My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 226: Your Highness, please be on guard against Hou Junji
"I am willing to die for your Highness!"

Report your favor on the golden platform, and bring Yulong to die for the king.

Perhaps this sentence best reflects Xue Rengui's feelings at the moment.

From an ordinary farmer's son to being given a mount by the prince today, such kindness made Xue Rengui tremble all over.

Li Chengqian didn't say anything more.

He pulled Xue Rengui up and patted him on the shoulder.

"I believe you will have more and greater performances."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Xue Rengui's face flushed, and he had a lot of things in his mind, but he didn't know how to say them out loud.
-
The great victory in the first battle boosted the morale of Li Chengqian's entire army.

Especially those captives who surrendered from Goryeo were more excited than the Tang army.

Since surrendering to the Tang army, the Goryeo captives have been feeling very uneasy.

But this anxiety soon ended.

Because the food of the Tang army was actually better than serving in Goryeo.

The most important thing is that the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty did not specifically target them. Although their superiors were basically Han people, no matter who they were, they had to abide by the strict military discipline.

Especially when it comes to superiors bullying their subordinates, Li Chengqian strictly prohibits and puts an end to it.

There was no concept of nationality in those days, and after experiencing this, the Goryeo soldiers found that this was better than being a soldier before.

In addition, the trial organized by Li Chengqian cracked down on the Goryeo nobles and destroyed the Goryeo landlords and gentry, allowing the people in the territory occupied by the Tang Dynasty to live a good life, which made the Goryeo soldiers more loyal.

Of course, the most important thing is that the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty controls means that are like divine punishment.

In the eyes of most people, Li Chengqian is already a saint reincarnated.

And now, even without the use of thunder and fire, the Tang cavalry was completely defeated by the Goryeo cavalry.

This will naturally greatly boost the morale of the army for the upcoming war.

the other side.

When Yeon Gaesomun heard the news, he almost vomited blood.

These are the elite cavalry he relies on the most.

The Tang Dynasty cavalry was the strongest cavalry in this era, but the Goryeo cavalry was not much behind.

The most powerful armor in the Tang Dynasty was the Ming Guang Armor.

However, this Ming Guang Armor was not designed by the Tang Dynasty, but was created by the Sui Dynasty using a previous armor style.

During the Sui Dynasty's three expeditions to Goryeo, Goryeo obtained a lot of Ming Guang armor as spoils.

After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, Goryeo took advantage of the civil strife in the Central Plains to recruit craftsmen from the Central Plains on a large scale, including many craftsmen who were able to make Ming Guang armor.

Since then, Goryeo has been devoted to creating Mingguang armor.

In terms of quantity, it naturally cannot be compared with the Tang Dynasty, and there is also a slight gap in quality.

After all, the Tang Dynasty's Ming Guang armor had been constantly upgraded and improved, and Goryeo's population and economy were limited, so it was a little bit behind.

But even so, Yeon Gaesomun had seven or eight thousand sets of armor in his hands.

"Five thousand cavalry. Five thousand cavalry."

"You have only returned with less than 500 cavalrymen. What do you want to do? Do you want me to destroy the country of Goryeo?"

Yeon Gaesomun was so angry that his whole body was shaking.

He attached great importance to this first battle, and he also wanted to tell everyone that the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty was nothing without thunder and fire.

In field battles, Goryeo was not afraid of the Tang army at all.

But the current situation seems to indicate that even though the Goryeo cavalry's armaments are almost the same as those of the Tang cavalry, they are still far behind the Tang cavalry.

It's really a waste of money.

"Da Molizhi, there is a fierce general in the Tang army with a white robe, who cannot be stopped by anyone, so..."

The Goryeo cavalry commander wanted to explain a few words.

But Yeon Gaesomun didn't want to hear this: "That's enough."

"Don't we in Goryeo have any brave generals who can fight against him?"

"Don't your horses obey the reins in your hands and can't even run away or retreat?"

"Do you know how much effort I put into these five thousand cavalrymen?"

"Today is all ruined in your hands."

At this point, Yeon Gaesomun became furious. He snatched the sword of the guard beside him and was about to kill this trusted general on the spot.

This trusted general was also filled with shame and actually knelt on the ground, ready to be killed.

After all, what Da Molizhi said was not wrong.

His cavalry regiment was the best treated cavalry regiment in the entire Goryeo army.

He bears a heavy responsibility for this huge defeat and cannot shirk it. The only option is to die.

At the same time, I also feel a little frustrated.

Because the fierce general of the Tang army was really not a human being. He just barged in like that.

Is it because his soldiers did not train hard enough?

Is it because he is too lax in his daily life?

neither.

In the past, he had made great achievements and was invincible on other battlefields.

But this fierce general of the Tang army was truly unstoppable.

It's not the fault of war.

In retrospect, there was nothing wrong with his arrangement.

The problem lies with the Tang army.

If his three thousand cavalry could overwhelm the enemy's center, and if their flanks could hold out a little longer, how could they collapse?

The only problem is that the difference in combat power is too great.

At this time, he also had some doubts.

Why hasn't the sharp blade fallen yet?

Yeon Gaesomun held up the sword, reluctant to put it down.

I was speechless.

He doesn't want to kill.

This was his trusted general, and in terms of both personal military ability and riding skills, he was the best in Goryeo.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have noticed me and promoted me step by step.

Logically speaking, since he is holding the sword so high, shouldn't he be able to give advice and persuasion?

Why are you all silent?
Suddenly, this made Yeon Gaesomun feel a little embarrassed.

You are so tactless. Can't you see that my hands are sore from lifting them?

The atmosphere was a little awkward for a while.

Fortunately, Yeon Gaesomun's younger brother, Yeon Jeongtu, reacted quickly.

"Brother, you can't kill me."

"Brother, please spare Jin Yongxin's life for now. His carelessness this time is a capital crime, but now that we are facing a powerful enemy, we can give him a chance to redeem himself and make meritorious contributions."

The reason given by Yuan Jingtu was very simple, but at least it provided a way out.

Yeon Gaesomun snorted coldly, and finally swung the sword he had raised high down, landing on Kim Yong-shin's shoulder and cutting off a piece of his hair.

"Today, this head is temporarily placed on your arm, and you will be punished by using hair instead of head."

This was Yeon Gaesomun's last act of stubbornness.

Hearing this, Jin Yongxin breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he was finally alive.
-
Although Goryeo had many soldiers, his generals were few.

Li Chengqian was not at all panicked about this.

Famous historical generals such as Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui and Pei Xingjian all gained fame through their outstanding military achievements.

Especially Su Dingfang, he has already been through many battles and all he needs is a chance to show his abilities.

Li Chengqian also gradually delegated power to him.

Although he was stationed in the army, Su Dingfang was actually the first commander on the front line.

Li Chengqian didn't have to worry about his loyalty at all.

Su Dingfang was a poor man from a poor family, and there was no possibility that he had any connection with other aristocratic families.

Not to mention Xue Rengui.

People’s hearts may change, but their interests remain the same.

Li Chengqian never believed in eternal friends, but with the protection of interests, loyalty would not be corrupted.

Is there anyone who could have more advantages than him, the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty?

"Your Highness, we have received a letter from Hou Junji. They have heard the news and have come here from the northeast. They are ready to obey the prince's orders at any time." Su Dingfang came over to report.

The city of Anshi stockpiled so many troops that it almost emptied all the granaries in various parts of Goryeo.

The Tang armies led by Hou Junji and Li Ji encountered almost no resistance along the way.

In the captured cities, there were only a few old, weak, sick and disabled people left, and even the defenders were few and far between. They knew to surrender when they saw the Tang army.

Such a small town is meaningless because all the food has been taken away.

Only Li Chengqian could dig some out from the landlords.

However, Hou Junji and Li Ji did not dare to do so, as Hou Junji had suffered the same loss before.

Hearing that the prince's army was preparing to attack Anshi City, Hou Junji and Li Ji naturally marched to help.

In fact, they also want to see what the magical Thunderbolt looks like.

"Send a message to them, tell them to march immediately to the north of Anshi City. If they encounter the enemy on the way, attack them directly. I will join them in Anshi City."

Li Chengqian was very envious of the military power in the hands of Hou Junji and Li Ji, but now was not the time to turn against Hou Junji.

If things become impossible and a rebellion breaks out, Hou Junji will be very important.

But what Li Ji said doesn’t matter much.

We must first find a way to take away his military power.

Li Chengqian now has too many Korean soldiers in his hands, and in terms of numbers, they have greatly suppressed the Han people.

This is not a good thing. Even if the Goryeo soldiers seem to be loyal at the moment, there is a saying that goes, those who are not of our race must have different hearts.

The Koreans who have not been assimilated into the Han culture can only be regarded as a foreign race.

Erfeng also suffered losses in the early years.

At present, Li Chengqian is forming a power structure with Han people leading Goryeo soldiers, and the balance between them requires some discretion.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Su Dingfang accepted the order, and then asked hesitantly: "Regarding Hou Junji, I think Your Highness could be more cautious."

Although Su Dingfang was not very clear about the secrets between the prince and Hou Junji.

But it can be imagined that the prince and Hou Junji must have had a cooperative relationship in the past.

But now, the prince is so powerful, it would be easy for Hou Junji to come up with some other ideas.

Why wouldn't someone who can betray His Majesty betray the Crown Prince?

Li Chengqian nodded: "I know what's going on."

Li Chengqian also knew clearly about Hou Junji that it was impossible for him to be trusted like Su Dingfang.

Because Hou Junji had already gained power and had considerable prestige in the army.

Most of the troops he led were his trusted followers.

But for the time being, the interests are still relatively synchronized.

Of course, the possibility of Hou Junji's betrayal cannot be ruled out.

For example, if Erfeng wanted to incite people to rebel on the prince's side, Hou Junji would undoubtedly be the best breakthrough point.

But for now, the situation between the two sides is still relatively stable.
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The southern part of Anshi City.

Li Ji and Hou Junji began to join forces and approached Anshi City.

Now they also know that the battle in Anshi City will decide the victory or defeat of Goryeo.

Once Goryeo failed, the country would be destroyed.

Yeon Gaesomun no longer had any extra troops.

In the military camp.

Li Ji looked at the secret decree in his hand with a heavy expression.

After reading it, he hid the secret decree in his sleeve.

This is a secret decree from Chang'an.

Sent about eight days ago.

It was written by Your Majesty himself.

In the secret edict, he was given a task that, when necessary, he could follow the imperial edict to dismiss Hou Junji from his post as the commander-in-chief of the army and deprive him of his military power.

There is one more explanation.

The prince can no longer hold military power.

"I see."

"I say, Hou Junji, why are you so unconcerned about the Crown Prince seizing Li Dao Zong's military power?"

"It turns out that he had already secretly surrendered to the Crown Prince."

"Your Majesty sent me a secret decree at this time. I think a lot of things happened in Chang'an during this period."

Li Ji murmured in his heart.

He was not a political novice. He was naturally aware of the fight for the throne between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei in Chang'an City at that time, but he had never participated in it.

The Crown Prince is now very powerful, which has obviously aroused Your Majesty's fear.

During the time when the Crown Prince was on the Eastern Expedition, Your Majesty may have discovered something.

The most important thing is that the prince is so ambitious, and he is very much like your Majesty back then.

No wonder His Majesty would be a little afraid.

Li Ji didn't have many other ideas about this.

He was a loyal minister to the emperor.

Even if the prince is the future emperor, he will stand on the side of His Majesty no matter what.

Just like his loyalty to Li Mi back then.

At this moment, Li Ji was thinking about how to complete the task assigned by His Majesty.

Li Ji did not find it difficult to dismiss Hou Junji from his post as the Grand Administrator and take away his military power.

Although Hou Junji has many people under him, most of them are loyal to the Tang Dynasty and to Your Majesty.

When you see your Majesty's secret decree, you will naturally obey it.

There are only a few thousand people who will truly follow Hou Junji.

Acting in secret, it would be easy to capture Hou Junji.

The only thing is that the prince is really difficult to deal with.

The current crown prince is too powerful, and His Majesty has not given him any clear orders to resist the crown prince.

Once the prince forcibly seizes his military power, this problem will become very troublesome.

Even if they knew, the prince had set up the Hongmen Banquet and seized Li Daozon's military power.

But after the fall of Anshi City, if the prince invited him to a banquet, would he dare not attend?

Not participating would be a disrespect to the Crown Prince.

If he participated, there was a possibility that the prince would seize his military power.

After a long time, Li Ji showed a bitter smile. He really couldn't think of a way to break the impasse.
-
September 28th, the 17th year of Zhenguan.

The Tang army led by Su Dingfang finally had its first large-scale military battle with Yeon Gaesomun.

Both sides deployed tens of thousands of troops on the front battlefield.

The large army of nearly 100,000 people was fighting in a massive crowd.

The soldiers of both sides fought each other.

All over the mountains and plains, wherever you look, there is fighting.

From dawn to sunset.

What was left behind were corpses all over the ground.

From the Tang army and from Goryeo.

The blood piled up and dyed the entire earth red, and small pools of blood formed in many places.

Li Chengqian did not use gunpowder at the first time.

Throwing explosives now may bring a lot of benefits, but the problems that come with it are also huge.

Once the Goryeo soldiers get used to the movement of the explosive packs, any attempt to completely capture Anshi City would only result in greater losses.

This requires an opportunity.

At the right time, use explosive packs to determine the outcome of the battle.

And this opportunity requires a large number of soldiers to fight.

There is no war without casualties.

ps: I missed the update yesterday because I didn’t take a leave. I will make up for it in the next two days.

(End of this chapter)