Chapter 182: Singing in the Snow, Tuyuhun and Bailangqiang Rebellion
One day later, Jiuqu, southwest of Wanxiu City.

After Geshu Han learned that the Tibetan ministers were gathering in the south of Wanxiu City, he did not dare to think of attacking the city for the time being.

He discussed with Murong Xihao and decided that the two armies would join forces about 20 miles outside Wanxiu City.

List the defensive formations.

Tubo, Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang also joined forces.

The Tibetan infantry totaled more than 18,000 men, and more than 3,000 cavalry were mobilized from various cities.

The Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang cavalry totaled 10,000 people.

The infantry of the two tribes had not arrived yet due to the long distance.

This nearly 30,000-strong Tibetan coalition force was originally intended to attack Geshu Han.

However, more than 11,000 heavy cavalry, elite cavalry and light cavalry led by Li Xuan appeared next to the Tubo formation.

Not only that, the Tang army's light cavalry harassed the Tubo formation last night.

After chasing for several miles, the cavalry of Tuyuhun, Tubo and Bailang Qiang saw that the cavalry were all wearing Mingguang armor, so they dared not pursue them anymore.

They often searched for the Tang Dynasty and knew that once all Tang cavalry wore bright armor, they must be elite cavalry.

Li Xuan did not charge into the battle line either. He just ordered the light cavalry to hunt down the Tibetan scouts and cut off the communication between the Tibetan coalition forces and the cities.

Last night, Nan Jiyun captured a scout alive and learned that the Tibetan leader was in Wanxiu City and did not leave the city to lead the troops in person.

Therefore, Li Xuan wanted to cut off this communication line first, so that the Tubo generals would be at a loss as they could not receive any messages.

"Damn it! You guys don't even dare to fight the Tang cavalry?"

Tubo Marshal Shang Zanmo complained in the battle formation.

Originally, they wanted to attack the Tang army infantry entering the country first.

But the Tang army had three horses for each man and they came and went like the wind.

Before they reached Wanxiu City, the Tang army's light cavalry were already following them.

Although they had more cavalry, their connections with the cities were cut off by the Tang army.

It was as if they were surrounded.

"Marshal, the Tang army's light cavalry are too good at archery. Even if we catch up, we will face the charge of the Tang army's iron cavalry. There are not many sets of iron armor in our army. If we rashly start a battle, we will definitely lose."

Bailang Qiang's general Dang Jian looked embarrassed.

If there is no timing and tactics, fighting against the Tang army would be tantamount to suicide.

The tribesmen were originally herding sheep and were unwilling to provoke the Tang people, but when they were driven to the battlefield, they had to ensure the safety of their fellow tribesmen.

Dang Jian understood that it was almost impossible to defeat the Hexi Army and Longyou Army under the leadership of Li Xuan.

Fortunately, the Bailang Qiang did not participate in the Battle of Lishui, otherwise their limited military strength would not be enough.

And what shocked them even more was that Li Xuan was able to move freely in Qinghai last year, and was blocked by tens of thousands of Tibetan cavalry, and his general Molu Xiequ was beheaded, which made them even more shocked.

Therefore, in this battle, the Bailang Qiang were passive.

The Qiang King ordered him to preserve his strength.

After the infantry arrives, the main focus will be on covering their own infantry.

The noble generals of Tuyuhun were loyal to Tubo, but the morale of the soldiers was low.

Also last year, in the Battle of Li River, Tuyuhun sent out 30,000 troops, but few returned. Hundreds of thousands of Tuyuhun people hung white sails in every household.

This made the Tuyuhun people hate Tubo to the core.

The main reason was that the Tibetan and Tuyuhun nobles usually exploited the Tuyuhun civilians too severely.

But Tuyuhun was temporarily controlled by the nobles, and ordinary people could only accept it.

With these two groups holding them back, the remaining 3,000 Tibetan cavalry were also powerless.

"Marshal, the best strategy for our army now is to hold on here and wait for the support of Meilu Dalun."

Seeing that Shang Zanmo was about to get angry, a Tibetan general hurriedly tried to persuade him.

At this critical moment, we have to use Bai Lang Qiang. Although Dang Jian's words are unpleasant, a little impatience can ruin a big plan.

"Yes, Marshal. As long as the Tang army does not attack Wanxiu City, our strategic goal will be achieved. When the reinforcements from Meilu Dalun arrive, we can use infantry and cavalry to encircle and annihilate the Tang army."

Another Tibetan official comforted Shang Zanmo.

The Tubo people are proficient in infantry combat, and as long as they are used properly, the infantry can also besiege the cavalry.

"Report... Marshal, the Tang army's infantry is in battle formation and is heading towards our army."

At this moment, a messenger came into the tent and reported to Shang Zanmo.

"Is the Tang army going to take the initiative to attack us?"

Shang Zanmo frowned.

"If the Tang army attacks us, isn't it an opportunity for us? Their cavalry comes and goes like the wind. As long as we set up our formation, we will make them suffer, and then we will look for an opportunity to move forward."

The Tuyuhun general's eyes lit up and he said to Shang Zanmo.

"All troops are deployed to await the Tang army's infantry and cavalry attack!"

Shang Zanmo nodded. In his opinion, the Tang army could no longer hold back.

It was snowing, although not heavily, but it would definitely last for a long time.

Shang Zanmo believed that it was the snow that made the Tang army so eager to attack.

Otherwise, once the snow becomes thicker, it will be difficult for the Tang army to attack the city.

……

"Follow the plan!"

Li Xuan led the cavalry to approach the Tibetan coalition forces.

He learned that Tibetan reinforcements would arrive at Jiuqu, and prepared to defeat the Tibetan coalition forces as soon as possible.

After last night's confrontation, Li Xuan also realized that the fighting power of the Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang cavalry was average.

He planned to let Murong Xihao disrupt Tuyuhun's fighting spirit.

The heavy cavalry of the Tang army, led by Che Shensai, have already put on their uniforms and the soldiers are wearing heavy armor.

As soon as Li Xuan gives the order, they will start the attack.

In addition, two thousand elite cavalry took off their Ming Guang armor and changed into chain mail.

Some soldiers did not wear helmets and had unkempt hair like the Tibetan cavalry.

This cavalry was the key to the great victory.

The Tubo army deployed their infantry in battle formation, with their cavalry on both wings. When the Tang army rushed over, their cavalry would temporarily withdraw.

When the Tang army showed signs of weakness or weakness, these cavalrymen would move forward to seek battle.

Tubo Marshal Shang Zanmo is in charge of the central army!
Geshu Han led 7,000 Jieshi Army infantry and cavalry, and Murong Xihao led 7,000 Tuyuhun infantry, slowly approaching the north side of the Tubo army formation.

Two hundred feet.

One hundred feet.

Seventy feet.

The front army was the closest, seventy feet away from Tubo.

Then, the Tang army stopped, with spears outside and powerful crossbows at arm's length, also forming a defensive formation.

On this battlefield with snowflakes flying, in this cold weather, both sides were in a stalemate, shivering with cold.

However, the Tang army had wine with them. They raised the wine jugs at their waists and took a big gulp of the wine to warm themselves up.

The Tang army's cavalry was about two miles west of Tubo.

The Tang cavalry wearing chain mail were no longer in the formation.

After a while, Li Xuan led the Shen Ce Guards and the Tiaodang Elite Cavalry to the Tuyuhun army led by Murong Xihao.

At this moment, seven thousand Tuyuhun soldiers sang the most famous Tuyuhun ballad in the Tuyuhun language.

This is shepherding and hometown!
Talk about courage and strength!
Seven thousand people shouted in unison, their voices shocking the sky and stopping the clouds.

The snowflakes in the sky fluttered as if dancing to the songs of Tuyuhun.

The north wind whistled and swirled, as if applauding the singing.

Many Tibetan soldiers on the battlefield could hear the singing in unison.

Those Tuyuhun cavalry were not far from the Tuyuhun troops of the Tang army, and they heard it clearly.

These Tuyuhun cavalry were confused.

How could the Tang army know the most familiar ballad of their tribe?

And there were thousands of them, all speaking the Tuyuhun language.

This made many Tuyuhun cavalrymen come forward to take a look.

The closer you are, the clearer you can hear.

Those Tang troops seemed to be Tuyuhun people.

Could it be the Tuyuhun people in the Tang territory? It seems not!
Seeing that the time was almost right, Li Xuan asked Murong Xihao to send out dozens of Tuyuhun soldiers in iron armor, along with his Shen Ce Guards, to stand in front of the Tuyuhun cavalry team and hold up flags, which was a sign of negotiating with Tuyuhun.

Seeing the Tang army of more than 100 cavalrymen and several hundred infantry approaching, the Tuyuhun general was not afraid.

He suddenly thought of something, narrowed his eyes, and said to his left and right: "When they get close, shoot them all to death."

"They seem to have something to say to us?" the deputy general was puzzled.

"We are mortal enemies, there is no room for negotiation. Just obey your orders! Those armored men, shoot their horses!"

The Tuyuhun general spoke in a commanding tone.

The two sides soon reached 110 steps.

But Li Xuan stopped at this distance.

"Go and tell them to surrender as soon as possible. We, the Tang Dynasty, will treat them well and help their families."

Li Xuan gave instructions to the Tuyuhun soldiers beside him.

"As ordered!"

The Tuyuhun soldiers obeyed the order.

Seeing the Tang army holding up their flags and running towards the battle formation, the Tuyuhun general ordered: "Shoot them to death!"

"Get back quickly!"

Seeing the Tuyuhun cavalrymen in front raising their bows, Li Xuan shouted loudly.

At the same time, Li Xuan took out a stone-carved bow from the side of the horse, and drew arrows from the quiver, aiming at the Tuyuhun general under the Tuyuhun banner.

"Clang!"

"Pfft!"

Fortunately, these Tang army Tuyuhun soldiers were wearing iron armor, and only a few were injured.

But the Tuyuhun general, who was one hundred and ten steps away, had an arrow stuck in his neck and his eyes were wide open.

How could he be hit by an arrow at such a long distance?

"Oh!"

The moment he fell off his horse, he thought of a man in the Tang army: Li Xuan!

Only he possesses such unparalleled archery skills.

When the Tuyuhun cavalry saw their commander being shot dead for no apparent reason, they were thrown into chaos.

They quickly reined in their horses and retreated.

Only hundreds of personal guards of the Tuyuhun general rode their horses towards Li Xuan.

Because the lord will die, the guards will be beheaded!
There is only a glimmer of hope unless Li Xuan is killed.

"Caught alive!"

Li Xuan rushed forward with his personal guards.

The elite cavalry not far away also rushed over quickly.

"Crack!"

As soon as he came into contact with Li Xuan, Li Xuan broke several spears that were stabbing at him with an iron spear.

When a Tuyuhun guard holding a broken spear passed by Li Xuan, Li Xuan reached out and grabbed him off his horse.

Then his body was thrown out, and another Tuyuhun guard was knocked off his horse.

Relying on their superior military force, the Shen Ce Guards defeated all of Tuyuhun's personal guards in one round.

Although there were casualties, most were still alive.

The Tuyuhun cavalry in the distance saw this scene and did not dare to come to rescue.

Because the Tang army's light cavalry was also detouring towards this side.

"You don't have to die. Go back and tell your team that the soldiers who sang the Tuyuhun ballads just now were all Tuyuhun soldiers captured in the Lishui battle. The Tang army treated them well, and will treat the Tuyuhun tribes well in the future. Don't be stubborn..."

Li Xuan told these Tuyuhun guards that the news should be passed on by Tuyuhun people who could speak Chinese.

"Tell them my name. Commander of Helong, Li Xuan!"

Today he is going to disperse this Tibetan coalition force, so there is no need to hide his identity.

Moreover, the arrow just fired was so skillful that it is difficult to conceal it.

When these Tuyuhun guards heard Li Xuan's identity, they all turned pale.

No wonder the coach was shot to death by an arrow.

If I had known it was Li Xuan, I would never have dared to get more than a hundred steps closer.

Everyone thought Li Xuan was in Qinghai, but unexpectedly he came to Jiuqu again.

After a lecture, these Tuyuhun guards were released.

The Tuyuhun cavalry was one mile away, gathering these guards.

When these guards reported Li Xuan's words, the Tuyuhun generals regretted very much that they had not told them to shut up.

Nearly a hundred guards wanted to survive, and the Tuyuhun generals were able to find ways to make them shut up.

Soon, all the Tuyuhun cavalry knew that Li Xuan was in Jiuqu.

We also know that the 7,000 Tuyuhun soldiers who sang Tuyuhun songs were all survivors of the Battle of Lishui.

After being captured, the Tang army did not treat them as slaves, but recruited them as soldiers.

Among them, there are most likely their sons and brothers.

At this point, the Tuyuhun cavalry completely lost their will to fight.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Li Xuan sent hundreds of Tang army Tuyuhun soldiers to meet the Tuyuhun cavalry without weapons.

"They are Tang troops, kill them..."

A Tuyuhun noble tried to give orders.

"Pfft!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was stabbed to death from behind by a Tuyuhun soldier.

The Tuyuhun soldiers had long been fed up with being exploited by Tubo.

They grew the crops and raised the cattle and sheep, yet some of their people still starved to death in the winter.

Although the rebellion at the end of the Kaiyuan period was unsuccessful, it made the Tuyuhun people hate the Tibetans and Tuyuhun nobles even more.

The Battle of Lishui was a tragedy for Tuyuhun, and the blame was also placed on Tubo.

Now that Li Xuan is here, he's still asking them to die.

Then let these nobles die first!
The other Tuyuhun nobles and generals in the army were so frightened when they saw this situation that their hair stood on end.

They dared not say another word, for fear that these resentful Tuyuhun soldiers would kill them.

After the death of the Tuyuhun leader, no one could intimidate the Tuyuhun soldiers.

When the Tuyuhun soldiers of the Tang army arrived at the Tuyuhun cavalry formation, they met many familiar people, including two pairs of fathers and sons and several pairs of brothers.

Life and death, reunion and separation, hugging each other and crying bitterly.

The other Tuyuhun cavalry also hoped that their relatives were still alive.

"Helong Marshal Li Xuan has come to Jiuqu in person. He is a god descended from heaven and no one can defeat him. The Marshal will help the Tuyuhun tribe get rid of Tubo, eliminate the nobles, and distribute the nobles' cattle, sheep and land to the common people. Don't doubt the Marshal's words, the Marshal's words are as good as gold..."

A loyal supporter of Li Xuan told these words to the Tuyuhun cavalry.

"Not good, let's go..."

After hearing the news, the nobles and generals of Tuyuhun hurriedly left with the cavalry loyal to them.

Out of five thousand cavalry, only two or three hundred were willing to follow them.

These two or three hundred people are all vested interests!
"Kill them! Use their heads to ask for credit from the marshal. Wait for the marshal to lead them back to the tribe..."

I don't know who shouted.

After hearing the voice, hundreds of cavalrymen immediately chased after the Tuyuhun nobles and generals.

Soon, all the Tuyuhun soldiers understood the intention and chased after the Tuyuhun nobles.

Less than ten years later, Jiuqu Tuyuhun rebelled again...

The Bailang Qiang cavalry not far away were stunned.

Tuyuhun dispersed before they even started fighting with the Tang army. How could they fight back?
"General, I heard that Li Xuan personally led the troops here and instigated Tuyuhun to rebel."

A scout reported to the Bailang Qiang general Dang Jian.

"Can you say that again?"

Dang Jian touched his ear, he thought he had heard it wrong.

Isn’t Li Xuan in Qinghai?

"It was Li Xuan! He shot the Tuyuhun commander to death in just over a hundred steps. Many of his troops were Tuyuhun captives, and he then instigated Tuyuhun to rebel."

The scout said with a solemn oath.

"It's possible to think so. The Tang army is a force of one man and one horse. The last time Li Xuan raided Qinghai, he led such cavalry. It seems that Meilu Dalun was deceived by Li Xuan. The cavalry in Qinghai was not led by Li Xuan."

Dang Jian thought that such an elite Tang army could directly capture Shudun City, and there was an 80% probability that this Tang army was commanded by Li Xuan.

"General, the Tang army still has heavy cavalry, and Tuyuhun has been instigated to rebel. What should our army do?"

Bailang Qiang deputy general Chang Qing asked Dang Jian.

As one side gains strength, the other side loses strength. If a war breaks out, they will have no chance of winning.

"Alas! Let us withdraw to the tribe and ask the king for instructions."

Dang Jian ordered the Bailang Qiang cavalry to retreat as well.

Jiuqu may have to change its owner, and King Bailang Qiang should surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

"What if Tubo manages to keep Jiuqu?"

Chang Qing understood Dang Jian's meaning, and he raised questions about this point.

"If the Tibetan soldiers here are defeated, there will be no chance of holding on."

Dang Jian shook his head and said.

"General, you are indecisive! The king asked you to do what is convenient for you and preserve the power of Bailang Qiang. Since you know that Tubo is doomed, why don't you kill the Tubo officials in the army and surrender to the Tang Dynasty. We and Tuyuhun have 10,000 infantrymen preparing to arrive. With our help, the Tang Dynasty will definitely be able to control Jiuqu."

"This is also our sincerity, and the king will reward you for it."

Chang Qing suggested to Dang Jian.

He rose from Li Xuan and saw that Tubo was doomed in Jiuqu.

Their tribe is in Jiuqu, and they must rely on one of them.

If we don't make a choice now, what should we do after Li Xuan conquers Tubo and holds them accountable?
He decided to go all out and kill the Tibetan supervisor and the pro-Tibetan man in the army, and then surrender to Li Xuan!
"You are very thoughtful. For the sake of the tribe, this is the only way."

Dang Jian nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

There was a ruthless look in his eyes as he gave orders to Chang Qing.

A quarter of an hour later, the Tibetan officials and military supervisors in the Bailang Qiang army were killed by Chang Qing.

Chang Qing and Dang Jian took these heads and a dozen riders to the Tang army camp to meet Li Xuan.

……

Now Tubo only has 3,000 cavalrymen left.

Shang Zanmo, who was in the infantry formation, was so angry that he vomited blood when he learned the news of the rebellion of Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang.

"Dang Jian, after we drive away the Tang army, we will slaughter you Bailang Qiang."

Shang Zanmo made harsh remarks in the camp.

He had to command the army and could not leave.

Such a thing happened while he was taking a nap, making Shang Zanmo furious.

The Tuyuhun were a group of untouchables who rebelled and hunted down the pro-Tibetan nobles.

But the rebellion of the Bailang Qiang was purely caused by Dang Jian, which is intolerable!
"Marshal, according to the Tuyuhun nobles who escaped, Li Xuan was among the Tang army. It was he who shot the Tuyuhun commander to death with one arrow from more than a hundred steps away."

A captain hesitated for a long time and told Shang Zanmo about this matter.

"Is this true?"

Shang Zan stood up reluctantly.

The captain nodded solemnly.

He also thought it was very likely Li Xuan.

A person with such archery skills only appears once every hundred years. How could they all be in the Helong Army?

Leading a large number of cavalry in a surprise attack is also Li Xuan's style.

"Don't tell the soldiers!"

As a marshal, Shang Zanmo's first thought was to stabilize the morale of the army.

The successive rebellions of Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang had caused the morale of the Tibetan soldiers to be low.

If they knew that Li Xuan was here, it would definitely affect their fighting spirit...

(End of this chapter)