paranoianovel Chapter 2646 Argument
Chapter 2646 Argument
They had discussed many times how to resolve the issues concerning the northern Tiele and Gaochang Tuyuhun tribes.
Li Shen had told Li Chengqian more than once that the solution to this problem was to find a way to turn them into Tang Dynasty people.
You have to feel a sense of belonging from the bottom of your heart.
Although his father's current method of using barbarians to control barbarians is fast and effective, it is all based on the premise that the Tang Dynasty remains strong.
If the Tang Dynasty were to decline one day, these barbarians would not hesitate to come and bite it, as has happened many times in history.
Li Shen's advice was cultural assimilation, starting from childhood, and after two generations, completely transforming them into Tang Dynasty people.
If one is kind-hearted, one can allow them to retain their original language and customs; if one does not wish for them to be completely removed, they can be eliminated.
The reasons are quite simple: they're offensive to public morals, they're considered outdated customs, they're feudal superstitions, they pollute the environment, and so on.
Assimilation of a people is actually quite simple, it just takes a long time.
If a large number of immigrants were to come and intermarry with them, the entire clan would be wiped out.
Li Chengqian was able to say such a thing because he had heard Li Shen say it.
"What do you think, the rest of you?" Li Shimin asked his other sons without pressing them for an answer after hearing Li Chengqian's words.
Li Tai, Li Zhi, Li Fu, Li Ming.
Li Tai rose and bowed, saying:
"Father, I think what you said makes sense. If we want to solve this problem once and for all, we should turn them into Tang people completely."
Li Shimin nodded and looked at Li Zhi.
“Father, what my elder brother said makes sense, but it won’t be easy to completely turn them into Tang people.”
The key is for our Great Tang to become strong. As long as we continue to grow strong, even if they harbor rebellious intentions, they will eventually submit to us.
Li Zhi spoke first.
"Father, I agree with what you said, elder brother." Li Fu stood up and bowed. Although he didn't quite understand, the Crown Prince was right.
He must stand on the Crown Prince's side; it will benefit him in the future.
"Father...I...I don't understand." Ten-year-old Li Ming said to his father with his head bowed.
He never attended court; these things were too profound for him. He wasn't even involved in the conquest of Gaochang and Tuyuhun.
He had barely even left the capital city.
"Haha, it's alright. I was just asking casually. You're still young, so it's understandable that you don't know."
Li Shimin laughed a few times and said to Li Ming with some joy.
Then he glanced back at Li Shen, who was squinting. This was what normal was like, wasn't it? He still remembered the things that his rebellious son had said to him when he was ten years old.
He was quite shocked at the time. A ten-year-old child was telling him how to deal with powerful families and foreign tribes.
That's right, this was a topic that Li Shimin discussed with Li Shen when Li Shen was ten years old.
At that time, Li Shen did not behave like a ten-year-old child at all; he spoke logically and eloquently.
At the time, Li Shimin thought that a child prodigy had appeared in the Li family, and he was so happy that he went to tell his ancestors. But he never expected that a scourge would be born.
I'm giving false military intelligence to our ancestors, and I don't even know if I'll be punished when I go down there.
He was truly afraid that Li Ming would also start spouting a long string of principles in front of him, and that the Li family simply couldn't bear the thought of another scourge emerging.
Feeling his father's gaze, Li Shen gave his emperor father an innocent smile.
Li Shimin immediately turned his head, leaving Li Shen bewildered. He wondered to himself, "What kind of look was that just now?"
"Gao Ming, do you think Zhi Nu is right?"
Li Shimin asked.
Li Chengqian glanced at Li Zhi, then replied:
"Father, what Zhinu said does make some sense, and it coincides with your thoughts, but I do not agree with it."
"Oh? You mean I was wrong?" Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, his face expressionless.
This question immediately put Li Chengqian in a dilemma; he hadn't expected his father to ask such a question.
Shouldn't we be asking Li Zhi if he was wrong? Why are we bringing up the old man himself?
“This…” Li Chengqian didn’t know how to reply.
Just as he was struggling with his decision, a lazy voice suddenly rang out:
"It's not that we're wrong, it's just that times have changed, so we naturally have to change our strategy."
Only Li Shen would dare to say such a thing.
"What do you mean? You think I did something wrong?" Li Shimin suddenly turned around.
"Yes, yes, whatever Father does is right," Li Shen nodded and said. However, everyone could tell that Li Shen was just being perfunctory.
Enraged, Li Shimin kicked Li Shen hard.
"Oh my god! I kicked a nerve!" Li Shen cried out, clutching his thigh, tears streaming down his face.
Can't we just play together normally anymore? You're always getting physical. Who will want to play with you in the future?
“Father, I think what my tenth brother said makes some sense. The situation is different now. We can take advantage of the fact that our Tang Dynasty is strong and well-equipped to start making plans.”
Duke Wei once said that there are no invincible generals, and there is no record in history of a court that has always been powerful.
Perhaps one day our Great Tang Dynasty will also decline. We should make plans early and prepare for the future.
To leave behind fewer sources of trouble for future generations.
Li Chengqian bowed deeply as he spoke. Although his words were somewhat disrespectful and discouraging, that was the case according to historical records.
"Brother, our Great Tang is vast and rich in resources, and its wealth is abundant. Even if that day comes, it will not be something those barbarians can covet."
"Isn't my elder brother being a bit of an overreacter?" Li Zhi retorted.
“Zhi Nu, you are also well-versed in history books. Have you ever seen a dynasty that lasts forever? As your brother, I also hope that my Li family dynasty can last for thousands of generations.”
Therefore, we should eliminate all potential future problems.
This isn't me being overly worried for my brother; we must have the courage to face the worst-case scenario. Only then can we find a way to solve the problem.
Li Chengqian remained calm and composed in the face of Li Zhi's rebuttal, showing no sign of anger.
If this had happened ten years ago, Li Chengqian would have been furious.
"Then what good plan does elder brother have?" Li Zhi asked, bowing.
Li Chengqian glanced at Li Shen, who was resting with his eyes closed and not looking at them. He immediately understood what Li Shen meant and smiled:
"It's actually very simple: establish schools, build cities, distribute land, and open up trade."
"Tell me more details." Li Shimin, at this moment, also leaned back on the cushion and closed his eyes, just like Li Shen.
"Yes, the purpose of running schools is to enable them to speak the language of the Tang Dynasty, write the characters of the Tang Dynasty, and identify with the identity of the people of the Tang Dynasty."
The purpose of building cities was to create a prison-like environment, confining them to one place. This is why the Tiele people in the north could not be completely eradicated in the past.
It's because if they can't win a fight, they can run away. The territory behind them is vast, and the only property of the tribe's people is their cattle and sheep, so they can survive anywhere.
We don't have the resources to search for them everywhere; we spent several years just looking for the Xueyantuo's headquarters.
As long as we build cities for them, they will have land and houses before they flee, and then they will be tied down. Ordinary people would not be willing to give that up.
The opening of trade is easier to explain; it means making their lives better, or at least better than before.
With enough to eat and wear, a house to live in, and land to cultivate, who would risk execution to rebel?
(Yesterday I asked if anyone had any suggestions, and everyone replied that they had none. Are you sure you're not forming a group?)