July 20, the first year of Taiping.
The Western Expeditionary Army had spent more than half of its month-long rest outside the city of Gistan.
During this period, hundreds of thousands of troops conducted military and horse training step by step every day to adapt to the local soil, water, and climate.
Before the Western Expedition, although the skin color of the soldiers did not look fair and tender, it was much fairer than what it looks like now.
Today, the complexion of hundreds of thousands of soldiers is like bronze, full of masculinity.
In this short period of more than half a month, soldiers and horses from various departments successively detained more than 30 caravans in total.
Ninety percent of the caravans were from Dashi and Tianzhu traveling to the countries in the Western Regions for trade, and the other 10% were from Rome and Egypt.
It is a pity that no matter whether it is the officers of the dragon like Zhang Kuang, or the officers of the Western Regions, or even the caravan guards who were temporarily recruited to accompany the army, they all know nothing about the words spoken by the caravan leaders of Rome and Egypt.
In order to prevent the traces of the Western Expedition Army from being exposed, arrogantly, although Nangong Ye and the others did not abuse the merchants from various countries in the thirty caravans, they also restricted their freedom.
They also sent soldiers from the Western Regions who knew the dialect of Dashiguo and Tianzhu to seize the caravans in the camp and make insidious inquiries about the situation in the two countries.
However, the businessmen from several countries, who had already been frightened by the battle of 800,000 troops that stretched for dozens of miles, revealed very little useful information.
In the large tent of the Chinese army, many generals gathered together.
Zhang Kuang dropped the stack of rice paper in his hand on the table.
"Everyone, our scouts who disguised themselves as a caravan and went to Gistan City have sent back the first batch of information.
According to the information they obtained from luring the cannibals in the city with large sums of money, the number of defenders in Gistan City was approximately 20,000, and the city lord was a guy named Aigela, who was about forty years old.
It is said that he is an old man who loves beauty and is insatiable.
As for how the 20,000 garrison troops were divided into elite and auxiliary troops, due to language communication problems, the scout brothers did not investigate in detail. The guards from the Western Region caravan who followed them were also very talkative. knife
There is only so much information that can be explored at the moment.
Now the scout brothers have left Gistan City and are continuing their in-depth investigation toward Mulu City and Khorasan City further west.
If nothing else happens, the second batch of information should be able to reach us before we finish our rest and officially enter Gistan City.
The general information is all above, please circulate it and take a look. "
Several people gathered around a piece of rice paper and carefully examined the information on it.
After a long time, many generals sneered one after another: "Shuai Zhang, a big border city like Gistan only has 20,000 troops, so the strength of this black-clad giant is not that great!"
"The general also thinks so. If we only have 20,000 troops, our army may not necessarily need the main force of the Chinese army to capture the city of Gistan. Our vanguard troops alone are enough to destroy their city and kill them!"
Nangong Ye handed the rice paper in his hand to Wanyan Chiezha, and glared fiercely at several generals who had underestimated the enemy.
"How do you know the strength of the Dashi Kingdom's soldiers and horses before we engage in battle? Have you forgotten the principle that arrogant soldiers will be defeated?"
Even if there are only 20,000 garrison troops in Gistan City, you still have to be at your best when following Zhang Shuai to attack the city.
If anyone underestimates the enemy and increases the number of soldiers killed without reason, I will take the place of Commander Zhang and take charge of your military affairs first. "
"Yes, I know I was wrong!"
Not only did Zhang Kuang not feel dissatisfied because Nangong Ye had scolded his generals on his behalf, but he nodded with satisfaction in his eyes.
Even if Nangong Ye hadn't spoken first just now, he would have reprimanded these generals for underestimating the enemy.
You must know that underestimating the enemy for no reason is always a taboo for military strategists.
"Nangong Shuai, how is the situation over there? Have the scouts who went to Tianzhu sent back any news?"
Nangong Ye shook his head silently: "No information has been sent back yet, but this is excusable.
Our location is too far from Zala City, a border town in Tianzhu, and we have to go around Tocharo City, a border town in the southwest of Dashi Country.
On the premise that they guarantee their own lives, I will be satisfied if I can send back general information about Tianzhu before we formally divide our troops and march to hunt down the thieves. "
He nodded arrogantly and looked around at the generals in the tent.
"You have all read the intelligence. For the rest of the time, we will continue to work on a two-pronged approach as before, training our troops to adapt to the soil and water here, and sending scouts to investigate the intelligence of the two countries.
Until all the soldiers and horses were completely adapted to the water and soil here, they immediately launched their troops to attack the city. "
"We take orders."
"Let's continue training!"
"You have your order! We must retreat!"
After a cup of tea, the crowded Chinese army tent was instantly empty, leaving only a few key commanders.
Hu Yanyu put the rice paper in his hand on the table: "The general feels that relying solely on the investigation of the scout brothers is not enough to understand the situation of the two countries.
The most important breakthrough has always been the merchants of Dashi and Tianzhu whom we seized.
When they were first detained by us, they were flustered and could not speak clearly. It was possible.
Now that so many days have passed, we have not done anything to embarrass them, and their minds should have calmed down long ago.
Therefore, the general suggested that in the next ten days, a breakthrough must be made among the businessmen of these two countries. "
Wanyan Chizha nodded in agreement: "I have discussed this matter with Prince Rongwei in private.
It would be fine if we really can't get any useful information due to language communication difficulties, but we have recruited so many caravan guards who understand the language of Dashi and Tianzhu, so what if we can no longer get useful information from the mouths of these merchants? It's our own problem.
I suggest you try to induce him first, and if that doesn't work, use torture and coercion.
They all came from the mainland of Dashi and Tianzhu, so it was impossible that they couldn't provide any useful information.
Dashi, the kings of Tianzhu and Tianzhu even killed the people of our Dalong caravan in order to rob them of their gold and silver goods.
After we detained them, we did not behead them on the spot, which was the utmost kindness and justice.
It's okay to tell him honestly, otherwise, besides dead people, I won't believe that there are people with mouths that can't be pried open. "
Seeing Wanyan Zhizha's fierce and arrogant eyes, the two of them looked at each other with hesitation.
"What do you guys mean?"
"I second the idea of Governor Huyan and Deputy Commander Wanyan.
After these barbarian caravans experienced the initial panic, they have now calmed down. If they can't ask for any useful information, they are just pretending to be confused!
Once we officially enter, staying is always a disaster.
After all, we are not as familiar with the terrain as they are. Once they take a shortcut and bring our news back to their court before we approach the city, our plan to surprise the two countries will be in vain!
There are many masters of torture among the soldiers. As long as they speak harshly, their lives will be worse than death even if they are not killed.
But just like Deputy Marshal Wanyan said, try to induce him first, and if that doesn't work, then use torture and coercion. "
"The last general agrees with Governor Yun's wishes."
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
All the important generals agreed, arrogantly, and Nangong Ye hesitated for a moment and nodded gently.
"Okay, just do what you just said. We will find a way to get Tang Lushi, Shen Lushi and their deputy drunk first at night, and then secretly take the detained businessman outside the camp.
As long as you can extract information, you can use whatever means you want. "
"What Zhang Shuai said is the worst possible outcome. If there are other ways to get them to provide information, try not to kill them.
Those involved in this matter must keep their mouths shut, otherwise it will be difficult for us to communicate with each other after the teacher returns to the court in the future! "
"We understand!"
