Su Dingfang pondered for a long time and said to the captain: "Go back and report to the British Duke, saying that I already know about it."
The captain said: "The British government has an order. After the general delivers the order, he should return to Huating Town with the navy, and then return to Chang'an to resume his duties."
Su Dingfang was speechless.
Was this someone sent to monitor him?
"In this case, you go down and have a rest. I will convene the generals to discuss the withdrawal of troops. We will notify you later when the discussion is completed."
"Here."
The captain turned around and went out. The soldiers took him to find a warship to rest.
Su Dingfang sent people to summon Xi Junmai and other generals to the flagship, and told them that the army had withdrawn and the siege of Pingrang City had been resolved. This immediately caused a commotion among the naval generals.
"How can we withdraw our troops?"
"We were about to break into the city, but the whole army retreated. Wouldn't it be a failure?"
"This battle lasted for more than half a year, not to mention the countless losses of food and supplies. Did the soldiers who died in the battle die in vain?"
"Our navy is tired and cold on this sea, and we dare not delay the army's equipment for a moment. Isn't it in vain?"
The generals and generals were noisy, not understanding, but even more dissatisfied.
Although the navy has never participated in the war as the main force and has not suffered any battle losses, it has always been responsible for the logistical supplies of hundreds of thousands of troops. This task is extremely cumbersome and arduous. Especially since the beginning of winter, heavy snowfall has fallen continuously in Liaodong, making it difficult to pass by land and water.
The division had to brave huge winds and waves and stationed near the mouth of Xishui River in order to transport the baggage to the army in time.
When the coastline was frozen, it was difficult for warships to dock, and they even had to use gunpowder to break the ice, and then try to move the ships as close to the shore as possible. All kinds of baggage ordnance could only be transported to the army bit by bit by people and horses.
Among them, the difficulty is insignificant.
However, even though they were unable to participate in the war as the main force and had to transport a huge amount of baggage, the navy did not complain at all. The soldiers and generals were focused on capturing Pingrang City as soon as possible, overthrowing Goguryeo, and completing the grand cause of unifying Liaodong.
As a result, an order without warning has wiped out everyone's efforts and sacrifices for more than half a year...
"Dang Dang Dang!"
Su Dingfang picked up the teacup, knocked it on the table, and yelled: "Quiet! What's the point of making such noise? We are the royal navy, not pawns in the caravan!"
The cabin suddenly became quiet.
Xi Jun said: "Captain, the commander-in-chief has given orders, so of course we have to obey them. However, at this point in the war, with victory just one step away, such a hasty retreat is really inappropriate. And there is not even a decent reason. What the hell is this?
Son? I will not be convinced at the end of my life."
Su Dingfang was silent.
Xi Junmai was familiar with Su Dingfang's character. He was always decisive in killing, but rarely so hesitant. He was surprised and asked tentatively: "Captain, is there anything difficult to decide?"
Su Dingfang then said slowly: "It stands to reason that the British Lord is the deputy commander of this Eastern Expedition, and all the armies are subordinates. They are under his control and should obey his orders. However, our navy is different..."
The topic is sensitive and the consequences will be serious, so please stop here.
Xi Junmai blinked, and when he saw Su Dingfang looking at him, he immediately understood and said hurriedly: "We are the Royal Navy, His Majesty's private army, not part of the imperial court. We only listen to your Majesty and the commander-in-chief, the British Duke
Although he has a high position and great authority, how can he control us? If we obey his military orders in everything, that would be a big mistake!"
This is a bit unreasonable. The Navy is indeed not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War and cannot be regarded as a court establishment. However, the Eastern Expedition is planned and the entire army is integrated. How can the Navy be separated from the jurisdiction of the commander-in-chief and do its own thing?
But when he said this, the other generals also came to their senses and agreed: "What General Xi said is true. If the army had attacked the city before, we would have just obeyed the British Lord's orders. Now that the army has retreated
, means that the Eastern Expedition is over, and our navy should return to its previous state. Since there is no imperial edict from His Majesty, it doesn't matter whether we listen to the British Duke's military orders or not."
Everyone was making noises while looking at Su Dingfang eagerly.
This was the Eastern Campaign, and the annihilation of Goguryeo was an unparalleled feat that will be remembered for eternity! Previously, the navy had been excluded and had never been able to participate in the war as the main force. It could only transport heavy supplies and fight as auxiliary forces. Everyone was holding back a fire in their hearts and wished they could go into battle.
Kill the enemy and make achievements!
Now that the army has retreated, Pingrang City is already at the end of its battle, and there is only one last chance to break through the city. If you give up this opportunity in vain, will you regret it for the rest of your life?
Of course, since the British Duke Li Ji had led his troops to retreat and the order had been issued to the navy, it would be a grave sin to disobey the order.
I just don’t know if Su Dingfang has the courage to disobey Li Ji’s order, and later be able to get away with it by saying that "the navy is not affiliated with the imperial court and does not need to follow military orders." This depends on whether Yue Guo Gong Fang Jun can give firm support, and it also depends on
His Majesty's wishes.
Su Dingfang allowed the generals to chatter and ponder for a long time, then raised his hand to stop everyone's discussion, and said slowly: "I am not afraid of the British military orders, but hundreds of thousands of troops besieged Pingrang City, and ultimately failed.
We have to retreat. How can our navy, with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, be able to break into the city in one go and complete such unparalleled feats that will last forever? I am not afraid of the crime of disobedience. What I am afraid of is that you are so greedy for merit that in the end you will not be able to do it.
When we conquered Pingrang City, we ended up with a broken head and a bloody head, and the sword fell into the sand!"
When everyone heard this, they were overjoyed. Xi Junmai said excitedly: "Before, we did not dare to boast that we would be able to capture Pingrang City. But now Pingrang City is already at the end of its strength, and the troops in the city have suffered heavy losses. I am afraid that ten
Without two or three, they went out of the city to pursue the army, and the city's defense became increasingly empty. Moreover, the army retreated, and the siege of Pingrang City was solved. The Yuan bandits were ambitious and would have trouble with the Goguryeo royal family. Either the treasure king took over the defense of Pingrang City, or
The Yuan thief directly usurped the throne! No matter what happens, there must be disunity in Pingrang City now, and there will no longer be the concerted efforts when the army besieged the city. As long as we march quickly and attack Pingrang City with lightning speed, it is very possible to defeat Pingrang City in one battle.
Certainly!"
Su Dingfang nodded slowly.
He has full confidence in the combat power of the navy. What he is hesitating about right now is not whether he can capture Pingrang City. There is never a guarantee of victory in a battle. As long as there is more than a half chance of winning, he can go all out and fight hard. What he is hesitating about is disobeying military orders.
s consequence.
Is your guess correct?
If things are indeed as he imagined, it would not be a big deal to disobey Li Ji's order this time, and it could even add some strength to His Highness the Crown Prince. After all, even if Li Ji dominates the sky with one hand and has all the power, he will not be able to control the navy.
.
But if my guess is wrong and His Majesty is completely fine, then it must be that Your Majesty is trying to hide the truth and is plotting a big plan, and I will definitely ruin His Majesty's good deeds...
However, if His Majesty was really fine, how could the army retreat at the last moment, causing the Eastern Expedition to fall short?
In his view, the reason why Li Ji withdrew his troops was because he was worried that bad news would spread, which would cause the morale of the army to collapse, morale to be eroded, and the combat effectiveness of the army to plummet. Facing the Goguryeo army that was determined to hold on to the death, it would easily lead to a major rout, so he had no choice but to
Don't bear the pain of giving up a good situation and strive for stability.
Because once the army is defeated, the chain reaction will cause the situation in Chang'an to collapse instantly. The consequences are much more serious than the failure of the Eastern Expedition...
After pondering for a while, Su Dingfang waved his hand and said: "Please step aside, let me think carefully before making a decision. Xi Jun will stay."
"Here!"
All the generals stood up and left. When they turned their backs, they all winked at Xi Junmai. Everyone knew that Xi Junmai had Su Dingfang's trust and often adopted his opinions. They all hoped that Xi Junmai could persuade Su Dingfang to stay.
Come down and attack Pingrang City and make great achievements.
Being in the navy, for a long time, the feeling of "being part of the establishment" has been lost from the top and bottom. There is no need to ask for instructions when doing things. Anyway, as long as you report it to Fang Jun, it will be approved, and as long as Fang Jun approves,
His Majesty never refuted it, which made everyone less interested in the British Duke and other prime ministers and ministers. Anyway, we are not within the Tang army system, and you can't control me!
Everyone thought that disobeying Li Ji's orders was nothing to worry about. In the past few years, the Navy had been accustomed to doing its own thing. How had it ever reported to the court for instructions?
Seeing the capture of Pingrang City and the overthrow of Goguryeo and other unparalleled feats right before their eyes, everyone was already red-eyed...
After everyone filed out, Su Dingfang asked Xi Jun: "Hundreds of thousands of troops have been besieging Pingrang City for several months without defeat. If our navy disobeys military orders and storms Pingrang City, what are the chances of winning?
What kind of good strategy is there to destroy the city?"