Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Goguryeo was located in the southern part of the Liaodong Peninsula and only managed three larger cities: Beisha City, Jili City and Shicheng, all of which had city walls.

The largest city, Beisha, has been captured, and the remaining two cities are impossible to defend.

Among the three armies at present, Zhang Liang's troops have fought the least and therefore have the most soldiers available.

After discussion among the three generals, they unanimously decided to let Zhang Liang leave 4000 soldiers to garrison Anshi City.

In addition to guarding this strategically important city, they also have to protect the seriously injured general, the Black Armor Army, and other wounded soldiers.

Hou Junji continued, "Li Ji, the general commander of the Liaodong Road, led his 2 infantry and cavalry to attack Wugucheng, Bozhuocheng, Daxingcheng and other cities head-on."

Because there are still more than 10,000 elite Goguryeo enemy troops in Ugut City, and these important cities are closest to Pyongyang City.

If Yeon Gaesomun sent a large army to rescue, he would first rescue the cities of Ugut, Bojakseong and Daesungseong.

The prince is in charge of the central army, so it is impossible for him to take risks.

Hou Junji pointed to the place close to the Mohe tribes and said with a serious expression.

"I will lead 1 central troops northward to clear out more than ten cities including Heshenggu City, Zuben City, Ganwu City, and Momi City."

"Because these cities are close to the Mohe tribes, and not far from the Khitan, Xi and Xun tribes."

"For safety reasons, I suggest that Your Highness the Crown Prince and Du He stay in Anshi City for the time being and do not need to follow the army northward."

"After General Li Ji captures Wugut City, Xi Junmai and Xue Rengui will lead 4000 infantry and cavalry to escort us to Wugut City."

As victory in the expedition against Goguryeo seemed in sight, the primary goal of these generals was to ensure the safety of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "No problem!"

Anyway, except for Pyongyang, all other difficult cities have been captured.

Moreover, marching with the army would require sleeping in the open air, which would be very tiring for him. It would be better for him to stay in Anshi City with Du He and wait for good news from the three armies.

Seeing Li Chengqian agree so readily, Hou Junji, Li Ji, Zhang Liang and others all smiled.

Next, Hou Junji reported to Li Chengqian in detail the battle routes of the three armies and the time of the siege of Pyongyang.

In less than an hour, this relaxed combat meeting was over.

At this moment, the guards guarding the gate of the City Lord's Mansion ran in quickly to report.

"Reporting to His Royal Highness, His Majesty has sent someone to deliver a secret report!"

Li Chengqian's heart moved, and he waved his hand and said, "Please come in!"

"promise."

The guards saluted and left quickly.

Li Chengqian turned his head and looked at Du He, with a hint of anticipation in both of their eyes.

Not long after, a middle-aged imperial guard wearing bright armor strode in, led by his personal guards.

"I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and to all the generals."

"The above is a secret report written by His Majesty. Please have a look at it, Your Royal Highness!"

After bowing, the imperial guards immediately presented the secret report in their hands to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian ordered his guards, "Take this brother down to have a good rest, and treat him with good wine and delicious food!"

"promise!"

The royal guards left the hall with the tired-looking imperial guards.

Under the watchful eyes of Du He and a group of generals, Li Chengqian hurriedly opened the secret report and read it carefully.

It was quiet for about ten breaths.

Li Chengqian's hands holding the secret report began to tremble, and even the muscles on his cheeks were trembling slightly.

"Hahaha!"

"Good! Great!"

"Father Emperor Shengming!"

Li Chengqian shouted loudly in ecstasy.

Seeing that Li Chengqian was so excited that he lost his composure, Hou Junji, Li Ji, Zhang Liang and others looked at each other, their hearts filled with curiosity.

Li Dao Zong couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what is the good news? Is it convenient for you to tell me?"

Hearing Li Daozon's question, everyone else's eyes were all on Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian said with a smile on his face: "Father has found out the mastermind behind Zhang Junyi's escape from the battlefield!"

"who is it?"

The generals asked in unison, all angry.

Especially Li Daozon, a royal relative, because of Zhang Junyi's desertion from the battlefield, not only did his subordinates suffer heavy losses, but he himself was also seriously injured.

After so long, his injuries still haven't healed.

Li Chengqian gritted his teeth and said, "Wei Wang Li Tai!"

what!

It turned out to be the King of Wei!

Except for Du He who remained calm, the other generals all stood up in surprise.

As the most favored prince of the Tang Dynasty and the younger brother of the Crown Prince, the King of Wei should not do such a thing that would harm the future of the Tang Dynasty even if he wanted to fight for the throne!

If a group of great generals and more than 10 elite troops were killed in Goguryeo, the military power of the Tang Dynasty would be greatly weakened.

The surrounding vassal states would not only break free from the control of the Tang Dynasty, but would also invade the states and counties on its borders.

There is no way the King of Wei would not understand this simple truth!

There was silence for a long time.

Du He said quietly, "In order to seize the position of crown prince, the King of Wei actually colluded with the enemy and betrayed his country, and was willing to sacrifice the lives of all the generals and more than 10 soldiers. His intentions are really sinister!"

"If it weren't for the quick response of the generals and the desperate efforts of all the soldiers to kill the enemy, I'm afraid all of us would have been killed by the King of Wei!"

Hearing what Du He said in a calm tone, these hot-tempered generals instantly became angry.

Zhang Liang said angrily, "As a prince, the King of Wei's behavior is really chilling!"

Li Ji also said with a grim expression: "If the King of Wei had not ordered Zhang Junyi to escape from the battlefield, we would not have suffered tens of thousands of casualties, and we would probably have reached the city of Pyongyang by now!"

He had led his army to fight against foreign races for such a long time, but had never suffered so many casualties among his subordinates at one time.

Moreover, the harm of tens of thousands of soldiers was actually caused by a favored prince's trick.

Li Daozong clenched his fist and asked, "Your Highness, how will His Majesty punish the King of Wei and his staff?"

Li Chengqian said loudly: "The King of Wei was driven to his fiefdom, and his fiefdom was taken back by my father, including Weizhou, Beizhou, Xingzhou and Lizhou!"

"Wei Su'an, the Sima of the Prince of Wei's Palace, was beheaded, and Wei Ting, Du Chuke and other people involved in the case were demoted and sent to serve as provincial governors!"

Upon hearing His Majesty's decision, Hou Junji, Li Ji, Zhang Liang, Li Daozon and others opened their mouths wide.

Hou Junji asked doubtfully, “Is that it?”

Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

He was already satisfied with sending Li Tai to his fiefdom.

Moreover, Li Tai has the stain of treason, so what can he use to compete with me for the throne in the future?

As for Prince of Wu Li Ke, Prince of Shu Li Yin, Prince of Jiang Li Yun and others, Li Chengqian did not take them seriously.

Hou Junji said with an unpleasant expression, "Your Highness, the Prince of Wei has long reached the age of becoming a fiefdom, and he should have gone out to take up his post in his fiefdom."

"How is your Majesty's action different from no punishment?"