With the help of the Buddhists, the Tubo emissary finally obtained a rare opportunity and received the news of Li Shimin's summons.
"Tubo Wang Songzan Gambu greets the Heavenly Khan." Lu Dongzan stepped forward and bowed.
Mo Jiazi stared hatefully at Lu Dongzan and said, "Your Majesty, Tubo had wild ambitions. It was Lu Dongzan's son, Lun Trinling, who ambushed the Firearms Division outside the Jade Gate Pass. Lu Dongzan is the mastermind. I beg Your Majesty to kill Lu Dongzan and avenge the 180 soldiers of the Firearms Division who died in battle."
"180!" Lu Dongzan felt a heavy blow to his heart. Tubo had lost a total of 5000 cavalry, while the Firearms Division had only lost 180. He could imagine how tragic Tubo's cavalry was at that time. His own son, Lun Trinling, had been hunted down by Mo Jiazi like a wounded prey.
"Lu Dongzan, how do you explain this?" Li Shimin's expression changed as he asked coldly.
Feeling the pressure from Li Shimin, Lu Dongzan broke out in cold sweat. He knew that if he didn't respond well, he would end up in a miserable state.
"Bang!"
Lu Dongzan kowtowed so hard that the sound echoed throughout the Taiji Palace. Even Li Shimin shivered.
Lu Dongzan's face was bleeding, but he didn't care and said, "My unfilial son stole the Commander's Seal and caused a disaster. I have nothing to say. If he hadn't died in the desert, I would have personally beheaded him and offered his head to the Tang dynasty."
The officials of the Tang dynasty were in an uproar. They didn't expect Lu Dongzan to admit it without hesitation.
Meton said coldly, "Lu Dongzan, don't think that this matter is over just because your son is dead. As the saying goes, the father pays for the son's debt. Tubo ambushed the Firearms Division for no reason and plotted to steal the gunpowder of the Tang dynasty. This is unforgivable."
Many of the ministers nodded in agreement. After the battle with Gao Chang, the importance of gunpowder had increased tremendously. Tubo had touched Mo Jiazi's reverse scale.
"The father will pay for the son's debt. This official has nothing to say. If this can appease Merton's anger, then I ask Merton to behead this official." Lu Dongzan was very straightforward, and he directly stretched out his neck to be killed.
Meton flew into a rage and said, "You said it yourself. Since you're looking for death, I'll fulfill your wish."
Say it! Meton stepped forward and grabbed the armed guard's weapon, wanting to kill Lu Dongzan on the spot.
"Merton, you can't! If we kill Lu Dongzan at this moment, it would be a disgrace to our Celestial Empire. "The old Linghu Defen immediately tried to dissuade him.
"Where it is possible to let people off, one should spare them. Marquis Mo has already killed five thousand Tufan cavalrymen and has already taken his revenge. If he were to kill the Tufan envoy now, I'm afraid that the other countries would be disappointed."
A group of civil officials also stepped forward to dissuade Lu Dongzan. With the help of a group of guards, Lu Dongzan managed to escape.
"Stop! What is this in the main hall? Meton, I think you've become arrogant because of my favor. "Li Shimin slammed the table and said angrily.
Lu Dongzan immediately prostrated himself and said, "Please calm your anger. It is this official who has angered Merton. It is all this official's fault. Your Majesty, please don't blame Merton."
Meton was so angry that he laughed. He didn't expect Lu Dongzan to have the ability of a green tea bitch in the future, understanding this peerless martial art a thousand years in advance.
Li Shimin was like a straight man. He looked at Lu Dongzan in surprise. If he didn't already have a conclusion, he would have a much better impression of Lu Dongzan. He immediately cooperated and said, "You are a clever person. However, Tubo has offended our Tang dynasty for no reason. Just a word of apology from you and no one can save you."
Lu Dongzan respectfully said, "Songtsen Gampo knows that his unfilial son has offended the Tang dynasty. He has sent this official as an envoy to the Tang dynasty. The Heavenly Khan will decide whether to beat or kill him. In addition, Songtsen Gampo has also offered five thousand jin of gold and countless treasures as an apology to the Tang dynasty."
Lu Dongzan waved his hand. Immediately, a group of Tubo envoys offered five thousand jin of gold and countless treasures. In an instant, the whole Taiji Palace was full of jewelry. Even the officials of the Tang dynasty who were used to seeing wealth had to marvel at Songtsen Gampo's generosity.
Li Shimin pondered for a moment and said, "Meton, you are in charge of receiving Tubo's envoys. What do you think of this matter?"
Meton coldly snorted and said, "What is this little money? In the Minister's opinion, Tubo has dared to offend the Tang dynasty. They must be punished. Your Majesty, please give the order. This official will personally lead the army to break through Tubo. "
Tubo's vice envoy coldly snorted and said, "Merton is too arrogant. Tubo still has hundreds of thousands of warriors, and we have the protection of the plateau. The Tang Army will immediately be powerless on the plateau. He is too arrogant to break through Tubo!"
This was the strategy set by Tubo's envoys. Lu Dongzan tried his best to admit defeat, while Tubo's vice envoy's attitude was tough. They wanted to show their strength and make the Tang dynasty hesitate to attack.
Modun proudly said, "The Tang Army will indeed be powerless when they reach the plateau, but they still have the strength to ignite the gunpowder. In the Gobi Desert, the Firearms Supervisor was able to annihilate the Tufan cavalry with a thousand men against five thousand men. In my opinion, the protection of the plateau is nothing but a piece of cake."
Tubo's vice envoy's face suddenly turned red. The gunpowder of the Tang Army was indeed very feared by Tubo. It was the only weapon that could threaten Tubo.
"Even if Tubo is no match for them, we will make the Tang Army pay a sufficient price," Tubo's vice envoy said firmly.
Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Lu Dongzan immediately scolded Tubo's vice envoy to shut up. He respectfully said to Li Shimin, "Heaven Khan, please understand. The war between the two armies will certainly plunge the people of the two countries into misery and suffering. Heaven is virtuous. Please calm down."
Seeing a trace of hesitation on Li Shimin's face, Lu Dongzan could not help but feel happy. However, Mo Jiazi's voice once again made his heart sink.
"Even if we don't send troops to Tubo, we still have to punish Tubo. As soon as His Majesty gives the order, all the surrounding countries have to sever ties with Tubo and prohibit all contacts. Otherwise, it will be disrespectful to Heaven Khan," Meton said coldly.
Lu Dongzan's heart sank. The Tubo Plateau had insufficient resources. Many things needed to be traded with other countries, especially the Tang Dynasty's trade. Once the Tang Dynasty and the surrounding countries banned all trades, Tubo would immediately fall into a difficult situation and quickly decline.
The ministers were suddenly moved. Tubo Plateau had the geographical advantage. It was not worthwhile for the Tang Dynasty to send troops. If they could punish Tubo without bloodshed, it would naturally be best.
Sure enough, Li Shimin's eyes lit up when he heard this. This was indeed a way to win without fighting. Moreover, with the current prestige of the Tang Dynasty, it could be said to be easy to use.
"Not enough!"
With Li Shimin's indifferent words, Lu Dongzan's heart could not help but sink.
Lu Dongzan's heart sank. He gritted his teeth and said, "As long as Heaven Khan forgives Tubo, Tubo will forever be a vassal of the Tang Dynasty and will never betray us. In the future, we will pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty every year."
The ministers could not help but smile knowingly. They immediately knew that Tubo had finally admitted defeat this time.
Li Shimin once again looked at Meton. Lu Dongzan's heart suddenly tightened again.
"Apart from that! In the future, when Tubo Tzanpu succeeds the throne, he will need the approval of the Tang Dynasty. " Meton added. Immediately, the ministers sighed in their hearts. Mo Jiazi's move was really ruthless. In this way, Tubo Tzanpu would not be able to escape the influence of the Tang Dynasty in the future.
However, Lu Dongzan did not hesitate to nod and agree. "As long as Heaven Khan forgives Tubo, Tubo will naturally submit to the Tang Dynasty forever."
For Lu Dongzan, at this moment, the most important thing was to let Tubo get through this difficult time. As for whether he would comply, it would depend on whether Tubo agreed or not.
However, what Lu Dongzan did not expect was that the Tang Dynasty also did not take the so-called vassal relationship seriously. Both sides had their own ulterior motives.
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