Chapter 339 Only when you possess something do you fear losing it.
Shen Qingming thought about Shangguan Jin's reminder countless times.
Finally, he figured out how to persuade Emperor Xiao Wu.
"Your Majesty, I would like to ask a question: how did the twelve border cities become independent from the Northern Hu?" Shen Qingming asked.
Emperor Xiao Wu was taken aback.
Did the twelve border cities break away from the Northern Hu?
That happened several years ago.
At that time, I had just ascended to the throne...
My aunt also went to the northern lands to pay respects to my uncle at that time. The conflict between the twelve border cities and the Northern Hu imperial court occurred at that time.
"Your Majesty should remember that it was when you had just ascended the throne."
The Northern Hu imperial court wanted to invade Dayu while the new emperor had ascended the throne and the court was unstable.
I heard my mother say that it was around that time that the twelve border cities and the Northern Hu court became estranged.
The Northern Hu were a nomadic people, and their fighting style emphasized speed.
Their approach was to fight and plunder along the way, using the looted provisions to sustain the army's daily needs.
For this reason, the Northern Hu imperial court ordered the twelve border cities to prepare warhorses, soldiers, and provisions.
However, the amount demanded was too large, which displeased the lords of the border city.
Logically speaking, the border city lords should be able to provide that much grain.
But they didn't take it, because they knew that if they took it once, there would be a second time, or even countless times.
Those border city lords didn't want their hard-earned wealth to be given to the Northern Hu imperial court.
This led to the twelve border rebellions against the Northern Hu imperial court.
Your Majesty, if you think about it, you can understand what those city lords did.
What they've already got in their hands is already theirs. Are they willing to give it up willingly?
My mother once said that it is precisely because you have something that you are more afraid of losing it.
"Therefore, as long as the border city and the Northern Hu imperial court maintain this gap in wealth, their conflict will always exist," Shen Qingming said slowly.
Emperor Xiao Wu seemed to understand Shen Qingming's meaning.
Now that the border town has been separated from the city, let's maintain the status quo.
There are only twelve border cities.
It's unlikely that it can grow into a large-scale enterprise.
Their role was simply to serve as a trading venue.
The prosperity of the border city has little impact on Dayu; on the contrary, the prosperity of the border city brings many benefits to Dayu.
The wealthy border town will serve as a buffer zone between the Dayu and the Northern Hu imperial court.
"Your Majesty, the border city is wealthy only through trade."
The climate in the northern part of the country is harsh and cold, and the environment is difficult to adapt to, so very few crops can grow there.
Their way of life consisted of raising livestock or trading the gems they mined locally with the people of Dayu.
The northern nomads, seeing the prosperity of the border city, would surely have their own ideas.
Robbery was their only option.
For the border city to protect itself, seeking help from the Great Yu army was their only option.
Your Majesty, by isolating the battlefield with the Northern Hu outside of Dayu, you have both dealt with the Northern Hu and established your authority in the border city.
In addition, the situation within the Greater Chongqing area remains as peaceful as ever.
"Why not do it this way!" Shen Qingming continued.
Emperor Xiao Wu immediately understood what his cousin was up to.
It's basically about letting those people continue to fight amongst themselves.
The Northern Hu was once very strong, but the split Northern Hu is not as strong.
Now that they've broken up, everyone definitely wants to live a good life!
Currently, life in the border city is clearly better than in the Northern Hu royal court.
The better life is for the border city, the deeper the hatred between it and the Northern Hu imperial court will become.
The Northern Hu imperial court definitely wants to reclaim the border city...
Therefore, in the future, all that needs to be done is to resolve the conflict between the border city and the Northern Hu imperial court.
This is called sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight, or as the saying goes, when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits...
In the Da Yu region, properly managing the merchants would not only bring in a large amount of tax revenue but also further consolidate imperial power.
The nobles have too many vested interests; it's time to cut some of them...
"It seems we're going to offend this nobleman again."
"Ming-ge'er, are you confident you can do this well?" Emperor Xiaowu asked.
"My mother said not to say anything that would offend the nobles."
If things are done well, then offending them is no big deal; they won't dare say anything.
If things aren't done well, then you've really offended someone.
Your Majesty, my elder brother has offended me once, and now I will offend him again.
"We...we hope Your Majesty can offer us some support," Shen Qingming said with a smile.
Emperor Xiao Wu shook his head and smiled.
“It’s not just you who have offended them; I am the one who has truly offended them.”
But if we don't offend them now, we'll definitely offend them later.
In their eyes, I am capable of anything.
Rather than waiting for the frog to be slowly boiled in water, it's better to boil the water dry now.
Ming-ge'er, when you get back, write a proper secret report.
This matter will be kept confidential for now.
As for the young prince from the border region who came to the capital and his adoptive father...
"You decide on the reception arrangements!" Emperor Xiao Wu said after thinking for a while.
"Your Majesty! Let the Court of Colonial Affairs contact them first."
Then you issue a decree, and I will receive you on your behalf.
In that case, everything makes perfect sense.
As for the young prince from the border region and his adoptive father, they were simply allowed to stay in the capital for the New Year.
Anyway, the northern lands are covered in ice and snow and difficult to travel, so they can't go back.
"Why not let them see the prosperity of Dayu?" Shen Qingming said.
Emperor Xiao Wu glanced at Shen Qingming, thought about it, and agreed that what Shen Qingming said made sense.
It would be good to let those people on the frontier see the prosperity of Chongqing.
The people of Da Yu are not like the northern barbarians.
Chongqing is not only home to the grasslands of the north, but also to the great rivers of the Central Plains, as well as the small bridges and flowing water of the south.
"You want to... show them the magnificent landscape of the Central Plains?"
"Aren't you afraid they'll covet this beautiful land again?" Emperor Xiaowu asked.
Shen Qingming was very confident about this matter.
"Don't worry! We have the Weiyuan Army in the north and the Pingnan Army in the south, both of which are protective barriers for Dayu."
The Chongqing of today is not the Central Plains of a hundred years ago.
Perhaps, after seeing the landscape of Dayu, that young prince will admire Dayu even more!
"Not all emperors can ensure that the people live in peace and prosperity," Shen Qingming said confidently.
This flattery pleased Emperor Xiao Wu.
Yes, not all emperors can ensure that the people live in peace and prosperity.
Therefore, he must be a good emperor who ensures that the people can live and work in peace and contentment forever...
"Ming-ge'er, do a good job. I haven't replaced anyone in the Ministry of Revenue because I've kept it for you!" Emperor Xiao Wu suddenly said.
"Huh? The Ministry of Revenue wasn't left to my elder brother!" Shen Qingming was a little surprised.
"Cousin, I have other plans."
You promised to fill up the Ministry of Revenue and my private treasury for me.
"You must keep your word!" Emperor Xiao Wu said.
Shen Qingming grinned and solemnly knelt before Emperor Xiao Wu.
"Your humble servant obeys!"
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