Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 635: Your Majesty, Please (First Update)
Pingrang City.

Within three days, everything began to return to order.

In the Goguryeo palace, countless Tang soldiers stood solemnly holding spears.

Countless elite Tang soldiers were patrolling throughout Pingrang City, while ordinary Goguryeo people hid in their homes and did not even dare to go out.

A solemn atmosphere.

Royal Palace, side hall on the east side of the main gate.

Inside and outside, there were densely packed the most elite and fierce soldiers of the Tang army.

Inside the hall, Li Ji sat in the main seat.

Su Xu stood at the head of the civil officials on the left, followed by Yan Liben, Wei Hongji, Yang Wulian, Qiu Xingyan, Liu Rengui, Li Yiyan, Wei Daijia and others.

Yuchi Jingde stood at the head of the military generals on the left, with Niu Jinda, Su Dingfang, Liu Demin, Xue Rengui, Xue Wanche, Xue Wanbei, Ashina Zhong, Gao Kan, Li Jinxing, Pei Xingjian, Wang Fangyi and others standing behind him.

Li Ji looked at the ministers and generals on both sides and looked outside the hall.

It seems that someone is coming.

Li Ji turned to look at Liu Rengui and asked, "Chief Secretary, are the things I asked you to prepare ready?"

Liu Rengui immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency, I am ready."

"Hmm!" Li Ji raised his head, looked outside the palace and said, "Let's get started. Bring King Gao Baozang of Goguryeo."

"Here!" The voice came down quickly.

A moment later, Gao Baozang, dressed in a clean purple official robe and with a slim figure, entered the hall led by two Qianniu guards.

……

As soon as he entered the hall, Gao Baozang immediately bowed to Li Ji and said, "Your humble servant, I am the Duke of Liaodong, the Supreme General, and the King of Goguryeo, Gao Baozang, paying my respects to the Duke of Yingguo."

Li Ji nodded calmly, then looked to the side and said, "Please give me the token, Your Majesty."

A Qianniu guard came into the hall holding a Qianniu sword with a black sheath in his hand.

Li Ji stood up from the main seat and walked to the side. He then looked at Gao Baozang and said, "This was a gift from His Majesty before I left. His Majesty instructed me that when he sees Gao Baozang, he should kneel before him as if I were there in person."

At the words "As if I were here in person", Gao Baozang's expression suddenly became stern.

Without the slightest hesitation, Gao Baozang knelt before the eyes of the crowd and kowtowed directly to Qianniu Dao, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Gao Baozang, the Duke of Liaodong, the Supreme State, and the King of Goguryeo, pay my respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live a long and healthy life."

For a moment, all the ministers in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

In the previous moment, everyone's eyes were on Gao Baozang.

If he had hesitated even a little while kneeling, someone might have stood up and killed him directly.

A Goguryeo king who is unwilling to submit to the Tang Dynasty has no reason to live in this world.

Li Ji and the others then knelt down and kowtowed to Qianniu Dao, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you. May your Majesty live a long and healthy life!"

Qianniu Guard said calmly: "Your Majesty, rest in peace! Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone stood up together.

Li Ji turned around and walked back to the main seat, and the black-sheathed Qianniu Sword was placed on the shelf on the left side of the table.

Li Ji withdrew his gaze and looked at Gao Baozang, saying, "For overthrowing Quan Gaisu Wen and escaping from prison, I, the Duke of Liaodong, congratulate you."

"I dare not!" Gao Baozang immediately bowed and said, "I dare not. I would like to thank the country, the commander-in-chief, and all the kings and generals for suppressing the rebellion."

Without the Tang Dynasty's military intervention, there would be no Pingrang City today.

Gao Baozang saw this very clearly.

Li Ji nodded calmly, then got straight to the point: "You've met Jin Shangquan, right? Do you acknowledge the conditions he agreed to for you in Chang'an?"

Gao Baozang's heart sank. Even though he had tried his best to control himself, his expression still looked a little ugly.

The conditions that Jin Shangquan agreed to included ceding the entire area north of the Taedong River to the Tang Dynasty. At the same time, all Goguryeo's mines south of the Taedong River had to be opened to the Tang Dynasty.

All coastal ports of Goguryeo must be open to the Tang Dynasty.

All military expenses of the Tang Dynasty's expedition to Goguryeo also had to be borne by Goguryeo.

In addition, Gao Baozang wanted to set aside a block of land in Pingrang City for Tang merchants who came to Goguryeo to do business to live.

At the same time, the Tang Dynasty's envoy to Goguryeo will also live there.

There are many other types of land, and all the conditions added up to dozens of extremely harsh clauses.

At any other time, Gao Baozang would never agree.

But now, he has no choice.

If he doesn't agree, he won't even be able to leave the house today.

You know, Gao Baozang has several sons.

During the reign of Quan Gaisuwen, some people once suggested killing him and making his son king.

The Tang Dynasty may not be unable to do such a thing.

Gao Baozang took a deep breath, then bowed his head and said, "Little King is willing."

Li Ji nodded calmly and said, "As long as you agree, sign the draft now. The remaining formal alliance document will be signed in a month under the witness of Baekje and Silla, and then sent to Chang'an."

"Yes!" Gao Baozang bowed seriously.

Li Ji raised his head and looked at Liu Rengui standing beside him.

Liu Rengui immediately came to Gao Baozang carrying a black tray.

On the other side, Li Yiyan placed a low table in front of Gao Baozang.

Liu Rengui placed a yellow scroll in front of Gao Baozang, then unfolded it, and densely packed small characters appeared in front of Gao Baozang.

For a moment, Gao Baozang's body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Just by looking at these words, Gao Baozang knew that the content here was far more than what Jin Shangquan told him.

Li Yiyan handed a thin gold bamboo pen to Gao Baozang. Gao Baozang took it subconsciously and even looked up at Li Yiyan.

Gao Baozang's confused look was seen by Li Yiyan and the civil and military officials in the palace.

In an instant, everyone looked at Gao Baozang coldly.

Gao Baozang's confused gaze gathered together, and the cold eyes of the crowd made him feel extremely unfamiliar.

"Your Majesty!" Li Yiyan placed the inkstone in front of Gao Baozang and said indifferently, "Please."

Gao Baozang couldn't help but twitch his mouth. He looked at the red ink in the inkstone and the royal seal that belonged to him placed beside it. He knew that although this thing was a herb, it was actually the most effective thing.

The Tang Dynasty could use this to cut off the entire Goguryeo.

Gao Baozang wanted to refuse deep down in his heart. Goguryeo had been established for hundreds of years, but now he had to hand over half of it with his own hands.

Gao Baozang felt a deep pain in his heart when he lowered his head.

At this moment, Liu Rengui on the side said lightly: "Your Majesty, we have other things to discuss and we can't delay." Li Yiyan and Liu Rengui stood on Gao Baozang's left and right.

Li Ji above didn't even make a sound at this time.

But it was this silence that made Gao Baozang feel an inexplicable heavy pressure in his heart, making him panic.

Sign it.

Goguryeo had lost Liaodong eight years ago, and Jiangbei had also gradually fallen into the control of the Tang Dynasty in recent years.

Although Jiangbei today is still nominally Goguryeo's territory, it was actually occupied by tens of thousands of Tang Dynasty troops, and the rest were just Goguryeo's people.

Yes, there were people from Goguryeo there.

In this way, it is not impossible to take it back in the future.

Now it is only temporarily in the hands of the Tang Dynasty. When the time comes, as long as we become stronger, we can take everything back.

Endure humiliation, sleep on straw and taste gall, and then work hard to become stronger.

Damn Quan Gaisuwen.

Gao Baozang cursed fiercely in his heart, then raised his hand and wrote his name with some difficulty under the watchful eyes of countless Tang Dynasty warriors around him.

At this time, Li Yiyan had already picked up the royal seal of Goguryeo.

Gao Baozang quickly reached out to take it. He was really afraid that Li Yiyan would lose his patience and stamp the royal seal on the herb himself.

He took a deep breath, took a deep look at the herbal document, and then forcefully stamped the royal seal on the document.

As soon as the royal seal was stamped, Li Yiyan reached out from the side and lifted Gao Baozang's hand.

The next moment, Liu Rengui reached out and took the royal seal and the herbs underneath, then turned around and handed them to Li Ji's desk.

Li Ji carefully read the contents of the agreement, which recorded in great detail the various prices Goguryeo would have to pay after the Tang Dynasty helped Gao Baozang restore his country.

Not only the area north of the Taedong River had to be ceded to the Tang Dynasty, but even the area south of the Yangtze River, with its numerous mines and ports, was open to the Tang Dynasty.

Goguryeo also had to pay the military expenses incurred by the Tang Dynasty in recent years, and all the military rations and other supplies during the Tang army's stay in Pingrang were to be borne by Goguryeo.

……

Li Ji slowly rolled up the agreement book, looked up at Gao Baozang, whose expression had calmed down, and said, "Now that the king has come out, he will have to get involved in many things. After all, Pyongyang City is yours, and Goguryeo is also yours. You must take responsibility."

"Yes!" Gao Baozang said seriously, and he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. It turned out that hard work pays off.

"You don't have many manpower now, so appoint Jin Shangquan as the chief of Goguryeo and move all the people from Jiangbei Protectorate back to assist you and the Duke of Langya in managing the entire Pingrang City." Li Ji stopped and looked at Gao Baozang.

"I obey your command." Gao Baozang couldn't help but bow immediately.

Today, Pingrang City is entirely under the rule of the Tang Dynasty. If Gao Baozang's people intervene, they will be able to immediately enhance his understanding and control over Pingrang City.

He is the King of Goguryeo, and many people will obey his orders.

This in turn increases his own strength.

"Also," Li Ji's expression grew serious as he continued, "Goguryeo also has dozens of cities. You need to draft an order requiring all prefecture and county governors to rush to Pingrang City within a month to witness the signing of the new alliance between the Tang Dynasty and Goguryeo."

"Yes!" Gao Baozang immediately became serious.

Although Goguryeo paid a heavy price for this alliance, Gao Baozang also got what he wanted, that is, the Tang Dynasty continued to recognize him, Gao Baozang, as the King of Goguryeo and recognized his ruling position in the entire Goguryeo.

This is also what Gao Baozang needs.

The reason why he was able to become the king of Goguryeo was because Quan Gaesomun killed the previous king of Goguryeo, King Yongryu, and then made him the king of Goguryeo.

However, it was also because of this that Gao Baozang did not have much foundation in the entire Goguryeo.

Jin Shangquan has become one of his few confidants.

Now that Quan Gaisuwen is dead, although Gao Baozang is the nominal King of Goguryeo, it is hard to say how many people actually support him.

But fortunately, he now has the support of the Tang Dynasty.

For some reason, Gao Baozang felt relieved. With the alliance in place, the Tang Dynasty would firmly support him.

Li Ji glanced at Gao Baozang and said calmly, "Those who are willing to come to Pingrang can be transferred around and assigned to other positions to strengthen control. If they are unwilling to come to Pingrang, then they are the remnants of Quan Gaisuwen and should be eliminated immediately."

"The Marshal is right!" Gao Baozang nodded vigorously.

Those who are willing to come here are loyal.

Those who don't want to come here should die.

Moreover, these people might really have other plans in their hearts.

It would be a good thing to use the help of the Tang Dynasty to completely put an end to them.

"You and Jin Shangquan coordinate the transfer of personnel, and I will send someone to escort them to their destination." Li Ji nodded gently, then breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now that the important matter has been settled, what you need most is to write a memorial and send it to Luoyang to express your gratitude!"

"Yes!" Gao Baozang nodded immediately and said, "This is what Xiao Wang should do."

"Also, the end of the year is just three months away. I need you to quickly prepare a gift." After a brief pause, Li Ji said, "I'll give you three days to prepare. After three days, your letter of thanks and your gift will be delivered to the Emperor in Luoyang."

"Yes!" Gao Baozang bowed his head, but his expression was a little solemn.

He didn't have anything good in his hands. Pingrang City was now in the hands of the lobby, and the various government vaults were also guarded by the Tang Dynasty. He didn't know how much of the things in them had been moved away, and how much could be left for him.

When he thought of this, Gao Baozang couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

Damn Quan Gaisuwen.

"One last thing." Li Ji's expression grew serious. "I won't stay in Pingrang City for long. Starting today, some of my troops will return north. After April next year, most of the army will have withdrawn from Pingrang City in Cheli!"

Gao Baozang couldn't help but look up in surprise.

Will the Tang Dynasty withdraw its troops in April next year?

Li Ji pretended not to notice and continued, "So, before this, you must prepare to take over the manpower and troops of Pingrang City. Also, after April next year, Goguryeo will also start spring planting. You must prepare for these things in advance, so as not to cause chaos after we leave."

"Yes!" Gao Baozang's expression became serious.

Li Ji's expression lightened up, and he said, "Okay, let's stop here for today. Jin Shangquan is still waiting for you."

"Yes!" Gao Baozang knelt down and kowtowed to Li Ji, saying, "Thank you, Marshal, thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you for the grace of the Tang Dynasty in restoring the country."

"Goguryeo was a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty naturally did not want to see internal unrest." Li Ji nodded and said, "Okay, go back and rest. In the future, you must act with caution and think carefully when governing Goguryeo. At the same time, you must also manage your relations with Silla and Baekje well."

Gao Baozang was suddenly stunned, and then his face looked a little ugly.

How could he forget Silla and Baekje?
These two problems are equally troublesome.

Baekje was once Quan Gaesomun's most steadfast ally, along with Silla. There were countless deep hatreds between Silla and Goguryeo.

Now he has to deal with all these problems.

Gao Baozang felt his scalp tingling for a moment.

Li Ji sat in the main seat, looking at Gao Baozang calmly, as if he was looking at a grasshopper jumping in his palm.

(End of this chapter)