Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 143 World Famous Painting "The Emperor of Goguryeo in Paradise"

Goguryeo, Pyongyang City.

The residence of Dadui Lu (equivalent to the prime minister).

"Uh!"

Yeon Gaesomun felt nauseous and vomited all over the floor.

Just now, he accepted the invitation of Goguryeo King Gao Jianmu and went to the royal palace Anhe Palace for a banquet.

After coming back, I felt dizzy and vomited continuously.

"Could it be that... Gao Jianwu poisoned my food?"

Yeon Gaesomun's heart trembled.

Generally speaking, it is normal to feel dizzy and vomit if you get drunk in the middle of winter and are blown by the cold wind on your way home.

But Yeon Gaesomun frowned, feeling that this matter was not simple.

After a few old friends of the Cui family came to his house and analyzed the situation of Goguryeo for him, he suddenly had an epiphany -

It turns out that Yeon Gaesomun is Li Shimin of Goguryeo!

Li Shimin came from a noble family, and Yeon Gaesomun was the leader of the Junnu tribe, one of the five major tribes of Goguryeo. He was the Lord of the Western Region and also came from a prominent family.

Li Shimin served as the Minister of the Chancellery, and Yeon Gaesomun served as the Minister of Justice, which is almost the same thing.

Li Shimin was an unrivaled man of both civil and military power, and Yeon Gaesomun felt that I was the same.

To round it off, he is the next Heavenly Khan!
"Before he ascended the throne, Li Shimin was suspected by the evil spirits and was almost poisoned to death at a banquet. And I was also..."

Ever since this idea took root in his mind, Yeon Gaesomun was no longer the rough and stupid self he used to be.

He always keeps an eye on everything around him.

The battle on the front line was going badly. Gao Jianwu must have deliberately sent his Junnu soldiers to the front to consume his strength.

The people under his rule are full of resentment, and it must be Gao Jianwu who is instigating discord behind the scenes.

There are always ministers in the royal court who speak ill of him. They must be Gao Jianwu's lackeys.

I felt dizzy and nauseous after attending the banquet in the palace, not to mention that Gao Jianwu poisoned the wine, imitating the story of Li Shimin!
If something bad happens, it must be Gao Jianwu's fault; if something good happens, it must be Gao Jianwu's fault deliberately arranged by him to make him relax his vigilance, or it must be Gao Jianwu's fault!
"Someone, someone, please come!" Yeon Gaesomun yelled drunkenly:
"Please bring my distinguished guest up!"

Yuchi Xunyu, Aunt Wu, and the old man of the Cui family left behind by Cui Mingan were respectfully invited into the main hall by the servants of the mansion.

Smelling the smell of alcohol in the room, Yuchi Xunyu couldn't help but frown.

Just as Li Ming had imagined, it was not difficult at all to sneak into Goguryeo.

Just follow a few surrendered soldiers and sneak into the Goguryeo army.

The Goguryeo army seemed to be large in number and powerful in strength, but in fact its internal tribal and ethnic composition was very complex, and they were often defeated and lost their weapons, so their generals did not know how to fight.

There were suddenly many children, women and old people in the army, but no one noticed it and no one cared even if they did.

What’s more convenient is that although the common people of Goguryeo spoke Buyeo language, the writing system was all Chinese characters, and the nobles were all proud to speak Chinese.

The group successfully entered Goguryeo, using gold and silver to clear the way for them, and entered the capital Pyongyang unimpeded.

This gentleman from the Cui family had profound attainments in Confucianism and had lectured on scriptures to princes and nobles, including Yeon Gaesomun.

So they went to the Daedonglu Mansion as they knew it, found Yeon Gaesomun, who was ambitious, greedy, and not very smart, and began to sow discord.

"It was because I didn't listen to the advice of the gentlemen that I was almost trapped by King Rongliu at the banquet...hiccup, plot!"

Before the guests had a chance to greet him, Yeon Gaesomun started burping and howling at the top of his lungs.

He had long regarded these distinguished guests as his own.

It was definitely not because of the boxes of gold, silver and treasures they brought with them.

Giving these "small gifts" was just a way for the distinguished guests to express their admiration for him, Lord Westerner. In order not to disappoint the distinguished guests, he accepted them reluctantly.

"Huh? Did we talk about that?"

Yuchi Xunyu and his group looked at each other and found that this guy seemed to be progressing a little too fast in his self-conquest.

They had just met and had wanted to proceed step by step, using the glorious deeds of His Majesty as an example to plant the seeds of ambition in Yeon Gaesomun's heart.

Unexpectedly, ambition was growing wildly in this greedy guy's heart, and it was almost time for him to enter the chapter of "Li Jiancheng poisoning Li Shimin".

Although no matter how I look at it, I feel that this guy is just simply drunk...

"Well, it's true. That Gao Jianwu is indeed... bad." Aunt Wu, who was born a bandit, could only infiltrate, but she couldn't control such a big scene. Her eyes glanced around frantically.

Mr. Cui took over the topic smoothly:
“During my journey, I found that the people of Goguryeo were already filled with resentment.

"It's all because your king is warlike and merciless, sending out troops without regard for the people's strength and cruelly oppressing the people."

Yeon Gaesomun nodded, half asleep and half awake:
"Yes, that's right, sir."

Mr. Cui continued:

"Such perverse actions will not only anger the heavens and the people, but will also draw the wrath of the Tang emperor. By then, Pyongyang will be littered with millions of corpses and rivers of blood!"

Upon hearing the words "Son of the Tang Dynasty", Yeon Gaesomun shuddered subconsciously:
"It's all... Gao Jianwu's fault!"

"Indeed." The old man stroked his hair:

"Goguryeo needs a hero who can turn the tide, and everyone in the world knows that Lord Yeon Gae is such a hero.

Yeon Gaesomun nodded frantically.

"However, the truth known to the whole world must also be known to your king. So..."

Mr. Cui leaves blank space very artistically.

Yeon Gaesomun sighed and exhaled the alcohol:
"That's what you said, sir! Now, Gao Jianwu is jealous of talented people... jealous... um, jealous of my talent, and is trying every possible means to kill me.

"what should I do?"

He stared at Mr. Cui with his clear and stupid big eyes.

Yeon Gaesomun's aura was so powerful that the old gentleman was at a loss for words and he lowered his head in silence.

Aunt Wu was even more undecided. This question was too beyond her scope as she was just a bandit.

A young boy's voice broke the silence.

"Strike first and kill him."

Mr. Cui and Aunt Wu were both shocked.

The way this kid speaks is just like how he is, with a reckless tone...

"Ok?"

Yeon Gaesomun was suddenly awakened and tried hard to focus his eyes which were scattered due to drunkenness.

The focus is on a young man who is accompanying them. Under his dark skin, he has a body of well-developed muscles, yet he also has a kind of indescribable nobility.

Yuchi Xunyu repeated firmly:
"Kill the King of Goguryeo first and take his place!"

Yeon Gaesomun hesitated at this time:

"But regicide..."

"To do great things, one must be bold and resolute, just like the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!" Yuchi Xunyu said firmly:

"A hero is someone who is willing to take risks for the sake of the people of the world. Or are you not a hero?"

After being provoked like this, Yeon Gaesomun's eyes widened in anger:

"Of course I'm a hero! It's just..."

He quickly deflated again:
"Gao Jianwu is a coward who only loves life and fears death. How can we kill him?"

Li Ming had been prepared for this issue and had given special instructions to Yuchi Xunyu.

Yuchi Xunyu recalled Mingge's voice, appearance and smile, and pretended to smile evilly, and kept the secret:
"There's an old Chinese saying, 'The dagger is revealed when the picture is fully drawn.'"

…………

Gao Jianwu has been hosting banquets frequently recently.

Because the war was not going well and he lost a tooth while fighting a bandit, he fell into deep self-doubt and could only drown his sorrows in alcohol.

But today is different, there is a happy event today.

Yeon Gaesomun, the biggest troublemaker in the country and Lord of the West, finally surrendered to him, the king, after his Junnu tribe warriors were almost strangled to death by the Red Turban Army!

Not only was he obedient, but he was also willing to support Gao Jianwu in taking a further step and becoming emperor!

In order to celebrate this rare happy event, Gao Jianwu decided to hold a banquet.

Let the restless leaders of the three tribes in the south, west and north, as well as the ministers who have recently complained about him, see it.

He could tame the most unruly Westerner.

Who do the rest of you think you are to challenge me?

When the banquet began, Yeon Gaesomun brought a scroll with him and took the initiative to hand it to the guard. Gao Jianwu asked curiously:
"Master Lu, what is this?"

Yeon Gaesomun smiled and said:

"I asked a Tang Dynasty painter to draw a painting called "The Emperor of Goguryeo in Paradise" and presented it to the king... No, Your Majesty."

Gao Jianwu felt elated by the flattery.

The throne is what I desire, and Buddha's blessing is also what I desire. I can have both!
He immediately frowned and scolded the guard
"You stupid ass! Can Da Duilu harm me?"

The guard was criticized for no reason and felt very aggrieved. After a quick inspection and confirming that there was no problem with the painting, he returned it to Yeon Gaesomun.

At the banquet, the palace maids played stringed instruments and the ministers soon became drunk.

Gao Jianwu half-opened his drunken eyes and pointed at Yeon Gaesomun arrogantly:
"Open the painting and show it to me."

This is already self-proclaimed.

Yeon Gaesomun immediately presented the scroll with both hands and waited for the palace maid to take it.

"Don't you understand?" Gao Jianwu raised his voice, with a hint of displeasure in his tone:
"I ask you to unfold the scroll for me."

It was undoubtedly a humiliation to force a great Western lord to do the work of a servant.

Gao Jianwu wanted to embarrass Yeon Gaesomun and take this opportunity to test whether the other party was sincere in surrendering.

At the same time, this is also to strengthen his authority in front of the ministers.

Look, even the most unruly Western Lord is just my slave. What reason do you have to disobey me?

"As ordered."

Yeon Gaesomun obediently picked up the scroll, knelt beside Gao Jianwu's seat, and slowly unfolded the scroll under his triumphant gaze:

"Your Majesty, this is what I wrote for you, 'The Emperor of Goguryeo in Paradise'."

The picture shows an empty palace.

Gao Jianwu asked doubtfully:
"Where is this?"

"Your Majesty, it's Anhe Palace."

"Where is the Western Paradise?"

"Under your majesty's rule, Goguryeo has become a prosperous country with a strong people, comparable to the bliss of heaven in the west."

"Hahaha!"

Gao Jianwu raised his head and laughed, then asked:

"What about the Goguryeo Emperor?"

"The Emperor of Goguryeo is in paradise in the west!"

Yeon Gaesomun opened the small secret door of the scroll, pulled out a Yuchang sword, and stabbed it into the heart of Goguryeo with the mind of a wild beast.

…………

Chang'an, Taiji Palace, Taiji Hall.

"Your Majesty, please immediately dispatch troops from Yangzhou and Xuzhou to join forces with Li Shiji. After the spring, we will attack Yanshan and reach Bailangshui. We will immediately recapture Pingzhou and Yingzhou!"

"No, Yanshan is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and a strong attack would be very costly. Let Li Shiji lead the Weizhou troops to defend Lulong Pass (Xifengkou). In a year or two, Goguryeo will be in chaos, and then we can recover the lost territory."

"Sitting back and watching the enemy occupy our territory and doing nothing is a loss of sovereignty and humiliation for our country! What will happen to the people of the two states?!"

"There is heavy snow in the north, and the treasury is already stretched to its limit with disaster relief. If we cause a financial deficit just for the sake of the less than 5,000 households in those two states, what will happen to the people of the country, and what will happen to the soldiers who died and were injured for no reason?"

The court was still arguing fiercely, but the focus became how to send troops to recapture Liaodong.

As for the previous hot topic - whether Li Ming rebelled or not - no one is discussing it anymore.

Because almost all ministers believed that Liaodong had fallen into the hands of Goguryeo.

Like previous dynasties, the local people would surrender to Goguryeo, smoothly become slaves of a conquered country, and continue to live their lives.

Politics is not about reason, it is about reality.

In this situation, it is meaningless to worry about whether Li Ming is loyal or rebellious.

The point now is who should be held responsible for all this.

And the blame can only be put on Li Ming.

Because, if the instigator of the chaos in Liaodong was not Li Ming.

And just as Li Ming said in the letter, the one who rebelled was the local nobleman Murong Yan.

Then everyone in the court will be held responsible for this matter.

Including the emperor himself.

Murong Yan has always cooperated with the imperial court, and it was the imperial court that fattened him up step by step.

The reason why Liu Xin, an incompetent governor, was able to govern the local area for more than ten years was because the imperial court appointed him to govern the local area for more than ten years, which led to the rebels growing stronger under their noses.

Doesn’t the fact that the court almost lost control of Pingzhou itself demonstrate the court’s incompetence?
Some things cannot be weighed down even with a thousand pounds of weight.

Therefore, it is most appropriate to simply pass the blame.

Regardless of their previous beliefs and positions, and regardless of whether it conforms to the facts and logic, the officials in the court made decisions with their butts instead of their heads, and unanimously agreed that -

Li Ming is the culprit of all the chaos in Liaodong, and also the culprit for the death of Wei Zheng and Wei Shizhong!
They must be punished!
Even the discussion on how to retake Liaodong itself is part of this round of blame-shifting.

The greater the price the Tang Dynasty paid to regain Liaodong, the greater the responsibility of Li Ming, and the greater the hope of overthrowing him.

And deep down in Li Shimin's heart, didn't he also hope that Li Ming would really rebel?
In this way, the kid can at least save his life.

Otherwise, being surrounded by 150,000 people, there would be no hope of survival...

"His Majesty."

Cen Wenben reported:

"After the rebellion in Liaodong is quelled, I hope Your Majesty will give me clear instructions on how to deal with the traitors."

Although we are currently in a passive position and although everyone is saying sensational things.

But in fact, all the officials of the Tang Dynasty knew that Goguryeo’s problem was only temporary.

Once winter is over and the snowstorm stops, the imperial army will be mobilized to their locations.

Getting rid of them is just a matter of time and cost.

There is no essential difference between waiting half a year or a year.

Anyway, the people of Liaodong were used to the change of dynasties, and it would not be a big deal for them to endure the humiliation for another year or two under the rule of Goguryeo.

On the contrary, how to deal with traitors - to put it more clearly - Li Ming, Hou Junji and other members of the "Fourteen Imperial Parties" is the real issue for the court officials.

In the past year, the Fourteenth Party has become so powerful that many dignitaries have felt greatly threatened.

If we can take advantage of this opportunity in Liaodong, we can defeat Li Ming and his gang, and then follow the clues to overthrow Li Daozon and other remnants of the Fourteen Parties.

In this way, not only can many nobles sleep peacefully, but the vacant lucrative positions such as the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Rites also make many people jealous.

This is what political struggle is like. There is no right or wrong, only interests.

Li Shimin tapped the armrest with his fingers:

"Everything is not settled yet, isn't Mr. Cen being too impatient?"

The whole story has not been figured out yet, Liaodong is still in the hands of Goguryeo, and even Li Ming has not been found yet, so why are you in such a hurry to make a judgment? !

Liu Li immediately followed up:

"Your Majesty was too lenient towards the villains, which led to the deterioration of Liaodong and the death of Minister Wei due to grief and anger.

"If we don't make a decision soon, I'm afraid the world will be in trouble!"

There was a chorus of seconding voices in the court.

His momentum was so fierce that he created an impression that he was the master of justice. Even Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling could not resist and could only remain silent.

Li Shimin's face turned pale.

Just as there was a commotion inside the Taiji Hall, there was also a commotion outside the hall.

"Stop!" the guard shouted and chased after him.

And in front of them was a horse.

In the forbidden area of ​​the palace, no one except His Majesty the Emperor dared to ride a horse and break in!

But the guards were obviously wary of the riders on horseback and did not dare to use force, so they could only chase after them in a desperate manner.

On the horse was a young man, exhausted and covered in wounds. He galloped all the way to the front of the Taiji Hall and shouted with a hoarse throat:
"Pingzhou has never rebelled against the Tang Dynasty! Li Ming has never rebelled against the Tang Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)