Chapter 25: The First Year of Zhenguan, Many Nations Come to Pay Tribute

"But... it is not just me who is here," Su Liang said slowly.

At this moment, Empress Zhangsun’s peerlessly beautiful phoenix eyes were fixed intently on Su Liang, wanting to hear what else he might say.

Seeing this, Su Liang looked at Empress Zhangsun with a profound gaze and asked, "Hehe... does Her Majesty know just how large this world really is?"

"What does my worthy son-in-law mean by this?" Empress Zhangsun inquired.

"Hehe... exactly what it sounds like. This world is vast, so vast that you would not dare to believe it!"

"If we do not count the lands of the Eastern Turks, this world is roughly..."

Su Liang hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Roughly... forty times the size of the Great Tang!"

"This... this..."

Empress Zhangsun muttered to herself, astonished beyond measure, and still dared not believe it.

Seeing that Empress Zhangsun was speechless, Su Liang immediately asked, "If those two brothers knew that the world was actually this vast, does Her Majesty think they would still do what they did?"

"This... this..."

Empress Zhangsun stammered, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.

Seeing that Empress Zhangsun still could not speak, Su Liang continued, "So, Her Majesty may rest assured. I had the two of them come here precisely to tell them this."

"If the two of them knew, what does Her Majesty think would happen?"

"Then the two brothers would naturally not kill each other, and it would not just be the two of them," Empress Zhangsun blurted out.

A moment later.

Empress Zhangsun looked at Su Liang and asked, "Then how does my worthy son-in-law know how large this world is? Could it be that you have been there?"

"Hehe..."

To this, Su Liang could only offer a chuckle, not knowing how to explain it.

In his past life, Su Liang had indeed been there, but he had not been there since being reborn into the Great Tang; if he told Empress Zhangsun he had been, it would be hard to make her believe him.

The places currently seen by the Tang people were merely a corner of Asia, little knowing that the world had seven continents and four oceans.

Outside, there were even more vast lands!

The Earth's land area was 149 million square kilometers, while the Great Tang at this time only had 3.6 million square kilometers (the Eastern Turks' area was over two million square kilometers, but since the Turks had not yet fully surrendered, they were not included).

He would draw a world map from memory another day, so he could explain to everyone just how large this world was!

Not only that, but he also had to make a globe; otherwise, the ancients would always think the sky was round and the earth was square.

There were some things that someone had to try...

After a brief moment of thought, Su Liang continued, "Currently, in the north, there are not only the Turks but also the Shiwei and Mohe; in the east, there are also Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje."

"Between these countries are the Khitan, Baisi, and Kumoxi, and in the East Sea, there is the Wa nation."

"In the west, there are also the Tubo, Tuyuhun, Gaochang, Western Turks, and other countries."

"The south likewise has many countries."

"The surroundings of these countries are also like our Great Tang, surrounded by neighboring states."

"During the Sui Dynasty, over three hundred small countries came to pay tribute..."

Su Liang stopped there and said no more, assuming Empress Zhangsun would surely understand on her own.

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun fell into deep contemplation...

Until a quarter of an hour later.

Empress Zhangsun spoke slowly, "Could it be that my worthy son-in-law means... that you want all the lands under the sun to be the territory of the Great Tang?"

"Hehe..."

"Is this not the wish of His Majesty?"

Su Liang asked in return.

Little Sizi suddenly said at this time, "Is Brother Su going to fight a war again?"

Su Liang followed the sound and looked over, seeing that Little Sizi had stopped her brush at some point and was now raising her little head to stare at him.

"Brother Su does not need to go out to fight; Brother Su will stay at home and practice calligraphy with Little Sizi." Su Liang immediately walked over, took hold of Little Sizi’s chubby little hand, and began to teach her calligraphy hand-in-hand...

Empress Zhangsun’s heart, which had been hanging, finally relaxed, and she watched Su Liang and Little Sizi with a smile.

Time flowed slowly...

In the blink of an eye, it was the first year of Zhenguan.

Su Liang had not been this peaceful for a long time.

The previous five years had been spent traveling; at first, it was just Su Liang alone, until he met Xue Rengui, and the two traveled together so it was not so lonely.

By comparison, the Taoyuan Shanzhuang was exceptionally lively for the New Year. Inside the estate, besides Uncle Fu, Erhu, and the young ladies, Xue Rengui also spent the New Year here with Su Liang, Wang Xuance had returned to Luoyang, the Bearded Guest was stubbornly refusing to leave, and everyone else had gone home for the New Year.

On the night of New Year's Eve, Su Liang even gave everyone a large red envelope...

The first year of Zhenguan, the first day of the first lunar month.

Today, Su Liang also got up early. There was no help for it; when Li Shimin hosted the banquet for his officials yesterday according to custom, Su Liang did not go, but today’s situation was truly special, and Su Liang could not afford not to go.

In the Liangyi Hall of the Taiji Palace.

The Son of Heaven, Li Shimin, sat upright on the dragon throne, receiving the congratulations of the civil and military officials and the vassal states from all directions.

Not only that, but many foreign states had already come to pay tribute.

There were not only the twenty-some tribes of the Eastern Turks who had already submitted to the Tang, but also the Shiwei tribes, Mohe tribes, Silla, Khitan, Baisi, Kumoxi, Tubo, Tuyuhun, and so on. Even the Wa nation had crossed the ocean to pay tribute; there were already dozens of large and small countries.

"Heavenly Khan... the tribes of the Eastern Turks offer the Emperor of the Great Tang 100,000 cattle and sheep, 20,000 horses..." Tuli spoke first.

The former minor Khan of the Eastern Turks had now completely surrendered and was also among the first batch to surrender.

"Hahaha... good, good, good..." Li Shimin laughed heartily, looking triumphant.

"Heavenly Khan... the Shiwei tribes offer the Emperor of the Great Tang 20,000 cattle and sheep, 10,000 horses..."

"Heavenly Khan... the Mohe tribes offer the Emperor of the Great Tang 20,000 cattle and sheep, 10,000 horses..."

"Heavenly Khan... the Khitan offer the Emperor of the Great Tang 10,000 cattle and sheep..."

"Heavenly Khan... the Baisi offer the Emperor of the Great Tang 10,000 cattle and sheep..."

"Heavenly Khan... the Kumoxi offer the Emperor of the Great Tang 10,000 cattle and sheep..."

"The nation of Silla offers the Emperor of the Great Tang 100,000 taels of gold and 500,000 taels of silver..."

"The Wa nation offers the Emperor of the Great Tang two carts of island nation specialties..."

Just at this moment.

Li Shimin, who had been in a very good mood, suddenly turned gloomy. He immediately frowned and asked, "Oh... I wonder what kind of aquatic products these are?"

"Reporting to the Emperor of the Great Tang, they are aquatic products from our country's coast..."

Before Li Shimin could speak, Su Liang immediately snorted, "Hmph... when the Soga no Iruka pushed for the reforms of the ancient dynasty, I fear he pushed his brain into ruin."

"You bring these pieces of dried fish?"

"Do you take my Great Tang for beggars!"

The Wa nation's envoy to the Tang, Soga no Iruka, looked at Su Liang and said, "Who are you? How dare you address our great Empress Suiko in such a way."

He then looked at Li Shimin and said, "Although our Wa nation is a tiny place, we came with tribute. Is this the etiquette of the Great Tang?"

At this moment, Li Shimin also looked at Su Liang, completely unaware of what Su Liang meant.

Although the tribute was indeed a bit meager, Su Liang’s attitude...

Was truly puzzling!

Li Shimin stopped speaking as well. He knew that Su Liang never acted without a reason; there must be a cause, so he quietly waited for Su Liang to perform...

At the same time, Li Shimin understood in his heart that this was the time to properly discipline these barbarians from all directions. Since Su Liang was willing to do it, he would follow his wishes.

"Hehe..."

Su Liang immediately chuckled, then said coldly, "It seems my reputation is not well-known enough..."

"Tuli, you tell this Wa slave from the Eastern island nation who this young master is!"

Upon hearing this, Tuli spoke tremblingly, "The person speaking to you is the Prince of Chu of the Great Tang, and the Heavenly Strategy Grand General personally enfeoffed by the Emperor of the Great Tang!"

"It is indeed unbearable for your Wa nation to bring these things here!"

Soga no Iruka was terrified upon hearing this... this person was a ruthless character...

Su Liang saw Soga no Iruka’s cowardly appearance and asked with interest, "Then... what is that Ezo person to you?"

"He is my father. I wonder what the Prince of Chu means?" Soga no Iruka naturally knew who Su Liang was talking about and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Hehe, what a great noble family!" Su Liang said meaningfully.

"Speak, why did the Wa nation send an envoy to my Great Tang?"

Soga no Iruka looked at the Son of Heaven, Li Shimin, and said, "We wish to learn the advanced technologies of the Great Tang; we ask for Your Majesty’s approval."

"Oh... I wonder where the Wa envoy wishes to study?" Li Shimin inquired.

"Taoyuan County," Soga no Iruka blurted out.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin looked at Su Liang and said, "I wonder what my worthy son-in-law thinks?"

"Why go to such trouble? The Ezo people in the northern part of the Wa nation are called the nation of hairy people."

"My Great Tang can just send some people over to help them... and while we are at it, we can teach the Wa nation as well..."

Su Liang said coldly, having already made up his mind.

A few days ago, the Great Tang’s new census came out, showing less than four million households, even counting the nearly 100,000 households of the Liang state and the later Sui, with a population of nearly 20 million. Currently, the twenty-some tribes of the Eastern Turks that had already submitted, with 200,000 households and over a million people, were not included.

Yet, the tiny Eastern island nation at this time, under the reforms of Empress Suiko, already had over 1.5 million households and over 7 million people.

Recalling the things the Eastern island nation did in later generations... to this day, a large portion of territory was still occupied by them!

Just as a joke on the internet said.

Hehe... this country has no need to exist!

"Your Majesty, what do you think?" Su Liang finished speaking, then gave Li Er a meaningful look.

"Good, good, good... I indeed have the same intention."

At this moment, Li Er laughed heartily, immediately grasping the meaning behind Su Liang's words; this young Su wanted to expand the territory of the Great Tang.

"Then, my virtuous son-in-law, who do you think is suitable to be sent?"

"Let the Four Young Masters of Changan go; it will save them from being idle all day," Su Liang said indifferently, while also glancing at Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, and the others.

Half an hour later.

Su Liang took his leave, as he truly had no interest in the rituals that followed.

Just as Su Liang had returned to Taoyuan Shanzhuang, a White-Robed Guard reported: "Young Master, there are foreigners causing trouble at Tianqiao Workshop."

"People from where?" Su Liang asked immediately.

The White-Robed Guard said: "People from the Wa Kingdom. We did not dare to handle it lightly and have come specifically to ask for the Young Master's instructions."

"Oh... what kind of matter requires me to handle it personally?" Su Liang asked, puzzled.

The White-Robed Guard said: "They are bullying a woman inside Lingyun Pavilion..."

"Mere Wa slaves dare to be so insolent? They are courting death!"

A sharp, murderous intent instantly surged in Su Liang's eyes!

He immediately shouted: "Cloud-Treading Black Steed!"

"Neigh..."

In an instant, the Cloud-Treading Black Steed, with its body like black satin and a glossy sheen, appeared in the courtyard.

Su Liang leaped onto the horse's back and galloped toward Tianqiao Workshop...

At the same time.

Inside a private room at Lingyun Pavilion, a man from the Wa Kingdom was playing a game of eagle catching the chick...

"Baka! Flower girl... still want to run..."

"You... you can go to Tianman Workshop..." the woman cried tearfully.

"Hehe... once I catch you, I will definitely make you taste my prowess..."

"Haha... I've caught you..."

Suddenly, the woman was seized by the Wa man, who began tearing at her clothes... rip... rip...

"Spare me, I beg you... I do not sell my body..." the woman pleaded bitterly.

"Hahaha... hahaha... I'll let you run... I'll let you run..." the Wa man laughed heartily.

Covering the distance of over ten li in less than half a quarter of an hour, Su Liang had already entered Tianqiao Workshop.

After inquiring clearly, Su Liang headed straight for the second-floor private room, seeing two Wa guards at the door, while screams continued from within...

Su Liang's eyes were instantly bloodshot with rage, and he immediately drew his sword, Wenxin.

Accompanied by two "shing" sounds, the two men slowly collapsed, dying without even realizing what had happened...

Su Liang then burst in, sword in hand, only to see a woman with disheveled clothing struggling desperately...

Seeing Su Liang, the woman knew she was saved.

She immediately cried out: "Wuu... Young Master Su... save me..."

Su Liang struck with his sword without the slightest hesitation...

In an instant, a bloody head was seen rolling onto the floor...

Su Liang took off his outer robe and draped it over the woman, then asked: "Are you alright?"

At this time, the woman threw herself into Su Liang's arms and cried: "Wuu... I'm fine... I'm fine..."

"It's a good thing you arrived in time, Young Master, otherwise... wuu..."

"Alright... it's fine as long as you're safe, it's fine..." Su Liang patted the woman's shoulder, comforting her continuously.

After a full half-hour, the woman finally calmed down.

Looking at the head still on the floor, the woman slowly said: "Young Master Su, this... this... they are envoys from the Wa Kingdom. Will this bring trouble to you, Young Master..."

"It's fine... it's fine, I was just looking for trouble with them anyway," Su Liang continued to comfort her.

"But what about His Majesty..." the woman whispered.

"Rest assured, if His Majesty knew, he would also uphold justice for you. Besides, I am planning to wipe them all out," Su Liang said nonchalantly.

"Alright, let's change to another room so you can change your clothes."

"Have someone clean this place up; it's disgusting to look at!"

A moment later, Su Liang walked out of the private room.

With sharp murderous intent, he looked at the White-Robed Guard and asked: "How many people did the Wa Kingdom send this time?"

"A total of one hundred and thirty-two people," the White-Robed Guard blurted out.

"Do you know what to do?" Su Liang said indifferently.

"I do. Does the Young Master want it done openly or in the shadows?" the White-Robed Guard inquired.

Su Liang frowned slightly, then said coldly: "The Wa Kingdom sent people to assassinate the Prince of Chu of the Great Tang; what should be the consequence?"

Upon hearing this, the White-Robed Guard immediately said: "I will go notify the other White-Robed Guards who are off duty right now; I guarantee the Young Master will be satisfied."

"Alright, go and get it done quickly..."

"I do not want to see these Wa slaves tomorrow."

After saying this, Su Liang immediately returned to Taoyuan Shanzhuang.

That afternoon, the remaining one hundred and twenty-nine envoys from the Wa Kingdom were all executed; it took only one hour...

For a time, the envoys of various countries were filled with panic...

At the same time the Wa envoys were executed.

The news that "the Wa Kingdom sent people to assassinate the Prince of Chu of the Great Tang" swept through the entire Taoyuan County and Changancheng.

After Li Er learned the cause and effect, he understood that this was inevitably Su Liang's handiwork...

He had done it thoroughly, leaving no evidence behind!

At the same time, Li Er immediately sent people to appease the envoys of various countries.

In the Ganlu Hall of the Taiji Palace.

Li Er was also very helpless about this matter; Su Liang's actions were simply too fast, and by the time he wanted to stop it, it was already too late, so he had to let Su Liang do as he pleased.

He could only hope that Su Liang would provide a reasonable explanation afterward!