Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 356: Assassinated on the street when first arriving in Baekje
Chen Qingsi took the command ship of the Tang Dynasty Navy and safely passed the coastline of Goguryeo. Standing on a high place, they could even see the port water village that the other party had missed.

Chen Qingsi's military level has been continuously improving in the years he has been in the Ministry of War. It is hard to say how many actual combats he has done, but his ability to talk on paper has come easily. Looking at the soldiers gathered on the wall of Shuizhai City, he said: "The Goguryeo thieves can capture this line of defense in less than a day."

The commander of the navy, Dugu Qingyun, said: "The commander-in-chief has good eyesight. Goguryeo once established a navy in order to strengthen the sea defense line. It also built military ports many times to prevent our navy from attacking Pyongyang from land and water."

"Hey!"

He smiled proudly and said: "The navy of Goguryeo and the navy of the Tang Dynasty fought against each other. Before they could survive a round, my navy's buildings and ships were smashed into pieces. The water fortress they had worked so hard to build did not survive. Two days later. At first, Goguryeo didn't believe in evil and built three military fortresses in succession. As a result, we launched several raids and directly demolished them when they were repairing them. Next, they learned their lesson and stopped wasting people's and material resources. , Just build a water fortress to prevent our army from advancing directly to Pyongyang."

Chen Qingsi nodded. In his memory, Pyongyang City was not far from the Liaodong Strait. Once the navy landed, it could directly threaten Pyongyang.

There is such a geographical disadvantage. According to common sense, it should be easy to target.

However, the Sui and Tang dynasties still did not take advantage of Pyongyang. Even if the Tang Dynasty later destroyed Goguryeo, it was only when Goguryeo Yuan Gaisuwen died of illness and his three sons had internal fights and people were panicked. Taking advantage of the situation.

It also stopped at the gate of Pyongyang and was not available for a while. It wasn't until a traitor appeared in the city and the city gates were forcibly opened that Goguryeo was overthrown.

So, Chen Qingsi asked: "Is Pyongyang City really difficult to conquer?"

Dugu Qingyun said: "Pyongyang City is located on the bank of the Datong River, with the river in the southeast and steep mountains in the west. But the Peony Terrace in the north is towering. The mountains and rivers form natural chasms with each other, making it extremely difficult to attack. And..." He paused and said: " The previous Yang Guangguang army was defeated by Goguryeo in their expedition, and Goguryeo captured many of their siege equipment and craftsmen. They also mastered the equipment of the Central Plains. They knew that Pyongyang City was vulnerable to attack. Hundreds of cannon-rock carts and powerful crossbows were built in various strategic locations.”

When he said this, he sighed: "The artillery vehicles of our dynasty have been improved and have much better technology than the previous dynasty. However, they are located at a high place and have too much advantage in range, so they are still at a disadvantage."

Chen Qingsi pursed her lips, knowing that if she wanted to capture Goguryeo, the city of Pyongyang would be the biggest problem.

He didn't want to wait until Yeon Gaesumun died of illness. He had already rewritten so much history. God knows whether this powerful official who monopolized the military and political power of Goguryeo would have the same life span in history.

Chen Qingsi thought about it all the way until he arrived at Xiongjin Port.

Because he had received the news in advance, Fang Renyu had already waited at the port terminal in advance.

The veteran looked dejected at this moment. When he saw Chen Qingsi getting off the boat first, he looked at the banner holding the power of life and death held high behind him, with a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

When he learned that it was Chen Qingsi who replaced him, Fang Renyu already felt a little emotional.

Seeing Chen Qingsi in front of him, wearing a purple robe as a civil servant, with an outstanding temperament, and a bright festival flag hanging high behind him, his mood turned into dissatisfaction and a little bit angry. Although he had not accomplished anything, he would not let a young man do it. Will the boy take over from me?

Can he solve the chaos in Baekje?

How much do you think your Majesty is looking down on someone in my room?
However, Fang Renyu was well versed in both civil and military affairs. He suppressed all his resentment and still led his generals to salute Chen Qingsi respectfully.

"I, Renyu, have met the Governor!"

Due to the unfavorable battle and the collapse of the situation in Haidong, Li Zhi had dismissed Fang Renyu from his post and demoted him to Bai Shen.

But just like Liu Rengui's white body, people of a certain status are demoted to the white body, and most of them are raised high and put down gently. In special circumstances, he can command the three armies in his white body, and after winning a battle, he can be reinstated or promoted.

Therefore, Fang Renyu calls himself "I" here, but no one really treats him as a commoner without an official or a position. Chen Qingsi needed to explain the trivial matters in Baekje to Fang Renyu. They would have frequent contact with Fang Renyu in the future. She enthusiastically helped her up and said, "Because of Chen, Fang Renyu has been burdened."

Fang Renyu returned the favor politely, and the two of them just exchanged greetings and walked toward Xiongjin City together.

Xiongjin City is not far from Xiongjin Port. After walking for an hour, they entered Xiongjin City.

The core of Baekje's economy and culture lies in Sixie, but Unongjin was the center of Baekje more than a hundred years ago. It was only because of the conflict between the old and new political forces in the DPRK that civil strife broke out. With the support, Yu Sizhen built the capital, and Xiongjin also declined.

After all, it is the old capital of Baekje. Even though it is in decline, its heritage is still there and is quite magnificent.

It's just that at this time, every house is almost closed, and except for the "clatter, clatter, clatter" of Tang Jun's horse hooves, the sound of needles can be heard on the street.

At this time, it was winter, with heavy snow and wind, and because of the disharmony between them, they were afraid and avoided the Tang army.

Chen Qingsi was slightly dissatisfied. Xiongjin was the location of the Protectorate established by the Tang Army. It would be the core of Baekje in the future and would have the strongest control. It had not even regained the hearts of the people here, let alone other places.

"Beware of assassins!"

There was a sudden exclamation.

Chen Qingsi heard the sound of a crossbow in his ears, and he had no time to distinguish the direction. The effect of years of self-disciplined martial arts and sword training was also revealed at this moment.

Without thinking much, he flipped off the horse with a "whoosh" and hid his body on the side of the horse's back.

A force that broke through the air flew through his vest, pierced into the waist of the guard behind him, and passed through his waist.

The bodyguard who was affected by Chiyu was wearing iron armor and chainmail armor to protect against puncture damage, as if he had been pierced by an arrow.

A trace of fear flashed in Chen Qingsi's eyes. He wore a layer of soft armor inside, which could effectively prevent cuts and stabs, and was also effective against bows and arrows.

But who would have thought that the opponent was actually using a strong crossbow. In the Tang Dynasty, strong crossbows were controlled equipment and were not allowed to be kept privately by anyone. Their status was equivalent to armor.

At the first moment when Chen Qingsi was attacked, the well-trained personal guards were divided into two groups. One group was led by Cheng Boxian and surrounded Chen Qingsi with his body. The other group ran towards the assassin's hiding place with clean and neat movements.

They are fast, but one person is faster.

Zhao Chiman!
This heroic man who left a mark in history as a man who fought with tigers and ran with horses was good at catching thieves in the streets of Chang'an.

Upon discovering the thief's movements, he did not swarm after the enemy from the streets like the soldiers, but stepped on Hei Te Changzhi's shoulders and climbed to the roof.

Hei Te Changzhi is a tall man, more than seven feet long, about two meters tall. Sitting on horseback, he is a little shorter than the eaves of a house.

In one quick step, he was on the roof...

(End of this chapter)