Members of the royal family of Khwarezm finally arrived at Bianliang City under the protection of the Ming army. Seeing the vastness of the city in front of them, the splendid mountains and rivers, the tall city walls, the grand city gates, and the official roads full of people and merchants, everyone in Khwarezm was stunned. A young member of the royal family couldn't help but exclaimed: "Is this, is this paradise?" Everyone felt that compared with this city, their capital city was like a pheasant compared to a phoenix, or a beggar compared to a rich man, and they felt in their hearts. I couldn't help but feel ashamed of myself.
After entering Bianliang City, everyone felt as if they were in a heavenly palace. The buildings are extremely exquisite, even more exquisite than the buildings in the fairy tale world. The pedestrians on the street are beautifully dressed, and most of them have beautiful looks, just like elves in myths and legends. Everyone is like country bumpkins entering the city, everything is so novel and amazing!
Unknowingly, everyone was led outside the State Guesthouse. Everyone felt that they were still unsatisfied and wanted to go to this heavenly city to take a look around. The official in charge of the reception came up to us, clasped his fists and said, "I am the official in charge of receiving you all." He was speaking in the Khwarizm language. Hearing this, everyone immediately returned the greeting, and the middle-aged man in the lead bowed: "Thank you, sir! Excuse me, sir, when can His Majesty the Ming Emperor receive us?" The official said: "Everyone is tired from coming a long way, so take a good rest here first. Your Majesty can't spare the time for the moment. I will let you know when I have time!" Everyone was very anxious, but they did not dare to say anything more. The middle-aged man bowed and said, "We will wait here to be received by His Majesty the Ming Emperor!" The official nodded and ushered everyone into the State Guesthouse.
When everyone entered the State Guesthouse, they saw the exquisite wooden buildings hidden in the shade of the trees, which were as beautiful as a dream, and they couldn't help but marvel. I just feel that this state hotel is much better than the palace.
The official stopped and said to everyone: "This courtyard will be provided for you to stay temporarily. Bedding and other items have been prepared and freshly washed. Food is provided three times a day on a regular basis. If you have any other needs, please feel free to ask for help here. The staff said that if it is within the allowed range, they will try their best to satisfy you!" Everyone nodded, and the leading middle-aged man bowed and said: "Thank you, sir!" The official said: "If you want to go out for activities, please come in There are no taboos in the city, but you must abide by the law, otherwise there will be no mercy under the law! In addition, if you want to go out of the city to play, you must pay attention to the time. The gates on all sides will be closed after dark every day. If you do not arrive in time If you come back, you will have to spend the night in the town outside!" Every time the official said something, everyone nodded.
The official glanced at everyone and asked, "Is there anything else you don't understand?" Everyone shook their heads. The official clasped his fists and said, "Okay, you guys can rest. I'll take my leave." Everyone bowed quickly, and the middle-aged man in the lead said, "Better farewell to you, Your Majesty." The official left.
The middle-aged man glanced around, bowed and asked a staff member standing nearby: "Excuse me, where is your residence?" He was naturally speaking in Khwarezm, but the staff understood it because this building In order to receive these royal members of Khwarezm, the State Guesthouse has been replaced by staff who understand the Khwarezm language. The staff led everyone to the backyard, pointed to the buildings around the pond and said: "These are residences. The buildings are where followers live. Each room can accommodate two to six people. Those who are relatively independent The wooden houses are for people with status. You decide how to allocate them."
The middle-aged man thanked him very much and immediately assigned everyone's residence. There are a lot of people from Khwarezm, including more than a dozen members of the royal family and more than a hundred followers, but the rooms here are enough to accommodate them. The middle-aged man's distribution inevitably made some people dissatisfied, but no one raised any objections, which shows that the middle-aged man's prestige is quite high. It turned out that this middle-aged man's name was Mahamo, and he was the elder brother of the deceased Emperor of Khwarezm. He had always been known as a kind and wise man in the country of Khwarezm. Among this group of royal members, although some were much older than Mahamo, he was the leader.
After the accommodation was assigned, the entourage either went to the kitchen to prepare food or went to rest, while Mahamo and other royal members gathered in Mahamo's room.
An old man with graying hair said worriedly: "The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is not in a hurry to see us, which shows that he doesn't think much of us! I'm really worried that we won't get anything from asking for help from the Ming Dynasty!" The old man's name was Taika Shi. , is Mahamo's uncle and is also quite prestigious in the royal family.
Mahamo frowned and said: "The ones who attacked us were the Western Liao Kingdom and the Liao Kingdom, and these two countries are the sworn enemies of the Ming Dynasty, especially the Liao Kingdom. There have been many wars between the two sides. It can be said that they have deep hatred. Sea. The Ming Dynasty needs the allied force of Khwarezmo, so I judge that we can still reach an agreement with His Majesty the Ming Dynasty."
Taika Shi frowned and said: "In any negotiation, both sides must have something to add. In our current situation, what else can we come up with? Is the title of Khwarizm really useful?"
Mo Hemo frowned and said, "Didn't we discuss this matter a long time ago? Why did the emperor's uncle suddenly come out again?"
Taikashi sighed and said: "I have been thinking about this problem these days! Khwarazm is finished! Even if the Liao Kingdom and the Liao Kingdom are defeated by the Ming Dynasty in the future, Khwarazm will just be replaced by a new one. It's just the master, there's no need to think about restoring the country!" Everyone nodded in agreement, looking frustrated. A young man named Yiler said: "We have worked hard, and there is even a possibility that our lives will be lost, but Khwarezm There is no way to return to the country! Instead of doing such useless things, it is better to stay in the elven world of Ming Dynasty and enjoy it! Fortunately, we brought many treasures from the palace, and there is no problem in living happily for the rest of our lives. Yes!" Everyone agreed. These people didn't have much interest in restoring the country, but now they see that the Ming Dynasty is so prosperous and blooming, even worse than the legendary world of elves. They are very excited and just want to stay here and enjoy it.
Mahamo was very angry, but said calmly: "Do you think you can live a peaceful life by staying here?" Everyone showed confusion.
Maha Mo snorted, "You can forget your identity, but the Liao Kingdom will not forget it, the Liao Kingdom will not forget it, and the Ming Dynasty will not forget it either. If we don't take the initiative to fight for it, we people may become one of their three Goods traded between great empires! If we cannot show our sufficient value to the Ming Dynasty, and the Liao Kingdom or the Western Liao Kingdom exchange our interests with the Ming Dynasty, will we still have a way to survive?" Everyone's expressions changed, Yiler He said in disbelief: "This, this can't be possible! Why do the Western Liao Kingdom and the Liao Kingdom want us?"
Maha Mo snorted coldly and asked: "If you occupy someone else's home, wouldn't you worry that the owner of this family will come to take it back one day?" Everyone understood what Maha Mo meant and couldn't help but panic. Feeling overwhelmed.
Mahamo looked at Taikashi and said: "We are not the people of the Ming Dynasty, but the royal family of Khwarezm. We will not be safe if we stay in the Ming Dynasty! If we want to be truly safe, there is only one way, and that is to use Ming Dynasty restores our country!"
Regular meeting. Zhang Xiang stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, the Tibetan delegation and the Khwarezm royal family have arrived. Both families are eager to see Your Majesty."
Yang Peng said: "Your cabinet should talk to them first. I don't want to see them yet." Zhang Xiang agreed and returned to his seat.
Yang Peng glanced at everyone and asked, "Have you read the recent report sent by Shi Liancheng?" Everyone nodded. Huang Qiaoyun smiled and said: "Our army has reached the seaside in one fell swoop. The strategic goal that brother set before the war has been completed!" Yang Peng smiled at Huang Qiaoyun, and Huang Qiaoyun immediately became shy and lowered his head.
Yang Peng said: "Although the strategic goal has been achieved, the situation in Bagan is not optimistic. The situation north of Bagan city is fine. Due to the large number of Han people, we can completely control it, but south of Bagan it is a different situation. The people of Bagan are obviously concerned about Our rule is very unsatisfactory, and rebellions continue to occur in various places. Just relying on Duan Zhixian's 30,000 elites and Zhan Jin Kingdom's thousands of mysterious armored heavenly soldiers can only be exhausted!"
Everyone couldn't help but frown. Tang Shidian said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The wild and uncivilized land of Bagan is really not of much use to our Ming Dynasty. It is enough to destroy Bagan and kill the chickens to scare the monkeys. Why do we need that barbaric land?" Zhang Xiang nodded and said: "What Mr. Tang said is absolutely true! During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the army fought a bloody battle in Mobei to expel the Xiongnu, and then abandoned the land of Mobei. This was also because they considered that the wild land had no value!"
Yang Peng said: "It is precisely because Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was short-sighted that Xianbei, Khitan, and Jurchen could all rely on the northern grasslands to rise into powerful empires, posing a huge threat to the Central Plains Dynasty!"
When everyone heard this, they understood Yang Peng's intention. Yang Peng did not intend to give up Bagan.
Yang Peng said: "There is no useless land, only useless rulers. Bagan is a wild land, but precisely because of its desolation, it has huge development potential. In addition, Bagan also has many unique materials that are not found in the Central Plains. Not to mention growing novel fruits, the elephant is a very useful means of transportation, and there are also many high-quality woods that are not available in the Central Plains, as well as rubber and so on."
Everyone looked at each other, and Qian Letian said: "Your Majesty, I all know about elephant wood, but what is 'elephant glue'? Does it have anything to do with bananas?" Others have the same feeling. doubt.
Yang Peng sighed and said depressedly: "His grandma, rubber has something to do with bananas!" Oh my gosh, this is a question that no elementary school student would ask! ' He took a deep breath and said: "This rubber is actually made from the sap of a tree. It is a very useful material that can be used in all aspects. In many cases, it can replace wood and even steel." Everyone heard this , I just feel incredible. Chen Xiao thought to himself: 'There is no rubber industry at all now, but we can vigorously develop this industry. ' As soon as I thought about this, I was ready to talk to Luo Yanran and An Qian about this matter when they came back.
Yang Peng raised his head, glanced at everyone, and said: "In short, land is the most important wealth. Our army finally defeated it, how can we give up so easily!"
Zhang Xiang frowned and said: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. But to control the Bagan area, we must recruit troops. This will inevitably tie down a large number of our troops. At the same time, the expenses on food, grass and baggage are not big in a short time, but they will be reduced as time goes by. It’s an unimaginably huge number; however, with such a huge cost, it may not be possible to truly integrate Bagan. If we have to give up in the end, wouldn’t all the previous investment have been in vain! In fact, similar situations can provide lessons from the past. Yes, when the Tang army occupied Goryeo, it was because of the huge expenditure and the constant resistance of the local people that they had to withdraw their troops. In that battle, the Tang army spent countless amounts, but in the end they ended up with nothing. Your Majesty is far more wise than Emperor Taizong, so naturally he will not make the same mistake mistake!"
Yang Peng laughed and scolded: "Zhang Xiang, you are wearing a high hat on me, but there is a conspiracy behind it!"
Zhang Xiang quickly stood up and bowed: "I don't dare!"
Yang Peng said: "What you said is not unreasonable. It's just that the emperors in the past were influenced by Confucianism and always liked to pretend. They didn't understand plunder or colonization at all. They didn't know that the way of benevolence and righteousness had no other use than encouraging others to resist. ! In this way, occupying the enemy's land will not only bring no benefits, but will continue to consume your own resources. As time goes by, you will naturally be unable to sustain it and have to give up! I will never be like Li Shimin, let alone Like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it is impossible to avoid bloodshed on the road to expand territory. For the sake of long-term peace and stability in the future, I will use any means now!" Everyone was shocked.
Yang Peng thought: "Duan Zhixian knows how to deal with the rebels, and I don't have to explain anything to him. I believe he will eventually solve the problem." He raised his head and glanced at everyone, and said, "What we have to consider now is how to develop Pu Gan. I have an idea. Nowadays, Bagan is not considered safe. We can let the bodyguard bureaus from all over the country protect merchants from entering Bagan to establish various industries. At the same time, the power of these bodyguard bureaus is also a force that stabilizes the local area. When necessary, we can let the bodyguard bureaus cooperate with We can defend towns and even carry out certain offensive tasks. For example, in some small villages and towns where our troops are not stationed, those bodyguards who protect merchants can become a force to protect the villages and towns, enough to deal with small-scale riots."
When everyone heard this, they all looked at each other and were very surprised. Tang Shidian cupped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is inappropriate!"
Yang Peng asked with a smile: "Why is it inappropriate?"
Tang Shidian said: "If this happens, wouldn't it make these private escort agencies stronger and stronger? As the saying goes, a good knight uses force to offend taboos. If the power of the private sector is too strong, it may get out of control and cause unpredictable consequences. as a result of!"
Yang Peng shook his head, "Afraid of losing control of civil power is actually a sign of cowardice. Only people who have no confidence in themselves, only selfish people, will try their best to stifle civil power! This is wrong! Civil society If the power can be developed healthily, it will be a great help to the country, rather than a threat! If the power of the people really becomes a threat, it only means that what we do has completely deviated from the original intention and is no longer obtainable. The support of the people! If it really comes to that point, the Ming Dynasty will be over!" Everyone looked at each other, feeling that His Majesty's words were deafening.
Yang Peng said: "I think it is good to vigorously develop the escort industry." Then he said jokingly: "At least if our official power is useless, there is still private power to rely on." Zhang Xiang frowned and said: "Your Majesty The idea is really shocking!”
Yang Peng said with a smile: "You think the development of private power is a threat to the officialdom. This is not wrong. But I think it is a good thing. As the saying goes, 'Be born in sorrow and die in happiness', only when we are ourselves Only when you feel threatened at all times can you be constantly vigilant and introspective, so that the Ming Dynasty can develop better! As long as the Ming Dynasty's officialdom remains clear, and as long as the Ming Army's combat power remains strong, the power of the people will only become a help and not a threat!"
Huang Qiaoyun said: "Brother is right! In fact, what he said is the same as the truth of war and peace. Well-being and sorrow are actually one. Wanting to completely eliminate sorrow is simply a fool's dream. Instead of trying to eliminate sorrow, it is better to learn to be with them. We live together in sorrow.”
Chai Yongqi Huang Guang nodded. Zhang Xiang and Tang Shidian still frowned. Although they felt that what Yang Peng and Huang Qiaoyun said was reasonable, they still could not accept the excessive development of folk power. Zhang Xiang clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is related to the country's major political policy. I'm afraid a cabinet plenary meeting must be convened to finalize it!" The meaning of this is very clear, that is, Your Majesty, you have no right to decide this matter.
Yang Peng nodded and said: "This is natural. However, before the formal meeting of the cabinet plenary meeting, I can exercise the power of the emperor to act according to my intentions." Zhang Xiang said no more.
Yang Peng said to Huang Guang: "Master Huang, you can immediately send a message to the bodyguards and merchants in various places, telling them that now is a great time to enter Bagan, and ask them not to miss the opportunity." Huang Guang stood up and bowed to promise. .
Yang Peng thought for a while and said: "Our official also wants an agency similar to the escort bureau in the city." Everyone looked at each other, Huang Qiaoyun said in confusion: "Wouldn't this take away the business of the escort bureaus? I'm afraid this is different from the big brother's It doesn’t match the original intention!”
Yang Peng said with a smile: "I don't want to compete with them for business. Gradually, the government is no longer an official organization, but a commercial organization similar to a state-owned enterprise. The personnel are not soldiers, but mercenaries who have signed contracts." . Yes, they are called mercenaries to distinguish them from escort agencies. Mercenaries charge much higher than escort agencies, and they only accept business of a considerable scale or above. In other words, mercenaries target the highest-end market. In this way, they will not It will have an impact on the traditional escort industry."
Huang Qiaoyun and Chai Yongqi and Huang Guang discussed in low voices, both feeling that this approach was feasible. Zhang Xiang and Tang Shidian looked at each other in confusion. They both had the same thought in their hearts: 'Your Majesty sometimes looks more like a businessman than an emperor! 'However, I also think that establishing a mercenary army can balance the power of private escort agencies, which is also a good thing.
Yang Peng thought, "Let's discuss this matter at the annual meeting." He raised his head, looked at everyone, and asked, "Is there anything else?" Tang Shidian stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty , there are matters related to Catholicism that need to be reported to His Majesty."
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
