In Taiji Palace.
"Your Majesty! The last batch of relief funds has been collected! "Dai Zhou, the Minister of Civil Affairs, reported joyfully.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" The courtiers of Taiji Palace said joyfully.
Li Shimin's face lit up with joy, and he could not help but sigh with emotion. The flood in Shandong was one of the few disasters the Tang dynasty had ever seen, but it was also the easiest to overcome.
All of this was thanks to Morton, who was far away in Lan Zhou. With the support of the huge wealth of the Tuyuhun, he was able to smoothly provide relief. Not only did he solve the disaster relief problem, he also built a brick road that was hundreds of miles long.
"Your Majesty, now that the relief funds have been collected, it's time to summon Mo Jiu back to Chang 'an," Dai Zhou nodded and said.
"Of course we have to summon him back. All the tribes in the northwest have submitted memorials saying that this guy is holding a giant magnet and scaring people every day!" Li Shimin said while holding back his laughter.
The courtiers also could not help laughing. Although it was a small magnet, it had increased the wealth of the Tang dynasty. Without this weapon, the tribes in the grassland would not have submitted so easily.
"From the way I see it, this magnet stone has great uses. That Mo brat had once used it to make a compass. Together with me, Old Cheng, we traversed the great desert. Moreover, it is also a powerful weapon for the tribes of the grassland. If some barbarian tribes do not have iron tools, they will definitely not dare to be disloyal." Cheng Yaojin laughed.
Many courtiers nodded slowly. The tribes in the northwest and southwest, especially those in the southwest, often rebelled. If their iron weapons were confiscated, they would not be able to cause any trouble no matter how disloyal they were.
In addition, this magnet could also be used to guard the city gates and search for forbidden objects. It would be very effective. For a moment, all the courtiers thought of the various uses of the magnet.
"This thing has some magical uses. Pass down the order to have Mo Jiu Village make more and try it in the imperial city first," Li Shimin said excitedly. With this magnet, the defense of the palace would be increased several times.
"Also, send word to those tribes that as long as they behave themselves, the Great Tang will not touch a single one of them." Li Shimin waved his hand. This time, Meton had gone through so much trouble in the northwest to raise money for the Imperial Court. Li Shimin would naturally support him.
"Apart from that, let's discuss the matter of Murong Shun's petition to allow Tuyuhun to reestablish the country!" Li Shimin suddenly said.
The matter of Tuyuhun had been dragged on for too long. It was time to make a decision.
Fang Xuanling was the leader of the courtiers. He waved his hand and a large map of Tuyuhun appeared in front of the courtiers. Each tribe could be clearly seen on the map. It was the map of Tuyuhun's tribes drawn by Meton.
"Your Majesty, the tribes of Dang Xiang and Xi Qiang are not of the same race as Tuyuhun. They should be separated from Tuyuhun and merged into the Tang dynasty." Fang Xuanling pointed to the tribes of Dang Xiang and Xi Qiang in Qingtang and Longxi.
Li Shimin nodded slowly. Although Xi Qiang and Dang Xiang were weak, they had many tribes. If they separated from Tuyuhun, the strength of Tuyuhun would be greatly reduced.
"Chaka Salt Lake is the raw material of Daqing Salt. We can't give it up," Dai Zhou said firmly. Daqing Salt was a continuous source of income for the Ministry of People. They were naturally unwilling to give it up.
"The terrain of Wuhai is very high and the climate is very similar to Tubo. It is the training ground for the Tang dynasty to guard against Tubo. We can't give it up either," Hou Junji said.
He was the Minister of War and had personally entered Wuhai. He had personally experienced the power of altitude sickness. Naturally, he would not give up these strategic areas.
The group of courtiers spoke one after another, immediately dividing the Tuyuhun into a mess.
With Meton's torment in Tuyuhun, the situation of Tuyuhun was greatly beneficial to the Tang dynasty. It was much better than in history. The resistance of the Tang dynasty to dismember Tuyuhun was greatly reduced.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! If we openly take over Tuyuhun's tribes, I'm afraid it will tarnish Your Majesty's reputation! "Kong Yingda refuted.
"That's right! Back then, our Great Tang didn't take a single inch of Turkic land, and the tribes of the northwest all submitted to us. Now that we've destroyed the Tuyuhun Kingdom, the tribes of the steppe will definitely be bitterly disappointed, "Quan Wanji said.
The other civil officials chimed in.
"How pedantic. The grassland tribes are not afraid of virtue. Now that the grassland tribes have obtained Mo brat's silage method, if we don't restrict them, they will become a huge threat in the future," Cheng Yaojin sneered.
Quan Wanji retorted, "In Minister's view, Mo Jiu's actions are for the greater good. He's raising a tiger will only invite calamity."
"When we were collecting the money, I didn't see Minister Quan object," Cheng Yaojin mocked.
The courtiers immediately fell into a heated argument. The court was in chaos.
"Enough, stop arguing. Tuyuhun must be restricted." Li Shimin made the final decision. This expedition had almost emptied the Tang dynasty's treasury. He did not want to do it again.
"Perhaps we can imitate the previous dynasty and divide Tuyuhun into east and west." Zhangsun Wuji's eyes flashed.
The officials all looked at Zhangsun Wuji, who was at the side.
"Everyone, please take a look. Although Mo Jiu did it by accident, he has successfully divided Tuyuhun into two factions. One side is the small tribes that have bought ranches, and the other side is the large tribes that have not bought ranches." Zhangsun Wuji pointed at the tribes on the map of Tuyuhun.
Under Meton's conscious control, the tribes that had bought ranches were mostly located on the east side of Qinghai Lake, near the Tang dynasty. In order to protect their ranches, these tribes had to obtain the support of the Tang dynasty. This was very beneficial to the Tang dynasty.
"Zhangsun Wuji's intention is to divide Tuyuhun into two factions according to the distribution of these tribes?" Fang Xuanling immediately understood Zhangsun Wuji's intention.
Zhangsun Wuji nodded and said, "Although Murong Shun is the eldest son, he is the previous crown prince. He is not legitimate. Everyone should know that among Fu Yun's sons, there is one that Fu Yun dotes on the most! "
"Respectable King!" Li Shimin's eyes flashed.
Back then, in order to support Respectable King, Fu Yun actually requested a marriage alliance with the Tang dynasty. How could everyone not remember this? In this war, Respectable King was also among the captives.
"That's right. Respectable King is loved by Fu Yun. Everyone in Tuyuhun knows that. He will definitely be able to compete with Murong Shun!" Zhangsun Wuji said proudly.
Li Shimin nodded slowly. He pondered for a moment and said, "Pass down the imperial edict. Murong Shun will be conferred the title of Prince of Xiping and Khan of Luwu Gandou. He will be in charge of all the tribes west of Qinghai Lake. Honourable King Murong will be conferred the title of Commandery Prince of Dongping and Khan of Wadi Balidou. He will be in charge of all the tribes east of Qinghai Lake and will temporarily reside in Chang 'an City. "
Most of the Tuyuhun tribes to the east of Qinghai Lake had purchased ranches and were inclined to the Tang dynasty. Since the Honored King lived in Chang 'an City for the time being, as long as these tribes were assimilated by the Tang dynasty, they would gradually be assimilated by the Tang dynasty.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
This time, the civil and military officials had no objections, and they respectfully replied in unison.
"Your Majesty! Murong Shun's position is not legitimate, and I'm afraid that the tribes to the east of Qinghai Lake will not accept it. Why don't Your Majesty send out a group of elite cavalry to help? "Zhangsun Wuji once again dealt a fatal blow to Murong Shun.
"Approved! Order Li Daliang to command eight thousand elite cavalry to assist Murong Shun. "Li Shimin ordered without hesitation.
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