You have truly caused me great suffering!

Inside the imperial city of Jinling, Chen Shao read the report from Ise Province with a calm expression.

He had never been to this place, but he would never give up on it.

The gold and silver here must end up in their own pockets to endorse the unprecedented commercial prosperity of the Great Jing.

For them, it was actually a stroke of luck to encounter the opening of the sea in Dajing when it was at its strongest.

Because at this time, Da Jing has extremely high composure and can slowly win you over.

Instead of resorting directly to force or violent attacks.

For example, in Japan, if it had encountered other conquerors, there would probably have been rivers of blood.

The reason Chen Shao was unwilling to use the pirate methods of later Western countries to conquer land was because he felt that such methods were direct and quick to take effect, but would cause a lot of trouble later on.

After the British Empire weakened, various regions declared independence.

Chen Shao wanted to completely assimilate the barbarians into the Han Chinese, so that even if changes occurred in later generations, the people on these lands would not take the opportunity to rebel.

This may seem like a fantasy, but with the support of the word "China," it is not impossible.

Looking back, the territory of the Central Plains wasn't that large.

Shandong was still called "Dongyi" (Eastern Barbarians), Hunan and Hubei were called "Jingman" (Jing Barbarians), people in large areas of Shanxi and Hebei were called "Beidi" (Northern Barbarians), people in most areas of Shaanxi, Gansu, Sichuan and Ningxia were called "Xirong" (Western Barbarians), and even southern Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang were still regarded by the Central Plains as "Nanyue" barbarians with "cut hair and tattoos" in the mid-Spring and Autumn Period.

By the Tang and Song dynasties, who among the people in these lands would still consider themselves barbarians?
With manpower, money, and patience, Dajing possesses strategic resolve.

Therefore, Chen Shao simply encouraged the people of Goryeo and Japan to start speaking Chinese, and burned Japanese books instead of their houses.

Even in modern Japan, with its supposedly unbroken imperial line, the actual structure of its rule is very loose.

Not to mention comparing it with the Central Plains dynasties, even compared with the Liao, Jin, and Western Xia dynasties, it is worlds apart.

Therefore, completely conquering these lands is not a difficult task; the key is whether the policies can be implemented stably and sustainably in the long term.

Although Chen Shao had the resolve, recently there have been growing calls within the court to launch an expedition to Japan.

The reason is simple: Japan has declared war on Daikyo. This is the second time since Daikyo was established.

The last one as brave as this was Wanyan Wuqimai, who is already two years old this year.

Moreover, the Jin Dynasty was a powerful state that had destroyed the Khitan, and it had fought against the founding army of the Great Jing Dynasty for nearly ten years. It was one thing for them to declare war.

What kind of country is Japan that it dares to declare war on Great Jing? When a nation is strong, officials cannot accept such provocation.

Back at his workstation, Yuwen Xuzhong saw His Majesty staring blankly at the report from Japan, lost in thought.

Like Xiao Ting, he also had a question in his mind: how did His Majesty know in advance that there were mountains of gold and silver in Japan?
And how did Your Majesty know that there are so many small countries, so many islands, and so many mines in Southeast Asia?

Xiao Ting couldn't figure it out and could only attribute it to some ethereal thing like gods or immortals, but Yuwen Xuzhong was different.

He knew there must be a reason for this.

Perhaps this is His Majesty's secret. It would be unwise to ask rashly, as it might involve some earth-shattering secret.

But His Majesty is younger than him, much younger. Yuwen Xuzhong looks young, but he is actually almost forty years old. He was a Jinshi during the Daguan era, and has been in officialdom for twenty years since he entered the government.

His Majesty is only in his early twenties.

I wonder if, on my deathbed, I were to ask His Majesty, he would answer my questions.
"Uncle Tong, what are you daydreaming about?"

Yuwen Xuzhong snapped out of his reverie and, seeing Chen Shao looking at him, quickly said, "Your Majesty, I was thinking about the affairs of Dongying."

Chen Shao smiled confidently and waved his hand, saying, "No need to worry too much. According to my prior plan, we will swallow those four islands one bite at a time sooner or later."

"Your Majesty is wise."
-
At noon, Chen Chong came in and asked where he wanted to have a meal.

Yuwen Xuzhong couldn't help but prick up his ears. He really wanted to mooch a meal off His Majesty, because the Imperial Kitchen's cooking was truly excellent.

Moreover, His Majesty often takes them out to eat together.

But Chen Shao did not let him succeed today. "I have recently been quite interested in cultivating Taoism, so I will go to Baozhen Temple to offer incense."

Yuwen Xuzhong was somewhat disappointed, thinking to himself that he would be eating the meat pies his wife had brought for lunch, and that he could ask the eunuchs to bake them in a copper stove.

However, you can also go to the capital for a meal later. If you're lucky, you might catch a banquet hosted by Minister Li and Minister Liu.

In fact, Chen Shao's close advisors are not worried about money at all. If all else fails, they can simply ask His Majesty for some and get quite a bit.

Not to mention the treatment and daily rewards Chen Shao gave them, which amounted to a considerable sum of money.

Yuwen Xuzhong used to be a man content with poverty, but now things are changing.

When people are relaxed, they are more likely to enjoy the pleasures of food and drink, and they also have the leisure to occasionally gather with friends for drinks and compose poems.

Previously, Yuwen Xuzhong was so exhausted from governing the country that he couldn't care less about what he ate or drank.

Moreover, there are far fewer corrupt practices in the court now, and the life-or-death factional struggles of the previous dynasty have completely disappeared.

Even when associating with so-called upright officials like Geng Nanzhong, Wu Min, and even Li Gang, it wasn't as relaxed and comfortable as it is now. Back then, while considering national affairs, he also had to take into account his relationships with them, which was a real headache.

After the founding of the Great Jing Dynasty, because His Majesty's achievements were so great, there was no need to consider division or balance in personnel selection.

The Hedong faction initially formed a group, but later realized that His Majesty treated Dingnan and Hedong equally, so there was nothing to fight over and they ultimately did not form a faction.

His Majesty's bestowal of titles and ranks truly reflects political achievements and merits.

Xu Jin, who surveyed the land, and Yang Cheng, who made meritorious contributions to river management, were both civil officials who were granted titles based on their solid political achievements.

This is an era in which someone like him can fully realize his ambitions and live a very happy life.

The wise hold positions of power, and the foolish benefit from them.

Even the most patriotic and people-oriented person is, in essence, still a human being, with emotions and desires, and experiences of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

Chen Shao had no idea that he was so cunning now; after leaving the main hall, he moved with lightning speed.

With spring in full bloom, the Baozhen Temple is filled with the fragrance of flowers, a truly delightful experience.

After arriving in the backyard, Chen Shao casually sat down at the table.

Li Qingzhao was sifting tea nearby. After pouring a cup, she nudged Maode with her elbow, asking her to take it over.

She had no idea that Chen Shao was acting extremely restlessly, completely disregarding day and night, and doing whatever he pleased!
Since Maode was freed, he has become uninhibited, while Li Yi'an, being thin-skinned, is still somewhat shy.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea." Maode placed a cup of tea beside Chen Shao and said in a pretentious manner.

Seeing the former imperial princess cosplaying as a palace maid, Chen Shao reached out and pulled Maode, who let out a soft cry and sat on his lap.

"Have you finished the books I asked you and Yi'an to make last time?"

Maode nodded and asked with interest, "Are you going to use it as a poetry manuscript? You have to let me see it when you're done writing."

Li Yi'an also secretly pricked up her ears, very interested.

"What poetry collection? I don't have that kind of talent," Chen Shao said with a self-deprecating laugh. "If I actually wrote a bunch of doggerel, it would be embarrassing enough."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I want to write a diary!"

Chen Shao chuckled. He wanted to record all his methods, insights, and objectives in governing.

They also summarized and recorded the gains and losses, advantages and disadvantages of their own policies one by one.

A hundred years from now, pass it on to your heirs, and it would be best if this good habit were passed down from generation to generation.

This is to maintain policy consistency.

Upon hearing that it was a log, they knew it was related to government affairs, and neither of them asked any further questions.

Despite their banter and antics, they refrained from interfering in important court affairs. After all, Maode was the daughter of the power-hungry Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji), and she was aware of this.

After Li Qingzhao took out the diary they had made from the bedside table, she handed it to Chen Shao.

Chen Shao took the opportunity to touch her hand.

Li Yi'an rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Chen Shao chuckled, looking at the exquisite diary, quite satisfied.

This paper is made of hemp fiber paper, the kind of paper most favored by scholars and officials of the Song Dynasty. It was often used to make poetry books to pass down to future generations.

Chen Shao walked to his desk, opened the first page, and wrote down his strategy for dealing with Japan that day, as well as his views on the Japanese.

On the second page, several important matters at present are described: the Northern Expedition, the Sinicization of Goryeo and Dali, and how the Tusi (chieftains) in the southwestern border regions were reformed and replaced by centrally appointed officials.

As Chen Shao put these plans, which were originally just in his mind, into writing, his thoughts became clearer.

Regardless of which path it is, I don't need to worry now; it's them who should be worried.

The Gao family of Dali, Toba from Japan, and even Wang Kai and the Goryeo aristocracy—they are the ones who should be worried.

I am the attacker, and I am in complete control. I can even take them down without shedding a drop of blood.

Further afield is not within Chen Shao's plans for the time being.

Because of the limited means of transportation at present, if we want to fight a war in a more distant area, it will take several months for the message to be transmitted.

Even longer.

It is difficult to control them, and it is easy for a large army with advanced technology from the Central Plains to establish its own independent regime in a distant place.

Perhaps Chen Shao will only consider further expansion after the steam engine, such a powerful tool, is used in transportation.

After finishing writing, Chen Shao set the notebook aside to dry the ink, while he playfully joked around with Maode. (End of Chapter)