Chương 629: Anxi Province and Beiting Province

The hall fell silent instantly; even breathing became quieter, and the palace maids behind the screen pricked up their ears.

Everyone was staring at him, waiting for him to choose between the two options; some people's palms were sweating.

Liu Ce smiled, leaned forward slightly, and spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but every word was clear:

"Your ideas are all good, and each has its own logic."

However, this time I will not establish protectorates or tributary prefectures. I will establish provinces.

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment, followed by a collective gasp, as if someone had placed a block of dry ice in the center of the hall.

"The Western Regions, the northern grasslands, the Japanese islands, and the Indochina Peninsula—all these conquered territories were incorporated into the Han Dynasty's territory in a truly meaningful way."

Just like the provinces of our great Han Dynasty, provinces, prefectures, and counties were established, and officials were appointed to govern them. The Han language, customs, and laws were promoted, schools were built, roads were repaired, and Han people were relocated, allowing the various ethnic groups to gradually integrate.

Liu Ce's voice wasn't loud, but every word pierced the ears of everyone present like nails:

"No matter how much money, food, or manpower it takes, we must see it through to the end. It may seem expensive and laborious now, and it may even take several generations to see results."

But a hundred years from now, these places will truly become the core territory of our Great Han, belonging to the Great Han for generations to come, never again to be fickle, never again to rebel and surrender, surrender and rebel again.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, so quiet you could hear the rustling of snowflakes falling on the glazed tiles outside the palace.

The officials were all dumbfounded, their mouths agape as they stared blankly at Liu Ce, wondering if they had misheard.

Someone had their mouth open and forgot to close it, drool was almost dripping out.

"A province...? Like the inland regions?"

"Not a Protectorate General? Not a tributary state? Just change it to Han territory? Just send officials directly?"

Someone dropped their official tablet on the ground with a "thud" without even noticing, and forgot to pick it up when they bent down.

Several of the old ministers tore off several hairs from their beards while stroking them, wincing in pain before they could even react, their minds in turmoil.

Xun Yu, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Lu Bing, and other core ministers had previously heard Liu Ce mention in private that "the Western Regions should be turned into a province in the future." At the time, they all thought His Majesty was boasting, after all, this was a very big deal, unprecedented in history.

Unexpectedly, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, His Majesty made this statement directly in front of all the civil and military officials, and said it with such certainty.

Prince Liu Chong of Chen stared wide-eyed, his mouth agape for a long time.

He originally thought the debate was about whether to fight for the "old protectorate" or the "new protectorate," but His Majesty flipped the table and decided to abandon the protectorate system altogether, moving directly to the provinces and the integration of core territories.

This is such a huge leap! His old mind just can't keep up.

After a long while, Zhuge Liang slowly stepped forward. His expression was calm, and he bowed deeply to Liu Ce, his voice steady and powerful:

"Your Majesty is wise; this is a great achievement for all time."

Before the Zhou Dynasty, the core territory of China was only a small corner of the Central Plains and the Luo River region. During the Zhou Dynasty, feudal lords were enfeoffed, and each state expanded its territory, gradually extending its borders in all directions.

Qin Shi Huang unified the world, standardized writing, cart axles, and ethical norms, and the core territory of China was initially formed.

Emperor Xiaowu launched campaigns against the Xiongnu in the north, opened up the Western Regions in the west, and conquered the Baiyue in the south, expanding the territory once again. For nearly a hundred years thereafter, the territory did not expand any further.

Today, our great Han Dynasty is strong and well-equipped, with a full treasury and armed with muskets and cannons. It is time to expand our territory and consolidate our foundation.

Establishing provinces may seem like a waste of resources and manpower in the short term, but its benefits will last for generations. A hundred years from now, the Western Regions and grasslands will all be Han territory, and the people of the grasslands will speak Han language and follow Han customs, which will be true peace for all ages.

I second that proposal.

After Zhuge Liang finished speaking, the hall remained silent.

Immediately, the core ministers stepped forward one by one.

"I second that. Although the provincial system requires a huge initial investment, in the long run it is far superior to the system of control by the Protectorate. Only by appointing officials and promoting education can we truly win over the hearts of the new territories," Xun Yu said, stepping forward first with a loud voice.

"I second that proposal. I am willing to take the lead in formulating the provincial official system and relocation plan," Fang Xuanling said immediately afterward, still displaying the intensity of their earlier argument, but his eyes were full of excitement.

Du Ruhui, Xun You, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Li Jing, Li Ji... one after another, the core ministers stood up to second the motion, their voices rising and falling in unison.

With these people taking the lead, the officials below also reacted one after another.

The conservatives and reformers, who were arguing fiercely just moments ago, have now united in an instant. Compared to His Majesty's provincial system, the disputes over the Protectorates and tributary states are nothing more than child's play.

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that opinion!"

The chorus of agreement quickly filled the hall, shaking the dust off the ceiling.

With the general direction set, the next step is to discuss the names and capitals of each province.

Liu Ce waved his hand, speaking casually as if discussing what to have for dinner: "As for the Japanese islands, I've already decided. It will be called Yingzhou Province, with its capital in Ping'an Prefecture. There's no need to discuss this further; we'll proceed accordingly from now on."

Everyone nodded; there had been rumors about this beforehand, so they had no objections.

"For the remaining regions—the Western Regions, the grasslands, and the Indochina Peninsula—let's all share our suggestions on what names to give them and where to locate the capital. Let's brainstorm and not keep anything to ourselves."

The room immediately became lively again, with everyone offering their ideas, making it even more lively than before.

Some people suggested simply calling the Western Regions the Western Regions Province, finding it straightforward and convenient, but this was criticized by many as being too perfunctory...

Some say it should be called Kunlun Province, named after a mountain, conveying a sense of grandeur and magnificence...

Some people say it's called Longxi Province, a name with ancient origins and a rich cultural heritage...

Cheng Yaojin shouted at the top of his lungs, "Call it Grape Province! The grapes there are sweet!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and Yuchi Gong retorted, "How tacky! What kind of name is that after food! Why not call it Hami Province? Or Roasted Naan Province?"

After arguing for a long time, Fang Xuanling finally stepped forward and spoke clearly and logically:

"Your Majesty, I believe that dividing the Western Regions into two provinces, one north and one south of the Tianshan Mountains, is the most appropriate. The southern part, with its numerous oasis city-states, is the core of the southern route of the Silk Road. This province should be called Anxi Province, meaning 'pacifying the Western Regions,' with its capital in Kucha Prefecture. This is the most prosperous region in the Western Regions, with a large population, a central location, and thriving commerce..."

The vast grasslands north of the mountains guard the vital passage to the Tianshan Mountains. It is called Beiting Province, meaning "protecting the north." Its capital is located in Tingzhou Prefecture. It can advance to attack the grasslands and retreat to defend the Tianshan Mountains.

Divide and conquer, each with its own focus, facilitates management and prevents interference between them.

Everyone thought it was a good name, with a grand meaning and a suitable geographical location.

Xun Yu added, "Anxi and Beiting are easy to pronounce, remember, and sound pleasant."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "Alright, let's call it Anxi and Beiting. The capital will be Kucha and Tingzhou. Next."

Next came the northern grasslands, where the disputes were even fiercer than in the Western Regions, because this territory was larger and the situation more complex.

Some suggested calling it the Grassland Province, saying it was straightforward and easy to remember, but this was rejected by everyone, who said it was too vulgar and implied that it hadn't been established at all.

Some say it should be called Shuofang Province, as the ancient name sounds nice, while others say its area is too small and doesn't match the vast territory of the northern desert.