Chapter 133: Eve of the War

In Shanzhou, a conference room in the Longyou Jiedushi Mansion was steaming. Dozens of generals who participated in the Hehuang Battle gathered together and were listening to the commander of the Hehuang Battle and the Longyou Jiedushi Geshuhan conveyed the latest orders from the court.

"The emperor has issued a strict order and cannot take the Shibao City within three months. My brother Shuhan's head will be hung under the Mingde Gate of Chang'an. Similarly, I cannot take the Shibao City. Everyone here is my brother Shuhan's burial. I will kill you all before the court kills me."

Geshuhan swept coldly to the twenty-four generals present. These generals came from five major systems, Longyou, Shuofang, Hexi, Anxi, and Dong Yanguang from the Chang'an garrison. For the past six months, Geshuhan has been committed to integrating them and trying to forge them into an iron block for fighting together. But the facts proved that he was wrong. He did not have enough authority to suppress these generals. They still had their own ideas. The loss of Shenwei Castle is the best example.

The cavalry were a hundred miles away at that time. When the beacon of Shenwei Fortress was lit, they stopped moving. They slowly rose up until the loss of Shenwei Fortress. However, the reason they told themselves was very simple. They did not tell them that they had the obligation to rescue Shenwei Fortress. This incident made Geshuhan both angry, but also made him awake. He could not integrate these five armies of different systems, unless they were all replaced by their own subordinates, but the court did not give him this power.

Geshuhan knew very well that the emperor gave him three months, which did not mean that he could calmly hit the stone castle city in two months. At that time, a small change would make the situation irreversible. The emperor gave him three months, and he could only give himself one month.

"I have so many words at the beginning. I'll give me any opinions now. I'll deploy a battle later. If I have any opinions at that time, I'm sorry, then you get out of Longyou!"

Geshuhan made a harsh statement, and the conference room was silent. Abus gently stroked a few short beards, with a look of disdain in his eyes. Didn’t Geshuhan’s words be directed at him? Didn’t he take action because of the Battle of Shenwei City? Who did he think he was, did he think he was Wang Zhongsi? Humph!

"General Abus, do you have any objection?" Geshuhan glanced at Abus and asked coldly.

"No! What do I have to say? Geshuhan, you have ordered it, but my cavalry is not suitable for mountain combat. Please consider this."

Abus means telling Geshuhan that he would not participate in the battle of Shibao City. Geshuhan sneered and said, "General Abus, the battle of Shibao City will be completed by Longyou, Hexi and Anxi. Your cavalry is carrying out another mission."

"Okay, Brother Shuhan will give the order! I'll listen."

Just as Geshuhan and Abus were arguing, Li Siye quietly said to Li Qing'an: "Qilang, why didn't Geshu mention your great victory in Longju Island? Didn't the court commend any of it?"

"I don't know either. Maybe the court wants to commend it in the last time!"

Li Qing'an's mind was not about commendation. At today's military meeting, Geshuhan finally set up the Shibao City, but Li Qing'an believed that the time is not ripe. First of all, it was winter, covered with heavy snow in Chiling, which is conducive to defense but not to attack. This was deeply understood when he defended Yinglong City. Secondly, the army had never had joint combat exercises and was engaged in combat without integration. Could it be a tacit understanding? Abus also challenged Geshuhan! Secondly, the logistics food and grass were insufficient. The Tang army was short of food and grass, but the Tubo army also faced supply pressure. If it could be delayed until February next year, not only would the attack be easy, but the internal internal of the Tubo army would also change. Isn't the battle now that it is the Tubo people's wishes?

Although he thought so, Li Qing'an did not say much. These Geshuhan could also think of it. It was just the pressure from the court that forced him to start war early. At this time, Geshuhan finally began to deploy. He said to Abus first: "General Abus, the task of your 30,000 Shuofang Army is to suppress Shenwei City and force the Tubo army in Chiling to dare not retreat to support Shibao City. If possible, you take Shenwei City for me!"

Abus snorted, neither agreeing nor expressing his opinion, just saying that he knew. Geshuhan glanced at him and asked again: "General Abus, have you heard my order clearly?"

"I heard clearly. Isn't it just to restrain the Tubo army in Chiling on the northern line? No problem, I can do it."

"Okay, if you miss the Battle of Stone Castle City, I'll take action against you!"

Geshuhan snorted heavily and said to another headache character Dong Yanguang: "General Dong, the next important task is to trouble you."

Dong Yanguang is the general of the left guard. Last year, because Wang Zhongsi refused to attack Shibao City, Li Longji sent him to attack Shibao City. As a result, Dong Yanguang put the blame on Wang Zhongsi, causing Wang Zhongsi to be dismissed. After Geshuhan succeeded as the governor of Longyou, Dong Yanguang did not return to Chang'an, but was named the governor of Shanzhou and the deputy envoy of Longyou Jiedu, assisting Geshuhan in attacking Tubo. In this battle of Hehuang, he was even named deputy general and became the second commander. Geshuhan was against

Dong Yanguang's headache was not because Dong Yanguang was his deputy general. The last time Dong Yanguang led 30,000 Longyou Army to attack Shibao City, he did not hand over the military power. Instead, he took control of the 30,000 army as the governor of Shanzhou. The court also agreed to this that Geshuhan's new official took office and could do nothing to deal with him. Since Dong Yanguang had failed to attack Shibao City, he remained silent in this battle of Hehuang and did not express any opinions on all major military affairs.

Dong Yanguang is tall and thin, fair-skinned, and is about forty years old. Among the thick and dark-skinned generals, he seems a little ahead of his crowd. When he heard Ge Shuhan assigning him a task, he responded lightly, "Master, please say!"

Geshuhan pondered for a moment. He wanted Dong Yanguang to be responsible for intercepting the reinforcements from Dafeichuan, but he was still a little worried about making this decision. If such an important task was handed over to Dong Yanguang, can he complete it? However, Geshuhan also understood that Dong Yanguang was Li Longji's beloved general. If it were not for his defeat in attacking Shibao City, then the Longyou Jiedushi would be Dong Yanguang, not his Geshuhan. In this battle of Hehuang, Dong Yanguang was appointed as the deputy general, so he wanted to make another great contribution to make up for the failure of the last attack on Shibao City. Therefore, Dong Yanguang must be reused, but let him attack Shibao City. Geshuhan was not at ease. After thinking about it, Geshuhan decided to let him be responsible for intercepting the main force of Tubo in Dafeichuan.

"General Dong, your task is to intercept the Tubo reinforcements from Dafeichuan after General Abus restrained Chiling's heavy army in Shenwei City. After you led 30,000 troops from the Qinghai Lake and 30,000 Hexi troops to detour Chiling from the surface of Qinghai Lake."

"Wait a minute!"

Dong Yanguang said anxiously: "Did the general ask me to intercept the main force of the Tubo army?"

"That's right, I don't want General Dong to last long. As long as I intercept for three days, I will admit that General Dong will be the first to be the first to win in the battle of Stone Castle City."

Dong Yanguang was a little moved. He could only get his first prize in three days. This could be considered. He thought about it and said, "Okay! I obey the commander's arrangement."

The Shuofang Army, Hexi Army and Dong Yanguang's troops all went there, and the remaining frontal attack on Shibao City was completed by the main force of his Longyou Army. At this time, Geshuhan's eyes glanced at Li Qing'an and Li Siye again. These two were representatives of the Anxi Army and the only one who was good at commanding him. Geshuhan smiled and said, "Siye's Modao Army is a fierce attacker. This time he will follow me to attack head-on, as for General Qing'an."

Geshuhan pointed to the back mountain of Chiling and said, "General Qing'an's mission is to cooperate with the main force's frontal attack and launch surprise troops into the back of Shibao City."

Li Siye and Li Qing'an looked at each other at the same time. Li Siye hurriedly said: "Master, the back mountain of Chiling is the place where the Tubo army is heavily deployed. Our Anxi army major general Wei, how can we kill Shibao City from the back mountain? Please think twice."

Geshuhan waved his hand and smiled without waiting for Li Qing'an to speak, "Siye, don't worry. I did not ask General Qing'an to seize the Shibao City. My commander meant to let him attack from the back mountain to attract the attention of the Tubo army. General Qing'an was all scouts under his command, and he was fully competent. Besides, the Tubo army in Chiling would be attracted to the front line of Shenwei City by then, and General Dong Yanguang was intercepted by the Tubo army in Dafeichuan. In fact, General Qing'an's mission is very easy. This is also the general who takes care of the Anxi army. Don't refuse."

After saying that, Ge Shuhan glanced at Li Qing'an. He did not dare to attack Shuofang Army and Hexi Army. If the Anxi Army dared to disobey, he would use Li Qing'an to establish the military power. Li Qing'an pulled Li Siye for a moment, stood up and bowed, "The last general obeyed the order!"

Geshuhan laughed, "Okay! A real man should be so happy!"

As soon as the laughter stopped, he glanced at everyone and said slowly: "I will arrange the time for each army to send troops in detail, but the time for taking down Shibao City has been determined. Before the first day of the first lunar month of the eighth year of Tianbao, I must take it down!"

After the meeting, Geshuhan ordered someone to invite Li Qing'an to his study.

"The last general will meet Geshu!" Li Qing'an entered the house and half-kneeled to salute Geshuhan.

"Haha! Qilang doesn't have to be polite."

Ge Shuhan quickly smiled and helped him up, asked him to sit down, and ordered his personal soldiers to serve him a cup of tea.

"Qilang, the imperial court did not reward you in time for the victory of Longju Island last time, do you have any complaints?"

"The subordinates have no complaints."

Geshuhan smiled and said, "Actually, I have reported your achievements to the court, and I have also reported the incident of a surprise attack on Fuqi City and burning military rations to the court in time, and the emperor has made a statement."

As he said that, he received a decree forwarded by the Ministry of War and handed it to Li Qing'an, "You have a look first!"

Li Qing'an opened the jute imperial edict issued by the Secretariat and looked at it. The imperial edict clearly pointed out his merits, attacked Fuqi City and burned Tubo's military rations; the victory of Longju Island boosted the morale of the Tang army, and all made great contributions to commend them after the Hehuang war was over.

Geshuhan sighed and said, "The reason why I didn't ask the court to reward you immediately is because the faction in the army is complicated. You saw just now. Abus and Dong Yanguang are all rebellious people. Once you reward you, they will not do it first. Yesterday, Abus also asked me to yell, saying that he saved Yang Jinghui, why can't he be rewarded? I said that Li Qing'an had made such a great contribution and had not been rewarded yet. Then he shut up. Oh! I am the general commander of the Battle of Hehuang, and I supervise more than 100,000 people. Everyone thinks that this battle will be won. Only I know in my heart that it is difficult to win this battle! An internal friction will control your hands and feet."

Li Qingan pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Don't worry, I have no complaints. I just thought that the Marshal transferred Abus and Dong Yanguang's troops and entrusted them with important tasks. But it does not guarantee that the two of them will cooperate with the main force in the battle, especially Dong Yanguang's troops, can he really intercept the main force of the Tubo army?"

"I know this in my mind. I don't want them to really fight against Tubo. As long as they make a gesture, they can disperse the Tubo army and make it impossible for the Tubo army to see my true intention. As long as I capture Shibao City, Chiling will be my pocket."

Speaking of this, Ge Shuhan stared into Li Qing'an's eyes and said, "And you attack Shibao City from behind. This is the key to the entire battle situation. Shibao City can only accommodate thousands of people, which is not terrible. What is terrible is its continuous reinforcements, so you must restrain the reinforcements of Shibao City and reduce the pressure of my frontal attack. Qilang, for two days, as long as you delay the Tubo army for two days, you will be the number one hero of this Hehuang Battle. If you fail, it means the failure of the entire Hehuang Battle. Do you understand?"

A team of cavalry was running rapidly in the deserted plateau meadow. The snow-capped Chiling was far away. The sunset shone on the Chuhong ridge, with a bloody desolation of dusk. To the west was the vast Qinghai water. There seemed to be a blazing fire on the ice field. Li Qingan slowly held the war horses and stared at the red sunset in the distance. Ge Shuhan's words were still lingering in his mind, "Two days, as long as you hold the Tubo army for two days, you will be the number one hero of this Hehuang Battle. If you fail, it means the failure of the entire Hehuang Battle. Do you understand? The sunset shines on his clearly contoured face, and there seems to be flames burning in his eyes. It is a kind of military responsibility and perseverance.

In December of the cold winter, the land is cold and frost. The man will die without hesitation and dare to give it to you.

Li Qingan whipped the war horse hard and ran towards the boundless Qinghai ice field.

Starting from December 15, the war machine of the Tang army began to be launched. The 30,000 Shuofang Army led by Abus and the 60,000 Tang Army led by Dong Yanguang, a total of 90,000 troops were heading towards Xihai County hundreds of miles away at the same time.

It had just fallen heavily in the sky. On the vast grassland covered with mud and snow, grain trucks covered with oil cloth, large trucks loaded with wheat poles and hay, and huge baggage sleds, swaying and squeaking forward. Snowflakes are flying in the sky. It is the coldest season in Hehuang. The alpine meadows and frozen gullies are filled with thick white snow, and the remaining veins of Datong Mountain in the distance show a blurred outline.

The Tang army stepped on the mud, braved the dense snow, accompanied by shouts and curses, with the crackling sound of whips and the creaking of the axles, and the sound of the carriages was huge, like the tide of the sea. From time to time, you could see dying animals or animals lying on both sides of the team, and occasionally a large cart with wheels facing the sky.

Sometimes a team of cavalry rushed into the crowd, so the soldiers kept shouting and cursing, and the horses stood up and kept neighing. A large cart full of food and grass would roll down the slope, and the people on the car would also roll down.

In front, in the middle of the torrent of vehicles, soldiers lined up in long queues and marched in the sticky mud and mud, and the crowd was mixed with carriages carrying light weapons such as knives, guns, bows and crossbows. The escort soldiers were lying in the tent, and people kept running out of the line, crawling into the bushes, and squatting down.

Two miles away parallel to the army is the Huangshui River. The river is filled with thick ice. Thousands of Longyou civilians are struggling to pull teams of huge baggage sleds, emitting low, rhythmic and shocking horns.

The baggage sled was loaded with various heavy siege tools, and had not yet been assembled ladders, nest vehicles, building vehicles, and a large number of tents and grains. They stretched for more than ten miles and were invisible at first sight. In addition, there were terrifying siege machines, siege rams and buckets of turbulent oil, all of which were guarded by heavy troops.

Their destination is Qinghai, three hundred miles away. The marching speed is extremely slow and the team has been away for five days.

A cavalry team rushed past the team, splashing large sludge mixed with snow. Several soldiers could not hide, and their faces were splashed with mud and water.

"I'll fuck your mother!"

Before he finished speaking, there was a crisp sound of "bang!", and another blood-red whip mark appeared on his face covered in mud.

A horse rushed past him, causing a sound of wind.

"You are blind, how dare you scold General Abus."

Abus's face was gloomy, and he rode forward, crossing a group of Tang troops. In front of him was a bare dense forest. The guards were tightly guarded around the dense forest and soldiers were not allowed to enter. In the dense forest, Dong Yanguang was resting with his dozen civil servants and staff.

"I am Shuofang Abus, and I want to see you General Dong."

Abus was originally the leader of the Tieltongluo tribe of the nine Turkic surnames. He belonged to the Eastern Turkic Khan. He had a large population and strong power. During the rule of the Eastern Turkic Khan, he appointed him as Ye Hu in the west, second only to the Khan. The Eastern Turkic Khan was destroyed. After Wusumishi Khan was attacked and killed by the coalition forces of Basimi, Uighurs and Gelulu, he led his troops to join the Tang Dynasty. He was named King of Fengxin by Li Longji, and also gave the Han name Li Xianzhong, and placed his tribe in Henan to the governor of Shuofang.

The only Tang army general whom Abus convinced was Wang Zhongsi, the former governor of Shuofang. After Wang Zhongsi was innocently dismissed from military service, he felt dissatisfied with the court. This time he was transferred to participate in the Hehuang Battle to assist Geshuhan in attacking Shibao City. He felt that the court was taking the opportunity to weaken him. His subordinates were basically cavalry. How could he participate in the tough battle of Shibao City?

It is precisely because of this kind of distrust that he has been passively responding to the war since the war started. When the Tubo army attacked Shenwei City, he stationed troops a hundred miles away. When he saw the beacon of Shenwei City, he was unwilling to go to rescue him, but he finally responded to the remnants of the Tang army. It was this incident that caused him to have conflicts with the Tuqi Shiren Geshuhan, whom he had already looked down upon.

After a moment, Dong Yanguang rode out of the dense forest and bowed and smiled, "General Abus, why are you still behind me?"

Abus turned over and dismounted and smiled, "General Dong, I want to say a few words to you, but I wonder if it's convenient?"

Dong Yanguang glanced at him deeply and waved his hand at Shulinxu, "General Abus, please!"

The two walked into the woods and sat down on two big rocks. A personal soldier brought them two cups of hot tea. Abus took a sip of hot tea, and a heat gushed into his chest and drove away the chill in his chest and abdomen. He smiled and said, "General Dong, do you think the Tubo army will know about our large-scale march?"

"If Shenwei City was controlled by the Tang army, they would not know, but now, they must have received the information."

Abus nodded and said, "So I want to remind General Dong to beware of being surrounded by heavy troops from the Tubo people."

Dong Yanguang was stunned for a moment, and he suddenly heard what Abus meant.

"The general means, does Geshuhan want to use me as bait?"

Abus smiled coldly and said, "I didn't say that. General Dong can think about it himself, but one thing is certain. Geshuhan deliberately transferred us away, just to prevent us from participating in the Stone Castle City."
Chapter completed!