"Don't do it, don't do it, this is our Zamp."
Seeing that the two sides were about to clash, Lu Dongzan quickly stepped forward to stop them. Li Xiang and his companions were all good actors, and they all drew their swords to fight back. Although there were doubts on their faces, they were still under the protection of their own guards, which was also a normal choice.
Seeing that everyone around them stopped, Lu Dongzan and Songtsen Gampo also breathed a sigh of relief. You know, the blade of Li Xiang's men was less than three feet away from Songtsen Gampo. Just now, a Tibetan guard tried to stop him, and his sword had been cut off. If Lu Dongzan had not said anything, the sword would probably have injured Songtsen Gampo.
"What does the Zamp mean?"
There was doubt on Li Xiang's face. Although Lu Dongzan said that this was Songtsen Gampo, Li Xiang had to be doubtful. Otherwise, it would be too easy to believe it. You might think we are acting. Only with question marks on our faces would you think it was realistic.
"Your Highness, please take a seat. I was wrong about this matter. Please listen to my explanation slowly..."
Songtsen Gampo asked his men to retreat first, and Li Xiang also asked his guards to retreat to their original positions, but they remained vigilant. It was precisely because of Li Xiang's caution that he was able to deceive Songtsen Gampo and Lu Dongzan.
Of course Songtsen Gampo could not explain that he did not dare to come out, nor did he say that he had arrived early. He just said that he wanted to come and see Li Xiang's style, but he did not expect to disturb Li Xiang. Li Xiang certainly could not believe his nonsense, so he was suspicious at this moment.
"No matter what this matter is, we have received the imperial edict from the court, so we must leave early. We hope that the Zamp can let us go."
The smile on Li Xiang's face had long disappeared, and his men kept their hands on the hilts of their swords at all times, which clearly showed that they were frightened. Songtsen Gampo and Lu Dongzan looked at each other, and Lu Dongzan's eyes were full of blame. Even if Songtsen Gampo wanted to come in, he could not do so in this way. Li Xiang's reaction was normal. He was almost injured by unknown personnel in the imperial camp. Li Xiang was of noble status and was the third most important person in the entire Tang Dynasty, so it was understandable that he wanted to leave here early.
"Your Highness, please don't be angry. I apologize to Your Highness first..."
Songtsen Gampo was also very flexible. After all, he was the king of Tubo, and he was on the same level as Li Shimin. Now he was able to apologize to Li Xiang, which was already a great concession. If Li Xiang continued to pursue this matter, it would seem that Li Xiang was a little petty. What's more, there were so many Tubo nobles here. It was already extraordinary that Songtsen Gampo could say so much. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was asking for peace in a humiliating way.
"Zanpu, please don't say that. My subordinates were also wrong, but I did receive an imperial decree from my grandfather, so I must break camp and return today. If you don't let me leave the barracks, then..."
Li Xiang didn't finish his words, but his words were full of threats. You two know best what the current situation of your Tubo is. Some soldiers outside don't understand, but you know best. If you don't let me leave, then our border army may come to kill us at any time. By then, you will be in a worse situation. Not only will you not be able to form friendly relations with the Tang Dynasty, but you will have a powerful enemy. If there had been no rebellion by the chieftains before, perhaps you could still cope with it, but can you do it now?
"Your Highness has misunderstood. I have no intention of detaining you. You can leave me at any time, but before you leave, could you please give me a chance and let me prepare a farewell drink for you?"
Songtsen Gampo quickly thought of a necessary procedure, which was to see Li Xiang off. As the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, if he didn't even have a farewell drink when leaving another country, wouldn't that be a bit too much?
Lu Dongzan and others also helped and said that they racked their brains and said everything they could think of. They must let Li Xiang stay here for a meal. If Li Xiang didn't even give them this opportunity, then their Tubo would have no chance. After this winter, who would be the king of the Tubo Plateau next year would depend on who had more food.
Moreover, Songtsen Gampo had also made up his mind. If Li Xiang left like this, he would gather his core troops and then return to the holy city from here. Along the way, no matter how big or small the tribes or the chieftains were, as long as they had food, they would all be looted.
This guy is also a ruthless person. If he does this, he will certainly be able to get a batch of food, but he will offend all the people on the Tibetan Plateau. Those people are likely to form an alliance, and their power is also extremely great. Perhaps before winter comes, they will destroy Songtsen Gampo.
Therefore, Songtsen Gampo would not take this step until the last step.
The food was served quickly. Although there was a shortage of food on the plateau, the nobles could not realize that the food on the table was just as delicious. However, Li Xiang and the others were no longer interested. They kept looking outside, just wanting to end the banquet early, and then both sides would have a glass of wine and set off. The journey from here to the Tang Dynasty was still a long way off.
"Your Highness, I will drink another glass of wine as compensation for what happened today. Please don't take it to heart."
Songtsen Gampo had already paid three cups of wine in a row, which was a very shameful thing for a king of a country, but he wanted Li Xiang to drink more so that he would not have to leave today, and then they could have a good discussion instead of being so hasty.
"I have to travel soon. I can drink this glass of wine, but this is my last one. If I continue drinking, I'm afraid I'll be delayed. If I delay the court's schedule, even as the grandson of the Tang Dynasty, I'm afraid I'll be blamed. I beg the Zanpu to forgive me."
Li Xiang also raised his own wine glass and pushed Songtsen Gampo and his group to the edge of the cliff. "I've seen through your tricks a long time ago. If you want to keep me here by getting me drunk, I'm afraid you've made a wrong calculation. I've been able to play tricks since I was born..."
