Chapter 303 Li Xiang's New Policy
Li Xiang suspected that his aunt had hamster disease, but he had no evidence.

However, collecting letters is normal, and Li Xiang also has this habit.

Li Hamster Mingda couldn't help but smile when he saw Li Xiang's dazed look. He reached out and rubbed Li Xiang's head, saying to him, "Did Xiang keep the letters everyone sent you?"

"Of course." Li Xiang answered firmly.

Anyway, there was plenty of space at home, so Li Xiang asked Fubao to keep the letters well so that they could be kept as a commemoration decades later.

If it were preserved for hundreds or thousands of years, it would be a cultural relic.

It is just like the “two letters” that Li Shimin wrote to Li Zhi in original history.

Of course, he might have suffered some social death. After all, all the Khan's little secrets had been seen by everyone, and everyone in the world knew that Li Shimin "wanted to die because of his slavery."

The extent of his social death is somewhat related to the fact that his mobile browser history was not deleted.

"Keep it well, it will be a souvenir in the future." Li Mingda said with a chuckle, then stood up and said to Li Xiang: "Let's go, don't let Aye and the others wait anxiously."

Li Xiang obediently followed Li Mingda out, and Old Li's concubines had already arrived outside.

Although they are called concubines, there are actually only two of them, one is Imperial Concubine Wei, and the other is Concubine Yang.

As for the family dinner, now that Empress Zhangsun is not around, Concubine Wei is the head of the harem. Naturally, she has to shoulder the responsibilities of the Empress and attend the family dinner as well.

As for Concubine Yang, she actually shouldn't have come, but after all, Li Yin had made such a great contribution, and Li Shimin might as well reward Concubine Yang for giving birth to a good son.

For the empress who comes from a prominent family or has a deep affection for the emperor, it is the son who makes the mother noble, such as Li Chengqian's three brothers, Empress Ma's children, etc.; but for the concubines in the harem, it is the mother who is noble because of her son. After all, the emperor will only look at her with respect when her children have made great contributions, or she will reach the peak of her life when her son succeeds in winning the throne, and be promoted from an insignificant concubine to an empress dowager whose cough makes the harem tremble.

Therefore, a person's success depends not only on his own efforts, but also on the historical process.

After seeing Li Xiang, Concubine Yang was very happy and expressed her gratitude to Li Xiang repeatedly.

After all, this son who was lucky not to cause trouble, suddenly came to his senses after hanging out with Li Xiang for a while. Not only did he stop causing trouble, he even achieved the achievement of conquering the enemy's capital and capturing the enemy's monarch and ministers alive.

This was something that was unthinkable in the past.

Li Xiang did not take credit for it, but said modestly: "This is all because of Sixth Uncle's own ability. If he was really an unlearned person, no matter how much I suggested, it would be useless."

"Don't be so modest. I know your uncle's character best." Li Shimin said, "The fact that he has achieved such success is inseparable from your advice."

At this point, Li Shimin said with emotion: "As the saying goes, 'If you keep company with good people, you will become good; if you keep company with bad people, you will become bad.' The ancients were right."

Under the hosting of Lao Li, the banquet officially began.

The theme of the banquet was, on the one hand, to welcome Li Xiang, and on the other hand, to express high recognition of Li Yin's achievements.

Li Shimin said that the success of Shu Wang Li Yin today is inseparable from Li Xiang's persuasion. As a prince in the new era of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yin has set an example and can be regarded as a model of the times. Li Xiang said that he was ashamed to have made only a small contribution. The success of his sixth uncle was actually inseparable from Li Shimin's excellent genetic genes. As the saying goes, like father, like son, and like mother, the good genes are inherited by the grandfather. On the other hand, Yang Fei's education was very successful and she did not neglect the education of Li Yin.

Li Shimin highly affirmed Li Xiang's speech, and he pointed out that these princes of the Tang Dynasty should follow Li Yin's example and devote themselves to contributing to the Tang Dynasty and making contributions.

At the same time, Li Xiang also proposed that learning activities should be carried out to learn from the advanced experience of Li Yintong...Li Yin.

The family dinner ended perfectly. Except that Li Zhi was a little unhappy, everything was perfect.

After all, Li Zhi felt that although Lao Liu did a good job, he didn't want to learn. How nice is Chang'an? He only eats and drinks every day, nothing else. Who would he work so hard for?
After the banquet, Li Shimin called Li Xiang.

"Xiang'er, wait a moment."

Li Xiang had originally planned to return to the Wude Hall to have fun, but was somewhat surprised to hear Li Shimin calling him.

"What's wrong, Aung?"

"You haven't been back to Chang'an for so long, let me talk to you." Li Shimin didn't drink today, but he ate a lot.

Li Xiang moved a brocade cushion and sat opposite Li Shimin.

"I've been away for several months. I'm still a little uncomfortable without you, a little bastard, by my side."

Hearing what Lao Li said, Li Xiang rolled his eyes.

Hey, Old Li, how did I become a little bastard?

Okay, you are the emperor, you have the final say, so let the little bastard be a little bastard.

"Don't leave Chang'an unless necessary." Li Shimin said again: "After all, you are the crown prince of a country. It's not a good idea to always be outside."

Li Xiang didn't object. Who would want to go to the countryside if he could stay in the capital?

It was unexpected that he went out this time. After all, as the de facto supreme commander of Dengzhou and Andong Protectorate, he was the most suitable person to coordinate the war in the north.

"All right." Li Xiang spread his hands and said to Li Shimin, "Aunt, I actually just had an immature idea."

"You say." Li Shimin was in a good mood and nodded.

Li Xiang considered his words for a moment, and then said, "After my grandson and Third Uncle finished chatting just now, I was thinking about a question. You said that the Han Dynasty began to incorporate the Western Regions into its territory, and then in the Jin Dynasty, the Western Regions fell again. Now that the Tang Dynasty has regained control of the Western Regions, what if, I mean, if the descendants of future generations are not good, once the central dynasty loses its authority, the Western Regions are lost again, what should we do?"

"I have thought about this problem before, but I have never had a good idea." Li Shimin picked up the orange on the table and began to peel it: "Looking at your current state, do you have any good ideas?"

"There aren't many solutions, but I do have a bad idea." Li Xiang spread his hands.

"It's still a bad idea, you might as well tell me about it." Old Li broke off half of the orange and handed it to Li Xiang. Li Xiang took the orange, ate a slice, and it was so sour that it almost made his teeth fall out.

He put the orange aside with a grin and said, "I was just thinking about this. The Western Regions are relatively close to the heart of the Central Plains, but it still takes more than two months to send messages back and forth, not to mention Persia which is even farther away from the Western Regions."

"In that case, why not set up an institution locally that can make independent decisions on military and political affairs?" Li Xiang asked tentatively.

Li Shimin rejected the idea after only a brief thought: "No, if we allow him to make decisions on military and political matters on his own, if he becomes powerful enough and becomes independent, the court will have to spend money and food to suppress the rebellion."

"What if... we follow the example of the Western Han Dynasty, establish states and give fiefs to our uncles in the border areas..." Li Xiang said in a gentle and persuasive way: "Uncles are our family, they won't be so desperate as to become independent, right?"

Don't say it, really don't say it.

In the 11th year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin had no idea what was wrong and personally selected... appointed 14 founding heroes and gave them lands and fiefs as hereditary governors.

The so-called hereditary governors were actually equivalent to the marquises granted fiefs after the founding of the Western Han Dynasty. Although they were called governors, they were actually independent small kingdoms. The taxes, military and political management within the fiefdoms were inherited by the descendants of meritorious officials, who could enjoy the benefits forever.

At that time, Yu Zhining, the left minister, thought that the situation was different between ancient and modern times, and that this was probably not a long-term solution, so he submitted a memorial to argue. Ma Zhou, the imperial censor, also submitted a memorial, using the example of the sons of Yao and Shun to explain the pros and cons. In short, he believed that this policy was not feasible at all.

In the end, the fourteen governors who were appointed as governors came forward and expressed their unwillingness to serve as fiefdoms. They submitted a letter of refusal and only then did Li Shimin give up.

But Li Shimin never gave up this idea. Old Li was a very righteous man. He basically loved his old brothers who had fought together with him to conquer the world and his own children equally.

But he could only think about it in his mind and could not put it into practice. After all, he did not want to be a dictator and force through such a policy despite the opposition of so many court officials.

After all, Old Li is a person who is willing to accept good advice.

Now, after hearing Li Xiang's suggestion, his old idea was rekindled.

Yes, instead of letting these heroes stay in Gyeonggi Province to annex land, it is better to throw them to the Western Regions.

This was also a good opportunity to give the Persian portion to his sons and divide the Western Regions into small pieces and give them to his subjects.

"Okay, I think the method you proposed is good!" Old Li praised repeatedly.

"I think that not only can we divide the land in this way, but we can also give the uncles and those who follow them to open up the land a high degree of autonomy." Li Xiang said again.

"A high degree of autonomy?" Li Shimin asked with a raised eyebrow. The term "high degree of autonomy" aroused his interest.

"Yes, the Protectorate is definitely not suitable. It's just like the countries west of Fulin, where the king granted land as fiefs to the great feudal lords, who then granted it to their subordinates as fiefs. Layer upon layer of fiefdoms formed a master-servant relationship, forming a ladder-like hierarchy." Li Xiang smiled and said, "The relationship between them is based on land, and is formed through this layered fiefdom, consisting of the king - duke - marquis - earl - viscount - baron - pavilion chief. Each pavilion chief governs a village. We can promise that every Tang person who follows the pioneers will at least be given the title of pavilion chief, and can continue to be promoted through military merits."

During the reign of Charlemagne, the marquis in the West was still a frontier marquis, with a status similar to that of an earl. It was not until several hundred years later that the rule that a marquis was superior to an earl was established.

What Li Xiang said just now is exactly the current system in Western Europe, which is the legendary "my vassal's vassal is not my vassal."

Crusader Kings, activate! Be ready to summon the Great Tang Emperor's Earth-shattering Fist at any time.

After hearing this suggestion, at least Lao Li felt that it was very reliable.

We should analyze specific issues specifically, and it is acceptable to adopt two systems under appropriate circumstances.

After all, these days, people think it is hard to leave their homeland. If you don't give them certain benefits, who would be willing to follow you and leave their hometown to settle down in Persia, which is farther away than the Western Regions?

"Now that Ashina Helu of the Western Turkic people has rebelled, there are also claims that we will send troops to pacify the Western Turkic people." Li Xiang continued: "After conquering the Western Turkic people, the Persian offensive should also be put on the agenda."

Li Shimin thought about the map for a moment, nodded and said, "Last time, Persian Prince Arohan came to the court to ask for help, but I did not agree to his request because the Western Turks blocked the main transportation routes. If we can pacify the Western Turks this time, the Persian problem should indeed be put on the table."

"I have heard that the Arabs resisted Fulin in the north and defeated Persia in the east. If we sit back and watch them annex Persia, they will definitely become an obstacle to the progress of our Tang Dynasty."

At this point, Li Shimin asked another question: "Who do you think is the most suitable person to go to Persia?"

"Of course it's Uncle Three and Uncle Eight." Li Xiang answered without thinking: "Uncle Three is brave and good at fighting, and Uncle Eight is calm and decisive. They will definitely be able to take on such an important task."

This example is quite ready. Li Ke was praised by Li Shimin as a man who is "as brave and resolute as me", and Li Zhen... Although Li Zhen's ability is slightly inferior, his loyalty to the Tang Dynasty is obvious to all.

After hearing these two candidates, Lao Li thought about it carefully and found that it was quite feasible.

"In that case, I will ask them in a few days." Li Shimin nodded and said, "After all, we should ask their opinions. This matter is entirely voluntary."

"Of course." Li Xiang scratched his head and said, "But the specific details still need to be further considered. My grandson is just proposing an immature idea..."

"Yes, I know." Li Shimin nodded and said, "Let me discuss this matter with the court officials. The specific details will have to wait until we defeat the Western Turks and Persia comes to the Tang Dynasty for help again."

Li Xiang thought about it and concluded that the next time Persia would ask for help would be in the next two years, but he forgot when exactly. Anyway, Persia would ask for help every few years, and the Tang Dynasty would provide all support except for help every time.

It’s not that the Tang Dynasty doesn’t want to help, but in fact it really can’t help much. After all, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.

But the situation is different now. Old Li thinks that the idea proposed by Li Xiang is quite appropriate.

If someone wants to leave his hometown and run so far away, he must give them some sweet rewards so that they will be willing to work hard.

"In fact, my grandson's suggestion is just repeating what others have said. After all, this is what the King of Zhou did back then." Li Xiang said with a smile.

In fact, this is indeed the case. At the end of the Shang Dynasty, the area controlled by the Shang Dynasty was actually limited. It was the Zhou emperor who enfeoffed capable ministers and royal family members to local areas, and relied on them to continuously encroach on the four barbarians, which led to the large territory of the late Warring States Period in later generations.

Therefore, we must look at the feudal system dialectically and analyze specific issues specifically.

This was also the optimal solution for the Zhou emperor at that time.

(End of this chapter)