Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 157 A Time of Change, the Beginning of Revolution (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The world is in turmoil as the powerful Tang Dynasty and the Gu family rise up.

The kingdoms of the Western Regions had absolutely no capacity for resistance and were not capable of altering the current situation.

The situation has completely changed.

Although Gu Quan wouldn't kill indiscriminately, he also wouldn't leave anyone in danger.

He is terrifying right now.

Even Gu Yi has come to this conclusion. Although he is not as good as Gu Chen in the past, in terms of commanding troops, resolving risks, and judging people, he already has the same feeling as Gu Xi in the past.

The Luoshu Harmonizing Instrument has fully unleashed Gu Quan's talents.

Under these circumstances, the turmoil in the entire Western Regions was quickly quelled, but the unrest within it did not stop at all.

The Gu family's reputation has been thoroughly established.

Taking advantage of his current towering reputation, Gu Quan deposed almost all the rulers of the small kingdoms in the Western Regions and began to cultivate a ruler for the Tang Dynasty.

It is precisely because of this.

The turmoil in the entire Western Regions did not end with the decline of the rebellious forces; on the contrary, it became increasingly turbulent.

Everyone can feel it.

The Tang Dynasty of today is different from the Han Dynasty of the past, especially in its treatment of foreign vassals!
This is actually an inevitable thing.

In the original history, the Tang Dynasty's overall attitude towards the Western Regions was far better than that of previous dynasties, and there were many factors involved in this.

This includes deeper proactive expansion, including involvement in political and cultural integration, and so on.

This is progress in our times.

The same is true today.

Compared to other vassal states, the Western Regions are now considered backward. This backwardness does not refer to the backwardness of culture and systems, but rather to a comprehensive situation.

The appearance of the Gu family ultimately changed everything.

The northern frontier tribes began to integrate into the Nine Provinces during the Yan and Han dynasties. Although this process was interrupted with the decline of the Yan and Han dynasties, it still played a significant role.

The same applies to Lingnan.

Both of these territories have undergone reforms by the Gu family, and due to their terrain, their integration with the rest of Kyushu has already achieved a leapfrog development.

In contrast, the Western Regions were completely different. Although compared to other places, the Western Regions seemed to be deeply integrated with the Central Plains.

However, in reality, the system in the Western Regions has never changed.

This is the truly fatal problem.

Unlike the original history, it was the appearance of the Gu family that allowed Li Shimin to see the possibility of integrating foreign tribes.

The Western Regions have so much to offer the Nine Provinces.

If it were any other mediocre emperor, he might have been too afraid to try.

But this is Li Shimin!
Whether it's their courage or their boldness, they would never easily choose to give up.

This is an opportunity.

He was fully aware of this; if no changes were made this time, the matter would likely be postponed indefinitely.
Chang'an, inside the Taiji Hall.

The atmosphere was extremely solemn.

Li Shimin was discussing with his ministers how to handle the affairs of the Western Regions.

In fact, there are only two paths ahead of everyone now.

Article :
— Just like the Former Han Dynasty, it maintained the system of the previous dynasty and did not interfere with the cultivation of a ruler who was friendly with the Tang Dynasty.

The advantage of this arrangement is that it saves a lot of energy.

The Western Regions will also be pacified quickly.

The bad thing is that if the Tang Dynasty weakens in the future, or if other behemoths appear on the borders again, the Western Regions will definitely be completely out of control, just like before.

History will repeat itself in reverse.

The second path:

—This means hardening one's resolve to take more concrete control over the Western Regions.

Li Shimin had this attitude.

The courtiers were well aware of this.

However, this matter involves many issues, the most crucial of which is how to control it.

The kingdoms of the Western Regions are quite different from the tribes of the grasslands.

Their beliefs are more diverse and steadfast.

The main religions include Buddhism, Jing, Ao, and Sama, among others. Within each religion, there are different factions, and the diversity of their beliefs far surpasses that of the grassland tribes.

This situation will create many problems, making it increasingly difficult for the Tang Dynasty to maintain control.

Li Shimin is now asking his ministers to come up with a strategy.

"The Western Regions are vast. Although our Great Tang is becoming increasingly powerful, if we force all the countries in the Western Regions to rebel against our Great Tang, our national strength will probably be unable to sustain it."

"Your Majesty should be cautious."

Fang Xuanling said with a solemn expression.

He was one of the ministers who did not support Li Shimin's radical approach and always wanted Li Shimin to proceed steadily and cautiously.

However, Li Shimin ultimately could not heed Fang Xuanling's advice.

Even if he knew that doing so wouldn't be wrong.

However, we cannot waste time.

Even Gu Chen in his younger days couldn't finish everything in his lifetime, which made him very vigilant.

Seeing Li Shimin's expressionless face, many ministers who shared the same thoughts as Fang Xuanling were unwilling to speak up and echo him. Although the practice of offering advice was becoming increasingly popular in the Tang Dynasty, there was no need to say anything that was destined to be useless.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji frowned and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that it will be no easy task to completely control the Western Regions in a short period of time."

"This matter can only be addressed gradually."

"Your Majesty is advised to follow the example of the Marquis Zhaolie in the past."

As he spoke, he looked directly at Gu Zi, who was standing to the side.

This is the highest-ranking member of the Gu family in the current court, and one of the many members who came to the Tang Dynasty when Li Yuan became emperor. He is now the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince.

Seeing Li Shimin looking at him, Gu Zi quickly stood up and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, the methods of our ancestors are indeed applicable."

"However, the sage said that times change and the world changes."

"One should not completely imitate the methods of one's ancestors in all things."

"I have indeed been thinking about this issue for some time now, and I do have some ideas."

"."

He directly expressed all his thoughts.

This was not his own idea, but rather the experience of everyone in the Gu family over the years.

After Gu Chen passed away years ago.

Gu Yi had already laid the foundation for all of this when he was controlling Gu Ye. Although the Gu family's reputation continued to weaken along with Yan Han, the research and development never stopped.

Its core focus is on a dual-track system.

Just like Gu Yi controlled Lingnan in the past, but there are differences.

The Western Regions today are much better than Lingnan was back then.

This system naturally needs to be changed.

Its main purpose was to control key routes, implement the prefecture-county system of the Central Plains on these routes, establish a complete system of officials, and exercise dual rule with the monarchs of various countries. In name, it did not interfere with the power of the smaller countries, but in reality, it spread its influence little by little through the compatibility of the culture of the Nine Provinces.

The sole core of this system was the requirement that the Tang Dynasty be able to deter everything.

Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the circulation of currency. Gu Zi only mentioned the basics, but as the ministers successively understood the profound meaning behind these systems, the entire Taiji Hall instantly erupted in excitement.

The current configuration of the Tang Dynasty court was quite impressive; it could even be considered the pinnacle of the Tang Dynasty.

Once the basic institutional framework was in place...

This group of ministers was enough to quickly formulate a series of regulations.

Li Shimin listened very attentively, constantly pondering the suggestions given by his ministers.

In fact, to put it bluntly.

This system involves using force and interests to bind Kyushu when it is powerful, and then leveraging the inclusive nature of Kyushu culture to change the culture of a region.

It seems simple, but it is actually extremely difficult.

This requires a process.

During this period, the Tang Dynasty must maintain its strength and not decline as rapidly as it did during the Han Dynasty, otherwise all its efforts will be in vain.

The courtiers strongly disagreed with this.

Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and others all wanted Li Shimin to proceed gradually.

Who wouldn't see that?

This series of systems will surely provoke resistance from the kingdoms of the Western Regions. Even with the Gu family in the Western Regions, there will definitely be a lot of chaos.

Nobody wants war.

This may also be another characteristic of Kyushu culture.

Although the great wars of these years did not seem to affect the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, how could the ministers not wonder if the Nine Provinces would be stronger now if it were not for these series of great wars?
This kind of thinking is simply impossible to suppress; it's purely human nature.

Everything has two sides.

This is an eternal truth.

Li Shimin remained silent, but his thoughts never ceased to race.

He was well aware of the difficulty of this matter.

Li Shimin was not worried about himself, but only about the future rulers of the Tang Dynasty.

This kind of thing can't be done in a day.

As he pondered this, he couldn't help but think of his son, Li Chengqian.

His mind was instantly filled with thoughts of keeping an eye on his studies and conduct. After a moment of silence, he waved his hand to quiet the assembled officials.

"There's no need to worry about this."

Li Shimin spoke in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling and the others couldn't help but sigh softly, but ultimately they didn't say anything more.

"I know what you ministers are worried about." Li Shimin glanced at Fang Xuanling and the others, but was not angry at their actions. Instead, he slowly stood up and said, "This matter is difficult and cannot be accomplished overnight."

"I am aware of this."

"My beloved ministers advised me to proceed slowly and gradually, and that when the strength of our Great Tang Dynasty reaches its peak, all sides will naturally submit."

"But have you all forgotten that in the past, Marquis Zhaolie's name intimidated all directions, even if people from all directions were completely subdued back then?"

"I am now in my prime, and my Tang Dynasty is flourishing."

"Some things—"

"If I don't do it, who in the future will be able to?"

"As for the rulers of later generations..."

His tone paused slightly, and his eyes became even more resolute: "Even without my courage, with the assistance of the talented people of the world, what is there to fear?"

The important matter has been finalized.

After Li Shimin uttered these words, the entire Tang Dynasty court would move towards this goal.

Even ministers like Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng, who did not support such radicalism, would participate.

This is the Tang Dynasty as it is today.

—The government is clean and efficient, and the officials are united in purpose!
Li Shimin discussed matters with his ministers in the Taiji Hall for a long time, and only let them leave when it was late at night.

He did not rest directly in the Taiji Hall as usual.

Instead, he went to the Lizheng Hall and met Empress Zhangsun.

Li Shimin had not visited for some time. He was already busy with political affairs, and even when he had a rare moment of leisure, he would go to visit other concubines.

Of course, this does not mean that he had a bad relationship with Empress Zhangsun.

Empress Zhangsun's position was unshakeable, including in Li Shimin's heart.

This is beyond doubt.

As for visiting other concubines, that's only natural. Whether an emperor is infatuated with beauty is never a factor in judging his wisdom.

Under the dim candlelight.

Empress Zhangsun noticed something was wrong with Li Shimin as soon as she saw him. She then gently hugged him from behind and asked softly, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

"How has the Crown Prince been behaving lately?"

Li Shimin gently grasped Empress Zhangsun's hand and asked softly.

"The Crown Prince is as diligent as ever," Empress Zhangsun recalled, her pearl hairpin swaying gently in her hair. "He practices riding and archery in the morning and reads classics and history in the evening. Even the Junior Tutor praised him for his photographic memory."

She recounted her son's progress, but noticed that her husband's brow remained furrowed.

“Literary and military prowess are merely the foundation of one’s life,” Li Shimin turned and paced, his boots tapping heavily on the blue bricks. “The crown prince must have the composure to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapses before him, and also have the temperament to be upright. This matter must not be neglected.”

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun was slightly taken aback. Instead of agreeing immediately, she sat down in front of Li Shimin, looked into his eyes, and asked, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

"The great cause of our Tang Dynasty cannot be accomplished in a day." Li Shimin said solemnly, without hiding anything from Empress Zhangsun. "I do have some concerns."

His expression was extremely serious.

Upon seeing this, Empress Zhangsun was also taken aback.

Without saying much, he simply grasped Li Shimin's hand again and comforted him, saying, "Your son is Your Majesty's child. How could Your Majesty not have faith in your own child?"

“Chengqian is still young, Your Majesty need not be in such a hurry.”

She knew Li Shimin too well; she knew the prosperous era he longed for.

But Li Chengqian is far too young now.

She feared that Li Chengqian might not be able to bear Li Shimin's demands.

But Li Shimin's expression remained firm. That's how people are; the more they care about something, the more they tend to overthink it.

Li Shimin was no exception.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly remembered something and immediately said, "Empress, quickly have someone bring paper and pen. I want to write a letter to Ziyuan so that he can prepare in advance."

"Your Majesty." Empress Zhangsun seemed to want to say something, but seeing Li Shimin's serious expression, she ultimately did not speak and went to fetch paper and pen.

"Your Majesty need not worry."

Li Shimin smiled and offered a word of comfort, then wrote down a series of arrangements for the court by candlelight.

And in the end——

As usual, he told Gu Quan to take care of his health and return to Beijing as soon as possible.

This had become a routine part of Li Shimin's correspondence with Gu Quan.

However, both the emperor and his minister were the same, reminding each other to take care of their health, but in reality, one was always risking his life on the battlefield, while the other was diligently governing the court every day.

They are all silently persevering for their aspirations.

Not only them, but many others are the same.

And just a few days later.

The specific rules and regulations were finally finalized, and various arrangements were rapidly being made for the Western Regions.
P.S.: It's almost the end of the month, so please vote with your monthly tickets! I'll be back to daily updates of 8,000 words at the beginning of next month, don't worry, brothers!!!
(End of this chapter)