Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

Li Chengqian raised his head slightly, a look of thought flashed in his deep eyes, and he paused as he sorted out his words in his mind.

"As for the proof of a strong country."

His voice was powerful.

"Conquests must be justified, ending wars with war, bringing the barbarians to pay tribute and harmony among nations, so that distant nations will be drawn to your name and submit, and nearby neighbors will sincerely submit."

Li Chengqian glanced at everyone with a determined gaze, then said, "I'll find someone to explain this to you."

Then, he shouted with full energy: "Qin Ruzhao!"

"I am here!" Qin Ruzhao responded instantly after hearing the emperor's order.

He stood tall and straight, with the ceremonial sword at his waist, and took a step forward.

"Come, discuss this Confucian sage's words with the officials of the court."

Li Chengqian looked at Qin Ruzhao with trust in his eyes.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Qin Ruzhao saluted respectfully, then slowly turned around and looked directly at Yu Zhining.

"Doctor Yu, I find it difficult to agree with what you say. I'm sure none of the generals present would agree with you either."

After saying this, he turned his head slightly and looked at the row of majestic generals beside him.

All the generals looked very dignified. When they heard what Qin Ruzhao said, they all looked excited and nodded frequently.

In their minds, the so-called ending war with war and the coming of the barbarians to pay tribute are nothing but beautiful dreams woven by literati and poets in books.

These scholars sat in the court all day long or buried themselves in their study. They had never personally experienced the cruelty and bloodiness of the battlefield.

On the battlefield, there is no such thing as gentle and elegant dealings. There is only naked life and death struggle, a contest of life and death.

"The sage's words were spoken during the Spring and Autumn Period, and the people to whom they were applied at that time were none other than the Chinese people. Given the circumstances of that time, perhaps this approach was still applicable."

Qin Ruzhao put his hands behind his back, stood with his head held high, and talked freely.

"But now, times have changed. It is already the heyday of our Tang Dynasty."

"Ever since the First Emperor unified China and standardized weights and measures, our Central Plains and the surrounding ethnic groups have been locked in an endless struggle."

"I cannot agree with the Chinese people's vain attempt to influence those barbarians through virtue."

He frowned slightly, with deep disdain in his eyes.

"Those barbarians are ferocious by nature and have no integrity."

"They only pretend to be submissive, humble, and fawning when China's military power is strong."

"But if the Chinese army's offensive falters, they will rise up like hungry beasts, wantonly trampling on the magnificent mountains and rivers of China, trying to gnaw off piece after piece of fat meat."

"From the Qin Dynasty to the present day, a long time has passed, thousands of years have passed, and our Chinese people have tried to educate them for many years, but what results have we achieved?"

"Doctor Yu, ask yourself, is this kind of teaching really effective?"

Qin Ruzhao stared at Yu Zhining, wanting to analyze his inner thoughts one by one.

Yu Zhining was left speechless by Qin Ruzhao's sharp words. His lips trembled slightly and for a moment he didn't know how to refute.

After a long moment of contemplation, he managed to squeeze out a few words: "Education is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It is a long-term strategy that requires perseverance. Although we haven't seen any results yet, in the long run, with time, we will surely achieve success. It's just that the time for success has not yet arrived."

His voice was weak and lacking in confidence.

Upon hearing Yu Zhining's words, the military generals in the court burst into laughter.

"Doctor Yu, your words are completely attributing the glorious achievements of those loyal and brave soldiers of the Tang Dynasty who died on the battlefield to the merits of your scholars' teachings!"

Xue Rengui's thick eyebrows were raised, his eyes were wide open, his face was full of contempt, and his words were full of dissatisfaction with such remarks.

Qin Ruzhao turned his head to look at Xue Rengui. Their eyes met, and they understood each other and smiled at each other.

Su Dingfang, who had been silent the entire time, could no longer contain himself upon hearing Yu Zhining's words. He spoke up, "Doctor Yu, do you think those foreign races are as docile as lambs, willing to be slaughtered by the Tang Dynasty without resistance? That's simply absurd!"

"Those alien races are clearly a group of wolves in sheep's clothing. They appear harmless, but they are actually dangerous. Don't underestimate them!"

Su Dingfang's eyes were as cold as ice, revealing a chilling and murderous aura.

Qin Ruzhao nodded slightly and continued, "I believe that barbarians have always feared power rather than virtue."

"The so-called moral education is nothing but wind in their ears and has no effect on them."

"Only by using ruthless means can we teach them a lesson. Perhaps we can destroy their nation and race, thus eliminating future troubles. Or we can disperse them and incorporate them into various parts of the Tang Dynasty, allowing them to immerse themselves in our Han culture. After a few generations, perhaps we can assimilate them into the Tang Dynasty and prevent them from becoming a threat."

"There is really no other good solution."

"Doctor Yu, the situation now is no longer like it was during the Spring and Autumn Period. We must not cling to the old ways."

After Qin Ruzhao finished speaking, he straightened his court robes and slowly retreated.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian glanced at Yu Zhining, who looked unhappy, and a group of civil officials with different expressions. Some of them were blushing, while others looked gloomy, and they were obviously very angry.

Li Chengqian coughed lightly and spoke slowly and soothingly, "Confucianism is not completely useless. It's just that the times are constantly developing and progressing. We need to take its essence and discard its outdated dregs."

"The theories of the hundred schools of thought all have their strengths and weaknesses, and cannot be discussed one-sidedly."

"Let's not discuss this topic today."

Li Chengqian's words were like a gust of spring breeze, and the originally tense atmosphere in the court gradually became a little more relaxed.

He sighed inwardly. Compared with reforms such as implementing new policies and developing water conservancy projects, this ideological change was undoubtedly the most difficult.

It is not easy to completely change the stubborn views that have been deeply rooted in these people since ancient times. Perhaps only when the world is truly peaceful and the seas and rivers are clear, people's minds will become more inclusive and open, and they will no longer be so bound by old doctrines and concepts.