My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

But after thinking for a moment, Li Shimin shook his head again.

"What Old Liu said may be the way to strengthen the army throughout history. But such actions are really not worthy of the prestige of our Celestial Empire. It is merely a matter of different strengths and weaknesses. I am not being pedantic, but rather I have considered this carefully..."

Li Shimin thought about it.

"Firstly, although the Tang Dynasty was newly established and its national strength was gradually recovering, it was still necessary to launch expeditions overseas, send large armies across the sea, and the supply lines were long and extremely risky. If they were victorious, all would be well, but if things went wrong, it would be a waste of resources and manpower, and would shake the foundation of the country."

Secondly, even if we win, how will we govern?

"The islanders' customs, language, and traditions are all very different from those of the Central Plains. If we forcibly establish prefectures and counties, there will inevitably be constant resistance. We will need to station troops to suppress them year after year, which is like adding fuel to the fire and will consume countless resources."

"To gain the land but not the people will only increase the burden and is not a long-term solution."

"It is far more significant than the conquest of the northern deserts and the western regions."

Thirdly,

Li Shimin turned around and glanced at everyone, especially Liu Che.

"It is a matter of name and reality. What I desire is not the temporary plundering of land and silver, but the achievement of a Heavenly Khan who commands the submission of all barbarians and the tribute of all nations."

"If we resort to deceitful means to bully small states, even if we gain thousands of taels of silver, we will lose the reputation of benevolence and righteousness, and damage the glorious image and long-term credibility of the Tang Dynasty. It may be a case of losing more than we gain."

"You fucking think you're so great about that damn title of Heavenly Khan?"

Liu Che looked displeased.

Isn't this a veiled criticism of him for being a warmonger who would stop at nothing to start a war?

"A Celestial Empire? Winning people over with virtue?"

Liu Che sneered.

"That's the kind of pomp and circumstance you only display when your nation is at its peak and all under heaven submit! It's just embellishment!"

He took a step closer, his gaze piercing Li Shimin.

"I ask you, if that Japanese nation had the power to destroy your Great Tang right now, would they talk to you about morality and etiquette? Would they find their methods despicable?"

Ultimately, the relationship between nations is a contest of strength and a struggle for interests!

Liu Che's voice was resolute.

"Virtue and propriety are for your own people to see, and for those allies who have already submitted or need to be won over!"

"When facing potential enemies or goals you are determined to achieve, the primary consideration should be how to accomplish your objective at the lowest possible cost!"

"Face? Prestige? Those are things you redefine after victory."

"The victor naturally possesses dignity! What dignity can the defeated possibly have?"

Liu Che immediately turned to look at Chen Mo.

"Manager Chen, you tell him! Tell this Emperor Taizong of Tang, who values ​​the majesty of the Celestial Empire! What excuse did the Japanese use when they invaded China?"

"They suspected that some soldiers had gone missing in our area, so they wanted to send troops in to search for them. When they refused, they bombarded Wanping City."

Upon hearing this, Liu Che sneered repeatedly.

"Did you hear that? Li Er! Searching for missing soldiers—that's their excuse! It's even more pathetic than a street thug's pretext for starting a fight!"

"But they used it, and this is what they used to break in and kill 35 million of us!"

"And now you're talking to me about the majesty of the Celestial Empire? About underhanded tactics? About the meticulous writing of history books?"

"When a robber, armed with a rusty machete, uses the absurd excuse of 'I stabbed my foot in your fence' to break into your house, kill your parents, rape your wife and daughters, and seize your property, are you still agonizing over how to politely get rid of him?!"

"Are you still worried that you won't be graceful enough when you kick him out, and that the neighbors will laugh at you?!"

"Let me tell you! History only remembers the victors!"

"We will only remember who protected our homeland and our bloodline!"

"If your outdated sense of national pride leads to a repeat of tragedy and causes China to fall into decline once again..."

"Then history books will record you as a true sinner for all time! A thousand times more shameful than any despicable means you used!"

Liu Che spread his hands.

"Do you think you earned your title of Heavenly Khan through gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility?"

"No! That was earned through your intimidation of the surrounding barbarians! Without those mountains of corpses, seas of blood, and countless schemes and plots, who would acknowledge your virtue?!"

"And now you're still here worrying about damaging your so-called title of Heavenly Khan!"

"Li Er...you're such a laughable emperor!"

"Do you think I'm worried about tarnishing the name of that Khan?"

Li Shimin's gaze also sharpened.

"Do you think my hesitation and concerns are merely for the sake of the empty title of Khan that day, or for a record of benevolence in the history books?"

"No! My concerns extend far beyond that!"

"What I worry about is the support of the people, the vitality of the nation, and whether, after the conquests, a more stable, stronger, and more protective Tang Dynasty can truly rise from the countless bones left behind!"

He slammed his hand on his knee.

"Fight! Who doesn't want to fight?! Knowing the atrocities committed by the Japanese pirates in the past, knowing that there is silver in their land, I wish I could immediately lead my troops to flatten the four islands, to repay blood with blood, and tooth with tooth! What Huo Qubing thinks is also what I think!"

"But what happens after the fight?!"

Liu Che remained silent.

"Let's leave aside for now the long sea expeditions, the thousands of miles of supplies, the exhausted soldiers, and the empty treasury!"

"Even if we win and take over that island nation, then what?"

Li Shimin's questions bombarded Liu Che like a machine gun.

"Do you intend to slaughter their people and seize their land? How then is my Great Tang any different from the tyrannical Japanese pirates of the past? Moreover, the people of that island nation will surely resist to the death, and I will be mired in an endless quagmire of suppression, draining myself of my last drop of blood!"

"Do you intend to establish prefectures and counties, appoint officials, and promote education?"

"The local customs and language are very different, and the people's hearts are not yet won over, so the resistance will be fierce."

"It requires a large military presence, the relocation of residents, massive investment in infrastructure development, and a century of assimilation! This is not a task for one generation, but a heavy burden for several generations!"

"The Tang Dynasty's existing territory still needs to be digested. The Hexi Corridor, Liaodong, and the Western Regions—where doesn't it need elite troops and generals to guard? Where doesn't it need money, grain, and supplies to sustain it? If we add another huge burden—a hostile neighbor across the sea—will the Tang Dynasty's economy be crushed?!"

"Emperor Wu of Han, your campaign against the Xiongnu in the north was certainly exhilarating!"

"However, years of war depleted the resources accumulated by Emperors Wen and Jing, halved the population, and caused widespread poverty, ultimately leading to the issuance of the 'Luntai Edict of Self-Reproach' in his later years!"

"What right do you have to instruct me on how to do things?"

Li Shimin snorted coldly.

"I do not want the Tang Dynasty to repeat the mistake of exhausting its national strength after the policy of 'punishing even those far away'!"

"What I want is not a weak empire dragged down by war, but a powerful dynasty that can truly digest the fruits of victory, allow its people to recuperate, and ensure the continued growth of its national strength!"

Liu Che was speechless for a moment, his expression changing repeatedly.

Finally, he had nothing more to say and waved his hand.

"Suit yourself! Use my method or not, it's up to you!"

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang grinned and stepped in to ease the tension.

"Who cares if it's a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat! Whatever method you use, let's try it first. If it doesn't work, we'll think of something else!"

"After all, the silver underground shouldn't fall into the hands of outsiders, right?"

"That makes sense!"

Ying Zheng agreed.

Li Shimin and Liu Che's expressions softened somewhat.

Meanwhile, Xiao Sizi, who had been diligently washing up for half a day with Li Lizhi, also returned.

She skipped and hopped to Li Shimin's side.

"Oh dear, the toothpaste Little Bacteria bought yesterday is sweet!"

Li Shimin picked up the little rhinoceros and chuckled.

"As long as Sizi likes it."

Little Sizi was picked up by Li Shimin, but his eyes were fixed on the world map. He pointed to a certain place on it with his little finger and asked in a childish voice.

"Dad, where is that? It looks like a little worm."

Chen Mo quickly took over the conversation, speaking in a relaxed tone.

"That place is a small island in the sea. Would you like to hear a story about it? A story about a little boy and a fat boy?"

"I want to hear it!"

Little Sizi's attention was immediately diverted.

Chen Mo smiled slightly and hugged Sizi into his arms.

"How about we talk about it when we get back?"

"Okay!"

Little Sizi nodded obediently.

Chen Mo smiled slightly at Xiao Sizi, checked the time, and spoke.

"It's about time, we should go check the floors. As for breakfast, we can buy it on the way and eat it in the car!"