The Great Tang General

"What shortcomings does Minister Li think there are? Or what actions will the Huihe people take?"

Li Xuan asked Li Mi.

It is possible that the Uighurs might take the initiative to attack.

Li Xuan didn't know much about the historical Mu Yu Khan.

All I know is that this person is ambitious.

When the situation is unfavorable, it takes a certain amount of courage to take the initiative.

"To your majesty, the Huihe can enter the Western Regions. However, the Tang Dynasty is heavily guarded by the Beiting Protectorate, and there is also the Qarluk Khanate as a vassal. It is unlikely that the Huihe cavalry will cross the Jinshan Mountain and travel a long distance to attack."

"It is impossible for the Huihe to avoid the main force and attack the Lingwu Governor and Taiyuan Governor in the east."

"They considered that Lingwu had a large number of troops and might attack Juyan Lake, enter Zhangye through the passage from Juyan Lake to Zhangye, and attack Liangzhou City..."

Li Mi told Li Xuan his speculation.

This attracted discussion among some generals.

In their view, the Tang Heavenly Army was a conqueror, and the possibility of the Uighurs taking the initiative to attack was too small.

Everyone in the army looked down on Yidijian, the new Uighur Khan.

"Even rabbits will bite when they are anxious. Throughout history, when the gap between the two sides is too big, generals will choose to win by surprise. The Huihe people are influenced by Chinese culture and it is impossible for them to sit back and do nothing. Winning by surprise may become their dream of turning defeat into victory. I think Minister Li's words need to be taken seriously."

"We are the king's army, we go to war with the people's taxes, and we inherit the people's hopes and expectations. If we allow the Huihe cavalry to invade Liangzhou, even if we destroy the Huihe, it will be a shame for me and all of you present here."

Li Xuan attached great importance to Li Xian's words, and when the generals disagreed, he spoke in a solemn and dignified tone.

Arrogant soldiers will be defeated before their time. There can be no room for any contempt.

This is also the reason why he led the army in person. No matter when, he always faced the enemy's strength.

The generals then became solemn.

It would be logical for the Uighurs to win by surprise if they had the courage and determination.

"Your Majesty, Minister Li's analysis is well-founded. The distance between Juyan Sea and Baiting Sea is 1,500 miles. If Juyan Sea is attacked by the Huihe cavalry, the 5,000 soldiers stationed in Juyan Sea may not be able to stop it."

Privy Councilor Feng Changqing was a Confucian general.

Although Li Mi was the Minister of War, Li Xuan did not grant Li Mi the rank of general.

It is obvious that Li Xuan regards Li Mi as a counselor and civil servant, and will use him in important positions in the future.

Feng Changqing's position as Privy Councilor was the limit of the current military system of the Tang Dynasty, and he had no conflict with Li Mi.

He believed from the bottom of his heart that Li Mi was a man of great strategy and was able to handle matters in a comprehensive manner.

"What does the Privy Councillor think we should do to prepare for a rainy day?"

On the tactical arrangement, Li Xuan sought Feng Changqing's opinion.

"Send a message to Juyanhai's troops on horseback, telling them not to leave the city to fight the Huihe troops. Induce the Huihe to move south recklessly..."

"Call the infantry from Liangzhou City, Jincheng, Dunhuang, Zhangye, and Jiuquan to ambush at Heli Mountain."

Feng Changqing thought about the map of Zhangye and replied to Li Xuan.

It should be noted that the Tang Dynasty mobilized the cavalry of the Wuwei Army and the Dunhuang Army for this expedition to the grassland.

There are also a large number of infantry troops stationed in various places in the Hexi Corridor.

Generally speaking, infantry is led by the cavalry.

However, once the infantry occupied the strategic locations of mountains and rivers, they could use their powerful crossbows to inflict severe damage on the cavalry.

Heli Mountain is located on the south side of Zhangye River and is also known as Renzu Mountain and Tu Mountain. It is the northern mountain of the Zhangye section of the Hexi Corridor.

There was a Shouzhuo City beside the Zhangye River, but after the establishment of Jiankang Army, this Shouzhuo City was abandoned.

However, it is still known as the key to the city and the throat of the important road.

The road from Zhangye City along the Zhangye River to the Juyan Lake is called the "Juyan Ancient Road". Since ancient times, merchants have gone north to trade with the Hu people.

The mountains and rivers of Heli Mountain and Zhangye River make the road narrow, which is suitable for ambushes.

"I agree with the Privy Councilor's suggestion. If it is a false alarm, it is just a reward for the soldiers' expenses. Compared with the merits of conquering the grassland, it is insignificant. Order the infantry of the Dunhuang Army and the Wuwei Army to station on the Juyan Ancient Road in Heli Mountain in advance. Commander Guo, you will return to Heli Mountain immediately and take charge of the troops there."

Li Xuan issued a military order.

The Hexi Corridor is Li Xuan's base. The county officials can stand the test, and the Hu tribe dare not act presumptuously.

Even if all the troops are withdrawn, there is no need to worry about a fire in the backyard.

Unless the Tang army is defeated and the Heavenly Khan dies, they will not begin to make any moves.

"Your Majesty is wise, we will obey your orders."

Guo Xuji and Master Li Zhu were very happy.

This way their infantry would also be put to good use. They hoped that the Uighurs would raid the Juyan Sea.

"All troops are preparing for battle, waiting for news from the Royal Guards and scouts, and are ready to fight at any time."

When Li Xuan dismissed the meeting, he gave a solemn instruction.

At the same time, Yidijian was offering sacrifices to the heaven.

Southwestern part of the Uighurs, southeast of Jinshan (now Altai Mountains).

Three men wearing fur hats and riding war horses arrived here.

Not far away, a team of cavalrymen in leather coats and leather hats, holding scimitars, quickly galloped towards the three men and surrounded them.

"Who are you?"

The leader of the cavalry waved his scimitar and shouted at the three men.

"I am a captain of the Tang Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guards. I am here to see the Xueyantuo chieftain on the orders of the Khan."

The leading man took off his hat, revealing a short beard and tied hair, and his face was clearly that of a Han Chinese.

"Come with me!"

When the cavalry leader heard the three words "Tian Khan", he did not dare to neglect it. He immediately ordered his men to put away their weapons and lead the three men to see his chief.

They were the Xueyantuo people, who were subordinate to the Uighurs.

The Xueyantuo Khanate was once at its peak, and even the Uighurs were a vassal of the Xueyantuo Khanate.

Now things have changed and people have changed. After the Xueyantuo Khanate was destroyed by the Tang Dynasty, it can only exist in the form of a tribe, relying on others everywhere.

After the establishment of the Uighur Khanate, the Xueyantuo in turn became a vassal of the Uighurs.

The Xueyantuo people saw that the Uighurs were in precarious circumstances, and the Tang Dynasty's conquest of the Uighurs reminded them of some not-so-nice memories.

Faced with the Great Khan's order from Yidijian, they did not object, did not respond, and did not take any action.

It's completely a mentality of going with the flow.

After a while, three Jinyiwei of the Tang Dynasty were brought into Xueyantuo's tent.

The chief of Xueyantuo was Wu Shijian. He led his people to recuperate on the pasture southeast of Jinshan Mountain and finally recovered some strength.

This place is adjacent to the Tianshan Province of the Tang Dynasty, and they have to face the Beiting Army and the Dunhuang Army.

It is less than a thousand miles away from the Juyan Lake.

"Meet Chief Xueyantuo."

The leading captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was named Ma Sui.

He is six feet two inches tall, handsome and graceful.

Ma Sui came from a military family, and his father Ma Jilong once passed the military examination.

During the Tianbao period, Ma Sui was reading with his brothers. He put down the book and sighed, "The country is going to be in trouble. Heroes should make contributions to the world and pacify the country. How can they work so hard as Confucian scholars?"

At that time, Ma Sui could see the contradictions at the bottom of the Tang Dynasty and the dangers caused by the Jiedushi.

Ma Sui was calm, brave, and resourceful. He was well-read in various books and was good at military tactics. He had always longed to join the army.

I also admire heroes like Li Xuan, and I only regret that I became successful too late.

After Li Xuan obtained the abdication of Li Longji, Ma Sui became interested in the Jinyiwei and joined it.

When Hebei was eliminating the lowly and promoting the good, Ma Sui captured the desperate Le'an prefect Cui Kehua, and was therefore promoted all the way to the position of Qianhu of the Jinlong Division and was awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel.

"The Tang Dynasty is at war with the Huihe. How dare you come to see me?"

After seeing Ma Sui and others, Wu Shijian said with a serious face.

"Tian Khan appointed Prince Yehu as the Great Khan, but Yidijian disobeyed Tian Khan's order and forged Yingwu Khan's will, which angered both humans and gods. The Tang Dynasty was only invited by Prince Yehu to suppress the rebellious Yidijian, not to fight a war with the Huihe. It has nothing to do with Xueyantuo."

Ma Sui spoke to Wu Shijian in a neither humble nor arrogant manner. At the end, he added: "Chief, do you respect the orthodox Crown Prince Yehu or the traitor Yidijian?" "Please ask the envoy to go back and report to the Khan that we Xueyantuo will not interfere in the struggle for power between Crown Prince Yehu and Yidijian."

Wu Shijian was afraid of He Fang and only wanted to preserve the strength of the Xueyantuo tribe.

Light cavalry is respected on the grassland, and he thought that no matter which side declined, Xueyantuo would have a chance.

Even if the Khanate cannot be restored, it is possible to break away from the control of the Uighurs.

Wu Shijian did not want to pay taxes to any force. His own tribe could not even get enough food and clothing, and he still had to support other tribes.

At most, they would pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty.

"Do we need to be so cautious in assisting Zhengtong to quell the rebellion? For a large tribe like Xueyantuo, do you still want to stay out of such a major event?"

Ma Sui asked Wu Shijian with a smile.

If you don't want to offend both sides, you will offend both sides.

What the Tang Dynasty wanted was not neutrality, but an attack on the west side of General Yu's mountain to tie down part of the Tang Dynasty's troops.

Make it easier for Datang to win.

"Why, there are only three messengers, do you still want to threaten me?"

Wu Shijian was a chief after all, and he was very unhappy with Ma Sui's tone. He showed his power and glared at Ma Sui and said.

"I am a Tang envoy, holding a Tang sword, and I am only trying to persuade you with kind words! The Heavenly Khan is leading the army in person. As the common ruler of the world, shouldn't the tribes on the grassland obey him? Or do the chieftains not take the Heavenly Khan seriously and regard his edict as waste paper?"

Ma Sui held the hilt of the sword as if it were a piece of cake, and was not afraid of Wu Shijian's threat.

Many people in the Tang Dynasty admired the Han culture, especially people like Ma Sui, who were willing to emulate the Han envoys and would not regret it even if they died.

Tian Khan, this is not just talk.

The Xueyantuo had been subservient to the Uighurs for a long time. Before that, the Uighurs had only nominally submitted to the Tang Dynasty, which made the Xueyantuo believe that their troops were under their control.

But the three words "Tian Khan" seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, making Wu Shijian's heart palpitate.

He never believed the nonsense spread by Yidijian that "Tian Khan will die on the grassland".

"If the chieftain disagrees, please open the road and allow my 50,000 cavalry from the Western Region to pass through Xueyantuo's territory."

Seeing Wu Shijian's unhappy expression, Ma Sui added fuel to the fire.

In fact, it was impossible for the Tang Dynasty to transfer 50,000 cavalry from the Western Regions.

But the Tang Dynasty and the Heavenly Khan are Ma Sui's confidence.

"Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Xueyantuo has maintained a deep friendship with the Tang Dynasty and has paid tribute to the Tang Dynasty many times. Xueyantuo has always revered the Heavenly Khan as a god. Anyone who disobeys the Heavenly Khan is considered a traitor."

When Wu Shijian heard that the Western Region cavalry wanted to borrow the road, he was immediately frightened.

He rose from his seat, his face pale and his words softened.

The Western Region Iron Cavalry was one of the most powerful armies of the Tang Dynasty.

If we pass through Xueyantuo's territory, given the number of Xueyantuo tribes, we will be devoured without leaving any trace.

"Is the chief willing to respect orthodoxy?"

Ma Sui still said the same thing.

During the Zhenguan period, the Xueyantuo were notoriously capricious.

Surrender, rebel; surrender, rebel, repeat.

Li Shimin's defenses were broken, and in the 22nd year of Zhenguan, the Xueyantuo Khanate was destroyed.

As the Xueyantuo were located near the Tianshan Province, Ma Sui felt that they should be forced to side with the Tang Dynasty.

Otherwise, you will be liquidated.

"We are willing to respect the orthodoxy and obey the orders of the Khan."

Wu Shijian said helplessly.

The Tang Dynasty is too powerful now. Most people in Xueyantuo believe that the Uighurs will perish under the attack of the Tang Dynasty.

That's why he disobeyed Yidijian's order and didn't want to be buried with the Uighurs.

"Chief, you don't have to be so strict. The Tang Dynasty respects the way of heaven, and the Khan of Heaven has the mandate of heaven. Rebellious ministers like Yidijian are the targets of the Tang Dynasty. Xueyantuo will surely prosper forever."

Ma Sui comforted Wu Shijian again.

"May I ask the envoy, what should I, Xueyantuo, do?"

Wu Shijian smiled bitterly and asked Ma Sui.

"Immediately lead the cavalry to the west of General Yu and attack the tribes loyal to Yidijian."

Ma Sui replied.

"understand!"

Wu Shijian nodded.

At the same time, another wave of Jinyiwei from the Tang Dynasty arrived at the Karluk tribe.

The Karluk people are divided into three surnames.

Also called the Three-surname Gelulu.

The original Qalluk Right Wing was located north of Jinshan Mountain. Under the leadership of Shili Khan, it surrendered to Li Xuan and established the Qalluk Khanate.

The left wing of the Karluk tribe was west of the Yudujun Mountain and they were attached to the Uighur Khanate.

Their strength is also not weak, with about 10,000 cavalry.

The Qarluk Left Wing originally wanted to be a fence-sitter, but under the soft and hard tactics of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Qarluk people had no choice but to surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

After everything was ready, Li Sheng, the governor of Beiting, was ordered to lead 10,000 light cavalry out of Tianshan Mountain and march towards the west of Yu Dujun Mountain together with the Xueyantuo and Qarluk people.

……

However, the good news that the Jinyiwei had persuaded the Karluks and Xueyantuo had not yet reached Baitinghai. The Tang Dynasty scouts distributed north of the Juyan Sea and the Tang Dynasty cavalry in the Huihe territory discovered that the Huihe army was marching south on a large scale.

Especially the troops of Juyan Lake. When they discovered it, the Uighur cavalry was less than 300 miles away from Juyan Lake.

From the back and forth transmission of messages, it was known that the Uighur cavalry might have reached the Juyan Lake.

After Li Xuan received the news, he convened another military meeting.

"Minister Li is as good at predicting things as a god. He is truly my Zhang Liang."

In front of all the generals, Li Xuan was not surprised but happy.

It has been more than 20 days since the last military meeting. Although time is urgent, Datang can complete the deployment.

The generals present also admired Li Mi very much.

Don’t underestimate it’s just over twenty days.

If we wait until the Uighurs reach the Juyan Lake, we can make arrangements.

There is an 80% chance that the Uighur cavalry will be able to break into Zhangye and reach Liangzhou City.

Even if the Tang Dynasty's infantry could rely on Zhangye City and Liangzhou City for defense.

But wherever the Uighurs passed, there would be devastation on the people.

By then, the main cavalry in the Baitinghai area would need to return in large numbers to encircle and intercept the Uighur cavalry.

"Reporting to Your Majesty. Our spies have discovered that there are more Huihe cavalry heading south, not just in the direction of Juyan Lake. I believe that the Huihe cavalry settled in the direction of Juyan Lake are only trying to attract the attention of the Tang Dynasty. When the Tang Dynasty returns to the Hexi Corridor, their main force will raid Baiting Lake and destroy our army's one-year storage of food and supplies."

Li Mi was calm and composed, without the slightest bit of pride. He slowly analyzed the situation to Li Xuan.

The Uighurs could stabilize the situation only by winning a victory and delaying the Tang Dynasty's attack.

"That's absolutely true. The Huihe people are so sinister."

Master Li Zhu clapped his hands, he was full of admiration for Li Mi.

As early as the battle to recapture Jiuqu, Master Li Zhu had met Li Mi and felt that this Taoist priest Li Mi would have great potential in the future.

I didn't expect that I would reach the highest position in this way.

"Since we have guessed the Huihe's intention, our main force pretended to withdraw from Baitinghai. In fact, we hid in the south of Xiutu Lake, waiting for the Huihe to attack Baiting City, and then launched a surprise attack. We will surely be able to replicate the achievements of Baitinghai during the Tianbao period."

Feng Changqing suggested to Li Xuan.

Make plans before you act. Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be in danger of a hundred battles.

Being able to spy on the enemy's movements, the balance of victory has completely tilted towards the Tang Dynasty...

(End of this chapter)