Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

Chapter 551 The Origin of the Black Disaster

When Li Chengqian announced the decision on how to deal with the Kunlun slaves, everyone looked at each other in confusion and fell into silence.

After a moment, everyone was puzzled, their lips opened and closed slightly, but they swallowed their words back in hesitation.

Kunlun slaves, these figures from foreign lands, have been active on the land of the Tang Dynasty for many years.

They have dark skin, curly hair, deep and rough facial features, and are tall but clumsy. They are completely different from the gentle and elegant temperament of the people of the Tang Dynasty. In the eyes of many people, their appearance is extremely ugly.

But no matter what they look like, they are still living people after all, with flesh and blood, and their own emotions and thoughts.

Over the years, Kunlun slaves have been integrated into the social life of the Tang Dynasty.

In the deep courtyards of Chang'an, they served dignitaries, served tea and water, and swept the courtyard.

In the streets and alleys of the city, they carry goods and do odd jobs.

From the prosperous capital to the remote counties, Kunlun slaves could be seen everywhere, and the Tang Dynasty had become adept at using them.

Even in wars, the Kunlun slaves were indispensable in risking their lives.

Today, Your Majesty is vigorously promoting the concept of "the world belongs to all", advocating equality for all people and a world of one family.

Under this grand concept, Kunlun slaves should naturally be regarded as part of the "human race" and should enjoy equal rights, dignity and freedom.

Only in this way can we truly realize the beautiful vision of "the world for all".

However, His Majesty's current attitude towards the Kunlun slaves was completely inconsistent with this concept. It was difficult for everyone to understand why, in a time when equality was being advocated, His Majesty would be so harsh on the Kunlun slaves, treating them as aliens. Such discriminatory treatment was truly puzzling.

Mr. Qi finally took a step forward.

He straightened his sleeves.

"Your Majesty, I dare to make a suggestion."

"Your Majesty is wholeheartedly promoting the common good of the world. This is a blessing for our Great Tang and a blessing for all the people."

"But the way we are treating the Kunlun slaves now, isn't this contrary to our original philosophy?"

"I hope Your Majesty will make it clear."

As soon as Mr. Qi finished speaking, the others looked at Li Chengqian.

Obviously, this is also a common question in their minds.

In their minds, His Majesty had never treated anyone so harshly.

Li Chengqian looked at their doubts and knew that he needed a reasonable explanation.

He sat up slightly, his expression gentle, and patiently explained, "My dear ministers, you don't know that the Kunlun slaves are fundamentally different from other races."

"Have you ever wondered why all the Kunlun slaves the Arabs sent to our Tang Dynasty were castrated?"

Li Chengqian sighed slightly and said slowly, "Back then, before the Kunlun slaves were introduced to the Tang Dynasty on a large scale, they quietly infiltrated a small town in Arabia."

"At first, the Arabs didn't take it seriously because the town was so remote and insignificant. To them, it was just an insignificant frontier place."

"But time flies. After only thirty years, earth-shaking changes have taken place there."

Everyone's curiosity was piqued. Lin Dafu, unable to contain his curiosity, stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "Your Majesty, what exactly happened? Please tell me quickly."

Li Chengqian continued.

"At the time, there was an official sent down from Arabia. He was the brother-in-law of their king. He had gone to that small town to gild his reputation, hoping to accumulate political achievements in this remote place so that he could return to the capital and rise to prominence in the future."

"But when he stepped into the town, the scene before him left him stunned."

"There were hardly any Arabs on the streets. All that came into view were dark-skinned Kunlun slaves."

"They gather in groups of three or five, either busy in the streets or playing with their children in front of their homes."

"In this small town, the Kunlun slaves have already taken root and multiplied. Their numbers have not only not decreased, but have shown a trend of gradual expansion."

"Some of these Kunlun slaves continuously poured in from other places, while a considerable number were naturally bred locally."

"Later, the Arabs discovered that if an Arab had a child with a Kunlun slave, the black mark on the child's skin would be difficult to remove even after several generations."

"So, they regarded the Kunlun slaves as the 'black plague', believing them to be a terrifying existence that would threaten the purity of their race, and began a large-scale cleansing operation."

"However, Kunlun slaves are tall and strong, and they are very capable at work. Whether it's working in the fields or carrying heavy objects, they are no problem at all. They are a rare and good labor force."

"The Arabs felt really bad during the cleansing process. After all, losing such a large workforce would have a significant impact on their production and life."

"After much deliberation, they finally came up with a solution, which was to castrate the Kunlun slaves before using them."

"This way, they can continue to utilize the labor of Kunlun slaves while not worrying about the spread of the so-called 'black plague'. In their view, this is the safest solution."

"Later, this Kunlun slave was brought to our Shenzhou land and used as a slave."

"I understand what you, my dear ministers, are thinking. You have all had more or less contact with Kunlun slaves on a daily basis. You know that although they are lowly slaves, they are also human beings, with their own thoughts, joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness. Sometimes, seeing them toiling away, it's hard not to feel pity."

"But, my dear ministers, we must not be lenient in our dealings with the Kunlun slaves."

"I don't deny that there may be talented people among the Kunlun slaves, and they may have their own talents, but as the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, I also shoulder the heavy responsibility of carrying on the bloodline of China. I will never allow the 'Black Disaster' to occur on the land of the Tang Dynasty. This is my bottom line, and it is also for the sake of the foundation of our Shenzhou."

Everyone listened to Li Chengqian's words quietly. They never imagined that the seemingly honest and simple Kunlun slaves actually had such a huge hidden danger behind them.

Thinking back to the Kunlun slaves in their daily lives and combining it with what His Majesty said, everyone suddenly realized that it was no wonder that His Majesty had repeatedly emphasized when trading with Arab merchants that all Kunlun slaves sent to the Tang Dynasty must be castrated first.

It turns out that there are other considerations behind this.

"Then I will follow your majesty's wishes and release all other slaves."

Mr. Qi bowed slightly again, the confusion on his face gone, replaced by support for His Majesty's decision.

Li Chengqian nodded.

Then he turned his attention to Lin Dafu.

"Fatty Lin, how is the Xianyang Industry Department's recent research progress? Is it still impossible to put the electricity I've been dreaming of into use?"

Lin Dafu quickly stepped forward and responded with a bow, with a helpless look on his face.

"Your Majesty, the electricity problem is indeed difficult to solve for the time being."

"Electricity is unlike anything else. The principles behind it are complex and profound. Although the Ministry of Industry has been studying it day and night, progress is still slow."

"However, the results in improving the steam engine are quite satisfactory."

"The steamship that Your Majesty has longed for may be built before the 20th year of Qianwu through the efforts of a group of craftsmen."