"drive!"
"drive!"
Tie Niu rode his horse and galloped through the mountains and forests.
When he reached a fork in the road, he stopped.
Expand the map and determine your exact location.
At the same time, he also asked people to question several Goguryeo captives.
Verify the information they provide with each other before making a decision.
"Hurry up, don't stop!"
"The prince is still buying time for us!"
"If we arrive one day earlier, His Majesty will have an easier time."
"Tie Niu, we can't keep running like this..." Bai Yu also caught up on horseback and said hurriedly, "Many people's straw sandals have been worn out. We've been running for five hours, and it's time to let them rest. If they keep running like this, people will die!"
"We're already half a day behind schedule!"
Tie Niu's attitude is quite firm.
Yesterday, heavy rain in Goguryeo caused landslides. The previously accessible mountain roads were blocked, forcing them to take a detour. No one could have anticipated this sudden situation.
Before they set out, they agreed with Ning Que on a timetable for the siege. The route was at least a thousand miles long, with various waterways and mountain routes involved, so Ning Que set a timeframe of twenty days. Tie Niu had promised this with all his heart, and even signed a military order. Within twenty days, they would reach the outskirts of Baekje and launch a general assault!
Tie Niu and the others are already quite fast.
After all, those with him are the elite soldiers of the Three Guards.
And there are also 5,000 war horses.
But there were too many unexpected situations along the way.
The key point is that they don’t know much about Goguryeo.
They had no choice but to travel day and night.
But the road is too rugged and there are some traps.
After running for ten days, the non-combat casualties alone amounted to hundreds.
These are the elite three guards...
Just died on the road!
"Let those who can't run ride."
"I've set a deadline of twenty days, so we must launch the general attack in twenty days. This is the maximum time the prince can buy us. If we fail to attack the city on time, more of our brothers will die in battle!"
Tie Niu, with red eyes, was the first to jump off his warhorse.
"Give my warhorse to the wounded."
"Even if we have to crawl, we have to crawl to Baekje City!"
"Are you crazy?" Bai Yu quickly dismounted and grabbed Tie Niu by the collar. "We still have time. We can rest for two hours. Sharpening the knife makes the chopping wood easier. If you keep running like this, more of our brothers will die of exhaustion!"
"There's no time..." Tie Niu shook his head and pointed to the sky. "It's the rainy season in Goguryeo these days, and it rains from time to time. If the river rises, how will we cross it? If there's another downpour, the mountain roads will be slippery and even more difficult to walk on. If a landslide blocks the road, we'll lose even more time. So, we must reserve enough time to rest."
Tie Niu looked at the wounded soldiers who were mounting their horses one after another.
"Brothers, consider this as my Iron Oxen begging you. This eastern expedition to Goguryeo is crucial, and Baekje City is of paramount importance. If we fail to arrive on time, even the prince might be in danger. You all know how the prince treated you. Tell me, can we let him down?"
"cannot!!!"
"good!"
Tie Niu nodded firmly and raised his hand, saying, "Thank you brothers for your understanding. When we capture Baekje City, I, Tie Niu, will personally boil water for you to soak your feet. If anyone dies, I, Tie Niu, will build a grave for you and take care of your wives, children, and the elderly!"
"What is the Great Commander saying?"
"Twenty days is twenty days!"
"Isn't it just a matter of hurrying on the road? Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief!"
Bai Yu could only sigh helplessly as the soldiers expressed their opinions. He knew Tie Niu had a point, but the time was too short. The problem was that they were unfamiliar with Goguryeo and only had a crude map. Even if they had Goguryeo captives, they didn't know much.
This kind of thing is actually very common.
They walked on mountain roads, which were covered with forests.
The roads are rough and it's easy to get lost.
Taking a few detours will only waste more time.
"You... can you still walk?" Bai Yu looked at Tie Niu. "You barely slept this whole way, so you have to hold on. If you really can't, just ride on horseback."
"Hey, it's okay."
Tie Niu waved his hand nonchalantly.
"After all, I was the first one to follow the prince."
"I did a lot of physical training back then."
"This little mountain road is nothing."
He said so, but his steps were weak.
As the Grand Commander, Tie Niu bore a heavy responsibility this time. In reality, if they could arrive on time to launch a general assault, siege the city would be effortless. According to Ning Que's calculations, Baekje's defenses would be vulnerable, and dispatching special forces would easily open the gates.
"You're just being stubborn."
Bai Yu could only raise his hand to support Tie Niu.
The two have known each other for years, initially disliking each other. Tie Niu feels Bai Yu is a newcomer, feigning maturity despite being relatively young. Bai Yu, on the other hand, thinks Tie Niu is just from Xiliang, so how dare he take advantage of his age?
As a result, they started fighting after a disagreement.
The fight that day was quite brutal.
Both of them had bruised faces and noses.
In the end, they put aside their grudges and became brothers.
This incident is considered a good story in the palace.
"Don't help me."
"Save your energy."
"I'm not as smart as you."
"I'll take care of all the mobilization work ahead."
"We will need you to join us in the subsequent attack on Baekje City."
Tie Niu, leaning on his spear, limped along, saying stubbornly, "Let's divide the work and work together. If you can't take down Baekje, you'll just have to wait and see."
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