sovbooks Chapter 47 This is also for your own good.
Chapter 47 This is also for your own good.
Li Er walked leisurely along the palace road with his hands behind his back.
Yang Zhengdao followed closely behind, pondering to himself.
Instead of waiting for Li Er to dig another pit for him, it's better to take the initiative and guide the conversation.
Moreover, it was a rare opportunity to meet Li Er alone.
Yang Zhengdao decided to speak to Li Er, hoping to raise Li Er's vigilance against the Japanese.
Even if Li Er doesn't listen, at least a seed can be planted in his heart.
The impact of the Japanese envoys to Tang China on Japan was no less than a complete transformation of the world.
Before Japan sent envoys to Tang China, the country was characterized by numerous clans, chaotic laws, and even a not-yet-fully-formed writing system.
In agriculture, they practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, used rudimentary farming tools, and lacked intensive farming and irrigation techniques. In handicrafts, iron smelting was inefficient, weapons were crude, they were unable to smelt refined iron, and they did not know how to quench and refine steel.
While it can't be described as living a primitive, undeveloped society, it was certainly uncivilized and undeveloped.
Things like tea ceremony, traditional Chinese medicine, and samurai swords, which Japan later took pride in as national treasures, were all stolen from China, learned from the Tang Dynasty, and originated from the Japanese envoys to Tang China.
It can be said that Japan's great development was entirely due to the support of Tang Dynasty's culture and technology, which saved Japan at least a thousand years of struggle.
But how did Japan actually act in history?
In the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, Japan sent its first batch of envoys to Tang China. Thirty-two years later, Japan began to show its teeth at Tang China, which led to the Battle of Baekgang.
To say that Japan is an ungrateful wolf that can never be tamed is to insult wolves.
When it comes to resisting Japanese aggression, college students have always been the most steadfast in their stance.
Yang Zhengdao took a deep breath and moved half a step closer to Emperor Taizong: "Your Majesty, I have another suggestion, and I humbly request that you consider it!"
Another remonstrance!?
Li Er raised an eyebrow.
He was just about to use Yang Zhengdao's "work relief" policy to test him, but unexpectedly, this kid had another suggestion!
He could only stop in his tracks, and said rather helplessly, "Please speak freely."
Yang Zhengdao bowed respectfully.
"When a sage imparts his teachings, he must offer a gift of money, treating his teacher as a father; when a Buddhist monk transmits his scriptures, he emphasizes offerings of money, for the Dharma is not taken for nothing; when a craftsman passes on his skills, he must serve for three years, strictly adhering to the rules of the trade. These are all common sense. Does Your Majesty agree?"
Li Er looked suspicious. He suddenly remembered the audience he had presented at the Liangyi Hall last time.
Last time, this kid also started by talking about something else, and then revealed his true intentions.
I wonder what tricks they'll pull this time.
Li Er glared at Yang Zhengdao and said irritably, "I agree."
Yang Zhengdao deliberately shrank his neck and continued:
"I know that the Japanese envoys sent to Tang China to study our Great Tang, learning everything from its national system and military institutions to its laws, regulations, agriculture, and industry. May I ask Your Majesty, did Japan offer any tuition fees, tributes, or labor services?"
The matter he was advising on was actually about the Japanese envoy to Tang China.
Li Er felt a sense of relief. It was just a tiny country, separated by oceans, and insignificant.
He then remembered that the Hundred Cavalry Command had reported that the young man had had some conflict with two Japanese envoys to Tang China.
So, this scoundrel abused his power for personal gain? Was he seeking revenge?
Li Er's pupils contracted, and he said in a deep voice, "The Great Tang Dynasty pacifies distant lands with benevolence and does not concern itself with petty gains. If they submit and adopt our customs, it will be enough to win the hearts of all directions. Why would we need mere wealth?"
Submission and surrender?!
I'll tolerate anything else you say.
You say Japan is submissive?! That's intolerable!
A fire suddenly ignited in Yang Zhengdao's chest, and his tone became increasingly intense.
"May I ask Your Majesty, can Japan be considered a vassal state? Can it be a subject? To learn from others without becoming a vassal, to admire their culture without becoming a subject—what kind of obedience is this?"
Li Er was immediately rendered speechless.
Yang Zhengdao was right; the Court of State Ceremonial did not receive any request from the Japanese envoys to Tang China to become vassals and pay tribute.
The Japanese envoys to Tang China copied everything from the Tang Dynasty and learned it thoroughly, but in the end, the Tang Dynasty didn't even get the title of suzerain state.
Li Er couldn't help but clench his fist; he really wanted to punch someone!
He was supposed to vent his anger, but instead of getting a word out, he got choked by the kid.
But what this kid said was true and reasonable.
Li Er could only argue, "Japan is separated by the sea and is uncivilized. It is a small and poor country, no better than Yelang."
Yelang!?
Upon hearing this word, Yang Zhengdao felt a momentarily dejected.
Prejudice in people's hearts is truly a mountain.
At that time, the Tang people viewed the Japanese as arrogant and disrespectful, and paid them no attention.
Therefore, Li Er cannot be blamed for this.
We can't communicate! What should we do?
He wasn't Wei Zheng, nor did he have the support of the Shandong gentry; he dared not point his finger at them and curse them.
Moreover, Li Er is now on the verge of becoming a red-hot region.
Yang Zhengdao had no choice but to back down and follow Li Er's advice to fight the Japanese pirates indirectly.
He bowed again, his voice softening.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that teaching children etiquette is called education, while teaching them weapons is called harm. Your Majesty is benevolent and pities the Japanese, who are as ignorant as children. Therefore, the weapons of the nation must not be given to them. This is also to protect the Japanese."
That's right, our Emperor Li Er is benevolent. He doesn't allow you to learn from him, and this is for the good of your Japan.
Upon hearing this, Li Er's gaze sharpened.
He had to admit that the kid's statement about "a child wielding a weapon" did have some merit.
The phrase "This is also to protect Japan" is particularly insightful.
When it came to matters of state, his personal grudge against Yang Zhengdao vanished instantly.
The matter of the Japanese envoys to Tang China certainly requires more caution.
With this in mind, he asked in a deep voice, "In your opinion, what constitutes a nation's most valuable asset?"
That must be science and technology!
After a moment's thought, Yang Zhengdao replied, "Military affairs, agricultural administration, and all kinds of crafts."
Li Er frowned immediately. The weapons and armor were good, and they were indeed the nation's most powerful weapons; food was the people's most important necessity, and agricultural policies were understandable, but what about the various crafts...?
"Why do you say that the various crafts are powerful tools?"
"Those skilled in metallurgy can forge swords and hoes; those skilled in construction can build cities and fortify defenses, and dig canals to control floods; those skilled in weaving can clothe the people and bring warmth to all; those skilled in traditional Chinese medicine can prevent and treat diseases and increase the population."
After hearing Yang Zhengdao's words, Li Er was deeply moved, yet also felt enlightened.
This man's words have a style reminiscent of Guan Zhong.
That makes perfect sense, that is indeed the truth!
It was as if a window had been opened for Li Er, allowing him to seriously consider the importance of all crafts for the first time.
After a moment of silence, he revealed a kind smile, his gaze falling on Yang Zhengdao's arms, and even his tone became very gentle.
"Zhengdao, is your arm still sore?"
Yang Zhengdao was taken aback. What was going on?!
Why the sudden change in art style?!
Li Er's signature heartwarming drama, I get it!
Yang Zhengdao bowed deeply: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I only feel soreness and numbness in my arm, but it's nothing serious."
Li Er shook his head: "After you get back, first apply hot water to your arms, then gently massage them with herbal medicine to loosen up the congested muscles. Otherwise, you won't be able to lift your arms tomorrow, and you might even have difficulty holding a pen or chopsticks."
Such dedication?! The emotional value must be maximized!
Yang Zhengdao was immediately moved and said, "Uncle's love is like the rain and dew of the heavens, benefiting everyone; his kindness is as deep as the ocean and as heavy as mountains."
Li Er's lips twitched involuntarily, thinking to himself that if Wei Xuancheng were half as good at talking as this kid, that would be great.
Just then, the timekeeping board in the inner court sounded, and the evening drum of Chengtian Gate came from afar.