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墨書 Inktalez
On the Silk Road, the profits behind a key trade route were undoubtedly substantial, as evidenced by the wealth of the Gaochang Kingdom.
However, this profit was not enough to catch Li Jian Cheng's eye. If he wanted something, it would be the entire Western Regions, not just the meager taxes collected from a single trade route.
Moreover, the Yarkand Lord's thinking was rather simplistic. He and Tongye Hu naturally did not care whether there was one more or one less trade route, but how could the Gaochang Kingdom simply let it go?
When it came to a nation's fundamental interests, how could there be any possibility of avoiding conflict?
"I will send an edict to Tongye Hu, but as for the Gaochang Kingdom, that is beyond my control."
Although Kucha had come to pay their respects, they neither expressed a desire to submit nor indicated that they would obey orders; they could not be considered a Vassal State.
The Yarkand Lord felt somewhat unwilling. He believed that the Tang Emperor absolutely had the authority to subdue the Gaochang Kingdom, yet he could not offer more sincerity.
The warships were covered with raw cowhide and equipped with bow and arrow shooting windows on all sides, making them small and agile.
At this moment, Wei Zheng arrived but did not stop the general from going down to deliver orders. Luo Yi also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Understood."
Luo Yi hurriedly stood up and walked in front of Wei Zheng to explain. Although he was nominally his subordinate, Wei Zheng had always been solely the emperor's man.
"How could I harbor such disloyal thoughts? It's just that the soldiers see vast tracts of land being taken away and feel that what little they have is being diminished. We commoners wish to earn rewards through our efforts on the battlefield; everyone longs for war.
Fortunately, heaven has granted their wishes. The emperor has commanded them to campaign against Wa Country, promising heavy rewards for those who achieve merit. The morale of the Naval Forces soared.
Wei Zheng sat on one side and remarked, "This matter has been handled rather crudely. The one who died was Yi Wenzhide's nephew. Does the Protectorate not fear that they might lift a stone only to drop it on their own feet?"
Luo Yi smiled and replied, "What does one nephew matter? This conflict will benefit both us in Liaodong and beyond. Yi Wenzhide is also hoping to achieve military merit to replace my position."
"This is nature; how could one be so unaware of the gravity of the situation?"
If the emperor disagrees, then everything will become as elusive as a reflection in water.
On the deck of the Liaodong Navy's Treasure Ship, there are three levels of upper structures, equipped with battlements and shooting windows for archers, along with large heavy weapons such as catapults.
Now all that is needed is His Majesty's decree. Luo Yi and many officials and generals from Liaodong are anxiously awaiting the verdict.
However, after a brief debate, it was smoothly passed. After all, the current Tang people have less farmland, especially since His Majesty has multiplied the titles that should occupy the most permanent fields and conferred them to Liaodong.
"Well then, how dare this mere Wano act so boldly? If this Protectorate does not retaliate, how can our dynasty maintain its dignity?
Let us destroy their nation, eradicate their lineage, annihilate their state, and raze their ancestral temples!
Once they have retreated, the emperor summoned officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. When everyone had gathered, he said: "The population is still too small; localities must actively encourage marriage. Widows under fifty should remarry widowers, and this should be treated as a local examination."
Until summer arrived, the emperor toured Jiangdu to serve the Grand Empress Dowager.
In Liaodong and Pyongyang, Protector Luo Yi was waiting for news. Soon, a general hurried in to report: "Several of our ships encountered a surprise attack by Wa Country along the coast; New City Governor Cui Wen was killed in battle."
"Protectorate."
Luo Yi immediately rushed to Baijiangkou, where over ten thousand elite naval forces, along with hundreds of Treasure Ships, warships, transport vessels, yachts, and Sea Eagles were arrayed on the water.
These were all ships left over from the previous dynasty; it was said that the newly constructed ships by the court were even more formidable, equipped with unprecedented weaponry. Unfortunately, they had no authority to deploy them.
Additionally, local aristocratic officials who colluded with bandits and pirates faced punishment and confiscation of their properties; their clans were exiled to Liaodong and Qianzhou.
"Duke Wei."
However, Luo Yi is more than capable of dealing with Wa Country now.
...
"Yes."
This is not just simple farmland, but a territory that can be freely controlled.
Immediately issue orders to the Naval Forces; I, the Protectorate, will personally lead the army across the sea to battle!
According to intelligence, Wa Country has about twenty thousand Naval Forces, but their ships are quite shabby, constructed without iron nails and using iron plates instead, with seams filled only with short water grass instead of hemp and tung oil.
Duke Wei, you are a talented ruler and should understand that Liaodong is currently rife with undercurrents. The remnants of the Three Kingdoms are lurking, always looking for an opportunity to drive us out of Liaodong.
Next, we should encourage Agriculture and Sericulture, ordering the Water Department Official and Water Supervisor to open a canal in Same Prefecture to draw water from the Yellow River for irrigation, which is expected to benefit over six thousand acres of land.
Luo Yi slammed the table in anger but couldn't help but smile; fortunately, the visitor was his Confidant, who merely stood by awaiting orders.
The warships are small Treasure Ships, equipped with three-foot-high parapets on both the deck and inside. This design allows sailors to arrange themselves on the steps to face the enemy while rowers remain concealed inside the ship, rowing through oar holes.
Wei Zheng sighed and got up to leave. Luo Yi knew that this matter could continue, so he hurriedly ordered someone to send the already prepared memorial to Luoyang.
This design inevitably leads to leaks, cracks, and breaks. The ship's bottom is flat, making it unsuitable for cutting through waves. The sails are positioned at the center of the mast and are only suitable for sailing with the wind; when facing headwinds, they need to lower the mast and rely on manual rowing... such is Wa Country's Naval Forces.
The emperor spent New Year in Chang'an and returned to Luoyang in spring with Civil and Military Courtiers. He summarized last year's disaster relief efforts and severely punished corrupt officials.
After urgently convening a meeting in the Protectorate to counter Wa Country, it was no surprise that everyone supported it. Although Liaodong is vast, good land is quickly being divided up, and they are anxious as well.
"Do you wish to nurture thieves while being self-restrained?"
Currently, according to the Equal Land Distribution policy, each adult male receives one hundred acres of land, of which twenty acres are permanent farmland that can be passed down to descendants, and eighty acres are allocated for personal use, which reverts to the government upon death. Women originally had no land ownership.
"The troops stationed under the Protectorate must not be mobilized."
Warships are equipped with ballistae, catapults, artillery vehicles, and accompanying ammunition such as arrows and stones for naval combat.
The ballista can strike targets seven hundred paces away and can simultaneously launch seven arrows. It must be placed at a height to seize mountains and water sources, defend narrow passes, and break through enemy fortifications. Any fortress or vessel struck will be utterly destroyed.
The officials were somewhat surprised by this: "This..."
"In the future, when women marry, the Official Government will grant them thirty acres of land."
As more Han Chinese arrived in Liaodong, old grievances and new animosities increased. In my humble opinion, rather than allowing the people of Liaodong to hate us Han Chinese, it would be better to let them direct their hatred towards the Wokou.
Additionally, in Jiangdu, the Thunder Pond is being repaired and a new Gou Cheng Pond is being constructed, which will enable irrigation for eight hundred acres of farmland. Waterwheels, tube wells, deep well waterwheels, and curved plows will also be promoted nationwide.
After offering sacrifices at over twenty Wano sites, Eulji Mundeok also led the former Naval Forces of the Three Kingdoms to arrive.
…………………
(End of Chapter)
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