Everyone here is a veteran general on the battlefield, well versed in the art of war, and the way of marching and fighting was among the best at that time. Naturally, they understand that if they mobilize the navy to go upstream, they can easily control the entire Xueshui waterway. Goguryeo's
That little naval force is not enough in front of the Royal Navy.
At the beginning of the war, in order to control the waterways so that the transport of troops and baggage would not be threatened, the navy concentrated its efforts on sweeping the coastal ports of Goguryeo. The few Goguryeo navy had already been wiped out.
Wherever the navy goes, no enemy soldier can threaten it.
Once the navy fully controls the Zhushui waterway and can split Pingrang City and the new city that has been built for decades into two parts, so that they cannot respond to each other, the Tang army can calmly encircle them separately and concentrate their forces to capture Pingrang City on the north bank of the Zhushui River.
Then the new city on the south bank will surrender without a fight.
Everyone witnessed the power of the navy with their own eyes. Dozens of ships fired a salvo across the waterway, which was enough to shake the sky and the earth and cause the mountains to collapse.
If there were enough gunpowder and projectiles, perhaps the navy alone could raze Pingrang City to the ground.
After all, at the beginning of the war, Fang Jun had mentioned such tactics. The navy would directly go upstream to Pingrang City, bombard it with artillery, and completely destroy the core of Goguryeo's military and political affairs. The large army on the way would disperse the remaining troops in various places.
Once it is empty, the entire territory of Goguryeo can be destroyed in a few months.
It's just that this tactic was opposed by everyone at the time, because from now on, the greatest merit of the Eastern Expedition will be obtained by the navy, which is absolutely unacceptable to all forces...
So now, should the navy get involved, directly control the Zhushui waterway, and bombard Pingrang City with artillery?
…
At this time, although everyone was unwilling to accept the navy's participation in the war, they did not insist on their opinions.
We are all veterans who have been fighting for a lifetime. We naturally understand that war is full of too many surprises and uncertainties. If everyone continues to reject the navy and the land attack fails to work, but wastes food, weapons, or even loses troops, then this responsibility
Who will carry it?
What's more, the fact that the army is approaching Pingrang City at this moment does not mean that the final victory has been achieved. The three eastern expeditions of the previous Sui Dynasty all failed, which shows the tyrannical fighting power and tenacious folk customs of Goguryeo. If there is a slight negligence, the success will be defeated.
Lose or lose, what should we do?
If that day really comes, the furious His Majesty Li Er will pull them out one by one, peel off their skin, cramps, bones, and boil them in oil...
Therefore, it can only be decided by His Majesty Li Er.
…
However, His Majesty Li Er looked around and saw the expressions of everyone. How could he not know what these people were thinking?
Everyone is afraid that if the battle of Pingrangcheng is not completed, they will not be able to shoulder such a huge responsibility. However, if the navy is allowed to participate in the war, the navy will definitely gain great merits with its combat power, and even the battle of Pingrangcheng will not be completed.
There is a possibility that the first attack will be taken away by the navy, but everyone is unwilling to do so...
His Majesty Li Er sighed, feeling a little annoyed.
This is the danger of aristocratic families. Forming gangs to exclude dissenters for their own benefit has been around since ancient times. This is human nature and is not surprising. However, there are so many excuses at the moment, each with their own agenda, but in the current war, they still only care about
Selfishness is a chronic disease caused by the clan.
The clan only sees interests and no loyalty.
If the troubles of the clans are not completely eliminated, the court will always be trapped in internal strife. Even if the empire is strong for a while, its foundation will never be stable. A slight turmoil will cause great changes, causing the current prosperity to decline.
The empire suddenly collapsed.
Family clans are truly the bane of the empire!
After pondering for a long time, His Majesty Li Er said coldly: "The army besieged Pingrang City, and it consumed countless supplies, weapons, food, and soldiers. The navy has an arduous task of transporting supplies. It is better to let it ensure the smooth flow of waterways and not delay the delivery of logistics."
Good luck."
At present, it is easy to order the navy to join the war, but if various factions in the army are unwilling to do so and start trouble, won't it make the war suddenly more variable?
Therefore, His Majesty Li Er could only endure his anger and make such a choice.
I am particularly dissatisfied with Li Ji. You are the head of the prime minister and ministers, so you cannot focus on seeking benefits for the clan and faction. At this time, you should step forward to share the king's worries. What's going on with your head hanging down and keeping silent?
All the generals quickly shouted in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"
His Majesty Li Er snorted, waved his hands, and said: "Everyone, please retreat, return to your troops, and urge the soldiers to speed up and arrive at Pingrang City as soon as possible. Pingrang City has already been captured!"
"Here!"
Everyone knew that His Majesty Li Er was angry and did not dare to say anything. After receiving the order, he filed out of the carriage. The carriage slowed down and a group of generals jumped off the carriage. Their own soldiers had already led their horses to greet him. After getting on the horse, they hurriedly
Rush back to their respective armies.
Although His Majesty Li Er did not allow the navy to participate in the battle today, it can be regarded as giving everyone a face. But if Pingrang City cannot be captured as quickly as expected, then how much face His Majesty Li Er has given everyone today will be able to defeat everyone in the future.
How hard he was slapped in the face!
As a minister, you can ask for favors or benefits from His Majesty, but the problem is that you must perform accordingly.
You can't do anything, you don't have enough to eat, you just ask for it, but you can't do anything serious. How do you expect His Majesty Li Er to pamper you?
The generals returned to their respective armies and immediately gathered their generals together. The core idea was only one: capture Pingrang City at all costs.
Everyone knows that after the Eastern Expedition, His Majesty Li Er will begin to completely suppress and exclude the rule of the aristocratic family in the court, and the military will be the top priority. Various factions will soon be passed through in the "Martial Arts Hall"
They were replaced by strictly trained young officers. If the final battle of the Eastern Expedition was not fought well, these founding generals would surely be alienated by the central court for a long time to come.
Merit is the foundation for a military commander to stand in the court. The merits of the Eastern Expedition are not necessary to destroy the Turks. Xue Yantuo is inferior, who can be willing to let go?
Therefore, a situation occurred that His Majesty Li Er did not expect. All the armies were holding back their energy and vowed to fight bloody battles under Pingrang City to seize this huge feat and avoid being crossed by the navy.
With one kick, everyone's achievements can be captured.
The morale of the whole army is high!
*****
Chang'an.
The grass and trees in the yard are withered, and the bare branches are hung with a thick layer of white frost. The red walls and black tiles in the distance seem much bleaker, which makes people feel lonely and depressed.
Just like Princess Jinyang’s mood at the moment...
Although Concubine Wei has never mentioned her marriage recently, she knows that it will be difficult for Concubine Wei or the Wei family to give up the idea. After all, as the most beloved princess of her father, once she is married to her family, she will definitely be married.
He lived to be used with great favor by his father.
Even wealthy people like Jingzhao Webster flock to this kind of political resource.
She naturally understands the principle of "parents' orders and matchmaker's words", and she never dares to expect that her future husband will be as suitable as she wants, but she can't be a guy like Wei Zhengju who claims to be "talented" but is actually a smooth-faced guy, right?
Princess Jinyang always felt that a man should be majestic, standing like a pine and sitting like a bell. It doesn't matter whether he looks handsome or not, the most important thing is to have a heroic masculine spirit.
For example, my father.
For example, brother-in-law...
And she knew that when her father returned to Beijing, the Wei family would definitely mention the matter again, in case his father was soft-hearted and agreed to the marriage...
"well--"
The little princess sat at the desk in front of the window, her delicate white palms dragging her pointed chin, her extremely beautiful cheeks as white as jade, her bright eyes like autumn water looking aimlessly at the bleak scenery outside the window, and sighing faintly.
.
It's a bit worrying...
"Hey, who provoked our little princess and made her feel miserable here?"
A clear and soft voice sounded behind her, and Princess Jinyang's eyes lit up. She turned around and saw that it was indeed Princess Gaoyang.
She took back the elbow that was holding her chin, ran happily to Princess Gaoyang, took her arm and asked with a smile: "Why did my sister come to the palace?"
Princess Gaoyang fondly stroked the hair on her forehead and said with a smile: "Tomorrow is the Winter Clothes Festival, and the sisters will go to Jiuwei Mountain to send cold clothes, seal books, and make hats, belts, clothes, and shoes with five-color silk.
I will lay a memorial ceremony and burn it in front of the mausoleum. However, Jiuwei Mountain is a bit far away, and it will be very cold in the morning, so I want to make an appointment with my sister and leave tonight. Is it convenient?"
The first day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar is the "Cold Clothes Festival". On this day, the tombs are swept, and there is a custom of "burning and offering", "clothes, boots, shoes, mats, hats and clothes" to give cold clothes to the deceased ancestors.
The Qianling Mausoleum is located on Mount Jiuwei, and has its own royal temple where the descendants can stay while offering sacrifices. It would be better to have a day there in advance to avoid being too hasty on the road.
Princess Jinyang rolled her eyes and said happily: "What's the inconvenience of this? But I still have to clean up. Why don't you go back to the house first, and I will go to the house to find you later, and we can go on the road together?"
"That's fine."
Princess Gaoyang agreed and warned: "The weather is getting colder and colder. You are thin, so you should prepare more clothes to keep out the cold, and prepare a hand-heated water bag."
"No, my sister will remember it."
Princess Jinyang responded charmingly.
Princess Gaoyang then turned and left.
When Princess Gaoyang's figure disappeared outside the door, Princess Jinyang stood there and thought about it, called her maid, and gave her instructions "such and such".