After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I went crazy with joy! - Chapter 141
Chapter 141
In the barracks, Su Li was revered by the people. It wasn’t just the officers who witnessed this scene. During breakfast preparation, they were in the military camp, and countless individuals saw what happened.
Soon, news of Su Li’s unparalleled bravery, surpassing even Xiang Yu, spread throughout the camp. Yesterday, they had been concerned about Su Li’s military order, fearing for their lives under such a commander.
Now, they were energized like never before. The officers, in particular, were overjoyed. In warfare, these middle-ranking officers, often at the forefront, were most likely to gain recognition. However, their achievements had always been earned through genuine effort and danger.
Now, following Su Li, their role in charging into the fray seemed unnecessary. With Su Li taking the lead, the pressure on them instantly lightened. More importantly, Su Li clarified that their main task was battlefield cleanup.
Suddenly, they transformed from front-line officers into logistics support—gaining recognition and making money at the same time. What could be better?
People opposed to swift marching were now eager to try it out. Everyone was eager to move forward at the fastest pace.
…
The Tubo military camp is in a valley not far from Song Zhou City.
Songtsan Gampo paced back and forth in his tent. As time passed, more and more information arrived from Changan. He keenly sensed that the Tang Dynasty’s response this time was off.
While Songtsan Gampo was young and reckless, he wasn’t foolish. Becoming a Zanpu of Tubo at the age of twelve and personally handling matters, he might lack stability in character, but as a king, he possessed other solid qualities.
Especially during these past dozen years, he had been at war. Songtsan Gampo had an inexplicable intuition about his opponents on the battlefield. For instance, he found the Tang Dynasty’s actions quite perplexing this time.
Li Er also became emperor immediately and fought in numerous battles. Even if he hadn’t realized Tubo’s strength, their consistent victories now spoke for itself.
With an army of 200,000 troops stationed under Song Zhou City for months, the truth could not be concealed.
What did Li Er do?
He sent a mere 50,000 elite soldiers, and an unknown marquis led them. At least in the military realm, Songtsan Gampo had never heard of any significant achievements from the opposing side.
Both Songtsan Gampo and Lu Dongzan were initially concerned about whether Su Li had any noteworthy talents. Otherwise, with so many famous generals in Changan City, why would they choose him to lead the expedition, and why did Li Daozong only assign him as a subordinate?
At first, they suspected Li Daozong was the true commander-in-chief of the army. However, the events that followed left them puzzled.
According to Tubo’s envoys, initially, Li Er invited Su Li to a banquet and immediately appointed him as the commander-in-chief for the expedition. However, choosing his deputy general proved challenging for Li Er.
Because those old generals weren’t interested, later, Li Daozong volunteered, and Li Er reluctantly agreed.
Su Li’s other deputy general was his elder brother, Su Dingfang. So, Li Daozong’s role as vice general seemed reluctantly accepted. Subsequent developments proved their suspicions correct.
Songtsan Gampo looked at a note in his hand, his brow slightly furrowed.
“Go, summon Father Xiang!”
Not long after, Lu Dongzan entered.
Songtsan Gampo handed him the note.
“Swift marching?” Even the usually composed Lu Dongzan couldn’t help but smile upon seeing the note.
Songtsan Gampo pinched his forehead and said, “It seems that Su Li is indeed, as we initially suspected, utterly clueless about military matters.”
Lu Dongzan nodded slowly.
He had considered the best and worst scenarios. But even in the best scenario, Lu Dongzan couldn’t understand that Li Er had entrusted such a crucial task to Su Li.
During this time, he contemplated why Li Er sent Su Li over. Could it be as simple as letting him earn some military achievements? Lu Dongzan found it hard to believe. However, this situation had unfolded so tangibly.
At this point, the plan to annex the Chuan Shu region couldn’t help but resurface in Lu Dongzan’s mind.
Were the Tang people so conceited that they sent someone who knew nothing about warfare to lead their troops?
Did they think the Tubo held the Tang Dynasty in high regard?
As the so-called “barbarians” in their eyes, did the Tubo people do anything besides raid, burn, and pillage?
It was only because of Songtsan Gampo and his restraint that they were showing patience.
“As long as we leave all fifty thousand troops in Song Zhou… capturing Su Li as a prisoner might yield some unexpected benefits in exchange with the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty…”
Lu Dongzan’s mind was spinning rapidly. He calculated for a while and suddenly said, “Undoubtedly, Zanpu, this wave of advantage is mine!”
Lu Dongzan believed that even though the battle hadn’t started yet, Tubo was already guaranteed to win. The Tang army lacked strength, with a mere 50,000 troops, and they were already having difficulties due to Su Li’s interference.
Given this contrast, what combat capability could the Tang forces even possess? However, Songtsan Gampo was acting contrary to his character.
Since his last lengthy conversation with Lu Dongzan, Songtsan Gampo had truly gained a sense of enlightenment. At this moment, he realized the differences between himself and Li Er.
He mobilized 200,000 soldiers for this campaign, nearly all of Tubo’s military strength. If he were to lose, it would likely result in Tubo’s downfall, and even the newly established dynasty might collapse entirely, which was quite plausible.
But if Li Er were to lose, it would at most mean losing a city and the 50,000 Tang soldiers who survived.
Songtsan Gampo wasn’t foolish. How could he not understand this?
Ludongzan looked at Songtsan Gampo and sighed, “It’s a once-in-a-millennium opportunity… Believe me, Your Majesty, you won’t encounter another chance in your lifetime to deal such a heavy blow to the Tang Dynasty.”
After contemplating for a while, Songtsan Gampo finally made up his mind.
“Father Xiang, I have already formed good relationships with the Tiele tribes and other clans. We must watch out for each other. This time, I will lead 50,000 troops back to the plateau first to see if we can contact the rest of the tribes.”
When Ludongzan heard this, his eyes lit up.
Because what Songtsen Gampo meant was that he would be the commander of this battle. With 150,000 troops at his disposal, defeating a Tang army led by a commander-in-chief who knew nothing about tactics would be a piece of cake.
Ludongzan was already envisioning the future, boasting of his accomplishments and adding another entry to his list of achievements.
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ALZX22
Poor guy has no idea