Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 499 As long as he exhausts his true energy
Liaodong City.

As the largest city in Liaodong, Liaodong City was arguably the largest stronghold of Goguryeo in the east.

As early as the Warring States period, this city was the foundation of the Yan state in its eastern border defense against the Donghu.

As time passed and years flew by, after Goguryeo seized Liaodong a century ago, Liaodong City became the most important place for Goguryeo to manage.

The Liaodong Chengnu Sa held a special position, as they were able to directly participate in the decision-making of the Goguryeo royal court.

However, as the imperial edict to conquer Liaodong was proclaimed throughout the land, the situation in Liaodong changed.

In the past, the Northern Dynasty's defensive and offensive center was Shouyang, which was the Southern Dynasty's center. But now, with the army moving eastward, Liaoze, which was once considered a natural barrier, is no longer secure. As Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai led their six garrison troops to the west of the Liao River, Liaodong City, which is just across the river, suddenly became the front line.

This made it difficult for the Nüsa of Liaodong City to control himself, and consequently, the cities of Gaimou in the north and Jian'an and Anshi in the south would also suffer collateral damage.

In the mansion of the city lord of Liaodong, envoys from the city lords of various cities in Liaodong had gathered to discuss a countermeasure.

How should we deal with a formidable enemy approaching from afar?

Liaodong is the most important agricultural region in Northeast China. Although the weather is cold, it is not impossible to farm. In this agricultural region, with Liaodong City as the center, the cities to the north such as Gaimu and to the south such as Jian'an and Anshi are closely connected.

When one loses, both suffer, and when one gains, both prosper.

"Hebasheng led his Hu cavalry from afar, and Wushi of Fuyu City closed the city and remained silent."

"Murong Shaozong led a large army across the sea to attack Beisha City, but at this time he was unaware of the current situation."

"Da Yeshuang led his troops here, with Gao Huan, Yuwen Tai, and Hou Jing as his henchmen. Their forces have already reached the Liao River. I heard that Da Yeshuang is advancing by both land and water, and he has three or four hundred ships just for transporting supplies."

……

The Goguryeo people were not unaware of the situation outside.

In fact, the Goguryeo people had been ruling Liaodong for a century, and their power had already extended to every corner. Moreover, the Northern Wei and Goguryeo were not completely cut off from each other; trade continued, and Goguryeo could learn about the internal situation of both dynasties in a timely manner through merchants and envoys. Goguryeo could even communicate with the Western Rouran, who were far away in the Western Regions.

In fact, after realizing that Li Shuang had ordered the preparation of weapons, uniforms, and provisions, Goguryeo sent envoys to make contact with the Western Rouran.

Goguryeo wanted to form an alliance with the Rouran's chieftain, Doufa Khan, Yujiulü Anagui, to attack from both the east and west. Even before Tuyuhun submitted, Goguryeo had its sights set on Tuyuhun.

Unfortunately, the Western Rouran and the Hephthalites were locked in a fierce struggle for supremacy in the Western Regions and had no time to look eastward.

The Goguryeo people were astonished to find that when Li Shuang set his sights on them, they no longer had any allies.

Baekje and Silla, one of which shared the same origin as Goguryeo and the other established by the indigenous people of the peninsula, both had enmity with Goguryeo and could not become allies.

Needless to say, Japan, which is further east, regarded Goguryeo as a major enemy.

As for the Khitan, Xi, Mohe, and Shiwei to the north, their strength was far inferior, and they dared not easily step into this war. More accurately, they dared not stand on the side of Goguryeo.

Today, the Goguryeo people are isolated and helpless.

The Lord of Liaodong City had a weathered face, with a touch of shrewdness.

"That old fox Wu Shi's failure to surrender immediately is the greatest help to us."

More than forty years ago, the Buyeo Kingdom was destroyed, and the Buyeo people submitted to Goguryeo. The Buyeo Kingdom and Goguryeo shared the same origin, and after the fall of the Buyeo Kingdom, the Buyeo people's former ambition to become a hegemon faded.

One important reason is that the land of Buyeo is mostly swampy and the weather is much colder, and the land it possesses is nowhere near as large as that of Liaodong, which has been cultivated since the time of the Yan Kingdom.

But at some point, the situation changed.

The main issue is that the situation surrounding the former territory of Buyeo has changed.

The Khitan, Xi, Mohe, Shiwei and other tribes, under the constraints of a stronger power, were no longer as aggressive as before.

This gave the people of Fuyu more room to live.

The external conditions faced by the Buyeo people changed, and the city lord of Buyeo, Wu Shi, also became adept at maneuvering. He took advantage of the internal strife in Goguryeo to grow stronger and even won over the surrounding tribes to his own use.

Those within Goguryeo were not unaware of Use's growing military power, but in the past, without external threats, no one would bring up such matters voluntarily, lest they invite trouble. After all, Use's daughter was the principal wife of Goguryeo.

But now that foreign enemies have arrived, Wu Shi's attitude has become even more important.

He commanded a powerful army to defend against the Mohe and Shiwei tribes in the north. If he surrendered, Hebasheng's cavalry could march straight to the walls of Gaimou City.

At that time, Hebasheng from the north and Murong Shaozong from the south will attack from both sides, leaving Liaodong City isolated and its defenses inevitably caught in a situation where they have to defend one side while the other is overwhelmed.

“Tell your master that we have been here for over a hundred years. Now that Da Ye Shuang has come from afar, we do not know when the royal army will arrive. The only way to win is to close the city and defend ourselves.”

“Nyusa, what does that mean?”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Lord of Liaodong City stood up and said:

"The reason why Sima Zhongda was able to resist the Shu army and prevent Yong and Liang from falling into enemy hands was simply because of the word 'delay'."

"drag?"

"As long as we unite as one and defend our city, what can Da Yeshuang do, even if he has an invincible army? When his supplies run out, the biting cold wind of Liaodong will help us retreat."

……

Yingzhou.

"It looks like they're trying to stall!"

Li Shuang looked at the battle reports from the front lines and murmured to himself.

Hou Jing, standing nearby, whispered:

"Goguryeo has countless cities of all sizes in Liaodong. If we were to attack them one by one, it would be a protracted and extremely disadvantageous task for us."

The Goguryeo people had years of reserves and held a geographical advantage, so they were not afraid of delaying.

Over the centuries, the Goguryeo people faced the armies of the Central Plains and developed a very sophisticated survival skill through life-and-death struggles.

They will build a fortified mountain city that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

These mountain towns may have low economic benefits, but their defensive capabilities are absolutely top-notch.

Attacking them one by one would be a thankless and exhausting task.

"My lord, what should we do?"

Li Shuang smiled and said:
“Divide the troops and generals, let Yuwen Tai attack Gaimu and other cities north of Liaodong City, and let Gao Huan attack Jian’an and other cities south of Liaodong City.”

Just as Li Shuang finished speaking, and Hou Jing was about to speak, Zu Ting spoke first:

"Your Majesty, this plan is brilliant!"

After Zu Ting finished speaking, ignoring Hou Jing's expression, he continued:

"Your subject is willing to go to the location of the Duke of Wei and join him in attacking the cities of Jian'an."

Hou Jing, upon hearing this, thought angrily:

That treacherous minister!

Everyone knows that Gaimuzhu City, north of Liaodong City, is the real tough nut to crack!

However, Li Shuang did not give Hou Jing a chance to refute.

"Therefore, Wan Jing went to Yuwen Tai's side."

……

(End of this chapter)