Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 379 Is it worthy?

Reform the pro-Tang faction.

At that time, Prince Shotoku of the Japanese state studied under the master Hui Ci of Goguryeo, and learned about Chinese Buddhism from Hui Ci. Through Buddhism, he felt the Eastern culture.

At that time, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty in the Central Plains ended the Northern and Southern Dynasties and initiated the rule of Kaihuang, making the country strong and powerful. Because Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was educated in a Buddhist temple when he was young, he believed in Buddhism throughout his life and promoted and cultivated the power of Buddhism.

Therefore, in Huici's words, the Sui Dynasty's "complete official system and strong national power" boasted of heaven and earth.

Prince Shotoku kept this in mind, which also contributed to his subsequent dispatch of envoys to the Sui Dynasty. Of course, at this time, the Japanese country was still very confident. They claimed that they regarded the sky as their brother and the sun as their younger brother. They felt that they were not inferior to the Central Plains. They also had the classic "the emperor at sunrise to the emperor at sunset", and they were so angry that they had succeeded to the throne. Emperor Yang Guang was furious and blocked the envoys from Japan and refused to meet them.

It was not until a year later that Japan changed its attitude, and Yang Guang and envoys from Baekje, Chitu and other countries met with Ono Meizi, the ambassador of Japan.

Yang Guang must have felt sincerity in this meeting, and quickly arranged for the envoy Wen Linlang and Pei Shiqing to go to Japan as an envoy.

It was also from this time that Chinese culture officially influenced the Japanese state, which gave rise to the existence of many envoys sent to the Tang Dynasty.

Not everyone in the Japanese country is arrogant. At least Ono Meizi, Inugami Mita Shu, Yakushi Eri, Jishi Changdan, Jishiju, Gao Xiangxuanli, and Hebian Maro, these envoys to the Tang Dynasty, have seen with their own eyes what the Central Plains is like. scene.

As long as they are not blind, no one will think that China is inferior to Japan...

These initial reform forces in Japan were all pro-Tang faction.

However, with the death of Prince Shotoku, the wealthy family represented by the Soga family emptied out the new emperor of Japan, began to deny the reform, liquidate the reformists, and even exterminated the royal family of the upper palace who had the blood of Prince Shotoku, causing anger and resentment.

The changes in Yisi also came from this.

The light prince, the middle eldest brother prince, and the middle minister Kamazu and their entourage assassinated Souga Niruka and regained power.

Immediately afterwards, the young prince ascended the throne, named Emperor Xiaode, and appointed his eldest brother, the prince, as the crown prince. He started the Dahua reform, and the Japanese country took off.

However, because of Prince Shotoku's failure, divisions arose within the reform faction.

Emperor Xiaode felt that Prince Shotoku's pro-Tang policy should be followed, while Prince Zhong's elder brother was more ambitious. He coveted the land of Silla and had a grudge against Silla, which was a die-hard ally of the Tang Dynasty.

A disagreement arose between the two.

Emperor Xiaodeok and Prince Nakadaegyo both followed the reform route of Prince Shotoku, but Emperor Xiaode was a pro-Tang faction and hoped to have good relations with Tang in terms of policy, like Silla, and get more conveniences.

The eldest brother among the crown princes, the prince, did not follow the reform line of the Tang Dynasty. He meant to imitate the system reform of the Tang Dynasty but kick out the Tang Dynasty.

In the end, Prince Nakadai brother took over Emperor Takatoku: Emperor Takatoku's administrative center was in Namba Kyo, which was later known as Osaka. As the crown prince, Prince Nakadai brother led all officials to move the capital to Asukakyo, leaving Emperor Takatoku directly behind. He went to Namba Palace and was pissed to death.

In order to avoid being accused of plotting to usurp the throne, the prince, the eldest brother, gave up the throne to his mother, the former Huangji Emperor, and continued to control all officials as the crown prince.

Because the eldest brother, the prince, was the victorious party, the pro-reform pro-Tang faction who supported Emperor Xiaode also lost their voice.

The eldest brother, the prince, made a wrong decision and angered the Tang Dynasty, causing the emperor to die tragically.

The disappearing reformist pro-Tang faction has resurfaced...

Inugami Mita Shu was the first wave of Japanese envoys sent to the Tang Dynasty. He had witnessed the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty in its heyday and knew that the Tang Dynasty was invincible. He stood firmly beside Emperor Xiaode, thus being ostracized.

But his prestige was so high that the eldest brother, the prince, did not dare to do anything to him and could only enshrine him.

The remaining pro-reform pro-Tang faction was led by him.

Just when Prince Zhongda's brother returned to Asukakyo, he held his first meeting to discuss the burial of the angry Qiming Japanese Emperor.

In such an atmosphere, Inugami Mita Shu stood up without fear, pointed at the prince, the eldest brother in mourning clothes, and said loudly: "The prince has died of illness one after another. Do you really think you can hide it from the world? "

The prince, the eldest brother, looked at Mita Inugami with a stern look. He had already predicted that this defeat would cause his prestige to plummet, and a clown would surely act as a monster, but he didn't expect to choose this moment.

"Then tell me, Yi Quan Shang Daren, how did His Majesty die?"

Da Ren is the title of Mita Inugami. The core of Prince Shotoku's reform was to establish a title system for the Japanese country. It is called the twelfth rank of the crown, which are Dade, Xiaode, Daren, Xiaoren, Dali, and Xiaoli. , Daxin, Xiaoxin, Dayi, Xiaoyi, Dazhi, Xiaozhi, etc. Each level uses the corresponding color to make the crown and hat. From top to bottom, it is purple, green, red, yellow, white, black, two levels and one color. .

Inugami Mita Shu said sternly: "I heard that the reason why your majesty passed away was because of the crown prince's wanton behavior. Our country provoked such a powerful enemy for no reason, which caused his majesty's death. Unfaithful and unfilial, you should be punished like this!"

Inugami Mita Shu's words also alluded to the fact that the prince, the eldest brother, was so angry that he killed Emperor Xiaotoku. The words he used in his words were not unscrupulous. He did not save any face for the prince, the eldest brother, and was completely forcing the palace.

A trace of warmth and anger flashed in the eyes of the prince, the eldest brother of the Central Government. He knew that he would face a severe test when he returned to the capital after a defeat, but he didn't want it to happen so quickly. He didn't even wait for the late emperor's posthumous arrangements to be forced into the palace.

Faced with what Inugami Mita Shu said, the prince, the eldest brother, could not even argue.

All this is also related to Chen Qingsi's unintentional interference.

Chen Qingsi released false news that Zhongchen Dahui leaked Japanese military information, leading to Japan's defeat.

The entire Japanese country believed it.

Nakatomi comes from a family of Japanese priests, and starting from Prince Shotoku, Japan mainly promotes Buddhism.

Japanese Buddhism originated in the Central Plains, and the real Han Buddhism has nothing to do with Tianzhu.

Therefore, most Buddhists are pro-Tang...

Prince Nakatomi was able to take over Emperor Xiaotoku back then. Nakatomi Kamazu, who came from a family of priests, was the first contributor and his right and left arm. At this time, the more he could not sacrifice his arm.

Although a broken arm can survive in emergency situations, it can also hasten death.

"The blame for victory or defeat lies with me!" The eldest brother, the prince, bears the blame alone. "This palace has made long-term plans for Japan, and I have no regrets. If thieves invade our homeland, I will find a way to repel the enemy. But it is the crime of forcing your majesty to death. This palace cannot afford it..."

"Inugami Daren..." The eldest brother, the prince, glared angrily, "You are in Asuka Capital, you only heard a few nonsense words, and then you are talking nonsense here. Do you really think that this palace does not dare to kill you?"

Inugami Mitaru had been suppressed for too long, and he didn't feel that the atmosphere was wrong, so he said: "The Crown Prince really thinks you can block the mouth of the world? Who among the civil and military ministers in the dynasty doesn't know about this?"

The eldest brother, the prince, was not angry but smiled and said: "Well, I want to see who dares to talk nonsense."

He said and looked around the hall.

Inugami Mita Sagi looked directly at the top ministers on the left, Abe Uchimaro, and the right minister, Soga Ishikawa Maro.

The left and right ministers of the Japanese state are staunch conservatives. The Abe family and the Soga family are both top wealthy families in the Japanese state.

Among them, Soga was the most important. At that time, Soga Ezo and Soga Ruika were so arrogant that even if Emperor Xiaotoku and Prince Nakadai launched a coup to remove the two of them, they would not dare to touch the Soga clan and would only dare to remove Soga. Ezo and Soga are members of the deer family.

Abe Uchimaro and Soga Ishikawa Maro represent the interests of Japan's wealthy families. They hate reform so much, how can they let go of this opportunity to deal with the prince, the eldest brother of Naka?
Appear unexpectedly.

Soga Ishikawa Maro saw Inugami Mita Sagi's eyes falling on him and said, "Inukami Taihito, what do you think of me? I have been accompanying your majesty in Tsukushi. I saw with my own eyes that she was losing weight due to fatigue and was seriously ill. I can't let someone do it." Tell lies."

Abe Uchimaro also said: "We saw His Majesty die of illness with our own eyes. I really don't know why Inugami Daihito said this!"

Inugami Santian stood stunned on the spot. The face of the eldest brother, the prince, showed a hint of ridicule, but also a hint of happiness.

The defeat of Japan was too painful and painful for him.

On the way to escape, the prince, the eldest brother, had already encountered what would happen after returning to Beijing.

The conservatives and the pro-Tang faction will definitely take the opportunity to attack him, and he will not be able to face the siege of the two factions.

He must win over a faction to stabilize his position.

The purpose of the conservatives was only to safeguard the interests of the old aristocracy, while the pro-Tang faction wanted his death.

For some reason, on the way back, Prince Nakadai first compromised with the conservatives Abe Uchimaro and Soga Ishikawa, adopted a policy of compromise, gave up some reforms, and personally promulgated an edict to allow them to privately own the tribe.

The people are slaves...

Nine times out of ten all reforms in the world are aimed at liberating productive forces.

The Japanese reforms also aimed to convert slaves in the hands of nobles from private to public in order to increase population productivity.

To allow them to own slaves was to trample on the ground the fruits of reform.

But the effect is still very obvious. As long as their own interests remain unchanged, the conservatives don't care what their eldest brother, the prince, does.

Inugami Mitsuda also reacted: "That's it, that's it. Haha, Prince Shotoku, if you have eyes, take a look at how this person you brought up with your own hands tramples on your achievements..."

He left like a madman.

The prince, the eldest brother, had a tense face, his face was burning with pain, and he didn't even dare to look at the dazzling eyes around him. He seems to have won, but also seems not to have won.

The meeting continued, the funeral arrangements were decided, and the eldest brother, the prince, ended the meeting hastily.

Without saying a word, he returned to the inner courtyard, drew his sword, and chopped at the wooden piles to vent his dissatisfaction and anger.

Until he collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, and the blade in his hand was curled up.

The Waji King who was beside him looked timidly at his uncle and husband and said, "Nakatomi Da Ziguan is waiting outside the palace."

Without saying a word, the prince, the eldest brother, returned to the palace and invited the central minister, Kazuzu, into the palace.

"Thanks to Da Zi Guan's reminder, Inu Shang San Tian Shu came here well prepared today. If we hadn't been fully prepared, we wouldn't have been able to do well today."

Inugami Mita Shu only has prestige and no hard power. But standing behind him were the monks Benzheng and Daozhao.

The monks of the Japanese country are a group of lunatics who are desperate for their lives.

Nakatomi Kamatashi said: "It's too early to say this now. If the Tang army is not driven out of the country, this matter will still not be solved."

Prince Zhong, the eldest brother, punched the floor with his fist in anger and said, "Damn it, Tang Nu, you are really pushing your limits. What can you do?"

Zhongchen Kamazou said: "Please plead guilty and seek peace. According to what I know, the Tang court does not care about our Japanese country. Their main goal is Goguryeo. As long as we are sincere in our apology and prepare enough heavy gifts, we should be able to persuade them to withdraw..."

The eyes of the prince, the eldest brother, were full of humiliation, and he asked: "Who is the right person to send?"

"Namba Megumi!"

Nakatomi Kamazu said a name.

"Just him!" The eldest brother, the prince, obviously knew this person.

Namba Megumi was the court pharmacist of the Japanese state. He accompanied Inugami Mita on his mission to the Tang Dynasty and was also the deputy of Inugami Mita.

He immediately wrote a letter of credence in person, and then had people prepare generous gifts, and ordered Namba Eri to be envoy to the Tang Dynasty.

Namba Eri brought the Japanese credentials and heavy gifts to the Nagato Kingdom, which was already under the control of the Tang army.

When two countries are at war, it is a rule not to make things difficult for them.

Hei Te Changzhi did not embarrass Namba Huiri and sent someone to escort him to Liu Rengui.

Liu Rengui also asked people to send him to Xiongjin.

When Chen Qingsi learned that Namba Eri was asking for an audience with his credentials, he did not immediately see Namba Eri, but asked him to submit his credentials.

Namba Eri presented her credentials honestly.

Chen Qingsi opened the credentials with some anticipation and looked at the credentials written by the eldest brother, the prince, with a hint of ridicule on his face, as expected.

He thought about it and tore up the credentials directly, handed it to the stunned Lu Zhaolin and said: "Go, let the envoy named Namba Eri kneel down outside the Governor's Mansion, face to the north, and let him hold the credentials. Book, when should you figure out where you went wrong and when should you get up."

Within the reach of Chinese influence, no country can call itself emperor or emperor.

Japan is an exception...

An island country, a small land, a barbarian who has not yet emerged from slavery, but has the ambition to be on an equal footing with the Chinese court.

Thinking that the national character is the same as that of the Central Plains?
Also match?

In history, in addition to the incident of "the emperor at sunrise to the emperor at sunset", there is another incident. During the Zhenguan period, after Inugami Mita Shu went to the Tang Dynasty for the first time, Li Shimin was very happy and sent an envoy to the Japanese country to enthrone and declare The decree of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

The envoy's name is Gao Biaoren, the son of Prime Minister Gao Jiong. His family background is very prominent, and he is outstanding in knowledge, knowledge, and personal image.

When Gao Biaoren arrived at Nambajin, he received the most solemn welcome. Thirty-two ceremonial boats lined up, with colorful flags hung high and drums and drums blaring.

Gao Biaoren was quite happy at first, thinking that although the Japanese country was small and broken, it could be regarded as a country of etiquette.

But then when they actually met the Japanese emperor, there was a conflict.

According to the decree of Emperor Tiankhan of the Tang Dynasty, a small Japanese king had to get down from his position and kneel facing the north, kneeling with the courtesy of a monarch and minister to receive the decree of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

This move was opposed by the Japanese king and ministers. The Japanese emperor Shu Ming believed that he and the Tang emperor were both emperors, and there was no relationship between monarch and minister, so he was unwilling to kneel.

The Japanese ministers also felt so.

Gao Biaoren was immediately angry and didn't give any face. He walked away on the spot without saying a word. There was no room for negotiation. He was not willing to stay in the Japanese country for a moment and return to the Tang Dynasty.

The same goes for this letter of credence. Although it says all the good things, the letter of credence puts the Japanese state and the Tang Dynasty on the same level.

The only difference is the losing side.

(End of this chapter)