Chapter 222 Lakers Legends (asking for monthly tickets)
Li Xiang placed the scroll on the table and looked forward with deep eyes.

He admitted that he had suddenly developed a collecting addiction.

Among the Four Great Talents of the Early Tang Dynasty, we have now met Lu Zhaolin.

Wang, Yang, Lu and Luo are collectively known as the Four Talents of the Early Tang Dynasty. They are Wang Bo, Yang Jiong, Luo Binwang, and the one in front of us, Lu Zhaolin.

As long as you have received compulsory education, you will definitely be familiar with these four people...except Lu Zhaolin, of course.

The so-called Four Talents of the Early Tang Dynasty were not known for their poetry, but they were good at writing prose.

What? You can't say it's good? Can you find a parallel prose that's more elegant than "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng"?
But then again, as one of the Four Great Talents of the Early Tang Dynasty, Lu Zhaolin was a bit unlucky.

Why do I say so? In later generations, when primary and secondary school students selected works for their textbooks, Wang Bo chose "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng", Yang Jiong chose "Marching to the Army" with the theme of "I would rather be a centurion than a scholar", and Luo Binwang also had the popular "Ode to the Goose". It was Lu Zhaolin who was unlucky and only had "Ancient Style of Chang'an" in his extracurricular reading materials.

In addition, the "Order to Kill the Hu" circulated in the Internet temple is also a fake work adapted from Luo Binwang's "A Proclamation to the World on Behalf of Li Jingye".

So the question is, there should be no problem in asking Lu Zhaolin to write a poem about fanning the enemy.

If we can't say it's like an anti-aircraft gun shooting a mosquito, at least we can say it's like Sun Wukong fighting an old corpse in a mountain village.

"He has great talent. Bring him here to meet me one day." Li Xiang said.

"Then I'll go now." Li Jingren said, "It just so happens that Lu Zhaolin was demoted to Lingnan because of Lu Xuan, and is now staying temporarily in the restaurant. If you are interested, I will send someone to pick him up now."

"Yes." Li Xiang nodded and said, "It just so happens that I have nothing to do today, so let him come over."

Li Jingren went there happily, and not long after, Lu Zhaolin was brought to Li Xiang.

"I'm Lu Zhaolin, a commoner, and I'm honored to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Lu Zhaolin bowed respectfully, without any of the reserve of a child from an aristocratic family.

"No need to be so polite, get up." Li Xiang nodded.

Well, Xiao Lu gave Li Xiang a very good first impression.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Lu Zhaolin was not polite and stood up directly.

"I have also read your manuscript." Li Xiang did not hide anything and said straight to the point: "I think the suggestion about the policy of restraint mentioned in your manuscript is good."

The so-called "jimi", "ji" means horse bridle; "mi" means ox bridle, which is extended to mean to win over and control.

The practice of establishing羈縻州 began in the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty adopted a羈縻policy towards some remote ethnic minorities, recognizing local indigenous leaders, conferring titles of kingship on them, and bringing them under the management of the imperial court.

There are three types of the Tang Dynasty's vassal system. The first type is the vassal states and counties established in areas covered by the Tang Dynasty's military power. Their chiefs are hereditary tribal leaders. They are autonomous in internal affairs and pay tribute, but they have some responsibilities, such as being loyal to the central government and providing military supplies as required. The court regards them as part of its territory and documents are written as "imperial edicts". The more typical examples today are Feng Ang in Lingnan, the Turks of Li Simo's tribe in the north, and the Tuyuhun of the Murong clan, all of which are the first type of vassal system.

The second type is the vassal states, such as Nanzhao and Huihe, which are generally named Khan or Prince and have their own territory. However, the political legitimacy of their leaders comes from the appointment by the Central Plains government and they cannot be independent. The Central Plains regime regards them as subjects and documents use the phrase "Emperor's Question".

The third type is the so-called "enemy countries" and "remote countries", such as Tubo, Goguryeo, and Wa. Although they may have been enthroned, most of them were recognition of the actual situation. The legitimacy of their leaders' rule did not rely on the enthronement of the Central Plains regime. The documents of the Central Plains regime mostly used "The Emperor respectfully asks."

In general, the current control system of the Tang Dynasty is still mainly the first and second situations.

The縻system evolved into the土司system in the Yuan and Ming dynasties, and then the Qing dynasty implemented the policy of converting the Tusi into Han officials.

The suggestion mentioned by Lu Zhaolin in his policy essay was to send supervisory officials appointed by the Central Plains government in addition to tribal leaders, just like the Song Dynasty, in order to strengthen the Tang Dynasty's control over the vassal states.

Food must be eaten bite by bite. Each generation has its own system. The system proposed by Lu Zhaolin is a very good one.

If we try to implement the policy of "reform and upgrading the local system" in one go, it would be a step too big and could easily lead to setbacks.

Not to mention whether it will succeed or not, it is also likely to cause local backlash.

"I am eternally grateful for your appreciation, Your Highness." Lu Zhaolin said with his hands folded, looking quite indifferent.

"Did you think of these yourself?" Li Xiang asked again.

"Partly, yes, but more of it is what I learned from your Highness's policies." Lu Zhaolin said respectfully.

"What did you learn from my policies?" Li Xiang asked puzzledly.

"Yes, I once followed the caravan to the grasslands and told the children there the comic strips that Your Highness had printed, from Pangu creating the world, to Nuwa mending the sky, to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, to Dayu controlling the floods." Lu Zhaolin replied, "Facts have proved that the children on the grasslands do not reject these stories, and the grassland people also agree with Your Highness's theory, that is, we are all Chinese people. The Tang Dynasty is the main line, and they are the separated branches. In fact, we are all one family, but our lifestyles are different."

Li Xiang really didn't expect that Lu Zhaolin, a boy from a prominent family, could actually go to the grassroots level and "teach" on the grassland?
It seems that his policy theory was not just something he came up with out of thin air, but a conclusion drawn based on actual conditions.

"You are able to combine what you have learned with reality, which is very good." Li Xiang highly praised Lu Zhaolin's behavior: "It shows that you are not a dreamer, but a doer, a person who gets things done. I like you very much... But as a member of the northern branch of the Fanyang Lu family, you have no shortage of opportunities to be recruited. I am very curious, what drives you to go to the grassland to teach?"

"To educate the barbarians has always been the wish of scholars like me." Lu Zhaolin said seriously, "Since ancient times, the northern grasslands have been a major concern for the Central Plains. If we can completely naturalize them and integrate them with the Central Plains, then the problems that have troubled the Central Plains for thousands of years will be solved, and it will also be a great merit for the people."

"Good, good, good." Li Xiang nodded and praised three times. Lu Zhaolin's thoughtfulness was truly rare.

What made Li Xiang even more impressed was that he actually responded to his call.

He put down the application and said with regret, "But I am not an official of the Ministry of Rites. I can't help you with the imperial examination after you submit this application to Jingzhao Prefecture. But I have said before that as long as you publicize it in the caravan for three years, you can be awarded a real position below the eighth rank."

This was actually a test to see why Lu Zhaolin submitted the documents.

The little elephant didn't want to say it out loud and wanted Lu Zhaolin to bring it up himself.

Sure enough, after hearing what Li Xiang said, Lu Zhaolin said respectfully: "I submitted my application this time not to seek a rank in the imperial examination, but because I admire the talent of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and want to follow His Royal Highness and listen to his teachings morning and evening."

Oh, you little Lu.

After all, he is a cultured man, and the flattery he gave was genuine... Li Xiang understood what he meant, which translated into: I want to hang out with you.

"In that case, I still need a secretary." Li Xiang temporarily added an official position to the Prince's Mansion: "As the saying goes, 'a ruler has its own shortcomings, and an inch has its own strengths.' I am not good at writing, so from now on you will be my Sima Xiangru."

Of course Lu Zhaolin had no objection. Being able to be by the side of the Crown Prince was a wonderful thing that many people would not even dare to think about.

What's more, he also knew the principle of taking one step at a time, and he didn't expect to achieve success overnight before coming here.

After all, it is a peaceful time, and promotion is definitely not as fast as in wartime.

What's more, there is a comment like this, "My Sima Xiangru", which is already a very high evaluation.

Sima Xiangru was not only accomplished in literature. In fact, after being promoted by Emperor Wu of Han, he was ordered to go to Bashu and conquer the Southwestern Yi. The rulers of Qiong, Qie, Ran, Qie, and Siyu all requested to submit to the country, and the border was opened up day by day. He also opened the Tongling Mountain Road and built the Sunshui Bridge to connect Qiong and Qie.

If someone else said this, it might not sound right; but if Li Xiang said it, it was not only a recognition of Lu Zhaolin's talent, but also a political expectation for him.

"I thank Your Highness for your appreciation!" Lu Zhaolin said happily.

Li Xiang also felt a little emotional. In this situation... BOSS Direct Hire belongs to it.

"There is one more thing." Li Xiang said, "I will be getting married soon and I need two poems to reject the fan urgently. It just so happens that you are here. This glorious and arduous task will fall on you, Shengzhi."

"Since Your Highness has given the order, how dare I disobey it?" Lu Zhaolin did not hesitate and agreed readily.

However, after he finished speaking, he looked a little worried.

"Shengzhi, do you have any difficulties?" Li Xiang asked with a smile.

After hearing this, Lu Zhaolin became even more hesitant.

"Since you have come to the Crown Prince's Mansion, you are one of us from now on," Li Jingren consoled him, "Brother Shengzhi, if you have any difficulties, just speak up."

Lu Zhaolin shook his head and said to Li Xiang: "Your Highness has misunderstood. Just now I thought of an old friend who is also quite talented. However, I just thought that it would be unreasonable to recommend a friend to join the government since I have just entered the government."

"Hahaha, I thought it was something." Li Xiang said with a smile: "Since he is talented, we should promote him regardless of his relationship with us. Who is this person?"

"It was a friend of mine who was in the same detachment as me when I was in the caravan. To be honest with you, it was this man who suggested me to go to the grassland to preach." Lu Zhaolin bowed and said, "This man's surname is Luo, his given name is Binwang, and his courtesy name is Guanguang. He is from Yiwu, Wuzhou, and his talent and learning are even better than mine."

Li Xiang wondered who Lu Zhaolin was going to introduce, but he never expected that the person he introduced was Luo Binwang?

Oh, isn't this exactly what I want?
Luo Binwang is a man known to everyone in China. As long as someone in the family has attended primary school, he or she will know the poem "Geese, Goose, Goose".

He had a rather straightforward character. When Prince Dao Li Yuanqing was an official in the royal palace, he was ordered to state his abilities, but he was ashamed to show off and refused to do so.

Later, he served as a garrison officer in the frontier for a long time, and later went to Sichuan as an aide. Many of the manifestos to quell the barbarian rebellions were written by him.

What Li Xiang appreciated most about Luo Binwang was that when Li Tang was in trouble, he stood on the side of the Tang Dynasty and fought a desperate battle with Wu Shi. That article of curse... was really cool.

As the saying goes, strong winds reveal strong grass, and turbulent times reveal loyal ministers. Li Xiang could understand those who did not oppose the Wu family out of helplessness; but as for those who dared to resist, such as Li Zhen, Li Jingye and Luo Binwang, Li Xiang gave them a thumbs up and was willing to show closeness to them. After all, history has proven their loyalty.

However, what Li Xiang did not expect was that Luo Binwang actually responded to his call from the previous year and went to the caravan to participate in the education of the northern nomadic peoples.

People always subconsciously like those who support them, and Li Xiang is no exception.

In fact, in his eyes, anyone who responded to his call and went to the grassland to participate in missionary activities two years ago was worthy of his respect.

"Luo Binwang? I have heard of this man's talent." Li Xiang nodded and said, "He was able to write poetry at the age of seven. His poem Ode to the Goose is very popular and he is known as a child prodigy."

"Your Highness, have you also heard of his story?" Lu Zhaolin's eyes lit up and he felt happy for Luo Binwang.

My good brother has wasted so much time, and I thought it would be difficult to recommend him. I never expected that Your Highness had heard of his name a long time ago?
If you ask me whether there is jealousy or not, the answer is definitely not. After all, Lu Zhaolin is a more loyal and affectionate person than Qiangzi.

Li Xiang originally wanted to say that your face is full of stories, but after thinking about it, he decided not to.

You have to say that these four great poets of the early Tang Dynasty did have a connection with each other. Except for Yang Jiong who died a natural death, the deaths of the other three were all related to water.

Wang Bo fell into the water and died, Lu Zhaolin jumped into the water and died, and it is said that Luo Binwang jumped into the river and died. They are all famous players of the Lakers. No wonder the three of them have a good relationship.

"Of course I have heard of Luo Guanguang's name." Li Xiang said with a smile: "If Shengzhi is willing to recommend him, I will also recruit him as the seventh-rank secretary of the Crown Prince's Mansion."

"After I return, I will write a letter to Brother Guanguang, telling him of Your Highness's intention to recruit me." Lu Zhaolin said hurriedly.

It was not until now that he understood what kind of official position the Secretary of the Prince's Mansion held.

As the saying goes, the seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister’s door refers to the doorman at the prime minister’s door; and the seventh-rank official in the prince’s mansion is the old minister of the palace. After the prince ascends the throne, he will be definitely above the fifth rank.

Don’t think that the seventh rank is a low position. It is at least a county magistrate.

"Okay." Li Xiang nodded with a smile. It seemed that the achievement of collecting all the four great poets of the early Tang Dynasty would have to fall on Lu Zhaolin.

It’s a pity that Wang Bo and Yang Jiong were born five years later.

He then said to Li Jingren, "I will give Shengzhi a house next to the courtyard in Yongchangfang. Since he is working in the Prince's Mansion, I will not treat my own people unfairly."

"Yes." Li Jingren replied with his hands crossed.

Lu Zhaolin was touched, with an expression full of the spirit of a soldier dying for his confidant: "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness! I dare not refuse to die for you!"

(There are two more chapters to come. I happened to be lying on the bed with nothing to do recently, so I will make up for the chapters I owe.)
(The fracture happened two years ago. It’s just that the wound didn’t heal well after the nail was removed. It’s nothing serious. Thank you for your concern.)
(End of this chapter)