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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 161: Luring the Enemy
In August of the tenth year, heavy rain poured down, forcing Li Jian Cheng to begin reducing the army's food supplies. Although it had not yet reached a critical shortage, the arrival of the rainy season would inevitably cause some issues with the supply of provisions.
Fortunately, with the emperor's army having retreated, only tens of thousands remained here. While there might be delays in food supplies, a complete cutoff was unlikely.
"The guarding soldiers must prepare enough rations and provide ginger soup without any negligence. Xiongxin, you will personally patrol the camp. Anyone who neglects their duty will be executed."
"Understood."
Li Jian Cheng did not believe that in such weather, the garrison in Liaodong City would dare to venture out and attack the camp. However, rules could not be overlooked; if they became accustomed to laxity, it would lead to trouble sooner or later.
After Dan Xiongxin left, Qin Shubao poured a cup of tea for Li Jian Cheng. "We can endure the rainy season, but we must withdraw our troops before winter arrives. Should we continue to wait?"
Wang Yi chuckled, "With our steps aligned, how can we falter? The cavalry that entered the city today may be few, but their momentum is extraordinary. In my opinion, the Lord should wait for reinforcements."
Li Jian Cheng also felt relieved. The enmity between the two nations ran deep; his reach could not extend to Goguryeo. Therefore, achieving success required a bit of luck. If he delayed for another month or two, he would have no choice but to withdraw and devise a new plan.
As expected, the next day an emissary arrived to negotiate outside Liaodong City. Li Jian Cheng did not immediately agree but repeatedly emphasized the emperor's demands—only the head of Gao Yuan would suffice for negotiations.
This stalemate lasted for two days until Gao Jianwu revealed his identity. Only then did Li Jian Cheng reluctantly agree to meet him outside the main camp with Luo Yi and Zhang Hutan as guards.
After exchanging a few pleasantries—after all, at this level of diplomacy, one could not simply jump into threats—it was unnecessary to waste time meeting if that were the case.
Gao Jianwu remained silent for a moment before asking, "Once my royal brother is dead, will you immediately withdraw your troops?"
"Logically speaking, yes. Our emperor wishes to relieve his grievances; it is only fitting that your Sovereign must die."
"Li Jian Cheng said to Gao Jianwu, 'I must say, I admire your Sovereign quite a bit. Even ants strive to survive; how much more difficult it must be for someone of such status.'
Gao Jianwu wanted to maintain his composure but couldn't help but snort coldly, 'This is all thanks to your Sui Dynasty!'
'Talking about this is rather dull, Prince Cheng. Come to Protect the Child is just outside Pyongyang City. You didn't come all this way just to say these things, did you?'
Gao Jianwu was reluctant to fall into the other man's rhythm, but his options were limited: 'After my elder brother passes away, I will submit a memorial of allegiance to the Sui Emperor. You must withdraw your troops immediately and take Come to Protect the Child with you.'
Li Jian Cheng replied bluntly, 'Then what benefits do I gain from this?'
Gao Jianwu retorted with disdain, 'That should be enough for you to win your emperor's favor and gain promotions. Don't be too greedy!'
'Ha ha.' Li Jian Cheng laughed. 'It seems Prince Cheng doesn't quite understand me. At my age, there’s little left for me to rise in rank. I already hold the family title of Duke; I am not in need of this small merit.'
'Then what do you want?'
'I want Liaodong City and to personally invade Pyongyang!'
Gao Jianwu stared directly at Li Jian Cheng. 'You are delusional and shameless. If that's the case, I will go meet Come to Protect the Child. You may leave now.'
Li Jian Cheng soothed him, 'Your Highness, do not be agitated. The world is bustling because of profit; people come and go for profit. If I gain something beneficial, naturally, Your Highness will benefit as well.'
However, Gao Jianwu did not wish to say anything further and turned to leave. Li Jian Cheng spoke calmly, 'Why come so far when you could have stayed closer? It must be because Come to Protect the Child is even more greedy. Indeed, what merit could compare to the achievement of destroying a nation?'
Seeing Gao Jianwu stop, Li Jian Cheng knew he had guessed correctly: 'With internal troubles and external threats, Goguryeo stands on the brink of survival or extinction. I only seek a hollow title while Come to Protect the Child truly desires to annihilate the Gao Clan's ancestral State.'
It wasn't hard to guess that with Come to Protect the Child's Naval Forces and their limited Troops, it was unlikely they could invade Pyongyang. However, they had never asked Li Jian Cheng to rush over and join them; they only hoped he could hold back the defenders of Liaodong City."
It must have been an agreement reached with the Aristocratic Officials in Pyongyang. They opened the city gates, and Come to Protect the Child personally beheaded Gao Yuan, exterminating the Royal Family. Then, the Emperor would select a few from the surrendered noble families to establish a new king and divide Goguryeo's existing territory.
In this way, not only would the flourishing Goguryeo be completely destroyed, but the surrounding nations would also hold the Sui Dynasty in greater awe. Even the Turkic tribes would likely retract their claws, allowing the prestige of the Sui Dynasty to shine.
For the Emperor, this would truly be a chance to redeem past humiliations.
Of course, this was merely Come to Protect the Child's plan. The ambition was vast and seemed feasible, but it was clearly unrealistic; Gao Yuan was not an incapable monarch.
He had not been defeated by Yang Guang; he had simply succumbed to his own small nation with sparse population, unable to outlast the rich resources left by Sui Wendi.
"Your Highness, if Come to Protect the Child succeeds, I will gain nothing, but Your Highness will certainly face a grim fate."
"Losing Liaodong City and then being invaded in Pyongyang—what difference does it make?"
Li Jian Cheng said sincerely, "There is indeed a difference. Come to Protect the Child aims to annihilate the Goguryeo Royal Family and change the dynasty, while my entry into the city is merely for show. I have no particular desire to kill anyone. However, if Your Highness has needs, I am willing to relieve your worries."
This statement stirred something within Gao Jianwu. He understood that even if he managed to defend Pyongyang against external threats, after his elder brother's death, he would still have to face Chen Shibai Zhe and others. It was uncertain when he could fully reclaim power.
If he could use someone else's hand to eliminate Chen Shibai Zhe...
Li Jian Cheng sensed that he was close: "Your Highness will soon ascend to the throne. I wish to present you with a congratulatory gift."
"What is it?"
"The head of Come to Protect the Child."
This was about restoring the prestige of Gao Jianwu, helping him eliminate internal troubles while also establishing his authority. The more he thought about it, the more tempted he became, yet his heart felt increasingly unsettled.
Gao Jianwu looked at the much younger Li Jian Cheng and said, "Am I negotiating with a tiger?"
Li Jian Cheng had no particular grudge against Come to Protect the Child, but the Naval Forces were something he truly desired. However, as long as Come to Protect the Child was alive, he could not touch them.
Thus, Come to Protect the Child had to die. Such a figure should not be wasted; they ought to be utilized in multiple ways.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by that? Jian Cheng merely wishes to secure a future for his family. With chaos rising in the Central Plains, it may well be that in the future, I will serve under Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will not forget today's bond."
Gao Jianwu wanted to refuse; he really did. But when he opened his mouth, no words came out. Li Jian Cheng and Come to Protect the Child were both like tigers and wolves, yet he had to choose one.
"I... how do I know that you and Come to Protect the Child are not in cahoots?"
"It seems Your Highness is truly unaware of the news from the Central Plains," Li Jian Cheng replied with a smile. "Let me be frank: if Goguryeo falls, I must return home and surrender my military power. As long as Goguryeo stands, I can defend Liaodong."
So it was about nurturing the enemy while maintaining one's own strength; Gao Jianwu felt slightly reassured.
………
(End of Chapter)
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