Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 769 Working together
There were at least a dozen, if not hundreds, of place names like Lianyunbao in the Tang Dynasty; even Xiaobolü had a Lianyunbao.

However, Lianyun Fort on the Jingchuan side was a new garrison established after the Kaiyuan period. There is also an abandoned ancient city near it with a very famous name: Changcheng City!
In the second Battle of Qianshuiyuan, Taizong defeated Xue Rengao here and eliminated the hidden danger in the west of Guanzhong in one fell swoop.

From this, it can be seen that Dazalugong had done his homework when he set up camp here to attack Guanzhong. As for the Tang Dynasty, since no forces had invaded Guanzhong for more than a hundred years, the old defense line had become quite dilapidated.

The strategic location of Gaocheng City has been abandoned, and the new county seat of Yilu County, where the city is located, is located in the northwest of Gaocheng City, that is, Yilu City. The transportation here is more convenient, but the strategic position is far inferior to that of Gaocheng City.

Gaocheng, as the name implies, is built on a high platform much higher than the surrounding river valley, which is very advantageous from a defensive point of view.

It is a high platform protruding from a valley surrounded by mountains and rivers. It is a bit like "a patch of green among a thousand flowers" and is naturally the defense core of this area.

However, without the military threat, the terrain of the high platform would be an additional burden for daily farming and commerce, so naturally they would try to save as much as possible.

Therefore, Gaocheng City was later abandoned without controversy. When there is no war and no national defense pressure, weapons are often not as useful as fire sticks, and this has been the case since ancient times.

The Tibetans did not dare to set up their camp at the dangerous site of Gaocheng City, but instead set it up cautiously in Lianyun Fort near the site of Changcheng City.

This place can be used for attack or defense, and can be regarded as a bridgehead to enter the Guanzhong Plain. Gaocheng City is easy to be cut off, and there is no old city to defend, so the Tibetans will not be so lowly as to go here to commemorate Emperor Taizong of Tang.

It was already night, and in the lobby of the temporary "Dudu Mansion" set up in Chang'an Duting Posthouse, all the generals were staring at the map hanging on the wall in silence, paying no attention to the simple furnishings around them.

According to multiple sources, the Tubo army had already deployed troops in the old site of Changcheng City and approached the shallow water source. Obviously, Dazalugong was waiting for the Bianzhou army to enter the old site of Gaocheng City and then fight a decisive battle in the surrounding shallow water source.

Don't ask, the only thing is that this area has only shallow water sources suitable for large-scale decisive battles. The Tibetans have strong military forces, so Dazalugong must find a place where he can give full play to his military advantages and fight against the Bianzhou army.

The narrow valley where the Jing River flows through Chang'an, sandwiched between two mountains, is not suitable for a battle involving more than 10,000 troops, but is instead suitable for the defenders to set up ambushes.

The Tibetans came prepared and did not act recklessly. They were cautious and did not act rashly.

The question now facing Fang Chongyong and the generals of the Bianzhou army is: whether to advance to the vicinity of Gaoqiong City to resist the Tubo army.

Or maybe they set up a battle formation in Jingyang, the outlet of the Jing River, to fight against Tubo.

If all else fails, they can just give up and give Chang'an to the Tubo army. Once the Tubo army enters Chang'an, endless troubles will be waiting for them.

If a solitary army invades a large city and cannot hold it for a long time, it is unlikely to escape unscathed.

If the Bianzhou army ignored the consequences and retreated to Huayin, they would have the opportunity to take advantage of the Tibetan army's entry into Chang'an and stab them in the back.

But in that case, Fang Chongyong would be more passive politically.

"Everyone, the Tibetans are coming with great force this time. What do you think?"

Fang Zhongyong, who was sitting on the main seat, looked around at everyone and asked.

In the light of the fire, Li Quan, Che Guangqian, Yuan Zai, He Changqi and others in the hall all had gloomy expressions and no one spoke.

Many times, they are not afraid of "fighting a fast battle". They think it is easier to deal with the situation by fighting speed with speed and fighting chaos with chaos.

I am afraid of people like Dazalugong who "fight slowly". Because they are slow, they are well prepared and it is difficult to attack them by surprise.

"Sir, in my humble opinion, it would be better to retreat 20 miles to the east, station troops in Weinan County, and lure the Tibetans to the vicinity of Chang'an to fight."

Seeing that no one spoke, Yuan Zai gritted his teeth and saluted Fang Zhongyong and made a suggestion.

Everyone knows the story of retreating three steps, but it actually contains a military strategic deception. What Yuan Zai said is similar to the hidden meaning of retreating three steps.

"What does the Deputy Privy Councilor think?"

Fang Chongyong did not comment and looked at Li Quan and asked.

"What Yuan Changshi said is not wrong, but..."

Li Quan wanted to say something but stopped.

He was the Deputy Privy Councilor, but what he wanted to say was not just about military matters.

"You can say whatever you want."

Fang Zhongyong nodded slightly, still without expressing his opinion.

“I think that the people in Guanzhong have not yet attached themselves to the Tibetans. If we allow the Tibetans to attack Chang’an, I’m afraid the elders in Guanzhong will also regard us as the same as the Tibetans.

The emperor's westward expedition this time, in addition to resisting the Tibetan army, also wants to win the hearts of the people in Guanzhong. Allowing the Tibetans to attack Chang'an is not advisable in the long run, and the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. "

Li Quan spoke leisurely and pointed out the biggest loophole in Yuan Zai's plan: how to win the hearts of the people!

The Tibetans came, the imperial court fled, and the government troops hid.

The Tibetans left, the imperial court returned, and the government troops also returned.

How can such a crappy court win the hearts of the people?
"General Che, what do you think?"

Fang Zhongyong looked at Che Guangqian and asked, but still did not express his opinion. No one present could tell what he was thinking.

At this moment, Fang Chongyong was like a patient and good listener. No matter what his subordinates said, he would not interrupt them, nor would he express his support or opposition to anyone, nor would he settle accounts with them afterwards.

Of course, this is not without pressure for the person who makes the plan. After all, what you say at home doesn't matter, but in the workplace, everyone is responsible for what they say.

At this moment, Che Guangqian felt under great pressure.

“Sir, I believe that the Tibetans came prepared, and they have captured important cities such as Liangzhou and Lanzhou, so their morale is high.

If we rush into the battle, it would be fine if we win, but if we lose, we will have to fight a battle to defend the city of Chang'an.

Therefore, it would be better to station a large army in Bingzhou and set up multiple defense lines to the north of Bingzhou, blocking it with wooden fences, chevaux de frise, deep trenches and barriers.

There are many mountain roads in the mountains north of Chang'an, which can accommodate small groups of troops to move through. Our small group of elite troops went around and harassed the Tibetan army's food supply route.

The best strategy would be to wait until Tubo's food and fodder are running low, the soldiers are exhausted, and the morale of the army is unstable, and then strike back. "

Che Guangqian spoke at length and could be simply summed up in two words: hang on!
According to him, it is right to keep the enemy out, but you cannot just rush in and fight a decisive battle. It is not enough to have the general direction correct, it is often the details that affect the outcome of a war.

"Your Majesty, morale should be boosted but not weakened. The Tubo army has not yet established a firm foothold in Guanzhong. It is better to just beat them to death with one blow. Now is the time to attack. The longer we delay, the more uncertain the morale of the people will be.

You know, we don’t manage Guanzhong either!”

He Changqi also put forward his own suggestions.

Everyone present can express their own opinion, and each of them has their own reasons.

The Tibetans had just arrived and had not yet established a firm foothold, so they deserved to be beaten.

The Tibetans are aggressive and eager for a fight, so we shouldn't fight them.

In order to win the hearts of the people in Guanzhong, we must keep the enemy out.

In order to create a larger strategic space, the enemy must be dragged to Chang'an to fight. No matter which statement is true, it makes sense. But on the battlefield, there are only two outcomes: winning or losing. No matter how reasonable it is, if you lose, then all the reasons will be cleared and become worthless.

On the contrary, no matter what fallacies and heresies you hold, as long as you win, that is the correct path, and the truth is on the side of the minority.

"That's all for today. Let's disperse. Tell the soldiers to get ready. The army may set out at any time. You all go back and think about it. If you have any ideas, you can report them to me individually."

Fang Chongyong announced the adjournment of the meeting. It was already past midnight, and staying up late was common due to emergencies, but there was no need to push oneself to the limit.

He judged that Dazhaligong was also waiting for an opportunity and would not act easily, so there was no need to worry about the Tibetan army attacking Chang'an in the next two days.

After everyone left, Fang Zhongyong sat alone in the empty lobby, thinking about countermeasures. This was originally the office of Duting Post Station, and there should have been many desks, and many clerks handled travel procedures related to post stations in various places.

However, since the fall of Chang'an, along with the paralysis of post stations across the country, Duting Post Station also stopped operating, and even spider webs appeared on the windows.

Fang Chongyong thought back to Dazha Lugong back then, and secretly tried to figure out what he was thinking.

He felt that Dazalu Gong should not be in a hurry at all.

Why do I say this? This is due to the geographical environment of Tubo. After the autumn harvest, the Tubo people would go down to the plateau to attack the Tang army's stronghold in Longyou on a regular basis.

Common name: Going down to the plateau for the winter.

Now that the Tibetans have come down from the plateau in the spring, they will not withdraw their troops until at least this winter. It is only summer now, and there are still at least four or five months before winter!
These one hundred days were enough time for the Tibetans to plunder the land at their leisure.

Based on Fang Zhongyong's understanding of Dazhalu Gong, if this guy doesn't take action, then it's fine, but if he does, it will definitely be a killing move.

It seems that Che Guangqian's suggestion is more feasible. Instead of entering the Tubo army's pre-set battlefield, we should set up multiple lines of defense in the valleys on both sides of the Jing River, blocking them layer by layer and gradually consuming the Tubo army's strength.

It is not easy to transport grain from Bianzhou to Guanzhong, but no matter how difficult it is, it is much easier than for the Tubo people to transport grain from Lanzhou!
We can't be impatient in this battle, it's like two people arm wrestling and it's hard to tell who will win for a while.

Those who have endurance will achieve ultimate victory.

This battle marked the beginning of the Bianzhou army's recovery of Hexi and the starting point of the change in offensive and defensive situation.

"Will you give me a surprise this time? My good half brother!"

Fang Chongyong stood up, stared at the local geographical map north of Guanzhong, and muttered to himself.

……

In fact, just as Fang Zhongyong expected, Dazha Lugong was not in a hurry.

He even suppressed all proposals for war from all military generals, and set up camp outside Lianyun Fort against all odds, and built a defense line with this small town as the core.

Since the expedition to the plateau, especially to the low-lying Guanzhong Plain, there has been widespread illness among the Tubo army. Even Dazhaligong himself suffered from symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue.

Until now, it has only been slightly relieved but not completely eradicated.

What he didn't know was that people who live in the plateau for a long time, once they enter an oxygen-rich environment, will become "oxygen intoxicated", and in critical moments their lives may even be in danger.

The Tibetans were born and raised on the plateau, and their oxygen intoxication cannot be eliminated in a few days. This is completely different from the reaction of people who have lived in low altitudes for a long time, adapted to the plateau, and then returned to low altitudes!

It was extremely risky to advance alone instead of advancing together. Dazalugong was still very clear-headed and did not rush to attack Chang'an. He wanted to observe the situation in Guanzhong and choose the right time to take action.

What's more, he is still waiting for a crucial key!

"Dalun, Princess Jincheng's brother Li Chenghong wants to see you."

Nanang Chitojie walked into the commander's tent, bowed respectfully to Dazhalu and reported.

"Well, well done!"

Dazalu Gong nodded, and finally a long-lost smile appeared on his stern face. The terrain of Longyou is not low, and the Tibetans didn't feel anything after they came.

However, the terrain of Guanzhong is much lower than that of Longyou, and symptoms such as oxygen intoxication and dehydration due to the summer heat have always troubled the Tibetans. In addition, Nanang Chitojie was taught a lesson by Marshal Baochen before, so Dazha Lugong was in a bad mood all the way.

"Li Chenghong is the key to unlock Chang'an. Only by holding him in our hands can we gain a foothold in Guanzhong. Don't neglect him."

Dazalugong gave a reminder, Nanang Chitojie nodded and walked out of the general's tent.

Soon, Li Chenghong, wearing a "dragon robe", was brought into the Tubo military commander's tent.

Li Chenghong was the elder brother of Princess Jincheng and the son of Prince of Bin Li Shouli, who was the grandson of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and the second son of Prince Zhanghuai Li Xian.

As for Prince Zhanghuai, he was forced to commit suicide by the cruel official Qiu Shenji. So Li Chenghong was not the descendant of Ji Ge, but he was from the lineage of Emperor Gaozong!

If we talk about orthodoxy, it would never be his turn.

The number of people in the Tang Dynasty royal family, both close and distant, is not small, but there is always a criterion of closeness and first-come-first-served. Dazha Lugong's move cannot be said to be brilliant, but it is better than nothing.

"The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, please take a seat.

Our Tubo and the Tang Dynasty have always been friendly neighbors. We have been interacting for more than a hundred years and have intermarried.

Now, rebellions are breaking out all over the Tang Dynasty. We have received a request from the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to lead our troops to suppress the rebels.

Please don't worry, Emperor Tang."

Dazha Lu Gong bowed to Li Chenghong with the Tang people's bowing gesture, with a faint smile on his face.

The "Emperor of the Tang Dynasty", who was nearly sixty years old and half buried in the ground, felt uncomfortable after hearing what Dazha Lugong said.

I felt ashamed and funny at the same time.

He is almost sixty years old. How could he not know what the Tibetans are thinking, what the current situation in the world is like, and what the situation in Guanzhong is like?

But what good would it do to know?

Li Chenghong can't change anything.

Fang Qing is a powerful official, and everyone knows what he is going to do, but what can an old man like Li Chenghong do?

The Tubo army captured the Hexi Corridor and invaded Guanzhong. What could Li Chenghong, a distant relative of the royal family, do?

He can't do anything serious!
The only thing he could do was to do some improper things, for example, collude with the Tibetans to deal with Fang Qing!
"Thank you for your hard work, Dalun. I just don't know when the Tibetan soldiers can attack Chang'an?"

Li Chenghong said this calmly, without a trace of shame on his face!
We are all in cahoots with each other, so there is no need to say those hypocritical words, right?

"Don't worry, I've known Fang Qing since I was a kid. He's good at using troops, but he's cunning and hard to deal with.

The matter of attacking Chang'an still needs further consideration. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty should rest in my camp for a while."

Dazalu Gong looked indifferent and waved his hand.

(End of this chapter)