Li Shimin, one emperor through the ages

Chapter 62 Unifying the Frontier (3)
Qin Shubao was originally a general in charge of protecting children in the future of the Sui Dynasty. Later, he surrendered to Li Mi. He was highly valued and promoted to General Hussars.After Li Mi failed, he returned to Wang Shichong. Because he couldn't understand Wang Shichong's arrogance, he soon joined Cheng Zhijie and others to join the Tang Dynasty, and was placed under Li Shimin's account by Li Yuan.Afterwards, he followed Li Shimin to fight on the battlefield, and he must be the first in every battle, often taking the head of the enemy general among thousands of troops.In the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he also rushed to the front, and was later named General Zuo Wuwei.Li Shimin understood this very well, and said to others:
"The general of Zuo Wuwei is a soldier and horse. He has gone through more than two hundred battles. He has always been in the front and suffered severe wounds. His illnesses are like this. They all came from the Tang Dynasty. I only hope that he will recover." Now Li Shimin sees Qin Shubao. Passed away, walked to his side, looked at him for a while, and said:
"It's a good thing that a man can't die in battle, but with a smile in his triumphant song!" After saying that, he ordered Qin Shubao's body to be sent back to his mansion for burial on another day.

Li Yuan walked into Li Shimin's side, and said softly: "General Qin is young, so he left like this, I'm afraid my father won't stay too long." Li Shimin's heart was moved when he heard this, and on the way back to the palace, he remembered what Wei Zheng said not long ago If it is over, the Taishanghuang should not be allowed to live too narrowly.Immediately summon the minister of the Ministry of Industry and order him to build a Daming Palace for Li Yuan in the northeast of the palace, so that he can spend his old age happily.

It's a pity that during the construction of the Daming Palace, Li Yuan couldn't afford to be ill. In the fifth month of the lunar calendar in the ninth year of Zhenguan, he drove west on a crane and died at the age of 70.The ministers proposed to ask for the posthumous title of Emperor Taiwu and the temple title of Gaozu.When Li Yuan was about to die, he asked for a burial. Li Shimin decided to bury him generously because of the guilt he felt towards his father and to show his filial piety.

As a result, Li Shimin imitated the original mausoleum of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, built a six-foot-high mausoleum, named Xianling, and buried Li Yuan, which is a later story.

16
The Turkic Jieli Khan perished, and the territory of the Tang Dynasty expanded to the north of Lake Baikal. The Xueyantuo people who originally belonged to the Turkic tribes, except a small number went to the Western Regions, and most of them descended to the Tang Dynasty.Li Shimin thought about how to resettle the more than [-] Turkic people all night before making a final decision.On the side of Li Shimin's matriarchal line, several generations are of ethnic minority blood. His grandmother Dugu is an authentic Xianbei, and his beloved wife Changsun's ancestor is the Tuoba family of the Northern Wei Dynasty.Because of this reason, coupled with his open-mindedness, in Li Shimin's heart, there is no discrimination against ethnic minorities at all.Although he hated the Turks for many years, after capturing Xieli, he couldn't bear to kill him. He decided to call courtiers to discuss the settlement of Xieli's original subjects.

As usual, Dafan had something to discuss, and Li Shimin always came to the hall on time.Because the notice was issued yesterday, many of his ministers were waiting outside the hall early.After Li Shimin announced the topic in court, the ministers immediately rushed to speak. Most people believed that: the northern nomads have always been a hidden danger in the Central Plains. In the south, they live scattered in various states and counties.In this way, one can disrupt the organization and structure of the original tribe, and the other can guide them to cultivate and weave.With the passage of time, these rebellious nomads can be changed into inland residents who are easy to subdue.

In response to this view of the majority, a few pointed out tit for tat: the nomadic people in the north, if they are weak, they will be subdued, and if they are strong, they will cause chaos.If they are moved to the interior, sooner or later there will be chaos.In order to prevent problems before they happen, we should take advantage of this to drive them far away to the wilderness, far away from the mainland, so as to avoid future troubles.

After Li Shimin heard the two opinions, he didn't take it seriously, looked at Fang Xuanling, but saw his expression was blank, then went to Wei Zheng, and saw him shaking his head to express that he had no better opinion.I couldn't help being very disappointed in my heart, and I bowed my head for a long time without saying a word.

"I have a different idea." Changsun Wuji said suddenly.

After hearing this, Li Shimin raised his head, stared hopefully at Wuji, and urged, "Sikong please speak clearly."

Changsun Wuji is the elder brother of Empress Changsun. He played with Li Shimin since he was a child, and the two have always hit it off.When Li Shimin first ascended to Dabao, he served as the prime minister of Wuji and took charge of the government.When Empress Changsun knew about it, she said to Li Shimin:

"The concubine has been established as the queen, and the eldest grandson's family is extremely honorable. Now the elder brother is the prime minister of the court, in charge of the government. The concubine is worried that in the past, it is difficult for the virtuous ministers in the court to show their personal strengths. Former Han Dynasty The family of Empress Lu and Huo Guang in the court can serve as a lesson for the past. Therefore, the concubine asks the emperor to withdraw his order and not let the concubine's brother be the prime minister. In this way, the virtuous ministers in the court can show their personal strengths; the concubine's brother is still the prime minister. The pillar of the country, no matter what happens, he will go all out." After listening to Empress Changsun, Li Shimin felt that it was reasonable, and went to seek Changsun Wuji's opinion, so he dismissed Changsun Wuji from the post of prime minister and named him Sikong.Although Sikong is a first rank, his status is higher than that of the prime minister, but he is a vacant position without real power. Because of this, Changsun Wuji is always the last to speak in every court meeting.After hearing Li Shimin's urging questions, Changsun Wuji said slowly:

"In my opinion, the best way is to move the surrendered Turks to Hetao. The climate here is better than that in Mobei, and the water is luxuriant and the grass is plentiful. They can continue to live a nomadic life in the past, preserve their original tribes, and maintain Their original living customs. In this way, they can not only live better than before, but also enrich the empty land of Datang Hetao. Repaying virtue with virtue is human nature, especially for nomads. Datang treats them so kindly They, their hearts must be to my Tang Dynasty. In this way, the frontier defense force of the Tang Dynasty will be greatly strengthened. What's more, the virtue of the emperor is like heaven and earth, and there is no leak. Now that the Turks have surrendered, It is the people of my Tang Dynasty, who are so impoverished, we should be extra merciful. Only in this way, the great Tang Enwei can benefit the world."

After hearing this, Li Shimin clapped his hands together and said loudly:

"What Sikong said is exactly what I want. Since ancient times, the Han people have been valued and the minorities have been despised. As long as I can love them like the Han people, they will definitely regard me as their parents like the Han people. In the land of China, all ethnic groups love each other. There will be unprecedented prosperity!"

On the issue of resettling the Turks who surrendered, Li Shimin tried his best to set up two Dudufu in the Hetao area, Dingxiang and Yunzhong, to lead the Turks who surrendered.For the chiefs at all levels who are willing to submit, they are all worshiped as generals and Zhonglang generals, and they are assigned to the court.Since then, there have been more and more minority officials in the imperial court. There are more than 100 people above the fifth rank, accounting for almost half of the courtiers.This is something.

Not long after Li Shimin resettled the Turks, many ethnic groups in the surrounding area rushed to praise Li Shimin's kindness to the ethnic minorities, and the leaders of all ethnic groups in the Northwest surrendered one after another.To show their love and support for Li Shimin, at the end of the year, everyone wrote a letter together, requesting that Li Shimin be honored as "Tian Khan" (meaning "a leader as great as the sky").Since then, all ethnic groups in the Northwest have recognized the seal of "Tian Khan" for the imperial edicts issued by the Tang Dynasty.This is also a later story.

170,

After returning to the harem from Tai Chi Hall, Li Shimin was very happy because he had just used the jade seal of "Tian Khan" for the first time.Empress Changsun misunderstood the emperor for the first time and thought it was because of marrying a daughter.

Empress Changsun married Li Shimin at the age of 13. Now 20 years have passed in a blink of an eye, and she has given birth to Li Shimin three sons, Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Zhi, and her daughter is Princess Changle.This Princess Changle is not only intelligent and caring, but also good at calligraphy and painting, which both his husband and wife like, so they are deeply loved by them.Princess Changle is in the Year of Cardamom this year. After careful selection by the couple, let her marry Changsun Wuji's son, Changsun Chongqian.The day has been set, and now it is time to arrange the dowry.

"What does the emperor think is Changle's dowry?" Empress Changsun asked Li Shimin with a smile.

"Changle, let Changle come to see me!" There are many good things, Li Shimin is happy, and wants to see his daughter.After a while, Princess Changle floated to Li Shimin as lightly as a butterfly.

"Father!" She called emotionally, because she already knew that she was going to get married, her voice was full of reluctance.

"Come, come to Zhen's side, let Zhen take a good look at you." Chang Le leaned on her father's shoulder, her eyes were full of happiness.Li Shimin caressed his daughter's delicate and tender face, and said half-seriously, half-jokingly: "It would be great if Changle didn't marry!"

"Father really thinks so, and my daughter won't marry, and will never marry."

"This, how can it be done, I miss my daughter, and hope her happiness even more?"

"Father!"

"Changle!"

Empress Changsun saw that the father and daughter were genuinely moved, and was so moved that her eyes turned red.Gently moaning:

"Emperor! Daughter!"

Seeing Empress Changsun's red eyes, Li Shimin couldn't help being moved, and said loudly: "A good thing happened, your mother and daughter...haha!" After laughing, he said to Princess Changle: "Go, I have something important to do with you Discuss with the queen mother."

"What's the big deal?" Empress Changsun asked after Princess Changle reluctantly left.

"Changle's dowry." Li Shimin said, "I think it's twice as much as the princess's dowry!"

Princess Changsun is Li Shimin's own younger sister. According to etiquette, her dowry should be twice as much as that of Princess Changle. Because of this, Empress Changsun listened, and her inquiring eyes stayed on Li Shimin's face for a long time, clearly saying that : "Isn't that too much."

"Let's do it like this!" Li Shimin said.

Wei Zheng has always been known for being well-informed, and this time is no different.After negotiating with the queen about her daughter's dowry, Li Shimin came to the study, and Wei Zheng asked to see him before he finished reading a page.After performing the ceremonies of the emperor and ministers, Wei Zheng was about to speak when Empress Changsun came again. Seeing that Wei Zheng seemed to have something to report, she wanted to avoid him after a while. Seeing him, Wei Zheng bowed in front of Empress Changsun and said:

"I have something to report to the emperor and the queen. I wonder if it is possible?"

"The waiter has something to say, just say it." Empress Changsun said.

"I heard that Princess Changle is going to marry, so I would like to congratulate you." Wei Zheng said, "At the same time, I also think that Princess Changle's dowry should not exceed half a cent of that of Princess Changle."

When Empress Changsun heard this, she couldn't help being startled, and looked up at the emperor.Li Shimin was quite annoyed when he heard this, covered Wei Zheng with his majestic eyes, and asked coldly: "Wei Shizhong, this kind of thing..."

"I dare to ask the emperor if I have something to say." Wei Zheng met Li Shimin's eyes and said calmly: "The former king did all the good deeds tirelessly. The number of people he appointed were sincerely considered worthy, but the reasoning is better than three or five. In the generation, it is still not caught, why?"

"What do you say?"

"My minister thinks that today the barbarians are obedient, and the world is fine. Sincerity has never existed before. However, since ancient times, the emperors who came to the throne at the beginning all wanted to be diligent in governing, and compared them to Yao and Shun; and their peace and happiness are arrogant and extravagant. Yat, nothing can end in its goodness.”

Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng for a long time, and said: "The servant is back for a while, I will discuss the dowry with the queen again."

After Wei Zheng left, Changsun walked up to Li Shimin and said with deep emotion: "The concubine has only heard that Wei Zheng dared to speak out directly. Today, I am fortunate to hear it with my own ears. I am very happy for the emperor. I can have such an upright and loyal voice." Your Majesty, this is really the greatest luck for His Majesty, the greatest luck in the world!"

"Luck is luck, it's just Changle's dowry, and it has to be halved again." Li Shimin shook his head with a wry smile.At this time, Cen Wenwen, the servant of Zhongshu, sent the prime minister's resignation letter.Li Shimin read the papers and found that it was Li Jing who asked to resign from the post of prime minister on the grounds of foot disease. His words were sincere and touching.Li Shimin is so shrewd, he can tell his mind at a glance, and said to Cen Wenwen:

"Go and tell Li Jing, I think this is an act of understanding the general situation. I have seen that since ancient times, living in wealth and honor, there are very few people who know how to stop. If you don't ask about the wise, don't know yourself. Although the talent is unbearable, the desire Even if I have a disease, I still feel reluctant to hold a job. I commend him for his actions, and now he is not directly fulfilling the noble ambitions of the public, and wants to use the public as a model for the generation."

In the early morning of the next day, Li Shimin issued an imperial edict, granting special advances to Li Jing, giving him a thousand pieces, two Shangcheng horses, and a special longevity stick to help him recuperate his foot disease.It was also announced in the court: when Li Jing's foot disease is slightly better, every two or three days, he can go to Zhongshu, Menxia and Pingzhang to participate in political affairs.

It's a pity that Li Jing had just rested for less than two months, and before he had time to visit Zhongshu, Menxia, ​​and Pingzhang, Tuyuhun invaded Liangzhou.The old general Li Jing, who was over sixty years old, was furious when he heard that Tuyuhun was coming again. Regardless of the inconvenience of his feet and his advanced age, he went to see the Prime Minister Fang Xuanling and asked him to take command of Tuyuhun.

17
Li Shimin captured Jieli, the supreme ruler of the grassland empire, alive. When he was happy, there was news that Tuyuhun Khan Fuyun had invaded Liangzhou.He was furious, and decided to strike head-on, and wiped out Tuyuhun in one fell swoop.

Tuyuhun is also a very historical minority in China.At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, Li Anyuan was sent "as an envoy to Tuyuhun to reconcile with Dun and trade with Neizhong." After so many years of development, Tuyuhun has become stronger and stronger. Seeing that the Turks have perished and lost the advantage of Houdun, it is inevitable to feel overwhelmed , invaded Liangzhou, and detained Zhao Dekai, Honglu Cheng of the Tang Dynasty.When he was determined to destroy Tuyuhun, Li Shimin thought of Li Jing who had made great achievements.

"But he is already at home due to a foot problem, let Hou Junji go? Although loyalty and bravery are excellent, it is just that there is still a lack of grand strategy. What should we do?" Li Shimin was muttering in his heart, Fang Xuanling and Li Jingyi Woke up.

"The old minister asks for orders to go." Li Jing cut to the chase.

Li Shimin was overjoyed when he heard this, and looked at Fang Xuanling, only to see him nodding frequently.

"It's really hard work, old prime minister. I will make you the Grand Marshal. I will order five people, including Hou Junji, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, Li Daozong, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, Li Daliang, the Governor of Liangzhou, Li Daoyan, General of the Right Guard, and Gao Zengsheng, the governor of Lizhou, to march for each way. The general manager, under the command of the prime minister, went to counterattack Tuyuhun."

Li Jing took the order to thank you.

It was the severe winter season, and Li Jing, who had passed his sixtieth birthday, took [-] cavalry and rushed to the cold weather of the northern country, which was full of yellow deserts.Frost Whip, Snow Fist, and Wind Sword mercilessly swept across this army.Under the personal leadership of the old prime minister, they continued to move forward without hesitation.After going through the severe winter, I defeated the Frost Whip, defeated the Snow Fist, and repelled the Wind Sword.Walking through the frost and blood all the way, eating and sleeping in the open, arrived at Kushan in the leap April of the following year.Li Jing ordered Li Daozong to go to war first.Li Daozong won the first battle and defeated Khan Fuyun of Tuyuhun in Kushan.

When Fu Yun was defeated at the beginning, he went west and north, unwilling to reconcile, and ordered viciously: "Burn all the weeds, cut off the fodder of the Tang army, and trap them to death."

Facing the vast Jiaoyuan, many generals were deeply disturbed.The dry grass has been burned, the spring grass has not yet sprouted, and the horses have no food and are weak, so why chase after long distances?When Hou Junji heard about it, he smiled lightly and said: "Tuyuhun has been scattered by rats and birds, and the scouts have also disappeared. The monarch and his ministers have left, and father and son have lost each other. It is easy to get it like picking up mustard. If you don't take advantage of it, you will regret it later."

When Li Jing heard this, his eyes lit up, and he immediately ordered: Marshal, Xue Wanjun, Li Daliang and others go from the north road, Hou Junji and Li Daozong go from the south, divide the troops into two groups, pursue the defeated Turkic soldiers together, and destroy them all in one fell swoop.

Under the brave pursuit of the two armies, Fuyun Khan fled all the way north. When he finally fled to Qizhong, he had only more than 1000 cavalry.His eldest son Murong Shun, king of Daning, killed King Tianzhu and led his people to Tang.

After two months of bloody fighting, Li Jing led the army to pacify Tuyuhun again, and won the victory against the capital.Li Shimin went out of the palace to meet Li Jing in person, and hosted a banquet to celebrate Li Jing's triumphant return.Unexpectedly, on the second day, Li Shimin received the paperwork suing Li Jing. He opened it and was surprised.Although Li Shimin didn't believe it, he immediately sent someone to investigate the matter thoroughly.The result of the investigation turned out to be that Gao Zengsheng, the governor of Lizhou, was the general manager of Yanze Road. He was reprimanded by Li Jing for failing to arrive at the designated place on time.Li Shimin was furious when he knew the truth, and sentenced Gao Zengsheng to reduce his death for the crime of slandering others, and exiled him to the frontier.

After this incident, Li Jing said that he was at home with a foot illness, so he closed the door and kept guests away, although relatives were not allowed to enter.Before long, Li Jing became the Duke of Wei with his meritorious service.In the 17th year of Zhenguan, he was enshrined as a hero in Lingyan Pavilion with 24 people including Changsun Wuji, and was promoted to the third division of Kaifu Yitong.In the 18th year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin personally conquered Goryeo, summoned Li Jing into the cabinet, and said to him: "Gongnan Pingwu, north of Turkic, west of Tuyuhun, only Goryeo has not conquered, do you have any intention?" Li Jing was over seventy at this time , who was still sick, heard that he was going to conquer Korea, so he said: "Go to rely on the power of heaven, and you will be able to use the power of size. Although the disease is declining today, your majesty will never give up, and the disease will be cured." After hearing this, Li Shimin was moved and read And Li Jing is indeed old, so he was not allowed to go to Korea in the end.After losing Tuyuhun Fuyun Khan, although Li Jing no longer led the army, he wrote his military works at home. After more than ten years, he wrote many military books such as "Li Jing's Six Army Mirror".It is a pity that most of them were lost. Later generations edited "Tang Li Shimin and Li Weigong Questions and Answers", which was included in the "Seven Books of Wu Jing" in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is a representative work of ancient military science.This is something.

After Li Shimin conquered Tuyuhun, he ensured the safety of the Hexi Corridor and laid the foundation for the unification of the Western Regions. Immediately afterwards, he ordered Hou Junji and other leaders to pacify Gaochang, Yanqi, and Kucha, and smoothed the "Silk Road" for transportation in the Western Regions.By the 12th year of Zhenguan, the Tang Dynasty was a country with an unprecedentedly vast territory. 510 miles."

On this vast and unprecedented land of China, Li Shimin, as the emperor of a unified multi-ethnic country, is not yet 40 years old.

(End of this chapter)