Chapter 367: Clash of Strength and Skill, Clash of Wit and Courage

"Has Gao Xianzhi escaped again?"

Inside the Great Food army camp near Baishui City, Abu Musulin looked at the so‑called "battle report" delivered by Qi Yadesali; with just a few terse lines, it made the Tang army's movements clear.

Why say "again"? Because along the way, each time Gao Xianzhi would stop to rest, waiting for the Great Food army to catch up before departing calmly.

In fact, this is a psychological tactic—a silent contest of will between the two commanders.

Abu Musulin led tens of thousands of elite Great Food troops, leisurely pursuing for several hundred li without laying a finger on the Tang army, as if merely "seeing them off". Of course, if Gao Xianzhi truly returned with his forces to Shuiye, Abu Musulin would be very pleased, even considering awarding him a medal.

"Governor, setting Gao Xianzhi aside, that Great Tang Western Regions Strategic Envoy stationed at Shuiye is also quite interesting."

According to the two envoys from Kang Country and Shi Country, that envoy's attitude seems rather conservative, with no intention of advancing into Stone Country. As long as we don't station troops in Stone Country, he likely won't make any big moves.

Qi Yadesali smiled, his words dripping with contempt.

A brave man respects another brave man and despises those as timid as mice. Though Gao Xianzhi has his flaws, he roams the battlefield, a capable commander. Not only can he fight, he also led his troops out of the besieged Zhezhi City; Qi Yadesali admired him deep down.

But the so‑called "envoy" on the Tang side, with all the petty deeds he's done, is hardly worthy of praise.

Sending envoys to threaten is fierce outwardly but weak inside, strong in appearance yet hollow.

When receiving the envoys from Kang and Shi, he hinted that he bears a grudge against Gao Xianzhi, thus allowing the Great Food to press Stone Country and refusing to rescue Gao Xianzhi.

Obviously, even if Gao Xianzhi safely returns to Shuiye, he will later be settled by that Great Tang Western Regions Strategic Envoy!

Many are incompetent in external warfare yet adept at internal strife; Qi Yadesali deeply despises such people.

Because similar types are plentiful within the Black-clad Great Food Nation. They clash with Abu Musulin, hindering him overtly and covertly, creating trouble for their own and aiding the enemy.

At this moment, Qi Yadesali felt a twinge of sympathy for Gao Xianzhi.

"No need to mention him; the Great Tang is also a great nation, and officials from different factions can't cooperate sincerely—mutual sabotage is just normal.

As long as that envoy doesn't ruin our plans, if he wants peace talks we'll negotiate. We can also agree not to station troops in Stone Country."

Abu Musulin waved his hand, clearly not taking Fang Chongyong seriously.

No, to put it plainly, that Great Tang Western Regions Strategic Envoy never entered Abu Musulin's sight; he's always regarded as a powerless civil official with no command ability.

Abu Musulin has mingled at the grassroots for a long time and knows exactly what a "powerful aristocrat" is.

The information he gathered said Fang Chongyong is a "powerful aristocrat" trusted by the Tang Emperor, yet his real abilities are limited.

In fact, judging from the actions of the Tang unit he led, there's no record of any outstanding achievements along the way—more like a second‑line force handling logistics.

Abu Musulin's main basis for judgment is that Fang Chongyong continually allowed Gao Xianzhi to besiege and loot Stone Country, never restraining his rampage, and after trouble struck, never sending troops to rescue.

The attitude is clear: Fang Chongyong is using a borrowed knife to kill, then waiting for Gao Xianzhi to be eliminated before negotiating peace with the Great Food, each side stepping back.

Abu Musulin's plan is to take real control of Kang Country, push Stone Country toward the Black-clad Great Food, but not station troops there for now.

After the Tang army withdraws, he will further campaign against Stone Country.

At that moment, a Great Food general requested an audience; Abu Musulin let him in. The man was his valiant subordinate: Sai Yide Benhou Meide.

"Governor, this junior officer did not block Gao Xianzhi's departure; I am reporting to you,"

Sai Yide bowed awkwardly.

Abu Musulin waved his hand, reassuring him: "No problem; after all, I ordered you to strictly guard Baishui City. Since Gao Xianzhi did not attack Baishui City, your not leaving the city to stop him is obeying the order, no fault, no need to worry."

Hearing this, Sai Yide breathed a sigh of relief. The Black-clad Great Food army's law is strict; if Abu Musulin pursued the matter, it would indeed be troublesome.

"Withdraw five thousand elite troops from Baishui City to accompany this governor on the campaign.

We set out tomorrow, heading to Da Luo Si City."

Abu Musulin looked at Sai Yide and said,

"I will strictly follow the governor's command; I'll go prepare now."

After Sai Yide saluted and withdrew, Abu Musulin felt that something had been overlooked.

"Governor, all the cities east of Da Luo Si have been razed by war and not rebuilt.

Even Shuiye City is no longer as prosperous as it once was.

If Gao Xianzhi truly fled back to Shuiye, how shall we deal with him?"

Qi Yadesali asked, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.

If this turns out to be futile, marching hundreds of li for nothing would waste a considerable amount of grain and supplies.

Hearing this, Abu Musulin laughed:

"Our march to Da Luo Si is tantamount to forcing the Great Tang to sign a treaty under the city walls. When that Western Regions Strategic Envoy refuses to talk, he'll have to negotiate with us. Isn't there a saying that a gentleman draws a bow without releasing? We'll be poised at Da Luo Si, Gao Xianzhi will be terrified and flee, what can the Tang army use to fight us?"

According to our plan, signing an alliance is the best strategy; if you were in my shoes, what would you choose?

Even though we spent so much grain, the treasure in Stone Country's palace can cover the military expenses; think about whether we profit or lose.

At that point, a cold glint flashed in Abu Musulin's eyes.

War is about killing and looting, but it is not merely slaughter. If one only focuses on how many enemies are slain, the vision is too short‑sighted—simply put, it's the bravado of a commoner!

The Black-clad Great Food army massed at Da Luo Si, while the Tang forces retreated in defeat, unwilling to fight—a sign of weakness itself.

Countries west of the lush mountains all know what choice to make.

"Da Luo Si, Da Luo Si..."

Abu Musulin recalled the terrain of that place in his mind, pondering how to deploy if battle erupts.

……

North of the Shuiye River, at the foot of Jiedan Mountain, banners fluttered.

The Anxi Expeditionary Force stood on one side of the road, while the Tujikishi stood on the opposite side, neither side mounted. At the road's end rose a dark‑brown mountain bearing an ancient altar of unknown age.

In front of the altar stood a tall wooden pole, from which hung a bag woven of wool yarn, containing a special wool felt.

There are many intricacies here, but Fang Chongyong could not comprehend; he only knew it was the Tujikishi performing a ritual to the deity Xiu, a tradition inherited from the Turks.

In fact, the Tujikishi care not which deity is worshipped, nor the specifics of the ceremony.

These are merely showpieces; what truly matters to them is who becomes the New Ten Surnames Khan and whether he can lead them to prosperity. If not, even the most splendid sky‑worship ceremony is useless.

Today is the coronation day for Yi Ba as the New Ten Surnames Khan; the ceremony is underway. Representing the Tang Emperor, Great Tang Western Regions Strategic Envoy Fang Chongyong confers the title on the Tujikishi leader Yi Ba. After today, this New Ten Surnames Khan can lawfully command all Tujikishi units.

Fang Chongyong's pace could be described as as steady as Mount Tai, advancing one step a day. Unwittingly, he quietly took care of many important yet inconspicuous matters.

"Kill the horse, sacrifice to Heaven!"

Fang Chongyong shouted, and the Heaven‑sacrifice ceremony officially began. He didn't know why a horse had to be killed; anyway, the rule was set that way, so he just followed the procedure.

At this moment, his mind drifted a bit.

Unfamiliar faces, a dull ceremony, a step‑by‑step routine. Fang Chongyong was bored enough to want to yawn, but he knew countless eyes were on him, and any arrogance or casualness could affect the larger picture.

Humans are social animals; once someone dons a title with social weight, they are no longer the same as before. To fit the role, he had to adjust his strategy so that he appeared more fitting to the title.

While he was spacing out, the ceremony moved to the next step. A short‑statured Tujikishi man, leading his mount, approached the altar. He drew a short knife from his waist, slashed the warhorse dead, then collected the horse's blood in a bowl and placed it on the altar.

He then knelt, prostrated himself as if his whole body were on the ground, crawled forward, and bowed again, appearing extremely devout.

This man was Yi Ba, unassuming in appearance but with a keen eye.

When Feng Changqing was under house arrest, he sent people to release him.

When the Tang army launched a two‑front attack, he was the first on the southern front to defect and then lead the way.

The world never lacks truly clever people; after all, there's the saying that those who understand the times are heroes.

"Ten Surname Khagan swears an oath to Heaven!"

Fang Chongyong shouted again, like an emotionless robot.

Yi Ba recited the oath in Turkic. From afar he felt eyes watching him, seemingly that Tang Western Regions Expeditionary Envoy, so he had to repeat the oath, this time in Chinese.

Including Fang Chongyong, all the soldiers of the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army present heard it crystal clear.

"Everlasting Heaven!" "Everlasting Heaven!" "Everlasting Heaven!" "Everlasting Heaven!"

The people from Tujikishi shouted wildly in Turkic to the heavens, and the atmosphere peaked in an instant.

Fang Chongyong stared expressionlessly at everything before him, and let out a slight sigh of relief.

In such a grand investiture ceremony, if Yi Ba were to rebel at this critical moment, even his own tribe would despise him.

It can basically be confirmed that Yi Ba will use this clash with the Great Food people to cement his position. Even if the Tang Empire invests him as Ten Surname Khagan to command the Tujikishi clans, it won't work on title alone.

The steppe people worship strength; the one with the biggest fist is the boss, the rest are hollow.

Surely for this campaign Yi Ba must exert all his might; otherwise he can't even hold the Ten Surname Khagan seat of Tujikishi.

Yet the investiture ceremony had just ended, and Fang Chongyong hadn't even returned to the main camp or spoken a word to the new Ten Surname Khagan when He Changqi led him to a secluded spot.

The man before him was in his forties, sturdy and plain‑looking, dressed in the typical Sogdian‑Hu attire of the Western Regions. Upon meeting, he bowed to Fang Chongyong and said, "Dou Zhongjie of Ningyuan, greetings, Angel."

"Ningyuan serves the Tang with great respect; you are our friend, so no formalities are needed.

Ornate ceremonies are only for outsiders."

Fang Chongyong smiled, grasped Dou Zhongjie's hands, and said.

Hearing that, Dou Zhongjie finally exhaled; it must be said, this Western Regions Expeditionary Envoy, though appearing young, truly lived up to the rumors—his conduct and dealings were extremely steady!

He gave off a very reliable impression.

"The Great Food people sent an envoy to Ningyuan, demanding we make Islam the state religion and build an Islamic temple in the city, claiming they'll build as large as the space allows; their tone was rather rude and impolite."

"From my observation, the Great Food people's true aim isn't the wine but testing the Tang's attitude."

Dou Zhongjie is the king of Ningyuan, and his family is deeply tied to the Tang, especially with Ji Ge. His son now serves as a palace guard in the Chang'an court. If he doesn't reveal his lineage, his words and actions hardly betray him as a foreigner.

Clearly, whichever side Ningyuan chooses sets the example for all the Western Regions states west of the Congling; they should all follow suit. If the Tang's staunch henchmen cannot withstand the Great Food people's relentless pressure, then when other small states tilt toward the Great Food, they will have no psychological burden at all.

"Angel, I have heard many rumors, some quite outrageous."

I know how Gao Xianzhi is, but I don't know what the Angel truly thinks.

The last letter the Angel wrote was also vague, with no definite answer. So this time I came lightly to ask clearly."

Dou Zhongjie, his expression calm, asked.

Outside, many say Fang Chongyong is the Tang's "dove faction" in the Western Regions, while Gao Xianzhi is firmly the "hawk faction." Now the hawk faction has suffered a heavy setback in the Stone Kingdom, leaving the Western Regions unsettled, all watching how Fang Chongyong will make his move.

Ningyuan has no fallback as a stakeholder and can only go all‑in with the Tang, to the point that even the king himself stepped forward to personally ask Fang Chongyong for a strategy.

"In our hometown, there is a saying that planning leads to success, neglect leads to failure; this is just one of many proverbs."

Another saying goes, secrecy brings success, openness brings failure.

This envoy believes that in undertaking matters, one must prepare in advance and keep it secret.

So, Fenghua King, rest assured, the Tang will not shortchange a friend nor betray a friend."

Fang Chongyong said earnestly.

Fenghua King is Dou Zhongjie's title in the Tang; it is worth noting that besides his queen, he also has a "concubine," who is a Tang‑invested princess, a daughter of the Li clan, who married here just last year.

Therefore, it is not unreasonable to consider this person a Tang prince consort.

"Then… Angel, how do you think we should answer the Great Food people?"

Dou Zhongjie asked puzzledly, not knowing what Fang Chongyong intended, but it was clear he could not ignore replying to the Great Food people.

"When Fenghua King returns, he should tell the Great Food people that during this year's autumn harvest we are willing to pay tribute and taxes to them. However, there is no room for discussion on building an Islamic temple."

"Then it would be best to speak ill of me, the envoy, in front of the Great Food people."

"That way, it would be a great help."

Fang Chongyong said earnestly, gripping Dou Zhongjie's hand tightly.

(End of chapter)