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Gao Yanshou and Eulji Nawi were stationed in Gaimu City when scouts reported a large group of cavalry approaching from the southwest. The two hurriedly prepared for battle, spotting a formidable force of over two thousand coming towards them. Gao Yanshou assumed it was the Tang army and ordered the city to go on high alert.
However, the opposing force halted two miles away, and a fierce general rode forward alone, acting as a messenger.
Gao Yanshou suppressed his soldiers as the messenger shouted in Goguryeo Language, revealing that they were actually defectors from the Mohe Tribe. Gao Yanshou was overjoyed but remained cautious, only withdrawing half of the city's defenses and ordering Tukeli to enter the city for a meeting.
Initially, the Mohe tribe consisted of dozens of smaller tribes, which gradually merged into seven major groups: Sumo, Baishan, Boduo, Anchegu, Funiye, Haoshi, and Black Water. Among these, the northern Black Water Mohe was particularly strong. Some of their people served Goguryeo or submitted to Turkic tribes before eventually becoming vassals of the Tang Empire. At this time, the Baishan and Sumo factions of Mohe were under Goguryeo's control; thus, when Tukeli came to surrender, Gao Yanshou did not suspect any treachery.
Gao Yanshou understood the nature of the Mohe people well, and Tukeli held significant prestige among them. If he could secure Tukeli's allegiance, he would be able to mobilize other Mohe troops to jointly repel the Tang army's advance.
Tukeli expressed his grievances about being undervalued in the Tang army and openly voiced his resentment towards the Tang Empire. Gao Yanshou immediately stated that once Tukeli had consolidated all Mohe forces within Goguryeo's territory, he would recommend him for a position as a true Goguryeo Nosa.
Tukeli was overjoyed and pledged his loyalty to Gao Yanshou. The cavalry unit of over two thousand entered Gaimu City. Familiar with Tang army strategies, Tukeli felt uneasy about not bringing Li Jue and Xu Zhen with him during his defection. He advised Gao Yanshou that the Tang army would likely seize this opportunity to attack the city.
Gao Yanshou and Eulji Nawi quickly convened with other generals to discuss military strategy. In addition to fortifying Gaimu City, they ordered Tukeli to lead his cavalry to lie in ambush in the dense forests on either side of the city, waiting for an opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Tang army.
Tukeli understood that this was Gao Yanshou's way of testing his commitment to defection; without hesitation, he led his troops out of the city to set up an ambush. Gao Yanshou also allocated military supplies for Tukeli's forces, who happily exited the city.
Eulji Nawi and Gao Yanshou did not dare be complacent; they mobilized all available forces in the city. Every able-bodied man was conscripted for city defense, even demolishing houses to gather all usable resources for transport to the city wall in preparation.
Gao Yanshou felt confident in winning over public sentiment and dispatched over eight thousand men from Liaodong for support. With assistance from Mohe troops, they fortified their defenses. While they could not claim back Hengshan and Xuan Tu cities or drive the Tang army back to Liaoxi, they at least aimed to ensure Gaimu City's safety against the advancing Tang Dynasty Army.
By early June, scouts began retreating back into the city with urgent reports that the Tang army was already at their gates. Zhang Jian, Governor of Yingzhou and Commander of Liaodong Military, led six thousand infantry into battle first. Chief of Military Operations Niu Jinda commanded two thousand cavalry as flanking guards while over four thousand Goguryeo Resistance Army troops led by Silver Pearl Prince Gao Renwu assisted in besieging the city—an overwhelming display of force!
Gao Yanshou and Eulji Nawi ascended to the top of Gaimu City and saw Tang banners filling the horizon amidst shouts from soldiers and neighing horses. Siege engines like battering rams and catapults approached like monstrous beasts. Soldiers cried out to the heavens as their footsteps shook the earth; a chilling atmosphere weighed heavily on their hearts, dispelling much of their previously accumulated confidence.
Zhang Jian actively sought to engage in battle, driven by personal ambition. However, witnessing such a military formation, he couldn't help but feel proud to be a Tang General. With a command, the archers advanced towards Gaimu City under the cover of infantry!
Gao Yanshou and Eulji Nawi remained calm and quickly erected a shield wall. The Garrison Archers took their positions, and soon, White Feathers filled the sky, falling like torrential rain. The arrows struck into wooden shields, and many in the Goguryeo Garrison were hit. Without the shield wall for defense, the Garrison could hardly lift their heads under the suppression of the Tang army's Feathered Arrows!
With the city as their stronghold, the Garrison began to counterattack. They had a long history of archery, with ordinary citizens skilled in shooting. To resist the Tang army's assault, they had prepared ample bamboo arrows. After the Horn of counterattack sounded, bamboo arrows rained down furiously. Although the Tang infantry had shields for protection, they were still knocked down in rows, and even the archers in the rear were affected. The supposedly well-equipped Tang army found themselves at a disadvantage in archery!
Seeing that his infantry could only defend passively, Zhang Jian hurriedly urged the Catapults and Ballistae to advance. As they rumbled forward and launched their projectiles, massive stones and sharpened tree trunks flew through the air like giant arrows!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Although Gaimu City was a Goguryeo stronghold, it was far less fortified than Liaodong City. Under the bombardment of giant stones, battlements and Watchtowers collapsed one after another. Those struck by the debris were reduced to mere pulp. Stones rolled down from the city walls, crushing countless members of the Garrison!
The large wooden bolts fired from the Ballistae charged into rice fields filled with Green Shoots like enraged wild bulls, leaving behind a scene of carnage with severed limbs and blood everywhere!
Goguryeo was a place lacking skilled craftsmen capable of producing such weaponry. However, after Sui Yangdi's three campaigns against Liao, Catapults and Ballistae had spread to Goguryeo. There were not many similar defensive devices in Gaimu City; most had already been moved to the City Wall. Unfortunately, they could not withstand the might of the Tang Army. Amidst flying boulders, the few Catapults were completely destroyed!
Seeing this situation unfold, the morale of the Tang troops surged. The sound of war drums echoed through the air as infantry pushed forward with Collision tactics under the pressure of Catapults and Ballistae along with archers, roaring as they launched an assault on the city gates!
Zhang Jian shed his cowardice and led from the front under the protection of his personal guard, charging alongside his infantry!
The Catapults continued to bombard the City Wall; the Garrison simply could not hold out. Gao Yanshou felt anxious as he saw waves of Tang troops surging forward with unstoppable momentum. He signaled to his messenger to wave flags; hidden on both sides, Mohe Cavalry suddenly charged out with Tukeli leading them at full speed towards the Tang army's supply lines and Archer formations!
This surprise attack threw the Tang army into disarray. The Catapults and Ballistae fell silent while their Archer formations suffered heavy casualties from this onslaught. Most critically, Zhang Jian's front line was cut off from retreat and trapped between the city gates and Mohe Cavalry!
Without the suppression from the Archer and Catapult crossbows, the City Wall and Garrison launched a furious assault, raining down boulders and wooden logs like arrows without cost, inflicting devastating losses on Zhang Jian's infantry!
The Mohe and Goguryeo soldiers were invigorated, with Tukeli filled with confidence and a sense of revenge. The Mohe Cavalry charged like tigers among a flock of lambs, clashing left and right, beheading countless foes!
Just as the Tang army was on the brink of defeat, a cannon fired from the rear. Left Vanguard General Xu Zhen personally led the cavalry, crashing forward like an iron tide, overwhelming the Mohe Cavalry!
After the Mohe Cavalry was scattered, Zhang Jian finally broke free from the encirclement. Meanwhile, the Divine Fire Camp's Brothers had pushed several Zhenwu General cannons to the front. Without any hesitation, they adjusted their aim and fired!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The walls of Gaimu City crumbled under the impact of the artillery like thin paper, large sections collapsing as if a beast were tearing through flesh with ease!
The Zhenwu General's Iron Cannon easily shattered the city gates. With no obstacles left, the Tang army surged in, overwhelming the Mohe Cavalry like a flood sweeping away ants. Chief of Military Operations Li Jue led his forces into battle, leaving Tukeli with no choice but to flee for his life!
Just as he broke through the encirclement, he was intercepted by Niu Jinda's guards on both sides. With no other options, he could only lead a few hundred remnants to retreat towards Liaodong.
Inside Gaimu City, Gao Yanshou and Eulji Nawi looked pale. It was their first time witnessing the earth-shattering power of the Zhenwu General. The garrison within the city was nearly driven mad; seeing Xu Zhen's imposing presence reminded them of her other identity as a priestess of Flame Cave Palace and Sun God Messenger, known as "Suimont"!
"Enough is enough! As long as we have the green mountains, we need not worry about firewood. Let us temporarily avoid this storm!" Gao Yanshou sighed heavily as he and Eulji Nawi gathered their remaining troops and abandoned the city, heading towards Milling City.
The Tang army poured into the city, leaving no survivors among the garrison. In this battle, they captured Gaimu City, seizing over twenty thousand people and one hundred thousand stones of grain. They pressed on in pursuit of fleeing enemies, sweeping through countless foes. Three days later, they also leveled Milling City!
When military reports returned, the Sovereign was greatly pleased. He renamed Gaimu City to Gaizhou and ordered rewards for the three armies. The Holy Presence crossed the Liao River and headed straight for Gaizhou.
After crossing the Liao River, Your Majesty finally set foot on the land of Goguryeo. His heart surged with excitement; as an emperor who had achieved great military feats, he had never lost his ambition to conquer the barbarian tribes. He had defeated the Turkic people, pacified the Tuguhun, and conquered Gaochang. Now, he was embarking on a new conquest!
"Bring me all the bridges over the Liao River! This time, I will not return until Goguryeo is subdued!"
Upon hearing such bold words from Sovereign, the six armies erupted in cheers. They dismantled the bridges as if they were burning their boats, and the morale of the troops soared to new heights!
At the same time, Sovereign issued a shocking edict appointing the newly promoted Commander of the Liaodong Military, Left Vanguard General Xu Zhen, as Deputy General of the Marching Army for Liaodong Circuit, replacing Prince of Jiangxia Li Daozong to assist Chief Steward Li Jue in commanding the army for this campaign.
Changsun Wuji was taken aback and was eager to offer counsel. However, since Your Majesty had just ordered the destruction of the bridges and severed their retreat route, causing the morale to blaze like a raging fire, he ultimately refrained from speaking up. The grand army marched steadily toward Gaizhou.
Following her new appointment, Xu Zhen's troops celebrated joyfully. Li Jue was also greatly pleased. After a brief discussion, they left some troops stationed at Gaizhou to await Sovereign's arrival and lead the rear forces while sending the rest from Milling City directly toward Liaodong City!
Although Zhang Jian had failed in his siege attempt, his bravery was commendable. With Changsun Wuji's support in advising him, he was temporarily appointed as Governor of Gaizhou to maintain order and manage supplies.
With Zhenwu General leading the way, the Tang army swept through with unstoppable momentum, forcing the Goguryeo forces to retreat step by step until they quickly besieged Liaodong City!
This Liaodong City was a pride for the Goguryeo people and a symbol of shame for the Former Sui; now it was easily surrounded by the Tang Army. The soldiers of Tang were invigorated, their morale soaring like dragons!
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