In the evening, the news of the Turks heading south finally reached Li Jing's ears.
At this time, Li Jing's Chinese army had moved to the gates of Pyongyang City. The Tang army was making preparations to attack the walled city, and all kinds of siege equipment had been roughly completed.
Liu Qing, who almost died of exhaustion, was recorded a meritorious service, but he still couldn't take any time off. He had to lead the craftsmen to continue making tools and contribute vital strength to the upcoming siege.
In the large tent of the Chinese army, people came and went, and there was an endless stream of people reporting on the military situation. Until late in the evening, when Li Jing was eating, the messenger sent by Prime Minister Xun was brought to Li Jing.
"Report to the Grand Governor and General Xun to find out that the Turks are crossing the river. At this time, the entire army is estimated to have arrived on the south bank of the Yalu River. There are more than 10,000 Turks, all of whom are cavalry. General Xun asks the Grand Governor to make preparations in advance.
General Xun also ordered the villain to ask, does the Grand Governor have any orders?"
Li Jing put down the bowl and chopsticks expressionlessly, pondered for a long time, and then sighed: "Go back and tell General Xun, just do what you told him before."
The visitor made a promise and left quickly, dragging his tired body.
Li Jing also lost his appetite. If the cavalry of more than 10,000 people had been unprepared before, by the time the Turks arrived, the Tang army would be attacking Pyongyang City.
Then there will be fun. With the convenience of cavalry, the Turks don't have to cooperate with the Goguryeo people. They will probably cut off the Tang army's retreat first, and they don't need to do anything else, destroy the pontoon bridge built by the Tang army.
You can keep the Tang army on the north bank of the Xishui River.
Even if the nearly 200,000 troops can reach the shore, they will wait for the navy to come to meet them...
Well, it would not be a good thing to have a navy to respond at that time. The Tang army, which had a way out, was crowded on the river bank. Just thinking about that scene, any capable leader would shudder.
Fortunately, he had expected it...
But there is nothing to be happy about. In any case, the arrival of the Turks will change the situation of the war in a direction that is unfavorable to the Tang army.
Goguryeo and the Turks colluded together. From the news coming from the court, Li Jing understood some of the reasons. He was afraid that the internal strife among the Turks would affect the battle against Goguryeo.
Whether it was Ashina Tao Wen or the Goguryeo people, when the crisis came, they all chose to fight hard, which can be said to be desperate.
How should Tang Jun respond?
Thinking of this, a smile appeared at the corner of Li Jing's mouth. The Tang army, which was almost all infantry, had no tricks to play. What should be arranged has already been arranged. It just depends on who of them can persist to the end.
When we meet on a narrow road, the brave will win, Li Jing said silently.
"Go and ask King Jinwo of Silla to come to the north bank to meet me as soon as possible."
Li Jing ordered.
He turned around and sent another order, "Send General Zhao, the general of Wuwei on the left, and General Chen, the general of Xiaowei on the right, to come to the central army to see me."
"Send an order to General Pei, asking him to guard the shore camp no matter what, and let people burn the pontoon bridge. I'm asking him for it."
"Send an order to Soga Ezo and Jin Chunqiu to send them back."
"Send an order to General Wang Xiongdan. There may be some unusual movements among the people of Baekje. Let him take precautions in advance. If anyone makes trouble, he will be killed without mercy."
"Send an order to His Highness the King of Wu. Within two days, ask him to do his best to transport as much food, grass and baggage as possible. Once the Turks attack the camp on the bank, ask him to give General Pei a little help."
Just like a chessboard was placed in front of him, Li Jing, as a steady chess player, controlled the chess game in every aspect, and the news of the Turkic army going south spread throughout the Tang army.
…………
The two generals came quickly and arrived at the Chinese army's tent. When they saw Li Jing, they beat their chests and paid military salutes.
Li Jing waved his hand in return and asked the two of them to sit down.
Before Li Jing could speak, Zhao Shixun had already said: "Captain, the Turks have gone south? These Turks are talking like farts. Your Majesty has only been in alliance with them for a few years, so why have you turned against them? What a bunch of sons of bitches."
The men in the army, just before the battle, spoke really unscrupulously.
If Li Po were here, he would have to be given a leg up immediately and the black account should be written down. He would have to live or die to deal with it in the future. Do you blame me for not forming an alliance with the Turks?
But Li Jing could only purse his lips, not grabbing his tail and pulling him hard a few times to teach him a lesson.
"Tuli Khan Ashina Duowen and the Turkic Royal Court are two different things. He is just a vassal of the Turkic Royal Court. Now he is leading his troops south to oppose me. I am afraid that he has not received the permission of the Turkic Royal Court. I have already predicted it, so there is no need to say anything, general.
"
Zhao Shixun hit a soft nail and muttered a few words, but said nothing more.
Chen Yuan didn't care about this, what he was thinking in his heart was that Li Jing ordered him to build many camps, and he really did it right. All the previous speculations came true at this time.
With someone like Li Jing leading the army, he felt extremely at ease. At this time, he just asked: "The governor has expected it and summoned me here. Just give him the order."
Zhao Shixun glanced at Chen Yuan and thought to himself that this Chen Laoshi was good at talking. He cursed secretly, but loudly said: "The Governor is unparalleled in his wits and plans, and I don't have a second thought. When it comes to attacking the city and seizing the stronghold, the Governor will just let me do it.
Even if the Turks come, I can make sure they never come back."
After hearing this, Li Jing couldn't help but grin, thinking that the people His Majesty brought out could turn corners very quickly.
"We are united and our military is ready. We are not afraid of the Turks coming to disturb us. The military situation is urgent, so I will not waste any time talking to the two generals.
Goguryeo built so many camps, which are suitable for use at this time.
I heard that General Zhao led the army, destroyed the city and built the stronghold, and was invincible. Then I would trouble General Zhao to lead the army. I will give you 100,000 soldiers. Within two days, march with all your strength. Before the Turks come, even if you can't wipe out the Pyongyang city.
The camp must also secure enough places for the army to stay. Can General Zhao dare to take on this important task?"
Zhao Shixun was overjoyed and punched his chest twice, "Don't worry, Commander, I will live up to your trust. If I fail, the Commander will just chop off my head."
Li Jing nodded, but said in his heart, there is no use cutting your head off. If you are dragged away by the Goguryeo people, I will throw you, a talker, into the sea and let you swim back to the Tang Dynasty.
Turning to look at Chen Yuan, who was slightly disappointed, Li Jing said: "General Chen, you know that the current situation of the war is quite dangerous. I asked you to build so many camps, and now they are of use.
Then it's up to you to guard the army's retreat. As long as the food route can be ensured, it will be a great achievement. The Turks have come with more than 10,000 horses, and the burden on General Chen's shoulders is no lighter than that of General Zhao."
Chen Yuan knocked on his chest and replied: "Put it on me. As long as I am still in the army, the army will have no worries about its future."
Li Jing smiled while stroking his palms, cupped his hands to the two of them and said, "In that case, let me see what these two generals are capable of."