Traveling through the early Tang Dynasty starts with hanging

On the west bank of the Hutuo River, Li Shan looked at the Turkic army fleeing northward like a bereaved dog.

Qin Qiong and Duan Zhixuan have led their cavalry to pursue them, but the possibility of catching up is unlikely. Going north from Tanglingang, along the Hutuo River, although it is slightly narrow and there is not much space for fighting, the terrain is relatively flat, which is conducive to the cavalry galloping.

Just run away. If Su Dingfang can block Yanmen Pass, and if Cheng Minzhen can block Lingqiu, there is still a chance to lock Tuli Khan in Daizhou.

Li Shan sighed softly and cast his gaze not far away. The soldiers were cleaning up the battlefield. The corpses of Tang soldiers were carried out one after another. Of the two thousand infantrymen who first rushed to Tanglingang to stop the Turks, only one or two were left. Hundreds of people survived by fleeing westward to the hills.

The infantry's blocking also had a certain effect, and Tuli Khan had to leave a piece of meat at the last moment... Liu Heier, Qin Qiong and Duan Zhixuan attacked from three directions and killed more than two thousand Turkic cavalry who could not escape. Rushed into the Hutuo River.

The Hutuo River is not frozen. Looking around, there are still many Turks floating on the river.

But Qin Wutong had already died in the battle. When Tuli Khan personally led his troops into the battle, he had a spear in his belly and a knife in his face. He died miserably.

"Licheng County Duke..." Li Daozong sighed softly, "Why is it like this?"

As the general manager of Bingzhou, Li Daozong was the commander-in-chief of the Tang army in Bingzhou for more than a month. Naturally, he knew why Qin Wutong seized Tanglingang.

Li Shan didn't have any special expression on his face. In fact, although he and Qin Wutong had known each other for a long time. At that time, Yuan Junzhang had not yet entered the court and Qin Wutong was awarded the title of Sima of Shuozhou. But in fact, he and Qin Wutong had not known each other for a long time. The relationship between them is relatively ordinary, they are colleagues at best.

But this was the first general under Li Shan to die in battle since he went to war, so it was inevitable that he would be a little sad.

After sitting on the hill beside the Hutuo River for a while, Li Shan saw Zhang Shigui approaching quickly.

After Su Dingfang left with his troops in Bingzhou, Li Shan originally assigned Qin Qiong to control the central army, but then sent Qin Qiong and Liu Heier to lead the cavalry in front, with Li Daozong and Zhang Shigui as the main ones to handle military affairs.

"The number of Turks killed is hard to estimate, probably no less than three thousand." Zhang Shigui said calmly: "The Tanglingang defenders should have escaped this morning, maybe there was a change in Daizhou."

"It makes sense." Han Liang nodded in agreement, "It's just that there is the Hutuo River in the east and the Luliang Yunzhong Mountains in the west. The news is cut off and it is difficult for the scouts to investigate."

"In other words, there should be nearly 10,000 troops under Tuli Khan now?" Li Daozong touched his short beard and looked at Li Shan hesitantly, "Qin Qiong and Duan Zhixuan led three thousand cavalry to pursue them, even if they include the bodyguards. Entering, the Chinese army now only has more than 8,000 cavalry and more than 3,000 infantry."

"If you want to defeat the enemy again, you must have Su Dingfang and Cheng Mingzhen." Wen Daya shook his head and said: "The east and west sides are blocking the main roads. There are Hengshan and Juzhu Mountains in the north, making it difficult for the Turks to fly with their wings."

Ma Zhou, who was silent, complained in his heart. In fact, what he said was all nonsense, but Li Daoxuan, Wen Daya, Han Liang and others were cautious first and were unwilling to take risks... because no one knew what the situation in Yanmen Pass and Feihu Trail was now.

If they continue to pursue and reach Yanmen Pass, Tuli Khan will have nearly 10,000 troops under his command. Together with other Turkic tribes, they will not be able to leave the pass in a short time and will most likely have to return to fight again.

If Su Dingfang successfully blocked Yanmen Pass... it would be even worse. There would be even more Turkic troops stranded in Yanmen Pass.

The heroic charge of the Turkic cavalry today frightened many generals of the Tang Army. Although they were not afraid, they did not want too many casualties.

Ma Zhou once discussed with Li Kai in private that the biggest flaw or weakness of Li Huairen's strategy was that the Chinese army facing Tuli Khan who stayed behind was too weak.

If Liu Hongji and Qian Jiulong from the rear could be delayed until Liu Hongji and Qian Jiulong arrived with their infantry, then no matter whether Su Dingfang and Cheng Minzhen could succeed or not, at least they would not guarantee victory, but they would never be defeated.

It's a pity that Li Shan can't wait. It's not that they are not equal, but that Tuli Khan will not leave him so much time. During the Xinzhou War, Li Shan luckily reversed the situation, and Tuli Khan should almost know the truth of the matter now...

Therefore, the generals and staff had two views. One was to pursue quickly, even overnight, and never allow Tuli Khan to escape calmly. As long as he pursued, he would be able to defeat the enemy.

This view is dominated by generals such as Qin Qiong, Duan Zhixuan, Xue Wanjun, and Liu Rengui. Even before Li Shan arrived at Tanglingang, Qin Qiong and Duan Zhixuan, after defeating the remaining Turkic forces, led their troops north to pursue them.

The second is to consider that the Turkic army will flee north in embarrassment and the situation in Dai will change drastically. We will wait and see the situation of the battle first. If Su Dingfang and Cheng Minzhen succeed, the Chinese army will move north again and encircle the Turks on three sides.

The advantage is that it is safe. If you pursue relentlessly all night, it is easy to cause too many deaths due to the trapped beasts still fighting.

The generals and staff spoke one sentence after another, but Li Shan listened silently and did not speak.

Not far away, Li Kai glanced at Er Zhu Huan and said with a smile: "After the battle in Jingzhao that day, His Highness the Crown Prince commented that Huairen can make good decisions."

"Can you make good decisions?" Er Zhuhuan couldn't help but be a little surprised, shook his head and said: "That's right, that's right."

When he was in the East Palace before, Er Zhuhuan heard that his nephew once commented on Li Shimin's two most important staff, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who were good at making decisions.

"Actually, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is right." Li Kai explained: "Huairen is not a dictatorial person. He listens to the suggestions of the generals, but makes the final decision."

Li Shan looked up and saw that it was already dusk. If he wanted to march overnight, he couldn't wait any longer.

After thinking about it for a long time, Li Shan shook his head and raised his hand to stop everyone's discussion, "Send more scouts to investigate the military situation and allow Qinqiong to decide on his own, but don't start a war rashly."

"Three thousand infantry will stay at Tanglingang. The remaining cavalry will set off north tomorrow, with Liu Hei'er as the commander-in-chief and Zhang Shigui as the deputy."

After a pause, Li Shan looked at Er Zhuhuan and raised his voice, "Where are Liu Hongji and Qian Jiulong?"

Communication with the rear has always been in charge of the personal guards. Er Zhuhuan strode closer and said, "I sent you a letter yesterday afternoon. I have passed Chitang Pass and detoured to Zhoushan. I should be able to reach Xiurong today."

"Too slow..." Li Shan muttered, "Send the order and some troops will stay behind in Xiurong. Liu Hongji and Qian Jiulong will lead the infantry north tomorrow and arrive at Tanglingang before noon."

Liu Heier on the side added: "Don't abandon the chariot lightly."

"Yes, yes." Li Shan nodded repeatedly. From Tanglingang to the north to dozens of miles north of Nao County, there is a long and narrow passage. Although there is space, after all, the east side is the Hutuo River, which can withstand the impact of cavalry. Cars can play an important role.

During the battle in Guoxian, Er Zhu Yichen and Ma Sanbao used chariots to withstand the impact of the Turkic cavalry, so that Yanmen Pass would not be attacked from both sides.

Li Shan repeatedly calculated in his mind that there should be no problem with his deployment. The pace was neither urgent nor slow. Qin Qiong and Duan Zhixuan were in the front to maintain deterrence against the Turks, but at the same time, the army was at the rear so that the Turli Khan would not jump over the wall in a hurry.

The winner now no longer lies with the Chinese army, but with Su Dingfang and Cheng Mingzhen.

But at this dusk, the Turkic army marched north along the Hutuo River and met two thousand Tang cavalry who were cautiously marching south.