Li Chengqian recognized Bai Nao, glanced at Li Mu, took it with both hands, and drank the bowl of wine without hesitation.
The people burst into cheers, and Li Mu also drank a bowl, raised his hands to the people around him, and said loudly: "My fellow countrymen, our food, clothing, and clothing are all supported by the people. Now that we are going to fight for our country, we will live up to the expectations of our fathers."
, I swear not to return the throne until the Tartars are defeated!"
The cheers of the people became even louder. Many people knelt down excitedly and shouted: "The Marquis will win!"
More people were infected and knelt down. The shouts became louder and louder, and even reached the Meridian Gate in the distance: "The Marquis must win! The Marquis must win!"
Hearing these uniform shouts, Li Chengqian couldn't help curling his lips, feeling a little unconvinced in his heart, but he didn't say anything. He believed that he could enjoy the same glory because of his meritorious service.
The army arrived at the gate of the city. Li Tai, who learned the news, hurried over and chased Li Mu and Li Chengqian. He said anxiously: "What on earth is going on? Why did I become the regent? I can't do this. I want to do it again soon."
I’m going to Huining, I’ve packed my bags, I’m going to go mining!”
"What time has it been? You are still mining. Tomorrow, no, you will move to the East Palace later. There are still three days of memorials accumulated on the desk. You can take care of it. If you don't understand anything, ask Master Yu.
If the master is not sure, you can find old man Wei Zheng, he knows better." Li Chengqian explained his words in three or two sentences, and then rode forward, fearing that Li Tai would quit his job and continue to grind with him.
Li Tai's eyes widened and he looked at Li Mu: "Master, if my father is not in court, can this be done?"
"He said in front of the civil and military officials of the court, 20,000 soldiers, and tens of thousands of people that he would personally conquer the country. If he didn't go, the prince's majesty would be lost, and the court's dignity would be lost. Now that the court is full of elites, it's not an empty show.
It's too much, so please bear with it." Li Mu looked at Li Tai and said, "The most important thing is to ensure the people's livelihood while not delaying food and grass. I will try my best to hold on, and you will give priority to your Majesty's side. If it is really difficult.
When I succeed, I go to Wang Pu, I have already talked to him and he knows what to do."
"I..." Li Tai smiled bitterly: "Isn't this just trying to catch a duck? I..."
"Cheng Qian is right. How long has this been going on? If you don't bear the burden, why should you let King Wu and King Zhao bear the burden?"
Li Tai was speechless. The kings of Wu and Zhao whom Li Mu mentioned were Li Shimin's concubines. If Li Tai was unwilling to take over, there was no way he would let them get involved.
Li Tai nodded heavily and said, "Okay, then I'll do my best."
"Take care of yourself!"
"Teacher, take care!"
After saying this, Li Tai turned the horse's head, and Li Mu also rode forward. At this moment, there is no need to say more!
…
In order to speed up the march, Li Mu took away almost all the war horses this time. Moreover, he also requisitioned the horses from the wealthy households and wealthy families in Luoyang, Chang'an. These horses, even if they cannot fight, can still transport supplies. Now this
Time, nothing is more important than grabbing time.
A month later, when they arrived in Mayi, Li Mu ordered his army to take a short rest while learning about the situation in Dingxiang from the Jin Yiwei standing in front of him. At this time, a full month and a half had passed since he received the news of Ni Shu's sudden death.
It has been more than a month since the Western Turks destroyed the four countries in the Western Regions. Calculating the time, the Western Turks' army should have almost reached Gaochang. What makes Li Mu a little relieved is that when Gaochang was rebuilt, it was considered that it might be besieged, so
The two cities are relatively tall and strong, and since the Turkic cavalry are not good at attacking cities, Gaochang City should not be in danger yet.
Therefore, despite being worried, Li Mu still adopted the method of advancing slowly and steadily, so as to allow the army to take a rest and prepare for the next battle.
Jinyiwei reported that the spies sent by Gaochang had discovered traces of the Western Turkic army. It seemed that they would reach Gaochang in two or three days.
Gaochang has already made preparations for resistance. Ten days ago, the walls were fortified and the country was cleared, which ensured that when the Western Turkic army arrived, not a grain of rice could be found within a hundred miles.
The people of Gaochang have already taken shelter in several huge cities. Relying on the solid city walls, the Turks would not be able to break through them for a while.
This formed a buffer zone that could buy Dingxiang Duhufu at least a month.
The situation was not too critical yet, so Li Mu ordered the three armies to rest for the day in Mayi.
Li Chengqian advised Li Mu not to rest and go straight to Gaochang to take a break. But Li Mu refused. Although the leader of Gaochang was his father-in-law, he wanted to guard the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, the terrain of Gaochang City was not conducive.
Stick to it. In the end, you still have to stick to Xiangcheng, he knows it very well. The more times like this, the less anxious you can be. If you are anxious, you will make mistakes. Once you make a mistake, you may be doomed!
"If we don't hurry up, Gaochang City will definitely be lost!" Li Chengqian shouted at Li Mu who was sitting on the carriage studying.
"Don't worry, I've calculated the time and I'll definitely make it in time." Li Mu said calmly without raising his head: "Calm down, you are like this, you will die on the battlefield, are you in a hurry to reincarnate?"
Li Chengqian came closer, saw the book in Li Mu's hand, and said angrily: "Now you are interested in the art of war, is it useful? If you have this time, you might as well leave early."
Li Mu finally raised his head impatiently, frowned and said: "I am your Majesty's personal hussar general. I have the final say here. If you make any noise again, I will send someone to send you back!"
The edict had been received three days ago, and Li Shimin's intention was already clear to Li Mu.
Li Chengqian immediately fainted, snorted angrily, and said: "Finally, you have spoken your mind. You just don't want me to be here, and I am not as good as you want. I will train my subordinates! You can take your time.
Let’s see!”
"Hey..." Li Mu watched Li Chengqian leave and sighed. He was no longer in the mood to read. He cast his gaze in the direction of Dingxiang, his eyes full of worry.
…
The cavalry of the Western Turks did not arrive slowly, but were delayed by events. The person who succeeded Nishu as Great Khan was called Tong'e, who was Nishu's younger brother, and was called the Zhelishi Khan.
Unlike Ni Zuo, Tong'e was a fierce character. He had long been dissatisfied with Ni Zuo's appearance of being a good guy to everyone. After he succeeded Ni Zuo as the Great Khan, he started a war almost immediately.
He came all the way from the west and destroyed not only four countries, but seven countries. When he arrived at Kucha, it was already the eighth country. He was not a reckless man, on the contrary, he was very smart. His purpose of doing this
, in order to raise food and grass for the attack on the Tang Dynasty. Countries in the Western Regions, relying on the Silk Road, all made a lot of money and became rich, and now they have made wedding dresses for Tong'e.
The grassland outside the city has turned into a sea of blood, and the ground for miles around is littered with corpses of men and horses, all the work of the Turks.
The war has been going on for five days. As expected, before sunset today, the Kucha people will be unable to hold on.
During these five days, Tong'e did not use her direct descendants, but instead drove vassal tribes and captured prisoners of war to attack the city. The Turks did not know how to build siege equipment, only some rough ladders, and the siege tactics they used were the most cruel.
Using the method of siege, the Turkic cavalry brandished their weapons and drove the poor men from various tribes behind, as well as the captured Han men to attack the city. Anyone who was slightly delayed would be shot by the Turkic cavalry behind them.
, To advance is to die, to retreat is to die, the poor young men of all races can only risk their lives, and they are rushing towards the city head one after another.
The defenders on the city have been resolutely and strongly resisting the enemy's attack. They poured down everything they could throw. When all the arrows were shot, they poured boiling water and boiling oil down. Rolling stones and wood were smashed down, and then
Stones and wooden beams were removed from the houses and smashed down. The strong men of all ethnic groups who were driven to attack the city fell from the ladder one by one without any covering. The pile of corpses under the city became thicker and thicker.
It was already one foot high, which gave the strong men behind the siege a stepping stone, and the distance between them and the city head was shortened a lot during the siege.
Under the banner in the distance, Tong'e sat on horseback, looking expressionlessly at the fierce siege ahead. The walls of Kucha were stained black and red with blood, but Tong'e remained unmoved at all.
He didn't even take it to heart at all. He was still in the mood to drink tea, so he naturally snatched the tea leaves.
"Ashimu, has Datang sent reinforcements?" Tong'e took a sip of tea and asked the people around her.
"Yes, Khan." Ashimu replied in a deep voice: "Our scouts reported that a cavalry group of about 8,000 people has passed Gaochang and is heading here..."
"How long will it take to get here?" Tong'e's mouth curled up, with a playful expression, "So they may appear in front of us at any time?"
"No." Ashimu shook his head and said: "The speed of this group of soldiers and horses is suddenly fast and slow, as if they are worried about something. If they move forward at full speed, they may be able to arrive tonight, but if they continue at the same speed as now, maybe
It will take three days.”
"It seems they still haven't lowered their guard!" Tong'e said disappointedly: "What can we do to get them to send more troops to support us?"
Ashimu thought for a while and said: "Great Khan, my subordinates think that the possibility is unlikely. After all, Qiuci is not from the Tang Dynasty, so they can't go all out to rescue him."
"It's boring, it's boring!" Tong'e shook her head in disappointment and said: "The reason why our cavalry is not used to attack the city is just to wait for them to come over? There are only 8,000 people, which is not enough to fill the gap between our teeth."
"Great Khan, it's better to be careful." Ashimu was obviously relatively sober and said: "I heard that Li Xiaogong, the protector of Dingxiang, was a general who captured half of the south of the Yangtze River. In terms of military merit, he was one of the best in the Tang army. We should not take it lightly.
."
"No matter how big a person is, he can't resist the will of Changshengtian." Tong'e snorted coldly and said: "Now we have 150,000 cavalry, but the opponent only has 50,000. Three times as many, how can he win?"
Tong'e stood up and said: "No more playing, let's pass on the order. The city will be destroyed in two hours and massacred in three days. Let the news spread throughout the Western Regions. Doesn't Li Shimin claim to be the Khan of Heaven? Doesn't Qiuci regard him as the leader?
?Then let the world see how ridiculous the so-called Heavenly Khan is, and whether their Heavenly Khan can save them!"
"My subordinate understands."
Tong'e patted Ashimu on the shoulder and turned back to his royal tent. Suddenly Tong'e stood still and turned his gaze to the sky. He raised his hand and pointed at a small white spot among the white clouds and blue sky.
Immediately, a Tatar warrior opened his bow and nocked an arrow with the string like the full moon, and shot an arrow towards the white dot.
The long arrow shot straight into the sky with a whistling sound, and the white dot flying in the sky fell in response.
Another Turkic warrior came forward on horseback. Before the white dot hit the ground, he grabbed it in his hand, then rode back and presented it to Tong'e with both hands.
Tong'e took it and found it was a white homing pigeon, which had been shot through the chest.
"What a trick!" Tong'e sneered disdainfully and said proudly: "I have been hunting on the grassland for decades. No matter flying in the sky or running on the ground, I can't escape my two ears!"
Ashimu removed the small bamboo tube tied to the pigeon's leg, took out the letter paper inside, unfolded it and handed it to Tong'e.
Tong'e took the letter and saw that there were only four words on it, 'Tonight at midnight'! It was obviously for the city.
Even though it only contains four words, if people in the city see it, their morale will definitely be boosted! If they resist stubbornly, the casualties on the Turkic side will definitely increase.
"It's a pity that they can't receive it..." Tong'e laughed, and Ashimu thought of something and said loudly: "Send the order! Let the children be more vigilant. Never let a homing pigeon fly into the city!"
Before Ah Shimu finished speaking, he saw Tong'e's face change, and she suddenly looked up at the eastern sky.
Ashimu and others followed Tong'e's gaze blankly, and saw countless white spots suddenly rushing out of the blue sky and white clouds!
There were countless homing pigeons, at least two to three hundred by visual inspection, flying over from a distance, with an overwhelming momentum...
"Shameless, to do this..." Old Tong'e's face turned red, feeling as if he had been mercilessly ridiculed.
"Shoot, shoot quickly!" Ashimu roared, and the Turkic warriors unfurled their bows and nocked arrows to shoot the pigeons flying overhead! More and more cavalry raised their bows and nocked arrows, trying to shoot down all the pigeons...
…
The Turkic people's bow skills are really powerful. When the bow strings are sounded, countless arrows fly into the sky. The pigeons are immediately hit, and the pigeons that are hit by the arrows drop like dumplings.
But there were too many pigeons, and many of them managed to fly out of the range of the bows and arrows, and flew to the top of the city of Qiuci. They circled around the city for several times, and the pigeons fell down one after another.
Tong'e was furious and cursed at the top of her lungs: "Why did a famous general at that time use such despicable methods? Li Xiaogong, if I capture you, I will kill you! Attack the city, attack the city quickly!"
Suddenly, the Kucha people at the top of the city burst into earth-shattering cheers. Apparently they had gotten the news!
As if infinite power suddenly rose up, the Turkic people's huge offensive was intercepted again. The eyes of every Kucha people were blood red, and they were not afraid of death. They even carried the enemy from the top of the city.
Falling up and down.
Facing the Kucha people who were not afraid of death, the prisoners who served as cannon fodder were afraid. They would rather be shot by the Turks than be bitten to death by the madmen in front of them. After a brief commotion, the captive soldiers turned around and rushed towards
After defeating the Turkic cavalry, the situation reversed!