Dadou Bago was only fifty kilometers away from Zhangye City. Shang Qixin'er was afraid that the army would be ambushed by the Tang army, so she ordered the troops to move very slowly.
After walking for two full days, we finally saw the city wall of Zhangye City.
Arriving in front of Zhangye City, Shang Qi'er, who had been guarding against the Tang army's attack all the way, finally felt relieved.
He ordered the army to set up camp and summoned his generals to discuss the attack on the city.
Dongri Malang walked into the big tent arrogantly. Dadou Bugu's plan made him become Shang Qi's confidant. Even Gar, who captured Dadou Bago, was suppressed by Dongri Malang.
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Garze walked into the big tent with his head lowered. He was very dissatisfied and just tried his best to suppress his emotions.
Gar is also a retainer of Shang Qixin'er, but his family is originally located in the north of the Tubo East Road, relatively far from Tianqian City.
In the eyes of many of Shang Qixin'er's retainers, Gar and Da Lun were at odds with each other, and there was always a tendency to betrayal.
This is also normal. The relationship between the monarch and his vassals in Tubo is also constantly changing.
It is also common for some retainers to be poached by other nobles and lead their territories and troops to defect to other lords.
The territory where Gar is located is the main route to the core area of Tubo. He has been flirting with Zanpu's envoy for a long time. Even Shang Qixin'er suspected that he would betray her and join Zanpu.
This was completely incomprehensible in the Tang Dynasty. The emperor had no motive to poach his guests.
However, under the feudal system of Tubo, the greatest influence of the Tubo Zampu is the direct fiefdom of Zampu. If it is not to be ignored by the powerful officials, it must expand the territory of the direct fiefdom.
Gar could not gain Shang Qixin'er's trust, so during this expedition, Shang Qixin'er even ordered Gar to bring all the troops in the territory to join the battle.
Gar knew that he was not welcome, so he had no choice but to fight with his illness.
In contrast, Dongri Malang is the castle master that Shang Qi's heart relies on.
His territory is not far from Tianqian City, and daily worship is in place.
Because the territories are close together, he often attends banquets in Tianqian City and has a close relationship with Shang Qixin'er.
Dongri Malang looked at Gar arrogantly, then sat down in the big tent, waiting for Shang Qixin'er's arrival.
After all the generals had arrived, Shang Qixin'er took her son Dai Ze into the tent.
Daize, who was demoted to the rank of captain of thousands, naturally walked before the generals.
The captains like Gar were secretly angry. Seeing the arrogant look on Dai Ze's face, they became even more dissatisfied with the heir to this great theory.
However, a group of nobles such as Dongri Malang nodded and bowed to Dai Ze, showing closeness and support.
After Shang Qixin'er sat down, the generals stood up and performed military salutes.
But Shang Qixin'er did not ask them to sit down as before, but continued:
"The army will take a rest today and attack Zhangye City again tomorrow."
"But this city has been run by the Han people for many years. The city wall is tall and strong. Let's discuss how to attack it."
Shang Qixin'er's eyes swept over the standing soldiers, and she was secretly happy in her heart.
This is the advice given by Master Shantarakshita from Zamputing, "The superior should have the majesty of the superior."
In order to maintain her authority as the host, after reprimanding several generals who were disrespectful to her, Shang Qixin'er has become more and more impressive recently.
Then a few soldiers walked into the tent and removed the beds behind the generals. At this moment, Gar finally understood that he would probably have to stand up to discuss matters in the future.
Dongri Malang first said: "Big talk, Zhangye City is high, but according to our intelligence, the number of defenders is not large."
"Our army should attack in full force and surround Zhangye City. When the Tang army sees the momentum of our army, they will definitely be in disarray and will surrender soon."
Shang Qi nodded slightly in her heart. Dongri Malang's thoughts were also in line with her own. Now that the main army has not achieved any success in the expedition, its officers and soldiers are tired, and there are quite a lot of complaints in the army. Only by quickly capturing Zhangye City can the morale of the army be stabilized.
Shang Qi nodded heartily and was about to agree to Dongri Malang's plan.
Then I saw Gar coming out of the queue and saying, "Big talk! No!"
I only saw Gar saying: "The truth is, the city of Zhangye is high. Although the number of defenders is not large, the city defense preparations are sufficient. If our army rushes to attack by force, we will definitely lose our troops and generals."
"The location of Yu Chixin's troops is unknown. If our entire army attacks without leaving any reserves, and Yuchixin suddenly rushes out, we may be in danger of the entire army being defeated."
Speaking of Yu Chixin, Shang Qixin'er's expression also changed.
Shang Qixin'er has been investigating the location of Yuchixin's army since crossing the valley.
Yu Chixin defeated him many times and was a serious problem for Tubo.
Although it was known from Daize's defeated army that Yuchixin's men were at full strength, which was only about 5,000 troops.
Not seeing this troop, Shang Qi'er still felt uneasy.
However, the scouts sent out found no trace of Yuchixin's army at all.
When Shang Qixin'er heard what Gar said, she hesitated again.
Gar continued: "The city of Zhangye is tall, but there are also many people in the city. Hexi has not been peaceful in recent years, and Zhangye's grain reserves are not much."
"We might as well send advance troops to surround Zhangye City and cut off Zhangye City's supplies. The army will camp on the edge of Zhangye City and suppress the defenders in Zhangye City."
"When the city sees our army behind us, it will definitely not dare to break through forcefully, and can only be trapped in the city."
"As long as we are trapped for more than a month and there is chaos in Zhangye City, we can naturally capture Zhangye without losing any troops."
Many generals in the big tent also nodded. Gar's strategy of being trapped was obviously more secure.
Gar continued: "Our army will not disperse. No matter how brave and skilled Yuchixin is, he will not dare to attack us easily."
"If Yu Chixin comes to rescue Zhang Ye, or if King Jianning sends troops from Longyou to support Zhang Ye, then we can defeat them outside the city!"
Gar's strategy was indeed sound, and all the soldiers turned their attention to Shang Qixin'er, waiting for his decision.
Shang Qixin'er remained silent, while his son Daize, who was standing in the first row below him, quietly winked at Dongri Malang.
Dongri Malang received the signal, and he immediately jumped out and said:
"Gar, are you afraid of the Tang people?"
Gar was also furious: "Am I afraid of the Tang people? I captured the Great Dou Valley! Without me, you would still be drinking from the northwest wind in the south of Qilian Mountain!"
Dongri Malang pointed at Gar's nose and said: "I think you are afraid of the Tang people? We have 35,000 troops, can't we attack the small Zhangye City?"
"Yu Chi can only trust five thousand people, so he scares you like this? If he dares to come with five thousand people, he will never come back!"
"coward!"
In winter, Malang pointed at his nose and scolded Gar, which made Gar's veins jump in anger.
He was about to rush over and have a physical fight with Dongri Malang, but was stopped by Shang Qixin'er's cough.
Shang Qixin'er said: "You are all generals with tens of millions of troops! How dare you use fists and kicks like a child? Is this where your courage lies?"
It was as if a basin of cold water had been poured on Gar, and Shang Qi'er was about to go astray.
Sure enough, Shang Qixin'er first reprimanded Gar in a stern tone: "Gar! Is the discussion in the army bigger than someone's fist? Do you have the strength to fight against the Tang people?"
Gar lowered his head, and Shang Qixin'er said to Dongri Malang again:
"If you have something to say, why don't you say it well? Today's discussion is about the military strategy. Everyone can speak freely. Even if what you say makes sense, you can't stop others from talking."
Shang Qixin'er was so obviously on the sidelines that all the soldiers finally saw it. He was leaning towards Dongri Malang's view. The army besieged Zhangye and captured Zhangye city as soon as possible.
Most of the generals in the account said excitedly: "We are willing to be the first to get there! Capture Zhangye City for Dalun!"
After overcoming the great battle and pulling out grains, Tubo's morale gradually recovered.
The Tang army was elite, but there were many Tubo troops.
The army has been out on the battlefield for so long, but it still hasn't made any achievements, and it hasn't grabbed any spoils.
If we just return home like this, wouldn't this battle be in vain?
The fight is not in vain, so many laborers have left the land. If this battle cannot bring back enough loot, people in the territory will starve to death in winter.
The generals who were eager to make meritorious deeds naturally supported the suggestion of a quick attack on Malang in winter.
If the city of Zhangye can be captured, then Shang Qixin'er will definitely let the army plunder Zhangye. By then, military achievements, treasures, slaves, and women will all be available.
Seeing the high morale of the generals, Shang Qi was also very satisfied. He said: "If we capture Zhangye, allow the army to rob the city for three days!"
"Wonderful victory! Wonderful victory!"
Gar was drowned in the fanatical and militant atmosphere, and he sighed slightly. It seemed that Shang Qi'er had already made up his mind, and this discussion was just a show.
After the military meeting dispersed, Dongri Malang returned to the camp and summoned his centurions to convey Shang Qixin'er's wishes.
When they heard that they could rob the city for three days, these Tibetan nobles also became excited.
Only Bawu in the corner did not cheer with everyone.
Bawu was well aware of the combat effectiveness of the Tang army. During this northern expedition, Tubo did not take advantage even once.
Bawu has already eaten up all the dry food he brought. In order to support this war, he has brought all the cattle and sheep in the territory.
Bawu knew that if the battle was lost, castle owners like Dongri Malang could still live a luxurious life.
Shang Qixin'er's wealth will not be affected, but a manor owner like him will not be able to survive.
After the defeat last time, Shang Qixin'er had to farm on her own. This time she was requisitioned, so her younger brothers and sisters had to cultivate the family's fields.
He suddenly thought of what Monk Yuantong said, is it all worth it?
Tubo never occupied Hexi and Longyou, and there were not even many people here who could speak Tubo.
The Tang Dynasty never invaded Tubo, but why did Tubo attack the Tang Dynasty again and again?
Bawu saw the room full of fanatical officers and finally understood the driving force supporting Tubo's expansion - "the greed of the nobility"!
But what will this bring to the ordinary Tibetan people?
I'm afraid there will be nothing but destruction.
In a hidden canyon near the Snowy Mountains, Yuchixin had obtained a detailed map of the Tibetan military camp.
This place is only twenty miles away from the battlefield. Cui Tao has already prepared supplies, and Yu Chixin has been lying in wait here for three days.
This decisive battle concerning the fate of Hexi is finally about to begin!