In today's era, whether it is the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty or other places in Central Asia, the climate is basically acceptable, but the popularity is not very good. Therefore, if you want to fight against the people of the Arab Empire, gathering together is the stupidest way to fight. It is most correct to disperse.
Take the Arab light cavalry for example. If the two sides gather together for a decisive battle, we cannot afford to make any mistakes. Once the enemy rushes over, it will be a nightmare for our entire army. Although we have muskets and artillery, we may not be able to escape unscathed.
The two empires had fought a war last time, but analyzing from various circumstances, most of the Arab Empire troops led by His Royal Highness the Prince at that time should have belonged to the second-line army, and the real elite first-line troops were all on the battlefield further west, which is now the European part.
This time the intelligence has been ascertained. General Sukhguman is leading all the elite troops, who have retreated from the European battlefield and have defeated the heavy armored cavalry in Europe. Their combat effectiveness is incomparable, so Li Xiang has no confidence in defeating them all at once. Letting our army disperse may be a better approach.
Cheng Chuliang and Su Dingfang were not idle either. They also wanted to lead an army out alone, but Li Xiang had to be alone, so the two of them could only be patient and stay by Li Xiang's side.
"Cheng Chuliang, Su Dingfang."
When Li Xiang called out their names, they were a bit puzzled. Aren't there already two vanguards? Do we have to go out as well? If we are allowed to go out as well, what will happen to His Highness's entourage? These four generals are the only ones who can lead the team independently this time.
"You two will each lead 20,000 elite troops, and another 10,000 logistics personnel, to follow closely behind them as support."
They actually asked the two of them to lead the troops as well, because they were afraid that the two in front would be surrounded. But if that were the case, who would lead the troops near the camp?
What's more, each of the four men brought 20,000 people, and all 80,000 elite soldiers were sent out. How many elite soldiers of the Tang Dynasty did Li Xiang bring in total?
"What are you two looking at me with? Will I no longer be able to lead the troops after I leave you? When I attacked Tuyuhun, I personally led an army. Is there anything on this battlefield that I can't control?"
After Li Xiang finished speaking, the two of them smiled awkwardly. What Li Xiang said was also true. In terms of leadership ability, Li Xiang had no problem compared with these major generals. If it came to military merit, Li Xiang was not much worse than them. It was just because of his status that he did not lead the troops alone later. However, his ability was not bad at all.
What's more, there are four armies in front of Li Xiang. If the Arab army can infiltrate, it will be purely because of our incompetence. We have a total of 100,000 troops, and the Arab army has reached the front of Your Highness. We don't have to go back to Chang'an. We can just kill them there to avoid embarrassment after returning.
Su Dingfang looked at the 3,000 elite soldiers under Li Xiang. These people were the most powerful in the entire Tang Dynasty. If they wanted to break through their encirclement, even if they used other Tang Dynasty troops, it would take ten times as many, not to mention the army of the Arab Empire.
"Tiger, after we leave, His Highness's safety depends on you."
Hu Yi was the commander of this army, but Su Dingfang was used to calling him Hu Lao Hu.
"When you don't leave, His Highness's safety won't depend on me?"
Tiger rolled his eyes. This guy was exchanged by Li Xiang from the system. His fighting power was very high, so he was not very respectful when talking to others.
Su Dingfang once had a one-on-one competition with this guy. No one knew the result of the competition, but one thing everyone saw clearly was that every time Lao Hu spoke in such a tone, Su Dingfang did not feel disgusted at all.
People who are familiar with Su Dingfang know that this guy wins people over with his ability. If you have enough ability, then whatever he says will be up to you. But if you don’t have enough ability, then you have to abide by the rules, otherwise General Su will make things very difficult for you.
"Your Highness, if a war really breaks out, some people in the army cannot be trusted. Even though they are willing to live and die for us now, if problems arise on the battlefield, they will definitely be the first to defect."
Cheng Chuliang thought of the unreliable troops in the team. These people should be sent to the front line, but if they were really released, who knows what they would do, especially the armies of the countries in the Western Regions, they were the least trustworthy.
Although these people were recruited only from families, but then again, these people had the same beliefs as the Arab Empire and had served as lackeys for the Arab Empire before. If anything went wrong on the battlefield, they would have to act with ruthlessness.
"Don't worry, I've already ambushed them. Just obey my orders and they'll get credit for the victory. If they show any other signs, I won't mind taking their lives first."
Li Xiang said this very calmly. At this time, Cheng Chuliang and Su Dingfang remembered that our prince was decisive in killing people. The number of people he killed was more than the two of us combined. Otherwise, how could there be the current Tang Empire? Saying this was redundant and there was no need to remind him at all.
The two of them immediately went down to reorganize the team, and Li Xiang also came to the front of the sand table. Although they had always been aware of the direction of the Arab Empire's army, their reconnaissance capabilities had declined after entering the desert, and some troops might not be found. We must be cautious.
According to Li Xiang's original idea, he would first digest the Central Asian region, and then slowly fight a decisive battle with the Arab Empire. Unfortunately, the other side did not give him any chance at all. Perhaps it was because the victory in the Western War gave them immense confidence, so there was a second war between the Tang Dynasty and Arabia.
"Your Highness, the generals are overly concerned about your safety."
Seeing the backs of the two generals who were worried, Zhang Jiuli also explained for them that it was not that the two generals had become fussy, but that His Highness's status was different now.
Li Xiang used to be the third most important person in the Tang Dynasty. Even though he is still the third most important person now, he can already make some decisions for the emperor...
It's no exaggeration to say that he was the Vice Emperor of the Tang Dynasty...
