Changsun Wuji felt trembling in his heart and said hurriedly: "I know this, and I will definitely tell Quanzi to go all out. Even if he is attacked with swords and axes, he must complete such an important task."
Not only did he, but everyone present understand what His Majesty Li Er meant.
If this battle is successful, Changsun Chong must be a great contributor, and the entire family will benefit from it. But if something goes wrong, don't think of blaming Changsun Chong for it.
When meritorious deeds are made, the whole clan benefits; when mistakes are made, the whole clan bears the responsibility.
It may not mean that Changsun Wuji cannot be trusted, but it is equivalent to putting a shackles on Changsun Chong to prevent him from doing whatever he wants in Pingrang City and ruining major events.
Because once Changsun makes a mistake, the result is likely to lead to an extremely unfavorable outcome for the army. No one can accept such consequences...
His Majesty Li Er nodded and said: "Tell Changsun Chong that I can let go of his past crimes, but no matter where he is, he is a citizen of the Tang Dynasty. He must have the thoughts of his family and country in his heart, and don't insist on going his own way and ruining me."
Big deal!"
Changsun Wuji hurriedly said: "I know!"
He understood that this matter was not due to His Majesty Li Er's harsh criticism. It was really a matter of great importance and Chang Sun Chong must do his best. Otherwise, if something went wrong... he simply did not dare to think about the consequences.
Originally, His Majesty Li Er wanted to weaken the Changsun family, and thereby weaken the entire Guanlong clan. If Changsun Chong made a mistake in this matter, causing serious losses to the army, or even affecting the entire war situation, then His Majesty Li Er would punish the Changsun family in anger.
, I am afraid that no one in the civil and military circles of the dynasty can speak for the Changsun family.
His Majesty Li Er was very satisfied with Changsun Wuji's reaction. As long as he knew the importance, he believed that Changsun Wuji could handle the matter safely. Although Changsun Chong had committed a serious crime of treason, he had always recognized his ability.
.
Looking around at everyone, they were all famous generals who had followed him in the battle for many years. This made him immediately more confident and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, I don't need to elaborate on the relationship between this battle. The rise of Goguryeo in Liaodong, the vast territory and the large population, if we let it go
After they have multiplied and multiplied, in a few decades they will break through the Great Wall, drink from the Yellow River, and become a serious problem for the Tang Dynasty! Therefore, this battle is not for my private name, nor for your military merits, but to clear away the hidden dangers of the empire.
Peace for eternity. To this end, I will not hesitate to devote the power of the whole country, regardless of many objections, and resolutely take charge of the expedition myself! If I succeed in this battle, I will be famous throughout the ages and create a great cause that will be remembered forever; if I fail, my reputation will be ruined and I will repeat the mistakes of the former Sui Yang Emperor.
Future generations will ridicule and insult us, but we will not be able to live in peace even if we die!"
These words were really sonorous and impassioned.
With a "hurrah", all the generals stood up together. Amidst the clanging of armor leaves, they all knelt down on one knee and said loudly: "I am willing to follow your majesty and create a foundation of eternal peace. Personal life and death, honor and disgrace, are all disregarded."
, Even if it is a sea of swords and fire, I will not give up even if I die!"
"very good!"
His Majesty Li Er also stood up, put his hands behind his back, his eyes were shining brightly, and he said loudly: "The current situation is difficult and the war is not going well. However, my journey with you dear friends has never been smooth sailing. Outside Hulao Pass, I
With three thousand being defeated by one hundred thousand at risk, can today's Goguryeo be stronger than Wang Shichong back then? You just need to move forward without hesitation, regardless of personal gains and losses, and you will be invincible and achieve success in no time!"
"Swear allegiance to His Majesty to the death!"
The generals responded with a roar.
*****
The next morning, the sky was dark and windy and snowy.
In the camp of the Tang army, drums were beating, flags were flying, and horses were neighing and armor leaves were clanging. Teams of Tang troops, fully armed, rushed out of the camp to form formations, and then followed the flags of their respective team commanders and brigade commanders, line by line,
One by one, they headed towards Pingrang City ahead.
Groups of cavalry and iron cavalry galloped and charged towards the defense lines built by the Goguryeo army. In the wind and snow, the Tang army suddenly launched a general attack in the early morning. Hundreds of thousands of troops were divided into several camps.
, the tide surged up to the position of the Goguryeo army.
The first one to bear the brunt is the mountain city of Ayutthaya.
This place is the gateway to the north of Pingrang City, closely connected to the main road in and out of Pingrang City. Behind it is Anhe Palace, and beyond that is the Seven Star Gate.
The Tang army had launched attacks on Daeseongsan Fortress several times before, but Yuan Gaesumun assigned his brother Yuan Jingtu here, supplemented by tens of thousands of troops, and stubbornly resisted the Tang army's offensive. Even though he suffered countless losses, he managed to keep the city intact and remained stable.
Guarding the northern gate of Pingrang City.
Therefore, the first stop of the Tang Army's general offensive was Dacheng Mountain City.
Xue Wanche and Cheng Yaojin assembled a large army and bravely attacked the city in the wind and snow. Even though arrows were raining on the city and logs were rolling, they still rushed and attacked regardless of casualties. The Goguryeo army, which was caught off guard, did not expect that the Tang army had no warning.
Then they brazenly launched such a large-scale charge. Before they could recover, the swarming Tang troops had already raided the already dilapidated city wall, buried gunpowder, and with a "boom" sound, the city wall of Dacheng Mountain City was destroyed.
Section after section collapsed and collapsed.
The brave Tang army rushed into the city along the gap in the collapsed city wall, pouring into the city like a tide.
Yuan Jingtu's soul was shattered, but he did not want to criticize his soldiers harshly. The Tang army's continuous strong attack for many days had already caused heavy casualties to the defenders in the city. They were exhausted and their morale was extremely low. Even if the Tang army had not attacked the city on such a large scale today, they would not be able to endure it for ten more days.
For eight days, I am afraid that I will surrender without a fight.
However, at this moment, it was natural that the Tang army could not allow the Tang army to occupy the mountain city, and then look down at Pingrang City from a high position and launch an attack.
After putting on his armor neatly, Yuan Jingtu led his own soldiers out of the barracks, gathered the scattered soldiers all the way to the city wall, and met the swarming Tang army in a melee.
Although the Tang army was powerful, the Goguryeo soldiers all understood the strategic position of Dacheng Mountain City. Once the mountain city was lost, the Tang army could guard the northern gate of Pingrang City, and then launch an unscrupulous attack all the way to Pingrang City. Therefore, everyone fought hard and was indomitable.
Fearing death, they actually blocked the Tang army near the city wall for a while, making it difficult for them to advance.
At the rear of the battle formation, Cheng Yaojin and Xue Wanzhe, who were watching the enemy formation, were riding on horses with their helmets on. They saw that the army had entered the city and was blocked under the city, unable to attack the city. The enemy troops retreated without disorder and were purged in an orderly manner, which was obvious.
A general in the city is organizing an army to resist.
Cheng Yaojin said: "The enemy must have a general commanding under the city, maybe it is the mountain city guard Yuan Jingtu. If it continues to be delayed, it will be very detrimental to the war situation. One of you and I might as well lead the troops into the city, kill the general and seize it."
If the flag is raised, the defenders will be defeated. What does General Xue think?"
Xue Wanche sat upright on his horse, nodded when he heard the words, and said: "Gong Lu is a veteran general on the battlefield, I firmly believe in him. However, I dare not bother Duke Lu. I will do my best to charge into the battle at the end of the day."
Cheng Yaojin laughed loudly, tapped Xue Wanche with his finger, and scolded: "You have been close to Fang Er in the past two years, and you have also learned that boy's cunning character. You obviously want to steal credit, but you have to say this.
It's so high-sounding. No matter how old I am, how can I put such a small contribution in my eyes? I'll leave it to you."
Xue Wanche also laughed, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much, Duke Lu for your support!"
The strategic location of Dacheng Mountain City is very important. Otherwise, Goguryeo would not have stationed heavy troops here. Even though the Tang army attacked and attacked for many days, it was still not captured. If they could capture this city and kill the defender, such feats would not be what Cheng Yaojin said.
"little credit".
Although he was hot-tempered, he was not stupid. He knew that Cheng Yaojin was selling him a favor. Otherwise, Cheng Yaojin was the dominant one among the two, so how could it be his turn to compete for merit?
He immediately summoned his generals and led an elite lineage of more than a thousand people to lead the charge towards Dacheng Mountain City amidst the rumbling of war drums.
Xue Wanche galloped on his horse. When he reached the foot of the mountain city, he dismounted, threw the reins to the soldiers behind him, and leaped up to the collapsed ruins of the city wall with a sword in hand. More than a thousand soldiers followed him and entered the city.
There was heavy snowfall, and soldiers from both sides fought together in the area under the mountain city wall. Because the terrain was narrow and covered with rubble and bricks from the collapsed city wall, it was impossible to maintain formation, so the two sides fought in one place, with no distinction between ourselves and the enemy.
Fortunately, the military uniforms of both sides are different, so friendly forces will not be accidentally injured...
Xue Wanche stood on the ruins of the city wall, observing the situation on the battlefield below the city from a high position. When he saw a group of Goguryeo troops not far away on the left, advancing and retreating in an orderly manner, running rampant, he knew that the enemy general must be there. He pointed his sword horizontally and shouted:
: "Follow me and kill him!"
He jumped off the ruins, rushed into the city, slashed a Goguryeo soldier in front of him with a horizontal slash, and knocked to the ground, then charged forward menacingly.
The soldiers behind him were all elite, and each one was as good as ten, and more than a thousand people remained in formation, with a clear goal, and they were unstoppable and cut a bloody path on the battlefield, heading straight for the goal.