Blackbone City was built in 34 B.C., and its history was much older than that of An City. However, the city tower was not as steep as An City, but it was still considered a strong city. Blackbone City was located near the current Dandong. The city used the cliffs of the two mountains on the left and right as walls, and the wedge-shaped stones were used to build the city walls. To the south and west of each mouth, a tall wall was built with earth and stone. The city had an outer city and an inner city. The outer city was built along the mountain ridge in an oval shape, with a circumference of nearly 16 kilometers.
Although there were only ten thousand soldiers in the city and the City Lord was old and muddle-headed, it was impossible to break through the city without an army of one hundred thousand. Li Zhi, who had just arrived at the city, only had nine thousand men, and all of them were cavalry. Under normal circumstances, there was really no way to break through this city?
Right now, the Tang army and the Goguryeon army were in a standoff, and a great battle was imminent. Before the expedition, Li Zhi had already laid out a detailed strategy, and he was confident that Blackbone City would fall within three days.
"Party Leader, if you want to use cavalry to break through the city, it's impossible to attack head-on. Cavalrymen who have dismounted cannot compare to infantrymen who are familiar with battle formations. Should I wait until the sky turns dark and then kill him?”
Li Jingye had picked up a weed from somewhere and was chewing it bit by bit. When he saw Li Zhi's sly smile, he couldn't help but ask. Seeing Li Jingye's attitude, Li Zhi's smile became even weirder.
Xue Rengui, who was eager to show off, couldn't help but say,""General, this general has an idea.”
"Hmm?" Upon hearing Xue Rengui's words, Li Zhi, who had already made up his mind, could not help but be stunned. He looked at Xue Rengui suspiciously.
"General, what I mean is to divide the Dragon Cavalry into four groups and attack Blackbone City continuously. This will be the same at night. If we do this for two days, we will be able to relax their guard. On the third night, at midnight, we will send soldiers to secretly open the city gates and break through the city.”Xue Rengui saw Li Zhi's confusion and quickly explained with cupped fists.
"Good idea, really good idea. Xue Rengui, your archery skills are not bad, but I didn't expect you to be a smart general.”Li Jingye, who was at the side, was also very excited when he heard this.
Li Zhi smiled noncommittally." The strongest city defense is often broken from the inside. Rengui, it's already very good that you can think from this aspect. Your method is also very good and there are many feasible ways. If it weren't for the spy this time, I would definitely use your plan.
"What?" Li Jingye and Xue Rengui looked at Li Zhi in surprise." Break the city in three days? That is the maximum time limit. You are a member of the Golden Lower Class of the World Party. You should know about the Jinyiwei, right?”
"I know, but I've never seen it before. His level was not high enough. Could it be that the Embroidered Uniform Guards had already infiltrated the city?”Li Jingye was like a wild cat whose tail had been stepped on. He jumped up in surprise.
With a faint smile, Lee Zhi gave the two a meaningful look." Do you think that the Dragon Riders were lucky enough to break through the city in a day? Goguryeo and the Great Tang had already fought a war, and this spy was sent out a few years ago.”
Li Jingye and Xue Rengui were both shocked. Li Jingye couldn't help but ask in surprise,""Then... An City."
Li Zhi shrugged his shoulders and scolded angrily,""There are nine out of ten things that go wrong in life. After An City and the other cities were conquered, I will definitely punish that kid. Ever since Baiyan, Beisha, and the other cities were conquered, that old kid has been as cunning as a fox. He eats, lives, and defecates on the city gate tower. Bah, he is guarded like an iron bucket. My spy can't get close to the city gate tower, so I can only hold on until now.”
"Alright, go back and rest now. The intelligence report has already been sent into the city. This marshal is waiting for the news to come. Whether or not we can break through the city in three days depends on this news.”After saying that, Li Zhi stretched his back and yawned loudly before leisurely walking into the city.
"Commandant Li, is the World Party very powerful? What organization is it?" Looking at Li Zhi's back, Xue Rengui subconsciously asked.
Li Jingye turned his head and glanced at Xue Rengui. Under Xue Rengui's baffled gaze, he patted Xue Rengui's shoulder and then returned to his original sloppy appearance. He strolled back to the camp.
"It seems that the party leader thinks highly of this Xue Rengui. He even talked about the Jinyiwei in front of him. Hmm, it seems that I have to interact more with this Xue Rengui in the future.”
The lovely dividing line.
It was already early autumn. Whether it was Liaodong City or An City, the battles were as hot as the waves. Wave after wave, the fires of war raged for three consecutive months. The refugees were everywhere, and the people were in dire straits. However, all of this had nothing to do with Blackbone City. Perhaps the only thing that affected them was that letters from home were worth tens of thousands of gold. Some letters from Blackbone City that were conscripted into the army had not been seen since the beginning of the war. However, this was a small matter, right?
They worked at sunrise and rested at sunset. There was no sign of war in Blackbone City. They lived and worked in peace and contentment. At most, the guards on the city walls patrolled a few more times than usual. As for the rest, there was really nothing different from usual.
Speaking of which, the residents of Blackbone City could be blamed for being so calm. In history, the Sui Dynasty had conquered the Liao Dynasty, but they had never been able to attack Blackbone City. Or rather, Yang Guang did not seem to care about such a small city at all.
Although the Tang Empire's expeditionary army was surging forward, they might not be able to pass through An City. Moreover, although Blackbone City was not as majestic as An City or Liaodong City, and the number and quality of its guards could not compare, it was still a strong city. There was no need to fear it.
This was not only the opinion of the common people, but even the mayor of Blackbone City felt the same. There was a saying that went,'The leader decides everything.'
If even the experienced old city guard had such a view, what was there to worry about? They ate what they had to eat and played what they had to play. The soldiers and civilians in the city did not take this large-scale country war to heart. They continued to do what they had to do. It would be the 60th birthday of the Old City Mayor, Yuan Taihua, in just one day. The officials of Blackbone City had already started to take action. They had to properly take care of the Old City Mayor. It was rare for a person to be 70 years old. They really did not know if the Old City Mayor would be able to hold another birthday banquet.
The Yuan Family was a large clan in Goguryeo, and they originated from the Shun Nu Tribe, one of the earliest five tribes in Goguryeo. They had many high officials and dignitaries, and their power had reached its peak. Yuan Taihua was the uncle of Quan Gaesomun, and because of this background, the mediocre sixty-year-old Yuan Taihua had become the Mayor of Blackbone City a year ago. He was also a Nousa in the central region of Goguryeo, and could be considered a high-ranking official at the borders of Goguryeo.
Although Yuan Taihua boasted that he was good at everything, he was actually not good at anything. However, his ability to make money was comparable to He Shen. He was known as the " Three Feet of the Sky Scratch ", which meant that even the heavens could scrape three feet of oil down.
It was his 60th birthday. His nephew, Quan Gaesomun, had been fighting to the death for months at the front line. Yuan Taihua had been busy spreading invitations all over the city for the past few months. He had even secretly spread the news that if any family's gift was less than a certain number, the old man would be unhappy.
There was only one day left until the birthday celebration. Yuan Taihua's face was so excited that it was almost cramping. This was the icing on the cake. Yuan Taihua sighed in his heart. It was really impossible to stop his luck.
"Hahaha, this Li pays his respects to the old master. This Li specially came to congratulate the old master on his birthday.”
Yuan Taihua smiled as he helped the merchant who reeked of money to his feet. He had come to Blackbone City a year ago, and this merchant was the first person to serve him. In the past year, he was the one who showed the most respect to him. Now, Yuan Taihua looked at his fat and round face, and he felt very close to him.
With a wave of his hand, a few servants in grey clothes carried a large box in. They gently put it down, then lowered their bodies and retreated. They closed the door while they were at it. The guards outside looked normal. It seemed that they had seen many things.
"Godfather, your son has brought you many good things this time. Good things that can't be bought with money.”As he spoke, he personally opened a box.
The light inside the box shone brightly in the middle of the night. Yuan Taihua's heart skipped a beat. He quickly stepped forward and reached out his trembling skeletal hands towards the box. He felt the slippery feeling between his fingers as if he was stroking a porcelain doll. Yuan Taihua said in his sleep,"Rare treasure, really rare treasure. Mingbo, you really spent a lot of money. Tsk tsk... It's so beautiful."
The woman smiled, her long and thin eyes on her round face were completely covered by her fat. Looking at Yuan Taihua, who was dazzled by the colorful glass in front of him, a mocking smile flashed in the corner of her eyes.
"Mingbo, this is?" Yuan Taihua, who was blushing, forced down the ecstasy in his heart and smiled at the woman who was standing respectfully beside him.
"Foster Father, this was stolen from the Great Tang's Imperial Palace after going through countless hardships. I heard that this is unique in the Great Tang and is called the 'Colorful Glass Ten Thousand Divine Lanes'.”
"Oh, is it, is it? The Great Tang was also unique, and it truly was a rare treasure. Mingbo has troubled you. He got it from the Tang royal palace. Yuan Taihua took a fancy to this adopted son and comforted him.”
"It is my blessing to serve my adoptive father.”** Yuan Taihua was very satisfied with his respectful attitude.
"Oh, right, Godfather, I have something that I need your help with. I'm really grateful.”
"Oh, what made you like this?”Yuan Taihua knew the power of his adopted son, but he didn't know what made him so shy.
"It's like this. I have a concubine and gave birth to a son. However, my tigress found out about it. I wanted to secretly send them out of the city. It should have been easy, but my tigress was born in a big family in the city and knew many senior generals in the army. They were all watching. I hope that Father can transfer the soldiers guarding the gate away for the time for an incense stick to burn. Of course, I know that this is wartime. It's extremely dangerous and will attract the criticism of the generals. It was indeed difficult for his godfather, but... Please allow it, foster father." Yuan Taihua's face was scrunched up in embarrassment, and he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, what do you mean by extremely dangerous? War or no war? I'm the heavens of Blackbone City. I'll give you two hours, and I'll sign a decree for you. How can an incense stick of time be enough?”The old man, who had inherited the habits of the Goguryeons, was unreasonable and did not consider the consequences at all. After listening to this for two hours, he truly broke out into laughter.
She kept saying funny things to Yuan Taihua, making him laugh like a duck. His face was flushed, as if he was dying.
The lovely dividing line.
Li Zhi merely held the report in his hand, and the smile on his face became even more brilliant. He looked at the hopeful faces of the generals in the tent, and suddenly slammed the report in his hand on the table. He stood up and shouted,"Everyone, return to the camp and reorganize your troops. Tomorrow night, we will bathe Blackbone City in blood.”
"I will obey the Commander-in-Chief and wash Blackbone City with blood.”These young generals of the Great Tang and the silkpants that Li Zhi had trained since they were young roared with excitement.
They hurried back to the camp to prepare. Some even whistled happily. For a moment, the entire camp was like an oil barrel that had been stained with sparks. The entire camp was on fire.
"Xue Rengui?"
"Your humble servant is here."
Li Zhi looked at Xue Rengui. Now that Xue Rengui had become his bodyguard, of course, only Li Jing, a non-transmigrator, would do such a thing. Li Zhi could not do it.
"Tomorrow night, lead 300 Dragon Cavalry and charge straight for the City Lord's Mansion. I want to capture the City Lord of Blackbone City alive.”Li Zhi looked at Xue Rengui gently. Well, this was considered a favor.
Xue Rengui was obviously stunned. Then, he walked to the front from behind Li Zhi in ecstasy. He knelt down and shouted in a low voice,"This humble servant is willing to make a military pledge. If we lose the City Lord of Black Bone City, we are willing to be punished by military law.”
Li Zhi smiled and went forward to help Xue Rengui up. He nodded and praised," Rengui, you are my junior brother. Hehe, I have high hopes for you. You won a Ferghana Horse and a set of excellent Mingguang Kai in the archery competition last time. I heard from your two brothers that you are also good at using the Heaven Scorching Halberd, which is quite similar to me. Today, I will reward you with a battle halberd that I have collected. I wonder if it is to your liking."”
A two-meter-long rosewood box carved with all kinds of auspicious clouds and ferocious beasts appeared in front of Xue Rengui, carried by two guards in front of the tent. Xue Rengui looked at Li Zhi with a blank expression. When he saw Li Zhi nod to open the box, Xue Rengui took a deep breath and slowly opened the box. As soon as the box was opened, a two-meter-long bright silver halberd lay quietly on the expensive light yellow Shu brocade.
Xue Rengui's heart trembled violently, and his eyes could no longer leave the halberd. He slowly reached out his hands and carefully picked it up from the box, just like Yuan Taihua. However, one was a beautiful but only ornamental colored glass candle lamp, and the other was an equally beautiful but deadly weapon that could kill millions of people.
Although Li Zhi's Severed Blood Halberd was made of excellent materials, Li Zhi did not make it very cool. Later on, Li Zhi personally drew a picture and collected the materials. He found that grandmaster to forge another one. It was 99% similar to the Heaven Halberd in the Baidu picture in his previous life. It was so gorgeous that it did not look like a weapon but more like a real piece of art. However, Li Zhi himself was reluctant to use the sharp halberd and the polished crescent moon. Now, he gave it to Xue Rengui. With Li Zhi's selfish personality, It was true that he valued Xue Rengui very much.
Although the halberd was not stained with blood, its cold light could destroy one's heart. The divine weapon had a spirit, as if it was born with a bloodthirsty killing intent. Xue Rengui's mind was lost as he looked at it. He only rubbed the halberd and smiled foolishly. Li Zhi was not in a hurry. He simply sat back on the commander's seat and took a sip of the top-quality Tieguanyin.
After a long time, Li Zhi couldn't stand it anymore. This guy wasn't stupid enough. Wasn't it just a weapon? If you were to see the power of the machine gun in the future, would you be in a vegetative state for the rest of your life?
Seeing Li Zhi's signal, Guihai Yidao went forward and gave Xue Rengui a little nudge. Damn it, Guihai Yidao directly kicked Xue Rengui and immediately left.
Xue Rengui finally woke up from a dream. He knelt down at Li Zhi's feet excitedly and prostrated himself on the ground." Thank you for the halberd, General. I will definitely take this halberd and fight for you. I will not regret it even if I die."”
"Rengui, do you know why I wrapped this halberd in a light yellow brocade?”Li Zhi put down his teacup and asked Xue Rengui abruptly without asking him to get up.
"This? Forgive me for not understanding the general's intentions." Xue Rengui lowered his head and replied doubtfully.
"Since the founding of the Great Tang, there have been many dukes, but other than the Xi'an King Li Xiaogong and the Jiangxia King Li Daozong, there have been no other kings. Bright yellow is the emperor's exclusive color, and light yellow is the color used by the vassal kings. Today, I am holding this halberd in my pale yellow brocade in the hope that one day you will be worthy of him. I hope that the first King of the Great Tang will emerge from my hands. Do you understand?"
Xue Rengui gritted his teeth and gave Li Zhi nine kowtows before growling,""Rengui was originally a mountain bumpkin. He only joined the army because he wanted to have a good meal and earn a family fortune. He didn't expect the general to value this humble servant so much. The general treated this humble servant as a national scholar, and this humble servant would repay the general as a national scholar.”
Xue Rengui's eyes were sparkling as he kowtowed to the ground. It seemed that he was really moved by Li Zhi's kindness. Of course, Li Zhi's identity as the future Emperor of the Tang Empire was also the most important. Otherwise, his words just now would not have moved Li Zhi. Instead, he would have directly attacked him.
Li Zhi helped Xue Rengui up and patted Xue Rengui's chest to make a note of the dust. Xue Rengui was so touched that his eyes turned red." Rengui, look at Guihai Yidao's envious eyes. I've given you a chance, so you have to work hard. The military has always respected the strong. Don't let others say that you climbed up because of my admiration and nepotism. Do you understand what I mean?"”
Xue Rengui let out a deep breath and his chest was shaking rapidly. He gritted his teeth and said word by word,""General, don't worry. From tomorrow night onwards, I will make everyone acknowledge me. I will make a contribution worthy of being the king of the same word. I will not let anyone say a word about General." This humble servant will go and prepare for the war."
" Mm." Li Zhi nodded his head comfortingly and smiled silently as he watched Xue Rengui's disappearing figure.
"Rothschild once said that if you want to win someone over, you have to move him from the smallest details. A simple act can still create miracles. Hehe, Xue Rengui's fighting spirit is probably enough to burn a hole in the sky. I'll laugh proudly, laugh proudly hahaha!"
Guihai Yidao looked at Li Zhi, who was suddenly laughing out loud, in shock. He scratched his head a little gloomily and thought to himself," It seems that I need to practice my Sunflower Saber Technique even more. If Xue Rengui can become the world's number one archer, then I, Guihai Yidao, can also become the world's number one saber technique.
Outside, the entire Dragon Cavalry Army was ready for battle. Everything was set for tomorrow night.
The lovely dividing line.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]