novelonline Chapter 1351 Li Hao: Unfilial descendants in later generations
Chapter 1351 Li Hao: Unfilial descendants in later generations
Chapter 1351 Li Hao: Future generations will be unfilial...
Time flies, and before we know it, half a month has passed. Just as the civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty were paying close attention to this war—
North Korea, Wang Jing
Under the towering city walls, shouts of killing were deafening. Many of the elite and brave soldiers of the Eight Banners of the Nuzhen people, armed with weapons, climbed up the wooden ladders to the city walls and attacked the city like ants.
At this moment, on the city wall, the Korean royal camp general Li Huan was wearing heavy armor and looking sternly at the soldiers who were constantly pouring onto the city wall.
Then, he led a group of soldiers and generals, carrying rolling logs and stones, and threw them at the elite Eight Banners troops who were attacking the city below.
For a moment, screams were heard one after another.
Not far away, under a Qing flag, Ajige and Oboi looked at the scene in the distance with frowns on their faces. They were obviously troubled by the stubborn resistance on the city wall.
"Your Highness, the resistance in the city seems to be getting stronger again." Under Aoba's thick eyebrows like elm leaves, the solemn look in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
"Let the Red Barbarian muskets bombard the city and blast a passage!" Ajige also became ruthless and said in a cold voice.
Aobai nodded and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, this is not a solution. Even if we take Wangjing, our soldiers will suffer too many casualties."
The Jurchens had lost many elite troops in a series of wars, so subsequent battles were mostly carefully planned.
Ajige cast his eyes on Aobai who was standing beside him and said, "What good plan do you have?"
Aobai raised his bearded head, turned his gaze to the distance, and said, "Your Majesty, the west city wall is badly damaged. Why not have someone dig a tunnel under the wall, put explosives in it, see if the wall can be blown open, and then rush in."
Ajige's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said, "This is a very good plan."
When Oboi saw that Ajige agreed, he said nothing more and ordered his soldiers to start preparing gunpowder.
The elite soldiers of the Eight Banners below raised their ladders and headed towards the top of the city.
North Korea, the capital city——
After King Yi Ho of Joseon sat down at the desk in his study, the king, who was only in his thirties, looked haggard and tired, and was obviously quite worried about the recent situation.
At this moment, he leaned forward, stared at Li Huan and Yuan Doushao who were standing with their backs bent, and asked, "How was the defense today when we were guarding the city?"
Li Huan's resolute face showed no sign of worry, and he whispered, "Your Majesty, the elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens have been attacking the city fiercely these past few days, causing countless casualties, and the casualties in the city are still serious."
Li Hao asked worriedly, "It's been half a month. Can the food and military equipment in the city still be sustained?"
Li Huan said: "Your Majesty, the city still has sufficient stockpiles of military equipment and food, but the elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens are fearless and unafraid of death. If this continues, within three months..."
At the end, the voice was low and it was obvious that the consequences spoke for themselves.
Li Hao frowned and asked, "What can we do now?"
Yuan Doushao, the Minister of War, took over the conversation with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Han court has not sent any reinforcements yet. If this continues, my capital will be destroyed, and we may not be able to wait for the Han court's troops."
At the beginning, with the Duke of Wei in charge, the call for the Han court to send troops to help obviously could not last long. Especially as the casualties in the city increased, a pessimistic mood about the war once again swept the entire Wangjing city.
The civil and military officials of Korea probably believed that the troops in the Korean capital might not be able to withstand the invasion and plundering of the Jurchens.
Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "Wait a little longer. It will only take about a month. The city should be able to hold out until the reinforcements arrive."
Yuan Doushao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, why not send someone to summon the Han envoy to inquire about the situation, or urge the Han court to send troops faster?"
Upon hearing this, Li Hao hurriedly said, "What Yuan Qing said is very true. Come, go to the posthouse to find the Han envoy."
Yuan Doushao didn't say much and waited patiently with Li Huan.
After a while, the eunuch led the Han envoy Feng Zhi into the hall, and also the Jinyi Palace official who came last time to investigate.
Feng Zhi bowed and asked, "I wonder what the great king has summoned you for?"
King Li Hao of Joseon looked at the envoy Feng Zhi and said, "Emissary Feng, the Jurchen troops outside the city are besieging the city very urgently. Countless soldiers and civilians in the city are killed and injured every day. The situation in the city is even more shaky. Your country's Duke Weiguo sent troops to help, but where are they now?"
Feng Zhi said with a bitter look on his face, "I was just about to report this to the great king, but just now this Deputy Captain Zhang mentioned that the Duke of Wei has arrived in Tianjin and is dispatching soldiers to rush to Korea."
King Li Hao of Joseon raised his eyebrows and asked, "Duke Weiguo has arrived in Tianjin?"
At this time, the captain behind Feng Zhi was also the Jinyifu's scout stationed in Wangjing City.
Zhang Sheng said, "My Lord, the Duke of Wei has already dispatched the navy from Jiangnan. It will take at least half a month for them to go to the capital to help in this crisis."
On the surface, there is nothing wrong with this.
Because Jia Heng went to Tianjin to take charge, even if he was to support the Korean war, he still needed to dispatch naval troops.
All this takes time, and at this time, if the Qing Dynasty destroyed the Korean capital, then there is no doubt that the Han Dynasty would not have to bear the pressure of moral public opinion and could lead the soldiers to the capital and clean up the mess calmly.
But it’s best not to let anyone see all this.
Otherwise, the Celestial Empire, a country of etiquette, is truly like this.
Li Hao frowned and asked, "How much time do we have left?"
Feng Zhi said quickly, "Your Majesty, please be patient. With the ability of the Duke of Wei, it should be over soon."
Feng Zhi paused for a moment, considered his words, and said, "Even if the navy arrives in Tianjin now, it will take some time to rush to the capital. However, the troops near Shanhaiguan have already headed to Liaodong. The Jurchens have already felt some pressure, so they should restrain themselves."
Yuan Dou Piao said: "Not only have they not shown any signs of restraint recently, but they have also launched a fierce attack on Wangjing City, as if they want to take Wangjing City in one go. Your country is the suzerain country, so you should send ships and navy to help Wangjing City."
Li Hao quickly said, "Yes."
Feng Zhi only felt the dense sweat seeping out of his forehead, and said loudly: "Don't worry, my lord, but this will take time. Besides, I am more worried about this matter than you."
Li Hao explained, "I was anxious for a moment, and I hope your Excellency will forgive me. The situation in North Korea is extremely critical, and now is a matter of life and death. Your country should extend a helping hand in time."
Feng Zhi said: "Don't worry, my lord. After I return, I will have the Jinyifu send a pigeon to tell the urgent situation in the capital, hoping that the Duke of Weiguo will send troops as soon as possible to relieve the crisis in Korea."
Li Hao's anxiety was relieved a lot, and he said: "I hope it will be as soon as possible, the Joseon royal capital is in danger."
Feng Zhi did not linger for long, but quickly returned with the guards not far away.
After the two left, Li Hao's face remained solemn. He looked at Li and Yuan and asked, "What should we do? Can we hold out for a month?"
Yuan Dou Piao shook his head, his eyes firm, and said: "My Lord, whether we can stop it or not, we can only stop it now."
Li Hao nodded and said in a firm tone: "What Yuan Panshu said is correct. Now, even if we can't stop it, we have to stop it."
However, at this moment, "Boom~"
A deafening bang was heard throughout the city, shocking the king and his two ministers. They looked at each other and had a bad feeling.
Li Hao was shocked and asked in surprise, "What is that sound?"
Yuan Doushao and Li Huan also looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Cannon!" Li Huan said in a low voice.
After a while, a young general in armor, with a panicked look on his face, ran into the yamen and said, "My Lord, it's bad. The Jurchens have blown up the west city wall, and a large number of Jurchen soldiers are rushing towards the city."
"What?" Li Hao stood up suddenly and asked in surprise.
Everyone knows what this means: the city will be destroyed and the country will be ruined.
Li Huan frowned and said in a deep voice: "My Lord, I will lead the troops to rush to the rescue first. The city is in danger."
King Li Hao of Joseon said anxiously: "Go quickly, we must not let the Jurchen troops enter the city."
Once they break into the city, Wang Jing’s hundreds of years of foundation will be over.
Li Huan said nothing more. He led a few personal soldiers, left the government office, and headed to the city gate tower to provide assistance.
At this moment, outside the capital city——
Ajige and Oboi were riding on the same horse, looking at the soldiers rushing up to the city gate tower, their faces filled with joy.
"Digging tunnels and blowing up the city is indeed useful." Ajige said loudly with excitement in his tone.
Aobai said: "Your Majesty, we will be able to break through the city in a moment."
However, the next scene made Oboi and Ajige look solemn again.
Because, it didn't take long before Li Huan led a large number of Korean soldiers to the place where the city wall collapsed and fought with the Jurchen troops.
For a moment, the sound of drums was deafening.
A large number of Korean soldiers were fearless and rushed towards the city one after another.
Aobai saw this scene on his horse and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I will lead the people there myself."
Ajige nodded and said, "Then you should be careful."
After that, without saying anything else, Oboi led his personal guards and rode towards the capital of Korea.
At this moment, a large hole two meters long was blown open in the west city wall.
Li Huan led a team of his most elite soldiers and fought with the elite Jurchens. He gradually drove away the elite of the Jurchen Eight Banners and blocked the gap.
However, before Li Huan could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard a sound like spring thunder exploding in the sky.
"The traitor will die!" Aobai's voice was like spring thunder, exploding in the air.
Li Huan was startled and looked intently, only to see a fierce look on the bearded face of the general.
Aobai held a large ring-handled sword in his hand. As he swung it, the sword flashed and blood was seen. Human heads flew into the sky with blood.
Li Huan clenched the long sword in his hand, said nothing more, clenched the saber in his hand, and went to attack Oboi.
"clang!"
Along with the sound of weapons clashing, sparks could be seen flying. Li Huan felt his body shaken violently. He took a few steps back and looked at Oboi with a look of surprise in his eyes.
This guy has great strength!
Li Huan was also a great general in Korea. He was also born with supernatural powers. He wielded a long iron sword in his hand like the wind. He was not afraid at all under the fierce attack of Oboi.
Instead of fighting, there is a back and forth.
The long sword in Aobai's hand chopped down, and Li Huan blocked it with his sword. He felt a piercing scream and his heart was shaken.
Li Huan took a few steps back, an abnormal blush appeared on both sides of his cheeks, and his eyes were full of solemnity.
Aobai roared: "Thief, give me your life!"
As he spoke, the long sword chopped towards Li Huan's neck, and immediately, a bone-chilling chill enveloped Li Huan.
Li Huan dodged hurriedly and blocked with the long sword in his hand, but it was too late. He heard a "puff" sound, and an arm flew up into the sky with blood gushing out.
Aobai succeeded with one strike of the sword, and then he was ruthless in every way. The long sword in his hand flashed a streak of cold light and chopped towards Li Huan's neck.
Li Huan felt a life-and-death crisis at this moment, and his heart suddenly tightened. At this moment, he heard the sound of a sharp knife breaking through the air, and in an instant, it attacked the back of his neck.
"Pfft!"
As a head rose into the sky, Li Huan felt his consciousness go dark and he was immediately plunged into endless darkness.
"Who dares to stop me!" Aobai roared, and for a moment, his momentum was unmatched.
After Li Huan's death, the morale of the Korean soldiers and generals, which had been high because of plugging the gap, was dampened.
As one side gained strength, the other side lost strength. The elite Jurchen soldiers continued to charge into the city.
And Oboi had already led the elite troops of the Eight Banners and poured into the towering city ahead like a tide.
At this moment, the elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens became more and more excited and quickly marched towards the capital of the Joseon Dynasty.
In an instant, the city was about to fall!
Royal Palace of Joseon
After King Yi Ho of Joseon sat down at the desk in his study, he heard the bad news from the city one after another and his face turned pale.
Li Hao frowned and asked, "Gentlemen, what should we do?"
The Korean civil officials and generals below also had gloomy expressions on their faces and fell into awkward silence for a moment.
At this moment, a lieutenant from outside came running over and said, "My Lord, something terrible has happened. The Jurchen Eight Banners troops have already charged into the city."
Upon hearing this, Li Hao's face suddenly turned as pale as paper, and worry appeared in his eyes.
Yuan Doushao's face was filled with worry. He stepped out of the line, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the city has become a dangerous place. We should not stay here for long. We should withdraw from the city and hunt in the south."
At this moment, all the ministers in the hall reacted and came out to present their reports.
There is only one general meaning, which is to hunt in the south and flee to Chungcheong Province.
Li Hao pondered for a moment, a trace of sadness and solemnity appeared in his eyes, and he said worriedly: "At this point, the soldiers and civilians in the city have all been annihilated by the war. How can I still leave the city with dignity?"
As he spoke, he looked intently at Yuan Doushao, the Minister of War, who was standing beside him.
"Gather all the troops from the Imperial Camp and the government offices to resist the atrocities of the elite Qing bannermen." Li Hao stood up, his face full of solemnity, and made a prompt decision.
According to the Korean side's impression of the Jurchen soldiers, these people would massacre the people in the city once they broke into the city. Korea was about to face a catastrophe.
Then, a large number of soldiers poured into the city from outside and began to fight with the Korean soldiers in the city.
Ping Pong Pong...
The sound of weapons clashing and the earth-shaking shouts of killing resounded throughout the entire capital city at this moment.
Oboi led a large number of elite soldiers from the Eight Banners, like a long sword, cutting through the waves, killing the Korean soldiers who blocked the way, and rushed into the main street of Wangjing, where they met the troops of the Three Inner Halls of Korea head-on.
A large number of soldiers armed with weapons have already charged towards the Eight Banners led by Oboi. At this moment, the two sides collided.
Aobai was waving a broad iron sword in his hand. The sword light was as bright and dazzling as a streak of silk. Wherever the sword passed, broken limbs and arms were seen flying everywhere along with blood. Many soldiers fell down like dry grass, screaming in agony.
Oboi's face flushed and his neck thickened as he shouted, "Go into the palace and capture the King of Korea alive!"
Oboi had been to the royal capital before and was familiar with the directions of the streets in the city, so he went straight to the palace of the Korean royal palace without stopping.
The soldiers and generals they met on the road tried to stop them with swords, but were still pierced through quickly by Aobai's troops like spears, and the soldiers immediately retreated in all directions like a tide.
The Korean soldiers in the royal capital city showed great resilience at this moment. Or, in other words, when their country was destroyed and their families were ruined, a large number of Korean soldiers showed a conscious resistance to the enemy.
At this moment, Oboi was leading a large number of soldiers and facing an old veteran in bronze armor, just within an arrow's reach of the palace.
The old general had white hair and beard and a resolute face. He held a big knife in his hand. The long knife in his palm was shining brightly and he swung it like the wind.
The person was none other than the former garrison commander Li Shifang.
Abahai snorted coldly, took a few quick steps, and swung the long sword in his hand at the old general's head like a mountain. The sword was as fast as the wind, carrying a fierce momentum.
Li Shifang looked calm and fearless, and blocked with his knife. There was a "clang" sound, sparks flew, and Li Shifang felt his shoulders sore and heavy that he could hardly lift them.
Aobai blocked the attack with the long sword in his hand, and there was a "buzz" sound, a sharp whistling sound, which seemed to hurt Li Shifang's eardrums.
Oboi said nothing more, and roared, "Old thief, give me your life!"
The sound was like spring thunder, deafening, and then, the long knife in his hand chopped down, as if to chop Li Shifang off.
Li Shifang shouted angrily, but he could no longer defend himself at this moment. When Oboi's long sword chopped down, his arm was strained. At this moment, there was a "puff" sound, and blood splattered.
Li Shifang felt a black screen before his eyes. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but when the words reached his throat, he could not utter a single word. With a plop, he fell to the ground and could not get up.
Seeing this, Aobai couldn't hide his excitement and shouted, "Go to the palace!"
The soldiers behind him shouted and killed, and almost poured into the palace like a tide. When they encountered Korean soldiers blocking the way, they were like cutting melons and chopping vegetables, and no one could stop them.
Oboi fought his way into the Joseon palace, came to the white marble square in front of the palace, and shouted: "Don't let Li Hao go!"
A large number of elite Jurchen soldiers, led by lieutenants and assistant commanders, spread out and controlled the key thoroughfares of the palace.
At this moment, a large number of eunuchs and maids began to walk through the corridors, holding large amounts of gold and silver jewelry in their hands, with looks of panic on their faces.
On this side, Li Hao, with the help of several eunuchs, had arrived at the ancestral hall of the kings of Korea.
In the ancestral hall——
Papers with portraits of the king were hung in the middle hall, and wooden spirit tablets were lined up on high tables. The atmosphere was solemn and majestic.
On a lacquered wooden high table, in addition to fruits and vegetables, there are also small incense burners containing incense sticks, with three incense sticks inside.
Li Hao knelt on an apricot-yellow cushion, his haggard, exhausted face seemed to show a look of sorrow, and he said: "Li ancestors, I, the unfilial descendant Li Hao, sincerely kneel before the spirits of the ancestors, and hope that the ancestors will forgive me. Our Li court has reached a critical moment, and I, the unfilial descendant, am of little wisdom and virtue, so I can only die to apologize for my sins."
At this moment, the eunuchs around were holding a tray with a pot of blue and white porcelain poisoned wine on it.
The shouts and screams were getting closer and closer. Li Hao looked sad and said in a hoarse voice, "Bring the farewell wine over here."
The eunuchs around and the civil and military officials outside the palace were already sobbing.
At this time, the eunuch who was close to him took the full wine glass, handed it over, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Li Hao didn't say anything else. He took the wine cup, looked up at the spirit tablet on the ancestral hall, and drank it all in one gulp.
"My descendants in future generations will be unfilial..." Li Hao spoke intermittently, but his face showed a twisted expression. It was obvious that the poisonous wine was taking effect on his internal organs.
Then, with a groan, he fell to the ground.
When the Korean civil and military officials outside saw this scene, they burst into tears.
(End of this chapter)