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Liaodong City was established as early as the Qin-Han period and was the first city of Liaodong, known then as Xiangping City. The Art of War mentions: "The eastern expedition against the Azure Emperor reached Xiangping." The Azure Emperor refers to Fuxi, the leader of the Eastern Yi Tribe, which is how Xiangping got its name.
After the Qin unified the six states, Liaodong Commandery was established with its capital in Xiangping. The Western Han continued to use Xiangping as the capital of Liaodong Commandery. By the time of the Western Jin and Former Yan, it belonged to Pingzhou, and thus Xiangping was renamed Liaodong City.
Gao Yanshou and Eulji Nawi retreated to Liaodong, recalling the grim situation from the battle at Gaimu City, they felt a sense of urgency and quickly sent for reinforcements. Cheon Gae Su Mun, having achieved merit in rescuing women, recognized the significance of the Liaodong fortress and therefore dispatched cavalry and infantry from both domestic cities and new towns to support them, amounting to an impressive total of 40,000 troops.
With these 40,000 soldiers, Gao Yanshou and Eulji Nawi were finally able to relax. Aware of Zhenwu General's formidable artillery, they implemented highly targeted defensive measures, reallocating resources to strengthen the city walls. They also trained elite cavalry alongside the remnants of the Mohe Cavalry, hoping to break through enemy lines and destroy the Tang army's artillery guard.
Within the Tang Army camp, morale was high as they achieved victory after victory. Li Jue presided over the Central Army Tent, discussing strategies with Xu Zhen by his side. The generals were enthusiastic and eager for battle, perceiving not a heavily fortified stronghold before them but rather a tangible opportunity for military merit.
Li Jue remained calm. During the Sui Dynasty's campaign against Liao, he was a passionate youth of seventeen or eighteen who witnessed how the Sui Dynasty exhausted its people and resources while focusing solely on territorial expansion without regard for domestic welfare, leading to rampant banditry and suffering among the populace.
At that time, Li Jue was known as Xu Shiji. Taking advantage of the Sui Dynasty's weakened state after their campaign against Liao, he joined many heroes in rebellion against Sui Yang's tyranny.
However, he understood well the importance of Liaodong. Despite possessing powerful siege weapons like Zhenwu General's artillery, he did not dare underestimate his opponents. After all, regardless of their quality, they were still a living force of 40,000 troops; such a numerical disparity was significant. If he were to be overconfident and underestimate them, given their advantageous position within fortified walls, victory or defeat remained uncertain.
The commander hesitated in decision-making regarding the war strategy; discussions continued while others expressed regret and quietly exited.
With only Xu Zhen remaining in the Main Tent, Li Jue smiled and asked, "Do you understand my intentions?"
Although Xu Zhen had her thoughts on the matter, she did not dare speak directly. She merely shook her head slightly in feigned ignorance. However, Li Jue saw through her cunning expression and playfully tapped her forehead while laughingly scolding her: "You sly little one! You've finally grasped some principles of governance! Hahaha..."
Xu Zhen only chuckled shyly but felt grateful for Li Jue's attention towards her.
Since entering Liaodong territory, Xu Zhen had successively captured five cities: Tuolang, Xuan Tu, Hengshan, Gaimu, and Milling City. This achievement was indeed monumental.
If they were to successfully capture Liaodong City, the army stationed behind would gain no merit, only ending up as mere accomplices. Who would not resent Xu Zhen? The so-called high merit overshadows the ruler; now that the Sovereign has crossed the Liao River, if the generals around the Sovereign have no opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, even the Sovereign might become dissatisfied with Xu Zhen.
The Tang army was well-supplied, while Liaodong City could only rely on domestic transport for provisions. As one side gained and the other lost, the Tang army remained unhurried, besieging Liaodong City while waiting for reinforcements. Daily training continued in the military camp, and Gao Renwu's resistance forces had also absorbed many training methods from the Tang army, benefiting greatly.
On a clear day, Gao Huizhen, along with Caesar and Zhang Suling, unable to bear the boredom, changed into Goguryeo civilian clothes and sneaked out of the military camp to have some fun, taking longbows with them to hunt.
Xu Zhen was uneasy and sent Zuo An to accompany them. However, when they did not return for a long time, Xu Zhenxin became anxious and was preparing to go look for them when Zuo An hurried back, surprisingly injured!
“Lord, several young ladies have been captured!”
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhen was greatly alarmed. Liaodong City was already besieged; could they possibly fly out? Under such heavy siege by the Tang army, let alone scouts or spies, not even a fly could escape. How could anyone sneak around to capture people?!
Zuo An was quick-witted and saw Xu Zhen's expression; he hurriedly explained, “Lord, the young ladies were not captured by Goguryeo people but were taken by the Tang Army!”
“What! Nonsense! Who dares to capture women belonging to Xu Zhen?!”
Xu Zhen immediately exploded with rage. She had always been tolerant; having risen to Left Vanguard General through countless slights and schemes against her, now as Deputy General of the Marching Army in Liaodong Circuit, how could anyone dare to treat her this way?!
“Take me there!”
Seeing Xu Zhen take up her long knife, Zuo An quickly led the way. Not feeling reassured, he ran back to bring Zhou Cang and the Red Armored Fourteen Guards along. The group rode out of Yuanmen and headed straight for the scene of the incident.
Meanwhile, Gao Huizhen, Caesar, and Zhang Suling were also filled with indignation. This contingent of over two thousand Tang soldiers had come from behind as reinforcements. Upon hearing Gao Huizhen speak in Goguryeo language and seeing them in Goguryeo attire, they mistakenly took them for Goguryeo people and captured them.
Zuo An was still arguing, but those people were relentless, and both sides started fighting fiercely. Zuo An did not want to suffer a loss and managed to escape despite being injured, hurriedly reporting to Xu Zhen, while Gao Huizhen and the other two were captured and taken to the military camp.
Gao Huizhen exuded the noble aura of the Royal Family, Caesar was filled with a mature wildness, and Zhang Suling was pure and charming. As soon as the three entered the military camp, they immediately caused a Commotion. The Tang Soldiers were aware of the situation and did not dare to act recklessly, escorting them to the tent of Left Guard General Zhang Junyi.
Upon seeing the three women's beauty, Zhang Junyi felt his heart stir!
He was originally the Left Guard General stationed in Chang'an. Zhang Jian, his cousin, had achieved merit by following Hou Junji in defeating Gaochang. Later, he took advantage of the situation to report on the internal strife of Hou Junji Rebellion. He then assisted Li Zhi, competing with Li Chengqian for legitimacy, thus becoming a trusted aide in the Eastern Palace. He was appointed as the Left Guard Commander for the Crown Prince, becoming an important minister of the fourth rank.
When the Sovereign personally led an expedition, Crown Prince Li Zhi sent out Zhang Junyi, requesting him to become a Left Guard General and lead troops to achieve merit.
Zhang Junyi was known for his lecherous nature. Upon arriving at the front lines, he received a Secret Letter from Zhang Jian, lamenting that Xu Zhen had been mistreated. Already harboring resentment, he also received instructions from Changsun Wuji, prompting him to request battle from the Sovereign, rushing to aid Liaodong.
The Sovereign knew that Zhang Junyi was close to the Crown Prince. Since he had chosen Li Zhi, he should cultivate some military generals for him, ensuring that after Li Zhi ascended, there would be capable people available. Thus, he agreed to Zhang Junyi's request for battle and ordered him to lead two thousand cavalry for reinforcement.
Unexpectedly, before even entering Liaodong City, heaven sent him three stunning beauties. How could this not stir feelings in Zhang Junyi?
Having been away from Chang'an for a long time and not having been close to women for quite a while, he could hardly restrain himself and wanted to approach them. However, both Caesar and Gao Huizhen, along with the other woman, were all strong-willed and virtuous ladies with martial skills. Even if they were bound hand and foot, they were not someone like Zhang Junyi, a libertine, could easily take advantage of.
Seeing that he could not get close to the three women, Zhang Junyi called in his personal guards for assistance. Eventually, they subdued the three women, binding them tightly in an intriguing manner, which only fueled his inner desires!
Just as he was about to indulge himself, someone rushed in from outside with urgent news that someone from the front lines had arrived and wanted to see the camp commander.
Zhang Junyi was instantly furious but could not express it openly. He could only leave his tent reluctantly and went outside to find fifteen or sixteen knights mostly clad in red armor. The one leading them was none other than the young man who had escaped.
As soon as Zhang Junyi thought about how that brat had harmed several lives, his face felt hot and uncomfortable. Seeing the leading general, who was tall and broad-shouldered with a scruffy beard and a travel-worn appearance, he couldn't help but feel disdain.
"Who goes there!"
Zhang Junyi was already drained by wine and lust, but in order to maintain his authority, he had to muster his spirit and pointed at the newcomer to rally his troops.
The Xu Zhen could tell at a glance that Zhang Junyi was a lecherous and shameless man. She couldn't be bothered to waste words with him and directly asked, "Under which general do you serve? How dare you take my people!"
Hearing such arrogance from the newcomer, Zhang Junyi was instantly enraged. He had long resided in Chang'an and was used to bullying others; which noble son in the capital did not bow down to him? Even military leaders like Chief of Military Operations Niu Jinda had to curry favor with him.
The newcomer looked like just a down-and-out officer, perhaps a subordinate of some general, bringing along only a few followers, indicating that they were not someone of significant background.
"Your people? These are all Goguryeo spies! If they are your people, then you must be the leader of the Goguryeo scouts! Not only will I capture them, but I will also take you!"
Zhang Junyi shouted angrily, and the Tang soldiers behind him could no longer hold back, drawing their swords as tensions escalated between both sides.
Xu Zhenxin was furious. How could someone dare to seize his woman on his own turf? This was intolerable!
"Today I will see who dares to take me on!"
The Xu Zhen unsheathed her sword with a clang. Zhou Cang and several others stood ready, an aura of battle-hardened ferocity emanating from them, causing Zhang Junyi's soldiers to involuntarily step back two paces.
"What are you waiting for? Capture them! Take them down!"
Zhang Junyi slapped the face of the captain of the guards, causing the latter's expression to twist in anger. With a wave of his hand, dozens of guards surged forward!
Xu Zhen rode in swiftly, swinging her long knife with the intent to injure rather than kill, knocking the weapons from the Soldiers' hands and using the back of her blade to knock them unconscious.
Zhou Cang also followed the Lord's tactics, and surprisingly, the dozens of guards were unable to handle them, instead ending up knocked out on the ground!
Zhang Junyi had never suffered such humiliation. He waved his hand, and over a hundred Soldiers surrounded them. Although they did not know Xu Zhen's identity, they recognized that she and her companions were members of the Tang Army and dared not harm them. They only used horse ropes and other means to force Xu Zhen and her companions off their horses, then captured them with nets.
Xu Zhen and her companions were indeed brave warriors. Although they were captured, the ground was already littered with injured Tang Soldiers. If not for Xu Zhen holding back, there would have been rivers of blood.
She intended to reveal her identity to Zhang Junyi; however, seeing his arrogance and lack of military discipline, Xu Zhen chose to keep her identity hidden, hoping that Li Jue would teach this arrogant Zhang Junyi a lesson!
After the commotion caused by Xu Zhen and her companions, Zhang Junyi could not feel excited. He ordered the release of Xu Zhen and her companions and set off towards Liaodong City.
Seeing that Caesar and others were unharmed, Xu Zhen breathed a sigh of relief as she allowed herself to be taken to Liaodong City.
Although Zhang Junyi had seen Xu Zhen once or twice in Chang'an, they had never interacted. Since Xu Zhen had been away at war for a long time and had grown a large beard, he naturally did not recognize her. He felt pleased thinking that capturing these oblivious individuals would enhance his reputation and let those on the front lines know that he, Zhang Junyi, was someone not to be trifled with as he was associated with the Crown Prince!
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