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Chapter 157:
Chapter 157:
Chapter 157:
Objectively, Hou Junjis advice as a deputy general was quite sensible. Altitude sickness had caused significant losses in the armys ranks, and the slow marching pace allowed Tubo to prepare adequately. In this state, the Tang army would be powerless in battle, and continuing in such conditions would be suicidal.
Ignoring that Hou Junjis military strategy made sense, even ordinary sergeants and squad leaders could see the dire situation. Following Hou Junjis suggestion would mean abandoning the current battle. The aim was not to secure victory but to avoid defeat. Morally, retreating would preserve the Tang armys strength and uphold the myth of Tangs invincibility.
From a personal perspective, Hou Junji saw this as an opportunity to shift the blame onto Su Li. He had anticipated being the standout young general among Li Jings successors, given the unprecedented support Li Er had shown Su Li this time. Retreating under Su Lis leadership would be a win-win situation in his eyes.
Given the current circumstances, Hou Junji initially believed that any sensible leader would make the right choice. However, Su Li stuck to his own viewpoint, even going against the consensus. What others couldnt achieve, he believed he could due to his extraordinary strength. No one believed that the Tang army, in its current state, could defeat Tubo. At this juncture, it was evident that the Tang armys situation was dire.
If the Tang army had been weary after the forced march, their exhaustion had now reached new heights, pushing their physical endurance to the limit. Songtsan Gampo didnt need to be blind to see this. Furthermore, what Hou Junji had stated was incorrect. Altitude sickness doesnt progressively worsen. Its symptoms gradually diminish over time until they disappear. Hou Junji might not have known this, but Songtsan Gampo had no reason not to. This was their prime opportunity if the Tubo forces wanted to seize the initiative and engage the enemy.
Therefore, Su Li ordered the slower march to allow the soldiers to gradually acclimate to the effects of altitude sickness. More importantly, he deliberately left openings for Songtsan Gampo to exploit. With seventy to eighty thousand troops slowly advancing within Tubos territory, Songtsan Gampo should closely monitor the Tang armys status, or he wouldnt be worthy of ruling Tubo. Within a maximum of ten days, the Tubo forces would enter into battle. Su Li was, in a way, using the fifty thousand Tang soldiers as bait to draw out the primary Tubo forces. He aimed to resolve the Tubo matter in a single decisive battle.
Despite Hou Junji speaking at length, Su Li did not heed his suggestions, remaining calm and collected. This disregard only fueled Hou Junjis anger.
An incompetent fool! Ill witness your defeat and humiliation in battle! he exclaimed, causing tension to fill the tent.
Li Daozong rebuked him, saying, Youre also a seasoned general in the army. How can you speak so recklessly? Cheng Yaojin and Yu Chigong were even more furious, casting hostile glares at Hou Junji. Yet, he remained undaunted, believing those before him followed Su Lis madness.
Cursing the commander-in-chief to fail in battle before it had even begun, an action Hou Junji wouldnt dare with any other commander, was undoubtedly an act of hostility. However, facing Su Li, Hou Junji was fearless. However, Su Li was the emperors son-in-law and had gained the emperors trust. After this battle, all that would be history. Hou Junji believed this battle was destined for defeat and saw no reason to spare Su Lis feelings.
Su Li squinted slightly, gazing at Hou Junji. After the battle, I hope General Hou wont forget these words. Hou Junji sneered and departed the tent. This rascal truly has the audacity. If we werent in the army, I, LaoCheng, would make him understand why roses are so red.
Su Dingfang also often questioned Su Li, Grand General, todays scouts have reported that Songtsan Gampo has mobilized his entire nations forces, amassing an army of four hundred thousand. This battle carries significant risks. Are you confident?
Su Li smiled and replied, In this battle, the advantage is on our side. Everyone, please rest assured. His composed smile reassured the others. They didnt know why, but despite the grim situation and the formidable opponent, when Su Li confidently stated they held the advantage, they genuinely believed him. After all, Su Li had consistently followed through on his words in everything he had done before. It was simple reasoning, could a peerless warrior who could single-handedly cut through tens of thousands of enemy troops lack a clear understanding of his abilities?
This was Su Lis first time leading an army, and he was not inflexible. If he decided to retreat, he would, at the very least, maintain the fearsome reputation he had earned from his first battle. Even Li Er likely understood this. It was just a matter of unfulfilled boasting a rather ordinary thing. However, his determination to continue attacking Tubo indicated his confidence in victory. For those following him, all they had to do was reap the rewards. Why did they overcomplicate things? Not everyone was as lacking in common sense as Hou Junji.
During the war, the more the enemy feared your intentions, the more imperative it became to follow through. Songtsan Gampo grasped this principle. Hou Junji, a figure similar to him, could be regarded as an exceptional general even within the Great Tang.
Hou Junji worried that the Tubo forces might strike while the Tang army was weakened and tired. Indeed, Songtsan Gampo took that very action. Regrettably, Songtsan Gampo failed to realize his true adversary was Su Li.
Five days later, Songtsan Gampo mobilized the entire nations forces. A colossal army of 400,000 soldiers vigorously marched towards the Da Fei River. For Songtsan Gampo, this battle was a clear-cut positive strategy. He comprehended his opponents cards and held the trump card himself. Even when facing the might of the Great Tang, Songtsan Gampo chose to openly reveal his hand from the outset.
The two forces unexpectedly encountered each other on the snowy plains west of the Da Fei River. This highland, bearing traces of human activity since ancient times, was about to witness the largest war ever fought on its soil. The Tubo army, numbering 400,000, stood backed by the snowy mountains. As one looked into the distance, their camps stretched for dozens of miles.