Tibet

Li Ye originally took a fancy to Jincheng County because of its majesty at first sight. Although it is not as majestic as Chang'an City, the tall and solid walls of Jincheng County are more focused on actual combat.

For example, a horse-faced wall is installed every three hundred steps, which ensures that the crossbow arrows of the two horse-faced walls can meet exactly. Another example is the piers built inward with jacks on them, which are used for simple rope-throwing stone throwing. Machine use.

Another example is that all four city gates have urns, which ensures that even if the opponent breaks through the city gates, they will not be able to enter the city, and the defenders will have a second chance to defend themselves.

There are also wide moats, iron-clad suspension bridges and city gates, and city walls made of large green bricks. All details reflect the designer's defensive thinking, making Jincheng County an impregnable city.

However, the Tubo army's unconventional attack still brought a severe test to Jincheng County. They actually chose to attack in winter. First, the moat lost its defensive effect. The river froze and the soldiers could rush directly across the moat.

More importantly, the Tang army did not have much time to prepare. In one month, the Yellow River began to freeze thickly. Although the center of the river had not yet frozen, there was thick ice on both sides, enough for the Tibetan troops and baggage to bypass the Tang army. The two lines of defense came directly to the city.

The craftsmen in the city were working day and night to build trebuchets, and Li Ye sent three thousand troops to assist. In addition to building a large number of simple and medium-sized trebuchets, they were also building a super-large trebuchet, which was five feet high and required two hundred soldiers to operate. , the throwing pole is not long, but there is a long throwing rope behind it, which can throw a weight of two hundred kilograms a mile away.

Of course, Li Ye's biggest reliance is his army. He has 140,000 troops in his hands. In addition to the 60,000 troops stationed in various places, Jincheng County also has 80,000 troops, including 50,000 cavalry and 6,000 extremely elite troops. The heavily armored Mo Dao army.

In the morning, Li Ye came to inspect the Shuicheng Gate. Almost all big cities will have Shuicheng Gate to ensure that grain and other bulk materials can be transported into the city by water.

Jincheng County is no exception. Jincheng County also has a river that passes through the city, so the north and south water city gates were built.

In front of the Shuicheng Gate, dozens of craftsmen are replacing the decayed old gate. The Shuicheng Gate is a kind of fence gate, each one is as thick as a child's wrist, and the bottom is spiked, standing against the river bed.

There are two iron fences, one inside and one outside, and they are very high. They are lowered from the top of the city. There is a winch at the top of the city. The iron gates are pulled up at dawn and lowered after dark.

There is also a narrow secret passage to the city inside the iron gate, which spirals up to the top of the city. When a ship comes, the soldiers come down from the top of the city and check inside the city gate.

Due to the age, the iron gate has been corroded by rust and can be cut off with an axe. Now it must be replaced with a new gate, and the fence must be thickened and made of fine iron, which is extremely hard.

Li Ye picked up an iron rod and hit the ice on the water surface hard, 'Pop! ' With a sound, the ice surface split apart, and the water below was rippling. The thickness of the ice had reached three centimeters. Children could walk on the ice, but adults could not.

At this time, the man in charge of the Shuicheng Gate said to Li Ye: "Your Highness, it is not completely frozen yet, so many things are not easy to do. Once it is completely frozen, the two iron gates inside and outside will not be able to be opened. , I’m thinking of filling the whole cave with sandbags, then pouring water through it and freezing it, so I can’t pry it open.”

Li Ye smiled and said: "Be careful, after they cut the city gate, they used ropes to drag away all the sandbags at once, so you have to find a way to prevent the Tibetan army from dragging your sandbags away."

"The humble office will place some pillars. If there are pillars blocking them, they can't drag them away."

Li Ye nodded, "This method is okay!"

Li Ye immediately came to the open space near the city wall. Jincheng County is also a military city. According to convention, residential buildings are not allowed within fifty steps of the city wall. This is strictly implemented in Jincheng County, which is fifty steps away from the city wall. A long high wall was built at the entrance, which is not closed. There is a gate at each street corner for free entry and exit.

Outside the high wall is a smooth ring road, similar to today's fire escapes, paved with stone slabs. People and merchants came and went. Over time, many open-air markets were formed near the walls. Generally, as long as no houses were built, the government would Will not interfere.

At this time, Jincheng County has entered a wartime state. All markets have been temporarily closed and the population has been cleared. Soldiers stand guard at every street intersection and wooden fences are used to form obstacles. People are not allowed to enter the ring road.

At this time, the fifty footpaths around the city have been requisitioned by the military. They are very busy with training, running, and carrying supplies. Lei Wanchun stepped forward and saluted, "See you, Your Highness!"

Lei Wanchun is the general manager of this defense reinforcement. Although he did not follow Li Ye to Chang'an, he participated in the defense of Xiangyang and Jiangxia. He has rich experience and strong ability. He also has a sharp vision and can see many defense loopholes. , Facts have proved that Lei Wanchun arranged the defense in an orderly and clear manner.

Li Ye nodded and asked with a smile: "Is there enough manpower?"

Lei Wanchun bowed and said: "Reporting to Your Highness, we have enough manpower, but we still lack some special manpower."

Li Ye smiled slightly and said, "Just tell me! What are you missing?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, we are short of women!"

Li Ye was startled, "Lack of women? You mean, lack of camp prostitutes?"

Lei Wanchun waved his hand quickly, "Your Highness misunderstood the meaning of humble post. It means that some things are more suitable for women to do. The humble post mainly refers to the nursing of wounded soldiers. Back then, the humble post organized a thousand-person female nursing team in Jiangxia. In fact, It has been proven that under their care, the death rate of wounded soldiers is very low.”

Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "What you said makes sense. Then you can recruit three thousand women and train them to nurse the wounded soldiers."

"There's a problem here!"

Lei Wanchun wondered: "Because there are very few women caring for wounded soldiers, everyone is not used to it. If three thousand female nurses are recruited for a low-level job, it will definitely cause criticism and affect the reputation of these women."

Li Ye nodded. It could easily be misunderstood as recruiting camp prostitutes. He smiled and said, "What do you think?"

"The humble post recommends recruiting 30,000 civilian men to help in the war. Both men and women are welcome. This way, women will definitely apply, and there will be no criticism. Women can cook, wash clothes, mend shoes and socks, and take care of wounded soldiers, so everyone will accept it."

Li Ye said happily: "I agree. You go to the military adviser to discuss it, and Jiedu Mansion will recruit you."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your support!"

At night, after a heavy tossing of morning clouds and dusk rain, Yang Yuhuan lay limp and powerless on top of Li Ye. Her temples were messy, sweat was visible on her forehead, and her face was filled with a rose-like blush.

"Husband, I want to adopt a child!" Yang Yuhuan whispered in Li Ye's ear.

Li Ye helped her gather the hair on her hair that was scattered on her face, and said softly: "Have you thought about it?"

Yang Yuhuan nodded lightly. For more than a year, there was still no movement in her stomach. She also understood that it was indeed difficult for her to have another baby. Seeing Qingyu coming in, she became even more eager for a child.

"Have you discussed it with Xinyue?" Li Ye asked again.

"After discussion, she agreed. She advised me to adopt a young man, but I still like girls."

Yang Yuhuan's eyes were bright, and her beautiful eyes were full of expectation. Whether she could adopt a child or not was not something she could decide, it had to be decided by her husband.

Li Ye thought for a while, then smiled and agreed, "Both girls and boys are fine. It's best to raise them from babies, but don't rush to find them and wait for fate."