Honglou: This bastard is too persuasive.

Chapter 652: Goguryeo's Response

The atmosphere in the meeting room was so solemn that it seemed as if water could drip out of it. A group of Goguryeo generals and counselors sat around a huge map table. The map detailed the various cities of Goguryeo and the surrounding mountains and rivers. Everyone had a solemn and anxious look on their faces.

General Gao Meng slammed the table so hard that the teacups on the table jumped up. "What on earth is Jia Changsheng up to? Pu Sheng, tell me the intelligence in more detail."

Pu Sheng wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling slightly: "General, our intelligence personnel took great risks to get this information. According to reliable information, Jia Changsheng's army is secretly mobilizing, and its target is locked on one of Fengyu City and Liubian City, but which one it is, is still unknown. These two cities are located in the south and north, far apart, and our troop deployment..."

Before Park Seung could finish, Cui Xian, the counselor, frowned and interrupted, "Is this information reliable? How can it be so vague? If we make a misjudgment, Goguryeo will be in danger!"

Pu Sheng looked embarrassed. "Master Advisor, our intelligence personnel have done their best. Jia Changsheng's army is extremely well guarded. This news was accidentally learned from a low-level soldier among them. It should be credible to a certain extent, but that soldier is not clear about the exact target."

An old general snorted coldly: "Humph, isn't this like a blind man groping in the dark? Both cities have important strategic significance. Fengyu City is an important commercial town in the south. If it is lost, the economy will suffer serious damage. Hexagonal City is close to the northern border and is a key node of military defense. Once it is breached, the enemy can march straight in. What should we do?"

General Gao Meng took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "Everyone, don't panic. Let's analyze it carefully. Judging from Jia Changsheng's previous combat style, he likes to attack places with relatively weak defenses but high strategic value. Park Sheng, tell me about the current strength and defense situation of the two cities."

Pu Sheng quickly flipped open the bamboo slips in his hand and read: "There are 3,000 defenders in Fengyu City. The city wall repair work has just been completed. The fortifications are relatively complete, but because they have been in the rear for a long time, the soldiers are relatively inexperienced in actual combat. There are 4,000 defenders in Hexagonal City, and most of them are veterans who have experienced battles. However, the city wall has been in disrepair for many years and has been damaged in many places. Repairs are being stepped up."

Advisor Cui Xian shook his head slightly. "It seems that both cities have opportunities. Although Fengyu City has fewer soldiers, the city wall is newly built and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Hexagonal City has slightly more soldiers, but the damaged city wall is a big hidden danger. Will Jia Changsheng deliberately release this vague information to make us lose our composure, and then he will raid other places?"

These words startled everyone, and General Gao Meng's eyes became more worried: "Cui Xian, you are right. But we can't take risks, we must be prepared for both situations. If we divide our forces to defend, we are afraid that the forces will be dispersed and defeated one by one; if we concentrate our forces in one place, if we make the wrong choice, the consequences will be disastrous."

At this time, a young general could not help but speak up: "General, I think we should send a small group of elite troops to lurk near the two cities. Once we find the movements of Jia Changsheng's army, report immediately, so that we can respond in time."

Cui Xian, the counselor, shook his head and objected: "No. Jia Changsheng is cunning and suspicious. If our small force is discovered, it will alert him and make him change his plan in advance. Moreover, our forces will be further dispersed. If he takes the opportunity to attack our defenseless areas, we will be in a passive position."

Everyone fell silent, and everyone was thinking hard about how to break the impasse. As time passed, the atmosphere became more and more depressing.

Suddenly, General Gao Meng raised his head and said, "I have an idea. We can set up an ambush on the road between the two cities. No matter which city he attacks, he must pass through there. In this way, we can not only grasp his movements, but also strike him during his march and disrupt his deployment."

Cui Xian's eyes lit up: "General, this is a brilliant plan! But it also has risks. If Jia Changsheng finds out about our ambush and takes a detour, then our efforts will be in vain. Moreover, the terrain between the two cities is complex, and it is not easy to find a suitable ambush site."

Everyone started a heated discussion about the ambush plan. Some people suggested setting an ambush in the valley and using the terrain advantage to attack the enemy from a high position; others were worried that the valley would be easily blocked and surrounded by the enemy, thus trapping their own troops.

While the debate was going on, Park Sheng brought new news: "General, we found a mysterious team behind Jia Changsheng's army. There are not many people, but their whereabouts are strange. I don't know what their purpose is."

This news made the already complicated situation even more confusing. Everyone looked at each other, their hearts filled with doubts and uneasiness.

General Gao Meng rubbed his temples and said, "Let's ignore this mysterious team for now. Our top priority is to determine Jia Changsheng's target. Cui Xian, think about it carefully. Analyze Jia Changsheng's personality, his army's supply lines, recent weather, etc. and see if you can find some clues."

Advisor Cui Xian closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then said, "From the supply line point of view, if we attack Fengyu City, Jia Changsheng's army will need to cross a mountain range, and supply transportation will be more difficult; while if we attack Hexagonal City, the supply line is relatively short and flat. But if we take the weather into consideration, there have been heavy rains in the south recently, and the roads are muddy, which is not conducive to marching, while the weather in the north is sunny. These two contradict each other and it is really difficult to judge."

Everyone fell silent again, and the entire meeting room was filled with a feeling of helplessness and anxiety. This contest under the fog of intelligence made the generals of Goguryeo deeply appreciate Jia Changsheng's shrewdness, but whether they can find the right direction in this chaotic situation and defend their city is still an unknown...

As time went by, the sky outside gradually darkened, and the lights were turned on in the meeting room, but the haze in everyone's heart did not diminish at all. They knew that this game of wits with Jia Changsheng had just begun, and the fate of Goguryeo was hanging on this difficult decision.

At dawn, Jia Changsheng's army camp was already busy. In the main tent, Jia Changsheng was looking at the map in deep thought, his finger slowly moving along the location of Fengyu City, his eyes revealing determination and courage.

"My lord, everything is ready. When are we going to set out to attack Fengyu City?" A general stepped forward and asked with a bow.

Jia Changsheng raised his head slightly, his eyes sparkling with light: "Although Fengyu City is rich, its defense cannot be underestimated. Pass the order down, the entire army will set out immediately and must arrive at Fengyu City within three days."

"Yes!" The general took the order and left. Soon, the horn sounded and the army marched towards Fengyu City in a mighty manner.

During the march, Jia Changsheng rode on a tall horse and observed the progress of the troops. The soldiers marched in unison and their morale was high, and it was obvious that they were full of confidence in this expedition.

"My lord, I heard that the walls of Fengyu City are tall and strong. How can we break into the city?" the counselor beside him asked softly.

Jia Changsheng raised his lips, revealing a confident smile: "The military situation is ever-changing, and the water has no fixed shape. Although Fengyu City has the advantage of the city wall, we can first send a small force to pretend to attack the city to attract their troops, and then find the weak points in their defense and launch a surprise attack."

The strategist nodded slightly, deeply impressed by Jia Changsheng's strategy.

The team continued to move forward. Suddenly, a scout came to report: "My lord, a group of bandits were spotted ahead, robbing passing merchants."

Jia Changsheng's eyes flashed coldly: "You are just a bunch of bandits, how dare you act so arrogantly under my nose. Leave 500 soldiers to wipe out the bandits, and the rest of the troops will continue to move forward."

Soon, the five hundred soldiers rushed towards the bandits like a tiger pouncing on its prey. The bandits were no match for the regular army and were soon beaten and fled in all directions.

After two days of rapid march, Jia Changsheng's army finally arrived at the outskirts of Fengyu City. Jia Changsheng stood on a high slope, looking at the walls of Fengyu City, secretly thinking about the plan of attacking the city. "My lord, should we attack the city now?" The generals asked for battle one after another.

Jia Changsheng shook his head: "Don't worry, set up camp first to rest and let the soldiers recuperate. At the same time, send some soldiers to challenge the generals outside the city and insult them to provoke them to come out of the city to fight."

So, Jia Changsheng's soldiers started shouting and cursing outside the city. The generals guarding the city were indeed enraged. They wanted to go out of the city to meet the enemy several times, but were stopped by the city lord every time.

"Humph, these guys are pretty patient." Jia Changsheng smiled after learning this, "But it would be better if they don't leave the city. We can just prepare siege equipment."

In the following day, Jia Changsheng's army was busy building siege equipment such as ladders and catapults, while the defenders of Fengyu City were busy strengthening the defense inside the city.

On the night before the siege, Jia Changsheng was studying the siege route in his tent when a soldier suddenly came to report: "My lord, there is a group of people outside who want to see you and say they want to join the army."

Jia Changsheng was slightly startled, then said: "Let them in."

After a while, a group of people with ragged clothes but determined eyes walked in, led by a burly man.

"Why do you want to join the army?" Jia Changsheng asked.

The big man stepped forward, clasped his fists and said, "We are all local people. We heard that the general is going to attack Fengyu City to rid the people of harm. We are fed up with the oppression of corrupt officials in this city, so we come to join the army, hoping to follow the general to make achievements."

Jia Changsheng's heart moved. The participation of these people would undoubtedly increase the morale and strength of the army.

"Well, since you have made up your mind, I welcome you. From now on, you are a member of my Jia Changsheng army. You must obey orders and fight bravely."

"Thank you, General!" Everyone knelt down to express their gratitude.

With these new soldiers, the morale of the army was even higher. The next morning, Jia Changsheng stood in front of the battle line, looking at Fengyu City, and shouted loudly: "Soldiers, today is the day we attack Fengyu City. The defenders of this city have oppressed the people and committed all kinds of evil. We must seek justice for the people. Charge!"

Suddenly, trumpets and shouts of killing were heard everywhere, and Jia Changsheng's army pushed the siege equipment and launched a fierce attack on Fengyu City.

Soldiers carried ladders and braved the rain of arrows from the city walls, and bravely advanced. Catapults also continuously threw huge stones into the city, destroying many houses and fortifications.

The defenders on the city wall fought desperately, and the two sides were engaged in a fierce battle. Jia Changsheng personally supervised the battle and commanded the soldiers to attack.

"Concentrate your forces to attack the East Gate!" Jia Changsheng discovered that the defense of the East Gate was relatively weak and immediately gave the order.

The soldiers received the order and rushed to the east gate. In the fierce battle, Jia Changsheng's army gradually gained the upper hand, and the defenders of the east gate began to panic.

"Now, rush into the city!" Jia Changsheng seized the opportunity and shouted loudly.

The soldiers shouted, broke through the east gate, and poured into Fengyu City. The defenders in the city fled everywhere, and Jia Changsheng's army took advantage of the victory to pursue them and soon controlled most of Fengyu City.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the mayor of Fengyu City had no choice but to surrender. Jia Changsheng entered the mayor's mansion, looked at the mayor kneeling on the ground, and said coldly: "During your reign, you oppressed the people, which is an unforgivable crime. However, I will spare your life today, hoping that you can reform yourself."

The city lord kowtowed repeatedly to express his gratitude.

After Jia Changsheng occupied Fengyu City, he immediately appeased the people, opened the granaries to release grain, and won the support and love of the people.

"My lord, what should we do next?" asked the counselor.

Jia Changsheng looked at the map and pointed his finger northward along the road: "Fengyu City is just our first step. Next, we must continue to march northward, capture more cities, and achieve great things."

So, after a short rest, Jia Changsheng's army set out on the journey again, heading straight ahead towards the unknown, with high morale, as if nothing could stop them from moving forward...

As the army continued to advance, more and more people heard of Jia Changsheng's reputation and came to join the army. Jia Changsheng's power grew like a snowball. In this war-torn land, Jia Changsheng's name gradually became a legend. Wherever his army went, it attracted the attention and shock of all forces. His story has just begun...

In the meeting hall of the Goguryeo royal palace, the atmosphere was as heavy as the depression before a storm. The Goguryeo king sat high up, his face so gloomy that water could drip out of it, and the civil officials and military officers below were also silent, with only the occasional subtle sound of armor colliding, which seemed particularly clear in this silent hall.

"Tell me, how was Fengyu City lost?" The King of Goguryeo finally broke the silence, his voice filled with uncontrollable anger and heartache.

Pu Yong, the general in charge of border defense, stepped out of the line in fear and trepidation, and knelt on the ground with a plop. "Your Majesty, Jia Changsheng's army came suddenly, and their siege tactics were extremely tricky. Although our defenders in Fengyu City fought desperately, they used small forces to harass and feint, while the main force raided our weakest defense, the west gate. By the time we noticed, the enemy had already broken through the defense line, and the city was in chaos..."

(End of this chapter)