Chapter 475: Chapter 29: Tribute from Four Corners, Renewed Codes and Institutions

In the fifth year of the Zhenguan era, April.

.....

After a long journey, Jie Li Khan was finally escorted to Chang’an.

This journey was not easy for Jie Li Khan.

Now, he seemed to have aged several decades overnight, transforming from a spirited hero to a frail old man with a head full of white hair.

It wasn’t just concern for the future, but also an unspeakable sense of defeat.

The change in Kyushu was too great.

For many years, he had always regarded Kyushu as a lifeline, and this thought had become a habit for him.

Now, witnessing the changes in Kyushu, the impact on him was beyond others’ understanding.

But what could he do?

Now he had become a prisoner, left to be at the mercy of Li Shimin.

——The news spread continuously.

Li Shimin’s judgment was correct; indeed, the emissaries of the various tribes were closely monitoring the movements of the Great Tang court.

For these tribes, the attitude of the Great Tang was highly significant.

The trade routes of the Northern Border had not ceased over the years.

Not only were there interactions with various Eastern Turkic tribes, but many Central Plains merchants also traveled to the Northern Border tribes for a series of trades.

In fact, the policy Gu Yi enacted back then had been completely successful.

Whether it was the Northern Border or Lingnan.

The majority of the people in these two regions were oriented towards the Central Plains, longing to fully integrate into the Central Plains.

It’s just that the Northern Border and Lingnan are ultimately different.

The tribes in the Northern Border are more scattered, with uneven strength, combined with the harsh cold environment, making it impossible for these small tribes to change the rise of Turkic and Goguryeo forces.

To them.

Now that the Eastern Turks have perished, as long as the current Great Tang can be like the Great Han of old, it would undoubtedly be a great fortune.

This is one of the changes in current history.

Compared to the original history, Li Shimin would find all this much easier to accomplish.

Because Gu Yi had already laid a sufficient foundation for him back then.

Everything was already set in motion.

Time slowly passed, and as more and more emissaries arrived in Chang’an, the atmosphere throughout Chang’an became increasingly complex.

The citizens were still immersed in the joy brought by the great victory.

Especially seeing the faces of those people from foreign races filled with shock and envy, a sense of pride spontaneously emerged in their hearts.

Li Shimin did not choose to meet the emissaries from all around immediately.

This move undoubtedly made these people even more nervous.

Everyone worried about the attitude of the Great Tang, fearing that Li Shimin would vent his anger on these small tribes.

However, it wasn’t long.

Li Shimin released news that a banquet would be held in Taiji Hall, which would not only include emissaries from all sides but also Jie Li Khan!

As soon as the news spread, the atmosphere instantly froze.

——The initial impression this move conveyed was that Li Shimin intended to use this banquet to deal with Jie Li Khan and thereby demonstrate power to the surrounding tribes!

...

Chang’an, Taiji Hall.

Thirty-six glazed palace lamps lit up in succession, casting a brilliant light on the golden lacquer dragon pillars throughout the hall.

The sound of string music echoed incessantly, with civil and military officials of the third-grade and above seated at the banquet tables on either side, enjoying the music with a calm demeanor, even some military generals began to sing to the rhythm right there in the court.

Meanwhile, the emissaries of the surrounding tribes sat together on the other side.

Each of their faces was filled with tension, and many were already showing beads of cold sweat.

——The atmosphere created by this string music was too intense with the sense of killing.

The "King Qin’s Battle Array Music" itself was a military song of the Great Tang, and although it had undergone a series of revisions and arrangements, it still belonged to the category of "martial dance."

How could the aura of killing be ordinary?

The Emperor of Great Tang was clearly establishing power!

This thought arose in each of their hearts, and it was unrivaledly certain.

On the dragon throne.

Li Yuan was also watching the singing and dancing before him with surprise; he had already heard of this King Qin’s Battle Array Music, but this was his first time seeing the adapted singing and dancing.

Indeed, Li Yuan had rarely attended before.

Since retiring from the throne.

This was his first time attending a banquet hosted by Li Shimin.

The relationship between father and son was extremely complex, with a barrier that neither could forget no matter what.

Originally, Li Yuan did not intend to participate in these events.

In the end, after Empress Changsun’s repeated invitations, and his own interest in seeing the faces of these tribal emissaries, especially Jie Li Khan, he finally agreed to attend.

Although inwardly his thoughts were myriad and complex.

Li Yuan had to admit that Li Shimin was indeed his most outstanding son.

Perhaps if he had done something back then.

The relationship between father, son, and brothers might not have reached today’s state.

Looking at the fearful tribal emissaries below, he sighed softly and couldn’t help but take a sip of wine.

Beside him, Li Shimin was entirely different.

Even though he was not seated on the dragon throne, his aura still made everyone clear about who truly held power in the current Great Tang.

Listening to the familiar string music.

His face clearly bore a look of pride, and his whole being exuded extraordinary majesty.

As time passed, the sound of the string music gradually subsided.

Yet the killing atmosphere in the entire hall hadn’t diminished in the least.

Finally——

As Li Shimin slowly beckoned, several soldiers immediately brought the long-awaited Jie Li Khan from outside the palace.

His expression was exceedingly complex.

Li Shimin had long ordered that no suffering should befall him, but his overall state continued to deteriorate, with no trace of a hero’s aura left on him.