In the evening, more than two hundred cavalrymen arrived at an abandoned village on the south bank of the Xijing River.
The leading general got off his horse and cursed.
"Eating dog intestines, if I get hold of Gao Hui, I will trample him into mud with horse hooves."
This is Guo Xi, Guo Ziyi’s third son.
Not long ago, due to Gao Hui's leak of military information, the Tang army was defeated by Tubo. Chaos occurred in the Qinlong defense line, causing Dazalu Gong to lead a troop into Guanzhong.
Because of this incident, there was a lot of criticism of Guo Ziyi in the army. Guo Xi could not accept those words, thinking that Gao Hui was not an old general of the Guo family, and was already a general in Jingzhou before Guo Ziyi guarded Qinlong, and had even secretly communicated with Tubo.
, how can you blame Guo Ziyi?
But regardless of these reasons in the army, victory is victory and defeat is defeat. The only way to wash away the shame is to defeat the Tibetan army.
Now Guo Ziyi is still reorganizing the defeated troops, and is worried about Dazalu Gong's advance. At the same time, he dispatches a small group of troops to find the route of his main attack, and tries his best to intercept the Tibetan army.
Guo Xi learned that Gao Hui had explored Pingliang and deployed troops in Pizhou area, so he pursued him all the way here.
He was also anxious, so he abandoned his infantry and baggage and only led his elite cavalry on the road.
He scolded him until his mouth was dry. He sat down in a dilapidated house in the village, picked up the water bag and took a sip before Tan Ma hurried back happily.
"General, we found traces of a large group of troops marching over there."
"Come and see with me!"
Guo Xi put down his water bag and strode towards the Xijing River. He stood on the bank and looked at the other side with a telescope. Sure enough, he saw a lot of footprints and feces.
He put down the telescope and wanted to cross the river to take a look, but he couldn't do it for a while, so he asked Tan Ma, "Did you touch it? Is it hot?"
"Touched, it's cold."
"How hard? How dry?"
"It's a bit runny inside after crushing it. It must have been two days old."
"Chase."
Guo Xi immediately issued the order.
The horses in his army have been running all day, and they cannot run at night and can only move slowly. If Dazhalu Gong is rushing towards Chang'an, it is obvious that he cannot stop him.
So, he quickly sent two groups of sentry horses to deliver the news to Guo Ziyi and Chang'an respectively.
In fact, it is not certain whether Dazhalu Gong took this route. News like this was sent to the Chinese army from all directions, which often confused the commander. All Guo Xi could do was report it truthfully and test Guo Ziyi's judgment.
The team marched all night.
Although Guo Xi was lax in running the army and often indulged his soldiers in looting, he still had a good reputation among the soldiers and could lead the troops at critical moments.
As they marched, they were getting closer to the Tibetan army, but their physical strength was gradually exhausted, and the rations they carried were exhausted. They were getting further and further away from the infantry and baggage behind. Even if they caught up with the Tibetan army, they were unable to fight.
war.
On the next day, he encountered a troop of troops ahead, but Guo Xi did not dare to approach. He was also worried that the enemy would find him. This was indeed Ye Gong's love for dragons.
"Quiet the flags, silence the drums, and wait for the scouting horses to go to a higher place to see which group of people they are."
"General, the other party's cavalry has arrived."
"Mom." Guo Xi ordered: "Go to the hillside and occupy a high place."
After a while, the other party's cavalry came over, but Bai Xiaode was in front, inviting Guo Xi to join forces.
"To say we are joining forces is just to make me listen to him."
Normally, Guo Xi would have ignored Bai Xiaode. Now he was eager to win, so he passed on.
When the two met, Bai Xiaode asked Guo Xi to listen to his instructions. Guo Xi did not say anything and only asked Bai Xiaode to provide food and grass.
That night, while chewing dried meat, Guo Xi said, "I just can't understand why Da Zha Lu Gong is going to kill Chang'an like this. Aren't you afraid that my grandfather will cut off his escape?"
"You really can't figure it out?" Bai Xiaode asked, his eyes seemed to have deep meaning.
"Otherwise?" Guo Xi said, "What do you mean by this? I have figured it out, why don't I tell you?"
"Yesterday, I received an imperial edict, which may be able to clear up your doubts."
"What imperial edict?"
Bai Xiaode glanced at the tent casually. Everyone inside and outside the tent was already his people. As for Guo Xi's men, they were so tired that they rested after eating dry food.
Only then did he take out an imperial edict.
Guo Xi took it and unfolded it. His eyes widened in surprise and he was speechless for a long time.
The content of the imperial edict was not simple. First, it was said that the emperor had died, but now the country was in turmoil and the prince was away. The emperor was worried that there would be unruly ministers who would subvert the country, so he kept the funeral secret for the time being and summoned Xin Jinggao, Li Guochen, Bai Yuanguang and other generals back to the capital. Debriefing. The remaining generals in the northwest are guarding the city and are not allowed to leave without permission.
As for the Tubo army, the decree stated that Da Zha Lugong had submitted his surrender and requested to go to Chang'an to worship, and the officers and soldiers were not allowed to stop him. Then, the Supreme Emperor also awarded Guo Ziyi, Pugu Huaien and other generals...
"how?"
Seeing Guo Xi holding the imperial edict in a daze, Bai Xiaode asked, "What do you think of this edict?"
"I don't understand." Guo Xi said, "Did Zhalu Gong go to Chang'an to pay tribute? How is that possible?"
"How is it impossible?" Bai Xiaode asked: "Can he capture Chang'an? Or even if he captures Chang'an, can he hold it? If he didn't completely defeat Marshal Guo, robbed his children of gold and silk, and brought them back to Tubo? "
Only then did Guo Xi realize that the Tubo people could not occupy Chang'an for the purpose of rule this time, but only for plunder, and it was not worth taking such a big risk.
"Do they really want to pay tribute? To whom?"
"The Great Emperor."
After saying this, Guo Xi immediately figured it out.
Dazalu Gong did have the intention of peace talks, but he failed to reach an agreement with the then Prince Supervisor. Now he suddenly paid tribute to the Supreme Emperor. It would be better to say that the Supreme Emperor borrowed troops from him to eradicate the Prince Supervisor.
Looking at the generals who were recalled to the capital by the Supreme Emperor, they were all people with little reputation and little merit in the past two years, which meant that they were not valued by the Crown Prince and were probably the Supreme Emperor's people.
As for the reward Guo Ziyi and Pu Guhuaien, it was to appease and win over them.
When looking at this imperial edict, one should not only look at what the Supreme Emperor said, but also what he did not say... Guo Xi glanced around and did not see a rare reward for the king on it.
After thinking about it in his mind, he still had something to puzzle about, so he asked: "General Bai, I am a straightforward person. If you want to say anything, just say it."
"good."
Bai Xiaode pondered and said slowly: "Since Your Majesty has passed away, this battle is no longer a battle between us and Tubo to defend our territory, but a battle for imperial power to seize power. If I say whether you followed the order today or not, it doesn't matter. Yu Dayi, it just depends on which side you think you can win by betting, how do you choose?"
"How do I choose? There are so many choices..."
In the middle of speaking, Guo Xi suddenly hesitated.
The current situation is that the Supreme Emperor has implicitly expressed the idea of borrowing troops from Tubo in order to restore the country, and he may have already taken control of the situation in Chang'an, and at the same time the Tubo army is approaching; although the Crown Prince also has a chance to control the situation, the premise is that Wang Rao must arrive first In Chang'an, the result was not good. Not only was Wang Nannan defeated by Dazhalu Gong, but the prince wanted to meet Wang Nannan, but Chang'an was also lost.
How to choose? Guo Xi is willing to continue chasing Dazalu Gong, but in fact he can't defeat him even if he catches him.
This choice has a very low probability of success, but the risk is extremely high. If it fails, not only will the crime be reduced, but Guo Ziyi will also be implicated.
Guo Xi finally realized that he had no decision-making power, and it all depended on Guo Ziyi's attitude.
He couldn't help but thought: "I lost to Dazalu Gong on purpose, was it intentional?"
With this thought, his will instantly collapsed.
After chasing all the way, he was already very tired, but he was sustained by his righteousness to defend his country and his filial piety to wash away the humiliation of defeat for his grandfather.
But now, like everyone else in the army, he was suspicious of Guo Ziyi, suspecting that Guo Ziyi had known about the Emperor's plan for a long time.
Yes, how could such a smart person be deceived by Gao Hui? How could he lose to Dazalu Gong?
All you need to do is turn a blind eye and you can achieve great success. What can't you do?
A thin layer of sweat gradually formed on Guo Xi's forehead.
He did not answer Bai Xiaode's question, but asked: "How does General Bai plan to choose?"
Bai Xiaode tapped the decree lightly and said: "As long as it can make us hesitate, its effect will be achieved..."
Guo Xi stopped talking.
He felt that this method of defeating people's hearts was sometimes more terrifying than swords, guns, swords and halberds on the battlefield.
Seeing that he was silent, Bai Xiaode raised the jug, drank all the wine in it, and called for others.
Just at this moment, someone outside the tent suddenly shouted: "General, the imperial decree has arrived!"
Guo Xi was stunned and surprised.
"Imperial edict? Whose edict?"
~~
Liquan.
Flags were fluttering above the not-so-large city, and the city gates were tightly closed. No people were passing through, and there was only a sense of solemnity.
Several people came from the west on fast horses and checked their identities at the gate of the city.
"I want to see His Highness."
Li Mi only said one sentence, and naturally some soldiers came forward to show him the talisman, showing his identity as prime minister.
The gatekeeper quickly let him go, but gave Li Mi a reminder.
"Now you are Your Majesty."
"What?"
Li Mi didn't hear clearly for a moment and asked instead.
The gatekeeper stopped answering and respectfully invited him to enter the city.
As he walked, Li Mi looked around at the Yijia in the city. The expression on his indifferent face gradually became serious, and his eyebrows were slightly frowned.
Finally, he met Xue Bai.
After not seeing each other for more than half a month, Xue Bai has not changed much. He is wearing a military uniform and is standing in front of the sand table thinking about strategy.
"Eldest brother Yuan is here."
Xue Bai didn't even look back, and waved, as if he were meeting an old friend.
"The location of Dazarugong has probably been confirmed. You can come and take a look."
Li Mi did not come forward, but just said: "On the occasion of separation, His Highness said that he would go back to Chang'an to handle a small matter. But I don't know what happened?"
"I've got a foundation."
Xue Bai's relaxed and casual tone made Li Mi feel a little distracted.
He was not willing to let this sacred and serious matter be ignored by Xue Bai... It seemed that this would make the throne seem unworthy, and then make Xue Bai naturally worthy of the throne.
"Why don't you say that you usurped your position?" Li Bi said.
"Okay." Xue Bai said, "I returned to Chang'an and usurped my position. How do you feel about it?"
Li Bi said: "Resign from the official position and return to the mountains and forests."
"You don't have the qualifications. You seem to have forgotten that this time you did not join the officialdom, nor did you pass the imperial examination. You were defeated and captured. I will spare your life and give you an official position."
Li Mi was too lazy to engage in such a boring argument and said: "You have a plan for a long time, so when I ask to go with the army, you will agree, just to get rid of me?"
"Yes, let me get rid of you, and then I will kill Li Heng and Li Chu."
Xue Bai said casually, still looking at the sand table, as if he was talking about what dishes to eat tonight.
But this incident had a big impact on Li Mi. He stood there speechless for a long time, digesting the sadness and anger in his heart.
Since many years ago, he has been the prime minister left by Li Longji to the East Palace. He is the teacher of Li Heng and his son and a close friend.
If it weren't for the constant chaos and the constant worry of the country's destruction, he would sometimes have to cooperate with the more powerful Xue Bai to stabilize the Tang Dynasty. If it weren't for this righteousness, his position would be to help Li Heng and his son get rid of Xue Bai.
"You don't have to kill them." After a long while, Li Micai said.
"Yes, but it's in the way." Xue Bai said, "For example, if you let them live, you will inevitably be troubled. Now it's better. Although you are sad, you can finally plan for the country wholeheartedly."
"Killing them will be detrimental to you." Li Mi spoke again, having regained his composure, and said: "You can have the status you have today because you are a descendant of the Li family, but now you are destroying your own foundation and destroying the Great Wall.
…”
"Dazarugong has passed Pingliang City."
Xue Bai started the topic directly, pointing at the sand table and talking about his plan.
"I plan to meet him personally. I will set up camp tomorrow and have a head-on confrontation with him in Pizhou within three to five days."
Li Mi knew Xue Bai's habits and would prepare some wargame demonstrations every time.
But at this time, there were very few soldiers and horses representing Xue Bai on the sand table. To be precise, very few could arrive on the battlefield in time.
However, Dazalu Gong's troops were abundant.
Judging from the current conditions in this decisive battle, Xue Bai will definitely lose.
Of course, conditions can be changed, and there must be ways to mobilize more troops. This is what Xue Bai wants to discuss with Li Mi.
He simply put the difficulties out on purpose, making it look like the situation was very critical, making Li Mi worried and mobilizing Li Mi's enthusiasm.
In the past, when Li Mi was unwilling to make suggestions, he always put the crisis of the country in front of Li Mi like this, so this unique genius was easily driven by him.
No matter how hard you try, it never works.
However, this time, Li Mi stood there silently.
Xue Bai had no choice but to continue.
"Since Dazalu Gong knew that he would not be able to occupy Chang'an here, if he came to rob, it would not be worth taking such a big risk. He would definitely come to help the Supreme Emperor in his restoration, and I ended the palace coup with lightning speed and ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor.
He will be greatly disappointed and his morale will collapse."
"I have issued an edict, ordering soldiers and horses from various states to come to Pizhou to help me surround Da Zhalu Gong. If the armies march immediately after receiving the order, there is no need to worry about the strength of the troops. But you also know that the difficulty is to let these troops
I will obey the orders honestly."
After talking about it, Xue Bai smiled bitterly.
His attitude towards Li Mi was very natural. He laughed when he needed to laugh and complained when he needed to complain. He had no grudge at all.
But when he turned around again, he saw Li Mi bowing, turning around and walking out.
This Taoist priest was hard-hearted this time, and he really didn't say a word or offer a plan.
Xue Bai didn't say anything to persuade him to stay, because there was no other way for the time being.
He could only sigh helplessly.
"Forcing him to become a concubine."
The trouble with this matter is that Li Mi's attitude also represents some of the generals in the army to a certain extent.
There must be many people who are loyal to the Li family, Li Longji, and Li Cong. They are willing to listen to Xue Bai's orders. That is because Xue Bai is the successor recognized by the Li family.
Now, this successor has in turn eradicated the Li family. Even though he has ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he is not so orthodox.
Everything is just speculation at the moment. It is not yet certain whether those soldiers and generals will obey the imperial edict or not.
~~
Tubo camp.
Dazaru held up his telescope and looked into the distance.
He couldn't see Xue Bai's flag yet, but he had a hunch that he would encounter Xue Bai within two days.
"Brother."
Someone walked up behind him, it was his younger brother Keida Maru Jizan. Because his name was too long, people often called him Ma Chongmu by his Chinese name.
"The Lord of the Tang Dynasty is dead. Isn't it too unwise for us to go to Chang'an to fight a tough battle?"
"Do you think I was really attracted by the wealth described by Li Qiwu and wanted to rob Chang'an wholeheartedly?" Dazalu Gong sighed and said: "In Chinese terms, those who know me say that I am worried, but those who don't know me say that I am worried.
What do you think I want?"
"Brother, what are you worried about?"
"Li Qian, the newly enthroned Lord of the Tang Dynasty, is a terrible person." Dazalu Gong handed the telescope in his hand to his brother and said, "I must get rid of him while his foothold is not stable."
Ma Chongmu said: "But I don't think it's right."
"What's wrong?"
"The Lord of the Tang Dynasty, Li Qian, calculates the time very accurately."
Dazalu Gong frowned, thoughtfully, and said, "How do you say that?"
"According to the news that brother received, he left Chang'an, fought his way back to Chang'an, ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, and then led a personal expedition, and came directly to us. I was thinking, when he left Chang'an, how did he know that their emperor was about to die?
"
Dazalu said respectfully: "He can calculate people's hearts and know that they will kill Li Cong."
"Can people calculate the speed and route of our march? How did he know that he still had time to return to Chang'an? After he ascended the throne, why didn't he waste just one day to meet us before we arrived in Pizhou?"
"Are you saying that our army has some tricks up its sleeve?"
"Brother can place agents in Tang's army, why can't he place agents in our army?"
"Where is the chance?"
Dazalu Gong just asked the question, and then he had already reacted.
The person most likely to be Xue Bai's mastermind was the envoy sent to Chang'an for peace talks at that time.
After all, the then envoy Basak Nang supported Trisong Detsen's pro-government.
Ma Chongmu saw Dazhalu Gong's eyes flashing and knew that he had realized something was wrong, so he said: "Brother, retreat. We don't need to go head-to-head with the Tang army."
Dazarugong was a little hesitant.
He also realized that he might be plotted by Xue Bai.
But the current situation was not completely unfavorable for him. He knew that Li Longji had already issued an edict, saying that he had come to pay tribute, and ordered the troops and horses from all over the place to stand still.
If you miss this time, you won't have such a good opportunity next time.
"We can win."
After thinking about it, Dazhalu Gong said: "Li Qian's troops are too few. His only chance of winning is to mobilize all kinds of soldiers and horses to surround us. But he has just proclaimed himself emperor and the order he issued is completely opposite to that of the Supreme Emperor. As long as
If Tang Jun hesitates, we will win."
Indeed, as long as Tang Jun hesitates, he can win and win a lot of money, and there is a high probability that Tang Jun will hesitate.
…
Both sides made up their minds, so in the early morning two days later, a flag appeared in Dazalu Gong's telescope.
That is the dragon flag representing the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
The flag is very impressive, but Xue Bai's military strength does not seem to match its momentum.
Across the Jing River, Tan Ma was not sure how many soldiers and horses the Tang army had, but looking at the formation from a distance, he thought there should be no more than 5,000 soldiers.
This feels too much like a trap.
The majestic emperor of a country faced the enemy's army with only a few troops and horses, and deliberately set up a grand battle array to show off.
No matter how fierce Dazalu Gong was, he did not dare to lead his army across the river to attack immediately. So while building a large pontoon bridge, he sent a small group of cavalry to detour and sneak attack Xue Bai's camp.
The small group of cavalry then turned north and made a large circle before quietly swimming across the river and rushing towards the Tang army's camp.
However, they had just reached a valley when they encountered an ambush in front of them.
"boom!"
Firearms roared, and the Tibetan army suffered heavy casualties in the first confrontation, and it was impossible to estimate how many people there were in the Tang army.
They quickly retreated.
Just when they arrived at the bank of the Jing River, another group of soldiers and horses came to kill them from the west. They were fighting under the banners of Bai Xiaode and Guo Xi.
The Tang army heard the noise and hurried over to support them. Their momentum was strong and they immediately attacked the Tibetan army upon seeing it.
With few troops and an ambush, the Tibetan army was quickly defeated and fled in all directions.
The deserters returned to the camp and immediately reported to Dazalu Gong.
"General, the Tang army indeed has an ambush. It has many soldiers and horses. It deliberately lures the enemy with a small number of troops..."
~~
In his haste, Xue Bai actually didn't bring many soldiers and horses. He just believed that following his edict, soldiers and horses from all over the country would come to support him one after another.
Rushing to support, or running away separately, these are two extreme results.
The meaning of the imperial commander's personal expedition is to force those who originally wanted to flee to come to support.
Of course, the first ones to arrive must be the Zhongyong group, and they will gradually lead the way.
"Your Majesty, Bai Xiaode and Guo Xi, please forgive me for being late for help!"
"Without courtesy, the two dear ladies took the lead in serving the king, and I will remember it."
Guo Xi raised his head and looked at the young emperor in front of him, suddenly he still couldn't believe it.
In fact, although he saw that Bai Xiaode had received the imperial edict, he could not confirm it in a short time.
For example, what if Xue Bai is a liar? In fact, he may have been excluded from Chang'an and became a rebel.
The safest way is to stay put and observe for a few more days.
If so, the fighter plane may disappear in the blink of an eye during their hesitation.
It is this time difference that Dazalu Gong grabs.
But Bai Xiaode had clearly planned this for a long time and deliberately tested Guo Xi.
At that time, he had decided to follow Xue Bai's order and lead his army to Pizhou to support him, and asked Guo Xi -
"We have been chasing all the way, but we are still not sure about the route of Dazhalu Xue's advance. How did His Majesty, who lives in Chang'an, know that the decisive battle will be in Pizhou?"
Guo Xi couldn't answer, but he was sure that Xue Bai had a good chance of winning.
Such a person is enough to give him confidence, and it is very likely that he has truly ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor.
So, now that the battle for the throne has come to an end, the battle with Tubo is a battle to defend the territory. It is a matter of great justice, and he has no obligation to refuse.
Seeing Xue Bai at this time, Guo Xi couldn't help but ask: "How did your Majesty know that Dazalu Gong was here."
"Of course someone told me."
"Your Majesty, does he have any special operations in the Tibetan army?"
"That's right." Xue Bai said: "And the person who arranges this meticulous work is quite familiar with you, General Guo."
Guo Xi was stunned and didn't know why.
He didn't know anyone in the Tibetan army, and at this time he even thought that Xue Bai was saying that he was a collaborator with the enemy.
On the contrary, Bai Xiaode quickly understood and said: "So it turns out that someone in the army had previously found out that someone was secretly spreading military information. It must be a plan?"