The emperor and his generals discussed it for a long time, but they could not figure out the reason for Yeon Gaesumun's sudden declaration of war.
Many people couldn't help but speculate whether Yuengai Suwen knew that they had sent Zhao Chen back to urge for supplies.
This material is on its way.
Therefore, Yeon Gaesumun was impatient and wanted to completely defeat the Tang army before their cold-proof supplies arrived.
Many generals even advised the emperor to avoid the battle for the time being and wait for supplies from the rear to arrive before he could have a good fight with Yeon Gaesumun.
The emperor will definitely not tolerate it.
The soldiers of the Tang Dynasty were complaining because of the lack of supplies to keep out the cold.
Now that Yeon Gaesumun has issued a letter of challenge, and they still dare not accept the attack, they might as well withdraw their troops and go back.
In the morning of the next day, Xu Shiji asked his generals to prepare their troops and horses in preparation for the big battle with Yeon Gaesumun at noon.
"Your Majesty, today's battle may be a fierce battle between the two sides. It will be safer for Your Majesty to stay in the camp." Xu Shiji came to the emperor's camp and talked to the emperor about his thoughts.
On the battlefield of Niutou Bay, both sides have built solid fortifications, as long as the battlefield does not appear to be completely crushed.
Neither side will be easily defeated by the other.
The camps of both sides are considered the safest places for both sides.
Xu Shiji was also worried that arrows on the battlefield had no eyes. If something went wrong with the emperor...
Even if the emperor is fine, they will have one more worry.
"It's ridiculous. I came to fight on the front line. The soldiers are fighting on the front line, and I'm hiding in the camp?" The emperor frowned.
Even though he knew that Xu Shiji was worried about his own safety, he still felt annoyed at this moment.
When I was young, I traveled all over the world and never saw anything like this.
How could Goguryeo still scare me?
Xu Shiji was scolded by the emperor and wanted to persuade him again, but before he could speak, he heard the emperor continue to ask: "I will personally supervise this battle. First, to tell the soldiers that I will stick to the frontline battlefield like them.
"
"In addition, I want to tell Yuengai Suwen that there is no emperor in our Tang Dynasty who is afraid of death. He wants to invade our Tang Dynasty, unless I die first!"
Xu Shiji looked at the emperor.
The emperor said such impassioned words, how else could Xu Shiji persuade him.
…
The two armies lined up on the battlefield at Niutou Bay.
There were many flags on both sides, and the north wind was rustling.
The Goguryeo soldiers had already put on their winter clothes, and their swords and guns were flashing with cold light.
Although the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty did not show any fear on their faces.
But being blown by the north wind, your body can still be seen swaying slightly.
Xu Shiji glanced at the army behind him, feeling a little worried.
Thinking that if the weather gets colder in a few days and the cold-proof items are not delivered yet, how will they still be able to fight against the Goguryeo soldiers?
"Your Majesty, someone seems to be coming from the other side!" Cheng Yaojin's sharp eyes saw several people riding war horses in the Goguryeo camp ahead.
The emperor looked at the visitor, his eyes darkened slightly.
He could already clearly see the faces of the people coming over.
"Hou Junji!" Qin Qiong looked gloomy and spat out a name.
The people who came from the Goguryeo military formation were none other than Hou Junji, who had defected from the Tang Dynasty.
Because Hou Junji defected to Yeon Gaesumun, in the war between them and Goguryeo, the Tang soldiers were almost beaten by Goguryeo.
Because of Hou Junji, I don’t know how many Erlangs of the Tang Dynasty were sacrificed in this war.
But they had never seen Hou Junji show up before, and they didn't want to see him at this moment...
"My lord, Junji, I have seen His Majesty the Emperor." Hou Junji's horse stopped in the middle of the battlefield and shouted to the emperor from a distance.
The emperor's brows knitted together.
He didn't quite understand what Hou Junji's sudden appearance meant!
Before the emperor could say anything, he saw Yuengai Suwen leading a dozen Goguryeo archers on horseback to Hou Junji.
"Li Shimin, come out and speak. I and Mr. Hou have some good news to tell you." Yuan Gaisu Wen and the emperor shouted, with smiles on their faces.
The emperor looked at Yuengai Suwen and Hou Junji in front of him.
Yesterday we issued a declaration of war, and today the two sides will meet and start fighting directly.
Why did such a move come suddenly?
"What do they mean?" The emperor looked at Xu Shiji with doubts on his face.
"Did your Majesty see the archers behind Yeon Gaeso-moon?"
"I guess they are trying to lure His Majesty out and use archers to attack His Majesty." Xu Shiji said in a deep voice while looking at Yeon Gaesumun's formation in front.
"Your Majesty, let's just ignore them." Cheng Yaojin also said.
Hou Junji is a man of many tricks.
If he didn't have any agenda, he would never show up at this time.
"Your Majesty, just order the attack." Qin Qiong advised.
"Li Shimin, I heard that you led troops to serve the king when you were a teenager. How come you have become more timid at such an old age?"
"Don't worry, I just want to tell you the news about Zhao Chen."
"I heard from Mr. Hou that Zhao Chen is your parent and son who has been hiding his identity. Now you don't want to know why there is no news about him for so long?" Yuan Gaisuwen's voice came over.
The expressions of the people behind the emperor changed.
They have heard too many rumors about Zhao Chen's identity.
But no one took it seriously.
Now that Yeon Gaesumen mentioned it again, everyone suddenly thought of Zhao Chen again.
Zhao Chen has been back for quite some time. If the journey is smooth, he must give them some news.
So as not to worry them.
But it didn't.
Even the news that the transport team was on its way was nothing more than their speculation.
"Your Majesty, this must be Hou Junji's plan. They want to use Zhao Chen to mess up our minds." Seeing the emperor's expression sinking, Xu Shiji knew that the emperor had already believed some of Yuan Gaisuwen's words.
But this is not a time to be impulsive.
The archers behind Yeon Gae Su Wen must have come for the emperor.
"I'm a coward. Since I dared to come here, I would have put life and death at risk."
"As for the news about Zhao Chen you mentioned, I am somewhat interested."
"You know the rules, come with me." The emperor said, waving to Cheng Yaojin.
"Your Majesty, it is enough for me to go. Your Majesty will stay here." Cheng Yaojin drove his horse to block the emperor.
"No need, I'm not that afraid of death."
"I would like to know what kind of medicine Yuan Gaisuwen and his friends are selling in their gourds!" The emperor said calmly and drove his horse forward.
In fact, the emperor himself knew very well.
They didn't receive any letter from Zhao Chen, and they didn't know anything about the situation of the transportation team.
They don't even know if there is a transport team.
Zhao Chen has been back for about twenty days, so there should be some news.
At this moment Yuengai Suwen said that he had news about Zhao Chen. The emperor knew it was a trap. At this moment he also wanted to know what happened in the rear!
Why didn't Zhao Chen even send back any news?
"Mr. Hou, as you said, Li Shimin is very concerned about Zhao Chen." Seeing that the emperor came with only Cheng Yaojin, Yuan Gaisuwen showed a smile on his face.
"Li Shimin has high hopes for Zhao Chen. If he hears news of his accident..." A cold look flashed across Hou Junji's face.
"Look at the right moment later, and be sure to kill Li Shimin with one arrow!" Yeon Gaesumun said coldly.?