Zhengdong Camp
"Meet the Marshal."
After entering Su Dingfang's military camp, dozens of his lieutenant generals and lieutenants were already kneeling in front of Li Xiang. Li Xiang used to be very reluctant to receive this title, but from his rebirth until now, most people have called him "Your Highness". Now he is also a handsome man.
"I am wearing armor. You don't have to kneel down from now on. Please stand up."
People in the army had heard about it a long time ago. Although this prince was of noble birth, he was able to get along well with the people in the army, otherwise he would not have been able to achieve so many victories. It was said that several old generals had a good relationship with Li Xiang.
At the beginning, many people suspected that Li Xiang had all kinds of aristocratic aura. You have to know that this is a military camp. If Li Xiang behaves like a spoiled brat to them, it would be inappropriate to go to the front line. Goguryeo is such a small country. Our Zhongnan Dynasty has been fighting for decades. It has been disobedient since the time of Emperor Wen of Sui. If we don’t get rid of them this time, we will be scolded in history.
This time, the emperor mobilized 200,000 elite soldiers, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince personally took charge. Everyone had one idea in mind, which was to crush Goguryeo as soon as possible and then return to the court. Many people had been stationed here for five or six years. During these five or six years, their sons had grown up, but they had not seen them yet.
"Everyone has worked hard here. The emperor has decreed that regardless of whether we win or lose this battle, everyone will be promoted one level first."
After sitting in the main seat, Li Xiang came first and used a trick to win people's hearts. This was also announced by Li Shimin, but Li Shimin did not come now, so Li Xiang announced it on his behalf. Official positions in the Tang Dynasty can be promoted according to hard work, but if it is a title, that is impossible.
According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, one must have military merits on the battlefield. Some meritorious officials can only have a lifelong title when they are born, and it will be gone after you die. This can be regarded as a reward for your father, but if you want a title that can be inherited, you have to fight on the battlefield on your own.
Under this kind of social system, who doesn't want to leave more benefits to their descendants? So when they arrive on the battlefield, these people will fight even harder.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Looking at the neatly arranged people in front of him, Li Xiang understood one thing, that is, Su Dingfang had a good way of managing the army. If he did not manage them strictly in normal times, these people might be in various shapes and would never be so neat.
"I came to the military camp early not to spout such nonsense, but to launch an offensive against Goguryeo before our main army arrives. I'm sure you're all furious. It's not that the Emperor forbids you from attacking early, but over the past two years, we must minimize Goguryeo's strength. Now the time is ripe, and it's time for you generals to make great achievements. I've decided to launch an offensive against Goguryeo within three days."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, many people below were extremely happy. From the day Li Xiang was reborn, the plan here was changed. The original plan was to pursue Goguryeo relentlessly, but now we have to win on the front battlefield, which is what all soldiers are best at.
But Li Xiang suddenly came up with an unorthodox idea: when they began to farm, our cavalry would attack lightly, not seeking to annihilate a large number of them, but simply to prevent them from farming on time. Many people at the time thought this idea was unacceptable. Wouldn't it make the Tang Dynasty seem too stingy? Wouldn't we be afraid to confront them head-on on the battlefield?
No one says this anymore. In the past year or so, everyone can see clearly that Goguryeo's decline is visible to the naked eye. Before this strategy was implemented, if our cavalry met Goguryeo's cavalry and the number of both sides was equal, we might suffer a loss, after all, they were familiar with the local terrain.
But in the past month, we haven't seen any Goguryeo cavalry while patrolling outside. If we were to talk about the most recent battle record, it should be one and a half months ago. More than 70 cavalrymen from both sides met, and our people chased them for more than 50 miles and finally killed them all.
All the Tang officers and soldiers were stunned. This was the first time the two armies had clashed head-on since Li Xiang's strategy was implemented. Where had the Goguryeo army, which was only capable of fighting tough battles, gone gone? Many returned in disbelief. When they reported the news, the imperial court knew it was time to take action.
If we don't take action now, it is very likely that others will take advantage of us. You must know that there are two countries to the south of Goguryeo, and there is the Heishui Mojie to the north of Goguryeo. Although they still exist in the form of tribes, if they really gather together, they may also take advantage of us. So Li Shimin made a prompt decision and immediately prepared to conquer Goguryeo, which led to the series of events that followed.
"Please rest assured, Marshal. We have all been properly organized. Currently, our main offensive force is over 24,000 cavalry. In addition, there are over 18,000 heavy infantry and over 20,000 light infantry. All of them are currently awaiting your orders."
Su Dingfang has a total of 60,000 to 70,000 people on his side, all of whom have completed training. They are usually very busy. They form a team of 3,000 people and often cross the border to harass the farmers of Goguryeo, making it impossible for them to farm on time. Although there are some casualties, their efforts are not in vain. Just look at the current famine in Goguryeo.
"General Su is a master at leading troops. I saw it clearly when I arrived. After this battle, General Su will definitely be transferred back to the capital. I will definitely recommend General Su."
Su Dingfang has been carrying out the orders of General Li Jing and managing the entire Northeast region in an orderly manner. If it were someone else, there might be many ways out. Su Dingfang's rise was not originally here, but gold always shines. While completing the task, he can also bring himself a brilliant future. Li Xiang will never treat such a capable person unfairly, and the Tang Dynasty will never treat such a capable person unfairly.
Their future has long been tied to the wheels of the Tang Dynasty. How can the Tang Dynasty expand outward without them?