The news of Yeon Gaesomun's rebellion was never concealed. But within the country, Yeon Gaesomun used the excuse that Gao Jianwu was a weakling who wanted to surrender to Xia Xia, which was why he rebelled.
The exact details were spread out. While Du Qi was on his way, he received all the news. But Du Qi was very surprised that Yeon Gaesomun had rebelled so quickly in this life. He had rebelled at this moment. In history, Yeon Gaesomun had killed King Rongliu ten-some years later. Now, Yeon Gaesomun had killed Gao Jianwu so that he could mobilize his troops.
After Shangguan Yi and the others finished reading the news, Shangguan Yi said, "Your Majesty, Yeon Gaesomun is truly a ruthless person, and he is also extremely scheming. He killed Gao Jianwu, and he used the fact that Gao Jianwu wanted to surrender to Xia Xia, so he had a good reason to act.
"I'm certain that Yeon Gaesomun has cut off all means of retreat. Killing Gao Jianwu by regicide truly does carry a certain amount of risk. Some people will accuse Yeon Gaesomun of killing the sovereign. But once Yeon Gaesomun stops Xia Xia's troops, Yeon Gaesomun's prestige in Goguryeo will rise even further. "
Shangguan Yi said, "Yeon Gaesomun has considered many things, which is why he threw caution to the wind in this rebellion. "Yes.
Du Qi said, "Perhaps that's what Yeon Gaesomun is thinking, but for us, Yeon Gaesomun's actions won't affect us. When we attack Yeon Gaesomun, we can use Yeon Gaesomun's murder of Gao Jianwu as a reason to attack Goguryeo. Now that we're attacking Goguryeo, we have a good reason. It won't be that easy for Yeon Gaesomun to stop us. "Yes.
Du Qi truly didn't think much of Yeon Gaesomun. If not for Yeon Gaesomun's tricks, Ma Yuan would have directly attacked Goguryeo. Goguryeo's soldiers would not have been able to stop Ma Yuan's army.
Du Qi was not worried about this battle.
Ma Zhou also spurred his horse to the side. He suddenly said, "Your Majesty, this subject has a question. "
"Just say it," Du Qi said. "
Ma Zhou said, "After Your Majesty takes down Goguryeo, will you directly annex it, or will you appoint an obedient King of Goguryeo and allow Goguryeo to continue to exist? "
Du Qi chuckled. "Do you think I will leave Goguryeo behind? "
Ma Zhou said, "Your Majesty's consideration is even more thorough. I cannot guess what Your Majesty's decision will be." "
Du Qi said, "The countries of the Western Regions are directly incorporated into the Xia Xia. The various countries within Tianzhu were also directly incorporated into the Xia Xia. There was only the Xia of Xia and no other countries. The same logic applied to Goguryeo as well. It was impossible for any country to remain. After Goguryeo is destroyed, it will only be a province of the Xia Xia or a province of the Xia Xia. "
"This is my stance."
Du Qi said, "Whether it is Goguryeo, Silla, or Baekje, none of them can remain. They can only be incorporated into the Xia of Xia. There will only be one country in the world, and that is the Xia of Xia. " "
Ma Zhou said, "Your Majesty is wise!" "
In his heart, he was worried that Du Qi would leave Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje behind. Du Qi did not accept the method of submission. He wanted to destroy the countries and incorporate them into the Xia of Xia. That was the best arrangement.
Shangguan Yi also said, "Your Majesty is wise."
Whether it was Shangguan Yi, Ma Zhou, or Guan Zhilan, they all agreed with Du Qi's words.
Leaving Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje behind was allowing the other party to rise from the ashes. Only by completely destroying the other party in one go could one truly cut the weeds and eliminate the roots.
"Report! "
At this moment, a soldier came to report.
Du Qi said, "What is it?" "Yes."
The soldier reported, "Your Majesty, Goguryeo's army has arrived at the Datong River and set up camp there. These Goguryeo soldiers directly destroyed the bridge to cross the river. There are even Goguryeo ships blocking the river, trying to prevent us from going to Goguryeo. " "Yes."
Du Qi nodded and ordered, "Investigate again." "Yes."
The soldier turned and left.
Du Qi looked at Shangguan Yi and the others and chuckled. "See? Goguryeo has already made a move." Yeon Gaesomun's first line of defense should be the Datong River. But to us, it doesn't matter. A mere army on the river is nothing to be surprised about. " "Yes."
Shangguan Yi said, "Your Majesty is right. These ships on the river won't be able to do anything." "Yes."
Du Qi also nodded.
He led the army and continued on their way, heading toward the Datong River. At the end of the eighth month, Du Qi's army arrived at the Datong River and set up camp on the northern shore.
At the same time, Yeon Gaesomun's army took a step forward, breaking camp from the rear and setting up camp on the southern shore so that they could deal with Du Qi's attack.
Yeon Gaesomun had gathered eighty thousand soldiers. This was all the soldiers that Yeon Gaesomun could muster. In order to stop Xia Xia and fight with Du Qi, Yeon Gaesomun had already mobilized all his forces.
Yeon Gaesomun even personally went to the river to survey the situation on the northern shore.
Du Qi's army had set up camp on the northern shore.
Ma Yuan only had seventy thousand soldiers under his command. In terms of numbers, they were still a little lacking compared to Goguryeo. However, the fighting power of Xia Xia's army was completely different, far surpassing Goguryeo's.
This was the basis of Du Qi's confidence.
Du Qi was stationed on the northern shore, observing the situation on the southern shore through his binoculars. Du Qi could clearly see the dense ranks of the Goguryeo army on the southern shore. After all, the Goguryeo army was in formation.
Du Qi could even see Yeon Gaesomun and his men at the front. After all, Yeon Gaesomun and his officials and generals were all wearing armor, so it was easy to tell.
Du Qi estimated the width of the Datong River.
The Datong River was more than one thousand feet wide.
Although the distance was extremely wide, it was actually not a problem for the mortars.
Du Qi narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment before ordering, "Zhu Youtian, gather all the mortars and aim them at Yeon Gaesomun's position on the opposite shore. Give him a good beating. Try to capture Yeon Gaesomun in one shot. "Understood!"
"Yes! "Understood!"
Zhu Youtian immediately carried out the order.
Because Ma Yuan had remained in the rear, Zhu Youtian was the acting commander-in-chief.
Following Zhu Youtian's orders, the mortars were quickly set up on the northern shore and aimed in Yeon Gaesomun's direction. When all the cannons were aimed, Zhu Youtian gave the order for all the mortars to load and fire.
Bang! Bang!!! Bang!
The sound of cannon fire rose and fell. Dust rose as the cannonballs flew through the air, crossing the Datong River and heading in Yeon Gaesomun's direction.
Yeon Gaesomun's heart thumped when he heard the cannon fire, and he immediately ordered a retreat.
Only then did he realize what was going on.
Xia Xia's weapons were extremely formidable and could fire from a distance. If he stayed, he would be seeking death. Thus, he immediately turned his horse around and retreated. Yeon Gaesomun had only retreated a short distance when the cannonballs landed.
Rumble!!!
Explosions rang out one after another.
On the Goguryeon side, the soldiers in formation were killed one after another. All the soldiers panicked and retreated like a swarm of bees, not daring to stay any longer. After this round of bombardment, the Goguryeon formation on the southern shore of the Datong River was thrown into disarray, and countless soldiers were killed.
Even though Yeon Gaesomun's men had retreated to avoid the bombardment, they all had looks of fear on their faces.
Too terrifying!
What sort of weapon was this?
One had to realize that the Datong River was more than one thousand feet long. Yet Xia Xia's weapon had easily swept across the river and bombarded the soldiers on the southern shore. This was truly terrifying.
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