Back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty to be the emperor

Chapter 692 The First Battle of the Western Expedition (1)

Tocharo, an ancient place name, its territory includes present-day Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, and its people are basically Indo-European. In the early Han Dynasty, there was the Great Moon Kingdom in the Tarim Basin, which was later defeated by the Huns. Not retreating to Congling, mixed with the local nomads, became more and more powerful, and established a country again. Western history books call it the Kingdom of Bactria, the capital of Bhaktra (now Balkh, Afghanistan), and in the history of the Han Dynasty, it is called the Kingdom of Great Xia , was destroyed by the rise of the Persian Kingdom around AD and became one of its provinces.

Since the great eclipse wiped out Persia, Tochara has become a buffer zone between the two great powers of the Great Food Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty. Although there is no express agreement, both sides agree not to march here. Generally speaking, The Tang Dynasty had no intention of developing westward due to its vast territory and frequent disturbances by nomads around it, while the Great Food Kingdom was temporarily unable to look eastward due to the fierce battle with Eastern Rome, so it simply allowed this place to become a no-management zone. From time to time, troops will be sent to plunder and kill wantonly, so that many famous cities with a long history in the local area are either destroyed by war or gradually become barren. It is sparsely populated, almost reduced to a poor town, and the majesty overlooking the four directions is no longer seen. However, since the third year of Qingming in Dayifeng, Bhaktra has become the most lively place in Tocharo, and you can see it from time to time on the avenue. The tribes, young and old, rushed to Bhaktra with their families. This change was only due to the return of the Persian prince Nirvana, not only the return of the prince, but also the arrival of the great Tang army. All the tribes who suffered from the invasion and plunder of the Great Food Kingdom saw the light of hope for liberation.

The strength of the Tang army is not too large, six thousand infantry, fifteen thousand cavalry, plus three thousand former Tubo prisoners of war who served as soldiers and civilians, the total is only a little over twenty-four thousand, but all of them are on horseback , The soldiers moved very fast. Since they set off from Lanzhou in early February, they have crossed the desert in less than two months, and traveled three thousand miles in a hurry. On the second day of April, they arrived at the former site of Baktra City. After that, there was no movement. After being stationed, he didn’t move forward half a step for nearly half a month. What’s even more intriguing is that as soon as the coach Lin Chengbin arrived in Baktra City, he stopped showing up. Apart from telling the armies to rest and reorganize on the spot, there is not even an explanation beside the sentence, let alone a military meeting, as if they really plan to stay here for a long time. He complained quite a lot, and the Nirvana Master, who was eager to recover his homeland, was even more restless because of it. He almost ran to the Chinese army's tent several times a day, but he still couldn't get a letter, and no one could tell. What kind of medicine is sold in Lin Chengbin's gourd?

The Hexi Army is an ever-victorious army. Since its establishment, it has been an invincible army. There is arrogance emanating from the bottom of the body. When confronting the enemy, it has always been like the autumn wind sweeping the fallen leaves. I don't know what fear is. Because of this, the army can't help complaining about the performance of the commander Lin Chengbin's refraining from advancing. The old battalion in the rear transported supplies, food and fodder to the front line, and meditated in front of a large sand table. Other than that, they ignored everything else, neither urging the troops to practice, nor caring about the changes in the enemy's situation. Naturally, it was the same for this day. When I got up early in the morning, I first wrote an article to urge food to the rear, and after that, I squatted in front of the sand table and did not move.

"Report to General, Deputy Commander Li, Deputy Commander Xiao and the Prince of Persia have come to seek an audience!"

Lin Chengbin wanted to be quiet, but unfortunately he couldn't do so, just squatted down for a while, and saw the Chinese military officer strode into the tent, grabbed Lin Chengbin's back, and reported in a low voice.

"Well, please."

No need to ask, Lin Chengbin also knew the purpose of the three of them, they were all here to ask for an explanation, but Lin Chengbin didn't care too much, raised his brows, and gave orders in a calm tone, but he squatted in front of the sand table.

"The last general will wait to see the general!"

Amidst the sound of armor rubbing, Li He and the others strode into the tent. Seeing Lin Chengbin squatting in front of the sand table with his back to everyone, everyone's expressions changed slightly, but they dared not lose sight of it. According to the etiquette, each of them went forward and bowed to meet the ceremony.

Lin Chengbin is a very careful person. Although he never looked back, he was aware of the subtle changes in the tone of the generals when they greeted him, and he couldn't help feeling a little helpless in his heart—even though he was the commander in the past, there was no lack of it. He has made great military exploits, but in the final analysis, he still lacks full prestige. On this point, Lin Chengbin still has self-knowledge. After all, no matter whether it is seniority in the army, military exploits, or command ability, Li and Xiao are not in his hands. Lin Chengbin Under the circumstances, it was just because of Li Xian's order that the second general dared not disobey his order, but in his heart he definitely would not be convinced, if not, he would not have come together to exert pressure at this time.

"You don't need to be too polite, just sit down and talk."

Although Lin Chengbin was quite emotional, he didn't bring it to his face. He got up suddenly, clapped his hands, walked a few steps to the back of the first copy and sat down, looked around at the generals, and spoke in a calm tone.

"promise!"

Although all the generals came here to ask for an explanation, but after all, as subordinates, it's not easy to say something disrespectful as soon as they come up. After each of them answered, they immediately took their seats on the left and right. The gazes of Li He and Xiao Sanlang turned to the Nirvana Master in unison, full of hints, obviously wanting the Nirvana Master to come forward to make a statement.

"General, according to the informant, the news of our army's arrival has been leaked. Mustafa Ibnyan, the Governor of the Eastern Province of Dashi, has begun to mobilize the troops of the entire Eastern Province. The soldiers and horses of Balkh and other cities are rushing to Mulu City is assembled, and the total strength may exceed 15. Our army has rested for a long time, and our troops are ready. If we don’t take advantage of the enemy’s unstable foothold and attack, we may have little chance of winning. Please, General, be careful!”

The three of them had agreed before they came, and Ni Nirvana was already responsible for being the first bird. Seeing Generals Li and Xiao sweeping their gazes over, they dared not delay any longer. In a hurry, he bowed his body and murmured some words. The words he used were quite characteristic of the army, obviously not at his original level, but the result of the guidance from the two generals Li and Xiao.

"General, the last general thinks what the king of Persia said is true. Our army has come from a long distance. It is better to attack quickly than to be slow. The enemy is numerous and our army is few. We should attack when the enemy is unprepared. Now we are here. If we hold back, it is inevitable that we will miss the opportunity of the battle, if the battle is unfavorable, what kind of face will we have to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Although they are both Li Xian's confidants and beloved generals, Li He and Lin Chengbin are not in the same system, and their relationship with Lin Chengbin is just an ordinary colleague. Shuai was also somewhat unconvinced in private, and his words were full of gunpowder, and he almost pointed at Lin Chengbin's nose and scolded him for being cowardly.

"General, there is a saying in the art of war. If the army does not move, the army will be idle. Now that the enemy's situation has changed, it seems that it is appropriate to adjust it in time. Please also check it out!"

Xiao Sanlang and Lin Chenbin came from the same system, and they were both members of the Royal Guards. Speaking of which, Xiao Sanlang's qualifications were even half a year longer than Lin Chengbin's, but Xiao Sanlang had never been in the personal guards. Just a team leader, compared to Lin Chengbin's official luck, he was really inferior to the boss, that is, when the army was established, Xiao Sanlang had the opportunity to show his talents, but his official rank was always higher than that of Lin Chengbin. A little lower, although it is also here to put pressure, but it is obviously much gentler and more concise than Li He when speaking.

"Well, do you all want to fight?"

Lin Chengbin had already expected the intention of the three of them, and he was not surprised when he saw the three of them talking one after another, and he was not in a hurry to make a decision, but asked calmly.

"General, it's not just me who wants to fight, but the generals below have already lost their temper. If we don't fight, the morale of the army will be in danger!"

Although Li He is the deputy commander in chief, but his official title is at the same level as Lin Chengbin, he has the confidence to challenge Lin Chengbin. Hearing that Lin Chengbin still refuses to express his opinion at this time, he is inevitably a little angry in his heart, so he firmly nodded said a word.

"Returning to the general, in the past few days, I have piled up the letters of war that the last general has received, and I am afraid that they are all about a foot high. The army's morale can't be slackened, and I ask the general to make a decision as soon as possible."

He is also eager to fight, but Xiao Sanlang is much more skillful than Li He when he speaks. Instead of talking about his own thoughts, he uses the letters of invitation from soldiers at all levels to talk about things.

"General, you just give the order. Our Persian ministries have been waiting for the enemy for a long time, and all of them are fighting to be the first!"

Now that he has come to a place less than two hundred miles away from his homeland, the Nirvana Master is always looking forward to setting foot on his homeland as soon as possible, wishing to send troops to sweep the enemy army immediately, and expressing his determination at this moment comes from impassioned enthusiasm very.

"Well, since all the lords want to fight, then let's fight, but how should we fight this battle? I don't know if you have any opinions on this?"

Lin Chengbin's delay under the city of Baktra was not entirely because he was worried that the logistics and supplies would not be able to keep up, nor was it entirely because he wanted to take this opportunity to stimulate the soldiers' desire to fight, but because he had overall strategic considerations, but he did not He planned to speak out immediately, but threw the question to the three people who were fighting fiercely.

War is not a child's play, nor can it be won by playing tricks. Before the three came, they only discussed to ask for a fight together, but they did not discuss how to start the war itself. Although the three had their own strategic ideas, Xiao General Li and Li Er have the absolute confidence that they will win the battle, but this is a big matter, but it is not easy to make nonsense. The three of them hesitated a little, and the big tent immediately became quiet.

(End of this chapter)