RBCT Chapter 551 - 58: Reform Resurges, Days of Constant Change
Chapter 551 - 58: Reform Resurges, Days of Constant Change
Even Gu Jing was no exception.
Zhangsun Wuji’s abilities went without saying. In such a situation, Gu Jing could hardly match him.
But Gu Jing’s reaction was quick. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded in agreement.
The current situation indeed called for this.
The Great Tang had done enough for the Western Regions.
Utilizing a dual-track system was meant to gradually make the people of the Western Regions accept the entire Tang Dynasty’s system. Now it was naturally time for the seeds to bear fruit.
Moreover, this move aligned with interests and public sentiment; how could it not succeed?
Silence filled the hall.
The assembly of ministers all pondered this possibility carefully.
Naturally, some stubbornly disagreed. People who habitually adhered to old rules were never absent in any era, unwilling to alter a country’s policy.
But when Zhangsun Wuji brought this up and Gu Jing had already agreed.
This matter had essentially lost any chance of reversal.
They could still offer advice, of course.
But it was impossible to change anything anymore.
And after this was fully settled, Zhangsun Wuji immediately drafted a series of regulations and then had someone send them to the Western Regions.
—The time for reform had arrived once again.
Gu Yi also noticed this, but he was not overly surprised.
In the original history.
In fact, the Western Regions’ development was far from what it is today, but after the subsequent war where the Great Tang annihilated the Western Turkic, the Silk Road still experienced a major boom.
And now...
Although commerce had always been progressing, there hadn’t been a large-scale boom.
This could actually be understood as the Great Tang continuously controlling it.
The dual-track system, currency exchange departments, and everything else all indirectly suppressed commercial development. Coupled with minor disturbances over the years.
It naturally evolved into something like this.
This doesn’t mean today’s development is no better than in the original history.
It’s quite the opposite.
Today, the Great Tang’s foundation in the Western Regions had surpassed previous dynasties and the original history, all building a foundation for long-term and formal rule.
It was incomparable to original history.
And now was the time to move forward again.
....
This matter was equally challenging to undertake.
The key issue was—the Western Regions had always been a region of many countries coexisting.
At its core.
Bringing the people back under Tang rule was bound to be problematic, something no dynasty could easily achieve.
But now was entirely different.
For decades, there had been constant little and major conflicts in the Western Regions.
Now was when they feared the Great Tang the most, only now could the matter be accomplished to the greatest extent, even if slowly.
Once the Tang’s conditions were presented, these somewhat educated people would make their own judgments.
This target was the entire Western Regions.
The Tang court naturally couldn’t spare too many things to nurture them.
After days of discussions.
In the end, they could only offer these people some tax reductions, including commercial taxes.
Gu Jing didn’t need to concern himself with these things.
However, Gu Jing did deploy the power of the Imperial Censorate to the Western Regions to supervise these officials and ensure commercial stability.
Moreover, he even turned his attention to that currency exchange department.
—Since large-scale development was already decided.
All of this was inevitable.
Gu Jing might not match the top ministers in court politics, but he had his own insights into human nature.
No loophole could be easily opened.
This was certain.
Although he seemed to have done nothing on the surface.
In reality, he was quietly observing everything in the shadows, ready to correct course immediately if the Tang slightly deviated.
The matter of sea routes was also never neglected.
Although Li Chengqian hadn’t sent back specific news, this path remained one the Tang needed to continue advancing.
Even if the changes seemed minor now.
Once all plans were complete, it would not be a simple step forward!
Now the Western Regions were very stable.
The Gu Clan’s presence in the Western Regions was not small, with many holding key positions, maximizing the use of the Gu Clan’s prestige to stabilize all sides.
Notably, as the Gu Clan’s bloodline spread, many culprits emerged within the family.
Within Kyushu, it wasn’t as bad.
Especially those of the Gu Clan who grew up in Julu; the environment there made every single one of them a typical Gu Clan offspring.
And the others... even if they were sent to Julu for unified education, they developed different personalities based on the length of their education.
Most were actually fine.
The Gu Clan’s wealth was immeasurable, stabilizing a baseline for the offspring, though some inevitably lost sight of everything.
Those placed in the provinces were mostly this kind.
With their positions established.
Even without substantial power, their Gu identity drew local nobles to bribe them.
This was unavoidable.
Of course, they still cared about family prestige, not daring to go too far, but traces remained.
Gu Jing now wanted to resolve this issue.
Though it seemed heartless, for the family’s long-term plan, Gu Jing had to do it, maintaining the authority of the Gu Clan’s rules.
In the fourth year of Yonghui.
Wu Zetian gave birth to another son for Li Zhi and was later officially appointed as Second Rank Lady Zhaoyi.
Intrigue within the harem reached its peak.
Empress Wang finally realized Wu Zetian’s formidable nature, incomparable to Consort Xiao.
By now, she had set aside her hatred for Consort Xiao.
On the contrary—
The two had formally united against Wu Zetian.
However, this conflict remained confined within the harem.
For the ministers, none wanted to partake in the harem’s disputes.
Not only Gu Jing but all ministers felt such; ultimately, it was just a palace conflict.
Both constantly sought Li Zhi’s favor.
But compared to Wu Zetian, they were lacking.
Li Zhi increasingly favored Wu Zetian.
And the two faced more and more neglect.
Actually, Li Zhi’s behavior was understandable.
The Great Tang now was different from the original history. Gu Yi remembered that in the original history, a significant reason for Wu Zetian gaining Li Zhi’s favor was her ability to advise him.
The Tang court was then controlled by Zhangsun Wuji and other Guanlong aristocrats, and Li Zhi needed a capable ally.
But now...
The court wasn’t the same, and Li Zhi was happy being a relaxed Emperor.
If only they were slightly smarter.
They wouldn’t have been so neglected.
But sadly, both were much inferior to Wu Zetian. Consort Xiao occasionally pleased Li Zhi, but Empress Wang neither pleased him nor treated servants well, even her family was quite rude.
It gave Wu Zetian too many opportunities. Their outcome could wholly be described as deserved.
But how could they accept this?
Especially Empress Wang.
She even directly approached Gu Jing, hoping to leverage the bond left by Li Shimin to secure Gu Jing’s help in retaining her position.
Gu Jing could indeed do it.
Li Zhi heeded Gu Jing completely.
Yet, why would Gu Jing interfere in this?
He was already dissatisfied with Empress Wang.
As an Empress, she didn’t have an heir; how could she hold her position?
Gu Jing could intervene.
If it actually threatened national safety, he would find ways to involve himself. But Empress Wang wasn’t worth it.
An Empress without an heir!
And so foolish.
Such a person didn’t warrant Gu Jing’s intervention.
Gu Jing showed no concern about palace conflicts. Whoever sat as Empress was Li Zhi’s family matter.
As long as it didn’t threaten the realm, he would not meddle. ...
....
(PS: It’s the end of the month, sincerely begging for monthly votes, hoping brothers will support a bit more. Once the flu is better, Yu will resume updates.)