Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5172: Great Plan
Isn’t China greedy for territory?
Naturally not.

Otherwise, where would such a vast China come from?

It’s just that China’s claim for territory was not so direct, bloody, or brutal. Instead, it developed gradually and naturally in the process of national integration.

When the ethnic groups in a certain region finally merge with China, their territory will naturally be incorporated into China...

Historically, the "Jiemizhou" system was very popular during the Tang Dynasty. During its heyday, there were even more than 800 such states. However, when the country declined, these "Jiemizhou" successively broke away from the control of the Tang Dynasty and did not eventually become part of its territory.

The fundamental reason lies in the failure to achieve national integration.

If we are not a family, we must separate...

National integration does not only depend on whether they are under the leadership of the central government and whether they provide mutual military assistance, but also on the integration of culture, economy, customs, etc.

It is an extremely large and delicate process.

……

Lu Dongzan was silent for a long time, and finally said helplessly: "You Han people always have so many wonderful ideas, and are willing to put them into practice. Whether they are right or wrong, you never stop exploring various possibilities."

Perhaps, this is the source of the uniqueness of Chinese civilization?
In comparison, the Tibetans were like uncivilized barbarians, who could only follow the path of the Chinese to reform themselves internally, copying the Chinese system, but were still castrated due to various restrictions...

Fang Jun said earnestly: "So even though China has repeatedly fallen into desperate situations, dynasties have fallen, and power has changed, it has always been able to rise quickly from the ruins, all because of its culture and system. What's the point of Tubo being strong for a while? Even if your Zamp can capture Chang'an and overthrow the Tang Dynasty, in the long run, Tubo is destined to perish and China will rise again."

This is the fact. The inclusiveness and resilience of Chinese culture have destined it to the highest level of civilization.

Even though the country was cut off by the Manchus and Mongols, and the land of China sank and all the horses were silent, the cultural veins and inheritance were never broken. On the contrary, the once powerful foreign races were eventually assimilated by the Chinese and became part of the Chinese...

"So, the so-called 'autonomous region' is just a smoke screen?"

Lu Dongzan asked.

Fang Jun refused to admit it: "How is that possible? The greatest advantage of Chinese culture is 'inclusiveness and harmonious coexistence'. All ethnic groups are treated equally, without distinction between self and others. Even in some remote places where ethnic groups live, various preferential policies are given."

Lu Dongzan didn't believe this and sneered, "But as far as I know, the laws of the Tang Dynasty strictly control intermarriage with foreigners. It is extremely difficult for foreigners to become Tang citizens. Is this what you mean by 'treating everyone equally, without distinction between self and others'? You Tang people discriminate against all foreigners."

This is a fact that no one can refute.

The long heritage, splendid civilization, strong national power, affluent life...all these prompted the Tang people to have an unparalleled sense of superiority. They felt that they were the most civilized in the world. How could they look down on those foreign barbarians who ate raw meat and drank blood and plundered barbarically?

"Everything must be done gradually. How can it be accomplished overnight? The highest aspiration of Chinese civilization is 'world peace', but to achieve such a lofty goal, it takes thousands or even tens of thousands of years of effort. The same is true for ethnic integration. After all, you Hu people have brought too much harm to China. You can't expect all Tang people to be like saints and forget their hatred, right?"

"If we cannot forget history, how can we talk about integration and equal treatment?"

"We remember history not to seek revenge on anyone, but to remember our original aspirations and lessons, and avoid repeating the same mistakes. The foundation of the Sui Dynasty was established by the Six Garrisons of the Northern Wei Dynasty, most of whom were Xianbei people. The Tang Dynasty inherited the Sui Dynasty, and even Emperor Taizong had Xianbei blood. But has anyone ever discriminated against the Xianbei people? Today, the Xianbei people have long been integrated into the Chinese nation."

Chinese civilization is the most inclusive throughout the ages. Even the Manchus and Mongols, who once brought devastating disaster to Chinese civilization, were harmoniously integrated into it as time passed and were regarded as one, without distinction between self and others.

In fact, why did it become Manchuria and Mongolia?

The Xiongnu, Turks, Oirat... these ethnic groups have more or less integrated into China, and are all descendants of China, descendants of Yan and Huang.

Even if the Japanese are brutal and cruel, with beastly hearts, who can guarantee that they will not one day join the Chinese nation and no longer be the so-called "eternal dynasty"?

Lu Dongzan looked deep in thought and sighed, "This is an extremely huge project."

Tubo was still struggling for survival, and its greatest wish was to swoop down from the plateau to plunder and rob the territory of the Tang Dynasty. However, the Tang Dynasty had already been implementing a long-term and grand national integration plan that would last for more than ten or even dozens of generations.

In comparison, there is a world of difference.

He looked at Fang Jun: "So Duke Yue wants to convince me to help the Tang Dynasty complete its plan to integrate Tubo?"

"Those who know me, great theories!"

Fang Jun smiled and said, "Songtsen Gampo is a man of great talent and strategy in Tubo, but if you look at him from the rest of the world, he is just a mediocre person who is blinded by power and fame. Moreover, he has no successor. If he dies, Tubo, which once dominated the plateau, will collapse in an instant... Dalun is the second person in Tubo after Songtsen Gampo. If you can save the Tubo people from danger and integrate Tubo into the Tang Dynasty, it will be a great achievement that will shock the world. The Tubo people will praise you for generations. You are the sage that Tubo deserves. There is no predecessor and no successor."

Lu Dongzan remained silent.

……

Pei Xingjian had almost finished dealing with the official documents and war reports before he stood up from his desk, walked to the coffee table, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "The amount of food and fodder arriving from Chang'an has dropped sharply in the past few days. There are many complaints from the clerks of the Secretariat, saying that it is difficult to raise food and fodder, which has affected the stability of rice prices... It seems that someone is interfering."

Fang Jun didn't care: "This is expected, don't worry about it."

Pei Xingjian hesitated for a moment and reminded: "Although it is expected, whether this constraint comes from the Secretariat or the palace has a very different meaning."

If it came from the Secretariat, it was nothing more than Liu Li and the civil service group interfering in the Anxi Protectorate, and not wanting to see the brilliant achievements of the Anxi Protectorate, and Pei Xingjian entering the central government with these achievements in the future.

But if it came from the palace, it must be aimed at Fang Jun, which means that His Majesty has begun to be suspicious of Fang Jun, or even wary of him...

Lu Dongzan was surprised and said, "So the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty doesn't have absolute trust in the Duke of Yue?"

There was a hint of gloating in his words.

Fang Jun glanced at him and said, "When Dalun was making great achievements in Tubo, didn't Songtsen Gampo have any concerns about you? Kings are always suspicious and look at everyone as if they want to harm them. In comparison, it is already precious that Your Majesty has appointed me as the general manager of the Gongyue Road and handed over the entire Western Region to me to do whatever I want."

Lu Dongzan stopped talking and lowered his head to drink water.

He was indeed extremely envious of Fang Jun. This trust from the king was the first condition for achieving great things.

He thought to himself that if Songtsen Gampo could continue to trust him, it would be difficult for Tubo to annex the Tang Dynasty, but it would also be possible to create a magnificent and unprecedented feat.

Fang Jun said to Pei Xingjian, "Don't worry about it. The food and fodder we have accumulated over the past year are enough. Don't stop supporting Xue Rengui, but Xue Rengui will also 'fight to end the war' and reduce his dependence on Suiye City as much as possible. As for the constraints and interference from the court, I just need to return to Chang'an and everything will be solved."

The relationship between him and Li Chengqian was quite delicate. Li Chengqian naturally would not worry about his rebellion, but he was wary of his independent military support and his unreserved support for the Eastern Palace. He supported the current crown prince just as he supported him as the crown prince back then.

As long as he leaves the military camp and returns to Chang'an, and does not repeat the incident of leading the Anxi Army thousands of miles to rescue Chang'an, trust will quickly return.

However, now that Li Chengqian has given birth to another prince, the conditions for selection have been relaxed, and I think his determination to change the crown prince has become more determined...

Pei Xingjian obviously thought of this as well, and sighed, "The royal father and son are really incompatible. As a king, he wants a qualified and competent heir, but if the heir is too qualified and competent, it will lead to the hidden danger of the East Palace becoming too powerful and threatening the imperial power. There is really no way to resolve the opposition and contradiction between them."

The conflict between the emperor and the prince has remained the same since ancient times.

In the past, Emperor Taizong repeatedly wanted to change the crown prince because he believed that Li Chengqian's qualifications were not up to the position of emperor. Now Li Chengqian's desire to change the crown prince is just the opposite, because the crown prince has too much support... He really can't do anything left or right.

How many dynasties throughout history have buried hidden dangers in the process of power transfer, eventually leading to social unrest and the overthrow of the country?

It is not that there is no solution. We only need to limit the imperial power within a certain range to reduce the impact of the change of imperial power, just like the establishment of the "Military Affairs Office" and "Political Affairs Hall"...

But you can do this kind of thing, but you can't say this kind of thing.

After all, the influence of Confucian culture has long been deeply rooted, and ethical principles such as "ruler-ruler, minister-minister, father-father, son-son" are absolutely not allowed to be overturned.

Even if you say one thing and mean another, you must ensure that it is absolutely correct.

Fang Jun said: "You don't need to worry about these things. You just need to be loyal to your duties. If you can turn Anxi Protectorate into the western barrier of the empire and permanently incorporate this land into the territory of the Tang Dynasty, you will be a great contribution to future generations."

Pei Xingjian said respectfully: "Don't worry, Marshal. I know the importance of the Western Regions and will spare no effort to fulfill my duties."

Fang Jun nodded: "Keep calm and work hard for a few years. Don't think about the Central Government. It's not a good idea to go back at this time."

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "I don't have too many extravagant demands for power. As long as the current power can support me to do something meaningful that I want to do, that's enough."