I, Altria, only want to rule China.

After thinking for a while, Morgan continued, "If we just ban firearms and artillery, it's only treating the symptoms and not the root cause. It's like those doctors who say if your hands hurt, cut off your hands, if your feet hurt, cut off your feet. They can only treat the symptoms but not the root cause."

"If we want to completely solve this problem, the key is to give the people a stable livelihood. Otherwise, there will still be fights for resources in the future. At most, there will be no more firearms and cannons, and they will be replaced by cold weapons such as swords, bows and crossbows."

Liya hummed expressionlessly and said, "This is what the Queen said. As for cracking down on those local gangs and finding livelihoods for the people, it still falls on the local government and the Ministry of Works."

This is obvious.

Gangs like these are all locals, and it is impossible for Leah to take care of them all over the country. She can only leave it to the local government to deal with. The most feared thing is that it will be like what is shown in those TV dramas, where officials, businessmen and gangs collude and control everything locally.

Chapter 170: Goguryeo Envoy

In fact, the best way to solve these problems is to promote the process of industrialization as soon as possible so that everyone can gradually get rid of their dependence on the land.

To achieve this, we must build infrastructure and promote industrialization.

With better roads, the speed of commodity circulation can be accelerated. With the advancement of industrialization, the cost and price of commodities can be further reduced.

This also means that the people's daily necessities will become more abundant, and they will no longer be tempted to cause trouble. At the same time, the imperial court will be able to receive more tax revenue.

Once ordinary people stop joining gangs and gangs can no longer recruit members, these so-called gangs will gradually disappear and become history.

Just like the character Su Qi'er played by Stephen Chow.

The emperor asked Stephen Chow if he could find a way to disband the Beggars' Sect, because there were too many members in the sect and he was very scared.

Then Stephen Chow's answer was this, "This is not a problem he can solve, but a problem that the emperor has to solve. If everyone has enough food and clothing, how can there be beggars?"

Of course, the local authorities also need to work hard on this matter. They cannot just talk the talk but also need to conduct multi-faceted crackdowns on gangs and evil forces and then publicize it.

Let the people subconsciously believe that joining a gang is destroying the peace of the Wu Kingdom and is against the government. Then once they join a gang, they will be looked at strangely by others, and in the end fewer and fewer people will join.

After discussing for a while, everyone decided what to do next.

Then someone else talked about what was happening in Goguryeo and Silla.

Although Goguryeo has now surrendered to the Wu Kingdom, the situation there is a little complicated.

The place of Goguryeo was already part of the Han Dynasty during the Han Dynasty. It has only been a few hundred years since it became the present-day Wu Kingdom, and the two sides have been in a state of separation and reunion all the time.

Unlike later generations, the place of Goguryeo was separated from China for thousands of years and had always been a vassal state. Looking back, it had become a stranger.

In a word, the current Goguryeo is like a pair of brothers who are still connected even if their bones are broken, but Silla is completely different.

At present, it is still an area that has not been ruled by China and is just a vassal state.

Leah thought for a while and felt that the problem on this peninsula could be solved now. After all, she had plenty of strength now.

Liya thought for a moment, then asked Merlin, "The Goguryeo envoy is still in Wu State, right?"

"Always. They are waiting for your Majesty's answer." Merlin nodded.

Goguryeo had always wanted to defeat Silla, but their own strength was not strong enough, and was on par with Silla, so they had always wanted to rely on the military strength of Wu State.

Liya said directly: "Then summon them and have a good chat with him."

After Liya summoned the envoy from Goguryeo, they soon had a formal meeting in the court.

The Goguryeo envoy first knelt down to pay his respects to Liya, and then asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, when will you be willing to send troops to Silla?"

Liya looked at the messenger below and said, "I just don't know when Goguryeo will adopt Chinese law and hold a farmers' association?"

Hearing Liya's words, Li Changming, the envoy and prince of Goguryeo, also said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, as long as you can send troops to Silla, we Goguryeo can respond immediately. Whether it is to hold a farmers' association or to implement Chinese law, we will never refuse."

Liya smiled and said, "Haha, I think your country must have seen how powerful our Wu country is now, and truly provided for the young and the elderly. After those Khitan people who bordered you became our Han people, they no longer had to risk their lives to hunt like before. Even if they encountered a white disaster,

Even if there is a black disaster, the Khitan people can survive it."

"In the three northeastern provinces, or even in the whole world except our Wu country, how many places like this are there? Isn't this enough to prove the advanced policies of Wu country?"

It can be said that the Khitan people had a hard life in the past. Although the harsh and cold living environment made them strong and fearless, their population had never increased.

However, ever since the Emperor of Wu State sent people to set up farmers' associations, these Khitans began to live a life of farming and hunting. They no longer had to fight fiercely with ferocious beasts as usual. In just a few years, the number of these Khitans doubled.

Under such circumstances, the Khitans' fighting power should have declined rapidly. At the very least, they should no longer be as fearless as before, right?

However, what the Goguryeo people couldn't understand was that the Khitans' fighting power not only did not decline at all, but became even more fearless than before.

However, just based on what Liya said, does she want the entire Goguryeo to completely turn to the side of the Wu Kingdom, or even implement the same policies as the Wu Kingdom?

Li Changming shook his head in his heart. He certainly knew that the people of Wu State were living better than before, but the nobles of Goguryeo would not give up their own interests.

After all, whether the people live well or not has nothing to do with them. It’s enough for them to live well.

"Your Majesty, our ruler said that as long as you can send troops to solve the problems of Silla, we in Goguryeo will agree to what you said."

Liya felt that these Goguryeo people might be dreaming and simply treating her as a fool.

Why did she accept the Khitans?

Because the Khitans found the Wu State first, hoping to live within its borders, and the entire tribe unanimously supported all of the Wu State's policies. In the end, they intermarried with the Wu State in various ways, which completely tied the Khitan tribe to the Wu State.

And what about Goguryeo?

Ever since Wu State transformed the three northeastern provinces, these people from Goguryeo have been sending people to test whether Wu State is strong enough and whether they should take the initiative to submit to it.

Then they found that Wu State was indeed powerful. In order to prevent Wu State from attacking and making them a part of Wu State, they decided to take the initiative to submit to Wu State. Then, in the name of a vassal state, they hoped that Wu State would help them fight Silla and then give the conquered Silla to them.

what is this?

Want benefits, but don't want to take responsibility? Is this what Goguryeo called sincerity?

Liya believed that as long as she helped Goguryeo conquer Silla, these people would immediately turn against her and continue to be their mountain kings.

Anyway, Goguryeo was just a vassal state, not real territory of the Wu Kingdom, so they just needed to show their appreciation for the so-called policies of the Wu Kingdom.

Liya continued, "To be honest, I like the fact that you, Goguryeo, took the initiative to submit to me, but I don't like the fact that you all still disagree with the policy of establishing the Han Dynasty in Goguryeo."

Chapter 171 Are you Goguryeo dissatisfied?

The so-called Han thought is to promote various core political ideas about Queen Wu in the country. Once it is launched throughout the country, even the vassal states will naturally think that they belong to the Han people and are part of the Han people.

Think about it, their future children will learn Chinese culture, speak Chinese language, and study Chinese history. So what will these children think when they grow up?

It can be said that this is a kind of assimilation of those vassal states by Leah. You want me not to fight you in the name of submission, that’s fine, but you must implement the policies of our Wu Kingdom.

When the Goguryeo envoy heard what Liya said, his face changed.

What does this mean? Is the Emperor of Wu Kingdom going to break off relations with Goguryeo?

The Goguryeo envoys looked at each other, and Li Changming frowned and said, "Your Majesty, what does this mean? Are you planning to threaten us?"

"You can't even agree to our request, but you want us to implement your Wuguo policy in Goguryeo. Where in the world can you get such a good deal?"

Liya sneered: "Oh? So you Goguryeo are planning to be enemies with Wuguo? I'll tell you clearly, even if I threaten you, what can you do to my Wuguo?"

Hearing what Liya said, Goguryeo's temper also rose. Li Changming said in a deep voice: "We Goguryeo will not be afraid of any threats. Anyone who tries to threaten us will be our enemy!"

Liya said contemptuously: "I admire your courage, Goguryeo. If so, you should go back to Goguryeo. Go back and tell your king that soon, our Wu Kingdom will lead the army to come, not to conquer Silla, but to destroy your capital!"

After hearing what Leah said, the Goguryeo envoy was at a loss.

It was clearly your Wu Nation that issued the threat, right? Why are you making us out to be the villains now?

If they really go back now and report this to the king, won't the king kill them?

The Goguryeo envoys looked at each other and were silent for a while. They felt that it would be better to surrender. After all, the current strength of the Wu Kingdom was obvious to all.

After all, the Wu Kingdom has such terrifying firearms. Even if they rely on the mountains, they may not be able to withstand the Wu Kingdom's muskets and cannons, and will be directly flattened.

Just like during the Qing Dynasty, wasn’t North Korea conquered in this way? What’s more, now Leah’s firearms are even more powerful than those during the Qing Dynasty.

Li Changming said quickly: "Your Majesty, we got carried away just now. Please take back your words. I think we can still continue the discussion."

Upon hearing this, Liya smiled, but her tone remained unchanged as she said, "Well, I won't make it difficult for you, but you must start this school in Goguryeo immediately."

"I will send people to help you build schools in Goguryeo so that all your children can study. Of course, you must also send people to cooperate and not hinder."

In Liya's opinion, the biggest problem between Goguryeo and Wu State is the difference in language and writing between the two sides, which makes Goguryeo never consider itself as part of China, and Goguryeo does not consider themselves Han people.

The solution to this problem is very simple, that is to promote the sinicization of the entire Goguryeo population, let the entire Goguryeo speak Chinese, write Chinese characters, and let them recognize from the bottom of their hearts that they are part of China.

In the past, only the palace ministers and royal children in Goguryeo learned Chinese and Chinese characters, so the promotion of Han culture in Goguryeo was not satisfactory. Now Liya wants to fully sinicize Goguryeo.

Originally, Liya asked Goguryeo to learn from Wuguo in all aspects, except for schools, even policies, such as land reform. Since you are unwilling, let's talk about the school problem.

Look, if you don't agree with me lifting the roof, then I can open a window, right? If you don't even let me open the window, then you can't blame me for lifting the table, right?

The reactions of these Goguryeo envoys were indeed within Leah's expectations.

After some thought, the Goguryeo envoys agreed to Liya's proposal to build a school.

There was no way, because their cannons were so powerful. In the end, these Goguryeo envoys could only comfort themselves by saying, "It's just setting up a few schools anyway."

What else can we do?

Goguryeo did not have the capital to turn against the Wu State, and the latter was really able to invade.

Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Liya smiled and said to the Goguryeo envoy: "That's right. Only by studying can you truly change your destiny. My Wu Kingdom also sincerely regards you Goguryeo as our own family, so I persuade you to open a school."

We are our own people, definitely our own people, as a province after the Wu Kingdom.

"Then I, Goguryeo, really thank you!"

In the view of these Goguryeo envoys, the emperor of Wu State had bad intentions by opening a school in their country.

However, they thought about it and still hadn't figured it out yet, so for now, they just assumed that it was the same as what the Emperor of Wu said, and really regarded them, Goguryeo, as "their own family"!

"Your Majesty, regarding the matter of sending troops..." Li Changming asked.

Since we in Goguryeo have agreed to your Wuguo sending scholars to open a school, shouldn't you show some appreciation?

“Regarding sending troops, that is certainly possible, but it won’t happen so quickly. Don’t worry, within a year, we will definitely send troops to help you conquer Silla.” Leah said directly.

Of course, Leah would not give the conquered Silla to Goguryeo so easily.

As the saying goes, it is easier to invite a god than to send him away. As for the army going to Goguryeo, Leah planned to have them stationed in Goguryeo.

Moreover, Goguryeo would have to pay for their military expenses and food in the future, similar to the modern American troops stationed in other countries, until Goguryeo was completely assimilated into the Han people.

Not only that, she also wanted to build a railway from Goguryeo to Wu State, so that Goguryeo would never be able to cause any trouble again.

These Goguryeo envoys naturally did not know Liya's plan. As long as Wu State was willing to send troops, it would be fine. As for the one year time, that was normal.

After receiving Leah's definite reply, the people from Goguryeo went back happily.

However, before they went back, Liya asked Prime Minister Xiao to arrange for a hundred or so scholars to come and follow them to Goguryeo.

For the unified Wu State at this moment, it was not difficult to arrange a hundred or so scholars.

Chapter 172: Leah took the blame

Of course, there are two types of scholars in Wu State nowadays.

One is that after the reform, these scholars were all scholars who were trained after the founding of Leah. For the time being, we cannot expect them to achieve any results.

The other type is the original Confucian students. If these Confucian scholars were in the court in the past, they would almost all be the kind of people who have high expectations but poor skills. However, after Leah set up the school, these Confucian scholars became a bit outdated, or it could be said that their study of the Four Books and Five Classics was in vain.

Because their Four Books and Five Classics were not needed by the imperial court, if they still wanted to be officials, they could only be recommended by others or have good abilities themselves.

But after thinking about it, Leah decided that she couldn't but give them a chance. After all, if you have studied hard for so many years and then the court tells you that what you have learned is not what it needs, then something bad will definitely happen.

Leah thought about it and decided to give them some opportunities, so she asked her subordinates to arrange a thousand of the most outstanding students from all over the country. Leah planned to select some useful ones from these Confucian scholars to serve as officials in the court.

The news spread quickly, so half a month later, these students gathered in the square of the imperial palace. Leah personally prepared three questions for them to answer.

However, Leah had never expected that these scholars could write eight-legged essays in such a brilliant way, but when it came to policy essays, they had thousands of words in their minds but could not write a single word.

Just like the author, there are a lot of plots in his mind, but he gets stuck when it comes to writing.

If a problematic author got stuck, the worst that could happen was that he would just run away, but these scholars got stuck collectively, turning the imperial examination organized by Leah into a huge joke.

For example, Leah set three topics, and the first one is like this.

Q: How can you have your cake and eat it too?

Candidate’s answer: You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

This is the standard answer to the original texts.

So is there something wrong here?

It seems to be fine, but it has so many problems.