Within a few days, the marriage escort party arrived at the Uyghur capital. The Khagan had already proclaimed to all tribal clans that a true princess of the Great Tang was coming to marry into the Uyghur nation. Upon hearing that an imperial princess had journeyed from afar, the Uyghur people flocked to the grand avenue before the capital to witness her grace. They rejoiced, praising aloud:
"The Great Tang honors us greatly—this time they have sent a true imperial princess! An auspicious blessing indeed!"
After several days of travel, the group reached the great royal tent of the Khagan.
When Prince of Han Li Yu—the special envoy escorting the princess—entered the tent, he found the Khagan seated within, surrounded by armed guards; the atmosphere was tense and heavily guarded. The Khagan wore a nomad's hat and a reddish-brown robe, seated on a couch.
The Brave Khagan spoke with deliberate discourtesy, asking:
"Who are you?"
Prince of Han Li Yu replied,"I am the cousin of the Son of Heaven."
Li Yu understood at once—this was Uyghur insolence born from seeing the Tang Empire weakened. The Khagan was being intentionally rude; yet Li Yu's expression remained unchanged.
Seeing that Li Yu showed no fear, the Khagan pressed further, asserting dominance:"Since the Prince is my guest, proper propriety must be observed. Between two nations, rulers and ministers follow ritual—why do you not bow?"
Prince of Han Li Yu answered calmly:
"Our Son of Heaven bestowed the princess in gratitude for the Uyghurs' defense of our borders. In the past, when the Tang married princesses to foreign states, they were merely girls of the imperial clan. But the bride sent to the Uyghurs is a true imperial daughter—Princess Ningguo, born of the Son of Heaven himself, gifted with both grace and talent. Since you are now the imperial son-in-law, how can you remain seated and receive an imperial edict?"
Hearing this, the Khagan was overjoyed. He immediately kneeled.Prince of Han Li Yu read out the imperial decree; only after the final words did the Khagan rise and accept the imperial bestowment, formally taking Princess Ningguo as his principal wife—Khatun.
Three Days of Celebration
The next day, the Brave Khagan and Princess Ningguo were wed. According to Uyghur custom, the entire realm was granted three days of rest, and feasts filled those three days. The Khagan was overjoyed, and he lavished the Tang envoys with generous gifts.
But on the third day, the pounding of hooves suddenly thundered outside. Three or four tribal chieftains were led by nomad guards into the great tent. They conferred with the Khagan for a long time.
Soon after, guards summoned Crown Prince Yabghu and General Ide into the tent.
Moments later, the guards invited many representatives of the Tang forces inside. Naturally, Wu Tong and his two companions accompanied them.
The Brave Khagan sighed deeply:
"On this joyous day, I had intended to order General Ide to lead five thousand elite soldiers to accompany Prince of Han Li Yu back to the Tang to suppress the traitors. But just now, chieftains of the northwestern tribes reported unrest within our realm. I fear we cannot commit troops to your emperor's cause."
Hearing this, Prince of Han Li Yu thought the Khagan was simply making excuses. He said:
"Khagan, our Son of Heaven granted the hand of Princess Ningguo only because of the Uyghurs' loyal service on the frontier. What has been agreed upon cannot be dismissed lightly."
The Khagan replied:
"Prince, this is not merely internal rebellion. Several men from the Central Plains—martial wanderers—have combined forces with outlaws of the Western Regions to join a sect calling itself the 'Western Holy Church.' They spread demonic doctrine, claiming the end of days is near and that salvation exists only for those who believe in this church. Their growth is astonishingly rapid. I have dispatched troops many times, but this sect is not an army—they wander without fixed dwelling, skilled in martial arts and impossible to pin down. Yesterday, during the festivities, they abducted many tribal women, committing outrageous acts. I do not break my promise lightly. I am simply helpless."
Princess Ningguo spoke softly:
"My lord husband, since you are now the Son of Heaven's son-in-law, it is only proper that you assist the Son of Heaven in suppressing traitors."
The Khagan hesitated, knowing she spoke truth—this was precisely the moment to aid the Tang, yet the Western Holy Church threatened his tribes.
Prince of Han Li Yu pondered briefly, then suddenly called out:
"Where is the Hall Master of the Loyal and Righteous Hall?"
Wu Tong stepped forth."Your servant is present. How may I serve Your Highness?"
Li Yu thought, Thank heaven the emperor sent the Loyal and Righteous Hall. Matters of the martial world required martial-world men.
He said:
"Hall Master Li, you have roamed the martial world for many years. Would you remain here and resolve this matter of the Western Holy Church for the Khagan? The Tang army must soon clash with the rebels; the emperor has long prepared for the counterattack and must not be delayed. Could you ease His Majesty's burden?"
Wu Tong answered:"Such duty falls to me. I shall obey Your Highness's command."
Prince of Han Li Yu nodded approvingly.He then turned to the Khagan:
"Khagan, our Son of Heaven understands the will of Heaven. Among the envoys on this journey is a man of the martial world—his skills are profound. He may aid you in cleansing the Western Holy Church. What does the Khagan think?"
The Khagan's gaze sharpened, turning toward Wu Tong.
"Prince, the man you speak of—could it be the Hall Master of the Loyal and Righteous Hall standing before us?"
Prince of Han Li Yu replied,"It is he."
The Khagan thought: Uyghur armies excel at archery and mounted warfare, but have no means to deal with martial experts from the Central Plains. If the Tang has sent such a hero, why not test him?
He nodded:
"Prince, this man is extraordinary—truly a dragon among men, a hero destined for his age. Since the heavenly empire is willing to leave him to help us eradicate the Western Holy Church, the Uyghur state shall fulfill its promise accordingly."
Prince of Han Li Yu rejoiced:"As the Son of Heaven's son-in-law, the Khagan ought indeed to aid the empire in quelling rebellion."
A Parting of Paths
The next day, the Brave Khagan ordered Crown Prince Yabghu and General Ide to lead five thousand elite soldiers to accompany Prince of Han Li Yu and Pugu Huaien back to the Tang to join the counter-rebellion campaign.
But Wu Tong and his two companions were assigned a different mission and could not return to the Central Plains.
The Khagan's second son, Yidijian, instructed one of the tribal chieftains to guide Wu Tong and his group to the affected region. The chieftain introduced himself as Roguo.
Thus the party divided—each to his own task—and galloped in different directions across the vast western lands.