This is a blessing for the current royal family.

For Zhao Huan, this was the best solution.

We can't let him abolish all the offending members of the royal family; that would have too many repercussions.

In ancient times, rule was based on the concept of "qi" (vital energy). If an emperor were to wage war against his own clan, the world would not see it as an act of righteousness against his own family, but rather as a great loss to the Zhao family's fortune.

Killing a few typical examples is enough.

From the highest level of perspective, this is the safest approach.

Moreover, in some respects...

Throughout history and geographically, China has always needed competition.

Unification has both advantages and disadvantages.

The benefits are self-evident.

The downside is that without external enemies, all conflicts will shift inward, and in order to protect itself, the imperial power will begin to stifle thought and cause serious internal strife.

This is why so many great ideas emerged during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

The most reasonable scenario would be to establish numerous vassal states in distant regions while ensuring the strength and security of the central empire.

These vassal states had to accept the culture, currency, laws, and commercial rules of the Central Kingdom, and had their own armies, but they also had to station troops from the Central Kingdom.

In this way, the central empire saved on management costs, while simultaneously laying the foundation for a safe and competitive environment for the entire Chinese civilization.

As for whether future generations could preserve the empire, that was beyond Zhao Huan's control.

After all, no system can guarantee an everlasting dynasty or ensure that future generations will continue to be emperors. Only if the future generations are capable and consolidate the central empire by weakening the surrounding areas is it a conservative strategy of maintaining the status quo.

A strong person should be brave enough to face competition!

In this way, civilization gains vitality and infinite possibilities.

The numerous schemes he has laid out now can ensure the influence of Chinese civilization, and the continuous strengthening and spread of Chinese civilization.

Of course, different places require different approaches.

For example, the methods of expansion and management to the west were definitely different from those to the southeast and Southeast Asia.

The members of the imperial family were deeply grateful to the emperor, and everyone enjoyed the banquet.

After finishing his conversation with the imperial family, the emperor hurriedly left.

Zhao Zhongcong waited respectfully in front of the emperor's study.

"This matter is entirely in your hands. Ensure that Zhao Zisong leads his people to Zhenla and that Zhao Shuxiang leads his people to Champa."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Zhongcong hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, what if neither Zhenla nor Champa is willing to accept us..."

Zhao Huan said simply and succinctly, "I do not need their acceptance; this is not a matter for discussion."

Zhao Zhongcong then realized that the emperor was about to launch a war!

Let the royal family members conquer their own territory!

"You need to discuss this matter with Li Gang, Zhong Shidao, and Xu Churen, and decide how many people and how much food they need."

"What if the royal family can't win..."

The emperor said calmly, "If you can't win, just wait to be killed. If you can't even defend your own territory, how dare you come back?"

Zhao Zhongcong shuddered; the emperor was truly ruthless.

The emperor added, “Going there won’t mean we’ll start fighting as soon as we arrive. The land there is vast and sparsely populated. Let’s set up a settlement there first. I won’t concern myself with these trivial matters. Go find Li Gang and the others. By the way, have Shi Xun arrange for people to build schools there. All the cultural and educational institutions in the vassal states must be the same as those in the Song Dynasty.”

This matter was definitely not as simple as the emperor described; at the very least, the enfeoffment of feudal lords required a ceremony.

The emperor certainly wouldn't concern himself with these specific matters; they would have to be handled by him, the one in charge of the imperial clan. In that case, we would have to go to Chen Yang, the Vice Minister of Rites.

Moreover, Zhao Zhongcong had a premonition that he would have to constantly worry about the feudal lords who would be enfeoffed in the future.

The troubles caused by the feudal lords have long been clearly recorded in historical books.

Now they are feudal lords. If one day these feudal lords become disobedient, the emperor will definitely have to find a way to issue an edict of favor.

Therefore, there will definitely be a lot of trouble ahead.

After dealing with the affairs of the imperial clan, Zhao Huan prepared to go back and get a good night's sleep, since there was an even more troublesome matter to deal with tomorrow: Yue Fei's affairs!

He had just entered his bedchamber when Shao Chengzhang came running in excitedly: "Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived."

Zhao Huan knew why Zhu Lian had come. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let her in."

After Zhu Lian entered, she quickly said, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Zhao Huan noticed that Zhu Lian's address and tone were somewhat different from usual, and knew that she had come to apologize on behalf of Zhao Chen.

Unlike the empresses in Qing Dynasty dramas of the 21st century, Zhu Lian was a very virtuous empress. She was well-educated and reasonable, managed the harem in an orderly manner, and also had a good relationship with Empress Dowager Zheng.

To achieve these things, one needs tolerance and patience.

Although Zhao Huan was busy with state affairs, he was well aware of Zhu Lian's difficulties.

Zhao Huan stepped forward and grasped Zhu Lian's hand: "Empress, it's so late, you haven't rested yet, take care of yourself."

Zhu Lian's tense heart instantly relaxed: "Your Majesty, it is my business to discipline Chen Ge'er. Your Majesty, please don't be angry with him. If you have any anger, take it out on me."

Zhao Huan's heart stirred; he finally understood why Zhu Lian could keep the harem peaceful.

An ordinary concubine might come and say to him, "Your Majesty, Chen Ge'er is young and ignorant, please don't be angry with him."

Young and ignorant? So that's an excuse for making reckless decisions on important matters?

Why were you so young and ignorant? Don't you have any self-awareness?

However, Zhu Lian took all the blame upon himself, which left Zhao Huan speechless and made him feel even more favorably toward Zhu Lian.

"Your Majesty, it's not entirely your fault. As Chen Ge'er's father, I also bear some responsibility."

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