The siege weapons of the Tang Dynasty, the trebuchet and the powerful crossbow, can even be said to be the pinnacle of siege weapons in the cold weapon era. Whether it is the trebuchet or the powerful crossbow, they are invincible in this era. I think It is no longer possible to strive for further excellence.
The largest riprap truck alone requires more than 200 to 300 people to operate one, and each stone used weighs nearly a hundred kilograms, reaching the weight of 60 kilograms in the previous life. From this, it can be seen that It is conceivable that if a city encounters so many trebuchets, how can the fragile endurance of the city wall, which is mostly made of loess, be unbreakable
The powerful bed crossbow is also heavy and inconvenient to move. Like the trebuchet, it has an effective range of about five hundred steps, and its strength reaches a full twelve stones. Every time the string is drawn and the bow is drawn, a winch has to be used.
Therefore, although trebuchets and bed crossbows were extremely lethal during this period, their maneuverability was too weak. Three hundred people gathered together was a big target, especially in a country with many mountains and forests like the Korean Peninsula. In this place, it is difficult for trebuchets and bed crossbows to be easily transported to the city "over mountains and ridges".
The emergence of Tianlei definitely provided Datang with effective killing and siege weapons in siege and fortification. Naturally, it doubled Datang's combat effectiveness and made it more confident when facing the enemy. .
But if the civil servants can't stand it, they abandon their martial arts, tie their own hands and feet, and just leave the good sky thunder without using it. They also dislike the catapults and crossbows that are heavy and difficult to move, so they might as well not fight this battle at all, and just return to the court with their troops.
Ge Xiyuan and Shi Zang were questioning each other, holding the horizontal knife thrown by Li Hong in their hands. They were stunned and at a loss. Although their starting point was good, but the effect it had, after His Highness the Crown Prince pointed it out so directly, they immediately seemed to feel He became like a traitor.
Li Zhi took a deep breath. It seems that this personal expedition is not as simple as he imagined. Not to mention the experience of strategizing and leading troops in war, the disputes between civil servants and generals are enough to cause a headache. Yes.
As a coach, if you can't balance these things well and can't make a difference on the battlefield, it seems that half of the battle has been lost before it even starts.
Thinking of this, Li Zhi couldn't help but admire his father. He looked down upon the world with his heroic figure and his unparalleled domineering momentum. He was invincible on the battlefield, and he knew how to make good use of people in the court. The eighteen bachelors of the Prince's Palace and later Famous generals who defected to him and so on.
Looking around me again, if it hadn't been for the prince's reminder, I still wouldn't have been able to figure out whether the emperor should focus on military generals when he personally went to war, or should he listen more to the advice of civil servants.
When there were disputes among the ministers in the court, and he had difficulty making decisions and was hesitant, the queen would naturally help him analyze and make decisions. This also made him more or less unconsciously ignore the importance of the queen. .
In addition, his body has always been weak and he often suffers from vertigo. This has unknowingly become an excuse for him. I am just physically weak. It does not mean that I cannot handle government affairs alone.
But as the war in Liaodong progressed, he often began to feel helpless and indecisive. Often at this time, he would involuntarily think about how great it would be if the queen were here!
Who should be listened to, who should not be listened to, who should take the lead in this matter, and whose abilities are only suitable for assisting, are clear and well-organized, and there will be no shortcomings like what Li Hong pointed out at this moment.
Thinking of this, Li Zhi couldn't help but glance at Li Hong. Since the prince's arrival yesterday, he felt as if he was discussing matters with the queen, and suddenly felt a lot more relaxed mentally.
Psychologically, if not, I have begun to rely on Li Hong for the war here, otherwise I would not have seen Li Hong's talent in truly leading troops to fight before he actually attacked the city. At that time, he had already given an order, giving him full authority to handle the war here.
Li Zhi let out a long sigh again, pondered for a moment and emphasized again: "From now on, the prince is fully responsible for the Liaodong war. No matter how big or small the incident is, there is no need to deliberately report it to me."
"Father..." Li Hong glanced at Li Zhi, who was a little lonely. This was the rhythm of withdrawing himself and standing aside to watch the show.
"I have made up my mind." Li Zhi said firmly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Civil servants and generals bowed in response at the same time.
It seems that the emperor wanted to make things easier for him. Li Zhi walked slowly towards the central military tent, but he was still thinking and struggling in his heart. It seemed that he was not an emperor suitable for leading troops in battle.
As soon as he returned to the camp, Li Hong ran over and looked at Father Long, who was sitting on the dragon chair in the central army tent with a lonely and thoughtful expression. He chuckled and joined him. past.
"What's wrong, Hong'er? What's the matter?" Li Zhi asked calmly, his voice a little tired.
"Nothing, I just came to see you." Li Hong said easily.
Li Zhi couldn't help but be curious, now that the troops are approaching the city, I have already ordered you to take full charge of the war here, why do you still have the heart to run up to me with a playful smile and care about me with a relaxed expression
"As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, if you don't discuss how to attack the city, why are you here?" Li Zhi glanced at Li Hong accusingly and said slightly angrily.
"There is nothing to decide. Just attack the city early tomorrow morning and take it as soon as possible. I thought about it and found that the army has been blocked here for a while, so when we attack the city tomorrow, we must make the Goguryeo soldiers fear me from the bottom of their hearts. The soldiers of the Tang Dynasty Okay, in this way, it may have a certain deterrent effect on the other cities behind Anshi City, so..." Li Hong said in a relaxed and happy tone, as if this siege was child's play, and Li Hong listened. Treatment is very depressing.
"You are responsible for the war. I have explained it to the civil servants and generals. Why, are you afraid that I will regret it?" Li Zhi asked strangely after feeling depressed. It seemed like he had something to ask of himself.
"That's not the case. Why are you worried about this? You are the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and I am just your deputy general. It's just..."
Li Zhi chuckled lightly, he really went to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing. No wonder he ran over to him with a flattering look on his face just after they separated. It seemed that he still had something to ask for.
"Tell me, what is it? If you want to punish Ge Xiyuan and Shi Zang immediately, I think it is unnecessary. I am also responsible for this matter and cannot be completely blamed..."
"No, no, no, this is not the case." As Li Hong spoke, he took out a memorial from his arms and said: "My son simply drafted a war code, mainly to unify the ministers. The opinions on the battlefield were all about attacking the city to prevent it from happening again, but there was no way to unify the recommended rules for how to attack the city. "
Li Zhi frowned and carefully read the simple memorial prepared by Li Hong. The content was not much, it was very simple, and it was proposed entirely in response to the intervention of civil servants such as Ge Xiyuan and Shi Zangjie in the war.
It mainly focused on suppressing and weakening the voice of civil servants in the war. Judging from his memorial, in every military war in the Tang Dynasty, civil servants only had the power to advise and supervise, and they could never interfere with war decisions, or even have the right to make suggestions. There can't be any.
Anyone who violates this code may be immediately sent to Dali Temple for punishment by the general who leads the troops in battle.
"In this case, doesn't it mean that the generals have the final say in the war?" Li Zhi asked in surprise.
"Civil officials and generals have their own division of labor. He is not a warrior. How could he know that the battle situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly? Many times, military generals on the battlefield need to make decisions in the shortest possible time based on the changing battle situation, not at any time. We all have to discuss with other ministers. In order to strive for military speed, we have no reason to brainstorm how to attack the next city after capturing one city. On the battlefield, military commanders have the keenest sense of touch. Naturally, Listen to them."
"Then these civil servants who followed me on the expedition are of no use at all?" Li Zhi frowned deeply. Although these civil servants do not know how to fight, they are not without ideas when they follow the emperor on the expedition.
That is, I also hope that I can follow the emperor's chariot on an expedition and receive a military merit when he returns to the court. In this way, it is equivalent to earning a qualification for himself, and his future career will be broader and there will be an additional path for promotion. Path is not.
Therefore, when the emperor goes on an expedition, the civil servants will often fight to get in. After everyone knows that the emperor wants to go on an expedition in person, they will immediately submit a memorial and request to follow his majesty on the expedition.
On the other hand, the generals are on the contrary. The personal conquest of the emperor only limits their ability to lead troops in battle. If they meet an emperor like Taizong Li Shimin, it is better to say that he knows people well and knows when to use what kind of weapons. Ministers can use their abilities to their full potential.
Therefore, when the military generals followed Taizong on an expedition, they would not be under so much pressure. Instead, they would all strive to be first, hoping to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds.
But following an emperor like Li Zhi, who can be said to be an amateur emperor leading troops in battle, the mentality of the generals is different. When the emperor goes to war, the generals must first ensure the safety of the emperor to the greatest extent possible, as well as the success of the equally important war. victory.
But if you want to ensure the safety of the emperor, if you want to win the entire war, you have to listen to the advice of the emperor and a group of civil servants. The military generals cannot fully display their talents in leading troops, and they are even hindered by the civil servants and the emperor at every turn. , your suggestions are not fully recognized, and you still have to win the battle, then the responsibilities and pressure will be overwhelming.
If you win, it's okay to say that you don't seek merit but seek no fault. These credits belong to the emperor, but what if you lose? This is the sin of the generals, and it has nothing to do with the civil servants. They are civil servants and did not lead the troops to fight in person, so they will not take the blame for you at this time.
Naturally, after losing a war, military generals become the target of verbal and verbal criticism. There is no need to think about their future career promotion. Even whether they can lead troops in battle in the future is a question mark.
Not to mention how after a defeat, civil servants and court opponents who were good at talking on paper would ridicule and secretly suppress them.
If you are lucky, you can retire and go home to take care of your old age. If you are unlucky, well, just stay in the Ministry of Punishment or Dali Temple.
(End of chapter)