Angurtai had been on the grassland for so many years. He was able to place spies around Xueyantuo Khan, and Xueyantuo Khan was also able to place spies around him. However, this guy did not have the ability to dig out all the people, so before he came, he said that there was a high possibility of spies in his army.
General Su Dingfang also made it very clear at the time that since you are unable to dig these people out, my men will go to your military camp. As long as my men find real evidence, these people's heads will be chopped off. At that time, Angurtai also agreed.
He had assumed it was just a formality, so where would so many spies come from? Unexpectedly, over the course of several dozen days, someone was pulled out almost every day. These people either confessed themselves, or various markings were found on their bodies. In short, no one had died unjustly.
Angutai also changed his impression of Li Xiang's men. He originally thought that these people were only good at fighting, but now it seems that they are all versatile and have strong ability to investigate spies. He can find the flaws of these people just from their daily performance. It can be imagined how strong these people's observation ability is.
After dealing with most of the spies, Li Xiang learned about the situation deep in the grassland, so Li Xiang ordered these people to prepare for three days, and the entire army would set off after three days.
Li Xiang did not bring too many troops. In addition to the 3,000 men under Angurtai, there were 3,000 Turkic troops. The rest were 6,000 men under Huo Qubing and Li Xiang, a total of 12,000 troops. If nothing went wrong, these 12,000 people would be enough to destroy the entire Xueyantuo.
According to Li Xiang's plan when he first set out, he only needed 9,000 cavalrymen to destroy the entire Xueyantuo, but so many would bring us considerable casualties, especially non-combat casualties in the depths of the grassland. This would probably be an extremely scary number. Now with 6,000 people from Xueyantuo and Turks, our casualties can be greatly reduced.
As for the fate of these people, Li Xiang could only promise them a generous pension. "You must submit a pledge of allegiance. If you can't, how can we believe you are truly surrendering?" These days, many want to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. If there's no blood on the knife, then it can be reversed at any time.
But if you are stained with blood, even if you want to go back, it will be impossible. You can only follow us all your life. There are more and more people like this on the grassland, which means that the Tang Dynasty's rule on the grassland is becoming more and more stable.
When many people in the camp were still asleep, Li Xiang had already set off with his men. Angurtai originally thought that he would go to the battle. After all, when it was announced three days ago, this guy was still on the list of those going to the battle. But who knew that he was controlled by several personal soldiers last night and he had to be kept in the tent.
Li Xiang chose Bayannur, one of his deputy generals, as the chief commander.
Li Xiang did not distrust Angurtai, but he wanted to implement a separation policy internally. In the future, Xueyantuo would be handed over to Angurtai, but it would never be handed over to him alone. Bayannur would be another person.
When this man was chosen, he was in a daze and uneasy, not knowing what his future fate would be. Deep down, he was loyal to Angurtai, otherwise he would not have become Angurtai's deputy. But from the moment Li Xiang chose him, he had only one master, and that was Li Xiang, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.
As for his former master, he can only become an enemy in the future.
As for why, it can be seen from his title that later the Xueyantuo established the left and right generals. Anggurtai was naturally the left general of the Xueyantuo, and this Bayannur had been established as the right general of the Xueyantuo.
This guy was originally just a small deputy general and never thought that he would be promoted so quickly. He was also a simple grassland man. He originally thought that the only way to get promotion was to gain military merit on the battlefield. He did not expect that political intrigues could also allow him to be promoted, and he went directly from a deputy general to a general.
During these hours, his fate underwent various changes. When he rode his horse following Li Xiang, he was still in a daze.
"Bayan, how many children do you have?"
During the march, Li Xiang seemed to notice that this guy was confused, so he asked a question.
"In reply to your Highness, I have three sons and two daughters. They are all on the roster and will go to Chang'an City to study after the spring."
The people on the grassland have a strong fertility. Bayan, as the former deputy general, also has a large grassland and a lot of livestock at home, so he can afford to raise these children.
"Based on what I know, not to mention your three sons, your two daughters should become palace maids in the royal court when they reach adulthood, right?"
What Li Xiang said was the truth. No matter whether they were from the Turkic or Xueyantuo families, the women serving the Khan had to be the daughters or nieces of their ministers, because such people would not assassinate the Khan.
Because these women all have families and are not alone, they have to work diligently when serving the Xueyantuo Khan, because if something goes wrong, the entire family will be implicated at any time. Of course, this is also a kind of honor. If they help the Khan give birth to a prince, then the status of the entire family will be instantly improved.
"In reply to Your Highness, yes."
Bayannur answered very honestly, but he didn't understand what Li Xiang meant.
"That's also a role of serving others. Only by giving birth to a son can you soar to the sky. Even if you soar to the sky, you still have to depend on other people's moods. But if you become a general, will your daughter still need to serve others?"
Li Xiang immediately smiled and said that this person seemed to be two different people from the previous decisive and ruthless Crown Prince. Bayannur had some illusions for a moment. Could it be that His Highness was always so harmonious?
Bayannur quickly calmed down. This was just an attitude. Li Xiang was still the same Li Xiang, with all the dignity that a superior should have. However, what Li Xiang said was the truth. From now on, the highest officials on the Xueyantuo grassland would be the left and right generals.
After becoming the Right General, it wasn't just me who was promoted, but the entire family...