Chapter 473: Chapter 28: An Emperor Must Regard All Under Heaven as One Family

But what can they do about it?

The Western Turkic Khaganate is currently experiencing internal turmoil. Ever since the death of the former Tongyehu Khagan, the entire Western Turkic Khaganate has plunged into unprecedented chaos.

The ten tribes have successively risen, completely splitting into the Five Tribes of the Southwest and the Five Tribes of the Northeast.

The two sides continue to battle endlessly.

In the current situation, who would dare to offend the Great Tang?

Previously, they didn’t regard the Great Tang with much concern.

But after this battle, who would dare have such courage?

In just a short engagement.

The positions of attack and defense have completely changed.

The strength displayed by the Great Tang has instilled fear in countless people.

And these tribes have made very wise decisions.

They have all sent emissaries to the Central Plains, starting to truly recognize this rising dynasty in the Central Plains.

Chang’an.

——The court and the public are elated.

Such a great victory, the court naturally will not choose to conceal the news, and even the people from all directions knew about the northern news long before Li Shimin.

And as this news spread completely, the whole world instantly boiled with excitement!

"Those damn Turkic wolf cubs! With the fall of the Holy Mountain, the so-called Celestial God will have to change its surname to Tang—yesterday in the western market, a foreign merchant knelt down to wipe the table for me, exhilarating, exhilarating!"

"Peh! The Turkic soldiers who stole three dou of rice from me last year, their heads are probably hanging on the Holy Mountain like lanterns, right? The blaze lit by Lord Gu is even more brilliant than the crimson silk newly dyed in my house!"

"...."

Cheers continue to echo throughout the Central Plains.

Even in a short period of time, a nursery rhyme about this event emerged.

"Gu family banner, Vermilion Bird cries! Turkic god, burrows into the ground! Grandpa rewards me with Hu cake, no more fear, cry at night when barbarian horses cross the West River!"

After many years, the people of Kyushu finally faintly felt the disdain for the Barbarians that prevailed during the Yan Han period.

——The four corners are deterred, no one dares to offend the people of the Divine Land.

Such circumstances further embellish the already increasingly prosperous Great Tang.

The hearts of the people are finally completely aligned.

The people of the world at last unknowingly stand together with the entire court, feeling the honour and disgrace within.

This is extremely important for the Great Tang.

The people of the world could not help but celebrate Li Shimin’s wisdom, and also the name of the Gu Clan, with many prophecies emerging.

"These are the ancestors of the Gu Clan, protecting Kyushu once again."

No one could perceive it.

After so many years of silence, and years of gradually influencing from the bottom up.

In the hearts of the people, the entire Gu Clan has completely broken away from the situation of the former Great Han, fully integrating with the honour and disgrace of the entire Kyushu.

This is a change in the people’s hearts.

For the Gu Clan, it absolutely counts as a fundamental progress.

At least, the Gu Clan will no longer be influenced by the rise and fall of the dynasty as in the former Great Han.

Messages from all directions keep coming.

When the news from the front lines reached the court, all the ministers in the royal court were extremely exhilarated.

For them, this is also an achievement for all eternity.

Even though they did not participate, so what?

The current Great Tang has laid the foundation for a prosperous era, the submission of the people, and the fear of the Barbarians.

As long as an era of prosperity can be built.

Then these people can also gain considerable fame in history alongside Li Shimin!

The public is enthusiastic!

Yet Li Shimin is not as happy as imagined, especially after reviewing the detailed battle reports, he falls into a period of silence.

All the credit belongs to others.

From Gu Yan to Li Jing, and down to all the soldiers, everyone has their contributions.

On the other hand, Gu Quan has not gained a bit of fame.

But how could Li Shimin not know all that Gu Quan has contributed?

"The current Emperor loves his soldiers like his children."

This is the evaluation of Li Shimin by the soldiers on all sides.

But it is precisely because of Li Shimin’s character that he feels even more regret for Gu Quan.

He could choose to confess everything to the world and rectify Gu Quan’s name.

At present, he can resolve all the turmoil.

No one could possibly target or dispute the Gu Clan without his consent.

But Li Shimin ultimately cannot do so.

Gu Quan is thinking strategically.

This is Gu Quan’s own choice, considering his own heart as well as the whole family.

He cannot betray Gu Quan.

The Gu Clan is different from any other noble families in the world, a moment of honour and disgrace cannot influence the path chosen by the Gu Clan.

Others may not understand, but how could he not?

The struggle for imperial power is completely different from other conflicts.

If it were another family, as Emperor, Li Shimin would definitely directly pull them down from the pedestal, indirectly weakening their family status in the name of bestowing grace.

But this is the Gu Clan.

For any Central Plains dynasty, isn’t the Gu Clan a shield of protection for the dynasty?

He could only bestow this reward upon the Gu Clan.

Yet after this reward and euphoria.

Another issue stood before everyone.

——How should they deal with Jie Li Khan and the remnants of the Eastern Turkic tribes.

....

In the Taiji Hall, all the ministers are gathered.

Li Shimin sits on the dragon throne, his eyes deep as he observes the ministers, asking for their opinions.

"Your Majesty, that villain Jie Li has repeatedly betrayed alliances, invaded our Tang Territory, and plundered our Tang citizens. I advise Your Majesty to execute this villain to demonstrate our Great Tang’s national might!"

"I second the motion!"

"That villain Jie Li repeatedly broke promises. His years of plundering have made the people hate him to the core. Now, emissaries from all over are rushing to our Great Tang. If Your Majesty can execute this villain, it will surely instill fear in the tribes from all directions!"