Chapter 65: Songtsen Gampo

On that vast and boundless plateau, Songtsän Gampo stood in silence, his gaze solemn and profound. He watched unblinkingly as Gar Töntsen and the wedding delegation moved toward him step by slow step.

His heart felt weighed down by a heavy boulder, each breath turning labored. The wedding procession should have been filled with joy and anticipation, yet the air was now thick with a suffocating tension.

He knew that things had likely not turned out as they had hoped, and this outcome might plunge the entire Tibetan Empire into an unprecedented crisis.

He silently prayed in his heart that it was not the worst possible outcome, yet an ominous foreboding still lingered in his mind.

"Tsenpo."

Gar Töntsen approached, bowing slightly. His voice was low and respectful, tinged with a faint, imperceptible nervousness.

His heart was heavy with guilt. As the key figure of this marriage proposal mission, he was acutely aware of the sacred duty he carried.

Yet now, having failed to accomplish it, he dreaded facing the Tsenpo's disappointed gaze, and feared even more that his failure would bring disaster upon Tibet.

The humiliation he had suffered in the Great Tang flashed continuously through his mind, every single scene stabbing at his heart like a knife.

Songtsän Gampo’s profound eyes swept over Gar Töntsen, his gaze as inscrutable as a freezing pool.

Beneath the surface, his heart was already in turmoil. Seeking a marital alliance had been a grand strategy he had plotted for the future of Tibet for a long time.

If it failed, the entire morale of the Tibetan Empire would plummet to rock bottom.

All these grand and elaborate preparations had now become a complete joke.

Yet hearing Gar Töntsen’s subdued tone, he knew the matter had likely taken a turn for the worst.

After a long silence, he spoke slowly: "Did the Great Tang reject our proposal?"

He tried to keep his voice steady, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner anger and resentment.

Gar Töntsen nodded obscurely, his body trembling slightly as if this outcome were an overwhelmingly heavy blow to him.

"Tsenpo, I have failed in my mission. I beg the Tsenpo for punishment."

His voice dropped even lower, his head buried deeper as he continuously blamed himself inside.

"Yet the most urgent matter at this moment is to disperse the crowd, lest the Tsenpo's prestige be impaired!"

With that, Gar Töntsen raised his head to look at Songtsän Gampo, his eyes filled with urgency. He knew all too well how vital the Tsenpo's reputation was to the Tibetan Empire.

It must not suffer on account of this failure, even if he had to bear even heavier punishments.

Songtsän Gampo nodded expressionlessly. He gently patted Gar Töntsen on the shoulder, his tone calm yet carrying a unique, dignified authority.

"There is no need."

Beneath his seemingly calm exterior, his mind was rapidly weighing the pros and cons. Dispersing the crowd might preserve his prestige for the moment, but it was not the way to solve the problem.

He needed the people of Tibet to know the truth, and even more, he needed them to unite as one.

With that, he stepped past Gar Töntsen with a steady stride, walking toward the cheering crowd below. His posture was as straight as a pine, every step falling like a hammer on the heartstrings of the onlookers, while his mind raced with how to guide his people through this setback.

Songtsän Gampo walked to the edge of the high platform and pressed his hand down toward the cheering throng below.

The cheers of the crowd were gradually stifled, as if an invisible, giant hand had slowly clamped over their mouths.

Until the entire arena fell into absolute silence, everyone held their breath, their gazes converging squarely upon Songtsän Gampo.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his complex emotions, knowing that every word he uttered next would be crucial, shaping the future trajectory of all Tibet.

Songtsän Gampo took a deep breath and shouted aloud.

"Our marriage alliance has failed! Our Grand Chancellor has returned empty-handed! That Emperor of the Great Tang looks down upon our humble Tibetan realm!"

His voice echoed through the air, every single word striking the people's hearts like a heavy hammer.

As he shouted these words, his heart held both anger at the Great Tang's contempt for Tibet and anxiety for Tibet's future.

He hoped to ignite the fighting spirit of the people through such means, yet he also feared it might trigger an uncontrollable war.

"Gar Töntsen!"

Songtsän Gampo called out loudly once again to the grand chancellor of Tibet.

"Present, Tsenpo!"

Gar Töntsen hurriedly responded at the top of his lungs, his voice ringing exceptionally loud in the stillness.

His heart was filled with both tension and expectation—tension because he did not know what the Tsenpo would ask of him next, and expectation because the Tsenpo might have a countermeasure to find a turning point for Tibet in this crisis.

"Tell them how the Tang Dynasty rejected our marriage proposal!"

Songtsän Gampo glanced at Gar Töntsen, their eyes meeting to exchange a profound, covert look pregnant with meaning.

Only by letting the populace understand the truth could they truly be united; the spearhead must be pointed outward.

What Gar Töntsen needed to do was to embellish the tale and exaggerate the details.

Songtsän Gampo trusted that Gar Töntsen understood his intent.

Gar Töntsen was the one who knew the sequence of events best, and he trusted Gar Töntsen's ability to rouse the emotions of the people.

Gar Töntsen understood immediately. He stepped forward, sweeping his gaze across the surrounding crowd, a flash of grief and indignation crossing his eyes.

He blurted out everything without reservation, beginning from those arduous six marriage trials, and how he had racked his brains and exhausted his efforts to pass through ordeal after ordeal.

Throughout that process, he had been full of anticipation, hoping to successfully complete the alliance and bring peace and prosperity to Tibet. But in the end, the Great Tang had ruthlessly rejected the proposal, and those Tang officials had even ordered him to be whipped.

The pain of that leather whip lashing across his flesh still seemed fresh, every scar serving as a brand of humiliation. His heart was filled with hatred—hatred for the ruthlessness and arrogance of the Great Tang.

Later, when Tibet sent troops to inquire about the reason, they were savagely insulted by the Great Tang. He exaggerated all these accounts and fed them to the Tibetan people.

As he recounted these things, the arrogant face of Zhang Xianhuai kept surfacing in his mind.

Resentment swirled in his heart, yet his face wore an expression of profound sorrow.

He wanted the Tibetan populace to pour all their fury upon the Great Tang, and he wanted to preserve Songtsän Gampo's dignity.

With that, he slowly sank to his knees before all the people of Tibet, pointing to the shocking scars on his face.

"It is I, Gar Töntsen, who am useless! I have caused the Tsenpo to lose face!"

Hot tears gushed from his eyes, streaming down his cheeks—tears of remorse and self-blame.

He continually reproached himself.

"I have failed the Tsenpo's trust, and I have let down the people of Tibet."

He turned around and kowtowed repeatedly toward Songtsän Gampo, the sound of his forehead striking the ground echoing with crystal clarity in the silence.

"Tsenpo, I have failed you! I, Gar Töntsen, ask only for death to repay the Tsenpo for recognizing my worth!"

"Only by dying to atone for my sins can I lighten the guilt in my heart toward the Tsenpo!"

"Tsenpo!"

The Tibetan commoners below, witnessing Gar Töntsen in this state of heart-wrenching grief, felt an immense surge of ache in their hearts.

Their Grand Chancellor had always been so wise and loyal, yet he had suffered such torment.

Many in the crowd even unconsciously muttered the words "Grand Chancellor," their eyes filled with deep respect and sympathy for Gar Töntsen.

In their hearts, they felt an injustice on behalf of the Grand Chancellor, while also feeling a fierce rage toward the actions of the Great Tang.

This anger spread endlessly through their hearts like a burning fire.

For a moment, public indignation reached a boiling point, the fires of wrath burning in the eyes of the people.

Songtsän Gampo looked at Gar Töntsen, whose forehead was oozing fresh blood, his face revealing a look of heartache. He strode forward and lifted Gar Töntsen up with a gentle yet firm grip.

"Gar Töntsen, you need feel no guilt toward me. You have done exceptionally well; no one could have done better than you!"

His voice was filled with solace and profound admiration for Gar Töntsen. He knew Gar Töntsen had done his utmost, and this failure was not his responsibility alone.

"The Great Tang is bullying us too far!"

Songtsän Gampo gritted his teeth and declared fiercely, a savage light flashing in his eyes as he swore inwardly to make the Great Tang pay dearly for their actions.

Hearing this, the commoners below became even more blood-pumping and impassioned. Many raised their weapons high above their heads, the blades glinting coldly in the sunlight.

They brandished their arms and roared at the top of their lungs.

"March against the Great Tang!"

"Show the Great Tang the might of Tibet!"

"Plunder everything the Great Tang has!"

Their hearts were filled with fury and the greedy desire to plunder the Great Tang.

They only thought of reclaiming their lost face for Tibet and letting the Great Tang know that Tibet was not to be trifled with.

That roar rolled forward like thunder, carrying boundless fury and the defense of their dignity.

Chaotic voices came from all directions, converging into a surging, overwhelming force.

Songtsän Gampo raised his hand, signaling the crowd to quiet down. His gaze swept over every single person, his eyes brimming with power.

He was pondering how to guide the emotions of the people so they would not be consumed by blind rage.

He pulled Gar Töntsen into a firm embrace filled with trust and encouragement, hoping Gar Töntsen could feel his support and letting the people witness their unity through this gesture.

"Gar Töntsen! You have done well! You are the pride of our Tibet!"

"I, Songtsän Gampo, swear here and now."

Songtsän Gampo released Gar Töntsen and said with solemn gravity:

"As long as I, Songtsän Gampo, am the Tsenpo of Tibet for a single day, you, Gar Töntsen, shall be the Grand Chancellor of Tibet for a single day!"

He knew that at this critical juncture, stabilizing military morale and popular sentiment was paramount. Gar Töntsen was a crucial pillar of Tibet, and he needed not only to win over the hearts of the Tibetan people but also the heart of this wise man.

Hearing the Tsenpo's words, Gar Töntsen was deeply stirred, his lips trembling slightly.

He thought to himself with profound emotion that Songtsän Gampo was truly a magnificent sovereign rarely seen in Tibet in a thousand years!

To serve beneath such a great ruler was the greatest honor of his, Gar Töntsen's, life!

What was there to fear from the Great Tang!

His fighting spirit was reignited within his breast, and he resolved to fight to the death for the dignity of Tibet.

"Everyone in the wedding delegation has worked hard! I do not blame you! You shall still receive your original rewards!"

Songtsän Gampo declared loudly toward the wedding delegation.

He knew the soldiers of the delegation had endured a harrowing journey and had given a great deal for Tibet; they must not be allowed to feel disillusioned.

The soldiers of the wedding delegation had walked this entire road harboring constant dread, believing harsh punishment awaited them.

Yet now, not only was the Tsenpo withholding punishment, but he was bestowing rewards upon them.

In an instant, the soldiers of the delegation dropped to their knees one after another. Fanaticism blazed in their eyes as they roared with intense emotion:

"We are willing to give our lives for the Tsenpo!"

"March on the Great Tang! Vent our Tsenpo's anger!"

"Show those Tang people the true might of Tibet!"

"Our Tsenpo should be the Heavenly Khagan!"

Their hearts swelled with gratitude toward the Tsenpo and fury toward the Great Tang, and their battle cries echoed long and hard across the plateau.