The voices of the crowd sounded distant yet close at the same time. Wang Chong's thoughts drifted far into the distance …
In order to facilitate the management of the military, the Tang dynasty established six protectorates in its initial stages. They were the Andong, Annan, Xi, Bei, Chanyu Protectorate Manor, and Beiting Protectorate Manor.
The six protectorates were responsible for 'consoling', 'subjugating', 'reporting', and 'punishing'. However, in essence, they were still purely military organizations, and they didn't possess any administrative authority.
Through the six protectorates, the royal court suppressed the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates, Ouzan, the various kingdoms of the Western Regions, Goguryeo, and the other barbarian powers.
However, in the current dynasty, the six protectorates were abolished, and the ten regional commanders were appointed instead. The 'protectorates' were changed to 'regional commanders', taking over the responsibilities of the protectorates and the two surrounding continents. On top of that, the administrative authority of the protectorates was increased, and everything changed!
No one knew better than Wang Chong what the future would be like.
Of the ten regional commanders in the Central Plains, the six strongest regional commanders in the north would fall into the hands of the Hu. Anxi regional commander Gao Xianzhi, Longyou regional commander Geshu Han, Shuofang regional commander An Si, and the three regional commanders of Pinglu, Lulong, and Donghe would fall into the hands of the Hu.
The positions of these regional commanders might have belonged to the Han initially, but sooner or later, they would all fall into the hands of the Hu. Of the ten regional commanders, six of the most important positions were in the hands of the Hu.
Hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers were in the hands of outsiders, causing the defense of the Tang dynasty to be weak on the inside. This was the source of chaos for the royal court, as well as the source of chaos for the Tang dynasty!
But at this moment, no one had noticed it. Even Elder Ye, Duke of Hu, and Elder Zhao didn't notice the danger, and this made Wang Chong feel a deep pain in his heart.
Even though the Tang dynasty had Hu generals in the past, be it Qibi Heli during Emperor Taizong's reign or Zhisili during the early stages of the current dynasty, they were just ordinary generals, and the authority they wielded could be retracted at any moment.
However, the 'regional commanders' strategy and the decision to 'utilize the Hu' would change everything. The Hu people will break free from the category of 'generals' and become a 'small court' at the border.
Because they had the right to act at their discretion, the Imperial Court would no longer be like the previous Imperial Court, casually transferring them back to the capital and stripping them of their military authority!
They were like ferocious beasts, and the imperial court was loosening the shackles on them.
"Grandfather, Old Ye, Old Zhao, Old Ma … and First Uncle, no matter what, you must not do this. We must not set the precedent of the regional commanders and use the Hu. No matter what, we must stop them! "
Wang Chong said.
Everyone in the meeting hall frowned, but no one said anything. They just waited for Wang Chong to continue.
Wang Chong's expression was solemn. In front of all the seniors and uncles, he knew that his words carried little weight. All the seniors here were more senior than him.
However, the matter of the regional commanders was of great importance. The slightest mistake could lead to the destruction of the common people. Even if no one believed in him, Wang Chong had to give it a try.
"Grandfather, elders, the Imperial Court has already done all it could for the Hu in our territory, and we have done our utmost. Qibi Heli was a Hu, but he was able to obtain the trust of Emperor Taizong of the Great Tang and was given the position of Grand General of the Left. After his death, he was posthumously conferred the title of Grand General Who Supports the State and Governor of Binzhou. He was buried in the Zhao Mausoleum with the title of Lie! "
"Ashina? She 'er, a Hu as well, was conferred the title of Great General of the Left Cavalry. After his death, he was conferred the title of Great General Who Supports the Empire and Governor of the Binzhou. He was conferred the title of Yuan! "
"Both of them were Hu, but due to the glory they enjoyed in their lifetime, they were able to achieve higher positions than many Han generals. In fact, they were even conferred the title of Hu to be buried in Emperor Taizong's Zhao Mausoleum. Other than the Tang dynasty, who else could achieve such glory? "
"Also, Zhishi Sili of the current dynasty was conferred a marriage by the previous emperor, marrying a princess. How many Han people can obtain this honor? "
"Right now, to the north of the Tang dynasty, the Anbei Protectorate Manor and Chanyu Protectorate Manor have formed an alliance of Hu and Han. Regardless of whether they are Hu or Han, the Imperial Court has treated them equally. This is already the limit! "
"But have you all considered what would happen if we were to further utilize the Hu on this basis?"
Wang Chong faced the gazes of the crowd and said. Even though he was only fifteen, the imposing aura that Wang Chong exuded far exceeded that of his age.
None of the elders on the floor dared to treat Wang Chong as a child. Instead, they subconsciously followed his train of thought along with his tone.
"… The Hu are innately valiant, a result of their harsh living environment. Just like that poem mentioned, while our ten year old Han children are still pursuing luxurious pleasures, the ten year old Hu children are already riding horses and shooting arrows. With such a mix of Hu and Han soldiers, it's obvious who will stand out. "
"Big uncle said that Lord Prime Minister mentioned that the Hu are innately valiant and are used to fighting. Due to their poor background, they won't easily form factions. This is true, but I wonder if Lord Prime Minister has considered that while the Hu won't form factions like the Han, the Hu themselves are a huge faction! Regardless of which tribe the Hu are from, when they mix with the Han, they will become a faction! "
Wang Chong said gravely. Currently, the mixing of Hu and Han was only limited to the Beiting Protectorate Manor and Chanyu Protectorate Manor. However, Wang Chong was well aware that once the regional commanders system was established, the mixing of Hu and Han would spread from the north to the other regions.
Furthermore, with the policies of the Hu and the Han, future Hu generals would appear in the various military regions of the Tang dynasty.
(Note: Hu refers to Hu.)
In the conference hall, many people thought that Wang Chong was being too rash and rash, but upon hearing this, their faces immediately warped. There was a subtle change in the atmosphere.
Wang Chong's way of thinking was completely different from theirs. Forming factions for personal gain was a huge taboo in the history of the Tang dynasty.
As a result, everyone only paid attention to this point, neglecting the fact that the Hu in the inner circle were extremely easy to group together and naturally formed a large faction.
On this point, Wang Chong wasn't wrong.
"We have neglected this matter. This child's words aren't without reason."
Elder Ma, Duke of Hu, and the others, who didn't pay much attention to the regional commanders system and the important Hu strategy, gradually changed their attitude.
"… The Hu and Han are born different, and the difference in their appearance makes it easier for them to form a tighter group. While it's true that they won't form factions for personal gain, this group is likely to be even more dangerous than the factions that the royal court is worried about. "
"With the current policies of the royal court, the Han are still able to suppress the Hu. However, if we were to build on this foundation and utilize the Hu, everything would be different. "
Wang Chong paused for a moment. Recalling his previous life's experiences, he couldn't help but feel sorrowful. Given his current strength, there was nothing he could do.
At his fifteen-year-old age, others would only treat him as a child. No one would think much of him. Thus, he could only make use of this occasion and the elders before him to convey the danger and warning in his heart.
"Elders, we Han have been brought up by etiquette. If a Han were to become a general, in order to show impartiality, he would surely reward and punish fairly, and he would generously promote the Hu. However, I would like to ask, if a Hu were to become a general, would he generously promote a Han as well? "
Wang Chong asked.
The elders in the conference hall were dumbfounded. Even Wang Chong's big uncle, Wang Gen, frowned. Even though he was seated high up in the royal court, the Han generals in the army valued talent and rewards and punishments fairly.
As long as the Hu were capable, they would generously promote them. The reason why there were so many Hu generals in the army was because of the rewards and punishments given to Han generals.
If not for the promotion of Han generals, there wouldn't have been so many Hu generals in the army.
On the other hand, if a Hu were to become a general, it was hard to say whether a Han would be promoted as well. This was something that not even the elders in the conference hall could guarantee.
Wang Chong's gaze swept across the conference hall as he shook his head. No one knew better than him what would happen in the future.
The famous general of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Zhongsi, promoted Big Dipper General Geshu Han, but who did Geshu Han promote? Huoba Guiren was his subordinate, and he often brought him with him.
Anxi Protector-General Fomonlința was promoted by the current Holy Emperor, but who did Fomonlința promote? Xinluo's Gao Xianzhi!
Gao Xianzhi had replaced Fomonlința, but who else did he promote? Feng Changqing! However, it was a pity that he was only an official in charge of logistics.
Of all of them, he could be considered as someone with a conscience.
And the future Youzhou Regional Commander, the current famous general of the Tang dynasty, the Guazhou Provincial Governor Zhang Shougui, was about to do something even more astonishing.
The Hu that he promoted would shake the foundation of the empire and push this powerful empire into the abyss of internal strife. The people of the divine continent would be plunged into misery and suffering!
And all of this happened under the background of 'putting Hu Jiang in an important position' and the regional commanders system.
'Putting Hu generals in an important position' caused the Hu in the army to promote the Hu, resulting in the emergence of a large number of Hu generals. The regional commanders system pushed them to the peak and gave them the ability to wreak havoc in the Central Plains.
"Grandfather, elders, and Big Uncle, the talents of a general shouldn't just include bravery. It should also include commanding troops, formations, logistics, and political affairs. If we only focus on bravery and blindly promote the Hu, the number of Hu generals in the army will only increase and the number of Han generals will decrease."
"As the saying goes, a general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand. We Han generals are different from Hu generals. Only through constant tempering on the battlefield would they continue to grow and gradually show the demeanor of a great general. And this kind of general is far more formidable than the Hu generals. "
"But if we only focus on bravery and only on talent, we will only put the Hu in an important position. If the Hu were to promote the Hu while the Han are not tempered, the number of Han generals will decrease. On the other hand, the number of Hu generals in the army will only increase, and the Hu will form an independent body. If the Hu were to become the commander-in-chief, I'm afraid that the path of the Han generals will be completely blocked! In fact, there might even be a situation where the leaders of a pure Han army are all Hu, and the army will only follow the Hu's lead! "
"Not only so, once the regional commanders system is implemented. Once the Hu become the regional commanders, there will be a large number of Hu generals in the army. All of them will control their troops and listen to orders but not to orders. In the end, they will even threaten the central government and the royal court. By then, the Tang dynasty will be left empty, and I'm afraid that a situation will occur! "
"If the Hu were to gather together and cause chaos, who will be able to stop them? Who will be able to defeat them? If this goes on, the royal court will lose control, and I'm afraid that there will be a 'military town separatist regime' in the future! "
Wang Chong lamented.
"What?!"
Boom! It was as though a bolt of lightning had landed in the hall. Hearing the words' military town separatist regime ', everyone in the hall was shocked, as though they had just experienced a Category 12 hurricane.
Even Wang Chong's cousin, Wang Li, who had been pretending to be asleep, trembled violently. He opened his eyes abruptly and looked at his cousin in disbelief.
'Military town separatist regime', this is not a small matter! If what Wang Chong said is right, this matter will probably shake the entire Tang dynasty!
Peng!
At the top of the hall, Wang Chong's grandfather was originally seated on the high seat, but at this moment, he suddenly stood up with his hands on the seat.
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