Goguryeo, Pyongyang.
Within the Imperial City.
Goguryeo's Prince Rongliu, Gao Jianwu, was seated in the main hall, his expression solemn. But there was a hint of worry in Gao Jianwu's eyes, a worry that could not be dispelled. After all, Yeon Gaesomun had schemed against him, causing a conflict between him and Xia Xia.
Gao Jianwu was now over forty years old.
He was getting on in years.
But Gao Jianwu had maintained himself well and was in good spirits. His gaze fell on the officials below as he sternly said, "According to the latest news, Xia Xia has already sent troops. Given Xia Xia's strength, it will be as difficult as ascending to the heavens for us to resist. Everyone, tell me, what should we do? "
An official below said, "Your Majesty, all of this was caused by Yeon Gaesomun. If not for him, Du Qi would not have personally come north and led an army here. "
The speaker was called Gao Feng.
He was the First Elder Brother of the Silk Overseer, an official in charge of state affairs.
Gao Feng was also a member of the imperial clan. Unfortunately, although he was the elder brother of the Silk Cloak Leader and was in charge of national affairs, many of the people under his command were subordinates of Yeon Gaesomun. Gao Feng was a mere figurehead.
Yeon Gaesomun held the position of Great Minister of War, and Great Minister of War was Prime Minister. Thus, Yeon Gaesomun had far too many henchmen in the Imperial Court. Yeon Gaesomun even held military authority, making it difficult for Gao Jianwu to take back his authority.
Gao Jianwu snorted. "Gao Feng, this King knows that Yeon Gaesomun was the cause of this matter. The problem is, now that Xia Xia is here, how should we stop him? "
Gao Feng shook his head. "Your Majesty, we can't stop him."
"Since we can't stop him, how should we deal with him?" "Yes."
Gao Feng leaned forward, a sharp expression on his face as he sternly said, "Your Majesty, this subject has an idea." "Yes."
"What method?" Gao Jianwu asked. "Yes."
Gao Feng said, "The simplest way is to capture Yeon Gaesomun and hand him over to Du Qi. In this way, we can submit to Xia and beg for Du Qi's forgiveness. " The strength of the Tang dynasty was already incomparably powerful. Even so, the Tang dynasty was easily destroyed by Du Qi. Fighting against Xia Xia now is like hitting a rock with an egg. Thus, the simplest method was to capture Yeon Gaesomun and use him to beg for forgiveness from Du Qi. "
"But taking down Yeon Gaesomun will not be an easy task," someone else said. This matter was rather tricky. "
His name is Yun Zou.
He was Gao Jianwu's mastermind.
Gao Jianwu said, "Mr. Yun, dealing with Yeon Gaesomun is indeed quite difficult. But at this time, if Yeon Gaesomun doesn't ask for forgiveness, Goguryeo will probably be destroyed. Thus, Yeon Gaesomun had to be eliminated. Mister Yun, you are the most resourceful person under my command. Please do not be stingy with your guidance. At that moment, he had to think of a solution. "
Gao Feng also said, "Mr. Yun, with Goguryeo gone, it will be difficult for you to gain a foothold. Therefore, Sir Yun, please use your brain to think of a way to deal with Yeon Gaesomun. "
Yun Zou stroked his beard. After thinking for a while, he said, "Speaking of a way to deal with Yeon Gaesomun, I truly do have a risky plan. Perhaps we can give it a try. " "
Gao Jianwu hurriedly asked, "What is it? "
Yun Zou said, "His Majesty has arranged for someone to go to Yeon Gaesomun's residence and issue an order for him to lead the entire army to the front lines and fight against Xia Xia's army and block Du Qi's army. When Yeon Gaesomun and Xia Xia start fighting, His Majesty will not provide food. At the same time, he will have someone contact Xia Xia and work with Xia Xia to attack Yeon Gaesomun from both inside and outside.
"This way, Yeon Gaesomun will definitely be defeated. With Yeon Gaesomun dead and His Majesty helping Xia Xia, His Majesty will ask Xia Xia for forgiveness and be willing to submit to Du Qi.
"This way, my Goguryeo will also be saved."
Yun Zou continued, "Right now, Xia Xia is incomparably powerful, and we cannot contend against Xia Xia. Thus, our only option is to beg for mercy. First, we need to protect ourselves. Once Xia Xia's empire is in decline, we can deal with Xia Xia, and then we can seek Goguryeo's independence once more. "
After Gao Jianwu heard this, a glint flashed across his eyes.
There was a look of approval.
Yun Zou's suggestion was the most appropriate plan for now.
"Reporting!" "Reporting!"
At this moment, a soldier entered.
The soldier stood still and bowed to Gao Jianwu. "His Majesty, His Highness the Prince requests an audience." "Reporting!"
Gao Jianwu said, "Reporting!" "Reporting!"
The soldier immediately went to pass on the order.
Not long later, a youth in his early twenties walked in. The youth had an imposing appearance and was rather handsome. His only flaw was that he was not very tall, and his eyes were rather bleak and suffused with a hint of coldness.
The youth was called Gao Zhengde, Gao Jianwu's only son.
Gao Zhengde bowed. "Royal Father!" "Reporting!"
Gao Jianwu said, "Why have you come? "
Gao Zhengde said, "Royal Father, your son has received news that Xia Xia's army has already dispatched troops from Yuyang County and is beginning to attack our Goguryeo. This is extremely dangerous for us. Right now, with Yeon Gaesomun in our country, we are facing internal and external troubles. Royal Father, at this time, we will need great courage to protect our Goguryeo. " "
Gao Jianwu said, "What do you plan to do?" "
Gao Zhengde's eyes were sharp as he said, "Your son is willing to personally go to the frontlines and personally represent our Goguryeo to meet Emperor Xia Du Qi and state that our Goguryeo is willing to submit to him. This way, we can borrow Xia Xia's strength to destroy Yeon Gaesomun. This way, our Goguryeo will naturally be preserved. Although going to the frontlines is risky, your son is willing to go. " "
Gao Jianwu smiled. "There is no need for that. We already have a more reliable plan." "
Gao Zhengde said, "What plan?" "
Gao Jianwu immediately told Gao Zhengde about Yun Zou's suggestion. Gao Zhengde nodded in agreement. Whether it was Yun Zou's suggestion or Gao Zhengde's, they were both to submit to Xia Xia and then end Xia Xia's forces to deal with Yeon Gaesomun.
It was just that their strategies were different.
However, it achieved the same result through a different approach.
Gao Zhengde said, "Sir Yun's plan is indeed feasible. Moreover, this plan is even more reliable. With Yeon Gaesomun's forces at the frontlines, everything will be much easier. " "Yes."
Gao Jianwu said, "That is indeed the case." "Yes."
After deciding on a plan, Gao Jianwu clearly relaxed, a smile appearing on his face. He looked at Gao Zhengde and said, "You don't need to worry too much about court matters. Royal Father and the others will take care of them. What you need to do is to study hard. " "Yes."
Gao Zhengde said, "Your son understands." "Yes."
Gao Jianwu waved his hand, and Gao Zhengde turned and left. After Gao Zhengde left, Gao Jianwu had Gao Feng and Yun Zou make arrangements for the reorganisation of the country, arranging many things in advance.
After Gao Feng and Yun Zou left, Gao Jianwu had someone summon Yeon Gaesomun to go to the frontlines to resist Xia Xia. Yeon Gaesomun wanted to resist Xia Xia, so this was an open scheme.
As long as Gao Jianwu gave the order, Yeon Gaesomun would definitely go. This was because Yeon Gaesomun was part of the pro-war faction. In the face of Xia Xia's army, it was impossible for him not to attack. Otherwise, Yeon Gaesomun would not have needed to detonate bombs and stir up trouble.
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