Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 120: Changsun Wuji escapes and the battle situation becomes critical
"Military intelligence is urgent. I only wrote to Your Majesty about your highness's strategic deployment. I didn't expect it would lead to such a big misunderstanding. This time, I will return to Chang'an with the eunuchs to explain it clearly to Your Majesty."

There was a trace of worry on Changsun Wuji's face. He knew that he had completely offended Li Chengqian this time, but the situation could not be reversed. He could only choose to leave this place of trouble.

Otherwise, who knows what will be waiting for him? Now he just wants to return to Chang'an as soon as possible, away from this Tang prince who has been angered by him.

Changsun Wuji admitted it and even retreated to advance. He knew very well that he was of no use here now.

Now he has become an enemy of Li Chengqian, and his days to come will only be more difficult.

So it was natural for him to request to return to Chang'an.

Li Chengqian must be very happy about this. Who likes a subordinate who tells tales?
"That's fine. Just explain the situation to His Majesty."

Li Chengqian also agreed to it. Once Changsun Wuji left, no one could control the navy, Baekje army and Silla army.

The power of Changsun Wuji as the deputy chief of the army was not to be underestimated. In addition to his status in the court and the Changsun family, many generals obeyed his orders.

It was only because Li Chengqian had always been superior to him that his influence was not apparent.

Now that Changsun Wuji has volunteered to leave, Li Chengqian is more than happy to do so. He doesn't have to bother to restrain him anymore.

"Then I will go and prepare, and the eunuch will also be eager to return and report."

Changsun Wuji bowed and took his leave.

Li Chengqian said nothing, looking at Changsun Wuji's back as he left, as if thinking about something.

I hope Zhang Sun Wuji can understand the general situation.

Two days later, a 50,000-strong coalition force consisting of Tang, Baekje and Silla advanced northward and approached the border of Goguryeo.

Goguryeo had obviously been prepared, shrinking its front line and stockpiling heavy troops on the border. The two sides formed a standoff.

Yeon Gaesomun personally commanded the central army, but faced with the huge number of the coalition forces, he did not dare to act rashly.

Yeon Gaesomun knew that Goguryeo was at a disadvantage, so he decided to change his strategy and hold on to the mountain city to resist the attack of the coalition forces.

As long as we wait until the cold winter comes, the transportation of food and grass in these areas will be affected, and the Tang army and the coalition forces will naturally collapse.

As long as we can survive these few months, it will not be too late to concentrate our forces to destroy Baekje and Silla.

However, the Goguryeo army chose to defend the city, which made Pei Xingjian and Heichi Changzhi's previous strategic plan fail. Faced with this situation, they had to rethink their response strategy.

At this time, Li Chengqian ordered Lin Zhi to divide the thunderfire brought this time into three parts and give one to Liu Rengui and one to Li Ji.

Li Chengqian also anticipated that the Tang army would face huge challenges when conquering the Goguryeo mountain city, and hoped to break the deadlock by using thermal weapons such as Thunderbolt Fire.

The entire battle situation has fallen into a state of stalemate, and both sides are waiting for the opportunity to find a breakthrough.

The outcome of this war is still unpredictable, but both sides understand that the upcoming battle will be extremely painful.

Previously, the Tang army captured several cities in succession, catching the Goguryeo army off guard. Now that they have reacted and strengthened the city defenses, it will be difficult to break through the city in a short time.

After Li Daozon and Li Ji successfully joined forces, they led an army of 60,000 to launch a fierce attack on Gaimu City, but they were unable to capture it for a long time.

There are 30,000 defenders in Gaimu City, and the city has strong walls and a large population. It will take more than a day to break through.

When Emperor Yang of Sui conquered Goguryeo for the first time, he suffered a disastrous defeat at the city of Gaimu and lost countless troops and generals.

At that time, the Sui Dynasty claimed to have a million-strong army, which made Goguryeo finally choose to surrender. Now, Li Ji only had 60,000 infantry and cavalry at most.

"Manager Li, the spies in the north have sent news that 40,000 Goguryeo infantry and cavalry are rushing to Gaimu City for support from the direction of Pyongyang." Xue Wanche said to Li Ji.

Obviously, Goguryeo attached great importance to Gaimu City and mobilized 40,000 troops from various cities to reinforce it.

"In addition, the 20,000 Goguryeo troops who came to support us from Huaiyuan on the Liao Great Wall have been on the north bank of the Hunhe River, eyeing us covetously," Li Daozon added.

This army cut off the connection between Li Ji's troops and Xincheng, like a steel knife cutting an aorta.

The Tang army's forces were dispersed again in an attempt to retake Xincheng.

Li Ji's strategy of besieging a city and attacking its reinforcements worked. He besieged Xuantu City with a large force, which prompted Gaimu City and Xincheng to send troops for support.

And let Zhang Shizu lead 10,000 soldiers to launch a surprise attack on the weakly defended Xincheng. In one battle, they captured Xincheng and wiped out the invading enemies.

The defense of Sanjiao City was broken, and the soldiers of Xuantu City saw that the situation was not good, so they abandoned the city and fled to Gaimu City, where they gathered together to guard against the Tang army.

The Goguryeo army that came to support from Huaiyuan stationed north of the Hunhe River, blocking the Tang army's coordination.

Now it seems that the Tang army is surrounded by the Goguryeo army.

Li Ji looked at the drawn map calmly and remained silent for a long time.

"General Manager Li, I am willing to lead 5,000 elite cavalry to defeat the Goguryeo army on the north bank and join General Zhang Shigui."

Xue Wanche asked for permission.

Since entering Goguryeo, he has never fought a decent battle.

However, Zhang Shigui made many contributions.

"No, the Goguryeo army on the north bank is located in Gaolu Mountain, which is steep and not conducive to cavalry combat. Although it is not a mountain city, attacking it is no less difficult than attacking Gaimu City."

Li Ji shook his head. If it was that easy to attack, the 20,000 Goguryeo troops would have been destroyed long ago. The Goguryeo army fought on their home ground and was very familiar with the geographical environment.

The new city was built on Mount Gaoer, and served as a support for the Gaimu City built on Mount Qiantai.

Gaolu Mountain, Qiantai Mountain and Hunhe River are natural barriers. Goguryeo's defensive city is built on the mountains and beside the water, making it extremely difficult to attack the city.

However, unlike the Central Plains, where cities were built because there were no strategic locations to defend, he built a dangerous city on a dangerous location, and the difficulty of siege increased by more than ten times.

"If we don't break the deadlock, our army will be in an absolutely passive position. Moreover, the rear army's food and grass have not caught up. If we can't break through Gaimu City, we can only return empty-handed."

"Let General Zhang Shigui attack this Goguryeo army from both sides, and we will surely defeat it."

Xue Wanche said anxiously.

"It may not be feasible. It is difficult for the Goguryeo army to capture Xincheng, but it is also difficult for Zhang Shigui and his men to capture the Goguryeo army defending the mountain."

Li Daozon also disagreed with Xue Wanche's aggressive suggestion.

Xincheng and even all the Goguryeo mountain cities have such a characteristic: it is difficult for you to attack the city, but it is also very difficult for the defenders in the city to counterattack.

Because the road leading to the city is extremely dangerous, both in and out.

"In my opinion, it would be better to lead 5,000 elite cavalry to raid the 40,000 Goguryeo troops coming from Pyongyang."

Li Daozon clicked hard on the map. He wanted to destroy this army. That way, not only would the crisis be resolved, but the morale of the soldiers and civilians in Gaimu City would also be dealt a heavy blow.

"Although this plan is risky, it is still a good plan. We should first annihilate the invading enemy and then attack the reinforcements."

Li Ji touched his graying beard and nodded.

"Also, send troops to find a way to notify Zhang Shigui, and then lead him to lead the troops to tie up the Goguryeo army in Gao Ershan."

It was really a pipe dream for 5,000 elite cavalry to swallow up an army of 40,000 infantry and cavalry. Li Ji prepared to send a large army to encircle and kill them.

The number of people besieging Gaimu City would certainly decrease, and they would be more likely to be killed in a counterattack by Goguryeo.

A commander should be good at commanding the overall situation.

"Order Zhang Jian's troops to intensify the attack on Liaodong City, so that the nearby cities will be unable to take care of themselves."

Military orders came out from Li Ji's tent one after another.

The entire Tang army in Liaodong Road was mobilized. This was the first time that the entire army fought together.

A small battle may lead to a full-scale confrontation between the enemy and our army.

"Li Dao Zong, you lead 5,000 elite cavalry in the front, and I will personally lead 30,000 infantry in the rear. You must annihilate this reinforcement."

Xue Wanche's eyes widened as he looked at Li Ji: "Li Zongguan, do you have any objection to me? Are you not giving me a chance to make merit?"

Li Ji chuckled and said, "General Xue, I am creating a secret for you. I know you are good at making strange plans. Whether we can capture Gaimu City depends on you."

"Me? Attack Gaimu Castle!"

Xue Wanche almost cursed out loud, "You led the entire army to fight, leaving behind more than 10,000 people, and asked me to attack a fortified city guarded by more than 30,000 people."

"General Xue, don't get excited. Once the Goguryeo army in Gaimu City learns that we have led troops to fight the reinforcements, they will definitely come out of the city to attack. I just don't know how to capture Gaimu City at that time, so I will give this important task to you, General Xue."

Li Ji explained that he had great expectations for Xue Wanche.

Li Ji really couldn't attack a city defense force of 30,000 with only 10,000 troops.

We can only rely on Xue Wanche, who will either suffer a great defeat or a great victory.

I hope he can create a miracle.

This is how Xue Wanche played the card, a trump card that has 50% chance of turning the tide.

"Thank you for your trust, General Manager Li. As long as the Goguryeo army leaves the city, I, Xue Wanche, will guarantee to capture Gaimu City."

Xue Wanche said excitedly, clasping his fists.

After the division of the army was completed, Li Daozon took the lead in leading 5,000 selected archers to leave the camp and march towards the rear.

Although they tried their best to hide, they still could not escape the eyes of Goguryeo in Gaimu City.

On top of the towering mountaintop fortress, flags were flying and various signals were waving.

This fortress is located on the top of Qiantai Mountain, with a wide view, overlooking the banks of the Hunhe River and everything around it.

Therefore, every move of the Tang army could hardly escape the surveillance of the Goguryeo soldiers stationed here.

This was also one of the reasons why the Tang army was unable to capture Gaimu City for a long time, because all the arrangements of the Tang army were transparent to the defenders of Gaimu City.

Not long after, there was another commotion in the Tang army's rear camp, and a large number of soldiers went around the mountain and disappeared into the distance.

The number of Tang troops stationed outside Gaimu City is no longer a secret.

(End of this chapter)