Yunzhou, Yunzhong City.
This was the place where Su Dingfang's army had arrived.
Su Dingfang had led his army up north from Chang 'an, chasing after Li Tai all the way. When he got close to Taiyuan Prefecture, he kept pressuring Li Tai's army. During this period, Li Tai had clashed with Su Dingfang's army several times, but every time, Li Tai's army was routed.
In the end, Li Tai suffered heavy casualties and was defeated continuously. He retreated to the City Amongst the Clouds.
After Li Tai retreated to Yunzhong City, he contacted the Turks and asked them to send Ashina Secret Service, hoping that Ashina Secret Service could help Li Tai. At the very beginning, the Turkic Khaganate had indeed agreed to dispatch the Ashina Secret Service. However, before Ashina Secret Service sent out the troops, the Turks had already received a lot of supplies from Li Tai, including some gunpowder.
That was why Li Tai was entrenched in Yunzhong City.
He continued to resist and stall for time.
Li Tai's intention was to delay Su Dingfang's army and wait for Ashina Secret Service to help him deal with Su Dingfang. As for Su Ding's side, they continued to surround but did not attack, temporarily not attacking the City Amongst the Clouds.
It was still quite cold in Yunzhong City in the middle of January. This kind of weather put a lot of pressure on the attacking side. However, Su Dingfang's army did not attack for the time being, so it did not affect them much. Especially the soldiers under Su Dingfang's command. They were all wearing thick clothes and were not affected at all.
The army's combat power was still very strong.
This day, in the barracks outside the city, in the main tent.
Su Dingfang and Amir sat opposite each other. Su Dingfang looked calm and said with a smile, "Mr. Amir, today, Xiao Yuanqi has led his army to the south and is going to meet up with His Majesty. He was the first to send out his army, but he was stopped and did not make much progress. "
"I didn't expect that we would suddenly make such great progress. In a short period of time, we took down Li Chengqian, destroyed the Tang army in Shu, and obtained the final victory. But while we might be a little slower, as long as this plan succeeds and we can smoothly take down the Turks, even if we have to buy time, it will be worth it. "
Su Dingfang said, "The envoys we sent out have already made contact with the Turks. As long as we succeed, it will be a great merit. Keeping Li Tai in Cloud City will be worth it. "
Amir smiled. "General, I've always believed that good things shouldn't be rushed. Now that we have a plan, we just need to execute it step by step. As long as we can complete the plan in the end, that would be the best. The reason he had left Li Tai alive was because he was worried that killing Li Tai in a short period of time would frighten the Turks and cause them to flee the desert. With Li Tai around, the Turks won't run away, and the Ashina Secret Service might be able to turn against us. "
Su Dingfang nodded and said, "Teacher is right."
The plan he and Amir had set was actually very simple. They would temporarily surround Li Tai in Cloud City and cut off all supplies to Cloud City. At the same time, they would arrange for people to contact the Ashina Secret Service and turn them against them.
As long as the Ashina Secret Service submitted to Xia Xia, Xia Xia would support the Ashina Secret Service to become the Turkic Khagan.
This was the simplest plan.
To the Ashina Secret Service, it was an open and aboveboard scheme that could even attract the Ashina Secret Service.
Because of the temptation of benefits.
Su Dingfang suddenly changed the topic and said, "Teacher, according to the news from Liaodong, Ma Yuan's side is also very ambitious. Not only does he want to deal with Li Ke, but he also wants to deal with Xinluo and Goguryeo. Actually, their plan is not much different from ours. "
Amir said, "Right now, it's a critical period for Xia Xia to unify the world. Everyone wants to make contributions and leave their names in history, so they all have big plans. It's very normal for Ma Yuan and Lai Ji to deal with Xinluo and Goguryeo. This is nothing. However, I believe that we will take down the Turks first. "
"Reporting!"
At this moment, a soldier entered.
The soldier cupped his fists and said, "General Su, the Turks have sent a letter back. General Su, please read it."
As he spoke, the soldier handed over the letter.
Su Dingfang took the letter and quickly browsed through it. After he finished reading the letter, a bright smile appeared on his face. He said, "Mr. Amir, it's done. The Ashina Secret Service has already rebelled and killed the original ruler of the Turks, taking control of the Turks. Now, the Ashina Secret Service has expressed that they are willing to work for Xia Xia. Moreover, he has already brought his army and is heading towards Cloud City to express his allegiance to Xia Xia. "
Amir said, "Since that's the case, let's attack Cloud City. Previously, we had already instigated Li Tai's general, Liu Chen, to defect. Now that we attack, Liu Chen can take down Li Tai. "
Li Tai was extremely headstrong and self-opinionated.
He had lost the hearts of the people.
Therefore, in a short period of time, Amir had already instigated the people around Li Tai. In fact, even earlier, Su Dingfang and Amir could have won. They just left Li Tai to stabilize the Turks.
Su Dingfang stood up and said, "Pass down the order. The army is to attack."
Amir said, "I'll arrange it right away."
After Amir got up and went to pass down the order, Su Dingfang's army arrived outside Cloud City in an hour. The majestic army was orderly and orderly, exuding a ferocious aura.
Su Dingfang did not say anything and directly ordered the attack. Mortar after mortar continued to bombard the city. The continuous bombardment put a lot of pressure on the city walls of Cloud City.
When Li Tai heard that the city was being bombarded, he personally went to the top of the city to command. Li Tai mobilized his troops with the intention of resisting. However, while they were resisting, Li Tai's personal guard, Liu Chen, suddenly unsheathed his sword and placed it across Li Tai's neck. He said, "Your Highness, I'm sorry. Please give the order to open the city gates and surrender."
Li Tai's eyes widened.
He had a look of disbelief on his face because he never thought that his most trusted general, Liu Chen, would betray him. Especially when Liu Chen was his personal guard. He actually submitted to Xia Xia and betrayed him.
Li Tai clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Liu Chen, I've wronged you in any way. You're a member of the Tang dynasty and my confidant. Yet, you actually submitted to Xia Xia and betrayed me. "
He was extremely angry.
He looked as if he was about to devour someone. He wanted to kill him.
Liu Chen said, "Your Highness, since you went north, you've been stubbornly pursuing your own course and collecting taxes without caring about the lives of the people. Even when we retreated to Cloud City, the first thing you did was not to pacify the people, but to plunder them. Even when the army clearly has food, you still embezzled the soldiers' food and hoarded it. I don't think I can stop Xia Xia if I follow you. Your Highness, I'm sorry. "
Li Tai said, "Liu Chen, let go immediately and I'll spare your life."
But Liu Chen used a little bit of force and the blade cut Li Tai's skin. Although it was only a small cut, blood seeped out and there was a trace of pain.
Li Tai couldn't help but shiver.
His face was full of fear.
At this moment, Li Tai was scared. He didn't expect Liu Chen to be so fierce that he actually dared to kill him. Li Tai was fat and had lived in a pampered environment since he was a child. He was doted on by Li Shimin since he was a child. Although he looked smart, he had never experienced a harsh environment. So, after being threatened by Liu Chen, Li Tai was terrified.
Li Tai shouted, "Open the city gate! Open the city gate! Let Xia Xia's army enter the city!"
Liu Chen said, "Let's go out and welcome them."
His sword was placed across Li Tai's neck. If he used a little bit of force, the blade would cut Li Tai's neck. So, Li Tai had been very careful. Even though his heart was filled with endless anger, he couldn't do anything.
Under Liu Chen's control, Li Tai went down the city and came to the city gate.
Creak.
The gate opened and Li Tai and the others entered Su Dingfang's sight. When Su Dingfang saw the gate open and Liu Chen coming out with Li Tai, the corner of his mouth curled up into a smile. He waved his hand and the cannons stopped their bombardment. His subordinates led a group of soldiers and rushed out to detain Li Tai. At the same time, they quickly entered the city and took control of the city.
After taking control of the city, Su Dingfang ordered the army to enter the city.
After everything was arranged, Su Dingfang took Li Tai and the officials under him into custody. Then, he dealt with the soldiers under Li Tai's command. Only then did he have Amir write a letter and send it out to Du Qi to report the good news.
Su Dingfang hadn't left Yunzhong for the time being. Because there were still many problems to be solved. It wasn't something that could be done in a day. Enough time was needed to completely control the north.
Especially when Ashina Secret Service came. He had to let Ashina Secret Service enter the court as an official.
This was the key to controlling the Turks.
Without this step, the Turks could cause trouble again and become a hidden danger.
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