Liu Min's return still had a certain impact on both inside and outside the Han Palace. Although many people knew the news, their feelings and reactions were different when they arrived and when they didn't.
Among the many princes who were the elder of Emperor Liu, except for Liu Yun, the Duke of Qi who was still on an overseas mission and had not yet returned, most of them had returned to the capital. Even the thirteenth prince Liu Ye, who was given the title of Duke of Liang due to Yulin's suppression of the rebellion, returned early. .
In the past few months, the discussion about Anxi in the imperial court has not ended, and there are still constant disputes. However, with the return of King Wei Liu Min in person, many people have realized that the debate over the past few months will finally come to an end. It just depends on how Liu Min talks with Emperor Liu. In the final analysis, no matter what the discussions among the officials below No matter how enthusiastic it is, the only one who can really make a conclusion is Emperor Liu.
However, before that, as the center of everyone's attention, Liu Min still has a series of social events. After paying homage to the talisman, he had a heart-to-heart talk with Princess Wei, who came crying with joy, and was followed by visits from many brothers and distinguished ministers.
After struggling until evening, Emperor Liu summoned him again and asked Liu Min to accompany him to dinner. It has to be said that Emperor Liu invited distinguished ministers to have meals alone, drink and chat from time to time, but with his son, such situations were really rare.
But the same thing is that eating is not the purpose, the focus is on the process. The father and son were drinking and chatting in Chui Gong Hall. Of course, Liu Min was mainly talking and Emperor Liu was listening. Regarding the major and minor events since the Western Expedition, Liu Min personally made a comprehensive report to Emperor Liu based on what he had prepared.
Liu Min was not a talkative person on weekdays, and sometimes even seemed a bit dull, but when talking about the deeds of the Western Expedition, he was eloquent and spoke very eloquently.
He waited for Liu Min to finish explaining a series of arrangements for Anxi after recovering Broken Leaf, and then stopped. Then he looked at Emperor Liu expectantly and anxiously, waiting for the holy lesson.
Emperor Liu didn't say anything for a while, but smiled softly, stretched out his hand and said: "Having said so much, you are thirsty. Drink some wine to moisten your throat!"
"Yes!" Liu Min agreed, directly picked up the wine jar on the table and started drinking, looking heroic.
Emperor Liu smiled slightly when he saw this, but he still drank from a small cup honestly. When a little drunkenness from the drink appeared on his face, Emperor Liu said with emotion: "Although I was thousands of miles away during your Western Expedition, I was always watching. The Western Expedition lasted two years and it was not easy or smooth. , and even encountered difficulties for a time, with the danger of defeat and loss of troops, and there were many casualties. Thousands of households in the Han Dynasty wore sackcloth and mourning, and cried out in mourning. "
"I am deeply ashamed of my incompetence as commander!" At the mention of this, Liu Min also broke away from the state of pride and solemnly handed over his hands, looking ashamed.
Emperor Liu waved his hand and sighed: "I can't blame you. It's rare for you to lead the camp and reach the point where it is today. An expedition of thousands of miles is not easy. The long logistics supply is enough to make people... Despair. It was me who underestimated the Black Khanate at the beginning. Who would have thought that this remote and small country would be so difficult to deal with and resist so fiercely. I underestimated my opponent and had insufficient calculations. To be able to achieve such a result, you are already outstanding. !”
"My father said this, and I am even more ashamed of myself!" Liu Min also sighed.
Immediately afterwards, Liu Min said with a firm expression: "However, after this Western Expedition and the battle with the Black Khanate, I am convinced that the Western Expedition is correct. The Black Khan is an unusual country, with the integration of politics and religion, and excellent organizational capabilities. , with outstanding military construction, as a humble country, it has been able to resist the Khitan and the Han for more than 20 years, which is definitely not what ordinary forces can do.
If it can only slightly control its expansion ambitions, concentrate on development, and accumulate strength for another ten years, it will definitely become a serious problem for the Western Frontier of the Han Dynasty. In particular, the state religion they believe in, YSL, is extremely aggressive. In order to preach, expansion is their inevitable choice.
After recovering Broken Leaf, I learned from some upper-class nobles in Black Khan that they had always been the bridgehead for YSL's eastward expansion. Black Khan's development and growth over the past thirty years also benefited greatly from YSL's help.
During the Western Expedition, we faced more than once the impact of YSL believers from the Western world, who were crazy, barbaric, and fearless of death."
When he said this, Liu Min also looked fearful. Seeing this, Emperor Liu chuckled and said, "Is this why you carry out the policy of exterminating religion in Anxi?"
"Yes!" Liu Min nodded affirmatively: "If we don't eliminate them, we won't be able to control the newly occupied land. They have too strong control over the thoughts of the local believers. If we don't use strict rules, there will be endless troubles. As for those believers, their thoughts are not good. Transformation, annihilation from the body over there!”
"You have done a good job in this matter!" Emperor Liu also gave a positive attitude and said coldly: "These theocratic and religious powers are ambitious and lawless, trying to get involved in the secular world and control the imperial power. They are actually the source of trouble. , must be suppressed and eliminated. We cannot control further places, but under the Han Xuan Banner and on the land we control, we will never allow it to run rampant!"
"Yes!" Liu Min responded again. In this matter, he could be regarded as a disciple of Emperor Liu, although the factors he considered were not just that.
"The Western Expedition has lasted for two years. Although it is not a complete success, the Black Khan has basically destroyed the country and captured most of the country. Only a small force is left to survive. The imperial court is basically satisfied. However, I heard that you are still If you want to continue fighting westward, tell me your future plans!"
When asked, Liu Min did not answer the question immediately. After lowering his head and thinking carefully for a while, he responded seriously: "Dad, I have always believed that opening up territory and expanding territory is only the first step. How to defend and establish rule is the most important step." More important things.
After contact and confrontation with the forces of Western countries such as Black Khan, I believe that even if we strike, those believers in the YSL world may not be willing to do so. If I don't attack him, he may not attack me!
Therefore, the son would rather launch an attack first, eliminate the remnants of the Black Khan, and at the same time push the front westward, away from the big Han! However, before that, it is necessary to implement the laws, policies and laws of the Han Dynasty in various parts of Anxi, consolidate them, and then move forward! "
After glancing at Emperor Liu, Liu Min added: "The support I requested from the imperial court earlier was just for this matter. Without the imperial court's support, Anxi's power alone will not be exhausted!
In addition, today's Anxi has a vast territory, more than 2,000 miles away from east to west, and the Tianshan Mountains block the north and south, making it inconvenient for transportation and news transmission. Therefore, I suggested splitting Anxi into two parts with Qiuci as the boundary! "
After hearing this suggestion, Emperor Liu looked at Liu Min with a little surprise. Seeing his serious face, he smiled and said: "This can't stop the courtiers! Your request is as big as a lion's mouth!"
A flash of embarrassment flashed across Liu Min's face, and he said humbly: "Dad, Anxi is not a remote and cold place. It has a lot of rich and fertile soil. As long as it develops, it can become a stable barrier in the northwest of the Han Dynasty. It will not always rely on the imperial court to waste money. support."
Hearing this, a sharp color flashed in Emperor Liu's eyes, and he stared directly at Liu Min and said, "Don't you know that this is also the concern of some courtiers? Anxi, after all, is too far away from the heart of the Han Dynasty! "
Emperor Liu had questioned his sons so blatantly more than once. It was the first time Liu Min faced such a situation, and he was obviously stunned for a moment before he reacted.
Without any hesitation, he stood up and prostrated himself in front of Emperor Liu: "I have no intention of betraying the imperial court!"
Seeing this, Emperor Liu looked calm and said calmly: "Of course I believe it, otherwise, I would not have let you go and supported your Western Expedition! Furthermore, if I don't believe in my own son, how can I still believe in those outsiders?" If so?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Even Liu Min, who has a strong psychological quality, couldn't help but break into a cold sweat when he heard this. The rumors are indeed true. Today's Emperor Liu is hard to describe.
"Get up!" Emperor Liu waved his hands, with a slightly aged expression on his old face, and said, "The imperial court has been discussing your request for a long time, and I have also been thinking about it for a long time. I can agree to it!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Min heard this and quickly thanked him.
"Don't be in a hurry to thank me!"
(End of chapter)
