Chapter 226: The Battle of Dafeichuan Begins, Burning the Grassland Day and Night

At the end of August, Li Guangbi led 20,000 Hedong cavalry, mainly from the Tianbing Army, to Huangshui City.

At this time, the Shuofang cavalry had crossed the Yellow River and set up camp behind the Anren army to adapt to the environment.

The number of troops gathered by the Anren army was no less than that of Jiuqu.

If Shuofang and Hedong can adapt to the environment, the troops on this side will be extremely elite, after all, they are all composed of border troops.

Li Xuan welcomed the Hedong Army with the same courtesy as he had received the Shuofang Army, and prepared boiled mutton for them as a reward.

"The troops from Hedong have just arrived. General Li has treated them very well. If you have any instructions, the soldiers are willing to be on the front line to wipe out Tubo."

Li Xuan and Li Guangbi sat together in front of the bonfire at night.

The Hedong Army arrived at the Huangshui River near dusk, and by the time Li Xuan had inspected the troops, it was already night.

The boy he once was was still a boy, but he already had a heavy aura about him.

Li Guangbi knows Li Xuan better than Cheng Gui.

He saw something deeper from Li Xuan's rescue of Wang Zhongsi and many other deeds.

Li Xuan’s goal was to become a general or a prime minister, not these military generals.

"We estimate that Tubo has 300,000 troops, all of whom are on the front lines. I will make proper arrangements for the Hedong troops."

Li Xuan said to Li Guangbi.

He felt that Li Guangbi was different from many generals. This guy was very similar to An Sishun and was well-known for his loyalty to the Tang Dynasty.

An Sishun refused to rebel even when his brother An Lushan tried to win him over. Instead, he sued An Lushan for treason.

Even though An Sishun is Li Xuan's subordinate now, in fact, if Li Xuan rebels, An Sishun will not follow him.

Gao Xiuyan might follow.

Li Xuan valued An Sishun because he had military merits and was capable, and he rewarded him according to his merits.

If there is a chance, Li Xuan will promote An Sishun and leave Helong.

It is not easy to get Li Guangbi to join him at the critical moment, so he should try to cultivate feelings during this period of time.

"May I ask General Li when will our army go to war with Tubo?"

Originally, Li Guangbi wanted to ask about Wang Zhongsi.

But after thinking about it, he decided not to speak. After all, it was inappropriate to talk about the former marshal in front of the current marshal.

Li Guangbi was promoted by Wang Zhongsi, from Du Yuhou to the Right Wing Military Commander of Shuofang, and then to the Military Commander of Hedong.

Wherever Wang Zhongsi went, he promoted Li Guangbi. This kindness is as great as a mountain.

Since Wang Zhongsi left Taiyuan and there was no news from him, Li Guangbi was unable to send even a single letter.

He felt that Wang Zhongsi was wronged.

The country lost an invincible general in this way.

Li Guangbi was unable to ask about Wang Zhongsi and could only ask about the battle situation.

The scale of this battle even exceeded that of the Battle of Dafeichuan, and it was the largest battle since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.

It was also Li Xuan who pushed forward this.

Li Xuan continuously killed and captured Tubo and its tribes, forcing Tubo to use all its national strength to fight a decisive battle with Li Xuan.

"Our army is temporarily confronting the Tibetan army, waiting for an opportunity to attack the food and grass transported from the Fuqicheng Ancient Road and the Dafeichuan Ancient Road..."

Li Xuan told Li Guangbi their plan.

As the commander-in-chief of the Hedong cavalry, Li Guangbi was qualified to know tactics.

"This is a great strategy! The Tibetan army is all on General Li's chessboard..."

After listening to Li Xuan's story, Li Guangbi felt that it was Tubo's misfortune to encounter an opponent like Li Xuan.

Even if they knew that their plan had been discovered, it was too late for Tubo to withdraw, unless they abandoned their 100,000-strong army.

Of course, it is not ruled out that Tubo would not accept the defeat and would rely on its military advantage to fight a head-on battle with the Tang army.

"Does General Li have any better solution?"

Li Xuan asked Li Guangbi.

"I will have a shallow opinion."

Li Guangbi thought for a moment and said to Li Xuan, "General Li said that the enemy army of 300,000 can eat up a mountain every day. Tubo not only has a large number of soldiers and armor, but also has millions of horses, cattle and sheep. It is impossible for horses, cattle and sheep to eat food all the time. When the grass and trees are completely withered, we can burn all the grasslands near the Tubo camp. It may be okay in the short term, but over time, the enemy will inevitably become more panicked. The flaws will naturally appear."

"General Li's suggestion is very good. Tubo relies on grain, cattle and sheep for food, and their war horses also need to eat a lot of grass. Burning the grassland will force them to make a choice."

"But I think we should wait a little longer. The Hedong Army has just arrived in Helong and has not yet adapted to the environment. We should wait until they are fully adapted before we start burning down the Tibetan grasslands."

Li Xuan agreed with Li Guangbi's suggestion.

Now is not the time to force Tubo to fight to the death. We should wait until the Heshuo cavalry has adapted before taking action.

Burning all the grasslands near Tubo might disrupt Li Xuan's plan, but Li Xuan felt that the benefits would be greater.

……

South Qinghai, Tubo camp.

"Reporting to the Zanpu, all the troops of the Tang army in Jiuqu have crossed the Hongji Bridge. Their camp has been expanding again and again in front of Shudun City. It is estimated that there are 100,000 troops."

Enlanda Zhalugong reported this to the Tibetan king Chidaizhu.

"Why didn't Dongzebu's plan work?"

Chidai Zhudan frowned. He thought that the Tang army would attack quickly and then use their momentum to inflict a heavy blow on the Tang Dynasty.

It's already September, and all we see is the Tang army mobilizing, but no action.

This made Chidai Zhudan, who always had a desire to be in control, very uncomfortable.

Chidai Zhudan is usually stationed in Dafeiling, and today he came to the front-line camp specifically to inquire about military intelligence.

"Da Lun has risked his life to stay in Kubahai. I suggest you wait a little longer."

Nlandazalu replied respectfully.

It has come to this point, it is not easy to change tactics.

The only thing that is confirmed now is that their troops are larger than the Tang army.

Enlanda Zhalugong was just worried that the Tang army would see through their plan and use some tricks.

Li Xuan has done this kind of thing many times.

"If all else fails, we will gather our forces together and wait for an opportunity to engage in a decisive battle with the Tang army. Our army has prepared strong generals and elite soldiers. When Li Xuan appears, we will immediately bypass him and kill him."

Before this, Chidai Zhudan had intended to use the bravery of his soldiers to fight a decisive battle with the Tang army in Qinghai.

But suddenly Sangdongzebu came up with a plan that was both real and fake.

He also said that Qin Ling avoided the strong and attacked the weak, and used military tactics to win the Battle of Dafeichuan.

And Moluqiongsang Woermang also supported Mojiesangdongzebu's suggestion.

Therefore, the Ruler-Belt-Pearl-Dan was adopted.

But as time went by, Chidai Zhudan went from being full of confidence to being suspicious.

"Report to the Zanpu, we do not know the exact location of Li Xuan. If we rashly attack the Tang army camp, we will suffer heavy losses. Although our army has an advantage in manpower, the Tang army is not much smaller than ours, and has more powerful crossbows and stronger armor."

Enlanda Zhalugong did not recommend attacking the Tang army’s camp.

Because the Tang army had its back to the Hongji Bridge on the Yellow River, supplies and troops could always be provided support from the rear.

"The Tang army has not been attracted to this camp yet. Is it because the flaws revealed are not obvious?"

Chidai Zhudan asked Enlanda Zhalugong.

Among all the generals except Dalun, Chidai Zhudan is most optimistic about Enlanda Zhalugong.

Those who are like Nang Shangjie Sixiuting, Shang Duore and others are far from being comparable.

Even the deceased Molu Xiequ and Shang Zanmo did not show the same kindness that Chidai Zhudan showed to Nlandazhalug.

It was because of the high hopes placed on Nlanda Zhalugong that Chidai Zhudan let Nlanda Zhalugong sit in the most important position.

"Reply to the Zamp, I think the loopholes in the main camp cannot be too obvious. Too much is as bad as too little. The loopholes I set up will surely make the Tang army generals feel that they can launch a fierce attack as long as they explore them."

Nlandaza Lugong replied.

"Now we can only wait! We are afraid that the Tang army will attack Dalon Hyungsang's camp fiercely."

Chidai Zhudan looked toward the northeast direction of Kubahai Sea.

"Kubahai has more than 50,000 soldiers and horses. The great general is strict in military discipline. At the critical moment, they can retreat to the high slope for defense and form a tight defensive formation. When our army attacks from three directions, the Tang army will be more likely to fail."

Nlandazalugong said to Chidaizhudan.

Tubo had made careful arrangements. If the Tang army attacked Kubahai, it would be a second-rate plan for Tubo.

They can not only provide support from southern Qinghai and Chiling.

Moreover, in Qinghai, Tubo prepared sheepskin rafts that could carry 20,000 people and attack across Qinghai by surprise.

Even if the Tang army wanted to surround the enemy and attack the reinforcements, it would be difficult to do so.

Moreover, the terrain of Kubahai’s army was not arranged randomly.

Part of the Baili camp was built on a high slope.

Gaopo Mountain had long been used by Moluqiongsang and Woermang to store a large amount of supplies.

Tubo had already taken into account the risk of Kubahai being discovered.

Fifty thousand men defended on the high slope and occupied the strategic position, depriving the Tang army of its cavalry advantage. With sufficient supplies, they would be able to hold out for a long time.

At the eastern pass of Chiling, 50,000 infantrymen from various Tibetan tribes, led by their general Sangdong Zebu, relied on the stone fortress to defend themselves and prepared three months' worth of food in advance.

If the Tang army makes a detour to encircle the south of Chiling, it will be counter-encircled by Tubo.

Under such circumstances, Tubo wanted to wait for the Tang army to move.

But the Tang army was also waiting for Tubo to make a move.

"Report..."

While Chidai Zhudan and Enlanda Zhalu were discussing the war, a Tibetan messenger ran outside the tent. Chidai Zhudan let him in.

"Reporting to the Zamp, Xiaobolü was captured by the Tang Anxi Army, and the King of Xiaobolü and His Royal Highness the Princess were also captured by the Tang Army. All the chiefs loyal to us were beheaded."

The messenger reported to the Tubo Zamp breathlessly.

Tubo imitated the Tang Dynasty and established a complete post system.

Whether it is the ancient Tang and Tubo roads or the ancient road from the Qaidam Basin to the Western Regions, there are dense post stations to facilitate the rapid transmission of information.

The messengers of these post stations were called bird messengers.

"What? Lianyun Fort and the camp next to Lianyun Fort, with a total of 10,000 soldiers and horses, how could they be defeated so easily?"

After hearing the report from the bird envoy, Chidai Zhudan became furious.

At this critical moment, the fall of Xiaoboluo was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

He was not sad for his daughter, but for the loss of little Bolor.

Without Xiaoboluo, the more than 20 countries close to Xiaoboluo would definitely change their flags and return to the embrace of the Tang Dynasty.

When Enlanda Zhalugong heard the news, he was shocked.

Xiaobolü was a gateway; if it was lost, all the countries in the Western Regions would fall.

This applies not only to the Tang Dynasty, but also to Tubo.

Mojie Sangdongzebu finally conquered Xiaobolü, which enabled Tubo to compete with the Tang Dynasty for the Western Regions, but now it was destroyed.

The Tang and Tubo fought for Bolor not for the population and resources of a tiny country, but for the control of the roads.

In this era, the three major ethnic groups of China, Tibet and the Arabs were powerful, like the three legs of a tripod.

Tubo often contacted the Arabs to fight against the Tang Dynasty together.

Now that we have lost the way to communicate with the Arabs, we can only face the Tang Dynasty alone.

"Report to the Zamp. The Tang army attacked suddenly from the most dangerous section of the road, crossing the mountains and ridges. Our army had no chance to fight back, and they quickly captured Xiaoboluo. The garrison in Daboluo was transferred to Qinghai, so they can't provide support!"

The bird messenger reported to Chidai Zhudan.

He also presented a letter from Dabolü.

Chidai Zhudan opened the letter and found it was a letter from the King of Daboluo asking for help.

After losing Xiaoboluo, the King of Daboluo felt uneasy and hoped that the Zamp would send reinforcements to guard Daboluo.

Because the route for the Tang army to attack Dabolü was not just the Suyi Teng Bridge in Xiaobolü.

Moreover, they can also attack from the important border town of Pusa Lao City.

Even if Dabolü was stronger than Xiaobolü, it was not much stronger. So regardless of the situation of Tubo, Qiu Chidaizhudan sent reinforcements.

"Huh! Reinforcements? I don't have any!"

After seeing this, Chidai Zhudan became furious.

Jiannan must be defended, Tianzhu must be defended, Nanzhao must be defended, and a part of the troops must be left to suppress the aristocratic forces that are ready to make moves.

He sent 300,000 soldiers and slaves to gather in Qinghai, and put all his efforts into it.

"Zanpu, calm down. Anxi has limited military strength. They took advantage of our army in Qinghai and managed to capture Xiaoboluo. It's already the limit. They can't attack Daboluo in a short time. As long as we win this battle, everything will be solved."

Nlandazalugong persuaded Chidaizhudan.

As long as Dabolü still exists, there will be a buffer zone with the Tang Dynasty.

Losing control of the roads and declining influence in the Western Regions were inevitable.

We can only wait for them to come back with a great victory.

"General Enlan, now we have a reason to win. Back then, Songtsen Gampo unified the tribes of the Snowy Plateau and established a complete Tubo. Over the past hundred years, Tubo has become a powerful country in the world. Li Xuan killed and captured 200,000 of our tribesmen. If we don't take the initiative to kill Li Xuan, he will sooner or later make an inch and drive his troops to the city of Lhasa."

Chidai Zhudan calmed down and spoke solemnly to Enlanda Zhalugong.

Previously, there had been heated discussions within Tubo on whether to retreat to the snowy plateau or to have a decisive battle with the Tang army.

In history, Chidai Zhudan endured Geshu Han.

Now Li Xuan had killed and captured too many people, causing the Tubo to be filled with fear of Li Xuan. Li Xuan also killed the great prime minister Lun Xijia Zang, and subsequently killed marshal-level ministers such as Lun Xinuozha, Shang Zanmo, and Molu Xiequ, and killed and captured more than a dozen thousand-household heads and more than a dozen generals.

How could Chidaizhudan bear this?
Because Li Xuan's aggressiveness was too strong, Meiluqiongsang Woermang and Chidai Zhudan believed that even if Li Xuan took Qinghai, he would go further and attack Tongjia, Subi, or even further.

"In this battle, no matter what happens, I will do my best to take Li Xuan's head."

Nlandazalukong bowed deeply to Chidaizhudan, and his tone was strong and powerful, showing his determination.

"I will place Li Xuan's skull on the altar of Hongshan Palace and Fortress to pay tribute to the souls of the warriors who died in the battle."

Chidai Zhudan said fiercely. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle.

Nlanda Zhalugong clenched his fists, he could only win, not lose!
……

Tubo had high morale in the early stage, but things went against their wishes.

Another full month passed, and the Tang army remained unmoved.

It’s just that the camp looked more solid, so the Tang army’s scouts did not go deep into the camp and did not want to fight.

Soldiers in the army even train every now and then.

After this period of rest, the cavalry from Hedong and Shuofang have been able to adapt to the environment in Qinghai and have regained their energy.

Three exercises were conducted under the witness of Li Xuan.

Since Li Xuan was going to command the Heshuo cavalry personally, everything from the golden drums to the command flags had to follow Li Xuan's instructions.

The light cavalry, elite cavalry, elite cavalry and scout battalion of the Lintao army trained with the Heshuo cavalry.

With Li Xuan's tacit consent, the two armies competed in horseback archery in the wilderness behind the Anren military city. Li Xuan rewarded the victorious team with cattle and sheep.

The Tang army also maintained a strong momentum.

Ten days ago, Li Xuan summoned all his subordinates, military envoys, chieftains of the various Hu tribes in Hexi, Murong Xihao, Dang Jian, Chang Qing and others to hold a military meeting in Shanzhou City.

He formally instituted the Order of Merit.

The Bronze Peony Medal was awarded with 50 mu of permanent farmland, 20 pieces of silk, and 2 taels of gold.

He was awarded the Silver Eagle Warrior Medal, 200 acres of permanent farmland, 100 pieces of silk, and 10 taels of gold.

The hero medal of the Golden Tiger, an audience with the saint, and the grant of 500 acres of permanent farmland, 500 pieces of silk, and 50 taels of gold.

He was awarded the Jade Kirin Medal of the White Jade Kirin, an audience with the Saint, a luxurious house in Chang'an, 1,000 acres of permanent farmland, 2,000 pieces of silk, and 200 taels of gold.

At the same time, medals serve as a criterion for assessment of honors and official positions.

Those who have medals are more likely to be promoted.

The Tuyuhun, Bailang Qiang and the various Hu tribes in Hexi were also able to receive medals.

As soon as this order was issued, the more than 200,000 troops participating in this battle were excited.

Excitement filled my heart and I couldn't control myself. I wanted to go into battle and kill the enemy right away.

The Hu people also seemed to have found their own dreams and ways out, and kept fantasizing about what the medal would look like.

In just a few days, the medal was spread as a symbol of the highest honor and a real man.

All soldiers look forward to the majesty of wearing medals, even gold and silver medals.

Who would be disrespectful when walking on the street?
Hero medals are hard to get.

But you can still get the warrior medal for being the first to reach the top and killing the general.

What's more, in every battle, there are many people who make great contributions by jumping and swinging.

The bronze medal is rewarded with two taels of gold, which means that the value of the bronze medal is far greater than that of gold.

Li Xuan did this to let the soldiers know the weight of the medal, which cannot be compared to gold.

This time, the powerful man offered his family property, so that Li Xuan had enough reward.

In early October, Li Xuan arrived at Jiuqu.

At the same time, the flag of the Helong Bianshuai was raised in the military camp in front of Chishui City.

"If the Tibetans had attacked our army in August, we might have had a chance. Now it is October, and our army is ready except for the east wind."

"Starting today, we will begin to look for the Tibetan grain transport team."

Li Xuan issued orders in the military camp.

This means that the Battle of Dayuechuan has officially begun.

Li Xuan ordered Jiuqu's cavalry to be on standby and ready to go into battle at any time.

Five days later, the Tang army saw a Tibetan grain and baggage team on the top of the mountain. They wanted to transport the grain and baggage to the Tibetan camp from the ancient road behind the Tibetan camp.

A beacon fire was immediately lit on the mountain to report the news to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan personally led 20,000 light cavalry and 5,000 elite cavalry and approached the Tubo camp.

Then he used another 3,000 light cavalry to directly raid Tubo's food and supplies.

After receiving the news, Tubo's grain and baggage train wanted to speed up.

But how can a chariot outrun a war horse?
They were soon caught up by the light cavalry led by Geshu Han.

Although many of the people transporting food and fodder were strong Tibetan women and slaves, Li Xuan did not ask Geshu Han to show mercy.

Because they were also part of the war.

The food and grass were gathered together and burned, and the Tang army retreated.

The Tang army was moving too fast, and Enlanda Zhalugong thought that the Tang army was finally going to attack them.

They hastily set up camp and had no time to stop it.

Seeing that Tubo did not make any move, Li Xuan sent people to burn the weeds in the surrounding grasslands and even in grasslands farther away.

In a short time, smoke and dust billowed into the sky.

Wherever I looked, there was fire, and the night was as bright as day...

(End of this chapter)