Chapter 459: Chapter 24: Peaceful Rivers and Ambitious Aims to Conquer the Land

The entire court was united in purpose.

The exemplary role that Emperor Li Shimin was able to play was indeed immense.

In fact, in many situations—

As a true ruler, one only needs to set an example like Li Shimin and implement the right policies, which is more than enough for the entire realm.

Under such circumstances, the whole of Kyushu was recovering at an astonishing speed.

This indeed differed from the original history.

The emergence of the Gu Clan accelerated the progress of productivity, making current history surpass the original history.

Coupled with the innate cultural background of the Huaxia people, who lived off the land.

Once the situation had safely stabilized, the rate of recovery for the whole realm could be seen improving with the naked eye.

Especially this time with the repair of canals across the land.

This was unimaginable for the restoration of grain production across the realm.

Not only could the canals be used to irrigate fertile land, but they could also be used to open up a multitude of good fields.

The constant decline in population had destined that there was too much abandoned land beneath the heavens, which now could all be used for cultivation.

As long as clear governance was maintained and large clans were prevented from hoarding troops.

The results of all this would be extraordinary.

And reality did not disappoint Li Shimin’s efforts.

By the third year of the Zhen’guan era, the population of the whole realm had already recovered from less than twenty million at the end of the Sui Dynasty, when warlords had risen, to over twenty-six million, and the area of cultivated land far exceeded everyone’s expectations.

—Two hundred million mu!

The significance of this figure is self-evident.

As times gradually improved, its chain reactions continued unabated.

Trade routes were reconnected;

Under the court’s policies, commerce throughout the Great Tang was also recovering at a visibly rapid pace.

At the same time, even migrants began returning to their homelands.

Refugees have always been the most unstable factor in a dynasty, and when they appeared in significant numbers, they could easily dismantle the foundation of a dynasty.

Destroying it bit by bit from the bottom up.

But now that the migrants were returning, everyone could clearly sense the changes in the realm.

—It seemed that a golden age was truly returning.

....

Li Shimin was deeply concerned with this matter, which also strengthened his determination.

He had not gone down the wrong path!

In his great joy, Li Shimin did not become complacent.

With steadfast ambition, after confirming everything, Li Shimin would only lead the Great Tang more resolutely forward.

He ordered the re-registration of households and gathered refugees from afar.

He also never forgot his emphasis on grain storage and always required frugality from officials in all directions.

Moreover, he also did not forget the example he wanted to set.

He ordered a reduction in tributes from all directions.

Furthermore, Li Shimin found time to delve more deeply into past golden ages, including some ancient texts left behind by his forebears of the Gu Clan.

Referring to the wise rulers and prosperous times of each generation of the Gu Clan, he pondered the unique path for the Great Tang.

Of course, sometimes Li Shimin inevitably made mistakes.

But he had capable individuals like Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, and members of the Gu Clan assisting him.

With these figures known throughout history aiding him.

Combined with Li Shimin’s decisiveness and wisdom.

The Great Tang’s future path became increasingly clear in the course of these discussions.

Even Gu Yi had to marvel that Li Shimin was truly worthy of his name.

In this era.

No one could overshadow his brilliance, not even the members of the Gu clan, who could only march forward following his lead.

He perfectly absorbed the principles of the Gu Clan;

And based on this, his talent and ability far exceeded others.

Especially his courage.

This invincible mindset unique to him made Li Shimin even more flawless, always steering the entire realm in the direction he desired.

In the fourth year of the Zhen’guan era, February;

Li Shimin formally proposed anonymous marking and transcription of exams in the court, to eradicate nepotism.

Moreover, he personally annotated the Five Classics and Gu’s School.

He formally established an evaluation system that balanced classical learning with current affairs.

In addition—

He instituted an evaluation system for all regional officials, using population growth rate, grain production, crime resolution rate, and the number of schools as benchmarks, with promotion for the excellent and dismissal or exile for the poor.

Strengthening central control over local management.

This move was indeed earth-shattering.

Perhaps only an emperor like Li Shimin would dare to take such a groundbreaking step.

Such a move could greatly harm the interests of all aristocratic clans.

Although from the modern perspective of Gu Yi, this policy still left much room for corruption.

But for the current era, it was enough!

If this policy could be continued, at least within a hundred years, the quality of officials across the Great Tang would improve significantly.

This is the continuous progress of system reforms.

This matter would naturally incite opposition from many.

It was unavoidable, as the stakes involved were immense, and no matter how strong Li Shimin’s reputation was, these individuals wouldn’t sit idle.

Even Li Yuan was drawn into it.

Though Li Yuan no longer involved himself in state affairs, holding no power, and constantly indulged in pleasures within the palace.