In another world, in 763 AD, the Anshi Rebellion was coming to an end.
The main field force of the Tang army (mainly Shuofang's army), led by Pugu Huai'en, has penetrated deep into Hebei and is recovering various places.
However, the Tang Dynasty trusted too much in the peace treaty with Tibet, and its mobile troops in the areas around Chang'an only had 2,000 troops stationed in Weibei.
What Tang Daizong and the courtiers did not expect was that Tubo broke the peace agreement, marched down the plateau, and took advantage of the Tang Dynasty's weakest moment to launch an attack.
Without preparations, the Tibetan army marched straight in and captured Chang'an on November 18, 763.
After entering the city, the Tibetan army commander Ma Chongying announced "Sacrifice to Nan".
The so-called "Sacrifice to Nam" means that the Tubo tribes attack each other. After one party loses, the winning party has the right to seize, destroy and dispose of all property including people, houses, cattle and sheep from the loser's land.
No one in official history, including "Zi Zhi Tong Jian", dared to record the tragic situation of Chang'an's "Sacrifice to Nam". However, a monk from Chang'an once mentioned in a few words in his personal past events that after Chang'an was occupied by Tibet,
An almost hellish fifteenth day:
"The Tibetan soldiers looted the official offices and private houses in the city. No matter what kind of property it was, even the pots and pans of the people, they would not spare it. The men, women, and children in the city, as long as they were able to move, had their tongues cut out, and then were killed.
The Tibetan army took them as slaves and finally took them away like driving animals; the fire in the city continued for several days, and countless buildings and pavilions were burned to the ground; the rivers and lakes in the city were blocked by corpses, and the blood flow was long and flooded.
After crossing the embankment, the ground of the street was dyed bright red, which will not fade for several months."
Before the Tubo army entered Chang'an, the Hebei rebel army under An Lushan's command also carried out massacres and purges in Chang'an City, but they retained the foundation of government affairs and people's livelihood in the city. Although the population dropped sharply, and although money and food were transferred, the entire city barely survived.
can operate normally.
However, after the Tubo people came, all the wealth in Chang'an City, whether it was official property, family property, or private property, was almost plundered through land grabs. Not only the young and healthy people in the city were taken away, but all the people who could work were taken away.
, even the young children were all moved out as slaves, leaving only the old, weak, sick and disabled, lacking food and clothing, slowly waiting to die.
At the same time, Guo Ziyi led 20 cavalry and gathered 4,000 Tang troops in Guanzhong to deal with the Tubo army. Finally, he fought with the 12,000 reinforcements of Bai Xiaode, the military governor of Yanyan, and the 20,000 troops of Ma Lin, the military governor of Zhenxi.
Together, they finally defeated the Tibetan army.
In this world, Zhou Jun, who knew history, was always on guard against the Tubo people on the plateau when he was fighting against the Southern Tang Dynasty and the Yan Kingdom.
Long before Guo Ziyi sent troops to the southern expedition, Zhou Jun discussed with the former that if the Tibetan army was sent out in full force, how many troops could act as a check and balance without affecting the southern expedition?
After calculation, Guo Ziyi came up with the figure of 80,000.
Zhou Jun thought at that time that in history, Guo Ziyi was able to deal with the Tibetan army with only 20 cavalry and 4,000 defeated soldiers. Finally, with the cooperation of 32,000 reinforcements, he was able to defeat the Tibetan army and regain Chang'an.
So the 80,000 troops that Guo Ziyi is talking about now can check and balance Tibet, so it should be a relatively safe number.
However, when Zhou Jun evaluated the combat power of the enemy and ourselves at that time, he forgot some very important facts.
First of all, the person who originally led the troops to fight the Tibetan army in history was Guo Ziyi who was awarded the position of deputy marshal within the pass.
At that time, Guo Ziyi's prestige was unparalleled, whether in the court or in the army.
Because of this, not only Bai Xiaode but also Ma Lin were willing to be driven by Guo Ziyi, and the chief officials of prefectures and counties near Chang'an gave their full support and wholeheartedly resisted Tibet.
Under such circumstances, Guo Ziyi could rely on 4,000 remaining soldiers to fight against the Tibetan army, and then rely on 30,000 reinforcements to repel the Tibetan army.
However, in this world, the 80,000 Tang troops mentioned by Guo Ziyi can check and balance Tibet. The premise is that the government orders are consistent, which is more of an ideal state.
But the reality is that the Tang armies in Kuozhou, Taihe Pass and Fengxiang Pass were stationed separately, and there was no subordinate relationship between them, and there was a lack of unified mobilization.
Although the Tang army numbered 80,000, it was divided into three areas. Not only could it not be mobilized in a unified manner, but because of the competition for credit, it fell into the Tubo army's plans several times. In the end, the three lines of defense in front of Chang'an Gate were all breached.
The nearby prefectures and counties even thought of staying on their own and were unwilling to support, causing the war situation to deteriorate again and again.
The last and most critical factor.
The commander-in-chief of the Tubo Army in this world is not Ma Chongying, who was fond of great achievements and lacked planning in history, but Sang Chiruo, a descendant of Lun Qinling who is thoughtful and experienced in scheming. Together with the special unit of the Shankui Army, two
The combat power of the Tibetan army in the world is completely incomparable.
Therefore, although the Tang army had 80,000 troops, it was defeated very quickly.
If it weren't for Zuo Prime Minister Gao Shi's desperate defense; if it weren't for Zhou Jun's cautiousness, in addition to arranging an 80,000-strong army, he also secretly mobilized Anbeiting's army; if it weren't for the breakthrough in flintlock musket technology and its installation;
If the advisor accompanying the army was not Kong You...
I'm afraid, Chang'an is still in doom this time...
After the negotiation between the Tang army and the Tubo army, Kong You returned to the Chinese army's tent.
Guo Xin was arranging troops to set up defenses at this time. When he saw Kong You coming back, he came up to him and asked, "Has Zhong Cheng seen the Tubo Treatise?"
Kong You nodded and said: "If Sang Chiruo is not eliminated, he will definitely become a serious problem for our court in the future."
Guo Xin and Kong You have been together for many days, but they have never seen the latter being so afraid of someone, and they couldn't help but ask why.
Kong You: "In my early years in Dunhuang, I participated in a war with the Tibetan army. Although the Tibetan army at that time was large in number, its military discipline was lax and they did not know how to form formations. They were just tribal barbarians who carried out plunder...
However, in just a few years, under the leadership of Sang Chiruo, the Tubo army took on a completely new look. Regardless of the military style, formation, momentum, etc., it actually had the appearance of a strong army. If this continues, given time, the Tubo army may become
A big problem."
Guo Xin frowned and said after a long silence: "Zhongcheng deliberately forged information earlier, saying that the Tubo royal family was in private contact with the Tang Dynasty and wanted to get rid of Sang Chiruo. He then accidentally revealed this information to the captured nobles...
…Zhong Cheng’s original plan was to use those nobles to spread rumors among the Tibetan army and destabilize the enemy’s troops. Now, do you think it’s safe?”
Kong You: "This plan is divided into several steps. The key to the first step lies in what Tubo will do after hearing the rumors about Sang Chiruo."
Guo Xin was puzzled.
Kong You: "Sang Chiruo is very smart and naturally knows how to weigh the pros and cons. If he believes that rumor, in order to ensure the stability of the rear of the Tibetan kingdom, he will definitely lead a large army and rush back to Luoxe City, the capital of Tubo."
Guo Xin: “What if he doesn’t believe it?”
Kong You: "Even if he doesn't believe it, he will still retreat."
Guo Xin was stunned: "Why?"
Kong You: "The reason is very simple. Sang Chiruo cannot afford to bet on the outcome of this rumor. If the rumor is false, then the most that Sang Chiruo can do is to capture Chang'an City and loot it; but if the rumor is
Really, then he may not be able to keep his position as a great commentator, and his life may even be in danger. Comparing the two sides, the risks and benefits are clear at a glance. A resourceful person like Sang Chiruo must know how to choose."
When Guo Xin heard this, he hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty's decree for us is to defeat the Tibetan army and then get rid of the enemy chiefs. If we follow Zhongcheng's inference, Sang Chiruo will definitely withdraw his troops before the arrival of our army's train.
, we are unable to prevent the enemy from escaping, so this battle will be difficult to fight."
Kong You smiled and said: "General, don't worry, if Sang Chi can't leave, he won't be able to leave for at least a while."
Guo Xin asked doubtfully: "Will I be unable to leave for a while?"
Kong You: "What I want to say next is the most interesting part. This strategy, if Sang Chiruo knows the rumors, is only the first step. What the Tibetan nobles who were sent back did, is the second step of the strategy.
step."
Guo Xin: "Guo is stupid, please ask the Prime Minister to explain in detail."
Kong You: "Those Tubo nobles are all the noble class who supported Sang Chiruo to take power in Tubo. They were defeated miserably at Fengxiang Pass, and their soldiers were trapped and killed here. They who suffered such a shame and humiliation must have to fight
Win a great victory and restore your reputation in the family, so that you will not be punished after returning. Therefore, continuing to attack Chang'an is the most urgent and only thing these nobles want to do."
When Guo Xin heard this, he vaguely understood: "Zhongcheng originally killed 20,000 surrendered soldiers, but let the Tubo nobles go. The fundamental purpose was to use the revenge mentality of those nobles to hold back Sang Chiruo.
?”
Kong You nodded lightly: "It's not just about holding back... If Sang Chi wants to retreat, but those nobles have to fight, there will inevitably be confrontation between the two sides. There is a third step in this strategy. As for how it will evolve,