Chapter 143:
After five days, Su Lis army entered Song Zhou City. Su Li issued military orders from the governors mansion, where the injured governor, Zhang Jiuhe, lay. Zhang Jiuhe was reluctant, but Su Li demanded control. Despite Lu Dongzans report, Zhang Jiuhe felt the situation wasnt dangerous. Tubos mobilization might be for a marriage alliance. Tubo wouldnt risk attacking the Tang dynasty.
Until this point, Zhang Jiuhe had unwavering confidence in this assessment. Consequently, when Su Li demanded control of Song Zhou, Zhang Jiuhe was the first to oppose it. After that, Su Li ordered him to receive ten lashes as punishment. Despite the lashes, Zhang Jiuhe remained defiant. However, Su Li possessed the imperial decree, and regardless of his subordinates reluctance, they had to comply with Su Lis requests.
As per Su Lis instructions, Song Zhou City immediately went into a state of preparedness. Officials at all levels mobilized the youthful and capable laborers, as well as all accessible livestock, in preparation. These were the two primary commands. Zhang Jiuhe observed, increasingly sensing that this newly appointed commander-in-chief was acting recklessly. The state of readiness was reasonable, given the Tubo forces at the city gates and the arrival of the Tang army.
In such circumstances, a battle was unavoidable. However, Zhang Jiuhe couldnt comprehend the purpose of mobilizing young laborers and usable livestock.
Zhang Jiuhe considered his military strategy only moderately effective and believed he could effortlessly discern the pointlessness of such orders. Yet, he was perplexed that Vice General Li Daozong and other officers down the chain of command executed Su Lis orders without hesitation. This indicated Su Lis remarkably strong control over the army.
Zhang Jiuhe could detect a hint of confusion in their eyes, but they refrained from questioning. This aspect alone made Zhang Jiuhe incapable of fully understanding this young princess spouse.
Soon, the crowd in the hall dispersed gradually. Su Li turned to glance at Zhang Jiuhe, who was lying on a stretcher. He wasnt inclined to converse with the regional governor.
Su Li chose not to explain his reasoning, reserving certain information for his comrades in the army. He aimed to challenge the conventional roles of offense and defense and to gain from the nomadic tribes. The historically established pattern of nomadic tribes raiding the Central Plains was to be reversed. Su Lis plan involved targeting the growing Tubo tribe and then moving north and east to address other ethnic groups.
He rallied the young and strong residents of Song Zhou City, prioritizing those unaffected by high-altitude sickness. Su Lis goal was simple: cleaning up the battlefield. While fifty thousand soldiers and horses might not be enough for territorial occupation, Su Li treated these workers generously. Spoils they found, including captives and slaves, would belong to them personally. This approach was understood by those living on the borderlands, where slaves held more value than precious metals.
Su Lis army couldnt transport these valuable items, but the promise of personal gain made each civilian accompanying the expedition potentially wealthy overnight. This approach ensured ample motivation for the young and strong workers to participate in the campaign.
Right at that moment, Su Dingfang hurriedly entered through the doorway.
Commander, it appears the Tubo army is displaying unusual activity!
Su Li paused briefly, then donned his helmet and swiftly made his way to the city wall alongside Su Dingfang.
Half an hour earlier, in the Tubo camp, Lu Dongzan received news of the Tang armys entry into the city. In response, he took control of Song Zhou, initiating a state of readiness and mobilizing forces from all directions. This cautious move reflected Lu Dongzans awareness of the gravity of the situation. He believed that Li Daozong was undoubtedly the opposing commander, which left Lu Dongzan somewhat disappointed.
