Regarding the upcoming meeting of the three countries, some people in Chang'an City have expressed different opinions. They believe that the situation has become like this now, and we should attack without stopping. Only the land in our own hands is the safest land.
Li Shimin did not accept a series of statements from within the court. Although Li Shimin often made trouble for Li Xiang, it was just a slight dissatisfaction in his heart. If he were to make trouble for Li Xiang on such a big matter, then Li Shimin would be too short-sighted.
Li Shimin knew very well why Li Xiang did not send troops to attack. After all, Li Xiang had mentioned several times in previous memorials that he would attack. Now that a meeting of the three kingdoms suddenly appeared, it must be that there were changes on the front line.
Li Shimin, a man of great talent and vision, naturally understood Li Xiang's point. He believed the timing was inappropriate. While it would be easy to attack, what would happen afterward? What about the refugees from Goguryeo and the other two countries? Would they all be supported by the Tang people? This was clearly inappropriate.
What's more, after we occupy it all, that place will become the land of the Tang Dynasty. If we wield the butcher knife against those common people again, it will be hard to say in future history books. Now we are just your suzerain state, and the nobles of the two countries still have great power. Of course, the matter of bullying the common people will be left to the nobles of the two countries.
So no matter how loud the calls within the court were, Li Shimin kept all the memorials and had no intention of approving them. Some officials saw that Li Shimin did not want to say more about this matter, so they shouted a few words and then left. No one wanted to go against the emperor.
Five days passed quickly, and the meeting place at the border of the three countries had been built. The kings of the other two countries also arrived very quickly. Li Xiang did not let them wait any longer. There was no need to show off with bayonets at this time. Couldn't the tens of thousands of troops in the north be shown off?
During these five days, the armies of the two countries were in a state of high tension. The Tang army held exercises every now and then, and also treated the two countries as imaginary enemies. The border area was also full of smoke. Many people thought that the Tang army was coming to kill, but who knew that they were just making a circle in the border area. Even so, there were many people in the two countries who were scared to death.
Including the top leaders of the two countries, many people were ready to send one of their sons abroad. After all, they had seen the situation of the Goguryeo Kingdom. Once the Tang army came, all the people would be slaves. In their impression, slaves were not qualified to pass on their family line, so while the Tang army did not come, sending one of their sons overseas could also leave some incense for the family.
Fortunately, they haven't done so yet. If they really sent the people back, given the current dangers of sea travel, they might have been sent directly to the belly of the fish. Now that Li Xiang has come to the negotiation site, it means that the Tang Empire does not really want to go to war. If it wants to go to war, it can just send a small official. Why should His Royal Highness the Crown Prince go in person?
"Greetings, His Royal Highness."
When the kings of the two countries met Li Xiang, although they did not need to kneel according to etiquette, they had to bend down and bow. This is the treatment that a vassal state should give to its suzerain state.
"Please stand up, we don't have so many rules. This is an informal meeting, which has never happened in the history of the Tang Dynasty. Let's relax a little. Here are some snacks I brought from the Tang Dynasty. You two probably haven't eaten them before. Let's eat and chat."
What surprised the two kings was that they thought Li Xiang would give them a warning as soon as he came, but they didn't expect Li Xiang to be so kind. However, the two kings did not relax at all. Li Xiang's kindness should be a temporary display. How could they not know what Goguryeo had become because of Li Xiang?
"Thank you, Your Highness."
The two men sat respectfully opposite Li Xiang. There was no one else in the tent. Except for a guard each of the three men brought with them, everyone else was twenty meters away. This was also Li Xiang's request. After all, the two men looked timid at the moment, and he didn't want his subordinates to see it. If they saw it and reported it back to the country, it would undermine their prestige.
"I just told you not to be so reserved. After all, we are all one family. Your two countries have been bullied by Goguryeo for a long time, and the Tang Dynasty has seen it all. Now that we have helped you remove this thorn, you should be happy. Why should we be so reserved when we are together?"
Although Li Xiang's words were frank, the two people felt uncomfortable listening to them. Goguryeo had indeed bullied them, but it was just bullying. Now you have led your troops to kill us, and if you are not happy, you may destroy our country at any time.
There is no choice now. If there were a choice, these two people would probably still want Goguryeo to exist.
Goguryeo at most wants some benefits, but you want the entire country. Although you haven't said it yet, you have mobilized tens of thousands of troops. Is it really just for show?
"Your Highness is right. Goguryeo is a truly despicable nation. They have been bullying our two countries, both openly and covertly, for years. If it weren't for the Tang Dynasty standing up for us, our two countries would be in such a miserable state now..."
No matter how unwilling I am, I still have to act when it is time to act.
The King of Silla wiped his tears and said this. Li Xiang was puzzled beside him. Are you a natural actor? How can you make tears come down just by talking? This is really a bit strange.
"Yes, yes, we have been looking forward to the arrival of the Royal Army for a long time. In fact, we should have come to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince a long time ago, but His Royal Highness knows that our country is also unstable. This time when we came here, we specially brought a batch of supplies from the country. Your Highness, please accept them."
The King of Baekje was a little slow to react, but when it came to supplies, Li Xiang raised his eyelids. Empty talk is useless these days, and something that can touch people's hearts is needed.
The King of Silla also thought of this and quickly took out the gift list from his sleeve. Li Xiang pretended to refuse, saying that the Celestial Empire has everything and you just need to be happy. But his hands did not slow down at all and directly took the gift list...
