Traveling through the early Tang Dynasty starts with hanging

October 12th.

Li Shan's face in the Chinese military tent was a little ugly. From last night to this morning, his mood suddenly changed from joy to worry to anger as the news continued to be passed on.

Qin Qiong, who is leading the Chinese army, is preparing for war. The Chinese army has begun to send troops to the west. In addition to Ma Zhou, Su Xu, Su Dingfang and Liu Heier, sitting under Li Shan is also the exhausted Yin who has just arrived. Hu Yan, the governor of the state.

There is a lot of good news. Zhongshu Shilang Yu Wenshiji, Huangmen Shilang Xue Yuanchao and several officials rushed to the counties of Jingzhao and Tongzhou, Fangzhou and Huazhou to summon government troops to help Chang'an. Thousands of troops have already gathered in Chang'an. Xinfeng on the west side of Chang'an and Jingyang on the north side.

This is the advantage of the government army system. Once recruited, there is no need to provide large quantities of ordnance. The government soldiers all bring their own weapons, and many even have war horses.

At the same time, news also came from Hedong. On the ninth day of October, the messenger changed horses but not men and galloped across Hedong. The Tang army in the south of Jiangzhou and Jinzhou mobilized troops to return to Jingzhao.

Qu Tutong, the deputy marshal of the March in Hedong Road, stayed in Hedong. General Sun Shunde, the general of Zuo Xiaowei and Xue Guogong, was ordered to return for reinforcements. The troops were divided into two groups and led 3,000 cavalry to cross the Yellow River from Jiangzhou Longmen. The remaining troops were mainly infantry. Heading south, prepare to take Fengling Ferry.

Judging from the time, the reinforcements led by Changsun Shunde should be able to return to the vicinity of Chang'an before October 13th, and the remaining troops should arrive one after another on October 14th and 15th.

This is roughly similar to Li Shan's previous prediction, as long as nothing happens... This trouble refers specifically to Yanzhou Road.

In the early hours of this morning, the army was ready to send out troops. Suddenly there was smoke and dust rising east of the army's rear. Qin Qiong was so shocked that he had to change his formation... It turned out that it was Li Shan's old army, Hu Yan, the general manager of Yinzhou.

But Hu Yan only brought 400 cavalry... Li Shan's face turned dark. Even if Yanzhou Road took away Yuchi Gong and maybe Zhang Baoxiang, it could at least gather an army of no less than 5,000 cavalry. , what do you, Pharmacist Li, want to do?

When Hu Yan finished whispering the inside story, Li Shan's face suddenly turned pale... Li Jing actually sent troops to Lingzhou at such a critical moment. The few cavalry Hu Yan had on hand concentrated the personal guards of Suizhou and Yinzhou. When they got up, Yang Ze, the governor of Suizhou, was leading his troops southward.

Among the established armies, Yanzhou was the fastest to return to support Chang'an, but Li Jing took away most of the cavalry. Even with Qin Zhidao, it would take at least two or three days for the infantry to move south, almost. Arriving in Jingzhao at the same time as Hedong reinforcements.

Originally, in Li Shan's plan, thousands of cavalry from Yanzhou went south into Jingzhao. Whether they entered Binzhou diagonally or stationed at the border between Fangzhou and Jingzhao, they could effectively cover a large area on the north side of Chang'an. battlefield.

With Li Jing and Zhang Gongjin leading the army and thousands of elite Tang cavalry, the cavalry of Tujue and Xue Yantuo would not dare to bypass Liquan at will and penetrate into the north of Chang'an in a large area.

But now that Li Jing and Zhang Gongjin have gone to Lingzhou, no matter the outcome, Li Shan can no longer count on them. In the next two or three days, Li Shan, who only has 20,000 troops in hand, will be under great pressure.

"We can only mobilize troops from Hedong." Ma Zhou said quietly: "On the seventh day of October, His Majesty ordered Zhang Liang, the governor of Liangzhou, to lead his troops north to defend Chang'an. However, the road from Hanzhong to the pass is rugged and difficult..."

"The most important thing is that the battlefield is divided." Su Xu said with a face: "When entering the pass from Hanzhong, most of them go through Foping and Maitaibai Mountain. After reaching Xi County, they turn east and pass through Wugong to Chang'an."

It’s hard to say whether Xi County has fallen. After all, Hu cavalry is not good at attacking cities and is unwilling to attack the city. But at least apart from the county seat and some forts, the surrounding areas of Xi County are already within the sphere of influence of the Turks and Xue Yantuo cavalry. Even if Zhang Liang leads If soldiers move in a hurry, they will be separated from the battlefield.

Therefore, the only thing we can count on is reinforcements from Hedong. Hu Yan arrived in Chang'an last night. Li Yuan was stunned. Li Shimin reacted quickly and sent a messenger overnight to rush to Hedong. Now only the troops from Hedong can return for reinforcements. .

Without the suppression of the Yanzhou Army, once Li Shan's side could not withstand it, large groups of Hu cavalry were interspersed throughout Jingzhao. It would be difficult for the government soldiers and young men from more than 40 counties in Jingzhao who were still being recruited to gather together. They will be defeated one by one.

There was silence in the Chinese military tent. Li Shan, whose face was ashen, suddenly stood up and strode out of the tent. There was no point in thinking anymore.

However, Pharmacist Li, please remember, I will be lucky enough to survive this time and I will skin you!

More than half an hour later, Li Shan, who drove his horse to the area between Liquan County and Wugong County, boarded the chariot. Yu Chigong of the left army and Dou Gui of the right army had already sent troops, and they were generally in parallel positions with the Chinese army.

Both wings were protected by cavalry. The left and right armies were not far from the county seat. They relied on the city wall to prevent the cavalry from encircling the rear. The infantry of the Chinese army relied on chariots to stand in formation. The dense spears were like a dense forest.

Er Zhuhuan and Wang Junhao led six to seven hundred cavalry not far from the chariot. The cavalry chief Su Dingfang led three thousand cavalry in a slightly prominent position between the central army and the right army. Another part of the cavalry was commanded by Liu Heier and stayed in the central army. A prominent position in the middle with the left army.

In total, 20,000 Tang troops formed a dense formation, looking at the smoke and dust in the distance, waiting for tens of thousands of Hu riders.

Li Shan waited silently. He didn't think that the Turks and Xue Yantuo cavalry would bypass Liquan County and penetrate into the north of Chang'an in a large area.

The reason is very simple. First, starting from the day before yesterday, Li Shan sent a small group of Tang cavalry to strangle the Hu scouts who entered the Jingzhao area, covering the battlefield as much as possible. However, Turks and Xue Yantuo, who were defeated in the two battles, did not know the current strength of the Tang army. specific situation, dare not act rashly.

Secondly, they were defeated in two battles, and the defeat was so disastrous that no matter Dubu Khan or Yi Nan, even if they could maintain the morale of the army, they had to react, leaving the Tang army in direct confrontation, and interspersed in a large area... Although this This is a tactic commonly used by Hu Qi, but it will definitely demoralize the army.

Third, it is actually difficult for Turks and Xue Yantuo to penetrate the north and south sides of Chang'an. Although the troops on the north and south sides of Jingzhao are insufficient, Jingzhao is a plain area, but it is crisscrossed by rivers.

During this period, eight rivers surrounded Chang'an, and the two most important rivers in Jingzhao were the Wei River and the Jing River.

The Wei River flows from the north of Yi County, all the way to the southeast, and flows on the south side of Wugong County, while the Jing River comes from Jingzhou, passes through Binzhou, and flows through the north side of Liquan County.

In short, the Weishui River on the south side and the Jinghe River on the north side separate Liquan County, Wugong County and other areas of Jingzhao, forming a relatively closed area.

This was the camp chosen by Li Shimin back then. The military camp was built that year. At that time, Xue Ju and Xue Rengao of the Western Qin Dynasty conquered Jingzhou. If they go south and cross Qizhou to attack Jingzhao, they can attack directly from Yi County to Wugong and Liquan. Entering the hinterland of Jingzhao, we reached the city of Chang'an.

Therefore, Li Shimin built a large camp between Liquan and Wugong counties to resist. However, Xue Ju died of illness not long after, and what followed was the Battle of Qianshuiyuan. This promise was later retained as the station of Shangfanfu soldiers. down.

Therefore, if Tujue and Xue Yantuo wanted to abandon the main force of the Tang army in front of them and conduct a large-scale penetration, they would have to bypass the Weishui River or the Jinghe River... and Li Shan had already sent people in advance to demolish all the bridges dozens of miles away.

If you want to take a detour, you will have to travel dozens or even hundreds of miles.

It cannot be said that Dubu Khan and Yi Nan are too stupid, but after two major defeats, Li Shan specially asked Su Dingfang to attack at the border of Jingzhao at dusk yesterday, and this morning sent a small force to test, in order to let the main force of Hu Qi go smoothly. appears here.

Of course, there is a more important reason.

Li Shan, who was on the chariot, had a deep gaze and looked into the distance where the smoke and dust were rising. The cavalry of Tujue and Xue Yantuo were gradually approaching, galloping left and right, shouting and shouting, and they were overwhelming.

Dozens of Turkic cavalry galloped over, charged, suddenly turned their horses' heads, and galloped past the Tang army's formation, showing extremely superb riding skills. This is a common method used by the Turks.

More than ten cavalrymen suddenly galloped out of the Tang Army's cavalry formation. The general at the head was wearing bright armor and holding a big bow. He fired seven arrows in a row. The arrows shot like meteors and made the Turkic cavalrymen flip over. "You are really brave." Li Mengchang, who was in the right army, couldn't help but click his tongue. "It is said that King Si of Wei will use Zhao Guogong to defeat the enemy every time he fights."

"That's right." Li Kai on the side whispered: "Huairen's emphasis is on cavalry when using troops. Every time the cavalry is commanded by Brother Dingfang."

Su Dingfang put down his big bow, used both legs to push hard, and drove the horse to speed up. The horse spear in his hand stabbed and swept across. There was no enemy in front of the horse, and he almost killed dozens of Turkic cavalry with one person.

Deafening cheers erupted from the Tang army formation, and Hu Qi also made a loud noise, making the battlefield noisy.

Two groups of hundreds of barbarians on the left and right came around and tried to encircle him, but Su Dingfang did not panic. He drove his horse forward dozens of steps and shouted loudly: "My old friend from outside Guantao County is here, how dare you meet me!"

More than ten cavalrymen around them also shouted at the same time, "My old friend from outside Guantao County is here, how dare you meet me!"

There was a commotion in the Turkic front line. The name Li Shan and Li Huairen of the Tang Dynasty was too loud in Wuyuan County. As early as the fifth year of Wude, when Yu Gushe was captured alive for the first time, many people knew about Li Shan.

Since then, this name has become a lingering haze for the Ashina clan. Miserable defeats one after another, and buildings after buildings, have made this name a nightmare for the grassland tribes.

Li Shan took the telescope handed by Wang Junhao and looked carefully. Su Dingfang had returned to the army. Hundreds of Tang cavalry came forward to respond, but there was a slight commotion in the Turkic army and seemed to be hesitant.

With a sneer, Li Shan dropped the telescope, "Wang Junhao and Er Zhuhuan, lead a hundred personal guards and follow me out of the battle!"

Li Shan was very aware of the weight of the head on his neck. Both Dubu Khan and Tuli Khan used their heads to win over people's hearts.

Now that he is standing here, will Dubu Khan choose to retreat and then go to the north and south sides of Jingzhao?

The Ashina clan both fears and hates me, Li Huairen. Dubu Khan will not retreat, and neither will the Ashina clan. Even in front of the Xueyantuo tribe, they cannot afford to retreat.

Under the gazes of Qin Qiong and Su Xu, under the gazes of Yuchi Gong, Dou Gui, and Su Dingfang, and under the gazes of tens of thousands of enemy and our soldiers, Li Shan drove his horse out of the battle, protected by a hundred personal guards, and moved forward, staying between the two armies. In the formation.

"Can't go!" Dub Khan gritted his teeth and said, "Have you forgotten?"

"Outside Guji Town, he plotted with a bed crossbow!"

If not, you wouldn't have had the chance to kill Jieli Khan... Yi Nan blinked, "That was also released from the city. Now that the two armies are in formation, can they still plot against each other?"

Dubu Khan almost gritted his teeth, "The Tang army does not have enough troops. It will not exceed 30,000. We can just attack fiercely. Why bother..."

"Perhaps they are here to sue for peace?" Yi Nan was indifferent to the fact that the other party wanted to talk before the battle, "It is always a good thing for you guys to lose less."

Dub Khan said with a sullen face, "Then you stay, I'll go."

"It's better to go together." Yi Nan had a smile on his face.

The muscles on Dubu Khan's cheeks were beating. If the Tang Emperor wanted to make peace, it would be impossible to send Wei Si Wang to lead the army... The entire grassland knew that Li Huairen and the Ashina clan had a deep hatred.

What Dubu Khan was afraid of was what kind of tricks this old rival would come up with... He was really afraid of Li Shan's eloquent words. He was really afraid.

When they met outside Guantao City for the first time that year, Li Shan analyzed the situation for him and pointed out the tribal attacks caused by famine on the grassland, which finally made Ashina Sheer choose to retreat.

The second time they met outside the city of Mayi, Li Shan recited the song "I want to drive away the light cavalry, but the heavy snow is full of bows and swords", which made Ashina Sheer's name immortal in history.

The third time was the Battle of Jingzhou. Although they did not meet each other, the letter sent by Li Shan caused an irreparable rift in the relationship between Dubu Khan and Tuli Khan.

How could Dubu Khan be willing, or dare to talk to Li Shan in front of the battle?

Compared with the Battle of Jingzhou, although Dubu Khan and Tuli Khan were at odds at that time and even broke up after the war, among the coalition forces at this moment, Xue Yantuo's 30,000 to 40,000 troops were dominated by Dubu Khan. There was no way Khan would give it up.

Once Xue Yantuo decided to quit, Dubu Khan didn't even know what to do!

Yi Nan insisted on answering before the battle, wouldn't Dubu Khan allow it?

Dubu Khan persuaded Yi Nan not to give up but to go south to Jingzhao on the grounds that the Turks were in the vanguard. However, after losing two battles, the Tang army was in great power. With only the strength in hand, Dubu Khan had no confidence. .

It is impossible to fall out at this time.

But if he really answered before the battle, Dub Khan would have unspeakable fear in his heart.

In fact, with the current situation, Dubu Khan already knew that he had failed this time. Although he destroyed tens of thousands of Tang troops on Longyou Road, he could not defeat the Mingsha camp for a long time. In Jingzhao, he ran into the main force of the Tang army commanded by Li Huairen... …

Even if the Tang Dynasty suffered heavy losses, even if the Tang Dynasty's vitality was severely damaged, for Dubu Khan, the fact that Li Shan led the troops proved that his personal goals had no hope, unless he could completely defeat the Tang army and capture Li Shan. .

Originally, Dubu Khan tried to invade Jingzhao as soon as possible and marched to Chang'an City, forcing the Tang Emperor to make peace. The first condition for the peace was to hand over Wei's successor, Li Huairen.

After waiting for a long time, Li Shan was not in a hurry. Anyway, it was a good thing if he could delay for a second longer. He even had time to think about the war in Lingzhou.

Judging from previous wars, Li Jing is a person who will either not take action or will win completely once he takes action. The Lingzhou war should not be a big problem.

So, Li Jing should have known about the changes in the battle situation at this time... He is probably already cursing in his heart.

What choice will Li Jing make?

"Alang."

Hearing Wang Junhao's reminder, Li Shan came back to his senses and looked at the more than a hundred cavalrymen who were slowly coming forward. He smiled and drove forward with only Er Zhuhuan, Wang Junhao and more than ten cavalrymen.

"Brother She'er, I'm very happy to meet you again."