Chapter 188: Promote the officers and soldiers, and expand the Longyou Army to

In front of Hongji Bridge, the Tang army had already cleaned up the battlefield. The defense line composed of the Tang army's Modao, heavy armor, powerful crossbows, Tuyuhun infantry, and Bailang Qiang infantry surrounded the Shudun City and Hongji Bridge area tightly.

Li Xuan climbed up Shudun City again, and Zhang Xing pointed out to Li Xuan that Tubo was stationed forty miles away with about 30,000 infantry.

He did not agree to let his generals attack the Tubo camp.

Because whether it is the Tibetan cavalry and infantry in Qinghai, or the Tibetan infantry at the east pass of Chiling, they can arrive within one day.

Although the Tang army also had infantry and cavalry at the East Pass of Chiling and Qinghai, Li Xuan did not like to fight such a melee.

In a massive melee involving more than 200,000 troops from both sides, the Tang army would also suffer heavy casualties.

The Tang army, especially the Lintao army, was extremely tired after a long journey.

Li Xuan needed to first replenish the soldiers' rewards, heal the wounded, and then recruit new soldiers.

If he tries hard once, Li Xuan is confident that he will win.

But it was not in line with Li Xuan's strategy to conquer Qinghai all at once.

Of course, if Tubo attacks, he will fight back with all his strength.

He was thinking about how to perfectly take over Qinghai next time and drive Tubo out of Dafeichuan.

What would it matter if Tubo built a castle near Qinghai if Jiuqu was lost?

Because passing through Hongji Bridge can perfectly avoid the four castles of Tubo.

When Tubo first established the Eight Castles, the plan was to build them along Kubahai, Chiling, and Jiuqu, all of which were not far from the border of the Tang Dynasty.

Who would have thought that Jiuqu would be lost and the sides and back would be exposed.

"The next time we attack, can we penetrate through the tunnel in Qilian Mountain, attack Fushi City directly, and open up the situation west of Qinghai?"

"But Tubo should have thought of this..."

"A lot of soldiers will definitely be dispatched by Tubo to southern Qinghai to face our troops in Jiuqu..."

"Oh! Forget it, I should go back and discuss it with Li Mi and his subordinates."

After thinking for a long time, Li Xuan still couldn't come up with any clue.

The art of war lies in the unexpected, and Li Xuan has always been thinking about winning by surprise.

It’s not that I’m not good at head-on combat, but that I don’t like it.

Therefore, we must still use strange tactics when attacking Qinghai next time.

Li Xuan stayed in Shudun City for three days without seeing any movement from the Tubo army, and the fighting between the two sides seemed to have stopped.

But Li Xuan received news that Tubo was transferring the Imperial Guards from eastern Qinghai to the south.

The elite Yulin Imperial Guards guarded the flanks of the Tibetan infantry.

Meanwhile, the light cavalry under Li Xuan's command, led by Nan Jiyun, Li Fei Yuanli and Li Fei Shouyu, were clearing out the Tibetan thousand-household units in Jiuqu.

Li Xuan was not in a hurry to transfer them back. He had elite cavalry, heavy cavalry, and Modao troops around him, so he was not afraid of the Tibetan Imperial Guards.

He needed a stable Jiuqu, a thorough Jiuqu without any hidden dangers.

The people left behind by the Tubo Thousand Households were basically the elderly, the weak, women and children, but they could also farm and raise horses for the Tang Dynasty.

As long as they behave themselves, they can still be well fed and clothed.

As for the Tibetan craftsmen, Li Xuan continued to let them do their old job, making chain mail.

The Tang army could also wear chain mail but the color had to be changed to distinguish themselves from the Tibetan soldiers.

Li Xuan would take these craftsmen to Hexi, where there was ready-made iron and there was no need to transport it back and forth.

Ten days later, heavy snow began to fall.

As the Tang Dynasty's New Year's Eve approaches, the weather becomes colder.

Both sides had a tacit understanding and did not fight again, but neither of them retreated.

The Tibetan people in Jiuqu were basically controlled by the Tang army.

Those who were not found by the Tang cavalry probably escaped across the Yellow River.

Because the Yellow River has frozen.

The Tang army had food and fodder from Baigu City, so not only were there no shortage of food for both men and horses, but Li Xuan even slaughtered cattle and sheep every other day to satisfy the soldiers' cravings.

Including Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang, they can also get beef and mutton.

This time, too many cattle and sheep were captured, so he specially ordered people to drive some of the cattle and sheep from Jishi Army to bypass Chiling and bring warmth to the soldiers at the mountain passes of Chiling, as well as the cavalry led by Li Guangchen, Xin Yunjing, and Li Zhushi.

The Tang army's camp has been completely formed.

In front of Hongji Bridge, three layers of fences and three layers of antlers formed a large camp that could accommodate 30,000 soldiers.

This camp also covers Shudun City and regards it as the center.

This camp is prepared for when the ice and snow melt after winter.

Li Xuan was afraid that Tubo would attack Hongji Bridge, so he built this camp.

Once this camp was completed, Tubo knew that Li Xuan would attack them sooner or later.

It was on this day that the Tibetan cavalry in eastern Qinghai ended their confrontation with the Tang cavalry and retreated to Qinghai.

The Tibetan soldiers at the eastern pass of Chiling also withdrew.

The entire front line shrank towards Qinghai.

Tubo added another thousand-household imperial guard in Qinghai, but by then the Tang army had already completed its deployment in Jiuqu, with more than 30,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry.

Li Xuan also made corresponding deployments of the troops.

He ordered Li Zhushi to lead the cavalry of the Chishui Army and march towards Jiuqu via Hehuang.

Continue to increase Jiuqu’s cavalry strength.

Because Jiuqu is only a stone's throw away from Qinghai South.

The headquarters of the Tuyuhun king was there, and many of the Tubo thousand-household offices were also there.

Jiuqu can directly threaten southern Qinghai, which is a greater threat than the threat from Qinghai.

Before defeating Tubo, the Chishui Army was stationed in Jiuqu.

The infantry of the Chishui Army at the eastern pass of Chiling also withdrew to Jiuqu one after another.

The captured Yingshan Fort, Hongyan Fort, Changbao and other places did not give up and left soldiers behind.

If the enemy attacks the fort, we will send smoke signals to support them.

The Tang army will arrive soon.

Li Xuan did not want to waste hundreds of soldiers to attack the Chiling garrisons again in the future.

After the Tang army withdrew from Dongshankou, Moluqiongsang Woermang finally contacted Shibao City.

Not losing Shibao City was the only consolation in Moluqiongsang Woermang's heart.

The defenders of Shibao City were very confused when they learned that the Tang army had already broken through Jiuqu.

Xinoro requested to use Shibao City as a support to gradually recover the garrison on Chiling.

But Meiluqiongsang Woermang thought that he could wait until the spring when reinforcements arrived to recapture those garrisons.

In this battle, he witnessed how powerful Li Xuan was and did not dare to start a war easily at this time, even if it was a small garrison with only dozens of people.

When the Chishui cavalry entered Jiuqu, the Anren Army, Baishui Army, Weirong Army, Heyuan Army, and Suihe Shouzhuo, which were stationed at the entrance of Dongshankou, all returned to their respective military cities, adopted a defensive posture, and doubled their patrols.

The cavalry of the various Hu tribes in Hexi temporarily returned to their tribes.

The Zhenxi Army and the Momen Army entered Jiuqu.

Except for the Chishui Army, the Yumen Army, Doulu Army, Moli Army, Ningkou Army, and Jiankang Army all returned to their respective military cities in the Hexi Corridor for rest and recuperation.

Li Xuan will recruit soldiers and distribute war horses as soon as possible so that these military branches can be fully staffed and participate in the next battle.

After the infantry of the Chishui Army entered Jiuqu, Li Xuan changed the name of Shudun City to Chishui City.

From now on, the camp in Chishui City will be the garrison of the Chishui Army.

Historically, Shudun City was actually called Chishui City, so this name change is not inappropriate.

And Li Xuan restored the Chishui Army to 33,000 people.

Previously, 4,000 Chishui troops were transferred to Lintao Army, and now the Chishui Army is being replenished.

Li Xuan stipulated that the Chishui Army should have 5,000 elite cavalry, 2,000 elite Tiaodang cavalry, 1,000 heavy cavalry, and 12,000 light cavalry and scouts.

There were a total of 20,000 cavalry and 13,000 infantry.

Li Xuan would order about 25,000 war horses for the Chishui Army.

The large camp in front of Hongji Bridge was prepared for the Chishui Army's infantry.

In addition, the Jishi Army infantry and the Momen Army infantry were also stationed in the camp in front of Hongji Bridge.

The cavalry of the three armies were stationed on the east side of Hongji Bridge to facilitate training.

The Zhenxi Army was stationed in the Baigu City area.

The small armies of Longyou, Ningsai Army and Zhenwei Army, were relocated to the central and eastern parts of Jiuqu respectively, and they still performed the task of patrolling.

Li Xuan transferred Pingyi Shouzhuo to the ancient city of Bajiao in the south of Anxiang County. From then on, Pingyi Shouzhuo would continue to remotely control the various garrisons.

Doing so can greatly strengthen the control over the Jiuqu.

Li Xuan submitted a memorial to the meeting to change Hongji City into the Jintian Army and recruit 3,000 soldiers and 1,000 horses.

Wanxiu City was renamed Weisheng Army, and 3,000 soldiers and 1,000 horses were recruited.

The Damomun City was converted into the Ningbian Army, which recruited 3,000 soldiers and 1,000 horses.

Baigu City was renamed Wuning City and would be stationed there by the Zhenxi Army from then on.

To the south of Lintao County, the Bailang Qiang surrendered and dared not invade the border.

After defeating Tubo in the future, the Momen Army will return.

The Jishi Army will rearrange its garrison.

With just this arrangement, the Longyou army exceeded 115,000 people.

The Hexi army was weakened to 42,000 people.

The powerful troops in Longyou will also become unprecedentedly powerful and will completely defeat An Lushan's Fanyang Army.

But Li Xuan also had reasons to reorganize. His arrangements were very reasonable, all for the purpose of attacking Qinghai and expanding the territory for Li Longji.

Besides, no one would object to Li Xuan serving as the Jiedushi of two towns.

In the future, the Dadou Army will be stationed in Liangzhou City. After all, Liangzhou City is an important city and cannot be without a garrison. After the Tang Army has become a strategic offensive, the Dadou Army blocking the Qilian Mountains will not be of much significance.

The new city had not been captured before.

Now the Tang army captured Xincheng and changed its name to the Weirong Army, blocking the Tubo's way into Hexi from the Qilian Mountains.

In addition, Li Xuan also set up ten pastoral supervisors in Jiuqu to select and train war horses.

Hundreds of ranches were set up to raise the livestock obtained in this battle.

The land of Jiuqu was temporarily used as a military settlement and recorded by subordinates.

But the soldiers did not need to farm; the crops were planted by the Tibetan captives and Tibetan people.

After everything was planned, Li Xuan began to write a memorial and present it to Li Longji.

At the same time, Li Xuan asked Liu Dan, Cen Shen and Gao Shi to work together to write the "Congratulations on the Tang Dynasty's Recapture of Jiuqu".

Both the Tang and Tubo sides needed to make preparations, which meant that the battle was over and they could present congratulatory messages.

The congratulatory memorials recorded the locations and circumstances in which the soldiers bravely killed the enemies, and asked for rewards from the saints.

But the memorial written by Li Xuan was to suggest to Li Longji how to plan Jiuqu.

There were two counties, Jiuqu and Taoyang, with pastoral supervision and pastoral areas.

In addition to expanding the army by more than 10,000 soldiers, the army was also reorganized.

As well as the future immigration and development plans for Jiuqu.

After this memorial, Li Xuan wrote another memorial.

It is a promotion memorial for the officers and soldiers.

This time, three new armies, namely Weisheng, Ningbian and Jintian, were established, with three more military commanders.

Li Xuan recommended Gao Kai, the governor of Suihe, as the governor of Jintian Army, Cao Shengning, the governor of Pingyi, as the governor of Weisheng Army, and Peng Ren, the general of Lintao Army, as the governor of Ningbian Army.

This time, Li Xuan recommended Gao Xiuyan as the deputy envoy of Longyou Jiedushi and as the general of the Left Dragon Guard.

An Sishun was appointed as the deputy envoy of Hexi Jiedushi and was recommended as the general of the Right Jinwu Guard.

Although Li Xuan had the impression that Gao Xiuyan was a "traitor", Gao Xiuyan not only dared to charge into battle, but also obediently followed Li Xuan's command and participated in every battle.

When the position of deputy ambassador of Jiedushi was vacant, he was the only one who could fill the position.

According to the military regulations set by Li Xuan, he must be promoted.

Not to mention An Sishun, a veteran who has been guarding the border for more than 30 years and has served as a military envoy six times. It is time for him to be promoted.

In addition, Li Xuan recommended fifteen deputy envoys in Hexi and Longyou based on the reports of his subordinates and the records of various armies.

The standard configuration of an army is two deputy envoys.

Whenever there was a shortage of deputy envoys, Li Xuan would fill the position.

Li Xuan recommended Geshu Han to serve concurrently as the prefect of Jiuqu County, responsible for the management and construction of three post stations.

Geshu Han made great contributions, but he was not promoted to a position and was simply given a status.

Murong Xihao was the governor of Taoyang County and deputy envoy of Helong Yafan, commanding the army of Tuyuhun.

But Li Xuan gave him the standard of 5,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry.

The rest of the Tuyuhun men were engaged in farming.

As promised, Li Xuan gave half of the land and livestock of the Tuyuhun nobles to the Tuyuhun tribes.

As for Nan Jiyun who killed Shang Zanmo, and Che Shensai who captured Tubo Dalun, Li Xuan did not say a word because Li Longji would reward them.

Li Xuan estimated that Nan Jiyun and Che Shensai would both be promoted to generals.

Li Xuan also recommended other military envoys for promotion to higher positions.

Liu Yan, Liu Shan, Gao Shi, Cen Shen, Yang Wan and other subordinate officials were recommended by Li Xuan for promotion to the next level.

His achievements were reasonable and logical, and the Ministry of War could not find any fault with them. His military exploits were recorded in black and white, along with the bloody number of enemies killed.

There is no need to recommend other Langjiang and Yajiang. Li Xuan's Jiedushi's office has the power to promote them directly.

He promoted a total of 19 Lang Jiang and 41 Ya Jiang according to their military merits.

As for other team leaders and escorts, they were promoted based on their merits, and Li Xuan did not interfere.

In addition, Li Xuan selected eight personal guards who had killed many enemies, promoted them to Lang Jiang and Ya Jiang, and arranged them to the Chishui Army.

Although they wanted to fight alongside Li Xuan, Li Xuan still drove them out.

The guards were loyal to him, and this move was also intended to enable them to control the He and Long armies when the king returned in the future.

Li Xuan did not promote Li Sheng and Zhang Wanfu. He specifically asked them to stay with him for a while.

As for Li Xuan's die-hard followers Luo Xing, Xue Cuo and Liao Zhengrong, Li Xuan would not let them go. In the future, he would have to rely on them to do trustworthy things.

There are some things that the generals loyal to him may not dare to do, but Luo Xing, Xue Cuo and Liao Zhengrong will definitely do them.

after one day.

Liu Dan handed the congratulatory letter to Li Xuan and asked Li Xuan to read it.

In this battle, five cities were captured, and more than 35,000 enemies were killed or captured in Jiuqu.

More than 10,000 enemies were killed in front of Hongji Bridge.

They blocked the enemy at the Yellow River and killed or captured more than 5,000 enemies.

Nearly two thousand enemies were killed or captured in Chiling.

In a bloody battle at Jixin Valley, more than 23,000 enemies were killed.

A total of more than 75,000 enemies were killed or captured.

Li Xuan lost more than 5,000 soldiers in Jixin Valley, and more than 3,000 soldiers in Jiuqu, including the Lintao Army, Jishi Army, Tuyuhun, Bailang Qiang and others in the siege battle.

More than 700 people were killed in the attack on Chiling Fort.

More than a thousand soldiers were lost in front of Hongji Bridge and on Shudun City.

In addition, there were thousands of soldiers lost due to non-combat casualties such as illness and frostbite.

Overall, the casualties were greater than any previous one.

But some things must be done.

For example, in the bloody battle in the wide Jixin Valley, when the battle reached a stalemate, the Tang army would suffer heavy casualties.

Fortunately, the Tang army attracted the Tubo at Jiuqu and made them give up attacking Jixin Valley, otherwise there would be greater casualties.

These fallen soldiers have been sent to the Huangshui River for burial.

Gao Xiuyan and An Sishun presided over the funeral, and waited for Li Xuan to return to pay his respects.

Soldiers' pensions must be reported truthfully and implemented.

After Li Xuan saw that there was no problem with the congratulatory letter, he sent it along with the memorial he had written to Chang'an at an express speed of 700 miles.

It should be able to reach Chang'an during the Chinese New Year.

Although the war was over, Li Xuan could not leave Jiuqu.

His Lintao army must be stationed here until the ice and snow melt.

This area, including Tuyuhun and Bailang Qiang, should retain more than 50,000 cavalry and more than 50,000 infantry.

With these 100,000 soldiers and horses, Li Xuan was not afraid of the attack from Tubo.

However, Li Xuan sent Liu Shan, Gao Shi, Duan Xueshi and others back to Hexi and Longyou to recruit soldiers and replenish the troops.

The newly formed Jiuqu Three Armies must also prepare their troops as soon as possible.

Li Xuan did not treat the Bailang Qiang unfairly. When they surrendered to him, Li Xuan promised to give them certain benefits if they defeated Jiuqu Tubo.

Li Xuan rewarded them with 50,000 heads of livestock obtained from the Tuyuhun nobles, 2,000 sets of chain mail and iron armor, 3,000 sets of leather armor, and 5,000 Tibetan old, weak, women and children were allocated to them.

I hope that Bailang Qiang can make great contributions in future battles.

The Bailang Qiang are very good at highland mountain warfare, and can win over and intimidate people, so they can be used by him now and in the future.

After receiving the reward from Li Xuan, King Bailang Qiang came personally to thank Li Xuan and admire Li Xuan's divine power.

He heard that Li Xuan was able to support the thousand-jin gate of Shudun City, like a god.

Although he looked like a flesh and blood body, King Bailang Qiang could feel Li Xuan's extraordinary bravery.

"King Qiang, can you cross the Yellow River?"

The third heavy snowfall in Jiuqu came before the New Year, and Li Xuan hosted a banquet for the Bailang Qiang King in Shudun City.

After the two talked for a while, Li Xuan suddenly asked the Bailang Qiang King.

The Bailang Qiang King is over fifty years old this year and he has been the Qiang King for twenty years.

Because they voluntarily gave up some territories and moved to the Xiqing Mountain area, Tubo was never able to rule Bailang Qiang as they did with Zhangzhung and Tongjia.

You know, now Tongjia and Zhangxiong have basically been conquered by Tubo, as they have directly established more than ten Dongdai.

"The upper reaches of the Yellow River are good pastures. We used to graze sheep there, but now we can't get there. Tubo has divided it to Suobei and established Dongdai, with Xiao Gonglun stationed there."

King Bailang Qiang was a shrewd man. He knew that Li Xuan asked this question because he wanted to get his hands on the source of the Yellow River.

There are many mountains there, but there are also fertile areas and good horse farms.

"Subi's heart isn't quite stable either!"

Li Xuan remembered that in the late Tianbao period of history, the prince of Subi defected to the Tang Dynasty. There must be something that could be used during this period.

"Marshal, your prestige is unparalleled in the world. As long as we can conquer Qinghai and drive Tubo out of Dafeichuan, Subei will be right in front of us."

King Bailang Qiang felt that the first priority was still Qinghai.

Li Xuan's taking away Jiuqu was like taking away the lifeblood of Tubo.

Although the war stopped, Li Xuan still organized a 100,000-strong Han-Hu coalition force in Jiuqu.

Tubo obviously did not want to give up Qinghai, and tried its best to transfer troops to the south of Qinghai, and was on the verge of a war with the Tang Dynasty.

At this moment, Bailang Qiang could only assist Li Xuan to expel Tubo from Qinghai first.

"With the help of the Qiang King, the bandits in Qinghai are nothing to worry about. But when we go south in the future, we will still need the full support of the Qiang King."

Li Xuan raised his glass and laughed.

He wanted to use the Bailang Qiang, who were good at fighting in plateaus and mountains, to do something...

(End of this chapter)