If the prisoners were killed, it would trigger a strong reaction from the Goguryeo defenders and even cause Yeon Gaesumun's possible surrender negotiation to fall through. Xue Wanche could not bear this crime.
But if the prisoners are not killed, the Tang army's logistical supplies will be under great pressure. Now that food and supplies are already stretched thin, how can there be so many resources to feed the seriously injured Goguryeo prisoners? I'm afraid His Majesty Li Er will also complain about his soft-heartedness.
It brought a huge burden to the Tang army...
Being a minister is indeed very difficult sometimes, and there is no way to have the best of both worlds.
But now that you have a big boss behind you, you have to maximize the role of the big boss. For such dilemmas and dilemmas, you only need to report them for a decision. No matter how you deal with them, it has nothing to do with you.
…
He is most impatient to deal with such matters. As a soldier, he can just lead the troops to win the battle. Why bother to worry about things that the prime minister should worry about?
After successfully "shaking the blame" for the troubles, Xue Wanche felt comfortable and said in high spirits: "Send the battle report to Lu Guogong. Each of the Chinese army will have a copy, and then assemble the army. After dawn, follow me directly to Pingrang City and storm the Qixing Gate!
"
There is Chang Sun Chong inside the Seven Star Gate as an internal response. As long as the troops arrive at the city, the city gate will be opened. By then, he will lead his army into the city, and the first attack on the city will be a certainty. If the progress of the other departments is slower, he will have great potential.
Maybe he would go on a rampage in Pingrang City and go straight to the Damolizhi Mansion to capture Yuan Gaisuwen alive. By then, I am afraid that the title of "Duke of the Country" would be firmly on his head...
Thinking of this, Xue Wanche's blood boiled. He wished he could command the army to break into the city immediately, establish his first offensive in the Eastern Expedition, and gain the reputation of "God of War"...
*****
There was a melee between the two parties in Anhe Palace, and the killing was in full swing. In the dense forest in the ravine at the back, a group of troops and horses were quietly lurking in the snow. Even the horses wore bits. Despite the heavy snow above their heads, the troops and horses were solemn and silent.
silent.
Goguryeo is in a bitterly cold place, and both the army and the war horses are often subjected to the test of severe cold. Now these wind and snow are naturally accustomed to it.
Yuan Nan stood under a towering tree with a helmet on his head and a black fox fur draped outside to block the cold wind. He took off the wine bag from his waist and took a deep sip. The strong wine went into his throat, and his whole body was filled with chills.
As if being driven away, a fiery torrent surged between his chest and abdomen.
He stared at the direction of Anhe Palace in the distance, watching the fire rising into the sky, and the thunderous explosions. After a few hours, the hustle and bustle gradually subsided into silence. Everyone knew what that meant.
It's a pity that Gao Yanwu failed to drag the Tang army until dawn...
Yuan Nanjian clenched his fists tightly, and the blood in his veins seemed to boil.
Now is the most dangerous moment. Gao Yanwu failed to delay the war in Anhe Palace until dawn. Once the Tang army wipes out the Goguryeo garrison in Anhe Palace, the next step will be taken immediately.
If the generals of the Tang army were cautious and sent scouts to search for defeated troops in the mountains, the men and horses they had hidden would surely be discovered.
When the Tang army comes in full force to attack, all of his and his father's plans will be in vain, and there will be no other option but to fight to the death.
He was so nervous that he brought out all the gods and Buddhas in the sky and prayed one by one, asking the gods to protect Goguryeo and the Yuan clan, and never let the Tang army discover their hiding traces...
The snow was falling heavily and the climate was unbearably cold. Time passed little by little, but no sign of Tang troops coming to search in the mountains was found. This made Yuan Nanjian's tense heartstrings slowly relax.
As expected, the Tang army was arrogant and believed that a small defeat would not affect the overall situation. They did not even bother to search and arrest, and even refused to make a show of it.
From this point of view, it is indeed God’s will.
He looked up at the dark sky. Countless snowflakes were swirling and falling in his eyes, making him dizzy.
Life and death, success or failure, all depend on this.
*****
"His Majesty!"
In the central military tent, His Majesty Li Er, who had just been lying down in his clothes, was awakened by a call. He opened his sour eyes and saw his personal servant standing at the side of the couch, calling carefully in a low voice. His heart tightened and he suddenly fell asleep.
He disappeared, climbed up, opened his bloodshot eyes, and asked hoarsely: "What happened?"
After a hard day's work, I finally fell asleep. If there was nothing urgent, how could the waiter dare to wake him up?
The chamberlain was stunned for a moment, and then whispered: "The battle report came from the front, saying that Xue Wanche's troops were not afraid of fighting to the death, and had captured Anhe Palace, and were gathering troops to go straight to the Seven Star Gate."
"Ouch!"
His Majesty Li Er suddenly jumped from the bed to the ground. He was overjoyed, but he thought he was dizzy because of the excessive exertion. He staggered and almost fell to the ground if the chamberlain hadn't stepped forward to help him in time.
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
The chamberlain turned pale with fright.
His Majesty Li Er calmed down, closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to suppress the dizziness, opened his eyes and said, "Get the elixir."
The capture of Anhe Palace means that the last line of defense in the north of Pingrang City has been breached, and the army can directly reach Pingrang City and launch an siege.
Chang Sun Chong is currently responsible for the defense inside the Seven Star Gate. As long as the army arrives at the Seven Star Gate, Chang Sun Chong will open the city gate to welcome the army into the city.
And once the army marched straight in from the Qixing Gate, what could the Goguryeo defenders do to resist the wolf-like tiger-like Tang army after losing the advantage of the city wall?
This battle can be over!
The servant hesitated at his feet and said hesitantly: "Your Majesty, you have taken a pill in the past hundred days. It has not been more than ten hours now. If you take it again, it may be harmful to the dragon's body. Please think twice..."
Although he has no knowledge of pharmacology and has never heard of any side effects after taking the elixir, every time His Majesty Li Er takes it, he immediately becomes more energetic and energetic. However, after the effect of the medicine wears off, it is as if all the bones have been removed from his body.
My whole body was sore and tired, and my whole body was depressed. It was obvious that the elixir overdrawed the human body's potential. It increased energy in a short period of time, but required a long period of recovery.
Your Majesty has been in weak health since the Eastern Expedition, and has been suffering from minor illnesses throughout the day. Once an overdose of pills is taken, it is very likely to have extremely serious consequences...
His Majesty Li Er sat on the chair, but did not get angry at the chamberlain. He said calmly: "I know in my heart that the elixir is the medicine of tigers and wolves. Taking it for a long time will harm your health. However, it is now a critical moment for the Eastern Expedition. At this time, I must be alert.
Command the army to fight with vigor and complete the victory in one battle, otherwise if something goes wrong, it will be too late to regret it!"
"Here!"
The servant didn't dare to say anything anymore, so he quickly went to the back and took out the brocade box from the box, took out a red pill, put the brocade box away, turned around and came out, handed the elixir to His Majesty Li Er, and went to the side to pour a glass of warm water.
, wait for His Majesty Li Er to take the elixir.
After taking the elixir, His Majesty Li Er closed his eyes and sat on the chair attentively. It took a long time before he opened his eyes. The depression and decadence just now had disappeared. His eyes gradually became sharper, and his whole body was full of vitality. He stood up and asked the servants to serve him and put on his armor.
, sitting in the tent waiting for the generals to arrive.
After a while, Li Ji, Changsun Wuji, Cheng Mingzhen and others filed in. After receiving the ceremony, they sat down on the left and right sides.
Cheng Yaojin and Xue Wanche led an army to attack Dachengshan City and Anhe Palace, directly to the north of Pingrang City. Yuchi Jingde and Ashina Simo led an army to attack the west of Pingrang City. More than 100,000 troops attacked overnight.
The battle continued and launched the maximum attack on Pingrang City's defense line.
His Majesty Li Er looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice: "You must all know the news about Xue Wanche's capture of Anhe Palace, right?"
Everyone nodded together.
Changsun Wuji said: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations to Your Majesty! Anhe Palace is the last line of defense outside the Seven Star Gate. Since Anhe Palace has been captured, the Seven Star Gate is already under the attack of Xue Wanche's troops. As long as the troops arrive at the city, the dog will immediately open the gate.
Goguryeo has no way to recover, and the overall situation has been decided! Your majesty's great achievements throughout the ages are enough for future generations to praise, and the history is stained with glory for the ages!"
This is a bit of a flattery, but everyone knows that the overall situation is basically decided now, and it is appropriate to say a few good words. Everyone cannot be like Wei Zheng and have to pour a ladle of cold water on His Majesty's enthusiasm to show their loyalty.
Integrity, right?
Naturally everyone agreed.
The upright face of His Majesty Li Er was a little red. Even though he tried his best to suppress the joy in his heart, he still couldn't hide the joyful feeling.
He considered himself to be an upright man, and he only had a good reputation and beauty in his life. He saw the fall of Goguryeo and other great achievements that Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty could not complete even with all his efforts, and he was able to achieve them in his own hands. The history books of future generations will surely be remembered for thousands of years.
All the stains on one's own body have been covered up, how can one not be overjoyed?
Unable to suppress the excitement in his heart, he stood up suddenly and said loudly: "Get your horses ready immediately, I will go to Anhe Palace in person and direct Xue Wanche to attack the Seven Star Gate!"
Everyone was startled when they heard this. Li Ji hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, think twice! A gentleman would not stand behind a dangerous wall. Although Anhe Palace has been captured, there may not be a defeated Goguryeo army in the palace, in case the rebel army launches a surprise attack."