However, leaving these small countries behind, although it can spread the prestige of the Han Dynasty far away, is also an expedient measure.

The 36 countries of the Western Regions were located in important oases along the Silk Road, and the merchant missions had to be supplied in these places, so the location was precarious.

For this reason, the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty, and even the Wusun Kingdom had to woo them.

Several forces were at a stalemate and tug-of-war with each other, sometimes the Xiongnu had the upper hand, sometimes the Han had the upper hand, and the 36 countries of the Western Regions survived in the cracks.

When the 36 countries of the Western Regions fell to the Xiongnu, they often attacked the Han Dynasty's missions and caravans, causing many losses of people and property.

In the past, the strength of the Xiongnu and the Han in the Western Regions was comparable, and the Han was very vulnerable to the sneak attack of the Xiongnu even if the troops were stationed in various countries in the Western Regions.

When the time comes, the Han army in Yumen Pass will be beyond the reach of the whip, and the garrison will have to face the raging Hun thieves alone, which is tantamount to asking for a dead end.

Now it is different, Liu He is going to launch a final battle against the Huns this time and completely drive the Huns out of Mobei.

This means that the way of jurisdiction over the 36 countries in the Western Regions will also change.

This time, under the coercion and temptation of Chang Hui, the 36 countries of the Western Regions jointly sent 2,500 victorious soldiers to form the Western Regions Protector Army, with Liu Ai already serving as the captain and following the Wusun Army to the expedition.

The number of the Protectors of the Western Regions is small, but it is a petition to make them no longer have two ends of the head.

This is the beginning of Liu He's complete solution to the problem of the 36 countries in the Western Regions and the Western Regions, and the strategy behind it has been decided and will be carried out step by step.

The first step was to establish the Protectorate of the Western Regions.

In the original timeline, it would not be until sixteen years later that the Han Dynasty would establish the Western Regions Protectorate in Wulei City.

After that, the Han Dynasty would directly grant officials to the "kings" of the Western Regions, incorporate them into the administrative system of the Han Dynasty, and directly govern them.

Even a small country will inevitably resist, so a small but fine garrison is indispensable.

The establishment of the Protectorate of the Western Regions marked the formal exercise of Han jurisdiction over the Western Regions and the claim of sovereignty "since ancient times".

Liu He advanced the appearance of the Western Regions Protectorate by sixteen years, and Zheng Ji, who was supposed to be the first Western Regions Protector, was now still serving as the team leader under Han Zeng.

However, Liu He has already thought of a person to take on this honor and responsibility - that is, Dahonglu Pedestrian and Haiduan Hou Liu is ill.

In this way, Liu Yi can not only give full play to his talents, but also stay away from Chang'an City, which is a good thing for him and Liu He.

The second step is immigration and tuntian.

After the Western Regions Protectorate completed its direct jurisdiction over the countries, Liu He would order to use favorable conditions to gather people from all over the world to immigrate to the countries of the Western Regions to enrich the local area.

The Western Regions is not an endless desert, not only small oases, but also many endless plains and meadows.

Water vapor from the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean will drive along the gaps between the mountains to the western and northern parts of the Western Regions.

Moistened by these two water vapors, many parts of Mobei are even more suitable for farming and grazing than the Hetao area.

As long as the relationship between people and land is handled well and developed reasonably, this place is enough to accommodate a large number of immigrants.

More than 2,000 years later, in order to enrich the border fortress, didn't tens of thousands of Han soldiers and civilians come here to build a screen domain for China and develop this place into a new "plug on the south of the Yangtze River"?

Liu He not only included the Western Regions under the jurisdiction of the Han Dynasty, but also made the Han people fill the Western Regions through immigration, and developed this place into the core of the Han Dynasty.

The third step is naturally to migrate the Hu people to the Han land.

After enough Han immigrants from the Western Regions were sufficient, there was no need for the people of the Western Regions who originally lived here to stay.

Liu He is unwilling to do everything he can to slaughter Hu Min, not that he still has the luxury of being a king, but that it is not cost-effective to bear this charge for the sake of tens of thousands of Hu Min.

When the time comes, he will directly issue an edict to migrate the Hu people from the Western Regions to Han.

Of course, the already overcrowded Guanzhong region has no room for them to live, and their place of settlement is the Kwantung Prefecture, which is the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Either they will be gradually assimilated by the Han people in the continuous intermarriage, or they will die on the road to open up the south for the Han people.

In short, they will be like an insignificant drop of water, merging into the vast ocean, and completely becoming a part of the Han.

This is their glory and destiny.

In this process, there will definitely be people who resist the rebellion.

Once such a thing happens, they will no longer be the people of the Great Han, but the enemies of the Great Han.

When the time comes, the Han army's soldiers will definitely shed a river of blood.

The fourth step is to develop the Western Regions in an orderly manner.

The things that are state-owned in the counties of the Han Dynasty must also be in the Western Regions: government offices, post pavilions, straight roads, and the "Hadith Canon...... will appear in the Western Regions.

At that time, the Western Regions will not only become the western gate of the Han Empire, but also a smooth road connecting China and the West, and will become a real plug in the south of the Yangtze River.

In the end, the Western Regions would become a springboard for the Han army to move towards Central Asia and Europa, laying the foundation for the Han to expand its territory.

As for the pioneers of this frontier expansion, Liu He has already thought about it, that is, the rangers who are entrenched in Chang'an and Sanfu.

There are very few truly famous rangers, but the group of rangers is still very large, and there are probably tens of thousands of evil teenagers who follow them.

Letting them stay in Chang'an City or the local county will still be an unstable factor.

Killing people on the street, clinging to the big clans, and disturbing the people - the chivalry at this time and the chivalry later are not the same thing at all.

For more than a year, Liu He, in accordance with the original plan, let Guo Xie take Liu Yi to wander among the rangers, spreading the concept of "the great man of chivalry, for the country and the people".

Guo Xie and Liu Yi have done well, and they have had a great effect, and today's rangers are ready to make a career out of the plug.

After the development of the Western Regions, Liu He would call on these adventurous rangers and their relatives to march into Central Asia and Europa.

Like the white colonial pioneers in history, they would establish a stronghold of the Chinese people in Central Asia and Europa, which would serve as a springboard for the Han to expand their territory.

Perhaps in the future, these rangers will also cross the ocean to colonize and explore the New World, so that the Han flag will be planted all over the world.

After that, Liu He couldn't see it clearly.

How far the big man can go out is not something that Liu He can control.

Just like everything else he has done before, he only gives an initial impetus, and then the path of development is left to the subjects of the Han people to decide for themselves.

The starting point of all these ambitions is pinned on the war at hand.

Liu He was absolutely confident and knew that the Han army would definitely win, but he was still a little nervous: after all, there were many people who were destined to not be able to go back to Chang'an City.

On this day, from the hour to noon, for four hours, tens of thousands of Han troops left Chang'an City under the eyes of Liu He.

Liu He, who was standing on the tower of the North Gate, remained silent, watching those increasingly blurred figures go farther and farther.

It wasn't until the dark shadow in the distance became more and more blurred and finally disappeared at the end of the field of vision that Liu He took his gaze back.

The new policy is in the ascendant, and there are still many measures to be implemented gradually, and Liu He cannot stop for a moment.

He wanted to take advantage of the majesty of the Han army to implement these new policies one by one as soon as possible.

"Wei Xian!" Liu He turned to Wei Xian, who was not far away, and asked.

"The old minister waits for the edict." Wei Xian said, took three steps and made two steps, and bowed in front of Liu He.

In the past, Wei Xian relied on himself to be an old minister, always a little arrogant, and liked to hold a shelf.

But today, his body is extremely low, and his appearance is even more respectful.

"Let's be flat."

"No!" Wei Xian stood up, and the courtiers in a row all looked at the two monarchs and ministers.

"Do you remember the bet you made with me?" Liu He asked.

At this moment, Liu He's smile was as warm as when he first arrived in Chang'an, and it was completely different from the sneer and contempt at the court meeting a few days ago.

If it had been placed in the past, all the courtiers standing on the city wall would be like a spring breeze, smiling with their beards, and secretly praising the Son of Heaven.

But now it was different, they were all silent, their hands clinging to the sides of their robes, not daring to say a word.

They will not feel like a spring breeze, but will worry about whether there is any murderous intention hidden behind the smile of the Son of Heaven.

"Old minister remember......s," Wei Xian replied with some reluctance.

"Then tell me about it."

"If Your Majesty can win the debate in Shiqu Pavilion, Weichen will be the first chief examiner of the imperial examination." Wei Xian hesitated and replied.

"Wei Ge has a good memory, so I want to ask, did I win?" Liu He asked a little unrelentingly.

"Your Majesty...... Your Majesty has won......" Referring to this sad incident, Wei Xian was a little depressed.

"It's already September, and Guanglu Temple and Taixue have completed the preparations for the first national examination, and Confucian students are coming one after another......"

"This is a grand event for Dahan Rulin and Shilin, and it will provide a model for the county national examination in March next year......

"Guangluxun Gong Sui and Taixue Ling Wang Shi are the deputy exams of this national examination, and they and I think that this main exam should still be taken by Wei Gelao."

"Is Elder Wei Ge willing to take on this great responsibility according to the previous agreement?"

Liu He asked this question with a smile, Wei Xian's throat was a little choked, and he didn't know how to answer for a while, because his mood was too complicated.

In fact, this bet has been pressing on Wei Xian's heart like a stone.

At the beginning, Wei Xian hoped that the Son of Heaven would forget about this gambling contract, so that he would not have to be this ugly person and be the humiliated person who surrendered.

But now, Wei Xian's heart has changed, he wants to be the main examiner and do something for the world, so he began to be afraid that the Son of Heaven will no longer trust him and will not let himself be the main exam.

In this way, Wei Xian has always been in a contradiction.

Today, the Son of Heaven asked him to serve as the main examiner, which made him feel a little more embarrassed: he didn't expect that he would resist the New Deal so much, and the Son of Heaven still trusted him.

This proves that the Son of Heaven does not want him to admit defeat, but recognizes his knowledge, ability and public heart, and expresses his admiration for him.

He has violated the yang and the yin many times, but the Son of Heaven still trusts as before, of course, it will bring out Wei Xian's "villain's heart" and make this villain's heart ashamed.

Therefore, Wei Xiancai didn't know how to speak at this moment.

"Elder Wei Ge, are you unwilling to take on this responsibility, or are you unwilling to fulfill your bet with me?"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty...... These days, the old minister is quite ...... about the new deal," Wei Xian, who had gray temples, was still hesitating.

"Elder Wei Ge, there is no need to say more, leave yesterday's affairs yesterday, as long as you can understand the meaning of the new deal today, you will still be a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty." Liu He said.

"But ......"

Wei Xian still wanted to resign, but Liu He didn't give him this opportunity.

"Elder Wei Ge, if you still think that you are a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, then you should take this responsibility and do a good job in the first imperial examination."

"This is an explanation to me, and it is also an explanation to the Confucian scholars in the world."

"You are the representative of Rulin in the court, and it is most suitable for you to be the chief examiner, so I want you to take on this great responsibility."

"Of course, if you feel that this matter is really difficult, I will not force it, and I will find another suitable candidate to be the chief examiner."

The Son of Heaven spoke eloquently, without any persecution and threats, but was full of honesty and straightforwardness, which made most of the blocks in Wei Xian's heart collapse.

Of course, Wei Xian still regarded himself as a loyal minister of the Great Han, so how could he refuse this request of the Son of Heaven?

"Thanks to His Majesty's trust, the old minister will lead the edict, and he will live up to his grace!" Wei Xian finished speaking tremblingly, and finally knelt down.

The other courtiers standing on the left side, regardless of their position, were visibly relieved.

Especially Wei Xuancheng, who was standing a little farther away, showed a hint of imperceptible lightness - at least he didn't have to break with his father so early.

Liu He helped Wei Xian, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet, and then turned his head to look at these courtiers, and his gaze stayed on Zhang Anshi's body for the longest time.

In the past few days, Zhang Anshi has been obedient a lot, but I am afraid that there is still some resentment in his heart, especially Liu De, who has shaken his loyalty to himself a little.

But no matter what, Liu He is still willing to give them another chance.

After all, they want to be loyal ministers, and they also have the ability, and they are still humerus until the officials selected through the imperial examination are filled all over the court.

"I hope that Elder Wei Ge can take on the heavy responsibility, and I also hope that you Aiqing can take on your own responsibilities."

"Looking at the Han army today, I don't know how many good men are in the battlefield, whether they are from a poor family or from a scholar family, as long as their hearts are towards the Han Dynasty, they are loyal ministers."

"For most of the past six months, some people may not understand the new policy, and some people may not understand me, but I can see that you Aiqing still thinks of the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty."

Liu He said this and stopped again.

That meaningful gaze swept over Zhang Anshi, Bingji, Liu De, Wei Xian, and the courtiers who advanced and retreated with them one by one.

Fortunately, I can see some emotion on their faces.

"On this auspicious day of the Han army's expedition, I have decided not to pursue your past mistakes, but I also hope that you and others will sincerely support the new policy."

"I said that the purpose of the new policy is to enrich the people and strengthen the Han, and this people includes all the people in the Han Dynasty, not only the Shu family, but also the family."

"I still regard you as a loyal minister of the Great Han, but are you still willing to regard yourself as a loyal minister of the Great Han?"

The words of the Son of Heaven fell, and there was silence under the north gate.

But soon, the courtiers knelt down from beginning to end, from front to back.

Then, under the leadership of Zhang Anshi, they said in unison: "The ministers are willing to be loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty, and they will definitely support the new policy in the future, and they dare not be different." ”

The voice of the mountain and the tsunami was much louder than it was in the front hall that day.

Startled, the skin on the city wall fell suddenly, and a pair of swallows under the eaves flew south in a hurry.

"If anyone rebels against the new policy, I will definitely destroy the clan and others to set an example!"

Of course, Liu He just recited these murderous words silently in his heart, and did not announce it: this is really the last chance.

"All the ministers are flat, there are still many things in their respective mansions, so let's get busy!"

"No!"

Liu He's eyes turned to the north for the last time, and he saw a flock of geese flying in groups under the leadership of the head goose, letting out bursts of mournful screams.

There is still one big deal left in the New Deal, that is, the problem of "money", and it is time to settle the accounts of the big man.

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(End of chapter)