Galqin Ling looked ahead. It was the only city on the plateau that he was familiar with - Luozue.
Although it was slightly tense without the peace and quiet of the past, fortunately there were no signs of military disaster.
To the northwest, the Potala Palace, which is almost completed, stands majestically among the remaining snow on the Red Mountain. In the Buddhist hall adjacent to it, the fragrance of Buddha lingers around the Sanskrit music.
Gal Qinling, who had never believed in Buddhism, closed his eyes and clasped his hands on his chest, softly chanting: "With the blessings of gods and Buddhas, I finally came back in time!"
The generals and colonels on the left and right saw this move of Garqin Ling and sighed secretly. After months of marching, no one in the army was on the verge of physical collapse. Previously, they were holding their breath and desperately returned to rescue the King's City. Now that they saw that the King's City was safe, everyone relaxed and suddenly felt boundless fatigue. They all wanted to lie down on their horses and fall asleep.
At this moment, countless people, monks and cavalry came out of the royal city ahead, setting up colorful flags, gongs and drums, and military formations outside the city.
The scene in front of them is very familiar to Gal Qinling and others. In the past, every time the Garqin Mausoleum returned to the royal city from Golmud or returned from an expedition, Zanpu would arrange such a grand ceremony to welcome it.
Today is no exception.
But in Gal Qinling's heart, there was no trace of the joy of returning home or the glory and sense of accomplishment of triumph. On the contrary, he felt very ashamed, awkward, and annoyed, just like when he was a child and studied calligraphy with a Sinology teacher. He wrote a line of handwriting that was shaped like a crawling earthworm that no one could decipher, and was displayed and praised by the teacher in public.
Several cavalrymen came forward, the leader of whom was holding Zanpu's azure sacred ox-tail jiecheng. It was Zanpu's personal attendant, and Gar Qinling recognized it.
When he was about to dismount, the attendant said: "Thank you, Marshal, you don't have to dismount. As usual, the minister will lead the horse and lead the way to the palace."
Gal Qinling's heart tightened again, and his face tensed up, looking very ugly.
But countless people were staring at him, so it was inconvenient for him to attack. He had no choice but to nod his head calmly.
Zanpu's attendant got off his horse, held Zanpu's Jiecheng high in one hand, and held the reins of Galqinling's horse in the other hand, and walked towards the palace.
Victory music was played, monks chanted scriptures, and paved the way with sacred water to ward off evil spirits and wish good luck. The people sang, danced and cheered to the music.
In the past, at this moment, Galqin Mausoleum was the happiest and most fulfilling place. But today... I feel like I have been stripped naked and paraded through the streets in a cage.
The taste is like a knife piercing the heart.
"Zanpu, what do you want to do?" At this moment, Galqinling had this only thought in his mind.
Entering the palace is like entering another world. In stark contrast to the lively and festive atmosphere outside the palace, there was an aura of solemnity in the palace. Everyone's expressions were solemn, and the silence was suffocating.
The main door of the palace was closed tightly, and there was no gathering of civil and military officials and Zanpu to welcome the victorious Marshal Galqin Ling as before.
Walking to the gate, the attendant said: "Marshal, please dismount and go to the Xichan Buddhist Hall to see Zampu."
Garqin Ling didn't say much. He got off his horse and prepared to move forward. The waiter who was supposed to be leading the way stopped, and glanced at the saber on Gal Qinling's waist, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.
An unknown anger rose up in Gal Qinling's heart. He gritted his teeth and still took off his sword and handed it to his attendant.
"You can go now!!"
"Marshal, forgive me!! I know that the marshal can carry his sword to the temple. However, it is not appropriate to carry weapons into the peaceful place of the Buddhist temple!"
"Stop talking nonsense and lead the way!"
"Yes Yes!"
Following the waiter as he walked towards the Western Zen Buddhist Hall, Gal Qinling's brows tightened. He had already prepared the worst plan in his mind - "Since I have lost the battle, I will admit it! The most that can be done is to deprive me of my official and military rights in accordance with the law and put a fox tail on my face. No matter how cruel it is, it is just Zhu Lian’s whole family, old and young, were buried alive in a deep well!”
"It's just one death, what's there to be afraid of! I, Garqin Ling, have served my country loyally and have a clear conscience!"
When he walked into the Buddhist hall, Gal Qinling's face was livid, and he seemed to be looking forward to death.
But when he saw the scene in front of him, his expression immediately changed.
In the Buddhist hall, the fragrance of Buddha is pleasant, the wood fish is quiet, and there is a gentle and peaceful atmosphere. Zanpu knelt in front of the Buddha's image, burning incense and chanting sutras; beside him stood an old man in noble clothes, also holding Buddha beads in his hand with his eyes slightly closed, and silently chanting the Buddha's name.
The old man is none other than Gar Qinling’s biological father and the great general (chief and assistant prime minister) of the Tubo Empire, Gar Dongzan Yusong! (Gar·Dongzan Yusong is the full name, and history books often call him "Ludongzan").
Gal Qinling hurriedly restrained his expression and bowed down, "Greetings to Zanpu, hello to...my father."
Dongzan Yusong looked at his son, his expression as calm as the Buddha above his head, and he said nothing. Zan Pu Qi Zong Nong Zan stood up, turned around and walked to Gar Qin Ling. He raised his hand and said: "Qin Ling is exempt from courtesy. Get up quickly."
"Xie Zanpu..." Gal Qinling stood up, feeling uneasy as he had never felt before.
A kind smile appeared on Qizong Nongzan's face, and he said: "I am in front of the Buddha, praying for your peace. It will be good when you are back, and I will feel at ease."
Gal Qinling glanced at his father, but his expression showed no hint of warning. For a moment, Gal Qinling didn't know what to say, so he had no choice but to nod.
"Qin Ling, do you know why I invited you to come to the Buddhist hall and see you here?" Qizong Nongzan suddenly asked.
"Brother... I don't know." Gar Qinling shook his head.
"Only in front of the Buddha can we maintain a sincere and calm heart. We will not lie, be impulsive, dare not deceive the Buddha, and will not deceive ourselves." Qizong Nongzan was still smiling, and his voice was very soft. Said, "Our dynasty has reached a point where its success or failure will depend on its survival. At this time, in addition to praying for the blessings of gods and Buddhas, we must also rely on our own choices and control."
Gal Qinling frowned slightly and tried to figure out every word of Zanpu's words, but for a moment he couldn't figure it out.
At this time, Dongzan Yusong, who had been standing aside for a long time and had not spoken for a long time, said: "Zanpu, let the veteran speak! - In front of the Buddha, let's not beat around the bush! Qinling, let's put aside the outcome of the war. Regardless, you made a fatal mistake during this expedition! This has led to our entire country facing catastrophe!"
"What's the mistake?" Gal Qinling asked calmly.
Although he is his biological father, unlike Galqin Ling, a tough fighter, Dalu Dongzan Yusong has always advocated reconciliation with Tang Yan. Therefore, the father and son actually have different political opinions and are at odds with each other in face and heart.
"You shouldn't attack Taozhou unexpectedly!" Dongzan Yusong looked sternly, stretched out his hand, pointed at the face of Garqin Mausoleum and said, "Whether it is Dafeichuan, Huanyue Valley or Yumen Pass, the outcome of the war has been decided. Nothing you can do can save the situation. In that case, the most important thing you should do is to preserve your strength and withdraw your troops to defend. But you pretended to be clever and attacked Taozhou by surprise, turning the western frontier of the Central Plains upside down. ! Although your military plan was completely successful, and the Tang Dynasty couldn't do anything to you and you escaped unscathed, the consequences of your move were not what you imagined!"
"What consequences can there be?" Gar Qinling's face darkened and he said coldly, "No matter how angry the lamb is, it is impossible for him to trample on the territory of the wolves! The purpose of my surprise attack on Taozhou was not to avenge a defeat. It was to Delaying the Tang Dynasty's offensive and framing Qin Mubai to alienate their monarchs and ministers. I understand the Han people who govern the country through Confucianism, and I also understand that the emperors of the Central Plains suffered such heavy losses. Qin Mubai and others were guilty of serious dereliction of duty. . This is called killing with a borrowed knife! Even if we can't kill Qin Mubai, it can still give us a precious breathing space!"
"You are wrong!" Dongzan Yusong shouted in a low voice, a little annoyed, "You just underestimated the Han people, underestimated Li Shimin, and also underestimated an opponent who has been defeated by you many times!"
"Father, you mean Hou Junji?" Gar Qinling smiled a little disdainfully.
"That's him." Dongzan Yusong's face was serious and angry, and he said every word, "Do you know where he hit now?"
"Where?" Gar Qinling's heart also twisted. When he withdrew his troops, he knew that Hou Junji had defeated Qingluo Plain and led his troops to the plateau, so he began to run madly to return to Luoquan for reinforcements. However, no movement regarding Hou Junji was detected along the way.
"He pushed all the way along the Kunlun Mountains, destroying tribes, killing people and setting fires. Wherever he went, chickens and dogs were left behind! Now, he is almost hitting Sun Bo!" Dongzan Yusong shouted, "Sun Bo!! I know it is. Where?"
Gal Qinling couldn't help but widen his eyes, obviously in disbelief! —Sun Bo, the largest tribal gathering place in front of the royal city, the last military barrier, and the fiefdom home of the Gar family!
"Zanpu! Father! I will immediately lead the army to annihilate Hou Junji!" Garqin Ling shouted, "How dare you be so presumptuous, see if I kill him without leaving any trace behind!"
"No need!" Dongzan Yusong shouted, "You have just returned from an expedition. The veterans are exhausted and exhausted. How can you fight in such a situation? - Just stay in Luozou and guard the royal city!"
Gal Qinling was shocked and looked at Zanpu in surprise.
Qi Zong Nong Zan still had that kind smile on his face, and said softly: "The big argument makes sense. Qin Ling, just stay in Luosue and assist me in guarding the royal city."
"Okay, I understand..." Gal Qinling closed his eyes, took a long breath, and nodded slowly. Reaching into his arms, he took out the ox-horn talisman that could mobilize all the Tibetan armies and symbolized supreme military authority, and held it in front of Zampu with both hands.
Qizong Nongzan did not reach out to pick it up. Instead, Dongzan Yusong took it and said: "I will personally lead the troops to Sunbo to resist Hou Junji! - Qinling, you can stay in Luoxue City with peace of mind. Recuperate!”
"Yes..." Gal Qinling gritted his teeth and nodded silently. Suddenly he woke up and said, "Father, you can't go!"
"Why?"
Gal Qinling frowned deeply, "Then Hou Junji is obviously willing to risk everything, and he is going to fight to the death! His combat ability is not weak to begin with, and now he is desperate, I'm worried..."
"Presumptuous! You mean, I'm not his opponent?" Dongzan Yusong was a little annoyed, "Don't forget, who held your butt and helped you onto the horse! Who took you into battle to kill the enemy for the first time! Who explained "The Art of War" to you?"
"It's father..." Gal Qinling lowered his eyelids and sighed softly.
"It's good to know! I'm not old yet!" Dongzan Yusong snorted, put the military talisman in his arms, looked at Gal Qinling with a rather unhappy expression, and said, "There is one more thing, I think I I should tell you too!”
"whats the matter?"
"The two younger brothers you sent to attack Yumen Pass and Yang Pass are all dead!" Dongzan Yusong said, "They had already conquered Yang Pass, and when they were about to capture Yumen Pass, Qin Mubai personally led troops to rush to help, and even more Xue Rengui led a hundred thousand Uighur, Turkic and Gaochang coalition forces to kill him! Zan Po was killed by Xue Rengui; Sido Yu led the captured Kunlun cavalry and surrendered to Qin Mubai! "
"What? Surrender?" Gar Qinling was really shocked!
He had expected that the lone army of Zanpo and Sita might eventually be defeated, or even annihilate the brothers and die on the battlefield, but he never thought that his biological brother, who is the same mother as him, and the Kunlun cavalry trained by himself , will surrender!
"Yes! Surrender!" Dongzan Yusong shouted, "Your military plan has completely failed! Not only did our allies like the Gaochang Turks betray us, but our brothers and sons also betrayed us! Your opponent Qin Mu Bai, I have always been underestimated by you! - Qin Ling, you still haven’t woken up! Your strategy of governing the country with hegemony is wrong. Now we have all turned against each other! To tell you the truth, it’s not that Zan Pu wants to take away your military power. I forced Zamp to do this! If we don’t make some changes at this time, then-"
Dongzan Yusong was already very excited, and the last two words were almost roaring - "Nation subjugation!!"
After listening to his father's roar, Gal Qinling was calm enough and said calmly: "I admit my military failure, but I don't think my way of governing the country is even slightly wrong, and I disdain to believe that someone can destroy me. Tubo Dynasty!"
"Enough! I don't want to listen to your strong arguments anymore!" Dongzan Yusong shouted angrily, "Zanpu has a kind heart and cannot bear to use national and military laws to deal with you. You must be content! - You must wake up to your misconduct. Take care of yourself!”
Gal Qinling swallowed his breath and responded calmly: "Yes..."
Dongzan Yusong turned around and saluted Abandoned Zong Nongzan, and said: "Zanpu please forgive me for my gaffe. Even in front of the Buddha, I can't hide the sadness, anger and anxiety in my heart. I will choose my troops and go there." Sun Bo, resist Hou Junji!"
"It's time to talk about it." Qizong Nongzan smiled and nodded, "First of all, we must defend the enemy from the wild and prevent our people from being poisoned by Hou Junji again, and then we must win and defeat them. Only by relying on victory to make friends can it be possible to fight with Datang has reached a peace alliance. I think Li Shimin should also know that after all, war will not do us any good. It will not be easy to go to the plateau and defeat us. "
"Yes, the old minister knows his mission... The old minister is gone!"
Dongzan Yusong left.
Qizong Nongzan walked up to Gar Qin Ling, faced him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Qin Ling, please forgive me!"
"My brother is incompetent, how can you blame Zanpu?" Gar Qinling said calmly.
"In my heart, you are still my flesh and blood brother and have never changed." Qizong Nongzan said, "But since we bear the fate of a dynasty and the lives and deaths of millions of people, we have to face reality. Occasionally, it’s okay to sacrifice something that belongs to you.”
Gal Qinling nodded lightly and said calmly: "As long as the facts prove that Zamp and father are right, I have nothing to say. I would rather disappear and no longer lead troops; if necessary, please dedicate me to Tang Go to seek peace, my heart, my will, my love, my wish!”