Gao Di said, "Keep talking! Why aren't you talking? This general was just getting interested, so why aren't any of you talking? If you don't talk, I'm really bored! "
Yeon Gaesomun snorted and said no more.
Cui Hong-Ki turned to Gao Di, a fawning expression on his face as he chuckled and said, "General Gao, we're family. I swear to the heavens that I've already pledged allegiance to His Majesty. You also know about His Majesty's plan. Even though His Majesty has reached Pyongyang, he's still surrounding the city, pretending to be attacking. Then, he's waiting for the people from Silla and Baekje to return with their armies. If I know about such a secret plan, how can I not have already pledged allegiance to His Majesty? "
Gao Di said, "No matter what you say, you just need to stay here."
"Yes, yes!"
Cui Hong-Ki immediately nodded.
Gao Di turned his gaze to Yeon Gaesomun and said, "Yeon Gaesomun, take good care of him and cooperate. If you don't cooperate, you'll have to bear the consequences. "
Yeon Gaesomun snorted and said no more.
In the past, if he wanted to crush Gao Di to death, he would only need to say a single word to kill him. He had not expected Gao Di to cling to Du Qi and end up as Gao Di's prisoner.
Seeing that Yeon Gaesomun was not speaking, Gao Di ordered, "Come, take Yeon Gaesomun away and detain him on the gate tower. All of you, listen up. If Yeon Gaesomun escapes, bring your head back to see me. Yeon Gaesomun is of utmost importance. If anyone loses sight of him, they'll have to take responsibility. "
"Yes!"
The soldiers received the order and escorted Yeon Gaesomun away.
Cui Hong-Ki hurriedly asked, "General Gao, what about me?"
Gao Di said, "You'll be at my side for now. You were at Yeon Gaesomun's side before, in charge of strategizing. Now that you're at my side, you'll also be in charge of strategizing. "
"Yes, yes!"
Cui Hong-Ki hurriedly replied.
After taking Yeon Gaesomun, Gao Di had taken in all the soldiers in the barbican. Even Yeon Gaesomun had been captured, so no one was willing to remain loyal to Yeon Gaesomun. Everyone surrendered in an orderly fashion.
However, Gao Di was a veteran on the battlefield. He was an extremely cautious person.
Once he recruited all these soldiers, Du Qi's entire plan would be ruined if one of them managed to spread the news. Thus, Gao Di temporarily detained all the soldiers who had escaped with Yeon Gaesomun in the city's barracks, forbidding them from leaving. He would only consider how to deal with these soldiers after the Silla and Goguryeo armies were wiped out.
After Gao Di had arranged everything properly, he remained on the city gate tower, waiting for Du Qi to arrive.
After half a day, Du Qi's army finally arrived.
Du Qi's army arrived at Pyongyang and surrounded the city. They looked like they were going to attack, but they did not.
After Du Qilie set up camp, Gao Di came out alone to report on the matter of Yeon Gaesomun's detention, as well as the fact that all the soldiers were temporarily detained in the army.
After Gao Di finished his report, he said, "Your Majesty, this subject has another matter to report."
Du Qi said, "Speak."
Gao Di paused for a moment before saying, "When this subject returned to Pyongyang, I wanted to unite all the forces in Pyongyang and have them submit to Your Majesty and serve Your Majesty. Thus, at that time, this subject promised that after Your Majesty pacified Goguryeo, Yeon Gaesomun and Gao Jianwu's subordinates would become vacant, and they would be promoted to their subordinates. This subject dares to ask Your Majesty to mete out punishment. "
After Du Qi heard this, he shook his head and said, "There is nothing wrong with your way of doing things. There's nothing wrong with doing this in order to unite everyone. Moreover, Goguryeo also needs people to govern. If you were in a hurry, you wouldn't have been able to select so many people. On the other hand, the people who submitted to Xia Xia all have a certain foundation. There's no problem in letting them govern. "
Gao Di said, "This subject is endlessly grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence."
He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
He had previously made a promise. If Du Qi had reneged on his promise, although with Du Qi's strength, there was no need for him to fear these people rebelling, in the end, it was Gao Di who had not handled the matter properly. But now that Du Qi had agreed, Gao Di could breathe a sigh of relief. At the very least, he could report on his mission.
Du Qi continued, "Gao Di, although We agreed to give them benefits and allow their clan members to enter the bureaucracy, remember this. However, you must remember one thing. My Great Xia Country does not tolerate vermin, and even more so, those who take bribes and bend the law. In Xia Xia's bureaucracy, the strong rise while the weak fall. It's impossible for someone without ability to hold a position without doing anything. "
Gao Di said, "Your Majesty, this subject understands."
Regarding this point that Du Qi mentioned, Gao Di was naturally clear about it. Du Qi had given the great clans an opportunity, but this did not mean that he would let them hold a position without doing anything.
Du Qi continued, "We will arrange for people to specifically monitor Goguryeo's situation. If there are people who are outstanding in governing a place, We will not hesitate to promote them. But if they break the law, violate the law, or even knowingly break the law, there will only be one outcome. That is to kill without mercy. Therefore, warn all the members of the major clans that they must choose their clan members to be officials. They must choose those who are capable and outstanding. If they are not capable, they will only bring disaster to the clan. "
Gao Di said, "This subject will abide by Your Majesty's teachings."
Du Qi waved his hand and said, "Go."
"This subject will take his leave!"
Gao Di stood up, bowed, and took his leave.
He went straight back to the city gate tower and gathered the leaders of the great clans who had participated in the plan. Everyone looked expectantly at Gao Di. After all, whether or not Gao Di's promise would count depended on what Gao Di said to the Emperor.
Gao Di looked around at the crowd and said, "Everyone, I just had an audience with His Majesty and asked for instructions. Now that Gao Jianwu and Yeon Gaesomun's men have been removed, the empty positions will be filled by the people of the great clans. "
Fwoosh!!
The crowd immediately began to talk amongst themselves.
All of them were incredibly excited.
These were real benefits. Although all the land would be returned to the country, land was more important than land. However, compared to land, being able to become an official was more important. Therefore, each and every one of them was extremely excited.
"Silence!"
Gao Di barked.
Following Gao Di's words, everyone quieted down again. Because Gao Di was now the leader of everyone, and he could represent them to meet Du Qi.
Many pairs of eyes fell on Gao Di again.
Gao Di continued, "Everyone, although His Majesty has agreed to my request to have the people of the great clans fill the empty positions, His Majesty has also agreed to my request. However, His Majesty had also said that once the members of the major families broke the law, committed private acts, or were incompetent, they would be severely punished or even beheaded once they were investigated. Thus, all of you must keep this in mind. If a problem occurs and your clans are implicated, it will not be worth it. Thus, all of you must carefully select the people you recommend. Do not make up the numbers. "
All of them began to express their opinions.
All of them said that they would abide by the law and govern the place well.
Seeing that everyone had expressed their opinions, Gao Di continued, "Okay, go back and make your preparations. Decide on the candidates for the clans. Afterward, we will discuss the arrangements. "
When everyone heard this, they all retreated.
They did not linger.
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