Chapter 513 Why is the governor laughing? Shoot the man first, shoot the horse, and capture the thief first, capture the king.
In the northeast of Huairong County, Beiyan Prefecture, in early winter, the grass and trees are bleak, and the Youzhou army appears like a dragon.
"Is this the Chang'an Mountains?"
"Back to the Governor, this is Chang'an Ridge. Its original name is Qianggan Ridge, also called Sanggan Ridge. It is an important route for all villages going north to the mountain. In the Sui Dynasty, there was Sanggan Post here, but it was later abandoned."
Su Lie pointed to the space between the two entrances on the mountain, "After repairs, it is now the temporary garrison of Guangbian Army. In the Sui Dynasty, the fort was five miles long, with stone walls three feet high. There were four towers, two gates, and the east and west city peaks stretched to
The mountains on both sides are like phoenixes spreading their wings, guarding the entrance of the mountain."
Huaiyu looked like a phoenix spreading its wings, "Hahaha!"
"Why is the governor laughing?" Lu Chengye, who joined the army and put on a leather armor, asked at the side.
"I laugh at the fact that Gao Yaozi is boasted and praised by so many people, but it's nothing more than that. If he is really resourceful, how can such an important mountain pass be easily given up? He should occupy this gate and keep our Tang army away, but now he has
Open the door wide and let us march straight in and march to the city gates. How long can we persist in being a tortoise and obeying the law?"
"Congratulations, Commander," Lu Chengye flattered him.
The Chang'an Ridge is indeed very important. To the south is the Yanqing Huailai Basin, a flat plain, and across the ridge to the north are the river valleys of the Red River, which are also connected in all directions.
"Under the Yinma Great Wall, the water is cold and the wind is rustling," Wu Huaiyu couldn't help reciting a poem while looking at the stone castle.
Chang'anling Fort is not big, nor is it even high, but its location is important. The Guangbian Army, which should have been stationed on the bank of the Red River, is now temporarily staying in Chang'anling Fort.
The cold wind was blowing red flags, and on top of the stone fort, you could still see the armored Tang army guarding the city.
There are two routes from Youzhou to the Fortress. One is via Huailai and Xuanhua, and then through Zhangjiakou to Bashang Grassland. This route uses the Yanghe River Valley and is easier to travel.
The other is the Dushikou Road, which is more mountainous and dangerous but is closer. The troops are sent to the Huailai Basin, then cross the Chang'an Mountains, exit the Inner Great Wall at Diaowobao, cross Chicheng, Dushikou, exit the Outer Great Wall, and enter Guyuan Fortress.
superior.
On this route, the last risk that can be defended in Huailai is Chang'an Mountain.
Chang'an Ridge Fort guards the entrance of the ridge. After passing through the steep winding stone mountain road, it is easy to walk into the valley road to the north.
The tall ancient pine trees on the mountain are like an old man welcoming guests, standing there for thousands of years.
The beacon tower on the top of the mountain looks very inconsistent with the surrounding rocks and trees, but it makes people feel safe.
Although Su Lie took office not long ago, he has already figured out the terrain of Beiyan Prefecture.
He told Huaiyu that in the northern part of Yanqing Basin in Huailai, where Beiyanzhou is located, is Haituo Mountain, a branch of Damaqun Mountain and Jundu Mountain. Between these peaks of Damaqun Mountain and Jundu Mountain, there are many fault depression zones, and they have developed into
The rivers Baihe, Heihe, Honghe, and tributaries of Baihe such as Tangquan River and Maying River have become natural passages.
These river valleys converge near Akagi in a centripetal shape, so Akagi has always been the hub of the north.
Among them, the Baihe River Valley is the most smooth and convenient, while the Red River Valley is closest to Beiyanzhou. Since ancient times, the Baihe River Valley has also been the main channel for the grassland to go south to the Huailai Basin.
The Dushikou to the north is the first crossing from the dam to the Baihe River mouth, and Chang'an Ridge is the last obstacle.
Chicheng was also called Wangcheng in ancient times. During the Sui Dynasty, there was a post road from Huailai through Chang'an Mountains, Baiyuncheng, Diaowo, Chicheng and Dushikou, which was called Wangyun Post Road.
There are two routes from Chicheng, one to Xuanhua via Longmen, and one to Yanqing via Heiyukou.
"It took the imperial court seven years to put down the Gao Kaidao rebellion. However, because Yuan Junzhang and others did not return Yunzhong to the Tang Dynasty until last year, Beiyan Prefecture has always been unstable, sparsely populated, and rebels often harassed them. Even if
Up to now, the Yamen of Beiyanzhou can only manage the people at the foot of the mountain. For example, in the north of Chang'an Mountain, although there are many villages with a population, they are not obeying the king's orders and are beyond the reach of the whip."
"Youzhou's shoulders are carried on Beiyanzhou's shoulders, and Beiyanzhou's shoulders are carried on Shanbei's shoulders."
From the perspective of military geography, Su Lie attached great importance to Shanbei. He believed that not only should the eight villages behind the mountains in the Red River Basin be captured, but also Baiyun City, Wangcheng, etc. in the Sui Dynasty must be restored, especially Dushikou in the upper reaches of the Baihe River.
It must be in the hands of Datang.
Dushikou is located at the junction of the northern Hebei mountains and the Bashang grassland. It is the mountain pass where the Gushui River enters the fortress, and it is also an important pass for the grassland to enter the mountains.
There used to be an ancient pass here, named after a solitary rock rising from the ground at the pass. The ancient pass is located between two rivers flowing in the north and south, with the Huanglong River on the left and the Qinglong River on the right, backed by Spider Mountain.
The theory of two dragons playing with a pearl.
It is even called the throat of Shanggu and the right arm of Youzhou.
Therefore, the entire land behind the mountains to the east of the Damascus Mountains and to the north of Jundu Mountain must be captured and firmly controlled.
It must not be allowed to be controlled by the Turks or the Xi people, even if it is self-governance for border residents like Gaowei.
Fortunately, since the late Sui Dynasty, this vast area behind the mountains has been formed by border residents and refugees who have formed strongholds to defend themselves. Although there is a loose alliance, it is indeed very loose. This is why Wu Huaiyu dared to directly send troops.
.
Cutting through the mess quickly without giving them time to truly organize themselves, otherwise it might be really difficult to fight with so many border refugees gathered here in the past ten years in the late Sui Dynasty, and even some small tribes of Bohu tribes.
To put it bluntly, Gao Yaozi and the others were actually a group of refugees who hid in the border mountains to avoid the war. They usually farmed and herded animals, were self-sufficient, and also trained some local soldiers. Border residents like the Gao family could also be said to have taken advantage of this opportunity.
It rises and grows and becomes a powerful force in the border areas, but in the end, its strength is still limited.
Otherwise, as Wu Huaiyu said, if they really want to separate themselves, they will have to do more and be bolder, such as controlling the most dangerous Chang'an Mountains and keeping the enemy at bay.
Chang'an Ridge is the most dangerous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. However, after passing Chang'an Ridge, many tunnels are very flat. Even the fields, pastures, crops and livestock of the villages behind the mountains are all in these valleys. They can't just hide in the mountain fortress.
, that won’t last long.
Gao Yaozi still used the same methods to deal with separatist forces such as Luo Yi and Gao Kaidao. They had also used these methods to resist Turkic and other invasions before.
But what we were facing now were the officers and soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, which was completely different.
"After all, he is a small powerful man from the frontier. His knowledge is still a bit lacking, and his structure is not high." Huaiyu gave him a moderate evaluation.
Lu Sanwu was very dissatisfied when he heard this, especially Gao Twelve next to him. He wanted to grab a sword and show Wu Huaiyu his sword skills.
The Gao family is famous for their spear skills, but Gao Twelve and Lu Sanwu are both good at swordsmanship, both in sword dancing and fencing.
"Don't be dissatisfied. In less than ten days and a half, I can defeat all eight villages."
The army passed through Chang'an Mountains, winding like a dragon.
The mountains were extremely dangerous and it was impossible to ride together, but the Tang army controlled Chang'anling Fort, so it was very safe to cross this dangerous pass. After crossing the ridge, the tunnel of Wangcheng Post Road in front was already very flat, and you could even see the crops in the valley.
There was no one left in the small village, so they evacuated to the big village.
Wu Huaiyu ordered that the army should not trample crops or damage village houses.
Lu Sanwu was a little surprised.
"They will immediately become my subjects of the Tang Dynasty. The officers and soldiers should love and protect them."
The vanguard cavalry went all the way to Diaowo Village without encountering any obstruction, not even a single commoner.
Many border residents gathered in Diaowo Village. Gao Yaozi gathered 2,000 soldiers from the eight villages behind the mountains here. In addition, he temporarily organized 3,000 young men and women from the border residents to assist in the defense. Most of the old and weak were transferred directly to the village.
The Diaowo Stone Castle in the back mountain.
Secure the stronghold and defend it to the death.
But until various units of the Tang army arrived one after another and surrounded the stronghold, they did not leave the stronghold to attack.
Even Lu Chengye looked at the stockade on horseback and kept shaking his head. This kind of law-abiding is really a stubborn defense. But there is no one who really closes the door and defends the city. Anyone who knows the art of war must defend the outside of the city.
, relying on the walled city and utilizing favorable terrain to defend on the outside.
If we really let the siege reach the city, then we have already lost more than half of it.
Especially this kind of village is against the imperial court.
Now Diaowo Village has lost direct contact with the other seven villages, and the villages on the Baihe and Heihe sides have naturally been divided.
Diaowo Village is built on the north bank of the Red River, with a mountain on its back and a river on its back, two mountains on its shoulders, and a valley on its back. The village is similar to Chang'anling Fort, and it also spreads its wings like a phoenix. However, this village is just a village with rammed earth walls and wooden fences.
It's not a stone castle.
There is a stone castle on the back mountain, which is very dangerous but not big.
If they lose the village at the foot of the mountain, they will be defeated.
The water of the Red River is indeed very red. According to Wu Huaiyu's understanding, it is because there are many iron ores in this area, so there are names such as Red River and Chicheng.
Huaiyu and the others came over the Chang'an Mountains, passed Xiaodiaowo Village, and came to the other side of the Red River in front of Diaowo Village. The Red River is not very wide, especially in the dry season in winter, so you can cross the river directly on horseback.
Perhaps because of this, Gao Yaozi did not send troops to guard the river.
They retreated directly to the stronghold, seemingly wanting to use the stronghold's earthen walls and wooden fences to defend and counterattack to make up for the lack of numbers and weapons and equipment.
At least Gao Yaozi doesn't seem to be a brainless or crazy person.
"Twelve high."
Huaiyu called Gao Twelve over and said, "Go back."
Gao Twelve was stunned.
"You let me go back?"
"Well, you go back and tell your father for me. Now that the world has been unified, and the back of the mountain is no longer a place of alienation, why do they have to disobey the king's teachings.
I still say the same thing, as long as they can accept the edict and organize the people into households, then I and the court can forget the blame. The fields you cultivated and your livestock will still be yours. Even the leaders of the villages and those who are capable
I will also be responsible for conferring titles and official positions."
"Go ahead."
Gao Twelve couldn't believe it, "You really want to let me go back like this?"
"You are just a woman, so why should I make things difficult for you? In the past few days, you have also seen how powerful my father's army is. You cannot resist it. Don't make any mistakes."
Gao Twelve was dubious, but finally decided to cross the river on horseback and return to the village alone.
Gao Yaozi, wearing armor, was standing on the stronghold watching the battle. Suddenly he saw his daughter riding back from the Tang army alone. He was startled and asked to open the door to bring his daughter in.
"How did you fall into the hands of the Tang army? Did they bully or harm you?" Gao Yaozi felt distressed and worried.
"Don't worry, Aye, nothing happened to me. Mother Lu Sanwu wanted to bring me back, but she was stopped at Jundu Pass. But Governor Wu always treated his daughter with courtesy and no offense. He asked her to come back.
, persuade my father not to fight against the imperial court again!"
Gao Yaozi was surprised and shook his head after a long time.
Afternoon.
The Tang army slowly crossed the Red River, but Diaowo Village still did not send troops to intercept it.
The Tang army that was crossing the river was not in a hurry to launch an attack. Instead, they set up their military formations and then pulled out more than a dozen bullock carts. The carts were covered with cloth, so it was difficult to see what was inside.
The cow's eyes were also covered with cloth.
Everything is strange.
Then, with everyone watching, someone lit the oilcloth tied to the cow's tail, and then whipped the cow's butt hard with a whip. The cow was in pain and pulled the cart forward and ran wildly.
"They want to attack with fire. The car must be filled with kerosene and other materials, and they will shoot arrows to intercept them."
Gao Yao shouted.
The local soldiers on the wall of the village opened their bows and shot arrows, but the cows were still covered in wet cowhide, their eyes were blindfolded, and their tails were still burned. They just rushed forward in pain and ignored them.
"Master, look at the burning wire behind the ox cart. They really want to attack with fire!" someone shouted.
Sure enough, a burning match rope was dragged behind several bullock carts, which was getting shorter and shorter. The frantic oxen were also pulling the carts and rushing forward desperately.
Gao Yao raised his iron bow, aimed at a cow, and shot an arrow at it. His arrow skills were superb, and his arrow hit the head of a running cow. The cow screamed and fell down, overturning the cart it was pulling.
But the other cows were still pulling the cart and rushing towards them.
One cow was shot, then another.
They shot down five cows one after another, but seven or eight cows still rushed forward. This was also the result of not intercepting them outside the city. The Tang army was already very close to each other after crossing the river.
The herd of cattle had already arrived in front of the village in one charge.
Behind is the banner of the Tang Army.
Wu Huaiyu raised his right hand, first gathered his five fingers, and then suddenly opened it, making a roaring sound with a smile.
Thirty-five-year-old Lu followed his father and looked at Wu Huaiyu's actions in confusion.
But the next moment.
He only saw the bullock carts rushing under the village wall, suddenly bursting into huge fireballs that shot into the sky, and then his ears were filled with shocking thunder.
Boom! Boom, boom.
One after another.
Lu Sanwu was stunned.
What is this? She looked at her father and found that her father's face was pale, his usual self-confidence was completely gone, and he just stared blankly ahead.
The Dazhai Gate of Diaowo Village is an earthen wall made of rammed loess, which is at least more than three feet high. There is a wooden village tower on top, and even an urn gate made of wooden pallets was temporarily added in front for the war.
But suddenly.
Fires shot into the sky and thunder exploded. The wall in front of the newly built wooden urn city was completely gone. It was blown to pieces, and the log walls as thick as a bowl were all blown away.
Some of the country soldiers who were guarding the barbican were also blown into the sky.
Lu Chengye's voice trembled, "Captain, what is this?"
Huaiyu chuckled, "What do you think?"
"Could it be magic?"
"Hahaha."
However, Lu Thirty-five came to his senses first, "I once heard that when the Turkic Jieli Khan invaded Guanzhong and marched to the Wei River, the saint used the thunder in the palm of the Shenji camp to defeat the enemy. The thunder in the palm was donated by Duke Yi.
Could it be that this is the divine thunder of the Divine Machine Camp in front of me?"
"Ms. Lu is very knowledgeable. I'll tell you the truth. This is one of my secret weapons. The Shenji Battalion will blast the divine thunder against tens of thousands of enemies. How about it? Is the effect good?"
The smoke cleared.
A fence wall of the newly built Wengcheng in Diaowozhai has been destroyed.
However, the Tang army remained motionless in formation.
Wu Huaiyu and Su Lie just watched quietly.
When the smoke completely dissipated, he said to Lu Chengye, "I would like to ask Lu Canjun to go over and tell Gao Wei that he should not confront the court again. I just gave him a reminder. If he continues to be stubborn, what will happen next?"
If you attack, I will no longer be polite."
"I surrender now, and I still promise to let bygones be bygones."
Lu Chengye accepted the order, but felt that his legs were weak and he couldn't exert any strength. Lu Sanwu helped him onto the horse and rode over. He smelled the pungent smell and felt extremely complicated.
