Chapter 488: Chapter 34: An Era of Change, Upheaval Beginnings

Seeing Li Shimin looking toward him, Gu Zi quickly stood up and earnestly said, "Your Majesty, the ancestral method can indeed be used."

"However, the Saint once said that times change and the world transforms."

"No method of the past can be entirely adopted."

"I have indeed been pondering this issue, and I do have some thoughts."

"....."

He directly expressed all the thoughts in his mind.

These were not solely his thoughts, but the wisdom of everyone in the Gu Clan over the years.

After Gu Chen passed away years ago.

Gu Yi laid the foundation for all this while manipulating Gu Ye. Although the Gu Clan’s prestige weakened along with Yan Han, their exploration never ceased.

The core focuses precisely on the double-track system.

Just like how Gu Yi controlled Lingnan years ago, but now there are differences.

Today, the Western Regions are far better than Lingnan was back then.

The system naturally needs to be adjusted.

The main focus is on controlling key roads, implementing the Central Plains’ county system along these roads, devising a complete official system, and exerting dual control with various monarchs. Officially, it doesn’t meddle with small states’ rights, but in fact, it subtly spreads influence through the compatibility of Kyushu’s culture.

The sole core of this system is to ensure that the Great Tang can awe everyone.

Moreover, it requires strengthening currency circulation.

Gu Zi only laid a basic foundation, but as the ministers understood the deep implications within this system, Taiji Hall quickly became animated.

—The current configuration of Great Tang’s court is unsurpassed, even can be called the peak of Great Tang.

Once the basic system prototype emerged.

The ministers could quickly draft a series of regulations.

Li Shimin listened very attentively, continuously contemplating the ministers’ suggestions in his mind.

In simple terms.

This system is about binding through martial force and interests during Kyushu’s prosperous times, then altering a place’s culture using the compatibility feature of Kyushu culture.

Though seemingly simple, it’s actually highly challenging.

It requires a process.

During this period Great Tang must maintain its dominance, unlike the rapid decline during Yan Han’s era, otherwise, all efforts would be in vain.

The ministers’ attitude towards this was strongly disapproving.

Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and others urged Li Shimin to approach it gradually.

Who couldn’t see?

This series of systems would surely cause resistance from Western Regions’ various states, even with Gu Clan in the Western Regions, many chaotic scenarios would definitely arise.

Nobody desired war.

And this might also be another characteristic of Kyushu culture.

Even though wars in recent years seemed not to affect Great Tang’s flourishing, how could the ministers not ponder whether Kyushu would be stronger if not for all these wars?

This thought can’t be suppressed, it’s human nature.

Everything has two sides.

—This is the eternal truth.

Li Shimin never spoke up, but the thoughts in his mind never ceased.

He certainly knew the difficulty of this matter.

Li Shimin wasn’t worried about himself, but about the future rulers of Great Tang.

Such a matter can’t possibly be accomplished in one generation.

His thoughts led him to think of his son Li Chengqian.

Instantly, he thought about keeping an eye on his learning and character, then after a moment of silence, he gestured for the ministers to quiet down.

"There’s no need to discuss this further."

Li Shimin spoke solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling and others couldn’t help but sigh gently but ultimately didn’t say much.

"I understand what you all are worried about." Li Shimin glanced at Fang Xuanling and others, not angered by their actions, he instead calmly stood up and said, "The difficulty of this matter is far beyond what can be accomplished in one generation."

"I am well aware."

"You all urge me to proceed gradually, waiting until my Great Tang’s national strength reaches its peak when all sides will submit."

"But have you forgotten that years ago, Marquis Zhao Lie alone could awe four quarters, yet did they fully submit then?"

"I am now in my prime, my Great Tang is also thriving."

"Some matters—"

"If I don’t do them, who will in future generations?"

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

His tone paused slightly, his entire expression became more resolute: "Even if they lack my boldness, but have talented people assisting them, what is there to fear?"

The matter, thoroughly settled.

After Li Shimin said these words, the entire court of Great Tang would move towards this goal.

Even ministers like Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, who weren’t supportive of such aggressive approaches, would participate.

This is the current Great Tang.

—Politics clarity, ministers united.

Li Shimin bargained with ministers in Taiji Hall for a long time, until late at night when he finally let them depart.

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

Instead, he went to Li Zheng Hall to see Empress Zhangsun.

Li Shimin hadn’t been there for a while, being busy with state affairs, even during rare leisure he would visit other concubines.

Of course, this wasn’t because he had a poor relationship with Empress Zhangsun.

Empress Zhangsun’s status is unshakeable, including in Li Shimin’s heart.

This is indisputable.

As for visiting other concubines, it’s also human nature, whether an emperor lusts after beauty has never been the measure of his wisdom.

Under the dim candlelight.

Empress Zhangsun immediately noticed something wrong when she saw Li Shimin, then gently embraced him from behind, softly asked, "What’s troubling you, Your Majesty?"

"How has the Crown Prince been performing lately?"

Li Shimin gently held Empress Zhangsun’s hand, softly asked.

"The Crown Prince remains diligent," Empress Zhangsun lowered her gaze to recall, pearls in her hair gently swayed, "Practicing archery at dawn, studying classics and history in the evening, even the mentor praises his quick memory."

She recounted her son’s progress, yet saw her husband’s brows show no relaxation.

"Literary prowess and martial arts are merely the foundation for standing," Li Shimin turned and paced, the boots resounding heavily on the blue bricks, "A Crown Prince must possess the composure of facing Mount Tai’s collapse without changing his expression, and his character, this cannot be neglected."

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun was slightly taken aback, not directly agreeing but sitting in front of Li Shimin, looking into his eyes asked, "What truly troubles you, Your Majesty?"

"My Great Tang’s enterprise cannot be achieved in one generation....." Li Shimin’s expression was solemn, without concealing from Empress Zhangsun, "I... ultimately have some worries."

His expression was exceedingly sincere.

Upon seeing this, Empress Zhangsun was also taken aback.

Then she too said no more, merely regrasped Li Shimin’s hand, comforted, "Qian’Er is Your Majesty’s child, how could Your Majesty lack confidence in your own child?"

"Chengqian is still young, Your Majesty need not be so anxious."

She understands Li Shimin too well, knowing his longing for a prosperous era.

But Li Chengqian is truly too young now.

She feared Li Chengqian couldn’t bear such expectations from Li Shimin.

Yet Li Shimin’s expression remained so determined, people are like this, the more they care about something, the more they contemplate it.

Li Shimin is also inevitably like this.

After a moment of silence, suddenly remembering something, he immediately spoke: "Empress, quickly bring pen and paper, I need to write a letter to Ziyuan, asking him to prepare early."

"Your Majesty...." Empress Zhangsun seemed to want to say something, but seeing Li Shimin’s earnest expression, she ultimately said no more, then fetched pen and paper.

"Empress need not worry." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Li Shimin smiled and reassured her, then under the candlelight, wrote down all the court arrangements.

And at the end—

Still as usual told Gu Quan to take care of his health, return to the capital soon, and so on.

This had become the daily routine between Li Shimin and Gu Quan’s correspondence.

Yet the pair both reminded each other to take care of their health, when one kept risking at the battlefield, the other worked diligently day by day in the court.

They silently persist for their aspirations.

Not just them, many others do the same.

And just a few days later.

The specific system regulations were finally determined, various arrangements rapidly dispatched towards the Western Regions. ...

...

Ps: It’s the end of the month, requesting some monthly votes, I will resume daily updates of eight thousand at the beginning of next month, rest assured brothers!!!