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Chapter 854
Six years of innovation, July [-]th.

At dawn a drizzle fell.

Li Shimin only slept for less than two hours last night, and got up.He was a little irritable, so he went to the front line to inspect Zhao Jun's position in person.

Before reaching the front line, Changsun Wuji told, "Your Majesty, Yang Gongren is back."

Li Shimin turned his head and frowned and asked, "Yang Gongren, Yang Shidao and Chai Shao, aren't they chasing Wang Junkuo's men? Why are you back?"

Changsun Wuji said: "Your Majesty, let's listen to Yang Gongren himself."

Soon Yang Gongren went inside and reported to Li Shimin: "See Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty."

Li Shimin helped Yang Gongren up and said, "Aiqing has worked hard, how is the battle going?"

Yang Gongren replied: "Your Majesty, I have brought you ten thousand troops."

Li Shimin glared at Yang Gongren, showing dissatisfaction: "I have enough troops here, I don't need your troops, what you need now is to keep an eye on Wang Junkuo."

Yang Gongren lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty, General Chai and we have lost the movement of Wang Junkuo's men and horses. They are all cavalry and they run too fast. Our army has few cavalry and many infantry. After chasing them for three days, we were killed." Get rid of it. General Chai and my younger brother are going to continue to pursue Longyou, and ordered me to lead the army back to help His Majesty and prevent Wang Junkuo's attack."

Li Shimin listened and said: "You said Wang Junkuo continued to Xiang Sanyuan and Li Chongjiu?"

Yang Gongren knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, I think it will take some time for Wang Junkuo to regroup, but I am also worried that after Wang Junkuo regroups, he will come to Sanyuan to attack our army. But at least not today, Your Majesty, I would like to invite Your Majesty Make a decision on the fly, don't give Zhao Jun a chance."
Li Shimin's eyes froze when he heard this, and he took Yang Gongren's hand and said: "Aiqing is right, now I order you to deploy in the area of ​​Gaoling County to cover the rear of our army, and no matter what happens, we must keep our army to Chang'an The way out, understand?"

Yang Gongren clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will do my best."

After Yang Gongren left, Li Shimin asked Changsun Wuji, "Do you want to tell the Turks that Zhao Jun may have detoured our army's flank?"

Changsun Wuji said expressionlessly: "Your Majesty, I thought you should not tell. This will stabilize the morale of the army."

Li Shimin said: "If you don't tell me, then do you think Tong Yehu can break through Zhao Jun's defense around Luwei?"

Changsun Wuji said: "Your Majesty, Tong Yehu has been in the battlefield for a long time, and he still has a skill. Your Majesty can believe it. Moreover, I guess that Tong Yehu is also worried that Zhao Jun may turn around at any time. He will definitely fight with all his strength today."

"Very well, then today is the time to decide the outcome."

After Li Shimin finished speaking, he walked to the front of the Tang army's position and inspected the Zhao army's camp.

Li Shimin pointed to Zhao Jun's camp and said to Changsun Wuji: "From the deployment of the formation, we can know that Li Chongjiu is really cautious in using troops. You can see that the left wing of his army is facing an unknown village, and the main force of the Chinese army is in Sanyuan. On the road to Gaoling County, the traffic is guarded to prevent our army from passing, and the right flank is facing a reed field. There are hills on the east and west sides of the camp, which can prevent our cavalry from turning around."

Changsun Wuji nodded and said: "Your Majesty is very correct. Not only is Zhao Jun particular about the deployment of the east and west, but from the north and the south, you can see that there is a slightly raised hill in the center of Zhao Jun's camp. Some of the soldiers and horses are deployed. On the southern slope, you can look down on everything our army has in store, but behind the hills you can ambush soldiers and horses, preventing our army from seeing the truth."

The drizzle in the early morning made the ground even more humid. Li Shimin paced in front of the battle, looking into the distance, the dense milky white tents in Zhao Jun's camp in the hazy mist, and said: "You're right, I always don't like to attack with soldiers. The enemy is prepared, but today it must be done as a last resort."

Compared to Li Shimin who got up early in the morning to inspect, Li Chongjiu didn't close his eyes all night.Facing this battle that can determine the outcome of the world, he has been on the battlefield for many years, but at this moment he can't help but worry about gains and losses.

In the early morning, the Ministry will report to the right wing that there are signs of Turkic cavalry movement at the reeds on the right wing. Li Chongjiu no longer sleepy, and immediately got up.

The dew was heavy in the morning, and it had just rained, so the ground was very muddy.

In the big camp, the soldiers were still sleeping peacefully in their tents, the drizzle hit their faces, and the sky in the distance was gray. Below, the Tang army's big camp seemed to have started to light fires for cooking, and there were soldiers and horses Pull back and forth signs.

General Wei Chigong came forward and reported: "Your Majesty, on the right wing of our army, we found Turkic cavalry engulfing nearby villagers carrying soil bags. It seems that they want to build a passage in the weed swamp and advance further."

Li Chongjiu said: "It is not convenient for cavalry to enter and exit in the reed mud swamp. The Turkic people did this to pave the way and attack our army's right wing."

Wang Mahan clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, the cavalry in the mud are just a plate of food, we send out infantry to slaughter all these Turkic dogs."

Li Chongjiu said: "Although the reeds are not conducive to the maneuvering of the cavalry, they are convenient for ambush. If our army enters the reeds rashly, what should we do if we are ambushed by the Turks? There must be an ambush in the reeds. This is clearly the lure of Tong Yehu. The enemy's plan."

"But Your Majesty!"

Wang Mahan wanted to say more, but Li Chongjiu shook his head and said, "Even if you have a chance to win, I won't allow you to fight."

Wang Mahan was full of complaints when he heard this: "Your Majesty, you are too cautious in using your troops. That commander Ye Hu seems to be nothing more than a mediocre general."

"I don't think it is necessary to praise any enemy, which will lower the morale of our army. Of course, it is not advisable to belittle the other party blindly. Remember to be careful, there is no big mistake!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Mahan clasped his fists and promised to back down.

Seeing that Wang Mahan still looked hard to mind, Li Chongjiu patted him on the shoulder with a smile and said, "Wang Mahan, how long have you been following me?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it has been almost 20 years."

Li Chongjiu nodded and said: "Yes, among so many generals, you have followed me for the longest time, and your title has also changed. After this battle, I will make you the Duke of the State."

"My humble minister thanked His Majesty!" Wang Mahan knelt down after hearing this, and the seven-foot man couldn't help being excited at the moment.
Li Chongjiu said: "Go down, I have a hunch that Tang Jun will invest heavily in the left wing today, you have to guard this place for me, there must be no mistakes."

Wang Mahan wiped away his tears and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, if every soldier of the Tang army passes through the left wing, I will screw my head off."

After Wang Mahan left, his subordinates gave Li Chongjiu a horse to ride.Li Chongjiu turned over and jumped on his mount, and began to inspect before the battle.

At this time, the sky began to brighten, and a little bit of morning light shone through the trees in the east.

Because of the imminent battle, Zhao Jun's gang leader army made meals earlier than before.Because of the rain, some firewood was wet, so when it was burned under the marching pot, it made a choking smoke.The gang leader covered his face while cooking. Many people were blackened by the smoke. The soldiers also joked with each other like a joke, and various laughter came from the camp.
"Your Majesty, before the war begins, do you want the soldiers not to make noise!" Wang Shi, the other general of the Tingwei Army, suggested that there is a military order in the army that prohibits noise, and those who violate it can be beheaded.

Li Chongjiu waved his hand and said: "No need, the battle is imminent, and the soldiers are all tensed up. Let them relax now. Don't you see that the morale of our army is very high? Don't worry."

"No." Wang Shi agreed.Wang Shi is the son of Wang Junkuo, who previously served under Guo Xiaoke and participated in the first battle against Khitan.Afterwards, Goguryeo was pacified, and there was no major war in the east of Zhao State. Unable to bear the loneliness, Wang Shi immediately asked Li Chongjiu to apply for transfer back to the court guard army, and even wrote a letter to Yang Ehuang to go through the back door.

After Li Chongjiu sought Wang Junkuo's opinion, he transferred Wang Shi to his side and served as a general in the Tingwei Army.

The two were patrolling the army on horseback. Li Chongjiu had high hopes for this 'nephew' and often talked to him.Now he looked at Wang Shi and said, "Do you think your father's men will rush back from the west to participate in this great battle?"

Wang Shi said confidently: "Your Majesty, this is a matter of course. The more Li Shimin said outside, my father's West Route Army was defeated, in fact he has no confidence. Who is my father? When he was running north and south, Li Shimin Still wearing a loincloth? If you want to plot against him, there is no way."

Hearing Wang Shi's vulgar words, Li Chongjiu also laughed out loud. The generals and staff were used to it. If other ministers spoke to Li Chongjiu like this, they must be impolite by the censor. was deprived of office.Of course, no one in Zhao country dared to say that.

While talking and laughing with Wang Shi, Li Chongjiu inspected the whole army.

The sound of various footsteps between the camps also increased, and the Da Zhao barracks also woke up with the dawn.The soldiers all walked out of the camp to check their equipment and eat.

In Li Chongjiu's ears, there seemed to be the sound of birds chirping softly, and the sound of iron buckets shaking when the soldiers fetched water.

Seeing that Li Chongjiu had come to the front line in person, the soldiers of Zhao Jun couldn't help but excitedly put down their jobs, stood up and saluted Li Chongjiu as a soldier.Li Chongjiu took off his helmet and raised his hand to salute the soldiers. Wherever he went, the soldiers shouted long live.Seeing Li Chongjiu talking and laughing happily, the generals obviously had full confidence in this battle, so they were all determined.

After Li Chongjiu inspected the complete army, he returned to the Chinese army.

After arriving at Yuanmen, the sky was already bright, and the early morning mist gradually dissipated.

Li Chongjiu rode on his horse and looked towards the Tang army's position, but he saw that the Tang army soldiers were almost ready. They were gathering in the open space when they were camping, and their armor was all shining in the morning light.

Large groups of cavalry galloped from a distance to bypass the infantry formation and concentrated on the right wing. Among them were Turkic cavalry and Tang army cavalry.

Woo!
Woo!
Woo!
Three sharp horns sounded.

Li Chongjiu turned his head and asked, "What time is it?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shi immediately rode his horse to the sundial where the time was recorded in the army, and then rode his horse back and said, "Your Majesty, it is three quarters of the hour!"

(End of this chapter)