Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Du He and a group of ministers whose names were called by Li Shimin stood up and responded.

"As ordered!"

When the rest of the civil and military officials saw His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and a group of important ministers leave, they did not leave immediately, but gathered in groups of three or five and talked in low voices.

"Your Majesty summoned all the prime ministers to the Liangyi Palace. Did he really just want to listen to Master Xuanzang talk about the Western Regions and India?"

"But what is there to know about a wild place like the Western Regions?"

"Your Majesty must have other intentions!"

Ministers such as Ma Zhou, Cen Wenben and Yang Shidao, after hearing what the officials were discussing, did not join in the discussion, but shook their heads and left the Linde Hall.

As important officials of the imperial court, it was not convenient for them to participate in discussions on such topics.

Just after the heads of various departments had left, a powerful voice suddenly came from the crowd.

"There's no need to guess blindly. Your Majesty knows about the affairs of the Western Regions and the Indian countries, and he must want to mobilize troops against the states over there!"

"Your Majesty has been thinking about the countries in the Western Regions for a long time and has long wanted to incorporate them into the territory of the Tang Dynasty."

Everyone looked in the direction the voice came from and saw that the person who spoke was Pei Xingjian, a doctor in the Ministry of Personnel's Department of Enfeoffment.

They knew that Pei Xingjian was Hou Junji's son-in-law and one of the prince's favorite ministers, so they were not discouraged at all by Pei Xingjian's words, but responded with smiles.

Li Daoyu, the Junior Craftsman of the Imperial Household, asked: "Doctor Pei, our Tang Dynasty has been at war in recent years. Doesn't Your Majesty need to rest and recuperate?"

Liu Renjing, the Minister of Agriculture, frowned and said, "The Western Regions are remote, and the army needs a lot of food and fodder for the expedition. The people of the Tang Dynasty cannot afford it!"

Zhao Hongzhi, the Imperial Court Minister, said in a loud voice: "The Liaodong Road, Sishui Road, and Jincheng Road have not yet been established. If Your Majesty wants to conquer the Western Regions in the next few years, we must persuade Your Majesty to do so!"

The other officials echoed and agreed with Zhao Hongzhi's suggestion.

Everyone's opinion was surprisingly consistent, that is, the Tang Dynasty had been fighting too many wars and needed to recuperate.

...

Liangyi Palace.

Li Shimin asked Xuanzang, who was sitting in the first seat on the left, with a smile on his face.

"Master Xuanzang, which countries did you visit during this trip?"

In response to Li Shimin's question, Master Xuanzang thought for a moment, then clasped his hands together and replied.

"Your Majesty, I traveled westward along the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, passing through the countries of Agni, Baluka, Brahma, Gandhara, and finally entered India."

"There are more than 3 countries in India, large and small. Among them, the most powerful are Harsha, Malva and Bhagavan."

Next, Xuanzang began to give a brief introduction to the geographical location, population situation, national strength, political culture, etc. of these countries.

Because India was Master Xuanzang's final destination, and he stayed there the longest, and he visited almost all the countries there, big and small.

By the time Xuanzang finished his brief speech, two hours had passed.

When Li Shimin and a group of civil and military ministers heard that the Western Regions and Indian countries were weak, inexplicable smiles appeared on their faces.

Li Shimin said softly: "Master Xuanzang, please record the countries in the Western Regions as soon as possible, especially the location of the states, the national strength, the official roads, the customs of the people, etc., and write them in detail!"

"If we can draw a marching map, it will be a great achievement!"

"As for the translation of Buddhist scriptures, it can be temporarily handed over to other eminent monks to complete."

The purpose of Li Shimin's words is self-evident.

The intelligent Xuanzang knew very well that His Majesty valued him not because he wanted to promote Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty by relying on his profound knowledge of Buddhism.

His Majesty's meaning is very simple. He needs to understand the national strength of the Western Regions and Indian countries as a basis for expanding the border.

Xuanzang quickly responded, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will compile the information about these countries into a book within a year."

"I have already thought of a name for the book. It is called 'The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions'!"

Hearing Master Xuanzang's words, Li Shimin laughed out loud with joy.

"Hahaha~"

"Master Xuanzang is indeed a master of Buddhism, able to comprehend the mind of the Emperor!"

After praising, Li Shimin continued.

"Master Xuanzang, a year is too long. I can't wait that long!"

"You need to compile the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions within half a year. I will satisfy all your requests for any assistance you require!"

Li Shimin felt that his respiratory disease was getting worse and worse. In the past, the disease would only flare up after a long period of time, but now the time intervals between flare-ups are getting shorter and shorter.

In addition to respiratory disease, he also contracted other serious illnesses.

If he did not launch military operations against the Western Regions and Indian countries sooner, he was afraid that he would not see the day when the Tang Dynasty conquered them.

Master Xuanzang frowned and thought for a moment, then put his hands together and responded solemnly.

"I will obey the Holy Spirit!"

Li Shimin nodded, then looked at Du He, who was sitting at the back, and gave him an order.

"Du He, you will be fully responsible for assisting Master Xuanzang in compiling The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions and translating the scriptures!"

"If you need someone to serve as your deputy, just tell us."

Du He, who has always had little presence, did not expect that Li Shimin would give him this task.

Assisting Master Xuanzang in compiling "A Record of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty" is a great achievement, and it may even be recorded by historians and go down in history.

Du He stood up and responded, "Your Majesty, Pei Xingjian, the doctor of the Ministry of Enfeoffment, is talented and capable. I need his assistance!"

Hearing Du He's words, a smile immediately appeared on Hou Junji's face.

Du He is a good guy, a reliable ally who always supports his son-in-law Pei Xingjian!

If we ask other friendly ministers to do something, they will either stab us in the back or have selfish motives.

Young people like Du He are the best. They are never hesitant to help when it is time to do so.

"I agree!"

Li Shimin nodded and then spoke to Du He.

"Du He, I will issue an imperial decree to have all monks in the world accept your orders."

"If any monks refuse to cooperate, you can deal with them on your own."

Li Shimin knew very well that many monks who had a certain reputation in other states and counties would not necessarily accept the conscription of the imperial court.

It happens from time to time that people refuse to attend a meeting due to illness.

Du He clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will mobilize Buddhist masters, especially those who know Sanskrit, to come to Chang'an as soon as possible!"

He didn't have a very good impression of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty. If there were any troublemakers who didn't cooperate, he could take this opportunity to teach them a lesson.

There are many temples these days that are extremely wealthy.

If you attack any hundred temples, you can seize a lot of silver.

Li Shimin saw that Master Xuanzang looked exhausted, so he said apologetically, "Master Xuanzang, thank you for your hard work today. I will send someone to take you to Hongfu Temple to rest."

"During the time when you are preparing the translation team, please come to the Liangyi Hall every day and tell us more about the Western Regions and the Indian countries!"