Frankly speaking, both generals agreed with Li Xiang's approach, and it had worked before. However, we don't know much about the situation on the grassland, and they cannot take responsibility if we lose troops and cities.
"Everything has risks. If we continue in the same way as before, there might not be any risks, but the millions of strings of cash the court has spent will be wasted, and we won't be able to impose sanctions on Tuyuhun. This will be like a cycle, and it will always be like this. From now on, the Tang Dynasty will no longer be able to rule in this area, and the Tuyuhun people will become more and more rampant."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, everyone present nodded. Tuyuhun was just a tiny country, and its comprehensive national strength could not be compared with that of the Tang Dynasty. But because they adopted such a strategy, the Tang Dynasty was unable to do anything to them for a while, which made their arrogance grow.
"Do you have a specific strategy?"
General Qin Qiong is concerned about the country and the people. Every time he goes on an expedition, it costs a lot of money and manpower. If he cannot completely solve the problem of Tuyuhun this time, he will be a sinner to the Tang Dynasty.
"In reply to the general, we can send a small group of elite troops, with Liangzhou City as the center, to fight back and forth southward. Only by killing them and scaring them will they realize the power of the Tang Dynasty. Even if our cities are captured by them, these armies will never return to defend. They will continue to fight in Tuyuhun territory, making it impossible for them to find us and be confused. To put it bluntly, we will fight them in a battle of attrition."
Li Xiang briefly explained his plan, and everyone present was shocked. They knew that Li Xiang's method was correct, but if they did so, they would most likely lose some cities that they could not take care of. If that happened, it would depend on the court's ability to bear it.
Everyone present understood that Li Xiang's strategy was correct. If we fought with Tuyuhun in a war of attrition, they would never be our opponent. Even if we lost one or two cities, the entire Tang Empire would still be able to function well. It was just that everyone felt unhappy.
But if we were to fight back and forth on the land of Tuyuhun, it would bring them great disaster every time. We would eliminate several of their tribes at a time, and when they could no longer spare any men, the war would be over.
"In your opinion, how many teams should we send out to force them to surrender?"
When General Qin Qiong asked this question, it meant that he was already moved. Although Li Xiang's strategy was rather risky, if it could be implemented continuously, the first side to give up would definitely be Tuyuhun. Then we would be able to change the predicament of the southwestern border in one fell swoop.
"At least three armies, with a strength of around 5,000 to 8,000 men, all equipped with two horses. They must be the elite of our army. For the next two weeks, they will not have a moment to rest as they fight their way through, tearing a huge wound into the Tuyuhun army and leaving them no time to attack our city. When they transfer all their troops back to encircle these three armies, our army can rush forward, and with everyone working together inside and outside, we will annihilate the Tuyuhun army."
Li Xiang drew three lines on the map. These three lines were the lines where the three elite armies were fighting back and forth. If we acted quickly enough, the Tuyuhun side would have to make major strategic adjustments in half a month at most. By then, if our scouts were capable, we would be able to capture their main force.
I have to say that this is a very bold idea. In the history of our war with Tuyuhun, there has never been an example of taking the initiative to attack. Even if we want to take the initiative to attack, we have to set a target. This time there is no target. To put it bluntly, it is to pick the weak ones. You have dozens of tribes on these three lines. If you can't beat this one, you can rush to the next one, as long as you cause them heavy losses.
"General, I believe this plan is feasible. I am willing to personally lead a team south."
Cheng Chumo didn't say anything, but that didn't mean he wasn't thinking. After doing some deductions on the map just now, he believed that this strategy was definitely possible to become a reality. Even we were surprised at such a strategy, and it was even more impossible for the Tuyuhun people to have thought of it. The most feared thing on the battlefield was this kind of sudden appearance of surprise troops.
"I agree. The three armies we sent out are not isolated. They can communicate through various means. The three armies are only a hundred miles apart. If they need to support each other, it will only take two hours. The three armies are only a few thousand people each, but together they will have nearly 20,000 people. Even if we encounter a large Tuyuhun army, we can hold out for a while and wait for our army to arrive."
Qin Huaiyu also figured it out. They didn't speak just now because they didn't know how to command this army. Now, after two people simulated it on the sand table for a long time, they also knew that this method is indeed feasible. Although it is a bit risky, under the current circumstances, this may be the only way to solve the drawbacks of the southwestern border. You think you can get rid of Tuyuhun without losing anything, which is obviously not realistic.
The other generals also began to argue. Li Xiang appreciated this atmosphere very much. If no one could make a different voice, it meant that we could not find the drawbacks. The louder the opposition voices were before setting off, the better. Then we could solve all the drawbacks. Once we solved them all, we would be a tiger and wolf army that would go deep into the grassland.
King Li Zhi of Jin felt deeply frustrated. Before, he just wanted to oppose Li Xiang's attention, but when everyone started arguing, he found that his military knowledge was weak. Even if he wanted to interrupt and object, he could not find any theoretical knowledge. At this moment, he could only stand aside angrily.
Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin also joined the debate. After an hour and a half of debate, all the problems that needed to be solved were solved. Some problems that could not be solved could only be left to the generals to solve on the spot. The feasibility of Li Xiang's plan was basically established.
"Qin Huaiyu."
"I will be here."
"I order you to lead 8,000 elite troops to attack along the left flank and maintain contact with Li Xiang's troops in the center."
"Li Xiang."
"I will be here."
"I order you to lead our elite troops, plus General Cheng's 3,000 cavalry, to attack along the center route, and maintain contact with the left and right routes."
"Cheng Chumo."
"I will be here."
"Order your 8,000 cavalry to attack along the right flank and maintain contact with the center..."
