Zan Xiruo is not calm anymore.
Before setting off for the Tang Dynasty, he had discussions with the monarchs and ministers of Tubo. In fact, their guesses were the same as Li Zhi's. They all felt that the Tang Dynasty had just experienced the Eastern Expedition and would not have the energy to turn around and attack Tibet immediately. Start a war.
Therefore, Zan Xiruo is full of confidence when he comes to Chang'an this time. Regardless of how the relationship between the two countries will be in a few years, at least when he comes to Chang'an, he should be able to negotiate a peace for four to five years.
However, Li Qinzai's words gave him a bucket of cold water.
From Li Qinzai's words, Zan Xiruo understood the meaning.
This famous minister of the Tang Dynasty seemed not to be happy with the truce between the two countries, and even wished that the two countries would blow their brains out to be satisfied.
This... the script is wrong!
Zan Xiruo narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Qinzai. He was trying to discern whether Li Qinzai's words were true or a casual deception.
"Why did Duke Li say this? There is a truce between the two countries, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment, leaving a chance to breathe. Isn't it a mutual benefit?" Zan Xiruoqiang said with a smile.
Li Qinzai didn't raise his eyebrows and said calmly: "What does it have to do with me if the people can't breathe?"
Zan Xiruo's eyelids twitched.
Li Qinzai continued: "According to the original plan of the Tang Dynasty, after the Eastern Expedition, the Tang Dynasty will mobilize troops to march to the southwest. The prime minister, regardless of personal relationships, from the perspective of each being his own master, the Haidong Peninsula After being pacified, Tubo in the southwest will be the last powerful enemy left in the Tang Dynasty."
"The soldiers of the Tang Dynasty took advantage of the remaining power of the victory over Haidong and wiped out Tibet in one go. From then on, the Tang Dynasty had no strong enemy. The country could have peace for at least a hundred years. If the people want to take a breather, why not endure it for a while? This is the last battle. , gritted his teeth and destroyed Tubo, and future generations will enjoy peace and peace without any worries."
Zan Xiruo's expression changed. He never expected that the most trusted minister of the Emperor of Tang Dynasty would have a war rather than peace attitude toward Tubo.
"Jun Gong Li, please forgive me for speaking frankly. After the Eastern Expedition of the Tang Dynasty, the soldiers have been exhausted for a long time and the national treasury is empty. I am afraid that I will not be able to support another war, right?" Zan Xiruo said in a solemn tone.
Li Qinzai smiled and said: "Prime Minister, you know that the Tang Dynasty has a vast territory and tens of millions of hectares of cultivated land. It is already hot summer, and the good news for the Haidong Peninsula will come soon. By this autumn's harvest, the national treasury will be able to collect grain and grass to support the next year." One war is enough."
"As for the soldiers who are tired for a long time, it doesn't matter. After the soldiers returned from the Eastern Expedition, they naturally need to rest and rest. However, our Tang Dynasty can also allocate new garrisons from local prefectures and counties. Not to mention anything else, in Chang'an City alone, we have to defend the emperor. The twelve guards of the city-state have nearly 200,000 soldiers and horses, and they are very active and active, and they are not tired troops for a long time."
"We have food and grass, and we have new soldiers and generals. Why can the Prime Minister say that our country is not enough to support another war?" Li Qinzai said with a smile.
Zan Xiruo is speechless. Looking at this posture, is it possible that the Tang Dynasty is really going to launch a war of annihilation against Tibet?
This is too overbearing.
The neighboring countries are being bullied by you. Is there any justice? The conflict between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty was just for the little Tuyuhun. Now Tuyuhun has belonged to the Tang Dynasty. Tubo has honestly withdrawn its troops. What else do you want?
No matter how much hatred or resentment there is, do we have to destroy the country?
Zan Xiruo's body trembled slightly, trying hard to suppress the anger in her heart.
I can't tell whether it was anger or fear. Ten years ago, even if the Tang Dynasty went to war with Tubo, Tubo would not be afraid at all.
However, in recent years, the Tang army has been equipped with sharp firearms, which the Tibetan army not only saw in Tuyuhun, but also experienced them personally, and they were unpleasant.
If the Tang Dynasty really wanted to destroy Tubo, with such sharp firearms, to be honest, destroying Tubo would not be a big problem.
This is the reason why Zan Xiruo feels afraid, and also the reason why he comes to Chang'an to actively seek peace.
The opponents who were evenly matched in the past were now untouchable, and Tubo had to bow its head.
Zan Xiruo's expression became more solemn, and he realized that the process of sending Tang this time might not go smoothly.
"Tubo and the Tang Dynasty had been on good terms for decades. The marriage between Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng was also a story for the ages. The two countries were originally brotherly countries, and the occasional frictions and conflicts were just small conflicts of temperament. They were not enough. Just smile, why did Duke Li say anything about destroying the country? It won't happen." Zan Xiruoqiang said with a smile.
Li Qinzai sighed and said, "Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng, it happened so many years ago, but you always bring it up. Why didn't you tell me when you were fighting for Tuyuhun with the Tang Dynasty?"
"This moment is the same as that moment. Now I am strong and you are weak, and you are emphasizing peace and friendship between the two countries. Do you have the final say whether it is war or peace?"
Zan Xiruo's face became more and more ugly, and he was no longer in the mood to eat the delicious wine and food in front of him, and his mood became heavier and heavier.
The atmosphere at the banquet suddenly became cold, and the guests and hosts fell into silence for a long time.
After a long while, Zan Xiruo said slowly: "Mr. Li, Tubo does not want to start another war. It only wants peace between the two countries for generations. I wonder what price it will cost?"
Li Qinzai smiled, you said this on your own initiative, I didn't even hint.
If Zanxi had to compromise, he would even be willing to pay the price on behalf of Tubo.
There were reasons at the national level. The Tang army was too powerful, and Tubo had little chance of winning.
There were also personal reasons. Zan Xiruo had just succeeded as the Prime Minister of Tubo, so it could be said that his position was not yet secure, and he did not dare to easily start a war with the Tang Dynasty at this time.
The right time and place came together, and Li Qinzai's spirit gradually improved.
Unexpectedly, a meal of wine would lead to unexpected gains.
After closing his eyes and pondering for a moment, Li Qinzai said slowly: "If Tubo really wants the two countries to live in peace, it would not be impossible to stop fighting for generations..."
Zan Xiruo frowned and said in a deep voice, "Please Lord Li, please speak frankly."
Li Qinzai said calmly: "The Tang Dynasty wants the Golden Teeth Department."
Zan Xiruo was shocked and said without thinking: "No! It's impossible! Da ah!"
The Golden Tooth Tribe is a tribe in the south, located between Tubo and the Six Kingdoms of Nanzhao. It also happens to be stuck on the border between the Tang Dynasty and the Six Kingdoms of Nanzhao. It is about the area where Yunnan and Myanmar meet in later generations. The area is not big. But the strategic implications are important.
It is the link between Tubo and the six kingdoms of Nanzhao, and it is a necessary place to pass through. It is also the strategic buffer zone between the Tang Dynasty, Tubo and the six kingdoms of Nanzhao.
If the Tang Dynasty wanted to seize the Golden Tooth Ministry, it would be equivalent to cutting off the communication between Tubo and the Six Kingdoms of Nanzhao. From then on, Tubo's southern border would face the Tang border army directly, and the days of confrontation with the Six Kingdoms of Nanzhao would be gone forever.
I have to say that Duke Li's vision was so vicious that he hit the target of Tubo with just one sentence. How long have you been studying the map?
Tubo and the Six Kingdoms of Nanzhao have had an ambiguous relationship for a long time, and the Six Kingdoms of Nanzhao also sometimes attached themselves to the Tang Dynasty and rebelled against the Tang Dynasty. With Tubo as a spare tire, they were like a scumbag who was riding two boats.
Due to the climate and jungle geography of Nanzhao, it was difficult for the Tang Dynasty to deal with them after they rebelled against the Tang Dynasty. The combat environment was too harsh, and the court often could only treat them with gentleness and appeasement.
Now Li Qinzai wants to take over the Golden Tooth Department with just one word. If the Golden Tooth Department returns to the Tang Dynasty, it will be like forcing the scumbag to break up with one of the spare tires. From then on, the connection between Tubo and Nanzhao will be cut off at the waist.
To Tubo, this scumbag was too charming and extremely skilled, and he couldn't bear to break up with her.
