Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 402 The Sea Journey of Qi (Part 1)
"The Han Kingdom is already very prosperous, and it will become even more prosperous in the future."

"I've heard that the population of the Qin state in the west has exceeded five million, and its territory is vast..."

"Compared to these Chinese states, my Eastern Qi Kingdom should be considered very weak."

Just as He Bo was watching with King Wen of Xia and Zou Yan observe the old horse of the Xia Kingdom galloping downhill with unbridled speed,
Both being branches of the Xia dynasty,

Among the artifacts from the State of Qi, which also originated from the Warring States period,
The elderly Lü Peng stood with his hands behind his back, admonishing his descendants not to become arrogant and complacent because of the current peace in Qi, lest they embark on a path of decadence.

His descendants all bowed and clasped their hands before the King of Qi, adopting a posture of listening attentively and daring not to disobey in the slightest.

During the years that Lü Peng was in power,

The State of Qi emerged from the shadow of two generations of chaotic rule.

The people of Qi reclaimed more land and built more cities on the islands of Dongying.

Lü Peng also used his prestige and methods to reform the "feudal system" established by Tian Heng, the founding emperor of the previous dynasty.
He greatly developed the navy, and with the flexibility of ships to travel along the islands to all directions, he strengthened the central government and established some cities that originally belonged to local lords as prefectures and counties.

In any case, given the current situation in the State of Qi,

Most of the population still lived on narrow plains near the coastline, making them vulnerable to the influence of the imperial navy.

Those lords who were originally enfeoffed in the deep valleys dared not disobey Lü Peng's orders because the land was poor and the population was small, and they would not fight for the already fallen Tian Qi.

Therefore, when the news of Jiang Qi's restoration spread, Lü Peng issued an edict, and those feudal lords surrendered without hesitation.

It can be said,
At this time, Lü Peng's power was even greater and more stable than that of Tian Heng, the sage ruler whom Tian Qi admired.

However, Lü Peng still dared not neglect or be negligent in national affairs.

Because he knew clearly that in the world of the Chinese, the State of Qi was only slightly stronger than the State of Wu.

Given the resources available to Japan, if the country were to close itself off and decline, it might very well be surpassed by the Wu Kingdom.

Therefore,
Lü Peng attached great importance to the development of Japan and exchanges with the outside world.

"We cannot slacken in building up our navy. Only by braving the waves can we pave a path for our Qi state to bring peace and prosperity to its people."

"We must send envoys to the Han Dynasty every year, and the development of Jeju Island cannot be delayed!"

Jeju Island,
It is a small island discovered by Japanese sailors heading west, at the southern tip of the Haidong Peninsula.

The terrain there is similar to that of Japan, with high mountains standing in the middle and only some flat land along the coast.

The area has abundant water and heat, fertile land, and is also a key point on sea routes, which is why it received attention from the State of Qi.

Lü Peng had no intention of landing on the East China Sea Peninsula and fighting against the Han Dynasty, which had already occupied its northern part. However, he was capable of taking over the small island and incorporating it into the territory of the Qi Kingdom.

Because he missed his homeland, and because the island was located across the sea from the Ji River in Shandong, Lü Peng named it "Jizhou".

"We also need to maintain good relations with the Central Plains!"

"The future of Qi lies at sea. In the future, the people of Qi will row their boats to explore the South Seas. Wu may not care, but it will certainly deal with the Han people who are expanding their territory there..."

"If we act frivolously and incur the disgust of the Central Plains, then my Qi state will face difficulties."

"Yes, Father!"

His sons readily agreed.

Then someone suddenly stepped forward and reported, "The Crown Prince's ship has docked and will soon return to the capital."

Upon hearing this news, Lü Peng was overjoyed. He abandoned his discipline of his children and immediately ordered the palace servants to prepare carriages and horses so that he could personally go and greet them.

This crown prince of Qi,

He was Lü Peng's most beloved son, and he himself possessed sufficient talent for governing the country.

After Emperor Wu's death, Lü Peng sent the crown prince to the Central Plains to mourn and congratulate the new emperor, in order to demonstrate the submissiveness of the State of Qi.

However, the boats encountered many storms on the return journey.

Fearing he would drown in the capsized ship, the Crown Prince of Qi returned to Chang'an, where he served as an "envoy to the Han" for several years.

Only when the winds were favorable and the sea was calm this year will we be able to set sail again.

He brought back newly developed tools and farming techniques from the wise men of the Central Plains to facilitate the expansion of Qi's land.

In addition, he collected a lot of information so that the State of Qi, located on the eastern edge of the Xia world, could keep abreast of the changes in the world and not be blocked by the sea.

He told his father, "Last year, envoys from Qin and Xia came to Chang'an again."

"The situation in Qin has not changed much, but Xia has shown signs of decline."

The spirit and vitality of a nation can be glimpsed from the envoys it sends to other countries.

Just like the Han envoys today—

When the Han Dynasty was first established, Han envoys traveling to other countries still knew how to write the four characters "小心慎慎" (cautious and prudent) and had the habit of recording their experiences on their missions.

But now, the Han envoys are no longer ordinary envoys!

He went to other small countries to be the father of their rulers, receiving boundless paternal love!

Moreover, the one who was willing to treat the king as his son was a kind-hearted Han envoy.

If a Han envoy were to encounter a wandering knight-errant or a libertine, the ruler of that small country would have to share the status of an animal with them, almost as humble as the dirt!
Of course,
The Han envoys still showed some respect to the State of Qi, which was also one of the Xia states, and did not act so rudely and unrestrainedly.

There is a proper attitude towards barbarians.

A gentleman should be treated with the proper etiquette. This approach is entirely fair and just.

after all,

If you use the gentle and peaceful manner of a gentleman to communicate with barbarians, the latter will only think that the former is weak and easy to bully.

In this regard, the Qin state, which originated outside the territory, has experienced it far too many times.

"The Qin envoy was just as my father described. He was somewhat uncouth, but his demeanor did not lack the elegance of our Chinese nation. Before the Emperor of Han, he was very upright and his gaze did not waver at all."

"When he talked about the current state of Qin and listed its recent achievements, he couldn't hide his arrogance."

"But the envoy from Xia Kingdom seemed somewhat timid. When talking about the situation in Xia Kingdom, he couldn't help but frown. Moreover, its achievements were still stuck decades ago, with no new progress."

Summoned by the emperor to enjoy the happy reunion of the various states, the Crown Prince of Qi observed all of this and then came to this conclusion.

Upon hearing this, Lü Peng let out a sigh.

He recalled the story of Tian Qi.

"Can a country's stability only last for a hundred years?"

"Even a peaceful country like Xia cannot avoid turmoil?"

How long can the Jiang Qi regime last?
With such worries in his heart, he returned to the inner palace and raised a bronze mirror to look at his reflection.

The people inside had aged faces, and their hair had become dry, white, and sparse under the cruel trimming of time.

He doesn't look as spirited as he used to be at all.

But the nation he built was like a teenager, on the path of growth, preparing to embrace its moment of prosperity.

"Rise and fall are inevitable, but lifespan is constant."

“I understand this principle, but after waiting in the throne for so long, I’m starting to feel unwilling.”

He returned to his hometown under the guise of a tour.

Lu Peng dismissed the people around him, leaving only an old man squatting by the river, telling his troubles to the fish swimming by.

The fish, cracking open a snail, said, "That's normal; your perspective is determined by your position."

Those in positions of authority should fulfill their responsibilities.

As a monarch, one must consider the well-being of the nation and its people.

"But don't be too stubborn; you should let go when it's time to let go."

The current problems of the Xia Kingdom
This is because the monarch placed his own selfish desires above the needs of the entire country.

That Xia emperor preferred to let the powerful families divide and enjoy the country rather than let other royal families covet the throne beneath him.

"But look at Marquis Yanchen, isn't he living a happy life now?"

Marquis Yan Chen
It was a title bestowed upon him by Lü Peng after the last ruler of the Tian Qi dynasty abdicated.

Because the ancestors of the Tian family were descendants of the State of Chen.

His current carefree life led him to declare in front of everyone, "I am so happy here that I don't miss Tianqi."

When Lü Peng was busy with official duties, he would occasionally think of the other person and even feel a little "envy".

“Yes,” Lu Peng sighed, “you’re right.”

"What do the affairs of my descendants have to do with me, their ancestor?"

He just needs to fulfill his responsibilities and not let down the legacy he built.

"correct!"

After finishing his discussion about the country and its people, Lü Peng called out to Youyu, who was about to disappear into the depths, and told him, "The blueprints for the large ship you gave me have been completed."

"I plan to have someone drive it to Qin Xia's place first to test whether it can withstand the wind and waves of the open ocean."

"If we can return safely, I will build a few more ships and send people to sail east in them."

Upon hearing this, the salted fish widened its eyes and exclaimed, "So fast?"

Lü Peng laughed and said, "If we urge them a little more, we can always get things done ahead of schedule."

"Moreover, traveling to Japan is something I promised you a long time ago."

"Now that the country is stable and I have successfully trained a successor, I should naturally devote the little energy I have left to fulfilling my promises."

After all,

Lu Peng stood up, stroking his white hair. "I don't know how much longer I have left to live. I hope that before I close my eyes, I can see the ships of Qi setting sail into the deep sea!"

"Oh!"

"You don't have to worry about this!"

He Bo comforted him while cracking open a snail, saying, "Even if you die, you can still see this scene with your eyes wide open."

"I promise!"

(End of this chapter)