Fu Tang

When Yuchi Sula saw the Prime Minister's expression, he immediately knew that he had said something stupid, and couldn't help coughing lightly and said, "Then...we...what should we do?"

Co-author I just said so much all for nothing?

The prime minister glared at Yuchi Sula, he was regarded as Yuchi Sula's teacher when he grew up with him, so the difference between monarch and minister was not so obvious, he was the only one in Khotan who dared to stare at Yuchi Sula like this.

Yuchi Sura shrank his neck and said: "Okay, I understand, but Tang's request... Isn't Khotan also destroyed?"

There was also a look of sadness on the face of the prime minister. Now they really have no other choice. Of course, they can also choose to fight to the death with the Kara Khanate or Tang, but this will only make Khotan completely destroy the country.

If it is occupied by the Tang State, it’s okay, the Tang State is still tolerant to ordinary people, if it is the Kara Khanate... I’m afraid they will only leave the land, and everyone in this apprenticeship will...

Thinking of this, Prime Minister looked at Yuchi Sula calmly and said, "Actually, we only have one choice, and that is to surrender to Tang."

Yuchi Sula said very excitedly: "How is this possible? I will never be the king of subjugation!"

"You have no other choice. Of course, if you have the courage, you can announce Tang's request and let the people know. Then you commit suicide and die in the city, and I will lead the people to surrender."

"What?" Yuchi Sula stayed there, he looked at the prime minister with a little fear, and found that the prime minister's eyes were very cold, and there was no trace of joking, he couldn't help swallowing, feeling a little sad for a moment.

Every newly ascended monarch will have some ambitions, wanting to make the country stronger and the people's lives better.

The same is true for Yuchi Sula, but he was more unlucky because he just happened to meet the Kara Khanate to recharge its energy to a certain extent and start its journey of expansion.

The Kara Khanate also experienced various wars in the past, but now they are strong and powerful, not a small Khotan can resist, and the same is true for the Tang Kingdom, but... if there is no Kara Khanate, the Tang Kingdom might not be able to resist Move Khotan.

Yuchi Sula bit his lip and thought for a long time, then suddenly said: "Why did Tang suddenly ask us to surrender? Could it be that they had a conflict with the Kara Khanate, and the Kara Khanate wanted to attack Tang before they wanted to attack us? In this case, Can we discuss with the Tang State that we will be responsible for defeating the Kara Khanate with their weapons? If it is not possible, it is okay for them to send some soldiers, um, just a little.”

The Prime Minister said with some disappointment: "Have you still not seen the current situation clearly? The causal relationship should be reversed. The Tang State did this because they were worried that the Kara Khanate would attack Tang after they occupied Khotan, so they simply attacked first. To be strong, after we get Khotan, we can directly send troops to station, and then we can take the initiative, otherwise we will be too passive, and we have been confronting the Kara Khanate all these years, and the Kara Khanate has never intended to attack Tang. .”

Yuchi Sura lowered her head and said sadly: "I...I really... have no choice."

The prime minister sighed: "If you don't have the courage to die, you can only accept Tang's conditions. After all, this can protect the people to the greatest extent."

After being involved for a lifetime, why are you willing to surrender?In fact, even if they persist, if they fight, they will still be famous in history, but if they surrender before the fight, future generations may not say anything about them.

But one cannot just look at fame in one's life, and the prime minister is also reluctant to let so many people die. The most important thing is that such a death is meaningless. Tang's weapons are too advanced. The prime minister even heard that these weapons were given to them They were all semi-eliminated by the Tang Dynasty, and Khotan was able to resist the Kara Khanate for so long with these.

The Kara Khanate had to bow to the Tang State in order to attack Khotan. If the Tang State took out their most advanced weapons, what would be the effect?How could they have any chance of winning?

Yuchi Sula was silent, and the Prime Minister said again: "Actually, the conditions of the Tang Kingdom are quite good. After all, Khotan has been given autonomy, and you are still the king of Khotan."

Yuchi Sula said softly: "Not necessarily, the Tang Kingdom will not confer kings with different surnames, and acknowledging the right of autonomy may only be an expedient measure in the future..."

Speaking of this, he was a little choked up and couldn't continue. He raised his hand and wiped his face before taking a deep breath and said: "But you are right, we really have no other choice, we can only choose to accept Tang Guo, but... some conditions are only possible. Inappropriate, and the amount of taxes, you have to negotiate with Tang Guo, right?"

The Prime Minister heaved a sigh of relief, he was really worried that Yuchi Sula wouldn't be able to turn around this tendon, and now he is willing to accept it is really the best.

"This is natural, and Tang Guo did not propose a specific operation. We need to send the envoy to return to the Tang Emperor."

Yuchi Sura responded lonelyly: "Huh?"

Then he walked away dejectedly, without the energy to greet the Prime Minister when he left.

The prime minister sighed, and turned his head to discuss with the courtiers how to negotiate with Tang. Of course, even though it was a negotiation, they were only trying to win Khotan's interests as much as possible, and at most they were just doing their best to obey the destiny.

Yuchi Sula was finally willing to bow his head to let the envoys breathe a sigh of relief, they were really worried that they would not be able to complete the task His Majesty entrusted to them.

They have actually brought a complete plan discussed by the Tang cabinet this time, which is much more detailed than what Li Congjia thought of before.

Li Congjia only knew that he had to control the military power, and that Khotan could make the rest self-governing. He had never considered how to deal with various industries, the treatment of Khotan nationals, and various taxation issues at all!

When the cabinet received Li Congjia's task, the four of them were desperate, but they were also used to Li Congjia often throwing out an idea that seemed mature but immature, so they could only accept their fate and go to work.

The only point of controversy now probably lies in the treatment of Yuchi Sula.

The Tang Dynasty did not confer kings with different surnames. This is something that Li Congjia clearly stated, so even Zhao Kuangyin, who has great achievements in the world, is now a prince of the state, not to mention that he not only has meritorious service, but also is the father-in-law of the future emperor. a throne.

There is such an example in the front, even if other people have ideas, they can only hold back their flags, otherwise they will definitely be compared with Zhao Kuangyin. The question is, apart from the two princes, who else has more credit than Zhao Kuangyin?

This time everyone was watching to see how Li Congjia would deal with Yuchi Sula.

The good King of Khotan, if he agrees to surrender, he will directly descend to the throne. I'm afraid he won't accept such a condition easily. If it's a big deal, he will fight a battle. What if he wins?

This is what many people think, including Li Congjia himself.

He is also struggling with this matter. To be honest, it is not impossible for him to make a special case, but it is not easy to make a special case. Once a special case is made, will it be necessary to make a special case in the future?Is it gradually becoming the norm?

So how to stabilize Yuchi Sula is still a very serious issue.

Li Congjia sat in front of the imperial case and didn't even approve the papers. Now the news came from Khotan that Yuchi Sula refused to abdicate. He insisted on being king, and of course he belonged to the king of the Tang Dynasty. He said very well It makes sense, anyway, the Tang Dynasty also had a prince.

However, the princes of the Tang Dynasty split the soil and did not face the people. If Yuchi Sula insisted on being king... Well, it is not difficult to accept that the jurisdiction of the army is not in his hands.

So do you want to be crowned king?

Seeing Li Congjia's worried look, Shi Xueting asked, "Still thinking about Yuchi Sula's question?"

Li Congjia nodded: "It's difficult, I don't want to make a special case for me."

He knew that with the development of the dynasty, special cases would be opened sooner or later, but he hoped that it would be a method used to stabilize the court when future generations were forced to, instead of being broken by him now.

Shi Xueting laughed: "You, you are really smart and confused for a while, have you forgotten that there is Yuchi Seng Wubo?"

Yuchi Seng Ubo?Li Congjia immediately thought of this person. Of course, many people are unfamiliar with this name, but his other name should be familiar to some people, that is Li Shengtian.

Yuchi Seng Wubo was his original destiny, but after he succeeded to the throne, he called himself "the clan of the Tang Dynasty", and then took the Li family of the Tang Dynasty as his surname.

"Hey, according to this, Khotan was originally the territory of our Tang Dynasty?" Li Congjia laughed and said, Tang Zhizong belongs to him, he is a descendant of the former Tang Dynasty, although... ahem, everyone knows that there are tricks, but it doesn't matter. Now everyone thinks that he is a direct descendant of the Li family, who dares to say no?

Li Congjia even thought that Yuchi Sula actually had another name called Li Congde, so Huanzhen looked like Li Congjia's brother at first glance.

However, Li Congjia felt that perhaps the Ministry of Rites and Zongzheng would not admit that Yuchi Sula had Li's blood.

Li Congjia thought of this and quickly invited the cabinet, the Ministry of Rites, and Zong Zhengqing to discuss this issue. According to him, if Li Congde was crowned king as a historical branch, it would be no problem at all, after all, he is not a different surname.

Sure enough, Li Congjia's proposal was opposed by Zongzheng: "Royal blood should not be confused!"

Li Congjia complained silently in his heart: Waiting for the last hundred and eighty years, with the increase of the royal family population, there is nothing unusual about the royal blood, what is confusing or not?

But when he saw that the Minister of Rites also agreed, Li Congjia had no choice but to look to the cabinet ministers.

In fact, to be honest, the cabinet felt that admitting a side branch would allow Datang to take over Khotan without any loss. This is not unacceptable, isn't it the title of king?Isn't that where Yuchi's family controls?Anyway, the military power is in the hands of the Privy Council, so they just can't rebel if they want to.

However, the Ministry of Rites and Zongzheng counted out a lot of allusions, the most important one is that the Yuchi family has foreign blood, so they cannot be recognized as Han Chinese!

People these days are always extremely obsessed with ethnic origin. Although Li Congjia understands it, he doesn't understand it. In his opinion, as long as he is willing to admit it, he can let those people's ethnicity carry a Chinese character. What's the matter? No way?After intermarrying with the Han nationality, this nation is probably... gone with the wind.

However, he didn't dare to speak out his thoughts, probably in the eyes of these people, that kind of thinking was too deviant.

Li Congjia spread his hands and said, "Since this is the case, what can you do?"

Zong Zhengqing said with some dissatisfaction: "The imperial court has given him autonomy, what else is he dissatisfied with?"

Li Congjia thought for a while and said, "Probably because he doesn't want to be the king of subjugation? He can barely maintain his dignity. Anyway, he is the king of Khotan, and there is no difference in title."

The Minister of Rites said disdainfully: "Using such hypocritical things to comfort myself, no wonder Khotan will perish."

Li Congjia didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "This...you can't blame him, Khotan is a small country after all, and its national power is not strong."

Shi Xueting, who had been standing by the side as a wallflower, suddenly said: "When we were in the Western Regions, our territory was smaller than him."

Li Congjia... Li Congjia is even more helpless, they can rely on the two of them to hang out today, okay?Li Congjia provided technology, and Shi Xueting provided brains and money. These few things, they now think the grass is very high.

They are talking nonsense here, but the cabinet is there to discuss business. Now they want to take Khotan in the simplest way, and then...prepare for war.

Thinking of fighting with the Kara Khanate in the future, these old people feel stuffy in their hearts. They feel that the Tang Dynasty has not been peaceful for a long time since the founding of the country. It is either fighting here or there. This is to fight all over. Rhythm of all neighbors?

But it doesn’t work if they don’t fight. Although what Li Congjia said about the situation of the Kara Khanate before they think it is alarmist, but as long as they understand the expansion process of the Kara Khanate, they feel that there is nothing wrong with it.

Then Datang must act first. The envoys have basically traveled through Khotan, and the news they sent back made everyone very worried-Khotan’s military defense is equivalent to no!

Anyway, in the eyes of the envoys, it may be useful for the Kara Khanate, which still uses cold weapons and fierce fire oil. However, such fortifications are no different from tofu in the eyes of Datang. The first thing to do after Tian is to build fortifications.

This cannot be done in a day or two. It must be done before the Kara Khanate takes action, so it is best to get Khotan as quickly as possible.

Zhao Pu looked at everyone discussing and pondered for a while and said: "Actually, it's not impossible to solve it. If you don't want to recognize them as side branches, you won't recognize them, but he still wants to be surnamed Li."

"Ok?"

Everyone looked at Zhao Pu, and Zhao Pu said without changing his face: "Your Majesty can give you a surname. Naturally, Yuchi's pretending to be a descendant of the Li family cannot be recognized. This is their wishful thinking, but it's different when your Majesty gives you a surname. Afterwards, their surname is Li, which is not considered a different surname, so the title of king is very suitable?"

Li Congjia's first reaction was that if he did this, then if he wanted to be crowned king in the future, he could just give him a surname. What's the difference between having no restrictions?

But after thinking about it, this method is still restrictive. After all, not everyone is eligible to be given a surname, and there is also a strict screening process for giving a surname.

If I have to say it, Zhao Kuangyin is indeed in line, but Li Congjia thinks that he might rather be a prince than a prince. After all, his daughter is the future princess. If he is given a surname, then this marriage can only be cancelled. After all, there is still a law that the same surname does not marry these days.

Li Congjia nodded and said, "That's no problem, it's just a matter of will."

Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Zong Zhengqing looked at each other and didn't object. Anyway, it's not considered a surname bestowed by the royal family, so let's give it a surname, and this will also prevent Yuchi from stuffing people around the emperor, after all, they have the same surname.

Then the Minister of Rites added a sentence: "In this way, the treatment of King Khotan will be calculated according to the king of the county?"

Li Congjia originally wanted to say that he should be a prince, right?Then I heard Fan Zhi say: "It should be so, we can't break the rules."

rule?Li Congjia realized after a moment of reaction. According to the customs of the Tang Dynasty passed down, the king with two characters is the county king, the king with one character is the super first-rank prince, and the king of Khotan... the three characters...

Li Congjia silently sympathized with Yuchi Sula, but he was still very happy about being able to pay him less salary.

While waiting for Datang's reply, the prime minister led the entire court in Khotan to discuss various matters with the mission, and it almost became a copy of the mission.

It was also through this incident that the Prime Minister understood that Tang Guo basically came prepared this time. Apart from the officials from Honglu Temple who led the mission this time, the others were elites from various departments. Those who come here with a mission, no matter what questions Yutian asks, there will always be someone on their side who can answer them, and the answers are very professional, and some things are even unexpected by Yutian.

However, it can also prove Tang Guo's sincerity from the side.

Yuchi Sula looked at the conditions put forward by the mission, and found that surrendering was not without benefits. After all, with Tang Guo as the backer, if Khotan really lacked money for construction, the center would definitely not sit idly by.

Yuchi Sula couldn't help comforting herself: Although he had to pay taxes every year, he had to pay tribute before, so the money should be considered as tribute, and he didn't need to bother to choose meaningful gifts.

However, the next moment he thought that this matter really can't be counted in this way. The previous tribute... To be honest, each small country is making money. After all, what they tribute are all kinds of local specialties, some of which are not worth much at all, and the court often makes money. There are rewards for them, in order to show the demeanor of the kingdom of heaven, the rewards are generally very valuable.

Yuchi Sula sighed, then turned to ask the mission: "Is there no news from Chang'an yet? I can agree with everything else, I just want to keep the throne, isn't that too much?"

This... everyone present can't answer without authorization, but they have to answer, Honglu Temple Shaoqing had no choice but to stand up and say: "This matter... depends on how the court decides, in fact, according to the practice of the Tang Dynasty, it will not Make people with different surnames kings."

How could Yuchi Sula not know about this?Even if they don't surrender, Tang Guo, as their most important partner, always needs to get to know each other.

Yuchi Sula immediately said: "My surname is Li too, my name is Li Congde, how can I call it a different surname?"

The Shaoqing of Honglu Temple said with a smile: "This...it doesn't count if you say it, and it doesn't count if we say it. It all depends on Zongzheng checking the jade certificate."

When it comes to jade documents, Yuchi Sula feels a little guilty. He knows what is going on with his name. His father pretended to be a descendant of the Li family. They originally had the surname Yuchi, and now there are real descendants of the Li family who have returned to the country. , it is not surprising that they are not recognized.

"If I can't be crowned king...then I can only be a Duke?" Yuchi Sula was a little discouraged.

The Shaoqing of Honglu Temple thought that it would be good to be a prince of the state, but is he still a prince of the state without reading Zhao Shangshu?That is a person who has made great contributions to the country.

Well, the Zhao Shangshu he was talking about is Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Kuangyin is the head of the Ministry of Supervision. Originally, Li Congjia wanted to make this official a minister, but after looking at the six departments, it seems that it is not good to specialize, so he simply called him Shangshu. .

One of Yuchi Sula's greatest strengths is that he resigned to his fate after being depressed. He didn't have the courage to die in the city, and he found that the missions of the Tang Kingdom are really powerful. Since Khotan has been around these days, how developed and powerful the Tang Dynasty is. The rumors of the rumors flew all over the streets and alleys. Of course, there are also rebuttals in this practice, but the people in Khotan are still attracted by the wealth of the Tang Dynasty.

Mostly because the missions dress better than their officials!She was wearing silk!

The Shaoqing of Honglu Temple is to achieve this effect. In the future, Datang will take over Khotan to minimize the pressure from the common people.

Yuchi Sula thinks... If it doesn't work, let's be the Duke, anyway, the power is not much less, as for the military power... To be honest, it has never been in Yuchi Sula's hands at all, it is all in the hands of the generals in the court , so this time the generals are the most opposed, but the opposition is useless. The Tang State no longer provides weapons like Khotan. The weapons in the hands of these generals are similar, and they are not qualified to challenge the Tang State. They can only be depressed. angry.

Just when Yuchi Sula felt that he could not be the king, a decree came down, telling that if Yuchi Sula was willing to accept the surname, he could be named King of Khotan.

Give a surname?Of course it's fine. Back then, his father didn't give him the surname and he had to be named Li. Now it's good to be recognized by the Li family!

The next series of procedures went very smoothly, and Yuchi Sula also had to prepare to welcome the angel to accept the canonization.

Li Congjia breathed a sigh of relief when this matter was done, but after he breathed a sigh of relief, he was about to continue to squeeze people: "Well, Lao Zhao can't leave, Li Ping, you take Zhu Yuan and bring some soldiers, Go to Khotan personally to hand over the military power."

What was discussed before was political and economic cooperation, and there was only one sentence to hand over the military power to Datang, but after the confirmation, the first thing to do was to hand over the military power.

Li Ping asked: "Your Majesty, what should they do with their local soldiers...?"

Li Congjia said directly: "You do an inspection, keep those who pass, drive away those who fail, don't keep those who stay together, break them up into formation."

Li Ping turned around with Li Congjia's will to select the troops stationed in Khotan.

After he left, Li Congjia suddenly said: "Why is there no news from Yang Ye? Is it so difficult to beat a Dali?"