Chapter 2886 National Interest
The Tang Dynasty's demand for land cannot be called greedy. After all, the Tang Dynasty was a vast territory with crisscrossed roads. Dongting, Lingnan, Sichuan and other water-rich areas have not yet been fully developed. Even if they had more land, not so many people would go there. Farming has been left uncultivated for a long time, and will be snatched away by barbarians within a few years. Why go to the horse racing enclosures all over the world, and seize it but cannot occupy it for a long time?
The Western Region has the Silk Road, which connects trade between the East and the West. This is the foundation of the empire, so no matter how much effort is spent, it must be occupied and held on. This is an economic necessity. Mobei has always been a gathering place for barbarians, and brave and capable barbarians often rise up, threatening the northern frontier of the empire. Therefore, within our ability, we set up a Protectorate to govern it, in order to control the development of the barbarians and curb their growth. This is a strategic necessity.
The same is true in Liaodong. The vast land is bitterly cold all year round. Who is willing to farm in this place? The reason why the emperors of the Sui and Tang dynasties were obsessed with conquering Goguryeo was to strangle Goguryeo before it became fully fledged, lest it become stronger in the future and threaten the farming economy in the North China Plain, and even go further to herd horses in the Yellow River and shake the empire. foundation.
As for the Japanese country...what's the use of occupying that poor place?
There are many mountains and rivers, but few plains. There are only a few acres of cultivated land. There are typhoons and earthquakes all year round. It is basically a useless existence...
Therefore, the Tang Dynasty's strategy for the Japanese country was only to control the various domestic forces to fight against each other so that they could not unify, let alone develop and grow. This was enough.
The government and the public have no interest in invading their country and look down upon it.
There was some silence in the court. No one expected that Japan would make such a request. It seemed reasonable and could demonstrate the great power of the Tang Dynasty, but in fact it went against the national policy of the Tang Dynasty. It was difficult to refuse in words.
Moreover, the current Japanese state is all under the control of the Navy. In fact, it does not have much to do with the country. If the country wants to intervene, it will not be able to do so unless it would rather offend Fang Jun.
The most important thing is that everyone knows who His Majesty Li Er is. This Emperor has hundreds of excellent qualities, but there is only one thing that is worrying, and that is his great success...
At this time of the Spring Festival, the Eastern Expedition is imminent and the fall of Goguryeo is only a matter of seconds away. What if His Majesty Li Er wants to formally incorporate Japan into a vassal state in order to improve his achievements? What can we do?
Agreeing to Japan's request would inevitably result in the loss of the navy's interests and offend Fang Jun.
If he refuses, it may offend His Majesty Li Er's interest in "making new achievements". If the emperor thinks that he has damaged his historical achievements, he will be even more angry...
Therefore, everyone can only remain silent and dare not express their opinions at will.
However, everyone can remain silent, but Fang Jun cannot.
He also thought of His Majesty Li Er's personality of being very happy with success. If he agreed to Suga Hinata's request on a whim, there would be no way out.
While His Majesty Li Er was still deep in thought, he quickly stood up and went out to announce: "Your Majesty, our national policy of the Tang Dynasty has never been to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, even if they are just small countries, we will treat everyone equally and will never humiliate them arbitrarily. , and even have the obligation to help it maintain the integrity of its territory and sovereignty.”
As soon as these words came out, the foreign envoys in the main hall nodded and praised each other.
This is really not about praising the country's virtues. This national policy of the Tang Dynasty has unparalleled benefits for small countries like them. Otherwise, with the power of the Tang Dynasty, if they covet their land and population, they will have to be obedient as long as the army marches on the border. Surrender, honestly hand over the land, women and wealth with both hands, otherwise the war will start, and their country will be destroyed.
Not only did the Tang Dynasty not covet their land and population, but even when they were bullied and invaded from other places, they could turn to the Tang Dynasty for help. Although it would cost a lot to ask for the support of the Tang Dynasty or even send troops... But in the end, they themselves The country is still there!
Of course, everyone knows that the Japanese country is in such chaos that the emperor's line is almost cut off, and the Soga clan has taken advantage of the chaos to rise. There must be some involvement of the Tang Dynasty behind this, but after all, the Tang Dynasty has always remained morally neutral. That's enough.
This is also the most important reason why Datang can be recognized by the world as the suzerain.
Like the Turks who only know how to burn, kill and loot, what prestige does it have to make everyone surrender? Of course, it would be another matter if the Turks came to the door and stabbed them in the neck with a steel knife.
You can't just wait for death...
Fang Jun continued: "Your Majesty, the inheritance of the throne of Japan is its internal affairs, and it is inconvenient for the Tang Dynasty to interfere. The obligation of the Tang Dynasty is only to maintain the garrison of Asukakyo and provide the Soga clan with necessary assistance. That is enough. If you interfere, Its internal affairs are inevitably misunderstood by others as the Tang Dynasty coveting the land of the Japanese country, which is inconsistent with the majesty of the Tang Dynasty."
The mission of the Asuka Kyo garrison is only to protect the Soga family from being united and annihilated by the emperor's remnants. It is enough to exist in the name of the actual controller of the Japanese country, and to remain hostile to the other feudal states.
The most important thing is that the navy divided its troops to garrison Asukajing and the Tang Dynasty sent troops to support them. This is a completely different concept.
Once the Tang Dynasty agrees to Soga Hyuga's request and sends troops to protect the Soga clan's regime and announce it to the world, then the Soga clan will become an ally of the Tang Dynasty, which will suddenly increase the Soga clan's prestige. The Japanese vassals that are still waiting to see or are neutral will completely surrender to the country, causing the Soga clan's strength to increase dramatically.
When the Soga clan gains strength and launches conquest campaigns against other feudal states, it might really be possible to unify the Japanese islands.
This is a serious violation of the Tang Dynasty's national policy, and will greatly damage the Tang Dynasty's interests in Japan...
All in all, the Tang Dynasty only needs to maintain the current situation of the Japanese country. It can stir up dissension on both sides and keep it in a melee for a long time, but cannot openly support one of the forces, so as to gain a huge reputation bonus.
When the remnants continue to arrive in the future, coupled with persistent cultural colonization, even if the Japanese islands cannot be turned into Han people's land, they will definitely become part of Han culture.
What's the use of fighting and killing?
We can't really kill all the Japanese and eradicate them. On the contrary, it will arouse their national spirit. It is better to assimilate them subtly...
……
In fact, His Majesty Li Er's thoughts are exactly as Fang Junduo worried.
Even if the government and the public disdain the Japanese country, it is still a country that is richer and more powerful than Goguryeo. If it can become a vassal of the Tang Dynasty, emperors of all generations will have to accept the canonization of the Tang Empire before they can ascend the throne. What will happen to the Tang Dynasty? The reputation bonus is immeasurable.
However, Fang Jun's words forced him to temporarily put away his ambitions. After all, it could be said that Fang Jun single-handedly defeated Japan and actually controlled it to this day. He could not completely ignore Fang Jun and make decisions about Japan.
The ministers are loyal to the emperor and are willing to die for the emperor, but the emperor must also show sufficient respect and love to the ministers. If it is just a unilateral request, the result is likely to be like that of Emperor Sui Yang, and the good situation was ruined in one day. Until everyone rebels and leaves.
Suppressing his desire to move towards the Japanese country, he nodded and said: "What the Duke of Yue said is very reasonable. The Tang Dynasty respects every country, no matter big or small, and its sovereignty is within the protection scope of the Tang Dynasty, but it will never be wanton. Intervene.”
A group of foreign envoys were so excited that they knelt down to worship and shouted long live.
This was a promise made by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty in the Tai Chi Palace, which meant that from now on, unless the Tang Dynasty was willing to bear the reputation of going back on its word, it would not interfere with the sovereignty of other countries under any circumstances.
How many countries were destroyed by the Tang Dynasty in recent years?
I'm afraid there are countless big and small ones. Although they are still hanging on for a while, under the threat of the Tang Dynasty soldiers, who knows whether the Tang Dynasty cavalry will have broken into the city after sleeping and announced that they have occupied them. respective countries?
With this promise, everyone can still go their own way and dominate the common people. How can we not be happy...
Soga Hinata was obviously a little unwilling, but she didn't dare to say anything more, so she had no choice but to thank her and push her aside. Feeling that someone seemed to be looking at him, he raised his head and looked around, and happened to meet Fang Jun looking over with stern eyes. He was startled with a ghost in his heart, and quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at Fang Jun.
Fang Jun's doubts became more and more serious.
Now the person guarding Asukakyo is Liu Renyuan. He clearly explained the position of the Royal Navy to him. Everyone in the Soga family also knew that he would never help them unify the Japanese country. So why did Soga Hinata come to Chang'an to be the leader? Making such a request in front of His Majesty Li Er?
Perhaps, it is unknown what Liu Renyuan did in this...(End of Chapter)