Chapter 7

At this moment.

Su Liang also stopped his warhorse, no longer pursuing to the north!

Looking at the Turkic stragglers who were in complete disarray in the distance.

Su Liang's mouth slowly curled up, revealing a strange smile.

"No need to pursue; let them run for a while!"

Su Liang waved his hand, his expression indifferent.

"Let the army rest for an hour, then continue the pursuit!"

One hour later.

"What are the casualties of our various units?"

Su Liang asked calmly.

"Reporting to the Prince of Chu."

"Generals Xue Wanche and Xue Wanjun acted according to the plan, and the ten thousand soldiers they led suffered no casualties."

"The troops under Generals Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde suffered higher casualties due to a lack of horses, less than two thousand men."

"The Mystic Armor Army suffered less than five hundred casualties!"

The guard was full of excitement, unable to contain his thrill.

The Great Tang had never won such a great victory before.

It was this Great Tang Imperial Son-in-Law, the Prince of Chu.

Who personally planned the layout and personally led the troops in pursuit!

Who personally shot and killed the Eastern Turkic Khan Jieli and a host of great generals.

And even caused over one hundred thousand Eastern Turks to lose their lives in this Capital Region of Changan.

Unanimously, a sense of indescribable admiration arose in their hearts!

"By the way, what is the situation with Luo Yi in Jingzhou?"

Su Liang asked after a moment of thought.

"General Yang Ji led troops to attack Luo Yi; Luo Yi was soundly defeated and led several hundred cavalry to flee to the Turks. When they reached the border of Ningzhou, they were beheaded by the army led by General Li Jing."

"Now, the more than twenty thousand soldiers led by General Yang Ji have joined up with General Li Jing and are currently surrounding and killing the Turkic army."

The guard replied respectfully.

Hearing this, Su Liang raised his eyebrows slightly and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Heh... Luo Yi, oh Luo Yi, what deep hatred did you have with Yang Ji in your past life?"

A moment later.

"Pass the order!"

Su Liang's expression was indifferent.

"Generals Xue Wanche and Xue Wanjun."

"You two generals lead ten thousand soldiers to clean up the battlefield; cremate all the Turkic corpses. The weather is hot, to prevent plague!"

"Generals Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde."

"You two generals lead your remaining soldiers to be responsible for arranging the aftermath of the Capital Region battle and let the people return to their normal lives."

"Generals Hou Junji and Zhang Gongjin."

"Lead ten thousand Mystic Armor heavy cavalry and continue to pursue the Turkic army with me!"

"Heh... the fifty thousand troops of Li Jing, the Grand Governor of Lingzhou, are waiting for us!"

After giving the relevant instructions, he immediately had a soldier organize the battle report and rush back to Changan to report to Emperor Li Er.

At this moment, in the Liangyi Hall of the Taiji Palace.

All the dukes and ministers were waiting for the battle report from the front, anxious and restless.

Emperor Li Er was pacing back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back.

One hour later.

"Eight-hundred-mile urgent report!"

"Great victory! Great victory!"

"Great victory in the Capital Region!"

A fast horse rode straight into Changan City.

Galloping toward the Imperial City...

Until it reached the front of the Taiji Palace, where the rider dismounted.

Then ran hurriedly toward the Liangyi Hall...

A moment later.

Inside the Liangyi Hall.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, a great victory in the Capital Region. In this battle, our Great Tang soldiers killed over one hundred and twenty thousand of the Turkic army."

"Our army killed over forty thousand enemy troops in the Jingyang area..."

"In the Yunyang and Sanyuan areas, we killed over seventy thousand enemy troops..."

"When the Turkic army fled, another ten thousand were trampled to death..."

"Now, there are no more Turks in the Capital Region."

"The fleeing Turkic army is less than eighty thousand."

Before the soldier could finish his report, Li Er laughed heartily.

"Hahaha..."

"After this battle, it truly raises the national prestige of our Great Tang!"

A brilliant smile filled Emperor Li Er's face.

At the same time, his heart felt even more satisfied with his virtuous son-in-law.

"What other situations are there? Speak quickly."

The soldier at this moment had black lines on his forehead and was speechless; it was clearly you who interrupted me, wasn't it?

A moment later, the soldier continued to report.

"General Yang Ji led troops to attack Luo Yi; Luo Yi was soundly defeated and led troops to flee to the Turks. When they reached the border of Ningzhou, they were beheaded by General Li Jing."

"Now, the more than twenty thousand soldiers led by General Yang Ji have joined up with General Li Jing and should currently be surrounding and killing the Turkic army."

"Generals Xue Wanche and Xue Wanjun are leading ten thousand soldiers to clean up the battlefield. They are cremating all the Turkic corpses to prevent plague."

"Generals Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde are leading their remaining soldiers to properly arrange the post-war affairs and comfort the people."

"Generals Hou Junji and Zhang Gongjin are leading ten thousand Mystic Armor heavy cavalry to continue pursuing the Turkic army with the Prince of Chu!"

After the soldier finished reporting.

Emperor Li Er suddenly laughed toward the sky.

Inside the Liangyi Hall of the Taiji Palace, there was also a warm and excited atmosphere.

There was a sense of spontaneous pride in the words of the civil and military officials.

Thus.

The gloom brought by the Turkic army besieging the city was swept away.

Three days later.

The ninth year of Tang Wude, August 20th.

The Xiaozhou border.

At this moment, Su Liang stood side by side with the Great Tang's God of War, Li Jing.

Behind them were Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin, and a host of other military generals.

"Young Su, why did you let that little Khan Tuli go?"

The Duke of Wei, Li Jing, asked in confusion.

The people behind them were also full of doubt.

"This time, the Eastern Turkic army of over two hundred thousand invaded the south; whose plan was it?"

Su Liang couldn't help but ask in return.

Hearing this, everyone was even more confused.

Wasn't the planner Khan Jieli? Why would the Prince of Chu ask this?

"Heh..."

Su Liang chuckled.

"Have you all forgotten who Jieli's wife is?"

Li Jing suddenly had a flash of insight.

"Young Su, are you saying that this plan came from Princess Yicheng?"

Su Liang saw that this Great Tang God of War had finally caught on.

He continued to speak slowly.

"Princess Yicheng has pushed Khan Jieli to be an enemy of the Tang many times; I suppose you all know that."

"Back then, when the Sui King Yang Zhengdao held a territory, Princess Yicheng was undoubtedly the mastermind behind the scenes."

"Now, the Eastern Turks still have an army of two hundred thousand."

"Now that Khan Jieli is dead, they need this little Khan to preside over the big picture."

"Tuli has already been scared out of his wits on the banks of the Wei River and would definitely not dare to offend the Great Tang again."

"He certainly won't be seduced by Princess Yicheng again."

"In that case, what is wrong with letting him go back?"

Hearing this.

This Great Tang God of War, Li Jing, already understood the intention of this Prince of Chu.

"Young Su, you want to use Tuli to check Princess Yicheng."

"In addition, you can also use the title of Tuli as the Turkic Khan to check the other tribes."

At this moment.

Everyone also understood Su Liang's intention.

The fleeing Turkic army was only a few thousand people.

Plus a little Khan who was scared out of his wits.

Everyone had witnessed Su Liang's archery skills; he could take an enemy general's life from five hundred paces away.

If Khan Tuli didn't want to die.

He would definitely not lead his troops south.

"Generals, have you seen Zhishi Sili of the Zhishi tribe?"

"As Khan Jieli's trusted general, Zhishi Sili should have been with the army."

Su Liang was full of doubt and couldn't help but ask.

Hearing this.

Everyone indicated they hadn't seen him.

Su Liang couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Could it be the butterfly effect?

According to the original historical trajectory, Khan Jieli led his army to the north bank of the Wei River.

To ensure nothing went wrong, Khan Jieli sent Zhishi Sili to Changan to see Li Er, in order to observe the situation of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Er was furious, and Zhishi Sili was imprisoned by Li Er.

After the Bianqiao Alliance, Zhishi Sili was released and followed Khan Jieli in the retreat to the north.

Thinking that Changle was already thirteen years old now, I'm afraid that from the moment I traveled to the Great Tang, part of the trajectory of history had already changed!

"Alright, everyone return to Changan."

Subsequently, the army returned to the capital one after another.

The ninth year of Tang Wude, August 25th.

Taiji Palace, inside the Liangyi Hall.

The dukes and ministers were attending the morning court session.

Just at this moment.

A burst of noise suddenly came from the Zhu Que Gate of the Imperial City in the distance.

Subsequently.

Only a few figures were seen.

Appearing abruptly in this Taiji Palace.

Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Yaojin, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin, Xue Wanjun, Xue Wanche, and others.

As well as that current Great Tang Imperial Son-in-Law, the only prince with a different surname, the Prince of Chu, Su Liang!

Thus.

All the meritorious generals from the battle on the banks of the Wei River and the Capital Region were all here.

And the others.

Lagged slightly behind by half a step.

Letting Su Liang in the center walk in front of the others first.

This subtle action.

Only smart people like Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui could see it clearly.

It was this Prince of Chu of the Great Tang.

Who personally planned the layout and personally led the troops in pursuit!

Causing over one hundred thousand Eastern Turks to lose their lives in this Capital Region of Changan.

Not long after.

Taiji Palace, inside the Liangyi Hall.

"We, your subjects, pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

Before Su Liang and the others could bow and salute.

Emperor Li Er, sitting on the dragon throne above, had already waved his hand, signaling them to be exempt from the salute.

"Hahahaha..."

Emperor Li Er looked at the battle-hardened generals before him and couldn't help but laugh heartily.

"With you generals here!"

"Our Great Tang will surely be peaceful, and all nations will come to pay tribute!"

Emperor Li Er's heart was extremely stirred.

After this battle on the banks of the Wei River and the Capital Region, the Turkic army of two hundred thousand was soundly defeated!

The throne that belonged to him was now completely stabilized!

Besides that.

This Great Tang Emperor who had just ascended the throne not long ago.

The prestige of Emperor Li Er had also completely spread throughout the Capital Region and its surroundings.

Now, by exempting taxes for three years, he allowed the people to rest and recuperate.

Not only did he pass down the curved-shaft plow, but there were also magical crops like sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Given time, it would still be known to the people of the world!

Within three years, the people of the Great Tang would all be able to eat their fill and dress warmly, living and working in peace!

When the people are well-fed and warmly dressed, naturally no one will stir up trouble.

Emperor Li Er thought of this.

In the eyes with which he looked at everyone, there was inevitably a hint of gratitude.

"Pass my decree!"

"The generals have braved life and death to resolve the fatal threat to our Great Tang."

"Now all the generals are already dukes of our Great Tang, occupying high positions."

"Each will be rewarded with one thousand mu of fertile land and one thousand taels of gold!"

Emperor Li Er waved his hand.

It was a reward of real gold and silver.

Everyone bowed down, saluting respectfully.

"We, your subjects, thank the Emperor for his great grace!"

Su Liang couldn't help but click his tongue in secret; he was worthy of being an emperor through the ages.

These words and the generous reward could be called "beating the grass to scare the snake."

Is this the art of sovereignty?

Emperor Li Er smiled and walked down from the dragon throne.

He bent down slightly, personally reached out his hands, and helped everyone up.

Then he turned his head to look at Su Liang.

After looking him over carefully, he spoke slowly.

"As for my virtuous son-in-law..."

"I am thinking of marrying Changle to you when the first year of Zhenguan arrives."

"What does my virtuous son-in-law think?"

Su Liang was stunned when he heard this; the first year of Zhenguan!

This so-called first year of Zhenguan was naturally next year.

Subconsciously, he looked up at Li Er, feeling a little excited...

According to imperial etiquette, a princess's marriage must strictly follow the "Three Letters and Six Rites."

It is more complicated than the "Three Letters and Six Rites" of ordinary people.

The Six Rites are: Proposal, Asking for the Name, Consulting the Oracle, Sending Betrothal Gifts, Choosing the Date, and Personal Welcoming.

Proposal refers to the man's family asking a matchmaker to go to the woman's family to propose marriage. After the woman's family agrees to discuss the marriage, the man's family must prepare gifts to go and propose.

Asking for the Name is the process of the man's family asking the matchmaker for the woman's name and date of birth.

Consulting the Oracle is the process of the man's family taking the woman's name and birth date back to the ancestral temple to ask for a good omen. After obtaining a good omen, the man's family will prepare gifts to notify the woman's family and then decide to get married.

Sending Betrothal Gifts, also called "sending money," is the process of the man's family sending betrothal gifts to the woman's family, commonly known in later generations as sending a bride price.

Choosing the Date is when the man's family sets the wedding date and then prepares gifts to inform the woman's family, asking for the woman's family's consent.

Personal Welcoming is when the woman's family sends the dowry and makes the bed a day or two before the wedding, and the next day the groom personally goes to the woman's family to welcome the bride.

The Three Letters include the Letter of Betrothal, the Letter of Gifts, and the Letter of Welcoming.

The Letter of Betrothal is the document for the man and woman to get engaged, the letter sent by the man's family to the woman's family when consulting the oracle.

The Letter of Gifts is the document used when giving the big gifts, the gift list listing the items and quantities needed when giving the big gifts during the betrothal.

The Letter of Welcoming is the document for welcoming the bride, the document handed by the man to the woman when the bride enters the door.

"Does Your Majesty mean to marry the Princess to me in three months?"

Emperor Li Er said "hmm."

He looked surprisingly relaxed.

Now that the great enemy had fled, the petty thieves did not dare to continue to make trouble.

Emperor Li Er naturally relaxed...

And after relaxing, Li Er naturally thought of the big event of marrying off his daughter.

Although he had previously betrothed Changle to Su Liang.

But no specific date had been set.

"This matter is a big event."

"After all, Changle is the legitimate eldest princess of our Great Tang."

"I will order the Ministry of Rites to handle this matter properly."

Su Liang was instantly overjoyed.

He was about to bow and salute immediately.

But was stopped by Li Er reaching out.

"Since Your Majesty treats me with such great kindness, I also have a big gift for Your Majesty!"

Su Liang pretended to be mysterious.

"Virtuous son-in-law, what is the big gift?"

Emperor Li Er asked.

"Hot pot and fine wine!"

Su Liang blurted out.

Then the two looked at each other and smiled.

When Su Liang walked out of the Liangyi Hall.

Around him, a large group of officials came to flatter him again.

There was chattering around Su Liang, and everyone was full of smiles!

Su Liang was speechless.

After some pleasantries, he walked away quickly and returned to his Furong Garden.