[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl":3,"chapter-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-153":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Controlling My Ancestors: Building an Immortal Clan Starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2285822,4471,"Chapter 153: The Great Momentum is Hard to Reverse, the World United (Two-in-one, requesting monthly votes)","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-153",153,"\u003Cp>The entire world was in motion, clouds shifting in all four directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prestige of the Li Tang did not gradually fade with the passage of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this rolling great momentum, the prestige of the Li Tang rose across the Nine Provinces like a morning sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hearts of the people all yearned for unification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the shared vision that had emerged among the people of the Nine Provinces after years of devastation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could stand in the way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was not even a need for Li Shimin to mobilize his troops again; one after another, the various warlords would come to surrender, praying that this act would secure their future glory and wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also the chain reaction from Li Yuan’s decision not to execute Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move had indeed given many people hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a situation where there was no chance of contending for the world, obtaining glory and wealth for a lifetime was not a bad choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as there were those who would surrender, there were those who wished to make a desperate last stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, what could that achieve?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could they hold back the Tang Army, whose prestige was currently overwhelming, or could they hold back this rolling, torrential momentum?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the outcome had long since been destined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once these people gave the Li Tang the opportunity to stabilize their territory, the overall situation became completely irreversible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless some major problem were to arise within the Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the world was completely unified, all problems would be suppressed by this very momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was in the sixth year of Wude, after all territories had been thoroughly stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yuan finally dispatched Li Shimin once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The war to unify the world was officially sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, there were some interludes in between, namely that some suggested Li Yuan should disperse his troops, allowing Li Yuanji and even the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng to participate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is correct; the internal struggle within the Tang Dynasty had already begun in earnest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Li Yuan ultimately rejected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might be the final decisive battle, and Li Yuan did not want any accidents to occur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a characteristic of Li Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although at times he appeared to lack his own opinions, needing someone to give him a push no matter what he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at critical moments, he remained extremely wise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire Great Tang, who could compare to the current Li Shimin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this matter was firmly decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Tang court began to operate rapidly, with everyone from top to bottom united in heart and mind, making final preparations for the unification of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fourth month;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin led an army of two hundred thousand, heading out of Guanzhong once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news spread;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The four seas were in a ferment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike in the past, when the world was chaotic and the people felt only despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, wherever the Li Tang army passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people were surprisingly supportive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was naturally inseparable from various prophecies and the help of the Gu Shizi; the people everywhere had waited far too long for a true era of prosperity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Tang of today had brought them hope once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the influence of the Gu Shizi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the restraint and efforts of generation after generation, the Gu Shizi had long since, without realizing it, become bound to the rise and fall of the Nine Provinces, completely untethered from any single dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Gu Shizi had paid a significant price for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, looking at the dream of the Gu Shizi to endure for ten thousand generations, this could indeed be called a phased progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, in the eyes of Gu Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Shizi now gradually possessed a flavor that represented \"Heaven's Mandate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven's Mandate is the hearts of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The influence of the Gu Shizi over the past several hundred years had already left far too many legends in the hearts of the people of the Nine Provinces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter could be considered a good thing, but also a bad thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emergence of the Gu Shizi had indeed allowed the entire Nine Provinces to avoid a collapse of the Divine Land, but according to the development of later generations, the crises faced in the future would be no less numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something the Gu Shizi had to bear, and even he could not change it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All things have cause and effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having enjoyed the blessings brought by these halos and having avoided one chaotic era after another, they had to bear the other influences that came with them; this was also something the Gu Shizi could not avoid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin had only two goals for this campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was, of course, Yuwen Huaji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also something the Li Tang had to do at present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the various warlords in the four directions, the Li Tang could actually forgive them to manifest the grace of the imperial court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yuwen Huaji was an exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the reason, it was also very simple: Yuwen Huaji had regicided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what, Yang Guang was the emperor of a unified dynasty; if Yuwen Huaji were spared, the influence this would have in the future would be unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of anything, Yuwen Huaji had to be eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the second, it was Liang Shidu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is correct; Liang Shidu had not chosen to surrender to the Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed his hope in the Turks, promising heavy profits to the Turkic Khan, hoping the Turkic Khan could help him resist the Tang Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this battle, Li Shimin’s targets were them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly wanted to be the \"Great Tang's Unifier of the Ten Directions,\" and had even regarded these two battles as his final obstacles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under the current momentum of the Tang Army, Li Shimin did not have the slightest relaxation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not just want to win!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also wanted to make the hearts of the world submit in conviction!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding Yuwen Huaji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin discussed it with generals like Gu Quan, and finally decided on a strategy of attacking the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is correct, it was an attack on the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Huaji’s current subordinates were actually the former generals of Yang Guang; these people had always longed to return to their hometowns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did Yang Guang cause a mutiny in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not just because of his cruelty; the most critical factor was that the soldiers could not feel any hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what ultimately led to the mutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Huaji naturally learned from Yang Guang’s lesson; he did not hide his desire to strike into the Central Plains at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unfortunately, he could not do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the current situation, he was no different from the Yang Guang who had completely lost his fighting spirit back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distance from a so-called mutiny was, in fact, only missing a trigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin naturally would not let this opportunity pass; under the advice of generals like Gu Quan, Li Shimin only stationed troops by the river, showing no intention of crossing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, he had people bring the family members and elders of the Brave and Valiant Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he sent people to secretly place bamboo tubes in the Yangtze River, propagating various prophecies such as \"The Li family has the Mandate of Heaven, a prosperous age is coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—This was an absolute killing blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In many cases, seemingly gentle methods are far more effective than direct attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Yuwen Huaji had truly learned from Yang Guang’s lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding these remnants of the Brave and Valiant Army, he had exhausted all means to appease them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He not only increased their treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he was proclaiming his determination to lead them back to the Central Plains, and in addition, he distributed widows and unmarried women of the Jiangdu region to them, forcibly making them take root and start families locally in the name of imperial favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these methods could ultimately not block those prophecies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even less could they block the soldiers’ longing for a prosperous age and their thoughts of their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the family members and elders of the Brave and Valiant remnants gradually appeared by the river, the situation within the entire Jiangdu had become completely uncontrollable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And subsequently, Li Shimin had people proclaim the words, \"The elders of Guanzhong long for their sons to return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not a prophecy, but the true reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And who would not miss their own family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nursery rhymes from various places constantly echoed by the banks of the Yangtze, and those sounds seemed to have some kind of magic, constantly seducing the homesickness of the Brave and Valiant Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin even had people help their families voice their inner thoughts, and then threw them into the Yangtze River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside were recorded detailed addresses and names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This naturally could not cover everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is not important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one person can receive it, the influence it brings will spread into the hearts of countless others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this kind of tactic from Li Shimin, Yuwen Huaji was truly bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to this, he would rather Li Shimin attack in person; after all, he had long since made various preparations for defending the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of soft blade was something he was completely unable to control!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not restrict the behavior of his soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were to do so, it would certainly incite a mutiny, and at that time, he, this so-called Emperor, would surely die at the hands of his own men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what else could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not that Yuwen Huaji had never thought of surrendering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him, it would be enough to have been Emperor, but the Great Tang would not give him that opportunity; all the blame for regicide had already been left for him to bear alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only continue to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To stabilize morale, he could only provide more rewards and impose strict supervision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what good would that do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could restrain the soldiers' actions, but he could not restrain the soldiers' hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the thick night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Jiangdu City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squad Leader Liu Kui received the mission to go and scout the enemy camp, but no matter how he gathered them, his normal fifty-man squad was always missing a few people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that there are deserters again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Kui frowned instantly, and a sense of unease arose in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Huaji had already set a requirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If deserters appeared among their subordinates, they would be punished level by level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Liu Kui dared not hesitate at all and hurriedly led men toward the tents of those few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the military camp was not good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Kui had already fully adapted to this atmosphere; he strode in, and the moment he pulled open the tent, he saw several figures sitting inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you all doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned immediately, but his heart settled down at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was good that there were no deserters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he would not have to be punished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Huaji had provided very good treatment to these basic officers in the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take this Liu Kui, for example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he was only a small squad leader with only fifty men under his command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But here in Jiangdu, even he already had three wives, and life was going quite well; in the past, this was something he would not have dared to imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This indeed greatly eased the homesickness of these military officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, this was also the most important reason why Yuwen Huaji could maintain the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The connection between the upper and lower ranks of the Xiaoguo Army was extremely deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides many being fellow townsmen, there was also the camaraderie accumulated from years of fighting; controlling these people was enough to avoid a lot of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was where Yuwen Huaji was clever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Liu Kui spoke, he walked toward the few, wanting to lecture them verbally as he had in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those few turned around one after another to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the firelight, their eyes were red, and a continuous stream of tears was falling from their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just looked at Liu Kui like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the youngest men among them spoke up: \"Brother, I miss home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Liu Kui was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My father died in the chaos of war; now only my mother and younger sister are left at home. If I don't go back, they... they won't be able to survive either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rolling tears fell continuously, and the man's hands were trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Liu Kui's fellow townsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had known each other since childhood, which was why he addressed him as brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Kui remembered his parents and sister; their faces, along with those of his own relatives back home, could not help but flash through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Squad Leader... why must we keep fighting? Didn't we agree to go home? Can't we go home now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mother said the Gu Shizi have already come out of the mountains, and good days for the people of the world are coming. If I don't go back, the fields at home will all go to waste.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few spoke one after another, their gazes fixed on Liu Kui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices were not loud, and each was mixed with the sound of weeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these words were like knives, stabbing directly into Liu Kui's heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless memories flashed through Liu Kui's mind at this moment; looking at the few before him and the brothers behind them who had all fallen silent, he suddenly felt that life in Jiangdu did not seem so wonderful anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not imagine what would happen to his own family if he did not return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All his Qi dissipated in this instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Kui was silent for a long time, then scanned all the brothers present, looked at the expressions of everyone, sighed, and said: \"Do you all want to go home?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We want to go home!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds of response exploded like arrows released from a bowstring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at those slightly brightened eyes, Liu Kui could not help but clench his fists and take a deep breath; as if having made a decision, he remained silent for a long time before speaking again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go, I will take the brothers home!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene was constantly repeated throughout the entire Jiangdu military camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was the characteristic of the Huaxia people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Home—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was always a harbor that other things could hardly compare to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty-three days!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It only took twenty-three days!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before even the month of May had passed, the entire interior of Jiangdu had completely split apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Huaji exhausted every means but could not turn the hearts of the people, nor could he reverse this rolling trend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need for Li Shimin to take action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he died at the hands of his own generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone took his head to trade for wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this, Li Shimin did not care in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the scene of the Xiaoguo Army soldiers coming to find their families and then weeping in each other's arms, he appeared incomparably silent, without any joy at having pacified another warlord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is Your Highness thinking of?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Gu Quan was also watching this scene and asked in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The people live in bitterness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, \"The so-called Mandate of Heaven, in my view, is the hearts of the people of this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I, Li Tang, can always obtain the support of the people of the world, why worry about unifying the world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was very calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gu Quan also nodded, in complete agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ziyuan.\" At this moment, Li Shimin turned his head slightly and looked at Gu Quan again: \"Do you think I can truly, like the Marquis of Zhaolie, build a prosperous age that allows the people of the world to live in peace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Quan did not hesitate and said very earnestly: \"This subordinate believes in Your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin raised the corners of his mouth slightly, did not speak directly, and turned his head again to look at everything happening by the river, as if thinking about something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still too young now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with his overly firm ambitions, he would think of many things whenever he saw anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twilight spread across the horizon, crushing the last wisp of the setting sun into the rippling river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin suddenly straightened his back, the dark light surging in his eyes tempered into sharp swords by the twilight, and his voice erupted, wrapped in the hot blood in his chest: \"I also believe in myself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grey heron startled, piercing the stagnant air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned abruptly to look at Gu Quan and spoke slowly, a declaration heavy with weight: \"But at this moment—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shall wield a long spear to sweep across the eight wildernesses! When the mountains and rivers all return to Tang soil, I will surely make the Ten Directions Expedition Envoys reappear in the world!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The river wind carried this sentence across the reed marshes, startling flocks of white egrets; the sound of flapping wings mixed with the sobbing coming from afar, all swept into the surging waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the sound of tides hitting the shore, he stood with his hands behind his back, the twilight outlining sharp golden edges around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind lifted the stray hair on his forehead, revealing the unhealed scar between his brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the wound he had received during the Battle of Hulao Pass in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fresh blood and the setting sun reflected off each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this very moment, the scar felt like a divine miracle, radiating an inexplicable brilliance before the masses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin did not personally rush to Jiangdu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entrusted all matters to those he trusted under his command, then once again led his troops to strike at Diaoyin City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he was still himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the current Li Shimin truly possessed an invincible heart; that firm ambition was leading him to constantly forge ahead in the right direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not hold the mere Liang Shidu in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Turks came to reinforce, what of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Li Shimin, absolutely no one could obstruct his determination to forge a prosperous age!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great army hurried past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And accompanying this was the spreading news of the Battle of Jiangdu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, one could not call this battle the Battle of Jiangdu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because from beginning to end, the Tang Army was stationed on the banks of the Yangtze River, and from beginning to end, they had never once taken the initiative to wage war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But precisely because of this, the shock this matter brought to the world was unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from \"obtaining the Mandate of Heaven,\" others no longer knew how to convince themselves otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much Yuwen Huaji could not compare to the current Great Tang, he was, after all, an emperor of a region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it was this kind of person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who, without even having the chance to fight the Tang Army, was directly defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this is not the Mandate of Heaven, then what is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The momentum of the entire Li Tang truly reached its peak under these various prophecies, especially after hearing that Li Shimin had not done anything to those surrendered soldiers, nor had he demanded they forcibly follow the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere of the entire Nine Provinces had completely changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone vaguely felt that a \"prosperous age\" was slowly descending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Diaoyin City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Shidu was already completely desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined that Yuwen Huaji would be such a good-for-nothing; in a mere twenty-three days, without even engaging in battle with the Tang Army, he had completely lost everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely because of this that, facing the rolling Tang Army, he was already completely desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were possible—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, Liang Shidu now very much wanted to surrender directly to the Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the pity was that he had already sought help from the Turks; for this, he not only paid various prices, but it also illustrated the crisis the Turks might face if the Nine Provinces truly fell into Tang territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not even mention Li Yuan, only explaining Li Shimin's ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——Envoy of the Ten Directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This \"title,\" even after so many years, remained incomparably resounding among the barbarians of the four directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen had once crippled all the barbarians of the four directions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although for the Turks, Gu Chen did not have any special title among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the reason for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was because they were still extremely weak back then, not even worthy of Gu Chen's attention, so how could there be a title regarding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet among the Turks, the legends regarding Gu Chen were not few at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Xiongnu and Rouran they had once relied upon were crippled by Gu Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they were also greatly affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with Li Shimin's increasingly resounding reputation and the help of the Gu family, this forced the Turkic Khan to take notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he wanted to surrender, how could it be possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, let alone talk of glory and wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Turkic people would directly swallow him up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having reached this point, he could only face the Tang Army head-on; there was no other choice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin had truly changed somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to no longer keep all his focus on unifying the world; for the upcoming battle, his idea was to use momentum to pressure Liang Shidu into surrendering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the confidence granted to him by the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, this plan was also very smooth at the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the thunderous Tang Army, wherever they passed, it was simply difficult for anyone to dare to block them, and they opened their cities to surrender one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there were some die-hard loyalists among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unwilling to bear the name of betraying their master, they wanted to put up a desperate resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this rolling public opinion was truly too terrifying; in places where the Tang Army passed, there even appeared strange tales of commoners killing officials and then surrendering to the Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as the Tang Army drew closer to Diaoyin City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation slowly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Turkic troops had arrived, and they had also controlled the families of these soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they did not resist, their families would be slaughtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, this was also a characteristic of the feudal era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the soldiers' families to indirectly control the entire army, forcing the soldiers to have to resist the Tang Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This indeed had an effect, impacting the speed of the Tang Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this behavior was destined to be a drop in the bucket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Li Shimin was willing, he could directly lead the great army to attack; relying solely on Liang Shidu's troops, it was impossible to block the current Tang Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, unexpectedly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin still stopped his steps; after breaking through a few cities, he let the Tang Army camp on the spot and halted the offensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Army camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, why must you see that Turkic Khan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is clearly set on opposing our Great Tang; although he had an agreement with Your Majesty beforehand, these years they have repeatedly broken their word. They are just a pack of insatiable hungry wolves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right! Are they bullying our Great Tang for having no one? How dare they be like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sounds of angry shouting rose one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding Li Shimin's intention to send someone to meet the Turkic Khan, the emotions of all the soldiers were very agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only for the sake of merit, but also out of confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did not believe the Turks could block the Tang Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the agitated generals before him, Li Shimin's expression was very calm, and he shook his head, saying: \"They are all sons of our Nine Provinces; if not necessary, why engage in mutual slaughter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, although he had not yet unified the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Shimin had already regarded these people as subjects of the Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not womanly benevolence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a trace of mercy for the people of the world after Li Shimin had seen too much of their blood and tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Nine Provinces indeed needed to recuperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one battle could be avoided, some of the people's blood and tears could be reduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the fundamental reason why Li Shimin wanted to meet the Turkic Khan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the soldiers could not help but be speechless, but the fighting spirit in their eyes still did not diminish in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Quan suddenly walked out, bowed toward Li Shimin, and said loudly: \"Your Highness is wise; if the people of the world knew, they would surely be grateful for Your Highness's benevolence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the generals lowered their heads one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With both Li Shimin and Gu Quan supporting the strategy, there was no longer any possibility of change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What more could they say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin did not pay attention to the complex expressions of the soldiers, but looked at Gu Quan: \"Ziyuan, are you willing to accompany me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The influence of the Gu family descendants among foreign tribes was not something others could compare to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This general is willing to follow.\" Gu Quan did not have any hesitation and immediately bowed to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter spread instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jieli Khan did not hesitate much and directly agreed to this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, he actually did not believe that Li Shimin could recreate the achievements of Gu Chen from years past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also a normal phenomenon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking through all of history, how many people could achieve what Gu Chen did?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also wanted to see this young man who had such thunderous prestige in the Nine Provinces, to see how he really was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, both sides truly settled the matter under these inexplicable conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——Li Shimin only led a hundred cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, just a hundred cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To both sides, if they brought too many troops, this meeting would lose its meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jieli Khan was somewhat stunned when he saw all this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he had formed a slight judgment of Li Shimin in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fellow’s boldness was terrifying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These mere hundred cavalrymen could not possibly protect Li Shimin; if he wished, he could say with complete certainty that he could keep Li Shimin here at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin still showed not the slightest fear, and just like that, he led Gu Quan and slowly stepped into the camp tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Prince of Qin comes to the meeting with a hundred riders; are you not afraid that I might keep you as a guest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jieli Khan looked at the two young men before him with their sharp features and resolute eyes, suddenly curled the corner of his mouth, and spoke sharply with a threatening tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still able to speak the Han language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also a change brought about by everything that the generation of Gu Ye had done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this had not been able to change the rise of the Turks, it had allowed the culture belonging to the Nine Provinces to spread outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the Khan wishes to keep a guest, why wait until today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin’s expression did not change in the slightest; he looked at Jieli Khan and smiled, \"If it were not for the ability to form an alliance with the Khan in the past, how would my Li clan have today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tent fell into an instant silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Shimin did not care in the slightest; he sat down to the side directly in front of everyone in the tent, and then continued, \"I wonder why the Khan has repeatedly broken the alliance and harassed our Great Tang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no maneuvering or stalling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Li Shimin spoke, he went straight to the core of the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph!\" Jieli Khan snorted coldly and smiled disdainfully, \"What I, the Khan, promised back then was only to let your Li clan rise; now that your Li clan has already occupied more than half of the Nine Provinces, how can the former agreement still count?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—To put it bluntly, what was given was not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interests have always been the core of all disputes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin seemed to have already thought of all this, smiled again, and said, \"If that is the case, why does the Khan not wait for our Great Tang to unify the world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\" Jieli Khan frowned instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin then began to speak of the trade routes that Gu Ye had built in the past, while Gu Quan, who was at his side, also checked for omissions and filled in the gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although with the world in chaos once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These places today had all been affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the influence of this trade route remained, and the value derived from it was no secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin’s idea was very simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was to use future interests to avoid this battle and quickly unify the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this move also had benefits for the common people of the Nine Provinces; it could be called a win-win strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jieli Khan listened very carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never expected that Li Shimin would actually say these things to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was indeed a good thing; although the Turks were rising now, they still could not avoid the fatal weakness of nomadic peoples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—A severe lack of productivity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Nine Provinces were stable and he could start trading with the Nine Provinces, it would indeed be a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would naturally be tempted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since it was a disguised negotiation, how could it end so quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Shimin finished speaking, he immediately gave a disdainful smile, \"A mere member of the royal clan, where does the courage come from to discuss such a major matter with this Khan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly knew Li Shimin’s identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately restrained the smile on his face, looked at Jieli Khan, and said slowly, \"What of being from the royal clan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If one day I become the Envoy of the Ten Directions for the Great Tang, could this matter be settled?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Envoy of the Ten Directions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These five simple, large characters instantly attracted everyone’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jieli Khan’s expression became a bit more serious for an instant, but in the end, he still gave a disdainful smile, \"Envoy of the Ten Directions? Could it be that the Prince of Qin thinks he can compare to the Azure Wolf who chased the sun in years past?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, his tone paused slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then slowly raised his hand, and his entire expression instantly turned colder, \"A mere child, how can you be so arrogant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, several soldiers rushed into the camp tent, all holding weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Quan did not have any hesitation and directly blocked in front of Li Shimin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Shimin had not changed color from beginning to end; he first looked at those few people and then looked at Jieli Khan again, speaking once more, \"The Khan can naturally choose not to believe, but this will eventually become reality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that Jieli Khan truly thinks he can protect that Liang Shidu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not believe that Jieli Khan did not know about the changes in the Nine Provinces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great trend of the Nine Provinces had already arrived, and no one could stop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the greatest source of confidence for Li Shimin to dare to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With military force to build momentum and interests to entice;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person as extremely greedy as Jieli Khan could not possibly be unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, as Li Shimin’s words came out, Jieli Khan’s expression finally changed slightly again; he looked at Li Shimin seriously and then said, \"Are you truly not afraid that I, the Khan, will kill you today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A great man dies when he must; these are the words spoken by the Marquis of Zhaolie in the past.\" Li Shimin met Jieli Khan’s gaze and slowly stood up, \"The Khan may kill me today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I can be certain—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the Khan kills me today, then in the days to come, the Khan will never have another chance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—After discussing the benefits, one must naturally issue a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin could be said to have a deep understanding of the art of negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the tent grew increasingly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jieli Khan stared fixedly at Li Shimin, seemingly weighing things in his heart, while Li Shimin did not say anything more, only gripping the sword at his waist with his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Quan had been guarding in front of Li Shimin, his gaze never changing, as if he would move at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that, a moment passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jieli Khan seemed to have finally made a decision; his gaze slowly turned toward Gu Quan, and a smile appeared on his face, \"This warrior is quite extraordinary; where are you from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had not directly agreed, his suddenly changed tone already indicated his attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gu Ziyuan of the Gu clan.\" Gu Quan did not even look at him before speaking directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The Gu clan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing these two words, Jieli Khan could not help but have his eyes change; he looked at Gu Quan seriously, and only then did he wave his hand to let those soldiers leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the tent softened instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly a hero among the young.\" Jieli Khan looked at Li Shimin and Gu Quan, smiled, and said, \"This Khan will agree to this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone shifted, \"The things that Liang Shidu promised to give this Khan, I will take away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is fine.\" Li Shimin did not care at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the smile on Jieli Khan’s face grew even richer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that, unknowingly, the so-called emperor Liang Shidu had already been thoroughly sold out by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there was no special ceremony, the two still re-established their alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right after the alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jieli Khan also had no lingering attachments and directly led his army to return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it did not exceed the expectations of Li Shimin, Gu Quan, and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had almost emptied Liang Shidu, displaying his greedy nature to the fullest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Shimin led his army into Diaoyin City, there were still soldiers asking Li Shimin if it was worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, in the hearts of many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they had attacked by force, all these things might not necessarily have failed to belong to the Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin’s eyes were like torches, his expression did not ripple in the slightest, and he said with resounding force, \"Gold, silver, and treasures are merely external objects; grain and supplies are also just ordinary reserves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused slightly, his words wrapped in unquestionable firmness, \"Yet, to exchange these meager items for the survival of tens of thousands of soldiers and to spare hundreds of thousands of commoners from devastation—why hesitate over such a trade-off?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether it is worth it or not, how can others judge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple sentence, without the slightest hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Ps: Two-in-one chapter, begging for monthly tickets; I ask you brothers to support me, Fish is extremely grateful, I will definitely work hard to update, and will never let you down!!!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of this chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",6021,"2026-06-20T03:16:01.192Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","252dcd25593e25568c2b6499bf3f96dfb39f63deb8b1ffe3915a38f332e4f592","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-154","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-152",167,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcontrolling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-cover.jpg"]