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Chapter 137
Chapter 137:
At night, Su Li studied a marching map independently inside the military camp. For this expedition, Li Er granted Su Li, the commander-in-chief, complete autonomy. Even the march route could be decided by him. This surprised Li Daozong and Su Dingfang, considering that in the past, generals had no authority to choose their march route within the Tang Dynasty. The emperor aimed to control the army tightly. The designated route was usually the most cost-effective and ensured prepared supplies.
Additionally, concerns about rebellion were also a factor. However, Li Er’s trust in Su Li was unprecedented, evident from his order to “do it cheaply.” Li Daozong and Su Dingfang couldn’t believe this level of trust, as even favored sons-in-law wouldn’t receive such treatment. This directive, while an honor, was seen as impractical. If followed, it would take Su Li’s troops far and wide, causing Li Er to be furious.
Despite assumptions, Su Li wasn’t planning to stick to the original March plan. After five days of marching, their army had reached Niushu Mountain at the Hezhou-Linyao border. The next plan was to head west to Song Zhou, then south into the Shu region for a smoother journey. However, Su Li had other ideas and didn’t intend to adhere to the route prescribed by Li Er.
Li Er’s so-called “friendly suggestion” for the march was simplistic. The route, timing, and supply arrangements were all laid out straightforwardly. Even the timing for arriving on the battlefield was specified. It was almost as if they had planned everything for us. Then what was the purpose of him, the commander-in-chief? While it was true that generals in the Tang Dynasty typically followed a similar approach when leading their troops, Su Li was still annoyed. Therefore, when Li Er told him to do things cheaply, Su Li certainly wouldn’t let that authority go to waste.
Su Li’s plan was straightforward. He intended to swiftly march to the battlefield, then directly into the plateau after overcoming altitude sickness, which most people could adapt to over time. Once altitude sickness was managed, he planned to initiate a full-scale offensive. The best plan, he believed, was no plan at all. With his combat prowess, he could manage a reckless approach.
After examining the map, Su Li sent for Li Daozong to discuss potential changes to the marching plan. Su Li could disregard Li Er’s superficial advice since Li Er couldn’t do much for him. However, he needed to discuss it with Li Daozong, his deputy commander, and someone deeply resentful of the Tubo people. Su Li didn’t want to appear stubborn and arbitrary but to consult and gain approval from Li Daozong, who was also Li Xueyan’s father.
To Su Li’s surprise, Li Daozong didn’t object. He kindly reminded Su Li that although their 50,000 elite soldiers were strong, a hasty march would exhaust them, and the Tubo outnumbered them, waiting for an opportunity. Su Li was undeterred, believing that even with 200,000 soldiers, treating work with ease was meaningless.
The main reason for the hasty march with 50,000 soldiers was to clear the battlefield after a battle. Tang Dynasty’s military system required soldiers to pay for their equipment, aside from some standardized items. It would be unacceptable if they didn’t even have the energy to clean the battlefield. While government soldiers had less restraint when going to war, they still had to pay for their horses and weapons. In this context, Su Li believed the constraints on government soldiers weren’t high when going on an expedition.
Especially in battles against foreign tribes, engaging in acts like burning, killing, and looting was quite common. Cleaning the battlefield was a survival skill that every government soldier must learn before mastering the art of combat. After all, when going out to fight, you might not recover the money you had invested if you lacked this basic skill. If fighting became a losing venture, who would engage in it? Su Li’s standards for his subordinates were quite low due to these reasons.
The only issue was that he was a one-man army, and only he knew it. Even Li Daozong, who knew of Su Li’s extraordinary strength, would find it hard to believe that one person alone could break enemy lines. Despite Li Daozong’s close relationship with Su Li, he still advised him cautiously. “Deputy Commander’s concerns are understandable. Don’t worry. I’ll consider notifying the entire army through my military orders.”
Li Daozong was a bit bewildered. After marching for so long, this was the first time Su Li had come to him to discuss something. But as soon as he entered the room, Su Li informed him that they needed to march urgently and engage directly with Tubo’s main force. Then, Su Li wanted to communicate this strategic decision to the entire army.josei
Li Daozong was perplexed. He felt like he had been deceived. Who told him that Su Li’s military strategy was not inferior to Li Jing’s? How could he believe something that’s unreliable? Or, what was Su Li’s source of confidence?
After hesitating momentarily, Li Daozong again attempted to persuade Su Li, “Commander, please reconsider…”
Su Li chuckled lightly and said, “My lord, I’m well aware. I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, I will prove it to you!”
In the eyes of others, Su Li may appear overconfident, but he intended to show them that with a certain level of strength, complex problems could be simplified.