Since Liu Che ascended the throne, he swept away the weak and appeasement policies of the Han Dynasty, resolutely taking a tough stance against surrounding regimes, launching campaigns in all directions to showcase the Han Dynasty's might!
In the sixth year of his reign, Wang Hui and Han An Guo led an army against Minyue, defeating their king and forcing them to surrender. Afterward, envoys were sent to pay tribute.
In the sixth year of Yuan Guang, Wei Qing, Gongsun Ao, Gongsun He, and Li Guang led four armies to the north to attack the Xiongnu. Although only Wei Qing's army was victorious, it swept away the Han Dynasty's fear of the Xiongnu that had lingered for decades!
In the first year of Yuan Shuo, Wei Qing and Li Xi led 30,000 cavalry to attack the Xiongnu again. Wei Qing beheaded thousands of enemies, securing another great victory.
The following year, Wei Qing and Li Xi launched another offensive. They achieved a decisive victory and successfully recovered the Hetao region. Liu Che established the counties of Shuo Fang and Wu Yuan!
In the fifth year of Yuan Shuo, the Han Dynasty sent Wei Qing, Li Xi, Gongsun He, Zhang Ci Gong, Su Jian, Li Cai, and Li Ju, totaling over 100,000 chariots and cavalry, to attack the Xiongnu in the north. They successfully captured 15,000 prisoners and over a million livestock!
In the sixth year of Yuan Shuo, another attack was launched. First, thousands of heads were taken, and then Wei Qing achieved a decisive victory, capturing 19,000 prisoners!
However, none of these feats could compare to the great victory of Huo Qu Bing in the second year of Yuan Shou. Huo Qu Bing led 10,000 cavalry to attack the Xiongnu. Not only did he achieve a great victory, but he also crossed the Yanzhi Mountains in a single battle, killing the King of Zhelan and beheading the King of Lu Hou, capturing the Prince of Hunxie, and more!
He drove the Xiongnu to flee further north, preventing them from venturing near the southern borders. This established the Han Dynasty's position as a powerful nation in the region!
Thinking back on these impressive achievements, Liu Che couldn't help but feel a surge of pride!
Compared to the Han Dynasty, which fought continuously and drove the Xiongnu into oblivion, the Song Dynasty, which paid tribute for peace after a thousand years, appeared incredibly weak!
“No wonder the Song Dynasty ranks last. Such a dynasty deserves its place!”
Liu Che let out a cold snort, his gaze fixed on the golden list...
...
Meanwhile, in the Tai Kang era of the Western Jin Dynasty, Sima Yan and his officials sneered in unison.
“Hahaha! A hundred years of poverty and weakness? It seems the Song Dynasty a thousand years later is even worse than our Western Jin Dynasty!”
“Exactly! Now, our Western Jin Dynasty has swept across the Jiangdong region and unified the world. Especially in dealing with those barbarians, we have relocated them inland, transforming them into Han people. Under the heavens, who doesn't recognize our Western Jin Dynasty as a powerful nation?”
He Shao and others burst into laughter.
Sima Yan also smirked, nodding continuously.
Moreover, the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Qiang, Di, Jie, and other tribes roaming the northern grasslands all sent their princes and other members of the royal family to the capital as hostages. This clearly demonstrated the Western Jin Dynasty's flourishing national strength, surpassing all others.
Not to mention the distant past, even now, the Southern Xiongnu prince, Liu Yuan, is held hostage in the capital.
“Your Majesty's fortune is boundless, your achievements in both civil and military affairs surpass the Song Dynasty a thousand years later. I offer a toast to Your Majesty!”
He Shao raised his cup first, followed by everyone else. The atmosphere instantly became lively.
Sima Yan smiled faintly, picked up his wine cup, and said magnanimously:
“My esteemed officials, do not become complacent. Our Western Jin Dynasty still faces many challenges!”
Sima Yan and everyone else laughed as they drank.
They all knew that the emperor was merely being modest. In his heart, he had already agreed with He Shao and the others!
...
In the Kai Huang era of the Sui Dynasty, outside the Xingqing Palace.
“Absurd, utterly absurd! Such a system has turned the border defenses and imperial guards into mere decorations, while resorting to paying tribute for peace. If barbarians invade, how can such a dynasty resist?”
Yang Jian furrowed his brow, cursing loudly.
“Yes, Father. In my opinion, the Song Dynasty is too lenient towards its civil officials, and even more lenient towards its enemies. It’s unbelievable!”
Yang Guang also snorted in dissatisfaction.
While he could understand Song Huizong's actions, Yang Guang felt a deep disdain for the Song Dynasty's approach to dealing with foreign enemies!
After the Sui Dynasty was established, it also faced threats from foreign enemies, such as the Turkic Empire, which controlled the northern grasslands. Their power was formidable!
The Turkic Empire even threatened the rulers of Northern Qi and Northern Zhou, accepting bribes from both and claiming to be their overlord!
However, the situation changed after the establishment of the Sui Dynasty. Yang Jian adopted Changsun Sheng's suggestion, using both force and bribery to split the mighty Turkic Empire into two parts, the Eastern and Western Turkic Khanates!
Now, both Eastern and Western Turkic Khanates are embroiled in internal strife, posing no threat to the Sui Dynasty. This approach is far more effective than paying tribute!
“Guang'er, paying tribute is a temporary measure, it can be used for now, but it must never become the norm. You must remember the downfall of the Song Dynasty!”
“Rest assured, Father. I shall keep it in mind forever!”
...
In the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, outside the Da Ming Palace.
“Sigh! The Song Dynasty solved the problem of the feudal lords, but it plunged the nation into a century of poverty and weakness. What should our Tang Dynasty do?”
Li Shimin placed his hand on his forehead, his expression a mix of emotions.
Knowing that the Tang Dynasty would later face the threat of feudal lords, Li Shimin's initial confidence wavered.
But then he thought, the Song Dynasty's system solved the problem of the feudal lords. Could our Tang Dynasty learn from it and avoid future internal conflicts caused by the feudal lords?
However, after seeing the problems caused by the Song Dynasty's ancestral system, Li Shimin’s thoughts changed abruptly!
To solve the issue of the feudal lords in exchange for a century of poverty and weakness in the Tang Dynasty, would that be acceptable?
Or, how should he choose?
“Your Majesty, everything in this world has two sides, including systems. While the Song Dynasty's ancestral system has its merits, it also has several flaws. But this doesn't mean our Tang Dynasty can't learn from it!”
Wei Zheng's gaze hardened, his words radiating righteousness.
Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, his mood instantly lifted by 180 degrees!
“So… what does my esteemed official suggest?”
“The Song Dynasty, terrified by the chaos caused by the feudal lords, went from one extreme to another. Our Tang Dynasty can avoid both extremes and find a middle ground!”
Wei Zheng’s words were like a ray of sunlight piercing through the clouds, illuminating Li Shimin's mind!
Yes, why not loosen the reins a little? This way, we can solve the problem of the feudal lords while avoiding a century of poverty and weakness!
“Xuan Cheng, you truly are a wise minister!”
“I dare not claim such praise! Without a wise ruler, how can there be a wise minister?”
Li Shimin and Wei Zheng looked at each other and burst into laughter.
This old fellow is praising himself as a wise ruler again!
...
In the Kai Ping era of the Song Dynasty, outside the Chui Gongdian.
Compared to the joy of the Zhenguan era's rulers and officials, Zhao Kuangyin stood frozen in place, speechless.
“Second Brother, Second Brother?”
Zhao Guangyi called out loudly. Zhao Kuangyin finally came to his senses.
With a “thud,” he collapsed onto the dragon throne, his gaze heavy, his face dark.
“To think that my ancestral system has brought about such consequences... The downfall of the Song Dynasty is partly my fault!”
“But even so, how can future generations accept peace in exchange for tribute?!”
“Have you not heard of Jia Yi's 'Gu Qin Lun'?”
As he spoke, Zhao Kuangyin's gaze suddenly sharpened, his head suddenly lifted, surveying the surroundings. The officials and Zhao Guangyi were taken aback!
“Second Brother, what’s…”
“Hmph! As long as I rule, I will never pay tribute to the Liao Dynasty. I want to see who started this practice!”
...
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