Chapter 1787: Rule Begins with De-Islamization

After enjoying the view from atop the city walls, Liu Min and his party quickly descended and headed straight for the former Kara-Khanid royal palace in the city of Suyab. Even as a long-established capital of a hostile state, in the eyes of Liu Min and the others, it was merely a cramped, congested little city—a backwater place. What they valued was only the significance of setting foot here.

The palace was likewise unremarkable, distinguished only by some local flavor and architectural styles that stood out as alien to the Central Plains—things they neither understood nor valued, and even found somewhat offensive to the eye.

Before entering the palace, Liu Min suddenly reined in his horse and pointed at a domed building right next to the Kara-Khanid palace, saying, "That's the Kara-Khanids' mosque, isn't it!"

Compared to the palace, that temple appeared far more exquisite, its white main body making it all the more bright and beautiful, and one could glimpse the significance it represented behind it. Ever since Satuk Bughra Khan initiated Islamic rule, the Kara-Khanids had embarked on a path of Islamization from which there was no return. By the time of his son Baytash, it had formally become the state religion of the Kara-Khanids, and by the era of Arslan Khan, the Kara-Khanid state had completely completed its evolution into an Islamic dynasty. Islam's position within the country could no longer be shaken, while other religions such as shamanism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Buddhism were all suppressed or even eradicated.

"To answer Your Highness, this is the largest mosque in Suyab, serving the daily prayers and devotional activities of those Muslim believers!" Yang Yanzhao, who clearly had some knowledge of the matter, replied.

This mosque before them, which could be called magnificent, evidently stirred up some not-so-pleasant memories in Liu Min, and a shadow of gloom crept across his expression. He beckoned to Yuchi Guli, the Khotanese commander accompanying them, and had him explain Islam to everyone.

Yuchi Guli, also known as Li Congzhen, was a member of the Khotanese royal clan, sent this time by order of his king to lead troops in support. Khotan was a Buddhist kingdom—from top to bottom, all believed in Buddhism, and in matters of religious faith, there was often no room for reason.

At the mention of Islam, Yuchi Guli's face showed obvious disgust, and he launched into fierce attacks with his words, regarding it as an evil religion, his descriptions filled with terms like barbaric, ferocious, cruel, evil, terrifying, and ignorant.

Liu Min made no comment on any of this, but when he heard about Islam's powerful influence and control over secular government and the common people, he finally stopped concealing the disgust that came from the depths of his heart.

The Great Han operated under a system of supreme imperial authority, and how religion was managed and controlled could be seen from the past experiences of Buddhism and Taoism, as well as those strict and detailed laws and regulations.

Religious authority could actually influence political authority—this Islam was indeed an evil thing!

"Over the past several hundred years, Islam has continuously spread in all directions, and the East has also been its target. The Kara-Khanid state was precisely the bridgehead for spreading its doctrine eastward. And it was over twenty years ago that it formally became the state religion of the Kara-Khanids.

Those fanatical Muslim believers once declared that anyone who did not convert to the Islamic faith was Islam's most vicious enemy." Yuchi Guli continued his introduction.

By the time he finished speaking, not to mention Liu Min, even the other generals and commanders all wore expressions of disgust. Kang Baoyi couldn't help but say, "Compared to these arrogant Muslim believers, the Buddhists back home are far too docile!"

Yuchi Guli quickly chimed in, agreeing that Kang Baoyi was right, and the others also nodded in approval. Throughout this western campaign, they had been thoroughly shocked by those Muslim believers—those fanatics who feared neither death and shouted about "holy war" had truly left a deep impression, one that made people both wary and wishing they could wipe them all out.

"On the soil of the Great Han, how can such an evil religion be allowed to run rampant!" Liu Min said coldly. "General Yuchi, I'm giving you a task: tear down this illicit shrine before us, arrest all their clergy, and burn all their scriptures and doctrines!"

"As ordered!" Yuchi Guli replied without hesitation, without a trace of reluctance or burden, while inwardly thinking that since this mosque was so splendid, there should be quite a few good things inside.

Liu Min seemed to see through his thoughts but paid it no mind—he cared about results. After a moment's thought, he called out again, "Chang Guzhen!"

"Your subordinate is here!" A Han general stepped forward.

Chang Guzhen, due to his outstanding performance in the bloody battle of Kucha, had been promoted to the rank of Commander after recovering from his wounds, with a full two thousand five hundred men under his command—considered to have entered the level of a core general. Additionally, he was one of the Crown Prince's men. He had personally captured his family's enemy and delivered him to the authorities to avenge his clan, and after the injustice was later cleared, Liu Yang, having heard of his conduct during the process, expressed his approval and bestowed upon him a proper background. Since then, he had been building his career in the military.

Liu Min directly instructed, "Lead your men and assist General Yuchi in handling this matter. Not only is this mosque to be torn down, but on all the cities and lands I have conquered, all Islamic buildings are to be dealt with in the same manner!"

"Yes!"

Clearly, Liu Min's rule over the newly conquered Kara-Khanid territories began with de-Islamization.

Due to the period of national mourning, even occupying the enemy's capital could not be celebrated with great fanfare. Nevertheless, each army and each battalion was still granted large quantities of supplies, allowing the soldiers to eat their fill. Even without alcohol and without women, they obtained good rest.

Inside the palace, the principal commanders of the western campaign from two years ago gathered together to arrange and deploy the current military affairs, but the most important matters were the current situation of the Kara-Khanid state and the next moves of the western expeditionary army.

The fall of Suyab and the death of Arslan Khan almost heralded the destruction of the Kara-Khanid state, but there were still some cities to the west that had not yet been taken, as well as organized resistance forces.

The most significant of these was the resistance army led by the deputy khan, Hasan Bughra Khan. Originally, Hasan had been stationed to defend Suyab, but after Yang Yanzhao's army arrived at the city gates, seeing that the situation was unfavorable, he fled westward and was not captured.

By the time news arrived again, Hasan had already led his men in retreat to Taraz, the major western stronghold of the Kara-Khanids, and relying on Taraz, Hasan had already reorganized a resistance force.

And if Taraz was not taken, then the Kara-Khanids could not be considered completely destroyed. After the Han army arrived, large numbers of Kara-Khanids unwilling to submit had fled westward to seek refuge in Taraz. If left unchecked, allowing them to catch their breath and then relying on the Muslim forces of Central Asia behind them, they would surely become a future calamity.

Liu Min wanted to achieve victory in one decisive campaign—to continue westward, take Taraz, and destroy the Kara-Khanids' last remaining army. However, this proposal did not receive the support of the assembled generals.

Even Yang Yanzhao maintained a silent attitude. The reasons the generals gave were also quite reasonable: the army had campaigned far from home, spent half a year on the march, endured numerous bitter battles, and was already weary in both troops and horses. Coupled with heavy casualties, although morale was steady, the will to fight had already faded, and the army needed rest and replenishment.

In reality, the key points were two: first, their strength was insufficient; second, the soldiers' will to fight was no longer strong. Moreover, Taraz was still about six hundred li from Suyab, and given the current state of the western expeditionary army, continuing to advance would truly lack the strength to sustain itself. Furthermore, Guo Yi even used the defeat of Gao Xianzhi at the Battle of Talas over two hundred years earlier to warn Liu Min, and only then did he abandon the idea, temporarily setting aside his desire for battle.

After the discussion concluded and the generals withdrew, Liu Min kept Yang Yanzhao alone. Before Yang Yanzhao, Liu Min did not suppress his disappointed emotions and said, "None of the generals want to fight anymore, and the soldiers below probably share similar sentiments! I already sensed it atop the city walls earlier—it seemed everyone thought that reaching Suyab was enough to stop the campaign. But if you strike a snake without killing it, I fear it will bring disaster in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yanzhao pondered for a moment before saying, "The generals are not afraid of battle; their concerns are reasonable. We have already crossed the Tianshan Mountains and penetrated deep into Kara-Khanid territory. The difficulty of military supply has increased sharply, and the newly conquered lands are not pacified, so the grain and pay available for use are limited.

After several fierce battles, both the northern and southern routes have suffered heavy casualties and greatly diminished strength. Simply maintaining control of the current situation is already no small feat. Moreover, we are ultimately unfamiliar with the situation at Taraz, our rear is not secure, and rashly marching six hundred li would truly be too risky. Besides, winter has already set in, making sustained campaigning inadvisable.

Furthermore, even if some of the western expedition soldiers have been rotated and replenished, most have already been in Anxi for two years. The soldiers' hearts longing for home is only natural. The troops truly need another period of rest!"

After Yang Yanzhao finished speaking, Liu Min fell silent. After a long while, he finally sighed and said, "Your concerns are not unknown to me—I just cannot accept it!"

As the two were discussing, a burst of intense commotion suddenly erupted in the city of Suyab, sounding utterly chaotic, faintly audible even within the palace. A military officer hurried inside, and Liu Min's brow furrowed: "What is happening in the city?"

The officer reported, "Your Highness, General Chang has reported that the demolition of the mosque has provoked discontent among the Muslim community, who have come forward to obstruct it. Believers in the city have gathered to cause disturbances and are attacking the soldiers carrying out the orders! General Chang requests instructions on how to handle this!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Min did not speak for a moment, but his face grew increasingly cold and stern. Whether it was the pyrrhic victory before, the passing of Empress Fu, or the generals' opposition just now, all had accumulated a great deal of negative emotion in his heart.

At this moment, he could no longer contain it. First, he turned his head to Yang Yanzhao and said, "Your considerations are correct—with the rear not secure, it is difficult to launch a campaign. We truly need to stop and rest for some time."

Having said this, he immediately instructed the officer: "Transmit the order: anyone who obstructs military orders or attacks the army shall be killed!"

"Yes!" The officer received the order and went off swiftly to relay it.

And with this casually issued military order from Liu Min, the city of Suyab, which had only just calmed down, descended into chaos once more. Killing and death spread throughout this key city on the Silk Road, even more brutal than when Yang Yanzhao had entered the city.

Three days later, fewer than three thousand residents remained in the city. Those who had insisted on defending Islam had almost none left alive, and the mosque was ultimately demolished by force.