"Grandfather and elders, you have said it yourself. In the past, when the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate invaded the borders, we were able to trade two for three, perhaps even more. But now, we are trading two for two, and we have suffered even more casualties. Did grandfather and elders really think that it was just because of the metal weapons? Could it be that by restricting the metal weapons, this situation will be changed, and the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate will weaken? "
Wang Chong organized his thoughts and faced the gazes of the elders in the conference hall. His words left everyone dumbfounded. Everyone had only been thinking about the metal weapons, and they had never thought about anything more profound.
Just as Wang Chong said, the rise of the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate was already an established fact, and it wasn't something that could be changed with just a few metal weapons.
"Chong-er, what are you trying to say?"
Even Wang Chong's big uncle had a grim expression on his face. As an influential official of the royal court, he had the authority to discuss politics, so he was extremely sensitive to such matters.
"Every hundred years, the nomads of the steppe will experience a great rise. This is the trend of the times, and no one can change it. This was the case for the Qin, the Great Han, and the Sui. It's the same for the Tang dynasty now. It's no longer a problem for the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate in the north. It's the same for the Ouzan Plateau in the west, Goguryeo in the east, and Erhai in the south. "
"We can't change the fate of these nomads and barbaric tribes! The only thing we can do is to change ourselves! That's why grandson said that this matter isn't at the borders, but the Tang dynasty itself, not the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate. "
Wang Chong said grimly. Even though he had reincarnated, Wang Chong couldn't help but worry when he thought about the dire situation that the Tang dynasty was facing.
After his rebirth, only he himself knew how many days and nights he had been unable to sleep.
The people in this meeting hall were all important ministers. Although many of them had already retired, their lifetime of influence was still there. Their families still had a huge influence in the court and the common people.
As the saying goes, "A dam of a thousand miles can collapse because of an ant's nest." The current Tang dynasty was already in grave danger. All it needed was a trigger, and it would all explode at once. The fact that the people in the conference hall were able to notice the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates in the north was already a testament to their foresight.
However, Wang Chong knew that this was not enough. This was not the fundamental problem at all.
Wang Chong had to think of a way to warn them, and through them, through this meeting hall, he could influence even more people!
"… However, the Central Plains has been peaceful for many years. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, he forced the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate to the north of the Yin Mountains, forcing many barbarians to submit to him. He then conquered Annan. During the reign of the late Emperor, he established the Northern Protectorate Manor, Chanyu Protectorate Manor, and Annan Protectorate Manor, further expanding his influence. In the early years of the current dynasty, he expanded his influence to the Western Regions and established the Western Protectorate Manor. "
"After so many years of victories, our dynasty's influence has grown to its peak. Not only did it surpass the Sui Dynasty, it even surpassed the Han and Qin Dynasties, reaching an unprecedented level of power in the Central Plains! Yet, didn't grandfather and the other elders realize it? It is precisely because of this that the entire court is starting to feel 'complacent'. "
Recalling the current situation of the Tang dynasty, Wang Chong's heart felt heavy. Regardless of whether it was the strongest Xiongnu or the strongest Turkic Khaganate, they eventually succumbed to the hooves of the dynasty of the Central Plains. However, the true problem was that the people's hearts were scattered.
"I have heard of a poem in the past: The youths of the Ying Continent hate the wilderness, they hunt beneath the city walls covered in fox fur. A thousand cups of wine won't intoxicate them, Hu 'er can ride a horse at the age of ten. "
"While we are pursuing the fox fur and clothing, indulging in luxurious pleasures, taking pride in not getting drunk, the Turkic Khaganate in the north are already training their children to ride horses and shoot arrows, taking pride in killing their enemies on the battlefield."
"The Turkic Khaganate is easy to conquer, but the hearts of the people are hard to tame. I believe that this is the true problem!! "
At the end of his speech, Wang Chong's heart felt incomparably heavy. This wasn't Wang Chong trying to convince the elders or show off in front of them. Rather, it was Wang Chong's personal experience in his previous life.
Later on, when his life was full of hardships and he was wandering alone, he accidentally heard that poem. Many things could only be seen clearly when the wood had already turned into a boat, and there was no turning back!
But by that time, it would already be nighttime.
The current Tang dynasty was living a life of luxury, and the hearts of the people had changed. It was no longer the original Tang dynasty. It was a pity that many people who were caught up in the situation didn't realize this.
The conference hall was silent, and the atmosphere was heavy. Initially, the elders were only interested in listening to Wang Chong's opinion and see how Duke Jiu's grandson would amaze the world with a single feat. However, the more they listened, the heavier their hearts became. When they heard Wang Chong reciting that poem by the borders, they were even more shocked, as if this was the first time they had noticed Duke Jiu's grandson.
Even Grandpa Sheng, who was sitting in the main hall, was shocked.
He invited Wang Chong in and suddenly asked. He wanted to use this method to test this grandson of his. He wanted to see how capable he was, how talented he was, and what kind of position he should be bestowed upon him in the future.
As for the matter of the successor …
From Wang Chong's big uncle Wang Gen to Wang Chong's father Wang Yan, to Wang Chong's big brother Wang Fu and cousin Wang Li, he had been disappointed far too many times.
Conquering a group of old brothers, old subordinates, and gaining their recognition was not an easy task to accomplish in the first place.
After so many years, he had already given up hope.
Yet, the old master didn't expect that Wang Chong's performance would far surpass his expectations. This was no longer a question of whether he was satisfied or not.
What this grandson of his had displayed had far exceeded the content of the test.
For the first time, he suddenly saw a glimmer of hope.
The reactions of the crowd fell into Wang Li's eyes, and his complexion turned even more awful.
"Chong gongzi, I would like to ask you a question. Did you compose that poem yourself? Or is it true? "
In the conference hall, Elder Ye suddenly asked. There seemed to be a deeper meaning behind his stern voice.
If Wang Chong was the one who composed that poem, then it could only mean that Duke Jiu's grandson was talented. This could only mean that Duke Jiu's grandson was very talented. To be able to write such a poem in the context of the Great Tang's current prosperity and the unique characteristics of the Turkic nomadic tribes, there was no doubt about his talent.
Given his fifteen-year-old age, it was indeed an astonishing feat. It was reminiscent of Duke Jiu when he was young.
However, if such a poem really came from the borders, then the nature of the matter would be different. The situation would be much more serious.
This was no longer a problem of Duke Jiu recommending his grandson. This was a matter of national importance.
"There is indeed such a matter!"
Wang Chong said grimly. He had heard of this poem in his previous life, but it wasn't something that only appeared when he was listening to it. Rather, it had existed among the commoners for a very long time.
Even if the elders here were to send someone to investigate it, they would still be able to find it!
The moment Wang Chong said those words, the atmosphere in the conference hall turned solemn. The subordinates of the old master glanced at one another with grim expressions.
They weren't worried that Wang Chong was lying. After all, such matters could be easily found out. Instead, the elders were considering other matters.
"Duke Jiu, even though we have been obsessed with the matter regarding the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate for several decades, our foresight and knowledge are truly beneath that of Young Master Chong. But in terms of insight and knowledge, we are truly inferior to Young Master Chong. Just like what Young Master Chong said, the matter regarding the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate doesn't lie in the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate, but in the royal court, not in the weapons, but in the hearts of the people. Duke Jiu should have told His Majesty that His Majesty has come to pay his respects! "
Duke Ye's beard trembled as he said with a heavy heart.
Wang Chong was only a fifteen-year-old child while the elders were all in their fifties. They were all experienced and knowledgeable. But it was precisely because of this that the elders knew that Wang Chong wasn't lying.
The Turkic Khaganate might be easy to resolve, but the hearts of the people were no longer the same. This was the true problem.
This was something that even old officials like them could do nothing about.
This was the reason why Duke Ye's heart was filled with worry.
After muddling through life for so many years, no one could have imagined that they would hear such insightful insight from a mere teenage grandson of Duke Jiu.
"Let's wait for His Majesty to arrive. I'll discuss it with him. "
At the head of the conference hall, the old master nodded his head with a heavy heart. He didn't expect that a conversation between brothers and a test for his grandson would end up in such a manner.
But compared to this, what he was truly worried about was the grim situation the empire was facing.
"Congratulations, Duke Jiu. The Wang Clan has produced a Qilin son!"
"To possess such insightful views on military affairs at such a young age, he will surely become a pillar of the empire in the future. His future is limitless!"
"Young Master Chong resembles Duke Jiu from back then!"
"In time, our Tang dynasty will surely produce another important official!"
"Congratulations, Duke Jiu!"
"Congratulations, Young Master Chong!"
… …
The elders in the hall congratulated each other. Their actions were different from how they treated the grandson of the Wang Clan, Wang Li. This time, the elders were sincere. They looked at Wang Chong, who was seated by the corner, with admiration in their eyes.
"Come, Young Master Chong, sit beside me!"
'Duke Ye', who exuded a killing aura and had a sharp eye for strategy, suddenly beckoned to Wang Chong. The more he looked at this child, the more he liked him.
He had met quite a few of Duke Jiu's direct descendants, but this child was the only one who left him in a different light. In fact, he even cherished his talent.
If he were to be groomed well, this child's future would be limitless.
This wasn't just empty words, but his intuition. He, Ye Dong, had a sharp eye for people, and he had never made a mistake in those whom he had set his eyes on. This person couldn't be wrong either.
Wang Chong was taken aback. He subconsciously turned to look at his grandfather, who was seated at the head of the hall.
"Hehe, go on, go on! Since Ye Dong likes you, you should sit beside him. "
The old man waved his hand and smiled as he sat on the top seat.
He had lived an upright and incorruptible life, and he rarely smiled. But today, he was truly delighted.
"Yes, grandfather!"
Upon receiving his grandfather's approval, Wang Chong nodded his head and moved his seat to 'Duke Ye's' side.
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