The city-wide search lasted for a full three days.
Everyone was screened.
The Silla royal palace and the Ministry of Revenue's large granaries were also thoroughly searched by the Tang army.
Finally, in Jinseong, there were only fifteen thousand soldiers.
Liu Meng, however, had captured as many as twenty thousand prisoners.
The gold, silver, and copper coins were not many, totaling only a little over thirty thousand guan when converted.
Fang Er stood on the city wall, looking out at the distant sea.
"Brother Yuchi, since there's nothing interesting here, why don't you escort the prisoners back?"
Yuchi Jingde scratched his head.
"How do I escort so many prisoners? If anything goes wrong, it will be trouble!"
Fang Er pointed at the ships in the distant sea.
"Jinseong is by the sea, and many people make their living from the sea. Moreover, because the Japanese have often come here to raid, the number of Silla's ships is not small. Collect all the ships over there, transport them by sea, and send them directly to Pyongyang. Hand them over to the officials there to first pave the roadbed. When the cement from Shenyang arrives, construction can begin immediately."
Yuchi Jingde's eyes lit up.
"It's currently the season for the south wind. Sailing from here to Pyongyang Commandery is much faster than by land. Moreover, on the ship, I don't have to worry about these prisoners causing any trouble. Alright, let's do it."
Thus, Liu Meng led the Heavenly Fire Army and began to collect ships from all directions.
Over a hundred large ships, more than ten meters long, were found.
As for smaller ships under ten meters, there were countless numbers, too many to count. This was because this fellow had even brought back small fishing boats.
Looking at the three-meter-long small boats before him, Fang Er was somewhat speechless.
He looked at Liu Meng and said, "Just these things? How many people can they seat?"
Liu Meng smiled and said, "My Lord, I was thinking, even though these boats are small, they can seat over a dozen people without a problem. Then, we'll tie them with ropes behind the large ships. Whether they can reach Pyongyang alive will depend on their luck."
Fang Er nodded, then smiled at Yuchi Jingde.
"Brother Yuchi, the ships are ready. You can set off. You return to Pyongyang, and Cheng Ge and I will go to Baekje for a tour."
"Damn it, if I can't eat persimmons, my mouth feels off!"
Yuchi Jingde's forehead broke out in black lines.
This guy was still using persimmons as an excuse! Shaking his head, he selected a thousand soldiers and went to board the ships with the prisoners.
The prisoners were like cargo in Yuchi Jingde's eyes; they were just slaves. Beings without rights, so the large ships were packed to the brim. Two slaves could smell the breath exhaled by each other.
After watching the ships set sail, Fang Er left a few officials and a thousand soldiers behind. He then led the remaining three battalions of the Heavenly Fire Army, the artillery battalion, and the Yan Yun Cavalry towards Baekje.
The convoy set off again.
Jinseong and the capital of Baekje, Guksa, were relatively close, only about a hundred li apart. The convoy, moving slowly with the Heavenly Fire Army, took only two hours.
Because Fang Er had been delayed in Jinseong for three days, Baekje had already made preparations. The King of Baekje had no intention of resisting. Upon learning that the Tang army had arrived outside the city, he personally led the Baekje officials to welcome them outside the city.
Cheng Yaojin lay lazily on the reclined seat of a pickup truck, exhaling a ring of smoke.
"Alas, it's boring. Brother, why don't we go to the grasslands for a while?"
Looking at the procession emerging from Guksa, Fang Er also felt listless. He opened the car door and got out. Guan Chang escorted him with the Yan Yun Cavalry guarding both sides.
The King of Baekje maintained a very humble posture. He stopped about a hundred paces from the Tang army and shouted towards them.
"The little king of this humble country, Fu Xuzhang, requests an audience with the general of the great country!"
Fang Er beckoned him to come closer to speak. The King of Baekje was vexed, but he had no right to be. Goguryeo and Silla had both been destroyed by this person with a flick of his hand, and Baekje was merely the smallest of the three kingdoms. Adjusting his robes and with slightly trembling legs, he walked towards the Tang army. Upon reaching Fang Er's side, he glanced at the guards around him and confirmed that he was the Tang army's main general.
"The little king of this humble country, Fu Xuzhang, wishes to know if the great country's general is well."
Fang Er smiled slightly.
"King of Baekje, your actions make it seem as if I am bullying you. Therefore, you are not being honest!"
The King of Baekje felt uneasy. He didn't know what Fang Er intended to do, but he had prepared for the worst. At most, he would offer his kingdom.
"I wonder what the great country's Earl has to command. This little king will use the entire country's strength to satisfy the Earl."
Fang Er said meaningfully.
"I heard that Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje have a fruit called persimmon. But I searched through Goguryeo and Silla without finding any. Therefore, it must be here in Baekje. I trouble the King of Baekje to find that persimmon for me. I have an important use for it. Please do not refuse, King of Baekje."
The King of Baekje was stunned. Two days ago, he had indeed heard that the reason Silla was destroyed was because of this fruit called persimmon. But he had never heard of it before!