Guo Shu, the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, asked: "Your Highness, I heard that Zhu Tao's army is also attacking Silla, and it has the upper hand, and the offensive is in full swing. If we also attack Silla, how will the relationship between the three be handled?"
This is also a matter of concern to everyone. Originally, Silla could not withstand the fierce attack of Zhu Tao's army and had to ask for help from the Tang Dynasty. But now it is reversed. They also want to participate in the destruction of Silla. Is this a breach of trust? Or do they want to get a share of it?
soup?
Guo Song understood everyone's concerns, he smiled slightly and said: "So I said from the beginning that we must be famous in our crusade against Silla. I couldn't find a suitable excuse before, but the assassination became the best excuse.
, we must send troops to hold people accountable. This is neither betrayal nor adding insult to injury. They committed the evil in the first place."
Guo Shu continued: "But if we use the excuse of rescuing Silla to send troops, wouldn't it be more moral? If Silla is destroyed by Zhu Tao, it will not be our responsibility. Your Highness, don't you think this excuse is better?"
This time, without waiting for Guo Song to explain, Zhang Qiu'an retorted: "This is self-defeating. If we send troops out of moral reasons to rescue Silla, then after killing Zhu Tao, should we continue to support Silla?"
If we annex Silla, will it make us more hypocritical? Will we be ridiculed even more morally? We will simply launch an attack on the crime from the beginning. If we annex Silla in the future, it will also be a punishment for them. They deserve it. I will
You don’t have to bear any moral responsibility, and you have an obligation to your descendants.”
An argument suddenly broke out in the side hall, which was very lively. Guo Song waved his hands and said loudly: "Everyone, please be quiet!"
The side hall became quiet, and Guo Song said again: "Today is just a briefing, and we will not make any decisions. Even if we want to attack Silla, it will be after the spring of next year. There is still time for everyone to think about it. However, the Ministry of War has to prepare in advance, so the time is not
It's plenty, and I hope we can make a decision in ten days."
........
Everyone stood up and left. Zhang Qianyi also walked out with Du You. Du You smiled and said: "You can feel His Highness's determination!"
Zhang Qianyi nodded, "He came to the Political Council to discuss matters, just to give us a face. The Ministry of War's grain adjustment order was issued yesterday, and 500,000 stones of wheat and 100,000 sets of armor were mobilized from Liyangcang to Dengzhou."
"Actually, His Highness is right. If we take Liaodong without leaving Silla, sooner or later we will be making wedding clothes for Silla. I completely agree with it." Du You said slowly.
Zhang Qianyi was about to speak when he suddenly heard someone calling them from behind. When they turned around, it was Lan Tai Lang Zhong Han Yu calling them.
Du You admired Han Yu very much and thought that he had the potential to become the prime minister. He was down-to-earth, steady, very capable, principled but flexible in his work. Du You even thought that it was a pity that Han Yu was appointed as a doctor in Lantai. He should go to a local place to continue his experience.
"Mr. Han, what's going on?"
Han Yu ran up and saluted: "Your Highness, please invite the two prime ministers to the official room for a talk!"
The two nodded and followed Han Yu to the Lantai official room. Guo Song's official room had been moved to the back of Ziwei Hall. It was the original imperial study of Emperor Daizong. It had been completely renovated and transformed into a high-density room.
Three entrances to the courtyard.
Outside is the official room for the officials, and in the middle courtyard is the official room of Lantai Shilang and Lantai Langzhong. According to the division of labor, Han Yu is in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War, Huang Chan is in charge of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Punishment, and there should be another person in charge of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Work.
The position of doctor is now concurrently held by Yang Tianhua. Each doctor is assigned two assistant doctors and eight other doctors.
The inner courtyard is the official residence of Guo Song. In the middle is a patio of more than 100 square meters, with rockeries piled up and lush flowers and trees. Around the patio are the main hall, meeting hall, staff hall and tea room. In addition to Guo Song, the inner courtyard also has a small teahouse.
Tong, responsible for running errands for Sencha.
At this time, Guo Songzheng was pacing back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his hands. Gradually, at the end of the year, there were more things to do. He handed over many trivial matters to the Political Affairs Hall, and only reported to him more important matters.
His energy is mainly focused on major events. Silla is just the beginning. What he has to consider is the entire Liaodong and the various intricate forces. He is not worried about the military. He considers more about the political aspect and the endurance of national power.
ability.
At this time, Han Yu came in with Du You and Zhang Qianyi, "Your Highness, Du Xiangguo and Zhang Xiangguo are here!"
Guo Song woke up from his deep thoughts, nodded and said with a smile: "You two prime ministers, please sit inside!"
He invited the two people to sit down in the main hall, and the tea boy served them tea in time. Guo Song asked: "Actually, I want to know how the Silla Special Envoy Park Eun-taek is doing?"
Zhang Qianyi said quickly: "He went to Dengzhou a few days ago, and he left in a hurry. Wei Chen calculated the time, and by coincidence, it happened to be the day of the assassination. People have to think about it. He may also be an insider.
Will Your Highness bring him back?"
Guo Song shook his head, "The assassination case has been concluded. It doesn't matter whether he is arrested or not. What I am thinking about now is war preparations. Zhang Xiangguo, has the Ministry of War contacted the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
Zhang Qianyi nodded, "Old Zhang told me that the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household Affairs will hold a coordination meeting this afternoon to finalize some details of money and food."
"There is also the plague in the Central Plains. According to the feedback given to me by the army, the plague first broke out in Songzhou, Yanzhou, and Xuzhou. There have been no infections for almost a year. Now there are still sporadic patients in Bianzhou, Huazhou, and Caozhou.
, the army has blocked these three states and prohibited population migration. The Jianghuai side can allow the refugees to return to Songzhou first."
Du You bowed and said: "Your Highness, according to Cao Wannian's report, there are not many refugees who escaped from Xuzhou, and there are not many refugees from Yanzhou. They are mainly from Songzhou and Bozhou. Basically, most of them have settled in Jianghuai, and there are still a few who want to go home.
For refugees, Zhengshitang can arrange for them to go home."
Zhang Qianyi still had something to do, so he took the first step. Only Guo Song and Du You were left in the lobby. Guo Song walked out of the lobby with his hands behind his back and came to the patio. Du You said in a deep voice beside him: "The Ministry of Officials has done something in the court in the past two days.
A preliminary survey shows that more than 90% of officials hope that His Highness will take office, especially the middle and low-level officials, and almost all of them support it."
Guo Song nodded. He was not worried about the court. The interests of court officials were consistent with his. He was concerned about local officials. After all, local officials were greatly influenced by local wealthy families, and their attitudes were very important.
"Investigations also need to be carried out in local areas. There is no need for Anxi, Hexi and Fengzhou. That is where we started. I am confident enough."
Guo Song had great trust in Du You, especially during this political meeting meeting. Guo Song was very touched by Du You's decisiveness and loyalty, so he was sometimes able to reveal his heart in front of Du You.
"Reporting to Your Highness, if Hexi and Anxi are not considered, the time can be greatly shortened and the investigation can be completed this winter. I have already started making arrangements."
After a pause, Du You continued: "If His Highness can make some concessions on the slavery system, Wei Chen believes that more people will support His Highness."
"no!"
Guo Song said decisively: "Delaying for fifteen years is already a huge concession. I know in my heart that the strongest opposition to slave reform is in Hebei. If they continue to oppose it, then I will officially promulgate the "Regulations on Prohibiting the Pursuit of Slaves" and
"Registration of Domicile Ordinance, what do I think they should do?"
Du You secretly smiled bitterly in his heart. These two regulations are very cruel. They are basically a devastating blow to slave owners everywhere. If a slave escapes, the government will no longer pursue him. If he escapes to any place, he can re-register his place of origin, and his status as a slave will disappear.
.
Although these two regulations have not been officially promulgated, they are actually being implemented. First, the crime of escaped slaves is abolished. Escaped slaves are no longer criminals, and the government no longer pursues them. It is up to the slave owners themselves to pursue them. If they are beaten to death or maimed
Slaves were also punished.
As for place of origin, as long as you claim to be a refugee from the Central Plains and want to settle down wherever you want, the government will accept you and re-compile your household registration. This is a disguised form of eliminating slave status.
The King of Jin was resolute, and Du You stopped trying to persuade him and said: "Anyway, as long as more than 50% of the officials support it, the world will have nothing to say. I am still very confident."
Guo Song asked again: "What does Prime Minister Du think of sending troops to Liaodong?"
Du You pondered for a moment and said: "Wei Chen will definitely support His Highness's Liaodong strategy. If Wei Chen is still worried, how long can the national strength be sustained?
After all, the vassal towns have been separated for many years, and the world has long been weak. If it is like Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty's conquest of Goguryeo, then our national strength will indeed not be able to bear it. I am not comparing His Highness to Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, but I hope His Highness understands this in his heart."
Guo Song smiled slightly and said: "Don't worry! I know it in my heart. With Zhu Tao's army destroying Silla for me, I will save much effort. More importantly, my Liaodong strategy is a combination of military and political. The military will last as long as possible."
Not too long, the key is various political means, the time span will be very long, the final completion of the Liaodong strategy will take at least several decades, and it will be our descendants who will finally complete it."
Du You understood a little bit. He hesitated and said: "Your Highness wants to completely Chineseize the people of Silla and Liaodong?"
Guo Song nodded, "Military affairs deal with the nobility and the army and directly eliminate them, while politics deal with ordinary people and slowly Chineseize them. This requires the efforts of two or three generations."
Du You gave a thumbs up and praised: "Your Highness's foresight is a blessing to everyone in the world!"