"Change doesn't happen overnight, and we need to be patient. Right now, the people of Gaochang are basically no different from those of the Tang Dynasty. In the future, this will spread to the entire Western Regions, and then to Central Asia."
When Li Xiang said this, Zhang Jiuli suddenly remembered something. If he was not familiar with Li Xiang, he would never have been able to ask the question. But having grown up with Li Xiang, he naturally knew that if you have any questions, just ask them. Li Xiang who can answer you will never hide anything. It is so exciting to work under such a lord.
"Your Highness, I heard that you want to split the Anxi Protectorate into two parts?"
Zhang Jiuli heard about this matter from others, and it seemed that Li Xiang also had this idea in his letters. The main reason was that the area here was too large. Originally, there was a protectorate in the Western Regions, and another protectorate was set up in the Anton Governor's Office of the Arab Empire.
"You're right. I plan to change this area step by step. We can't mix all the administrative regions together. Although the county system has been implemented around here, we still have to divide them into internal and external areas. For example, the areas of the original thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions will all be set up as the Western Regions Protectorate, and the areas of the original Andong Governor's Office will be set up as the Anxi Protectorate."
Li Xiang's division was actually very simple. All the places that originally belonged to our territory were called the Western Regions Protectorate. As for the Central Asian region, which is the Stan countries in modern society, Li Xiang set them all as the Anxi Protectorate.
"I understand your Highness's intentions. After all, they fall into two categories. The original thirty-six nations in the Western Regions had more internal interactions with us, and their mindsets were similar to ours. As for the newly occupied areas, although we have implemented the county system and imposed heavy conscription on them, these people do not have a strong sense of belonging. Although we have already oppressed them severely, they will still not submit to us from the bottom of their hearts in the short term."
Zhang Jiuli is a capable man. After the war in Sichuan ended, Li Xiang kept him by his side, not only because he had made great contributions in solving the problem of the chieftain, but mainly because he had a good brain.
Take most people in the court for example. They classified this area as the Western Regions. In the eyes of these people in the court, whether they were inside or outside, the living habits of these people were basically the same. There was nothing to divide them at all, so it would be better to just classify them together.
However, Zhang Jiuli had already divided the area without getting any intelligence from Li Xiang. The part within the national border in the 21st century is completely different from the part outside the national border. It may not be obvious now, but in five or ten years, this part will be very easy to distinguish.
The important thing is that we have to do it, separate them in administrative areas, and let them think from the bottom of their hearts that these are two areas. Even though they are not separated now, if the court divides the two areas, some people may resist.
But as long as there is such a concept, it does not need to have very good results for the time being. After five or ten years, when the next generation grows up, the effect will be different.
"You're right. I plan to separate these two regions. I'll give the area closer to us more resources so they can live a better life. If there's a comparison between the two sides, what do you think those people outside will think?"
After Li Xiang finished speaking, Zhang Jiuli didn't know what to say. He always knew that Li Xiang was a smart man. When it came to treating others, Li Xiang would either suppress them or separate them. In short, he had all kinds of methods. As long as you were Li Xiang's enemy, your life would not be easy.
"Your Highness's approach is truly excellent. Just like what we did in Goguryeo and Fusang, those who are close to us can live a good life, while those who oppose us not only have no good life, but may even risk their lives. At first, there may not be much change, and those who hate us will hate us even more, but life will be ordinary. As time goes by, these people will know what to do."
Zhang Jiuli thought of the rebels in Fusang. At first, they were irreconcilable with the imperial army, but were there still any rebels? Of course, we killed the majority, but those who survived had also changed their minds. They had all realized that there was no benefit in resisting the Tang Dynasty.
A good death is worse than a miserable life. Even if the original Fusang Kingdom is restored, what good will it do them? It is possible that you will not see that day, so there is no point in resisting. It is better to surrender to the Tang Dynasty now and let your family live a good life.
This was the thinking of the Fusang rebels at the time. In the Western Regions, there were many people who rebelled against us for the time being, but after a long period of education, these people would envy the lives of the ordinary people of the Tang Dynasty, so they would unconsciously change themselves. By the time they discovered that everything had changed, they had already begun to enjoy that kind of life, and it was no longer possible to tell the difference.
"That's the general idea. How to implement it specifically is something you guys will need to perfect. The county system worked well before, and your family members should have been released. Do you still want to stay with me?"
Li Xiang thought of another thing. Zhang Jiuli had committed serious crimes in Sichuan. If it weren't for Li Xiang's help, this guy would have died several times. His entire family, including his entire family, would probably have suffered a miserable fate. Now that he had done so many things for Li Xiang and redeemed all his family members, according to the agreement between the two parties, Zhang Jiuli could be considered to have retired with his merits.
However, Li Xiang still thought of giving him a background. In this era, if children have a background, it will be easier for them to become officials.
"I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness, but the crimes I committed in the past are too serious. I will continue with my previous duties as a low-ranking advisor to Your Highness."
What Zhang Jiuli said was the truth. When he was corrupt in Sichuan in his early years, he did not feel how bad what he did was. But later, when he saw the miserable lives of the common people, he realized how disgusting he was. Now that he can do something for the country, does he still ask for benefits from the higher-ups?
