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

Chapter 134: Divide the forces and join forces to pacify Goguryeo in one fell swoop
Pyongyang was not originally the capital of Goguryeo, but the capital was moved here because of its convenient water conservancy.

Pyongyang is surrounded by three rivers, one of which is the Taedong River, which flows directly into the sea and enjoys prosperous trade.

This is also the route that Li Chengqian will take this time.

As a person of later generations, he can be regarded as a reference.

In July of the first year of Longshuo (661 AD) during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, Su Dingfang, the god of war of the Tang Dynasty, led naval forces from Dengzhou to prepare for a surprise attack on Goguryeo.

Because the mountain city's defense system was too difficult to attack, they took another approach and attacked by water, heading straight for Huanglong and attacking Pyongyang, the capital of Goguryeo.

Su Dingfang crossed the Bohai Sea, which took more than a month, and reached the mouth of the Taedong River in August.

He immediately divided his troops and launched a battle, with 10,000 light troops launching a surprise attack on Qiuyi City in the south, which was the fortified city where Yeon Gaesomun and Bae Hangjian were now facing each other.

At this time, Goguryeo stationed a large number of troops here, so Li Chengqian could not lead his troops to attack Qiuyi City.

Instead, he was prepared to advance straight ahead like Su Dingfang did. Of course, Su Dingfang's ship did not have an unimpeded journey.

At Changkou, they were intercepted by the Goguryeo army. After several days of fighting, they defeated tens of thousands of Goguryeo troops and were able to continue their march northward.

When they were approaching Pyongyang, Su Dingfang did not head for Pyongyang. Instead, his entire army disembarked, launched a surprise attack on Mayi Mountain, and occupied the commanding heights.

Mayi Mountain was used as the base camp for the circulation of supplies.

Goguryeo had also learned of the arrival of the Tang army long ago, and sent troops to support it. Pyongyang City was heavily guarded, and Su Dingfang was unable to capture it after a long siege.

So he began to besiege the cities and attack the reinforcements, defeating the troops coming from other cities one by one and slaughtering them all. More than 60,000 Goguryeo soldiers fell under Su Dingfang's butcher knife, which for a time made Goguryeo dare not send troops to support Pyongyang.

Pyongyang City is high and has many soldiers. Su Dingfang changed his strategy and laid siege to the city. The supplies in Pyongyang City would eventually run out, and the more people there were in Pyongyang City, the faster they would run out.

The siege lasted for more than seven months, and it seemed that they would be able to capture Pyongyang without bloodshed.

But at this time, the Western Turks rebelled, causing unrest in the Tang Dynasty. It was necessary to divide its forces to deal with the rebellion. The Goguryeo battlefield was long, and the logistics and food supplies could not keep up.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, then ordered Su Dingfang to withdraw and lead the army to suppress the rebellion of Western Turks.

Goguryeo survived tenaciously, just like an indestructible cockroach. Every time it was thought to be dead, it survived due to some miracle.

Due to the influence of the war situation, Li Chengqian's fleet was not discovered. There was vast snow, no birds flew in the mountains, and no living creature could be seen.

In early November, the fleet reached the mouth of the Taedong River and would reach Pyongyang in a few days.

"Your Highness, if we disembark from here, we can reach Qiuyi City in less than 50 miles. I think we can send a surprise force to cut off Qiuyi City's logistical supply. In this cold winter, Yeon Gaesomunjeong won't be able to hold out for long."

Liu Rengui stood at the bow of the boat and pointed at the white mountains.

"General Liu, what you said is true. We all know that Yeon Gaesomun is the ruler of Goguryeo now. If we capture him, it will be equivalent to destroying Goguryeo."

Cheng Mingzhen also agreed, saying that after several battles, he was convinced by Liu Rengui and deeply agreed with the strategy he proposed.

Yeon Gaesomun had gathered a large number of troops in Qiuyi City. If he was stabbed in the back, it would undoubtedly be fatal.

"No matter what you say about Pyongyang City, it is the spiritual belief of Goguryeo. Moreover, not all the high-ranking officials of Goguryeo recognize Yeon Gaesomun's status. Killing Yeon Gaesomun may not have as big an impact as you imagine."

"It is more likely that the power will be returned to the Goguryeo royal family, which is not related to the overall situation."

Li Chengqian replied with a smile. This was also the reason why Li Chengqian did not take action when he was in Xiongjin City.

He could not be bound by morality. After all, history is written by the victors. Only a few people in Goguryeo remembered his tyranny.

Who will remember? How many people will care?
Yeon Gaesomun was just a person in power. If he died, someone would naturally step up to lead the military affairs. Even if the emperor died in battle, someone would stand up for the country.

These are irrelevant to the overall situation. The capital, Pyongyang, is the key. It is the symbol of a country.

"It was our fault for not considering this matter enough!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Rengui and Cheng Mingzhen could not help but lower their heads. What they saw was Yeon Gaesomun and tens of thousands of elite troops in front of them.

As long as these elite troops were killed, Goguryeo would really be at the end of its rope.

"What you said makes sense. Even if Pyongyang City was captured, Yeon Gaesomun would not lead his troops to surrender. The tens of thousands of soldiers in Qiuyi City are still a great threat."

"Generals, who is willing to lead the troops here to cut off the food supply to Qiu Yi City?"

Li Chengqian felt that dividing the troops into two groups would be more effective, but staying here would be extremely risky.

In addition to guarding against a counterattack by the Goguryeo army, they also had to contend with the harsh weather.

"I am willing to lead the army here and accomplish this feat."

Cheng Mingzhen took on this important task.

Indeed, apart from him, a veteran who had experienced many battles, Cheng Chumo, Li Zhen and Li Dejian were not suitable.

They have experienced too few battles.

"General Cheng, you must be extremely careful. Do what you can!" Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction. The Tang Dynasty has never lacked generals who are capable of defeating a larger enemy with a smaller one and advancing alone.

Risk and return are directly proportional.

"Liu Rengui, select a thousand elite soldiers from the navy and give them the best dried meat and clothes."

Li Chengqian immediately gave the order.

Soldiers are valuable and quick.

As the warship docked, a group of soldiers walked out of the ship. The warship moved forward with no intention of stopping. It was even faster than when it was sailing on the sea, going upstream.

"Put on the white cloth and move forward. This is a rare opportunity to make meritorious service. This general fought for it for you. You all must do your best."

Cheng Mingzhen waved his hand and covered himself with a white cloak.

The same was true for the remaining soldiers. At first glance, they seemed to have merged with the white world.

"Brothers, you all have to work harder. General Cheng is not lying. When we attacked Beisha City, I was a fire captain. Now I am a regiment commander. If this is successful, those who have made outstanding contributions will be promoted at least one level. The rest will also receive a lot of rewards."

A young general in the team whispered a reminder to his team, signaling them to be more serious.

This is a new army, and Li Chengqian's military merit system is being gradually established to replace the recommendation system.

There was no human figure on the snow, only a series of deep footprints, but they were soon completely covered by the snow.

Come and go without a trace.

This provides better protection for the team of a thousand people.

(End of this chapter)