Section 369 Untitled (10,000 characters have been completed today)
In March, the weather begins to warm up.
The entire Guanzhong, as if overnight, turned into a sea of green.
On the straight road, an army meandering for dozens of miles slowly advanced.
Taiwei and Zuo Xiangguo Zhou Yafu stood on a hillside and looked at Chang'an City in the distance.
I recall that when the troops were dispatched in October this year, the late emperor held his hand and sent them all the way here. At that time, the late emperor was still in good health and in the prime of life.
Who knew that when he returned from victory, he would be in such a situation?
Thinking of the late emperor, Zhou Yafu couldn't help but shed two lines of tears.
A scholar dies for a confidant!
In Zhou Yafu's view, the late emperor was a perfect king, who fully supported all his reforms and decisions, and never hesitated to take money from the Shaofu to redress the army.
The Han Dynasty cavalry force has grown from less than 50,000 five years ago to today, with a scale of 100,000 cavalry. The late emperor deserves the most credit!
It's a pity that such an emperor, who was very fond of the military, collapsed at the drop of a hat.
"I don't know what you think of the army today? Will you continue to support me in raising horses and troops?" Zhou Yafu felt anxious in his heart.
During the reign of Emperor Taizong Xiaowen, in order to cultivate himself and recuperate, he deliberately reduced the size and treatment of the army.
As a result, the troops stationed on the front line of the Yan Dynasty and the Great Wall often had one meal but no one.
Arms were lax, so the Huns could come and go freely.
It was not until Chao Cuo donated millet and noble titles that the starvation situation of the soldiers at the front was alleviated.
After the late emperor took power, he began to invest in the garrison at the front, especially at the Great Wall.
After taking the throne, he began to comprehensively strengthen armaments.
Large sums of money were invested in the army. This is why the Han army is so powerful today.
Zhou Yafu knew very well that such an emperor cared about national defense and armaments. He could only be described as rare.
As a soldier, Zhou Yafu knows very well that army building is a long-term process.
For example, the cultivation of war horses, the training of knights, the equipment of archers, and the upgrading of various weapons and equipment all require continuous investment of massive funds.
Sometimes, tens of millions or even tens of millions of dollars are thrown at the money, but not even a sound is heard.
Not everyone has the patience and is willing to throw money into this bottomless pit day after day!
"Prime Minister!" Yuan Ang rode up to Zhou Yafu, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is already waiting for the Prime Minister's triumphant return at the Weihe River Bridge!"
Yuan Ang was the envoy who was ordered to go to Hangu Pass to meet him.
It's just that along the way, Zhou Yafu didn't find any good opportunity to talk to Yuan Ang.
At this moment, given the opportunity, Zhou Yafu couldn't help but ask: "Servant, I heard that Your Majesty has issued an edict to honor the late Emperor as Emperor Renzong Xiaojing?"
"Of course!" Yuan Ang nodded, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is pure and filial. How dare we, the ministers, disobey?"
There was some dissatisfaction with this matter in his words.
In Yuan Ang's opinion, this matter is really nonsense!
The posthumous law system is a serious political system.
Since ancient times, it has always been the case that the ministers discuss the king, and the sons discuss the father.
Nowadays, the emperor relies on power and presses the ministers to force the passage. Therefore, when the temple title is given, the ministers naturally have to vent their anger. Therefore, they chose a word of benevolence that is not in the traditional system to give the late emperor the temple title, which seems a bit
nondescript.
What is benevolence?
That’s a matter of opinion!
It’s just that there’s nothing I can do about that posthumous title.
Moreover, the late Emperor was indeed said to be able to use righteousness to help others, and to practice righteousness and conduct righteousness.
Therefore, after nearly a month of wrangling and various struggles, the late emperor's title of Emperor Renzong Xiaojing of the Han Dynasty was finally passed at the court meeting and the imperial edict was issued to announce the rule of the world.
On the contrary, it was the edict of ‘never add any more gifts’.
Now, it has spread throughout the territory of the Han Dynasty.
Even before the imperial edict arrived at a certain county, the people of a certain county had already spontaneously posted the contents of the edict everywhere.
"Hey, your Majesty would be a perfect emperor if he didn't act so nonsense!" Yuan Ang sighed and thought to himself.
For Yuan Ang, his kindness and love for the people are indeed worthy of praise.
But sometimes, I just like to mess around!
However, as the saying goes, the butt determines the head.
The traditional veterans among the courtiers criticized the new emperor's behavior of forcibly giving his father a title and building a temple, and many of them disagreed.
But, in the eyes of generals like Zhou Yafu.
This temple title and honorary title are so good!
The late emperor only reigned for four years and had two main achievements.
The first is to reduce the land tax and recuperate, and the second is to pacify Wu Chu.
Now that the late emperor has taken the title of honor and built a temple, it indirectly acknowledges that the generals and soldiers who fought life and death on the front line have all made great contributions.
According to the system, rewards are definitely indispensable!
Although Zhou Yafu doesn't love money.
But as a military leader, he knew that he must seek benefits for his subordinates.
Therefore, he raised his hands in the direction of the imperial mausoleum in Yiyang and said: "Emperor Xiaojing cultivates his virtues and practices martial arts to benefit the world, the four seas, and within. He shines with the sun and moon, passes by the stars, and wants to shine with Tai Sui. All living beings,
Who has not been blessed by his rain and dew, privately think that the word benevolence is far from describing the virtues of the late emperor. If someone was in the court at that time, he would have to argue with reason. Although Shengzong may have been a little reluctant, the words "virtue" and "kang" were still the words of the late emperor.
It’s worth it!”
Yuan An was stunned when he heard this.
Suirou and the people are called virtue, admonition and criticism are not powerful, it is called virtue, the source is flowing, it is called Kang, and the people's peace and happiness is called Kang.
How can the late emperor, an emperor who only served as emperor for four years, be worthy of these two words?
After all, he is just a civil servant, how can he know what the general is thinking?
For warriors, those who support their military expansion and prepare for war and provide more military expenditures are good emperors!
By this standard, the late emperor was truly a good emperor who is rare to see in a century!
Even Zhou Yafu is no exception!
Seeing this situation, Yuan Ang had to change the subject quickly and said: "A few days ago, His Majesty issued another edict, which said: I heard that in the past, Zigong redeemed someone, but Zhongni demoted him, and Zilu saved him from drowning.
Niu Erzhong Ni praises them! I highly appreciate the righteousness of these ancient sages, and my order will be effective from now on. Among the nobles and ministers of the prefecture, there are slaves of the Han people. Five calculations, the Yi and Di are not slaves of the Han people, one calculation!"
As he spoke, Yuan An looked at Zhou Yafu and asked, "What is the Prime Minister's opinion on this?"
Yuan An asked Zhou Yafu his opinion on this issue, but he mainly wanted to change the topic.
He did not want to have a quarrel with Zhou Yafu, his biggest supporter and ally in the court, over an ideological issue.
If he was really such a rigid die-hard, then he would not appease other radicals and use Renzong to smooth things over.
For realists like Yuan An, when it comes to ideologies, we should fight if we can, but if we can't, we should do what we should do.
As for the question he is asking now.
In fact, he had no chance to speak at all.
Oral gifts are not something that ministers from other dynasties should worry about at all. If it is urgent, it is also urgent for the young government!
After hearing this, Zhou Yafu thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty's lofty intentions are beyond the reach of our ministers, but I personally think that this is good governance. In the future, the Han people will be slaves and servants. I am afraid that it will become more and more common."
The fewer there are, the powerful landlords will no longer deliberately force ordinary people to sell themselves!"
Yuan An also nodded when he heard this.
Yuan An himself was a big landowner, with hundreds of hectares of farmland at home. Naturally, he also had many slaves.
Not to mention Zhou Yafu.
He kept hundreds of slaves in his residence in Jiangxian County and his mansion in Chang'an.
These slaves cleaned his house, washed his clothes, and plowed the land to graze his cattle.
If in the past, when the head tax for slaves was levied on all people, no matter who they were, would there be any need to think about which one to choose between the Han people and the Yi Di?
Of course they are the more diligent and honest Han Chinese!
However, now, after the emperor has promulgated the policy of five calculations for the Han slaves and one calculation for the Yi and Di.
Is it even necessary to think about what kind of slaves the landlords use?
Perhaps the maids, slaves, housekeepers, cooks, and cart drivers will all be Han Chinese who know the basics.
But for hard work such as farming, grazing, and mining, you would definitely choose the slaves of Yi Di.
The reason is simple, it is profitable!
A Han slave pays 600 qian a year, and a Yi Di slave pays 120 qian a year.
You can save 480 yuan a year. For ten slaves, you can save 480 yuan a year.
Nowadays, a male slave in his prime is worth thirty thousand.
In other words, using Yi Di slaves, you can earn a new slave in a few years, while a Han slave will lose one!
For Chinese people who have always been diligent and thrifty, this is an intolerable contrast!
If Minister Chehou is like this, there is no need to think about what the merchants and landlords who have no power, only money, and have to endure local apportionment will choose!
From the standpoint of the ruling class, for every free citizen, there is one more place to collect taxes, deploy corvees, and recruit soldiers.
Therefore, both Zhou Yafu and Chao Cuo felt that this policy was very good.
That is to say, the interests of the powerful landlords and nobles were not harmed. They originally had to pay five calculations regardless of the Han people and the Yi and Di people. Now, as long as the Han people and the Yi and Di people pay one, they will naturally make a profit.
This policy can also be used to gradually dismantle the current trend of slavery that is growing day by day.
The people of Yi and Di, be it the Huns or Mitsukoshi, what about the southwestern Yi? Anyway, they didn’t pay taxes or food to Chang’an!
After the two reached a consensus on this matter, their positions quickly became closer.
For Zhou Yafu, he needs a reliable ally to advocate for his political goals.
For Yuan Ang, he needs Zhou Yafu's protection and help to fight against Chao Cuo.
The two hit it off immediately.
The conversation quickly became heated until the general from the front came to inform that the vanguard of the army was very close to the Wei River.
The two of them quickly arranged their clothes, rode their horses, and walked forward.
………………………………
At this time, Liu Che was sitting in the imperial palace.
Next to him, although Yi Nu lowered his head on the surface and looked calm, in fact, he was glancing at the horizon in the distance from time to time.
When Liu Che saw her, he naturally knew that she was looking for her brother.
Therefore, I didn't point out anything, just held her little hand and smiled.
Liu Che was actually also waiting for the return of Yizong and Jumeng.
Liu Che had already read the report submitted by Zhou Yafu about the military exploits of these two men.
Zhou Yafu said in his report that Ju Meng had the merit of rushing into battle and beheading generals, while Yi Zong had the merit of guarding and planning.
Although we don't know whether it is true or not yet, with Zhou Yafu's report, Liu Che can justifiably appoint these two people to take charge of the Weiyang Palace's guards.
Liu Che was not at all worried about leaving these two key official positions in the Emperor's personal armed forces, Captain of Fengche and Captain of Prince Consort, in the hands of others.
In particular, the Prince Consort, who is in charge of the cavalry in Weiyang Palace, is the most critical. It has always been held by relatives.
After Liu Che's enthronement ceremony, he canonized Yi Nu as a beauty.
This is the rank of concubine in the Han Dynasty after the queen and wife.
Therefore, Yi Zong, the brother-in-law, can already be regarded as a relative.
There is no problem in appointing him as the Prince Consort.
Half an hour later, a mighty and mighty army appeared on the distant horizon.
For a time, the entire east bank of the Wei River was filled with smoke and dust, covering the sky and the sun.
This time Zhou Yafu brought an army of 100,000 troops back to the court.
The other armies are still in the hands of thirty-six generals including Dou Ying, Li Ji and Han Daodang. They are either maintaining public order in Wu and Chu, or are waiting to be demobilized in Xingyang, or are already in the process of being demobilized.
This time, in order to pacify Wu Chu and frighten Zhu Qi, the Han Dynasty mobilized and organized more than one million troops, including an astonishing more than 400,000 soldiers.
It is not a simple task to disband such a large army safely and orderly.
Fortunately, the generals at the front are all experienced and battle-hardened generals.
With them here, Liu Che only needs to allocate funds on time.
"Let's go, follow me to greet the victorious army!" Liu Che gave a calm order.
Wang Dao, who had been promoted to the rank of Chefu Order in Weiyang Palace, quickly lowered his head and said: "No!"
All of a sudden, the chimes rang and the drums played loudly.
Hundreds of strong men sang the famous "No Clothes" in unison.
"How can I say that I have no clothes, but I share the same robe with you? When I raise an army, I cultivate my sword and spear. I share the same enemy with you!..."
The unclothed sound, which was rough and full of Guanzhong charm, immediately resounded throughout the world.
It has to be said that in terms of rhyme and rhythm, this song "No Clothes" is not much worse than the later "Pla March". It even surpasses it in some places.
Liu Che couldn't help but hum a few times.
As soon as the emperor moved, the other accompanying ministers and the entire emperor also started to move.
Half an hour later, Liu Che's army appeared on the plain on the east bank of the Wei River.
"The last general, Zhou Yafu, fortunately lived up to his command and defeated Wu Ni. Now he has returned the Tiger Talisman to your majesty. Long live your majesty!" Zhou Yafu walked up to Liu Che's imperial banquet and knelt down, representing his power to command and control the world's soldiers and horses.
The tiger talisman was handed over to Liu Che.
With the support of Wang Dao and two eunuchs, Liu Che stepped down from the imperial banquet, walked to Zhou Yafu's side, helped Zhou Yafu up, and said: "The general was ordered to attack the rebels in the turbulent waves, and pursued them for three thousand miles.
In this battle, the general is truly the best general in the world!"
As soon as Liu Che finished speaking, Wang Dao held up an edict and said: "The Prime Minister of the Zuo Kingdom, Taiwei Tiao, is waiting for Zhou Yafu to accept the edict!"
Zhou Yafu quickly knelt down, kowtowed three times and bowed nine times to Liu Che, saying: "The last general, Yafu, respectfully listens to the imperial edict!"
"The emperor's edict says: My imperial father Renzong, Emperor Xiaojing, has appointed the Taiwei to be in charge of the world's troops. He will go south to fight against rebellion, quell the puppet rebellion, and purge the sea. The Taiwei has lived up to the great trust of the late emperor and punished all the rebels. I highly commend him! Today
I inherited the great power and granted Er Yafu the title of Marquis of Changping, with 13,100 households. I granted Erzi Changsheng the title of Marquis of Tiao, and further granted 1,300 households. I used tin Gui coupons to marry my descendants and guide them.
Mountains and rivers, eternal light and glory! I appreciate this! I command you, Yafu, to be wise!"
After Zhou Yafu listened to this edict, he felt like his mind was pounding.
Changed the title to Changpinghou, with a settlement of 13,100 households?
Let the eldest son continue to work as a minister, and gain 1,300 households?
Originally, his territory had 8,100 households!
In this way, their father and son combined have a total of more than 20,000 households!
Far exceeding the number of food households of Liuhou, Zanhou, Pingyanghou and even Zhangwuhou, and suddenly jumped to the top of all Chehouhou.
Moreover, the number of households in the city is so large that it is even more than the kings of some small countries!
Fortunately, Zhou Yafu is not stupid yet.
He immediately reacted, kowtowed heavily and said: "How can I be so virtuous and capable that I am so favored by Your Majesty? Even if I am so heartbroken, I will not be able to repay Your Majesty for what happened!"
Today's Chehou, who doesn't want to have more households and a larger fiefdom?
This is not only a symbol of status, but also a wealth left to future generations. It is also an honor to leave a name in history!
Therefore, how could Zhou Yafu refuse?
This is the Western Han Dynasty, not the Song and Ming Dynasties, there are not so many tortuous rules!
So Zhou Yafu excitedly took the edict, which symbolized that the Tiaohou family would become the first Chehou family in the Han Dynasty. His hands were trembling with excitement.
Zhou Yafu felt that he would never forget this honor and this moment in his life.
Naturally, he also made a mental note of such a generous reward for Liu Che, the new king, and secretly vowed to repay it to the death.
For Zhou Yafu, this is easy to understand.
The emperor is so trusting and does not hesitate to reward and bestow generous gifts. If he does not show loyalty and loyalty, will he still be considered a human being?
Liu Che didn't feel much.
He even thought that such a reward was too light!
Compared with the money that prodigal Xiaozhu spent on alchemists and seeking immortality, this is just a drop in the bucket.
Besides, both father and son are Chehou, and by the time of Xiaozhu, they will be nothing.
Wei Qing's three sons are waiting for him. Do you want to ask him?
Wei Qing's Changping Marquis even had an unprecedented number of more than 23,000 households!
The fault was not that the Empress Dowager Dou felt that Zhou Yafu's reward was too heavy, and Liu Che might do something as crazy as Xiaozhu.
Liu Che knew very well that he now needed Zhou Yafu's all-round support.
He needs the barrel of his gun to clear obstacles to his governance.
His reputation is needed to intimidate the princes!
His ability is needed to sort out the chaos between the government and the public!
He needs Zhou Yafu to protect him even more!
It’s such a good deal for a mere 10,000 households!
Only in this era can one exchange the allegiance of an important minister like Zhou Yafu at such a cheap price.
In later generations of China, since Amogan gave birth to the Emperor Xiao to order the princes.
A general with soldiers and power. Who on earth would be willing to be bribed with such a frivolous price?
Moreover, by rewarding Zhou Yafu heavily, we can also tell the people in the world not to say that my Liu family's reward is too light and the punishment is too much.
Brother, rewards and punishments should be clearly defined!
………………………………
On the same day, Liu Che held a banquet in Weiyang Palace to honor the meritorious soldiers who had returned in triumph.
During the dinner, Liu Che patted his chest and assured the generals that the military expenditures and other expenditures allocated to the army would only increase and not decrease in the future!
It also won the joy of the generals.
With an emperor who trusts and values the army so much, what else do they have to worry about?
As a result, the generals who were a little nervous and fearful of having their military expenditures cut started to smile.
After the banquet was over, Liu Che specially stayed with these generals and asked them one by one about the frontline issues.
Sometimes he is focused, sometimes he is thoughtful.
Liu Che, the new king, was diligent, studious, and unashamed to ask questions, which quickly changed the attitude of the generals towards him.
After sending these generals away, Liu Che asked someone to bring him a plate of water to sober up.
To be honest, through conversations with these generals, Liu Che felt that most of these generals did not follow the development trend of the times.
Their thinking is still stuck in the era of large infantry, using crossbows and bows to shoot, shields to advance, and halberds to fight.
But in the future, it will be the world of cavalry!
With light cavalry, they marched hundreds of miles in a day and night!
In such an era, it would be difficult for a slow infantry general to adapt.
"I have to start preparing to train a new group of cavalry officers!" Liu Che thought as he rubbed his temples.
When it comes to cavalry in this world, it is natural that they are Li Ji, Han Daidang and Li Guang.
"What if I transfer Li Guang back to Chang'an and serve as Weiyang Palace Guard?" Liu Che was thinking.
Li Guang is a member of the Empress Dowager, so the Dou family will not have any objection to this appointment.
However, there is a great risk for Liu Che.
Weiyang Palace is his territory. He has always wanted to replace the current guard Dou Xin, but he has no chance.
If Li Guang is replaced, the Dou family will not rebound too much.
I’m afraid I’ll be happy to see the results!
It’s just...Li Guang has never taken sides...
If he sided with the Dou family at a critical moment, wouldn't that mean he had just shot himself in the foot?
But if Li Guang is not transferred, the others will not be suitable.
What a headache!
"Let's first order Li Guang to return to Beijing to report on his duties..." Liu Che thought.
"Your Majesty, Ju Meng, Yizong and others are waiting for orders outside the palace!" At this time Wang Dao came over to report.
"Xuan!" Liu Che stood up excitedly.
These people were all the general seeds that he specially placed beside Zhou Yafu to cultivate!
In the next ten years or so, his empire will basically be protected and maintained by the seeds of these generals.
It will take at least fourteen years for Wei Qing from Pingyang County to reach adulthood.
It will take at least twenty years before the future champion can grow up.
Before this, the only thing Liu Che could rely on was a piece of blank paper, unpolished confidants and ministers!
While thinking about this, seven or eight ministers who had not seen each other for a long time, whose skin had turned darker, whose bodies had become stronger, and who were more energetic, filed in, faced Liu Che, knelt down respectfully, and kowtowed:
"Chen Ju Meng!"
"I am loyal!"
"minister……"
"Kowtow to Your Majesty, may your Majesty be safe!"
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Liu Che looked at these ministers and was filled with joy.
Neither Zhou Yafu nor Li Guang could truly share the same mind and direction with him.
Only these people are the monarchs and ministers who share weal and woe with him.
After going out and practicing for a few months, the mental outlook of these people has been greatly improved.
Especially Yi Zong!
Liu Che remembered that before, Yi Zong was still a young and tender young lady, looking a little careless and unfit for use.
Now, coming back this time, Yi Zong has grown a lot taller and stronger. Especially his face is full of confidence and confidence.
It seems that he learned a lot from Zhou Yafu!
"Young people are finally back!" Liu Che helped them up one by one and said happily: "Young people are all my humerus. Will you get anything from joining the army this time? Tell me quickly!"
Ju Meng and Yi Zong each took out a bound book full of text from their arms, presented it to Liu Che, and said: "I have been ordered by your Majesty to go out with the army. Your Majesty has asked me that I will not wait for a day."
Dare or forget, this is what I have seen, heard and experienced along the way, and present it to the emperor for your Majesty's review!"
Liu Che happily took the two thick books, couldn't wait to sit down, and opened them to read.
Of these two books, Ju Meng's one focuses more on the formation and attack of the battle between the two armies, as well as the advance and retreat of the army.
Yi Zong, on the other hand, focuses on marching, camping, and strategic arrangements.
Although both of them are still limited to the popular infantry formation confrontation.
But everyone also has their own understanding of cavalry.
Especially Yi Zong, his book takes up a lot of space on the use and common sense of cavalry.
It took Liu Che more than half an hour to finish reading the entire content.
Then he raised his head.
When he raised his head, Liu Che discovered that Yi Zongju Meng and others still maintained the same appearance as when they first presented the books, standing motionless in the hall with their bodies hunched over.
He hurriedly said: "Oh, I actually forgot to give you a seat. It's my fault! Your Majesty, please give me a seat as soon as possible!"
It is inevitable that I feel a little dissatisfied with Wang Dao in my heart.
too stupid!
You didn't even know to remind him about such a thing!
However, Wang Dao is an old man after all, and he is a loyal minister. Liu Che just complained about this little problem in his heart and let it go!
When all the ministers were seated, Liu Che put down his book and asked: "From what you can see, what type of arms will our Han family use as its main combat arm in the next ten or even twenty years?"
This is to test whether they have carefully observed and studied.
Ju Mengbai said: "I think that in the next ten years, crossbowmen will still be the main force. Although cavalry is prosperous, horsemen are rare. Therefore, I think that when the cavalry is the main battle in the rear in twenty years, the crossbows will be fired first."
Be the king!"
Yi Zong also paid his respects: "I followed the Taiwei, inspected the armies, and talked with Quzhouhou and Gonggaohou respectively. Taiwei, Quzhou and Gonggao all thought that in the future, the cavalry would be the king, especially the cavalrymen.
yes……"
Yi Zong clenched his fist and said: "The Xiongnu barbarians have repeatedly invaded our Han family's border counties. Sooner or later, the Han and Huns will have a decisive battle. I secretly believe that Your Majesty should fully develop the cavalry. In this way, in ten years, our Han family's cavalry will be able to compete with the Xiongnu."
The cavalry fought without losing. Twenty years later, they chased the enemy northward and captured Shan Shan at the northern gate of Xuanhan!"
Others also expressed their opinions.
Generally speaking, they think that cavalry has a great future, and infantry will sooner or later become an auxiliary to cavalry.
After Liu Che heard this, he couldn't help but nod.
After all, they are all young people, with open minds and the ability to accept new things quickly.
However, even the most optimistic among these people, Yi Zong, felt that it would take twenty years for the Han family to have a cavalry force capable of defeating the Huns.
Liu Che felt too pessimistic!
When Yue destroyed Wu, it only took ten years to gather together and teach them lessons.
Now, the Han Dynasty has been together for more than 50 years. After another ten years of teaching, it is time to go out!
Of course, Liu Che would not easily reveal this matter to anyone.
He stood up and said: "I am very happy that you all have lived up to my expectations. Our Han family has always made clear rewards and punishments! The king's way is to declare the edict!"
Everyone hurriedly knelt down to listen to the seal. (To be continued...)
ps: 10,000+, cough cough, I haven’t worked so hard for a long time~~~~~Please reward me, please praise me, please encourage me~Please give me a reward~
