Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 455: Li Chengqian's meticulous planning, step by step (Part )
"Songtsen needs Wencheng to return, and with the help of the Tang Dynasty, he can help him attract the hatred of the various tribes within Tubo and help him suppress the local people." Li Chengqian looked at the people in the hall and said, "His idea is not bad, but do you know what this also means?"

Zhang Sun Wuji spoke up and said, "This also means that the power of the Tang Dynasty can use the princess to intervene in Tubo, and even launch a full-scale infiltration of Tubo."

"That's right." Li Chengqian sneered softly and said, "If Songtsen still had a shred of strength left, he would never have resorted to such a desperate measure. So there's only one explanation: Songtsen's health has collapsed, and there's a very real possibility he won't even make it through this year. That's why he needs Wencheng to go back."

This kind of strategy will only be used in the worst possible circumstances.

Using this method means there is only one possibility.

Songtsen was dying.

"He wants his grandson to recognize the princess as his legitimate grandmother." Fang Xuanling suddenly looked up and said, "He wants to kill his grandson's biological grandmother."

Songtsen had only one son, Gongsong Gongtsen, who was born to him and Princess Yangtong, Mangfei Chijiang. Gongsong Gongtsen also had only one son, Mangsong Mangtsen.

Now that Gongsong Gongtsen is dead, the only people Mangsong Mangtsen can rely on are Songtsen and his concubine Chijiang.

But Songtsen was obviously not going to survive, and his concubine Mangqiong was from Yangtong and had no say within Tubo.

Under the watchful eyes of the Tang Dynasty, if one wants to maintain the overall situation of Tubo and at the same time maintain the position of Mangsong Mangtsen, the best way is to kill Mangfei Chijiang and let Mangsong Mangtsen recognize Princess Wencheng as his grandmother.

This was the original purpose of the Tang Dynasty marrying princesses into Tubo.

Use the princess's offspring to ease relations between the two countries.

Songtsen is now putting everything back on track.

"This way, when Mangsong Mangtsen grows up, he will be able to successfully retake power in Tubo. At the same time, because his grandmother was killed by the princess, there will inevitably be a rift between him and the Tang Dynasty." Fang Xuanling looked at Li Chengqian in surprise and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, this is a very dangerous move!"

"It's not that dangerous, actually." Changsun Wuji, sitting to one side, shook his head and said, "Even if the Tang Dynasty intervenes in Tubo through the princess, it's three thousand miles away from Chang'an. What can it do? If the Tang Dynasty's power becomes too great, the Tubo nobles will immediately unite to resist it. It's more likely that Mangsong Mangzan will use the Tang Dynasty's power to stabilize Tubo."

"But who will help Mangsong Mangtsen?" Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "It is undeniable that Songtsen's subordinates do have talented people. That Thunmi Sambhota is not bad. However, if I do not allow the princess to return and continue to threaten the Tibetan border, then even if they have temporary stability, over time, people's hearts will be uneasy, and then..."

"The Tubo people are killing each other." Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement, then looked at Li Chengqian and said, "So Songtsen will definitely do everything in his power to invite the princess back. He will also have to let the princess wholeheartedly support Mangsong Mangtsen as he grows up. At the same time, it would be best if the princess actively resists the infiltration of Tang power and finally waits for Mangsong Mangtsen to grow up."

"It's not that simple." Fang Xuanling shook his head and said, "From the battle in the northwest, we can see that Songtsen has many tricks up his sleeve. He can draw on the power of the Tang Dynasty and Nepal, or even give up the royal power and just defend Luoxi. Previously, they just said they still had loyal shadow troops... Your Majesty, the situation in Tubo is not that bad."

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "I don't care about the situation in Tubo. I have no intention of continuing to advance. But Songtsen must die, and my sister will not return to Tubo. In addition, since Lu Dongzan and Gal Qinling have become criminals of Tubo, and Songtsen also said that their families should be sent to the Tang Dynasty, let them send them here."

Without Princess Wencheng, Lu Dongzan and Lun Qinling, Li Chengqian did not believe that no matter how well Songtsen played the balancing game, he could still make Tubo as powerful as in his previous life.

In the previous life, after Songtsen's death, Lu Dongzan's family supported Tubo.

Although there was assistance from other counselors, Lu Dongzan's family made the greatest contribution.

Now that Lu Dongzan's family is gone, even if Tubo can barely support it, it is only barely.

Li Chengqian is not yet ready to destroy Tubo.

The Tang Dynasty was not prepared to destroy Tubo.

So, let them mess around for a while.

……

"Leave Tubo to rot slowly, I don't care." Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said solemnly, "It is Tuyuhun that I care about. Su Hegui has repeatedly been hostile to the Tang Dynasty. This time, he even sent troops to attack Shanzhou and Lanzhou. Now he has died in battle, and his entire tribe has been taken captive. Send an order!"

"I'm here!" Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Li Ji and Cui Dunli stood up at the same time and bowed.

"Deport the entire Su Hegui clan, regardless of gender, to slavery. Confiscate all cattle, sheep, pastures, tents, and jewelry and bring them all to the Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, have the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance register and confiscate all property."

"I obey your command!" Zhangsun Wuji bowed, then looked at Li Chengqian uncertainly and said, "Your Majesty just mentioned that there is pasture."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, saying, "Uncle guessed correctly, I want to swallow Su Hegui.

My uncle was worried about tens of thousands of people entering the Tang Dynasty, and that the Tang Dynasty would have to bear the cost of their food and expenses, but now they are slaves."

Slaves had the worst food, clothing, and everything else.

Even if you die, no one will care.

Now Li Chengqian can directly annex Suhegui at the lowest cost.

"I will establish a new state in Xinghai, the old nest of Qugou, Hesu and Gui. Qugou will be the state capital, and the land east of Dafei River will belong to the Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian raised his head and said calmly, "In the early years of my reign, I expanded the territory of the Tang Dynasty. This can be regarded as a good start for my dynasty."

"What about Tuyuhun?" Changsun Wuji frowned and said with a bow, "Your Majesty, Tuyuhun will definitely not give up." "He'd better not give up, otherwise I can swallow up all of Eastern Tuyuhun!" Li Chengqian snorted coldly and said, "Uncle, tell him that he'd better not have any other ideas. I won't indulge him here. If he is really dissatisfied, he can go to attack Western Tuyuhun. The Tang Dynasty will support him in his fight against Western Tuyuhun."

Changsun Wuji was slightly stunned, and then he realized that Li Chengqian had thought of everything.

He swallowed up part of the Eastern Tuyuhun, then let the Eastern Tuyuhun move westward and occupy the Western Tuyuhun, while also letting the two families fight again.

What a good plan!
"Then who does Your Majesty plan to appoint as the governor of Xinzhou?" Changsun Wuji stared at Li Chengqian straight. The key was the person.

Changsun Wuji saw this very clearly.

Songtsen's health was failing, but as long as he could choose a suitable regent for his grandson Mangsong Mangtsen before he died, and then use the nobles in the Tang Dynasty and Tubo to strike a balance, then everything would still be possible.

So this person is very important.

The same goes for Xinzhou. They want Tuyuhun to swallow their resentment and move westward obediently, even if it means having someone to suppress them.

Such a suitable Xinzhou governor is extremely important. If he does a good job, he can not only make the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun obedient, but also prepare for the future destruction of Tubo.

"How about the Duke of Wei?" Li Chengqian raised his head slightly, looked at Zhangsun Wuji, and said, "Is the Duke of Wei appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Northwest Road Army and Vice Minister of State Affairs? I will establish a new prefecture, which can be named Xichang. I will appoint the Duke of Wei as the governor and commander-in-chief of Xichang Prefecture, commanding the military affairs of Xichang Prefecture, Kuo Prefecture, Shan Prefecture, He Prefecture, and Lan Prefecture. What do you think, uncle?"

"Li Jing is the governor of Xichang Prefecture?" Zhangsun Wuji didn't react and asked subconsciously, "But Your Majesty, the Duke of Wei is now the Vice Minister of State Affairs!"

The Vice Minister of State Affairs is the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the Governor of the Border Provinces. This kind of thing only happened when the Tang Dynasty was founded. Now...

"I don't mind replacing him." Li Chengqian smiled and looked at Fang Xuanling and Li Ji and said, "We can also replace the Duke of Wei with someone else and then transfer him back to Chang'an."

As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Changsun Wuji's expression changed slightly.

What should we do when Li Jing returns to the court?
He was the Vice-Chancellor and Prime Minister, and a person who had a profound influence in the military for many years.

If he were to return to Chang'an now, the political landscape of Chang'an would change dramatically.

Moreover, the person who was most affected was Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji immediately looked up and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. The Duke of Wei is the most suitable person to be the governor of Xichang Prefecture. Moreover, with his prestige on the plateau, the Eastern Tuyuhun will surely honestly swallow their dissatisfaction with the Tang Dynasty occupying Qugou and Xinghai, and will strive to advance westward. The plateau will be stabilized to the greatest extent possible."

As Changsun Wuji spoke, he finally understood why Li Chengqian had dared to so decisively separate Xichang Prefecture from Tuyuhun.

With Li Jing on the plateau, anything can be done.

This is indeed the best strategy.

"Take your time. This involves the relocation of many people, trade, and city construction. I'm afraid it will cost a lot of money." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "I can only hope to open up the salt road to Tuyuhun to make up for the expenses."

Tuyuhun has salt lakes, but the amount of green salt imported into the Tang Dynasty from these salt lakes each year is limited. Once the Tang Dynasty's tentacles completely extend into the plateau, the amount of salt imported into the Tang Dynasty from these salt lakes will increase greatly, thus bringing wealth to the Tang Dynasty in disguise.

In this way, the expenses of building a new state or even a city will be incurred.

What's more, all this money eventually fell into the hands of the people of the Tang Dynasty.

Very clever, very clever!

"Alright, that's it." Li Chengqian looked at Cui Dunli and said, "Mr. Cui, send someone to intercept the envoy and modify the report to say that the Tang Dynasty won a great victory on the plateau, defeating a hundred thousand troops of Tubo, Tuyuhun, and Dangxiang in a single battle, and that the Tubo King Songtsen escaped with his life!"

"Yes!" Cui Dunli immediately bowed.

Li Chengqian smiled, stood up and said, "Alright, that's it. We have won a great victory, and I will go tell my father now."

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

……

After leaving Liangyi Hall, Changsun Wuji was still thinking about what had just happened.

At this moment, Li Ji's voice came from behind, speaking to Fang Xuanling: "Duke Liang, I'm afraid that all of this has been planned by His Majesty from the very beginning. However, I am a little confused. Was it the Emperor Emeritus who helped with this, or was it someone else in the court who helped?"

Does the emperor have other helpers in the court?
Changsun Wuji knew that this person was definitely not the emperor emeritus, nor was he someone like Li Ji and Fang Xuanling. Ma Zhou, Yu Zhining, and Lai Ji did not have this ability.

So who is it?
Is it Li Jing?

(End of this chapter)