Above the government office, all the ministers had their own thoughts.
When the Tang Dynasty captured Pingrang City and overthrew Goguryeo, it was impossible to replace all officials with Han Chinese. After all, the Goguryeo people were needed to help stabilize the situation and govern the country. If one could be loyal in advance and wait until the city was destroyed and the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty would reward him based on his merits, he would still be able to sit in high positions, enjoy wealth and comfort, and still be illustrious and powerful.
It is human nature to be afraid of death. At the moment of life and death, it is difficult to maintain loyalty and kindness. It is natural to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. Even the Han people who have been taught by the Confucian idea of "loyalty to the emperor and patriotism" have also heard of the Bank of China who sold out the sellers for glory, Zhang Hongfan who served as a prisoner, and even Qian Qianyi who said "the water is too cold" and "his scalp is itchy"...
In the catastrophe of life and death, human nature emerges.
Yeon Gaesumun was not panicked by the sudden rush of the Tang army to attack the city. He was still as steady as a mountain, kneeling behind the desk, looking at the various faces and expressions in the hall with indifferent eyes, feeling as strong as ever in his heart. He was as motionless as ice, cruel and cold, and his cold face even burst into a smile. He stretched out his hand to stop the noise in the hall, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, please step aside for the time being. You should perform your duties and stabilize Ping Rang City." Due to the current situation, we must work together to ensure the supply of food, fodder, and supplies for the army. If someone neglects his or her duties and has reported it, he will be executed without mercy!"
The ministers were shocked, and they quickly put away all their thoughts, bowed their heads and said: "Here!"
At this critical juncture, if anyone dares to make the slightest mistake, the cruel and violent Yeon Gaesowun will definitely kill everyone without mercy.
No one wanted to die in the hands of Yuengai Suwen instead of the Tang army.
As for Yeon Gaesomun's cruel rule, although no one dared to express any dissatisfaction at ordinary times, and everyone in the government and the public was driven like a dog, but at a critical moment, it was difficult to win the allegiance of the ministers.
Everyone is an official and has made a fortune, and everyone is a noble with a good foundation. They can live a life of wealth no matter what, but who wants to be beheaded for no reason?
…
The ministers stood up one after another and were about to exit the government hall. Suddenly one person said: "The enemy is about to attack the city? Is the country worried? How to defend the capital against the enemy? Should we consult the king for his opinion? I beg the king to issue an edict? Recruit all available troops from the country to the capital." King Qin?"
There was a sudden silence in the hall, and everyone stopped.
Nominally, the King of Treasures is still the supreme ruler of Goguryeo, possessing the supreme power of life and death. However, since the Tang army invaded the border, all national policies came from this government office, and the person who weighed and decided them all was Yeon Gaesumun who was in charge at the moment. , but the Goguryeo ruler in the palace did not even make a sound.
It is true that Yeon Gaesomun was the de facto ruler of Goguryeo, taking over the military and political power. He was the de facto ruler of Goguryeo, but the King of Treasures still had the supreme status, and his reputation and righteousness were all there, so the government and the public ignored him. , inconsistent with etiquette.
After all, we are still nominally the treasure king's ministers, but now we completely ignore the treasure king, even regardless of his life or death, how are we different from the rebellious ministers and traitors?
It's just that this person asked the Treasure King to issue an edict to mobilize all the troops available in the country to go to Beijing to serve the King? This is a bit thought-provoking.
The word "King Qin" can have many meanings at this time. Is it to protect Goguryeo against the attack of the Tang army? Or to cut off the treacherous and powerful officials? To assist the Treasure King to regain his royal power?
Yeon Gaesumun seemed not to have expected that someone would dare to challenge his authority at this time. He frowned and saw that it was Gao Jianwei, the uncle in charge of royal family affairs, the cousin of Gao Jianwu, the king of Rongliu who was killed by him... He did not Not angry, he pondered for a while, looked around, and asked: "What do you think?"
If it were in the past, who would not be trembling with fear under the gaze of Yeon Gaesumun, who would not dare to disobey in the slightest?
However, it was probably because the Tang army was about to attack the city and Pingrang City was in danger. This made the resentment accumulated in many people's hearts seem to have the urge to burst out, and their usual fear no longer seemed so strong.
Then someone else echoed: "The king lives in the deep palace and is the lord of Goguryeo. It is up to the king to make decisions about the survival of the family and the country. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, we will all become ministers of chaos. How can we bear the responsibility?" Take that kind of responsibility?"
These words seemed to be intended to put all the responsibility for the defeat on the Treasure King, but if you think about it carefully, it is obviously not the case.
Everyone knows that once Pingrang City is destroyed, Yuan Gaesumun will undoubtedly die, and the Yuan family will be wiped out, but the Treasure King will probably survive, because when the Tang Dynasty started the war, the reason given was to "cut off the traitors". In all dynasties, Goguryeo has been canonized by the Central Plains Dynasty, which is regarded as recognized. On the one hand, it is dominated by the Central Plains Dynasty and pays tribute, and on the other hand, it is protected by the Central Plains Dynasty.
Of course, whether to protect a nominal vassal king like the King of Goguryeo depends entirely on the mood of the emperor of the Central Plains. However, when the Tang army raised troops, they declared that they would avenge the murdered King Rongliu, clean up the world of Goguryeo, and return power to Goguryeo. King, this is a famous teacher.
If he can be called a "loyal minister" attached to the Treasure King at this time, then after the Tang army breaks the city, it may not only have a chance of survival, but also gain the trust of the Treasure King and still retain his current official title and even power...
There was no emotion or anger on Yuan Gaisuwen's cold face. He nodded slightly and said, "I have my own considerations on this matter. You can retreat first. Changsun Chong will stay here for a while."
"Here!"
All the ministers in the hall bowed and saluted before exiting. After going out, they did not stop in twos and threes. They quickly left the Da Moli branch office and returned to their respective yamen to handle official duties.
Above the government office, Chang Sun Chong stayed, and he was the only one in the empty lobby, Yu Yuan Gaisu Wen.
“I wonder what Da Molizhi’s orders are?”
Chang Sun Chong asked respectfully.
Yuan Gaisu Wen said: "Do you know that person just now?"
Changsun Chong thought for a moment and realized that what Yuan Gaisuwen was referring to was not those who later agreed, but the person who had previously proposed to consult the King of Treasures, so he said: "I know that it is Zongbo Gao Jianwei."
The yamen in Goguryeo that manages members of the royal family is called "Zongfu", which is set up outside the royal city and is only separated from the royal city by a wall. The chief of the "Zongfu" is called "Zongbo", and he has always been a direct descendant of the royal family. He is responsible for taking charge of all members and affairs of the royal family.
Before Yeon Gaesumun usurped power, he was very powerful, and even the King of Goguryeo was constrained by him. In the history of Goguryeo, there were many times when "Jongbo" mobilized clan forces to oust the King of Goguryeo and establish a new king. This shows that this official position of prominence.
Now that Goguryeo's military and political power has been stolen by Yeon Gaesumun, it is the royal family that is strictly guarded. Therefore, "Jongbo" has become a salty fish. Not only does he not have any power, but he has become the target of strict defense. It can be seen that "Jongbo" "Zongbo" Gao Jianwei was so aggrieved.
Yuengai Suwen agreed and asked again: "He said that the battle situation should be reported to the palace and the king should make a decision. What do you think?"
Changsun Chong said: "At this time when the building is about to collapse, it is time for talented and strategic people like Da Molizhi to take charge of the state affairs and lead the people of Goguryeo to save the building from falling, defeat powerful enemies and defend the country. Wang How can a man who lives in a deep palace, is better than a woman, and does not know the situation in the world, be able to carry on his great responsibilities and carry on the past and open up the future? Looking at Goguryeo, the only person who can take on the great responsibilities of resisting powerful enemies is Damo Lizhi."
Although this statement is not without flattery, it is also true. The treasure king in the palace was originally a puppet supported by Yeon Gaesomun. He was not talented enough and had insufficient prestige. How could he lead Goguryeo in place of Yeongaesomun? If the Treasure King is really allowed to take charge of the military and political power, the civil servants and generals from both the government and the public may have already opened the city gates and cheered for surrender before the Tang army arrived...
Speaking of loyalty is even more nonsense.
When Yeon Gaesumun took over the government and killed King Yeongliu, these people stood by and watched, fearful of Yeongaesumun's cruelty and cruelty, and they didn't even dare to fart.
Seeing that the Tang army was about to approach the city and Yeon Gaesumun's doom was approaching, he began to advocate loyalty and called on Yeongaesumun to return power to the King of Treasures. He simply didn't know how to write the word "death" and was extremely stupid...
As expected, Yuengai Suwen said calmly: "With the current great enemy and internal instability, how can we resist the enemy with all our strength? 'Zongbo' Gao Jianwei colluded with the enemy and sold military information. It is an unforgivable crime. Later, you will lead your soldiers to the 'General' The government has arrested Gao Jianwei and will kill him if he resists."
Changsun Chong had already expected this. He knew how could Yuan Gaisuwen allow Gao Jianwei and others to jump up and down and flout his authority? He hurriedly responded: "I obey your orders!"
At the same time, I was also a little speechless. I was originally a secret agent of the Tang Dynasty lurking in Pingrang City, but in the end, I not only became the son-in-law of Yeon Gaesowun, but also became his executioner who excluded dissidents and violently administered power. It was really ironic...
