At dawn, the scout reported that Xue Yantuo's cavalry came from the south...
The entire Tang army at Baidaokou was busy, extinguishing the bonfires, preparing arrows and crossbows, taking the horses that had been fed enough fodder last night out of the stables, and inspecting weapons and weapons.
Fang Jun put on his helmet and armor, and walked out of the camp in complete attire.
Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai, Gao Kan and other generals all gathered behind him, all looking at the still dark south.
"Xue Yantuo's cavalry has more than 20,000 people. Their formation is loose and their marching speed is not fast. They have bypassed the west of Dingxiang City and are heading straight for Baidaokou."
The scout respectfully recounted the news found ahead.
At this moment, there is no battle report from Youwuwei, and the outcome of the battle at Wuyang Ridge is unknown. However, according to the information from the scouts, Xue Wanche must have won a complete victory. Otherwise, even if Xue Yantuo's nearly 100,000 cavalrymen were to separate out the more than 10,000 Duo Mozhi.
The number of people left to guard the camp is still no less than 70,000 or 80,000, and it definitely cannot be more than two people.
"The Duke of Wu'an has achieved great success this time!"
Xue Rengui clicked his tongue, his tone full of envy.
The formation killed 50,000 Xue Yantuo's cavalry who entered the invader's territory. This was an unprecedented feat since Wei Gong Li Jing's raid on Yinshan. Compared with it, Hou Junji's contribution to the capital of Gaochang was slightly inferior.
In terms of rewards based on merit, a duke’s title cannot be lost...
When fighting in the army, which general doesn't dream of being able to conquer foreign lands, kill generals, seize flags, and achieve unparalleled feats?
Xi Junmai was also a little bit amused: "Isn't it thanks to our commander? If he had followed the temperament of the Wu'an County Duke, he would have been eaten to death by Yu Wenfa in Mayi City, and he couldn't move even half a step.
No."
The battle was fought by Xue Wanche, but without Fang Jun's decisive decision to capture Yu Wenfa, and even taking the initiative to take on the responsibility of attacking Xue Yantuo first, what use would it have been for Xue Wanche to win the three armies bravely?
Now Fang Jun is being blamed for starting the war without authorization, but Xue Wanche has taken away all the great achievements. These loyal subordinates of Fang Jun will inevitably be angry.
Fang Jun glanced at him and said calmly: "It is the most sacred duty of every soldier to defend our country from foreign aggression and protect our country! As long as the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the borders are stable, what's the harm in shouldering some responsibilities? You guys despise Yu Wenfa.
The despicable means used to gain merit, but at this moment, there is resentment and unwillingness, how is it different from Na Yu Wenfa and others? In the current national war, any conspiracies must be put away, and all forces that can be united must be united.
Externally, that’s what we should do!”
The words are not heavy, but the meaning behind them weighs more than a thousand pounds!
All the generals bowed their heads and said in unison: "Please remember this, general!"
This is what makes Fang Jun different from others.
Almost all of the high-ranking generals in the Tang army came from aristocratic families. Their qualities made them qualified to assume their positions, and their good education allowed them to become the backbone of the Tang army from the moment they joined the army.
But there are advantages and disadvantages.
Being from a noble family certainly means a good education, but it also makes them always focus on their own family.
Once the interests of the country conflict with the interests of the family, they will not hesitate to make a choice that is beneficial to the family. They don't care at all whether the country is damaged or even overturned as a result.
Emperors take turns, maybe if this emperor falls, it will be our family's turn next?
…
This has always been the case throughout the ages.
Just like party struggles, aristocratic families have been provided with convenient conditions by the collapse of dynasties and even the invasion of foreign nations.
Thinking about how the army controlled by the aristocratic families reacted during the Anshi Rebellion, Fang Jun was full of disappointment in them and had absolutely no confidence at all.
But these subordinates surrounding Fang Jun all came from poor families.
Although Xue Rengui has the blood of the Xue family in Hedong, it is too far away, and there is only one name left. The Xue family in Hedong does not even bother to admit that there is such a person in the family tree. Gao Kan is just a distant relative of the Gao family in Bohai
Otherwise, why would he go to Youtunwei to join the army?
The rest, Xi Junmai, Cheng Wuting, Liu Renyuan, Liu Rengui and others, even if they have a little connection with the aristocratic family, are not close at all.
Pei Xingjian is the only one who can be considered a descendant of an aristocratic family and has not intervened in military affairs...
For a long time, Fang Jun has been trying to build a small group composed entirely of poor generals. Through the wars of the past few years, this small group has gradually improved and formed influence. In the future, if he sits in the center, this small group will
The group will grow rapidly until it becomes a force that cannot be ignored in the Tang army to resist the infiltration of the army by family members.
The national policy of suppressing aristocratic families must also be implemented in the military. This is a secret move made by Fang Jun in cooperation with His Majesty Li Er.
"The interests of the country are above all else", this must be implemented in the military.
Only an invincible army that is completely loyal to the country and the people can ensure that the Tang Dynasty's regime will not be subverted and that the land of China will not suffer the pain of division.
…
Ahead, the horse scouts returned one after another, constantly bringing back news about Xue Yantuo's cavalry.
The Youtun Guards at Baidaokou have already prepared for the battle.
"Rengui, you will be in charge of this battle."
Fang Jun ordered.
"Here!"
Xue Rengui was in high spirits and understood that Fang Jun was taking the opportunity to fight Xue Yantuo's cavalry to test the effectiveness of the "three-stage attack".
Any tactics must be tested in actual combat before they can be implemented by the entire army.
No matter how good-looking you are during training, it will be useless on the battlefield, so what's the use?
The enemy is too weak to expose the weaknesses and flaws of the tactics, and the enemy is too strong and the tactics may not be able to bring out the best in them. Xue Yantuo's cavalry ran thousands of miles and were exhausted. After a battle with Youwuwei, their morale was low, but their number remained at 20,000.
The number of people left and right, no matter the size or the type of troops, is just right.
Xue Rengui rode his cavalry and rushed to the position, commanding the soldiers to arrange their formations. He could not suppress his excitement. This tactic of concentrated musket fire attack was unprecedented. If it can be proved through actual combat that it can deal with cavalry troops, then he will definitely leave his name in the history of Qing Dynasty.
He was excited, but the soldiers were extremely nervous...
The essence of Tang Dynasty soldiers is to serve as soldiers in wartime and as farmers in leisure time. Although the soldiers of Youtunwei are all recruited soldiers, the soldiers recruited were also soldiers of the government, and they all followed the army on the battlefield.
Naturally, I have seen the Hu cavalry galloping like the wind on the grasslands and deserts. In the past, the cavalry of the Tang Dynasty was not bad. They were able to compete with the Hu cavalry without falling behind. They were even able to win one battle after another with perfect strategies and tactics.
A huge victory on the field.
But when the infantry faced the Hu cavalry, how could they withstand the landslide and tsunami-like charge other than the perverted Mo Dao Formation?
Even the crossbowmen can only fire arrows from a distance. When Hu Qi comes close, they must rely on the spear array to resist them. Otherwise, if Hu Qi is allowed to charge into the position, it will be a tragedy like chopping melons and vegetables.
.
Now they are allowed to directly confront Hu Qi with muskets...
Isn't this nonsense?
Although during the training in Chang'an, the "three-stage attack" tactic seemed to be infinitely powerful, and the overwhelming bullets could kill any invading enemy, but at this time, the Xue Yantuo cavalry must have launched a desperate charge. How can it be compared to the training?
Is it the same as when?
Looking at Pao Ze who was squatting on the ground holding a spear and shield in front of him to block Hu Qi's charge, the musketeers were all fighting in two groups, looking nervous, and they all looked at Xue Rengui.
You can't play like this, General...
Although Xue Rengui has not been in the army for a long time, as a famous general with an eternal reputation, his talents are naturally different from ordinary people. With just a glance, he noticed the fearful and timid atmosphere in the army, and he suddenly frowned.
Riding his horse forward, standing behind the formation of musketeers, he drew out the sword from his waist with a "clang" and said sternly: "What are you afraid of? The muskets in your hands can kill an enemy wearing leather armor within a hundred steps. Normally,
Haven't you seen it during training? The various armors on Xue Yantuo's cavalry are inferior to the leather armor produced by the Tang Dynasty. As long as they hit the vital points, there is no reason to survive!"
"I will stand behind you. If anyone does not follow the instructions, behead him! If he shrinks back timidly, behead him! If he is in panic when facing the enemy and shakes the morale of the army, behead him!"
Three "cuts" in a row made all the soldiers look pale with fear.
The military laws of the Tang Dynasty are no joke. Those who violate military laws on the battlefield will be punished without mercy. Even if they escape the disaster, as long as someone reports them later, they will definitely be punished with death.
After some threats, Xue Rengui encouraged the soldiers: "I will supervise you here. If we are defeated today, I will stand here and fight side by side with you. I will not hesitate to fight to the death!"