Empress Zhangsun wasn't the only one. Thousands of miles away in Tubo, there was another person who was also worried about his child. He was Tubo's Prime Minister, Lu Dongzan.
"Father, there has been no news from second brother." Lu Dongzan's eldest son, Zan Xiruo, came to his father's side and said. Ever since he learned that Lun Trinling, who led five thousand cavalry, was defeated by a mere one thousand men, Lu Dongzan had clearly aged.
"Is there any news from Mo Jiazi?" Lu Dongzan sighed and asked after a long time.
Zan Xiruo shook his head. "Tubo's spies in Tuyuhun have all sent word that Mo Jiazi chased second brother into the Eight Hundred Mile Sea and hasn't returned."
Lu Dongzan felt a bit better when he heard that Mo Jiazi hadn't returned either. Lun Trinling didn't lose face for him. Although he lost to Mo Jiazi, he still went into the Eight Hundred Mile Sea with the resolve to die. He even lured Mo Jiazi into the Eight Hundred Mile Sea.
"Father, don't worry. The Eight Hundred Mile Sea is incomparably vast. Perhaps second brother just got lost or is hiding in some oasis?" Lu Dongzan's eldest son comforted him.
Lu Dongzan shook his head and said, "You and I are both aware of the terror of the Eight Hundred Li Sea. Neither the Mo Clan's son nor Lun Trinling could stay there for so long. Moreover, the second escape route I gave your Second Brother hasn't been used yet. I'm afraid your Second Brother is already dead. However, your Second Brother's death was worth it. As long as he can drag the Mo Clan's son to death in the Eight Hundred Li Sea, all of his sacrifices will be worth it.
Lu Dongzan found it laughable. Exchanging five thousand men for Mo Jiazi's head, even if he had to sacrifice his own son, was worth it. This was Mo Jiazi's value.
Lu Dongzan had always thought that he had overestimated Mo Jiazi. He had used 5,000 Tubo Cavalry to ambush Mo Jiazi's Firearms Division, but they had been defeated by Mo Jiazi. According to the news from the Tang dynasty, it had been a crushing defeat.
He had underestimated Mo Jiazi, underestimated the power of gunpowder in a field battle. In the end, he had paid a terrible price. Fortunately, Lun Trinling had used mutual destruction to save him some face. As long as Mo Jiazi did not come back, he would have done a great service.
Just as Lu Dongzan was about to accept reality, a Tufan messenger hurriedly came to report, "Reporting to the Great Minister, news has come from Qimo. The Mohist Master has appeared in Qimo's area. The four hundred firearms supervisors who were chasing after the Young Master have also appeared."
Lu Dongzan's face paled and his body swayed. Lu Dongzan's eldest son hurriedly supported him. He could clearly sense his father's weakness.
"Father, restrain your grief!" Lu Dongzan's eldest son consoled softly. Although he was Lu Dongzan's eldest son and lacked both status and power, he knew that Lu Dongzan's favorite was his second son, Lun Trinling.
When Tubo ambushed the Firearms Division, Lu Dongzan's father had mobilized five thousand men and given such an important task to Lun Trinling to pave the way. However, things did not go as planned. Mo Guzi was simply too heaven-defying. He had actually killed his second brother.
"Mo Jiazi!" Lu Dongzan gritted his teeth. Since Mo Jiazi had appeared in Qimo with four hundred Firearms Division soldiers, it was easy to imagine that Lun Trinling's bones would be buried in the yellow sand. The pain of killing his son was irreconcilable. This time, Lu Dongzan's anger soared.
"Father, don't be rash. The Tang dynasty is powerful. Mo Jiazi has already returned to the Tang dynasty. We need to take things slowly." Zanxiruo advised.
Lu Dongzan's red face slowly calmed down. However, Zanxiruo could clearly sense the suppressed anger in Lu Dongzan's heart.
"Great Minister, Songzan Gambu invites you in!" Suddenly, a messenger hurried over.
Lu Dongzan's face turned pale. He had arbitrarily ordered Lun Trinling to lead five thousand cavalry to ambush Mo Jiazi. Previously, it was unknown whether Lun Trinling and Mo Jiazi were dead or alive. However, now that Mo Jiazi had appeared, Tubo had lost five thousand cavalry for nothing. Furthermore, they had offended the Tang dynasty. This responsibility naturally fell on Lu Dongzan's shoulders.
"Father!" Zanxiruo said nervously.
Lu Dongzan shook his head and said, "It's fine. I was wrong in this matter. I have to bear the consequences. As a father, I still have a sense of responsibility."
Lu Dongzan quickly arrived in front of a palace. Tubo's officials were gathered inside. When they saw Lu Dongzan, many of them showed sympathetic expressions. Obviously, they had also heard the news of Mo Jiazi's appearance.
Lu Dongzan walked to the head of the officials. When he saw that the throne was empty, he couldn't help but frown and ask, "Where is Zanxiruo?"
One of Tubo's officials replied, "Great Minister has not been paying attention to the court recently. Tubo is about to have a new queen!"
"A new queen?" Lu Dongzan couldn't help but frown. One must know that Tubo Zanxiruo's marriage was not a trivial matter. Usually, it was related to marriage. Previously, Songzan Gambu's queen was the Empress of Mud. If he married a new queen, wouldn't it offend Mud? Although Tubo's strength was no longer afraid of Mud, Tubo had already offended the Tang dynasty. It was really not good to offend Mud.
"Here she comes!" The officials whispered. Lu Dongzan's eyes flashed. He saw Songzan Gambu bringing a woman to the court. The woman's appearance was Han. How could Lu Dongzan, who had been to the Tang dynasty many times be mistaken?
"We pay our respects to Zanxiruo!" Tubo's officials saluted.
Songzan Gambu was tall and only 23 years old. He was in the prime of his life. Everyone knew that Mo Jiazi was young and talented. However, in Tubo, Songzan Gambu's experience was not inferior to Mo Jiazi. Songzan Gambu was only 13 years old when he became Zanxiruo's Zanxiruo. After that, he was like a cheater. He quelled the rebellion, annexed Yangtong and Su Bi, unified the Tubo plateau, and made Tubo a powerful country. Songzan Gambu's contributions were great. Even Lu Dongzan was convinced by Songzan Gambu.
Now, Tubo's hero, Songzan Gambu, looked at the Han woman beside him with a doting expression and said softly: "What is love in this world? It makes people live and die for each other. This Zanxiruo has never understood the love story written by Mo Jiazi. Until I saw Wen 'er while hunting. At that moment, I understood that I must marry this woman and spend the rest of my life with her. I am afraid this is love."
Songzan Gambu and Wen 'er's love story was very old-fashioned and cliché. Wen' er, who was originally the daughter of a merchant in the Tang dynasty, followed her father to Tubo to do business. However, they were attacked by wild beasts. Songzan Gambu, who was hunting, saved the damsel in distress. Songzan Gambu was handsome and had a high status. He immediately captured Wen 'er's heart. Songzan Gambu also fell in love with Wen' er at first sight.
"My status is lowly. I am afraid I am not worthy of Zanxiruo." Wen 'er looked at the group of ministers and couldn't help but feel a burst of fear. She timidly said. She was the daughter of a merchant. Who would have thought that one day, she would be favored by the king of a kingdom? This was simply like a dream.
"It's okay. It won't be long before your status becomes noble." Songzan Gambu said softly.
"I am afraid I am not qualified for the position of Queen." Wen 'er said timidly.
Songzan Gambu shook his head and did not answer. Instead, he turned to look at the officials and said: "Wen 'er is a Han. Although this Zanxiruo and this Zanxiruo are in love, this Zanxiruo has decided to go to the Tang dynasty again. This Zanxiruo offers five thousand taels of gold and hundreds of treasures. I only ask that Zanxiruo allow Wen' er to marry into Tubo as a princess."
"Ah!" Suddenly, there was an uproar among the officials of Tubo.
"Go to the Tang dynasty! Just for an ordinary merchant's daughter. " The officials were puzzled. One must know that Tubo and the Tang dynasty were now completely hostile. If they went to the Tang dynasty now, they would only be humiliated. And the purpose was even more ridiculous. It was because Songzan Gambu wanted to give a merchant's daughter the status of a princess for love.
"Zanxiruo, how can this Zanxiruo be so favored by this Zanxiruo?" Wen 'er was moved to tears.
Songzan Gambu said affectionately: "Money is just a worldly possession. As long as you can become this Zanxiruo's Queen, this is nothing."
The officials of Tubo looked at the two people who were affectionate and could not help but frown. However, because of Songzan Gambu's prestige, no one said anything.
"Minister Lu, you have experience in going to the Tang dynasty several times. This time, I will leave it to you to go to the Tang dynasty to ask for a princess status for Wen 'er. How about it?" Songzan Gambu said firmly.
"Lu Dongzan is going to the Tang dynasty." In an instant, the officials of Tubo woke up from their deep love and felt their hair stand on end. Lu Dongzan had just sent his son to kill Mo Jiazi and had already offended the Tang dynasty. At this moment, Songzan Gambu asked Lu Dongzan to go to the Tang dynasty. Wasn't this asking Lu Dongzan to jump into the tiger's mouth? How could the Tang dynasty let Lu Dongzan go?
Lu Dongzan paused and then bowed respectfully: "Minister accepts the order!"
The officials of Tubo turned to look at Lu Dongzan. No one thought that Lu Dongzan would accept the order without hesitation. Wasn't this taking the initiative to die?
Until now, the officials of Tubo suddenly realized Songzan Gambu's intention. The so-called marrying Wen 'er as Queen and asking for a princess status from the Heavenly Khan only had one purpose, which was to show weakness to the Tang dynasty. This was the real Songzan Gambu, a wise lord with great talent and bold vision, but also dared to endure. Perhaps only the silly woman Wen' er foolishly believed in the love of an emperor.
Soon, the details of the diplomatic mission were approved. The officials of Tubo respectfully bowed to Songzan Gambu and Lu Dongzan, admiring the sacrifice of the two people.
"Everyone, leave! Minister Lu, stay. I have something to tell you. "Songzan Gambu said loudly.
The officials sighed and left one after another. Songzan Gambu also sent Wen 'er away. Suddenly, only Songzan Gambu and Lu Dongzan were left in the hall.
"Minister Lu, you can't blame me." Songzan Gambu looked straight at Lu Dongzan and said slowly in a deep voice.
Lu Dongzan shook his head and said: "Minister doesn't dare. This time, it was the Minister's fault that caused Tubo to be in danger. Since that's the case, then let the Minister's head appease the anger of the Tang dynasty."
Songzan Gambu said helplessly: "The Tang dynasty has always been powerful. With gunpowder, the Tang dynasty is even more invincible. Tubo and the Tang dynasty are neighbors. Although they have the protection of the highland god, they are still no match for the Tang dynasty. If we can't get the forgiveness of the Tang dynasty, Tubo will be in danger. "
"Zangpu's decision is correct. Today, Tubo is really not suitable to be the enemy of the Tang dynasty. The death of the Minister is not regrettable, but it's difficult for Zangpu." Lu Dongzan said sadly.
When Songzan Gambu heard this, his face could not help but twitch. He was the ruler of a country, and the princess he married was the ruler of a country. How could he take a fancy to an ordinary-looking merchant's daughter? But he had to pretend to be affectionate and use the so-called love story to move the Heaven Khan.
"You and I are doing this for Tubo. It's all worth it. Remember, no matter what the Heaven Khan wants, as long as we can get the forgiveness of the Tang dynasty, we will agree." Songzan Gambu took a deep breath and said.
Lu Dongzan was silent for a moment. He knew that the conditions involved even included his life, but he did not hesitate and firmly said: "Minister obeys!"
"Try to come back alive!" Songzan Gambu said in a dry voice.
Lu Dongzan nodded, respectfully bowed and turned to leave.
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