Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

As the soldier's words fell, the hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Unexpectedly, Li Ji, Zhang Liang and other troops, who had the least chance of failure, suffered defeat on the battlefield because of the desertion of Zhang Junyi, the general commander of the army.

Du He asked in a deep voice: "Tell me about the battle process!"

"Did the army suffer heavy casualties?"

The army under Li Ji's command is the main force, most of whom are veterans of many battles, and their armor and weapons are the best among the three armies.

If his army suffered serious damage, it would have a huge impact on the subsequent battle arrangements.

The soldier nodded and said quickly, "When Gao Huizhen's 6 troops were still 8 miles away from Anshi City, General Li Ji sent the Left Guard General Ashina Mishe to lead 10 troops to feign defeat and lure the enemy."

"Ashina Mishe successfully lured the enemy and led Gao Huizhen's 6 troops to a valley 8 miles southeast of Anshi City."

"General Li Ji had already set up ambushes on both sides of the valley and strangled Gao Huizhen's army."

"But just when victory was in sight, the 2 defenders of Anshi City rushed out. Zhang Junyi, the marching commander who was responsible for resisting the defenders of Anshi City, led his troops to flee without much resistance."

"The Anshi City defenders will split into two groups. One will burn our food supplies, and the other will attack our rear army."

"King Jiangxia, who was commanding the rear army to strangle the army of Go Hye-jin, was caught off guard by the defenders of Anshi City, and his men suffered heavy casualties."

"And King Jiangxia is also injured and surrounded by the enemy!"

Hearing this, the faces of several people in the hall suddenly became serious.

Especially Li Chengqian, when he heard that his uncle Li Daozon was injured, he stood up immediately.

"Damn Zhang Junyi, he actually deserted the battlefield!"

"I will definitely punish you by military law!"

Deserting from the battlefield without orders is a capital crime, and Li Chengqian, as the commander-in-chief of the army, has the right to execute him.

After Li Chengqian finished scolding, Du He said to the soldiers with a serious expression.

"Go on."

The soldier nodded, and he paused before continuing.

"General Li Ji was worried that King Jiangxia would suffer losses, so he could only lead most of his troops back to provide support. The half-crippled Gao Huizhen reinforcements also took the opportunity to escape into Anshi City."

"After General Li Ji rescued King Jiangxia, the enemy had already fled into Anshi City and all our food and fodder had been burned, so he had no choice but to lead his troops back to Jian'an City to station there."

"In this battle, our army suffered more than 6000 casualties, including more than 3000 casualties from King Jiangxia's troops and more than 2000 casualties from Zhang Junyi's troops!"

This may not sound like much, but it was the first time that the main force suffered heavy casualties.

Moreover, the casualties occurred in a favorable situation.

Now, Gao Huizhen's remnants also fled into Anshi City. Together with the 6 defenders inside, this fortified city became even more difficult to attack.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became extremely solemn.

Du He asked in a deep voice: "Did General Li Ji give any explanation?"

The soldier wiped the sweat from his forehead and then clasped his fists and said.

"The food and grass in Jian'an City can only support the 6-strong army for 10 days."

"Your Highness, please send someone to deliver food and fodder!"

Now the army's food and grass basically come from the spoils captured from the cities.

When Li Ji led the army to leave Liaodong City, he took away most of the food and grass in the city, leaving only some for the soldiers who stayed to defend the city.

As for the other captured cities, there was not much food and fodder available, and the little food and fodder that was available was barely enough for the defenders to eat and drink.

The only food and fodder that can be mobilized now is the 17-odd stones in Gaimu City.

Li Chengqian said in a deep voice: "Go back and tell Li Ji that I will lead the army to Anshi City in two days and bring food and fodder with me."

"Wait for our three armies to join together and storm Anshi City!"

Immediately afterwards, Li Chengqian took out the battle report written by Hou Junji and Su Dingfang, and asked Xue Rengui to pass it to the soldiers.

Li Chengqian said softly, "Take these two battle reports back and show them to Li Ji."

"promise!"

The soldier saluted Li Chengqian with his fists, then quickly left the hall with the military report.

Li Chengqian's good mood was completely ruined by the news that Li Ji and his men had lost the battle, and he even became extremely angry because of Zhang Junyi's desertion from the battlefield.

Li Chengqian turned to Su Dingfang and ordered, "Su Dingfang, arrange for someone to go to Gaimu City to transport food and grass, and set out with the army the day after tomorrow!"

"promise!"

Su Dingfang responded in a deep voice.

Li Chengqian nodded, then turned his gaze to Hou Junji and continued.

"General Hou, you should organize the army in advance. We will set out early the day after tomorrow."

"it is good!"

Hou Junji nodded towards Li Chengqian.

Because Zhang Jian's troops were severely damaged and the other troops were also damaged, the remaining troops needed to be supplemented with the other troops with less casualties.

This is the only way to ensure the team's combat effectiveness.

Finally, Li Chengqian looked at Zhang Jian and said after a moment's silence.

"General Zhang, you are responsible for guarding Baiyan City!"

Zhang Jian's face changed, and he quickly said, "Your Highness, I also want to join the army to attack Anshi City to repay the prince for not killing me!"

If he stays in Baiyan City, he will not be able to make any achievements in the future.

He suffered two major defeats, and if he did not have any major military achievements afterwards, he would probably not even be able to serve as the governor of Yingzhou after returning to the capital.

"Zhang Jian, it's decided!"

"Being stationed in Baiyan City is not an easy task. You need to keep an eye out for the Khitan, Xi, and Xun tribes in the north."

Li Chengqian did not agree to Zhang Jian's request to fight, but found an excuse to get away with it.

Because in Li Chengqian's heart, he did not have the slightest trust in Zhang Jian, a reckless general with mediocre command ability.

Seeing Li Chengqian's firm attitude, Zhang Jian could only respond with a fist salute.

"As ordered!"

After making the arrangements, Li Chengqian waved to the generals in his hall and spoke in a deep voice, gritting his teeth.

"Generals, please go down and have a good rest. The army will set out the day after tomorrow."

"In the next battle, we will take down Anshi City!"

Hou Junji, Su Dingfang and a group of marching generals looked solemn and shouted in unison.

"As ordered!"

After the generals left, Li Chengqian turned to look at Du He and asked in a deep voice.

"Du He, how do you think we should deal with Zhang Junyi?"

Du He narrowed his eyes and said, "Interrogate him about the reason why he deserted the battlefield and find out who ordered him to do so."

"If you find any connection with the King of Wei, report it to your majesty immediately in a military report."

"No matter how favored Li Tai is, Your Majesty will not fail to punish him!"

It is impossible for a marching commander to desert the battlefield for no reason. He must have been instructed by someone.

Considering that the master composer Yan Lide deliberately delayed the process, Du He guessed that this might be the work of Li Tai.

Li Chengqian angrily cursed: "Damn Li Tai, he actually didn't care about the overall situation!"

"In order to ascend to the position of crown prince, he actually pushed our army of more than 10 to the edge of the abyss, ruining the future of our Tang Dynasty!"

No wonder our ancestors have always passed down a saying that one must first stabilize the country before fighting against foreign enemies!

With sinister villains like Li Tai stabbing them in the back, the soldiers fighting on the front line may be in danger at any time.