Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 162 Pyongyang
After that day, several more days passed without any news, but Li Jian Cheng did not rush for updates; he knew it was necessary to give the Gao Clan some time to deliberate.
However, Li Jian Cheng was preparing for a large-scale siege, with siege equipment piled up not far from Liaodong City. Although no attack had yet occurred, the message was clear.
In truth, Goguryeo had not yet grasped the situation in the Central Plains. They saw that Yang Guang had waged war for three consecutive years without rest and assumed that the Sui Dynasty still had strength left. After all, despite their ambitions, they could not help but envy the wealth and prosperity of the Central Plains.
In September, during another routine probing attack, the Sui Army breached Liaodong City, a stronghold that had resisted the Emperor's hundreds of thousands of troops for decades. It finally fell.
There were no ambushes within the city; the soldiers had already departed, leaving only the starving civilians behind. Upon entering the city, Li Jian Cheng immediately requisitioned food from the Noble Families, threatening execution for those who resisted.
To his surprise, many were unwilling to part with even a little of their food reserves, preferring to hoard supplies that could last their families for years rather than share with the soldiers.
These Noble Families were prominent figures in Goguryeo, but their connections did not reach Li Jian Cheng. Consequently, they found themselves in dire straits alongside the other citizens.
Li Jian Cheng did not want an empty city. After disrupting the existing order within, he appointed Shian to establish soup kitchens for relief and set up a new order.
When there was nothing to hold back, things became quite simple. No one would impeach Li Jian Cheng, nor would any scholars advocate for the Goguryeo people; truth lay beneath the blade.
Leaving Qin Shubao and Wang Yi to garrison Liaodong City, Li Jian Cheng led an army of forty thousand straight toward Pyongyang. However, their pace was not swift; they occasionally halted for two days due to heavy rain.
Meanwhile, Come to Protect the Child did not urge him on either; he intensified his own siege efforts, unwilling to share any credit with anyone else.
In Pyongyang City, Gao Jianwu returned alone and said to his elder brother: "The troops from Liaodong City are already arranged in a nearby valley; it's very secluded and the Sui people will not find out."
"Brother, if we can drive away wolves and tigers and let Li Jian Cheng clash with Come to Protect the Child, can we..."
Gao Yuan shook his head: "Even if we lose tens of thousands of troops, it won't cripple the Sui Dynasty; it will only infuriate that Sui Emperor further and prompt him to send more forces."
"We can only drink from a poisoned well. Why must Heaven treat our Gao Clan so harshly?"
Ignoring his brother's lamentation, Gao Yuan pondered for a long time before saying: "Li Jian Cheng is more suitable here; your troops can serve as a counterbalance to prevent him from advancing further."
The news of Li Jian Cheng's conquest of Liaodong City reached the Eastern Capital, bringing immense joy to the Emperor. He was so elated that he didn't even drink wine, immediately issuing a decree for a reward and an increase in official rank, though the courtiers managed to persuade him to hold off.
Not only the Emperor, but the civil and military officials were also excited; finally, there was some good news. With Liaodong City fallen, Li Jian Cheng and Come to Protect the Child had successfully breached Pyongyang. If they could return to court alongside Zhang Suduo to stabilize the state, there was hope for the continuation of the Sui Dynasty.
However, seeing the courtiers so pleased made the Emperor unhappy. He felt a sense of resentment towards both Li Jian Cheng and Come to Protect the Child. When he personally led troops, they had all been useless.
Now that he was absent, their success came easily. Did that imply he had delayed state affairs?
But times had changed; the Emperor understood that re-establishing his authority would take time. Therefore, he graciously chose not to dwell on it, but he no longer wished to remain in Luoyang.
This place had become as frustrating as Chang'an, where nothing seemed to go according to his wishes. After inspecting the Northern Frontier, he intended to return to Jiangdu, where he felt at peace.
Thus, he issued a decree similar to those from years past. After the New Year, he would embark on a Northern Expedition. Preparations for the Wind-Watching Pavilion and other matters needed to be made well in advance and even better than in previous years!
The Wind-Watching Pavilion was manageable; it merely required being larger and adorned with gold and jewels. However, gathering a million troops for escort was impossible.
Even assembling tens or hundreds of thousands was difficult due to rebellions across the land. The court's troops were scattered, making it hard to regroup them. Moreover, whether for recruitment or the Northern Expedition, where would they source provisions?
With droughts in Shandong and Hebei, the court lacked sufficient grain for relief efforts. Although Come to Protect the Child and Li Jian Cheng's troops were not numerous, they were far away overseas. Transporting ten stones of grain would result in at least seven or eight stones being lost along the way.
The Emperor was furious. After executing six or seven officials without finding another solution, Yang Guang realized there truly was none—not because the courtiers were provoking him—but he didn't want to deal with such trivial matters and returned to the Western Garden to indulge in drunken revelry.
…………
No matter how slow it was, they eventually arrived at Pyongyang. Come to Protect the Child personally came to meet Li Jian Cheng. After exchanging pleasantries and taking their seats, they realized they had known each other for over ten years.
Come to Protect the Child spoke frankly: "In these past two or three years, I have lost my Fourth Son and another child whose fate is unknown. The remaining ones are unworthy; therefore, I wish to ask you, my Lord, if you could grant me credit for the achievements in Pyongyang."
Li Jian Cheng paused for a moment before sighing: "Since you have spoken so respectfully, how can Jian Cheng refuse? I will support you from outside the city and witness your extraordinary military merit!"
Come to Protect the Child solemnly stood up and thanked him: "This kindness will never be forgotten; I will surely stand by you in mutual support."
Come to Protect the Child thought that the fundamental conflict between the two had been resolved, so he relaxed considerably and even began discussing matters of marriage for their children.
"I have heard that your esteemed house's Sanlang is calm and refined. After this campaign returns, I would like to invite Lord to bring Sanlang to my residence for a banquet."
Clearly, he was looking to form a marital alliance. The family of Military Merit had always been straightforward; words were mere formalities, and establishing a marriage was more reliable than any promise.
Everyone was watching, and if even the families of marriage alliances could be taken advantage of, who would dare to trust you? Other potential allies would also be wary, as everyone wished to pass down their family legacies for generations. How could one family alone manage that?
Li Jian Cheng certainly would not refuse; after all, there was no day like that ahead.
The old general, in high spirits, expressed his concern in a manner befitting an elder: “Jian Cheng, you are indeed wonderful in every way, but you still have no heirs. I know the daughter of the Xiao Family is noble, but your Li Family is not lacking either. There is no need to fear her. It would be best if you returned home and took several concubines to bear more children.”
Li Jian Cheng replied, “That is indeed my plan; however, my grandmother has passed away. Although His Majesty has granted me leave from mourning duties, I am still bound by filial piety. It would not be appropriate for me to have children within three years of her death. I cannot let my Legitimate Eldest Son be born with a bad reputation.”
Come to Protect the Child, not one for strict conventions, quietly suggested, “Then at least raise a few outside. After all, they cannot inherit the family business. With all these natural disasters and calamities, having as many sons as possible is never enough. While you are still young, take advantage of it!”
Li Jian Cheng clasped his hands in acknowledgment. The two set up a banquet together. Dan Xiongxin, who had also served under Come to Protect the Child, joined in the festivities. They all enjoyed themselves, and Come to Protect the Child lamented that Qin Shubao had not come.
……………
(End of Chapter)
Comment 0 Comment Count