Behind the gate.
Tuyuhun commander's tent.
Fu Yun's expression was gloomy as he stared at the arrogant Tibetan spy leader standing in front of him.
At noon, the Tibetan spy leader who was hiding in Jishi Mountain entered his camp and handed him a letter written by Songzan with the national seal.
This letter was both a letter and a formal alliance agreement.
In the letter, Songzan asked him to submit to Tubo.
"Has the Ruler thought it through? Should he wait for the Tang army to conquer Tuyuhun and become a Tang prisoner, or become a vassal of Tubo?”
"At the same time, we agreed to attack the city. As long as we break through Tumen Pass, Tubo can mobilize troops into Tuyuhun and provide help! The country ruler would be able to enjoy glory and wealth in the future.”
"They are still people with great power in Tuyuhun, but they have to listen to the orders of our Tubo!”
Fu Yun was furious.
Tubo, Tuyuhun.
The two political powers were on the plateau. From the very beginning, they were naturally hostile.
The two sides had been fighting each other for decades.
Just like the change of dynasties in the Central Plains.
The Tuyuhun, which had existed for more than a hundred years, was corrupt internally, greedy for pleasure, and lax in its military preparations. In the face of the rising Tubo, which had shown its sharpness, although it had a deep foundation, it had always been at a disadvantage in the battle.
In recent years, a large amount of Tuyuhun's territory had been nibbled away by Tubo.
He could only barely rely on the dangers of Jishi Mountain to protect the Bai Hai Grassland.
Most of the plateau was captured by Tubo.
Now, the new nobles demanded that the old nobles bow their heads and be demoted to vassals.
Fu Yun felt extremely humiliated.
However, reality made Fu Yun not dare to reject him.
Li Ke's tenacity was unexpected.
The battle at Tumen Pass was intense.
He only had 20,000 soldiers left.
Of the 100,000 Tuyuhun elites, less than half would be left after this battle.
Tuyuhun alone could no longer maintain his former glory and wealth.
The arrogant Tang of the Central Plains had suffered great losses in this battle, and they would definitely take revenge on him in the future.
Surrendering to the Tang was not an option for Fu Yun.
The olive branch extended by the upstart forces of the plateau, who were also rising in the plateau, although they were not of the same language and race, but had more similar customs, seemed to be a good choice.
The only thing that made Fu Yun hesitate was his dignity.
In the past, he was the overlord of a region. How could he put down his pitiful self-esteem and be like the proud head of his little brother in the past?
"Country Ruler, please agree. We have no other choice.”
"Ruler, this is the best choice for Tuyuhun.”
……
Every declining dynasty was strangely similar. There were loyal people who died for their country, but more of them were greedy for pleasure. They did not hesitate to sell everything they could sell, just to keep their glory and wealth.
The request of the tribal officials gave Fu Yun a way out.
I don't feel sorry for my son to sell his father's land.
Fu Yun said in silence,"Alright, I can agree to Zanpu's conditions. From now on, Tuyuhun will be the Tibetan vassal!" But he also hoped that Zanpu would keep his promise!”
"Of course. Congratulations to the King for making the right choice!”
Tubo and Tuyuhun reached an alliance.
Fu Yun directed his remaining anger and humiliation at Li Ke, who was inside Tumen Pass.
An even more intense battle was about to break out.
It was night.
Dafei River.
"Your Majesty, Qin Chengniu and the other two generals have conquered!”Excited and joyful news came from outside the tent as Wang De jogged in.
However, both Li Shi Min and the officials in the tent didn't look too good.
A moment later, Qin Shubao, Cheng Yaojin, and Niu Jinda entered the military tent, their bodies emitting blood Qi.
"Uncle Bao, are the three of you injured?”Li Shi Min asked with concern.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. A group of rats can't hurt me.”Cheng Yaojin was the first to speak, and then he said angrily,"Murong Xiaojuan is like a rat, disgusting. Your Majesty, it has been seven days, and we have only taken down one Dafei Chuan.”
"That's right. I'm afraid we won't be able to last another seven days in the direction of Earth Gate Pass.”
"The last letter reported that there were only 30,000 people left at Tumen Pass.”
"The last letter reported that there were only 20,000 people left in Tumen Pass.”
"How many soldiers does His Highness Ke have?”
"Report!"
"The latest battle report from Tumen Pass!"
Hearing the voice outside the tent, Li Shiming and his subjects hurriedly stood up,"Quick, quickly report the battle to me!"
" Father Jun Jian, Songzan is indeed the lord of the plateau. The Tubo nomads are good at archery. Since the construction of the Tucheng, the losses of the Left and Right Wu Wei brothers have risen again…"
" After three days of fierce battle, Tumen Pass has turned into a soundless millstone of flesh and blood. Brothers climbed up the city wall in batches and fell down in batches…"
"Enemies attacked from both sides. The battle lasted until the fifth day of the fourth month of the tenth year of Zhenguan. There were not many elites left in the Helian tribe. Your son no longer needs to worry about internal dangers…"
" We have 40,000 brothers in the Left and Right Guards. Now, we have 12,000 soldiers that can be used in battle…"
"Tubo and Tuyuhun's losses are twice your son's. Your son believes that Tubo and Tuyuhun are also exhausted.”
"But your son judges that Songzan is not someone who will easily admit defeat.”
"In the final battle, whether it's the Tubo or the Tuyuhun, they will stake everything and make a final gamble.”
"Your son will definitely defend Tumen Pass to the last man…"
"Old man, let's not talk nonsense. To be honest, your son is afraid of death, but so many brothers died at Tumen Pass. Even if your son is afraid of death, I can't let my brothers 'blood flow in vain.”
"Your son hopes that the Imperial Court will treat our brothers fairly after we die in battle. I hope that the Imperial Court will take care of their families.”
"In addition, I will use this hard work in exchange for you to be more lenient to Consort Mother in the future. I will reluctantly give that little ingrate Li Yin and his unborn brother or sister a credit.”
"Enough, you've said too much nonsense…"
Li Shimin intercepted the last letter between father and son and handed the rest to his courtiers.
Under the candlelight, Li Shiming's eyes were red and misty.
The unlucky child who was laughing and cursing and was useless seemed to be right in front of him, smiling and bargaining with him.
With that bastard's character of cherishing his life and enjoying life, he would never have written such a letter if he had no other choice.
"This…"
"The pillars of the country are only so-so. Your Highness Ke, the Left and Right Military Guards have already done enough for the country and the people.”
"Your Majesty, we have to think of a way to save His Highness Ke and the others.”
……
No matter how much they disliked Li Ke's unreasonable behavior, their eyes were wet at this moment.
It was too tragic!
The Tang Army was indeed the strongest army in the world.
However, the casualty ratio of more than 50% was already the limit.
Now, the casualties at Tumen Pass had already reached more than 70%!
They were still stubbornly defending.
"Perhaps this is the quality that His Highness mentioned at the beginning of the training? The soldiers were literate and knew righteousness and loyalty.”Li Jing said solemnly.
"No, it also depends on the ability and charisma of the person leading the army. If it was someone else, even if the soldiers knew righteousness and loyalty, they would definitely not be able to do it.”Duan Xuanzhi shook his head.
"Your Majesty, contact the Tibetans." At this moment, Zhangsun Wuji stood up and sighed."Make peace with the Tibetans and agree to Songzan's conditions so that he can withdraw his troops?”
"How can Songzan retreat now?”
"Maybe a marriage alliance can work."
"Shut up!" At the mention of the marriage alliance, a cold rebuke came from the marshal's seat. Li Shiming closed his eyes and opened them again, looking extremely cold.
"If the marriage saved Li Ke, he might as well die in battle!”
"Send a message to Tumen Pass. Tell them to hold on for three days. In three days, the reinforcements from the Imperial Court will arrive!”
To conquer Dafei River in three days?
The ministers understood in their hearts.
This was a fake order to boost the morale of the soldiers at Tumen Pass.
Only with hope could the soldiers fight to the end.
"After tomorrow, regardless of casualties, regardless of the cost, attack Dafei Chuan!”Under Li Shimin's decision, the matter was settled.
Li Shiming's reinforcements were also destined to not reach Tumen Pass before the battle.
The next morning.
Before and after Tumen Pass, war drums thundered.
Under the protection of the shieldmen, the archers from both sides exchanged fire as they climbed up the city.
"Li Ke! You are a respectable opponent, but this is your last battle. Fu Yun has already defended the Tubo territory. Today, we will attack both the front and back of the pass. Are you ready?”
The whistling of arrows and Songzan's shouts rang out.
Li Ke pushed aside the shield soldier in front of him and shouted in response,"Songzan, this king will be waiting for you on the city walls!”
"Send the signal! Attack!"
Songzan said coldly.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A few fireworks soared into the sky, and explosions sounded. At the same time, the sound of the war drums sounded even more urgently.
"Kill them!"
"Kill! Kill!"
……
Groups of Tubo and Tuyuhun soldiers walked out of the tunnel in an orderly manner.
The archers on the city wall no longer had any arrows to fire.
The few arrows left were used to provide cover for the infantry on the city wall.
Moreover, Li Ke did not have enough archers.
The battle had lasted until now.
The city was already at the end of its rope.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。