Yutian Town, one of the four Anxi towns, is close to Tubo. If the name Yutian is not very famous, then we can say it in another way. Yutian Town is the place where jade is produced in later generations.

From the map, if the Tang Dynasty is in an offensive against Tubo, then Khotan is the bridgehead for the royal army to attack Tubo. If the Tang Dynasty is in a defensive position and Tubo invades and attacks, Khotan is the first line of defense within the Tang Dynasty. Its geographical location is very important and it is a must-fight for the two countries to fight.

Interestingly, Khotan is an independent country with the surname Yuchi. The king of Khotan of this generation was named Yuchisheng. So to be precise, Khotan should be called "Khotan Kingdom".

The kings of Khotan all dynasties were very loyal to the Tang Dynasty. Because the royal family admired the prosperity and culture of the Tang Dynasty, they often sent their children to Chang'an to study or become officials. The Tang Dynasty was also very kind to this young brother who never left him. Not only did they send back a large number of gifts every year and make relatives, they also stationed troops at the request of the Kingdom of Khotan, and set up the Visa Governor's Office in Istanbul.

In the 22nd year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong set up Kucha, Khotan, Shule and Yanqi as four towns, unified by the Anxi Protectorate, and stationed troops respectively. This is the famous "Four Anxi Towns".

When a country's sovereignty is still intact, it is very advanced that it is still common in modern times more than a thousand years later.

From this we can also see that the relationship between Khotan and the Tang Dynasty was so good, it is not an exaggeration to say that it was "Yu Tie".

After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Khotan was often invaded by foreign enemies. The foreign enemies were mainly Tubo in the south. Due to the strong Tubo army, the Khotan Kingdom was defeated by Tubo, which was one of the reasons why Khotan had to invite the Tang Dynasty to garrison. Later, after the Tang army entered, it was difficult to separate from Tubo. However, after Emperor Gaozong, the combat power of the Tang army gradually became worse than before, so the Khotan Kingdom was often lost.

During the period from Wu Zetian to Li Longji, the Kingdom of Khotan changed its lord several times. In order to compete for this strategic location, Tubo and the Tang Dynasty had been fighting in a tug-of-war form for many years, taking turns to plant red flags, and the competition was very fierce.

Gao Xianzhi was surprised that the guards of Khotan retreated so quickly, but it was not surprising that they launched a war against Tubo without any warning.

Gu Qing was a little puzzled: "Why is the reason for Tubo to initiate a war? You can't just fight for no reason, right?"

Gao Xianzhi smiled bitterly and said, "What are the reasons for launching a war? Since Emperor Gaozong's first emperor, the relationship between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo has become worse and worse. There is no reason for the two countries to fight, because everyone understands that any reason is just a high-sounding fig leaf. With more battles, there is no need for fig leaf."

"Anyway, the Tang Dynasty wanted to swallow Tubo, and the Tubo wanted to swallow Datang, which was that simple. In the years I have been in charge of Anxi, I have never fought with the Tubo thieves. Often after a few years of peace, Tubo suddenly invaded, and the attacks were usually in Yhotan in Anxi, Liangzhou in Hexi, and Shanzhou in Longyou."

Gu Qing murmured: "The ancient people were really simple and upright, and there was no reason to fight wars..."

Gao Xianzhi glanced at him with a little hesitant expression.

Gu Qing understood his expression and smiled and said, "Jie Zheng, it is now a wartime period. The general said that if there is a war, the general and his troops and their troops obey the orders of Ji Zheng. Please take over the troops in the four towns and prepare to fight against the enemy."

Gao Xianzhi sighed relieved and sighed: "Mr. Gu is very wise, and I admire you."

After saying that, Gao Xianzhi's expression suddenly changed. Recently, her listless look was gone. Her aura suddenly became sharp, like a peerless sword that had just been pulled out of the sheath, and she swallowed and sucked the sharpness without any scruples.

Since Gu Qing first met Gao Xianzhi, only at this moment has he become a truly famous general who has been remembered in history.

"Send fast horses to summon troops from four towns to Kucha City, and the Jiedushi's mansion beats drums and gathers generals!"

…………

In Kucha City, in the Jiedushi Mansion, all the generals gathered together, and many of them were unfamiliar. Most of them rushed from the other two towns.

Gao Xianzhi's face was as deep as water. He stood in front of the main case without saying a word. Gu Qing sat on the right side of Gao Xianzhi, and Bian Lingcheng sat on the left side of Gao Xianzhi as a military supervisor.

The generals looked calm, obviously not surprised by the Tubo raid on Yutian, and they were used to it.

Bian Lingcheng kept looking at Gao Xianzhi and Gu Qing, with a look of confusion in his eyes.

Originally, Bian Lingcheng thought that after the war, Gao Xianzhi and Gu Qing would make a big fuss over the battle for command of the four Anxi towns. However, seeing Gao Xianzhi and Gu Qing's expressions were dull, Gao Xianzhi stood in the center as usual. Obviously, the command of fighting against Tubo this time was still in his hands, but Gu Qing seemed to have no mind and willingly sat next to him as a supporting role.

This... the script is wrong!

Isn’t Gu Qing’s purpose in Anxi to seize power? What a great opportunity for this war. Besides, Gu Qing has 10,000 elite troops and he is the military supervisor, so why not seize power? If the war is still commanded by Gao Xianzhi, if there is any error, Chang'an will issue an order to rebuke it, and Bian Lingcheng will also be scolded, so Bian Lingcheng actually hopes that Gu Qing will take over the command.

The reason why most military supervisors from ancient times to the present are bad people is because they have different perspectives on the problem.

In the eyes of the commander, war is war. War only needs to be won, and there is no need to think about factors other than war.

But in the eyes of the military supervisor, the outcome of war is second to the next. They only have a political perspective. Once they look at war from a political perspective, their positions will be different.

The complex and bizarre relationships in the court, the complex and difficult-to-understand psychology of the emperor, and the intrigues within the army are all more important than the outcome of a war. For political needs, it is not hesitant to take the initiative to lose a war.

So at this moment, Bian Lingcheng didn't care much about the Tubo invasion. What he cared about was why Gu Qing did not seize Gao Xianzhi's military power. Didn't Your Majesty mean that he would come to Anxi to restrain Gao Xianzhi? He did nothing with such an excellent opportunity and took the initiative to give up the military power to Gao Xianzhi...

Bian Lingcheng secretly wrote a note on Xiaohei's notebook in his heart, and decided to turn around and submit a memorial to Chang'an.

Gu Qing had no idea that he was about to be sued for the first time in his life, and his attention was placed on the generals in front of the hall.

Listening to the generals' singing titles, Gu Qing listened carefully. Unfortunately, there was no familiar name except Ma Lin.

Gu Qing silently counted the famous generals of the Anxi Protectorate, only Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing and Ma Lin. Most of the other famous generals were in other Protectorate, such as Geshuhan, the one who "Geshuye with a sword", or in Chang'an, such as Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi.

When all the generals arrived, Gao Xianzhi looked around and said slowly: "Ten days ago, the Tubo bandits sent 30,000 troops to invade Yutian. The guards of the Khotan were defeated and had retreated. Our Tang Dynasty King Army was responsible for the emperor's favor and had the responsibility to defend the territory and fight the enemy. The war has begun. From the commander below, everyone should strive to fight bravely and serve the country with their own body. Do not let the emperor down and their people down."

There was a sound of armor leaves colliding, and the generals bowed together, and said with a loud bang: "Yes!"

Gao Xianzhi nodded and said, "Starting today, the troops of the four towns of Anxi gathered in Kucha. The troops of Kucha immediately sent scouts to inquire about the movements of the Tubo traitor army, and searched for the retreating defenders of Yuhe River in the direction of Yuhe, contacted them, gathered the defeated troops, and the three armies prepared food, grass and weapons, recruited civilians, and the Anxi Protectorate's City was closed, and the city was curfewed, and the fast horses were to inform Beiting, Hexi, and Longyou Protectorate's Office of the Longyou Protectorate reported military information. Each general ordered his troops and horses to prepare for war, and prepared to go out to fight against the Tubo traitor army."

"yes!"

Gao Xianzhi turned his head and looked at Gu Qing and said, "Do you have something to explain?"

Gu Qing smiled and said, "The last general has nothing to say. He has 10,000 soldiers and horses, 15,000 war horses, food and weapons, and can be dispatched by Gao Jieshou."

When Bian Lingcheng heard this, his pupils suddenly shrank.

Gao Xianzhi smiled with satisfaction. Gu Qing's attitude in front of the generals was so humble, which obviously gave him enough face. Gao Xianzhi secretly appreciated it in his heart.

Of course, giving face is worthy of it. Gao Xianzhi is very clear. If he really wants to bypass Gu Qing and mobilize his ten thousand soldiers, Gu Qing will definitely turn his back on the spot. Everyone knows what the truth is and what the formalities are.

After pondering for a while, Gao Xianzhi said, "You cannot change generals when you are in the battle. This is a taboo for military strategists. You will still control the 10,000 soldiers and horses of the deputy commander. After the scout found out the enemy's tracking, you will discuss the stop of the troops with the deputy commander."

Gu Qing gave Gao Xianzhi enough face, Gao Xianzhi also reciprocates, giving Gu Qing enough face in front of the generals. He didn't move the 10,000 soldiers and horses under Gu Qing's command, and the situation was not too critical. Gao Xianzhi did not forget the emperor's imperial edict to Gu Qing. The imperial edict stated that 10,000 soldiers and horses of the left guard were controlled by Gu Qing. Gao Xianzhi would never move Gu Qing's military force unless he had no choice.

After gathering, Gao Xianzhi ordered the generals to perform their duties and then ordered them to disperse.

Gu Qing also said goodbye to Gao Xianzhi, intending to return to the camp to rectify the troops, horses, food and grass. As soon as he left the Jiedu Mansion, he suddenly heard someone calling him behind him, and Bian Lingcheng chased after him happily.

"The Bian Supervisor has any explanation?" Gu Qing said curiously.

Bian Lingcheng looked around and pulled Gu Qing to an empty corner, stamped his feet and said in anger: "Mr. Gu, why is the military power of Anxi still in Gao Xianzhi's hands? Didn't we agree to restrain Gao Xianzhi together?"

Gu Qing said blankly: "When will we agree? Could it be that the military officer Bian has not woken up from hangover?"

Bian Lingcheng changed his color: "Last time in the Marquis's handsome tent, we couldn't... say... no, no..."

Bian Lingcheng spoke slowly the more he spoke, and his expression gradually became awkward.

Well, I didn't seem to have said it last time, but Gu Qing had the emperor's imperial edict, and the meaning of restraining Gao Xianzhi was very obvious. Bian Lingcheng subjectively believed that Gu Qing would inevitably seize power with Gao Xianzhi, which gave rise to the illusion that they were allies.
Chapter completed!