Chapter 422: Three Cities Broken Together

"Boom-"

A huge sound like a landslide and tsunami swept through Liaodong City. Whether it was the Goryeo army inside the city or the Tang army outside the city, it seemed that they only felt the ground moving and the mountains shaking. The loud roar that swept through the heavens and the earth was deafening. The burst of gunpowder smoke that rose into the sky filled the entire sight.

"Boom-"

After the first round of shelling, there was no pause, and the artillerymen reloaded and fired again.

Round after round of artillery bombardment continued to bombard the western wall of Liaodong City.

In the back, all that remained in everyone's ears were the roaring sound of cannons and explosions, and the only thing in their eyes was the rising smoke of gunpowder.

Finally, after twenty rounds of mortar fire and fifteen rounds of artillery fire, a large green flag was raised. The herald at the side of the artillery position saw the green flag and ordered the shooting to stop.

For a while, the inside and outside of Liaodong City suddenly quieted down. However, the ears of the crowd still rumbled.

After waiting for the smoke to dissipate, what appeared in front of Tang Jun was a miserable scene.

Gone were the tall and majestic walls of the city, replaced by a crumbling ruin. Under the intense artillery bombardment, the section of the city wall trembled. One by one, the cannonballs slammed into the bluestone, the huge impact force destroyed the internal structure of the city wall, and the shock wave generated by the strong explosion completely dispersed the structure between the stones and the logs, and finally, the city wall was blasted out of holes one by one, and then, it collapsed with a bang.

This was only the effect of artillery bombardment of the walls.

When a large number of mortars bombarded the city, countless shells fell on this section of the city, which was nearly 100 zhang long. In an instant, the shock waves generated by the explosions wantonly hit everything in the city, lifting the Goryeo soldiers at the head of the city high and falling on both sides of the city. Flying shrapnel slammed into anything they came across, whether it was a person or a tower, as if they had been slashed by a knife, shattered or scarred all over their bodies.

In the midst of such bombardment, the Liaodong city wall, which was used as a barrier by the Goryeo people, became a purgatory on earth, and I don't know how many Goryeo soldiers died under mortar bombardment or were buried in the ruins of the city wall.

Bursts of screams came from under the Liaodong city, and from time to time you could see those Goryeo soldiers who had their limbs broken by shells or were injured by falling walls, lying miserably on the ground, looking at the Tang army with expressions like ghosts. The same look as these Koreans was the servant army. When Datang let the firearms in her hand unleash their power to the fullest, they deeply shocked these servant troops.

Turkic, Hui, Xi, Khitan...... These nomads living in the north of the Tang Dynasty watched the city walls turn into rubble under artillery fire, the soldiers turned into corpses, and the earth-shattering, landslide and tsunami momentum, which deeply shocked them, and they didn't dare to have the slightest disrespect for the Tang Dynasty in their hearts.

Although Li Ji was also deeply shocked, he didn't expect that this hundred cannons would have such great power, but he quickly came back to his senses, suppressed the agitation in his heart, and said loudly: "Pass my military order, the foot soldiers will rush into Liaodong City, and the cavalry will intercept and kill the people who break through!" ”

"Knock knock—" After the cannon sounded, the drums sounded. The Tang Dynasty infantry stepped in the direction of Liaodong City to kill. A ravine on the road. The obstacle, without the cooperation of the Goryeo soldiers, almost did not play a role, and it was directly broken.

The army poured into Liaodong City from the gap that was blasted out.

Watching the army pouring into this Liaodong City, Li Ji was relieved, it seemed that the situation had been decided.

However, to Li Ji's surprise, in the southern area of Liaodong City, the Tang soldiers encountered stubborn resistance. Taking advantage of their familiarity with the terrain, the Goryeo soldiers fought street battles with the Tang army, and after killing hundreds of Tang troops, they finally aroused Li Ji's dissatisfaction. So, the artillery carrying mortars entered the city, set up mortars, and fired a burst of fire to the south of the city.

Of course, Li Ji did not really rely on artillery to solve the resistance, but used the sound of artillery to scare these Koreans.

Sure enough, after several rounds of shelling, these Koreans desperately broke through the south gate, only to be annihilated one by one by the Tang cavalry guarding outside.

Out of the southern city, the rest of the city is very smooth. As soon as the army entered the city, they surrendered in accord. Later, I found out that those Goryeo soldiers who desperately resisted were the absolute henchmen of Yuangai Suwen, and they could even be called dead soldiers, from generals to soldiers, their relatives were all supported by Yuangai Suwen.

As the army gradually entered Liaodong City, this Liaodong fortress officially fell into the hands of the Tang army. Back in the day, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty made three expeditions to Goryeo, and all of them were defeated here. And now, Li Shimin first attacked Liaodong and took this city, which is of great significance.

After the end of the battle, the Tang army counted the results of the battle, and on the other hand, began to build the city again, repairing the collapsed city wall. Of course, it was the Tang Dynasty soldiers who repaired the city wall. A soldier repaired the city wall while complaining why it had been blown down in the first place. As a result, he was attacked by the white eyes of the people around him.

It took two days to finally count the results of this battle. In this battle, more than 20,000 Goryeo troops were annihilated and more than 30,000 were captured. He captured more than 50,000 men, women, and children in Liaodong City, and obtained 500,000 stone of grain.

When Li Shimin heard that his subordinate Jun Cao had obtained 500,000 stones of grain and grass, Li Shimin couldn't help but ask in disbelief: "How much?" ”

The military cao was also full of excitement and said, "Five hundred and twenty thousand stones!" Your Majesty! 520,000 stones, which can be used by my army for half a year! ”

After hearing this, Li Shimin muttered: "It seems that this Goryeo really intends to defend the city to the end, and has stored so much grain and grass, and now it is all cheap for my army!" ”

When Li Ji heard this, he couldn't help laughing and said: "This Yuan Gai Suwen is distressed that our army has come from afar, and it is difficult to supply grain and grass, so he left so much grain and grass to support our army!" ”

The generals couldn't help but laugh.

Next, Li Shimin announced that Liaozhou would be placed in Liaodong City, and he would raise a beacon fire into the fortress and report the victory to the Central Plains.

As for the handling of those Goryeo prisoners, Li Shimin couldn't help but be embarrassed, many of these people were diehards of Yuangai Suwen, if they were to let them go, I am afraid that they would turn around and return to Yuangai Suwen; If he is killed, he is afraid of leaving an unkind name, which will inevitably cause desperate resistance from the defenders of the city behind.

After thinking about it for a long time, Li Shimin had no choice but to collect these people's weapons, place them in Liaodong City, and send soldiers to take care of them.

When everything settled down in Liaodong City, the army rested for a few days. During this period, two battle reports came, which made Li Shimin very happy.

First, Xue Wanche, the North Route Army, led the soldiers and agricultural industry to the north, and intercepted 10,000 reinforcements from Xinchengzhou and Gaimu City, which were rushing to Liaodong City, more than 80 miles south of Gaimu City.

Because scouts detected the enemy's situation in advance, Xue Wanche was able to deploy his troops and set up an ambush. When the 10,000 Goryeo army rushed over, he plunged into the cage arranged by Xue Wanche. After half a day of fierce fighting, Xue Wanche led the army to behead 6,000, captured 3,000, and scattered 1,000. Xue Wanche sent cavalry to chase down the Goryeo rout, but his eyes couldn't help but aim at these captured Goryeo people.

There were also people in the Tang army who could speak Goryeo, and after the words of these soldiers, more than 100 people came out of the Goryeo captives. The more than 100 people all looked cowering, and the words "greedy for life and afraid of death" were almost written on their faces.

Xue Wanche looked at the more than 100 Goryeo soldiers, and then turned his head to look at the remaining captives, with a cruel smile on his face.

With a wave of his hand, arrows rained down.

The three thousand captives groaned in a rain of arrows.

Carefully took off the Goryeo military uniforms that were still complete, gathered more than 1,000 sets, and selected some brave and warlike soldiers in the army, of course, most of the scouts were selected, put on Goryeo military uniforms, smeared some blood on their bodies, and together with these more than 100 Goryeo soldiers who were greedy for life and afraid of death, they made a rout and retreated to Gaimu City.

Under the cover of these Goryeo soldiers who were greedy for life and afraid of death, the more than 1,000 Tang troops successfully entered Gaimu City. Less than an hour after they entered the city, Xue Wanche rushed to the city of Gaimu with a large army, rested for a while, and immediately began to attack the city.

Soon after the siege began, the Tang soldiers who had infiltrated the city immediately responded to the army, and more than 100 soldiers killed the Goryeo soldiers guarding the city gate and opened the gate of the city. Some Tang soldiers fought a big battle with the Goryeo soldiers at the head of the city, so that the Goryeo soldiers did not have time to attack the Tang army. Others, however, set fires everywhere in the city to disturb the morale of the Goryeo army.

Under the internal and external attacks, Gaimu City fell into the hands of the Tang army.

After the end of the battle, the results of the battle were counted, and Xue Wanche led the army to attack and behead more than 4,000 people, captured more than 10,000 Goryeo soldiers, and captured more than 20,000 men and women in the city. In addition, there are 100,000 stone grain and grass.

After capturing the city, Xue Wanche immediately took a defensive position to prevent the Goryeo counterattack.

Another battle report is about the Datang Water Army. Zhang Liang, the chief of the Pyongyang Provincial March, led the army to cross the sea from Laiju and attacked the city of Beisha.

This Beisha city is located in the east of the Liaodong Peninsula, built on a mountain, steep on all sides, and only the west gate can be climbed. After Zhang Liang's navy landed not far from Beisha City, Cheng Mingzhen, the forward general of the Tang Army, led his troops to rush overnight and arrived at the city. Wang Wen, the deputy governor, took the lead and led the troops to storm the west gate, climbed up several times, and was beaten down again.

After a day of fierce fighting, the army finally took the city of Beisha.

In the battle, the Tang army beheaded 4,000 and captured 6,000 Goryeo soldiers, with a total population of more than 10,000 people in Beisha City.

After taking the city of Beisha, Zhang Liangyou ordered Qiu Xiaozhong to lead the warship to the sea, show his troops on the Yalu River, and attack the last line of defense north of Pyongyang.

When Li Shimin heard that the two cities of Gaimu City and Beisha City had been breached, he couldn't help but let out a burst of pride. In less than a month after crossing the Liaoshui, he connected three cities, and the owner and Li Shimin were proud of such a record.

After resting in Liaodong City for a few days, Li Shimin prepared to set off and attack Baiya City, which was located east of Liaodong City.

However, at this moment, a very unpleasant news came, that Xue Yantuojie Lijuli Xue Sha Duomi Khan pulled out the fire, raised 30,000 troops, and was killing in the direction of Yingzhou.

This was the Goryeo envoy who was stranded in Xue Yantuo at the beginning and said to Nabazhuo: "Great Khan, now that the main force of the Tang army is in Liaodong and Yingzhou is empty, it is the best time to plunder. The Great Khan must know that in order to fight this battle, the Tang Dynasty mobilized resources from Henan and Hebei. Today's Yingzhou is full of mountains, herds of horses, and all kinds of Tang army weapons, maybe firearms! As long as the Great Khan attacks it, these things will all belong to Xue Yantuo! If the Great Khan can get the equipment of the Tang Army, especially firearms, what are you afraid of? I'm afraid even Datang is worthy of a battle! ”

Hearing the words of this Goryeo envoy, Bazhuo finally moved, gathered more than 30,000 people from Xue Yantuo's various departments, and went straight to Yingzhou to kill. The goal is to grab one!

In the big tent, Li Shimin's face sank like water. The good mood brought by the original three cities in a row ruined this news. I only heard him say in a deep voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, how should I deal with this Xue Yantuo's offense against my Yingzhou?" ”

In fact, Li Shimin already had a draft in mind, but he still asked the ministers for the purpose of brainstorming.

Hearing Li Shimin's question, the generals under his tent expressed their opinions one after another, and their words were different, but there were only two meanings expressed. Either send a part of the troops back to Yingzhou, or let the defenders of Yingzhou drag Xue Yantuo's army and wait for the garrisons in Youzhou, Jizhou and other places to rush to the aid of Yingzhou.

Li Shimin's heart is also biased towards the latter option.

"Your Majesty's old minister thinks that a general should be sent to lead the army back to Yingzhou and fight with Xue Yantuo!" After closing his eyes and meditating for a long time, Li Ji opened his eyes and said slowly.

"Why?"

"The old minister thinks that Xue Yantuo's disease, although it is a disease of mustard moss, will become a problem for a long time, and it cannot be prevented. This time to defeat Xue Yantuo, but in a few months, if Na Bazhuo still leads the troops to attack, and my Liaodong war is still not over, then what? Therefore, the minister thought that a general should be sent to lead the troops to attack and completely suppress Xue Yantuo! ”

When Li Shimin heard this, his heart couldn't help but move slightly. This is also true.

Li Aiqing's words also have some truth! Tell me, then, who should be sent to do so? ”

Li Shiji was silent for a moment, but he said: "Among the generals, each has a task, and they are all closely related to the war in Liaodong. The old minister doesn't know who to send! ”

When Li Shimin heard this, he couldn't help but show disappointment.

And none of the generals under the account automatically asked for help. After all, compared with the war in Liaodong, the credit for the battle with Xue Yantuo is not so great.

At this time, Zhang Yunwen came out and said: "Your Majesty, Weichen can recommend one person to Your Majesty!" This person is guaranteed to get it done! ”

Li Shimin glanced at Zhang Yunwen and smiled slightly: "Oh? Tell me, who can do this? ”

"Weichen's brother-in-law, Zhonglang General Su Dingfang!" Zhang Yunwen said calmly.

Li Shimin's eyes lit up, but he asked with a smile: "Su Dingfang can really complete this?" ”

Zhang Yunwen knew that Li Shimin had agreed in his heart, but he still needed to explain to the rest of the generals, so he immediately said: "Weichen's righteous brother is not only excellent in martial arts, but also proficient in strategy. He studied the art of war under Li Weigong, and then followed Hou Junji to the west to conquer Gaochang, and held on to the Western Regions for several years, during which he made countless military exploits. If you send him there, you will definitely be able to destroy Xue Yantuo in one fell swoop! ”

"Good!" Li Shimin slapped the cases in front of him suddenly, "What Yunwen said about this person is exactly in line with my intentions, so I ordered him to lead 8,000 troops, together with the local garrison in Yingzhou, to fight against Xue Yantuo!" Hmm, can you disagree? ”

"No objection to the ministers!" The generals said in unison.

When Zhang Yunwen told Su Dingfang the news, the latter looked reluctant and complained about Zhang Yunwen.

Zhang Yunwen hurriedly explained: "Brother Su, do you really think that this matter will be over if Xue Yantuo is repulsed?" You should lead the army all the way to Mobei and uproot the entire Xue Yantuo department, then you can be regarded as completing Your Majesty's task! Once it is completed, this is the merit of destroying the country, and it is no less than the credit of Liaodong! If it weren't for the fact that the generals would have had their own tasks a long time ago, this kind of errand would not have been your turn! ”

Su Dingfang listened to Zhang Yunwen's words, his eyes gradually lit up, and in the end, he hurriedly apologized to Zhang Yunwen, saying that he had misunderstood his kindness!

The two laughed and said goodbye to each other, and after Su Ding returned to the barracks and prepared his luggage.

This battle with Xue Yantuo may be an opportunity for Su Dingfang to take off! Looking at Su Dingfang's figure, Zhang Yunwen thought silently.

However, what Zhang Yunwen didn't know was that at this moment in the investigation institute of Chang'an City, Lin Ran looked at Mei Renxing with an angry face, and roared in his mouth: "Look at the good things you have done!" The dean had repeatedly instructed that nothing should go wrong in that place! When you took over, you also swore an oath. But now, no one has seen me, how do you let me explain to the dean? ”

Mei Ren raised his head happily and looked at Lin Ran: "Since this matter is at the fault of the next, I will take it all in the future!" With that, he turned and left the Investigative Institute.

"Where are you going?" Lin Ran looked at Mei Renxing's back, somehow calmed down, and asked lightly.

"Of course I'm going to get that bad old man back!" Mei Renxing turned his head slightly and said in a low voice.