Chapter 9 9. Bitter tricks: Credulity is poison on the battlefield

Looking at the heroes of the troubled times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, except for Li Mi, Yang Xuangan, Wang Shichong, etc. who were born in nobles, more rebels were born in peasants, and the troops formed were mainly peasants.However, because the peasant uprising army often lacks organizational discipline, if it wins a little victory, there will be internal strife and arrogant soldiers, so it cannot develop for a long time.Although Dou Jiande and Du Fuwei were born peasants, did not receive much education, and had no actual combat experience, they were diligent and hardworking. In addition to mastering strategies through familiarity with military books, they also actively participated in the war. In it, he showed extraordinary military strategy and courage.

Dou Jiande was originally from Shandong, and his family has been farming for generations, but he is a chivalrous and martial artist.At the end of the Sui Dynasty, he followed the uprising army of Gao Shida from Qinghe, and won the trust of Gao Shida. In the twelfth year of Daye (616), Guo Xuan, the governor of Zhuo County in the Sui Dynasty, was ordered to lead more than 10,000 elite soldiers to suppress Gao Shida's rebel army.Although everyone rose up because of Emperor Yangdi's tyranny, but in the face of such a contest of disparity in strength, they still had no idea. At this critical moment, Dou Jiande took the initiative to ask for orders to meet the enemy.He said: "General Gao is for the people of the world. I, Dou, am not talented, so I am willing to share the general's worries."

However, Gao Shida said: "Now Guo Xuan's command is all well-trained and strong generals of the Sui Dynasty, while our army is all some mountain and field peasants who only gather for a bowl of food. And the number is far less As for them, do you have any tricks, Brother Jiande?" Dou Jiande said with confidence: "General, don't panic. Although Guo Xuan's army is stronger than ours, marching and fighting does not necessarily depend on fighting. I have my own plan to kill him. I just need your cooperation, General." When Gao Shida heard it, he was overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "Quickly talk about it."

After Dou Jiande discussed with Gao Shida, he ran out of the camp overnight with 3,000 troops, stationed in the mountains, and then sent his confidant, Sun Anzu, to send a surrender form to Guo Xuan. Guo Xuan took the surrender form and took a look. In the form, Dou Jiande scolded Gao Shida for being too deceitful and short-sighted. , and repeatedly expressed his willingness to be loyal to the Sui Dynasty, hoping that General Guo would sympathize with his sincere heart. Guo Xuan laughed, and said to the messenger Sun Anzu: "I heard that when Dou Jiande joined Gao Shida, he was naked. When he joined Gao Shida's army, he was immediately awarded the post of military commander. He also married a wife for him. It can be said that he is benevolent and righteous to him, why did Dou Jiande suddenly turn against him?"

Sun Anzu hurriedly said: "The general doesn't know something, but Gao Shida just wants my master to work for him, and he will be punished if he doesn't obey. My master is also a hero, how can he be so angry? In fact, he I have the intention to leave Gao Shida, but I have no chance, this time the general's expedition, my master is determined to abandon the dark and turn to the bright!" Guo Xuan stared at Sun Anzu's eyes slyly, and said slowly: "Since this is the case, why doesn't he make himself king? There are many such things now?" Sun Anzu said: "My master has always admired the general's majesty and is unwilling to do anything against the court, so he hopes to join the general."

Guo Xuan threw the letter on the table and said noncommittally, "In that case, you should go back first." In Guo Xuan's view, Gao Shida was kind to Dou Jiande, and now they suddenly turned against each other, maybe it was true, then it was a good opportunity for the Sui army to defeat Gao Shida; but it might be fake, maybe this is true It's just their strategy, if you believe it, you will fall into the trap.So he was hesitant, he didn't want to fall into the trap because of credulity, the price he had to pay for a wrong decision on the battlefield might be his own life.

Sun Anzu went back and reported the situation to Dou Jiande and Gao Shida. Dou Jiande frowned and said to Gao Shida: "It seems that Guo Xuan is far more cunning than you and I estimated. He doesn't believe that I will betray you at this time!" Gao Shida said: "Guo Xuan has been on the battlefield for a long time, and he can be regarded as a veteran. His doubts are also possible. It seems that we have to find another plan." But Dou Jiande said: "No! Since we have already started this strategy, if we cannot gain his trust, then the next step will only give him a chance to defeat us. If we use other strategies, he will also see through. The only thing left is It's a bloody battle. So, we have to persevere."

Gao Shida said in embarrassment: "Brother Jiande, this road won't work, let's go another road." Dou Jiande smiled slightly and said, "I have a way to make this path go through." The next day, as soon as Guo Xuan arrived at the army tent, spies reported that a woman had been kidnapped from Gao Shida's army, claiming to be Dou Jiande's wife, and she was going to be executed. The woman's hair was disheveled, and her throat was hoarse from crying, but Gao Shida scolded loudly at the side: "Your husband Dou Jiande, I treated him well, but he defected, it is really abominable! If this is the case, I will kill you Family, let him regret what he did today!"

Saying an order, the woman's blood spattered on the spot. Gao Shida said: "Behead Dou Jiande's wife today to make an example of others! Anyone who imitates the traitor Dou Jiande in the future will suffer the same fate!" Guo Xuan was overjoyed when he heard the news, it seemed that Dou Jiande and Gao Shida had really turned against each other.Just thinking about it, a report came from outside: Dou Jiande's messenger came again. This time, Sun Anzu fell to the ground as soon as he entered the door, and said loudly: "General, I beg the general to avenge my master!"

Guo Xuan pretended to be calm and asked, "Oh? What's the matter?" Sun Anzu burst into tears and said: "When Gao Shida saw my master run away, he actually said that my master was ungrateful and killed Mrs. Dou to vent his anger. General Dou vowed to avenge his wife. If the general can take him in, General Dou is willing to lead 3,000 troops with him. As a vanguard, strike back at Goldstar!" Upon hearing this, Guo Xuan asked, "Is this really the case? That Gao Shida is really cruel!" Sun Anzu said: "General Dou is very familiar with the formation of Gao Shida's barracks, and he is willing to lead the way for General Guo and take down Gao Shida's dog head!"

Guo Xuan nodded contentedly, and said, "Go back and tell General Dou that I welcome him to join our Great Sui army. I hope he can make great achievements and present a generous gift to the Emperor of Great Sui!" Sun Anzu reported back to Dou Jiande. On the second day, Dou Jiande led his troops to Guoxuan's camp, and fell to the ground as soon as they met: "Thank you general for taking me in. If you don't avenge your wife's murder, you are not a real man. I, Dou Jiande, will go through fire and water for the general and will not hesitate to do so." !" Guo Xuan helped him up, and said cordially: "General Dou, it is the responsibility of my servants to put down the rebels. If you can help me put down the rebellion, I will definitely ask for credit for you in front of the emperor! Tomorrow, I will send troops to the river. Confront Gao Shida head-on, and then it will be up to you!" Dou Jiande said: "The subordinates must be loyal and help the general take Gao Shida's head!" Guo Xuan was very satisfied with Dou Jiande's surrender, but he still had a certain degree of wariness. He let Dou Jiande enter the army tent with him, but let his 3,000 troops stay outside the army camp.Dou Jiande didn't care about this kind of treatment. Instead, he kept thanking Guo Xuan, and repeatedly expressed his willingness to make contributions to Guo Xuan, and must avenge and kill Gao Shida. After resting, Guo Xuan ordered Dou Jiande to lead his troops to open the way ahead, and led the Sui army to follow closely behind.Dou Jiande came to Guo Xuan and said: "This subordinate bears the hatred of killing his wife, so I want to make an oath in front of General Guo: I, Dou Jiande, will never destroy Gao Shida, and I will never give up!" Seeing how excited he was, Guo Xuan secretly rejoiced, and thought: In the past few years, the suppression of anti-people has been unsuccessful, and this time I sent troops to put down Gao Shida in one battle.Now just let Dou Jiande take the lead with his soldiers and follow behind to clean up the mess.This victory not only came quickly, but also effortlessly, which is really a great thing! So, he said to Dou Jiande: "General Dou needs to work harder!" Dou Jiande clasped his fists and said, "General, the sun is already slanting to the west, and the terrain will be dangerous if we go any further. We can camp here and rest for a while. If we send troops tomorrow morning, we will surely beat him to death." Guo Xuan observed the surrounding situation, and said to Dou Jiande: "In this case, let's set up camp here, bury the pot and cook food, and prepare to fight tomorrow morning." At the same time, Gao Shida received a secret letter from Dou Jiande, agreeing to do it in the middle of the night. That night, Guo Xuan's army was snoring heavily, and all the soldiers wanted to get a good night's sleep before taking down the Gao Shida rebels the next day.Suddenly a bright signal firework rose into the sky, and the sound of killing sounded in the middle of the camp.The troops led by Dou Jiande and the reinforcements led by Gao Shida cooperated from inside to outside. The unprepared Sui army was rushed to pieces and woke up in the middle of the night. Guo Xuan fled for his life with dozens of people on horseback. Dou Jiande chased him to Pingyuan County, Shandong Province and beheaded him.Gao Shida's army not only obtained thousands of horses, but also countless sophisticated weapons. After this battle, Dou Jiande became famous in the rebel army and was regarded as the first general by Gao Shida.In the battle, Dou Jiande showed the planning talent rarely seen in peasant rebels, and truly managed to transport troops like a god, becoming a person that cannot be ignored in the war at the end of the Sui Dynasty.Since then, the struggle that Dou Jiande participated in and led lasted for 12 years. He fought against the Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty in the vast areas of Shandong and Hebei. .Although Dou Jiande also made mistakes in the military and politics in the later period, he was still an outstanding peasant leader.