"There is no other!" Langri said with a smile: "Although there are many barbarians in the southwest, the terrain is rugged and broken, which is conducive to defense but not offensive. The country has only fifty or sixty thousand people, but only a few thousand people. Even if they can help each other, they are unable to do so. Contain Tubo. And the Liuzhao is located in a large lake, with rivers and lakes crisscrossing it. As long as there is a little improvement, we can have a good situation!"
"A big lake?" Wang Wenzuo tried his best to recall the geography knowledge in junior high school. It should be Dianchi Lake or Erhai Lake. Langri was right. If there is a large freshwater lake around a nation, as long as it is renovated, it can be used for irrigation, shipping, military, etc. Defense can have huge advantages, such as the ancient Khmer Empire and the Aztecs in Mexico. Their development and growth are inseparable from Tonle Sap Lake and Lake Mexico. Even in the later United States, the Great Lakes region can be said to be the place where its dragons flourished and the foundation of its dominance.
"Brother Langri, what else do you need?" Wang Wenzuo asked, "While I'm still in the center, let's just finish it in one go to save trouble!"
"The name of the Tang Dynasty is naturally indispensable!" Lang Ri said with a smile: "My understanding of the local area was gained during the expedition four years ago. The situation may have changed now, and I can only adapt to the situation later. Generally speaking, That is to say, after going to the local area, pick a small country that is respectful to the Tang Dynasty and has a feud with Tubo, support it, use it to attack and fight, and swallow up the weak to make it stronger. As long as you get to this point, Tubo will definitely not be able to sit idly by and ignore it. of!"
"Yes!" Wang Wenzuo nodded. Generally speaking, there is no problem with the strategy Lang Ri said. According to him, the local barbarians are still scattered, and there is still a strong man to unify them. This may be because the time has not yet come, or it may be the result of a powerful external enemy deliberately dividing the attack. For the Tubo people, this situation of separate countries and fighting each other is undoubtedly a soft persimmon, so every few years, Tubo will send troops to raid, or collect tribute, or Taking slaves, or annexing land, just to name a few. And if Langri's strategy works and a local force with a tendency to unify emerges, Tubo will definitely not be able to continue as usual. Whether it invests troops in conquest or uses resources to bribe, it will contain Tubo's power, thus reducing Datang's power. pressure.
"Sanlang!" Li Jingye watched Wang Wenzuo and Lang Ri chatting animatedly from the side. Invisibly, he was a little marginalized. He hurriedly said: "If you want to use strategies against the local barbarians, you will need soldiers, armor, money and silk. Can Sanlang talk to the emperor?" Let’s talk!”
"I have made this clear to the emperor!" Wang Wenzuo said: "Yaozhou's money, grain and taxes do not need to be transferred, all are reserved for the state's use. In addition, when you go, you can bring three hundred craftsmen and ten thousand guan with you. , five thousand pieces of cloth, five hundred soldiers, and a number of armored battleships!"
"Thank you, thank you so much!" Li Jingye was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly thanked him: "But Sanlang, these are a bit missing, right? Can a governor's office be set up in Yaozhou to command the soldiers and horses of surrounding states and counties?"
Hearing Li Jingye's request, Wang Wenzuo smiled, but did not answer immediately. This guy is really courageous and has a big appetite. No wonder that although he died because of his opposition to martial arts in history, the evaluation of Li Jingye in "New Book of Tang", "Old Book of Tang" or "Zizhi Tongjian" is very He was a careerist who took the opportunity to cause trouble, not a loyal minister of Li Tang.
Seeing that Wang Wenzuo just smiled without answering, Li Jingye said: "Sanlang, although Yaozhou is a state, it is located in the southern wilderness. It is estimated that the household registration is less than that of a county in the mainland. With such a household registration, even if there is no need to transfer money and food, it can still support the family." How many soldiers?"
"Li Shaoqing!" Wang Wenzuo's expression became serious: "You have to clarify one thing. Your trip to Yaozhou this time is not to expand the border, but to pacify the barbarians. Why do you need so many troops? Back then, Duke Shen How many military chariots did Wu Chen bring to the Kingdom of Wu? The purpose of the imperial court's action was to use the power of the Liuzhao to contain Tubo, rather than to send troops to conquer the Liuzhao and establish counties. If it is like you said, it would become an annexation of the Liuzhao. If so, wouldn’t it be counterproductive?”
After hearing Wang Wenzuo's words, Li Jingye's face became a little ugly. It was the first time that Wang Wenzuo spoke to him in such a stern manner. Only then did he realize that the identities of both parties had changed dramatically. The other party is no longer the upstart general who came to Chang'an with Jin Renwen, but a real important official of the imperial court, a confidant of the emperor, and someone who can speak directly on behalf of the imperial court.
"Yes, I didn't think it through!" Li Jingye lowered his head.
"Brother Jieye, it's good if you understand!" Wang Wenzuo's smile reappeared on his face: "This time I go to Yaozhou, I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders. I hope you will succeed as soon as possible and become famous all over the world. The British Lord knows what he is doing, and he will definitely do the same. Smiling!"
Hearing Wang Wenzuo mention his grandfather, Li Jingye perked up and nodded: "This trip will definitely live up to the great trust of the imperial court!"
"Brother Langri!" Wang Wenzuo raised his glass: "With this glass of wine, I wish you both a smooth journey and success!"
————————————————————————————
Daming Palace.
"The Queen Mother, your two highnesses have arrived in Chang'an!" the palace maid whispered.
"So soon?" Wu raised his head nervously: "Shouldn't it be two days away?"
"This slave doesn't know!" The slave girl lowered her head, not daring to meet Wu's eyes.
Wu waved his hand impatiently, signaling for him to retreat. If there was any news that was the most distressing to her since she was called the "Queen Mother", it was that these two "dead remnants" that she had almost forgotten were about to return to Chang'an. At this time, Concubine Xiao cursed hoarsely before she died. Then it rang in her ears: "Awu is a demon, that's all! I wish I would be reincarnated as a cat in the next life, and let Awu turn into a mouse, and I would strangle him for the rest of his life!" She couldn't help but shudder, and cursed: "You How can you not get me when you are alive, how can you get me after death?"
Despite her tough words, the fear in her heart only increased. Wu stood up irritably and paced back and forth in the room. Only then did she realize with horror that when the power left her, what she could do Not much more than those eunuch maids who serve him. No, those eunuch maids can still escape, but he who is in the deep palace does not even have the ability to escape. In the end, she could only sigh: "Hong'er, Hong'er! You have harmed my mother-in-law. If you hadn't been so talkative at the beginning, I would have executed these two little bitches. How would we be worried today?"
At this time, there was the sound of shuffling footsteps outside. Wu knew that this was her husband's unique pace. She gritted her teeth and went out. She saw Li Zhi slowly climbing up the steps with the support of an eunuch, and said with a smile : "Looking at the weather, it's actually warmer than in previous years. If it were this time last year, it would have started to snow!"
"Pheasant slave!"
"Oh, it's Ah Wu!" Li Zhi saw it was his wife and waved his hand with a smile: "What's wrong? Don't you usually like to go to Taiye Pond at this time? Why are you here?"
"It's important!" Wu lowered his voice: "Your two daughters from the Japanese country have arrived in Chang'an!"
"You mean Suwen and Xiayu?" Li Zhi showed a hint of joy, and then he noticed the gloom on his wife's face: "What's wrong, are you still worried about them?"
"How can I not worry?" Wu sighed: "Have you forgotten how their mother died? And what happened in Yeting Palace!"
"Hey!" Li Zhi sighed: "This is all evil! What can I do! This is the only way! But with Hong'er here, you don't have to worry too much!"
"Who knows if they will do it secretly!" Wu whispered.
"Are you doing it behind the scenes?" Li Zhi said with a smile, "I'm afraid they don't have the ability!"
"They didn't, what about Wang Wenzuo?"
"About Wang Wenzuo, you don't have to worry!" Li Zhi smiled and said: "I have said it many times, this man still has a sense of proportion. He did not kill anyone that night, and he will not kill anyone in the future. You are Hong'er Mother, based on this alone, he will not hurt you at all!"
"You're relieved!" Seeing that she couldn't convince her husband, Mrs. Wu had to pause.
"It's already like this, how can I still feel relieved?" Li Zhi smiled and said, "Awu! Some things have to be let go. You and I have been in heaven for more than twenty years, and we haven't enjoyed any of the world's treasures. ? It’s enough to have this end! Be content!”
Seeing that she couldn't convince her husband, Mrs. Wu had to say: "You can think so, but I really don't want to see those two little bitches. If they come here these days, I will get sick!"
"That's fine!" Li Zhi thought for a while and felt that if the two parties met, the atmosphere would be really awkward: "I'll talk to Hong'er and this shouldn't be a big problem!"
Hearing her husband's consent, Mrs. Wu also breathed a sigh of relief: "Pheasant slave, I was originally worried that Hong'er would drive us out of the Daming Palace, but now I think it is much better to find a quiet place, saving so much trouble!"
"I'm worried if I stay, and I'm worried if I leave. What can I do?" Li Zhi said with a smile: "Awu! You just can't let go. Now that you've reached this point, how can you and I not just resign ourselves to fate? According to me, you can't let go every day." Come with me to the Taiye Pond for a walk, and you won't have so many worries when you come back."
"I can't let go like you!" Wu snorted coldly. Just as he was about to say something, an announcement came from outside that it was King Pei who was here.
"Xian'er is here!" Mrs. Wu looked happy. Because of what happened that night, she became much closer to her second son Li Xian. She smiled and said, "Quick, get some fruits!"
"Xian'er is already seventeen, and he still lacks fruit to eat!" Li Zhi shook his head helplessly. At this time, Li Xian came in from the outside and saluted his parents: "Ah, my mother-in-law, I heard that my two sisters have returned from Japan!"
"It's true!" Mrs. Wu nodded and held her forehead: "I've had a bad headache these past few days. I'll probably have to rest in the palace and won't see anyone else!"
"Retreat? No outsiders?" Li Xian was stunned. He was about to ask something, but he saw Li Zhi making a silent gesture, shook his head, and did not continue to ask.
"How have you been these days?" Wu asked, "Have you made any progress in your studies?"
Li Xian was the smartest among the sons of Li Zhi and Empress Wu, and also had the highest talent in literature. When Empress Wu asked about his knowledge, he immediately beamed with joy: "My son has written two essays in the past few days, and he feels that he has improved a lot. , please read it to mother!" As he said that, he took out two articles from his sleeves and presented them with both hands. Empress Wu took it and started reading it. After reading a few lines, she couldn't help but said happily: "Is this really what you did?"
"Yes, it was made by the boy!" Li Xian replied with joy: "The boy asked several masters from the palace to see it, and they all agreed, so he brought it to the two adults to see."
Li Zhi and Wu are both knowledgeable. If you look closely at your son's article, you will see that it is much improved compared to the past. It is a rare masterpiece. Li Zhi twirled his beard and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, I can't write such a good article at Xian'er's age!"
"Really?" Li Xian was overjoyed: "Then Aye, do you think I can go to Zhaowen Hall?"
"Shōbunkan?"
"Yes, when I was chatting with the teachers and scholars in the palace, I felt that there were many errors and incomprehensibility in Fan Ye's "Book of the Later Han Dynasty", so I wanted to write an annotation for the use of later generations. But the palace lacked talents. , the pictures and books are also lacking, so I want to borrow the power of Zhaowen Museum to annotate this book!"
"It's a good thing that Xian'er has such ambition!" Wu said with a smile: "Pheasant slave, next time Hong'er comes, let's talk about it for Xian'er!"
"Okay!" Although Li Zhi felt something was wrong, since his wife had spoken and she really liked Li Xian, his younger son, he nodded: "You can keep these two articles and wait for your brother. Here, I’ll show it to him and make him happy!”
"Yes!" Li Xian responded.
——————————————————————
Tai Chi Palace.
"King Pei wants to go to Zhaowen Hall to compile the Commentary on the Book of the Later Han Dynasty?" Wang Wenzuo asked.
"Not bad!" Li Hong happily took out two pieces of paper from his sleeve: "Come on, Sanlang, take a look at it too. This is an article he wrote a few days ago. It's really good. To be honest, among the few of our brothers, If it comes to literature, he is still number one!"
Wang Wenzuo took the paper but did not read it: "Your Majesty agreed?"
"Yeah!" Li Hong responded, and soon he noticed the seriousness of Wang Wenzuo's expression: "What's wrong? This is not a big deal, right?"
"This is indeed not a big deal!" Wang Wenzuo's expression was in sharp contrast to his words: "But it's best not to do it now, postpone it for half a year or a year!"
"Delayed for half a year and one year? Why is this?" Li Hong asked puzzledly.
"When Your Majesty has a crown prince and the country has a crown prince!" Wang Wenzuo said: "As the emperor, your Majesty's every word and deed will be a model for the world and attract the attention of the world. Now that you don't have a son, then King Pei will be the emperor's younger brother. The first heir to the throne. And if you ask him to go to Zhaowen Hall to compile the "Commentary on the Book of the Later Han Dynasty" at this time, it is very likely that the people in the world will have wrong ideas!"
"This, this is going too far, isn't it?" Li Hong smiled bitterly: "It's just a book!"
"Replying a book is indeed a small matter, but coming from your mouth, it is no small matter!" Wang Wenzuo said: "What's more, you have also repaired books in Zhaowen Hall, right? The Supreme Emperor seems to have it, and Helan Minzhi was also sent to Zhaowen Hall. Passed! People’s hearts are unpredictable!”
I am traveling to Kunming with my friends these days, and all the manuscripts have been posted. Updates will resume on the 23rd of this month. Please forgive me, readers!
To express my apologies, I will post a new chapter of alternative books every day from tomorrow to the 22nd. Of course, it is free. I hope everyone will check it out and make suggestions!
(End of chapter)
