"A trick?" Hei Te Changzhi shook his head: "It doesn't seem like it. The defenders pretended to surrender either to delay time, or to paralyze the enemy to find an opportunity to leave the city for a surprise attack. But Pyongyang's city is strong and the defenders are sufficient, so there is no need to delay at all. time."
"So the Goguryeo people are going to attack us?" Cui Hongdu asked.
"It doesn't look like it!" Wang Wenzuo shook his head: "But there's nothing wrong with being careful. Pass on the order, and all battalions will be on guard, beware of raids by thieves!"
For this ordeal, Gaozang specially put on undyed linen clothes, rough straw sandals on his feet, and wrapped his head in white cloth, just like a filial son who had just lost his parents. He could notice the strange looks from all around, but there was no way. Time was running out at the moment. Brother Quanyuan Nanjian could arrive with his troops at any time. The situation in the city was also very unstable. He had to gain the trust of the Tang people as soon as possible. Instead of Reach an agreement, and any accident will destroy your plan. Only by reaching an agreement quickly can you retain as much as possible in this catastrophe.
"Please come with me!" Li Bo looked at the Goguryeo envoy curiously. The man in front of him was far from what he imagined an envoy from a country would look like. However, after following Wang Wenzuo, he became more steady and spoke less. He led Gao Zang to the commander's tent and whispered: "The person among them is Wang Wenzuo, the governor of Xiongjin Governor's Mansion in the Tang Dynasty. Don't be rude when you enter!"
"Thank you!" Gao Zang bowed his hand to Li Bo, walked into the tent, knelt down, and said in a deep voice: "The criminal minister Gao Qiang of the lower country pays homage to the supreme governor of the king!"
When Wang Wenzuo saw the Goguryeo envoy kneeling down, his face changed slightly. Of course he knew what the other party meant by dressing up like this. Undyed burlap was a symbol of prison uniform in ancient China. When a country's envoys wore plain clothes and straw sandals, they considered themselves sinners and went to the palace to plead guilty. Since the other party made such a gesture in accordance with ancient etiquette, he should respond accordingly, otherwise it would be rude!
"Please get up and give me a seat!" Wang Wenzuo said in a deep voice: "You just talked about the guilty ministers of the country, where do you start talking about this?"
"Thank you so much, Commander-in-Chief!" Gao Zang kowtowed: "There are rebellious ministers in our country, Quan Gaisuwen and his son, who do not know the size of the country and do not know the numbers. They recklessly go to war and provoke the great country. Today, they have been punished by heaven, and the king is terrified. , I have specially led my ministers to submit a letter to your army, begging for a county to guard the ancestral temple, and wishing to be a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty for generations to come, so that the borders will be peaceful! I also ask the governor of the country to pass the message on my behalf!"
"Oh? Are you here under the order of the King of Goguryeo?" Wang Wenzuo immediately grasped several key information in the other party's words. First of all, in the envoy's mouth, Quan Gaisuwen and his son were already "rebellious ministers", which shows that at the moment The person in power in Pyongyang is an opponent of Quan Gaesumun, so it is very likely that a military coup has just broken out in the city; and the King of Goguryeo is mentioned later, indicating that the victor of this military coup is likely to be the puppet. King of Goguryeo.
"Yes, I am here under the king's order! This is a letter written by the king himself, and I ask the governor to read it in person!" After saying that, Gao Zang took out the letter from his arms and presented it with both hands.
Wang Wenzuo took the letter from Cao Wenzong and opened it. He saw that the letter first scolded Quan Gaisuwen and his son, saying that they deceived the emperor and rebelled against the great country, and deserved death. Then he said that he had now corrected the chaos and regained control of Pyongyang City, and expressed his willingness to open the city gate and surrender to the Tang army. The meaning of the Spring and Autumn Period: survival and death continue, if the defense is weak and violence is forbidden, but there is no intention of annexation, then the princes will be close to each other. Begging for the land of a county, guarding the ancestral temple and the country, becoming a vassal of the Tang Dynasty from generation to generation, guarding the borders, thinking that there is no end!
Seeing this, Wang Wenzuo finally understood. He led his troops and marched straight in. He wanted to take advantage of the gap between Quanyuan Nanjian and the two brothers who were not in Pyongyang to rush directly to Pyongyang City and fish in troubled waters. Unexpectedly, the King of Goguryeo, who was treated as a puppet by Quanyuan Nanjian brothers, took the opportunity to rebel. He raised troops, killed those who stayed behind, and captured Pyongyang City. The first thing the King of Goguryeo did after seizing power was to beg for surrender from the Tang army outside the city, handing over the city of Pyongyang in exchange for keeping his ancestral temple.
"Your Majesty, please step aside! This matter is of great importance. I will discuss it with the generals first and then give you an answer!"
"Follow your orders!" Gao Zang stood up: "However, time is pressing and the situation is changing rapidly. I also ask the Governor not to hesitate. If you miss a good opportunity, you will regret it!"
"Don't worry, I will give you a reply in half an hour at most!" Unknowingly, Wang Wenzuo's attitude towards him became much gentler.
"This guy is so bold, he actually dares to teach the governor a lesson!" Looking at Gao Zang's leaving figure, Master Shen sneered.
"What he said is quite right. The current situation in Pyongyang City must be tight. The King of Goguryeo has been a puppet for so long, and there are definitely not many people available on hand. And Quan Gaisuwen and his son have been in business for so many years, and the King of Goguryeo can make a comeback. , relies on acting decisively and being unprepared. If it takes too long, things will change later!" Wang Wenzuo said with emotion: "But this King of Goguryeo is really a hero. He has been hiding his minions for so many years, but he can seize this opportunity. They turned the tables and were able to immediately lead our troops into the city to protect themselves after the overturn. This kind of character, this vision, and this determination are incredible!"
"Could it be a trap?" Cui Hongdu asked.
"Trap? How to say it!" Shen Faseng asked.
"For example, first introduce our army into the urn city, then quickly close the inner and outer city gates, and fire both internal and external bows and crossbows!" Cui Hongdu said.
"That's true, Commander, you must be on guard!"
"Yes!" Wang Wenzuo nodded: "It is possible, but it is not very likely. After all, even if the King of Goguryeo does nothing, it will be difficult for us to capture Pyongyang City; and his biggest enemy is actually Quan Yuannan Brother Jian is not the Tang Dynasty. If the Tang Dynasty defeats him, he will at most be exiled to a smoky land; but Brother Jian, the male brother of Quanyuan, comes back and it is not easy for him to die!"
"Then how are you going to reply to him, Governor?" Cui Hongdu looked worried: "The conditions proposed by the King of Goguryeo are not simple. Not to mention you, even the British prince may not be able to agree to his conditions. This is a matter for the court. , the emperor’s business!”
"Let's talk about the city first. Anyway, soldiers are not afraid of deceit. Once we enter the city, we can't help him!" Shen Faseng said with a smile.
"Haha!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "What Master Shen said is correct. You can do anything without entering Pyongyang City. But once you enter Pyongyang City, you can't help him!"
After hearing what Wang Wenzuo said, everyone in the tent burst into laughter, and the air became lighter. Gao Zang's letter mentioned that "the meaning of the Spring and Autumn Period: survival and death, weak defense and prohibition of violence, and no intention of annexation, then the princes will be close to each other!" This means that wars between princes during the Spring and Autumn Period often had a bottom line. Yes, the victor will either extort tribute, cede land, or install a member of the royal family close to him to succeed him, but generally he will not completely destroy him. Even if it is annexed, the other side's ancestral temple will usually be left behind for dozens or hundreds of households to continue worshiping the ancestral temple in the small town instead of exterminating it. This is to destroy the country without stopping its worship.
This practice also continued after the Spring and Autumn Period. For example, after Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty established the Western Han Dynasty, he sent thirty households to guard Chen Sheng's tomb and offer sacrifices to him; he sent five households to guard the tomb of Wei Gongzi Wuji and offer sacrifices at all times. After Cao Pi usurped the Han Dynasty, he did not kill Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, but made him the Duke of Shanyang. He enshrined Han Zhengshuo in the fiefdom and built a Han ancestral temple to worship Han Dynasty. The condition proposed by the King of Goguryeo was that he could get a county to continue to guard the ancestral temple and continue to survive as a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. By doing this, Datang would not only eliminate the threat of Goguryeo, but also gain a good reputation for not going to war to annex land. It must be said that this was a quite smart request.
Gao Zang knelt on the straw mat with his back straight. Not far away, the laughter of the Tang generals penetrated the curtain and poured into his ears. He could imagine the pride of the Tang generals at this time. After decades of The fortified city that was hard to come by will soon be at your fingertips, and anyone who takes it will be extremely happy. He could also imagine how his actions would be recorded in the history books of later generations. A subjugated king would not have a good reputation to begin with, let alone a subjugated king who personally opened the city gate and surrendered.
But enduring humiliation and surviving requires more courage than committing suicide. Although this road may seem humiliating, it is the only way out. It is not the first day that Goguryeo has a vast territory and numerous household registrations like it does today. If his plan succeeds, Goguryeo will be able to continue to survive as a border guarding vassal of the Tang Dynasty. There is hope for survival. Although the Tang Dynasty is powerful , but he will not always be so powerful; when the former king faced the threat of the Sui people, the situation was probably no less critical than today. However, the former king overcame the difficulties with wisdom and courage, and finally defeated the three attacks of the Sui people. , and pushed the country to its peak.
"Envoy, please follow me!" Li Bo walked in from outside the tent: "The Governor wants to see you!"
"Thank you!" Gao Zang stood up and followed Li Bo. He ignored the countless gazes from all around, walked into the commander's tent proudly, bowed to Wang Wenzuo.
"Ambassador Gao!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "I have already read your king's letter. The request he made in the letter is beyond my authority and I cannot give an answer. But he can rest assured that in view of his actions, I will speak for him in front of the British public!"
"Thank you very much, Governor Wang!" Wang Wenzuo's answer was unexpected by Gao Zang. He bowed to Wang Wenzuo again: "Then please give me your reply so that I can go back and deliver my mission to my lord!"
"Yes!" Wang Wenzuo nodded and wrote a reply. He looked at Gao Zang and said with a smile: "Your name is Gao Qiang, right? You are a person who has lived under others for a long time."
"Don't dare!" Gao Zang's body trembled slightly, he took the letter and raised it above his head, took a few steps back on his knees, then put it in his arms and exited the tent. Not long after he returned to the city, he shot arrows on the top of the city. At dawn the next day, the east gate of Pyongyang City would be opened, allowing the Tang army to enter the city.
For most of the officers and soldiers of the Xiongjin Dudu Mansion, the morning of June 3, 668 AD came extremely late. Whether they are Tang people, Baekje people, Japanese people, or Mohe people, they all look anxiously at the horizon in the distance, holding their breath, waiting for the light to slowly rise from under the horizon, which marks the end of this long and arduous war. .
Wang Wenzuo could feel the atmosphere around him, as if the air was about to solidify. Everyone here was looking forward to victory and triumph, taking off their armor, returning to their hometown, hugging their wives and children, and cultivating their own fields. I can smell the smoke and blood again! But can I go back to that kind of life? Wang Wenzuo couldn't help lowering his head and looking at his hands. How many people's blood had been stained on these hands! I have long been accustomed to the bumpy saddle, the camp bed covered with hay, the sword under the pillow, and the bowstring between the fingers. Only in this kind of life do I feel fulfilled and feel that I am still alive; and when I return to Chang'an, I am afraid that Will it rot quickly?
"Sanlang, look at the top of the city! The flag of the Goguryeo people has been lowered!"
Cui Hongdu's voice trembled very much. Wang Wenzuo looked towards the top of the city. Just as Cui Hongdu said, the white flag slowly floated down. Almost at the same time, a sad horn sounded from the top of the city, which seemed to be mourning this hero. The last moments of a great power that has dominated Northeast Asia for eight hundred years. As if by instinct, Wang Wenzuo drew his sword, raised it high above his head, and finally shouted: "Datang! Wan Sheng!"
"Great Tang! Ten Thousand Victories!" Almost at the same time, everyone in the Tang army raised their weapons and shouted loudly. The cheers in various languages and tones merged into an invisible force that shot straight into the sky, seeming to sweep the sky. The clouds in the sky tore a big hole.
The sun finally came out, and the sunlight crossed the city wall and sprinkled on the open space in front. The cheers gradually subsided, and everyone stared at the city gate in the distance. Someone shouted: "Open the door, open the door!" There was a sudden response.
As if in response to this cry, the east gate of Pyongyang City opened. The open city gate was like a huge mouth of a beast, dark and long. A figure walked out of the doorway. His upper body was naked, his hands were tied behind his back, a silk bag was tied around his neck, and he was holding a sheep behind him. He looked desolate and strange.
"This is a bare-faced bondage, leading the sheep on the left and holding the grass on the right, and I am asking you for forgiveness!" Cui Hongdu whispered, his voice full of uncontrollable excitement.
"What do you mean?" Wang Wenzuo asked, not knowing much about this aspect.
"That's what happened. When Zhou Wu destroyed Shang, Weizi visited King Wu's military gate with a sacrificial weapon. He tied his face with his flesh uncovered, led the sheep on his left and held the grass on his right. He walked forward on his knees and explained to King Wu that he was far away from Emperor Xin. King Wu was very worried. Moved, he released his bonds, restored his position as before, remained a minister, and granted the old capital of Weizi merchants. This is the Song Dynasty!" Cui Hongdu spoke with gusto: "If my guess is correct, then the King of Goguryeo What hangs on the chest should be their jade seals and military talismans!"
Wang Wenzuo took a closer look, and sure enough, the naked man was holding a bundle of thatch in his hand. It was too dark in the city gate to see clearly, but Cui Hongdu had better eyesight than him and could see clearly.
