I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 550: Chapter 58: Reform Resurges, Days of Constant Change

The entire imperial harem was a scene of intense turmoil.

Even Gu Yi found himself irresistibly drawn to witness this battle, a contest that could be deemed classic in the annals of history.

Currently, the Great Tang showed no signs of missteps.

Under the influence of Gu Jing.

The ministers also dared not get involved in the harem disputes, nor did they dare to disrupt the long-standing rules of the Great Tang.

Gu Jing’s ironclad measures, coupled with the deliberate forbearance of figures like Zhangsun Wuji, had instilled absolute fear in everyone.

Each faction formed a relative balance.

At least for now, there seemed to be no possibility of mistakes for the Great Tang.

It is worth mentioning that Li Shimin’s final acts at Lingyan Pavilion before his passing eventually spread widely.

Regarding how he defaced the portrait of Gu Quan.

Speculations abound among people about this matter.

Some claimed Gu Quan was the ghostly general who assisted Li Shimin during the Xuanwu Gate incident, and later became a formidable general across the northern and Western Regions battlefields.

Others claimed Li Shimin was dissatisfied with Gu Quan for not helping him during the palace rivalry, holding various grudges against him.

Perhaps due to the current stability of the Great Tang, this matter stirred significant waves.

Even on the court, some have begun discussing this issue, probing it underhandedly.

Yet, the Gu Clan remained silent continuously.

Although there are those wishing to prove Gu Quan’s innocence, none dared to defy his last will.

As the Gu Clan continued to hold its tongue, the controversy spread increasingly wide.

Of course, this was merely a minor ripple.

Gu Jing naturally did not bother with such trifles but focused on the entire land.

In fact, as the Great Tang reached this point today, what truly was needed was not territorial expansion but internal digestion, integration, and institutional reform.

Replace martial force with economic prosperity and cultural glory to hold sway over the regions;

Then leverage external forces to stimulate the rise of Kyushu.

In short, it involved continuing to build upon the grand foundation established by Li Shimin for the Great Tang.

This was the consensus among the court officials, guiding their conduct.

Now, everyone’s attention was centered on the Western Regions, including Gu Jing, seeking to seize the current stable state of the Western Regions to maximally develop commerce.

In fact, commerce between the Western Regions and Kyushu had always been relatively unstable over the years.

As for the reasons, they were naturally simple.

This was due to the excessive number of rebel forces within the various small nations.

To develop commerce, stability in the environment is essential, which the Western Regions had never fully possessed over the years.

And now was a critical time...

...

Chang’an, Chamber of State Affairs.

Although Emperor Li Zhi was absent, the ministers were still intensely discussing matters concerning the Western Regions.

Minister Chu Suiliang, with eyes sharp as stars, slowly scanned the assembly of officials, his robe sleeve gently brushing, his smile warm, "Gentlemen, the Western Regions are now settled."

"Taizong’s legacy, successful completion is in sight; this is indeed the cornerstone for the eternal stability of the state."

"Gentlemen, what good strategies do you have, please speak freely—imitation of the story of the reign of Zhen Guan! Today, we gather to deliberate on state affairs."

His smile was quite natural.

Without a trace of urgency between his brows.

Upon hearing this, the ministers nodded one after another, and immediately the sound of discussion arose directly.

—This was the Tang Dynasty’s court today!

No single faction dominated, nor was there absolute authoritarianism.

All parties were flourishing.

This naturally had numerous benefits, as long as the basic framework of the court could be maintained, and Emperor Li Zhi refrained from making foolish decisions, the Great Tang would hardly decline.

"With the Western Regions settled, emissaries should be quickly dispatched, gather the tribes, and register them in the Tang records!"

"Indeed! The Western Regions have long suffered chaos; households should be organized and people restrained, severing all thoughts of revival!"

"This move is utterly inadvisable. Gentlemen know the Western Regions have many troubles; to forcibly register the barbarians would surely provoke further rebellion?"

"Where are the barbarians?! Under heaven, none are not the king’s land! They dwell in Tang Territory and should be cherished children of the Great Tang!"

"..."

The discussion voices repeatedly emerged.

Gu Jing, too, came.

Seeing the varied attitudes of the ministers, he involuntarily turned to Zhangsun Wuji beside him, bowing his hand, and asked, "Grand Commander, what shall be the strategy for the Western Regions?"

Upon hearing this, the attendees immediately glanced over.

Though Gu Jing sat in second place.

No one dared to underestimate his status and understood it was because Gu Jing lagged Zhangsun Wuji by a generation.

"Follow the example of the past Gu Gong’s methods." Zhangsun Wuji pondered for a moment, then slowly said. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

—He referred to Gu Yu.

Actually, the scouting of border lands against the barbarians in the Great Tang over the years was indeed done by Gu Yu.

Although many things were improved subsequently.

But fundamentally, Gu Yu pointed the way for the Great Tang.

Seeing many ministers with doubt in their expressions, Grand Commander Zhangsun Wuji slowly stood, his gaze profound as an abyss, sweeping over the assembly, "The Western Regions newly settled, one must act cautiously."

"It must not be hasty, nor should opportunities be missed."

"A former Gu Gong once said—"

"Use martial force to intimidate, divide power with benefits, cultivate hearts with propriety, thus peace can be achieved all around."

"This is the path to be taken today as well."

"The various tribes of the Western Regions now fear our military might. At this moment, it is timely to guide them with benefits."

"My view: adopt the dual-register system."

"Allow them to retain their ancestral registry, and those who join Tang records, bestow upon them preferential treatment—reduce their taxes, ease commercial transactions."

"In this way, hearts can be captivated, commerce flourished, exchange facilitated, indeed a twofold beneficial strategy for the tranquility of the west and prosperity of Tang."

His tone was very calm.

Hearing this, the ministers couldn’t help but reveal thoughtful expressions.