Looking at the news brought by the messenger, Prime Minister Midu and Tuyuhun Khan didn't know what to say. They had just reached an agreement and were ready to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty and become a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty in the future. However, the general on the front line sent back news that the Tubo army had begun to retreat.
"It's just the right time. We almost sold out the entire Tuyuhun. If we had signed the agreement, I, the Khan, would have been the sinner of the entire Tuyuhun."
Looking at the happy Khan Midu in front of him, Prime Minister Midu's face was not very happy. He felt that all this was too coincidental. Just after he discussed these things with Li Xiang, the Tubo army retreated, and they said it was a normal patrol?
How is this possible? For the past two weeks or so, the Tibetan army has been causing trouble on the border. There have been several armed clashes, and over 200 of us have died. Is this how you conduct your normal patrols?
"Any questions?"
The Khan saw Prime Minister Midu's serious expression and wondered if there was something he hadn't anticipated. Prime Minister Midu was the brains of the entire Tuyuhun.
"Don't you think this is too strange, Khan? We were on the verge of collapse, and this grandson of the Tang emperor arrived here, and then the Tibetan army began to retreat. I always feel that there is a huge conspiracy here, but whether it is the conspiracy of the grandson of the Tang emperor or the conspiracy of Tibetans, I can't figure it out for the time being."
The Khan of Tuyuhun was not a fool. When he heard what Prime Minister Midu said, he also felt a little confused. Everything happened just too coincidentally. Although they couldn't figure out the connection between them, one thing was certain, that is, Tuyuhun had lost its autonomy. Both the Tang Dynasty and Tubo regarded them as lambs to be slaughtered.
"Let's stop dwelling on these useless things and get rid of Li Xiang right away. Since we no longer have any threats on our southern border, why keep him around? As for this tribute agreement, I think it's even more unnecessary."
There was a look of joy on the face of Tuyuhun Khan. No matter what kind of conspiracy was involved, as long as he was not forced to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty, it was a good thing in his opinion. Now that the Tubo army had retreated and their crisis was resolved, why should they pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty?
"Wait a minute, Khan."
Prime Minister Midu quickly stopped this guy. Things between countries cannot be done as we please. We must consider everything carefully. If there are any mistakes in the middle, our lives will be difficult.
"Khan, have you ever considered that this army's retreat is only temporary? What if Li Xiang returns to Chang'an? What will happen if they come back? The distance from here to Chang'an is too far. We can't catch up with him."
After hearing what Prime Minister Midu said, the joy on Khan's face immediately disappeared. It was no secret that Tubo had ideas about them. Since the end of the last war, the merchants from Tubo had spoken a lot louder, not to mention the official army of more than 100,000. Could they just leave?
"Do you think this is a Tibetan conspiracy?"
Tuyuhun Khan said with a serious face that if this was really the case, if they gave up the cooperation with Li Xiang, they might give up Tuyuhun's chance of survival. It would be impossible for them to stop the 150,000-strong Tubo army with their own strength.
"I only know from our previous reconnaissance that the Tibetans have prepared nearly four months' worth of food and fodder. Do they need to mobilize 150,000 troops for just one patrol? Furthermore, their supplies are extremely scarce, far less abundant than the Tang Dynasty's. How could they possibly prepare four months' worth of food and fodder? Four months' worth of food and fodder would take up almost half of their treasury expenditure, all for a so-called patrol?"
This news sounds simple, but the intelligence obtained before is very detailed. The Tubo Kingdom has never engaged in such a large-scale war because of the lack of supplies in their country. If they just go back now, will anyone bear their losses?
"You're right, but they've indeed left now. If we were to send someone to investigate, it would take at least several days. Should we try to stabilize the emperor's grandson first?"
The Tuyuhun Prime Minister proposed a strategy to ensure invincibility.
If the Tibetans really retreat, we can find any excuse to get away with it. We don't want to be your sons. But if the Tibetans pretend to retreat, then we have to sign this agreement.
After hearing this, Prime Minister Midu didn't know what to say to his Khan. "Do you think Li Xiang is a fool? Even if he is a fool, you can't control it in your hands. Behind this fool stands the entire Tang Empire."
"Let's think about it from another perspective. Becoming a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty doesn't do us any harm at this stage. Just 250,000 strings of cash per year, plus 150,000 strings of cash for other livestock, or 400,000 strings of cash per year, is enough to keep us safe. But if we let this opportunity slip away and go to him again next time, given his usual high-demand nature, and the imminent imminent arrival of the Tibetans, he might even demand 2 million strings of cash from us annually."
Prime Minister Mi Du knew Li Xiang very well. This guy was no ordinary person. He offered one price the first time, doubled it the second time to accommodate you, but forget it the third time...
"But now that the Tibetan army has truly retreated, we no longer need to become their vassal state."
Tuyuhun Khan said anxiously that he felt that Prime Minister Midu was a little stupid. Why should he give so much money to the Tang Dynasty?
"Don't worry, Great Khan. Let's analyze this briefly. If we don't become a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty, we will be under constant threat from the Tibetans. Even if they were patrolling normally this time, will they still be patrolling next time? We can't afford any mistakes. One mistake could lead to the destruction of our nation. However, if we become a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty, the annual payment is only 400,000 strings of cash, which we can afford. For us right now, this is the best option."
After weighing the pros and cons, Prime Minister Midu finally felt that this method was extremely effective. At least it could allow Tuyuhun to exist and not be in a state of imminent destruction at all times.
"This is simply ridiculous. The Khan will not approve it in this state. Go and send him away."
Tuyuhun Khan said with a cold face that he had already made a decision...