When Yang Ji gathered Sui soldiers from the north from Liaodong City to Chang'an City in the upper reaches of the Xishui River, the sky was never clear for a moment. The continuous heavy rain made many people forget how long it had been since they saw the sun.

Today's heavy rain stopped for less than half an hour. The gentle drizzle just now turned into a heavy downpour at Shenshi. The heavy raindrops hit the ground, creating a momentum like thousands of troops and rushing torrents.

The pouring rain enveloped the plains, mountains, and city gates. The vast rain curtain made it difficult to see faces of people even a few feet away.

The water level in the south of the city, which had dropped due to the cessation of rain, surged again. The torrential flood carried many trees and other debris that had been dumped into the river, and rolled southward.

The main army was stationed on a high ground in the north city. The heavy rain was pouring like a curtain of water all around the military camp. The air was filled with a damp breath and a strong earthy smell. The soldiers stood in front of their tents and looked at the gloomy sky, feeling themselves

Soaked by moisture, no part of the body was dry.

The side hall of the city guard mansion is a small courtyard. This courtyard is full of the architectural style of the Central Plains, with rockeries, screen walls, green bamboos, and even an exquisite waterside pavilion built beside a small lotus pond.

At this time of the year, the lotus flowers in the Central Plains may have turned into a pool of remnant lotus flowers, but here the lotus leaves stand tall and graceful, swaying in the wind, and the lotus flowers embedded in the green leaves are also in full bloom.

Under the rain and mist, the entire courtyard was quite poetic and elegant. In the study room in the courtyard, after Yang Ji read several military reports sent by Yang Yichen, he walked to the window to watch the rain.

Looking at the rain outside the window, I felt quite happy: Fortunately, the battlefield in Liaodong was

The "Qianshan-Yalushui" battlefield will end quickly; if the war is left unresolved until now, the Sui army will be blocked by a situation that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The "Qianshan-Yalushui" battlefield. And the time spent on the entire Eastern Expedition will also increase several times, and the various losses caused by this are simply unimaginable.

"Your Majesty, the generals are here." Zhu Can's voice came from outside the door.

"Okay! Let them go to the outer hall to discuss matters." Yang Ji said as he quickly walked to the lobby in the courtyard to wait.

He waited for a while in the main hall.

Jun, Quan Ming and others walked in.

They took off their bamboo hats and raincoats and handed them to the soldiers on standby. Although they were all wearing hats, raincoats or hooded cloaks, everyone was wet. Yang Ji quickly ordered his men to prepare hot water and handkerchiefs.

After the meal was brought, everyone washed their faces with hot water and wiped their faces and necks with handkerchiefs before taking their seats.

After another sip of steaming ginseng tea, I felt much better.

"How are the mood of the soldiers? It is not affected by the weather, right?" When Yang Ji met with Gao Jianwu and Fuyu Zhang, Kinderman, the generals were settling down soldiers in the barracks. Their arrival showed that the settlement had been completed.

Xue Shixiong is the governor of Zhuojun and concurrently serves as the Sima of Youzhou. He is the first person under Yang Ji. He bowed his hands and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, our officers and soldiers are inspired by the great victories and their morale is like a rainbow.

, the fighting spirit was high and was not affected by the weather. Apart from cursing the sky and the rain, they were different from usual."

"It's good if you can scold!" Yang Ji suddenly laughed. The Eastern Expedition Army is composed of armies from various places. When they are concentrated in one place, there are advantages and disadvantages, and the combat effectiveness and fighting will are also different. Fortunately,

If you can't attack and win, you can't win the battle. If the battle is stalemate or fails, the mood of the soldiers at this time will not be like this.

Yang Ji looked at Quan Ming, the surrendered general who was captured in Changtu City, and asked with a smile: "Looking at the intensity of the rain and the color of the sky, it will continue for at least a few days; General Quan, isn't this kind of weather rare in the south?"

"Although Quan Ming is one of the core members of the Yuan Group, he is from Seoul in the south; out of consideration for the interests of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Ji decided to let Goryeo, which was about to be founded, continue to maintain the political structure of North-South confrontation.

It's just that the influence of the Northern Faction in the South is far less than that of the Southern Faction, and it is so weak that the Yuan family is likely to be liquidated by Gao Jianwu and the Southern Faction in the future, so Yang Ji gave Quan Ming, Li Yong, Wu Ning, and Dong Jun two choices.

: One is to be an ordinary general in the Sui Dynasty, and the other is to serve as the ambassador to Goryeo.

As Yang Ji expected, all four of them would rather be chicken heads than phoenix tails. They pretended to think about it for a moment, and without hesitation chose the Korean ambassador who was like the general of the Erliu Guards.

Quan Ming is far more familiar with the weather here than Hu, Lu, Jin, Wuning, and Dong Jun in the north. As soon as he heard Yang Ji asking him, he quickly stood up and saluted respectfully: "Your Majesty, every time this season comes in the south,

There are heavy rains, and the duration this year is the same as in previous years. There is not much difference. The rain this year is indeed heavier than the previous two years, but it will happen every two or three years.

Once. People in the south are used to this." After a general understanding, Yang Ji said to everyone: "According to the military information just sent by Yang Yichen, the rain has overflowed the moat of Pyongyang City, and there is enough water around the city.

It's more than two feet deep, but the military camps in the south are located on a higher ground and are not troubled by stagnant water. They have prepared sufficient supplies before, so we don't need to worry."

"The current bad weather and the stagnant water around Pyongyang City make it difficult for us to attack the city with military methods. If we do it forcefully, it will be unsightly. I will rest in Chang'an first, wait until the rain has passed, and then the weather will clear, and then go to the south to join forces."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Everyone nodded silently and agreed with Yang Ji's decision. After all, the water around Pyongyang was so deep that it was impossible to fight. If they rashly went south, not only would it have no effect, but it would put huge pressure on the logistics.

However, Hao Yuan, as one of Yang Ji's masterminds, had different opinions. He pondered for a long time and said to Yang Ji: "Your Majesty, the weather is like this. It is indeed not suitable for our army to march or attack the city. However, the Pyongyang soldiers and civilians trapped in the isolated city are also trapped.

Trapped, even the city gate cannot be opened. But our army is outside the city, but there are many things it can do. If this is done, the city of Pyongyang may be broken without attacking."

"Oh?" Yang Ji suddenly became energetic and asked quickly: "Let's talk about it."

"Actually it's very simple, that is to use the right time and place to flood the city and attack the city!" Hao Yuan gave an answer and introduced with a smile: "The terrain of Pyongyang City is high in the north and low in the south, high in the west and low in the east. To the northeast of the city is the main stream of the Xishui River, and

The ordinary river in the northwest flows into the Zhu River in the north of the city. According to military information, the ordinary river will overflow every time it rains heavily, and the place where it merges into the Zhu River becomes a marsh."

"Since the water around the city exceeds two feet and has overflowed the moat, our army might as well build a dike of earth on the north side of the city and build a dam along the Ordinary River, and then rush the water outside the city and the water from the Ordinary River toward the city and seep into the city."

"Once the city foundation is soaked in water for a long time, even if it does not sink or collapse, it will become softer. During this period, our army will release giant trees from the upper reaches of the Pongjiang River to hit the city wall. I believe that both the inner and outer city walls will not be able to hold on.

how long."

At this point, he said with a smile: "Taking a step back, even if the whole city cannot be flooded, and even if the city cannot be washed away, the water that seeps into the city can still destroy most of the houses, food and supplies.

It was difficult for the soldiers and civilians in the city to even light a fire to cook."

"What a flood plan!" Ling Jing also vaguely had this idea. He said to Yang Ji: "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this method is completely feasible. From the topographic point of view, Pyongyang City is in a low-lying area.

It is easy to be flooded, and what's more, it has been raining heavily recently. If we build a dam based on the soil in the north of Hao Shenjun's Dharma City to block the Dongfang River, Pyongyang City will be ruined." Yang Ji saw that everyone was happy and did not stand up.

He immediately gave an answer, but asked Quan Ming again: "General Quan, what is the strength of the ordinary river?" Quan Ming knew the situation of Pyongyang City well, and they had secretly deduced the attack and defense of Pyongyang City before, and finally came to the conclusion

The result was that although the city of Pyongyang was tall and strong, what they feared most was the water attack plan. However, after all, the people in the city were the people of Goguryeo, and Yang Ji did not ask him about the plan, so he, Li Yong and others did not speak out.

At this time, when he heard what Hao Yuan and Ling Jing said, he knew that he couldn't hide it. He sighed secretly, and answered bravely: "Your Majesty, the Ordinary River flows from north to south, and merges into the Zhu River in the northern suburbs of Pyongyang; it gathers along the way.

It has many tributaries, making its downstream water flow extremely large. According to old people, the Pyongyang Plain encountered a heavy rain that was rare in a hundred years, and the Dongfang River burst its banks and flooded the city of Pyongyang. Therefore,

The Ordinary River also has names such as 'The River of Tears' and 'The River of Resentment'. But because it has been so long and the general has not encountered such a thing, he thought it was a legend." Seeing the ugly faces of everyone, their eyes became even brighter.

It was full of unkindness, and he was extremely nervous. He reluctantly said to Yang Ji in a normal tone: "I have been negligent and did not do things well. I hope your Majesty will forgive me."

"That's it!" Yang Ji is not a fool. Even if he didn't know that Quan Ming was not working hard and was hiding something? He gave Quan Ming a deep look and waved his hand: "After all, I didn't ask. I can't blame General Quan for this matter. I won't do it next time.

, sit down!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Quan Ming secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and sat down, only to be frightened.

Yang Ji no longer paid attention to Quan Ming. He felt that the whole army was idle. The water attack strategy could be tried. And as Hao Yuan said, even if this strategy could not destroy the city, it could still inflict damage to the enemy.

bring some losses.

Thinking of this, he said to everyone: "The water attack strategy is very promising. If we can destroy the city with floods, our army will not have to attack by force." After saying that, he directly pointed to the generals and said: "Prefect Xue, General Daxi."

"Final general!"

I will obey your orders!"

"Hao Canjun, you go with them and be responsible for communicating with Yang Yichen and others about this matter." Yang Ji arranged the task for Hao Yuan and warned: "If you need anything, report to me as soon as possible, or let me

General Manager Yang sent someone to assist." Hao Yuan responded: "I humbly obey my orders!" Yang Ji glanced at Quan Ming and said in a solemn tone: "General Quan,

I'll give you a chance to make a meritorious service, and let you point out the direction to Hao Canjun. Don't be 'negligent' this time. Otherwise, don't blame me for falling out." The cold eyes and solemn tone made Quan Ming's heart beat fast and he broke into a cold sweat.

He stood up hurriedly and said: "General, I will do my best to make up for the merits. If there is any inappropriateness, I will be willing to accept the military law."

"That's good!" Yang Ji arranged the matter and said to everyone: "It is not easy to build a dike with soil and build a dam to block the river. With the strength of Prefect Xue and General Daxi alone, I am afraid that it will not be done before the heavy rain ends."

Good thing, everyone is going back to camp and getting ready."

"General, I obey!" Seeing Yang Ji give the order again, everyone excused themselves and left. Only Yang Ji, Ling Jing and Fang Xuanling were left in the main hall.

Yang Ji wrote a letter to Yang Yichen, explaining to him the navy's plan to move north and the water attack, and ordered him to cooperate.

As soon as he handed the letter to Zhu Can and asked him to send someone to send it away, he saw Zhang Chuchen walking along the handwriting corridor on the left.

She was dressed in red, like a red pepper from head to tail. Yang Ji saw her walking very fast, as if something big had happened, so he got up and went to meet her, and asked from a distance: "Chuchen, what happened?"

What happened?" Zhang Chuchen said: "Sir, Princess Kinderman of Silla is back again." Yang Ji was stunned for a moment and asked strangely: "What is she doing back?"

"We can't ask what the specific matter is." Zhang Chuchen said that he first replied to Yang Ji, and then explained: "According to Commander Yang Ze, Kinderman and her more than 30 guards were at the gate of the city with crossbows.

After Lifu parted ways, she claimed that she had something to ask the young master, but Commander Yang couldn't refuse, so he had to bring her back.

But she went back to the posthouse first and changed into regular clothes. She must not have come to see the young master as an envoy." When envoys from the two countries interacted, their clothes were more formal and solemn. This was not only a sign of respect for each other, but also for themselves.

Zhang Chuchen had been following Yang Ji for so long, so he knew these basic diplomatic etiquette.

Her last sentence was to make Yang Ji mentally prepared. Yang Ji asked again: "Is she alone, or are there others?" Zhang Chuchen said: "Master, she only brought one young general and two

The girl came and was serving tea in the side hall.

Wait. As for her guards, they are currently resting in the post house." Yang Ji thought for a moment and then told Zhang Chuchen: "Chuchen, the visitor is a guest, we should not be rude; you let someone go

Make arrangements for dinner, and come with me to receive and entertain guests later."

"Yes!" Zhang Chuchen responded happily and left. Yang Ji walked a few steps and then realized that there was a young general accompanying him, so he turned around and said to Ling Jing and Fang Xuanling who were working: "Respect,

You stay to handle military affairs and wait for the military situation. If it is an ordinary matter, you can take care of it yourself; if there is anything important, inform me as soon as possible. Xuanling, you come with me to receive the guests."
Chapter completed!