I studied in modern times

Chapter 804: Mission to Lu Huiqing (2)

Lu Huiqing was thinking about what he had learned about Zhang Dun's actions in Guangxi and Jiaozhou.

The pupils narrowed slightly.

Lu Huiqing had some friendship with Miao Shizhong, the Guangxi Transport Commissioner - during the Xining period, Miao Shizhong worked in the Sinong Temple.

At that time, the Sino-Agricultural Ministry was one of the initiating agencies of the reform.

Lu Huiqing was once the judge of the Sino-Agricultural Temple, responsible for drafting various reform laws.

In the process, he and Miao Shizhong formed a friendship.

Therefore, he was able to know some things about Guangxi, Jiaozhou and even Jiaozhi through Miao Shizhong.

In addition to Miao Shizhong, Lu Huiqing had another source of information - Lu Jiawen.

As for the relationship between Lu Jiawen and Lu Huiqing, there is no need to explain.

During the Xining period, the two had formed a deep friendship and were almost sworn brothers!

If it weren't for the long distances and difficult communication, it would take at least one or two months for a letter to be sent and for a reply to be received.

Lu Huiqing will be able to understand the situation in Jiaozhou in more detail!

Recalling some of the things that Miao Shizhong and Lu Jiawen told him in their letters, Lu Huiqing thought to himself: "Zhang Zihou is in Guangxi... There is nothing much to say... It's just what ordinary civil officials usually do!"

"It's nothing more than repairing water conservancy projects and encouraging agriculture!"

These are things that the civil servants in the Song Dynasty who want to make progress must learn.

It's only natural that Zhang Dun did a good job, and no one cares.

Only when he messes up will everyone gather around and laugh at him.

"The only thing worth paying attention to is probably Zhang Zihou's policy of tax exemption for commercial goods in the eight states of Jiaozhou in Guangxi..." Lu Huiqing thought.

Guangnan West Road was opened to Jiaozhou, and commercial taxes were exempted on goods imported from Jiaozhou and on goods exported from Guangxi to Jiaozhou.

It seems like a large amount of income has been lost for no reason.

However, since its implementation, it not only effectively stabilized Jiaozhou, but also caused the loyalty of Jiaozhou's local officials to the Song Dynasty to increase dramatically.

At the same time, it also made the local business in Guangxi prosperous.

The reason is very simple - when two identical pieces of cloth are placed in front of you, can you tell which piece of cloth is produced in Jiaozhou and which piece of cloth is produced in Guangxi?
If it is difficult to distinguish, then all commercial goods can be claimed to be imported from Jiaozhou.

This means that all commercial goods in Guangxi are tax-free!

It is also equivalent to abolishing various tax cards in Guangxi!

If this kind of thing happened in the inner counties, even if the transport envoy/pacification envoy at the road level was willing and had the support of the court, it would probably not be pushed forward.

Because commercial taxes are an important source of income for local officials, and are also the main way for clerks to take bribes.

Therefore, people from all levels will unite to oppose it.

The imperial court's decrees are simply not implemented and cannot be enforced.

But in Guangxi...

At Zhang Dun's order, all tax cards were abolished!
The reason is very simple - there is a force in Guangxi that can use physics to persuade people: the local officials.

These native official families had previously followed Zhang Dun in Jiaozhi and had gained a new territory in Jiaozhou.

Their interests lie in Jiaozhou.

Destroying someone's wealth is like killing one's parents.

Any clerk who dared to resist would definitely not see the sun the next day.

As for local officials who dared to oppose, the governor would issue an order, requiring the prefect, county magistrate, assistant prefect, and judge to report to Jiaozhou the next day.

When I arrived in Jiaozhou...

The local officials have ten thousand ways to torture these people.

Often within ten days or half a month, these officials would have to go back crying and begging Zhang Dun for help.

Through this combination of measures, Zhang Dun ensured that his orders were carried out throughout Guangxi.

If his father had not passed away suddenly, he would have had to return home to observe mourning.

If he is allowed to run Guangxi for another one or two years, I'm afraid the entire Guangxi and Jiaozhou will be controlled by the Zhang family!

From this, we can see the trust that the current emperor has in Zhang Dun.

Granted full power, and never interfere, intervene or hinder their administration.

Even Miao Shizhong, Gao Zunhui, Lu Jiawen and others who should have tried every means to fight Zhang Dun, cooperated with Zhang Dun obediently at the request of the young master.

Thinking of this, Lu Huiqing couldn't help but look at the face of the young master sitting in front of him.

Then he discovered that the young master was looking at him with a smile.

Lu Huiqing quickly lowered his head, rolled his eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, I will keep your words in mind..."

"It's just that I'm stupid... There are some things that I would like your majesty to explain clearly..."

He knew that what Zhang Dun had truly succeeded in Guangxi was not civil affairs.

Rather, it was its sorting, appeasement, and organization of the eight states of Jiaozhou, as well as its influence, infiltration, and control over countries including Jiaozhi, Zhenla, Champa, and even Dali.

To the extent that Lu Jiawen exclaimed: Prime Minister Zihou, to Jiaozhi and other countries, is like the Protector General of the Han and Tang Dynasties!

What did the protectors of the Han and Tang dynasties do?

If there is a disagreement, he will mobilize all the countries, form an alliance, lead the army to attack the country, and arrest its rulers to punish them!
Therefore, Lu Huiqing also wanted to confirm the scope of his power after he went to Xihe.

Zhao Xu looked at Lu Huiqing. Lu Huiqing was a little thin and his height was just average.

But when Zhao Xu looked at him, he always felt a little fearful and wary.

The emperor's instinct told him that the minister in front of him would make full use of the power as long as he got it.

He may even exceed his authorization at any time and act on his own.

This was also how Zhao Xu felt when he first met Lu Huiqing in his previous life.

This man has never been lawful.

He will try every possible means to create chaos, promote war, and use the corpses of countless people to pave his way to success.

Therefore, in Zhao Xu's previous life, he was very wary of Lu Huiqing.

A large number of civil servants and military generals were assigned to monitor and restrain Lu Huiqing.

However, despite these debuffs, Lu Huiqing still created unimaginable feats!
First, he won the Battle of Yanzhou to defend the Tanguts, who had invaded with all their might, leaving them with nothing. In addition, he discovered a real talent for the Song Dynasty during this war - Li Gang.

Then, he built a series of fortresses outside Mizhi, which greatly improved the strategic situation of the Song Dynasty outside Fuyan Road, allowing Fuyan Road to take the initiative in subsequent wars.

Therefore, he was appointed as the Jiedushi of Baoning and Wusheng Army, and promoted to Yinqing Guanglu Dafu, and became an envoy!

Recalling these things, Zhao Xu smiled, met Lu Huiqing's expectant eyes, and said: "I will give you full power..."

"When Prime Minister Zhao leads his troops back to the capital, I will also issue an order to the civil and military officials of Xihe, ordering them to fully support and obey Prime Minister's orders!"

"In addition, I will also negotiate with Wen Xixin and other chieftains of the tribes, asking them to obey your orders..."

Lu Huiqing listened and was ecstatic.

His chest suddenly felt hot and he wished he could fly to Xihe to take up his post immediately.

Because the authorization Zhao Xu gave him even exceeded the limits he had previously imagined!

He ordered the people of Xihe to obey his orders and deployments.

He also greeted the chiefs of the foreign tribes and asked them to cooperate and support him.

This is equivalent to granting him full civil, military and political power over the entire Xihe Road, without any constraints!
This is a power he could never have dreamed of!

Of course, Lu Huiqing also knew that the greater the power, the greater the task! He took a deep breath and bowed solemnly: "I am blessed by the grace of heaven and have been given this trust. I will die a hundred times and serve your majesty!"

"I beg Your Majesty to send down your benevolent decree and direct all matters within and outside Xihe after I take office!"

Zhao Xu smiled and stepped forward, helping Lu Huiqing up: "Sir, please stand up..."

After Lu Huiqing sat down, he returned to his seat, turned his head and told Feng Jing who was beside him: "Feng Jing, go and move the sand table of Xihe Road..."

"promise!"

Feng Jing took the order and left. Soon he brought his men to carry the assembled Xihe sand table in front of Zhao Xu and Lu Huiqing.

Zhao Xu stood up, picked up a special stick, walked to the sand table, and said to Lu Huiqing: "Look, sir, the Xihe Road was under the jurisdiction of six states before the eighth year of Yuanfeng..."

"Lan, Hui, Xi, He, Tao, Min..."

"Today, Kuzhou and Huangzhou have been added... a total of eight states..."

"Of course, Kuzhou and Huangzhou are just vassal states..."

"After you take office, as long as Xiba Wen of Guzhou and Wen Xixin of Huangzhou are obedient, you should not interfere in their internal affairs!"

"Respect their beliefs and customs..."

Zhao Xu's experience of studying abroad in modern times taught him that respecting the customs, beliefs and habits of ethnic minorities is crucial to maintaining stability and rule.

As for changing customs and practices and reforming the local people?
That's not something that can be done now.

That would require at least a hundred years of economic and cultural exchanges as a foundation.

Now...

People respect you and call you uncle.

I look down on you and call you a southern barbarian!
Of course, if you go over with a flintlock rifle and reason with them, you can probably convince them.

But doesn’t Zhao Xu have a flintlock rifle now?
Even the musket, the predecessor of the matchlock gun, was still under development.

Besides, even if there was a flintlock rifle, Zhao Xu’s strategic focus was not on the snowy plateau.

The costs of ruling are too high and the benefits are too low.

If this much time had been available, Western Xia would have been destroyed long ago!

Therefore, Zhao Xu should mainly adopt a conciliatory approach towards Tubo, relying on both economic and cultural means.

Anyway, the Tibetans feared and obeyed the nobles and were devout Buddhists.

As long as you win over the upper nobles and monks and build a few temples for them, they will behave themselves.

Lu Huiqing looked at the sand table, thought for a moment, and asked, "Your Majesty, what if they are unruly and even collude with the Western bandits?"

Zhao Xu grinned: "Then choose a new master for them who is strong and unstoppable!"

Agent...

Zhao Xucai didn't care whether his name was Xibawen or Qingyijieguizhang.

"During your stay in Beijing, you can go to Tongwenguan more often to talk with Gui Zhang..." Zhao Xu said, "When you leave for your new post, I will let Gui Zhang go back with you!"

After Qing Yijie Guizhang was captured, he was kept in Tongwenguan, where he was treated with fine wine and delicious food, and was treated like a state guest.

At the same time, Xing Shu would go over every now and then to talk with him.

How could Qing Yi Jie Gui Zhang withstand these sugar-coated bullets?

In the past month, he has written four letters of thanks to Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu naturally issued an edict to encourage him, rewarded him with a lot of money, and comforted him that he would be released soon so that the father and son could be reunited.

General Qing Yi was so moved by the Ghost Chapter that he burst into tears. He swore that he would educate his descendants when he returned, and that they would be loyal to their uncle the Han family forever and never rebel again.

Therefore, Zhao Xu appointed him as the General of the Left Guard, the Commandant of the Peirong Army, and the Inspector of the Hezhou Headquarters.

This made his official rank second only to Aligu among the great Tibetan leaders, and above Xibawen and Wenxixin.

This is obviously a strategy to sow discord and divide the people.

Can Xiba Wen and Wen Xixin be convinced?

Definitely not convinced!

Doesn't this give us room for maneuver?
After Xibawen and Wen Xixin arrived in Beijing, Zhao Xu would observe their performance and confer official ranks on them, allowing them to surpass Qingyi Jieguizhang and even approach the rank of Aligu.

As a result, no one could unify the various Tibetan tribes.

Lu Huiqing listened, thought for a moment, and murmured, "Ghost seal?"

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "Yes!"

"To warm Xiba and Xixin, to restrain and control Aligu..."

"Then use the Ghost Seal to restrain and control Xiba Wen and Wen Xixin!"

"In this way, you can be in a position of transcendence in Tibetan affairs and can adjudicate their disputes!"

"In this way, they can only compete to be loyal to me! Follow my baton and start fogging!" Zhao Xu shook the stick in his hand and said with a smile.

The Qingtang Tubo regime is now facing a huge legitimacy crisis.

Aligu is not a descendant of Zuosiluo.

He doesn't have the aura of direct bloodline of the Tibetan king!
He is not even a Tibetan, but a Uighur!

Can the Qingtang tribes submit to him?
What's more, he had just lost the war with the Song Dynasty.

Although Xiba Wen and Wen Xixin are not descendants of Zuosiluo.

But they all have a certain claim to legitimacy!
Xibawen is the direct grandson of Zuosiluo's elder brother Shishiyonglong, and his bloodline can be traced back to the last Tibetan king, Dharma V.

As for Wen Xixin, his father Wen Puqi was the original shareholder of the Qingtang Tubo regime.

In the past, Zuo Siluo and Dong Zhen were able to command the six tribes of Qing Tang because they were descendants of the Zamp and were sons of Buddha!
Now, Aligu, a Uighur, has seized Qingtang City.

Then it would be reasonable for Wen Xixin to retake Qingtang City and become the Zamp.

Therefore, in Zhao Xu's previous life, Aligu had tried every means to get rid of these two people.

Now, Zhao Xu gave up Xihe Road and supported Xibawen and Wen Xixin to restrain and contain Aligu.

Then put the Qing Yi Jie Gui Zhang back and let it become a separate force.

In this case, even if another Zuo Silu descended, it would take at least 20 to 30 years for the six tribes of Qingtang to be unified again.

Not to mention, Zhao Xu had already placed another crucial weight on the scale!

He looked at Lu Huiqing and said, "Besides this, there is another matter that you should pay attention to when you arrive in Xihe!"

"Master Zhiyuan, the abbot of Zisheng Zen Temple in Mabang Mountain, has unfathomable Buddhist cultivation. He is the living Buddha!"

"If there are any disputes among the Tibetan tribes, and if you are not free, you can ask Master Puji Huai'en to mediate!"

The Tibetans worshipped Buddhism.

Zhao Xu sent them a monk!
A monk who had followed the previous generation's Western Tripitaka translator Master Richeng to practice under his tutelage, was familiar with the customs of various Tibetan tribes, and had followed Wang Shao to open up frontiers!

In addition, there was Zhao Xu's guidance and the Xihe government's conscious guidance, publicity and promotion.

Now Monk Zhiyuan has a huge influence in Xihe, Tubo and even Xixia.

Based on the reports of Xiang Zonghui and Gao Gongji.

Nowadays, there are pilgrims heading to Mount Mebang almost every day.

Even Liang Yifu, the prime minister of Western Xia, once sent people to Mount Mabang in secret to offer the Buddha's tooth relic and pray for protection.

(End of this chapter)