Dramatic changes in the movies and TV shows

Chapter 1271 Next Target

In front of the Tang army's main tent, Jieyujiasi sat to one side, looking at the noisy scene before him, feeling indescribably depressed.

Those mixed-race people, led by Kang Huaien, were like wild dogs in the desert, struggling to survive in the cracks between various factions not long ago.

At this moment, they were frantically crowding around Lin Hao, the Grand General of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty, and Yang Xigu, the Grand Protector of Beiting, offering them wine and flattering them.

Because of a great victory for the Tang army and an order from Lin Hao, these insignificant figures suddenly became the new masters of this top-tier grassland in the Western Regions. This made him feel as if he had a ball of wet wool stuffed inside him, heavy and suffocating.

Kang Huaien was undoubtedly the most pleased among them. His face flushed, he held his wine bowl and shouted in a hoarse voice, "..."

"Grand Commander! Protector Yang! Let me offer you both another bowl! If it weren't for the Grand Commander's strategic planning, how could we be where we are today! The grass in this Pulei Lake is more abundant and fertile than the stones in the Gobi Desert of our ancestral homeland!"

Behind him, a group of leaders, both big and small, who had also received awards, raised their glasses in unison, creating a deafening commotion.

Some chiefs couldn't contain their joy and rushed to the center of the field to dance the ancient dances that the tribe only performed to celebrate its greatest harvest.

Dancing in front of the powerful Tang Dynasty was not a shameful thing, after all, there had been many precedents.

Their sudden acquisition of this lush and fertile land from the barren Gobi Desert, which barely sustained their tribe, was a leap in social class and an unimaginable reward for them.

The growth of the tribe, the reproduction of its descendants, and the glory of the future—all hope seems to rest on this green ocean.

The legend of a powerful tribe being nurtured by a prime pasture is common in the Western Regions.

Lin Hao sat upright, calmly accepting the respect from the crowd.

Kang Huaien and his ilk were merely "horse bones" carefully selected by him to serve as a demonstration for the entire Western Regions.

He wanted to use this grand "cake-sharing" ceremony to send a very clear signal to all the tribes that were still observing or even harboring different intentions.

Submitting to the Tang Dynasty would bring unimaginable rewards; defying the Tang Dynasty would result in the most direct and cruel fate for the Shatuo Turks. The execution of their warlords would be nothing compared to the stripping away of their core assets, which would inevitably lead to a sharp decline in their strength.

The ancient art of governance, combining kindness and severity, has always been effective and has never become outdated.

Therefore, he did not exterminate all the Shatuo tribes, but only punished the ringleaders and their core followers, which was also a necessary political stance.

The Tang Dynasty possessed both swift and decisive measures as well as a magnanimous spirit. Those who betrayed the Tang Dynasty could be dealt with at will, and not only would they not be punished, but they would also be given important positions.

This will undoubtedly sow the seeds for other potential traitors to defect or surrender in the face of battle.

His gaze swept over a slightly uneasy figure at the table, Zhu Xieyonggu, an important former leader of the Shatuo tribe.

Lin Hao beckoned to him. Zhu Xieyonggu immediately hurried forward and respectfully prostrated himself before Lin Hao's desk.

"What are your orders, Grand Commander? I am at your service."

"Although the various tribes of Shatuo have made mistakes in the past, there are still loyal and righteous people like you who are devoted to the Tang Dynasty, able to distinguish right from wrong, and return from the wrong path, helping our army to eliminate the ringleaders and restore order."

"I have seen this and am very pleased." Lin Hao's voice was calm and gentle, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

This person also has great uses. He is needed to counterbalance the rapidly expanding and potentially uncontrollable forces of the various Hu tribes. At the same time, he is the best candidate to appease and monitor the former Shatuo tribes.

"Grand Commander, please be wise! Zhu Xie and his son have acted perversely and betrayed the Celestial Dynasty, leading our Shatuo people into an abyss of no return. Their crimes are unforgivable!"

“I am heartbroken whenever I think about this!” Zhu Xie Yonggu quickly expressed his loyalty, his tone extremely earnest.

"Our Great Tang Dynasty never hesitates to reward those who are loyal and righteous. However—!" Lin Hao paused slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table before speaking:
"Whenever I hear the surname 'Zhu Xie,' it reminds me of that treacherous father and son who brought disaster to the country and the people and broke their promises. It is quite jarring to hear, and I am also afraid that the tribes in the Western Regions will harbor resentment towards your tribe because of your surname."

"How about we change your surname to a Han surname? Firstly, it would show that you are breaking away from your past sins; secondly, it would demonstrate the benevolence of our Great Tang Dynasty; and thirdly, it would make things easier for you in the future. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xieyonggu suddenly looked up, his eyes bursting with unbelievable joy and excitement.

Even the noisy Kang Huaien and the others around them fell silent instantly upon hearing this, their eyes all turning towards this side, filled with naked jealousy!
To be granted a Han surname—what an honor and recognition!
"I hereby bestow upon you the surname 'Chang' and the given name 'Shouzheng'," Lin Hao said calmly.

"Constant means enduring; upholding righteousness means adhering to the right path." Lin Hao then calmly reminded him:
"I hope you will turn over a new leaf and serve the Tang Dynasty wholeheartedly. Your future will be bright."

"Chang Shouzheng! Thank you, Grand Commander, for bestowing upon us this surname and name! Your grace is boundless! You have given us a second life! I... no, I, Chang Shouzheng, will go back and inform the entire clan that from now on, we will all change our surname to Chang! We will never forget the kindness of the Grand Commander, and we are willing to serve as his vanguard, even at the cost of our lives!" Chang Shouzheng (formerly Zhu Xieyonggu) was so excited that he kowtowed repeatedly.

Only then did the huge weight in his heart finally lift. The bestowal of his surname signified the Tang Dynasty's true acceptance and trust, and his status was finally solidified.

Of course, the harsh reality remains starkly before them. The tribe lost a large number of able-bodied men and livestock in this battle, and the most crucial core pasture was also given to Kang Huaien, making their future livelihoods inevitably difficult.

This forced Chang Shouzheng to fight more diligently and loyally for the Tang Dynasty in order to make greater contributions and obtain new grassland rewards, so that the tribe could truly be revived.

"Now you have only changed your surname to Han. If you work diligently and make outstanding contributions in the future, I can petition the court to grant you a Tang Dynasty household registration and permanent land, so that you can become a true citizen of the Tang Dynasty."

Lin Hao once again threw out that irresistible ultimate bait, his gaze seemingly intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over Kang Huaien and the others beside him.

As expected, upon hearing this, Kang Huaien and the others immediately straightened their backs, their faces showing a mixture of superiority and eagerness.

You, Chang Shouzheng, have only just acquired a Han surname, while we have genuinely obtained the most fertile grasslands! Moreover, the Grand Commander said that we are qualified to be candidates for the Hanhai Army in the future, taking a step closer to the coveted Tang Dynasty household registration and permanent land. We must get there before you.

Infected by this atmosphere, the two tribes were inspired to compete, and this eagerness to serve and fear of falling behind was exactly what Lin Hao needed.

During their rest and recuperation in Illinois and the surrounding areas, the coalition forces did not bask in the glory of victory.

The tasks involved a multitude of matters, including taking stock of captured and enslaved Tang subjects, assisting Kang Huai'en and other tribes in large-scale tribal migrations, pacifying newly annexed Shatuo tribes, and redrawing grassland boundaries.

Lin Hao demonstrated amazing organizational skills, and all tasks were arranged in an orderly manner.

During this time, Jieyugas anxiously pondered his next course of action.

He could no longer stand idly by while the Tang army continued to conquer cities and territories, growing stronger and more prestigious. The Uyghurs had to take action to seize control and the spoils of war.

Lin Hao and Yang Xigu had several in-depth discussions about future strategic arrangements.

"Grand Commander, now that Tingzhou and Yizhou have been newly recovered, everything is in need of rebuilding and we urgently need time to digest and absorb the changes."

"Although our army has been replenished, the core Tang army is still less than 10,000 strong. Their dispersed defense is already proving difficult, and it is hard to support a sustained large-scale external expansion." Yang Xigu calmly analyzed the current situation, his tone carrying the cautiousness of a seasoned strategist.

"The Protector-General's words hit the nail on the head." Lin Hao nodded in agreement, but his gaze turned eastward before he sighed and said:
"However, the most pressing threat to our Great Tang in the Western Regions right now is still Tibet."

"Its power is immense, controlling the Hexi region, much like it has choked my throat leading to Chang'an, making it difficult for my western enclave to communicate with the central government."

"If Jieyujiasi could volunteer to lead an eastward attack on Tibet at this time, it would be entirely beneficial to our Great Tang. We could use the strength of the Uyghurs to wear down the Tibetan army and blunt their momentum."

"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. The Grand Commander's strategy is truly a wise and skillful plan for governing the country." Yang Xigu stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes full of admiration.

But then his expression turned serious as he said, "However, Tibet is indeed not an easy enemy to defeat. Its territory is vast, it has hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers, and it also has the natural barrier of the plateau, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is really difficult to deal with them."

Lin Hao had already given this matter considerable thought, and he pointed to the map, providing an in-depth analysis:

"Tibet is strong, but its state structure is actually a loose tribal alliance. At present, Tibet is under the rule of its thirty-seventh king, Trisong Detsen, who can be considered a great ruler."

From Songtsen Gampo onwards, Tibet absorbed Tang Dynasty culture and grew increasingly powerful. It attacked the Tang Dynasty in the east, resisted the Abbasid Caliphate in the west, and seized control of the Hexi Corridor, Longyou, and Western Regions in the north. It even once invaded Chang'an. Its strength should not be underestimated by later generations.

“However, its greatest advantage lies in its location on the plateau,” Lin Hao said, tracing the vast Tibetan territory on the map.

"The high plateau endowed Tibet with ample strategic depth; the towering mountains and the deadly altitude sickness became a natural barrier protecting its hinterland."

"In the past, the Tang Dynasty could send elite troops to directly attack the Turkic royal court, but this method was difficult to implement against the Tibetans. General Xue Rengui's defeat at Dafeichuan was due to a variety of reasons, but the Tang army was light and fast, and its rapid advance from the plains to the plateau region without time to adapt resulted in huge physical exhaustion and a sharp decline in combat effectiveness, which was one of the important reasons."

“Furthermore,” Lin Hao pointed out with sharp eyes, revealing Tibet’s inherent weakness:
"It was not a monolithic entity. Due to the Buddhist debate between the sudden and gradual approaches, the 'sudden approach' advocated by the Chinese monk Mahayana and the 'gradual approach' advocated by the Indian monk Padmasambhava were at odds with each other. The disciples of the two schools and the nobles who supported them fought endlessly."

"It is said that at the height of the debate, Padmasambhava was even injured by a disciple of Mahayana. As a result, Tibetan nobles who believed in different things also fought each other in secret."

"The Tibetan king is the head of the tribal alliance. If we can lead him to plunder and profit, then the other tribes will follow him. Otherwise, it will be difficult to carry out his orders."

Tibet was a relatively loose tribal alliance, and the Zanpu (Tibetan king) was merely the leader of the alliance. If you could lead everyone to plunder and make a fortune, then they would listen to you; otherwise, well, that's another story. Just as Tibet was about to descend into internal strife, the Tang Dynasty itself broke into chaos first. The An Lushan Rebellion delighted the exhausted Trisong Detsen, who seized the opportunity to attack the Tang Dynasty, taking Longyou and severing the connection between the Western Regions and the Central Plains. Then, taking advantage of Chang'an's vulnerability, he captured the city.

Then, they marched south and defeated India, and in the Western Regions, they utterly defeated the two great protectorates of the Tang Dynasty. After this series of wars, Tibet became a powerful empire that stretched from the border of present-day Shaanxi and Gansu and the Dadu River basin in the east to the Ganges River area in central India in the south, from the Pamir Plateau in the west to the Tian Shan Mountains in the north.

"However, the foundation of their tribal alliance determines that it is difficult for them to maintain their full strength for a long time. Moreover, the internal 'strife between the sudden and the gradual' has not ended, and contradictions still exist. This is precisely the opportunity I can take advantage of."

Lin Hao concluded: "Therefore, if our Great Tang wants to recover Hexi, it must not seek a quick victory. We should follow the old strategy of General Geshu Han, build fortifications and advance steadily, and make good use of the strength of the various tribes in the Western Regions. This is the best strategy."

The Uyghurs shared a wide border with the Tibetans. To the west, west of Kucha, the Tianshan Mountains formed the boundary, bordering the Tibetans and the Karluks. To the east, Anxi and Beiting served as buffer zones, and they bordered each other again at Yizhou.

More importantly, the Tibetan Empire occupied the Hexi Corridor, while the Uyghurs controlled a vast area north of the Hexi Corridor, extending all the way to the area around the Tang Dynasty's Shuofang Jiedushi and Lingzhou.

Therefore, Jieyuqis had two directions to attack Tibet:
One option was to turn west and attack the combined forces of Tibet and Karluk in Kucha. However, the route was long and complicated, and for the Uyghurs, such a remote area was neither worthwhile nor worth abandoning.

Second, continue eastward along the current route and attack Guazhou and Shazhou in the southwest of Illinois.

Clearly, advancing eastward to attack Shazhou and Guazhou, directly targeting the vital points of the Hexi Corridor, is closer and has greater strategic significance, making it an inevitable choice.

This coincides with Lin Hao and Yang Xigu's ultimate goal of returning to the Tang Dynasty.

······
After resting and regrouping, the allied forces set off again, this time with their sights set on Shazhou (Dunhuang)!

Shazhou is close to Dunhuang, and has the Dajingze and Ganquan water nearby as its water sources. It is one of the few places in the desert that can sustain people, so it has become a key node in the Hexi Corridor. Anyone who wants to enter the Western Regions from the Tang Dynasty must pass through Shazhou.

However, the journey from Yizhou to Shazhou requires traversing the dreaded "800-li desert"—the Moheyanqi.

This place, "eight hundred li long, was called Shahe in ancient times. There were no birds flying above, no beasts running below, and no water or grass." It was a perilous place that tested the commander's logistical organization capabilities, marching discipline, and willpower.

Jieyugas secretly sabotaged things again, proposing at the military conference:
"The Grand Commander has many talented individuals under his command, whose ability to scout and find water is far beyond our reach. It would be better to let the Tang army lead the way, with our Uyghur army following closely behind. This will also protect the flanks of the main force and prevent any unforeseen events."

Their intention was still to use the natural power of the vast sea to further weaken the Tang army.

However, his plan failed again. Lin Hao readily agreed, since he possessed spatial equipment that allowed him to carry water and provisions with him, reducing the burden on the supply troops.

Moreover, Lin Hao also possesses a falcon, whose high-altitude eagle eyes can spot the best path, and its extraordinary perception can explore underground rivers and hidden springs, supplemented by a compass for precise positioning.

Even setting aside Lin Hao's extraordinary abilities, there are also many veterans in the army who have traveled the Hexi Road countless times and have extremely rich experience.

Under his command, the main force of the Tang army was disciplined and used water sparingly, miraculously crossing this sea of ​​death that had swallowed countless lives almost unscathed. Although the troops were exhausted, their morale was high.

On the contrary, the Uyghur army under Jieyuqis, which followed behind, suffered hundreds of non-combat casualties, despite following the route opened up by the Tang army. This was due to the lack of logistical support from Lin Hao and the emphasis on discipline during desert marches.

Many soldiers, unable to withstand the thirst, ran out of water prematurely and eventually died of thirst on the way. Some men and horses also fell behind due to sandstorms or darkness, lost in the boundless sea of ​​sand, and turned into skeletons.

When the news reached back, Jieyugas felt increasingly frustrated and angry, yet there was nothing he could do.

When the allied forces finally emerged from the vast sea and saw the winding, flowing spring water ahead, the entire army erupted in cheers as if they had survived a catastrophe.

During the summer, a large amount of snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains flows into the river, making it abundant with water.

The men and horses were able to rush to the riverbank, drink deeply from the sweet spring water, and wash away the dust and fatigue of the past few days.

However, the Tibetan garrison commander of Shazhou was clearly no mediocre man; they had already received news that Yizhou and other places had fallen.

Now that they have learned of the Allied forces' attack, their first reaction is that the entire Allied forces must be exhausted and their foothold unstable.

Therefore, the Tibetan army did not choose to retreat into the fortified city and passively defend itself. Instead, it decisively seized the opportunity, opened the city gates and went out to fight, seeking a decisive battle in the open field, intending to take advantage of the allied forces when they were at their weakest!

When Jieyugas heard the news, he was not surprised but delighted. Siege warfare was not the forte of the Uyghur cavalry, and the arduous battle for trenches was the last thing he wanted to see.

But if it's about fighting in the wild, that would be just what they want!
Moreover, he was now eager to salvage the reputation of having lost men and horses while crossing the vast sea, and to seize the credit for defeating the enemy. So he immediately ordered the entire army to prepare for battle.

He even specifically addressed Yang Xigu and Lin Hao, saying in a loud voice:
"Protector Yang! Grand Commander Lin! In the previous battles, it was all thanks to the bravery of the Tang soldiers that they broke through the city and killed generals, achieving remarkable feats."

"Today's victory in the field battle is a great achievement for my Uyghur men to show their skills, so that the world will not say that we Uyghurs only follow behind the Tang army and pick up the spoils!"

"You two can rest assured and watch the battle from the rear!" In his words, he couldn't wait to exclude the Tang army from this battle, and his intention to take all the credit was obvious.

Yang Xigu whispered to Lin Hao, "General, this is good. It's a good opportunity to observe their tactics carefully, to see their strengths and weaknesses, so that we can have a better understanding of them in the future."

In this land of the Western Regions, today's allies may very well be tomorrow's adversaries, making it crucial to understand their tactical characteristics.

Lin Hao stared intently at the Uyghur army rapidly forming ranks in the distance.

General Jieyugas positioned a small number of elite armored cavalry at the heart of the central army. He first deployed light cavalry on both flanks, attempting to disrupt the Tibetan army's formation with traditional hit-and-run tactics. Once the Tibetans were in disarray, he would launch a fatal attack with his heavy cavalry.

"Great Minister Jieyugas is impatient!" Lin Hao frowned slightly and analyzed to Guo Yuanzheng and Yang Xigu beside him:

"Our army has just left the vast sea, and is exhausted. Neither the soldiers nor the horses have recovered their strength and energy. They are at their last gasp."

"At this time, we should rely on our fortified camps, with deep trenches and high walls, to wait for the enemy to tire themselves out, first to blunt the Tibetans' initial momentum, and then make further plans after our troops have recovered their strength."

"To rush into a battle with exhausted troops against a well-rested and vigorous enemy is a cardinal sin in military strategy, and he will surely suffer heavy losses in this battle."

Previously, Jieyugas had only talked a lot but never actually cooperated, so Lin Hao was happy to teach him a lesson.

The development of the battle situation quickly and cruelly confirmed Lin Hao's judgment.

Due to the fatigue of the men and horses, the Uyghur light cavalry were not as fast as usual, and their impact and harassment effects were greatly reduced.

Not only did they fail to effectively disrupt the well-prepared Tibetan army formation, but the Tibetan army also seized the opportunity when their momentum weakened and their reaction became sluggish, sending out elite cavalry for a counterattack.

They then easily penetrated the flanks of the Uyghurs, causing considerable chaos and casualties.

Upon seeing this, Jieyuqis's expression changed, and he hurriedly ordered the armored cavalry waiting in the center to launch an attack ahead of schedule in an attempt to stabilize the situation.

However, an even bigger problem arose.

These heavily armored Uyghur cavalrymen, whose mounts had also endured the hardships of the desert and were already exhausted, were simply unable to reach the speed required for victory, burdened by heavy horse armor and personal armor.

Heavy cavalry, lacking speed, were like a group of tin cans stuck in the mud when faced with the agile and mobile Tibetan army, losing only a fraction of their former power.

The Tibetan commander, experienced and shrewd, immediately dispatched a large number of infantrymen armed with spears, hook-and-sickle spears, and lassos, skillfully avoiding the direction of the attack.

Then they swarmed up from the flanks and even the rear, attacking these clumsy and slow cavalry, gradually dividing and surrounding them!
Seeing the precious armored cavalry trapped in the encirclement, with knights being dragged off their horses and killed one after another, and the expensive armor about to fall into enemy hands, Jieyugas was covered in cold sweat, his face turning pale and then red. His previous pride in taking credit had vanished, leaving only panic and shame.

At this moment, the balance of the battle in the first engagement outside Shazhou City rests entirely on the decision of Lin Hao's Tang army.

Lin Hao's thoughts determined the fate of the Shatuo people. However, Lin Hao only wanted to test their strength to make it easier to control them, and he did not intend to wipe them out now.

"Hehe, your fate is ultimately in my hands." Lin Hao's tone was as calm as still water.

He then turned to the messenger and decisively gave the order:

"Order! Kang Huai'en's troops and Chang Shouzheng's troops, on the left and right flanks, to immediately launch an attack to support the Uyghur allies and annihilate the Tibetan army!"

"Understood!" Kang Huaien and Chang Shouzheng, whose fighting spirit had already reached its peak, roared in unison.

Their cavalry, having rested and been rewarded, were eager for battle.

Contrary to the Tibetans' expectations, Lin Hao possessed spatial equipment and had made ample preparations for logistical supplies.

The Tang army, along with the Shatuo troops and other miscellaneous barbarian groups, were well-fed while crossing the vast Gobi Desert.

Moreover, they left a little earlier than the Uyghurs. When they reached the edge of the Gobi Desert, they did not rush out. After resting and recovering their strength, they came to the shore of Ganquan River with the Uyghur army.

Upon receiving the order, they immediately shot off like two arrows released from a bow, driven by an insatiable desire for merit and identity in the Tang Dynasty, and plunged into the chaotic battlefield!
On the desolate Gobi Desert, the Tang army's battle flags once again fluttered in the wind, leading a new force to charge into the enemy lines.