Chapter 5209 The King of Wa

Chapter 5209 The King of Wa
Instead of retreating towards the Iron Gate Pass to return to Suyab to report, the Tang army sailed downstream along the Uhu River...

This is the direction to catch fish!
Buhe is located on the banks of the Wuhu River downstream. After crossing the Wuhu River, one can go deep into the desert and reach Mulu, an important town on the Silk Road.

As for Merv, it was a military hub used by the Abbasid Caliphate to control the vast Transoxiana region in northern Persia after the Abbasid Caliphate destroyed Persia...

Yu Gushe suddenly realized that since the Tang army was pursuing the defeated Arabs, it would not have only dispatched three thousand men. This was just one of the Tang army's troops, and not even the main force.

So where is the main force of the Tang army?

Could they have chased him all the way to Buhe, who was trying to attack Mulu?

What happens after defeating Mulu?
To conquer the Persian Plateau?
Yu Gushe stared wide-eyed at the slowly retreating Tang army and gasped.

Has the Tang army become so powerful?
Not only did they defeat and annihilate the Arab army that invaded the border, but they also had to launch a long and arduous expedition to attack Damascus.
In a daze, Yu Gushe suddenly remembered a sentence that had been widely circulated among the Hu people and brought endless disasters.

"If the enemy can go, so can I!"

Will the powerful words uttered by the great Han emperor hundreds of years ago be repeated today?

That was the nightmare of all the Hu people.

*****
Changan.

When the first snow of winter fell, the entire city and palaces were covered in white snow, a silver-clad and exceptionally enchanting sight.

Li Tai, returning to Chang'an from Luoyang to report on his duties, entered the Taiji Palace. Looking at the palace, every brick and tile seemed much the same as when he was a child, yet for some reason, every place evoked a sense of unfamiliarity...

Perhaps back then, this palace belonged to the emperor, and he, as the emperor's most favored son, had a share of it. But now, it has nothing to do with him anymore.

The same thing can evoke vastly different feelings depending on whether it belongs to you or not.

Inside the Imperial Study, Li Tai performed the grand ceremony with utmost respect. Despite Li Chengqian's repeated requests for him to refrain from the ceremony and his personal assistance in helping him up from his desk, there was not the slightest oversight in the proper etiquette.

Although we are compatriots and blood brothers, national etiquette is greater than family etiquette, so how could we dare to be negligent?

He deeply regretted the terrible advice Zhang Xingcheng had given him in Luoyang, and now that he was back in Chang'an, he dared not make any more mistakes...

“We are brothers, and there are no outsiders present. Why bother with these formalities? Qingque, your efforts in going to Luoyang to oversee the construction of the city and palaces are truly commendable.”

Li Chengqian held Li Tai's hand and sat on the floor mat by the window, smiling happily, but then frowned: "However, many censors have repeatedly submitted memorials and impeached you, saying that you are fickle and demanding in Luoyang, and that countless wealthy merchants have suffered losses as a result."

Li Tai thought to himself, "As expected," and quickly explained, "Your Majesty is wise. It's not that I'm being unreasonable or turning my back on you, but those people have gone too far. Those so-called wealthy merchants are merely dependent on various powerful clans. However, I considered that only those powerful clans could do the work of building the Eastern Capital and repairing the palaces, so I allowed them to participate in the construction. Who would have thought that these people would cheat me, use inferior materials, and even join forces to try to coerce me... This is absolutely unacceptable."

"really?"

Li Chengqian's face darkened. Although the Zhaoling case was over, its influence still existed. Those bastards dared to tamper with even Emperor Taizong's mausoleum, let alone the mere city of Luoyang.

Li Tai nodded: "How could your humble servant dare to deceive Your Majesty? However, those powerful clans now harbor deep resentment towards the central government, and I do not wish to provoke an excessive reaction from them, so I have only expelled them. Of course, the money, silk, and materials they previously invested in the construction will be confiscated and not returned."

Li Chengqian nodded and personally poured tea for Li Tai.

Since his ascension to the throne, two successive mutinies in Chang'an City were caused by powerful clans, which severely damaged the city and left it in an unprecedentedly weak state, with a severe shortage of money, silk, and people.

He thought he could make a fortune by building the eastern capital Luoyang in the central government, but he was ruthlessly driven out by Li Tai and lost everything. How could he not be angry?
Naturally, they would incite the officials in the court to speak on his behalf. Even if they couldn't do anything to Li Tai, they would still stir up trouble and make Li Tai hesitate to act against him in the future.

After all, with such a huge piece of meat as Luoyang, those powerful families and clans would never stand idly by and try every means to get a piece of it...

"Qingque, rest assured, all the memorials impeaching you have already been kept in the central government. You can go ahead and build the Eastern Capital with confidence. I will take care of everything else."

Li Chengqian actually wanted to ask Fang Jun what they discussed in Luoyang, and why Fang Jun's behavior in Luoyang suddenly changed so drastically.

However, after careful consideration, I decided not to submit the application.

He understood Li Tai's current situation. The more there was discussion and slander, the more sensitive, suspicious, and apprehensive he became because of his identity. Since Fang Jun would not incite Li Tai to rebel, and Li Tai himself had long given up on that idea, why bother to investigate further and create panic?
Li Tai was extremely grateful: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

He was genuinely grateful.

Throughout history, very few emperors have been able to treat their legitimate brothers, who had once vied for the throne, with such leniency after ascending to the throne. He could deeply feel Li Chengqian's desire to "share wealth and honor with his brothers."

"Hey, why be so polite with me, a brother like you?"

Li Chengqian waved his hand dismissively, then looked at Li Tai and asked, "When Mother was alive, the three of us brothers loved each other dearly and were very respectful to one another. Zhi Nu was young, but the two of us grew up together, and our bond was stronger than any other. Now that the emperor and his subjects are in their positions and the world is in order, I can only enjoy the empire left by Father. I am often uneasy about this, so I intend to have the emperors establish their own kingdoms and enjoy the honor and glory that comes with Father's bloodline. What do you think?"

Although he had already heard rumors, how could Li Tai get involved in such a matter?
“Since there are positions for the ruler and his subjects, and the order of the universe, Your Majesty should make the decisions alone. Your subject has no objection.”

My heart is willing. Even if I am sent to a remote and impoverished place to establish a feudal state, it is still a country, and I will be the ruler of that country. It is better than being in Chang'an, where I am constantly controlled, in constant fear, and have to speak and act with trepidation.

Your Majesty is currently showing consideration for your brotherhood, but who knows if your mind will change drastically and you will change your ways in the future?
If you go to a fiefdom, you should just behave yourself, keep a low profile and be patient. You can't just mobilize a large army to attack someone without a reason, can you?

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea and asked, "Your status is different from others. Not only are you the eldest among the princes, but you are also my own son. If you have a place in mind, feel free to tell me. You can choose from all over the place. I will definitely give you a good place."

Li Tai replied respectfully, "I will leave it all to Your Majesty. As a bulwark for the country and a guardian of this region, wherever I go, I will certainly discipline the army and cherish the people, building an indestructible Great Wall for Your Majesty and upholding Your Majesty's imperial authority."

Li Chengqian said with dissatisfaction: "Just say it when I tell you to. Why be so polite? If you don't speak now, and the Zhinu people have picked out all the good places, leaving only those desolate, barbaric, and miasma-ridden lands, don't try to cheat me by refusing to go."

Upon hearing this, Li Tai quickly said, "Since Your Majesty inquires, then... what about Japan?"

As early as when he heard in Luoyang that His Majesty intended to "feudalize the world", he had already thought that His Majesty might ask this question one day. So he and Fang Jun stayed in a secret room for a long time to discuss in detail all kinds of taboos, advantages and disadvantages, and finally came to the conclusion of Japan.

Japan is located far overseas, but it is close to the Tang Dynasty, separated only by a narrow strip of water. It has numerous islands and a considerable territory, but it is too scattered. It also has many volcanoes and is frequently hit by hurricanes. Plains within its borders are scarce, resulting in very low grain production. Furthermore, many of its gold and silver mines are currently under the control of its navy.

It is neither too far from the central control, thus avoiding causing unease, nor too wealthy, thus avoiding the worry of becoming too powerful. Furthermore, its proximity to the Tang Dynasty resulted in a large Han population and frequent trade with the Tang, providing excellent living conditions.

It can be considered an ideal place.

Much better than Li Ke's Silla...

"Japan?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment, then looked troubled: "Although Japan is not far away, it is small in size and has a small population. Now, Iyo Island has been leased by the Tang Dynasty and renamed 'Wu Island'. Tsukushi is suffering from the invasion of immigrants from Goguryeo, Baekje and other countries. On the main island, the Emishi people are constantly attacking and there is constant warfare... It's not appropriate, is it?"

While we must guard against Li Tai taking advantage of the situation to grow powerful and threaten the Central Plains, we also cannot abandon him in a barren land like Japan, otherwise the discussions in the court and among the people will inevitably be detrimental to him as emperor.

He appeared kind and benevolent under the guise of "feudal rule," but in reality, he abandoned his younger brother to fend for himself in a desolate overseas region...

This goes against his original intention.

Li Tai hurriedly said, "Your Majesty only knows about the poverty of Japan, but is unaware of its advantages."

Li Chengqian asked in surprise, "Oh? There are advantages to such a small place?"

"Of course! Japan has many volcanoes that erupt frequently, but this also means it has many hot springs. Building a few hot springs and soaking in them every day would be the ultimate pleasure! Furthermore, some people are already using the spring water to grow rice, which is sweet and has an excellent taste! And because it is located by the sea, there is an inexhaustible supply of delicious seafood! As for the war on the island, it is not worth mentioning. We only need His Majesty's imperial decree to issue and bring it into our territory, and then the fighting will cease and peace will prevail. Who would dare to provoke His Majesty's divine might?"

After a pause, Li Tai rubbed his hands together, revealing a fawning smile: "Besides, Your Majesty knows me well. I love reading, and although I haven't produced poems and songs as brilliantly as Erlang, I can still be considered quite learned. Japan and the Tang Dynasty are separated only by a narrow strip of water, and Japan's culture has been deeply influenced by the Tang Dynasty. Many Tang scholars have even traveled there to study, and I, as a child, have been able to come into contact with Chinese literature. Even if it's a bit impoverished and austere, I'm happy with it. If I were to go to those barbarian lands inhabited by Kunlun slaves, eating raw meat and drinking blood every day, living among savages... such a life would be worse than death for me!"

(End of this chapter)