In the Sifang Pavilion of the palace, candles were lit and lanterns illuminated. Officials stood on both sides of the palace, creating a cold and particularly serious atmosphere.
Mochizuki Dagong, as the representative of Goguryeo, stood up first and asked: "Shang Shu, you are the one who initiated this peace negotiation. I wonder what your opinions are?"
"I don't dare to take it seriously. The content of the peace negotiation this time is nothing more than a new change of conditions."
Muchuan had already made preparations and handed over a drafted peace document.
After Mochizuki Dagong took the document, he started to look at it. After taking a look, his fair face was filled with anger.
In the peace treaty document, in addition to the Tang Dynasty's request to occupy one-fifth of Goguryeo's territory, it also required a large amount of monetary compensation and even ordered the Goguryeo royal family to send their direct princes to admit their mistakes and declare themselves as vassals. Isn't this a typical clause that humiliates the country and loses its power?
?
Although Mochizuki Dagong was very angry, he still suppressed the anger in his heart and said coldly: "Minister of the Ministry of Finance, do you think this ambassador will agree to such terms?
This is completely impossible."
"Why?
Doesn’t Ambassador Mochizuki hope that the two countries can establish friendly relations?
In order to avoid a war between the two countries and a river of bloodshed, Ambassador Mochizuki should agree."
"It's nonsense! It seems that Mr. Muchuan, you don't know the current situation!"
At that moment, Wangyue Dagong told the situation of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty was at war with Tuyuhun, and there was no way to deal with the Goguryeo Kingdom. Moreover, the Goguryeo Kingdom had two allies to support it.
If a war breaks out, both countries will suffer losses and no one will gain.
In fact, Muchuan was also very clear about the situation in the Tang Dynasty. According to the historical process of the Tang Dynasty, at this time, after Tang Taizong destroyed the Eastern Turks, he indeed went to war with Tuyuhun. After defeating Tuyuhun a few years later, he started to fight against those in the west.
A small country, fighting all the way, attacking cities and villages.
After the border area to the west of the Tang Dynasty is stabilized, a brief period of peace will enter. This period will last about five years.
It took about five years to start focusing on the area east of the Tang Dynasty, that is, the three countries of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje.
At that time, the Tang Dynasty had already awakened like a lion, its national power was strong, and it had stabilized the western border area, so it naturally had enough spare power to conquer the Goguryeo Kingdom.
Because of Muchuan's appearance and intervention, the war between the Tang Dynasty and Goguryeo began ten years earlier, which created an embarrassing situation. The Tang Dynasty was fighting in the east and west at the same time, resorting to militarism and weakening its national power.
It was precisely this that Mochizuki Dagong saw, and that was why he became aggressive in negotiating peace.
If it were famous ministers like Wei Zheng, Changsun Wuji, etc., they would definitely give in after seeing the current situation clearly, because the plan given by Wangyue Dagong was indeed very generous to the Tang Dynasty.
However, if it were Muchuan, he would definitely not agree, because he can not only see the development of the situation in the next few years, but also the situation in the next few decades.
If this concession would indeed allow Tang Dynasty to take a breather and concentrate on dealing with Tuyuhun, but such a concession would also give Goguryeo time to recuperate.
When Goguryeo sent people to lobby Silla and Baekje, these three countries would definitely be jealous of the Tang's national power and form an alliance. It would be difficult to attack them in the future.
What's more, Muchuan had weapons to deal with Goguryeo this time, so there was no need to give in.
Muchuan said categorically: "The terms in this peace negotiation document drafted by me are word for word. You, the Goguryeo Kingdom, are a defeated country, and you have no right to bargain!"
"Mu Chuan, you...you are so tough, do you really want the two countries to go to war?"
"Yes, if you don't accept this peace negotiation, then go to war! Who is afraid of whom?"
Muchuan put his hands on his hips and looked confident, saying that he was the one who led the troops to conquer one-fifth of the territory of Goguryeo. Since we can fight for the first time, shouldn't we be able to fight for the second time?
At this time, Muchuan was confident and could even be said to be domineering, but his appearance made the loyal ministers and generals of the Tang Dynasty behind him very happy.
Cheng Yaojin: "Hahaha, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance is really a generous person, which shows the grace and heroism of our Tang Dynasty!"
Changsun Wuji: "It seems that the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue really has a good plan. He is so fearless that this peace negotiation is a sure success!"
Fang Xuanling: "I don't know what the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance has any clever ideas. I'm really curious..."
All the officials were now staring at Muchuan, wondering where his confidence came from.
As for Mochizuki Dagong, he was indeed frightened at this time. He never expected that Muchuan was not afraid of fighting.
This is impossible. The Tang Dynasty's national power was limited and it was impossible for the east and west fronts to run in parallel. Could this be Muchuan's conspiracy?
At this time, Mochizuki Dagong looked at Muchuan's sinister smile and felt more and more that the other party was cheating. Maybe it was a bluff. If he was frightened by the other party, it would be a real shame.
Mochizuki Dagong snorted coldly: "Mu Chuan, since you said so, the peace talks between the two countries will naturally break down!"
"Yeah?
If it breaks, let's break it. It doesn't matter. The worst we can do is meet on the battlefield."
"Okay! Then we'll meet on the battlefield!"
Mochizuki Dagong felt angry. He couldn't tell whether Muchuan was cheating, but since the other party said so, this peace negotiation would definitely not be successful, so he had to go back and discuss it in the long term.
"let's go!"
Mochizuki Dagong waved his hand and began to lead the peace negotiation delegation from Goguryeo to leave.
However, when a group of them walked to the threshold of the Sifang Pavilion, they were shocked to find a large number of imperial troops standing outside the pavilion, about a hundred people in size, wearing armor and holding long swords in their hands, looking majestic.
Looking at the appearance of these Tang Dynasty imperial guards, it seemed as if they were trying to surround Wangyue Dagong and his party and prevent them from getting out.
Wangyue Dagong turned around and saw Muchuan's proud expression. Needless to say, this was Muchuan's plan, so Wangyue Dagong asked: "What do you mean, Minister of the Ministry of Finance?"
"What else can it mean?
Of course I have to catch you all!"
"Mu Chuan, you...do you know what you are doing?
The two countries are at war and will not kill me. This ambassador is specially sent by Goguryeo. If you dare to imprison or hurt me and break the etiquette, aren't you afraid that the whole world will laugh at you?"
"Don't be afraid. What's there to be afraid of?"
Muchuantian said shamelessly, and waved his hand to order the Imperial Army to come forward and detain all of Wangyue Dagong and his party.
Most of the Goguryeo mission led by Mochizuki Dagong were a group of civil servants. They were unable to resist the Tang Dynasty's imperial soldiers. They were restrained obediently and did not struggle at all.
