LFHYB -Chapter 117 From Persia to Rome

In Chinese history, the Sasanian Empire was called Persia. In 651 CE, the second year of Tang Gaozong’s Yonghui reign, it was destroyed by the Arab Empire.

During the early and flourishing Tang periods, both Persia and, later, the Arab Empire (Da Shi) were mainly remembered as trading and artistic powers.

Chinese historical records lumped all diplomatic and ceremonial exchanges together under the term “tributary trade,” which made it seem as though Persia and the Arab Empire were small, submissive states bowing to the Tang.

In reality, at their peak, both Persia and the Arab Empire were massive transcontinental empires with prosperous economies, cultures, and technologies.

At this time, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, with Constantinople as its capital, was declining but still extant; the Sasanian Empire was at its peak around the end of the Sui and start of the Tang, but heading toward collapse; the Arab Empire was emerging and would later dominate the Eurasian land bridge.

The Tang, a “world-class superpower,” was not alone.

In the brief period from the late Sui to early Tang, Persia nearly destroyed the Eastern Roman Empire, the Arab Empire rose and destroyed Persia, and the Eastern Roman Empire was reduced to a nominal unity.

From Central Asia to Europe and North Africa, three empires clashed and mingled in chaos.

If not for the barrier of plateaus and deserts, the long and difficult travel, and the logistical challenges of military campaigns, the aggressive Sasanian and Arab empires would never have tolerated being merely enthusiastic Persian and Arab merchants.

These matters were unknown to people in the Central Plains.

Given the transportation conditions in feudal times, even by the Ming and Qing dynasties, if a rebellion broke out in the south, it might take a year for Beijing to hear about it. The Central Plains’ understanding of the Western Regions basically extended only as far as the Silk Road reached—maps were drawn only to that point. Timeliness? Don’t even mention it.

For example, the “detailed” Western Regions maps compiled by Pei Shiju, which could delight Yang Guang, were based merely on chatting with Western traders at the market in Zhangye. This alone shows how limited people’s knowledge of the world was at the time.

At this point, the Tibetan Empire was also in decline. From the perspective of the people of the Sui dynasty, the enemies of Western Turkic people were naturally only the Eastern Turks and the Sui dynasty. When they tried to persuade the Turks, they did so only from the standpoint of the Sui and the other Turkic tribe.

The Eastern Turks had little contact with the Western Regions.

To the north of the Eastern Turks lay the desolate Siberian snowfields; to the south, the Sui dynasty; to the west, the Western Turks; and to the east, one just had to take a few steps to reach the sea. Their horizon was narrow—they focused only on the Central Plains.

But the Western Turks were different.

Their territory was mostly in Central and Western Asia, and at their peak, their western lands reached the Caspian Sea.

Although they admired the prosperity of China’s Central Plains and wanted to reabsorb the Eastern Turks, they were also constantly contesting territory with the Persian Empire and later the Arab Empire.

During the reign of Tang Gaozong, Su Dingfang captured Khagan Helu, and the line of Western Turkic Khagans ended—thus the Western Turkic Khaganate was destroyed. Yet the Western Turkic tribes themselves migrated westward and remained active in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

This is why the remnants of the Western Turks repeatedly clashed with the Tang dynasty in later times, nearly exhausting Tang’s finances.

At this time, people in the Central Plains had no concept of how vast the world was. Some even thought the Earth had borders, and that apart from the Tang, everywhere else was barren wasteland.

The Western Turks were driven out—they should have been on the verge of extinction. How could they return, stronger than before?

Even though ancient texts mentioned the Eastern Roman Empire, Western traders brought news of Persia and the Arab lands, most Tang people’s direct experience of the Western Regions was limited to desert and Gobi. People find it hard to imagine things they have never seen.

So when Li Xuanba mentioned the Sassanid Empire, Khagan Shekui felt not surprised, but terrified.

If he were not mature, experienced, and quick to calm himself, he might have nearly thrown his wine cup in shock.

Li Xuanba not only mentioned the Sassanid Empire, the current major threat to the Western Turks, but also the Battle of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem would fall to the Sassanids next year—which means the Sassanid army is just now approaching Jerusalem.

Khagan Shekui had been closely monitoring the war between the Sassanid Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire.

Obviously, as long as the Sassanids win against the Eastern Romans, their next target would surely be to turn and strike the Western Turks.

He had only just received this news—how could the Sui have known it?

His men had immediately raced to deliver the intelligence as soon as they received it. Even if the Sui received the news first, could they possibly be faster than his horses?

Khagan Shekui found this completely unexpected situation very troubling.

He was proficient in both Chinese and Persian, and had collected and read books from both countries.

Though he looked like a rough, illiterate man, his education was quite good. He had read many Chinese military texts and knew that Chinese strategy was full of endless schemes, such as the “ally distant, attack near” strategy, which they executed very skillfully.

Previously, the Western Turks were unafraid of the Sui because they knew the Sui were completely ignorant of the world beyond the Western Turks; even if the Sui tried to sow discord, it would only be among the Eastern and Western Turks themselves.

Now, when Li Xuanba mentioned the “Sassanid dynasty” as if familiar with it, Khagan Shekui broke out in a cold sweat.

You cunning Sui man—could it be that you plan to “ally with the distant Sassanids and attack the nearby Western Turks”?

When someone possesses information beyond ordinary knowledge, it creates immense psychological pressure on the other party.

Some information is unknown even to Western Turk nobles—the Western Turks were still organized in tribes, and information was not equally shared among the upper, middle, and lower nobility; this inequality was a basis of their rule.

Thus Khagan Shekui hurriedly used Li Xuanba’s intimidation as a pretext to move the banquet to a more private location.

He no longer bothered to pretend to be a “barbarian” before the Sui. With exquisite dishes and wine laid out, he planned to drink and converse heartily with the Sui envoy.

Khagan Shekui left only a few close aides, and Li Xuanba left only Zhou Da, Luo Shixin, and four or five bodyguards; the rest were seated at separate tables outside.

Khagan Shekui poured wine for Li Xuanba, his tone and expression completely different from before: “Li Sanlang, you actually know about the Sassanid Empire? I thought the Sui all looked down on such a remote small state.”

Li Xuanba declined politely: “Khagan, as you can see, I have been weak since childhood and cannot drink. I won’t be able to accompany you fully this time.”

Khagan Shekui laughed: “No matter. I am old too, and cannot drink much. Bring honey water instead. You mentioned the Sassanid Empire—have you tasted the Sassanid Empire’s specialty honey water?”

Li Xuanba said, “The Sassanid Empire’s specialty honey water should be rock sugar, which was already tribute from the Western Regions in Han times. In reality, it is just crystallized cane sugar. Speaking of cane sugar, India’s is far more delicious.”

“Rock sugar is just cane sugar? Not some magical honey produced by bees on stones?” Khagan Shekui was puzzled but did not ask further.

Seeing Li Xuanba speak with such certainty, he dared not reveal his own gaps in knowledge.

Khagan Shekui said: “I’ve also tried Indian rock sugar; each has its merits. India is stronger than the Sassanids, so naturally their sugar tastes better.”

Li Xuanba smiled wryly: “India may have once been splendid, but compared to the Sassanids now, that would be an insult to them.”

Ignoring Khagan Shekui’s test, Li Xuanba spoke knowledgeably about the history of the Sassanid Empire.

The independent Persian dynasty before the Sassanids was called the Achaemenid Empire, contemporaneous with China’s Eastern Zhou.

The Achaemenid Empire is later known as Persia’s First Empire, at its height including the territory now held by the Western Turks.

The First Persian Empire sought to conquer Greece, but was destroyed by the Macedonian Empire. Macedonia was then conquered by Rome, becoming the Roman province of Macedonia.

Li Xuanba sipped the honeyed water and smiled: “The Macedonian province is referred to as the Kingdom of Mungchi in our ancient texts. The Khagan must be well aware of the Silk Road during the Han dynasty. Mungchi was actually the starting point of the Han Silk Road. During Emperor He of Han’s reign, the King of Mungchi sent envoys to submit, and Emperor He granted him a gold seal with a purple ribbon. Hahaha… that was all over five hundred years ago.”

Li Xuanba sighed, his smile tinged with melancholy: “Only when reading the old records do you realize just how mighty the Han truly was. I imagine the Persians must have felt the same way. The Sassanid emperor, campaigning south and north, probably sought to revive the glory of the Achaemenid Empire—much like we long to restore the splendor of the Han dynasty.”

Shikui Khagan gripped his cup so tightly it seemed he might crush it.

What he hated most was when the people of the Sui talked about history.

He lowered his head and took a sip of honeyed water, restraining himself.

Li Xuanba continued to speak, moving from history to the present, focusing on the Sassanid army.

“The noble cavalry of the Sassanid Empire is no ordinary force. Even the top nobles must go to war, equipped not only with full armor for themselves and their horses but also a complete set of weapons: swords, lances, bows, axes, hammers—truly magnificent.”

“My second brother also has a unit of heavy cavalry, wearing leather armor and bright lamellar. I’ve heard that Sassanid generals use chainmail. I’ve sent men to acquire some. I wonder which is superior: their chainmail or our lamellar?”

“The architecture of the Sassanid Empire is quite interesting. Their domed roofs are very different from our sharply angled eaves. I wonder if their architectural style was influenced by the Han concept of ‘round heaven, square earth’?”

“Their silk isn’t as fine as ours in the Sui, but the colors are brilliant and novel—I really like it. Their coins are also fascinating, featuring the emperor’s half-length portrait. But, from what I see, the figure is too abstract, hardly like a real person…”

Li Xuanba moved from military affairs to architecture, from architecture to art, and from Sassanid art branched into Greek and Roman art.

Shikui Khagan occasionally responded, and the conversation flowed smoothly.

But the more he listened, the more uneasy he became.

If Li Xuanba had only mentioned the term “Sassanid Empire,” the Khagan might have suspected he had prepared in advance, trying to intimidate him with limited knowledge.

Now, Li Xuanba spoke freely, casually—as if just making conversation—making the Khagan realize that the Sui truly understood the Sassanids, perhaps even better than he did.

For example, he had no idea that the Persian Empire, a thousand years ago, had a “First Empire” even more prosperous than now, or that the Greeks had submitted to the Han five hundred years ago.

Greece was so far from Han! His intelligence network had never reached that far—he only knew of Greece from the Persians.

The Khagan repeatedly tried to interrupt Li Xuanba, urging him to get to the point.

But the descriptions of the Western regions were so interesting that he found himself captivated. Moreover, much of the information was useful for assessing the current situation. The Khagan forced himself to listen to Li Xuanba’s rambling.

Li Xuanba was actually under pressure too.

His knowledge of the contemporaneous great empires was mostly skimmed from historical records—enough to give the impression, in casual conversation, that he was learned and well-researched.

If he delved too deeply, he risked making mistakes.

He had expected Shikui Khagan to cut him off quickly, but the Khagan listened seriously, leaving Li Xuanba unsure how to end the discussion naturally.

However, observing the Khagan’s expressions, Li Xuanba noticed that the Khagan’s understanding of the West was limited to the Persian Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire, and even then only a vague impression—he had likely never encountered them directly.

Mention Western Europe, and the Khagan would be completely clueless.

After eating a few pieces of meat and taking a brief rest, Li Xuanba continued: “Just as the Turks split into Eastern and Western factions, the once-mighty Roman Empire split into the Eastern Roman Empire. Although the Eastern Roman Empire has declined, it still survives. The Western Roman Empire, however, fell over a hundred years ago, alas.”

The Khagan’s attention was drawn to the Western Roman Empire: “How did the Western Roman Empire fall?”

Li Xuanba said: “Khagan, you should know that the Roman provinces were highly autonomous, almost like independent small kingdoms, much like the tribes under your Western Turk rule. When the West weakened, those small kingdoms deposed the Western Roman emperor. Western Europe then became a patchwork of small kingdoms. The Eastern Roman Empire constantly tried to reclaim the former Western territories, fighting on two fronts.”

The Khagan said: “No wonder the Persian Empire’s frontlines advanced so quickly. Li Sanlang, with your knowledge, can the Sassanid emperor win?”

Li Xuanba replied: “Yes. I expect them to capture Jerusalem next year. The Eastern Roman emperor is attacked from all sides and cannot stop Persia.”

The Khagan had anticipated this outcome after Li Xuanba mentioned the Western Roman Empire, and sighed.

Li Xuanba smiled: “Khagan need not sigh. The Roman emperor will be backstabbed by the Western kingdoms. Persia’s western flank has you looming over it. You do nothing now, but after Persia and the Eastern Romans have exhausted each other, I don’t believe you won’t act.”

The Khagan coughed dryly. He had meant to conceal his thoughts, but after hearing so much from Li Xuanba, he gave up and replied candidly: “Of course I will act.”

Li Xuanba said: “There is an old saying in our land: ‘The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.’ Behind the Persian Empire stands you, watching like a tiger. Behind you stands the Eastern Turks, watching like a tiger. And behind the Eastern Turks stands the Sui, watching like a tiger. It’s a complete circle.”

The Khagan toyed with his now-empty cup: “And what of the Sui and the Western Turks?”

Li Xuanba said: “Before the Eastern Turks fell, the Central Plains and the Western Turks were eternal allies. After that, the Central Plains dynasty will certainly reclaim control over the Silk Road in the Western Regions, restoring the glory of the Han. Then we can have a proper contest once more.”

Khagan Shekui sighed: “Li Sanlang, with your personality, you must be what the Central Plains call a hero—so candid even about future betrayals.”

Li Xuanba laughed: “Thank you for the compliment.”

Khagan Shekui said regretfully: “It’s a pity—I suppose I won’t live to the day I become your enemy.”

Li Xuanba replied: “Isn’t that perfect? Then we can be allies even more at ease.”

The Qaghan winked at Li Xuanba, like a mischievous old man: “But I’ve already heard intelligence that the Sui dynasty is unstable now, right?”

Li Xuanba also blinked playfully: “Exactly, that’s why I came to seek an alliance with Your Qaghan.”

Khagan Shekui paused, then slapped the table and laughed heartily: “Good, good! I see! Come, wine! You must drink this cup!”

Li Xuanba cupped his hands in salute: “Very well.”

Historical records state that Prince Jin, Li Xuanba, spoke cordially with Khagan Shekui of the Western Turks, swore an oath of blood brotherhood, and became sworn brothers of different surnames.

Khagan Shekui was deeply impressed by the prince’s demeanor and remained a close ally of the Tang dynasty for life.

The future could wait. Now, Li Xuanba finally had time to return and get a good night’s sleep, waiting for the Qaghan to summon more Western Turk nobles to hold a grand alliance ceremony.

After that, he only needed to eat, drink, and enjoy himself with Khagan Shekui.

“Shixin, the Western Regions value martial skill. Are you confident in a duel with a Turkic warrior?” Li Xuanba said weakly.

Luo Shixin patted his chest: “Sanlang, leave it to me!”

Li Zhiyun said: “I can do it too!”

Li Xuanba didn’t discourage him: “If you’re confident, you can go. Win or lose doesn’t matter—consider it a chance to gain experience.”

Li Zhiyun leapt onto Li Xuanba’s bed: “Good! Third Brother, how exactly did you persuade Khagan Shekui? I didn’t understand a thing!”

Luo Shixin kept nodding: “Me neither. I just saw the Qaghan swing from arrogance to humility and inexplicably decide to become your brother. Zhouge, did you understand?”

Zhou Da stroked his beard: “I didn’t listen at all.”

Though very sleepy, Li Xuanba forced himself to explain because his brothers were causing mischief: “The key to persuasion lay in my final words: ‘The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.’ To the east of the Eastern Roman Empire is Persia; to the east of Persia is the Western Turkic Khaganate; east of the Western Turks lie the Eastern Turks and the Sui dynasty. Understand?”

Zhou Da looked blank. How could he understand that?

Li Zhiyun and Luo Shixin, however, both looked thoughtful.

Li Zhiyun spoke first: “If the Western Turk Qaghan doesn’t ally with us to attack the Eastern Turks, we’ll ally with Persia to strike the Western Turks? He’s afraid of that?”

Luo Shixin followed: “The Western Turks believe the Central Plains are entering turmoil again and cannot threaten them. But the threat from Persia is immediate, and the Eastern Turks are strong. So he wants to join us to deal with the Eastern Turks first, so he can focus on Persia?”

After they spoke, they exchanged a glance, then turned to Li Xuanba in unison: “Did I or Shixin explain it correctly?”

Li Xuanba smiled in relief: “Both of you are correct.”

Li Zhiyun rolled around on Li Xuanba’s lap: “Third Brother, don’t just say that!”

Li Xuanba pressed his head gently: “I’m not. Situations change in an instant. The developments you guessed are the concerns he must have—and they are strategies we can adopt.”

Li Zhiyun looked up: “Third Brother, just a few words persuaded him—it’s amazing. We didn’t even have to show the strength of our troops, and he believed everything.”

Li Xuanba said: “That’s because when I presented the detailed information, he already knew our strength.”

Li Zhiyun and Luo Shixin pondered again, while Zhou Da continued to daydream.

In the Western Turk king’s tent, Khagan Shekui was discussing the matter with his brother, Tongyehu.

Though called a king’s tent, Khagan Shekui resided in the former palace of the king of Yiwuguan. He did not skimp on himself.

He and Tongyehu sat by the fire, dismissed attendants, and talked in private.

When Khagan Shekui met with Li Xuanba, Tongyehu had posed as a guard and listened to everything.

Tongyehu asked: “Qaghan, does that young Sui boy really know the Western Regions so well?”

Khagan Shekui gave him a sharp look: “You heard everything. What is your own judgment?”

Tongyehu remained silent.

Khagan Shekui said: “He knows more than I do about the Western Regions. That’s nothing—he just needs time and manpower to find out. But how did he learn about the Persian front earlier than us? There are only two possibilities. First, he only found out about the western war fronts when he arrived here.”

Tongyehu said: “Then there must be spies he placed among our confidants. Impossible!”

Khagan Shekui: “Second, he has some method we don’t know. Rumors among the Uyghurs say Li Erlang and Li Sanlang are blessed by the spirits of the steppe, and two golden eagles that understand human speech act as their messengers, accompanying them in the world. Li Erlang is immensely strong; Li Sanlang has perfect memory. They can command lightning to destroy all enemies. The Tuhuguan Qaghan died under lightning.”

Tongyehu flatly said: “I don’t believe it.”

Khagan Shekui said calmly: “You should know the Uyghur warrior Gucuo Tele. He once ambushed the Tuhuguan Qaghan with Li Erlang. When I asked him during tribute, he said he saw Li Erlang and Li Sanlang control lightning with his own eyes.”

Tongyehu gasped: “Really?!”

Khagan Shekui: “True or not, it proves at least that Li Erlang and Li Sanlang… Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, the brothers, are extraordinary. And they are said to be twins. Twins themselves are considered a sign of the miraculous.”

Tongyehu frowned.

Indeed, both Persia and the Turks had many legends involving twins. Rome’s founding, after all, began with twins.

Tongyehu said: “Then will these twins fight each other like the legend of Rome?”

Khagan Shekui rolled his eyes violently. “The people of the Central Plains are not like the barbarian peoples of the Western Regions. Only barbarians cannot tolerate brothers. Clearly, Li Xuanba will become Li Shimin’s most loyal minister, just like the Duke of Zhou assisted his elder brother.”

Tongyehu sighed. “That’s true. The Central Plains is a land of ritual and propriety.”

Both Khagan Shekui and Tongyehu revealed a longing for the Central Plains. Although the Persian Empire was indeed powerful, and the Eastern Roman Empire was formidable as well, they still felt that the people of the Central Plains were more “civilized.”

As for why… they couldn’t put it into words—they just sensed a different aura.

That was why they were willing to marry Central Plains princesses, rather than form marital alliances with the Persians. In their eyes, no matter how luxuriously Westerners dressed, they were just barbarians draped in fancy clothes.

Khagan Shekui sighed. “I am old, and the tribe will be led by you in the future. If the next emperor of the Central Plains truly is Li Shimin… sigh, then it is the will of heaven. You will just have to lie low for a generation.”

Tongyehu smiled bitterly. “Li Shimin is far too young.”

Khagan Shekui said, “That is what makes him even more terrifying. He can wear us down merely by surviving. Not to mention, his strength is already considerable.”

Tongyehu was unwilling to accept this. “Can’t we unite with other forces in the Central Plains to take down this terrifying pair of twins?”

Li Xuanba alone was already fearsome; his elder brother Li Shimin would then be a demigod of three heads and six arms incarnate.

Khagan Shekui hesitated for a moment and said, “If you have a chance, you can try—just don’t let them find out. But think about it: at their age and with their abilities, even in the Central Plains, such talent is rare.”

Tongyehu thought for a while. “I remember Li Shimin isn’t the eldest. He has an older brother.”

Khagan Shekui twitched his mouth. “Yes, his elder brother is nearly ten years older, yet has no reputation whatsoever. When Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were still children, he had already come of age. He’s certainly a good-for-nothing. If you think you can manage dragging a fool along, then you may try.”

Tongyehu coughed dryly.

He also felt it was impractical, but a person must have dreams; they cannot be suppressed by two little children for their entire lives.