The next day, early in the morning.
The Tang camp quickly made arrangements, and Duan Zhixuan led the troops out of the camp. Duan Zhixuan led a total of 80,000 men, while the army that remained in Li Shimin's camp numbered 120,000. Including the rest of the auxiliary troops, Li Shimin's camp had at least 130,000 people, which was a huge scale.
Duan Zhixuan's departure was aboveboard, and could not be hidden from Xia Xia's spies.
In addition, Li Shimin's camp also made adjustments, no longer stationed in the east city, but in the west city. Because the camp was outside the west city, it was convenient for Li Shimin to chase Du Qi, who was leaving Guazhou.
When Du Qi got the news, he immediately summoned Shangguan Yi, Ma Zhou, Lai Ji, and Guan Zhilan for a meeting. In addition, Xue Rengui, Ma Yuan, Xiao Yuanqi, and Su Dingfang also participated.
Du Qi looked around and said, "Just now, the spies got the news that the Tang army has split up. A group of about 80,000 elites left the camp and headed toward Xia Xia. On the other hand, Li Shimin led about 120,000 troops and moved the camp outside the west city. Li Shimin's intention is to stop us from returning to the west and create an opportunity for Xia Xia's troops. Everyone, tell me, how should we deal with it? "
Hearing this, everyone looked solemn.
The Tang army had made a move.
Now it was time for them to respond.
Shangguan Yi thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I think it's a good thing that the Tang army has split up, and it's easier for us to divide and destroy. Let's destroy Li Shimin's force first. "
"This is your subject's general suggestion."
Shangguan Yi's eyes flashed with a sharp light.
Du Qi did not wait for the others to give their suggestions, and said directly, "I agree with Shangguan Yi's general arrangement. Maybe we have more strategies, but Li Shimin has made it clear that he wants to stop us, so I'll go over and crush his army. I don't believe that a mere 120,000 troops can stop my army. My army has never been afraid of a head-on battle. "
Du Qi was brimming with confidence.
Xue Rengui said, "Your Majesty is right. Why should we fear the Tang dynasty? Right now, the Tang dynasty is ready to fight against us. Then, let's fight to the end. This battle had completely destroyed the Tang dynasty's pride. In the last war with the Tang dynasty, they had only managed to capture Hou Junji while Li Shimin had retreated. This time, Li Shimin is leading the army here. We will show our weapons and let Li Shimin know how powerful we are. "
Ma Yuan said, "Yes, we must fight."
Xiao Yuan Qi nodded solemnly.
Everyone's faces were filled with excitement. Not a single one of them was afraid. All of them were filled with fighting spirit and fighting spirit. Even though the Tang dynasty had a vast territory and a large army, no one was afraid of them.
Du Qi looked at Su Dingfang and said, "Dingfang, you won't participate in this battle."
Su Dingfang said, "Your Majesty, since I followed you, I've been Xia's subject. If you need me in this battle, I'll go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. How can I not participate? "
Du Qi said, "Li Jing will be the commander of the Tang army in this battle. I know your relationship, so you don't have to force yourself. This matter is settled. You only need to participate in the planning. You don't have to worry about leading the army. "
"Yes!"
Su Dingfang finally nodded and replied.
Shangguan Yi continued, "Your Majesty, since we've decided on the general direction of our next action, I think we can divide the specific arrangements into three steps."
As soon as she said that, everyone turned to look at Shangguan Yee.
They were waiting for Shangguan Yi to continue.
Du Qi nodded, showing a look of approval, and gave him an encouraging look. Among the three strategists under his command, Shangguan Yi was very good at military strategy, Lai Ji was very good at instigating rebellion, and Ma Zhou was even better at governing the people's lives.
All three of them were all-rounders, but they all had their own preferences.
Shangguan Yi said, "For the first step, we'll also divide the troops. However, we won't divide the troops in half. Only 6,000 elites will lead enough weapons to the west and go straight to Niulan Mountain in the west of Guazhou City to occupy the high ground. "
"Because after occupying Niulan Mountain, we can use the mountain to build fortifications. The purpose of this is to prevent the Tang army from returning to help Xia Xia. My judgment of this battle is very simple. The Tang army wants to force us to fight outside the city. "
"The enemy may choose to surround us when we leave the city, so the purpose of these 6,000 elites is to block and delay the enemy so that they can't return to help."
"According to my plan, we have to delay them for at least three days."
Shangguan Yee said, "Because if our army leaves the city, we may not be able to win this battle within a day. Perhaps it will take a longer time to win this battle. So, the shortest time is three days. "
Du Qi said, "What's the second step?"
Du Qi understood Shangguan Yi's method. It was to use a small number of people to delay the majority of the Tang army, so as to fight for a chance to win the battle.
Shangguan Yi said, "The second step is actually very simple. It is to attack the Tang army. In this battle, we will do our best to completely defeat the Tang army's strength and destroy Li Shimin's arrogance. "
"Now, we still have the advantage of weapons. I don't know when the Tang army will develop such weapons. But at least now, we can use the advantage of weapons to suppress the enemy. Even if we have fewer troops, we can still crush the enemy. "
"As long as Li Shimin's army is defeated, then his only choice is to retreat. Because Li Shimin can't go west after he is defeated, then they will easily fall into a desperate situation. "
"Next, it involves the third step."
"After we defeat Li Shimin, we turn around and go west, defeating the Tang army on the front line of Niulan Mountain in one go. Then, this battle will be over. "
Shangguan Yi said, "Of course, it's easy to say, but not easy to implement. Especially the most important place is the blockade of Niulan Mountain. We must delay them. Once the front line of Niulan Mountain is defeated, the Tang army will surround us. The enemy has more troops than us, and it will be very difficult for us to win. "
After listening, Du Qi thought for a while, then looked at the others and said, "If you have anything to add to Shangguan Yi's suggestion, or if you think it is inappropriate, say it now."
"No!"
Lai Ji was the first to answer.
Because Shangguan Yi's plan was very clear, and this battle was not complicated.
The rest of the people also spoke.
Su Dingfang suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I agree with Pavilion Head Shangguan's analysis and plan. However, consider the worst-case scenario. Once the 80,000 elites who went to Xia Xia don't retreat at all, they will go straight to Gaochang City of Xia Xia. At that time, how should we deal with it? "
Du Qi smiled and said, "Actually, even if these 80,000 elites kill their way into Xia Xia, it won't be a big impact. On one hand, there will be a certain number of troops in each place, and they can stop this batch of Tang soldiers along the way. On the other hand, my father is also in Gaochang. Moreover, Gaochang City is very strong. As long as the Tang army enters Xia Xia's territory, Gaochang will arrange for defense. "
After a pause, Du Qi continued, "Therefore, even if the Tang army were to advance like a hot knife through butter, it would still take them ten days to half a month to reach Gaochang. Moreover, they would only be able to stop at Gaochang. In this time, we will be able to defeat the Tang army and Li Shimin. "
After listening, Su Dingfang said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
He no longer had any doubts in his heart. Moreover, in Su Dingfang's opinion, the Tang dynasty's chances of winning this battle were not high. This was because the strategy of dividing the troops seemed good, but it also had a huge flaw.
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