Tibet

The Tang Army's camp in Xihai currently has only 10,000 troops stationed, and the other 20,000 troops are stationed in Shanzhou.

Li Sheng immediately ordered 20,000 troops from Shanzhou to rush to the West Sea to prepare for war.

At the same time, Li Sheng sent another eagle letter to Chang'an, requesting the regent to send an additional army to fill the gap in Shanzhou's military strength.

After thinking for a moment, Li Sheng sent another scout to Hezhou to notify Hun Yao, who was defending Jiuqu, that the Tibetan army was attacking.

Lieutenant General Zhang Bingquan advised: "The number of Tibetans is unknown now. If it is just a small army of more than a thousand people harassing us, and the general informs the court and Hezhou, it will make the court feel that the general is making a fuss."

Li Sheng shook his head and said: "There is no difference in military affairs, only seriousness and carelessness. If the court thinks that I am making a fuss out of a molehill, then ask them to change the general."

Zhang Bingquan was so ashamed that his predecessor Xin Yunjing would not report to the court for fear that the regent would criticize him for making a fuss out of a molehill.

"The general is right, no matter how big or small the army is, we must go all out and not be lenient. I suggest that the herdsmen be notified immediately to move. There are too many herdsmen here. If a war breaks out, they will be affected."

Li Sheng smiled slightly and said: "General Zhang can draw inferences from one instance and reminded him very timely. I almost forgot about the herdsmen."

Li Sheng immediately sent two thousand cavalry to organize the herdsmen to withdraw westward, and also sent scouts to Dafeichuan to investigate the enemy's situation.

Xu Wu and his men had already detoured down the hill. They were much more familiar with this hill than the Tubo people.

Hundreds of Tianzhu people were searching on the mountain. There were only three Tibetan cavalry waiting at the foot of the mountain, one thousand captain and two centurions. Naturally, they would not go up the mountain, but waited at the foot of the mountain, followed by five or six Tianzhu soldiers.

At this time, Xu Wu and his men focused on the three people, or more precisely, on their horses, and killed them. With these three horses, they could successfully return to the Xihai camp.

As for the few Tianzhu soldiers, they didn't take it to heart at all.

At this time, a Tubo centurion dismounted and went to relieve himself. This was an opportunity.

Xu Wu decisively seized this opportunity. He asked his men to continue to keep an eye on the other two people. He rolled forward twice in a row and arrived behind the lone centurion.

When the Tubo centurion was about to stand up, Xu Wu rushed forward, covered his mouth, and pierced his back with a sharp dagger. The centurion fell to the ground without saying a word.

Xu Wu dragged the body behind a big rock and quickly returned to hide. The two Tibetan generals were still looking at the mountain. At this time, the beacon fire on the mountain was stamped out.

Everyone's attention was focused on the top of the mountain. This was an opportunity. Xu Wu and his men raised their crossbows and aimed at the two captains. Although they were only a few dozen steps away, both of them were wearing shackles. The only target was their throats. .

The two men happened to be looking up at the top of the mountain, which gave them the perfect opportunity.

It is useful for Xu Wu to keep this soldier because he has superb archery skills and can be useful in critical moments, such as now.

The two of them fired arrows almost at the same time, and the two arrows shot out like lightning, hitting the throats of the two Tibetan generals, causing them to flip over and fall from their horses.

Xu Wu and his men jumped up, brandishing short spears and charging forward, roaring like thunder.

The five Tianzhu soldiers thought that there were many people coming from the other side, so they turned around and ran away in fright.

Xu Wu and his men got on their horses and led another horse. The two turned their horses and galloped away into the vast Gobi desert, quickly disappearing without a trace.

Chang'an, after entering late October, the weather has become obviously cold, and the wind is biting. Chang'an people have put on thick clothes and hung up their necks when walking on the road.

Although the imperial court was busy preparing for the new emperor's ascension to the throne, Li Ye's thoughts were flying to the distant Longyou. He had just received an urgent flying eagle message from Li Sheng. There was an enemy situation in Dafeichuan, and he requested the imperial court to increase troops in Shanzhou. .

In the staff room, Li Ye stood in front of the sand table and was silent in thought. Privy Councilor Duan Xiushi said: "Your Highness, it is almost November. It is very risky for Tubo to send troops at this time. It is basically impossible for them to go back, which means Without logistical supplies, they only have the food they carry with the army. If they can’t find a place to stay or can’t get food, the whole army may be destroyed. Tubo must have taken this into consideration!”

Li Ye nodded, "I also find it strange that burning the cauldron and sinking the boat is a gesture made when there is no way out. Anyone who has a little retreat will not do such a thing, so Tubo sent troops to Longyou at this time. It’s very strange, there must be a reason for this.”

"Will there be only one or two thousand troops, small-scale harassment?" Duan Xiushi asked again.

Li Ye shook his head, "This has nothing to do with the number of troops, but it has nothing to do with sending troops at this time. If you send troops at the wrong time, there must be something fishy!"

"Then your Highness wants to send troops?"

"Of course, I have ordered the 20,000 troops stationed in Lanzhou to rush to Shanzhou. At the same time, I have ordered Pei Xiu's 10,000 Ganzhou troops to go out and pull out the valley to support Longyou."

At this time, Duan Xiushi thought of something and said quickly: "Your Highness, I just remembered that a few months ago, the Privy Council got an intelligence. At that time, Your Highness was still in Youzhou. Hun Yao captured more than a dozen Tibetan spies, all from Tianzhu. People, according to their account, more than 30,000 Tianzhu people in the Tubo army died last winter due to lack of supplies, either due to freezing or illness. Now there are only 70,000 to 80,000 Tianzhu people left in the Tubo army. Is this possible? Were all the Tibetan troops who attacked Longyou the first time from Tianzhu?”

"Are you saying that the Tibetan leaders were worried that they would not survive the winter, so they consumed them in advance?"

Duan Xiushi nodded, "This is what humble position means!"

Li Ye pondered for a moment, and it was indeed possible. It was in line with the Tibetan army's concept of "all those who are not of our race are consumables", and it was the only reason that could explain the current military deployment. The Tibetan army wanted to consume the Indians, or more precisely, to use the Indians to consume the Tang army. "

Li Ye took a few steps with his hands behind his back and smiled, "I was just worried about not being able to find laborers to develop Liuqiu and Luzon, and the Tibetan army sent these Indians here, which is like handing over a pillow when you are sleepy."

Li Ye immediately ordered, "It was reported that the Hun Yu tribe also led the army to participate in the battle. If the enemy's army is Indian, they must be captured alive! "

Li Sheng has obtained accurate intelligence. The enemy has more than 75,000 people, most of whom are Indians, and only a few thousand Tibetan cavalry.

This information was brought by Xu Wu, the commander of the Lenghu Garrison. He led his men to avoid the main force of the enemy and took a shortcut to the Xihai camp, bringing the first-hand and most detailed information.

From the horse bag of the thousand-man captain, they found a lot of important information, such as knowing that the enemy's main general is Dazalugong, and knowing the composition of the enemy's forces, 5,000 Tibetan soldiers and 70,000 Indian soldiers.

They also found a letter written by the thousand-man captain to the prime minister Shang Jiexi, complaining that this was a very irrational expedition, using 70,000 Indian troops to consume the Tang army, and if things go wrong, even 5,000 Tibetan cavalry will be lost in the end.

It was this information that gave Li Sheng the idea of ​​defeating the enemy.

Li Sheng really appreciated Xu Wu was responsible and wise, so he was promoted to scout general and rewarded with 500 strings of cash. At the same time, his subordinates were promoted to captains.

At this time, Li Sheng had received express letters from Pei Xiu, the governor of Ganliang, and Hun Yu, the governor of Hezhou. Pei Xiu led 10,000 troops out of Dadouba Valley and was heading towards the Xihai camp.

Hun Yu led 20,000 troops from Jiuqu to the north to support him.

Of course, this must be the order of the regent, so they came in a hurry.

With their 30,000 troops, Li Sheng had 60,000 troops in his hands, and there were also 20,000 troops from Lanzhou. These 20,000 people had to guard the Chiling Pass and could not be sent all.

Li Sheng pondered for a long time. He wrote a letter to Hun Yu, suggesting that he lead his troops to deploy in the Dafeichuan area to cut off the enemy's retreat.

He immediately sent scouts to deliver a letter to Hun Yu's army.