There were many sentries outside the hut, and the three monarchs and ministers were seated in the hall. Zhao Pu's stepmother Heshi personally served tea, and Emperor Liu politely expressed his gratitude. Such an attitude naturally made Zhao Pu's heart feel hot.
Even though Zhao Pu has almost known his destiny, he has not given up on his career and fame. He is even obsessed with it and wants to continue to do great things. The emperor's attitude is naturally very important to him.
"The place you chose is very good. It is surrounded by green huts on the hills, lush forests and bamboos. It is a good place for self-cultivation. It has the demeanor of an expert hermit!" Emperor Liu opened his eyes and told lies with a smile on his face.
Beside him, Liu Yang couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth twice. Emperor Liu just said that this place was ordinary. Zhao Pu didn't know what was going on, so he acted modestly and respectfully and responded: "Your Majesty's compliments are unworthy. I live in this place."
These are just three things: keeping filial piety, studying, and educating people..."
"I've heard about it!" Emperor Liu grinned: "As a teacher, you are quite comfortable doing what you do!"
After chatting for a few words, Emperor Liu's expression became serious, and the topic turned to business: "You have been patrolling the southwest for many years, traveling to various places, coordinating military affairs, and Sichuan and Shu have been stabilized. Your contribution is outstanding!"
"Your Majesty has entrusted me with authority and entrusted me with important responsibilities. I should work diligently and live up to your kindness!" Zhao Pu said immediately.
"Between you and me, the monarch and his ministers, there is no need to say these humble and polite words!" Emperor Liu raised his hand to interrupt him and said: "At the beginning of the peace of Sichuan and Shu, the tranquility of the three ways that I saw was restored and order was re-established.
You and the three chief officials have done a good job in promoting the legal system, especially the rectification of finance and taxation.
In recent years, I have been more concerned about the barbarians in the southwest. In remote places, barbarians are rampant and rebellions are uncertain, and public security is often a big problem. Although the ethnic situation in the southwest is not as serious and tense as that in the northwest, it is equally complex.
The opening of the Tubo trade route, the exchange of tea goods for horses, the penetration of various ethnic groups, and the expansion of hundreds of miles of territory were largely due to the management of the Qing Dynasty. As for the implementation of the Tusi, I am even more satisfied. Not long ago, I even met with him
Liaobo, Qianer toast, the effect is good..."
"Your hard work and achievements in Southwest China are all seen in my eyes and kept in my heart!" Emperor Liu's voice was full of affirmation.
Listening to Emperor Liu's detailed account of his achievements, Zhao Pu felt enthusiastic and moved. He raised his hands and solemnly said: "I am so grateful to you for being more trustworthy than your Majesty!"
Seeing his formality, Emperor Liu picked up the tea cup and showed respect to him. After drinking, he said: "I understand the situation in the southwest through local reports and imperial inspections for so many years. Until now, I still have one thing that needs to be done.
Please give me some advice and listen to your opinions!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately held up his hands and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, are you worried about the conquest of Dali?"
"You are indeed smart!" Emperor Liu smiled a little.
Zhao Pu said calmly: "General Wang has been sitting in central Guizhou, sharpening his sword for nearly ten years. He is determined to conquer the south, and I understand that. Now, the situation in the southwest is stable, the barbarians have surrendered, and Tubo has come to join us. Can we
The only thing that makes His Majesty hesitate to decide is this matter!"
After hearing what he said, Emperor Liu nodded and said directly: "A few days ago, I received another memorial from Wang Quanbin. He said that the time has come for the southern expedition. He asked for orders to attack Dali, eliminate the Duan family in one fell swoop, and regain the old land of Nanzhao.
!”
As he spoke, Emperor Liu couldn't help but sigh a few times: "Wang Quanbin has been garrisoning the southwest for ten years. He is good at the wilderness, working with the dense forests of Dongxi, and working hard without complaint. I am quite moved when I think about it. During these ten years, I have received from him about Dali and the southwest.
I have sent dozens of memorials to the army, but have never received a direct reply.
You have come back from the southwest, you have gone deep into central Guizhou, and you have had a lot of exchanges with Dali. Do you think we should send troops to Dali?"
When Emperor Liu asked for advice, Zhao Pu had a serious look on his face. After thinking for a while, he cupped his hands and said, "I dare to tell you what your Majesty's concerns are!"
"It's okay to speak out!" Emperor Liu expressed his enlightened attitude.
"First, Dali inherited Nanzhao, and the Duan family established the country for thirty years. There has been no tyranny and harsh rule. The foundation is deep and solid, and it is not easy to defeat. He has always been on good terms with the court, and he has humble words and courtesy to build national friendship. If he wants to attack with troops,
, I'm afraid the master will be unknown!" Zhao Pu said.
"Famous or not, I have the final say. Don't you care about some criticism!" Emperor Liu said immediately. Although he said this, it can be seen from his expression that he recognized his statement.
Zhao Puze continued: "Secondly, the southern Sichuan and central Guizhou areas are already remote, and Dali is even more remote. The mountains are high and the forests are dense, the roads are difficult, and the transportation of grain, grass and ordnance is inconvenient. If a large army is launched rashly, it will be easy to overwhelm the troops.
.Once the war does not go smoothly, it will waste national power. If it lasts for a long time, it will become a thing of the past when the Tang Dynasty conquered Nanzhao, and the southwest will be uneasy in the future.
If the two countries continue their conquest in two years, the current stability in central Guizhou will also be destroyed, and even the entire southwest will fall into a situation of corruption. Taking an unprofitable principle will plunge the court into the quagmire of war. Such risks,
Weigh carefully!"
"The Han Dynasty is not the Tang Dynasty, and I am not Tang Xuanzong!" Emperor Liu said.
Glancing at Emperor Liu, Zhao Pu still maintained a calm attitude and continued: "Thirdly, since the unification of the north and the south, although the Han Dynasty has pursued the policy of relaxing the government and supporting the people, in the past five or six years, the conquests have not really stopped.
Although Hexi, Dangxiang, Annan, and Liuqiu were only local wars, a large amount of human, financial and material resources were still invested.
Especially last year, Annan had a preliminary result. After less than a year, it once again raised troops in the southwest. The military was too frequent. Moreover, in recent years, the government has been benefiting the people, so there has been no significant increase in finance and taxation, and the government has done a lot of work.
, Straight roads, river works, Xijing, and other affairs have also consumed a lot of money and food from the imperial court. Therefore, any further use of weapons may bring a certain burden to the imperial government's finances..."
"The three points you discussed seem to be what I mean, but they are actually your personal opinions!" After Zhao Pu finished speaking, Emperor Liu pondered for a while, then smiled slightly and said: "As you said, I should still reject Wang Quanbin.
Are you going to give up on attacking Dali?"
Hearing this, Zhao Pu still shook his head, but this time he said with certainty: "The imperial court will face such difficulties no matter when it attacks Dali, but these difficulties are not insurmountable, especially when General Wang has been in the southwest for many years.
If you know yourself and the enemy, you will be able to overcome the situation.
Your Majesty and the imperial court have exerted great efforts to stabilize the southwest, so that the barbarians in southern Sichuan surrendered and were stabilized. This was to create a stable rear for the attack on Dali.
Let’s talk about the Dali Kingdom. The Duan clan arose when Nanzhao was split, and most of them followed its system. There were many clans in the country. The Duan clan was the leader of the country and did not have strong control over the clans. It still belonged to a tribal alliance.
country.
In addition, the lineage succession of Dali is still an unavoidable issue. The contemporary king Duan Sicong was succeeded by Duan Siliang, and Duan Siliang originally colluded with powerful officials to usurp the throne of his nephew. This is also a stain that is difficult to erase. The imperial court is attacking Dali, and this matter can make a big fuss.
, with its function of dividing the royal family.
Another problem in Dali is the rise of the aristocrats of various clans. Their clansmen spread throughout the government and the public, controlling government affairs and competing with the royal family for power, which Duan Sicong found difficult to control. From the Dong family in the early years to the increasingly expanded Gao family and Yang family today, these
It is also a serious problem within it.
Finally, it is difficult to say that the thirty-seven tribes in Dali are loyal to the Dali royal family. In the process of communicating with them over the years, there are also many who have better intentions to join the imperial court. The Han chieftain system, if implemented in Dali, has a clear picture of strength and weakness.
Under certain circumstances, you can fully accept it and even enlist it as a helping hand in the march.
Therefore, the biggest difficulty in conquering Dali lies in the military restrictions imposed by the geographical terrain. As for the use of troops, I believe that General Wang will live up to His Majesty's trust..."
After listening to Zhao Pu's statement, Emperor Liu thought about it for a while, smiled, and said happily, "I understand Zhao Qing's opinion!"
With that said, Emperor Liu stood up, and Liu Yang and Zhao Pu quickly followed suit. After looking around, Emperor Liu asked: "Is there anything that needs to be sorted out? If not, Zhao Qing will go back to Luoyang with me!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu took two steps back and bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"