First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 359
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Even so, Gao Chong believed that Li Yuan probably didn't want to kill Tian Zongxian, after all, Tian Zongxian didn't turn against him.

Just because Tian Zongxian had been in central Guizhou for a long time, Li Yuan was afraid, so he deliberately called Tian Zongxian to return to the court to solve the problem of Qianzhou's dominance.

Having figured out this link, Gao Chong looked at Tian Zongxian with twinkling eyes, and he did not back away, "Dare to ask Tian Jiedu, please look at today's Qianzhong, who is actually in charge of the world?"

Tian Zongxian opened his mouth and sighed helplessly: "This old man knows the reason. You have lived in the Han area for a long time, and you don't know anything. There are many barbarians in Guizhou and few Han people. You only know about the barbarians, but you don't know the government, let alone the imperial court. In the hands of Manshuai, the position of governor is in name only, and Tian Sihe was a typical example.

After the old man entered Guizhou, he began to suppress Manshuai. After more than ten years of fighting, he defeated the Fuling Tian clan and severely suppressed Manshuai's prestige. Only in this way did the government establish its prestige in Guizhou and educate it.

It’s not that the old man is arrogant, if someone without prestige came to govern central Guizhou, he would not be able to suppress the powerful families from all sides, and central Guizhou would be in chaos.”

Tian Shikang also said in a cold voice: "Those wealthy families with ulterior motives in central Guizhou would like to be without government discipline. If there is no father in charge, this government office is just an empty shell."

Hearing what the father and son said, Gao Chong probably also understood, and bowed deeply to Tian Zongxian, "Tian Jiedu's achievements in governing Guizhou will surely last forever, and future generations of Guizhou people should also praise Tian Jiedu's achievements in governing Guizhou. It is also more praise, but if there are problems, you can communicate, and you can write to the court to speak out.

If officials from all over the country refuse to return to the court to report on their duties like Tian Jiedu, what is the prestige of the court?Isn't it just like the former Guizhou, where there is a strong relationship, I hope Tian Jiedu thinks twice, don't realize it by yourself, and ruin your reputation for a lifetime."

This is not Gao Chong's intentional flattery. Tian Zongxian is known as the founder of Guizhou in history, and he is indeed praised a lot.

The land in the middle of Guizhou is a land of barbarians to put it bluntly at this time. The people do not know the government and cannot educate them. powerful.

Gao Chong also has some understanding of this, for example, the common people will obediently hand over the matter of taxes to Manshuai.

Court?Government?It was too far away from them. As for whether the taxes would be paid to the imperial court, it would depend on the man himself. In fact, the taxes in central Guizhou were very small for the central plains imperial court.

Previously, the monarchs of all dynasties only needed one form. As long as there was no chaos in central Guizhou and they were attached to the imperial court, they could live in peace.

It's just that a large part of the reason is that the Southern and Northern Dynasties have been fighting endlessly for hundreds of years. Now that the world is unified, Li Yuan is proud and arrogant. Since he will not allow such an independent existence, he intends to change this situation. At least, the local officials need to Appointment by the imperial court, rather than granting and accepting privately.

After hearing these words, Tian Zongxian remained silent, Tian Shikang said directly: "If it's hard to save your life, what's the use of reputation?"

"Then what do you want to do? Separate the regime and stand on your own?" Gao Chong smiled disdainfully, "Tian Shishi is not mediocre, why don't you wake up, more than [-] states in the world belong to the Tang Dynasty, how dare you be the king in this remote place? "

Tian Shikang was furious when he heard the words, his face turned red, but he couldn't refute it, Tian Shikang didn't know that rebellion would only lead to death, but it would be impossible for his father and son to enter the court and die, and he was filled with pent-up resentment.

"This old man has absolutely no desire to stand on his own feet," Tian Zongxian said in a deep voice, "It's too much to underestimate this old man if he just leads his neck to be slaughtered."

Gao Chong shook his head and smiled when he heard the words: "From the beginning to the end, no one has ever tried to harm you. All these things are nothing more than Tian Cishi can't let go of his power, and he is reluctant to part with the throne of the King of Central Guizhou."

"What is the King of Qianzhong, the old man definitely has no such intentions", Tian Zongxian said coldly, already angry.

"This Qianzhou official position is given to you privately, isn't it the king of Qianzhong?" Gao Chong was also tit-for-tat.

Jiang Baoyi secretly clenched the handle of the knife, his palms sweating slightly.

"Are you trying to force the old man back?" Tian Zongxian's eyes flashed sternly.

"There is no one who opposes anyone, and a person who is loyal to the emperor and loves the people will never be influenced by others.

For example, Madam Xian in Lingnan, the common people reveres her as the Holy Mother, and the imperial court praises her. From then on, Madam Xian will only be respected by others." Nailed to the pillar of shame in history and reviled by others."

The atmosphere was silent again, Tian Zongxian was breathing heavily, and Gao Chong watched quietly.

"If the old man enters the imperial court, will he have his life?" Tian Zongxian murmured.

"Why is Tian Jiedu scaring himself here?" Gao Chong said with a smile: "With your merits, after entering the court, there will be no less than the Duke of the country, even the position of the three princes, I don't know.

You must know that you are a hero of the Tang Dynasty, not a traitor who surrendered, and you are completely different from Dou Xiao and others."

This made Tian Zongxian suddenly enlightened, his eyes lit up, and he said directly: "Exactly, Dou Xiao and others are rebels...".

"Aye, think twice," Tian Shikang said hastily upon seeing this.

"I have devoted my whole life to the stability of Guizhou, and I have no objection. This heart can be learned from heaven and earth." Tian Zongxian sighed: "The stability of Guizhou has been poured into the painstaking efforts of this old man. I don't want to destroy it with my own hands. Ambassador Gao, I will do it tomorrow." I wrote a letter to the imperial court, asking to enter the imperial court, and begging for the bones, and I hope that Ambassador Gao will sign it for me."

Gao Chong was overjoyed and said directly: "Tian Jiedu, you will definitely not regret this move. Your achievements in central Guizhou will be passed down from generation to generation just like Mrs. Xian in Lingnan."

Tian Shikang opened his mouth, hesitated to speak, and finally heaved a deep sigh and stopped him no longer.

Seeing this, Gao Chong smiled and said: "Tian Jiedu can ask for rewards from the saints after he is still in court, such as houses, gold and silver, servants and so on.

This can show Tian Jiedu's intention to retire, and besides, the remote place in central Guizhou is not as comfortable as Chang'an, I would like to recommend Tian Jiedu to return to Beijing to serve."

Tian Zongxian was thoughtful when he heard the words, "Does the ambassador want me to imitate Wang Jian's self-defilement?"

"Exactly, such a simple method can just show the heart of the saint. Tian Jiedu is open-minded, so he should not be afraid of gossip." Gao Chong nodded and replied.

"Very good", Tian Zongxian nodded and praised: "It's just that the situation in central Guizhou is complicated, and I'm afraid Shikang can't accompany him into the court."

"This matter is simple. If you want the imperial court to trust you, you can take Tian Yangming back to Beijing, let him study in the Imperial College, and then become an official in Beijing." Tian Zongxian came up with a plan.

Tian Shikang's eyes widened, and then he shook his head helplessly and smiled wryly. Tian Zongxian also reacted, and said with a smile: "The imperial court trusts... Ambassador Gao really speaks out, so we will arrange it like this."

Gao Chong smiled and nodded.

At this time, Tian Zongxian looked at Gao Chong with a pointed smile and said, "Since the old man is no longer threatening, shouldn't the soldiers and horses outside the government office be withdrawn?"

Gao Chong was slightly startled, and Tian Shikang was even more frightened and furious, glaring at him, waiting for Gao Chong's answer.

(End of this chapter)