stonecrandall Chapter 1103 Conquering the World, Emulating Emperor Wu of Han!
Chapter 1103 Conquering the World, Emulating Emperor Wu of Han!
Ten years into the Chinese calendar, spring, at the Yangming Palace in Xianyang.
Outside the palace, willow catkins drifted like snowflakes; inside, the fragrance of incense wafted softly. Gao Yao—whom no one dared call by his given name anymore, and who was universally addressed as "Holy Emperor" or "Your Majesty"—stood before a massive map of the world. The map was drawn on fine silk.
The ink lines outline the known mountains and rivers, while large areas remain a chilling blank, or marked with only a few strokes, indicating strange place names that have been heard of.
His finger slowly traced the map, from the coast of the East China Sea, westward, across the Pamir Mountains, to that hazy region marked as Taixi; then northward, venturing into that vast blank space representing harsh cold and nomadic life.
Three years ago, this map was centered on the Nine Provinces. Now, the boundaries of "Huaxia" have spread outwards like ink drops into water.
"Government troops, teach language, respect culture, and follow the calendar." Gao Yao repeated these eight words in a low voice, his voice echoing in the empty hall. Beneath the calm surface lay an unwavering, iron will. This was not a discussion, but a declaration; not appeasement or indoctrination, but the fire and sword of civilization.
For those newly incorporated states and tribes or those about to be targeted by military force, Gao Yao offered only one path: complete assimilation, a seamless "unity." Agree? Then you will be accepted according to Chinese customs and laws, granted household registration, taught farming, and given a way to survive.
Disagree? The iron cavalry and laws of China will make the choice for you.
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the few people standing solemnly to the side of the hall. Ran Min stood with his arms crossed, like a dormant volcano. The cruelty of the "Order to Kill the Hu" had been tempered into an even more sinister pressure. He was the sharpest spear in Gao Yao's hands, specially designed to pierce through the most stubborn barriers.
Lu Bu slightly raised his head, his arrogance still lingering, yet completely tamed by a higher level of conquering desire. His Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and Trapped Camp had become symbols of lightning-fast attacks. Besides them, there were several civil and military officials in the hall, each with a distinct temperament—some as steady as a mountain, others as sharp as an eagle—all outstanding individuals born from that profound system.
Their existence filled every gap in governance and conquest, making this war and rule machine called "Huaxia" operate with precision and terror.
It was this unprecedented strength that allowed Gao Yao to completely shed the last trace of caution and hesitation of an outsider. The lessons of history? He learned them, but was by no means bound by them. The constraints of reality? With his absolute authority and the abundant resources backed by the system, they were virtually nonexistent. The shadow of powerful clans was dispelled by him with skillful and resolute means; the imperial examinations and military merits became the only two ladders to advancement, and the blood of the empire flowed fresh and vibrant.
The granaries are overflowing with grain thanks to advanced farming methods and high-yield seeds; the armor and weapons are unparalleled in their sharpness, thanks to steelmaking and standardized production methods that ensure a continuous supply of weaponry. Today's China is not only capable of winning battles, but also of sustaining and maintaining its military strength.
His children grew up amidst this grand atmosphere of the empire's rise. When his eldest daughter married, she married the son of a Privy Councilor. The young man was someone Gao Yao had watched grow up; he was intelligent and pragmatic, and he and his eldest daughter had been childhood sweethearts, studying together at the royal academy and riding horses together at the Western Hills horse farm. Gao Yao did not deliberately arrange the marriage, nor did he intend to use it to bind court officials—if he needed to, he had many more direct methods.
This marriage seemed more like a natural progression, a result of similar social classes, education, and environments. Gao Yao understood this clearly: before a fundamental leap in productive forces and relations of production occurred, the luck, temperament, and costs required for a cross-class union were far from the romanticized image of fairy tales. He had no intention of challenging the unspoken rules of feudal society with his children's happiness; letting things take their natural course and marrying within one's social class was, in a way, a safe and secure form of protection.
As for his sons who showed ambition in military and political affairs, Gao Yao provided them with an unprecedented stage. He transformed the future frontiers of the empire into a sandbox for them to achieve great things.
“Boss, your goal is the west.” Gao Yao pointed to the vast region of Central Asia on the map, the throat of the Silk Road and a springboard to the more distant continent of Europe. “I don’t want you to be impatient for quick success, but I want you to proceed step by step, building cities, cultivating land, and stationing troops, so that the post stations and beacon towers of China can extend westward like the roots of a tree. When you encounter powerful countries, defeat their armies and intimidate their people; when you encounter scattered tribes, gather their people and assimilate their customs. Remember, behind you are the grain supplies of the entire Guanzhong Plain and the cavalry of the entire Longyou region.”
"Second brother, the sea is your battlefield." His finger pointed to the long coastline to the east and south, and the numerous islands scattered across it. "The navy has been expanded for you. I want all the important islands to have lighthouses and fortresses of China. Explore sea routes, eliminate pirates, and if any island barbarians do not submit to the rule of the king..." Gao Yao paused, a cold glint in his eyes, "Do you know why the former Song Dynasty was weak? When the seas are not peaceful, wealth and security are in the hands of others. What you must do is ensure that wherever the sun rises, the banners of China can be seen."
"Third brother, the harsh north is the root of our deepest troubles." His gaze swept across the vast grasslands and Gobi Desert. "Emperor Wu of Han exhausted the nation's resources to achieve several generations of peace. I don't ask you to solve all the problems at once, but I want you to continue to press northward, to divide, pacify, and conquer. Build cities in places with abundant water and grass, and relocate ironworkers, farmers, and students from the interior. Let the children on the grasslands learn Chinese characters and sing Chinese songs. Those who disagree..." Gao Yao didn't finish his sentence, but the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees.
His strategy was simple yet ruthless: a combination of force and assimilation, using absolute military might to expand territory and cultural immersion to gain time. He gave his children clear direction, unlimited resources, and immense autonomy, allowing them to disobey the emperor's orders even when in the field. Victory meant territorial expansion and historical glory; defeat, however, meant the entire empire would provide a safety net, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and rise again. It was a high-stakes gamble, wagering the fate of the nation, yet one in which victory seemed almost assured.
Autumn of the thirteenth year of the Chinese calendar.
In a mere three years, time seemed to fly by in the historians' pens, but on the empire's frontiers, it was a magnificent chapter of bloodshed and territorial expansion. The empire's territory had swelled to more than three times its former glory at the height of the Qin Dynasty. Of course, much of this newly added territory consisted of sparsely populated grasslands, deserts, forests, and islands; the true clash of great powers had not yet fully unfolded, but the vanguard of China had already driven deep into the hearts of all sides like wedges.
In the actual process of conquest, Gao Yao's core instructions to the frontline commanders were often condensed into one word: kill. This was not a bloodthirsty frenzy, but a calculated and efficient form of rule.