The fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty was the fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty, the eighth year of Xianding of the Great Song Dynasty, and the third year of the founding of the New Tang Dynasty. This year is the year of Ding Mao and the Rabbit. It falls on the sixth day of the first lunar month.
The land west of Helan Mountain has not melted the winter snow and entered spring just because of the Chinese New Year, but the weather has become slightly warmer.
The soldiers and horses from both sides gradually began to gather in the past few days after the New Year, forming two huge garrisons in the south and north.
If you look down from the sky during the day, you will see endless tents dozens of miles apart, blending with the white snow.
And when I looked in the dark night, I saw clusters of campfires, turning the originally desolate wilderness into a splendid one...
"Fifty thousand versus 70,000, it seems that the strength of the troops is about the same, and they are capable of fighting. Since I joined the army, I have fought many battles with less to win, but I have rarely fought such a rich battle."
In the Tang army's tent, Li Xia and Uluru Hunai began to discuss the upcoming war.
As he spoke, Li Xia changed the topic and said, "But to tell the truth, these fifty thousand people are really not as good as my five thousand elite soldiers."
Uluru suddenly changed his face and immediately became unhappy and said, "If you don't need me as an ally, you can just say so."
"It's useless to talk in anger." Li Xia's tone was more lecturing, but much more sincere. "What I'm telling you is the actual situation. The Yili River Basin has suffered two disasters in just five years.
Cattle, sheep and livestock were robbed, and mature men were forcibly conscripted into the army and died in the battle. How many of the 30,000 people you have brought with you are mature warriors? "
Wu Lu suddenly met Li Xia's eyes, his anger subsided and he remained silent.
Li Xia was not belittling or suppressing her.
The fact is that the 30,000 people under her command are all temporarily recruited herdsmen, including young people of 13 or 14 years old, as well as old people in their 40s or 50s. There are even many women in her Xue army.
It's not that her soldiers and horses are weak. After all, they are herdsmen who are skilled in bows and horses. It's okay to defeat Tachaer. But they will definitely be inferior to Kublai Khan.
"There are also those 20,000 people from Uncle Shu Zhen." Li Xia pondered: "When we were in Hetao, do you know why I didn't dare to challenge Kublai Khan, but instead went west to attack Maunge Tsai, Tuohu?"
"Even if Kublai Khan only had 50,000 men, he was still stronger than Tohu's 150,000 men."
"Yes, the composition of soldiers and horses is different. There are three types of soldiers and horses that Kublai Khan personally led. One is his Xue army, which is well-equipped and physically strong; the other is the Han army, which is well trained and has good military discipline; the third is the various Ulurus
Si's military strength, these combat strengths are uneven."
Uluru Hunai then nodded and said: "Tuohu's soldiers and horses are T-fish armors. The things are very complicated. Mogu people, Khitan people, women, straight people, Sha children's hearts, how can they be so angry that they are red, family members, talented people, and other people?"
People are
There are Tuo people, Wuer people, and Han people. When it comes to combat power, they are about the same as my soldiers and horses.
"Originally, it could be said that your individual combat capabilities are about the same. But now these people have just returned, and they still need time to reorganize."
"If you are talking about those 20,000 people, you expect them to fight against Kublai Khan and be defeated before they even begin."
"So, take your 50,000 soldiers and horses to fight Kublai Khan." Li Xia shook his head and said, "I have no confidence."
"Are you planning to run away?"
"What about you? I heard that Kublai Khan recruited you to surrender?"
Uluru Hunai said: "If you are going to lose, I don't mind killing you and surrendering to him."
"If I escape, will you surrender to him?"
"Yes." Uluru Hunai said: "I must gain something from this trip, whether it is loot or rewards. I need victory and wealth to stabilize the Chagatai Khanate. So you must win against Kublai Khan.
I will continue to support you."
Li Xia said bluntly: "I am telling you the truth. I have no confidence in relying on only these 50,000 people. If I want to defeat Kublai Khan, what I need is the real Tang army."
"Have you mobilized troops?"
"They were mobilized three months ago, and there are still a lot of troops." "How long will it take to get to the battlefield?" "I don't know."
Uluru's face suddenly darkened, he stared at Li Xia and said, "I don't know? I'm putting the entire Khanate on your side."
Go up and take my daughter."
"I really don't know. I haven't received a message for more than two months." "Have you ever thought about it? Since you have been away from Chang'an for so long, maybe your orders have lost their effect, and maybe your ministers have betrayed you.
I don’t want to join you in pinning my hopes of victory on others.”
"Those are none other than my old subordinates."
"To me, they are all other people! I didn't come here to hear you say this today!"
"What do you want to hear?" Li Xia asked back: "You want to hear me say that with these 50,000 people, we can defeat Kublai Khan's 70,000 army? You came here wanting to win, but how did victory come?"
I don’t need to patiently manage it again and again, turning the situation around little by little. It depends on you to get what you want, and it depends on you to force me with your mouth?”
"Li Xia!" Uluru Hunai was furious and shouted: "I will give you more than just opening my mouth to force you!"
"I've given you a lot."
"You want me to take my whole country's troops and wait in this ice and snow for your troops who may or may not come!"
"That is also my national army!"
Li Xia cursed and coughed a little because the wound was affected, but
Because I was at the edge, I only blew the whistle.
He only coughed, but he choked it back.
After a long time, Ulughunai finally calmed down and said: "I am not a woman, I am the controller of the Khanate. I cannot make a choice just because of my friendship with you, unless you give me more confidence."
"We are facing Kublai Khan. You knew it four years ago. If you are afraid of losing, you will not become my ally."
"The odds of winning are too slim, I want more rewards."
Li Xia smiled, with bloodshot teeth on her teeth, and asked, "What do you want?"
"No less than the number of cattle, sheep, gold and silver promised by Kublai Khan." Ulukhunai turned his back and said without looking at Li Xia, "Also, I want to bring the child born to Duo Siman back to the Ili River.
." Li Xia did not answer immediately.
Uluru Hunai said again: "You and I both know that this is Kublai Khan's conspiracy. He sent people to talk to me, knowing that I will not agree easily, but he also knows that the conditions he gave, you also
Only if we can afford it can our covenant continue."
At this point, she sneered.
"That's what allies are like, unless you married me back then." "I can promise you that," Li Xia said.
Wu Lu was stunned for a moment and turned to look into Li Xia's eyes, wondering if he was angry.
But she couldn't tell, Li Xia looked very calm.
"You came all the way, these conditions are not too harsh, I agreed." "Before Duo Siman gives birth to the child, I have to take him with her." "Okay." Li Xia looked calmer and said, "That strategy
The general outline has been decided, first we must hold on until my troops arrive on the battlefield."
"Can."
Wu Lu suddenly nodded with satisfaction.
Perhaps at this moment, the scars in her heart caused by Muba Cisha's death were healed a little by snatching back Duo Siman's child.
Although she once only loved the son and did not like the daughter.
"Let's talk about the details of the strategy." Li Xia clicked on the map and said, "First, I have to rescue Li Zengbo."
~~
That night, a fast horse rushed out of the Tang army's camp and headed south for dozens of miles until they saw Sui Gedu.
Not long after, Brother Sui strode into Kublai Khan's tent. "Great Khan, Uluru Khunai has delivered the news. Look..." "Is it possible for this Khan to trust her?"
Brother Sui's face was full of joy and he said: "She said that she can try to return the assassination to us."
"Yeah?"
Kublai Khan raised his head with a calm expression and motioned to the Su Wei Chang An Tong to read the news.
"That's what the Great Khan, Uluru Hu, said. She said that Li Xia will move soon. The Great Khan can send troops to attack Li Xia, and she will rescue King Anxi before the battle."
"Where is Li Xia moving to?" "To the east."
An Tong walked to the map and marked it.
"Li Xia took this route. He went east around to the foot of Helan Mountain, and then went south. He probably wanted to attack here... Dingyuan Camp."
"Dingyuan Camp?"
"Your Majesty." Zhang Yi added: "Dingyuan Camp was Ban Chao's station before his mission to the Western Regions. Because he was the Marquis of Dingyuan in the Han Dynasty, this place was called Dingyuan Camp."
"What is the purpose of Li Xia's march like this?"
An Tong said: "Occupy the road leading to the east of Helan Mountain. This is also the place with the best terrain to the west of Helan Mountain."
"Not only that, but also because Li Xia has no confidence. It is impossible for him to truly control the 20,000 newly attached soldiers and horses in a short period of time. But when we reach Helan Mountain, he can lead our army in a circle by crossing the mountains."
"What you said is very good."
Kublai Khan glanced at the civil servants and generals in the tent and said, "Following Li Xia's train of thought, everyone is thinking logically. No wonder they lose every battle."
"Your Majesty." "Great Khan."
"Eight thorns, what do you think?" Kublai Khan asked.
Ba Ci was a little nervous, so he stepped forward and said, "Great Khan, Uluru Hunai must not have surrendered sincerely!"
"There is nothing sincere, it just depends on whether you are strong or not. Prove to me that you are better than her."