bookcurios Chapter 1157 The Peril of Khotan
Chapter 1157 The Peril of Khotan
Outside the encirclement, Zhang Yi sat firmly as a mountain.
He received daily reports, adjusted the blockade forces, and continued to employ psychological warfare tactics.
They deliberately allowed some captured Tibetan messengers to escape and return, sending false information towards Khotan.
From both physical and psychological perspectives, it gradually wore down Shiqi Pass's defensive will.
At the same time, Zhang Yi sent an envoy to the capital of Khotan.
The atmosphere was somber in the palace of King Yuchi Yao of Khotan.
When Gar's bloody head was presented in a box, the entire hall was shocked.
In the past few days, Wolf Throat Fort has changed hands, Wild Horse Post Station has been reduced to wasteland, and the Tibetan garrison troops have been routed...
A series of events unfolded so quickly that it was impossible to keep up.
Now, intelligence about the siege of Shiqi Pass is also on the table.
Everything points to a powerful Eastern force sweeping through Tibet's eastern strongholds at an astonishing pace.
Now, Daqing sent an envoy with the head of a Tibetan soldier, but his words did not force Yuchi Yao to take sides; he only hoped that the two countries would establish diplomatic relations.
But even a fool knows that the fact that the envoy didn't say it outright doesn't mean Khotan can continue to sit on the fence.
The debate in the hall was intense.
The pro-Tibetan nobles turned pale, emphasizing that Tibet still had a large army in the Western Regions and that Khotan should not easily break the alliance, otherwise it would suffer retaliation.
Other nobles pointed out that the main force of the Tibetan army on the eastern front was tied down, and the troops in the western regions were scattered. Now they could not even hold important places such as Langhoubao and Yemayi.
Looking at the Daqing army, they only targeted the Tubo, while not harming merchants and civilians in the slightest, and even distributing food to them, which was completely different from the Tubo's tyranny.
Khotan's submission to Tibet was out of necessity back then. Now that a more powerful force has arrived, why should it cling to Tibet, a dying tree?
Some even privately advised: "Your Majesty, Khotan and the Central Plains have a long-standing relationship."
"The Tibetans are like tigers and wolves. Today they are weak and they seek my help, but when they are strong, they will surely devour me."
"The new ruler of the East is quite remarkable. Why not send envoys to establish diplomatic relations with him as well, and make plans as soon as possible?"
Yu Chi Yao silently twirled the prayer beads.
He was nearly fifty years old, with a gaunt face and deep worry hidden in his eyes.
He had long been unable to endure the oppression of Tibet, but he feared its military might.
Today, the balance in the Western Regions is being disrupted.
Shiqi Pass is the northeastern gateway to Khotan and also crucial to the Tibetan control over Khotan.
save?
What can be done to save it?
What if I accidentally get burned?
not help?
How should we explain this to the Tibetans?
Whether that so-called Great Qing army can gain a foothold in the Western Regions remains to be seen.
Tibet dominated the Western Regions for many years, and all the countries suffered from "Tibetan phobia".
These small countries faced immense challenges in their survival, and they wouldn't have dared to make that choice unless they clearly saw the signs of Tibet's demise.
"Enough." Yu Chi Yao finally spoke, silencing the hall.
He slowly rose and glanced at the assembled officials: "Shiqi Pass is a dangerous pass that is not easy to conquer in a short time. However, the Tibetan troops are trapped and cut off from food and water, which is not a long-term solution."
"Khotan is a land of benevolence and righteousness; how can we sit idly by and watch our neighboring people and soldiers suffer?"
He paused, then said in an inscrutable tone, "Order the assembling of 500 Royal City Guards to head towards Shiqi Pass and deliver some food and provisions."
"However, the weather is not good for traveling now, so we must proceed slowly and not exceed twenty li per day..."
He looked at his trusted old ministers and said, "Select a capable and intelligent person, prepare gifts, and send him with my letter to Wolf's Throat Fort to pay a visit to General Zhang of Daqing."
"One must be respectful in one's words, probe the truth of the matter, and observe the intentions behind it."
"But remember, it's a visit, not an agreement to become friends."
When two lions fight, Khotan is nothing more than a hyena compared to them. How could it possibly get involved?
Yu Chi Yao ultimately dared not make a choice and could only hedge his bets.
While sending support to Tibet, they also dispatched envoys to contact the commander of Daqing and ascertain his attitude.
Only in this way can we create room for negotiation for Khotan.
Although such an action is hardly honorable, it is the safest step he can think of at the moment.
. . . . . .
Zhang Yi soon received an urgent report from scouts regarding the movements of Khotan.
He glanced at Shi Qiguan, who was still under strict lockdown, and a cold, hard smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
The pressure from within the pass is already sufficient, and the reaction of the Khotan people is also within His Majesty's expectations.
These people from the Western Regions were cowardly as mice; they would not make a choice until the very last moment.
It's time to add fuel to the fire in this stalemate.
That night, a fire suddenly broke out in the granary inside Shiqi Pass.
He said he'd add fuel to the fire, and he really did.
Although the fire was quickly extinguished, it resulted in the loss of a batch of stored grain and triggered even greater panic within the Great Wall.
Meanwhile, the Khotan envoy arrived at Wolf's Throat Fortress, respectfully presenting gifts to express Yuchi Yao's respect for the Celestial Empire, and subtly inquiring about the royal army's long-term plans for the Western Regions.
Zhang Yi and Luo Yueniang received the envoy, but their attitude was lukewarm.
Zhang Yi emphasized that the royal army came only to punish the tyranny of Tibet and had no other intentions toward the Western Regions.
However, anyone who continues to aid and abet the evildoers will be considered an accomplice of the Tibetans and will be punished along with them!
Seeing that he had not received any news, the envoy requested to return home to report.
Luo Yueniang smiled gently and reassured him, telling him to wait a few more days, as there would be a good show to watch.
Although the envoy had doubts, he dared not disobey Luo Yueniang and could only settle down.
The following day, the desperate garrison inside Shiqi Pass, after several days without food, finally broke into infighting.
Several officers, along with some slave soldiers, killed their commander and surrendered.
Shiqi Pass fell without a fight.
Following precedent, Zhang Yi dealt with the ringleader and released most of the prisoners.
In front of the Khotan delegation, they returned some of the supplies stockpiled inside the pass to several Khotan border tribes that had suffered the most damage.
The messengers were all numb.
He was caught in a dilemma: whether to accept Daqing's kind offer or not.
If I accept the offer, wouldn't that mean I've already reached an agreement with Daqing? Once the Tibetan side finds out, there will be no turning back.
Refusing would be even worse. You're currently on Qingjun's territory. If someone offers you a gift and you don't accept it, what, do you look down on Daqing?
Ultimately, the envoy accepted the supplies.
After all, the threat from Tibet was far away, while the Qing people were right in front of them.
A group of fierce generals from Daqing were looking at him with smiles, their hands on their swords. The envoy dared not imagine what would happen if he refused.
So the envoy returned to the capital of Khotan with a heart full of worries and supplies.
When the news reached Khotan, the court was in turmoil.
The pro-Tibetan faction immediately lost power, while voices advocating contact with the Eastern powers and even using their strength to break free from Tibet surged.
After all, they had already accepted the gifts, so the people of Khotan dared not gamble that the Tibetans would not find out about it.
As it turned out, they were right.
The day after the envoy from Khotan returned, Zhang Yi sent people to spread the word that Khotan had accepted gifts from Daqing.
How could the division of spoils not be publicized?
Yuchi Yao had no choice but to order the withdrawal of reinforcements and send more troops to the border to prevent the Tibetans from taking their anger out on him and launching an attack.
Although Shiqi Pass was lost, the Tibetan Empire's rule in the Western Regions did not completely collapse.
Upon learning the news, the Tibetan generals stationed in major towns such as Shule and Kucha were furious.
On one hand, they urgently requested aid from Lhasa, and on the other hand, they gathered the troops they could muster and, under the pretext of punishing the rebels, brazenly crossed the border and headed straight for several vassal tribes northeast of Khotan.
As usual, they burned, killed, and looted, attempting to intimidate Khotan with swift and decisive action and force it to take sides.
The flames of war finally reached the homeland of Khotan.
Yuchi Yao was both shocked and furious. He had originally intended to observe for a while longer and take advantage of the Qing army's momentum to get rid of the Tibetans, but he did not expect the Tibetans to react so fiercely and directly.
The guards sent to mediate collapsed as soon as they came into contact with the Tibetan army, and urgent reports from border tribes pleading for help came like snowflakes.
Khotan was a small and weak country with a standing army of only a few thousand, and its fighting strength could not compare with that of the regular army of Tibet.
Although the pro-war faction in North Korea is vocal, they have no confidence in a real war.
Asking for help?
Tibet is the wolf before our eyes, while the Qing army in the east is the tiger in the distance. It's easy to invite a god, but hard to send him away.
Just as Yuchi Yao was in a state of utter distress, the Tibetan army became even more arrogant.
Not only did they defeat two tribes, but their military might also began to threaten the homeland of Khotan.
Zhang Yi remained stationary at Wolf's Throat Fortress.
Despite the fervent emotions of the generals of Shazhou, especially those who had a blood feud with the Tubo.
"General, the envoy from Khotan has arrived again, this time to plead for help. The Tibetans are attacking!"
"Let's fight! It'll be a perfect opportunity to attack from both inside and outside, and wipe out that Tibetan army!"
"Yes, General! If we don't act now, when will we?"
"They will be eternally grateful for our rescue of Khotan!"
Several young officers from the former Shazhou Army echoed this sentiment.
Zhang Yi sat calmly in the main seat, without answering immediately.
After everyone had finished speaking, he looked at Luo Yueniang standing to the side.
Luo Yueniang remained calm. When she saw Zhang Yi looking over, she nodded slightly and said, "The Tibetan army may seem fierce, but they are actually an isolated force deep in enemy territory with little support."
"Their intention was to force Khotan to submit, not to destroy the country. Although the Khotan army was weak, it could still hold out for a while by relying on the cities and oases."
"If I rush to their aid now, it would be like sending charcoal in the snow, but it would also be a waste of resources. Moreover, it would make Khotan think that my master will definitely come to their aid, which would weaken our momentum."
She paused, her voice cold: "We must make Khotan understand who truly decides their fate."
"We need to let the wounded wolf from Tibet expend its strength and ferocity a little longer."
A hint of agreement flashed in Zhang Yi's eyes; this was exactly what he had in mind, and also what His Majesty intended.
He raised his hand to quell the commotion in the tent and echoed, "General Luo is absolutely right."
Seeing this, the generals understood that the two powerful figures had reached an agreement, and no one dared to say anything more.
Zhang Yi immediately ordered: "Reorganize the army and prepare for war, strengthen reconnaissance and sentry posts. Without my army's order, no one may move a single soldier across the border."
“Tell the envoy from Khotan that the royal army is stationed here to protect the trade routes and pacify the border, not to defend against foreign aggression.”
"However, if the war spreads to the merchants and civilians I protect, and innocent people are slaughtered, my army cannot stand idly by."
This statement left an opening, and also passed the buck back to the person in charge.
It's not the right time to act; Khotan is not yet afraid.
At least we should wait until Khotan has shed enough blood and the Tibetan army shows signs of exhaustion before we can make our move.
The order was given, but the Shazhou Division and the Qing Army's remaining troops continued to prepare for battle, merely observing from the sidelines.
Scouts continuously relayed information about the battle situation at the front.
The Khotan army suffered repeated defeats, losing oases one after another and incurring heavy casualties.
Although the Tibetan army won several battles, its supply lines were stretched due to continuous fighting and deep penetration into enemy territory.
Panic intensified in Khotan, and the country was in complete chaos.
Yu Chi Yao finally couldn't hold on any longer.
The Tibetans had their swords at their necks, yet the Eastern army remained standing by and watching.
Yu Chi Yao wasn't stupid; he certainly knew what Da Qing wanted.
For now, we have no choice but to give it to him.