Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Who could have imagined that tens of thousands of Tang troops attacked a city with only 2000 defenders and even brought in hundreds of catapults?

This was the first time that the Chief of Wugut City had seen such a steady general.

When the soldiers nearby heard the commander's order to surrender, they all secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"As ordered!"

After the lieutenant general saluted with his fists, he ran and jumped down the city wall.

Soon, the heavy South City Gate slowly opened.

Outside the south city gate.

Zhang Shigui said in astonishment: "General Manager Li, the defenders in Wugut City have surrendered!"

Li Ji smiled and said, "The one who ordered the surrender was a smart man. He knew that resistance would lead to death."

The city wall is only less than two meters high, and the ground is relatively flat all around. How could they possibly hold on with the few people they have in the city?

At this time, the chief of Wugut City led two generals and trotted all the way from the south gate.

Zhang Shigui asked in a low voice: "General Manager Li, how should we deal with these surrendered soldiers?"

The prince's order was not to take prisoners, so in the following battles, he basically did not accept the surrender of Goguryeo soldiers.

Li Ji said softly: "We have relatively few soldiers now, so we can let these prisoners carry our baggage for us, which can also reduce the pressure on the logistics soldiers."

"They are only two or three thousand people, they can't cause any trouble."

Pushing equipment such as catapults, battering rams, and bows and arrows was very heavy and required thousands of soldiers to transport them.

Now that there are two or three thousand more young and strong Goguryeo captives to transport, the soldiers can be freed and they only need to keep an eye on this group of people.

Zhang Shigui nodded and said, "This is really making the best use of it."

While they were talking, the Chief of Wugut City and two lieutenant generals came to Li Ji under the custody of Tang army soldiers.

The Chief of Wugu City saluted respectfully and said, "General, I am Zhang Xingzhou, the Chief of Wugu City. Fearing the might of the Heavenly Army, I am leading 2000 soldiers and 2 civilians in the city to surrender!"

When Li Ji heard the Chief of Wugut City speaking fluent Chinese, he couldn't help but ask in confusion.

"Zhang Changshi, are you Han Chinese?"

The chief of Wugut City said respectfully: "General, my ancestral home is from Bohai County. I came to Liaodong with my family to avoid the war."

"Later, Liaodong was occupied by Goguryeo, who massacred the Han people living in Liaodong."

"My ancestors were merchants for generations, and had dealings with some officials of Goguryeo. I was lucky enough to escape the disaster after paying 90% of my family wealth."

"Later, our ancestors and the Han people living here hoped that the royal army would come to retake the old land, but it was not realized for hundreds of years."

Speaking of this, Zhang Xingzhou said with tears in his eyes.

"Now that I see the royal army conquering the north and recovering all of Liaodong's homeland, I am very happy from the bottom of my heart."

Regarding the attitude of Zhang Xingzhou, the chief of Wugut City, Li Ji, Li Daozon, Zhang Shigui and Su Dingfang knew that he was just trying to survive by playing the victim, but he was also telling the truth.

During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Five Barbarians invaded China, and Goguryeo took the opportunity to invade Liaodong. Not only did they kill many Han people who had lived there for generations, but they also relocated a large number of their people to Liaodong.

During the chaotic Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the country could have been lucky enough not to have lost more territory to these foreign races, let alone recover Liaodong.

Although Emperor Yang of Sui wanted to recover Liaodong, he failed after three expeditions.

Li Ji said to Zhang Xingzhou: "This general accepts your surrender, but all the gold and silver in the city, as well as the authority you currently have, will be gone."

Zhang Xingzhou knelt down and kowtowed excitedly, saying, "I understand. I am already satisfied that I can save my life!"

The two Goguryeo generals nearby also knelt down and kowtowed.

Being able to save a life is better than anything else.

Li Ji ordered Zhang Shigui: "General Zhang, you lead 5000 soldiers into the city first and take control of everyone in the city."

"promise!"

After Zhang Shigui saluted with his fists, he led 5000 cavalrymen into the city fearlessly.

Half an hour later.

All the Goguryeo defenders in the city were stripped of their armor and their weapons were confiscated, and all the men, women, old and young in the city were driven to the spacious parade ground.

Li Ji looked at the parade grounds and saw that most of the people there were women and children, so he asked curiously, "Zhang Xingzhou, why are all the people in the city old men, women and children?"

Zhang Xingzhou said respectfully: "General, in order to resist your mighty heavenly army, Yeon Gaesomun ordered all men between the ages of 14 and 60 to join the army."

“So there aren’t many young and middle-aged people in the major cities.”

The ruthlessness of the Tang army was no less than that of Goguryeo hundreds of years ago. He estimated that the total number of Goguryeo people in Liaodong was less than 5.

Li Ji nodded and didn't say much.

A kind person cannot command an army, and there are few kind generals.

In the past, when attacking a fortified city, in order to relax the tired soldiers' minds, many generals would order the soldiers not to put down their weapons for three days after the city was captured, allowing them to do whatever they wanted to the women in the city.

Two hours later, the results of the battle had been counted.

Li Ji wrote a detailed battle report and asked someone to send it to Li Chengqian as quickly as possible.

...

In Anshi City.

Li Chengqian looked at the battle report sent by Li Ji, and his face gradually became surprised.

"Du He, I didn't expect that Pyongyang City sent 5 reinforcements to the north to support Wugu City, and the defenders in Wugu City also went out of the city to fight!"

There were originally only 15 troops in Pyongyang City, but now 5 of them have been wiped out, leaving only 10 troops in the city.

This is such great news!

Du He asked curiously, "General Li Ji annihilated all the 5 reinforcements and the 1 defenders in the city?"

"Ah."

Li Chengqian nodded excitedly.

He then read aloud: "In this battle, 58050 enemies were killed, 2000 were captured, 9561 horses were seized, 4 shi of grain and grass were seized, and..."

After Li Chengqian finished reading out the long list of captured items, Du He asked in confusion, "Your Highness, how did General Li Ji and his men capture 2000 enemy soldiers?"

According to the rules they set, they would not accept any Goguryeo prisoners.

Could it be that Li Ji was too soft-hearted?

“Hahaha.” Li Chengqian laughed loudly a few times, and then explained: “The chief of Wugu City led his troops to open the city gate and surrender, allowing Li Ji and his men to capture Wugu City without bloodshed!”

"Li Ji said in the battle report that the reason for accepting the surrender of these 2000 soldiers was to let them transport food and supplies so that more of our soldiers could participate in the battle."

Li Chengqian handed the battle report to Du He and said happily.

"Du He, take a look for yourself."

Du He nodded slightly, he took the battle report and read it carefully.

at this time.

Qin Huaidao hurried in and reported: "Your Highness, the scout who was gathering information in Silla has returned!"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Please come in."

"promise!"

Qin Huaidao clasped his fists, saluted, and left quickly.

Soon, an ordinary-looking soldier walked in and clasped his fists towards Li Chengqian and said.

"Reporting to His Royal Highness, Baekje has already conquered Silla!"