Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 390 Chang'an! I, Li Chengqian, am back! [Seeking monthly tickets]

Li Shimin sensed a possible rebellion in Chang'an, but did not return to Chang'an immediately.

Because he simply did not believe that anyone other than Li Chengqian could successfully rebel, let alone the Li brothers; he never even considered that possibility.

As for the guard?
To be honest, Li Shimin never took this organization seriously!

Although this organization did do some things that angered him, from the emperor's perspective, the reason why the Shouzhulang organization existed was because it represented the dark side of the country, or rather, it was a microcosm of the problems left over from the previous dynasty.

He had fought his way through the world and had come into contact with many underground organizations, some extreme, some not, some for the country and the people, and some to take revenge on society. But no matter what kind of organization it was, it could only operate under the table. Once it came out into the open, it was nothing.

Therefore, these organizations are also aware of their own limitations; they can only rely on the powerful and wealthy for support.

Without the support of the powerful and wealthy, one is nothing.

This alone gives us a glimpse into the fact that the rebellion in Chang'an was doomed to fail.

Unless a prince is granted a title, or a high-ranking general or minister of the court is involved.

But the reality is that Li Shimin would never dare to grant a prince the title of king.

As for the high-ranking generals and ministers, that's even more ridiculous. Could it be that Li Jing and Fang Xuanling would plot a rebellion?

Clearly, Li Shimin disregarded all these possibilities.

The only possible explanation is that the remnants of those powerful families took advantage of the smallpox epidemic in Chang'an and colluded with the guards to stir up trouble.

As for the purpose, it is estimated to be to deal with Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

After all, Li Chengqian was the most ruthless killer of powerful families, so they naturally wanted revenge.

Thinking of this, a smile involuntarily appeared on Li Shimin's lips, but it vanished in an instant.

If Li Chengqian's plans to conquer the four kingdoms are delayed due to the rebellion in Chang'an, he can take this opportunity to eliminate Goguryeo first.

"Your Majesty! The Goguryeo army has stopped forty li away from us, seemingly afraid to engage us in direct combat!"

Just as Li Shimin was secretly making plans, a scout on horseback arrived at the front of the formation to report. He instantly came to his senses and turned to look at Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji frowned slightly, then said thoughtfully, "There should be some far-sighted strategists around the enemy general, but we can't let him think too much. We have to give him some sweetness and lure him in!"

"Well, that makes sense!"

Li Shimin nodded in deep agreement, then turned to his generals and asked, "Which of you will go and suffer defeat?"

"what?"

The generals were taken aback for a moment, then looked at each other in bewilderment.

If they win the battle, they'll probably be the fastest to charge forward, but if they lose, it'll be a bit embarrassing.

Therefore, they stayed further away than anyone else.

Seeing their reaction, Li Shimin's face darkened with anger: "This is a scheme! Do you even know what a scheme is?!"

"No, Your Majesty, we understand, but we cannot do it!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! It's so difficult to lose a battle. I've fought all my life and I have no idea what defeat is!"

"Your Majesty! Why not send Governor Sun? He's a defeated general; what difference does it make who we defeat!"

"Bastard thing!"

Upon hearing the generals' arguments, Li Shimin was so enraged he nearly drew his sword to kill them. In the end, a Turkic general named Ashina Duer bravely stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down! Let this humble general give it a try!"

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly, then glared fiercely at Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, and other generals. He then turned to Ashina Duer, softened his tone, and said, "General Duer, it's best to be careful. Don't be too deliberate!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand!"

With that, Ashina Duer led his men out of the army formation and headed straight for the Goguryeo army.

Meanwhile, at the front lines of the Goguryeo army.

Commander Gao Tubo was squinting at the front, seemingly waiting for something.

After a short while, a Goguryeo scout rode up to him and reported loudly, "General, the garrison commander of Anshi City refuses to lead his troops out of the city. He says we should find a strategic location to encamp and support them from both sides to jointly resist the Tang army!"

"That Angu! He's completely impervious to reason!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Tubo immediately complained irritably, "Even Da Dui Lu cares so much about him, yet he's still wary of Da Dui Lu at every turn! Is he afraid that we'll pretend to be rescuing him, but actually seize his Anshi City?!"

"General, please calm down. I think the Lord of Angu City's suggestion is fine."

Just as Gao Tubo was complaining about the city lord of Anshi City, a middle-aged man who looked like a strategist quickly stepped forward to comfort him, saying, "Li Shimin swept away all the warlords at home and subdued the Rong and Di tribes abroad. He is an emperor of great talent and ambition. Now, he has brought the whole country here. We are no match for him at all."

"Now that he has his troops at the gates of Anshi City, but has been unable to capture it after a long siege, it is time for him to seize the opportunity. If the lord of Angu City were to leave the city now, wouldn't that be exactly what he wants?"

"this."

Upon hearing this, Gao Tubo thought about it and agreed. He then frowned and asked, "In your opinion, what should we do?"

The strategist thought for a moment and said, "Since the lord of Angu City refuses to leave the city, we cannot rashly start a war with the Tang army. Therefore, in my humble opinion, we should follow the lord of Angu City's suggestion, find a strategic location, set up camp, and form a defensive alliance with Anshi City!"

"Only by fortifying our defenses and clearing the fields, avoiding their sharpest attacks, preparing for a protracted war, and then sending out one or more cavalry units to constantly harass the Tang army's supply lines, can we force the Tang army to retreat in the face of difficulties!"

Clearly, this strategist was intelligent; his advice was exactly the same as that of Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji.

But Gao Tubo felt somewhat aggrieved after hearing his advice.

I brought 150,000 troops with me, and you expect me to be a turtle? How is that possible!

If this were to reach Goguryeo, wouldn't Yeon Gaesomun feel incompetent?
No way! I absolutely cannot be a coward!
You all think the Tang army is very strong, but do you think the 150,000 Mohe troops behind me are weak?!

However, there's a saying in the Central Plains: "You'll know whether it's a mule or a horse once you take it for a spin."

Since you all say the Tang army is very strong, then I'll fight them. If they're really as powerful as you say, then I can back down and be a coward!

With this in mind, Gao Tubo had an idea.

Just then, another Goguryeo scout came to report: "General! The Tang army is attacking!"

"What!?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Tubo was greatly surprised and turned to look at the strategist, thinking to himself, "Are the Tang army really this fierce? They dare to attack from forty miles away?!"
To be honest, at this moment, he was a little scared.

But the strategist calmly pressed on, asking, "How many Tang soldiers have come, and who is leading them?"

"There are about five thousand people here. I don't know who is leading them, but they don't look like Tang people!"

"Only five thousand people?"

Not only was the strategist surprised, but even Gao Tubo was somewhat at a loss.

He has an army of 150,000 behind him!
It's 150,000!

It's not fifteen!!
Who does Li Shimin look down on?!

Gao Tubo snapped out of his shock and flew into a rage: "Outrageous! That damned Li Shimin, how dare he look down on me like this?! Men! Gather the troops! I'm going to slaughter them all!"

"No! General, you mustn't! This is a treacherous plot by the Tang army! They..."

"enough!"

Before the strategist could finish speaking, Gao Tubo interrupted him angrily: "Who cares about their treacherous schemes! I have 150,000 troops under my command, why should I be afraid of them?"

With that, he charged out first.

Immediately afterwards, thousands of elite Mohe troops also rushed out.

Not long after, Ashina Duer's army encountered Gao Tubo's army.

Without any communication, the two sides immediately began a fierce battle.

Although Gao Tubo was stubborn and self-willed, he was exceptionally brave and charged around the battlefield, quickly breaking through the Tang army's lines.

Seeing this, Ashina Duer knew he was no match for him, and without any hesitation, he spurred his horse and fled.

With his escape, the Tang army's battle lines collapsed instantly and fell apart.

"Hahaha!"

Upon seeing this, Gao Tubo burst into loud laughter: "Kill! Kill all these Tang soldiers—!"

As Gao Tubo's laughter echoed across the battlefield, the Goguryeo reinforcements achieved their first victory.

When Gao Tubo returned on horseback, he saw the strategist and raised his chin higher than Mount Everest.

But then he said jokingly, "The Tang army is nothing special, isn't it?"

"The Tang army is too easy to deal with!"

A roar of agreement erupted from the surrounding crowd.

The strategist shook his head and smiled bitterly: "This is nothing but Li Shimin's trick to lure the troops. General, please don't fall for it!"

"Even if it's a trap to lure them in! I've killed quite a few of his men. Let's see how many more I've killed!" Gao Tubo sneered disdainfully, then waved his hand and ordered, "Pass on my orders! Immediately proceed to eight miles south of Anshi City, then set up camp close to the foothills!"

"General, this is unwise! It is not advisable to set up camp eight miles south of Anshi City at this time!"

The strategist's expression changed, and he hurriedly stopped Gao Tubo.

"Why?"

Gao Tubo frowned: "Didn't you tell me to find a strategically important place in Anshi City to set up camp? Why are you stopping me now?"

"Li Shimin didn't attack us before, but now he has. If we set up camp again, he will definitely ambush us along the way! This is a plan to lure the enemy deep into our territory!"

"So annoying! Where do all these schemes and plots come from?!"

Enraged, Gao Tubo retorted, "I refuse to believe it! With the Tang army's limited strength and the recent defeats, how much fighting power can they possibly have? Let Li Shimin come if he dares! I'll slaughter them without leaving a single one alive!"

"General!"

"Noisy!"

Before the strategist could finish speaking, Gao Tubo impatiently stopped him and then directly ordered the army to march eight miles south of Anshi City and set up camp near the foothills.

"Heh heh, this Goguryeo general is indeed brave but reckless!"

When Li Shimin learned that Gao Tubo was leading a large army to set up camp eight miles south of Anshi City, he couldn't help but smile.

Soon, he led Changsun Wuji and others, along with several hundred cavalrymen, to a high place to observe the enemy's situation.

The banners of the Goguryeo army fluttered in the wind, and their camp stretched for forty miles.

At the same time, Li Shimin carefully observed the mountains and terrain near the Goguryeo army camp, looking for suitable locations for ambush and attack.

After some investigation, Li Shimin was already seven or eight parts confident of victory.

At this moment, Sun Daiyin proposed a strategy of striking directly at the heart of the enemy's territory.

But then he said, “Your Majesty! Based on my understanding of Goguryeo, Yeon Gaesomun has mobilized the entire nation’s forces for this war, so the capital Pyongyang must be vulnerable. I request to lead 20,000 elite troops to strike at the heart of the enemy and uproot them! Once Pyongyang is captured, Goguryeo’s hundreds of thousands of troops will surrender without a fight!”

This is a strategy that can achieve unexpected success.

If Li Shimin had adopted this strategy, the outcome of the Goguryeo War would have been different from history.

However, after listening to Sun Daiyin's strategy, Li Shimin did not say a word.

According to the traditions of the Han people in the Central Plains, my silence has only two meanings: either acquiescence or refusal.

But given Li Shimin's personality, if a suggestion were to be adopted, he would definitely express his opinion.

His silence now can only mean one thing: he is refusing.

So why did he reject Sun Daiyin's strategy?
It wasn't because Sun Daiyin was a surrendered general, but because he was too confident.

Facing Gao Tubo now, he was confident that he could take Anshi City just as easily as he had taken Gao Tubo.

In his view, Anshi City, without Gao Tubo's reinforcements, had become an isolated city.

Even though this isolated city is a tough nut to crack, it can still be cracked with time.

Just like Liaodong City back then.

If Li Chengqian were here, he would definitely yell at him: "How many dishes? How could you be so drunk?!"
After refusing Sun Daiyin with silence, he turned to Changsun Wuji and said:

"Send someone to deliver a message to Gao Tubo, saying that Yeon Gaesomun is not benevolent and righteous, and has deceived the emperor and humiliated the people. That is why I have come to punish him. As for the war, it was not my intention. My army has penetrated deep into your country and is unable to supply food. Therefore, I have taken a few of your cities first. Once your country restores the vassal state etiquette of the Tang Dynasty, I will naturally return the cities to you."

This wasn't Li Shimin reverting to his old habits; he was using a smokescreen against Gao Tubo, knowing that Gao Tubo was brave but lacked strategy, so he was confident he could defeat him.

Gao Tubo did not disappoint Li Shimin, and as expected, he fell into the trap.

He even felt that Li Shimin was showing weakness to him.

That was the mighty Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Could his words be false?

As a result, Gao Tubo relaxed his vigilance, and even the defense of the military camp became unusually lax.

Li Shimin convened a military meeting overnight to quickly deploy troops for battle.

He ordered Li Daozong to lead 15,000 men to seize the western hilltop, and ordered Li Xiaogong to lead 11,000 men to secretly march through the northern valley and outflank Goguryeo to the rear.

As for himself, he personally led four thousand elite troops to the North Mountain, overlooking the entire battlefield from there.

It must be said that Li Shimin was truly renowned for his military prowess.

Whether this annihilation battle would succeed depended on whether Li Xiaogong could successfully outflank the enemy's rear, disrupt their morale, and cut off their retreat.

This places extremely high demands on generals.

Li Xiaogong was the second-highest ranked general in the Liaodong battlefield, so he was naturally very confident in him.

At dawn, Li Daozong quietly occupied Xishan. When the fog dissipated, the Goguryeo army was shocked to discover the presence of the Tang army.

Gao Tubo was shocked and immediately formed a defensive formation to prepare for battle.

At this moment, Li Xiaogong's surprise attack force had already crossed the canyon, entered the battlefield, and sent a signal to Li Shimin.

Upon seeing the letter, Li Shimin indeed replied.

In an instant, the various units of the Tang army launched a fierce attack on the Goguryeo camp with overwhelming force.

Gao Tubo had no idea how many troops the Tang army had, nor did he know their battle intentions.

He tried to regroup the forty-mile-long battle line, but he couldn't do it at all; he couldn't even coordinate operations.

At that moment, he realized that leading an army of hundreds of thousands of people into battle was such a painful thing!
The 150,000-strong army, without orders from their commander, had no choice but to fight despite their difficulties.

Ultimately, they became 150,000 headless flies.
It wasn't until dusk the next day that Gao Tubo, seeing that all was lost, led his remaining 50,000 troops to surrender to the Tang army on the advice of his strategists.

"Hahaha!"

Li Shimin laughed heartily, then sat imposingly in the commander's seat, sizing up the down-on-his-luck Goguryeo generals like Gao Tubo, and sneered, "You Eastern barbarians are good at jumping around on the beach, but if you want to fight a tough battle and decide the outcome, I'm afraid you're no match for me. So, from now on, do you still dare to fight against General Tian Ce?"

"Uh"

Gao Tubo and other surrendered Goguryeo generals instantly prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling all over, unable to utter a word.

Li Shimin looked at them with great satisfaction, thinking to himself, "I am now one step ahead of that rebellious son again."

At the same time, outside the city of Chang'an.

Li Chengqian and his entourage looked at the majestic city walls of Chang'an and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Then Pei Xingjian exclaimed with relief, as if he had just survived a disaster, "We're finally back!"

"Yes! I, Li Chengqian, have finally returned to Chang'an!"

Li Chengqian echoed this sentiment with a sigh, then looked around and frowned, saying, "Why is the situation outside Chang'an so bad? Have they stopped caring about the people outside the city?"

"Your Highness, please be careful. These people have already contracted smallpox. What if..."

Lai Fu was about to remind Li Chengqian when Li Chengqian waved his hand to interrupt him: "I'm not afraid of smallpox, but you guys need to take extra precautions, this is a disaster area!"

"Yes!"

Lai Fu and Pei Xingjian exchanged a glance, then immediately took out the masks they had prepared and put them on their faces.

The other Imperial Guards also took out masks.

"Let's go! Let's go into the city first and talk about it then!"

Seeing that everyone was wearing masks, Li Chengqian immediately waved to them and headed towards the city gate.

Before long, they arrived at the city gate and moat.

At this point, the moat bridge was blocked by several barbed wire fences, and inside the fences were soldiers wearing masks.

They all looked wary, as if they would immediately stab anyone infected with smallpox who came near.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is returning to the city! Open the city gates immediately!"

Pei Xingjian was the first to shout at them, and flashed his token: "I am the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, escorting His Highness the Crown Prince back to the capital!"

As soon as this statement came out, there was an uproar around him.

But no one dared to approach.

Only the soldiers inside the barbed wire exchanged bewildered glances before one of them, the leader, coldly shouted: "What Crown Prince's Imperial Guard? We've seen plenty of liars. Without the identification of a physician from the Prince of Shu's residence, or a warrant from His Highness the Prince of Liang, no one is allowed to enter the city!"

"???"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian was filled with questions.

Seriously, are they all this arrogant?!

(End of this chapter)