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Chapter 678

Chapter 678

Yi Nan is not a fool, even if the Western Turks retreat, Yi Nan will send scouts to follow them from a distance until the Western Turks leave Xue Yantuo's territory.

Unless the Western Turks waited for a month or two until Xue Yantuo completely put down his guard and launched an attack suddenly.

But this is obviously impossible. Although the nomads do not need to farm like the people of the Tang Dynasty, they also need to engage in grazing.

Although the nomads are all soldiers, it also determines that they cannot continue to fight protracted wars.

The population of Western Turks is only one million, and 30 soldiers and horses already account for one-third of the total population. If it keeps dragging on and delays grazing, what will they eat when winter comes?

The reason why Genghis Khan was able to cross the Eurasian continent was because he often massacred cities wherever he went, and he kept winning battles and gained a lot of wealth and supplies.

In addition, a large number of slaves were also captured. With slaves, naturally, those people would not need to herd herds, so as to support him to keep fighting around.

But the Western Turks did not have the background of Mongolia, so they couldn't afford to delay.

This is the same reason that the Central Plains Dynasty seldom mobilized troops during farming and autumn harvest.

"Khan, let's talk first."

Lin Xuan's mind was a little confused. He always thought that the situation in the grassland was under his control, but the retreat of the Western Turks disrupted many of his thoughts and made things develop in an unknown direction.

Although the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo fought for nearly a month, and the two sides together lost more than 40 soldiers and horses, there were still nearly [-] cavalry, which the Tang Dynasty could not afford.

And there are quite a few young men on both sides. Give them some time, and they will soon be able to restore their previous strength.

Regardless of whether Nishu was seriously ill or died, Western Turks would fall into civil strife for a period of time.

And Xue Yantuo suffered a lot, and he was unable to take the initiative to find trouble with the Western Turks, which means that the two sides will not be able to fight in a short time.

If the two parties are allowed to cultivate for a few years, this plan will all come to nothing.

There is another matter that gave Lin Xuan a headache. The Western Turks have withdrawn their troops. Ashinasheer may not know about it. Deliberately trying to harm him, will Ashinasheer surrender to Tang Dynasty?

And now it's too late to send someone to notify Ashinasheer.

It takes four days to go from here to Ashinasheer, and now it is only three days before he lets Ashinasheer attack the Western Turks.

When the messenger arrived at Baodu City, Ashinasheer had already gone to attack the Western Turks.

In the vast grassland, where can I find someone.

When he came to the tent, Lin Xuan asked Yi Nan to sit down and said, "Khan, the retreat of the Western Turks has nothing to do with the Tang Dynasty. It takes five days from the time I report the letter back to the dispatch of troops, plus the time for delivering the news. It is impossible for the Turks to retreat so quickly."

There is no need to lie about this point. Why the Western Turks retreated will definitely be clear within a few days.

"After Ben Khan got the news, he thought it was the Tang Dynasty's surprise attack on the Western Turks that caused the Western Turks to retreat, but he didn't expect this."

"Since it has nothing to do with the Tang Dynasty, why did the Western Turks suddenly withdraw their troops?" Yi Nan asked suspiciously.

It's not that he pretended it, but he still hasn't figured out why the Western Turks retreated at this time.

"Big Khan, according to the information I got from the Tang Dynasty, Nishu was suffering from an incurable disease, and the retreat of Western Turks at this time is probably because Nishu had developed an illness, or had already died of illness." Lin Xuan said.

After hearing this, Yi Nan and Solange's expressions changed drastically, and Yi Nan said solemnly: "What the chief executive said is true?"

Both Xue Yantuo and Western Turks belong to the grassland forces, and they have always been on guard against each other, and have never stopped investigating each other's intelligence.

Even he didn't know about the muddy disease, but Datang discovered it. Since Datang can find out the secrets of Western Turks, what about Xue Yantuo's?

Lin Xuan didn't know what Yi Nan was thinking, and thought he was surprised by Nishu's serious illness, and said, "It won't take long for Dahan to find out such a thing. What's the point of me lying to Dahan?"

"I see."

Yi Nan suddenly realized that if Nishu got sick or died, it would be normal for the Western Turks to retreat.

"I don't know what Dahan's plan is?" Lin Xuan asked.

He told Yi Nan about Nishu's serious illness, and he wanted Yi Nan to send troops to attack Western Turks during the civil strife in Western Turks.

Yi Nan laughed and said, "Xue Yantuo suffered a great loss, so naturally he took this opportunity to cultivate himself."

No matter what he thought in his heart, it was impossible to tell Lin Xuan.

"This time there is a chief supervisor, what plans does the chief executive have next?" Yi Nan asked.

Lin Xuan naturally understood that Yi Nan was driving him away, and said with a smile: "Since the Western Turks have retreated, I will naturally lead the troops back, but there are many wounded soldiers, and I am afraid that I will disturb Da Khan for a few more days."

"It's okay, if the chief executive has anything you need, just ask. Ben Khan will definitely not refuse if he can do it. After all, those people were injured because of me, Xue Yantuo." Yi Nan said.

Lin Xuan smiled, chatted with Yi Nan, and then sent Yi Nan away.

After Yi Nan left, Lin Xuan immediately found Qin Huaidao and asked him to send someone to send a message to Ashinasheer.

Even though it's a bit late now, I have to send someone there.

After arranging these, Lin Xuan wrote a memorial, fully wrote down the situation here, and sent someone to Chang'an.

Next, he just needs to wait for Li Shimin's decision.

……

When Lin Xuan had a headache for the withdrawal of Western Turkic troops, Hou Junji led his troops back to Chang'an.

Hou Junji deserved credit for forcing Tubo to retreat, but it wasn't like when Mie Gaochang came back, Li Shimin greeted him personally, even Li Chengqian didn't come, only a few officials from the Ministry of Rites came to greet him.

The soldiers and horses returned to camp, and Hou Junji came to the palace.

"Chenhou Junji, see Your Majesty." Hou Junji saluted respectfully.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Hou Qing has worked hard this time."

"For His Majesty, for the Great Tang, I don't have to work hard." Hou Junji said seriously.

An inexplicable look flashed in Li Shimin's eyes, which quickly faded away, and he said with a smile: "I have always been very clear about rewards and punishments, Hou Qing's soldiers forced Tubo to retreat without bloodshed, to keep the Tang Dynasty safe, reward [-], and move to the right guard general."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Hou Junji said excitedly.

The right guard belongs to one of the sixteen guards. After the Xuanwumen Incident, Hou Junji once served as the general of the right guard, and was later promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War.

Although the Minister of the Ministry of War has a high position, he has no real power.

The Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of War manage the promotion and evaluation of civil servants and generals.

The transfer of officials by the Ministry of Officials is generally reported by the Minister, and the Ministry of Zhongshu can approve it, and finally report it to Li Shimin for review.

However, the Ministry of War has no real power at all because Li Shimin attaches great importance to military power. At most, it can only decide the appointment and dismissal of some school lieutenants.

That's why Hou Junji asked to lead the army during the Battle of Gaochang, in order to get rid of the position of minister of the Ministry of War and regain control of the military power.

As a result, he was punished because he was greedy for ink in Gaochang and insulted Princess Gaochang, and he was not even rewarded.

This time Li Shimin let him serve as the general of the right guard, which also means that he has the military power again, how could he not be excited.

Although Hou Junji hid it well, Li Shimin still noticed it.

(End of this chapter)