Tibet

Li Ye calmly listened to Liu Yan's report, nodded and said: "I basically agree with Wei Gong's suggestion. I really can't let go of the opportunity to get Anxi and Beiting. There is no problem in taking Guanzhong later, and Jingxiang also It can be handed over to the imperial court, and I can agree to these principles and terms.

But there are several details that must be clarified. First, when Helong's troops and supplies go to Bashu or come back from Bashu, they all take the Chencang Road and take the Guanzhong Road. How can this be said?

Second, Jingxiang does not include the six states of Jingnan, nor the three states of Deng, Ru, and Yu. If the emperor wants to take back the six states of Jingnan and the three states of Deng, Ru, and Yu, his conditions can still be met. Add on.

Third, the Jingzhou Navy is not within the scope of negotiations, and the Jingzhou Navy Base Jiangxia is also not within the scope of negotiations. "

Liu Yan smiled and said: "The first point is no problem. The second and third points will be discussed with Wei Gong. I wonder what the additional conditions your Highness is considering?"

"Hanzhong!"

Li Ye said calmly: "Exchange the six states of Jingnan and the three states of Deng, Ru, and Yu in exchange for the four states of Hanzhong, except Jiangxia and Hanyang."

"I understand, this plan is good. Taking Hanzhong will connect Longyou and Bashu, and also cut off the southward passage from Guanzhong."

After a pause, Liu Yan continued: "Wei Gong said that moving the capital to Luoyang will cause various vassal towns to form alliances. What do you think, Your Highness?"

Li Ye shook his head, "The situation here is more complicated, I can't judge, but one thing is for sure, our destiny cannot be based on others, whether we can win Guanzhong, when we can win Guanzhong, and what method we can use to win Guanzhong, It’s our own business, and as long as the time comes, I will win Guanzhong without hesitation.”

"Your Highness is right, Guanzhong involves the property of many officials, and they also want their property to be protected. This is the biggest reason for Your Highness to enter the Guanzhong."

The next morning, King Li Ye of Qi met with Wei Jiansu and thanked him for his efforts to maintain the balance between the imperial court and Longyou. He hoped that the negotiations could be completed as soon as possible.

After the interview, Liu Yan began to negotiate with Wei Jiansu on behalf of the Helong Jiedushi.

First of all, it was agreed in principle to exchange Anxi, Beiting and Hezhong for Guanzhong and Jingxiang. However, there were many differences on the details and consensus needed to be reached, mainly in the following aspects.

First, regarding the issue of garrisoning troops in Guanzhong, Li Ye advocated equality in garrisoning troops. Since it is a neutral zone, both sides must maintain a balance, either without garrisoning troops at all, or with the same number of troops stationed at both sides.

Second, regarding the issue of the six Jingnan states and the three Deng Ruyu states, Li Ye believed that at least the three states of E, Yue, and Li among the six states in Jingnan did not fall within the scope of Jingxiang and needed to be negotiated separately.

He proposed to exchange six states outside Jingxiang for four states in Hanzhong, but the officials in Jingnan and Hanzhong would continue to serve for one term, and the Helong Jiedu Prefecture would still retain Jiangxia and Hanyang as naval bases.

Third, regarding the Jingxiang navy, separate negotiations can be conducted.

The two sides negotiated for a whole morning, and some matters had to be decided by the emperor. Wei Jiansu immediately sent someone to Chang'an with an eight-hundred-mile expedited express.

The day before the official move of the capital, Wei Jiansu's express message was delivered to the emperor Li Heng.

The imperial court is on a break today. All the paperwork and furniture in the Imperial Study Room have been packed and sent away, and the Imperial Study Room is completely empty.

The civil and military officials and their families set off in three groups. Two of the five prime ministers have already left. The other two, Cui Huan and Du Hongjian, will leave with the emperor Li Heng tomorrow. The third group is Pei Zunqing who will be the last to march.

The second group was the main force. The emperor set off with 60% of the officials and family members. Of course, they traveled by land and water at the same time. The personnel were transported by boat and the materials were transported by land.

Emperor Li Heng received the express letter from Wei Jiansu, and he immediately came to Li Fuguo to discuss.

After Li Fuguo read the express report, he said to Li Heng: "I heard that Liang Chongyi is dead. The entire three states of Jingxiang and Dengruyu are under the actual control of the Helong Army. It is not easy for the King of Qi to spit out the fat that just came into his mouth. Old slave." I suggest that if King Qi’s request is not excessive, your Majesty can agree.”

Li Heng hesitated and said: "The other problems are not big. Jiangxia can also give it to them. But I am a little hesitant on three points. One is that the officials from the six states in Jingnan and the four states in Hanzhong will continue to serve, and the other is the issue of the Jingxiang navy. , and there is the issue of garrisoning troops in Guanzhong, I am a little hesitant."

Li Fuguo smiled and said: "The retention of officials for one term is not a transfer of official power. It should be some follow-up matters to be dealt with, such as the transfer of military and family members, etc., which takes time. Besides, the governor of Jingzhou is Su Zhen, his Majesty's brother-in-law. He is in charge of Jingzhou and has many people." What's the relationship? Besides, it's mutual. His people will stay in Jingnan for one term, and the officials of the imperial court will stay in Hanzhong for one term. It's the same thing!"

Li Heng nodded, "It's not a big problem to put it this way. They are all civil servants, only for one term. I can accept it. Originally, I planned to exchange the Qianzhong Road for the six states of Jingnan. He wanted Hanzhong, and I took the Qianzhong Road. If you stay, what will the Jingxiang navy say?"

Li Fuguo said slowly: "There have always been so many Jingxiang naval forces. Their main function is to protect shipping. They purchase materials from the south of the Yangtze River and transport money and grain from Bashu to Hanzhong via the Yangtze River. They must ensure the safety of navigation. The old slave thinks that the King of Qi retains water." The army is not targeting us, nor is it doing any small tricks, but it is for the purpose of protecting the safety of the waterway. In the future, the imperial court's money and grain from the south of the Yangtze River will be transported through Jingxiang, and the navy of the King of Qi will also need to be escorted. Otherwise, there will be big problems if there is water piracy in the Yangtze River. ”

Li Heng sighed, "What Aweng said makes sense. King Qi has never damaged the court's water transportation. On the contrary, he also provided protection. He is not as ambitious as Liang Chongyi and Li Xilie. It is also good for the court to retain the Jingxiang navy."

Li Fuguo smiled and said: "Actually, your Majesty has ignored a very important issue."

"What?" Li Heng was startled.

"The three states of Deng, Ru, and Yu do not belong to Jingxiang. They are controlled by Liang Chongyi and are now occupied by the Helong Army. If your Majesty ignores them, there will be big trouble in the future."

Li Heng nodded and said: "Actually, I didn't ignore it, I just didn't pay attention to it. However, Aweng was right to remind you that if the negotiation fails, these three states will pose a great threat to Luoyang. How do you think Aweng should deal with these three states?"

"It's very simple. The Jingxiang navy is exchanged for Deng, Ru, and Yuzhou. However, I feel that since the other party still wants Hanyang, then simply ask the other party to escort the imperial ships. Your Majesty can authorize Wei Jiansu to agree."

Dengzhou and Yuzhou were too close to Luoyang, so of course Li Heng could not agree. In comparison, Hanyang was nothing in his heart. He nodded, "That's it. Let the King of Qi retain the Jingxiang navy and Hanyang." , Jiangxia County, but must be returned to Dengzhou, Ruzhou and Yuzhou."

Li Heng added: "There is also the issue of garrisoning troops in Guanzhong. Li Ye asked not to garrison troops. How can this be done? Tongguan and Pujin Pass need to garrison troops, and Chang'an also needs garrison troops. If there are no garrison troops, how can we protect the palace and the imperial mausoleum?"

Li Fuguo nodded, "This is indeed a big problem. This requires negotiation and bargaining with the other party. The old slave estimates that the King of Qi also knows that it is impossible not to garrison troops in Guanzhong. He put forward this condition because he actually wanted us to be stationed elsewhere. concession."

"What concessions should be made?"

"The real threat to Longyou's security is the Guannai Road. He probably hopes that we will not station troops on the Guannei Road."

Li Heng hesitated and said nothing. If there were no troops stationed on Guannei Road, the Helong Army would inevitably infiltrate into Guannei Road. In the end, although Guannei Road was still in the hands of the court, the right to garrison troops was taken away by Li Ye.

If the other party is not given any sweetness, Li Heng is worried that the negotiation will fail, and he is worried about gains and losses.

Li Fuguo further advised: "Your Majesty, now Jingxiang, Deng, Ru and Yuzhou are in the hands of Li Ye, including Yuezhou, Ezhou and Lizhou on Jiangnan West Road. The reason why Li Ye is willing to agree to your majesty's conditions is entirely because of His personal feelings towards Anxi and Beiting. If His Majesty does not seize this opportunity, he can actually control Anxi and Beiting, continue to expand to the south of the Yangtze River, and even swallow up Guanzhong. What can Your Majesty do to him? Announcement Is he rebellious? I'm afraid the Helong army has already arrived at the city before the edict has even been sent out of Luoyang."

Li Fuguo's words were like needles, piercing Li Heng's vital points. He was now deeply afraid that Li Ye would not obey the rules. Otherwise, why would he move the capital?

Li Heng had no choice but to sigh, "Let Wei Jiansu try his best!"

Otherwise, how could Li Fuguo be called an eunuch who harmed the country!

On another extremely important matter, Li Fuguo knew clearly that something would go wrong, but he did not remind Li Heng, leaving an opportunity for Li Ye to take advantage of.

That is the problem of the numerical limit of the Jingxiang Navy. Thirty thousand people are the Jingxiang Navy, and 100,000 people are also the Jingxiang Navy, but the nature of the two is completely different.