After discussion, everyone finally finalized the entire plan.
The task of pretending to retreat was completed by Zhang Yi and Pang Hong. They only needed to plant many flags and make a bluff. After several attempts by the barbarians, they quietly returned and hid on the south bank of the Meng River, waiting for opportunities.
Li Shimin led Zhang Yan and Chen Zhong to ambush on both sides of the enemy's stronghold. When he saw Zhang Yi and Pang Hong half-crossing to attack the enemy, he first set fire to the city, and then fought out from the left and right to cut off the enemy's return route.
The troops surrounding the rear were all familiar with mountain warfare and were led by Ma Cheng and Liu Lin. Once the two men saw a fire breaking out in the city, they climbed down from a high place and went straight to the back gate of the enemy's stronghold.
In the next few days, while Li Shimin sent secret guards to inspect the places where the ambush was about to be carried out and the places where the retreating army must pass, he also ordered Zhang Yi, Pang Hong and others to pretend to retreat for days.
At first, when the barbarians saw that the officers and soldiers wanted to retreat, they thought it was a strategy of the officers and soldiers. The army did not leave the city, but continuously sent scouts to explore the movements of the officers and soldiers.
As time passed, the barbarians saw that the number of soldiers in the official camp was getting smaller and smaller, and the number of stoves was also getting smaller and smaller, so they lowered their vigilance and believed that the official army wanted to withdraw.
After the barbarians made their last exploration of the news that day, they confirmed that the officers and soldiers were unable to withstand the severe cold and had withdrawn.
The plan was to wait for the last group of officers and soldiers to withdraw, then follow closely behind and move the whole clan southward.
It's just that the barbarians chose to take a detour after crossing the Meng River, crossing the road with the official army, and tried not to engage in battle with the official army.
That evening, after confirming the movements of the barbarians, Li Shimin summoned the generals to prepare to implement the plan.
At this moment, the soldiers on duty outside the village suddenly came to report.
"Your Majesty, there is a general not far away, taking advantage of the darkness and leading three or five followers to gallop towards Dazhai.
We can't see the general's appearance clearly. We are afraid that barbarians will spy on our army's intelligence and dare not act without authorization. We come here to report to your majesty and ask your majesty to make a decision! "
Li Shimin was shocked when he heard this, thinking that there were some good strategists among the barbarians, so he couldn't help but hesitate.
But then I thought about it, the barbarians had not acted like this for many days, and now that everything was ready, it shouldn't be the barbarians who made any mistakes.
After thinking about it, Li Shimin said to the soldier:
"Don't make any noise for now, just pretend that this is a person who stayed behind after the army broke off, and first ask about that person's origins.
Ma Cheng, Liu Lin, and you two go together and hide in the dark in case the man suddenly attacks. "
Ma Cheng and others took the order and left. Li Shimin also ordered the people in the tent to turn off the lights and not to make any noise for the time being.
As soon as the lights in the tent went out, a pair of arms hugged Li Shimin's left arm tightly in the darkness.
Li Shimin was not mentally prepared, so he was startled by this sudden "hug" and almost screamed.
Just as Li Shimin was about to ask, he suddenly felt a familiar fragrance that filled his heart and lungs.
Feeling the soft touch on his left arm again, he couldn't help but think of the situation in the secret room before.
"It must be Zhang Yan, this little girl, who is scared again in this darkness and silence..."
Thinking of this, Li Shimin simply let Zhang Yan hug him without trying to escape.
Zhang Yan seemed to sense Li Shimin's thoughts, and moved her body closer to Li Shimin, and even rested her head on Li Shimin's shoulder.
About half a moment passed like this, and I heard rapid footsteps outside the account.
After a moment, Ma Cheng's voice came from outside the tent,
"Uncle Clan has come at the right time. We are planning to do something secretly. Now that you are here, you can save the preparation process and join the battle directly!"
When everyone in the tent heard this, they all breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately someone lit the lights in the tent again.
The moment the tent lit up, Zhang Yan quickly withdrew her hand and stood beside His Majesty as if nothing had happened.
Li Shimin looked at Zhang Yan and shook his head, whispering:
"There are so many wonders in the world, who would have thought that such a brave and brave hero could actually..."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan quickly looked at His Majesty beseechingly, and a blush suddenly appeared on her face.
When Li Shimin saw this, he quickly stopped what he was about to say and just looked at Zhang Yan with a bad smile.
At this time, everyone was focused on the people outside the tent and did not notice the actions of His Majesty and Zhang Yan.
At this moment, Ma Cheng led Ma Dai into the tent.
When Ma Dai saw His Majesty, he quickly knelt down on one knee and worshiped:
"The last general, Ma Dai, was ordered by Your Majesty to travel quickly for several days to join His Majesty.
Your Majesty, please accept the general’s bow! "
When Li Shimin saw Ma Dai arriving, he hurriedly stepped forward to help Ma Dai up and looked at him briefly.
Ma Dai is about 50 years old. He is a handsome man with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He is also as imposing as his nephew Ma Cheng.
Seeing Ma Dai like this, Li Shimin felt happy. After gesturing for Ma Dai to take a seat, he smiled and said:
"You, the Xiliang Ma family, are worthy of the former Fubo General Ma Yuan, with their strong bodies and heroic looks.
I am very happy to have your help. "
When Ma Dai heard this, he quickly thanked His Majesty.
After Li Shimin nodded, he continued to ask:
"How is General Wei Yan doing now? I haven't heard from General Wei Yan for some time, and I miss him very much."
When Ma Dai saw His Majesty asking about Wei Yan's situation, Ma Dai scratched his head first, and then said a little embarrassedly:
"Your Majesty, please ask the general. Since the governor suppressed rebellions in various places, General Wei Yan has always been worried about the battle on the front line.
I have long been ordered to travel to the Qiang and Di tribes in Wudu and Yinping who are sympathetic to the imperial court, and to persuade the Qiang and Di tribes to contribute to suppressing the rebellion.
A few days ago, the last general discovered what happened to Qiang Duan and others not far from Wenshan County, and then hurriedly reported the news to General Zhang Yi.
The people sent by His Majesty to look for me also knew that I had recently stayed at the Lei clan in Yinping, which was why I came to His Majesty in such a short time.
As for General Wei Yan, when I traveled far away, I saw General Wei Yan training his soldiers every day and discussing with the officials in the county how to run the county. There was nothing wrong with him, both physically and mentally.
I haven't heard any bad news about Hanzhong in recent days. There should be nothing serious about General Wei Yan. "
"Very good. If that's the case, then I'm relieved."
After Li Shimin exchanged greetings with Ma Dai, they got down to business.
"Now the barbarians have fallen into the trap. If nothing unexpected happens, the barbarians will come out in full force at the earliest tonight or tomorrow at the latest.
General Ma Dai has arrived today. I have just ordered General Ma Dai to be by my side, and together with the enemy, I am lying in ambush in the mountains on both sides.
After the meeting, all the generals will lead their troops and act according to the plan. If they encounter danger or special circumstances, the generals do not need to make a special trip to report and can act expeditiously.
Finally, I wish you all immediate success and return victorious! "
After saying this, Li Shimin took Zhang Yan, Chen Zhong, Ma Dai and the remaining flying cavalry guards and personal guards to the planned ambush place.
Wu Ban was still injured and could not participate in the battle, so he had to follow the team pretending to retreat.
The rest of the generals performed their duties, and the entire counterinsurgency camp quietly moved into action in the darkness.
Late at night, Li Shimin ordered Chen Zhong to lead half of his troops to ambush on the left, while he led Ma Dai and Zhang Yan to ambush on the right.
Under the cover of darkness, the two teams of men and horses traveled east and west at the intersection of Meng River and Heishui River, and each headed for the ambush site.
The other generals will act according to their own plans and will not show them for the time being.
It is only said that Li Shimin led Zhang Yan, Ma Dai and others along the mountain path and traveled quickly.
While they were walking, Li Shimin suddenly asked Ma Dai:
"I heard from General Ma before that you are lobbying everywhere where Qiang and Hu gather.
According to the general's opinion, how loyal are the Qiang Di who had surrendered earlier, such as Lei Ding and Yang Wanwan, to the imperial court? "
When Ma Dai heard this, he was surprised at first, and then thought that Lei Ding and Yang Wanwan were both supporters of his clan brother Ma Chao. Now that Ma Chao is not here, it is normal for His Majesty to have this question.
After thinking about it, Ma Dai reported back:
"Your Majesty, Lei Ding, Yang Wanwan and other Qiang and Di people in our territory followed my brother and defected to the imperial court during the war in Hanzhong.
Most of the Yongliang and Qiangdi people, including Tianshui, Wuwei, Anding, etc., are supported by my brother Ma Chao.
As long as there are still people from the Ma clan in Xiliang in our Han army, these Qiang and Di should serve them loyally.
If all the members of the Ma family in Xiliang wither away or turn elsewhere, then the general will not be able to guarantee it. "
Although Ma Dai's words were a bit harsh, Li Shimin had to admit that this was the truth, and Ma Dai had tried his best to answer himself in a tactful way.
Li Shimin had no intention of arguing with Ma Dai, even if those Qiang and Di clans just followed the Xiliang Ma clan.
As long as I have Ma Cheng and Ma Dai firmly in my hands, doesn't that mean I have control over Lei Ding, Yang Wanwan and others?
Thinking of this, Li Shimin said softly:
"What the general said is true. Now I have two things to discuss with General Ma Dai.
It just so happens that there are not many outsiders here, and it will take some time for us to reach the ambush place. You can just chat with me to relieve your boredom. "
Hearing this, Ma Dai quickly approached His Majesty and whispered:
"General, take your orders. It's just that it's quiet here at night. I hope your Majesty will keep his voice down as much as possible. I'm afraid I'll alert the barbarians patrolling nearby."
Li Shimin nodded, lowered his voice and said:
“The first thing I plan to do is send Honglu Guards into Wudu and Yinping where Qiang and Hu gather, and secretly inquire about Qiang and Hu news for me.
You happen to be familiar with the customs of the Qiang and Hu people. I want you to secretly contact and command the Honglu Guards and always pay attention to the movements of the Qiang and Hu people. "
Ma Dai could not help but be grateful when he saw that His Majesty trusted him so much and entrusted him with such important matters.
"The general will definitely live up to His Majesty's trust!"
Seeing Ma Dai agree, Li Shimin continued:
"A few days ago, I mistakenly released the strong man, but now I can only make the mistake and let the strong man return, so as not to damage his reputation among the Qiang and Hu.
Since you are temporarily responsible for Honglu Guards' affairs in Wudu and Yinping, then you should focus on the strong man.
Once you find something strange, you should calmly hold your position, and then immediately send someone to report it to me.
I will have my own arrangements at that time, remember to only hold on to the strong end and not act without authorization! "
