"I acknowledge my guilt."
Chang Sun Ze knelt in fear beside Li Xiang's soldiers. He had actually noticed this idea a long time ago, but he did not explain it to these people. Firstly, he did not know either, and secondly, he wanted to make some trouble with these people to see what Li Xiang meant.
Now he finally understood that the real battlefield was not on the front line, but in the next period of time. If we did not perform well enough, then the territory under our feet would not be truly occupied.
Imagine that your army is in Wa City, but the areas outside Wa City are in the hands of the rebel army. They gather in the mountains and forests. If you want to transport various supplies back to Chang'an, you don't know how many times they will be robbed along the way. Can it still be considered your occupied territory?
"I don't blame you for not knowing. Now that I've told you, you should also tell your brothers and let them know what's most important in the future. We've occupied this place on the surface, but this is only the first stage. In the next period of time, we will completely occupy this place."
Li Xiang's words made Chang Sun Ze feel ashamed. He always thought that he had done a good job and was a competent general. Li Xiang should be able to let him take charge of things. Now he realized the gap between himself and others. Even a half-soldier like Cao Lian saw things much more directly than him.
Li Xiang asked Changsun Ze to leave. Although this guy had changed a lot, he was still young after all and lacked some observation skills on various things. This was also one of the reasons why Li Xiang asked Cao Lian to stay by his side.
"General Changsun is actually quite remarkable. When attacking the city, he wasn't affected by the surroundings, but followed his own method. This is much better than others. If it weren't for General Changsun's command, perhaps we wouldn't have taken this city yet."
What Cao Lian said was true. When Chang Sun Ze arrived in front of the city, he attacked the city step by step according to his plan. Even if a section of the city wall collapsed, he did not let his men take the risk of attacking. This not only allowed him to take the city faster, but also reduced casualties among his men.
For a general of his age to be able to do such a thing, Chang Sun Ze was already very outstanding. If it were other young generals, they would probably have lost their patience and ordered their cavalry to attack the moment the city wall collapsed.
"He has his strengths, but he also has his weaknesses. You should stay close to him. You are more familiar with the situation in the south, so you should persuade him well. After this war is over, you will also make great contributions."
Li Xiang's words made Cao Lian very grateful. The path of his life was different from before. He had originally thought of making some money, going home to buy a piece of land, and then living on the rent.
Unexpectedly, after meeting Li Xiang, everything changed completely. I don't need to do those things at all. After the victory this time, I am afraid that I will be at least a fifth-rank official. After I become an official, the status of my whole family will be improved.
Letters from home also arrived. Since learning that Cao Lian was an official, some local prominent families also sent people to deliver invitations. Although they were still at the bottom of the ruling class, they were at least completely different from the original merchants.
King Pyu's city.
This city looks pretty good, at least comparable to the provincial capitals in the remote areas of the Tang Dynasty. However, if compared with big cities, it is still not comparable at all, not even half as good.
During these five hours, more than a dozen messengers on fast horses arrived in the royal city, bringing the worst news from the north.
King Yong Jiang of the Pyu Kingdom had overturned the table in front of him, and all kinds of food were scattered on the ground. A group of dancers retreated from the hall in panic. They had never encountered such a thing before. His Majesty the King loved them the most, but today he asked them to get out.
It is understandable that such a thing happened. If the country was peaceful, these beauties would be the favorites of His Majesty the King. Now the largest city in the north has been lost, and the Tang army will soon march south. He will face the most powerful empire in the world. How can you expect His Majesty the King to remain calm?
"What should we do? Tell me what should we do?"
The king of Pyu's voice was hoarse, he had just shouted the same words for a long time, but the ministers in the hall didn't know how to respond. According to their previous experience, even if the Tang army wanted to come, it would take at least a few years. After all, the Tang army had just ended the Eastern Expedition, how could they start a war right away?
What's more, some time ago, they imposed a series of restrictions on the Tang Dynasty Guild Hall. The Tang Dynasty Guild Halls in various places agreed. Although it was a bit difficult, no one dared to resist. This made them more certain of their idea that the Tang Dynasty would not take any action in the near future.
But just when they relaxed, the Tang Dynasty cavalry came and broke through more than a dozen cities on the border. Tens of thousands of troops were directly defeated, and now even the city of Wa has fallen into their hands.
"General, you say."
Seeing that no one said anything, His Majesty the King pointed directly at a person, who was General Mithong of Pyu Kingdom.
General Mithong is nearly fifty years old and is considered a powerful general in the entire Pyu Kingdom. He often helps the king to quell rebellions in various places. He has certain experience on the battlefield, but all his experience is aimed at small forces. If he wants to fight against the Tang Dynasty, where can he get such experience?
"Your Highness, the most important thing now is to establish a defense line. Order the troops south of Wa City to assemble. We must block them on the grasslands south of Wa City. And our elephant troops, yes, yes, and the Zhenla people, aren't they allied with us? We should have them send troops to support us."
General Mibol spoke incoherently, but the things he said were all things that should be done now.
"Where's Prime Minister Mildor? Go contact the Zhenla people. You've been in charge of this matter. Tell them to send an army to aid us quickly. If they don't, they'll be the ones to take over after we destroy our country."
The King of Yongjiang suddenly seemed to have grasped a lifeline. This was clearly a matter that our two countries should jointly undertake, so why was all the pressure placed on us? At the same time, he was also very angry. Why didn't they start the attack from Zhenla?
