There are definitely fights and killings in the officialdom, but it is more about human nature.
However, no matter whether it is fighting or killing, or being humane, what they do is actually just profit. However, the means of pursuing profit are different, and the results are also different.
This time, the Navy blatantly violated Li Ji's military orders, sent troops to pacify Rangcheng, overthrown his country, and forced his king to death. This contribution was so great that even a surrendered general like Ashina Simo felt deeply in his heart. Not angry, jealous and hot. If troops are sent out to attack the enemy's rear formation at this moment, and the navy in the city is attacked from both inside and outside, the enemy will definitely be defeated.
In fact, this group of Goguryeo cavalry pursued the Tang army all the way north, with only a few brief engagements during the period. Both sides stopped at the same time, and the casualties were not large. Obviously, although this cavalry is the elite of the Goguryeo army, its commander may not be willing to die together.
As long as he can win the battle, it is very likely to force him to surrender to the Tang Dynasty... Wouldn't this be a feat?
If the two armies of Xue and Ashina had waited a little, and waited until the Goguryeo army had besieged the city for a period of time and violently attacked it, and then sent out troops when the city was in danger, it would have had the effect of turning things around. Defeating the Goguryeo cavalry together with the navy's internal and external attacks was indeed a credit, but saving the navy from fire and water and defeating the enemy in one fell swoop when the navy's survival was in critical condition was incomparable.
One is the icing on the cake, the other is a timely help to turn the tide...
Ashina Simo was born into a Turkic aristocracy and had not read a few books on the Art of War in the Han Dynasty, but these tactics and tactics were the most basic skills for survival, and he was no stranger to them.
Xue Wanche was speechless. He just turned to look at Ashina Simo, considered it, and then asked: "The navy is Fang Er's army, and they are all his close confidants, do you know?"
Ashina Simo was a little puzzled: "Of course I know, but what can we do? We are not ignoring death, we are just delaying the dispatch of troops. The navy will choke after swallowing such a great contribution. What does it matter if you give us some moisture?"
"hehe,"
Xue Wanche sneered, tightened his armor, and said: "This way, the two of us have fought side by side, which can be regarded as a friendship. I regard you as a friend, and today's words will stop here and will never be spread. Otherwise, if someone else spreads your words, do you believe that after Fang Er returns to Beijing, he will dare to attack your mansion and tear down the door of your mansion?"
Ashina Simo spread his hands and was speechless, and said angrily: "Of course I know this guy is arrogant, but he's not arrogant to this extent, right? It's just a matter of sharing some credit, and protecting food is not like this! Besides, Su Dingfang must be dead at this moment We are in the city, and we won’t fight on the city. Even if we rescue him later, a few more navy soldiers will die, but Su Dingfang won’t be injured at all, so what does it matter?”
He really didn't understand that the Navy was ostracized by the military. Even if Fang Jun was in charge of the Ministry of War and had the responsibility to report his merits, it would be difficult for Su Dingfang to completely win over the merits of destroying the country. The Duke of the country had little hope, and he could stand up to a marquis. . In this case, why not share some of the profit with yourself?
At any rate, I had fought side by side with Fang Jun in Dingxiang City. He seemed to be a broad-minded person and not so stingy...
Xue Wanche shook his head, and asked his soldiers to put the cloak on him, while fastening the waist knife firmly around his waist, and said calmly: "Khan, you don't understand Fang Er's temperament. Of course he won't know how to do it with just a few merits." He takes it seriously, but every soldier under his command is regarded as a brother and sister. If those soldiers died on the battlefield, Fang Er would definitely not say anything, but if his soldiers died in vain because others were competing for credit, then Absolutely not. When he first joined the army and took charge of Shenji Camp, he followed the army in the westward expedition to Gaochang. During this period, some of his soldiers died in battle. He collected their bodies, burned them to ashes, put them in pottery altars, and brought them back to Chang'an. Back to Chang'an. After Chang'an, he personally held the jars of ashes and delivered them to his eldest wife and children one by one, and offered them pensions."
He tightened the silk ribbon around his neck and straightened his cloak. The bright red cloak was very handsome. Then he looked at the embarrassed Ashina Simo and continued: "When it comes to 'loving soldiers like sons', all the soldiers in the army are very handsome." There is no general better than Fang Jun. Others may not care about your cleverness, but if Fang Jun finds out, he will definitely fight you to death. If he really kills you and me with a knife, how do you think the court will deal with him? ?So, you can mess with anyone, but don’t mess with Fang Er.”
What a waste!
No matter how stupid Ashina Simo was, he understood that the comparison between his status in the Tang Dynasty court and that of Xue Wanche, a demoted general, was simply out of proportion. If Fang Jun really gets angry and kills him, your majesty or the prince will at most just seize the title and give him a warning.
As for seizing a title, it might be a big deal for others, but why would Fang Jun care?
That guy had been stripped of his rank and demoted once and twice, and he was back to his original state in the blink of an eye...
He quickly cupped his hands and said, "If the general hadn't reminded me, I would have almost caused a catastrophe!"
I was really scared.
For example, for surrendered generals like them, on the one hand, the imperial court still has some use value for them, and they are willing to win over high-ranking officials and generous salaries. On the other hand, it also shows those Hu barbarians who are still against the Tang Dynasty. If we surrender to the Tang Dynasty, we will still be able to surrender. High-ranking officials were allowed to sit and horses were allowed to ride, which meant that "horse bones are bought for a thousand gold."
But if you really take yourself that seriously, you are not far from death.
Besides, no matter how valuable they are, how can they beat Fang Jun and other well-established children from aristocratic families?
He just didn't expect Fang Jun to be such a weird person. As a son of a well-dressed family, he was so aloof and so different from ordinary soldiers that he actually loved soldiers like his own son...
Xue Wanche arranged his equipment, held the sword in one hand, and lifted his cloak with the other hand. He nodded to Ashina Simo and said, "Now that I have said that, I leave it to the Khan to decide for himself."
After saying that, he turned around and strode forward, took the reins handed over by his own soldiers, got on his horse, and said loudly: "My sons, follow me forward to kill the enemy and rescue our naval brothers!"
"Kill the enemy! Kill the enemy! Kill the enemy!"
The soldiers under his command raised their arms and shouted, and their momentum surged. Xue Wanche laughed loudly, clamped the horse's belly, and struck the horse with a whip. The war horse "Herod" under his hip made a long neigh, strode all four hooves, and galloped forward. The soldiers behind him also followed closely with their horses and whips raised.
More than 10,000 people mobilized at once, rushing towards Pingrang City in front of them like wind and clouds.
Ashina Simo pouted at the ice chips splashed by the horse's hooves, "Bah, bah, bah," spit out the ice and snow foam that splashed into his mouth, and said angrily: "You have said so, how dare I still have it?" Are you trying to trick Fang Er? That's all, if the rescue is timely, I think Fang Er can also get me a favor."
He no longer had any thoughts, and immediately summoned his troops, who were mixed from both Hu and Han groups, and followed Xue Wanche quickly towards Pingrang City.
…
Under Pingrang City, a fierce battle was going on.
The quality of the navy's soldiers and weapons and equipment are indeed unparalleled in the world, but some of the tens of thousands of troops have to be left to guard the ships and baggage. Some of them were killed or injured in the fierce battle during the previous siege, resulting in serious attrition. The remaining troops that can mount the city to fight are really limited.
And this Goguryeo army is extremely cunning.
They did not just attack fiercely, but relied on enough troops to surround Pingrang City. The main attack point changed back and forth. Sometimes they attacked Qixing Gate, sometimes they moved to the east city, and sometimes they harassed the west city. The Tang army had to mobilize back and forth. , tired of coping.
Its tactics are more flexible and changeable than the ordinary Goguryeo army.
Su Dingfang sat in the city and commanded from the center. He couldn't help but be amazed by the enemy general's military strategy and asked around him: "Is this Eulji's successor very famous in Goguryeo?"
A Goguryeo official who surrendered flattered him and said, "Even though Eulji's successor has extraordinary abilities, how can he be seen in front of the commander-in-chief? The commander-in-chief only needs to wave his hand, and this person will be wiped out!"
Su Dingfang said calmly: "Come here, kick this person out!"
"Here!"
The soldiers came in and took the flatterer out.
The other Goguryeo officials in the room accompanied the smiling faces and secretly complained in their hearts. Saying good things is considered flattering, and he will be kicked out at every turn. Saying bad things is even worse. The Commander-in-Chief of the Tang Dynasty Navy simply refuses to take hard or soft orders, and is really difficult to serve.
All the Goguryeo officials looked at their noses and their hearts, and they were cautious and cautious, not even daring to take a breath.
At this time, Mr. Xi bought a military uniform, rushed in from the outside, and said loudly: "Aren't these two bastards Xue Wanche and Ashina Simo watching the fire from the other side, waiting to reap the benefits? Mother! The enemy troops under the city are attacking fiercely. , our troops are weak, we are outnumbered on the left and right, and it is difficult to resist. We are about to scale the city wall and attack the city, but those two people are not even visible!"
