My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

The Turkic central army tent.

After he finished, he sat behind his desk, his face gloomy.

Despite a half-day of fierce attacks from both flanks, and heavy losses on both sides, the Sui army's defensive line remained unmoved.

"If we continue fighting like this, our own men will scatter before we even breach Gentleman's Pavilion. Gentlemen, does anyone have a good plan?"

Kang Qiaoli stepped forward and walked to the map.

"Khan, Li Ju has come north with a light force, carrying only enough rations for three days. Our army has also come with light cavalry, and our supplies are scarce, so we cannot afford to fight for long."

His finger traced a line southwest from the Gentleman's Pavilion.

"It would be better to send 10,000 elite cavalry to circle around to the southwest along the wild paths through the reeds, seize their rear supply depots, and plunder their provisions. The captured provisions can feed our army and also cut off the Sui army's supply to Junziguan, killing two birds with one stone."

"The main force remained on the front, launching feigned attacks day and night with drums beating, while small detachments harassed the Sui soldiers with night raids, preventing them from resting day and night. Once their food supply was lost, the Sui army collapsed within a few days."

Siliffer immediately stepped forward, his brow furrowed.

"Divide the forces? Our main force is already stretched thin; if we withdraw another ten thousand cavalry, our front will be even weaker. If Li Ju sees through this, he can unleash his full army for a decisive battle. How can we possibly withstand that?"

"Furthermore, seizing grain is different from arson. It requires halting troops, guarding granaries, and transporting grain, which takes a great deal of time and makes it very easy for enemy reinforcements to catch up and intercept them!"

He stood up abruptly.

"If we must divide our forces, I am willing to lead this route! However, this kind of roundabout raiding and harassment is not a fair and square battle. I hope to be able to charge head-on with the main force of the Sui army and decide the outcome."

Kang Qiaoli turned to look at Duobi and calmly advised:

"Special forces, the valiant of the steppe cavalry, are naturally adept at mobile raids. Right now, the Sui army holds the advantage of terrain, and their strong lines are difficult to break. Taking the enemy's food to feed our soldiers and wear down the enemy's morale is the safest way to break this deadlock."

"Wait until Li Ju's army is exhausted from hunger, then we can seek an opportunity for a decisive battle, which will greatly increase our chances of victory."

Dubi snorted and said nothing more.

After a moment's deliberation, he made a decision.

"Dubi, I order you to lead 10,000 elite cavalry to detour to the southwest. Your primary objective is to seize the grain depots—take whatever you can, and if you encounter fierce resistance, burn the granaries to prevent the grain from falling into the hands of the Sui army."

"The rest of the units will remain on the front lines to feign attacks and create distraction. Drums will be sounded day and night, and small teams will launch night raids to prevent them from getting a good night's sleep."

Dubi straightened his chest, bowed his head in reverence, and said, "Tengri acknowledges this!"

One by one, the leaders took their leave, and the bugle call sounded outside the tent, with the order to mobilize troops being passed down layer by layer.

Happy Longevity.

Wang Fubao led 5,000 soldiers back overnight, his heart filled with anxiety.

After entering the city gate, he did not return to the camp, but went straight to the government office, intending to kneel before Dou Jiande, beg for forgiveness and accept death.

But when he arrived outside the government office, he was stunned.

Dou Jiande stood beside the grain cart, his body wrapped in several bandages, his left shoulder thickly wrapped, and his right arm hanging in front of his chest, his arrow wound not yet fully healed.

He was holding onto the grain cart with one hand and pointing ahead with the other, talking to Ling Jing.

The area was crowded with people—soldiers pushing grain carts, laborers carrying grain sacks, and many ordinary people, young and old, waiting by the roadside.

Hearing footsteps, Dou Jiande looked up and immediately saw Wang Fubao.

Anger surged up instantly, and he took a step forward, which aggravated his wound, causing him to cough softly a few times.

"Wang Fubao! Do you know your crime?"

Wang Fubao walked quickly to him and knelt on one knee.

"This humble general knows his crime and is willing to accept death. Please, Your Majesty, grant me punishment."

"The northern barbarian cavalry marched south, slaughtering counties and leaving countless people displaced and in dire need of rescue. You, as a general, abandoned the people of the north, focusing solely on returning to Leshou!"

Dou Jiande raised his hand and pointed to the groups of refugees beside the drill ground. Those ragged people were helping to tie up grain bags and push grain carts.

"Open your eyes and take a good look! When Li Ju besieged Leshou, he clearly had the opportunity to take advantage of our exhaustion and break through the city in one fell swoop, but he left behind a large amount of grain to help these displaced and helpless people in Hebei."

"These surviving people, grateful for this kindness, voluntarily joined the grain transport team to deliver the grain to Junziguan and support him in resisting the Turks."

"Your loyalty and righteousness are only for me alone, but you've forgotten the millions of ordinary people in Hebei!"

Wang Fubao lowered his head: "This humble servant shall die."

"You deserve to die!"

Ling Jing quickly stepped forward and offered his advice with clasped hands.

"Your Majesty, the Turkic army is pressing in, and we are in dire need of manpower. General Wang's rush to the aid of Leshou is also out of his loyalty to Your Majesty."

"He already knows his mistake and is full of remorse. It would be better to give him a chance to redeem himself by escorting the grain convoy north to resist the Hu cavalry."

Dou Jiande took a deep breath, his chest heaving a few times.

"stand up."

Wang Fubao slowly stood up, head down, not daring to look Dou Jiande in the eye.

"I will spare your life for now. You will be immediately incorporated into the grain convoy and sent north with the army to escort supplies. If there is even the slightest mishap, I will execute you without mercy!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Before long, the grain convoy from Leshou slowly left the city.

Dou Jiande personally oversaw the transport, with 12,000 soldiers escorting grain carts stretching for dozens of miles, along with tens of thousands of volunteer laborers, all heading north towards Junziguan.

Gentleman's Pavilion.

Li Ju stood on the high slope, looking at the Turkic camp to the north.

There was noticeably less smoke coming from the camp, and a large area of ​​the tents was empty.

Scattered cavalrymen still patrolled the perimeter, occasionally firing a few stray arrows, or sending small teams to sneak up to the causeway entrance, set it on fire, and then retreat.

That overwhelming offensive has stopped.

The scouts hurried up the slope.

"Grand Chancellor, the Turks have divided their forces. About ten thousand cavalry have taken a detour from the west and headed south towards Hejian."

Xue Shou's face darkened.

"Heading south, taking a detour? They must be heading straight for our supply lines."

Li Baiyao continued, "The Turks are trying to force us to divide our forces, which is extremely dangerous. If we don't divide our forces to intercept them, and the granaries in the rear fall into the hands of the Turks, the soldiers at the front will have no food to eat, and a critical situation will immediately arise."

"If too many troops are sent to block, the main force of Junziguan will be weakened, while the main force of Shibi will still be strong and can launch another fierce attack at any time; if too few troops are sent, this detachment will have no chance of winning against 10,000 elite Turkic cavalry in open field battle."

Xue Shou frowned.

"It's not easy to strike the right balance."

Just then, Dou Xianniang walked up from the side.

"Prime Minister, the Thread Maiden is volunteering for the battle!"

Everyone looked at her.

"The land of Hebei is full of reinforcements. I wish to go south and persuade my father to send troops to jointly attack the Turks."

Li Ju looked at her.

"What if your father refuses to come?"

"Then I will kneel before him, until he agrees."

Li Ju pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, having already made up his mind.

"Li Xiuning".

"Your subordinate is here."

"You will lead your women's army south, following the Turks while maintaining a distance, and avoid a direct confrontation."

"Your task is to entangle him, harass him, distract him, and delay his efforts to seize the grain."

"Dou Xianniang went south with the women's army to Dou Jiande's army to exchange information. Remember, do not easily engage in a direct confrontation with the Turks."

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you, Grand Chancellor."

Boyohara.

The Dubi led 10,000 cavalry southwards, looting along the way, burning villages, intercepting grain carts, and causing refugees to scatter and flee.

A scout arrived on horseback with the news.

"Special Operations! A large force is approaching from the south, flying Xia army flags, less than twenty li from here!"

He reined in his horse.

"Xia Jun? How many men?"

"There were more than 10,000 soldiers, tens of thousands of laborers, and countless grain carts."

Dubi raised the corner of his mouth.

"Dou Jiande? Wasn't he trapped in Leshou? How did he escape?"

Ten thousand cavalrymen arrayed themselves on the Boye Plain, their scimitars drawn and banners fluttering in the wind.

Opposite them, twelve thousand Xia soldiers, escorting grain carts, also deployed on Boye Plain, arrayed in formation a short distance from the Turkic cavalry.

Banners and flags stood in the distance, and bugles sounded softly.

Dubi spurred his horse and rode alone for several dozen steps toward the Xia army's formation.

"King Xia—what is your intention in escorting grain northwards?"