Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 490 Doesn't this feel like a pre-arranged decision?
Fanyang.

Not long after Yuwentai returned to Fanyang from Luoyang, he received a letter from Chang'an.

"Uncle, how is it?"

Compared to Yuwen Hu, who is currently in Bohai, Yuwen Dao, a core member of the Yuwen family who has followed Dugu Xin in guarding Pingcheng for many years and has now been transferred back to Fanyang, possesses a depth rarely seen in people his age.

"The King of Qin appointed me to command the troops of You and Ying provinces and to capture Wuliluo."

Upon hearing this, Director Yuwen fell into deep thought.

"Is the King of Qin planning to first nibble away at the border cities of Goguryeo, and then advance slowly? If Goguryeo becomes alert and moves its army to Liaodong, won't the subsequent battles be more difficult?"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Tai shook his head and said:

"The scouts have reported that Goguryeo is currently fighting with Baekje for territory. Due to natural disasters, its national strength has also declined considerably. It has transferred its army from Pyongyang to Liaodong. If this drags on for too long and the situation changes, Baekje may lead its army north, and Pyongyang will also be in danger."

Goguryeo moved its capital to Pyongyang instead of using Liaodong City as its base because Liaodong City was too close to Hebei Province and offered little buffer.

When Sima Yi led his troops to attack the Gongsun clan, the Gongsun clan used the Liao River as a defensive line. However, Sima Yi bypassed the Gongsun clan's defenses, crossed the Liao River from the north, and drove straight to the city of Xiangping. He defeated the Gongsun clan's army that came to their aid, then besieged the city of Xiangping and destroyed the Gongsun clan.

Therefore, it is clear that the Liao River is not a strong defensive line, and there are more than one place where it can be breached.

Making Liaodong City the capital would have been too risky.

While moving the capital to Pyongyang provided Goguryeo with a strategic buffer, it also had drawbacks. The Goguryeo royal family was forced to delegate power to tribal chiefs and city lords in Liaodong and other areas, while also having to confront Baekje and Silla to the south.

Baekje and Silla, states formed by the convergence of tribes and city-states, can be said to have progressed alongside Goguryeo.

Compared to Baekje and Silla, Goguryeo was very strong on paper, but the Goguryeo king could not possibly mobilize all available troops from all over the country to destroy Silla and Baekje.

Each of the tribes and clans within Goguryeo had its own interests.

When facing Baekje and Silla, the main military force of the five tribes in the country came from the royal Guilou tribe and the eastern Sunnu tribe.

Upon hearing Yuwen Tai's words, Director Yuwen realized what was happening and said:

"Uncle, are you saying that the King of Qin wants to see the Goguryeo army running back and forth?"

Yuwentai looked at the handwriting on the letter, touched it slightly, and said:
"It's not that simple!"

Outside the window, many soldiers from the Sixth Garrison were preparing armor, weapons, and winter sweaters.

These soldiers from the six garrisons were experienced in combat and knew the battlefield environment well, as well as how to deal with it.

Yuwentai looked at the busy scene of his soldiers and said leisurely:
"A complete takeover would unite Goguryeo in one heart, while a gradual encroachment would cause the four surrounding cities to harbor their own ambitions."

From the Six Garrisons to Hebei, of the original 200,000 soldiers, only two remain today: those from Fanyang and Yecheng.

"Announce to the entire army that the King of Qin has decreed that all spoils of this battle shall belong to the soldiers."

As soon as the order was issued, all the soldiers of the six garrisons cheered.

Seeing the soldiers cheering and jumping for joy, Yuwen Tai felt a mix of emotions.

Yuwentai knew exactly how to use this army, and so did Li Shuang.

……

Yecheng.

"He Liuhun, why is it that every time something good happens, those Wuchuan people get it first?"

Sima Ziru stared at Gao Huan, feeling quite annoyed.

The reason is simple: originally, the spoils were split 30/70 between Gao Huan and the Hebei aristocratic families. After Cui Ling entered the picture, this split continued to decrease.

Gao Huan's old brothers from Huai Shuo lived in the prosperous city of Ye, but their lives were similar to those of the people from Wu Chuan in the north, and everyone harbored resentment.

Gao Huan knew what his men were thinking, and smiled:
"What can we do? Yuwen Tai's troops rely on Goguryeo. If we go up, the Wuchuan people will be in charge of logistics. Are you sure you can trust them?"

Sima Ziru shook his head upon hearing this.

After the Battle of Lijiang, Li Shuang led his army to Huatai, accepted the last legacy of the northerners, and withdrew more than a thousand cavalry from Wuchuan and Huaishuo.

During the southward campaign, all five thousand cavalrymen who accompanied the army received rewards, titles, and honors. However, the problem was that Sima Ziru, Sun Teng, and others did not go.

Even now, Duan Shao has been granted the titles of Light Cavalry Commandant and Baron of Baigu County, and is able to go to Jinyong City to attend the meeting convened by the Tian Ce Mansion, but these old seniors are still the same as before.

“He Liuhun, at this point, it is no longer feasible for us Huai Shuo people to remain trapped in Ye City.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Huan's expression changed, and he asked:

What do you mean?

"We need to earn military merit!"

Ye City is wealthy, but its potential is limited; they simply cannot expand outwards.

As a result, Ye City had more than 10,000 soldiers from the six garrisons, but in reality, they had no use for their military skills and could only maintain order.

"You weren't always like this?"

Gao Huan clearly remembered that when he first arrived in Ye City, Sima Ziru, Sun Teng, and other officials from Huai Shuo Town were resistant to Li Shuang's military achievements.

"Today is different from the past!"

Sima Ziru sighed:
"If we don't perform meritorious service, how can we face Xiaoxian and the others?"

Sima Ziru grasped Gao Huan's hand, her expression sincere and earnest, and said:
"This is not only my idea, but also the idea of ​​a group of old brothers in the city."

Gao Huan nodded and said:

"Therefore, I will write to Chang'an."

After Sima Ziru left, Lou Zhaojun came into the room, looked at the untidy table, and asked:
"What does Sima Ziru want with you?"

Gao Huan smiled and said:
"After heading south to Jiankang, they gained much, and Sima Ziru and his men could no longer sit still and wanted to launch a campaign against Goguryeo."

Lou Zhaojun smiled upon hearing this.

"But Yuwentai is managing You and Ying prefectures, so what can he do?"

Gao Huan was not in a hurry, he simply said:
“The territory of Yingzhou is not something that Yuwentai can control alone.”

……

After reading the letter Gao Huan sent, Hou Jing looked at Li Shuang with disbelief.

"He Liuhun also wants to conquer Goguryeo?"

Li Shuang smiled and asked in return:
"Can't he go?"

Hou Jing shook his head and said:

"That is not my intention, but Yuwen Tai is leading the main force of the army. If He Liuhun were to go, he could only lead a detachment. Even if he were willing, would Sima Ziru and Sun Teng be willing?"

Li Shuang nodded and said:

“I am also very worried. The governor of Yingzhou, Kezhu Hunyuan, is Yuwen Tai’s subordinate, but he also has a close relationship with Gao Huan. If these two groups gather in Yingzhou, who knows how much trouble they will cause.”

After listening, Hou Jing seemed to be deep in thought, and asked:

"What about that?"

"This requires someone with sufficient prestige and ability to go to Yingzhou to stabilize the situation."

Hou Jing realized what was happening and looked at Li Shuang.

"Does Your Majesty think this person might be me?"

"Wan Jing, I am very pleased that you have volunteered."

"..."

(End of this chapter)