Yi Nan is not a fool. Even if the Western Turks retreat, Yi Nan will send scouts to follow them from a distance until the Western Turks leave Xue Yantuo's territory.
Unless the Western Turks wait for a month or two, wait for Xue Yantuo to completely put down his guard, and then launch a sudden attack.
But this is obviously impossible. Although the nomads do not need to farm like the people of the Tang Dynasty, they also need to engage in herding.
Although the nomadic people are all soldiers, they have also decided that they cannot fight protracted wars all the time.
The Western Turks only have a population of one million, and the 300,000 soldiers and horses already account for one-third of the total population. If it continues and delays grazing, what will they eat when winter comes?
The reason why Genghis Khan was able to travel across the Eurasian continent was because he often massacred cities wherever he went. In addition, he always won battles and obtained a large amount of wealth and materials.
In addition, he also captured a large number of slaves. With slaves, there is no need for those people to herd animals to support him in his constant conquests.
However, the Western Turks did not have the same background as the Mongols, so they could not afford to delay.
This is the same reason that the Central Plains dynasty rarely used troops during farming and autumn harvest.
"Khan, let's go in and talk first."
Lin Xuan's mind was a little confused. He always thought that the situation in the grassland was under his control, but the retreat of the Western Turks disrupted many of his ideas and made things develop in an unknown direction.
Although the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo fought for nearly a month, and both sides together lost more than 100,000 troops, they still had nearly 400,000 cavalry, which the Tang Dynasty simply could not afford.
There are many young men on both sides. If you give them some time, they will soon be able to restore their previous strength.
Regardless of whether Nishu is seriously ill or dead, the Western Turks will fall into civil strife for a period of time.
However, Xue Yantuo suffered a lot of losses and was unable to take the initiative to cause trouble for the Western Turks. This meant that the two sides would not be able to fight in a short time.
If the two parties were allowed to cultivate for a few years, this plan would all come to nothing.
There is another thing that gives Lin Xuan a headache. The Western Turks have withdrawn their troops. Ashina Sheer may not know about it. When Ashina Sheer sneaks a surprise attack on the Western Turks and finds that the Western Turks have withdrawn their troops, Lin Xuan may feel that
If you deliberately want to harm him, will Ashina Sheer surrender to the Tang Dynasty?
But now it is too late to send someone to notify Ashina Sher.
It takes four days to get to Ashina Sher from here, and now there are only three days left before he lets Ashina Sher attack the Western Turks.
By the time the messenger arrived at Baodu City, Ashina Sheer had already made a surprise attack on the Western Turks.
Where can I find people in the vast grassland?
Arriving at the camp, Lin Xuan asked Yi Nan to sit down and said: "Great Khan, the Western Turks' retreat has nothing to do with the Tang Dynasty. It will take five days from the time I reported the news to the time I sent out the troops. Including the time to deliver the news, the Western Turks will
It is impossible for the Turks to retreat so quickly."
There is no need to lie on this point. Why the Western Turks retreated will definitely be clear within a few days.
"After I got the news, I thought it was the Tang Dynasty's attack on the Western Turks that caused the Western Turks to retreat. I didn't expect this."
"Since it has nothing to do with the Tang Dynasty, why did the Western Turks suddenly retreat?" Yi Nan asked with a puzzled look on his face.
This is not because he is pretending, but he still has not figured out why the Western Turks retreated at this time.
"Great Khan, according to the news we have received from Datang, Nishu is suffering from an incurable disease. The Western Turks' retreat at this time is probably because Nishu has become ill or has died of the disease," Lin Xuan said.
After hearing this, Yi Nan and Solange's expressions changed drastically. Yi Nan said solemnly: "Do you really mean what the chief manager said?"
Xue Yantuo and the Western Turks both belong to the grassland forces. They have always been wary of each other and have never stopped investigating each other's intelligence.
Even he didn't know about Ni Shu's illness, but Tang Dynasty found out about it. Since Datang could find out the secrets of Western Turks, what about Xue Yantuo's?
Lin Xuan didn't know what Yi Nan was thinking, and thought he was surprised that Ni Shu was seriously ill, so he said, "It won't take long for Da Khan to find out such a thing. What's the point of me lying to Da Khan?"
"I see."
Yi Nan suddenly realized that if Nishu became ill or died, it would be normal for the Western Turks to withdraw their troops.
"I wonder what the Great Khan has planned?" Lin Xuan asked.
He told Yi Nan about Ni Shu's serious illness, hoping that Yi Nan would take advantage of the civil strife in the Western Turks to send troops to attack the Western Turks.
Yi Nan smiled and said: "Xue Yantuo has suffered a great loss, so he naturally takes this opportunity to cultivate himself."
No matter what he thought, it was impossible to tell Lin Xuan.
"This time I have a job with the General Manager. I wonder what the General Manager has planned next?" Yi Nan asked.
Lin Xuan naturally understood that Yi Nan was driving him away, and said with a smile: "Since the Western Turks have withdrawn, I will naturally lead the troops back. However, there are many wounded soldiers, and I am afraid that I will disturb the Khan for a few days."
"It doesn't matter. If the general manager needs anything, just ask him. If I can do it, I will definitely not refuse. After all, those people were injured because of me, Xue Yantuo." Yi Nan said.
Lin Xuan smiled, chatted with Yi Nan for a few words, and then sent Yi Nan away.
After Yi Nan left, Lin Xuan immediately found Qin Huaidao and asked him to send someone to deliver a message to Ashina Society.
Even though it's a little late now, we have to send someone.
After arranging these, Lin Xuan wrote a memorial, completely describing the situation here, and sent someone to Chang'an.
Next, he only needs to wait for Li Shimin's decision.
…
While Lin Xuan was having a headache about withdrawing troops from the Western Turks, Hou Junji led his troops back to Chang'an.
Hou Junji had some credit for forcing Tubo to retreat, but unlike when he came back from the destruction of Gaochang, Li Shimin personally greeted him. Not even Li Chengqian came, only a few officials from the Ministry of Rites came to greet him.
The soldiers and horses returned to camp, and Hou Junji came to the palace.
"Your Majesty, I am here to see you." Hou Junji bowed respectfully.
Li Shimin smiled and said: "Thanks to Hou Qing for your hard work this time."
"For Your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty, I will not work hard." Hou Junji said seriously.
An inexplicable look flashed in Li Shimin's eyes, which quickly disappeared, and he said with a smile: "I have always made clear rewards and punishments. Hou Qing forced the Tibetans to retreat without bloodshed, and ensured the peace of the Tang Dynasty. He rewarded him with a reward of 10,000 yuan and moved him to the right guard as a general."
"I thank your Majesty for your kindness." Hou Junji said with some excitement.
Youwei is one of the Sixteenth Guards. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Hou Junji once served as General Youwei and was later promoted to Minister of War.
Although the Minister of War has a high position, he has no real power.
The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War manage the promotion evaluation of civil servants and generals.
The transfer of officials by the Ministry of Personnel is generally reported by the Minister of Finance, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications can approve it, and finally report it to Li Shimin for review.
Because of Li Shimin's emphasis on military power, the Ministry of War had no real power at all. At most, it could only decide on the appointment and dismissal of some captains. At the level of general, the decision-making power rested with Li Shimin.
That's why Hou Junji asked to lead troops during the Battle of Gaochang, hoping to get rid of his position as Minister of War and regain military power.
As a result, he was punished without even a reward because he was corrupt and insulted the princess of Gaochang.
This time Li Shimin appointed him as the Right Guard General, which also meant that he once again had military power. How could he not be excited?
Although Hou Junji hid it well, Li Shimin still noticed it.