Guo Song paid a courtesy visit to Qiuci with Guo Xin in the afternoon. Guo Song visited King Qiuci in the name of the Chief of the Anxi Protectorate, not in the name of an envoy of the Tang Dynasty. After all, the Kingdom of Qiuci had surrendered to Tibet.
, it seems a bit inappropriate to use the name of the Tang Dynasty envoy.
As expected by Guo Xin, the King of Kucha rejected the suggestion of attacking the Tubo herdsmen in Kucha. The Tang army's war in the five cities of Qiemo had nothing to do with the Kucha Kingdom, but once the Tubo herdsmen in Kucha were killed, it would be difficult for the Kucha Kingdom.
If they evade responsibility for their crimes, the Tibetan army will definitely retaliate against the people of Kucha, which is something the King of Kucha cannot accept.
After coming out of the King's Palace of Kucha, Guo Song was a little worried and said: "This King of Kucha obviously doesn't want to offend Tibet, so will he betray the Tang army when the siege is at its most intense?"
Guo Xin smiled slightly and said: "You don't have to worry. When the enemy comes to attack in large scale, King Qiuci and most of the people will leave. We have experienced at least ten large-scale sieges, and we have cooperated quite well."
, they will leave at the critical moment.”
"Can those 3,500 people defend Kucha City?"
"In fact, there are more than 3,500 people. One thousand Tang troops from Yanji Town will be transferred to Kucha City. In addition, women and the elderly will also participate in the war. They are mainly responsible for logistics.
Also, the Tubo people's siege methods are relatively simple. Don't imagine that they will come with heavy siege weapons, up to a hundred ladders, and the poplar trees here are not suitable for siege weapons. There are pine forests, but
It's relatively far away, so they usually attack the city gates. The Tuyuhun people's combat effectiveness is even worse. As long as the opponent's troops don't exceed 20,000, we can basically defend it."
The two came to the military office, and several civil servants came to pay homage to Guo Song. There were only six civil servants in the military office, corresponding to the six Cao Cao of Bing, Cang, Ma, Kai, Fa and Tuntian. Among them, the Bing Cao participated in the military and also served as a recorder and joined the army.
The affairs of the Anxi Army are not many, and the six of them are enough to take care of them. However, since Guo has been appointed as the chief historian, these six people are his subordinates, and the necessary etiquette is still needed.
In a spacious official room, Guo Song smiled at six civil servants and said: "This time I came to Anxi with both civil and military skills. I was in charge of government affairs, but also had to cooperate with the general to fight. It's just that the government affairs in Anxi are relatively simple, so I will prefer
In terms of combat, you should still handle peacetime affairs by yourself. I will not interfere. I will only sign the important documents. How about that? I don’t think you have any objections!"
Everyone looked at each other and actually declared to delegate power as soon as they arrived. I had never heard of such a long history. After a while, Lou Wenda, a member of the Bingcao Army, asked: "Many documents that should have been signed by the long history were signed by the commander-in-chief, because we have never had a long history."
Shi, in the future, will these documents be signed by the chief historian, or will they continue to be handed over to the commander-in-chief to sign on his behalf?"
Guo Song was a little helpless. There were some things he couldn't escape. He nodded and said, "Since I am the chief historian, I don't have to hand it over to the commander-in-chief. I will sign it."
After a pause, Guo Song looked around the room and asked with a smile: "Since this is the chief historian's room, why can't you see even a piece of paper?"
Everyone's smiles were a little bitter. Lou Wenda leaned slightly and said: "Paper is very precious here. We usually report everything verbally. We only use paper for important things, and only one thin strip. We already have less than a hundred pieces of paper.
, I have to save as much as possible.”
Guo Song pondered for a while and said: "Actually, you can go to Dunhuang to buy some items. Although the journey is difficult, you will not encounter enemy troops. This time we brought a lot of gold, dozens of camels and a guide. You can
Hire him."
“I’m afraid I can’t even buy it in Dunhuang!”
Guo Song smiled slightly and said: "I have talked with the heads of the two major families in Dunhuang. Dunhuang is relatively short of livestock and pig iron, but major monasteries have a lot of paper and stationery. There is basically no shortage of other daily necessities. You can go and take a look.
.”
Lou Wenda said happily: "That matter should not be delayed. Let's make arrangements and set off for Dunhuang in the next few days."
Guo Song smiled again and said: "In addition, this place is suitable for growing grapes and fruits. You can grow some grapes and fruits in the courtyard in front of and behind the house. Fruits can improve your life. Grapes are used to make wine, which can be sold or drank by yourself. In addition, you should surround the area with grapes and fruits."
A moat was dug around Kucha City, which could not only defend against enemy forces, but also allow fish to be raised.
In short, although our environment is difficult, we must find ways to use the existing conditions to improve it."
"After spring begins, we will implement Changshi's plan as soon as possible."
Guo Song discussed war preparation issues with several officials again. As the time gradually reached evening, a clear chirp suddenly came from outside, "Chirp——"
Guo Song immediately stood up and walked quickly out of the lobby. He saw Mengzi, whom he had not seen for nearly half a month, hovering above his head. Guo Song was immediately elated. He had never been as happy as he was today.
........
Winter turned to spring, and in the blink of an eye it was mid-March. The ice and snow melted, the rivers thawed, and the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains were especially full of life in spring. Even swaying flowers grew on the vast Gobi Desert. After experiencing the bleakness of the long winter,
, everything in spring becomes especially beautiful.
In the wheat fields outside the city, soldiers and their families were busy plowing the land and sowing wheat seeds. Grapes and melons were planted in front of and behind every house.
That morning, Guo Song, led by the soldier Xie Tianshan, came to a large pasture near Tianshan Mountain. This was already the territory of the Tubo people. Occasionally, they could see the Tubo people's felt tents in the distance.
There are not many Tubo herdsmen in Anxi, totaling less than 1,000 households, and there are not many Tuyuhun people. They are mainly concentrated along the Qiemo River and Puchang Sea, but both Tubo and Tuyuhun occupy the best pastures, and their presence is evident
The Tubo occupation of Anxi.
"How many Tibetan herdsmen are there?" Guo Song asked, pointing to the felt tent in the distance.
"There are about three to four hundred households, and they basically raise sheep. Every time the Tibetan army comes to attack Kucha City, they are the ones who supply the enemy's sheep." Xie Tianshan gritted his teeth with hatred.
At this time, a dark-skinned Tubo man came galloping on horseback, stood dozens of steps away and shouted at them, waving the knife in his hand.
"He is saying that this is his territory, let us get out of here, otherwise the army will come and kill us!"
Guo Song ignored the herdsmen's cries, but he was a little surprised that Xie Tianshan actually understood Tubo.
"Can you understand Tubo?"
Xie Tianshan scratched his head in embarrassment, "A few years ago, a Tubo monk came to Kucha City. He was a very nice man. The commander organized seven or eight young people to learn Tubo language from him. I was one of them, and I learned
If I get the best, the commander-in-chief specifically approves my joining the army."
This is a bit interesting. What Guo Song and the others needed most was soldiers who knew Tubo. Unexpectedly, they could not find any place despite their iron shoes. It took no effort to get them. The young soldier in front of them knew Tubo.
At this time, a cavalryman galloped from Kucha City and shouted from a distance: "Chang Shi, the commander-in-chief asks you to go back immediately."
"knew!"
Guo Song turned his horse around and ran toward Kucha City with Xie Tianshan and a few followers. The Tubo herdsmen on the hillside laughed strangely. He thought he had scared away some Tang soldiers.
Not long after entering the city, Guo Song saw Li Ji from a distance and shouted: "Captain Li!"
Li Ji quickly urged his horse forward, cupped his fists and said, "See Chang Shi!"
Guo Song patted Xie Tianshan's arm and said with a smile: "Aren't you looking for a Tang Jun who can speak Tubo? There is one here."
Li Ji also knew Xie Tianshan. He asked in surprise: "Xiao Xie still understands Tubo language?"
Xie Tianshan scratched the back of his head and said, "I have studied for several years!"
Guo Song smiled and said, "I'll leave him to you. You can discuss it among yourselves. I'll go to the commander's side. Something may be going on."
"It seems that the enemy's situation has been discovered."
"I think so!"
Guo Song gave Xie Tianshan a few words and then urged his horse to run towards the military office.
Galloping to the steps of the military office, Guo Song dismounted from his horse and quickly walked into the military office. When he came to the back hall, he saw Guo Xin standing in the back hall with his hands behind his hands, staring at a huge wooden map.
This one-foot-square wooden map was left by Gao Xianzhi. It took hundreds of soldiers five years to explore and complete it, and another three years to carve it. It is very accurate and has always been the most important military map of the Anxi Army.
"Commander, what happened?"
"I just received a message from Feiying from Khotan Town. It was discovered that the Tibetan and Tuyuhun coalition forces have gathered 20,000 people in the Qiemo City area and are heading towards the Puchang Sea along the Qiemo River. Their target should be Kucha City."
"Do you know how many Tibetan troops there are among the 20,000 people?"
"The Tubo army is not large. It seems that there are only more than 3,000 people. They are mainly Tuyuhun people."
Guo Song nodded, "Then let's act according to the original plan!"