Perhaps even Emperor Liu himself didn't know what kind of mentality and purpose he had. When he asked Liu Xi this question, Liu Xi felt full of pressure in his heart. He lowered his head slightly, paused, and answered.
: "I am waiting for your Majesty's will!"
This answer was somewhat beyond Emperor Liu's expectations. He stared at Liu Xi silently for a while, and seeing his calm expression, he returned his gaze and let out a silent sigh.
In the past, Emperor Liu wished that all his princes were like dragons and all of them were talented, but that was more because of his father's identity. However, as an emperor, now, Emperor Liu has really begun to regret that his sons are too good.
trouble.
There are many talents in the royal family, which is a good thing for the Tian family, but not necessarily for the country. How to arrange them is always a headache. And when it comes to the issue of family members and heirs, Emperor Liu has always sought perfection, even if he knew in his heart that it was just an extravagant hope.
Driving the princes to seal the country was something Emperor Liu struggled with for half his life, and finally came up with a solution that was not a solution. The four princes in the early years, Liu Xu and Liu Fang, had made arrangements, and it was impossible for Liu Xi to be left alone.
.
In fact, in recent times, Emperor Liu's series of actions have established the future successor of the empire, starting with himself. After all, at least on the surface, there is no "spare tire" left.
This was also Emperor Liu's proposal for enfeoffment, which was criticized by everyone, but there were always some people who strongly supported it, including the prince and his subordinates, who were the most able to appreciate its benefits.
This position is not stable after being the prince for thirty years. In the final analysis, it still depends on the old emperor's thoughts. As for the prince's family, the current situation is truly clear and the holy will has been decided.
There were some things that Emperor Liu really couldn't bear to deal with, especially on the issue of succession to the throne, and he even didn't dare.
However, sometimes, Emperor Liu couldn't help but wonder what would happen if the prince changed to someone else, if it was Liu Xu, Liu Xi or even Liu Fang who inherited the Han Empire in the future. Would he be more suitable and capable than Liu Yang?
better?
Regardless of others, after so many years of careful observation, at least in the eyes of Emperor Liu, Liu Xu and Liu Xi are both capable, or in other words, both of them show characteristics very similar to Emperor Liu in one aspect.
, and this point is particularly attractive and can easily affect Emperor Liu's evaluation of it.
In comparison, Prince Liu Yang seems too mediocre, and is even considered mediocre. Of course, such a comparison is not fair to Prince Liu Yang. If Liu Xu and Liu Xi were the prince,
Emperor Liu may have had another feeling. Ultimately, this was caused by the emperor looking at the prince, not simply the father looking at his son.
At this time, facing this son whom he had never seen clearly, Emperor Liu once again had a complicated and unspeakable emotion in his heart. After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Liu said leisurely: "In that case, I will arrange another one for you."
Task!"
After hearing this, Liu Xi bowed again: "Your Majesty, please give me instructions!"
Looking at Liu Xi's calm appearance, Emperor Liu said: "The Tubo Congress has been held twice, and this year is the third time. I intend for you to represent the imperial court and go to Luoche City to preside over the conference!"
The Tubo Conference was initiated after the Tubo tribes surrendered to the Han Dynasty. Under the instruction of Emperor Liu, the imperial court sent officials to Luoche to organize an alliance meeting between the imperial court and the Tubo tribes to appease the various tribes and coordinate at the same time.
Disputes and contradictions between the interests of various ministries.
Since several "representatives" of the Tubo tribe came to Beijing to express their submission to the imperial court, the imperial court legitimately brought the Snowy Plateau under the rule of the Han Dynasty. Of course, it was still difficult to implement a centralized county system.
Even Emperor Liu, who was as arrogant and arrogant as he was back then, did not force it. Instead, after obtaining the nominal power to rule the Tubo tribes, he chose to appease and continue to maintain the interests of the tribal leaders and ensure their governance and various interests.
In recent years, the imperial court's policy towards the plateau has basically revolved around three points: political co-optation, economic bribery, and military deterrence. To put it simply, it is a combination of fighting and pulling, a stick and a jujube.
The Tubo tribe was not so easy to tame. In the early years, not all tribes were willing to surrender to the imperial court. They were immersed in the glory of the past and intended to continue to maintain their "independence". There were even ambitious people who tried to end the
Tubo was divided for more than a hundred years and reunified the plateau.
Of course, those who were disobedient and opposed were eventually eliminated one by one in the long-term confrontation and became history. For the plateau, the court or Emperor Liu unexpectedly showed enough patience.
For those who were not loyal, they rarely sent troops on their own initiative. Instead, they used political and economic interests to buy off the tribes who were close to the court and supported these forces to attack the die-hards.
All the court needed to pay was some money, food, cloth, salt, tea and other materials. These things were scarce resources on the plateau, but for the Han Dynasty, they were just a drop in the bucket.
Under this offensive of sugar-coated bullets, not many Tubo tribes can resist. Those who refuse to accept will either rush to the barren land and flee to the extremity that even the gods despise, or they will die and destroy their territory, tribesmen, and livestock.
All were divided up.
Therefore, in less than ten years, regardless of whether they were convinced or not, most of the Tubo tribes on the snowy plateau accepted the imperial title and became chieftains of the Han Dynasty.
After that, the imperial court began to organize the "Tubo Conference" in the name of the central government. This was a measure that the imperial court directly intervened in plateau affairs over the years, and it was a very important measure.
The convening of the Tubo Congress was a concrete intervention by the Han Dynasty in the relations and affairs of the Tubo tribes as an arbiter. It was a process of continuously strengthening the ruling relationship. It was also an opportunity for direct exchanges and dialogue between the imperial court and Tubo.
It was held every five years, and in the twenty-sixth year of Kaibao, it happened to be the third one, and this time, Emperor Liu obviously wanted to play some new tricks. You know, although the people who attended the meeting on behalf of the Central Committee in the previous two were all high officials of the imperial court.
, although the standard is high, it is impossible to be higher than the prince Liu Xi of Jin Dynasty.
It can be seen from this that Emperor Liu attached great importance to this conference, as well as the change in plateau affairs and the attitude towards the Tibetan tribes. If we start from the gradual penetration in the Qianyou period, the Han Dynasty has already had a sufficient infiltration influence on the Tibetan tribes.
Thirty years have passed since this game of chess, which Emperor Liu played most patiently, is now coming to an end.
In the past, the most important reason why the Tubo tribal chiefs took refuge in the imperial court and accepted rewards from the imperial court was that the imperial court guaranteed their interests and their right to rule.
On this basis, you can also get a lot of benefits and fully enjoy the benefits of tea-horse economic exchanges. As an "employee" of the imperial court, you are not only protected by the imperial court, but also can fight against those "rebellious ministers and traitors".
Obtain predatory dividends. In short, apart from becoming Han subjects by name and no longer being able to call themselves Tubo Kingdom, they enjoy all autonomous rights.
In the past, apart from the Tubo Assembly, the imperial court could directly participate in Tubo affairs. It only established a few settlements, which affected the management of Tibetan people through the influence of trade in border cities and neighboring prefectures and counties.
In Luoche City, there are officials dispatched by the Lifan Yuan, but they are only in name. The permanent officials exist more as liaisons and cannot play the role of mediation, arbitration, and management.
Speaking of the plateau, the impression of the ministers was that it was far away, blocked, with harsh environment, and inconvenient to rule. But even so, Emperor Liu's strong desire for control would not allow the Han Dynasty to rule on the plateau, and he would always stay in this situation.
A rudimentary, undisciplined state of autonomy.
Direct administration may still be difficult, but on the current basis, it can still be achieved by further deepening the influence. Emperor Liu plans to leave this job to Liu Xi.
Under Liu Xi's concentrated eyes, Emperor Liu said slowly: "After this meeting, you will stay in Luoche City as the minister stationed in Tubo, Tongping Zhangshi, and have full authority to handle Tubo affairs!"