Seeing everyone's curiosity, Xueyantuo Khan came to the center again. It was just like when he first came to the Western Regions. At that time, everyone surrounded him. He didn't know the situation outside, so this guy talked nonsense and regarded the Tang Dynasty as an aggressive tiger.
This led to the subsequent formation of the Western Regions Allied Forces. We thought these people had become alert, but unexpectedly, when their curiosity arose, Xueyantuo Khan once again became the center of attention.
"The so-called submission must be followed by two more words: paying tribute. These two words together indicate what the Tang Dynasty must do."
Xueyantuo Khan was like their teacher at this time. After he finished speaking, the words "pay tribute and submit" appeared in everyone's mind.
"That's understandable. We also sent congratulations to the Tang Dynasty. Back then, we called Li Shimin the Heavenly Khan and sent him many gifts. But when our envoys returned, they also brought gifts from the Tang Dynasty, which were much more expensive than what we sent."
A general from the Wuci Kingdom said that his grandfather was in the team that went to the Tang Dynasty to pay tribute. Although the Tang Dynasty had just recovered at that time, it had already demonstrated the demeanor of a powerful country. He still remembered his grandfather describing everything in Chang'an City to him. Compared with Chang'an City, the major cities in the Western Regions were not even worthy of carrying shoes.
After hearing this, the others also recounted their last visit to the court. Half of their countries had sent envoys, but they did not lose money. The Tang court was very generous. The gold and silver rewards they received were more than enough to cover the gifts they brought. In addition, many goods were sold there, and they really made a lot of money.
If the Tang Dynasty court held similar events in the future, these people would have continued to participate. Unfortunately, Li Shimin did not continue to hold it, perhaps because he felt that such a thing would be a loss.
Looking at the relaxed faces of the people around him, Xueyantuo Khan didn't know what to say. "Do you still think that Li Shimin is in charge of the Tang Dynasty?" On the surface, it seemed that Li Shimin was in charge, but in fact, several key points had been replaced.
"Everyone, please be quiet. You don't know enough about the Tang Dynasty..."
Xueyantuo Khan did not have the time to wait for them to finish speaking. Each of them spoke eloquently, taking the splendor of the past as their own advantage. Don’t you think about the actual situation now? You have been pushed to the edge of the cliff by the Tang Dynasty, and you still praise others’ good points?
“Has it changed now than it was then?”
Although the Western Turks had never paid tribute to the Tang Dynasty, after hearing what these people said just now, they also felt that if they really went to pay tribute in this way, they would be willing to do so.
"Of course it has changed. While the Tang Dynasty's foreign affairs are still ostensibly managed by certain institutions, they are actually managed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Any country that comes to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty must bring genuine materials."
Seeing that everyone was attracted, Xueyantuo Khan did not keep them in suspense and continued to explain to these people the situation of Tuyuhun and Silla. They said, "Don't think that you can just bring a few gifts. Now you have to bring at least a quarter of your tax revenue. This is for countries that have not yet defeated you. If you are defeated, this tax share may rise to one third."
After hearing what he said, everyone present was so nervous that they couldn't speak, and each of them looked as if they had seen a ghost.
In a place like the Northwest, the entire country is not rich. If we have to give a quarter of the tax revenue to the Tang Dynasty, it is simply unimaginable. They are all very clear about the situation in their country. They say they are kings and emperors, but in fact they live only slightly richer than the rich. This is only achieved by plundering the people across the country. If we give such a large proportion to the Tang Dynasty, how can we live?
"This won't do. This absolutely won't do. If we have to pay a quarter of our tax revenue every year, our officials won't even be able to pay their salaries. If we submit to the Tang Dynasty like this, the people in our country will probably be in chaos. Will we even be able to survive then?"
"That's right. Our country doesn't have much money. Even the whole country doesn't have much to eat. If they set a high amount for us, do we have to send all our valuables over?"
Each of these people expressed their dissatisfaction. Xueyantuo Khan was delighted. He was afraid that you guys would agree. If you guys agreed, wouldn't this war be unnecessary? We spent so much time hoping that you would fight.
"Be quiet for a while, and stop arguing."
Just when Xueyantuo Khan was happily thinking that everyone was going to refuse, General Kang Ying of the Western Turks spoke up. He was considered the real powerful figure among all the coalition forces. Take the 115,000-man coalition for example, nearly 70,000 of them were from the Western Turks, who were the largest country in the Western Regions.
"I don't know how to persuade you. If we were to give a quarter of our tax revenue, I doubt our Khan would be willing to do so. But I must remind you of one thing: if we refuse, the Tang army will likely march straight in, and they'll take more than a quarter."
General Kang Ying said with a headache that he didn't want to take out the money, but he just saw Xueyantuo Khan. This guy was very strong evidence against the Tang Dynasty, so what would be the result?
Not to mention the issue of taxation, he doesn't even have his own country. Now, except for the few hundred people at the door, he doesn't even have a single subject under his command. According to reliable information, his native people have surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. He is now a stray dog, and he doesn't know how long he can live.
After General Kang Ying finished speaking, the people in the tent fell silent. It was indeed as General Kang Ying had said. If we voluntarily hand over the money, there's still room for bargaining. But if you don't pay, the Tang army might come and take it themselves. When they come to take it themselves, do you think they can still give you a percentage? Of course, they took it all.
