Xie Tanzhi knew that the commander was resourceful, and the battlefield soldiers often used strange tricks, so he asked inspiringly: "The so-called attack on the enemy must be saved, which refers to a strategic place like Zijin Pass and Shengyu Pass." However, what if Gema sees through our plan and lives or dies and doesn't take the bait? Or, this guy didn't detect our army's intention to attack Zijin Pass at all, and then couldn't send troops to deal with it in time. In that case, what do we do next? ”

Xu Youchang pursed his lips and analyzed to himself: "On the battlefield, there is never something impossible. Although the problem that Lao Xie is worried about is more extreme, it can't be ignored. If the enemy fails to send troops to aid Zijin Pass as we expected, then should we take advantage of the situation to capture it? ”

Before Li Jiangyao could speak, Huo Liya said quickly: "Now that you capture Zijin, it is easy to be attacked by the enemies inside and outside the Guan. Moreover, Zijin Pass is far away from Metasequoia City, and lacks the convenience of supply, so it will suddenly become a lonely army! ”

Yudra continued, "The county lord is right. Zijin Pass is now a hot potato, and it is not difficult to beat it down, but it is difficult to defend it. According to the humble opinion of the lowly position, instead of taking the risk of taking the pass and becoming a lone army, it is better to temporarily withdraw the troops and return to Metasequoia City. ”

Li Jiangyao shook his head when he heard this, and his tone was extremely firm: "I know that now is indeed not the best time to seize the Zijin Pass. However, if Gema can really resist the pressure, categorically ignore the serious consequences of the loss of Zijin Pass, and not take advantage of the situation we have set, then we will change the feint attack to a real attack, and at the same time send troops to occupy Shengyu Pass, completely cutting off the connection between the western Xinjiang and the Turkic army. ”

Everyone was stunned when they heard this, and looked at Li Jiangyao curiously, waiting for him to continue talking.

I only heard Li Jiangyao continue: "First pacify the ghost desert in Western Xinjiang, and then re-control the two passes, this is certainly the safest plan." However, there are also many uncertainties. For example, if the Turkic army of the Eastern Crusade suddenly sends troops back to the western frontier to assist in the defense of Gurma's Yakutia army, it will inevitably increase the difficulty of our army to regain the lost territory. After all, as long as Zijin Pass and Shengyu Pass are still in the hands of the enemy, the situation of the other party's dispatch of troops and freedom of movement will not change. On the contrary, if Gema really ignores our attack on Zijin Pass and allows our army to control this choke point, even if the Turkic supply traffic is cut off for a short time, it will definitely cause Ashina to feel uneasy. At that time, even if the enemy forces inside and outside the pass attack at the same time, we still have enough time to retreat calmly and return to Metasequoia City to wait for the battle, and Gemma's life may not be guaranteed. ”

Xu Youchang pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "I understand what you mean, winning the pass is winning the pass, but you don't necessarily have to defend it." Although this is different from the plan we agreed on before, it is equivalent to a large extent involving the forces of the Turks advancing eastward, and it is still very beneficial to the overall situation of the war. It's just that attacking Zijin Pass in advance will be a bit of a startling thing, which makes the Turks dare not take the two levels lightly, and it also makes it more difficult for us to recapture the two levels in the future. ”

"I'm not afraid to startle the snake." Xie Tanzhi smiled calmly: "Our strength in the western Xinjiang is growing day by day, and the Turks will be on guard sooner or later, and it is impossible to leave Zijin Pass and Shengyu Pass alone. This time, if you suddenly mess with them, maybe you can take the opportunity to secretly bury some means in it, leaving enough foreshadowing for the next time. ”

Li Jiangyao thought the same as he thought, and said happily: "Then let's divide this battle into two levels." The first step was to attract reinforcements from Gema and Yakutia by feintting at Zijin Pass, and ambush them halfway; If this plan fails, then take advantage of the situation to wave the army to attack the city directly, occupy Zijin Pass and Shengyu Pass, leave a small number of mobile troops to garrison, and the rest of the main force quickly return to the division, and then find another opportunity to fight a decisive battle with Gema. ”

When the generals heard this, they also agreed.

Li Jiangyao nodded, pointed to the map and continued to analyze: "Starting from Wulan City, along the Silk Road trade route to Zijin Pass, it is closer than walking from Metasequoia. At the same time, because the combat effectiveness and loyalty of the Western Xinjiang Consolidated Army really worried him, and it was very unreliable to use it against the main force of the Zhenjiang Army, Gema would inevitably order the reinforcements from the Western Continent to advance quickly, or to strengthen the defensive strength of Zijin Pass, or to carry out a surprise attack from the rear of our army. ”

Xu Youchang and Xie Tanzhi glanced at each other and nodded together.

Li Jiangyao's eyes were burning, and he said loudly: "I order, Xu Youchang ......"

"Humble duty!"

"You command the First, Second, and Fourth Armies, form an assault corps, and advance in the direction of Zijin Pass. Along the way, you have to make a lot of noise, fanfare, and constantly attack the city to put a heavy pressure on the enemy! ”

Xu Youchang gave a standard military salute: "Obey!" ”

Li Jiangyao turned his head and ordered Huo Liya: "You are responsible for leading the Third Army, as well as the newly formed Fifth Army and the Sixth Army, coordinating the defense of Metasequoia City and Yarumqi Mountain, and closely guarding against the enemy's sneak attack. ”

"I understand, please rest assured." Horia replied solemnly.

"Yudra, from now on, the Intelligence Department will start two things," Li Jiangyao continued to order: "On the one hand, it is specifically aimed at Ulan City and the main vassal courts, and disseminates the news that our army is about to attack Zijin Pass; On the other hand, we should make every effort to collect the orders and movements of the enemy's various units, and report to the commander in a timely manner. ”

Yudra arched his hand: "Obey!" The lowly will set off tonight and rush to Ulan City with the elite forces of the Intelligence Department to ensure that all important news can be delivered to the adults as soon as possible. ”

Li Jiangyao nodded, and said to Xie Tan: "Old Xie, are you interested in going to the battlefield with me?" How about we lead the white-robed army to an ambush? ”

"Hahaha, since the adults have such Yaxing, they will naturally be accompanied." Xie Tanzhi smiled heartily.

-

Shanshan State Ulan City, Western Xinjiang Governor's Palace.

Between the large tents, the tempting aroma of roast beef and roast sheep wafts everywhere, and the hot orchids are either singing and dancing with music, or chasing and playing with the soldiers in the camp with fine wine.

The reason why this place is so lively today is that it is a good day for the governor of Western Xinjiang, Gema Khan.

First, today coincided with his 60th birthday, and the generals were in a commotion, and they all came to celebrate his birthday; Second, the long-awaited reinforcements finally entered the western frontier smoothly.

Whether it is in the face of the provocation of the Zhenjiang Army or the instability factors within the Western Xinjiang Consolidated Army, Gema has now become full of confidence.

The Yelun tribe army that was ordered to rush to the aid this time, with a total of more than 69,000 people, was a pure cavalry unit. Commanded by Gemma's own brother, the Duke of Belen, after a long journey of more than a month, this army crossed the Kanas Lake three days earlier and entered the hinterland of the western frontier to hide secretly.

After issuing an order for Belen and them to rest for a while, Gemar Khan immediately divided his troops into six columns, and launched a large-scale raid and clearance battle nearby with the northwestern military town as the fulcrum.

With cavalry against cavalry and maneuver against maneuver, the target is to lock on the light cavalry of the Zhenjiang Army, and strive to completely wipe out this annoying guerrilla force within one to two months.

For this purge battle, Gema is very confident.

He summed up the lesson and believed that the reason why the Zhenjiang army was able to frequently succeed and gain the upper hand some time ago was mainly because there were their intelligence eyelines everywhere in Western Xinjiang. Those hateful spies are keeping a close eye on the Yakutia Regiment and the Western Xinjiang Consolidated Army stationed in the town of the Twelfth Army, and the slightest movement on his side can be known in advance, and the other party can fight or flee and deal with it freely.

It's not that the sons and daughters of his subordinates are not strong, it's really Li Jiangyao who is too cunning!

Moreover, due to the contradictions within the integrated army in Western Xinjiang, Gema was inevitably a little constrained when using troops. Sending all those soft eggs out of the western frontier is not enough to stuff the light cavalry; All the Yakut warriors of the descendants were sent into battle, and they were worried that one of them would not pay attention and that their backyard would catch fire.

If the two sides act together, they will not wait for the Zhenjiang army to meet, and they will have to fight first.

And now, the situation has finally changed.

Nearly 70,000 fresh troops came to the western Xinjiang, and as long as they did not enter the city, did not station, and deliberately concealed their whereabouts, it could be guaranteed that the spies of the Zhenjiang army would not find the slightest trace within three to five months. Moreover, this support unit is a battle-hardened and well-trained elite man, and if you let go of your hands and feet to attack the light cavalry of Zhenjiang, it is as easy as hunting on the grassland.

"Taking advantage of the high mobility of the cavalry, fighting rush warfare and movement warfare, we Turks are the true ancestors!"

Gema Khan smiled confidently: "I want the remnants of the Holy Tang to take a good look at how the people on horseback play!" ”

This firm confidence suddenly made Gema feel a lot more relaxed, so he took the opportunity of his birthday to invite all his cronies and generals to the king's tent, and had a happy and lively time.

At this moment, Gema Khan was half-lying and half-leaning on the soft felt mat, hugging two beautiful orchids left and right, waiting for the beauties to feed him roasted meat and fresh fruits, while smiling and enjoying the singing and dancing performance in the tent.

The Hu beauty on the right took the wine in her mouth, leaned into Gema's big mouth and slowly poured the wine, and then took advantage of the situation to gently tease with her tongue. He laughed, got up, held the beautiful woman in his arms, and shouted to the other generals: "You drink first, this king will do something in the back, and come when he goes!" ”

The generals knew that he was not doing good deeds, and they whistled and heckled, shouting that the khan did not need to avoid it, and that he could just be here. When Gemma heard this, she couldn't help but grin and curse, and Orchid shyly buried her head in his arms.

While laughing, a personal guard general hurriedly walked into the tent from outside, pushed away a few dancing girls who were blocking the way, and then shouted: "Khan, it's not good! The Zhenjiang army moved! The target may be Zijin Pass! ”