Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5282 Imperial Ambition
Liu Ji always considered himself selfless. Even his disagreements with Fang Jun were a contest between civil and military officials, not a contest of personal interests. His aim was to maintain stability in the court and prevent the military from wasting the country's resources in endless wars.

But since the war in the Indochina Peninsula is so important and far-reaching, and could very well affect the empire's strategy for a century, why would they oppose it just for the sake of opposing it?

Therefore, Li Ji's words at this moment greatly displeased him.

Li Ji smiled wryly: "I admire the Grand Secretary for his dedication to the country and the people. Please forgive any oversights in my words."

Although Liu Ji was dissatisfied, he could not dwell on this point. He nodded and said, "I have the trust of His Majesty to oversee all affairs of state. I should be loyal to the emperor, serve the country, and be fair and just. However, a great war is about to break out in the Indochina Peninsula. It will surely be fierce. Yet you, Duke Ying, are enjoying your leisure in the mountains and forests, playing with your grandchildren. This is really not right."

Li Ji couldn't help but laugh and said, "This provocation tactic is too mediocre, isn't it? It's not up to the standards of a Grand Secretary."

Liu Ji said with a serious expression, "It's not that it's about to happen, but rather that we have some concerns. When His Majesty previously intended to enfeoff the princes in foreign lands, the entire court was shaken. Countless meritorious officials and descendants of powerful families were eager to try their luck, hoping to participate in foreign wars and make a name for themselves. However, the navy suddenly came up with a brilliant 'referendum' plan, turning many overseas vassal states against their will and directly submitting to the Chinese. While this may have benefited the country by ending the war, it also disheartened many people. Now that the war has begun, and its scale is even greater than before, how can the court remain calm and watch the navy conquer cities and destroy nations?"

Li Ji frowned slightly, pondering in silence.

After the conquest of the Turks and the defeat of the Abbasid Caliphate, the court and the public alike recognized that a golden age had arrived. With foreign threats almost eliminated, national policy shifted towards domestic affairs, and foreign wars would become increasingly rare. As a result, the nobles and officials of the court felt a sense of urgency and hoped to seize the last opportunity to participate in the war as much as possible, in order to secure benefits for their sons who had not yet been appointed to official positions or granted titles.

The expedition against Goguryeo was originally the best opportunity, but in order to compete for merit, the navy led by Fang Jun was excluded even before the war began.

Even though it was the navy that ultimately conquered Pingrang City, it was still a great victory in conquering a country. Logically, at most, the credit should be distributed to the navy, while the rest of the crew could still eat their fill.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty's return to Chang'an was met with a coup by Changsun Wuji, and after the rebellion was quelled, he died under mysterious circumstances...

When the whole country is in mourning, who can still mention merits and rewards?
Afterwards, the foreign wars were either the navy at sea or the Anxi army in the Western Regions. Both were under Fang Jun's control, and the nobles in the court could not interfere. Seeing the navy and the Anxi army winning battle after battle and making great achievements, many former captains have now been promoted several ranks to become generals. How could they not be envious?
If news were to spread that the navy was about to attack Lin-yi and Zhenla, it would inevitably cause turmoil.

The key question is, since you, Li Ji, are known as "one of the two great mountains of the military," on par with Fang Jun and with outstanding prestige, yet you can only watch the navy conquer and destroy countries to gain merit, what do your loyal people think and feel?
Soldiers, ultimately, must prove their worth and earn merit on the battlefield...

Even though she knew Liu Ji was trying to provoke her, she still couldn't help but feel a thorn in her heart.

"The military should ultimately be united in brotherhood, helping each other and fighting side by side. Fighting for power and profit is something only you civil officials do. I have my own principles."

Liu Ji smiled and said, "Officials in the world are originally either civil or military, and those with outstanding prestige are appointed. However, pursuing personal gain is human nature. It is precisely because of the struggle for power and profit that they are gradually divided into civil and military. Civil and military are one, although the ways of pursuing profit are different, there is no difference in essence."

Humans are driven by self-interest; money is self-interest, official position is self-interest, power is self-interest, even words are self-interest…

The imperial court is driven by interests, and so is the martial arts world.

When people are driven by self-interest, they are naturally always pursuing profit.

Does the military not pursue profit?

What a joke.

On the battlefield, victory or defeat is a matter of interest, as is life or death.

So many meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era obeyed your every command and followed your lead simply because you, as the leader, could bring benefits to everyone.

If there's no profit to be made, who will support you?

Without the support of the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era, how could you, Duke Ying, have such a superior position in the Zhenguan and Renhe reigns?
*****
Fangfu Study Room.

Fang Xuanling was so engrossed in studying "political economy" that he almost became obsessed. He not only turned down most visitors and refused to see anyone who was not a close friend, but he also neglected to eat and sleep and buried himself in his books, which resulted in a messy beard and an oily complexion.

In addition, I also had to compile the "Cihai" dictionary, which almost exhausted my energy...

Sitting in his chair, sipping tea and listening to Fang Jun recount the events in the Imperial Study, Su Dingfang pondered for a moment before saying, "Su Dingfang is a late bloomer and can be considered a renowned general. Naturally, he wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating the enemy and advancing rashly. However, the navy has relied on its powerful ships and cannons for years, dominating the seas without ever suffering a defeat. It's inevitable that the lower-ranking officers will become arrogant and may not take Linyi and Zhenla seriously... But throughout history, which case of a smaller force defeating a larger one was ultimately due to underestimating the enemy? Su Dingfang must be warned not to be careless, to always pay attention to the army's movements, and to maintain strict discipline in commanding the troops."

"Father, rest assured, I share this concern. Therefore, I have already dispatched Li Jinxing to Da Nang by sea to urge Su Dingfang to be cautious and not to underestimate the enemy."

"Li Jinxing?"

Fang Xuanling wondered why he had been unaware of the rising stars in the military.

"The son of Tudiji, the former governor of Yanzhou, the Right Guard General, and the Duke of Zhuoguo, was forty years old, shrewd and capable, not only brave and good at fighting but also the bravest in the army."

"Tudiqi? The leader of the Sumo Mohe. He was an old friend of mine. He was exceptionally brave and upright. He was highly valued by Emperor Yang of Sui during the Sui Dynasty and participated in several campaigns against Goguryeo. After the Tang Dynasty came to power, it was I who recommended him to Emperor Gaozu to serve as the governor of Yanzhou. It's just that he died a little too early."

Fang Jun nodded, unaware that his father had once been on good terms with the Tudiqi: "This branch of the Sumo Mohe has been completely Sinicized, their hearts are with the Central Plains, and they are loyal and brave. Li Jinxing was previously in charge of protecting Meiniang's safety in Luoyang, and he obeyed orders. It was Meiniang who recommended him to me to participate in the Central and Southern War. I also think highly of him. After being tempered in this great war, he may be able to govern the Greater and Lesser Jinshan Mountains in the future."

The so-called "Sumo Mohe" refers to a Mohe ethnic group living along the Sumo River, which is the Songhua River. The "Greater and Lesser Jinshan Mountains" refer to the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains. The vast plains between the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains were gradually being developed and were about to become an important grain-producing area in Northeast China.

Fang Xuanling nodded: "You have always done a very good job in selecting and appointing talented people, far surpassing me in this respect."

Thinking of all the talents recommended, promoted, and cultivated by Fang Jun over the years, both civil and military officials have already secured a place in the court. He couldn't help but sigh in admiration, marveling at how remarkably astute Fang Jun was at judging people...

Taking a sip of tea, he advised, "Now that you hold great power, you can even single-handedly drive a war across the Indochina Peninsula. But the more powerful you are, the more careful you must be. You must not be arrogant or conceited, and you must especially be mindful of the Duke of England."

Although he knew his son no longer needed much guidance, the father couldn't help but offer earnest advice: "The Duke of Ying is exceptionally intelligent and broad-minded, not a petty person seeking fame and fortune. However, in his position, he is often not in control of his own destiny. The meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era elevated him to a superior position, but at the same time, they bound him, forcing him to consider their interests. He could use the change of imperial power as an excuse to remain neutral, but now that war has broken out in the Indochina Peninsula, it means countless merits. He may truly be indifferent, but those meritorious officials under his command may not be. And once you break with the Duke of Ying, it will mean a split within the Tang military, with endless consequences."

Fang Jun poured tea for his father, smiling as he said, "Father, rest assured, am I such an unruly and ambitious person? I am already waiting for Duke Ying to come and discuss with me. We can make appropriate concessions to his demands, otherwise we will surely be slandered and divided by the likes of Liu Ji."

He could make concessions to Li Ji, allowing him to share some of the credit in this great battle, but he would not personally visit him.

Distinguish between primary and secondary tasks, and strive to take the initiative.

Fang Xuanling nodded with delight: "That's right! You must always remember never to put yourself in opposition to His Majesty. No matter what power you hold or how capable you are, you must create an opponent who can rival you. Whether it's Li Ji or Liu Ji, don't think about kicking them to the curb or even killing them outright, because without them, you will face the imperial power directly... This is something a subject will not do."

Whether vying with Li Ji or fighting with Liu Ji, Li Chengqian remained a mediator between the two sides, ensuring the stability of imperial power and allowing for greater tolerance of discord.

However, once Li Chengqian faced the imperial power directly, he felt an unparalleled sense of danger.

When faced with the potential danger of overthrowing the imperial power, the emperor had only two options: it was either you die or I die.

There is no room for maneuver.

Fang Jun smiled and said, “What I do is not about ten or a hundred years, or even a single dynasty. Though the attire may change over a hundred generations, poetry and books will never cease; though the walls of a thousand-year-old city may be destroyed, rites and music will remain. Therefore, the golden goblet may be broken, but the cultural lineage will never be severed; the imperial throne may be changed, but the orthodox tradition will always continue. The imperial power and hegemony will eventually turn into a pile of yellow earth; only the smoke from the chimneys of ordinary people can represent a peaceful and prosperous era. My wish is simply to ensure that farmers have their fields, weavers have their looms, children recite classics in schools, and elders enjoy sweet meals in their courtyards. Then, even without the shouts of ‘Long live the Emperor,’ we will truly achieve a thousand years of prosperity.”

The Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties, with their imperial ambitions and hegemonic achievements, have all passed through the ages, ultimately fading like smoke and clouds, scattered by the wind.

With the inheritance of Chinese civilization in mind, and always concerned about the suffering of the people, why should one be loyal to one family or one surname?
Fang Xuanling clicked his tongue, looking at his son with a deep gaze. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Your ambition... is a hundred times, a thousand times more difficult than the imperial ambitions?"