Arriving at Chiwu Town, Fang Chongyong met the busy Wang Zhongsi.
In his impression, those high-ranking military officials should be playing tricks when they have nothing to do.
But when he met Wang Zhongsi this time, he found that his father-in-law was... reading documents.
At this moment, in the lobby of the Chishui Army Yamen, there are several people dressed as monks who are translating the Tibetan texts on the table into Chinese.
After they finished translating one piece, Wang Zhongsi read another. The entire lobby turned into a "copying room" and it was so quiet that you could hear the drop of a pin.
"Just take a look."
Wang Zhongsi said to Fang Zhongyong very casually without taking his eyes off the paper in his hand.
As for Dr. Li, who was sitting in a wheelchair, he was not allowed to enter here at all and was still waiting for an interview outside the Yamen.
"This is……"
Fang Chongyong hesitated for a moment, picked up a piece of paper and examined it, and soon understood the key point.
"The soldiers bravely defeated the enemy and made meritorious deeds, and after verification, the general must reward them promptly."
"If officers and generals escape on the battlefield, the supervisors will hunt them down with all their might. If they are captured, the reward for their bravery will be given immediately according to the law."
"If you are trapped by the enemy, send a messenger to the barracks to report for reinforcements. If the general who receives the message does not send reinforcements, you will be punished."
…
This is obviously a series of military laws, but the writing is a little strange, and it is similar to the laws of the Tang Dynasty.
Fang Chongyong was confused and asked with some confusion: "Is this a translated military law? Could it be a military order from the Tubo people?"
"Yes, Cui Jieshuai defeated a Tibetan army before and captured a complete Tibetan military law. Now the monks who can translate it into Chinese have also been found, and are now translating these military laws.
As the saying goes, if you know yourself and the enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger. "
Wang Zhongsi laughed and seemed to be in a good mood.
The Tibetan people have a history of writing for more than a hundred years, or even further back hundreds of years.
According to legend, Songtsan Gampo, the leader of Tubo, saw that Tubo wanted to develop its economy and it was impossible without its own writing, so he sent minister Tumi Sambuza and 16 other people to Tianzhu (India) to study and become disciples.
After returning to Tibet, he imitated Sanskrit "Lanza style" and combined it with Tibetan rhymes to create Tibetan regular script fonts. He also created Tibetan cursive script based on "Urdu style".
It is the blueprint of Tubo writing. After a hundred years of development, it has become its own system.
But some people say that what Songtsen Gampo did was just sorting out things, and that Tibet has a written history very early.
But anyway, this military law of the Tubo people not only shows that the Tibetan army has strict military discipline and clear rewards and punishments.
It also shows that the construction of their domestic political and military systems has become a system of its own, and they are not barbarians who only know how to plunder as outsiders understand.
It can also prove that the Tubo army was able to compete with the Tang Dynasty in Longyou, Hexi Province, not by accident, nor by relying on manpower and bravery!
The Tubo Army was a powerful force that could compete equally with the Tang Army on the battlefield. They were top players at the same military level, far surpassing the Turks, Khitans and other nomads who had been beaten by the Tang Dynasty before.
Niu Xianke's saying, "The only thing that happens in Hexi is Tubo" is indeed a pertinent assessment!
"Let's take a closer look. The Tubo people's military methods also have a lot of merit. It is said that stones from other mountains can attack jade. There is no harm in learning more."
Wang Zhongsi put down the paper in his hand, sorted the scattered papers on the desk in order, handed them to Fang Chongyong, and continued: "I know you have something to do, wait a minute, I have military affairs to deal with tonight. It’s never too late.”
After saying that, he walked straight out of the lobby, leaving Fang Chongyong alone here to read the military law of the Tibetan army.
The number of soldiers is not about the number, but the essence; the general is not about the courage, but the strategy.
Wang Zhongsi's idea is very clear. Instead of practicing mindlessly physical strength, it is better to take advantage of the good opportunity to learn more about the "laws" in the art of war.
Without rules and regulations, people are like wild beasts gathering together. If the strong and strong Qiu Ba were not restrained by military law, you could guess how terrifying their destructive power would be by just thinking about it with your toes.
Understanding the Tibetan people's military law is a way to understand the Tibetan army's war thinking. During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, only the foreigners could choose their opponents. The Tang Dynasty's border troops could not choose their opponents. Anyone who provoked them would be killed, including the Tubo people.
So what Wang Zhongsi asked Fang Chongyong to do now is to desperately learn life-saving techniques!
"Keep watching."
Fang Chongyong sighed and said to himself, feeling a little heavy. The shadow of Tubo has shrouded the land west of Hexi, and there is no way to escape it for a moment.
Soon, Fang Chongyong saw regulations that were very different from those in the Tang Dynasty's military law!
"The construction of the castle and the installation of Nangxia must be reported to the royal family members and completed on time."
"If it fails to be completed as scheduled, Chief Nangxia will be punished."
"In the land of Nangxia, there are a large number of military horses and other livestock gathered. No major disease symptoms have appeared, but through the spread of local minor diseases, serious diseases have appeared. We will find out the cause and sell them. Xia."
"If the war is tense and the enemy is approaching, and if it is expected that the enemy cannot be resisted, the livestock under Nangxia's management must be driven and protected without being damaged. Whether crops and houses should be burned, or whether they should be retained, etc., must be determined according to the plan."
In such military laws, the organization "Nangxia" was mentioned. In Fang Chongyong's opinion, it should be a comprehensive logistics organization responsible for building barracks and castles in the Tubo army during wartime; managing property, livestock, and trophies management.
As far as Fang Chongyong knew, there was no similar corresponding organization in the local government of the Tang Dynasty, nor in the military. It can be said that this is the Tibetan people's unique organizational method in response to war.
Seeing this, Fang Chongyong suddenly felt that this trip was not in vain!
The Tubo people's "engineering troops" specialize in logistics, which means they have specialized "combat troops."
This is obviously different from the rumored way in which the Tubo people went to war in a rush, with all men, women, old and young going into battle.
In other words, the opponent's level of military specialization was not much worse than that of the Tang Dynasty. In some cases, it was even more adapted to the actual situation on the battlefield, and it was far superior to the Turks, Uighurs, Khitans and other steppe nations.
Fang Chongyong began to immerse himself in reading these translated Tibetan military laws. The more he read, the more he felt a chill in his back.
"In wartime, soldiers prepare their horses according to the sound of conch trumpets or drums. When facing battles during the day, the herdsmen should tie the war horses in the camp and place them behind the soldiers. At night, the war horses can be untied. But don’t let it go.”
"If you suspect that you will be raided at night, follow Ru Ben's order, choose a dangerous place according to the terrain to hold it, and arrange scouting horses, sentries, etc. The soldiers and horses should also be tied with stumbling ropes. Patrollers must hold shields and hold bows and arrows. Put on your armor and prepare for battle."
"Set up camp at night and prepare for battle. If the terrain is narrow, set up two or three lines of fortifications at intervals. At night, build earthen mounds two arrows away from the garrison. On the earthen mounds Put up wooden fences and take up good ground.”
One word after another, every word hit Fang Chongyong's heart, making him dare not be careless or miss even a word.
These military orders have already involved the discrimination and rewards and punishments of escape on the battlefield, the levels of punishment and rewards, the military law of guarding the camp during night battles, the sentinel investigation system, the management of war horses, etc.!
Some regulations can even be used as military tactics. There are many things that Fang Zhongyong has never heard of, seen, or even imagined!
It’s all there! There is nothing unmentioned, nothing unimaginable!
Fang Chongyong's heart suddenly surged with the words "so terrifying", which lingered for a long time.
Looking at the leopard in the cave, it can be seen that the Tubo people have formulated such strict military laws that all behaviors on the battlefield are legal.
How can such an army be easy to deal with!
This is an enhanced version of the bandits that is tightly organized and operates in an orderly manner!
The sky was getting dark, and a sergeant had already lit a torch in the lobby. After a long time, Fang Chongyong stretched out and reluctantly put down the translation of the military law formulated by the Tubo people.
Hexi is too big, the Western Region is too big, Tubo is too powerful, and individual power is too small!
All the rhetoric and arrogance were extinguished by this military law that embodies the essence of the Tibetan military system.
At this moment, Fang Chongyong saw that Wang Zhongsi had led Medical Officer Li in. When he saw Fang Chongyong's expression, he knew that the other party must have learned a lot of new things from it.
"Don't be arrogant, and don't belittle yourself. Let's have something to eat together, and then go to the study to talk in detail."
Wang Zhongsi said to Fang Zhongyong with an indifferent expression.
"I understand, father-in-law."
Fang Chongyong saluted respectfully.
"In the Chishui Army, you should call me the Wang Army Envoy. After all, you are also the deputy envoy of the Baiting Army."
Wang Zhongsi rarely teased Fang Chongyong.
"The Tubo people are so powerful, so I, the idle envoy of the Baiting Army, really have to be cautious and walk on thin ice."
Fang Chongyong said with a helpless smile.
"Just understand, let's go."
Wang Zhongsi was obviously very satisfied with Fang Chongyong's humility and walked over and patted him on the shoulder. Fang Chongyong pushed Medical Officer Li's wheelchair, ignoring the flattered medical officer, with shock written all over his face. Fang Chongyong took him to the study room of Wang Zhongsi's residence.
…
The food in the army really doesn't taste that good. Fang Chongyong was used to eating food cooked by Anaye every day. After eating this meal, Fang Chongyong felt suspicious of his life. It was hard to imagine how those Qiuba people lived day after day.
But since Wang Zhongsi didn't say anything, it was hard for him to start teasing. After hastily finishing the meal, Medical Officer Li took out the clay pot containing the hemostatic pack at Fang Chongyong's signal and handed it to Wang Zhongsi.
"Seal the mouth with fire paint."
Wang Zhongsi picked it up and inspected it, then nodded with satisfaction.
As a military envoy, of course, you will not know anything about the logistics requirements. According to Fang Chongyong's introduction, the contents of this clay pot are actually common items in the army.
Before every war of the Tang Army, the quartermaster would purchase medicinal materials locally, and immediately boil the linen strips in boiling water and pack them into boxes for later use.
The thing in front of me is strange for two reasons.
The first is that it can be prepared in advance and stored for long periods of time for military supplies.
The second one is the medicinal materials inside. After half-carbonization, there is still remaining medicinal power, which has a better hemostatic effect!
A small object with a big effect, and it is not difficult to mass-produce, and can be promoted in the Hexi region and even the entire Datang border towns!
"This thing is very good. It's rare that you are serious about it!"
Wang Zhongsi looked at Fang Chongyong with joy and exclaimed, he was 100% satisfied with this future son-in-law!
"It's just a trivial matter. You can't defeat the Tibetans with this."
Fang Chongyong said embarrassedly that he originally wanted to show off, but after seeing the Tubo people's military skills, he no longer dared to offer treasures in front of Wang Zhongsi.
To be honest, there is really no way to defeat the Tubo people with this thing. I can only say it is better than nothing.
"Hey, what are you talking about? Victory is accumulated bit by bit. For example, a few days ago, you took the initiative to write letters home to the army sergeants. Now I can see that the morale of the Chishui army is high. You have played your best Function, that is not optional.
Writing a letter home is one small step, and this hemostatic jar is another small step. Because of your performance, we, the Hexi frontier army, are moving forward step by step, accumulating victory momentum into victory. How can it be useless? "
Wang Zhongsi laughed.
"Father-in-law, could you lend me a copy of this Tubo military law? I would like to study it."
Fang Chongyong requested extremely sincerely.
"It doesn't matter, just take it. Anyway, I've seen it and know what it's about."
Wang Zhongsi said very generously.
The Tubo people's military law was a "dimensionality reduction strike" for Fang Chongyong, because Fang Chongyong was a somewhat clever layman in the military. But Wang Zhongsi is a general who has fought many battles, so he naturally knows the pros and cons of many military laws.
The Tubo people's military law is not bad, but it is too detailed and too strict. When implemented, it may not be as beautiful as imagined.
Furthermore, complex military laws require a certain amount of cultural literacy to be implemented. The illiteracy rate of the Tubo people was much higher than that of the Tang Dynasty. On weekdays, Wang Zhongsi felt that the military laws of the Tang Dynasty often needed to be "flexibly implemented", not to mention the Tubo people.
Originally he wanted to point this out, but he always felt that letting Fang Chongyong figure it out for himself would better inspire his ability to think independently.
“Any complex military law is useless if the people below cannot implement it effectively.
The various Tubo tribes have different combat capabilities. Through their flags, you can tell which tribe's soldiers and horses the Tubo people's five or sixty-one Dongdai belong to.
The soldiers and horses of different tribes and different flags have different combat effectiveness, and the degree of enforcement of military law is also different.
If you have the opportunity in the future, you can learn these things slowly. "
Wang Zhongsi gave serious instructions.
"Thank you, father-in-law. I will definitely think about it carefully."
Fang Zhongyong crossed his hands and saluted.
"Go ahead. It's not good to spend the night in the military camp. I'll send someone to escort you back to Liangzhou City."
Wang Zhongsi is a straightforward person and sees off guests with a wave of his hand.
"Father-in-law... The Tubo people will not give up after losing their new city. The water system in Tubo is underdeveloped and cannot be transported by ship, so they may still need time to mobilize their troops. However, once they mobilize their troops and horses, the Hexi front line will definitely be in turmoil!
It’s better to ask your father-in-law to prepare early! "
Fang Chongyong said worriedly.
He didn't understand the specifics of marching and fighting, but Fang Chongyong now understood the geographical overview, the strategic situation between countries, the gains and losses in the past battles between the Tang Army and the Tibetan Army, and the distribution of the front lines.
Judging from the current situation, the Tubo people seem to be holding back their big move and are very likely to fully invade Longyou, Hexi Province in the winter.
If you succeed, you will conquer the city, if you fail, you will reduce the population. By the way, we can spend the harsh winter in Hexi and Longyou, which are warmer, have lower altitudes and are more suitable for survival.
This move has many wonderful benefits. Fang Chongyong feels that it is impossible for the Tibetan people to think of things that he can think of!
"Just stay in Liangzhou City in winter and don't go out and run around. It's not your turn to worry about these things that only the frontier troops have to consider."
Wang Zhongsi waved his hand. Of course he knew what the Tibetan people were doing, but there was no need to tell Fang Chongyong everything.
Life and death are destiny, wealth and honor are in the sky. They are all men who lick blood from their swords. How can there be any safety? Let's compete with skill and luck on the battlefield!
"Go ahead, it's still early for you to make great achievements!"
Wang Zhongsi laughed loudly and patted Fang Chongyong's shoulder hard, causing the latter to stumble and bow in embarrassment to say goodbye.
The latest achievements in historical journal documents, no need to thank me.
(End of chapter)
