The gate of the royal city opened, and countless prisoners came out, their faces full of fear and anxiety. When they saw the countless troops outside the city, they even screamed in fright.
"Look, it's Tang Jun!"
Suddenly someone shouted loudly, showing excitement and confusion.
Everyone looked carefully, but they didn't see much of the lower class people. How could they understand it? The few captured officers in the crowd could understand it. Some people couldn't help but shouted excitedly: "It looks like there are Tang people and Turks.
There are also the Tuyuhun people. All the armies in the world can integrate multiple races, and only the King of Han can do so."
"Is the King of Han coming to save us?"
"King of Han, are you the benevolent and righteous King of Han who belongs to me?"
"Are we saved?"
Uncertain voices sounded one after another, full of expectation and fear.
At this time, Liu Hongji led some people on horseback and shouted loudly: "I, Liu Hongji, Duke of Kui, have been ordered by the King of Han to guide everyone to leave and go over there quickly." He pointed in one direction and said,
There were too many people being robbed. If they moved forward, they would collide with the military formation, and it would be dangerous if there were Tibetans hiding among them.
The familiar Tang language immediately made everyone feel at ease, and they all shouted: "It's really the King of Han, we are saved!"
"Master Liu, Duke of Kui, I was once your deputy lieutenant. I would like to thank you for your kindness in surviving." A man wearing a bloody battle armor rushed forward and shouted excitedly.
Liu Hongji followed the reputation and didn't recognize him. It would be difficult for a young lieutenant to meet the prince. It is normal not to recognize him, but it does not affect him. Liu Hongji shouted: "Since you are a lieutenant in the army, you should understand the rules.
Quickly help direct the people to evacuate the place of dispute, quickly!"
"I will obey your orders!"
The other party agreed excitedly, and then shouted loudly: "Everyone, this is indeed Mr. Liu, the Duke of Kui. There is no need for you to doubt it. We all act according to the orders and help each other. The young and strong take care of the children to prevent them from being trampled. Hurry up.
Leave this place lest Tubo regrets it."
Some prisoners confirmed their identities, those who had doubts put their worries aside, everyone helped each other and left in a hurry.
More people came out of the city and followed in the designated direction.
There were too many prisoners, and the city gate was so big that it took half an hour to walk.
Liu Hongji led people over. When the prisoners saw Liu Hongji coming, they all stopped talking and looked at Liu Hongji in surprise. Many of them even knelt down to express their gratitude.
"Everyone, get up and listen to what I have to say." Liu Hongji clasped his fists and shouted loudly. After everyone calmed down completely, he continued: "The King of Han has an order, not one person should be missing, and all must be rescued. Let's check each other's people around to see if there is anyone.
Omission."
"The King of Han Gaoyi!"
"The King of Han is kind!"
Voices of gratitude came and went, spreading all around.
The inquiry took time, so Liu Hongji asked people around him to supervise and make statistics, and waited patiently.
Perhaps it was because Zan Xiruo knew Qin Huaidao's cautious character, or because he did not dare to cause trouble and cost Lun Qinling his life, he did not hide the prisoners and released them all. However, many of them were injured and did not receive treatment. As time went by, they would not die.
After about an hour, Liu Hongji got the statistical data and hurried back to the Chinese military tent.
In the big tent, Qin Huaidao was discussing with everyone the plan to attack Luoche City. When he saw Liu Hongji coming over, his face was very ugly. His heart skipped a beat and he quickly asked: "Master Liu, what do you think?"
"Back to the King of Han, it has been verified that there are 83,685 prisoners, more than 40,000 women and children, more than 20,000 young men, 20,000 soldiers captured, and more than 30,000 wounded. The time is too short and there is no time.
Statistics of specific figures." Liu Hongji said quickly.
"More than 80,000 people?" Qin Huaidao's face changed slightly.
"There are only over 80,000 people left. I estimate that the total number of prisoners exceeds 150,000. The others probably died on the way here because they could not adapt to the climate." Luo Zhang said, his face ashen.
"You bastard, fight me?" Cheng Chumo shouted, also furious.
Others also got angry and cursed.
Qin Huaidao was also very angry. 150,000 was an underestimation, and there were probably around 200,000 prisoners. However, Tubo was a plateau, and many people could not adapt to it. Once they suffered high altitude sickness, and there was no medicine, they would basically die if they did not turn back.
But the matter has come to this, there is no point in getting angry.
Qin Huaidao raised his hand to signal, and after everyone calmed down, he looked at Liu Hongji and said: "All the soldiers will be incorporated into the Hanzhou Army. They will be treated and trained. When they recover, they will be assigned to various armies. Please go on and don't despise, abuse, suppress, or exclude."
, otherwise they will be killed without mercy, and they don’t want to surrender and be captured.”
"Follow the order!" Liu Hongji solemnly responded.
"The defeat is not the fault of the soldiers. Victory and defeat are common for military strategists. We all risk our lives against the Tubo. Since we are alive, even if we become prisoners, we are still heroes. We must treat them kindly and use them according to their ability. In addition, the young and strong prisoners are recruited as soldiers. The principle of voluntariness shall not be allowed."
Forcing women and children to help with cooking, I am responsible for the people, letting them eat and drink well, and not treat them badly. The people become prisoners, which is really a shame for us and other soldiers." Qin Huaidao warned.
When everyone saw that Qin Huaidao valued the people so much, they were extremely moved.
Even ordinary people are so considerate and benevolent. In the future, they will live up to public expectations and do the thing of killing the donkey.
Liu Hongji hesitated for a moment, then said truthfully: "King of Han, there are suddenly more than 80,000 people, and they are full of food and drink. I am afraid that there is not enough food."
"If you don't have enough food, grab it. This is Luoche City, the Tubo King's City. It is richer than other places within a hundred miles, and there are many tribes. Xue Wanche went east and Cheng Chumo went south. They asked those tribes for half of the cattle, sheep and grain. If they don't give it, they will
Extermination and raids, the people at the bottom should not be touched, we are soldiers, we can fight to survive in order to survive, but we are not beasts without a bottom line and have lost our humanity." Qin Huaidao ordered.
"Follow the order!" Xue Wanche and Cheng Chumo agreed quickly.
The Tubo army is all inside the city, and there are not many armed forces outside the city. Most of the tribes are organized to protect themselves, but they don't have much fighting power. Two armies are enough to sweep them across. They have already been cleared when they came from the west. To the north is a barren land with no food.
Cheng Chumo hesitated for a moment and said, "How about we simply wipe out the tribe and seize them all to ensure that the army has constant food and fodder, just in case."
"There are people from the surrounding tribes who serve as officials in the Tubo Dynasty. Using their food and grass can not only supplement the needs of our army, but also beat the Tibetan ministers and force them to make a choice. Once the Tibetan nobles and ministers have second thoughts, they will open the city gate and surrender.
Speed up the destruction of Tubo. After we capture Tubo, we need local people to help manage it. We cannot kill them all immediately. If they don’t surrender after a few days, it won’t be too late to check again. This is a plan to attack the heart.”
"Attack on the heart... I finally understand!" Cheng Chumo suddenly realized. He didn't expect that there were so many ways to get some food. He secretly noted that this was a rare combat experience.
"King Han, there are living areas and street shops nearby. Do you want to check them?" Xue Wanche asked.