A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 1131 Emperor
May,

The emperor visited Luoyang.

After the renovation by the Chief of the Imperial Household Yan Lide, the Luoyang Palace was renovated. The emperor ate rice dumplings in the Luoyang Palace. During the Dragon Boat Festival when the lotus flowers were just beginning to bloom, the emperor, accompanied by hundreds of officials, watched the dragon boat race in Xuanwu Lake. Soldiers and civilians from all over the city crowded into the former imperial lake to watch the dragon boat race.
Amid the sound of passionate drums, hundreds of dragon boats raced and thousands of athletes paddled hard.
The sky is clear in Hualin Garden, the sun is setting in Jingyang Tower, ducks and herons are playing flutes, lotus and water lilies are racing in dragon boats.

These dragon boat teams come from the public, some from the Northern Court's imperial guards, some from the Southern Court's palace soldiers, some from local militias, as well as fishermen, merchant ship sailors, etc. Hundreds of elite teams were selected early, and today they are competing in front of the emperor.

In the end, the top ten received red envelopes from the emperor, and the top three received gold, silver and bronze medals. The rest of the teams also received rewards.

Li Shimin was a king on horseback and also the governor of Guanlong. He was not good at swimming, let alone naval battles. But when he saw the performance of these dragon boat warriors, he was very excited and doubled the reward.

After the Dragon Boat Festival, the emperor stayed in Luoyang, went to Beimang Mountain to offer sacrifices, went to Wulao Pass to commemorate, went to Songshan to visit Shaolin, and went to Laojun Mountain.
On this day, the emperor was in Gong County to see the prosperous and extremely busy Gong Kiln porcelain. Now this is the busiest porcelain production site in the Tang Dynasty. There are not only many official kilns, but also many private kilns, which are sold domestically and abroad. Among them, foreign trade is the most produced, with good sales and in short supply.
Therefore, a large number of related workers gathered here, and countless supporting industrial workshops also sprang up.

Industry and commerce flourished, and the market was prosperous.
Li Shimin brought a group of officials on a secret visit and was very satisfied with the vitality of the place. The taxes paid here from the profits from selling porcelain each year are a huge sum.

"His Majesty."

Just as he was feeling happy, the eunuch Zhang Ananda came over with an excited look on his face.

"Hey, Ananda, why are you so happy? It's rare to see you," Li Shimin said with a laugh, stroking his beard.

"Your Majesty, victory news, victory news from the Western Regions, great victory."

The emperor's laughter suddenly stopped.

The prime minister and ministers around couldn't help but turn their heads to look over.

Zhang Ananda could not hide his excitement. "Great victory, great victory in the Western Regions. The Crown Prince Regent just relayed the victory report from Chang'an. Prime Minister Wu has made great achievements. He rode non-stop for 7,000 miles from Longzhou to the west of Mount Dianhe, and captured Yu Gushe alive.
The Desire Valley has been set down."

"The Prime Minister Wu also killed Yuzhi Shijin, captured Gongyue City, killed Chishifu Shijin of the Chishi tribe of the Karluks, and defeated Yanbian."

"In several battles, we killed more than 3,000 enemies and captured more than 10,000 enemies."

"The four great Yehus, five great Chues, and all the Shiqin tribes have submitted to the Prime Minister for surrender."

"The Western Regions and Beiting have been pacified!"

Purple-robed Zhang Ananda finished telling all the good news in one breath.

Li Shimin opened his mouth in disbelief. Li Shimin agreed with Wu Huaiyu's plan, although many people thought it was risky, especially Wei Zheng and others who insisted on opposing it, but Li Shimin believed in Wu Huaiyu, and Wu Huaiyu also signed a military order to capture Yu Gushe alive and destroy Gaochang City.

But in fact, Li Shimin felt that it would be no problem for Wu Huaiyu to defeat Yugushe and destroy Gaochang, but it was not certain to capture Yugushe alive. However, he did not care much about whether he was captured alive or not. Defeating him would be enough to restore the Tang Dynasty's reputation that had been trampled on in the Western Regions.

If Yu Gushe really ran away, it would actually be a good thing, as it would make it easier for him to keep Wu Huaiyu in the Western Regions.

The emperor never thought of it.

When Wu Huaiyu's sword was unsheathed, it was so sharp that he actually swung it westward and directly cut Beiting.

Yu Gushe turned out to be as unprepared and incompetent as Wu Huaiyu had expected, and was captured even after traveling seven thousand miles.

Of course, the emperor did not expect that

Wu Huaiyu not only captured Yu Gushe alive after running 7,000 miles, but also with his next few swords, first breaking Gong Yue, then beheading Chi Shi and Yan Mian.
He directly killed all of Beiting's four guards and five great chutes.

One by one they surrendered.

"Okay," the emperor said.

"Did the Minister of War say anything about the casualties?"

"After a few battles, the casualties are no more than a hundred, which is negligible. The more the Wu Xiang fights, the more people he has. The vassal troops recruited by various tribes have already numbered tens of thousands. They are on their way back to attack Gaochang. It is said that there will be more news of the destruction of Gaochang soon!"

"Very good," the emperor said again.

Everything is good, better than expected,
But when I'm happy, I seem to feel a little lost. That feeling of being beyond expectations and out of control is not very good.

But in front of his ministers, the emperor quickly regained his smile and his hearty laughter.

"Everyone, good news, great news,"

The accompanying ministers had long been extremely curious, and now they all knew that something big had happened.

What could be the news that even the emperor would say was great news?

When the emperor announced the good news of the great victory of the Western Expedition,

The series of good news and the incredible numbers made everyone's eyes widen. It was really hard to believe.

The 7,000-mile raid took less than a month.

More than 10,000 cavalrymen penetrated deep into enemy territory and captured the enemy Khan alive.

The most important thing is that they won several battles and the casualties ratio was even more incredible. Less than a hundred casualties were exchanged for the capture of one Khan, the beheading of three Jijin, and the capture of thousands of leaders of all sizes.
Thousands were killed in battle, and more than ten thousand were captured.

Then the four great Yehu tribes, the five great Chues, dozens of tribes and hundreds of thousands of people surrendered together.

With so many tribal troops, not only did they not surround Wu Huaiyu and beat him up, they also sent troops and men, and provided supplies and food to Wu Huaiyu's more than 10,000 cavalry to help him destroy the Gaochang Kingdom.

My scalp is tingling.

I got goosebumps just listening to it.

Even Wei Zheng's eyes widened as bells and his breathing became rapid. Although he had always opposed Wu Huaiyu's military adventure plan and even Li Shimin's continuous use of troops to expand the territory, he was worried that endless military expansion would lead to a shortage of financial resources for the court, affect farming production, and even cause a large number of casualties among the young and strong population.

I am more afraid of casualties and defeat.
But such a victory, such a casualty ratio,
Who could refuse? Sending out 16,000 troops, without any need for logistics in less than a month, and then marching 8,000 miles across enemy territory, conquering all tribes.
The casualties were less than a hundred.

Not only did they win face, but they also won substance. Even Wei Zheng knew very well how much tangible benefits the Tang Dynasty would gain after conquering Beiting.

Who could refuse such a battle and such a victory?
Some people at the scene began to praise the emperor for his ability to identify and employ talented people, while others praised Wu Huaiyu for his ever-victorious general.
Yu Gushe was captured alive, and all the tribes in Beiting surrendered. As for Gaochang, who would take it seriously? It was within our control and could be easily controlled.

"These reports were sent by knights from the Western Expedition Camp. They traveled 800 miles in an expedited manner, changing horses but not people, and they were delivered to Luoyang in just ten days. The knights who delivered the messages have worked hard. Let them have a good rest first. After they have rested, I will personally summon them to question them tomorrow.

I will reward you with one more level of knighthood, one more level of rank, one more level of official rank, and also give you a royal horse, a golden urn, a pair of silver bottles, a set of royal armor, and 100,000 yuan."

The emperor was pleased.

The knight who traveled eight thousand miles in just ten days to report the victory was rewarded generously.

This is also a signal. Even a messenger who reported victory on the Western Expedition received such a reward. Then the soldiers on this Western Expedition will not receive less rewards.

Along with the good news came some other content.

For example, Wu Huaiyu's judgment on the latest situation in the Western Regions, such as sending Yu Gushe's family to Chang'an, and recommending Mishe to succeed Beiting Khan, and letting Bu Zhen, who had a grudge against him, be the junior Khan.

We must continue to preserve the North Courtyard and keep it coexisting with the South Courtyard.
The Kunling Protectorate was established in the north court, and the Mengchi Protectorate was established in the south court, with the two Khans serving as protectors. Under them, each tribe and country in the Western Regions established a governor's office and a prefecture.

Let these Dachu, Dashijin, Yehu, Shijin, kings, etc. in the Western Regions all serve as governors, provincial governors and other vassal officials of the Tang Dynasty, and formally incorporate them all into the Tang Dynasty system.

The Anxi Protectorate was upgraded to a Grand Protectorate, which governed the entire Western Regions. Troops were sent to supervise various countries and tribes. Troops were stationed in the Western Regions to cultivate land, military towns and guard posts were established, beacon forts and post stations were set up along the north-south Silk Road, and even some trading towns were established.
The Tang Dynasty should intervene more actively in the affairs of the Western Regions, even to the point of building Chinese schools in the Western Regions, promoting Chinese culture, and recruiting some Western Region tribesmen as vassal servants of the city's foreign soldiers.
Wu Huaiyu had a series of suggestions, many of which he had discussed with the emperor, and some of which he added after arriving in the Western Regions based on the current situation.

Li Shimin thought it was very good.

The more he read, the more he felt that Wu Huaiyu was very suitable to stay in the Western Regions. However, Wu Huaiyu did not reveal this in his letter. Instead, he proposed that after destroying Gaochang, he would recommend Ah Shi Huaiyi as the Grand Protector of Anxi to stay in the Western Regions.
He even proposed the idea of ​​establishing several large military towns on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains in the Western Regions, including Yiwu, Gaochang, and Luntai, and setting up Yi, Xi, and Tingzhou as the main prefectures of the imperial court.

South of the Tianshan Mountains, there were four towns: Qiuci, Yanqi, Yutian, and Shule. North of the Tianshan Mountains, there were four towns: Xuanchi, Gongyue, Yili, and Suiye.

By then, there will be eight towns in the north and south, plus the three prefectures in the east.
The Anxi Protectorate can now be stationed in Yiwulu, and move to Gaochang after it is conquered. Later, it may be moved westward to Qiuci or even Suiye.

This plan not only requires stationing troops, but also immigration, large-scale, long-term immigration.

It is even obvious that the Tang Dynasty will definitely fight wars in the Western Regions in the future. The essence of this plan is to conquer the Western Regions, not just to attack Xiayuguse and Gaochang as it is shown now, and then accept the submission of various tribes and let them govern themselves.

The so-called execution of divine punishment.
This is of course just a name, not the real substance.

The essence is actually national interests. The big fish eat the small fish. When there is an opportunity, they should take the initiative to expand their territory and annex the surrounding weak forces.
But these things cannot be said openly, so reasons have to be found to justify sending troops and to cover it up. But as the emperor, how could Li Shimin not understand this?

This is like an emperor ruling a country, relying on laws and morals to restrain the people, but what he can seize the country and establish a dynasty is really relying on power, the collusion and compromise of various interests, the control of military force, money, and connections, and violence. Once he has those, he is the rule maker.

Now the Tang Dynasty has gained the best opportunity to enter and conquer the Western Regions.
Li Shimin would never miss this opportunity.

As for what reason you will use to continue conquering the Western Regions after this war, there is no need to worry. As long as you want to find a reason, there will always be a reason. Even if there is no reason, you can create enough reasons. The key is to use the strength to break the stability.

The Tang Dynasty has all of these, so what is there to hesitate about?

"Send an envoy to the Western Regions immediately," the emperor said slowly.
"Announce an imperial decree to commend the soldiers who went on the Western Expedition. All soldiers will be promoted one level higher in honor, and officers will be promoted one level higher in rank. Their honors and merits will be recorded, and rewards will be given according to their merits after the war."

"Yugushenashenafu was summoned to Chang'an and given the title of Fengyi King and promoted to General of the Right Guard. Zhenzhuyehu was promoted to General of the Left Guard."

"The Moheduo Yehu Ashina Mishe was appointed as the General of the Left Guard, Protector of Kunling, and Khan of Xingxiwang, and was in charge of the five Dulu tribes."

"Ashina Buzhen is appointed as the Right General of the Army, the Deputy Protector of Kunling, and the Junior Khan of Dulu, to assist Mishe in commanding the five Dulu tribes."

"The Khan Shaboluoyehu was renamed the Right Guard General, the Protector of Mengchi, and the Jiwangjue Khan, commanding the five tribes of Nushibi."

······
A series of vassal protectorates, governorates, and states were set up, with the northern and southern courts coexisting, and the two khans, Xingximo and Jiwangjue, serving as the two protectorates.
Dachue and Dashijin, both of whom were masters of the Ten Arrows, were also granted the titles of commander-in-chief and general of the Twelve Guards.

The various officials below were also granted the titles of governor, governor, general, and lieutenant general.

Basically, the emperor adopted all the demarcations of the two courts in the north and south of the Western Regions, the two protectorates, and the various governorates and states proposed by Wu Huaiyu. The emperor also directly adopted all the people he recommended, from the Khan to the provincial governors and city lords.

After much consideration,
The only thing the emperor did not adopt for the time being was to appoint Wu Huaiyi as the Grand Protector of Anxi.

"Sikong, Tongzhongshumenxia Pingzhangshi, Jiaohedao Xingjun Dazhang Wu Huaiyu, and Anxi Daduhu,"

Li Shimin still hoped to keep Wu Huaiyu in the Western Regions.
This was not only to reserve talents for the prince, but also to slightly suppress this capable minister who was outstanding, talented, and had made great achievements.

Of course, putting all that aside, Wu Huaiyu is indeed the most suitable person for this position at the moment. His abilities and strategic planning coincide with those of the emperor, and they have a very good understanding. With him in the Western Regions, Li Shimin can rest assured.

Far away in the West,
The Suiye-Yili River Valley was still cool, but Gaochang was already hot.
At this time, many people in Gaochang were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

"Now that things have come to this, there is nothing to hesitate about,"

The burly and majestic Western Turkic Tutun Ashinaju sighed. He was the champion general of Gaochang, but he was actually the emperor of Gaochang. He was a Tutun sent by Duolu Khan of the Western Turkic to supervise and collect taxes. He was always arrogant and domineering towards Gaochang.

He was really unwilling to see Gaochang Kingdom disappear, but the situation was such that there was nothing he could do. Even Yehu Helu had already gone to Gongyue to pay a visit to Wu Huaiyu.

"Before Helu Yehu left, he told us to capture Gaochang before the Tang army arrived and then present it to the Tang army. We will also have a share of the credit."

The centurions under his command did not take it seriously. "This is easy. Although we do not control the gate of Gaochang, we have been stationed outside the city as usual. However, we have many people in the city. We can seize the gate at any time with just one order. We will gather our men and horses, put on our armor and charge into the palace to capture Qu Wentai and his prince."

was saying,

Suddenly someone came to report that the Prince of Gaochang had sent someone.

"Nasina Tutun, the prince sent me to inform you that the king has suddenly fallen ill and passed away. The prince asks Tutun and the other Turkic nobles to go to the palace immediately to discuss important matters."

(End of this chapter)