The Great Han Dynasty: From Feng Lang Juxu to the Eternal Emperor

Chapter 444 Opposition from the Western Region Countries

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was not actually worried about this problem. With the current strong military strength of the Han Dynasty, the sixteen countries in the Western Regions would never dare to violate the will of the Han Dynasty.

After Li Guangli made a mistake, Mrs. Li also spoke kind words for Li Guangli in the harem. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty would not punish Li Guangli if the pillow blew.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's headache symptoms have not eased recently, and the Imperial Medical Office has not diagnosed any problems.

By September of the second year of Yuanfeng, the Ministry of Household Affairs announced new tax fund management measures to the world.

The merchants complained even more this time. At the same time, local household officials also began to check the merchants who had violated the rules before. Many local government officials arrested many people, and finally paid a huge amount of tax to settle the matter.

When the capital management measures and profit dividend management measures were introduced, businessmen were completely desperate.

They had already despaired once before, especially after the regulations on tax planning and business registration came out.

Fortunately, they found a loophole, but this time the court's financial reforms completely closed the loophole in commercial taxation.

In the same month, the Western Regions gave a reply. The sixteen countries were unified and they refused to return the armor sent by the Han Dynasty.

But the words were nicer, saying that they were very satisfied with the batch of armors from Dahan and were willing to spend more money to buy them.

You can actually make such low-level mistakes at the national strategic level, which shows how chaotic your current management is.

They also knew that the political power of the Han Dynasty was no longer under the control of the crown prince and had been returned to the emperor of the Han Dynasty.

The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Western Regions said this sincerely and could not find any fault. Even if they refused, they were not willing to offend the big man.

Since you are wrong, then I will spend more money to buy your armor.

When the words of the Sixteen Kingdoms in the Western Regions reached the ears of the imperial court, the three provinces couldn't help but become worried.

Today at the great court meeting, the Minister of Rites came out to inform Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty of the voices of the countries in the Western Regions.

After hearing this, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was extremely angry and said sternly: "The countries in the Western Regions are so bold!"

Sang Hongyang hurriedly came out. He seemed to have sensed that things were beginning to develop in an uncontrollable direction. Just as Weining was worried, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was very likely to launch troops against the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Western Regions.

If he really starts a war in anger, the consequences will be disastrous.

"Your Majesty, the countries in the Western Regions have reasonable grounds for this matter, and their words are sincere. There is nothing wrong with it. The fault lies with me, the great man."

Li Guangli came out with a dark face and said: "Is this a matter of right and wrong? Your Majesty has already sent people to talk to the Western Regions, not to bully him."

"Now the countries in the Western Region are so rude to the Han people. If something similar happens again in the future, don't we have to retreat step by step?"

Li Guangli avoided the important issues and ignored the light ones, not talking about his own problems at all.

But wasn’t the root cause of the matter caused by you?

If it hadn't been for your carelessness as Minister of the Ministry of Finance, how could this have happened? Now you actually have the nerve to say that you were wrong in the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Western Regions?

Li Guangli clasped his fists and came out of the queue and said to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "Your Majesty, I am willing to personally take command and go to the northwest to conquer the barbarian countries in the Western Regions!"

Sang Hongyang said angrily: "Since ancient times, military affairs have been the first of all things. To start a war, you need to have faith, a goal, and a reason to fight. Only in this way can soldiers have the greatest courage."

"What are we fighting for now? How do we say that to the soldiers?"

Li Guangli sneered and said: "There is no need for reasons or excuses to send troops. As long as the troops are superior and we suppress the opponent in terms of numbers and weapons, defeating them is not a problem. Mr. Sang is a financial official, so there is no need to worry about these things."

Sang Hongyang asked: "How much budget do you, Mr. Li, plan to have for this battle?"

"I don't have to worry about it, so don't you plan to ask for the military expenses?"

Li Guangli said: "Of course not, how can we spend less money on military expenses?"

"Your Majesty, I only need 50,000 men, equipped with fire guns, thunder, heavy cavalry, and light cavalry to completely conquer the vast Western Region."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty pondered for a moment and did not speak. Dong Zhongshu and his father Yan also asked Li Guangli at this time: "May I ask what military goals you want to achieve?"

"Destroyed the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Western Region?"

Li Guangli said: "It won't be like this. I forced them to sign a surrender letter and return all the armor they sent."

"What's the point?"

"For such a small amount of armor, is it a bit fussy to launch such a big war?"

"Moreover, we cannot stand morally. Today you can conquer the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Western Regions because of a trivial matter."

"Tomorrow it could be southern Xinjiang, and the day after tomorrow it could be a small country in the southwest."

"As a result, how can the small countries around us be safe?"

The master's father spoke solemnly.

Moreover, is it really that easy to conquer the Western Regions without blood feud?
Will the soldiers of the Han Dynasty fight with all their strength?
Who is willing to pay for your court's decision-making mistakes?
Sang Hongyang also spoke to stop Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and said: "Your Majesty, you need to be cautious about this matter and don't act out of emotion."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty stared at Sang Hongyang and said, "Can they return that batch of armor from the Western Regions?"

"If they don't return it, will this batch of armor be given to them for free?"

Sang Hongyang said: "They are willing to pay more."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said sternly: "Our own soldiers are not even equipped with this batch of armor!"

"They can equip their soldiers by paying for it?"

Sang Hongyang said helplessly: "This is the fault of our Han Dynasty. Why should your majesty vent your anger on me? You might as well ask Mr. Li what he was doing at that time."

"Why would a Minister of War make such a big mistake!"

Sang Hongyang also risked his life, not afraid of Emperor Wu's scolding, and spoke forcefully to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty pointed at Sang Hongyang, stood up suddenly, and glared angrily: "Are you questioning me?"

Sang Hongyang clasped his fists and said, "I don't dare. I'm just thinking about the big man and Your Majesty."

Emperor Wu of Han laughed loudly: "So, you are still the most loyal minister of my court, right?"

"The etiquette teaches you loyalty, just to contradict me?"

Sang Hongyang said: "Your Majesty, I am not contradicting you, I am just discussing the matter."

"The fault is not with the Western Regions, but with Li Guangli. Your Majesty really wants to deal with it, so why don't you use the Ministry of War to vent your anger? Only in this way can you convince the public."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty twitched his face fiercely and stared at Sang Hongyang coldly.

Master Fu Yan even felt that Sang Hongyang had gone too far, so he came to Sang Hongyang and said: "Master Sang, please don't be rude and apologize to your Majesty immediately."

Only then did Sang Hongyang feel Weining's frustration. He felt that the once wise and mighty Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty seemed to have changed and became headstrong.

Sang Hongyang refused to admit his mistake and said: "I am not guilty, good words will always hurt others!"

"Be bold!"

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty pointed at Sang Hongyang and said angrily: "I will put this animal in prison! I will punish you for the crime of disrespect!"

Sang Hongyang clasped his fists and said, "I am willing to accept the punishment. Please treat everyone equally and punish Li Guangli, Minister of War, if he commits a crime!"

(End of this chapter)