Before Mu Sheng formally convened the court meeting, he separately summoned Taisha's envoy Potuchijiakun. Upon hearing the emperor's summons, Potuchijiakun followed the eunuchs in the palace to the palace to meet the emperor.
When Potuchi Jiakun actually saw the emperor Benrao, he was stunned, because he looked almost exactly like the Emperor Changsheng. He had seen the true face of the Lord of Yucheng, but before the court meeting, Mu Sheng wore Mian Liuguan, he couldn't see the emperor's true face clearly, Potuchi Jiakun thought that he might look like the Emperor Changsheng.
Potuchi Jiakun stepped forward and said in a hesitant tone: "Foreign Minister, I would like to pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor. I don't know why His Majesty summoned his ministers here today."
Mu Sheng was amused when he saw the hesitation on his face, so he naturally knew what he was suspecting.
Mu Sheng said: "Why, we say goodbye to Yucheng. How are you, the Duke?"
Potuchi Jiakun's expression suddenly became extremely exciting, either doubtful or unbelievable. This tone was clearly that of the old turtle, the Lord of Yucheng.
Potuchi Jiakun said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, are you the Great Emperor? Is this... this... impossible? This... how is this possible? When did you become the new king of the Jin Dynasty?"
Mu Sheng laughed loudly when he heard this and said, "Why is it impossible? I was originally a descendant of the Jin clan, and now I have become the emperor of the Central Plains. Is there any surprise?"
Potuchi Jiakun's heart was full of mixed feelings. He understood that the body of this old turtle might be a descendant of the Jin Dynasty clan. Why did he come around in a circle and beg this old thing again? This world It's so crazy.
Potuchijiakun calmed down. Since they were all old acquaintances, let's just forget it. There was no need to beat around the bush, and said: "Uh... Your Majesty..."
Mu Sheng waved his hand and said: "When you are in the country, do as the Romans do. When you arrive in the Central Plains, please call me your Majesty."
Potuchi Jiakun nodded slightly and said: "Your Majesty must have summoned Elder Yucheng, and has made a judgment on the current situation in southern Xinjiang. The foreign minister has a question, how is your superior's consideration of my Lord Jiemei's request?"
Mu Sheng said: "I already know the situation in southern Xinjiang. This place is different from Yucheng. I have just ascended the throne. Many things can only be decided after discussing with the important officials of the imperial court. I am looking for you today to communicate with you in advance. It is up to you Please personally explain the current situation in southern Xinjiang to the courtiers, and wait for my court to discuss it before deciding whether to become a friendly country with your country."
Potuchijiakun understood it as soon as he heard it. He knew that the Emperor Changsheng had just succeeded to the throne and his foundation was unstable. It was impossible for him to act like a puppet on the mountain and keep his word. But Potuchijiakun still decided. Check his tone and see the true attitude of the Great Emperor.
Potuchi Jiakun said: "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
Mu Sheng said: "The expansion of the Xi clan is not good for our country, nor is it good for the mountains. The Xi clan borders the southern border counties of our dynasty. If they are allowed to grow and develop, they will become a nuisance sooner or later. I still want southern Xinjiang to be as peaceful as possible." Some, it depends on you when the time comes, can you understand?"
Naturally, Potuchi Jiakun understood immediately upon hearing this. This was to make the threat of the Xi tribe more serious, so that the whole court could reach a consensus as soon as possible and settle the matter as soon as possible. It seemed that the emperor wanted to promote this marriage.
Potuchi Jiakun thought for a while and further probed: "Your Majesty, if the situation in southern Xinjiang is really critical and out of control, does the state have any plans to send troops south?"
Mu Sheng thought for a while, laughed, and said: "I will depend on the situation at that time. If it really gets out of hand, I will definitely not sit idly by and ignore it."
Potuchijiakun secretly scolded the old fox. This is so rare. As for why he sat back and ignored, you can interpret it as sending troops to intervene, or you can interpret it as watching the fire from the other side. Whether to help or not is all in the minds of the kings and ministers of the Jin Dynasty.
In fact, as long as the behemoth Jin Dynasty can express a corresponding attitude, it is enough to frighten the countries in southern Xinjiang. The countries in southern Xinjiang are watching the Jin army's massive southern expedition to hammer Taisha, the former overlord of southern Xinjiang, into shape. Yes, this is the deterrent power of super power.
After careful communication with Taisha's envoy, Mu Sheng signaled Yang Jin to hold a court meeting to discuss the possibility of forming an alliance with Taisha.
In the afternoon, at Zhangtai Palace, Prime Minister Huo Zheng on the left, Prime Minister Wang Yi on the right, Wei Wei Gao Zhong, Shaofu Zou Dan, Lang Zhongling Huo Jun and other important ministers. The representatives of the civil servants in the palace were almost all Huo Zheng's close associates. Huo Zheng's attitude was that of civil servants. Their attitude also represents the attitude of the court.
The military representative is the former general Wucheng Hou Lu Sheng. The old man has been in the army all his life. This year, 70% of the sixty-seven are considered to have participated in the Unification War during the era of Emperor Wu. He is the only military representative with the most outstanding achievements. His eldest son, the right general Lu Feng, is an important guard guarding the border. The commander-in-chief's opinions were those of the military. Although he and Mu Sheng were old acquaintances, Mu Sheng did not dare to deliberately get close to Lu Sheng, lest the powerful Huo Xiangguo misunderstand.
The later general Cheng Pu was a new generation of generals promoted during the Emperor Wu era. Both his father and ancestors had participated in the Unification War. He was in his early 40s. During the Taiji Palace Rebellion, he suppressed the Rebellion of the Prince and was granted the title of Marquis of Zhongyi. He was regarded as a young man in the military. Send a representative.
Participating in the court meeting today, almost all the core officials from the top and bottom of the court were present.
Later, when Mu Sheng entered the palace and saw that Potuchi Jiakun was also present, he immediately said: "Dear lords, please let the envoy of Taisha explain the situation in southern Xinjiang first, and then we will decide whether to form an alliance with Taisha."
Upon hearing this, Potuchi Jiakun stepped forward and explained to the ministers the purpose of Taisha's visit and the current situation in southern Xinjiang. After making an impassioned speech, he withdrew from the hall. The only thing left was for the internal decision-makers of the Jin Dynasty to start court discussions. It was a bit inappropriate for him, an outsider, the Taisha envoy, to be present.
As soon as Potuchijiakun left the court, Gao Zhong and others at the court meeting subconsciously glanced at Huo Xiangguo to see how the real person in charge would express his opinion on the matter, and then everyone followed up.
Seeing this, Huo Zheng coughed lightly and said, "Comrades, since this is a court discussion, you should express your opinions and state your interests. If it is a loyal suggestion, your Majesty will accept it." After saying this, he kicked the ball back.
Seeing that Huo Zheng did not express his position, all the ministers came forward to express their opinions. The young master Zou Dan stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I think that our dynasty can form an alliance with Taisha. Taisha has a humble attitude and has given enough face. , and Taisha is still a powerful country in southern Xinjiang. The current situation in southern Xinjiang is that our alliance with it will bring more benefits than disadvantages to our country..."
The doctor ordered Huo Jun to step forward and said: "Mr. Zou's words need to be discussed. I think our court does not need to care about the affairs of Southern Xinjiang. They are just a bunch of barbarians. They are willing to fight. That is their business. We should not go there easily. Troubled waters.”
The views of Zou and Huo Errao basically represent the opinions of the two factions of ministers. Accepting the alliance will make the court look good, and its influence on the southern Xinjiang region will be significantly enhanced. Correspondingly, they will have to assume obligations, and they may have to spend money and food to send troops. help.
If you don't accept the alliance, you're basically just sitting on the mountain watching the fight between tigers and letting them go. It has nothing to do with you how the fight turns out. You don't have to take responsibility and just take it one step at a time.
Mu Sheng saw that the Prime Minister on the right, Wang Yi, did not say a word, and knew that he was in an awkward situation now. His real power had been deprived of all his power by the Prime Minister on the left, Huo Zheng. He was just a prime minister in name only, but he still asked: "Does Wang Yi have any advice? "
Wang Yi didn't expect that the emperor suddenly asked him what his opinion was, so he had to bite the bullet and replied: "Your Majesty, I believe that both Master Huo and Master Zou's words have merit. The art of war says that subduing the enemy's troops without fighting is good. As a kind person, our country cannot sit back and watch the situation in southern Xinjiang worsen, nor can we be too involved..."
Wang Yi was half-hearted and basically didn't express his position. Mu Sheng also understood that he only wanted to protect himself, so he didn't ask further questions.
After hearing the opinions of the two factions, Huo Zheng still did not express his position. He turned to the former general Lu Sheng and asked: "Old General Lu has been visiting Lingnan in the past and has a deep understanding of the countries in the southern Xinjiang. What does the old general think of this?"
Former general Lu Sheng heard this and said: "I believe that the Xi tribe borders our southern border counties, and the Xi tribe is warlike by nature. If we completely leave it alone and let it grow, we may be afraid of raising tigers and causing trouble. We should pursue a strategy of distant relations and close attacks. If Even if there is no alliance, Taysha must also be given actual support to stabilize the domestic situation."
Lu Sheng's views basically represented the opinions of the military. General Cheng Pu, the queen of Zhongyi, also stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I second my opinion." He also agreed with Lu Sheng's views.
After listening to the opinions of all parties, the Prime Minister of the Left Huo Zheng turned to express his position to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I think it is not appropriate for our country to form an alliance with Taisha, but we still need corresponding support. Our country and Taisha are thousands of miles apart. , the territories are not bordering each other, but I have a plan. Our dynasty and the mountain puppets have already formed an alliance, and the King of Zhennan has also accepted the canonization of our dynasty. I believe that I should do my best to support the armed mountain puppets, and the court will provide money and supplies to let the mountain puppets Shan Puppet's efforts to stabilize the situation in southern Xinjiang are equivalent to supporting Taisha in disguise. Of course, the imperial court still has to send envoys to the Xi tribe to sternly warn them not to stir up trouble again."
After Huo Zheng finished speaking, his confidants Wei Wei Gao Zhong, Lang Zhongling Huo Jun and others came forward to second the proposal.
After hearing this, Mu Sheng made a calculation in his mind. This relatively compromise strategy is also feasible. It is equivalent to leveraging the strength of others. Even if the situation worsens, it will at worst be a proxy war. Da Jin may not have to end it himself. Interference actually uses the strategy of using foreign forces to fight foreign countries.
Mu Sheng saw that the basic ideas of the important officials in the imperial court were to support it, but they did not necessarily insist on forming an alliance, so he simply agreed and said: "Huo Xiangguo's advice about being loyal to the country is very much in line with my wishes."
Mu Sheng also knew very well that Huo Zheng's last speech was the attitude of the court. He could only agree that this was the consequence of a very normal succession. If the former prince Bai Shunli had taken over, he would not have faced such an embarrassing situation, even if it was An Guojun and his son Xiu would not be so passive if they took over successfully.
The two of them are not only upright and popular, but also have powerful support behind them. The late emperor also trained a ruling team for them early. They will not be like Mu Sheng who came to power and no one can direct them. No one can support them. You have to listen to whoever gets the upper hand. This may be the real reason why Huo Zheng supported him to get the upper hand.
After the ministers withdrew from the court, a man came from behind, it was Wu Xie, who had been listening to the discussions of the ministers.
After seeing Wu Xie take his seat, Mu Sheng asked, "Sir, what do you think of the opinions of the ministers?"
Wu She said: "Your Majesty must be inclined to be in love with Taisha?"
Mu Sheng sighed and said, "Well, the best option is indeed to form an alliance with Taisha. As General Lu said, making friends from far away and attacking close by is very much in line with my wishes. But what can I do?"
Wu Xie naturally knew why the emperor sighed. He had only empty fame and no power. He had to listen to Prime Minister Zuo in everything.
Wu Xie said: "Your Majesty, Huo Xiangguo acted like this not only for national affairs, but also for a deeper plan."
Mu Shengqi said: "Oh? Sir, it doesn't matter."
Wu Xie said: "Huo Xiangguo's strategy is not the best for the court, but it is indeed a good strategy for Huo Xiang and his supporters. If our country forms an alliance with Taisha, if the situation in southern Xinjiang worsens, It is possible that the imperial court will send troops southward again. This is equivalent to giving the generals headed by Lu Sheng the opportunity to perform meritorious service and be rewarded again. Their voice will naturally become more important in the imperial court. This is what Huo Xiangguo does not want to see. Huo Xiangguo's basic strategy towards the generals is to both win over and suppress them."
Mu Sheng nodded slightly and said, "What you said is absolutely true."
Mu Sheng had no choice but to accept this strategy. The state is not an actor who can make decisions completely according to his own wishes. The state is an actor who combines countless interest groups.
Since there are interest groups within the country, what the leader of the interest group in power cares about most is not the highest interest of the country, but rather safeguarding the interests of his group as the highest criterion, followed by the national interest. The reason why Huo Zheng was like this at the court meeting Behavior is the result of this way of thinking.
This leads to the fact that many national-level decisions are not the highest expression of national interests, but a compromise result of various domestic interest groups and public demands. Especially now, even in the modern countries of later generations, this is still the case. Power is inevitably deeply tied up by various interest groups, and even policymakers can only follow the trend.
