In the past, the luxurious Gaochang Palace, with singing and dancing birds and fine wine and delicacies, this pearl of the Western Regions exuded dazzling splendor, is now silent and solemn.
The maids in the palace are like summer cicadas in winter, shivering in every corner, fearing that if they make a little noise to attract the attention of the king on the sick bed, they will encounter an unreasonable disaster...
When the Tang army arrived in Hami, Ju Wentai said there was "nothing to worry about"; however, when the Tang army arrived at Qikou, Ju Wentai was "fearful and didn't know what to do, so he became sick and died". He almost died of fright, and was so frightened that he couldn't afford to fall ill.
! Ever since the news came yesterday that the Tang army had entered the Qijiaojing Canyon, the king, who was already furious, vomited blood again and hanged all the maids who were serving him.
Even His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, must be careful when speaking in front of the King...
The pomegranate flowers in front of the corridor were like a ball of fireworks, but they could not warm the chill of the entire palace.
Ju Wentai was lying on the soft floor, his forehead covered with a white sweat towel, his face was like gold paper, and his breath was like a gossamer.
The prince knelt in front of the couch and looked anxiously at the medical officer who was diagnosing Ju Wentai's pulse.
It was so quiet and cold in the palace that you could hear a needle drop.
After a long time, the medical official released the three fingers on Ju Wentai's wrist, sighed, and shook his head slightly at the anxious prince.
The prince's heart suddenly sank...
If you don't die sooner or later, why do you have to die when the soldiers of the Tang army come to the border?
It doesn't matter if his father dies. When the time comes, he will automatically become the king of Gaochang. The Tang Dynasty is coming fiercely, and the city can only be destroyed in a matter of seconds. When the city is destroyed and the country is destroyed, will he sacrifice his own head to the flag?
Ju Wentai, who was slumped, managed to open his eyes, and saw his son looking anxious and worried, and felt warm in his heart. At this time, the Tang army came to the city, and the civil servants and generals in the city who had sworn allegiance to the sky and the earth in the past fled.
In hiding, Gaochang State, which was prosperous just a few days ago, can't even find an official! At the critical moment, the son must be reliable...
Thinking this in his heart, Ju Wentai felt even more guilty.
In the past, I was bewitched by the slanderous words of the concubines in the palace, and I always felt that all the filial piety and respect shown by my son were false, and that he was only seeking his own throne.
Look now, you are really wrong!
Ju Wentai struggled for a moment, raised his hand, held the prince's hand tightly, and said intermittently: "I have lived a glorious life, but also a confused life. I have forgotten that the most intimate relationship in the world is the relationship between father and son. After all, blood is thicker than water.
Ah! Today, I have sworn an oath and issued an edict to confer my son, my son, as the king of Gaochang. I will abdicate the throne in favor of someone worthy of the throne from now on. I also hope that my son can uphold the ancestral precepts, work hard to govern, be diligent in government, and love the people..."
After saying so much in one breath, Ju Wentai felt a little short of breath. He panted sharply for a while before he calmed down.
The prince is almost crying...
If it was a year ago, no! Even half a year ago, as long as the Tang Dynasty had not sent out troops, if he could inherit the throne, it would be enough for His Highness the Crown Prince to die!
But now that the Tang army has traveled thousands of miles to attack, they will not retreat and stop fighting, and will not give up until the city is destroyed and the country is destroyed. The throne at this time is simply a super hot potato, and no one wants it for free!
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked sad and said aggrievedly: "Father... How can a child take on the great responsibility of a country if he has little talent and little virtue? I don't dare to ask for this throne, so you should keep it for yourself..."
The medical officer stood aside, his eyes twitching when he heard this.
This is really a rare thing. I have only heard of fathers and sons killing brothers and fighting each other for the throne, but I have never heard of fathers being kind and sons being filial and showing courtesy to each other. One has to give and the other has to take away. It is really strange...
Ju Wentai was still talking when he suddenly remembered something and asked urgently: "Where is General Ashinaju? Please come quickly. I will write a letter and ask him to deliver it to Yugushe Khan. Gaochang State is willing to donate gold and silver."
Jewelry, even if it is attached to Jiwei, we must ask the Turks to send troops to help! As long as the Turkic wolf cavalry arrives, the Tang army will be driven back!"
"Ashinaju?" The prince smiled bitterly when he heard this: "Since last night, the child has been looking for him everywhere, but there is no trace of him inside and outside the palace. I am afraid he has run away long ago!"
Ju Wentai was suddenly startled, and then shouted: "Ashina, I was wrong!"
The body jumped suddenly on the soft floor, and fell silent again...
The medical officer was shocked. He quickly stepped forward to check, took a breath, and looked at the Crown Prince in panic and said, "Your Majesty... is buried!"
The prince was stunned, could he die so easily?
If you die, you will die. What will I do?
The medical officer took a few steps back, knelt on one knee, and said loudly: "I have seen your Majesty!"
Although the Tang army is suppressing the territory, the Gaochang Kingdom does not necessarily have to be subjugated. Perhaps raising the flag and surrendering can save the country. This person in front of you is your trusted Majesty the King. As an on-site witness to the old king's passing of the throne,
, is it also considered as the merit of following the dragon?
The prince was stunned for a moment. He was a little confused by the title "King". When this title that he had longed for and longed for finally fell on him, he felt a little uncontrollable anger!
If the Tang Dynasty wanted to establish its authority, the first thing to do was to attack the "King"!
Are you putting me on the stove?
They are simply rebellious ministers and traitors, and everyone will find them and punish them!
The prince suddenly jumped up from the ground, kicked the medical officer's head hard, and cursed: "Go to hell with your king, you are the king, and your whole family is the king..."
The medical officer was kicked so hard that he screamed, but he didn't dare to fight back, but he was very depressed in his heart. I am a slave to the dragon, so why didn't I reward him according to his merit, but I killed him next time?
Soon, the news of Ju Wentai's funeral spread throughout the palace, and all the maids and officials heaved a sigh of relief.
It was Ju Wentai who followed the instigation of the Turks, broke the alliance with the Tang Dynasty, and disrupted the trade routes in the Western Regions. Now that Ju Wentai is dead, the Tang Dynasty will not embarrass little people like them, right?
Besides, even if it is difficult, it should be difficult for the new king...
Regardless of whether His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is willing or not, he will naturally become the new king of Gaochang Kingdom. None of his brothers can compete with him. The ministers unanimously stated that this is destiny, and the military commanders all swore allegiance...
It is estimated that throughout the ages, no one has achieved the throne more easily and harmoniously than His Royal Highness. That would be a universal celebration...
************
The rising sun passed through the Qijiaojing Canyon and poured onto the fertile wilderness to the west of the mountains. Huge and ferocious golden eagles were hovering in the sky. Groups of Tang troops with bright armor slowly entered the plains from outside the canyon. There were no traces of people along the way.
If there is any obstruction, go straight to Gaochang City, which is bathed in the morning light and is plated with a layer of golden light.
The power of the Tang army shocked the desert!
There was no team of Gaochang troops to intercept along the way. The Hu people stayed far away, for fear of provoking the mighty Tang army and being imprisoned. However, the Han people came forward with smiles on their faces, eating pots of pulp, singing and dancing!
The Hu people, who have the support of the Turks behind them, often bully the Han people!
But there is no way. Most of the people escaped here during the troubled times of the late Sui Dynasty. They have already settled down and established their families over the years. Although the Tang Dynasty is a good place, they cannot easily abandon their family businesses here and return to the Tang Dynasty all the way to start working again.
Therefore, facing the barbarians who pretend to be powerful, they can only endure silently!
But now, the Tang army is coming!
"The Tang Dynasty went here for seven thousand miles, and the sand moraine was two thousand miles wide. There was no water or grass on the ground. The winter wind was freezing and the summer wind was burning. Wherever the wind blew, many travelers died..."
So what?
The ends of the earth, the desert frontiers, wherever the Tang army wants to go, no matter how difficult and dangerous it is, they can't stop it!
Wherever the heroic soldiers arrive, there will be chaos!
The arrogant Ju Wentai thought he had the support of the Turks, so he wanted to stir up trouble in the Western Regions and become king. What was the result?
As long as the heavenly soldiers arrive, they will be vulnerable to a single blow!
Now that the army is approaching the city, the fall of the Gaochang Kingdom is imminent. From now on, all the fertile land and water in this area will be under the jurisdiction of the Tang Dynasty, and states and governments will be established. From now on, who will dare to dominate the Tang Dynasty?
Fang Jun rode on his horse and followed the flag of the Chinese army commander. He felt a little emotional when he saw these Han people who were happily welcoming their family back home.
As long as there is a strong country behind them, the hard-working Han people will not be bullied or abused no matter where they are on the earth! They can create their own happy life with their hard-working hands and wisdom.
However, such a simple condition is difficult to achieve...