Late Tang Dynasty: I

Chapter 356

The Khitan is still within its control, far inferior to the eight alliances in history, which coerced many tribes in the grassland and had an army of 30 string-controlling soldiers.

Now the most powerful tribe, the Duici Department, can only provide [-] to [-] cavalry.

The Khitan's combat power at this time was greatly reduced. Historically, Li Cunxu was able to drive the Khitan's 30 army out of Hebei with [-] cavalry. Li Siyuan put down [-] troops in Youzhou, forcing Yelu Abaoji to dare not look south.

If it weren't for the civil strife in the Central Plains and Shi Jingtang ceding territory for help, how could the Khitan have obtained the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun? Even after Shi Jingtang's son Shi Chonggui rebelled against the Khitan, he initially defeated Yelv Deguang.

……

In the main tent of the Yaonan Ministry, Fu Yunzhong, Sima of the Youyun Governor's Office, was discussing with Yaonan Aku alone.

"The Diesang tribe grazed their cattle on Kerulun Water Grassland without the consent of the Great Khan. His Majesty the Tang Dynasty was very dissatisfied when he found out. This not only ignored the authority of the Great Khan, but also ignored the authority of the Tang Dynasty."

Yaonan Aku said in a deep voice: "The Diesas tribe has always been like this. I also tried to drive them away, but it was of no use!"

Fu Yunzhong said: "The Tang Dynasty hopes that the grassland can be healthy, and hopes that the Great Khan can restrain the people and stop fighting. If the Great Khan cannot do it, I would like to suggest that your Majesty give up the position of Governor to the people of the Dieci tribe. !”

Yaonan Aku's face turned pale and he said: "If this is the case, the Duici tribe will definitely enslave our Yaonan tribe. Please also ask the Tang Dynasty to give us more weapons and armor so that the Yaonan tribe can defend its pastures!"

Fu Yunzhong smiled and said: "The Yaonan tribe has always been the leader of the eight alliances. This is what the Tang Dynasty wants to see. Your Majesty wants to be friends with Khan forever. If you feel it is necessary, the cavalry of the Tang Dynasty can help the Khan." Suppress the rebellion!"

A gleam flashed in Yaonan Aku's eyes, and he said: "If I can wipe out the Duici Department, I will give all the cattle and sheep I get to the Tang Dynasty. Yaonan Aku is willing to be a minister of the Tang Dynasty forever!"

Fu Yunzhong nodded with satisfaction and said: "Since the Great Khan is related to the Emperor by marriage, His Majesty will naturally not ignore it!"

This is the uncle of the state, and the Tang Dynasty has every reason to use the Yaonan Division to interfere in Khitan affairs.

The influence of the Tang Dynasty is not only through these, the cotton clothes, fabrics, grain and salt from the Tang Dynasty are spread throughout the desert, and they can be exchanged for tens of thousands of horses, cattle and sheep. Now the Weaving Bureau of the Tang Dynasty has begun to purchase sheep wool. Three carts of wool can be exchanged for one A blanket that is one foot long and one foot wide.

The trafficking of Khitan people also began. In the mutual market between Datang and Khitan, slave trade was opened. Ten pieces of money and ten bolts of silk could be exchanged for a strong laborer.

Under the emperor's deliberate management, the caravan of the Tang Dynasty Weaving Bureau in Mobei had to charge an extra [-]% for transportation fees when collecting cash, but there was no handling fee for redemption of Datang banknotes.

"A few years later, all the herdsmen in Mobei were holding were pieces of cash. As long as the rebel tribes did not accept their cash, the wealth they accumulated would turn into pieces of waste paper in the blink of an eye."

The erosion of Khitan trade was also directed towards the Bohai Sea and Silla Kingdom.

Datang Bank is gradually exerting its influence.

……

Bianjing Wanchun Palace

Li Ye looked at the memorials sent from the north one after another, wondering if he could send troops to wipe out the Duici Department in one fell swoop. Yelu Abaoji was like a thorn in his heart, keeping him awake all night.

Despite various analyses, Yelu Abaoji cannot make any trouble at this point in time no matter what he does.

His Majesty the Emperor was still uneasy, so he summoned Zhou Dewei, the commander of the Zuowu Xiang Army, to confront him. According to Li Ye's investigation, the Tielin Army led by Zhou Dewei was originally stationed in the Zhenwu Shanyu Mansion in Daibei, and had contacts with the Khitan tribe.

"Your Majesty!" Li Ye personally helped Zhou Dewei up and said, "I have heard of the general's reputation a long time ago, and I cannot help but meet him!"

"Your Majesty, this general is willing to die for your Majesty!"

Li Ye gave him a cushion, sat on the ground with Zhou Dewei, and then said: "I heard that the general and the Khitan Wu'a tribe often have wars, can you tell me, how is the Khitan?"

Zhou Dewei said angrily: "The Khitan people are all jackals. They live in no fixed abode and make a living by raising animals. They dare to invade the border and plunder the territory after entangling hundreds of people. All the women are raped and all the men are their slaves. Children and the elderly are , will all die under their scimitars, and all the money and food will be harvested, which they call grass-tripping."

Li Ye also sighed and said: "It will not be happy if we don't get rid of these evil neighbors. I have found out that the eight Khitan tribes have no less than 30 soldiers controlling strings. If someone unifies the eight tribes, they will definitely become a thorn in the side of the Tang Dynasty. We have to investigate!"

Zhou Dewei also nodded and echoed: "Your Majesty, you want to eliminate the Khitans now!"

His Majesty the Emperor looked at Zhou Dewei with admiration, wanted to take a test, and asked: "The Hu people live in no fixed place on the grassland. This is a place where the Han people are not used to living. Throughout the ages, there have been countless battles between Han and Hu, even if they are victorious. After a few decades, I have regained my strength and will knock on the border to enter the country again. In the opinion of the general, there will be a long-term peace and stability strategy!"

Regardless of the Tang Dynasty or the Ming Dynasty, the Qin, Han, and Sui Dynasties directly defeated the barbarians many times, and the country was destroyed. However, they always fell into this vicious circle. The more they fought, the more they were defeated. When the country was strong, it was nothing. Just pick up the sword and do it. But when national power declines, problems become bigger.

Before the advent of machine guns, nomads were not so friendly.

In fact, the Manchus were the most successful in treating the grassland tribes.

Their approach is very practical, which is carrot and stick.

There is a lot to elaborate on. Marriage is just one thing. It is the national policy of the Qing Dynasty not to be crowned king in the south and to have constant marriage in the north.

The huge Mongolia is divided into more than 300 flags. One Chahar tribe is divided into 49 flags. These flags do not belong to each other and each has its own grazing land.

And every three years, the leaders of each tribe have to meet the emperor. If you don't come, fine, I'll do it to you.

The most important thing is to promote Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia and to control the ideology.

Zhou Dewei does not have the divine perspective of His Majesty the Emperor, and his views are not surprisingly limited to the present.

"Build the Great Wall at strategic points and send generals to defend it. If the barbarians gain momentum, concentrate your best troops to attack them."

Li Ye shook his head and said: "The Great Wall is thousands of miles empty, and heroes of all ages have dreams of all ages. This can only cure temporary troubles, but cannot provide long-term peace and stability!"

Zhou Dewei didn't say anything. All dynasties in history had done this, but the result was exactly as the emperor said, with constant border troubles.

His Majesty the Emperor continued: "I want to extend the order of grace in Mobei. The large tribes are divided into small tribes. Each tribe is not subordinate to each other and each has its own territory. They cannot cross the border. If they dare to disobey, I will lead a large army to attack them. What do you think of them?"

"This……"

Zhou Dewei shook his head and said: "How can it be realized if all the barbarians refuse to accept it?"

"Then beat them until they are convinced!"

(End of this chapter)