Emperor Liu not only issued an edict to stop the western tour, but he also did not even mention the return journey. He just stopped and simply let the camp go and spend the winter in Liangzhou peacefully.
He even sent someone to Longyou Road to pass an edict to Prince Liu Yang, telling him to take good care of it, pay attention to his health, and not to risk the cold.
At the same time, he also ordered people to go west and summoned Wang Yansheng, Guo Jin and the main officials of Guashan Gansu to Liangzhou to inquire about the government. Perhaps, staying in Liangzhou for a winter can also have the effect of appeasing people's hearts and stabilizing their rule.
Of course, Emperor Liu could not help but have a plan in his mind, which was to wait until after this winter, the ice and snow melted, the cold was relieved, and he could set off again. How can the emperor go back on his word easily?
Now, others can talk about the weather, but I can sympathize with them, understand them, and give them advice. But when the weather gets warmer, traffic recovers, and the roads become normal, then he will issue an edict to move westward. He will want to see what else he can say!
Fundamentally speaking, the character and temperament of Emperor Liu, who was nearly forty years old, was already fixed and could not be changed at all.
The raging wind roared, making the military flags and dragon flags on the top of Guzang City whistle, and even the flagpoles couldn't help but loosen and sway. Although the wind was strong, Emperor Liu stood unmoving at the top of the city. Although the wind was strong, it was not as disturbing as the shaking creaking sound.
Lu Duoxun stood by, observing the words and expressions of Emperor Liu, and summoned an officer and soldier. He whispered an order, and the man quickly went to find tools and fixed them.
"Compared with Fengzhou, Liangzhou has a different style!" Standing in the wind at the head of the northern city of Guzang, Emperor Liu sighed to himself: "When I was in Fengzhou, I once thought it was the poorest and coldest place in the Han Dynasty. This is a great place, so I think there are many places to visit in the world. Now that I have experienced it myself, I still underestimated the winter in the Hexi Corridor..."
Hearing Emperor Liu's emotion, Lu Duoxun said: "If your majesty visits during the Spring and Autumn season, you will be able to see all the beautiful scenery of Hexi!"
"It's just unlucky timing!" Emperor Liu smiled slightly, as if he had already looked away, and turned to look at Lu Duoxun: "Lu Qing, when you were sent to the Western Regions as an envoy, you probably took the Hexi Corridor, too. It was a cold winter, and at that time Jin'ou was in the northwest, and almost the entire Hexi was in the hands of the Uighurs, Tibetans, and Khitans.
Although I have listened to your report on the experience of that westward journey, based on my personal experience now, when I was sent as an envoy, I am afraid that the experience along the way was even more difficult and dangerous! "
Emperor Liu mentioned the events of that year, which also aroused Lu Duoxun's emotion, and a trace of reminiscence appeared on his clear face, and he responded: "I was very energetic back then, and wanted to imitate Zhang Qian's visit to remote areas, and then I really embarked on the westward journey. After entering Hexi, I felt ashamed. Thirty percent of the entourage died in the Hexi Corridor.
Fortunately, at that time, under the leadership of His Majesty, the Han Dynasty had already become stronger and stronger. The Tubo, Uighurs and other miscellaneous captives along the way did not dare to harass the envoys wantonly. However, at that time, the ministers and others only traveled again the following year after escaping the cold winter in Liangzhou. That was also the beginning of my understanding of Liangzhou and Guzang City..."
"It must have been fifteen or sixteen years!" Emperor Liu said.
Lu Duoxun nodded and complimented: "In an instant, fifteen years, if Your Majesty hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have realized that such a long time has passed!"
From Lu Duoxun's words, one can feel a hint of emotion. The memories and experiences he had back then were indeed profound to him. That was not only the beginning of Lu Duoxun's foray into the northwest, but also a new starting point for his rise in career.
Since the Western envoy returned successfully, he brought back the situation in Hexi and the Western Regions, a map, and the introduction of cotton seeds. Relying on these merits and hard work, in the following time, Lu Duoxun's career in officialdom was even though it could not be said to be soaring, it was steady and prosperous.
At present, Lu Duoxun is only thirty-six years old and already holds the position of Chief Envoy. He is definitely young and promising. Although this place in Hexi is remote, it has extremely high military value, and the opening of the Silk Road also has a lot of economic significance.
Among the borders of the Han Dynasty, Hexi and Shanyang could be called both, but the one that attracted more attention and attracted the attention of the emperor had to be the Hexi Corridor. This has both historical and cultural reasons, as well as Emperor Liu’s strong personal subjective will.
For Lu Duoxun, this is also the place where it is easier to achieve results and establish achievements. The current territory of the Han Dynasty was so vast, with thousands of prefectures and counties, and there were only a few places that could attract Emperor Liu's constant attention. This was the biggest advantage of being an official in Hexi. Although it is a bit remote, for someone as ambitious as Lu Duoxun, the treatment and environment are not important at all.
In the past few years after the recovery of Hexi, Lu Duoxun first suppressed Guasha. Yang Tingzhang's previous extermination of the Uighur remnants and the expansion of Qinghai included Lu Duoxun's auxiliary planning.
Now, as the Chief Secretary of Hexi Province, Lu Duoxun has more room to display his skills, consolidate his achievements, and suppress dissatisfaction. Of course, for Lu Duoxun, the mere official position of Hexi Chief Envoy could not satisfy his aspirations and ambitions, and was far from his peak. Sitting on the west side of the river, he could have a glimpse of the temple, waiting to enter the court to pay homage to the prime minister and enter the political hall to preside over state affairs. This was his biggest and most long-term goal.
Moreover, Lu Duosun can see hope and has a clear goal ahead. During the more than 20 years that Emperor Liu was in power, it was repeatedly mentioned that the prime minister must start from the state department, and it was also implemented.
In the seventh year of Kaibao, the dynasty changed. Whether it was Zhao Pu, Song Qi or Li Ye, these three were all promoted from the local level. The most representative one is Zhao Pu, and it is Zhao Pu that Lu Duoxun is targeting.
Why should Zhao Pu be the prime minister and the head of the political affairs hall? In addition to his early qualifications, the most important thing is his contribution to the governor, peace of the people, Fu Rong, and pioneering in the southwest. Lu Duoxun thought to himself that if it were him, he would not be worse than Zhao Pu.
Zhao Pu's opportunity to take off was in Sichuan and Shu, and the starting point for Lu Duoxun's rise was in the northwest! After all, he has been deeply rooted here for a long time and has formed his own circle of influence. He has considerable influence in the four northwest provinces. This took him fifteen years to accumulate, and it will also be the basis for him to open up the temple. .
"The entire city of Hexi belongs to Guzang City. It has the longest history and the deepest cultural heritage!" Emperor Liu said, stroking the rough walls of Guzang like a lover.
"Yes!" Lu Duoxun was very knowledgeable and said immediately: "Since Emperor Wu of the former Han Dynasty opened up the Western Region and established the four counties of Hexi, Guzang has always been the center of Hexi. It has been like this for thousands of years. When the world is governed, things go from east to west. Transportation and business travel are endless; in troubled times, separatist regimes prevail and people claim kingship and hegemony. Guzang City can be regarded as a record of the changes in the history of Hexi for thousands of years..."
"In the past, I could only see records about Guzang and Ganliang in historical books and memorials!" Emperor Liu said: "I still remember that when I promoted the expansion of the west in the early years, many people used various methods to Reasons to object. When it comes to Liangzhou, in their description, there is only Gobi desert, wild sand and fierce winds, desolate cities and wild soil, little vegetation, and lack of water sources. There are no survivors of the Han people, and Hulu are rampant. I suggest that I give up, so as not to give up. The imperial court has increased its burden..."
Emperor Liu did not make up his words. He did receive many similar memorials that year. Listening to the emperor's talk at this time, Lu Duoxun said with some anger: "Your Majesty, those who suggest this are either short-sighted, harbor evil intentions, or are not well-educated. They only know a few fragments and then arrange them arbitrarily. This is really abominable! Your Majesty! , Hexi is not poor, as long as given time, it will be able to regain its former prosperity!"
Lu Duoxun regarded Hexi as the basis for his own advancement, so when he heard such contemptuous and even discriminatory remarks, his reaction was naturally a bit excessive.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu smiled and asked, "Do you think there were so many people opposed to the expansion to the west and the restoration of the old land?"
Sensing Emperor Liu's solemn tone, Lu Duoxun thought for a while and responded: "Since the mid-Tang Dynasty, Hexi has been lost. Although Zhang Yichao led the rebel army to revive for a while, it was only a flash in the pan. In nearly two hundred years, it was reduced to It’s been too long..."
"Yes!" Emperor Liu also sighed. He grabbed the cold and slippery wall with his hands and said seriously: "Helong has been separated from China for a long time, and the Han people have become captives of the Tibetan people. All people with lofty ideals think about it and regret it. indignation.
As you said, China has been missing Hexi for too long, so long that it is easy for people to forget. I am determined to march westward not only to regain lost territory, demonstrate martial arts, and consolidate the northwest border defense, but also to regain our former glory and regain our former glory. Reveal the glory of the past, protect it, and carry it forward.
I often talk about the mistakes of the ancients. I cherish them and do not dispute them. I cannot let our descendants give us a final evaluation of our lack of progress..."
As he spoke, Emperor Liu himself laughed, but his words also came from the bottom of his heart. In his memories that were too long ago or even vague, after the Tang Dynasty, China, the oldest country, had too many shortcomings and regrets that made people sigh.
As for Emperor Liu, the most basic goal was just to make some unknown corrections and changes. Of course, what is shown is that the emperor is determined to do martial arts, expanding in all directions, and opening up endlessly...
Judging from the results, Emperor Liu has done too much and achieved too much!
Take Guzang City at your feet as an example. Who would have thought that in its original history, it would be hundreds of years later when it returned to Han rule after returning to the rebel army...
