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墨書 Inktalez
Tuli Khan was quite unhappy. First, Zhao Deyan insisted on holding a court meeting while he was enjoying himself, forcing him to come here in the biting cold and snow.
Moreover, he wanted to distribute his food to those lowly herdsmen without any clear return. According to past customs, he didn't have to worry about anything.
At most, after the snow melted a bit, he would lead the surviving herdsmen south to raid; if they won, they would get a little more food, and if they lost, they could just let them die. That way, things would settle down.
After all, these people were like the grass on the prairie; when spring came, they would sprout again and would never be completely wiped out.
Zhao Deyan, who had been full of confidence, now felt that although he had changed a lot, the fundamental issues remained unchanged.
He looked around, trying to find a few officials who supported him, especially those he had specifically promoted. If everyone joined together, perhaps they could change things little by little.
But the result left him deeply disappointed; no one supported him, and no one volunteered to overcome numerous difficulties to transport food to aid the disaster victims.
Qintianjian had given an early warning about this year's disasters; after all, last year's situation was not good either. Such years of disaster usually lasted for two or three years.
"We humbly obey your command."
Who could blame him for wanting to gather some wealth from below since Zhang Hutan had already taken his riches to honor His Majesty? Was it too much to ask for a little more?
…………
Luo Yi suddenly smiled as he looked eastward and said, "Wano dares to invade; then our Protectorate can naturally retaliate. As the saying goes, if the enemy comes, I will respond; if they advance, I will advance as well!"
The chieftains joyfully bowed their heads, rose to dance, and offered the ornaments around their necks as a symbol of dedicating their heads to the supreme emperor.
In the name of the Emperor's mercy and benevolence, he established Provincial Academies and County Academies in remote areas, granting favors to the sons of various Barbarian chieftains, allowing them to enroll in the National Academy in Chang'an or Luoyang.
The Emperor met with Zangke Chieftain Xie Nengyu and Dangxiang Chieftain Xifeng Bulai at the Martial Virtue Hall.
The Confidant replied affirmatively, "Who would dare neglect Your Majesty's will?"
"Your Majesty, the grain allocated to the Huainan Circuit last month has already been exhausted, and the local officials are requesting additional supplies."
"The Protectorate and Naval Forces report that Wa Country has sent dozens of warships to invade again; they retreated after a brief engagement."
The rigidly respectful kneeling was unavoidable, as they were there seeking life-saving provisions, bearing the lives of their entire families.
In Liaodong, Andong Protector Luo Yi sternly reprimanded his subordinates, who no longer displayed their previous obedience. Some even relied on their title as Duke of Xuantu Eulji Mundeok as a backing, subtly opposing him.
"Most sacred Son of Heaven, Your Majesty of the Tang Dynasty, we humble and lowly beings have come to pay our respects, hoping to bask in your grace like Eastern Xie and Southern Xie, becoming subjects under your rule."
The Emperor, adorned in Court Robes and with a solemn tone, said, "As you wish, I accept your tribes into the Tang Dynasty as my subjects."
However, Luo Yi could not help but feel disheartened. He regretted seeking this Protectorate position, thinking it would grant him power and influence.
But in an instant, Luo Yi's brow relaxed as he asked the approaching Confidant, "Are the ships being built along the coast still under construction?"
Like Eastern Xie and Southern Xie, both chieftains and their attendants wore round-collared robes, adorned with accessories reflecting their tribal characteristics, clearly having undergone training at Honglu Temple.
"Liaodong still has many unallocated fields and mountains; I decree that grain be exchanged for land throughout the realm."
It wasn't supposed to come to this. Luo Yi knew deep down that he was at fault, but his arrogance wouldn't allow him to back down in front of his subordinates.
In their eager gazes, Li Jian Cheng issued an order to allocate the food supplies that had already been prepared, commanding Xue Wanchu and Wang Shichong to lead officials and generals to provide relief.
The court had been strained due to years of warfare, leaving them with little in reserve each year. However, the Aristocratic Families across various regions had accumulated wealth; after all, the chaos had only recently subsided, and they were still subconsciously stockpiling grain.
Wei Zheng disregarded his goodwill and recommended the scoundrel Eulji Mundeok to His Majesty, giving those surrendered generals a new ally to rely on.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs had little money, but the Emperor supported them with a substantial amount of gold and silver from the imperial treasury. This allowed them to fill many granaries in preparation for famine relief.
Had these damned surrendered generals forgotten who had given them their current status?
"Your Majesty, the leaders of Zangke and Tangxiang have also come seeking grain."
Like the territory granted to Qin Wang, which spanned two counties, all officials within were appointed by Qin Wang himself. Even laws and taxes could be adjusted at his discretion.
The influence of the Tang dynasty gradually extended southward in a gentle manner, using food supplies during times of disaster to soothe and provide relief to many tribes still lingering in uncertainty.
Although some areas were barren and farming there would certainly incur losses, it was still a fiefdom where the court would not interfere too much with local affairs, making it entirely different from other regions.
Luo Yi frowned; this Wa Country was like a swarm of flies, ready to flee at the slightest hint of trouble.
Li Jian Cheng rubbed his forehead with a sigh. His treasury was already depleted; it seemed he would have to resort to exchanging land for grain. If that didn't work, he would have no choice but to use next year's autumn harvest as collateral and forcibly requisition the grain stockpiled by wealthy families.
"Your Majesty, Hebei and He Dong provinces have suffered severe disasters."
Then the Emperor held a banquet to show the leaders of various factions what ritual and music truly meant.
"What does Protectorate mean?"
"Open the granaries in Bingzhou and Youzhou to provide relief to the people. The Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Civil Affairs, and local Official Government will arrange for disaster relief and care for the citizens. I will also order the Imperial Historian to supervise. If anyone dares to embezzle or violate orders, they will be executed, their families will be exterminated, and they will be exiled."
From today onward, Zangzhou, Guizhou, Zhuangzhou, Fengzhou, Yan Prefecture, and Yuan Province will be established, with you leaders serving as Prefect. I treat all my subjects equally, and I hope you all understand your loyalty to the Sovereign Father and serve the country.
As a result, the court quickly divided his powers. The thirty-six military governors were distributed across the four directions. If there was no war, he, as the Protectorate, would have almost no direct authority to gather troops under his command, let alone show off his might.
………………
Minister of Civil Affairs Wang Gui stepped forward to receive the decree. This was indeed an emergency measure. It seemed that many had not risen through the ranks after the founding of the nation and had not been able to secure high positions in the Aristocratic Families. They were already envious of the lands in Liaodong.
Thus, this year not only saw an increase in food supplies being dispatched from places like Huainan, but local military garrisons were also working hard. The court purchased large quantities of grain from wealthy families and merchants who had ample reserves.
"Send someone to investigate the routes to Wa Country and explore which ports can be accessed. After spring arrives, this Protectorate will personally go on behalf of His Majesty to seek justice against the bandits!"
………………
(End of Chapter)
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