Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The subordinates of Xu Zhen, known as the Brothers, are all valiant warriors and seasoned veterans. This time, their campaign in Liao has made them the main force, and they have grown into the backbone of the army. With Xu Zhen receiving the honor of Champion General, her prominence is unmatched.
The next day, the Sovereign ordered the declaration of war. Xu Zhen volunteered to fight, and the Brothers from the Divine Fire Camp and Divine Fire Second Camp transported all Zhenwu Generals and Jingzhe Thunders to the front lines.
Gao Yanshou and Gao Huizhen led their troops into battle; however, Xu Zhen's Divine Fire Camp did not send a single soldier. Instead, they unleashed a barrage of artillery and Jingzhe Thunder upon Zhu Zhi Mountain.
The Sovereign was aware of the power of Zhenwu General but had never witnessed Jingzhe Thunder before. Although Jingzhe Thunder had already been depleted, with the Sovereign bringing forth a large army from the rear, Xu Zhen had collaborated with Ginger Sage to produce a new batch of Jingzhe Thunder that she had been reluctant to use until now.
Having besieged Zhu Zhi Mountain for nearly three months with tens of thousands of enemy troops, morale among the soldiers desperately needed a resounding victory to boost it. Thus, Xu Zhen decided to deploy these Jingzhe Thunders.
Both the soldiers in the army and His Majesty Li Shimin, as well as Gao Huizhen and Gao Yanshou leading their enemy forces, were completely stunned by the earth-shattering tactics employed by Xu Zhen's main force.
With booming cannons, Jingzhe Thunder launched from Throwing Carts bombarded Zhu Zhi Mountain like thunder on dry ground. The mountain was nearly flattened, and Gao Yanshou and Gao Huizhen's tens of thousands of enemy troops suffered heavy casualties before they even caught a glimpse of Xu Zhen's forces.
The enemy could only take refuge in the mountain; however, as it was bombarded and collapsed in various places, there was nowhere to hide. In desperation, Gao Huizhen and Gao Yanshou had no choice but to raise their flags in surrender.
Originally having around fifty to sixty thousand troops, Goguryeo's army was reduced to merely thirty-six thousand eight hundred after being bombarded by Xu Zhen's Divine Fire Camp. The Sovereign was naturally overjoyed, and the Tang army celebrated.
The Sovereign appointed Nosa and three thousand five hundred chieftains as military officials and relocated them to Tang Territory. The remaining thirty thousand Goguryeo people were disarmed and sent back to Pyongyang, while over three thousand rebels from the Mohe tribe were executed on the spot, with Tukeli being beheaded publicly.
The battle at Zhu Zhi Mountain ended in a complete victory, resulting in the acquisition of thirty thousand horses, fifty thousand cattle, five thousand sets of Mingguang Armor, and countless supplies. Goguryeo abandoned both Huangcheng and Yincheng, leaving hundreds of miles devoid of human presence.
The Sage then commanded military officials to draft a Battle Formation Diagram and ordered Xu Jingzong, Vice Minister of Central Secretariat, to inscribe a monument commemorating this achievement. Rewards were distributed among the troops accordingly.
As August arrived, Goguryeo began to feel the chill of winter while the Tang army officially launched an attack on Anshi City.
Anshi City is strategically located and difficult to attack. Had they not captured Zhu Zhi Mountain first, there would have been no way to proceed. The city lord Yang Wanchun is a resolute Goguryeo warrior who even Cheon Gae Su Mun could not defeat. When Yang Wanchun refused to accept Cheon Gae Su Mun's regency, the latter attempted to assault Anshi City but returned empty-handed, demonstrating Yang Wanchun's martial prowess and strategic acumen.
Upon seeing the Tang army invade en masse, both military personnel and civilians within Anshi City were thrown into chaos; it could be said that everyone became a soldier. United in purpose upon seeing the Imperial Flag of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, those defending the city shouted insults from atop the walls. In response to Saint's Fury, they launched an attack.
Yang Wanchun truly is a skilled defender, having fortified Anshi City to the point where it resembles an iron barrel; describing it as impregnable would not be an exaggeration. When Xu Zhen mobilized the Divine Fire Camp to bombard the city, the tall and sturdy walls surprisingly withstood the cannon fire.
The Tang army could only rely on artillery and Arrow Rain for cover while transporting sand, stones, and soil to construct the Fish Grand Road. However, they were soon pushed back by the Garrison's Feathered Arrows and stone-throwing machines.
Chief of Military Operations Li Jue was furious, vowing that if he captured Anshi City, he would not sheathe his sword for three days and would slaughter all the citizens.
Upon receiving such intelligence, the Garrison of Anshi City spread the news day and night within the city. The military and civilians united as one, making it difficult to capture Anshi City in a short time.
With the construction of Fish Grand Road hindered, the Tang army had no choice but to retreat and seek alternatives. Similar to their attack on Liaodong City, they began to pile up Earthen Mounds at a distance from the city walls and gradually pushed forward.
One day, the Sovereign, accompanied by Xu Zhen, Li Jue, and Commander Changsun Wuji, ascended an Earthen Mound to gaze at Anshi City. This small fortress resembled an iron hedgehog; despite the Tang army's ferocity, they found themselves unable to breach it.
The Sovereign sighed deeply and was about to descend when Xu Zhen noticed wisps of smoke rising from within Anshi City. She faintly heard sounds resembling slaughtering pigs and sheep, causing her heart to tighten with an unsettling suspicion.
"This must be the residents of the city slaughtering livestock to reward their troops. Tonight, they might launch a surprise attack!" Xu Zhenxin exclaimed in alarm as he hurriedly reported to Li Shimin.
"Your Majesty, I dare to suggest that the enemy will surely launch a night raid on our Tang Army camp tonight!"
Li Shimin turned around and looked directly into Xu Zhen's eyes, about to inquire why she believed this when Changsun Wuji stepped forward to refute him.
"General Xu, do not spread alarmist claims. I have heard that you are a Zoroastrian Messenger skilled in divination, but how can we rely on omens for military matters? This small Anshi City has long been intimidated by our Tang Army; it will eventually be flattened by our forces. With their defenses already stretched thin, how could they dare venture out for a surprise attack?"
Changsun Wuji's analysis was not without merit. The Tang army had been at a stalemate with Anshi City for a month. The cold weather had greatly affected both sides' soldiers; although the Tang army had ample supplies, their soldiers were unaccustomed to such early cold. The besieged Goguryeo troops were likely in even greater hardship—why would they risk venturing out for a surprise attack?
All along, Yang Wanchun had relied on Anshi City's strategic location and strong defenses to confront the Tang army. If they failed in a surprise attack outside the city, then the city would be doomed.
Considering this, Li Shimin merely smiled calmly at Xu Zhen and said, " Mr. Xu need not worry too much; what our uncle says makes sense. How could such barbaric people possess such grand ambitions?"
Xu Zhen was about to argue further when she was stopped by a glance from Li Jue.
However, such small actions could not escape the eyes of Li Shimin. He shook his head lightly and smiled at Xu Zhen, saying, "If Mr. Xu is still worried, she can lead the troops to defend the flanks."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhen immediately expressed her gratitude and went to mobilize the Cavalry camp.
Although he said this verbally, Li Shimin did not fully agree with Xu Zhen's speculation. Changsun Wuji could not help but sneer at Xu Zhen, thinking that she was still too naive and did not understand how to gauge the Emperor's intentions. The Sage had already said there was no issue, yet she still went ahead to mobilize troops; wasn't that a sign of distrust in the Sage's judgment?
Li Jue intended to dissuade Xu Zhen, but she had already taken her troops away. It was too late for him to say anything. He always believed that Li Shimin possessed great tolerance and would not belittle Xu Zhen for this. However, if Changsun Wuji continued to incite her from the sidelines, it would be another matter.
Once inside the military camp, Li Jue summoned Xu Zhen again and gave her some advice on the ways of officials in the Court, teaching her how to read people's expressions and discern the Emperor's intentions.
However, some things could only be understood through experience and could not be easily articulated. These lessons were something Xu Zhen would have to grasp slowly; without experiencing some setbacks, it would be difficult for her to establish a foothold in the court.
Now that Xu Zhen had already risen to the rank of a third-grade official, she was indeed enjoying success at a young age. If she did not pay attention to her words and actions, even a slight misstep could draw her into power struggles.
Xu Zhen was well aware of this. Although being a third-grade official was considered a high position, in a place like the Tang Dynasty where dukes were numerous and noble families were everywhere, what did being a third-grade official really mean?
Even someone like Hou Junji, who held great power as a minister, could just as easily fall from grace.
Li Jue's careful guidance made Xu Zhen feel grateful. The two discussed further, and she shared her speculations with him. Li Jue found them reasonable and allowed her to arrange the troops while he went to meet with the Emperor.
When Li Shimin returned, he felt curious and entertained. He already knew about Xu Zhen being the Zoroastrian Envoy and had heard about how she gained unparalleled prestige among the rebels in Goguryeo by utilizing Sun God worship. As a result, her reputation among the rebels was now comparable to that of Silver Pearl Prince Gao Renwu, Princess Min'en, and Goddess Gao Huizhen.
Thus, he wondered why Xu Zhen was so certain that the enemy would launch a night raid. After pondering for a while without reaching any conclusions, he was puzzled when his old advisor Li Jue came to see him.
After exchanging pleasantries with each other, Li Jue seized the opportunity to subtly relay Xu Zhen's speculations. This revelation enlightened Li Shimin, who then ordered Li Jue to quietly gather troops and set up an ambush in preparation for an attack by Goguryeo People.
As it turned out, Xu Zhen's speculation was correct. At around midnight, it unexpectedly began to snow heavily for the first time. The Tang soldiers feared the cold and hurried into their tents for warmth.
Li Shimin and Li Jue led their elite troops; although they took shelter in tents from the wind and snow, they still felt unbearably cold. Looking out into the distance, he saw Xu Zhen leading Xue Rengui and other fierce generals stealthily lurking in the snowstorm. This made him regard Xu Zhen with even greater esteem.
At the time of the Second Watch, the real soldiers outside Yuanmen shouted and the sounds of horses and battle cries echoed through the sky; the Goguryeo People had indeed come to raid the camp!
Princess Jinyang led fierce generals like Xue Rengui to suddenly charge out, cutting through the ranks of the Goguryeo People, resulting in a massacre. However, the situation was unexpected; there were simply too many enemies, and the Tang army could not react in time. Only the troops under Princess Jinyang were able to resist, but they gradually began to fall into a disadvantage.
The morale of the Goguryeo People rose even higher, while the suddenly attacked Tang army was thrown into chaos and unable to organize an effective counterattack. Changsun Wuji crawled out from the tent and, seeing this scene, felt an intense rage; Princess Jinyang had indeed caught them off guard!
Li Jue quietly stood beside Li Shimin. His troops were several times more than those under Princess Jinyang. If he were to send his forces now, he could certainly annihilate the raiders. However, Li Shimin did not issue any orders.
Li Jue's expression remained unchanged, but he was exceptionally clear in his mind; Li Shimin was waiting—waiting for Princess Jinyang's forces to hold out no longer before sending troops to rescue them. This way, he would not lose face!
Thinking of this, Li Jue couldn't help but shake his head and sigh inwardly, but more than that, he felt a layer of awe towards Li Shimin.
Ultimately, whether it was him or Changsun Wuji, they were merely playing with schemes of power, while Li Shimin wielded the heart of an emperor. There was an insurmountable chasm between them that they naturally could not comprehend.
As he watched Princess Jinyang's forces being continuously depleted, Li Shimin felt that the timing was right. Finally, he waved his hand and ordered the troops behind him: "Kill!"
As this word left his mouth, the world grew even colder!
Comment 0 Comment Count