Chapter 317: The Battle Against Tubo (Part 2)

Since the Tang forces in Longyou officially declared war in late June, the battles on the eastern front progressed swiftly. Ge Shu Han led his troops in two columns—one under General Wang Nande with 20,000 Tang soldiers attacking Wuhai, an important grazing area for the Tubo people, home to numerous herders and garrisoned by 5,000 Tubo troops. The Tang forces, outnumbering their opponents, swiftly defeated the Tubo forces at Wuhai, killing over 4,000 enemies and capturing tens of thousands of Tubo men and women, as well as 400,000 head of cattle and sheep.

Meanwhile, Ge Shu Han personally led 50,000 troops to attack the Jiuqu region, formerly part of the Tuyuhun territory and a key grain-producing area on the Tubo Plateau. After the Tuyuhun were annexed by the Tubo, this area became a logistical base for Tubo forces attacking the Tang. The Tubo had stationed 30,000 troops there for defense, making it a focal point of Ge Shu Han’s attack. Although the Tang forces had a numerical advantage, their individual combat skills were inferior to those of the Tubo in highland warfare. After several battles with alternating victories, the situation stalled.

Just as one battle ended and both sides withdrew, in the distance lay the Tubo city of Hongji. The Tubo troops fought with their backs to the city, once again thwarting the Tang forces’ attempt to capture it.

The setting sun was blood-red, casting a crimson glow over the valleys of the plateau. On the slopes and gravel beaches along the rivers, hundreds of dead Tang soldiers lay scattered—over a thousand in total. Pools of blood stained the ground, and many wounded horses still lay twitching on the earth. The fallen soldiers lay sprawled, clutching their swords, arrows, and shields, resting in eternal slumber on this cold land.

The bodies of the Tubo soldiers had been removed. Hundreds of Tuyuhun elders hired by the Tang forces struggled to carry the dead Tang soldiers. Working in groups of three, they placed a body on a stretcher and slowly lifted it, shuffling toward the Tang camp under the setting sun.

The Tang camp was located on a higher elevation, surrounded by a crude stone wall to prevent sudden attacks by Tubo cavalry. Tall watchtowers stood around to monitor the surroundings. Nearly 10,000 Tang archers were positioned around the perimeter, armed with powerful crossbows and ready for battle.

On a watchtower, Geshu Han stared expressionlessly at the distant city of Hongji. By capturing this city, half of the Jiuqu region would fall under his control. Although the Tang and Tibetan armies were in a stalemate, Geshu Han was confident of winning this battle. From the start, he realized that the Tibetan army was not as strong as he had thought. Initially, he believed it was Dazhalugong’s tactic of luring the Tang forces deeper before attacking their supply lines, such as in Baishi City. As a result, he strengthened the defenses of Baishi City, sent more troops there, and raised the city walls. However, after several days of fighting and continuous reports from his scouts, he gradually realized that the situation was not as he had assumed. The Tibetans indeed lacked troops, and even their important population center of Wuhai had been captured by the Tang forces with little effort. Even if Dazhalugong was trying to lure them in, he would not risk using Jiuqu and Wuhai. Without food and population, what did the Tibetans have left?

Geshu Han guessed about seven or eight out of ten that there might be problems within the Tibetan forces, as evidenced by their logistical supply situation. His scouts found that no supplies had reached the Tibetan army since the war began; they were relying solely on the meager resources stored in the Jiuqu region. In other words, Dazhalugong had no reinforcements, and with such limited supplies, they could not hold out much longer.

As an experienced veteran, Geshu Han knew well that it was especially important to remain calm and cautious at such times. To prevent the Tibetan army from using a trap to lure him in, he adopted a strategy of advancing step by step—conquering and securing territory one by one, without rushing for glory. He ensured a steady supply of food and other supplies to avoid having his rear cut off by the Tibetan forces.

So far, his strategy had been completely successful. Although they had not yet captured Hongji City, he already held the initiative on the battlefield. Capturing Hongji City was only a matter of time. As long as the Tibetan forces in Anxi did not attack his rear, he was 90% confident of winning this battle. It seemed that Li Qing’an had already held off the Tibetan forces in Anxi, cooperating with him very effectively.

Contrary to Geshu Han’s confidence, the Tibetan commander Dazhalugong was extremely anxious. He had actually anticipated the Tang army’s large-scale attack, but even though he knew it, there was nothing he could do. Tibet’s army of over 200,000 was gathered in Lhasa under the control of Nangxi Dazan. No matter how he pleaded for reinforcements, Nangxi Dazan refused to send troops or even supplies like weapons and tents. If things continued like this, Tibet would not only lose the Jiuqu region but also nearly half of its territory. Of course, the Tang army might not be able to adapt to the highlands and ice fields, but what about the population? By losing its most valuable people, Tibet would be severely weakened—would they still have a chance to rise again?

Dazhalugong was deeply worried. He hated both the Tang army for taking advantage of the situation and Nangxi Dazan for ruining the country for his own gain. His greatest concern was Wuhai. If Wuhai fell, the Tang army would advance southward, and then Jishishan and Baihai would also be lost, leaving them with no way to retreat. Now, Dazhalugong faced a dilemma: should he hold firm in Jiuqu and wait for reinforcements, or conserve his forces by retreating to Baihai or directly back to Lhasa? Retreating to Lhasa was impossible—Nangxi Dazan would kill him on the spot. Holding firm in Jiuqu would only result in being annihilated by the Tang army soon. If Nangxi Dazan really cared about Jiuqu, he wouldn’t have failed to send reinforcements. The only option was to retreat to Baihai and wait for help. He believed Nangxi Dazan also didn’t want the Tang army to reach Lhasa.

Dazhalugong was stuck. The wheat in the Jiuqu region would be ripe in two months, and he was unwilling to hand it over to the Tang army for free. But he had no choice—he knew full well that 5,000 Tibetan soldiers could never hold off the Tang army at Wuhai.

Dazhalugong gazed at Wuhai for a long time. Finally, he made up his mind and slowly ordered his subordinates, “Pass my command: at the second watch, the entire army shall retreat southward to Baihai!”

In the dead of night, 20,000 Tibetan soldiers abandoned Jiuqu and retreated southward. They crossed the Yellow River fifty miles to the south and headed toward Baihai. Geshu Han also ordered that no pursuit be made, nor should Wang De’s troops intercept them. The Tang army then occupied the Hongji and Damomen areas, taking control of all the tribes in Jiuqu.

Geshu Han wasn’t in a hurry to advance to Baihai. Instead, he built fortifications, mobilized his troops, and connected Wuhai and Jiuqu into one area. He also ordered that supplies be continuously sent to Hongji City. He then visited several major Tuyuhun tribes, promising that the Tang army would protect their property and not seize their food or land. He also formed a 3,000-strong Tuyuhun army to be stationed west of Qinghai. This move was essentially an implicit approval of the Tuyuhun people’s right to restore their kingdom.

It must be said that the Tang Dynasty’s strategy was extremely sound. The Tang army could not remain in the highlands for long, and by supporting the Tuyuhun people, it created a barrier in the highlands, preventing the Tubo from directly threatening the security of Longyou. The Tang army’s attitude won the support of the Tuyuhun people, who drove away the Tubo and returned Han slaves to show their sincerity. They formed self-defense forces, and more than a dozen tribal leaders gathered at Jiuqu and unanimously elected Dorde, the brother of the former Tuyuhun king, as the new king of Tuyuhun. Geshu Han sent someone to take the new Tuyuhun king to Chang’an to meet Li Longji and discuss the restoration of their kingdom. Thus, the first step of the campaign against the Tubo was achieved, and the strategic advantage further tilted in favor of the Tang Dynasty. At the beginning of July, Geshu Han deployed 50,000 troops along the Wuhai area, waiting for the moment for the final battle.

…

Contrary to the smooth progress of the Tang army on the eastern front, the battle on the western front was extremely fierce. Yutian Town was the most important military stronghold south of the Anxi Desert. Seizing Yutian Town meant opening the southern gateway to Anxi. The 6,000 Tubo soldiers, skilled at surviving in harsh conditions, could cross the Tulum Desert—today’s Taklamakan Desert—along the Yu River and reach the undefended military towns in the north. Therefore, the struggle for the northern route became a life-or-death battle.

At dawn, heat waves swept across the Gobi like flames. Despite the scorching heat, deep horn sounds rang out west of Yutian Town. Dark masses of Tubo cavalry reappeared on the horizon. The battle had lasted three days and nights, with nearly a thousand casualties on each side. Although the Tubo army tried several times to bypass Yutian Town, they were detected by Tang scouts and intercepted. In fact, the ownership of Yutian Town was no longer important; even if the Tubo captured it, it would be of little use. What mattered was for them to break through the Tang army’s blockade and advance northward.

There were still nearly 3,000 Tang soldiers under the command of General Zhang Yongqing, stationed in the vast Gobi Desert. Behind them lay the endless yellow sand desert, and about two li away was the Yu River. The river shone brightly under the scorching sun, formed by two tributaries originating from the Kunlun Mountains, flowing deep into the desert. It dried up in winter but remained flowing in the rainy summer, crossing the desert to flow into the Chih River in the north. Known as the River of Life, following the Yu River would lead one straight to Bahuancheng.

Three thousand Tang soldiers formed a spear and arrow formation in the Gobi Desert—one thousand archers in the front and cavalry with spears behind. The archers were actually also cavalry, but they were not on horseback for now, forming in an infantry formation so they could use powerful crossbows with greater range. When the Tubo army approached, the cavalry at the back would engage, while the archers would mount their horses and become cavalry once again.

The Tubo army had more than four thousand soldiers, so the two forces were roughly equal in number, with the Tubo army having a slight advantage. However, the Tang army had the upper hand in terms of weapons, especially their highly effective crossbows. After three days of fighting, the Tubo army lost two thousand men, twice as many as the Tang army.

The Tubo army’s commander was Jia Zhasangji, around forty years old and an experienced veteran, particularly familiar with the terrain of Anxi. This time, the Tubo army traveled lightly and quickly, carrying only half a month’s worth of rations each. Crossing the vast desert would take at least another half month, and they had already spent five days on the road. This meant their rations were not enough to get them through the desert. Of course, they could kill horses to supplement their food, but even so, their rations were very tight.

If they failed to break through the Tang army’s defenses in the next two days or lost another thousand soldiers, their northern expedition would end in failure.

The Tubo army was not afraid of cold but was uncomfortable with the extremely hot desert climate. Only for a brief time in the morning could they maintain their energy; after another hour, they could no longer bear the scorching heat, and their combat effectiveness would drop sharply.

Jia Zhasangji stared silently at the distant Yu River, gathering his strength. He must break through today at all costs.

“Attack!” he roared. More than four thousand Tubo cavalry charged forward. They raised their shields, their horses galloping and stirring up clouds of yellow sand. A murderous atmosphere filled the Gobi as they swept toward the Tang army.

The Tang army stood firm in formation. Zhang Yongqing ordered in a hoarse voice, “Archers, get ready!”

A thousand Tang cavalrymen had dismounted, each wielding a Tang crossbow with a quiver on their back. They formed three rows, and at Zhang Yongqing’s command, they stepped forward to increase the distance. The effective range of the Tang crossbows was about 200 steps, while their lethal range was around 120 steps. When the Tubo army closed to 30 steps, the archers would retreat back onto their horses, with the cavalry behind taking over. When the Tubo army reached 90 steps within the lethal range, ordinary soldiers could shoot two arrows, while trained archers could shoot three. The troops tasked with blocking the Tubo army were all experienced soldiers who had received rigorous training and could shoot three arrows each, totaling 3,000 arrows. Additionally, the 2,000 cavalry in the rear also carried bows and could fire a round in a short time, bringing the total to 5,000 arrows—posing a significant threat to the Tubo army. However, the force of their arrows was not strong enough to penetrate the Tubo soldiers’ shields, often only injuring their horses. In contrast, crossbow arrows could pierce through their shields.

In the blink of an eye, the Tubo cavalry rushed into range. The 1,000 archers quickly raised their crossbows at a 30-degree angle upward. As the enemy drew closer, yellow sand filled the air, blocking out the sun, making it impossible to see the Tubo soldiers. With a drumbeat, 330 arrows from the first row of Tang soldiers were shot into the swirling sand. Immediately, the first row reloaded, followed by the second and third rows. Three rounds of arrows, totaling 1,000, formed a net-like barrage aimed at the Tubo cavalry.

Cries of pain erupted in the sand as people and horses were hit by arrows. Horses fell, throwing their riders off, while the powerful crossbow arrows pierced through the wooden shields of the Tubo soldiers and struck their faces and chests. But the Tubo soldiers, driven by fury, charged forward regardless of their lives. At that moment, the Tang cavalry also fired their arrows in a downpour, sparking a brutal battle of arrows and swords.

5,000 arrows knocked down over 600 people, after which the Tubo cavalry surged forward. The Tang cavalry raised their spears in defense, closing in ever closer. Both sides could now clearly see the anger on each other’s faces. But the soldiers at the front suddenly turned pale with terror—they could no longer stop, and in despair, they closed their eyes amid screams.

In an instant, a loud crash erupted as the two armies collided violently. Countless soldiers at the front died tragically in the collision, their bodies torn apart, helmets and broken spears flying into the air. A fierce battle ensued.

Warhorses clashed fiercely, spears and sabers swung, with cries of battle, screams of pain, the crunch of bones breaking, and gurgling sounds from throats as soldiers died—sounds that echoed continuously. A Tibetan centurion was exceptionally fierce; wielding a 30-jin sword, he fought bravely against a young Tang soldier who lacked experience. The Tibetan soldier grabbed the Tang soldier’s horse, swung his sword in one motion, and split the soldier in two from the waist, with internal organs spilling out and blood spraying far and wide.

Another burly Tang general, filled with rage, silently rode forward at full speed and thrust his spear from behind with great force. The spear pierced through the Tibetan centurion’s chainmail, emerging from his chest. The Tang general roared and lifted him high into the air. The Tibetan centurion hung upside down, his large eyes staring angrily at the Tang general, using his last strength to chew off his tongue and spit it at his killer.

The sun rose higher and higher, its scorching rays baking the ground as if trying to melt it. Heat waves made it feel like one was in a steamer, leaving people breathless. On the Gobi Desert, the two armies continued to fight fiercely, but both sides’ stamina was rapidly declining. Sweat and blood mixed together, and many collapsed from exhaustion. With no commanders left, neither side could break free from the chaos, and it was unclear when the battle would end—perhaps it would continue until everyone collapsed.

Just then, loud horn sounds suddenly came from afar. The horns were like a gust of wind that scattered the oppressive heat and chilled the hearts of the Tibetans. A thousand-strong Tang cavalry unit rushed toward them, their flag fluttering in the wind, bearing the words “Shule”—it was the Tang troops from Shule who had arrived.

The morale of the Tibetan army completely collapsed. They lost all will to fight and scattered in all directions. Shangxi Zan’s plan to launch a surprise attack on the heartland of Anxi was utterly ruined.

……

The skirmish at Yutian Town was just a minor episode. The real battle that would determine the fate of the western front began on the grasslands by the Sabi Lake. The 15,000 Tibetan troops at Sabi Lake had their path eastward blocked by Feng Changqing’s army. Fifty thousand Tang troops, positioned east and west, trapped the Tibetan forces in the Sabi Lake basin. The Tang army was not in a hurry to attack. Li Qing’an knew that most of the cattle and sheep at Sabi Lake had already been moved away, leaving only enough to sustain the Tibetan troops for half a month. He used encirclement tactics to gradually drain their morale. After ten days of siege, the Tibetan army finally tried to break through.

Shangxi Dongzan had no way out, so he simply selected all the men from the tens of thousands of herdsmen in his army. Any man under sixty years old who was taller than a wheel was incorporated into the army. In this way, the number of troops under Shangxi Dongzan’s command soared from 15,000 to 40,000, ready to break through from the west toward Ula Ulan Lake.
That morning, Tang scouts detected unusual movements among the Tubo army, and the drums of the Tang camp immediately began to sound.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
The drums echoed loudly and inspiringly. Nearly 25,000 Tang soldiers lined up across the vast grasslands, ready for battle. This was another large-scale campaign by the Anxi Tang forces after the Battle of Talas. If they could annihilate this Tubo army, the Tubo people would not be able to attack Anxi for a while, allowing the Anxi forces to focus on dealing with the Arabs, seize Sindh and Punjab, establish stable food supply bases, fight for Khotan, drive the Arab forces west of the Amu Darya River, and restore the power balance before the Arabs’ eastern campaigns. This was Li Qing’an’s first goal.
Li Qing’an was confident of victory in this battle. He had 50,000 main Anxi troops, while the enemy had only 15,000. As for those temporarily assembled herdsmen, he didn’t take them seriously at all. Although Shangxi Dongzan tried a surprise tactic to disrupt his rear by surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao, Li Qing’an saw it as a failed move—splitting his already limited forces. His surprise attack might not work either. Capturing Yutian Town was meaningless, and attacking Kucha and Bahuancheng was too far away. Even if successful, by the time news reached them, the battle here would likely be over. Distant help couldn’t solve immediate problems. Moreover, he had already sent troops to intercept and ordered Lifi Shouyu of Shule to send reinforcements. The Tubo’s surprise attack wouldn’t have much effect.
On the contrary, if he were Shangxi Dongzan, he would use a decoy strategy—leaving a small force in Sabi Lake, having the herdsmen disguise themselves as soldiers and live in tents, while the main force pretended to be herdsmen and retreated southward toward Ula Ulan Lake. By then, when the Tang forces discovered nothing, the Tubo main force would already be far away, possibly even able to support Longyou and attack Geshu Han from behind.
But Shangxi Dongzan didn’t use this tactic—it was his mistake. One wrong move, and the Tubo army would face total destruction.
Li Qing’an sneered. Shangxi Dongzan no longer had a chance. He immediately ordered, “Form the army into battle formation!”
25,000 Tang soldiers quickly formed a huge crescent formation, with flags fluttering in the wind. Archers were at the front, followed by cavalry, and then infantry. There were also two chariot units, totaling 300 chariots.

This was the first time Anxi deployed war chariots into battle. Each chariot was pulled by five armored horses and had two drivers. The chariots resembled later-era containers, with a wooden structure covered in three layers of cured cowhide. Their interior was complex, featuring shooting holes on both sides, and the top and rear panels could be opened. Inside, there were five Tang soldiers operating small throwing weapons such as bed crossbows, small launchers, or chain crossbows. To counter the Tubo army, most chariots were equipped with two chain crossbows, capable of firing twenty arrows at once through the shooting holes on both sides. Some chariots also had bed crossbows; these were mainly used to strike the enemy from the flanks with great power, but their weakness was obvious—they could not operate alone and required cavalry protection.

As the Tang army prepared for battle, the massive Tubo army appeared in the distance. Without any formation, they covered the sky like a dark tide, numbering fifty to sixty thousand, all on horseback. They were mixed together, making it difficult to distinguish between ordinary herdsmen and Tubo soldiers.

“General, the Tubo people probably aren’t here to fight us—they’re trying to flee!” Deputy general Tian Zhen realized the Tubo army’s intention and whispered to Li Qing’an.

Li Qing’an shook his head. “Don’t be careless. Be wary of them using this tactic to deceive us!”

He then ordered, “Send a message to Feng Changqing—he can attack from behind.”

Immediately, several eagles took off from the Tang army, flying eastward. Feng Changqing was east of Sabize, about twenty miles away from Li Qing’an. They communicated using hawks, but at this moment, Feng Changqing also began his attack, now less than ten miles from the Tubo army.

“Woooo!” A horn sounded suddenly, and the Tubo army three miles away launched their attack. Thousands of people screamed as they charged toward them on horseback. As they got closer, Li Qing’an’s eyes narrowed. He realized that all those charging were women.