The Goguryeo court and the people finally accepted Yuan Taizuo's decision. There were not many Sui troops near Pyongyang City. If they surrendered without fighting in a battle, they would be unreasonable. ☆→San☆→Jiang☆→Ge☆→

Since the battle was decided, Pyongyang City was actively preparing for war. A team of soldiers began to mobilize from house to house, ordering young men to join the army to fight, and directly arrested the men who refused to join the army. Women could be seen chasing out of the house everywhere on the streets and they could be heard crying.

Not only men, but young women also mobilized to transport supplies, repair city walls, cook and wash clothes for the army.

Hundreds of rich people's ox carts were crowded with property at the city gate. Dozens of wealthy businessmen begged soldiers to open the door, but were ruthlessly rejected. The entire city of Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of busyness and chaos.

Yuan Taizuo stood on the city wall with his hands behind his back, staring coldly at the chaos in the city. He had a serious expression and said nothing. No one knew what the actual Goguryeo ruler was thinking, and no one dared to disturb his thoughts.

At this time, General Yizhi Wende quickly walked to Yuan Taizuo. He seemed to want to report something to Yuan Taizuo, but was stopped by several personal soldiers.

"Mr. Mo Lizhi is considering important things and cannot be disturbed."

Yizhi Wende immediately said anxiously: "I have an emergency report and can't delay it for a moment!"

"What's up?"

Yuan Taizuo had recovered from his meditation and looked back at Eji Wende, "What emergency?"

Yizhi Wende hurried forward and said, "I just got the news that the Sui army had captured Seoul. The prefect Gao Han surrendered to the Sui army. The Sui army occupied Seoul without spending one soldier."

Yuan Taizuo couldn't help but clench his fists and whispered: "The Gao royal family is all a group of cords!"

He asked again: "Is there any news on the mine?"

Eji Wende shook his head, "No news!"

What Yuan Taizuo was really worried about was the 80,000 Sui army prisoners of war on the mine. Originally, 10,000 troops were guarding 80,000 prisoners of war. However, as the war was approaching, he ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from the mine a month ago. Now there are only 5,000 troops left on the mine, and it would be a bit reluctant to guard 80,000 prisoners of war on his own. If the Sui army rushed to rescue prisoners of war, the situation would be in danger.

"Sir, I'm afraid the Sui army won't know about the prisoner-of-war camp!"

Yizhi Wende added: "Normal soldiers would not know that prisoners of war were being held in Heshan."

Yuan Taizuo shook his head, "But Quan Wenshou knew very well. In order to save his life, all secrets would be revealed, otherwise what would the Sui army do to fight Seoul? I suspect that they were just to resettle Sui army prisoners of war, and to come to Buer to postpone the decisive battle, which may also be related to prisoners of war."

Yizhi Wende was shocked. Eighty thousand Sui army prisoners! If they were all incorporated into the Sui army, wouldn’t Pyongyang face the attack of more than 100,000 Sui army? He immediately became worried.

Yuan Taizuo seemed to understand his thoughts. Although Yuan Taizuo himself was also worried, at the moment of the war, he did not want to shake the determination of Yizhi Wende to resist, so he slowly said: "You don't have to worry too much. Most of the Sui army prisoners of war are injured. It is impossible to put into battle without raising them for several months to six months. It would be good to have 10,000 or 20,000 yuan at most, and it would not change the overall situation. However, the situation in the city worried me."

Yuan Taizuo pointed at the chaotic streets in the city with a horse whip. "I feel that many civilians are unwilling to join the army to fight for the country to die. This will affect morale. You must seize the time to train them and make them understand the truth that the lips and teeth are cold. Once Goguryeo is destroyed, they will be slaves to the country!"

"I understand!"

At this time, Yuan Taizuo's eldest son Yuan Gaisuwen rushed over and whispered a few words to Yuan Taizuo. Yuan Taizuo was immediately furious. "I dare to escape in the battle and disrupt our morale. I must kill him!"

Yizhi Wende hesitated and asked, "Is it Quanhuan?"

"It's this thief who dared to open the west gate out of the city without authorization!"

Yuan Taizuo turned around and rushed down the city angrily. After walking a few steps, he pointed to hundreds of ox carts at the city gate with a horse whip, and said to his eldest son coldly: "Since those people are unwilling to serve the country, there is no need for them to survive. All their property is confiscated and they are arrested and executed!"

"Abide by the order!"

Yuan Gaisuwen gave a bow and hurried away. Oji Wende, who was beside him, sighed helplessly, "Damage is coming, birds fly away from the forest, this is human nature, why should Lord Mo Lizhi take his anger on them."

Zhang Xuan crossed the Wushui River at the middle of the night and returned to the Sui army camp. His mission was to rescue the Sui army prisoners of war. Resetting 80,000 prisoners of war and reorganizing the army was Yuwen Chengdu's mission. After he and Yuwen Chengdu handed over the mission, he led his army back to the camp.

The soldiers had already returned to the camp to rest. As the main general of this operation, Zhang Xuan hurried to the coach's tent and reported the rescue situation to the coach.

Lai Hu'er didn't fall asleep either. His tent was brightly lit. He was discussing a decisive battle with the Censor General Cui Junsu and his aide Li Jing.

Cui Junsu was about forty years old, with a medium figure, white face and long beard, and gentle. As the chief censor, he went to fight with the army, and was actually the supervisor of the Eastern Expedition.

At the same time, Cui Junsu also served as the former army chief, responsible for handling various political affairs and miscellaneous tasks in the army. He had just arrived at the Pyongyang camp from Wugucheng three days ago.

Although Cui Junsu was born in the Choi family of Boling, he was a disciple of Pei Ju. He was highly regarded by Pei Ju and was promoted step by step. Because Pei Ju was old, everyone believed that Cui Junsu would become Pei Ju's successor and be in charge of external affairs. Especially this time in the east to goguryeo, Cui Junsu was fully responsible for negotiations with Goguryeo.

However, Yuan Taizuo, the actual ruler in Goguryeo, refused to negotiate, and Cui Junsu could only support Lai Huer and Goguryeo. Only by completely dismantling Goguryeo's fighting spirit with force can there be room for negotiation.

Cui Junsu stroked his beard and smiled, "I received a secret letter from Quan Huan, the second powerful minister of Goguryeo yesterday. The differences within Goguryeo were very serious. Gao Yuan was determined to negotiate and had no intention of fighting again, but Yuan Taizuo was determined to fight again. Because Yuan Taizuo was too powerful in the court, many lords and officials in the court dared not speak out. As long as we can defeat the Goguryeo army, the lords and factions in the city will definitely have the upper hand. Even if there are more than 100,000 troops in the city, they will not insist on fighting anymore. So the key is this battle under the city."

Because Quan Huan's eldest son Quan Wenshou fell into the hands of the Sui army, he had secretly contacted the Sui army more than once. When he came to Hu'er, he knew that Quan Huan's words were relatively reliable.

He nodded and said, "Of course I know the importance of this decisive battle, but our troops are still slightly insufficient and we are not sure of absolute victory. I hope to obtain tens of thousands of troops from the Sui army prisoners of war. Then the victory of this war is much greater, and I hope to confirm the specific date of the battle."

After saying that, he turned around and looked at his aide Li Jing. Li Jing pondered for a moment and said, "I suggest that the general arrange the date of the final battle as soon as possible, so he can't delay it."

Lai Hu'er was stunned and was about to ask in detail. At this time, a soldier reported at the door of the tent: "You report to the general, Zhang Xuan is asking for a meeting!"

Lai Hu'er was overjoyed and hurriedly ordered: "Let him in!"

After a moment, Zhang Xuan walked into the tent and saluted: "I am not good at ease, see the general!"

"How is it?" Lai Hu'er asked impatiently.

"I have lived up to the great commander of the commander and successfully completed the mission. At present, all 80,000 prisoners of war have been transferred to Seoul."

Lai Hu'er slapped his forehead heavily, "It's really God who helped me with the Great Sui Dynasty!"

Cui Junsu next to him couldn't help but ask: "How many prisoners of war can be incorporated into the army to fight?"

Zhang Xuan didn't know Cui Junsu, and he didn't know how to answer. Li Jing smiled and introduced: "This is the censor Cui Zhongcheng, and also our former army chief."

Zhang Xuan hurriedly clasped his fists and said, "Reporting to Cui Changshi, most prisoners of war are injured. General Cui said that at most, they can only raise 20,000 troops to fight."

"Only 20,000!"

Lai Hu'er was a little disappointed. He thought that at least half of the 80,000 prisoners of war could use at least half of them, and the chances of winning were much greater, but if it was only 20,000, it would be a tough battle.

At this time, Cui Junsu hesitated and asked, "General Zhang, who is General Cui you just mentioned?"

"It's the original prefect Cui of Zhuo County!"

Several people in the tent were shocked at the same time. Isn’t Cui Hongsheng dead? Why is he still alive? Cui Junsu was even more excited. Cui Hongsheng was his uncle, but he was not dead. He grabbed Zhang Xuan’s arm and asked in a trembling voice: “What you said is true?”

"Of course it's true. Thanks to his help, I was able to rescue successful prisoners of war. But he is old and doesn't want to become an official again."

Cui Junsu was so excited that tears came out, and he raised his head and choked and said in a voice: "God bless me, my uncle is not dead, he is still alive."

Lai Hu'er smiled and said to Cui Junsu, "It's a joy to congratulate Cui Gongshang, but let's talk about the decisive battle first, and then let the Changshi and Cui Gong reunite."

"Okay! OK! I'm a little out of control." Cui Junsu quickly wiped away his tears and glanced at Zhang Xuan gratefully.

Lai Hu'er asked Li Jing again: "You just said you would fight as soon as possible, why is this?"

Li Jing sighed, "It's rainy in autumn in Goguryeo. Rainy days will affect the performance of crossbowmen. There are 5,000 cavalry on the other side, so we can only rely on crossbowmen to restrain it. As the autumn rainy season is about to begin, it's better to start the war early."

Li Jing's reminder made Lai Hu'er realize that she couldn't delay for a long time. He asked Zhang Xuan: "When will the 20,000 troops come?"

Zhang Xuan thought for a while and said, "General Cui said that the reorganization can be completed in only two to three days. I think they can cross the river in at most four days."

Lai Hu'er nodded slowly, "Okay, the final battle in four days!" (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!