Chapter 1,196 The troops are approaching the city (continued)
Heroes grow old and honest men grow old.
Thinking about when Cheng Yaojin was wallowing among the dead while charging into battle, how could he have ever felt at all negative and depressed? However, during the past six months of the Eastern Expedition, he could not help but sigh when he saw the casualties of his soldiers, and even often hid in no one's place and wept.
As I get older, the fiery nature of my character gradually fades away, and what is replaced is more of a hero with a short temper and a long-lasting love for his children.
As long as he thinks about these strong children who were buried in this desolate and cold Liaodong, his gray-haired parents died without someone to care for him, and his wife and children who he had longed for were left without someone to care for him, Cheng Yaojin felt as if there was a huge stone in his heart and he couldn't breathe.
gas.
Alas, I am getting older...
Listening to Cheng Yaojin's sorrow for spring and autumn, and his pity for heaven and earth, Xue Wanche, who had a deep heart, disagreed very much. He raised his eyebrows and said: "As military generals, we should naturally long for an empire to run rampant across the world and conquer unconquered subjects. This way we can
We can demonstrate our ability and gather power. If one day the swords and guns are stored in the warehouse, the horses are released in Nanshan, and the civil servants are all covering the sky with one hand, how can there be a place for us? I'm afraid we have to live with our tail between our legs. Let me tell you, this
The war must be fought non-stop. There is a good poem written by Fang Er, which is called "Who will make history in ten thousand years, and look for feudal princes three thousand miles away"... Above the battle formation, we are free.
land."
Although the famous men of today are all capable of fighting on horseback and ruling the people on horseback, and have outstanding talents in both civil and military fields, Xue Wanche and Cheng Yaojin are not among them.
Cheng Yaojin is better off. After all, his seniority and qualifications are there. Even if he doesn't have any soldiers in his hands, he will still run rampant in the court. No matter whether it is His Majesty Li Er or the new emperor who takes the throne, he will respect him. No one dares to follow him.
Not happy to find it.
But Xue Wanche is different. In terms of his status, he is a "surrendered general". He once threatened to massacre the Prince of Qin's palace to avenge Li Jiancheng. If he no longer has military power with him, he can only have fun in Chang'an City all day long and make the slightest mistake.
, will definitely be impeached by the group of censors and officials.
Your Majesty may still be somewhat "inviting to buy people's hearts" and is quite tolerant of yourself. How can the new monarch care about that?
The days haven’t passed yet...
Therefore, unlike Cheng Yaojin's thoughts, Xue Wanche wished that this battle would last forever.
"hehe……"
Cheng Yaojin smiled, stroked his beard, and said with emotion: "Back then, when I was charging into battle with nothing but the heroes of the world, why didn't I think the same thing as you? It's just that now that I'm older, I feel kinder.
He has a soft face and a lot of feelings. He is no longer as enterprising and unscrupulous as before."
When he was young, he charged into battle to gain fame and wealth, and regarded the world's heroes as nothing. Cheng Yaojin was also a well-known figure. However, more and more life experiences now make him understand that strength is easy to break, and the truth of life is that a drop of water can penetrate a stone.
Don't be rigid and rigid, have kind thoughts in your heart, be gentle and compassionate, that is the way of heaven.
The two of them may be considered to be of the same generation, but due to completely different life experiences, their thoughts are completely different and they cannot talk together at all.
Outside, His Majesty Li Er's messengers rushed in quickly, finally breaking the awkwardness between the two.
"Order, after Cheng Yaojin and Xue Wanche's troops clear out the Dacheng Mountain City, they will immediately go south to attack Anhe Palace. Tomorrow morning, I will go to the battlefield in person, hold down the battle for them, and break through the Seven Star Gate in one fell swoop!"
"Old minister (last general) obeys the order!"
Both of them performed military salutes. After standing up, Cheng Yaojin took two steps forward, raised his hands high to receive the military order, unfolded it and read it carefully to confirm that it was correct.
The ordering soldier cupped his fists and said, "General, please retire!"
Cheng Yaojin said: "Please!"
When the ordering soldiers retreated, Xue Wanche made a fist with his left hand and punched the palm of his right hand hard, and said excitedly: "This military order came just in time. Otherwise, if we continue to stand still, we may not be able to sleep tonight!"
Cheng Yaojin stroked his beard and smiled, patted Xue Wanche on the shoulder, and said generously: "Since General Xue is eager to fight, I won't take credit from you. Although Dacheng Mountain City was captured, there were not a few defeated troops, and it will take some time to clear it up."
, the important task of storming Anhe Palace and the Seven Star Gate will be left to the general to lead the army, and I will hold the battle for you."
Xue Wanche couldn't help being overjoyed. He clasped his fists and said, "Mr. Lu is a righteous man. We will keep this favor in our hearts and we will definitely repay him generously in the future."
In the eyes of the generals of the Tang Army, the Eastern Expedition was a battle for credit. Whoever could gain more credit in this battle would be the winner.
Cheng Yaojin has seniority and great achievements. To him, these military achievements are better than nothing. As long as he steadily completes the established strategy, his great achievements will not be lost. Xue Wanche is different. He is one of the two vanguards of the army. After all, he has to win a few achievements.
Only hard work is required.
Now that Cheng Yaojin is seeking stability and is willing to give up his top spot, how can Xue Wanche not be happy?
It's really fun to hang out with such a big guy...
Cheng Yaojin waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "There is no need to express your gratitude. We were ordered by Your Majesty to be the main attacker of the army. We will be both prosperous and devastated. You took the lead, and I will also take the credit. But please also ask Xue
The general remembered that it is a good thing to be brave and good at fighting, but you must not be dazzled by victory and think that the Goguryeo army is nothing more than that. You must always be cautious, otherwise something will go wrong and no one can afford it... Although Anhak Palace
It occupies a small area, but the terrain behind it is crisscrossed by ravines and crisscrosses, and the terrain is complicated. It is unlikely that there will be extra troops hiding in it, and they will suddenly rush out when we are not paying attention. Therefore, after capturing Anhe Palace, we must clear it out inside and outside, and cut off all possible dangers.
Only when there are future troubles can we attack the Seven Star Gate, and we must not be anxious and reckless."
Although the Eastern Expedition has not yet ended, in his opinion, the overall situation has been decided in advance. His Majesty Li Er's order for a general offensive of the entire army is actually suspected of being too hasty. He could have attacked steadily and worked step by step. After clearing the outer defenses of Pingrang City, there would be no Pingcheng left.
How can Rangcheng resist hundreds of thousands of elite Tang troops?
Moreover, since Goguryeo was able to defeat the former Sui Dynasty's Eastern Expedition army several times, it shows that its combat power and resilience are extremely strong. Even though it currently has the advantage, it cannot be underestimated. Everyone knows that arrogant soldiers will be defeated.
But Xue Wanche is vulgar and reckless, which is something he knows personally, but he may not know it, and even if he knows it, he may not care. Therefore, he had to carefully point out that Xue Wanche should attack steadily and step by step. He must not attack in order to capture Pingrang City.
And greedy for merit and rash advancement.
In a battle that must be won, if Xue Wanche's carelessness leads to the loss of troops, Cheng Yaojin feels that he can't bear it. After all, Xue Wanche is his subordinate now...
Xue Wanche was full of confidence and said disapprovingly: "Leading troops to fight is our strength, don't worry, Duke Lu. You just need to sit here and wait for news of our victory. When we capture Anhe Palace and smash the Seven Star Gate, please
Let’s set foot in Pingrang City together!”
Cheng Yaojin knew his character and understood that talking more would be useless. He nodded and said, "Just remember to be cautious, and go ahead."
"Here!"
Xue Wanche promised confidently, then strode out, summoned his generals, and made a fire all night to make food. After the meal, he gathered the troops, inspected the ordnance, took a short rest, and about three o'clock, marched towards Anhe Palace in a mighty manner.
…
Marching and fighting was indeed Xue Wanche's forte.
It was learned from the Chinese Army's account that the current garrison at Anhe Palace was an army that had just changed defenses and was not yet stable. Therefore, Xue Wanche adhered to the creed of "soldiers are more valuable and speed is faster" and decided to launch a fierce attack overnight.
In the middle of the night, the army gathered together and stormed Anhe Palace in a well-organized formation despite the wind and snow all night long.
Compared to Daeseong Mountain Fortress, which has a steep terrain and numerous garrisoned troops, Anhak Palace not only has a less stable foothold for the army that has just been replaced, but also has a relatively gentle terrain. After all, it was the palace of the King of Goguryeo. Although the city has high walls and thick walls, the terrain is not that steep.
At the key pass, the Tang army suddenly launched a fierce attack under the cover of heavy snow. The defenders in the city were caught off guard and were attacked by the Tang army in just an hour.
"Boom boom boom"
The Tang army that attacked the city dug holes under the city wall and buried gunpowder before detonating it. The mountains shook with roars, and black smoke shot straight into the sky and swept up the snowflakes. Sections of towering walls collapsed one after another, and a crack appeared in the originally impregnable defense line.
a gap.
The Tang army braved the snowflakes and locust-like arrows, launched a fearless charge, entered the city in one fell swoop, and broke through the strongest city wall defense.
In the Anhe Palace barracks, Yuan Nanjian listened to the rumbling gunpowder explosions outside and the soldiers' reports. He sighed and said to Gao Yanwu: "The Tang army is really lucky. If it weren't for the gunpowder to attack the city,
With the advent of sharp weapons, how can we sweep across Liaodong and reach Pingrang City? The city wall defense line has been breached, and Anhe Palace can no longer be defended. Let's act according to the plan."