Chapter 1053: Southwestern Affairs

"What, are all of you vying for the merit of this expansion?" Hearing Song Yanwo's words, Liu Chengyou could not help but say.

Song Yanwo then said: "Duke Bao (Wang Jing) has managed Longyou, recovering lost territory for the Great Han, expanding the borders by a thousand li. Every minister admires him, and every aspirant yearns for such achievement..."

"This spirit of pioneering enterprise is still worth encouraging!" Liu Chengyou nodded in approval with a positive attitude, then said: "However, reclaiming old territories should naturally be supported, yet one must not act rashly—it should be pursued gradually. The situations in Tibet and Dali are ultimately different from that of Longyou. Impatience will get you nowhere—you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's reflective words, Song Yanwo could not help but smile and say: "The old General Wang has petitioned the court for battle again?"

"Even if we intend to pacify Dali, wouldn't such an obvious display alert them? Moreover, in the southwestern region, the mountains are high and the forests dense, the roads are impassable, and the various barbarian tribes have not been completely subdued. How can we not consider the risks of venturing deep into Dali for battle? I trust in Wang Quanbin's ability and admire his courage, but matters of state and military affairs cannot be taken lightly—we must be fully prepared and act with prudence!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Your Majesty always decides matters with the nation's overall interests at heart, exercising caution and restraint—truly a blessing for the Great Han!" Song Yanwo remarked: "However, the old general is after all nearly fifty-five years old now. Having such a desire to render meritorious service is understandable!"

"I certainly understand!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh: "And precisely because of that, I hope this matter can be handled more perfectly, with fuller preparations, so that the old general's fervent passion does not lead to regret due to momentary haste!"

Upon hearing this, a look of admiration appeared on Song Yanwo's face. He clasped his hands in salute and said: "Your Majesty's thoughtful consideration is truly moving!"

"The concerns of the court ministers are not without reason. The war between the Great Tang and Nanzhao must serve as a warning. Now that the realm has just been pacified, stability must come first—clean up the house before reaching outward!" Liu Chengyou said: "Take Qianzhong as an example in the Chuanshu matter: with numerous tribes standing side by side and native barbarians spread across prefectures and counties, if we cannot govern them peacefully and ensure a secure rear, how can we possibly dispatch troops to Dali?"

"Your Majesty's considerations are most thorough!" Song Yanwo responded: "In the southwest, Han and barbarians live intermingled. If one wishes to govern the region, the various tribes within its borders are an unavoidable issue. When the Meng clan ruled Shu, they mostly used loose-rein and indulgent policies toward the barbarian tribes, which led to repeated revolts. In those years, when the Lao people rebelled, at the height of their power they nearly threatened the heartland of Chengdu—one can see how rampant they were. However, in recent years, we ministers have employed civil measures while the old General Wang has used military force, combining grace with severity, suppression with pacification, and only now have we achieved initial stability!"

"I understand!" Liu Chengyou said: "The court is quite satisfied with your achievements in the southwest. Regarding civil administration and local affairs, I have always trusted in your abilities. And as you said, if we want lasting peace and stability in the southwest without it becoming a source of trouble, the various barbarian tribes must be given due attention."

"I have decided to formally implement the Tusi system across the four frontiers, starting with the southwest—in Chuanshu, beginning with Qianzhong! I hope this will set a good precedent, and I trust that Zhao Pu will not fail my expectations!" Emperor Liu said.

"I have also studied the 'Tusi system' formulated by the court. I believe it is more than sufficient to win over the hearts of the various barbarian tribes. Moreover, dividing territories and granting native officials their own domains is also a means of dividing the tribes—in order to protect their wealth, power, and status, they will inevitably have no choice but to draw close to and depend upon the court. So long as it is implemented, the southwest region is certain to achieve long-term stability, sparing the court any worry!"

Regarding Song Yanwo's analysis, Emperor Liu actually only endorsed half of it. He smiled and said: "In this world, there is no such thing as a policy that ensures lasting peace and stability for a hundred generations. When the court is strong, the four barbarians will always submit; when the state weakens, even the smallest barbarian will dare to provoke. Nevertheless, I do place a certain measure of expectation on the Tusi system—at the very least, it can establish a sustainable governing order for the southwest. As long as that order does not collapse, even if there are occasional reversals, they will be of no great consequence!"

To be honest, in the southwest, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, the forests are deep and the roads are long, and the ethnic groups are numerous. The Central Plains empire found it very difficult to govern the region, with weak control. But it must be said that the southwest region posed no real threat to the entire empire—even if disturbances arose, they were no more than a minor skin ailment.

The threats worthy of vigilance and fear always lay in the north. Therefore, Liu Chengyou felt not a shred of psychological pressure in implementing the Tusi system in the southwest. Even if it granted them ample power, at least for the present era and given the conditions of the southwest, this system was relatively advanced.

Hearing Emperor Liu's exposition, Song Yanwo immediately assumed a posture of admiration and said: "Your Majesty's talent, breadth of mind, insight, and far-reaching vision—I bow in admiration!"

"Haha!" Liu Chengyou laughed heartily. Though he had always tried his best to appear modest, when flattered in such a manner, he could not help but feel pleased.

Moreover, with the fifteenth year of Qianyou drawing to a close, Emperor Liu was about to formally ascend one of the peaks of his life—his career was officially entering a new realm. Under such circumstances, it was difficult for Emperor Liu to maintain, as he once had, a mind as calm as an ancient well, free of joy and sorrow, preserving that persona of composure, calmness, and even cold detachment.

Those familiar with Emperor Liu could all notice that recently his expressions had become far more varied and his spirits much higher. It would likely take some time before he could step out of this state of mind.

In fact, the fact that Emperor Liu could quickly find his next long-term goal at the great moment of basically achieving national unification was indeed a good thing for both himself and the Great Han Empire. Otherwise, if he had long lingered in his achievements and overindulged in glory, who knows what might have happened in the future.

After laughing heartily for a while, he quickly restrained himself, his expression turning slightly reserved—after all, the "Tusi system" could not exactly be considered Emperor Liu's original creation......

"Brother-in-law, you have worked hard on the journey. Now that you've returned, rest well. In the days ahead, I still have great use for you—the Great Han still needs your counsel and efforts!" Liu Chengyou said, looking at Song Yanwo. These words also signaled that this conversation had essentially come to an end.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust!" Song Yanwo clasped his hands in response.

Liu Chengyou waved his hand and continued: "Over the years, you have been guarding various frontiers on my behalf, serving as a bulwark for over a decade—truly not easy! Keeping the Empress Dowager and your wife, my sister, separated as mother and daughter for so long without being able to meet—the Empress Dowager has often expressed her longing. Even if only for her sake, I can hardly send you away again!"

"I was just about to go pay my respects to the Empress Dowager!" Song Yanwo immediately declared.

Emperor Liu was quite satisfied with this brother-in-law of his. He nodded and added: "By the way, I have received word that Wang Quanbin has already passed through Luoyang and will soon arrive at the Eastern Capital. When the time comes, brother-in-law, go on my behalf to welcome the old general!"

"Yes!" Song Yanwo had nothing more to say and instinctively clasped his hands in acceptance.

However, a slight doubt surfaced in his mind. But after thinking it over briefly, considering the discussion between sovereign and minister, he understood—this was a message for him to convey to Wang Quanbin.