i am a defeated and ruined war captive, that's it! the former emperor [taizong] treated me generously, but i betrayed him. in my present defeat, heaven has vented its fury at me. in the past i have heard that han law stipulates that executions of men be carried out in the city marketplace. when we arrive in the capital, i request to zhaling [the tomb of the previous tang emperor taizong] to atone for my crimes to the former emperor. this is my sincere desire.