"A real victory?"
In Xiaoguan, Li Kai trotted up to the top of the city. He excitedly pulled Huangfuzhong's arm and asked repeatedly: "Is it really a great victory?"
Huangfuzhong smiled and nodded, and Zhang Shigui's face, which had been solemn these days, also showed a hint of relief, "It's not a great victory, but it did defeat nearly 20,000 Turks and kill 6,000 in formation."
"Huairen is really wise!" Li Kai said cheerfully: "Zhang Sanlang really has the appearance of a famous general. Don't let Zhao Guogong be more beautiful than him!"
"In this battle, the Duke of Guangling County made a clever plan. He transferred Guo Xiaoke, Hou Junji, and Feng Li to take a boat to the north of Qingtong Gorge and attack the Tang Cavalry from the north and south with the Mingsha Camp..." Zhang Shigui smiled and said: "The Turks are no longer powerless. .”
Li Kai and Huangfuzhong both nodded in agreement. Originally, the biggest flaw of the Lingzhou Army, or the weakness that was most likely to lead to a defeat, was the gap between Zhang Zhongjian and Guo Xiaoke. However, in this battle, the two generals worked together to defeat the enemy, at least In this battle, when cooperation is seamless, there will be no flaws.
Zhang Shigui said that Lingzhou was settled and the Turks were powerless. This was indeed the case, at least for a period of time. Zhang Zhongjian also thought so, but it was not without trouble.
The livid-faced Zhang Zhongjian stood at a slightly higher place and looked at the hundreds of Jihu people who were being driven away in the distance. Among them were old and young, men and women. The Turkic cavalry were pressing behind them with their swords, and from time to time they knocked down a few who fell behind. Ji Hu people.
Tang Jian's expression was not very good either. He looked sideways at a young general next to Zhang Zhongjian. This man was Liu Heier's younger brother Liu Zhao, who led more than 2,000 Jihu cavalry. They had defeated the Turks on the northern front a few days ago. Liu Zhao also He led his troops into battle and achieved great success.
At this moment, Liu Zhao's eyes were blood red and his body was trembling slightly, trying to suppress the grief and anger in his heart. This made Tang Jian even more worried. How to deal with the two thousand Jihu cavalry in the Mingsha Camp was a difficult problem.
When Dubu Khan went south, he had 100,000 cavalry. However, he experienced a fierce attack on the Mingsha Camp and suffered heavy casualties. He also experienced a defeat a few days ago and suffered over 10,000 casualties. However, he still maintained an advantage in strength and had not attacked before. Anlezhou has a choice, not an inability to do so.
"Alang once said back then that Ashina She'er is a very clever person." Zhang Zhongjian sighed softly, "There are indeed some means and some means."
Tang Jian smiled bitterly. Dubu Khan's move really put Zhang Zhongjian in a dilemma.
Decisive and harsh treatment will only cause civil strife in the Tang army. The Jihu people will not sit still and wait for death. The Turks may take the opportunity to attack. If Huairou... let the Jihu people watch their own people being tortured and killed, the military morale will also be damaged. shake.
After a moment, Zhang Zhongjian turned to look at Liu Zhao, "Speaking of which, Ashina Sherdang would not have stormed Anle Prefecture if it had not been for the Turkic defeat a few days ago."
Liu Zhao understood this sentence. The Turks were defeated that day and there was a lot of killing. This was nothing, but for the Turkic army that had been stationary for a long time and had nothing to gain, it was enough to demoralize the army. defeat.
This is also the reason why Dubu Khan attacked Anle Prefecture. It was nothing more than to boost morale and obtain some supplies.
"You are allowed to leave." Zhang Zhongjian said simply and neatly: "Forced by circumstances, I don't blame you, and I don't blame Liu Nu for hiding."
Liu Zhao was not as brave as Liu Heer in battle, but he was very thoughtful. He also believed in the sincerity of Zhang Zhongjian's words. If the Tang army wanted to strangle him, then the more than 2,000 men under his command would not stretch their necks and be chopped down. Naturally, It was a big mess, and it might cause the Mingsha camp to lose its footing, so it would be better to send people like myself out.
However, Liu Zhao had no intention of leaving, "The fort has not fallen yet."
"Huh?" Tang Jian was a little surprised, "Why do you see that?"
Zhang Zhongjian cast admiring glances at Liu Zhao, "If it falls, Ashina She'er will send Liu Nv Nicheng and other clan elders and leaders to persuade Liu Zhao to surrender."
"The last general will never leave." Liu Zhao smiled miserably, "Even if my uncle is captured alive and waves outside the camp, the last general will not betray the Tang Dynasty."
Zhang Zhongjian was shocked by such categorical words, but Tang Jian thought of something and thought deeply in his eyes.
"A few months ago, the last general had already discussed with his uncle and elder brother, and the elder brother also received a letter from Chang'an." Liu Zhao said a little vaguely, "Jihu was originally in Mobei, under the jurisdiction of the Western Turks, and later had to go east. Come, and go south because of famine in the grassland."
"First he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, then he had no choice but to surrender to the Liang Dynasty, and then his eldest brother guarded Alang. The whole family settled in Lingzhou. It was really a lot of ups and downs. Now the eldest brother is in Chang'an, and the last general is in Mingsha..."
When we went to Xiaoguan on a snowy night last year, Liu Zhao was also in Xiaoguan. After the war was settled, Liu Hei'er took charge of Ji Hu. Liu Zhao also accompanied Li Shan for a time, so he also called Alang after Liu Hei'er.
The more Liu Zhao talked, the more confused he became, but Tang Jian understood immediately. Ji Hu's choice and the choice of aristocratic family members were ultimately the same thing. Not putting eggs in one basket, to put it nicely, was to have both sides, but to put it badly, that was Just to please everyone.
Just like Xue Wanche, Xue Wanjun, Wen Yanbo and Wen Daya, Zheng Shanguo and Zheng Rentai, as well as Li Yaoshi, Li Keshi, and Li Qianyou before, Liu Zhao and Liu Heier stood on the side of the Tang Dynasty. It would be best if the fortress could not be breached by the Turks. If it was breached, it would have no choice but to seek refuge with the Turks... Generally speaking, the grasslands would not kill wantonly because of their small population. Every time the Turks invaded the border, they would only rob Besides property and food, the most important thing is population.
In this way, no matter who wins or loses between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, Jihu can be guaranteed to survive and not be destroyed.
Tang Jian briefly explained a few words, and Zhang Zhongjian also understood and looked at Liu Zhao deeply.
Liu Zhao emphasized his tone and whispered: "Not to mention the eldest brother."
Liu Zhao and Liu Hei'er are identical brothers, and the other brother in Anle Prefecture is actually a cousin, the only son of Liu's daughter. Liu Zhao did not want to see Liu Hei'er in Chang'an because of Ji Hu's rebellion against the Tang Dynasty. Killed.
Zhang Zhongjian fell into deep thought for a long time. Liu Zhao, who had made up his mind, did not feel guilty, but his eyes were filled with sadness as he watched the tribesmen outside the camp being chopped down one after another by the Turks.
Tang Jian glanced at Liu Zhao and thought that General Ji Hu might have an unspeakable reason. If he rebelled against the Tang Dynasty, Li Huairen, the successor king of Wei, would definitely retaliate. The Hu clan is afraid that they will all be destroyed.
After a long time, the Turks had already retreated. Zhang Zhongjian suddenly ordered He Fang and Hou Hongtao to lead the cavalry from the east and south sides to conduct a slight test. At the same time, he ordered Liu Rengui to drive the ships in the Yellow River.
"Is it a suspected soldier?" Tang Jian asked tentatively.
Zhang Zhongjian nodded helplessly. This was also a helpless solution. To put it bluntly, it was just a psychological effect. The Turks still had 60,000 to 70,000 cavalry, completely covering the area from Anle Prefecture to Mingsha Camp. It was impossible for Tang Qi to go out. They could only go in other directions, cooperate with the ships on the Yellow River, and try to mobilize Turkic forces to reduce the pressure on the Jihu garrison in Anle Prefecture.
As for the effect, it can only be said to be better than nothing.
That night, Zhang Zhongjian refused Tang Jian's advice and went into Ji Hu's army alone, sleeping in the same tent as Liu Zhao.
(End of chapter)
