The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 202: Give in?

"Grandpa Huang, your words are a bit... heartbreaking." When Emperor Taiping asked if he had been entrusted by the prince to come to Paradise Island to obtain the abdication edict, Qi Zexuan was stunned for a while, and then smiled bitterly, " If my father finds out, he will probably come to you immediately to apologize."

"Your father has been in charge of the country for more than a year. I am afraid that after tasting the taste of supreme power, he has become too familiar with it and will find it difficult to give it up, right?" Emperor Taiping sat on a large leather chair and said with a smile: "Now that he sent you here, he doesn't want to ask for an abdication edict from me?"

"Grandpa Huang, even though my father is eager to ascend the throne deep in his heart, he won't send me here to ask you for an abdication decree, right?" Qi Zexuan blinked, "If it's more decent, it should be passed. Cabinet ministers are giving you advice!"

"Well, what my grandson said is not bad." Emperor Taiping nodded seriously, "I have inherited Daqi for three generations. The royal family has always been harmonious and stable, and there is no situation where father and son are forced to face each other."

"Your Majesty, what you said has scared your grandson." Queen Cheng (Princess Wei) sitting next to her waved her hand and asked Qi Zexuan to come closer and patted his head lovingly, " Why didn't you bring the princess?"

"Back to Grandma Huang, she was pregnant just before I came, so traveling may be inconvenient. Therefore, my grandson did not bring her to see you."

"Oh, you are going to be a father again." When the queen heard this, she immediately smiled, "Okay, okay..., my royal family is prosperous, and there are successors. Oops, should I prepare a gift then? To my future great-grandson?"

"There's no need for Grandma Huang to be so anxious, it's still early!" Qi Zexuan said, "After the baby is born, I will definitely bring him to give Grandma Huang a good look."

"You're talking nonsense! This baby has just been born and his body is delicate and tender. How can he hold it and show it to me?"

No matter what, all this will eventually be lost.
-
The next day, early in the morning.

Qi Zexuan's face froze and he closed his mouth tightly, not daring to answer.

"To be honest, I'm still a little... reluctant to give up." Emperor Taiping sighed slightly.

At this time, under the wash of rain, the whole city seemed a bit fresh and hazy. The majestic Paradise Palace, towering bell tower, elegant garden-style mansions, simple traditional houses, and pedestrians holding oilcloth umbrellas were all hidden in the thin sky. In the thin rain and mist, it is like an ethereal fairyland, like a dream.

After a while, the raindrops began to fall one after another, hitting the roof tiles in fine pieces, scattering on the heads and faces of pedestrians, floating on the tall green tree crowns, and then gathered together on the flat stone streets, along the The terrain is trickling down.

"Grandpa Huang, if you are intoxicated by this, you might as well stay here for a few more years." Qi Zexuan picked up the fur from the soft chair behind him and gently draped it on Emperor Taiping's shoulders.

The howling wind frightens people.

Pedestrians were in a hurry on the road. It was still a bustling scene just a moment ago, but within a moment, it became a bit empty.

Residents on both sides of the street stood by their windows, looking sadly at the increasing rain and worrying about their livelihood today. Then, with a slight sigh, he could only wait for the sky to clear up again.

"It doesn't matter. Whether it's taking a train or a liner, it's not as difficult as imagined."

The sky began to become gloomy, with layers of dense clouds weighing on everyone's hearts like a heavy burden.

"That won't work either." The queen smiled and shook her head. "Although the island has beautiful scenery and elegant scenery, it is still a bit lonely hanging on the sea. If you come with a child, you will definitely feel bored. . Didn’t you see that after your younger brothers and sisters came to the island, they couldn’t wait for ten days and a half before they couldn’t wait to return to the mainland. This place is suitable for us old people who are half buried in the earth to sit and wait for the end of our lives.”

When the Queen mentioned the topic of life, old age, illness and death, she obviously touched Emperor Taiping, who was still recovering from his illness. The smile he showed just now has faded and his face has darkened.

However, the fragile life and the arrival of death made this powerful emperor feel extremely helpless and a little afraid.

Occasionally, there are a few playful teenagers, stepping on the stagnant water and jumping happily, seeming to enjoy the rain-washed world.

Shuochang City is located in the center of Shiliang River Valley. It is a small and elegant city with a population of more than 50,000. It is surrounded by quiet and comfortable pastoral scenery and has a quiet environment.

The heavy rain brought a bit of coolness.

"Back then, Emperor Taizu really picked a good place!" Standing on the tall tower, Emperor Taiping looked at the scene outside, and after a while, he said leisurely: "I have been here for a long time, and I actually feel like giving up. The psychology of all the troubles in the world.”

As the supreme emperor of the empire, the only thing he fears is death, besides the loss of power.

You should know that even if the power of the country is temporarily handed over to the prince and he is allowed to supervise the country, as long as he is still the emperor, according to the power structure of Qi, he can still firmly control this huge empire.

"Oh, after talking for a long time, we asked the emperor and grandson to sit down and have a meal together!" The noble concubine Li (Princess Shun Guo) stood up and greeted: "I have been chasing the boat for a whole day, I'm afraid there is nothing to do on the way. Let's eat. Come on, come on, sit down quickly, have a meal with His Majesty and chat."

"Tell me, how could Emperor Taizu have so much courage in the past to give up the throne so easily and come here to retire?"

"..." Qi Zexuan opened his mouth and continued to remain silent.

"Emperor Taizu once said that when people get old, they become dim. If they stay in their position for a long time, their affairs will be curbed." Emperor Taiping said: "Therefore, it is proposed that officials retire at sixty, and cabinet ministers are postponed for five years, so as to maintain Domestic political affairs are progressing smoothly. However, looking at the past dynasties, there has never been an emperor who voluntarily gave up power and abdicated."

"..." Qi Zexuan didn't dare to say anything.

"Oh, that's not necessarily the case." Emperor Taiping said to himself: "Not to mention those emperors who were forced to abdicate by powerful ministers, there were also emperors who took the initiative to abdicate. The former Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty should be counted as one. But his name is not mentioned in the history books. However, there are disgraceful records of not thinking about resisting the Jin Dynasty, blindly avoiding war and fleeing, and killing Yue Wumu without permission. It is better to say that he abdicated the emperor, but it is better to say that he avoided the responsibility of the country. And I, Emperor Taizu of Daqi, used the strength of my white body to conquer the ancient continent. It took decades to create such a powerful empire. Throughout history, we have searched all over China and foreign countries, and we have never seen anyone who can be called the number one emperor." "Emperor Taizu was a man of martial virtue throughout his life, and his grandchildren admired him extremely. I am in awe!" Qi Zexuan was not shy about his words towards this ancestor.

"In the eighteenth year of Shaoning, Taizu passed away. It is said that at the age of eighty-four, he still thought clearly, spoke fluently, and showed no signs of drowsiness. If his body functions had not reached the end of his life, I am afraid he would have died. It can also leave more foresight to our Da Qi and point out the accurate direction for the development of the empire."

"Even so, Emperor Taizu still left endless blessings for our Da Qi, enough to enjoy it for hundreds of years." Qi Zexuan agreed.

"Yes, Emperor Taizu is so wise and powerful, why did he take the initiative to abdicate the throne in his sixtieth year?"

"..."

My grandpa, no one really wants to force you to abdicate!

"Although Emperor Taizu didn't say it clearly, he was setting rules for us descendants of the Qi family. When we get old and weak, we should no longer cling to power." Emperor Taiping smiled and patted his face with an unusually embarrassed expression. The emperor's grandson said, "As early as April, I turned sixty-five. Therefore, it is time for me to abdicate."

"Grandpa Huang..." Qi Zexuan was a little frightened.

"There is no need to be afraid." Emperor Taiping said gently: "I have thought about this idea for a long time and struggled in my heart for a long time before I made it. Although your father has flaws in his character and conduct, he is still a good successor to the emperor. The empire I feel more at ease if I leave it in his hands. Besides, even if he makes troubles and damages the country's strength and spirit, in the end, won't you still be there to take care of it?"

"My grandson..., my grandson is scared."

"Governing the country may sound extremely complicated, but it is actually very simple." Emperor Taiping tightened his fur and turned to look at the street scene outside. "I still remember that when he was young, Emperor Taizu once said I was told that an emperor who doesn’t pay attention to things can be considered a good emperor at some point. Well, it’s so ridiculous. You just need to sit in your seat and quietly watch the administration of the cabinet ministers, and then listen to By listening to folk reviews, you will know how to choose or change some inappropriate governance methods, and you will gain unlimited fame and become a good and respected emperor. If you look at the emperors in the past dynasties, there are only a few emperors who used excessive force. Except for a few who have achieved something, most of them have made a mess of the country's affairs."

"Grandfather, the sage said, governing a big country is like cooking small dishes. But if you really want to be in the position of emperor, how many people can do it with ease? My grandson had an experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a few months ago, and he felt that all kinds of affairs It is complicated and disorderly, and the documents are as vast as mist. Without support, there is almost no place to start. This is just a corner of national affairs, and it is so difficult to deal with, let alone the overall situation of the empire!"

"In today's world situation, which has undergone major changes unseen in hundreds of years, countries around the world are actively engaged in diplomatic activities to safeguard their own major interests. For our country, Qi, foreign affairs are the most critical priority for the empire. How did it come to this? In your words, you have become the last corner of national politics?"

"My grandson has dull qualifications. After months of experience, he has only scratched the surface of what he has learned. I am very ashamed." Qi Zexuan successfully brought the sensitive topic of abdication to his own ministry experience, and he couldn't help but feel relieved.

"It doesn't matter." Emperor Taiping comforted him: "Our Daqi country is at its peak, and foreign affairs are not difficult. As long as you have a broad global vision and a keen insight into affairs, you can easily control the situation. In this great dispute, In today's world, as well as in complex international relations, to put it bluntly, we follow the diplomatic principle of respecting the powerful. If you don't have enough strength to sit at the table, then you can only be on the menu and let other countries eat. "

"Grandpa Huang, will Qin be at the table or on the menu in the future?" Qi Zexuan's heart moved and he subconsciously asked this question.

"Why, after traveling to Qin for a few months, you gained something?" Emperor Taiping asked with a smile.

"My grandson believes that one day in the future, there will be a battle between Qi and Qin."

"Oh, let's hear it." Emperor Taiping took two steps back, and with Qi Zexuan's support, he slowly sat down on the soft chair.

"Speaking of it, the Eastern world is very big, but in fact it is also very small. Da Qi is a bit close to the Qin State." Qi Zexuan said: "Whether it is from the perspective of the geographical situation or from the perspective of economic interests, many problems will eventually arise. Contradictions. Northern Ming Dynasty, North Korea, Annan, sea trade, and the continuous prohibition of smuggling immigrants are just superficial problems, but the ultimate focus of conflicts may be the struggle for dominance in Eastern affairs. For thousands of years, the Chinese dynasties on the mainland have all The leaders of the central empire and even the eastern world, as well as the politics, culture, economy, and even customs and traditions of neighboring countries and regions, were all deeply affected by it and rushed to follow it and become vassals."

"Since our Qi State emerged on the Han continent, it has dominated the South Seas, controlled Luzon, Annan, Siam, Burma, Ryukyu, Korea, and even Lingbei and outer northeast. Looking at the outer side of Qin State, it is not us. The strategic allies of Qi State are vassal territories or controlled by Qi State. As a result, the mainland dynasty has almost lost its former sphere of influence and has almost no influence. For the Central Empire, this is not a shame. A big loss. Given time, when the Qin State has solved the northwest border troubles and suppressed the threats from the northeast, it will inevitably turn its attention to Nanyang and the sea. From this, the struggle between Qi and Qin will probably be inevitable!"

"Then how will Qi State respond?"

"If we don't want to break out a large-scale war with Qin, we can only continue to cause trouble for it, consume its strength, and delay its strategic shift."

"What if we can't stop the war?"

"Use all your strength to inflict heavy damage on the Qin State, so that it will no longer have the will to compete with me." Qi Zexuan's eyes were burning, full of warlike desire, "The best places in the south of the Yangtze River in the Qin State are all within the attack range of our navy. Within. If we can choose a place along the coast to land, gather our Qi State’s elite troops, and use thunderous strikes to defeat the Qin army, I think it will definitely make Qin’s monarchs and ministers frightened and dare not compete with our Qi State again!”

"The Qin State has a territory of thousands of miles, a population of hundreds of millions, and seemingly endless soldiers. Are you so confident that you can defeat it?"

"Grandpa Emperor, although the Qin State has successively introduced many machines from our Qi State, opened many trading companies, mines and manufacturing factories, and formed more than 100,000 new troops, it is still fundamentally an ignorant and ancient agricultural country. ." Qi Zexuan said confidently: "On the other hand, our country, Qi, has already entered an industrial society, and everyone has become an inseparable part of industrial production. The entire society is like a precision-operated machine, and everyone performs their duties. In production and life, everyone is accustomed to division of labor and collaboration.”

"What is this? This is organization! What makes industrial countries better than agricultural countries is not just productivity. Each of its citizens has been domesticated to a certain degree of organization. They can divide labor and cooperate in the factory, and they can do it on the battlefield as well. Much better than the free and undisciplined farmers."

Before industrialization, it was not very difficult for a large agricultural country to maintain an army of five to six million people. But when they raise a new-style army worth one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand, it will really kill their lives and make their fragile finances go bankrupt in minutes.

Agricultural countries use the model of industrial countries to build and train their armies. This is purely because they are uncomfortable, and it is not what their weak finances can bear. But during this period, we had to develop a new army, otherwise we would not be able to suppress the nomadic forces in the north, and we would even be beaten by them.

Do you think that by forming a new army, you can instantly increase its combat power to the level of an industrialized country like Qi?
That would be too natural!

The social organization model and production model have not undergone fundamental changes, and they are still the same as those of the feudal agricultural country. This will inevitably affect the new army's maximum effectiveness.

You may not have noticed that the Ottoman Empire’s army was equipped with various new weapons and was guided and trained by many professional military instructors from Qi. However, on the battlefield, it was beaten black and blue by European countries from time to time and lost troops and ground.

You know, Austria, Poland and the like are not industrialized countries!
(End of this chapter)