Perhaps even Emperor Liu himself didn't know what kind of mentality and purpose he had. Asking this question to Liu? For Liu?, he felt full of pressure in his heart. He lowered his head slightly, paused, and answered : "I am waiting for His Majesty's will!"
This answer was somewhat beyond Emperor Liu's expectations. He stared at Liu Xi silently for a while, and seeing his calm expression, he returned his gaze and let out a silent sigh.
In the past, Emperor Liu wished that all of his princes were like dragons and talented, but that was more because of his father's identity. However, as an emperor, Emperor Liu has really begun to worry about his sons being too good.
There are many talented people in the royal family. This is a good thing for the Tian family, but not necessarily for the country. How to arrange them is always a headache. When it comes to the issue of his family's heirs, Emperor Liu has always sought perfection, even though he knew in his heart that it was just an extravagant hope.
Driving the princes to seal the country was a solution that Emperor Liu finally came up with after struggling for half his life. The four great princes in the early years, Liu Xu and Liu He, all had arrangements, and it was impossible for Liu He to be the only one left.
In fact, in recent times, Emperor Liu's series of actions have established the future heir of the empire, starting with himself. After all, at least on the surface, there is no "spare tire" left.
This was also Emperor Liu's proposal for enfeoffment, which was criticized by everyone, but there were always some people who strongly supported it, including the prince and his subordinates, who were the most able to appreciate the benefits.
This position is not guaranteed by being the prince for thirty years. In the final analysis, it still depends on the old emperor's thoughts. As for the Prince's family, the current situation is truly clear and the Holy Will has been determined. There were some things that Emperor Liu really couldn't bear to deal with, especially on the issue of succession to the throne, and he even didn't dare.
However, sometimes, Emperor Liu couldn't help but wonder what would happen if the prince changed to someone else, if Liu Xu, Liu Xi, or even Liu Xi succeeded the Han Empire in the future, would he be more suitable and capable than Liu Xi? better?
Regardless of others, after so many years of careful observation, at least in the eyes of Emperor Liu, Liu Xu and Liu Xi are both capable, or in other words, both of them show characteristics very similar to Emperor Liu in one aspect. , and this point is particularly attractive and can easily affect Emperor Liu's evaluation of it.
In comparison, Prince Liu? seemed too mediocre and was even considered mediocre. Of course, such a comparison is unfair to the prince Liu? If Liu Xu and Liu? were the princes, Emperor Liu might have different feelings. Ultimately, this was caused by the emperor looking after the prince, rather than simply the father looking after his son.
At this time, facing this son whom he had never seen clearly, Emperor Liu once again had complex and unspeakable emotions in his heart. After thinking for a while, Emperor Liu said leisurely: "In that case, I will arrange another task for you!"
After hearing this, Liu Xi bowed again: "Your Majesty, please give me instructions!"
Looking at Liu Yu's calm appearance, Emperor Liu said: "The Tubo Congress has been held twice, and this year is the third time. I intend for you to represent the imperial court and go to Luoche City to preside over the conference!"
The Tubo Conference was after the Tubo tribes surrendered to the Han Dynasty. Under the instruction of Emperor Liu, the imperial court sent officials to Luoche to organize an alliance meeting between the imperial court and the Tubo tribes to appease the tribes and coordinate at the same time. Interest disputes and conflicts among various ministries.
Since several "representatives" of the Tubo tribe came to Beijing to express their submission to the imperial court, the imperial court legitimately brought the snowy plateau under the rule of the Han Dynasty. Of course, it is still difficult to implement a centralized system of counties and counties. Even the arrogant Emperor Liu did not force it. Instead, after gaining nominal power over the Tubo tribes, he chose to appease and continue Maintain the interests of tribal leaders and ensure their governance and various interests.
In recent years, the imperial court's policy on the plateau has basically revolved around three points: political co-optation, economic bribery, and military deterrence. To put it simply, it is a combination of fighting and pulling, a stick and a jujube.
The Tubo tribe was not easy to tame. In the early years, not all tribes were willing to submit to the imperial court. Basking in the glory of the past, they intend to continue to maintain a state of "independence and self-reliance", and there are even ambitious people who attempt to end the division of Tibet for more than a hundred years and reunify the plateau.
Of course, those who were disobedient and opposed were eventually eliminated one by one in the long-term confrontation and became history. Regarding the plateau, the imperial court, or Emperor Liu, unexpectedly showed enough patience.
For those who were not loyal, they rarely sent troops on their own initiative. Instead, they used political and economic interests to bribe those tribes who were close to the court, and supported these forces to attack those die-hards.
All the court needed to pay was some money, food, cloth, salt, tea and other materials. These things were scarce resources on the plateau, but for the Han Dynasty, they were just a drop in the bucket.
Under this offensive of sugar-coated bullets, not many Tubo tribes could resist. Those who refused would either be driven to a barren land and flee to an extremity that even the gods despised, or they would be killed and their territory, tribesmen, and livestock would be destroyed. All were divided.
Therefore, in less than ten years, regardless of whether they were convinced or not, most of the Tubo tribes on the snowy plateau accepted the imperial title and became chieftains of the Han Dynasty.
After that, the imperial court began to organize the "Tubo Conference" in the name of the central government. This was a measure that the imperial court directly intervened in plateau affairs over the years, and it was a very important measure.
The convening of the Tubo Congress was a concrete intervention by the Han Dynasty in the relations and affairs of the Tibetan tribes as an arbiter. It was a process of continuously strengthening the ruling relationship. It was also an opportunity for direct exchanges and dialogue between the imperial court and Tubo.
There is a session every five years, and it happens to be the third session in the 26th year of Kaibao. And this time, Emperor Liu obviously wants to play some new tricks. You must know that although the representatives of the Central Committee who attended the meeting in the first two terms were all high officials of the imperial court, and although their status was high, they could not be higher than Prince Liu? of Jin.
It can be seen from this that Emperor Liu attached great importance to this conference and his changes in plateau affairs and attitudes towards Tibet. If we count from the gradual penetration during the Qianyou period, the Han Dynasty has been infiltrating and influencing the Tubo tribes for thirty years. This game of chess played by Emperor Liu most patiently is now coming to an end.
In the past, the most important reason why the Tubo tribal chiefs took refuge in the imperial court and accepted rewards from the imperial court was that the imperial court guaranteed their interests and their right to rule.
On this basis, you can also get a lot of benefits and fully enjoy the benefits of tea-horse economic exchanges. As an "employee" of the imperial court, you are not only protected by the imperial court, but you can also fight against those "rebellious ministers and traitors". Get loot bonuses. All in all, apart from becoming Han subjects by name and no longer being able to call themselves Tubo Kingdom, they enjoyed all the rights of autonomy.
In the past, apart from the Tubo Assembly, the imperial court could directly participate in Tubo affairs. It only established a few settlements, which affected the management of Tibetan people through the influence of trade in border cities and neighboring prefectures and counties.
In Luoche City, there are officials dispatched by the Lifan Yuan, but they are only in name. The permanent officials exist more as liaisons and cannot play the role of mediation, arbitration, and management.
Speaking of the plateau, the ministers had the impression that it was far away, blocked, with harsh environment and inconvenient to rule. But even so, Emperor Liu's strong desire for control would not allow the Han Dynasty to rule on the plateau and stay in this rudimentary and undisciplined state of autonomy forever.
Direct administration may still be difficult, but on the current basis, it is still possible to further deepen the influence. Emperor Liu plans to leave this job to Liu?
Under Liu Shenning's gaze, Emperor Liu said slowly: "After this conference, you will stay in Luoche City and serve as the minister and Tongping Zhangshi stationed in Tubo, with full authority to handle Tubo affairs!"
