Three days later, at noon.

The sky is high and the clouds are wide, and the cool breeze blows on my face.

In a valley, the army marched slowly, without panting or blushing. After three consecutive days, the soldiers had basically adapted to the high mountain climate and were full of energy.

A scout galloped over on horseback, said a few words to Duan Zan, and then returned. Duan Zan did not delay, came to Qin Huaidao and said: "Sir, the scouts who dispersed found a hidden valley ahead, and there was a group of horses in it.

There are more than 200 bandits. Bandits are always vigilant and will arrange secret sentries to monitor the surrounding areas. We have to take a detour."

Qin Huaidao was about to agree when he met many tribes and bandits along the way. In order to avoid being exposed, they all chose to take a detour. Suddenly he thought that the brothers had been traveling for three days and urgently needed to take a good rest and regain their strength. Bandit dens are generally not

There will be people coming here, it's a good shelter.

With a thought in his heart, Qin Huaidao immediately said: "Arrange some people, surround them on all sides, seize the den, and then send people out for ten miles around to remove the concealed equipment. Don't be in a hurry today, have a good rest, and talk about it tomorrow."

Duan Zan looked at the large army. Although he was in a good mental state, something would happen after the state passed. He was a bit exhausted and needed a rest. He immediately agreed: "Follow the order!"

With an order, a large army broke away from the main force and accelerated its advance.

The main force continued to move forward slowly. After half an hour, they arrived at a hidden valley, surrounded by mountains. Only a narrow canyon could enter. The canyon was like a thin line of sky. Fortunately, carriages could pass through, but there was a cave in the valley, with splashing waterfalls and green grass.

It is lush and has a huge cave, which can be called a paradise.

The attacking troops were carrying the corpses of bandits. Duan Zan learned about the situation and came over to report: "Sir, no one has escaped the trap. There is a big pit in the cave, where the corpses are thrown. There is also some food, cattle, sheep and biological supplies hidden, which is enough for three armies."

God needs it.”

"How many horses are there?" Qin Huaidao asked.

"More than three hundred horses. Some were injured in the battle, and there are more than two hundred that can be used."

"It's still not enough. Our war horses on the plateau can only carry loads and cannot run fast. We must ride horses produced in Tibet. Take your time and equip all the horses to the scouts to increase the number of scouts. Starting tomorrow, the scouts will spread out for twenty miles.

, the army needs to march in a hurry, take a good rest today, remember, the water must be boiled before drinking, whoever dares to disobey will be engaged in military law." Qin Huaidao warned.

Duan Zan didn't understand why Qin Huaidao repeatedly emphasized this point, but he rushed to make arrangements like a mountain of generals.

"Let's find a place to rest." Qin Huaidao looked at Xue Rengui.

Xue Rengui nodded and opened the way. The group came to a thatched house and stopped. The carriage gathered together. Half of the people stayed to guard the carriage, while the other half rushed into the room to clean up briefly and light a fire for cooking.

Qin Huaidao sat down on a stone at the door of a thatched house, looked at the busy army, and kept giving orders to Dan Duan Zan, and said with a smile: "Ten thousand people use their fingers like arms, and the orders and prohibitions are carried out in an orderly manner. It is indeed the style of a father.

Brother Xue, learn a little, you will need it in the future."

"There is indeed a way. I have learned a lot along the way." Xue Rengui said with emotion.

The two chatted casually, and not long after, a soldier brought three sheep. Xue Rengui asked one of his men to come over and borrow them. After the opponent left, he asked: "Young master, should you roast them?"

"Let's find something to stew. Haven't you eaten enough roasted here?"

"That's fine." Xue Rengui smiled and made arrangements.

Qin Huaidao took out the map to look at it, but the standard of the drawing was too unclear and he could not find his location at all. He could only make a rough estimate. He estimated that it would take a month to go around the mountains and ridges like this. He must speed up the road behind and ensure at least

March two hundred miles and strive to reach the royal city within twenty days.

Not long after, Duan Zan hurried over and said, "Sir, the troops who searched the surrounding areas returned and found hidden stakes. They were all killed and no one escaped. Are we really going to rest here for a day?"

"Are you worried that this is a place of death?" Qin Huaidao saw that the other party was worried and asked bluntly. Seeing him nod, he continued: "There is no one around and no one has come back. Moreover, the whereabouts of our army have not been exposed, and the Tibetan army will not come. What's the matter?

Worried? But be careful. The scouts put on bandit clothes, pretend to be bandits, and disperse for thirty miles to keep watch. If anyone is approaching, they will be killed directly."

"This is a good idea. I'll make arrangements here." Duan Zan's eyes lit up and he hurried away.

Xue Rengui came over with a pot of stewed mutton in a dignified manner: "Young Master, eat some, General Duan is a little timid."

"No, he just abided by his duty and came to ask for instructions. In fact, he had already made plans in his mind."

"Is that so?" Xue Rengui was a little skeptical, but said nothing more.

The two of them chatted about the journey ahead while eating. After eating and drinking, they found a place to lie down and rest.

…

Early the next morning, the army, which had rested for a day, was in high spirits, resurrected with full blood, well fed and drunk, and broke out of camp. They took the food captured from the bandits and set off, heading straight to the west.

More than four hundred scouts spread out to conduct reconnaissance thirty miles away. News came one after another like a pipeline. The army tried its best to avoid the tribes and villages they encountered along the way. If they couldn't avoid it, they killed them. If they encountered herdsmen, they looted them to replenish food.

, in extraordinary times, take extraordinary measures.

In order to reduce the risk of exposure, the army marched at night after two days, found a sheltered place to rest after dawn, and continued marching after dark. The black and white were reversed, and the body was a little unable to bear it, but the risk of exposure was greatly reduced.

Five days later, the army encountered another group of horse bandits, killed them all, and seized thousands of horses. They rested for a day in a hidden bandit den, recovered their strength, and continued on their way. The terrain ahead became flat and vast, and they marched.

The speed increased again.

Ten days later, the army was only three days away from Luoche City, the royal city of Tubo. There were more and more tribes along the way. To be on the safe side, when encountering large tribes that could not be swallowed up in one bite, they chose to go around. Even if they walked a little longer, they could swallow them up in one bite.

Be absolutely unambiguous and try to control exposure risks.

Originally it only took three days to travel, but the army marched for two more days. Using the cover of darkness at night, they marched 30 miles outside Luoche City and rested in a valley to wait for dawn.

A battle was about to begin, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the army, indifference and silence. The soldiers began to clean their swords, feed materials to the horses, and prepare for the battle.

Duan Zan brought his generals and generals to look for him. There was going to be a battle at dawn. No one could remain calm. Duan Zan did not hide it and said directly: "Sir, how are we going to fight this battle?"

Along the way, Qin Huaidao didn't say anything about his battle plan. It wasn't that he didn't want to say it, but he was unsure. There was too little information to make arrangements. He had been to Lhasa in later generations, but the Luoshu City in this life was not Lhasa. Who knows?

What's the terrain like?

Qin Huaidao understood everyone's mood and said bluntly: "Tonight, the soldiers have a good rest and recover their strength. I will take people to see the terrain in person. I will make a decision when I come back. Brother Xue, come with me."

"No problem." Xue Rengui agreed.

"Sir, are you going to investigate in person?" Duan Zan was anxious.

Qin Huaidao interrupted: "The key to this battle is to go and see for yourself. Come back after daybreak and the army will be left to you. It will be dark and no one will come. If someone comes, just silence them. Brother Xue, let's go and don't ride on the horse."

The two left in a hurry and quickly disappeared into the night.

Duan Zan and others saw this scene and didn't know what to say. They said they were irresponsible. They went to investigate in person. They said they were responsible. How could the commander-in-chief of an army go to investigate in person? What would happen if something went wrong?

"Okay, everyone should perform their duties, but nothing will happen tonight. We will wait until the master comes back." Duan Zan warned.

When everyone saw that Duan Zan had said this, they couldn't discuss it further and dispersed one after another.

…

On a mountain ridge, two black figures moved quickly. Xue Rengui, who was following behind him, couldn't help but said: "Young Master, what did General Duan mean just now?"

"They are anxious, but it is understandable. The army has already arrived at its destination. It has been sleeping rough and suffering all the way, but there is no way to fight. It would be strange if they are not anxious. Can they speed up a little?" Qin Huaidao asked.

"no problem."

The speed of the two suddenly increased. Qin Huaidao was worried about being exposed, so he personally led the way and ran in uninhabited places. Using the cover of the mountainous terrain, he unknowingly came to a hillside. As expected, the front was open and a city appeared. It was made of rammed soil, but it was nestled against the mountain.

However, there is only one way to go up.

There are many earthen walls and some fortresses built around the city. The steep terrain gives people a majestic and solemn feeling. It is not easy to attack. There is a large open land directly in front of the city, and some low thatched houses in the distance.

, well-proportioned and densely packed.

After feeling the direction of the wind, it was blowing from the southwest. There are also hillsides in the southeast that can be used. It is not a big problem for the hot air balloon to rise. Qin Huaidao felt confident and continued to observe Luoche City under the moonlight while whispering: "Brother Xue, you

Look at the city’s defenses, how many troops and horses are expected?”

"It's hard to judge, but look at the size of the city, and consider that there are many nobles in the royal city, with a force of about 20,000 to 30,000, and there is no room for any more. This is a royal city, and it has never encountered foreign enemies, so it is impossible to station too many troops."

"Twenty or thirty thousand?" Qin Huaidao saw that it was about the same as he had expected. He thought for a while and continued: "Duan Zan knows the situation in Tubo best. He said that Tubo has a standing army of about 500,000. Lu Dongzan was captured some time ago.

In order to deter the Tang Dynasty, the troops on the border reached 300,000, and 200,000 troops were stationed north of Tubo. The remaining 100,000 troops should be distributed to the west of Tubo to prevent sneak attacks from the west."

"Isn't it true that 600,000 troops are on the border?" Xue Rengui asked in surprise.

"That's right, Tubo has high terrain and low air pressure. Outsiders cannot adapt to it and no one can break in. There is no big problem of internal emptiness. If you were the King of Tubo, you would deploy in this way. It would be a complete waste to keep the troops inside the country."

"It makes sense. The 20,000 to 30,000 troops in the city should be the Forbidden Army. If we capture them, wouldn't they be able to bring down the top Tibetan officials?" Xue Rengui said excitedly.

Qin Huaidao's eyes lit up. He really hadn't thought about this problem. Before, he just thought about bombarding Luoche City and forcing the opponent to surrender through precise strikes. He looked around for reminders and was suddenly moved. He secretly sighed in his heart. This Xue Rengui is worthy of being a military god.

, with unique vision and boundless courage, he smiled and said: "Tell me what you think."

"Really?" Xue Rengui looked at Qin Huaidao and saw that Qin Huaidao smiled and said nothing. He became more courageous and said excitedly: "When we came here, there was a valley with dangerous terrain, which is conducive to ambush. Let's take a detour to the southwest and then rise with the wind.

The hot air balloon can be used to control the direction after the air attack on Luoche City, and it can land in that valley. When the enemy sees the hot air balloon, they will definitely send troops to chase and kill them. When the time comes, it will be all over."

"How many people do you expect the enemy to chase?" Qin Huaidao asked.

Xue Rengui heard the implication, thought about it carefully, and said with a wry smile: "It's a bit difficult. The enemy can only chase ten thousand people. After all, the nobles in the city are also afraid of death. They will leave a large army behind, even if they kill ten thousand people, it will be useless."

, can’t take the city.”

After all, it was his first time on the battlefield, and the heat was still a little low. Qin Huaidao gave some pointers and whispered: "What if we launch an attack overnight?"

"Night attack?" Xue Rengui was shocked. Flying in the night sky was no joke, but then he thought about it. He was sleeping at night. If a terrorist attack was launched and a large area was exploded, the destructive power would be more than twice as strong as during the day. Even the bombing would cause the house to collapse.

Buried, maybe half of the army can be killed.

However, it's useless to kill half of them, they still can't win, unless...

Thinking of a certain possibility, Xue Rengui was shocked: "Young Master, do you mean that the army attacked the city overnight?"

"That's right, let's go to war. Be bolder and bolder." Qin Huaidao said with a satisfied smile.
To be continued...