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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 117: Defeat
It was precisely because of the flaws in the Provincial Troops that Yuwen Shu and his men faced a catastrophic defeat. While crossing the Sa River, they were ambushed from behind by Goguryeo. The soldiers, already suffering from a lack of supplies and low morale, collapsed under the pressure.
Initially, after letting Eulji Mundeok escape, Yuwen Shu and Yu Zhongwen planned to retreat. However, Goguryeo deceived them, winning seven consecutive battles. There was no reason to retreat after such victories, and the Envoy for Surrender, Liu Shilong, refused to allow it.
Reluctantly, they pressed on to the outskirts of Pyongyang City. Although their supplies were not yet exhausted, they were running low. Just as they hesitated over whether to make a desperate assault on the city, Goguryeo sent envoys claiming that if they retreated, they would surrender.
No one could resist the surrendering Goguryeo forces, nor did anyone dare to refuse their terms. Thus, they withdrew their troops, only for Goguryeo to betray them and launch an attack midway.
Right Tunwei General Xin Shixiong was killed in battle. Fortunately, Wang Rengong led his personal troops to fight valiantly as a rear guard, managing to hold off the Goguryeo forces. However, their army was already too exhausted to continue fighting.
Yuwen Shu and his companions fled back before the Imperial Decree with over three hundred thousand troops reduced to merely two thousand seven hundred remaining.
Of course, not all had perished; these two thousand were officers on horseback. Fearing for their lives, Yuwen Shu and his men hastily crossed the Sa River without gathering their soldiers and fled on horseback. Naturally, those on foot could not keep up with those on horseback.
They not only abandoned their soldiers but also left behind countless supplies and equipment.
The Emperor was furious and ordered that all military officers of sixth rank or higher among the two thousand be shackled and imprisoned. The once-mighty Envoys for Surrender were executed publicly.
However, this could not restore His Majesty's dignity. Yang Xuangan and Li Jian Cheng stood silently among the crowd, listening to the Emperor's furious tirade and threats.
In truth, the Emperor still had seventy to eighty thousand troops at his disposal. If nothing else, capturing Liaodong City before the rainy season fully set in should not be a problem.
Yet the Emperor had clearly lost his patience; he decided to withdraw his forces and return next year!
Yang Guang still looked down on Goguryeo, believing that this defeat was merely due to a slight strategic flaw, compounded by the fact that his soldiers were nothing but useless drunks. It was only because of this that they had managed to escape a calamity and prolong their survival. He vowed that next year, he would have to avenge today’s humiliation.
Indeed, it was a disgrace to have been made a laughingstock by the Western Turkic and the Gaochang Kingdom. The emperor's divine might had been tarnished, a great shame!
...
Li Jian Cheng sighed, "I really overestimated Jian Cheng. His Majesty is currently in a fit of rage, and I dare not plead for mercy."
General Zhang Jin of the Right Imperial Guard clasped his hands and said, "Of course not now. I only hope that when His Majesty is in a good mood, he can speak a few kind words for us. This battle... sigh, it truly was not our fault."
These generals had all been demoted to commoners. A man cannot be without power for even a day, and those in military positions felt this even more acutely. Thus, they sought help everywhere, and today they had turned to Li Jian Cheng.
General Jing Yuanheng of the Left Imperial Guard angrily declared, "If I were allowed to lead the troops alone against Goguryeo, I would not complain even if I were cut into a thousand pieces! But now, humph!"
"Brother Jing!" another general interrupted him. "Disaster comes from the mouth; you’ve said too much these past few days."
"We've already been demoted to commoners; are they going to kill me as well?"
Li Jian Cheng tried to mediate, "Rest assured, everyone. Once we return to Zhuojun, I will persuade His Majesty to restore your positions."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others did not lighten. Their positions were indeed prominent, and many eyes were watching them closely. As long as they did not return to their posts, they would live in constant fear.
Moreover, the responses they received from others they sought help from were similarly discouraging; it was truly hard to believe.
Li Jian Cheng felt a strong attraction to these individuals, so he spoke up, "Actually, there is one more desperate measure, though I wonder if I should mention it."
"Speak frankly, my Lord. Regardless of whether it is useful or not, we will only feel gratitude for your consideration," one of them replied.
"If the blame for our defeat were to be concentrated on one person, perhaps the rest of us could remain safe and sound," Li Jian Cheng hinted. "It’s certainly better than everyone facing punishment together."
The idea of sacrificing one to protect the others made the group exchange glances, their eyes lighting up slightly. Indeed, throwing someone under the bus would allow the emperor to vent his anger, and things might settle down.
They were about to say more when Li Jian Cheng had no intention of delving deeper into the matter. He stood up to see them off.
Once the army returned to the Sui Dynasty's territory, it was clear that Li Jian Cheng's strategy had been effective. Several generals regained their positions, but surprisingly, the scapegoat was not Yuwen Shu.
Instead, it was the former Right Wing General, Yu Zhongwen. It was evident that everyone understood Yuwen Shu had the emperor's favor, so they chose to blame Yu Zhongwen, who indeed had made mistakes.
Yu Zhongwen naturally felt aggrieved, but as all the generals pointed fingers at him for causing the defeat, he could only resentfully admit his guilt.
Upon returning to Zhuojun, the emperor immediately issued an order to transport grain from Liang, Luoyang, Luokou, and Taiyuan to Zhuojun, which would then be sent to Liaoxi for a naval expedition.
It was clear that he intended to launch another campaign against Goguryeo in the spring. The close advisors and generals were not surprised by this decision; however, those officials left behind in Chang'an and the Eastern Capital could hardly bear it.
Heaven knew how difficult it was for them to maintain the Sui Dynasty with no soldiers and no supplies while the emperor led a million-strong army into battle.
Many began to submit petitions, disregarding the emperor's mood. The Sui Dynasty was not only plagued by rampant banditry, but regions like Shandong were also suffering from severe drought and rampant disease. How could they afford to waste resources on further military campaigns?
Li Jian Cheng received numerous private letters, some from old friends and others from scholars and officials he had never met. In any case, they all conveyed the same message: urging him to advise the emperor.
Honestly, Li Jian Cheng did not want to go, as he knew the emperor would not listen to him. However, he could not refuse; reputation was a double-edged sword. He had enjoyed its benefits in the past, and now he had to bear its sharpness.
During the court meeting at the Summer Palace, after several renowned officials had presented their cases, Li Jian Cheng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "There are priorities in matters of urgency. I believe the immediate concern should be the suppression of rebellion and ensuring the people's safety, while we can wait for a favorable opportunity to deal with Goguryeo."
Yang Guang's expression turned icy as he replied, "Are you all going to watch as these mere barbarians insult our Sovereign Father?"
After a moment of silence, Li Jian Cheng responded, "The barbarians have shown disrespect; that is a matter for my subordinates. However, a crossbow of great power should not be fired at a mouse. Should we allow ourselves to be humiliated by such small foes?
If my lord is insulted, then I must die. I have long enjoyed Imperial Favor; today I vow to pacify Goguryeo for Your Majesty. If I fail, may our ancestors forsake me and leave me as a wandering spirit!"
Everyone present was stunned into silence. While discussions were necessary, did it really need to be so harsh?
Yang Guang pointed at Li Jian Cheng and declared, "If you all possess such loyalty to your country and devotion to your emperor, how dare Goguryeo show any disrespect towards me?"
………
(End of Chapter)
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