GBP Chapter 141 Dragon Travels the World 28
Chapter 141 Dragon Travels the World 28
Chu Tianyou and Zhao Yu stood together by the field, watching the joyful laughter of the surrounding people celebrating the harvest. A surge of emotion welled up within him, and he gently turned his head to Zhao Yu beside him and asked:
"Xiaoyu, do you think I should give He Yaozu a chance to serve the country?"
Zhao Yu grew up with Chu Tianyou and they were inseparable. She knew his thoughts perfectly well.
He knew that Chu Tianyou's question was not out of doubt, but because he already had a plan in mind and was simply seeking support.
“If the ruler can do this, I believe He Yaozu will remember the emperor’s grace and be loyal to the country and diligent in serving the people for decades to come.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianyou looked at him with a smile, but felt a sense of relief.
The two then avoided the noisy crowd and went straight to the He family home, finally finding He Yaozu in the study.
The study was quiet. Facing the room was a large desk with two stacks of books at either end. He Yaozu was lying on the desk, clearly fast asleep.
After making a hand gesture to Zhao Yu, Chu Tianyou quietly walked to the desk and picked up the book closest to him.
Upon opening it, it was discovered that it was not a book at all, but a rolled-up parchment map.
The lines on the map are smooth and precise, and all geographical features, such as mountains, rivers, towns, and borders, are depicted in detail, allowing people to identify the corners and characteristics of each place at a glance.
Seemingly remembering something, Chu Tianyou looked at the other books on his desk. One stack was filled with various miscellaneous books, covering everything from astronomy and geography to other subjects. The other stack consisted entirely of military treatises and strategies. He randomly flipped to a page, which was covered with dense annotations.
His gaze then fell on a stack of papers in the corner, which contained a detailed plan for sending troops to attack the Xiongnu and neighboring countries.
Chu Tianyou was not ignorant of military and political affairs; a glance at the document told him that it was no empty talk or reckless words.
What's even more shocking is that at the very bottom are blueprints for new weapons. Once these things are actually built, they will be invincible in conquering cities and territories on the battlefield.
"These are..."
Chu Tianyou's pupils contracted sharply as he looked at He Yaozu, who was still asleep. A wave of emotions surged within him, and he could not calm down for a long time.
Has He Yaozu already figured out his thoughts?
The Xiongnu people and the Ye family father and son colluded to kill the king, and the hatred for the murder of his father was irreconcilable. Now that the Ye family father and son have been executed, he has long intended to take up arms to eliminate the remaining Xiongnu in order to avenge his father's death.
However, sending troops was no easy task. Firstly, the country had just been brought to peace, and he couldn't bear to see the people suffer from war after the rebellion. Secondly, the national treasury was empty and supplies were scarce, making it impossible to support the expenses of a large army.
These two concerns were like two mountains looming over his mind, preventing him from taking the final step. He could only bury his thoughts of revenge deep in his heart, waiting for the right time to come.
But these were all his thoughts, and even the civil and military officials in the court didn't know them. How did He Yaozu know them?
Not only did they plan their troop deployment in advance, but they also designed new weapons. They even increased grain production, which was a way of indirectly preparing provisions.
!!!
Chu Tianyou felt an indescribable surge of excitement at the thought of being able to pacify the Xiongnu.
"Are these things useful to you?" He Yaozu's voice broke the silence in the study.
He had woken up at some point and was now staring at Chu Tianyou at the table.
"When did you learn of my ambition to pacify the Xiongnu?" Chu Tianyou asked rhetorically, his voice filled with excitement and surprise, as if he had found a kindred spirit in the vast sea of people, and the joy of being understood and recognized was beyond words.
He Yaozu twirled his sleeve. Could he say that he was used to watching the nation conquer all directions and pacify the world?
He Yaozu may appear mild-mannered and polite, but he is actually a warmonger.
Therefore, he vigorously encouraged Emperor Qianyuan to wage war in all directions, and when he became emperor, he also tried every means to send troops to the west.
So when he learned that the Xiongnu had interfered in the internal strife of Chu, his first reaction was – we have to fight them!
Even if the Xiongnu flee to the ends of the earth, we must still deal with them.
So from that time on, he began to study how to defeat the Xiongnu quickly and ruthlessly, and how to get the court, which was short of funds, to send troops as soon as possible.
After much deliberation, he chose to increase grain production. Firstly, it was indeed a great thing for the country and the people, and secondly, it was a way to prepare for the grain supply in disguise, killing two birds with one stone.
He worked hard for nearly a year, and the result did not disappoint him.
The experiment in Qinghe County has been successful, and this method will likely spread throughout the country soon. At the latest, within two years, the provisions for the expedition will be ready.
That day, He Yaozu and Chu Tianyou talked for a long time in the study. By the time He Zhengjie learned that the emperor had arrived and rushed over, Chu Tianyou's eyes were already shining, and he was walking unsteadily back to the capital with Zhao Yu.
He Zhengjie...
"What exactly did you say to the king?" He Zhengjie frowned.
He Yaozu smiled but remained silent in response.
He has given everything he can: military books, weapons, and even the food supply. Now it's up to Chu Tianyou, and he can just watch the show from the sidelines.
……
After returning to the capital, Chu Tianyou immediately issued a series of decrees, including the nationwide implementation of new grain planting methods, the establishment of a special weapons manufacturing department, and the creation of special imperial examinations.
The series of major moves drew the attention of the court officials, who privately speculated whether the king intended to launch a distant expedition.
However, a month, two months, six months, and a year passed, and the king still showed no intention of fighting. The ministers could not help but relax, thinking that these measures were just part of the king's new policies, rather than an intention to wage war.
Two years later, Marquis Zhao Yu, the Loyal and Righteous, led the Chu army, fully armed and ready, and marched in a mighty force toward the Xiongnu border...