Chapter 286 Destruction
The eighth year of Li Yuan, early November.

In just a dozen days, Dai Viet was defeated all the way from the sea to the land, and then from the land to the gate of the capital.

However, the population of Dai Viet was not small. If all of them were mobilized, it would be possible to mobilize an army of 200,000 or 300,000 like Goguryeo in the Tang Dynasty.

now……

The only thing Zhao Hong could do was, first, to capture the opponent’s capital as quickly as possible.

Second, while taking over the enemy’s capital, we must also be on guard against their troops stationed in other places rushing back to provide support at any time.

can only say……

This battle is quite dangerous.

But a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger. As an advisor, Wang Shao is also a bold and strategic man.

Therefore, no matter how dangerous the situation was, they still did it.

The good news is…

After the battles in the past few days, the soldiers of Dai Viet should have realized the gap between the two sides.

Therefore, these soldiers who have witnessed the strength of the Song Dynasty army, at least when resisting them, their morale is definitely not so stable, and they don’t want to confront the opposing Song army.

What Li Changjie needs to do is to encourage the soldiers.

If Di Qing had led the troops, Li Changjie might have used family feuds and national hatred to motivate the soldiers to fight to the death.

They said that when they come, they will take your land and your women.

But now…

The one leading the troops was Zhao Hong, and Zhao Hong’s call for war had already spread everywhere.

It is said that we can treat the local people well.

This directly extinguished Li Changjie’s last hope.

to be frank!
The current time point is not really the most suitable time to attack Jiaozhi.

Because the current Ly Rizun is only the third king of Vietnam in the Ly Dynasty. You should know that if this happened in the Tang Dynasty, it would be the period of Li Zhi.

At this time, the country’s strength was just reaching its peak, there were fewer national conflicts, and civil officials, generals, and soldiers were relatively more loyal.

At the same time, many officials still felt a sense of accomplishment towards their Dai Viet Kingdom.

They even regard themselves as the “Heavenly Kingdom” or the “superior country”.

at this time……

You choose to attack a country whose national strength is gradually rising and whose domestic conflicts are relatively few.

The other party’s ministers, out of loyalty, will have to fight with you.

but……

The Song Dynasty actually had no solution.

after all……

I can’t always wait until you are weak before hitting you.

Just think of it as a way to give yourself a boost.

November 10th.

Li Changjie led the remaining troops back to Thang Long City, the capital of Dai Viet.

Zhao Hong also sent out a small force to persuade some small cities and prefectures in the surrounding areas to surrender and take control.

of course!

Li Changjie will definitely not sit idly by and wait for death.

even……

Some loyal and brave people in Dai Viet would never sit and wait for death.

Although, the capital of Dai Viet, Thang Long City, is only about 200 miles away from the coast in a straight line.

But every section of this journey of more than 200 miles.

All of these places could become places where they would ambush the Song army.

this year.

Li Rizun is forty-nine years old.

Seeing that the enemy was about to reach the capital, Li Rizun naturally sat up in shock from his dying illness.

“You mean… our soldiers can’t even get close to them?”

Li Changjie also replied: “We are not even a match for each other.”

“So what do you think we should do next?”

Li Changjie also said: “Your Majesty, please prepare for the worst.”

Li Rizun thought for a moment and asked, “What is this worst-case scenario you mentioned?”

Li Changjie said, “Your Majesty, please move to the city on the northern mountain. If we can delay the enemy until the summer of the following year, they will retreat.”

But just as they were discussing whether to evacuate Thang Long City at this moment.

Someone outside also came to report.

“Report!”

“explain.”

“The enemy is outside the city.”

“what!”

Li Changjie urged again: “Your Majesty, please move quickly.”

……

outside the city.

The 2,500 vanguards of the Song army have arrived at the city.

and……

After capturing several cities, some local horses were also requisitioned.

Now they have managed to form a cavalry of about 500 people, composed of the northerners who had accompanied Zhao Hong and his men south.

There are still horses in Vietnam.

It’s just that compared with the northern grasslands, the number is a little small.

But no matter how small a mosquito is, it is still meat, and having a horse to ride is always better than walking.

Everyone arrived at the foot of Thang Long City, and the rest of the army was on their way, carrying siege equipment.

to be frank!
This siege is really troublesome.

Especially a capital city like Thang Long.

The moat was naturally very wide and not easy to attack.

Li Changjie was shocked when he learned that the Song army had arrived here.

Why so fast?
Now the urging became even more urgent.

But Li Rizun also has dignity.

Moreover, he had been to the battlefield and fought with others.

however……

Perhaps it is precisely because of this that he has developed some hidden illnesses and pains in his old age.

“Is it really impossible to fight?”

Li Rizun asked Li Changjie with a serious face.

Li Changjie also said: “With the speed of the Song army’s attack on the city, I’m afraid that Shenglong City will not be able to resist for a day.”

In fact, what Li Changjie wants to say is…

It’s not that I can’t fight.

only……

The soldiers have been scared out of their wits. If you ask them to fight the Song army now, no matter how many of them come, they will basically run away if they can. Nine out of ten will just be slacking off and will not be able to really fight the enemy at all.

But Li Rizun thought that this might be too exaggerated!

The minister beside him also said: “Thang Long City is so strong. If Thang Long City cannot be defended, it will be even more impossible to defend other cities.”

Li Changjie said: “But this can delay the Song army. If we stay here, we will be caught in a jar.”

The minister asked, “Are you saying that Your Majesty is a turtle?”

Li Changjie replied: “I am loyal to the end, and Your Majesty knows that.”

It is said that what is heard is false and what is seen is true.

Anyway…

The enemy has now arrived at the city.

Then just take a look.

Then…

He asked everyone to go out together, and at the same time, asked Li Changjie to organize the troops.

When Li Rizun led his men to the city wall, they saw that in the distance, a mile or two away, there were no less than a thousand soldiers gathering.

But at the moment, it seems that this number is not large.

Therefore, after watching, he also said to another close friend beside him: “The number of people on the other side is not small. Li Linu, you go, take two thousand people, and go to meet the other side.”

When the personal guard Li Linu heard this, he immediately replied, “Yes!”

At the same time, he said to another guard, “Chen Li, you take a thousand cavalrymen and go out of the north gate. After the two sides start fighting, see if you can split into two groups and attack the enemy from behind from both wings.”

But Li Changjie said: “Your Majesty…”

however……

Li Rizun glared in this direction.

Li Changjie had no choice but to shut up.

then……

The city gate slowly opened and the drawbridge slowly dropped down.

On the Song army side, scouts also saw this situation through binoculars.

Immediately reported to the commander.

The commander also asked someone to report the situation to the rear.

At the same time, prepare to retreat.

Li Rizun stood on the city wall and saw that the enemy seemed to be retreating. He asked Li Changjie, “Is the Song army really as strong as you said?”

Li Changjie said, “This must be a trap!” Li Rizun really wanted to see what trap the Song army had set.

While at the foot of the city, Li Linu also saw the Song army trying to escape.

It is naturally impossible to let the other party escape.

He ordered his soldiers to quickly catch up with the enemy soldiers who wanted to retreat.

But the problem is…

It’s at least one or two miles away.

Even the elite soldiers around the emperor were sweating after running one or two miles.

really!

When the enemy was about to run to the front of the Song army with two thousand people, they began to gasp for breath.

of course!

Their goal is not to defeat the enemy head-on.

Instead, the most important thing is to wait until the cavalry comes on the field next.

but……

The Song army’s intention to retreat forced them to march quickly.

Also, the other party was somewhat greedy for merit, but think about it, it is extremely rare for a military general not to be greedy for merit. Li Linu was really afraid that the Song army would escape, and then he would not be able to make any merit.

As a result, the distance between him and the Song army suddenly became too close.

even……

When the Song army stopped and turned around to prepare to shoot, they thought that the Song army saw that they could not escape, so they stopped and fought the enemy.

“kill!”

Li Linu shouted loudly.

It seemed as if victory was just around the corner.

Li Changjie said that the enemy’s weapons could penetrate their shields, but Li Linu obviously didn’t believe it.

But soon…

Li Linu had no choice but to believe it.

All I heard was a series of bang bang bang sounds.

The wooden and iron-reinforced shields in the hands of some people were directly pierced through.

The Song army adopted the method of loading and shooting in turns to ensure that the firepower was continuous.

On the other hand, Li Linu…

This took a short while.

No one wanted to fight anymore.

in fact……

Logically speaking, Li Changjie should have presented Li Rizun with a shield pierced by a musket.

but……

Indeed! He simply didn’t have the time or opportunity to do so.

It only takes a moment for us to meet face to face.

at the same time……

The cavalry troops that were scouting outside the city in other directions not far away also heard the sound of gunfire from this side.

Knowing that a fight had probably broken out, the cavalry immediately rushed over here.

one look……

The cavalry were delighted to see a large number of deserters fleeing.

They all took up their weapons. All they had to do next was to harvest heads.

and……

In order to save their lives, deserters would take off their armor in advance.

There was chaos outside Thang Long City.

Fortunately, their cavalry arrived behind them and the Song army gave up the massacre.

But even so.

After this small battle, Li Rizun still lost more than six or seven hundred infantrymen and more than two hundred cavalrymen.

But you have to know…

These are the elite of their country.

Those are Li Rizun’s royal guards.

Eat the best, wear the best, and the result is…

After seeing the results of the battle, Li Rizun no longer insisted.

Leave tonight!

But the problem is…

If he leaves, what will happen to the people in this city?
This question was directly thrown to Li Changjie.

Li Changjie was also stunned, but he quickly said: “Your Majesty, please rest assured. The Song army does not engage in massacres. I saw it with my own eyes.”

Li Rizun said again: “If I, the great Emperor of Dai Viet, abandon my people at the most critical moment and run away… what does that mean?”

Li Changjie: “…”

Yup!

As the emperor, you took the lead and ran away. Who will obey you in the future?
Li Rizun is a man with a clear mind.

He is not one of those stupid emperors described in history books.

after all……

The current Dai Viet Kingdom has only reached its third generation.

Li Changjie thought about it and felt that it was right, but if he really didn’t run away, he would probably be in danger of losing his country.

Then he asked, “Your Majesty, do you really want to become the king of a fallen country?”

Li Rizun thought, of course he didn’t want to.

But the problem is…

If you run away, how will you explain to the people in the city?

Not to mention……

There are still many officials and their wives and daughters in the city.

Li Rizun finally said: “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Defend Thang Long City!”

The Song army was also wondering whether Li Rizun would run away.

Wang Shao thought that it was useless to run away because they would occupy the city if he ran away.

Zhao Hong said: “I am afraid that we can occupy their city but cannot retain their hearts and minds.”

Wang Shao said, “The other side even ran away from the king. How can the people still support this king?”

“On the contrary, if the other party escapes, it may be more advantageous for us in the future!”

Zhao Hong thought about it carefully.

Correct!
In this way, Li Rizun had one more crime.

however……

When the follow-up troops arrived, Zhao Hong was a little disappointed that the other side chose not to run away.

Even Zhao Hong had to sigh that if he wanted to rule Jiaozhi, he would have a long and arduous journey.

More than 10,000 troops came directly to the city.

There were also a large number of civilian laborers who were recruited by the Song army to carry the soil.

Only the part where the suspension bridge is located needs to be filled.

Therefore, the pressure of this project is not that great.

As for the people from Jiaozhi who were called to work, Zhao Hong also gave money directly to each of them.

Where can you find such a good person?

The key is that Zhao Hong doesn’t need the opponent to fill the line.

The other party only needs to move the soil and other things to a relatively nearby place.

When the engineering equipment is set up, a battle of life and death is about to begin.

of course!

Before fighting, you still have to persuade them to surrender.

Even if the other party may not necessarily listen.

But the Song army still had to express its goodwill first.

Do not harm the civilians in the slightest.

Soldiers will not be killed as long as they lay down their weapons and surrender.

For officials, they will continue to hold the same position as before.

If you still resist, you will bear the consequences.

At this time in Thang Long City, if the militia was also mobilized, it would not be a problem to easily mobilize more than 50,000 soldiers.

But the problem is…

It is questionable how much combat effectiveness these more than 50,000 people have.

That night.

Li Changjie tried to put up a final resistance and brought out 5,000 elite soldiers, intending to launch a surprise attack on the Song army’s camp.

but……

The Song army was well prepared, so Li Changjie had to retreat again.

Wait until the next morning, when the first ray of sunlight shines on the city wall.

The officers, soldiers, residents and common people of Dai Viet could not help but have a feeling.

them……

It seemed that the country was about to be destroyed.

Early the next morning, Zhao Hong ordered his men to raise the slogan of recovering the lost territories of the Han and Tang dynasties and bringing Jiaozhi back to the embrace of the Central Plains. Then he gave the order to attack the city.

(End of this chapter)