Chapter 6: Offensive and Defensive Alliance

The power of religion is powerful. Even when the two countries went to war and the barriers were severe, it was impossible to completely cut off religious exchanges. Moreover, when the Later Tang Dynasty and the Tiance Army generally began to negotiate peace, as border exchanges became more and more frequent and as the relationship between the two sides warmed up, the exchanges between Buddhists in Guanzhong and Hexi became closer and closer.

The religious policy of the Tiance Army was carried out by Lu Jialing. He had already sent monks to sneak into the Central Plains long before the Liangzhou Conference. However, under that situation, its scale could not be large, and the monks sent out could not be real masters, but were just talented people who crowed and robbed. Such people could not come into contact with real high-level officials. As the relationship between the two sides became warmer, Lu Jialing began to adjust his strategy and was ready to infiltrate the Central Plains region in a planned manner.

However, his first step was not to "send" but to "invitation". If he sent monks to Guangyuan in the Central Plains from the beginning, Lu Jialing was worried that it would arouse the vigilance of those with knowledge in the Central Plains, so he went against the rules. After the Liangzhou Conference, he secretly prompted Liangzhou Tianning Temple, Jokhang Temple, Lanzhou Kaiyuan Temple, Shanzhou Hongde Temple, Shazhou Sanjie Temple, Shule Pufa Temple and other major temples to invite the monks in the east to come to the northwest to learn scriptures and preach.

When Lu Jialing made this decision, he said to Zhang Mai: "If the monks from the Central Plains come to Longyou, then our monks will go to the Central Plains again, which is natural."

Zhang Mai expressed his support for this method without any resistance because he had full confidence in the Tiance regime and was not afraid of the infiltration of the Later Tang Dynasty. He judged that Li Congke was far from a monarch who was able to use religious power skillfully. The more knowledgeable monks entered the country, the more cultural levels and foundations of the northwest would help the northwest to improve the level and foundation of the entire culture. However, if monks from Hexi could enter the Central Plains, it would be of great help to the establishment of the Tiance Army's intelligence system. If possible in the future, it might even affect the direction of public opinion in the Central Plains.

However, the northwest can be said to be desolate compared to the Central Plains at this time. How can we attract monks from the Central Plains to come? Zhang Mai was quite concerned about this, but Lu Jialing smiled and said, "Marcedes-in-law, you are too worried. As long as we release the news and send an invitation, there will definitely be many people in the Central Plains monks."

"Why?"

"Because there are scriptures and Buddhist traces here!"

Zhang Mai said oh, and suddenly realized it and then laughed at himself as his head was blocked.

Indeed, the economic situation in the northwest is very bad for the time being, but although many monks in the Buddhist world are tempted by money, there are many true monks in each generation who are devoted to religion. For these monks, the ancient scriptures and Buddhist saints are undoubtedly attractive to them that people in the secular world cannot imagine.

Because the Tianfang Sect's invasion in the east was curbed by Zhang Mai in the Pamir, Shule, Khotan, Kucha, Gaochang and Shazhou, some ancient scriptures that are rarely seen in the Central Plains, as well as countless sculpture caves related to Buddhism, pagodas, etc. As for India, the birthplace of Buddhism, the Silk Road is a must-pass way to get there.

It is still the most important thing for Eastern monks to travel to the Western Regions to improve their cultivation. For some monks who have ambitions in the religion, if they can travel to the temples in the Western Regions, they will be more recognized after returning - this is actually a process of gilding.

Therefore, after the temples in the northwest sent invitations to the Central Plains jungle, the temples in various places responded very positively. Of course, Buddhism after the Middle Tang Dynasty had taken from outside to inside, from pioneering to conservative. Although many monks were willing to go after hearing the news, most of them would no longer go west like Xuanzang, regardless of the imperial decrees, but instead submitted a note to the local government, hoping to get the support of the officials - at least acquiesced.

Fortunately, the spring of the first year of Tiance was also the spring of the relationship between the Later Tang Dynasty and the Tiance Army. Especially on the issue of border deliberation, the negotiations between the two sides went smoothly.

During this negotiation, Fan Yanguang's main idea was political affairs, including allowing the Tiance Army to establish an alliance with the Later Tang Dynasty. Zhang Mai respectfully called Li Congke the elder brother to maintain stability on the northwest border - this was a fundamental task assigned to him by Li Congke. As for establishing a border field and opening up a trade route, in Li Congke's habit of thinking, it was still just a "bait" to deal with the Tiance Army, which belongs to the auxiliary level and can be thrown away at any time.

And what about Zheng Wei's side? He had reached a consensus with Zhang Mai before the Later Tang envoy arrived.

"We must also stabilize the front line in the East and open up trade routes to open up tax sources." Zhang Mai said: "At present, Li Congke is not a serious crime. We want to attack his army and Wuming. And I don't want to kill each other without the problem of the enemy. If possible, I hope that there will be no internal war within China from now on - although I understand that this is really a luxury, but at present, maintaining the stability of the east is the most beneficial for us."

"And," Zhang Mai put the book "The Tang Dynasty Secret Cave Map Album" in front of him, pointing to the west: "I always feel that something might happen to the west."

"What happened?" Zheng Wei said.

"Well, I have this premonition." Zhang Mai said: "Our overall strategy was to attack the east and defend the west. Under this strategy, we gave up some of the advantages that we might have gained on the Western Front, in order to maintain stability in the rear as much as possible and invest all manpower and material resources into the East. But now, the development of the east is temporarily approaching the limit. Judging from some clues on the recent Western Front, the side effects of the "East Attack the West and Defense" strategy seem to be showing, so I think it may be time to adjust."

"Attacking the East and defending the West" is the biggest overall strategy of the Tiance Army. Zheng Wei understands very well that once it changes, the internal and external situation of the Tiance regime will be completely reversed, so this is no longer just a matter for the military, but changes and support in internal affairs will also play a key role.

Since the Later Tang and the Tiance Army wanted just the stability of the border, and Li Congke was inclined to politics in terms of demand and Zhang Mai was inclined to economy, it can be said that the conflicts between the two sides were very small but complementary, so the negotiations between Zheng Wei and Fan Yanguang could be done in a hit-and-out manner.

After Zhang Mai made some concessions to some polite alliance clauses, the negotiations became more smooth. As the Later Shu was pressing against the Later Tang Xiongwu Army, the Shuangyi agreed to open a field in the Didao area for border trade. The public security of Didao was jointly responsible for the Jincheng commander of the Tiance Army and the Xiongwu Army Jiedushi, and the border taxes of both sides were jointly agreed by both parties.

To be honest, Fan Yanguang only made a general decision this time, and there was a lot of room for regulation in details. On the contrary, the Tiance Army made sufficient preparations for the tariff quota, weights and measures, goods entering and leaving the market, and other trade details. Therefore, when Zhang Zhongmou took out a detailed draft of the detailed rules that were as thick as dozens of pages, Fan Zhi was caught off guard. He looked at the initial details of the final rules that were as dense as dozens of pages, but he could recite the Four Books and Five Classics in a short period of time, and his head was too big.

This was carefully considered in the finalization of the trade rules, which was participated by Zhang Mai, and was drafted by Zhang Zhongmou, and at least it seemed to be beneficial to both sides in terms of intention. In terms of etiquette, he respected Luoyang's status as a great power. Fan Zhi could hardly find many things to refute at the moment. Although he felt that if the alliance was signed completely according to this rule, the Later Tang Dynasty would probably fall into a passive position on the border in the future. However, if he did not follow this rule, Fan Zhi would not be able to come up with a better alliance agreement for the time being.

Fan Yanguang didn't take these trade details much, and let Zhang Zhongmou and Fan Zhi bargain there. However, he caught Zhang Mai's hand and took a few steps and said, "Marson Zhang, since you are brothers with my master, then my master hopes that in addition to cooperating in these small matters, our two families can also achieve wealth and prosperity and advance and retreat together in military and national affairs."

Zhang Mai smiled and asked, "How can we go with wealth and honor and advance and retreat together?"

Fan Yanguang said: "Now that the Holy Lord of the Central Plains is in power, the people can live a good life soon, but because the country has two major external troubles, most of the treasury money must be used to deal with foreign troubles. My main body is sympathetic to the people's sentiment and hopes that one day the Ma Nanshan Mountain will be released and hundreds of thousands of soldiers will be relieved of the burden on the people. However, if these two major external troubles are not lifted for a day, it will be difficult for our main body to reduce the taxes and serve the people."

Fan Yanguang obviously has been prepared for this alliance. He already knows that Zhang Mai holds high the banner of "people-oriented" both internally and externally, so he uses this as a modification in diplomatic rhetoric.

Zhang Mai said: "What should I do if my brother is going to do?" Because the two regimes have already established a brotherly relationship, the one who can be called the brother by Zhang Mai is Li Congke.

Fan Yanguang said: "The Lord hopes that the marshal can accept it. Once there is something wrong on the border, the two families must advance and retreat together. If the Khitan invades Longyou, our army will definitely leave Lu Long. If the Khitan invades Yanyun, the marshal will be asked to advance and get on. Of course, if the Khitan dares to go south and invade one of the sides, the other party must also send troops at the same time to harass the Khitan after it."

At that time, the Later Tang Dynasty established the Lulong Jiedushi in the northeast, and its capital was located in Youzhou, which is today's Beijing. As for the layout, it is located in the north of Hetao, namely Baotou and Hohhot.

Fan Zhi was originally trying to bargain with Zhang Zhong. When he heard "Lu Long" and "put on", he couldn't help but glance at this corner.

Zhang Mai said: "It is Zhang Mai's wish to form a brother and fight against the foreign enemy together!"

Fan Yanguang was overjoyed and said, "In addition to the Khitan, the Meng family of Bashu is also very domineering. Meng Zhixiang was originally just a traitor of my Tang Dynasty. After seizing Bashu, he usurped the throne. Recently, he took advantage of the chaos in the northwest to invade our prefectures and counties. If the Tiance army could advance to He and Tao, then..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhang Mai shook his head and said, "No, no. I don't want to listen to General Fan's words. What I am most proud of in my life is to expel the barbarians and save the Han people. The Khitan is a foreign clan of the barbarians. It is natural for me to form an alliance with my brother to prevent their insults from outside. But the Meng family of Bashu is different. They are also compatriots in China. When my Tiance Army faces foreign aggression, they are brave and unwilling to face their own tribes inwards. What's more, the envoy of Shu Kingdom is also here.

In Liangzhou City - I don't hide this from the general - In fact, Meng Chang just respected me as his brother, and he is my younger brother. Although I respected my elder brother, I cannot favor one or the other, and killed my younger brother for the benefit of my elder brother. So for Shu Kingdom, I can only say that if there is a conflict between the two families, I am willing to mediate in the center. If the mediation fails, I will never help one of them rashly. This is my attitude. I also ask General Fan to convey my meaning to my elder brother, hoping that he can understand my difficulties and understand my thoughts."

Zhang Mai's words were completely different from those of the aggressiveness at Tianning Temple. He was gentle and even modest, but his position was very firm.

In fact, Fan Yanguang also knew that the Tiance Army had completely cut off the ties with Hou Shu and only had a good relationship with Hou Tang. There was little hope. Today, he could get Zhang Mai to deal with the Khitan together, which had already saved the bottom line of his trip. He was very happy, but he said on his face: "I have to report to my Lord about the matter of Shu and make a decision. However, the matter of the Khitan should be settled early!"

Zhang Mai said: "Brothers form alliances, according to ancient etiquette, it seems that they want to meet a hunter in person. If the brother has such sincerity, then I am willing to hunt with him on the bank of the Yellow River."

Fan Yanguang hurriedly said, "The Lord is in charge of Luoyang, how can he move lightly?"

Zhang Mai smiled and said, "If my brother has the ambition to defeat Hu and actually leads his troops north, then we can hunt on the Chile River or the Huang River bank, which is also OK."

Fan Yanguang glanced at Zhang Mai and smiled and said, "The Marshal is very eager for the Khitan."

Zhang Mai said seriously: "The Tang Dynasty was judged as Hu Han. I regained Anxi, but Andong, Monan, Mobei are still in the hands of the Khitan. I dare not forget all the homelands of the countries that fell under the iron hooves of the Hu people."

When Zhang Mai was still thinking about the offensive and defensive alliance with Fan Yanguang, and when Zheng Wei was still discussing the details of the trade with Fan Zhi, Lanzhou had already started trading according to the new trade details. After the smuggling caravan entered the city, they opened their business openly. On the Jinchengji, there was a noun, a meter, and a meter. The title, ruler, and fight within the territory of the Tiance regime were all based on this.

This is not a standard that Tsengce Prefecture has only recently introduced, but has been implemented since the Shule era. After Kucha, Gaochang has long been recognized by the nations and tribes of the Silk Road.
Chapter completed!