Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Boom!

A thunderbolt suddenly exploded in the hearts of Kedu and the court officials, causing their hearts to tremble.

The expectant eyes of the crowd gradually faded after hearing the news.

It’s over.

They were totally screwed.

Even a powerful tribe like the Eastern Turks had 20% of their troops annihilated by the Tang army. Who can come to save them now?

You should know that the battle between the Tang army and the Eastern Turks only lasted for two months.

Excluding the time the Tang army spent marching, they probably only launched two or three major battles.

Such battle losses are terrible!

I was stunned for a long time.

The one who could be saved asked, "What's the situation in Xueyantuo?"

Everyone's eyes fell on the envoy, and the last hope lit up their faces.

The envoy whispered, "The Xueyantuo also sent an envoy to the Eastern Turks to ask for help. According to the Xueyantuo envoy, 30% of the country had already been lost before he left."

"Thanks to the assistance of the Western Turks, they were able to resist the Tang army's offensive!"

The envoy's words once again made everyone feel heavy-hearted.

Since the Xueyantuo could hardly protect themselves, it was even more impossible for them to send reinforcements to support them.

Moreover, the main force of Xueyantuo was thousands of miles away from them. Even if they sent troops to support them now, it would probably be too late.

Tens of thousands of Tang cavalry are just outside the city. How long can they hold out?

"call!"

The one who could be saved let out a long sigh and asked the middle-aged general.

"Loulamu, how is the battle going with our 20-man coalition army?"

"Any latest battle reports?"

Since no reinforcements could be found, they could only recall their main force.

The middle-aged general shook his head and said, "The coalition forces have not sent back any new battle reports since they sent back the battle report three days ago."

"Furthermore, the 20-strong army was repeatedly beaten back by the Tang army. It would be difficult to withdraw soldiers to support them."

The person who was to be saved's eyelids twitched, and there was no hope left on his face.

This battle was fought in a really pathetic way!

The combined forces of the seven nations had over one million troops, but they were completely defeated by a mere 30 Tang troops.

If they continue to fight like this, they will be destroyed sooner or later.

There was silence for a long time.

Ke Duzhe gritted his teeth and asked, "Everyone, if we surrender to the Tang Dynasty now and become a part of it, will the Tang Dynasty accept us?"

Since we can't defeat them, the only way is to join the Tang Dynasty.

The culture of the Central Plains is profound and extensive. If they could become a part of the Tang Dynasty, they would surely be able to live a prosperous life.

After a while.

The court officials all shook their heads and said.

"If we submit to the Tang Dynasty before sending our troops, the Tang Dynasty will surely accept us with pleasure."

"But now the Tang soldiers have slaughtered hundreds of thousands of our people. A blood feud has been forged. They will definitely kill us all!"

"It's too late to surrender now!"

The current Tang army is different from the previous one. The previous Tang army defeated them and then set up a protectorate within their territory.

But now the Tang army is like devils, they don't want any prisoners at all.

Goguryeo and Baekje, as well as their five Xi tribes, are living examples!

When Ke Duzhe heard the words of his ministers, the slightest bit of hope in his heart completely disappeared.

The hall fell into silence again.

In the depressing atmosphere, an old man with a big nose stood up and proposed in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, we should break out at night and escape to Khitan!"

"Although the Khitans are unwilling to send troops to support us, if we bring our elite troops to join them, the Khitans will certainly not refuse."

"Only by joining forces with the Khitan can we avoid being slaughtered by the Tang army!"

His proposal was immediately approved by the other ministers.

Since they couldn't get any reinforcements, they ran to Khitan to seek asylum.

A move will bring life to the dead. They can't just wait here to die.

Ke Duzhe shook his head and said, "The Tang army has surrounded us. Without the protection of the city walls, we are all lambs to be slaughtered!"

"And if we break out tonight, what will happen to our wives, children, gold, silver and other valuables?"

They could not run far before being killed by the Tang army with their wives, children, gold, silver and other valuables.

But if they abandon their wives, children and money, what can they do in Khitan?

The big-nosed old man said in a deep voice: "My king, at this point we have no choice but to abandon them. Only if we survive can we make a comeback!"

The other ministers thought for a moment, then stood up and tried to persuade him.

"Please, Your Majesty, do not be indecisive!"

"Make a decision as soon as possible!"

this...

Those who can be saved are constantly conflicted.

He was silent for a long time, then spoke through gritted teeth.

"Since everyone agrees, let's break out at midnight tonight!"

Then everyone gathered together and discussed the matter in whispers. Half an hour later, they all went back to make preparations.

...

The beginning of the hour of Hai (9 p.m.).

The silent Xi royal court seemed to come alive. Countless people, urged by officials, packed their clothes and prepared to flee with the army.

The Xi soldiers were different from the common people. Apart from two days' worth of dry food, they did not carry any heavy items.

outside the city.

Xue Rengui also noticed the huge commotion coming from the city. He sent scouts to investigate and soon guessed that the enemy was preparing to break out.

He immediately sent his personal guards to notify the other four armies and asked everyone to put on armor and prepare for battle.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Whether it was the Xi soldiers inside the city or the Tang army outside the city, they were all waiting for the city gates to open.

The beginning of the Zi hour (11 p.m.).

The four city gates were quietly opened, and a large number of people poured out of the north gate, south gate and west gate, fleeing madly in all directions in the dark.

Suddenly a loud shout was heard in the darkness.

"kill!"

As the words fell, countless bonfires suddenly ignited.

Immediately afterwards, deafening sounds of horse hooves came from all directions. In the light of the fire, countless Tang soldiers in armor and holding spears appeared in the field of vision.

"The Tang army is coming!"

"Everyone run away!"

Urged by the sounds of escape, the people ran like headless flies towards a place without fire.

Before long, the wilderness was filled with wailing.

Just when the other three city gates were in chaos, countless cavalrymen suddenly rushed out of the East Gate.

They had a clear goal and rushed towards Khitan.

Before they could get far, a dense barrage of arrows suddenly shot from the front.

Countless unarmored Xi soldiers fell off their horses.

Some soldiers protected by armor managed to escape the rain of arrows, but were also surrounded and killed by a large group of Tang cavalry.

After several waves of arrows, tens of thousands of Tang troops spread out in a huge fan shape and quickly surrounded the main force of the Xi tribe.

Ke Duzhe saw more and more soldiers falling in a pool of blood, and the encirclement of the Tang army was getting smaller and smaller. He knew that the situation was hopeless.

He drew his sword and held it to his neck, muttering regretfully.

"Hey!"

"I have brought trouble upon the people of the Xi tribe. Tonight, I can only atone for my sin by dying!"

After saying this, he wiped the sword and then fell down weakly.

The Xi officials did not have the courage to commit suicide, so they knelt down and surrendered.

But what they waited for was not the word "agreement", but sharp spears.

The massacre lasted until dawn and only stopped when the morning light rose.

...

Two days later.

Yingzhou Governor's Mansion, inside the lobby.

Du He and Changsun Wuji sat on the left and right sides respectively. In the middle of the hall, a young soldier reported happily.

"Reporting to Grand Steward Du and Deputy Grand Steward Zhangsun, the Xi tribe has been annihilated!"