Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 501 This is what you call a win-win situation

In early April of the fifth year of the Datong era (539), after Hou Jing seized Xincheng, Yuwen Tai led an army of 10,000 men and marched straight to Xuantu City.

All the cities were terrified, and no one knew what to do.
Without hesitation, Yuwen Tai, having already captured Xincheng, intensified his preparations and worked with Hou Jing to cut off the upper and lower reaches of the Xiaoliao River, thus gaining a favorable position to deal with possible reinforcements from the Goguryeo army, while also waiting for the subsequent supply trains.

The city of Xuantu, built on the mountain, remained completely still, its gates tightly shut. The vast farmlands below the mountain had now been converted into military camps.

Yuwen Tai stood on the high ground, looking at the mountain city with sharp eyes.

Goguryeo's mountain fortresses were not very large, but they occupied strategic locations, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Xuantu City, Xincheng, Gaimu City, and their respective branch cities were built on both banks of the Xiaoliao River, forming a defensive triangle that protected this fertile land.

What the Goguryeo people did not expect was that the new city in the northeast was the first to be captured, and in such a way.

This directly led to the loss of the rear area in this region.

But before the Goguryeo people could react, Yuwen Tai arrived with his army.

Yuwen Tai acted quickly, but his only disadvantage was that siege equipment and a large number of supply troops were still behind him and would take time to arrive, so he could not attack the city immediately.

"How is Gaimou City?"

Yuwentai looked at his general Liu Liang, who had just finished inspecting the front lines and reported:
"The forces in Gaimou and other cities number less than 15,000. Now that the new city has been breached, the troops in the other cities have been dispersed by our army. The troops in Gaimou are not strong enough to fight against our army. It is better to keep the city closed and not come out."

"Close the city gates and defend ourselves, awaiting reinforcements!"

Yuwentai recited these words.

He looked at Xuantu City not far away, and with the city's defenses, it was indeed sufficient to realize this plan.

Unfortunately, cities are defended by people. And people have all sorts of thoughts and interests.

"Send an envoy to Xuantu City and inform the city lord that our army, under the orders of the King of Qin, has recaptured Liaodong. If he surrenders with courtesy, he will be assured of wealth and honor. If he resists stubbornly, the entire city will be slaughtered on the day the city falls!"

After Yuwen Tai finished speaking, his general Liu Liang paused for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:
"promise!"

……

Yuwen Tai's words quickly reached the ears of the city lord of Xuantu City, after all, the two sides were not far apart.

Standing atop the city walls of Xuantu City, one can clearly see Yuwentai's camp.

The city lord of Xuantu City understood Yuwen Tai's meaning very well, and he also wanted to say a few strong words to refuse Yuwen Tai.

The city lord of Xuantu City felt heartbroken looking at the fields and villages occupied by Yuwen Tai's army.

Everyone understood that closing the city off and dragging things out was the best approach.

But when the enemy army actually reaches the city walls and your territory is occupied by them, your thoughts will change.

The fields surrounding Xuantu City should have been ready for planting at this time.

But now, with the war raging, the year's agricultural work is essentially over. Even if they ultimately win and the enemy retreats, the losses cannot be recovered.

With Hou Jing's support, the Sun family had already taken over the reins of power in Xincheng.

Could there be another member of the Sun family in Xuantu City?
Even if they don't, and the entire city of Xuantu is stubbornly holding out here, won't they ultimately be doing all the work for someone else?
Putting everything else aside, Gai Moucheng hasn't made a move at the moment. Could it be that he's deliberately sitting on the sidelines and watching the two tigers fight?
Even if they win in the end and Yuwen Tai leads his army to withdraw, how much compensation can he, as the city lord of Xuantu City, receive from the capital?
But what if we lose? What if Yuwen Tai really massacres the city?

One thought after another inevitably popped into the mind of the city lord of Xuantu City.

However, none of these questions have been answered.

The city lord of Xuantu City summoned his trusted confidants and asked:

"Their army is formidable. If they launch a full-scale attack on the city, how should I respond so as not to fail the kindness of the King of Anwon?"

The confidant of the city lord of Xuantu City was a Confucian scholar with an eight-cornered mustache and a cunning smile.

"Goguryeo has been a kingdom for nearly six hundred years, and it has held Liaodong for over a hundred years. In those wars, it always profited greatly from China's decline. Now, the King of Qin has swept away all the warlords of the land, commanding two hundred thousand armored soldiers. The northern barbarians and the southern elites all vie to serve him. The troops of the Six Garrisons and the river and Huai River soldiers—these were all the King of Qin's former enemies, and now they serve under his command, demonstrating his magnanimity and benevolence. To be an enemy now is hardly a good thing. If the city falls and the ancestral temple is destroyed, it won't be far off!" The city lord of Xuantu City smiled upon hearing this.

Are you trying to persuade me to surrender?

"I am merely advising Nyisa to follow the trend of the times and not to be his enemy!"

It must be said that after hearing this fellow's words, the city lord of Xuantu City felt much better.

At least, the humiliation and cowardice of wanting to surrender have disappeared.

The city lord of Xuantu City shook his head and sighed:

"Before Yuwen Tai arrived, we heard that reinforcements were already on their way. What should we do if Yuwen Tai is defeated?"

"Nyusa is overthinking it."

"Why?"

"I have calculated that the number of reinforcements that can be dispatched from the various cities within the country, the cities of Momi, and the cities of Liaodong is less than 60,000. Even if they were all sent, they might not be a match for Yuwen Tai. Moreover, Wu Shi is in the north, and his intentions are unpredictable. If Nüsa were to confront him, he would be creating a great enemy for himself while benefiting others. And those who benefit from this will not be grateful to Nüsa."

"I'm asking if we really lost?"

"If we lose, we won't be able to take Liaodong City, but we can still take Xuantu City. Moreover, the cavalry from Liaoxi can send troops out every year, so there will never be a peaceful day here."

Upon hearing this, the city lord of Xuantu City's expression changed drastically. He thought for a long time but still couldn't make up his mind, and said:

"hold on!"

……

Yingzhou.

Li Ayao looked at Li Shuang with great dissatisfaction and asked:

Why did Hebasheng lead his cavalry to plunder villages in Fuyu City?

Li Shuang looked at the angry woman and smiled.

"Did you advise your father to wait and observe the situation before making a decision?"

Li Ayao put her hands on her hips and said:
“You claim to have an army of 100,000, but you can only muster 50,000 soldiers. Goguryeo has 200,000 soldiers in the cities. What’s wrong with me advising my father to wait a little longer?”

"In that case, what's wrong with the 10,000 cavalry raiding the villages around Fuyu City?"

Li Ayao frowned, stared at Li Shuang, and questioned:

"That's what I'm asking. Hebasheng's army could have marched south directly to support Yuwentai, so why is he fixated on Fuyu City?"

Li Shuang's smile widened as he asked:
"Why did you say?"

"You want to make all sixty-plus cities of Buyeo turn away from Goguryeo. Even if this battle is unfavorable, you will still make Goguryeo uneasy. You have a good idea."

Hearing this, Li Shuang poured a glass of wine, handed it to Li Ayao, and asked:
"You already know, why are you asking?"

Li Ayao downed the wine in one gulp, wiped her lips, and said:

“Our tribe is not immune to surrender, but there are conditions.”

"how?"

"You will marry a woman to us, and then marry a woman from my tribe, as a form of alliance!"

After speaking, Li Ayao blushed and looked at Li Shuang with an aggressive gaze.

……

(End of this chapter)