stonecrandall Chapter 1104 It's better to be wiped out than to have someone keep bothering you!
Chapter 1104 It's better to be wiped out than to have someone keep bothering you!
Tribal leaders who stubbornly resist, shamans who incite rebellion, and cavalry who attack supply lines will all be eliminated with swift and decisive action. Ambiguous surrenders or repeated submissions will not be accepted. Gao Yao is well aware of why "border troubles" have been repeatedly suppressed throughout history: excessive appeasement is seen as weakness, which fosters their covetousness; incomplete suppression will only lead to resurgence, exhausting the empire's financial and material resources.
According to Gao Yao, Emperor Wu of Han's mistake lay in his eagerness for quick success, which depleted the resources accumulated during the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, leaving the people exhausted and the population halved. However, his achievements were also immense: the Xiongnu fled far away, and there was no royal court south of the Gobi Desert, laying the foundation for the Han dynasty's northern border structure for centuries. The price was heavy, but without this, the Han dynasty would have been in grave danger. This was exchanging temporary immense suffering for long-term peace; its merits and demerits are difficult to judge definitively.
As for Emperor Taizong of Tang, he was a supremely gifted ruler, skilled in both civil and military affairs. The Alliance at the Wei River was both a testament to forbearance and wisdom. His subsequent policies as the "Heavenly Khan" brought submission from all corners of the world, with countless nations paying tribute—a display of magnanimity that shines through the ages. He attempted to construct a world order centered on Chinese civilization, transcending the conquest of force—what foresight and vision!
However, Gao Yao's fingers tapped across the map of the Western Regions and Liaodong: But Emperor Taizong's policies placed too high a demand on his successor. Only a ruler with great talent and strategic vision, skilled in both civil and military affairs, could manage such a complex situation. Once the central government weakened even slightly, those obedient "sons" would transform into wolves. During the An Lushan Rebellion, the Uyghurs aided the war but then plundered Chang'an; the Tibetans seized the opportunity to take Hexi; the Nanzhao Kingdom sometimes rebelled and sometimes submitted… Throughout the Tang Dynasty, border troubles were never truly quelled. While appeasement could create a temporary reputation for prosperity, it also sowed the seeds of long-term problems. It relied on the continued strength and prestige of the central government; it was a kind of "might makes right," but what ruler remains forever strong?
But Gao Yao had no such worries. Modern China was free from the constraints of powerful clans, financial worries, and possessed a well-trained army, ample supplies, and formidable weaponry. It was in an unprecedented period of strength. If not now, when would they wait to sweep away all opposition with swift and decisive action?
Should we wait until internal changes occur and national strength declines before dealing with those 'vassal states' that have become a threat? Therefore, he not only supported the necessary "determination and punishment" at the front lines, but also institutionalized the rotation of major main army groups to take turns going on expeditions.
Firstly, it prevents a single army from becoming too powerful and uncontrollable by being stationed abroad for too long; secondly, it allows more troops to experience real combat and maintain their edge; and thirdly, it ensures that the "benefits" of war can reach the military more broadly, thus maintaining morale.
However, once the empire's territory crossed a certain critical point, Gao Yao's desire for expansion began to recede slowly, like the tide. Standing on the high platform of Weiyang Palace, gazing at the star-studded night sky, what rose in his heart was not an endless thrill of conquest, but a profound clarity and prudence.
The cost of domination is proportional to the square of the distance. Victory reports from the northern deserts take two months to reach Chang'an; supply fleets to the islands in the East China Sea must traverse monsoons and reefs. The ability to conquer even farther territories now relies on a generational leap in organizational capabilities and weaponry. But what happens after the conquest?
If one day, a large army were to set foot in the heart of Western Europe, or even further into the African continent, it would take six months for news of victory to reach the capital, and a year for government orders to be issued. The appointed governor, far from the emperor's reach, would, after several years, still yearn for Chang'an (Xiong'an), or would he establish himself as king? The local people, speaking entirely different languages and worshipping entirely different gods, what would convince them to identify as 'citizens of China'? With troops? How many would be needed? How would logistics be maintained?
The exploration fleet has brought back news that there does indeed appear to be vast landmasses across the ocean. However, given Gaoyao's current shipbuilding technology, large-scale, safe voyages across the ocean will still take time. Even if they do reach them, the difficulty of establishing dominance will far exceed that on land. It may not be an undertaking that can be accomplished in one or two generations.
Gao Yao's ambitions encountered invisible boundaries for the first time in the face of the realities of physical laws and the logic of governance. His pursuit of a unified world, on this planet at that time, was more like a philosophical concept or ultimate goal than a political project that could be accomplished overnight.
"I am satisfied." At a certain inner court meeting, Gao Yao unexpectedly said this. Seeing the astonished expressions of his ministers, he smiled slightly, a smile that held both the composure of someone in control and a hint of worldly weariness.
It's not about being content with the status quo, but about being content with the powerful, stable, and still-growing imperial apparatus we've built. Our current territory is sufficient for us to sustain ourselves for decades, even centuries. Forcibly annexing distant lands that are currently difficult to govern effectively would only overwhelm us, distract us, and might even trigger an internal crisis.
His strategic focus has quietly shifted. From aggressive, all-encompassing expansion, he has turned to consolidation, assimilation, and in-depth cultivation.
Heading west, the vanguard legions no longer pursued endless advances, but instead established large military towns and governor's offices in key transportation hubs and fertile oases, settled immigrants along the border, promoted agriculture, and built them into invincible fortresses of China, serving as a stable springboard and source of cultural influence for further westward expansion in the future.
To the east and south, the navy's mission shifted from conquering all islands to ensuring absolute control of the sea, protecting strategic locations already occupied, and vigorously developing overseas trade, spreading Chinese silk, porcelain, ironware, and ideas through peaceful and unequal trade.
Heading north, the offensive shifted to a routine of high-pressure control and slow assimilation. More "tributary prefectures" were established, governed by surrendered tribal leaders, but with Han Chinese officials as deputies, promoting Han Chinese clothing, writing, and laws. Simultaneously, the planned relocation of impoverished people and criminals from the interior to the border regions continued, diluting the local population structure.
“What we need to do,” Gao Yao concluded, “is to let the land under the sun know the prestige and civilization of China; but not to immediately bring every inch of land under the jurisdiction of prefectures and counties. In some places, we can first ‘Sinicize’ them before considering the implementation of prefectures and counties. Military force is the foundation, but it cannot solve all problems. Cultural penetration, economic ties, and technological attraction are sometimes more lasting and powerful than swords.”
"Here!"
"Everyone else, step back. Xiao He, stay behind!"
Gao Yao's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable decisiveness, resonating slightly in the empty hall.
"Here!"
The assembled officials and the guards holding halberds at the corners of the hall all bowed in response, their steps light and orderly as they swiftly disappeared outside the hall. The last Yellow Gate Attendant carefully closed the heavy vermilion doors, shutting out all sound. In an instant, only the two remained in the vast Xuan Shi Hall.
Xiao He remained standing respectfully, but a hint of doubt flickered in his mind. The Grand Court Assembly had just decided on the reform of the Grand Canal system and the reinforcement of troops for the Western Regions Protectorate, both important matters of state, but there was nothing particularly necessary to discuss in private. Why had His Majesty left him behind alone? He glanced up slightly out of the corner of his eye at the figure on the imperial steps.