Xiao Ruxun's current strategy for the western region was to feign nonchalance, but in reality, he cared deeply about these matters and had secretly made arrangements for them.
Although the Ü-Tsang Command Center existed in name only, it still had a name. They had actually ignored the Daqin Empire that had replaced the Daming in ruling the Central Plains, treating Daqin like air. This was a serious provocation to the prestige of the Daqin Empire and the Emperor.
Xiao Ruxun had already made arrangements for them. He had decided to establish an official rule over Ü-Tsang, to truly rule over these fellows on the plateau.
Due to the bitter cold of the highlands, the lack of benefits, and the difficulty in developing them, the previous dynasties had given up on actual rule. They only needed to rule in name, or even not. However, Xiao Ruxun was different from them. The seemingly worthless land had a very special meaning.
Ü-Tsang would definitely be conquered. Xiao Ruxun was sure of this.
The Yarkand Khaganate had also been arranged for, but because of its historical relationship with the Ming Dynasty, Xiao Ruxun did not intend to be the first to fall out with them.
There was nothing that could be done. They occupied an important gateway to the western border of Daqin. If they did not control this place, the western border of Daqin would not be stable, and the Han would also be threatened. These places had to be firmly controlled.
The Yarkand Khaganate had always placed great importance on trade with the Ming Dynasty. Even though the Black Mountain Sect and the White Mountain Sect had many internal conflicts, anyone who dared to block the trade route would be opposed by everyone.
With this traditional relationship, they did not have any thoughts of invading the Ming Dynasty, only wanting to do business. But this was no longer the era of the Daming. The one ruling the Central Plains was the aggressive Daqin.
After the establishment of the Daqin, in the beginning of the second month of the first year of Longwu, Xiao Ruxun ordered the blockade of Jiayu Pass, temporarily cutting off all trade with the Yarkand Khaganate.
The Yarkand Khaganate was extremely uneasy. Great Khan Maheima had sent many letters asking for inside information, but none of them had received a reply from Xiao Ruxun. They were burning with anxiety.
When he heard that Xiao Ruxun had requested to attend the birthday banquet, Maheima was pleasantly surprised. He immediately sent messengers to report to the Daqin and began to make internal preparations.
This time, Xiao Ruxun planned to trade with them. He could forget about the Silk Road on land, but he still had to open up this road.
The Western Regions, which had not been directly or indirectly ruled by the Central Plains since the Tang Dynasty, was no longer the same. As time passed, the climate changed, and the unrestrained development of the locals, the lush oases of the past had gradually taken on their appearance.
Even though their economic value had greatly declined, these lands were still the wealth left by the Han had left behind for the later dynasties and had to inherit.
There were dozens of vassal states in the south and the heads of the three major powers in the north. This time, the countries that came to celebrate Great Qin Emperor Xiao Ruxun's birthday could basically be said to be the court of ten thousand countries.
This was a very prestigious matter, and was one of the most important principles of action for Chinese emperors in the past. But when it came to Xiao Ruxun, it had to retreat behind the scenes.
The vassal states in the south were called over to sell arms and strengthen their control.
The purpose of calling the vassal states in the north was to promote the prestige of the country, to inquire about the news, and to plant spies of Black Water.
Xiao Ruxun had a very clear goal. Otherwise, he wouldn't have spent so much effort to organize such a grand event.
This would require the expenditure of several hundred thousand taels of silver, which was not a small sum.
In order to accommodate the large number of foreign envoys that were about to arrive, Xiao Ruxun also ordered the construction of some new houses in the embassy district for these people to live in.
These houses needed to be isolated and connected to the embassy area, but not in contact with the residential area. The perimeter had to be strictly guarded by soldiers, not allowing them to enter the residential area, and not allowing the residents to have private contact with these people.
The spies of Black Water began to move around everywhere, strictly guarding against some vassal states who had bad intentions and thought about the important technology mastered by Daqin.
The envoys of various countries also actively communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Daqin to determine the route to the capital. Whether they would go directly by sea to land in Tianjin, or enter from the mouth of the Yangtze River and go straight to Beijing through the Grand Canal, there were standard routes, and they were not allowed to go randomly. The local governments along the way had to take action to ensure the safety of these envoys.
North Korea still took the old way. Li Zhi planned to come in person, but it was said that he didn't like to take a boat, so he decided to come to the capital from Liaodong by land to see Xiao Ruxun. It was said that he was already on the way.
Xiao Ruxun ordered Liao Zhong to arrange reliable elite soldiers to protect Li Zhi's safety.
The King of Ryukyu, Shang Ning, also decided to personally congratulate the Daqin Emperor on his birthday. He would take the sea route from Ryukyu directly to the port of Tianjin, and then go straight to the capital.
Xiao Ruxun ordered the navy under Jiang Dahai to send five warships to escort Shang Ning's arrival and return.
In order to show the majesty of the Daqin Empire and its control over the surrounding vassal states, as well as its own reputation, Xiao Ruxun had to ensure that these people could come and go, and that the country was stable and there were no unforeseen events.
The absolute strength of the Daqin Empire was the basis of everything.
In fact, there was no need to make a universal language, because the fist was the universal language of the world. Whoever's fist was harder would be listened to.
This unprecedented grand event also made the central government busy. It was already very tiring to deal with government affairs, but now they had to separate a large number of people to deal with the accommodation and safety of the envoys of the kings, and even the translation problem.
The officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs each claimed all the responsibilities of a country and sent people to contact them.
They asked if they had accompanying envoys who understood Chinese, and if not, how to communicate and so on. In any case, they had to ensure that these fellows would not make a fool of themselves when they knelt to the Emperor on Xiao Ruxun's birthday.
Otherwise, they would really lose face outside the country, and in that case, it was unknown how angry Xiao Ruxun would be.
Li Tingji had not returned home for a month, and so had Ye Xianggao. In order to help Wang Xijue, who was exhausted, Ye Xianggao replaced Li Tingji and entered the Palace of Heavenly Purity to deal with the daily government affairs, so that Li Tingji could be free and fully responsible for the Emperor's birthday.
Of course, they were not the only busy ones. The people in each department were busy, and no one was relaxed. Those in charge of money, materials, approval, and security all held meetings overnight to arrange the division of responsibilities and exercises.
Every department was so busy that there was a lot of interaction between them, as well as a lot of conflicts.
Whenever conflicts occurred, the one who suffered the most was often Li Tingji, the Minister of Fire.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
