First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 291 The Trick of the Enemy
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In a war with cold weapons, the death rate is actually very low. Often on the losing side, only 100 to 30 out of [-] people die in battle, and the rest either flee, surrender, or are seriously injured.

If in a war, the death rate exceeds five or six out of ten, it is a rare tragedy.

Gao Chong's bloody battle in Heihe Valley, blocking Xue Ju, was so tragic. The corpses of both sides blocked the river, but after the statistics, the death rate of Tang Jun's side was four to five out of ten, and the rest were slightly or seriously injured.

Although Li Xiaogong was defeated and fled to Jiangbei in embarrassment, in fact, not many soldiers died in the battle. Basically, the navy is familiar with water. What's more, after the end, there were still many soldiers swimming in the river, waiting for rescue.

This kind of aftermath has to be done by other generals. At this time, Jiang Baoyi has brought Wen Shihong's body to meet Li Xiaogong.

"The last general, Jiang Song, has seen the chief officer." Jiang Baoyi boarded the damaged five-tooth warship, and hurriedly came to pay his respects. Seeing that Li Xiaogong's arm was stained with blood, he couldn't help asking in surprise, "My lord, how is your injury?"

If Li Xiaogong was seriously injured here, it would be a great loss to Datang's majesty, not to mention that any accidental injury on the water could endanger his life.

Li Xiaogong was in a good mood, and said with a loud smile: "It's just a small injury, it's not a big deal, Baoyi's rescue of the drowning has turned our army from defeat to victory, it's a top achievement."

Jiang Baoyi kept Gao Chong's entrustment in mind, and immediately said: "Your Majesty took the risk with his own body to attract the main force of the enemy's army. Only then did he achieve this great victory, and the final general dare not take credit for it."

Hearing this, Li Xiaogong was stunned, and Lin Zhisong, who was in a state of embarrassment behind him, had his eyes wide open when he heard the words, and looked at Jiang Baoyi with admiration, and immediately stepped forward and said: "The body of the king's daughter, I made it myself The bait, I admire it most."

Li Xiaogong's face twitched when he heard the words, he waved his hands and smiled, so he had to change the subject and looked to the ground, "This is Wen Shihong? Who killed it?"

"It was Wen Shihong. When he was in command, he was shot by the last general and pierced his chest to death," Jiang Baoyi said with his head bowed.

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was amazed, and then Yang Junmao asked suspiciously: "Why don't you see Gao Changshi?"

Li Xiaogong wanted to ask this question a long time ago, but he couldn't save face. Hearing Yang Junmao's question, he also looked at Jiang Baoyi.

"Gao Changshi sits in Zhijiang City and has never played in battle," Jiang Baoyi said truthfully.

"Then Baoyi, why did you think of sending troops?" Li Xiaogong asked with a frown. Could it be that Gao Chong was not involved in this, and everything was due to Jiang Baoyi?
Hearing the words, Jiang Baoyi took out a military order from his pocket and presented it, and said without hesitation: "After the army left the city, Gao Changshi sent an order to the last general, ordering me to strictly abide by the king's military order, and wait for the opportunity while guarding Bailizhou. This is the king's military order."

When Li Xiaogong finally saw it, he really stamped it with his own hands. The word "waiting for an opportunity" was particularly eye-catching.

It turned out that Gao Chong had already expected that sending troops would be unfavorable, and ordered Jiang Baoyi to be ready to join the battle at any time. At the same time, he also saved himself enough face. Li Xiaogong sighed, looking at Jiang Baoyi, Yang Junmao and others, he was also not hypocritical, and sighed Said: "When you go back to the city, you should serve Gao Youzhi with wine to make an apology."

Everyone bowed their heads.

Although Li Xiaogong did not turn his back on Gao Chong this time when he insisted on sending troops, everyone present knew that Li Xiaogong was actually extremely tough on Gao Chong, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was determined to go his own way.

But now that Li Xiaogong dared to face it calmly, he was frank and daring, and Yang Junmao also admired him. As Li Tang's close relatives, it is very rare to be able to do this.

Some vassal kings of Xiao Liang, Yang Junmao, also knew each other. For example, King Dong Jingzhen of Jin, King Zhang Xiu of Qi, and King Zheng Wenxiu of Chu, although they each had their personality flaws, they also had some abilities. Dongping Wang Xiaojieti and others are useless.

On the other hand, Tang Dynasty, as a county king, although Li Xiaogong is not very proficient in military affairs, his character is really benevolent, and Jiang Baoyi, who is not well-known among the Tang army, is also courageous and resourceful. Shi Gaochong is only in his early twenties, it seems that Tang is really destiny.

"My lord, General Liu's body has been salvaged," a soldier hurried forward to report.

Li Xiaogong was shocked when he heard the words, "Liu Zhi... take me there quickly", and immediately staggered forward with his hands on his arms.

The majestic hussars general Liu Zhi, his breastplate was already in tatters, the huge wound exposed his broken ribs, it was very frightening, and there were several arrows stuck in his chest.

A school lieutenant lowered his head and said with a sad face: "General Liu took the lead in the boarding battle. He was surrounded by the enemy and fell into the river after being seriously injured." .

Li Xiaogong was silent for a long time, "Liu Zhi died because of my mistake, I will take credit for him after returning to Beijing."

Soon Liu Zhi was carried down, and Li Xiaogong personally returned to Zhijiang City with his army, ordering Wan Xuan to clean up the warships and collect the ships and prisoners.

The death of Hussar General Liu Zhi was just a small episode in this war. The people present, including Lin Zhisong, were used to seeing life and death, let alone the battlefield where the decisive battle between the two countries was involved.

As the coach, Li Xiaogong has already given Liu Zhi a high degree of praise as the king of the county, and publicly promised to ask for credit for him.

As a hussar general from the fourth rank, he died heroically for his country, and with Li Xiaogong working for him, he could at least posthumously confer the title of Marquis of the Founding County.

Although Liu Zhi is dead, he can shade his descendants, and his son can become a nobleman. This is undoubtedly the best consolation for the soldiers shrouded in horse leather.

Outside Zhijiang City, Gao Chong and his civil and military officials had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Gao Chong here to greet him, Li Xiaogong turned blushing, and immediately got off his horse. The defeat of Xiaoliang's water army, the first battle will determine the universe, gratifying and congratulations."

"Yu Zhi", Li Xiaogong stepped forward and tightly held Gao Chong's arm, his lips squirmed, but he didn't know what to say, he turned his head and sighed after a long time: "I am ashamed."

When Gao Chong saw this, he moved closer, the two of them embraced each other, and whispered into their ears, "Why did your majesty say that, didn't you and I decide together the trick to attract the main force of the enemy army?"

Hearing these words again, Li Xiaogong sighed: "You treat me like a brother, and I, Li Xiaogong, will not be held accountable."

"According to seniority, I still have to call you cousin, why bother to meet outsiders?" Gao Chong shook his head and smiled, Li Xiaogong is Li Yuan's nephew, that is, Li Xiuwan's cousin, Gao Chong's calling him cousin is quite reasonable.

Seeing this, Li Xiaogong didn't say much anymore, if he continued speaking, he would be too outspoken, he immediately walked with Gao Chong's arm, and the two entered the city together.

Seeing this, the generals also had their own guesses, some knew that Li Xiaogong insisted on going his own way, which led to the defeat in the first battle.

Of course, there are also people who don't know the truth and believe it to be true. They really think that this is a trick planned by the chief executive and Chang Shi long ago to lure the enemy.

Of course, no matter what, the Tang army won a great victory, beheaded Xiaoliang's main general Wen Shihong, and the entire Jiangling navy was wiped out. This is an established fact, and the next city is Jiangling City, the capital of Xiaoliang.

(End of this chapter)