Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Chapter 503: The Scouts Go First

The military generals these days are almost printed in the same mold.

The face is resolute, the skin is dark, the jaw is black, and the hole is powerful.

There is also one thing in common, their eyes are very clear, showing a bit of fierceness and loyalty, they often subconsciously straighten up immediately when they hear Shangguan's words, the words "obey the military order" seem to have been carved into their bones.

This is the case with Sun Congdong in front of him.

Li Qinzai grinned: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty has explained to you before leaving the palace, right?"

Sun Congdong was taken aback: "What do you explain?"

Li Qinzai was also taken aback: "Protect me. I am the pillar of the country. I will not hurt a single hair when I go to Tuyuhun. I would rather fail the mission than hurt me. Didn't Your Majesty tell you?"

Sun Congdong thought for a while and said decisively, "No."

Then Sun Congdong added: "Uncle Li County forgives the crime. This trip to Tuyuhun, I would rather die and die for the country than fail the mission."

Li Qinzai sighed, well, he is stubborn again and has no fun at all.

"Lieutenant Sun, you have to figure out one thing. The success or failure of the mission has nothing to do with you. The only task for you and the soldiers is to protect me, understand?"

Sun Congdong was stunned for a moment, and then he thought about the mission of this trip, but he had to admit that his mission this trip was really only to protect Li Qinzai, and the mission had nothing to do with him.

Sun Congdong had no choice but to cup his fists in despondency: "Yes."

Li Qinzai was a little worried, and asked suddenly: "Your father and I fell into the river, who will you save?"

Sun Congdong smiled at him: "The last general has a thousand soldiers, no matter how many people fall into the river, they can all be rescued at the same time, in no particular order."

Li Qinzai opened his mouth and found that he couldn't refute.

It's really amazing how many brothers you have, and you have properly arranged all the unsolved problems through the ages.

If his mother-in-law asks himself this question in the future, Li Qinzai can refer to Sun Congdong's answer.

The guard of honor of envoys is different from that of ordinary officials. One of the biggest highlights is the "Jingjie".

According to the system of the Tang Dynasty, envoys traveling abroad on behalf of the emperor should be accompanied by double banners and double festivals.

The so-called "jing" refers to the banners, and the double banners include the dragon flag representing the envoy of the emperor, and the door flag indicating the personal identity of the envoy.

The "section" is a half-foot-long scepter decorated with gold and copper leaves and wrapped in red silk.

In the picture of "Su Wu Herding Sheep" that has been handed down to later generations, Su Wu holds a wooden stick covered with leaves in his hand, and that wooden stick is called "Jie".

To envoy with banners is a legitimate envoy, even if the enemy army sees this banner, they will not dare to commit minor offenses or insults, let alone use swords, this is a big taboo on the battlefield.

And this festival not only represents the status of an envoy, but also has the power to dispatch the country's border troops, which can be regarded as a troop dispatching tiger charm, which is also one of the envoy's powers.

The so-called "Jiedushi" in the middle and late Tang Dynasty, as the name suggests, meant to command a party's military and government based on festivals.

Li Qinzai was also bestowed by Li Zhi with a banner, held high by the trilogy behind him, and a group of people marched westward.

At sunset, the team was less than a hundred miles away from Chang'an, and Li Qinzai immediately ordered to camp.

Under the night, after the tents were set up, Bu Qu and the imperial guards buried the pot to cook, but Li Qinzai took out the sheepskin map to study.

Tuyuhun is a barren area where mountains, rivers and desert wasteland coexist. The geography is not very good, but the location is very important.

Li Qinzai's envoy this time must first arrive at Liangzhou, because Liangzhou has troops stationed in the Tang Dynasty, and Tuyuhun is within hundreds of miles from Liangzhou.

What Li Qinzai is most worried about now is that before he, the envoy of the Tang Dynasty, arrives in Liangzhou, the Khan of Tuyuhun will kneel down to Tubo first.

If that khan knelt too quickly, Li Qinzai's trip would not be very meaningful. The only thing he could do was to gather soldiers and horses in Liangzhou to take a defensive position against Tubo and strictly prevent Tubo from invading the land of Tang Dynasty.

With the footsteps of Li Qinzai and his group, it would take at least ten days from Chang'an to Liangzhou.

In more than ten days, there are too many variables that can happen, and the battlefield situation changes in an instant. If Tubo really occupies the entire territory of Tuyuhun, Li Qinzai, the envoy of the Tang Dynasty, will fall into a passive position.

Liu Asi brought the roasted leg of lamb to Li Qinzai. The craftsmanship was a bit poor and the smell was too strong. Li Qinzai was not in the mood to pay attention to delicacy at this time. After eating a few mouthfuls, he called Sun Congdong .

"After dawn, we must send scouts to investigate in three ways. One is Liangzhou, to collect statistics on the situation of the troops stationed in the Tang Dynasty, and tell the governor of Liangzhou that Chang'an has sent envoys, and let him be obedient. .”

"Secondly, Tuyuhun. Inquire about the situation of the war between the two countries. I hope that Tuyuhun Khan can gain some strength and don't kneel too fast. If possible, the scouts can meet Tuyuhun Khan and tell him that the envoy of the Tang Dynasty is on the way. It is ordered to mediate the war between the two countries, let him persevere."

"The third is to go to Tubo, enter the country in disguise, and inquire about the situation of Tubo's troop dispatch, including reinforcements, food and grass, domestic public opinion on this troop dispatch, etc."

Li Qinzai issued the military order solemnly, and Sun Congdong obeyed the order without saying a word.

"In addition, in all the cities we pass by, we will send people to meet with the generals in charge of the army. Zhechong mansions and city defenders in various places must count the soldiers and food, and report to me."

Sun Congdong hesitated for a moment, and said, "Uncle Li, are the defenders and Zhechong Mansion along the way also transferred?"

Li Qinzai twitched the corner of his mouth and said: "What you said is that I am the envoy of the Tang Dynasty, and His Majesty also gave me the right to make decisions on the fly. Of course, the defenders in various places are under my control. If Tubo invades the Tang Dynasty, they will have to defend the Tang Dynasty." Fight for land."

Sun Congdong clasped his fists and said solemnly: "Follow the order!"

Li Qinzai rubbed his cheeks and sighed wearily.

The biggest problem is food. If the Tang Dynasty had enough food, the battle between Tubo and Tuyuhun would not be a problem at all.

With the temper of Li Zhi and his courtiers, it would be over if they sent troops to do it. It happened to take advantage of this opportunity to bring Tuyuhun into the territory of Tang Dynasty, and reward the unsatisfactory Khan with an official. This is the maximization of benefits.

"Can you use the three-eyed gun?" Li Qinzai asked suddenly.

Sun Congdong nodded: "I know how to use it. Since the beginning of the year, the right guard has allocated a part of the battalion to practice the three-eyed gun. I have been practicing for a whole year. Not to mention how professional it is, I will definitely not be able to persuade you on the battlefield."

"The last general and Qian Paoze under his command are all proficient in using the three-eyed blunderbuss, and their marksmanship is not bad. Eight out of ten are already the best among the right guards."

Li Qinzai was a little relieved, and said: "If you encounter an enemy situation, use the three-eyed blunderbuss first to stop the enemy. Usually, it is not ten thousand cavalry who charge, and they should not be able to break through the firepower net of the three-eyed blunderbuss. Remember not to charge easily, that is taking advantage of weaknesses and avoiding strengths."

Sun Congdong agreed again.

Li Qinzai handed him the mutton leg with a strong smell in his hand, and said with a smile, "I reward you with the mutton leg, and as long as you follow me, you will have meat every day."

Sun Congdong took the leg of lamb gratefully, and took a hard bite.

Li Qinzai got up and kicked Liu Ahsi's ass, and said, "Get out of the way, I roast the leg of lamb myself, with such a poor craftsmanship, dogs don't eat the roasted food."

(End of this chapter)