By: Tananya Prankprakma
The Tang Dynasty find themselves in a skirmish with the Uyghur Khaganate, their neighbors on the northern border who have started taxing Tang merchants. Members of the council have claimed that the Uyghurs do not find much value in their trade relationship anymore. Some took a more hostile view of Uyghur actions than others, but there was not a consensus on what the Uyghurs’ exact intentions may have been.
Two main factions emerged to deal with the trade question. The first faction, involving an outspoken General Siming and a few others, valued military action above all. The other faction of the cabinet favored a more diplomatic approach. Although General Siming and his faction of the cabinet did not wish to be brash and disrespectful, they agreed that military action had more potential than the option of pure diplomacy. Though split on the primary course of action, cabinet members from both factions strongly agreed that a reinforcement of military forces was in order, although they disagreed on the matter in which it should be done.
While debate in the cabinet seemed to be going quite peacefully, a concerned Tang citizen living along the northern border addressed the council and gave news of recent chaos. An order had been made to buddy up soldiers with merchants as they travel and trade with the Uyghurs. The Uyghurs took it poorly and the Tang soldiers became violent with those on the other side.
“I’m deeply concerned and it is getting chaotic there and incredibly violent,” the citizen said, “especially with regards to these trade caravans.” The citizen also noted that a person in the council room had been responsible for the order to pair up soldiers and merchants. Council members immediately condemned the actions of whoever had made the order.
There had not been any agreement that such action was appropriate before it had been taken by a single council member. “The person who raised military action is cowardly, and especially now that they aren’t coming up and [confessing], it’s cowardly and it is unacceptable,” The Imperial Advisor said. Other council members agreed and many proclaimed that the actor was a traitor.
However, not long after, the Uyghurs started attacking invading Tang land. As the Uyghur forces surround the capital and gain control over a significant number of Tang citizens, the council continues to work under pressure to quickly and effectively address the Uyghur question.