If it is placed in the south of the city, it will still be responsible for defense and arresting fleeing officials and people as before. It is too far away from the Seven Star Gate.
Once the Tang army approaches the city, the defense of the entire Pingrang City is activated. If a general responsible for the defense of the southern area of the city wants to lead his soldiers to approach the Seven Star Gate, it is equivalent to destroying the entire defense system of Pingrang City. It is no different from treason. He may be arrested on the spot. Behead...
Mr. Yuan, who had always been frivolous, was very calm at this time, and said in a deep voice: "No one can influence my father's decision. But since you have been transferred to the city, half of the big things have been done, and the rest can only be acted according to circumstances and left to fate." .”
Changsun Chong disagreed.
He had always been conceited, and the original rebellion was just a matter of confidentiality. Moreover, Hou Junji, Li Yuanchang and others had limited strength, and were afraid of the power of His Majesty Li Er. Therefore, he made mistakes every step of the way, resulting in failure. Now that I am serving as a thief, lurking in Pingrang City, and putting in a lot of effort to plan all of this, how can I hand it over to God to decide my success or failure?
As he spoke, he had already arrived outside the Damolizhi Mansion.
On the long street outside the mansion gate, teams of elite soldiers held sharp swords in their hands and fought solemnly. Several flags were rolled up by the wind and snow in the sky, making hunting sounds.
The atmosphere of war is getting stronger.
The two of them got off their horses and stepped onto the stone steps in front of the door together. They told the gatekeepers the details before entering the house together.
The atmosphere in the house is even more intense.
Civil and military officials were in a hurry, going back and forth between the gate and the main hall. The snow on the wide road was cleared, and a row of lanterns hung on both sides of the road. The entire mansion was as bright as day.
The two came to the entrance of the main hall. Boy Yuan asked the clerk at the door: "Is father in the hall? Please give me a message. I have been ordered to dispatch Sun Chong into the city and come to return the order."
The scribe said: "Da Molizhi is having a meal in the study. I have previously given instructions that if the prince comes back, he can go in directly to see him without having to pay homage to him."
Boy Yuan nodded, looked back at Changsun Chong, and took him without entering the main hall, but bypassed the rain corridor in front of the hall, the flower hall on one side, and went straight to the study behind the main hall.
Outside the study door, two teams of soldiers stood at arms. When they saw Yuan Nanzi and Changsun Chong, they did not squint and allowed them to enter.
The study is luxuriously decorated, with carpets from Persia with soft fluff and complicated patterns, rosewood bookshelves, huanghuali tables, a dazzling array of gold and silver ornaments, and jade treasures everywhere.
Amidst the faint smell of sandalwood, Yeon Gaesumun was sitting behind the table having a meal. There were several exquisite side dishes placed on the table.
The two of them hurried forward and bowed in greeting.
Yeon Gaesumun glanced at the two of them, put down the bowls and chopsticks, took the handkerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth, and waved his hands. The two beautiful maids standing on one side stepped forward and removed the food on the table. After making another pot of hot tea, he bowed and left.
Changsun Chong stepped forward, held the pot and poured tea for Yuan Gaisu Wen, then stood on the side of the table with his hands tied and said: "The general has been ordered to enter the city and come here to listen to the order."
Yeon Gaesumun nodded slightly, picked up the tea cup and took a sip, and then asked: "Is the change of defense going smoothly? The Tang army has already broken through Dacheng Mountain City and can reach Anhe Palace at any time. If the change of defense goes wrong at this juncture, it is very likely that the Tang army will be killed. The situation is extremely unfavorable."
Changsun Chong said: "Don't worry, Da Molizhi, everything is going well. Although General Gao Yanwu is young, he has a well-educated family and is good at leading troops. He will definitely be able to attack the Tang army."
"Ah,"
Yeon Gaesumun sneered and said with some displeasure: "You're here to flatter me too? If Dacheng Mountain City can't be defended, Anhak Palace can't be defended either. The final battle must be in Pingrang City, where life and death will be won or lost. It depends on whether we can finally resist the elite of the Tang army with our flesh and blood. The rest is just a delaying effect and does not affect the overall situation."
Changsun Chongcheng was frightened: "This is the end of the world."
"It doesn't have to be this way."
Yuan Gaisuwen comforted him, waved his hand for the two of them to sit down on the chairs on one side, glanced at Yuan Boy, and then said to Changsun Chong: "I want to place Dalang at Qixingmen, and join forces with the crown prince. , the gateway to Pingrang City in Xiangwei, can you two shoulder the heavy burden, share my worries, and ensure that the Seven Star Gate is not lost?"
Changsun Chong was stunned for a moment, and then his heart almost jumped out of his chest with joy. Who could have expected that the reality of being about to die of sorrow could be achieved so easily?
He quickly controlled his emotions, looked solemn, stood up, knelt on the ground, and said loudly: "The last general is a criminal official of the Tang Dynasty. He is like a bereaved dog with no place to turn to. Fortunately, he has the trust of Da Molizhi and accepts him. , entrusted with important responsibilities, and even married off the rich man of the house... This kind of kindness is like a new one, how dare you not swear allegiance to the death? Don't worry, Da Molizhi, as long as the general is there, the Seven Star Gate will be there; if the Tang army wants to enter the city, they have no choice but to Step over the general’s corpse!”
"good!"
Yeon Gaesumun clapped his hands in admiration, and said in a deep voice: "This battle is bound to be dangerous and dangerous. Don't worry about you, even I can't predict life and death. However, wealth and honor can be found in danger. As long as we cross this hurdle, we will become To compete with the Tang Dynasty, the entire Liaodong, and even the entire Far East, will be Goguryeo's sphere of influence! At that time, I will not hesitate to reward you and allow you to become your own country and pass it on forever!"
Changsun Chong's heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, he even wanted to simply surrender to Yeon Gaesumun completely. The reward of "becoming an independent country" was too heavy. Just think that in the future, the Changsun family will be able to own a piece of land and dominate, and no longer have to swear allegiance to others and humble themselves...
But it was only for a moment.
He knew clearly that the winner of this battle must be Tang Dynasty. Goguryeo had no chance of winning, and even the huge reward was just a beautiful promise that would never be realized.
But there was an impassioned expression on his face: "I am willing to die for Da Molizhi!"
"very good!"
Yuan Gaisuwen seemed to be extremely satisfied with Changsun Chong's performance and said warmly: "But you must not be careless. The Seven Star Gate is the gateway to Pingrang City. Once Anhe Palace is lost, the focus of the Tang army's fierce attack will definitely be the Seven Star Gate. The pressure we face will be several times greater than other places.”
Yuan Nanshan and Changsun Chong said in unison: "I will definitely live up to the trust of Da Molizhi (father)!"
Yeon Gaesumun nodded repeatedly, very satisfied.
But in the blink of an eye, his expression changed slightly, as if he felt a little unspeakable. After a long time, he sighed and said: "Actually, how could I not know that this war is more likely to be bad than good? It's just that I have the great favor of the royal family, and I have to do it myself." You cannot protect yourself wisely at this time of national crisis, otherwise you will become a sinner of the country... However, you are still young and have not been deeply favored by the country. If you are unable to do so..."
Having said this, he paused for a moment, then looked at Changsun Chong and said with great difficulty: "Can Dalang take care of the eldest son for the sake of my kindness in the past?"
When these words came out, both Yuan Nanshan and Changsun Chong were stunned for a moment, unable to react for a moment.
Does this mean that when they know they can't do anything, they simply open up the city and surrender in order to save Mr. Yuan and the Yuan clan?
How could these words come from Yeon Gaesumun’s mouth?
Changsun Chongshang was still thinking, wondering whether Yuan Gaisuwen really meant this or just a test. The Yuan boy beside him had already stood up, knelt on the ground, and said with tears streaming down his face: "My father is loyal to his family and country, and he fights to the death with the enemy. How can a child live in an ignoble way? This is absolutely unacceptable, the child is willing to fight to the death for his father!"
He was really moved.
In the past, I had always thought that my father favored his second younger brother and was extremely harsh and distant to him. He even wanted to pass on the title of Crown Prince to his second younger brother.
However, now I know that I am my father's son after all. Although he is not talented enough and is not more popular than his second brother, he is always affectionate. Even when the life of the family and the country was in danger, I still cared about him, not wanting him to die in the battle together and survive.
Of course, even if he was moved again, he would not reveal his plan with Changsun Chong.
If you don't do it for yourself, you will be punished by heaven and earth. Even though your father still loves you very much, you can't just follow your father into darkness...
Changsun Chong also knelt down quickly and said: "I really don't dare to agree to this matter. The soldiers are fierce and dangerous, and the swords in the battle formation have no eyes. I don't know when the general will die to repay Da Molizhi's kindness." .Since the last general is dedicated to assisting Da Molizhi to defend Pingrang City, how can he dare to be distracted? Please also ask Da Molizhi to take back his life!"
Regardless of whether Yeon Gae So-moon is testing him or not, he must show his attitude at this time...
Yuan Gaisuwen looked very pleased, smiled, stroked his beard and said: "I just want you to keep an eye on it. If the situation is decided and nothing can be done, you should also think about the Yuan family... That's all. , I am getting old after all, but I am so kind-hearted and soft-hearted. Please retreat, quickly take over the defense of Qixing Gate, and be sure to guard the city gate to prevent the Tang army from setting foot inside the city!"
