Chapter 48: Stay in Tongding and look at Buyeo from afar!
"General, something seems to be wrong in Tongding City!"

The deputy general beside him frowned and spoke.

Gao Changsheng's expression was exactly the same.

Tongding City is located in the northeast corner of the Sui Dynasty and is also close to Goguryeo.

However, no one in the court ever considered this place as a starting point for attacking Goryeo.

This is mainly because the terrain here is not suitable for the deployment of large-scale troops.

Moreover, Tongding's location is relatively remote. If an attack is launched from there, the Sui Dynasty's supply line will be extended, which is also a disadvantage.

There is another important reason.

That is, this is a border where three parties meet.

In addition to being close to Goryeo, it is also adjacent to the Turks on the other end.

The enemy situation is relatively complicated.

Of course, as a border city.

Even if it is not an important city like Peking, the court would never ignore it.

They will definitely have their own fortifications and garrison troops.

This is also the reason why Gao Changsheng and others are confused.

Yes, after a long journey, Gao Changsheng has arrived in Tongding with his troops.

But what they saw at this moment could not be considered a complete city.

Many of the city walls are incomplete.

On the mottled stone bricks, one could see spots of blood that had long since dried and turned black.

"An enemy army attacked Tongding City? Was it Goryeo?"

The deputy general exclaimed.

"Why have we never heard of it? Has Tongding City already fallen? But why did Goryeojin attack Tongding City? This doesn't make sense!"

A solemn look appeared on the deputy general's face, but there was a flash of solemnity in his eyes.

The location of Tongding City has been mentioned before.

It was a remote city for the Sui army, and the same was true for Goryeo.

If Goryeo wants to attack this place, it also needs to take a detour.

Moreover, although Tongding is small, Goryeo would need to consume a considerable amount of troops if it wanted to truly capture it.

Today, Goryeo has almost put all its efforts into dealing with the Sui army in Liaodong.

How could they withdraw a large number of troops to attack Tongding from afar? Even if they could withdraw troops and capture Tongding, it would not help the overall battle situation.

There were troops stationed in all the major towns and borders of the Sui Dynasty. It would be a joke to think of taking a detour and attacking the Sui army from the rear.

"We did encounter the enemy, but we shouldn't have fallen yet!"

Gao Changsheng looked at it for a moment and then spoke.

"As for what happened, go and call the garrison commander over and we'll know the answer."

A moment later, a general wearing tattered armor and looking exhausted rode his horse up to Gao Changsheng.

Looking at the token in Gao Changsheng's hand.

The general immediately showed excitement, and quickly bowed down and shouted:
"I greet the general!"

"Are you the defender of Tongding City?" Gao Changsheng took back the token and said.

"Yes, yes!" The general nodded repeatedly.

"Tell me, what happened in Tongding City?"

"General, about a month ago, the Turkic army suddenly attacked. Fortunately, with the help of the people, the army and the people worked together and fought for several days before we barely managed to defend the city." The general knelt on one knee, his voice sad.

"Why not report it?" Gao Changsheng frowned.

"No, no, no, I reported the news as soon as possible, but we didn't wait for the reinforcements. For the past month, I have been unable to sleep at night, fearing that the Turks would invade again." The general said in a panic.

Gao Changsheng frowned instantly.

It has been reported, but no news has been received.

There are two possibilities.

The court or the king's patron had already received the news, but it was temporarily suppressed for the sake of Goryeo affairs.

Or there may be other arrangements. After all, Tongding's location is not suitable for large-scale counterattacks, whether against Goryeo or the Turks.

Especially the Turks, whose territory is vast, bordering the Sui Dynasty in many places, and they are nomadic people. Even if the Sui Dynasty wants to retaliate, it will definitely change the direction of attack.

The second possibility is worth pondering.

The battle report sent by this person was not delivered to the court, but was intercepted by others.

"Let's go into the city first!"

Gao Changsheng waved to the troops behind him.

Led by the general defending the city, the group entered Tongding City in a mighty manner.

Time flies like water. In the blink of an eye, the sun has slowly set.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, a figure stood on horseback on the northern wall of Tongding City, looking dimly towards the north.

About half an incense stick later.

Another figure climbed up the city wall.

"How was the investigation? What's the situation?"

"I sent scouts to investigate everywhere, and I also personally observed the city."

"This man's surname is Luo. He is a lone general without any power background. He has been stationed in Tongding City for many years and has always been conscientious."

"In addition, Tongding was indeed attacked by the Turks. This general did not lie. When I visited the city, almost every household in Tongding was in mourning! The villages outside the city were in ruins."

At this point, a hint of severity flashed in the deputy general's eyes. It was obvious that the scene he had investigated or seen was not comfortable.

Gao Changsheng's eyes moved, but he did not express any attitude.

He just asked in a calm voice:
"How many soldiers are left in Tongding City now?"

"There are less than a thousand people left, and most of them are injured."

"Then there shouldn't be much food left, right?"

"That's right!" The deputy general nodded, with a hint of difficulty in his eyes.

"Ok!"

Gao Changsheng nodded slightly, then turned his head.

His gaze was directed straight ahead!
In the afterglow of the setting sun, you can clearly see the outline of a city somewhere in the north.

That was Buyeo City of Goryeo.

"General, should we continue the attack on Buyeo as planned?"

The deputy general said, "We didn't bring much food and fodder with us this time. Besides, Tongding City can't provide us with any help."

"If we attack by force, I'm afraid..."

"Deputy General Li!" Gao Changsheng did not respond to the other party, but spoke suddenly.

"The general is here!"

"Use military means to report the situation in Tongding City!" Gao Changsheng said softly.

"By the way, just in case, split it into two routes, one to General Shi Wansui, and one directly to Old Yu!"

"Yes! Should we mention food and grass support in the letter?" The deputy general nodded, and then asked.

"No need, you just need to report the situation of Tongding truthfully! I will take care of the rest."

"By the way, how is Lu Xiaofeng now?" Gao Changsheng asked again.

"Captain Lu is very good. Before we entered the city, he had already led a team to investigate the situation in Buyeo."

Since the deputy general already knew that Lu Xiaofeng's identity was somewhat special, he certainly wouldn't say anything bad about it, not to mention that Lu Xiaofeng did a good job indeed.

"very good!"

Gao Changsheng nodded slightly.

"so be it!"

"Oh, right, go down and make preparations. The troops will rest for a day, and the whole army will march north at dawn the day after tomorrow!"

The deputy general's voice was somewhat shocked: "Yes, are we going to attack Buyeo by force?"

"hehe!"

Gao Changsheng sneered and his whole body seemed to turn into ten thousand years of ice in an instant.

"Buyu City is useless to begin with, and I already have a better direction to attack from."

(End of this chapter)