"I heard that although Baekje was destroyed, some tribes are still resisting stubbornly. Silla is close at hand. Is there any good strategy to quell it?"
"Your Majesty, Baekje and Silla have a long-standing feud. We have lived in the land south of the Yangtze River for generations, and the Baekje people are descendants of Buyeo who migrated here and have occupied the land for hundreds of years. As far as we, Silla, have been
Like a foreign country.
The fall of Baekje today is actually the result of the Tang Dynasty. At the beginning, Baekje tribes missed the old country, and it is normal to have a slight recurrence. But if Silla sends troops... I feel that it will be counterproductive and arouse the dissatisfaction and resistance of Baekje tribes.
More intense.
Therefore, I would like to ask your Majesty to be clear. If Silla is not just standing by and not wanting to help the Tang Dynasty, it is actually thinking about the overall situation..."
Li Po nodded with satisfaction. In fact, the people of Silla did not need to worry too much. After all, the military strength of the Tang Dynasty was limited, and in some matters it needed the help of these small and surrendered countries around it.
The Central Plains dynasties of all dynasties had some vassal states, such as the Fuyu people who originated from the Northeast. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, they have had the habit of sending envoys to pay tribute to the Central Plains.
The same is true for small countries in Southeast Asia.
It was not that the Central Plains Dynasty did not want to completely conquer them, but because there were northern nomadic tribes that held back the Central Plains Dynasty, coupled with the fluctuations in national power of the Central Plains Dynasty, the limitations of the geographical environment, customs and culture, etc.
As a result, a system of vassal states was formed. The Central Plains dynasty would give some positive feedback to the small countries that came to visit from time to time, and occasionally send troops to help the kings of small countries put down rebellions or regain the throne.
One is to show the majesty of one's own kingdom, and the other is to prevent these little neighbors from causing trouble.
This tradition has been continued, and it is actually a very cost-effective system.
But speaking of it, the Central Plains Dynasty also had several large-scale immigration operations, mainly concentrated in the Qin and Han Dynasties, and they were also in the border areas of the Central Plains Dynasty. They did not spread too far, but they fixed a large territory.
For example, Hexi region, Lingzhou, Yulin and other places in the northwest, and the vast Lingnan region. Under the immigration policy of the Central Plains Dynasty, these places were successively divided into administrative units such as counties and counties, and gradually became the inherent territory of the Central Plains Dynasty.
If we move this time forward to the ancient period of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the civilization of the Central Plains actually originated from the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It was only after the battle between the emperor and Emperor Yan that the tribes in the entire Yellow River Basin were integrated.
After another battle with the Jiuli tribe in the south, Chinese civilization expanded to the Yangtze River Basin.
Later people had the inherent impression that the Chinese nation was not very aggressive and always advocated good-neighborliness and friendship. In fact, how did such a large territory come about?
Our ancestors always preached about their achievements in opening up new territories. Isn’t it just a matter of shouting slogans?
Our neighbors and even the whole world are afraid of our rise. What are they afraid of?
But now, as the envoy of Silla, Jin Chunqiu was very afraid, because the Tang Dynasty was extending its claws and tentatively trying to complete the tasks that the Sui Dynasty had not completed before.
The surrender of the Silla people became a good opportunity, but they had to tremble under the gaze of the Tang Dynasty.
………………
Li Po was satisfied that the Silla people performed well and did not take advantage of the Tang Dynasty's destruction of Baekje to get a share of it.
Or they were thinking of using the military power of the Tang Dynasty to annex Baekje and unify the southern part of the peninsula.
The Tang Dynasty deserves to be a dutiful and obedient vassal state. As for what will happen in the future, that is another story.
In Li Po's view, it was still the same sentence. As long as the Tang Dynasty maintained its strength, it would be easy to talk about anything. When the dynasty declined and became corrupt, there was no need to complain about the ingratitude of others.
Of course, when you get back the lost things, you have to clear out the old accounts.
………………
Du Fuwei had already reported the situation on the peninsula. No matter what others thought, Li Po still felt at ease with Du Fuwei. He was a good comrade who had gone through many tests.
It's just that Jin Chunqiu has some different opinions.
Li Po asked, and Jin Chunqiu was very cautious. He felt that it would take some time to completely pacify the Baekje tribes, and it would definitely not work with swords and guns alone.
Li Po knew that he was persuading him in disguise not to massacre the various tribes of Baekje. It would be better to send officials to manage it. It would be better if the Silla people could participate in the future.
The people of Silla do not have so many good intentions, perhaps because they are afraid that the butcher's knife will fall on them in the future.
A more practical suggestion is to allow the Baekje people to participate in the war against Goguryeo. If they can occupy the land of Goguryeo, some of it can be distributed to the Baekje people. This will very well appease the people of Baekje.
Before that, the exchanges between Baekje and Japan must be cut off, and the Baekje people's escape routes and foreign aid must be cut off.
Over the years, the exchanges between Baekje and Japan have become closer and closer, and Silla has suffered enough. Of course, the grievances between Silla and Japan are far more than that.
The Japanese country previously had a colony on the peninsula, Gaya.
After Silla became stronger, it annexed Gaya without hesitation, and then became enemies with Japan.
Under Li Po's questioning, Jin Chunqiu briefly stated what he could. Of course, because he was a Silla noble, his mistakes were naturally others'.
But Li Po knew as soon as he heard that among these messy historical events, no one could occupy the moral high ground to blame others.
Just like the Three Kingdoms at the end of the Han Dynasty, whoever hits anyone is the same. What is the truth about the dog biting the dog?
Baekje, Silla, Goguryeo on the peninsula, plus the neighboring Japanese countries, many stories have happened without the Central Plains knowing almost anything.
………………
"When I came, I passed by Donglai and saw a large army gathered, numbering one hundred thousand, and they were preparing to go to sea. Does your Majesty want to send troops to attack Goguryeo?
Although Silla is outnumbered and weak, it has an sworn hatred with Goguryeo, and is willing to take part in this grand event together."
Li Po shook his head and laughed, "Now that the Turks are attacking Liaodong City, Goguryeo has no time to take care of them. What do you think will happen if the Tang Dynasty introduces troops to take advantage of the opportunity to attack, and Goguryeo is in trouble?"
Jin Chunqiu was startled, then overjoyed, and said in his heart: "So that's how it is. Last year, Goguryeo sent troops to the north of the Yangtze River with great momentum. The Silla court was still wondering why the Goguryeo people quietly withdrew the army. It turned out to be because of something going on in the north.
.
"This is a God-given opportunity..."
Li Po looked at this young Silla aristocrat with a happy face. People from a small country, no matter how smart they are, are easily fooled by the benefits in front of them.
Moreover, their vision is narrow and they do not have any sense of being a big country, making it easier for them to pursue short-term interests.
Li Po lost his interest and waved his hand and said: "Since Silla admires the superior kingdom and considers itself a vassal, I will give glory to everyone in Silla. For other things, just obey the imperial edict and act."
As soon as Jin Chunqiu heard this, he knew that the interview was over. He was quite frightened. He didn't know where he had said the wrong thing and ended the conversation so suddenly.
However, he still got up and bowed respectfully: "It's all up to your Majesty. From now on, everyone in Silla will only obey your Majesty's orders."
Li Po nodded and waved his hand to indicate that he could retreat.
After Jin Chunqiu left, Sun Shunde, the eldest servant of the family, came to the palace.
After seeing the ceremony and taking a seat, he first smiled and said: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty has spread all over the world, and the Silla people have repeatedly sent envoys to the court. It seems that the Tang Dynasty will have a vassal state, right?"
Li Po smiled and said, "The vines attached to the tree are coiling up and they are forced by the situation. How do you think I should treat them?"
The eldest grandson, Shunde, thought about it and said: "This generation is not of my kind and cannot be fully trusted. However, a country cannot be prosperous without eagles and fierce dogs. As long as you hold a whip in your hand, it is also said that it is convenient to move around."
Li Po laughed, got up and started walking around the hall, which meant that he was in a good mood.
"There will be no shortage of hawks and dogs in the Tang Dynasty in the future, but we must prevent them from biting back, and we must grasp the whip well. What you said makes sense..."
"Show them with power and show them with virtue. This is the way of the emperor. Your Majesty has already mastered the three tastes. I am just talking a few words."
The flattery was good, and Li Po was very happy, "This time the people from Silla came to formally ask for a title. Yi Qing saw that, what title should be bestowed?"
This question is not easy to answer. Changsun Shunde knew the secret.
Foreign vassals generally have to grant king titles according to the customs of the other country, and cannot be granted according to the titles given by the Central Plains ministers.
If you are more perfunctory, you can just choose a title yourself and be canonized by the Central Plains Dynasty. What is clearly shown is actually a subordinate relationship. Those who have not been canonized are rebellious officials. Without the recognition of the Central Plains Dynasty, you can't think of doing things safely.
your king.
It’s okay for the Central Plains Dynasty to ignore you. Once it pays attention, it can be used as an excuse to send troops. Who of you have ever asked for the title of the Central Plains Dynasty? That means that you have established a relationship with the Central Plains Dynasty. The Central Plains Dynasty has the right to attack you.
interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
Listen, is this similar to some situations that happened later?
As long as you implement a two-party system or a multi-party system, if some people are dissatisfied with you, they will accuse you of unfair elections and start thinking about speaking for your people.
It doesn't care whether your people really need it to help them speak out.
When the Central Plains Dynasty acted rogue, it was essentially the same, except that the intensity was somewhat lacking, because the Central Plains Dynasty was not willing to engage in such boring interference.
Unless someone escapes and asks the Central Plains Dynasty to send troops, or you are jumping too much and hurting the Central Plains Dynasty's face, that is another story.
………………
Changsun Shunde thought about it carefully in his mind and felt that this matter was not sure, so he excused himself and said: "Your Majesty, I know very little about Silla, and Silla is the first vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. I need to be more cautious. I think we should order Hong
It would be best to discuss and make a decision in the temple."
Li Po looked at this naughty guy and didn't make things difficult for him anymore. He changed the subject and said, "Why do you come to see me?"
Changsun Shunde certainly has something serious to say.
He took out the memorial from his sleeves and presented it with both hands, "There are many vacancies in my sect, so I don't dare to delay. The recommended people are all carefully selected, and I would like to ask your Majesty to take a look."