Chapter 3 The Fight for Hegemony (Sanshang) Compared with the treatment given to others, His Majesty the Emperor's rewards for the civil and military officials of Lord Licheng were surprisingly generous. However, both the Prefect Pei Caozhi and the General Administrator Zhang Xutuo felt a little disappointed. Pei Caozhi came from
The Pei family of Guanlong belonged to the same lineage as Pei Yun, the imperial censor of the dynasty, and Pei Ju, the Huangmen servant. It is indeed nothing to be happy to add another honorary servant to this huge family. Zhang Xutuo was already in charge of the Qi army.
At present, the official title has been changed from Jun Cheng to Tong Shou. The name sounds better, but the actual duties and powers have not changed much.
Neither of them have this interest. To be precise, they care more about the local chaos than the slight changes in official positions. Only by quelling the rebellion can Pei Caozhi confidently plan to enter the court and show his talents. Only the local government can
After peace, Zhang Xutuo had the opportunity to go to the frontier to open up territory for the country. However, the imperial edict deliberately ignored their needs. It neither mentioned the elite soldiers from the foreign government that the prefect was most looking forward to, nor did it mention Tongshou.
The weapons and armor that adults long for day and night
"Didn't your Lordships in the DPRK say when the government troops would be sent to completely wipe out the bandits in the counties of Henan?" After thanking the saint for his grace, Pei Caozhi pulled aside the lieutenant who was delivering the order and quietly
He stuffed a heavy purse into the other person's hand, and then asked reluctantly
"My lord, you're welcome, but our family has never heard of this." The lieutenant-general pinched the shape of the contents of his purse skillfully, and quickly judged the quality of Pei Caozhi's character based on the weight and the feeling on his fingers.
For knowledgeable and smart local officials, he has always been willing to give them more advice. After thinking about it, he added: "Besides, if the government soldiers are coming, your Qi County soldiers may not be able to do the job.
Haven't you heard, sir, that Marquis Youwu went to Hebei to fight against thieves, but the whole army was wiped out?"
"But, but I don't have food and wages here, and I don't have good blacksmiths or carpenters to make armors and weapons!" Pei Caozhi was a little impatient and complained about all the things that Zhang Xutuo should have complained to his superiors. The soldiers of Qijun were brave and good at fighting.
It is indeed true, but that is mainly because they are fighting at home and have no way out. At the same time, the training and equipment of the county soldiers are slightly better than those of the rogue bandits. But now the surrounding counties are becoming more and more chaotic, and the bandits who come to harass them have more and more combat experience.
Rich, more and more powerful, the weapons in their hands and the armor on their bodies are getting better and better. If the court is still as desperate as before, sooner or later the combat effectiveness comparison between the county soldiers and the bandits will drop. At that time, the court will want to wipe out the bandits again.
I'm afraid I can't even do it
"My lord, didn't His Majesty allow you to confiscate the bandit's property? The bandit went around plundering, and finally fell into trouble with you. Doesn't that mean he sent your food and salary to your doorstep? Our family is in the court.
But I heard that if the gold beads found in the old camp of Pei's two thieves are just in stone, they have to be pulled by carts." The lieutenant general held Pei Caozhi's shoulders with his hand and said sincerely.
Only fools will be short of money. Judging from his previous performance, the lieutenant general from Dongdu believed that Pei Caozhi should not be a fool. Ever since His Majesty the Emperor allowed local officials to confiscate the property of bandits, which governor has not been fat?
What a joke? Just ask a rich family member about the whereabouts of someone from his clan, branch, or tenants, and the other person won’t obediently bring a lot of meat to pay tribute?! What if it’s not clear?
Knowing these tricks, who in the palace would be willing to travel all the way to another place, being exposed to the wind and sun, and always being on guard against being robbed by bandits, just to get a piece of the pie from local officials?
If the thieves were so rich, would they still be plundering everywhere? Pei Caozhi was so angry that he was trembling. He really wanted to order someone to bring the account books over and let the damn eunuch take a good look at how empty the treasury was now, but he
He still tried his best to suppress his inner impulse. His many years of experience and lessons as an official were enough for him to be able to do what he said and would not easily lose his composure in front of others.
, all the battlefield supplies were spent. Moreover, the reason why they were running around was because they were crazy poor. They had no savings at all. To be honest with you, father-in-law, even the soldiers’ pay and money were collected by the common people." He looked around.
Look, he lowered his voice and said: "But the people's financial resources are limited. If they continue to work together like this, I'm afraid they will feel resentful!"
"Well, of course our family will defend you in front of the emperor when we get back. But now that the Eastern Expedition is approaching, I guess the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household will not care about Henan!" For the sake of the gold ingots in his pocket, the lieutenant general from Dongdu
Decided to give Pei Cao Zhi a solid foundation: "If the army hadn't gone out to Liaodong in vain and lost its prestige, the rogue bandits would not have had the guts to rebel until Goryeo surrendered. Let's see which rebels dare to continue to be arrogant!"
"What, your Majesty is going to march eastward immediately!" Although he had heard the same words from Li Xu before, Pei Caozhi was still shocked. The national power of the Sui Dynasty was so weak that it was about to be blown apart by a gust of wind.
General Li Lang was only eighteen years old. He was so eager to make meritorious deeds that he couldn't see it. Didn't anyone in the civil and military circles of the court see this? Even if everyone couldn't defeat the emperor, they could at least postpone the Eastern Expedition for a year or two until the country's strength was slightly stronger.
After recovery, let’s take a long-term approach!
Thinking of this, Pei Caozhi, who had always been timid and afraid of getting into trouble, finally couldn't help it. He expressed his dissatisfaction in a low and urgent voice, "But the people from all over the country have just returned home. They have been there for two consecutive years."
If I haven’t planted crops properly, I’ll go to Liaodong again. What will they eat when I come back in the fall?”
As a local official, the old eunuch knew clearly that the cause of rogue bandits was definitely not the imperial troops who lost their prestige in Liaodong. Those flat-headed slaves will not care about face until they have enough to eat, but you really have hope for their survival.
It's all gone, they can definitely turn you into a disgrace
"Our family, our family also thinks that what the prefect said makes sense, but when the government is being discussed in the court, how can we, the father-in-law, have any role to interfere? Besides, all the civil and military officials have agreed, who dares to stick out their tongues again?" The lieutenant general was said by Pei
Cao Zhi spat spit on his face and frowned in disgust, "How about you write a memorial and I can present it to the Emperor for you? Maybe His Majesty will give up the Eastern Expedition after reading your memorial!"
This kind of salty answer was just to clarify the identity of the other party. If the old guy in front of him hadn't been so generous, he would have walked away at this moment. Sure enough, after hearing what he said, Pei Caozhi immediately felt like he was beaten by frost.
After wilting like an eggplant and saluting again with clasped fists, the old eunuch gasped and said: "I am also impatient for a moment. I forgive you for the local difficulties, and please report to your majesty truthfully!"
"It's easy to say, it's easy to say that you are the parents of the people, and it is your duty to ask for orders for the people!" The lieutenant general from Dongdu raised his hand and gave a half salute, as if he understood why Pei Caozhi had lost his composure just now.
"Thank you so much, father-in-law!" Pei Caozhi thanked him with a smile, but in his heart he began to greet the eighth generation of the other party's ancestors. "Things without eggs only know how to collect money, but their knowledge is shorter than that of women!" He remembered the officials mentioned in the other party's words just now.
During the public discussion, his anger immediately changed the target, "A group of losers who only know how to fight for power. No wonder they are compared to lice in the crotch and wait for the fire outside to see who can escape in the end!" (Note 1)
Slander was slandered, but the old eunuch had to find a way to deal with the upcoming difficulties on his own. Although he was more knowledgeable than some people in the court, he also knew that he was one of the "lice" and the most reliable person in the "crotch".
After the outer man sent the middle official out of the city, he immediately summoned his subordinate officials to discuss the matter.
"The baggage captured in the last battle, as well as the proceeds from the sale of prisoners, are enough to cope with one battle, but armor and weapons can't be counted on. Firstly, we don't have the money, and secondly, we can't find so many people who can make armors and weapons.
Weapons craftsman!" Hu Cao ordered Hu Wei to report in a low voice that a clever woman cannot make a living without rice. The current situation in Licheng is that not only is there no rice, but there are also no clever women.
"We have already received 40% of the tax. If it continues to increase, I'm afraid it's not just the ordinary people who will rise up to rebel!" Hearing that the court still refused to pay taxes, and also wanted to collect grain and grass and people from the local area, the chief administrator Yang Yuanrang worriedly added.
In front of him, there was a thick stack of account books. Some large families had already started to default on local money and food last year. The yamen urged them countless times and almost called the police. Only in the middle of this month did the debts come up.
If the assessment is increased next year, some people will definitely take risks.
"The soldiers and civilians who accompanied His Majesty in the Liao expedition this year have just returned home. If we order them to go to Liaodong as soon as spring begins, I am afraid that many people will be driven to Wang Bo's tent again!" Soldier Cao Ji Youzheng sighed and added that although Wang Bo was defeated.
At the hands of Zhang Xutuo, his "Wu Xiang Liaodong lang death song!" was widely circulated among the people. Such frequent recruitment by the imperial court was tantamount to recruiting troops for Wang Bo.
"We are not at peace here. Yesterday, there was a fight in the slum area over a bag of wheat. By the time the government officials arrived, three of them were dead!" Licheng County Magistrate Wang Shouren looked as if all his colleagues owed him a lot of money.
, "The results of the autopsy showed that the injuries on the two people were not fatal at all." (Note 2) "They were overly hungry!" The parents and officials were whispering among themselves. This was the worst news they heard today, and it was worse than the emperor's upcoming death.
The third Eastern Expedition was a hundred times worse. The refugees living in the slums outside the city basically had nothing. If they could not even see their last chance of survival, they would inevitably threaten the people in the city. Although the city wall of Licheng was repaired,
High enough, but in reality, it doesn't do much good in front of the huge crowds
"From tomorrow on, we will open a porridge shed at the gate of the city. Every morning, we will give a bowl of porridge to every beggar, regardless of whether they are full, but we will try our best to prevent people from starving to death again!" Pei Caozhi thought for a while and ordered.
"That will attract all the refugees from other places to Licheng, and there won't be enough food in our granary!" Hucao Han Fuzhi objected in a low voice. The number of refugees outside Licheng was already equal to the number of people in the city.
, the more hope there is to survive, the more people come here, the more chaotic the law and order, the more expensive the food, the porridge that the government needs to provide also increases in a straight line, and if this cycle continues, there will be a day when Licheng cannot afford the supply.
"I'm going to visit Zhang Tongshou later and ask him to keep a thousand county soldiers in the military camp at any time! As for the food used for giving out porridge, first move some of the military rations, and then temporarily withhold the food that has not been transported to the east capital!" Pei Cao!
After some reconsideration, he ordered
Although he spoke in a low voice, it frightened several close aides and all of them to jump up. "Sir, this is absolutely not allowed!" "Please think twice! If you touch the food that should be handed over to the court, if it is misunderstood,
It's hard for adults to argue." Several staff members suggested in a variety of ways.
The reputation of Qijun's soldiers for being good at fighting has spread. If he withholds official food from the imperial court, it will easily be misunderstood as having evil intentions. In everyone's memory, the prefect who has always known how to protect himself has never done anything like this.
"Treat your head first if you have a headache!" Pei Caozhi rubbed his temples vigorously, sighed and ordered, "The roads are not smooth now, and the food is easily robbed by bandits! Besides, brothers need to eat. It's so cold, even though we all live in the city.
, but you have to leave a way for people outside the city to survive!"
This was the boldest decision he had ever made in his life. After making it, not only was he not afraid, but he felt relieved.
"Sir, my subordinates have an idea that can help this county survive the difficulties next year!" Yang Yuanjing, who was registered in the book, saw that the prefect was taking the lead in breaking the law, and he became bolder. He raised his hand and said
"Tell me, this is all our own people. Even if it doesn't work, no one will tell it!" Pei Caozhi nodded and responded.
"The refugees need food to make a living, and the local people are unwilling to go to Liaodong to serve in the military!" Yang Yuanrang picked up two account books, each representing a part of the people. Then, he overlapped the two account books in one place, "If we combine the two groups of people,
If we change our identities, both parties can be at peace."
Using refugees to pretend to be locals serving in the military accompanied the emperor on his expedition to Liao, and asking the locals to provide food for the refugees' wives, children, and children to make ends meet. This is a bold idea, but it does comply with Pei Caozhi's principle of treating headaches with pain relief.
"How could it be hidden from the imperial court on such a large scale?" Some people immediately expressed their objections. In the past, there were also wealthy families who did not want their children to join the army and had tried to find someone to pretend to be someone else. But that was just an isolated phenomenon. Officials accepted other people's benefits and had no choice but to do so.
Turn a blind eye and turn a blind eye. If the soldiers and horses sent to Liaodong from a county are all refugees with yellow faces and skinny muscles, the generals will definitely find out the clues.
"Do you think other counties can send out soldiers and civilians as scheduled? I'm afraid that not many counties will be able to get the number of people together by then! If we really investigate, is it a serious shortfall that is more serious, or the right name and surname?
It's a bigger crime to not take the number, and it's hard to say!" Yang Yuanrang shook his head and retorted.
This is probably true. The current situation in various places is chaotic. The decrees of many counties and counties can no longer govern the villages and fields fifty miles away from the city. It is impossible to gather the troops and horses needed by the court just by relying on the big families in the city. "I guess all counties will think of something."
What an extraordinary measure!" "I guess the law will not be punished by then!" Everyone began to discuss in low voices again. The matter was too important. Even if they agreed in their hearts, they couldn't make their intentions too obvious.
"This matter should not be made public, but the common people collude in private, and we will inevitably fail to observe it." Pei Caozhi listened to everyone's discussion for a while, and finally made a decision.
"Yes, the common people all look similar. The manpower in the yamen is limited, so it is impossible to identify them one by one!" Bing Cao Ji Youzheng added in a low voice.
"Since then, there is another transaction in the slum area outside the east gate!" Hucao Linghuwei smiled and shook his head. In his opinion, all the solutions today are to drink poison to quench thirst. But as a local official with still conscience, everyone at this time
There aren't many choices anymore
"If possible, just send someone to collect taxes from it!" Pei Cao said a rare witticism, causing the whole room to laugh bitterly.
"You are fooling me, and so am I! Let's tear down the east wall and mend the west wall. Let's see how long this house in Sui Dynasty can survive." The old eunuch murmured in his heart. Thinking about what he had seen and heard in the day, he couldn't help but recall it again.
I recall the scene when I just entered the Sui Dynasty from Nanchen. At that time, the Sui Dynasty was full of vitality, the emperor was sage, and all the officials were doing their best. There were two members of the family, Pei Ju and Pei Yun.
He was well-known to both the government and the public for his extraordinary literary talents and upright character. Now, everything has changed. Pei Ju was the mastermind of the first two Eastern Expeditions. Pei Yun was confident when he asked for bribes in person.
The Great Sui Dynasty back then was only twenty years away from the Great Sui Dynasty now.
Note 1: The original word for "lice in the crotch" comes from "The Biography of the Master" written by Ruan Ji of the Jin Dynasty.
Note 2: Germinated wheat, the grain produced after the hulling of germinated wheat, is slightly toxic.