The earth shook, and countless cavalry galloped out from behind the mountain col, galloping across the vast wilderness, their horses' hooves trampling the white frost on the withered grass leaves, filled with murderous intent. Tens of thousands of light cavalry were like a torrent rolling up from the plains, with gold and iron horses,
With the flags flying, they fought all the way south.
Countless Tang troops followed closely behind, rolling southward like a torrent and rushing towards Pingrang City.
Many Goguryeo cities and villages along the way were destroyed and fell one after another under the fierce attack of the Tang army, unable to stop the Tang army's advance.
They defeated the Goguryeo elite in Liaodong City, Anshi City, and Bobi City successively, which made Goguryeo's military strength insufficient. After the Tang army crossed the Yalu River, it advanced violently and unstoppably.
In the midst of the rolling army, His Majesty Li Er sat on a specially made large carriage and discussed military plans with his ministers. Zhu Suiliang, Huangmen's minister, still respected the last position, bowed his head and took charge of recording.
The carriage was large enough to accommodate many people. His Majesty Li Er knelt down at the main seat, with Li Ji and Changsun Wuji on his left and right hands respectively. Next came Cheng Yaojin, Qiu Xiaozhong, Zhang Jian, and Zhang Liang, who had been in charge of the rear, and even
Even Yu Chigong, who was covered in wounds and sores, was present respectfully.
Xue Wanche and Ashina Simo each led an army to continue to serve as vanguards, advancing towards Pingrang City on the left and right, so they were not in the center.
The person with the lowest status among everyone here is Zhang Liang, so he is naturally responsible for such tasks as pouring tea and water.
Seeing Zhang Liang placing the poured tea in front of him, and the tea in the tea cup rippled due to the shaking of the carriage, His Majesty Li Er raised his head, looked at the generals in front of him, and asked: "The plan to siege Pingrang City"
, I have been planning for a long time, and you must have an idea of what to do. All of you here are veteran generals on the battlefield. I won’t say much about how to fight this battle, but there is one thing that I have never been worried about. Where is the 'Wang Zhuangjun'?
, what’s the plan?”
There was a bit of silence in the carriage for a while. Everyone picked up the tea cup in front of them and sipped the tea, but did not speak. Is it not that these people had no opinions on this? But because Changsun Wuji was present, they did not want to get involved.
This made Zhangsun Wuji dissatisfied.
From beginning to end, Changsun Chong was in Pingrang City, constantly sending back important news about Goguryeo. His contribution was not small. Changsun Chong was always responsible for investigating the whereabouts of "Wang Zhuangjun", and this was crucial to Changsun Chong.
How much merit can one achieve in this Eastern Expedition? No one wants to quarrel with Changsun Wuji on this point.
Others were silent. Changsun Wuji naturally opened his mouth to explain in detail: "Your Majesty, the previous letter from Quanzi stated that the whereabouts of 'Wang Zhuangjun' had been detected, and it was Mudan Peak located in the east of Pingrang City? Jue.
No mistakes.”
His Majesty Li Er frowned and said in a deep voice: "In war, don't say words like 'no mistakes'. The world is ever-changing. How can human power be exhausted?"
Cheng Yaojin said: "Your Majesty's words are exactly the truth. Your Majesty is going to conquer personally? There is absolutely no way there will be any mistakes. Now the defense of the entire Pingrang City is under the control of the Tang Dynasty. It can be said that you know yourself and the enemy, and you will be safe in a hundred battles. However, the king
The existence of Zhuangjun is an anomaly, which may deviate from the already planned strategic layout and lead to an unfavorable situation in the war. This is absolutely unacceptable. Therefore, I ask Duke Zhao to urge your son to be more careful at all times.
Monitoring 'Wang Zhuangjun'? If there is any change, you must write to inform him immediately."
These words seemed to rebuke Changsun Chong for not doing things well, but Changsun Wuji liked to hear it.
The more emphasis is placed on the role of "Wang Zhuangjun", the more Changsun Chong's achievements are highlighted after the war. Even if it is impossible to be promoted to the nobility due to his merits, with such a great achievement, Changsun Chong will be able to stand up in front of others when he returns to Chang'an.
If you can stand up high, you will not be criticized or criticized by others.
He nodded and said: "What Mr. Lu Guogong said is true. Although the 'Wang Zhuang Army' has only more than ten thousand people, it is powerful in combat. It has always been the elite among the elites of the Goguryeo army. You must not be careless. Otherwise, such a powerful army will always be in trouble."
Suddenly appearing in a critical position under unpredictable circumstances is very likely to bring about great changes in the battle situation. Even if you still win in the end, you will have to pay a huge price."
Li Ji took a sip of tea from his tea cup and glanced at Cheng Yaojin.
It's just the whereabouts of "Wang Zhuangjun" and it's enough to invest great efforts in investigating it. Why do we need to emphasize its role so repeatedly?
It is true that such a powerful army does have the ability to influence the situation of the war, but the purpose of repeated emphasis is nothing more than to highlight Changsun Chong's merits in being able to detect his traces. Changsun Wuji devoted himself to his son. This is understandable, but Cheng Yaojin is not
He is the backbone of the Shandong family, so why does he continue to provide "assist" to Changsun Wuji on one point?
The motivation behind this is somewhat elusive...
His Majesty Li Er also glanced at Cheng Yaojin, but he didn't care what kind of deals these ministers made behind their backs. What he cared about was the victory of the Eastern Expedition.
As long as the Eastern Expedition ends in victory, Li Er's eternal merits will be confirmed and his name will be remembered in history. What does the conspiracy and calculation of interest exchange in the court mean?
Waiting for him to return to the capital with the power of victory, all the noble families will obey obediently. If anyone dares to challenge the imperial power again... hum!
In fact, he did not think that "Wang Zhuangjun" could really influence the situation of the war.
Hundreds of thousands of tiger soldiers whipped their whips and marched south to Pingrang City. The entire Goguryeo garrison was less than 300,000, and half of them were civilians who were recruited temporarily. After simple training, they were distributed weapons and joined the army to take charge of defense. They were nothing more than a ragtag group of people.
Even if the "Wang Zhuang Army" with more than 10,000 people could cause trouble for the Tang Army, how could it possibly reverse the defeat and turn defeat into victory?
Even if you conduct 10,000 battle formation deductions, there will not be such a result...
His Majesty Li Er has always been confident. No matter how strong the "Wang Zhuang Army" is, it cannot be stronger than the "Black Armor Cavalry" under his command back then. It is absolutely impossible to repeat the amazing feat of "three thousand to one hundred thousand".
Of course, Changsun Wuji worked hard to promote the power of the "Wangzhuang Army". His Majesty Li Er can also understand that as a father, he is willing to do his best to support his son. His Majesty Li Er is also a father, and he can understand that he fully hopes for Changsun Chong.
Hope of returning to Chang'an.
A bit exaggerated, but acceptable...
Therefore, although His Majesty Li Er has many shortcomings, he is actually a kind person when the situation allows.
Back then, he killed his brother and his brother, forced his father to abdicate, and even slaughtered his entire family. He was so caught up in the situation that he couldn't tolerate any mercy.
Either you die or I die, how to give in?
Taking a step back would lead to eternal disaster. No one is willing to dedicate himself to lighting up others. What's more, under the circumstances, even if he, Li Er, is willing to commit suicide and sacrifice the whole family together to realize the emperor's path of Prince Li Jiancheng, his subordinates
Those generals of Tiance Mansion will not be captured without hesitation.
A bloody battle is inevitable, it just depends on who wins and who loses, who lives and who dies.
Changsun Wuji has followed His Majesty Li Er for many years, how could he not know His Majesty Li Er's ingenuity? When he saw his eyes slightly lowered and his face calm, he knew that he had understood what he was thinking, but he did not say anything to express it. From this, he could be regarded as giving himself a chance.
Favor.
Gratitude is inevitable.
After discussing the matter, Li Ji said: "The mountains and rivers near Pingrang City are undulating and there are many rivers, which is not suitable for large-scale corps operations. The previously discussed technique of advancing head-on and outflanking is the best strategy. But if you want to be thorough,
To trap Pingrang City, it is necessary to separate the northern and southern cities so that they cannot support each other. To achieve this, the best strategy is for the navy to go upstream and place the ships on the Xishui River.
middle……"
Before he finished speaking, he stopped talking and just looked up at His Majesty Li Er, waiting for a decision.
The others were also silent.
Since the Eastern Expedition, the word "Navy" has almost become a taboo word, and no one is willing to mention it. After all, when the strategy of the Eastern Expedition was formulated, everyone united to exclude the Navy and only gave it to others.
The task of transporting troops and baggage was excluded from all war tactics, lest they gain any merit.
But no one expected that throughout the Eastern Expedition, the navy would play an increasingly important role and become more and more important.
If the navy was allowed to shoulder heavy responsibilities in many battles, there would be no need to fight so hard and pay such a high price...
At present, there is only the last battle left in the Eastern Expedition. As long as Pingrang City is captured, Goguryeo will be completely destroyed. Everyone's hard work will be rewarded accordingly, and their achievements in promotion and noble achievements will be illustrious.
However, everyone knows that the battle for Pingrang City will never be that easy.
When the Sui Dynasty was at its peak, the world was surrendered and the barbarians bowed their heads. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty mobilized the power of the entire country for three eastern expeditions, but all came back in vain. This shows the tyranny of Goguryeo's fighting power and its tenacious will.
But we have survived countless arduous battles along the way, but at this time, we have to let the navy participate to share the merits, and let go of the suppression of the navy at the last moment?