Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 341 The King of Ideas of the Tang Dynasty

In the deep canyon, the white snow is gradually melting, but the main tone of the world is still monotonous white.

The bare trees blocked out the already weak sunlight, making the environment very dark.

A slowly melting stream runs across the canyon, reflecting the cold light of the early spring sun that occasionally shines through the treetops.

Winter is over, but not completely gone.

The sound of wheels and footsteps broke the silence.

A large convoy slowly drove to the entrance of the canyon.

The porters who were carrying the goods reached the pass and stopped subconsciously.

The leader of the convoy was a sergeant in the Ming army. Upon seeing this, he immediately cracked his whip, making a crisp sound on the frozen ground.

"Don't stop, keep going! The days are short in winter and it will be dark soon!"

He urged hastily.

The civilians looked at their leader, who was fully armed with standard Ming armor, and then looked at their own cloth clothes, and they were embarrassed:
"General, are there any Tang troops ambushing us ahead?"

"What the hell are these Tang troops? This route is a mountain trail we just discovered. They didn't even know there was such a road. How could they have set up an ambush in advance?" the team leader cursed.

The civilians were still worried:

"My fellow villager was attacked by the Tang army last time when he was transporting grain, and he was shot in the buttocks..."

"Stop talking nonsense. When it gets dark, the wild wolves and bears will eat your entire butt!" The team leader waved his whip impatiently.

Under his threat, everyone set off again with grumbles.

The wheels continued to turn slowly, and the Ming army's transport team walked cautiously on the mountain path.

No one dared to speak during the whole process, as if they were afraid of awakening the monster sleeping in the deep mountains and forests.

Although the team leader repeatedly assured the civilians of their safety along the way, he himself was uncertain. He looked at the cliffs on both sides with worry, and was always alert to every tree and blade of grass around him.

The main force of the Ming army led by Li Jing and Li Weigong had been hiding on the Daizhou front for an entire winter.

With nearly 100,000 soldiers, even if they just lie still, a huge amount of supplies will be consumed every day.

What's more, they had to deal with the Tang army's raids frequently, which consumed a lot of resources.

However, the daily supplies they received were very little, and they were always in a state of deficit.

It’s not because the Ming Dynasty’s logistics are not strong enough.

It was true that the Tang army under the command of Li Shimin had become so ruthless in robbing grain transports.

The Ming Dynasty's complex logistical network, which spread across mountains and forests, was completely plundered by the Tang army.

I really don't know how they dug out these things.

In wars throughout history, the tactic of robbing food supply routes has been used repeatedly by generals.

But there are also different levels of ability to use it...

Swish, a noise suddenly came from the dense forest.

"Who?!" The leader suddenly drew out his sword, and the laborers immediately stopped and looked around nervously.

A weasel emerged from the bushes, looked at the frightened upright apes curiously, then turned back and burrowed into the snow again.

"Tsk, it's okay, it was just a false alarm."

The leader withdrew the knife.

The laborers also breathed a sigh of relief, picked up their loads and were about to set off again.

With a whoosh, there was a sound of breaking through the air.

A cold arrow shot out from the dense forest and hit a civilian's cloth clothes straight, making a tinkling sound.

"kill!"

A group of Tang troops rushed out from the hillsides on both sides, blocked the head, cut off the tail, and pinched the middle, intercepting the transport team with familiarity.

"I am Li Daliang! Surrender and I will spare your life..."

Before the Tang army general could finish his words, an arrow grazed his ear and embedded itself firmly into the frozen ground behind him, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

The timid "leader"'s expression changed, his eyes were full of determination, the corners of his mouth were curled up, and even Dai Ze had a sense of pleasure of revenge.

It was none other than the rookie of the Ming Dynasty, the young general Xue Rengui, who had been deprived of food and was in a state of confusion!

He drew out his sword and shouted majestically:
"The enemy has taken the bait! Hit them!"

The "civilians" had already torn off their camouflage cloth, revealing the armor hidden under their thick winter clothes.

The "groom" untied the warhorse, jumped on the horse's back, and transformed himself into a cavalryman.

The "civilian laborer" near the carriage immediately opened the boxes on the carriage and quickly distributed guns, spears, bows and crossbows to his comrades.

The movements were so skillful that it was obvious that they had been practiced for a long time.

This transport team is actually the Ming army going fishing!

"Oops, I fell into a trap!"

Li Daliang thought it was not good and shouted:
"withdraw!"

"Where to escape!"

Naturally, the Ming army would not miss this excellent combat opportunity. The "leader" Xue Rengui immediately commanded his soldiers to first fire a volley of arrows with bows and arrows, and then the cavalry went around the rear and the infantry followed to attack.

They launched a counter-encirclement against the three Tang troops that had split up and attacked them.

"The Ming army is raised by slaves, the top beam is not straight and the bottom beam is crooked, the Liaodong people are really cunning!"

Li Daliang cursed inwardly.

Since we can’t retreat, we might as well fight!

He immediately raised his arms and shouted:
"Deus ex machina!"

The quiet canyon immediately turned into a killing battlefield. For a while, the sound of people and horses neighing was endless, the smell of blood was everywhere.

The two tigers fought each other, neither of them giving in. The battle lasted until the sky was dark and the sun was setting.

Because it was a just sneak attack and was met with a shameless counterattack, the Tang army was caught off guard.

Although they quickly recovered from the shock, they formed a queue under the command of Li Daliang.

However, losing the initiative still put them at a disadvantage from the start.

In addition, the formation was divided into three sections and surrounded, making the entire battle very unfavorable for them.

Finally, after paying a huge price in casualties, the remnants of the Tang army retreated in disgrace. Li Daliang led a few light cavalrymen and escaped with his life.

…………

"It's so cool to be raised by a maid!"

Xue Rengui returned to the camp victoriously, full of high spirits, and turned back into the young general in fine clothes and riding a vigorous horse.

He returned to the military tent and immediately knelt down to thank the commander Li Jing:
"Thank you, General Manager, for giving me the opportunity to avenge my previous humiliation!"

Normally, for something as trivial as fishing, there is no need for General Xue Rengui to lead the team personally.

But when he heard that he could give the chicken-stealing Tang Jun a severe slap in the face, Xiao Xue could no longer hold back his excitement and volunteered to go into battle himself.

Unexpectedly, the grain-robbing troops of the Tang army on the opposite side were also a high-end version, led by professional worker Li Daliang himself.

The absolute number of troops brought by each side may not be large, but they are undoubtedly the elite among the elite.

It was a tit-for-tat battle, and after a resounding victory, not only did the morale of the Tang army suffer a great blow, but the prestige of the Ming Dynasty also increased.

It also allowed Xue Rengui to vent a lot of his anger, and the haze since the first Central Plains War was swept away.

"The results of this battle are indeed not small, as we have eliminated the most valuable elite troops of the Tang Army.

"They should think twice before robbing food in the future."

Li Jing gently congratulated his younger brother on his achievement.

However, this lukewarm attitude and the silence of others made Xue Rengui sense something unusual.

"Li Weigong, what happened? Could it be that... the Tang army's looting of the grain route was fake, and they directly looted the camp?"

Xue Rengui asked anxiously.

Li Jing sighed softly:

"Nothing happened. Or rather, nothing 'special' happened."

Xue Rengui was full of questions and asked:

"What's going on? Please tell me clearly."

Hou Junji said in a muffled voice:

"What else can we do? Isn't it just that we have run out of food?"

No food... Xue Rengui's mood, which had just reached the top of the mountain, fell back to the bottom again.

Once he calmed down, he gradually returned to the dire situation.

Yes, this battle was indeed fought beautifully.

But so what?

A tactical victory cannot change the strategic dilemma of the Ming army.

The supply routes were still under serious threat from the Tang army, not a single grain of food could be transported in from the rear, and supplies were still seriously insufficient.

What’s even more terrifying is that the location of today’s counter-ambush is actually a supply route that the Ming army had just developed and has not yet been officially put into use.

As a result, I just casually threw the hook into the sand and actually caught a big fish. It was really embarrassing.

To what extent did the Tang army penetrate the rear of the Ming army...

"Although Duke Wei had made sufficient preparations, he did not expect that the Tang army's blockade would be so tight..."

Li Daozon scratched his scalp.

The Ming army underestimated the other side's determination to fight against them.

They actually carried out a comprehensive blockade of the Daizhou camp——

In fact, it is not rigorous to say "all-round" because the soldiers are free to act.

As long as you don't do anything stupid and taunt people under the city of Jinyang, you can wander around the front line without worrying about being shot in the head.

The Tang army did not lock up the main body of the Ming army, because it was impossible to do so.

It would be better to let them wander around and focus on the blockade logistics.

Want to occupy Yangqu County? You are welcome.

It's even possible to attack Jinyang City. As long as you are not afraid of the debuff of insufficient supplies and can still bang your head against the city wall.

Li Shimin set up an air wall around the Ming army.

The Ming army seemed to be able to go anywhere, but in fact they were restricted everywhere.

"For the entire winter, almost no rice crossed the Taihang Mountains. Even if we stocked up on food in advance, the expenses of tens of thousands of troops would run out sooner or later...

"Is this the strength of General Tiance?"

Su Dingfang trembled.

He just wanted to go back to Pingzhou and be a police officer.

Li Jing comforted:
"Fighting is mutual. We are struggling, but it may not be easy for the other side either.

"To set up a dragnet in the vast mountainous area, especially in the cold winter and early spring, the Tang army's manpower and material resources must be almost exhausted..."

"You said this last time, Lord Wei. When will the Tang army reach its limit?" Hou Junji interrupted in a muffled voice.

This troublemaker was usually hard to discipline, and even more so after being passively beaten for a whole winter.

Li Jing was not annoyed by his subordinate's contradiction and responded calmly:

"Both sides are trying to consume each other, and the competition is about who can hold out the longest. Whoever can't hold his breath first will reach his limit."

"Our confidence comes from the food we stored before, while the Tang army's confidence comes from the entire Tang Dynasty!"

Hou Junji raised his voice and clenched his fists.

"We have been cut off from food for the entire winter, while the enemy has an endless supply. How can we outlast them?"

Li Jing patiently explained:

"Using our army to drain the entire Tang Dynasty's national strength is the basic strategy of this war."

"But how can one city defeat an entire country?" Hou Junji responded.

Lao Hou's argument was supported by others.

Li Daozong said:

"If our main forces are defeated, I'm afraid the situation will be even more disadvantageous, right?"

"Yes, yes." The generals echoed.

Li Jing listened to everyone's opinions calmly and asked:

"So what are you going to do?"

"We should move." Hou Junji clenched his fists.

Li Jing frowned:
"I believe Jun Ji would not say something as stupid as 'attack Jinyang by force', right?"

Hou Junji chuckled:
"I have a plan."

…………

"Your Majesty, I have fallen into a trap and lost over a hundred elite soldiers. Your Majesty, please punish me."

In Jinyang Prefecture, Li Daliang apologized to Li Shimin with a bruised face.

Even though wars in ancient times often involved tens or millions of people, people still treated hundreds of people as nothing.

The "special forces" who are wearing full helmets and armor, are experienced, well-trained, and can hide in the mountains and forests behind enemy lines for ten days or half a month without losing morale have always been the country's treasure in every era.

At least Brother Li Shiji's heart is bleeding.

To train a soldier like this, I wonder how many times as much copper coins as his weight would be spent. You, Li Daliang, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, actually lost hundreds of them at once. You are really selling your father's land without any regrets...

However, Li Shimin was very open-minded.

"If you walk by the river often, you will get your feet wet. You don't have to blame yourself too much. It's more important to retreat and rest to heal your wounds."

The matter was just passed over lightly.

One or two tactical failures will not affect the overall strategic situation.

The current strategic situation of Datang is——

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out in Jinyang for much longer."

After Li Daliang limped out, Li Shiji went straight to the point.

"Supply is becoming increasingly difficult, and the supplies available in the rear are becoming less and less. Soldiers must reduce their outings to reduce unnecessary food losses..."

In a word, the Tang army also encountered supply problems.

Just as Li Jing expected.

Although the Tang army's logistics lines were generally unobstructed and did not suffer from systematic and comprehensive blockages like the Ming army.

However, efficiency must also be considered when it comes to replenishment.

Jinyang is located in the middle of the Jinzhong Basin. The grain from Guanzhong had to be transported over mountains and across rivers, and there were huge losses along the way.

If we continue to provide aid like this, until the Ming army collapses, Your Majesty in Guanzhong will have to starve along with the common people.

What? Why not bring in food and fodder from other places?
Where to collect grain?
Central Plains? This place changed hands several times during the critical period of summer and autumn, which seriously affected local agricultural production. It was a blessing from our great ancestors that there was no famine.

Huguang, Jiangnan, Lianghuai, Bashu? The southern regions did provide grain - otherwise Chang'an would not have survived until now - but they could only provide a little.

Don’t think this is too little. This is the amount allocated by the southern forces out of consideration for our great-grandfather.

That place was already half-hearted about the imperial court in Chang'an, so it was impossible for them to devote themselves to it wholeheartedly.

After all, it was not Li Shimin who unified the south, but the two brothers Li Jing and Li Xiaogong, one civil and one military.

Now, one of the two brothers is in the Ming Dynasty across the street, and the other is dead. The real cause of death was solved by the boss of the Ming Dynasty (Li Ming).

They cannot make the southerners bleed or turn their knives against their old leaders.

If it weren't for Li Shimin who was ruling the Tang Dynasty, it would be hard to know which side the vast south would have taken in this battle between red and white.

As for the south, Guangdong, Guangxi and Jiaozhi...

Please help. It would be a blessing if they don't ask Guanzhong for food.

There are plenty of lychees, but it’s not the season now, and they can’t be shipped over even if the season is right.

In a word, Hou Junji was right.

The confrontation with the Ming army in Daizhou really put the entire Tang Dynasty on the line.

Don't overestimate the mobilization and transportation capabilities of feudal society.

"His Majesty."

Li Shiji solemnly advised:
"Should our army abandon Jinyang and retreat further to the Fenzhou line?"

Fenzhou is located in the south of Bingzhou, has a flat terrain, and is closer to the Yellow River, with convenient transportation, so the pressure on supply is much smaller.

But let the Tang army give up the entire Bingzhou...

"Jinyang is the birthplace of our dynasty. Losing this city would be a bad omen.

"If Jinyang is lost, Shanxi will be in danger. If the whole of Shanxi is not protected, the whole world will fall."

Guo Xiaoke objected.

Ashina She'er also agreed:

"Besides, we have been building fortifications in Jinyang for a long time. How can we just give them up?"

Li Shiji insisted on his own opinion:
"If we continue to consume our resources here, the rear will collapse before the front line."

The stubbornness led to a stalemate between the two sides.

The old way, please let Your Majesty make the decision.

"It's just a detail, no need to worry about it." Li Shimin did not take the dispute between the two sides seriously at all.

The generals present were puzzled by their lord's indifferent attitude.

It is no exaggeration to say that whether to defend or retreat is related to the rise and fall of a country. Is there anything more important than this?

"What I am more concerned about is what Li Jing and others eat." Li Shimin said slowly.

"what?"

All the generals looked at each other.

What kind of question is this? Is this question important?
"We have basically figured out their logistics channels. The maximum capacity of each route can be estimated, and the daily consumption of the enemy army can also be estimated.

"In this way, we can estimate how much food Li Jing can store in Daizhou before our army starts harassing the enemy."

Li Shimin said meaningfully:

"That is to say, we can calculate how much food the Ming army could store before the war, and how long they could stay in the camp and eat up all the food..."

All the generals under his command were silent.

No one dared to disturb General Tian Ce's deduction.

Li Shimin spoke faster and faster, and his words became more and more unclear.

But his eyes were dancing smartly, as if a detailed account book was spread out in front of him.

"According to my calculations, the Ming army's food reserves should be almost exhausted."

Li Shiji noticed a detail that His Majesty the Supreme Emperor used the word "也".

The Tang army was gritting its teeth and holding on, and so was the Ming army.
In this long war of attrition, both sides are pushing themselves to the limit.

Perseverance leads to victory. Whoever gives up first will fail and lose everything.

Li Shimin withdrew his gaze from the void and looked at the generals.

"My dear ministers, even a desperate dog will jump over the wall.

"Guess, will the other side take the initiative to offer an opportunity to break the situation?"

Li Shiji suddenly realized:
"Your Majesty, what you mean is... the enemy might fall into your trap and attack Jinyang on their own initiative?"

The only difference between fighting a siege when you are only one breath away and committing suicide is that you will die faster.

"What will they do..."

Li Shimin did not comment, slowly lay down on the couch, looked up at the sky and closed his eyes.

A long time passed like this, and then there was no movement.

Just when everyone thought that Lao Li had fallen into a state of confusion again.

He spoke suddenly.

"I have a plan."

(End of this chapter)