Chapter 605: Chapter 79: Uniting the Barbarians, The Outbreak of the An-Shi Rebellion
This can compensate for his inability to occupy Hebei.
Of course, An Lushan would not reveal everything easily.
Actually, his strategy also involves using the Tubo, as the distance from Tubo to Guanzhong is shorter than from Fan Yang.
This is an open scheme.
He intends to have the Tubo distract the main attention of the Great Tang!
He is very certain that the Tubo will not refuse this opportunity delivered to their doorstep, as this is the nature of the Barbarians.
An Lushan is originally a Hu.
He understands this very well.
As expected, after a short silence, Tsri Songtsen Gampo, observing the eyes of many Tubo nobles, finally nodded slightly:
"Yes!!!"
Meanwhile, in Mingzhou State.
Ships were riding the waves headed overseas.
Now, the maritime trade of the Great Tang is more splendid.
Although it does not appear as brilliant as before the chaos, it has indeed become much more mature overall.
In simple terms, it means the market is under control.
This is one of Li Longji’s achievements.
Although he now forgets the Gu Clan, and even puts aside the entire world, he still tightly grasps maritime trade.
The most crucial reason is that the taxation from maritime trade is tangible.
For someone who cares about accomplishments as he does, it naturally needs to be controlled at all times, almost constantly maintaining the policies that Gu Jing established for the Great Tang years ago.
This has led to the continual advancement of the Great Tang’s maritime trade industry.
This is also Li Longji’s proudest achievement.
However, everything has two sides, and so does the maritime trade. In any era, when the interests involved are large enough,
there will inevitably be pirates.
Although the Great Tang has always been building a naval army, it is no longer enough to solve everything completely.
Currently, there are still many pirates on the maritime borders.
These pirates come from various places, and they have gained considerable experience in defending against the Great Tang’s navy, making it extremely troublesome for the Great Tang to handle.
Li Longji had issued several orders during the Kaiyuan era.
But he has never been able to resolve it completely, and he is quite helpless about this.
At this moment, on those merchant ships.
An Lushan’s envoys were among them, and to prevent accidents at sea, there were more people compared to the envoys going to other places.
Clearly, An Lushan does not want any accident.
Teaming up with sea bandits,
this is also a plan An Lushan had long conceived.
The elite forces of the Great Tang are now on the borders, meaning the country is strong outwardly but weak inside. An Lushan had long planned to rebel; how could he leave any chance for these border armies to return and aid Guanzhong?
The navy of the Great Tang is undoubtedly one of the most formidable fighting forces in the entire Great Tang at present.
Although on land, these people have had little military success.
Whether from their equipment or their daily training, it is enough to demonstrate their strength.
An Lushan must hold back these people.
Not only in Mingzhou State.
But also in Panyu and other important ports like Donglai, this is the same.
Apart from these sea bandits, there are also troops from Goguryeo and Baekje.
The Gu Clan is now in decline—
No one does not want to avenge the great feud of the past, and they do not wish to give up the current opportunity either. An Lushan has promised them a portion of the maritime trade benefits.
Who would not be envious of this piece of cake?
.....
The world’s situation fluctuated rapidly.
At the same time, rumors of Li Longji neglecting Gu Hao to the point of Gu Hao’s death were gradually spreading across the entire realm.
For the whole world, this is undoubtedly a major event.
Just as Li Longji anticipated.
The overwhelming discussions, like a great mountain, quickly pressed towards him, and some even uttered that Li Longji is akin to the tyrannical Emperor of Yan Han.
For Li Longji, this can definitely be considered a significant blow.
He had asked Li Heng to take care of Gu Hao just to eliminate these criticisms, but he never anticipated Gu Hao would die, which was entirely beyond his expectations.
Unlike during the Former Han Period.
Although the current political atmosphere of the Great Tang does not compare to the times of Li Shimin, the trend of advising the emperor still exists.
Especially in the midst of this overwhelming trend.
When numerous officials, and even scholars, found that speaking for the Gu Clan could earn them fame in the world, this overwhelming criticism inevitably reached Li Longji’s ears.
There was even the suggestion for Li Longji to issue a self-criticism edict.
For someone like Li Longji, such an action can definitely be regarded as an act of rebellion!
——The situation has changed drastically!
Li Longji was thoroughly enraged, constantly venting his fury within the Imperial Palace.
But no matter how angry he got, he understood very well.
Regarding such matters, he could not employ excessively harsh measures, otherwise, it could backfire.
But how could he possibly admit his mistake like this?
Within the Imperial Palace.
Seeing Li Longji still tense with anger, Yang Yuhuan could not help but advise, "Your Majesty, why not issue that self-criticism edict...."
Her face was calm, clearly without any pretense, yet her eyes seemed capable of capturing one’s soul.
"Self—criticism—edict?!"
These three words were like a red-hot iron branding Li Longji’s most sensitive pride.
He rose abruptly from the throne, like an injured lion glaring at Yang Yuhuan, roaring fiercely, "I am the Emperor! The sovereign of the realm!"
He pointed fiercely outside the hall, his voice shaking the roof tiles, "How could I issue such a self-humiliating edict for a mere minister?!"
"If this precedent is set, how will future generations rule?"
