The expeditionary force came out of the desert, and the vanguard raided and took control of the city of Liupo in the early hours of the morning. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

In order to save time, the headquarters of the expeditionary force did not enter the city, but in the field outside the city, discussing the next tactics.

Gaochangguo, like the Central Plains, also implemented a county system. Its five counties are five big cities, namely Gaochang, Tiandi, Jiaohe, Puchang and Tianshan City.

Fourteen county seats: Hengduan, Yongchang, Wuban, Shichang, Anle, Anchang, Yong'an, Xunlin, Gaoning, Ningrong, Weishen, Linchuan, Jiuquan, Longquancheng; Four important military towns: Dongzhen City, Dujin City, Yancheng City and Liupo City. Twenty-two cities in total. "Zhou Shu Gaochang Biography" said: "Each city has a household Cao, a water Cao, and a Tian Cao", and each city was sent by the king to supervise and inspect the school, which was called "City Order".

Gaochang has a total population of more than 54,000 people, including 6,800 troops, including 4,000 cavalry.

Looking at the map of Gaochangguo, Su Dingfang was a little worried, he pointed to the map and said: "Your Highness, you see, from here to the capital of Gaochang, we have to pass through the three county towns of Shichang, Anle and Anchang, and it is impossible for us to pass through here quietly, and it is bound to alarm the defenders here, so that the news will leak."

When we have conquered these places, Gaochang City must be ready, and it will be difficult for us to attack Gaochang City again.

Moreover, Qu Wentai, the king of Gaochang, got the news and would definitely ask the Western Turks for help. In this way, all our strategic intentions will be leaked, and our hard work will be in vain if we make a detour to the desert. ”

The generals also have a headache, indeed, it is not a problem to defeat Gaochang State, but 22 cities cannot be defeated in a day or two, and it is inevitable that the Western Turks will get the news. How can this battle be fought?

The only one among the generals who didn't worry was Ashinaqing, and she firmly believed that His Royal Highness King Liang had a way. She said, "Your Highness, you have an idea. ”

The generals also looked at King Liang with anticipation.

Li Su smiled: "This matter is very simple. It takes a lot of time to build so many cities, but why should we fight them?

My opinion is that the special combat team changed into the costumes of the Gaochang people, set off first, and infiltrated Gaochang City.

General Su led the main force of the border guards and the troops of General Ashina Zhong, and went straight to Gaochang City with light equipment, ignoring any city he encountered on the way.

The total strength of Gaochang Kingdom is only 7,000 people, and there are at most a few hundred people in these cities along the way, and they may not dare to come out to intercept you. I expect them to close the gates against your attack, so the army will not be intercepted.

The defenders of these cities will definitely try to call for help, and who will they report to? Naturally, it is the king of Gaochang. However, even if they had the courage to come out and report the news, they would not be able to reach Gaochang City before you.

In this battle, as long as we defeat Gaochang City and capture Qu Wentai, the king of Gaochang, alive, these cities in Gaochang Kingdom will not be able to fall from the wind? ”

Su Dingfang suddenly realized and said: "That's right, let's attack Gaochang City directly, and we can solve Gaochang's problem in one battle." ”

Li Su continued: "Our main target is the Western Turkic Imperial Court. My opinion is that the troops of General Chemo Zheluo should go directly to Linchuan in the same way, block the border line from Gaochang to the Western Turks, and prevent anyone from going to the Western Turks to report information.

After General Su conquered Gaochang City, he left 3,000 men and horses to garrison the city, and led the rest of the men and horses to immediately rush to Linchuan, join the troops of General Qibi Zheluo, and use the same tactics to attack the Western Turkic royal court.

This tactic is called the heart-digging tactic.

General Ashinaqing's troops and I will deal with the affairs of Gaochang Kingdom, and then we will go to reinforce you. ”

The generals were very excited, and Che Bizhiro said: "This tactic is good, not only a heart-digging tactic, but also a continuous heart-digging tactic!" ”

Su Dingfang said: "Okay, just follow His Highness's advice, and now the whole army will set off immediately." ”

The county seat of Sichang.

At 9 a.m., the sun was shining, and there was a quiet and peaceful scene in the green fields outside the city.

The peasants of Gaochang began to get out of the village and work in the fields.

Suddenly, there was a thunderclap in the distance, and the farmers stopped to watch. After a short time, I saw the cavalry of the brigade, which swept over like a storm.

Tens of thousands of iron horsemen swarmed by, ignoring the scattered and fleeing peasants, but it was a pity that the crops in those fields were trampled to pieces by iron hooves.

Soon, the city commander of Shichang County received a report, and he hurriedly came to the city gate tower to check.

Outside the city, tens of thousands of iron horsemen rushed through like a flood, and he was so frightened that he shouted loudly: "Hurry up to the city to defend, quickly." ”

However, the army simply ignored them and continued to advance.

The leader of the garrison in the county seat of Shichang, Cheng Shou, arrived with some soldiers, and he was also as pale as earth.

A soldier bent his bow and arrows and aimed outside, and the city guard hurriedly kicked him down, shouting, "You want to kill the whole city?!" He ordered loudly that no one should be allowed to make a provocative move against the army outside the city.

The city commander said to the city guard: "Look, do you want to call the county guard to the police?" ”

The city guard said: "Who dares to go out in this formation? ”

Cheng Ling nodded and said, "Yes, let's just protect ourselves." ”

The army is finally over.

After waiting for an hour, the city commander saw that there was no movement outside, and said, "Let's send someone to report to the county guard, otherwise we will be responsible." ”

The castle guard said; "Okay. I'll send someone to tell the news. ”

At this moment, there was a rumbling in the distance, and the iron cavalry of the brigade came again. This team of iron cavalry is the follow-up army led by King Liang.

The city commander and the city guard hurriedly called out to the messenger who was about to go out to report the news, and ordered the city gate to be closed, praying that the army outside was just passing by.

Fortunately, the army outside gradually drifted away as if they didn't see them.

The city commander and the city guard didn't know if there was a big army behind them, and they didn't dare to send people out to report the news anymore.

The county towns of Anle and Anchang that the Tang army passed through along the way were in the same situation as the county towns of Shichang.

Gaochang City was in front of the Tang army.

Gaochang City, as usual, is noisy and lively. The gate was open, and the soldiers guarding the gate were lazy, allowing pedestrians to enter and exit the gates.

Inside the city, Zhao Dashan, Cheng Chumo, Du He and Yang Kang were all wearing the clothes of Gaochang people, hanging around the city gate.

Several of them complained a little about staying by King Liang's side and not having the opportunity to make meritorious contributions, but Li Su simply fulfilled their wishes and gave them a chance to make meritorious contributions. Capturing the city gate is the first achievement!

Tai Chi Hall, Li Shimin's study.

Li Shimin asked: "Hasn't the military department received any news from the expeditionary force?" ”

Fang Xuanling said: "No. Three days later, there has been no news of the expeditionary force for four months. ”

The expeditionary force has not been heard from for so long, and I don't know if it is dead or alive. Li Shimin fell into deep worry.