I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 525 - 47: Ravaging Liaodong, Slaughtering Through Goryeo

The medical level of Liaodong is indeed far too backward compared to Kyushu. The corpses left by Gu Jing in Wuguo City were not just for intimidation, but also to leave trouble for them.

And the most crucial thing is—human hearts.

Upon witnessing such a horrific scene, these people no longer wanted to continue fighting.

Their actions, naturally, were half-hearted.

Moreover, with the fear of Gu Jing all along the way, and the distressing sights encountered, it all truly chilled the heart.

As a result, information naturally lagged a little.

When this news reached Pyongyang, the entire city was thrown into complete chaos.

——Yeon Gaesomun was furious.

He immediately ordered the messenger who delivered the news to be executed, then quickly dispatched scouts and mobilized troops to pursue and block Gu Jing.

He could not remain calm.

If Gu Jing were allowed to rampage like this, even if Anshi City managed somehow, the Liaodong defense line was bound to collapse completely.

And as long as the Tang Army broke in.

Without the advantage of the terrain, whether they could hold out until winter was uncertain!

Yeon Gaesomun even mobilized the garrison within Pyongyang.

But what could that achieve?

It was too late!

On a battlefield involving both the north and south, affecting the whole situation, it is not easy to maintain a balanced front with an entirely outdated set of equipment, even with favorable terrain.

Let alone now that signs of collapse were already showing.

The Goguryeo defense relied on interlocking terrain; a minor accident might still allow them to stabilize and gradually tighten their defense line.

But now, it’s a massive collapse!

And it’s from the inside out!

Such a scale of collapse is no longer preventable.

The most crucial point is——

Gu Jing never intended to hide any news from the beginning, always leaving the banners of the Great Tang and the Gu Clan wherever he went.

They stood amongst countless corpses and the ruins of destroyed cities.

"Where this flag stands, charred earth and ruins serve as proof. Witness the dragon flag of Great Tang, and the black banner of the Gu Clan; those who see it and do not surrender—will face slaughter across the city!"

This rumor gradually rose from all quarters, spreading more and more.

And in such a situation, Yeon Gaesomun could only continue gathering troops to trap and kill Gu Jing.

But again, the same issue arises.

The battlefield is always one where a slight movement can shake the entire situation.

When the whole of Liaodong was thrown into chaos due to Gu Jing, and Yeon Gaesomun was constantly gathering troops.

Anshi City was bound to descend into chaos!

At the end of July, the Tang Army officially broke through Anshi City and collaborated with Gu Jing.

The entire Liaodong defense line began to collapse continuously, from the outside to the inside.

Pyongyang was in danger!

Yeon Gaesomun dared not continue dispatching troops and could only continually concentrate all forces towards Pyongyang city.

The threat of death and extinction of the clan loomed over the entire Pyongyang city.

No one could have guessed that the whole situation would change so drastically in such a short time.

Without the help of the terrain.

The troops of Goguryeo and Baekje were as fragile as thin paper before the Tang Army; coupled with the increasingly widespread rumors, no one dared to combat the Tang Army.

Additionally, Yeon Gaesomun was continually retracting.

Almost in an instant, the whole of Liaodong surrendered completely to the Great Tang.

King Uija of Baekje could not withstand the pressure and was the first to surrender.

He withdrew all his troops.

Personally leading a group to meet Li Shimin, and emulating the ancient Kyushu ritual of "bearing a rod of punishment," he had himself bound.

"Respected Emperor of Great Tang, the invincible Celestial Khan."

"I am willing to surrender."

"I hope for your forgiveness of my sins. I am willing to give up everything, to gain your understanding."

Within the Tang Army camp.

King Uija, tears streaming down his face, knelt before Li Shimin, continuously kowtowing.

He was truly frightened.

The strength of Baekje was initially no match for Goguryeo, making the pressure of resisting the Great Tang immense, compounded by those series of rumors and defeats, he could only choose to surrender.

If he didn’t surrender, his nobles might directly kill him.

Li Shimin’s gaze was exceedingly cold, looking down upon King Uija, with no intention of concealing his murderous intent.

But after all, he is Li Shimin, not allowing some anger to cost him rationality.

He could see why Gu Jing acted this way, understanding that the Great Tang of today didn’t have the extra strength to educate Liaodong.

And utterly destroying Baekje and Goguryeo, letting Silla dominate, did not align with the interests of the Great Tang either.

Of course, he would not spare the King of Baekje.

Whether to give an account to the people of Kyushu, or to set an example for Liaodong, King Uija must die.

Actually, for him, sparing King Uija now would be best, as it would surely tempt Yeon Gaesomun to come and seek forgiveness, potentially reducing a lot of casualties.

But Li Shimin would not do so.

He would spare the Baekje nobles, pressing further on Goguryeo.

Li Shimin didn’t even bother to say more, simply gesturing at King Uija, "Execute!"

"Display his head to the three armies, announce King Uija’s crimes!"

In an instant, King Uija collapsed to the ground, too weak even to beg for mercy.

Only when taken away by the Tang Army did he begin to wail again.

But it was all in vain.

The death of King Uija stirred no other reaction within the Tang Army.

At this stage, whether it was Li Shimin or the soldiers of the Great Tang, their goal was only one.

——That was the city of Pyongyang.

Simultaneously, Gu Jing was also advancing toward Pyongyang. ...

——————

"In the twentieth year of Zhenguan, Liaodong was in turmoil.

Gu Quan’s eldest son, Left Martial Guard Middle General, Acting Marching Deputy Commander Gu Jing, broke through Wuguo, attacked Jian’an, unstoppable in all directions.

Rampaging through Left Liao, capturing dozens of strongholds, the battlefield scattered with blood-drenched wilderness.

Slashing and capturing tens of thousands, corpses blockading rivers.

The whole nation of Goguryeo was terrified, civilians turning pale upon hearing the name "Gu Clan."

——The Chronicles of Tang, Biography of Gu Jing