Ju Wentai stood up unsteadily and said, "Back then, I went to Chang 'an City for my father, not to submit to the Heavenly Khan, but for the silk. Sure enough, the Emperors of the Central Plains were the same. The Tang Emperor and Emperor Yang of Sui both valued undeserved fame. With a little trick, Gaochang became the only passageway of the Silk Road. This allowed Gaochang to become increasingly wealthy and powerful, growing from a small city-state to its current state of eight hundred miles and twenty-two cities."
Thinking of his foresight back then, Ju Wentai couldn't help but feel proud. It was precisely because of this that Gaochang City had leapt from a small country to become the strongest country in the Western Regions, and Gaochang City had become the most majestic city in the Western Regions.
"Since Gao Chang prospered because of the silk of the Tang dynasty, why offend the Tang dynasty?" Qu Zhisheng was puzzled. Since the Tang dynasty was Gao Chang's financial backer, why would Gao Chang want to offend his own financial backer? Wouldn't that be cutting off his own path of wealth?
Ju Wentai helplessly said: "If it continues like this, Imperial Father naturally wouldn't want to offend the Tang dynasty. But now, Gao Chang is about to lose the silk. If Gao Chang doesn't act, it will only return to its original state, a small city-state in the Western Regions."
"Even if it loses the silk, in my opinion, the silk of Gao Chang Kingdom will not decrease, but increase!" Qu Zhisheng asked. With his knowledge, especially in recent years, the silk circulating in Gao Chang has greatly increased.
Ju Wentai angrily roared: "Silk? What does Gao Chang want silk for? It can't be eaten, and it can't keep warm. Gao Chang wants gold and silver. The Tang dynasty defeated the Tuyuhun, so the Silk Road can be used. And Yan Qi is jealous of Gao Chang's profits because of the silk. He secretly wrote a letter to avoid Gao Chang and open another silk road. How can Gao Chang allow it? "
Only then did Qu Zhisheng understand why his Imperial Father ignored the agreement between the Western Regions and insisted on attacking Yan Qi.
However, the Tang Emperor sent envoys to the various countries in the Western Regions to establish the so-called Tang dynasty's silk system. He fixed the price of silk and divided the profits equally among the countries. Countless merchants from the Tang dynasty poured into the Western Regions, openly bringing large amounts of silk to the West without paying taxes. Now, the silk that Gao Chang handles has soared ten times, and the profits from the silk are less than ten percent of the previous profits. The profits that originally belonged to Gao Chang are now all seized by the Tang dynasty. Tell me, how should Gao Chang deal with it? Should he let the Tang dynasty slaughter him? "Ju Wentai roared.
Ju Wentai believed that the silk system of the Tang dynasty was unfair. However, he didn't realize that the silk was originally produced by the Tang dynasty. Without the Tang dynasty, he wouldn't even get a single cent. Gao Chang monopolized the profits of the Silk Road for a long time, so he thought that it was natural for him to have it. Yan Qi attacked when the owner of the silk came. When the owner of the silk came, Gao Chang was like a dog protecting its food, barking crazily at its owner.
"So, Imperial Father ordered the interception of the Tang envoys and merchants from the Tang dynasty in order to reestablish the silk system." Qu Zhisheng suddenly understood.
Ju Wentai coldly said: "Yes, Gao Chang wants to take back his own benefits. If the Tang Emperor is unwilling, then Gao Chang will intercept the Tang envoys from the other countries in the West and block the merchants from the Tang dynasty in the East. He won't let a single bolt of silk flow to the Western Regions. At that time, let's see if the Tang dynasty will yield or not."
Only now did Qu Zhisheng understand Gao Chang's situation and his Imperial Father's plan. He understood his Imperial Father's good intentions, but there was another layer of worry in his heart.
"But what if the Tang dynasty really sends troops!" Qu Zhisheng worriedly said.
Everyone knew that Gao Chang and the Tang dynasty were not on the same level. Even the powerful Eastern Turks and Tuyuhun were defeated by the Tang Army, let alone Gao Chang.
Ju Wentai disapprovingly said: "Do you think that I, Gao Chang, have used all the wealth I obtained on the Silk Road to enjoy? Most of it was used to build Gao Chang City and the other 21 cities. Even if the Tang dynasty sends troops, Gao Chang only needs to defend the city and it will certainly make it difficult for the Tang Army to move. Not to mention, I have already promised Satoshi Tani and Ashina Khoru a lot of money. As long as the Western Turks help Gao Chang defeat the Tang dynasty, Gao Chang will share the benefits of the Silk Road with the Western Turks. "
Ju Wentai told Qu Zhisheng everything about his plan. Only then did Qu Zhisheng feel a little relieved.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is a secret report. The Tang dynasty has appointed Hou Junji as a General and mobilized 100,000 troops to attack Gao Chang." A Gao Chang soldier hurriedly came to report.
"100,000 troops!" Ju Wentai could not help but tremble. According to his estimation, Gao Chang could resist 30,000 Tang Army at most. But this time, the Tang dynasty sent 100,000 troops all at once. Gao Chang was afraid that he would not be able to resist.
"Where is the Tang Army now?" Qu Zhisheng quickly asked.
"According to the herdsmen, the Tang Army has crossed two thousand miles of the Gobi Desert and arrived at Qikou. They will arrive at Gao Chang City in a few days," the soldier said bitterly.
"They will arrive at Gao Chang in a few days!" Ju Wentai suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the ground, losing consciousness.
"Father! Father! " Qu Zhisheng shouted. Soon, doctors came to treat him. After a long time, Ju Wentai slowly woke up.
"Quick, go get General Helu!" After Ju Wentai woke up, the first thing he did was to ask the Western Turks for help. Now, only the Western Turks could resist the Tang dynasty and save Gao Chang.
However, Qu Zhisheng did not move. He smiled bitterly and said, "Replying to Father, when Father fainted, General Helu sent a message saying that he will return to the Turks and summon the troops. He also asked Gao Chang to hold the city until the Turks' reinforcements arrive."
Only then did Ju Wentai breathe a sigh of relief. With the promise of the Western Turks, he was a little more confident.
"Father, I'm afraid it will take a long time for the Turks' cavalry to arrive. Now, the most important thing for Gao Chang is to resist the Tang Army!" Crown Prince Qu Zhisheng said anxiously. If Gao Chang could not resist the Tang dynasty, how could they …
"Fortify all the cities. The Tang dynasty has 100,000 troops, so they must not have brought much provisions. As long as the Tang Army runs out of provisions, it will be the end of the Tang Army!" Ju Wentai ignored his weak body and stood up to give the order.
"Yes! Father is wise! In this way, we can definitely make the Tang Army retreat. "Qu Zhisheng nodded and said.
Ju Wentai shook his head and said, "We can't completely anger the Tang Army. Immediately send a messenger to the Tang Army. Tell them that Gao Chang is willing to make peace with the Tang dynasty. Gao Chang is willing to accept the Tang dynasty's silk system and asks the two countries to stop fighting and make peace."
"But if we do this, we will definitely offend the Turks." Qu Zhisheng hesitated.
Ju Wentai said helplessly, "The Tang Army has already arrived at the city. We can't care so much anymore. Right now, we have to get through Gao Chang first."
"Yes! Father! "Qu Zhisheng nodded and said.
With Ju Wentai's order, the entire Gao Chang immediately moved. All the herdsmen drove their cattle and sheep into the city. There was no one in the city at all.
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