mynovelonline Chapter 542 - 54: The Emperor’s Final Years, Attire of All Nations
Chapter 542 - 54: The Emperor’s Final Years, Attire of All Nations
The migration initiative that Gu Yi established years ago laid a sufficient foundation for Panyu, even though it could not completely assimilate the entire Lingnan region into Han culture.
However, starting from Panyu, the people within hundreds of miles around have long become Han people.
No matter how unique their customs were before, or where they lived.
This is the greatness of Chinese civilization.
Its strong capacity for integration has given this land so many possibilities.
This speed is actually considered slow.
There was no other way.
After Gu Ye’s passing, the Yan Han rapidly declined, followed by the chaos in the world, so achieving this effect is already quite good.
As long as the maritime exploration is thoroughly completed.
Under tremendous benefits, this land will surely quickly integrate into the Kyushu.
This is certain!
The foundation laid by the Gu Clan is already sufficient, now what Panyu truly needs is this period of stability.
One porter after another was transporting goods at the dock.
The magnitude of this matter is immense.
Whether it be the Han people or the people of other ethnic groups, countless people gathered at the dock, witnessing a moment destined to be recorded in history.
The head of the Gu Clan’s branch in this place is named Gu Li.
Even though it is far from the Kyushu, the connection remains unbroken.
He maintains the fine traditions of the Gu Clan’s descendants.
He instructed paintings to be made in front of the dock.
The entire Tuo Hai, along with the people of various ethnic groups, was painted and sent to the imperial court and Julu.
This has become a habit for every descendant of the Gu Clan.
In the twenty-first year of Zhenguan, in July.
The scorching sun was like fire, melting gold and scorching stone.
In the midsummer of Lingnan, the sea breeze carried salty and humid heat, sweeping over the throngs of people in Panyu’s large port, at the convergence of the eyes of the masses, amid the thunderous sounds and blessings.
The Tuo Hai finally set sail across the sea.
On the towering deck of the "Tuo Hai," Li Chengqian and many descendants of the Gu Clan stood at the rail, their gaze also directed towards the gradually receding Panyu Port.
The sea breeze gusted, billowing their robes, but could not disperse the heaviness that gathered between their brows.
A vast expanse of misty waves, an endless ocean.
This life, can they ever return to the land of their ancestors in Kyushu?
No one can answer.
This path is too unfamiliar, whether they succeed or not, these people are destined to be remembered by history. ....
....
The news was immediately sent back to Chang’an and gradually spread across the entire world.
Songs and poems emerged one after another.
Regarding this matter.
The scholars from all over the world paid keen attention.
This is the subtle influence at work.
The degree of importance that the Gu Clan and Li Shimin placed on this matter had already, unconsciously, changed the attitude of people worldwide.
The vast ocean was no longer an intimidating dead end; it had transformed into an endless fertile land beyond the Kyushu, waiting for generations of brave adventurers to blaze new trails and explore new territories!
This will inevitably be a long journey arduous and demanding, measured by sweat and blood.
And the pioneers on this journey—
Their names, ambitions, and achievements will undoubtedly be inscribed in history, enduring forever!
Since the day the "Tuo Hai" set sail, Li Shimin’s overall condition had progressively worsened.
He was not far from his end.
What awaited him was boundless solitude, shadowing him closely.
The future path of the Great Tang was still there, yet his strength had been exhausted; he could no longer rally troops to engage in distant campaigns.
For the sake of future generations, he ultimately set aside the burdensome affairs of the court, dedicating his remaining energy to paving the way for the unaccomplished undertakings of the Great Tang.
This, too, could not be rushed.
Li Shimin was always nurturing his health, trying to hold on for a little longer.
The news of the Great Tang’s maritime expedition continued to spread to all corners of the world.
Such a significant event naturally drew great attention from all directions, and even though there were no concrete outcomes yet, under the prestige of the Great Tang, emissaries chose to come and offer their congratulations.
At the suggestion of Gu Jing, Li Shimin ultimately agreed to hold a grand celebration of the event.
He wished to dispel the current sense of decline within the Great Tang that arose because of him.
This was the last thing Li Shimin could do for the Great Tang; he wanted to leave a prosperous court for the Great Tang.
In the twenty-second year of Zhenguan, at the end of January.
Li Shimin, the Emperor of the Great Tang, celebrated his fiftieth birthday.
In this time when "life at seventy is rare," reaching the age of "knowing the celestial mandate" safely was already a rarity.
Moreover, Li Shimin was a diligent Emperor who worked tirelessly for over twenty years!
Such longevity, such achievements, such dedication—on the grand pages of history, they are indeed extraordinary!
The dignitaries of all nations gathered in Chang’an!
The entire Great Tang highly valued this event.
The court sought to promote national prestige, and even the common people felt proud of the current prosperity of the Great Tang.
Despite his physical discomfort,
In front of the envoys from all nations, Li Shimin nonetheless endured all physical pains, grandly showcasing his authority at the banquet.
Taiji Hall.
The majestic golden hall, brilliantly lit.
The envoys from all nations, in sequence, presented gifts of rare treasures, and the resonant birthday congratulations echoed through the hall.
"Congratulations to the Celestial Khan on his longevity! This is a treasure from the Deep Sea Dragon Palace, only a sacred lord of the celestial empire is worthy of its glory!"
"Buddhism spreads eastward, protecting the sacred lord! May His Majesty enjoy eternal peace and well-being, as indestructible as Vajra!"
"A divine steed from the snowy plains, presented to a heroic master! May His Majesty have the vitality of a dragon and horse, with awe spread across the dominions!"
"..."
One emissary after another entered the hall in turn, presenting gifts prepared by their countries for Li Shimin.
All the ministers beheld this scene.
Some were filled with excitement, some had eyes brimmed with tears.
This grand era is connected to all of them; this is something that is enough to make any scholar feel proud.