Chapter 4843 Tactical Countermeasures
Yang Zhou asked with great interest: "Do you think we will win this battle?"
Obaid shook his head: "There are no absolutes in the world. Although the Tang army is powerful and well-equipped, it cannot say that it will win. But the Azid tribe has always been close to the Tang army. If the Tang army is defeated, the cannibals will definitely not Spare us, so whether it is to help Datang or to help ourselves, we are willing to participate in this battle, charge into battle, and die without regrets!”
Yang Zhou touched his chin beard, and an idea came to his mind, but this idea still needed to be considered, so he said to Obaid: "In principle, I agree to your participation in the war, but not in the name of the Tang Army, because it involves too many regulations. I have no authority to deal with it. It needs to be reported to the Navy Commander’s Office for discussion before it can be determined.”
"It doesn't matter! As long as we are given a chance to serve the Tang Dynasty, it is enough. The warriors in the tribe will definitely impress the general! But...weapons and weapons will be provided, right? The general also knows that our tribe is not only poor but also ignorant. Hunting When we were fighting, we used bone arrows and sticks. Not to mention that we couldn't smelt iron, we couldn't even smelt bronze..."
Yang Zhou waved his hand: "Don't worry, the Tang Dynasty has plenty of weapons and weapons. In addition to firearms, we can equip you with horizontal knives, spears, shields and even long bows. Now go back and gather the tribesmen, and then come here Assemble at the port, we will Arrange a captain to command you in battle and record your military achievements. There will be corresponding rewards for charging, being the first to ascend, killing enemies, beheading generals, and capturing flags. You will never be treated harshly just because you do not belong to the ranks of the Tang army. "
"Then I'll go back and recruit people!"
Obaid was very excited, said goodbye and turned around to leave.
Yang Zhou poured a cup of tea in front of the desk and drank it slowly. After thinking for a while, he called Fuyu Long in, poured a cup of tea for him himself, and asked: "You are from Baekje. Let me ask you to fight for the Tang Dynasty." How does it feel? ”
Fuyu Long was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what Yang Zhou meant, and asked instead: "Is the general asking me if I am loyal to the Tang Dynasty?"
Yang Zhou thought for a while, shook his head and said: "No, your loyalty is undoubtedly unquestionable. In fact, you are from the Tang Dynasty now, how can you be disloyal to your country? I mean those Hu people who have surrendered, they have not What do you think about joining the Tang Army and fighting for the Tang Army? ”
"Why do you need to look at this? This kind of thing has happened for a long time, not to mention that most of the Western Turks who were included have been fighting for the Tang army. Even when Emperor Taizong conquered Goguryeo, the Khitan, Xi tribe, Shi Wei , Lin, Liugui, Wu Luohun and others all sent troops to assist the Tang army in fighting, and later the Baekje people also joined in to help the Tang army pursue the remnants of Goguryeo. "
This has long been a tradition of the Tang Dynasty. The barbarians from the frontier tribes were tied to their own chariots, and while driving them to charge into battles for the Tang Dynasty, attack cities and seize territory, they were also given various policies and rewards, making them increasingly dependent on the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty is conducive to the integration and coexistence of the Tang Dynasty and the surrounding Hu people.
Yang Zhou said: "What do you think if the navy also follows the example of the land army and cultivates some barbarian barbarians to serve as the vanguard in every battle?"
"Eh? Our navy seems to have never done this before... In principle, it is possible. After all, it is possible on land, but not at sea? But on the one hand, we need to confirm this from the Governor's Office before we can take action. On the other hand, we must also confirm the surrender. The barbarians are being screened. These natives have no moral sense of right and wrong. They rush up when they see meat and disappear as soon as they see danger. Be careful.”
"That's natural. I can decide to go to war against Port Shirov, but I don't dare to make my own decisions on the issue of the order of the army. Do you really think that Governor Su will not kill people?"
Yang Zhou said with a smile, and then the two of them gathered together and murmured. While discussing the details of the problem, they recorded it on paper. Finally, they summarized it in one place and made deletions and deletions to form a document, which they signed separately. After the painting was stamped, it was put into an envelope and sealed with wax, and was sent to Guangzhou by ship together with the previous battle report.
*****
Instead of the fanfare and excitement in Xun Port, the news was quickly received in Shirov Port. The merchant ships from various countries anchored in the port were shocked when they heard the news. Unless necessary, they left the port and parked outside the port in order to prepare for the war. If it breaks out, you can quickly leave this place to avoid the fire of war.
Merchant ships that had not yet entered the Persian Gulf quickly turned around and headed south along the coastline to Sanlan Port for trade...
The Shirov Port, which was already depressed due to the disappearance of merchants from the Tang Dynasty, became increasingly deserted and dilapidated. Only the Great Cannibal's own merchant ships entered and exited the port every day, and the tax revenue brought was less than 10% of the previous level.
Abu Awal was furious in the governor's palace and felt a little panic, because the caliph would tolerate him exploiting merchants and the common people, and would tolerate him starting wars without authorization and waging war, but he would not tolerate him failing to pay taxes.
For the caliph, all the land in the empire had only two meanings, one was military resources and the other was tax revenue.
If slaves as humble as ants cannot be conscripted into the army, and rich taxes cannot be collected from various places, then what is the use of a vast territory and a large number of people? Everything must serve his ambition and hegemony to have meaning.
Abu Awal called his two most trusted subordinates over and asked: "Do the Tang people really intend to go to war with us?"
Ibn Atat was in his twenties, strong and tall. Hearing this, he said: "Looking at the situation, I am planning to fight. In the past two years, the maritime trade between the empire and the Tang Dynasty has become more and more prosperous, especially when the Tang Dynasty came to The number of maritime merchants trading in the Persian Gulf is increasing day by day. The Tang Dynasty may be dissatisfied with paying too much taxes to the empire, so it uses the previous excuses to start a war to force the empire to make concessions on the tax rates for merchants of the Tang Dynasty. "
The motivation for starting a war is actually very simple. It is either economic or political. Who would go across the ocean to fight for the life and death of just a few businessmen?
Abu Awal nodded. This was actually evident in the letter of credence sent by the Tang army general a few days ago. Perhaps the "most favored nation" treatment of Lao Shizi was just a negotiation tactic, but it forced the big food country to open more trade ports to the Tang Dynasty. , Reduce the taxes levied on Datang merchants, this is the fundamental purpose.
Based on the current volume of transactions between Datang and the Great Food Country, one year's tax is enough to support a navy of two hundred warships...
Another middle-aged general named Busr was tall, thin, and ugly. On the contrary, he was more violent and war-loving than Ibn Atat: "Then let's have a fight! I heard that the Tang Army's navy traveled across the East and Southeast without a single defeat. , if it can be defeated, the imperial navy will be powerful and morale will be boosted, and it will be able to greatly improve its winning rate against the Eastern Roman Navy in the future.”
Ibn Atat frowned and reminded: "The main force of the imperial navy is in Alexandria under the rule of Governor Abdullah. The total number of warships we can mobilize here is only more than 300, and many of them are small ships. Although the Tang Navy is at a numerical disadvantage, their ships have better performance than ours. This is a close battle. No matter which side wins, it will be a miserable victory. It is not cost-effective. It is better not to fight. "
"Fart! Before the war even begins, you destroyed your own majestic enemy's morale. Such a cowardly person is not worthy of being an empire general. Go home and have your children!"
"It's not like we have to fight this battle. As long as we bow our heads, apologize and give some symbolic compensation, it will make the Tang people feel proud. Why do we have to fight head-on? What if we lose the battle and destroy the caliphate?" Who can afford the plan to conquer Eastern Rome? ”
"The Tang people are at a disadvantage in terms of their troops and ships, so how can we not win? Unless people like you who are greedy for life and afraid of death are defeated before fighting!"
"It's all nonsense. When did I not take the lead and charge into battle? When it comes to fighting, you are not qualified to point fingers at me!"
Abu Awal was given a headache by the quarrel between his two beloved generals, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "Okay, okay, don't say a few words. Why are we still so incompatible after fighting side by side for so many years? We must cooperate sincerely and love each other! The Tang Dynasty Guns and Cannons Although we have not seen it in person, we have heard about it. How do you think we should deal with it? ”
The two stopped bickering, and Ibn Atat, who seemed braver, was actually more resourceful. Hearing this, he said: "Both muskets and artillery are all long-range weapons. Only our clippers can rush through them in the shortest time." When launching a boarding battle at range, what role can a powerful weapon play? "
Buser shook his head and said: "You are wrong. In fact, the Tang army's warships are taller, more able to withstand wind and waves, and are suitable for long voyages, but their ships are faster. Once they are inserted into our queue, they will be divided and surrounded. They will rely on more With sophisticated firearms and ordnance, we are likely to be divided and fall into the predicament of fighting on our own, and then be eaten bit by bit.”
He simply got up and moved the things on the table, brought some teacups, plates, pen holders and other things and arranged them in a queue, and then separated them one by one to simulate a situation that might occur in a naval battle. Abu Awal and Ibn Atta Special stood up to watch, and finally unanimously confirmed that Busl's concerns were justified.
Abu Awar looked worried and had to admit that the Tang people were far ahead of the food countries in shipbuilding technology, and Persia and Eastern Rome were even more difficult to match.
"How to resolve it?"
If the Tang army's warships rely on speed to penetrate and divide their own tactics, then the battle will be defeated, and the consequences of defeat are absolutely unbearable by Abu Awar. The caliph's monstrous anger will burn him clean, and no dregs will be left. .
"It's not difficult."
Busl stretched out his hand to gather some teacups, saucers and other things together, and said: "We can use iron chains to tie the ships together at critical moments, and also load trebuchets and ballistae onto the ships. Dozens of ships form a The stable and strong fortress attacks the Tang Army's flagship. As long as the big ship is sunk, the Tang Army will be defeated." (End of Chapter)