Yang Peng walked to the desk, picked up a pen and wrote an order, then took out his personal seal and stamped the order. He stood up, picked up the order and handed it to Wang Lu, saying: "You Hua Xu will conduct a secret investigation of the Catholic Cathedral in Hangzhou immediately. Remember not to alarm them and report the situation at any time." Wang Lu took the order with both hands and made a promise. .
Later that day, Yang Peng returned to the palace. Chai Yonghui went back to the cabinet.
The Tubo envoy Song Qianyu came to Zhang Xiang's residence at night and asked to see Mr. Zhang. The guard immediately went in to report, and after a while he came out and said, "Sir Songqian, please come in." Songqian straightened his clothes, walked up the steps step by step, and walked into the door. Then the guard handed him over to a maid, who led him through the front yard to the study in the backyard. The maid bowed to Zhang Xiang, who was sitting behind the desk and reading a book, and said, "Sir, Lord Songqian is here." Then she retreated.
Zhang Xiang raised his head, saw Song Qian, stood up, laughed and said, "Sir Song Qian is here, please sit down. Please sit down." Song Qian bowed and said, "I am taking the liberty of visiting, please don't take offense." Zhang Xiang said with a smile: "Come on, come on, sit down and talk." Song Qian responded and sat down in the guest seat. Zhang Xiang walked to the main seat opposite and sat down. The maid brought tea and bowed back.
Zhang Xiang pointed to the tea and said: "This is the Dragon Well before the rain this year. Master Songgan, please have a taste." Songgan held the tea bowl in both hands, took a careful sip, put down the tea bowl, and said to Zhang Xiang: "We are suffering from the bitter cold in Tubo." This place cannot produce such good tea. But even though it is a remote place, there are some rare things." Then he took out a very small box inlaid with gold wire from his arms. He stood up, walked to Zhang Xiang, bent down, put the box on the coffee table beside Zhang Xiang with both hands, bowed and said with a smile: "It's a little thought, please don't refuse, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Xiang smiled secretly and said: "I can't see His Majesty, so I want to open up the joints from me."
Picking up Heizi, he opened the lid and saw a round, crystal-clear black gem the size of a quail egg placed squarely on the brocade in the middle of the box. Zhang Xiang is well-informed, but he has never seen such a gem. Knowing that it is definitely a rare treasure that is hard to find in the world, he couldn't help but exclaimed: "Such a gem, I have never seen or heard of it!"
Song Qian smiled and said: "Although it is rare, it is not worth anything. If you place it here, it is a secret investment. Only if you place it with an adult can it find its rightful place!"
Zhang Xiang closed the lid and said with a smile: "Sir Songqian, this gift is so valuable, I dare not accept it!"
Song Qian said quickly: "This is just a courtesy exchange between friends. If you don't accept it, I will be sad!"
Zhang Xiang looked very embarrassed. It could be seen that although Zhang Xiang had some scruples, he liked this gem very much. Song Qian struck while the iron was hot and said: "God knows this and earth knows it. You know it and I know it. You don't have to worry about anything at all."
Zhang Xiang finally couldn't resist the temptation of gems and put the wooden box containing gems into the armhole. Songgan was very happy when he saw this.
Zhang Xiang said boldly: "I, Zhang Xiang, have made friends with you!" Song Qian said quickly: "It is Song Qian's great blessing to be able to make friends with you!" Zhang Xiang laughed and said: "Brother Song Qian You're welcome!" Song Qian was even more happy when he heard the other party call him brother. Zhang Xiang said: "Brother Songqian, don't stand. Let's sit down and talk." Songqian responded, returned to his seat and sat down.
Song Qian said: "Brother Zhang, I was ordered to lead an envoy to the Ming Dynasty this time because I wanted to represent Tubo and surrender to the Ming Dynasty. However, His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty did not see me, which made me very uneasy! I don't know, Brother Zhang Can you tell me what your Majesty the Emperor’s feelings are?”
Zhang Xiang smiled and said: "Brother Songgan, don't worry. In fact, His Majesty has already understood Tubo's wishes and is very happy. The reason why we haven't seen you for a long time is not because he is dissatisfied with you, but because he can't get out." Time. Brother Songqian should also know that our army has just pacified Dali and annexed Bagan. There are so many things going on in all aspects, and your Majesty is really too busy."
When Song Qian heard this, he couldn't help but calm down a lot, and asked: "Brother Zhang, I wonder when your Majesty will be able to receive us."
Zhang Xiang thought: "This is hard to say." He looked up at Song Qian and smiled: "But since Brother Song Qian and I are already friends, we can't just sit back and watch this matter. We have to help Brother Song Qian." ." Song Qian was overjoyed, stood up and bowed: "Thank you, Brother Zhang." Zhang Xiang laughed and said, "You and I are already friends, it would be too disrespectful to say thank you." Song Qian nodded quickly and said: "Brother Zhang What you said is absolutely true! But I will never forget Brother Zhang’s kindness!”
Zhang Xiang smiled and Song Qian sat back in his seat. Zhang Xiang glanced at Song Qian and asked, "I heard that Brother Song Qian was supposed to inherit the throne?" Song Qian couldn't help but think of the past and sighed, "That was a long time ago," and shook his head. , "It's okay not to say it!"
Zhang Xiang looked at Song Qian's expression and said with a smile: "Brother Song Qian comes here rarely. After the morning meeting tomorrow, I will accompany Brother Song Qian to visit the scenery of Bianliang." Song Qian thought that he would also come after the morning meeting tomorrow. When he asked about the situation, he nodded and said, "Then I'd rather be respectful than obey your orders!" Zhang Xiang smiled slightly.
The two chatted about romance, and the topic between men was naturally inseparable from women. Song Qian proudly talked about the Beauty Valley in Tubo: "Zhang Xiang may not believe it, but there is a very beautiful place in Tubo. , we all think that it is a place that God has a special liking for! The women there are all beauties, all graceful and enchanting!" Zhang Xiang was greatly surprised and said: "There is such a place? This is really hard to find. I believe it!" Seeing Zhang Xiangyi's disbelief, Song Qian hurriedly said: "This is absolutely true! The women living in Beauty Valley are all very beautiful. Over the years, let alone ugly women, they are mediocre in appearance. There is no one among them, and the best among them is as beautiful as a fairy transformed into a human being! If a man sees it, he will be fascinated immediately!"
Zhang Xiang was a little unconvinced and said: "No matter how beautiful she is, I think she can't compare to His Majesty's concubines!"
Song Qian said quickly: "Of course, all of His Majesty's concubines are fairies. But those beauties in Beauty Valley, I think they are absolutely no less impressive!"
Zhang Xiang smiled and said: "Since the beauties in Beauty Valley are so outstanding, the emperor of Tubo is really blessed with beauty!"
Songgan laughed, shook his head and said: "You cannot enjoy this beautiful blessing. As I said just now, Beauty Valley is considered to be a place that the gods have a special liking for, so Beauty Valley is extremely sacred in the hearts of us Tubo people, and The beauties living in Beauty Valley are considered to be the incarnation of gods in the human world, and they are holy and inviolable! If our emperor dares to blaspheme them, it will immediately arouse everyone's anger. Not to mention the loss of the throne, it is not even possible to save his life. Definitely!"
Zhang Xiang was surprised and asked, "Don't all the beauties in Beauty Valley get married?"
Songgan shook his head and said: "That's not true. If they can't marry, how can the residents of Beauty Valley continue their bloodline! But it is different from other places. Since the beauties in Beauty Valley are the incarnations of gods in the human world, no one can be them. It’s up to them to choose their own partners!”
Zhang Xiang smiled and said, "That's it. This is a very strange custom. All of the selected men must be happy to miss Shu, right?"
Songgan showed a strange expression and said: "Happiness is natural, but it is also painful! Although the men in Tubo admire the beauties of the Beauty Valley, if you really choose them, it will be a disaster!" Zhang Xiang He was greatly surprised: "What's the point of this?" Song Qian said: "Since he is the incarnation of God, how can he be defiled by men in the world. However, reproduction cannot be without men, so every man who is chosen will have the same relationship with the man who chooses him. The beauty lives for a month, and then she will be executed!" Zhang Xiang couldn't help but feel horrified, thinking that this custom was simply unbelievable and extremely evil.
The two of them talked about other topics. Songqian felt that it was inconvenient to disturb them too much, so he stood up and left.
After the morning session the next day, Zhang Xiang returned to the mansion and saw Song Qian waiting in the hall. The two met each other, exchanged a few words, and then left the mansion to go sightseeing around the city. This is the first time for Song Qian to come to Bianliang. Although he saw the grandeur and prosperity of Bianliang when he entered the city, it was just a glimpse. Although he was amazed, he did not have a deep impression. Today, he was accompanied by Zhang Xiang to visit in detail. After visiting various places in Bianliang, I had a deeper understanding of the prosperity of Yanyun in Bianliang. Not only was I envious in my heart, but I also felt extremely humble. I only felt that facing Yanyun, I seemed to be standing alone. A dwarf in front of a giant is like a beggar facing a rich man, feeling ashamed and helpless.
The two of them walked in the Shenxiao Wanshou Palace outside the city and came to a secluded place. Zhang Xiang said: "Today at the meeting, I mentioned the matter of your Tibetan mission to Your Majesty. Your Majesty has decided to receive you in ten days." Song Qian was overjoyed and thanked him quickly; "Thank you so much, Brother Zhang!" Zhang Xiang smiled and patted him. He patted him on the shoulder and said: "Brother Songqian, there is no need to be polite. You and I are our own people, there is no need to distinguish each other!" Songqian felt flattered when he heard this.
Zhang Xiang frowned and said: "At today's court meeting, I used words to test His Majesty, and I roughly heard His Majesty's intention." Songgan showed nervousness.
Zhang Xiang glanced at Song Qian, frowned and said: "Your Majesty seems not satisfied with Tubo's surrender but still its independence! His Majesty's intention seems to be to completely incorporate Tubo into the territory!" Song Qian's expression changed, "Well, what about this? Is good!?"
The diseased pine tree rushed to the doctor and begged Zhang Xiang: "Brother Zhang, can you please advise His Majesty? Brother Zhang is a trusted minister that Your Majesty relies on, and Your Majesty will definitely listen to Brother Zhang's advice!"
Zhang Xiang said: "Although I am favored by your Majesty and entrusted with important tasks, but who can change your Majesty's decision? If your Majesty can be changed by others, you are not your Majesty!" Song Qian knew that Zhang Xiang was right and said worriedly : "How can this be good! How can this be good!"
Zhang Xiang said: "As a minister of the Ming Dynasty, what I can say is very limited. It is better for Brother Songqian to speak for himself after seeing His Majesty. Then I will help Brother Songqian depending on the situation. Maybe Brother Songqian's sincerity can persuade Your Majesty to change his decision." !" Song Qian frowned and nodded, thinking in his mind what to do if the Ming Emperor's wishes cannot be changed? At the beginning, the Ming Dynasty only occupied the north of the Yangtze River. It was far from being so powerful, but it captured the Qingtang and Qinghai Lake areas in one fell swoop. Now the Ming Dynasty has dominated the world, and its strength can be said to be unmatched. However, due to the previous conflict with the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty The battle suffered heavy losses and the vitality was severely damaged. Under such circumstances, if the Ming Dynasty attacked in a large scale, there would be no suspense about the outcome!
The palace was very lively. The concubines and princes and princesses had returned. Yang Peng was talking to everyone. Yang Rui was the most energetic and kept talking about interesting things in the Ming Dynasty. Happy laughter rang out.
After the party, the concubines and children went back separately, leaving only Han Bing, Yelu Hanyu and Yeqi Guanyin. The four people came to the study room while talking. Everyone sat down, and Yang Peng briefly talked about the major national events during this period. In fact, Han Bing and the others already knew most of the things in the report, but Yang Peng's narrative made up for some omissions.
Yelu Hanyu smiled and said: "Now not only has Dali been included in the territory, but Bagan has also become a part of the Ming Dynasty. Our Ming Dynasty has become stronger and more prestigious!"
Ye Qi Guanyin asked: "There should be some people resisting in Dali and Bagan, right?"
Yang Peng nodded, "That's for sure. Dali is fine, and the most important thing is Bagan. The Bagan people will naturally feel uncomfortable when they are suddenly ruled by us. Therefore, rebellions have occurred one after another recently. Duan Zhixian and Zhan Jin The country is suppressing rebellions everywhere, so busy that people never leave their saddles!"
Han Bing asked: "Didn't eldest brother send troops for reinforcements?"
Yang Peng shook his head, "No." The three girls were surprised. Yelu Hanyu said, "Is it possible that the eldest brother doesn't intend to have Bagan?" Yang Peng asked with a smile, "Do you think I vomit out the meat that I have eaten? "?" The three girls couldn't help but smile, and Ye Qi Guanyin said: "The eldest brother naturally eats meat without spitting out bones, but why don't you send more troops to Bagan? With Duan Zhixian, Zhan Jinguo and the more than 30,000 soldiers and horses under their command, we need to To suppress the rebellion, we have to guard against the Tianzhu and Yue Li Dynasties, but they are a bit stretched! If they cannot quickly suppress the rebellion, I'm afraid something will happen!" Han Bing and Yelu Hanyu nodded, obviously their thoughts were the same as those of Ye Qi Guanyin. the same.
Yang Peng smiled and said: "You are right. But I have another idea." Then he expressed his idea of using folk power.
The three women looked at each other in disbelief. Yelu Hanyu said: "Emperors have always been taboo on the development of folk forces. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said that chivalrous men violated taboos with force, so they persecuted powerful local knights. The reason for this is simply because they are worried that folk forces will harm the local area if they grow too strong. It even poses a threat to the central government! Why does the eldest brother do the opposite and actively encourage the development of private forces?" Han Bing and Ye Qi Guanyin also have the same doubts, but the two women are not aware of the harm that private forces may cause. As worried as Yelu Hanyu.
Yang Peng said with a smile: "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was worried about the development of civil forces. Rather than worrying about civil forces threatening the local and central government, he was more worried about civil forces threatening his centralized rule!" After a pause, "In fact, why should civil forces be too strong?" Worry! The power of the people is the power of the state. The stronger the power of the people, the stronger the power of the country! The result of massively weakening the power of the people can only lead to a situation where the outside is strong and the middle is weak! For example, in the Song Dynasty, the power of the people has never been as weak as in the Song Dynasty. As a result, the government and the army If defeated, the entire mountain and river will be in a state of overturning! If the power of the people is very strong, even if the official army is defeated, it will be difficult for foreign enemies to advance straight in!"
Among the three women, Yelu Hanyu was the most erudite and had a very thorough understanding of historical knowledge. After hearing Yang Peng's words, Yelu Guanyin and Han Bing just thought it made sense, but they didn't think of anything else. Yelu Hanyu immediately thought of Tang Dynasty. Chao, thinking: "What the eldest brother said is so right! The Tang Dynasty was a dynasty with unprecedented local power! Therefore, the world was in chaos at the end of the Tang Dynasty. Although foreign enemies were eyeing it, it was difficult for them to advance as far as they did during the Song Dynasty! Even if it succeeds, Xiao He will fail. Also Xiao He, precisely because the local power was too strong, after the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the entire Central Plains fell apart, and the princes were numerous, just like what they were during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period more than a thousand years ago. If it weren't for the talented and strategic Zhao Kuangyin in the Northern Dynasty, the entire Central Plains would have been destroyed. It just fell apart!”
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Encouraging the development of mercenaries is completely different from the local power becoming stronger during the Tang Dynasty!"
Yelu Hanyu smiled and nodded, "It's different. But no one can guarantee whether those privately controlled mercenaries will develop into a force strong enough to control the place!"
Han Bing and Ye Qi Guanyin both disagreed. Han Bing said: "If private mercenaries try to control the place, they are rebelling. Just wipe them out! With the strength of our Ming army, it will be effortless to wipe out private mercenaries!" Yeah! Qi Guanyin nodded in agreement and said, "That's what you said!"
Yelu Hanyu said: "The Tang Dynasty was strong in the early stage, so local power was not a problem. But after the imperial power weakened, the problem of excessive local power gradually became apparent. Our Ming Dynasty also faces the same problem. Although we are now It is very powerful, but no one can guarantee that it will weaken in the future. Once the central power weakens, local power will definitely take the opportunity to become stronger, and I am afraid that the situation in the middle and late Tang Dynasty where local power could not lose its power will repeat itself!"
Han Bing and Ye Qi Guanyin did not read much and did not know much about historical events. Ye Qi Guanyin said: "I don't know the things my sister said. But since problems will only arise after the central power declines, then things will Easy to handle! We just need to prevent the central power from declining!" Han Bing nodded in agreement. Yelu Hanyu smiled bitterly and said: "I'm afraid this kind of thing is not that simple!"
Yang Peng said: "The system established by our Ming Dynasty is fundamentally different from that of the Tang Dynasty. I think we can prevent the power of the central government from declining." He smiled and said, "This actually goes back to an issue we talked about before. . Why are we constantly waging war? In addition to strengthening our country and eliminating potential threats, we also want to maintain the vitality and combat effectiveness of the central force. How can the central army decline with such constant battles?" The three women couldn't help but nodded.
Yang Peng thought: "But Mei'er's worries are justified. Civil forces need to develop and grow, but they must be controlled. Once civil forces get out of control, even if they do not cause fundamental harm to the country, they may still cause great harm. Place." He raised his head and glanced at the three women, "In view of this, I will ask the state-owned sector to form a state-controlled operational mercenary in order to balance the influence of private mercenaries in this industry. In addition, , I also plan to pass a bill at this year’s annual meeting, firstly to establish various matters to encourage the development of the bodyguard bureau, and secondly, to restrict the personnel of the private bodyguard bureau from entering any military and political units to avoid threatening local security and national security.”
The three women nodded, and Yelu Hanyu said: "Brother has made very careful considerations, so it should be absolutely foolproof!"
Yang Peng clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Okay, we have reached a consensus, it seems there is no problem." The three women smiled slightly.
Seeing the beautiful faces of the three wives, Yang Peng couldn't help but feel his heart flutter, and said, "We husband and wife haven't seen each other for several months! My eldest brother has long wanted you to death!" The eyes of the three women all showed emotion, and they were so beautiful. Under the flowing eyes, there is an indescribable charm. Yang Peng couldn't help but feel his heart tremble, and asked with a smile: "Who will accompany me tonight?"
The three women looked at each other with a look of longing in their eyes. Ye Qi Guanyin said angrily: "You know that we all want to accompany you, but you ask this deliberately. You are clearly teasing us!" Han Bing and Yelu Hanyu nodded in agreement, both looking annoyed. However, underneath the three points of anger, there is also seven points of charm and desire, which are so charming that Yang Peng, the husband, can't help but feel excited, and he can't help but say: "Why don't we sleep together with a big quilt tonight!"
The three women's hearts trembled. Ye Qi Guanyin smiled and said: "I'm not worried, I'm just afraid that the two sisters are shy!" Han Bing and Yelu Hanyu looked at each other. Although their faces were red, neither of them expressed any objection.
Seeing this, Yang Peng was very excited. He quickly stood up and said, "It's not too early now, let's go back and rest!" The three women couldn't help but look at the sky outside the window. Although the sun had already set in the west, it was far away. It was far from dusk, not to mention that it was getting late. I was secretly amused, but I didn't refute Yang Peng's words. Seeing that the three women were silent, Yang Peng was so excited that his fingers couldn't help but beat. He took Han Bing's delicate hand and said impatiently: "Let's not waste any time, let's go quickly!"
Han Bing's footsteps did not move, and he said angrily: "It would be bad if the other sisters saw it! You go first, we will come later!"
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
