Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5105 Wanting a Second Child
Jealousy is a common human trait, and it is difficult to avoid it even if the object is one's own son.

Fortunately, it was only a matter of a moment. After all, he was his own son, who not only inherited his bloodline, but also his political legacy.

"Ji Lang is indeed good!"

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and smiled.

No matter how good one’s civil governance is, can it be better than that of Duke Zhou and Guan Zhong?

No matter how high your martial arts skills are, can they be better than Wei Qing and Huo Qubing?
But this kind of broad mind and realm is the most rare.

At this moment, Fang Xuanling couldn't help feeling proud and pleased.

Guan Zhong, Li Si, Xiao He... Even though your achievements and reputations in history are far greater than mine, I have a son like this, what can you compare with? !
Before the age of 30, people compare their careers, wealth, social status, and even their looks and figures.

After the age of thirty, people start to compete with their children.

What if you have accomplished nothing? As long as you have a good and capable son, your miserable life can be reversed. Even if you may not enjoy much filial piety, you can still smile at the end of your life.

On the contrary, even if you are an emperor or a general, what is the use of your life's achievements if you don't have a good son?
Fang Xuanling drank his tea with a smile, feeling slightly tipsy.

The first half of his life was spent building great achievements and ruling the world, and the second half of his life was spent enjoying life in the mountains and rivers and inheriting his father's business. What more could one ask for in life?
There is a saying in the world that "Fang's planning and Du's judgment" have always been placed on a par with Du Ruhui. It is difficult to make a clear definition of who is better.

But now, Fang Xuanling can conclude that if he meets his old friend in the afterlife, he will definitely be better than his old friend.

after all……

What son of mine?
What son are you?
*****
"Autumn is very short, and winter will come in a few days. Why do you want to go to the Western Regions at this time?"

In the rear house, when they heard that Fang Jun would set off in the next two days first to Hexi and then to the Western Regions, several wives and concubines all showed worried looks.

Hexi was not so bad, but every winter in the Western Regions the mountains were covered with heavy snow, the roads were difficult to travel, and life was extremely harsh.

If you accidentally get sick, your life may be in danger.

Xiao Shu'er looked even more resentful. She had been taking care of her body every day these days, and she had always wanted a healthy and lively son, but she didn't expect that her husband had no time to work hard on her...

If we go to the Western Regions this time, we will return in the spring of next year when the flowers are blooming, and the whole winter will be wasted.

When will the baby be born?

Fang Jun sat on a chair, Qiao'er squatted on the ground to wash his feet, and said with a smile: "We have to go. The old thief Lu Dongzan is too cunning. Pei Xingjian is not courageous enough to deal with him. If the situation in Tubo changes, all previous efforts will be in vain. This is absolutely not allowed. The situation in the Western Regions is even more critical. According to common sense, if the Arab army invades, it must wait until the beginning of next spring. But Muawiyah is a bit crazy and cannot be judged by common sense. Moreover, the troops under his command all hold swords in one hand and scriptures in the other. They are the most fearless and fanatical. The possibility of using troops in winter cannot be ruled out. Xue Rengui is outstanding in strategy and brave, but after all, he lacks prestige and may not be able to command those Western Regions tribes."

With the combat effectiveness of the Anxi Army, they would not suffer any loss against the Arab army, and they might not need the assistance of the Western Regions tribes. However, if those Western Regions tribes were bewitched or bribed by the Arabs and turned around to hinder the Anxi Army, Xue Rengui would be in a dangerous situation.

Firearms are certainly extremely powerful, causing a difference in the war mode, enough to cause a crushing defeat, but in the final analysis, the main body of war is people, and any weapons can only serve as an auxiliary. Once the retreat is cut off and the morale of the army is low, no matter how many firearms there are, they will be useless.

There is no war that is certain to be won. We must be cautious and prepared for everything.

Princess Gaoyang could not help but complain: "Pei Xingjian has been training for so long, can't he still be independent? Can't he defeat Lu Dongzan, an old man? Xue Rengui is useless too, he keeps saying he is the bravest among the three armies, but in the end he led tens of thousands of Anxi troops and couldn't even deal with a country called the Arab Empire."

Fang Jun smiled bitterly: "If these two heard what Your Highness said, they would be so upset... What do you mean by 'Lu Dongzan is an old man'? What do you mean by 'can't even deal with a country called the Arab Empire'?"

He patiently explained to his wives and concubines: "Lu Dongzan and Songtsen Gampo are both outstanding figures in the history of Tubo. No one has ever been compared with them, and probably no one will be able to compare with them in the future. Just imagine, the most outstanding figures in the thousand-year history of a nation or a country, how can it be easy to deal with them? Pei Xingjian has done a good job. If someone else were to do it, he would definitely not be able to suppress Lu Dongzan."

"Besides, do you really think that the Arabs are barbarians who eat raw meat and drink blood? They are a powerful country that can be compared with the Tang Dynasty and even compete with it. In the world, only the Arabs can be on par with the Tang Dynasty. There are tens of millions of people in the country, and the territory is as vast as that of the Tang Dynasty. Its soldiers are even more brave and fearless when they charge forward while reciting scriptures, going through fire and water, and are brave and fearless! No matter how strong the Anxi Army is, it is possible to be defeated if it is a little careless. Once the Anxi Army is defeated, it must retreat, and a large area of ​​the Western Region will be eroded by the Arabs. These lands are easy to lose, but it is extremely difficult to take them back. Once the Western Region is unstable and the strategic buffer is lost, it will inevitably cause shocks in Guanzhong."

Why did Tubo invade Chang'an during the Anshi Rebellion?

The reason was that the Western Regions had already become Tubo territory, leaving no room for strategic buffer between the two countries. Tubo cavalry swooped down from the plateau to cut off the Hexi Corridor, entered Guanzhong from Dazhen Pass, and captured Chang'an...

Throughout history, once the Western Regions were lost, no matter whether the capital was in Chang'an, Kaifeng, or Beijing, the country could not be said to be strong.

This shows the importance of the Western Regions.

Not to mention that at that time the Western Regions were rich in water and grass, had a prosperous population, and numerous tribes. It was truly a strategic location that the empire could not abandon.

Princess Gaoyang was amazed: "Every day I hear them talk about how my husband traveled thousands of miles to help the Western Regions and finally defeated the Arab army at the foot of Tianshan Mountain. I thought that the Arabs were also a country like the Hu tribe in the Western Regions, just with a slightly larger territory and a slightly larger population. I didn't know it was so powerful."

She could naturally empathize with the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, and by analogy, she could imagine how vast the territory and powerful the country of Dashi was.

When powerful nations of our time fight for victory on the battlefield, with battles often involving hundreds of thousands or millions of people, it is never too cautious.

No country can afford such a failure...

Seeing her so surprised, Fang Jun smiled and said, "It's just powerful. For example, the Xiongnu in the past and the Turks today, they rise and fall with the wind. It's difficult to build a continuously strong country in such a cultural desert."

What is the foundation that enables a country or a nation to stand firm?
It's simple, it's culture.

Culture creates identity and cohesion, establishes values ​​and moral norms, continues historical heritage and accumulation of wisdom, and can provide spiritual support in times of crisis, enhance the psychological resilience of the entire nation, and persevere and forge ahead in the face of difficulties.

The West has no culture, and their "Holy See" plays a similar role. However, compared with the strong and prosperous Chinese culture, it is like a fortress on the beach. It looks solid and grand, but in fact it is vulnerable. When the country is strong, it can unite the people and call on the people, but once the country declines, it will immediately be blown away by the wind.

Therefore, China can "reunite after a long period of division" in the long river of history, and can also rebuild from the ruins after day after day of decline.

The country's name is changing, the political system is changing, but the cultural core remains the same. No matter whether it is called "Qin", "Han", "Tang", "Song", "Ming", or even "Yuan" or "Qing", as long as it is based on Chinese culture and inherits the important task of passing on Chinese civilization, it is part of the Chinese land.

From this point of view, the much-criticized Confucianism has made great contributions.

Therefore, things in the world are never black or white. Even though Confucian culture has its own flaws, its indelible contribution to Chinese heritage must be recognized and affirmed.

"culture?"

Qiao'er, who was washing Fang Jun's feet, raised her head and said in confusion: "Is it the 'Cultural Revitalization Association' that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei is currently presiding over?"

Fang Jun thought for a moment and explained, "'Culture' not only needs to be passed on, but also needs to be created. It is not necessarily consistent and consistent internally and externally. Internally, culture should be conducive to the inheritance of the ethnic group and the development of the country. Externally, it should be conducive to the acquisition of benefits and the expansion of influence."

Qiao'er blinked her eyes: "Inconsistent inside and outside? Is it the 'inner saint and outer king' thing? We are practical inside and shout slogans outside. We shout whatever slogans are in our favor!"

Fang Jun was quite surprised. He stretched out his hand and pinched the girl's soft and smooth face, praising her: "Whose little girl is this? She is so smart!"

That’s right, it’s just shouting slogans to the outside world. They shout whatever slogans are beneficial to themselves. As for whether others believe in these slogans, that is irrelevant, because the people shouting the slogans themselves don’t believe in them. For example, “human rights”, “people’s democracy”, “freedom of speech”... It’s just a big stick that can be used as a “legitimate means”.

The girl's cheeks blushed and she couldn't help but be happy.

Which of the husband's wives and concubines at home was not a noble lady from a wealthy family? She was a slave, and she often felt inferior because of her status. At this moment, she was really happy to receive praise from her husband.

Xiao Shu'er looked at the side with a carefree look and a resentful tone: "But after all, doesn't it mean that we have to wait until next spring to come back?"

Fang Jun hesitated for a moment and said, "If you are anxious and unwilling to part with me, then I will ask you to go with me when I go to Hexi this time. We can stay together day and night and share our thoughts with each other to relieve your pain. How do you think?"

"oops!"

Xiao Shu'er blushed with shame and said angrily, "Why would I ever have such an intention?"

They are close to each other day and night and are always intimate with each other...what is that?

Although she was a concubine, she was also the daughter of a wealthy family and was educated as the mistress of the house since childhood. How could she do such a thing as "pleasing others with her beauty"?
She just wanted a second child...