Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 503 Precisely because we understand them

Liaodong City.

When did they arrive?

"Several hours ago!"

Liaodong City's leader, Nüsa, frowned slightly as he looked at the cavalry outside the city.

Those fiery red-feathered cavalry, so different from the Goguryeo soldiers, undoubtedly announced to the entire city of Liaodong that the Qin King's army had arrived.

“Nusa, a scout reports that the King of Qin has stationed 20,000 troops west of Liaoze, laying earth to build a bridge, which will be reached in less than ten days.”

Liaodong City's Nüsa nodded, his face showing not only wariness but also helplessness.

As the enemy's advance drew ever closer, there was nothing he could do!
At first, the city guards of Liaodong had some intention of testing the strength of this King of Qin.

After all, they only knew what kind of person this King of Qin was, based on hearsay.

Even though this King of Qin was a formidable warrior in open battle, the Goguryeo people were not to be underestimated. The Goguryeo people had built so many mountain fortresses, and they weren't just for show.

If you're outmatched, you can always hide in the city.

That new city is the best example.

They fought against the armies of the Murong and Tuoba clans, but either they were defeated or they paid a considerable price to win.

Even though the Murong army captured the territory, they couldn't hold it for long, and it instead drained a lot of the country's resources. And as soon as their army withdrew, the Goguryeo people could come back with a vengeance.

In the Goguryeo people's minds, it would be best for this Qin king's army to conquer mountain cities one by one.

Once he realized the gravity of the situation, he would naturally withdraw his troops.

However, things did not turn out this way; both New City and Beisha City were captured in a very short time.

It was so short that the Goguryeo people didn't even have time to react.

This shows what?
Looking at the fiery red feathered cavalry outside the city, Nüsa of Liaodong City had already found his answer.

That King of Qin must have conducted a very detailed intelligence analysis of Goguryeo's internal situation, and he must have put in a lot of effort over a short period of time.

When did he begin planning to attack Goguryeo?

Looking at the cloudless sky, Liaodong City's Nvsa could not find an answer to this question, but a flood of complicated thoughts rushed in.

But more realistically, what should he do?
The current strategic situation is clear: the enemy intends to encircle Liaodong City from both the north and south.

He dared not easily send out the garrison in Liaodong City, and even if he could, he did not know which direction to send them!

Is it Gaimou City to the north or Jian'an City to the south?

Moreover, he has yet to receive any news from Pyongyang regarding reinforcements.

……

Pyongyang.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. Haven't the reinforcements from the domestic city already been sent to support Gaimou City?"

Gao Baoyan's concubine, Lady Xiqun, had exquisite features and her face was covered with thick powder. Although she was young, she looked quite alluring.

"I'm afraid we won't have enough reinforcements!"

Gao Baoyan was indeed worried.

Even though the country had 200,000 soldiers, twice as many as Li Shuang's claimed 100,000 troops, and had the advantage of terrain, Gao Baoyan was not confident of victory.

He needed to leave a considerable force to suppress Baekje and Silla, and could not transfer them all to Liaodong.

The fall of Beisha City and Xincheng brought Gao Baoyan's suspicions to their peak.

Goguryeo was not an empire like the Qin and Han dynasties. Over hundreds of years, it gradually developed from a tribal city-state, learning the etiquette of the Central Plains and absorbing a large number of people from the Northern Yan and Buyeo kingdoms, eventually reaching its current strength of 200,000 soldiers.

The decades following the death of King Jangsu were also decades of accumulated internal conflicts within Goguryeo.

The pie couldn't grow bigger, and internal conflicts intensified.

In order to weaken local powers and increase the power of the royal family, the Goguryeo royal family constantly sought to reduce the military strength of local forces.

Of course, it can be said to have been a success. Otherwise, Gao Baoyan's brother, the former King Anjang of Goguryeo, would not have been assassinated.

However, this would inevitably lead to a decline in the overall military strength of Goguryeo.

If there are no external enemies, then it's fine, but once there are external enemies, things become unpredictable.

At the very least, the successive falls of Bisha and Xincheng severely damaged the prestige of the royal family. Lady Hoshiguni, however, was quite gentle, stroking Gao Baoyan's chest and comforting him:

"Why is Your Majesty worried? No matter how the situation changes, I will always stand by Your Majesty's side."

Upon hearing this, Gao Baoyan grasped Xiqun's hand and said:

"Would your father and brothers be willing to send troops to support Jian'an City?"

Seeing Gao Baoyan's eager gaze, Xiqun hesitated for a moment before saying:

“They are all the king’s ministers. How could they dare to disobey the king’s orders?”

They will obey orders, but how they will carry them out is another matter.

Just then, an announcement came from outside the hall.

Gao Baoyan's second wife, Lady Qun, arrived.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

Stepping outside the palace, Hosogane and Kokugane met face to face.

Although the two ladies were so close, they seemed as if they were separated by mountains and seas.

……

Xuantu City.

"Nysa, reinforcements have arrived!"

Across the Xiaoliao River, one could see the flags deliberately unfurled by the Goguryeo people in the distance, constantly provoking the troops of the Six Garrisons on the opposite bank, creating a formidable spectacle.

Judging by the numbers, the reinforcements number approximately 30,000.

Everyone in Xuantu City was overjoyed, except for the city lord, whose face remained expressionless.

His trusted confidant, a scholar with an octagonal mustache, upon seeing this, couldn't help but ask:

"Reinforcements have arrived, why does Nyisa look so troubled?"

After holding out for so many days, the city lord of Xuantu City had come to understand the strength of Yuwen Tai's army.

"This is our last chance to surrender!"

Upon hearing this, the scholar with the octagonal beard couldn't help but feel a surge of doubt.

Not long ago, no matter how he tried to persuade him, the city lord of Xuantu City refused to open the city gates and surrender. Now that reinforcements have arrived, why is he now willing to surrender?

Besides, even if you surrender now, Yuwentai might not believe you!

The city lord of Xuantu City gave a wry smile, but his face held a wise look born of experience, and said:

"If we do not surrender now, after Yuwen Tai wins, the safety of our city will be in jeopardy. If we surrender, we can preserve our wealth and status."

The scholar with the octagonal beard still couldn't understand.

How can you be so sure that Yuwentai will win?

……

When enemy reinforcements arrived, Yuwen Tai, who was preparing for battle, suddenly received news of Xuantu City's surrender, which clearly surprised him.

However, he did not refuse. Instead, he sent a general with more than a thousand soldiers into the city to take over the armory and granary.

After everything proceeded smoothly, Yuwen Tai met with the city lord of Xuantu City.

Yuwentai did not underestimate or neglect this city lord, but instead pulled him aside to discuss military matters.

The city lord of Xuantu City was also somewhat surprised, not expecting this young man to have such magnanimity.

"The General trusts me so much, aren't you afraid I'll betray him?"

Yuwen Tai smiled and said:
"I can still tell the difference between what's real and what's fake, Eulji Nyasa!"

As he spoke, Yuwen Tai also asked the city lord of Xuantu City a question.

"Why should it belong to me?"

"I am familiar with the General's military strategies, and I also know about the Goguryeo people!"

The implication is: I don't understand you, Yuwentai, but don't I understand the Goguryeo people?
Look at how recklessly they're behaving!
……

(End of this chapter)