[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-can-control-my-ancestors":3,"chapter-i-can-control-my-ancestors-i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-513":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Can Control My Ancestors",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1035311,1347,"Chapter 513 - 44: The Battle of Liaodong, The Assault Begins","i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-513",513,"\u003Cp>Even those from the distant seas, whether friends or elders at home, always had someone accidentally blown toward the deep sea, so even the Liaodong Peninsula wasn’t unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best time to head to the Liaodong Peninsula is April, because the southeast wind blows then, and with the wind direction, it only takes five days to reach Liaodong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are even two islands on the way that can be used for rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers listened very carefully, comparing what the fishermen said with the nautical charts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Discrepancies naturally existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nautical charts of this era could never be completely accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By dusk, after confirming everything, Zhang Liang let the fishermen leave and began discussing tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, there wasn’t much of a tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This journey was a surprise attack, also relying on the central army’s cooperation, so long as they could land successfully and then charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone remained extremely cautious, as no one knew what might happen once they set out to sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they didn’t show it on the surface,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>everyone understood, even Zhang Liang was filled with apprehension about this expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Youzhou State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the navy, the army’s marching speed was much faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also a tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army was to attract all the firepower, ripping open the Liaodong defensive line while creating opportunities for the entire navy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was a personal expedition, Li Shimin, being the Emperor, wouldn’t recklessly charge ahead as he used to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was only overseeing the overall situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The direct assault on the cities was handed over to the Duke of England, Li Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goguryeo had already been on guard, no matter how confidently Yeon Gaesomun spoke, he wasn’t foolish, how could he be sure that the Great Tang wouldn’t mobilize troops?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he had long fortified the whole of Liaodong, his strategy still like that used by King Yingyang Gao Yuan of ancient Goguryeo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——Hold firm and clear the fields, using forts for defense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Tang’s strength was indeed formidable, but he would never believe that the Tang could sustain such high consumption for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed a great tactic, the fortresses Goguryeo built against the mountains were very tough to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he underestimated Li Shimin, treating him like the Emperor Yang Guang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already sent the rapid army ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t assign them specific targets, letting Li Ji judge independently, without any worries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was how Li Shimin differed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood that a commander had to consider the overall situation, not meddle in every officer’s tasks, as forcing specific targets would only cloud the troops’ judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only needed to inform the soldiers of the objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time’s objective—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was to tear open Goguryeo’s defensive line in Liaodong, allowing the army to penetrate deep into Liaodong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it seemed a trivial difference, it was crucial for a real battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ji was no ordinary person, having witnessed numerous major battles since siding with Li Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His judgment of the situation was highly accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end of February, the battle officially rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goguryeo’s defenses were exceptionally tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They not only used the natural barrier of the Liao River but also built mountain cities on key passages, stocked with grain and water, making them invincible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they forcibly attacked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>besides the heavy casualties and supply issues, the real problem was time, as Liaodong’s winter was harsh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a challenge the Tang army had to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Ji’s countermeasure was extremely astute, leading his troops quietly across the Liao River, then launching a feigned attack on Huaiyuan Town, drawing attention from all quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the main force swiftly advanced towards Xuantu City!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t directly assault Liaodong City, as Goguryeo had many troops stationed there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be easily conquered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Li Ji used rapid interpenetration tactics, aiming to confuse the enemy’s vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation throughout Liaodong turned bizarre in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Goguryeo’s defense-oriented strategy, rapid interpenetration could seriously impair the enemy’s judgment, causing their defenders to imagine Tang troops everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle between the two sides was on the verge of eruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Xuantu City was a crucial passageway into Goguryeo’s heartland, though not as significant as Liaodong City, it was a vital fortress safeguarding the Liaodong region within Goguryeo’s defense line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Tang army’s only choice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what, Li Ji must tear open a gap to allow the troops to penetrate deep into Liaodong, rather than capturing cities one by one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the main force penetrated deep into Liaodong, capturing Liaodong City would no longer be a challenge!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts of battle cries rose everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tactic of the Tang army completely caught Goguryeo off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even until now, the nuances of this large flanking tactic remained incomprehensible to nations with less cultural heritage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They never imagined Li Ji would take such a risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And without any defense, Xuantu City was swiftly captured by Li Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——The whole area was shocked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon receiving the news, Yeon Gaesomun was enraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he wouldn’t abandon Xuantu City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Liaodong defense line was his best means against the Tang, he wouldn’t abandon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for trying to compete with the Tang based on national strength?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeon Gaesomun wasn’t reckless to such an extent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately redeployed troops from New City, Gai Mou City, and other places to counter-attack Xuantu City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, this was also an opportunity for him, as long as he could capture Li Ji’s forces before the main Tang army arrived, it would be an unimaginable boost to morale!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such an opportunity was hardly simple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Liaodong was in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ji not only held Xuantu City, the northern army of the Tang and the central army led by Li Shimin continued to exert pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, it was impossible for Goguryeo to reclaim Xuantu City, so they had to retract their defensive lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an inevitable outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goguryeo’s defense line required no errors; any error could trigger a chain reaction, and furthermore, Yeon Gaesomun had redeployed troops from castles surrounding Xuantu City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without reclaiming Xuantu City, they could only shrink their defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, they’d be handing their forces over to the Tang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the mountain forts were difficult to capture, the Tang didn’t need to attack; they just needed to besiege and exhaust them to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how unwilling, Yeon Gaesomun could only choose to concentrate his forces on defending Liaodong City, Baiyan City, and other key castles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole Liaodong was wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the threat of the Tang’s main force, everyone directed their gaze northward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this moment, the navy finally set sail!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donglai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoo—hoo—hoo—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deep and sonorous sound of the horn suddenly pierced the morning fog, signaling the order to set sail!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the port seemed to wake from slumber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Onshore, the soldiers and civilians seeing them off held their breath, their eyes tightly following every sail rising and the soldiers aboard the ships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they had trained intensively for over a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, as they were about to set sail, a trace of apprehension was still visible on the face of the soldiers, but it was impossible to overlook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless scholars were at the shore recording this moment destined to enter the annals of history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Painting or composing poetry and essays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sea breeze blew over, filling the sails with air, the fleet began to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jing stood on the commanding tower ship, looking at the ever-distant shore, silently wiping away the cold sweat from his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he returned inside the ship, silently polishing the spear he used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were extremely sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jing knew that in the camp, without military merit, soldiers would not be convinced, so during the strategy discussions, he remained silent throughout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he raised an even more critical suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was—kill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strongly believed that Barbarians feared might and not virtue, having little regard for small acts of courtesy over great righteousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they were landing as a solitary force, they had to seize every opportunity to kill and establish their reputation, not only rapidly occupying cities but also making the enemy feel fear!...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Ps: Kneeling and begging for monthly votes, brothers, please support! Fish gratefully thanks.)\u003C\u002Fp>",1383,"2026-06-03T09:29:44.104Z","2026-06-03T09:29:56.234Z",1,"novelbin.me","a648197613f2292ba95df4040e939cbbe38cdbb8129a825b122ccc7a22867113","i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-514","i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-512",517,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-can-control-my-ancestors-cover.jpg"]