Walking along the shadows under the palace, it was always like this between father and son, and the atmosphere always seemed harmonious. During the chat, Emperor Liu remembered something again and asked, "You have also come into contact with Han Derang, what do you think?"
Liu Yang thought for a while and said calmly: "You are indeed talented. The situation of the Mobei Khitan in recent years has not been good. As a Han minister, he has been dealing with the upper-class Khitan nobles to maintain his power. It is very common." can do it.
It's just that talents return to their talents, and talents return to their talents, but they are of no use to the court. This person has been in Khitan for a long time, and he no longer considers himself a Chinese. Even if he has outstanding talents, he does not feel it is a pity! "
"Don't you always value talents, but you are so calm and open-minded this time that you don't want to include him in your training?" Emperor Liu said with a smile.
"My son values more talents who are loyal to the Han Dynasty and are of the same mind as the imperial court!" Liu Yang replied, then looked at Emperor Liu and asked curiously: "Dad seems to have a different regard for Han Derang?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu showed a little tangle on his face, and said slowly: "No matter what, the Khitan's willingness to become a vassal is a good thing for the Han Dynasty, and the advantages always outweigh the disadvantages.
The only question is what principles should be followed in future policies towards Khitan and Mobei. To tell you the truth, I have always targeted the Khitans and even wanted to completely annihilate them for two reasons.
First, the two countries have been at war for many years and have a bloody feud for decades, which is difficult to resolve. The second is the northern grassland, which has always been a serious problem in the Central Plains. Now that the imperial court is unified and strong, the grassland is weak, which is not enough for the country, but we must not ignore the future.
However, after so many years, I have gradually figured out that even if the Khitan is destroyed, if a long-term and stable governance strategy cannot be established on the grassland, individual ethnic groups will one day emerge with other strengths, and they will also It is a serious problem in the Central Plains.
Over the years, I have also heard and seen the changes in the Mobei Khitan. Compared with the barbaric and completely uncivilized Hu tribe, the Khitan who have been sinicized and absorbed the culture of the Central Plains are more rational and understanding. Pros and cons, it’s also easier to control.
However, they are also worried. They use this as a basis to develop and grow. They have already gone through such a path decades ago and it was very successful. And throughout history, when the grassland peoples are combined with the Chinese cultural system, the power that can be unleashed is terrifying.
Nowadays, the Khitan is indeed in decline, and their upper echelons are constantly becoming corrupt, but as long as they are based in Mobei, they may not be able to rise again one day.
It’s not that I think highly of Han Derang, but I don’t know how far a Han official with excellent domestic and diplomatic abilities will develop when combined with the Khitan, and what impact it will have on the Han Dynasty, and I don’t want to bet on it.”
After hearing what Emperor Liu said, Liu Yang lowered his head and thought carefully for a while, then raised his eyes and said, "Is this the reason why you detained Handerang in Beijing? But, are you looking too high on this person?"
Emperor Liu raised his finger and said: "I only know that for the Han Dynasty, the Mobei Khitan without Handerang is more beneficial and more harmless to the Han Dynasty!"
"It can be seen that it was Han Derang and the upper Khitan faction who made the decision to come to seek peace. Without Han Derang's suppression, the Khitan people in Mobei may not be willing to surrender to the Han!" Liu Yang said: "It may even cause the anti-Han forces to rise. , increasing the nuisance hazard to the north!”
"Sometimes, the threats hidden under the water are more dangerous and unpredictable than the disasters on the surface!" Emperor Liu said leisurely: "The Han's blockade of Mobei Khitan has lasted for more than ten years. This It's like shackles, tightly binding them. Once the two countries agree to the request, the two countries have good relations, and the shackles on the Mobei Khitan are lifted. With people like Handerang in power, what kind of changes will it bring in the future? Unpredictable!”
Seeing that Emperor Liu was in such a tangle, Liu Yang was a little surprised. He suppressed some strangeness in his heart and looked at Emperor Liu carefully before he chuckled and said, "Excuse me for speaking frankly, you seem to be a little worried."
"Oh?" Hearing this, Emperor Liu tilted his head, looked at Liu Yang seriously, and asked, "What do you think?"
Liu Yang said: "Your foresight is admirable, but the future is uncertain and always unpredictable. Being too entangled will only make you worry about gains and losses!"
"Do you think I am worrying about gains and losses now?" Emperor Liu frowned slightly, seeming a little displeased.
Liu Yang lowered his head and responded calmly: "In my opinion, no matter how the situation develops, as long as the Han Dynasty remains strong, no matter how the Khitan develops and changes, it will be difficult to pose a threat to the Han Dynasty. If something goes wrong with the Han Dynasty itself, Without Khitan, other troubles would come."
Hearing what Liu Yang said, Emperor Liu suddenly felt a little dazed and murmured: "What's wrong with me? I seem to have said this back then."
After pondering for a moment, Emperor Liu suddenly said with a wry smile: "What you said makes sense! It seems that I am really old and my brain is not enough!"
"You are just thinking too much about the country and the country!" Seeing Emperor Liu's desolate expression, Liu Yang hurriedly said: "What's more, your considerations are not unreasonable. What you mentioned before is that not only does the Mobei Khitan surrender in name, but the imperial court We also need to form substantial influence and control over the Khitans, which is the focus of the imperial court’s next policy towards the Khitans!”
"Tell me about it!" Emperor Liu raised his hand to signal.
Liu Yang thought for a while and said: "Recently, I have also consulted many parties on Khitan affairs and gained some insights. I think that in the past few years, especially in the past five years, the court's approach is advisable. On the one hand, it has strictly blocked and controlled, and on the other hand, it has given A gap will be opened for private trade.
Through trade, they seized the wealth of Mobei and increased their dependence on the Central Plains. At the same time, they cultivated a group of upper-class Khitan nobles who were close to the court. After all, they benefited from the exchanges with the Han Dynasty.
As long as such a group of forces can take power and the imperial court supports their powerful position, then they will be the most effective minions for the imperial court to control Mobei. What the court paid was only some money and materials. At the same time, through trade, the Han Dynasty could also get certain benefits from it. The livestock furs in Mobei were still valuable.
Dad, you said before that economic control is mostly like this."
After a pause, Liu Yang added: "In addition, the Khitan cannot be too comfortable. The current situation is very good. Whether it is the Naiman in the west or the Shiwei in the east, they are all threats to them. .
As long as a balance is achieved, the imperial court, as the arbiter, can also support and suppress according to the situation to ensure that the situation in the grassland does not get out of control. Alternatively, we can further divide the forces in Mobei and dismantle the large tribes and nobles by enfeoffing their power. As long as internal fighting continues, the court will naturally be at peace.
Er believes that the most important thing is for the Han Dynasty to move forward steadily. In this way, no matter how the situation outside the Great Wall develops, it will be difficult to threaten the Han Dynasty! "
After listening to Liu Yang's words, Emperor Liu was silent for a while and pondered for a while. Then he took a long breath, turned to look at the confident and calm Liu Yang with a complicated expression, and sighed: "In the past, I have been unwilling to let go of Khitan affairs. , I just have a knot in my heart. Now it seems that it’s time to let go! I don’t care about the Khitan affairs anymore, just do what you want!"
Hearing this, Liu Yang was surprised and quickly responded respectfully: "Thank you for your trust, dad!"
"Control, how long can I control it?" Emperor Liu muttered again.
After saying that, he still couldn't help but remind him: "Han Derang will have to wait for some more time to wait for the changes on the Khitan side. When the time comes, it will be up to you whether to let him go or not."
During Handerang's stay in Tokyo, the imperial court took some actions. Relevant affairs agencies, including the Lifan Yuan, the Wude Department and even the Imperial City Department, were all actively taking action with the intention of carrying out a campaign within the Mobei Khitan. a subversive activity.
After operating subtly for so many years, the imperial court has still cultivated some influence within the Khitan, and its ability to be a troublemaker is still sufficient.
"Yes!" Liu Yang naturally had no objection to this.
