Chapter 1244: With a man like this, how could Hexi fail to be well governed?

On the matter of Hexi affairs, the sovereign and his minister had already talked at length within this gate tower. Emperor Liu's enthusiasm for conversation had clearly waned considerably. Lu Duoxun noticed this, yet still could not help but call out: "Your Majesty!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu shifted his attention from the bursting sparks and turned it once more to Lu Duoxun. Seeing his cautious demeanor, he could not help but wave a hand: "Minister Lu, you still have more to say! If you have anything else, speak it directly—I am listening!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lu Duoxun hurriedly expressed.

Having grown up in the provinces, he rarely had the opportunity to speak face-to-face with the Emperor. Had it not been for Emperor Liu's western tour this time, he likely would have had to wait until his future return to court for an audience. Therefore, Lu Duoxun placed great importance on this conversation with Emperor Liu. Now that it was just the sovereign and his minister, naturally he wanted to speak his fill.

After organizing his words somewhat, Lu Duoxun continued: "Your subject previously made bold claims, vowing to lead the officials and people of Hexi in restoring the prosperity of old. But in truth, your subject is well aware that this will not be easy—indeed, it cannot be accomplished within a short span of time.

The internal problems of Hexi, your subject will address gradually, improving and resolving them step by step. But the external constraints are not something a single circuit of Hexi can control!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's interest was immediately piqued, and he asked: "What do you mean by external constraints?"

Meeting Emperor Liu's scrutinizing gaze, Lu Duoxun said: "Your Majesty, throughout the millennia, the prosperity of Hexi has stemmed not only from its local waters, soil, and culture, but more importantly from its geographical advantage. The corridor stretches a thousand li, standing at the vital crossroads of east-west communication. Merchants and travelers from all nations traversed it freely, with close and frequent exchanges—this is what gave birth to Hexi's brilliance and prosperity!

Yet now, though Hexi has returned to the governance of the Great Han, the trade routes have fallen desolate and cold. Merchants and travelers from within the passes and the Central Plains often turn back at Liangzhou, unwilling to venture deeper.

The primary reason lies in the Western Regions having fallen to become Liao's vassal, subjected to their exploitation. When the Liao army campaigned westward, the Western Regions suffered the ravages of war—living beings caught in the flames, cities and towns destroyed. War caused the Silk Road to decline, nearly severed entirely.

In recent years, the situation in the Western Regions has temporarily calmed, and though the trade routes have reopened, they remain greatly restricted. First, the Khitan block the way, giving merchants pause; second, the Western Regions show no signs of recovery.

Therefore, your subject believes that Liao's occupation of the Western Regions, severing east from west, is the greatest obstacle to Hexi's restoration and prosperity—and also the constraint on the development of the entire northwestern region!"

After Lu Duoxun finished presenting his views, Emperor Liu suddenly let out a chuckle. Seeing this, a trace of embarrassment flickered across Lu Duoxun's face, and he asked doubtfully: "Your Majesty, is there something improper in what your subject has said, that it draws Your Majesty's laughter?"

Emperor Liu shook his head and said: "I laugh because it seems I have found another justification for a northern campaign against the Khitan!"

Hearing this, Lu Duoxun's expression stirred, though his eyes remained calm. He clasped his hands and said: "Han and Liao, one in the south and one in the north, are both great powers of this age. Though a decade of warfare has passed, in truth they secretly regard each other with hostility and mutual wariness. The Great Han established itself by expelling the Khitan and recovering the Central Plains. The grievances between the two nations run as deep as the Eastern Sea—unfathomable, and beyond resolution.

At present, beneath the calm surface, there must be undercurrents surging. Between the two nations, there is bound to be another great war—this is inevitable! Therefore, your subject believes that the matter of Hexi is but a small part of the greater Han-Liao situation, and can proceed in accordance with the court's grand strategy..."

"You should know, this autumn I even hunted alongside the Liao sovereign beyond the northern frontier, and we conversed most pleasantly!" Emperor Liu said this.

Lu Duoxun clasped his hands and said: "Your subject has naturally heard of this, but believes it was merely mutual probing between the two sides!"

"There are not few civil and military officials who can discern my intention to campaign north, but those who can connect Hexi's development with national strategy—those are few indeed! Minister Lu, it seems I have underestimated your grasp of the bigger picture!" Emperor Liu said with a faint smile.

To this, Lu Duoxun finally responded modestly: "Your Majesty overpraises me! Your subject has merely long been in Hexi, and in ordinary times has pondered these matters a bit more!"

"You have indeed pondered out something of value!" Emperor Liu murmured, his eyes growing deep, as if concealing the glint of blades within.

"How goes the horse administration in Hexi? I hear that at Yanzhi Mountain, a considerable number of war horses are produced each year?" After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Liu suddenly brought this up.

Lu Duoxun explained: "Your Majesty, the lands of Yanzhi Mountain boast abundant water and lush grass, truly suitable for pasturage. After Gansu was recovered, Hexi, in accordance with the court's horse administration regulations, enclosed lands to rear horses.

Though only a few years have passed, Yanzhi Mountain has already become the largest horse ranch in the northwest. Beyond supplying tribute to the central government and meeting the needs of Hexi's garrison troops, it can also supply war horses to the entire northwestern garrison!"

"Good!" Emperor Liu's single word landed with weight.

"To campaign north against Liao, horses of all kinds will be the most important strategic resource!" Emperor Liu said: "Yanzhi Mountain—I must go see it for myself!"

Hearing this, Lu Duoxun immediately said: "Your Majesty, I have heard that there is a Ferghana horse there, worthy of being called the king of horses. It was reserved to be presented to the palace as tribute, but now that Your Majesty has come in person, you may ride it first!"

Emperor Liu smiled. He was not particularly taken with this kind of flattery from Lu Duoxun, but instead said: "A fine steed, if kept in the imperial stables, would be wasted!"

With that, Emperor Liu instructed Yan Tuo: "Notify the Duke of Zhao, have him make preparations. Tomorrow he accompanies me to the Yanzhi Mountain horse ranch. Tell him—if he can tame that Ferghana horse, I shall gift it to him!"

"With the Duke of Zhao's valor, even the king of horses, however wild and untamable, shall submit!" Lu Duoxun said.

Having inspected the city walls of Guzang for a full hour or more, even without the eunuch's reminder, Emperor Liu would have had to return to rest. To show favor, Emperor Liu still had Lu Duoxun accompany him.

Returning to the temporary residence, Lu Duoxun was about to take his leave when a palace attendant reported that Zhebu Sizhong, General of Gansu, had arrived under imperial summons! Zhebu Sizhong was the great chieftain of the Six Valleys Tibetans—a standard pro-Han faction figure, a man willing to serve as the court's servant. True to his name, through all these years he had remained diligent and conscientious, never showing the slightest defiance, and holding nothing back from the court.

Under his leadership, the Six Valleys Tibetans had been exceptionally obedient. In the process of pacifying Hexi, they had rendered great service and made meritorious contributions. As the great chieftain, Zhebu Sizhong had also gained the court's regard and trust, holding the post of General of Gansu, responsible for military affairs concerning the Uyghurs.

Using a Tibetan to restrain the Uyghurs—clearly this bore Emperor Liu's will. Of course, the current Zhebu Sizhong constantly regarded himself as a Han; whoever dared call him a Tibetan or a Wemo tribesman would incur his wrath.

For such a loyal servant, even Emperor Liu, dwelling deep in the palace, had heard of him. Therefore, upon learning that he had returned to Liangzhou for an audience, he naturally displayed sufficient warmth and immediately ordered him summoned.

"Your memorial mentioned that these Six Valleys Tibetans occupy the deep valleys and strategic passes of Liangzhou, exerting great influence within the territory!" Before the audience, Emperor Liu first spoke with Lu Duoxun about the affairs of the Six Valleys tribe.

"To be frank with Your Majesty, this is indeed the case!" Lu Duoxun explained: "The Six Valleys Tibetans have formed an alliance and have governed Liangzhou for over a hundred years. They are deeply entrenched in Liangzhou and difficult to shake.

Not to mention anything else—of the tribal people under Liangzhou's jurisdiction, more than half are Six Valleys Tibetans. They first heed the commands of their tribal chieftains, and only then obey the court's regulations.

Though under the leadership of two generations of great chieftains, Zhebu Jiashi and Zhebu Sizhong, they have grown increasingly deferential to the court and pay taxes diligently, relying on merely one or two generations of chieftains is no strategy for lasting peace and order.

Therefore, your subject next intends to gradually dismantle this alliance of the Six Valleys Tibetans. Previously, when supporting Zhebu Sizhong's rise to power, internal strife and contradictions had already emerged among them, showing a tendency toward division—this can be exploited.

Most importantly, we must change their state of existence—gathering by valleys, forming a self-contained entity. We need to establish authority among the Six Valleys Tibetan people, reduce the influence of nobles and chieftains, and register households as equal subjects—this cannot remain mere formality..."

Lu Duoxun again spoke at length, and when he mentioned his planned moves against the Six Valleys Tibetans, he grew even more animated—these were matters he excelled at greatly. Back then, when it came to dividing and buying off the Tangut of Xiazhou, he had been one of the leading figures.

Emperor Liu's impression of Lu Duoxun's competence and resourcefulness deepened further—he had merely mentioned the Six Valleys tribe, and the man could produce so many ideas...

Hearing his views, Emperor Liu truly could not resist patting him on the shoulder and saying: "It seems you will have plenty to keep you busy in Hexi! I look forward to the day Hexi achieves great governance!"