Chapter 294: June Snowstorm

Just after night fell, the Hexi Da Dou Army camp was silent and tense; the cooks were roasting lamb, simmering broth, steaming wheat flatbreads, cooking böktö, busy nonstop, and no one uttered a single idle word.

After the dishes were ready, they were sent to the squads organized by "fire" units, distributed, and the soldiers gorged themselves recklessly, still having leftovers after finishing.

Binge drinking and eating at night is indeed harmful to body and mind, but considering they will soon set out on campaign, this may well be the last good meal of their lives.

Given that premise, any flaw is irrelevant.

However, some soldiers of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army had not eaten; they had already had a private meal an hour ago and were now packing their gear to set out.

Unshorn white sheepskin coats and sheepskin hats; thick, breathable cotton vests;

Leg bindings made of Chu hemp from Kuizhou, and cowhide gloves produced in Hexi;

Cowhide boots, woolen socks and woolen blankets; frostbite‑preventing topical medicine, herbal pills for highland climate; a walking stick, a grappling hook, and a long rope;

Modified arm‑mounted crossbows capable of rapid close‑range fire, and so on.

These items, rarely seen in Tang forces, are almost one set per soldier in the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army.

There are also small blanket tents shared by a few men, prepared specifically for harsh, freezing weather.

Fang Chongyong, accompanied by Guo Ziyi, inspected the site, saw the soldiers tidying their gear, checking for gaps, and couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.

Elite troops should look like this.

So‑called elite soldiers are not just about being bold and fierce; fine equipment is not merely about sharpening a blade.

"It's not the number of troops but their quality; this battle for E Fort Ridge cannot be won by sheer numbers."

On the contrary, having too many people creates trouble, making it easy for plans to go awry.

"We have the advantage of timing, the Tibetans have the advantage of terrain; whoever can win the people's hearts will win."

Fang Chongyong pointed at a Yinqiang Xiaojie soldier trying on a uniform and said, while Guo Ziyi merely gave a slight nod without comment.

Whether Tang or Tibetan forces, especially the Tibetans, have the habit of emphasizing weapons over equipment. Swords, spears, halberds, armor, warhorses, siege engines—both sides are well equipped, with almost no disparity. They have everything; if you can imagine it, they can do it.

However, regarding individual soldier gear, both Tang and Tibetan armies are like younger brothers—use what works, without much thought.

Their strategic vision lags behind that of Fang Chongyong, a later man, by a thousand years!

Soldiers being well fed, warmly clothed, and equipped with emergency medicine—these are the most basic provisions for elite troops.

And to adapt to varying climates and terrain, many special equipments are needed, which is a further level of logistical support.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, as a well‑supplied elite force, has its gear specially crafted in workshops under the Ministry of Works, with some pieces commissioned from the large workshops in Wuwei City, mainly woolen and cold‑resistant items.

"Jiedushi Fang, how can we capture E Fort Ridge without anyone noticing?"

Guo Ziyi asked in puzzlement.

"In this battle I plan to use a thousand elite troops to seize E Fort. The other two thousand elite troops will set out a day later to open a supply route, and the remaining six thousand Da Dou troops will serve as reinforcements."

Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice.

He now commands nearly ten thousand troops, and throwing them all at once into terrain like Da Dou Valley simply cannot be executed.

Especially since the Tang army advances from low ground to high ground, ensuring provisions for ten thousand men is a huge problem.

If the battle stalls, unable to advance or retreat, the ten thousand troops could starve to death!

"The Jiedushi's use of troops has its own subtleties; I, the junior officer, would like to hear the details."

Guo Ziyi asked calmly, a typical expression of doubt yet unwilling to openly contradict.

Fang Chongyong saw through his scheming, waved his hand and said, "Historical records state that at the end of the Sui dynasty, Emperor Yang Guang led elite Sui troops from Zhangye into Da Dou Valley. It was July, and suddenly a blizzard fell; the Sui army and their cattle and sheep froze to death in large numbers. Later generations mostly disbelieved it, thinking it a false tale."

Guo Ziyi remained silent, but his face showed a thoughtful expression, not treating Fang Chongyong's words as a joke.

The mountain road of Da Dou Valley is a place with extremely capricious climate. Its northern exit faces a desert climate—hot and arid—while the southern exit has a cold, humid highland climate. The two sharply contrasting climates are blocked by the mountains.

And the gap in the middle of the range is Da Dou Valley.

Thus, June snow and a temperature plunge of forty degrees in Da Dou Valley are not unusual at all—just routine basic operations.

Fang Chongyong guessed that Emperor Yang Guang must have encountered such a disastrous sudden climate shift, and since the army lacked permanent local residents and had not prepared for the cold, they suffered a great loss.

Before setting out for Da Dou Valley, Fang Chongyong consulted several guides who had lived there for decades and later made a living in Wuwei City, to inquire about the conditions of Da Dou Valley.

In one phrase, it's "danger at every turn." Climate is the Tang army's greatest enemy, period!

On the second day after arriving at the Da Dou camp, Fang Chongyong again sought local mountain dwellers familiar with the routes and obtained crucial intelligence: the annual June snowfall has returned, though the exact day is uncertain.

In any case, during this period, to be safe, these mountain folk keep their sheep out of the mountains. When an extreme blizzard hits, it often lasts only half an hour but can take their lives.

The mountain folk are like that, and the Tibetan army is even more so.

The Tibetan garrison at E Fort Ridge cannot have good supplies; the Tibetan slave system also cannot keep soldiers constantly well fed and clothed. Recently, extreme cold snaps may occur; will the Tibetan army still patrol the mountain road?

Perhaps, but the likelihood is low.

If the attacking force is reduced to a thousand men, the chance of being spotted by Tibetans on the road becomes even smaller!

Upon nearing E Fort Ridge, the army will lie in ambush, waiting for possible nighttime snowstorms. Then, using the darkness or a brief window of severe cold, they can seize the defenseless fort in one stroke—a gamble worth taking.

Common sense tells that the fastest temperature drop in a day occurs between 1 p. m. and 4 p. m. Thus, the severe cold in the mountains is most likely to happen during that window, not in the dead of night.

In fact, historical records show that Emperor Yang Guang's cold snap also occurred during the day. Locals say such weather usually lasts no more than an hour, after which temperatures return to normal.

If such a drastic drop does not occur, they must resort to a night assault, so the Tang army has only two opportunities to siege.

Fang Chongyong has already investigated: E Fort was not built against the mountain but is a permanent stronghold reluctantly erected on the ridge during the Han dynasty; now most of its walls have collapsed beyond repair.

The Tibetans have occupied the site for only a few decades and have not rebuilt the walls, merely plugging gaps with wooden fences and using southern supplies to barely sustain a military presence at this key point.

Of course, the Tibetan forces on the mountain ridge near their logistical base can barely hold on.

If the Tang army wishes to hold E Fort, it must use Da Dou Valley as a supply line, transporting provisions from the Hexi Corridor to here.

In a pre‑industrial era, even theoretically that was impossible; otherwise, the Hexi forces would have already advanced the front line to E Fort Ridge as a defensive node.

After hearing Fang Chongyong's explanation, Guo Ziyi was greatly impressed; the saying that boldness combined with meticulous preparation is exactly that.

If Fang Chongyong's investigation is accurate, the thousand‑strong vanguard needs no horses, as the mountain paths are impassable for them. Supply line concerns become moot; defeat would mean no return.

A small river called Tongzi Dam River runs through the northern part of Da Dou Valley. However, the southern part near Tibet lacks any water source suitable for the army, a major issue that cannot be ignored.

Only then did Guo Ziyi understand what Fang Chongyong meant by "troops must be swift as the gods."

Once the bow is drawn there is no arrow to turn back; attacking E Fort Ridge, if the campaign drags on we will have no water to drink, and only after crossing the ridge will fresh water be found, otherwise we must retreat to the north section of Great Dou Valley near the western‑river army‑controlled zone for water.

Lose and we die!

"Jiedushi Fang, this battle seems easy, but the opening engagement is extremely risky. After taking E Fort, the main force can march on horseback and also drive donkeys and mules to haul supplies."

South of E Fort the Tubo have heavily garrisoned the supplies, probably no fewer than twenty thousand men. Yet after occupying E Fort our army will stand on invincible ground.

"Therefore, please, Jiedushi Fang, lead the second wave to E Fort Ridge, with the first wave as vanguard; let your subordinate command the troops."

Guo Ziyi crossed his arms, bowed, and said, "May I request battle?"

"Very well."

"Make He Changqi your deputy, the Two Dragons of the Yuen Gate as vanguard, and depart tonight at the hour of the Rat. I will, tomorrow at noon, set out with two thousand Yinqiang Xiaojie Army. After we rendezvous, we will send a messenger to have Liu Gong bring the Great Dou Army to support us. If the battle goes poorly, we need not call them."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

The Great Dou Valley stretches a little over fifty li; the army can march there in a day, even faster on forced march. No need to tend horses along the way, saving much trouble. The vanguard is a thousand men, the main force two thousand, about a half‑day time gap.

The slightly weaker Great Dou Army this time fields about six thousand men; for the battle of E Fort Ridge Fang Chongyong no longer intends to involve them. Their main task is to strike the Tubo logistical base southeast of E Fort Ridge, spending the early stage to rest and regroup.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army consists of the finest soldiers from the border forces, equipped with top‑grade gear from the highest‑level Tang workshops, and their early intelligence work was thorough.

If, despite careful planning, this surprise attack fails, Fang Chongyong will petition Ji Ge, claiming his training failed and that the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army will be disbanded as a warning to others!

After saying farewell to Guo Ziyi, Fang Chongyong called He Changqi over for a talk.

"Although this battle is led by Guo Ziyi, and the timing of the attack and march is his decision, once we reach E Fort Ridge you must judge the situation on site and personally lead the troops."

Fang Chongyong instructed him as if giving a direct command.

"Heh, Jiedushi, rest assured; your subordinate will not be sloppy in battle."

The unusually towering He Changqi patted his chest and pledged.

"Tell the brothers this: if we win, I will report their merit; if we lose, I will disband the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army and send them back to their original posts!

Let them keep their banners bright, and don't let the Jiedushi cheat!"

Fang Chongyong said calmly.

"Huh? Cancel the unit number if we lose? Isn't victory and defeat a common matter of war?"

He Changqi was shocked, finally realizing Fang Chongyong was being serious. It was like someone saying they would swallow feces if not chosen in a blind date!

But Fang Chongyong considered that for an army, the unit number means life. An army's benefits follow the unit number, not the individual. Disbanding the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army and sending its men back to their original units would be disastrous.

A person lives by face! Without a face, how can one be a person?

If such a death order cannot stir the troops' fighting spirit, then the army truly has no need to exist.

"If this battle cannot be won, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army does not deserve to be a saint's personal force. To avoid future disgrace, let's revoke the unit number now; I'll be glad for the peace."

Fang Chongyong impatiently waved his hand, sending He Changqi to deliver the order.

……

Sometimes sand, sometimes Gobi, sometimes snow, sometimes lush mountains. The mountain roads inside Great Dou Valley are like traversing the varied mountain paths of the Tang Empire, ever‑changing.

After a safe, uneventful trek of over forty li, it was already noon. A dazzling sun hung in the sky, its rays scorching like fire, bathing the thousand‑strong vanguard of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army and making heads spin.

The men were drenched in sweat and could not shed their cotton and leather coats; the scorching heat made them suffer unbearably.

"General Guo, won't you let the lads rest? This heat is unbearable; taking off the clothes wouldn't hurt…"

He Changqi wiped the hot sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and said.

The first order Guo Ziyi gave at departure was that no soldier may remove his leather or cotton coat; violators would be beheaded!

In fact, when they set out it was midnight and the mountain air was cool, so the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army didn't take the order seriously. Only after marching most of the day, then a forced march, did the men begin to falter at noon.

Exhaustion was secondary; after all, these men are the finest soldiers of the border, unafraid of such marching strain.

It was just the blazing sun overhead that was hard to bear—too hot! The scalp under the sheepskin hats was soaked with sweat! What weather is it in Liangzhou now, wearing only light clothes in daytime!

The courtesans in the taverns had their white bellies exposed! Their wealthy patrons trudged the mountain paths in cotton coats, looking like a herd of roasted lambs!

He Changqi was boiling with anger, with nowhere to vent.

"General He, do not be impatient; I see the weather is about to change."

Guo Ziyi squinted at a cloud not far above, rapidly drifting toward them, visible to the naked eye.

At that moment a cold wind blew; He Changqi shivered, and his hot sweat turned to cold sweat instantly!

"Quickly, send the order: pitch the tents, take out the blankets, the snowstorm is coming!"

Guo Ziyi hurriedly gave the command.

Yet it seemed unnecessary, for the soldiers of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army had already begun pitching tents in a panic; no one's eyes were blind. What was thought to be a legend turned out to be a real extreme weather encounter.

In truth, the southern end of Great Dou Valley near Tubo is humid, while the Tang‑side end is dry and hot, and the area near E Fort Ridge is at higher altitude.

Warm air meets condensation and high altitude, creating convection; this June snowfall is the same principle as aircraft icing in the convective layer.

To ancient people it might have seemed strange, but in Fang Chongyong's previous life it was commonplace.

In an instant, the north wind howled through the valley; the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's strong men huddled inside superbly insulated woolen tents, wrapped in blankets and shivering. Earlier they had complained the leather and cotton coats were too thick and hot.

Now they complained they were too thin to be useful!

Perhaps the prayers of the crowd worked; soon the cold wind ceased and heavy snow fell in the valley, the temperature dropping sharply instead of rising.

"All rise, forced march! Anyone who doesn't move, I'll kill them myself!"

He Changqi led his personal guard, kicking over thick tents one after another, beating lagging soldiers with his staff; the long snake‑like formation erupted into chaos.

In less than the time it takes to burn a incense stick, the thousand‑man column abandoned the tents and jogged forward. They were now only a few li from E Fort Ridge!

(End of Chapter)