amaotonovel Chapter 346: Equal Multi-ethnic Tang Dynasty!
Chapter 346: Equal Multi-ethnic Tang Dynasty!
After Qin Ruzhao retreated steadily, Li Chengqian still had his signature smile on his face and turned his gaze to the Arab envoy Muhammad.
At this time, the atmosphere in Hanyuan Hall was slightly relaxed and cheerful due to the previous episode.
Li Chengqian raised his chin slightly and asked in a steady voice, "Arab envoy, in your opinion, how does the Tang Dynasty compare to the Sui Dynasty?"
There seemed to be a hint of boasting in the tone.
Muhammad hurried forward and bowed respectfully. His deep eyes revealed a shrewd and sophisticated expression as he responded in fluent Chinese: "Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty is full of martial virtues and far surpasses the Sui Dynasty!"
When these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials were stunned at first, and then burst into hearty and cheerful laughter.
Li Chengqian and Li Shimin looked at each other and couldn't help laughing at this straightforward and appropriate answer. Smiles spread across their faces like a spring breeze.
"Arab envoy, please take a seat quickly and enjoy your meal. Don't go hungry."
Li Chengqian said with a smile that was friendly.
"My Tang Dynasty has established friendly relations with you Arabia. Next year, we will have many important business transactions."
"I'm in urgent need of a large number of Kunlun slaves, and I'm relying on you Arab merchants to take care of this."
"Come, return to your seat, I will have a drink with you!"
After saying this, Li Chengqian gracefully extended his hand and gently picked up the wine glass in front of him that was carved with dragons and phoenixes.
Muhammad did not dare to slack off at all and hurriedly turned around and returned to his seat.
His movements were a little reserved. He carefully reached out and picked up the cup, his posture very low and his eyes full of awe.
He stared closely at Li Chengqian's every move until he saw Li Chengqian raise his head and drink the wine in the glass. Only then did he pick up the glass as if relieved, slowly brought it to his lips, and then drank it all in one gulp. As the wine entered his throat, he seemed to feel a sense of relief after a bit of tension and awe.
……
Time flies, and February of the third year of Qianwu quietly arrives amid people's anticipation and busyness.
Compared with the past, the vast land of the Tang Dynasty is full of vigorous vitality.
In the fields, the people worked hard, and the promotion and application of new farming techniques and agricultural tools led to a steady increase in grain production.
In the workshop, craftsmen work day and night. Their exquisite skills and innovative ideas make all kinds of handicrafts exquisite and sell well at home and abroad.
The commercial bazaar was even more bustling, with merchants from all over the country gathering here to trade a wide variety of goods, from silk and tea to porcelain and medicinal herbs.
Datang's productivity reached a new level.
Today's Tang Dynasty can truly be called a country of peace and prosperity.
The people live and work in peace and contentment, the streets are prosperous and bustling, and the atmosphere of prosperity is evident everywhere.
In the 15th year of Zhenguan, the amount of grain collected by the court was 6.13 million dan, which witnessed the stable development of the Tang Dynasty at that time, but it seemed somewhat pale in comparison with the 2nd year of Qianwu.
In the second year of Qianwu, just a short period of half a year, the amount of grain harvested was eight times that of the fifteenth year of Zhenguan. This astonishing growth rate is amazing.
At present, the imperial court is even more far-sighted and is emulating the wise actions of the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, vigorously promoting the strategy of storing grain for the people.
Thanks to this policy, the people will not have to hand over grain for at least the next five years, and every household will have full granaries and surplus grain.
The tragic scenes of people starving to death due to famine or poverty in previous years have long become the dust of history and will never appear again.
The people's faces were filled with satisfied smiles and they were full of expectations for their future lives.
In addition to the bumper grain harvest, the Tang Dynasty's financial revenue sources were also quite rich and diverse.
In the textile workshops, the weavers are busy day and night, producing exquisite silk cloth like trickles. Cotton, linen and other raw materials are processed by their skillful hands and become popular commodities in the market, continuously contributing wealth to the country.
As commercial activities became increasingly frequent, commercial taxes poured into the national treasury like crazy, and the amount was so huge that it was frightening.
There are shops lining the streets and alleys, including taverns, teahouses, cloth shops, and money houses. The streets are bustling with people coming and going.
Behind every transaction, there is the silent accumulation of commercial taxes.
A monopoly system was implemented for important resources such as salt and iron ore, and the imperial court strictly controlled the lifelines of these industries that were related to the national economy and people's livelihood.
In the salt fields, workers toiled under the scorching sun, drying out snow-white salt. In the ironworks, furnaces burned brightly, and craftsmen forged fine ironware.
These salt products not only met domestic demand, but were also exported overseas through trade, and the huge profits added to the national finances.
Tributes from vassal states never ceased, and rare treasures and special products gathered in the Tang Dynasty court.
The precious tributes, including fine horses and spices from the Western Regions, ivory and jewelry from the South, and furs and medicinal herbs from the North, not only demonstrated the influence of the Tang Dynasty but also became part of the national treasury.
In addition, the state-run handicraft industry flourished, and the exquisite products created by their superb craftsmanship not only met the needs of the court and government, but the remaining products were also sold on the market, generating considerable profits.
In general, the treasury revenue in the second year of Qianwu was nearly ten times that of the fifteenth year of Zhenguan.
When this statistical data was presented to the public, others might just marvel at the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and marvel at the brilliant achievements of this prosperous era.
But Li Shimin was so shocked that his eyes widened and his heart was filled with shock.
During his reign, although he worked hard to govern the country and was determined to create a prosperous Tang Dynasty, did he ever imagine that the Tang Dynasty would have such great wealth in such a short period of time?
This was beyond his imagination, and made the former emperor of the Tang Dynasty deeply feel the rapid changes of the times and the great progress of the Tang Dynasty.
The productivity of the Tang Dynasty completely released endless potential, and all industries flourished, creating a prosperous scene.
With more and more people doing business in the streets and alleys, the business tide is surging, and the amount of business tax has naturally risen sharply, which is staggering.
As a large amount of silver flowed into the Tang Dynasty, the price of Kunlun slaves was quietly driven up.
These Kunlun slaves from foreign lands became "commodities" sought after by the people of the Tang Dynasty with their unique appearance and strong physique.
Behind this prosperity, the lives and concepts of the people of the Tang Dynasty were also undergoing subtle changes.
Nowadays, people in every household seem less willing to rely solely on farming for their livelihood as before.
A bolder and more novel idea emerged in their minds. They hoped to buy more Kunlun slaves and bring them home, letting these strong foreigners cultivate the land for them, while they could let go and engage in business.
After all, Kunlun slaves are not only physically strong and have great endurance, but also do not need to be fed too much. Just a few whips can make them work diligently. In the eyes of the people, they are much more useful than mules.
Kunlun slaves can often be seen busy in the fields, while their masters, dressed in gorgeous clothes, shuttle between the markets and shops, planning business.
The Tang Dynasty, this vast and integrated country, has always advocated the concept of equality among all ethnic groups, and Li Chengqian has indeed been working hard to practice this concept.
He treated many foreign peoples equally, including Kunlun slaves, Silla maids, Bodhisattva barbarians, Persian girls, and Korean slaves.
However, the ethnic equality in the Tang Dynasty has its own unique connotation and charm.
The so-called equality actually means that the Tang people are the only ones who are superior. Except for the Tang people, all other nationalities are equal.
At court banquets, these foreigners could sit at the same table with the Tang people and share delicious food.
In their trade exchanges, they were also able to trade fairly with the Tang people and each got what they needed.
However, in the social order and cultural system of the Tang Dynasty, the Han people always occupied a dominant position and enjoyed the highest power and dignity.
This is the principle of equality that Li Chengqian holds in his heart. He attempts to implant slave mentality deeply into the minds of these foreigners, so that they will be in awe of the Tang Dynasty from generation to generation and dare not have the slightest rebellious heart.
Through various means such as etiquette norms, cultural education and social opinions, these foreigners were subtly influenced, making them gradually accustomed to and accepting this hierarchical concept of "equality".
The Tang Dynasty's treasury was becoming increasingly full and money was becoming more abundant, but expenses were also increasing day by day.
Even with such a strong treasury income, it seemed a little stretched in the face of Li Chengqian's grand plans.
Li Chengqian harbored ambitious plans to expand the territory and spread the prestige of the Tang Dynasty far and wide. He also planned to vigorously develop culture and education, cultivate more talented and capable people, and lay a solid foundation for the long-term stability of the Tang Dynasty. All of these plans required huge financial investments, and the pressure on the national treasury can be imagined.
Inside the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian held a report sent by Lin Dafu. The paper recorded the progress data of various affairs in detail.
As he browsed the contents of the report, his eyes gradually flashed with excitement, and a smug smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
It was clearly written on the report: One thousand Qianwu cannons have been manufactured and are now being transported eastward in a mighty manner.
Thanks to significant improvements in alloy technology, the service life of each gun has been extended and can now withstand the firing of five shells. However, if more than five shells are fired, the gun will face the risk of exploding and must be re-melted and remade.
These cannons are a symbol of the Tang Dynasty's military might and represent the hard work of countless craftsmen.
Their birth provided strong support for the Tang Dynasty's conquest.
Now that these powerful artillery pieces are ready, it’s time to put the plan to conquer Goguryeo on the agenda as soon as possible!
Li Chengqian had already pictured a magnificent war scene in his mind. Under the cover of artillery fire, the Tang Dynasty's cavalry would flatten the mountains and rivers of Goguryeo and make it a part of the Tang Dynasty!