Go East

In the autumn of 629 AD, during the third year of the Zhenguan era, Xuanzang embarked on his journey to the West, secretly crossing the desert frontier into the Western Regions. At this time, the Western Regions were on the brink of a great upheaval not seen in four centuries. That year, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, launched a campaign to annihilate the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Meanwhile, the Western Turkic Khagan, Tong Yabghu, was caught in the turmoil of war and peace. The kingdoms of the Western Regions were vying for control over the Silk Road, with smoke and flames of war rising. In the same year, the ancient Persian Empire suffered defeat in its war against Byzantium, as Byzan...