"My lord, this is serious. This matter concerns our future. It's okay if I have to endure some hardship. However, I can't stay here for too long. My team is still on the way back."
In order to keep it a secret from everyone, Adu Tusi's team continued to move forward. After all, they had to rush back before the morning of the day after tomorrow, so Adu Tusi could only stay here for a short while to discuss some important issues.
In fact, Tusi Adu has admired the Tang Dynasty for a long time. He had hoped to go to Chang'an to pay tribute in the past, but because other Tusi were unwilling, this matter was delayed. Later, it was revealed in words, and Zhang Jiuli established another connection with this guy. Tusi Adu kept hoping that Zhang Jiuli would help him submit a memorial, but in order to maintain the local balance, Zhang Jiuli directly suppressed the matter. Only now was the matter discussed again.
"Your Excellency, please take a seat. We won't waste any more time. I know Your Excellency wants to establish contact with the imperial court, and now is a golden opportunity. I'm not afraid to tell you directly that everything I've done here today has been an act. I'm sure you've noticed something. The imperial court won't allow the Tusi to continue to exist, or rather, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince won't allow this system to continue."
When Zhang Jiuli finished speaking, Tusi Adu was genuinely frightened. He simply admired the culture of Chang'an and wanted to establish direct relations with the Tang Dynasty—a true relationship, not just a superficial tribute. He hadn't expected the imperial court to disallow the Tusi system. If that were the case, what would he be? Would he be a commoner from now on? He was the most noble being among the surrounding mountains.
"Your Excellency, Chieftain, don't panic. What I'm saying is that the imperial court won't allow this kind of system to exist. However, if Your Excellency, Chieftain, can be used by the imperial court, then your influence in this region won't decline, and may even increase. Right now, Your Excellency, Chieftain, can only manage affairs within your own territory. If you gain the favor of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, then the lands under the chieftains will all be under your management. Of course, it won't be the same management style as before, but the Tang Dynasty's way."
Seeing that Tusi Adu was a little scared, even a little afraid, Zhang Jiuli slowly told him the whole story. Of course, there are gains and losses, and it is impossible for all the benefits to be yours.
After saying this, Zhang Jiuli remained silent. He silently poured a cup of tea from the side and waited for Tusi Adu to think.
"If I am no longer the chief, then in what capacity will I continue to manage this place?"
Tusi Adu said this with some surprise. Although he greatly admired the Tang Dynasty, he felt a little uncomfortable with his words. After all, this was a position that had been passed down for hundreds of years. How could it just disappear in his generation? This was no different from a prodigal son.
"Your Excellency, Tusi, should have heard of the affairs of Tuyuhun and Gaochang. Military and diplomatic affairs are under the management of the Tang Dynasty, while most internal affairs will be under your management. Some will be managed by our local officials. You will be like the governor of the Tang Dynasty in this area. Of course, the area you rule will be much larger, even including the present-day Nanzhao."
Zhang Jiuli's ability to deceive is still very strong. Nanzhao has not even started yet, but he has already brought it to the table. However, doing so is easier to gain the trust of the other party. It also seems that I have told you military secrets that have not yet been made public. Doesn't that make it seem that our two families are one family?
Nanzhao?
After hearing this, Tusi Adu could hardly believe his ears. You know, Nanzhao is still a relatively large regime in the south. Although it cannot be compared with the Tang Dynasty, they have a lot of land and troops. At least these Tusi cannot be compared with them. Can you just take them down?
"That's right. What I'm saying is that Nanzhao is still safe for the time being, but their land is part of your plan. Since your plan is in place, they can only offer their land. Otherwise, they will face war, the war of the Tang Dynasty."
When Zhang Jiuli said this, he felt very proud. Although he used to cooperate with the chieftains in business, he was in an inferior position and the other party only treated him well on the surface. In terms of real distribution of interests and status, he could not be compared with these chieftains. But now it is different. He is truly on the side with advantages.
Tusi Adu was different from other Tusi. Other Tusi were complacent and did not know much about the achievements of the Tang Dynasty. They only knew about them in general. For example, they knew that the Tang Dynasty occupied Tuyuhun and Goguryeo, but did they know how they occupied them?
It was different on the side of Tusi Adu. He sent out a large number of spies and exchanged intelligence with those merchants. He learned that these countries were destroyed at lightning speed. This showed the strength of the Tang army. Today he heard about the affairs of Nanzhao. In his eyes, it was still a powerful country, but in Li Xiang's eyes, it was just a chess piece that was needed. When I need you, you are mine. This is the domineering power of the Tang Dynasty.
"Your Excellency, Chieftain, I'm not saying our Highness is overbearing. Think about this carefully. He can't even tolerate the surrounding countries, even countries like the Western Turks and the Xueyantuo. How can he tolerate the chieftain system within his own country? Can an emperor with great talent and strategy allow someone else's world to be ruled by him?"
When Zhang Jiuli said this, he carefully observed the expression on Tusi Adu's face. After Zhang Jiuli finished speaking, Tusi Adu did feel a little afraid. It was indeed as Zhang Jiuli said, a man like Li Xiang could go on an expedition to Goguryeo and was not afraid of an expedition of thousands of kilometers to the Western Regions. Now how far are these Tusi from Chang'an City? You want to continue this? Is there such a thing in the world?
"There's no rush for this. You should hurry back. We still have a long way to go in the future, so we can keep in touch slowly. Anyway, I can't wait for you too long. As long as you give me the news, I will let the army leave your place first. But if you persist, then we..."
Zhang Jiuli looked at the time and it was getting late...
