In early May of the third year of Yuanzhen in the Tang Dynasty, Zhongshu ordered Xiao Yu to behead Xiao Lang and four others because he missed the old country and was plotting against the emperor to slander him.
This time Li Po did not issue a resolution to the three provinces again, because these people were all old ministers of the Liang Kingdom. They were already under the sword, but they could not be careful in their words and deeds. It was an act of provocation.
If he didn't get angry, others would think that the emperor was so soft-hearted that he couldn't even bear to harm such people. For the king, that would not be kind, but cowardly and easy to bully.
So Li Po got "very angry" and ordered Xiao Lang and others, as well as more than 30 of his descendants, to be executed in the market.
The effect was so-so, far less shocking than the killing of Gao Shen and others, which shocked everyone in Guanxi. Most of the old officials of the Liang Kingdom had gone to serve in local places. When they heard the news of Xiao Lang's murder, even if they were sad for the death of the rabbit, no one followed.
They shared.
There were not many people left in the court. For example, Gao Jifu, the imperial minister, did not take this seriously. He even thought that Xiao Lang should have died long ago. These people were the main culprits of Liang's defeat.
He couldn't follow the emperor underground so early and shamelessly come to Chang'an... To be beheaded at this time is a very satisfying thing... He was just a little worried that the emperor would kill him and bring disaster to innocent people.
In fact, this was the disadvantage of killing Jiang. Gao Jifu, Qiu He and others were obviously not the same people as Xiao Lang, but he still had to worry about Xiao Lang's death.
This is just Xiao Lang, the former Liang Dynasty's domestic historian. If Xiao Mian died in Chang'an, the consequences would be much more serious.
In general, this matter did not stir up too much waves, but it contained a strong warning from the emperor, which is worthy of consideration by the old officials of the Liang Kingdom.
But some people didn't care so much, such as Du Fuwei... He also surrendered. As soon as Xiao Lang lost his head, he wrote to the emperor and asked the emperor to exchange his family wealth. In addition, he requested to build an academy.
Li Po took a closer look in the midst of his busy schedule and found that Ma Zhou was really talented. He clearly wrote down the causes and consequences one by one.
When Du Fuwei's evil idea came to him, it became a great deed to assist the king, make achievements, and benefit the country and the people. While expressing the intention of the fist, Du Fuwei was also very clean.
Li Po commented on it, "The national strength is exhausted, may there be good opportunities to go to sea?"
Then he ordered people to transfer it to the three provinces. This matter is not a big deal, but there is something wrong with the person who submitted the letter. I think the ministers will be suspicious. Li Po plans to find a time to talk to Du Fuwei again.
It is definitely impossible to build an academy using Du Fuwei's family assets now, especially for the surrendered princes. Do you want to make a comeback by recruiting talents so openly?
But now the only people who are proficient in maritime affairs are Du Fuwei and his group, so it’s really impossible to do without them...
Li Po was a little confused, and he really wanted to meet Du Fuwei's old troops to see what kind of characters they were.
But now is definitely not the time. Those people are suspicious and fearful. Letting them enter the capital is almost equivalent to forcing them to rebel. Those people will definitely think that you want to kill them all.
So we have to take our time, and when one or two of them have meritorious service, call them to the capital to reward them, and be gentle with them before they can be used with confidence.
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So Li Po put aside the matter first and let Du Fuwei's memorial circulate among the three provinces to see what his ministers wanted. He basically just wanted to wait and see.
In mid-May, Yu Wenxin's memorial arrived in Chang'an.
Li Po looked at it again and again, and really wanted to take Yu Wenxin back to Chang'an to question him...
Tuli Khan Ashina has heard a lot... Jieli Khan Ashina Qiuluo has just led his troops from Yulin and Shuofang to Lingzhou, and he actually led his troops to attack Liaodong City?
If this is the case, what are the Turks thinking in their minds?
Is this what Ashina Yang Huan meant, or is Ashina Duowen's strategy of going alone? Ashina Peony didn't mention a word about this. Is it because she doesn't know, or is she deliberately concealing it?
Yu Wenxin's worry was justified. If Ashina Duowen occupied Liaodong City, he would be able to plot against Youzhou. The northeastern front line would likely face year-round intrusions and must be heavily guarded.
This was not in line with Li Po's strategic vision for the future. He formed an alliance with the Turks just to calm down the entire north. If the Turkic Khan could not restrain his ministers, the alliance would be meaningless.
And the tempting part is that if Ashina Duowen uses troops against Liaodong in the autumn, with the empty rear, and if the strategy is formulated properly, Ashina Duowen may be defeated at the foot of Liaodong City.
That would severely damage the Turks' strength.
But then again, if they send troops to attack the Turks when they are discussing an alliance with them, the Turks will definitely go crazy. When the two countries go to full-scale war, the outcome will be unpredictable for both the Tang Dynasty and the Turks.
Li Po didn't want to risk his life like Yang Jian, and he didn't have as strong a foundation as Yang Jian, otherwise he wouldn't have accepted the invitation of the Turkic Khan to form an alliance with her.
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"It is reported that the Turkic envoy Ashina Mudan has come to see you."
Li Po struggled for a long time, and finally decided to focus on negotiation. Going to war with the Turks was not an option for him. If he rashly sent Yu Wenxin to attack Ashina Duowen, it would be a standard military adventure.
Back then, he was just a prince, and it was understandable that he used military adventures in exchange for living space. But now that he is the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he can no longer aim at robbing the Turks' cattle and sheep.
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Ashina Mudan is packing her bags and preparing to leave for the Turks. She wants to have a good discussion with the Khan.
An alliance seemed inevitable. When she proposed an alliance and the other party had no objection, the Turks lost their absolute control over the matter. The result of breaking their promise was that the two countries would become enemies and even shed blood.
The reason why Ashina Mudan was preparing to return to the Turkic Royal Court at this time was actually because she felt that forming an alliance was not a good idea.
But after staying in Chang'an for more than two months, I became clear about the direction of the trend in the Tang Dynasty, and it was time to go back and discuss with the Khan what to discuss during the alliance.
It is inconvenient to communicate with the Turkic royal court between Chang'an and the Turkic royal court. As for letters, it may take half a month to go back and forth. If it is slow... you may never receive it.
Therefore, she wanted to go back and report to the Khan in person some news and opinions within the Tang Dynasty. For example, the Tang Dynasty had initially unified the Central Plains. It seemed that it was still very weak, but it should not be underestimated.
The temperaments and talents of the courtiers around the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty could all be reasons for her to return to the royal court.
Of course, before that, she had to meet with the emperor and confirm Datang's attitude towards the alliance. If it was not what she expected, she would get a positive answer.
At the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, she will come to Chang'an again and spend the winter in Chang'an, hoping to have the Khans of the two countries meet next fall.
Being an envoy is very hard and is always in danger. It was a rather fatal position in this world. Now it seems that Ashina Peony is doing a pretty good job.
This is mainly due to the strength of Turks and Ashina Mudan's personal ability. Of course, it is also one of the reasons why she did not meet the violent guy who made her herd sheep.
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Ashina Peony arrived very quickly. She thought that the emperor knew that she was going back to the royal court, so he wanted to see her off and settle the alliance.
It was the first time she entered the Taiji Palace, and after staying in Chang'an for a little longer, she no longer compared the Turkic Royal Court with this place, because there was no comparison at all.
What is lacking on the grassland is not only skilled craftsmen, but also much inferior to the south in terms of manpower and material resources. If you want to build a big city like Chang'an, it is estimated that it will be difficult to exhaust the national power of the Turks. However, it only took one year to build the city of Chang'an in the south.
…
Well, the difference between the nomads on the grasslands and the farming civilization in the Central Plains is very specific. One is good at destruction and the other is good at construction. They are natural enemies.
In the side hall of Taiji Hall, Li Poping withdrew his ministers, leaving only Wei Zheng, the doctor admonishing Yi, and Xue Yuanjing, the layman.
Now that the Turks are proposing an alliance, Li Po will no longer meet with the Turks' envoys unaccompanied, because that will cause unnecessary misunderstandings among his ministers.
I am always worried that the emperor has secretly reached some deal with the Turks...
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"Ashina Peony pays homage to the Supreme Being."
Midsummer in May is the best time in the north. The sun is shining brightly outside, the breeze brings warmth, and the Tai Chi Hall is also bright and bright, neither cold nor hot.
Li Po waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite, just sit down and talk."
When the other party sat down and looked at Ashina Peony, who was living a good life in Chang'an, rosy with food, and seemed to have gained weight, Li Po couldn't help but smile, and thought to himself, have you saved a lot of rice for the Turks?
Moreover, the whitening effect is first-rate, and the prairie red on Ashina Peony's cheeks has also faded a lot, which shows that Chang'an's water and soil are indeed nourishing. Coupled with a pair of blue eyes, it is quite exotic.
"Your complexion is getting better and better. Let me tell you, you might as well stay in Chang'an. The wind and snow on the grassland are not very friendly to people."
Ashina Peony replied with a smile, "The Supreme Being is making fun of me again... That is the test of the gods for the people. After leaving there, no matter how good our life is, we will not receive the blessings of the gods. For us, it may not be the case."
It’s a good thing.”
Li Poxin said that God is really useful and can be used as a shield at any time.
"But some people may not be as pious as you, right? For example, Ashina Duowen?"
Ashina Peony immediately cheered up. It was not a good thing to hear Dongfang Khan's name from this person. She thought about it and asked, knowingly: "Ashina is well-informed? Is the Supreme Being talking about Turli Khan?"
"
Li Po said: "Who else can I say? He is like a prince in the Central Plains. I just got the report from my subordinates. Not only does he have contacts with Dou Jiande, but he is also attacking Liaodong City. His ambition is like a burning fire on the grassland.
A bonfire is generally conspicuous.
Khan wants to invite me to meet, isn't there any sincerity? You should understand the consequences of his occupying Liaodong City. If it is the Khan's instruction, then what is the meaning of our alliance? "