Han Shizu

Chapter 1915 Minister in Tibet

Maybe even Emperor Liu himself didn't know what kind of mentality and purpose he had, and asked Liu Xi this question, but for Liu Xi, he felt full of pressure in his heart, lowered his head slightly, paused, and replied : "The minister is waiting for His Majesty's will!"

This answer was somewhat beyond Emperor Liu's expectations. He watched Liu Xi silently for a while, and seeing his calm appearance, he turned his gaze back and let out a silent sigh.

In the past, Emperor Liu wished that the princes were all like dragons and talented, but that was more because of his father's identity.However, as an emperor, up to now, Emperor Liu has really started to worry about his sons being too good.

In the royal family, there are many talents, which is a good thing for the Tian family, but not necessarily for the country. How to arrange them is always a headache.And when it comes to the issue of family heirs, Emperor Liu has always sought perfection, even though he knows in his heart that it is just an extravagant wish.

Driving the princes to seal the country was an unsolvable solution that Emperor Liu had struggled with for half his life and finally came up with.The four princes in the early years, Liu Xu and Liu Fang, had made arrangements, and it was impossible for Liu Xi to be the only one left.

In fact, in recent times, Emperor Liu's series of actions have started from himself, establishing the future successor of the empire. After all, at least on the surface, there is no "spare tire" left.

This is also Emperor Liu's proposal for enfeoffment, which has been criticized from top to bottom, but there are always some people who support it, including the crown prince and his subordinates, who are the most able to appreciate the benefits.

It's not that after being the prince for 30 years, this position is stable. In the final analysis, it depends on the old emperor's mind.As far as the prince's family is concerned, the current situation is really clear, and the holy will has been determined.Some things, Emperor Liu really couldn't move, especially on the issue of succession to the throne, he even dared not.

However, sometimes, Emperor Liu couldn't help thinking, what would happen if the prince changed people, if Liu Xu, Liu Xi, and even Liu Fang inherited the Han Empire in the future, would it be more suitable than Liu Yang? better?
Regardless of other people, after so many years of careful observation, at least in the eyes of Emperor Liu, Liu Xu and Liu Xi are both capable enough, or both of them have shown characteristics that are extremely similar to Emperor Liu in a certain aspect. , and this point is particularly attractive, and it is easy to affect Emperor Liu's evaluation of it.

In comparison, Prince Liu Yang seemed too mediocre, and was even considered mediocre.Of course, such a comparison is unfair to Prince Liu Yang. If Liu Xu and Liu Xi were the princes, Emperor Liu might have a different feeling.In the final analysis, this is caused by the emperor looking at the prince, not just the father looking at his son.

At this time, facing this son whom he had never seen clearly, Emperor Liu felt complicated and unspeakable emotions again.After a little deliberation, Emperor Liu said leisurely: "Since this is the case, then I will arrange another mission for you!"

Hearing this, Liu Xi bowed again: "Your Majesty, please teach me!"

Looking at Liu Xi's calm appearance, Emperor Liu said: "The Tubo Conference has been held twice, and this year is the third time. I intend to let you represent the imperial court to go to Luoxi City and preside over the conference!"

The Tubo Conference, after the Tubo tribes surrendered to the great Han, under the instruction of Emperor Liu, the imperial court sent officials to Luoxie to organize an alliance between the imperial court and the Tubo tribes to appease the tribes and at the same time coordinate Interest disputes and contradictions of various ministries.

Since the "representatives" of several Tubo tribes came to Beijing to express their submission to the imperial court, the imperial court justifiably brought the Snowy Plateau under the rule of the Han Dynasty.Of course, it is still somewhat difficult to implement a centralized system of prefectures and counties. Even Emperor Liu, who was as arrogant as he was back then, did not force it. Maintain the interests of the tribal leaders and ensure their governance and various interests.

In recent years, the imperial court's policy on the plateau has basically revolved around three points, political wooing, economic bribery, and military deterrence.

The Tubo tribe was not so easy to tame. In the early years, not all tribes were willing to submit to the court.Immersed in the glory of the past, they intend to continue to maintain an "independent" state, and there are even ambitious people who want to end the division of Tubo for more than 100 years and reunify the plateau.

Of course, those who disobeyed and opposed were eventually wiped out one by one in the long-term confrontation and became history.For the plateau, the court or Emperor Liu unexpectedly showed enough patience.

They rarely take the initiative to send troops to disobedient ministers. Instead, they use political and economic interests to buy those tribes who are close to the court, and by supporting these forces, they attack those diehards.

What the imperial court needs to pay is only some money, food, cloth, salt and tea, etc. These things are scarce resources in the plateau, but for the big man, they are just a drop in the bucket.

Under the attack of sugar-coated shells, not many Tubo tribes can resist. Those who refuse to accept it will either rush to the barren land, flee to the absolute desperation that the gods despise, or die and wipe out their families, territories, tribesmen, and livestock. All were divided.

Therefore, in less than ten years, most of the Tubo tribes on the snowy plateau accepted the conferment of the imperial court and became chieftains of the Han Dynasty, no matter whether they were convinced or not.

After that, the imperial court began to organize the "Tubo Conference" in the name of the central government. This is a measure of the imperial court's direct intervention in plateau affairs for so many years, and it is a very important measure.

The convening of the Tubo Conference was a process in which the great Han, as an arbitrator, specifically intervened in the relations and affairs of various ministries in Tubo.

It is held every five years, until the 26th year of Kaibao, which happens to be the third session, and this time, Emperor Liu obviously wants to play some new tricks.You must know that although the representatives of the Central Committee attended the meeting in the previous two sessions, they were all high-ranking members of the imperial court. Although their standards were high, they couldn't possibly be higher than Jin Wang Liu Xi, the prince.

It can be seen from this that Emperor Liu attached great importance to this conference, as well as the changes in plateau affairs and attitudes towards various tribes of Tubo.If counting from the gradual infiltration during the Qianyou period, the influence of the great Han on the various tribes of Tubo has been infiltrating for 30 years. This game of chess played most patiently by Emperor Liu is now coming to an end.

In the past, one of the most important reasons why the chiefs of the Tubo tribes took refuge in the imperial court and received rewards from the imperial court was that the imperial court guaranteed their interests and their right to rule.

On this basis, you can also get a lot of benefits and fully enjoy the benefits of the tea-horse economic exchange. As the "staff members" of the imperial court, they are not only protected by the imperial court, but also can be used in the crusade against those "rebellious officials and thieves". Get predatory bonuses.All in all, apart from being subjects of the Great Han Dynasty in terms of title, they can no longer call themselves the Tubo Kingdom, and they enjoy all autonomy rights.

In the past, apart from the Tubo General Assembly, the imperial court could directly participate in the affairs of Tubo, only a few forums established, which involved the management of the Tubo people through the influence of border market trade and neighboring counties.

In some cities, there are officials dispatched by the Lifanyuan, but they are only in name, and the permanent officials exist more as liaison officers, and cannot play the role of mediation, arbitration, and management that they should.

Speaking of the plateau, the impression of the ministers is that it is far and obstructed, the environment is harsh, and it is inconvenient to rule.But even so, with Emperor Liu's strong desire to control, after all, he still does not allow the big Han to rule on the plateau, and stay in this rudimentary and loose state of autonomy forever.

It may still be difficult to directly govern the government, but on the current basis, it is still possible to further deepen the influence. Emperor Liu intends to entrust Liu Xi to do this task.

Under Liu Xi's contemplative gaze, Emperor Liu slowly said: "After this meeting, you will stay in Luoxie City, and you will be the minister stationed in Tubo, Tongping Zhangshi, and have full authority to handle Tubo affairs!"

(End of this chapter)