Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 423 Who is the Real Wolf? [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"If Yu Gu loses contact for three days, there must be an ambush in the Nagqu River Valley!"

Li Chengqian slammed his fist heavily on the sand table, causing the Tibetan terrain model to shatter.

He stared at the position of the Tibetan central army on the sand table, his eyes bloodshot, and said in a deep voice:

"Songtsen Gampo is trying to make us think that his backyard is on fire, but in fact his main force is still waiting to encircle and annihilate us!"

Li Jing stroked his beard, his brows furrowed: "Your Highness, Xue Rengui has just sent news of a great victory at the Altun Mountains, but the Western Turkic cavalry are still harassing our supply lines. If the main Tibetan force does not retreat, our army is now attacked from both sides."

"Attacked from both sides?"

Li Chengqian sneered, then grabbed a cavalry model and planted it heavily in the rear of the Tibetan central army: "Then I'll make them be attacked from both sides!"

Then, he turned to Pei Xingjian and asked, "Where are the Black Armor Guards now?"

Pei Xingjian stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, we have arrived at Qiemo City, less than a hundred li from the Tibetan central army."

Li Chengqian thought for a moment, then a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes: "Send the order over, tell them to abandon their baggage and make a light-load raid!"

As he spoke, he drew an arc on the sand table with his finger, and then said in a firm voice, "Go around the northern foot of the Kunlun Mountains and head straight for Songtsen Gampo's command post! Tell Su Dingfang that there's no need to capture him alive. When you see the Tibetan king's banner, just bombard it with cannons!"

"Your Highness!"

Li Jing was taken aback: "The Black Armor Guards only have five thousand men, while the Tibetan central army has thirty thousand cavalry. This is like lambs to the slaughter!"

"No! It's like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth!"

Li Chengqian turned around abruptly, his eyes sharp as knives: "Songtsen Gampo thinks we'll wait for news from Yugushe, that we're afraid of his ambush. The more he thinks that way, the more we must catch him off guard!"

As he finished speaking, he pointed to the Starry Sea on the sand table: "General Li Ji, you will lead 10,000 infantrymen, carrying rockets and thunderbolts, to deploy along the river valley. As soon as the Tibetan army makes a move, use rockets to burn their supplies and thunderbolts to cut off their retreat!"

"promise!"

Li Ji bowed and accepted the order, but then hesitated and said, "Your Highness, what if the Black Armor Guards fail to succeed?"

"Nothing unexpected!"

Li Chengqian drew his sword, its cold gleam making his face pale: "If Su Dingfang is defeated, I will personally lead the Musketeers to avenge him! In this battle, either Tibet will perish, or we will die on the plateau! There is no third way!"

After saying this, he turned to Pei Xingjian and ordered again: "Pei Xingjian, immediately notify Xue Rengui and have him lead the Iron Pagoda to support Su Dingfang!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing and Li Ji's eyes lit up.

If that's the case, then things are going to get interesting.

"Report——!"

at this time.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent. A personal guard rushed in through the curtain, bowed, and reported, "Your Highness! The Wolf Fang Guard has returned! But there is only one person, General Yu Gushe, who said he brought back military intelligence!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian was initially delighted, then he and his generals exchanged bewildered glances.

"Quick! Bring the Yugu set in! It's warm here!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, the guards quickly carried Yu Gu She inside.

"Your Highness, this humble general has failed to complete the task you assigned."

Before even seeing Li Chengqian, Yu Gushe choked up and said, "The Nagqu Valley is a trap; Songtsen Gampo is trying to trick you into going there."

"Cough cough!"

At this point, he coughed twice violently, his voice weak and feeble, "We...the Wolf Fang Guard...were completely wiped out."

Before he could finish speaking, his head lolled to the side and he fainted.

"Medic! Quickly summon a medic to treat Yu Gushe!"

Li Chengqian hurriedly called out to the outside, and soon several military doctors rushed in. While trying to save Yu Gushe, they also called on their personal guards to carry him out.

As Li Chengqian watched them leave, his knuckles turned white as he held the model in his hand.

"Your Highness, it's fortunate that you reacted in time, otherwise Yu Gu She might not have been able to return."

Li Jing sighed and looked up at Li Chengqian.

"There are no constant victories in war, and sacrifice is inevitable."

Li Chengqian said calmly, then added solemnly, "But their blood will not be shed in vain."

After saying that, he placed the model heavily on the Starry Sea: "Pass on my order, the Black Armor Guards shall set off immediately, and General Li Ji shall deploy defenses overnight. At dawn tomorrow, I want to see the corpses of the Tibetans at Starry Sea!"

"Yes!"

The generals immediately accepted the order.

The wind outside the tent picked up, and the candlelight in the command tent flickered violently, casting the shadows of everyone on the wall like a pack of tigers about to pounce on their prey.

Meanwhile, in the central command tent of the Tibetan army.

Songtsen Gampo was raising a toast in celebration when he looked at the remnants of the Yugushe tribe circled on the map and laughed to those around him, "Li Chengqian, you're still a bit too green after all..."

Actually, he wasn't much older than Li Chengqian.

But Lu Dongzan spoke first: "Li Chengqian does have military ability and is quite brave, but compared to the Zanpu, he seems a bit immature."

"Yes!"

Qi Gan Chengji, who was standing nearby, immediately chimed in, "But some people are even planning to secretly pledge allegiance to Li Chengqian!"

"presumptuous!"

Lu Dongzan's expression changed drastically, and he wished he could kill Qigan Chengji, that traitor, with a single blow: "Who do you think you are? How dare you spout nonsense here!"

"I!"

Just as Qigan Chengji was about to retort, Songtsen Gampo waved his hand to interrupt him, saying, "Alright, what's past is past. Let's not make things unpleasant for everyone."

As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Dongzan and jokingly said with a smile, "However, this Tsangpo still has to remind you, Dalun, to be more discerning when judging people in the future, understand?"

"Yes, yes! The King is wise!" Qigan Chengji quickly echoed with a smile.

"Hahaha!"

Soon, the banquet was filled with laughter.

Only Lu Dongzan looked aggrieved, daring to be angry but not daring to speak out.

Although Songtsen Gampo's abilities were indeed outstanding, he was unaware that a black-armored cavalry had vanished like ghosts into the night of the Kunlun Mountains.

Little did they know that a bloody battle, one that would change the fate of the plateau, was about to begin on the icy plains of Xingxiuhai.

……

Five days later.

Northern foothills of the Kunlun Mountains.

Su Dingfang reined in his horse, and gravel rolled down from under its hooves.

Five thousand black-armored guards lay in ambush in the bushes. In the distance, the campfires of the Tibetan central army shone like stars, and Songtsen Gampo's wolf-head banner fluttered in the night wind, only three miles away from them.

"General, our cannons are ready."

Lieutenant Xi Junmai lowered his voice and pointed to the dozen or so cannons behind the rocks.

Su Dingfang licked his chapped lips and pondered, "Do we have enough artillery ammunition to blast open three camp gates?"

"enough!"

Xi Junmai uttered a single word with unwavering certainty.

He was able to participate in this great battle thanks to Pei Xingjian's recommendation.

Otherwise, he would still be working in the Chang'an government office.

But Su Dingfang immediately said, "If we can break through those three doors, let's do our best to do so."

After saying this, he glanced at the secret order in his hand: "But do not attack the commander's tent, attack the supply depot!"

Xi Junmai was slightly taken aback: "Didn't His Highness the Crown Prince ask you to..."

"His Highness the Crown Prince wants to disrupt the Tibetan formation!"

Su Dingfang sneered, then said in a deep voice, "That Songtsen Gampo is extremely cunning; his command tent must be a trap. Burning his provisions will be more effective than killing him!"

"Yes, General, you're right. I'll make the arrangements right away!"

Before long, Xi Junmai went out to carry out Su Dingfang's orders.

About half an hour later, a squad of black-armored guards responsible for operating firearms appeared near the camp.

None of them spoke; the only sound was the soft cracking of their clenched fingers.

Su Dingfang's gaze sharpened, and he waved his hand directly: "Light the fire!"

More than a dozen streaks of fire shot out from behind the rocks and crashed into the main Tibetan camp.

"Boom——!"

The loud noise shook the mountainside, and the Tibetan camp was thrown into chaos.

"kill--!"

Su Dingfang drew his sword, and the black-armored guards surged down the steep slope like a tide, heading straight for the supply camp.

"what happened!?"

Songtsen Gampo crawled out of his command tent, his eyes bloodshot as he watched the black-armored guards rushing towards the supply depot: "Send in the personal guard! Protect the supplies!"

The Tibetan cavalry hastily engaged in battle, their Tang swords cleaving open the grain granaries, tossing torches inside, and flames shot skyward. The Tibetan soldiers were thrown into chaos as they rushed to put out the fire, creating a breach in the encirclement.

"General! We can break through now!" Xi Junmai shouted.

Su Dingfang gazed at the wolf-head flag in the distance, then suddenly reined in his horse: "No, let them think we're trying to break out, but actually..."

As he spoke, he instantly pointed to the left flank of the Tibetan forces: "Charge over there! Xue Rengui's Iron Pagoda should be arriving soon, let's go and meet them!"

The black-armored guards changed direction, piercing the left wing of the Tibetan army like sharp knives.

Sure enough, a thunderous shout came from afar: "Xue Rengui is here!"

Su Dingfang laughed loudly: "Perfect timing! Brothers, follow me and fight our way out to join General Xue!"

The Tang army attacked from both sides, and the Tibetan cavalry were routed.

Su Dingfang charged left and right through the chaotic army when suddenly a cold arrow came flying at him. He dodged it to the side and with a backhand slash, severed the archer's wrist: "Songtsen Gampo's personal guard? Go back and tell your king that next time we meet, I will take his dog's head!"

When the Black Armor Guards and the Ironclad Pagoda met at the valley entrance, Su Dingfang reined in his horse, looked at the Tibetan camp behind him engulfed in flames, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"The show is about to begin!"

……

On the other side, Xingxiu Sea.

Li Chengqian stood on the ice cliff, with the frozen lake beneath his feet.

Li Ji's 10,000 infantrymen had already set up their positions on both sides of the valley, with rocket launchers positioned behind ice mounds and thunderbolts buried under the ice.

They were just waiting for the Tibetans to fall into the trap.

"Your Highness, Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui have joined forces!"

Li Jing handed over the victory report, his voice filled with joy: "They burned the Tibetan grain supplies and are heading towards Xingxiu Sea!"

Li Chengqian gripped the sword at his waist. Below the icy cliff, Tang soldiers were using ice picks to chisel through the ice, inserting sharpened icicles into the snow as tripping posts for their horses.

"They're here!" someone shouted.

On the distant horizon, a dark mass of cavalry surged forth, their wolf-head banners fluttering in the wind and snow.

Songtsen Gampo, having lost his supplies, was furious and mobilized his main force to fight a desperate battle at Xingxiu Sea.

"Launch rockets!" Li Ji ordered.

Hundreds of rockets streaked across the sky and crashed into the Tibetan cavalry.

The icy plains were barren of vegetation, and while rockets could not start a prairie fire, they did ignite the people, and screams of agony rose and fell.

Upon seeing this, Songtsen Gampo was terrified and immediately brandished his sword, roaring, "Charge! Whoever captures Li Chengqian alive will be rewarded with a thousand head of cattle and sheep!"

The Tibetan cavalry surged forward like a tide, their hooves crunching on the ice. Just as they were about to reach the front lines, Li Chengqian brandished his sword: "Detonate the thunderclap bomb!"

The thunderous explosions beneath the ice simultaneously shattered the ice surface, sending countless Tibetan soldiers and their horses tumbling into the ice caves.

But the cavalry behind them continued their charge, stepping over the corpses of their comrades as they crossed the frozen lake.

"Change the crossbow bolts!"

Li Ji roared and fired all his crossbows, but he couldn't stop the relentless advance of the enemy.

Li Chengqian drew his sword and charged down the icy cliff: "Musketeers, follow me!"

The roar of muskets echoed across the icy plains, and lead bullets exploded amidst the blood of the Tibetan cavalry.

Just as the battle was at a stalemate, shouts suddenly came from the eastern side of the ice field: "Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui are here! Tibetan barbarians, prepare to die!"

Li Chengqian looked up and saw the Black Armor Guards and the Ironclad Warriors attacking from the flank, their iron spears like a forest and their crossbows like a rainstorm, breaking through the Tibetan formation.

Xue Rengui charged straight at Li Chengqian with his iron spear: "Your Highness! Your humble servant has arrived!"

"Just in time!"

Li Chengqian's spirits lifted: "Follow me and cut down that wolf-headed banner!"

The morale of the Tang army soared, and they launched a pincer attack from three sides.

The Tibetan cavalry gradually weakened. Songtsen Gampo, seeing Li Chengqian approaching, turned his horse around and shouted, "Retreat! Back to Pibo City!"

The Tibetan soldiers fled like stray dogs, pursued and killed by the Tang army.

Li Chengqian reined in his horse and watched the wolf-head banner disappear into the wind and snow. Suddenly, he saw Yu Gushe being helped up by his personal guards in the distance.

"His Royal Highness!"

Yu Gu knelt on one knee and said, "This humble general has fortunately not failed in his mission!"

Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui also rode up and stood beside Li Chengqian.

Looking at the mountain of corpses on the icy plain, Li Jing smiled faintly: "Your Highness, we have won!"

"We won!"

Li Chengqian gazed at the distant snow-capped mountains, his voice steady: "But this is not the end. The wolf-head flag of Pibo City still stands, and our journey must continue."

"Long live the Tang Dynasty!"

"Long live Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The wind and snow swept across the icy plains, but could not drown out the shouts of the Tang army.

Su Dingfang patted Xue Rengui on the shoulder, and a personal guard handed Yu Gushe a piece of dry rations. Sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the ice, reflecting a blood-red light.

Those who were meant to live are alive.

Those unfinished missions are still waiting for them to complete.

When news of the victory spread throughout the military camp, candles were still lit in the commander's tent in Fue City.

Murong Shun was excited and wanted to come and offer his congratulations, but Li Chengqian stopped him.

After all, they haven't had the last laugh yet.

Li Chengqian unfolded a map of Tibet and pointed heavily between Pibo City and the Nagqu River Valley:
“Songtsen Gampo retreated to Pibo, intending to defend the city. However, he lost his supplies and his army’s morale was in disarray, making it the perfect time to pursue him.”

Su Dingfang had just removed his blood-stained armor when he heard this and frowned:

“Your Highness, although our army has won, the Black Armor Guards have suffered 30% casualties, and General Xue’s Iron Pagoda also needs to rest. Moreover, the Tibetans are familiar with the terrain of the plateau, and if we pursue them too hastily, we may suffer a backlash.”

"General Su is right."

Yu Gushe's left arm was wrapped in bandages, and his voice was still a little hoarse:
"I sent word back to my brothers who were captured in the Tanggula Mountains that the Tubo have ambushed a 'Snowy Wolf Riders' in the northern Tibetan grasslands. They are all veterans who specialize in night raids on the snowy plains."

“Those wolf riders are very cunning. They hide in caves during the day and come out at night to play ‘shadow kill’ with you. Our scouts have fallen into their hands several times.”

As he spoke, he suddenly put down his dry rations and pulled out a piece of barley cake, half-eaten and half-eaten, from his pocket:

"This was taken from Tibetan prisoners. It was mixed with sand and gravel. Their food supplies were really cut off, and even the nobles were eating this stuff."

Xue Rengui leaned his iron spear against a tent pillar; the bloodstains on the spearhead had congealed into a dark red.

“In my humble opinion, we should not pursue him, but we should not let him have any peace either. We can send a light cavalry force to harass his rear, burn his hay storage, and then have General Li Ji set up camp in the Nagqu River Valley, adopting a posture of strong attack, forcing Songtsen Gampo to be unable to attend to both ends.”

Li Chengqian traced the map with his fingertips, then suddenly looked at Li Jing: "What do you think, General Li?"

Li Jing stroked his beard and pondered: "Songtsen Gampo is a man who is tough on the outside but gentle on the inside. He was able to unify Tibet by using both kindness and force. Now that supplies are running low, his nobles will surely become disloyal. We only need to hold Fu'e City and cut off its trade routes to the Western Regions. Within three months, Tibet will naturally descend into chaos."

"Does the old general mean to surround them without attacking?"

A glint of light flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes.

"Exactly."

Li Jing nodded and added, "But we must be wary of Ashina Helu of the Western Turks. This man has always coveted the Tibetan grasslands. If he sees that Songtsen Gampo is weak, he might take the opportunity to move south. At that time, we can reap the benefits."

Suddenly, the sound of clashing armor came from outside the tent. Pei Xingjian entered and reported: "Your Highness, among the prisoners of the Wolf Fang Guard brought back by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there is a Tibetan official who says he has important matters to discuss and that he knows the lair of the Snow Region Wolf Riders."

Yu Gushe's eyes lit up: "Oh? Bring him in!"

When the Tibetan official was brought into the tent, he trembled like a leaf. Upon seeing Li Chengqian, he knelt down with a thud: "I am willing to surrender! If Your Highness the Crown Prince of the Great Tang spares my life, I am willing to offer you the deployment map of the Snowy Wolf Cavalry!"

Su Dingfang kicked him in the back of the knee: "Behave yourself! If you dare to play any tricks, I'll throw you to the wolves right now!"

The official hurriedly pulled a piece of sheepskin from his pocket and presented it with both hands: "I dare not deceive Your Highness! The main force of the Snowfield Wolf Cavalry is hidden in the ice caves of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains. There are natural caves there that can hide three thousand cavalrymen, and there is also an underground river that leads directly to the Nagqu River Valley. They come out from the underground river at night to harass others!"

Yu Gushe took the sheepskin and compared it with the terrain in his memory. His expression was solemn: "That's right, I've been to that ice cave. The entrance is covered by glaciers, and ordinary people can't find the entrance at all."

"What a fine Songtsen Gampo!"

Li Chengqian slammed his hand on the table: "They actually had such a trick up their sleeve."

As he spoke, he looked at Xue Rengui: "Commander Xue, take five thousand Iron Cavalry and go with this lowly official to Nyainqêntanglha Mountain. Make sure to destroy this Ice Cave!"

"promise!"

Xue Rengui accepted the order and then looked at Yu Gushe: "Commander Yu Gushe, you are familiar with the terrain, can you come with me?"

"No! His injuries haven't healed yet!" Li Chengqian refused outright.

But Yu Gushe refused: "Your Highness! I must go! My brothers are waiting for me to avenge them! I will not be able to eat or sleep until this grudge is avenged!"

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes as he recalled the image of Agula shielding him from death.

Upon seeing this, the generals looked at each other, speechless.

"Hey!"

Li Chengqian sighed helplessly. He knew how much the last attack had affected Yugushe. So he waved his hand and said, "Fine, fine, go if you want!"

"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Yu Gu broke into a smile through his tears, then drew his sword and left: "This time, I'm going to show those Snowfield Wolf Riders who the real wolves are!"

(End of this chapter)