After receiving Li Ke's order, Murong Shun was stunned for a moment. Someone in this limelight actually dared to offend Datang? Are the Black Mountain Bandits really because they are invincible in the Western Regions? After confirming the contents of Li Ke's order, Murong Shun gathered his troops without saying a word and rushed to the nearest supply point. At the same time, he sent scouts to advance in the direction of Xue Wanche, Xue Wanjun and Qibi Heli's army.
The armies of the Xue Wanche brothers and Qibi Heli were already approaching this area. When they received Li Ke's military order, they also directly began to select 5,000 elite cavalry without saying anything. The scouts sent by Murong Shun quickly began to converge.
In less than two days, the two sides met at an oasis near Hanyang Pass and gathered by the river near Longle Water.
Longle Water, later renamed Danghe River in the Qing Dynasty, is now called Longle Water. It draws a circle not far from Yangguan. Under Yangguan, there is still a small river formed by groundwater flowing out of the ground, making this place An oasis was formed, but the oasis still existed, but Yangguan was ruined.
This was once the only way to pass through on the southern route of the Silk Road. It went out from Yangguan and went all the way to the west. Then when it approached the Peacock Sea, there were stretches of Populus euphratica forest, and then there was the Peacock Sea. The southern route of the Silk Road also started from here. It is divided into two, heading west to Yanqi and other places, and turning south along the Altun Mountains and Kunlun Mountains, all the way to the west, Nuoqiang and Qiemo are all on this line.
When Murong Shun saw these three people, his mood was calm. Although the army behind them might contain his father's body, and it was more likely that they were buried or burned on the spot.
After all, in this weather, it would be impossible to bring the body back after so many days. It would have already stunk, and it would easily breed plague.
However, both parties had a tacit understanding and did not mention this issue.
"Three generals, there aren't many exits from Heishan's location, but we are all cavalry, so it won't be easy to solve it all at once." Murong Shun pointed to the location of Heishan.
To the south of Yangguan is the Altyn Mountains, and the Black Mountains are not on the Altyn Mountains, but are the remnants of the mountains about 50 miles away from the Altyn Mountains in a straight line heading west. These peaks are not high, at least as high as the Altyn Mountains. There's no comparison.
But they are still mountains, and it is not easy for war horses to climb up them. Black Mountain is one of the peaks in these mountains, and the Black Mountain bandit's station is a canyon that enters from a gully next to Black Mountain. There is a river and an oasis in it.
If they go in and attack, it will be more difficult.
"Our current intelligence is that the Black Mountain bandits have not come forward recently, only a small group of troops have been dispatched, and the information we obtained shows that this small group of troops has just returned in the past two days." Murong Shun reported the intelligence sent by Yuelai Trading Company Handed it over.
There are a lot of Black Mountain bandits, and the large number of people means that the Black Mountain bandits also need to trade and exchange some food, so they will not kill them all. It is easier to get their information than those small groups of horse bandits.
"What do you generals think?" Murong Shun asked.
"The main offensive force this time is you. Although it is no problem to take them down with your five thousand cavalry, we must try to reduce casualties as much as possible." Xue Wanche glanced at Murong Shundao.
Since he is now working for His Highness, he can be regarded as one of his own. As the general of the Tang Dynasty, Xue Wanche may not trust Murong Shun very much, but as an army fighting together after accepting orders, he must think more about the other party, such as reducing the number of soldiers. casualties.
The point is, His Highness still wants them to be useful.
"The best way is to lure them out to fight." Xue Wanjun added.
"It might not be easy to lure them out, or at least get them all to mobilize." Qibi Heli shook his head, "The Black Mountain bandits have been running rampant here for decades. No one dares to disobey them, and they didn't kill them all. Otherwise, they would have been killed long ago. There are no caravans taking the southern route, so they rarely go out together now. Most of the time they are divided into a dozen small groups, each with about a hundred riders."
"How about taking the initiative to provoke?" Murong Shun thought for a while and said, "Don't they not allow others to disobey them? Find someone to pretend to be a caravan and rob the caravan directly in their territory in advance. They may come out no matter what. Take a look."
The three of them, Xue Wanche, looked at each other and pondered for a moment. Although Murong Shun's method seemed simpler and not really a strategy, it was actually effective against the Black Mountain bandits.
The Black Mountain bandits have been running rampant for decades. Even if the first generation of Black Mountain bandits are not all dead, there are probably not many left in their 70s and 80s. The Black Mountain bandits attract different horse thieves to join them every year.
No one dares to offend them. In order to maintain this status, if someone dares to rob someone at their door, they will do it no matter what.
"Okay, where is the battlefield?" Xue Wanjun asked.
"How about right here?" Murong Shun looked at the place and then said.
"I don't think it's appropriate." Come directly for investigation.”
"What do you think, General Xue?"
"It's in Montenegro!" Xue Wanche said simply, "Find a way to lurk near them secretly. It's not difficult for five thousand cavalry to lurk near Montenegro overnight."
"If the Black Bandits are going to come out, they will be least vigilant when they just leave their lair. At this time, attack directly! No matter how many cavalry come out this time, kill them directly. The remaining soldiers will even attack their stronghold. It doesn't take much effort!" Xue Wanche said calmly.
"General Xue's words make sense." Murong Shun thought about it and realized that it really made sense.
The total strength of the Black Mountain bandits is only a thousand. No matter how many they come out, even if it is only half, the remaining half will be basically useless.
"Then it's settled! There's no need to look for caravans. I'm going to ask to see if any caravans have passed by here recently. We really want to rob a wave and dispatch about 300 cavalry. The Black Mountain bandits will dispatch at least five for safety. Bai may even go out with all his strength, then it will be up to you, General Murong." Xue Wanjun said.
"Then we'll need three more generals on the periphery."
"You're welcome, we are all working for His Highness. The three of us will lead three groups of cavalry. I will block the valley from the other end, and the two of them will block the east and west sides." Xue Wanjun said.
After agreeing on the strategy in a few words, everyone immediately implemented it.
Soon Xue Wanjun got news from Yuelai Trading Company, which sent the information, that a caravan would leave the area where Yangguan is located tomorrow. After receiving the information, everyone re-formulated their strategy. There was a small mountain col about 10 miles east of the mountain col where the Black Bandits were located. There was no problem in accommodating five thousand cavalry here.
There happens to be moonlight these two nights, so I can rush there overnight tonight.
