Fang Jun came to Liangyi Hall in a worried mood and found that the banquet had already begun. When the chamberlain at the door saw him, he quickly led him into the hall and found his place.
Prince Li Chengqian was sitting at this table. He raised his eyes and glanced at Fang Jun. He didn't say anything more. He just held the pot and poured a glass of wine for Fang Jun. This kind of intimate behavior was done in public, which further highlighted his trust and closeness to Fang Jun.
Fang Juncheng was frightened: "I don't dare to be a minor minister."
"Haha, what do you dare to do or not? Although I am a prince, I don't have the courage to look down on the world. I am very close to all my dear friends. Everyone gets along more happily and relaxes each other."
I have to say that the position Li Chengqian has given himself now is very suitable.
He himself has an indecisive temperament, and he cannot pretend to be the majesty and domineering of His Majesty Li Er. Rather than acting unorthodox and making people look down upon, he might as well just show off an approachable face.
Although they lack a bit of imperial spirit, how many ministers are willing to face the deep, domineering and arbitrary emperor all day long? It is said that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. Although serving the king has been the most glorious and glorious thing since ancient times, it is also very risky and may lead to overthrow. If the emperor's temperament is softer and less decisive, it may not be a bad thing from another perspective.
After all, everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Instead of being severely punished for the slightest mistake, the emperor with a softer temper may be able to discuss it and avoid having no room for change...
Li Daozong smiled at the side and said: "His Highness has a kind heart and is most considerate of his ministers. His compassion moves heaven and earth. We are really lucky to be able to follow His Highness."
Ma Zhou also said: "His Royal Highness is approachable and accepts advice with an open mind. He indeed has the style of a wise king."
The worries in Li Chengqian's heart also faded a bit, and he greeted everyone with a smile to join them for dinner.
Fang Jun raised his glass, and everyone toasted to Li Chengqian. Then he took a bite of the dishes and found that the dishes that looked so good had gone cold. They didn't taste good in their mouths. After taking a few bites to show off, they put them down. Got chopsticks.
This kind of banquet focuses on formality, showing His Majesty the Emperor's benevolence and love for his ministers. Naturally, formality is more important than practicality. Everyone is just pretending to be here. Even if they are hungry, they really can't eat more than a few mouthfuls.
On the other hand, His Majesty Li Er was sitting in the main seat, chatting and laughing, mingling with the old ministers, and was in high spirits.
Half an hour later, the banquet ended, and then His Majesty Li Er came to the Political Affairs Hall to convene the first Political Affairs Hall meeting of the new year. Officials who were not qualified to enter the Political Affairs Hall to participate in Henan political affairs left the palace and went home, and foreign envoys also returned to Hong Kong. Honglu Temple, the ministers of Honglu Temple will return the gifts given by the emperor according to the congratulations they carry, and issue customs and defense documents so that they can get as much preferential treatment as possible on the way home...
In the political hall, the earth dragon was boiling hot, and the hot tea had been brewed and placed on the table. Everyone headed by the emperor came in and took their places.
Everyone drank tea and chatted casually, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than before.
His Majesty Li Er took a sip of tea, put down the tea cup and knocked on the table. Everyone was silent for a moment, and they all sat upright with solemn expressions on their faces.
His Majesty Li Er then said: "At the beginning of the new year, everything will be renewed. The eighteenth year of Zhenguan should be a prosperous and splendid year for our Tang Dynasty. Wen Zhi and martial arts will reach a new peak. I dare not say that I can surpass the Three Emperors. , Germany surpassed the five emperors, but at least we must create a glorious and prosperous age unprecedented since the Qin and Han Dynasties! A hundred years later, such a good story should be left in the history of the world, and future generations will talk about it, and they always yearn for it, and they are longing for it... I and you all Let’s encourage each other.”
"Your Majesty has a long life! I swear allegiance to you and will not hesitate until death!"
All the ministers stood up one after another, bowed their hands to the ground, and swore loudly.
"Very good! Everyone, please take your seats quickly."
His Majesty Li Er was in a good mood. He spotted Fang Jun in the second row and asked casually: "Earlier in the main hall, the envoys of the Great Food Kingdom begged the Tang Dynasty to help their lord resist the rebels and continue to maintain business ties with the Tang Dynasty. I I didn't give a clear answer because I don't know the inside story of the Great Food Country. Fang Jun, the trade with the Great Food Country has always been the responsibility of the 'Eastern Datang Company', and everything is through your hands. I might as well tell you. What do you think about this matter?”
The ministers were a little surprised.
Today is the Zhengdan meeting. Logically speaking, His Majesty Li Er should not be more concerned about whether all the matters for the Eastern Expedition are properly prepared. He will discuss them at the first political hall meeting of the new year and strive for excellence. If there is anything wrong, it will be corrected this morning.
Why are you so concerned about the situation in the Big Food Country...
The great food country is thousands of miles away. Who stole the power and proclaimed himself emperor? What does it have to do with the Tang Dynasty?
All the ministers sat down, but Fang Jun still stood and said loudly: "Your Majesty, the internal affairs of the Dashi Kingdom are really too complicated. The entangled interests and factions are like a mess. It cannot be explained clearly at the moment. I will write a detailed memorial later and report it to Your Majesty. However, in my humble opinion, the Tang Dynasty is now the most powerful country in the world with its great power and has subdued the barbarians. It should have a national policy consistent with its interests, that is Facing the weak, the Tang Dynasty needs to do its best to support them to reassure them; facing strong enemies, the Tang Dynasty needs to divide and win over them to disrupt its politics."
He naturally agreed to continue to maintain business relations with Little Hussein. On the one hand, he could continuously obtain more high-quality war horses, and on the other hand, he could support Little Hussein to slowly develop and grow, and steal the big food country. Muawiya of the regime launched a war.
As long as the civil war in Dashi Country continues, its national strength will never be restored.
If this kind of civil war lasts for tens or hundreds of years and wipes out the entire population, then it may not be possible to fully recover even if it takes hundreds of years.
Previously, Muawiya led a large army to raid the Western Regions, and was almost driven in by him, shaking the Tang Dynasty's rule in the Western Regions. Although he was later expelled, who can guarantee that after Muawiya secures his position as Caliph of the Great Food Kingdom, Will they not invade the country again and start a war?
After hearing these words, everyone nodded in agreement.
A big country must behave like a big country. Fighting and annihilating those small countries can certainly expand the territory of the empire and plunder more people, but if it arouses resentment and makes everyone hate the Tang Dynasty, it will not be worth the gain.
His Majesty Li Er stroked his beard and asked: "So in your opinion, do you want to continue to maintain trade with the Dashi Country and help it maintain a certain amount of force so that you can continue to fight against the rebels in the country?"
Fang Jun said: "That's right. Continuing trade with the Great Food Country and stabilizing this hard-won route will enable the Tang Dynasty's influence to reach the far west, which is conducive to the interests of the empire. As a big country, it makes All major countries that may threaten the Tang Dynasty have fallen into civil strife and are unable to take care of themselves. This should be an unswerving national policy."
From ancient times to the present, every superpower has adhered to this national policy.
As the saying goes, "How can you allow others to snore and sleep on the side of the couch?" When a powerful enemy reveals a flaw, he must take advantage of it immediately and pursue the victory while he is victorious, so that he cannot take care of himself in the chaos and constantly weaken his strength.
Of course, how to operate this, to obtain the benefits you want while maintaining a glorious and just international public opinion, depends not only on the means, but also on the cultural deposits of your own country. Otherwise, they will just barbarically interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and even launch wars and invasions under some unfounded excuses. Although they can take advantage of the strong national power in the short term and make others dare to be angry but dare not speak out, in the long run it will inevitably As a result, one's own prestige is damaged and one's image is ruined, until everyone betrays and alienates oneself.
The so-called correct name means correct words.
"The people of the region do not rely on the boundaries of the territory, the country is not consolidated by the dangers of mountains and rivers, and the power of the world does not rely on the benefits of military revolution. Those who have gained the Tao will have many help, and those who have lost the Tao will have little help. Those who have few help will be close to their relatives. Those who have many help will When it comes, the world will obey him. If the world obeys him, he will attack his relatives. Therefore, if a gentleman refuses to fight, he will definitely win in battle."
This is the essence of Chinese culture that has accumulated for thousands of years. How can those barbaric tribes who suddenly became powerful in one day understand the truth contained in it if they only know how to dominate with strong ships and guns?
His Majesty Li Er stroked his beard and thought for a while. Seeing that no one else refuted, he nodded and said, "That being the case, you can just take care of this matter. However, you must remember that the Tang Dynasty is a celestial kingdom, and the majesty of Heaven is indescribable. Fall, don't just be greedy for the petty profits in front of you, but ignore the reputation of the empire."
Fang Jun quickly took the order.
In the final analysis, His Majesty Li Er still cares more about reputation, and he cannot get rid of this problem of being so happy with success...
