On April 21, the fifth year of Qianyou's reign, the Han Emperor issued an edict, appointing Yan Qu, a scholar from Duanming Palace, as the chief envoy to Hedong, Dou Yi, a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, as the inspector of Hedong, and Wang Yanchao, the general of the Xingjie Army, as the commander of the capital of Hedong.
At the same time, the Political Affairs Hall and the Privy Council each selected officials and rushed to Hedong to take up their posts. This also kicked off the central court's official involvement in local military affairs. Different from the past, this time the court's tentacles directly penetrated into the prefectures and counties. Personnel appointments, removals, and position transfers are all handled by the imperial court.
Cutting down vassals is only a means, and separating military and political affairs, strengthening the central authority and controlling local military and political affairs, is the goal. Implement it steadily, and if nothing unexpected happens, within three or two months, the military and political affairs in Hedong will take on a completely new look.
Compared with the imperial court's attempts to reform the newly occupied land in Huainan, the reform in Hedong was much more eye-catching.
…
"Your Majesty, Jinling has come to report that Song Qiqiu is dead!" Wang Jingchong entered the palace again and played a piece of news that Liu Chengyou was more interested in.
"Oh?" When Liu Chengyou, who was talking with Feng Dao, heard the news, he looked very interested and asked: "Didn't he be released to Jiuhua Mountain by Li Jing to recuperate? I heard that although he is nearly seventy years old, his body has always been strong. I'm afraid It’s not a normal decline!”
"Your Majesty is wise!" Wang Jingchong said: "The secret agents learned that Li Jing lived Song Qiqiu in Jiuhua Mountain. Not long ago, he deprived him of food and caused him to starve to death!"
"Haha!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but smile and said: "It is said that Li Jing is kind-hearted, but why is he so cruel to this veteran minister? He is dying of old age and dying of hunger. It is much more painful than Bai Ling's poisonous wine!"
Wang Jingchong continued: "In addition, after the death of Qiqiu in the Song Dynasty, Li Jing ordered that his title be deprived of his title to spy on him for treason, and he was given the posthumous title Chou Miao! In addition, Chen Jue and Li Zhenggu, who were demoted, were also executed! "
Hearing this, Feng Dao couldn't help sighing: "Song Qiqiu is famous in the southern country. He is as clever as a god. He is said to be able to be worth a hundred thousand people. He was famous for a while and had power in the government and the public. But when he arrived, he did not end well. He will have a bad reputation after his death. It is really regrettable!"
Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said: "Kill Song, kill Chen and Li. It seems that the battle in Huainan had a great impact on Li Jing, so much so that he killed him regardless of his false reputation! When Song Qiqiu died, the Song party could be said to be uprooted. It is impossible to rise again. This is the bitter fruit of indulging in party strife..."
"Your Majesty, in this way, the pseudo-Tang Dynasty will eliminate the party's troubles, and it will make people unite and revive, which is not a good thing for the Han Dynasty!" Feng Dao reminded Liu Chengyou.
He nodded, agreeing with Feng Dao's view, but Liu Chengyou did not show too much worry and said: "If he can reform and control party strife before the expedition to Huaihe, I will really have some scruples. But now, It’s too late! What’s going on in the pseudo-Tang Dynasty now!”
"Since Han Xizai became the prime minister, he has been in charge of the country's politics. Northern scholars and officials have been given important positions. Feng Yansi is still in the prime minister's position, but he seems to have deliberately avoided his influence. When the northerners were in power, Han Xizai proposed reforms and ten policies to rejuvenate the country, and Li Jing agreed. ....."
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but touch his short beard and chuckled: "This Han Xizai finally had a chance to show off his talents! It's a pity that he didn't get his king, and it was not the right time! His ten strategies to rejuvenate the country, I have heard about it before, and they are all aimed at the pseudo-Tang bureaucrats, honorable ministers, wealthy families, and merchants, reforming taxation, eliminating privileges, and benefiting the people. They are all aimed at criticizing the current evils and benefiting the country and the people!"
"This Han Xizai is indeed a talented person! If his reform is successful, his country will be enriched and his army will be strengthened. We must take this as a warning!" Feng Dao issued a warning to Liu Chengyou.
Looking at Feng Dao, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "Today's pseudo-Tang Dynasty has lost Huainan. Its ruling base is only the eastern half of the Yangtze River and Jiangxi. Li Jing now reuses the northern scholars headed by Han Xizai to make him powerful. Although he is unified, How can the southerners be willing to obey the government's decree? Han Xizai's innovations and taking away his personal interests are tantamount to carving out the flesh of the Jiangnan bureaucrats, which is heartbreaking. Let's see, the political situation of the pseudo-Tang Dynasty will inevitably repeat itself. Can Li Jing suppress it? Whether you can live there or not is a problem!"
"Your Majesty's eyes are as bright as a torch, and his true knowledge and insights are admirable!" Feng Dao suddenly realized, his face full of emotion, and he cupped his hands.
"Moreover!" Liu Chengyou said: "Even if Han Xizai's reform is successful and Li Jing withstands the backlash, wouldn't the accumulated money, grain and goods be used as tribute to the Han Dynasty?"
Of course, Liu Chengyou had another idea that he had not expressed, that is, if the Han army conquers Jiangnan in the future, they will definitely carry out some reforms to deal with the problems of the puppet Tang Dynasty, and there will definitely be a redevelopment of Jiangnan's land, property and other social resources. Distribution. In Liu Chengyou's opinion, what Han Xizai did was very much in line with his wishes, so he considered it a trial run for him.
Liu Chengyou even had the idea that after Pingnan, if Han Xizai was still alive, he would let him continue to innovate and eliminate shortcomings.
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing!" Wang Jingchong said.
"explain!"
"Li Jingsui resigned from the throne, but Li Jing finally agreed and named Li Hongji, the false king of Yan, as his heir!" Wang Jingchong reported: "However, it is said that Li Hongji has a violent personality. After moving into the East Palace, he was arbitrary and domineering, and repeatedly exceeded the rules. Li Jing will not be pleased if he forms a secret alliance with a general."
Knocking on the desk, Liu Chengyou said: "I thought that this dispute over the reserve position would cause a big commotion, but I never thought it would end up like this! That Li Jingsui is really disappointing!"
He raised his eyes, glanced at Feng Dao and Wang Jingchong, and smiled slightly: "However, what will happen to a prince who does not please the monarch?"
Hearing this, Feng Dao and Wang Jingchong couldn't help but cooperate and laughed.
"Keep watching the news from Jinling!" Liu Chengyou waved to Wang Jingchong, then looked at Feng Dao: "Send an envoy to Jinling to urge Li Jing for annual tribute. Before I withdraw my troops, I will allow him to pay part of it first, and This summer’s harvest is coming, so we need to urge him!”
"yes!"
"I wonder who your Majesty would like to choose as envoy?" Feng Daoxian asked for instructions.
Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while and suddenly asked: "Where is Zhong Mo now?"
No one could answer this. Not many people would care if a detained Tang minister was remanded to Tokyo.
"I will go and inquire immediately!" Seeing the displeasure on the emperor's face, Wang Jingchong hurriedly responded. After receiving the permission, he stepped back and hurried away.
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Feng Dao asked: "Your Majesty plans to use this Tang minister as his envoy?"
"That's what he meant!" Liu Chengyou pointed up and said: "When Li Jing sent an envoy to seek peace, Zhong Mo and Li Deming surrendered, and Li Deming actively worked for our country to promote peace talks. Zhong Mo kept his reputation and kept silent. He is a man of few words, but from what I see, he is still a person who is aware of current affairs, but he just can't let go of his dignity. I intend to use it..."
"Let it go back south, just in case it doesn't come back north again!" Feng Dao said.
"Then, I can only hope that he can be accepted by the Tang court and given a bigger official position!" Liu Chengyou said with a chuckle.
Hearing the soft words, Feng Dao couldn't help stroking his white beard. He seemed to have gained something, but he was really not sure of the emperor's thoughts.
"That's right!" Liu Chengyou changed the topic and said to Feng Dao: "I want to hear Feng Qing's opinion on something!"
"Your Majesty, please speak!"
Liu Chengyou said: "I have received a report saying that Li Hui, the governor of Heyang, committed corruption and lawlessness while he was in office in Heyang, and oppressed the people, causing complaints. What does Feng Qing think?"
Hearing this, Feng Dao's eyebrows immediately locked up and he glanced at the emperor cautiously. The matter in Hedong has not been settled yet, and he plans to attack Heyang again? Previously, the emperor clearly said that Heyang and other prefectures and towns should not be in a hurry. .
Of course, compared to Hedong, although the three cities of Heyang are important and defend Luoyang, their weight is much lighter. The reason that really made Feng Dao care about this matter was Heyang Jiedushi Li Hui, who was recommended by his old Xianggong Feng , he had to think more about the purpose of the emperor asking for his opinion.
After much consideration, Feng Dao said: "Your Majesty, Li Shunguang is an old general of Emperor Gaozu and a veteran of the founding of the country. He is known for his loyalty and good deeds. He has been in the town for several years and has never done anything against the imperial court. I have heard that he likes to live up to his reputation, saying that he benefits the people with small things. This is a false reputation, and I trust him. But if he is said to be guilty of any great evil, I think your majesty may send someone to Heyang to investigate..."
After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou nodded: "Feng Qing's words are reasonable. We should have someone verify them and then judge them!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Glancing at Feng Dao, he saw that the old man was a little uneasy. Liu Chengyou let him go back to the hall, but he had no intention of scaring him again.