"See your Majesty!" Early in the morning, Tao Gu, who served as Zhongshu's minister, came to see him.
Liu Chengyou was having breakfast and drinking red date porridge. When he saw Tao Gu, Liu Chengyou was very friendly and said, "Tao Qing is here, sit down! Do you want to eat? The porridge cooked by the supervisor today is good. Would you like a bowl?"
Hearing this, Tao Gu's old face suddenly showed a smile and respectfully responded: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
No matter whether you eat or not, being able to eat with the emperor is considered a favor, even if it is just a bowl of porridge. Moreover, the drink tastes delicious. Tao Gu, an old man, entered the political hall and became a minister. , not only did he not suffer from physical fatigue due to hard work, but he became more energetic, which can be seen just from his appetite.
Seeing him just eating porridge, Liu Chengyou gave Sun Yanyun orders and gave him orders. Tao Gu was even more touched by the emperor's consideration.
After warming his belly, Liu Chengyou thought of what he had been thinking about these past few days and asked Tao Gu directly: "How is the discussion in the political hall about the governance of the southwest region going?"
Seeing that the emperor was paying attention to this matter, Tao Gu immediately reported the discussed situation: "Returning to your majesty, after discussion with the ministers and others, they all agreed that the 'chieftain' proposed by your majesty is indeed feasible for the tribes and tribes in the southwest. There are just a few points. There are still doubts!”
"Tell me about it!" Liu Chengyou looked at Tao Gu.
Tao Gu said: "First, as your Majesty said, the world has its own land, the world has its people, the world has its soldiers, the world has its own posts, and the world has its titles. The ministers may think that their power is too great, and they may be worried about it. ;
Secondly, now that the barbarians in Jinghu have been naturalized one after another, the court has come up with another policy to govern the country, and the ministers are concerned about the dissatisfaction of the barbarian chiefs who have surrendered;
Thirdly, there are many tribes in the vast area of southwest China, and the imperial court is not familiar with the conditions of the territory and the people. How the chiefs rebel and surrender still needs to be examined. How to appoint the chieftain position and how much to pay still need to be considered.
Fourth, whether the western prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of Nanyue are included;
Fifth, if the chieftain system is implemented, how will the court manage and restrict the chieftains?"
Tao Gu said five things in one breath. Obviously, the issues they discussed were probably more than that. When Liu Chengyou heard this, instead of being annoyed, he seemed very satisfied and said calmly: "It seems that the ministers are indeed carrying out the plan." Think deeply about it!”
"It is my duty to share your Majesty's worries!" Upon hearing this, Tao Gu immediately responded.
Seeing the respectful expression on the old guy's face, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly. He pondered for a while in response to what he said, and then said: "The southwest region has high mountains, dense forests, long roads, inconvenient transportation, and mixed tribes. Since ancient times, it has been difficult for the imperial court to penetrate deeply into the country. The rule of the dynasty is the same in our dynasty. It is completely impossible to be like Zhongyuan Prefecture and County. Doing it forcefully will only cause turmoil.
Regarding the power of chieftains, the actual situation of their tribes is what it is and cannot be changed in a short time. Through the chieftain system, the imperial court recognized the power status of the chiefs of various tribes. In fact, it was to bribe, appease, and obtain their submission. Ask them to be loyal and obedient to the imperial court. As long as they maintain the ruling order in the southwest and consolidate the imperial court's territory, the goal will be achieved.
As for the distribution of native officials, it can be used to divide and reorganize the barbarian tribes in the southwest. Those who submit to the imperial court will naturally be rewarded by the imperial court and recognize their dominant status and power. As for those who disobey, they should use force. Fight for destruction to deter the unruly ones.
The area where toast is implemented depends on the specific people's conditions and needs careful investigation. This is just an idea of mine. If it is to be implemented in detail, it needs to be comprehensively considered and improved. There is still plenty of time, and the specific details still need to be considered. However, Once the south is pacified, it will be more urgent!"
"Your Majesty is thoughtful and considerate, and I admire you very much!" No matter what, it's not a problem to praise him. Tao Gu faced Emperor Liu and bowed with his fists clasped.
In fact, Liu Chengyou's idea of the toast system was also a trick. After all, it is a tested and proven system that has been maintained for hundreds of years, which proves its feasibility and advanced nature.
On the other hand, Liu Chengyou had no unrealistic illusions about the southwest region and wanted to completely digest it. You must know that even the Jinghu barbarians who were highly Hanized, Liu Chengyou mainly focused on appeasing them.
In his mind, as long as he recognized the rule of the imperial court, formed stable development, and made the southwest region the actual territory of the Han Dynasty, then his expectations would be achieved.
In the final analysis, the chieftain system is also a kind of restraint policy. It uses barbarians to control barbarians, but its vitality is particularly tenacious in the southwest region. At the same time, due to geographical factors, the imperial court is not afraid of it becoming too powerful. It may cause chaos, but it cannot control it. The core of imperial rule will have an impact. The chieftain system will become a powerful tool for long-term maintenance of the ruling order in the southwest.
Of course, if there are no chieftains, how can we talk about reforming the land and returning it to the local people?
"This system is just an idea of mine. Of course, the stability of the southwest cannot rely solely on barbarian autonomy, but should also be supplemented by Daosi prefectures and counties!" Liu Chengyou said seriously.
"Yes!" Tao Gu also responded solemnly.
After talking about the matter, Liu Chengyou noticed Tao Gu, and he reacted and asked with a little curiosity: "Tao Qing came alone this morning, you must have something important to do!"
Tao Gu was still thinking about the "chieftain system". He got the emperor's holy will here first, and when he returned to the political hall, his voice could be louder.
Hearing this, he came back to his senses and thought about his purpose. Tao Gu said to Liu Chengyou in a tentative tone: "Your Majesty, the Liao envoy has been in Beijing for a few days and is staying in the Concierge Courtyard. Do you want to receive him?"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou showed a playful smile: "If you didn't mention it, I would have really forgotten about them! How about, are they living comfortably?"
"The Concierge House has made appropriate arrangements, and there is no need to be slow to show any signs of inconvenience. However, Xiao Husi, the envoy to the Liao Dynasty, is very eager to see His Majesty!" Tao Gu said.
"What do you think?" Liu Chengyou stared at Tao Gu.
Lowering his gaze with a hint of guilt, Tao Gu said: "Your Majesty, although the Han and Liao are at odds with each other and the bloody battles are vivid in our minds, the Liao Kingdom is still a powerful country in the north. If a big country refuses to receive envoys from a big country, I'm afraid it will be a loss. God is magnanimous!"
"Haha..." Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou laughed out loud, which made Tao Gu feel guilty. His old eyes wandered and he observed the emperor's expression more carefully.
After the laughter stopped, Liu Chengyou asked calmly: "Through these few days of contact, Tao Qing feels that what is the purpose of the Liao envoy coming here?"
After hearing the question, Tao Gu thought seriously for a while, as if reminiscing, and then reported: "Your Majesty, as I see it, the envoy from Liao came here for the sake of good relations and to repair the relationship between the two countries. Since the Northern Expedition, Since then, the situation between Han and Liao has been reciprocal, with Han being strong and Liao being weak. This is the way to maintain diplomatic relations between states..."
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou's lips curled up slightly and he muttered: "After the bloody battle that year, can the relationship between the two countries still be repaired?"
Seeing the emperor's skeptical attitude, Tao Gu didn't dare to say anything. However, the next words made him sigh in relief: "However, I might as well meet him after these few days!"
Liu Chengyou is not optimistic about the relationship between Han and Liao. At least for now, the grievances and hatreds between the two sides are very deep. Although interests come first between countries, one thing is certain. There is no way to repair a relationship until it breaks down.
Under such circumstances, Liu Chengyou had to think more about the purpose of Liao's sending envoys. Liu Chengyou believed that it was definitely not to ease the border conflicts and frictions between the two sides.
Thinking of Lu Duoxun's secret message about Dangxiang's close relationship with the Khitan, and Chai Rong's report on the Khitan's changes, Liu Chengyou had to consider these situations together.
As for Tao Gu, after he resigned, Liu Chengyou immediately ordered people to summon Zhang Dejun, the imperial envoy. After summoning, he only had a secret explanation: "Go and check the situation of Tao Gu and the Liao envoy. Do it in secret and don't alert anyone." Kill others!"
That's right, based on Tao Gu's response just now, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but wonder whether this old boy had taken advantage of others again. Although, in this matter, Tao Gu seemed to have just acted as a messenger and helped with two matters. sentence, but when it comes to military and state affairs, even Liu Chengyou has to be cautious, how can he tolerate his subordinates' reckless behavior, let alone the prime minister!
Liu Chengyou met Xiao Husi, the envoy of the Liao Dynasty, in the Chongzheng Hall in the afternoon of that day. There were only Lu Yin and a living attendant beside him. As soon as he saw Xiao Husi, Liu Chengyou said with a smile: "Xiao Husi, Privy Xiao , we are considered old friends! If I remember correctly, we haven’t seen each other for more than four years!"
"Your Majesty remembers it well. The last time the foreign minister came to Tokyo, he congratulated your Majesty on the tenth anniversary of his rule!" Standing in front of the emperor, Xiao Husi seemed neither humble nor overbearing.