I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 513 - 44: The Battle of Liaodong, The Assault Begins

Even those from the distant seas, whether friends or elders at home, always had someone accidentally blown toward the deep sea, so even the Liaodong Peninsula wasn’t unfamiliar.

According to them—

The best time to head to the Liaodong Peninsula is April, because the southeast wind blows then, and with the wind direction, it only takes five days to reach Liaodong.

There are even two islands on the way that can be used for rest.

The officers listened very carefully, comparing what the fishermen said with the nautical charts.

Discrepancies naturally existed.

The nautical charts of this era could never be completely accurate.

By dusk, after confirming everything, Zhang Liang let the fishermen leave and began discussing tactics.

Actually, there wasn’t much of a tactic.

This journey was a surprise attack, also relying on the central army’s cooperation, so long as they could land successfully and then charge.

But everyone remained extremely cautious, as no one knew what might happen once they set out to sea.

Although they didn’t show it on the surface,

everyone understood, even Zhang Liang was filled with apprehension about this expedition.

...

Youzhou State.

Unlike the navy, the army’s marching speed was much faster.

This was also a tactic.

The army was to attract all the firepower, ripping open the Liaodong defensive line while creating opportunities for the entire navy.

Though it was a personal expedition, Li Shimin, being the Emperor, wouldn’t recklessly charge ahead as he used to.

He was only overseeing the overall situation.

The direct assault on the cities was handed over to the Duke of England, Li Ji.

Goguryeo had already been on guard, no matter how confidently Yeon Gaesomun spoke, he wasn’t foolish, how could he be sure that the Great Tang wouldn’t mobilize troops?

Now he had long fortified the whole of Liaodong, his strategy still like that used by King Yingyang Gao Yuan of ancient Goguryeo.

——Hold firm and clear the fields, using forts for defense!

The Great Tang’s strength was indeed formidable, but he would never believe that the Tang could sustain such high consumption for long.

It was indeed a great tactic, the fortresses Goguryeo built against the mountains were very tough to attack.

But he underestimated Li Shimin, treating him like the Emperor Yang Guang.

He had already sent the rapid army ahead.

He didn’t assign them specific targets, letting Li Ji judge independently, without any worries.

This was how Li Shimin differed.

He understood that a commander had to consider the overall situation, not meddle in every officer’s tasks, as forcing specific targets would only cloud the troops’ judgment.

He only needed to inform the soldiers of the objective.

And this time’s objective—

was to tear open Goguryeo’s defensive line in Liaodong, allowing the army to penetrate deep into Liaodong.

Though it seemed a trivial difference, it was crucial for a real battle.

Li Ji was no ordinary person, having witnessed numerous major battles since siding with Li Tang.

His judgment of the situation was highly accurate.

By the end of February, the battle officially rang out.

Goguryeo’s defenses were exceptionally tight.

They not only used the natural barrier of the Liao River but also built mountain cities on key passages, stocked with grain and water, making them invincible.

If they forcibly attacked—

besides the heavy casualties and supply issues, the real problem was time, as Liaodong’s winter was harsh.

This was a challenge the Tang army had to face.

And Li Ji’s countermeasure was extremely astute, leading his troops quietly across the Liao River, then launching a feigned attack on Huaiyuan Town, drawing attention from all quarters.

But the main force swiftly advanced towards Xuantu City!

He didn’t directly assault Liaodong City, as Goguryeo had many troops stationed there.

It couldn’t be easily conquered.

Meanwhile, Li Ji used rapid interpenetration tactics, aiming to confuse the enemy’s vision.

The situation throughout Liaodong turned bizarre in an instant.

Under Goguryeo’s defense-oriented strategy, rapid interpenetration could seriously impair the enemy’s judgment, causing their defenders to imagine Tang troops everywhere.

The battle between the two sides was on the verge of eruption.

In fact, Xuantu City was a crucial passageway into Goguryeo’s heartland, though not as significant as Liaodong City, it was a vital fortress safeguarding the Liaodong region within Goguryeo’s defense line.

This was the Tang army’s only choice!

No matter what, Li Ji must tear open a gap to allow the troops to penetrate deep into Liaodong, rather than capturing cities one by one!

Once the main force penetrated deep into Liaodong, capturing Liaodong City would no longer be a challenge!

Shouts of battle cries rose everywhere.

This tactic of the Tang army completely caught Goguryeo off guard.

Even until now, the nuances of this large flanking tactic remained incomprehensible to nations with less cultural heritage.

They never imagined Li Ji would take such a risk.

And without any defense, Xuantu City was swiftly captured by Li Ji.

——The whole area was shocked!

Upon receiving the news, Yeon Gaesomun was enraged.

Of course, he wouldn’t abandon Xuantu City.

The Liaodong defense line was his best means against the Tang, he wouldn’t abandon it.

As for trying to compete with the Tang based on national strength?

Yeon Gaesomun wasn’t reckless to such an extent.

He immediately redeployed troops from New City, Gai Mou City, and other places to counter-attack Xuantu City.

Actually, this was also an opportunity for him, as long as he could capture Li Ji’s forces before the main Tang army arrived, it would be an unimaginable boost to morale!

But such an opportunity was hardly simple?

The entire Liaodong was in chaos.

Li Ji not only held Xuantu City, the northern army of the Tang and the central army led by Li Shimin continued to exert pressure.

Under these circumstances, it was impossible for Goguryeo to reclaim Xuantu City, so they had to retract their defensive lines.

This was an inevitable outcome.

Goguryeo’s defense line required no errors; any error could trigger a chain reaction, and furthermore, Yeon Gaesomun had redeployed troops from castles surrounding Xuantu City.

Without reclaiming Xuantu City, they could only shrink their defenses.

Otherwise, they’d be handing their forces over to the Tang!

Although the mountain forts were difficult to capture, the Tang didn’t need to attack; they just needed to besiege and exhaust them to death.

No matter how unwilling, Yeon Gaesomun could only choose to concentrate his forces on defending Liaodong City, Baiyan City, and other key castles.

The whole Liaodong was wide open.

Under the threat of the Tang’s main force, everyone directed their gaze northward.

And at this moment, the navy finally set sail!

Donglai.

"Hoo—hoo—hoo—"

The deep and sonorous sound of the horn suddenly pierced the morning fog, signaling the order to set sail!

In an instant, the port seemed to wake from slumber.

Onshore, the soldiers and civilians seeing them off held their breath, their eyes tightly following every sail rising and the soldiers aboard the ships.

Even though they had trained intensively for over a month.

Yet now, as they were about to set sail, a trace of apprehension was still visible on the face of the soldiers, but it was impossible to overlook.

Countless scholars were at the shore recording this moment destined to enter the annals of history.

Painting or composing poetry and essays.

As the sea breeze blew over, filling the sails with air, the fleet began to move.

Gu Jing stood on the commanding tower ship, looking at the ever-distant shore, silently wiping away the cold sweat from his forehead.

After a moment, he returned inside the ship, silently polishing the spear he used.

His eyes were extremely sharp.

Gu Jing knew that in the camp, without military merit, soldiers would not be convinced, so during the strategy discussions, he remained silent throughout.

However, he raised an even more critical suggestion.

And that was—kill!

He strongly believed that Barbarians feared might and not virtue, having little regard for small acts of courtesy over great righteousness.

Since they were landing as a solitary force, they had to seize every opportunity to kill and establish their reputation, not only rapidly occupying cities but also making the enemy feel fear!...

.....

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