Except for the land around the capital, all officials from all over Goguryeo have surrendered. Li Xiang did not touch them for the time being, mainly because after taking them down, he could not send local officials at all. However, Li Xiang had already written a letter to Chang'an City, asking them to dispatch a large number of local officials. From now on, Goguryeo will be the land of the Tang Dynasty.
The matter was soon resolved. After the Tang army had besieged Goguryeo for seven days, reinforcements arrived from the south. These people were not here to support the Tang. Although they were a vassal state of the Tang, they came to mediate.
The so-called mediation means that when two countries are at war, a third country sends troops but does not participate in the war, but has a certain influence near the battlefield. To put it bluntly, it wants to act as a middleman to persuade both sides to stop the war. This is also Gai Yuansuwen's last straw.
Gai Yuansuwen has already written letters to the kings of the two countries, hoping that they can intervene in this matter. If the two of them let it go, the Tang army will definitely occupy the entire Goguryeo. At that time, the Tang army will be very close to them. According to the Tang army's expansionist ideas, these two countries will definitely not have a good life.
The kings of the two countries were not fools. Although Goguryeo often bullied them, at least they did not have the intention to destroy them, let alone the ability to destroy them. But if Goguryeo was occupied by the Tang Dynasty, it would be like a tiger and a rabbit, and the Tang Dynasty could swallow them up at any time. So while the Tang Dynasty has not yet gained a firm foothold, the two countries each sent 30,000 troops to mediate.
"Are they crazy? Do they really think we dare not attack? We are just digesting the occupied territory, but they think too highly of themselves. With the combined strength of their two countries, they dare to dictate to our Tang army. They really think they are a piece of cake."
Niu Jinda read the joint letter sent by the two monarchs and was at a loss for words. "You may overestimate yourselves, but you cannot underestimate our Tang army. We are marching all the way from the north of Goguryeo, stretching for nearly a thousand miles. Do we have the slightest delay? With just 60,000 troops, can you stop us?"
"The people of these two countries haven't seen how powerful we are. If they had, there wouldn't be any explanations for us. Why don't we just attack their city before they gain a firm foothold and throw a few artillery shells into their camp? I really don't believe it. Could it be that their skin is tougher than the shells?"
Su Dingfang was also eager to try. He thought that after taking over the capital of Goguryeo, there might be fewer opportunities to fight. Now two more people came looking for a fight, so he might as well give him the opportunity. After all, beating one is beating, and beating a pair is also beating.
"What do you think, General?"
Li Xiang looked at General Li Jing next to him. Although he was the commander-in-chief this time, General Li Jing was the chief marcher. He did not interfere with Li Xiang's command along the way, but he had to show due respect, not to mention that this was a military camp.
General Li Jing is like the leading figure in the military camp. If you make a decision without asking for his opinion, you will be in big trouble in the army.
"Your Highness, the two southern countries have sent people..."
Before General Li Jing could answer, a soldier came to the door to report. It seemed that the people from the two southern countries also understood that they had to meet Li Xiang before the war. If the war started, there would probably be no room for maneuver.
"No matter what, we have to meet. These two countries are still our vassal states. Their envoys haven't left the Tang Dynasty yet, and it will probably take some time for them to board the ship. If we can't reach an agreement after the meeting, then some things can be discussed. If he doesn't meet, we'll be in trouble if the news gets out."
Su Dingfang and Niu Jinda didn't understand some diplomatic matters, but General Li Jing was an experienced man and he put all the blame on others. We have done what we should do, so naturally no one will cause trouble.
"Then follow the general's orders and bring the people up."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, he returned to the main seat, and the others also sat in their seats. As for the envoys from these two countries, no seats were prepared for them. You are just ministers of vassal states, and you don’t have a seat here.
"Your humble servants Gao Mo and Li Tan pay their respects to Your Highness."
Two people came into the tent. The older one on the left was Gao Mo from Silla, and the younger one on the right was Li Tan from Baekje.
"You two envoys, thank you for your hard work in coming from afar. I just don't know what business you have in visiting my camp. The army is about to attack, and I don't have the luxury of time to entertain you. Please speak directly."
Li Xiang said this very indifferently, which made the two of them feel a little uncomfortable. After all, they were envoys representing a country.
Among them, Gao Mo had been to Chang'an before, where he was treated with courtesy. However, after arriving at Li Xiang's place, not to mention the so-called courtesy, he didn't even have many opportunities to speak.
If it were not the past, the two would definitely argue for their country, but now the situation is stronger than people. The 100,000-strong Tang army is ready to go, and Goguryeo's capital will definitely not be able to withstand it. Once Goguryeo's capital is breached, it is probably hard to say where the Tang army will attack. Therefore, the two have a common goal, which is to persuade the Tang to temporarily stop fighting.
"Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty has still punished Goguryeo. The people of Goguryeo have acknowledged their mistakes and are willing to donate a large amount of land and people, and are willing to use all the money in the national treasury to make up for their mistakes. Please show mercy, Your Majesty..."
It seemed Gao Mo was acting as a spokesperson, but Li Xiang wasn't interested in what he said. The surrounding generals kept shaking their heads. "Is this any different from what we said back in Jiangbei? We would have accepted it back then, but now the enemy is at the gates, and you only have this one city left. Is it interesting to repeat what you said again?"
Li Tan also helped to speak and promoted the benevolence and righteousness of the Tang Dynasty. The two men must have prepared the words before they came. One talked about the actual benefits, and the other praised the Tang Dynasty. If it were a marshal who was not pragmatic, he would probably agree. But Li Xiang only looked at the actual benefits. Anyone can say such words. If they are willing, my slaves can say a hundred of them for me. Wouldn't they sound better than what you said?
