Chapter 34 4. The Battle of Bobi: Get tired first and fight later, regain Bingzhou

In the battle to pacify the world in the early Tang Dynasty, the battle between Li Shimin and Song Jingang can be said to be a classic battle.In this battle, Li Shimin fully demonstrated his military strategy of transporting troops into the gods, and used the means of war vividly and vividly. In the use of military power, he was truly able to send and receive freely and just right, showing the extraordinary military talent of a founding monarch. He is only second to Prince Qin, but his military exploits in this battle made his prestige far surpass that of Prince Li Jiancheng. Before meeting Song Jingang, Li Shimin had fought against his generals many times.Under the invasion of Liu Wuzhou's powerful Turkic troops, the territory of the Tang Dynasty continued to fall, and the Tang army once showed signs of decay.Through Li Shimin's efforts, he not only gradually turned defeat into victory, but also killed Lu Chongmao and captured Yu Chigong, causing Liu Wuzhou to suffer heavy losses.Therefore, Song Jingang, as Liu Wuzhou's most powerful military commander, fought with Li Shimin inevitably.

After stationing the army at Baibi, Yin Kaishan and others came forward one after another to advise: "Our army has just won a big victory. At this time, we should take advantage of the victory and pursue it. Take Song Jingang before he is ready." But Li Shimin shook his head and said: "We have come from a long way. Although we have won a few small victories now, for Song Jingang, waiting for us has allowed him to accumulate a lot of strength, and rashly sending troops will only let us On the edge of his knife. So, don't rush." Yin Kaishan said: "Since the victory in Xia County, there are not many capable generals around Liu Wuzhou. Xunxiang is a defeated general, and obviously he will not be reused. Song Jingang will not last long alone. Even if the Turkic soldiers are good at fighting, our soldiers are also mighty soldiers, why don't we take advantage of the victory and pursue them?"

Li Shimin said with confidence: "It's not that I don't want to pursue the victory, but I think there is a better way to make Song Jingang's defeat worse." When everyone heard that he had a good plan, they hurriedly asked Li Shimin to explain it in detail. Li Shimin said: "The situation between our two sides is no longer the same as before. It can be said that the enemy is strong and we are weak. It can be said that we are evenly matched. But we can't be proud of it. Song Jingang's soldiers are strong and powerful. This is obvious to all. Therefore, I do not recommend a strong attack. Now, in order to fight against us, he led his troops to Weizhou, and went deep alone. His purpose of doing this was to fight us quickly, but our army has been dispatched for two months, and there is no rest. Therefore, the most important thing now is to close the camp and keep up Alright, let’s set back the edge.”

Qin Shubao stood up and said: "But even so, we can't wait like this! Song Jingang won't give us time to rest, he will definitely keep attacking the barracks." Li Shimin said: "That's exactly the case. Although we have to rest the team, it doesn't mean that we won't confront him. It takes time to rest, so we want him to have no time to fight against me." Qin Shubao said: "He is now concentrating on attacking our army, how could he not be my enemy?" Li Shimin smiled and asked him, "What do you think is the most important thing for Song Jingang now?"

Qin Shubao thought for a while and said: "He went deep alone, the most important thing is the supply of food and grass!" Li Shimin nodded: "That's right! As long as we cut off his food and grass supply, how much will he have to attack us? In this way, wouldn't we have a lot of time to recharge our batteries?" Everyone listened and nodded their heads one by one.According to this plan, Li Shimin dispatched Liu Hongji, the chief of the march, and Zhang Lun, the deputy chief, to lead 5,000 elite troops to Xihe, and first cut off Song Jingang's supply of grain and grass.Then Yin Kaishan, Qin Shubao and other generals were asked to lead the army, instead of confronting Song Jingang in Huizhou head-on, but constantly harassing Luzhou, Haozhou and other places, so that Liu Wuzhou and Song Jingang had to constantly dispatch troops to deal with the Tang army's surprise attack .After five long months of confrontation, panic after food shortages and constant attacks from the edge, Song Jingang was finally dragged by Li Shimin to the point of helplessness.

As soon as Li Shimin heard the news that Song Jingang was going to withdraw his troops, he quickly summoned his generals and gave them an order to march: "I know everyone is waiting for this day. Let's fight, now we can finally send troops to fight." All the generals were also excited. The five-month rest period made the morale of the Tang army high, and everyone was eager for a big battle.Yin Kaishan, Qin Shubao, Liu Hongji and others led the troops out of the camp to fight Song Jingang to the death. Li Shimin said: "In the first five months, everyone had a good rest. Next, everyone must cheer up. This time is different from the past. If you don't kill the enemy and leave no one behind, you will never be a teacher!"

As soon as Song Jingang's camp started, he was chased by Li Shimin and smashed it in Luzhou. Even the search for Song Jingang's support failed to escape, and was chased by the Tang army with nowhere to hide.If Li Shimin was a dormant lion before, then he is now an eagle attacking.The Tang army pursued the fleeing Song Jingang army, traveling day and night, marching more than 200 miles in one day, and fighting the Song army for dozens of rounds, even without food, and the soldiers were exhausted after days of sleeplessness. . Seeing that the soldiers were almost overwhelmed by this high-intensity pursuit, Liu Hongji rushed to the front of Li Shimin, grabbed his horse and begged, "General, the soldiers have not even had time to eat since they have been chasing continuously for days. , please order the temporary garrison camp, let everyone take a rest!"

But Li Shimin said firmly: "It is not easy to win on the battlefield, but it is very easy to lose; if we want to seize a favorable opportunity, we have to wait a long time, but if we want to miss this opportunity, we have to wait a long time." It's just a matter of a moment. What is in front of us now is such a rare opportunity, are we going to miss it because of eating?" This speech boosted the morale of the Tang army again. Li Shimin rode his horse forward first, and all the generals followed him, and finally caught up with Song Jingang in the Queshu Valley.In one day, the Tang army and Song Jingang fought eight times. Because of the high morale, they won every battle and captured tens of thousands of Song Jingang. In the end, Song Jingang retreated to Jiexiu with only 20,000 soldiers.

After five months of waiting and several days of fierce pursuit, the Tang army's victory made the soldiers extremely excited.And Song Jingang was completely fooled by Li Shimin's strategy of moving troops like a god, as well as the unexpected rhythm of using troops.He didn't know when Li Shimin would make a ruthless move and bite him, and he didn't know when Li Shimin would suddenly retreat and let himself miss the air.Jiexiu is just a small city, although it can be retreated, but it is definitely not a long-term solution.After a short rest, Song Jingang led his army out of the city.

Li Shimin led the army to camp outside Jiexiu City. He knew that Song Jingang would not have much strength to fight back at this time.But in order to prevent him from being desperate, he still can't take it lightly.He summoned Qin Shubao, Cheng Zhijie, Qin Wutong, Yin Kaishan and others, and said to them: "Song Jingang has been forced into Jiexiu by us. He will not stay here for a long time. There is no food inside and no reinforcements outside. He will definitely come out and fight us right away. This war has been going on for several months, and I think it is almost time to end!"

Yin Kaishan said: "The more the last moment, the more we can't relax. Although Song Jingang is retreating to a corner, he is only a centipede, dead but not stiff. We must have a perfect plan to ensure nothing goes wrong." Cheng Zhijie and Qin Wutong yelled: "This Song Jingang used to be invincible, but now he hides in the city and becomes a turtle. I will ask for orders to lead the army to attack the city and find him out!" Li Shimin smiled and said, "He's going to be a tortoise, and we can't take his shell off. It's a matter of time before the city is attacked, but it's better to let this tortoise out of the city, so that we won't suffer any more!" " Qin Shubao said: "Yes, as long as he comes out of the city, we can't let him go back!" Li Shimin said: "That's exactly what I mean! He will stay in the city for a short time, and he will come out to fight in a few days. First order Liu Hongji to fight him. This battle can only be defeated but not won!" Liu Hongji yelled: "General, what are you talking about? Could it be that I can't defeat him? You all underestimate me. He is a defeated general. Once there is a battle, I will definitely kill him!" Li Shimin said with a smile: "It's not that you can't defeat him, but to ensure that he has no chance of winning this time. I just need you to feign defeat and lure him out of the city. When Qin Shubao and Cheng Zhijie lead troops to attack the northern end, Qin Wutong and Yin Kaishan attack the southern end. And I can lead the troops to attack the city and cut off his circuit, so that Song Jingang will have no way to turn back and nowhere to escape!" Everyone took orders, fought Song Jingang the next day, and acted according to plan.The Tang army feigned defeat, and Song Jingang really fell for it. When he led his troops to pursue him, he was already surrounded by Qin Shubao and others.Looking back, in front of Jiexiu City, Li Shimin had already led his army into chaos. Knowing that there was no way out, he could only flee with a few relatives. It lost its use value and was killed by Shibi Khan.On the other hand, Li Shimin pursued the victory and regained the lost Bingzhou, Shizhou and other places. From Li Shimin's arrival at Baibi to finally regaining Bingzhou, the war lasted for nearly half a year.In this protracted battle, Li Shimin adopted the method of attacking from the back. His main force has been in a closed camp state, recharging its energy and waiting for the final charge; It makes the enemy's army unsafe at any time.This kind of protracted war created an opportunity for Li Shimin. When Song Jingang was planning to withdraw his troops due to his lack of food, the dormant main force suddenly launched an attack and pursued fiercely for a while, leaving the enemy no chance to breathe, and regained the territory of the Hedong area in one fell swoop. . The Battle of Bobi was of great significance to the stability of the Guanzhong region of the Tang Dynasty. The new Tang Dynasty not only pacified the border and gained stability, but also completely eradicated this separatist force and eliminated future troubles. The foundation has been laid for long-term development.