The Human Emperor (1-200)

C100: Autonomous Military District!

The voice of the crowd sounded near yet far, as though there was a barrier blocking out their voices. Slowly, Wang Chong’s thoughts drifted into the distance…

For the convenience of managing the military by the borders, during the inception of the Great Tang, six protectorates were created. They were namely the Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, Chanyu, and Beiting Protectorate Manor.

The six protectorates bear the responsibilities of ‘placating’, ‘offense’, ‘rewarding’, and ‘punishing’. However, they were still considered as military organizations and they didn’t have the authority to interfere in the governance of the area.

Through these six protectorates, the royal court suppressed the unrest caused by the surrounding nations, such as the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate, Ü-Tsang, the various countries of the Western Regions, Goguryeo, and the numerous barbarian tribes.

However, the Sage Emperor was planning to replace the six protectorates with ten regional commanders by the borders. The regional commanders would take on the existing responsibilities of the protectorates, as well as the governance of two surrounding prefectures. This changed everything!

No one knew better than Wang Chong what kind of future awaits if this policy were to be implemented.

Of the entire Central Plains and the ten great regional commanders, the six strongest regional commanders of the north would land in the hands of the Hu. Anxi Military District by Regional Commander Go Seonji, Longyou Military District by Regional Commander Geshu Han, Shuofang Military District by Regional Commander An Sishun, as well as the Pinglu, Lulong, and Donghe Military Districts, they would all be taken over by the Hu.

Even though those on the seats would initially be Han, but as time goes by, they would fall one by one into the hands of the Hu. Of the ten military districts, six of the most important ones would fall into the control of the Hu.

Several hundred thousand of troops would fall into the grasp of outsiders. Even though the Great Tang’s defense would be strong on the outside, it would be weak on the inside. This would become the source of danger for both the royal court and the Great Tang!

Yet, to think that no one would realize the dangers behind the policy. Even Elder Ye, Duke of Hu, Elder Zhao, and the rest were oblivious to the dangers. This was what that made Wang Chong’s heart ache.

The Great Tang had appointed Hu as generals in the past, but regardless of whether it was Qibi Heli during the era of Emperor Taizong, Zhishi Sili at the start of the current era, or any other normal generals, the authority they wielded in their hands could be taken back at any moment.

However, the policy of ‘regional commanders’ along with the decision to ‘utilize Hu talents’ would change everything. The Hu would struggle free of their reins as ‘generals’, and they would be able to form a ‘mini royal court’ of their own by the borders.

Due to the privileges they would get so as to ‘cut down on unneeded administrative work’, the royal court would be unable to be summon them back to the capital as it pleased to strip them of their military authority!

The royal court was loosening the shackles on the ferocious beasts, thus bringing calamity upon itself!

“Grandfather, Elder Ye, Elder Zhao, Elder Ma… and big uncle as well. No matter what, this policy mustn’t be passsed! There mustn’t be a precedent of establishing regional commanders and utilizing the Hu. It must be stopped at all costs!”

Wang Chong pleaded.

Everyone in the conference hall frowned, but no one spoke up. They quietly waited for Wang Chong to continue.