"Report what needs to be reported, and try to say less of this kind of thing in normal times."
Li Xiang threw down these words and went out to inspect the camp. Li Shimin had been in power in the Tang Dynasty for quite some time. If his subordinates were so proud, Li Shimin would find fault with them sooner or later. Although Li Shimin would not deliberately deal with Li Xiang now, if someone treated Li Xiang as the emperor in advance, Li Shimin would not mind teaching these people a lesson. By then, even Li Xiang would not be able to save them.
After a few days, the Xueyantuo people were settled here. Li Xiang gave them a batch of tents and let them fend for themselves here. Apart from the necessary food, you have to make the rest by yourselves. It is impossible for us to settle you down. After all, we were enemies a few days ago.
Anguertai also understood what the Tang army was thinking. Although they had come to surrender, they knew how many Tang soldiers had died in the previous battle. They had just been killing people with all their might. Now you expect them to treat you as a friend? Is there such a good thing in the world? Being able to take you in here and give you food and drink is already a generous gesture.
The soldiers and civilians below were also very satisfied. After all, if they continued to stay in the heartland of Xueyantuo, they might not even have anything to eat. Xueyantuo Khan had collected all the food that should be collected. Except for his own troops, no one else could get any food.
On the twentieth day after these people arrived, Huo Qubing finally arrived from the south. In order to distinguish him from the historical Huo Qubing, Li Xiang changed this guy's name and asked him to be called Huo Tang. He is currently the commander of a battalion and has more than 2,000 people under his command.
Li Xiang did not set off immediately because he was waiting for this guy. This guy had led an expedition to Mobei in history and was very familiar with the situation there. Although the time was different now, the general situation was still the same. If he really went on an expedition, Li Xiang had to bring this guy with him.
"This is basically the situation on the Tuyuhun grasslands. The pastures of the major families are often attacked by some people. Now they are trying to sell the pastures. Although they have also formed their own guards, it has not been very effective."
Huo Qubing said while eating.
When the grassland was auctioned, all the major families wanted to make a profit, so Li Xiang kicked them out. However, they didn't know that Li Xiang was raising a group of bandits on the grassland. These people took whatever they saw, but except for the grasslands of the major families, the grasslands of other families were very safe.
The clan leaders of the major families also understood that they had fallen into Li Xiang's trap, but now it was too difficult to find a way out. They had thought that the grasslands were a place where rules were just as important as the Tang Dynasty, but how could Li Xiang talk to them about rules? You have all kinds of advantages and almost controlled the politics of the Tang Dynasty.
Now that we've finally arrived in a new place, if we still live according to the old rules, wouldn't all our efforts be in vain? So Li Xiang let them suffer some losses on the grassland, which can be regarded as slowly cutting flesh from you.
In Li Xiang's mind, whether it is the Five Surnames and Seven Families or other major families, it is okay to make a little money. After all, officials travel thousands of miles just for money. But if you want to influence politics, it is absolutely not allowed.
"What's the situation in Tubo? You've been on the grassland for quite some time. The grassland is adjacent to Tubo, so you should be able to hear any news from over there, right?"
Li Xiang received letters from Tubo every day, but as a superior, he could not only listen to information from one place. If he did so, he would be easily deceived. Therefore, information from all aspects had to be collected. Once he found something wrong, Li Xiang would send his own envoy to investigate.
"The war is still going on. It's said that the Tusi rulers on the plateau want independence, but the Tibetan court doesn't want it. He's already transferred most of his troops here, but neither side can do anything to the other. They're engaged in a seesaw battle, punching and kicking each other, with two battles every month."
Speaking of things on the plateau, Huo Qubing didn't care that much. After all, that place had little to do with him. Apart from a few words from the merchants passing by, no one cared about it at all. In the minds of many people in the Tang Dynasty, Tubo was an extremely poor place. It was said that many people there didn't even have a complete piece of clothing. Why should we care about that place?
This is basically the same news that Li Xiang received. Now all the chieftains have been supported, and they will never tolerate reconciliation with the court. The most important thing is that Li Xiang did not give them any news, and their sons are still in Chang'an City. How can they reconcile with the court?
Songtsen Gampo had deep ambitions. His subordinates stood up and rebelled. If he did not suppress these people, it would be the biggest failure of his life. Therefore, the war would definitely continue. It was in Li Xiang's interest to continue the war until Li Xiang was free.
"Rest for a few days now that you're here. In another month, we'll march north. This is our only chance. Although the Tang Dynasty is prosperous, sending troops north costs too much money and the supply lines are too long. We can only solve all the problems at once."
This was the most well-prepared battle Li Xiang had ever fought. In the past, they would just start a battle wherever they went, regardless of any preparations. But this time, they were too far away from Chang'an City, and there was no way to obtain various supplies locally, so they could not fight a second time. If such wars happened a few more times, a financial crisis would come.
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. I have the marching route in mind and know how to proceed. In the next month, I will take people out to check it out. There should be no problem."
In Huo Qubing's memory, this place was extremely familiar, but after so many years, no one knew what changes would happen, so in the next month, Huo Qubing would definitely not be idle. He would ride his fast horse for thousands of miles to see what changes had taken place between the situation back then and now.
"Then you'll have a hard time."
Li Xiang picked up his wine glass, and the master and servant clinked glasses. Huo Qubing was not the kind of person who paid attention to etiquette, and his respect for Li Xiang was from the heart. They were more like a pair of friends, and Li Xiang also enjoyed such a relationship.
Early the next morning, Huo Qubing set out with fifty cavalrymen. Angurtai was a little puzzled. Doesn't he need my men to lead him to scout the grassland?
