Chapter 461: Chapter 24: Peaceful Rivers and Ambitious Aims to Conquer the Land

Rebellion?

Who dares to rebel against Li Shimin?

The people of the world have truly suffered for too long, and Li Shimin’s current prestige has already far surpassed that of other emperors, even those wise rulers in history pale in comparison.

This is the unstoppable tide of history!

Li Shimin has clearly prepared all his plans, hoping to use his ability to quickly restore all of Kyushu.

And this year, it seems even the heavens are helping him.

The entire realm has not seen any disasters.

Reports of bountiful harvests come successively from all provinces and counties!

The granaries he established were filled, local grain prices began to stabilize, and the continuous development of commerce brought about a large-scale economic recovery, while the price of grain became as low as three or four qian again across all of Kyushu after many years.

The entire population of Kyushu is also steadily increasing.

In just four short years.

Kyushu directly recovered from its exhausted state and gradually revived.

And in such circumstances, Li Shimin also turned his attention directly to the Turkic tribes.

...

That night.

The moon shone brightly with few stars, the night was clear and bright.

In the Taiji Hall.

Seeing Gu Quan walking slowly into the palace, Li Shimin, who was reviewing reports from various regions, immediately waved his hand with a face full of joy and said, "Ziyuan, come and take a look."

He did not put on any airs of an emperor at all, directly handing the reports to Gu Quan.

This made Gu Quan, who originally intended to pay formal respects, helplessly stop and accept the reports.

The reports detailed the conditions in various places.

Looking at these reports, Gu Quan’s face also revealed a slight smile, though it seemed more sinister under his scars.

He carefully perused them for a long time, then set them down, cupping his hands in congratulations: "Minister congratulates Your Majesty."

"Ziyuan!" Li Shimin frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of disappointment with Gu Quan’s stubbornness, "I told you long ago, you and I should be like Han Guangwu and Marquis Zhongwu. If you remain this obstinate, don’t blame me for getting angry!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Quan merely smiled gently, nodding solemnly, and couldn’t resist advising, "Your Majesty, your body is worth a thousand gold; I hope you take great care of your health and do not work day and night to such an extent."

"With the golden era not yet upon us, how can I rest easy?" A slight bitter smile flashed through Li Shimin’s eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He raised his hand, indicating for Gu Quan to sit.

He lightly tapped his fingers on the table, then abruptly turned to the main topic: "Ziyuan, now that the livelihood of the people has gradually recovered, I wish to thoroughly resolve the Turkic problem. What do you think?"

The Turkic menace was like a thorn in the back.

Moreover, as time passed, the influence Gu Yu initially had on them also steadily diminished.

In the past two years, as the power of the Great Tang grew, Jie Li Khan became increasingly greedy, crossing the border frequently despite Li Shimin not agreeing to his demands.

Fortunately, Gu Yan and others guarded the frontier, barely maintaining peace on the border.

Li Shimin had long harbored thoughts of waging war.

He intended, like Gu Chen before, to completely eliminate all hidden threats for the Great Tang.

Gu Quan knew of this and was aware that Li Shimin’s character would not allow him to endure this any longer, so he immediately nodded and solemnly cupped his hands: "Your Majesty’s decision aligns perfectly with the times!"

"Now, with cavalry as numerous as clouds and abundant provisions, it is the opportune moment to strike. "

"If Your Majesty trusts this minister, I am willing to personally lead elite soldiers and strike directly at Shuofang!"

How could he not have been waiting for this day?

The title of Champion Marquis—

He wanted to personally earn it and make the Gu Clan worthy of this name!

By the time he finished speaking, his eyes were filled with an irrepressible fighting spirit.

Seeing this, the smile on Li Shimin’s face grew even broader.

Gu Quan understood him.

And how could he not understand Gu Quan?

Li Shimin did not say much, simply stood quietly and walked to the map, pointing to the locations of the Turkic tribes, Western Regions, and Goguryeo: "This vast world is enough for Ziyuan to gallop through."

As he spoke, there was a slight pause in his tone, and he pointed to Lingnan on the map, continuing, "I have been studying the policies of Marquis Jingxiang these days."

"I’ve been pondering one thing."

He suddenly turned to look at Gu Quan, seriously saying, "Ziyuan, do you think it’s possible for us in this era to achieve what Marquis Jingxiang envisioned back then?"

Hearing this, Gu Quan’s expression instantly became serious.

He understood Li Shimin’s intention.

It was the future vision Gu Yi had when controlling Gu Ye, about the future of Lingnan.

A maritime Silk Road.

One that would be far more clearly defined and complete than the so-called ’Sea Conquest’ in traditional history.

Although Lingnan has now been integrated into Kyushu.

However, over the years, this had never been accomplished, because the national strength required is unimaginable, and neither the weakened Yan Han nor the brief Sui Dynasty could support it.

Gu Yi had originally left the strengths and weaknesses of this plan with the Gu Clan.

Now that Li Shimin spoke of this, it was clear he had this intention.

Gu Quan was silent for a long time this time.

How could he not understand the demands of this initiative?

"This minister deeply understands Your Majesty’s ambition."

But gazing at the blazing determination in Li Shimin’s eyes, reflecting upon the changes in all of Kyushu over recent years, his throat warmed, and he finally nodded heavily, "It can be done!"

"Your Majesty is the sacred ruler appointed by the Celestial Mandate,"

He suddenly knelt on one knee, his voice filled with fervent conviction, "Such grand aspirations and great enterprises will surely be accomplished!"

....

(Ps: Seeking a monthly vote, brothers, can the humble plea of a sickly scribe move you saints to grant more favor?)