Head southeast from Fuyu City.
After crossing several lush hills, we came upon a vast expanse of farmland. Across these fields, we could see numerous farmers bent over their work. Continuing south, we arrived at the solemn and majestic Goguryeo royal city.
As a royal city, it was naturally much more extravagant. The city walls were built of rammed-black bricks, the royal flags danced wildly in the wind, and many majestic armored soldiers were patrolling. However, they were not very tall, which made them look a bit ridiculous.
Beyond the city wall, low houses lined the moat. Continuing inward, we arrived at the Goguryeo Royal Palace. As a royal palace, its specifications couldn't compare to those of Chang'an Palace. The gates were low, and the walls were crude, not even painted red.
Not to mention the land area, which is only a few dozen acres at best. It sounds like a lot, but you have to know that many of the princes and nobles in Dafeng have mansions that are much larger than this. Take Ning Que's ancestral home in Jingyang, for example. It has everything, including rockery and flowing water, and the mansion covers an area of over a hundred acres.
There's no way around it. Jingyang is the fiefdom of the Ning Prince's mansion. And every Ning Prince has a military record, so their ancestral home has grown larger and more extravagant. Don't refuse; it's the rule. Dafeng's laws emphasize clear distinctions between rewards and punishments. Since you've made military achievements, you naturally deserve a reward.
As for the Goguryeo royal palace being this large, it was already considered quite impressive. They were, after all, a small nation with limited resources. It wasn't a big deal, but they just loved comparing themselves to Dafeng. A Goguryeo merchant had previously boasted that the Goguryeo royal palace was incredibly luxurious, even superior to Chang'an Palace. But upon seeing Chang'an Palace, he immediately fled in disgrace.
The roads within the palace were paved with rough stone slabs and filled with statues. Many imperial guards stood guard on both sides of the road. The structure was similar to that of Chang'an Palace, but Goguryeo had misunderstood it.
Daebong used black as its primary color, with red representing auspiciousness and white reserved for funerals. However, Goguryeo's primary color was white, including the white lanterns hung in the palace and even at weddings. Daebong had a tradition of hanging Spring Festival couplets, but they were primarily red, while Goguryeo also used white.
After walking up the stairs, you will reach Anhe Palace.
The Anhe Palace is modeled after the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an.
Goguryeo held its regular meetings and banquets in Anhak Palace. Inside, the palace was filled with civil and military officials. Standing in the foreground was the tall, middle-aged man, Go Su-mun, the great general of Goguryeo.
This man has a tall and handsome appearance and a beautiful beard.
The crown and clothes were all decorated with gold, and no one dared to look up.
He also had five scimitars on his back.
Just like a peacock spreading its tail, it is extremely eye-catching.
Sitting on the royal couch was the King of Goguryeo, King Go Jang. However, he avoided looking at Gao Suwen from time to time. Because he was just a puppet and had no power.
At first, his elder brother, King Rongliu, wanted to unite all the officials and find an opportunity to kill Gao Suwen. However, Gao Suwen got the news and pretended to fall into the trap. He then killed King Rongliu at the banquet and brutally dismembered his body.
He then supported King Go Zang to ascend the throne, but in fact he was monopolizing military and political power. The entire Goguryeo was now under the control of Go Suwen.
At this time, Pu Duanchang stepped out trembling, raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, we have received accurate information. The rebellion led by Tian Zhongxun, the Prince of Qi in Dafeng, has been quelled, with only Prince Tian Ce fleeing to our side. Furthermore, Dafeng has dispatched a large force to seize Buyeo and Wugucheng. Feng Wuze is personally leading the troops, claiming to number 300,000."
"The five Bailing Islands, located off the coast of Baekje, were captured by King Ning of Dafeng. According to Tian Ce's calculations, King Ning will likely lead his fleet to attack Goguryeo in the near future. As for the specific direction of the attack, it is currently unclear. Dafeng is clearly planning to attack from both the north and the south, and completely annex Goguryeo!"
After Park Duanchang finished speaking, the court was in an uproar.
He glanced at Gao Suwen.
The latter nodded.
As an envoy, he was Gao Suwen's trusted advisor. He was also his advisor, essentially his advisor. Over the years, he had offered numerous suggestions behind the scenes. Gao Suwen also trusted him greatly, often using him as an envoy.
"Goguryeo is in danger!"
"Prince Ning is no ordinary man!"
"I think we should negotiate peace with Dafeng as soon as possible," the old minister stepped forward, his voice trembling. "Dafeng attacked by land and sea this time, and they also seized the five Bailing Islands. They can use this as a springboard for a steady supply of food and fodder. Dafeng is now extremely powerful, far surpassing Goguryeo. Buyeo and Wugut were both heavily guarded, yet they were easily breached by the enemy."
"I wonder what Da Molizhi thinks?"
Everyone looked at Gao Suwen at the same time.
Molizhi was an official position in Goguryeo, created by Go Suwen himself, combining military and political power. It was a bit like the regent of Daebong, not within the bureaucratic system, but often possessing extremely high power, a kind of powerful official.
"At the gates of the enemy, those who disrupt our morale will be killed!"
Gao Suwen's eyes were cold.
Clapped his hands.
The whole audience was in an uproar.
The old minister surnamed Cui was stunned and immediately shouted angrily, "Gao Suwen, how dare you kill me? I am a veteran minister of three dynasties, a minister appointed by the previous king. You ignored our opposition and insisted on going to war with Dafeng. Sooner or later, you will destroy the entire Goguryeo. You will be a sinner in Goguryeo for all eternity!!!"
The entire court looked at each other in bewilderment, but no one dared to step forward to speak up. Gao Suwen was notoriously cruel and ruthless. He had dared to dismember Prince Rongliu in front of everyone and then raped his beloved princess.
Many ministers opposed the plan, but Gao Suwen didn't argue with them. He simply led the imperial guards into a massive purge, killing anyone who dared to oppose him. In just two weeks, over three thousand people died in the royal city, all of them former princes, nobles, and high-ranking ministers!
Gao Suwen pulled out a sharp knife from behind.
He looked at the old minister named Cui coldly.
A sudden knife pierced through the chest.
Blood gushed out in an instant!
Blood was oozing from the corner of the man's mouth as he looked at Gao Suwen in disbelief. He really hadn't expected that Gao Suwen could kill him with just one blow in front of so many people!
"Gao...Gao Suwen..."
"You'll regret this!"
"You will die even more miserably than I did!"
"You will bring ruin to Goguryeo!"
Gao Suwen raised his foot and kicked him out.
Blood was splattered on the faces of many ministers.
They were so frightened that they stepped back again and again.
"Dafeng is aware that Goguryeo has so many weak people, so they dare to invade us so many times." Gao Suwen turned around coldly, holding the still bleeding sharp blade, "Anyone who dares to think about asking for peace and surrender again will be killed without mercy!"
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