Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 378 Achilles’ Heel
In Samadan, the capital of Kang State, by the fountain in the inner garden of the palace, a plainly dressed Abu Muslim was sitting under the shade of a tree, discussing with his general Qiyad Sari the recent battle. The food army camp outside the city was destroyed by Gao Xianzhi at night. Attack, the defeat of the former army.

The bad news is: 30,000 troops and horses were lost, and the military advantage was weakened.

The good news is: Ziad Sari's most elite 10,000 troops are still intact and are not among the unlucky ones who were attacked at night.

Most of the lost tribes were hostile armed forces from various tribes that had been recruited since the Shiite uprising.

Abu Muslim asked them to take the lead and deploy in advance. In fact, he was a little unsure about the combat effectiveness of the Tang army and wanted these tribal armed forces to test their depth.

I just didn't expect that group of people to be so useless. They were attacked by Gao Xianzhi's Qingqi at night and were defeated.

The elite under Ziad Sari's command are a powerful force that combines heavy infantry, infantry archers, heavy cavalry and mounted archers, with a sound combat system. He is also a team member who started out as a big foodie in black. He has gone through various wars and fierce battles and has extremely rich experience.

It is no exaggeration to say that it does not matter if the 30,000 tribal soldiers and horses are lost, it will not shake the country's foundation. But if these 10,000 elite food troops are lost, it is hard to say whether the black food army can still hold the place in Khorasan Province.

At this moment, Abu Muslim looked calm and was listening to Ziyad Sari's report on the battle damage, frowning from time to time.

"These 30,000 former troops were defeated, right? The King of Kang originally agreed to send troops to cover the flanks, but now he doesn't agree to send troops, is that right?"

Ziad Sari said that this is not a secret. Anyone who has lived west of Congling for a few years knows that even the desert is not hot all year round. There will be a short winter with extremely cold nights. .

In fact, what he said was not wrong at all.

Not to mention the wallflowers like Kang Guo. Their loyalty needs to be judged based on the battlefield situation.

These places are almost a day or two's ride away from Kangguo, Shiguo and other places. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are close at hand. As for the supply line of the Tang Army, it was really far beyond description. It is said that it has been lifted a thousand miles away.

If there are many people but the strength cannot be exerted, it will only increase the burden of raising troops.

Of course, if Gao Xianzhi chooses to leave the Stone Kingdom with his baggage, he must be prepared to be attacked halfway across the border. On the road from Zhezhi City to Talas City, there are passages on the east and west sides, and mountains on the north and south sides. As long as you are overtaken, the road will not be so easy! "

"Gao Xianzhi is indeed good at fighting, but we underestimated him."

"It is indeed the case. The governor has been able to eliminate these tribes from the army. Small countries such as Kang State and Shi State also refused to coordinate their efforts to send troops. They were frightened by Gao Xianzhi.

If we start from Jinmancheng in Beiting, it will be at least two thousand miles to Kang State.

Abu Muslim nodded slightly and said.

When two armies are fighting, the larger one fights the smaller one. Isn't this the most basic rule? "

These teams that have come over since the Shia uprising are not very loyal. Now they have suffered a disastrous defeat, and now they can no longer command at all.

Abu Muslim said with some emotion.

"Governor, what do you think are the weaknesses of Gao Xianzhi and his Anxi Army?

Abu Muslim said with a smile.

If there were no weaknesses, wouldn't it be impossible to start this battle? "

Ziyadesa said with worry in his heart. It was obvious that he saw that Abu Muslim had accepted the reality of frustration.

There was a trace of disdain in Ziad Sari's words. Even if these troops numbered 30,000, they were still not as good as the 10,000 iron troops under his command!
In fact, those tribal armed forces did not kill 30,000 people in the raid, and each ministry recovered more or less troops. It's just that their morale has been shattered, and the commanders of the various ministries are unwilling to go to the battlefield again no matter what.

"It's time for the whole army to attack and besiege the Kingdom of Shi. Transfer more grain to the Kingdom of Kang to stock up. We will take action when winter comes."

Abu Muslim suddenly asked an unrelated question.

No matter how good the strategy, how strong the logistics, how strong the military strength, it will ultimately be implemented in the word "battle".

Seeing Ziyad Sari's disbelieving look, Abu Muslim patiently explained:
"After winter, Yaoshashui became like walking on flat ground at night. Gao Xianzhi was unable to deploy defenses along the banks of Yaoshashui and its tributaries, and it was impossible to hold on to Zhezhi City.

He has been working at the grassroots level for a long time. He has only been successful for a few years, and he does not have the arrogance and arrogance that powerful people often have.

Abu Muslim's analysis is indeed good, but if you still can't defeat the enemy on the battlefield, what are these advantages of use?
"How many days are left until the freezing period?"

Ziad Sari asked doubtfully. The two of them were discussing military strategies, and in fact they were also exchanging skills. It could be said that they were both teachers and friends.

I understand all these generals you mentioned, but these alone are not enough to defeat Gao Xianzhi. "

I have a 200-mile supply line, and you have a 2,000-mile supply line. Do you want to compete with me for logistics?
Abu Muslim’s confidence comes from this!
"Governor, please forgive me for being blunt. For example, Gao Xianzhi is using less to fight more this time. Having more people is useless. He must be able to show his strength.

Take Shiguo as an example. It is common for rivers and lakes to freeze at night after winter, and horses can even be raced on them.

Their core control areas are in Xi'an, Mulu, Kushan and other places in the northwest of Kang State. Among them, Abu Muslims were slaves in the Mulu area earlier (probably born there). This is also where the black food industry started. .

We also have to guard against their betrayal at critical moments. "

Ziad Sari retorted unceremoniously.

Abu Muslim asked softly. The impact of the defeat has begun to appear, and small countries such as Kang State began to waver.

Gao Xianzhi has few soldiers and probably doesn't have much food left. This is the biggest disadvantage.

Abu Muslim clearly realized that the combat effectiveness of the Tang Army was completely different from the many opponents it had encountered before!

"However, if the final general is Gao Xianzhi, he will continue to harass Juzhanti City and even Dongcao City in the north of Kang State, forcing us to fight him in a decisive battle!

Without defeating us, it would be impossible for Gao Xianzhi to leave Shi Country with his baggage. "

They will favor whoever has the upper hand!

"No, we have more soldiers and no shortage of food and fodder. This is our biggest advantage.

Abu Muslim was the commander-in-chief, arranging troops, arranging troops, and strategizing. And he is the leader of the most elite unit, who needs to go into battle. His perspective on the problem is consistent with Abu Muslim in some places, but there are considerable differences in other places.

Gao Xianzhi is particularly good at fighting on the spot, relying on her absolute battlefield performance to reverse strategic disadvantages.

"It's coming soon. It's probably the closest. By then, all the surrounding lakes and rivers will freeze briefly at night."

Ziad Sari is a general who leads troops and can better understand the general's thinking. In his opinion, Gao Xianzhi is not really a coach, but more like a strong and determined general. Datang's operations west of Congling cannot be said to be very clever, so that these countries are now more or less biased towards the big food country.

Gao Xianzhi is just using his superior tactics to make up for his strategic shortcomings.

Based on the principle of "fight as often as you can", Ziad Sari felt that Gao Xianzhi's next plan was to constantly harass Kang's food army and force Abu Muslim to fight with them!
"Then go deep into the barrier. If you don't want to fight Gao Xianzhi, just grind with him slowly!"

Abu Muslim said in a deep voice, he was also angry!
With strong troops and short supply lines, there is nothing to be afraid of! If you can't compete head-on, it will take time!

"What if Gao Xianzhi abandoned the baggage and ran away?" Ziad Sari asked unwillingly. After saying this, he himself was amused by these words. Abu Muslim didn't say a word, he just looked at him and shook his head and laughed.

If Gao Xianzhi withdrew by himself without the baggage, then considering the length of Tang's supply line, it would be next summer at the earliest for the Tang army to attack Shi Kingdom again.

Next year, will the Tang army still have a chance to compete with the food country? How much food, manpower, and money will it need to spend at that time? After retreating without a fight, how many small countries in the Western Regions would be willing to side with the Tang Dynasty?

In fact, many things are obvious. After passing this village, this store will no longer exist.

If Gao Xianzhi wants to abandon his baggage and retreat, Abu Muslim will definitely send troops to see him off. This means that the black-clothed soldiers will pacify the nine Zhaowu surnames to the west of Congling without bloodshed, which is a great strategic victory!
The majesty that the Tang army left behind by fleeing without a fight can only be regained by sweeping the army of the Shiguo Kingdom in the future. Come to think of it, Gao Xianzhi also understands this truth!

"Understood, then we will fight together and be on guard."

Ziad Sari bowed, turned and left.

……

"Commander Jie, I think this battle is already quite dangerous. Even if we include the Anxi Expeditionary Force, our strength is actually estimated to be smaller than that of the Great Cannibal.

What's more, their home base is so close to the Stone Kingdom, so it is very easy to replenish supplies and personnel. "

In a wing of Dayun Temple, Wang Rao said to Fang Chongyong worriedly.

The generals in the Anxi Expeditionary Army who were not optimistic about Gao Xianzhi expressed their disbelief that Gao Xianzhi had defeated the Dashi Army in the previous battle, and believed that these so-called "Dashi Army" were actually just tribal armies from West Asia. It's just an alliance, its combat effectiveness is average, and it's by no means the elite of the Dashi army.

In fact, the news from Che Guangqian also indirectly proved this point. Or conversely, if Gao Xianzhi really injured the cannibals, those small countries in the Western Regions with the most sensitive sense of smell would have sent envoys to beg for mercy.

"We have established ferries at both ends of the Atami, and have shortened the transportation distance by hundreds of miles. Moreover, all the camels we obtained in Beiting Sanzhou have arrived near Suiye City.

Now that cannibalism is affordable, we are not exactly sitting around waiting to die. "

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said, obviously confident.

Playing tactics with the big cannibal?
No, no, no, the risk is too high, and we cannot expect our troops to perform superbly every time.

Fang Chongyong did not command too many sieges on this route, and basically spent his main energy on logistical supplies.

The baggage from Jinmancheng, the capital of Beiting, was transferred to the Ili Valley, mainly some livestock.

The baggage was then transferred to the ferry on the east bank of Atami, transported by water to the west bank of Atami, and finally transferred to Suiye Castle not far north of the ferry.

This logistics line greatly ensures that the army has sufficient supplies!

But the logistics optimization that Fang Chongyong and the Anxi Expeditionary Force can do only ends here. The fragile transportation lines formed by the series of abandoned small towns north of Suiye City had to be transported by camels for hundreds of miles and then sent to Talas City.

"Commander Jie, what General Wang said is not unreasonable. Should we take advantage of the fact that we have enough food and go directly to the Stone Kingdom, join forces with Gao Xianzhi, and then fight the big cannibal?"

Feng Changqing, who was beside Fang Chongyong, suggested.

"Yes, yes, but the Big Eater can retreat to Anxi City and Mulu City. Should we pursue them too? Don't you know how far those places are from Suiye City?"

Fang Chongyong asked angrily.

After hearing this, the generals who had just been eager to show off their skills in this battle meeting obediently shut their mouths.

That's right, the Great Cannibal may really not be able to defeat the Tang army where the two armies are united.

But if you can't beat him, why can't you run away?

They established strong walls and clear fields in the Anxi, Mulu, Shuanggui and other places in the north of Kang State, and were ready to attack. The Tang army could not get any advantage for a while. The logistical supply line is too fragile, so we can only use one-wave tactics!

As long as the big cannibals withstand this wave, wait for the Tang army to retreat due to lack of food, and then pursue it all the way, then all the generals present will probably risk their lives on the road.

“We are going to lure the Great Eater to Talas City for a decisive battle.

This place is far away from the core control area of ​​the Great Cannibal, and it is not particularly far from Broken Leaf City, making it convenient for us to supply. "

Fang Chongyong looked at Feng Changqing and told him: "In two days, you go to Zhezhi City in person and send a letter to Gao Xianzhi. If possible, try to lure the enemy deeper and not act recklessly. Of course, he is responsible for Shi Regarding matters related to the country, you don’t have to worry about the ambassador’s military orders. After all, I don’t know the specific situation on his side.”

Hearing this, everyone in the meditation room, including Bian Lingcheng, showed meaningful expressions.

Feng Changqing did not doubt that he was there, and he quickly crossed his hands and saluted: "I will obey the commander's orders, and the general can set off at any time."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly in greeting without saying too much nonsense.

What he meant, everyone present could only say that they understood.

"He Laohu, you should pay close attention to the movements ahead in Ashbulai City. The Great Eaters generally use camels to carry baggage, and the advancement speed is definitely faster than we expected.

It cannot be ruled out that the Great Cannibal will detour to Zhezhi City and directly attack Talas, bypassing Gao Xianzhi. "

Fang Chongyong told He Changqi who hurried back to Suiye City for a meeting.

"Please rest assured, Commander-in-Chief!"

He Changqi hurriedly confirmed the situation and slapped his chest loudly.

"Old Duan, the ferries at the east and west ends of Atami must be protected. The baggage transported to Suiye Town must not be cut off.

As long as we can ensure a constant supply of supplies such as food and arrows, we can compete with the cannibals for endurance!

There is also instability within Dashi, and the people in Dashi still control certain places. As long as Abu Muslim is defeated here, or even if it is delayed for a long time, it is open to question whether the black-clothed food can be suppressed.

Logistics, the top priority, must not be interrupted. "

Fang Chongyong warned Duan Xiushi.

"Put it on the general."

Duan Xiushi said with cupped fists and a salute.

"Well, let's all disperse. Tell the soldiers that the opportunity to make great achievements is coming soon, and let them all be prepared."

Fang Chongyong stood up, announced the adjournment of the meeting, turned around and left.

The official business was finally done, and it was time to deal with personal matters.

(End of this chapter)