Chapter 178 The fake Li Xuan enters Qinghai, the real Li Xuan attacks Jiuqu

"The Tang army has a tight formation. Even the rolling stone hills are heavily defended. It will take more than a few days to break through."

Meiluqiongsang and Woermang observed the battle throughout and did not see any obvious flaws.

"Da Lun, it looks like we'll have to keep attacking day and night for a long time. From what I've seen of the Tang army camp, it will take a conservative estimate of ten days for all our reinforcements to arrive. I believe that Iron Blade City can hold out for more than ten days."

Enlanda Zhalugong realized that the Tang army in Jixin Valley was a tough nut to crack, and that the fighting strength of Tuyuhun was too poor. Only their elite troops could go into battle and kill the enemy in order to defeat the Tang army faster.

"Make arrangements! Send our warriors to attack immediately and don't give the Tang army time to catch their breath."

Moluqiongsangwoermang gave orders to Enlanda Zhalugong.

He did not expect to defeat the Tang army in two or three days.

In less than half an hour, more elite Tibetan infantry appeared.

From their pace, we can see that the Tibetans’ morale is higher.

The Tibetan soldiers and archers advanced under the cover of large shield soldiers.

There were even more than 500 crossbowmen.

What they held in their hands was not the crossbow of the Tang Dynasty, but a more compact crossbow.

This was developed by Tubo itself. Due to the lack of craftsmen in Tubo, there were not many such crossbows in Tubo.

However, this crossbow also has the ability to penetrate armor, and can tear apart the fish scale armor of the Tang army at close range.

Enlanda Zhalugong knew that if he did not take it seriously, there would be heavy casualties like the first attack, and he would not be able to cause large numbers of casualties to the Tang army.

This time, when the Tang army fought against Tubo, it was not as comfortable as when fighting against Tuyuhun and Dangxiang.

Having lost the barrier of more than ten layers of deer horns, the Tibetan infantrymen charged towards the Tang army formation with spears in hand.

The Tang army still fought back with powerful crossbows, bows and arrows, and crossbows.

After suffering a round of attacks, Tubo ignored Xi Nongcan who was sitting in the car.

Archers throw their weapons, and crossbowmen shoot their crossbows.

"Pfft..."

Not surprisingly, Xi Nongcan was hit in the chest by a stray arrow from Tubo.

He stared with his eyes wide open, and died with his eyes open.

Although the Tuyuhun soldiers hated the domestic nobles, they felt even more upset when they learned that the prince was shot to death by the Tibetans.

When the Tibetan soldiers rushed to the front of the Tang army, the Tibetan archers did not dare to shoot anymore. They quickly withdrew from the range of the Tang army's bows and arrows under the cover of the shield soldiers.

The elite troops of Tubo were incomparable to those of Tuyuhun. They fought as if they were ready to die bravely.

They braved the powerful crossbows of the Tang army. When one team was wiped out, the other team advanced, all fighting desperately with the Tang army.

The two sides fought back and forth, constantly attacking each other with spears.

Until night, the Tang army suffered considerable casualties.

The Tibetan attack did not stop at night, but new soldiers were sent to attack the Tang Dynasty continuously.

In the absence of deer horns and with Tubo on guard against Tang's powerful crossbows, the Tang army suffered far less casualties than before.

And the front line has retreated a little.

"This battle is indeed brutal!"

Li Xuan had been observing the various military formations and couldn't help but sigh.

In history, the Tang army was able to hold off Tubo for more than ten days. Li Xuan believed that the pressure the Tang army would face in Jixin Valley this time would be much smaller than in history.

After a day's observation, Li Xuan felt that the 60,000 Tang troops in Jixin Valley could easily hold out.

After explaining everything to Gao Xiuyan and An Sishun, he quietly left with his personal guards under the cover of night.

Even though Li Xuan walked far away, the sound of war drums could still be heard.

Shibao City is a certain distance away from Jixin Valley. They could not hear the drums and did not realize that the battlefield was in Jixin Valley, more than thirty miles away from them.

……

The next day, at dawn.

To the south of the Huangshui River, in the area of ​​Anrenjun, billowing smoke and dust floated down the river.

Thousands of horses galloping is a spectacular sight.

By noon, more than 27,000 cavalry led by Li Guangchen, Li Zhushi, Xin Yunjing and Fu Dianan arrived at the border between Tang and Tubo.

The Tibetan scouts were frightened when they saw so many Tang cavalrymen, and they immediately reported it to the garrison commander stationed there.

"What? Thirty thousand cavalry?"

The guard immediately stood up and asked for details.

Upon learning that there were indeed 30,000 cavalrymen, the defending general immediately thought that they were planning a surprise attack on Qinghai.

A great battle is taking place at the eastern pass of Chiling. The defending general originally thought that the Tang army was attacking Shibao City and had no extra troops to attack Qinghai.

It now appears that the Tang army came with a premeditated plan, hoping to gain more influence.

The defending general immediately reported to the commander of Qinghai, Nanang Shangjiesi Xiuting, and requested that Qinghai's 20,000 cavalry be organized to protect Qinghai's 20,000 infantry.

This way, we can definitely fight against the Tang cavalry.

Nanang Shang Jiesi Xiuting reported the news to Moluqiongsang Woermang again, saying that he could delay or even defeat the Tang cavalry.

But soon after, new news made Nanang Shangjie Xiuting's face change drastically.

When a Tibetan general was leading light cavalry to investigate the specific movements of the Tang army, he saw a group of cavalry rushing towards him among the huge cavalry team.

There were only two hundred riders, and each of them wore a bright red cloak.

What frightened him even more was that this team had more than a dozen flags and a large banner raised.

They were very familiar with the Tang army's triangular beast flag and the surrounding flags had the word "Li" and flags representing the official positions of the Tang army.

Isn’t this the God of Death Li Xuan?

The man wearing Ming Guang armor and a cloak, looking very cool, must be the personal guard who accompanied Li Xuan in charge into battle.

The great Tibetan general Molu Xiequ had thousands of cavalrymen to protect him, but Li Xuan and his personal guards cut off his head.

So the leader of the Tubo Youyi Army immediately led his men to flee.

Xin Yunjing deliberately chased for only a few miles before stopping.

But the commander of the Youyi Army was thankful that he was far away from Li Xuan, otherwise he would have been dead.

This news was immediately reported by the generals of the Youyi Army to the new Tubo general Nanang Shangjiesi Xiuting.

Nang Shangjie Xiuting's confidence was gone in an instant.

Last year, Li Xuan led only more than a thousand cavalrymen and turned Tubo upside down.

At that time, Li Xuan was still carrying a lot of "burdens", but now he is entering the country with 30,000 cavalry.

It was better to take advantage of the time when the main force of Tubo was fighting in Dongshankou to enter the country.

The Tibetan generals in Qinghai were all in a panic.

Their infantry immediately doubled up to make antlers.

The cavalry did not dare to join the infantry, but kept a distance of more than 200 miles from the Tang cavalry and sent out dozens of waves of scouts, so as to monitor the movements of the Tang cavalry at all times.

Nang Shang Jiesi Xiuting took back his previous nonsense and urgently asked for help from Moluqiongsang Woermang.

……

"What! Li Xuan led 30,000 cavalrymen to Qinghai. Fortunately, they were discovered by scouts on the border."

Although Luqiongsang Woermang was not used to the storms, he was still as shocked as Nang Shangjiesi Xiuting!
Li Xuan's threat to Tubo was unprecedented in history.

"No wonder I didn't see Li Xuan's banner in the Tang army. It turns out he wants to attack Qinghai."

As Nlanda Zalukong spoke, he felt quite disappointed.

He felt that during this period, the Tang Dynasty persuaded the Uighurs to withdraw their troops, so it was able to mobilize so many troops to deal with Tubo.

In fact, Enlanda Zhalugong also anticipated that Li Xuan might attack Jiuqu or Qinghai at the same time as attacking Shibao City.

Therefore, a large number of troops have always been stationed in these two places.

However, new problems stumped Meiluqiongsangwoermang and Nlandazalukong.

It is known that Li Xuan led 30,000 cavalry to Qinghai. How many cavalry do they need to compete with Li Xuan?
There are only 20,000 cavalry in Qinghai now.

After learning that it was Li Xuan, the Qinghai infantry could only switch to a defensive state.

"Jiuqu's Yulin Qianhu Suo must go to resist Li Xuan. Jiuqu will also need to send out 10,000 cavalry. I, Chiling, will also send out 10,000 cavalry to resist Li Xuan together."

"General Enlan, do you think 50,000 cavalry can deal with Li Xuan's 30,000 cavalry? This is almost all of our cavalry forces in Jiuqu, Qinghai?"

Moluqiongsang Woermang informed Enlanda Zhalugong of the arrangement and asked him.

"If Li Xuan launches a surprise attack, we must prevent him from capturing the flag and killing the generals."

Nlanda Zhalugong could only agree with Mo Luqiong Sangwoermang.

"I will remind General Nanang and tell him not to actively seek a fight, but to investigate Li Xuan's purpose. When he launches a surprise attack on the castle to be built, or raids the headquarters of my Tibetan Thousand Households, I will look for flaws..."

Thinking of this, Meiluqiongsangwoermang instructed Enlanda Zhalugong: "General Nang is inexperienced, so you should go and help him. I am here, so you must buy me enough time."

"I will definitely fulfill my mission."

Nlandazalugong nodded heavily, he knew the matter was urgent.

Once the gathered cavalry were eliminated by Li Xuan, and Li Xuan rushed to the East Pass of Chiling to block them, the Tibetan infantry in the East Pass of Chiling would be like a turtle in a jar. At that time, they would lose a lot.

Enlanda Zhalugong showed a determined look and led 10,000 cavalrymen to the eastern part of Qinghai to meet up with Nanang Shangjiesi Xiuting.

As early as when the Tang army entered Dongshankou, Moluqiongsang Woermang ordered the 10,000 Tibetan imperial guards in Jiuqu to cross the Yellow River and set up camp.

Now I am heading to Qinghai.

The remaining 10,000 cavalrymen in Jiuqu will also be transferred away.

This means that Tubo had only 30,000 infantrymen in Jiuqu, including those guarding the city, guarding the military farms, and guarding the city to be built.

At most, the troops of Jiuqu Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang could be added.

Just when Moluchongsang Woermang and Enlanda Zhalugong thought that the most intense battle would take place in Qinghai, all the cavalry of the Tang Army's Lintao Army had crossed the Yellow River.

Civilian boats were requisitioned to speed up the crossing of the Yellow River. Li Xuan went directly from Chiling to Jishijun Ferry, crossed the Yellow River to Jishijun City.

At this time, the Ji Shi army had a large number of catapults, crossbows, and siege vehicles.

Soldiers can also operate it skillfully.

Ten miles north of Jishi Army, Murong Xihao led 7,000 Tuyuhun infantrymen and stationed there.

"There is no time to lose. Tomorrow morning, General Geshu and General Murong will lead all their troops into the territory of Tubo."

"I will lead the cavalry from Huacheng to the south and head straight to Jiuqu."

Li Xuan gave instructions to Geshu Han and Murong Xihao.

Because Xin Yunjing had sent him a message, Tubo discovered him.

It would take another day for Li Xuan to lead the cavalry into Jiuqu.

By then, Tubo must have completed the withdrawal of troops from Jiuqu.

"As ordered!"

Geshu Han and Murong Xihao bowed to Li Xuan, both very excited.

It was finally their turn.

This time, they will definitely achieve great success.

"General Li, should our Jishi Army attack Jiuqu City as soon as we enter Jiuqu?"

Geshu Han asked Li Xuan for instructions.

During this period, the 7,000 soldiers of the Ji Shi Army practiced siege techniques.

Now the siege equipment is concentrated in the two towns of Hexi and Longyou.

Wanxiu City, Baigu City, Damomen and Shudun City are not powerful cities, and Geshu Han is confident that he can capture them quickly.

"I want to take control of Hongji Bridge as soon as possible."

Li Xuan had always planned to capture Hongji Bridge and Shudun City.

But it would take some time for Geshu Han to transport the siege equipment to Shudun City.

If possible, Li Xuan would order his crossbowmen and heavy armored infantry to capture Shudun City by force.

The other cities were attacked by Geshu Han.

"General Geshu's marching speed is slow. After reaching Wanxiu City, we can directly attack the city. I will clear the obstacles for the Jishi Army."

Li Xuan thought about it again. Wanxiu City was not far from the border of the Tang army, so it would be fine for Geshu Han to start the attack directly.

"As ordered!"

After getting Li Xuan's definite answer, Geshu Han became even more excited.

He was ready to show his skills during the siege.

During this period, he studied the most the Wanxiu City, which was closest to the border of the Tang Dynasty.

"General Murong, if there are any Hu tribes in Tuyuhun in Jiuqu, your troops will persuade them to surrender. You must incite the soldiers to kill the nobles who lead the Tuyuhun troops. Promise the ordinary Tuyuhun soldiers that they will kill all the nobles in Jiuqu Tuyuhun soon, and give half of all the assets of those nobles to them."

Li Xuan gave instructions to Murong Xihao, which was also a promise to the Tuyuhun tribe.

The Tuyuhun tribe was bullied so much, but they never rebelled.

One reason was that the rebellion at the end of the Kaiyuan period was suppressed too harshly by Moluqiongsang Woermang, and the other reason was that the nobles had too much control.

Only by killing all the nobles and their minions can the people of Tuyuhun be truly liberated.

If there is a chance, go to southern Qinghai again, kill the Tuyuhun king, and recover the entire Tuyuhun tribe.

"I will definitely do this to the satisfaction of General Li!"

Murong Xihao said with a bow.

Li Xuan nodded and explained some other matters.

We rested in Jishi Military City that night.

The next day, early morning.

Wang Nandai led the Lintao army south to the Jishi military city.

Li Xuan led his personal guards to join the team.

Together with Wang Nandai, Cen Shen, Gao Shi and others, they quickly rushed south...

At the same time, in the Jishi Military City, chariots were pushed out, carrying various siege weapons.

Five thousand Jishi Army infantrymen, guarded by two thousand cavalrymen, headed towards Wanxiu City...

Murong Xihao's 7,000 Tuyuhun troops followed behind the Jishi army.

After entering Jiuqu, it would be best for the two armies to support each other before encountering the enemy.

The Lintao army had at least two horses per person, and their marching speed was much faster than theirs.

Li Xuan's strategic purpose is very clear.

Raid!

First control Hongji Bridge and Shudun City in front of the bridge.

Cut off the throat bridge between Chiling and Qinghai and Jiuqu.

Then sweep across the nine bends from the inside.

"Nanba, lead 500 light cavalry to hunt down all the Tibetan scouts ahead of our army."

Before arriving at the border of the Tang Dynasty, Li Xuan gave instructions to Nan Jiyun.

"As ordered!"

After receiving the order, Nan Jiyun, now the deputy envoy of Lintao Army, selected 500 light cavalry with good horses, divided them into 50 teams, and each man rode two horses before jumping into the Tubo territory.

At this critical moment, Tubo naturally had many scouts roaming around the border.

When they saw the Tang army's "scouts" entering the country, the first thing they did was to call for support and prepare to kill the Tang army scouts.

But after a while, the Tibetan scouts felt something was wrong, because the Tang army had too many teams, with each team consisting of ten men.

Nan Jiyun led the light cavalry and galloped quickly. They soon surrounded several teams of Tibetan scouts and shot them off their horses one by one.

These Tang army light cavalry were like hungry wolves everywhere, frantically chasing and killing the Tubo scouts.

Only a few Tibetan scouts escaped and informed the commander of Wanxiu City of the news.

"There is a war going on in Qinghai and the East Pass of Chiling. Even the Imperial Guards have been dispatched to Qinghai to deal with Li Xuan. The Tang army should not attack Jiuqu!"

The defender of Wanxiu City was puzzled.

He sent out scouts again but failed, so he decided to pass the message to another great Tibetan minister in Baigu City, Lun Xijia Zang.

Although Xijia Zang was not as powerful as Moluqiongsang Woermang, he was also an important figure in Tubo.

As a general, he basically participated in all summer and winter alliances.

Especially in the third year of Tianbao, which was the Year of the Wood Monkey in Tubo, Lun Xijiazang presided over the winter alliance meeting in Xiaoma Garden in Ji and issued an order to govern the army.

Two of the three great Tibetan scholars were on the front line, which shows how much importance Tibet attached to Li Xuan.

But the Tubo could not have expected that the Tang army would launch a surprise attack with one man on two horses.

A transfer is made every hour.

Always running, without sparing any effort.

A rolling torrent of armored soldiers came down from the south, shaking the earth and the sky.

By the afternoon, the Tang army rushed past Wanxiu City.

“This… Oh my God!”

"Why do the Tang army have so many war horses? Where are they going to raid? Are they going to cultivate farms or pastures?"

"No, apart from Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang, my Jiuqu has no more than 3,000 cavalry. What should we do?"

The defender of Wanxiu City knew the situation was critical, but there were less than four thousand defenders in the city.

They dared not leave the city.

It was even too late to pass the message to Lun Xijia Zang at this time.

Originally, there was a Yulin Qianhu stationed near Wanxiu City, but now the Yulin Imperial Guards have left Jiuqu.

"I haven't seen the Tibetan Imperial Guards yet. They must have been transferred to Qinghai. I thought there would be a fierce battle before reaching Hongji Bridge!"

Li Xuan had led his army a hundred miles away from Wanxiu City, but until dusk, he had not seen the so-called "Yulin Imperial Guards".

He had always planned to fight with the Tibetan Yulin Army to see whether they were worthy of the name Yulin.

However, Li Xuan also knew that it was Qinghai's distraction that caused the Tibetan Imperial Guards to leave Jiuqu.

This would be the best, as it would allow him to reach Hongji Bridge unimpeded.

The Tang army entered Jiuqu in such a formation, and the Tibetan infantry did not dare to intercept them before they gathered together.

"Select 500 crossbowmen and follow me to seize Hongji Bridge first."

When they were about to reach Hongji Bridge, Li Xuan gave Wang Nanyi an order.

Five hundred crossbowmen stepped out of the team, followed Li Xuan and his personal guards, temporarily separated from the main force, and rushed towards Hongji Bridge.

When it got dark, Li Xuan arrived at Hongji Bridge.

The Tubo were still busy sending a message to Lunxijia Zang and had no idea that the Tang army had already rushed to Hongji Bridge.

At this time, there were not many Tibetan soldiers on the majestic and broad Hongji Bridge.

There were only some Tibetan soldiers who usually guarded the bridge at the east end of the bridge.

Some cities already knew that the Tang army had entered Jiuqu, but they did not expect that the Tang army's target was Hongji Bridge.

The Tibetan soldiers guarding the bridge could only hear the sound of horse hooves in the night.

They thought there was another person crossing the bridge, so they went up to ask...

But Li Sheng led dozens of personal guards and rode directly to the bridgehead...

(End of this chapter)