The moment the Goguryeo cavalry suddenly charged out of the wind and snow, dense war drums rang out from the top of Pingrang City. The drums were rumbling, and the atmosphere of the battle was pushed to its peak in an instant!
Looking down from the top of the city, the north wind is raging and the blood flowers are dancing. Countless Goguryeo cavalry are rushing in like a tide, all over the sky and the fields, endless. When they enter a stone's throw, the Tang army guarding the city wall is at the top of the city.
The bows and crossbows fired arrows from above, and the enemy troops at the front were hit by the arrows and fell down one after another, tripping up their companions in front and behind them, and the charge formation was instantly chaotic.
However, the Goguryeo people were able to gradually migrate southward from the ice-covered Far East and conquer this land in Liaodong, relying on their brave and fearless character and their skillful combat power with bows and horses. At this moment, the forward formation was chaotic, but the soldiers behind were also confused.
In a panic, he either picked up the reins and let the horse jump over his companions at the bottom, or pulled the reins to control the horse to go around from both sides, and soon rushed to the bottom of the city under a rain of locust arrows.
When the cavalry who rushed to the city dismounted, they saw infantry carrying ladders and other siege equipment running from behind. The cavalry ignored the rain of arrows above their heads, ignored the casualties of themselves and their horses, erected the ladder, and climbed up boldly.
climb.
Every Goguryeo soldier knew that the royal city had fallen and that the king was in danger. If the royal city could not be captured at this moment, then Goguryeo would be completely destroyed and would be annihilated.
These 50,000 to 60,000 cavalry are indeed the elite of Goguryeo. It was they who fought bloody battles at the city gate to block the Tang army's tidal offensive, and tried to protect the city of Pingrang. Unexpectedly, they were ordered to go north to pursue the Tang army, but in the blink of an eye they were attacked by a force.
The navy robbed the house and blew up the tower. Naturally, he was both aggrieved and angry. He ran back all the way through the starry night, but in the end it was too late. Even the palace had fallen.
The general, Eulji Jizu, was holding a spear in his hand and was sitting on a horse wearing heavy armor. His horse was already covered with snow and ice. He raised his head and looked at the Pingrang City in the wind and snow in front of him, watching the raging fire above and below the city.
During the war, there was not much sadness in my heart, only infinite emotion.
The "Eulji" family is actually not from Buyeo, the main body of Goguryeo, but from Xianbei in the north. Their original surname is "Yuchi", and they also served as military attachés during the Northern Wei Dynasty. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the world was at war, and their ancestors were defeated and persecuted, so they had to raise their families.
Fleeing to Goguryeo. Goguryeo has always had the habit of re-employing exiled Han officials, so they were able to join the army. Later, they made many military exploits and became a prominent martial arts family in the Goguryeo army.
His father, Eulji Mundeok, defeated the Sui army in the Sa River outside Pyongrang City during the Sui Dynasty's Eastern Expedition, which shocked Goguryeo and was regarded as the "God of Military" by Goguryeo.
It's a pity that his father Eulji Mundeok was killed by the Tang army in the battle of Ansi City.
Hatred?
In fact, it cannot be said that the two countries are fighting for their own masters. It is not a personal grudge, and there is no complaint about who lives and who dies. Moreover, even though the Eulji family has lived in Goguryeo for several generations, they do not have much sense of belonging to Goguryeo. Their ancestors
He was a military attache in the Northern Wei Dynasty. At that time, the living habits of the Xianbei people had gradually moved closer to that of the Han people. Therefore, the ancestors of the Eulji family were also literate and familiar with Chinese classics. The customs, classics, and descendants of the Han family were passed down from generation to generation.
Write Chinese characters, speak Chinese, read Chinese books, and practice both civil and military skills.
The most splendid civilization in the world, once you penetrate into it and appreciate its unparalleled charm, it will be difficult to identify with other cultures.
Therefore, Eulji Jizu never considered himself a Goguryeo, but at most considered himself a Han Chinese in exile. This time he sent his troops to counterattack Pyongjang City, which was his last effort as a minister. If he could capture it
The annihilation of this naval force in Pingrang City will naturally be regarded as a contribution to the restoration of Goguryeo; if the city cannot be conquered, then it will have to find its own way out.
Either take these soldiers south or flee towards the Far East, with such strength that you can choose a place to occupy the mountain and become the king; or simply abandon your armor and surrender, surrender.
It would not be bad if he could return to the Han Dynasty where his ancestors had been wandering for a long time and become a minister of the Tang Dynasty...
Therefore, this time he counterattacked Pingrang City, he had no ambition to win. It didn't matter whether he could defeat it or not. There was always one or more retreat routes waiting there, and he could take them however he wanted.
There were bloody battles in front of the city, but he felt very relaxed. But he also understood that there were still two Tang Army cavalry behind him that had been chasing him since he returned south to counterattack Pingrang City. If he hadn't stopped and rested all the way, he might have been afraid.
The industry has already entered into battle.
At this moment, the two Tang armies will inevitably arrive one after another, leaving little time for them to attack the city. It can only take an hour at most. If they win, they can rush into the city and see the Tang army's navy destroy them and occupy the city. If they lose, they must withdraw their troops and stay away from peace.
Rangcheng, and then made a decision, whether to lead the army away from Zhanshan and become king, or to surrender and submit to the Tang Dynasty.
He had already made preparations, he could advance, attack, retreat or defend, and he thought he was infallible.
…
How could the soldiers of Goguryeo have the thoughts of Eulji's successor? They traveled hundreds of miles and thousands of miles under the stars to return. Naturally, they wanted to conquer the city in one fell swoop, annihilate the Tang army, and then defend the Goguryeo Kingdom Zuo. Therefore, they went all out as soon as they came up, regardless of casualties.
Crazy siege.
Because the Tang army's previous process of conquering Pingrang City had been introduced to the army by scouts, some clever generals and lieutenants led their soldiers and horses straight to the west gate. Before they thought, since the west gate had been blown up by gunpowder,
It collapsed, and it was impossible to repair it in such cold weather. Since the Tang army could attack Pingrang City through this, why can't we follow suit and take this route?
However, when they finally arrived outside the west city gate despite the crossbows and arrows of the Tang army at the top of the city, the scene in front of them stunned these Goguryeo soldiers...
Under the light of the lights, an "Ice City" rose from the ground. Not only did it tightly block the collapsed city gate, it even connected with the city walls on both sides. It shimmered like a celestial palace.
Seeing that the "city wall" is higher than the ordinary city gate and is straight and steep and full of solid ice, even a monkey can't climb it, right?
The ladder is not long enough...
…
Behind Eulji Jizu, Xue Wanche and Ashina Simo each led a cavalry and followed them leisurely.
The enemy troops numbered tens of thousands, all of whom were elite Goguryeo troops. The two sides had fought several times since their retreat to the north. Each had its own victory or defeat, and they were quite wary of each other. Xue Wanche and Ashina Simo did not dare to pursue Tai.
Be careful, if the Goguryeo cavalry suddenly turns back and the two sides engage in a melee, they will suffer a big loss.
Fortunately, the enemy's purpose is to return to Pingrang City, and they only need to stay firmly behind it. After arriving at Pingrang City, no matter whether the navy captures the city or not, the enemy's cavalry will be attracted to attack.
Taking advantage of the situation to cover up the attack, and attacking from inside and outside with the navy, we can definitely defeat the enemy in one fell swoop.
When they arrived two hundred miles north of Pyongjang City, they learned that Eulji Jizu had led his army to attack the city.
At the same time, they also received the message from the scouts sent by the Navy that Pyeongrang City had been destroyed, the palace was captured, and Yeon Gaesumun committed suicide in desperation.
Goguryeo fell...
Xue Wanche and Ashina Simo gathered together, looking at the good news delivered by the scouts, they clicked their tongues in unison and looked at each other speechlessly.
So damn envious and jealous...
This is the result of destroying the country! As a military general, even when the Tang Dynasty was at its peak, how many times in his life would he have the opportunity to destroy the country? Su Dingfang disobeyed General Li Ji's order, and his crime is still open to question. After all, the navy was not affiliated with
The military of the Tang Dynasty was, strictly speaking, His Majesty's private army. No one except Your Majesty could reward or punish you.
To take a step back, even if you are guilty, what kind of crime cannot be written off for such a huge achievement?
If such meritorious deeds were placed on any general in the Eastern Expedition Army, the title of a Duke would never be lost after the war. The three generations of Yin Meng would reap the benefits for their descendants. Even for the rejected Navy, Su Dingfang could seal the title with this attack.
Hou, otherwise it would not make sense.
Xue Wanche sighed, handed the good news to the navy scout, and said: "Immediately go north and report this news to the British public. General Ashina and I immediately ordered our troops and horses, took the retreat of the Goguryeo cavalry, and entered the city.
The navy will attack from both inside and outside, and it will be decided if we fight for it."
"Here!"
The navy scout breathed a sigh of relief. He was most afraid that Xue Wanche would be jealous of the navy's achievements, and would not go all out, deliberately procrastinating and leaving the navy alone to face the powerful enemy. Now with Xue Wanche's guarantee, he immediately rode north to catch up.
The Tang army left in large numbers.
When the scouts walked away, Ashina Simo coughed dryly and said in a low voice: "General Xue, the enemy troops have returned to Pingrang City to support them, and they are eager to return. The morale of the siege of the city must be high at this moment, or we can wait a little longer.
Wait until the enemy's morale is lowered before making a surprise attack..."