Chapter 1690: The Weight of the South Seas

When Liu Chenghsun returned to court this time, Emperor Liu naturally sent a decree summoning him. After a slight admonishment, Emperor Liu resumed his kindly expression, a faint smile on his lips, and said: "Let's talk about the real matters!"

"Your minister humbly awaits Your Majesty's instruction!" Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun immediately became solemn.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu quickly waved his hand and said softly: "No need to be so serious, relax! It's nothing major. Over the years, the Great Han's ties with the outside world have grown increasingly close, especially the exchanges with the various countries of the South Seas, which have become more and more frequent. You should have some understanding of such matters!"

Hearing Emperor Liu bring this up, Liu Chenghsun immediately became attentive, silently pondering Emperor Liu's intentions. Recalling some information about the South Seas in his mind, he organized his words before speaking: "Regarding South Seas affairs, your minister is not very familiar with them.

However, during these two years in Jiangning, quite a number of overseas merchants have entered the region to do business, and there are also many local merchants and travelers who organize fleets to sail south. From their accounts, I have gained a preliminary glimpse of the South Seas.

Its territory is vast, with islands and states standing in profusion, and barbarian peoples mingled together. Yet most are uncivilized lands that know not propriety. However, the local climate is warm, the four seasons not clearly distinguished, and the products are abundant—rice cultivation often yields three crops a year, or even four. This is one of the reasons why Great Han merchants and commoners eagerly travel south to trade and cultivate!

I have heard that in the South Seas, once seeds are scattered, little care is needed—no intensive farming required—and one can simply wait for the harvest. Such a precious land, yet fallen into the hands of barbarian wastes—thinking of it is rather regrettable, and quite lamentable!"

"Well said!" Listening to his eloquent speech, Emperor Liu nodded: "Though it is a land beyond civilization, it is an undeniably precious land, even superior to most of the Great Han's territory. Of course, being uncivilized also means it does not submit to imperial rule."

Liu Chenghsun immediately echoed: "Your minister has also heard of the campaign against Srivijaya. The imperial army marched south and was invincible. After that lesson, they sent humble words and lavish gifts, hastily suing for peace. Those barbarian petty states should now know to behave!"

"I care not whether they sincerely seek peace—whether they submit willingly or are subdued by military might, it matters not. I only care whether the Great Han's prestige over the various states can be maintained, whether our management of the South Seas can continue, and whether the Great Han's merchants and commoners can long sustain their pioneering efforts there. This is a good thing benefiting the nation and the people, and it is the court's century-spanning plan!" Emperor Liu said with firm resolve.

"I have often pondered the rise and fall of successive dynasties. The root of their cycles of order and chaos lies first in land. Especially in a dynasty's later period, the contradiction of too many people and too little land is the fundamental problem of upheaval. Add to that the inevitable land annexation, and the contradiction is further aggravated.

The Great Han has been established for over thirty years. After thirty years of recuperation and accumulation, similar signs are now emerging. Although the court has vigorously implemented several policies of relocating people to the frontiers, that only delays the trend.

But according to reports from the Wude Office and various regions, the southern prefectures and circuits now see their populations surging, nearly double what they were before unification—yet the arable land available is only so much.

In the past, I formulated many policies to restrict land annexation and raised taxes on land transactions, all with the purpose of ensuring that the Great Han's people can have land to till and grain to eat. When the people have ample food and clothing, they naturally will not rebel against the court's rule.

However, these are ultimately stopgap measures, reformative measures—and whether they can be sustained, and for how long, is also debatable. While I sit on the throne, none above or below dare defy me, and these policies can be barely carried out.

But what about after me? Will the succeeding sovereign, or even the one after, be able to resolutely implement them? Even if they can faithfully follow them, as times change, will they have the ability and prestige to persist? On this point, I am not at ease!"

At this point, Emperor Liu paused and observed Liu Chenghsun's reaction. Setting aside his solemn expression, the extremely earnest manner in which he listened already pleased Emperor Liu greatly.

Taking another sip of tea, Emperor Liu continued: "Over these years, I have repeatedly pondered this matter, seeking a solution. Yet, measuring my virtue and weighing my ability, my talents are limited, and in the end I have found no fundamental remedy.

After much deliberation, the only answer is to keep pioneering and advancing—to use the Great Han's swords to win more land for the people to survive and cultivate. Let the Great Han's territory be sufficient to bear the burden of its surging population.

Whether campaigning east or west, apart from consolidating the borders, the fundamental purpose lies in this. Yet though the western lands are vast, they are strewn with deserts, mostly barren, and the roads are long. The eastern lands are fertile, but truly bitter cold, difficult and remote.

Compared with the two, the South Seas can be called uniquely favored by heaven—a land of great potential, and the land of hope for the Great Han empire and its people.

In the future, should domestic land prove insufficient, the South Seas will be the best destination for relocating people to find sustenance—the best way to divert contradictions and ease the Great Han's ruling crisis!

Even though I know full well this is still not a fundamental solution, it is the most feasible strategy I can devise. I harbor no extravagant hopes for ten thousand generations, but anything that can extend the life of the dynasty is worth striving for.

Therefore, for the sake of the Great Han's national fortune, the pioneering of the South Seas cannot stop—indeed, investment must increase, and we must encourage and support those merchants and commoners who fear no hardship and actively forge ahead!"

"Your Majesty's vision is extraordinary, your foresight profound, your magnanimity vast—your minister is deeply impressed!" Hearing Emperor Liu expound such a grand discourse, Liu Chenghsun wore a look of astonishment, and after a moment of shock, immediately rattled off a string of flattery.

Of course, his astonishment was not feigned. Emperor Liu's words had revealed far too much, and his perspective was indeed profound—many things that ordinary people would not dare to think.

Even if they dared to think, they would not dare to voice it—only Emperor Liu could say such things. At the same time, his impression of the South Seas had been limited to words like remote, barbaric, and fertile. Many Han merchants and commoners who went south had reaped considerable profits, but he had never imagined that Emperor Liu would view it so heavily, even linking it to the Great Han's national fortune.

Though his mouth echoed agreement, praising Emperor Liu's grand vision and surpassing insight, in his heart he felt it was somewhat overstated—even a bit unreliable.

Emperor Liu paid no attention to Liu Chenghsun's reaction and continued: "Over these years, the matter of South Seas pioneering has repeatedly sparked controversy at court. Some are dissatisfied with the rise of commerce and the elevated status of merchants; some covet the gains of those adventurers; some resent the enormous expenditure of the navy.

But in fact, while the Great Han has invested heavily, the returns have been equally abundant—there is outflow and inflow. In recent years, the tax revenue derived from overseas trade and cultivation has already accounted for nearly one-tenth of the court's finances.

What a sum that is—even if you have never managed finances, you should understand its value!"

Liu Chenghsun nodded: "The annual revenue of the Jiangning Maritime Trade Office flows like water. Jiangnan's finances are green with envy and have long wanted a share of the pie!"

"Therefore, whether for immediate benefit or long-term planning, the pace of expansion toward the South Seas cannot stop. That is a blessed land bestowed upon the Great Han by heaven—the Great Han's future lies in the South Seas.

In the years ahead, while consolidating the domestic realm, the Great Han must contend for the seas. This is the century-spanning plan for extending the dynasty's mandate, and it must not waver!" Emperor Liu said resolutely.

Even with many doubts in his heart, Liu Chenghsun could only express support. Then, coming to his senses, looking at Emperor Liu who had spoken himself somewhat hoarse, he asked: "May I ask what Your Majesty wishes your minister to do?"

At the question, Emperor Liu said lightly: "Though I have already set the South Seas strategy, there are still many who hold conservative views. Standing still and refusing to advance will not do—on this, further clarity is needed.

I intend for you to represent me, represent the court, in inspecting the South Seas—spreading the glory of the Celestial Dynasty, and proclaiming to officials both internal and external, and to the people of the realm, the Great Han's strategic policy toward the South Seas.

Simply put, we must unify thinking and strive southward with united strength. I have no wish to waste more words with those pedantic types!"

Hearing this charge from Emperor Liu, Liu Chenghsun could hardly conceal his astonishment—he even felt a sense that this was a form of exile. However, seeing Emperor Liu's solemn expression, he was somewhat reassured.

As for this assignment, there was no need for much deliberation—there was simply no room to refuse. Therefore, after only a brief pause, Liu Chenghsun rose and bowed with clasped hands: "Your Majesty entrusts me with an important mission; your minister has no other words—I shall naturally undertake the journey!"

"Good!" Seeing Liu Chenghsun answer so promptly, Emperor Liu broke into a smile again and immediately praised: "You are still the same—you never disappoint my expectations!"

Liu Chenghsun smiled. Whatever he thought inwardly, on the surface he wore a look of magnanimity: "Your Majesty flatters me! Your minister enjoys the supreme glory brought by the Great Han and Your Majesty, and shall naturally exert every effort, daring not to decline!"

"Mm!" Emperor Liu was quite satisfied with Liu Chenghsun's awareness, and his tone turned gentler: "You have had a tiring journey back to the capital. Rest for a while. I have prepared an envoy mission for you—once everything is ready, you may set out!"

"Your minister obeys the decree!"