Li Jiangyao poured Xu Youchang a cup of tea and asked calmly: "What's the big deal?"
Xu Youchang's expression looked very serious: "Jiang Yao, I suspect that the Turks may make another big move."
As he spoke, he unfolded the volume in his hand and introduced: "This is the various messages sent back by the Intelligence Department in the past month. I sorted it out. You see, it is mainly these four items."
Li Jiangyao took the volume and saw it said:
In the Guanzhong area, the prices of refined iron, medicinal materials, kerosene and other materials have skyrocketed recently, making private purchases increasingly difficult, and it is feared that the Turks are secretly hoarding them in large quantities.
The Turkic prince Tanli recently left the imperial capital and headed to the south. He is expected to come into contact with the rebel group Lao Jianhua and may have plans. Details are yet to be investigated.
The Turkic Helian troops have recently frequently sent troops to attack the six counties of Wuguan, greatly restricting the scope of activities of the Southern Army, and their intention to exert pressure is obvious.
The latest news from Persia is that a long-term disputed area on the border between Turks and Persia has recently shown signs of easing. The Turks seemed intent on withdrawing from the area and ceding it to the Persian Empire. But the Persian side did not inform us of this matter.
After reading the news, Li Jiangyao thought for a moment and said calmly: "They are hoarding strategic materials in large quantities, putting constant pressure on the Southern Army, and building relationships and friendships from south to north. It is quite lively in all directions, but Our side is quiet and without any disturbance, and the smell of conspiracy is indeed very strong."
Xu Youchang nodded when he heard this: "I am worried about this. Regardless of Tanli or Helianxiong, the intention of their actions is obvious - to contain the Shengtang army in the Central Plains to the maximum extent, and at the same time, try to ease the conflict with Persia. . I suspect that the Turks may be preparing to fight back and completely open up the connection with the Western Continent."
"It seems that it is time for Gema to go home." Li Jiangyao smiled calmly: "Although the Turkic Empire invaded eastward, there are still many defense forces in the country. They may have received Ashina's order to support the attack. Prepare to serve as a second line of reinforcements to attack Western Xinjiang and cooperate with the main Turkic forces to open the passage. I kept Gema for so long because I was afraid that he would go back too early and completely conquer the weak Turks on his own, which would in turn pose a huge threat to Western Xinjiang. Now that the internal forces of the Turks are reuniting, it’s just time for Gema to go back and have a good fight with his old friends.”
Xu Youchang sighed with emotion: "You are still ruthless enough. Now that Gema is returning with 10,000 Yakut cavalry, he will immediately have to fight with the remaining troops of the Golden Tribe. There is no need to mention the second line of reinforcements."
Li Jiangyao nodded slightly: "Yes, use Turks to contain the Turks. At the same time, please ask Emene to come forward and persuade the Persian Empire to deploy troops on the border to put pressure on its neighbors. The Persian emperor is not a fuel-efficient lamp, he will know how to take advantage of the Turks of."
"What preparations are we making here?" Xu Youchang asked.
"I estimate that if the Turks don't come, they will definitely have to fight hard once they come." Li Jiangyao analyzed: "It is basically consistent with my original strategic concept, which is to use the dangerous terrain that can be defended, wait for work, and try to consume the enemy's forces as much as possible. strength."
Xu Youchang agreed: "Then let's still rely on Zijin Pass and Shengyuguan and fight a war of attrition with them. I will go and pass the order right away and let the troops start mobilizing and prepare to face the enemy."
Li Jiangyao thought for a moment and then said: "This time we are different from last time. Firstly, the defense system is more complete than before, and the Turks will inevitably pay a huge price. Secondly, I suggest arranging a flexible cavalry unit. Stay behind the enemy to harass and destroy.”
"I agree!" Xu Youchang nodded and said, "How about the First Army?"
Li Jiangyao waved his hand: "The first army is heavy cavalry. As a fist army, it is better to put it on the frontal battlefield. The fourth army and the ninth army are light cavalry. Although their combat power is not particularly strong, they are better at coming and going. Like the wind, it is erratic and is most suitable for outflanking the Turks' retreat."
Xu Youchang thought about it carefully and agreed: "You are right, they are more suitable. In this case, let the Fourth Army of Montenegro go."
"We both thought of it together," Li Jiangyao said with a smile: "The Fourth Army of Shenhua has another advantage, that is, their tribesmen are all over the Western Xinjiang subordinate army, and they can carry out rebellion at any time."
At the beginning, the Western Xinjiang affiliated army totaled 250,000 people. Excluding the 100,000 soldiers and horses who surrendered to Li Jiangyao, as well as those lost successively in the war, there are still about 80,000 troops stationed in the Guanzhong area.
It is entirely possible for this force to be won over and turn against them in the face of battle.
Li Jiangyao continued: "You arrange for Heishan and the others to set off in the next two days, lurk in the Yongliang area, and then cooperate with the frontal battlefield to launch sneak attacks on the supply lines and grain garrison points behind the enemy's rear. I estimate that the Turks will most likely attack the enemy." Part of the subordinate army is placed at the back, responsible for taking care of the baggage and so on. So I ordered Yudala to dispatch some spies from Western Xinjiang to act with the Fourth Army, so that it can be easily persuaded by the subordinate army. "
"Okay, that's it." Xu Youchang stood up, cupped his hands and said, "I'll go make arrangements immediately."
-
"His Royal Highness the Prince has come to visit me. I apologize for missing you from afar."
"Mr. Lao, I haven't seen you for a long time. Your style is even better than before. I admire you very much."
Tanli, the second prince of the Turks, had a happy face and stretched out his hand to hold Lao Jianhua's hand, looking very close and familiar.
Lao Jianhua was equally enthusiastic and introduced him: "Your Highness, this is the world-famous Navy Marshal and Governor Bao Yuchun."
Tanli quickly raised his hands and saluted: "Oh, it turns out to be Commander Bao. The famous general of Shengtang, like thunder piercing his ears, I have admired him for a long time."
Bao Yuchun said politely: "I heard from Lord Lao that His Highness has traveled to the Holy Tang Dynasty for many years. When we meet him today, he is indeed worthy of his reputation. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Tanli responded cheerfully: "If you ask me, you two are worthy of your reputation. We captured Xiangcheng in a blink of an eye, saving me from having to travel thousands of miles in vain, haha."
Lao Jianhua invited Tanli to sit in the hall and said, "It all depends on Commander Bao. The navy soldiers are victorious in every battle, and the rivers are theirs."
Tanley immediately understood the meaning of the other party's words. Lao Jianhua was obviously deliberately emphasizing the fact that neither the Turks nor the Holy Tang Dynasty could compete with him in rivers, lakes and seas.
However, Tanli was a master at pretending to be confused. He deliberately pretended not to understand and responded with a smile: "Hey, Xiangcheng is a city on land after all. The water army is powerful, isn't the Xuanjia army even more powerful? As soon as you show up. , Ma Hongjie’s men immediately ran away with their tails between their legs.”
Lao Jianhua knew that the other party was attacking him, so he in turn provoked a relationship between him and Bao Yuchun. However, his palace was extremely deep and he remained calm on the surface: "Your Highness is right. The Xuanjia Army and the Navy Army have joined forces to advance by land and water. Li Bing, Ma Hongjie and the others have no choice but to escape."
The three of them sat down separately in the hall, and the servants brought all kinds of tea and pastries with ease, and even burned a furnace of elegant incense.
Tanley obviously liked this kind of conversational environment and couldn't help but praise it a few times.
Lao Jianhua smiled, stroked his beard, and asked, "Your Highness, we haven't seen each other for more than three years, right?"
"That's right." Tanli tasted a piece of snacks and nodded: "Last time we were in the Central Plains. I remember that you were preparing to attack Tongguan."
Lao Jianhua said with a meaningful smile: "Yes, attack Tongguan. Unexpectedly, after losing many troops and generals, it ended up falling into the hands of Marshal He Lianxiong."
Tanli completely ignored the other party's sarcasm and said carelessly: "That's because Xie Guang is too stupid! If Mr. Lao was in charge, or Commander Bao was in command, we Turks would have no chance to pick this fruit, hahaha."
Hearing this, Lao Jianhua and Bao Yuchun couldn't help laughing loudly, obviously they were very flattered by the Turkic prince.
Bao Yuchun tasted the fragrant tea and asked: "Your Highness, this is the first time we meet. Don't blame Bao for our friendship. At present, we are indistinguishable from friends and foes. Your Majesty, you have come here. I don't know why?"
Tanli also took a leisurely sip of tea before replying: "You two, I came to make friends with you on the orders of the Great Khan."
"Making friends?" Bao Yuchun smiled: "The Khan of your country really likes to make friends. I remember that Li Kuang is also your friend, right?"
Tanli responded calmly: "Isn't there a saying in Shengtang? Many friends mean more roads, fewer enemies mean less walls. There is another saying, the enemies of the enemy can all be considered friends, right?"
Lao Jianhua smiled slightly: "Your Highness is still so funny. You are right. We Shengtang people have always had the tradition of making friends, but..."
He paused for a moment, then continued: "However, there are things to pay attention to when making friends."
"Oh? Please give me some advice, sir." Tanli said with a cupped hand.
Lao Jianhua gave him a meaningful look: "When people interact with each other, they talk about the word righteousness. They trust each other honestly and ask for nothing, just like Lao and Ge Shuping, the leader of the Guidou clan in your country. That's how broad it is. However, the relationship between countries is meant to be beneficial. Only mutual benefit can the basis for friendship be established."
Tanli nodded repeatedly after hearing this: "What Mr. Lao said is absolutely true! My father Khan also said the same before I set off."
"In that case," Lao Jianhua asked with a smile: "What kind of preferential treatment does the Great Khan intend to give us? And what does it require us to do?"
Tanli was not in a hurry to answer Lao Jianhua's question, but instead asked: "Mr. Lao, Commander Bao, what are your plans next? I mean the fight for the world of Shengtang?"
Lao Jianhua and Bao Yuchun looked at each other, and then replied calmly: "Your Highness, your wording needs to be changed. We are not fighting for the world of Shengtang, but to bring order to the court and restore peace to the people. "
Tanli didn't expect that a big rebel would have the nerve to say that he was trying to bring order to the Shengtang court. He couldn't help but secretly sneer in his heart, and at the same time a sincere smile appeared on his face: "Mr. Lao cares about the country. It's really admirable. Let me ask another question. Fa, what are your plans to restore peace and stability to Shengtang as soon as possible?"
