Goguryeo's conditions naturally coincide with the Tang Dynasty's strategy. Now, neither Li Hong nor Li Zhi intends to let Goguryeo destroy the country, especially since Li Hong informed Li Zhi that Goguryeo's mountains are rich in minerals. This further strengthened the determination to support Goguryeo.
A total of 50,000 soldiers and horses fluttered in the air with various banners of the Tang Dynasty. Because they were on an expedition, the Emperor's ceremonial guard was organized in a decent manner under the temporary efforts of Ge Xiyuan and other civil servants. .
As a result, Li Hong, as the prince, was naturally at the forefront of the team. As the prince, his duty at this time was to clear the way for the Holy Driver.
At the gate of Ryugyong City were the same Goguryeo civil and military officials in various costumes, and other soldiers of the Tang Dynasty had already controlled the entire Ryugyong City. At this time, Ryugyong City had completely turned into a city of the Tang Dynasty.
Goguryeo King Gaozang and his civil servants and generals were waiting for the Emperor of Tang Dynasty at the city gate. He wore a white crown with pearls and nine crowns on the front and back, making a total of 18 crowns. Instead of the twelve crowns on the front and back that a king should have, it was obvious that Gaozang had made a temporary decision. It was replaced by a crown representing the princes.
Wearing black shoulder straps with red and white flowers, there are various auspicious patterns under the royal robes, leather belts with gold buckles, and red deer boots. The expression on his face at this time is hard to tell whether he is really happy or fake, but in short, the white face On Wu Xi's fat face, there was an expression that he was finally looking forward to reinforcements.
The clothes and ornaments of the ministers behind him are divided into different colors and grades in the same way as the crown ornaments. Qingluo crown and Feiluo crown are the main ones. The clothes on the body are consistent with the crowns. The leather belt has gold and silver buckles. Like Gao Zang's clothes, they are all shirts. Big sleeves, white webbing, and yellow leather shoes.
The palace maids and eunuchs behind them stood silently. In addition to the flags and banners of the Goguryeo royal family, there were Tang flags flying everywhere. Amidst the sound of drums and music, the entire city gate was filled with joy. It seemed that the people were finally liberated and welcomed. Relatives return.
Li Zhi did not need to dismount his horse at this time, but was at the door. Under the auspices of Ge Xiyuan, the Taishi Ling of the Tang Dynasty, the King of Goguryeo paid Li Zhi the courtesy of a king and minister under the city, then personally led the horse and held the reins, slowly walked into the royal city, and headed for the Goguryeo royal family.
After the civil servants of the Tang Dynasty came the honor guard of the Tang army, and then came the ministers of Goguryeo who were greeted at the door just now. They were all wearing wide robes and long sleeves, and even the trouser legs exposed when they stepped had the same sleeves.
Although Liujing is not as prosperous as Chang'an or Luoyang, its city is naturally not as big as Chang'an and Luoyang. The entire city is much smaller than Chang'an and Luoyang.
Li Hong raised his eyes and looked around, and could even vaguely see the palace directly opposite. The people on both sides of the street were watching, watching their king lead the horse and rein for the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. There was always a numb expression on his face. Mechanically, he slowly walked towards the Goguryeo royal family amid the praise of royal music and ceremonial guards.
Apart from the palace, there are no tall buildings in the entire royal city. A temple has a vaguely tall tower, and other than that, there are various buildings in the palace.
After Liu Rengui entered the city, all the guards in the palace were replaced by soldiers from the Tang Dynasty. Even the other troops in the royal city were all driven out of the royal city and stationed in another military city further south of Liujing.
"Your Majesty, Gaozang, respectfully invites you to enter the palace." Gaozang stood in front of a white horse that was as tall as himself and bowed in salute.
At this time, Li Zhi had been in a state of excitement since he arrived at the gate of the city. He never dreamed that one day he would be able to personally conquer the city and complete the great deeds that the previous emperor had failed to accomplish.
With one hand holding the saber at his waist and the other hand holding down the saddle, Li Zhi wanted to show off his wisdom and prowess. In full view of everyone, he unexpectedly got off the horse with a clean movement and stood firmly on the ground.
This scene made Li Hong next to him really worried. If he couldn't stand firmly, he would be embarrassed. I don't know what Father Long was thinking. What was he showing off at this time
The palace of Goguryeo looks more like a palace, which is about the same size as Li Hong's East Palace in Luoyang. Its architecture and luxury are, in a sense, not as good as his dilapidated East Palace.
After crossing the two palaces in front, everyone entered the main hall of the palace from the bottom up from eighteen white marble steps.
Li Hong was dressed in black armor and held a horizontal sword. When he entered the palace gate, everyone's weapons were stopped and taken away by Liu Rengui. Only Li Hong followed Father Long with the horizontal sword in his hand. In addition to looking at the palace maids, The eunuch didn't even have time to look at the name of the palace he was about to enter, so he followed in.
All the furnishings in the palace have obvious Tang Dynasty style. In addition to some ethnic characteristics, the sitting and desk tables are basically retained.
Li Zhi, who had not sat for many years, turned around and stopped above the throne. Under the service of Yang Wu and Lian Tie, he slowly sat down on the throne. Hua Ji, another eunuch behind him, seemed to be asleep. , at this time, he has only one responsibility, and that is to protect His Majesty's back in accordance with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's instructions.
After Li Zhi sat down, and after Gaozang, the fat king of Goguryeo, once again performed the courtesy of a monarch and his ministers, Li Zhi gave an order, and everyone sat down in the palace.
The one on the left is naturally the Goguryeo King Gaozang, and the one on the right is naturally holding a horizontal sword. Gaozang always wanted to see clearly who was so bold that he could follow Li Hong with a sword in front of His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
As soon as everyone sat down, Goguryeo King Gozang began to plead: "I request your Majesty to issue an order to order Silla and Baekje to stop plundering our land and people in Goguryeo."
Li Zhi did not pay attention to Gao Zang for the first time. Instead, he glanced at Li Hong. Li Hong guessed this completely. Li Hong said on the way here that I am afraid that Goguryeo has reached a critical moment of life and death. Otherwise, it is impossible. Let Liu Rengui leave the city and surrender without spending a single soldier.
Similarly, based on this, he also guessed that Gaozang would ask Datang for help as soon as possible. However, Li Hongcheng believed that it was not necessary to agree all at once. It was best to let Silla and Baekje jointly attack. In this way, they can buy time for Qibi Heli and Li Jinxing, who are on their way.
The most important thing is that we can take this opportunity to explore the details of Goguryeo and see if there is any wealth worthy of the Tang Dynasty sending troops.
"I wonder why Silla and Baekje want to invade your territory of Goguryeo? I remember that now it seems that you, Goguryeo, are strong, while Silla and Baekje are weak, right?" Li Zhi thought for a while and began to look at others.
"Your Majesty, I was just confused for a moment, but if Silla and Baekje hadn't taken the lead in not abiding by the covenant, I wouldn't have ordered the attack." Gao Zang looked a little ugly. Yes, he did embezzle Xinluo back then. Due to Luo's ambitions, Silla later asked Datang for help, but was eventually stopped by Datang with force.
Since then, Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo have signed a covenant not to invade each other. However, Silla has obviously not forgotten the fact that Goguryeo invaded their land. After several years of rest and recuperation, the relationship with Baekje has improved. relationship, so they began to attack Goguryeo.
From a historical perspective, whether it is Goguryeo, Baekje or Silla, they are actually ambitious and want to annex the other two countries and complete the unification of the Korean Peninsula.
When Goguryeo was strong and powerful, it resolutely joined forces with Baekje to launch an invasion of Silla, regardless of the Tang Dynasty's obstruction. Finally, under the control of the Tang Dynasty, everything was restored to peace.
Later, in the course of history, Datang and Silla had the closest relationship. Not only did they join forces to destroy Baekje, but they also destroyed Goguryeo. However, when Baekje was lingering on, Silla saw that the time had come, so it began to violate After breaking the contract with the Tang Dynasty, he began to occupy the lands of Goguryeo and Baekje occupied by the Tang Dynasty. He wanted to imitate the Tang Dynasty and establish a country with the same system as the Tang Dynasty.
Therefore, this is also the reason why Li Hong never wants to see the Three Kingdoms. Letting them fight each other but not be destroyed and always in war is the most beneficial result for the Tang Dynasty.
"The Tang Dynasty has gone on an expedition, but now we are exhausted. I am afraid that I will not be able to rescue your country for a while. Once the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty rest for a few days, I will naturally send them to mediate the dispute." Li Zhi said calmly, but his eyes saw Li Hong secretly gave him a thumbs up.
"Your Majesty... I naturally know that our country is on an expedition, but at this time and that time, if you don't give the order, I am afraid that Silla and Baekje will attack the royal city soon, and the destruction of Goguryeo will be small. If your Majesty, you have I can't bear this mistake." Gao Zang was a little anxious. The Great Tang Dynasty has always been easy to talk to. After a few soft words, he will definitely respond to his request. What happened today? Could it be that Datang was no longer able to forcibly stop it
"That's it...then I..."
"Wouldn't it be better this way? Wouldn't it be better for our army of the Tang Dynasty to just wait and work here, waiting for the coalition forces of Silla and Baekje to come and attack, and then beat their troops hard?" Li Hong suddenly interjected.
Looking at Father Long's hesitation, it was obvious that he was about to agree to mediate immediately. If he didn't interrupt to remind him, all his money would slip out of his pocket.
Li Zhi glanced at him speechlessly and stopped talking. Instead, he watched what Gao Zang said.
Gao Zang heard someone interjecting to stop him, and the emperor of the Tang Dynasty didn't look annoyed. He couldn't figure out the identity of this person, so naturally he didn't dare to speak forcefully, so he could only continue to plead: "This general doesn't know something. Silla and Baekje have been resting and recuperating over the past few years, and their troops and horses are strong. I am only afraid that your Majesty will be disturbed..."
"You have nothing to worry about. If that happens, wouldn't His Majesty be disturbed along the way when we come here? By the way, you still don't believe that I, the Tang Dynasty, can fight hard enough to protect the royal city?" Li Hong kept wearing his helmet. On the head, only a small part of the face is exposed, which looks a bit unpredictable.
For a moment, Gao Zang couldn't figure out the identity of this Tang general who dared to openly wield his sword in front of the Emperor of Tang Dynasty. How could he have such a high status and dare to prevent the dialogue between the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and himself, the king
(End of chapter)