Because Emperor Taizong's period of filial piety has not passed, even during the New Year, there are not too gorgeous and bright decorations in Taiji Palace. At most, the lanterns hanging everywhere are replaced...
The annual Zhengdan Dynasty Meeting is held at this time, and all the officials in Beijing must participate. Envoys from various countries who have traveled thousands of miles also come to congratulate the emperor, pay tribute, and present credentials. As for those who are affiliated with the Tang Dynasty, Jisi Prefecture and the vassal states arrived in Chang'an early.
As the sky dimmed, the Chengtian Gate opened, and the civil servants, generals, and foreign envoys attending the imperial meeting filed in and arrived in front of the Taiji Hall.
Climbing up the white marble steps until entering the Tai Chi Hall, Fang Jun couldn't help but feel something.
When he first came to the Tang Dynasty, he presented the "Zhenguan Plow" at the great court meeting and praised His Majesty Li Er for his great achievements. This started his official career in the Tang Dynasty, and then he rose to great heights.
Today, His Majesty Li Er, who is so talented and strategic on the throne, has been replaced by Li Chengqian, and almost half of the civil and military ministers in the palace have been replaced. Some people made the mistake of taking sides and resigned sadly, while others were determined to forge ahead and soared up. The so-called vicissitudes of the sea, the changing times, and the changes in the world. It's like this outside...
No business will be discussed at the main meeting, and no matter what important matters will be discussed later in the political hall, for example, the "Zhenguan plow" presented by Fang Jun was considered "auspicious". This kind of thing is welcome, after all, it is the beginning of the new year. On the first day, the whole world celebrates, and all ministers who have a hint of wink must "report good news but not bad news", otherwise everyone will be unhappy if something bad happens.
The most important thing is to accept letters of credence and tributes from all countries. Only this kind of style of coming to court from all countries is worthy of the "Zhengdan Dynasty Meeting", where friends are submissive, neighbors are united, the world is unified, and the eight wastelands are conquered...
After the big court meeting, there was another banquet, and the emperor and his ministers had fun together. The noise did not subside until the evening.
As usual, Li Chengqian held a banquet in the palace to entertain a group of civil servants and generals. The banquet was of a very high standard, and officials below the third rank were not eligible to attend, so the number of people was not large, and everyone was a person of status, and there was no conversation during the banquet. Drinking and having fun, shouting and shouting, the atmosphere is very quiet and harmonious.
When the banquet was over, the ministers took their leave and left the palace. Fang Jun had no choice but to leave together. He had no chance to see Princess Changle...
However, there are still things to do after returning home. In addition to meeting the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty at the Taiji Hall today, dozens of foreign envoys, most of them from the East and Southeast Asia, also went to Fangfu to visit Fang Jun in the evening. In addition to expressing their views on the country's sovereignty In addition to my sincere greetings, I also want to give you a generous "New Year's gift".
It would be impossible not to give it away. Now the Royal Navy of the Tang Dynasty is roaming the seven seas. As the de facto controller of this invincible navy, Fang Jun is equivalent to controlling the life and death of many famous families in the East, Southeast and other countries. Life and death are all tied to his hands. Who can Dare to be negligent?
After all, with the size and combat power of the Tang Dynasty Navy, no country in the East or Southeast Asia can match it. Once targeted by the Tang Dynasty Navy, the only way out is to perish...
Even if he had made good friends with the Tang Dynasty Navy and expressed his surrender, these small countries were attacking and fighting each other. If Fang Jun accepted generous gifts from the enemy country and felt that his own gifts were not rich enough, so he brazenly went to war under the instigation of the enemy country. What to do?
Therefore, these small countries not only need to give gifts, but also give generous gifts, such as Linyi, Johor, Chetu, Heling and other countries. Because the Tang Dynasty leased ports and stationed troops there, it seriously threatened the survival of their countries. This time, the treasury was almost wiped out. After plundering everything, he came to Chang'an with heavy gifts. The "New Year's gift" given to Fang Jun was even more generous than the tribute gift to the Emperor of Tang Dynasty...
Fang Jun wore a purple robe official uniform and received them one by one in the side hall. During this period, he kept a straight face and did not say much, giving people a sense of calmness and majesty. He could not have a good look when dealing with these Hu tribes, nor should he pay attention to benevolence, justice and morality. He could only treat them with Only by shocking them can they be truly convinced.
After receiving the gift, he occasionally scolded the envoy, making him tremble and sweat profusely. Then he was driven away by Fang Jun, and even a banquet was not served.
However, he left the Silla envoy alone, hosted a banquet, and had long talks.
The person who returned to Beijing to see the emperor this time was Quan Wanji, who was the long history of the Wu Palace and is now the crown prince of Silla and the royal censor Zhongcheng...
In the flower hall, after three rounds of wine, Quan Wanji stroked his gray beard and said with emotion: "When Prince Wu went to Silla, everything was waiting for work and he was working hard at night. Although I am a long history, In fact, he is not good at government affairs. Facing the country's exhaustion and the people's livelihood, he is really helpless. Fortunately, His Highness King Wu was promoted to the Duke of Yue. Wake up and reorganize the Silla political system first. All the structures and official positions will comply with the Tang Dynasty system. Only then will the government affairs be smoothed out bit by bit. Originally, His Highness King Wu wanted me to be the prime minister, but I got a bad temper. , where did he become the first official? He refused and eventually became the censor Zhongcheng. ”
Fang Jun said with a smile: "The King of Wu knows people well and is good at appointing people. He is a noble and upright man. It can be seen that Silla will have a good government and a harmonious government, which is enough to serve as a barrier to the Tang Dynasty."
In fact, Quan Wanji does not have many talents. His most outstanding ability is "uprightness". Otherwise, he would not have assisted King Wu in history. King Wu was killed by Changsun Wuji, and he assisted King Qi. King Qi simply rebelled...
However, if he is to serve as a censor, Zhongcheng, and a hundred officials, he will be qualified for the job with his upright and selfless character.
Quan Wanji took a sip of wine and said: "Last year, His Highness gave birth to Lin'er, named 'Ren'. This was a tribute to His Majesty from afar, indicating that he would carry out His Majesty's will so that the people of Silla can also feel it." Your Majesty’s ‘kindness’”
Although Li Ke is now the "King of Silla", when Quan Wanji returns to his hometown of Chang'an, he is still known as the "King of Wu"...
Fang Jun nodded, so Wu King Li Ke was a smart man. He named his son "Ren", which echoed Li Chengqian's reign name "Renhe" and expressed his loyalty and surrender. Li Chengqian was naturally happy. If anyone wants to slander Both of them are extremely difficult.
"When the princess goes to the land of Silla, is she acclimatized or unwell?"
Princess Wu's health had never been in good health, and she even passed away several times. Although she improved greatly later, she had to move to Silla through thousands of mountains and rivers, and it would be difficult to treat her if she was not acclimated to the environment.
Quan Wanji said: "Thank you very much, Duke Yue for your concern. It is said that all these diseases are caused by the heart. Although the palaces in Silla are simple and lacking in materials now, they are far less luxurious than when they were in China, but His Highness said there The law is followed, the foundation is solid, the soldiers under her command are brave and good at fighting, and the navy is at sea to respond to her, so the princess feels comforted, her spirit is stable, and she is healthier than before. ”
Fang Jun expressed his understanding.
I don’t know what His Majesty Li Er was thinking at the time. Why did he insist on saying "This son is like me" when he knew that it was impossible to establish Wu King Li Ke as the crown prince?
Putting Li Ke directly on the fire, both the princelings who supported Li Chengqian and others who coveted the throne regarded Li Ke as their top enemy, making him a target of public criticism. Almost everyone shouted for beating and killing. There are countless conspiracies and conspiracies faced in the day.
Under such a political situation, as the concubine of King Wu Li Ke, she was naturally in panic all day long. No matter how weak her body was, how could she withstand such high pressure?
In fact, if His Majesty Li Er had not wavered between his sons, Li Chengqian, Li Tai, Li Ke, and Li Zhi, Li Zhi might not have killed his brothers after he ascended the throne.
Just seeing that although Li Zhi killed several brothers, he did not eradicate their descendants and entrusted the talented ones with important responsibilities, we know that Li Zhi is not a ruthless person, but more of a last resort...
"Is the Silla royal family making trouble?"
"Haha, where is the Silla royal family? After the fall of Silla, the royal family was divided into two. One part followed Jin Bomin in a secret attempt to restore the country, and was almost wiped out in the rebellion of King Jin. The other half was loyal to Shande Queen, now that the queen has become your queen, what reason do they have to make trouble? In this regard, you, the Duke of Yue, can be the leader of a million soldiers!”
"Quan Changshi can actually tell jokes?"
"Although Silla is a tributary of the Tang Dynasty, it is a remote and small country, and it is inevitable that the etiquette and laws are not good. I have been there for a long time, and my character is a bit arrogant. I hope the Duke of Yue will not blame me."
"When will Changshi return?"
"Starting on the third day of junior high school."
Fang Jun nodded and said: "I will go back and ask my family to prepare a generous gift for the Chief Minister to send later. Although I gave a gift when His Highness was born, the current situation was chaotic at that time, so I was not thoughtful enough, and the gift was not heavy enough. This time I will give you some more to express my congratulations.”
He had always been on good terms with Li Ke, but now that Li Ke was far away in Silla, where the land was desolate and supplies were scarce, he naturally had to give him a generous gift, at least to ensure that the cost of his palace would not be too shabby.
There are usually naval forces stationed at the Silla port to provide troops and material assistance nearby. At any time, Silla is the most important strategic support target of the Tang Dynasty navy after the mainland...
Quan Wanji nodded repeatedly, toasted Fang Jun, and said with emotion: "With the help of Duke Yue, His Highness can be safe and sound in Silla. During this trip, His Highness also entrusted me with a message: Thank you very much."< br>
Don't think that by going to Silla to become a vassal state, you can escape from the turmoil of the court. After all, he is still the prince of Emperor Taizong, and he has the blood of the former Sui royal family. I don't know how many "remnants" of the former Sui Dynasty have provided support to Silla overtly and covertly, which makes The civil servants and generals in the court were extremely uneasy - if King Wu established a foothold in Silla and gradually grew stronger, would he one day backfire on China?
Regardless of whether this worry is realistic or not, it certainly exists. There is always a group of people who don’t want to make progress, don’t think about how to strengthen themselves, and only think about rejecting dissidents. They think, “It’s too difficult for me to become stronger, but it’s too difficult for others to become stronger.” It’s easy to become weak.” In a few hundred years there will be a lot of people like this, and even because they can't keep up with the rapid changes in the outside world, they will simply "close themselves up"... As long as I don't come into contact with you, I will still be the king of heaven. As for whether you are strong or not, What does it have to do with me?
The whole world is changing, natural science is advancing with each passing day, and the industrial revolution is in full swing. However, they turn a blind eye and build fences to enclose themselves and muddle along... If you don't get beaten, who will?
Wei Ying, the commander of the Imperial Guard School, walked in quickly from outside, not caring about Quan Wanji's presence, and presented a letter to Fang Jun: "This is an urgent letter sent by Dalang from Japan. It was escorted by navy soldiers and traveled day and night. Pause, there are also several criminals who participated in the assassination of Dalang in Japan..."