Including Li Shimin, everyone in the hall was puzzled.
This matter is a matter between the imperial court and the foreign races within the territory. The rest of the people can just sit back and watch His Majesty handle it.
Nowadays, people outside Xiaoyao Gongfang have nothing to do with this matter. Why do they suddenly raise their opinions?
When Li Shimin saw this, he looked at Fan Ji and asked:
"I wonder what Mr. Xiaoyao has to say?"
Fan Ji helped his beard and said:
"Pindao thinks that His Majesty's move is slightly inappropriate.
If the princes sincerely surrender, they are willing to make up for the court's losses in suppressing the rebellion.
Then this 'compensation letter' is of little significance, it only needs to be opened by His Majesty.
Now that all the barbarian kings and leaders have declared their allegiance to the imperial court, they will no longer rebel.
At this time, His Majesty asked him to sign the "compensation letter", but it was superfluous. "
The barbarian kings did not react much when they heard this. Everyone was indifferent to this matter.
Who doesn’t have some rare treasures in his territory?
Since Your Majesty wants to ask for some treasures from you on the pretext of "compensation", then everyone can give it to Your Majesty, and by the way, you can show your loyalty in front of Your Majesty.
After hearing this, Li Shimin became thoughtful.
In fact, Li Shimin's original intention was to have everyone sign a blank document to finalize the matter.
When everyone could no longer regret it, he wrote down the rich forests and mining areas of the barbarian tribes on the blank animal skins.
Take the opportunity to assign these places to the imperial court. When everyone signs the documents, there will be no reason to refuse.
He can only "eat Coptis chinensis for a dumb person" and dedicate these resources to the court.
In this way, he can send his confidants to run these industries and provide the court with the resources it needs.
There is no need to wait for the barbarians to pay tribute, or to find reasons to ask for it from the barbarians.
Now that Xiaoyao Gong said this, he must first reply to Xiaoyao Gong's words, but it is not easy to directly ask the leaders to sign blank documents.
Could it be that Xiaoyao Gong's move was intended to embarrass himself? Or maybe Xiaoyao Gong saw something wrong?
After much thought, Li Shimin couldn't figure out the key.
But he didn't believe that Xiaoyao Guild would come out to embarrass himself at this time.
While thinking about it, Fan Ji spoke again:
"I saw that Your Majesty has been thinking for a long time. Is it possible that there is something that Your Majesty has not figured out?"
Fan Ji's words interrupted Li Shimin's thoughts. Li Shimin looked at Fan Ji and shook his head.
"I really haven't thought through what Mr. Xiaoyao said. Is there a big difference between this sign and no sign?"
Seeing that His Majesty was still a little confused, Fan Ji smiled helplessly, and then whispered:
"Your Majesty, have you ever heard of the incident of 'Oulu Wangji'?"
Li Shimin suddenly realized it after thinking for a while.
This allusion is a story about a "fisherman" and a "seabird" in Liezi.
As the saying goes, "If a person forgets his machine, the bird will not doubt it; if the man and machine move, the bird will stay away."
This is Xiaoyao Gong reminding himself not to be scheming!
Thinking of this, Li Shimin suddenly felt enlightened.
Today, I have been thinking about the barbarian affairs many times.
He induced the barbarians to accept the policy of mixing barbarians and Han people, and then inspired the barbarians to gamble with him. Now he wants to trick them into signing a blank "compensation letter."
He cleverly deceived various barbarian kings three times in one day, and he manipulated the hearts of the barbarians too frequently.
If you compare yourself to the "fisherman" in the story, and compare the barbarians to the "seabirds".
They themselves were afraid of the imperial army and admired themselves. At this time, he used tricks to deceive them many times.
Especially the matter of defrauding forestry, mining and other industries with this blank "compensation letter" is even more serious...
The result will most likely be that he loses credibility in front of the barbarians, which will then alienate the barbarians from the imperial court...
"Ah! Mr. Xiaoyao is truly worthy of being an expert hermit! I understand what Mr. Xiaoyao means!"
"His Majesty was able to figure out the key immediately after being reminded by Pindao, and he was able to accept Pindao's suggestions. Your Majesty is worthy of being the wise king of the world!"
At this time, all the barbarian kings in the hall were having a great time chatting with each other as their majesty and Duke Xiaoyao were talking to each other.
Everyone was wondering, thinking, isn't it just to give His Majesty some rare treasures in exchange for His Majesty's smile? Why is it so complicated?
After Li Shimin adjusted his emotions, he said seriously:
"You barbarian kings and leaders, I don't want this compensation, but I have something else that I hope you can consider for yourself."
All the barbarian kings were stunned at first, and then they all looked at Wei Lang.
Wei Lang understood and knew that no one cared much about this kind of thing, so he simply left the communication with His Majesty to him.
"The little king is stupid. I don't know what your majesty is doing?"
Li Shimin looked at Wei Lang and said with some embarrassment:
“Just now I wanted you to sign a blank document, it was indeed selfish.
Now I have figured it out and want to tell the matter directly. I am not going to restrict you with excuses like 'compensation letter' anymore.
In fact, I have taken a fancy to some of the mountains, forests, mineral deposits and other resources in your territory.
I hope you can allocate some resources to the imperial court. I am willing to provide some gold and silver or reduce a certain amount of taxes in exchange. "
As soon as these words came out, all the barbarian kings took a breath of cold air.
"Your Majesty does not want to ask for some urgent money from us, but he wants to share some of the resources in our territory!"
"Fortunately, Mr. Xiaoyao came out to speak for us. Otherwise, with the signing of the 'compensation document', wouldn't it mean that His Majesty can choose to claim the rich forests and mines?"
"Your Majesty's move was really cruel, and we almost fell into His Majesty's way!"
The barbarian kings were frightened for a while and couldn't help but start talking.
At this time, Fan Ji bowed his hands to the barbarian kings, and then said loudly:
"Everyone, please listen to Pindao!"
Fan Ji had just resolved a crisis for the barbarian kings, and the barbarian kings were grateful to Fan Ji.
Seeing that Fan Ji was about to speak at this time, they became quiet. They all looked at Fan Ji and waited for Fan Ji to express his position.
Fan Ji first glanced at His Majesty, and after His Majesty nodded, Fan Ji said seriously:
"Since you all are slightly grateful to Pindao for what he did just now, Pindao will take advantage of this gratitude and shamelessly say a few more words.
I hope you guys don't think I'm too verbose. "
When all the barbarian kings saw this, they all nodded in agreement.
"Even if I don't give advice to Your Majesty today, Your Majesty will never treat you badly in this matter.
Since you are asked to give up your beloved things, His Majesty must have thought of how to make up for it.
This action of Pindao will only save your Majesty and all of you from suffering some losses.
Just think about it, if your Majesty is not a wise king, how could he change his mind with just a few words from a poor man?
Not only did he change his mind, his majesty even expressed his true intentions and treated them sincerely.
Isn't everything your Majesty has done so that you don't have to spend all your time thinking about how to make offerings to please the court?
Now you only need to hand over some of the resources within the territory to the imperial court, and you can be exempted from some taxes. You can also get rid of it once and for all. From now on, you no longer have to worry about giving gifts to the imperial court.
At the same time, with these resources, the imperial court can strengthen management and development, make Shuzhong strong, and then have the ability to compete with Wei and Wu.
When the territory is secured, Your Majesty will not treat you badly.
Such a thing that achieves multiple things with one stone, why wouldn't you do it? "
All the barbarian kings fell into deep thought after hearing this.
Fan Ji raised his eyebrows at His Majesty and gave him a smile.
When Li Shimin saw that Fan Ji first gave up his unsafe ideas, and then took over everything and made a powerful statement to the barbarian kings on his behalf, he respected Fan Ji even more.
Coupled with Fan Ji's identity, fame, and the fact that he has cultivated talented young people for the imperial court, this is simply a treasure given to him by God!
After a while, the barbarian kings had made up their minds, and everyone once again elected Wei Lang as their representative to reply to His Majesty.
Wei Lang stood up and left the table. After walking to the center of the hall, he solemnly said:
"We barbarians are all 'foreigners' to the imperial court.
The Central Plains dynasties of all dynasties have continued to conquer us. Although there are times of harmony, we have always felt inferior to others.
No matter what your Majesty requires of us now, your Majesty can be sincere to us and does not look down upon us.
For the barbarians, it is a great gift. Based on this alone, we should swear to follow His Majesty to the death.
We will definitely comply with your Majesty's request. I just hope that when Shu becomes strong and powerful and strives for supremacy in the world, your Majesty will not forget the loyalty of the barbarians to your Majesty! "
When Li Shimin heard this, he almost burst into tears on the spot.
Fortunately, I had enough concentration and had seen big scenes in my previous life, so I managed to keep the tears in my eyes.
Wei Lang's words reminded Li Shimin of his previous life, when his mother was also of Xianbei descent.
Many brave warriors and loyal generals around him are also from foreign races.
There are even imperial guards composed of Xianbei, Qiang and Hu warriors...
"Okay! Very good! Since you are like this, I will not treat you badly.
The matter is settled like that! "
After saying this, Li Shimin raised his wine glass, looked at the barbarian kings, and toasted:
"I use this wine to thank you all for your contributions to our great nation. When the Central Plains are conquered, you will all be the greatest contributors!"
At this point, the problem of barbarians in the middle of Shu has been basically solved. Only the competition between the two sides on the first day of the new year can make the barbarians completely surrender.
After Li Shimin decided on several things, he thought about Xiaoyao Gong's recruitment of disciples.
"My lords, I have already given you the general plan for the new year.
While there is still some time before the New Year, if you have anything to add, please feel free to tell me. "
All the princes in the hall looked at each other in shock when they heard this. Just these few points raised by His Majesty were enough for everyone to drink.
At this time, everyone just hopes that the conversation will end quickly so that they can have a chance to breathe.
"Your Majesty is wise! I have nothing to report!"
"In that case, how about I bring some benefits to you all?"
Everyone was confused when they heard this, and they didn't know whether His Majesty's so-called "welfare" was a good thing or a bad thing.
Seeing the confusion, Li Shimin pointed at Fan Ji and said with a smile:
"Don't worry, gentlemen. This matter is just because Duke Xiaoyao was entrusted by me and wanted to make some contribution to the court."
Hearing this, Fan Ji quickly stood up and bowed his head to all the gentlemen in the hall:
"Your Majesty's words are true. Sirs, please listen to my explanation of this matter!"
