PFC Chapter 574 - 66: The Mount Tai Ceremony, Flourishing Glory of the Tang Dynasty
Chapter 574 - 66: The Mount Tai Ceremony, Flourishing Glory of the Tang Dynasty
But now?
The inclusive system of the Great Tang is steadily developing. For many, just being able to write and fluently speak the language of Kyushu is enough to garner significant attention.
Not to mention the increasingly perfected education system!
This is the Great Tang of today!
Similarly, the people have not forgotten the Gu Clan.
Although the Gu Clan is no longer like the times of the former Han, when it could influence the entire world at any moment and was remembered by everyone.
But the prestige of the Gu Clan remains.
This accumulation of several hundred years has already given the Gu Clan the confidence to develop downward, even though this influence may not seem apparent today.
As long as things continue in this order, the energy that can be released when the Gu Clan truly faces a threat someday will far exceed before!
And Li Zhi, after this consecration, officially announced the change of the era name to "Qianfeng."
It means— "Qianfeng Mount Tai"!
Another reduction in taxes, granting amnesty to the entire world!
A brand-new era has completely arrived after this grand consecration!
...
Time swiftly passed by.
Li Zhi still has not interfered with the court affairs. He seems to have completely recognized the current positioning of the Great Tang, and without his interference, the entire Great Tang will proceed along the path set during the prosperous era of Zhen Guan.
This is an inevitable phenomenon, for the appearance of the Imperial Censorate was Li Shimin’s way to rectify the governance of the Great Tang.
This is to ensure the minimum standard of the entire Great Tang.
And since the establishment of the Imperial Censorate, it has always been controlled by the Gu Clan, so how could any other disturbances arise in the Great Tang?
In other words—
Actually, the emperor of the Great Tang needs to do nothing else than merely ensure the current balance, and then the Great Tang will not go awry in the short term.
As for the long term..... it’s impossible to consider that far.
Every feudal dynasty has fatal flaws, and all of this will change, with no one knowing future outcomes.
And Wu Zetian seems to have completely given up resistance.
Even Gu Yi is quite surprised by this.
In his impression, the original historical portrayal of Wu Zetian was someone who was willing to do anything for power, even if her offspring stood in the way, she would not hesitate to strike.
But now, she is genuinely being honest!
Not being honest is simply impossible!
The existence of Gu Jing has entirely cut off all of Wu Zetian’s paths, and unless she can sow discord between Li Zhi and Gu Jing, she has absolutely no possibility of gaining power.
No court officials would choose to leave the current glorious age to offend the Gu Clan by siding with her.
The influence of the Wu family is ultimately too weak.
Faced with the heritage of the Gu Clan accumulated over centuries, all paths for Wu Zetian have been cut off, leaving her no choice but to be honest.
In the second year of Qianfeng.
Ports in Mingzhou State and Donglai were successively completed, and maritime trade once again saw development.
Under the support of the current overall system.
Countless merchants flocked in.
Not just the wealthy big merchants, but also many small vendors, although their financial capacity alone was not enough to support overseas ventures.
The businesses formed by various families joining together were enough to pool the necessary funds.
Gu Jing also kept a close watch over this matter.
——All local chambers of commerce required approval from the court, and regarding these sea merchants, he conducted strict regulation on the taxation.
The mathematical utility of raising the stakes would be perfectly illustrated at this time.
The tax rate is clear, execution is strict.
Along the way, checkpoints were numerous, and the caravans carried rare treasures, spices, glass, fine horses, and even slaves, all of which had to be taxed according to their value without any evasion.
Even if there were those who could be corrupt, it ultimately would not affect the larger trend.
Apart from this, there were also the excavation of canals between various places and the irrigation work for agriculture.
The knowledge brought by foreign merchants proved useful under these circumstances.
This move also stimulated the entire economy of the Great Tang.
Through the taxes generated by sea and foreign merchants, this money was used to summon the people to dig canals, forming simple economic feedback under these conditions.
As the development of sea merchants expanded on a large scale.
This was also a huge help for Li Chengqian and Gu Lei.
Whether from the income that the Ryukyu port could provide or the influx of various resources, they could bring considerable development to them.
It is worth mentioning that Li Zhi indeed has some apprehension about his older brother.
This may be a common problem among those in power.
Even when he first ascended the throne, he was indifferent to Li Chengqian, but as he grew older and his health was inherently poor, other thoughts inevitably occurred to him.
Not just regarding Li Chengqian, but also about Li Tai, who was deeply rooted in Liaodong, he also had some apprehensions.
That’s right, Li Tai did not die as he did in original history.
Although his health is gradually deteriorating, he is still alive.
It was Gu Jing who persuaded Li Zhi.
Regarding Li Tai, he said little; he merely stated that Li Tai’s health is worsening and he cannot hold on much longer.
As for Li Chengqian.
He confidently predicted that Li Chengqian would never return to Kyushu.
To put it bluntly, Li Chengqian is too proud.
In such a situation back then, had he just bowed his head to Li Shimin, that position might not have fallen to Li Zhi.
He possesses the same confidence as Li Shimin.
Having thoroughly embarked on this path, he cannot return to Kyushu.
The so-called throne is just a restriction to him.
What he is doing now is groundbreaking, and all his achievements will be remembered in history, be it for the Great Tang or the whole of Kyushu.
Solely based on this, how would someone like Li Chengqian choose to return?
The Gu Clan does not wish for deviations in the Great Tang, even though everything now seems to be robustly developing, it is actually all built on the foundation of stability in the Great Tang.
If an unexpected event occurs, it might sever the path again, just like during the times of Yan Han.
Gu Jing would not risk such a gamble.
Li Zhi indeed is an extremely complicated individual, but with Gu Jing, he was genuinely different, ultimately having done nothing.
Now, he seems to have reached a certain phase.
Watching the world get better and better, as a ruler among them, he gradually began to care about all this, not wanting to break anything.
In this context, time quietly passed by as expected by Gu Jing.
In the winter of Qianfeng year two.
News came from Liaodong that Li Tai had passed away.
Perhaps to show his stance to the entire world, or to leave some records of benevolence for future history.
Li Zhi displayed an extremely sorrowful attitude towards this.
He even held a top-tier funeral for Li Tai, giving him endless honor.
For someone like Li Tai, who failed in vying for the throne, receiving such an outcome is indeed very rare.
This act also brought Li Zhi considerable renown.
Everything seems to be improving under such circumstances!....
——————
"Eleventh year of Yonghui, winter, October.
The Emperor and Empress set out from the Eastern Capital to Mount Tai for a consecration.
The grandeur of the ceremony and escort was unprecedented.
The Emperor and Empress rode the Jade Chariot and Gold Root, seated in the ceremonial chariot. The Crown Prince, Grand Tutor, various princes, princesses, followed in sequence.
Civil and military dignitaries, Forbidden Army guards followed in order, with banners in view, carriages and chariots stretching long.
Escorting guards, attendants, laborers, musicians, monks, Taoists, and envoys from foreign lands accompanied, totaling hundreds of thousands of people.
Wherever they traveled, the paths and bridges were repaired months in advance, and palaces and post stations were established along the way.
Provisions and fodder were amassed like hills; oxen and horses were seen in continuous movement along the roads.
The Khans and chieftains from Turkic, Khitan, Xi, Shiwei, Mohe tribes all wore their furs and carried bows and swords, following the retinue.
Princes and envoys from Silla, Baekje, Goryeo, Japan, Linxi, Tubo and other nations brought tributes, dressed in distinctive attire, gathering under Mount Tai.
A myriad of nations assembled, their attire reflecting diversity. Despite differences in language, they all held reverence and awe, collectively looking up to the Emperor’s announcement of success to Haotian Shangdi.
This ceremony spread influence far and wide, the universe shared in admiration, making it a grand event of the era."
——"Tang Book. Records of Emperor Gaozong"