Fang Jun had great trust in the military qualities of his subordinates.
Among the three, only Cheng Wuting's achievements were worse. Gao Kan and Pei Xingjian were both famous generals of the generation. The latter even became a prime minister and his name will be passed down to future generations. When it comes to the work of marching and fighting, he feels inferior. Although at the moment
These three people have not yet fully evolved and are not perfect, but their talents are enough to crush ordinary people.
Pei Xingjian obviously had a clue. After hearing Fang Jun's inquiry, he directly pointed to the position of the big fight pulling out the valley on the sand table and said solemnly: "We have many enemies and few, and the counties in Hexi are extremely scattered. If we want to defend everywhere, we must defend them everywhere."
Divide our troops everywhere, and if we spread out our troops, they will not be enough to hold on. If the enemy forces are defeated one by one, then we will not be able to hold on everywhere. In the opinion of the general, it is better to place all the troops in the big battle.
At the mouth of the valley, temporary fortifications were built with cement to resist the cavalry attack, and we tried our best to stop the enemy."
Fang Jun was silent.
Dadouba Valley is more than 20 kilometers long, 150 meters at its widest point, and less than 20 meters at its narrowest point. The mountain passes are as dangerous as cutting with a knife and an axe. It leads to Hehuang in the south and Ganliang in the north. It is extremely dangerous.
risk.
If a blocking position is set up here according to Pei Xingjian's words, it will make it difficult for Tuyuhun's overwhelmingly superior cavalry to exert its maximum combat power. The scene of thousands of troops galloping and charging will definitely not be seen, and only a dozen cavalry can move side by side little by little.
Rushing forward can offset the Tang army's military disadvantage to the greatest extent.
But this strategy has a fatal flaw, that is, all 20,000 Tang troops are stationed here. They can either block Tuyuhun's cavalry at the mouth of the valley and kill a mountain of corpses and blood sea ghosts crying like wolves, or they can be broken through by Tuyuhun's cavalry.
The entire Hexi counties were exposed to the enemy in an instant, and could only fall sooner or later.
Too risky.
After thinking for a while, Fang Jun asked Gao Kan and Cheng Wuting: "Do you two have any good ideas?"
Gao Kan said: "Pei Changshi's strategy may seem dangerous, but in fact it may not be so. We are fighting head-on at the mouth of the valley. We can use the power of firearms with the help of fortifications. Since the enemy cavalry breaks through the blockade, they can only break through along the two ends of the position. At the same time,
They can continue to kill, but the position can be protected. The cavalry can't rush to the position of the cement building, right? Even if they rush from both sides of the position, they are just defeated troops. As long as the counties close the city gates and refuse
With the enemy outside, it is absolutely impossible to capture any of them. When the main force of our army defeats the enemy, we can then turn around and calmly defend the rest of the battle, wipe out the remaining enemy troops, and ensure that the counties in Hexi are safe."
Cheng Wuting also said: "The key to this strategy is whether it can defeat the enemy's main force at the mouth of the valley, while ensuring that our army's position is intact. According to the general's opinion, the quality of the soldiers in the right garrison, their combat strength, and their firearms
The level of equipment can ensure victory."
He has been participating in the drills of Youtunwei, and he is very familiar with the various tactics used in Youtunwei's drills. He knows how powerful an army equipped with firearms will be when it goes completely on the defensive.
The solid fortifications are built with cement, and the elite soldiers of Youtun Guards will defend it with firearms. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is "impregnable".
Even if the enemy's force was ten times greater than his own, Cheng Wuting firmly believed that he could hold his position without losing it.
Fang Jun pondered undecided.
If his troops had left Baidao and marched straight into Mobei, they would have adopted such a strategy without hesitation. However, the Battle of Hexi was so important that it almost affected the fate of the country and the country, and he did not dare to take any risks.
If they could not withstand the fierce battle at the valley entrance, Tuyuhun's cavalry broke into the Hexi Corridor and swept through the counties. Not only was the right guard's rear route cut off and he was trapped by the enemy with no possibility of survival, the resulting isolation of the Western Region, Guanzhong
Chaos is something no one can afford.
After thinking for a long time, Fang Jun said in a deep voice: "In this case, we might as well make a plan like this for the time being and order the army to carry more cement. After arriving in Hexi, they will carefully survey the terrain of Dadou Valley, send out scouts to search for traces of the Tuyuhun cavalry, and then proceed.
Decision."
"Here!"
Pei Xingjian and others also knew that the stakes were high and that the situation was unfavorable for the enemy. We were outnumbered and any strategy must be perfect. The slightest mistake could lead to the final defeat, so they immediately accepted the order.
Fang Jun invited several people to sit down, and Cheng Wuting poured tea for them. Fang Jun took a sip of tea and said: "The Taishi Bureau has chosen the day for the expedition, and His Highness has chosen the first day of August. Can all the military departments be ready?
Will we be able to set out on time?"
Pei Xingjian put down his tea cup and said: "Don't worry, Commander, all preparations in the army are in good order and will be completed in two days. The auspicious time of the expedition will not be delayed."
He is the commander-in-chief of the army and has the power to participate in the supervision of all military affairs, so there is nothing at the top or bottom that is not under his control.
Such a capable and completely trustworthy talent served as Chang Shi, which made Fang Jun feel so relaxed.
Fang Jun felt a little apologetic in his heart and sighed softly: "This time His Highness transferred you to the Ministry of Civil Affairs as a doctor in the Ministry of Finance in order to reform the currency system and stabilize prices. If you do well, you can go straight to Qingyun, and it is not impossible to directly enter the Shangshu Province.
.Why go to Youtun Guard to participate in this hard work? Joining the army in the westward expedition will not only delay your promotion, but also put your life in danger if you don't make a mistake."
This time it was Pei Xingjian who took the initiative to go to the East Palace and begged Li Chengqian to transfer him to Youtunwei to once again serve as the chief historian. In Fang Jun's view, this was just nonsense. If the Ministry of Civil Affairs' errands were done well, it would be Pei Xingjian.
The most solid political achievements can lead directly to the center in the future, how can they be abandoned halfway?
Pei Xingjian didn't take it seriously and said with a smile: "General, do you think His Highness is still interested in reforming the currency system? At present, the most important thing is to defeat the powerful enemy and stabilize Guanzhong. Everyone in the imperial court must do their best for this. In the short term,
There is no spare power to implement the currency reform. Furthermore, the commander-in-chief Jian was appointed to the subordinates at the beginning and was entrusted with important tasks. The right guards are all under the command of the last general. How can they watch the commander-in-chief fight on the battlefield?
Life, but the last general is sitting in the capital enjoying ease and enjoyment? Sima Gong once said, "Everyone is destined to die, and it may be heavier than Mount Tai, or lighter than a feather." Although the last general does not dare to compare himself to people with lofty ideals, he is still a member of a famous family and has his own recitation.
The book of sages understands the principle of sacrificing one's life for righteousness and sacrificing one's life for righteousness. At this critical moment, if you can contribute to the country and live to the point of death, you will have no regrets in this life."
Gao Kan also said angrily: "The thieves betrayed their faith and rebelled against the empire. As a son of the Tang Dynasty, I should move forward bravely to protect my family and the country. I only need to kill the thieves with my own sword, so why worry about myself? Pei Changshi has soaring ambitions.
Fearing safety is indeed a role model for us! Commander, I would like to ask you to accompany the army to Hexi. Even if you die on the battlefield, you will have no regrets!"
As he spoke, he stood up and knelt down on one knee, with a pleading look on his face.
At present, the entire Youtun Guards are regarded as heroes by the people of Guanzhong because they are about to go to Hexi. In times of national calamity, they are not afraid of dangers and look forward to death, and are infinitely admired by the people.
But he was ordered to garrison Xuanwu Gate and could not accompany Pao Ze to snipe at the enemy through life and death. It was really too tight.
Fang Jun was silent.
Throughout the ages, no matter whether the nation is strong or weak, there will always be some people who stand up and protect the backbone of the nation at critical moments, and live to the death without any regrets. It is these people with lofty ideals who emerge in an endless stream and pass on from generation to generation.
Generations continue to build the soul of the Chinese nation.
They would rather die standing than live on their knees!
Breathing out a sigh of relief, Fang Jun said kindly: "Don't just see the enemy in front of you. Behind us, there are still countless people with ulterior motives secretly plotting shady tricks, intending to overthrow the empire and use the rights of the people to protect the people."
Life is used to achieve their selfish intentions. Although you cannot face strong enemies with Pao Ze, garrisoning at Xuanwu Gate is also for the peace of the empire and the safety of the prince. The battlefield is different, but the situation is more dangerous because you don't know at all.
Who is the enemy! Staying with peace of mind and guarding the Xuanwu Gate with wide eyes means safeguarding the lifeline of the empire, the inheritance of the country, and the welfare of the world. Don't let us bleed in the Western Region, only to suddenly realize that there is a mess behind us.
."
Is Hexi dangerous? Of course it is extremely dangerous.
Tuyuhun has been planning for a long time. Once he rebels, it will definitely be a thunderous force. The number of troops and the momentum of the soldiers will gain the upper hand in a short time. Faced with such a powerful enemy, even if the champion is resurrected, he cannot say that he is sure of victory.
However, the most dangerous place is in Chang'an.
His Majesty Li Er is on an expedition to Liaodong. All forces in Chang'an City are plotting secretly, and no one knows which side will suddenly launch an attack at the next moment.
Once Xuanwu Gate is lost, Li Chengqian will not be safe even if he enters Xingqing Palace.
The entire empire will be involved in turmoil, and what will follow will be chaos and war everywhere, and the good situation will be ruined in one day.