Chapter 70: Defeated Without Being Defeated

  Yang Guang seriously measured Chen Kefu for a few eyes, and he did not expect that Chen Kefu could say such a word today.

  Although he thought that Yang Su might not have thought of rushing to Beiping Prefecture and blocking his return route, it was also because he thought he understood Yang Xuan very well. He didn't believe that someone like Yang Xuan would really dare to take risks and rush thousands of miles to attack him. To know, even if he could really block his own million-strong army in Liaodong, everything is still unknown.

  Bei Ping Prefecture was just a small prefecture, and the city walls were not large. Yang Xuangao came rushing from thousands of miles away, how many soldiers could he have? And what possibility was there that the Turks, Khitans, and Xianbei to the north would attack him?

  Besides, he now has hundreds of thousands of troops in his hands, and the most crucial point is that the main force of Goguryeo has been annihilated by him. Now even Liaodong City can't be defended, what else do the people of Goguryeo have to counterattack him? Yeon Gaesomun was just annihilated by him with 80,000 cavalry.

  Goguryeo is probably too afraid to come out of the city now, even if they do, how many people can they gather? The one thing Yang Xuangan didn't expect was that although he had delayed sending his grain supplies over.

  However, Yang Xuangan's move was ruthless, but he also missed one place, that is, Chen Kefu and others captured the new city, Nan Su and other four cities, and obtained nearly 500,000 stones of grain. This is the accumulation of decades of high sentences in this place. These grains are enough for one million military and civilians to eat for a month, even if they save some, plus the army's grain and grass can maintain three months without any problem.

  For such a long time, he had solved everything. Moreover, he had long seen through Yang Xuan's character and absolutely did not believe that Yang Xuan would recklessly run to Beiping, Yang Xuan's rebellion was just to seize his throne, not to perish together with him.

  Yang Xuangan came to Beiping, and it is possible that in the end he would face the siege of tens of thousands of Sui troops from Liaodong and the loyalist army from the Central Plains. With Yang Xuangan's personality, he definitely wouldn't choose this path.

  However, he was surprised that Chen Pogun could think of this point and analyze it so clearly. This Chen Pogun was only a humble soldier who had been promoted by him all the way, although he had the bloodline of the Southern Chen imperial family, but he grew up in a remote village in Gaotang County. Thinking again about Chen Kefu's tactics in several battles, all of which were worthy of praise, Yang Guang couldn't help but like this young general even more.

  After the initial unease in his heart was gone, Yang Guang's complexion also improved a lot. He turned back to the top and said, "The analysis of Po Jun is indeed reasonable and well-founded, truly worthy of being a frequent reader of military books. It seems that I have not only gained a talented general, but also a brilliant strategist. After Po Jun's analysis, I think Yang Xuangan is really not worth mentioning. I dare say that the two strategies proposed by Po Jun are absolutely impossible for Yang Xuangan to adopt."

  "Your Majesty's words are indeed wise, Your Majesty is truly divine in his understanding of the enemy", the officials all flattered the emperor.

  Yang Guang waved his hand, "I had long observed that Yang Su had rebellious intentions. I wanted to execute him and his nine clans back then, but Yang Su was an old fox who sensed my intention and was so scared that he didn't even dare to see a doctor when he fell ill, and eventually died like that. It's also considered that he struggled for the survival of his clan. Since he's dead, I remembered that he had made many contributions to our dynasty in the past, so I didn't pursue it further. Instead, I rewarded him greatly, even letting Yang Xuangan inherit his title, and promoted him to be a pillar of the state and Minister of Rites."

  "Who would have thought, truly one generation is not as good as the next. Yang Su was so cunning back then, yet he gave birth to such a foolish son. His father didn't even dare to rebel, yet he actually did rebel. This has given me an opportunity, I often felt unfulfilled for not being able to exterminate Yang Su's nine clans back then, now it's just right, this time I will exterminate his nine clans, and even dig up Yang Su's grave to flog his corpse."

  The officials below were all secretly sweating, this emperor was so dissatisfied with Yang Su, and actually felt it was a pity that he didn't rebel back then so he couldn't be executed along with his nine clans. However, after the emperor said this, some timid civil officials weren't as worried as they were earlier.

  Yang Guang sneered, "If I'm not mistaken, Yang will definitely choose the third strategy. And the third strategy is to select elite soldiers, advance day and night, and launch a surprise attack on Dongdu, in order to command the world. However, that pig-headed Yang didn't think about it, their rebellion news has already spread out, Dongdu must have strengthened its defense. If they lead troops to attack the city, with Dongdu's capital like this, it will be impossible to capture it within a hundred days, and during this period, the Great Sui army from all over the world will come from all sides, the result is not need me to say, he is completely looking for death!"

  Chen Kefu was deeply impressed by Yang Guang's words, and his insight into people's character was truly remarkable. This later person recalled that history, and indeed it was just as Yang Guang had said. Yang Xuangan abandoned the upper and middle strategies and only took the lower strategy to attack Luoyang, but after a long time he still couldn't take it down, and finally wanted to go to Chang'an, but halfway there he was defeated by the pursuing Sui army.

  "So, Yang Su doesn't need to worry about it anymore. However, the son of a noble family, cannot sit idly by. Your Majesty, this time Yang Su's rebellion will inevitably cause great shockwaves throughout the court and the country. At this time, Your Majesty should return to the capital to stabilize the situation and awe the world." Na Yan Su Wei stepped forward with his white hair standing on end.

  For this nearly eighty-year-old old man, nothing is more important than his life. His family and dependents are all in Luoyang, the eastern capital. If something happens to Luoyang, it's possible that the country won't be destroyed, but his own family will be ruined first.

  Su Wei took the lead, and all the other ministers also started to follow suit, waving the banner of the emperor's safety, advising the emperor to return to the court.

  Yang Guang was still worried that Yang Xuan would really run to Beiping without regard for anything, which would be troublesome. After being persuaded by the many officials, he did have some inclination.

  Pei Shigui was usually good at observing people's expressions, and with one look at Yang Guang's reaction, he guessed what was on his mind. He quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this time our great army conquered Goguryeo, capturing four cities, annihilating nearly 200,000 elite soldiers, and also captured over a million civilians, including a king. It can be said that we have achieved a great victory! As it is now approaching August, in the land of Liaodong, once August arrives, it will be the continuous rainy season, and after the rainy season, it will be the long-lasting snowy season that blocks the mountains, until next May, it is not suitable for military action."

  "Moreover, although our army is not worried about the problem of food and grass at present, but now the northern transportation of food and grass has been occupied by Yang's rebellion. This food and grass will be a big problem after all. In my opinion, it would be better for the great army to retreat first and wait until May next year when the weather is warm, then come to conquer Liaodong, and at that time, we can defeat Goguryeo in one move. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

  Pei Shiji's words really hit Yang Guang's heart, now that the rainy season is about to enter, it's not suitable for war for half a year, and retreating is also appropriate. Although Liaodong City can almost be taken down, after all, there is still an inner city in Liaodong City, but if the Goguryeo people fight to the death without surrendering, it's unknown how long it will take. The Central Plains cannot have grain and grass replenished at this time, which is really not a good thing.

  Anyway, he thought that this time would also exhaust Goguryeo's main force, and it would be impossible for the Liao people to recover their strength without a few years. And now he returned to the court first, waiting until next year when the weather improved, and domestic affairs were all handled properly, then he would complete his mission in one battle, completely ending Goguryeo's affairs, which was also a very good strategy.

  Yang Guang nodded and asked the officials below, "Do any of you gentlemen have a different opinion?"

  Most of the officials agreed with Pei Shigui's opinion at this time, and even some generals felt that withdrawing now was a bit regrettable, but Liaodong wasn't a place they had fought only once or twice before. They could come again next time, and they wouldn't have any objections. Anyway, everyone was worried about two things: one was the grain and fodder, and the other was their families in Luoyang. There weren't many who really wanted to fight this battle with all their heart.

  The emperor asked one question, and they naturally all agreed.

  Yang Guang hesitated for a moment, "Alright, I now order the entire army to return triumphantly to the capital. We will wait until next May when the weather is suitable and then come back to conquer Goguryeo. Notify all generals that in order not to let the Goguryeo people take advantage of our retreat, have all generals prepare to retreat tonight at the third watch. The three armies must make no noise, abandon all baggage and grain, each person bringing only ten days' worth of food, and leave the tents and other items untouched to deceive the Liao people. With Yuwen Shu and Yang Yichen as the vanguard, I order you two to lead 50,000 cavalrymen in a light march, advancing at the fastest speed to garrison in Beiping Commandery."

  Yang Guang and others had previously said that it seemed like a great victory, but this order revealed the intention of the Sui army to retreat. In order to prevent Goguryeo from attacking from behind, they even abandoned their large camp, just to deceive Goguryeo for half a day.

  Chen Kefu was not feeling good in his heart, although he thought that now this season had indeed arrived at the time of retreat, but you should wait a few more days and take down Liaodong City before leaving. At that time, occupying Liaodong City can still be connected with Xincheng, Nansu and other four cities, having this place, next year when the Sui army comes again, it will be easy to attack Goguryeo. But now, according to Yang Guang's order, it is equivalent to abandoning the defense of Xincheng and other four cities.

  This will come again next year, but it won't be like this now. By then, the Goguryeo people must have redeployed troops to reinforce the country's gate. This is the first stronghold of Liaodong, and they are unlikely to give it up. Think about this expedition against Goguryeo, besieging the city of Liaodong for so long, killing so many people, and now it will be lost like this. Chen Kefu was really uncomfortable in his heart, even if the Sui Dynasty is strong, it's not a defeat like this.

  "Your Majesty, what about the new city and the four cities of South Su? If we attack Liaodong again now, it can be taken in one battle. It would be a pity to abandon it now. Why not delay our withdrawal for a few more days, wait until Liaodong is taken, then we will have Liaodong City, and there will be no need to abandon the new city, we can leave people to defend it. Next year, when we come again, taking Goguryeo will be effortless."