It is normal for them to be afraid. After all, this is an offensive job, and the two old generals should stay behind. If something happens, it will not just be their own people who are lost, but the entire Tang Dynasty may also be embarrassed.
Therefore, when attacking, a young general is usually chosen. Even if there are any mistakes on the battlefield, it can be explained. After all, Li Jingren does not have much experience on the battlefield, so he can justify it by saying that he is young.
"Just say whatever you want to say."
The King of Wu looked at the two old generals and then at Ding Tu next to him. Even if someone wants to fight, you have to give him a chance to speak. If you don't even give him a chance to speak, you won't be able to explain to Li Daozon after returning to the capital. That guy is not an easy person to deal with.
"Only two to three thousand men are needed for local defense. The rest can be taken away. Furthermore, Watanabe Ichirō's men still have over four thousand men capable of fighting. In my opinion, we should take them with us as well. These men are familiar with the local situation, and they've been fighting among themselves with the Fukuoka people."
Everyone originally thought that this guy would go to the battlefield alone, but unexpectedly he provided a fresh force.
There are indeed no enemies around Nagasaki. Even if there are, two or three thousand elite Tang soldiers can handle them. Nowadays, many people have been equipped with new flintlock rifles. If the Fuso people dare to rush forward, don't blame us for being rude. We can handle them with two or three thousand people.
As for the enemies coming from the sea, we only need to leave ten large ships. No matter how many enemies come from the sea, our artillery can smash them all, and we can also track them down to where they come from. Don't think of taking advantage of us. We can also know where their nest is and clean out their nest by the way.
"You mean to organize them all into vassal armies, just like the armies in other places?"
General Qin Qiong had heard that Li Xiang had brought in some local troops from all over the place, but their status was lower than that of the Tang Dynasty army. They would be given the dirtiest and most tiring work on the battlefield, and after the battle, they would be given some benefits, and the matter would be over. At least our casualties could be minimized.
"The general is talking about the people of Fukuoka and Nagasaki who have always been fighting among themselves. Because their fishing grounds overlapped, the two sides often killed each other at sea. The Fuso Emperor's administrative ability was relatively weak, so there was often friction between the local officials of the two places. It is said that the people in the border areas of the two places have hatred for each other. If we can use this to our advantage, some things will not require our intervention."
Li Jingren has been specifically investigating this matter over the past two days. When Watanabe Ichiro first mentioned it, Li Jingren also suspected that this was a trap. If they cooperated internally and externally on the battlefield, it would be a huge blow to our army. However, after Li Jingren's investigation, he found that the hatred within them was quite serious, even exceeding their hatred for us.
"That's a good idea, then. Go and investigate immediately, making sure everything is foolproof. If it's really as you say, then let Watanabe Ichirō's army go with us. I promise that if they capture Fukuoka, they'll keep 10% of whatever they loot."
There was nothing wrong with what the King of Wu said, but the people present had different expressions. It felt a bit lowering of status for a prince of a country to say such words. However, as they spent more time in contact with Li Xiang, they paid more and more attention to practical interests, and some of the words they said no longer mattered.
After Li Jingren came out of the tent, he immediately found Watanabe Ichiro. Watanabe Ichiro had actually been preparing for this matter for a long time. He also knew that the Tang army would not stay in this small place forever and would soon launch a war in the surrounding areas, so his people would come in handy.
Although this guy is a Fuso, he also understands one thing, that is, when you are under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Even his own brother has been sent to Chang'an. Now you can only follow the Tang Dynasty to the end. What's more, compared with the Tang Dynasty, Fuso is like the comparison between a tiger and a mouse. Who would not choose to stand on the side of the mouse?
What's more, he has also seen the combat effectiveness of the Tang Dynasty army. If nothing goes wrong, Fukuoka will not be able to be defended at all. In this situation, you still have to think about Fuso's affairs. No one with a normal brain would do such a thing.
"Please rest assured, General. My five thousand men are ready and can serve as the vanguard at any time."
The original agreement was for 4,000 people, but this guy temporarily recruited another 1,000 people. Although the land of Fuso is not very good, the population is quite large.
Now all the people have been deprived of their property. If they are of no use to the Tang Dynasty, they will be loaded onto ships and shipped away. It is said that they were shipped to the north of Goguryeo. The temperature in winter is frighteningly low. Working day and night in such a place, it is estimated that they will not live past the age of forty.
So when they heard that they could follow the Tang army to fight, these people signed up enthusiastically. At least they could stay on the land of Fusang, and they could keep some of the loot, which could allow their families to survive. Fighting here was far better than going to the north to farm.
"Then go back and reorganize your army. They'll be setting off in the next few days. If your army needs any reinforcements, I can temporarily send you some, but most of it will have to come from spoils of war. You must make this clear to your soldiers. Also, all soldiers must have a guarantor. Without a guarantor, they cannot go to the battlefield. It's best if they have all their families with them."
Although these people are very useful on the battlefield, preparations must also be made. If these people suddenly turn against us on the battlefield, the safety of the two generals and the prince will be affected. Therefore, these preparations must be made before leaving. If someone turns against us, we must also consider our families.
"Please rest assured, General. I have made all the necessary preparations. All the information has been sent to you. You can check each one."
This guy Watanabe may not be a good local official, but if we talk about serving Tang Dynasty officials like a dog, he would definitely be at the top of the list. Just look at his fawning look and you will know.
