My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 212 The war begins, the entire army charges!
August 20th, the 17th year of Zhenguan.

Hou Junji led his troops along the predetermined route, crossed the Liao River from Tongding, and advanced to Xuantu City.

The army of Xuantu City had only several thousand soldiers, and the generals defending the city did not dare to confront them and let them pass.

Li Ji led his troops directly to the new city of Goryeo. The defenders of Xincheng were terrified and dared not fight him.

Until Li Ji's army crossed the Liao River and headed towards Jian'an City.

The defenders of Jian'an City were moved.

The generals defending Jian'an City were tempted.

This is a mountain city. Jian'an City was built on two undulating ridges in the north and south, with trees planted on the hillsides. This terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and has good defensive advantages.

The city wall was built with earth and stones, and was an irregular rectangle, wider in the west and narrower in the east.

A large basin is formed in the city, which is higher in the east and lower in the west. There is a small hill in the middle, commonly known as Jindian Hill. It is about 20 meters high, 100 meters long from east to west, and 12 meters wide from north to south. It is the command center during defense.

At this moment, in the Golden Palace Mountain.

Many generals in Jian'an City gathered together.

"The Tang army has traveled a long distance and passed through many cities. They must be extremely tired at this moment."

"The cities ahead are afraid of the Tang army and dare not send troops. This will make the Tang army arrogant and think that we dare not send troops either."

"If we send out troops now, we will definitely catch them by surprise and achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"This great victory will surely boost the morale of our Goryeo army and destroy the prestige of the Tang army."

Hearing these remarks, the Goryeo general at the top was somewhat moved.

But I haven't made up my mind yet.

"General, this opportunity is rare and will never come back. I have already made inquiries. The leader of this army is called Li Ji. Although he is somewhat famous, he is arrogant."

"Besides, they just crossed the Liao River, so they definitely wouldn't expect us to attack first."

Generals continued to agree with the proposal to send troops.

Of course, some generals were also worried.

"The Tang army has always been strong. It is unnecessary for us to give up our advantage in defending the city and engage in a head-on confrontation with them."

A general immediately refuted.

"Humph! Don't try to boost others' morale and destroy your own prestige!"

A bearded general stood up suddenly and said in a loud voice: "In the past, the Sui army had millions of troops attacking us, but they still returned in defeat! Although the Tang army is somewhat capable now, it has been running for a long time and is already exhausted. If we take advantage of this opportunity to send troops, we will be able to capture them like an eagle swooping down on a rabbit!"

"The general's words are wrong."

A general wearing light armor and with a slightly thin face frowned and retorted: "The defeat of the Sui army was caused by many reasons. How can it be simply compared to the situation today?"

"The Tang army is well-trained and well-equipped, and Li Ji is a veteran general who can't be underestimated. Moreover, our Jian'an City is well defended by nature. If we attack rashly and abandon the city, how can we face the Great Molizhi if we are defeated?"

The bearded general glared angrily: "You are as cowardly as a mouse!"

"What's the point of just hiding in the city and guarding this mountain city?"

"If we don't take the initiative to attack and let the Tang army run wild, we will be really ashamed!"

"That Li Ji is just a name in name only. I heard that he had a smooth journey. I'm sure he has been overwhelmed by victory. If we don't fight now, when will we fight?"

The thin general said calmly: "No, no."

"The Art of War says: Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger. How much do we know about the Tang army? It is foolhardy to conclude that they are arrogant just because they passed through a few cities without encountering any resistance."

"Although the terrain of Jian'an City is dangerous, if the retreat is cut off after the troops are sent out, the army will become isolated and it will be too late to regret it then."

At this time, another burly general stood up and slammed the table.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

"Are we just going to sit here and wait for death? Let the Tang army surround the city? If we take the initiative to attack, there may be a chance of survival. If we just defend the city, it will only be a matter of time before it falls."

"Why are you so siding with the Tang army? Are you siding with the Tang army?"

Hearing this, the thin general's face turned bitter.

He was not a Korean, but the son of a former Sui general.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, there was chaos and my father and his family fled to Goryeo to avoid the war.

Over the years, because he had been educated since childhood and had made some military achievements, he accumulated merits and was promoted to the position of General of Goryeo.

Because of the Tang Dynasty's eastward expedition, he was sent here to guard the city.

However, Goryeo had complicated feelings towards the former Sui generals.

On the one hand, they were afraid of the three invasions of Goryeo by the Sui army, and on the other hand, they hated Goryeo because of the heavy casualties suffered by Goryeo.

However, Yeon Gaesomun was a smart man. He recruited and promoted former Sui generals or their descendants to form his own force. This is one of the reasons why Yeon Gaesomun can now completely control the military power of Goryeo.

For the people of the former Sui Dynasty, there was no other choice but to rely on Yeon Gaesomun.

"Okay, there's no need to say any more."

When the general at the top heard this, he had to speak up.

If we go further, it will involve the political level.

Yeon Gaesomun, also known as the Damoli branch, is valued by the Sui people. If word gets out that they are targeting the Sui people, it will inevitably cause displeasure among the Damoli branch.

After a brief hesitation, the general said, "This is indeed a God-given opportunity. If we can defeat the Tang army, it will be a great victory for our Goryeo."

"Send 3,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry to attack the Tang army camp."

The general couldn't help it after all. If he could defeat the Tang army this time, it would be a huge achievement.

The highest military power in Goryeo was led by Daemolyeji, also known as Yeon Gaesomun.

Below that are the five parts of Rusa.

Goryeo divided its ruling area into five parts, each of which had an official position called Wusa to manage it.

The five Russa tribes held a high leadership position in the local army. They were responsible for the military affairs and related administrative management of their own divisions and were important commanders of local military forces.

Then there are the adults from the east, west, south, north and west.

This was an official position divided according to geographical location, responsible for managing military and administrative affairs in different regions of Goguryeo.

They have certain military and decision-making powers within their respective jurisdictions.

The Eastern Lords and Western Lords close to the Tang Dynasty border have higher status and greater power.

Jian'an City is under the jurisdiction of Lord West.

There are three main levels of generals: general, lieutenant general, and ordinary general.

The generals are the five Rusas and the four adults.

The general is usually the highest officer in the city.

These important official positions were generally held by Goryeo royal nobles.

But since Yeon Gaesomun called himself Daemoliji, he has deliberately suppressed the royal family and promoted more meritorious generals to power.

the other side.

Zhang Jian, the vanguard of Li Ji's army, led 8,000 infantry and cavalry across the Liao River and was setting up camp.

Zhang Jian, courtesy name Shiyue, was from Xinfeng, Jingzhao.

He was the great-grandson of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, grandson of Zhang Wei, Duke of Wancheng County of the Sui Dynasty, and son of Zhang Zhi, Duke of Liancheng County.

He once served as the governor of Shuozhou.

When Jie Li Khan was powerful, other border officials did not dare to refuse his request for money and property, but Zhang Jian alone refused to accept Jie Li Khan's unreasonable demands.

He also taught the people how to manage farmland, harvesting hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain every year. Even when faced with frost and drought, he encouraged the people to help each other, thus ensuring the stability of Shuozhou.

After Li Jing pacified the Eastern Turks, people from the Sijie tribe came to Zhang Jian for refuge, and Zhang Jian accepted and appeased them.

Zhang Jian did not prohibit the relatives of the Sijie tribe in the north of the desert from interacting with each other privately.

After Zhang Jian was transferred to be the governor of Yingzhou, he led his troops to defeat the invading Goryeo army and captured and killed a large number of enemy troops.

Later he was dismissed from office due to certain things, but was ordered by imperial decree to take up the position as a commoner.

Because he had served as the governor of Shuozhou in his earlier years and had a good relationship with the Hu soldiers, this time he led the cavalry of various ethnic groups as the vanguard camp.

"General Zhang, these Koreans are too timid. They hide in the city like turtles and dare not come out. It's really boring."

"They are just a bunch of rats. They deserve nothing more than to hide."

"The big knife in my hand has long been starving, and I don't know when I can have a good drink."

"Haha, I'll make them cry for their parents."

Several Hu army leaders spoke to Zhang Jian with a laugh.

They were still very interested in attacking Goryeo, as military merit was one aspect.

The most important thing is that life is difficult for each tribe, and if they want to live well, they can only rely on robbing.

What could be better than joining the Tang Dynasty and attacking Goryeo?

At least during the march, the food was supplied by the Tang Dynasty, so the men could eat their fill.

If you capture a city and steal some things, you will become rich.

Zhang Jian was a cautious person, especially as he was crucial as a vanguard.

He said to the leaders: "According to the intelligence, Goryeo's Molizhi Yeon Gaesomun has come this way, and it is very likely that he is heading to Gaimu City or Liaodong City."

"This person has some skills, so don't be careless."

When he previously served as the governor of Yingzhou, Yeon Gaesomun inherited his father's title as Daeduolu of Goryeo, which was equivalent to the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.

The looting of the Tang Dynasty was initiated by Yeon Gaesomun.

Yeon Gaesomun still has a very good reputation in the Liaodong region.

When they heard that Yeon Gaesomun was coming in person, the expressions of several Hu army leaders became serious.

really.

The next day.

The sky is slightly bright.

The scouts reported that the army from Jian'an City had set out, with about ten thousand soldiers marching towards the main camp.

Zhang Jian was not panicked at all and immediately ordered people to build defensive fortifications.

At the same time, he led the army to prepare to meet the enemy.

It's time.

The Goryeo army was approaching the military camp.

They also had an excellent cavalry force.

The Liaodong region has vast grasslands and suitable climatic conditions, and Goryeo has a large number of horse farms of its own.

As a transportation hub in Northeast Asia, it controls the traffic channels of neighboring countries.

Convenient transportation conditions enabled Goryeo to trade and exchange horses with surrounding areas, acquire more high-quality horse breeds, and thus continuously enrich its cavalry.

"Shield soldiers, get ready, form up!"

"Archers, prepare, listen to the command, three-stage attack, and form a battle array."

"The cavalry are ready to move to the left and right flanks."

Brief orders were quickly issued to the local area, and the Tang army had a very mature defense system.

At the front was an array of tower shield soldiers, with spears raised to deal with the cavalry charge.

The later practice of firing squad was not an original idea. The Tang army had already applied this tactic to the archers.

In addition to 5,000 cavalry troops from various tribes, Zhang Jian also had 3,000 Tang army soldiers and infantry.

the other side.

When the Goryeo army was about two hundred steps away, it stopped and began to prepare its formation.

Elite generals rarely let their soldiers charge directly.

Because rushing forward in a swarm like this would not only consume a lot of the soldiers' physical strength, but would also make the entire formation chaotic, and even cause people to trample on each other.

In actual combat, either heavy cavalry charges or hand-to-hand combat.

Why was Goryeo considered a serious threat to the Central Plains Dynasty? Because their tactics, including the deployment of troops, were of the same origin as those of the Central Plains Dynasty.

"Line up! Forward!"

The Goryeo infantry, arranged in battle formation and holding shields, slowly advanced towards the Tang army.

The infantry, which was three times the number of the Tang army, was like a wave, gradually swallowing up the Tang army camp.

This feeling of oppression is very strong. If you are not an elite soldier, you are likely to collapse under such oppression.

However, for the Tang army, even though they had three times the enemy's troops, it was nothing.

Some young soldiers, who had never seen such a big scene, couldn't help swallowing nervously.

The old soldier next to him didn't say anything, but just nudged him with his shoulder and gave him a firm look.

Feeling the strength brought by his comrades, the young soldiers also became fearless at this moment.

Morale is contagious.

"One hundred and twenty steps."

"One hundred steps."

"Eighty steps, archers, get ready."

"Sixty steps, shoot!"

At the command, a rain of arrows fell towards the Goryeo army.

In such a confrontation, there is no need to aim at all, just launch the projectile.

The range of sixty steps is enough to cause maximum damage.

Goryeo side.

"Defense, raise your shield!"

Dense arrows, wave after wave, fell continuously like a rainstorm.

The Goryeo soldiers gathered together, holding up their shields, trying to avoid being hurt as much as possible.

Even so, people continued to be hit by arrows.

For the defending side, the rain of arrows has great advantages.

Under the rain of arrows, the Goryeo army continued to approach.

"Twenty steps, prepare for battle!!!"

The Tang soldiers immediately put down their bows and crossbows and instead equipped themselves with spears and swords.

Fifteen steps.

Ten steps.

Five steps.

The soldiers in the front rows of both sides could already see each other's gazes clearly.

Tough and fearless.

Treat death as home.

"kill!!!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

A huge roar resounded through the sky, and both sides fought each other with roars.

There are no fancy moves, no beautiful body movements.

Even if the enemy rushes in front of him, he will not dodge or evade.

He thrust the spear in his hand, then retracted it and moved forward.

When the comrades around you fall, the soldiers behind you will immediately take over.

The Tang army was like this, and so was the Goryeo army.

Personal bravery is not worth mentioning at this moment. The only thing is to charge forward and fight until death.

The infantry faced each other, and the cavalry also fought each other.

The cavalry on the left and right wings started shooting at each other and charging.

This is a duel between light cavalry.

People kept falling off their horses.

On a battlefield like this, falling off a horse means death.

Five thousand cavalry against three thousand cavalry.

The Tang army had a greater advantage, forcing the Goryeo cavalry to retreat to the side of the infantry phalanx.

With this retreat, the gaps on the left and right flanks were revealed.

It posed a threat to the infantry phalanx, causing some confusion.

After all, human energy is limited, and we also need to observe flank attacks, which can easily distract us.

However, the Hu soldiers of Tang Xie's army did not dare to rush into the infantry formation rashly.

An hour.

Two hours.

From the hour of Si to the hour of Wei.

The scorching sun quietly set, and a cloud floated across the blue sky, bringing some shade.

However, the fighting on the battlefield never stopped at all.

The generals of both sides watched quietly from behind.

Although Goryeo had an advantage in numbers, the Tang army's coordinated operations were too strong.

Even now, the formation is still in perfect order, like the scythe of the god of death, constantly reaping the rushing Goryeo soldiers.

In contrast, the morale of the Goryeo army was declining.

If it weren't for the pressure from the supervisory team, there would have been signs of defeat long ago.

When the sky turns cool.

Zhang Jian shouted, "Prepare for battle, put on your armor!"

He has fifty personal guards.

And these fifty personal guards were all wearing Ming Guang armor.

The armor is not for the personal guards, but for the war horses.

"Mount your lance!"

The four-meter-long horse lance was handed to the guards by the auxiliary soldiers.

Zhang Jian held a lance in his hand and shouted, "Follow me and charge!"

Fifty personal guards followed Zhang Jian, forming a pointed V-shaped formation.

At the same time, the leaders of each tribe also followed closely with their trusted elite troops.

First jog, then gradually speed up, and then run at full speed.

"kill!"

The four-meter-long horse lance had an effective attack distance of two meters in front. When faced with such a charge, the Goryeo cavalry did not dare to confront it head-on and could only turn around hastily, exposing their backs.

The Hu cavalry drew their bows and shot, and Korean cavalry were constantly shot off their horses.

Those who ran slowly were stabbed to death by Zhang Jian's heavy cavalry when they encountered them.

"Left roundabout!"

As they were approaching the Goryeo formation, Zhang Jian began to turn.

The guards following closely on both sides were like wings, gently sweeping over one side of the Goryeo infantry.

The powerful inertia does not require much strength; as long as you hold the lance tightly, you can easily stab the Goryeo soldiers to death.

"Right roundabout!"

Relying on the powerful defensive capabilities of the Ming Guang armor, Zhang Jian led his personal guards to continuously flank the Goryeo infantry phalanx, forcing the Goryeo phalanx into greater chaos.

The Goryeo army, whose morale had already dropped, was now on the verge of collapse.

Zhang Jian's heavy cavalry charge was like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Goryeo Central Army.

"General, retreat."

The thin general who advocated defending the city said urgently.

By now, they have been defeated.

He saw that the fierce general who had quarreled with him before wanted to counterattack the Tang army.

However, when he encountered the heavy cavalry of the Tang army, he was pierced by the horse lances. The person who killed him was just a personal guard of the Tang army general.

At this point, there was no need for the Goryeo Central Army to go into battle anymore, because the Tang Army had already won.

The charge of the Tang army general was not the key to victory or defeat, but it only made the Goryeo army, which was already on the verge of collapse, collapse faster.

The Tang army's infantry phalanx was simply terrifying.

The strict discipline, fearlessness of death and amazing willpower supported them to keep moving forward, and they fought their way out of the torrent of the Goryeo army.

"General, we can still defend the city. If we suffer heavy casualties here, Jian'an City will be in danger."

Seeing the general hesitate, the thin general hurriedly persuaded him.

The generals who had previously clamored to go to war were now silent.

"Ming Jin, withdraw your troops!"

The general took a final unwilling look at the battlefield ahead and said angrily.

Then he turned his horse around.

Under the command of the general, the guard of honor rhythmically struck golden gongs and bells.

The sound of the gong echoed throughout the battlefield.

There are differences in the sound of the gong. If it is sounded continuously and quickly, it means an emergency withdrawal.

This rhythmic tapping indicates a slow retreat.

However, when the horn sounded, the Goryeo soldiers immediately turned around.

There is no such thing as not chasing a desperate enemy; this is the best time to strike a helpless enemy down.

It is also the best time to get kills and gain military merit.

"All troops charge!!!"

Zhang Jian shouted loudly.

The guards roared upon hearing this.

All the soldiers who heard it roared along.

On the battlefield, this is the best way to send messages.

The guard of honor in the rear immediately began beating the war drums.

The Tang army pursued them closely and did not stop until they reached the city of Jian'an.

Thirteen thousand Goryeo troops.

Less than half of them were able to return to the city.

Zhang Jian used 8,000 troops against 13,000 and killed more than 5,000 Korean soldiers.

ps: I haven't been updating much these days, I've been on IV drip. I'm on IV drip during the day, so I can only write at night.

It will be over tomorrow with just one more day to go.

(End of this chapter)