The main cavalry of the Royal Court was defeated. Many tribes no longer followed his footsteps and scattered on the grassland. They would become the captives of the Tang cavalry, or even be taken advantage of by the Horse Gang.
This scared him.
Just a moment ago, he was about to become the ruler of the entire world, and in the next moment, he was shot in the cheeks by a hidden arrow on his way to the throne. Blood flowed out, and the blood was very ugly. No matter who it was, it was hard for anyone to accept this fact. His confidence and ambition were crushed to the point where they couldn't be any more shattered.
This scared him.
What scared him the most was that when he saw tens of thousands of wild horses coming in the morning glow and those miraculous things happening in front of him, he realized that all these years of high spirits and the great ambition of riding horses to the Central Plains were actually a scam. This was the Academy's plot, and that person's plot.
A few years ago, the West-Hill Divine Palace and the Tang Empire made peace, and the Golden Tribe Royal Court benefited the most from it. Whether it was the cession of the Xiangwan Plain or the surrender of the warhorses, it was like putting a rope around the neck of the Tang Empire. Now it seemed that the Tang Empire was showing weakness, and tempted the Royal Court to take the risk of moving south.
"Ning Que, Ning Que, Ning Que …"
He murmured this name many times, so many times that it went deep into his bones.
He did not understand. This plot of the Academy was actually very risky. If there was a slight problem, the grassland cavalry could easily sweep the Central Plains. Then why did the Academy do this?
What else was worth the risk of the Tang Empire other than the extinction of the Golden Tribe?
When did the Academy become so cold-blooded?
What kind of hatred did Mr. Thirteen have with him?
Chanyu thought for a long time, and gradually calmed down.
He was talented and bold. Even though he was defeated by the Tang outside Guhe, and even saw the real picture of the abyss of destruction, he was still a big shot. How could he be reconciled?
He calmed down again and decided to take a risk.
Since the Tang Empire could set up a plot, endure for three years, and take the risk to achieve great achievements.
Why couldn't he take the risk? Why couldn't he succeed?
He believed that the Tengri Heaven did not abandon him.
Not long after, the respected elders of the tribe, A Da, General Bule, and the high priest who was the representative of the national master, all came to his room. They saw Chanyu's back facing the sand table in silence.
The Chanyu pointed at an inconspicuous small city on the sand table and said calmly, "I know the Tang people and many people in the tribe think that the war is over and that the battle that day was the final battle, but I don't think so. This is the city of earth under our feet, and it is also the place I chose for the final battle. “
No one understood what he meant. The Royal Court was far from being a match for the Tang Empire. Even if they wanted to fight to the death, how could the other party give them the chance? In other words, what right did the Royal Court have?
"The Tang … or the Academy's goal is to destroy the tribe. They want to kill us all. Our goal now is to escape from the Tang's pursuit and return to our homeland."
"We don't have any provisions."
"There are some in the Qicheng Stockade. I've already sent Su Yong to get them."
"Those rations aren't enough to support us back."
"Hundreds of thousands of people are naturally not enough, but if only thirty thousand people go, it's still enough."
"The Tang people will always be following us."
"So we need a victory, a decisive victory that will throw the Tang people into chaos. Only then can we keep the last flame of the tribe."
The Chanyu looked at the flat field on the sand table and the seven cities above it. After a moment of silence, he said, "Xu Chi wants to kill us all, so he can only gather his troops and push towards the north. The formation can't be too thick. If ten thousand Duoer Cavalry break through the central line and attack the Northern Military Camp, or even further south … Do you think the Tang Empire will not be shaken? How will the Academy react? "
General Bule said, "The main force of the Tang army will arrive tomorrow morning. Xu Chi will not make such a mistake."
"The world's best general in defense, of course, will not make such a mistake. But that was in the past … just like how I would not make the mistake of charging with all my troops."
The Chanyu shook his head and said, "I did not see through the Academy's plan. Xu Chi has to follow the Academy's plan because the Academy wants all of us to die. He can only do so."
The room was silent. Everyone felt that something was wrong: Chanyu's decision was not a risk, but a crazy gamble. No, it was not even a gamble. It was more like turning back and shouting helplessly before entering the abyss of despair. Even if Xu Chi could really arrange the Tang army into the easiest line, even if the Duoer Cavalry could really break through to the south, they could not change the whole situation.
A Da's eyes lit up. He completely understood what Chanyu meant. Chanyu did not want to win at all. He only wanted to take twenty thousand elite cavalries with him. Then he would lose the war and the Tang Empire would not get what they wanted. After they recuperated and Taoism stabilized the south, they might be able to win the whole world again.
After a moment of silence, Bule said, "I'll go."
No one argued with him. This was not about military exploits, nor was it about dying for the imperial court. It was a cold consideration of reality. Neither A Da nor the priests were able to command a large number of cavalries.
The High Priest said, "The Nation Master will accompany us to escort the Chanyu back."
A Da did not say anything. He knew his role. When the Duoer Cavalry broke through the defense line of the Tang army and entered the southern grassland or even the Northern Military Camp to loot and kill, the Tang army would chase after the palace where Chanyu was at the fastest speed. The fastest speed required the shortest distance, and the shortest distance was a straight line. This seemed to be the theory from the Academy.
The palace would return from the City of Wei to the north, and the Tang would chase from there.
What he had to do was to guard the only street in the City of Wei.
A Da bowed to the Chanyu and turned to leave. He walked to the street, pushed open a dusty old shop and sat by the table. He did not leave again.
The rest of the people left the room and started to prepare for the escape and the south.
After the Nation Master knew the plan of the Chanyu, he naturally had to make corresponding arrangements.
The house was empty. The Chanyu turned to the window and looked at the bright moon in the night sky. He seemed to have gained some kind of strength from the warm and loving light.
After the City of Wei was slaughtered, most of the houses were uninhabitable. The grassland people were used to living in tents outside the city. The place he stayed in today was a relatively secluded courtyard.
He did not know who this courtyard used to belong to. He did not know who used to belong to the City of Wei. So he did not know why that person wanted to kill him. If he knew that Tengri had lived here for many years, maybe he would think differently.
…
…
The battle that took place on the grassland outside Guhe was the most spectacular and tragic cavalry battle in a thousand years since the Tang defeated the Desolate Man.
The number of cavalrymen from the Golden Tribe Royal Court who participated in this battle was more than that of the Tang army. Besides, the Tang cavalry had hardly received any cavalry training over the years. Logically speaking, the Royal Court had the upper hand, but the Tang army won in the end. Especially before the Northern Battlefront Army's ambush, the cavalry of the vanguard battalion managed to block the Royal Court's cavalrymen. That was because the Tang army had more strength than the Royal Court's cavalrymen.
That was the spirit of valiance. The Tang army had this spirit, and so did the wild horses they rode. In the spring wind of the grassland, the Tang army waved their podaos and silently hacked their enemies to death one after another. Those wild horses trampled on the wildflowers and grass and galloped recklessly. They even imitated the Tang army and humiliated the grassland horses of the palace.
The battle of Guhe was destined to be recorded in the magnificent picture of history. In hindsight, this cavalry battle might not be the decisive battle of the whole world, but it was definitely the most important one.
After winning the war, even if the Golden Tribe Royal Court still had the power to fight, they would not be able to pose any threat to the foundation of the Tang Empire. To put it more directly, even if the Golden Tribe Royal Court exerted all their power after that day, they would not be able to destroy the Tang Empire.
For the whole world, what was more important was that the Tang empire had solved the big problem in the north for many years. Now the emperor and ministers in Chang 'an could focus all their energy and resources on the south. If they could stabilize the situation before Taoism solved the internal dispute, Peach Mountain would face unimaginable pressure.
A few days later, Situ Yilan led the cavalry of the vanguard battalion to the front line of the Seven Stockaded Villages. At this time, she and all the Tang army had already won, but they wanted a bigger victory.
During this time, the bodyguards of the Northern Military Camp and a unit of the Western Expedition Army that was quietly transferred here from the Pamir Mountains half a year ago had bitten the cavalry of the Golden Tribe Royal Court like wolves at the cost of heavy sacrifices. They would not let go even if they were bleeding all over. The cavalry of the Royal Court, who had always been known for their flexibility, was forced to slow down their retreat to the north. They had just entered the front line of the Seven Stockaded Villages yesterday and were caught up by the main force of the Tang army.
Under such circumstances, the grassland cavalry that had retreated to the Seven Stockaded Villages did not dare to leave the villages and march to the grassland. It was tantamount to leaving their backs to the terrible Tang people. Even the Duoer Cavalry that had set up camp in the City of Wei did not dare to do so. It would inevitably mean destruction.
The remaining 100,000 or so grassland cavalry set up camp in the Seven Stockaded Villages in an attempt to temporarily stabilize the situation. After a stalemate, they would find time to escape the pursuit of the Tang army and escape into the depths of the grassland.
However, those tribes that were still hoping for a fluke did not know that Chanyu had made a cold-blooded and only correct decision. He would use these tribal cavalry to attract the main force of the Tang army and try to thin the formation of the Tang army. Then he would send 10,000 elite Duoer Cavalry to the south unexpectedly!
This arrangement would cost the lives of more than 100,000 grassland cavalry. If everything went well, it could be exchanged for 20,000 Duoer Cavalry and bigwigs like Chanyu to escape into the depths of the grassland.
This exchange was cruel and seemed to be a loss, but it had to be done. Now that the Tang army had warhorses, it would not be easy for the palace cavalry to retreat to the grassland. Especially now that the Tang army had obviously gone mad and were more terrifying than the grassland people, like a pack of wolves. If the Tang army focused on chasing them, the palace cavalry would not dare to turn back and intercept them. They would be completely annihilated in less than 300 miles!
When Chanyu was making his final preparations, the Tang army surrounded the Seven Stockaded Villages. It was not accurate to say that they were surrounded, because the grassland in the north seemed to be endless and they could enter at any time. That was the path of survival that the Tang army left for the palace cavalry, but also the path of death.
The main force of the Northern Battlefront Army and the tribes' cavalry in the Seven Stockaded Villages formed a stalemate. But the stalemate did not last long. Without any warning, the battle between the two sides began fiercely again. It seemed to be endless killing, and the lives of the soldiers from both sides were being taken away. There was chaos everywhere.
Three days later, the royal flag fluttered in the wind and dust filled the sky. The Tang's Central Military Tent had arrived at the south of the City of Wei.
Xu Chi, the Tang's Defender-general of the State, had finally arrived at the frontline. He was not late. As long as he could see the Golden Tribe being annihilated before the end of the war, he would not be considered late.
Surprisingly, neither Xu Chi nor Chanyu in the City of Wei gave any direct orders for the bloody battle on the hundreds of miles in the north of the continent. They just silently watched the cavalry charge and die, and then went to Kaiping and other stockaded villages to replenish their forces.
The war was a war between nations. It could not be finished in a day. Before the war was over, there was no time to rest. Only when one side died could they live. That was the truth.
Therefore, Xu Chi and Chanyu did not care. They just sent their men to the battlefield and let them kill or be killed by the enemy. For the Tang army, they had already won, so they wanted to kill as many of the enemy's forces as possible. Since they were going to annihilate the entire nation, that was the truth.
A few simple sentences were far from enough to describe the bloody battle on the frontline of the Seven Stockaded Villages. It was not enough to describe the pressure faced by the remaining soldiers of the Golden Tribe Royal Court and the sacrifices made by the Tang army. People only needed to remember that in just a few days of siege, the number of people who died had almost exceeded the number in the Guhe Plain that day.
Different from Kaiping, Qu City and other stockaded villages, the City of Wei, which was supposed to be the main battlefield, was very quiet. There were no bloody scenes of cavalry charging and killing, not even the sound of hooves.
The Golden Tribe Royal Court was here, and so was the Central Military Tent of the Tang army. But the battle seemed far away.
Xu Chi looked at the dusty city through the binoculars. He frowned and remained silent.
"The only ones who can fight are the thirty thousand Duoer Cavalry."
A staff officer said confusedly, "According to calculations, there are at least ten thousand Duoer Cavalry around the City of Wei. Is Chanyu really going to defend the city?"
The City of Wei was the smallest city among the Seven Stockaded Villages. Not to mention that the grassland people were not good at defending cities, this small city could not accommodate twenty thousand cavalrymen. Now the Duoer Cavalry had set up camp in the grassland north of the city, but they did not retreat before the Tang army arrived. Were they going to fight to the death here?
Xu Chi looked at the city and suddenly said, "They are going south again."
When the officers in the central tent heard this, they all raised their heads in shock.
After such a painful defeat, would the grassland people still dare to go south? Even if the Duoer Cavalry broke through the defense line and entered Xiangwan Plain, what could they do? Would they still dare to go to Chang 'an?
Suddenly, someone realized the problem.
"The defense of the Central Military Tent is too weak. We should ask General Situ to help immediately!"
A staff officer said anxiously, "Otherwise, if the Duoer Cavalry really broke through, the safety of the Central Military Tent will be a big problem. Most importantly, once the situation becomes chaotic, Chanyu might really escape!"
"There is no need to do those unnecessary things." Xu Chi looked at the city and thought of the man's promise. He said, "Where do you think the Duoer Cavalry will attack from?"
"Going around the city will consume too much of the horses' energy, and they will be easily killed by our crossbows. If I were Chanyu, I would definitely choose to go through the city if I really wanted to go south to create chaos. "
Xu Chi did not say anything more. He turned around and walked to the back of the tent, ready to take a nap.
He had not slept for several days and nights, so he was really tired.
As for Chanyu's foresight, decision and courage … since he had already seen through it, there was nothing to worry about. Because someone had promised that nothing would go wrong.
Xu Chi slept soundly that night. When he woke up, the sky was still dark. It was the darkest time before dawn. He washed up and drank a bowl of mare's milk. Then he put on his armor and led his horse to the higher meadow beside the camp. He took off the telescope from the saddle and looked at the city again.
At dawn, the world was quiet.
The gates of the city were closed, and there was no light inside. It was like a ghost town.
But Xu Chi knew that Chanyu's strongest cavalry would soon rush out from that gate.
He appeared calm in front of his soldiers, but he was actually a little worried. Otherwise, he would not have come early in the morning to observe the enemy and confirm the time of the enemy's attack.
The main force of the Northern Battlefront Army had been transferred to Kaiping, Qu City and other battlefields. The Central Military Tent was facing the main tent of the Golden Tribe Royal Court. When the 10,000 Duoer Cavalry rushed through the city, how could they resist?
Xu Chi had always thought that he could trust that person completely.
But looking at the silent city before dawn, he still felt a little uneasy.
The city was not high. The watchtower on the gate was only three feet away from the ground. When dawn came, people with better eyesight could even see the stubborn weeds in the yellow soil.
When Xu Chi was looking at the city, someone was also looking at him from the city.
The national master of the Golden Tribe looked at the tents of the Tang army on the meadow in the distance. He looked at the warhorses eating grass with their heads lowered. His old face still did not regain its calmness after seeing the military intelligence reported by the palace cavalry.
The Tang Central Military Tent was very quiet. Thinking of the tragic scenes in the other cities and the Royal Court cavalry's struggle, he knew that Xu Chi had already guessed Chanyu's intention. But why was he so cooperative?
The national master did not want to calculate the success rate of Chanyu's risky strategy.
Since the Royal Court had been forced to the abyss by the Tangs, they had to put up a struggle. They could not fall so easily. The last choice was the best choice, wasn't it?
Yes, he knew it was from the Academy.
Xu Chi's confidence probably came from the Academy.
Since the beginning of the war, the Academy had not really made a move.
The real powerhouses had not made a move yet.
In the quiet dawn, the national master looked at the sky, waiting for someone to come.
…
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