The combat effectiveness displayed by the Tang army in Tuyuhun shocked everyone.
Everyone knew that Tang Jun could fight, but they never imagined that they could fight so well.
Even the ability to pursue long distances, which has always been regarded as a weakness, was demonstrated to an unprecedented degree in this battle.
Li Jing and the others had previously attacked Jieli on a snowy night and traveled more than a thousand miles. That was an attack, not a pursuit.
However, the pursuit of Fuyun Khan this time clearly demonstrated the strength of the Tang army.
After chasing Fuyun Khan for hundreds of miles, chasing him until he was exhausted even if he changed his mount continuously, the Tang army defeated the nomadic tribes where they were best at.
After a thorough understanding, those who are interested will know that this strength, which is so powerful that it makes the nomadic tribes stand on end, is not luck that falls from the sky, nor is it the exceptional performance of a group of brave men.
The Tang army was strong from the inside out, from top to bottom, as a whole and individually.
During the Zhenguan period, due to the chaos in various places in the previous dynasty, people's livelihood was withered, so the people could be fully distributed with land to recuperate.
The family members were suppressed and chose to keep a low profile for the time being.
The civil servant group had not yet come forward, and when faced with the military aristocratic group, it was severely suppressed.
The past few years have been going well, and the materials and technology provided by Li Yunze have greatly enriched the living standards of the people of Tang Dynasty, at least the people of Guanzhong.
The government soldiers, mainly composed of Liangjiazi from Guanzhong, not only have sufficient training, but also have unprecedented powerful equipment and logistical support.
New farm tools, magical seeds, irrigation systems, a large number of cattle, unprecedented pesticides, etc., have greatly liberated farmers' working time in the fields.
When the farmers were idle, the Tang government was not idle.
In addition to organizing corvee service, the soldiers also had time to strengthen their training.
The degree of organization of farming peoples is unimaginable by nomadic tribes. As long as they can be organized reasonably and effectively, their combat effectiveness is far beyond imagination.
Li Yunze provided new equipment, from Don River horses and Shire horses to three-piece cavalry suits, from oil cakes to forage, etc., which greatly improved the cavalry's combat capabilities.
In addition, there is a new armor stomach based on plate armor, which is lighter in weight, has better defense, and is more convenient to build and maintain.
When the water conservancy forging machine appeared, the Tang Army's armor and stomach level made a qualitative leap.
As for steel swords, steel guns, etc., they are not that important.
What most satisfied everyone from the generals to the sergeants of the Tang Army was the unprecedented abundance of logistical supplies.
In the past, when the Tang army went on expeditions, Hu cakes and cold rice balls were their staple foods.
As for seasonings, the only thing that can barely guarantee a supply is coarse salt. The other things that generals can enjoy are meat sauce and the like.
It was a common thing among the Tang army to suffer attrition due to poor food.
But things are different now. The soldiers of the Tang Army ate real polished rice, and the iron pots they carried with the army could cook and fry rice.
In addition to polished rice, there are also fried noodles. It is also due to the emergence and large-scale popularization of iron pots that Tang Jun can eat hot food at any time.
Among the supplies carried by the army, there are also a large number of coal cakes and kerosene with combustion accelerant added, making it convenient to make hot food at any time.
In addition to hot food, Tang Jun's logistical support also included luxurious amounts of salt, oil and various spices.
These seasonings can not only supplement the body's much-needed nutrients, but also greatly improve the morale of the sergeants.
The dried meat and cheese distributed directly to each sergeant, together with a jug of sugared wine, can ensure that the sergeants can be adequately supplied at any time during long marches.
The improvement in food quality and sufficient guarantee in quantity naturally brought about a surge in the combat effectiveness of the Tang army's officers and soldiers.
In addition to food, clothing is also an extremely important military resource.
There are no military camps where you can stay while away from home. Basically, you spend most of your time sleeping outdoors.
Sleeping in the wild, at night, it was really bitingly cold. Attrition due to frostbite is a routine operation. As for the sequelae left behind, they are countless.
In addition to fully supplied tents, the emergence of cotton-padded clothes and quilts can be called a revolutionary upgrade to keep out the cold.
In the past, linen clothes were wrapped with reed catkins. The thermal insulation effect of this thing can only be said to be slightly better than nothing.
But thick cotton clothes are different from quilts. Wearing cotton clothes can continue marching on cold days. When sleeping, close the tent and wrap the quilt tightly in cotton clothes. It is really warmer than sleeping on the kang at home.
In addition to food, clothing and shelter, the Tang army's marching ability has also been greatly improved.
This aspect mainly lies in the emergence of the Shire horse and the four-wheeled carriage.
The Sharma horse was more popular among the Tang army than the Don horse as a war horse.
Because this truly tall horse can drag thousands of kilograms of cargo!
The materials dragged by one horse are equivalent to the transportation capacity of more than a hundred civilians, and the food consumption they eat is far less than that of more than a hundred civilians.
Everyone likes such a beautiful thing.
The emergence of four-wheeled carriages directly raised the Tang Army's transportation capabilities to a higher level.
A four-wheeled carriage equipped with shock-absorbing springs and steering devices can carry thousands of kilograms of cargo. In particular, its wheels are made of iron bones and rubber tires for skin, which can travel on bad roads. It played an unimaginable role in improving the Tang Army's logistics.
The large-scale improvement of transportation capacity is the foundation for ensuring logistics supply.
The Tang army was able to transport far more various materials with fewer civilians than before.
With sufficient protection, it is no surprise that the Tang army was invincible when fighting.
And the most widely circulated news in the military recently is the construction of railways.
Many people have worked on the railway from Chang'an City to Shengzhou, and naturally they know how terrifying the transportation capacity of the terrifying machine beast is once it is activated.
Many people are saying that if the railway is built on the battlefield, it will be difficult to lose.
Among the many people who care about the railway, Hou Junji is the one who cares most about it.
The so-called Gaochang Kingdom is actually Turpan.
The long road from Chang'an City to here is more than thousands of miles.
Hou Junji led his army from Chang'an City and first arrived in Lanzhou, where he divided his forces with Li Jing. Li Jing went to fight Tuyuhun, while Hou Junji continued westward to Xining.
After passing Xining, we traveled along the vast West Sea (Qinghai Lake), passing through the gathering places of many mixed tribes, and then arrived at Zhangye.
Zhangye is already very far away from Chang'an City, but it is still less than half the distance to Gaochang State.
After a brief repair here in Zhangye, the army continued westward to reach Jiayuguan.
At this time, here in Tuyuhun, Li Jing had already defeated the main force of Fuyun Khan. The poor Khan who was chasing him had no way to go to heaven and no way to earth.
Hou Junji was still marching hard, passing by many well-known and unknown small country city-states and various tribes. He was really rushing to the point of despair.
After arriving at Guazhou, passing through Dunhuang, leaving Yumen Pass, and then passing through Xingxing Gorge, when the soldiers of the Tang Army felt like their legs were about to break, they had arrived at the territory of Gaochang Kingdom.
At this time, Hou Junji, who had a weathered face, received a telegram from Chang'an City behind him.
It is not an important military order, but an important activity leading to the front line.
The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, the Heavenly Khan of the grassland tribes, the protector of the countries in the Western Regions, the ruler of Nanyang and other countries, Li Er, respected by all the people, accompanied by Fuyun Khan, Jieli Khan and other noble envoys, Take the train from Chang'an City to Shengzhou to cross the river and
Tribes in the grasslands know how to hunt.
Seeing this telegram, Hou Junji had a thought in his mind, 'mmp', which he didn't know whether to say or not.
"Why does the railway need to be built to Shengzhou?" Hou Junji rolled his eyes to the sky. "Why not build it to Gaochang? Even if it can be built to Yumenguan, it's okay. If it can't be built to Dunhuang, it's better."
In fact, Hou Junji felt that even if he reached Lanzhou, it would be good to save him some distance.
Hou Junji, who was angry, quickly sent a telegram to Li Er. He wrote a long article without caring about the astronomical fee of 500 yuan for one word. His only request was Build the railway to the Western Region.
Having traveled thousands of miles across mountains and rivers to fight, it was really unbearable.
It would be fine if there were no railways, there would be no such thought at all.
But there is obviously a railway but I can't use it. I feel so angry.
In the blink of an eye, the message traveled thousands of miles and arrived at a secret place in the palace.
In the heavily guarded telegraph room, Hou Junji's message was translated, and soon the emissary, escorted by the imperial guards, hurried out of the palace to find the emperor.
As the emperor of Ma, Li Er was very concerned about the war.
He has already made it clear that any message sent from the front line must be delivered to him as quickly as possible, no matter what time and place it is, even if he is having sex with his concubines or traveling out of town.
The emissary did not dare to neglect and rushed out of Chang'an City to the train station.
As luck would have it, Li Er's special train happened to be leaving slowly.
The emissary holding the gold medal rushed through the warning circle, ran onto the platform and chased the train all the way.
The train was very slow at this time. The emissary holding the gold medal was standing at the door of the carriage. Chang He, who was in charge of security, grabbed him and pulled him directly onto the train.
"One hundred thousand urgent messages from the Gaochang front!"
As soon as these words came out, the carriage specially built for Li Er fell silent instantly, and everyone looked at the emissary.
Li Er, whose face darkened, took the message and opened it to browse.
After a moment, a smile appeared on his face.
The originally depressing atmosphere in the carriage instantly relaxed.
"No big deal." Li Er smiled and handed the message to Li Yunze who was reading a book.
After reading the telegram, Li Yunze also laughed, "I dare to say that if the railway is built to Gaochang, Duke Du will pawn his crotch (trousers) and he won't be able to pay for the construction."
Du Ruhui on the side smiled bitterly. He, the Minister of Household Affairs, had a severe headache when he heard that he had to spend money.
"The railway still needs to be repaired."
Li Er briefly pondered, "In order to ensure long-term peace and stability in the Western Region, the railway must be built. As for the lack of money..."
Having said this, Li Er looked at Du Ruhui.
This glance really made Du Ruhui panic. He hurriedly looked sideways out of the car window, pretending not to notice.
Li Er also smiled, but his words were extremely firm.
"You still need to repair your pants!"
