"Zanpu, the fire on the city is too big. The army is almost cut off!”
At a certain moment, a general suddenly rushed over to report.
Then, Songzan came to a sudden realization, and his face flushed red.
He raised his head and looked in the direction of the city wall.
The fire spread. Except for the tens of meters on both sides of the city wall that had not been ignited, the entire city wall was covered in flames.
The light from the fire shone from afar, making Songzan's face seem even redder.
"Hurry up! He climbed up the city wall and ordered the soldiers to open the city gates! Hurry!"
Songzan watched nervously as the soldiers climbed up the city wall and blew the bugle horn to attract the attention of the soldiers in the city. At the same time, he kept waving the two-colored flag and sending out orders.
"Kill them!"
"Kill all the Tibetan dogs!"
……
However, the sudden noise from the city caused Songzan's face to turn pale and his body to tremble.""Great Minister, how many soldiers have entered the city?”
"There should be at least five thousand people…"
Lu Dongzan's voice was low and trembling. He understood Songzan's concern.
The fire blocked it.
The soldiers outside the city could not enter, and the soldiers who entered the city became a lone army.
Puff!
Songzan spat out a mouthful of blood.
" Zampu…" Lu Dongzan's expression changed drastically. He quickly supported Songzan.
After vomiting blood, Songzan's expression gradually returned to normal. He waved his hand and said,""Great Minister, I'm fine."
"Order the army to think of a way to put out the fire and open the city gate.”
"Yes, sir!"
"General, the King of Wu is really ruthless!" On the fortress, Liu Rengui's confidant looked at the fire spreading on the city wall with fear in his eyes.
Countless corpses were set ablaze. Even from afar, one could smell the unique fragrance emitted by the burning.
Even though it was disgusting, the heat wave could not dispel the chill in his heart.
Liu Rengui didn't say anything, but he clenched his fists even tighter.
He even thought that if he were in the city right now, he might have the idea of cooperating with Songzan to eliminate Li Ke.
With a person like Li Ke alive, he would not be able to sleep peacefully in the future!
The flames covered the situation in the city.
Only the sounds of fighting could be heard.
It lasted for about half a day.
At sunset, the shouts in the city gradually stopped.
On the other hand, the fire on the city wall was burning more and more vigorously.
At this moment, countless people were staring at the city that was shrouded in flames.
Songzan stood in the city for an entire day. When the city returned to peace, his face was frighteningly pale.
"Zanpu, our side and Tuyuhun have about seven to eight thousand soldiers. Even if Li Ke had planned this, his forces will be exhausted after this battle.”
"After the fire is extinguished, we can enter the city and capture Li Ke alive!”
These words were meant to comfort Songzan, but Lu Dongzan couldn't help but clench his teeth.
The flames enveloped the city and lit up both inside and outside.
"Quick, quickly push down the houses near the city wall!”
"Stop the fire from spreading into the city!"
……
In the city, Cheng Chumo and the others were walking near the smoky city wall, instructing the surviving brothers to hurry up and push the houses close to the city wall.
It formed an isolation zone with the other houses in the city.
Fortunately, Li Ke had allowed the ordinary Helian tribe people to leave Tumen Pass during the war.
Back then, his thoughts were very simple.
If these people stayed in Tumen Pass, it would be an unstable factor.
The people were afraid of war and wanted to leave the city to hide, so he pushed the boat with the current.
"Big brother, Zhangsun Chong, Niu Lu, Cheng Chu Bi and the other brothers are seriously injured. Niu Lu is the most seriously injured and has fainted.”Outside the Marshal's Mansion, Li Ke was staring at the chaotic scene in the city with an expressionless face. Wei Shuyu quietly came to his side and said in a low voice.
Li Ke's hand trembled.
His right arm was also wrapped in a white cloth and hung in front of his chest. An arrow had pierced through his right arm.
Fortunately, his bones were not injured.
"Get the military doctors to do their best to treat him.”It was a calm sentence that seemed heartless, but Wei Shuyu could hear the hoarse voice that was trying its best to control its trembling.
"Big brother, the casualty statistics are out.”At this moment, Qin Huaiyu strode over from afar.
"What's going on?"
"There are about 5,000 brothers in the city who can fight again, and 5,000 wounded soldiers. I'm afraid…even if they survive, they won't be able to serve in the army anymore.”
Li Ke's eyelids trembled violently.
Qin Huaiyu then realized that after guarding the city for several days, his big brother's eyes were sunken, and even his cheekbones were very obvious.
His hair and face were unkempt, and he was extremely skinny. Only his eyes were exceptionally sharp.
" About 60,000 Martial Guards brothers…" Li Ke looked at the fire on the city wall and muttered to himself. He seemed to see the training scenes in the barracks." After the battle, there were only 10,000 survivors…"
Blood seeped out from the corner of Li Ke's lips.
Qin Huaiyu noticed that Li Ke's face had suddenly turned strangely red. He said worriedly,""Big brother…"
"I'm fine." Li Ke waved his hand and swallowed the blood that was surging up with grief and anger.
Tumen Pass allowed Li Ke to experience the cruelty of war that he had never experienced in his previous life.
"Big brother, our losses are heavy. Tubo and Tuyuhun suffered even worse losses. They lost at least 70,000! How many 70,000 of them could withstand such a huge loss! Casualties are inevitable in war. The brothers all know that no one could do better than you.”
" You don't have to comfort me, you don't have to comfort me…" Li Ke waved his hand.
"Let's take advantage of the rare quietness tonight and let our brothers take the time to rest. We'll work hard and lead some brothers to fix the obstacles in the city.”
"Yes, sir!"
The next morning.
Songzan climbed up the city wall that was emitting white smoke from time to time.
The thick soles of the shoes could still feel the heat.
The charred city wall was as soft as sand when he stepped on it with his toes.
A portion of the Tibetan soldiers had already descended into the city and began to move away the stones blocking the city gates.
He looked down the street that was littered with corpses.
In the distance, a deer antler stood on the street a dozen steps away.
He could vaguely see Li Ke's commander flag.
"Great Minister, send an envoy to see Li Ke, hoping that he will surrender. Tell him that he doesn't need to hand over his weapon. I, Songzan, swear on the dignity of Tubo that I will send him and his soldiers out of Tumen Pass!”
The city was decorated like a porcupine.
Songzan didn't want to continue fighting.
He couldn't afford to lose any more!
The city was filled with injured soldiers. Out of the 100,000 soldiers, only 40,000 were left.
He could clearly see the fear in the eyes of the Tibetan warriors from time to time.
The morale of the army was about to collapse.
The soldiers were already tired of fighting.
Lu Dongzan couldn't understand why Songzan had changed his mind.
"Yes."
The marshal's manor.
Li Ke finally received a letter from Dafei Chuan.
After he saw it, he could neither laugh nor cry.
He just wanted to point at the old man's face and scold him for being shameless!
The letter promised that they would reach Tumen Pass within three days.
But today was already the third day!
"Imperial Brother, what did Imperial Father say?" When Li Tai heard the news, he hurried over to ask.
Li Ke glared at him, and Li Tai subconsciously shrank his head.
"What are you asking? You're just a pawn now. Get back to your post!”Facing Li Ke's angry rebuke, Li Tai didn't dare to refute. He muttered and left in his small armor that didn't fit him.
Li Ke threw the letter on the table and muttered,""Not even a piece of toilet paper!"
The brothers who could sit here looked at each other, not daring to speak.
After all, this was an imperial order!
"Report! The Tibetan messenger requests an audience!"
"Songzan's messenger?"
"What is Little Barbarian trying to do? Is he here to show off?”
"Big brother, don't see him anymore. Just kill him!”
……
Li Ke pressed his hand down and calmed down. He said,"We still have to meet. Let's hear what Songzan has to say.”
At the same time.
Dafei River.
Li Shi Min paced around the tent anxiously and asked,"Any news from Tumen Pass?”
"Your Majesty, it has been three days since we received any news from Tumen Pass.”
"Could it be that Tumen Pass…"
"Impossible!"
……
Zhangsun Wuji watched as Li Shiming's face darkened. He waved his hand and let the others leave. There were only Li Shiming, Li Jing, and Zhangsun Wuji in the tent.
Qin Shubao and the other generals were leading troops to clear out the remnants of Murong Xiaojun.
"Your Majesty, let's marry! Marriage was the only way to alleviate the situation at Tumen Pass.”Zhangsun Wuji brought up the past.
This time, Li Shi Min didn't get angry.
Li Jing secretly glanced at Zhangsun Wuji.
To Li Ke, bringing up the topic of marriage was like poison.
Although it saved his life, it also completely destroyed Li Ke.
Everyone knew that Li Ke was the first person to suggest that the Great Tang should never marry.
Now, if the world knew that Li Ke had asked the Great Tang to re-establish a marriage alliance in order to survive, then the Great Tang would be in a dire situation.
Li Ke's reputation would be completely ruined.
Zhangsun Wuji was saving Li Ke's life, but at the same time, he was also cutting off Li Ke's future path to the throne.
He did not say anything.
Li Ke did not have the qualifications to compete for the crown prince, so he could inherit the legacy of the military.
He was just a little disappointed for Li Ke.
……
Northwest border of Tuyuhun.
An army broke through the few border troops of Tuyuhun and entered majestically.
Li Chengqian rode beside this army of people whose skin color was different from that of the Central Plainsmen, a smile on his lips as he casually said to Hou Junji,"General Hou, I heard that the battle at Tumen Pass is intense, and Imperial Father has been unable to conquer Dafei River for a long time.”
"I am the one who decided the situation in Tuyuhun!”
"Where do you think I should go now? Dafei River or Tumen Pass?”
"Your Highness is going to Dafei Chuan. Your Highness Ke is wise and mighty, and will definitely be able to guard Tumen Pass.”A cold smile appeared on Hou Junji's lips.
Li Chengqian had this thought.
The reinforcements from Tumen Pass should be a little later. It would be best if Li Ke died in battle and Songzan took Tumen Pass.
Using Songzan, he could get rid of the two competitors that threatened the Crown Prince's position.
……
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