The Great Khan, your subordinate believes it is best to first ascertain the situation.
Another tribal leader spoke up.
His words caused the great tent to fall silent.
Damn it!
I forgot about this!
Shi Ni Ma Dan, why didn't you remind me earlier? Hurry and send someone to bring Ge Lun back.
Jie Li slapped his forehead. Damn, I was so angered by Ge Lun and Ashina Simo just now that I forgot to ask about the military situation and just sent them away.
You told us not to speak just now.
Shi Ni Ma Dan said aggrievedly.
Among the many leaders present, he had the least influence. Jie Li had even cursed Zhi Shi Si Li, and since others dared not speak, how could he dare to utter a word?
He only dared to speak because Jie Li had asked him directly.
I...
Jie Li was speechless. He was truly honest!
Soon, Ge Lun was brought back.
Great Khan, don't make me feed the horses, I can't do that!
As soon as Ge Lun entered the great tent, he began to wail again.
Silence! Tell me, how many soldiers does that old man Yu Chi have, and what is his military strength!
Jie Li was already frustrated, and hearing his wail only made him angrier.
Ge Lun's face turned red. He had initially thought Jie Li had changed his mind and would spare him, but he didn't expect to be brought back to ask about military intelligence.
Speak quickly!
Seeing that he remained silent, Jie Li shouted to urge him.
Reporting to the Great Khan, there are only about three thousand soldiers, and they appear to be elite troops.
Ge Lun replied in a low voice, his face flushed.
Being defeated by three thousand men when leading five thousand was a shameful matter no matter how you looked at it.
What? Only three thousand men? You, a seasoned veteran, leading five thousand vanguard troops, were actually defeated by Wei Chi Jing De's three thousand soldiers? Have you drunk too much? Or have you exhausted yourself with women!?
Upon hearing Ge Lun's words, Jie Li instantly became furious. He picked up the wine pot from the low table and smashed it fiercely at Ge Lun's feet.
Hahaha! Did I hear that right? Five thousand men were almost wiped out by three thousand, and you had the nerve to challenge me earlier? wAp.kanshu伍.net
Ashina Simo was extremely amused. He knelt to the side, laughing heartily.
Great Khan, please listen to me. That old man Wei Chi did something I don't know what to do. He ambushed me in a valley. The entire valley was like the earth dragon turning over. As soon as I entered with my men, the ground shook and sand and stones flew everywhere. I was defeated unjustly!
Ge Lun prostrated himself on the ground, crying out to Jie Li.
Nonsense! Earth dragon turning over, sand and stones flying everywhere? How could humans achieve that? This must be a lie you've concocted to absolve yourself.
Ashina Simo, as if he had caught Ge Lun red-handed, added fuel to the fire.
Alright, take him away.
Jie Li waved his hand at the soldiers by the entrance.
In his opinion, just as Ashina Simo said, Ge Lun was making excuses for himself.
What kind of earth dragon turning over is this? Why hasn't the great tent felt anything at all?
Great Khan, your subordinate is not lying. If you don't believe me, you can ask the soldiers under my command!看書喇
Two soldiers dragged Ge Lun out of the tent, and his voice still echoed from outside.
Scram! Scram far away! I don't want to see you again!
Jie Li's veins bulged on his forehead. It would be too easy for a vanguard general like you to collude with your soldiers!
Do you think I'm stupid?
The art of war is about deception. In my judgment, the forces that can be mustered in Chang'an city should be less than thirty thousand. Speed is of the essence. If we take Chang'an, you will have as many beauties and treasures as you desire.
Jie Li announced his intentions.
The Great Khan is wise! Your subordinate is willing to be the vanguard and take Chang'an city within seven days!
Ashina Simo requested to fight.
No, I'll only give you five days. Before Li Shimin wakes up from his dream, my troops should be pointing there, to strike fear into the hearts of the Tang army in Chang'an!
Jie Li said.
Your subordinate obeys the order!
Ashina Simo accepted the military order.
The rest of the troops, go down and prepare. One hour later, we will break camp and depart!
Your subordinates obey!
All the tribal leaders in the tent rose and bowed.
After Wei Chi Jing De and his soldiers had cleared the battlefield, they marched triumphantly into Jingyang.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, a military report came from below stating that the Jie Li army was pressing forward and was less than five li from Jingyang.
Summon the drummers and prepare for battle!
Wei Chi Jing De had not taken off his armor during the night, fearing a surprise attack from Jie Li. Now, he directly grabbed his horse spear and, with his twin maces on his back, went onto the city wall. Although it was not mounted combat, an inch longer was an inch stronger, and long weapons had an advantage when defending the city.
As the drums sounded, the soldiers gathered towards the city wall.
Mao Lao San will lead his men to defend the east city wall.
Zhou Dejiang will lead five hundred men to defend the west city wall.
Zhao Dezhu will lead five hundred men to defend the south city wall.
The rest of you will accompany me to defend the north city wall.
Wei Chi Jing De issued orders to the gathered officers and soldiers one by one.
Your subordinate obeys!
The three staff officers received the orders, assembled their men, and rushed to the other three directions to set up defenses.
Three thousand men defending the city against an army of two hundred thousand attacking the city, each of them felt like a heavy stone pressing on their hearts.
Fortunately, Wei Chi Jing De did not issue an order to fight to the death, where the city stands, the people stand, and where the city falls, the people fall. Otherwise, it was uncertain if these people would survive until tomorrow.
Wei Chi Jing De was not a fool, otherwise, he would not have forced Li Er to kill Li Jiancheng.
The generals returned to their positions. Rolling stones and logs had been prepared since they learned of Jie Li's southward march. Two thousand laborers were gathered in the city, constantly transporting them to the city walls.
The soldiers got busy, directing the laborers to stack the siege equipment.
Five li away, in the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Jie Li's army had arrived at the city walls.
When an army passes ten thousand, it seems endless.
Looking from the city wall, the enemy was a dense mass of heads stretching as far as the eye could see.
Wei Chi Jing De had not considered holding Jingyang. His only consideration was to kill as many enemies as possible and delay for some time, to provide space for Chang'an to mobilize troops.
Zhi Shi Si Li, lead thirty thousand troops to attack the east!
Ashina Simo, lead thirty thousand troops to attack the west!
Shi Ni Ma Dan, lead thirty thousand troops to attack the south!
Lin He Fan De, lead fifty thousand troops to attack the front!
Upon reaching the city walls of Jingyang, without taking any rest, Jie Li issued orders for a four-pronged attack.
Your Great Khan's orders!
The four tribal leaders each accepted their orders and led their men to their respective positions.
Beat the drums! Attack the city!
When the four teams had all reached their positions, Jie Li gave the final command to the drummers.
Dong! Dong! Dong Dong Dong!
Kill~~~!
The battle drums sounded with a rhythmic beat. The Turkic soldiers surged with high morale, brandishing their weapons and charging towards Jingyang city.
The enemy is approaching, everyone prepare to defend!
Wei Chi Jing De pulled his horse spear from the city bricks and said to his soldiers.
Archers, release your arrows!
When the Turkic soldiers were about a hundred paces from the city wall, Wei Chi Jing De once again issued his command.
Swish~ Swish~ Swish~ Swish~ Swish!
A volley of arrows soared into the sky and rained down upon the Turkic soldiers.