Chapter 6 one

After staying in Kublai Khan's camp for just two days, Basiba was about to return to Tubo.Kublai Khan personally saw him off, and the two said goodbye on the grass outside the tent. Suddenly, a fast horse galloped up, and the envoy immediately sang loudly: "Prince Kublai Khan, Guru Basiba listens to the order!" In Mongolia, one or two envoys from the Khan Court have the power to arrest or execute prominent princes and nobles, because the envoys sent by the Khan Court often execute the decree of the Mongolian Khan, and all people, regardless of official No matter what position you occupy, how prominent your position is, you must obey orders and prohibitions. If you disobey at all, you will be regarded as disobedient. Those who are light will be dismissed from office, and those who are serious will be executed on the spot. Either join the army or become a commoner.

The two hurriedly knelt down to receive the decree. Mengge Khan had already changed the imperial decree from rice paper to yellow brocade. The imperial decree is written in Mongolian and Chinese languages: Kublai Khan handed the imperial decree to Ba Siba, and Ba Siba reluctantly accepted it, with a very gloomy expression on his face. After the envoys of the Mongolian Khan Court returned, Kublai Khan stared at the silent Basiba and said, "If the master has something to say, it's okay to say it. Maybe this king can help you think of a way." Ba Siba's depressed mood eased a little, but his voice was still low and deep: "Tubo is narrow and poor, with many mountains and little land, and the people's life is extremely poor. If we forcefully allocate soldiers and collect tribute, it may be detrimental to stability. If many Once the upper echelon of the sect disobeys orders, they will inevitably meet with each other, and it is really hard to predict who will win and who will lose. This is what worries me, what does the prince think?"

"My master's painstaking efforts, I can understand. I also hope that the master can bear the grievance for a while and focus on the overall situation." Kublai Khan comforted Ba Siba, but in fact he was also full of anxiety in his heart.He is very familiar with some of Meng Ge's close ministers, such as Alan Da'er, Liu Taiping and others, who are keen on accumulating wealth and accumulating wealth.With Xiao Xiaochang around to bewitch him, it was inevitable that Mengge Khan would not have considered it well when making decisions, and he would lose sight of the other. "Entering the door of Buddhism, the four elements are empty, spreading the teachings, and saving all living beings. Apart from inheriting Sakya Pandita's behest, what else can I do in my life?"

"Master, don't say such pessimistic words. The Buddha pays attention to fate, but the secular world pays attention to chance. I hope the master can relax his heart and let everything go according to fate! Come, I will accompany you out of the camp." The two walked side by side, silent for a while.Suddenly, Kublai Khan asked: "It is said that Master Saban once wrote an open letter to the monks and leaders in various places in Tubo. Does Master still remember its content?" Ba Siba has always been known as a "child prodigy" and has an extraordinary ability to never forget. In addition, he has been with Saban for a long time, so he is familiar with the content of this letter and remembers it fresh. He immediately blurted out:

Bhaspa recited the famous "Letter from Sakya Pandita to the Abbes" with more than 1,800 words, full of emotions in his heart. Although Kublai Khan had heard of this letter for a long time, this was the first time he heard the original text of this letter in its entirety.He believes that this letter is undoubtedly one of the most important historical documents witnessing the unification of Tubo in the Mongolian Khanate, and it has precious historical value.At the age of sixty-six, Saban dragged his sickly body and his second nephew to Liangzhou, not only to promote Buddhism and commemorate all living beings, but also to take care of the fate and future of those who speak the Tibetan language.

In the letter, Saban stated the general trend of the world with a lot of facts, expounded the principle of "those who return will prosper, and those who rebel will perish", saying that the Uyghurs "prospered without being overwhelmed by misery, and people and animals were left behind by them." Take care of themselves, treasury officials and other beggars are all in charge of themselves."On the contrary, "Although Mongolian envoys were sent before the fall of the Kingdom of Jin, Xixia, and Zubou, but (they) did not obey the order, they were eventually destroyed, and they had nowhere to escape, and they still had to bow their heads and surrender." The local monks and lay forces conform to the historical trend and sincerely attach themselves to it. They must not have any fluke mentality, so that they act rashly.

In the letter, Saban also solemnly announced to the monks and laymen in Tibetan areas: 1. Kuoduan has appointed the Sakya faction to manage Tubo, and appointed Saban's envoys with gold and silver letters as guardians.2. Obey the order and surrender, and officials from all over the country can continue to be appointed.3. Mongolian officials will enter Tibet together with Sakya officials, and monks and lay leaders from all over the country should treat the envoys with gold letters kindly and offer more tributes. Strictly speaking, this open letter has epoch-making significance for Mongolia-Tibetan relations. It not only marks the formal formation and establishment of political relations between Mongolia and Tibet, but also serves as the foundation for the Mongol rule of Tubo and later Tubo’s submission to the central regime of the Yuan Dynasty, joining the powerful The Yuan Dynasty Empire laid a solid foundation.

"The drizzle and the breeze turned hostility into jade silk. The Dharma master is concerned about the country and the people, with Buddha eyes and Buddha heart, it is better not to be admired." Kublai Khan said gratifiedly, shaking his long robe sleeves. "This is also the result of the long-term efforts, careful preparations and painstaking efforts of the Dharma Lord!" Basiba added. "Therefore, the war between Mongolia and Tubo must not be started lightly, and Sakya Pandita's hard work will be in vain. This king must try his best to dissuade the Great Khan, and ask the Great Khan to take back his order."

"In this way, the prince has immeasurable merit." "Master, I have another request, I wonder if you will agree to it?" "Prince, please do as you please." "I want you to empower me according to Buddhist rituals." "This...I'm afraid you won't be able to abide by the legal oath, and there is no proficient translator this time, so it's better to talk about it later." Basiba replied solemnly. "What legal oath must I keep?" "After the empowerment, the master sits on the head, worships with his body, and listens to the master's first words, which does not violate the master's wishes."

Kublai Khan replied very simply: "This cannot be done." "Let's wait for my next visit to discuss this matter with the prince." "Forget it!" "Prince, please stay, Ba Siba is farewell. Take care, Prince!" "You are precious too!" Back in the big tent, Kublai Khan was still thinking about this problem. He summoned the monk Zicong to discuss it. When consorts, officials, and common people get together, they may not be able to deter them, so the king sits at the head. All matters concerning Tubo are subject to the teachings of the master, and no edicts cannot be issued without discussing with the master. The rest of the matters, large and small, are difficult to accept from others because of the kindness of the master. , can't control the country, so the master doesn't need to ask."

Kublai Khan thought it was a good idea. "It's so good. Right now, I still have more important plans to go south to Dali. With military affairs in hand, it's better to call Basiba to discuss the matter of empowerment when I triumphantly return to Liupan Mountain." "yes." "Guard, the audience will come to see you." "Obey!"