The Great Tang General

Li Xuan stayed in the gunpowder workshop for a total of two days.

It is clear that while making the cannon, the making of the explosive pack must not be neglected.

The idea of ​​the thunder bomb is good, but the thunder bomb wrapped in pig iron has low lethality and is not as good as the dynamite pack in blasting rocks, repairing mountains and opening roads.

Under Li Xuan's instructions, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works began to formally invest financial resources in the gunpowder workshop.

Exploration teams will travel across the country to detect saltpeter and sulfur.

Especially in the Longyou area, Li Xuan vaguely remembered that there was a lot of saltpeter there.

After leaving the Niu Shou Mountain gunpowder workshop, he returned directly to Chang'an.

Less than a month later, Jiang Yueyao gave birth to another daughter for him.

Li Xuan was not discouraged by having another daughter. He loved it equally whether it was a boy or a girl.

He stood in front of the bed and saw that the little princess stopped crying shortly after she was born. Her round eyes were pure and ink-colored.

She will definitely become a great beauty like her mother in the future.

Li Xuan comforted Jiang Yueyao and thanked her for her hard work.

Three days later, Li Xuan granted his third daughter the title of Princess of Xia Kingdom, and named her Li Yiyi.

The people of Chang'an spontaneously celebrated the birth of the little princess to the Supreme Emperor, and they were sincerely happy. They hoped that the Supreme Emperor would have many children.

When the flowers fell, Li Xuan accompanied Jiang Yueyao and her daughter for many days before he resumed his duties.

Horses from the Northeast came to Chang'an quickly. After learning that Li Guangbi had landed on Sakhalin Island and named it Whale Island, Li Xuan officially established an administrative district in the Northeast.

He believed that the Bohai Kingdom was not stable for the time being and that one should not be too tough to avoid a counterattack.

After eliminating the lowly and turning the poor into good people in Bohai, Li Xuan exempted the common people from taxes for one year by order of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

He won the hearts of the people of Bohai, and they were grateful for the kindness of the Heavenly Khan.

Li Xuan established the vast area from Liucheng County to Baihai State as Bohai Protectorate.

Similar to the Snowland Protectorate, all government affairs were managed by the Grand Protector sent by the Tang Dynasty, and the Bohai nobles were transferred to Chang'an to prevent them from interfering in the rule of the Tang Dynasty.

The military affairs were under the charge of the Pinglu Military Governor's Office.

Now the Pinglu Military Governor's Office no longer needs to be stationed in Lulong City. It is mainly stationed in the original Bohai area and Mohe area, and has been expanded to 30,000 troops.

Part of the Fanyang Military Governor's Office's troops were stationed in the original Shiwei, Khitan, Xi, and Tongluo areas.

The Fuyuan Protectorate was established in the north and south of the Greater Khingan Range.

The jurisdiction covers a vast area inside and outside the Greater Khingan Range, Lesser Khingan Range and Greater Khingan Range.

It includes the original settlements of Xi, Khitan and Shiwei.

The Whale Sea Protectorate was established in the original Heishui Mohe and Whale Island.

This protectorate has the smallest number of people, but they are indispensable.

Originally, the Tang Dynasty only established military governorates in remote border areas to appease the Hu people and tribes.

Now that the Tang Dynasty has been restructured, the significance of the Governor's Office has changed.

The Protectorate had also changed.

The Protectorate was a purely political, diplomatic, and financial institution that coordinated with the military forces of the Governor's Office within its jurisdiction.

There is no doubt that the Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty was a symbol of the actual control of the Tang Dynasty’s territory.

The Tang Dynasty can mobilize all resources and troops within the Protectorate.

Although there were many tribes and countries within the Protectorate, these tribes followed the lead of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Xuan respected the rights and interests of these countries, but would also try his best to spread Han ideas and assimilate them.

The Protectorate was just a former institution for the naturalization of the four barbarians.

Countries like Silla, Persia, and Uighurs were the real foreign countries of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Xuan also considered other factors and, following Li Xian's suggestion, separated the Hezhong area from the Anxi area and established the Pamir Protectorate.

Otherwise, Anxi's jurisdiction would be too large and it would be difficult to manage Hezhong.

The Great Protectorate of Pamirs was in charge of monitoring the Sogdian and Tocharian states in the river basin.

The Zhezhi Military Governorate was raised to the same level as other Military Governorates, and was established as the 25th Military Governorate of the Tang Dynasty.

Ma Lin, the governor of Beiting, was changed to the governor of Zhezhi Governor's Office.

Zhezhi Lujing was changed to the civilian Protector General of Congling Mountains.

Ma Lin was a man of both civil and military talents, and had made outstanding military achievements. Once the war with the Arabs broke out, Ma Lin could take charge of the situation on his own.

Li Xuan agreed with Li Xian's suggestion.

The Pamir Protectorate was established, and its headquarters was built in Zhezhi City.

Make sure that the Xuanlong flag of the Tang Dynasty is flying on the city walls of all countries in the Central Asian region.

When Li Xuan allowed Ma Lin to take office, he moved 10,000 Beiting soldiers and their families to the area around Zhezhi City, gave them generous treatment, and allowed them to settle down there.

To strengthen the military forces of Zhezhi Military Governor's Office.

The number of troops under the Zhezhi Military Governor's Office reached 20,000.

The Tang Dynasty relied on tax revenues from various countries and was located on the Silk Road, so it could also purchase grain from Persia. The Pamir Protectorate was able to support 20,000 soldiers and horses.

As for the position of Governor of Beiting, Li Xuan appointed Li Sheng, who had followed Nan Jiyun and Duan Xueshi to destroy Tubo.

Although Li Sheng was once Li Xuan's personal guard, he had enough military achievements to win the support of the people.

After some arrangements, the Tang Dynasty now has the Pamir Protectorate, Anxi Protectorate, Beiting Protectorate, Snowland Protectorate, Yunnan Protectorate, Fuyuan Protectorate, Bohai Protectorate, and Whale Sea Protectorate.

The land controlled by these territories is larger than that of the Sixteen Territories of the Tang Dynasty.

But most of them are sparsely populated and have harsh environments.

Each Grand Protector General serves a four-year term, but unlike other officials, he can be re-elected for two terms.

A Grand Protector General with outstanding political achievements can be directly promoted to Shangshu or even appointed as Prime Minister.

Such as the Snowy Protectorate, Bohai Protectorate, Fuyuan Protectorate, Beiting Protectorate, and Whale Sea Protectorate, which controlled deeper places.

The Tang Dynasty directly established counties within the Protectorate and appointed prefects and county magistrates to govern them, accelerating the sinicization of these places.

There were too many countries and tribes in places like Anxi Protectorate and Congling Protectorate.

The Tang Dynasty would only open up areas of actual control and establish counties.

For example, in the Pamir Protectorate, Zhezhi County and Xiyuan County north of the Yaosha River (now the Syr Darya River) were established, as well as Qianquan County, which was originally the "temporary palace" of the Western Turkic Khan, on the Qianquan Ancient Road.

There is also the newly opened Pamir Ancient Road, and Pamir County was established in the upper reaches of the Wuhu River (now the Amu Darya River).

The original Xiaobolü was actually controlled by the Tang Dynasty.

Considering the strategic location, Ban Chao County was established to commemorate Ban Chao's management of the Western Regions.

If you immigrate, these counties will definitely be given priority.

Li Xuan believed that immigration should not rely solely on powerful people and criminals who were exiled here.

They will also take the initiative to recruit young and strong men and women in densely populated areas such as Henan, Hebei, Hedong and Shu.

Except for the poor, each of them had 70 acres of land.

If they immigrated, they would not only be given 100 mu of land, but also 10 sheep and 10 pieces of silk. In addition, they could share cattle and horses with their neighbors.

Some people's family members died in the war, and these generous benefits will attract many people to sign up and be willing to travel far away to give it a try.

The Tang Dynasty had enough horses. Although most of them were not good enough to be war horses, they were sufficient as a means of transportation.

If the Tang Dynasty gritted its teeth and paid some price, as long as it could relocate 200,000 Han households in Pamirs and Anxi, the overall situation would be settled.

Together with the original Han population, the families of soldiers, exiled Han people, etc., the population of the Tang Dynasty will occupy one-third of Anxi and Congling.

Once some Hu people are sinicized and reproduce, after several years, the Tang Dynasty will completely occupy the Western Regions and Transoxiana.

In addition, at least 200,000 Han Chinese households will be relocated to the Snowy Plateau and Northeast China.

To enrich it!
This is a strategic national policy. Li Xuan asked the Minister of Revenue Wang Changling to be responsible for matters related to population migration.

If the goal can be achieved within four years, Li Xuan will appoint Wang Changling as prime minister.

Regarding how to quickly assimilate the Hu people and establish the rule of the Tang Dynasty, Li Xuan summoned the chief prime minister Li Xian to Ganlu Palace to ask for his opinion.

"Your Majesty, if you redefine the duties of the Protectorate, those small tribes will be completely loyal to the Tang Dynasty in 20 to 30 years without interference. For those countries that have existed for hundreds of years, it will take even longer."

Li Xian replied to Li Xuan that he also didn't understand why the Supreme was so anxious.

In his eyes, the Supreme is young and strong.

Not only did those small states pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty every year, but the Protectorate also received taxes from them.

They regarded the supreme being as the Heavenly Khan and could not treat him harshly, so as not to damage the prestige of the Heavenly Khan.

"There are currently eight Protectorates in the Tang Dynasty. I hope that the Protectorates can bring benefits to the court, at least to maintain the military and political power of the region, rather than the court continuously supplying the Protectorates with silk money east of Mount Xiao."

Li Xuan explained to Li Xian.

If the Protectorate becomes a burden, it will sooner or later drag down the Tang Dynasty.

At the very least, the animal husbandry, mineral resources, gold, silver and jewelry in the west and north can benefit the Central Plains region.

"According to the words of the Supreme Lord, we should order all countries to send a group of students to Chang'an to learn Confucian culture and the idea of ​​eliminating lowliness and becoming good. We should infect them so that when they return to their countries, they can accelerate the progress of sinicization."

Li Xian thought about it and replied to Li Xuan.

“This is a feasible approach.”

Li Xuan's eyes lit up, and he felt that what Li Xian said made sense.

He drew inferences from one example and thought of other things.

For example, in Xiangxi, Qianzhong and other places, local officials are in power.

These Hu native officials have been exploiting the local tribes.

The Tang Dynasty could directly select some low-status Hu people from the native official tribes and send them to Chang'an to study.

After being influenced by the Tang Dynasty, the Hu people will definitely become dissatisfied with the local officials.

After that group of students returned, the Tang Dynasty could almost implement the policy of changing the native tribes to officials and formally appoint officials to rule over Xiangxi, Qianzhong and other places.

There were also Hu tribes in Hexi, Shuofang, Taiyuan and other places.

They have always been independent of the Tang Dynasty's administration, and sooner or later there will be hidden dangers.

For example, during the Kaiyuan period, the Hexi Jiedushi Wang Jun was killed by the Hexi Hu tribe.

Although it was Wang Jun who made the mistake first, it also indirectly reflected that the Hexi Hu tribe, which belonged to the Tang Dynasty, was capable of causing trouble in the Hexi Corridor.

Li Xuan used his power as the "Heavenly Khan" to make everyone submit to him.

But his descendants may not be able to shock them. Therefore, it is necessary for these Hu tribes to learn some knowledge of the Tang Dynasty.

There cannot be any force within the territory of the Tang Dynasty that is beyond the control of the law.

Following Li Xian's suggestion, Li Xuan allowed foreign countries to send young students to study in the Tang Dynasty in the name of exchanges between the Tang Dynasty and foreign countries.

In fact, it is to instill "advanced culture" into them.

In addition, Li Xuan, the county governor of Xiangxi, Qianzhong and other places, also selected students he considered "qualified" in the name of friendly exchanges and coexistence between Han and Tibetan.

The tribes in Hexi, Taiyuan, Shuofang, Bohai, Fuyuan, Jinghai and other places also used this method.

The Tang Dynasty established Hua Xia University in Chang'an, allowing these Hu people to study together with outstanding Han students so that they could be assimilated into Chinese as soon as possible.

"Right Prime Minister, when can the curfew be lifted?"

After confirming this, Li Xuan asked Li Xian about the curfew issue.

It’s April now, the perfect time to lift the curfew.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

"Your Majesty, I have already agreed with the prime ministers that the curfew will be announced to all civil and military officials at the court tomorrow. However, we all agree that the walls of the 108 market districts in Chang'an should not be demolished for the time being. We can open the gates at night and allow the people to enter and exit freely to avoid uncontrollable events."

"Your Highness has listed the nine districts of Xishi, Dongshi, Changlefang, Pingkangfang, Lanlingfang, Yongyangfang, Chonghuafang, Quchifang, and Lizhengfang as preliminary night market areas. In addition, there are two places, Zhuque Street and Qujiang, where vendors are allowed to trade."

"I have discussed this with Zhang Dayin. Now the detectives work in three shifts to maintain law and order at night. I also hope that Your Majesty will order the Jinwu Guards to patrol as they do during the day to deter lawbreakers..."

Li Xian explained to Li Xuan in great detail the matter of lifting the curfew.

Prime Minister Li Xian and other ministers were still somewhat conservative after all.

But he said that he would wait until the curfew system was in place for a period of time before tearing down the neighborhood walls.

"Just do as You Pushe said. I will order the Jinwu Guards to patrol in three shifts. During the first three months of lifting the curfew, some of the Tiance Guards and Shence Guards will also join in."

Li Xuan nodded. He understood the cautious thinking of Li Xian and others.

He didn't force it anymore.

Step by step.

Hunger and cold give rise to the desire to steal.

After all, those who are blinded by greed are only a minority. As long as people have enough food and clothing, the probability of people willing to take the risk of stealing will remain low.

The significance of the law is to punish and prevent those very few people who want to gain something without working and whose desires are expanding.

What is meant by “No one picks up lost items on the road, and no one locks the door at night” is more of a metaphorical compliment.

When the economy is booming, some people take risks. This is human nature.

"Supreme Wiseness!"

Li Xian breathed a sigh of relief.

He and his prime ministers planned to first lift the curfew in Chang'an for one year to see the results, and then implement it in major cities such as Luoyang, Yangzhou, Yizhou, and Liangzhou.

After the county and prefecture police system is perfected, it will be popularized throughout the country.

If Chang'an is in chaos due to the implementation of the curfew, they will persuade the Supreme Emperor to revoke the order.

"Right Prime Minister, before Qianyuan, I told you to expand the Shangshu Province to nine ministries and merge some overlapping departments. Change to the provincial system to reduce the burden on the central government and strengthen the central power. The central city design will be established to enable the country to develop faster. What do you think of your plan? When do you think it can be implemented?"

Li Xuan did not let Li Xian step down, and three years later, he brought up the provincial system again.

Since he came to power, he has clearly felt that it is too difficult for the central government to directly manage more than 300 counties.

It is impossible for the Ministry of Personnel to conduct a comprehensive assessment of more than 300 counties.

By merging more than 300 counties into more than 20 provinces and appointing capable and skillful officials to control the counties, the counties could also be planned more meticulously.

It seems that the power of the court is divided, but in fact it is strengthening centralization.

Because the imperial court only needed provincial governors to issue orders, determine tactics and strategies, and control the overall situation.

It is impossible for a provincial governor without military power to rebel.

Once the term of office is over, there will be an assessment to decide whether to remove, transfer or promote.

As for the division of the nine departments and the merger of the various temples, Li Xuan was also ready.

The Tian Ce Palace, the Secretariat, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the imperial power is held tighter than before.

Although some departments were established to strengthen the royal family and check and balance the six ministries, they were too bloated.

As long as Li Xuan managed the Taifu Temple, which was responsible for the management of the property, he could definitely bypass the Shangshu Province and exercise financial power.

There is also the indispensable Dali Temple.

And the Zongzheng Temple which symbolizes the royal family.

Although some of the others were incorporated into the Shangshu Province, some, such as the Weiwei, were incorporated into the Tiance Mansion to ensure that the Tiance Mansion had absolute control over the military power of the world and the guarding of the capital.

For example, the Taipu Temple was incorporated into the Secretariat.

Taichang Temple and Zongzheng Temple merged.

The Imperial College was merged into the Palace of Wisdom.

It is easy to understand why the remaining temples and academies were incorporated into the various departments.

"I think I have some plans, which I can present to the Supreme after I have sorted them out."

Li Xian replied to Li Xuan.

In the past, the Tang Dynasty had no foundation, and as the Tang Dynasty changed, he also expected that the political system of the Tang Dynasty would have to change.

But such a radical change is too complex.

"If you have any opinions, please tell me first."

Li Xuan said to Li Xian.

"I suggest that the provincial system be implemented starting from the first month of the fifth year of Qianyuan. Announce it to the world in advance and make it clear that the first high-ranking officials and deputy chief officials will be selected from among the governors with outstanding political achievements. Let them be mentally prepared and rely on their own abilities. This will prevent them from complaining after losing the election."

"The nine ministries also implemented it in five years, promoting outstanding assistant ministers to become new ministers."

Li Xian suggested to Li Xuan.

If the provincial system is implemented rashly, those prefects who have been promoted to chief officials or deputy chief officials will certainly be happy.

After all, he became a "provincial governor".

But for the prefects who did not get promoted, they were originally managed by the central government, and now a boss appears out of nowhere above them, they must feel uncomfortable.

Be open and honest.

It can convince people.

"Okay! The prime minister should divide the provinces based on geographical and historical factors. For example, Hedong. It is west of Taihang Mountain, so it will be renamed Shanxi Province. East of the Yellow River, north of Luoyang, and west of Taihang Mountain are all Shanxi Province, with its provincial capital in Taiyuan."

"The provincial governors act on behalf of the imperial court and their chiefs are responsible for inspecting the civil affairs, prison laws, and people's livelihood in various parts of the province and pacifying the people. That's why they are called governors, a second-rank official position."

"In addition, the nine ministers, the Imperial Censor, the Secretary General, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Minister of Imperial Clan Affairs, the Minister of the Supreme Court, the Minister of the Imperial Treasury, etc. are all of the first rank. The Minister of the Right, the Minister of the Left, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, the Minister of the Court, and the Minister of State Affairs are all of the first rank."

"The Nine Ministers, the Wisdom Palace Priest, and the Grand Protector General are all of the second rank."

"The Junior Ministers of the Three Temples, the Deputy Protector General, the Junior Supervisor of the Secretaries, the Chief Censor, etc. are of the first third rank... The Doctors and others are of the second third rank..."

Li Xuan pondered for a while and agreed with Li Xian's opinion.

It’s not too late to prepare for another year.

He reclassified the ranks of officials.

The prime minister is of the third rank.

The official system of the Tang Dynasty was very complicated.

The ministers were at the same level as the local governors of large counties, and Li Xuan felt that this undermined their dignity.

He also planned to issue military ranks to completely separate civil and military officials.

Military officers’ status was no longer determined by rank, but by military rank.

The highest rank of marshal enjoys the treatment of the first rank.

"Your Majesty, what should be done with the Three Dukes, the Three Officials, the Crown Prince's Grand Master, and the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor?"

Li Xian was unprepared when Li Xuan gave them a "promotion".

It is difficult to tell whether it is good or bad at the moment.

"When the prime minister retires, he will no longer hold real power, but can be promoted to the three dukes and three officials."

Li Xuan speaks frankly.

The prime minister was of the third rank, which was a disguised way of strengthening the imperial power.

But in this era, this routine is too abstract.

He wanted to turn the prime minister and the minister into truly first-rank officials like those in later generations.

Implement nine grades and eighteen levels instead of the current nine grades and thirty levels.

Simplifying the official system so that people with ambitions can have clear goals is the goal of becoming a high-ranking official.

"You Pushe, go back to the Political Affairs Hall and inform the prime ministers. List them all together at the morning court tomorrow. The official position will remain the same, but the rank will change. Discuss the plan with the prime ministers."

Li Xuan did not make these decisions on a whim.

As early as when he ascended the throne, he was thinking about the new "nine grades and eighteen ranks" of official ranks.

and the military rank system.

Medals can withdraw from the stage of history and be replaced by military ranks, as well as various jade, gold, silver and bronze medals that symbolize honor and various awards.

Titles are still granted as usual, but are not limited to civil and military officials.

This deformed system of dispatching officials to other posts is only set up temporarily and will be abolished after the task is completed.

Sanguan is a nominal position used to show off one's status and it cannot be replaced now.

But after the military ranks were established, Li Xuan tried to make them gradually withdraw.

The purpose is to make the official system more streamlined.

The grace of the royal family will last for five generations. Li Xuan did not agree with this.

The Song Dynasty's grace was exhausted in three generations, and Li Xuan would reform in that direction.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Li Xian bowed and said he would think about it carefully after he returned.

See how the ninth grade and eighteenth level are established.

(End of this chapter)