Chapter 243: Sheep Eat People

Shang Yexi is a newly risen, promising general of Tubo in recent years, but he had previously operated in South Asia, assisting Tubo in sieges and raids in Tianzhu, and he has not often faced the Tang army.

So he is relatively cautious this time, and does not intend to attack Shanzhou.

Because this time they are masquerading as a "Tangut" tribe, the ten thousand Tubo cavalry are not for sieging cities but to raid Shanzhou for supplies.

Fang Chongyong knows that Tubo people have traditionally launched an "autumn offensive", fighting only after the autumn harvest when provisions are abundant and horses are well‑fattened.

But he does not know that this time the Tubo have creatively planned a "spring offensive", allowing them to capture Stone Fortress City during the more favorable spring‑summer seasons!

Consequently, the Tubo army suffers a partial shortage of provisions, which becomes a hard problem to solve. The reason Shang Yexi wants to raid the Lonyou supply depot for grain also stems from this factor.

Anyway, Shang Yexi is fielding lightly‑armed cavalry this time and never intended to slug it out with the Tang army.

After raiding a certain village, they unexpectedly discovered a Tang army granary. When each Tubo horse was loaded with cloth bags of wheat grains, Shang Yexi decisively ordered: "Rush! As fast as you can!"

War cannot be waged; the battle‑savvy Shang Yexi knows clearly: troops value swiftness, the supreme strategy attacks the enemy's plans, the lesser attacks the city!

On the way back, they can even drive a flock of nearly ten thousand sheep back to Tubo territory. This raid netted so much with zero casualties—anyone would call it a bloodless profit!

After a cavalry onslaught against the Tang army, the opponent hasn't yet found a fault. Such a record is not uncommon in Tubo, but at least it can be called unprecedented.

At this moment, Shang Yexi feels full of pride.

He knows the Tang army's Anren troops being disbanded is only temporary, and the internal chaos is also fleeting. He estimates that soon another force will re‑garrison Datong City, and this brief window will vanish in an instant.

Without Datong City blocking them, Tubo cavalry can move freely between villages north of Shanzhou and Tubo bases. Not only can they set out in the morning and arrive by evening, they can almost go and return the same day!

It's even more convenient than the zero‑yuan purchase you saw in Fang Chongyong's past life.

This is precisely the opportunity for this raid!

Of course, Datong City's strategic position and terrain are far inferior to those of Stone Fortress City. The Tubo side also does not think a single expedition can drive the Great Tang Lonyou army out of the Hehuang Valley. Therefore, the Tubo high command plans to first seize Stone Fortress City in this offensive before dealing with anything else.

Otherwise, according to Shang Yexi's plan, he would have taken Datong City at the first opportunity!

Moreover, if Shang Yexi stirs up some activity on the northern front at Datong City, he can draw the Great Tang Lonyou army's attention there, thereby weakening the southern defense of Stone Fortress City and creating an opening for the Tubo southern army to capture it.

It is somewhat a feint to the east while striking to the west.

One must admit, Shang Yexi is a very clever Tubo commander. This raid enjoys favorable weather, terrain, and manpower.

Regardless, they cannot lose! Even if things go badly, abandoning the grain and fleeing is no problem!

However, when Shang Yexi led ten thousand cavalry, laden with a sizable amount of provisions, back north, the cavalry had just reached the throat of the Xingxiu River— the gorge beneath Datong City— when Shang Yexi at the front saw a dense array of spiked barricades ahead!

The sight stretched endlessly; they were placed there, blocking the inevitable return route tightly!

What the heck is with these horse‑stopping spikes!

Shang Yexi was stunned!

They had previously sent scouts into Datong City and found no one inside!

The road runs straight, with shallow water on one side that cannot accommodate boats and towering mountains on the other; there is nowhere to hide people!

Which scoundrel blocked the throat of the Xingxiu River with spiked barricades?

Did these spiked barricades just sprout from the ground?

Shang Yexi was completely disheartened, and not only him; the victorious cavalry unit began to stir restlessly.

"Dismount, move the spiked barricades!"

Shang Yexi shouted at his deputy. At this point there is no other recourse but to pray the Tang army arrives later!

At that moment, a memory flashed in his mind, and he was instantly terrified, sweating profusely, his lips trembling!

Shang Yexi recalled an old incident: decades ago during the Wu Zhou period, the Tubo army apparently used this tactic against the Tang, setting up fences and spiked barricades on the main route, blocking the Tang's path and nearly annihilating the returning Tang forces.

At that time, the Tang general Hei Chi Changzhi turned the tables and achieved a counter‑kill, winning against overwhelming odds, defeating the Tubo, and thereby earning a rapid promotion.

Decades later, the roles reversed, and it was the Tang army that placed spiked barricades on the Tubo's return route!

Bad! The situation has become serious!

Thinking of this, Shang Yexi hurriedly ordered:

"All dismount! Remove the spiked barricades! Anyone who disobeys shall be beheaded!"

Shang Yexi, frantic, looked at the bewildered, panicking Tubo soldiers, and leapt from his horse to slay a frozen Tubo soldier on the spot!

"Everyone, come over! Move the spiked barricades!"

Shang Yexi's voice, strained by urgency, even changed pitch!

Under his command, the Tubo cavalry turned into infantry, abandoning their horses to begin hauling the heavy spiked barricades.

However, in this narrow stretch, even with ten thousand men at Shang Yexi's disposal, not everyone can work simultaneously; only a few hundred can operate at once.

During the hauling, coordination was poor; this narrow valley spans several hundred meters, and there was nowhere else to place the spiked barricades.

Thus the Tubo soldiers had to move the spiked barricades to the foothills east of Datong City, then return to continue hauling, shuttling back and forth and wasting much time.

Shang Yexi felt both anxious and suffocated, his strength drained. This blockage seemed to have trapped the Tubo cavalry at their most uncomfortable and inconvenient spot.

They possess great mobility, but the narrow, blocked terrain renders it useless.

They have a numerical advantage, yet only a few can help haul; the rest can only stare helplessly, with nowhere else to go.

They enjoy a time advantage, but being blocked, they can only watch as the Tang cavalry from the south reacts and gives chase!

Whatever they fear arrives: Shang Yexi worries about elite Tang pursuit, and from the south the sound of hooves and battle cries comes.

Shang Yexi raised the ancient Sishidao in his hand and shouted toward Datong City on the eastern hill: "Do not linger in battle! All into the city! Once inside, set up defenses!"

Immediately, the messengers beside him began waving flags, and the Tubo cavalry slowly advanced toward Datong City on the hill!

Engaging in battle is impossible! Ahead are spiked barricades, behind armored Tang troops! On our side we have light cavalry, and we are squeezed into this narrow deathtrap!

This situation mirrors exactly the Tubo's blockade of the Tang decades ago; fighting would mean death! No chance at all!

However, if these ten thousand retreat into Datong City and occupy the sturdy fortress for a defensive stand, they could hold out for a few days.

After all, under Shang Yexi's command the Tubo have seized plenty of grain and ten thousand horses! Their logistics are not lacking for now.

Their predicament at Datong City will soon be known to the Tubo northern army, and reinforcements will come; they believe they can carve a bloody path to escape.

Even without rescue, they can die a few days later. In any case, this is far better than using a Changsuo to meet the Tang cavalry with a heavenly‑spirit cover.

Shang Yexi's movements were certainly swift, but they were still a little too late.

The formation he was in was at the front of the main force, allowing a smooth charge into Datong City with no obstruction. However, the dismounted soldiers still hauling anti‑cavalry stakes, and the Tibetan cavalry at the rear of the line, were all completely wrecked.

Deprived of a commanding general and masquerading as lightly‑armed Khitan troops, they were trapped in a dead‑end and lost mobility. When these Tibetan soldiers came into contact with the Lintao cavalry led by Fang Chongyong, they were cut down like paper figures, without even a chance to retaliate.

Fang Chongyong, cautious in his use of troops, to avoid unnecessary casualties ordered a battalion of mounted infantry to dismount and clear the way ahead. He led his professional cavalry behind them at a steady pace.

These heavy infantry clad in the Tang army's Bright Light armor faced the slowed Tibetan light cavalry and carried out an almost one‑sided slaughter. After dealing with the Tibetan troops below the hill, the Tang forces dismounted entirely and sealed off Datong City tightly.

"Jiedushi Fang, shall we issue the order to assault the city?"

Bloodied Gai Jiayun, his face alight with excitement, asked Fang Chongyong.

An army cannot simply occupy a city temporarily and rely on its terrain for defense. Fortifying a position is a highly technical task that requires accumulated experience and knowledge, as well as certain auxiliary items.

For example, bed crossbows, oil, bows and arrows, rolling logs, and the like.

The Tibetan army's temporary hold on Datong City is still unstable. Trying to mount a respectable defensive battle is far from easy.

Gai Jiayun's suggestion was to strike while the iron is hot: breach the city before the Tibetans become familiar with Datong's layout, thereby minimizing Tang casualties.

"Send the order down, light the signal fires!"

Fang Chongyong said no idle words, directly ordering his personal guard captain He Changqi.

"Understood!"

He Changqi went to deliver the order; soon, signal fires blazed among the Tang troops outside Datong City, visible from far away, let alone inside the city!

"Beat the drums!"

Fang Chongyong continued issuing commands, steady and concise, without a single superfluous word.

Dong Dong Dong!

The rapid big‑drum beats rang across the heavens!

A multitude of Tibetan soldiers scrambled up Datong City's walls, bows and crossbows in hand, their faces tense as they watched the Tang troops below preparing to assault.

Among the remaining soldiers present, none were unafraid; barring any surprise, this would be a battle drenched in blood.

…

Puff!

It was the sound of blade meeting flesh, accompanied by a spray of fresh blood.

A Tang soldier clad in white sheepskin drove his long sword into Shang Yexi's abdomen! The young Tibetan commander stared in disbelief, collapsing to the ground convulsing, his hands still clutching his sword tightly!

He died with his eyes unclosed!

Shang Yexi was defeated, yet even in death he never understood how he had lost!

A clever hunter always sets many traps; when one fails, another is put in its place.

This time Fang Chongyong prepared a lavish set‑menu for the Tibetans; whatever they desired, they could find the "desired" dish.

The Tang army's victory was inevitable, whether it be a modest win, a great triumph, or a total sweep.

What Shang Yexi did not know was that every choice he made was a double‑loser, leading to the worst possible outcome.

When Shang Yexi fled into Datong City with the remaining Tibetan troops, someone noticed that in certain corners a few frightened lambs were hiding in groups of two or three. Of course this was not surprising; the herd of sheep had been nearby, startled by horses, and seeking refuge in Datong City was nothing unusual.

Shang Yexi positioned his men along the city walls, preparing to meet the Tang army's forthcoming assault.

The Tibetan troops were uneasy; who could ignore these harmless lambs?

Unexpectedly, when the Tang forces lit the signal fires and the drums roared, those four‑legged "lambs" instantly stood upright, becoming living men clad in sheepskin, swords in hand!

Those in sheepskin are not necessarily wolves; they can also be the valiant and battle‑ready Qiu Ba!

Upon hearing the drums, these "sheepskin people" gathered in groups from within Datong City, then turned on the Tibetans, coordinating with the Tang assault. In less than half an hour the fight was over. With attacks from inside and outside, Tang casualties were negligible.

"Jiedushi Fang, some of us are leading the vanguard, fearing that a Tibetan might feign death and injure you, which would be undesirable."

Gai Jiayun said earnestly, and Fang Chongyong was pleased and sincere.

He led his personal guards ahead as guides, while Fang Chongyong led the senior officers of the Lintao army into Datong City together. Tibetan corpses lay everywhere, and a few Tang corpses still wore sheepskin.

The five Lun brothers, also clad in sheepskin, stepped forward to bow respectfully to Fang Chongyong.

"The training's effect is good."

Fang Chongyong laughed heartily.

Lun Weizhen, embarrassed, patted his head and said with a laugh:

"It's just this sheepskin hat that's uncomfortable; the rest is fine."

When the Tibetan cavalry were on the steppe, someone feared they would retreat home then, forcing our three thousand sheepskin‑clad infantry into a bloody clash with the Tibetan cavalry on the plains.

"If that moment ever came, we could only hope the Jiedushi would dispatch troops quickly; we couldn't be panting and talking like now, hahahaha!"

Hearing this, the border commanders nearby also burst into laughter.

Fang Chongyong's scheme, though cheap, was to have the five Lun brothers lead their troops together with the border forces from Lanzhou to muster three thousand men, converting ten thousand sheepskins from the treasury into wearable "sheepskin garments"—three sheepskins per outfit.

Of course, Cen Can had already carried out this plan according to Fang Chongyong's "brilliant stratagem".

The five Lun brothers conducted drills on the steppe near Lanzhou, having their subordinates don sheepskin and walk like sheep. Once proficient, they returned to Shanzhou, went to the grasslands of Xingxiu River, mingling with a flock of real lambs to "practice" on the steppe north of Datong City.

This was the so‑called baiting of the enemy.

Zhang Shouyu's group pretended to be shepherds controlling the field. Depending on the Tibetans' reactions, they sent different signals to the Tang army stationed in Shanzhou behind them, and continuously monitored the Tibetan cavalry's movements.

If the Tibetans saw through the sheepskin men, Zhang Shouyu would dispatch messengers, and the Tang forces in Shanzhou would march north to rescue.

If the Tibetans failed to recognize the sheepskin men, Zhang Shouyu would also send a message, and after the Tibetans passed, inform the sheepskin men on the steppe to move the anti‑cavalry stakes pre‑positioned inside Datong City to the choke‑point gorge of Xingxiu River to block the road.

After completing the task, the sheepskin men would resume pretending to be lambs, hiding inside Datong City awaiting orders.

Clearly, the greedy Tibetans who only intended to loot and flee did not consider these details. Including Shang Yexi, they believed themselves to be cavalry, and with Datong City abandoned, the Tang army could not possibly block their path.

In the end, a small loss led to total annihilation of the whole army!

Living off rations on the battlefield is that dangerous; a moment's carelessness can be fatal. Being cautious ten thousand times is never enough, while a single lapse may spell doom.

"Order the Lintao infantry to rush to Datong City and garrison! Everyone else, after clearing the battlefield, return to Shanzhou City."

Fang Chongyong's heart was already blooming with joy, but his expression remained unchanged as he calmly issued the order.

After redeploying the defenses of Datong City, the final gap was finally sealed, and only then was this battle truly over.

Of course, outward publicity should be low-key; these Tangut people are outrageously bold, daring to loot the Tang army's grain depot—unforgivable—but they have nothing to do with the Tibetan Empire.

As for the Tibetan Empire, they can't even voice their suffering; they couldn't possibly claim that their own cavalry came to the Tang-controlled area to loot and ended up being counter-killed, could they?

If that were really the case, saying it out loud would be a joke; even the Tibetan Empire's Zanpu couldn't afford to lose face over this person.

Behind the absurdity lies an incredible truth, drawn from two real battles that actually occurred during the Tang dynasty.

(End of chapter)