Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 161 There are always people with evil intentions

"An investigation has been launched, but the effect is minimal."

Gao Huizhen shook her head. Those spies seemed to be omnipresent. They could find clues everywhere, but when they found the last clue, they disappeared.

"Then never mind. Reorganize the army, attack Liaocheng, and capture Crown Prince Li Chengqian alive."

Gao Yanshou knew that such an opportunity for battle was rare and the Tang army's forces were scattered. Now was the time to capture Liaocheng and expand the results of the battle.

Once Crown Prince Li Chengqian is captured, attack and defense will be easy, and Goguryeo will take the initiative.

As for the current military morale and public opinion, it is no longer that important.

"Is it too risky to abandon the city and fight? We are surrounded by Tang troops on all sides, which may not be a good idea."

Gao Huizhen's considerations were more cautious and she did not agree to take the initiative to attack. After all, they were now at an absolute disadvantage.

If they fail to capture Liao City, Gaimu City and the other three cities will have their main forces deployed, making it most likely that the Tang army will take advantage of the situation and invade.

The situation was not what they had imagined. Wei Xuanzhen seized military power in Liaodong, causing chaos within the Tang army, giving them a chance to catch their breath.

The best way is to defend the city and wait for more anti-Tang forces to join.

"Put yourself in a desperate situation and then survive. Once you capture Liaocheng and capture Li Chengqian alive, I will become famous and can call on more people to rebel against the Tang Dynasty. Restoring the country will be just around the corner. Now that the Tang army has not yet returned to help, this opportunity cannot be missed."

Gao Yanshou had keen insight and was able to lead Goguryeo's military and political affairs for many years, so his strength was naturally strong.

It was only because he encountered the strongest carbon-based creatures of the seventh century, Li Shimin, and the god of war Li Ji, that he became a background board.

If it were any other opponent, they would still be able to compete, but the outcome would be unpredictable.

"Since the king has made such a decision, then order all armies to attack Tang."

Although Gao Huizhen was worried, she still needed to take a risk to break the deadlock in the face of such an unfavorable situation.

On that day, he immediately reorganized 70,000 troops, crossed the Hunhe River, and quickly headed towards Liaocheng.

Soldiers are valuable and quick.

They traveled day and night and arrived outside Liaocheng in less than three days.

Faced with Gao Yanshou's sudden army approaching, Xue Rengui, the defender of Liaocheng, was also shocked.

More than 70,000 Tang troops were stationed in Liaocheng, Anshi, Jian'an and Huaiyuan, and the number of garrison troops in Liaocheng was less than 10,000.

How can we not feel pressured when the enemy forces are several times our number?

"Your Highness, Gao Yanshou has come from afar, and he arrived in a hurry. Now his army is exhausted. I am willing to lead a group of elite soldiers to defeat him."

Seeing Gao Yanshou's troops with low morale, Xue Rengui immediately asked for orders.

He was unstoppable in charging into battle, but the presence of Li Chengqian made him feel torn and unable to move freely.

Gao Yanshou gave up other cities because of Li Chengqian.

"Gao Yanshou is well versed in military tactics. He must have expected that our army would attack the camp at this time. We must have been prepared and might even fall into their trap."

Li Chengqian shook his head. From a distance, the morale of the Goguryeo Restoration Army was low, but they marched in a measured manner, set up camp in a methodical manner, and had strict military discipline, so there was no opportunity for them to take advantage of.

Now is the time when two armies are facing each other, and tricky tactics are not appropriate.

"These Goguryeo soldiers are fickle. We should have killed them all at the beginning."

Niu Jinda snorted.

At that time, in order to stabilize the military and civilian morale of Goguryeo, Li Ji did not punish Gao Yanshou. Instead, he let him lead his old subordinates to show the kindness of the Tang army.

At first, the response was very good. The more than 100,000 troops led by Gao Yanshou were quickly pacified, which indirectly stabilized the situation in Liaodong. In general, not killing is much more useful than killing.

"The restoration of Goguryeo was expected. We are not too passive if there is a premature rebellion now."

All this was within Li Chengqian's expectations. All that was missing for Goguryeo to be restored was an opportunity.

In history, Goguryeo was restored more than once or twice.

Isn't this passive? Niu Jinda's face twitched slightly, he was double-teamed.

"Your Highness, Gao Yanshou is coming with great force. I think we should ask for help from the surrounding cities in time, and then surround Gao Yanshou's troops outside Liao City and annihilate them."

Niu Jinda advised that they only needed to send troops from Jian'an, Anshi and other cities to encircle Gao Yanshou.

"I think General Niu's proposal is risky. Encircling a point and attacking the reinforcements is the characteristic of our Tang army. But now we cannot rule out the possibility that Gao Yanshou will also use this method to defeat each reinforcement one by one."

Xue Rengui countered that the number of the reinforcements must be small and they would most likely be defeated by Gao Yanshou.

The Tang army originally deployed to the entire Liaodong battlefield had only about 70,000 troops. Now that they are dispersed for defense, they cannot mobilize more people.

"General Xue is right. Gao Yanshou is probably asking us to send troops to ask for help, or hoping that other cities will come to rescue us. At this time, we should send people to break out, but not to ask for help. Instead, we should let all Tang troops stay put and guard their own cities."

Li Chengqian thought for a while and said.

Once soldiers from other important cities are withdrawn to provide assistance, the defense will inevitably be left unattended, which will give the rebel forces in the city an opportunity.

If things go wrong, some of the cities currently occupied by the Goryeo army may change hands overnight.

There are always people who have evil intentions.

Just like what happened after Xue Rengui sent troops to Tubo, the entire Goguryeo region rebelled.

In such a short period of time, the two sides have not even had time to get used to each other, making it more likely for conflict to break out.

Li Chengqian's drastic actions against the Goguryeo clans were the ultimate cause of this turmoil.

"Your Highness, please think twice. If we do this, we will be isolated and helpless. Your Highness's safety is the top priority. We must not do this."

Niu Dajin immediately objected.

"My Great Tang soldiers have always been able to defeat the enemy with fewer troops. Now that I am here, is it impossible?"

Li Chengqian smiled.

"This..." Niu Dajin was speechless. What he said was true, but it also depends on who is giving the order, right?
Now, those powerful people are either imprisoned by you or sidelined by you. Who can win with a few?
alone?
It would be fine if it was twice as much, but now it’s seven times as much, and my small body can’t handle it.

Although Xue Rengui was good at charging into battle, Niu Dajin did not have much expectation for him to command such a large army.

The courage of one person cannot take away the will of the entire army.

As for Li Chengqian's current achievements, Niu Dajin believes that they are all due to the efforts of his soldiers.

"By the way, Your Highness, General Xue Wanche is still in the city. He has been through many battles, so maybe he can come up with a plan to defeat the enemy?"

Niu Dajin thought of a way to break the impasse.

"General Xue Rengui, what do you think?"

Li Chengqian looked at Xue Rengui and asked, without directly answering Niu Dajin's question.

He intentionally isolated Xue Wanche, so he didn't want to reinstate him.

After all, he is not one of his own.

(End of this chapter)