"Hun Yu, Guang Qian, each of you leads a team of personal guards to chase the Arab cavalry and kill them off their horses."

Li Xuan gave orders to Che Guangqian and Hun Yu.

He knew that the Great Equestrian Horse was one of the best war horses in the world.

But if you go deep into Tang territory, you must pay a price.

The Arabs used light cavalry as scouts. They were far away and generally could not catch up, but Li Xuan's elite cavalry also had advantages.

They were already familiar with the road conditions from Suiye to Atami.

Hun Yu pursued and Che Guangqian intercepted.

There is a chance to stop these dozen or so Arab cavalry.

"As ordered!"

Che Guangqian and Hun Yu accepted the order with great excitement.

They followed Li Xuan's instructions, with one person chasing while the other blocked the enemy.

Their horses were all excellent Western horses, no less excellent than those of the Arabs.

That group of Arab cavalry never expected that the Tang army would split up to pursue them.

The leading captain sneered and waved his whip to increase the speed of his horse.

Then Hun Yu continued to pursue him.

However, due to the long distance, the Arab cavalry was light and the Tang army was wearing iron armor. Under normal circumstances, it was difficult to catch up with the Arab scouts.

When the Arab scout captain saw that the Tang army could not catch up with them, he relaxed his vigilance and stopped letting his horses gallop.

Fortunately, they did not swell up to the point of turning back to engage in a decisive battle with Hun Yu.

Because the cavalry led by Hun Yu consisted of fifty men.

What the Arab scouts didn't know was that Che Guangqian had already made a detour through the high slopes and valleys more than ten miles away, and took a shortcut.

As long as the Arab scouts let down their guard, the Tang army would be able to bypass them and block their retreat within an hour.

Hun Yu also knew that he could not catch up, so he deliberately slowed down his horse to make the Arab scouts think that the Tang army was exhausted and could not catch up.

"Rumble..."

"Not good, the Tang army actually appeared in front of our army."

An hour later, more than fifty Tang cavalrymen appeared on the slope diagonally in front of the Arab scouts.

Led by Che Guangqian, they rushed down the slope with extreme ferocity.

The momentum raised dust and left the Arab scouts with no way to retreat.

Che Guangqian knew that as long as she could get back to this place first, the Arab scouts would have no chance of escaping.

"Let's fight the Tang army, the Lord will protect us!"

The captain of the Arab scouts drew his scimitar and shouted loudly.

He waited for an opportunity to break out from the armored Tang army.

Che Guangqian started the first battle of his life.

He held a spear in his hand, led the way, and aimed at the captain of the Arab scouts.

"Pfft..."

In the ravine, white horses were galloping. Che Guangqian thrust his spear straight through the heart of the Arab scout captain.

He quickly drew out his spear and killed several more people during the clash of white horses.

He drew his gun quickly and fiercely, with a style quite similar to that of Li Xuan when he drew his spear.

Accompanied by screams, the blood of this group of unlucky and arrogant Arab scouts flowed on the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

There is no "fragrance" here as imagined.

Only those sturdy big horses stopped in various places and looked west from time to time. The long wind blew from the north, stopping them from running, and their manes fluttered in the wind.

Perhaps they will never return to where they grew up.

This team of Arab scouts was the first wave of scouts to be completely wiped out by the Tang army.

However, the Arabs sent more than just this one scout to gather information.

In particular, they kept a close watch on the 30,000-strong coalition forces from the Anxi states in Rehaixi.

Li Xuan appointed Yuchi Sheng, the King of Khotan, as the temporary commander of the 30,000-strong coalition army of the Anxi states.

All countries, including the generals of Qiuci, must obey the orders of Yuchi Sheng.

Those who disobey will be beheaded!
After receiving the news, Yuchi Sheng broke camp and advanced towards Suiye City.

Behind Yuchi Sheng, there were 10,000 cavalrymen from the Great Wall Army following him.

Among the 10,000 Great Wall troops, there are 2,000 elite cavalry and 8,000 light cavalry.

In order to prevent the Arab cavalry from suddenly launching an all-out attack on the Anxi coalition forces, the elite troops of the Tang Dynasty must be stationed there to stabilize the situation.

The Arab scouts immediately passed the news of the Anxi coalition forces advancing westward to Ziyad ibn Sari.

Not only that.

Just one hour later, the Arab scouts discovered that several thousand light cavalrymen of the Anxi Jinglüe Army were making a detour to the southwest of Suiye City.

Each of them rode two horses and galloped very fast.

The intention is to intercept the Arabs.

An hour later, the Arab scouts discovered thousands of elite cavalrymen of the Anxi Jinglüe Army.

They also rode two horses each, all wearing the same Tang Dynasty Ming Guang armor. The sound of iron plates colliding could be heard from miles away.

This torrent of steel made the already cloudy day even more gloomy.

What's even more terrible is that the Modao Army and heavy cavalry, each with four horses, galloped towards Suiye City under the cover of two thousand light cavalry.

The military forces of the Tang Dynasty are closely connected. If the coalition forces of the Anxi countries are attacked, they can provide support in a short time.

……

At this moment, Ziyad ibn Sari ordered the Arab and Transoxiana coalition forces to attack the city of Suiye.

No chance for the Tang Dynasty's Suiye defenders to catch their breath.

The Arab soldiers were fearless, but the Transoxiana coalition forces on the four sides of the city walls were still lagging behind.

Even though Ziyad ibn Sari killed a Bukhara general and two Sogdian generals, it was difficult to conceal the passivity of the Transoxiana coalition forces.

On the west wall of Suiye City, Lai Chen was commanding the troops with his sword. The shouts of the Tang soldiers were deafening. They were extremely solemn and passionate.

Under the walls of Suiye, the Arab soldiers rushed towards the solid walls like a tide, erected ladders one after another, and climbed up with round shields in hand, but they were constantly repelled by thunder stones, rolling logs, and crossbows on the walls.

The Tang army's arrows flew like locusts, mercilessly shooting at the attacking Arab coalition forces. Every arrow carried the breath of death, and every boulder that rolled down splashed a blood mist.

Even if some Arab soldiers touched the city wall, blood would splatter on the tower in the next moment.

As time passed, the smell of blood became sickening.

The siege vehicle prepared by Ziyad ibn Sari attempted to ram the gate, but was quickly burned by the Tang army with hot oil.

Countless soldiers of the Arab-Arab coalition struggled in agony amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Ziyad ibn Sari saw this situation and was very worried.

As the first Arab to attack a major city of the Tang Dynasty, he issued a military order to the Governor of Khorasan and was full of confidence.

Although the army was not seriously damaged, it started off badly. Not even a single soldier climbed onto the city wall, which dealt a heavy blow to morale.

"General, the Tang army has left at least tens of thousands of soldiers in Suiye City. They have too many armors and are difficult to defeat."

The Arab cavalry commander Adu sent cavalry to explore the surroundings while the infantry was attacking.

He discovered that there were Tang soldiers rotating on the city walls, and the idea of ​​the Arabs to tire out the Tang army was not realistic.

Even if the Tang army threw all their thunder stones and rolling logs, it would not be easy to capture Suiye City in a short period of time.

"The Tang army came well prepared, waiting for our army to attack Suiye and crush our morale." How come Ziyad ibn Sari didn't know the purpose of the Tang army?

When in Samakan, the governor of Khorasan felt that Li Xuan was trying to lure them eastward.

Now it seems that this possibility is infinitely higher.

But even if he knew that the Tang army was "showing weakness to the enemy", Ziyad ibn Sari would not hesitate to cross mountains and rivers for the sake of the Arabs and the Khorasans. The rising Arab Empire had completely replaced the White Arabs. They were strong in military and horses, and had no reason to be afraid of the Tang Dynasty.

To conquer and expand territory like Khalid, the Sword of Allah, is the true quality of a hero.

The goal of the Arabs was to defeat the Tang army that was resounding along the Silk Road and seize the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty.

What Ziyad ibn Sari was most worried about was problems with the Qarlugs.

The Tang army's defense in Suiye was so strong that Ziyad ibn Sari began to doubt the Qarlugs.

"General, do you want to stop the attack for now? There is a saying in the Tang Dynasty that it is never too late to mend the fence after the sheep have been lost."

Adu asked Ziyad ibn Sari.

He believed that if they continued, the Arab soldiers would be committing suicide.

Because the Tang Dynasty's iron armor and powerful crossbows were beyond their imagination.

We should start from attack and then siege, and engage in a protracted war with the Tang Dynasty.

Or, seek an opportunity to annihilate the main force of the Tang army in the wilderness.

"Stop attacking Suiye City..."

Having hit a wall, Ziyad ibn Sari had no choice but to stop attacking Suiye City.

After a day of fighting, Ziyad ibn Sari knew that there was no point in continuing.

While their main force is still there, we should formulate other strategies.

"Report... General, the 30,000 Anxi coalition forces of the Tang army in Rehai are approaching Suiye City."

At this moment, the messenger ran to Ziyad ibn Sari and reported to him.

"The Tang army is about to move. They must have more than this. They will rely on the Suiye water to reorganize the army."

Ziyad ibn Sari's expression changed slightly, and he immediately made adjustments.

Although he kept a close watch on the Anxi coalition forces, he did not think that the Anxi coalition forces would dare to take the initiative to rescue Suiye.

After all, they have 100,000 infantry and cavalry, among which the Khorasan cavalry is one of the few elite troops in the entire Arab world.

The only explanation is that the Anxi coalition forces were backed by the Tang army.

"Report... General, the Tang army has at least 5,000 light cavalry. Each of them rides two war horses and is heading southwest of Suiye City..."

"General, the Tang army has at least 5,000 cavalrymen, each with two horses, coming from the west..."

"General..."

Ziyad ibn Sari's guess was correct. In the next two hours, dozens of waves of scouts returned to report to him that a large number of Tang army light cavalry and iron cavalry were surrounding them.

It is obvious that Suiye City is a bait of the Tang Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty was preparing for a great war between Eastern and Western civilizations with the Arabs to determine who would be the ruler of Central Asia!
Everything was planned by General Tian of the Tang Dynasty!
"Don't panic, everyone. Suiye City is high and difficult to attack. This kind of battle is our strong point. The formations of each camp are tightly arranged, and our army will attack and defend according to the situation. In the stalemate, the Tang army revealed its flaws!"

Ziyad ibn Sari had an army of 100,000 men, and although there were many casualties during the siege, in proportion, it was a very small loss.

"As ordered!"

The generals of the Arab Empire obeyed the order.

Ziyad ibn Sari had experienced hard battles and possessed first-class command ability. Under his command, nearly 100,000 troops completed preparations at the location where the Tang Dynasty was approaching within an hour.

The Khorasan cavalry of the Arabs were ready to stop them at any time.

As long as they can buy some time, the Arab camp will soon be formed.

Ziyad ibn Sari knew that the Transoxiana coalition forces were not united with their Arab soldiers.

He was afraid of rebellion in Bukhara and Sogdia, so he placed them in the front side.

First of all, it can stop the Tang army's attack in the first place.

Even if they had the intention to rebel, the Arabs could use spears to block the backs of the Bukhara and Sogdians, making it difficult for them to cause damage to their formation.

The rest of the Transoxiana army was placed on the flanks by Ziyad ibn Sari.

The soldiers of Suiye City were energized after the battle and were looking forward to seeing General Li coming to their aid so that they could fight the Arab coalition forces with real weapons.

The next morning, Lu Jing, the left wing commander of the Anxi Jinglüe Army, led light cavalry to approach Suiye City, less than twenty miles away from the Arab coalition forces stationed at Suiye River.

The cavalry can get through with just one charge.

But Lu Jiong had not received any orders and it was impossible for him to be so reckless.

The Arabs sent 10,000 cavalrymen to stand ten miles away from the light cavalry of the Anxi Jinglüe Army. They received orders from Ziyad ibn Sari not to act rashly.

Not long after, Che Shensai led his elite cavalry to a place fifteen miles east of Suiye City, and formed a supporting role with Lu Jing.

In the afternoon, Zhang Xing led the Modao Army and heavy cavalry behind the light cavalry and elite cavalry.

At the same time, Li Xuan had also arrived here.

"The commander of the Arab Empire gave up the siege and retreated several miles to Suiye City, stationing his troops at the Suiye River. This means he is cutting off his own retreat. This battle will ensure that not a single horse can return."

Li Xuan spoke to his subordinates and generals in the tent.

Instead of retreating, the Arabs wanted to engage in a field battle with the Tang Dynasty to decide the outcome.

This was within Li Xuan's expectations.

When the 100,000 troops of the Arab Empire came, they had no trouble passing through, but when they left, it was not so easy.

Because the Tang Dynasty's cavalry could easily catch up with the Arab coalition forces, which were mostly composed of infantry.

The Tang Dynasty could mobilize a large number of cavalry and mounted infantry.

The coalition forces of the Anxi states had 10,000 troops, the Qarlugs had 20,000 troops, the Jinglüe troops had 20,000 troops, the Great Wall troops had 10,000 troops, the Anxi Qiuci, Yanqi and other troops had 20,000 troops, and the Beiting's Hanhai and Tianshan troops had 10,000 troops.

Han Xin ordered troops, the more the better.

Li Xuan prefers to strike hard.

Some generals believed that having too many soldiers was not a good thing, but Li Xuan felt that as long as the commander was good, the tactics were strong, and there was sufficient food and grass.

You can achieve huge wins with minimal losses.

Every inch of prestige is established from this!
"General Li, the Arab coalition has only detected our Jinglüe Army and the coalition forces of various countries, and they are unaware that the Qarluk, Kucha, Hanhai, Tianshan and other armies have already detoured to the north and rear of the Arab coalition from the Yili River area. Therefore, as long as our army has the strength to concentrate, there is no need to take the initiative to attack and cut off the Arab food supply. The Arabs are isolated and helpless, and their defeat is only a matter of time."

Feng Changqing said to Li Xuan.

Although the major war has not yet begun, the situation is already very clear.

Li Xuan's strategy of luring the enemy deep into their territory was very effective, turning passivity into initiative.

If the Tang Dynasty took the initiative to attack without sufficient preparation, it would probably fall into a passive position.

Only by destroying the effective forces of the Arabs could the Tang army better enter the river and drink water from the Leizhu Sea.

Feng Changqing believes in Li Xuan's determination.

"I think the Tang elite cavalry should attack the Arabs immediately, so as not to tarnish your reputation as a great general!"

A weird voice sounded in the big tent.

It was the military inspector Bian Lingcheng.

He believed that Li Xuan was incompetent and that he should launch a surprise attack overnight while the Arabs were attacking Suiye.

Instead of procrastinating now and waiting for the arrival of Qerluks and others.

After this battle, Bian Lingcheng was very dissatisfied with Li Xuan.

He didn't want to come in the first place, as he was planning to investigate the workshops run by Li Xuan in Anxi.

Unexpectedly, Li Xuan forcibly brought him to the battlefield on the grounds that the army must have a military supervisor.

Gao Xianzhi didn’t dare to do this before.

Since the Battle of Xiaobolü, Bian Lingcheng has been sending several young eunuchs to follow the army, as the long journey was too tiring for them.

When raiding Xiaoboluo, Bian Lingcheng only went to Lianyunbao to rest, and asked Gao Xianzhi and Li Siye to go to Xiaoboluo.

"you shut up!"

Seeing that Bian Lingcheng was making a fuss, Li Xuan pointed at his seat and shouted at him, very rudely.

He was afraid that Bian Lingcheng would cause trouble in Qiuci City, so he forced him to accompany the army to provide security in the rear.

(End of this chapter)