hsntnovel Chapter 2781 I Observed the Stars at Night
Chapter 2781 I Observed the Stars at Night
Don't be greedy, children, Laba is the new year.
As we mentioned last time, Li Shen remembered the Southeast Asia plan, rushed back, and prepared to present his plan from that day.
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's lips curled up. He had guessed that once this rebellious son spoke up, it would prove that he had already planned it all along.
Even if you disagree, this rebellious son will act on his own; to put it bluntly, he'll do it first and ask for permission later.
The purpose of speaking out was to get the court to cooperate, save myself some trouble, and also to make it legitimate.
"Tell me, what brilliant plan do you have?"
After taking a sip of tea, Li Shimin asked calmly.
"Your Majesty, this plan is actually very simple. Just like we did in Baekje last time, we station troops here."
Li Shen bowed and replied.
“Governing troops? Your Highness Prince Ji, the Champa you mentioned should be called the Kingdom of Linyi. They sent envoys to the court to pay tribute and present a letter of state in the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era.”
The Zhenla Kingdom regularly sent envoys to pay tribute.
Although the Pyu Kingdom presented music, it has always maintained good relations with our Great Tang Dynasty.
The Kingdom of Duoheluo was also on good terms with our Great Tang Dynasty, and the imperial merchant ships often stopped there.
Panpan Kingdom, a small Buddhist country, repeatedly sent envoys to present tribute. Queen's Kingdom, a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty, paid tribute every year.
These countries all have ties to our Great Tang Dynasty. Does His Highness Prince Ji intend to forcibly station troops here?
Changsun Wuji stood up and bowed. Prince Ji's aggressiveness was too strong, which was not a good thing. It was a case of exhausting the army and being reckless.
The Tang Dynasty still had the Western Turks and Tibet in its territory, three small kingdoms in the northeast, and the Tiele in the north, though subjugated, were still eyeing it covetously. There were also the Wa (Japan), Srivijaya, Poli, and Java, as mentioned earlier.
Now that he has already made his move in all four directions, King Ji still feels it's not enough and wants to take over the small countries in the south.
"Duke Zhao, of course I will not forcibly station troops, wouldn't that be an insult to the dignity of my Great Tang?"
The south has always been plagued by miasma, abundant water, and rugged mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
"This is the same method I've adopted to deal with the Tibetans: station troops there, let them adapt to the climate and environment, and understand the geographical location. When the time is right, we can defeat them in one fell swoop."
Li Shen clenched his fist in mid-air, as if everything was under his control.
"Your Highness, it seems you didn't understand what this old minister just said. These countries will not allow us to station troops here."
As you said, if we forcibly station troops, it will severely damage the reputation of our Great Tang Dynasty.
Our Great Tang Dynasty is a land of propriety and a celestial empire; we cannot allow the world to perceive us as bullying the weak.
Seeing Li Shen's excited expression, Changsun Wuji felt compelled to offer a word of advice.
Li Shen smiled slightly.
"What if these small countries were to suffer a devastating blow? Would they ask for help?"
"A mysterious strike? What does that mean?"
No one understood the meaning behind Li Shen's words.
"Ahem..." Li Shen coughed lightly, then said in a pretentious manner:
"Last night, I observed the stars and discovered that Venus was shining brightly in the south. The appearance of Venus signifies impending war and conflict; Venus is the god of war and conflict."
Therefore, I predict that the southern kingdoms will be thrown into chaos, ranging from armed conflict to dynastic change.
Their royal family will surely seek help from our Great Tang, and our Great Tang will then be able to legitimately station troops there.
As soon as Li Shen finished speaking, the scene fell silent. Wasn't the appearance of Venus a sign of turmoil in the world? Why is it mentioning the southern kingdoms?
Ancient people believed in astrology, which is a field of study concerning four-dimensional space, cosmic energy, dark matter, and magnetic fields.
Even Li Shimin frowned. He thought the same as everyone else: the appearance of Venus meant war was imminent.
“Your Highness Prince Ji, this matter is of great importance. You must not speak recklessly,” Ma Zhou bowed and reminded him.
A single word can kill people, many people.
“Ma Zhongshu, I like to read miscellaneous books when I have nothing to do at home. You should know that Sun Simiao is a Taoist. I spend a lot of time with him, so it’s normal for me to learn some esoteric arts.”
After Li Shen said this, some of the others believed him, but Li Shimin immediately realized that it was all nonsense about mystical arts.
This unfilial son can't even read a few words; he always has his maid read to him. With his lazy nature, how could he possibly study any mystical arts?
Even though Venus is shining brightly, he doesn't recognize Venus.
That's why they say no one knows a son better than his father. Li Shimin guessed it right away. When Li Shen was told that Venus and Polaris were the stars, he would search for a long time to confirm whether it was true or not.
The reason he said that was just to give himself a better excuse. As for whether they believed him or not, Li Shen couldn't care less.
"Yes, if this matter is as Prince Ji said, the court could consider helping the vassal state overcome its difficulties."
Li Shimin nodded, which indicated that he agreed with Li Shen's plan.
"But...but Your Majesty, could it really be that the southern kingdoms are in chaos? We've never heard of any hostile forces among them."
Xu Jingzong was somewhat skeptical. He was in charge of the Ministry of Rites and frequently dealt with envoys from foreign countries.
"I think this matter doesn't need much discussion. If it's true, we'll let nature take its course. If it doesn't happen, the court won't suffer any loss."
Regardless of whether there is such a plan or not, we should lend a hand to any vassal state that requests our assistance. What do you gentlemen think?
Li Chengqian then spoke.
The others were taken aback, then nodded repeatedly. That's right, whether what Prince Ji said is true or not, the court has no losses anyway.
But if it's true, then it would be an opportunity for the imperial court.
Even if they can't seize their country, they can at least gain some benefits.
Unbeknownst to them, their mindset had changed at some point.
In the past, helping vassal states was all for nothing; not only did they not receive any benefits, they would even provide some relief.
This is all to demonstrate the magnanimity of a great power.
But I don't know when it started, all they could think about was whether they could get some benefits or take advantage of other countries.
"This old minister seconded the idea. His Highness the Crown Prince is right. This may be our opportunity."
If there truly were three harvests a year there, our Great Tang would never again suffer from famine.
Changsun Wuji was the first to jump out and express his agreement.
"I second the proposal."
"I also second my opinion."
Then the others agreed with Li Chengqian's words.
“In that case, Gao Ming, prepare to mobilize the soldiers from the Annam Protectorate. They are more adapted to the weather there.”
Seeing that everyone agreed, Li Shimin gave an instruction to Li Chengqian.
"Yes, Father, I obey the decree." Li Chengqian stood up to accept the order.
"I am tired. If there is nothing else, you may leave."
Li Shimin leaned back on his couch, closed his eyes, and waved to the crowd.
Everyone quickly rose and bowed:
"Your subject takes his leave." This was the minister's voice.
"Then I'm leaving." That was Li Shen's voice.
The group left Ganlu Hall and headed out of the palace, while Li Chengqian returned to Liangyi Hall to continue reviewing memorials.
(Wishing everyone a happy ninth day of the Lunar New Year)