Huaiyuan is covered with white snow, and a thick layer of snow blocks the outside of the city, making the city isolated, quiet and solemn.
The moonlight was deserted and the cold wind was biting, passing by like a sharp knife, causing the snow on the branches to tremble and fall.
Suddenly a team emerged from the woods, dressed in white, lowering their bodies, running quickly, their cold eyes staring straight ahead, like a killing god emerging from the white world. The leader was Yuchi Baoqi. For this
The operation was successful. Yuchi Baoqi trained like crazy to squeeze the potential of the soldiers. It took a lot of effort, but the results were ideal.
While running, the rustling sound of trampling on the snow spread all around, which was particularly obvious in this quiet night. When he was about to rush to the city wall, Yuchi Baoqi stopped decisively and crawled forward. Others followed suit, and his voice suddenly became quieter.
Quite a few, this kind of training is not just once, everyone has already become proficient in it.
No one could be seen on the city wall. Maybe they were hiding in a corner and staring at the surroundings. Maybe it was too cold and they hid by the fire.
But Yuchi Baoqi did not dare to be careless, and deliberately avoided the city gate on his infiltration route. Once he found something suspicious on the city wall, he stopped decisively and made sure that everything was safe before continuing to march. Unknowingly, he came to the city wall, and everyone leaned against it.
The city wall has shining eyes. Once it is captured, it will be the first achievement that no one will miss.
Everyone took off the flying claws on their shoulders, rotated them according to the training method, and then threw them hard. The flying claws firmly grasped a certain position on the city wall and pulled hard. It was extremely stable. Everyone looked at Yuchi Baoqi, Yuchi Baoqi.
Then he stared at the top of the city wall and saw that no one was looking down to check. He was determined, took out the knife and bit it in his mouth, and quickly climbed up using his hands and feet.
The others quickly followed, silently and skillfully.
Soon, everyone climbed up to the top of the city. They were not in a hurry to climb over the wall to enter, but carefully poked their heads to take a look. Soon they found many people squatting under the corner of the city wall to warm themselves up, taking a nap with weapons in their arms. Those who were not sleeping were too lazy to get up.
While patrolling, chatting quietly with the people next to him, Yuchi Baoqi quickly turned over and blended into the shadow of the wall to touch it, silently, like a civet cat walking at night.
The others also turned over, gripped their swords tightly, and walked close to the wall.
At the front, Yuchi Baoqi, worried about being exposed, suddenly accelerated and rushed forward.
A soldier who hadn't slept heard something unusual. He turned around and saw only a cold light passing by, and didn't know anything else.
Yuchi Baoqi wiped out the other person's neck with a knife, inserted it into the other person's neck, pierced the other person's neck, kicked the other person over with a flying kick, and drew the knife to look at the other person. The other enemies also reacted and evaded.
At this moment, the soldiers who followed came swarmed forward, their swords flashing and making a popping sound.
In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen enemies fell.
Yuchi Baoqi motioned for everyone to squat down and look around cautiously. There were people gathering at the corner of the city wall in the distance, and they were also warming up around the bonfire. It was too cold, it was the middle of the night, and the snow outside was so thick that it was hard to walk.
I didn't expect anyone to touch it.
The opportunity was rare. Yuchi Baoqi led everyone down the steps and saw a group of people guarding the door. They were hiding in the doorway to light a fire to keep warm. Yuchi Baoqi grabbed a brigade commander and pointed to the winch next to him, trying to open the city.
To open the door, you can only turn the winch and let the thick rope pull up the stone, otherwise it cannot be opened.
The brigade commander nodded knowingly and led a group of people to rush towards the winch. The others took out their repeating crossbows and followed Yuchi Baoqi closely. They soon came to the city gate. Yuchi Baoqi squatted down and moved forward with his big hand.
The crossbow sounded immediately, and the crossbow arrows flew away one after another, sticking to the target like a life-stealing talisman, taking away the life.
"ah--"
Screams rang out one after another, breaking the tranquility around them.
Yuchi Baoqi knew it was going to be bad, but he had no better way. There were many enemies in the city gate cave and it was impossible to solve them silently. Using a repeating crossbow was the best and fastest way. All of this was deduced at the request of Qin Huaidao.
Countless times and countless simulation trainings, everyone knows what to do.
Waves of arrows roared away, their murderous intent unparalleled.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of enemies were shot and killed. Yuchi Baoqi saw torches approaching from a distance, as well as footsteps and inquiries. He did not panic. With a wave of his hand, everyone turned their crossbows and lined up.
Stay serious.
There were quite a few people coming, and perhaps because they didn't get a reply, they dispersed and came over with a little more caution.
Yuchi Baoqi glanced at the direction of the winch. A group of people were working hard to turn the winch. The winch was connected to a huge boulder. It was difficult to turn, but if there were more people on it, it would be crowded. It was meaningless. He shouted in a low voice: "Free fire, can't stop."
, whether you can succeed depends on this!"
Everyone nodded one after another, and their eyes became cold.
Soon, a large number of enemy troops rushed over. One general took the lead. Just as he was about to shout and ask something, he suddenly realized that something was wrong. Just in time to give a warning, countless arrows flew towards him. Capture the thief first and capture the king!
The general was shocked and quickly dodged, but he was taken care of. There were too many arrows and he couldn't avoid them all. He was hit by several arrows. He screamed in pain and fell to his knees. More arrows flew towards him.
The interval was only a blink of an eye, and I was horrified and shouted: "No, crossbows, move away, warning!"
After saying that, he let out a breath and fell to the ground motionless.
The enemy troops who followed heard the warning and dispersed and fled. However, the repeating crossbows were not bows and arrows. They shot too fast, one after another. Several families chased the enemy and fought. When Yuchi Baoqi saw that the enemy was about to run, he even took the arrows with him.
People rushed to kill him.
In the blink of an eye, the enemy army abandoned nearly half of their bodies and fled away.
Yuchi Baoqi did not chase, and led the team back quickly. The first priority was to open the door. He looked up and saw that the huge stone at the city gate had been half lifted. There was a dense rustling sound outside the city gate, like countless giant pythons gliding.
It's weird, they are mercenaries in the plan.
When the mercenary army was first established, Qin Huaidao wanted to test everyone's combat effectiveness. A battle that was too difficult would not work. This kind of sneak attack was just right. Secondly, everyone would win the first battle and improve their morale and confidence. Thirdly, if they won, they would be rewarded with silver.
Once you get it, your morale will be higher and you will become a strong army. It can be said that you have good intentions.
Yuchi Baoqi didn't understand why Qin Huaidao wanted to set up a mercenary army. Wouldn't it be bad to give out so much silver reward to everyone? But he didn't ask any more questions. He was ready to see the effect and shouted to his subordinates: "Be alert!"
Everyone dispersed and waited solemnly.
Warnings sounded in the city, lights lit up in countless rooms, and the sound of neat and dense footsteps came. Yuchi Baoqi stared ahead and shouted in a low voice: "Don't panic, hold on tight, the army will be here soon.
"
The hands of everyone holding the repeating crossbow became more steady.
Soon, a large number of enemies rushed up, holding torches and glaring knives.
However, mercenaries also rushed in. In order to boost morale, Luo Zhang rushed into the city first. He quickly untied the sled and rushed forward with a stainless steel horse pole. He rushed past Yuchi Baoqi and rushed into the enemy group.
, Ma Shan swept across thousands of troops, the air buzzed and exploded, and a large area was blown away at once.
When Yuchi Baoqi saw Luo Zhang take action for the first time, his eyes lit up, and the blood in his heart was instantly ignited, and he became eager to fight. As the son of the fierce general Li Junxian, his force was naturally not weak. He rushed forward and slashed, and was instantly knocked down.
Several people saw the stainless steel horse in Luo Zhang's hand spinning like a windmill, crushing him ahead of him, and flying away upon contact. No one could stop it.
In the blink of an eye, Luo Zhang was left with corpses behind him.
Seeing this scene, Yuchi Baoqi's blood boiled with excitement, and he showed off his power and chased after him.
The mercenaries who rushed up were very excited. Both the Xi tribe and the Khitan tribe admired the strong. The brave Luo Zhang was like giving everyone a tube of chicken blood. He rushed up with a roar and fired with his crossbow.
.
More and more mercenaries rushed in. Seeing how ferocious the people in front of them were, their blood boiled with excitement. They screamed and rushed forward to shoot them. Every head was worth money.
Soon, seven thousand mercenaries rushed into the city, lined up in a row, and advanced in a crushing manner, killing all enemies in front of them.
Yuchi Baoqi knew very well that his task was to open the city gate. The first victory was enough. There was no need to attack again. He stayed at the city gate just in case. A brigade commander said with some envy: "Captain Li, I heard that they killed
The enemy's head is always worth money, it would be great if we also had it, wouldn't what we just killed also be counted on their heads?"
"No, who dares to report military merit indiscriminately and seek death? Also, they are mercenaries, they have no establishment, and they may be disbanded one day. We are a regular army. We have to pay military pay every month if we don't fight. They don't have it. What do you think?
Go? Talk to the general later."
"Forget it, let's talk casually, it's better for us. We get military pay every month. The general is benevolent and gives us a silver reward after every battle. Although it's been a bit hard during this period, we win every time and get the rewards.
I have earned more money than I have in my whole life, and it is fun to follow the general." The other party said quickly.
"Who is speaking ill of this general?" came a voice.
"I've seen the general!" When everyone saw it was Qin Huaidao, they quickly saluted.
Qin Huaidao looked at the flames in front of him and the shouts of killing. He was determined in his heart and said with a smile: "If we can capture Huaiyuan this time, you are the first to do it. We will give you a big reward later. Each of your names will be on the merit list."
, the Holy One will see it.”
"Really? Your Majesty will see our names?" Everyone suddenly became excited.
"Why, you don't believe what I say, general?" Qin Huaidao asked.
"No, no." Everyone said quickly.
Qin Huaidao looked at the brothers around him and continued: "Yuchi Baolin, take your people to take care of the grain depot, Li Yixie, take people into the city lord's palace and protect the supplies, Cheng Chumo, take a thousand people to patrol the city, and strictly enforce military discipline. Cheng Chuliang, Cheng
Chu Bi, you two take over the city defense, guard the four gates, and then put away everyone's sleds."
When mercenaries are first established, they must be used and guarded against, especially the Khitans. With weapons in hand, it will be a big deal if they suddenly switch sides, and they must be watched to death.
"Follow the order!" Everyone nodded knowingly and hurried away.
Qin Huaidao looked at Yuchi Baoqi and others and smiled: "From now on, you will temporarily join the pro-army and replace Fang Yiai to protect the safety of this general, okay?"
"I am willing to die for the general!" Everyone was overjoyed and quickly responded.
"Mr. An Guo, go to the city lord's mansion."
After successfully capturing Huaiyuan, Qin Huaidao was in a good mood and strode forward.
Not long after, everyone arrived at the city lord's mansion. Li Yixie led a hundred imperial guardsmen and rushed in to clear out the remnants and ensure safety. Qin Huaidao said to Yuchi Baoqi: "Secure the gate, just in case."
"Follow the order!" Yuchi Baoqi responded quickly.
Qin Huaidao and An Guogong entered the city lord's mansion together. The mansion covers a large area and is full of pavilions and pavilions. Although it is not grand and luxurious, it is also pleasing to the eye. The two entered a large hall and saw that it was an office. Qin Huaidao was in
The superior sat down and motioned to Duke An Guo to sit next to him, and said with a smile: "Mr. An Guo, this battle is going well. If we take Huaiyuan, we can have a big fight."
"It's all thanks to the general's wise command. This battle - I will take advantage of it." An Guogong said with emotion. Before he came, he thought he had been abandoned by Li Er. Otherwise, how could he be commanded by a greenhorn who had never been on the battlefield? But Sheng Guogong said with emotion.
It was hard to disobey the fate and had to obey. I thought it would be good if I could save a few lives. I didn't dare to think that I could successfully capture the Khitan. Now I have captured Huaiyuan. After several battles, the casualties are almost negligible. It is simply a miracle.
At this moment, An Guogong understood why the Eastern Turks were defeated in the first place - the sage is wise and knows how to use people!
Qin Huaidao didn't expect that the capture of Huaiyuan would be so smooth. After chatting for a while, Li Yixie came back from the backyard of the city lord's mansion. He was holding a man in his hand - Huaiyuan City Prefect Zhu Lifeng. He threw the man to the ground unceremoniously, cupped his fists and said: "General, we have arrested you."
The person who arrived confessed that this person was Zhu Lifeng, the prefect of Huaiyuan."
"Don't be so rude, convince people with your virtue, move a stool." Qin Huaidao said with a smile, but his eyes were a little cold when he looked at Zhu Lifeng. Although this man did not enter the territory of the Tang Dynasty and did not stain the blood of the people of the Tang Dynasty, he was still an enemy.
.
Treat the enemy with as much indifference as the autumn wind sweeps away fallen leaves.
Li Yixie didn't believe that Qin Huaidao had good intentions. The general he captured earlier would kill him at will, even if he wanted to surrender, but he still brought stools and retreated to a group of people to keep an eye on him, just in case.
Zhu Lifeng sat down and looked at Qin Huaidao without saying a word. His heart was full of shock. He spoke in Tang language and his identity was self-evident. He actually counterattacked and came to the door. How is this possible? Where is the 100,000 Goguryeo army that went south? It won't be gone, right?
Thinking of this, Zhu Lifeng's heart trembled, and the corners of his eyes twitched.
Qin Huaidao also looked at the other party. He had a Chinese character face, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He was a bit elegant in his martial arts. He was about fifty. He asked: "Zhu Lifeng, how about we talk? You can tell the truth and you will not suffer physical pain or severe punishment."
I'm forcing you to tell me, which one should I choose?"
"Dear General of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty is a country of etiquette and is known for its benevolence and righteousness. How can you be so rude?"
"You want me to be respectful and treat you well. It's better to let you go and let you lead troops to attack the Tang Dynasty later?" Qin Huaidao sneered disdainfully. This kind of moral kidnapping is useless.
Zhu Lifeng was stunned for a moment and realized that Qin Huaidao was different from the generals of the Tang Dynasty he was familiar with. If others caught him, he would definitely give him good advice. If he could persuade others to surrender, it would be a great achievement. Even if he could not persuade him to surrender, he would treat him with courtesy and dedicate his military achievements to the Emperor of Tang.
This man - he had so much murderous intent. He felt inexplicably panicked and said, "What do you want to ask?"
"It saves trouble to chat with smart people." Qin Huaidao smiled with satisfaction: "How many defenders and how much food are there in the city?"
"Less than 2,000, and food is about 10,000 shi."
"How many people are there? Do you have enough food at home?"
"There are still more than a thousand households with about 4,000 people, and they are barely surviving at home. What do you think? The two armies are fighting and the people are not harmed. They are innocent." Zhu Lifeng said quickly.
"Innocent? What about the people of the Tang Dynasty? Are they innocent?" Qin Huaidao became furious when he thought of the people who were killed. He shouted loudly: "Everywhere the Goguryeo army went, they killed all the people and took away their houses.
Grain, you are telling me that you are innocent now, who gave you the courage?"
"this?"
Zhu Lifeng was speechless for a moment. He wanted to say that Qin Huaidao framed him, but it looked true. But if he admitted it, wouldn't it mean that the Goguryeo army was cruel and unkind? He hesitated and said: "The general is a benevolent and righteous person at first glance... If he really harms the people of Huaiyuan,
The whole people of Goguryeo are absolutely united in their hatred of the enemy and will fight back with all their might."
"Then kill them all and wipe out your clan. How can we fight back?" Qin Huaidao said coldly.
Zhu Lifeng did not expect that Qin Huaidao had such a murderous intention, and he suddenly became very worried. It seems that he really killed many people in the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, there would be no such hatred. He felt bitter in his heart and asked: "General, I don't know what I can do.
How can we let the people in this city go? They are innocent after all."
"In a war, no one is innocent. Without the people all over the city providing food support, how could the Goguryeo army go south to the Tang Dynasty? Without the people joining the army, how could Goguryeo have an army? There is no right or wrong in a national war, only winning or losing."
A few words, shocking and enlightening!
An Guogong wanted to go back to his own tribe. He was angry when he faced the Tang cavalry, but he was extremely excited when he went south to loot the people of the Tang Dynasty. Now, the hatred in his heart has long been gone. Looking back, there is nothing right or wrong.
It is for survival and for living a better life. If we lose, the Turks will be gone.
Zhu Lifeng also chewed on Qin Huaidao's words, and was a little enlightened for a moment, but he heard Qin Huaidao's voice sounded again: "Since ancient times, the winner has been the king and the loser. The winner writes history, and the loser has no say. Therefore, don't use the people to threaten this general. If you want to save the
People all over the city can also answer a few questions from this general.
Qin Huaidao would definitely not be able to do this kind of thing, but it would not prevent him from threatening the other party and obtaining information.
The other party was restrained by Qin Huaidao's cold murderous intention, believed it, and quickly said: "What do you want to know?"
"How many defenders are there in Liaodong?"
"You...what do you mean?" Zhu Lifeng's face changed drastically. He stared at Qin Huaidao without blinking and said in disbelief: "You still want to attack Liaodong?"
"The answer is wrong, here comes..." Qin Huaidao yelled angrily, as if he was about to go on a killing spree.
"In-" Li Yixie shouted in cooperation.
"Wait a minute!" Zhu Lifeng said quickly: "Since your army is going to die, I won't stop you. There are currently 20,000 defenders in Liaodong, well-equipped, and no shortage of food and grass. What are you going to do?"
Qin Huaidao realized from the other party's slight expression that he was not lying. He quickly calculated in his mind that there were 20,000 troops guarding the city, and there was no chance of a hard attack. It seemed that he had to outsmart him, so he asked: "How many defenders are there in Anshi City?"
"This is not clear."
"Where is Jian'an City?"
"I don't know. I am the governor of Huaiyuan. I am not qualified to know the real situation in the other two places. I only know more than Huaiyuan. Why do I still want to take these two cities, just by you? Don't talk about you, even if it is Datang
Even the whole country can't do it." Zhu Lifeng said coldly, his tone was not polite at all.
This kind of rudeness just shows that the other party is not lying.
Qin Huaidao estimated that the two cities had more than 10,000 troops. It should be easier to capture Anshi City than Liaodong City, but Liaodong City had a higher strategic position and value. He said to Li Yixie: "Detain him to patrol the city and let him appease the people and stay at home.
They are not allowed to go out, and then they are locked up and put under surveillance."
"Follow the order." Li Yixie responded quickly.
"Wait a minute." Zhu Lifeng shouted: "I can appease the people and cooperate with all your arrangements, but you are not allowed to kill indiscriminately, let alone touch my family, otherwise I will not let you go even to death."
"Take them down." Qin Huaidao waved his hand, and after Li Yixie took the people away, he looked at An Guogong: "According to the information obtained by the governor, Liaodong usually has about 10,000 defenders, but now there are 20,000. This battle is not easy to fight. You
Any ideas?"
"Siege warfare is not what I can do. I only know how to attack hard and take it with the general." An Guogong said quickly. He had lived in the grassland since he was a child. He was not afraid of cavalry rushing to kill An Guogong, but this siege battle was really uncertain.
Qin Huaidao thought to himself that there were many soldiers in Liaodong City. Even if he rushed to attack now and climbed up the city wall to open the city gate, he would not be able to capture it with the few people around him. Instead, he would suffer heavy damage. If he waited for a period of time for the snow to melt, the army would rush in.
When they arrive, Goguryeo will know that Huaiyuan is lost and will strengthen its vigilance so that there is no way to sneak in.
Huaiyuan was successfully captured because the enemy did not know that he would attack by surprise and was caught off guard.
Once Liaodong is prepared, it will be very difficult.
"General."
Yuchi Baolin hurried over, clasped his fists and said: "General, the grain depot has been controlled by our army. There is still a lot of food in it. All the enemy troops have been cleared. The mercenaries have been restrained in a military camp by Luo Zhang. Let me ask how to arrange it?
"
"Have you found the bank?"
"No, the bank should be in the city lord's palace."
Qin Huaidao asked Yu Linwei who was guarding the outside to inquire, and he actually found one. There was a lot of money in it, but he didn't have time to count it. In the past, Li Derjian was responsible for this matter, but now Li Derjian has gone to Khitan territory. Qin Huaidao looked at An Guogong and said: "Li Canjun
Since I'm not here, there's no one to take care of the work, logistics and other matters. How about I help An Guo Gong do it for you?"
Duke An Guo wished that he was in charge of all deliveries and recorded the credit. If he handed it over to others, he was worried that the credit of his own people would not be recorded, so he wholeheartedly agreed: "I will obey the general's order and record it here."
"Yu Chi Baolin, you also go along. After counting, take a batch and send it to Luo Zhang. Immediately distribute it to the mercenaries, and reward them based on their merits, so as not to become dissatisfied and cause trouble," Qin Huaidao warned.
The two agreed and hurried away.
Qin Huaidao took out the map and continued to study it. Gradually, a bold idea came to his mind. His eyes were shining brightly when he looked at Liaodong, as if it was a piece of delicious fat, waiting for him to get it.
Soon, Qin Huaidao's eyes fell on the Khitan, and he didn't know what was going on with Li Derjian and Fang Yiai. One was literary and the other was martial. He hoped that the two of them would cooperate, otherwise it would be very difficult.
And the imperial court——
Qin Huaidao's eyes fell on Pingzhou, Youzhou, and gradually Dengzhou and Laizhou. He wondered how the imperial court would respond and take action after learning that he had captured Huaiyuan?