Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 258 Sheep eats people

Shang Yexi is a new general who has emerged in Tubo in recent years, but he has been active in South Asia before, helping Tubo to conquer cities and territories in Tianzhu, and he has not fought against the Tang army many times.

Therefore, he was relatively cautious in this battle and did not want to attack Shanzhou.

Since they were pretending to be a "Dangxiang" tribe this time, the [-] Tubo cavalry were not used to attack cities and seize territory, but to plunder Shanzhou to replenish military supplies.

What Fang Chongyong knew was that the Tubo people had always launched "autumn offensives" and fought only after the autumn harvest, when there was sufficient food and grass and the horses were fat and strong.

But what he didn't know was that this time, the Tubo people creatively wanted to launch a "spring offensive" to attack Shibao City in spring and summer when the weather conditions were better!

Therefore, the Tibetan army's partial lack of food and grass became a problem that was difficult to solve. The reason why Shang Yexi wanted to raid the Longyou military granary to grab food was also partly due to this factor.

In any case, Shang Yexi went into battle with light cavalry this time and had no intention of fighting with the Tang army.

While looting a certain village, they unexpectedly found a Tang Army grain depot. When every horse of the Tubo cavalry was covered with bags filled with wheat grains, Shang Yexi decisively ordered: Run! How fast it moistens!

It is impossible to fight a war. Shang Yexi, who has studied the art of war, knows it very well: soldiers need to be quick, attack with troops first, and then attack the city with the second!

On the return trip, they could drive the sheep, numbering no less than [-], back to the Tibetan territory. After grabbing so many things in this round, there were still zero casualties. No matter how you look at it, it’s all a bloody profit!

He faced Tang Jun with a flurry of aggressive attacks, but the opponent couldn't find any trouble afterwards. This kind of achievement is not only commonplace in Tubo, but it can at least be said to be unique.

At this moment, Shang Yexi was filled with pride.

He knew that the disbandment of the Tang Army's Anren Army was only temporary, and the internal chaos was also temporary. It is estimated that it won't be long before other armies will be stationed in Datong City again, and then this short window period will also be fleeting.

Without the obstruction of Datong City, the Tubo cavalry could travel between the villages north of Shancheng and the Tibetan garrison without any hindrance. Not to mention arriving in the morning and evening, you can almost go there and come back the same day!

For example, Chongyong’s previous life Amei’s zero-yuan purchase is more convenient.

This is your chance to win during this robbery!

Of course, the strategic position and topography of Datong City are far inferior to that of Shibao City. The Tubo side did not believe that a single dispatch of troops would be able to drive the Longyou Army of the Tang Dynasty out of the Hehuang Valley. Therefore, the senior leaders of the Tibetan army also planned to capture Shibao City with this wave of offensive, and then talk about other things.

Otherwise, according to Shang Yexi's plan, he will definitely conquer Datong City as soon as possible!

Moreover, if Shang Yexi made some noise on the Datong City side of the northern line, he could attract the attention of the Longyou Army of the Tang Dynasty, thereby weakening the defense of Shibao City on the southern line, allowing the Tubo South Route Army to capture Shibao City. Create opportunities.

It's quite a bit of an attack on the east and the west.

It must be said that Shang Yexi was a very clever Tubo general. This wave of plunder can be said to be the right time, the right place and the right people.

It is impossible to lose no matter what! No matter what happens, there is no problem in leaving the food and running away!

However, when Shang Yexi led [-] cavalry and carried a large amount of grain, he returned north. The cavalry team had just arrived at the throat of Xingxuchuan, which is the canyon under Datong City. Shang Yexi, who was at the front of the team, saw densely packed horse-rejecting stakes in front of him!

Endless as far as the eye can see! It's just there, blocking the only way back!

What's going on with this horse riding!

Shang Yexi was dumbfounded!

They had sent people to Datong City to check before, but there was no one there!

This road goes straight, with weak water that cannot be used by boats on one side and towering mountains on the other. There is no place to hide people!

Who was this wicked person who blocked the throat of Xingxuchuan with horse-jumping stakes?

Do these horse-rejecting stakes all grow out of the soil?

Shang Yexi was not feeling well. Not only him, but also the entire cavalry team that returned from victory began to become restless.

"Get off your horse and move the horse-rejecting stakes away!"

Nao Yexi shouted to the deputy general. At this point, there is no other way but to pray that Tang Jun will come later!

At this moment, he suddenly remembered something, and he was so scared that he was sweating profusely! My lips started to tremble!

Shang Yexi remembered an incident from the past. During the Wu Zhou Dynasty decades ago, the Tubo army seemed to have used this trick against the Tang army. They set up fences and horse-rejecting stakes on the only way to block the way of the Tang army and almost destroyed the north. The returning Tang army was completely annihilated.

At that time, the famous Tang army general Hei Te Changzhi counterattacked and turned defeat into victory under extremely difficult conditions. He defeated the Tibetan army and was promoted.

Decades later, the roles played by the two armies were reversed, and the Tang army set up horse-repelling stakes on the way back to the Tibetan army!

not good! Things are getting serious!

Thinking of this, Shang Yexi hurriedly ordered:

"Everyone dismounts and moves away the horse-rejecting stakes! Anyone who disobeys orders will be killed!"

Shang Yexi became anxious. Looking at the Tubo soldier who was confused and in panic, he turned over and dismounted and directly beheaded the Tibetan soldier who was stunned and motionless!

"Come here, everyone! Move the Juma stakes away!"

Nao Yexi's voice was so anxious that the tone changed!

Under his command, the Tubo cavalry turned into infantry, abandoned their horses, and began to carry heavy horse-rejecting stakes.

However, in this narrow area, even if Shang Yexi has [-] people, not all of them can be deployed and moved. Only hundreds of people can operate at the same time.

During the transportation process, the dispatch was not smooth. This narrow valley road was hundreds of meters long, and there was no other place to place the Juma piles.

So these Tubo soldiers had to move the Juma Zhuang to the vicinity of Datong City on the east hill, and then return to continue carrying it, which wasted a lot of time going back and forth.

Shang Yexi was anxious and depressed at the same time, and he couldn't exert all his strength. This time the interception seemed to be stuck in the most uncomfortable and inconvenient place for the Tubo cavalry.

They have strong mobility, but the area is narrow and the roads are blocked, so they cannot use it at all.

They have the advantage of numbers, but only a small number of them can participate in the transportation. The other soldiers can only stare and have nowhere else to go.

They had the advantage of time, but being blocked, they could only watch as the Tang Army cavalry from the south reacted and pursued them!

No matter what he was afraid of, Shang Yexi was worried about being pursued by the elite Tang army, when the sound of horse hooves and shouts of killing came from the south.

Shang Yexi raised the ancient sword in his hand and shouted towards Datong City on the east hill: "Don't be obsessed with fighting! Everyone enter the city! Set up defenses after entering the city!"

Immediately, the messengers around him began to wave flags, and the Tubo cavalry slowly advanced towards Datong City on the hill!

It is impossible to fight head-on! There are horse-rejecting stakes in front, and armored Tang troops behind! Not to mention the light cavalry on my side, they were still squeezed into this narrow desert!

This battle situation is exactly the same as when the Tubo army blocked the Tang army decades ago. If you fight, you will die! There is absolutely no chance of winning!

However, if these ten thousand people were withdrawn into Datong City and occupied a strong fortress to fight a defensive battle, they could still hold on for a few days.

After all, these Tibetan troops under Shang Yexi's command stole a lot of food and [-] horses! There is no shortage of logistics for the time being.

The Tubo North Route Army will definitely know about the fact that they are trapped in Datong City in a short time, and someone will come to rescue them by then! I believe I can fight my way out.

Even if no one rescues him, he may die a few days later. No matter how you say it, it is much better than using Tianling Gai to pick up the Tang Army's cavalry.

Nao Yexi's movement was not unpleasant, but it was still a little late.

The sequence he was in was located in front of the main force, and he could rush into Chase City without any hindrance. However, the dismounted soldiers who were still carrying the horse-rejecting stakes and the Tibetan cavalry at the rear of the team were all unlucky.

Without the command of the general, they themselves were pretending to be party members and marching lightly, and they were trapped in a desperate situation and lost their mobility. When these Tibetan soldiers came into contact with the Lintao Army cavalry led by Fang Chongyong, they were cut down like paper figures, without even the strength to fight back.

Fang Chongyong, who was cautious in employing troops, ordered a battalion of mounted infantry to dismount and clear the way ahead in order to avoid unnecessary casualties. He followed slowly behind with professional cavalry.

These heavy infantrymen wearing Mingguang armor of the Tang army faced almost a one-sided massacre against the Tibetan light cavalry that had lost their speed. After dealing with the Tibetan army at the bottom of the hill, the Tang army all dismounted and surrounded Datong City tightly.

"Shuai Fang, do you want to order an attack on the city?" Gai Jiayun, who was covered in blood, asked Fang Chongyong with excitement.

An army does not mean that it can temporarily occupy a city and defend it based on the city's danger. Defense deployment itself is a highly technical job that requires the accumulation of experience and knowledge, as well as some ancillary items.

Such as bed crossbows, kerosene, bows and arrows, rolling logs, etc.

The Tibetan army temporarily occupied Datong City, but their foothold was not stable. It is not that difficult to fight a decent defensive battle.

Gai Jiayun's suggestion was to strike while the iron was hot and enter the city before the Tibetan people were familiar with the structure of Datong City. This can minimize the casualties of the Tang army.

"Go down and light the smoke!"

Fang Chongyong didn't say anything nonsense and directly gave instructions to He Changqi, the captain of the soldiers beside him.

"Order!"

He Changqi went down to deliver the order. Soon, smoke was ignited among the Tang army outside Datong City. It could be seen from far away, let alone inside Datong City!

"Drumming!"

Fang Chongyong continued to give orders, steadily and without any nonsense.

dong dong dong dong dong dong dong!

The rapid sound of the drum resounded throughout the sky!

A large number of Tibetan soldiers climbed up the city wall of Datong City, holding crossbows and nervously looking at the Tang army below the city who was preparing to attack the city.

No one among the many remnants present was nervous. If nothing unexpected happened, this would be a bloody battle.

……

puff!

It was the sound of a sword entering flesh, accompanied by blood splattering everywhere.

A Tang soldier wearing a white sheepskin stabbed the long knife in his hand into Shang Yexi's abdomen! The young Tibetan army general's eyes widened unwillingly, and he fell to the ground twitching, with his hands still holding the knife tightly!

Don't rest your eyes!

Nao Yexi lost, but until his death, he didn't understand how he lost!

A smart hunter will always set many traps. If one trap doesn't work, he will try another one.

Fang Chongyong prepared a sumptuous set meal for the Tubo people this time. No matter what they want to eat, they can find their "favorite" one.

The victory of the Tang army is certain, whether it is a small victory, a big victory, or a sweep.

What Nao Yexi didn't know was that almost all of his choices were drawn and he chose the worst ending.

When Shang Yexi fled into Datong City with the remaining Tibetan soldiers, someone noticed that there seemed to be some frightened sheep hiding in some corners in twos and threes. Of course, this is not unusual. The previous group of sheep was not far away. It was not unusual for them to hide in Datong City when they were frightened by the horses.

Shang Yexi and his men set up defenses on the city wall, preparing for the next attack by the Tang army.

The Tubo soldiers were confused. Who would pay attention to these harmless sheep?

Unexpectedly, when the Tang army started to let out smoke and beat the drums loudly. These "sheep" that originally walked on four legs suddenly walked upright and turned into living people wearing sheep's clothing! He still has a knife in his hand!

The person in sheep's clothing is not necessarily a wolf, it can also be Qiu Ba who is brave and good at fighting!

When these "sheepskin men" heard the drums, they began to gather in groups from inside Datong City, and then killed the Tibetans and cooperated with the Tang army's siege. In less than half an hour, the battle was over. Under internal and external attacks, the casualties suffered by Tang soldiers were minimal.

"Fang Jieshuai, I'm leading someone to protect you from the front. I'm afraid some Tibetans will pretend to be dead and hurt you."

Gai Jiayun said enthusiastically, and the other party Zhongyong was sincerely convinced.

He led the way with his own soldiers, while Fang Chongyong led the senior leaders of the Lintao Army into Datong City. Bodies of Tibetan people can be seen everywhere here, and a few are corpses of Tang soldiers wearing sheepskins.

The five Lun brothers, who were also dressed in sheep's clothing, came forward and saluted the other party Zhongyong respectfully.

"The training effect is good."

Fang Chongyong laughed.

Lun Weizhen rubbed her head in embarrassment and said with a smile:

“It’s just that the sheep head is uncomfortable to wear, but the rest is fine.

When the Tibetan cavalry were in the grassland, I was afraid that they would go back home, and then we, three thousand infantry in sheepskin, would have a bloody battle with the Tibetan cavalry on the grassland.

If that moment comes, I can only count on Commander-in-Chief to send troops to rescue him quickly. How can I be breathing heavily and talking like I am now, hahahahahaha! "

Hearing this, the surrounding frontier generals also laughed.

Fang Chongyong's trick was worthless to say the least. He asked the five Lun brothers, along with their troops, and the frontier army from Lanzhou to gather [-] men and convert the [-] sheepskins in the treasury into ones that people could wear. "Sheepskin clothing", three sheepskins transformed into one piece of clothing.

Of course, Cen Shen had already completed this matter according to Fang Chongyong's "ingenious plan".

The five Lun brothers practiced on the grasslands near Lanzhou, asking their men to wear sheepskins and learn to walk like sheep. After they became proficient in the drill, they returned to Shanzhou and came to the grassland of Xingxuchuan. They mixed with a group of real sheep and "practiced" on the grassland north of Datong City.

It is also called luring the enemy.

Zhang Shouyu and his gang pretended to be herdsmen to control the farm. Depending on how the Tubo people responded to the situation, they sent different signals to the Tang army in Shancheng in the rear. And monitored the movements of the Tibetan cavalry throughout the entire process.

If the Tubo people see through the sheepskin man, then Zhang Shouyu will send someone to deliver the message, and the Tang army in Shancheng will go north to rescue.

If the Tubo people did not see through the sheepskin man, then Zhang Shouyu would also send someone to deliver the message. After the Tubo people crossed the border, they notified the sheepskin people on the grassland to move the Juma stakes that had been deployed in Datong City to the throat valley of Xingxuchuan to block the road.

After finishing their work, the sheepskin people will continue to pretend to be sheep and hide in Datong City, waiting for opportunities.

Obviously, the Tibetan people who only planned to get a vote and leave did not think so much and did not pay attention to so many details. Including Shang Yexi, these Tubo people thought that they were cavalry. With Datong City abandoned, there was no way the Tang army could block their way.

Unexpectedly, in the end, the whole army was wiped out because of a small loss.

It is so dangerous to make a living on the battlefield. If you are not careful, you will die. Ten thousand times of caution are never too many, but one carelessness may be the end of the world.

"Let the Lintao Army infantry come quickly to defend Datong Town! The rest of the people, after clearing the battlefield, return to Shanzhou City."

Fang Chongyong was already happy in his heart, but his face remained calm and he ordered calmly.

After re-defending Datong City, the last gap was closed, and the battle was truly over.

Of course, publicity to the outside world should be low-key. These "Partymen" were so audacious that they dared to rob the Tang army's granaries, which was intolerable, but they had nothing to do with Tubo.

The Tubo side couldn't tell the story of their suffering. They couldn't say that it was their own cavalry who came to plunder the areas controlled by the Tang army and were killed in the end, right?

If that were to happen, it would be a joke, and Tubo Zanpu couldn’t afford to disgrace this person!

　Behind the absurdity is the incomparable truth, taken from two real battles in the Tang Dynasty

　　

　

(End of this chapter)