Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

After a moment of silence.

Hou Junji shook his head and said, "The best way to break into the city with the least casualties is to dig a secret passage, but the ground under Liaodong City is very hard. It will probably be difficult to dig through to the city without more than half a month."

"And the 15 reinforcements from Goguryeo will reach Liaodong City in less than half a month, so this method won't work."

"There is no other solution except to continue the offensive and wear down the Goguryeo defenders."

Hearing Hou Junji say this, Li Chengqian's expression changed slightly.

He turned to look at Li Ji and Zhang Jian who were thinking with their heads down. Seeing that they had no good solution, a look of disappointment appeared on his face.

Most of the defenders in Liaodong City had been wiped out. Unexpectedly, the remaining few thousand defenders could actually keep their tens of thousands of powerful troops outside the city and prevent them from advancing an inch.

This was the result of the army harassing the Goguryeo defenders all night last night.

"Ah, it's worthy of being the Liaodong City that can resist the million-strong army of Emperor Yang of Sui. It really lives up to its reputation!"

Li Chengqian sighed.

He turned to look at Du He on his left and found that he was also frowning in deep thought, so he asked softly.

"Du He, do you have any good ideas?"

Li Chengqian didn't have high expectations for Du He.

Because siege requires rich combat experience in order to come up with reasonable strategies.

For someone like Du He, who was joining the army for the first time, he didn't even know the methods of attacking a city, so he probably didn't have any good ideas.

"Your Highness, I'll go outside the tent and take a look first."

Du He did not answer Li Chengqian's words immediately, but walked out of the tent with a serious expression.

The others looked at Du He with curiosity, wondering what the meaning of his action was.

Outside the tent, the howling south wind blew the tents to and fro, and even Du He's sleeves were rustling in the wind.

Although the wind was strong, there was no smell of earth.

Du He knew that it wouldn't rain heavily for a while.

"God is really helping me!"

Du He shouted excitedly, and a look of ecstasy instantly appeared on his face.

He turned and ran into the tent, saying to everyone, "I have an idea!"

"any solution?"

Everyone in the tent asked in unison.

Du He smiled and said, "The south wind is strong now, we can use fire attack!"

"The fierce fire could not only burn down the rammed earth walls of Liaodong City, but also, with the help of the south wind, set fire to the wooden houses in the city."

"The soldiers and civilians in Liaodong City have not had a good rest for a day and a night. If we use fire attack tonight, even if we can't break the city, the thick smoke will be able to suffocate the people in Liaodong City to death!"

Hearing what Du He said, Li Ji frowned and asked.

"Prince Consort Du, the strong wind is a sign of the coming of a rainstorm. Will we be able to use fire to attack it?"

The soldiers had been working hard to attack the city for a whole day, and Yan Lide and his craftsmen had been moving stones for a whole day.

Everyone drags their tired bodies to cut down trees. If they encounter heavy rain in the middle of the journey, it will have a great impact on morale.

Du He shook his head and said, "General Li, don't worry. I am 90% sure that there will not be a heavy rain tonight."

Just when Li Ji, Hou Junji and Zhang Jian were struggling to make a decision, Li Chengqian, who was mysteriously confident in Du He, made the final decision.

"Generals, don't hesitate. There is no better way. Just listen to Du He and use fire attack!"

"The south wind is strong now. If we miss this opportunity, we will have to sacrifice the lives of our soldiers to attack the city. I can't bear it!"

Hearing the words from Li Chengqian, the commander-in-chief of the entire army, Li Ji, Hou Junji and Zhang Jian looked at each other, and then nodded to each other.

"As ordered!"

They all bowed to Li Chengqian and said.

Li Chengqian then asked: "Du He, how do you want to attack with fire?"

Facing the expectant gazes of several people, Du He said in a clear voice: "Since the wind is blowing from the south, the most appropriate place for the fire attack is the south city gate."

"You can let the 2 soldiers stay in the camp to rest. They will be the main force for the siege tomorrow."

"The rest of the soldiers and craftsmen will all go cut wood, pour kerosene on the wood, and bring it to the south gate to light it."

As long as the wood is piled high, once the firewood is ignited, the flames will soar for dozens of meters and cover the city walls above.

It was impossible for the defenders of Liaodong City to carry water on the city wall to put out the fire.

Du He's suggestion was strongly supported by Li Chengqian, and was also recognized by Li Ji, Hou Junji and Zhang Jian.

Hou Junji said in a deep voice: "Since everyone agrees to use fire attack, then it's settled!"

"My soldiers are all good at climbing. Leave the siege to me tomorrow!"

"As for preparing the firewood, leave it to General Li and General Zhang to lead their troops to complete it."

Li Ji and Zhang Jian had no objection to Hou Junji's decision.

Next, the few of them discussed the specific details while eating their meal.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Hou Junji, Li Ji and Zhang Jian hurriedly left the tent.

After the order is issued.

Tens of thousands of soldiers began to rush up the surrounding hillsides and cut down trees.

Although there was a sparse rain yesterday, fortunately the sun is shining today and the wood is relatively dry.

Moreover, under the cover of night and archers, countless timbers were transported to the city walls on both sides of the South Gate.

Two hours later.

Fire rose at the foot of the city wall, and with the help of kerosene, high flames shot up in an instant.

"Fire!"

"Everyone, hurry up and bring water to put out the fire!"

On the south city wall, the panicked figures of the soldiers guarding the city were running back and forth anxiously, and their cries for help were intertwined.

By the time the commander of the South Gate and his men arrived, a long fire dragon had already started burning under the city.

Blown by the south wind, thick smoke covered the entire Liaodong City, and the flying flames also ignited many wooden houses.

"Hurry up and wake up the people, be careful of the houses catching fire!"

"Everyone, don't go put out the fire. The fire is too big and the wind is blowing towards us. Be careful not to get burned!"

"Everyone retreat to the two sides to defend. The Tang army cannot climb up the city wall in the fire."

Although the fire affected the defense of the Liaodong City defenders, it also hindered the Tang army's siege of the city.

The tens of thousands of Tang troops did not think about attacking the city; they were busy transporting wood.

The flames shot up into the sky, lighting up the entire sky red.

The fire burned all night long.

The next day, early in the morning.

Before the fire was extinguished, the Tang army concentrated all their catapults at the south gate.

Du He stood beside the trebuchets and gave orders: "Ignore the enemy troops on the city wall. All trebuchets should aim at the right side of the city gate, about 50 steps away, and throw stones at the cracked city wall."

The soldiers quickly turned the direction of the catapult and bombarded the cracked city wall that Du He mentioned.

Xi Junmai led 2000 elite soldiers and reached a hundred meters outside the city wall in advance.

Half an hour later.

The burned and cracked city wall collapsed under the heavy impact of thousands of huge rocks, burying the burning wood below.

Xi Jun bought a lance and shouted excitedly, "The city wall has collapsed. Follow me to attack the city!"

"kill!"

2000 soldiers, ready for battle at any moment, pounced towards the gap like a group of tigers.

The city wall collapsed, and before the defenders of Liaodong City could block the gap with fences, Xi Junmai had already rushed up the city wall with his soldiers.

The guard at the South Gate was stabbed through the chest by Xi Junmai within three rounds.

Hundreds of Liaodong city defenders on both sides of the city wall were also easily annihilated by the first batch of soldiers.

"The vanguard troops have controlled the city gate. Soldiers, follow me and kill!" Hou Junji drew out his sword and shouted loudly.

More than ten thousand soldiers standing behind him rushed towards the city wall madly with spears in hand.

An hour later.

All the defenders in Liaodong City were wiped out.

Inside the city lord's palace.

Hou Junji looked at the empty mansion, frowned and asked, "Did the Liaodong City garrison commander escape?"

"General Hou, the head of the Liaodong City defender is here!"

Xue Rengui, wearing silver armor, strode in carrying Gao Changyi's head.