Great Tang princess

Chapter 785 Enemy Attack
In the headquarters office, Li Chongrun was analyzing the intelligence obtained in the past few days with several staff officers.

Since he knew from the beginning that he would not surrender, of course he had already prepared for war.

Intelligence is the most important thing in war, and of course it won't wait until it comes.

The real intelligence gathering work had already begun when he wrote the letter to Li Jinzhong.

Otherwise, what was the purpose of sending scouts over early?
And these scouts who are responsible for collecting intelligence also separate and refine the means of intelligence collection.

For some relatively simple ones, they will pretend to be foreigners and invite local people to have a cup of tea, or see a beggar giving money to two people, and they can get a lot of news.

The other is to contact Li Jinzhong's internal high-level officials to see if they can get some information.

Of course, this operation is more troublesome. When contacting, you must choose a good location to prevent yourself from being caught.

But the information obtained through such means is often much more useful.

After all, Li Jinzhong's internal group is also a group gathered temporarily, and it is certainly impossible to be monolithic.

These scouts are well-trained and have a high level of education.

They will not just find someone to win them over, they will definitely act after careful observation and confirm that there is a high probability.

This is why the importance of spies is mentioned in Sun Tzu's Art of War.

"Sun Tzu's Art of War: Yongjian Chapter" has a saying: "Stay together for several years to fight for victory in a day, but those who love Juelu a hundred gold and don't know the enemy's feelings are the most inhumane. They are not human generals or the Lord's assistant." Also, not the master of victory.

Translated into the vernacular is: If you don't use spies in war, then you are an idiot!
When Li Chongrun was in the military academy, Li Yuechen told him about the importance of intelligence in war.

So prepare for this from the start.

Li Yuechen sat beside them and listened to their meeting, and he didn't interrupt at all, but he was also analyzing Li Chongrun's order in his heart.

At the same time, he was also looking at his nephew's back, thinking in his heart that Li Chongrun now looks a bit like the legendary Emperor Taizong.

Although I haven't seen Taizong himself, but according to historical records.

When Taizong was young, leading troops to fight, he must go to the front line to observe the enemy's situation in person.

As a commander, this approach is undoubtedly very dangerous, but he still wants to investigate the enemy's situation by himself.

This is the importance of "knowledge" in the art of war.

Because the victory of the war must ensure that the decision-making cannot make mistakes, this requires a lot of information to support it.

As a commander, if you want to win a battle, you must know the enemy's situation, the terrain, and the world.

And now Li Chongrun is constantly deducing various problems that may arise after the fight with the staff.

The records about Taizong in historical materials are also like this, and it is no wonder that he will become a great emperor.

Even the great men commented that since ancient times, there is no one who can beat Li Shimin in the army!
But like Guixiang, Li Yuechen didn't want his nephew to become the second Taizong.

Good ones can be learned, but some traits don’t need to be learned.

……

While figuring out how to fight here, on the other side, Dongyi Protectorate, Li Jinzhong is also discussing with his men that they should order more food when negotiating, or what to do if the negotiation fails, and what should be done in the event of a fight.

Sun Wanrong has always been carefree: "The enemy's army is only [-], and my Khitan has [-] troops. If we fight head-on, they are definitely not opponents!"

He has a basis for saying this, because in his impression, the physical fitness of the Han people is generally not as good as that of the Khitan people, coupled with such a huge advantage in numbers.

Even if Princess Taiping is number one in the world, and even knows how to do it, it should be her side that has a better chance of winning.

At this time, the counselor next to him said: "According to the situation at this time, the logistics accounted for more than half of the 2 people, and the actual combat troops may only have 9000 or [-] people."

"Since that's the case, why are you afraid of her?" Sun Wanrong waved his hand, "We have a huge advantage!"

"Although that is the case, it is difficult to guard against the explosive magic weapon!" The counselor replied.

Sun Wanrong suddenly became angry: "This doesn't work, and that doesn't work, so what do you think should be done?"

From the look in his eyes, it can be seen that his emotions are obviously in a state of being about to go into a rage at this time.

The counselor didn't seem to want to offend him, so he said instead: "Boss, since the general is in charge of the battle, why don't you give it a try?"

Li Jinzhong propped his chin with one hand, thinking about it in his heart.

Sun Wanrong is fearless, and he has an advantage here if he is killed.

If he is not allowed to play, according to his character, he might cause something to happen.

What's more, the magic weapon that can cause an explosion is only in the rumors, and no one knows exactly what it looks like.

Since he intends to fight, let him try it. If he can find out the reality of the weapon, he can formulate corresponding countermeasures.

So he nodded slightly: "In that case, then I will give you [-] warriors to fight at that time!"

"Yes!" Sun Wanrong agreed, with an excited smile on his face.

"Zhou Ting told me to wait for three days to think about it. In my opinion, it's better to attack at dawn on the fourth day and be caught off guard!" Sun Wanrong said with a smile.

Although it is said that he is a bit reckless, he is still a general after all, and he has a bit of a brain.

Of course, he would not directly lead 3 people there with great fanfare, so he chose to attack at night.

According to the normal process, the morning of the fourth day is the time to submit the answer.

So choosing to attack at dawn is undoubtedly a very safe choice.

After thinking for a while, Li Jinzhong nodded his head slightly: "Well, I will leave this matter to you!"

"Yes!" Sun Wanrong agreed, "Please rest assured, the leader, the subordinates will definitely win in one battle!"

In any case, we still have to shout slogans, at least to express our confidence.

It's just that no one would have thought that the maidservant who was making tea for them at the moment listened to their conversation verbatim.

……

Three days passed in a blink of an eye, and it was just nightfall, and the barracks had already fallen into silence.

Most of the soldiers have fallen asleep, only a few kerosene lamps are still lit in the frontline headquarters.

Half of Li Chongrun's face was hidden in the shadows, holding a teacup in his hand: "The distance between the two sides is thirty miles. Since they are going to attack at dawn, they must have set off by now."

Hou Chao nodded: "My lord, do you want to gather?"

"No hurry, let the soldiers rest for a while, there is still time." Li Chongrun shook his head, "Since there is a sudden attack, the enemy must charge forward in one go, are you ready?"

The staff officer on the side replied: "My lord, the engineer company has been sent to bury the horse rope in the dark, and the artillery has been erected to form crossfire. Make sure that the horse rope will knock down the enemy charging ahead, and the shells can hit the enemy's rear half end..."

"Okay!" Li Chongrun nodded slightly, "After an hour, ask the soldiers to gather quietly and get up for breakfast."

"Yes!" Hou Chao agreed, "My lord, there is still time, why don't you go and rest first..."

Li Chongrun shook his head: "No need, you can rest after the fight, you can feel more comfortable."

At this time, ordinary soldiers can rest, but generals cannot. They must keep an eye on the enemy's dynamics.

Even if you already know the exact plan of the enemy, you can't neglect it in the slightest.

Even if the information is wrong, the enemy will attack in the next moment, and it can be guaranteed to counterattack at any time.

And Li Yuechen didn't rest either, but sat cross-legged on the top of a distant mountain with his feet facing up, reciting scriptures silently.

At the same time, he was also paying attention to Li Chongrun's performance, and nodded secretly in his heart.

When the boss knows what responsibility is, it means that he has grown into a qualified boss.

An hour later, the officers were woken up first, and then went into the dormitory one by one to wake up the sleeping soldiers.

To prevent being discovered by the enemy, so today's assembly is very quiet.

After gathering, go to the cafeteria to have breakfast.

The sky is not yet bright, rather, the period before dawn is the darkest.

Kerosene lamps were lit everywhere in the canteen, allowing soldiers to eat with relatively good visibility.

The soldiers showed two states.

The soldiers of the northern border military division consist of two parts.

About 30.00% of them participated in the Tubo war with Li Chongrun, and have actual combat experience.

It also includes staff officers and officers.

And 70.00% of the soldiers are recruits with no actual combat experience.

So the situation at this time is very different.

Veterans with war experience talked and laughed while eating, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

And those recruits were somewhat nervous, feeling that the food in their mouths was not as tasty as usual.

Li Chongrun could see it naturally, but he didn't say anything.

Practical experience cannot be taught, it is a state of mind.

It's not that the veterans are not nervous, this thing cannot be overcome, they are just used to it.

After breakfast, the soldiers began to assemble and receive equipment.

The scouts set off first and divided into two teams. One team dispersed around the battlefield to observe the environment.

The other team lurked in the pits dug on both sides of the barracks gate, ready to pull the rope for a while.

Moreover, this tripping rope is not pulled by hand, but an iron rod, using the principle of leverage, and pedaled with your feet.

After kicking up, the tripping rope will be tightened, and the person has to retreat quickly, otherwise, if the rope fails to support and breaks, it can directly pull the person in half.

This thing sounds simple, but it is definitely a technical job, and most people can't do it.

In addition, hot air balloons are also prepared behind the barracks, and they will rise into the air after the fight. They are responsible for observing the enemy's movements and throwing smoke bombs from the air to obscure the enemy's vision.

When all preparations were completed, Li Chongrun ordered to rest in place, ready to fight at any time, and waited for the arrival of the enemy.

He looked up, at this time the sky was already turning pale, and the enemy army should be approaching soon.

At this time, the big black dog appeared in the sentinel's field of vision.

After seeing the collar on the dog's neck and the camouflage vest on his body, the sentinel did not stop it and let it enter the camp.

This is a military dog ​​specially used to deliver messages. After rigorous training, it can become a loyal comrade-in-arms on the battlefield.

Unlike the fine dogs raised by Qianniuwei and the Qingdao Military Region, the dogs raised by the Northern Military Region are the same as those in the Northeast. They are the ancestors of Central Asian Shepherd Dogs.

After seeing the dog, a soldier knelt down, patted it on the left shoulder, took a note from its vest pocket, and trotted into the command post.

"My lord, the enemy army is less than three miles away from our camp."

"Okay, order! All gather and prepare for battle!" Li Chongrun gave the order.

"Yes!"

After the messenger left, Li Chongrun also walked out of the office and came to the guard tower in the middle of the barracks.

Hou Chao followed behind: "My lord, this place is somewhat dangerous, or..."

"A few years ago, I was the first to rush into the Red Mountain Palace with this king. Are you afraid?" Li Chongrun turned around and asked with a smile.

"How can my subordinates be afraid, it's just that the prince..."

"It's okay, if the enemy can get here, then this king is no different from being in the office!" Li Chongrun smiled.

At this time, the staff officer next to him handed over a shotgun: "If the prince insists on staying here, he should take a musket for self-defense."

Li Chongrun did not refuse this time, after all, his subordinates also cared about him, so they reached out to take him over.

Nowadays, due to the large-scale use of steam engines, the output of shotguns is much higher than before.

Although it is still not possible to reach the point where every soldier has one hand, at least every officer has one hand is no problem.

And the scout troop has reached the point where each squad has at least one.

As the white belly of the sky became brighter and brighter, Li Chongrun picked up the binoculars and looked at it, and he could already see a dark patch.

Ordinary ant colonies, and the enemy army attacking here like an overturned wave.

At this time, the distance between the two sides was less than one mile, and at a distance of about 500 meters, the speed of the dark Khitan cavalry suddenly accelerated a lot.

The soldiers around Li Chongrun aimed their bows and arrows at the sky.

"Wait!" He raised his hand to stop the soldiers who were about to shoot arrows.

……

Sun Wanrong took a closer look at the rear of the enemy army on the opposite side. The sentries at the gate of the barracks on the opposite side had already rushed in. It seemed that they hadn't expected them to attack and had panicked.

Immediately shouted: "Hahaha, brothers, charge me! If you can capture the enemy general alive, you will be rewarded!"

As the saying goes, there must be a brave man under a great reward. After hearing this, the Khitan soldiers rushed towards this side with roars.

As nomads who grew up on horseback, their riding skills are indeed much better than that of the Han people. Some Khitans can even stand on the back of a horse galloping at high speed with both feet and shoot arrows.

Seeing that the dark enemy army was about to rush into the camp like a tide, Li Chongrun gave the order: "Let go!"

The soldiers around him let go and fired arrows into the sky.

"call out--"

The loud arrow shot into the sky made a sharp whistle, which spread far away in the empty space.

This is the ground rising hundreds of feet away on both sides of the camp.

The soldiers lying in the pit kicked the iron bars under their feet to death.

The next moment, the horses under the crotch of the Khitan cavalry rushing to the front ten rows neighed one after another, and then fell to the ground.

The people behind were taken aback by this sudden situation, but it was too late to stop, and they tripped a lot in the blink of an eye.

For a moment, the neighing of horses and the screams of people mixed together, creating a chaotic scene.

Sun Wanrong obviously didn't expect that the enemy army had already waited for them to come over, and he froze in place for a moment.

Before he had time to react, he saw many figures appearing on the small mounds on both sides of the enemy camp.

The next moment, you can clearly see the continuous flashes of fire on the small mounds on both sides, followed by a series of "bang bang bang" explosions.

(End of this chapter)