War is always full of all kinds of strange contingencies; it is always full of unexpected and irresistible changes. Therefore, war particularly tests the ability of weak marshals and generals to adapt to changing circumstances. Even if a truly good general loses the upper hand due to an accident, he can still think of a way to deal with it in an instant, and finally defeats the enemy soldiers in one fell swoop with his own command ability.
This is the value of famous generals and good generals. And Zong Luohu is undoubtedly such a famous general.
The fact that he once again destroyed a Tuyuhun army was not planned by Yang Ji at all, and Yang Ji did not expect this to happen. The task he gave Zong Luohu was to attack the Tuyuhun grain team, but he, Yang Shanhui and others did not expect that after Zong Luohu completed the task, he easily eliminated a team of 4,000 people.
There is no doubt about his military exploits, but Zong Luohu's greatest military exploits and greatest value in this battle are not at all superficial. It is about breaking the deadlock and creating infinite possibilities for Yang Ji.
While Murong Yong was deploying his troops, Yang Ji discussed military affairs with a group of major generals in the official office of Dangjin Army Fort. After Yang Shanhui reported Zong Luohu's military exploits, he said to the delighted generals: "General Zong We have opened up a good situation and are still waiting in Tuyuhun territory. As for how to expand the results, it is up to us."
After a pause, Yang Ji asked: "Do you have any opinions and suggestions on this?"
"Your Majesty!" Deploying heavy troops on the border is not only to prevent our army from breaking into the enemy's territory again, but also to cut off General Zong's retreat. If we transfer General Zong back, it will be harmful to them."
"Furthermore, even if one of these three thousand soldiers comes back unscathed, they will not be of much help to the army. Therefore, the final general thought it was appropriate to let them continue to stay in the enemy's territory and choose opportunities to fight; in this way, Zong The general no longer has to fight a strong enemy, we also have an extra force, and Murong Yong is always worried and has trouble sleeping and eating. It can be said that we kill three birds with one stone."
"General Xue's words make sense!" Yang Ji nodded and asked with a smile: "General Xue, do you have any ideas for the next battle?"
Xue Shixiong pondered for a long time and replied: "General Mai Tiezhang has been sneaking into the enemy's territory for many years. He has been fighting almost every day, so his soldiers have never exceeded six thousand, but this army has been purged by wars time and time again. The fighting power of the fierce soldiers who came out was no less than that of the soldiers of the victorious army. However, they have few soldiers and have not been able to appear as the Sui army before, so they cannot get our support and do not have the strength to do big things."
"Now that our army has started a war with Tuyuhun, there is no need to hide it. If he joins forces with General Zong, there will be more than 8,000 strong soldiers. With the combat effectiveness of this strong army, they can capture only 15,000 Six enemy troops in Lake Sugannuoer shouldn’t be a problem!”
"Your Majesty, General Xue seconded the proposal!" After hearing Xue Shixiong's words, another deputy general of the march, Xue Shixiong, also stood up, cupped his hands to Yang Ji and said: "Your Majesty, as General Xue said, after General Mai and General Zong join forces, , we will definitely be able to destroy the enemy forces in Lake Sugannuoer, and the enemy's main force on the front will also be bent, and the flanks will always be threatened by this strange force. Once our main army launches an attack, this strange force will also be able to achieve great things. If so If they are left to fight on their own, General Mai and General Zong will not be able to cope with the large army, nor will they be able to turn the tide."
"The general seconded the proposal!"
"Humble position seconded!"
All civil and military personnel in the official office stood up, bowed their hands and expressed their approval.
Yang Ji followed his instructions and told Kong Desao: "Immediately send an urgent report to Mai Tiezhang and Zong Luohu in my name, asking them to join forces to conquer the enemy camp at Suqiannuoer Lake."
"I obey my orders!" Kong Desao responded and left.
"Your Majesty, the scouts have delivered urgent information!" Just when Yang Ji was about to announce the adjournment of the meeting, the heroic Zhang Chuchen entered the lobby, looking elegant and radiant in a bright red military robe. She saluted to Yang Ji, He said in a crisp voice with a solemn and dignified expression: "An hour ago, the enemy's 35,000 cavalrymen were divided into seven 5,000-man teams. They left the Dangjinshan camp and ran towards the east. Among them were two five-thousand-man cavalrymen. The thousand-man team is Mu
Rong Fuyun devoted all his national power to build an elite army. "
This news caused the relaxed atmosphere in the lobby to disappear and become extremely solemn.
Yang Ji also frowned deeply after hearing this. At the critical moment when the decisive battle was about to begin, no small deployment of the enemy's army was allowed to be careless. But this time, Murong Yong actually ordered 35,000 cavalry to go east. Is it really just to attack him? Is it possible to kill Luohu?
"Your Majesty, Murong Yong divided his troops to attack at this time. Could it be that he was going to encircle and suppress General Zong?" Song Laosheng couldn't help but ask.
"Absolutely impossible!" Yang Ji resolutely rejected this speculation. He signaled Zhang Chuchen to retreat, and then explained: "The reason why General Mai Tiezhang lives so well is because the Qaidam Basin is so vast and sparsely populated. Tuyuhun mobilized heavy troops to encircle and suppress him many times, but every time he returned without success. General Zong's entire army was on horseback, and even if he couldn't defeat him, he could still escape. As long as he hid in the uninhabited desert or Gobi Desert, even if Murong Yong Even if we mobilize our troops, nothing can be done."
"It is impossible for Murong Yong not to know this truth; it is impossible for him to send 35,000 men to do useless work in front of a powerful enemy. Even if he sends troops to deal with General Zong, it will only be a team of 5,000 men at most, and the purpose is to target Death is not annihilation.”
Yang Ji's statement made the generals who were familiar with the enemy's situation and familiar with the experience of Mai Tiezhang nod their heads.
Yang Shanhui suddenly said: "Your Majesty, is Murong Yong following a trick?"
Yang Jiruo realized something and asked, "What do you mean...?"
"The humble official suspects that Murong Yong attacked our army's rear in the name of general annihilating Zong!" Yang Shanhui threw out this speculation, and then reminded: "In the fourth year of Renshou, General Wei, General Pochao, and General Yang (Yang Tie) led Ten thousand Qiang soldiers went south from Ganquanshui and attacked and killed the Tuyuhun army led by Murong Tieren in Jinshan Town, laying the foundation for us to seize Shanshan and Qiemo in the Sui Dynasty. Could Murong Yong be using this strategy to reverse the situation? What about us?"
"It's very possible!" Wei Yunqi deeply agreed and said to Yang Ji: "Your Majesty, except for the 10,000 county soldiers led by General Quan Xu, Dunhuang does not have any internal troops. No matter how you look at it, Dunhuang County is a weak force. persimmon."
Yang Shanhui and Wei Yunqi's inferences also reminded Yang Ji.
He walked quickly to the sand table. The sand table in front of him gave him a more intuitive feeling. Several of their key locations were guarded by troops, but their strength was not as large as the enemy troops opposite. If Tuyuhun had more than 30,000 enemies, If the army reinforces a certain confrontation point and then carries out a sneak attack or a fierce attack, it may be lost.
Once it is lost, the enemy can raid a certain county as if entering no man's land.
Xue Shixiong, who stepped forward to watch, also said: "Your Majesty, the general also agrees with Yang Changshi and General Wei's idea. Murong Yong is most likely planning to attack our rear."
He picked up a wooden stick and pointed it at the "basin" of Ganquan Water and the North Lake of Cold Lake, and continued: "The Ganquan Sui Camp is closest to Dangjin Mountain, so it is undoubtedly the first choice for Tuyuhun's army to launch a surprise attack. The Dunhuang County to which the camp belongs is very important for the current situation. In terms of the battle situation, the strategic value far exceeds that of Zhangye countless times. If the Tuyuhun army breaks into Dunhuang County, they can seize Yangguan from behind to the west and block the main force of our army from Dunhuang; if they go to the east, they can attack the base camp of the Liangzhou Army - - Zhangye County. But no matter whether the enemy troops go west or east, it will be an unbearable heavy blow to us in the Sui Dynasty and to us in Liangzhou."
"Your Majesty, this matter should not be underestimated." Qian Shixiong also agreed deeply and said: "It is indeed Murong Yong's best choice to attack Dunhuang County, which is empty of troops. If this strategy is successful, the entire Tuyuhun chess game will be brought to life. , and Liangzhou, which has been tortured by the war, is very passive. Regardless of whether Murong Yong really makes a sneak attack, we must take precautions before they happen."
"Not bad!" Yang Ji nodded. Everyone has already said what needs to be said; he simply won't say anything more.
Directly gave the order to Shen Faxing: "Immediately send this news to the Prefectural Mufu, Ganquan Camp Commander Quan Xu, and Fulu Camp Commander Dugu Pingyun as quickly as possible, and order them to be on guard against Tuyuhun's sneak attack and not to be careless. "
After looking at the sand table, Yang Ji added: "Order Zhang Dinghe to lead 15,000 elite cavalry to Yumen County in Dunhuang immediately, stationed at Ming'an Town at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, next to Mingshui, and prepare a follow-up plan. Prepare to take over Ganquan Camp and Fulu Camp."
Mingshui is the Shule River in later generations, and this river also originates from
The Qilian Mountains are half in Dunhuang and half in Tuyuhun. Its name from the Han Dynasty to the Six Dynasties was Jiduanshui. As early as the sixth year of Yuanding, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty moved a large number of people to live in the Mingshui Basin, and the Central Plains Dynasty had great influence on Dunhuang. The development, management, and actual rule of the country officially began.
This large river is located to the west of Beida River in Fulu County, Zhangye, and in the middle of the Ganquan Water in Dunhuang County, Dunhuang County. The Ming'an Ancient Town mentioned by Yang Ji is located on the west bank of Mingshui, only forty or fifty miles away from Ganquan Camp. If Zhang Dinghe leads 15,000 elite cavalry and is stationed there, both sides can be taken care of.
Although the town is more than two hundred miles away from Fulu Camp, Yang Ji is not too worried about Fulu Camp. Firstly, it is nearly a thousand miles away from the enemy at Dangjin Mountain. Murong Yong is unlikely to sacrifice the near for the distant. The watershed and valley between the Beida River and the Tuyuhun Tuolai River in Fulu County were so steep that the cavalry could not march at all.
So the key is still Ganquan Camp. Just because the watershed and river valley of Ganquan water are relatively gentle, the cavalry can come and go freely, and Dunhuang County is now too important to the Sui army. If he were Murong Yong, Yang Ji would also choose to attack the Ganquan camp instead of the distant and dangerous Fu Luying, or the equally steep Mingshui River Basin.
"Here!" Shen Faxing responded and hurriedly left the office.
"Judging from the current situation, our army's best defense is to attack. If this continues, we will become more passive. As long as we achieve results on the frontal battlefield, the enemy's machinations will not be able to be used." Yang Ji said to Yigan Wenwu said: "Everyone, I am ready to formally launch a fierce offensive against the enemy forces on the opposite side! This will not only reduce the pressure on Generals Mai and Zong, but also reduce the pressure on Ganquan Camp and Fulu Camp."
"The general seconded the proposal!"
"Humble position seconded!"
All civil and military officials responded one after another.
Yang Ji looked at Lu Congdian who was guarding the hourglass and asked, "Lu Congdian, what time is it now?"
Lu Congdian looked at the hourglass, cupped his hands and said, "Report to your Majesty, it's now five minutes later."
After Yang Ji heard this, he thought silently. The ancients divided a day and night into twelve hours and ninety-six quarters, which equals eight quarters in one hour of two hours. One quarter is about fifteen minutes in later generations. The time Lu Congdian mentioned was around 2:15 in the afternoon. And it gets dark here about an hour later than in the mainland. In other words, there are at least five or six hours of daylight today.
And when the Sui soldiers and craftsmen in Jinshan Army Fortress were always preparing for war, all kinds of materials were already prepared. As long as he gives the order, the soldiers can set off immediately.
After comparing them one by one, Yang Ji felt that if they marched today, they could drive ten miles away from the Tuyuhun camp and set up camp.
Thinking of this, he immediately ordered the civil and military personnel: "In that case, everyone should go down and prepare. In half an hour, we will immediately advance eastward."
"Here!" Everyone left as ordered and quickly ran to their official offices, preparing to march.
In an instant, this quiet military fortress in the snow became extremely lively with the sound of bells and drums.
. . . . . .
Following Yang Ji's order, the Sui army broke the "tacit understanding" between the Sui Dynasty and Tuyuhun. The main army crossed the "middle line" that had been agreed upon by both sides for many years with high morale, and marched forcefully along the valley to the southeast. The marching camp was set up with the southern mountain of Shule at its back.
The Sui army's camp was about five miles long and two miles wide. The tents in the camp were neatly arranged, and the barracks area, medical camp, supply camp, livestock camp and other areas where the soldiers lived were well organized and orderly.
Flags were fluttering in front of the Tuyuhun military camp. The tallest flag in the center was the "Sui" flag. On the left side of the flag was the red Liangzhou military flag with gold, and on the right side was the black Yang Ji flag. "King Wei" The three big characters "Yang" also indicate the identity of the commander of this army.
Yang Ji's handsome flag is exactly the same as his father's. It also shows to the enemy that although the founding King Wei Zhao has passed away, his son Yang Ji has always upheld King Wei Zhao's iron-blooded martial spirit and steel-like military spirit. An indestructible and indomitable will.
In the past few decades, this flag has not appeared. Once it appears on the front line of war, it means that the killing is about to begin.
When Yang Ji officially fought against the Turkic Khanate army for the first time, the arrogant Tan Khan was so frightened that he lost his mind when he saw this handsome flag and turned around and left. This also shows how terrifying Yang Shuang is.
Today, Yang Ji has not only secured his position as the new generation of King Wei, but has also carried forward his father's iron-blooded style. He can also hold his head high, feel at ease, and fly the banner of "King Wei Yang" with dignity.
In the four directions outside the main camp, camp fences with a height of more than ten feet were erected. A trench was dug outside the camp fence. In order to prevent the enemy from sneak attacks, an array of iron caltrops strung with ropes was also laid in the trench. , and inside the camp fence, there was also a circle of military vehicles. On the four sides of the camp, three sentry towers were erected. The soldiers stood on the sentry towers and could clearly see the nearby situation.
Everything is arranged in an orderly and orderly manner. This also makes the camp, which is obviously a marching camp, full of the style of setting up a stronghold and fighting to the death; facing the hedgehog-like camp arranged by Yang Ji, if the Tuyuhun soldiers dare to play the trick of stealing the camp and robbing the camp, they will surely die. Very miserable.
A few miles to the southeast is the Tuyuhun camp.
Different from the Sui army's marching camp, this camp, which stretches for more than ten miles, is very similar to the Sui army's Dangjinshan military fortress. It was built into a castle by Tuyuhun soldiers. The city walls built with stones are very strong. If the Sui army will To capture it, you must attack it like a city.
The arrival of the Sui army made the Tuyuhun soldiers very vigilant. The soldiers entered their fighting positions one after another and paid close attention to the Sui army camp opposite.
At dusk, Yang Ji, surrounded by a hundred personal guards, slowly rode his horse to a low hill and stared at the Tuyuhun camp several miles away. The opponent's military camp was like the Sui Dynasty's castle, like a giant dragon lying across the valley.
From the neat sentries and arrow stacks on the city, it can be seen that Tuyuhun has learned the method of defending the city in the Central Plains. Whether it is true or the plan has its shape needs to be verified by war. However, facing such a "strong city", Yang Ji also needs to treat it with caution.
After looking at the high wall like a Qiang village for a long time, and then at the empty and flat snow field in front of the two camps, he got off his horse, asked Zhang Chuchen who was accompanying him for pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and wrote a letter with a pen, Put your own stamp on it. After sealing it, he handed it to Zhu Can and said, "Old Zhu, shoot this letter into the enemy camp."
"Here!" Zhu Can took the letter and ran towards Tuyuhun's camp alone. At this time, a group of Tuyuhun sentries came out from the side to greet him.
Zhu Can drew his bow and shot an arrow with the letter tied to it at the other party. Without any nonsense, he turned his horse's head and ran back. The Tuyuhun soldiers did not pursue him. One of the soldiers dismounted and picked up the arrow. When he saw a letter on it, he handed it over to the general, and then together they walked towards the half-open gate of the camp.
Yang Ji saw it clearly and said calmly: "Go back to camp! Prepare for war!"
