First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

...

After Li Shimin finished speaking, the scene froze for a while.

Seeing that the Gao family father and son were silent, Li Shimin knew that he was right.

In fact, since the awarding of meritorious officials, the discussion about the Gao family has not stopped. One family, two princes, two prime ministers, father and son. This kind of talk has spread unknowingly.

Although Gao Chong, the minister of the Ministry of War, is not the prime minister now, but he walks in the political affairs hall, participates in political affairs, and is already a prime minister in essence.

However, all the ministers also knew Gao Chong's status in Li Shimin's mind, so they didn't criticize him in Li Shimin's face, but they all saw the power of the Gao family.

Li Shimin returned to his seat and saw the Gao family's father and son with lowered eyebrows and lowered their heads. He could only sigh and said, "That's it. I'll do what you said. I'll make arrangements for the morning meeting tomorrow."

Gao Chong lowered his head, a strange look flashed in his eyes, and he immediately bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for fulfilling the task."

"But you have to tell me, what are you going to do in Lingnan?" Li Shimin also asked enthusiastically at this time, but he remembered what Gao Chong said just now: he has some ideas about governing the region, and hopes to put them into practice...

Gao Chong grinned. He was prepared for this in response to Li Shimin's question. After all, he couldn't really accomplish nothing after going to Lingnan.

"Your Majesty, even if you don't ask, I am planning to report to you.

As the saying goes, relying on mountains to eat mountains depends on water to drink water, and Lingnan is close to the sea. Nearby, I plan to focus on the development of ocean port trade, apply for the establishment of a city shipping department, and take charge of sea, road, and state relations and trade.

In addition, marine products are abundant, and I also have some ideas about sea salt, seafood and other seafood.

"Shibosi?" Li Shimin paused, "Mr. Shilian and the others have been waiting for a long time, let's talk about the Turks first, and you will stay and talk about the Shibosi in detail later."

Immediately ordered someone to summon Gao Fang and others who were waiting in the side hall.

Li Shimin is no stranger to maritime trade.

As early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, the State of Qi in the Shandong area had already developed a "coastal water route", starting from the Jiaodong Peninsula and going straight to the Liaodong Peninsula, the Korean Peninsula, and the Japanese archipelago.

By the time of the Western Han Dynasty, maritime trade in coastal areas was already very common, and it reached its peak in the Song and Ming dynasties.

Of course, there is no such thing as a Maritime Silk Road, but there is a theory of the Tongyi Seaway. These seaways are safe waterways that the predecessors braved the wind and waves to risk their lives. For example, there is a Guangzhou Tongyi Seaway in Guangzhou.

According to the "New Book of Tang Geographical Records", starting from Guangzhou, there is a sea route leading to countries in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, Northeast Africa and the Persian Gulf, passing through more than 100 countries, with a total length of [-] kilometers.

Liu Yuxi, a man of the Tang Dynasty, wrote a poem praising it: "The waves in the sky are still and the whales are breathing, and the sails reflect the sun and bring many treasures."

In the side hall next door, Gao Shilian, Fang Xuanling and others had been waiting for a long time, and the tea had been brewed twice.

"Mr. Fang, you are discussing matters. Why did His Majesty summon a certain family here?" Shi Danai was fidgeting, and approached Fang Xuanling softly.

Fang Xuanling looked at the bewildered Shi Danai who was also puzzled, so he could only comfort him and said: "Kang Guogong is concerned", he couldn't possibly say that he didn't know either.

Shi Danai smiled bitterly when he heard this, and could only continue to wait uneasily. On the other hand, Gao Shilian closed his eyes and fell asleep, very calm.

Finally hearing Li Shimin's call, everyone straightened their clothes and came to Ganlu Hall.

"You've been waiting for a long time," Li Shimin said with a smile while he was in a good mood.

Gao Shilian was quite surprised, but he knew that Li Shimin was upset because of the Lingnan incident, so why did the emperor smile when Gao Youzhi came.

"Everyone, just now Youzhi came up with two clever ideas." Li Shimin motioned to Zhang Ananda to serve tea, then looked at Gao Chong and said, "Youzhi, tell them again."

When Gao Shilian took the teacup, he felt that his stomach was full of water sloshing, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he immediately put the teacup aside silently.

Gao Chong heard the words and had no choice but to say it again.

After listening to the first article, Shidanai's eyes lit up, and he immediately got up and said: "Your Majesty, I wish to go to the Western Regions."

Li Shimin was quite surprised, and without beating around the bush, he said directly: "Da Nai, you have to be clear, after the incident, you will not only have no merit, but you will also be convicted for it?"

Shi Danai grinned, "As long as His Majesty's plan can be fulfilled, there is no doubt that a certain family will be at His Majesty's disposal."

Gao Chong was stunned when he heard that, and he called him a good guy, whoever said that Hu Yi is upright and can't flatter, listen to what Shidanai said, how pleasant it is.

Li Shimin was also very happy after hearing this, "I am very relieved to have Danai's words."

Then he looked at the other ministers, "Since Danai has no problem, take a look, what should be the best way to do it?"

Gao Shilian frowned and said nothing, he is good at managing politics, but he is not good at this kind of planning, so he immediately looked at Fang Xuanling.

Fang Xuanling understood, and after a little thought, he said: "Youzhi's idea can be said to be stealing the sky, and the timing and candidates are just right, but if you directly send Kang Guogong to send troops to the Western Regions, it may cause people to criticize and be unfair. Public and private actions do not represent the imperial court, but what name Kang Guogong used to go to the Western Regions still needs to be discussed.”

Li Shimin nodded to express his agreement, and said bluntly: "Mr. Gao also mentioned this point just now. After all, Mohemo murdered the king and usurped the throne, which is unpopular. The Tang court must not support such traitors."

At this time, Xiao Yu, who came in silently, snorted abruptly, and said in an extremely firm tone: "Mo He is a traitor like that, the Tang Dynasty should send troops to conquer, if you support this kind of traitor, Definitely abandon both humans and gods."

Xiao Yu has always had a bad temper, and everyone would not care about whether his words were rude, but their eyes lit up when they heard this.

Fang Xuanling showed joy, and said directly: "Mr. Shi Wen's plan is very good."

Xiao Yu heard this and didn't react.

Gao Chong just nodded and praised: "Mr. Shi Wen has a wonderful plan."

Gao Shilian also nodded in agreement, and Nian Xu smiled and said: "Mo Hedu killed the king and stood on his own. As a kingdom of heaven, the Tang Dynasty should be severely condemned. As an ally, it should send envoys to express condolences. Duke Kang was born in the Western Regions, so he is an envoy. best candidate."

The corners of Gao Junya's mouth twitched, and the three of you added each other one after another, your heart was really dark, Mo He stood on his own feet, and then you severely reprimanded him and sent envoys to help him?These people can be said to be completely shameless.

Xiao Yu also understood what the three of them meant at this time, and his face turned red with anger, but he just snorted, waved his sleeves and said, "I don't mean this."

Li Shimin laughed loudly, nodded in praise and said: "Mr. Wen of the time was very wise, so he acted accordingly."

Gao Chong glanced at Xiao Yu in surprise, Xiao Shiwen, who has a bad temper and stubborn temper, is really not easy.

Xiao Yu is an upright person, and he can't see traitors like Mo Hedu the most, but now that he understands the plan, he just denies that it is not his intention, rather than denying the plan, which shows that Xiao Yu believes that this plan is What is beneficial to Datang is that he held back his unhappiness and did not forcefully veto it.

Li Shimin thought for a while, and then said: "Use Danai as an envoy, lead the old Turkic tribe, and [-] soldiers from Suzhou Prefecture, go out to the Western Regions, and condemn Mo Hedu."

Shi Da Nai happily took the order.

Then Gao Chong said quietly from the side: "In the first year of Zhenguan, Ashina Quli in the Western Regions killed the king and usurped the throne. The Tang Dynasty used Kang Guogong Shi Danai as an envoy to severely condemn the unfaithful and unjust rebels. , Si Yehu was frightened and restless, lest Kang Guogong would send troops to attack him in order to avenge the old master Guiyi King, and Kang Guogong would have to launch a self-defense counterattack... ".

Speaking of this, Gao Chong ignored everyone's astonished eyes and continued: "Whoever said that he supports Mo Hedu must join forces with him. If the mission is attacked by Siyehu and fights against him, isn't this also supporting Mo Hedu from the side? ".

……

The voice fell, and there was no sound.

Gao Junya's face trembled. He didn't want to admit that such a shameless person was actually his son.

"Self-defense counterattack...", Li Shimin came back to his senses, and murmured to himself, then looked at Gao Chong with inexplicable eyes, "Youzhi, you... are really a genius".

Gao Chong grinned.

Shi Danai scratched his head, finally reacted, frowned and said: "But how could Si Yehu attack the Tang Dynasty mission for no reason?"

Gao Chong showed helplessness, "Ask Mr. Fang, he is best at planning."

The corner of Fang Xuanling's mouth twitched, and he said in a spirited voice: "You don't need to worry about this Kang Guogong, the Ministry of War will make arrangements for it."

Gao Chong immediately widened his eyes when he heard this.

Everyone laughed when they heard this, but Xiao Yu looked at Gao Chong with contempt and shamelessness, so shameless!

Although these strategies of disrupting the Western Turks are indeed shameless, the strategy of differentiation is really so simple and unpretentious.

I will not allow you to unify, I will support whoever is weak, and keep you balanced all the time. If you hit me, I will hit you. Anyway, it is you who are in conflict.

At that time, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty supported Qimin Khan's independence. The same was true. Placing Qimin Khan in the Hetao area would sometimes lead to fights between Qimin Khan and Dulan Khan. It was also a conspiracy that was not on the table.

Li Shimin was in a very good mood, and then he talked about the Eastern Turks. When he heard that he supported Xue Yantuo's evil Yi and lost his independence, even if he was as stubborn as Xiao Yu, he nodded in agreement.

It’s just that Fang Xuanling thought more far-reaching, and said with some hesitation: “The Eastern Turks are not like the Western Turks. If we directly support Yi Shiyi’s self-reliance, we will definitely offend Xie Li completely, and the time has not yet come.” .

Gao Chong laughed and said, "It's only natural, Mr. Fang, did he forget the eastern tribes?"

Fang Xuanling reacted, and suddenly said: "Khitan?"

"Exactly," Gao Chong said with a smile: "It's still the same sentence. Whoever the Tang wants to support does not have to be revealed in the open. You can let the eastern tribes such as the Khitan and Xi people attach themselves to Xue Yantuo, and then let Su Mo Mohe Fanning the flames, it is absolutely impossible for Xieli to tolerate Yi Shiyinan, he will force Yi Shiyinan to stand on his own."

Everyone agreed after hearing the words, seeing that the plan went so smoothly, Li Shimin was very satisfied, and immediately issued two orders, one bright and the other dark.

The first letter was circulated throughout the world, severely condemning Mo Heduo's rebellious behavior of killing the king and usurping the throne, appointed Kang Guogong Shi Danai as an envoy, led 2000 people from the old Turkic tribe, and 2000 soldiers from Suzhou Prefecture, and went to the Western Regions to ask Yu Mohe duh.

The second letter is a secret decree, asking Duke Yarrow to suddenly fan the flames, use Khitan, Xi tribe and other tribes to build momentum for Xue Yantuo's tribe, and advocate Yi Shi Yi Nan, so that the relationship between Xie Li and Yi Shi Yi Nan must be separated.

After the ministers dispersed, Gao Chong was detained again.

"Tell me about your shipping company," Li Shimin asked straightforwardly.

In history, it was not until the sixth year of Gaozong Xianqing that the Shiboshi was created. However, at this time, the Shiboshi was in charge of the sea and road relations, and was acted by a servant. He represented the court to purchase some imported goods and managed the coastal areas to pay tribute to the emperor. It did not involve business The tax part is not the real Shibo Division later.

The Shibo Department was not designed until the first year of Emperor Xuanzong's reign, but at this time, the Shibo Department only carried out some basic supervision and management of port cargo transactions, and scored points in it, which was too simple.

The Shibo Department in Gao Chong's mind was the Shibo Department in the Song and Ming Dynasties, with a complete system.

For example, a public certificate, that is, a port entry and exit permit issued by the relevant department;

Spot inspection, that is, checking the goods to prevent the entrainment of prohibited items, such as armor, salt and iron, population, etc.);
Extraction, take a percentage of the real object and send it to the capital;

Bobuy, to purchase certain goods at an official price.

……

These corresponding systems were quite mature in the Song and Ming dynasties. The Shibo envoys designed during the Gaozong period were all eunuchs of the inner court. They were not so much Shibosi as "royal buyers" who bought some rare treasures for the emperor. Alien treasure.

However, this is also a limitation of the times. After all, the Maritime Silk Road at this time was not as developed as the Song and Ming Dynasties, but it already met the conditions for setting up a Shibo Department.

When Gao Chong was in Lingnan, he had heard about it. Only the Feng family in Gaozhou had a huge fleet, and they often traveled between Tianzhu, Champa and other places, trading ceramics, silk, spices, accessories, etc., and making huge profits. , It can be described as huge profits.

However, the imperial court did not receive a penny in taxes for such huge profits, so the imperial court suddenly set up a shipping department in Lingnan to collect taxes, which would definitely arouse the resistance of those maritime merchants.

Listening to Gao Chong's detailed explanation of the benefits and disadvantages, Li Shimin's expression gradually became heavy.

After Gao Chong finished speaking, Li Shimin sighed quietly: "I didn't expect such huge profits."

Gao Chong said disapprovingly: "It's actually hard to say, business will definitely promote social development, and it will definitely have a positive effect on the prosperity of the country. It is only natural for businessmen to pursue profits, so you don't have to be angry, Your Majesty. The more businessmen earn, the more the court will The more taxes you extract, as long as you don't mess with people's livelihood, it won't hurt."

Seeing that Li Shimin frowned and said nothing, Gao Chong continued: "Actually, I quite approve of coastal merchants. Your Majesty, take a look at the items they trade. They ship out silk and porcelain, which ordinary people can't afford. Ordinary people still can’t afford spices and jewellery, at least they don’t cheat the poor, they only earn money from high-ranking officials, and it doesn’t do much harm to ordinary people.”

Hearing what Gao Chong said, Li Shimin suddenly felt that there was some truth, and immediately said with some displeasure: "The spices of Tianzhu Dashi are not available to the common people, and I can't afford them either."

Li Shimin suddenly felt a little jealous. One tael of gold and one tael of pepper, spices that even the emperor could not bear to eat, were transported by ship by ship. How rich they must be.

"The Shibo Department must be set up," Li Shimin patted the table and shouted: "You have to work out the original tonight, and put it forward in the court committee early tomorrow morning, and then you will go to Lingnan as soon as you are ready. Get it out."

Gao Chong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and then deliberately said: "The wild land in the South of the Five Ridges, if you go there, you will have to suffer...".

"Go", Li Shimin stared and said, "It's up to you."

Gao Chong laughed loudly, got up and bowed deeply, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, you will surely live up to your high expectations."

I went home late today, I was in a hurry, and I didn't have time to check it. If there are any typos, please point them out, and I will correct them in time.