Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 145 Goguryeo? It’s over!
After returning to Chang'an to report the news that day, Chang Sun Yan returned to his happy hometown.

The whole family was so happy and distressed that they treated him with delicious food and drinks, wishing they could hold him in their hands.

As a result, after drinking a bowl of almond peach gum goat cheese, he suddenly threw the bowl and shouted:
"It's broken! The doors and windows of my office are not closed!"

He ran to Fang Xuanling's mansion.

After a lot of coaxing and persuasion, he forced Lao Fang to sacrifice his old face and, despite the contempt of Changsun's entire family, report to the emperor and allow Changsun Yan to join the angel team and go to Youzhou to deliver a letter for Li Shiji.

So I went up the mountain again, free.

"It's freezing and snowy here, why do you have to do this, Prince..." After understanding the whole story, Li Shiji could only smile bitterly.

When it comes to becoming a bandit, this old man from Wagangzhai can be considered a pioneer in the industry.

But he was forced to do so at that time. Who would be willing to go up the mountain and eat dirt when they could eat peach gum?

Young people nowadays are really willing to endure hardship.

Facing the doubts of the old predecessors, Chang Sunyan immediately said sadly:
"When I think about the fact that the people in Liaodong have no grass to eat and have to queue up to drink the northwest wind, I lose all the taste for the delicacies from the mountains and the sea."

Which prince did Ning learn this rhetoric from... Li Shiji put away his thoughts of complaining and got back to the topic:

“In other words, the previous intelligence about Liaodong was wrong.

“Although Goguryeo did dispatch an army of 150,000, they were stopped by His Highness Li Ming in Pingzhou?
"The Yanshan defense line is still in a stalemate, and our army still has the strategic route to Liaodong in our hands?"

Chang Sunyan nodded heavily:
"Yes, but from what I have seen, the situation in Pingzhou is not optimistic. I hope the general can send reinforcements as soon as possible."

It's impossible to be optimistic when being overwhelmed by 150,000 people... Li Shiji put himself in their shoes and couldn't help feeling his scalp tingling.

Even if the actual population of Pingzhou is just over 100,000, instead of the 25,000 stated in the household registration book.

But it still cannot change the reality that the enemy is outnumbered by us and that there are more enemies than our civilians.

On average, each Red Turban Army soldier had to face at least fifteen to twenty times more enemies.

What kind of magical tactics did His Highness Li Ming use to delay the battle for so long...

"Winter is drawing to an end. After the spring, the roads in Liaodong are muddy and not conducive to marching. Therefore, Goguryeo must have taken advantage of this period to launch a crazy attack."

Li Shiji deduced from experience:

"We must seize this brief window before the Red Turban Bandits... the Red Turban Army is completely crushed. Otherwise, it will be too late."

This analysis made Chang Sun Yan feel full of crisis.

After the court clarified the misunderstanding and got reinforcements, he relaxed for a while.

As soon as the heavenly soldiers arrive, won’t the Goguryeo people naturally disperse like the frost and snow in spring?

However, the heavenly soldiers are just like spring; they will definitely come, but one needs to wait to know when they will come.

Whether it is the sea transportation of troops from the four regions of Jianghuai or the supplies from the two states of Youyun, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.

The troops closest to the battlefield were indeed the Weizhou troops led by Li Shiji.

However, due to being trapped by the snow and the previous erroneous order that told them to "proceed steadily and cautiously", the troops were seriously overdue.

If we want to get to the battlefield quickly, is there any way but...

"Throw away weapons and armor, abandon baggage and march forward?" Chang Sun Yan could only think of this brutal method.

Li Shiji shook his head firmly:

"No, we are facing 150,000 people. If we don't have equipment, we will just waste the lives of the soldiers.

"First, lead the light cavalry to rush into Pingzhou, and the main force with full equipment will follow closely behind.

"If the situation in Pingzhou can still be controlled, then we can use the cavalry as a wedge and the infantry as a hammer to slowly smash into the Goguryeo formation.

"If the situation in Pingzhou is critical, then the cavalry will rescue His Highness and his party."

When it comes to military affairs, Li Shiji's tone is no longer smooth, and he exudes an unquestionable temperament.

Chang Sunyan immediately said:
"I will go first with the light cavalry."

"you?"

Li Shiji raised his eyebrows, looking at him as if he was a "brainless little man".

Chang Sunyan was shocked by this momentum, swallowed his saliva subconsciously, and tried to open his mouth:

"Pingzhou has built a complex network of secret passages and defenses, and outsiders are like headless flies.

"I know the way and can take you to find Li Ming and the others."

Li Shiji looked down at the fearless young man and sighed:

“Then I’ll go with you.

"I cannot bear the loss of any of you nobles."

Not long after, a team of light cavalry galloped towards the northeast in the wind and snow.

Immediately afterwards, the large infantry force also lined up in an orderly manner, cheered up, left the camp where they had been stationed for a long time, and accelerated their march towards Pingzhou.

…………

Li Shiji and Changsun Yan traveled day and night and rushed to Pingzhou.

After leaving the snow belt, the weather became clear, but the two people's mood was not cheerful.

Because Chang Sun Yan had been away from Pingzhou for more than half a month, his information about Pingzhou was also lagging behind.

The battle situation is changing rapidly.

Fifteen thousand people can accomplish a lot in more than half a month.

For example, crushing everything he and his partners had worked so hard to build in Pingzhou.

But he knows nothing!
What if, what if we were just a step late and Pingzhou fell on the eve of victory...

That's so sad!
Chang Sun Yan drove the horse like crazy and ran at the front of the team.

Li Shiji also understood Changsun Yan's worries, and he considered more.

It doesn’t matter how much resistance Pingzhou has, he doesn’t expect these few people to cause any waves, but whether there is resistance or not is important.

As long as Yanshan is not completely blocked by the enemy and one or two passages are in our own hands, it will provide a lot of convenience for subsequent wars.

Otherwise, if Yanshan completely changed hands, the large army would be like hitting a wall and would suffer heavy losses.

Not to mention, if anything happened to the nobles, he, as the commander-in-chief of the Liaodong Road, would be unable to take the blame.

The group arrived at the border between Youzhou and Pingzhou with extreme anxiety.

The border between the two states was unusually peaceful.

The grass and trees are blooming in spring, the birds are singing and the animals are chirping, creating a peaceful pastoral scene.

It is totally unimaginable that there are tens of thousands of enemies waiting in front of us.

"There are few people here, so be careful," Li Shiji reminded.

No matter how powerful Goguryeo was, it was impossible for it to directly break through the Yanshan line and invade Youzhou, so it was relatively safe so far.

But once you enter Pingzhou and go up the mountain, that may not be the case.

"All the roads have been occupied by the Goguryeo people. Let's take the secret path through the mountains and go to Wuli Township first to meet up with them," Chang Sun Yan suggested.

If Wuli Township had not been lost... he added in his mind.

Li Shiji nodded:

"From now on, I will trouble you to lead the way."

…………

The two men led the light cavalry and set out on the repaired path in the mountains.

In order to connect villages and communities and secretly transfer troops, Li Ming organized the military and civilians to repair a large number of trails in the mountains, forming a complex network that led in all directions.

Since time, tools and manpower were very limited, these paths were very simple.

In order to ensure his safety and prevent the news of the reinforcements from being known to the Goguryeo people in advance, Changsun Yan deliberately chose the most secret route.

The road is built between cliffs, winding up the mountain, and is very narrow.

The group rode forward with fear in their hearts. There was a cliff on one side and a steep cliff on the other, and the road under their feet was barely wide enough for one person and one horse to pass.

Whenever they encountered narrow passages, the cavalrymen had to dismount and lead their horses through.

Halfway through the journey, Chang Sunyan whispered:
"It's bad."

Li Shiji was already extremely nervous, fearing that someone in the team would accidentally fall into the deep ravine. After hearing what Chang Sun Yan said, he was even more nervous:
"what happened?"

"This road is covered with dust, but there are no footprints. It seems that no one has passed by for some time. This shouldn't be possible." Chang Sun Yan muttered.

Because resources are limited, the existence of every secret passage is meaningful.

For example, the narrow mountain path he chose was originally a passage for shepherds, but was later widened and built by the Red Turban Army soldiers.

Although it is dangerous and narrow, and it requires a long detour through the mountains, it is the safest route.

The Goguryeo people would never have imagined that humans could build a road between cliffs that could accommodate horses.

"Perhaps this road is too dangerous and difficult to travel on, so it was abandoned." Li Shiji didn't even believe this excuse himself.

Chang Sunyan pondered for a while, but didn't say much, and just continued to ride his horse:

"Follow me, forward!"

For the rest of the journey, they couldn't help but quicken their pace.

However, they did not see a single pedestrian along the way.

Not only were there no pedestrians, but even on the nearby hilltops, no one was seen. Occasionally, a few fortresses could be seen, but when Chang Sun Yanxing ran over, he was disappointed to find that these forts were empty.

Without exception.

"This mountainous area is a key defensive location, how come there is no one here..." Chang Sun Yan muttered unconsciously.

It was as if the people of Pingzhou suddenly disappeared after his coming and going.

Li Shiji didn't say anything.

Even without Chang Sun Yan telling him, he knew that where there was a fortress, there must have been people there in the past.

People don't disappear out of thin air.

So there can only be one explanation:
Pingzhou’s front line finally couldn’t hold and collapsed!

People either fled, surrendered, or...

"Be alert and prepare to engage the enemy."

He calmly gave the order and bowed to Chang Sunyan:
“This road only goes in one direction, so there is no need to lead the way.

"So please step back a little, so as not to be hurt by the enemy's hidden arrows."

The meaning is already obvious.

Pingzhou may have fallen, and there may be danger ahead.

Chang Sunyan did not refute.

As they continued to move forward, Li Shiji was already planning the subsequent strategy after the fall of Pingzhou:
If Wuli Township also fell completely, it would be extremely difficult to find Li Ming and his party, which would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

At that time, even the return journey would be very dangerous. There was no telling when the Goguryeo people would discover this secret passage and block their retreat.

Should we retreat before the enemy finds us?

Just when the coach was about to retreat, he finally met a living person.

He is an old farmer who goes up the mountain to pick wild vegetables.

The old farmer saw a group of soldiers coming from afar. The armor on their bodies was quite familiar, as he had seen them many times in the past period of time, but it seemed that he had never seen a helmet before. He immediately hid behind a rock vigilantly.

Chang Sunyan rode forward:
"Don't be afraid, fellow! It's me!"

The old man recognized Chang Sunyan and breathed a sigh of relief. He came out from behind the rock and said:

"Oh, it's the guy who asked me how many people there are in my family last time... What do you want? Are you asking me how many chickens I have again?"

Faced with the jokes from his fellow villagers, Chang Sunyan could only force a smile:
"Let's talk about it later. My fellow villager, let me ask you, why is there no one on this road?"

The old man said, "Huh?"
"If there is a main road, why not take the small road? Are you crazy? If a gust of wind blows you down, who will be responsible?

"If my grandson didn't want to eat water spinach, I wouldn't leave here."

"No..." Chang Sunyan was a little choked:

"Isn't this road often used by the Red Turban Army? Why don't we see them?"

The old man glanced at Chang Sunyan strangely:
"Still thinking about fighting? It's over!"

Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

really……

Pingzhou and Liaodong have really fallen completely...

Chang Sun Yan was a little dazed and swayed on his horse.

A strong hand supported my shoulders.

Li Shiji nodded to him:

"It's not easy to fight against a strong enemy with a weak body to this extent."

This was not just a compliment, Li Shiji even felt that he was being conservative.

Starting from nothing, he assembled a group of militiamen similar to bandits and fought head-on against enemies that outnumbered him by dozens of times for several months.

This is no longer "extremely difficult" but is a miracle.

Li Shiji asked himself, how long can he last?
I'm afraid he was defeated in the first few rounds?

Li Ming...

If such a capable political and military genius were to perish like this...

What a pity, God is jealous of talented people!

"Then..." Chang Sunyan muttered to himself, his voice a little dry:
"Where's Li Ming? Where are the others?"

"He is in Wuli Township." The old farmer pointed his thumb behind him:
"It's just this road ahead."

"Huh?" Chang Sunyan was stunned:
"Why is he still there?"

"The government seat is in Wuli Township. Where else could he be if not there?" The fellow villager was completely confused.

"But... didn't you say the war was over and we lost?"

"Who said we lost? It was the Buyeo barbarians who lost! Don't you know? Goguryeo is finished!"

…………

Li Shiji and his entourage rode on the wide and smooth road, and they never closed their mouths.

There was a constant stream of people coming and going on both sides of the road, mostly local people and merchants going to the market.

In the center of the highway, messengers delivering messages came one after another, conveying the latest battle reports to various places.

According to the Zhenguan Law, in theory only the emperor could take the Chidao.

Ordinary people and even officials were not allowed to walk on it, let alone ride horses on it.

The last time the Governor of Youzhou entered Pingzhou via the Chidao Road, it was with the special permission of Your Majesty.

Of course, Comrade Li Ming would not allow such precious transportation resources to be wasted.

If we are not allowed to go on Chidao, then can't we just pretend that this is not Chidao?

I seized this road from Goguryeo and paid someone to repair it, so it is mine.

I allow my people to walk around and trample on things as they please, that's fair, isn't it?
What kind of leaders you have, what kind of people you get.

As soon as the war was over, everyone abandoned the winding and inefficient country roads and walked carefree on the highway, looking at the confused cavalry with curiosity.

Well, the armor is familiar, but they are wearing helmets, so cowardly.

"No, this..." Li Shiji finally came back to his senses from his shock and was able to make sounds from his throat.

"Don't worry, General Li. Ignorance is not a crime." Chang Sunyan skillfully displayed Ming's style.

"As long as we don't know this is a highway, we haven't broken any law."

Is this the question I want to ask?!
"How did Goguryeo retreat? This is impossible..."

Li Shiji was puzzled.

What about my Goguryeo? What about a Goguryeo as big as me?
Where are the 150,000 people?

Where are the enemy troops that are said to be larger than the total population?
What happened to the agreement that the enemy outnumbers us and a single spit from each person could flood Pingzhou?

Was he chased away just like that?

Even if there are 150,000 pigs, you still can't catch them all even if you put them in the mountains for two months!
The court, from top to bottom, has been arguing about this matter from last year to this year, and the marching plan has been changed again and again!
They even had to mobilize troops from four states and logistics from two states, and attack from both land and sea!

As a result, this is it?
The army had just begun to mobilize, but the enemy was blown away by Li Ming in one breath? !

"Prince, didn't you say that the situation in Pingzhou is very serious?"

Chang Sun Yan, you are lying about military intelligence!
"It's not my fault."

Chang Sunyan shrugged shamelessly:

"I have been away from this place for a long time, how can I guess the changes in the situation here?"

Li Shiji's mouth twitched.

Over time?

You've been gone for less than a month!

In such a short period of time, the gap between the enemy and us was so huge.

How is it possible that such a drastic change has occurred? !
Looking at the stable lives of the people of Pingzhou on the highway, he could not imagine that not long ago they were in a precarious situation.

I heard from passers-by that shortly after Changsun Yan left, a serious internal conflict suddenly broke out among the Goguryeo people.

First, different tribes of Goguryeo fought each other, and then mercenaries of different nationalities came to join in the fun, and everyone became one.

In the end, he was packed up and sent away by the Red Turban Army.

"This actually happened. Li Ming was able to force Goguryeo into internal strife..."

Li Shiji couldn't think of a way out of the impasse no matter how hard he tried, but Li Ming solved it with ease.

This kid is not a genius at all, he's clearly a freak!
"You... don't seem surprised by this change?"

Zhang Sunyan looked as if he was used to it:
"I've been away from Li Ming for more than half a month. It's not surprising that he could do something earth-shattering."

He has seen so many surprises that he has become numb to it.

"More than half a month... a long time..." Li Shiji didn't know how to answer.

He was worried that one day he would wake up and find that Li Ming had suddenly replaced the emperor.

(End of this chapter)