Chapter 4

Chapter 3: The Simple Right and Wrong of the Tang People

In the open atmosphere of the empire, and amidst the private conversation in the military tent late at night, Ma Shixiang's face could not help but turn tense and unpleasant when he heard the words "the idiot princess." He had been extremely cautious and nervous when the noble lady entered Weicheng, never expecting that Ning Que would so bluntly and harshly criticize her. Moreover, he believed Ning Que's evaluation to be unfair, making his expression even more unpleasant.

Everyone knew that the Fourth Princess of the Tang Dynasty was not an idiot but a highly virtuous and noble lady.

With the Tang Dynasty's formidable national strength and powerful military, whether facing the nomadic tribes on the grasslands or the other states in Central China, it would never consider the humiliating political means of marriage alliances. Apart from the early years when the founding emperor's most loyal nomadic generals married several imperial women, there were no similar cases.

However, three years ago, when the grasslands first showed signs of instability and the largest nomadic tribe, the Golden Tent, showed signs of rebellion under the secret instigation and support of a Tang enemy state, the Fourth Princess, then around thirteen or fourteen years old and deeply favored by the emperor, knelt before the Daming Palace, weeping and pleading to be sent to the grasslands as a bride to the Golden Tent Khan, despite nationwide opposition. She was willing to give up the splendor of Chang'an and insisted on the marriage.

When this news spread, the whole world was shocked, and the streets buzzed with discussion. White-haired ministers were heartbroken and submitted numerous memorials, the emperor was furious and shattered countless jade cups, and the empress was emotionally complex and silent. However, none of this could sway the young princess's determination. The Golden Tent Khan, upon learning of this, felt greatly honored and was pleased with the princess's character. He sent envoys with five thousand cattle, sheep, and horses to the court, humbly and sincerely requesting the marriage. In the end, the Tang emperor had no choice but to agree to let his daughter marry the Khan in the eleventh year of Tianqi.

Within half a year of the princess's marriage to the grasslands, she and the Khan lived in harmony. The once ambitious and brave leader of the nomadic tribes became a calm lion, guarding the land and looking afar, but no longer initiating conflicts.

Unfortunately, no one could have predicted that a few months ago, the Khan, in the prime of his life, suddenly died. His younger brother forcibly succeeded him, and the border situation became complex and tense once again.

But from the moment the slender young princess knelt before the Daming Palace and decided her own marriage, for nearly four or five years, the northwest border of the Tang Empire enjoyed a precious peace. It must be said that most of this peace was due to the efforts of the princess.

Rumors suggested that the princess insisted on marrying into the grasslands largely to avoid the empress, but even if this were true, in the eyes of the military and court officials, the Fourth Princess's decision to avoid the empress and prevent the escalation of internal conflicts in the empire was a sign of her understanding and virtue.

For battle-hardened Tang border generals like Ma Shixiang, they were not afraid of war or the nomads. The princess's marriage to the enemy made them feel extremely humiliated, but no one would refuse the gift of peace from heaven.

Therefore, their feelings towards the princess were complex, with a mix of unexplained anger and gratitude, which gradually turned into a deep respect that they could not easily express to others.

Ning Que, a common soldier, might not understand the general's complex emotions, and even if he did, he probably wouldn't care, as he was now fighting for his personal safety and always believed that nothing was more important than his life. So he pretended not to notice the general's dark expression and continued, "I roughly counted the arrow holes in the carriage. The new Khan was very ruthless. I estimate that at least half of the princess's escort was killed on the grasslands."

"According to reports, they encountered bandits," Ma Shixiang said, his expression somewhat unnatural, as he himself did not believe this explanation.

"Even the Golden Tent Khan wouldn't dare to openly attack our Tang princess, so of course, it must be bandits. But everyone knows who those bandits are. However, if you think about it, it doesn't make sense. Everyone knows the bandits are the new Khan's cavalry. Where does he get the nerve? Isn't he afraid the court will be furious and send troops to destroy his Golden Tent?"

The Tang Dynasty was founded on martial prowess, with a simple and fierce national character, making it the strongest nation in the world. It placed great importance on dignity, but to completely destroy the nomadic tribes on the grasslands would also severely deplete the nation's strength.

To plunge the empire into turmoil and hardship over an attack on a married princess seemed impossible, but in Tang history, such stories of impulsive and heroic actions were not uncommon.

One of the most famous examples occurred in the late years of the founding emperor.

At that time, a nomadic tribe on the grasslands massacred a village in the Baiyang Dao, killing 140 villagers. When the imperial envoy went to demand justice, the arrogant Khan of the tribe cut off his ears and sent him back. The founding emperor was enraged and decided to personally lead an expedition to the grasslands. The entire empire was mobilized, supporting an army of 80,000 cavalry. The tribe was so terrified that they fled into the northern wilderness, and the Tang cavalry pursued them relentlessly for several months, ultimately exterminating the entire tribe.

The description of the months-long campaign and the complete annihilation of the enemy may seem simple and glorious, but it hid the terrible cost to the Tang Empire.

To support this costly war, the court conscripted a million laborers, requisitioned livestock from three counties in the Hebei region, and left the fields around Mount Min barren and empty. Taxes in the south quadrupled, causing widespread resentment, and the officials were unable to manage the affairs of the state. The nation was on the brink of turmoil and collapse.

The most remarkable aspect of the Tang Empire's character was revealed in the most dangerous moments and in the subsequent evaluations of this event.

When the imperial cavalry was on the northern expedition, the rebels in the south did not take advantage of the opportunity to intensify their attacks. Instead, they retreated to the mountains and lakes, as if they did not want to drag the empire down. The rebels, who might not all have considered the greater good, and some of whom might have wanted to seize this heaven-sent opportunity, faced a reality: the poor people who usually supported them, many of the lower-ranking leaders and soldiers in the rebel army, opposed the opportunity with their actions and silence.

The historical status of Emperor Taizu, who won this war, was not high, even within the empire. Whether in historical records or in the stories told in teahouses, the evaluation of this great ruler often revolved around his grand ambitions, his fondness for sycophants, his harsh laws, and his pursuit of immortality through unorthodox means.

But no matter how pedantic the scholars, how indifferent the academy professors to imperial authority, or how resentful the farmers and merchants of increased taxes, they would find various reasons to criticize the founding emperor, but no one ever thought that the war, which exhausted the nation's strength and caused suffering to the people, should not have been fought.

Because from the founding of the empire to the present, the people living on this land have always adhered to and defended a simple principle: I will not bully you, but you must not bully me. Even if I have bullied you, you... still cannot bully me!

Whoever bullies me, I will fight them.

This is the foundation of the Tang Empire.

This is the path to its strength.

This is also why the strongest nation in the world is called Tang.