Your Majesty can usually listen to the advice of his ministers.
But Zhang Yang is a junior, and contradicting his elders would offend His Majesty.
Zhang Yang was very angry and would not give in. He was still a bit like Wei Zheng.
Your Majesty usually takes good care of him.
Empress Changsun said worriedly: "Go to Wude Hall and tell me that the lunch in the palace has been prepared. Do you want to stay with Tubo Zampu to eat?"
"Here." The palace maid left quickly.
Li Lizhi also heard what she just said. She glanced at her younger brothers and sisters who were still sleeping, and asked in a low voice: "Did your father quarrel with your brother-in-law again?"
Empress Changsun nodded, "It's all for the sake of government, why don't you go mess around."
"My daughter understands."
Li Lizhi frowned and sat down aside. This was not the first time that her father and brother-in-law had quarreled.
In the past, my father often lost his temper after meeting his brother-in-law.
She is the daughter of her father and the disciple of the imperial sister.
Li Lizhi is now fourteen years old and has become a good helper for her mother, taking care of her younger brothers and sisters and helping her mother handle some harem matters.
The conflicts between father and brother-in-law have been accumulated for many years.
From the beginning, the father just lost his temper after his brother-in-law left, but now the monarch and his ministers have begun to quarrel in person. What will it look like in the future?
Li Lizhi whispered: "Queen Mother, will my father and brother-in-law be at war with each other in the future?"
Although she is still young, she already understands the world and the way of life. It is good for children to be sensible. Empress Changsun mended her clothes while saying, "As long as your brother-in-law cannot afford to rebel, your father and he will not fight each other. It's just... …”
"Just what?"
Li Lizhi asked worriedly.
Empress Changsun smiled again, "As long as your brother-in-law doesn't have military power in his hands, he can live quite comfortably."
For a person like Zhang Yang who is not greedy for fame and wealth, His Majesty can rest assured to use him.
This is all under the condition that Zhang Yang has no military power. At least as it is now, no matter how tense the relationship between son-in-law and father-in-law becomes, there is still a chance for it to ease.
At this moment, in Wude Hall, the dispute in the hall finally stopped, but now it was quiet and no one spoke.
The palace maid lowered her head and walked into the palace in small steps, "Your Majesty, the queen has arranged lunch. Do you want to eat now?"
Only then did Li Shimin realize that he had not eaten anything and was indeed a little hungry. Then he looked at Songtsen Gampo and Zhang Yang in front of him.
"I came here in a hurry after the morning, and I didn't even eat." Li Shimin's tone finally softened, "I know your craftsmanship, and you can taste the food in the palace. You all can stay and eat together."
Xu Jingzong said quickly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He arranged for Songtsen Gampo to sit down, knowing that Zhang Shangshu was still angry and could not persuade him at this time. Thanks to the queen's maid, the atmosphere in front of him eased.
The food was put on the table, and Li Shimin took the rice bowl and started eating.
Zhang Yang looked at the food on his table and took a careful bite.
"How is it? How is the skill of the cooks in my palace improving?"
Picking up a piece of pork, Zhang Yang said, "It's not enough to remove the fishy smell from the pork. It's probably not because of the cold water in the pot. Also, the celery is in the middle. In fact, you can leave the leaves of the green vegetables and use it." It would be a waste not to speculate.”
Li Shimin continued to eat quietly.
"Furthermore, talking about lotus root, the lotus root slices should be stir-fried with minced green onions instead of cooking them and then pouring oil. The method and process are wrong and there is no crispy texture."
Li Shimin took a sip of the soup and said, "The cooks in the palace have eaten Lishan's food. I thought their cooking skills would improve a lot, but I didn't expect that they still wouldn't be able to taste it in your mouth."
Zhang Yang smiled and said: "Of course, all food is for people to eat. Everyone makes it for eating. On the premise of filling the stomach, it is the same for whoever makes it, but food cannot be wasted. Many ingredients can be used Take full advantage of it.”
Songtsen Gampo wolfed down the food. He was already starving. He awkwardly carried the food in his mouth with chopsticks. He couldn't use chopsticks and ate in a very awkward manner.
While eating, his eyes were between Tian Khan and Zhang Yang. He listened to the conversation between the monarch and his subjects very attentively, for fear of missing any information.
Xu Jingzong sat upright and had good eating etiquette. This was the first time he had been given a banquet by the Khan of Heaven, and his manner was also very solemn.
In the past, the people who could dine with His Majesty were dignitaries and clan members. Generally speaking, the ministers in the Six Ministries were not qualified to dine with His Majesty. This time, it was Zhang Shangshu's excuse.
Even if I had dinner with His Majesty once, it would be very embarrassing to tell anyone about it.
After finishing the meal, Li Shimin took a sip of tea and asked, "How do the Foreign Affairs Commission think it should be handled?"
Talking about business again, Zhang Yang wiped his mouth and said, "First of all, Tubo will be a minister to the Tang Dynasty in the future. Zanpu is also a minister of Tian Khan. I wonder if Zanpu has any objections?"
Songtsen Gampo nodded slightly. Now Tubo is trying its best to survive. Only by surviving first can we slowly survive.
"Since Zanpu has no objection, I will make it clear in the next words. Zanpu will admit his mistake at the Tai Chi Hall tomorrow morning. The war was initiated by Tibet unilaterally, and the Tang Dynasty was only acting in self-defense."
Songtsen Gampo closed his eyes and gritted his teeth but endured it.
"From now on, when the Tang Dynasty sends officials to help Tubo, Tubo must not resist in any way. The Tang Dynasty and Tubo coexist, complement each other, and live in friendship. They are not allowed to interfere with the various measures formulated by the Tang Dynasty in Tubo, as well as plans involving Tubo's pastoral industry. Tubo is not allowed to make any further requests to Tubo. The herdsmen collected taxes, and all future Tubo taxes would be collected by the Tang Dynasty."
After the words fell, there was silence in the hall again.
This time Songtsen Gampo did not agree immediately.
Li Shimin also observed the expression of Tubo Zanpu.
"What do you think of Zan Pu?" Xu Jingzong asked in a low voice, putting more pressure on him.
A quarrel is a quarrel, and that's all. But the most important thing is that the foreign monarchs and ministers can unite as one.
No matter how bad the relationship between the monarch and his ministers is, how much His Majesty dislikes Zhang Yang.
When facing foreign enemies, the most important thing is for outsiders to be consistent with the outside world.
Songtsen Gampo looked warily at Zhang Yang, the Minister of Rites of the Tang Dynasty who was younger than himself. He was holding a knife in his hand and was about to swing it at Tibet.
The monarch and his ministers had been quarreling so fiercely just now, but they could sit down and calm down so quickly.
This weird atmosphere made him uneasy.
Tian Khan's wisdom is as enigmatic as Zhang Yang's.
What was lost in the war was only the population. The soldiers only wanted achievements. Zhang Yang and Tian Khan wanted achievements. They were more terrifying than those soldiers.
Songtsan Gampo's teeth chattered when he heard that the Tang Dynasty wanted to collect taxes from Tubo, "Tubo was already poor and lost a lot of its population in the war with the Tang Dynasty. Now Tubo doesn't have much tax money to give to the Tang Dynasty."
Zhang Yang said with a smile: "This is not a problem. Our Khan is benevolent. The Central Plains has always pursued light corvee and low taxes, and the same is true for Tubo. In the past, Zanpu collected a total of 30% from all ethnic groups in Tubo, but our Tang Dynasty only collected 10%. You can make a profit, and you can also use the silver money to offset the taxes on cattle and sheep."
"If our Tang Dynasty wants to become prosperous and powerful, we will naturally use the benevolence of Tian Khan to Tibet. I hope Tubo can also continue to be prosperous and powerful."
The words were loud and clear, but Songtsen Gampo still lowered his head and did not respond.
Zhang Yang grinned, "But Zanpu can rest assured that we in the Tang Dynasty will not increase taxes arbitrarily in the future. We will maintain good communication relationships with the major tribes and ranchers in Tubo. The Tang Dynasty will not overstep their bounds. This is based on Tubo’s own customs and sentiments, and using Tubo’s methods to govern Tubo.”
Li Shimin drank tea slowly and observed Songtsen Gampo.
The Foreign Affairs Council wanted to obtain the power of taxation and governance of Tubo.
Knocking on the bones and sucking out the marrow is to dig out the foundation of Songtsen Gampo.
Songtsan Gampo swallowed his saliva and asked, "Can our Tibetan leaders participate in these matters?"
Zhang Yang smiled and said: "Of course you can participate. I said before that the Tang Dynasty will maintain good communication with the big families in Tubo and the major ranchers. The Diplomatic Academy has sent dozens of civil servants to Tubo. What we are currently doing These are the things that everyone has seen."
"Don't worry Zanpu. The merits of governing Tubo in the future will still be Zanpu's. And Tubo Zanpu and Tian Khan are strangers to each other, so this will become a good talk."
Songtsen Gampo looked solemn, "What if you don't agree?"
Li Shimin slowly put down the tea bowl in his hand.
Zhang Yang sighed: "I regard Zanpu as a friend. I call him Lao Song. How many people in Tibet do you think you can order now? This is not negotiating terms with Tubo. Our Foreign Affairs Commission is telling you that from then on Tubo's governance will be taken over by the Tang Dynasty." "
"What if the Tubo tribe resists?"
Zhang Yang folded his hands and frowned: "We have also considered this situation. First of all, the Hehuang area has been handed over to the Tang Dynasty. Our soldiers and horses of the Tang Dynasty are passing through Tibet without informing you. We only need to follow the orders of the Khan."
"Secondly, if Zanpu incites the Tubo tribe to revolt, the rebellious tribes will also be captured. We, the Tang Dynasty, can still afford to fight a second time. I dare to ask Zanpu, can you fight again? How much strength does Tubo still have? You should know better than us."
"If you miss one move, you will lose the whole game. The victory or defeat can be recognized, but the Tubo people cannot become the servants of the Tang Dynasty to absorb wealth."
"We have never treated the Tubo people as servants. We can even reduce the taxes on the Tibetan people. This is the benevolent government of Tian Khan. The war ended last year. I understand that you have complaints in your heart, Lao Song. If you are an ordinary person, you may have mentioned it by now. The swords cut each other."
"Now that I can sit down calmly and calmly, it is precisely because you are Zanpu of Tubo, and I am the Minister of Rites of the Tang Dynasty. I am connected with Sheji, and Zampu is connected with the future of Tubo. Because of this, our Foreign Affairs College is always working for For Tubo’s sake, Zamp should thank us.”
Songtsen Gampo took a deep breath and saw a cruel reality before his eyes, that is, the current Tibetans were not qualified to negotiate terms with the Tang Dynasty.
Zhang Yang added: "For the specific charter, our Diplomatic Academy will hand it over to Tian Khan and Zan Pu before the curfew tonight. This conversation is just to inform that in the morning tomorrow morning, Zan Pu will also bow his head to Tian Khan as agreed. Even our people of the Tang Dynasty apologized, never offended the Tang Dynasty again, and bowed their heads, and Tubo Zanpu and even the whole territory of Tubo obeyed the orders of the Khan."
Songtsen Gampo stood up and said: "Zhang Yang, I respect you and hope you can treat the Tubo people well."
Zhang Yang also stood up and replied: "Zanpu, I also respect your achievements in Tubo. In the future, whether it is the tea business or the livestock industry in Tubo, there must be better development."
The two of them saluted and saluted to Tian Khan again.
Li Shimin smiled and nodded, "Come here and give Tubo Zanpu jade bottle. From then on, there will be no more wars between Tubo and Tang Dynasty."
The eunuch was carrying a wooden box. What was placed in the box was a green jade bottle for holding wine. It even had some golden lines, which seemed to be worth a lot of money.
Zhang Yang took Xu Jingzong and Songtsen Gampo to salute Li Shimin and led them away.
Everyone left, and Li Shimin let out a long breath. He had just seen this boy looking at Yuzun with a reluctant look, and his envious look was very ugly.
"Send a jade bottle to Zhang Yang's home as well." Li Shimin whispered.
"Well, let's make arrangements now." Wang Gonggong nodded and led the people away.
Judging from the greedy look on that boy's face, he is ranked among the six ministers, but he doesn't look serious when he sees good things.
The suave gentleman and the vicious villain are opposites.
Zhang Yang seems to be a gentleman, but these agreements with Tubo seem to be a gentleman's agreement. Li Shimin, who has seen the evil people's hearts, knows the evil intentions of this kid.
He took away Tubo's power to tax and govern Tubo, and even more so, he took away the hearts and minds of Tubo's pastures.
The only thing left was Tubo's military power.
With the men and horses that Tibet can bring out now, this force is simply not enough.
Looking at things in a short time, Zhang Yang has a vicious vision and wants the most important taxation and governance of Tubo.
This is the foundation for digging up Tubo. Year after year, Tubo in the future will forget this Tubo Zampu.
I only know that the Tang Dynasty did not know that Tubo had Zanpu.
Li Shimin summoned Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, Yuchigong and Wei Zheng to the Wude Hall to discuss matters.
After some deliberation, it was found that there were still many places where the two powers that Zhang Yang wanted could operate.
The affairs of the Diplomatic Academy were rough, but after Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji discussed a more complete plan, a big plan to control the Tibetan population, military affairs, taxation, and pastures gradually took shape.
After the specific steps and details were discussed, Li Shimin said helplessly: "Zhang Yang has a pretty good vision and direction, but he's just too rough in doing things and his thinking isn't precise enough."
Changsun Wuji bowed and said: "This child still needs to be trained well. Your Majesty, why not give him another position and let him train well."
Talents must be used by the DPRK and China.
Zhang Yang was a child who was not disciplined, but Li Xiaogong was there to supervise him, Wei Zheng was there to give guidance, and Zhang Gongjin was the teacher to guide him.
Li Shimin found that the more he was restrained, the stronger his resistance became.
Being a subject is already his biggest bottom line, and controlling him is easier said than done.
This kid still has a lot of skills in his belly that he hasn't come up with yet.
Fang Xuanling said puzzledly: "Zhang Yang is already the minister of Zhongshu. If you want to give him another position to train him, what position should you give him?"
Changsun Wuji bowed and said: "The Shangshu Province has been vacant for a long time, why not give him the position in it."
Facing Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling frowned and said: "The minister's position is the prime minister's power. Please think twice, your majesty."
