If the Tang Empire won, it would say to its opponents: "You damn well behave yourself in the future, or be careful that I wipe out your entire clan. Pay tribute obediently every year!"
<...As a transit point for maritime trade and a major military stronghold for the Southern Continent's navy, it helped the emperor control the Southern Continent and the South China Sea, and deterred other countries in the southern seas.
Especially powerful countries like Srivijaya.
"Your Majesty, the Annam navy now has 10,000 men, and they began equipping themselves with muskets last month!"
"How many troops would be needed to take Srivijaya?"
Zhao Gou estimated for a moment and said, "Although Srivijaya is a major country in the southern seas, it is nothing but a tiny, insignificant place to our Great Song Dynasty! If Your Majesty wants to attack Srivijaya, you don't need too many soldiers; just five thousand elite troops will suffice!"
Zhao Gou added, "Your Majesty, my biggest concern is that the Great Song is thousands of miles away from Srivijaya. Even if troops are dispatched from the southern continent, the court has too little control and understanding of the front lines, which poses a significant risk."
"There's no need to worry about that. A good general in the field may not always obey orders. I only need him to conquer Srivijaya. How he fights is his business. I don't have time to worry about him!"
Zhao Huan said in a deep voice, "Recall Li Bao from Japan. I want to appoint him as the military commissioner of Annam. He is to destroy Srivijaya for me! Destroy Srivijaya! After that, let's see who dares to block the ships of the Great Song Dynasty in the southern seas!"
"yes!"
Zhao Gou intended to take his leave, but he couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, Choryan (southern India) has sharply reduced its purchases of silk and tea from the Song Dynasty this year, and has begun to restrict the number of Song Dynasty merchant ships docking at its ports."
P.S.: My cervical spine has been bothering me lately, and I'm currently undergoing treatment.
However, I still plan to set a goal: the current average subscription is 1,000, and the daily follow-up reading is only 500. Seeing these numbers, I feel that writing a book is not very fulfilling.
If I read along with the text for 1000 times, I will read it at 3 AM every day without fail; if I read it for 1500 times, I will read it at 4 AM every day without fail.
Knowing that many people are reading gives me the motivation to write!