Time passed slowly but surely. Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an, grew older day by day, while Crown Prince Chen Chuyan grew up day by day.
In the blink of an eye, another ten years have passed.
The twentieth year of the reign of Emperor Zhaowu of the Tang Dynasty.
After Chen Huai'an's twenty years of diligent governance, the Tang Dynasty had far surpassed the other three great empires of the same period in terms of economic, cultural, and scientific and technological development.
"The prosperous and powerful Zhaowu era" is no longer just a simple slogan, but a reality that is happening right now.
At this time, Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an was about to enter the age of knowing one's destiny. He had grown a long beard on his chin, and his whole person exuded a majestic and wise temperament. In particular, his deep eyes seemed to be able to see through the world and people's hearts at a glance.
In the [Born to Be an Emperor] system, the notification sound about achieving the [Emperor of All Ages] achievement and unlocking the exploration of immortality has still not sounded;
Even Chen Huai'an himself couldn't remember how long it had been since he had activated the [Born to Be an Emperor] system.
In fact, after Chen Huai'an personally led his last expedition in June of the first year of Zhaowu and defeated the Arab Empire that was conquering the east in the Western Regions, he never activated the system again.
The entire Tang Dynasty had fully acquired the ability to "generate its own blood," and could achieve a virtuous cycle of development in both military and economic aspects (mainly in terms of food and supplies).
Including in the later period, during the twenty-year campaign against the Arab Empire, apart from the initial 800,000 troops who were produced by the system, the subsequent expeditionary force of up to one million soldiers were recruited from within the Tang Dynasty.
Moreover, Chen Huai'an did not continue to summon those legendary historical generals with outstanding military achievements from the system to command troops. Instead, he cultivated and promoted officials from the military under the existing system.
For example, Pang Zhongwang, the eldest son of Pang Xianchu, Duke of Jin; Chang Mao, the eldest son of Chang Yuchun, Duke of Wei; Wang Ben, the eldest son of the Duke of Qin; Huo Wuwei, the eldest son of Huo Qubing, Marquis of Champion; and Lan Bin, the eldest son of Lan Yu, Marquis of Anxi, etc.
These "second-generation" sons of the founding generals and nobles of the Tang Dynasty, who were only in their early twenties, had already grown rapidly into capable Tang generals through the teachings of their fathers and the practical experience of fighting in the Western Regions. They inherited their fathers' ambitions and continued to expand the territory and make great achievements for the Tang Dynasty!
This was something Chen Huai'an did intentionally.
Its purpose was to maintain the martial spirit of the people of the Tang Dynasty and to prevent the overall military strength of the country from declining drastically.
Otherwise, once these legendary historical generals who followed him in conquering the country passed away, the mighty Tang Dynasty would become nothing more than a paper tiger, and any challenge or threat from the outside world could lead to its downfall.
Using war as training to cultivate the second generation of military commanders in the Tang army was something that Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an had been working on during his reign. It could be considered as cultivating his own civil and military officials for Crown Prince Chen Chuyan.
In the second decade after Chen Huai'an ascended the throne, everything was developing as Chen Huai'an had envisioned.
In the past two or three years, he has handed over most of the domestic and foreign affairs to Crown Prince Chen Chuyan and Prime Minister Yu Siqian.
He was happy to steal a moment of leisure, watering the flowers and feeding the fish in the Imperial Garden every day, and occasionally inviting a few of his former subordinates to the Imperial Kitchen for drinks and chats. He lived a rather pleasant life.
On this day, in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden.
Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an was in a pavilion in the Imperial Garden with Duke Chang Yuchun of Wei, Duke Pang Xianchu of Jin, and Duke Wang Jian of Qin, discussing philosophy over wine and reminiscing about the past.
Suddenly, a cry of surprise rang out from the Imperial Garden from Crown Prince Chen Chuyan: "Father, good news! Urgent news from beyond the borders—"
Um?
Upon hearing this, the three dukes in the pavilion in the Imperial Garden all raised their eyebrows and subconsciously looked in the direction from which the sound came.
Only Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an, remained seated in the main seat, taking a small sip of wine. Only when Crown Prince Chen Chuyan knelt before him to pay his respects did he calmly reprimand him, saying, "Yan'er, how many times has your father told you? You are the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty; you must be mindful of your conduct. Don't be so hasty in everything."
Then, he casually asked, "Yan'er, what did you just say? What's this about the urgent news from beyond the borders?"
"Speak slowly and carefully!"
"Yes, Father!"
Crown Prince Chen Chuyan was reprimanded by his father. Although his joy was somewhat contained, it was clear to everyone that the Crown Prince's face was filled with undisguised delight.
Chen Chuyan took a few deep breaths and then said, "Your Majesty, I have just received an urgent report from the Western King (Second Prince Chen Chuqing) ten days ago, sent from Baghdad beyond the borders—"
"Then, the second Abbasid Caliph Menes, led the remnants of the Abbasid Caliphate who had retreated to the Caucasus Mountains to surrender to the western expeditionary army of our Great Tang Dynasty half a month ago!"
Wow!
These words shocked the three dukes present.
However, what shocked the three of them even more was yet to come.
Crown Prince Chen Chuyan continued, "Father, Chuqing also said in his letter that the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II, three days after the Arab Empire surrendered to our Tang Dynasty's western expeditionary army, also sent a letter of surrender, expressing his willingness to submit to the Tang Dynasty and recognize our Tang Dynasty as his suzerain state!"
brush!
At this point, the three dukes present could no longer contain their excitement and stood up abruptly, so excited that they could hardly speak.
Only Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an, remained calm and composed, as if all of this was within his expectations.
He looked at the three dukes in front of him, who were so excited that they were waving their arms and legs. These were his three old comrades who had followed him to conquer the world, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.
In fact, Chen Huai'an could understand the feelings of his three old friends at this moment.
Because Chang Mao, son of the Duke of Wei, Pang Zhongwang, son of the Duke of Jin, and Wang Ben, son of the Duke of Qin, were all in the army of the Western Expedition, fighting alongside the Second Prince, Chen Chuqing, the Western King, on the front lines of the Caucasus.
This time, the Arab Empire, which had resisted the Tang Dynasty for twenty years, was finally completely conquered by the Tang Dynasty. How could these fathers not be happy for their sons?
With such military achievements, it is highly likely that the Duke's title will be hereditary and permanent.
This is such a wonderful thing! How could anyone not be excited and overjoyed?
The next moment, Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an, taking advantage of this good news, raised his wine cup and said to his old comrades, "Come, three dukes, let us raise our cups together and drink to our children who are fighting on the front lines far away, and wish them a triumphant return from their western expedition!"
"cheers!"
"Dry!"
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