Not only Duan Shao didn't understand, but all the generals in the Western Wei Dynasty also couldn't understand Tang Gong's operations.
Logically speaking, when the Qi army invaded the Qinshui River Valley, the situation was the most critical moment, because it was unclear whether the Qi army would use this opportunity to launch a large-scale counterattack. But at that time, Tang Gong was able to remain calm and let
The troops continued to be stationed at Tongda River to continue to put pressure on the enemy.
However, as the negotiations between the two sides progressed, the Qi army withdrew from the Qinshui Valley, which also showed that they did not have the determination, courage and plan to launch a large-scale counterattack. Logically speaking, the situation should be more stable, but as a result, Tang Gong ordered his troops to
They have retreated again and again, and now they have retreated directly to Qinyuan, giving up continuing to launch an offensive in the Shangdang area.
Since Duke Tang did not consult with the generals when he made this series of decisions, and Duke Tang's prestige has always been unparalleled in the army, although the generals had doubts in their hearts, they did not dare to question it.
Including He Ruodun, who was determined to lead his brothers to sweep through the Shangdang and attack Yecheng, he just sighed frequently during the withdrawal: "What a pity, the East bandits can survive for a while longer thanks to the gift of our Lord!"
Regarding the generals' doubts, Li Tai did not intend to explain more, and could only leave it to the subsequent development of the situation. It was not that he wanted to pretend to be mysterious, but because the elements he referred to deducted some unknown reasons.
Other logic is not very self-explanatory.
It is true that the current situation and background are very different from those in history, but some personnel behavior logic and key factors have not changed much. If the basic contradictions and conflicts do not change, then the development of things can be slightly different.
deduction.
Historically, the internal conflicts in the Northern Qi Dynasty broke out after Gao Yang's death, but this time because Gao Yang personally led the army to fight against the Wei army, but suffered a huge defeat on the battlefield, this will inevitably directly affect Gao Yang's own authority. After the authority was affected, some
In the past, personnel conflicts that could be suppressed and concealed through their own prestige and brutal behavior will inevitably breed and develop.
Li Tai couldn't actually make an accurate guess about what kind of chaos would happen in the Northern Qi Kingdom today, but he was certain that thunder would explode, and this thunder might be more violent than the Qianming coup in history.
After all, the Qianming coup was only an internal affair of Beiqi, and was not interfered by any external forces. However, now that Li Tai has gained great initiative in the confrontation with Beiqi, of course he has to join in as the number one player.
Obtain some gains that are currently difficult to obtain on the battlefield through other methods and means.
He evacuated the main force of the army from Wusu City and took the initiative to burn Wusu City to show that the Wei army had no plans to continue attacking in this direction in the short term. This may seem a bit difficult for outsiders to understand, but from Li Tai's perspective
It seems reasonable.
The main reason why he did this was to reduce the threat he posed to Beiqi. How could a few people get together to fight, but a two-meter-tall strong man with a knife stood next to them and watched coldly? How could the fight go on?
Li Tai took the initiative to withdraw his troops, just to tell the powerful people in Northern Qi that you should fight how you should. Don't give me face and treat me as if I don't exist. Not only will I not interfere, but I also have to stand far away to avoid being affected.
Covered in blood.
Of course, any military choices and actions are also undesirable if you rely entirely on the enemy's reaction. The reason why Li Tai wanted to evacuate Wusu City was to systematically adjust the offensive and defensive confrontation between them.
.
Although he led the division and brigade to advance all the way, singing triumphant songs, it does not mean that this march route is suitable for the Western Wei Dynasty to continue to launch attacks. This route is crisscrossed by ravines and rugged mountain roads, which is very difficult for the march of the army and the replenishment of supplies.
It's very disadvantageous, and it's also very difficult to defend.
Although Li Tai drove all the way, he still needed to constantly divide his troops to garrison dangerous points along the way, because there were too many dangerous places along the way. And dangerous points everywhere meant loopholes everywhere. There were no key points but they were all key points. One link
A slight mistake will affect the layout of the entire line.
This time, the troops mobilized by the Western Wei Dynasty were also relatively strong, including Li Tai who mobilized more than 80,000 troops after marching eastward from Pingyang. However, because the troops had to be divided along the way, only more than 50,000 troops finally arrived at the front line to fight the enemy.
Even after a great victory, due to the lack of caution of the generals guarding the rear, the rear was still unavoidably harassed.
Although this incident did not cause a big crisis for the Wei army on the front line, it also revealed that it is not easy to defend this route absolutely safely, and the price/performance ratio is really too low. Every direction from Wusu City
If we advance a certain distance, the cost of war will increase by several percent. This cost includes not only material costs, but also risk costs.
Therefore, with this withdrawal of troops, Li Tai also planned to abandon the attack route of Wusu City and choose a route that was more convenient and safer for the Wei army. In the past, because he was moving forward with the advancement of the battle line, now because he occupied many of the original
The territory and cities belonging to the Northern Qi Dynasty undoubtedly have more routes to choose from, so naturally they have to choose a more suitable one.
In addition to these military considerations, Li Tai also had some personal reasons, that is, a letter from home came from behind saying that his father's physical condition was deteriorating, which also made Li Tai feel a little uneasy.
When he went on the expedition, his father's health was already in serious trouble. Now that he has been out for more than two months, the initial results have been achieved, and it is difficult to make any bigger breakthroughs in the short term. He also hopes to return as soon as possible for a visit.
Father.
Therefore, after the army withdrew to Qinyuan, he did not continue to stay here. He first arranged for Gao Le to be stationed in Guyuan City and maintained continued negotiations with the Qi army. The rest of the divisions and brigades continued to withdraw westward, all the way back to
Baima City in Jinzhou already belonged to the Western Wei Dynasty.
At this time, Wei Xiaokuan, Liang Shiyan and others from the north also heard the news and came to greet him. By the way, they introduced Xiang Hou Mo and Chen, who had surrendered from the Northern Qi Dynasty, to Li Tai.
Although Gao Zhongmi, Sima Ziru and others in the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi successively surrendered to the Western Wei, this was the first time that someone had a prince title and was also a representative of the Jinyang nobility.
Li Tai was also quite happy about the arrival of Prime Minister Hou Mochen. When he saw the old and grey-haired Prime Minister Hou Mochen coming to pay homage, he took two steps forward to help him up and said with a smile: "Hou Mochen
You don’t need to be too polite, I have heard of your reputation for a long time, and now that we meet you, I believe that your reputation is worthy of your reputation.”
"Thieves are stubborn and stupid, and they will only realize it when they are old. It is really difficult to be praised by Duke Tang. I have committed many sins in the past, and now I have changed my past. I only hope that I can use my remaining strength to dominate the government and repay Duke Tang for taking me in!"
After hearing this, Minister Hou Mochen quickly bowed and said, his posture was very respectful.
After Li Tai heard this, he patted the man's shoulder to express comfort. In fact, it is common sense that Hou Mo and Chen Xiang are already in their late teens. No matter how harsh the treatment, there is no need to risk his life's fame.
He betrayed Northern Qi and defected to the enemy.
Li Tai learned from the letter sent by Wei Xiaokuan that Prime Minister Hou Mochen came to surrender not only because he was angry at Qi Lord Gao Yang for killing his son, but also to seek a life and future for his grandson. After his son was killed,
, a domestic slave escorted his grandson to escape from Jinyang, and traveled to the front line of Jiexiu to meet Hou Mochen. If not for this, Hou Mochen would only choose to endure it silently, even if he was extremely angry.
After all, his other son still died in the battle with the Western Wei Dynasty, and they also had a hatred for killing their father.
Although the arrival of Prime Minister Hou Mo and Chen did not bring direct help to the Western Wei Dynasty, he himself was a very rare living sign. Li Tai was also about to strengthen the united battle and alienation against the Jinyang soldiers group. Hou Mo Chen
The arrival of Xiang was also just in time.
So he told Prime Minister Hou Mo and Chen to temporarily follow him back to the court to receive the title, and directly summoned his grandson, who he had given up most of his life's achievements to save, into the honor guard to serve as a personal soldier in the tent. After Prime Minister Hou Mo and Chen learned that the three guards
After seeing the uniqueness of the Western Wei army system, I couldn't help but express my gratitude again and again.
At present, Li Tai has entrusted the military affairs north of Pingyang to Wei Xiaokuan for the time being. In fact, Wei Xiaokuan's qualifications and military achievements are no longer suitable for him to be in charge, especially after this battle, it is certain that he will ascend to the throne of Zhuguo, but for the time being, Li Tai
A suitable person to replace him has not yet been found, so we can only discuss it after returning to the court.
After staying in Baima City for a few days, Li Tai continued to go south along the Fen River. Along the way, he saw that the situation in the areas newly occupied by the Western Wei Dynasty was basically relatively stable, and there were no major disturbances. This also made Li Tai quite satisfied.
.
When the army marched all the way to Fenqu, Li Tai was temporarily separated from the main force. The main force that retreated with him temporarily went to the Hedong area to garrison to recuperate and recuperate for the further war, while Li Tai followed along the
The Fen River goes west and directly crosses the river from Longmen back to Guanzhong.
When Li Tai crossed the river from Longmen and set foot on the land of Guanzhong again, the remaining personnel from the Bafu and the imperial court were already waiting here. Before Li Tai could speak, the welcoming crowd began to burst into cheers: "
Welcome Tang Gong’s triumphant return! Tang Gong is mighty and invincible!”
Accompanied by the cheers of the crowd, Li Tai nodded to everyone one by one. When his eyes fell on the face of Guangping Yuanzan, who represented the imperial court, Yuanzan whispered that something important was coming and asked him to enter the account details.
talk.
So Li Tai walked into a tent that had been set up here. Yuan Zan and several court officials followed him in. Then he took a jade seal from an envoy beside him, held it over his head, and said loudly: "Tang Gong is here."
I went on an expedition and defeated the bandits in the east, which shocked the world. Your majesty also deeply felt that your destiny was fulfilled and your love was ominous, so you ordered your ministers to come with the seal to welcome you. I respectfully ask Duke Tang to accept him and obey the heaven and man!"