On the city walls of Wandu,
Silence reigned.
Aside from the deafening sound of war drums, the only noise was the breathing of their comrades.
They were all stunned!
When they heard reports that the army had encountered Han cavalry just as they left the city, they had come to watch the spectacle.
After all,
In the vast and sparsely populated Goguryeo, there were rarely any forms of entertainment.
This sudden war, to them, was more like a way to pass the time.
Who made Goguryeo so mighty?
Not only had they plundered so much from the Han border, but they also had ten thousand cavalry and twenty thousand infantry within the city.
With the Han's mere five thousand cavalry wanting to attack the city?
A pipe dream!
Thus,
Including Gao Bogu, a group of officials rushed to the city walls.
But who would have thought,
As soon as they reached the walls, they saw over a dozen Han cavalry chasing and slaughtering several dozen Goguryeo cavalry.
How could they tolerate this?
Useless!
All useless!
Gao Bogu, somewhat exasperated, directly ordered the war drums to be beaten to cheer on his men.
But what happened next nearly killed him.
Miserable!
Too miserable!
Forced to charge by the sound of the drums, the Goguryeo cavalry were once again pierced through by the Xuanjia Iron Cavalry.
And on the city walls,
Watching the unequal battle outside the city, everyone's gaze was blank.
They couldn't understand!
Why were the brave and invincible Goguryeo cavalry being beaten so badly?
After all,
Heavy cavalry only became popular in the Tang and Song dynasties.
Although Cao Cao's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry in the Three Kingdoms era was also called heavy cavalry,
Their numbers were too few, and they couldn't achieve that kind of shocking effect when charging.
Moreover, with the iron smelting technology and annual steel production of the late Han dynasty,
It was truly not an easy task to equip a purely iron-clad heavy cavalry.
And these Goguryeo cavalry, who were not even as good as the Han iron cavalry, how could they have witnessed the ferocity of heavy cavalry?
Therefore, at the very beginning of the battle, they were given a taste of their might by those heavy cavalry.
Swords?
Could not penetrate!
Arrows?
Could not pierce!
Facing the Xuanjia Iron Cavalry, which was like an ironclad, all the combat methods of the Goguryeo cavalry were rendered useless.
Except for a few exceptionally strong individuals who could inflict some damage on the heavy cavalry,
After one charge, the nearly two thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry suffered almost no casualties.
As for the Goguryeo cavalry?
They were mowed down!
Although, due to the ongoing war, no one had the time to count the casualties,
A rough estimate showed that
There were at least two to three thousand Goguryeo cavalry lying on the ground, their lives uncertain.
What kind of concept was this?
0:3000?
How could this not lead to despair?
If these iron-clad cavalry charged a few more times, wouldn't their ten thousand cavalry be wiped out?
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
Gao Nanwu, the eldest son of Gao Bogu and the commander of Wandu city, gritted his teeth and cupped his hands towards Gao Bogu, whose face was ashen.
"My King, we cannot continue like this. Quickly order them to retreat!"
"Retreat?"
"Retreat where?"
Gao Bogu, his eyes filled with regret and unease, shook his head with a grim expression.
"The enemy and our forces are now entangled. If we retreat rashly, the Han will surely pursue us!"
"At that time..."
"Not only will we not be able to retreat, but we might also be charged into the city by the Han cavalry."
"No, no!"
Meeting Gao Bogu's somewhat confused gaze, Gao Nanwu gritted his teeth.
"Once more than half of them have entered, we will lower the drawbridge and close the gates!"
"We will retreat as many as possible. We still have to defend the city afterwards!"
"This..."
Gao Bogu was taken aback, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.
Although Gao Nanwu's method was somewhat cruel, it was already the best solution at the moment.
Retreat as many as possible!
And those behind?
Sorry!
It is believed that you would be very willing to die on the battlefield for Goguryeo, wouldn't you?
With this thought,
Gao Bogu no longer hesitated and directly ordered the messenger:
"Pass down the order, sound the gong... and retreat!"
"Bang~!"
"Bang~!"
"Bang~!"
Following Gao Bogu's command, the sound of the gong signaling retreat echoed across the battlefield.
"Hmm?"
Hearing the sound of the gong from the city in the distance, Gongsun Zan's eyebrows twitched.
Trying to escape?
Have you asked me?
Just as he was about to order the entire army to pursue, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
"Someone!"
"Do this, this, and this..."
After summoning his personal guards and whispering instructions into their ears, Gongsun Zan squinted at the slowly retreating enemy, and with a fierce sweep of his blood-dripping saber, he commanded:
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
Amidst the deafening shouts of killing, the intermittent sound of the retreat gong could be heard.
The Goguryeo cavalry, whose morale was already low, became even more scattered.
You want to run, and I want to run, but what about the pursuing Han soldiers behind?
So, let's see who can run faster!
Thus,
What was initially a tactical retreat turned into a complete rout for the Goguryeo cavalry.
Seeing this,
Gongsun Zan frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, he pressed forward closely.
Only when he heard the sound of horses' hooves behind him did he slowly stop.
"Brothers, take care!"
Watching his soldiers, who had changed into Goguryeo cavalry attire, ride away, Gongsun Zan silently murmured, and then gave the order to pursue slowly.
And so,
With the Han cavalry intentionally holding back, the Goguryeo cavalry quickly retreated to the front of Wandu city.
The waiting guards rushed to lower the city walls and drawbridge to receive them into the city.
But at this moment,
The Han cavalry, which had slowed down, suddenly charged forward like the wind from behind.
"Damn it!"
"Hurry up!"
"If you don't hurry, they'll catch up! Hurry, hurry, you hurry!"
Seeing the pursuing Han troops getting closer and closer, and less than half of the Goguryeo cavalry had entered the city, Gao Bogu could not bear it any longer.
"Close, close the city gate!"
"What?"
Gao Nanwu was stunned for a moment, glancing at the Han cavalry, who were still not very close.
"Father, there is still some time before they arrive. Many more people can still enter!"
"I said, close the city gate!"
Gao Bogu suddenly turned around, his eyes fixed on Gao Nanwu, and gritted his teeth.
"As long as I am still the King of Goguryeo, my word is law!"
"Go and close the city gate now!"
"Yes, yes..."
Gao Nanwu, inexplicably reprimanded, agreed with a hint of grievance.
Yes!
As long as Gao Bogu was on the throne, his command was like an imperial edict.
Supreme and absolute!
However,
Among the cavalry outside, many were his trusted confidants!
To just give up on them?
He was unwilling!
After all,
Everyone knew the consequences of closing the city gate now... it meant they were abandoned.
And as Gao Nanwu was hesitating and heading downstairs.
The pursuing Han army, as if having received some order, stopped their horses not far away.
They just watched, looking at the messy scene outside the city.
From time to time, they pointed and gestured, as if looking down on the fighting strength of their soldiers.
"Damn, damn it!"
Witnessing all of this, Gao Bogu's old face flushed red, as if he had been slapped hard.
But he could not retaliate at all!
After all, the chaotic group outside were the cavalry he had always prided himself on.
However,
Seeing that the Han cavalry had stopped in the distance, Gao Bogu felt a glimmer of hope.
Could this mean that more people could be retreated?
Those were 'elites'!
Although they fought a bit poorly against the Han cavalry, it was still normal.
Who told them that the Han were so powerful?
These cavalry were quite effective when it came to suppressing rebellions.
If the Han iron cavalry hadn't been in such a hurry before, he wouldn't have been willing to abandon these cavalry.
But now?
After estimating the distance between the Han cavalry and the city gate, Gao Bogu felt a surge of hope.
It's enough time!
As long as he gave the order before the Han cavalry moved, there would be enough time to close the city gate twice.
With this thought,
Gao Bogu could no longer sit still. He quickly called for a messenger and ordered:
"Quickly inform the Crown Prince, do not close, close for now..."
"..."
Before Gao Bogu's words could fall, a huge roar reached his ears.
Immediately after,
Came the creaking sound of the city gate being closed, and the exclamations of the drawbridge being raised.
"What are you doing?"
"Lower it quickly!"
"Can't you see we haven't returned yet? What do you want to do?"
"Are you trying to rebel?"
"Open the gate quickly!"
"I am a relative of the Queen's family. How dare you lock me out?"
"Open the gate for me quickly!"
"..."
Hearing the continuous shouts, Gao Bogu's face darkened.
Especially,
The leaders and generals of the four great tribes beside him looked at him with displeasure.
Among those locked outside, there were their sons and family members!
If there were pursuers behind them, and you ordered the city gate to be closed, it would be understandable.
For their own safety, sacrificing some of their sons might be acceptable.
But the problem was,
Now the Han cavalry were just watching the show, what did you mean by closing the gate?
Do you want to weaken us with the Han's help?
Your intentions are treacherous!
Thinking they had figured it all out, everyone now looked at Gao Bogu with ill intentions.
When we acknowledge you, you are king, that's true.
But once we no longer acknowledge you, what are you then?
You even want to weaken us?
Who gave you the courage!
With this thought,
The great elder of the Shunnu tribe, one of the four great tribes, looked at Gao Bogu with displeasure.
"My King, since there are no pursuers, why not let our sons enter the city?"
"Who says we won't let them in?"
Gao Bogu, who was already in a bad mood, snorted coldly and waved his hand at the messenger.
"Go and tell the Crown Prince to open the city gate, let them in, and await orders at all times!"
"Yes!"
Finally receiving the order, the messenger ran off. Midway, he encountered Gao Nanwu, who was about to come up.
"Your Highness, Your Highness~!"
After hastily stopping the distressed Gao Nanwu, the messenger said breathlessly:
"The King, the King orders to open the city gate, let people in, and await new orders at all times!"
"???"
Gao Nanwu heard this and looked dumbfounded, asking uncertainly:
"Are you sure you heard correctly?"
"Of course!"
Seeing Gao Nanwu's disbelief, the messenger quickly explained:
"Those Han cavalry, for some reason, have stopped. The King wants you to quickly let them in!"
"The Han cavalry have stopped?!"
Gao Nanwu heard this and was overjoyed. He turned to go down and open the gate.
However,
As soon as he took a step, Gao Nanwu's expression changed again.
"Something is wrong!"
"It's definitely wrong!"
"It's one thing that the Han cavalry didn't pursue, but why would they stop voluntarily?"
Gao Nanwu stood in place, pondered for a moment, and finally, with gritted teeth, walked back towards the city tower.
"This..."
The messenger looked utterly bewildered and somewhat at a loss.
Didn't you just say not to close the gate?