Chapter 3158: Fantastic results
The Anxi Army retreated overnight to a place called Shanbao, two hundred miles north of Suiye City. It was a small city on the Silk Road. Gongyue City was less than a hundred miles to the north.
The Anxi Army retreated here and began repairing the city wall, digging ditches, burying Jumalu Village, and building fortifications overnight. At the same time, just like Suiye City, they evacuated all the merchants, people, and goods in the city, turning the mountain fort into a military defense fortress. .
Xue Rengui entered the city, occupied the original government office, drove away all the officials of the Anxi Protectorate, occupied the magpie's nest, and worked on the spot.
A piece of information from all parties was compiled on the document.
Xue Rengui first picked out the intelligence from various departments of the Anxi Army and read it carefully. The book says that if you know yourself and the enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger. If you can't even understand your own situation, how can you expel the Tartars and defeat the many with less?
Intelligence showed that although the Anxi Army achieved a great victory, it suffered extremely heavy losses.
The first is the garrison in the city.
Although they rely on high walls and have the bonus of powerful weapons such as thunderbolts to defend the city, they are at an absolute disadvantage in terms of numbers and their troops are divided in many places. The total number of soldiers defending the city does not exceed 8,000. In the face of tens of thousands of enemy troops frantically besieging the city, The attack resulted in heavy casualties.
During the retreat, all those who were killed or seriously injured abandoned the city, numbering two thousand.
In addition, coupled with the hundreds of dead soldiers who stayed in the city to ignite the gunpowder, they may not be able to survive.
Then there are the hundreds of soldiers who followed Yuanwei to the Arab camp for a sneak attack. Until now, there has been no trace. Most of them were either surrounded and annihilated by the Arab army in the camp, or they were chased and killed all the way.
Rough statistics show that at least four thousand soldiers were lost in this battle.
This was an extremely heavy loss for the Anxi Army, whose total number did not exceed 50,000. After all, it is well known that once the number of troops is reduced by one-third, the morale of the army will reach its lowest point. If the number of troops is reduced by half, morale will collapse.
If the number of troops is reduced by half and the combat effectiveness is still maintained, then it can be called a "strong army", unparalleled in the world.
Of course, although the losses were huge, the results were also brilliant.
There was a huge flood outside the west city, which swept away tens of thousands of enemy troops under the city. The water was surging with broken leaves. It was difficult for these enemy troops to survive after they fell into the river, let alone only learned after retreating that these were Arabs. The most elite "Sword of Allah"!
Although the Tang Dynasty rarely fought with the Great Shi Country, it was no stranger to its domestic situation. Xue Rengui was in the Western Regions and was always paying attention to the internal affairs and military situation of the Great Shi Country. He knew that the "Sword of Allah" was the key to the Great Shi Country. The caliph's personal guards are almost equivalent to the "Yuancong Guards" to Emperor Gaozu and the "Xuanjia Iron Cavalry" to His Majesty Li Er.
Not only is he powerful in battle, but his status is also very high.
He deliberately asked Yuan Wei to reveal to Changsun Han that the west wall of the city was broken and overwhelmed. He really hoped to gain the attention of the Arab army and send an elite army to attack. In this way, he would imitate the story of "Seven armies flooded" , you can maximize the results.
Unexpectedly, not only did the elite come, but the elite among the elite actually submerged all the "Sword of Allah" in the flood...
It can be considered an unexpected surprise.
Although there is currently no exact number of Arab soldiers killed in Suiye City, it is estimated that they must be no less than 30,000.
Looting the city after breaking it was a traditional project for Arab soldiers. No matter how restrained the general was, it was impossible to keep the army in order after the city was broken. Tens of thousands of people rushed into Suiye City, and it was inevitable that they would be blown up into the sky by the gunpowder that had been buried underground.
However, the most important result was the fire that Yuan Wei set off.
The Arab armies never carry too much baggage when they go on an expedition. They support war by fighting, grabbing wherever they go, and if they cannot capture the city, they will withdraw in despair.
The few grain supplies were burned, and the Arab army could not withdraw, which forced them to plunder the surrounding tribes in the Western Region.
In this way, the situation for the Anxi Army is naturally excellent.
On the one hand, it can prompt the Arab army to divide its forces. It is impossible to march on a large scale towards Gongyue City and Luntai City in a short period of time. However, the Anxi Army can take the initiative to annihilate those Arab soldiers who have separated from the large army, and cannibalize the enemy's strength bit by bit. , and give the enemy endless oppression and lower their morale.
Furthermore, the Tang Dynasty has always adopted a soft policy towards the tribes in the Western Regions, because the remnants of the Turks have always been in the Western Regions and secretly colluded with various tribes. If the Tang Dynasty oppressed too much, it would be easy to push all these tribes into the ranks of the Turks, which would be detrimental to the Great Tang. The Tang Dynasty controlled the Western Regions.
Now the Arab army has no choice but to attack these tribes. It is Xue Rengui's plan to eliminate those tribes that do not obey orders and obey orders for the Anxi army.
Generally speaking, the results of this battle were remarkable. It demonstrated the prestige of the Anxi Army, severely dampened the morale of the Arab army, and quietly changed the situation. The Anxi Army was no longer blindly at a disadvantage.
Of course, the Arab army was outnumbered. Even though they suffered huge losses and suffered a setback in morale, they were not injured. Moreover, this setback would arouse their ferocity, making future battles even more dangerous.
The advantage of the Anxi Army is that it does not have to fight head-on with the Arab army. It only needs to move step by step, strengthen the walls and clear the country. Even if it eventually retreats to Yumen Pass and loses the entire Western Region, it can be regarded as a strategic victory.
There is no way, the enemy force is strong and fierce, the Anxi army is too weak to sustain, and Guanzhong cannot provide support. Being able to defend Yumen Pass is a great achievement...
Just as he was pondering over the future strategic layout, some soldiers came in from outside and said they were asking for a meeting with Yuan Wei.
Xue Rengui was stunned for a moment, this guy is not dead? !
Going to sneak attack on the enemy's baggage can hardly be described as "nine deaths", it is simply "ten deaths but no life". Therefore, before setting off for the expedition, Xue Rengui ordered his people to carefully record the names of these dead soldiers one by one. After that, they will be submitted to the Ministry of War to describe their merits and ask for rewards. The rewards that should be rewarded, the pensions that should be paid, and all meritorious services will be promoted according to the highest standards. It must be ensured that these people's family members, wives, and children can enjoy the glory and get what they deserve. award.
But I never expected that Yuan Wei could come back alive...
Xue Rengui picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip, with a deep look in his eyes: "Call in."
"Here!"
The soldiers retreated, and a moment later, Yuan Wei, who was dressed in armor and looked embarrassed, limped into the hall and came a few steps in front of Xue Rengui. Then he stood still, knelt down on one knee with difficulty and performed the military salute, with a hoarse voice. Said: "I am fortunate enough to live up to my humble duty. Come and report my duties to Sima!"
Xue Rengui stood up, held Yuan Wei's shoulders with both hands, lifted him up with a little force, patted him vigorously, and praised: "This great victory, Yuan Xiaowei's contribution was indispensable. He burned the food and fodder in the enemy camp, and he was even more able to kill After surviving the siege and returning to the army, I will tell you the truth and ask for credit for Captain Yuan! Come on, sit down and talk to me, how to survive. "
Yuan Wei was wounded several times. Although he was not fatally injured, he had already exhausted his physical strength after fighting to the death and running away all night. He was extremely weak.
When Xue Rengui took his seat, he was still standing. A wry smile appeared on his face covered with dried blood, and he cupped his hands and said: "In Sima's heart, I am afraid that the last general is just a trick of the enemy, right?"
Xue Rengui had no expression on his face and didn't speak. He just picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Yuan Wei only felt bitter in his mouth.
To be honest, he didn't blame Xue Rengui for thinking so.
Going to the Arab army to burn the food and baggage is a mission that involves death but not life. Who among those who went this time did not have the determination to die? He Yuanwei himself had no intention of coming back alive.
However, fate is so magical. Sometimes it is difficult to live a good life, and sometimes it is difficult to die happily.
After burning the enemy's provisions, Yuanwei led his men to flee all the way. The enemy pursued and intercepted him. The men around him died one after another. He himself was shot by several arrows and suffered many stab wounds. His horse was changed. many A few horses. When he felt exhausted and fell off the horse, thinking that he would definitely die, Suiye City heard an earth-shattering earthquake, fire and smoke shot straight into the sky, and the chasing enemy troops suddenly receded like a tide. .
He miraculously survived...
Yuan Wei understood Xue Rengui's doubts. Anyone else would have doubted how he could come back alive with so many enemy troops chasing him.
He went through the whole story in detail, and in the end he could only say: "The general has never betrayed the Anxi Army, let alone the empire. Don't say that Sima doesn't believe in such things, even the general himself is ignorant and does not believe in the world. I have such good luck, so I will never feel any resentment. I also ask Sima Nian to give me permission to resign and return to my hometown for the sake of my life and death."
Xue Rengui felt a little embarrassed because of his brilliance and understanding of justice... (End of Chapter)