Zhang Xiongshan decided to lead Zhufengtang's troops to go south first. Xiao Linshi stared at the map on the long table and remained silent.
The light in the big tent was dim. Even though the oil lamp had been lit at the desk early, Xiao Linshi's thin face was still so dim and unclear, like a rock sinking in the cold spring water.
Shi Hai, Sa Luhe and Xiao Linshi's eldest son Xiao Chunquan sat aside. Seeing that Xiao Linshi remained silent, he was also silent and thinking secretly. His attitude was colder than the previous two days, which made Zhang Xiongshan feel an ominous sign.
, but this is the best he can do.
Xu Guanshan sat under Zhang Xiongshan and was somewhat surprised by Zhang Xiongshan's decision, but Zhang Xiongshan had the right to make the final decision.
What's more, Xu Guanshan knew that Zhang Xiongshan joined the army as the right-hand member of the Military Intelligence Department. This time he was ordered to see Xiao Linshi. His real special mission was to persuade the remnants of the Khitan to move south.
The order for their trip to the west was personally given by Xu Huai. Zhang Xiongshan also carried Xu Huai's autographed letter to Xiao Linshi. However, before setting off, Shi Zhen specially visited Xu Guanshan and told him to cooperate in everything.
Good Zhang Xiongshan also emphasized the importance of the remnant Khitan troops moving south.
If there is no other interference, and the Chihu people are blocked from the frontal battlefield, they will almost certainly send a partial division to attack Dali in a roundabout way, opening up a new battlefield from the southwest of Dai Viet, involving and consuming Dai Viet's national power.???????????
????
And if an elite cavalry force of more than 10,000 people entered the Dali Kingdom two or three years in advance and even took root, how willing would the Chihu people be to send partial troops to trek thousands of miles of snow-capped mountains and grasslands to attack the Dali Kingdom in a roundabout way?
strong?
Not to mention that the more than 10,000 Khitan elites themselves can build a solid barrier for Dai Viet in the southwest.
Xu Guanshan originally thought that Xiao Linshi and others would agree or reject, so why would he need to cooperate with Zhang Xiongshan's lobbying? Then he couldn't help but asked: Mr. Shi had already thought of this before they set off?
As a surrendered general, Sun Yanguan had not been officially listed except for practicing in the warrior's house for more than two months, so he was not qualified to know too many secrets. At this time, he was even more shocked when he heard Zhang Xiongshan's words:
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They marched all the way west, and the section from Wuzhou to Minyuan was the most difficult. It was less than a thousand miles but took more than a month. They lost nearly a quarter of their livestock on the way. Zhang Xiongshan would lead them south next, first heading from
The legendary Yangtze River originates from the bank of Lushui River, and then detours to Dali and Guangnan West Road to return to Beijing and Xiangxiang?
Does this journey have to go thousands of miles away?
And according to what Zhang Xiongshan meant, they were just the vanguard to explore the path for the remnants of the Khitan tribe. Next, 100,000 Khitan people would have to embark on this arduous and long journey?
What an arduous task this is!
Zhang Xiongshan said goodbye and came out of the tent and walked to the camp specially arranged for them by Xiao Linshi.
Xu Guanshan and Sun Yanguan chased from behind and asked, "Do we really want to go to Dali first?"
"Of course, everyone must go all out to prepare in the past two days. This trip may be more difficult than all the wars we have experienced in the past. The environment is harsh and there is no room for us to slack off!"
Zhang Xiongshan stood with his hands behind his hands and said.
"General Shi Hai's reaction seems to be colder than the day before yesterday?" Xu Guanshan said with some worry.
"Because this road is so difficult, it is normal to calm down and become indifferent. Because of this, we have to go there first,"
Zhang Xiongshan saw Sun Yanguan looking at the remaining sunset glow and deep twilight in the sky, and said with a smile,
"Commander Sun, not everyone in this world has the opportunity to see the Shanghai River - although this journey is destined to be unprecedentedly difficult, it also has the rare scenery of Dongting Lake!"
"What Zhang Canjun said is true!" Sun Yanguan said humbly.
"It is difficult to obtain stable supplies from along the way for this trip. We have to carry a large amount of supplies from Taoyuan. The troops and horses will also be divided into three parts. One part is mainly baggage and horse soldiers, mainly responsible for the transportation of mules and horses and supplies, and the other is
One part guards the mules and horses and supplies, and the other serves as an outpost, responsible for exploring the road and eliminating any threats that may be encountered along the way as soon as possible." Zhang Xiongshan looked at Sun Yanguan, "Commander Sun, would you like to command the outpost horses!"
The main force of the caravan heading west this time was 200 escort cavalry and more than 100 trainee military officers. However, before, it mainly borrowed roads from Dongchuan Road and Xiqin Road, which were relatively safe. At the same time, they also had to accept the supervision of the two supervisors.
, except for a few outpost cavalry who set off early to reconnoiter the situation along the road, the main troops basically followed the mule and horse teams.
The situation is different now.
In the past year, the remnants of the Khitan moved to Taoyuan, and they had many fierce and bloody conflicts with the local Tubo tribe.
This also means that when they go south from Taoyuan, the Tubo tribes they encounter along the way are unlikely to have a friendly attitude toward them, and they may be attacked and plundered at any time. At the same time, they must also need to carry out necessary supplies on the way.
Sometimes it is necessary to use force to solve it.
The outpost soldiers and horses will actually undertake the most important and arduous combat tasks, which are not just to explore the road and spy on the situation.
The elite cavalry is Chushan's most valuable combat force. The two hundred cavalry escorts accompanying this time have two commanders and four generals. However, Zhang Xiongshan handed over the outpost troops and horses to Sun Yanguan, believing that Sun Yanguan was the more powerful one.
The right candidate.
"Being respectful is worse than obeying orders!???????????????" Sun Yanguan took a long breath and said with cupped hands.
Returning to the garrison, Zhang Xiongshan summoned all the deacons, stewards, and military officials above the team leader of the mule and horse teams to discuss the matter of going south, including the preparation of supplies, the selection of guides, interpreters, etc. There were also some injuries that could not be treated.
Before embarking on the road and staying in Taoyuan with the craftsmen, proper arrangements need to be made.
After dark, the guard walked in and reported: "Princess Xiao is here!"
Sun Yanguan did not understand many things. Accompanying Zhang Xiongshan, Xu Guanshan walked out of the tent to greet Xiao Yanhan, and saw that in addition to two maids, she was accompanied by Wu Sanrong and Xiao Xun.
Sun Yanguan was confused, what decision Xiao Linshi really wanted to make, how could he ask Xiao Yanhan to come and tell him?
Sun Yanguan remained silent. When he saw Zhang Xiongshan and Xu Guanshan, they welcomed Xiao Yanhan into the tent and asked Xiao Yanhan to sit down at the main seat. Then they, Wu Sanrong, and Xiao Xuan sat down opposite Xiao Yanhan respectively. He was even more confused.
Li: This is the camp where Xiao Linshi arranged for them to settle. Counting Zhufengtang’s temporary residence in Taoyuan, Zhang Xiongshan must not consider himself an old Khitan general at this time. Even if Xiao Linshi comes, he should be Zhang Xiongshan.
Take the main seat.
"You can't blame my eldest brother for being hesitant about this matter,"
Xiao Yanhan sat down and said to Zhang Xiongshan,
"After reading Xu Huai's letter, General Shi Hai, Sa Luhe and others are all inclined to go south to Dali - you should be able to predict what they think. For the Khitan people who have no roots, Dali is indeed desirable.
It is a fertile land, but when we summoned the leaders of various tribes to discuss this matter the night before yesterday, they encountered strong opposition. Can you think of the reason?"
Zhang Xiongshan nodded, indicating that the production department had thought of this situation before they set off.
For Xiao Linshi, Shi Hai, Sa Luhe and others, they stand on the final and most fundamental interests of the remnants of the Khitan, and going south may be the best choice to preserve the Khitan bloodline.
However, this road is too difficult to walk. Of the 100,000 Khitan people, perhaps 40,000 to 50,000 may not be able to reach Dali, let alone whether they can take root after arriving in Dali, and how much price they have to pay to take root.
is an unknown quantity.
When it comes to individuals, how many of them can accept it calmly when they think of having to make such a big sacrifice, especially the middle- and lower-class tribal leaders of the remnant Khitan tribe, to fight for an unknown future?
To put it bluntly, even if they choose to surrender to the Chihu people now, the situation may be better than going south.
Is it any wonder that there are fierce differences within the Khitan?
Zhang Xiongshan also had no confidence that he could convince Xiao Linshi and others to make up their mind to lead the remnants of the Khitan to the south. Sometimes it was not even Xiao Linshi's personal decision.
The remnants of the Khitan went south, but their suspicion with Dai Viet was not completely eliminated. They were even forced to break up with Gao Junyang and move to Taoyuan.
Xiao Linshi's original decision does not seem to be the best outcome at present.
On the contrary, after the Yanji Khitan surrendered to the Chihu people, their situation was not as bad as they originally imagined.
What's more critical is that the Chihu people's military front is sweeping across the world and is unstoppable. Too many of the Khitan remnants are enveloped in depression and frustration, and they can't see a way out. This makes Xiao Linshi, Shi Hai,
Saruhe and others are also facing more and more doubts, and their power is far less than before.
A person's power and majesty constantly need new benefits or victories to consolidate.
Otherwise, no matter how correct the decision is and how wise the choice is, it will continue to be questioned.
"You have just left, and my eldest brother summoned many tribal leaders for discussion," Xiao Yanhan said. "Considering the hatred of the Tubo tribes, as an advance troop, only four or five hundred of you are still too few. My eldest brother is preparing to send another
More than a thousand people were mobilized to go with you, but the opposition from the tribe was still too loud, and many people were not willing to try this road at all. After the dispute, my eldest brother decided to act according to tribe, and let a group of tribesmen who were willing to go south
, I will go with you first, and the others will continue to stay in Taoyuan and continue to wait and see the situation, or whether the road south is indeed feasible and does not require too much cost...
"
Xiao Linshi left Yunshuo and went south through Fuzhou and other places. The people who followed him were very complicated. They included the remnants of the Khitan clan, the various tribes that were originally attached to the Khitan, and the Xishan Hu who were severely injured by Xu Huai. And Chen Zixiao,
Zhang Xiongshan and other Yanyun Han people went directly to Chushan.
After moving to Qinzhou, the remnants of the Khitan tribe were still mainly nomadic and maintained their traditional tribal composition. Therefore, they also maintained the traditional tribal discussion system. At the same time, they recruited strong men from each tribe to form a standing army, led by Xiao Linshi and other tribesmen.
General Commander - Also because of the complex composition of the troops going south, the tribal leaders and the generals under Xiao Linshi's command are not unified.
Now the differences are so big, and the opposition to directly transferring more than a thousand troops from the standing army to go south first is too fierce, so Xiao Linshi can only arrange for some tribesmen who are willing to go south to go south first.
"General Wu and General Xiao Xun, are you going to lead your clansmen to go south with us first?" Zhang Xiongshan looked at Wu Sanrong with some doubts, and Xiao Xun asked.
Xiao Xun was originally Xiao Qian's general. Ruying assassinated Xiao Qian during the battle and secretly surrendered to Chushan. Later, under the arrangement of Chushan, he came to join Xiao Linshi and secretly took his family out of Yunzhou - Xiao
In fact, Xuan had no way out. It was not an accident that he took his family and a small number of clan members and went south with them.
Wu Sanrong and Chu Shan have known each other for a long time.
However, there were only a few Wu clan members, maybe two or three hundred, and he himself was a general that Xiao Linshi relied on. It was hard for Zhang Xiongshan to imagine that Xiao Linshi would let him go south first with two to three hundred clansmen, including old, weak, women and children.
"Wu Sanrong is escorting me and Bai'er to go south with you!" Xiao Yanhan said.
"Ah!" Zhang Xiongshan was a little shocked and asked in a low voice, "Is the situation serious enough?"
"The situation is not that serious yet, but if it drags on for another two or three years and the clansmen can't see a glimmer of hope, it will be hard to say. Brother, he doesn't want to take this risk, so he arranged for me and Bai'er to go south with you first...
"Xiao Yanhan said.
After hearing what Xiao Yanhan said, Zhang Xiongshan immediately walked down to the hall, knelt down on the ground, and saluted:
"Xiongshan has seen his wife!"
Xu Guanshan suddenly came to his senses and pulled Sun Yanguan, who was confused and bewildered, to the hall to salute Xiao Yanhan.
"When I go south, I will still stay in Dali to make full preparations to welcome the people. I will not follow you to Beijing and Xiang to meet Xu Huai..." Xiao Yanhan said.
"Of course. Xiongtong can guarantee that after you know the news, you will do everything you can to cooperate with Madam!" Zhang Xiongshan said.
