Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 349: General Tiance's Tactics

It is well known that General Tian Ce is best at defensive counterattacks.

But how to resist Li Shimin's defensive counterattack is unknown to everyone.

You know he's going to play like this, but you just can't defend against it.

It's quite despairing.

Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui are in this situation now.

"Damn Old Li! Hasn't he been hiding all this time? Why did he come out of his shell and fight back today?"

On the way of retreat, Su Dingfang was so angry that he didn't care about the face of his immediate superior, the biological father, and started cursing.

Xue Rengui also had a bitter look on his face:
"The other side didn't fight back during our previous attacks. I'm afraid it was just to make us let down our guard..."

hiss!
Su Dingfang pulled the reins suddenly and braked the horse slamming, almost causing the horse to stand up.

Xue Rengui was shocked:
"Old Su, what are you doing? Stop wasting time and retreat!"

"We can't retreat!" Su Dingfang's expression was quite serious:
"The army was defeated like a mountain!"

To use an inappropriate analogy, retreat is like having diarrhea.

You can hold your breath if you hold it, but if you let go a little, you will plummet three thousand feet.

Reaping the defeated soldiers was the strong point of Li Shimin and his cavalry, and the outcome for the loser was often not very good.

"you're right!"

Xue Rengui was startled again, and quickly reined in his horse, waving his flag, and issuing orders one after another:

"All troops immediately stop marching and hold their ground! The rear guards will form a battle array, and the cavalry on both wings will be ready to fight off the pursuers! Send an order to our front camp to request help!"

Let the retreating defeated army turn around and fight back, just like a high-speed sailboat turning 180 degrees on the spot with full wind.

If you are not careful, it will be torn into pieces and the tissue will disintegrate.

However, the Ming army was the Ming army after all, and its organization was quite guaranteed.

Under the commander's urgent order, they actually turned their guns around immediately, fearlessly faced the pursuers, and were ready for battle.

"Good soldier!"

The Tang army's headquarters was located on the high ground in the rear, and Li Shiji was paying close attention to the situation. When he saw the retreating Ming army soldiers turn 180 degrees and form a formation to meet the enemy, as smooth and fluid as if they were one person, he subconsciously sighed.

In terms of command tactics, Old Su and Xiao Xue are still inferior to Li Shiji.

However, the excellent combat skills and organizational ability of the Ming army soldiers made up for this.

"These great soldiers are even better at fighting than our Tang army. What a shame, what a shame..."

Li Shiji couldn't help but feel a sense of cherishing talent.

Being of the same origin, if the Tang and Ming armies could unite, they would be absolutely invincible, able to easily and happily push all the barbarians into the sea without having to come up with a half-baked "control" policy.

However, regret is regret, and work is work.

The two sides were in a hostile relationship of one side being the other, and as the general manager of the Tang army, he conscientiously issued an order to wipe out the "remnant bandits":

"The cavalry will outflank them, the infantry will press forward, and we will surround and annihilate them!"

He thought that every bit of the enemy he could eat was a bit of the enemy he could eat.

"You're wrong to think so."

A deep but slightly ambiguous voice sounded behind Chief Steward Li.

Li Shiji was startled and turned back subconsciously.

It turned out to be His Majesty Li Shimin, who came to the Shuozhou front in person in his carriage!

"Your Majesty?! Aren't you in Daizhou?"

Li Shiji almost screamed.

As mentioned before, the current battle situation on the front line is like a thousand-layer pancake. What is between the Tang army's main camp in Daizhou in the south and the Tang army's camp outside Shuozhou City in the north?

It’s nothing, it’s just the large Ming army led by Li Jing.

Considering that Your Majesty cannot fly, I dare not even imagine how terrifying it would be to bypass the entire Ming army.

"Your Majesty, I am here on the front line. How can you put yourself in danger..." Li Shiji felt a chill in his spine, and his back was immediately covered in cold sweat.

"I have led the charge and put myself in danger many times in my life, and this time is no exception."

Li Shimin said:

"As the commander-in-chief, how can I sit back and wait when a war is imminent? I am just a little slow in marching, but that doesn't mean I can't move at all!"

As a horse emperor who lost six war horses due to his recklessness, a cerebral infarction could not stop him from rushing to the front line and taking part in the event.

How can such a grand battle be without General Tian Ce!
Li Shiji wanted to persuade him again, but was interrupted by the emperor waving his hand impatiently:

“Don’t waste your time.

"You are always dragging your feet when doing things. I have been sitting in Daizhou for a few days but have not received any good news from you, so I have no choice but to come out in person."

Ever since the infarction of his brain blood vessels opened up his mind, Li Shimin became more and more self-indulgent, his words became more and more sharp-tongued, and he became more and more like one of his unfilial sons.

Li Shiji was so embarrassed that his face turned red and white, and with a bit of military general's unwillingness, he brought the topic back to the main business:

"Your Majesty, why did you criticize my tactics? Shouldn't we have encircled and surrounded the fleeing troops?"

Li Shimin nodded: "Yes, it shouldn't be."

Li Shiji was even more unconvinced:

"I am stupid and cannot fathom the emperor's intention. If I cannot surround the enemy, won't this turn a war of annihilation into a war of defeat?"

Li Shimin curled his lips and nodded:
"It's to fight the rout."

The boss's attitude was so strange that Li Shiji was completely confused.

Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor also feels pity for the Ming army soldiers and cannot bear to use harsh measures against them, so he wants to show leniency to them?
No way……

"So, your strategic layout is not good. What is the goal of our army, world achievements?" Li Shimin asked back.

"Uh... destroy Li Jing's troops and reverse the decline of our dynasty in one fell swoop?" Li Shiji answered tentatively.

"Yes, our target has always been Li Jing's main force." Li Shimin reprimanded:
“You said it well, but why do you only focus on the vanguard troops in front of you in actual combat?

"Only by showing leniency to Su and Xue's troops can we wipe out Li Jing's troops in one fell swoop!"

Li Shiji fell into deep thought.

There may be some truth to this paradoxical statement, but it is unlikely that there is some truth to it.

"Just watch for now."

Li Shimin was too lazy to deal with his stupid subordinates. He focused all his attention on the front line and rolled up his sleeves to show off his skills.

"Pass on my order. Use the infantry to attack the front of Su and Xue's army. The cavalry on both wings, do not move!"

An excited smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

…………

"When Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui led their troops to retreat, they were counterattacked by the enemy and their retreat was cut off by the enemy cavalry. Do they need support?"

In the base camp, Li Jing repeatedly chewed on the meaning of this information.

"Tsk, you incompetent guy. You went to hit someone and got beaten back. Can't you crawl back by yourself? You even have the nerve to ask for help!" Hou Junji's attitude was not very friendly.

Li Dao Zong frowned upon hearing this and said,

"Jun Ji, how can you say that? How can you remain calm when your allies are in trouble?
"The Tang army has repeatedly held its ground, but this time they took advantage of our army's let down of guard to launch a sudden counterattack. This was clearly a long-planned plan."

The people of the Tang Dynasty may not have heard of the fable of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", but they still understood the essence of the story.

"Tsk... I only blamed them for not being careful during their march, but I didn't say they were indifferent to the danger."

Hou Junji stood up from his seat, bowed hastily to the chief steward Li Jing, and said:

“Let me support them.

"The outpost troops that they tricked into were all veteran elites. It would be heartbreaking if they were annihilated."

Although Hou Junji had a rebellious character, his relationship with his colleagues was just that.

However, his loyalty to the Ming Dynasty and the great cause of Emperor Li Ming was impeccable.

At this point, Lao Hou is also very upset.

Isn't it because the main force has run out of supplies and cannot move that Lao Su and Xiao Xue were sent to lead the elite troops to fight the outpost battle?

Now they come to ask for support from the large troops.

So what was the point of sending out outposts in the first place? It would be better to send out the main force directly and rush over in one go.

"Thank you for your help." Li Jing nodded slightly in approval:

"Although Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui were caught off guard, they held their ground when they were pursued to prevent their troops from retreating. This strategy was sound.

"Jun Ji, you don't have to be too harsh on them."

Hou Junji snorted disdainfully:
"Got it." After saying that, he put his helmet in his pocket and was ready to attack.

Before leaving the main tent, the messenger came to report:
"The Tang army pressed forward across the board. Our vanguard was outnumbered and could not hold the battle line, so they began to collapse backwards.

"The situation is extremely critical, please come to our rescue as soon as possible!"

"What? Is it worth it for them to mobilize all their troops just to be a vanguard?!" Li Daozon stood up in surprise.

As far as he knows, the supply level of the Tang army is about the same as that of the Ming army, right?
How could an army with empty stomachs be mobilized so easily?

Just to encircle and suppress a small group of vanguards?

"It seems like they want to have a big fight! I'll stick with them till the end!"

There were flames in Hou Junji's eyes as he walked out of the tent, wishing he could jump on his horse and pick up his spear to knock the Tang thief off his horse.

"Wait a minute, 'rout'? Where are the enemy cavalry?"

A discordant voice made Li Daozon stunned for a moment, and Hou Junji curled his lips impatiently.

They both looked up at the peak at the same time.

Li Jing stood up at some point, his gentle expression disappeared, and his face became extremely cold.

There was no need to look at the map, the entire battlefield situation was already imprinted in his mind.

According to previous intelligence, Su and Xue's troops were surrounded by enemy cavalry and were in danger of being annihilated.

But how come it was “annihilation” the last moment and now it has become “crush”?

The difference of one word may imply major changes in the war situation.

This change, however, hides a crisis...

At this moment, Li Jing's entire temperament changed.

From the good-natured gentleman Li Weigong, he turned back into the fierce and murderous god of war Li Jing.

This made his two less talkative subordinates immediately become very talkative and willing to listen patiently.

The messenger was so frightened that he trembled with fear. He did not dare to delay and told everything he knew:
"Reporting to the Grand Steward, the enemy cavalry seems to have retreated to the two wings."

In other words, it was the enemy who took the initiative to open an escape route for our defeated soldiers?

Why should we turn a blind eye?
Do you have the virtue of loving life?
Li Jing narrowed his eyes, then immediately opened them wide and gave a hasty order:
"Order the entire army to set up camp firmly, guard the camp strictly, close the camp gates tightly, and never leave the camp even a step!"

what? !

Li Daozon was startled and subconsciously looked at Hou Junji who was about to leave the camp to support friendly forces.

Needless to say, Hou Junji's eyes widened wider and wider.

How can we support the vanguard troops that are crushed by the enemy if we don’t leave the camp?

Is it possible to use thought?
"Immediately inform Su and Xue that the main force will not provide support. Tell them to gather as many people as possible and retreat towards Taihang Mountain. They are not allowed to return to the camp!"

Li Jing's second order shocked everyone present.

So they closed the camp gate not to defend against the Tang army, but to defend against their own people? !
Isn't this going to sell out Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, and their troops?
Hou Junji's clenched fists trembled slightly.

If Li Jing's aura hadn't overwhelmed him, he would have ignored the order and would have disobeyed and left the camp long ago.

"Hurry up and go!" Li Jingli shouted.

The messenger shuddered: "Yes!"

He did not dare to look at Hou Junji and Li Daozon, whose eyes were bloodshot and looked like they were ready to devour someone. He also did not dare to look at the chief steward Li Jing, who looked like a god of death. He lowered his head and hurriedly retreated.

"call……"

After making the above controversial arrangements, Li Jing seemed to be hollowed out and sat back down lightly.

Hou Junji immediately yelled to his boss:

"Why?"

This was already the episode in which he had the best attitude. According to his normal temper, he would have gone up and given Li Jing two big electric cannons and then rushed out of the door.

He had reason to be angry.

Retreating to Taihang Mountain is a retreat if you want to put it nicely, but it is also a total annihilation if you want to put it bluntly.

It's not that all the soldiers were killed or captured, but the mountainous terrain was too complicated, the troop organization would be broken up and the organization would be lost.

Such troops have no combat effectiveness at all, and before the remnants are reorganized and rested, it is basically equivalent to the annihilation of the entire army.

The troops could be rescued, but they were sent away instead. What kind of tactic is this?
Sacrifice flow?

As if he had heard his men's thoughts, Li Jing spoke, his voice full of fatigue:
"Do you know what force can quickly cause an army to collapse?"

Hou Junji snorted, not wanting to deal with this boring question.

Although Li Dao Zong was very unhappy, he was still willing to deal with his leader for the time being:
"Is it a powerful enemy?"

Li Jing shook his head slightly:

"Wrong, it's the scattered friendly forces.

"Once the remaining soldiers flee back to the camp with the pursuers, the blow to the morale of the defenders will be immeasurable."

Hou and Li were speechless for a moment, thinking over these words again and again.

Li Jing slowly added:
“General Tian Ce is the best at this.

"His defensive counterattack tactics, from the beginning to the end, were all about the enemy's 'fleeing soldiers'."

…………

"Why hasn't our army's support arrived yet?!"

At the front line, Su Dingfang was shouting hoarsely.

His throat was almost smoking from shouting.

"Has something happened? Did the messenger fail to deliver our request for help?" Xue Rengui was also full of questions.

In order to prevent the troops from being captured by pursuers during their retreat, they resisted their instinct to flee, stayed where they were, and withstood the enemy's repeated and crazy attacks. They had done their best.

In theory, they were not far from the main camp, and the time they held out was enough for the reinforcements to fight back and forth several times.

However, they risked their lives and struggled hard, but did not even see the shadow of any reinforcements.

The two armies engaged in hand-to-hand combat, which was fierce and brutal.

Hour after hour passed, and the Ming army held out until sunset.

In the gradually dimming light, the Tang army surged forward in large numbers, as if there was no end in sight.

"This is really weird! Is the other side putting all its wealth on us?!"

Su Dingfang personally bent his bow and drew his arrow, shooting the enemy vanguard that rushed to the front of the formation, and couldn't help but complain fiercely during the battle.

"I don't know!" Xue Rengui was so exhausted from killing that he became unconscious.

But the killing on the battlefield also sharpened his senses.

In the fading sunlight, he discovered that the Tang cavalry blocking the rear of the troops seemed to have withdrawn.

He thought he had seen it wrong and rubbed his eyes.

You read it right, the road between our side and the main camp is smooth and there is no obstruction!

"What is the Tang army thinking about? They are attacking us from the front with all their might, but they are quietly withdrawing the encirclement from behind?"

Xue Rengui asked loudly to his old friend.

Su Dingfang didn't have much energy to think, so he just replied:
"Are you trying to lure us out of our position and then kill us?"

"I'm afraid that even if we were not tricked out, we would have been killed," Xue Rengui pointed forward.

In the shadow cast by the setting sun, the Tang army continued to emerge, almost within reach of the two of them.

"Why am I in danger with you again?"

Su Dingfang was helpless.

"Each each other."

Xue Rengui also smiled bitterly.

The two looked at each other and said in unison:

"withdraw?"

"it is good!"

With such a large army approaching, even for the Ming army with strong individual soldiers, it would be almost impossible to stay organized during the retreat, and they would be in danger of death.

However, support from the rear was slow to arrive, and if they continued to stay where they were, they would be doomed.

Although they were reluctant, they were forced to make the decision happily.

The wind was blowing, so we retreated back to the base camp to see why the support from our headquarters was so slow.

(End of this chapter)