As Xiao Rui expected, the two sides of the gladiatorial fight were strangled together in close combat, and after a tragic battle, Hou Junji withdrew with the only remaining 4,000 cavalry, and the Turkic side did not lose any benefits, and there were also less than 5,000 left.

It was only at this time that Lao Li Jing suddenly realized that today's battle was purely to eliminate this elite cavalry of the Tang Dynasty.

Some people may not think that such a cavalry force of 20,000 people is anything extraordinary. But just compare it with the Xuanjia Heavy Ride. In those days, it cost more than five times as much to raise a heavily armored heavy cavalry as an infantry of the same size.

The Xuanjia Army is powerful in the world, why are there only 3,000 people? Is it because the emperor doesn't want to expand his enrollment? Of course not, there is only one reason - poverty.

Now Hou Junji's 20,000 cavalry team, although not as good as the Xuanjia heavy cavalry, is only slightly inferior, belonging to the fully armed light cavalry, far beyond the ordinary Turkic army. As long as it does not encounter the same elite of today's royal court guards, and encounters other Turkic armies, Hou Junji will have an absolute advantage.

Once a big war starts, it is not about how many enemies these 20,000 people kill or injure, but on them to crush the other party and quickly break the enemy and hit morale.

If the 100,000 infantry of the Tang Dynasty fights against the 100,000 Turkic cavalry, then they can only passively use foot cavalry, relying on terrain, strategy, etc., even if they can win, the loss is huge, killing 1,000 enemies and losing 800.

But if the Tang Dynasty is 80,000 infantry + 20,000 cavalry. Against the Turkic 100,000 cavalry. 20,000 Tang cavalry can change the tide of the battle at a critical moment, on the basis of cavalry with foot, 20,000 Tang cavalry suddenly killed, scattered the enemy's ranks, and by the way, hit the enemy's morale, and have a greater chance of winning.

In the Yanzhou camp, Hou Junji knelt on one knee covered in blood, "The last general is unfavorable and defeated at the hands of the enemy, resulting in heavy losses for our side, please punish the commander!" ”

Lao Li Jing personally stepped forward to support the other party, and comforted: "This battle is not your responsibility, you have done a good enough." It's just that we didn't expect Jieli to be so shameless and send dead cavalry, alas...... You and I have all fallen for his poisonous scheme. ”

Hou Junji is a master of the art of war, and he also woke up at this moment and regretted it.

"Yes, we were greedy, in a hurry to rescue the prince, and fell into the trap of the enemy. Now the entire cavalry corps has less than 2,000 combatable soldiers, and a year of hard training has been in vain......"

Speaking of this, Hou Junji burst into tears.

Li Jing comforted: "It's the fault of this commander, I will ask for military law." Jieli is bent on destroying our cavalry, and there must be even more ruthless followers. Hurry up and heal your wounds, the big battle can't be without you. ”

"Handsome ......" Hou Junji was ashamed of his shameless self-esteem, he was the chief general of the cavalry, and now he had less than 2,000 capable soldiers in his hands, and there was a fart in the big war later.

"Please punish the marshal."

Li Jing sighed and said: "Let's write down the merits and demerits for the time being, and then deal with them after this war." ”

Hou Junji no longer insisted, and instead said: "Write down twenty lashes before the battle, and the last general requests that he be executed now." ”

At this moment, he seems to be not beaten, and he can't get over the same torment in his heart, and he wants to use the way of being dealt with by military law to alleviate the pain in his heart.

Li Jing waved his hand and said, "No need, your twenty whips, Wei Chi Jingde has already helped you endure it." ”

What??? It's not that I'm okay, I'm better than him......

As he was talking, Wei Chigong barged in and said impatiently, "What do you say?" Lao Tzu helped you get the whip, for the sake of your injury. If you are not convinced, when your injuries are healed, you and I will gamble again. ”

Hou Junji knew that the other party had good intentions, got up and arched his hand, and walked out of the big tent to wrap up his wounds.

At this moment, a message came from outside the tent, and the Turkic envoy asked to see him. Old Li Jing raised his eyebrows, and came so quickly.

The envoy into the camp is not nonsense, it is a messenger, concise and to the point, our Great Khan is willing to give you another chance, and the two sides will make an appointment again, and the victory and defeat of a battle outside the city of Xiangxiang will be determined.

Li Jing sneered: "What a trick and a serial plan." Seeing that we lost 20,000 elite cavalry, did we take advantage of the weakness? You still have 140,000 troops, and we still have 60,000 troops. ”

The envoy arched his hand and smiled: "I dare not say the victory or defeat, our Great Khan only asks the commander one sentence, can you dare to agree?" If it is promised, you will set the time. We will press on it with all our troops. If you win, we'll send you back to the prince. If you lose, we will not invade the Tang Kingdom, but only ask you to compensate for the gold and silver. ”

"Of course, if the marshal is unwilling to gamble, then please attack the city, the prince is in the city, and you can take him back if the city is broken."

As he spoke, he pulled out a list.

After reading it, Lao Li Jing forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart, "I really want a lot, and I'm not afraid to kill you." Go back and tell you the Great Khan, we should go down, or Dingxiang outside the city, ten days later, the victory will be decided. ”

The messenger gladly returned.

In the Chinese army tent, all the generals are worried, 60,000 against 140,000, the gap is too big, how can this be fought?

Lao Li Jing explained: "It's not that Ben Shuai is confused, but the situation is different now. Jieli can directly send 100,000 troops to attack our camp without making an appointment, and we can fight without fighting. ”

Duan Zhixuan was puzzled: "Since this is the case, then why does he still make a covenant?" There is no better time to attack our battalion now. ”

Everyone nodded, yes, is it another conspiracy?

Old Li Jing pondered for a moment and guessed: "Presumably, what he is planning this time is not waiting for me. ”

What do you mean? Don't you understand, we are the main force of the Datang Chinese army, and he doesn't want to destroy us?

Old Li Jing sneered: "If he storms our camp at this time, then while we hold on, we can immediately let General Qin's 20,000 people come to help, he is afraid that he will suffer." ”

I see......

"No, there's another possibility." Hou Junji said vigilantly, "It may also be like the previous guess of the big marshal, Jieli doesn't look down on us, what he wants to plan is - champion Hou!" ”

Old Li Jing sighed, "Yes, Ben Shuai thinks so too." Why did he tell us that next time he would be pressed with all his troops? Don't you just want us to send troops for help? Since he doesn't look down on our 60,000 people, then the entire Tang Dynasty, the one who can enter his eyes is probably Xiao Rui. ”

Cheng Yanjin suddenly laughed, "He's afraid of Xiao Rui." Seeing that Xiao Rui was not dead, it is estimated that he began to be unable to sleep again. ”

Duan Zhixuan said worriedly: "Dashuai, you and I both know that Hou Ye's current body ...... Can he and the three thousand Xuanjia alone turn the tide of the war? ”

"Isn't there still 30,000 soldiers and horses in Yunzhou?" Wei Chigong said, "There is also Tuli, Tuli betrayed Jieli, then plus Tuli's 30,000, the Eastern Route Army is 60,000." Haha, handsome, our total number of people is 140,000. ”

Old Li Jing smiled bitterly in his heart, only you are so optimistic, you dare to be our person.