In the first year of Yonghui, Songtsen Gampo passed away, and his grandson Mansong Mangtsen came to the throne when he was only thirteen years old.
Of course, a thirteen-year-old child could not decide anything, so the Prime Minister Lu Dongzan was appointed as the regent.
For more than ten years, the real power of Tubo has been firmly in the hands of Lu Dongzan. From internal affairs to military affairs, everything was decided by Lu Dongzan alone.
There was a honeymoon period between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet, which was the famous story of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng. This story is still being told by the world even thousands of years later.
Those years were also a particularly sweet period for the relationship between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. On the one hand, it was because of the real role of marriage, on the other hand, it was also because of Taizong's mind and methods. Zangampo himself knew that he could not get any benefits.
It was not until the death of Songtsen Gampo that the country's national policy finally began to change.
Prime Minister Lu Dongzan was regent, whether he needed to make political achievements or whether the Tubo people needed to expand their territory, in short, they started to make moves again.
Since Tubo unified tribes and established a country, there has been an unavoidable problem. Their living environment is harsh, and all generations have longed to go down from the plateau and become a real farming nation, instead of staying in this hopeless and cold land for generations.
It can only be said that it is the nature of the Tubo people to initiate war. Even if Lu Dongzan did not appear, war would still be inevitable.
However, the Tibetans chose the wrong target to attack.
They could attack the Western Regions to the north and Tianzhu to the west. In short, attacking Tuyuhun was a huge mistake.
Tuyuhun was forbidden in the Tang Dynasty and could not be touched.
The reason is very simple. The country of Tuyuhun happened to strangle the Silk Road. The Tang Dynasty would never give up the Silk Road to others. This road was too important to the Tang Dynasty. At that time, Emperor Taizong established the Anxi Governor in the Western Regions. The biggest purpose of the government is to protect the Silk Road.
If Tuyuhun was destroyed by Tubo, what would be the significance of the existence of Anxi Protectorate?
From a territorial point of view, if Tuyuhun was controlled by Tubo, the Tang Dynasty would be divided into two parts. The original land would be one, and the actual control area of the Western Region would be the second, which Tuyuhun would just split.
The trade routes were cut off, the strategic position was lost, and the national dignity was seriously challenged. The Western Region was now isolated outside the region. It was only a matter of time before it was lost. The huge territory of the Tang Dynasty would shrink by at least one third.
These were all the disadvantages brought to the Tang Dynasty after losing the vassal state of Tuyuhun.
I can't bear it anymore, no matter how poor I am, I can't bear it anymore.
At such a severe moment, if Li Zhi had compromised a little, the people of the Tang Dynasty would never be able to evaluate him better than the late Emperor Taizong.
"war!"
In the Taiji Hall, the military generals shouted loudly and asked for battle.
Li Zhi was sitting in the hall, his gloomy eyes shining through the gaps between the twelve crowns, which was particularly terrifying.
After receiving the news of the Tibetan invasion of Tuyuhun, the courtiers of Chang'an immediately gathered in the Taiji Hall. Even Li Ji, who had not been in court for a long time, came in person.
"My veteran is willing to lead troops out of Liangzhou and into Tuyuhun to drive out the Tibetan traitors." Li Ji stood up from the court and bowed down to ask for battle.
Li Zhi was slightly startled and said hurriedly: "The old general is too old to lead troops. All he needs to do is sit quietly in Chang'an and make plans from afar."
Li Ji said expressionlessly: "I am about seventy years old this year. I can still eat three measures per day, eat five pounds of meat, have sharp ears and eyes, and can easily dance with a forty-pound horse. How can I be so old? Your Majesty, I want to fight."
Su Dingfang came out at this time and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, please rest at home. The veteran is a few years younger than the Duke. If the veteran leads the army, he will never teach the Tibetan traitors to succeed. Your Majesty, please send the veteran to lead the army and fight with the Tubo traitors." Fight and we will definitely fulfill our mission."
Li Ji was furious, but he still maintained an elegant demeanor. He stroked his beard and glanced at Su Dingfang coldly, saying: "Mr. Su is not convinced. I would like to challenge you to a battle. It's up to you to choose whether to form an army or to fight against each other. Let's try it." Let me try to see if I am really old and dare to fight?"
Li Ji's prestige in the army is still very high. After these words came out, Su Dingfang immediately smiled scornfully: "My lord, please don't get me wrong. I'm just worried about your health..."
The veterans asked for a fight one after another. When Li Zhi was sitting in the hall with his blood boiling and his chest filled with the passion of heaven and earth, a discordant voice came out from the hall.
"Your Majesty, I think that the Tang Dynasty cannot go to war!"
There was a sudden silence in the hall, and everyone looked in shock, only to see Liu Rengui standing out with an expressionless face.
After the veterans were stunned, they immediately pointed at Liu Rengui's nose and started shouting curses. They slapped labels on Liu Rengui's head one after another.
Even Li Ji, who had always had a mild temper, narrowed his eyes, a cold light shining in his eyes.
In the face of the abuses of the veteran generals, Liu Rengui remained unmoved. After the scolding subsided, he slowly said: "Generals, I will lead the troops on an expedition. I won't say anything. The premise is that you can attack thousands of miles without bringing food and baggage." ?”
The veteran generals were stunned again, and Su Dingfang cursed angrily: "How can there be any reason for the army to go out without food? What nonsense are you talking about!"
Liu Rengui said coldly: "Because there is no more food in the treasury."
The hall fell silent again. The faces of the veterans became uglier and uglier. After looking at each other, no one said a word.
Going into battle without food? I'm afraid even the reincarnation of the God of War Li Jing would not be able to lead an army. Less than fifty miles away from Chang'an, there would be a mutiny in the army.
Li Zhi's face also became ugly.
No one knows the situation of the treasury better than him. What Liu Rengui told the truth is that there is indeed no food.
This year is already a disaster year. There is a severe drought in the northern areas. Food has long been transferred to the north to help the people. This year's autumn grain harvest is almost negligible, and the grain taxes paid by local governments to the national treasury are pitifully small.
It has to be said that Tubo chose to launch a war against Tuyuhun at this juncture, probably after careful consideration. They calculated that the Tang Dynasty was extremely short of food this year and did not dare to send troops, so they unscrupulously beat Tuyuhun.
In this era, when countries are fighting each other, they are fighting for their own food and population. If there is no food, why fight?
Li Zhi, who was originally full of enthusiasm, suddenly became short of breath, like a down-and-out man who was about to be forced by his mother-in-law to divorce and divide his property, scratching his head and sighing sadly.
"According to what Liu Zhongshu sees, if the Tang Dynasty does not send troops, what should it do?" Li Zhi asked.
Liu Rengui rolled his eyes: "I don't know."
The monarchs and ministers in the palace suddenly felt a surge of resentment in their chests. After a brief silence, there was another loud curse.
Liu Rengui said expressionlessly: "I can't make the right decision, but I know what the wrong decision is."
"The Tang Dynasty made a wrong decision by sending troops."
It was both truth and nonsense. Li Zhi felt very tired.