120: Chapter 30 Settling Accounts After the Autumn Harvest

Three days after the riot was quelled, Li Ling convened an imperial conference at the Taihe Hall.

The civil and military officials gathered together, each with a solemn expression.

Although this riot had been quickly quelled, the issues exposed could not be ignored—the remnant forces still had a certain foundation, and the interference of the Great Powers was becoming increasingly blatant.

"My esteemed officials," Li Ling sat on the dragon throne and got straight to the point, "Although this riot has been quelled, it has served as a wake-up call for Me. If the remnant forces are not eliminated, the southern provinces will never know peace. Unless the Great Powers are taught a painful lesson, they will not restrain themselves."

Zhang Zhidong stood up: "Your Majesty, I believe that to thoroughly eradicate the remnant forces, we must approach it from two aspects. First is military suppression, and second is the improvement of people's livelihoods. Military suppression treats the symptoms, while improving livelihoods treats the root cause. Only when the people live good lives will they not follow the remnant forces."

Li Ling nodded: "Zhang Zhidong is correct. I have decided to implement a 'Three-Year Tax Exemption' policy in the southern provinces to allow the people to recover. At the same time, the imperial court will allocate one million taels of silver to repair houses and facilities damaged by the riots and to resettle the affected people."

"Your Majesty is wise!" the officials shouted in unison.

"In addition," Li Ling continued, "I have decided to carry out a thorough military suppression of the remnant forces. Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan."

"I am here!" Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan stepped forward.

"You are to lead two group armies to conduct a dragnet suppression across the southern provinces; you must root out all remnant forces."

"Yes!"

"Chen Zhiyuan."

"I am here!"

"You are to lead the intelligence department to coordinate with the military operations of Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan. You must uncover the hideouts of the remnant forces and provide accurate intelligence support."

"Yes!"

"Imperial Concubine Hui."

"I am here!" Imperial Concubine Hui stepped forward.

"You are responsible for the economic reconstruction of the southern provinces. I am granting you a budget of five million taels of silver to repair infrastructure, restore production, and resettle disaster victims."

"Yes!"

After issuing the series of orders, Li Ling surveyed the officials: "My esteemed officials, the Tang Country was established not long ago, and everything is waiting to be done. The Great Powers are watching like tigers, and remnant forces are restless. I need you to work together to build this new nation."

The officials shouted in unison: "We are willing to die for Your Majesty!"

The military suppression proceeded very smoothly.

Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan led two group armies to launch a dragnet search across the southern provinces. Special Forces conducted reconnaissance in the front, the Army followed behind, and the Air Force provided support from the air. The remnant forces had nowhere to hide and were captured or killed one after another.

In less than a month, the remnant forces in the southern provinces were completely eliminated.

Meanwhile, the economic reconstruction work of Imperial Concubine Hui was also proceeding intensively. She utilized her family's network to raise a large amount of funds and supplies from major merchant groups in the south, which were used to repair infrastructure, restore production, and resettle disaster victims.

Seeing that the imperial court not only did not levy taxes but instead allocated funds to relieve them, the people were moved to tears. Many who had originally held a skeptical attitude toward the Tang Country also began to shift their support to Li Ling.

"Your Majesty, the situation in the southern provinces has basically stabilized," Zhang Zhidong reported at the imperial conference, "The remnant forces have been completely suppressed, and the people's trust in the imperial court has greatly increased. Next, as long as we continue to improve people's livelihoods, the southern provinces will not have any more problems."

Li Ling nodded with satisfaction: "Good. Zhang Zhidong, you have worked hard."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Zhang Zhidong said modestly, "This is what I should do."

The Great Powers reacted strongly to the Tang Country's operation to suppress the remnant forces.

Ambassador Johnson came to the palace again to protest to Li Ling: "Your Majesty, your country's military operations in the southern provinces have caused a large number of civilian casualties. Our government expresses strong condemnation for this."

Li Ling sneered: "Ambassador Johnson, you say that My military operations caused civilian casualties? I ask you, do you have any evidence?"

Ambassador Johnson took out a document: "These are photos taken by our country's journalists."

Li Ling took the photos, glanced at them, and laughed: "Ambassador Johnson, these photos were taken by your journalists at the riot scene; they were not caused by My Army. My Army only strikes rioters and never harms civilians. On this point, you can go to the southern provinces and ask the people."

Ambassador Johnson's face turned pale: "Your Majesty, you are quibbling."

"Quibbling?" Li Ling stood up and walked in front of Ambassador Johnson, "Ambassador Johnson, let Me tell you, I never go soft on enemies. Whoever dares to cause destruction on the land of the Tang Country, no matter who is standing behind them, I will not let them off. If you British are dissatisfied, feel free to try."

Ambassador Johnson was trembling with anger, but he was helpless. After the United Fleet was destroyed, Britain's naval strength in the Far East plummeted, and it had no ability to go to war with the Tang Country.

He could only leave dejectedly.

"A bunch of clowns," Li Ling watched Ambassador Johnson's back and sneered, "Thinking that taking a few photos can scare Me? Dream on."

"Your Majesty, although the Great Powers dare not take action for the time being, they will certainly not give up," Zhang Zhidong said worriedly, "They will definitely find ways to pick a quarrel."

"Let them find them," Li Ling said indifferently, "Soldiers come to block, water comes to cover. I have an Army of 500,000 and the strongest fleet in the world; why should I be afraid of them?"

After completely suppressing the remnant forces, Li Ling turned his gaze to the north.

Although the northern warlords outwardly submitted to the Tang Country, in reality, they were feigning compliance and secretly colluding with the Great Powers. In particular, the Fengtian clique warlords in the northeast and the Beiyang Army warlords in Zhili had been expanding their armaments, preparing for a life-and-death battle with the Tang Country.

"Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan, what is the situation in the north?" Li Ling asked Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan.

Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan pointed to the map: "Your Majesty, the Fengtian clique warlord Zhang Zuolin recently purchased a batch of weapons from Japan, including rifles, machine guns, artillery, and even several aircraft. The Beiyang Army warlord Yuan Shikai is also expanding his Army, and his current total strength has exceeded 200,000."

"200,000?" Li Ling sneered, "Yuan Shikai is going head-to-head with Me."

"Your Majesty, should we take preemptive action?" Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan asked.

"No rush," Li Ling waved his hand, "Now is not the time. I want to complete the first Five-Year Plan first and build up national strength. Once the national strength is strong, it won't be too late to deal with them."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Li Ling walked to the map and looked at the markings of the northern provinces. Those warlords were like a group of termites, gnawing at the foundation of the Tang Country. He wished he could send troops immediately to wipe them all out.

But he could not.

Because the timing was not yet ripe.

The Tang Country had just been established, and everything was waiting to be done. If he sent troops for the Northern Expedition now, it would not only consume a lot of national strength but might also give the Great Powers an opportunity to exploit. He had to be patient and wait.

When the first Five-Year Plan was completed, when the national strength of the Tang Country was strong enough, and when the Great Powers were too busy to care for themselves, he would strike.

At that time, he would make all his enemies pay the price.

"Your Majesty, the Empress is here," the eunuch announced outside the door.

Empress Su Wanqing walked in carrying a bowl of hot soup.

"Brother Ling, drink a bowl of soup. You have been busy all day."

Li Ling took the bowl and took a sip; it was chicken soup, stewed very thick.

"Empress Su Wanqing, do you think I am too weak?" he suddenly asked.

Empress Su Wanqing was stunned: "Brother Ling, why are you asking this again?"

"Because I did not immediately send troops for the Northern Expedition," Li Ling sighed, "Those warlords are jumping around under My nose, yet I cannot move against them; it is frustrating."

Empress Su Wanqing held his hand: "Brother Ling, you are not weak; you are wise. Now that the Tang Country has just been established and everything is waiting to be done, it is not suitable for war. After the first Five-Year Plan is completed and the national strength is strong, it won't be too late to fight. By then, none of those warlords will be able to escape."

Li Ling looked at her and smiled: "Empress Su Wanqing, you are truly My virtuous wife."

Empress Su Wanqing blushed: "Brother Ling is teasing me again."

"I am telling the truth," Li Ling pulled her into his arms, "Empress Su Wanqing, with you by My side, I fear nothing."

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

Li Ling held Empress Su Wanqing and looked at the moon outside the window, secretly vowing in his heart: One day, he would let everyone on this land watch the moon with peace of mind, without worrying about the flames of war or fearing aggression.

That day would not be too far away.