Chapter 2100 Taizong Chapter 47 The World in the Shadow of the Han Dynasty (Part 2)

At the end of the year, the New Year is approaching, and the entire imperial capital, including the imperial city, is busy. Under the leadership of the supervisors, the palace people carefully decorate the palace, clean the roads, and decorate with lanterns.

However, as the size of the palace staff was further reduced, the palace attendants, including some foremen and female officials, were able to do their own work.

What is worthy of praise and admiration is that by the end of the sixth year of Yongxi's reign, in the entire Ziwei City, in addition to the guards of the Suwei Palace, there were less than 5,000 eunuchs and maids who directly provided services to the royal nobles.

.

Compared with Shizu in his later years, more than 80% of the imperial palace was directly cut off, and in the past six years, no new people were added to the palace. The emperor's behavior left people speechless, and all he could say was compliments. After all, this was

Behavior consistent with the character of a wise king.

Even though, for many people, they don’t really want the emperor to restrain himself like this. In the past two or three years, many poems and articles describing and praising this incident have been produced in the literary world of Xijing. In the court, some

When the minister mentioned this, he was even more "touched" and said that His Majesty had "wronged" him so much.

No matter what people's hearts are like, at least under the example of Emperor Liu Yang, the Han Empire from top to bottom has become more and more prosperous.

In the joyful atmosphere, Emperor Liu Yang rarely put down his state affairs, walked out of the palace, and took a walk in the palace aimlessly. This leisurely experience is really rare for Liu Yang today.

Unconsciously, Liu Yang's back became a little rickety like Emperor Shizu's before. Although the degree was not serious, it was rickety after all.

Two maids in front held up lamps to guide the way, and far behind were three eunuchs and a group of guards. Liu Yang was among them, and more importantly, there was a child holding his hand.

Now, Liu Yang is also a grandfather. The boy holding one of his fingers under his knees is his eldest grandson. He was born in the winter of the third year of Yongxi's reign by Liu Wenhuan's wife Chang. He is now three years old and named Jiyuan.

At the same time, the second son, Linzi Duke Liu Wenji, also got married in the fifth year of Yongxi's reign. The person he married was not a "rich family". Of course, he was still among the nobles. He was the great-granddaughter of the late Jiuyuan Marquis Li Wanchao, the founding father of the country.

Originally, Concubine Xiao Zhuang's intention was to give Liu Wenjin a virtuous wife of ordinary background, but it was Liu Yang who decided to get married. During his Northern Tour (the second tour in Yongxi's fifth year), he stayed at

When he arrived at the Li family, he fell in love with the young lady of the Li family and took her as his daughter-in-law.

Not long ago, Mrs. Li also gave birth to a little grandson to Liu Yang, both of whom were born with children. This kind of continuation of the bloodline that he witnessed with his own eyes gave Liu Yang a very special experience. Therefore, Liu Yang recently

I'm in a good mood.

Transgenerational relatives do exist, just like Liu Jiyuan beside him. As the eldest grandson of the eldest son, no matter what he thinks of Liu Wenhuan, Liu Yang is extremely happy for this grandson.

Of course, the good mood did not last long, and it was difficult for the Han Empire to allow Liu Yang to truly calm down and entertain his grandson and enjoy his family relationship.

"Sit!" In the palace, Liu Yang looked at King Lu Liu Ai who came to pay his respects.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Over the years, Liu Ai has become more and more comfortable in his role as Zhongshu Ling. The embarrassment in the early days can no longer be seen on his face, and what remains is only calmness. At the same time, Liu Ai was also in charge of the Ministry of Rites and Management in the court.

The feudal lord, this is real power.

In contrast, of course, it is Zhao Wang Liu Fang. In addition to being a counselor in political affairs, Liu Yang also gave him the title of "Advisor to the Ministry of War and Privy Councilor". However, regardless of whether he is a counselor or an advisor, combined with the situation in the DPRK and China, as the name implies,

You can understand its power.

"What's the matter?" Liu Yang stopped talking to Liu Yan and asked directly.

"It's a matter about Khotan!" Liu Yan frowned slightly and replied: "Today I met with Yuchibao, the envoy from Khotan. He expressed to me that he hoped that the imperial court could reconcile the conflict between Kangju and Khotan."

Hearing these words, Liu Yang immediately realized something was wrong and asked for details. Only then did Liu Yan slowly reveal the disputes between Kangju and Khotan in recent years.

Kangju State, with the Shule area as its core ruling area, borders the Khotan State, which also involves a geopolitical issue. Conflicts are inevitable, and it is just a matter of whether both parties are willing to restrain themselves.

From the perspective of Khotan, of course it hoped to live in harmony with its neighbor Kangju, but the king of Kangju, Liu Ye, was not a peaceful person. To be honest, Liu Ye was the first to provoke the fight.

When the Han Dynasty conquered the Black Khanate to the west, Khotan sent troops to distribute food. Following the army of the Western Expedition, they still drew a lot of nutrients from the bodies of the Black Khanate, especially in terms of territory, which expanded northwards.

Less area.

These territorial disputes began with the "religious wars" between the Black Khan and Khotan and continued until the establishment of the Kangju State, and Liu Ye would also completely inherit them.

Of course, all disputes are motivated by interests, and what Liu Ye values ​​​​is a security interest. After all, judging from the map, the border of Khotan is too close to his royal city of Shule. This kind of bed-and-deck strategy

The threat was unbearable for anyone, let alone Liu Ye.

Even though it was unlikely that Khotan would take the initiative to attack Shule, Liu Ye still couldn't bear it. So starting from the third year of Yongxi's reign, after completing the basic organizational work of the Kangju feudal state, Liu Ye began to make plans.

The Khotan Kingdom in the south was attacked, and they repeatedly sent provocations, and conflicts along the border between the two countries increased day by day.

Although the Kingdom of Khotan has been in decline over the years, it is still a country with history, heritage, and faith. Even the once powerful Black Khanate was defeated. How can the Kangju Kingdom, which is a fake and powerful country, scare them.

In the face of Liu Ye's provocation, Khotan was naturally very angry and made some targeted arrangements, but on the whole it was restrained. Of course, it was not Kang Juguo and Liu Ye that they were afraid of, but the Han Empire behind them.

Small conflicts gradually turned into big disputes. In the sixth year of Yongxi reign, as the "Kang State" became more and more aggressive, the Khotan state could no longer bear it. In particular, a group of Kang state cavalry brazenly invaded the important town of Ya in the north of Khotan.

The children looked at (Yarkand) and looted it. This was a real act of war.

However, Liu Ye and his Kang Ju Kingdom could be unscrupulous and confident, but Khotan still had scruples, so he sent his clan and general Yuchi Baoxiang to Luoyang to communicate the matter and make the final decision to eliminate the dispute in this winter and spring.

effort.

At the same time, Khotan has been deploying troops to strengthen its border defenses. A vassal war in the western frontier of the Han Dynasty may also happen in the blink of an eye.

Prime Minister Yuchi Bao came here, saying he was seeking mediation, but in fact it was more like complaining, making a complaint, stating his attitude, and also adding a hint of questioning.

In his words, if the dispute between Kangju and Khotan was instigated by the Kangguo side without permission, then the central government should play its role as the suzerain to bridge the gap between the two countries to avoid further escalation of the situation;

If the Han Dynasty is also responsible for the Khotan ministers, then please explain the blame, and the ministers will definitely correct themselves and make amends;

If the state of Kang continues to make trouble unreasonably, use weapons and weapons, and push people too far, then the subject state will take countermeasures and hope that the central government will uphold fairness and justice and treat them fairly.

The rhetoric was so reasonable and reasonable that even Liu Ai was speechless. He could only comfort him, saying that he would investigate and report it.

As for the disputes between the two countries, which have been going on for so many years, it is impossible for the court to know nothing about it even in Luoyang. At least the general situation is clear. As the party that provokes the trouble, Kang Guo certainly cannot stand.

Reasonable, but it was a feudal state of the Han Dynasty. Even if the court was dissatisfied, it was not easy to express its attitude rashly. Until now, the Khotan Kingdom has sued Luoyang, and the central government must have an explanation.

"The south has not calmed down, and the west has started to make trouble again!" Liu Yang beat his head sadly, with obvious dissatisfaction in his tone, and asked Liu Shu: "What do you think about this matter?"

Regarding this, Liu Yan also seemed to have a toothache, but he had obviously considered it before and said directly: "To be fair, the thirteenth brother went too far. He initiated the conflict. As a vassal of the Han Dynasty, Khotan Kingdom has been a vassal state for decades.

, Always be cautious when dealing with serious matters, and pay tribute continuously. This is for the sake of a friendly country. The thirteenth brother’s approach is indeed inappropriate!

Khotan has already restrained its aggression against Shule. If Luoyang's attitude had not been taken into account, war would have started. Prime Minister Yuchi came here, although he said he was asking for mediation from the court, but he was actually asking for an explanation from the court.

It is also to stop the imperial court's mouth. If the two countries' swordsmen meet, the thirteenth brother will be the unnamed army, and Khotan will fight morally. At that time, due to emotions and reasons, the imperial court will not be able to side with one side."

"Your analysis makes some sense!" After listening to Liu Ai's answer, Liu Yang nodded, but his frown did not ease. He thought for a moment and said, "But the matter has come to this, what can be done?"

When asked, Liu Yan did not answer directly, but looked at Liu Yang and pointed out one point: "If the imperial court does not intervene, the current situation of the two countries will inevitably lead to war!"

"Has Liu Ye given an explanation on this matter?" Liu Yang asked nonsense.

Liu Yan shook his head and said: "Thirteenth brother, I know clearly after thinking about it that the imperial court will never agree to his request, so I have never asked for permission in the dispute with Khotan. Previously, I asked the imperial court for assistance in the sale of artillery and gunpowder factories, perhaps.

Just prepare to use it in the battle against Khotan.”

"If the two countries start a war, who can win?" After thinking about it for a long time, Liu Yang asked this question coldly and quietly.

Liu Ai was slightly surprised, and he regained consciousness. He thought about it for a moment, and then replied cautiously: "I don't agree with military affairs, so I don't dare to make rash decisions on military matters.

However, according to the opinion of my ministers, if Kang is defeated and can retreat to Shule, Khotan will not dare to go north to destroy its country. If Khotan is defeated, there will be the worry of destruction.

Therefore, once the conflict cannot be resolved, the whole country will fight to the death in Khotan, and the thirteenth brother"

"This is the reason why Liu Ye is so confident and unscrupulous!" Liu Yang looked ugly and scolded sternly: "If he regards the Han as his support for gambling expansion, or if he targets Khotan, who is also a vassal, how can he decide that after the defeat?

, will the imperial court take care of the consequences?"

Although he said this, Liu Yang knew very well in his heart that if that situation really happened, even if it was a pile of shit, the court would still have to take action to clean it up. After all, the Shule area was no better than other places.

Thinking of this, Liu Yang couldn't help but complain about the late emperor, why did he grant Shule to Liu Ye? If the two countries were still separated under the rule of Gaochang Dao, where would the current trouble come from?

Of course, maybe Shizu's consideration at that time did not include the conflict in the direction of Khotan, and he only wanted to give Liu Ye a family fortune. Or maybe Shizu was thinking of letting Liu Ye destroy Khotan, a "country with a different surname"?

At this time, Emperor Liu Yang was unavoidably worried. It was true that the Han Dynasty kings and his brothers and nephews were too restless and troublesome.

Facing the "Controversy between Kang and Yu", Liu Yang even came up with the idea of ​​letting them fight, regardless of winning or losing. When they calmed down, the imperial court would step in to clean up the mess.

However, it is just a thought. According to Yongxi's political philosophy, war should be avoided as much as possible within the controllable scope. Once the two countries go to war, not to mention distant places, Anxi and Gaochang will inevitably be affected.

When the conflict between vassal states needs to be resolved by war, where is the authority of the imperial court? To put it seriously, Liu Ye's provocation of disputes between the two countries is a challenge to the current immature new vassal state system of the Han Empire, which must not be tolerated.

Otherwise, once you get started, you won’t be able to control it easily later on.

Therefore, after serious and careful consideration, Liu Yang made a decision: "Send an envoy to the northwest to bring Liu Ye and the King of Khotan together to resolve the dispute! I do not want and will not allow the two countries to fight!"

"Who is going?" Liu Yan was not surprised by Liu Yang's decision and asked for instructions.

"Let Yang Yanlang serve as an envoy to mediate this matter on behalf of the imperial court. In addition, inform Sui Ye that Liu Min will also attend the meeting to accompany him!" Liu Yang said seriously.

"yes!"

"The artillery transferred to Shule, the ammunition is still on the way!" Liu Yang explained again: "Send the order to stop the transaction, and hold it for now! It will not be delivered until a result that satisfies the imperial court!"

Hearing the emperor mention this matter, while Liu Yan agreed, he couldn't help but raise a question: "According to the temperament of the thirteenth brother, what if we surrender first and then launch an attack on Khotan after receiving military aid?"

As soon as Liu Yan finished speaking, Liu Yang raised his eyes and stared at Liu Yan, with a hint of meaning in his complicated eyes, which made Liu Yan extremely uncomfortable.

After a long time, Liu Yang withdrew his gaze, casually picked up a memorial, and while reading it, he said: "For openly defying the emperor's order, violating the imperial edict, and then bullying the emperor, what is the crime and what punishment should be received?"

"I understand!" Liu Yan responded respectfully. As for what he understood, he did not dare to mention it any more.

After Liu Yan withdrew, Liu Yang meditated on the imperial case, with a serious expression, still a little worried. He frowned and thought for a long time, and then told Zheng Yuan, the leader of the chamberlain, who was waiting beside him: "Pass the imperial edict, and in the spring of next year, we will start."

Driving west, I’ve been to the south, I’ve been to the north, it’s time to visit the west.”
To be continued...