"This is inappropriate. We don't know much about the situation around the Pamir Mountains. Apart from sending envoys and patrols every year, we haven't done anything else. Judging from the current situation, they have already surrendered to the Arab Empire. If we rashly send troops there, it may lead to our failure. If we fail first, the shock will be quite great."
Although Xiao Shougui is not a member of the military, he has a very clear view of many things. Before every battle, Li Xiang would emphasize a good start. But if we start with a bad start, the confidence of the countries in the Western Regions may be immediately reduced. At that time, it will not be a double-dealing, and everyone may go to the Arab side.
"His Highness is still fighting in the south, and the court's resources are now supporting the Pyu Kingdom. If we ask the court for help, I'm afraid the resources will be extremely limited. We have to do something now. We can't just sit here and watch. If they get ahead of us, they will enter the central Western Regions."
Cheng Chumo hesitated and said, the situation in the countries around Congming is unclear now, so it is indeed not a good idea to send troops there rashly, but if we just watch, wouldn’t we be wasting time and opportunities?
"It seems we can only rely on them. It's time to use these people."
Xiao Shougui looked outside, and Cheng Chumo also understood what he meant. These countries kept saying that they would die for the Tang Dynasty, but now they are asked to organize an army first and then march west on behalf of the Tang Dynasty.
"Do I need to bring the army with them?"
Cheng Chumo said excitedly that he finally had a place to use his skills. His men had been training in the Western Regions for such a long time, and with all kinds of new weapons, they had nothing to fear even if they encountered an enemy twenty times their number. Moreover, their ability to survive in the desert was extremely strong.
"We have less than 40,000 men in the Western Regions, and we're spread across such a vast territory. If the general leads his troops there, victory won't be a problem. However, even the slightest failure would affect the empire's foundation in the Western Regions."
Although Xiao Shougui did not say it explicitly, he also expressed his attitude. Since we decided to use the armies of the countries in the Western Regions to test the waters, they will definitely be cannon fodder. Regardless of whether they win or lose, they will not pose much threat to our Tang army. But if something happens to Cheng Chumo, then the Western Regions will be shaken directly. Coupled with the Arab Empire adding fuel to the fire in the rear, the situation at that time may not be controllable.
"But if we don't send someone to keep an eye on them, do you think these guys will obey orders? They can just kneel in front of us and shout slogans, but if they really go to the battlefield, each one will be worse than the other."
His brother-in-law also learned some of Li Xiang's catchphrases. In the past, no one in the army understood their meanings, but now, as long as one has followed Li Xiang for a long time, who can not understand their meanings?
"I understand what you're talking about, but I'm not very knowledgeable about military matters. How effective is Gaochang's army? Compared to the armies of the Western Regions, does it have any advantages?"
All of the Tang Dynasty's most important institutions in the Western Regions are in Gaochang, so the control over the entire Gaochang is extremely strict. Now, whether it is General Moren or Wadahan, they don't have much ability.
"The Gaochang army has undergone our training, and their weapons and equipment have also been updated. Their combat effectiveness is considered top-notch among the nations of the Western Regions. If they were to command a skilled general, sweeping across the Western Regions would be a piece of cake. Of course, if they were to be equipped with the Western Turkic cavalry, I believe they could even hold their own against the Arab Empire."
When Cheng Chumo was in the Western Regions, he followed Li Xiang's instructions and trained Gaochang's army, keeping control firmly in his own hands. Everything including military pay was directly distributed by the Tang court. Now this army has completely become the Tang Dynasty's lackeys.
Previously, a country in the northern part of the Western Regions rebelled. The Tang army only dispatched a supervisory team of more than 30 people, and 6,000 Gaochang soldiers directly destroyed this country. You should know that this country still had tens of thousands of troops, but in the end, it took less than ten days, and the entire country disappeared directly in the Western Regions.
"That's fine, or should we let General Moren lead the team?"
Xiao Shougui hesitated for a moment. There had been a rebellion in Gaochang before. A large number of nobles, including King Wadahhan, participated in the rebellion, but General Moren was the only one who did not participate.
"From what I've observed, this guy has no reason to betray us. He's already offended everyone in the country, so even if he were to betray us, it wouldn't do him any good. The Gaochang army has always maintained a strength of 80,000. This time, I think it's okay to let him lead 20,000 to the west to supervise the battle."
Cheng Chumo thought about it several times in his mind. He might not be able to understand the political affairs, but he could simulate the military affairs in an instant. General Moren brought 20,000 Gaochang troops and a 1,000-man Tang Dynasty artillery team to guard the armies of the Western Regions. If we encounter the army of the Arab Empire, even if we cannot annihilate them, we will have no problem escaping unscathed.
"Then, give the order immediately. Have General Moren and his army arrive overnight. Send a Tang Dynasty artillery unit under your command to accompany General Moren to the Western Regions. Order all the countries in the Western Regions to unite and form a 100,000-man army to wipe out the countries surrounding the Pamir Mountains."
Li Xiang had given them a lot of freedom at the beginning, so there was no need to ask for instructions at this time. The main reason was that this place was too far away from Chang'an. If they asked for instructions on everything, by then the food would be cold.
"Okay, I'll do it right away."
Cheng Chumo nodded decisively. After spending a long time together, he knew that Xiao Shougui's arrangement was basically fine. Moreover, from his perspective as a pure soldier, this configuration was already quite good.
After receiving the order, General Molun, who was far away in Gaochang, immediately assembled 20,000 soldiers without any hesitation, and equipped each of them with one horse, one camel, and one person. It would be impossible to advance in the desert without a camel.
War horses are used for charging into battle, but camels can ensure progress in peacetime. They are much better than horses in terms of drought resistance and the amount of things they can pull.
