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During the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Goguryeo took the opportunity to recover its strength. It not only firmly occupied Liaodong, but also continued to encroach on parts of western Liaodong that originally belonged to the Central Plains, posing a continuous threat to Yingzhou (present-day Chaoyang) and Youzhou.

The powerful minister Yeon Gaesomun controlled the government, and King Go Geonmu was a mere puppet. He outwardly paid tribute to the Chinese Empire, but in reality, he was disobedient and secretly colluded with the Mohe and Khitan remnants who had fled into his territory, as well as the Shiwei and Liugui (Sakhalin Island) tribes further north. He built the Great Wall (the Goguryeo Great Wall) and pretended to be the hegemon of the Northeast.

How can I allow someone else to sleep soundly beside my bed?
Moreover, the former territory of Liaodong was related to the dignity of the empire and the strategic layout of Northeast Asia. The Andong Protectorate (formerly Silla) had been stabilized under the management of Shan Meixian, but Goguryeo blocked the land connection between the empire and the Andong Protectorate, and threatened the security of the empire's maritime borders in the northern Bohai and Yellow Seas.

"Goguryeo is like a scab; if left untreated, it will inevitably become a serious problem. Now that the Turks have been pacified and the northwest is largely settled, we should move our troops eastward to remove this thorn in our side, reclaim our Han homeland, and open up the northeastern borders!"

At the court meeting in the autumn of the eleventh year of the establishment of the dynasty, Yi Huawei made the final decision.

Conquering Goguryeo was different from the decisive battles on the grasslands. Goguryeo was a mountainous country with fortified cities (especially Liaodong City, Anshi City, and Wugu City), and its people were fierce and warlike. In addition, Goguryeo had been established for a long time, and its defenses were layered and complex, making it a formidable opponent.

The empire made meticulous preparations for this. Given the terrain of Goguryeo, the battle would primarily involve a coordinated force of infantry, cavalry, and navy, with particular emphasis on the navy for transporting troops and supplies, conducting multiple landings, and breaking up their defensive lines. After much deliberation, the choice of commander-in-chief ultimately fell to Song Shidao.

Song Shidao, son of Song Que, was formerly the commander of the Heavenly Alliance's Imperial Guard and is now one of the empire's core generals. He is gentle and refined, yet far from weak; years of military experience have shed his naiveté, transforming him into a composed, capable, and well-rounded commander. More importantly, he is quite familiar with the situation in Liaodong and Goguryeo (the Song clan had sporadic trade relations with Goguryeo in its early years), and his prudent nature prevents him from acting rashly, making him well-suited to dealing with a defensive and strategically advantageous opponent like Goguryeo.

Yi Huawei appointed Song Shidao as the Grand Commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, commanding 100,000 troops, including 60,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, and 20,000 naval and marine corps troops, with an additional 30,000 troops from the Andong Protectorate stationed there to provide support. On the naval front, Lady Shan Meixian, familiar with the northern seas, was appointed as deputy commander, overseeing the transport fleet and escort warships.

"The strengths of Goguryeo lie in its formidable mountains and strongholds, coupled with the morale-boosting influence of martial arts masters like Fu Cailin. Attacking cities requires patience and powerful weapons. The newly manufactured 'mountain-breaking cannons' (improved catapults) and 'city-drilling cones' (large-scale drilling equipment) from the Imperial Workshop have already been deployed with the army. As for Fu Cailin…"

Before setting off, Yi Huawei summoned Song Shidao:

"If they make a move, Lady Shan will handle it. You only need to focus on battlefield command, advance steadily and cautiously. Remember, few of the people of Goguryeo are trustworthy; most are manipulated by the powerful and wealthy. You should use both appeasement and division to reduce bloodshed."

Song Shidao solemnly accepted the order: "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered. I will live up to your trust and will surely sweep away the enemy's stronghold, recover Liaodong, and uphold the prestige of our nation!"

In the twelfth year of the establishment of the dynasty, in the spring, in the third month.

The imperial army for the eastern expedition swore an oath in Youzhou. At the same time, Shan Meixian's massive East China Sea fleet set sail from Dengzhou and Laizhou, fully loaded with troops and equipment, heading towards the southeast coast of the Liaodong Peninsula.

In the early stages of the war, Song Shidao advanced by both land and water according to the pre-arranged plan. The main force of the army marched out of the pass through Gubeikou and Lulong Pass, steadily eliminating Goguryeo's forward fortresses in western Liaoning one by one, and advancing towards the Liao River.

Under the command of Shan Meixian, the navy successfully carried out large-scale landings at two locations: Duli Town (near present-day Lushun, Dalian) at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula and Bozhuokou (the mouth of the Yalu River near present-day Dandong) on ​​the east coast. They established solid beachheads and quickly advanced inland, forming a pincer movement with the Liaoxi land army.

Although Goguryeo's powerful minister Yeon Gaesomun had taken precautions, he had not anticipated the swift and multifaceted offensive of the Chinese army, nor had he expected their navy to be so strong as to simultaneously support two large-scale landings with robust logistical support. In haste, he could only order the garrison troops in various regions to hold their ground in the mountain fortresses, while simultaneously requesting reinforcements from Pyongyang and asking Grand Master Fu Cailin to come out of the mountains to stabilize morale and assassinate the Chinese generals.

April, the sea outside the mouth of the Yalu River.

The vast expanse of blue water, with the sea breeze whistling through it.

The flagship "Dinghai," commanded by Shan Meixian, resembled a sea castle, surrounded by numerous escort ships. Their mission was to secure the Bozhuokou landing site and, when the opportunity arose, to sail upstream along the Yalu River and threaten the Goguryeo interior.

On this day, the sky was clear and the sea suddenly seemed to freeze, as if the entire sea and sky had been incorporated into a huge chessboard, with every wave and every gust of wind becoming a chess piece on the board.

Shan Meixian stood at the bow of the ship, her dark blue outfit covered by light armor, the sea breeze ruffling her long hair. Her eyes suddenly sharpened as she gazed towards the northwest horizon. There she saw a blue figure treading the waves, drifting gracefully from the direction of the coast. At first glance, it seemed extremely far away, but in the blink of an eye, it became clearly visible.

He was a tall, thin, and wiry old man, dressed in coarse linen clothes and straw sandals, carrying an ancient-style longsword on his back. His face was slender, and his eyes were peaceful and profound. He walked on the sea as if it were flat ground, exuding an air of nonchalance, yet possessing a masterly demeanor that captivated everyone.

Fu Cailin, the master of Yi Jian!

"Madam Shan, you reign supreme in the East Sea, why come all the way to my desolate land and only cause more bloodshed?"

Fu Cailin's voice was gentle, yet it clearly reached Shan Meixian's ears amidst the sound of the waves.

Shan Meixian smiled slightly, her demeanor dignified: "Master Fu, I have long admired your reputation in chess and swordsmanship. However, Goguryeo has been occupying Liaodong for some time, repeatedly invading our borders and resisting the Celestial Empire. His Majesty the Emperor is acting on Heaven's orders to punish these wicked men, determined to recover lost territories, unify our borders, and relieve the people from their suffering. Master, you are a recluse of the world, why should you get involved in these worldly disputes and only damage your reputation?"

Fu Cailin gently shook his head: "How can I stand aside when my country is involved? I have devoted my life to the way of the sword, and all I seek is to protect the peace of this region. Today, I am willing to use my sword to ask Madam Shan for guidance. If I am fortunate enough to win, I would like to ask Madam Shan to persuade your country to withdraw its troops to avoid further bloodshed."

Knowing words were useless, Shan Meixian remained silent. Her figure gracefully descended from the bow of the ship, her toes lightly touching the sea surface, and she stood firmly on the waves, facing Fu Cailin from afar. Their auras naturally unfolded, and their swordplay "momentum" silently collided on the sea.

"In that case, please enlighten me, Master."

The two of them attacked almost at the same time!

Fu Cailin pointed his fingers like a sword and pointed in the air. The surrounding seawater seemed to be instantly cut by invisible chessboard lines. A sword intent arose out of nowhere, omnipresent yet untraceable. This was the highest realm of the swordsmanship, "using people to play with swords, and using swords to play with enemies," turning the surrounding environment into a chessboard and the opponent into a chess piece.

With a slight flick of her wrist, Shan Meixian's Water Cloud Sleeves unfurled like two azure ribbons! The sleeve shadows were layered, seemingly soft yet powerful, seemingly slow yet fast, each shadow containing an overwhelming and unstoppable force, and the vastness of the East Sea's waves. Her martial arts were inherited from the direct lineage of the Dongming Sect, guided by Yi Huawei, and honed through decades of battling the winds and waves of the sea. She had long since integrated the ultimate softness of "water" with the ever-changing nature of "clouds." The unfolding of her sleeve techniques seemed to draw upon the power of the entire sea, using boundless vastness to counter the intricate and subtle chess game of swordsmanship.

"Bang bang bang!"

Countless huge splashes of water erupted on the sea surface. Fu Cailin's swordsmanship was exquisite, always anticipating his opponent's moves, his sword intent as fine as silk threads, attempting to dismantle Shan Meixian's sleeve shadows. Shan Meixian's Water Cloud Sleeve Technique, on the other hand, was grand and majestic, using force to overcome skill and momentum to overwhelm, coupled with her cloud-like and illusory movements, allowing her to move freely within the chessboard-like sword intent, often delivering deadly blows from the most unlikely places.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged nearly a hundred blows.

Fu Cailin grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He was confident in his swordsmanship and his profound understanding of the principles of martial arts, but his opponent's sleeve technique, which combined the characteristics of the East Sea with a deeper level of artistry, gave him the feeling that "the chessboard remains, but the pieces are trying to escape." Shan Meixian's skill was far beyond his previous assessment of the East Sea Lady.

After a prolonged and unsuccessful battle, Fu Cailin's eyes narrowed, and his figure suddenly rose higher, as if he had become one with the long sword behind him. He murmured, "In the world of chess and swords, one move can decide the fate of the world!"

With a flick of his fingers, a brilliant sword aura, refined to its extreme and containing endless variations and potential, pierced straight towards Shan Meiyan's brow, ignoring spatial distance!

With a solemn expression, Shan Meixian abruptly rolled up her sleeves, drawing a perfect circle in front of her. Within that circle, the seawater surged and clouds swirled, forming a miniature "sea and sky barrier." She had poured all her life's power and her understanding of the "birth and death" principle passed down by Yi Huawei into this move, "Water and Clouds Return to Nothingness"!
"boom--!"

The sword energy collided with the "sea and sky barrier," creating a dull rumble as if space itself was being violently compressed and rubbed. The seawater within a radius of a hundred feet suddenly sank, forming a huge vortex!

After a few breaths of stalemate, Fu Cailin's sword energy was gradually worn down and finally annihilated! Shan Meixian's delicate body swayed slightly, and her face turned a little pale, clearly indicating that taking this sword strike was not easy for her either.

The difference in skill has been determined. Although Fu Cailin's chess-sword technique is exquisite, it is ultimately limited to "chess" and "sword," while Shan Meixian's "Water and Clouds Return to Nothingness" has touched upon the essence of the creation and destruction of the universe, making her slightly superior in terms of artistic realm.

Fu Cailin withdrew his stance and stood on the crest of the wave, a complex mix of dejection and relief on his face: "Madam Shan follows the natural way, and I... am no match for her. In this battle, I have lost."

He paused for a moment, then said, "However, matters of family and country cannot be decided in a single battle. Although I have been defeated, I will not retreat."

Shan Meixian calmed her inner breath and said calmly, "Master's noble character is admirable. However, the trend of the times is irreversible and no one can reverse it. I hope Master will take care."

Fu Cailin gave Shan Meixian a deep look, then glanced at the faintly visible Chinese military flags on the distant coastline, sighed, and his figure transformed into a streak of blue light, disappearing into the horizon.

The defeat of the Grand Master of the State was a devastating blow to the morale of Goguryeo.

In May, on the Liaohe Plain, at the Hua Army's main camp.

Song Shidao advanced steadily, capturing several cities in succession, and his army was now poised to strike at Liaodong City (present-day Liaoyang), the core of Goguryeo's forces in Liaodong. The Goguryeo army cowered within the city, relying on its defenses for a desperate struggle. However, without the spiritual support of Fu Cailin, their will to resist had diminished considerably.

On this day, Song Shidao was discussing the details of the siege with his generals when his personal guards reported that three men were requesting an audience outside the gate. They claimed to be disciples of Fu Cailin and wanted to speak with their commander.

Song Shidao's heart stirred, and he ordered someone to lead him in.

The newcomers were two women and one man. The woman in the lead was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in white, with a long sword hanging on her back. Her face was exceptionally beautiful, but her brows carried an inescapable sorrow. She was none other than Fu Junzhuo, Fu Cailin's eldest disciple.

Behind Fu Junzhuo followed two young men. One was tall and handsome, with lively and spirited eyes, carrying a long sword on his back; the other was more refined and composed, with a long sword at his waist. These were none other than Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who, through a series of fortuitous encounters, had learned the "Longevity Manual" and made a name for themselves!

The moment Song Shidao saw Fu Junzhuo, his heart, which had been calm for many years, was suddenly stirred by violent ripples. Fifteen years ago, when he traveled south, he had a chance encounter with Fu Junzhuo, who was traveling in the Central Plains. In that fleeting glance, her figure, as pure and aloof as a snow lotus, sorrowful yet strong, was deeply imprinted in his heart, never to be erased. After years of military service and high rank, he had never married. Even his father, Song Que, did not know the reason for this; only he himself knew.

"Miss Fu, it's been a long time."

Song Shidao suppressed the turmoil in his heart, his voice gentle, his gaze fixed on Fu Junzhuo's face with a hint of complexity.

Fu Junzhuo was clearly surprised that the commander of the Hua Army was the young master of the Song Clan, whom she had met once before. She was slightly taken aback, then said solemnly, "General Song, no, Grand Steward Song. My master has been defeated by Madam Shan and has fled into seclusion. I should not have come here again, but my homeland is on the verge of collapse and the people are suffering. As a citizen of Goguryeo, how can I sit idly by? Today I have brought my two sworn brothers here, not to plead for mercy, but only to hope that the general can temporarily halt the offensive and allow Goguryeo... a way out."

Kou Zhong stepped forward and said loudly, "Grand Steward Song, there is a saying, 'One should be lenient when one can.' Although Goguryeo has committed minor offenses, their crimes do not warrant the destruction of the country and the extinction of the race. Why not be lenient and let us sit down and discuss the terms?"

Xu Ziling also said, "Once war breaks out, the people will suffer the most. General Song's reputation for benevolence is widespread, so please reconsider."

His gaze swept over Fu Junzhuo's thin yet still captivating face, and the feelings he had buried deep in his heart for many years clashed fiercely with the grim national affairs before him. As the Grand Commander of the Eastern Expedition, he bore the heavy responsibility entrusted by His Majesty, the lives of 100,000 soldiers, and the task of recovering lost territory. How could he abandon public duty for personal feelings?

Song Shidao remained silent for a moment, his voice still gentle, yet carrying an undeniable resolve: "Miss Fu, Young Hero Kou, Young Hero Xu, I admire your sincere hearts. However, the matter of Goguryeo is not a recent incident. Since the Sui Dynasty, they have repeatedly invaded our borders, harbored rebels, and resisted imperial rule; this is by no means a 'minor offense.' His Majesty the Emperor has launched this campaign for the sake of the unification of China, the stability of our borders, and the peace of the northeastern tribes. Now the army has been dispatched, and the arrow is on the bowstring. If you wish to withdraw from the war, the King of Goguryeo must personally come to the front lines, relinquish his imperial title, present his map and household register, submit his entire kingdom to the direct rule of our dynasty, and implement new policies. There is no other way."

He paused, looked at Fu Junzhuo, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, and softened his tone slightly: "As for the people, our Hua Army has always maintained strict discipline, never committing any offenses wherever it goes. After capturing a city, we only punish the ringleaders and settle the common people. If Goguryeo had surrendered sooner, countless calamities of war could have been avoided. Since the three of you care about the people, why not advise Pyongyang to submit to the will of Heaven and the people as soon as possible?"

These words were both reasonable and persuasive, outlining the empire's bottom line while offering the other side a way out. However, to Fu Junzhuo and the other two, they were nothing short of an ultimatum. The entire country's submission would be tantamount to national subjugation—a condition that the Goguryeo royal family and nobility could never accept.

Fu Junzhuo's face paled further, her eyes filled with even deeper sorrow. The Hua Empire was powerful and well-prepared, determined to win. With her master's defeat and the army's morale shattered, Goguryeo was indeed on the verge of collapse. How could she possibly watch her homeland perish?

Kou Zhong raised an eyebrow. He was naturally unruly and most disliked such official formalities and so-called "general trends." He laughed heartily, "Grand Commander Song, don't speak so confidently! As the saying goes, mountains don't move, but water does. Your army is indeed powerful, but in war, sometimes it's not all about numbers. Xiao Ling and I have seen your camps are well-established, but taking down that tortoise shell of Liaodong City won't be so easy, will it? What if… your commander suddenly disappears? How will this battle be fought then?"

His words were half-joking, half-threatening, yet his eyes shone with a chilling light, emanating a powerful and aggressive aura that made the guards in the tent feel breathless. (End of Chapter)