Su Dingfang stayed on the lookout all night. When the sky turned white, he stepped off the lookout.
The troops under the lookout tower were already in full formation, and the three vanguard generals Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan, and Hou Junji also put on their armor and mounted their horses, waiting until Su Dingfang, the temporary commander-in-chief, commanded them to fight.
It was also the first time for Su Dingfang to command such a large-scale and significant battle, so he was inevitably nervous, but also a little excited.
The nervous thing is that I am afraid of living up to Li Yuanji's expectations and cannot explain to Li Yuanji.
What makes him excited is that he finally has the opportunity to showcase what he has learned throughout his life and his talents.
It was precisely because of this that I didn't sleep all night.
Li Yuanji got up before dawn, had already put on his royal robes, and went to the gate of the camp in person to confer the seal on Su Dingfang.
When a large army is dispatched, it is always important to have a name that is right and proper. Su Dingfang was only nominally appointed as the commander-in-chief of the attack on Huai'an City. There were no relevant documents and seals. The people under his command would inevitably embarrass him, so Li Yuanji decided to grant him the title of commander-in-chief.
Allowing him to command his army with ease.
This can be regarded as giving all the control of the army to Su Dingfang. Even if someone under Su Dingfang's command who has a higher rank than him tries to make trouble for him in front of the battle, or violates the rules, he can still call for the commander's seal and kill them with one sword.
This was also the first time that the royal family of the Tang Dynasty handed over the seal of command to someone with a foreign surname. It had important political and historical significance, so Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, Li Shentong, Li Deliang, Changsun Shunde, Yuwenshi and others came to watch the ceremony.
When Li Yuanji rushed to the gate of the camp, Su Dingfang had already put on his armor and was quietly sitting on the horse with a group of troops.
Li Yuanji immediately stepped forward, walked to Su Dingfang's side and said, "Dingfang, I will grant you the seal of command this time. Since it is in front of the army, the process is a bit simple. I hope you don't feel neglected."
According to the etiquette system, the ceremony of conferring seals to generals involves a rather grand and complicated set of rituals.
Not only should we build a high platform and set up a bronze cauldron, but we should also invite hundreds of officials, all people, and all armies to watch the ceremony together. On the general worship platform, we should submit a yellow form to the heaven, and then announce to all officials, all people, and solemnly seal the hand of the general.
Go out and hand over the royal flag, the sword, and the festival axe.
There is no need to say more about what the handsome seal represents.
The Wang flag represents Master Wang and represents uprightness.
Where the royal flag is located, if the emperor is present in person, all subordinates, regardless of their official rank or rank, should bow their heads.
The sword represents the authority to kill and is also a symbol of the emperor's authority.
It can kill anyone who disobeys orders, regardless of official rank, rank, status, or status.
Jieyue represents diplomatic authority and the authority to wage war.
With the rules in hand, we can negotiate with any country other than the Tang Dynasty with diplomatic etiquette.
With the yue in hand, one can attack any vassal or country that is not amenable to the Tang Dynasty at any time and at any time.
All in all, these things represent not only the power of war, but also the power of diplomacy, and even part of the royal power.
With these things, you can deal with any problems easily after you go on the expedition.
This is equivalent to the emperor delegating part of his authority to the commander-in-chief.
However, most commanders will give up part of their authority in a sensible manner. When encountering problems, they will still ask for instructions if they should be decided by the emperor.
Nowadays, it is obviously inappropriate to build a high platform, build a bronze tripod, summon hundreds of officials, and attract thousands of people to worship the general in front of the two armies.
After all, the fighter plane is fleeting and there is no time to waste on such false courtesy.
So Li Yuanji could only simply hand over the commander's seal to Su Dingfang.
This is the first time Su Dingfang has taken command. There is no full sense of ceremony, but he always has to say a few thoughtful words to prevent Su Dingfang from feeling resentful.
Although Li Yuanji never doubted Su Dingfang's loyalty, things like resentment were born bit by bit. Besides, when faced with a talent like Su Dingfang, you can't act like a person in power, otherwise why would he be dedicated?
Do your best to work for you?
Do you really think that you are the right one, destined by God, and that people have no choice but to work for you?
Ever since Chen Sheng and Wu Guang shouted, "Princes, generals, ministers, and prime ministers have the right to do so," power is no longer exclusive to the nobility.
Therefore, the closer people are to the center of power, the less they believe in such things as true destiny and destiny.
Therefore, when faced with talents, those in power must restrain them with power and win them over with affection.
This is also the reason why emperors of all dynasties like to marry princesses to their courtiers.
It's just to win over, just to turn several families into one family, and then ensure that one's own family will last forever.
However, Li Yuanji never thought about ensuring that his family would last forever, because Li Yuanji knew very well that such a thing was simply impossible.
So towards Su Dingfang, he simply felt that he should show some friendship, instead of really treating Su Dingfang as a subordinate or a cow.
"Your Highness is serious in your words. I am very grateful to have gained His Highness's trust. As for the little etiquette, I don't care. I just hope that I can win this battle well and live up to His Highness's trust and love."
Su Dingfang raised his hands and said solemnly.
Li Yuanji nodded, asked Yu Wenbao to give him the seal of command, and handed it to Su Dingfang with both hands.
Su Dingfang raised his hands high above his head. After firmly catching the handsome seal, he raised the handsome seal high and shouted, "The Great Tang Wansheng!"
All the soldiers at the camp gate who were preparing to go out with Su Dingfang heard this and immediately shouted together.
"The Tang Dynasty is victorious!"
"..."
The shouts reached up to the sky, broke through the underworld, and filled the world.
Morale was also pushed to its peak with shouts and shouts.
When his morale was at its strongest, Li Yuanji shouted, "Your Majesty, just go and fight. I will kill the cattle and sheep in the camp, prepare wine and food, and wait for your Majesty's triumphant return!"
"I swear to the death to destroy Huai'an!"
"I swear to the death to destroy Huai'an!"
At this moment, both Su Dingfang and all the soldiers took the oath in unison.
"good!"
Li Yuanji shouted loudly, then waved his hands boldly and said: "Go to war!"
The army, headed by Su Dingfang, Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan, and Hou Junji, poured out of the camp like a tide.
After running out of the camp, the army immediately separated in three directions. Su Dingfang also dismounted and got on a chariot, accompanied by many messengers such as the flag bearer, gong officer, and drum officer.
Su Dingfang had already discussed how to fight with Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan and Hou Junji last night, so after the army left the camp, Su Dingfang didn't say anything, but kept ordering people to wave the command flag.
With the waving of the command flag, the army began to divide into three groups, with Luo Shixin, Yin Kaishan, and Hou Junji each leading one group.
Hou Junji is in the front, Yin Kaishan is in the middle, and Luo Shixin is in the back.
When Li Shimin saw this, he couldn't help but said: "It seems that he wants to use a relay to win Huai'an City!"
Li Yuanji turned his head to look at Li Shimin and gave Li Shimin a 'what next' look.
Li Shimin said calmly, "So far, it's quite satisfactory."
Li Deliang hesitated and said: "It's quite satisfactory, but that's what doesn't make it stand out?"
Li Shimin glanced at Li Deliang and didn't want to talk to this good-for-nothing Uncle Wang.
Li Shentong explained on the side: "Su Dingfang is leading an army for the first time. His ability to do so is already beyond the reach of many people."
Li Deliang glanced at Li Shimin, then looked at Li Shen's passage: "Brother, please clarify my doubts."
Li Shentong stroked his long beard and said: "Leading an army and controlling a battle alone sounds easy, but it is actually very difficult.
Many people can't even restrain soldiers and horses."
Li Deliang was even more confused when he heard this.
Li Shentong continued to explain: "It is easy to restrain the soldiers and horses in the camp, but after leaving the camp, when the soldiers and horses are marching, how to restrain the soldiers and horses depends on whether the orders of the leader can be passed on word by word.
In the ears of every soldier.
However, some arrogant generals, or even those who are afraid of war, may act without permission after sizing up the situation and finding themselves in a place that is unfavorable to them.
If the leader of the army is not ruthless and kills one or two people to establish his authority, there is no way to suppress these people.
Su Dingfang didn't kill anyone before he went on the expedition, and he was able to get all the soldiers in the army to obey his orders, which shows that he had passed his orders word for word to every soldier.
And it achieves the purpose of establishing authority through words."
Li Deliang pondered: "Is this difficult?"
Li Shentong laughed and said, "It's not just difficult, it's even more difficult. Li Shiji, you know, right?"
Li Deliang nodded without hesitation.
Li Shentong continued: "For someone as powerful as Li Shiji, who had to kill one or two close people to establish his authority before each expedition, Su Dingfang did not kill anyone and achieved the goal of establishing his authority with just words.
Now you know how powerful Su Dingfang is, right?"
Li Deliang nodded deeply.
With comparison, he knew how capable Su Dingfang was.
"Doesn't that mean Su Dingfang is more powerful than Li Shiji?"
Li Deliang asked.
Li Shentong was stunned for a moment, then he laughed and said: "Leading troops in a battle does not only depend on the ability to restrain the troops and establish authority. The key is whether you can win and whether you can continue to win.
If Su Dingfang can keep winning and has more achievements and military exploits than Li Shiji, then he can be said to be more powerful than Li Shiji.
In war, victory or defeat ultimately determines the outcome."
Li Deliang suddenly understood, stopped asking questions, and concentrated on watching the war.
After Su Dingfang divided his troops into three groups, he quickly approached Huai'an City. During this period, Jieli in the city sent troops and horses out of the city from the east and west sides several times to cause trouble, but they were all repelled by the rangers commanded by Su Dingfang.
When approaching the position two miles away from Huai'an City, Su Dingfang ordered Hou Junji to take the lead in attacking the city, while Yin Kaishan and Luo Shixin led their troops to stand by.
Hou Junji led his army to form a large formation, with sword and shield soldiers leading the way, and spearmen pushing carts and other large ordnance behind.
The crossbowmen rode in chariots, drove crossbows and other equipment, and when they reached a certain distance, they took the lead in launching an attack.