Chapter 314: Karluk Yehu, Hunting in Tianshan

"Reporting to General Li, Li Siye of the Modao Army was extremely brave and made important contributions during the battle to destroy Xiaobolü."

Cheng Qianli replied to Li Xuan: "In addition, there are also Yajiang Bai Xiaode in the army, who is from the royal family of Kucha and is good at using double spears; Langjiang Wei Boyu is extremely strong and has high martial arts skills; and fierce general Tian Zhen is also a good user of Mo Dao."

The Li Xuan in front of him was famous for his bravery. He was known for being unconquerable in the midst of thousands of troops. He could kill a general and seize a flag as easily as taking something out of a bag.

"Brave generals are born from the ranks. Let me introduce them to you. The country will need them soon."

Li Xuan said to Cheng Qianli. There may be some famous generals who are not well-known.

Since they were able to become famous in history, it is only a matter of time before they will come to the fore in this era.

"As ordered!"

Cheng Qianli brought Li Xuan with him and first met Li Siye.

Li Siye was not only the commander of the Modao Army, but also the deputy envoy of Qiuci.

"General Li Siye pays respect to General Li!"

Li Siye bowed to Li Xuan when he saw him.

"A general who can use the Mo Dao is very special. I have heard of the general's reputation for a long time. The general played an indispensable role in the battle to destroy Xiaoboluo!"

Li Xuan said to Li Siye.

But when he got closer, Li Xuan felt strange looking at Li Siye, who was half a head taller than him.

Such height and arm span seem to be born for Mo Dao.

In later generations, when people mentioned Modao, Li Siye and the Modao Army led by Li Siye were names that could not be avoided.

"General Li, thank you for your praise. How can my weak achievements be appreciated by you? I am armed with a Mo Dao, and I can do anything to break through the enemy lines. I am willing to serve you like a dog and a horse."

Li Siye was a fierce general, and he was amazed by the "Heavenly General" Li Xuan.

Li Xuan's majesty was not what he had imagined. He wore an official robe but no armor, and looked like a civil official.

But Li Xuan was so famous and had served as the de facto chief prime minister, so Li Siye did not dare to raise any questions.

He bowed to Li Xuan to express his dependence on Li Xuan and hoped to be given the opportunity to make meritorious service in the future.

"The powerful enemy, the Arabs, are dispatching troops nearby. As long as you fight to the death, the general will surely be able to defeat the marquis easily."

Li Xuan accepted Li Siye's loyalty, and even if Li Siye didn't say it, he would use him in the future.

He also wanted to see the differences between the Modao led by Li Siye and the Modao led by Longyou.

"On the battlefield, I will fight for my life."

Li Siye said again.

Brave and agile, he always takes the lead in every battle. He longs to achieve a high position through bravery and return home in glory.

"I heard that General Li is from Gaoling, Jingzhao. I was also born and raised in Jingzhao. We can return home together in the future."

Li Xuan immediately revealed Li Siye’s birthplace.

Li Siye became truly famous in history when he led the Modao Army to cover the retreat of the defeated Tang Dynasty troops in the Battle of Talas.

Facing an overwhelming force, he formed a skirmish line and frightened the pursuing Arab coalition forces, allowing Gao Xianzhi to escape with his remaining troops.

After that battle, Li Longji got to know Li Siye and summoned him to Chang'an to reward him.

At this time, Li Siye's fame had not yet spread to Chang'an, but Li Xuan actually knew the hometown of one of his deputy generals. It is conceivable that Li Siye was moved. He originally thought that being loyal to Li Xuan would help him gain a future.

The way I look at Li Xuan now is like looking at a close friend.

He was eager to fight and use his strength as a bear and a tiger to prove himself to Li Xuan.

Immediately afterwards, Li Xuan got acquainted with generals and lieutenants such as Tian Zhen, Wei Boyu, and Bai Xiaode.

Li Xuan also got to know the other yamen generals and palace officers one by one and encouraged them.

After getting to know the generals, Li Xuan watched the training of the Kucha army.

With Modao, heavy infantry, infantry, light cavalry and elite cavalry, the Kucha army gave Li Xuan a feeling of toughness.

They are not very rigorous in terms of battle formations, but when they clash, they are unstoppable.

This should be influenced by regional customs.

Many of Anxi’s enemies were small countries. After defeating these small countries, they would plunder them, which inevitably led to the development of this kind of fierceness.

It would be very bad if they entered the Central Plains in the future. They might rob the people of the Tang Dynasty.

This is not alarmist.

The poet and historian Du Fu recorded many real events about the An-Shi Rebellion.

Although the soldiers in front of the palace are brave and powerful, they are as violent and ruthless as the Qiang people.

I heard that there was a massacre on the Han River, and most of the women were among the government troops.

If such a tragedy happens, Li Xuan will kill everyone he sees.

Li Xuan needs time to slowly manage military discipline.

After his Jinglüe Army and Great Wall Army arrived, he began to enforce military discipline.

Li Xuan was able to convince the Helong soldiers not only because of military discipline, but also because of generous rewards.

He knew that only by using both soft and hard tactics, giving all kinds of rewards, and being open and honest could he convince the soldiers.

Rewarding the best-trained team was Li Xuan’s first step.

The drill was then carried out, causing the Kucha army to cheer.

Once Li Xuan actually leads the Anxi Army to a great victory and obtains generous rewards from the court, the Anxi Army will be convinced and loyal to him.

On the third day, Feng Changqing drafted the document, and Li Xuan summoned his staff and Yan Zhenqing, Cen Shen and others to tell them his ideas.

The idea of ​​abandoning the vassal states west of the Pamirs is very bold. If there is no victory, the saint will definitely offend Li Xuan.

They thought Li Xuan was a general with a strong offensive character, but they did not expect that Li Xuan and Gao Xianzhi handled things completely differently.

Li Xuan adopted the strategy of defense instead of attack, and it seemed that he had no intention of "punishing the enemy even though they are far away".

Li Xuan is the new commander of Anxi, but he has great reputation.

Wang Zhengjian is already old and doesn't want to get involved in Li Xuan's tactics.

He was a moderate person, and he did not feel jealous even when Gao Xianzhi gave the concubine to Feng Changqing.

Others will naturally not object.

Giving up the countries west of the Pamir Mountains would only result in a loss of prestige for the Tang Dynasty, without any cost.

If it really doesn't work, think of another way to take the initiative.

Li Xuan stamped the seal of the Anxi Protectorate on each imperial edict and sent it to various countries west of the Pamir Mountains.

Even the Kingdom of Bactria was kept in the dark.

This seemed to indicate that the Tang Dynasty was going to give up the territories west of the Pamir Mountains and hand over those territories to the newly established Black Caliphate regime.

It gives people the feeling that the Tang Dynasty is afraid of the Black Arabs.

Li Xuan guessed that Bian Lingcheng would secretly report to Li Longji.

So on the next day, he sent an urgent letter to Li Longji, traveling seven hundred miles.

At the same time, he wrote another letter to Gao Lishi, informing him of the whole story. He, Li Qilang, was loyal and would not allow anyone to slander him.

Li Xuan, who was in Qiuci City, sent a letter to the Karluk in the northwest of Beiting, summoning the Karluk's Yehu to the Beiting Protectorate.

The three Qarluk tribes united with the Tang Dynasty to destroy the Turkic Khanate.

But later, disagreements arose among the Karluks, and the Karluks in the Udegan Mountain area defected to the Uighurs.

Another part of the Qarlugs migrated to the northwest of Beiting, established themselves as Yehu and surrendered to the Tang Dynasty.

Currently, this group of Qarlug light cavalry has more than 20,000 soldiers, making it the second most powerful force on the grassland after the Uighurs, and on par with the low-key Jiankun.

The Tang Dynasty had a very tight grip on the Qarluk people, and with the Uighurs being their natural enemy, the Qarluk people had no choice but to surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

Otherwise, the Tang Dynasty could easily defeat the Qerluks.

Li Xuan was basically never idle in the Western Regions.

Half a month after he arrived in the Western Regions, he led Yan Gaoqing and Liu Shan to Anxi.

In addition to military and political affairs during this period, Li Xuan also sent people to look for quartz sand for making glass.

In addition, letters were sent to the Anxi countries to collect more animal fats and oils, and warehouses were built to store them.

A few days later, Li Xuan traveled east and arrived in Tingzhou (now Urumqi).

The Beiting Protectorate and the Anxi Protectorate were divided into north and south with the Tianshan Mountains as the boundary.

Now the Turks in the middle and lower reaches of the Yili River have been conquered, the Jiankun Governorate has always obeyed the Tang Dynasty, the Shatuo tribe is a loyal brother of the Tang Dynasty, and the Uighurs have surrendered.

It can be said that Beiting has no rivals now.

The sixteen vassal states within the territory had been paying tribute and taxes to Beiting. In addition, Beiting had many ethnic minority counties under the rule of the Tang Dynasty, making its dependence on the court far less than that of Anxi.

Ten years ago, Anxi Beiting was still a whole, but it was divided to prevent the local governors from becoming too powerful.

Now Li Xuan is in charge of the Western Regions, and they are all one.

When they arrived at Luntai County, Zhang Yuanhong, deputy envoy of Beiting Jiedushi, came with his subordinates to greet Li Xuan.

Li Xuan asked Zhang Yuanhong about some military and political affairs of the Beiting Jiedushi and the conditions of the various vassal states.

Two days later, they arrived at Jinman County, the seat of the Beiting Jiedushi.

To the east of Jinman County, there was a 12,000-man Hanhai Army stationed.

Li Xuan arrived at the military camp first to inspect the Hanhai Army soldiers.

At the same time, Li Xuan communicated with the soldiers, encouraged them to train, and formulated the same training rewards as the Anxi Army.

Those who rank at the top in training will get to eat delicious mutton, which makes the Hanhai Army soldiers very excited.

The Hanhai Army had not fought for a long time, and the soldiers wanted to fight and make merit. Under the conscription system, most of the Han and Hu people who came to participate were there to get rewards for their merits, not to fill their stomachs.

Li Xuan promised the Hanhai Army that he would summon the Hanhai Army to join the battle soon.

Since there were no rivals around, Beiting’s military and political affairs were much easier to handle.

Li Xuan was relieved to leave Yan Gaoqing and Liu Shan here

After he stayed in Tingzhou for a month, Karluk Yehu Shili came to Beiting Protectorate.

General Tian summoned Shiliyehu and he had to come.

"Little King Shili, I pay my respects to the great King Tianshui!"

Li Xuan personally went out of the house to welcome Shi Liyehu, which made Shi Li flattered.

In the Battle of Baitinghai, Li Xuan rushed thousands of miles, emerged from the desert, and annihilated all 50,000 Huihe supervisors, leaving Moyanchuo "the only one who returned alive."

This was a battle that took place not far from Karluk, which shocked Karluk's young mind.

What's more, Li Xuan inflicted heavy damage on Tubo in the subsequent Battle of Jiuqu and Battle of Dafeichuan, making the arrogant Chidai Zhudan a prisoner.

In Gelulu's eyes, Li Xuan was far more terrifying than Wang Zhongsi.

Li Xuan, who was still very young, was called the Heavenly General, and he absolutely deserved the title.

To the grassland tribes, heaven is supreme.

"I summoned Ye Hu to discuss important matters. Please follow me to the main hall of the government office."

Li Xuan invited Shi Liyehu to the Anxi Protectorate.

Shi Liyehu followed Li Xuan into the mansion cautiously.

He had met Gao Xianzhi before and knew how strong he was. Facing Li Xuan was a different feeling. Although he was approachable, he felt a huge pressure.

Like a sword that has not been unsheathed, its edge is restrained.

"How are the Karluk tribes?"

Li Xuan asked Shi Liyehu knowingly.

"The three tribes of the Qalluk tribe were originally a whole, but the Uighurs were ungrateful and caused the Qalluk tribe to split apart."

Thinking of this, Shi Liyehu gritted his teeth.

There are three tribes of Gelulu: one is called Mouluo, one is called Chishi, and one is called Tashili.

The Qarlug who was recaptured by the Uighurs was none other than Chishi.

After the loss of a part of the Qarlug tribe, not only did their strength decline sharply, but they were also threatened by the Uighurs, making it difficult for them to migrate back to their original homeland.

Now the grassland has been completely occupied by the Uighurs!

"What a pity! But I believe that the three Yehu will eventually become one."

Li Xuan encouraged with a smile.

The geographical location of the Karluks could cooperate with the Tang Dynasty to contain the Huihe. Since the Battle of Baitinghai, the Huihe had always been Li Xuan's imaginary enemy, and he was always on guard.

What he was most worried about was that when he was doing something big, the Uighurs would interfere again.

History is already somewhat confusing, and Li Xuan doesn't believe that Mo Yanchuo will forget the shame of Bai Tinghai's embarrassing escape.

"Our prophet predicted the same thing."

Shri Yehu was ambitious.

Having witnessed the Uighur leader Guli Peiluo's counterattack from a "stray child" to become the Great Khan of the grassland, he felt that the Qarlugs might not be without this opportunity.

As long as Datang supports it!

"It is said that the Black Arabs want to expand eastward and get their hands on Anxi in the Tang Dynasty. What should we do?"

Li Xuan got to the point and asked Shi Liyehu.

"My Qarluk tribe serves in the northern border of the Tang Dynasty. As long as the Tang Dynasty gives an order, my Qarluk men will fight for the Tang Dynasty and drive the Arabs out of the Yaoshashui."

Shi Liyehu stood up and expressed his loyalty to Li Xuan.

He patted his chest, as if he would go through fire and water for the Tang Dynasty without frowning.

"I believe in the loyalty of the Karluk tribe to the Tang Dynasty. We once fought side by side and destroyed the Turkic Khanate. It's just that the battle line was too far away and we had no chance to meet. But I will never forget this friendship."

History has proven that the Qarlugs could not be relied upon when the Tang Dynasty was at a disadvantage.

The Qarlugs were an aggressive tribe, and were also very profit-seeking.

But it is precisely these Karluks who can be utilized.

When the Tang Dynasty had the upper hand, Qerlug would definitely not dare to betray. After all, his home was here. Where could he escape to if he wanted to?
"It was from that battle that I began to admire the power of King Tianshui. There have been few people who have captured the Great Khan in history, and you are even more extraordinary."

Shi Liyehu also took the opportunity to flatter Li Xuan.

"After a while, the Protectorate will spread the news that the Karluks are disloyal, and the Jiedushi will send a general with 50,000 soldiers to the north to attack the Karluks..."

"The little prince is terrified, not knowing how I have offended the general!"

Before Li Xuan could finish his words, Shi Liyehu prostrated himself on the ground with a look of fear on his face.

He didn't understand why he suddenly led 50,000 troops to attack the Qarluk army when he was fine just now.

Let alone 50,000, even the Qarlugs might not be able to hold out against 20,000.

"Listen to what I have to say..."

Li Xuan stood up and helped Shi Liyehu up, and said, "I am just confusing the audience, not really attacking the Karluks."

"I want to lure the Arabs to attack Anxi, creating the illusion that Anxi's troops are empty. When the Tang Dynasty is about to attack, Shiliyehu sends people to ask for help from the Arabs, tempting them."

The Governor of Khorasan was a famous general and an ambitious hero. Li Xuan not only gave up the west of Pamirs, but also exposed his flaws and used his best strategy of luring the enemy.

"I see. I, Gelulu, will definitely cooperate with the Tang Dynasty."

Shi Lisong breathed a sigh of relief. If that was the case, it would be simple. The Han people loved to use conspiracies and tricks.

Even General Li Xuan is no exception.

In Shi Li's eyes, the Tang Dynasty was much more powerful than the Arab Empire, because Tang's silk, porcelain and tea were all best-selling products on the Silk Road and were equivalent to gold.

As a tribe within the influence of the Tang Dynasty, Shi Li naturally believed that the Tang Dynasty was more powerful.

"After the Tang army arrived at the Tianshan Mountains, Yehu sent people to ask for help from the Arabs, so that your subordinates would think that the Karluks had broken with the Tang."

Li Xuan did not forget to remind Shi Liyehu.

"I obey your command, little king!"

Shi Liyehu dared not disobey.

"Once we drive the Arabs out of Leizhu Sea, we will definitely reward Gelulu."

Li Xuan made another promise to Shi Liyehu, using both kindness and force.

"Thank you, King Tianshui!"

Shi Liyehu responded in surprise.

Li Xuan discussed with Shi Liyehu for a while and then invited him to drink.

He kept making big promises for Shili and even threatened to petition the emperor to allow the Karluk Khanate to be established, turning Shili Yehu into Shili Khan.

This made Shi Liyehu's heart beat fast.

If the despicable Basmil was able to establish a Khanate, why couldn’t the Qarlugs, who were also a grassland tribe?
This kind of inducement touched Shi Liyehu's heart and made him more convinced of Li Xuan.

The next day, Li Xuan invited Shili Khan, Zhang Yuanhong, and the generals of the Hanhai Army to hunt at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

The snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains shine with golden light in the morning light, which is magnificent.

Li Xuan's team of hundreds of people were ready to go.

The sky was blue with white clouds, the trees were lush and green near the foot of the mountain, and several elk were grazing on the flat grassland to the north.

"Bah!"

The galloping of the cavalry startled them.

The soldiers shouted loudly, galloped on horseback like lightning, and pursued and intercepted the enemy.

To prevent red deer from running into the grassland.

Li Xuan and Shi Liyehu each led their cavalry in pursuit.

Shi Liyehu made full use of his superb hunting skills. He brought a dozen followers with him and made detours, getting closer and closer to the running elk.

He wanted to be the first to shoot the strongest elk to prove to Li Xuan the bravery and strength of the Karluk people.

The Qarlug people, who grew up on horseback, were good at riding and shooting, and were fierce.

Except for Shi Liyehu, everyone else has drawn their bows and arrows.

Gradually, Shiliyehu was seventy steps away from the elk. He did not shoot an arrow because he was looking for the strongest one.

Shi Liyehu looked back from time to time and saw that Li Xuan was still dozens of steps away from him, and at least a hundred and fifty steps away from the sika deer. He was far from catching up!

Just when Shi Liyehu found the strongest elk and was about to draw his bow and arrow, a deafening bowstring sound was rang out.

“Bang!” “Swoosh!”

Li Xuan's Fire Cloud Horse galloped like the wind. When he was 150 steps away from the elk, Li Xuan picked up the two-stone strong bow given by Wang Zhongsi.

Although the bow is large, Li Xuan has mastered the technique of drawing the string on horseback.

The specially made bow was strung, Li Xuan released his fingers, and the arrow flew out into the air.

"Moo..."

The sika deer running one hundred and fifty steps away let out a scream and fell to the ground.

This elk was the strongest one that Shi Liyehu had targeted.

Seeing the sika deer being shot dead, Shi Liyehu looked back in disbelief.

Li Xuan was in the position of drawing his bow, which made Shi Liyehu look confused.

It was obvious that it was a red deer shot by Li Xuan from a hundred and fifty steps away!

As a result, Shi Liyehu's other guards approached the red deer but forgot to shoot arrows.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..."

Li Xuan continued running with the bow in hand, shooting three arrows in a row, each of which could knock down an adult elk from more than a hundred steps away.

As the horse galloped forward, Li Xuan took another step forward to draw the bow and arrow, but he did not shoot.

The stretched string slowly dropped again.

The last elk stumbled away into the forest.

Because it was a pregnant doe, no one else dared to move unless Li Xuan shot it.

"Li Shuai Tianwei!"

"General Tian!"

The officers and soldiers of the Hanhai Army and Li Xuan's personal guards shouted together.

The posture of riding a horse and drawing a bow makes people understand why Li Xuan was called the Heavenly General.

Ordinary people can't see clearly at such a distance.

And Li Xuan can do things that ordinary people can't do.

In the next half day, the group shot some rabbits, wild goats and other prey at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

Li Xuan ordered the soldiers to set up a stove on the spot and cook meat together.

"The Prince of Tianshui is truly a Heavenly General. I admire him. I have heard before that Xue Rengui conquered Tianshan with three arrows, but Xue Rengui is definitely not as good as Heavenly General in archery."

After Shi Liyehu got off his horse, he quickly ran to Li Xuan.

He was astounded by Li Xuan's archery skills.

Having lived for more than forty years, he had never heard of such archery skills on the grassland.

Compared with the Heavenly General, the ancient archers are just like trifles.

If it was on the battlefield, the commander might be shot to death by Li Xuan if he wasn't careful. Shili Khan felt terrified at the thought.

"No matter how powerful the enemy is, he will die under my arrows. If not, it means I want to capture him alive."

Li Xuan said meaningfully.

"King Tianshui is so powerful that no matter what he does, as long as he gives an order, the 20,000 archers in the tribe will be at his command."

Shi Liyehu was not a fool. He could understand what Li Xuan meant, and his respect for Li Xuan grew stronger.

"The Tang Dynasty has a broad mind and treats its vassal states with great kindness. Just like hunting, we also have our own etiquette and do not kill pregnant female animals."

Li Xuan used this sentence to signal Shi Liyehu to use both kindness and force.

"I have always longed for the civilization and breadth of the Tang Dynasty. In the future, when I hunt, I will follow the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty." Shi Liyehu replied to Li Xuan. He reacted quickly.

"It is said that there is a kind of leopard in the Tianshan Mountains. Its hair is as white as snow and it has black stripes on its body. It is very ferocious and is the king of the Tianshan Mountains. It is also very greedy and sometimes takes away the sheep of herders. It's a pity that I didn't encounter this kind of leopard this time. Shi Liyehu, if this kind of leopard appears, can I shoot it with the lacquer bow in my hand?"

Li Xuan spoke to Shi Liyehu again.

"You don't need to take action against this greedy leopard. We guards can beat it to death with sticks."

Shi Liyehu said with a solemn oath.

"Why not arrows and spears?"

Li Xuan asked.

"If the leopard skin is damaged, it will not be perfect."

Shri Yehu answered without hesitation.

"If that is the case, I will take the gorgeous leopard skin and the longest snow leopard tooth and give them to Ye Hu."

Li Xuan was very satisfied with Shi Liyehu's answer.

He likes to hang out with smart people.

Did the Qarluqs in history really rebel against Gao Xianzhi for a little gold and silver?

Certainly not!

Because the Qarluk army saw that Gao Xianzhi was doomed to fail.

The Arab reinforcements in the Khorasan region continued to arrive, but the Tang Dynasty received no reinforcements.

Through this hunting trip, Li Xuan could be sure that the current Qarluk would not harm his plans.

The archery skills he displayed were also a deterrent.

Two hours later, the venison was ripe. After eating the not-so-tasty elk meat, Li Xuan asked his personal guard Luo Xing to escort Shili Khan for dozens of miles and leave the Beiting Protectorate.

From now on, you just need to prepare the troops and wait for Li Xuan’s orders!
Li Xuan stayed in Tingzhou for another ten days, and after instructing Yan Gaoqing, Liu Shan and Zhang Yuanhong on some matters, he left Tingzhou.

He brought his personal guards to Tianshan Army (now Turpan City) to inspect the Tianshan Army and its military farms and pastures.

Ten days later, after watching the training of the Tianshan Army, Li Xuan marched to Xizhou.

A part of the Yiwu army is stationed here.

The Yiwu army had only 3,000 people, and was stationed separately in Yizhou and Xizhou.

However, this place is close to the Hexi Corridor, so nothing will happen if you pass through it. You can just patrol the Silk Road and protect the post stations along the way.

Gaochang City in Xizhou is one of the purposes of Li Xuan's trip.

Gaochang City is the starting point of the Hexi Changxing Transport Mission and its end point is Chang'an.

Li Xuan has been the ambassador for such a long time, but he has never been to Xizhou...

(End of this chapter)