I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 521 - 46: Breaking Ugucheng, Gu Clan Butcher (Double-Length - )

Even beasts have survival instincts, let alone humans?

But unfortunately, their weakness prevents them from breaking through the arrows of the Tang Army or charging into the Tang Army’s main camp.

Below Wuguo City, it’s no longer a battlefield, but a hell on earth.

Those figures that once fought desperately are now all lying prostrate.

The path that once symbolized hope is now paved with the end of despair, bodies piled up densely, stretching from the base of the city walls to several hundred paces before the Tang Army’s main camp.

Most of them remain in a forward-falling posture, some still clutching their poor-quality weapons that are long dulled or broken, others reaching out futilely, as if trying to grasp the last thread of an illusory escape.

Gao Wuzhi’s body is among them as well.

By this time, he had long since drawn his last breath, his eyes full of despair.

Perhaps he never imagined he would meet his end in this way, no matter how glorious his life was, it now all vanished into emptiness.

This scene, even the Tang Army found hard to look at directly.

But Gu Jing remained very calm, and said calmly before the generals and soldiers: "Mercy towards the enemy is cruelty towards oneself."

"If these people had charged into the camp."

"What good end would our soldiers meet?"

"By stopping them now, we are also stopping the epidemic."

With just a simple sentence, he quickly eased the group significantly.

Gu Jing was indeed right.

In war, there is no need for mercy.

Given the medical conditions on the Liaodong Peninsula, letting all these people out would certainly cause them greater casualties.

"Relay my order to the commanders, the entire army must cover their noses and mouths, and cross Wuguo quickly."

Gu Jing gave the order once more.

He didn’t want to wait any longer and had to use the time before the news leaked out to affect the entire battlefield.

"Should we set fire?" Chang He couldn’t help but ask.

Gu Jing shook his head, then turned to look behind, as if he could see through the main camp to the Goguryeo and Baekje soldiers training outside, and said with a faint smile: "Leave it to them."

"And also let them know.....those who do not surrender will die!"

The generals fell silent.

Even though their ranks were higher than Gu Jing’s, at this point, they couldn’t help but follow Gu Jing’s lead.

The army quickly assembled.

Gu Jing’s move was indeed somewhat risky, even with noses and mouths covered, bacteria could not be completely avoided.

But it was the only way.

Now it was already summer, and time was running out for the Great Tang.

Although the Great Tang didn’t lack food and fodder, it was also impossible to immediately produce enough cotton clothes to prevent the harsh winter of Liaodong.

The war had to be ended before winter came.

That night, the Tang Army left under the cover of darkness.

Horses trotted over the sticky blood stains, iron hooves ruthlessly crushed the bodies not yet completely cold.

What was surprising was that those reinforcements didn’t notice the Tang Army’s unusual movements.

It seemed they had already given up, and never thought that the Tang Army could bypass Wuguo City.

In a situation where the news was completely blocked.

They didn’t even know that an epidemic had already spread within Wuguo City.

It wasn’t until the next evening when scouts returned to camp that they received the news.

Upon hearing that the Tang Army’s camp was actually empty, everyone was stunned.

The entire reinforcements quickly mobilized and attacked the Tang Army’s camp, and after several probes, they finally went through the Tang Army’s camp with confidence, heading straight for Wuguo City.

But what followed was a sight that made everyone feel terrified.

Under the blazing sun, even after just one day, the countless corpses had already undergone a horrifying change.

The overwhelming stench, as thick as miasma, roiled and spread in the heat waves, hitting individuals from afar and almost making them pass out.

The smell, mixed with the metallic rustiness of blood, the sweet but rank scent of burst innards, and an indescribable stench of rotting protein, formed a hellish miasma.

And the flags of the Gu Clan and the Great Tang still stood proud atop the earthen fortifications, fluttering in the wind.

Almost instantly, quite a few people fell off their horses.

Even among the commanders who saw this scene, their faces turned pale and their bodies couldn’t help but tremble.

These people were completely terrified out of their wits.

For a while, they even forgot to send out the news.

They didn’t dare to fight anymore, nor did they want to!

...

Anshi City.

Li Shimin had already been stuck here for some time.

He had long encircled the entire Anshi City but had never found an opportunity to break it, thus choosing to surround and strike at reinforcements.

Even though Yeon Gaesomun was aware of this strategy, he still had to occasionally dispatch troops for rescue; only by doing so could the soldiers within the city be completely reassured.

And because of this, Li Shimin did achieve several immediate victories.

Nevertheless, he still couldn’t break Anshi City.

The defenses of Goguryeo were incredibly hard to breach in this era where cold weapons predominated unless they completely disregarded manpower and resources.

But clearly, Li Shimin wouldn’t make that choice.

All generals understood this.

Yet, no one would mention retreating, because Li Shimin’s stance was very clear; the navy would inevitably break through Wuguo.

Despite being surrounded and having long lost contact with Gu Jing.

Li Shimin remained steadfast.

He was waiting.

Sticking tightly to Anshi City, waiting for Gu Jing to break through Wuguo, and then together with him, tear open the Liaodong defense line.