Sui and Tang Dynasties: You were driven out of Wagang, but you surrendered to Yang Guang and were ma

Chapter 119 Arrival in Liaodong City, Meeting Yang Guang

On the other side, the main tent was deserted again, empty of people, with only Yang Guang standing alone.

Looking at Yang Guang's haggard face, Yuwen Chengdu's brows furrowed with heartache. He stepped forward and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to personally lead the charge on the city walls again tomorrow."

"You?" Yang Guang looked up at him, waved his hand, and said in a tired tone.

"Li Yuanba is much stronger than you, yet he still couldn't climb the city wall. Your efforts will be in vain."

Although Yuwen Chengdu was exceptionally brave, he was confident in his ability to fight one-on-one.

Siege warfare is never a contest of individual prowess; it is a test of troop strength, morale, and endurance, not individual bravery.

"Your Majesty, how can one judge superiority by strength!"

Yuwen Chengdu's tone was defiant, his eyes filled with stubbornness.

Although he hadn't observed Li Yuanba's battle closely, he always felt that while the man was strong, he was holding back and hadn't fought with all his might.

However, since these words concerned the trust between the emperor and his subjects, and also involved the Li family, he could not say more.

Seeing his resolute expression, Yang Guang's heart stirred slightly, and his tone softened, filled with concern:

"If you insist on going, I will not force you. Take the plunge one more time, but remember, your personal safety must be the top priority."

"Your subject obeys!"

Yuwen Chengdu bowed respectfully, turned and left the tent, beginning preparations for tomorrow's charge.

Yang Guang lay on the couch, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, his thoughts drifting involuntarily to Lü Xiao.

In the past, with that kid by my side, it seemed that no matter what difficulties we encountered, we could always overcome them.

But now, Lü Xiao is far away in Pyongyang, hundreds of miles away, and in enemy territory, so it's probably impossible to count on him.

"Ugh."

Yang Guang sighed heavily, his expression full of helplessness.

Well then, since things have come to this, let's decide the winner within five days.

If they are truly unable to capture Liaodong City, they will be forced to retreat.

Otherwise, if the food supplies are cut off, hundreds of thousands of soldiers will starve or freeze to death under the walls of Liaodong City.

It's a pity that despite Lü Xiao's achievements, having already captured Pyongyang, he was ultimately unable to press his advantage.

If even his side has to retreat, Pyongyang will be impossible to defend.

The only way to save face is to burn everything to the ground, which is at least a small sacrifice.

The wind and snow intensified, and howling winds blew outside the tent.

Yang Guang closed his eyes, awaiting the decisive battle of tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Lü Xiao and his group set off from Ruyi City.

They sped northwest, crossed the great river, and bypassed the remaining garrison of Wugu City, finally arriving at the territory of Anshi.

Further north, across a river that is just beginning to freeze, lies Xiandu City.

This place had already been captured by the Sui army, and Yang Guang was leading his army to camp in the open area east of the dangerous river.

Only after stepping into this area controlled by the Sui army did everyone dare to breathe a sigh of relief, and they lit a campfire on the spot to temporarily dispel the biting cold.

The fire crackled, and the leaping flames illuminated the tired faces of the group.

Lu Xiao leaned against the tiger's broad back, the warm fur against his body, and the chill from days of travel finally dissipated, gradually warming him up.

Yuwen Chenglong, however, couldn't stay still for a moment. He paced back and forth by the fire, the sound of his teeth chattering mixed with the cold wind, making one's heart tighten.

He came from a noble family and was pampered with a life of luxury since childhood. He would wear thick fur coats when it got cold, and the stove in his room was always burning. He had never suffered such hardship before.

Even when I went to the northern desert with Lü Xiao, I had never experienced such severe cold where water would freeze instantly.

"It's freezing, freezing to death... Why did it suddenly get so cold!"

Yuwen Chenglong hunched his shoulders, shivering as he approached the fire. He glanced at the relaxed-looking Lü Xiao, then shook his head helplessly.

Unable to bear the chill any longer, he glanced at Pei Yuanqing, who was squatting on the other side of the fire, and suddenly an idea came to him.

Quietly circling behind Pei Yuanqing, she suddenly plunged her icy hands into his neck.

"Aww!"

A short, startled cry pierced the night sky.

Pei Yuanqing suddenly felt two ice cubes stick to the back of his neck, and his body, which was squatting by the fire, instantly stiffened, almost making him jump up.

When he turned around and saw that it was Yuwen Chenglong, his anger subsided by more than half.

This bastard has always been inhuman, so it's no surprise that he did something so absurd.

"We'll rest for a while and then set off. We must reach the Sui army camp before dawn."

Lu Xiao took in the whole scene, turned around, and gently placed his hands on the tiger's soft belly.

I must say, Da Hu's thick fur is like a heater; it's so warm and comfortable to be near.

The tiger impatiently flicked its tail, its ears drooping, clearly quite unhappy about being used as a heater.

Yuwen Chenglong squatted back down beside the fire, warming his hands over the flames until his fingertips felt a little warmer, then looked at Zuo Xiong and asked:

"Zuo Xiong, this...this must be the coldest time of year?"

"No, it will be even colder in three days," Zuo Xiong said calmly, gazing at the flickering firelight.

"This is just the first snow, it hasn't melted yet. When the heavy snow closes the roads and the cold wind whips up the snow, that will be the real winter."

He grew up in Goguryeo and was already used to such harsh cold.

Although he was wearing only thin clothes, he showed no signs of being cold.

"You're really damn resistant to the cold when you're little."

Pei Yuanqing looked at Zuo Xiong with envy. Both of them were running around in the cold wind, and he felt his limbs were stiff.

Zuo Xiong remained calm, as if the severe cold had nothing to do with him.

"In Goguryeo, those who couldn't withstand the cold died long ago," Zuo Xiong sighed softly, his tone full of helplessness.

"Your Highness, the wine is warmed up."

Li Jing took out a sheepskin water bag from his baggage, heated it over a fire for a while until the wine was warm, and then handed it to Lü Xiao.

"Okay." Lü Xiao took the water bag, uncorked it, and took a big gulp.

The spicy liquor slid down my throat and into my stomach, instantly igniting a burning warmth that spread throughout my body.

"Have some to warm yourselves up, then we'll continue our journey."

Everyone took turns receiving the water pouches and drank a few mouthfuls. The spicy alcohol dispelled their fatigue and chill.

Everyone stood up, tightened their thin clothes and cloaks, and set off on their journey once more.

"Brothers, give it your all! Once we reach the main camp, have His Majesty slaughter a dozen or so fat sheep for us, make some hot mutton soup, and warm us up properly!"

Lu Xiao walked at the front of the group and shouted loudly to everyone as he turned around.

"Lamb soup!"

Upon hearing those two words, Yuwen Chenglong's eyes lit up instantly.

The rest of the Red Vanguard soldiers were also invigorated, the aroma of mutton soup wafting through their minds, and their steps became even lighter.

As night deepened and the cold wind continued to howl, it could not deter the crowd's eagerness to rush to the camp.

Before dawn, Lü Xiao and his group arrived near the main camp of the Sui army and happened to encounter patrolling Sui soldiers.

Inside the camp, Yuwen Chengdu was having a sleepless night preparing for tomorrow's charge.

After tossing and turning, he got up, put on his heavy armor, and jogged out of the tent, unknowingly arriving at the camp gate.

He was standing by the door, breathing on his hands to warm them, when he suddenly caught sight of a group of people walking towards the camp.