Prosperous Tang Blood Blade

Chapter 944

Chapter 66 The Last Battle

On the Baidao Plateau in the north of Tiemen Mountain, in the distance in a valley, the sound of people shouting and horse neighing can be heard.

Jieli Khan rushed out of the teeth tent in panic with a machete in his hand.

Jie Li asked in panic, "What happened?"

A personal guard hurried over and said, "Report to Khan, it is Ashinasheer who is here.

Jieli resentfully dropped the machete and walked into the dental tent.

Ashinasheer walked into the dental tent and greeted Xieli.

Ashina Sheer said: "Khan, only four thousand sons were found."

Jieli said disappointedly: "Only 4000 people? 35 horses, only 4000 people left?"

Ashinasher nodded.

Jieli sat down slumped and said, "Ashnasheer, what should we do? Go north?"

Ashina She'er said: "Khan, we should send envoys to Chang'an to surrender to Li Jiancheng."

Jieli suddenly jumped up and said, "Send envoys to Chang'an? To beg Li Jiancheng? Ashinasheer, is your brain confused by ice and snow?"

Ashinasheer smiled wryly: "Great Khan, there is a saying in the Han people, that is to give back to others in the same way..."

Xieli rolled his eyes suspiciously and said, "You mean, we pretend to ask for surrender?"

Ashinasheer nodded and said: "Now the snow is too heavy, even if the sons and daughters know that the Great Khan is here, they will not be able to get through for a while. Let's send envoys to the south, pretending to surrender. Wait until the troops of the various tribes gather again. , Whether to fight or withdraw, it all depends on the Great Khan's decision."

A knowing smile appeared on Jieli's face and said: "Good idea, Ashinasheer, I will do it according to your method."

Bu Lugen came out and said, "Great Khan, let's go to Chang'an, old minister!"

Jieli nodded and said, "Okay, ride my Zhuifeng. It takes at least ten days or half a month for ordinary war horses to reach Chang'an, but Zhuifeng takes five days at most!"

Bulugen nodded.

Under Jieli Khan's expectant gaze, Bu Lugen jumped up to chase the wind, and with only a hundred or so riders, one person and three horses galloped towards Chang'an.

……

Li Yuan stood at the entrance of the main hall, with several concubines standing beside him.

The servants and maids were busy, moving out various items from the hall.

Concubine Yin De said with a reluctance on her face: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty didn't say you want us to move away, why do we..."

Li Yuan lowered his face and shouted coldly: "Confused, how can there be any reason for the emperor to live outside the Tai Chi Palace?"

Concubine Yin De lowered her head aggrievedly.

Li Yuan's face softened, and he sighed, "I know, you are used to living here, but you also have to think about it, the crown prince will be an adult in two years, where do they live?"

A servant hurried over and said: "The Supreme Emperor, Your Majesty has come down."

Li Jiancheng strode over from afar.

Li Yuan walked down the steps.

Li Jiancheng looked around at the busy servants and court ladies and said with a wry smile, "Father, you don't actually need to move to Da'an Palace."

Li Yuan waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about such a trivial matter, Dalang. Now that the army is going to the north and the court is busy with affairs, you should go back to Xiande Hall!"

Li Jiancheng opened his mouth.

Li Yuan suddenly said: "There are still a few important things... don't make it clear..."

Li Jiancheng came over a few steps, held Li Yuan's hand and said, "Father, tell me, I'm listening."

Li Yuan sighed and said: "Marquis of Beidi Mo Chenying, Wuyuan Li Yaoshi... are loyal to the country, unparalleled in wisdom and strategy, and strict in running the army. After returning to the court, they are the best candidates for the imperial court. .”

Li Jiancheng nodded and said, "Okay, I will remember."

Li Yuan said with a bleak smile: "Da Lang, governing the world is based on the public. You should not deal with the court's public affairs based on your personal interests. The Tang State is the most important thing. When the army returns from the Northern Expedition, let Mohou Chen Ying directly take over Yang Gongren's Shangshu Zuo. The seal letter of Pu She, Li Yaoshi directly accepted the seal letter of Shang Shuxing You Pu She! Just reward him for his contribution to Pingbei..."

Li Jiancheng was thoughtful.

……

As Li Yuan officially moved to Da'an Palace, the Ganlu Hall of Taiji Palace was vacated and the Wude Hall was emptied.

Li Jiancheng finally moved from the East Palace to Liangyi Hall of Taiji Palace.

However, when Li Jiancheng held his first court meeting in the Liangyi Hall of the Taiji Palace, he received a surrender form from the envoy Bu Lugen sent by the Eastern Turkic Jieli Khan.

After a lot of effort, Bu Lugen stuttered and stumbled through the recitation.

Li Jiancheng looked aggressively at the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, and said vigorously: "My dear friends, Turkic Jieli Khan please surrender, should I, Tang Dynasty, accept it?"

The ministers were silent for a while.

At this moment, Xiao Yu stepped out, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Jieli is now in the dark, and he is willing to bow his head and become a minister. This is a great joy. Your Majesty should accept Jieli's surrender and seal him in the north of Yulin to check and balance other deserts. North power."

Dai Zhou came out and said: "Your Majesty, what Xiao Canzheng said is very true. The so-called sea of ​​suffering is boundless and the shore is right. Originally, I was separated from the Turks inside and outside the Great Wall in the Central Plains. Now that Jieli is willing to bow his head and become a minister, it is not appropriate for Master Wang to commit murder again."

Fang Xuanling came out and said: "Your Majesty, Jieli is a man-eating wolf. To expect him to eat fast and recite the Buddha's name is pure nonsense. Jieli sent people to surrender the table. This is just a tactic to slow down the army. Once Jieli escapes from the predicament, he will surely make a comeback. I think you can't be fooled."

Li Jiancheng stood up with a solemn face and said: "Jieli can act in such a perverse way, but I can't imitate others. I can't bear to see the people of the world trapped in the flames of war. Since Jieli has offered his surrender, I will allow him."

Bu Lugen was overjoyed.

Wei Zheng was about to defend himself.

Li Jiancheng hurriedly said: "I will pass on my will, and I will order Tang Jian, Minister of Honglu Temple, to serve as an envoy to the Turkic envoy, and bring Jieli to Chang'an, and listen to the lord."

Xiao Yu said again: "Your Majesty, you should also send a group of envoys to inform Li Jing to stop the troops."

Li Jiancheng nodded and said: "That's natural, the envoys of the two routes will come to Liangyi Hall to face the saint tomorrow."

In the Provincial Political Affairs Hall under the door, Fang Xuanling was in a daze with a brush in his hand.

Wei Zheng passed by and noticed that Fang Xuanling was unusual, so he shook his hand in front of Fang Xuanling.

Fang Xuanling recovered and couldn't help sighing.

Wei Zheng asked puzzledly: "What's wrong with Xuanling? Lost your mind?"

Fang Xuanling smiled wryly and said, "I'm worried about this Northern Expedition. If it doesn't go well, it will fall short. If you don't kill a tiger, you will suffer!"

Wei Zheng patted Fang Xuanling on the shoulder, and smiled softly: "Xuanling, just relax, I know Your Majesty better than you. Your Majesty has been fighting in all directions since the first year of Yiningyuan. Did you say that he was plotted against? Your Majesty's abnormal move this time must have a deep meaning."

Unwillingly, Fang Xuanling continued to sit there in a daze.

In the side hall of Tai Chi Hall, Li Jiancheng looked at Bu Lugen and said, "You came from Mobei with Jiang Biao, how long did you spend on the way?"

Bu Lugen said: "The minister traveled day and night, a total of five days."

Li Jiancheng nodded and said: "Tang Jian, you should go to Mobei to accept the surrender this time, and you should travel day and night, the sooner the better, within half a month, you must see Jieli, so as not to have long nights and dreams..."

Tang Jian said, "I will see Jieli within half a month."

Li Jiancheng nodded.

After Tang Jian and the Turkic envoys kowtowed, they withdrew from the hall.

Zheng Yuanshou, the envoy who was sent to the camp of the Tang army, went to the hall to see the ceremony.

Li Jiancheng hooked his hand to signal Zheng Yuanshou to come in.

Li Jiancheng lowered his voice and said, "You are sending an edict to Li Jing this time. Don't hurry, walk slowly. You are not allowed to reach Li Jing's barracks within three months."

Zheng Yuanshou looked at Li Jiancheng in confusion, and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, why is this?"

Li Jiancheng put on a serious face and scolded: "There are so many reasons, just do as I say."

Zheng Yuanshou bowed and retreated.

……

Mobei Baidao, outside Jieli's temporary tooth tent,

Wearing worn-out sheepskin and boots with exposed toes, Jieli knelt on the ground with a pitiful expression on his face and said, "Angel of the Kingdom, I have submitted the form of surrender to Li Jing, but he is still desperately chasing after the massacre." We are unarmed Turkic people. Please also ask the angels of the kingdom to be the masters for us!"

Jieli kept prostrating and weeping bitterly.

Tang Jian helped Jieli up and said, "Don't worry Khan, Your Majesty has promised Khan's surrender. As long as you honestly follow me back to Chang'an to plead guilty, the general will not make things difficult for you."

Jieli said: "Thank you, the angel of the Kingdom!"

After a while, Jieli stopped "crying bitterly" and ordered to the left and right: "Please go down and rest the angel of the kingdom!"

The Turks led Tang Jian into a tent to rest.

Xieli returned to the tooth tent, took off his torn sheepskin jacket in twos and twos, kicked off his torn boots, and then picked up a glass of kumiss from the table.

Jie Li laughed loudly and poured a glass of wine into his mouth.

Jie Li laughed loudly and said, "Li Jiancheng is such an idiot, he can't even see through such a simple plan to slow down the army. That kid is already stupid staying in Chang'an City."

Ashinasheer sat on the sidelines in a daze with worry.

Jie kicked Ashinasheer with his feet and said, "Ashinasheer, why are you in a daze?"

Ashinasheer said: "Khan, I'm worried, if we miss the chance to surrender this time, I'm afraid Li Jiancheng will never give us such a chance again."

Jie Li snorted coldly and said, "Next time? There is no need for a next time. Next time, I will take more Turkic cavalry and go to Chang'an to find him."

Xieli is still not giving up, after all, he has reached alliances with more than 100 tribes and countries.From Goguryeo to Tubo and Western Turks, the whole world attacked Tang.

In Dingxiang City, in the big tent of the Tang Army's camp.

Li Jing said with a worried look on his face: "Jieli made peace at this time, it is clear that it is a strategy to delay the troops. During this period, we only intercepted more than a dozen messenger cavalry who informed the tribes to return to Jian. Maybe there are others we haven't caught."

Du Fuwei nodded and said: "Xie Li is cunning and wise, unless he is completely defeated, he will never surrender sincerely."

Li Jing said with a worried expression on his face: "But if we delay and delay the opportunity to fight, not only the lives of the envoys will be lost, but half of the 14 horses under our current command can return to the south of the Great Wall alive, that would be great! "

Du Fuwei said: "What about His Majesty's edict? The Turkic envoys are really cunning. They travel day and night to bring the edict before our army is dispatched."

While thinking about it, Li Jing said: "The imperial edict didn't ask us to stop the army, it just ordered Xieli to go to Chang'an to plead guilty. As long as we defeated Xieli, it would be too late for him to ask us to spare his life, so how could he kill the imperial envoy? For the barbarians, etiquette, righteousness and shame don't matter, they only believe in strength, as long as you have strength, they will kneel in front of your horse and recognize you as their master!"

Du Fuwei smiled bitterly and said: "If we send troops, we are afraid that His Majesty will suspect us, and will be outside, and the king's order will not be accepted."

Li Jing sighed, frowned and murmured: "Your Majesty is someone who knows how to fight, how could he not see that this is a strategy to slow down the army..."

Du Fuwei suddenly remembered something, and said urgently: "Pharmacist, do you still remember the kit that His Majesty gave you? He said that if you encounter any doubts, you can open it."

Suddenly, Li Jing quickly took out the kit from the suitcase and opened it.

Du Fuwei snatched the note, unfolded it and read: "All military affairs are paid to the public, and I will not rule from them!"

Du Fuwei slowly raised his head, and looked at Li Jing silently.

……

Mobei Baidao, in Jieli Yazhang.

Ashinasheer took two Turkic agents and walked into the tooth tent.

Jieli stood up excitedly.

Ashinasheer's eyes glowed green and said, "Khan, two more families are back."

Jieli's eyes brightened and he laughed loudly, "Ashnasheer, you have made great contributions to the Turks, and the gods will remember your contributions.

Two Turkic agents saluted Xieli.

Jieli looked at the two special agents and said, "How many sons did you bring back?"

Turkic Teqin said: "Great Khan, five hundred tents."

The smile on Jieli's face gradually faded and he said, "Five hundred tents? How do I remember that you originally had five thousand tents?"

The Turkic secret service began to wipe away tears and said: "The wind and snow are too heavy, the great Khan, and many sons, all froze to death in the wild."

Jie Li gritted his teeth and roared, "It's all Li Jiancheng's fault... When we get through this winter, let them pay back a hundredfold."

Ashinasheer said: "Khan, we have to beware of the Tang army's sneak attack."

Jieli thought for a while and said, "How many people guard the road?"

Ashinasheer said: "Twenty-one thousand."

Jieli rubbed his chin and murmured, "There are fewer troops. You know, Li Jing brought a total of 15 Tang troops. Adding ten Li Xiaogong's 25 Hedong troops, that's a total of [-] horses!"

Ashinasheer frowned, hesitantly said: "Khan, there is still a path, do you want to separate the troops to guard it?"

Jieli was startled and said, "Small road? You mean the one on the back of Yinshan Mountain?"

Ashinasher nodded.

Jieli shook his head and said, "Goats can only go on that road. The snow is so heavy, how can they survive? The most important thing now is to keep an eye on that Tang envoy."

Ashina Sheer said: "Tang Jian?"

Jie Li nodded and said: "It's good to keep an eye on him, if there is any unusual behavior, please notify me immediately."

Ashinasheer said: "What Khan means..."

Jieli said: "If Tang Jian shows signs of fleeing, it means that the Tang army will definitely attack."

Ashinasheer said: "Such a big snowstorm..."

Jieli said, "It's because of the bad weather that you have to be extra careful."

Dingxiang City, in the big tent of the Tang Army Camp

The strong wind blew violently against the large tent of the Chinese army.

Li Jing glanced at it, and continued to look through the military documents while the tent was shaking.

In the big tent, dozens of generals sat in line, sitting silently.

Marching Sima Du Fuwei and several partial generals lifted the curtain and walked into the big tent, followed by a gust of wind and snow.

Du Fuwei patted and cleaned it, and the snowflakes all over his head and body said: "The snow is so heavy, you can't see people and horses clearly if you are ten steps away. In this terrible weather, you can't draw your bow at all."

Li Jing stood up and said, "Any new news?"

General Xiao Nuo stepped forward to salute and said, "I report to General, Jieli is still nestled in Baidao and has not left."

Li Jing said "Oh", raised his eyebrows and said, "How is the deployment of the Turks' troops?"

Xiao Nuo hesitated for a moment and said: "There are two roads to Jieli Yating, and from there to the main road to the northwest, there are more than 2 Turkic cavalry patrolling and guarding..."

Li Jing was dissatisfied and said, "More than 2? How much is it?"

Xiao Nuo sighed helplessly and said: "The wind and snow are too heavy, and our scouts can't get close, so we can't know for sure..."

Li Jing looked at Du Fuwei helplessly and said, "What about the other way?"

Xiao Nuo said: "The other one is a small road, which can go straight to the north of the entrance, but it needs to cross the ridge of Yinshan Mountain. It is difficult for people and horses to pass, but now the mountain is blocked by heavy snow, it is even more difficult to walk!"

Li Jing was silent for a moment and said: "We are in trouble, but is it not difficult for Turks? Since this road exists, we can pass it."

Du Fuwei said with surprise on his face: "The general is going to use troops?"

Li Jing sighed and said, "We can't afford it!"

Du Fuwei was taken aback for a moment, and also frowned.

Li Jingdao: "The 10,000+ army will consume 20 catties of grain every day they stop. The Central Plains has just recovered from the once-in-a-decade famine. The whole world's family property is used for us to sweep the north..."

Du Fuwei continued: "From November last year to now, this battle has been fought for nearly two months. It is really not easy to have the situation like today!"

Li Jing looked at the door of the big tent, and the howling north wind blew in his ears.

Li Jingdao: "Now that the land is covered by heavy snow, it is extremely inconvenient for the army to maneuver and maneuver. The soldiers have suffered from frostbite a lot. If we drag it on like this, it will really drag down the morale of the entire army. When the time comes, it will not be us who will not spare us." It's about Rao Jieli."

Du Fuwei smiled bitterly: "If that's the case, if Jieli is willing to let us go back to the Central Plains safely, you and I will be called a fluke!"

Li Jing said solemnly: "I've decided, this situation can't be dragged on any longer, we must send troops immediately, and go straight to the mouth."

Du Fuwei and a group of generals straightened their backs at the same time.

Li Jing looked around at the crowd and said: "I will decide this matter, and I will make orders. Naturally, you don't want to be responsible. I am appointed by His Majesty to hold the axe, and I have the right to do things cheaply!"

Du Fuwei laughed loudly and said: "It's a joke, you, Yaoshi Li, dare to take responsibility. Is it possible that I, Du Fuwei, am a soft guy without a backbone? Now that you have decided, it is natural that the two of us will make the order together. If you take me This Sima is left aside, I will not follow him!"

Li Jing smiled and said: "Well, it's still the old regulations. You lead the main force and feign an attack on the main road to attract the attention of Jieli and the Turkic main force; Mouth."

Du Fuwei shook his head and said: "No, you are the commander-in-chief of the army, so you can't take risks anymore! This time, let's change, I will lead the army to attack, and you will lead the main force, and feign a frontal attack!"

Li Jing was about to refuse, but Du Fuwei interrupted him involuntarily and said, "You are approaching your sixtieth birthday this year, but I have just turned [-]. No matter how you say it, I should be the one to do the drudgery of running around!"

Li Jing straightened his face and said: "Fuwei, don't fight any more. It's freezing and snowy, the army is attacking far away, the commander is not in the army, soldiers, where does the morale come from? This is my general's order, not discussing with you!"

Du Fuwei frowned, but couldn't say anything more.

Li Jing looked around at the generals in the big tent and said: "Everyone, this is the last battle for the peace of the world. If we lose, I, Li Jing, Shang Gu Sheng Shang Long En, the imperial court has high hopes, and I am entrusted by the common people. The soldiers and soldiers look forward to it. Turn your face back to Middle-Earth."

All the generals stood up one after another, looking at Li Jing with respect.

Li Jingdao: "My lords use their lives, this battle is the last hope for us, the Marquis of Jin, to become Duke; if you slack off, this icy and snowy land, thousands of miles away, is our burial place."

All the generals shouted in unison: "I will wait, and I will die!"

Li Jing picked up the general order and threw it on the ground with a crackling sound.He shouted: "When the army comes out, there are enemies but no me, and I am invincible!"

All the generals and soldiers of the Tang army followed suit and shouted: "There is no enemy but me, and there is no enemy!"

(End of this chapter)