The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

According to the Turkic attack route previously proposed by Chen Huai'an, if the main force of the Turks attacks Jingzhou, then the next stop will definitely be Wugong.

Because Wugong was the most important gateway to the west of Chang'an, passing through Wugong meant that the Turks had completely broken into the western gate of Chang'an.

Therefore, as early as last month, the 5,000-strong Mo Dao team was selected. With the support of Li Shimin, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue spared no expense, and with the help of a large number of blacksmiths in the countryside, the 5,000-strong Mo Dao team had already been equipped with weapons and equipment and then headed to Wugong.

Even Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Yaojin were no longer in Chang'an at this time.

They each led 5,000 Mo Dao soldiers, 10,000 cavalry, and 15,000 infantry, respectively responsible for blocking the Turkic attack routes at various checkpoints.

Chen Huai'an pondered, "Wugong is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Moreover, the main force of the Turks has definitely not all gathered yet. They should be divided into two routes, with one main force attacking Jingzhou. This is the western route army."

"They should also have an eastern route army to contain the main Tang army. The attack point should be Gaoling. In this way, they can both cover the main Turkic army and form a pincer attack."

The soldiers below were dumbfounded upon hearing this: "You...you're amazing! How did you know before we even said anything?"

Everyone's eyes twitched. It really was true, damn it?

Zhang Gongjin remarked with emotion: "In the past, people often said that you were a modern-day Zhuge Liang, and even His Majesty agreed with that. I thought that was a bit of an exaggeration."

"Now, I am completely convinced."

Chen Huai'an humbly replied, "I merely considered things from the Turks' perspective, figuring out the most advantageous course of attack for them. It's nothing special, how can I compare to Master Zhuge?"

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Li Shimin waved his hand and stood up. "Now that the Turks have arrived, let's quickly inform Uncle Bao. Whether the plan succeeds or not depends on whether Uncle Bao's five thousand Mo Dao troops can show their prowess."

"..."

August 12th, the ninth year of the Wude era.

Inside a camp on a plateau in Wugong County.

Qin Qiong was not greatly disturbed when he heard the news that the Turks had moved south and that Luo Yi had not stopped them.

"General!" Vice-General Dong Zheng clasped his hands in greeting, "Shall we proceed as planned?"

Qin Qiong pointed to the map and said to his generals, "Before we came here, His Majesty and his civil and military officials had already discussed a suitable ambush plan for us."

"At the same time, they also gave us a strict order!"

Qin Qiong looked around at everyone and said, word by word, "What we need to do is launch a blitzkrieg. Regardless of whether we can severely damage the Turkic army, we must not linger in battle. We should retreat when necessary."

"More importantly..." he paused, then continued, "we must not allow even a single Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) to fall into the hands of the Turkic army."

"Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the soldiers replied solemnly.

"Very good." Qin Qiong nodded, then turned and pointed to a location on the map. "Before that, let's confirm the plan."

"The terrain around Wugong County makes it extremely easy for cavalry to break through quickly once they enter."

"Wugong County is located in the western part of the Guanzhong Plain, in the Wei River Valley. It is bordered by flat corridors on the east and west sides, and its defense line is heavily dependent on Jingzhou. For the Turkic cavalry, which is known for its speed, it is a natural battlefield with almost no natural defenses."

"But there's one exception, and that's here!"

As he spoke, Qin Qiong pointed to a spot.

"Northern plateau and gullies!"

"This place is located north of Wugong, near the foothills of Liangshan. The loess plateau has been carved by rainwater into a network of gullies, which is very conducive to the concealment of infantry, but not conducive to cavalry charges."

"Moreover, this is a crucial passage for the Turks' southward advance!"

"Because we are close to the foothills of Liangshan, once the ambush is successful, we can retreat north into the mountains in the direction of Liangshan."

"Turkic cavalry are not adept at mountain pursuits. We can use the terrain to escape, then reach the place where our horses were previously stored, and ride towards Chang'an to rejoin the main force!"

"General!" A general rubbed his hands together eagerly. "We already know the specific plan. Don't worry, we're not people who can't make sense of things. We know what's important and what's not."

"I've heard that the Mo Dao I'm carrying cost fifty strings of cash just to make. Today, I'll test its power!"

"Let's see if it's worth its price once it's on the battlefield."

Qin Qiong smiled and said, "It won't disappoint you!"

After saying this, he led his soldiers out of the camp.

At this moment, it was dawn, and the five thousand Mo Dao soldiers stood in neat rows, watching Qin Qiong walk out of the camp.

"Gentlemen!" Qin Qiong said loudly, "I believe you all know what has happened."

"The Turkic army broke the alliance and invaded our border. Now, they have taken the opportunity to lead their army across the border of our Great Tang Dynasty."

"Now that Jingzhou has fallen, this place is the last and most important line of defense for the western border of the Tang Dynasty."

"If the Turkic army manages to break through unscathed and enter the territory of our Great Tang, then, given the nature of the Turks, I believe everyone knows exactly what will happen!"

Qin Qiong declared sternly, "Our families, our friends, our brothers, our parents, wives, and children will face grave danger to their lives!"

"We have finally survived the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and now, under the rule of the Retired Emperor and His Majesty, our lives are gradually getting better."

"Just when life seemed to be looking up, the Turks came again."

"Soldiers, I ask you, do you agree?"

The five thousand Mo Dao soldiers were all elites selected from among the best, and they knew the value of their equipment, so their morale was already high.

Now, upon hearing that the Turks had led their army into the territory of the Tang Dynasty, given the Turks' nature, burning, killing, and looting were inevitable.

Who here doesn't have family or children?

Who doesn't live within the territory of the Tang Dynasty?

Qin Qiong's words directly pointed out what everyone was most unwilling to accept and absolutely could not tolerate.

Therefore, the five thousand soldiers of the Mo Dao brigade were filled with righteous indignation and roared in unison, "We refuse!"

"Fine!" Qin Qiong roared. "His Majesty has decreed that for every Turk killed, one will be awarded a promotion!"

"Two heads will be beheaded, one promotion will be granted, and a reward of twenty bolts of silk will be given!"

"Three heads will be beheaded, two promotions will be granted, and thirty mu of land will be awarded as a reward!"

When the tangible benefits were mentioned, the eyes of the five thousand men burned with an alarming intensity. There was no fear of war in their eyes, only a desire for promotion, silk, and land.

"Gentlemen!" Qin Qiong's eyes widened in fury, his voice echoing across the land. "The Turkic cavalry are renowned throughout the world, but our Great Tang also possesses the Mo Dao, a weapon specifically designed to counter cavalry!"

"today!"

Suddenly, he drew his longsword from his waist. The blade gleamed coldly in the morning light, reflecting a pair of burning, greedy eyes.

"Today, let the Turks know what it means to... come and never return!"

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

Five thousand people simultaneously raised their long-handled swords, forming a forest of blades like a wall, their shouts soaring into the sky.

"..."