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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 209 Peace
To cleanse the bureaucracy, settle the borders, eliminate bandits, persuade thieves to return home, prioritize agriculture, promote commerce, increase revenue and reduce expenditures, recuperate and revitalize, revive education, and improve the Imperial Examination.
Li Jian Cheng established the main policies for the Tang Dynasty in the Council Hall for the next decade. The old ministers from the previous dynasty breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that the current emperor might harbor ambitions that surpassed those of Qin Emperor or Han Wu.
They were terrified by Emperor Yang's Great Undertaking; they were not afraid of an emperor indulging in luxury but rather of one who sought to wage wars far and wide.
They were especially concerned that the emperor might want to launch an expedition against Goguryeo. Liaodong City had just reported an attack; although the assailants did not raise a banner, it was evident that it was Goguryeo. Over the past few years, Goguryeo King Gao Teng had finally resolved internal issues.
Without discussing grand ambitions of territorial expansion, they believed their own borders should be reclaimed. Thus, they sent troops to test the waters, primarily to see if the Tang emperor was as mad as Sui Emperor Wuji.
One official said, "Liaodong City is indeed a remote territory, akin to a chicken rib—tasteless to eat but a pity to discard. If our national strength were robust, we wouldn't mind such losses. However, with people's livelihoods in decline, it is not worth expending too much on this distant land."
"Your Majesty," he continued, "I believe we can use Liaodong City as leverage to compel Goguryeo to pay tribute and acknowledge our authority, thus avoiding war while gaining benefits."
Li Jian Cheng remained silent. King Li Shimin immediately interjected, "No! Goguryeo is like a wolf; if we give them an inch, they will take a mile. We should not only refrain from discussing peace or ceding cities but should also send an emissary to demand accountability. We must warn Goguryeo that if they dare covet our Tang cities again, they will face millions of heavenly soldiers at their doorstep!"
Whether this statement would intimidate Goguryeo was uncertain; however, it certainly frightened many old ministers and garnered support from numerous military generals eager for conquest.
The older officials were terrified but unafraid themselves; many generals had previously accompanied the emperor into Pyongyang and knew well how severely Goguryeo had been weakened in past conflicts.
If Goguryeo still possessed its former strength, they would have already mobilized troops to reclaim Liaodong City instead of merely probing.
Minister of Rites and Left Chancellor Pei Ji spoke up: "What Qin Wang says is reasonable. In my opinion, Goguryeo needs to be admonished, and we cannot easily relinquish Liaodong City. However, I am concerned whether there are Turkic instigators behind this.
If we were to launch another campaign against Goguryeo now, internal strife and external threats would likely destabilize our hard-won peace. Those prefectures that currently comply with imperial edicts in public while defying them in private would hardly remain obedient; this is my concern."
Li Jian Cheng sat high above in his crimson robe adorned with a crown. After listening to the courtiers' opinions, he spoke: "What Left Chancellor has said is indeed wise counsel for state affairs. However, what Qin Wang has stated also holds merit; capturing Liaodong City is no easy task and serves as a constant check on Goguryeo's ambitions—it cannot be lightly abandoned.
Thus, I have decided to send an emissary to Goguryeo to convey my will."
The emperor did not mention what would happen if Goguryeo refused his decree nor did he order troops to be mobilized or supplies prepared; clearly, he was not ready to go to war in anger—at most he commanded the soldiers of Liaodong City to hold their ground.
This stabilized matters somewhat, but what about the emperor's authority?
Some emotionally astute scholars well-versed in history had already thought of Han Wendi. It was not that he lacked the strength to retaliate, but rather that he chose to conceal his brilliance for the greater good.
To conceal one's brilliance means to hide one's sharpness; it implies storing up strength while remaining obscure.
By sheathing their weapons and quietly developing in the shadows, they inevitably had to endure criticism.
His Majesty was certainly not a weak king; he was the one who led campaigns eastward into Pyongyang, beheading the former king of Goguryeo, and fought against the Turkic tribes, forcing Shibi Khan to sign the Yulin Alliance.
As a result, even the most opposed ministers to conflict with Goguryeo felt uneasy.
Goguryeo was merely a small nation that should have been destroyed long ago if not for Emperor Yang's repeated blunders.
Duke of Wei Li Jing exhaled deeply and stepped forward to request battle. He did not need a million-strong army; even twenty or ten thousand would suffice. With just fifty thousand elite soldiers, along with the troops from Liaodong City, he intended to eliminate Goguryeo for His Majesty!
However, the emperor waved his hand, signaling Duke of Wei to step back. "The ruler of Goguryeo is one I personally supported. He is cruel but lacks the courage; he will most likely comply with my wishes.
Peace, peace! What I desire now is peace, so that I can cultivate and nourish the people. Everything else can be temporarily set aside. You ministers should understand my intentions and assist me in stabilizing the realm."
The emperor's most important task was not to showcase personal heroism or force everyone to comply with his dreams but to integrate his aspirations, those of his officials, and those of the common people into one vision, leading everyone together toward its realization.
Currently, the dream of all under heaven was peace.
Li Jian Cheng abandoned external warfare and promoted Guanlong figures to Chancellor, overseeing the Ministry of Rites, aiming to maintain internal stability and consolidate Guanlong's power to clean up uncontrollable prefectural officials.
Additionally, he tasked the Sixteen Guard Generals with coordinating troops to eliminate bandits, ensuring the safety of the populace and smooth trade routes.
Particularly, it was essential to guarantee unobstructed roads in regions such as Chang'an and Luoyang, Jiangdu, Shu Commandery, Xuancheng, Piling, Wu County, Kuaiji, Yuhang, Dongyang, Nanhai, Yuzhang, Jingzhou, Caizhou, Qizhou, and others.
Not only did he endure Goguryeo's provocations, but he also allowed Tuguhun Khan Murong Fuyun to recover the West Sea, Heyuan, Shanshan, and Qiemu Four Commanderies that Emperor Yang had painstakingly conquered.
The emperor's series of administrative policies won over some officials' hearts but also led others to perceive him as weak.
Dugu Huai'en contacted General Xuanwei, Yuan Jun, Minister of State Pei Su, and others. Most of these individuals belonged to the Noble Families of Guanlong, but their status in the Court was mediocre at best.
The highest positions were occupied by the elders of Guanlong, while those waiting in line for succession were the Emperor's confidants, such as Wang Yi, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, and Liu Wenjing, leaving no opportunity for them.
Thus, they were willing to criticize the Emperor's decrees in private, and with Dugu Huai'en leading the charge, they became even more invigorated.
Their only concern was how to justify their actions.
Some suggested using the pretext of assisting Xun Emperor Yang You in restoring the Sui Dynasty, but this was quickly dismissed. The common people had not forgotten the crimes of Emperor Yang and held no affection for the Sui Dynasty.
Others proposed raising troops under the guise of the Emperor pressuring the Retired Emperor. However, the people in remote areas knew little about Guanzhong affairs; it would be morally unacceptable for a son to imprison his father.
This idea was also rejected since the Retired Emperor was healthy. If they raised troops in his name and he learned of it, he would surely take action against them, leading to their demise.
Some attempted to find significant moral failings in the Emperor but could not come up with anything after much contemplation. In fact, by the end of their discussions, some began to wonder if they should even rebel against such a benevolent ruler.
However, Dugu Huai'en insisted and said, "The various counties are anxious and uneasy due to the Emperor's harsh treatment of meritorious officials. The Li Clan has many members who have not been granted titles of nobility. This shows that the Emperor is ungrateful. He continues to favor scholars from Jiangnan and Shandong while suppressing Guanlong scholars, forgetting that much of his realm was achieved through our efforts!"
……………
(End of Chapter)
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