Two thousand five hundred cavalrymen raged through the army like a violent wind, barely slowing down, and rushed to the heart of the army. What was left behind them were countless corpses and blood flowing freely.
The reality was easier and simpler than Zhang Shigui's best imagination. The 50,000 enemy troops had been completely routed without drilling through the entire army.
It was a terrible sight. All kinds of sounds spread on the Hanguan Ancient Road until the sky filled with boiling water and the crowds fled in all directions like an exploding beehive.
Both the attackers and those fleeing for their lives were extremely crazy, completely exposing the ugliest side of human beings under the sunset.
As the commanders of the army, Wang Shiwei and Shan Xiongxin escaped very quickly. Shan Xiongxin had a little more experience. As soon as the cavalry rushed into the camp, he had already jumped on his horse and fled with his cronies without looking back. Wang Shiwei was slow to react.
Some, but also followed closely behind.
The Henan army, which has always claimed to be the most powerful army in the world, seems to have only one advantage at this time, and that is that it can preserve its strength to the greatest extent despite a huge defeat.
The army collapsed almost instantly, and such a large-scale rout without any resistance was also something that was difficult for regular armies to accomplish, so Zhang Shigui, who was preparing to expand his victory, immediately restrained his men vigilantly.
Having fought in Henan for many years, he is very familiar with this scene. If you have many soldiers and chase the enemy north, it is extremely easy to recruit surrendered soldiers. But if you have few soldiers and chase a large group of enemies and defeat them, it will be very easy.
Be more careful.
If you divide your troops, it will be easy to fall into a melee, and you may be defeated inexplicably in the end. If you don't divide your troops, it will be difficult to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.
This is actually the fundamental reason why the rebels in Shandong, Hebei, Henan and other places are difficult to eradicate. After defeat, they reunite and fight again. The rebels who are rooted in troubled times are vulnerable to attack, but their vitality is very tenacious.
Moreover, the weather made it easy for Zhang Shigui to decide that it was not a good idea to fight with Henan's defeated troops at night.
Seeing deserters all over the mountains and plains leaving in a hurry was also a very painful thing for the Tang Army cavalry who were on the verge of committing suicide.
For example, Ashina Danai ran up to Zhang Shigui with a mottled body and a look of reluctance. He gasped and asked, "Why did you stop? The prey is just running ahead, and you can shoot it with a bow and arrow..."
"
But before he finished speaking, looking at Zhang Shigui, whose face was stained with sweat and dust, like mud, but whose eyes were as bright as an eagle, a sense of awe arose in Ashina Danai's heart.
Military victory is the most beautiful gift that generals can receive. It has countless additional effects, and the increase in generals' authority is one of them.
Three thousand soldiers defeated an enemy army of 50,000. The miraculous victory was so vividly displayed in front of them. The soldiers who had previously laughed at Zhang Shigui for not overestimating his own capabilities, now randomly pulled out any one of them, and they all bowed in submission in front of Zhang Shigui.
Lower your waist.
At this time, Zhang Shigui looked a little embarrassed, but his whole body was filled with authority and confidence. This battle was undoubtedly a hearty battle for him, which completely suppressed the haze in his heart.
He looked at Ashina Danai's appearance and felt a little proud in his heart, but he still silently recited a few words: "Don't be cowardly when you win but don't be discouraged when you lose. This is the way to be a general." Only then did he calm down his boiling heart a little.
"It's getting late, so it's not a good time to chase...Besides, I'm afraid General Lu is coming back, and I wonder what he might say to us?"
Ashina Danai still said it was a pity a few times, but he was also muttering in his heart, what can that guy say when he comes back, and what dare he say? The only thing that worries him a little is that while other people are working hard here, that guy will
If Wang Shiwei or Shan Xiongxin were caught, God, that would be too bad...
After that, the Turks, who were less thoughtful, could only be happy.
In this battle, 50,000 enemies were defeated, and there were not many casualties. The enemies fled faster than rabbits, which made them with four legs a little dumbfounded. They did not resist stubbornly, so there were not too many casualties. It was good for both sides.
in this way.
More than 2,000 enemies were captured, and 50,000 were left alone, which is not too much. And Ashina Danai did not like the Henan soldiers who were surrendered to Henan very much, all with sallow faces and thin bodies and ragged clothes.
As for food, grass and weapons, well, if these things were picked up, they might not be enough to make people laugh. Wang Shichong was too poor, which greatly reduced the results of the Tang army.
But even Ashina Danai, who is a little out of his mind, understands that the contribution of this battle is not small. The first battle with the enemy and victory in one battle will severely weaken the enemy's energy, and at the same time, it will also double the courage of his own army.
.
This is one of the military merits most valued by generals, and is similar to the merit of being the first to board a city during a siege.
Moreover, the benefits of leaving the border with 3,000 cavalry and defeating an army of 50,000 in one battle are definitely just a few, and Ashina Danai would be extremely satisfied just thinking about the bonus in terms of reputation.
At this time, Zhang Shigui had transformed into a half-immortal, and everything he expected was right, with an astonishingly high accuracy.
Soon Lu Chengye appeared in front of Zhang Shigui. He was full of complaints and jealousy and would definitely not say anything nice.
Zhang Shigui sent him out to explore the enemy's situation and circled behind the enemy. Without receiving any follow-up military orders from Zhang Shigui, this man also made some decisions, but his vision was simply terrible compared to Zhang Shigui's.
He led his army back without permission, and after making a circle and carefully walking to the enemy's flank, the enemy army was completely routed, and the fleeing troops surprised him.
Fortunately, the integrity of the Kansai people did not leave him. He led his army to charge and then realized that something was wrong.
Well, this guy comes back to make trouble. That's what the title says. If he was to congratulate Zhang Shigui and the other two, that would be wrong in the script.
However, with Zhang Shigui's power of victory and the support of Ashina Danai, who had gained great benefits, Lu Chengye suddenly became alone among the three thousand cavalry.
"General Lu has worked so hard. It's better to send the prisoners back while it's still early. I discussed it with General Ashina. I feel that the enemy is already frightened. It's better to lead the army to Hongnong and fight again tomorrow morning to capture the enemy."
Hongnong, come down..."
Zhang Shigui is obviously lying again. Without a large army to rely on, what is the use of capturing Hongnong? When Wang Shichong's army arrives, more than two thousand cavalry want to defend Hongnong?
Well, Zhang Shigui could only think about such a miracle this time.
After hearing this, Lu Chengye's anger can be imagined, but under the gazes of Zhang Shigui and Ashina Danai, he could only swallow his cowardice.
Feeling resentful, Lu Chengye reluctantly escorted him away. He actually understood that this battle was not easy. It was a battle that greatly enhanced the prestige of the Tang army. Zhang Shigui and Ashina Danai took the greatest credit.
Once such military achievements are clearly reported to the prince, the generous prince will definitely use them in the next war.
But then again, what good does this do to him, Lu Chengye...
Unsurprisingly, selfishness immediately took over. Lu and Zhang Shigui already had a deep hatred, and now they were left aside and suffered a lot of insults. You can imagine what Lu Chengye will do next.
He even felt that those two thieves were stupid. They didn't send their confidants back to Tongguan to show their merits, but let him go first. Damn, you are idiots who only know how to fight to the death. Let's see how long you two bastards can be proud of you.
.
Without much effort, he thought of his words, called his confidants over, and ordered them to return to Tongguan quickly to report to His Highness the Crown Prince...
Zhang Shigui and Ashina Danai, who had set up camp on the spot and started making rice, sat in the tent and muttered.
Ashina Danai's doubts were exactly the same as Lu Chengye's. He felt that what Zhang Shigui did was a bit inappropriate. Lu Chengye left with hatred. He would not say anything nice in front of the prince, and might lose the credit of the two of them.
Zhang Shigui played the role of a god, and now he really became a bit talkative. In Ashina Danai's somewhat complaining words, he just said with a half-smile, "My dear brother, I thought that His Highness the Crown Prince would believe it."
Lu Chengye or should I wait?"
Ashina Danai said almost without thinking, "When someone sings in my ears, I see its beauty. Even if your name is heard in the wind, my eyes are not on you..."
This is the Turkic people's alternative interpretation of the terrible slander. This time it was Zhang Shigui's turn to be a little embarrassed. They were speaking in Turkic language, and Zhang Shigui, an "illiterate", could not understand it.
Ashina Danai grinned widely, showing off his language talent again, "Of course it's Lu. The two brothers from the Lu family sang very happily in the ears of His Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhang Shigui stroked his short beard and kept up with the rhythm, "Then what's the use of you and I sending people back? Your Highness the Crown Prince has a reputation for being a virtuous man. You might as well guess when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's military order will arrive, and what's the point?
What will I say to you?"
When talking about these details, Ashina Danai immediately fell silent. Even after racking his brains, he didn't know what Zhang Shigui wanted to say.
Zhang Shigui enjoyed his sense of superiority in terms of IQ and laughed: "I feel that the prince's military order will arrive before dawn. As for what he said, it is not difficult to guess. In addition to gentle words and encouragement, he will definitely order you and me to return to the army as soon as possible.
, you are not allowed to leave Hongnong."
At this moment, corn rice and pickles were served. The two of them were talking and eating very sweetly. No matter how many calculations they had in their hearts, this was undoubtedly the moment for them to enjoy the joy of victory, and no one could take it away.
They have this power.
Unknowingly, Ashina Danai's head was filled with confusion. He was too young and came from a group of Turks. Compared with Zhang Shigui, who was in his thirties and had rich experience, no matter where he came from,
On the one hand, he is as immature as a child.
That night, the two of them slept in the same tent. Ashina Danai just wanted to see if what Zhang Shigui said was right or not. Zhang Shigui was very sure of what he said, but he also thought about it just in case. If the prince could