Li Ji didn't ask about Goguryeo's five thousand troops for no reason.
After all, this matter was too strange, and Li Qinzai's performance was not flawless. Some gossips in the army had reached Li Ji's ears.
In ancient times, killing someone to surrender was a serious crime. Not only was it unkind, but it would also lead to divine punishment. The superstitious saying was that it would damage the country's fortune. Therefore, killing someone to surrender has always been deeply tabooed by emperors and generals from ancient times to the present.
Li Qinzai killed these five thousand soldiers and horses, and the high-sounding reason was of course rebellion. But regardless of whether the rebellion was true or not, these five thousand soldiers and horses were actually surrendered, and Li Qinzai did kill them.
This matter could be big or small. Li Ji was a little worried, so he had to ask clearly.
"Grandpa, don't worry. My grandson doesn't think it's that serious. Whether the five thousand soldiers and horses are rebelling or not? They are all dead. My grandson has the final say. If anyone doesn't believe it, please ask a wise Taoist priest to remove these five thousand people." Call the spirit out from underground to confront your grandson?"
Li Ji glanced at him and scolded with a smile: "You're talking nonsense again. The Taoist priest may not be that good at summoning spirits, but it's not difficult to send you down to confront them."
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Li Qinzai opened his eyes wide in surprise: "Grandpa, when did you become so naughty..."
Li Ji glanced at him and said: "I have received a letter from home. You can't hide the fact that you killed five thousand Goguryeo troops. There are already some rumors in Chang'an City. It is said that the supervisory censor has been impeached. Your Majesty will be punished." If you don't resist the pressure, I may transfer you back to Chang'an."
Li Qinzai narrowed his eyes and said: "It's such a big deal, is it necessary to mobilize troops?"
"If there are enemies in the court who want to deal with you, it will be a serious crime for you to fart. Don't you understand?"
Li Qinzai blinked: "My grandson really wants to go back to Chang'an. Who wants to deal with me and weigh me in person?"
Li Ji shook his head: "You can't go back for the time being. Stay in the army honestly. I will write a memorial and send it back to Chang'an to defend you. The British brand is still very loud. Besides, I am in charge of the three armies. I will fight a war." In a battle involving the destiny of the country, Your Majesty will not cause trouble for me in the rear."
Li Qinzai was noncommittal.
Of course he believed that Li Zhi was not that ignorant. The emperor had many minor problems and his private life was very messy, but he had always been sober and wise on issues of right and wrong.
Especially for such a big event as the Eastern Expedition, it was his lifelong dream. Now that the dream was about to come true, he would never allow anyone to interfere with it.
The grandfather and grandson had finished talking about business, but Li Qinzai had no intention of leaving.
When relatives meet, it is somewhat impolite to act businesslike.
Only then did Li Qinzai take a serious look at Li Ji's appearance.
After not seeing him for several months, he found that Li Ji had aged much, and he also had a lot of age spots on his face. His hair, which used to be half black and half white, was now basically white.
The morning is like blue silk and the evening is snow. As the commander-in-chief of an army, he devotes himself to the country day and night. This national war is draining this old man's essence and blood.
Li Qinzai's mood was inexplicably heavy. He knew that this was the end of Li Ji's life, but he still wanted to extend Li Ji's life for a few more years.
"Grandpa, we have controlled half of Goguryeo's territory. The next battle is not too difficult. Grandpa, why don't you sit back and strategize, and how about your grandson helping you lead the army in this battle?" Li Qinzai asked tentatively.
Li Ji frowned: "I am the commander-in-chief of the three armies, why should I entrust the army to your command?"
Li Qinzai spread his hands and said innocently: "Isn't it obvious? My grandson's wings are hard..."
Li Ji was startled and subconsciously pressed the handle of the knife at his waist with his right hand.
Li Qinzai hurriedly laughed: "Grandpa, calm down, my grandson is a little naughty..."
"You're not naughty, you're seeking death. Is there anything else? Get out of here." Li Ji waved his hands in disgust like he was shooing away flies.
Li Qinzai resigned awkwardly.
I originally wanted to have a meal in Li Ji's handsome tent to see how the old man's food was, but it seems that it is not very popular now...
Besides, given Li Ji's temperament in commanding the army, most of his food was exactly the same as that of ordinary soldiers. This was not like Li Qinzai's show of taking a few bites of wild vegetable dumplings in front of the soldiers. Li Ji really ate them and ate them every day.
Back at his camp, Li Qinzai still had Li Ji's gray-haired appearance in his mind, and felt uncomfortable in his heart, but he really didn't know how to help Li Jiji.
Li Ji is the commander-in-chief of the three armies, and all the military orders for the Eastern Expedition came from him alone. This responsibility cannot be shouldered by anyone, including his own grandson.
Before he returned to the commander's tent, Wang Fangyi came up to him and reported what happened after setting up camp.
Food and grass were temporarily abundant. As the Tang army took control of northern Goguryeo, the Tang army's logistical supply line was also unblocked. Food and grass could be transported from Yingzhou of Datang to Liaodong City without any hindrance.
Li Qinzai's troops fought several battles this month. The scale was not large, but the soldiers also suffered some losses. After counting the number of soldiers, there were about 15,000 Tang soldiers left. The horses were not damaged much, and the mountainous terrain was not conducive to cavalry charges. Li Qinzai After entering Goguryeo, cavalry was rarely used.
As for the two miscellaneous armies, Jin Yuxin's Silla army still had more than 3,000 soldiers left. After being severely punished by Li Qinzai, Jin Yuxin was particularly well-behaved, and the Silla army under his command no longer dared to avoid fighting.
The Silla army basically participated in the several small battles that swept through the eastern part of Goguryeo. The battles were not very brave, but they barely looked like an army killing the enemy.
However, the tens of thousands of young men in the Japanese country were a bit stretched. Forty thousand people were brought out from the Japanese country. After several battles, about 10,000 of the 40,000 young men were lost.
Li Qinzai felt a little distressed. This was all future labor, and the losses were a bit too much.
After careful consideration, Li Qinzai felt that it would not be appropriate to take these 30,000 Japanese people with him in the upcoming war.
Their fighting power is too poor and their morale is low. They are used as cannon fodder in every battle. It really doesn't make much sense. They might as well stay in the rear and take care of them. After the war is over, they can take them back to Datang and farm the land for their own village. Burn the cement.
There is no need to carry three thousand Silla troops. People like Kim Yu-shin bully the weak and fear the strong, but it is hard to say whether they will defect.
Li Qinzai has always been very wary of people who are not his own race. He doesn't want to keep hidden dangers like Jin Yuxin around him anymore, so he might as well leave it to Li Ji.
Given Li Ji's status, Jin Yuxin would never dare to play any small tricks under Li Ji's nose unless he wanted to be destroyed.
After getting rid of these two miscellaneous troops, Li Qinzai suddenly felt much more relaxed.
In future battles, he no longer had to quarrel with his generals. Every time he issued a military order, he would always scare and beat Jin Yuxin, but he could not really kill him. Li Qinzai also found it quite boring.
After telling Wang Fangyi his decision, Wang Fangyi was convinced and made arrangements excitedly.
When Li Qinzai returned to the commander's tent, he saw a person standing outside the commander's tent. To be precise, it was a wall of flesh.
"Greetings to Li Shuai." Rouqiang spoke with a loud sound, like ringing a broken copper bell.
"Zheng Sanlang?" Li Qinzai asked strangely: "What are you doing here? Don't you do training in Modao Camp?"
Zheng Sanlang said aggrievedly: "The villain was driven out by Modao Camp."