Chapter 149: Zhang's long-term plan

Cheng Xiaotian said with some dissatisfaction: "It's Lord Zhang. He sent someone to send a letter to the Grand Marshal, and only said one sentence: This march should be slow or urgent! He did not say the specific reason, saying that he would wait for him to arrive and explain in detail."

Ge Shuhan disagreed with this statement very much: "Soldiers are the most powerful. People who have been a soldier for a few days know that when the soldiers are at the Luoshen city, they will take down the Luoshen city. Even if the battle is over, everyone understands this principle, how can we say that it is appropriate to slow down or hurry?"

"General Geshu, I said the same thing, but the Grand Marshal said that this is what Zhang said about Lord Zhang's opinion, and no one can ignore it. Therefore, I want you to rush back. Then I will listen to Lord Zhang's opinions together!" Cheng Xiaotian was a little disdainful in his words.

Zhang said that he was a great man of a generation, with a very talented and proficient in government affairs. Not to mention Guo Qianguan, even Ruizong, Li Longji, and Princess Taiping did not dare not ignore it. After receiving his letter, Guo Qianguan had to wait.

This is the truth. Since Zhang Shuo has other opinions, he should listen to it no matter what. Ge Shuhan will not say much and explain the military affairs one by one. In fact, he didn't do much time, and his affairs were very clear. He finished it in just a short while. He took his personal guards and returned to see Guo Qianguan.

Guo Qianguan's commander's tent was two hundred miles north, and it arrived in more than an hour. When Guo Qianguan saw Ge Shuhan's face, he was very happy. He came up and took Ge Shuhan's hand and laughed: "General Ge Shu, you, the borrowed general, have shown your skills and built three floating bridges for the army at once. It's amazing! With these three floating bridges, it's not difficult for the army to pass through the Yak River. At the beginning, I borrowed generals from the army, and this step was the right step!"

Guo Qianguan was very clear about how important the three floating bridges were to the Tang army. He said this very sincerely. He didn't just pat it on the back of Geshuhan's hand and was very intimate.

Finally, Guo Qianguan said: "General Geshu, tell me in detail about your march."

Geshuhan responded and told the story. Hearing that Geshuhan had just won a big victory, with 10,000 to 20,000, and defeated the Tubo imperial guards without combat power, Guo Qianguan was even happier and asked Geshuhan to sit down: "General Geshu, you won the battle and should have followed him quickly, but Lord Zhang wrote a letter saying that this advance should be slow or not. Wang Zhongsi and I discussed it with the military supervisor, but I didn't understand his intention. Therefore, I invited you back and talk about it. "

As soon as he received Zhang Shuo's letter, Guo Qianguan became confused. Soldiers are the rule of military strategists. However, Zhang Shuo had something else to say, but it was still completely opposite to it. It was really amazing.

Guo Qianguan, who was puzzled, asked Chen Wanrong and Wang Zhongsi to discuss, but the two were also puzzled. Wang Zhongsi had extraordinary talents and still could not understand Zhang Shushu. In desperation, Guo Qianguan had to find Ge Shuhan.

After rushing back all the way, Brother Shu Han thought about it, but couldn't figure out what Zhang said: "Master, you still need to tie the bell to untie the bell. The last general is exhausted and unable to understand Lord Zhang's intention. It's better to wait until Lord Zhang arrives and listen to his high opinions, and everything will be clear."

Guo Qianguan said a little annoyed: "Even General Geshu doesn't understand his meaning, who can understand it? If Lord Zhang's words are reasonable, we are not bad. If people cannot convince people, will we wait and see if we wait, wouldn't it be a waste of the opportunity to fight?"

Geshuhan was very confident about this: "Master, please rest assured. Even if we recover after three or five days of march, we don't have to worry. In three or five days, Jide Zuzan could not assemble many troops. After all, the terrain of Tubo was dangerous and the road was difficult to march. It was difficult for us, and it was also difficult for the Tubo people. If there was an extra 30,000 or 50,000, we could still deal with it."

The Tang army's combat power is far beyond that of the Tubo army. Even if Tubo has tens of thousands more troops, it will still be defeated. Guo Qianguan is very confident in this: "Okay! Let's wait for Lord Zhang. I hope he really has high opinions!"

It doesn't matter if you wait for two days, but you didn't see Zhang Shuo's figure. Guo Qianguan, the generals, and Chen Wanrong were all anxious. Some generals even scolded Zhang Shuo's ancestors, saying that he was a traitor. So many people were waiting for him, but he didn't see anyone.

Just when everyone was unbearable, Zhang Shuo finally came. Now Zhang Shuo was tired, his eyes were red, and he obviously lacked sleep. The generals were very upset with him. Many generals were full of anger and were about to scatter on Zhang Shuo's head. When he saw his appearance, no one could say anything.

"Let the general wait for a long time!" Zhang said in a hoarse voice, strode over and saluted Guo Qianguan.

Chen Wanrong paid attention to Zhang Shuo's actions, his steps were a little sloppy, not as calm as when he first met, and felt pity.

Zhang Shuo is famous and famous. Not only is he good at writing articles, he has strong government affairs skills, he is a great man of a generation and is full of energy. He didn't expect to be so tired. I don't have to think that Zhang Shuo was to deal with Tubo affairs, and to prepare food and grass for the army, and there was no time to rest. A large part of the supply of the Tang army now comes from Zhang Shuo's collection. He is a great hero of the Tang army. When he saw his appearance, Guo Qianguan's nose was sore, so he hurriedly grabbed Zhang and said, "Mr. Zhang, you have to rest more! Look at you, how tired are you?"

Zhang Shuo waved his hand and said generously: "Master-in-law, don't worry too much. Zhang Shuo is quite upright. It doesn't matter if I'm tired, but the important thing is that the soldiers cannot fight on their empty stomachs."

"Please, please!" After Zhang said that he had seen the ceremony with Chen Wanrong, Guo Qianguan hurriedly invited Zhang said that he would come to the tent, asked him to sit down and serve tea with him.

Zhang said nothing more. He took the tea, drank it in one sip, put the teacup in one sip, and said nothing more than anything else. He said the matter directly: "I know that I would like to put forward the idea of ​​slowing down this time or not rushing, which made you feel depressed. In order not to curse you, I worked hard to stay up and not sleep for three days and three nights, and collected 500,000 kilograms of food and jerky meat, and transported it to the front of the camp. Can you please stop cursing you?"

Many generals were very dissatisfied with Zhang's view and secretly scolded his ancestors. After hearing this, they couldn't help but lower their heads and remained silent.

Guo Qianguan took over the conversation: "Mr. Zhang, your opinion, Guo has never understood thoroughly. Please explain your doubts and doubts."

Zhang Shuo was not polite, nodded and said, "The general is so serious! Zhang Shuo's opinion is his own. If you don't have any questions, please forgive me!" He bowed in his fists and then said, "Since ancient times, military strategists have advocated that 'storing speed is important', which is understandable. Although Zhang Shuo has no military experience, he has a little bit of military affairs. Whether speed is necessary depends on the situation. If the battle is over, then it is better to be quick. If the battle is over and the disaster remains, it is better to be slower."

This was even more confused. Everyone was confused when they heard it. They blinked their eyes and looked at Zhang in confusion.

Geshuhan asked loudly: "Mr. Zhang, what you mean is that if we finish the war now, it will be a disaster. I wonder where this is going to start?"

Chen Wanrong echoed: "Mr. Zhang, please tell me clearly."

This problem was exactly what everyone thought, staring at Zhang and saying, without blinking, for fear of missing out on any details.

Zhang Shuo did not answer directly, but went to other aspects: "Everyone, before telling the whole story, I will give you an example. I ask you, how to do the best if you want the dog to always follow you?"

Fei Junxing opened his mouth and replied: "Just use a rope to cover it. It's a very simple way!"

"Yes, who doesn't understand this?" The generals agreed with a little ridiculous sarcasm.

Zhang Shuo shook his head and said, "General Fei is right. What if this dog doesn't let you get close to you?"

"If I don't let me get close, I will shoot it to death with an arrow!" Fei Junxing answered very strongly.

This statement is very much in line with the generals' temperament, and they all agree loudly with each other.

Zhang joked: "Actually, the method is very simple. You just need to have meat and bones in your hands and throw it a little from time to time, and the dog will follow you obediently. It will go wherever you go."

This method is simple but very practical. Everyone was stunned, and then a chuckle sounded.

Chen Wanrong asked: "Mr. Zhang, what does this have to do with Tubo?"

Zhang Shuo quivered gently and said, "What Zhang Shuo asked was exactly what Zhang Shuo was about to say. Tubo is the dog. If it fights too fast, it will escape. Therefore, he can only move forward slowly. Cao Cao fought against Xiliang, and made great efforts and slowly marched. All the generals did not understand the intention and asked for battle. Some people even said that Cao Cao was not. In fact, Cao Cao knew the characteristics of Xiliang, with high mountains and dangerous valleys and various tribes scattered everywhere. If he marched quickly, the battle would be won, but he could not annihilate the living power of Xiliang.

"As soon as the news of Cao Cao's large-scale attack was released, the people of Xiliang dispatched troops and prepared to fight Cao Cao. What Cao Cao wanted was that the people of Xiliang would concentrate the army so that he could annihilate it in one battle. The result of the war was as Cao Cao expected. After one battle, Xiliang would no longer have the capital to incur the uprising, and Xiliang had decades of stability."

During the battle of Xiliang, Cao Cao no longer followed the military principles of "straits are the most important thing", but slowly marched, and eventually wiped out the vitality of Xiliang, which calmed Xiliang for decades, which was a classic battle in history.

Among the generals, they knew that there were many people in this battle. When they heard this, they couldn't help but feel confused. Fei Junxing asked, "Mr. Zhang, can you say that Tubo was the Xiliang in the past?"

"That's right!" Zhang Shuo answered: "The current Tubo and Xiliang are at least two similarities: one is that the mountains are high and the waters are far away, the terrain is dangerous, the roads are difficult to move, and the Tubo army is inconvenient to assemble, and our march is also inconvenient. The second is that the forces are scattered everywhere. The tribes in Xiliang have their own troops. In addition to Zanpu, Tubo is also the generals who are in charge of the troops, and ministers in the court. They not only have their own troops, but also have fiefs.

"If we march quickly, we will defeat Luoshecheng in one battle. May I ask you: What will the Tubo army scattered everywhere do? Should we be enemies with the Tang Dynasty? That's certain!

"This is the future trouble, endless trouble! Once they become enemies with the court, the Tang Dynasty's measures to abolish slaves will not be implemented. It will be difficult for the Tang Dynasty to gain a foothold in Tubo. At that time, if the Tang Dynasty does not send troops to suppress the enemy, it will be indulgence. If the Tang Dynasty sends troops to suppress the enemy, the mountains are high and the waters are far away, the power is dispersed, and the difficulties will suddenly increase. They use the dangerous terrain to set up an ambush. No one can tell when the battle will be finished."

Guo Qianguan, Chen Wanrong, Geshuhan and Wang Zhongsi took the lead in reacting. The four of them opened their mouths at first, and were so surprised that they couldn't speak for a long time. After a while, the four of them slapped and said, "Future-minded! Foresight!"

After a while of old age, the generals also reacted, whispered to each other and discussed it. After a period of fierce discussion, the generals agreed with Zhang Shuo's opinion and said together: "Mr. Zhang is brilliant!"

They were all transferred from the North and knew the dangers of the Turks. The Turks could not defeat the Tang Dynasty, but the Turks could not defeat them, so they could escape and use the vast grassland to hide. They were very troubled by the Tang army when they were looking for Lengzi and then ruthlessly gave them a headache.

Tubo is different from the Turks. If the city of Luoshe was lost, they would not flee, but would fight against the Tang army. However, they would occupy the dangerous terrain and make the Tang army pay a high price.

Although the Tang army had artillery, there were too few artillery pieces, only thirty-five, which was not enough in the vast Tubo thirty-five artillery pieces. Besides, the artillery was bulky and inconvenient to move. It was impossible to carry it to a place with high mountains and far away to fight a small group of Tubo remnants.

All the generals had already recognized his opinion, and Zhang Shuo felt relieved and nodded.

Guo Qianguan asked, "I dare to ask Lord Zhang to come up with a good plan to break this difficult situation."

"Just four words!" Zhang said without being humble: "Slowly advance, attack fiercely! The meaning of slow advance is that we should move forward slowly, don't be too anxious, give Jide Zuzan enough time to mobilize the army. In particular, we cannot take down Lusie City in one go, we must use Lusie City to lure Jide Zuzan the wild dog."

The words are very damning, but they make sense.

Fei Junxing rubbed his hands excitedly: "If you continue to fight as Lord Zhang said, the Tubo people will beat us without seeds!"

A joke made everyone laugh.

Luoshecheng is the capital of Tubo, which is sacred and inviolable in the minds of the Tubo people. In order to defend Luoshecheng, Jide Zuzan will kill all the last soldiers and soldiers. Using Luoshecheng as bait is indeed a very clever way to hit the key points of the Tubo people.

Guo Qianguan slapped his right hand on the head desk and praised: "Mr. Zhang, your move is ruthless! But it is quite practical. May I ask Mr. Zhang, why does the fierce attack mean?"

"Master, do you still need to ask? Of course, I'm mobilizing the army to kill him!" Fei Junxing answered on behalf of Zhang, and the generals echoed.

Zhang said with a fist and explained: "The fierce attack that Zhang said is slightly different from what you said. Zhang meant to fight an annihilation war as much as possible, rather than defeating it. The more annihilation is, the more stable the Tubo is!"

"We also think that the annihilation war is, but how can it be that easy?" The generals kept shaking their heads, not very much agree with what Zhang said.

It is easy to defeat an army, but it is difficult to annihilate an army. The generals knew the difficulty of this matter, so they spoke like this.

Chen Wanrong said, "This matter is very difficult, but if it is not difficult, what's the use for us? The Grand Marshal, according to my opinion, from now on, we should use the strategy of annihilation to defeat the enemy, and defeat is not a merit!"

"Military Supervisor, you are standing and talking without any pain in your back!" Fei Junxing couldn't help it first.

Guo Qianguan suddenly stood up and glanced at the generals: "Touch your crotch, is there any that thing? If there is, I will fight an annihilation battle for me! If not, get out of here immediately. Guo's camp does not welcome such useless things!"

With a powerful expression and a stern tone, the generals were frightened when they saw that he was angry, so they couldn't help but be afraid to say anything else, so they had to accept the order: "Abide by the order!"

Guo Qianguan sat up, his tone still cold: "You all remember that from now on, I only admit that the annihilation war will be defeated. Those who defeat the enemy will not only fail to achieve me, but also be guilty. They will beat the ten army sticks!"

"Is this too cruel?" The generals were grieving and did not dare to say more, so they could only keep it in their hearts.

Guo Qianguan looked at Zhang and said, "Mr. Zhang, Guo has two worries. One is whether the Tubo people will fight us bloodily?"

Zhang said that he had thought through this point for a long time and nodded, "Don't doubt this kind of marshal. Based on my understanding of Jide Zuzan, this person has few ambitions and is extraordinary and never surrenders. Our army is in a dilemma. Tubo has reached a critical moment of life and death. He has to fight without fighting. Therefore, the marshal does not have to worry about him running away."

Guo Qianguan also knew Jide Zuzan's character, and knew that he would rather die than bend. He would rather die in battle than run away. Such a personality is commendable, but in the time of great power disparity, it often makes big mistakes.

If Jide Zuzan judged the situation and took the method of avoiding the fierceness of the Tang army, and gave up some cities when necessary and retreated the Tubo army to other places, such as the Western Regions, waiting for a favorable opportunity to make a comeback, the Tang army really had no choice but to do anything to him.

He was about to fight to the death, and he was just in the face of Guo Qianguan's concern and said with relief: "Since Lord Zhang said that, what else do Guo have to worry about?"

Zhang Shuo asked, "I wonder what the second thing the coach is worried about?"

"Food, food, food, food, and food! What Guo is most worried about is food and food!" Guo Qianguan said with a worried look on his face: "Tubo is vast, with high mountains and dense forests, dangerous terrain, and difficult roads to pass. If Jidezuzan wants to mobilize the army, it will take a lot of time. This war will take years. If our food and food are not good, the consequences will be unpredictable!"

When it comes to food and grass, not only Guo Qianguan is worried, but who is not worried? It’s not that the Tang army has no food and grass, but that it’s that it can’t be transported. After a few months, half a year, it’s impossible to maintain a 100,000 army in any case.

Zhang joked: "Master General is relieved, Zhang said he is responsible for this matter. Even if Zhang said he was exhausted, he would have to ensure the supply of the army and let the 100,000 troops have enough food!"

The tone of voice is calm, but it has an unquestionable force! He is a great man of a generation, a famous official of the Tang Dynasty, and is very talented. He promised so much, what else can everyone worry about?

"Thank you, Lord Zhang!" The generals thanked each other in unison.

Zhang Shuo clasped his fists and said, "This is what Zhang Shuo is responsible for. I dare not be your gratitude! Grandmaster, there is one more thing that we should prepare early."

"Oh!" Guo Qianchang was very interested: "Mr. Zhang, what's going on?"

Zhang Shuo slowly said two words: "Peace talk!"

Before the battle was over, we discussed peace talks. It was too early, right? All the generals were surprised. They heard Zhang Shuo continue, "It is a matter of time to discuss peace talks. In this battle, even if we take down Luoshe City, we still cannot destroy Tubo, so we still have to discuss peace talks. However, not only do we want to do this, but Jide Zuzan will do this. It takes time for him to mobilize troops, and what else can he do if he doesn't use this as a battle for time?"
Chapter completed!