It is said that whenever there is a virtuous king, the Sushen people will send them stone tablets to remove lost objects.
The earliest record is that of Shun, and later King Wu, during the reign of Emperor Kangxi, so the loss of the stone tablet became a proof that the wise king was still alive.
When he learned that the Sushen people were going to send the lost stone tablets, as the emperor's biggest fan, King Yan was very excited. This is the best proof of His Majesty's wisdom. He has also contributed to His Majesty's great cause.
Young Master, Sushen has been blocked by the Fuyu people for these years. It was only after he defeated the Fuyu people that Sushen people could pay tribute again.
Among your majesty’s achievements, you must have a strong contribution of your own, right?
Of course, the Yan State at this moment also surpassed its historical precedent and became the largest Yan State in history, with Shanggu County, Guangyang County, Yuyang County, Youbeiping County, Liaoxi County, Liaodong County, Lelang County, and Xuantu County
, Daifang County, Zhenfan County, Lintun County, Sanhan County, Fuyu County... In terms of territory, the Yan Kingdom is ridiculously large, even a bit scary. It can be called the largest vassal state in the Han Dynasty!
However, it is big, but the population within the territory is a bit difficult to describe. The entire population of Yan State is only about two million, which sounds like a lot, but it is not enough to be distributed among these counties. Many of them
They were still uneducated barbarians and could not be considered human beings in the eyes of King Yan.
In addition, whether it is grain output or cultivated land area, the ranking of Yan State is not too high among the vassal states. Fortunately, the newly acquired counties still have good fertile land. These lands fall among those
In the hands of barbarians, it is really a waste.
King Yan is an ambitious man. Over the years, he has been expanding externally. There are more and more counties and counties, and the expansion speed is getting faster and faster. He has not listened to the advice of his ministers several times. This is a perfect explanation.
The old Liu family was engaged in military affairs, but now, he can finally take a break and manage the cultivated land well.
It’s not that King Yan doesn’t know how to govern the country, he is also good at dealing with internal affairs, but he is more rude than the other princes and kings. The other princes and kings encourage the people to farm, but this one is forced. If you don’t farm, I will cut off your head.
It depends on whether you farm or not. He set a standard for the officials in each county. Those who did not meet the standard were punished, and those who exceeded the standard were directly promoted. Through simple and crude methods of squeezing the people, the Yan State became stronger.
Already.
Many of his practices were opposite to those of King Wu.
The King of Wu is benevolent, and he is violent. However, judging from the current achievements of the two, King Wu's method is more powerful, but there is no way. This method of King Wu cannot be copied casually. It is hard and soft.
It requires a certain amount of political talent and talent to help the people and make the vassal states strong and prosperous without having to work hard for the people.
Probably because of the origin of Su Shen's bow presentation, even the irritable King Yan was not rude to Su Shen's envoys. He received them with a smile, and hinted that they actually liked the arrows, but the Su Shen people did.
I didn’t think much about it. They were small in number and had been attacked by the Fuyu and Yilou people all year round. Many scholars believed that the Yilou people were the descendants of Sushen. However, before the fall of the Han Dynasty, they were two tribes that co-existed. They were not
inheritance relationship.
The Sushen people were good at making bows and arrows, so they often donated their own bows and arrows to the surrounding tribes and used them themselves. There was no saying that they were given by virtuous kings.
So he took off the bow and wanted to give it to King Yan, but King Yan refused. According to King Yan, "Your Majesty hasn't got it yet, how can I get it first? You can give it to me when you return!"
Su Shen was confused. Didn't he just give me a bow and arrow? Why are you saying so much?
But when they continued walking in the direction of Chang'an, they were entertained all the way and learned from the translator that offering their own bows would be considered auspicious in the Central Plains.
People in Sushen were overjoyed. If they had known this, we should have found a way to send it there a hundred years ago.
They enjoyed the hospitality of the officials along the road with peace of mind, and their expressions became more and more proud. They had no choice but to make themselves auspicious? Su Shen's father is my father!
This pride disappeared after meeting the emperor.
"Come here! Drag these people down! Twenty lashes!"
"
When Liu Chang pointed at them and gave the order, all the officials in the court were stunned, and the smiles on their faces froze.
Su Shen's presentation of the bow proved that the wise king was alive, and of course it also proved that the people in the dynasty were upright. If His Majesty was Zhou Wuchengkang, then they were Zhou Gong Lu Wang. But they did not expect that as soon as they met, Liu Chang would directly give the order.
, these people should be dragged out and beaten.
The solemn envoys were all stunned. After learning the order, they turned pale with fright and hurriedly begged Liu Chang to let him go.
"Your Majesty?! Why is this?!"
Luan Bu, who was the servant of the house, couldn't bear it anymore and stepped forward to question.
Liu Chang said angrily: "When I was just born, I had the qualifications of a virtuous king. This is a well-known thing. These guys just sent bows and arrows here now. Are they looking down on me? Do they think I am a virtuous king now?!"
Someone come here! Get him out and beat him!"
All the officials were shocked.
Ji Bu couldn't help but stood up and said: "Your Majesty, it is really rude to beat up the envoy who came to pay tribute for such a ridiculous reason! This is definitely not what a wise emperor should do! Today, your Majesty treated the envoy who sincerely paid tribute like this.
, who will dare to come to pay tribute to the big man in the future?"
"The King of Yan is in the north and is my minion. Who dares not to pay tribute?!"
"His Majesty!
"
There were also ministers who wanted to persuade, but the soldiers did not listen to their advice here. They dragged the envoys directly and left the Xuanshi Hall. Liu Chang did not even look at them and said calmly: "
The emperor’s virtuous reputation can’t be proven by a few missing arrows sent from foreign countries?!”
"This gathering of ministers is not for the bows and arrows, but for this year's autumn harvest!"
"This year, I opened many official fields in the south and gave them to the people who migrated. However, the number of people who migrated in a year was only more than 70,000... The results were not great!"
"There are more and more remnants in the Central Plains, the public security is deteriorating rapidly, and there are groups of knights. Today, the princes must come up with a way to weaken the remnants of the Central Plains and strengthen the cultivated land of the frontier fortress!"
Liu Chang frowned and looked a little fierce, "Unless we can come up with a solution today, no one can leave!"
The ministers were in an uproar. They moved more than 70,000 people in one year, which was already a lot. When the Qin State opened South Vietnam, it only moved 200,000 to 300,000 people. People moved there by force, but they could move more than 70,000 people voluntarily.
It’s already quite a lot, but the emperor’s eagerness for quick success and instant gain is not just a matter of one or two days. He just hopes that this year he can send all the nearly one million remaining people in the Central Plains to the south, but he is not allowed to move by force, so we
What else can be done?
We are not gods.
Liu Chang sat on the upper seat and asked Lu Lu to get him some tea, and then he ate it calmly.
The ministers were currently discussing and exchanging opinions with each other.
Prime Minister Zhang was not in today's court meeting. He was busy with the autumn harvest. The closer the autumn harvest was, the more nervous he became. Basically, he was nowhere to be seen every day. Liu Chang also knew that he was unhappy.
It was easy, so no one was sent to disturb him. As for other ministers, it was not so easy.
Although Prime Minister Zhang was not there, Prime Minister Zhang Zuo was still there. He was the most active among the ministers and was constantly discussing with them. Soon, Prime Minister Zhang had his own solution.
"Given a title!"
"Your Majesty! I can grant you a title!"
"Um??"
"If it is just that the official land is given to the migrating people for farming, they may not be willing to go, but if the migrating people can get the title awarded by the temple, then they will definitely be tempted!
"
As soon as Zhang Buji finished speaking, Luan Bu shook his head and rejected his proposal.
"The people are reluctant to go because the climate in the south is harsh and the barren land has nothing to do with titles... When the Qin State promoted its meritorious soldiers to titles and sealed them in the south, they were very resentful. This is the same
, there is no way it will work.”
Zhang Buyi didn't think so. He said: "At the beginning, we were going to move to South Vietnam. South Vietnam was a truly barren land at that time. Although it is also barren now, we can still survive at least. What's more, those countries have won the war.
, the soldiers who should have been promoted will naturally be dissatisfied if they are sealed there, but for the remaining people in the country, what credit do they have? If they can get the title, they will be satisfied. How can there be so many complaints?
?”
Lu Jia didn't seem to agree with Zhang Buyu's idea. He said: "Your Majesty has given out a large number of titles recently. I am afraid that the lower-level titles are not attractive enough. If it is a higher title, it is not suitable...
.”
"Mr. Lu has stayed in the temple for too long. He doesn't know the situation of the people at the bottom."
Shen Tujia, who had just returned to the temple and was forcibly dragged into the temple to participate in the court meeting, shook his head.
He said: "You are the Marquis of Che, so you naturally feel that the lower-level titles are not attractive to the common people. However, at the lower level, Yu Ding's life is not easy either. They have no farmland and can only engage in other professions and be employed.
work, or go
Being a ranger, no matter what profession it is, is extremely risky. People regard Yu Ding as a lowly person and often look down upon them. You don't know how much they desire titles and farmland. A full 70,000 people are willing to move south for farmland.
This is the best proof.”
In the early Han Dynasty, a title was not only land, but also status and privilege, which was pursued by everyone.
Watching the officials arguing, Liu Chang did not hesitate and waved his hand, "No doubt, you will take care of this matter!"
"only!
"
Then the officials came up with several more ideas, but Liu Chang felt that they were inappropriate and would hurt the people.
After discussing a few more important matters, Liu Changfang waved his hand and told them all to get lost.
Only Shen Tujia and Chao Cuo were left behind.
Shen Tujia lamented: "Actually, Your Majesty should not have whipped the envoys of Su Shen. Only when they come to pay tribute and treat each other with courtesy can more foreign countries come to pay tribute..."
Liu Chang shook his head, "You don't need to say much about this matter. I have my own ideas. If I recognize that auspiciousness, in the future they will have to hand over the missing arrow to pay tribute every year. What else will you be celebrating with a silly smile?"
The auspiciousness will give them more rewards,
Nowadays, if the Han Dynasty wants to be strong, the tribute must be sufficient. Whether it is county schools, medical clinics, or even Chidao and canals, a large amount of food and materials must be consumed. We cannot set such a precedent. If you want to pay tribute, you must
Come up with something useful."
Shen Tujia was stunned, "Is Your Majesty thinking too much?"
"No, you were not here before and didn't know the words of those ministers. When the Dian Kingdom sent the sacred cow, the ministers asked me to give a big reward. I rewarded it, but this is because the customs and language of the Dian Kingdom are the same as mine.
Sooner or later, it will become a Han Dynasty like South Vietnam.
But these foreign countries are too far apart, and the ministers want me to reward them with auspiciousness. If this is the first time, and small countries pay tribute in the future, the big Han will have to give more things as rewards, then
It’s not people who come to pay tribute, it’s the Han who comes to pay tribute!”
"I'd better set the rules so that future generations will know what to do."
Shen Tujia didn't know what to say for a moment. Every time His Majesty did something very stupid, he would come up with a good explanation that made people unable to answer. Probably this is "wisdom is enough to refuse advice, words are enough to cover up wrongdoing"
"Bar.
Think about how the history books will record this emperor?
The beginning must be: "The emperor has the talent to recognize quick diseases, is very quick to hear and see, has extraordinary physical strength, has the skills to guard against ferocious beasts, knows enough to distance himself from admonishment, speaks enough to cover up his mistakes, respects people and ministers with their ability, and has a high voice in the world, thinking that everyone will do it."
Under oneself..."
This set of rhetoric can be applied to many kings without even changing it, such as Xia Jie and Shang Zhou. Anyway, it cannot be applied to any serious king. Can a serious king fight a ferocious beast with his hands? Can he fight a ferocious beast with his hands?
Who can be called a serious king? Idiot!
But Liu Chang was indeed not talking nonsense. He really wanted to add some new rules to the tribute system.
In his vision, paying tribute can't just be a simple expression of respect for the king. You have to use your wealth to flatter the big man, otherwise you will wait to be beaten and chopped. Since you want to express respect, you have to express it more.
, cannot be perfunctory or fool people, but in return, the big man can provide them with shelter and trade with them.
When they were unable to pay tribute, the Han Dynasty could help set up counties and counties to help govern.
If you want the Han people to be well-fed, others will have to go hungry.
He has already planned this, and after getting in touch with Shendu, he will officially execute it.
"Forget about this, let's talk about your water control situation!"
Chao Cuo then stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I have relocated the people on the river banks in the middle and upper reaches, ordered them to stop developing the river banks, and asked local officials to plant trees on a large scale. During these days, more than 100,000 people were on the river banks.
reclamation
, the damage was huge. The trees planted by the Qin State on the riverside were basically cut down. The river water in this area began to become turbid, especially in Longxi and Beidi. It was also because of the increasing number of livestock that the damage was serious.
....”
"I plan to open six canals in these places. On the one hand, it is convenient for transportation, on the other hand, it is convenient for farming, and on the other hand, it is convenient for water control. As long as there are enough tributaries, the impact force of the river water will be reduced..."
"I heard that the power of gunpowder has increased a lot. I wonder if it can be used to control floods?"
"Are you planning to use explosives to open a canal?"
Liu Chang hesitated for a moment, "It's not impossible, but the output of gunpowder is not high, and it cannot be left to ordinary craftsmen to produce in large quantities... It can be used, but it should be used sparingly. It is needed in both mines and battlefields.
Even if you open a channel for this thing, I can't give you too much..."
"Then can I hand over the formula to you?"
"It's not that I can't trust you, I'm just afraid that some craftsman will leak it."
"Your Majesty, I believe that as long as these things are not allowed to fall into the hands of foreigners, there is no need to hide them from the people in the country... Prime Minister Zhang once said that it is useless to place precious things in temples.
It had to be promoted to the whole world, so the spinning wheels piled up in Shang Fang's mansion were all sent to the people by Zhang Xiang. He even allowed the people to make various instruments by themselves, and even the design drawings were sent out... The self-made treadmills made by the people
There are countless plows..."
"I know this, but gunpowder is different from plowing!"
"Not to mention what will happen if it is leaked abroad, even if it is made by the private sector, the risk is extremely high and it will definitely lead to chaos. This cannot be leaked to the local government... But, you said that, I have an idea.
You said, if I set up an official organization to manufacture gunpowder, and list gunpowder as a prohibited private possession like crossbow armor, would it be better if anyone who has private possession is punished as treason?"
"Besides, we have to be careful about leaks to foreign countries... What I'm most worried about are the merchants. But, we can also find ways to avoid and prevent..."
"If it continues to be stored in Shangfang, the output will be too low and it will not be enough... There is no perfect way in the world, we can only choose the best..."
Chao Cuo was convinced and bowed to Liu Chang.
"Your Majesty is wise!
"
In the eyes of Chao Cuo, Liu Chang was a very complicated person. Sometimes he looked more stupid than Jie and Zhou, and sometimes he looked wiser than Yao and Shun.
It would be better to list it as prohibited and then mass-produce it in an official capacity.
Liu Chang discussed with them many issues regarding water control. Liu Chang had no idea in this regard and could only let Chao Cuo make the decision.
After Chao Cuo finished talking about the river, he couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, I heard that King Yan threatened Sushen to give him his bow!"
"Hahaha, King Yan is fond of martial arts, so what?"
"Your Majesty, don't you think that the Yan Kingdom is too huge? Why not choose clans to divide Fuyu and the three Han territories? The current territory of the Yan Kingdom is really too huge. If this continues, the north of the Han Dynasty will be
A strong enemy is about to appear... We can bring Shanggu, Yuyang and other counties back to the temple, and let King Yan manage the rest of the land."
Whenever Chao Cuo talked about these things, Liu Chang always felt helpless.
"Without these princes and kings, would I be able to expand my territory to the extent it is today??"
"Does the temple have the ability to govern the lands of Sanhan and Fuyu? Does the temple have the ability to govern the lands of the Western Regions? Dian Kingdom? Jiaozhi?"
"This requires the efforts of local princes to develop and manage it!"
"To put it bluntly, I am the youngest among the brothers, so what are you worried about? Are you afraid that I won't survive these brothers?!
"
Liu Chang asked angrily. It could be seen that he was already a little annoyed.
Chao Cuo was stunned for a moment, then said: "The King of Jiaodong is younger than you..."