Chapter 270: All Nations Pay Homage, Unilateral Announcement
Indeed, after the new emperor ascends the throne, he will confer titles to the Queen Mother and the Crown Prince.

“Since the Zhou Dynasty, there has been no dynasty that lasts forever, nor a family that will never prosper. The only thing that remains unchanged is the endless supply of talented and ambitious people.”

“When a great ruler reigns, the country prospers; when an incompetent ruler reigns, the country declines. If we want the country to prosper for generations, we can no longer follow the rule of appointing the oldest emperor instead of the most virtuous. After me, all talented and virtuous people in the world can use the tools of the empire to prosper the country.”

Li Chengqian said in a deep voice, with overwhelming majesty.

As a later generation, looking at the rise and fall of history, we understand it more deeply than anyone else.

Holding power without talent is a disaster.

It not only brings disaster to oneself, but also to the country.

The next generation may still be a wise ruler, but what about the third and fourth generations?
Li Chengqian had already made such a decision.

The ministers were shocked beyond words.

This is to transform the family empire into a public empire.

“Your Majesty, if we do this, it will breed factionalism and will be detrimental to the safety of the country.”

Liu Rengui suggested that this would also trigger class struggles.

“I have made up my mind and will not say anything more. As for how to conduct the election, I will draw up a charter.”

Li Chengqian immediately spoke up and stopped Li Zhen and others who were about to continue their persuasion.

“Let’s end today’s court meeting here. Court is adjourned!”

Li Chengqian turned and left, no longer giving the ministers any chance to offer their opinions.

Soon, three urgent imperial edicts were issued from Chang’an City.

The first is the reform of land policy.

Second, it is the policy regarding the selection of science and technology officials.

Third, it is the reform of the imperial system, anyone with talent and virtue can aspire to the supreme throne.

The pattern of the Tang Dynasty was also set at this time.

After great chaos, there will be great order.

However, the crackdown on clan families did not end there, but continued.

Anyone who resists will be suppressed with iron-blooded force.

Li Chengqian has a kind heart and ruthless methods.

In the face of the Agrarian Revolution, the clans and powerful families gradually lost their dominant position.

In just half a year, the basic structure of the Tang Dynasty had been established.

“Zhi Nu, Ren Gui, I think we need to improve the official selection system. We can’t just rely on grades to be admitted, we also need moral integrity. In addition, we should have separate examinations. The six ministries will be divided into six directions, with different focuses. Only in this way can we select specialized talents.”

In the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian leaned his hands back and spoke slowly.

He was not as domineering as he was when he attended court.

This is what governing the world is like, no passion, only boredom.

Based on the experience of Li Chengqian’s later generations, various systems are also developing in a scientific direction.

“Your Majesty, this is a very good move, but you must also increase investment in school teachers accordingly.”

These policies are only in the planning stage and have not yet been implemented.

Both require investment of financial and material resources.

“If we all invest, if not in one year, then in ten or a hundred years, education is the key to national prosperity and must be implemented.”

“Also, I asked you to select people with quick wits, but there are as many as you can choose from.”

As they were talking, the three of them walked out of the hall, as if they were chatting about family matters.

“There are more than a hundred people, Your Majesty, are you really prepared to teach them personally?”

Liu Rengui asked uncertainly.

“Of course, I will teach him personally. From now on, you and Zhinu will share more of the important affairs of the country.”

Now that he doesn’t have to worry about many things, Li Chengqian can spread knowledge to future generations.

“It is our duty to do our best for the country.”

The two said in unison.

Gradually, Li Zhi also let down his guard.

It was learned that Li Chengqian accepted him sincerely and used him for state affairs.

“By the way, which countries have not yet come to participate in the Spring Festival? Have Tubo and Western Turks sent envoys?”

To be a wise ruler, one must take everything into consideration.

“They’re all here!”

Li Zhi replied.

It is true that although the Tang Dynasty experienced several turmoils, its influence still remained.

No country dared to openly resist it.

At this time, Tubo did not yet have enough confidence.

“That’s the best!” Li Chengqian nodded. This should save a lot of trouble.

“Tell Li Zhen that on the day of the Spring Festival, pull out all the muskets and red cannons. I want to fire the cannons.”

Last time, artillery fire was used to force Li Zhi to surrender.

During the Spring Festival Ceremony, Li Chengqian demanded that all nations surrender.

Liu Rengui and Li Zhi looked at each other and understood each other tacitly.

To conquer the enemy without fighting is the best of all strategies. Therefore, the best military operation is to attack the enemy’s plans, the next best is to attack their alliances, the next best is to attack their troops, and the worst is to attack their cities.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Spring Festival Ceremony.

Li Chengqian, wearing the bright yellow dragon robe that symbolizes supreme power and noble status, stood tall in the center of the solemn and dignified Taimiao.

Each of his movements seemed steady and powerful, and with every gesture, it seemed as if an invisible pressure spread out in all directions like ripples.

At this moment, the whole world’s situation seemed to be concentrated on him, and everyone’s attention was involuntarily attracted to him.

Li Zhi stood quietly at the side, holding the golden imperial edict tightly in his hand, chanting the words on it clearly and solemnly.

The information conveyed by these texts is nothing more than the major event of Li Chengqian’s succession to the throne, and the purpose is to report to the ancestors and pray for their protection and blessings.

After Li Zhi finished reciting the poem, Li Chengqian slowly stretched out his hand and took an incense stick emitting a faint fragrance from the eunuch standing respectfully beside him.

Then, he walked with steady steps towards the place in front where a huge sacrificial bronze tripod was placed.

Every step you take is like stepping on a long scroll of history, making a light yet heavy sound.

At this moment, he was making history.

Finally, Li Chengqian arrived in front of the bronze tripod. He bowed slightly and carefully inserted the incense stick in his hand into the incense burner that had been prepared in the tripod.

As the incense sticks were inserted, wisps of smoke rose up and swirled in the air, like a mysterious auspicious atmosphere, adding a sacred and solemn atmosphere to this important moment.

“The ceremony is over!” The eunuch’s loud shout resounded throughout the Taimiao.

Li Chengqian also turned around suddenly. His posture was as agile and powerful as a dragon and a tiger. Every step he took seemed to carry a thousand pounds of force, and his whole body exuded an unparalleled majestic aura.

The envoys from foreign countries were so frightened by this powerful aura that they didn’t even dare to look up, because any carelessness would lead to the crime of disrespect.

Looking down along the ladder in front of him, he saw all the civil and military officials in the court standing respectfully below, surrounding him like stars surrounding the moon.

How can such a scene not make people feel excited and full of passion?
At this moment, an indescribable feeling of heroism surged in Li Chengqian’s heart.

“The nine heavens close the palace, and all nations wear their crowns and pay their respects.”

Li Chengqian couldn’t help but murmur in a low voice. The magnificent scene that he had only seen in poems was now actually presented before his eyes, making him deeply intoxicated.

He smiled and nodded slightly to the ministers below.

Li Zhen, who was standing on the top of the stairs, waved his sword majestically and shouted, “Congratulations!”

“Boom! Boom!”

The deafening sound of cannon fire resounded through the sky like thunder, as if it was going to tear the entire world apart.

The loud noises, with unparalleled power and impact, came one after another, causing the surrounding air to tremble violently.

The ground began to shake violently. Strong vibrations were like surging waves, constantly impacting people’s bodies, making it extremely difficult for people to stand, as if they would be knocked to the ground by this powerful force in the next moment.

The foreign envoys were completely stunned by the scene before them. They looked confused and had no idea what was going on.

Some people were terrified, thinking that a terrible earthquake was coming, and fled in panic.

Thousands of cannons roared in unison, and shells poured out as densely as raindrops.

The flames shot up into the sky, the smoke filled the air, and the mountain not far from them was dyed into a sea of ​​fire. Each shell contained huge energy, and when they hit the target, they exploded with earth-shaking power.

The two seemingly indestructible peaks that originally stood in front of everyone were completely powerless to resist under such horrific artillery bombardment.

After a loud rumbling sound, the mountain was blown to pieces, turning into countless pieces of gravel and dust, flying in the air and finally disappearing without a trace.

“Calm down!”

Su Dingfang shouted loudly, and his soldiers moved closer and finally controlled the chaotic scene.

Everyone looked towards the disappearing mountain, their faces pale with tacit understanding.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian knew that his goal had been achieved.

So, Li Chengqian shouted: “Foreign envoys, when you go back, please tell your king to come to Chang’an City within one year, present your surrender letter, and unconditionally obey the arrangements of the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, just like the mountain in front of you, you will be completely wiped out from the world.”

Extremely domineering.

However, no one dared to question such a strong demand.

The red cannon has already given them enough deterrent power.

This banquet was not a good banquet, but a Hongmen Banquet.

“After the Spring Festival, I will deploy troops on the border. If I do not receive your letter of surrender before the Spring Festival next year, I will launch a war to destroy your country.”

Unreasonable and domineering.

This is the attitude of a strong man, who can arbitrarily control the life and death of a small country, let alone an individual.

There was no response. This was a unilateral announcement, not a discussion with them.

(End of this chapter)