattle, sheep and camels and preventing them from running around.

Geshu Han, Cheng Gui and Li Guangbi led the cavalry and quickly rushed to the battlefield.

The three of them divided into three groups and attacked the Tibetan infantry from three sides at the same time.

Moreover, Tubo's resistance was hasty and its formation was disorganized.

Li Guangbi and Geshu Han were both famous generals of the time. They found the flaws respectively and attacked them and cut through the formation in less than two quarters of an hour.

The 70,000 Tibetan infantry were divided into three parts, and the Tibetan soldiers became even more panicked.

The light cavalry also entered the encirclement and attacked the Tibetan infantry.

The Tang army was not satisfied with this and prepared to cut the Tubo formation again, dividing them into smaller teams to facilitate their annihilation.

At this time, Li Xuan arrived with the Shen Ce Guards and Chi Shui Tiao Dang.

He saw that the troops in the front were in a disorganized formation, so he charged into the battle with his lance in hand.

The Shen Ce Guards behind him were as fierce and agile as snow leopards.

Several spears thrust forward, but were deflected by Li Xuan with one halberd, and then struck out horizontally, knocking down several people.

"Pfft!"

Under the protection of the Shen Ce Guards, Li Xuan attacked left and right. In an instant, he rushed into the camp and stabbed a Tibetan general to death in the formation.

His body was held high on the spear blade, with the purple cloak fluttering behind him in the wind and snow. This heroic posture attracted countless Tibetan soldiers.

This move also let Tubo know Li Xuan's identity. They dared not look at him or move their hands, and were filled with fear in their hearts.

Nanang Shang Jiesi Xiuting was in the center of a large formation. Although he was also afraid, he still reprimanded the soldiers, telling them not to be afraid of Li Xuan and to delay the Tang army for the Zamp.

After Li Xuan divided the formation into two, he saw the marshal's banner in the central Tibetan formation and knew that under the banner was the commander of tens of thousands of Tibetan infantry.

So, Li Xuan once again led the Shen Ce Guards and Chi Shui to rush towards Nang Shang Jie Si Xiu Ting.

Nang Shang Jie Si Xiu Ting discovered Li Xuan. He had no way to retreat and could only command the soldiers to stabilize the formation as much as possible.

But the Tibetan infantry faced Tang cavalry that outnumbered them and the dreaded Li Xuan.

In addition, the formation was divided into several parts, and the belief in dying for the Zamp had already been weakened by the appearance of Li Xuan.

Li Xuan led only more than a thousand cavalrymen, and in just one hour, he cut through four infantry phalanxes in the midst of tens of thousands of troops and retreated several miles.

It destroyed strong enemies and was as swift as flying. Wherever it passed, people were killed.

At this time, the distance between Li Xuan and Nang Shangjie Si Xiuting was less than ten feet.

Nang Shangjie Xiuting's personal guards protected him tightly and looked at Li Xuan nervously.

"A real man is not afraid of death. Even if I die, I will not retreat. I hope you will do the same!"

The monk Jie Si Xiuting grabbed a spear and held it horizontally, waiting for Li Xuan to approach.

When Li Xuan was rescuing women and children in Qinghai, he swore in front of Moluqiongsang Woermang that he would kill Li Xuan with his own hands.

Two years passed and he still hadn't fulfilled his vow.

He wanted to dance his last dance on this battlefield just like Meiluqiongsangwoermang.

He had the courage to fight with all his might.

Li Xuan, covered in blood, had cleared the obstacles and jumped on his horse to attack Nang Shang Jie Si Xiu Ting.

The personal guard wanted to die first, so he mustered up the courage to rush towards Li Xuan.

The monk Jie Si Xiuting seized the opportunity and followed behind the guards.

Li Xuan's long spear was like a dragon swimming in the snow, causing snowflakes and blood to fall continuously.

"Li Xuan, go to hell!"

When Li Xuan was about to pull back his spear, Nang Shang Jie Si Xiu Ting stabbed out with his spear with angry eyes, and his lips were bitten, which showed the anger of the spear.

"block!"

Although Li Xuan drew his lance, he was extremely skilled in horse lance and with a push of the lance, he pushed away the incoming spear blade.

"Pfft!"

Li Xuan stabbed with his spear in his backhand, piercing through the chest of Nang Shang Jie Si Xiu Ting.

When Li Xuan pulled out his spear, Nang Shangjie Xiuting fell into the snow that was already stained red.

His face was pressed against the ground, and he could not see Li Xuan on the horse, but only Hong Xue.

His last thought was no longer about the king in his mind, but about whether his hot blood could melt the snow.

Blood kept flowing from the chest onto the snow.

His last consciousness drained away...

Isn't this his dying desire?
The famous Shang Jiexi ended prematurely in a tragic way.

"Crack!"

The Tubo flag was cut off by Li Xuan with his spear.

Even though they were trapped in more than a dozen encirclements, all the Tibetan soldiers still felt this scene.

All thoughts collapsed along with the banner.

The sky and the earth were also covered in darkness, and some Tibetan soldiers chose to break through and escape to the south.

Some Tibetan soldiers chose to lay down their weapons and surrender.

In the end, only more than 5,000 of the 70,000 Tibetan soldiers broke through.

The Tang army's light cavalry continued to pursue and shoot in the snowy night.

Li Xuan led tens of thousands of other light cavalry and elite cavalry south to pursue Chidai Zhudan.

The prisoners were guarded by the infantrymen who rushed out of the Dafei River...

(End of this chapter)