Man Tanghong

Su Dingfang stayed on the watchtower all night, and only when the sky turned pale, did he step down from the watchtower.

The troops under the watchtower were already in full formation, and the three vanguard generals Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan, and Hou Junji also put on their armor and mounted their horses, waiting for Su Dingfang, the temporary commander, to command them to fight.

It was also the first time for Su Dingfang to command such a large-scale and meaningful battle, so he was unavoidably nervous, but also a little excited.

The nervous thing was that he was afraid of disappointing Li Yuanji's expectations, so he couldn't explain to Li Yuanji.

What is exciting is that he finally has the opportunity to show what he has learned all his life and show his talents.

It is precisely because of this that he did not sleep all night.

Li Yuanji got up before dawn, had already put on the royal clothes, and went to the Yuanmen Gate to grant Su Dingfang the seal in person.

When the army is dispatched, it always pays attention to a righteous name. Su Dingfang was only appointed as the commander of the attack on Huai'an City in name, and there are no relevant documents and seals. The people under him will inevitably embarrass him, so Li Yuanji decided to grant him the commander's seal.

Let him command the army under his command like his arms and fingers.

This can be regarded as handing over all the commanding power of the army to Su Dingfang. Even if someone under Su Dingfang's command with a higher official title makes things difficult for him in front of the battle, or if he is obedient and obedient, he can still ask for a commander's seal and kill him with a single sword.

This is also the first time that the royal family of the Tang Dynasty handed over the commander seal to a person with a foreign surname, which has important political and historical significance, so Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, Li Shentong, Li Deliang, Changsun Shunde, Yu Wenshi and others came to watch the ceremony.

When Li Yuanji arrived at the gate of the gate, Su Dingfang had already put on his armor, and was sitting quietly on the horseback with a group of songs.

Li Yuanjice immediately stepped forward, walked up to Su Dingfang and said, "Dingfang, this time I will grant you the seal of command. Since you are in front of the army, the process is a bit simple. I hope you don't feel neglected."

According to the etiquette system, there is a set of quite grand and cumbersome rituals in the ceremony of worshiping generals and conferring seals.

It is not only necessary to build a high platform and set up a bronze tripod, but also to invite hundreds of officials, all people, and all armies to watch the ceremony together, and to report to God with a yellow form on the general worship platform, and then declare the hundreds of officials, all people, and solemnly hand over the seal of the general. Going out, Wang Banner, Baojian and Jieyue were handed over together.

Shuai Yin represents nothing needless to say.

Wang Banner represents Master Wang, representing uprightness.

Where the king's flag is located, if the emperor comes in person, all subordinates, no matter how big or small the official title, should bow their heads.

The sword represents the authority to kill, and it is also a symbol of the emperor's authority.

Can kill all those who do not obey orders, no matter how big or small the official rank, high or low status, what status.

Jieyue represents diplomatic power and war power.

With integrity in hand, you can negotiate with any country other than Datang with diplomatic etiquette.

With a Yue in hand, you can attack any vassal and country that refuses to accept the kingship of the Tang Dynasty anytime, anywhere.

All in all, these things represent not only the power of war, but also the power of diplomacy, and even part of the royal power.

With these things, after the expedition, if you encounter any problems, you can act cheaply.

This is equivalent to the fact that the emperor distributed part of his authority to the commander in chief.

However, most of the commanders will give up part of their authority wisely, and when they encounter problems, they should ask for instructions, which should be decided by the emperor, and they will still ask for instructions.

Now, in front of the formation of the two armies, it is obviously inappropriate to build a high platform, build a bronze tripod, call a hundred officials, and attract all people to worship the general.

After all, the fighter plane is fleeting, and there is no time to waste on such vain gifts.

So Li Yuanji could only simply hand over the Commander's Seal to Su Dingfang.

This was Su Dingfang's first time in command, and he didn't have a full sense of ceremony, so he always had to say a few thoughtful words, lest Su Dingfang would feel resentful.

Although Li Yuanji never doubted Su Dingfang's loyalty, such things as resentment were born bit by bit. Besides, in the face of a talent like Su Dingfang, you can't put on the airs of someone in power, otherwise why should he be dedicated? Trying my best to give you my life?

Do you really think that you are the real son of heaven, and that people have no choice but to work for you?

Ever since Chen Sheng and Wu Guang shouted out that 'princes and generals are better than each other', power is no longer exclusive to the nobles.

Therefore, the closer people are to the center of power, the less they believe in such words as the true man and the fate.

Therefore, in the face of talents, those in power must constrain them with power and win them over with affection.

This is also the reason why emperors of all dynasties like to marry princesses to their courtiers.

It's just to win over, to turn several families into one family, and then to ensure that his country will last forever.

However, Li Yuanji never thought about ensuring his own country forever, because Li Yuanji knew very well that such a thing was impossible.

So for Su Dingfang, he simply felt that he should pay some friendship, instead of treating Su Dingfang as a subordinate, like a bull.

"Your Highness is serious. I am grateful to have His Highness's trust. As for some etiquette, I don't care. I just hope that I can win this battle well and live up to His Highness's trust and love."

Su Dingfang arched his hands and said solemnly.

Li Yuanji nodded, asked Yu Wenbao to present the commander seal, and handed it to Su Dingfang with both hands.

Su Dingfang raised his hands high above his head, and after firmly catching the handsome seal, he raised the handsome seal and shouted, "Wansheng, Tang Dynasty!"

All the soldiers who were going to go out with Su Dingfang at the gate of the gate immediately shouted together when they heard this.

"Great Tang Wansheng!"

"..."

The shout went up to the heavens, broke through the darkness below, and filled the world.

Morale was also pushed to the top with shouts.

Li Yuanji yelled loudly when his morale was at its strongest, "You just go and fight. I will kill cattle and sheep in the camp, prepare wine and vegetables, and wait for you to return in triumph!"

"I swear to break Huai'an to the death!"

"I swear to break Huai'an to the death!"

At this moment, whether it was Su Dingfang or all the soldiers, they all swore an oath loudly.

"it is good!"

Li Yuanji shouted loudly, then waved his hands boldly and said: "Let's go!"

The army, led by Su Dingfang, Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan, and Hou Junji, rushed out of the camp like a tide.

After rushing out of the camp, the army immediately separated in three ways. Su Dingfang also dismounted and boarded a chariot with many heralds including the flag officer, gong officer, and clapping officer.

Specifically how to fight, Su Dingfang had already discussed with Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan, and Hou Junji last night, so after the army left the camp, Su Dingfang didn't see what to say, but kept ordering people to wave the command flag.

With the waving of the command flag, the army began to divide into three groups, with Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan, and Hou Junji each leading one.

Hou Jun gathered in front, Yin Kaishan in the middle, and Luo Shixin in the rear.

When Li Shimin saw this place, he couldn't help but said: "It seems that he wants to take Huai'an City by relay!"

Li Yuanji looked sideways at Li Shimin, and gave Li Shimin a look of 'and then'.

Li Shimin said casually, "So far, it's quite satisfactory."

Li Deliang hesitated and said: "It's quite satisfactory, so that's where it didn't shine?"

Li Shimin glanced at Li Deliang, not wanting to talk to this trash Wang Shu.

Li Shentong explained from the side: "Su Dingfang led the army alone for the first time, and being able to do it well is already beyond the reach of many people."

Li Deliang glanced at Li Shimin, then looked at Li Shendao: "Please help me, brother."

Li Shentong stroked his long beard and said: "Leading an army alone and controlling a big battle alone sounds easy, but it is actually very difficult.

Many people can't even restrain soldiers and horses. "

Li Deliang was even more puzzled when he heard this.

Li Shentong continued to explain: "It is easy to restrain the soldiers and horses in the camp, but after leaving the camp, how to restrain the soldiers and horses when they are marching depends on whether the orders of the soldiers and horses can be transmitted word by word. In the ears of every soldier.

And some arrogant soldiers, even those who are afraid of war, after assessing the situation and finding that they are in a place that is not good for them, they may act without authorization.

If the leader of the army is not determined to kill one or two people to establish his prestige, there is no way to restrain these people.

Su Dingfang didn't kill a single person before he left for the expedition, and he was able to make all the soldiers in the army obey his orders, which shows that he has passed his orders to every soldier's ears verbatim.

And achieved the purpose of establishing prestige through words. "

Li Deliang pondered and said: "Is this difficult?"

Li Shentong laughed and said, "It's not only difficult, it's even more difficult. Li Shiji, you know that?"

Li Deliang nodded without hesitation.

Li Shentong continued: "It's better than Li Shiji, who has to behead one or two close people to establish his prestige every time he goes out to fight, but Su Dingfang didn't kill anyone, and achieved the purpose of establishing his prestige only by words.

Now you know how powerful Su Dingfang is, right? "

Li Deliang nodded deeply.

With the comparison, he knew how capable Su Dingfang was.

"Doesn't that mean that Su Dingfang is stronger than Li Shiji?"

Li Deliang asked.

Li Shentong was stunned for a moment, then he laughed and said: "Leading troops in battle is not just based on the ability to restrain soldiers and horses and establish prestige, the key is to see whether you can win, and whether you can keep winning.

If Su Dingfang can keep winning, and if he has more victories and achievements than Li Shiji, then he can be said to be better than Li Shiji.

In war, after all, it depends on the outcome. "

Li Deliang suddenly realized, stopped asking, and concentrated on watching the war.

After Su Dingfang divided the soldiers and horses into three groups, he quickly approached Huai'an City. During the period, Xieli in the city sent soldiers and horses out of the city from the east and west sides to disturb the city several times, but they were all repelled by the rangers commanded by Su Dingfang.

When approaching the two-mile position of Huai'an City, Su Dingfang ordered Hou Junji to attack the city first, while Yin Kaishan and Luo Shixin led the army to stand by on the spot.

Hou Junji led the army to form a large formation, with sword and shield soldiers opening the way in front, and spearmen pushing large ordnance such as building carts behind them.

The crossbowmen rode chariots, drove bed crossbows and other things, and when they walked a certain distance, they took the lead in attacking.

Also launching the attack were the slingers.