Honglou: This bastard is too persuasive.

Chapter 683 Attacking the Island Country
Laizhou Port was a busy scene. Yang Lin stood on the deck of the flagship, looking at the neatly arranged warships and the high-spirited soldiers, his heart filled with lofty sentiments and ambitions. He knew that this expedition was a heavy responsibility, but he was not afraid and firmly believed that he would be able to complete the task assigned by His Majesty.

"All troops, listen up, weigh anchor and set off!" With Yang Lin's order, the horn sounded, and the warship slowly sailed out of the port and headed towards the vast sea. The sea breeze was howling, and the waves hit the side of the ship, making a huge noise, but there was no fear on the faces of the soldiers. They held their weapons tightly and looked forward with firm eyes.

At the same time, the second army led by Wang Meng also set out from Dengzhou and successfully landed on the northern coast of the island country. They quickly set up camp and prepared to advance inland. When the island country's defenders learned that the Sui army was coming, they panicked and hurriedly mobilized troops to resist.

When Wang Meng learned of the enemy's movements, he smiled and said, "You've come at the right time. Let them see how powerful our Sui cavalry is!" He ordered the cavalry in front and the infantry in the back to form a square formation and launched a charge towards the enemy's position.

On the battlefield, the sound of horses' hooves was like thunder, and dust was flying. The Sui cavalry was like a tiger descending from a mountain, unstoppable, and instantly broke through the enemy's defense line. The infantry followed closely behind and engaged in fierce close combat with the enemy. The island country's defenders had never seen such a brave army, and they threw away their armor and fled in all directions.

Wang Meng led his army to pursue the victory, and they quickly occupied a large area of ​​land. They continued to advance southward, getting closer and closer to Yang Lin's troops.

The third army led by Li Jing also arrived at the southern waters of the island country smoothly as planned. They set up a dragnet on the sea and strictly inspected passing ships to prevent the island country from asking for help from other countries.

One day, Li Jing's patrol boat discovered a ship from the island nation that was trying to break through the blockade. After Li Jing learned the news, he immediately ordered a pursuit. The warships rushed towards the target like an arrow from a bow.

Soon, the Sui warships caught up with the island nation's ships. Seeing that the situation was not good, the island nation's crew tried to resist, but they were quickly subdued by the fierce attack of the Sui soldiers. Li Jing learned from the captives that the island nation's capital was short of troops at this time, and it was a good time to attack.

He immediately sent people to convey the news to Yang Lin and Wang Meng respectively, and at the same time led his army towards Kyoto.

After receiving the news from Li Jing, Yang Lin was overjoyed and said, "God helps me! The enemy's capital is empty, and we can take advantage of it. The whole army should speed up!" The warship broke through the waves on the sea, and the speed was getting faster and faster.

After sailing for several days and nights, Yang Lin's troops finally arrived in the waters near Kyoto, an island nation. They took advantage of the night and quietly approached the port of Kyoto.

The port's defenders were caught off guard by the Sui army. Yang Lin led his soldiers to land quickly and rushed towards the capital. The people in the city heard the shouts and screams and hid in their homes in fear.

At the same time, Wang Meng also led his troops to the city of Kyoto. After joining forces with Yang Lin's troops, they formed a siege on the city of Kyoto.

In Kyoto, the rulers of the island nation were terrified when they learned that the Sui army was approaching the city. They hurriedly mobilized the city's garrison to resist, but these garrison soldiers were pampered and had low combat effectiveness, and were no match for the Sui army.

The Sui army launched a fierce siege. Soldiers set up ladders and bravely climbed the city walls; archers shot at the enemy on the walls from below the city to cover the soldiers attacking the city. The enemy on the walls fought hard, but gradually could not hold out under the powerful offensive of the Sui army.

After a fierce battle, the Sui army finally broke through the gate of Kyoto City. Yang Lin and Wang Meng led the soldiers into the city and started street fighting with the enemy.

Under the heroic fighting of the Sui army, the defenders of the island countries surrendered one after another. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the rulers of the island countries had no choice but to leave the city and surrender to the Sui army.

At this point, the Great Sui Empire's conquest of the island country had achieved a complete victory. This war not only eliminated the threat of the island country to the coastal areas of the Great Sui, but also greatly enhanced the international prestige of the Great Sui Empire. After Jia Changsheng learned of the victory, he was very pleased and ordered a heavy reward for the soldiers who participated in the war.

The Sui Empire's army left a part of its troops in the island country to maintain local order and rule. At the same time, Jia Changsheng also sent officials to the island country to manage and educate it, promoting cultural exchanges and economic development between the two countries.

This war became a glorious chapter in the history of the Sui Empire, and also made people in later generations remember Jia Changsheng's great talent and the bravery and fearlessness of the Sui army.

In the island nation of Kyoto, the atmosphere in the imperial palace surrounded by cherry blossoms was as depressing and dreary as before a storm. The sunlight shone through the carved window lattices and sprinkled on the tatami floor, forming patches of mottled light and shadows, but this peaceful scene was completely broken by an urgent war report.

The emperor sat on a high throne, wearing a gorgeous robe and a crown that symbolized supreme power. But at this moment, his face was livid, and he tightly grasped the war report with both hands, his knuckles turning white due to the force. He stared at the words on the war report, as if he wanted to burn it with his eyes.

"The Sui army is attacking in three directions?" The emperor's voice was low and trembling, carrying anger and shock that was difficult to conceal, and it echoed in the empty hall.

At first, he thought he had misheard or the war report was wrong. Why did the Great Sui, that distant and powerful empire, suddenly turn its troops against a small island nation? But the conclusive information in the war report and the urgent military reports from the front forced him to accept this cruel reality.

"How is this possible! Why would they do this?" The anger in the emperor's voice was gradually replaced by depression. In his mind, the iron-like formation of the Sui army kept appearing. Compared with it, the island country's army was like an ant. He thought about the war that the people of the island country were about to face, and that his rule might be shaky because of it, and a deep sense of powerlessness surged in his heart.

This depression soon turned into deep panic. He seemed to have seen the Sui Dynasty's cavalry trampling the land of the island country, the people were displaced, the palace was breached, and he himself became a prisoner. His body trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead.

"Come here, quickly gather the civil and military officials to discuss countermeasures!" The emperor finally came to his senses and gave a loud order.

Soon, the civil and military officials of the island country came in a hurry. When they saw the emperor's gloomy face, they knew in their hearts that something extremely serious must have happened.

"Your Majesty, what exactly happened?" asked an elderly minister in a trembling voice.

The Emperor threw the battle report to the ground and said angrily, "Look for yourselves! The Sui army has divided into three groups to attack our country. Now they are at the gates of our city. What do you think we should do?"

The ministers picked up the battle reports and passed them around, causing an uproar in the hall.

"This... what should we do? The Sui Dynasty is a powerful country with a brave army. How can we resist it?" A young minister turned pale with fear and his voice was filled with tears.

"Your Majesty, I think we can send envoys to ask for peace and offer generous tributes. Perhaps the Sui Dynasty will withdraw its troops in recognition of our sincerity." A civil servant stepped out and said tremblingly.

"Ask for peace?" A general snorted disdainfully. "Since the Great Sui has already sent troops to invade, how can they retreat just for a little tribute? I think we should fight to the death, maybe there is still a glimmer of hope."

"Fight to the death?" Another civil servant retorted, "General, do you know the strength of the Sui army? What can we use to fight? I'm afraid we will die in vain."

The general was speechless, but he said unwillingly: "Are we just going to sit there and wait for death?"

In the hall, the ministers were divided into two factions, one advocating peace and the other advocating resistance. Both sides held their own opinions and argued fiercely.

The emperor became even more annoyed as he listened to the ministers' arguments. He slammed the table and shouted, "Stop arguing! Isn't there a better way?"

The hall suddenly fell silent, and the ministers all lowered their heads, not daring to speak. At this time, an old minister who had been silent all this time slowly stepped out. His name was Fujiwara Nobuyuki, and he was one of the most prestigious ministers in the island country. He was usually resourceful and deeply trusted by the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that may be worth a try." Fujiwara Nobuyuki's voice was neither hurried nor slow, but it attracted everyone's attention.

"Oh? My dear, what good idea do you have? Tell me quickly." The emperor said anxiously.

"Your Majesty, although the Sui army is powerful, they have come from afar and are bound to have logistical supply problems. We can first avoid their sharp edge, fortify the city and clear the fields, and move the people and supplies outside the city into the city, making it difficult for the Sui army to find supplies. At the same time, we will strengthen defenses in the city and wait for the opportunity." Fujiwara Nobuyuki said in an orderly manner.

"What if the Sui army continues to besiege us?" a minister asked.

"The Sui army cannot fight overseas for a long time. They also have many affairs to deal with at home. As long as we hold on for a while, the Sui army will inevitably retreat due to lack of food and grass. At that time, we will send troops to pursue them and perhaps we can win." Fujiwara Nobuyuki said confidently.

After listening to this, the emperor nodded slightly, thinking that Fujiwara no Nobuyuki's strategy made sense.

"Your Majesty, I have another plan." Fujiwara Nobuyuki continued, "We can send people to other countries to ask for help. Although our country's relations with other countries are not very close, at this critical moment of life and death, perhaps they will remember the principle of "the lips and the teeth are cold" and send troops to help."

"This is a very good plan." The emperor said, "Then I will send you to select suitable envoys and go to various countries to ask for help as soon as possible."

"As you wish." Fujiwara no Nobuyuki took the order and withdrew.

"Your Majesty, let's start preparing to fortify the city and strengthen its defenses now," said a minister.

"Okay, you will be responsible for this matter. Make sure it is completed as soon as possible." said the emperor.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The minister took the order and left.

"Your Majesty, I have something else to ask you." A general said, "Although we have to avoid the enemy's attack, we cannot completely resist. We can send out some small forces to harass the Sui army and make them restless."

"Well, this plan is feasible." The emperor said, "You can select some elite soldiers to form a harassment force to harass the Sui army. But be careful not to engage in a head-on confrontation with the Sui army to avoid suffering heavy losses."

"I obey your command." The general took the order and left.

Under the Emperor's arrangement, the island nation began to make intensive preparations for defense. Urged by the soldiers, the people outside the city rushed into the city with their belongings and food. For a time, Kyoto was overcrowded and bustling.

Outside the city, the Sui army had already completed the siege of Kyoto. Yang Lin and Wang Meng stood in front of the tent, looking at the solid Kyoto before them, thinking about how to break through the city as soon as possible.

"The walls of Kyoto City are tall and strong, and the defenses are tight. It may not be easy to break through." Wang Meng said with a frown.

"Hmph, no matter how strong the city wall is, it will be nothing but paper under the attack of our Sui army." Yang Lin said confidently, "Tomorrow, we will launch a siege and must take down Kyoto City in one fell swoop."

Wang Meng nodded and said, "Okay, let's attack the city tomorrow. However, we must also be careful of the counterattack of the island nation's army."

"Don't worry, I'm ready." Yang Lin said.

At this time, in Kyoto, the emperor stood on the tower of the imperial palace, looking at the densely packed Sui army outside the city, his heart filled with worry. He didn't know whether the envoy sent by Fujiwara Nobuyuki could bring reinforcements, nor whether the island country's defense could withstand the attack of the Sui army.

"Your Majesty, don't worry, we will definitely be able to overcome this crisis." A minister comforted.

The Emperor smiled wryly, nodded, and said, "I hope so."

The next morning, the Sui army blew the horn to attack the city. The soldiers pushed the siege equipment and rushed towards Kyoto. The island defenders on the city wall had already been ready, and they shot arrows and threw stones to try to stop the Sui army's attack.

The Sui army was not afraid, they bravely advanced despite the enemy's attacks. Ladders were placed against the city walls, and the soldiers climbed up along the ladders; siege vehicles kept hitting the city gates, making a loud noise.

On the city wall, the island country's defenders and the Sui army launched a fierce battle. Both sides fought back and forth, neither side gave in. The blood dyed the city wall red, and the soldiers' shouts were deafening.

Yang Lin and Wang Meng were commanding the battle at the foot of the city. They kept adjusting their offensive strategies, trying to break through the defenses of the island country's defenders. However, the defense of Kyoto City was too tight, and the attack of the Sui army was temporarily deadlocked.

"It seems that the Kyoto city is not so easy to break into." Yang Lin said with a frown.

"Yes, we can't attack by force, otherwise it will cause huge casualties." Wang Meng said, "We need to think of another way."

When the Sui army and the island country's defenders were in a stalemate, the envoys sent by Fujiwara Nobuyuki had already set out on a journey to various countries to ask for help. They carried the emperor's letter for help and traveled day and night, hoping to get help as soon as possible.

In Kyoto, the emperor and his ministers were also closely watching the situation on the battlefield. They all knew that the outcome of this war was related to the survival of the island nation.

"Your Majesty, the attack of the Sui army is too fierce, and our defenders can't hold on any longer." A minister said anxiously.

The emperor's expression became even uglier. He said, "We must hold on and wait for the arrival of reinforcements."

However, whether the reinforcements can arrive in time is still an unknown. The attack of the Sui army is still going on, and the fate of the island nation is hanging by a thread...

(End of this chapter)