NABC Chapter 527 - 48: Patricide for Survival, a Century of No Return
Chapter 527 - 48: Patricide for Survival, a Century of No Return
"I have embarked on this eastern expedition, conquering Baekje, defeating Goguryeo, burning their reserves, and destroying their granaries. These two nations have suffered a major blow to their vitality, and it would be impossible for them to recover within decades."
"Our dynasty only needs to maintain the advantage of the naval forces and stabilize the maritime routes."
"Once the routes are free of obstacles, given time, the Great Tang’s national strength will be further enhanced, and then it will be the perfect opportunity to completely control Liaodong."
"However, the key point of Liaodong," Gu Jing’s tone hardened, resolute as if nailing it shut, "even if we’re not in haste to educate, its lifeline and throat must firmly be in the control of our Great Tang!"
He referred to the Liaodong defense line of Goguryeo.
This is a defense line that Goguryeo has built over generations; under no circumstances can this land be allowed to detach from Kyushu again.
Upon hearing these words, Li Shimin became increasingly satisfied with Gu Jing.
Clearly—
Whether it was the overall perspective or the battles themselves, Gu Jing was indeed competent.
As for the details... Li Shimin didn’t really mind.
By now, the influence of the Gu Clan on the Great Tang and Kyushu had long surpassed petty details; Gu Jing would certainly become a sharp blade guiding the Great Tang’s future directions.
A slight smile appeared on his face, as he continued to converse with Gu Jing for quite a while.
Ultimately, Li Shimin directly entrusted the task of attacking Pyongyang City to Gu Jing.
He was actively adding merits to Gu Jing’s name!
Gu Yi had been observing all of this without any intention of manipulating Gu Jing.
While he wasn’t lacking achievements at the moment.
Achievements must be used at critical moments.
With the resurgence of the Gu Clan, history would certainly undergo numerous changes once more; the talents among the Gu Clan’s descendants might decline as they did before.
This is when he is supposed to play a crucial role.
...
The troops had no objections to Li Shimin’s arrangements.
Though Gu Jing’s official rank remained unchanged.
But now, he was no longer the inexperienced youth at the beginning of his expedition.
Everything Gu Jing did, the people of Baekje and Goguryeo feared him as a tiger, and even some generals in the Great Tang found him unsettling.
Not to mention, this was an order from Li Shimin.
Gu Jing had no additional plans, apart from once again placing the banners of the Great Tang and the Gu Clan before the city.
The previous relentless siege disregarding casualties was meant to seize the combat opportunity to the fullest extent.
Yet now, it wasn’t necessary.
All of Liaodong had now completely submitted.
There’s no need for the Tang Army to actively assault the city; the pressure brought by these two banners alone was enough to cause chaos within.
As expected, when these two banners appeared outside the city.
The atmosphere in Pyongyang City grew increasingly heavy.
Yeon Gaesomun still refused to surrender.
It’s not that he didn’t want to, but he didn’t dare!
The fate of King Buyeo U-ise of Baekje was something he surely knew of?
Entire clan slaughtered!
His head hung outside Anshi City until today, destined to be brought back to the Central Plains by the Tang Army.
How could he even entertain such thoughts?
Yet now, the issue within Pyongyang City was no longer his desires.
Not to mention the ordinary civilians and officials inside the city, even his trusted aides had lost all fighting spirit, all waiting for Yeon Gaesomun to offer surrender.
Thus, Yeon Gaesomun could only deploy his most loyal aides to watch over everyone.
He feared a mutiny.
Such incidents are not so rare in Goguryeo.
Not to mention his title of Grand Mo Lizhi, Goguryeo would even abandon their king without hesitance; such events happened during Gu Xi’s campaigns years ago.
He feared meeting such a demise.
Yet, how could he control the hearts of all people?
With those two banners, even his confidants began to entertain thoughts of surrendering.
"Grand Mo Lizhi, surrender...Continuing like this, we’ll surely be wiped out by those Gu Clan executioners."
"I’ve heard that wherever those executioners pass, those who don’t surrender are killed; Grand Mo Lizhi, surrender!"
"..."
The actions of these people amplified Yeon Gaesomun’s paranoia, to the point he needed to sleep in armor gripping blades.
Yet how could he surrender?
Others might find a chance at survival, but where would his chance come from?
King Buyeo U-ise of Baekje never actively provoked Li Shimin, and he met such an end.
Someone like him, who defied Li Shimin’s orders and sent men to taunt and provoke, wouldn’t he fare worse?
Yeon Gaesomun could never surrender.
To stabilize morale and prevent mutiny,
he began personally overseeing affairs and entrusted all his confidants to his descendants, trying to maintain control.
However, he underestimated human nature.
Faced with death, some might withstand its terror, but clearly, his descendants were not such people.
This perhaps relates to Goguryeo’s backward culture.
Two days later at night.
Several of his sons, within the embrace of the Personal Guard, like beasts stalking the night, rushed straight to the depths of Yeon Gaesomun’s mansion.
Encountering no meaningful resistance—the guards Yeon Gaesomun relied upon to safeguard the inner courtyard quietly defected, joining the invaders.
"Bang!!!"
The heavy door was kicked open, bursting with a roar!
Yeon Gaesomun on the bed almost jumped at the instant the door sounded, years of vigilance instinctively prompting him to grab the hunting knife by his bedside, and shout fiercely: "Who dares this audacity!"
The ink-black night swallowed the faces of the intruders, leaving only looming shadows.
His muscles tensed, poised for battle!
However, the next sound penetrated him like an ice pick stabbing through his eardrums and heart:
"Father! Your sons...only wish to survive!"