Chapter 3344 Bloody Battle with Ping Rang
Changsun Wuji felt a chill in his heart, and said hurriedly: "I understand, and I will definitely tell Quanzi to go all out, even if he is attacked by swords and axes, he must complete such an important task."
Not only him, but everyone present understood what His Majesty Li Er meant.
If this battle is successful, Changsun Chong must be a great success, and the entire family will benefit from it. But if something goes wrong, don't think about blaming it on Changsun Chong.
When meritorious deeds are made, the whole clan benefits; when mistakes are made, the whole clan bears the responsibility.
It may not mean that Changsun Wuji cannot be trusted, but it is equivalent to putting a shackles on Changsun Chong to prevent him from doing whatever he wants in Pingrang City and ruining major events.
Because once Changsun makes a mistake, the result is likely to lead to an extremely unfavorable outcome for the army. No one can accept such consequences...
His Majesty Li Er nodded and said: "Tell Changsun Chong that I can let go of his past sins and responsibilities, but no matter where he is, he is a citizen of the Tang Dynasty. He must have the thoughts of his family and country in his heart, and don't insist on going his own way and ruining me." Big event! ”
Changsun Wuji hurriedly said: "Old minister knows!"
He understood that this matter was not due to His Majesty Li Er's harsh criticism. It was really a matter of great importance and Chang Sun Chong must do his best. Otherwise, if something went wrong... he simply did not dare to think about the consequences.
Originally, His Majesty Li Er wanted to weaken the Changsun family, and thereby weaken the entire Guanlong clan. If Changsun Chong made a mistake in this matter, causing serious losses to the army, or even affecting the entire war situation, then His Majesty Li Er would punish the Changsun family in anger. , I am afraid that no one in the civil and military circles will speak for the Changsun family.
His Majesty Li Er was very satisfied with Changsun Wuji's reaction. As long as he knew the importance, he believed that Changsun Wuji could handle the matter safely. Although Changsun Chong committed a serious crime of treason, he had always recognized his ability. .
Looking around at everyone, they were all famous generals who had followed him in the battle for many years. This made him immediately more confident, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, there is no need for me to elaborate on the relationship between this battle. Goguryeo has risen in Liaodong, and the territory is vast and the population is huge. If we let it go, As it continues to thrive, it will surely break through the Great Wall and drink from the Yellow River in a few decades, becoming a serious problem for the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, this war is not for me! My private name is not your military merit, but it is actually to eliminate the hidden dangers of the empire and bring peace to the world. For this reason, I will not hesitate to use the strength of the whole country, regardless of many objections, to conquer this battle personally! If you fail, your reputation will be ruined and you will repeat the mistakes of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. If you let future generations ridicule and insult you, we will not be able to live in peace."
These words were really sonorous and impassioned.
With a "hurrah", all the generals stood up together. Amidst the clanging of armor leaves, they all knelt down on one knee and said loudly: "I am willing to follow your majesty and create a foundation of eternal peace. Personal life and death, honor and disgrace, are all disregarded." , Even if it is a sea of swords and fire, I will not give up even if I die!”
"Very good!"
His Majesty Li Er also stood up, put his hands behind his back, his eyes were shining brightly, and he said loudly: "The current situation is difficult and the war is unfavorable, but how have we ever had smooth sailing along the way with all my dear friends? Outside Hulao Pass, I body With three thousand arrows and one hundred thousand, can today's Goguryeo be stronger than Wang Shichong back then? If you just keep moving forward, regardless of personal gains and losses, you will be invincible and achieve success immediately!"
"Swear allegiance to His Majesty to the death!"
The generals responded with a roar.
*****
The next morning, the sky was dark and windy and snowy.
In the camp of the Tang army, drums were beating, flags were flying, and horses were neighing and armor leaves were clanking. Teams of Tang troops, fully armed, ran out of the camp to form formations, and then followed the flags of their respective team commanders and brigade commanders. One by one, they headed towards Pingrang City ahead.
Groups of cavalry and iron cavalry were galloping and charging towards the defense lines built by the Goguryeo army. In the wind and snow, the Tang army suddenly launched a general attack in the early morning. Hundreds of thousands of troops were divided into several camps. , the tide surged up to the position of the Goguryeo army.
The first one to bear the brunt is the mountain city of Ayutthaya.
This place is the gateway to the north of Pingrang City, closely connected to the main road in and out of Pingrang City. Behind it is Anhe Palace, and beyond that is the Seven Star Gate.
The Tang army had launched attacks on Daeseongsan Fortress several times before, but Yuan Gaesumun assigned his brother Yuan Jingtu here, supplemented by tens of thousands of troops, and stubbornly resisted the Tang army's offensive. Even though he suffered countless losses, he managed to keep the city intact and remained stable. Guarding the northern gate of Pingrang City.
Therefore, the first stop of the Tang Army's general offensive was Dacheng Mountain City.
Xue Wanche and Cheng Yaojin gathered their armies and bravely attacked the city in the wind and snow. Even though arrows were raining on the city and logs were rolling, they still charged and attacked regardless of casualties. The Goguryeo army was caught off guard and did not expect why the Tang army launched such a large-scale charge without warning. Before they could recover, they were suddenly attacked by the Tang army who swarmed up to the already dilapidated city wall and planted gunpowder. With a sudden "boom" sound, the walls of Dacheng Mountain City collapsed section by section.
The heroic Tang army rushed into the city along the gap in the collapsed city wall, pouring into the city like a tide.
Yuan Jingtu's soul was shattered, but he was unwilling to blame his soldiers harshly. The Tang army's continuous strong attack for many days had already caused heavy casualties, exhaustion, and extremely low morale to the defenders in the city. Even if the Tang army had not attacked the city on such a large scale today, they would not be able to endure it for ten more days. For eight days, I am afraid that I will surrender without a fight.
However, at this moment, the Tang army naturally could not allow the Tang army to occupy the mountain city, and then look down at Pingrang City from a high position and launch an attack.
After putting on his armor neatly, Yuan Jingtu led his own soldiers out of the barracks, gathered the scattered soldiers all the way to the city wall, and met the swarming Tang army in a melee.
Although the Tang army was powerful, the Goguryeo soldiers all understood the strategic position of Dacheng Mountain City. Once the mountain city was lost, the Tang army could guard the northern gate of Pingrang City, and then launch an unscrupulous attack all the way to Pingrang City. Therefore, everyone fought hard and fiercely. Fearing death, they actually blocked the Tang army near the city wall for a while, making it difficult for them to advance.
At the rear of the battle formation, Cheng Yaojin and Xue Wanche, who were watching the enemy formation and riding on their horses with their helmets on, saw that the army had entered the city and was blocked under the city, unable to attack the city. The enemy troops retreated without disorder and were purged in an orderly manner. It was obvious that A general in the city is organizing an army to resist.
Cheng Yaojin said: "The enemy must have a general commanding under the city, maybe it is the mountain city guard Yuan Jingtu. If it continues to be delayed, it will be extremely detrimental to the war situation. One of you and I might as well lead the troops into the city, kill the general and seize it." If the flag is raised, the defenders will be defeated. What does General Xue think? ”
Xue Wanche sat on his horse, nodded when he heard the words, and said: "Gong Lu is a veteran general on the battlefield, I firmly believe in him. But I don't dare to trouble Duke Lu. I will do my best to charge into the battle at the end of the day."
Cheng Yaojin laughed, nodded Xue Wanche with his finger, and scolded: "You have been close to Fang Er in the past two years, and you have also learned that boy's cunning character. You obviously want to steal credit, but you have to say this. It’s so grand. I’m so old. How can I put such a small contribution in my eyes? ”
Xue Wanche also laughed, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much, Lord Lu, for your support!"
The strategic location of Dacheng Mountain City is very important, otherwise Goguryeo would not have stationed heavy troops here, and even though the Tang army attacked and fiercely fought for many days, it never fell. If he could capture the city and kill the defender, this kind of feat would not be the "little merit" that Cheng Yaojin said.
Although he was hot-tempered, he was not stupid. He knew that Cheng Yaojin was selling him a favor. Otherwise, Cheng Yaojin was the dominant one among the two, so how could it be his turn to compete for merit?
He immediately summoned his generals and led more than a thousand elite direct descendants to lead the charge towards the mountain city of Dacheng amid the rumbling war drums.
Xue Wanche galloped on his horse, and when he reached the foot of the mountain city, he dismounted, threw the reins to the soldiers behind him, and strode up to the collapsed ruins of the city wall with a sword in hand. More than a thousand soldiers followed him and entered the city.
Snow was falling heavily, and soldiers from both sides were fighting in the area under the mountain city wall. Because the terrain was narrow and covered with rubble and bricks from collapsed city walls, it was impossible to maintain formation. Therefore, the two sides fought in one place without distinguishing between ourselves and the enemy.
Fortunately, the military uniforms of both sides are different, so friendly forces will not be accidentally injured...
Xue Wanche stood on the ruins of the city wall, observing the situation on the battlefield below the city from a high position. When he saw a group of Goguryeo troops not far away on the left advancing and retreating in an orderly manner, he knew that the enemy general must be there. He pointed his sword horizontally and shouted: : "Follow me and kill him!"
He jumped off the ruins and rushed into the city. He slashed a Goguryeo soldier in front of him with a horizontal slash and knocked him to the ground, then charged forward menacingly.
The soldiers behind him were all elite, each one worth ten, and more than a thousand people remained in formation with a clear goal. They were unstoppable and cut a bloody path on the battlefield, heading straight for the goal. (End of chapter)