This time, the people of Goguryeo saw how cruel the Tang Dynasty was. Anyone who wanted to leave the city had to change clothes in the tent nearby. No matter whether they were men or women, they had to change clothes before they could go out. If anyone smuggled anything, whether it was your personal property or the property of the Goguryeo court, you would be beheaded.
The Tang army was very supportive of Li Xiang's idea. They were full of hatred for Goguryeo. In the previous wars against Goguryeo, too many brothers had died. Now they could finally get their revenge.
The Goguryeo people also regretted it completely. If they had not attacked the Sui Dynasty border during the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang of Sui probably would not have targeted them. After Emperor Yang of Sui targeted them, he wanted to take this place down, but he failed. Later, after the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin also made this place a target.
If Goguryeo had sent envoys and signed a border treaty with the Tang Dynasty, and the two sides had lived in harmony, then it would never have faced such a devastating disaster. However, the rulers of Goguryeo believed that they were strong enough. On the one hand, they treated the Tang Dynasty envoys hypocritically, and on the other hand, they sent a small army to attack the Tang Dynasty border. Now they have finally played with fire and burned themselves.
During Li Shimin's previous attacks, they kept claiming that Goguryeo was protected by the gods. Is there still such protection now? Your capital has been taken, your king has abandoned you and fled overseas, and your prime minister now kneels before Li Xiang, staring blankly at the Goguryeo capital.
Li Xiang also looked at Gai Yuansuwen with great interest. This guy was quite courageous. The King of Goguryeo had fled with his men, but this guy still chose to stay. No matter what, he still had a sense of responsibility. But we were enemies after all...
This guy still has a lot of prestige in Goguryeo. If we continue to keep him, it will not be of any benefit to the rulers of the Tang Dynasty. After we take over this place, we will adopt the prefecture and county system, which means we will implement the Tang Dynasty's system here. Your existence hinders us.
"My Lord Prime Minister, do you have anything else to say?"
As a victor, Li Xiang didn't need to point it out too clearly, he just needed to say it out loud. Gai Yuansu Wenyan was a smart man, and of course he understood what Li Xiang meant in the painting, which was that you have reached the end now. Even though you have made a contribution by declaring surrender, in order to better rule here, you cannot survive.
"There's nothing more to say now. I hope His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can treat the people here well."
When Gai Yuansuwen was brought to Li Xiang, he already knew his fate. If he were in Li Xiang's position, he would not let the prime minister of the empire survive. If the prime minister of the enemy country only sucked the blood and sweat of the people and did not have a good impression in the enemy country, then such a person would survive. However, he had a good reputation among the people. As long as you are alive, these people will never truly submit to the Tang Dynasty, so your death is justified.
"Don't worry about these things. You are a person of character, so I will give you a chance to end your life. I will bury you here so you can take a good look at this place. Ten or a hundred years from now, perhaps this place will look completely different."
Li Xiang waved his hand, and a soldier next to him brought a plate with a wine jug and a wine glass in it. This was the last poisoned wine.
"This is my Tang Dynasty's specialty, Tang Tianniang. It's considered the finest wine in the world. I believe you've tasted it before. Your position is worthy of this pot of wine. Spend your final moments well."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, he took his men downstairs and let him drink alone in the tent. The four sides of the tent were opened so that he could take a last look at the land of Goguryeo. This man was indeed a good person, but for Li Xiang, after weighing the pros and cons, he had to kill him. If he continued to keep him, it would be detrimental to the rule of the Tang Dynasty.
Another reason is that this person's ambition is too great, and Li Xiang cannot guarantee that he can control it. If he cannot be controlled, then such a person may cause instability in the future. The court has spent so much effort to occupy Goguryeo, and will never allow chaos here in the future. Such rioters are the first targets to be eliminated.
Gai Yuansu Wen was trembling all over. Although he was a hero, people were afraid of death at the last moment. If he was not afraid of death, he would not have surrendered with his men in the end. He thought that Li Xiang would spare his life and give him a chance to make a comeback in the future. Even if he was demoted to a commoner, it would be considered an opportunity for him.
But he didn't expect that although Li Xiang was young, he was very meticulous in his work and had already seen through what was in his mind. So the two of them met for less than half an incense stick of time, and Li Xiang had already ended the meeting without giving him any chance to show off.
He also wanted to show Li Xiang his abilities, hoping to continue serving the Tang Dynasty like the Prime Minister of Tuyuhun. Unfortunately, Li Xiang did not give him this opportunity.
They are all heroes and capable people, so what each side is thinking can be seen clearly with just one move. Li Xiang knows that the person in front of him is not easy to control, so he simply doesn't bother with it. Maybe you can help me govern Goguryeo well, but in the current situation, they can govern it well without you, so your role has been reduced to the lowest level.
"The time has come. If you don't take action yourself, we'll have to escort you. That would be a bit embarrassing. After all, you're the Prime Minister of Goguryeo, so you don't need us to escort you, right?"
Although Li Xiang left, Qin Huaiyu was still standing beside him. Today he had only one mission, which was to watch this guy drink the poisoned wine, then make sure he was dead, and finally find a place to bury him. Then his mission for today would be completed.
"Don't worry, General. I'll be on my way right away."
Gai Yuansu Wen knew very well that as long as he died peacefully, the women in his family would survive. If he continued to struggle here, then perhaps no one in his family, young or old, would survive.
According to the imperial court's order, the entire family should have been executed, but they gave some face to those who brought Li Xiang with them. All women over 40 in the family could live, and the rest of the family members would be beheaded according to the law...