Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 240
  Zheng Rentai listened to the unintentional words of Sijie Yingcai, a Tiele man, with ever-changing expressions and mixed emotions, unable to say a word.

At this moment, the Tang army was no longer an army, but more like a group of homeless beggars.

Under the leadership of Si Jie Yingcai, more than ten thousand Tang troops rested next to the oasis for two days before they regained their composure.

When they came out of the desert and looked at the unique gravel piles and weeds on the edge of the desert, many people were moved to tears.

Chen Qingsi and Huang Heshou were already waiting in Monan with pigs, sheep, wine and food.

When Sijie Yingcai found Zheng Rentai's army, he had already asked his clansmen to pass on the news.

Seeing Tang Jun, who had relaxed a lot but was still embarrassed, Chen Qingsi's heart finally dropped.

"Master Chief!"

Chen Qingsi and Huang Heshou saluted Zheng Rentai.

Zheng Rentai opened his mouth and said, "Thank you so much, Mr. Chen!"

Chen Qingsi said sternly: "This is what I should do."

He did not act as enthusiastic as his actions, but was a little cold.

He really couldn't give a good look.

If Zheng Rentai had lost the battle and was defeated by the Tiele rebels, he would not be like this.

Victory or defeat is standard issue.

It's not like geniuses like Han Xin or Li Jing. There's nothing you can do if you lose. Just find a way to win back.

But it is foolish to lose troops and divisions in this way.

Zheng Rentai was also ashamed of himself, had no temper, and had no face to stay here. He just said a few words and left with a bit of loneliness.

Chen Qingsi asked Huang Heshou to take care of his old boss, while he stayed to greet the soldiers who had escaped from the disaster.

Chen Qingsi found Wang Fangyi drinking wine and eating mutton in the wounded barracks.

This famous general who would become a powerful figure in the Western Regions in later generations walked away from the gate of hell once.

The soldiers he brought out to look for water fell one by one in the desert until he could no longer hold on, suffering from dehydration and heatstroke, and narrowly escaped death.

"Superintendent Chen!"

Wang Fangyi was still weak and wanted to stand up and salute.

Chen Qingsi pushed him down, sat down next to him and said, "Captain is in poor health, so don't be too polite." Seeing that his mouth was full of oil, he said, "Enough is enough wine and meat, drink more rice porridge to nourish your stomach. Wait until your body is well." Once you recover, it’s not too late to enjoy yourself to the fullest.”

Wang Fangyi nodded and said, "Then I will stop eating after two more bites."

Knowing that Wang Fangyi almost died in the desert, Chen Qingsi asked: "We are in an unknown area surrounded by yellow sand. It is too bold for Captain Wang to leave the team rashly and look for water."

Wang Fangyi pursed his lips and said: "War is a matter of bloodshed. Since something happens, someone has to shoulder the burden. I believe that I will not lose to anyone, and I should stand up at critical moments."

"Well said!" Chen Qingsi clapped her hands and smiled: "A good man should be like this!" He was a little angry at first, because he knew Wang Fangyi's achievements.

Generals such as Wang Fangyi, Cheng Wuting, and Hei Chi Changzhi were of great significance to the Tang Dynasty.

They were the important players in the Tang Dynasty's military that held up the world when the military system collapsed and the generals were inactive. How could they be so easily lost?
  Now that Wang Fangyi said this, I understood.

This is the unique responsibility of generals like Wang Fangyi.

It is precisely because of this responsibility that they can stand out and achieve great success. If you always retreat when faced with difficulties, how will you be able to handle them when faced with really big things?
  Chen Qingsi patted Wang Fangyi on the shoulder and said: "Recover well. When we get to Lingzhou, I have something I want to hear your opinion on. Please help me with it."

Wang Fangyi knew that Sijie Ying was the one who went to Mobei for rescue because Chen Qingsi came forward to ask for it. He was his savior and said: "Chen Dujian said it's okay."

Chen Qingsi said: "Let's wait until you recover."

Wang Fangyi has practiced martial arts since he was a child, and his physical fitness is far better than that of ordinary people. After a few days of rest, he can already walk as fast as flying.

He was thinking about his benefactor, and as soon as he arrived in Lingzhou, he paid a visit.

Chen Qingsi pulled Wang Fangyi to sit down and handed Wang Fangyi all the information he had compiled about the Sanshou surrender city system.

Wang Fangyi just watched the beginning and couldn't help himself. His eyes were full of shock and joy.

Chen Qingsi knew that Wang Fangyi was talented in this area. Historically, Suiye City was built by Wang Fangyi.

After Suiye City was built, it immediately replaced Yanqi and became the new Four Towns of Anxi.

Khotan, Shule, and Suiye were lined up from south to north, respectively blocking the Tibetan route from the Kunlun Mountains and Congling to the Western Regions, with Qiuci as their backing.

If Wu Zetian hadn't killed the hero indiscriminately, Tubo might not have been able to break through Wang Fangyi's defense line.

Because of this, Wang Fangyi was able to quickly understand the magical effect of Sanshou surrender and the boldness and mystery of this defensive system.

Chen Qingsi spread out a map, which he drew by personally exploring the terrain. He pointed to the three points marked with charcoal on the map and said: "After repeated discussions with Captain Huang and Captain Zhang, we decided to do this here , Shuangjiang City was built on the north bank of the Hetao. It is a transportation hub, and it is also located on the north bank of the Yellow River. The terrain is high, and it is moistened by the Yellow River, so military settlements can be implemented without worrying about the risk of floods."

Wang Fangyi praised repeatedly and said: "Mr. Chen's great talent, if your Majesty can adopt it, he will be able to effectively achieve defensive effects in the sparsely populated land of Mobei and Monan at a very small cost."

Chen Qingsi clapped her hands and said, "I'm not here to listen to your praise, but to give you an idea and see what can be improved."

How could he not know the wonder of Sanshou surrendering to the city?
  Wang Fangyi said hurriedly: "The last general has little talent and little knowledge, how dare he try to do anything for his disciples!"

Chen Qingsi waved her hand and said: "If we are three people, I must be my teacher. I have never experienced a war, so I cannot be careful about many things. I accept the teaching with an open mind, not to show off. Please take a good look."

Wang Fangyi gritted his teeth, looked at the map, and then looked at the information in his hand. After looking at it for a long time, he suddenly discovered something. After a while, he tried to say: "Can we also use the Yellow River? Most grassland people are not good at water. The same is true here in Lingxia. But just because of this, we can reflect our advantage. If Zhongshoujiang City, East and West Shujiangcheng can be connected by the Yellow River, as long as the Yellow River is not frozen or in a dry season, we can transport troops under their noses They can't do anything to transport food to us."

"That's a good suggestion!"

Chen Qingsi smiled from ear to ear. Sure enough, everyone was adding fuel to the fire.

Maybe the locations of the three surrender cities they researched are not at the original site Zhang Renyuan decided, but after their collective efforts, they may not be much inferior.

Chen Qingsi adopted Wang Fangyi's suggestion and once again used his skills in writing memorials. In addition to reporting the situation here to Li Zhi, he also compiled the plan for Sanhou's surrender into a separate volume and sent it to Chang'an.

(End of this chapter)