At the intersection of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet, there is a place called Mangkang. During the Tang Dynasty, the "Ancient Tea Horse Road" was opened in Mangkang. Mangkang subsequently became an important place for foreign political, economic, and cultural exchanges in southeastern Tibet.
Window. Of course, it has also become a battleground for military strategists of all ages.
Mangkang is also the southeast gate of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Originally there were many tribes and indigenous people living in the Mangkang area, but after Songtsen Gampo unified the area, the tribes here merged into the same ethnic group, which is the Tibetan people.
The political power that controlled Mangkang at this time was a tribe led by Luo Luokang. After Tong Guan's expedition to Hehuang and his great victory, Luo Luokang also surrendered to the Song Dynasty. Song Huizong also gave him the surname "Zhao" and his name
Zhao Yanqin.
To the south of Mangkang County, there is a place called Yufu City adjacent to it. This Yufu City can also be said to be at the junction of Dali and Tubo.
In fact, since the Gao family came to power, Dali has been in great internal chaos and has long been unable to go to war. The same is true after the split of Tubo. The two countries have actually always been at peace with each other.
However, there have been many conflicts between the two countries between Yucheng and Mangkang areas.
The reason is that there is a place called Chakaluo between Yucheng and Mangkang. Chakaluo is Tibetan. When translated into Chinese, it means salt well. As the name suggests, this place is rich in well salt and was very famous hundreds of years ago.
, is also an important passage on the Tea Horse Road.
Salt, whether in ancient times or in later generations, is very valued by rulers, because salt represents money and will never go out of style.
All wars are fought around interests.
Originally, Chakaluo belonged to Tubo. But later, when Tubo weakened, Dali took the opportunity to occupy it and wanted to use it as the border between the two countries.
Of course Tubo will not agree. This well salt is a steady stream of wealth. Why should I give it to you? The two countries have had many conflicts here. However, because Tubo is still fighting internally and its military strength is weak, Dali still firmly controls this place.
Later, Zhao Yanqin proclaimed himself queen, and he always hoped to regain Chakaluo. Unfortunately, he failed to fight again, and Dali refused to give in during negotiations, so until now, there has been a stalemate here.
After Wu Jie arrived, he learned of this situation and immediately used this as an excuse to station troops in Mangkang. He also asked Zhao Yanqin to warn Dali that if Dali did not hand over this place, we would prepare to send troops to capture it.
But then again, although Zhao Yanqin surrendered to the Song Dynasty and had a Han name, he was not Han after all. If you don't give him some benefits, he won't do his best to help you.
Of course Wu Jie understood this, and secretly promised Zhao Yanqin that as long as you were willing to help, he would not only give you a promotion, but also give you this Chakaluo.
This is equivalent to giving him a treasury!
Why wouldn't Zhao Yanqin agree? He couldn't defeat him before, but now with the help of the Song Dynasty, he was more confident and immediately sent people to Dali to negotiate and let Dali withdraw from Chakaluo.
Of course, this is just a courtesy in advance. As for whether to follow with troops or not, that has to be discussed separately.
Mr. Gao is not stupid. Why should you just say a word and let me return this treasury to you? Moreover, Chakaluo is also very important to them. It involves many interests, and because Zhao Yanqin’s tribe
We are old neighbors with Dali, and both sides know each other well. The Gao family is not afraid of Zhao Yanqin at all. If you have the ability, send troops to take it back!
Mr. Gao turned a deaf ear to this and ignored it.
...
Mang Kang!
Inside the headquarters of Zhao Yanqin tribe.
Wu Jie, Wu Lin, Zhang Xian and some Song Army generals were sitting inside.
"General, the Privy Council has said that according to the emperor's decree, whoever captures Shanchan Mansion first will be crowned King of Southern Yunnan. This is a good opportunity for us brothers to make a name for themselves!"
After Zhang Xian received Li Qi's letter and learned that Li Qi had given Wu Jie full power to make the decision, he couldn't help but feel very excited.
Wu Lin was also very excited, and said with a smile: "Brother, King of Southern Yunnan, it seems that the purpose of the Privy Council is not just to help the Duan family regain their dominance!"
"Of course, if there is no benefit at all, why should we fight to the death for an outsider?" Wu Jie laughed and said domineeringly: "I will decide on the king of southern Yunnan."
When Zhang Xian heard this, he was surprised and asked quickly: "Does the general have any countermeasures?"
Wu Jie nodded and said: "The Privy Councilor said in the letter that I have full authority to make the decision, which means we can take the initiative."
Wu Lin said: "But brother, the opponent's men and horses are four to five times ours, and the Privy Council has not sent men and horses. If we take the initiative to attack, it may be difficult to win."
Wu Jie shook his head and said: "Second brother, don't forget that for now, we are only assisting the Duan family in retaking Jianchang Mansion. The real main force is the Duan family, and we are just supporting from the side."
As he spoke, he waved his hand and said loudly: "Bring me the map."
Soon, two soldiers brought the map, and all the generals gathered around.
"Jianchang Mansion is the most important granary in the northwest of Dali. The Gao family has heavily guarded this area. If we attack Jianchang Mansion from outside," he pointed to Yucheng City on the map and continued.
: "Then we must first capture Yufu City. This Yufu City is equivalent to the southwest gate of Jianchang Prefecture, and there is also the Chakaluo salt well area. Therefore, the Gao family accumulated 10,000 troops in Yufu City to garrison here.
In addition to the surrounding tribes, there are at least 20,000 troops. The Dali Army in Jianchang Prefecture also has 10,000 troops. In addition, the surrounding tribal troops also have more than 20,000 troops, and another 10,000 are scattered in Jianchang.
There are about 50,000 people in total around the mansion.
It can be seen that Jianchang Mansion is very important to the Gao family. Once Jianchang Mansion is lost, the entire area may fall. With just our few troops, we want to attack Jianchang from here.
This is undoubtedly a dream. Fortunately, we don’t need to take action here, because if the Duan family wants to capture Jianchang Mansion, they don’t need to go through Yugao City and can directly attack Jianchang Mansion. However, once Jianchang Mansion is attacked, you
What will happen?"
Zhang Xian said: "The surrounding armies will definitely rush to rescue."
"good."
Wu Jie smiled confidently and said: "Because many places around Jianchang Mansion are actually controlled by some tribes, and the Gao family does not trust these tribes very much. Therefore, Jianchang Mansion is equivalent to the Gao family's base camp in the northwest
, once Jianchang Mansion is attacked, and the opponent is Duan Zhengyan, Gao will definitely mobilize all troops to go back for rescue, then our opportunity will come."
Wu Lin said: "Brother, what do you mean, wait until the Gao family dispatches troops from Yucheng City to rescue, and then we can take advantage of it?"
Wu Jie shook his head and said: "For the purpose of our expedition, Yucheng City is simply irrelevant. What we have to do is not to occupy the territory, but we must first find a way to annihilate the Gao family's army and help the Duan family occupy Jianchang
Mansion."
After a pause, he continued: "This Chakaluo is a treasure land, especially for the surrounding tribes. They take a lot of profits from this land every year. In the eyes of these tribesmen, Jianchang Mansion
It belongs to the Gao family. They value Chakaluo more. Now that we have stationed troops here, how can they dare to leave? But the Gao family is different. Jianchang Mansion is very important to them, so I guess once
If the Duan clan attacks Jianchang Prefecture, then the Gao clan will definitely transfer the 10,000 Dali troops from Yufu City to Jianchang Prefecture for rescue, and let these tribal soldiers guard Yufu City."
Zhang Xian said: "Chakaluo is also very important to these tribes. Even if Gao doesn't give orders, they will definitely try their best to stay here. So Gao doesn't have to worry at all."
"You are right, that's exactly what you said." Wu Jie nodded and said, "Our main purpose this time is to attack the Gao family's army, not these tribes. Before the Privy Council comes, we should try not to have grudges with them. So.
Once we get there, we can separate the two, and we can bypass these tribes first and concentrate our forces to annihilate the Dali army returning from Yugao City."
Wu Lin said curiously: "But this Yufu City is the only way to Dali from the west. Unless those tribes are willing to surrender to us, it is impossible to spare Yufu City."
"No, there is another way."
Zhang Xian said: "The general is talking about waterways?"
Wu Jie nodded.
Wu Lin said: "But on the banks of the Jinshui River and Lancang River nearby, the other side has built sentry towers. I think it will be difficult to sneak around them."
Wu Jie shook his head and said: "I went to inquire and found out that there is a branch of the Jinshui River that can completely bypass Yulu City and enter Dali."
One of the pioneer officers said: "The general is talking about the rapids in the northeast?"
"Exactly."
The pioneer officer added: "I have heard about this rapid, but it is said that this rapid has a narrow terrain and fast currents, and it has to go through three canyons before reaching Dali. It is very dangerous. Even the fishermen nearby rarely see it.
Anyone dares to go there."
Wu Jie said: "I know this, but with the only troops we have now, it is difficult to defeat the opponent head-on. Only by making dangerous moves and ambushing the opponent can we achieve a complete victory. You all think
This is impossible, and the enemy would never have thought of it. The spring has not yet passed, there is enough rain, and we are in a high-lying area, flowing from upstream to downstream. I sent someone to find out a few days ago, if we are in contact with the high ground
Their troops set out at the same time, and when we reach the end of this torrent, we can be at least a day and a half ahead of them. Even if we are half a day behind them, we still have enough time to prepare."
Wu Lin was moved after hearing this, and said: "Then we can ambush this reinforcement on the way from Yucheng to Jianchang Mansion. Once this reinforcement is annihilated, the morale of the Gao family's army will be low, and the Duan family's side will be demoralized."
We can take advantage of the situation to seize Jianchang Mansion." At this point, he suddenly frowned and said, "But after we succeeded in the ambush, how did those soldiers come back?"
Wu Jie laughed and said: "Second brother, how can you be so confused today? Of course you came back by the Kangzhuang Avenue. How have you ever seen this victorious army take a small road?"
"Kangzhuang Road?" Wu Lin raised her eyebrows and said hurriedly: "Could it be that the eldest brother wants to attack Yulu City from both front and rear?"
Wu Jie shook his head and said: "This is just a last resort. I just said that it is best not to have large-scale conflicts with these tribes at the moment. If we can wipe out the 10,000 reinforcements, the tribes in Yucheng City will definitely feel
Panic, then we can first create a large army to suppress the situation, and then use Duan Zhengyan's banner to persuade these tribes to surrender, and promise to divide the Gao family's interests in Chakaluo between them and Zhao Yanqin. You also know that these tribes
We have always had conflicts with the Gao family, and I think they will be willing to surrender to the Duan family."
Zhang Xian pondered for a while and then said thoughtfully: "Sooner or later Yufu City will be ours. Instead of taking it, we might as well take the opportunity to help the Duan family attack Jianchang Mansion when we get there."
Wu Jie shook his head and said: "Your method is good, but it is not our business."
Zhang Xian asked in astonishment: "What does the general mean by this?"
Wu Jie smiled slightly and pointedly said: "Zhang Xian, you are still young after all, and there are still many things you don't understand."
Wu Lin also laughed.
Zhang Xian frowned and said, "Why are you laughing?"
Wu Lin and Zhang Xian had joined Zhao Jingyan together, and their relationship was better than that of real brothers. Seeing that Zhang Xian was a little unhappy, Wu Lin hurriedly explained: "Zhang Xian, think about it, why didn't the Privy Council directly send troops to help the Duan family?"
Zhang Xian thought for a moment and said, "Isn't it just to paralyze Jiaozhi?"
"This is just one of them. There is another point. Even the Privy Council does not want the Duan clan to be too strong. The most favorable situation for us is that both the Duan clan and the Gao clan will suffer losses, and Jiaozhi will come to the rescue. We will send troops at this time.
To clean up the mess, the Duan family will have to rely on us, the Song Dynasty. This is the result that the Privy Council wants, so Jianchang Mansion, let the Duan family get it themselves. We have done enough, and they really can't defeat them.
, let’s discuss other countermeasures, maybe Yue Fei’s side is already prepared.”
Zhang Xian nodded thoughtfully and said, "It turns out it's so complicated here!"
Wu Jie laughed, suddenly looked majestic, and said loudly: "Zhang Xian obeys the order."
Zhang Xian hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "The end will be here."
"I order you to lead three thousand death squads to stop the Gao family's army."
"Three thousand?"
The soldiers on the side couldn't help but exclaimed.
Wu Lin hurriedly said: "Brother, if we go to the rapids, it is impossible for the cavalry to pass. We can only send infantry."
"The infantry is enough." Wu Jie said confidently.
"Infantry?" A pioneer officer asked: "General, you mean to use 3,000 infantry to stop the opponent's 10,000 horsemen?"
I have to say, this proposal is too scary.
Wu Jie chuckled: "Have you forgotten that the Privy Council also gave us a magic weapon? This magic weapon is most suitable for use in ambush warfare. Besides, there are mountains everywhere here, and infantry is not necessarily worse than cavalry.
As long as no rumors leak out, this battle will be won without a doubt."
Wu Lin patted her forehead and said, "Yes, yes, yes, I almost forgot about that baby."