On the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the second year of Wende, a large army gathered on the grassland beside the salt pond.
Shao Shude rode a war horse and inspected the troops.
"The Guiyi Army has three thousand cavalry, and they look decent. If they were to face off against the Ganzhou Uighurs, they should be able to fight a dozen. It's hard to say who will win. I feel that the Guiyi Army has a greater chance of winning. But their numbers are too small.
Alright..." Shao Shude thought slowly as he looked at it.
The Guiyi Army only has two states and four counties. It has strong financial resources, but its household registration is not large. The total number is only 70,000 or 80,000 people. Counting the vassal tribes, the number does not exceed 200,000 at most, so it can only support more than 10,000 people.
Soldiers and horses. Even if we fight with others, we can only draw 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers, which will not last long.
If such a regime loses the eastern shield of Suzhou and is attacked from both sides by Ganzhou Uighurs and Gaochang Uighurs, its destruction is a high probability event. Even if it does not die, it will definitely become a vassal of both.
"The conditions in the two states of Sha and Gua, among the five states in the Hexi Corridor, are really not that good. If the trade route is opened, the Guiyi Army can reap more benefits, attract more people to settle, and assimilate more Tibetan tribes.
The strength should gradually increase." Shao Shude flicked his riding whip and went to the next square formation.
Yumen Army, also known as Suzhou Army.
Long, this guy, couldn't wait to name his army of more than 5,000 people as the Yumen Army. This was the name of the army under the control of the Hexi Jiedushi in the past.
The barbarian sergeant occupied it and seemed quite happy.
This army is just fake! Shao Shude quickly came to a conclusion.
The troops were not in good order, the noise was loud, and the troops did not know how to train. No wonder they were unable to defeat the Ganzhou Uighurs.
If these soldiers were handed over to Zhu Shuzong's management for a few years, they would have made great progress. It's just that Marshal Shao wouldn't do these things for them, and the Long family probably wouldn't be happy either.
There are also tribal armies from various states behind. The Momo, Tuyuhun, Tubo, Qiang, Tatar, and Sogdians are too complicated. Shao Shude feels that if he leads these people into a war, he will probably be defeated.
Just a language problem will give you a headache for a long time, just like the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"I was given a piece of brocade, a piece of grain, and a sheep." After completing a circle, Shao Shude ordered.
The troops suddenly burst into cheers.
Although the craftsmanship and raw materials of the brocades stored in Ganzhou's warehouse are not very good, brocade is brocade, and it is definitely more expensive than variegated silk.
The Persian and Persian brocades woven from the wild silk of Punjab can easily be sold for 700 to 800 yuan each.
The raw materials of Korean brocade are similar to those of Central Plains, but the craftsmanship is slightly inferior, so it can only be sold at this price.
Shu brocade is more expensive, and can be sold for around a thousand yuan, or even slightly more.
This reward is not bad. As far as the soldiers of the Guiyi Army are concerned, what they usually get is only Dunhuang local cloth. This stuff is not cheap in the Central Plains, but in Dunhuang, Yizhou, and Xizhou, it is really too expensive.
It's cheap, and not many people are willing to buy it. Everyone likes silk.
As for why the cloth is not resold to the Central Plains, that is because the people in the Central Plains do not like this thing. It is expensive, but the demand is very small. It is consumed by some customers who love to hunt for novelties or show off, or used as a gift by officials and generals.
Rewards with rare things.
In short, the Lingwu County King gave a lot of rewards, and everyone was very happy.
Zhang Huaishen followed Shao Shude with a calm face. Long Jue was a little unnatural. The top soldiers of the Yumen Army must not be bribed, although the possibility is not high.
After the rewards were distributed, the troops dispersed and each prepared food, grass and equipment and headed south.
Shao Shude summoned the newly arrived Suo Xun and said: "General Suo Xun has worked hard all the way, and he will have to work hard again this time when he goes south. Shanzhou and Tubo have been coveting the states west of Hexi for a long time, so they must be frightened, otherwise sooner or later
Make trouble."
Shao Shude is telling lies with his eyes wide open. Why didn’t Shanzhou and Tubo attack Hezhou, Lin, Lan, and Weizhou, which are just around the corner, and instead went to attack Hexi? But his power is too strong, so naturally he will do whatever he says.
Already.
"After all the armies have received their rewards, shall we set off tomorrow?" Although Shao Shude's tone was inquiring, Zhang and Long did not take it seriously, and immediately nodded in agreement.
Shao Shude looked at Suo Xun again.
This man came to Ganzhou with more than 4,000 infantry. After hearing about the marriage agreement between Shao and Zhang, his attitude suddenly changed and he suddenly became submissive.
A cunning old man!
Historically, after Zhang Huaiding killed his brother's family, he left his body exposed in the wilderness, and no one dared to collect it. However, Suo Xun took Zhang Huaishen's daughter home and later hired her into the Suo family. She was very thoughtful and courageous.
Two years later, Zhang Huaiding became seriously ill, and before his death, he asked Suo Xun to help him. Suo Xun refused to do anything, and even took the position himself. In order to win people's hearts, he also collected Zhang Huaishen's remains and buried them in a grand ceremony, hoping that the forces of Zhang Huaishen would fall to him.
It's a pity that no one paid attention to it. The Yin family, Li family and other big families also opposed it, and eventually the Zhang family counterattacked and killed him.
This kind of person is ambitious and powerful, but it is not difficult to deal with him. As long as he is allowed to see the absolute difference in strength, this kind of person will be more obedient than a mindless warrior.
On May 16, the army marched southward.
Five thousand cavalry from Silver Spear Capital served as the vanguard, followed by more than 10,000 troops from various tribes in Liangzhou, followed by the main force of Shuofang Army, namely Iron Cavalry Army, Leopard Cavalry Capital, Tianzhu Army (Jinglue Army stayed in Ganzhou), Feng'an Army,
Behind them are more than 7,000 Guiyi troops, more than 5,000 Yumen troops, and finally some tribal troops from Suzhou and Ganzhou.
There were more than 60,000 troops in the army, hundreds of large and small vehicles, more than 4,000 camels, and hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep. The march stretched for dozens of miles, and it was quite scary.
On the 20th, all the silver guns came to report. They had passed Biandukou and occupied the abandoned Dadou Army City.
On the 22nd, the Chinese army arrived at Dadou Army City. At this time, the front army came to report again: the silver spears had crossed the Xingling Ridge.
Lu Ming took out a new map and spread it out on the table. There were two identical maps in the baggage cart. If necessary, the painter could continue to rush to draw, just in case the commander was so angry that he would paint the map again with one finger.
The state has been exposed and is of no use.
Dadou Army City is already in Dadouba Valley, not far from the northern exit. It was getting late, the temperature dropped sharply, and the wind was blowing hard. The auxiliary soldiers who were setting up camp and tents were in a hurry. This city was built in the 16th year of Kaiyuan.
There are 7,500 soldiers in charge, and they have been in disrepair for a long time. Many of them have collapsed. At this time, only about 4,000 people can be stationed, and most of the sergeants have to camp outside.
Fortunately, having learned Yang Guang's lesson, the army prepared a lot of firewood for heating, winter clothes, furs, etc. It would not be like the Sui army that returned from victory when the weather suddenly changed, snow fell in summer, and the army was frozen
"Sixty-seven out of ten" of those who died from frostbite defeated Tuyuhun and captured its capital, but few people died. As a result, they suffered severe cold injuries in Dadouba Valley and suffered heavy casualties. Even Yang Guang's sister died of illness. It was really a trap.
This is because we don’t understand the severe cold climate in the mountains. It’s early summer outside, but when we enter the valley, it’s windy and snowy. We’re really unlucky, but we’re also really uneducated.
"Leave Dadouba Valley, cross Haomen River (today's Datong River) in the south, cross Xingling Ridge, enter Xingsu River in the southeast, and reach Anrenjun City, a total of three hundred and ninety miles." Shao Shude traced it with his finger again.
After drawing it out, Lu Ming was already planning to order his soldiers to get a new map.
The Anren Army City was built in the seventh year of Kaiyuan and managed tens of thousands of troops.
"The Anren Army will go south, pass through the Changning Gorge, and reach the Heyuan Army fifty miles away." Shao Shude moved his fingers to the side again, and said to himself: "We will meet with all the tribes in Shancheng County."
Shancheng County (today's Xining, Qinghai Province) is the seat of Shanzhou and is also the headquarters of the Heyuan Army. The Heyuan Army manages 14,000 troops and was established in the second year of Yifeng. It is the second largest army in Longyou Town. The military envoy is composed of
Longyou Jiedushi concurrently serves as the envoy.
"Commander, Shancheng County is already the gathering place for Tibetans in Shanzhou. If the army goes there, I'm afraid it will cause misunderstandings." Chen Cheng looked on silently at first, and after hearing what Shao Shude said, he stepped forward to remind him.
Making decisions is the responsibility of the coach, and making suggestions is the responsibility of the staff. Although he does not think that tens of thousands of troops marching to Shancheng County will have any consequences, he still needs to be reminded.
"Just go to Shancheng County!" Shao Shude poked with his finger. Fortunately, the map was not broken.
Chen Cheng took a silent look and knew in his heart that the commander had no murderous intentions.
After a night's rest in Dadou, the army continued to move forward. During the period, some small Tubo tribal leaders came to pay homage and donated more than 300 horses and more than 10,000 sheep. Shao Shude sent people to distribute some Gaoli brocade as gifts
He was rewarded and asked the Tibetan tribes to offer thousands of yaks.
On the 28th, all the silver spears came to report that they had arrived at the Anren Army, and at the same time... three hundred people were beheaded.
What a mess! Shao Shude, who was having dinner, slapped the table and got up.
What are the Uighurs doing? Are they so murderous? Wang Chong can no longer be a ten general. He cannot restrain his troops at all. Or did he personally order the war? If it is the latter, then he must be dealt with severely.
"Send orders to Lu Yan and Cui Su to speed up the march and move south to secure the army and meet the Silver Spear Capital." Shao Shude said, "Where are the rear troops?"
"It should still be in the Haomen River area." Lu Ming replied: "Can we order it to go south as soon as possible?"
"No." Shao Shude waved his hand and said, "Tell him to act calmly and protect the military rations."
The army is marching south. Although there are many cattle and sheep, there is no danger of eating and drinking. But people cannot only eat meat and milk, but also eat grains. Fifty-three thousand dendrobiums of wheat, twenty thousand dendrobiums of highland barley, and nineteen thousand dendrobiums of Uighur beans are all sweet.
Su Erzhou tried his best to get it together, and there is no room for failure.
"Maybe the troops at the end of the war are not enough. Send an order to Oritsugu, and the cavalry troops will disperse on the left and right sides to expand the search area in case of unexpected events." Shao Shude ordered again: "Get Tian Xing for me."
Tian Xing was located more than ten miles north of the Chinese army's tent. After hearing the news, he rushed there overnight.
"General Tian, what was the attitude of the Tibetan tribes last time there was a big battle to pull out grain?" Shao Shude asked.
"Commander Hui is not very respectful, but he doesn't have much hostility either. The area around Qingtang City is occupied by various parts of Tibet. Monks live in the city, which has a high prestige. After the Uighurs in Ganzhou robbed merchants, some Hu merchants also changed their ways.
The area around Qingtang City passed through Longyou Town and entered Guanzhong. Many Hu merchants and craftsmen simply settled in Qingtang City. When the late general led his army through this area, he saw hundreds of craftsmen's shops inside and outside the city, and many Tibetan people came to purchase.
goods."
Shao Shude nodded slowly.
Qingtang City, which is Shancheng County, is very large. According to the information obtained in the past, this city is almost the central capital of Shanzhou, the Tubo nest. Tribes often come here to participate in opportunities, sell goods, and purchase goods.
There were Tibetan monks living in the city. Different from the Han people, Tubo monks were directly involved in political affairs, and there were many wives and concubines. Some even had tribes that directly obeyed them and controlled the force.
Qingtang City seems to have the flavor of a capital city. The Tubo tribes in Shanzhou, using this core city as a link, formed a loose alliance and met regularly.
No wonder that more than a hundred years later, the descendants of Zanpu were welcomed back to Shanzhou. After taking office, they used it as their capital. They issued orders, assembled soldiers and horses from all Tibetan tribes, forged armor and powerful crossbows, armed an army of 70,000, and defeated the Xixia army several times.
It expanded its influence, attracted more tribes to vote, and finally formed a regime with a population of more than one million, which can be called a mini-degraded version of the Tubo Empire.
Now, the Qingtang City area should be slowly giving birth to the core of Tibet's re-establishment of the country.
Shao Shude stroked his short beard under his chin. Stifling his enemies in their infancy was his favorite thing to do.
Xixia and Ganzhou Uighurs, two serious national fortunes, have been stifled. Now is it the turn of Qingtang Tubo?
"What information has been released in Guandong recently?" Shao Shude asked Chen Cheng.
"Back to the commander-in-chief, Zhu Quanzhong has been recuperating and recuperating after defeating Qin Zongquan. There have been too many battles in the past two years, and the people can't bear it anymore. He should wait until the busiest spring sowing season is over before sending troops again to attack Shi Pu or the Zhu brothers. Hedong
The same is true. The people are exhausted after continuous battles, so we dare not miss the farming season this year. However, it is already May, and most of the army to conquer Xingzhou has already set off." Chen Cheng replied.
"Okay!" Shao Shude sat back at the music table again, with a plan in his mind.