Chapter 1702: ü-Tsangs Dread! (1/2)
Chapter 1702: Ü-Tsang's Dread!
No one was more excited than the nearby Ü-Tsang to hear of Big Dipper Great General's Geshu Han's death. For Ü-Tsang, the Big Dipper Great General and the Big Dipper City he had established in Longxi were a thorn that was deeply embedded into Ü-Tsang's side.
The prosperous Central Plains was a large granary, a reserve food supply for Ü-Tsang.
For hundreds of years, generation after generation, Ü-Tsang was accustomed to leading their horses down to the east and plundering the Great Tang to fill their stores. But when Geshu Han took command, Longxi became more prosperous than ever before, yet Ü-Tsang could only watch this 'fat sheep' get fatter, powerless to take it for themselves.
The long tradition of plunder and raiding had ceased to exist, and this was solely because of the Big Dipper Great General.
This was not because Ü-Tsang had changed its mind or suddenly found its conscience. This was a lesson paid for with the lives of several hundred thousand cavalry.
”Imperial Minister, good news! Wonderful news!
”Geshu Han is dead! He's actually dead!”
A horseman rode across the vast Tibetan Plateau, leaving a trail of dust as he galloped into the royal capital. The mounted Tibetan general excitedly waved around the letter in his hand, his face red, as he dismounted and rushed into the palace.
Ü-Tsang and the Great Tang had fought for many years, and the last few wars as of late had pushed Ü-Tsang to the brink. But now, the death of Geshu Han in Big Dipper City was like a blessing from the heavens. No one had expected to receive such a 'gift' at this time.
”Great Minister…”
But when the Tibetan general crossed the threshold and entered the main hall, he froze.
Gray smoke churned in the hall, and the various generals had all lined up in their places. It seemed as if they had all received word much earlier than he had.
But strangely, all of them were standing in silence.
”This is…”
The Tibetan general didn't know what to do, and as his mouth opened to say a few words, he was stopped by a nearby general. Following the gaze of a colleague, he saw that on the raised platform, the most intelligent and most illustrious Imperial Minister, Dalon Trinling, was quietly seated, one of his hands resting on a deeply furrowed brow.
A serene and somber air permeated the hall, completely different from the joy he had expected.
”What is going on here?”
The Tibetan general couldn't help but be confused and flabbergasted.
”Pass on my order!” A dignified voice resounded through the hall as the motionless Dalon Trinling finally spoke. ”Immediately withdraw all our soldiers in the east by three hundred li, and raise a white banner in memorial. Besides that, send a royal emissary to Big Dipper City to offer our condolences!”
”Imperial Minister?!”
The crowd gasped in consternation upon hearing Dalon Trinling's words. The late-arriving general and all the other generals were flabbergasted. It was obvious that none of them had expected Dalon Trinling's order in the slightest.
”Imperial Minister! Geshu Han was a great foe of ours!”
”This scoundrel killed countless numbers of our people and we're going to offer condolences?!”
”Imperial Minister, we should be using this chance to attack and seize Big Dipper City! This is our best chance!”
The Tibetan generals were all agitated. They had all presumed that the Imperial Minister was contemplating some important decision, but none of them had imagined that it would be retreating three hundred li and mourning over their foe.
”My mind is set! There will be no argument!”
Dalon Trinling extended a hand and cut off all discussion with a single order.
All the Tibetan generals quickly withdrew. No matter how greatly they objected or how unacceptable they thought this was, no one could defy Dalon Trinling when his mind was made up. This had already become an unwritten law in Ü-Tsang.
Once everyone was gone, a deep and composed voice resounded within the hall. ”Imperial Minister, are we really not using this excellent chance to seize Big Dipper City?”
A stalwart figure emerged from a side hall. This was the Great General of the Yarlung Royal Lineage, Namri Songtian.
The Ü-Tsang Empire had taken grim losses in Great Generals over the last few wars, and Namri Songtian was one of the few that remained. When Big Dipper Great General Geshu Han suddenly died, Namri Songtian had ridden overnight to the royal capital to discuss what should be done next with Dalon Trinling.
But not even he had predicted Dalon Trinling's decision.
”Everyone will probably suspect that it was our Ü-Tsang who killed Geshu Han.”
Dalon Trinling shook his head, a profound light in his eyes. He was much more farsighted with regards to this sudden shift than anyone else.
”If the Great Tang had been weak right now, I would have immediately ordered the troops to deploy. Alas, the Great Tang's strength still remains, and that man in the capital is still hale and hearty. Although we will have a battle with the Great Tang one day, now is not the best time!”
Dalon Trinling had not named that man, but Namri Songtian knew that he was referring to the Son of Heaven's disciple, the King of Foreign Lands: Wang Chong.