A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 717 Governor of Yongzhou
To the south of the Five Ridges, people are mixed with barbarian officials.
The rich merged, and the subordinates were poor and weak, and they were not afraid of capturing and plundering. They were weak in nature, easy to get confused, relied on dangerous distances, lurked in rock obstacles, committed bandits and robbers without hesitation, and had no household registration.

Li Shimin pondered.

What the imperial court needed from Lingnan was to organize households and bring together the people, and to collect taxes and levies.
Lingnan must not become a place of self-government like the central areas of Nanzhong. The imperial court will never allow it. Moreover, although Lingnan is blocked by the Nanling Mountains, there are now Lingnan Canal connecting Hunan and Guangxi, and Meiguan connecting Jiangxi and Guangdong. In addition, the sea channel , as well as several core towns in Guangzhou, Jiaotong and Guangxi, the court will not give up under any circumstances.
Nor is it allowed for a powerful chief like Feng An to remain in de facto separatist rule.

The Guiguan area in Lingnan is relatively more primitive and backward than the Guangguan area, has a lower degree of development, and is more turbulent.
Under the Guizhou Dudu's Mansion, there was originally a Nanyin Prefecture Dudu's Mansion, but this Nanyin Prefecture has always been embarrassing. This was originally an expedient measure by the court to take care of Li Guangdu's power.

It is also to prevent the jurisdiction of the Guizhou Dudu Mansion from being too large.

However, although Nanyinzhou (Guigang) is located on the main stream of Yujiang River, it does not have the depth and hinterland like Xunzhou, Tengzhou, Wuzhou and other tributaries, so its geographical location is not good.

On the contrary, Rongzhou is at the center of the Rongjiang River Road, guarding the most important and convenient land transportation artery in the north and south of Lingnan, with access to the river and the sea, so its location advantage is very obvious.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Li Guangshi, the leader of the Guizhou slang people, rebelled against the Sui Dynasty. Li Guangdu was his younger brother. After his death, he became the largest slang commander in Guizhou. He, Ning Changzhen and others surrendered to Li Jing. The imperial court established the Nanyin Prefecture General Manager's Office and appointed him as the general manager. steward,

In the second year of Zhenguan, Li Guangdu also sent troops to help Chen Longshu, the governor of Nanfuzhou, defeat Luo Dou Dongman and recapture Nanfuzhou.

Rongzhou and Nanyinzhou are not far apart.

But purely in terms of region, Rongzhou does have more advantages in transportation. The south-flowing river connects to the sea, and the north-flowing river flows into the Xijiang River.
Guangfu, Jiaofu, Guifu, Rongfu, Yongfu,
Li Shimin thought,

After thinking for a long time, I simply walked to a screen. There was a large map with ten lanes on it. However, after looking at it for a while, I still felt that I couldn't see it clearly, so I asked someone to bring the lane map of Lingnan Road.

"Where is Gaozhou? Is it under Guangfu or Rongfu?"

"Should be subordinated to Guangfu and abolish Xunfu."

Li Shimin shook his head,
"Gaozhou should be comparable to the five prefectures,"

Feng Ang's strength cannot be inferior to Chen Longshu.

However, Li Shimin thought about it and didn't want Feng's power to become too powerful.

momentary hesitation.

"Leave Feng An in the court, with a high official and generous salary, and let his eldest son Feng Zhidai return to Lingnan and serve as the governor of Gaozhou."

"Not enough." Li Shimin shook his head.

When Feng Ang returned to the imperial court, the Supreme Emperor established the eight prefectures of Gaoluochun, Baiya, Danlin, and Zhen in his jurisdiction, and established the Gaozhou General Administration Office.

Later it was changed to Gaozhou Dudufu.
In the second year of Zhenguan, the Danzhou Dudu's Mansion was established. The Danzhou Dudu's Mansion governed the four Danya and Linzhen prefectures among the eight states, which were the four prefectures of Hainan Island. The Xian family was the governor, which also divided the power of the Feng family.

"We can divide Chien and Panzhou from Gaozhou, and then separate Leizhou and Benzhou from Luozhou."

"Rename Nanfuzhou to Douzhou, transfer it to Gaofu, and transfer Baizhou to Rongfu,"

In this way, the Gaozhou Dudufu will govern Gaoluochun, Pan Enlei and Bendou, and there are still eight prefectures, while the Yazhou Dudufu will govern the four prefectures of Danya, Linzhen,

Feng Zhiang became the governor of Gaozhou, and then Feng An's disciples were appointed governors of the other seven states under Gaofu.
"Build together and divide their power,"

Originally, based on Feng Ang's territory, it would be good to divide it into three or four states at most, but now it is necessary to set up twelve states and create two governor's offices, the purpose is to divide its power.

Leave Lao Feng in Chang'an,

Although he has many sons, even if Feng Zhidai is the eldest son, he is brave and resourceful at a young age, but he is not Lao Feng, and he is young. If he wants to unite the brothers, he will definitely not be as good as Lao Feng.

Just like Feng Ang and his brother Feng Xuan, they have been fighting for more than ten years, all for the position of parent.

The Feng and Xian families united, which was the largest power in Lingnan. Now they have two governor's offices, both are lower governor's offices. The Xian family has four states and the Feng family has eight states. Naturally, the two families are not so close.

The Feng family has eight states, and each of the eight brothers controls one state, which is naturally better than when Feng An was in charge of the eight states.

As for changing Baizhou to Douzhou,

Baizhou is located to the west of Yunkai Mountain, in the Nanliu River Basin. It was originally the territory of Pang Xiaotai, while Douzhou used to be the territory of the Chen family of Longzhou.

This simple change of affiliation actually leaves a backup plan.

For the Feng family, they have always wanted to seize Luo Dou Cave, which is their core barrier to Gao Liang. If it is completely controlled by the Chen family, it will directly threaten the foundation of the Feng family.

In fact, some of the Baizhou and even Luobianlei and other prefectures that the Feng family originally captured were the territory of the Ning family of Qinzhou.
"If Feng Ang stays in the court, then it is okay for Gaofu to be the lower governor's office and subordinate to Rongfu. However, in this case, the governor's office of Yazhou should be changed to Yongfu."

But as he spoke, Li Shimin shook his head.

"Simply, only the six prefectures of Guangguijiao and Gaorongyong will be kept, and the rest of the governor's offices will be withdrawn. Xunzhou, Nanyinzhou, Nankangzhou, Yazhou, Nande and other prefectures will be withdrawn," Li Shimin made up his mind.
Originally, the Gao family should not keep it, but considering the strength of the Feng family, Li Shimin planned to keep it for now.

"Feng Zhidai, the governor of Gaozhou, and Chen Longshu, the governor of Rongzhou,"

"Hou Junji, let him be the governor of Yongzhou,"

Li Shimin decided,
Wu Huaiyu took the opportunity to propose that Pang Xiaotai be appointed governor of Duanzhou, and Li Shimin thought about it and agreed.Although Pang Xiaotai was originally the governor of Nanzhou and the chief of Baizhou, he has performed well in the court in recent years. Let him go to Duanzhou to assist Wu Huaiyi.

"Your Majesty, after the Nanfu Prefecture of Luo Dou Province is changed to Dou Prefecture and assigned to the Gaozhou Governor's Office, then the Gaozhou Governor's Office will be responsible for quelling the rebellion of the Xidong barbarians.

After the barbarians in Luodoudong are suppressed and pacified, the prefectures and counties will be restored, the people will be organized into households, the fields will be distributed and land will be allocated, and taxes will be collected. The imperial court will also garrison soldiers there, or select local warriors to train. "

Originally, Hou Junji wanted to provoke Luo Dou's barbarian rebellion, and then he dragged Li Guangdu and Chen Longshu to quell the rebellion. He also wanted to fight with Feng Ang when he found an opportunity. When the chaos broke out, the Guangzhou Governor's Office would definitely be involved.
With Hou Junji's audacity and resentment against the Wu family, Wu Huaiyi, the governor of Guangzhou, could control the situation. If the situation deteriorated, Huaiyi, the new governor, would be in trouble, and he might even be convicted.

Wu Huaiyu also tried his best to kick Hou Junji out of Guangzhou.

Of course, it is also in the interest of the imperial court not to allow chaos in Lingnan. Lingnan must be organized into households and the people must be unified, and the powerful chiefs must be weakened, but it must be done slowly.
Urgency leads to chaos.

Summoning Feng Ang to Beijing is very crucial.

In fact, judging from Feng An's actions over the years, this guy is very tolerant as long as he is not pushed into a hurry. After all, he served as an official in the Sui Dynasty. Not only did he serve the emperor and command the imperial guards, but he also served as a prefect in the mainland. He was very Understand the power of the Central Plains court.

Although Huaiyu and Feng Ang have never met, the two families are allies. Huaiyi is now in Guangzhou, and he also needs the support of the Feng family.

Let’s start with the smaller forces first.
For example, he said that he would send troops to attack the Luo Dou barbarians and kill chickens to scare the monkeys. Another example would be to withdraw from the governor's offices of Xunzhou, Nanyinzhou, Nankangzhou, Nandzhou, and Yazhou.
Nine mansions become six mansions,
First control the core, and then gradually open up water, land and sea transportation lines.

When the imperial court has laid out its plans in Lingnan and is strong enough, it will be able to take over their military power, disband their private soldiers, and even confiscate their weapons.
Returning the power of appointing local officials in Lingnan to the Ministry of Personnel will be a matter of course. By then, whether it is household registration or tax collection, it will be a matter of course.

But now, in such a large Lingnan, it is possible that the population on the official household registration is small, and even this small population basically does not pay taxes.

Feng Chenningxian and other powerful chiefs only paid some tribute.

the next day,
The emperor summoned the prime ministers for a court meeting,

In the palace, Li Shimin asked Wu Huaiyu to tell everyone what was discussed yesterday.

There will be a big change in Lingnan. The imperial court will really take action against Lingnan. The nine prefectures in Lingnan will be changed into six prefectures. Hou Jun will move to the governor of Yongzhou.

In addition to Wu Huaiyi, the governor of Guangzhou, Qiu Xingze, the governor of Jiaozhou, and Li Xizhi, the governor of Guizhou,

Among the six prefectures, only Chen Longshu, the governor of Rongzhou, and Feng Zhidai, the governor of Gaozhou, were Lingnan powerful chiefs.

Feng Ang entered the court and stayed in Beijing.
Let Feng Zhidai be the governor of Gaozhou.
Li Guangdu and other li commanders were given higher ranks and titles, and either entered the court as officials, or were transferred to Guangjiao, Guiyong, and served as assistants.
This time, the imperial court will start to establish households in Lingnan, distribute land to the people, and collect taxes. It will even send troops to garrison south. It will no longer be a semi-independent kingdom like before.

Even the Xitong barbarians in the mountains will gradually have to establish counties and townships and organize households to integrate the people.

A cruel war is about to begin,

Anyone who dares to stop him will face the imperial court's thunderous attack.

Of course, there is a process and a timetable.

Almost all the prime ministers agreed with the emperor's determination.

Although when Feng Ang was negotiating the palace war, many people accused Feng Ang of ceding territory to rebel and asked the court to send troops to conquer. Li Shimin also planned to send [-] troops, but in the end, Wei Zheng persuaded him and only sent court envoys to appease him.

In the final analysis, the imperial court at that time was unable to provoke a war in Lingnan when the Turks were not solved. Even if they knew what Feng Ang and his friends were in, as long as they did not openly raise their flag to rebel against the Tang Dynasty, they had no choice but to turn a blind eye. It's important to deal with the enemy in front of you.

But now, it’s time to clean up Lingnan.

Wei Zheng did not object this time, because the emperor did not say who was responsible for the rebellion, Feng Ang or Chen Longshu, and even wanted to give Feng Ang an official title.
The imperial court only wanted to set up prefectures and counties in Lingnan, organize households and people, collect taxes, enforce laws, and even station troops and send officials. These were all natural. If they couldn't even do these, then Lingnan really couldn't be considered the Tang Dynasty. The territory under your control is at best a place of restraint.
The imperial court would never allow it.

In some remote places under the jurisdiction of Guifu and Yongfu, although the imperial court would also recruit barbarian chiefs and set up some Jizhou counties, this was only a temporary measure.

If conditions permit, we must organize households and integrate the people.

Whether it is a slang commander like Tan Dian or a powerful chieftain like Feng An, if they dare to resist and block them, they are rebelling, and the imperial court's crusade is justified.
This is actually a battle to reduce vassal status.
It depends on who has enough concentration and who has enough vision.
But in the end, the momentum is unstoppable.

Zhang Liang sat there, thinking that Hou Junji had not been the governor of Guangdong for long, and he was promoted to the governor of Yongzhou. Moreover, the emperor just said that Hou Junji, the governor of Yongzhou, was recommended by Wu Huaiyu.

He looked at Wu Huaiyu quietly and thought it was really interesting.

(End of this chapter)