 Guo Xiaoke , who had led the first Tang campaign against Karasahr in 644 , was installed in Kucha as protector @-@ general of the Anxi Protectorate , or the Protectorate of the Pacified West . The headquarters of the protector @-@ general was thus moved from its original location in Gaochang to Kucha . While Ashina was in pursuit of the Kuchean king , <unk> , a Kuchean lord , traveled to request the help of the Western Turks . Guo was assassinated after the Kuchean soldiers retook the kingdom with the military assistance of the Western Turks . Ashina returned to Kucha , captured five of the kingdom 's cities , and forced the remaining cities to surrender . Tang control was re @-@ established in the oasis state . The brother of the former king , a yabgu or viceroy , was enthroned by the Chinese as a subject of the Tang empire . 
