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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 163: Jianwu
After Li Jian Cheng reached an agreement with Come to Protect the Child, things became straightforward. Li Jian Cheng staged a feigned attack, while Come to Protect the Child contacted the noble families within the city. Occasionally, the city gates would swing wide open in the direction he was attacking.
However, each time before the Sui Army could take advantage of the opening, the gates would close again. The disputes between the Royal Family and the noble families within Pyongyang City grew increasingly intense, to the point where some even advised the Sovereign directly that for the sake of the ancestral temple and state, it was time for him to die.
Gao Yuan remained silent in court for a long time before unexpectedly agreeing to this advice, which astonished the officials. If they united their efforts, even with over a hundred thousand troops outside the city, it would not be enough to breach Pyongyang before winter set in.
In this strange atmosphere, those who had spoken hastily bowed and begged for forgiveness, while other civil and military officials urged caution. Yet Gao Yuan remained silent.
Political weakness and compromise would not be met with kindness; it would only encourage further encroachment.
Finally, at a prearranged time, facing the wide-open city gates, Come to Protect the Child made a desperate bid and personally led his troops into the city, while the city guards fled towards the palace.
Not only one gate fell; even those gates that Li Jian Cheng had feigned an attack on were similarly breached. Goguryeo's capital was taken in a ludicrous manner.
Li Jian Cheng felt that this world was indeed a massive farce. He could not imagine how Goguryeo's aristocratic officials dared to turn themselves into fish on a chopping block, allowing Come to Protect the Child to strike at will.
Perhaps they believed that Come to Protect the Child could not remain in Goguryeo for long; such a piece of land was not worth the loss for the Sui Dynasty. Thus, they thought that as long as they compromised, they could achieve a mutually satisfactory outcome.
According to their agreement, Li Jian Cheng did not enter the city to claim credit. He merely sent Luo Yi to control the city gates and arranged for Dan Xiongxin to station troops outside.
On Come to Protect the Child's side, things were going smoothly as he launched a strong assault on the palace gates. Once breached, the situation would be settled.
Inside the palace, the Royal Family held their ground firmly, while those aristocratic officials were unwilling even to conceal their intentions, restraining their troops.
As it seemed that the palace gates were about to be breached, Gao Jianwu felt anxious. Could it be that Li Jian Cheng had broken his promise? If so, he would have no choice but to escape through secret passages. With support from Liaodong City's troops waiting for him, he still had a chance for a comeback.
But soon he calmed down again when he saw a troop bearing high flags suddenly launch an attack from behind against the Sui Army. No one knew where they had emerged from.
Come to Protect the Child was merely a backup plan for Gao Yuan. Although he was being attacked from both sides, he remained calm because he had support behind him. As long as Li Jian Cheng arrived to assist, it would be the enemy who would find themselves surrounded.
He quickly reassured the Soldiers and sent scouts to request reinforcements. Li Jian Cheng soon received the news and immediately set out with his troops. However, on the way, Zhang Hutan reined in his horse and shouted to the soldiers behind him, "It would be better if you all died! Brothers, we have Gold and Silver Treasures at our disposal now; go and seize everything!"
With cheers erupting, the previously orderly formation fell into chaos. Li Jian Cheng could not restore order and had no choice but to retreat with his personal guards back to the city gates.
Upon returning to the city gates, Li Jian Cheng, who had initially appeared flustered, regained his composure. It was impossible for him to directly kill Come to Protect the Child. Not only would it be difficult to explain to the court, but it would also alienate the Naval Forces from him.
Meanwhile, upon hearing that Li Jian Cheng's Troops had lost control, Come to Protect the Child felt as if struck by lightning. After clarifying the situation, he became furious: "I warned him long ago that those Yan Yun Iron Cavalry are incorrigible. They can be persuaded but must remain outside the city! How could he let them in? That fool has ruined everything for me!"
Seeing that Come to Protect the Child was in a dire situation without reinforcements, the Aristocratic Officials in the palace exchanged glances in disbelief that the Gao Clan still had a hidden card up their sleeve. They quickly decided to abandon their agreement with Come to Protect the Child.
With their involvement, the palace's Troops were not only sufficient for defense but could also launch an attack on the Sui Army. Come to Protect the Child began to retreat.
Suddenly, an unexpected gap appeared in the rear ranks of the Troops, allowing small groups of the Sui Army to escape. If there had been no gap, trapped between front and back with no way out, the Sui Army might have unleashed tremendous fighting power.
However, with this opening, their momentum dissipated. While Come to Protect the Child struggled to hold on, his forces dwindled further. The fleeing Naval Forces, seeing no one pursuing them, began organizing for a counterattack.
Yet, the Soldiers were reluctant. In front of them were the rampaging Yan Yun Iron Cavalry, each knight's horse laden with spoils; glimmers of gold and silver jewels peeked through their loosely wrapped bundles.
Thus, amidst this turmoil, the Naval Forces completely lost their restraint and joined in on the rampant looting. When they felt they could carry no more, they fled en masse toward the city outskirts.
Seeing that it was time, Li Jian Cheng issued orders to Dan Xiongxin, commanding him to intercept any soldiers escaping through the city gates and gather their spoils. Those who dared defy this order would be executed on the spot!
Then he led Luo Yi's Troops to aid Come to Protect the Child. By this time, however, Come to Protect the Child lay bloodied at the gates of Goguryeo, arrows embedded in his chest and his eyes wide open with unfulfilled rage.
But those troops that had attacked him did not cease fire; they continued their assault into the palace. The ministers of Goguryeo, believing it was a reckoning from Gao Yuan, immediately knelt before Gao Jianwu, pleading for mercy and asking him to speak favorably on their behalf in front of Gao Yuan.
But Gao Jianwu could not feel any joy. He trembled in disbelief, initially thinking that the troops were sent by Li Jian Cheng. It was only now that he realized the commander leading them was none other than his cousin, Gao Teng, the former garrison commander of Liaodong City.
Weren't they supposed to be waiting outside for his orders? How could they be here? How could this happen?
Gao Jianwu dashed toward the palace, leaving the astonished ministers behind. With Gao Teng's appearance, the already exhausted palace guards ceased their resistance and allowed him to enter.
Faced with the fawning and pleading Aristocratic Officials, Gao Teng grinned as he slaughtered them all. It was at this moment that Li Jian Cheng arrived, entering the palace unimpeded and leisurely following behind Gao Teng.
Along the way, they encountered numerous corpses—Imperial Guards, Court Ladies, and Eunuchs—lying in heaps along the roadside, a bloody path leading straight to the Council Hall of Goguryeo.
After eliminating some Imperial Guards who came to assist, Li Jian Cheng entered the main hall under Luo Yi's protection. He sat down slowly on Gao Yuan's throne, quietly awaiting the outcome he desired.
Moments later, Gao Teng emerged from the back hall holding two severed heads. He casually tossed one down the steps, revealing it to be the incredulous Gao Jianwu. Kneeling beside Luo Yi, he presented the still bleeding head to Li Jian Cheng. "This is the head of Sovereign Gao Yuan."
Li Jian Cheng smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Prince Jianwu. According to our agreement, all the noble families in the city have been slaughtered. I will also petition the Emperor to officially declare you Sovereign. Should anyone dare to disobey this decree, a million troops from the court will come to restore order for you!"
"Jianwu thanks the General."
………………
(End of Chapter)
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