Zhao Hongrun is still unable to make a rough estimate of the Qin State.
He only knew that the existence of the Qin State had made the "Wubian Tribe" in Sanchuan County feel uneasy. The main purpose of its chief "Chelalhe" to join the Sichuan-Luo Alliance was to gain support from the tribes and the support of the Wei State.
, to prevent the Qin State from expanding externally, at least to block it from the land of Sanchuan.
But to be honest, Zhao Hongrun didn't care much about Qin at first, even though Qin was one of the only three powerful forces in the far west - Zhu Qiang, Longxi Wei, and Qin.
After all, the cultural development of the Central Plains was gradually formed after hundreds of years or even thousands of fierce collisions. Various academic schools thrived here and competed to shine.
The culture mentioned here refers not only to managers, etiquette and poetry, but also to craftsmanship.
City wall construction, iron smelting and forging, war weapons, and the craftsmanship of the Central Plains countries are not just a little bit higher than those of countries or ethnic groups in remote areas.
When Zhao Hongrun conquered Sanchuan, why was he able to defeat the weak and the strong and defeat the powerful Jiejiao tribe? Was it because Zhao Hongrun commanded it properly?
No, the real reason is that the Wei army at that time introduced two new war weapons: the new catapult and the new repeating crossbow.
Therefore, Zhao Hongrun did not care much about the Qin State, because he thought that the Qin State might only be at the stage of a clan state, but it was just more powerful than the clan state of the Wei family in Longxi.
But then listening to the overview of the Qin State by Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, Zhao Hongrun felt that something was wrong - the Qin State was by no means a simple clan state, but a relatively complete monarchy.
Perhaps at the beginning, there was no difference between the Qin State and the Wei State in Longxi. Their war methods were somewhat similar to those of the people of Sanchuan and other ethnic groups. That is, after conquering the other side's territory, they would wipe out all their belongings and make the loser a
Vassals, that is, "untouchables", exist without any legal protection.
I remember that Zhao Hongrun once lamented the harsh governance of the Chu State, especially the "ten-five" land tax. However, according to the description of Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, compared with the Wei State in Longxi and the original Qin State, the Chu State was actually very
Enlightened.
Just one thing is enough to prove this point: in the Wei State of Longxi and the original Qin State, untouchables were not allowed to own private land!
Untouchables are not allowed to own private land, let alone buy and sell land. This means that in the Longxi Wei State and the original Qin State, the untouchables in their countries are equivalent to the vassals of the nobles. They have worked hard for a year to cultivate crops in exchange for,
It's just a meager amount of food that can only survive.
In Zhao Hongrun's opinion, this is simply a slave-like status.
In fact, in the Longxi Wei State and the early Qin State, there was not much difference between untouchables and slaves, because the vast majority of untouchables were people from clans or clans that were destroyed by the two countries, and they were not worthy of having surnames.
loser.
What's even worse is that untouchables are only allowed to marry untouchables, and the children of the two are still untouchables, which is even more tragic.
As for the people who really enjoyed some social status, Wei and Qin in Longxi called them "common people", for example, "officials".
According to Zhao Sheng, Lord Yao, the so-called "gongshi" is the first-level title and the lowest level. It is only used to distinguish the untouchables who have a slave-like status and the common people who have gained some social status.
The public servants did not enjoy many rights, but they could already own their own land and house, which was usually an acre of farmland, and they could also have a servant. "Note: The servant mentioned here refers to the untouchables."
For those above the rank of public servant, it is the second level of title "Shangzao", which allows them to enjoy a farmhouse with two hectares of land, two servants, and three cows.
However, going from the first level of "Gongshi" to the second level of "Shangzao" is a long process. If one does not rely on military merit, it may take a long period of one generation, that is, fifteen to twenty years.
Year.
And if you rely on military merit, it is much simpler. As long as you kill an enemy on the battlefield and use the opponent's head, you can get the title of "Private Sergeant". And if you kill ten enemy soldiers in total, you can
Can obtain the title of "Shangzao".
It seems easy, but in fact, countless people died on the battlefield while fighting for the rank of "Shangzao".
At the beginning, the Wei clan in Longxi and the Qin State were still victorious against each other, but more than ten years ago, the Qin State suddenly changed.
They introduced a new national law that no longer restricted the untouchables at the bottom of the country, and allowed the untouchables to obtain the status of "commoners" by virtue of military merit, or even go one better and obtain a title.
To put it simply, as long as a certain untouchable is strong enough and can kill many enemies on the battlefield, he can theoretically be promoted to the rank of "Commander (General of an Army)" or "Commander of Si Chariot (General)".
"General of the Chariot Troops", "General of the Great Concubine (Commander)", and even in the end, he was granted the title of Marquis and King.
This change made Qin's military power suddenly become so fierce that the Wei clan in Longxi was retreating steadily, accelerating the decline of the country.
"Acquiring status through military service..."
Zhao Hongrun pondered the story of Zhao Sheng, Lord Yao, and vaguely felt that Qin's reform model seemed to be borrowed from the Central Plains. However, the Central Plains countries were more perfect. In addition to military achievements, reading and writing could also change a person's social status.
; But the Qin State only adopted one of them.
"Who made Qin undergo such changes?" Zhao Hongrun asked curiously.
Zhao Sheng, Lord Yao, was silent for a moment, and then said a person's name in a complicated tone: "Wei Yang."
"Weiguo people?"
Zhao Hongrun had a surprised expression on his face.
As if guessing Zhao Hongrun's thoughts, Lord Yao Zhao Sheng nodded and said: "Yes, this person is not from Qin. I don't know why he lived in Qin and was reused... I, Longxi, have fallen to this point.
This person is indispensable."
"...The Qin Dynasty carried out reforms, but you in Longxi are still standing still and clinging to the old traditions. Who is to blame?"
Zhao Hongrun glanced at Yao Lord Zhao Sheng, but in the end he did not say what was in his heart.
After all, he has also realized that although Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, has a high status in the Longxi Wei family, he cannot influence the national policy of the Longxi Wei state.
"...Unfortunately, it seems that Chelarhe, the leader of the Wubian tribe, is right. After the reform, the Qin State is on the road of external expansion, just like the Zhao family of Wei.
.At this time, I am afraid that I will become an enemy of Qin..."
Zhao Hongrun frowned slightly.
He could roughly guess that the man named Wei Yang turned the entire Qin State into a war machine: a large number of untouchables needed military merit to get rid of their slave status, and the Qin State needed more untouchables to replace the former.
In addition to the vacancies, more Qin people also hope to obtain higher titles with the help of military merit. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that Qin is eager for war!
Continuous war!
Crazy expansion!
If this alone would not scare Zhao Hongrun, more importantly, Wei Yang's reforms made all ambitious men in Qin yearn for war, which would be even more frightening.
Just like the people of the Zhao family and Wei who were united in their efforts to gain a foothold in the Central Plains, they beat Zheng and Liang to the ground with a flurry of punches. When the people of a country all hold the same idea and pursue the same goal, it is extremely terrifying.
"PS: I don't know why, I suddenly thought of Germany."
Maybe Qin is not the most powerful country at present, but it may be the most terrifying.
At this moment, Zhao Hongrun finally understood why Lord Yao Zhao Sheng just said that Longxi might not be taken back, because he also felt the power of Qin - this power did not simply refer to the power of the country or the army.
Rather, it refers to the fact that all ambitious men in the Qin State are promoting war and longing for war.
The Wei clan in Longxi, which was once on an equal footing with Qin, has long since been unable to keep up with Qin and was left far behind by the latter.
"I see..." Taking a long breath, Zhao Hongrun looked at Yao Lord Zhao Sheng and said seriously: "So, you are planning to stay in Wei for a long time."
Yao Zhujun Zhao Sheng was a little embarrassed. After hesitating for a while, he nodded slowly.
It is undeniable that there are still many people in the Wei family in Longxi who keep saying "sooner or later they will take back their homeland", but Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, knows that those people are just trying to hide the panic in their hearts, and really hope to win back from Qin in the future.
I am afraid that there will be no more than ten people among the entire Wei family in Longxi who can take back their homeland in Longxi.
At least Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, can be sure that the current emperor has been frightened by Qin. Otherwise, he would not have fled to Zhao's Wei State in panic when there were still so many troops.
But what makes Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, a little ashamed is that the people of the Wei family in Longxi, including the emperor's father, were frightened by the Qin State and fled to the Zhao family and the Wei State in embarrassment to seek asylum. However, they did not
I hope that because of this I will be looked down upon by the Zhao family, which was separated hundreds of years ago. At the very least, I hope to maintain non-interference with each other and not interfere with each other.
But as the nephew of the same clan said in front of me: Why?!
Sighing slightly, Lord Yao Zhao Sheng raised his hands and said: "Brothers and nephews, in my own name, I hope that you two can temporarily put aside your unhappiness during the day and follow me into the city to meet your father... At the moment, it is not the Wei family.
, when the Zhao family was in internal strife. The momentum of Qin's external expansion will never end because they occupy Longxi. They will continue to march eastward, and sooner or later, they will attack here... Therefore, I suggest that both parties cooperate sincerely.
Reach an agreement as soon as possible."
"An agreement not to interfere with each other?" Zhao Hongrun interrupted unexpectedly.
Yao Zhujun Zhao Sheng's face froze, and he said with a wry smile: "I can't guarantee this... In the end, you still have to nod your head."
After hearing this, Zhao Yuanyan thought for a moment and said, "I will follow you into the city to meet the king's father and negotiate with him personally."
"Second uncle?" Zhao Hongrun looked at Zhao Yuanyan in confusion, feeling a little unhappy. After all, he had said during the day that the Daliang delegation would not enter Ancheng, but the second uncle now undermined him and decided to go see that person tomorrow.
The father-in-law of the Wei family in Longxi, what the hell is this?
"I am the officiating officer!" Zhao Yuanyan explained his decision concisely and clearly.
"Tsk, we still can't get along after all..."
After muttering to himself, Zhao Hongrun stood up unhappily and cupped his hands towards Zhao Yuanyan.
"Seven days, second uncle, you have seven days... After seven days, my nephew will lead an army to conquer the Wei family in Longxi."
After that, he turned and left.
Only the expressionless Zhao Yuanyan and the worried-looking Zhao Sheng were left.