Chapter 12: Li Shimin's Ambition (Third Update, Seeking Votes)

  The first day of the new year was a momentous occasion for the Tang Dynasty.

  It is also a traditional Chinese New Year's Day which has been passed down for nearly a thousand years and is also a day of paying respects to one another in other countries.

  Outside the Zhuque Gate, one by one, big and small countries, with a thousand people's tribute teams, respectfully waiting. It showed the prosperity and strength of the Tang Dynasty, showing the prestige of the Tang Dynasty in the international community.

  The Taiji Hall is the central main hall of the Daxing Palace, where the emperor mainly holds court and receives officials. On the first and fifteenth days of each month, the emperor would hold court in this hall to meet with his ministers and receive their reports. In addition, important ceremonies such as the enthronement of a new emperor, the coronation of an empress, crown prince, princes, and princesses, as well as banquets for foreign envoys were often held in this hall.

  Now it is generally the case, but since there are too many countries to congratulate. The Taiji Temple can't accommodate them at all, so the venue for the meeting will be chosen outside the Taiji Temple, and the square outside the temple that can accommodate 100,000 troops will be used to receive delegations from various countries!

  Li Shimin sat on the ninety-fifth step in front of Taiji Hall with high spirits, waiting for the arrival of envoys from various countries.

  That expression can be described as proud and self-satisfied to the extreme, with its tail almost raised to the sky.

  Du He stood beside Li Shimin, wearing a magnificent armor, looking handsome and extraordinary, with an air of triumph on his face.

  Originally, his status was not enough to participate in such a grand occasion, but this scene of national celebration was the first time in thousands of years. Du He really didn't want to miss it, and after discussing with his father without success, he secretly found Li Shimin.

  Li Shimin favored Du He greatly and did not refuse his requests. Knowing that Du had exceptional martial arts skills, he appointed him as a bodyguard to protect himself by his side at all times.

  At Du He's appearance, Du Ru Xue stared with wide eyes, a hint of chilliness seeping from them.

  Du He directly ignored him as if he didn't exist. Being able to participate in such a grand event was already worth being punished by his family when he returned home.

  Many high-ranking officials were seated on both sides, and at the very end sat a painter, Yan Liben, a master of Tang Dynasty painting. He was ordered by Emperor Taizong to record this scene of vassals paying homage from all directions in his painting, to spread the emperor's fame.

  At the auspicious hour, according to their contributions to the Great Tang, envoys from various countries lined up in neat rows and entered the imperial palace through the Vermilion Bird Gate, arriving at the Taiji Hall.

  Du He gazed out at the sea of people below, a dense throng of over a thousand individuals in all manner of strange and exotic attire.

  They were all high-ranking officials of various countries, with a great reputation, and if their entourage was included, there would be tens of thousands of people.

  They came step by step to the front, and when they reached the foot of the steps, they stopped in unison. Then, with the courtesy of the Tang Dynasty, each one bowed their body and shouted in unison: "Greetings to His Majesty Tian Kehan!"

  They are in different countries, with their own languages and customs, but at this moment, they speak the language of the Han people, follow the etiquette of the Han people, and worship the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty.

  Their tones are different, but the words are clear and crisp, showing that they have put in a lot of effort. Regardless of their true intentions, such glory is unmatched under the heavens, which country can compare?

  This is the mighty Tang Dynasty, the pride of the Tang Dynasty, belongs to their Chinese pride!

  "Gentlemen, bow down!" Li Shimin was also the first to receive so many envoys at the same time, with a red glow on his face, he raised his wrist and waived off the courtesy of the foreign envoys, showing his majesty as the Khan.

  After collective worship, the next step is to receive foreign envoys one by one.

  The first country to receive the honor of Chao was Xueyantuo.

  Xue Yantuo was one of the Xue tribes, a tribal confederation composed of the Xue and Yantuo, who made their living by nomadism. Initially they were subordinate to the G?ktürks but due to Li Shimin's divide-and-conquer tactics, they assisted the Tang in destroying the G?ktürks, after which they became attached to the Tang.

  So far, Xue Yantuo is the most loyal ally of the Tang Dynasty in the north, and his strength is also exceptionally strong. He was the first to be received, which shows how much importance the Tang attaches to them.

  A man of medium build and slender figure, accompanied by a nine-foot-tall man, and over thirty people among the thousand envoys walked forward with their heads held high.

  "Wai chen yi nan ling chang zi da du she ji yi zhong da chen, kou jian tian ke han bi xia, yuan wo da tang qian qiu wan shi, fan rong wu jiang!" A thin middle-aged man first bowed to Li Shimin and paid his respects, the people behind him also bowed one by one.

  The true pearl Bilge Khagan of the Xueyantuo was conferred by Emperor Taizong of Tang himself, so he had always shown him the courtesy of a minister to express his respect for the Great Tang.

  "My dear, you have traveled thousands of miles to come here in person, it is my good fortune. Quickly, take a rest!" Li Shimin sat in the hall, his every word and action showing the demeanor of a superior king.

  After a brief conversation, Pearl Bijia Khan led by Dagu and under the leadership of Changsun Wuzhi left from the side to the location where the national banquet was held... Chentianmen.

  This should have been the Crown Prince's responsibility, but since the Crown Prince was still in bed, it had to be handled by Grandson Wuji instead.

  It is said that Li Shimin initially intended to let Li Tai replace the crown prince, and had some thoughts about it, but was unanimously opposed by ministers such as Changsun Wuji, and only then gave up.

  Next are the countries of Gaochang and Xiyu, although these countries are small, they are all located on the Silk Road, their existence makes the bandits in Xiyu dare not harm the Silk Road, and also plays a great role for the Tang Dynasty, so one by one, they were received!

  The remaining countries, including Xiongnu, Yanqi, Western Turks, Goguryeo and even Japan, all presented tribute gifts one after another, expressing their willingness to maintain friendly exchanges with the Great Tang Dynasty forever.

  As for Tubo, it is unknown whether it was intentional or unintentional, but Li Shimin was the last one to meet with them.

  It also means they are at the very bottom of the social ladder in these dozens of big and small countries.

  The Tibetan envoys were left with their faces beet red, ashamed and unable to show themselves, but still had to force a smile and fawn all over Emperor Taizong of Tang.

  Du He saw it and felt very relieved in his heart.

  It took a whole three hours to see them one by one, and there were about fifty or sixty countries, big and small. Even the farthest Daxi sent envoys to congratulate, let alone some small countries that had never been heard of before.

  For such a long time, Du He stood by and not only didn't show any impatience but instead became more and more proud!

  Facing the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, looking at the respectful attitude of one nation after another, I feel an unspeakable sense of pride in my heart. Silently thinking to myself: This is just the beginning, the glory of the Tang Dynasty will not stop here! I must do my best to make the Tang Dynasty a more magnificent empire.

  "After meeting all the nations, Li Shimin said to the civil and military officials beside him: 'Fifty-one, I have calculated clearly. Fifty-one countries have fallen before me. This is unprecedented in a thousand years. But I am not satisfied. Ten years from now, I want more than 100 countries to kowtow to me at the same time and place. Twenty years later, my heart's goal is two hundred... Gentlemen, are you willing to follow me to complete this grand wish? Let the Great Tang receive homage from all nations under heaven!'"

  Li Shimin's grand ambition infected everyone, all the ministers who accompanied him bowed their heads and shouted: "Long live!" Excitedly flushed with red face, Du He was no exception.

  "Let the Great Tang receive homage and worship from all nations under heaven!"

  This is Li Shimin's goal, but isn't it also Duhe's goal!