Moham guessed correctly, Ashimu still had the idea of attacking the city.
There are two reasons for this. Kucha City has countless treasures, mountains of food and grass, and the city walls are strong, easy to defend and difficult to attack. If we can use this as a stronghold, we can form a long-term confrontation with the Tang army. Even if it is winter, there will be nothing.
Fear. In this way, we have bought at least ten months for this war, and will not make the same mistake as Jieli again.
Secondly, he had observed that the garrison in Kucha City was at the end of its strength. If Fei Ge Chuan Shuan had not given them a shot in the arm, they would have definitely captured it before evening. Although they were able to defend it, but
After all, the Turkic cavalry did not take action. If the cavalry had participated in the battle, they might have won it yesterday.
Tan Ma came to report that the Tang Dynasty only sent 8,000 troops. After a long-distance attack, there is a question mark as to how much fighting power these 8,000 exhausted troops can have. Judging from the previous experience of fighting against the Tang Dynasty, generally the same number of troops
In terms of cavalry, the Turkic cavalry has a probability of victory of over 80%. If both sides are elite, the Turkic cavalry will definitely win. Unless the Tang cavalry is elite, against ordinary Turkic cavalry, then the Tang cavalry will win.
possible.
Of course, this refers to the hard power of the head-to-head confrontation between the two sides. If strategy is included, Datang's side has a better chance of winning.
After comprehensive consideration of all aspects, Ashimu made the decision to divide his troops to resist the Tang army while attacking the city.
On the top of the city, Moham carefully looked at the Turkic military camp and saw that they were in a hurry and didn't know what they were going to do.
"Are they going to escape?" the guard next to him guessed. After saying that, he couldn't help but cheered: "Great! They are finally leaving!"
"It's not like that, the retreat won't make such a big noise." Moham slowly shook his head and said: "It looks like they are preparing to do something."
"Could it be that they still don't give up?!" The guard was poured cold water on him, and his face suddenly wrinkled. Although he has been sticking to Moham these days and has not experienced the battlefield in person, the mental torture is not at all.
Young Master, whenever he closed his eyes at night, he saw mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The strong smell of blood during the day made it impossible for him to take a bite of food, and his eye sockets were all black.
Moham said seriously: "Go and invite General Wusizang!"
The guard responded and ran down the city wall.
During the tea time, a middle-aged Han man with a solemn expression followed the guards and came to Moham. He saluted expressionlessly: "Meet the King."
Wu Sizang, formerly known as Wu Siman, was originally one of the three major horse bandits in Longyou. Later, he defected to Gaochang and came to Chang'an with the prince of Gaochang. He wanted to attack Li Mu, but Li Mu used methods to rectify and bring him under his control.
During the battle against Gaochang, he took a hot air balloon to blow up the city gate and lost a leg. Later he returned to Chang'an to recuperate, but he couldn't bear the loneliness and wrote to Li Mu several times, asking to return to the Western Regions. Li Mu also felt that it was right.
He felt something was wrong, so they used machine skills to make him a prosthetic leg. Now he uses the prosthetic leg to walk. If you don't know, you can no longer tell the difference from ordinary people, but it still won't work if you fight.
After returning to the Western Regions, Wu Sizang quickly gathered thousands of people and once again became one of the powerful men in the Western Regions. He never stopped contacting the Dingxiang Governor's Mansion. This time he was clearly hired to help Kucha defend the city.
City, in fact, he was also ordered to come to Kucha.
"General Wu, I'm sorry to invite you here so late." Moham respected Usman very much and always entrusted him with important tasks. However, after the battle to defend the city began, the guard general was assigned to be responsible for the resettlement of residents in the city.
They almost never appear at the top of the city.
This makes many people unable to understand, thinking that Usman has offended Moham in some way, but the person involved has no complaints and others are nosy. The fact is that for Moham, Usman is his last
A hole card. If this hole card is played out, he will have no more cards to play.
"The ruler of the country has made a serious statement. It is a matter of course that we accept money to do things. Just follow your orders." Usman still looked expressionless.
"Are you ready for street fighting?" Moham had long heard of Usman's style of doing things, and stopped being polite and asked directly.
"Everything is ready. Three tunnels leading to the outside of the city have been dug. The people have completed the drill. The obstacles can be set up within one stick of incense. In another one stick of incense, all personnel not participating in the war can be transferred to
In a hole in the ground.”
"It's been so hard on you during this period." Moham knew best that this last trump card contained the hard work of many people day and night. It can be seen just by looking at the fatigue on his face.
"Take people's money and eliminate disasters with them." Usman still repeated that sentence, as if this matter of life and death was nothing to him.
"General, please prepare quickly, and then ask the general to go to the top of the city to assist the defenders in the battle." Moham solemnly said: "Promise the general, not a cent will be less. If this battle is won, an additional 50% will be added!"
"Thank you!"
Usman said something and turned around to get ready.
Moham looked at him and admired in his heart. No wonder this man was able to gather thousands of people to die for him in a short period of time. This kind of courage and magnanimity is beyond the reach of even the leader of the country.
Moham glanced outside the dark city, and shivered when the cold wind blew.
There was going to be a war soon. He, a fat man with no strength, would be looking for death if he stayed any longer. If the city was destroyed tonight, he would have to find a tunnel to get in first. Kucha City could be lost, but the city lord could not be lost.
, as long as he has a breath, he will have the confidence to build another Kucha City!
Li Shimin's decree has not yet arrived, but Li Mu has already made preparations. Perhaps this is the tacit understanding between the emperor and his ministers. Li Mu has been listening to the nonsense of the censors these days. They said that Li Mu has a disobedient heart and wants to take advantage of the opportunity.
Rebellion. But Li Chengqian didn't believe these words, and Wei Zheng was surprised and didn't say a word.
Twenty thousand soldiers and horses, this was the maximum number of people he could give after three days of fierce arguments with Li Daliang. Under Li Mu's strong pressure, Li Daliang finally agreed to gather soldiers from various places to defend the capital and replace the garrison guards.
Come out and let Li Mu take him away and go to Dingxiang to help.
Early that morning, the square outside the Meridian Gate was filled with banners like a forest and red tassels like fire. Twenty thousand elite soldiers wearing helmets lined up neatly and tightly. The leading generals were wearing bright armor and riding on tall horses with an expression on their faces.
Looking solemnly towards the Meridian Gate.
At noon, the Chengtian Gate opens.
The left and right doors were also opened at the same time, and all the civil and military officials came out and took their seats.
At the end, the cannons roared and the trumpets shook the sky, and Li Mu shouted: "Welcome to the Crown Prince!"
All the soldiers followed Li Mushan and shouted: "A thousand years live the prince! Long live your majesty, the Tang Dynasty will be victorious!"
At this moment, Li Chengqian appeared under the Chengtian Gate and climbed onto the general platform.
Li Chengqian held the railing with one hand and looked at the crowd of soldiers under the high platform, dancing in the dust and worshiping, shouting long live the mountains. His heart was so excited that he could not help himself. His Royal Highness, who was freed from emotions, gradually awakened his martial soul and wished he could snatch it away.
A war horse also stands in the crowd. Even if he is a pawn, he has no regrets.
After the salute was completed, the officers and soldiers stood up, and the square became silent. Everyone held their breath and listened quietly to the instructions of the prince.
"Soldiers, it is obvious that the Western Turks have betrayed their trust, ignored the covenant, and have wild ambitions. I have received a military report from the Dingxiang Governor's Office. The Western Turks have mobilized all the troops from across the country to invade. They have destroyed the four countries in the Western Regions along the way. The peak of their troops is directed at Chang'an.
.Turkish thieves, trying to annex our Tang Dynasty, how can we tolerate it?!" Li Chengqian shouted loudly.
"Intolerable! Intolerable!" All the soldiers shouted loudly with their blood flowing.
"Where is the Marquis of Luoyang?!" Li Chengqian shouted loudly, and Li Mu quickly responded and stepped onto the high platform.
When they came to the high platform, Li Mu was wearing armor and could not perform a full salute. He bowed slightly and was being helped up by Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian used the help to say in Li Mu's ear: "Brother, take me with you."
"Didn't we agree yesterday that today is the swearing-in meeting, you can just boost morale. Chang'an is the capital of the country, how can you, the prince who supervises the country, not stay behind? Don't mess around, the soldiers are watching, finish the rest of the lines quickly, it's auspicious time
It’s almost here, don’t delay sending troops!”
Hearing Li Mu say that the soldiers were watching, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up. The corners of his mouth raised, and Li Mu felt a thump in his heart and was about to cover his mouth.
"Don't talk nonsense..."
Li Chengqian dodged Li Mu's hand and said loudly: "I was ordered by Your Majesty to guard the capital. However, when I think of my father, who is the prince of the Tang Dynasty and the crown prince of the country, and who is the prince of the Tang Dynasty and the country's heir apparent, he is the prince of the Tang Dynasty.
Hiding behind others? Therefore, I ordered the king of Wei to supervise the country as regent, and I personally led the army to fight the Western Turks and the north of the Great Wall."
As he said that, Li Chengqian became heroic and laughed loudly: "Soldiers, we are very different here, and we have a narrow escape from death. I dare not promise you anything, but I am a good man, I will protect my family and my country! Will you live and die together with you?
?!"
The officials looked at Li Chengqian on the general stage, and everyone was dumbfounded.
What is this thing called?
The emperor wanted to lead the expedition in person, leaving the prince to supervise the country. The prince wanted to fight in the northern part of the country, and the prince was left to supervise the country as regent. Even the history books dare not write it like this. Does the dragon chair burn your buttocks or something? Is it uncomfortable to sit on it? Are you looking for death?
Several subordinate officials in the East Palace were the first to react, crying and screaming. Yu Zhining even threw himself on the general stage, hugged Li Chengqian's legs, and said heartbreakingly: "The prince must not be reckless and act wantonly.
! His Majesty ordered you to supervise the country. This is the imperial edict. How can you make decisions privately..."
"Come here, please get Master Yu down!" Li Chengqian said coldly. The two Qianniu Guards next to him hesitated and pulled Yu Zhining down.
Li Chengqian said loudly: "It was a reckless act. If I could triumph, I would like to plead guilty. But now, when the family and country are in crisis, His Majesty is not in the court. As the prince, he has no shirking responsibility. This matter cannot be dissuaded, and there is no need to discuss it further."
Come here, bring me the armor! Soldiers of the three armies!"
"The Tang Dynasty is victorious!"
Immediately, the drums were playing loudly, and the soldiers suddenly turned around, marched in neat steps, and boldly left the square in front of Chengtian Gate, crossed the long Zhuque Street, and headed towards the city gate.
Zhuque Street was already crowded with people who had heard the news and came to see off the army. Not only the wives, children and parents of the soldiers who were on the expedition, but also the people whose children were not in the army were also eating pots of wine to see off the king.
Li Mu was riding on a horse, surrounded by a group of generals, following Li Chengqian's horse, walking slowly in the center of the team, when he saw hundreds of old men holding wine bottles and holding meat in front of him. Li Mu focused his eyes
At first glance, isn't this my father-in-law's trouble for nothing?
"The people in the capital have elected us as representatives to practice for His Royal Highness, the Marquis of Luoyang!" Bai Nao'er was so excited that his hands holding the wine bowl were trembling: "The Tang Dynasty will be victorious, victorious!"
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, and the shouts became louder and louder, even reaching 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 figure it out. 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.