Chapter 121:
The words of the Tubo envoy made it somewhat challenging for Li Er to remain resolute.
Wow, I initially thought you asking for a marriage alliance was just a pretext, but I didnt anticipate it being your ultimate goal. The amount spent on this endeavor to marry a wife is truly enormous. Li Er said
Zhangsun Wuji carefully observed the situation and quickly grasped Li Ers intentions upon seeing Li Ers hesitance.
He said again, Your Majesty, Tubos admiration for our noble women and their respectful attitude towards our customs and values is quite rare
Zhangsun Wuji didnt finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. A group of generals stared fiercely at Zhangsun Wuji. Generals must exude an air of defiance and determination.
Regardless of whether Songtsan Gampo was kneeling to request a marriage alliance or for some other reason, they must not be unjustly treated.
Even though he, Songtsan Gampo, was at their doorstep, they had not treated him unfairly, had they?
In this situation, if they didnt take action against him, what was the purpose of the Tang Dynasty nurturing individuals like them?
Li Er pondered for a moment, then waved his hand, telling the Tubo envoy, I will take a few days to consider and will give you a response afterward.
The Tubo envoy was overjoyed, performing the traditional three kneels and nine prostrations while shouting, Long live.
With their attitude apparent, the generals found it hard to speak again.
In the Great Tang, on the southwestern border, outside Song Zhou. Late at night, within the Tubo military camp, in a tent adjacent to the main tent, the Tubo prime minister, Ludongzan, held a book, studying it meticulously under the light of an oil lamp.
Distinguished from typical Tubo attire, he wore Han clothing and had his hair tied in a bun, indistinguishable from an ordinary Tang person. With a gentle disposition and strong build, he resembled a scholarly general at first glance.
Both learned and skilled in warfare, Lu Dong was a remarkable figure in Tubo.
When Songtsan Gampo succeeded Zanpu, he was only twelve years old. One could say that Lu Dongs praise significantly contributed to Songtsan Gampos rise to power.
Lu Dongzans eyes revealed a hint of admiration as he nodded and smiled, saying, Zanpu, youve finally grown up!
After a pause, he chuckled, The Tang Emperor said that they regarded us as barbarians, and we regard Tang people the same way. The treacherous terrain of Tubo, the hardships endured by the people for survival, and the well-trained soldiers in the army are ferocious
In contrast, the Tang Dynasty prides itself on its etiquette. With their approach, theyve raised their people like lambs. When tigers and wolves encounter a flock of sheep, even if the numbers dont match, the sheep will always be food!
Songtsan Gampo laughed, I wonder how much Father Xiang expects to gain from this hunt?
Lu Dongzan spread the map and traced a circle with his finger.
Song Zhou is a gateway to Ba and Shu, and the region of Ba and Shu has always been known as the Land of Abundance. The humid climate here is perfect for farming, resulting in rich resources.
Whats even more advantageous is the natural barrier between Ba and Shu and the Central Plains. If we capture this area, Tubo will experience a period of strength!
Songtsan Gampo, upon hearing Lu Dongzans vision, was so excited that he couldnt control his emotions, trembling all over.
While Songtsan Gampo claimed Tubo had no worries, the actual territory of Tubo was not particularly favorable. It was a high and cold place with a very low grain output, only capable of cultivating crops with an abysmally low yield like barley.
Even for the wealthy landowners who owned tens of thousands of slaves, their lives werent luxurious. Their staple food was meat, and their greasy diet contributed to the Tubo nobilitys generally poor health, many of whom didnt live past fifty.
Their possessions were merely passable. Ironically, the ruler of a country like Songtsan Gampo couldnt compare his daily life to that of an affluent family in Song Zhou City.
Seeing the Tang Dynastys prosperity and comparing it to Tubo, it was difficult not to feel a deep sense of inferiority.
Supposedly, the land of Ba Shu could truly become a part of Tubos territory, with stable agricultural land and abundant resources combined with Tubos formidable military strength. In that case, Songtsan Gampo could hardly imagine Tubos future.
As for whether they could defeat the Tang army, that was not even within Songtsan Gampos consideration. He heard that Li Ers army could conquer and win every battle, but who wasnt a war expert these days? Li Er had never suffered a loss, and Songtsan Gampo wasnt one to be underestimated either.
Who had the stronger punch could only be known after an actual fight.
