novelAbuy Chapter 303 Imperial Territory
Chapter 303 Imperial Territory
The first day of the eighth month in the fifth year of the Qiming era. A grand court assembly was held on the first day of the month.
Inside the Taiji Hall, civil and military officials stood solemnly. Unlike usual, today there was a huge map in the hall—the "Starry Universe Map," drawn over three years by the Directorate of Works and the Directorate of Astronomy. It was three zhang wide and one and a half zhang high, almost filling the entire east wall.
On the map, the empire's territory was painted in black, stretching east to the sea, west to the shifting sands, north beyond the Gobi Desert, and south to the South China Sea. Mountains, rivers, prefectures, counties, and passes were all marked, densely packed together.
Chen Xing sat upright on the throne, gazing at the map, remaining silent for a long time.
Jia Wen stepped forward and said loudly:
"Your Majesty, following the great victory in the Northern Expedition, the tribes of the northern deserts have submitted. The Tiele, Uriyangkhai, and Hongjila tribes have all sent envoys to pay tribute and expressed their willingness to become vassals. The Western Regions, including Yanqi, Kucha, and Khotan, have also sent envoys to congratulate us and request the reopening of the Silk Road. The countries of the South China Sea, including Champa, Zhenla, and Srivijaya, have all requested that the Maritime Trade Office be permanently stationed in their ports to facilitate trade."
He paused, then raised his voice:
"Since the Qin and Han dynasties, there has never been such a prosperous era! Your Majesty's military prowess and civil administration far surpass those of the past!"
The courtiers knelt down in unison, shouting:
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Chen Xing raised his hand, signaling everyone to rise.
He stood up and slowly walked to the map, looking at it inch by inch from east to west and from north to south.
The coast of the East China Sea is home to the ports of Mingzhou, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou, where merchant ships throng and sails dot the horizon.
To the west lies Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass, the Silk Road leading to the distant west, where camel bells ring and yellow sand stretches endlessly.
The northern grasslands are home to the Yanran Mountains and the Langjuxu Mountains, and to the newly subjugated tribes, where herds of cattle and sheep graze and tents dot the landscape.
On the shores of the South China Sea lay Champa, Cambodia, and Srivijaya, countries that requested trade, where spices were plentiful and treasures overflowed.
He stared at it for a long time.
Then, he slowly began to speak:
"Prime Minister Jia just said that since the Qin and Han dynasties, there has never been such a prosperous era. I would like to ask you all a question—how did this prosperity come about?"
The hall was completely silent.
Chen Xing continued:
"It was won through fighting. It was won by the lives of countless soldiers. It was won by the taxes and contributions of countless people. It was won by people like you, working day and night, bit by bit."
He turned around and faced the assembled officials.
"I don't like flattery. I just want to know, what's next?"
Jia Wen pondered for a moment, then stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, I believe that with such a vast territory, defense should be the priority. Although the northern deserts have been pacified, the various tribes have only recently submitted, and officials need to be appointed to guard them and prevent rebellion. Although the Western Regions are accessible, the journey is long, and markets need to be established in suitable locations to gradually develop the region. Although the South China Sea is accessible, the waves are treacherous, and the navy needs to be strengthened to protect merchant ships."
Chen Xing nodded.
"Go on."
Jia Wen continued:
"I believe that the **Anbei Protectorate** should be established in Yunzhong to govern the various tribes in both the southern and northern deserts, with officials appointed by the court. The tribal leaders should be retained, and a policy of appeasement should be implemented. In the Western Regions, the **Anxi Protectorate** should be established in Shazhou to gradually restore the old system of the previous dynasty, but there is no need to rush into military action; trade should be the primary focus, and progress should be made slowly. In the South China Sea, the **Maritime Trade and Transport Commissioner's Office** should be established in Guangzhou to manage overseas trade, while simultaneously expanding the navy to patrol the South China Sea and deter disobedient forces."
Chen Xing listened, nodding occasionally.
"Anything else?"
Jia Wendao said, "There is also the matter of building roads. Although the northern desert has been pacified, without connecting roads, it will be difficult for government orders to be effectively implemented. I suggest that an official road be built from Yunzhong northwards, leading directly to Langjuxu Mountain. Post stations and military towns should be set up along the way, which can both transmit messages and intimidate the various tribes."
Chen Wei stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:
"Your Majesty, I second that opinion. The northern grasslands are indefensible, and without roads and military towns, our army will find it difficult to arrive quickly. Once something goes wrong, it will be too late to regret it."
Norio followed suit:
"Your Majesty, I agree. I suffered a great loss in the northern desert this time because the road was too long and communication was poor. If there had been an official road earlier, I wouldn't have been trapped in the valley by those wolf cubs."
Chen Xing looked at them, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said:
"Very well. As Minister Jia said. The Anbei Protectorate, the Anxi Protectorate, and the Maritime Trade and Transport Commission shall be established immediately. The selection of officials shall be discussed by Minister Jia and the Ministry of Personnel, and then reported to me for approval. The Ministry of Works shall survey the route of the official road to the northern desert, and construction shall begin next spring."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials:
"Let me make this clear from the start—these government offices are not just for show. They are there to get things done. If anyone goes there and only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun, instead of serving me, don't blame me for not showing any mercy."
The assembled officials stood solemnly and said in unison:
"Your Majesty, we obey!"
After the court session ended, Chen Xing remained alone in the hall, still standing in front of the map.
Murong Mingyue appeared behind him without his noticing and whispered:
"Your Majesty, it's time for your meal."
Chen Xing didn't turn around, but simply pointed to a point on the map:
"Zitong, look here."
Murong Mingyue looked in the direction he was pointing—it was further west in the Western Regions, a blank expanse.
"Where is this place?"
Chen Xing said, "I don't know. It's too far away; our people haven't been there yet."
He paused, then suddenly asked:
"Zitong, tell me, what's in that blank space?"
Murong Mingyue thought for a moment and said:
"There should be deserts, oases, cities, and people. Just like here."
Chen Xing nodded.
"Yes. Just like here."
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"I suddenly remembered something."
"What is it?"
Chen Xing said, "When I was a child, I lived in the north and listened to storytellers tell stories. They talked about how big the sky was, how wide the earth was, and how deep the sea was. I thought to myself, how wonderful it would be if one day I could see those places with my own eyes."
He turned his head and looked at Murong Mingyue.
"Now, I can see a much wider area than I imagined back then."
Murong Mingyue looked into his eyes, and in those eyes there was relief, satisfaction, and also an indescribable...longing.
"Does Your Majesty wish to travel to even more distant places?"
Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then slowly said:
"I want to. But I cannot go."
He pointed to the patch of black on the map:
"These places need my protection. These people need my supervision. What will happen to them when I'm gone?"
Murong Mingyue didn't speak. She simply held his hand gently.
Chen Xing grasped her hand in return, gazing at the map in silence for a long time.
After a long silence, he said softly:
"Zitong, do you think that a hundred years from now, there will be some extra areas on this map?"
Murong Mingyue followed his gaze. There, in the distance, lay the far west, the far south, and those unmarked blank spaces.
She said softly:
"Yes."
Chen Xing nodded.
"That's good."
On the third day of the eighth lunar month, the first batch of officials from the Anbei Protectorate set off from Chang'an and headed north to Yunzhong.
The team leader was a middle-aged man in his early forties named Wang Zhong, who had been recommended by Chen Wei. He had served in the border region for many years, was familiar with grassland affairs, and was known for his calm and reliable nature.
Before his departure, Chen Xing summoned him privately.
"Wang Zhong, do you know why I chose you?"
Wang Zhong knelt on the ground and said respectfully:
"I do not know."
Chen Xing looked at him and slowly said:
"Because you're honest. Honest people don't try to be clever. On the grasslands, those who try to be clever don't live long."
Wang Zhong was stunned for a moment, then kowtowed deeply:
"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by your humble servant."
Chen Xing stood up, walked to the window, and looked north.
"Once you arrive in Yunzhong, don't rush to the royal court. Find out the situation in the surrounding area: which tribes are docile, which are restless, and which chieftains harbor resentment towards the court. Make a note of all of this. After a year, then consider whether or not to head north."
He paused, his voice turning deep:
"Remember, I don't expect you to achieve anything, I only expect you to stay out of trouble."
Wang Zhong kowtowed deeply:
"I obey your decree!"
On the fifth day of the eighth lunar month, the first batch of officials from the Maritime Trade and Transport Commissioner's Office departed from Chang'an and headed south to Guangzhou.
The leader was a young man in his early thirties named Liu Yan, who was recommended by Su Xiaoxiao. He came from a merchant family, was proficient in mathematics, had served in the Ministry of Revenue for many years, and had considerable knowledge of overseas trade.
Before leaving, Su Xiaoxiao met with him alone.
"Liu Yan, do you know why I chose you?"
Liu Yan knelt on the ground and said respectfully:
"I do not know."
Su Xiaoxiao looked at him calmly:
"Because you know how to do the math. In overseas trade, the most important thing is to do the math. Which country should collect how much tax, which ship should take how much commission, which goods should be encouraged, and which goods should be restricted—all of these must be calculated clearly."
She paused, her voice turning cold:
"But you must also remember—the purpose of accounting is to make money, not to cheat people. Those foreign merchants are not fools. If you cheat them once, they will remember you for life. If Guangzhou's reputation is ruined, His Majesty will not forgive you."
Liu Yan, with a solemn expression, kowtowed deeply:
"Your Majesty's teachings will be firmly remembered!"
On the tenth day of the eighth month, the first group of officials from the Anxi Protectorate set off from Chang'an and headed west to Shazhou.
The leader was an elderly man in his early fifties named Zhang Jian, who had been recommended by Jia Wen. He had served in the previous dynasty and had been sent as an envoy to the Western Regions, so he was very familiar with the situation along the way.
Before leaving, Jia Wen met with him alone.
"Zhang Jian, we've known each other for many years, and I won't lie to you—this trip to the Western Regions is a tough one. The journey is long, the population is sparse, and there might even be bandits. If you don't want to go, you can still turn it down now."
Zhang Jian shook his head and smiled:
"Prime Minister Jia, what are you saying? I've lived for over fifty years, what hardship haven't I endured? Besides, being able to expand His Majesty's territory is a blessing, not a chore."
Jia Wen looked at him, his eyes slightly red.
"Alright. Then remember this—the Western Regions are not like the northern deserts. There are Tibetans, Arabs, and Uyghurs there. When we first arrive, we must not offend anyone or let anyone bully us. Make friends if you can, and if you can't, take it slow. There's no rush."
Zhang Jian bowed deeply:
"Zhang Jian understands."
Chang'an in August was still hot.
But as Chen Xing stood by the window of the Wenhua Hall, watching the teams setting off one after another, he felt a sense of coolness in his heart.
Those people will go in different directions and do different things.
But they share a common name—servants of Xingqi.
They share a common goal—to make this territory more stable and prosperous.
Footsteps sounded behind me.
"Your Majesty," Jia Wen's voice rang out, "it's time for your meal."
Chen Xing nodded, but did not move.
He continued to gaze out the window, at the official road leading into the distance, and at the figures gradually disappearing on the horizon.
"Prime Minister Jia," he suddenly asked, "what do you think those who went to the northern deserts, the western regions, and the south sea are thinking now?"
Jia Wen thought for a moment and said:
"They're probably wondering when they'll be able to come back."
Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then said softly:
"Yes. When will you be able to come back?"
He turned around and looked at Jia Wen.
"Prime Minister Jia, I suddenly remembered a sentence."
"What did you say?"
Chen Xing gazed at the vast sky outside the window and slowly said:
"Why must one's bones be buried in one's hometown? Green hills are everywhere in life."
Jia Wen was stunned.
Chen Xing didn't explain. He just smiled slightly, turned around, and walked out.
"Let's go, let's have a meal."
Behind him, the huge map stood silently in the hall.
The dark territory stretched all the way to the horizon.
And those blank spaces are still waiting.