The news of the Tang army defeating Hino Akai in Shichuan County spread quickly because of the deserters. Suddenly, the people in the other counties around Shichuan County were in a state of panic.
Although Hino Akai only brought a little more than a thousand people with him, and the Tang army had tens of thousands of soldiers, there were only 800 Tang soldiers who participated in the battle. Moreover, the Nihon army was all cavalry. Under such circumstances, they could only hold on for less than half an hour.
In addition, in order to wash away the crime of desertion, the fleeing soldiers naturally tried their best to exaggerate the fierceness and bravery of the Tang army. Through word of mouth, Li Xiaogong became an eight-foot tall golden-armored general holding a huge sword weighing hundreds of kilograms, while the Tang army became hellish demons clad in iron armor, with infinite strength and invulnerable to swords and spears. The people in the counties along the way all shut their doors and did not come out, and the local officials also fled the county headquarters, not to mention organizing an army to fight against the Tang army.
Therefore, the army led by Li Xiaogong went all the way without any hindrance. In the evening, they arrived at the capital of Nihon, Feiniao City.
Don't doubt the marching speed of the army. Li Xiaogong and the others used more than half a day to march more than 80 miles. Even in the marching records before the Tang Dynasty, this was not the top speed.
In the Wei Shu, the Biography of Xiahou Yuan, "Yuan was a general. He often went to the enemy when he was in a hurry. Therefore, there was a saying in the army: Xiahou Yuan, a military officer, five hundred miles in three days and a thousand in six days." Xiahou Yuan should be an infantryman. On average, he could travel 167 miles in a day.
Of course, the day here referred to the day, not the night.
Therefore, it was not shocking that Li Xiaogong and the others used more than half a day to march 80 miles.
"Order the soldiers to cook and set up camp here. If the Nihon Queen does not come out to see me, we will attack the city tomorrow!"
The army arrived at the Mu Mountain outside Feiniao City. Li Xiaogong looked down at the palace below, which was somewhat similar to the Chang 'an Imperial City, and then ordered Li Xiao, who was behind him.
(Mu, throughout the mu, will be directly replaced by mu in the text.)
After marching 80 miles, the soldiers were more or less tired. In addition, the sky was about to turn dark. Li Xiaogong, who had rich battle experience, certainly would not choose to attack the city at this time.
"Yes, Sir!"
Li Xiao responded and hurriedly went to pass down the order.
The bearded man stood slightly to Li Xiaogong's left. He had been looking down at Soaring Bird Capital with narrowed eyes.
"Your Highness, Feiniao Capital is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Although the city is big, it's like a turtle in a jar. The birds are like caged birds! Even though the Japanese had learned the architectural style of the Great Tang, they had only learned the form and not the spirit! Moreover, the city walls are short, and there is no moat in front of the city gate. If Your Highness wants to take over the Japanese capital, I'm afraid it won't take much effort! "
Around the capital were the famous Yamato Three Mountains of Japan. To the west was Ercheng Mountain (also known as the God of Heaven Mountain), to the north was Xiangju Mountain (legend has it that gods lived on the mountain), and to the south, where Li Xiaogong and the others were now, was Mu Pin Mountain (legend has it that the first Emperor of Japan, Emperor Shenwu, ascended the throne on this mountain). The three mountains surrounded the capital. Although it made the capital look beautiful, it also limited its development.
The bearded man clearly understood the art of war. At a glance, he could see the flaws in the capital's geography and the city's structure.
Li Xiaogong nodded and praised, "Mm, Zhong Jian is right, but we can't let our guard down. We have to be on guard against the Japanese's sneak attacks! The Japanese nowadays don't seem to know their place. They even dare to call themselves the Emperor! "
The ruler of the Central Plains was called the Emperor, while the ruler of Japan called himself the Emperor. Li Xiaogong felt that this was a humiliation to the Great Tang, so he was furious.
The bearded man smiled and said, "Indeed, although I have never been to Wo Nation, I have heard many things about it. Previously, Prince Shengde of Wo Nation was the regent and vigorously implemented many new policies, which improved the overall strength of Wo Nation by a lot …"
.....
In the Imperial Palace of Japan …
The news that Li Xiaogong had led his army into the country had long ago reached this place. The officials gathered in the palace were all panicked and fearful, and the mood in the hall was abnormally oppressive.
"Reporting! Your Majesty, the Tang army has already reached the outskirts of the city and is setting up camp on Mu Pin Mountain! "
At this moment, a soldier entered the hall and bowed to the dignified woman in golden attire sitting at the head of the table.
Buzz! The officials in the hall were all shocked. Ever since the coup more than thirty years ago, Feiniao City had always been peaceful. Now that the Tang army had suddenly arrived, everyone was caught off guard.
"The Tang army has arrived at the city. It is said that their leader is a Duke of the Great Tang. Does anyone have a plan to deal with this?"
An old but sonorous voice came from the throne. It was Empress Gu who had spoken.
Thirty-five years ago, the head of the most powerful family in Japan, the Suwo clan, Suwo Mazi (although there was the word Mazi in his name, this person was a man), sent an assassin to assassinate Emperor Chongjun, who was supported by him at that time. Then, he supported the 39-year-old Empress Eeda as the Empress, who was now the 74-year-old Empress Tougu.
In the early days of the Tougu Dynasty, the actual rulers of Japan had always been Empress Tougu's nephew, Crown Prince Shengde, and Suwo Mazi. Five years ago, Crown Prince Shengde passed away, and the imperial power gradually began to fall into the hands of Empress Tougu. Last year, Suwo Mazi, the head of the Suwo clan, also passed away. Now, Empress Tougu completely grasped the imperial power.
"Your Majesty, I think we should first find out why the Tang Empire has stepped into our country's territory, and then talk about other things."
Not long after Empress Tougu finished speaking, a young man in his late twenties came forward and said.
"Well, Big Brother Shanbei's words are reasonable. What do the other officials think?"
Empress Tougu thought about it and agreed.
This young man was Crown Prince Shengde's son, Mountain Back Elder Brother Wang (En, Nihon people's names are so strange). He was also the successor chosen by the Emperor of Japan. His ability and knowledge were naturally outstanding, quite similar to his father's style!
"Your Majesty, I don't agree with Big Brother Shanbei's opinion!"
While the officials looked at each other, a short young official with a mustache walked out with an arrogant expression. He slightly leaned forward to Empress Tougu and then said:
"I think that Japan has been paying tribute to the Tang Empire before, but the Tang Empire did not abide by the agreement and invaded without authorization. This is not putting us in their eyes. This is a good time for us to contact Baekje and Goguryeo to resist the Tang Empire together. If we can destroy more than 10,000 troops from the Tang Empire in one fell swoop, Japan will be the well-deserved king of this sea area! "
…
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