Chapter 64: Those Who Defy the Mighty Han, Even From Afar Must Be Punished

The "Yingzhou Rebellion" at the end of the Wu Zhou era left the Tang's northeastern frontier in chaos and triggered a series of severe chain reactions.

Besides the Khitan and Xian expanding their base, there was another major development: the rise of the Bohai Kingdom.

Of course, unlike the Khitan and Xian who constantly brandished knives, the Bohai Kingdom's rise was quite peaceful. Indeed, for a long period it was genuinely peaceful in the true sense.

How this came about traces back to Emperor Gaozong's conquest of Goguryeo.

In AD 668, Goguryeo was destroyed by the Tang, which then ruled the lands the kingdom had held in the northeast. At that time, some Sume Mohe, Baishan Mohe and Goguryeo refugees were forcibly relocated by the Tang from their native lands to the Yingzhou area (present‑day Chaoyang, Liaoning).

Since ancient times Yingzhou has been the Central dynasties' base for managing and controlling the northeastern peoples, as well as the main corridor for those peoples to move southward toward the Central Plains; Han Chinese and other ethnicities lived together there, and customs differed from those of the Central Plains.

At that time, the Yingzhou region was inhabited not only by Sume Mohe, Baishan Mohe and Goguryeo refugees, but also by Khitan and Xian peoples who had broken free from the Eastern Tujue.

Because the Tang dynasty largely "accommodated local customs" of the submitted and relocated peoples, treating them kindly, granting official posts, and establishing semi‑autonomous prefectures and commanderies, the Yingzhou area overall maintained a situation of "pleasing Chinese customs, requesting the crown and belt."

However, in the later Wu Zhou period, mismanagement of frontier officials finally sparked the "Yingzhou Rebellion."

At that time, the Mohe and Goguryeo refugees living around Yingzhou also became embroiled in and participated in the revolt.

While suppressing the rebellion, Wu Zhou pardoned the Mohe, granting the Mohe chieftain Qi Sibiyu the title of Duke of Xu State and the Sume Mohe leader Qi Qi Zhongxiang the title of Duke of Zhen State, in order to split anti‑Tang forces and dissolve the rebels.

Yet Qi Sibiyu refused the appointment and, taking advantage of the Tang's weakened power and Yingzhou's capture, seized the moment of the Mohe's abandoned homeland to leave Yingzhou and cross eastward over the Liao River. After the Tang army, together with Tujue and Xian forces, quelled the rebellion, it sent the surrendered Khitan general Li Kaigu to pursue Qi Sibiyu and the Mohe; Qi Sibiyu was killed and Qi Qi Zhongxiang died.

Qi Qi Zhongxiang's son Da Zuorong led the Mohe and Goguryeo people in a great battle against Li Kaigu at Tianmen Ridge (western Liaoning). Da Zuorong united his troops, employed strategy well, and repelled Li Kaigu's pursuers.

At that moment, the Tujue rebelled against the Tang again, the Khitan re‑aligned with the Tujue, and the route from the Central Plains to the northeast was cut off.

Seizing the opportunity, Da Zuorong led his people and Goguryeo refugees eastward, returning to the northeastern slope of Mount Taibai (Changbai Mountain) near the upper reaches of the Aolou River (Mudan River), where they built a city on Dongmu Mountain north of Dunhua, and did not take part in the Tujue's war against the Tang.

Shortly thereafter Da Zuorong proclaimed himself King of Zhen, still calling himself Mohe; the Bohai regime was formally established, opening the prologue of the Bohai Kingdom.

After Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian was restored, he sought to check the Tujue and decided to ease relations between the Tang and Bohai. The Tang sent the imperial censor Zhang Xingji to the Zhen Kingdom to extend goodwill; Da Zuorong gladly accepted. To show friendship toward the Tang, Da Zuorong sent his second son Da Menyi with Zhang Xingji to Chang'an to serve, where he was retained as a guard.

To strengthen the Tang's northeastern frontier strategy, the Tang decided to send envoys to formally confer titles on Da Zuorong. Thereafter Da Zuorong actively deepened ties and cooperation with the Tang; during his 22‑year reign he sent his sons or officials to the Tang for tribute six times.

The relationship between the Tang and the Bohai Kingdom entered a honeymoon phase.

But the good times did not last long.

In the seventh year of the Kaiyuan era, after Da Zuorong's death, his eldest son Da Wuyi succeeded him; during Da Wuyi's reign he campaigned north against Heishui, fought the southern enemy Silla, allied west with the Khitan, courted Japan in the east, and resisted the Tang, laying a vast territorial foundation for the rise of the Eastern Sea Great State.

At this point the Bohai Kingdom could be described as ambitious and restless.

Then Li Longji's scheming operation arrived.

After the Bohai regime was founded, its northern Heishui Mohe power also developed rapidly.

In the fourteenth year of Kaiyuan, Li Longji issued an edict establishing a Heishui Governorate in the largest Heishui Mohe tribe, appointing its chieftain as governor, granting the Heishui Mohe a political status equal to Bohai's. In reality it was a bitter pill for Da Wuyi.

This made Da Wuyi erupt completely, believing the Tang was colluding with the Heishui Mohe. Ignoring Da Menyi's counsel, he launched a fierce attack on the Heishui Mohe, but the results were limited and he fell into an internal feud with Da Menyi, turning them into water and fire.

After the internal clash, Da Menyi fled to the Tang seeking refuge; Da Wuyi repeatedly negotiated with the Tang to kill Da Menyi but failed, and the Bohai–Tang conflict escalated.

The following year, to improve the unfavorable situation of being surrounded by the Tang, Heishui Mohe, Silla and others, Da Wuyi sent a delegation led by Gao Renyi to Japan to forge an alliance, while also strengthening ties with the Khitan.

In the twentieth year of Kaiyuan, after Da Wuyi allied east with Japan and west with the Khitan, he launched a surprise war against the Tang by both sea and land routes.

The naval force, led by the great general Zhang Wenxiu, set out from the Yalu River estuary, crossed the sea and attacked Dengzhou, an important Tang port city in the northern Shandong Peninsula; the land force, personally commanded by Da Wuyi, advanced into the area of Mount Madu in eastern Hebei, sacking cities and towns with overwhelming might.

Although the Tang, together with Silla, struck back hard and the Bohai offensive was blunted, Da Wuyi still held onto the territories he had seized.

Frankly, Da Wuyi achieved his strategic goal, but this tactic was indeed too risky; the Bohai Kingdom, from top to bottom, objected to Da Wuyi's expansionist strategy, recalling the fallen Goguryeo "jewels ahead" that the Tang had destroyed.

Because the opposition was so great, Da Wuyi voluntarily withdrew his troops, returned Tang prisoners of war, eased relations with the Tang, and sent envoys to Chang'an to deliver a "letter of apology" to Li Longji.

At this time the Tang was at war with Tubo, and to avoid a multi‑front conflict, Li Longji, considering the bigger picture, reluctantly gave his assent.

The war may have ended, but the grudge remained; the Bohai Kingdom shifted from a "friendly force" to a "reckless, untamed" one, a state that persists to this day.

If you mess around, you'll eventually have to pay.

Da Wuyi thought he was in the clear, Li Longji thought the matter was over, but some people disagreed.

……

That day, fresh snow falling, a cavalry detachment of about two thousand men had already arrived less than five li from Xianzhuo, the Bohai capital. They wore the Bohai border army's uniforms, each riding a pair of horses. Unarmored, they all appeared poorly equipped.

After a 800‑li forced march, each of them was exhausted, horse and rider weary, yet they were thrilled, their hearts pounding.

"Jiedushi's brilliant plan: the Bohai ruler Da Wuyi is gravely ill, his son Da Qinmao intends to inherit the throne, and the border army has been ordered back to the capital as a precaution. We will blend in like fish among pearls, eliminate that border force, and march openly through each city without anyone questioning us."

Zhang Xun, standing beside Fang Youde, eagerly stepped forward to salute and said to the composed Jiedushi gazing into the distance, his heart full of admiration.

"Jiedushi, we are attacking the Bohai Kingdom without an imperial edict this time; will the Son of Heaven blame us?"

Not long after entering the Yuzhou Jiedushi Office, Yan Gaoqing, participating in a military action for the first time, asked cautiously.

Fang Youde drew his side sword, tapped Yan Gaoqing's shoulder with the scabbard and said, "Those who offend our mighty Han will be punished, no matter how far. When you return to Yuzhou, write a memorial to the Son of Heaven reporting this; I will not stand in your way."

"I act righteously and sit upright, do not covet pay nor mistreat soldiers; everything I do is for the glory of our Tang. If you do not wish to join, you may return to Yuzhou now; I will not punish you."

Hearing this, Yan Gaoqing quickly clasped his hands and pleaded, "Jiedushi, you misunderstand; I merely think the Bohai ruler is innocent, and this puts us in a morally passive position…"

"In the twentieth year of Kaiyuan, Da Wuyi allied with Japan and the Khitan to rebel, killing my people and destroying my cities—does that count as innocent? Your family's scholarly lineage is vast, your learning fills five carts; tell me, is this innocent?"

Fang Youde stared at Yan Gaoqing and retorted, his authority unshaken, his aura imposing!

Yan Gaoqing lamented inwardly, "If even the Son of Heaven doesn't mind, what are you fussing over? That incident happened years ago; it's already turned the page!"

"Da Wuyi has not yet been convicted by our Tang! The Son of Heaven cannot conveniently exact justice, so this Jiedushi will act as the villain, venting on behalf of the Son of Heaven."

Fang Youde said, his words striking the ground with resonance.

Now Yan Gaoqing had nothing more to say; if he kept prating, he feared his comrades would cut him down.

The atmosphere inside the Yuzhou Jiedushi Office was extremely strange; everyone seemed eager to make a name for themselves, their eyes all blood‑red. On the first day he and his elder brother Yan Zhenqing arrived, Fang Youde summoned them for a "talk," proclaiming that the Yuzhou Jiedushi Office was public‑spirit without selfishness, speaking only of great righteousness and not petty details.

He also said that shameless men whose hearts held only selfish gain should get out early.

Yan Gaoqing and Yan Zhenqing observed covertly, shocked. Fang Youde's prestige in Yuzhou was so high that a single call could summon a hundred responses.

Fang Youde ordered a surprise raid on the Bohai capital; without any imperial edict, the border troops raised no objections and simply obeyed his command.

The irony is that this man preaches public spirit and righteousness every day; if the other side harbors ill intent, Yuzhou might indeed face a disaster!

"Jiedushi, we are all cavalry; how shall we enter the city?"

Zhang Xun asked in puzzlement, having no strong opinion about coming here to cause trouble; the problem was how to get into the city.

Light the signal fires; Da Menyi's men will open the city gates for us. Among the subjects of the Bohai Kingdom, there are far too many who are dissatisfied with Da Wu Yi. They have always lived in constant fear, trembling, lest one day the Tang army slaughters Xianzhou City.

Our divine troops descend from heaven; as long as we don't slaughter indiscriminately after entering the city, they won't cause trouble.

Fang Youde wore an indifferent expression.

But what if those people can't open the gate?

Zhang Xun, as meticulous as a thread, dare not stake his life and fortune on luck.

"Hmph, if they don't open it, that's fine."

Fang Youde let out a cold snort, giving no explanation.

In fact, Fang Youde was brimming with confidence; his daring was built on solid intelligence.

There was verifiable, concrete news that Da Wu Yi was now bedridden, unable to conduct affairs, even to the point of being on the brink of death.

Now, within the Bohai capital, people's hearts are restless, everyone is thinking about the next ruler.

Who would look beyond the capital at this critical moment? Anything happening inside the city is no surprise!

Da Menyi's confidants have already prepared a coup; all that is missing is a powerful external force to "seal the deal."

In fact, Da Menyi had already secretly traveled from Luoyang to Yingzhou, awaiting good news from Fang Youde. This matter should have been approved by Li Longji… but the saint is now soaking in hot springs with Yang Yuhuan at Huaqing Palace, having a great time, let alone attending to Da Menyi, the outdated Bohai noble.

The memorial Fang Youde sent was immediately approved by Gao Lishi after he read it. He knew Fang Youde's abilities well and wanted to profit from the affair.

Da Menyi's departure caused no ripple; in Li Longji's eyes, he was just a fish belly with no longer any value. Gao Lishi understood exactly what Li Longji was like and never sent the memorial to Huaqing Palace.

This time the Tang army rushed from Yingzhou to smash the enemy capital in one blow and install Da Menyi, who has always been friendly to the Tang, onto the throne. Whether this salted fish can turn over now depends on Fang Youde's skill.

And once Da Menyi assumes power, merely shifting from an anti‑Tang stance back to his father's original pro‑Tang policy will easily earn popular support. After all, among the Bohai people, no one thinks being struck by the Tang's board feels pleasant.

And if the Tang forces capture those who committed crimes years ago and bring them back to Chang'an for trial, it will greatly boost prestige and authority on the frontier, deterring the northeastern tribes.

From then on, the Tang's security in the Northeast can return to the state before the Yingzhou turmoil.

As for Da Menyi's men, if they fail to cooperate… what does it matter? The Tang cavalry can each ride two horses and simply retreat back to Yingzhou. Besides, the Bohai throne is about to change hands; there's no time for power struggles, and who would bother to send troops to chase the Tang at this critical moment?

Once back in Yingzhou, they can simply behead the unreliable Da Menyi; Fang Youde feels no psychological pressure about this.

"Light the signal fires!"

Fang Youde ordered in a deep voice.

About the time one incense stick burned, signal fires also rose in Xianzhou City! This is the sign that opening the gates is unobstructed.

"Blow the horn; after entering the city, head straight for the palace!"

Fang Youde drew his side sword, pointing at the Bohai capital ahead, and said.

"Wuh! Wuh! Wuh!"

A bleak horn sounded, and the Tang cavalry surged like arrows released from a bow, charging straight at Xianzhou City.

When the city gate drew near, Zhang Xun and the vanguard discovered it flung wide; Bohai Imperial Guard soldiers with white cloths tied to their arms hurriedly beckoned them to enter quickly. After the Tang cavalry entered, a great number of Bohai guards who should have been loyal simply dropped their weapons and crouched motionless as if prearranged.

Yan Gaoqing rode his horse, sprinting within the cavalry ranks, and upon seeing the absurd scene, instantly understood what Fang Youde had meant earlier.

"Those who offend our mighty Han shall be punished, even from afar!"

These words are not mere talk.

A call that summons a hundred responses is not achieved by empty boasts.

It requires a real blade in hand to cut a path, then people will actually listen to you.

……

"What is this thing?"

Outside the woods near the eastern post station of Chang'an City, Fang Chongyong inexplicably took the bow‑shaped object that Wang Zhongsi handed him and asked in confusion.

The middle of the "bow" string has a leather pouch, slightly recessed, seemingly for holding pellets.

The string itself is sturdy, with little elasticity. By contrast, the bow itself is reflexed and very springy.

This is the favorite of the young men from Chang'an's Wuling district, a slingshot. If you can't use a slingshot, these guys won't accept you.

Wang Zhongsi patted his shoulder and smiled, saying.

"Moreover, it's accurate, and the pulling force won't hurt your arm. Want to give it a try?"

Wang Zhongsi's smile was broad.

"Can you teach me that thing called 'Wuduo'? I think it's more interesting than this."

Fang Chongyong scratched his head awkwardly and said.

"What about the Chang'an dandy youth troupe? He doesn't look up to those people!"

"When chaos erupts, these are just kitchen‑serving fifth‑rate soldiers!"

"I knew you'd pick this."

Wang Zhongsi took a plain‑looking rope from the pack on his horse and handed it to Fang Chongyong, saying:

"The Tubo have many strengths; learning their methods is nothing to be ashamed of. I indeed was not wrong about you."

"Take good care of this Wuduo; it… has killed a Tubo person."

Wang Zhongsi actually learned the Tubo's Wuduo technique!

Fang Chongyong was horrified inside; this mindset of learning the enemy's strengths in war truly is the way to victory!