Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Since military advisor Du He said so, Li Chengqian had made a decision in his mind. He turned to look at Hou Junji and spoke loudly.

"General Hou, let's execute this battle plan according to what you said!"

"Write a battle report later and explain it to Zhang Liang. Let him lay siege to Anshi City based on the actual situation."

"If Goguryeo sends more reinforcements, Zhang Liang won't have to fight to the death, and the priority is to save the lives of the soldiers."

The troops under Zhang Liang's command were all the elite Tang troops, and they were also among the few who were familiar with naval warfare in the army that was conquering Goguryeo.

If they suffer heavy casualties, it will definitely affect the subsequent operations against Pyongyang.

"promise!"

Hou Junji stood up and saluted.

He went on to say, "General Su's suggestion just now is very good. Before encircling Liaodong City, we should first eliminate the small cities within hundreds of miles around it."

"Let's make some battle arrangements now and see how to attack the surrounding cities."

Several people in the hall stood up and walked towards a huge marching map hanging on the wall.

While analyzing the defensive strength of the small cities around Liaodong City, Hou Junji arranged the task of attacking the cities.

"General Zhang, lead your 1 soldiers to destroy the city a hundred miles south of Liaodong City."

"General Su, you lead our troops and Cheng Huailiang's troops, a total of 8000 troops, to destroy the city a hundred miles north of Liaodong City."

"I will lead the remaining troops to attack the city west of Liaodong."

Many cities to the south of Liaodong City were safely protected by Liaodong City, and there was also a large river blocking them, so Hou Junji did not dare to take the risk to attack.

When an isolated army penetrates deep into the enemy's rear, it is difficult to get supplies and is easily besieged by the Goguryeo army, which is extremely dangerous.

"Follow the order!"

Zhang Jian and Su Dingfang said in unison.

These small cities were not large in scale. Some of them had only a few hundred defenders, and the earthen walls were very low, making it very easy for the Tang army to break into the cities.

They discussed for another half an hour before finalizing all the details, big and small.

It was already late at night, and everyone in the hall was yawning.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "Everyone go back and rest early, we have to march early tomorrow morning!"

"Your Highness, I will take my leave first."

Everyone clasped their fists and left.

They had been fighting for several hours today and were already exhausted. If they were given a bed now, they might be able to fall asleep right away.

The next day, early in the morning.

Inside Huaiyuan City, the war horses seemed to sense the signal of an impending expedition; they kept neighing and were extremely irritable.

Before the sun rose, the army had been assembled.

On the high platform.

Hou Junji, wearing a dark green general's armor, drew his sword, raised it high into the sky, and shouted loudly.

"set off!"

As the battle order was given, the army set out instantly.

Boom~

Led by their generals, teams of cavalry took the lead and quickly rushed out of the wide-open East Gate.

The infantrymen wearing armor and holding spears marched out of the city in a long line with orderly steps.

After leaving the city, the army instantly split into three waves and marched in three different directions.

After all the troops assembled in the city had left the city, Hou Junji walked down from the platform and spoke to Li Chengqian who was sitting on the sedan chair.

"Your Highness, I am leading my troops to set out now."

"After we have cleared out the small cities surrounding Liaodong City, you can move to the city."

On the sedan chair.

Li Chengqian warned in a deep voice: "General Hou, be careful in everything."

"Your Highness, don't worry."

Hou Junji saluted Li Chengqian with his fists, quickly mounted a fast horse beside him, and then rushed out of the city under the escort of his personal guards.

The once bustling Huaiyuan City now has only more than 3000 seriously injured soldiers and Yuchi Huan's troops who stayed behind to protect Li Chengqian and Du He.

Li Chengqian turned his head and said with a smile: "Du He, Yuchi Huan, let's go back to the City Lord's Mansion and make some tea and wait."

Du He nodded casually.

The burly and dark-faced Yuchi Huan clasped his fists respectfully and said, "Yes."

He was not as familiar with Du He and the prince as he was, so he had to observe all the necessary etiquette.

...

The next 3 days.

Hou Junji, Su Dingfang and Zhang Jian kept sending people to send back battle reports.

Under the powerful offensive of the Tang army, 15 cities of all sizes within miles around Liaodong City were captured.

Liaodong City has now become a half-isolated city.

Inside the city lord's palace.

Li Chengqian kept flipping through the battle reports in his hands. His slightly mature face was filled with smiles and the joy in his heart was beyond words.

"Du He, General Hou and his men have annihilated more than 1 enemy troops in the past three days. So far, they have annihilated 7 enemy troops and captured more than 4 enemy troops!"

"Right now in the Liaodong region, only Anshi City still has more than 2 defenders, Liaodong City has more than 4 defenders, Baiyan City has more than 2 defenders, and Wugu City has more than 2 defenders."

"The rest of the small cities only have about 10,000 defenders in total!"

"Alas, there is a fly in the ointment. The soldiers under Zhang Jian and Zhang Liang suffered heavy losses in the first two battles."

Thinking of the thousands of Tang soldiers who died in the battle, Li Chengqian's face suddenly turned gloomy.

During these three days, he also kept an eye on the wounded soldiers of Zhang Jian who were recuperating in Huaiyuan City, and 3 of them died due to their serious injuries.

Fortunately, the injuries of the remaining soldiers are slowly recovering thanks to the full treatment of military doctors.

Du He put down the tea in his hand and said with a serious expression: "Your Highness, all we can do is to treat the families of these fallen soldiers well after the war."

"If you are worried, after the court issues compensation to the families of the fallen soldiers, send someone to check to see if any officials have withheld the compensation."

The pensions issued by the imperial court to the families of the fallen soldiers were mainly coordinated by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, and the local Zhechoufu were responsible for the specific implementation.

As orders are passed down layer by layer, the pension money will pass through the hands of many Taoists.

Cases of embezzlement of pension funds occur from time to time.

Li Chengqian nodded: "Du He, your suggestion is good. I will arrange someone to do this."

A general's success is the result of the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers. Aren't these soldiers now fighting bravely just to secure his position as the crown prince?

After the conquest of Goguryeo, he, the crown prince, and his group would be the biggest beneficiaries.

The two were silent for a moment.

Li Chengqian suddenly said, "According to the time, General Li Ji and his men should have captured Gaimu City, right?"

Li Ji and his men launched the attack on Gaimu City on March 3. Now it is March 20. It is not a difficult task for Li Ji to capture a city with only more than 3 defenders in three days.

At this moment, Li Chengqian's personal guards rushed in to report.

"Your Highness, a soldier has brought back a military report."

Ho!

This is talking about Cao Cao, and Cao Cao is here!

Li Chengqian stood up and waved his hand, saying, "Pass it in quickly!"

"promise!"

The guard bowed and ran out quickly.

Not long after.

The royal guards walked in quickly with young soldiers one by one.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and I'm meeting Deputy Chief Steward Du. Lord Pei Xingjian has a secret report to send back."

When Li Chengqian heard that the military report was not sent back by Li Ji, his fiery heart instantly cooled down and his face showed a dull expression.

Du He stood up expectantly and said, "Show me the secret report!"

After receiving the military report handed over by the soldiers, Du He quickly opened it and read it carefully.

After reading the short text above, Du He said excitedly: "Well done, Shouyue!"