Heaven is the shore of mortal dust

Chapter 85

The vast wilderness of Khotan in the Western Turkic Khaganate remains beautiful and weathered, but now it carries a hint of desolation.

Five days after the Tibetan army was stationed in Khotan, they began to besiege the city and launched a major attack.

Despite his seemingly weak demeanor, Fuzha Xin was a formidable warrior, and within a few days, the Tibetan army had lost 20,000 cavalrymen.

Wei Zijun observed the battles with a detached eye, listening to the daily battle reports with great interest. Although she appeared relaxed, she was constantly intensifying the training of her 100,000 elite cavalry.

The Western Turks were originally blacksmiths of the Rouran people, possessing extremely advanced iron-smelting techniques. Furthermore, they had iron ore deposits within their borders, along with kasha imported from the Kyrgyz, which they used to forge exceptionally sharp weapons. Empress Wei Zijun ordered the forging of a large number of Modao (陌刀) swords using Kyrgyz kasha. Each sword weighed fifty jin (approximately 25 kg), was nearly ten zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) long, and had two edges. When swung, they produced a powerful and terrifying force, sure to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies.

When the Western Turks heard that the army was short of warhorses, the herdsmen who did not have able-bodied men in their households sent their own horses.

Looking at the simple and honest herdsmen, Wei Zijun was moved and allowed them to take the horses back. One reason was that she couldn't bear to take their belongings, and another was that warhorses needed training. Warhorses were the Western Turks' primary means of warfare. To do something well, one must first have the right tools; moreover, speed is crucial in warfare, and her fighting style favored swift and decisive battles. Therefore, Wei Zijun had extremely strict requirements regarding the speed, breed, and stamina of her warhorses.

Daily battle reports kept coming in. After the Tibetan army besieged Khotan for twenty days, Khotan's forces had been reduced to only eight thousand. Wei Zijun, who had been sitting idly by, knew that the time had come.

Upon hearing that their Khan was about to lead his troops to defend against the enemy, the Western Turkic people, who had always revered warriors, lined both sides of the marching road with reverence on the day the army set off, waiting to offer their blessings to their Khan.

With a deep, resonant bugle call, the Western Turkic army surged forth. The boundless, black iron tide gleamed with a chilling light in the sunlight, and the thunderous hooves of their hooves made the earth tremble slightly.

The black-armored cavalry slowly parted and stood in formation. A group of people slowly walked out from the middle. The first person had a black jade crown on his head and wore a white riding outfit with tight sleeves. He sat upright on a white Akhal-Teke horse that shone with gold. A corner of his bright red cloak was lifted by the wind, and the golden wolf head banner behind him fluttered in the wind.

Behind them followed a troop of soldiers, clad in iron helmets and armor, marching in orderly ranks, their hooves clattering, their movements supple yet powerful.

"Wei Feng—" A childish shout came from behind, it was Ashina Dilan, "Die in battle, don't come back."

"How dare you—" A servant grabbed Ashina Dilan and covered her mouth.

Wei Zijun looked back, waved her hand, and stopped the man who had fled.

Now that he was free to speak, Ashina Dilan started shouting again, "Going into battle without armor? You're just waiting to die!"

Wei Zijun's lips curved into a smile, and she glanced at him again. Then she flicked the reins, quickening her pace. The dark tide closed in behind her, following closely behind that figure as they raced forward.

Ashina Dilan, seeing the departing procession, ran after them, her small body instantly enveloped by the black tide.

When the Western Turkic army reached a hundred miles behind the Tibetan army, Wei Zijun dispatched a cavalry force of two hundred men, ordering them to wrap their horses' hooves in cotton blankets and scout ahead. Their main purpose was to assassinate Tibetan scouts and prevent them from knowing the movements of the Western Turkic army.

When they reached a point twenty miles behind the Tibetan army, Wei Zijun ordered them to set up camp.

"Khan, what are you doing setting up camp in broad daylight?" the straightforward Geshu Queqijin asked abruptly.

Wei Zijun smiled slightly, "Because we have to walk at night, tell your subordinates to get a good night's sleep and be well-rested, because we may have to stay up all night."

Night raids can end a war faster than expected.

As night fell, a chill swept over the sky, which was filled with countless stars. A crescent moon hung in the sky, carrying a sense of eeriness.

This kind of night is perfect.

The Western Turkic soldiers rose in orderly fashion to prepare themselves, wrapping all the horses' hooves tightly with cotton blankets.

The camp was quietly cleared. One hundred thousand soldiers were all doing the same task without a sound, demonstrating the strict discipline and discipline of the army.

The generals on the right wing, observing all this, secretly admired him. Wei Feng's reputation as a commander was indeed well-deserved.

In the darkness, a stream of black water flowed swiftly across the wilderness. Two hundred elite cavalrymen, who had been waiting ahead, joined the stream and sped towards the Tibetan army camp.

The Tibetan army camp, still asleep, was unaware of the approaching danger until the patrolling soldiers discovered the black tide that was moving rapidly like a dark cloud in the night.

The bugle calls rang out continuously, and soldiers rushed out of their tents. Some grabbed the wrong weapons, some led the wrong horses, and the firelight was scattered, with the neighing of horses and shouts filling the air.

But being a nomadic people who had weathered many storms, they quickly entered a state of war preparedness, with large groups of people gathering and rushing out with long spears in hand.

First, a hail of arrows arrived swiftly, and the Tibetan soldiers at the front fell to the ground in droves. Then, an overwhelming black tide surged in, and the Tibetans wielded their broadswords, sweeping them towards the enemy ranks.

When Gongsong Gongzan emerged, he saw the snow-white figure in the black tide. Her graceful body moved freely, like a white dragon in the black clouds, sweeping across the land. She wielded her long broadsword as if cutting wheat, and wherever it went, red blood splattered. Countless souls fell from the blade.

That figure momentarily stunned him; his gaze locked on it, and he began to admire the way the man killed.

Wei Zijun looked up and immediately saw that gaze that pierced through the darkness and came toward her.

The man sat upright on his horse, the torchlight casting a hazy glow on his face. His long eyebrows were relaxed, his eyes shone like stars, and a small mustache playfully nestled against his lips. Seeing the Tibetan army falling in large numbers, he showed no panic. He simply raised his right hand, and another pair of Tibetan soldiers quickly galloped forward, advancing in waves to meet him.

That person must be it, Gongsong Gongzan...

Wei Zijun swung his long sword, cutting down a group of people, and galloped towards that figure.

After taking another careful look at the figure, Gongsong Gongzan turned to his guards and said, "Go, kill him!" He then raised his bow, a sharp whistling arrow nocked, and drew the bowstring to its fullest extent. Thinking of how such a remarkable and unmatched figure would soon die by his arrow, he couldn't help but smile.

As if they knew her intentions, a large number of Tibetan soldiers rushed in front of her and blocked her way. When she fought her way out, dozens of highly skilled Tibetan guards jumped out and entangled with her.

I've heard that the Tibetans are martial, and it seems that's true. These people are agile and swift, enough to keep her occupied for a while.

Just as she was entangled with the guards, a whistling, iron-colored arrowhead flew towards her. Hearing their master's whistle, instantly, thousands of Tibetan soldiers drew their bows, and thousands of arrows rained down upon them…

All the Western Turkic soldiers cried out in alarm, "Khan—" and abandoned their enemies to rush toward the white figure.

With a swift stroke of his sword, Wei Zijun cleaved the iron-colored whistling arrow in two. As the dense rain of arrows hurtled towards him, he let out a soft shout, leaped off his horse, and in mid-air, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow. The arrow, sharp and gleaming, pierced the thick night, whipping up gusts of wind as it hurtled away.

Gongsong Gongzan's gaze was fixed on the graceful figure in the air. When he saw the arrow being fired, he immediately dodged, but it was too late; the arrow struck his shoulder. He hadn't expected the arrow to be so fast.

Wei Zijun threw down her longbow and flew over. Almost the instant Gongsong Gongzan was hit by the arrow, she was already in front of him. While he was still stunned by the arrow, she struck him in the chest and took him away.

Seeing the prince being taken hostage, the Tibetan army was thrown into chaos.

Wei Zijun swept Gongsong Zan up in her arms and leaped onto the top of the camp tent. With a few more leaps, she jumped towards the rear of the Turkic army.

Holding her tightly, Gongsong Gongzan looked up at his slender neck, his beautiful jaw, and the faint fragrance wafting from his neck in the night breeze… This man was the Khan of the Western Turks? Such a slender, almost womanly man! He had actually dodged her whistling arrow; no one had ever been able to dodge his whistling arrow before.

With their commander captured, the Tibetan army was thrown into chaos and lost all will to fight. A small group fled to the southern mountains, while the rest, except for those who surrendered, were annihilated outside Khotan.

The group that fled to Nanshan was annihilated in one fell swoop by the ambush troops of Nanshan led by Hu Luju Quechuo.

Thus ended this month-long war of aggression. The 300,000-strong Tibetan army was defeated overnight due to the sudden intervention of the Western Turkic Khan.

In this battle, 150,000 Tibetan soldiers were captured, 80,000 were killed, and 200,000 dan of Tibetan grain and fodder were seized. Most importantly, the only Tibetan prince, Gongsong Gongzan, was captured.

From that night onward, the story of Wei Zijun's great victory over the Tibetans was once again widely circulated.

------------------

Note: ① Whistling arrow. It was made by Modu, the crown prince of the Xiongnu. When it was shot, it made a whistling sound when it was fired. Modu ordered his subordinates that anyone who did not follow him when his whistling arrow was fired would be beheaded. So he first shot his own horse, then his beloved wife, and his subordinates followed suit. Finally, he used the whistling arrow to shoot his own father, and his subordinates followed suit.

Volume Two, Turkic Chapter Seventy-Five: Humiliation

The envoys from Dayu finally arrived, bringing their gifts and entering the Western Turkic Khan's tent with the first rays of morning sunlight. Resuming border trade with Dayu and ensuring the smooth flow of the Silk Road was a necessary means for the Western Turks to enrich the nation.

The envoys from Dayu brought wheat seeds, vegetable seeds, and farmers. When they opened those unusually large and conspicuous ice chests, Wei Zijun felt a slight pang of sadness and let out a soft sigh. So that person was still thinking of her.

Inside were chilled lychees, oranges, and all the fresh fruits available in this season...

Wei Zijun unfolded the letter brought by the envoy and saw the familiar handwriting. It was a perfunctory letter, polite and courteous, entirely a courtesy exchange between rulers of different kingdoms. Wei Zijun read it, then slowly closed the letter, her face expressionless.

“Pazil, gather the herdsmen and let them learn planting from the farmers of Dayu. I hope that next year, my Western Turks can eat their own food.”

“But Khan…” Pazil had not finished speaking when a guard came to see him. “Khan, Gongsong Gongzan refuses to eat.”

"Hmm!" Wei Zijun was eager to talk to Pazile and had no interest in listening to what the other person was saying. "If you don't want to eat, then don't eat."

Seeing that she turned her face back, Pazilfang continued, "Khan, we Turks live a nomadic life, following the water and grass, without a fixed abode. How can we serve the farmers?"

“The grain is grown on the land of my Western Turks, and no matter how we migrate, we are always on the land of my Western Turks, aren’t we?”

"This old minister understands, Khan is wise."

"This year I will make great efforts to replenish the national treasury. Next year, I will build water conservancy projects and divert water to construct canals. Water conservancy is the lifeblood of agriculture. Without irrigation, there will be no grain. I want to bring in the Tarim River, the Yili River, and the Dolas River. I want all herders to have their own homes, with lush pastures everywhere, so they no longer have to fight for or envy..." Wei Zijun's voice was full of emotion, and her face was flushed with a faint blush.

Pazil's eyes also became misty. What a beautiful scene it would be! He was lost in thought for a moment, then quickly pulled himself together. "But Khan, if we build a city, it will be detrimental to the Western Turks' operations in the event of an invasion."

"Farming doesn't necessarily require building cities and living in felt tents. You can still farm. And I will not allow anyone to invade my land."

Pazil gazed at the young Khan before him, at her bright eyes and radiant face, and a surge of passion welled up within him. It had been a long time since he had felt this desire to give everything, to commit himself entirely to someone's wishes.

"I will take care of it immediately." Pazil respectfully withdrew.

Gently pick up a lychee, peel it open and put it in your mouth. A cool sensation, a hint of sweetness, and a delicate fragrance linger, the sweetness going all the way to your throat.

It's been a long time since I've had such fresh fruit.

He reached into his mouth to remove the fruit pit, pondered for a moment, then looked up and called out, "Bahar! Take these fruits to the ram."

I stood up and stepped out of the tent. The sun was shining brightly outside. I closed my eyes, tilted my head back, and enjoyed the warmth of the sunlight. Suddenly, a dull pain shot through my cheek.

Wei Zijun opened her eyes and saw Ashina Dilan holding a plate of fruit. He then raised his hand and threw a lychee at her. "Keep it for yourself! You murderer! I won't eat it! My mother won't let me eat it either!"

Her mother...wouldn't she call her to eat?

Wei Zijun felt a pang of sadness. She touched her lips, but the wound was nowhere to be found.

On the tenth day after the war ended, the envoy Rubai arrived as expected. Wei Zijun had them wait outside the tent overnight as per custom, and on the morning of the second day, they entered the Western Turkic Khan's tent with the rising sun.

"Khan, my Tubo Kingdom wishes to befriend your country and form an alliance to jointly attack Dayu. Dayu's years of oppression have driven us to this desolate land, while they occupy the fertile Central Plains and enjoy wealth and glory. Both our countries have countless warriors, how can we be content to remain here? If we join forces, we will surely change the world and make our two families the sole overlords of the Central Plains."

“What you said makes sense.” Wei Zijun smiled calmly.

"Now that the new ruler of Dayu has ascended the throne, the political situation is unstable, and various factions are entangled. This is the perfect time to send troops," the Tibetan envoy urged.

"It may not be as you say. The Emperor of Dayu quelled the internal strife as soon as he ascended the throne. After two months of encirclement and suppression, he took Yancheng County, which was occupied by the Wei family, and easily removed the scab that had been bothering Dayu for so long. At this time, Dayu is newly settled, the country is rich and the people are at peace. Even if our two armies were combined, we might not be a match for them. I think this matter needs to be considered carefully."

"Yes, Khan is absolutely right. In fact, the main purpose of my visit to your country is something you should already know. My Tibet simply wishes to establish friendly relations with your country, to exchange trade, to cease hostilities, and to request that you return my Tibetan prince. My king would be extremely grateful, and would certainly lend a helping hand should your country face any difficulties in the future." After saying this, he smiled obsequiously, "My king has prepared some small gifts, and I hope you will accept them."

The Tibetan envoy presented the gifts one by one. Finally, he brought out twenty boys. "Khan, these are the most special gifts my king has presented to you," the Tibetan envoy said with a knowing smile.

Wei Zijun understood immediately upon seeing this, and was immediately annoyed. It seemed that her hobby was already well-known.

Although annoyed, he still smiled and stepped down from the throne. "Where did you learn that I, the Khan, have such a hobby?"

The Tibetan envoy smiled sincerely and said, "This is what the leader of your Nushibi tribe told me."

"Nushibi tribe?" Wei Zijun walked up to the group of boys with rosy lips and white teeth, circled around them, and stopped at the boy in front. "Truly a beauty of unparalleled grace." Her hand caressed the boy's cheek, slowly gliding over his lips. Her eyes swept over him, and she noticed that He Lu's face was no longer calm as before. It was not only as cold as autumn frost, but also carried a hint of anger.

He turned around and sat back down in his seat, gently raising his head. "He Lu, come here."

Hearing her call, Helu hesitated before walking over. Upon reaching her side, she pulled him to the throne. The ministers' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock, and Helu himself froze.

"My hobby has even spread to Tibet? Your Nushibi tribe really deserves credit." Seeing Helu's conflicted expression, she chuckled and turned to the Tibetan envoy, saying, "I will consider your king's opinion. I'll accept these gifts and thank your king for me. However, please take those boys back with you. Actually, Helu is enough for me. If he gets jealous of so many handsome men, I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy them, right, Helu?" She even patted Helu's head.

All the ministers stared in astonishment at the hand stroking Helu's head, forgetting to react.

After finishing her business with the envoys, Wei Zijun remembered the Tibetan prince, whom she had forgotten about these past few days.

When she was first captured, Gongsong Gongzan repeatedly asked to see her, but she knew he only wanted to negotiate. However, she was only thinking about gaining benefits from him and had nothing to talk about, so she ignored him. Later, she was only thinking about farming and just left him there without caring about him.