Chapter 1000 Clash
Call for help!
Upon hearing Ashina Zhuxie utter those two words, Wang Shaoqiu's face immediately darkened.
In fact, he had already prepared his words before coming here. However, these words were just diplomatic rhetoric between the two sides. He knew very well that for those who were truly skilled in battle and knowledgeable in military affairs, they would know what was going on as soon as they heard about the current situation in Luoyang.
Yuwen Ye led only 30,000 troops and broke through several passes south of Luoyang in one fell swoop. Although Liang Shide is still sending more troops to attack Cijian, wanting to capture Yuwen Cheng to avenge his family and also to get a bargaining chip to threaten the enemy, Yuwen Cheng, although he has no other skills, is good at defending. Despite being beaten so badly, he has not been captured. Of course, this is also thanks to Emperor Yang's previous management of Cijian, which gave him the advantage of the terrain.
Therefore, Luoyang is currently in a situation where it cannot be conquered by attack, but defending it is fraught with difficulties and dangers.
Therefore, Liang Shide sent him to seek help from the Western Turks.
However, Wang Shaoqiu did not really intend to put in much effort in this matter. Firstly, his defection to Luoyang was only a temporary measure, and he was not truly willing to remain subordinate to someone else for long. Secondly, he could see that Liang Shide did not fully trust him. After all, betraying one's master once is something one can do countless times. Therefore, Wang Shaoqiu was not given important positions in Luoyang. It was not until Yuwen Ye captured several passes around Luoyang that Liang Shide became somewhat panicked and sent him north to contact the Western Turks, hoping to get them to send troops to help him.
After much consideration, Wang Shaoqiu regarded his mission to the Western Turkic camp as an opportunity to meet the Turkic Khan. It would be good if he could get rid of Yuwen Ye, but it would be even better if he could find a way out for himself. After all, he had no interest in doing the work for someone else.
But Zhu Xie Khan's sharp eyes and meticulous mind still surprised him somewhat.
Wang Shaoqiu was only stunned for a moment before he immediately laughed and said, "The Khan is indeed wise."
Ashina Zhuxie said calmly, "Whether I am wise or not is not important. What is important is that I do not like to do things that benefit others."
Wang Shaoqiu's eyes flickered: "Could it be that the Khan doesn't want to kill him?"
Ashina Zhuxie said, "What good would killing him do for me?"
"..."
Why would I, the Khan, do something that brings me no benefit?
"..."
Hearing his words, Wang Shaoqiu looked at the Khan of the Western Turks seriously again, finally took a deep breath, and said, "The Khan is indeed wise!"
Saying the same thing twice in a short period of time is no longer flattery, but a genuine expression of feeling.
But after expressing this sentiment, he immediately added, "However, did the Khan send his army south just to attack Xia Prefecture? Is such a small prefecture a 'benefit' in the Khan's eyes?"
Upon hearing this, Ashina Zhuxie's eyes sharpened.
It's true that he doesn't need to personally intervene in a small place like Xia Prefecture, but this time when he led his troops south, it was clear to everyone that he had ulterior motives.
Firstly, although the Turks possessed vast grasslands, their resources were not abundant. Essential goods were either obtained through trade with the Central Plains or through plunder. From the loss of Taiyuan to his ascension to the throne as Khan, he refrained from external military campaigns in order to stabilize the internal situation. Furthermore, with the chaos in the Central Plains, many cities had ceased border trade. Now that the situation had finally stabilized, it was time for him to take action.
Secondly, Wang Shaoqiu's words just now did not completely miss the mark regarding his thoughts.
Even though Yuwen Ye hasn't officially confronted him yet, he can sense that this person will become a threat to the Turks in the future, and the biggest threat at that. If he can eliminate him, it will definitely benefit the Turks.
However, if we wait until he pacifies the Central Plains and is free to deal with things, I may not be able to gain much advantage from him.
For a moment, the two men, each with their own thoughts, stared into each other's deep and scheming eyes, as if sparks were flying in the air. Meanwhile, the generals standing on both sides of the tent all frowned, wondering what the other was up to.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the tent.
A soldier walked in, saluted Ashina Zhuxie, and said, "Khan, a scout has sent an urgent report."
Ashina Zhuxie immediately withdrew his sharp gaze, his entire demeanor becoming calm and composed again, as if the scheming that had flashed in his eyes just moments before was merely a misinterpretation. With a wave of his hand, the soldier promptly handed him the letter.
Wang Shaoqiu also lowered his head.
Wang Shaoqiu initially thought it was some news from the Turks, or more precisely, a military report from Xia Prefecture, since Ashina Zhuxie's stated purpose for this trip was for this purpose. Therefore, he didn't even raise his eyelids and didn't intend to pay attention to this matter. However, after Ashina Zhuxie finished reading the urgent report, his expression suddenly became strange.
He seemed excited, yet also somewhat puzzled.
He thought for a moment, a slight smile curving his lips, and looked up at Wang Shaoqiu: "Do you know what this urgent report is about?"
"...?"
Wang Shaoqiu frowned and looked up at him.
What could an urgent report from the Turks have to do with him? Why would Ashina Zhuye ask him first?
Several generals around also sensed something was wrong, thinking the new Khan had lost his mind. Geli immediately stepped forward: "Khan—"
Ashina Zhuxie gently raised his hand, signaling him not to speak, then looked at Wang Shaoqiu and said with a half-smile, "It seems that this time I will not be able to grant your lord's request to aid Luoyang."
When he spoke frankly, Wang Shaoqiu's heart sank.
But what intrigued him more was the sudden urgent report, so he respectfully raised his hand and asked, "May I ask, what exactly does this urgent report that the Khan received say?"
Ashina Zhuxie said, "My men are besieging Xia Prefecture. I'm sure Liang Shide knows this too."
"yes."
"Does he know that Princess Qiancheng has already sent several letters to Chang'an seeking help, requesting Yuwen Yuan to send troops to assist her?"
Wang Shaoqiu's eyes turned cold: "Could it be that Yuwen Yuan has already sent troops to reinforce Xia Prefecture?"
"good,"
Ashina Zhuxie said, "Just a few days ago, I received a message from my scouts that Chang'an has dispatched a team to reinforce Xia Prefecture."
Wang Shaoqiu's eyes flickered for a moment, and he said, "This urgent report must have ascertained the exact strength of that force and who is leading it, right?"
"good."
"Then, who is leading the troops?"
“This person is an old acquaintance of yours,” Ashina Zhuxie said, “the Princess Consort of Qin of the Great Sheng Dynasty.”
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