Chapter 319 Gao Kan
That evening, Li Chengqian held a banquet in the Liangyi Hall to welcome Heizhi Changzhi to join the Tang Dynasty camp, and introduced his confidants to Heizhi Changzhi.
During the banquet, Li Chengqian did not forget to show Heizhi Changzhi the abilities of these confidants, so that Heizhi Changzhi understood that although he, Heizhi Changzhi, was a talent
, he was nothing special when compared with the generals of the Tang Dynasty, and there were many people who were more capable than him.
Li Chengqian was able to recruit Heizhi Changzhi because he valued talents.
For example, Xue Rengui was able to shoot through five armors with one arrow, and Su Dingfang's military strategy, etc., these were indeed incomparable to Heizhi Changzhi.
But if it comes to a night raid, none of these people can be a match for Hei Chi Changzhi. However, Hei Chi Changzhi cannot show off his inferior ability in public.
It will only become a joke for others, and Hei Chi Changzhi cannot afford to lose face.
After eating and drinking, everyone went home.
Ten days or half a month later, Li Chengqian promoted Hei Chi Changzhi to General Zuo Wuwei and Ambassador of Heyuan Army.
Hei Chi Changzhi officially went to Shancheng County to take up his post. The Heyuan Army was stationed in Shancheng County and belonged to the Shanzhou Governor's Office.
...
"What military reports have been sent from Gao Kan? What is the current situation of the army?" Li Chengqian asked Li Yu, the Minister of the Left and Minister of War.
During the Zhenguan period, Chebi Khan of the Western Turkic region was unwilling to come to the court to pay homage to Emperor Taizong, and the envoys sent by Emperor Taizong to greet him were General An Tiaozhe of Yunhui and General Han Hua of Youtunwei.
Seeing that Chebi Khan had no intention of coming to the court, the two decided to kidnap Chebi Khan to Chang'an in order to complete their mission.
Unexpectedly, the plan was exposed, and the two were killed by the angry Chebi Khan!
This annoyed Emperor Taizong. Chebi Khan dared to kill the envoy he sent, which was a contempt for the Tang Dynasty and Emperor Taizong.
In order to strengthen his control over the northern Turks, Emperor Taizong was furious and decided to send troops to attack Chebi.
So in the first month of the 23rd year of Zhenguan (649), Emperor Taizong appointed Gao Kan as the commander-in-chief of the Tang army and led the coalition forces of the Uighurs, Pugu and other tribes to attack Chebi.
Wherever the Tang army went, they surrendered and submitted to the Tang Dynasty. In October of the 23rd year of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian set up five states including Sheli in the former Turkic territory and placed them under the Yunzhong Military Governor's Office.
Six states including Sunong were placed under the Dingxiang Military Governor's Office, thus strengthening the management and control of the Turks.
In order to completely solve the problem of Chebi Khan, in the first year of Yonghui, Li Chengqian once again sent Gao Kan to lead troops to attack the Western Turks.
"Gao Kan sent a military report that he had led the army to Mount Axi, and the Turkic tribes surrendered and submitted to the Tang Dynasty."
"In order to be able to confront our Tang Dynasty, Chebi Khan summoned the Turkic tribes and planned to resist stubbornly." Li Zhen said.
The power of the Tang Dynasty penetrated deep into the countries of the Western Regions. No one dared to confront the Tang Dynasty unless they wanted to be destroyed.
Not wanting to be trampled and abused by the Tang Dynasty's iron cavalry, the tribes surrendered one after another. After all, changing the boss was not a big deal for them.
It was all commonplace. Moreover, the new boss of the Tang Dynasty was so rich and powerful. Only a fool would fight against the Tang Dynasty with Chebi Khan.
What Li Yan said was all within Li Chengqian's expectations. The power of the Tang Dynasty had been deeply imprinted in the hearts of all ethnic groups, making them afraid.
As the Khan of the Western Turks, Chebi Khan was naturally unwilling to lose his former authority and his rule over the Western Turks and the Western Regions.
It was reasonable that he was unwilling to lose everything and wanted to make a last ditch effort.
Unfortunately, no one was willing to follow Chebi Khan to fight against the Tang army.
In addition to fearing the strength of the Tang army, the Turkic tribes were unwilling to follow Chebi Khan, and Chebi Khan himself also had an unshirkable responsibility.
"How was the battle? How many casualties were there?" Li Chengqian asked.
"No casualties?" Li Zhen smiled.
"Could it be that Chebi Khan suddenly came to his senses and surrendered to the Tang? Although I don't know Chebi Khan very well, I know that he would never surrender like this." Li Chengqian said.
"It is true that Chebi Khan will not surrender, but the Turkic tribes did not respond to Chebi Khan's call and became enemies of the Tang Dynasty."
"Chebi Khan has become a lonely man. Seeing that the situation is hopeless, Chebi Khan had no choice but to flee with hundreds of cavalry."
"Gao Kan has led the elite cavalry to pursue him. If my prediction is correct, Chebi Khan will definitely be captured alive by Gao Kan in Jinshan. I think there will be good news soon." Li Zhen analyzed.
Li Chengqian believed Li Zhen's words. Chebi Khan wanted to escape with only a few hundred cavalrymen, just like protecting him. It was undoubtedly a dream. It was impossible for him to escape with thousands of elite cavalrymen in the Tang Dynasty.
The next thing Li Chengqian had to consider was how to deal with the captured Chebi Khan.
"Zuo Pushe, how do you think I should deal with Chebi Khan?" Li Chengqian asked.
"I dare not criticize such a major matter. Your Majesty can make the decision alone! No need to ask for my opinion!" Li Zhen said.
"No problem! I just want to hear your opinion! Please tell me." Li Chengqian said.
"In that case! I will bravely advise you. I think Your Majesty can follow the strategy of the previous emperor to deal with the Turkic Khan." After Li Zhen finished speaking, he did not continue.
He knew in his heart that Li Chengqian would understand what he meant, so there was no need to say more.
Li Chengqian naturally understood what Li Zhen meant. The Tang Dynasty had always implemented a preferential policy for captives. All the surrendered Yi leaders would not only not be killed,
but also be treated very well. Not only could they be pardoned by the Tang Emperor, but they could also get high positions and generous salaries.
Although they no longer had the freedom they had before, they lived a life of luxury. Compared with when they were in the tribe, their quality of life had improved by a lot.
Who made the Tang Dynasty a great country and a country of etiquette? Naturally, it had to have the bearing that a great country should have. How could it kill captives at will like the barbarians?
This was something that only barbarians would do, and it was definitely not what a gentleman would do.
"I understand! If Zuo Pushe has nothing to do, just go and get busy!" Li Chengqian said.
"I'll take my leave!" Li Yu bowed and left. There were still many things waiting for him to deal with in the Shangshu Province.
Not long after Li Yu left, an eunuch trotted in and said, "I report to everyone! General Gao Kan sent us the battle report."
Li Chengqian hurriedly stood up and took the military report from the eunuch. He opened it and saw that it was the report about the capture of Chebi Khan Ashina Hubo.
After Gao Kan captured Ashina Hubo, he arranged for someone to stay and appease the Turkic tribes, and he immediately set off to return to Chang'an to present Ashina Hubo to the emperor.
According to the distance and the speed of escorting the captives, Gao Kan would not arrive in Chang'an for at least a week.