A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 885: Bianzhou Revival East Court Envoy, East Palace Instructions to Cook Green Plums

Bianzhou
Although it had been occupied by rebels for several years, people's livelihood was in decline and the people fled to other states.

But since the imperial court took it into its possession, the Bai family has operated this place as a core city in the south, connecting the north and the south and commanding the east and the west.

Bianzhou thus revived, and wealth from the south of the Yangtze River and overseas arrived here via the canal, and then dispersed from Bianzhou to Hebei, Henan, Guanzhong and other places.

Therefore, in order to better manage the south, Bai Qing established the East Court Envoy's Office here instead of Qingzhou.

In the city of Bianzhou, a prince's palace from the reign of Emperor Xuanzong was given to the Bai family by Li Yu.

The Bai family used this mansion as the East Court Envoy's Mansion, with hundreds of clansmen in it, controlling all the Bai family members south of the Yellow River except for the areas of Bashu, Yunnan and Guizhou.

Bai Xin, the envoy of the East Court, gathered the core clan members from all over the place and announced the new system of Baoying.

"You are all elders of the Bai clan, or leaders of the Bai clan. The head of the clan has spent years clarifying the scope of authority and responsibility. You must not cross the line without permission and disrupt the family order. Otherwise, I will not forgive you."

In the central hall of the East Palace, Bai Xin warned the many clansmen in the hall from the main seat.

After everyone left, they received the "Baoying New System Book" from the head of the East Palace, as well as a system envoy from Songxi who had been trained by Bai Qing, to help and supervise them in establishing the new system after they returned home.

A month ago, the Beizong, the newly built Hebei Parliament, the Xizong and the Nine Courts had all completed their restructuring.

As for the Southwest Sect and the Southwest Council, Bai Qing also sent several envoys, who returned to the Southwest Sect under the leadership of Bai Taihu, the director of the Southwest Patrol Court who came to Jin.

"Bai Shaopeng stays."

After everyone left, the new Dongzong leader Bai Shaopeng was left alone by Bai Xin.

"Master Bai, do you know why I want to leave you alone?"

"Perhaps it's about the Henan Council?"

"He is indeed the person praised by my grandfather." Bai Xin said with relief, "The previous failure of the Henan Parliament was because Henan was occupied by the rebels."

"Now that the rebels have been defeated and many of the clansmen have returned home, it's time to build a parliament here. Henan is within the territory of your Dongzong, so you Dongzong should give more help. You have a heavy task ahead of you."

Bai Shaopeng said without hesitation: "Please rest assured, I will live up to the trust of the master."

As for why the Bai family only rebuilt the Hebei and Henan parliaments but not the Northwestern Parliament, it was because Guanzhong was the imperial court's exclusive territory, and the previous establishment of the Beijing Merchants had already caused Li Yu's dissatisfaction.

What would the court think if the Northwest Parliament was established again?

Therefore, in order not to arouse the imperial court's suspicion, Bai Qing did not rebuild the Northwest Parliament, but established the Hedong Parliament instead, placing the northwestern areas under the responsibility of the Hedong Parliament. He only set up an inspector in Xianyang to inspect the clansmen in various parts of Guanzhong.

Actually, Bai Qing intended to establish a Western Region Parliament, but now the imperial court was unstable, Tubo was powerful, and had blocked the Hexi Corridor. The main court could not get any news from the Western Region people and had to give up.

After Bai Shaopeng retreated, a clan member came in. It was Bai Wenjin, the Henan Inspector and former secretary of the record office, who followed Bai Jing.

"Son."

Bai Wenjin did not address him as "Envoy", but as "Young Master", his intention to be close to him was clearly revealed.

"Yeah." Bai Xin nodded. He valued this assistant beside his father very much. He was a member of the Songxi tribe and was capable, so he could be used.

"The Henan Parliament is about to be established. If the clan members who fled to the mountains before want to settle down, in addition to the help of the government, the family also needs to provide certain help. You have to take action."

"Yes."

"In addition, you need to get in touch with officials from all over the country, support a few of our own people, and win over officials who are willing to speak for us. If they are truly loyal to us, you can help them get promoted."

Hearing that Bai Xin wanted to intervene in the affairs of the court, Bai Wenjin hesitated: "Is this the arrangement of the young master?"

Bai Xin shook his head: "This is my own idea, but my father thinks so too."

After that, he revealed a little secret to Bai Wenjin:
"Father believes that the Li Tang Dynasty has reached its end. The court officials are restless. The Khitan and Tubo people on the border are gaining strength. The generals on the border want to establish their own regimes. The eunuchs are in power, but the people in the palace are still fighting for power."

"This is the end of the dynasty. The Tang Dynasty has been in existence for over 150 years, and it is not far from a major change. Looking at the state of the royal family, I am afraid it will be difficult for a ruler to revive the dynasty."

"The family must plan ahead and make preparations in advance, so you should try to tell the Henan clansmen who have returned to settle down near Shouzhou and Sizhou." "Because when the world is in chaos, the land of Luobian will definitely become the center of the vortex."

"Moreover, the head of the family already has a plan in mind. If it is realized, the family should be able to fulfill a wish that has not been fulfilled for thousands of years."

Bai Wenjin asked excitedly, "You mean?"

Bai Xin shook his head: "I don't know much either. I think only the head of the family knows about this. You and I don't need to think too much about it. Just do your job well."

"Yes."

Bai Xin stood in the empty hall, sighing repeatedly:

"After walking for a thousand years, can we really reach the other side? Could it be another 'Baiyuan becomes king' or 'Chaoge establishes the throne'? If so, how many more thousand years will we have to wait?"

While Bai Xin sighed that he couldn't see the future of his family.

In the far north, a tea party was taking place in Songxi Bai Mansion, the core clan seat of the Bai family under the jurisdiction of Taiyuan Prefecture.

There were five people at the tea party, hosted by the head of the Bai family, the navigator, and the Duke of Bai of the Tang Dynasty - Bai Qing.

The participants included: the young master of the Bai family, the chief of the main courtyard, the eldest son of Bai Qing, the noble poet, the Duke of Lu of the Tang Dynasty, and the Grand Tutor - Bai Jing.

The director of the Bai Family Military Academy, the second son of Bai Qing, the governor of Hedong in the Tang Dynasty, Duke of Xing, General of the Cavalry, Minister of War, and Prime Minister - Bai Niu.

The director of the Bai Family Academy of Gewu, the third son of Bai Qing, the teacher of Songxi Academy, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College of the Tang Dynasty, the judge of Taiyuan Prefecture, and the senior official of the Imperial Court - Bai Tong.

Bai Shen, the great-grandson of Bai Qing, grandson of Bai Jing, eldest son of Bai Xin, and the grandson who just turned twenty this year.

At this time, Bai Qing and his two sons were sitting around a stone table under a green plum tree, with only the younger Bai Shen standing on their left and right.

In the center of the stone table, there was a tiny stove burning red hot. On it was a copper pot, and steam was constantly gushing out of the pot's mouth.

Among the four, Bai Tong was responsible for making tea, and then handed it to Bai Shen who was standing by to pour the tea. He skillfully added tea to the great-grandfather, grandfather, second great-uncle, and third great-uncle.

The four of them each held a cup of tea, sipped it, warmed themselves by the fire, and discussed family and national affairs while listening to the dancing snowflakes.

Bai Shen said nothing, but just pricked up his ears and listened carefully.

It was already December, and in another month it would be another year. If the emperor in the south did not change the reign title, next year would be the second year of Guangde.

But everyone present knew that the one in the south might have a hard winter.

Because Tubo has invaded the border again.

Moreover, one of the major contributors to the Anshi Rebellion, Shuofang Jiedushi and Daning County Prince Pugu Huai'en, was forced by Fengxiang Jiedushi Xin Yunjing and eunuch Luo Fengxian to send his son Pugu Yan to attack Fengxiang Prefecture without the court's consent.

The court and the public were shocked. Although the court finally managed to appease Pugu Huai'en and defeated the invading Pugu Yan, the Shuofang Army, which had been loyal to the court, became alienated from it.

The Tibetans seized the opportunity, won over Gao Hui, the governor of Jingzhou, and broke into Guanzhong, plundering the area north of the Wei River. The Shuofang army just watched from the sidelines and did not make any move.

However, the eunuch Cheng Yuanzhen, who was in charge of the military affairs both at home and abroad, concealed the situation and did not report it. Within a month, the Tubo invaded Fengtian and Wugong and approached the capital.

Upon learning of this, Li Yu hastily appointed Prince Yong Li Shi as the Marshal of Guannei, and at the same time appointed Guo Ziyi as the Deputy Marshal, to go to Xianyang to resist the enemy.

But it was too late. Li Yu had to flee the capital in a hurry and seek refuge in Shanzhou. The people of Chang'an also fled into the mountains to avoid disaster.

The spies from Guanzhong reported: "The saint has moved to Shanzhou."

Afterwards, the Tibetans invaded Chang'an, established Prince Guangwu Li Chenghong as emperor, named him a wise ruler, looted the treasury and the market, and let their soldiers burn the houses, leaving the city empty.

Fortunately, Guo Ziyi remained calm in the face of danger and dealt with the enemy skillfully. In addition, the weather turned colder, forcing Tubo to withdraw from Chang'an City.

This month, Guo Ziyi cleared out the Hu soldiers wandering around the capital, and Li Yu was able to return to Chang'an. In gratitude, he ordered a generous reward for Guo Ziyi.

(End of this chapter)