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

Chapter 131: Battle Confrontation Again
Zhang Jian and Ashina She'er waited anxiously, but saw no troops coming out of Anshi City.

The battle at Zhuibi Mountain has come to an end, and there is little fighting to be seen.

Under siege from various armies, Commander Gao Yanshou chose to launch a surprise attack on the Tang army.

His fate did not change.

In the great victory at Zhui Mountain, the Tang army defeated Goguryeo with a force ratio of one to three, killing and capturing more than 30,000 enemies and prisoners.

"Gao Yanshou, do you now know that the Tang army is unstoppable?"

Li Ji rode over and accepted Gao Yanshou's surrender.

"The Tang army is so powerful, we are overestimating ourselves!"

Gao Yanshou lowered his head in shame. It was not that the soldiers were not brave, but that there were serious mistakes in the decision-making.

"Ha ha!"

All the Tang army generals laughed.

"Return to camp." The Tang army gathered and no longer pursued the Goguryeo soldiers who had escaped.

After this battle, Goguryeo no longer had the power to resist.

The city of Anshi was about to be captured.

After just three days of simple rest, the Tang army launched a fierce attack on Anshi City.

A corner of Anshi City was blown down by a homemade bomb, and the entire Tang army pressed forward. However, the defenders of Anshi City resisted extremely fiercely, and were determined to cut off their own arms. More than a thousand people rushed out of the gap, resisted the Tang army, and blocked the gap.

Since entering Goguryeo, the Tang army felt the pressure from the Goguryeo military for the first time.

"Is the Thunderbolt gone?" Li Ji looked at Lin Zhi and asked.

"It can be exploded once more!" Lin Zhi replied.

"Rest and fight again tomorrow." Li Ji gave the order urgently.

The degree of resistance in Anshi City exceeded the expectations of everyone in the Tang army. Even if a breach was blown out again, it would be immediately seized by the defenders.

The construction of Anshi City was not suitable for large-scale army battles.

The defenders of Anshi had the upper hand and still had the advantage.

"Generals, do you have a plan to defeat the enemy?"

Anshi City has the advantage of time, place and people, and the gap created by the explosion is just like opening a hole under the cliffs on both sides.

They still had to face attacks from the defenders on the city walls. Two attacks caused countless casualties to the Tang army, which was just a way to die.

"Build a nest car, gain air superiority, and attack from high ground."

Zhang Shigui made a proposal.

"What if the defenders attack with fire?" Li Ji asked in return.

The nest car is not omnipotent, at least it is afraid of fire.

"Got it. Instead of using wood to build a nest car, we can build a mountain out of earth and rocks. That way you'll be scared to death."

Li Daozon had a flash of inspiration. How could tens of thousands of people not move mountains and fill the sea?

Everyone nodded slightly, and they all thought it was feasible.

The battle of Anshi City fell into a mutual stalemate.

As if it was destined, Anshi City became an insurmountable obstacle for the Tang army. Even at Li Daozong's suggestion, the entire army built up earthen hills, but still failed to enter Anshi City.

The Eastern Expedition Army was caught in a dilemma.

As the weather grew colder, the campaign entered a cooling-off period.

"Gao Yanshou was defeated and surrendered to the Tang army. What should we do?"

In the mansion of the Lord of Qiuyi City at the southernmost tip of Goguryeo, a group of Goguryeo officers looked pale and cast their eyes towards Yeon Gaesomun, who was sitting in the first seat, with panic in their eyes.

"Otherwise, we, Goguryeo, should submit to the Tang army. Otherwise, if we continue to fight like this, our country will be destroyed."

Finally, one of the generals couldn't help but speak. His voice was trembling.

Originally, they had hoped to use Baekje as a breakthrough point to fight a decisive battle with the Tang army, but after several battles, they realized how ridiculous their idea was.

Even Yeon Gaesomun, who thought he was well versed in military tactics and had his plans planned out, was unable to break through the defense line set up by Heichi Changzhi and Pei Xingjian.

Not only that, they also suffered a sneak attack by Hei Chi Changzhi at night, forcing Yeon Gaesomun to withdraw to Qiuyi City and readjust his strategic deployment.

Now, Yeon Gaesomun stared gloomily at the generals below who had lost their fighting spirit, his heart filled with anger and unwillingness.

"Okay, surrender to the Tang army!"

This unwilling roar echoed in the empty hall, as if telling of Yeon Gaesomun's final struggle and helplessness.

Although they still had the strength to fight, continuing to fight would completely shake the foundation of the country, and even after a hundred years of recuperation, it would be difficult to recover. Faced with such a predicament, Yeon Gaesomun could only choose to endure.

Soon after, Yeon Gaesomun led his confidants across the area where the two sides were fighting fiercely and headed towards Baekje's Ungjin Castle.

The cold weather had come, and Goguryeo could not bear such a consumption. He came this time in the hope of ending the war and forcing the Tang army to retreat.

"Goguryeo's general No Yeon Gaesomun pays respect to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty!"

Yeon Gaesomun bowed slightly and saluted Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian stared at the hero in front of him. Yeon Gaesomun was tall and strong, with deep eyes and deep scheming.

"The two armies are fighting. What is your intention in coming here? Aren't you afraid of death? I only need to kill you, and the Goguryeo army will fall into chaos and become vulnerable."

Li Chengqian said majestically, his every move exuding a kingly demeanor.

"When two armies are at war, they don't kill envoys. How much less is the Tang Dynasty, a country of etiquette?"

Yeon Gaesomun responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, his voice steady and firm, revealing a sense of confidence and composure.

Yeon Gaesomun continued, "As for my purpose, I came to apologize to the Great Tang Dynasty."

His tone gradually softened and his attitude became more humble. He lowered his head slightly and leaned forward, showing a respectful attitude.

"Oh? How do you want to make amends?" Li
Cheng Qian raised his lips slightly and asked with a playful smile. His eyes were sharp and full of inquiry, as if he wanted to see through Yeon Gaesomun's true intentions.

Yeon Gaesomun was ambitious and it was impossible for him to truly submit to the Tang Dynasty. This was probably just a delaying tactic. He might be submissive in the short term, but over time, he would definitely jump out again.

Goguryeo has a long history and profound cultural heritage. They have a strong sense of home and country, and this emotion is deeply rooted in the hearts of the Goguryeo people.

In addition, many Goguryeo people came from the Central Plains, were deeply influenced by Confucianism, and had a deep understanding of national unification.

Yeon Gaesomun raised his head and said calmly: "Goguryeo is willing to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty every year to show its loyalty."

However, Li Chengqian smiled and shook his head: "Become a vassal state? Unfortunately, when the Tang Dynasty sends troops to fight, it has always only pursued wars to destroy countries. Goguryeo has missed the opportunity to become a vassal state."

Hearing this, Yeon Gaesomun's eyes narrowed slightly, and his calm demeanor became aggressive.

"Your Highness, are you taking it for granted? There are still five million people in Goguryeo, and the Tang army only has 100,000 troops. How can we destroy them?"

(End of this chapter)