Chapter 697: Troops Enter Hebei

Winter gave way to spring, and finally, the spring of the third year of Qingping arrived. In the Bohai Kingdom, the ice and snow melted, streams flowed gently, willows turned green, tender branches sprouted, and flocks of birds chirped joyfully on the branches. The sky was as blue as a gem, and the air was filled with a moist and warm atmosphere.

The siege of Huzhou also came to an end as the Tang army advanced swiftly. Under siege for an entire winter with no supplies, the Khitan army suffered devastating defeats in dozens of attempts to break through. Tens of thousands of soldiers survived the harsh winter by killing horses and fishing through ice. Yet, many still died from disease, starvation, or the cold, while others fled across the frozen lake surface.

By the end of February, as the ice melted, the Tang army stormed into Huzhou City without encountering any resistance. The city had become a hell on earth—tens of thousands of warhorses had been slaughtered, and without fodder, they could not survive the winter. Of the more than 60,000 Khitan soldiers, fewer than 6,000 remained. Over 40,000 died in the attempts to escape, while many more perished from disease, freezing, or starvation. All these factors ultimately destroyed the Khitan army, leading to the complete annihilation of this coalition force of 150,000 troops that had invaded the Bohai Kingdom.

The commander-in-chief, Li Huaijie, committed suicide during the final Tang attack. Li Baozhen ordered his head to be cut off and sent to Chang’an. As for the remaining 5,800 soldiers, Li Baozhen could not bear to kill them further and handed them over to the Bohai Kingdom as slaves. Thus, the battle for the Bohai Kingdom came to an end.

At this time, the Bohai Kingdom’s crown prince had stepped down in favor of his third prince, Da Yingjun. Inside the Tang army’s camp, Li Baozhen, on behalf of the Tang Dynasty, formally signed a security agreement with the Bohai Kingdom. Effective immediately, the Bohai Kingdom would abandon its military forces, retaining only an imperial guard of no more than 3,000 men. The security of the Bohai Kingdom would be entirely under the responsibility of the Tang army.

After the agreement was signed, Li Baozhen became the governor of Bohai, leading 30,000 troops to station there permanently. Zhao Chongjie and Ge Shuyao each led 30,000 troops to attack Yingzhou with lightning speed.

Meanwhile, the Tang army’s commander-in-chief, Li Qingan, issued orders for the battle in Hebei. Li Guangbi had already assembled 100,000 troops in Xiangzhou and marched toward Weizhou. Tian Chengsi surrendered, and Li Guangbi’s army then headed north toward Youzhou. In Hedong, Li Siye led 70,000 troops through Jingxing into Hengzhou in Hebei Province, also advancing toward Youzhou.

The situation in Hebei was changing rapidly, reaching a critical moment.

In Yingzhou, An Qingxu was extremely anxious. He had already heard news of the Khitan’s destruction and knew that the Tang army would not return by boat. Their next move would surely be to attack Yingzhou. Therefore, An Qingxu began recruiting large numbers of soldiers, but he faced significant obstacles in doing so.

His initial pretext to incite people was to resist the Khitan invasion, so the Han people in Yingzhou and Pingzhou volunteered eagerly. But someone must have leaked the news, and word of the Khitans’ destruction by the Tang army had spread widely in Yingzhou and Pingzhou, greatly affecting An Qingxu’s recruitment efforts.

“The military advisor has arrived!”

A bodyguard reported from outside, and soon footsteps were heard. An Qingxu, as if relieved to have reinforcements, hurriedly opened the door to see Gao Shang stepping in quickly.

“Sir, please help me!”

Gao Shang also seemed in a bad mood. He entered the room with a gloomy expression, waved his hand to send the soldiers away, and An Qingxu looked at him anxiously. His lips moved, and finally he asked, “Sir, what’s happened?”

Gao Shang sighed. “I just heard that the thousand troops stationed in Xincheng have changed sides and declared themselves defenders of the Tang Dynasty.”

“What!”

An Qingxu was stunned. He pressed further, “Did they surrender or…?”

Gao Shang shook his head. “It’s not surrender. The Tang army hasn’t reached Xincheng yet. They heard the news of the Khitans’ destruction and chose to pledge allegiance to the Tang Dynasty on their own.”

Gao Shang glanced at him again. “Young prince, do you understand the consequences of this?”

An Qingxu sat down helplessly, fear evident in his eyes. How could he not know the consequences? Over 80% of his 30,000 troops were Han people who had joined the army to resist the Khitans. Now that the Khitans were gone, would these Han soldiers still be willing to fight for him?

The rebellion of the troops in Xincheng was the best proof—its spread would affect more Han soldiers, leading more to pledge allegiance to the Tang Dynasty.

“Sir, I feel like someone is deliberately spreading this news,” An Qingxu said in a low voice, filled with unease. “We’ve been hiding the truth about the Khitans, but now almost everyone knows. Why is that?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you. The Tang army has spies everywhere around us—your assassination attempt, your guards turning against us, the killings in Anyong… all of this is orchestrated by someone. Li Qing’an’s spies have never left our side.”

Gao Shang stared at the young commander, trying to make him realize the severity of the situation. The Tang army from Bohai Kingdom was about to march south, and Li Guangbi’s troops would soon arrive as well. They were trapped between two forces, with no way out. In at most three days—just three days—the Tang army would reach Yingzhou, and they would be destroyed.

“Young prince, it’s time to make a decision.”

Gao Shang tried to keep his tone low, speaking to him in a gentle voice, but his words were not gentle at all. An Qingxu raised his head in shock. “Sir… what did you say?”
“Young prince, we can’t stay in Yingzhou anymore. Do you understand what I mean?”
“But where else can we go except Yingzhou?” An Qingxu’s mind was in chaos. He didn’t understand Gao Shang’s words. He looked at Gao Shang with a pleading gaze, completely without his own judgment. Wherever Gao Shang told him to go, he would go.
“Sir, tell me, and I’ll follow your orders.”
“Good!” Gao Shang nodded. “While we can still command our troops, let’s abandon Yingzhou and head for Silla. From what I’ve heard, the Tang army hasn’t attacked Silla yet. There are only over ten thousand Silla soldiers there. This is our only chance to survive. If we capture Silla and take control of its ports, even if the Tang army comes, we can escape by boat.”
“Let me think again… just a little longer!”
An Qingxu muttered to himself. Abandoning Yingzhou was something he simply couldn’t accept emotionally. He sank to the ground, holding his head in pain.
“Young prince!”
Gao Shang shouted sharply, “You can’t be any more confused. In fact, you don’t have time left. Whether we can enter Silla is a gamble. If you don’t take the gamble, you’ll die in three days. But if you do, you still have a chance! Otherwise, go surrender to Shi Siming—do you think he’ll spare you?”
An Qingxu shuddered. Surrender to Shi Siming? How could that be possible? At that moment, he finally came to his senses. As long as there were mountains, there would be firewood. He stood up and slowly said, “Alright! We’ll march on Silla.”
…
That very night, An Qingxu’s army set off in great numbers toward Silla. Unlike in later times, the border between the Tang Dynasty and Silla wasn’t the Yalu River but what is now the Datong River. An Qingxu’s troops first had to cross the Liaodong Peninsula and then cross the Yalu River southward to reach Silla.
Although An Qingxu set out at night with his large army, they still couldn’t escape the notice of the Tang army’s scouts. As soon as An Qingxu’s troops left Yingzhou, the Tang scouts rushed north to report this crucial information to the Tang army.
By then, Geshu Yao’s thirty thousand troops had already entered the northern part of Yingzhou. Upon receiving the news, they immediately turned southeast to pursue the main force of the retreating Yan army. Zhao Chongjie’s troops had entered Yingzhou from the east. After learning of An Qingxu’s retreat eastward, they immediately set up a thorough network of defenses in the Ruoluo area.

Two days later, An Qingxu’s 30,000 troops arrived at Ruluo Shouzhuo and were intercepted by Zhao Chongjie’s forces. A fierce battle ensued, and the Yan army was defeated by the Tang army, forcing them to retreat to Liucheng. But just then, Geshu Yao’s troops blocked the Yan army’s retreat from behind. Surrounded by Tang forces on both flanks, the Yan army was trapped in a narrow valley west of Ruluo Shouzhuo—precisely the situation Gaoshang had feared the most: being encircled by the Tang army, and things were developing in the worst possible direction.

As night fell, silence reigned in the Yan army’s camp. After two days of marching and a brutal battle, the soldiers were utterly exhausted and fell asleep as soon as they lay down. Yet not everyone could sleep; many tossed and turned, unable to drift off. An Taiqing, the commander of the left army, was one of them.

An Taiqing was An Qingxu’s deputy and the main commander of the Yan army. He led 11,000 troops. Though exhausted himself, concerns about the situation and longing for his wife kept him awake for a long time. He sat in his tent, lost in thought, with a portrait of his wife in front of him. Her name was Qiuniang—unparalleled in beauty, considered the most beautiful woman in Youzhou. Now, she had been taken by Shi Siming and could never return to him.

To win him over, An Lushan and his son promised to help him reclaim his wife. He believed them and placed all his hopes on them. But now, his hopes were in vain.

Having led troops for many years, he knew full well the dire situation: the two Tang armies were surrounding them, and a single battle could crush them. The Yan army was doomed, and at the latest by tomorrow or the day after, they would be utterly defeated.

An Taiqing’s heart was filled with sorrow. He no longer had any hope of saving his wife.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the tent. “Who is it?” An Taiqing asked sharply, turning around.

“General An, it’s me. I have important matters to discuss with you.”

It was a strange voice. He was stopped by his bodyguards. An Taiqing hesitated. Under normal circumstances, he would never meet a stranger, but for some reason, he agreed this time and said, “Let him in!”

The tent curtain was lifted, and a thin soldier stepped in. In the dim light, he had a childlike face and a confident smile. An Taiqing studied him closely and confirmed he had never seen this man before. At that moment, he felt a strange sense—that this soldier might bring him extraordinary news, perhaps one that could save him from this desperate situation.

“Who are you?” An Taiqing asked, staring at him.

“My surname is Ji, and my given name is Sheng.” The soldier was very confident; he sat down right in front of An Taiqing. An Taiqing’s expression darkened, and he was about to scold him when Ji Sheng smiled gently and said, “My other titles include Duke of Boling, Deputy Commander of Fanyang, and Grand General of Champions. I suppose these titles are enough to justify sitting here with you!” An Taiqing was so frightened that he stood up abruptly, took a few steps back, drew his sword, and shouted, “Someone!” Ji Sheng shook his head lightly. “It seems General An doesn’t want to save his wife anymore.” These words struck An Taiqing like a heavy hammer to the chest. Though he didn’t put down his sword, it began to tremble slightly. At that moment, five or six bodyguards rushed in, trying to capture Ji Sheng, but An Taiqing waved his hand and said, “Go away. There’s nothing to do.” The guards left, and only then did An Taiqing put away his sword. He stared at Ji Sheng in fear. Ji Sheng had dared to come to An Taiqing because he had grasped his weakness. Seeing that An Taiqing was wavering, Ji Sheng waved his hand again and said, “General An, please sit down first!” After An Taiqing slowly sat down, Ji Sheng smiled and said, “I have the latest news about General An’s wife. Is General An interested in hearing it?” An Taiqing was stunned, his eyes filled with uncontrollable sorrow. How could he not want to know? He longed to know, but his mind was in chaos. This news didn’t shock him greatly. He asked in a low voice, “How is she?” “My men saw her yesterday morning. First, she’s still alive. Second, she’s living in misery, looking very sad. I heard she was given to Bu Gu Huaien’s son, Bu Gu Yao, by Shi Siming. I’ve already ordered my men to rescue her. General An Taiqing, do you understand my sincerity?” A glimmer of hope arose in An Taiqing’s heart. Though it was slim, it was their only chance to be reunited as husband and wife. He understood Ji Sheng’s meaning and nodded, sighing softly. Ji Sheng watched him and said, “Actually, I didn’t have to come to you. With the Tang army attacking from both sides, I won’t hide it from you—before dawn tomorrow morning, the Tang army will launch a final assault. Your morale is low, and you’ll be defeated in one battle. For the Tang army, whether you surrender or not makes no difference. But I still took the risk to see you. You need to understand why I came to you.” “I know!” An Taiqing covered his head and said, “It’s not me you want, but my 11,000 Han soldiers. They are all subjects of the Tang Dynasty from Yingzhou and Pingzhou. You can’t bear to slaughter them, so you want to save them, that’s why you came to me.”

“Hmm!” Ji Sheng smiled. “You’re more sober than I thought. Alright! I’ll give you half an hour to decide whether to surrender or not.”
“No need for half an hour!”
An Taiqing knelt on one knee resolutely and clasped his fists, saying, “I’ll answer General Ji now. I surrender. I’m willing to lead my troops to surrender to the Tang army, and I can persuade the rear army general Luo Zhiyu to surrender with me.”
“Good! There’s no time to lose. Please act now, General. I expect you to lead your troops out of the camp overnight!”
……
At the beginning of March in the third year of Qingping, An Qingxu led his army away from Yingzhou to Silla, hoping to make a comeback there. But by then, 60,000 Tang troops had entered Yingzhou from two directions, surrounding An Qingxu’s 30,000 troops near Ruluo Shouzhuo. That very night, An Taiqing, the general of the left army, coordinated with Luo Zhiyu, the general of the rear army, and the two led their troops to surrender to the Tang army overnight.
The surrender of the left and rear armies caused great chaos among the Yan army. Many Han soldiers refused to fight against the imperial court and began to flee in large numbers. An Qingxu couldn’t stop them. By the fourth watch, out of more than 26,000 people, less than 3,000 remained. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, An Qingxu fled in the direction of Silla with Gao Shang and 2,000 elite guards.
Zhao Chongjie led his troops in pursuit and caught up with An Qingxu by the Yalu River. The two armies fought fiercely on the riverbank. Gao Shang was killed in the chaos, while An Qingxu was shot off his horse by Zhao Chongjie. All of An Qingxu’s remaining troops were killed in battle.
Thus, An Lushan’s faction during the An Lushan Rebellion was officially destroyed.
But after annihilating An Qingxu’s remaining forces, Zhao Chongjie’s army did not return to Yingzhou. Instead, he led his 30,000 troops across the Yalu River and headed toward Silla.
This was another task assigned to them by Li Qingan. Just like Bohai State, the Tang army also placed Silla under its military protection.