Shule, this was one of the four towns in Anxi during the Tang Dynasty. It was also one of the most prosperous, populous and rich treasures in Anxi.
However, in the two hundred years after the An-Shi Rebellion, the four towns of Anxi in the Tang Dynasty, Khotan was captured by the Tibetans and then established the Khotan Kingdom. Suiye actually fell during the Wu and Zhou Dynasties.
Kucha Town and Shule Town were finally captured by Tibet a hundred years ago. Now Kucha Town belongs to the Gaochang Uighurs, and Shule Town is in the hands of the Kara Khanate.
The approximate location of Shule City was Kashgar in later generations. In fact, this era was the key moment when the name Shule began to change to Kashgar.
The Great Khan of the Kara Khanate, Saktu Bugla Khan, was a famous king in the history of the Kara Khanate.
It was also in his hands that the Kara Khanate began to gradually be enlightened. The sword missionary policy implemented by him and his successor Khan brought serious disasters to all ethnic groups in Anxi!
Zhang Zhao is riding on a tall yellow horse, followed by dozens of well-equipped guards and cavalry. His current identity is a big noble from Yizhou, the official servant of Diluoda of Gaochang Uighur Khanate.
Brother and servant, I am grateful.
This identity was carefully designed. Pugu Cheng was born in the Gaochang Uighur royal family and was the founder of the Khanate. He was a descendant of Zhang Yichao's once powerful general Pugu Jun. However, he was a branch of the concubine, and Pugu Fengen
It is Pugujun’s direct bloodline.
Moreover, two generations of Pugu Fengen's ancestors were married to the Li Tang clan, and even Pugu Fengen's mother came from the Shazhou Li family of the Li Tang clan. She was the younger sister of Zhang Zhao's fourteenth uncle and the general of the Guiyi Army, Li Mingzhen, so she looked quite similar.
People from the Central Plains.
This Gaochang Uighur royal family had recently converted from Manichaeism to Buddhism. When Wu Darer went to Yizhou on Zhang Zhao's order to ask for ransom money from Tiloda Ganpugucheng, he happened to go to Dunhuang to study Buddhist scriptures.
The servant was so kind that Zhang Zhao chose to pretend to be him boldly.
There are two other important reasons, that is, as a former Manichean and a current Buddhist, Pugu Fengen would definitely not be happy to go to Shule, so the dignitaries in Shule City had basically never seen this person. Secondly, Pugu Fengen keeps a low profile, and because he is involved with the Guiyi Army, he is in a relatively marginalized position among the Gaochang Uighurs.
This perfectly prevented merchants from the east or envoys from the Kara Khanate from seeing him, and ending up looking similar to people from the Central Plains, which also made up for Zhang Zhao's appearance characteristics.
The atmosphere in Shule City is relatively tense at this time, because the large-scale recruitment of Khotan in the south cannot be concealed from anyone. Not only the recruitment, but also the building of various equipment and the hoarding of grain and grass have long been spread to Shule City.
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In this era, it is basically impossible for one country to launch a surprise attack on another country among major powers.
Because unless it is a village war that involves sending hundreds of soldiers and recruiting one or two thousand farmers and herdsmen, every battle requires a lot of preparation before the war.
For example, Khotan was preparing for the war against Shule. Li Shengtian had been making preparations since the first month of 932 when Zhang Zhao showed him that he could blast the Shule city wall.
But until now in March, the entire preparation work is still in progress.
Feudal lords from various places brought their private soldiers to the Royal City of Khotan for joint training with the national standing army.
One-third of the estimated 300,000 arrows have not yet been produced.
The 30,000-strong army needs to prepare 700,000 shi of food that can sustain them for more than three months, but not all of them have been mobilized yet.
As for the construction of the rest of the armor and siege equipment, as well as the recruitment of grain transporters, they are still in progress.
I'm afraid even a blind person can see such a large-scale mobilization, and even a fool knows who it will target.
Khotan and the Gaochang Uighurs are religious allies. Historically, after the fall of Khotan, it was the Gaochang Uighurs that prevented Anxi from continuing to green, so it is impossible for Khotan to attack the Gaochang Uighurs.
As for the Zhongyun Kingdom, it is enough to dispatch 3,000 men. It will take less than 30,000, and it will definitely be a loss-making business. Li Shengtian will not be stupid enough to attack the Zhongyun Kingdom, so the Khotanese can only target Karahan.
The country is here.
However, although Shule City was tense at this time, it did not feel like it was facing a formidable enemy. Instead, it fell into a kind of abnormal prosperity.
Because everyone knows that Khotan has mobilized so many supplies and troops that it will never be possible to attack it quickly. Coupled with the impact of preparations for spring plowing, it will take at least two or three months for the war to break out.
Therefore, everyone is taking advantage of this free period to buy and sell various supplies. Merchants traveling along the Northern Silk Road are also rushing to pass. They don't know how long this battlefield will last, so they are all seizing the last bit of time.
Make a fortune.
Zhang Zhao thought about it again and again, but still did not choose to risk entering Shule City. Who knew that the current Governor of Shule, that is, Bogra Saktuhan's confidant, Ittihad Nasr Ben Mansour, would
Will not overreact.
After all, this guy is a fanatical Tianfang believer, and Saktu Khan converted to Tianfang religion under the guidance of his father, Prince Saman Nasr bin Mansour.
The place where Zhang Zhao is now is a small market called Jialuguan. When you hear this name, you can tell that it was given by the Han people.
Less than ten miles to the south of this place is the famous Jiashi City, and almost a hundred miles away is Shule. There are not many troops from the Kara Khanate nearby, and there are also a large number of Buddhists. It is a very good safe zone.
Wu Yuan'er stood next to Zhang Zhao and was reciting the words on a piece of jute paper over and over again. This was the task given to him by Zhang Zhao.
He is now the envoy of Pugu Feng'en from the royal family of Gaochang. The purpose of his trip is Shule City. His mission is to Feng'en on behalf of Pugu. He hopes to exchange property worth three thousand guan for the prisoner who was imprisoned by Ittihad, the governor of Shule.
Dozens of monks from Dayun Temple.
Shule Dayun Temple is the most important temple in Shule during the flourishing period of Buddhism. It has collected relics such as the "Buddha Bathing Bed" and "Buddha Bowl" used by Sakyamuni. Historical eminent monks such as the Buddhist monk Dao'an,
Zhimeng, Kumarajiva and others have all worshiped at Dayun Temple.
In later generations, the ruins of Dayun Temple can even be seen in Kashgar, which is the area known as the Mauer Pagoda ruins.
In this era, it can be regarded as a place of faith for Buddhists in Shule City. Three years ago, Dayun Temple was completely destroyed under Ittihad's order, and all the monks who were unwilling to convert were thrown into prison.
It was this incident that completely angered Li Shengtian. Due to Ittihad's status as a Samanid royal family, Li Shengtian historically sent envoys to the Samanid dynasty to threaten revenge.
This is recorded in the "Book of Treasures" by Khadi Abul Husayn Ahmed Ibn Zubair, an Arab writer in the 11th century AD.
Zhang Zhao straightened Wu Yuan'er's collar with his own hands, and Wu Yuan'er looked at Zhang Zhao nervously.
This person who used to be the assistant to his brother Wu Daler, now not only has to be an envoy, but also has to do such dangerous things, it is inevitable that he will be a little nervous.
"Brother Yuan'er, you must remember what you said. Since the Karakhanids already know that Khotan is going to launch a war against them, they will definitely not dare to provoke the Gaochang Uighur Khanate again, because this is likely to attract a flanking attack from both sides.
.
So you can be a little more arrogant. As long as you memorize the information on this piece of paper, you will not be exposed, and there will be no danger if you are not exposed."
Wu Yuan'er took a deep breath, and then nodded heavily.
"Don't worry, Mr. Erlang, I will follow Mr. Erlang to build a career. I will definitely be able to do this little thing!"
"Okay! Remember, no matter Ittihad agrees or not, you must try to see the monks of Dayun Temple who are imprisoned in Shule Inner City Prison. It is best to bring out a few of them!"
Zhang Zhao scratched the ground twice before continuing.
"This prison is in the inner city of Shule. There are many important facilities nearby. You must memorize the surrounding area and draw it for me when you come back. It's up to you whether our brothers can suffer fewer casualties!"
Of course Zhang Zhao is not going to save the monks in Dayun Temple. He will not let them go if he wants to save them, so this is just an excuse. Zhang Zhao just wants a more detailed map of the inner city of Shule.
After giving orders to Wu Yuan'er, Zhang Zhao pulled Ma Yaozi over again. This time Ma Yaozi was going on the mission as a deputy envoy.
"Baozi, you have a smart mind. You must pay special attention to the city wall defense system. You can also spread the word. Just say that Gaochangda Ganpugu was gracious and brought three thousand guan of finances to wait outside Jiashi City to redeem the monks of Dayun Temple.
!"
"Lieutenant Langjun, do you think someone can rob the monks from Dayun Temple?" Ma Yaozi glanced at Zhang Zhao doubtfully, and then he was overjoyed.
"Mr. Lang wants to attract the money-grubbing people in Shule City?"
"That's right! The management of Shule City is not strict. There are many so-called divine warriors from other places who are fanatical Tianfang believers. When they hear this news, some of them will not be able to help but come over.
Then, we have the 'tongue' to further explore Shule's reality!" Zhang Zhao smiled sinisterly.