Chastity Layman

The imperial court also officially established Tingzhou, where Chuyue Chumi and other ministries belonged to the north, as Zhengzhou, and set up Luntai, Jinman, and Pulei counties, and also established Han Navy, Qinghai Town, Shenxian Town, Xianquan Town, Ju Liucheng Shouzhuo, Zhangbao Shouzhuo, Dushan Shouzhuo, Yehe Shouzhuo, Wuzai Shouzhuo, etc., one army, three towns and five Shouzhuo.

This Tingzhou was originally the place where Yugu was based. In the Wucheng area of ​​later generations, this location is very important. The Luntai in the Han Dynasty was once the core of controlling the Western Regions.

This time, the imperial court transformed Tingzhou into Zhengzhou, and set up one army, three towns and five guards, in order to comprehensively garrison and emigrate, and to turn Tingzhou into a place full of Han people, towns, and villages just like Gaochang.

Tingzhou, Xizhou, and Yizhou have become Datang's bridgeheads in the Western Regions, and the three states are connected together to become the base camp for operating the Western Regions.

On the other hand, the imperial court also delimited Qiemo and Shanshan, which were originally affiliated to Tuyuhun, and included them in Shazhou.

Originally, Shazhou was only a small oasis of Dunhuang. Now the imperial court has included Qiemo and Shanshan in the area of ​​Qiemo River, which is separated by the desert to the west, into Shazhou. Geographically, although these two places have been controlled by Tuyuhun before.

But geographically, he should actually belong to the Western Regions, located in the Kunlun Mountains, northwest of the Altun Mountains, and even though there is Qinghai Road to connect Longyou, it is still too far away.

It is closer to Dunhuang, Shazhou, and now that Qiemo belongs to Datang, Datang can naturally open the route from Dunhuang, Shazhou to Qiemo, and from Dunhuang to Qiemo, it can also go directly north across the desert to Yanqi, opening up A southern line of the Silk Road that does not pass through Gaochang.

At the same time, heading south from Qiemo, a road leading directly to Khotan can also be opened up.

For the Tang Dynasty, to control the Western Regions, of course, the more routes the better, Qiemo was assigned to Shazhou, which was more conducive to jurisdiction and development, and at the same time strengthened the control of Yanqi and Khotan through Qiemo.

Even from Qiemo, it affected the Shang Shung Kingdom on the plateau in reverse, and implemented a strategic encirclement and interception of Tubo.

"The big and small Bolu Kingdoms in Congling have also sent envoys to surrender to the Tang Dynasty."

This time with Gaochang, Datang once again shocked the countries of the Western Regions, and the deterrent effect on the Western Regions became stronger, and the Western Turks became more obedient to Datang.

Even Bolu, big and small, who are separated by the Kunlun Mountains to the west of Khotan, knew about the Great Tang Tianwei and took the initiative to join them.

The imperial court has planned to take advantage of this wave of momentum to increase its control over the area south of the Tianshan Mountains in the Western Regions. It plans to complete the reform of the four countries of Yanqi, Shule, Khotan, and Kucha within ten years. Set up military towns on the border, build more Shouzhuo and Fort Fengdun, and a large number of immigrants from the Central Plains settled in the past.

The imperial court is no longer satisfied with Khotan and other kings as ministers and paying tribute, but wants to transform Yiwu and Gaochang into Zhengzhou directly controlled by the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the kings of several countries will remove the title of king, Become a local official of Datang.

Although there is a long way to go, but with the current momentum, this plan is also very practical, and the feasibility is still very high.

Not surprisingly, Datang will then expand into the Western Regions on a large scale. With the current strength and population of Datang, it is easy to move tens of thousands of people every year. However, if such immigration continues, it will not be long before these small countries in the Western Regions, It will completely become a Han colony, and those oases will be no different from places such as the Hexi Corridor and the Longyou River Valley.

In the Han Dynasty, Hexi Zongkou and Longyou were also Hu and Qiang lands. Isn’t it completely Han land now?

This basic national policy is correct. As long as Datang can maintain the current momentum, there will be no problem for Datang to control the Western Regions. Sooner or later, those places will be brought into the actual control of Datang step by step.

This is the Datang strategy.

Take the initiative to attack instead of passive frontier defense. This is the case in Jiannan, Tuyuhun, and the Western Regions. Kill the hidden danger in the cradle, and prevent him from having a chance to sprout.

Datang controlled the south of the Tianshan Mountains, which in fact further squeezed the possibility of the Western Turks rising again, preventing the Western Turks from threatening Datang again in the future.

noon.

Right on the ice of the Weihe River, Qin Lang killed fish and cooked for the emperor and several old officials.

Carp baked noodles, loach and tofu, fish and sheep fresh pot, mushroom stewed chicken, mung bean sprouts and vegetables, Qin Lang's cooking skills are as good as ever.

The meal is ready, and in the tent on the ice, eating the meal with the stove on the stove, it is very leisurely and comfortable.

Li Shimin was very satisfied with his meal, and he was in a very happy mood. In front of several veteran ministers, he couldn't help exaggerating that the prince of Luoyang Chengqian came.

It is said that Chengqian has performed very well and calmly in Luoyang Jianguo in recent years.

At the beginning of this year, although the eldest grandson of the virtuous empress died, and the god of war Qin Qiong died of illness, the court won three national wars. Killing 200,000 troops, the Tubo, which was originally a tyrant on the plateau, was now torn apart and forced to pay tribute, and the Qiangs became more loyal to the Tang Dynasty.

And this battle in the Western Regions, although it can be said that it was fought without blood or blood, it also wiped out Yugu She and Gaochang who dared to disobey the court, and eliminated the unstable forces. The countries in the Western Regions and the Western Turks were also shocked. It's clear.

After the two wars, the Tang Dynasty added three new roads: Qinghai Road, Xichang Road and Tianshan Road. There were more than a million Qiang and Hu barbarians who surrendered and expanded thousands of miles.

And this year, Li Shimin has been in Chang'an all the time, and didn't interfere much in the government affairs, but the crown prince in charge of the country can still achieve such achievements, why doesn't Li Shimin feel relieved.

"Qinghai, Western Regions, Xichuan, Nanzhong, and Lingnan are all settled. The next step for the imperial court is to clean up Mobei Xue Yantuo, and the next one is Goguryeo."

The emperor drank two cups of hot rice wine, and he couldn't help but feel high-spirited, revealing his future goals.

Xue Yantuo must be cleaned up, not to mention Goguryeo.

None of the senior ministers here advised against it. In fact, for everyone, with Datang’s current strength and power, if we don’t eliminate these two threats now, do we still have to leave them to future generations?

If the imperial court doesn't have that strength, of course everyone has to persuade them, but since they have the strength, of course they still have to fight.

National prestige is built, and territory is built even more.

"The Western Regions of the Han Dynasty have been recovered by the Tang Dynasty, but the Liaodong Region of the Han Dynasty has not yet been recovered by the Tang Dynasty. I have to start making preparations. I can't leave this matter for a hundred years and make it difficult for future generations."

Qin Lang didn't talk to him, he didn't object, nor was he active.

If you want to fight sooner or later, you will definitely win, unless you are extraordinarily deadly like Yang Guang, and you have to command blindly. The reason why he is not active is because he has made enough contributions now, especially the military exploits.

He overthrew the last separatist regime in the Tang Dynasty, the anti-king Liang Shidu, and also recruited Daibeiyuan Junzhang. In addition, he destroyed Tuyuhun, beheaded Fuyun Khan, defeated the Dangxiang, defeated Tubo, conquered Nanman, opened Liuqiu, and suppressed Nanzhong... ··

Great military exploits, unparalleled prestige.

He no longer wanted to fight such a thing, and under normal circumstances, the court would not give him another chance.

In fact, after the great victory in Hequ, Qin Lang voluntarily resigned from a series of envoys such as Jiannan Jiedu envoy, handed over his military power, and resigned all the official positions such as the prime minister, because he wanted to continue to be filial to his father Ding You.

In fact, he was also planning to retreat.

Li Shimin is a very good emperor, and one of the rare emperors who does not kill heroes, but Qin Lang still has hidden worries, especially for the current crown prince, Cheng Qian, who is very worried and afraid.

Chengqian promised him to be king in private, but in Qin Lang's eyes, it seemed like a dose of poison was waiting for him. This promise was more terrifying than giving an iron coupon with ten sides.

It is simply a reminder.

Even an emperor like Li Zhi who looks like a little sheep can kill his uncle, grandson Wuji, who helped him, without hesitation after taking control of the court. Who can guarantee that they won't strike harder?

Anyway, Qin Lang felt that it was difficult for an excellent emperor, especially the new emperors, to accommodate the old ministers.

Emperor Xuandi of the Han Dynasty, although he had been forbearing when the power minister Huo Guang was in power, didn't he immediately cleanse the Huo family when Huo Guang died?

One emperor and one courtier.

Perhaps others may think that Qin Lang is the prince's teacher and the confidant of the Eastern Palace, and think that if the prince becomes the emperor, then Qin Lang will naturally make further progress, but Qin Lang will not be so naive.

In history, after Li Zhi succeeded to the throne, the process of succeeding the old and new powers was very cruel. Almost all the old officials in Zhenguan were cleaned up. Qin Lang now feels that Cheng Qian's performance, if he becomes the emperor in the future, he is afraid of tricks. more ruthless.

This is just like how Yang Guang recruited important ministers like Yang Su in order to win the heirloom. After he became emperor, although he was promoted to Yang Su, in fact, he couldn't tolerate Yang Su at all. Yang Su died early.

However, Li Shimin was very satisfied with the prince, and even revealed after drinking that he would return to Luoyang to host the Zhengdan Grand Court Meeting. After the Lantern Festival, he would return to Chang'an again.

"I have already decreed that Fang Xuanling will be the presiding officer of Shangshu Province for Shangshu Zuopushe, and Wei Zheng will save troubles for his subordinates with special knowledge. You should also come back. Although Chengqian performed well, he is young after all, and we still need capable people like you." Assistant to the prime minister."

"I plan to wait until the three-year period of Ding You's filial piety expires." Qin Lang still refused.

Li Shimin sighed, "Forget it, I don't force it, and plan to stay in Chang'an for three years?"

"The minister is about to ask the sage for instructions."

Qin Lang said that he planned to go to Luoyang in the next year and erect a tomb for Qin Qiong in Beimang Mountain. This was also to fulfill Qin Qiong's original wish, and fulfill the agreement with his old brothers Luo Cheng and Pei Xingjian for him.

After the Clothes Tomb is erected in Beiman Mountain, he plans to go to his hometown in Qizhou again. At that time, he will also set up a Clothes Tomb for Qin Qiong at the Qin Family's Ancestral Tomb. In addition, he will also repair the Qin Clan's Ancestral Hall. Taking this opportunity, he will meet the Qin Family The clansmen in Licheng supported the descendants of the clan, bought some clan properties for the clansmen, and built more fields for the farms guarding the ancestral graves. In addition, they also bought more fields for ethnology, and invited more teachers, etc.

After finishing all this work, he plans to go to the fief Wu'an Prefecture, and then stay there to study and write quietly, manage some family properties on the fief, and educate his children.

"Since you've made up your mind, go ahead and give you a three-year long vacation. You've worked so hard for me these years, so take a good rest and return to the court three years later. I'll give you a long vacation at that time." And Chang Le got married."

Li Shimin originally came to see Qin Lang today and had a lot to say, but he didn't mention it this time. The monarchs and ministers sat in a tent on the glacier, drinking and eating fish around the charcoal stove, each with their own thoughts.

When he left, the emperor seemed drunk.

Qin Lang supported the horse, still staggering.

After walking away, the emperor chuckled immediately, and asked Li Jing, Xiao Yu and others beside him, "I thought Qin Lang was dissatisfied because his achievements were not appreciated, but now it seems that he is afraid of his achievements?"

Li Jingdao, "The sage's words are wrong. The sage is the founding king of the country. His literary and martial arts are unparalleled. Qin Lang's generals and ministers are indeed good generals. Qin Taiwei, although he is young, is a very mature and sensible person, he just wants to be filial and respectful, the sage should not misunderstand."

The emperor laughed.

"Don't worry, I'm not Liu Bang, the great ancestor of the Han Dynasty. I won't be jealous of the heroes. I just feel a little pity. The prince is young. I intend to let him go through the experience, but I am also worried that Wuji will not be able to take care of him in Luo. Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng They have also been reflecting at home for more than half a year, and this time they are reunited, I am still worried that Chengqian will have a estrangement with them, so I want Qin Lang to regain his affection and help the center again."

Xiao Yu said, "The old minister thinks it's good to let Qin Lang rest. Even after Ding You passes away, there's no need to call him back to the central government to assist the government."

"Why?"

The emperor was puzzled.

"Qin Lang is the kind of talented person who comes out once in a hundred years. He is a general and a prime minister, but he is still too young. This time the Hequ victory, many people in the court impeached him, such as ineffective in governing the army, killing prisoners, and privately rewarding him. General and so on, these are actually trivial matters, but Qin Lang is indeed too young, and he is only less than thirty now."

"What the old minister means is that such a talented person like Qin Lang should be put outside for precipitation and polishing, and left for the prince to use in the future. If Qin Lang can spend another ten or twenty years outside, when the prince inherits the country in the future, he will call Qin Lang again. When Lang returned to the dynasty, it was just appropriate for Qin Lang to be the head of the officials and assist the new ruler at that time."

Xiao Yu's words were full of the wisdom of an old minister.

He didn't attack Qin Lang, but gave useful advice for the emperor. At Qin Lang's current age, if he was always placed in the center, there would still be some problems. Firstly, if he has been a prime minister in the center for a long time, Qin Lang will still be very young when the new emperor succeeds. After all, he is not yet thirty, even if he is only sixty in more than twenty years. If a prime minister has been in the center for a long time If he has been in power for 20 or 30 years, he will inevitably have astonishing power. If he becomes the minister of the new dynasty, he will inevitably become a powerful minister. This is a hidden danger.

Secondly, Qin Lang is so young now. Although he has outstanding abilities, if he can stay in the place for a few more years, he can accumulate more accumulation. If Qin Lang becomes the prime minister of the new dynasty in the future, it will also be of great help to him.

The most important thing is to sharpen your temper. If you are too young and have been in a high position, you are afraid of being inflated. There are many examples of this in history.

"If the sage intends to leave Qin Lang to the crown prince to be the prime minister in the future, then he has to put more pressure on it now. If the sage does not intend to leave Qin Lang to the crown prince, but only intends to use it for himself, he can use it casually without paying too much attention. "

"Like Li Ji?" Li Shimin said with a smile.

Li Jing, Xiao Yu, etc. would also smile heartily. From Wude Dynasty to Zhenguan, Li Ji has lived in Taiyuan Town of Bingzhou for more than ten years, and has not entered the court for almost twenty years. It is obvious that the emperor deliberately suppressed him. Li Ji's qualifications and status are with Li Jing, Chai Shao, Li Xiaogong, etc., and far above Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, etc., but the emperor has always placed Li Ji as the governor of Bingzhou. Of course The intention is very deep.

Li Ji was also much younger than Li Jing and Qin Qiong, and he was also a rare handsome talent. The emperor had been pressing him to use him, and he was obviously a handsome man for the country.

The emperor laughed a few times, as if he had listened to Xiao Yu's words, he galloped on his horse.