According to these people, if the people of the Tang Dynasty want to step into the grassland, they must find a local guide, otherwise these people may not be able to come back, because they don’t know how to identify the direction on the grassland. Even if you know how to identify the direction, you don’t know some reference objects on the grassland. This has always been their advantage in fighting on the grassland.
As long as they had a guide who could block the Central Plains army, they would be halfway to victory on the grasslands. But did Huo Qubing need such a guide? In his previous life, this guy had been in and out of the grasslands three times, killing so many Xiongnu that even his grandmother didn't recognize him. If he could still get lost in this place, it would be really a miracle.
The reason why Li Xiang let Angultai see this scene was to let this guy know, don't think that I have to rely on you when I go to your lair to fight. You are purely an accessory to me. Don't take your own value too seriously. If you want to make a request, then get out of here immediately. You and your men are all accessories. I can use you or not.
During this month, Angurtai also realized that in addition to its strong combat effectiveness, the Tang army's ability to survive on the grassland has also increased a lot. Although there is still a difference between them and the native grassland people, at least they can survive. Especially after the arrival of the 3,000 men under Huo Qubing, their hunting ability on the grassland has greatly increased.
Every time Angurtai saw Li Xiang, he was respectful and had no tendency to be cocky. This guy also found his position, which was to obey Li Xiang's orders and never have any improper thoughts.
At the beginning, this guy still needed Su Dingfang's guidance, but now Su Dingfang no longer needs guidance. He understands it clearly. There are many talented people in the Tang army. If you obey orders honestly, you may still have a place for yourself, but if you are arrogant because of your talent, then the door will be opened for you.
With the arrival of the imperial transport team, all kinds of supplies filled the entire camp. Angurtai's men also obtained a lot of supplies, which made them very happy. Under the management of the former Xueyantuo Khan, a large amount of their production materials were taken away, and they never saw any return. Now after defecting to the Tang Dynasty, these things were the first batch of their own things they got.
In Angurtai's team, many people were also opposed to surrendering to the Tang Dynasty. They had made up their minds that they would rebel immediately after the Tang army withdrew. But when they received the first batch of daily necessities, their mentality changed. If the Tang Dynasty would take care of them every year when disasters occurred, why should they betray the Tang Dynasty?
What's more, besides them, there are several other people who are opposed to them on the grassland. With the support of the Tang Dynasty, we are the closest comrades of the Tang Dynasty. According to what Li Xiang said, we can completely unify the grassland with the support of the Tang Dynasty, and leave the dirty work to those tribes, just like the Turks today, wouldn't their life be very good?
All changes are under the control of Li Xiang. The Xueyantuo, like the Turks, will become Li Xiang's spokespersons in the future. Li Xiang will make them form a competitive mechanism. You can only have meat to eat if you fight with each other. As for the grassland people under you, Li Xiang can't care so much, at least not within the next fifty years. After fifty years, you will all become obedient citizens of the Tang Dynasty, and then we can talk about rights.
After being away for one month and thirteen days, Huo Qubing finally returned. He investigated the situation in the north and felt more confident. He said that Li Xiang could send troops at any time.
The people who were responsible for inquiring about the situation of Xueyantuo Khan also returned. These people were spies left in their camp by Angurtai. Angurtai also left a few pawns in the original camp, and now it was finally time to activate them.
"Your Highness, over 6,000 people froze to death in our Khan's camp, with even more cattle and sheep dying of the cold. Over 3,000 people have also suffered frostbite. This was the number before we set off, and the number may be even higher now."
These people were originally reporting to Angurtai. Angurtai knew that Li Xiang was also waiting for news in this regard, so he brought these people directly in front of Li Xiang, so that Li Xiang could hear first-hand information. We have nothing to hide from you.
Li Xiang calculated the number of people in the original Xueyantuo royal court and found that half of them had no combat capability.
After Angurtai's men left, they destroyed everything that could be destroyed. Although it was not yet the season of spring, the coldest moment had passed, and the temperature would rise every day. Xueyantuo Khan also felt that the Tang army might have already started, and he had to prepare for battle.
"On the way to your royal court, have your tribes made preparations?"
Li Xiang's eyes became sharp as he spoke. He had already heard the news from Huo Qubing. Now he wanted to see whether these people were truly surrendering. If they told any lies, Li Xiang would make them lose their heads. There would be no mercy on the grassland, especially to those who surrendered.
"In reply to Your Highness, except for a few tribes that were prepared, all other tribes have received the Khan's letter. However, they suffered heavy losses in the blizzard, and coupled with the losses in the previous war, there are very few people in the tribes who can fight."
Before the spy came, Angurtai had already instructed him to report the truest situation on the grassland, without exaggeration or reduction at all, because the slightest inaccuracy could affect the lives of thousands of people. He had figured out Li Xiang's character recently. As long as you do your own thing honestly, you won't be blamed even if something goes wrong in the future. But if you exaggerate or conceal, you'll lose your head.
Li Xiang nodded in satisfaction, and Anguertai also breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, we didn't do anything out of line. Otherwise, even if this prince smiled, he could kill you in the blink of an eye. Anguertai had experienced this in the past few days. Dozens of his men were dragged out and beheaded. Of course, there was a reason for these people being beheaded. That was because they were spies planted in...