Hearing Liu Ji's barrage of questions, several confidential ministers looked at each other, and Xiao He spoke first,
“This matter is complicated, Your Majesty allows us to talk about it one by one.
Let’s talk about the relationship with the Xiongnu first.
I believe that regardless of whether the Huns are sincere in their alliance, as long as the two countries are at peace on the surface, the closed market can be opened for a day. "
"I second the proposal."
Chen Ping blinked with a cunning light in his eyes,
“Since blood-based alliances on the grassland often don’t count, then we don’t have to be bound by any moral constraints.
Besides, based on the report sent back by Liu Jing, the Huns are not monolithic. As long as we wait patiently, there will always be conflicts between their several major clans.
We might as well do business while fighting, or we can separate the strong and the weak. Whichever clan has good relations with our Han Dynasty, we can do more business with that clan, and then slowly look for opportunities among them. "
Since it cannot be defeated for the time being, it will be divided and disintegrated. If no opportunity can be found among the current generation of Huns leaders, then the next generation of Huns will be focused on, and through subtle influence and inclusion, they can change.
"Well, there is no way to defeat the enemy without fighting."
Liu Ji rested his elbows on the case, frowned and said,
“Although we decided on this path earlier, it’s just a little too slow.
I've been thinking lately, can we send troops to completely defeat them within a year or two? "
All the ministers were secretly shocked. The scene of the last meeting to discuss the Xiongnu affairs was still vivid in their minds. The Queen was also present at that time. The strategy they decided was to endure, to negotiate, to wait for the opportunity, to join forces with the countries in the Western Regions, and to use barbarians to control barbarians. .
How come that just after Zang Tu was destroyed, the emperor actually wanted to fight to the death with the Xiongnu?
Could it be that this victory in revolt has given Liu Ji greater confidence?
***
There was silence in the hall for a moment, and Xia Houying said after careful consideration,
"Right now, we don't have elite cavalry that can compete with the Xiongnu. Mr. Zhang Zifang also mentioned last time that there is a shortage of good horses among the six pastoralists in the northwest, and we have to find sources of horses in many ways-"
Xiao He added,
"——After defeating Zang Tu, there are still a large number of meritorious generals who have not been enfeoffed, and the national treasury is almost stretched.
Liu Jing also said in his memorial that the grassland is vast and it is easy to get lost. The only way to identify the direction is by rivers and stars. If we start a war rashly, even if we send 20,000 troops deep into the desert, we may not be able to find the main force of Maodun.
This is still very different from the conquest in the interior of the Central Plains. "
Liu Ji's face flashed with a look of loss, and he said mockingly,
"Well, you are all right. I am probably old and too impatient. I always want to rush to a quick victory and don't want to wait too long.
Then, let’s open and close the market according to our previous plan, and delay it for a few more years.
As for how to open the city, you all should come up with the rules and regulations. "
Everyone was slightly relieved when they heard that the emperor had withdrawn his order, and they were all busy trying to comfort the emperor, saying that he was in his prime and could live for another five hundred years.
Xiao He found the right time and began to report on the location of Guan City.
"If the city is closed, it will not only involve the Xiongnu family in the north, but also South Vietnam and southwestern barbarians, as well as Huiqi and Sushen in Liaodong. In the future, it may also involve the countries in the Western Regions outside Longxi.
The ministers and others thought that we should take this opportunity to compose the "Guanshi Law", which would make strict regulations on various matters such as market opening time, location, taxes and prohibited items, and serve as the basis for all eternity. "
These issues are daily government affairs that a group of senior officials are well versed in, and they are also a specialty that Xiao He is very familiar with. They took advantage of the half-burning time of the incense stick at the end of the court meeting this morning to roughly discuss a few principles.
Let’s talk about the location of Guanshi first.
First of all, the border city needs to be located at a strategic border transportation point. In the border counties in the north where the Great Wall is built, the customs cities will be set up according to the Great Wall. The customs cities in other border counties in the northwest and southwest should be set up directly under the gates.
This not only facilitates the transportation of materials between the two countries, but is also within the control of the Han court.
Secondly, Guanshi needs to be close to a water source and have easy access to water. To transport goods between caravans, the north mainly relies on horses and camel caravans, while the south mainly relies on water transport. No matter north or south, the word "water" is inseparable.
In addition, in order to prevent neighboring countries from taking the opportunity to attack, the location of Guan City must also take into account the terrain. It needs to be located where the terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack, which is conducive to the Han army's ambush and garrison.
As Xiao He spoke, he slowly unfolded a thin silk map. Many locations were circled on it, like a winding bead chain strung together by a thin ink line.
"The places I have circled are all important towns with strong walls, tight garrisons, and powerful border generals. As the first batch of cities to be closed, they are relatively safe and will not cause any big trouble."
Liu Ji looked along where Xiao He pointed, nodding as he looked, but at a few ink circles in Longxi, he paused briefly and said without thinking,
“As soon as I saw Longxi County, I thought of Zhang Zifang and the eldest prince, who had disappeared for half a year.
This time, they will also follow Longxi's plan and return to Luoyang. "
***
He looked at Longxi County on the map and was confused for a while, and then said,
"By the way, since the so-called Guanshi Guanshi is a place for business, then we should build a ditch, open a few doors around it, and follow the market construction in Luoyang City.
We must make it bigger and more beautiful, and don't let the foreign businessmen who come from afar look down upon us. "
"As for forbidden things, there are four forbidden things in total. Your Majesty, please listen to them."
Chen Ping pinched his fingers and came one by one.
"First, no matter what kind of weapons, swords, guns, swords and halberds, they are absolutely not allowed to leave the pass, nor are powerful crossbows of more than ten stones. Anyone who violates this will be punished by death.
Secondly, in addition to weapons, the ministers and others discussed it briefly. In order to prevent the slightest change, fine copper and iron tools cannot be released from the customs. Violators shall be punished with death. "
Even Liu Ji, who had a faint headache, couldn't help laughing when he heard this.
"Why, you didn't even sell them an iron pot or an iron plow?
Isn't that a little too stingy? "
"If you don't give it, you must not give it! If the iron pot melts, it can still be made into a weapon.
The horses given by the Xiongnu children are all geldings. We all guard each other. "
Fan Kuai stared and interjected.
“The general’s words are extremely true.
There are also two items, grain and salt, which cannot be taken or asked for. "
Chen Ping added,
"It is strictly forbidden to sell these two items from the customs market, only from the official website, try to give as little as possible, and try not to give them."
Liu Ji nodded,
“Well, one more thing, horses are strictly prohibited from leaving the confinement.
Although there is no shortage of horses in the northwest countries, South Vietnam does not produce horses. Therefore, you must also write it in the "Guanshi Code". "
"yes.
In addition to several items that are prohibited from leaving the customs, there are also goods that are prohibited from entering the customs. "
"Hiss, when you think about it, why is it getting more and more complicated?
Why can't I think of anything else that's not allowed? "
“It is strictly forbidden for slaves and maidservants from foreign countries to enter the customs, and it is strictly forbidden to enter the customs for sick livestock.
All cattle, alpacas, ducks and other living animals must be kept in isolation for half a month and closely observed before entering the customs market. "
Xiao He had a gloomy face and spoke coldly every word.
Foreign slaves came in large numbers, forming a huge enemy force hidden among the people. If infected livestock entered the customs, it would be tantamount to an invisible bloody massacre.
Liu Ji lowered his head and thought for a long time, then smiled and said again,
"You are more thoughtful than me, so let's do it."
