After the summer, as various policies were rolled out one after another, the empire's strategy of recuperating from the center to the localities also began to bear fruit. After the Northern Expedition, the profound impact it had on the people of the Han Dynasty, although it is still continuing, has become apparent. Gradually fading.
After all, the war is over, and the soldiers no longer have to fight for their lives and can train and recover from their wounds; the farmers can get rid of the heavy military service and take care of the land; the merchants can once again devote their enthusiasm to operating goods; the bureaucrats no longer need to To withstand the huge pressure of military supplies during the war and to recuperate is also aimed at them...
Although the ninth year of Kaibao (971) may not be so satisfactory, and the livelihood of the people in the world will not be as comfortable as in previous years, at least if the country stops foreign wars, it will be able to return a stable environment to its subjects at home and abroad. There is hope, just endure this period of labor pain.
The most important thing at the center of the imperial court was the financial reform promoted by prime ministers Zhao Pu and Wang Pu. Commercial taxation, salt affairs and currency reform are all under three managements. This is not only a gluttonous feast for the redistribution of interests, but also accompanied by various overt and covert struggles. Of course, no matter how much troubles there are, it will be difficult to stop the country from moving forward. In terms of footsteps, both Zhao Pu and Wang Pu were capable prime ministers, who coordinated the upper and lower internal and external affairs well, and did not need Emperor Liu to stand up.
An extraterrestrial Tibetan conference in April was of great significance. The Han court and more than a dozen tribes at home and abroad reached a consensus to work together for peace and benefit millions of Han and Yi people. On the surface, this is said, but in reality, it is a manifestation of the imperial court's shrinking back, and not all tribes are willing to accept the imperial court's goodwill.
From north to south, there are many tribal forces that are unwilling to rely on the Han Empire to survive. Whether it is personal ambition or other reasons, the imperial court cannot just wishfully believe that from now on, border conflicts will completely disappear. Mi. The border guarding policy is still being implemented effectively, and compromise is inevitable, but there is a bottom line. Anyone who dares to take the lead and rebel against the court will be severely punished.
At the same time, there was also a major adjustment to the generals garrisoning on all frontiers. From the northwest to the southwest, senior generals such as Guo Congyi, Yang Tingzhang, Wang Renfan, Tian Qinzuo, etc. were transferred and assigned to other positions.
Among them, Emperor Liu sympathized with these meritorious generals. After all, guarding the border was not easy. Among them, those who had been stationed for the shortest time had only started in three years. Generals Guo Congyi and Yang Tingzhang were exhausted due to the bitter cold in the northwest.
Similarly, Emperor Liu also deliberately made adjustments to further improve the garrison system and strengthen the court's influence and control over the border troops. For example, two generals, Wang Renfan and Tian Qinzuo, made great military achievements in Ping'an Nan and the destruction of Dali. After the pacification, they stationed themselves on the spot for many years. They were powerful in the local area. Although they played a role in suppressing the garrison, they also became Emperor Liu of one side had to be a little more careful, even if the situation was far from over.
At the same time, Wang Renfan and Tian Qinzuo had killed too many people in the southwest in recent years, which really frightened those who were disobedient, and also caused many unnecessary disputes.
The transfer of the two men can be regarded as giving peace of mind to the barbarian tribes in the southwest, and it is also the court's sincerity in easing regional conflicts. After all, blindly high-pressure rule is not conducive to local tranquility.
Nowadays, in Yunnan and Annan, the forces that came forward to oppose the imperial court have basically been suppressed. The tribal forces that did not conceal their malicious intentions have also been cleaned up. The imperial court should also make adjustments and relax for a long time.
The generals who took over were Gao Qiong and Li Shoujie. Of course, they had received instructions from Emperor Liu before taking office. Stability was the top priority, but those who dared to rebel and resist would be attacked as needed. There was still no need to Be soft-handed.
Two people have changed, and the court has shown a certain degree of goodwill, but its fundamental will to maintain Han unification in the southwest cannot be shaken.
During this period, the greatest achievement was that on the plateau, the Tubo forces formally submitted themselves to the imperial court. Emperor Liu sent envoys to carry out festivals, gold books, and carry a large number of gifts to the west to the plateau to deal with the Tubo tribes. Great rewards. King Fan alone has granted three titles.
Of course, the imperial court fully affirmed the dominance of the Tibetan aristocratic leaders over the plateau and their tribesmen, guaranteed their autonomy, and swore an alliance with them to cease war forever and to jointly maintain local stability between Han and Tibet.
For the imperial court, what needs to be done next on the plateau is to build a relatively balanced and stable situation. Although the establishment of rule is only in name, this name can be considered a huge progress. At least, even in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, At that time, none could do it. Of course, this was also the current situation of Tubo being divided into pieces, which gave the Han court an opportunity to take advantage of.
For the time being, Gu Po only talked about the secret discussion between Emperor Liu and the prince about the prince's border defense. Emperor Liu neither issued an edict nor revealed his thoughts.
Obviously, the idea was made, but there was still some hesitation. Another time had to be found, and Emperor Liu needed to give more full and proper consideration to the specific matters.
At least, in the eyes of Emperor Liu at the moment, the only people who are qualified and capable to take on the responsibility of guarding the border are Liu Xu, Liu Xi, and Liu Fang. They are already mature enough and their abilities in all aspects are well known to everyone.
However, these three princes were simply sent to the border areas. Emperor Liu always had some contradictions in his heart, with a little hesitation and reluctance, so he still held back.
There are still positions for the three of them in the imperial court, and Emperor Liu still needs their help. At the same time, three more close relatives of the clan were recommended by King Xu Liu Chengyun, and they all took office in remote areas of the northwest and southwest.
The system for the clan to rotate local positions was also drafted jointly by Liu Chengyun, Liu Chengxun and Zhao Pu, and was promulgated with the approval of Emperor Liu. Nine years after the founding of the Baobao clan, all clan members who have achieved academic success should go to the local area to practice. , either for politics or the army, stabilizing the border areas, and cultivating kings.
Similarly, the descendants of honorable nobles are treated in the same way. Although no specific system has been established, Emperor Liu issued a provision that officials with military and political experience in Bianzhou will receive more preferential treatment in promotion and transfer. The weight of credit evaluation is also greater.
The northwest and southwest border affairs have set a tone, and subsequent consolidation policy measures will be gradually launched, which can be regarded as a temporary end. At the same time, the affairs of the Western Regions have come to a conclusion after successive efforts.
On the other side of the Black Khanate, after the defeat of Gaochang, they had completely stopped thinking about advancing eastward. They sat back and watched the Han army pacify Beiting and Luntai, and completely wipe out the remnants of the Khitan entrenched there.
Later, when faced with the imperial court's proposal for peace, the Black Khanate also showed great enthusiasm, even more proactive than the Han Dynasty. The contact between the two sides went very smoothly.
Of course, the specific details of the negotiations still need to be discussed later, but the basic consensus is that the two sides have a tacit understanding, and it will be finalized only when the envoys of the Black Khanate come to Beijing. It is certain that when the two sides reach a peace agreement, the situation in the Western Region that has been in turmoil for more than ten years will be fundamentally improved, and the bloodshed in the Western Region will also disappear.
Perhaps the only thing that displeased Emperor Liu was Khotan. The monarchs and ministers of Khotan were very active in strengthening exchanges and establishing good relations with the Han Dynasty. They were willing to accept the title of vassal, pay tribute, and accept canonization.
The only thing is that Emperor Liu's intention of provoking a dispute with the Black Khanate failed to materialize. They are not tempted at all. They are satisfied if they can defend their own territory and have no ambitions to expand externally.
Of course, maybe it was because of his intelligence and his understanding of how to survive as a small country. The Black Khanate had no way to deal with the Liao and the Han, but there was no big problem in dealing with them. How could they be willing to take the lead for the Han? Previously, they agreed to send troops to cooperate with the Han army to deal with the Black Khanate, but they only took some actions. Before the army left the country, the Han side had already completed the matter, and then the reconciliation between the two countries began...
People have no desires and requirements, and Emperor Liu has no good solution.
