Established a millennium family since King Wu defeated Zhou

Chapter 938: The Xuanmen from the Western Regions Comes from the East
At its peak, the Tang Dynasty reached the sea in the east, the desert in the north, and the mountains in the south. Its territory was 15,000 miles from east to west, and 12,000 miles from north to south. Chang'an was filled with tributary countries. Chang'an was a veritable city of the world, dominating the world. The crown of ten thousand cities, the outstanding pearl.

If there is any dirt on this pearl, it is Tubo and the Western Turks. In the 17th year of Zhenguan, Tubo completely surrendered and accepted the order of the Tang Dynasty. However, Li Shimin knew clearly in his heart that Tubo was still a threat, but even if this threat was him, The jian cannot be removed.

The soldiers of the Tang Dynasty had reached their limit when they reached Qinghai. When they marched into Tubo territory, more than 70% of them died on the roadside. Li Shimin decisively canceled his plan to compete with Tubo in the snowy areas and instead pursued a national policy of defensive counterattack. However, he pinned his hopes on those feudal lords. country, I hope these feudal countries can make achievements.

As for the Western Turks, in fact, since the seventh year of Zhenguan, the Western Turks have always submitted to the order of the Tang Dynasty Khan, and they have generally sent envoys to pay tribute over the years.

However, after eleven years of Zhenguan, a closer look at the relationship revealed that it was a typical example of "listening to the tune but not the propaganda". He listened to the call of the central government of the Tang court, but maintained his independence and autonomy. He did not listen to the emperor's call or summons, and even more so. I won't miss going to court to see you.

The conquest of Gaochang was a kind of shock to the Western Turks, telling them not to act rashly. The Khan of the Western Turks was indeed frightened, and ran to Shenlin City out of fear. Finally, he was recognized by Xuanmen and established a firm foothold in the Western Regions, thus forming a The current situation.

This could be regarded as a somewhat self-defeating strategy on the part of the Tang Dynasty, but it was also due to the lack of understanding of the Western Regions. Unexpectedly, Xuanmen's power and influence had reached such an extent.

Later, Datang was busy with enfeoffment affairs and Liaodong affairs, and naturally could not spare any time to deal with affairs in the Western Regions.

Now that the Liaodong issue has been resolved, the Tang Dynasty has naturally turned its attention to the Western Regions. Like a tiger gathering in the jungle, the movements of a huge empire will make all forces fear it.

……

Under the gaze of the Tang Dynasty, the countries in the Western Regions were like a small boat on the sea, trembling.

God comes to the city, the temple.

Luo Xuanzang did not wear a wreath of thorns today, but instead wore a gold crown studded with gems. He held a golden staff studded with countless gems. Countless white, purple, and golden flags surrounded him, swaying in the wind, like the waves on the ocean. The waves, almost all flags, are embroidered with phoenix patterns.

The priest in white robe bowed to Luo Xuanzang, "Holy throne, the Khan of the Western Turks is asking for an audience outside the hall. There are also twelve kings outside the hall. Do you want them to come in?"

The Holy Seat, the Holy Seat, the Divine Seat.

Just like the titles of majesty, saint, country, etc. to the king, these titles are the honorific titles of the high priest in the Western Regions, which reflects Luo Xuanzang's status in the Western Regions.

This status is naturally based on strength, which is a chain reaction of the reconstruction of the Temple Army. When the Tang Dynasty expedition to Liaodong, the Temple Army also expedition to Tochara in Central Asia, starting from Shenlin City, with one man and seven horses, working day and night. , wiped out the Tocharian nobles, cut off the grass and roots, burned Tocharian to a white ground and returned, which lasted for sixty-three days.

Luo Xuanzang nodded slightly, and the priest bowed and exited the hall. Not long after, a group of nobles dressed in splendid attire and richly decorated walked in, "See the Holy See."

Luo Xuanzang nodded again. His face was already quite old, but the wrinkles on his face became more and more like knives and axes, and his eyes were as sharp as daggers piercing. Even the gentle waving flag could not improve it. At one point, it only makes people inexplicably think of bronze and solid iron.

"What's the matter?"

Everyone looked at the Khan of the Western Turks, and the meaning in his eyes was, "You have the best relationship with the Holy See, and you, the Western Turks, are the strongest country in the Western Regions. Come to think of it."

Western Turkic Khan Ashina Sain cursed in his heart. He really didn't want to see the Holy See unless he had to, but at this moment he could only bite the bullet and said tremblingly: "The Holy See, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty will personally conquer it. After destroying the Liaodong Kingdom and the other two countries on the peninsula, the Andong Protectorate was established in Liaodong, and the Qi Kingdom was also enfeoffed.

Within the territory of the Tang Dynasty, only our Western Region is still semi-independent of the Tang Dynasty. A few days ago, the Tang Dynasty had plans to send more troops to the Protectorate of Anxi. Does this mean that the Tang Dynasty is going to attack our Western Region? "

Who is not afraid of the Tang Dynasty now?
The current Datang Dynasty is much stronger than the Datang Dynasty before Ji Zhao traveled through time, or in other words, it is not on the same level at all.

The Tang Dynasty before Ji Zhao traveled through was completely tortured by Guang Shen. It had only two million households. The thousands of miles of land from Guanzhong to Guandong were so uninhabited that even wild animals could not survive. There were abandoned lands everywhere. Come and see them. When the envoys from various countries saw this scene, they naturally felt contempt.

At that time, Datang's control over the surrounding areas was purely Jisi Prefecture, and there was no spare power to do other things except to resume production with all its strength.

The current Tang Dynasty has 7 million households, so it can continuously enfeoff Yan, Qin and Qi, and it can also enfeoff so many princely states. You must know that investment is required in the early stage of enfeoffment. There are no 7 million households. Population support, enfeoffment is just a dream.

In addition to these enfeoffments, it can also quickly change the structure of surrounding ethnic groups. It also relies on the crushing of population. Population is power. Therefore, the current Tang Dynasty suppresses the world, and it is not suppression in name only, but real expansion. Out tentacles.

If there were only two million households in the Tang Dynasty, Ashina Sain would really not be afraid of the Tang Dynasty. After all, the Tang Dynasty could not come with all its troops, and it would always have to be on guard against Mobei, Liaodong and Tubo.

But now Datang can suppress the Western Turks as long as it frees up one hand, which makes Ashina Sain fear from the bottom of his heart.

The other kings of the Western Regions also nodded. These kings were all under the Tiankhan system and had obeyed orders to send troops, but sincerely they did not want the Tang Dynasty to enter the Western Regions.

The Western Regions have the rules of the Western Regions. When you join a big country, many things will have to change, such as the tax on caravans traveling through the Western Regions. Most of the wealthy countries in the Western Regions are on this commercial tax.

When Luo Xuanzang heard this, there was no unnecessary expression on his face, and his voice was like gold and stone hitting each other, "What is there to be afraid of?
I am here, and the temple is here. If the Tang Dynasty tried to attack the Western Regions with swords, there would naturally be angry flames added to the swords of the warriors to welcome the glorious victory. "

Luo Xuanzang's voice was like thunder, falling on everyone's ears.

Ashinasain was excited. This was the first time he heard such clear words from the Holy See. Before he could speak, Luo Xuanzang's voice sounded again, and it was still a warning like stone, " The countries in the Western Regions should not provoke the Tang Dynasty and maintain peace between the two sides. This is my will.

Promoting Taoism in the Western Region and making the Western Region prosperous at the same time is the original intention of King Su in giving the crown. I will not support some ambitious people. The magic staff and sword can not only repel external enemies, but also eradicate internal enemies.

I hope you and others will know. "

Everyone was shocked in their hearts. They all called their queens and slowly exited the palace. A young woman, about twenty years old, walked out of the palace. She looked a little exotic in Persian style. She was dressed in a gorgeous gauze-like dress with gold embroidery. On it, it is extremely beautiful.

Her mother was a Persian princess who fled from Persia and came to the Western Regions. Because of her beauty, she was dedicated to a big man in the temple. Later, she gave birth to the woman in front of her. She was very talented and was selected by Luo Xuanzang as the god of this generation. The temple saint's name is Dai Lisi in Persian and Zhao Dai'er in Chinese.

"The Holy See."

Zhao Daier leaned over softly to pay homage to Luo Xuanzang. She could become a saint not only because of her great appearance, but also because of her amazing beauty. The saint had a special status in the temple and had to see believers frequently, so her image was It must be outstanding among thousands of people.

The appearance must be so beautiful that people can recognize it at a glance. Zhao Daier obviously meets this requirement. She combines the appearance advantages of Han and Persian, and is astonishingly beautiful. If judged by the Rockwell numerical value, she is about 98, which is almost approaching the limit.

"Diel have a question to ask?"

Zhao Daier is not only a saint, but also Luo Xuanzang's student, maid, etc., so Luo Xuanzang's attitude towards her is not as cold and solemn as he treats the kings of the Western Regions, but more gentle.

Zhao Dai'er nodded lightly, her delicate eyebrows knitted together, and her fair and pretty face was full of doubts, "Teacher, Dai'er remembers that you said that the Tang Dynasty is now invincible, and the temple should not be an enemy of it, but You were so firm when you talked to the kings just now. If the Tang Dynasty really provokes a war, will the temple really participate in the war? "

Luo Xuanzang chuckled upon hearing this, shook his head and nodded, "The Tang Dynasty will not fall into an all-out war with the Western Regions, as long as the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is still the king.

He has rare strategic certainty, and the collapse of the Sui Dynasty was too shocking. As long as he had a little understanding of the situation in the Western Regions, he would not attack the Western Regions.

of course.

If Datang really wants to attack, then I have no choice but to fight. I am the high priest of the Western Regions, and this is my duty.

and. "

Twenty years ago, King Zhao was captured, and overnight, the building collapsed. Now, after twenty years of sharpening the sword, does anyone want to give it a try?
Zhao Daier asked curiously: "Teacher, what more?"

Luo Xuanzang shook his head and said quietly: "It's nothing, just wait for Datang's reaction, the result of the debate should be out soon.

If it is as I guessed, you will have to go to Datang. "

what?
Zhao Dai'er was a little confused, her long eyelashes blinked her deep black pupils.

……

As Luo Xuanzang expected, many debates broke out in the Tang Dynasty regarding the current situation of the Western Regions, not just debates about whether to launch a war and make the Western Regions completely surrender.

Even those who maintain the status quo have different demands, and those who want to launch a war also have different opinions. This debate has lasted for two months, with no intention of stopping. On the contrary, it has become more and more intense.

In the eyes of the ministers, this meant that the emperor had not made up his mind yet, so they allowed this issue to be debated at the political hall meeting and in the memorial.

This is exactly what happened. This time Li Shimin asked Wen Gong for political advice. Wen Gong looked at Li Shimin and smiled, and then only said, "Your choice must be what you want, and it must be what you want to avoid."

For Li Shimin, he was indeed deeply hesitant. He agreed with the Privy Council to send an additional 3,000 troops to the Anxi Protectorate stationed in Yizhou just to test the situation, but the result was not good.

When the Tang Dynasty increased its troops, many invitations from the kings and temples were sent to the Anxi Protectorate, asking which country the Tang Dynasty was targeting when it sent more troops to the Western Regions. As a vassal state of Tian Khan, they were obliged to serve. Datang eradicated this enemy.

This makes Datang morally untenable.

Morality, or credibility, was one of the most important things for the Tang Dynasty to move across the Western Regions, and it affected the Western Regions along with the Tang Dynasty's army both civilly and militarily.

Now the influence of the temple is huge. If the Tang Dynasty loses its credibility again, then the countries in the Western Region will completely fall to the temple.

In the Taiji Hall, another political meeting was held. The privy envoys and vassal orders were reporting to the emperor and the prime ministers the general information reported by various countries this year.

After hearing this, Li Shimin frowned and asked: "In the report just now, there is something about the war between the countries in the Western Regions. Please read it again."

The Privy Councilor was in charge of the military affairs and immediately read it again. This time all the prime ministers heard that something was wrong. After the expedition from the temple to Tochara, the number of wars among the countries in the Western Regions was too few, especially large-scale wars. Zero, sporadic wars were negligible, and peace was finally reached.

But the mediation arbitrated by the Anxi Protectorate was only half of this.

What this means is self-evident.

Li Shimin's face was not ugly, but he was very solemn. He thought for a long time, and then he asked the question in a deep voice, "All the ministers will tell you their opinions."

Wei Zheng had passed away, and Fang Xuanling's voice was very heavy, "Your Majesty, I think this is the temple showing its power and controlling the Western Region. This is an invisible warning."

Li Shimin's expression remained unchanged, "Tell me in detail and explain it to all the ministers."

Fang Xuanling's face was also very solemn, "Because there are no large plains in the Western Regions, only oases, the biggest feature is that there are many small countries. Therefore, wars occur frequently in the Western Regions. Conflicts often break out between the kings, and the angry troops are raised, and then The two countries met each other at war.

But now this has not happened. This is not right. The temple can only mediate behind the scenes to save the countries from war.

This means that the temple's influence on the Western Regions is stronger than we imagined. No, the original temple did not have such a strong influence. It was the crown of the temple's high priest from the Western Turkic Khan and the re-establishment of the temple army. , after giving the temple a strong army, the temple became stronger and stronger.

When the Tang Dynasty conquered Liaodong, the temple was also integrating the Western Regions. Now it seems that the high priest succeeded. He can now order the countries in the Western Regions, so that major wars will not break out among the countries, and small disputes can be resolved. .

I even suspected that the disputes that came to the Anxi Protectorate to handle were also leaked from the temple.

Or maybe those countries are unwilling to travel thousands of miles to Shenlin City. After all, the residence of the Great Protectorate of Anxi in Yizhou and Shenlin City are to the east and west, and the journey is far away.

This is all my speculation and cannot be true. Your Majesty and your colleagues can just take it as a reference. "

Although Fang Xuanling is modest, no one will ignore his words. Fang Moudu is decisive. This evaluation is by no means groundless. Fang Xuanling's wisdom is definitely the first among all the prime ministers.

What he said is most likely the truth.

At least one thing Fang Xuanling said is right, that is, the high priest of the temple has completed the general integration of the countries in the Western Regions, so that the countries in the Western Regions have gathered under the temple on the dark side.

That is to say, the countries in the Western Regions now obey the orders of the Khan on the surface, but in fact, the power of the Khan has been greatly restricted. If the Khan sends troops into the Western Regions without any reason, not only will he not be able to recruit servants military, and is very likely to encounter joint containment from other countries.

Li Shimin was meditating on the throne, and all the prime ministers frowned. Li Shimin looked at Prince Li Zhi, who was sitting on his left and listening to the government, "Prince, what do you think, please tell me."

Since Li Zhi was established as the crown prince, Li Shimin has always taken him with him, teaching him the way to be a king anytime and anywhere. The political affairs hall meetings are naturally the best place to learn, so Li Zhi has basically participated in these few years. All political hall meetings.

He still has some talent, at least he's not that stupid.

When Li Zhi heard his father's sudden question, he was used to it and was no longer as nervous as he was at first. After thinking for a while, he said in a deep voice: "Father, my son thinks that now I am being enfeoffed by the princes in the Tang Dynasty, which is affecting my energy, and Liaodong The King of Qi is at a critical moment. Migrating the population consumes a lot of money. Facing the iron-barrel Western Region, it is really not a good time to start a war.

Moreover, all the countries in the Western Region now respect the orders of the Khan of Heaven, and most of the tributes are carried out on time. The high priest of the temple has not expressed any anti-Tang Dynasty remarks, and has no intention of becoming an enemy of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty should not establish it out of thin air. Such a powerful enemy.

Especially now that the Tang Dynasty might not be able to defeat the Western Regions, and it would cost a huge price to conquer a territory that was not an enemy of the Tang Dynasty, my son felt that it was a little inappropriate. "

Li Zhi's speech was relatively conservative, but the meaning expressed was very clear, that is, he did not agree with the war or the conquest of the Western Regions.

After he finished speaking, he looked at his father nervously, waiting for Li Shimin's reaction. He had already guessed that Li Shimin might ask, so he prepared these words according to Li Shimin's character.

Hard work pays off.

A joyful smile appeared on Li Shimin's face, and he laughed heartily. He was really happy. The slightly solemn atmosphere in the temple disappeared in an instant. Li Zhi was overjoyed. Li Shimin smiled and sighed, "That high priest of the temple, He is an outstanding person. The Western Region is now monolithic. Even the Tang Dynasty has to pay a huge price and may not be able to win.

My hesitation about the Western Regions is that I am worried that after my death, what will happen if the Crown Prince cannot solve the problem of the Western Regions?

I don't want to leave the problem to the future.

Therefore, the idea of ​​sending troops has always been in my mind.

But now it seems that I don’t need to worry. As long as there are successors to the Tang Dynasty, what else do I have to worry about?

The current strength of the Western Region lies in the high priest of the temple who can lead all countries. This makes our Tang Dynasty Heavenly Army unable to do anything and can only forcefully cross the thousands of miles of food roads to fight head-on.

But I remember that the high priest of the temple was older than the official minister, right? "

Luo Xuanchen, who had been silent all this time, was suddenly called upon and could only nod helplessly and said: "Your Majesty, I am ten years older than you."

Luo Xuanyi and Luo Xuanzang are much older than their later brothers. Luo Xuanyi has passed away and Luo Xuanzang is also old.

Li Shimin smiled and said: "No matter how strong a person is, he is still a human being and will eventually die. Aren't things in this world prospering because of people and declining because of people?"

Now the Central Region is prosperous because of me and all the ministers, and the Western Region is prosperous because of the high priest of the temple.

What about after the high priest dies?
Will the successor high priest of the temple still have the ability to lead the nations?
If not, it would be the era of the Tang Dynasty.

I am not prepared to compete with him for the length of time. An empire has plenty of time. Watch the clouds roll and relax, and the wind rise and fall. "

The meaning of Li Shimin's words is very simple. Don't take forceful action in the Western Regions. Wait for changes in the Western Regions themselves. Just like what the Tang Dynasty did every time, wait for problems within the enemy first. As a great empire, it is necessary to There is such a strategic nature.

Hearing that the emperor had finally finalized the policy for the Western Region, the prime ministers felt a sense of tiredness from the bottom of their hearts. This matter had been delayed for too long.

After Li Shimin finished talking about the theory of mortals, he did not stop and said: "Although we will not send troops to the Western Regions, there are some things that cannot be compromised.

Now that the tax rate for caravans traveling to the far west is a bit high, the commercial tax that Datang can collect has become lower. This is a problem.

The Lifan Yuan and Shangshu Province should make a list of the urgent problems between the Tang Dynasty and the Western Regions in recent years. These problems must be solved through consultation.

And most importantly, who is superior and who is inferior, the emperor and the high priest of the temple, will eventually be determined.

I give an order to the heads of the countries in the Western Regions, in the name of the Khan of Zhentian, that on September 9th, the 21st year of Zhenguan, I will hold a grand banquet in the Daming Palace. All the kings of the foreign vassals will come to Chang'an to meet the emperor.

Then I wrote a letter to the high priest of the temple in the Western Regions, and in my capacity as the Apocalypse, I invited the high-level officials of Taoism to come to Chang'an to preach. I want to hear how the Way of the Suwang in the Western Regions is different from that of the Tang Dynasty. "

If the high priest accepted the emperor's invitation, then the high priest would naturally come under the emperor's authority.

At least this was the case in the eyes of the nations, which proved that the high priest did not want to conflict with the emperor.

Let Xuanmen high-level officials come to Datang!

All the prime ministers were shocked, and then they couldn't help but praise that this was a good move. Each side took a step back to maintain peace between the two sides. As for the buffer zone, it would be divided according to the interests of both sides.

……

The edicts sent from Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty to other countries were sent in all directions under the haste of the messengers. After all, there were indeed too many vassal states in the Tang Dynasty.

This banquet is not only to entertain the countries in the Western Regions, the tribes in Liaodong, but also the surrendered tribes in the mountains and forests of the south, as well as the kingdoms and principalities that have just been enfeoffed. They are all now considered vassal states, and they will all return to Chang'an to congratulate them. Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

The envoy passed through Xingxing Gorge and then arrived at the Anxi Protectorate in Yizhou, where he met Luo Xuanyun, the acting Anxi Protector. As for the Hejian King Li Xiaogong, he died of a sudden illness the year before last.

The imperial court had not yet decided who would take over as the Great Protector of Anxi, so it first asked Luo Xuanyun to handle affairs here.

After Luo Xuanzang received the imperial edict, he scanned it a little and felt relieved. If the imperial court went to war with the Western Regions, he would naturally try his best, but he had no confidence. He and Luo Xuanzang were brothers, and they had once served as ministers in the same palace. How could he not know his brother's coordination ability?

And outsiders don’t know, as a son of the Luo family, how could he not know what the temple army is? There are currently 6,000 Tang elites in the Anxi Protectorate, all wearing armor, and they can compete with the 3,000 temple army. Life or death is already an extraordinary victory.

Moreover, the Western Regions united cannot be said to be weak. Their cavalry, armor, and swords are all inferior to those of the Central Plains. Luo Xuanyun is really not sure that he can defeat the Western Regions countries with his brother in charge.

Now that the emperor is not fighting, he is relieved.

Faced with the emperor's conditions, there is a high probability that the elder brother will propose some exchange conditions, and there will definitely be no problem in reaching a deal in the end.

After thinking about this, Luo Xuanyun asked the envoy to go down to rest, and then called out: "Invite the Xuanmen priests, prepare fast horses, light beacons everywhere, and deliver the imperial decree to the heads of the countries. This is the national dynasty. For such a grand event, all countries must be present and no one should be left out, otherwise we will all be left with nothing to lose if the court comes to hold us accountable.”

As the old place of Gaochang, the nominal capital of Gaochang, Yizhou, and the headquarters of the Anxi Protectorate, in such an important place, of course there are Xuanmen priests stationed here, and they are also one of the cardinal priests.

Let the cardinal priest accompany you and deliver this invitation letter from the Emperor of Tang Dynasty to the high priest. The next step is to see the reaction of the high priest of Xuanmen.

……

Everyone in Xuanmen knows that the Holy See likes to be quiet and does not like to be disturbed by outsiders. In the hazy morning, only Saint Zhao Daier can enter the Holy See's palace, so several cardinal priests on duty stood outside the palace and then allowed the Saint to enter. , to see if the Holy See wakes up.

Zhao Dai'er walked into the hall with a letter in her hand. Layers of curtains were hung in the hall. It was very quiet and majestic. A tired voice sounded, "Is it Dai'er?"

"Teacher, it's me."

Zhao Dai'er answered while walking skillfully through the curtains. After passing through five or six layers of curtains, she saw her teacher sitting on the bed. She knelt down and held up the letter and said: "Teacher, the cardinals and priests are waiting outside the door. You presided over the cardinal meeting, and the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty sent a letter, which is said to be an urgent letter. "

Luo Xuanzang reached for the letter, opened it directly, and then read it, with a slight smile on his face. Everything was as he expected. Then he looked down at Zhao Dai'er who was kneeling in front of the bed, and said with a smile: "Dai'er , do you still remember that I said before that if everything goes well, you will go to Datang? "

Zhao Dai'er lowered her head and nodded: "Teacher, Dai'er remembers."

Luo Xuanzang raised the letter in his hand and said with a smile: "The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty invited me to go to the Tang Dynasty. This means that the Tang Dynasty wants to negotiate terms with the Western Regions.

I was born in the Central Plains, so naturally I cannot trust the people of the Central Plains. Moreover, the king does not stand under a dangerous wall, so I will not go. You are my disciple and a saint. This time I will lead the team to the Central Plains. "

Zhao Dai'er didn't hesitate at all when she heard the words. Although she was a little nervous, the Holy See's words were an oracle to her. She kowtowed directly and said: "Teacher, Dai'er obeys your order."

Luo Xuanzang smiled, then put his burqa around him and walked out. Zhao Daier followed him. The door of the palace was wide open, and the rising sun shone on his face. He squinted slightly.

What a beautiful weather!
(End of this chapter)