Chapter 486: Chapter 33: The Gu Clan’s Name Sweeps the Western Regions, All Nations Submit

All kinds of thoughts mixed with intense fatigue and despair came rushing in.

Suddenly, he looked up and let out a long howl, issuing a Turkic command that tore through the smoke: "Throw down your weapons! We have surrendered!"

Before the words had fallen, the messengers beside him sharply lifted their heads, eyes showing panic and confusion.

But they saw the blood-stained hem of the Khan’s robe fluttering in the wind, and they finally gripped the horn at their waists, shouting the order across the vast plain with an unstoppable force.

"Throw down your weapons! We have surrendered!"

"Throw down your weapons! We have surrendered!"

"Throw down your weapons! We have surrendered!"

In an instant, the sound of metal clashing rose and fell.

Curved blades, arrows, wolf-head battle axes... bloodstained weapons fell onto the yellowing tundra, startling a few cold crows.

The men dressed in furs from various tribes stumbled out of the ranks, their throats rolling with awkward Han speech, blue veins bulging on their necks still stained with blood, yet they shouted with all their might towards the Tang Army:

"We surrender! We surrender!!!"

"We surrender! We surrender!!!"

The sound waves washed over the grasslands like a tide, causing the distant sheep to halt abruptly.

The distant Tang Army also immediately heard these shouts.

In a flash—

Everyone’s eyes brightened instantly.

Gu Quan did not let his guard down but gestured for the army to stop, and then he exchanged a few glances with Gu Yan.

Gu Yan immediately signaled, tightening the formation and preparing for a charge.

However, he did not take any direct action.

Gu Quan then led several thousand troops swiftly forward, completely dividing the remnants of the Western Turkic Khaganate, and only after confirming safety did he signal Gu Yan to lead the army over.

—The Northwest situation changed in an instant!

Looking at the Tang and Gu Clan flags fluttering in the wind, these remnants of the Western Turkic Khaganate were utterly terrified to the extreme.

They offered no resistance!

No—

There was some resistance.

Ultimately, some were unwilling, whether for the power in their hands or for the faith in their hearts, they wanted to do something at this moment, even to assassinate Gu Yan, the apparent commander.

But unfortunately, these people were always in the minority.

Nor were they able to accomplish anything.

Instead, their tribes suffered massacre.

Gu Quan would show no mercy.

A system as unwavering as iron requires large-scale slaughter to be adhered to by everyone; this was the principle Gu Chen had left for Gu Clan youth in the past.

Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself.

This is an eternal truth.

However, handling these people is destined to take some time, including their subsequent arrangements and everything, which requires consideration from Li Shimin.

Fortunately, Li Jing was also rushing over quickly.

Especially after the complete surrender of the Western Turkic Khaganate, Li Jing’s marching speed was also getting faster and faster.

Just five days later, the two forces once again gathered.

Gu Quan did not go to see Li Jing.

From start to finish, he held to his principle of staying in the dark, leaving everything to Gu Yan.

Although Gu Yan’s ability was not as good as his,

But as he grew older and his burdens heavier, Gu Yan had also changed.

Li Jing and his subordinate generals were thoroughly shocked!

Although everyone knew the extraordinary nature of the Gu Clan, this outcome was still somewhat startling.

What is this?

They were still thinking of marching quickly to help Gu Yan, and now Gu Yan had already forced the Western Turkic Khaganate to surrender, what was the point of their rapid march these days?

How could they have known that all of this had been prepared since the days of Gu Yu.

From start to finish—

This was not the achievement of Gu Yan or Gu Quan alone.

It was the legacy between two generations of the Gu Clan and the effort put in for a single goal.

Even Li Jing had complex thoughts, finally giving Gu Yan a complex sigh: "The Grand Tutor’s current command reminds me of the spirit of the Grand General of old."

—He was, of course, speaking of Gu Quan.

Although Li Jing’s words were merely a lament, with no other meaning or speculation,

But they still made Gu Yan’s expression suddenly complex.

....

The news continued to spread.

Siye Hukhan and other Western Turkic tribal nobles were all escorted to Chang’an.

Gu Quan did not choose to wait here, but instead had Gu Yan hand everything over to Li Jing, then intended to lead people to the Western Regions.

Initially, Li Jing was somewhat unwilling about this matter. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

But upon careful consideration,

This matter indeed was more suitable for the Gu Clan to undertake.

The situation in the Western Regions had not yet been completely settled; although pro-Turkic forces in the various small countries were not a major issue for the Great Tang, they did pose a problem for these small nations in the Western Regions.

They needed to resolve all of this.

And the Gu Clan’s prestige across the world could minimize the risks of this situation.

Yumen Pass.

Yellow sand filled the sky, and the majestic pass stood tall. The tawny walls shimmered with a hard, cold light under the scorching sun.

Beside the mottled earth wall, the statues of Gu Cheng and Ban Chao stood silently.

The marks of time covered the surface of the statues, with the folds of their garments laden with a thousand years of wind and sand.

They faced away from Kyushu, looking towards the Western Regions, the eyes of the statues gazing into the distance, as if crossing time and space, with an eternal posture safeguarding the vast mountains and rivers behind them, resisting the changes beyond the borders.

The significance of these two statues to the Gu Clan is also very crucial.

Starting with Gu Cheng—the name of the Gu Clan gradually spread in all directions, reaching the present day.

And for the entirety of Kyushu and the Western Regions, what these two did was equally extraordinary.

Gu Quan, Gu Yan, and other Gu Clan youths solemnly worshiped the two of them, then proceeded to cross Yumen Pass, heading straight for the Western Regions.

Yet another large-scale reckoning.

In addition to eliminating pro-Turkic forces within various countries, Gu Quan also needed to cultivate pro-Great Tang forces. This was bound to be a very troublesome matter.

—Kyushu has indeed been chaotic for too long!

The Great Tang has just risen, and under the influence of the Western Turkic Khaganate, the understanding of the Great Tang by the Western Regions’ countries was even less than that of the Gu Clan.

Gu Quan needed to demonstrate strength.

He also needed time to gradually promote cultural integration.

Fortunately, he now had plenty of time, leaving him many opportunities.

Ninth year of Zhenguan, March.

Gu Quan eradicated the rebellious forces of Yanqi, deposed its ruler, and supported another, officially initiating governance over the Western Regions.

He spared no effort, sending his troops out one by one to the various regions.

Just like Ban Chao and Gu Cheng of old, he launched a reckoning across the land of the Western Regions.

He needed no restraint.

The forces in the Western Regions were not enough to make him overly cautious.

This was not arrogance, just a difference in strength.

—The entire Western Regions was in turmoil.

Compared to other places, actually, the small countries in the Western Regions did not fear the Gu Clan too much.

Because the Gu Clan had never directly targeted them, and Gu Cheng helped them sweep away the Xiongnu in the past.

Only until today did they truly experience the terrifying side of the Gu Clan.

There was no mercy.

For Gu Quan, the so-called kings and rulers of these small countries were no different from those rebellious forces, and this attitude made everyone feel afraid.

Gu Yi had always quietly observed all of this, and his anticipation for it grew stronger.

He knew very well—

With the complete pacification of the Western Regions, a brand-new era was about to arrive.

And unless something unexpected happens, this era is very likely to become a dividing line in the entire history!.....

——————

"At the dawn of Zhenguan, Taizong reformed and ignited a new era. With armor and steed, he swept across the land, and such grand achievements in the scroll of Huaxia’s feudal times stand as splendid Chapters.

At that time, having just emerged from the disintegration of the late Yan Han and the chaos of the late Sui, Kyushu was like fish in a dried-up rut and trees struck by frost, its vitality severely depleted.

Yet Taizong Li Shimin, with his heavenly talents, rejuvenated a declining state.

His governance was like spring rain nourishing all things, his decrees clear and prevalent; his use of troops was like thunderous wrath, invincible wherever he went.

By the ninth year of Zhenguan, the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates were wiped out, and the Gu Clan’s mighty army broke into the Western Regions.

Thus, the Great Tang’s prestige was formidable, and its national strength rivaled the flourishing era of Emperor Xiaoren of Yan Han. Through the ages of vicissitudes and fragmentation, Kyushu’s mountains and rivers were finally reborn, inaugurating a new Chapter of cultural prosperity and tribute from all nations."

—"The Rise and Fall of the Tang Dynasty"