"My minister Li Congde from Khotan pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor!"
After taking a look at Luo Youdu who was sitting high on the throne, Li Congde did not dare to have any thoughts and bowed respectfully.
Hurasd, one of the Treasure Tree Kings, was even more so. He said in poor words: "Hurasd, the Manichaean Treasure Tree King, has met the great Eastern Emperor. I wish His Majesty the Emperor good health and long life...
"
Luo Youdu raised his hand and said: "The two envoys are exempt from courtesy!"
Luo Youdu pointed at Song Qi, and Zhao Pu introduced them.
After they greeted each other, Luo Youdu said: "Give me a seat!"
He glanced at the two of them with some curiosity.
As the ambitious emperor of the Central Plains, Luo Youdu's eyes were not limited to one place.
He also has a certain understanding of the situation in the Western Regions, but worldly matters must be prioritized.
It is more important to bring Yunjiuzhou into the territory and deal with the powerful enemy Khitan.
After taking care of the Khitan, let's think about other things.
But obviously the world will not turn around without anyone.
The situation in the Western Regions will not remain unchanged just because there is an additional Luo Youdu in the Central Plains, waiting for the Central Plains to deal with it.
Li Congde's arrival is a sign.
really.
Li Congde and Hulasd just sat down after thanking each other.
Li Congde stood up again, knelt on the ground, and said loudly: "I sincerely ask your Majesty to make the decision for my father..."
Luo Youdu said calmly: "Prince Yutian doesn't have to be like this. If you have any grievances, feel free to speak out. I am the lord of the world and I should be able to distinguish right from wrong."
The forces in the West are complex. The forces currently surrendered to the Central Plains are the Ganzhou Uighurs, Guiyi Army, Khotan and Xizhou Uighurs.
Among them, Ganzhou Uighur Jingqiong and Khotan King Li Shengtian were both ambitious people.
The Cao family who returned to the rebel army were caught between the two sides. Some of them were close to Khotan, and some were close to the Ganzhou Uighurs.
On the other hand, the Xizhou Uighurs have no frivolity. Their king's name is very majestic, Shiziwang. When paying tribute, he calls himself Xizhou's nephew. He has always been law-abiding and took the initiative to send troops to exterminate the bandits and consolidate the Silk Road.
Of course, it may also be due to interests. Their capital is in Gaochang, which is a must-pass for the Silk Road.
The Xizhou Uighurs would benefit the most from reopening the Silk Road, and the possibility of making a fortune in silence cannot be ruled out.
Luo Youdu does not reject this attitude. Trade between the two countries allows each to get what they need, make money together, and make money together. This is the way to make money.
Luo Youdu did not completely believe what Li Congde said here, and he also left some room for speech.
Li Congde was a little disappointed, but he quickly corrected his attitude and said: "Your Majesty, there is a country called Karakhan in the west of Khotan. They are relatively friendly under the leadership of the old king. But just two years ago, the new king
When Musa came to the throne, he forced the people to believe in the Dashi Dharma. From then on, the whole country of Karakhan, from the monarch to the people, was cruel and violent, and massacred believers who were not in the Dashi Dharma. Especially Buddhist and Manichaean believers.
.We in Khotan have been deeply influenced by the Central Plains and are open to sectarian beliefs. However, the Kara Khanate regards us as heretics and says that if we do not convert to the Great Food Law, they will launch a holy war to destroy our Khotan."
His acting skills were excellent. At this moment, his eyes were red and his face was full of anger. He waved his fist and said: "I in Khotan only recognize your majesty as the lord of the world. Who is the Kara Khanate? How dare you interfere in the internal affairs of my country in Khotan? I
All the people in Khotan would rather be broken into pieces than complete the tiles, and vowed to fight against the Kara Khanate to the end. But..."
He had a look of helplessness on his face, and said with a hint of grievance in his anger: "The Kara Khanate is very powerful, and we in Khotan may not be an opponent. I would like to ask your Majesty to send troops to help..."
Luo Youdu said with some disbelief: "The Kara Khanate is actually so rampant?"
Li Congde immediately said: "I am not lying. This Manichaean King Baoshu can prove to me that what I said is true."
With a face full of grief and anger, Hulasd said: "Your Majesty, the great Emperor of the East, I swear in the name of the great father Mingzun that everything the Prince of Khotan said is true. The Great Food Law treats us as heretics, and I, Mani,
The sect leader was born in Persia and has been squeezed out by the Great Food Law. He had to move eastward to the Kara Khanate. Unexpectedly, just a year ago, countless soldiers surrounded us and set fire to our temple. My sect leader was brutally killed for them.
, a few of us fled to Khotan with the saint, and were protected by the king of Khotan. The tyrant of the Kara Khanate did not let us go, and sent people to chase us to Khotan, accusing the king of Khotan of believing in paganism and harboring foreigners.
Believer."
A trace of anger flashed in Luo Youdu's eyes, he clapped his arms and said angrily: "How unreasonable! This hand is really long..."
He pondered for a moment, hesitated a little, and said: "This matter is of great importance. You two will go ahead. I will think about it carefully and then give you an answer."
Li Congde and Hulasd hurriedly thanked them, resigned and left the store.
Luo Youdu calmed down his anger, glanced at Song Qi and Zhao Pu, and asked, "What do you think of this?"
Song Qi said blankly: "I can't understand how this great diet, Buddhism, and Manichaeism could lead to such a situation?"
This is the gap between Eastern thought and Westerners.
In the West, divine power is supreme, while in the East, imperial power is supreme.
No matter what sect you are, if you want to survive in China, you have to be obedient and change.
All sects must serve the imperial power. If they cross the line, they will kill the gods and destroy the Buddhas, and then raise up an obedient god.
Just like the righteous Guan Erye.
Guan Erye was indeed very strong in his era, there is no doubt about it.
However, compared with the famous generals in China's thousands of years of history such as Bai Qi, Han Xin, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing, they are obviously inferior.
But it was because Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty named him the True Lord of Chongning, the Righteous and Brave King of Wu'an.
An ancient man was raised to be a god in his lifetime...
Zhao Pu was also a little confused. Western cultural ideas surpassed his cognition and he did not dare to speak at will. Similarly, Westerners could not understand many behaviors in the East. He just said: "I feel that there is something wrong with the conversation between Li Congde and Hulasd."
It’s a contradiction, but I don’t know where to start.”
"Ha ha!"
Luo Youdu narrowed his eyes and laughed: "It's illogical."
As a person with open eyes, Luo Youdu can fully understand what Li Congde and Hulasd are talking about.
The so-called Great Diet is the Taoist religion, and he has heard about the madness of ancient Western religions.
This cleansing out the heretics and launching a holy war is indeed the work of the crazy Da Shifa.
But Luo Youdu is not that easy to fool.
Looking at Song Qi, who was limited by his ideological limitations, Zhao Pu and Luo Youdu said: "If Li Congde came two years later, I would have believed 80% of it, but now it is at most 30%. There are lies among the truth, and there is truth among the lies. If you don't know the inside story, you are afraid of the truth.
Let them hide it."
Zhao Pu immediately flattered you and said: "Your Majesty is as sharp as a torch and knows everything. Li Congde and Hurasd want to deceive Your Majesty. It is really Lu Ban who has a big ax in front of the door."
Song Qi said: "Your Majesty, please give me some advice."
Luo Youdu said: "There are serious flaws in Li Congde's words. He said that after the new king Musa came to the throne two years ago, the Kara Khanate began to implement the Great Food Law and cleanse the heretics. These Western believers are different from our believers.
Different, they are more like brainwashed lunatics who are desperate for their lives, and they become warriors when they pick up weapons."
Song Qi and Zhao Pu looked at each other, not daring to imagine.
Buddhas have been exterminated in the Central Plains more than once. But none of them caused turmoil.
In front of the imperial power in the Central Plains, sects were usually at the mercy of others.
Unexpectedly, in the West, they are all warriors.
But as Song Qi and Zhao Pu were prime ministers of the Central Plains court, just this reminder made them aware of the loopholes in Li Congde and Hulasd's words.
However, the two of them had a tacit understanding and did not speak, allowing Luo Youdu to pretend this.
Luo Youdu demonstrated his erudition and continued: "These pagans must include Manichaeism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. These three sects have a large audience in the West, especially Manichaeism and Buddhism. When they go crazy, it does not mean that they will be cleaned up.
Cleaned up.”
"According to common sense, after the new king of the Kara Khanate ascends the throne, he must first secure the throne, and then he can do what he wants to do. Instead of eagerly clearing out the heretics before he has secured the throne."
"Hurasd also said that they were attacked a year ago, and the new king of the Kara Khanate came to power two years ago. It is obvious that there is a time difference here..."
"I feel that it is not the new king of the Kara Khanate who wants to extend his hand into Khotan, but Li Shengtian of Khotan who wants to extend his hand into the Kara Khanate. They want to take advantage of the Kara Khanate to clean up Manichaeism and Buddhism
When they were believers, they took advantage of Khotan’s influence in Buddhism and Manichaeism’s influence in the Kara-Khanate to attack the Kara-Khanate and take the opportunity to seize their land.”
Zhao Pu clasped his hands together, looking like he suddenly understood, and said: "I understand, this Li Congde is absolutely sure that our country will not send troops. He does not want us to send troops at all, but wants our support. This way he can take it for granted.
By mobilizing the soldiers and horses of the rebel army, we can also obtain the support of the Xizhou Uighurs at critical times."
Song Qi said: "As far as I know, Li Congde's mother is a member of the Cao family of the Guiyi Army. The relationship between the Khotan Kingdom and the Guiyi Army is not generally deep. Now that the Cao family is surrendered to our Central Plains, if your Majesty does not let go,
The Cao family also dare not rush to send troops to help Khotan."
Zhao Pu said: "Your Majesty, Li Shengtian, the king of Khotan, is very ambitious. If he really annexes the Kara Khanate, it will definitely cause trouble in the future."
Song Qi shook his head and said: "It is difficult for Your Majesty to refuse this matter. I thought that Li Congde would not let it go unchecked. The Kara Khanate must have said something or done something to give Khotan an excuse. Even if Your Majesty does not send troops to support it,
, we must also express our attitude in name and maintain the majesty of the imperial court in the West. Otherwise, if the news spreads, it will be detrimental to the identity of the imperial suzerainty."
Zhao Pu said: "This problem should lie with Manichaeism. Khotan uses Buddhism as its state religion, so it protects Manichae who escaped from the Kara Khanate. This will inevitably cause the Kara Khanate to be dissatisfied and send people to come.
It is reasonable to say harsh words when asking for responsibilities. King Li Shengtian of Khotan took this opportunity to turn black and white and say that all the initiative is in his hands. Old guy, he is very calculating."
With just one sentence from each of the three of them, they could almost analyze the situation thousands of miles away. With the information revealed by Li Congde and Hurasd, they could analyze the situation in the West very closely.
Song Qi suddenly said: "Your Majesty, do you think the one year mentioned by Hulasd was intentional or unintentional?"
Luo Youdu's eyes lit up and he said: "The remaining Manichaeism is now under the protection of Khotan. Li Congde is on the side. It is not surprising that he dare not tell the truth. But whether he did it intentionally or not, Hurasd and Li Shengtian
It is unlikely that there is one heart. If Hurasd was a devout Manichaeist, their foundation in the Kara Khanate would be destroyed, and the next step would be to choose a place to preach. Compared with the Buddhist atmosphere in Khotan,
The sectarian atmosphere in our Central Plains should be more popular with Hurasd."
He is not afraid of luring wolves into his house.
Any sect in China's atmosphere must be subordinate to the imperial power.
Even the local Taoism, and even Buddhism, which was once mainly anti-Japanese.
As for Manichaeism, it had been introduced to the Central Plains as early as the Wu Zhou Dynasty.
Especially in the south, many Manichaean believers arrived in Guangzhou and other places by water.
However, in the first year of Huichang, Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty, when Buddhism was exterminated, Manichaeism was also dealt with.
During the Five Dynasties and the Song Dynasty, Manichaeism had a small-scale rise, but was eventually eroded by the Central Plains culture and evolved into Mingjiao, becoming a professional rebel.
The Song Dynasty court also regarded Manichaeism as a demon who eats vegetables.
But there is a saying that the rebellion of the people in the Song Dynasty had nothing to do with Mingjiao and Manichaeism.
The people of the Song Dynasty rebelled simply because they couldn't survive.
Don't talk about the rich Song Dynasty. The wealth of the Song Dynasty lies in the scholar-bureaucrats, who use the world's wealth to support Bianjing, and use the method of exploiting the people to solve the problems of redundant officials, redundant soldiers, and redundant expenses.
The "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" can indeed show wealth, but what is painted is Bianjing, which is naturally prosperous.
Let’s take a look outside Bianjing?
The people of the Song Dynasty rebelled because they couldn't survive, and then they found the Mingjiao as a gimmick.
In fact, Manichaeism is a small religion in the Central Plains...
The Luo Yu court adopted Taoism as its state religion, but it did not reject Buddhism as long as Buddhism obeyed the laws of the court.
But there is one thing to say: if the noble Taoism does not have the support of the court, it is really no match for Buddhism in terms of winning the hearts of the people.
Now that the Central Plains supports Taoism, the status of Taoism is certain. The introduction of Manichaeism can also prevent Buddhism from being dominated by Taoism.
but……
Luo Youdu really didn’t think Manichaeism could do anything better than those monks.
Song Qi and Zhao Pu also had no objections to this. They all understood that Luo Youdu introduced Manichaeism in order to use Manichaeism, which had castrated Chinese culture, to dominate the West in the future.
"Chu Bao, it's up to you to contact Hurasd. Understand the actual situation in the West and allow them to see temples in Bianjing and Luoyang. However, one thing needs to be explained. The imperial court's state religion is Taoism and will not actively support them.
Don’t bully our local sects in China without seeing it. If you have the ability, just compete with foreign sects for believers.”
"I Have a Picture Book of Ghosts and Gods"
Luo Youdu handed over the task to Song Qi, and it was rain and dew.
Song Qi bowed and accepted the order.
"That's right!" Luo Youdu suddenly thought of something and said: "When you meet him in private, you can go to the Ministry of Rites to find a translator who is familiar with Western languages and ask him if he knows an ancient Greek book called "Elements of Geometry"
book of."
Chinese and Western cultures each have their own merits, and Luo Youdu felt that Eastern culture was stronger than the West.
No reason, no reason.
But the book "Elements of Geometry" has to be admitted to be remarkable.