Facing the frowning Liu Chengxun, Emperor Liu also breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly: "The ministers are not happy. No matter how stubborn I am, it will be difficult for others. If you are of the same mind as me, I will fully support you. As for others, let them do whatever they want." Freedom! However, there are gains and losses when there is sacrifice..."
There was a hint of Zen in Emperor Liu's words, and there was also a slight hint of compromise. Liu Chengxun came here just to feel the turbulent public opinion. Out of concern, he wanted to explain something to Emperor Liu. However, before he had finished speaking, Emperor Liu already looked like he was fully enlightened and relieved. This made Liu Chengxun helpless. You know what to say.
Liu Chengxun was speechless for a moment, but Emperor Liu was not like that. Looking at his younger brother, a thoughtful expression flashed across his face, and he asked with interest: "Sanlang, are you and I of the same mind?"
This question is asked, can Liu Chengxun say no? Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and Liu Chengxun lowered his head and said humbly: "Your Majesty, I will do whatever you want!"
"Again, without hesitation!" He muttered this word that was almost audible. Emperor Liu adjusted his posture and leaned forward. His old eyes looked at him with special attention: "You are, crossing the sea." As a person who has seen overseas scenery with your own eyes, you should have a different feeling about overseas enfeoffment, at least you won’t be so repulsive!"
The meaning of Emperor Liu's words was already obvious. However, Liu Chengxun really wanted to answer Emperor Liu. It was precisely because he had gone out to see Emperor Liu that he did not agree with Emperor Liu's enfeoffment proposal and felt that Emperor Liu's idea was too immature. .
Of course, Liu Chengxun would not be like those ignorant people in the market who have never seen the real world and believe what the Xuanwei Division and even those merchants who returned from overseas are preaching. It is not easy to develop and colonize overseas. There may be fertile fields and fertile soil, and there are indeed gold and treasures, but these need to be earned with life.
As far as Liu Chengxun knows, in the past twenty years, hundreds of thousands of people have come south, but less than half of them survived. The mortality rate was higher than any war launched by the Han in the past.
Facing Emperor Liu at this time, he naturally did not dare to tell the truth, but he still couldn't help but make some insinuations: "There is indeed a world overseas, and a lot can be done, but it requires enough time and patience, and it is difficult to achieve it overnight. Qin Zheng Baiyue, up to the Five Emperors and Three Yues of the Han Dynasty, was China's inherent territory, not to mention those islands and rainforests far away overseas.
The worries of the ministers are not unfounded, but are based on practical considerations. While His Majesty is far-sighted, you may be able to listen to some of your subordinates. After all, if you listen to both, you will understand..."
Liu Chengxun's words caused Emperor Liu to fall into a brief silence, and then he said with some waning interest: "After all, even you think that the objections of the courtiers outside are reasonable! I was still worried before, what happened on the night of Shangyuan When we discussed enfeoffment, we only considered the prince and ignored you, my brother, for fear that you and the clan members would think I was partial, but now it seems that I am being a little sentimental!"
When Emperor Liu said this, Liu Chengxun could not continue to be tense. His expression immediately changed and he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is serious!"
"Then tell me, if I were to give you a feudal kingdom, would you be willing to go there?" Emperor Liu didn't care about anything else and stared directly at Liu Chengxun.
Liu Chengxun wanted to give this difficult emperor brother a straightforward answer, but he really couldn't do it. He hesitated for a while, then gritted his teeth and said, "On command!"
After looking at Liu Chengxun for a while, seeing that his mood gradually calmed down and his eyes became calm, Emperor Liu finally turned away and smiled: "That's all! I said, I won't force others to do anything, even those unscrupulous people are not demanding, let alone you, the only one Brothers?"
Probably feeling the disappointment or even dissatisfaction in Emperor Liu's heart, Liu Chengxun obviously did not want to do this. After thinking about it for a while, he suddenly said: "If your Majesty needs a pioneer for the king, I am willing to go!"
"Seriously?" Emperor Liu was a little surprised, and then said: "If you are trying to cater to me, you don't have to! I have already thought about the turmoil in the past few days. If you go, you will go, if you stay, you will stay, that's all!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengxun sighed softly and said: "I have studied your Majesty's ideals and values for decades, but I still can't understand them. I can only do what I can and follow your Majesty's advice. I'm afraid there is no one in the clan outside the town of Nanyang." There is no one more suitable than me, so let me be the clan member and set an example for the people of the world!"
Emperor Liu looked at Liu Chengxun carefully. Although this brother was very frank, he could not tell what his thoughts were. However, hearing Liu Chengxun's statement, Emperor Liu still felt a sense of relief in his heart. At least King Yong was taking the lead, so that his "enfeoffment plan" would not become a joke and end up with nothing but chicken feathers. Maybe it was because of this. Respect yourself?
Thinking of this, Emperor Liu couldn't help but smile a little, and his eyes softened a lot. After thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu waved his hand and said generously: "You have been to Nanyang and stayed for more than a year, so I won't specify. , you have taken a fancy to that piece of land, just tell me, I will not refuse!"
Since Emperor Liu said this, Liu Chengxun was not polite. He only thought about it for a moment and said: "I have an idea, but I'm afraid your Majesty won't be able to part with it!"
When Liu Chengxun said this, Emperor Liu immediately became wary. The third child would not come up with any embarrassing ideas, so his tone inevitably changed a little: "Let's talk about it first. As long as it's suitable, there's nothing you can't bear to part with!"
Liu Chengxun said: "When we were on the mission, the fleet was anchored at the port of Liuqiu, where the King of Mu was the king, businessmen gathered there, and hundreds of thousands of Han people... Now Liuqiu Mansion is under the jurisdiction of Fujian Road, but after all, it is across the sea. Looking at each other, Daosi attaches great importance to it, and policies and decrees need to be conveyed through the sea, which is very inconvenient. The government's governance of Liuqiu is also more laissez-faire. I wonder if your majesty is willing to consider it as a feudal state?"
After listening to Liu Chengxun's opinion, Emperor Liu remained calm on his face, but he was already hesitant in his heart.
After all, it is Liuqiu. This is a relatively mature place among the many overseas territories of the Han Dynasty. It is not included in Emperor Liu's enfeoffment plan, just like Annan Road.
As for the argument that it is inconvenient to manage across the sea, Emperor Liu also cannot make sense. In the process of the development and expansion of overseas trade, Liuqiu's development can be said to be changing with each passing day. The merchant ships and merchants traveling from south to north have given it huge development momentum and space.
As a treasure island across the sea from Fujian, it has deep historical roots. Emperor Liu was not afraid of it being left alone overseas and out of control. The South China Sea Fleet could have a permanent navy stationed there.
With these factors in it, Emperor Liu's inner tendency is self-evident. But the big words have already been released, so he simply refused, which was somewhat embarrassing, so Emperor Liu chuckled and said: "You have a good vision, Liuqiu is a good place, and the conditions are also very good, but this is not within my enfeoffment plan. Previously, I have never considered making Liuqiu a vassal fiefdom. This is not an island like those in the Southeast Asia, so at least I have to consider the feelings of Fujian Road!"
Emperor Liu's words were not convincing enough. Of course, Liu Chengxun could also feel Emperor Liu's displeasure. His face showed no signs of discomfort. Liu Chengxun retreated to the next best option and said: "If Liuqiu is not suitable, then Liangping Island is the only one. I have lived there for more than half a year, so I am quite familiar with it..."
This is an important pass on the Nanyang transportation line and the hub of maritime trade routes! Emperor Liu glanced at Liu Chengxun with some dissatisfaction. How could he pick out the most important places?
Of course, it was difficult for Emperor Liu to say this. After all, to be fair, looking at Nanyang, only Liangping Island has the conditions for enfeoffment. Although it is only a small place, it can be encroached and expanded after many years of operation.
After thinking about it, Emperor Liu said: "Of course I am willing to give up Liangping Island, but I am afraid that the Privy Council and the Navy are not willing to do so. In order to find a place for the Nanyang Fleet to be stationed in the port, Guo Liangping would rather start a war and offend Srivijaya, a friendly country. Completely…”
In the final analysis, Emperor Liu himself was not happy, so he could only bring out the navy and Guo Liangping to make an argument. Liu Chengxun could clearly see this mentality. He glanced at Emperor Liu and sighed in his heart. Emperor Liu's true intention was to let them fight and rob by themselves. When it came to development, they really didn't discount it at all.
However, it is not easy to develop! Not to mention, Liu Chengxun is also in his fifties. Even if this old man has great ambitions, he may not be able to bear it...
After thinking about it, Liu Chengxun suddenly gritted his teeth and said: "In that case, the only option is to take it by force! Destroy the country, occupy the land, and then seal the country!"
(End of chapter)
