Chapter 3341 The Sorrow of War
A huge turmoil in Chang'an City gradually calmed down with the concession of Prince Li Chengqian. The crisis that was about to be brought to the surface once again submerged under the water, and many forces ceased to exist. Although the Western Region was still beaten by the Arabs, the situation was gradually stabilized as the Youtun Guards rushed thousands of miles to help and defeated the Arabs in one go. In Liaodong, the war drums were still beating. Hundreds of thousands of troops were peeling off the Goguryeo defense offensive layer by layer outside Pingrang City. They were about to reach Pyongyang City and launch a general attack. They could destroy the city and destroy the country in just a matter of seconds.
It seems that the storm has cleared up overnight, with good news coming from the east and west battlefields frequently, the foundation of the country is as solid as a rock, and everything is moving in a good direction...
*****
The wind and snow in Liaodong is worse than that in the western region, especially the howling north wind that makes the temperature drop again and again, even during the day, water dripping into ice.
Compared with the stubborn resistance of the Goguryeo army, this extremely cold weather was the biggest enemy of the Tang army.
Due to the lack of production means, even though the Tang army's logistical equipment was already unrivaled in the world, it was still impossible for every soldier to have a set of cotton-padded clothes, for every tent to have a stove, and even for hot water to be supplied around the clock... …
The harsh environment, severe cold climate, and tenacious enemies caused the Tang Army to suffer serious attrition. Countless soldiers suffered from frostbite, injuries, or illnesses every day, and the sick and wounded camps were overcrowded.
Coupled with the stubborn resistance of the Goguryeo army, the army was unable to end the war, resulting in a gradual instability in military morale and a rapid decline in morale...
This decadent atmosphere soon spread among the army, but the general was helpless and helpless.
It was not that the Tang army was not elite enough and could not endure hard fighting, but that fighting thousands of miles away from the mainland and under extremely bitter and cold conditions was itself a great challenge to the morale of the army, and war weariness was inevitable. If this war cannot be ended in the near future, the longer it is delayed, the more difficult the situation will become.
Even if Goguryeo could be overthrown in the end, such losses would definitely be something that the military general and even His Majesty Li Er did not want to see.
……
There was a brazier burning in the military tent, and the red charcoal fire heated the tent.
Zhu Suiliang took off the steaming kettle from the stove and poured boiling water into the teapot. A fresh fragrance of tea suddenly came out, which made people feel refreshed.
Put the kettle aside, pour out the tea and wash the tea set. Then fill the kettle with water again. After a while, fill the teacup with tea and place it gently in front of His Majesty Li Er who is reviewing the battle report.
The tea was fragrant. His Majesty Li Er put down the brush in his hand and took a deep sniff. Then he picked up the teacup and took a sip.
The cold wind blew outside the tent, making the doors and windows of the tent creak. His Majesty Li Er put down his tea cup and frowned: "It is very difficult for the soldiers to endure this weather."
Zhu Suiliang said casually: "Your Majesty has great talents, strategies, and wisdom. It is the honor of every citizen of the Tang Dynasty to be able to follow Your Majesty in creating unprecedented prosperity. No matter how difficult the conditions are, everyone in the army is very happy. Your Majesty will follow the direction of the flag, and you will have no regrets in life or death!”
"Haha..."
His Majesty Li Er smiled, shook his head and said nothing, picked up the tea cup and drank tea.
How could he know nothing about the negative atmosphere that has permeated the military recently? But there wasn't much anger in his heart, but more worry and helplessness.
People are not saints. Soldiers serve as soldiers to feed themselves. Don't talk to them about the principles of making contributions. Being able to go back alive after every battle is the biggest wish. By the way, the reduction of family taxes is an unexpected gain. Establishing meritorious service and being promoted to a higher rank are the reality of military lieutenant generals held by children of aristocratic families. What does it have to do with soldiers like them?
The conditions are so difficult and the war is so difficult. It is extremely rare to be able to reach this point and defeat Pingrang City. There can be no harsh feelings.
As for Zhu Suiliang's remarks... His Majesty Li Er is unwilling to listen, but he will not issue instructions.
This man is a man of first-class academics, but a little poor in character. He is almost an idiot when it comes to politics. He has no idea of the responsibilities and responsibilities of being a minister of the emperor. He only knows that he is blindly flattering and flattering, which is really inferior to him.
No wonder he was bullied arbitrarily by Fang Jun and Xu Jingzong in the academy. Even though he had the imperial mandate, he was still suppressed and unable to move at all.
This person is a lucky minister, but if he is given a heavy responsibility, it will be difficult to take it on...
Zhu Suiliang was busy arranging the battle reports and memorials on the desk one by one, cleaning up the messy desk, and asked: "The temperature is getting colder today, does your Majesty still want to inspect the camp? Why don't you let the British Duke and the others go? Every time he comes back from inspecting the camp, His Majesty is so tired that he feels like he is about to fall apart, and I can’t bear it.”
His Majesty Li Er said calmly: "Don't use any advice on this matter, prepare cotton-padded clothes and cloaks, and do it as usual later."
Since arriving outside Pingrang City and the army set up camp, His Majesty Li Er has led a group of generals to inspect the camp every now and then. This move is not to show the emperor's love for the soldiers, but to boost morale and appease the military's morale as much as possible. How can it be banned without reason?
Zhu Suiliang looked embarrassed and did not dare to say more.
I felt a little aggrieved and couldn't figure out why His Majesty Li Er was so happy when he was flattered by Fang Jun and others, but he tried so hard to find flattery, but he couldn't achieve that effect?
He went to the side and prepared His Majesty Li Er's cotton clothes with his chamberlain. Footsteps could be heard outside the tent. After a moment, the British Duke Li Ji, dressed in military uniform, walked into the tent and saluted: "The ministers have gathered and are waiting for Your Majesty to inspect the camp." .”
His Majesty Li Er nodded and said: "Wait outside the tent for a while, I will arrive soon."
"Here."
Li Ji bowed and exited.
Because His Majesty Li Er was about to change his clothes and as a foreign minister he had to avoid it, Zhu Suiliang also followed Li Ji out.
The chamberlain helped His Majesty Li Er put on his cotton-padded clothes, put on his armor, tied up his cloak, and everything was properly dressed.
His Majesty Li Er hung the sword on his waist, and before leaving the house, he warned: "Get the elixir ready and I will take it when I come back."
"...here."
The waiter hesitated for a moment and had no choice but to agree.
He is just an eunuch. Even if he wants to persuade, how can he convince His Majesty?
When His Majesty Li Er walked out of the camp, he was greeted by wind and snow, which made it difficult to open his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he came outside the camp gate surrounded by the guards. When he saw Li Ji, Cheng Yaojin, Yu Chigong and others waiting here, with their helmets pierced and their cloaks flying, they nodded slightly.
"I have met Your Majesty!"
"Yeah."
His Majesty Li Er responded, reached out to take the reins of the horse from the guards, got on his horse and led the way, heading towards the soldiers' camp in the distance.
Heavy snow is falling, and the nearby camps are being cleaned by guards. There is only a thin layer on the ground. But when you step out of the Chinese military tent, you can see that the sky is covered with thick snow. Not only is the snow on the road up to the knees of the war horses, but many tents are also covered by heavy snow. It was so compressed that it would have collapsed if the soldiers had not braved the cold to clean it.
Li Ji rode from the side to speed up a few steps, one horse head behind His Majesty Li Er, and asked: "Your Majesty, where will you camp today?"
Hundreds of thousands of troops are scattered over dozens of miles in radius, and each one responds to local conditions. It is absolutely impossible to patrol them one by one.
His Majesty Li Er thought for a while and said: "I will go to the injury camp today."
"Here!"
Li Ji quickly agreed and called his own soldiers back to give him instructions to go to the sick and injured camp first and let them tidy up.
His Majesty Li Er waved his hand and said: "It doesn't have to be like this. If we were notified in advance, there must be preparations. What I see is not true, so what is the point of this inspection?"
Li Jixin said, "What's the point of your inspection except to boost morale and appease the morale of the troops?" The army has marched thousands of miles and fought fiercely for more than half a year. The difficulties that can be overcome have been overcome. The difficulties that cannot be overcome, you, the emperor, can overcome them in just one turn?
However, he naturally did not dare to say that, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty clearly knows that the sick camp is no better than other places. The place is really filthy. If we don't clean it up in advance, I'm afraid it will be an eyesore."
His Majesty Li Er insisted: "No need, I have also charged into battle, what scene have I not seen? Let's go now."
"Here."
Li Ji did not dare to say anything anymore. He led a group of generals and guards, surrounded by His Majesty Li Er, and marched all the way through the wind and snow. After less than half an hour, they arrived at the sick camp located under a hill.
Before they reached the camp gate, they saw flatbed trucks rolling out of the camp from a distance. On each truck, two or three dead soldiers were lying on it. They were transported to a large pit blasted with gunpowder at the foot of the mountain. He threw it away casually and returned to the camp.
Even though he had led an army to charge into battle and was used to seeing life and death in bloody battles, His Majesty Li Er could not help but feel touched at this moment.
These are all the sons and daughters he brought from Guanzhong, all of them were full of life and energy, but now they are buried in a foreign land without any sound. The parents, wives and children at home are eagerly anticipating the triumphant victory of the army, but they do not know that the son of the family has died in the battle in Liaodong, but they are afraid that even his soul may not be able to return to his hometown...
One general succeeds and ten thousand bones wither. (End of chapter)