The 100,000-strong army advanced slowly and arrived at Youzhou after half a month.
After the lesson of the last battle at the Wei River, he had learned a lot.
Not only did Li Er change all the generals at the border, but he also mobilized many troops to strengthen the defense of Youzhou.
As a result, the Turkic army did not break through the city like last time.
As a frontier fortress, Youzhou was naturally relatively safe.
However, the people outside the city would suffer.
Almost every day, Turkic light cavalry would pillage and harass them.
Their mobility was very fast. Usually, by the time the Youzhou government troops received the news and arrived, they would have already fled.
A small force could not beat them, and a large force could not beat them.
Therefore, Youzhou was in an awkward situation where they could neither attack nor defend.
but...
Everything changed with the arrival of Li Jing's army.
Li Jing's 100,000 troops, together with the 50,000 troops from Youzhou, added up to a total of 150,000.
This was already one-tenth of the Great Tang's military strength.
The number was very impressive!
"Marshal Li, I've been waiting for you for a long time. I have already prepared a welcoming banquet. Marshal, please move.”Li Jing had just led his army to a place not far from the city gate when the Governor of Youzhou came out to welcome him.
He looked very excited.
Only the heavens knew how aggrieved he had been in the past few days of fighting.
The Governor of Youzhou was none other than Chai Qianxue's father, Princess Ping Yang's husband, Chai Shao.
He was Li Shi Min's direct descendant.
After the Battle of the Wei River, he had transferred Chai Shao to the border to serve as the Governor of Youzhou to prevent some small gangs from causing trouble again.
"Viceroy Chai is too polite. I have come under the orders of His Majesty to crusade against the Turkic barbarians.”Li Jing said neither obsequiously nor arrogantly.
All this while, he had never participated in any factional disputes and was only loyal to the Emperor.
He would do whatever the emperor asked him to do.
Although this would not bring him trouble.
However, he would not be treated as the Emperor's trusted aide.
But...
His talent was too outstanding, so the Emperor had no choice but to put him in an important position.
Just like this expedition against the Turks.
Although he really wanted his trusted generals Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, and Hou Junji to be his marshals, he had no choice.
However, they did not have the talent at all.
Or rather, his talent was far inferior to Li Jing's!
If they were the commanders, their chances of victory against the fierce Turkic army would be very low.
After a round of pleasantries, everyone followed Chai Shao into the city.
Several important generals were invited to the Grand Governor's Mansion. After they had their fill, they began to discuss the military situation.
The generals gathered around a large sand table and listened to Chai Shao's description of the current military situation.
"Generals, the Turkic barbarians are extremely crafty.”
"They often send small groups of light cavalry to plunder the surrounding villages. They don't fight us head-on at all.”
"Every time we heard the news and rushed over, they had already fled.”
"We can't catch up with the cavalry that we lack.”
"And when we send troops to guard the village, they will send a large number of cavalry, and we will be no match for them.”
"There are hundreds of scattered villages in Youzhou Province.”
Chai Shao had a sullen expression.
He had fought for his entire life, but this was the first time he had encountered such a grievance.
In the end, it was because they did not have enough troops.
Not only did the fifty thousand soldiers have to defend against the Turkic main force, but they also had to take care of the people in the surrounding villages.
It was inevitable that they would lose sight of one thing and lose sight of the other.
Zhangsun Qiu rolled his eyes.
I wonder if they're going to do it?
Why did they have to split up their forces and run from village to village?
Wouldn't it be better to just move the surrounding people to the city?
Chai Qianxue noticed Zhangsun Qiu's expression and asked,""Brother Qiu, judging from your expression, do you have any way to solve this problem?”
In an instant.
Everyone's eyes immediately focused on Zhangsun Qiu.
Li Jing, Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, and the others immediately revealed expectant gazes.
Zhangsun Qiu was very young.
However, no one looked down on him.
After all.
Everyone present was defeated by him!
"Humph! This was a real battlefield, not a game. What could a kid who had never been on a battlefield do?”Hou Junji's voice was filled with disdain.
Hou Junji would never forget the humiliation he had suffered in that military competition.
The hatred in his heart for Zhangsun Qiu had never lessened!
"So what if you haven't been on the battlefield? I can still defeat you!" Cheng Yaojin raised his head and said contemptuously.
He had never been on good terms with Hou Junji, and he had a good relationship with Zhangsun Qiu.
"That's right! You can't even take three moves from the other party, and you still have the nerve to nag here. If I were you! I'm too embarrassed to talk!" Yuchi Gong echoed.
The two of them spoke one after another, directly jabbing at his pain.
Hou Junji's face turned purple and his eyes widened in anger.
However, he didn't know how to retort.
That was because…
This was the bloody truth!
Zhangsun Qiu rubbed the tip of his nose awkwardly. At the same time, he was speechless.
What was this?
I didn't say anything!
Why did they quarrel because of me?
"Alright! The great battle was imminent, so they must not damage their harmony.”As the commander, Li Jing immediately stepped forward to smooth things over. He then turned his gaze to Zhangsun Qiu with a look of anticipation."General Zhangsun, you can speak freely if you have anything to say."
"Cough cough, I was thinking that since splitting up the troops is troublesome, why not move the commoners into the city and strengthen the walls and clear the fields?”
"This way, not only will the people be protected, but the Turkic cavalry won't be given a chance to loot.”
"It will also be more convenient for our army to fight the Turkic army.”
As soon as Zhangsun Qiu finished speaking, Chai Shao immediately slapped his thigh and said in realization,""Hey, that's right! Why didn't I think of that! Since the people are scattered, why don't we just gather them together?”
"Not bad, this is feasible."
"Protecting the people and preventing the Turks from snatching the food is killing two birds with one stone!”
Li Jing stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly.
Since the Grand Marshal had already agreed, the others naturally didn't dare to say anything.
He could only praise Zhangsun Qiu.
Only Hou Junji stared at him indignantly.
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