There are two advantages to doing this: first, it can lead the Tang army to the west to avoid capturing Fuqi City. In this way, you will have to go farther to the south of Qinghai Road; second, Douco Lake can be moved to the southwest. Entering the Xingxiu Sea, if the Tang army pursues, Gongren can continue to move to the Xingxiu Sea with his livestock, so as to lure the Tang army to the southwest, which can not only lengthen the enemy's supply line, but also force the Tang army to move to a higher altitude. March into more desolate places to consume the enemy's physical strength and prepare for the next decisive battle.
"But there is news!" The reporter hesitated, and finally whispered: "Master Gongren was caught up by the Tang people. The Tang people won the battle. Was Master Gongren killed in the battle or captured?"
Qin Ling didn't speak. For a moment, he seemed to have lost all his vitality, but he soon recovered: "Are you sure?"
"Not yet!" The reporter felt his throat gulping, and carefully replied: "You know, the situation at that time was very complicated, and Fuqi City was also far away from there. There were Tang troops and many bandits on the way -"
"I need confirmed information, the sooner the better!" Qin Ling interrupted his subordinates and asked: "Is there any problem?"
"No problem! I'll urge you immediately!"
Qin Ling said nothing. He turned around and walked to the map. The reporter left quickly as if he had been granted amnesty. When Qin Ling was the only one left in the room, there was a sudden loud noise, and it was him who punched the table.
Qin Ling's order was responded to at noon the next day. The bad news was indeed true. A herdsman who escaped from the disaster saw with his own eyes that Gong Ren was finally overwhelmed by the Turkic cavalry, and he also said that Gong Ren should not be dead - because He saw with his own eyes that the Turkic cavalry escorted a captive on horseback back soon. That person should be Gongren. As long as he did not die of serious injuries, he should still be alive.
"Chief, as long as the Tang people know the identity of Master Gongren, they will do their best to take good care of him. You don't need to worry about his safety! At most, you can spend some money to redeem it from the Tang people in the future!"
"I'm not free enough to worry about him now!" Qin Ling snorted coldly: "Xue Rengui is such a difficult guy. He actually chased us through the Huashi Gorge and captured our herd. Now it's a big deal. It's a bit troublesome. If I send troops to cut off his retreat, he can use the livestock as military food and hold on for a month without any problem. However, his rear army is in Dafeiling, so I will be in the dilemma of being attacked from both sides; and if I go Attacking his rear army may not be possible for a while. After all, the Tang people should have a camp in Dafeiling, and he can lead his army back to support. In any case, he is in a favorable situation. If it is delayed, it will only be May now. After the summer harvest, the Tang people may have more reinforcements."
"Chief, there is another news! The Tang people's rear army has left Dafeiling!"
"What?" Qin Ling turned around: "Seriously? When? Where are they going?"
"What happened six days ago, judging from the direction of the march, it should be westward, wanting to join up with their front army!"
"Six days ago, they should be here now!" Qin Ling stretched out his finger and moved it on the map, and finally landed on a certain place. When he was a boy, he followed his father to fight on this land, and he was very familiar with the local topography. familiar.
"No, the Tang people's rear army did not march so fast. They carried baggage, and most of them were infantry!"
"Yes, I almost forgot, the Tang people are not us Tubo people, they can't walk fast in the mountains!" Qin Ling laughed: "Why did the Tang people's rear army leave the camp in Dafeiling? The location there is very good, as long as they can Hold on there, even if the former army is defeated, there will still be a chance to come back again!"
"Maybe he got the order from the commander-in-chief of the Tang Army?"
"Xue Rengui's order?" Qin Ling shook his head: "It doesn't seem like it. Looking at the previous actions of the Tang army, this man is familiar with the art of war. How could he do such a stupid thing? Abandoning his stronghold?"
"Could it be that this person wants to attack Luosuo directly?"
"How is this possible?" Qin Ling couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "Yes, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty did appoint Xue Rengui as the general manager of Luosudao March, and claimed that he would go straight to the capital of our country this time. But that was just a bluff by the Tang people, even if they passed Huashixia, after passing the Xingxiu Sea, there are still nearly two thousand miles left, and there are many dangers and obstacles along the way. The most important thing is that the Tang Dynasty people have not even defeated us, so they just go to Luosuo. Aren't they afraid of being cut off from their retreat and being attacked from both sides? ?"
"Then, what's the reason?"
"I don't know, but if I were the commander-in-chief of the Tang Army, what I have to do now is to put the Tuyuhun Khan in their hands on the throne first, and then open up the connection with the Western Regions, and then think about it after the land of Qinghai is in his hands. What a ridiculous thing! Before entering a narrow alley, you must not leave any trouble behind!"
"So what should we do now?"
"When the opportunity comes, you must not miss it, otherwise the gods will not give you another chance!" Qin Ling said with a smile: "Send the order, gather all the troops, and set off immediately!"
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Huashixia, the former military camp of the Tang Army.
The horn sounded, waking up the entire military camp. A group of Turkic cavalry was slowly walking into the camp gate. In the scattered ranks were many cattle, sheep, and vehicles piled with various stolen furs and utensils, all of which were looted. Some Turkic cavalrymen even drank kumiss on horseback, whistling and singing songs in praise of the Khan. At the end of the procession were groups of captives, mostly women and children, whom the Turks tied into long strings with ropes, like their favorite horse meat enema.
"This will at least make these Turks more energetic!" Xue Rengui stood in front of the big tent, looking at the looters who were encamping below. The tent was always at the highest point in the entire camp. The Turkic cavalry accounted for at least one-third of the Tang army's cavalry, perhaps more. They did not have military pay, and unlike the Tang army's soldiers, they were not exempt from labor and taxes, because the Turkic khans were unable to collect any taxes from their tribes. They participated in the war for two reasons: the first was to follow their leader to express "respect" to the Khan. Of course, the Turks did not have a real Khan now, and the Emperor of Tang Dynasty took the place of the Khan; and the second was to Got the trophy. The amount of loot is closely related to the morale of the Turkic cavalry. If nothing is gained, the Turks will not only be demoralized, but may even fail to work or even defect.
Twenty-one days have passed since the day Gong Ren was captured, and Xue Rengui got a lot of useful information from the prisoners. Obviously, it would be foolish to march directly towards Luosuo like this. Qinling's main force should still be intact. There are many lush pastures around the Xingxiu Sea, and there are many Tubo tribes who spend the winter here. They are also a potential source of troops and supplies for the Tibetans. Before leading the troops back in Qinling, they first used the livestock of the Tibetans to feed themselves. Soldiers are a wise choice.
Xue Rengui was not worried about Qinling's army. He placed his rear camp in Dafeiling, which was located exactly at the transition area between Dafeichuan and the mountain valley, and the other exit of the valley was under his control. , In this way, the Tang army can freely pass on both sides of the Kunlun Mountains, while Qinling must choose a long way around. What is there to be afraid of?
"General Xue!" Ashina Daozhen's face was full of worry: "Guo Daifeng sent a messenger, saying that he is about to lead the rear army!"
"Guo Daifeng is coming?" Xue Rengui's good mood suddenly disappeared: "Didn't I tell him to stay in Dafeiling and not to move without my order?"
"Judging from the meaning of the letter, he should think that you let him stay in the rear camp to monopolize the military exploits, so -" Before Ashina Daozhen could finish speaking, Xue Rengui snatched the letter from the other party and just read a few lines. Then he threw it to the ground and cursed: "The wild geese are still flying in the sky, and he is thinking about whether to stew or bake. Why did Guo Xiaoke give birth to such a stupid son! I really shouldn't have let him guard the rear camp!"
"Then, what should we do now?"
"Let him go back as soon as possible, the sooner the better!" Xue Rengui said to Ashina: "You take a thousand cavalry and messengers and go back quickly, bring my handwritten letter, and ask him to lead the troops back immediately. If he dares to disobey orders , you should arrest him first, and then deal with him after the war is over!"
"I obey the order!" Ashina Daozhen hurriedly turned around and left. Xue Rengui turned around a few times in annoyance, and finally sighed: "I hope the gods and Buddhas will bless me and nothing will go wrong. I really should have asked Wang Wenzuo to be the deputy general." , otherwise Gao Zang can do it, this Guo Daifeng really succeeds more than fails!"
Four days later, Xue Rengui met Ashina Daozhen again - this descendant of the Turkic Khan had become another person: his voice was dull due to fatigue, his clothes were torn, and they were stained with dust and black traces of suspected blood. , his horse was foaming at the mouth and bleeding from the mouth. He bowed to Xue Rengui and said, "General manager, the Tubo people raided Guo Daifeng. Our army was defeated. In fact, the rear army no longer exists."
"Damn it!" Xue Rengui paused in annoyance. He didn't know whether he meant Guo Daifeng or the Tubo people, or both. In the corner of the tent, the firewood in the brazier was crackling. He forced himself to control his emotions, picked up the cup and handed it over, saying to Ashina: "Sit down, take a drink, and explain the matter in detail!"
"Thank you!" Ashina Daozhen drank all the liquid in the cup, and his eyes became a little brighter: "I walked west for two days, and encountered the defeat of our army on the evening of the second day. From his mouth, I learned the news about the rear army. I walked forward for a while, and encountered more and more broken troops, and then I was sure that this was true. The situation at that time was simply - "
"Needless to say!" Xue Rengui sighed. Of course he could imagine the tragic situation at that time - most of the rear army was infantry, and there was a lot of baggage. The marching line in the narrow and rugged valley would definitely be very long. Once it was attacked , heads and tails are not allowed to look at each other, and their commander is still a young man like Guo Daifeng who does not have much experience, it will only be a massacre.
Xue Rengui held his head with both hands and thought painfully. He had more things to worry about than suffering for the dead. Guo Daifeng's stupidity could not help but ruin himself and tens of thousands of soldiers in the rear army, as well as all the other people. The Tang Army is now nearly two thousand miles away from its nearest logistics base, and there are countless potential enemies on this long road. There is no doubt about this. All the wallflowers will stand still after hearing about this defeat. Go to the Tibetan people.
"But according to the defeated soldiers, it seems that the camp in Dafeiling is still in the hands of our army!" Ashina Daozhen said.
"What?" Xue Rengui raised his head in surprise: "Isn't Guo Daifeng's rear army finished?"
"That's what happened!" Ashina Daozhen explained: "When Guo Daifeng led the army, he left all the sick soldiers in the camp at Dafeiling. There were seven or eight thousand people in total. You also know that there were many soldiers along the way. They all fell ill. The camp is very strong, and some of the luggage was left behind when the rear army set out. Maybe the Tibetans haven’t taken it down yet!”
"Great!" Xue Rengui jumped up excitedly: "God bless, ancestors bless!" He walked back and forth in the tent four or five times and asked, "Who is the guard who is staying?"
"It seems to be called Wang Zhaotang, yes, that's the name!"
"Wang Zhaotang? I remembered, yes, a veteran who fought in Goguryeo! It's really a blessing from the Bodhisattva, God has no end to the road!" Xue Rengui waved his arm excitedly: "Send the order, the three armies packed up and had lunch Set off immediately!"
"So fast?" Ashina Daozhen was shocked: "These are all the news from the defeated soldiers. I don't even know if they are true or false!"
"There is no time!" Xue Rengui quickly drafted a military order and replied: "Time is precious to us and the Tubo people now. If the Tubo people can succeed in the surprise attack, they must be a small force who came all the way. The big army is still behind. They will not waste time besieging the camp in Dafeiling. They defeated Guo Daifeng and suffered a lot of casualties no matter what. Now they are unable to stop us from withdrawing our troops. But if it is delayed for some time, the Tubo people will have enough power to besiege Dafeiling. The camp at Feiling blocked us at the valley road. Moreover, the guards at the camp at Dafeiling must be in panic now, maybe thinking that we are doomed too, and only if we join them as soon as possible can we turn the tide of the war!"
As a veteran general who has experienced hundreds of battles, Xue Rengui really knows the soldiers very well. Unlike later generations of readers who read war history, the participants on the battlefield are in the fog. They can only obtain a limited number of true and false information. The information was mixed, and the soldiers knew even less, which undoubtedly affected their mental state.
Take the soldiers of the Tang army who stayed at the Dafeiling camp as an example. They would soon learn about the destruction of the rear army from the Tibetans and their own defeated troops. They would fall into panic and think that what if the front army led by Xue Rengui would also die. If they die, what kind of desperate situation will they be in. At that time, if the Tubo people had intimidated and induced them, they might have been able to surrender without a fight.
(End of chapter)
