When Lu Jia was brought to the shogunate by Li Cang, Hei Fu was sitting in the tent eating melon...
It was the hottest time in Changsha County in mid-May. On a hot day, Hei Fu was only wearing a short jacket, kneeling behind the desk, shaking a cattail leaf fan in his right hand, and chewing a piece of melon in his left hand.
The melon is of course not a watermelon, but a melon that has been introduced to the Central Plains for thousands of years. It is slightly different from its close relative in the Western Regions, the cantaloupe. It has a thin skin, white flesh, small and numerous seeds, and the flesh is only slightly sweet.
When eating melons, people will throw away the seeds. As long as these seeds fall on the land, no matter whether it is dry, wet, cold or hot, they can sprout and grow wherever humans can live well. Therefore, they are very common in both the Central Plains and Jiangnan.
Lu Jia took a step forward and said, "The subordinates pay homage to the Lord, congratulate the Lord on pacifying the hatred of the three armies, and thank the Lord for his great kindness!"
After beheading Jia He, Heifu appointed Lu Jia as chief secretary, equivalent to a general's secretary. He was suddenly promoted to a high position. Although this was not what Lu Jia wanted, he could not refuse.
"No need to be polite."
Seeing the two people coming, Hei Fu was not polite to them, and made a casual comparison: "When I was in the north, I ate melons in August, and when I was in Jiaodong, I ate melons in July. It is hotter in the south, and they are ripe in May and June."
It's just in time to relieve the heat, so why don't you sit down and eat."
"only."
Lu Jia promised that he had long heard that this general was from the capital of Guizhou and did not pay attention to red tape. It was indeed true, but when he looked at the melons on the table again, he felt thoughtful.
Although he has learned a little from Huang Lao, he still prefers Confucianism. The values formed by reading poems, books, etiquette and music for many years are deeply ingrained.
The way Hei Fu is eating melon right now is obviously not in line with etiquette.
It is said in "Li": "Those who peel melons for the emperor should wear a turban with them; those who serve as kings should wear them with silk scarves; those who are tired of them if they are officials, those who work with them, and those who are ordinary people."
Translated into Chengren, the emperor cuts the melon into eight pieces and serves them covered with a fine cloth; the king cuts the melon into four pieces and serves it covered with a coarse cloth; the doctor cuts into four pieces but does not use a cloth; the scholar cuts it into two pieces with a sword.
As for the common people? Haha, they can only hold the whole piece of melon and gnaw it. What's worse are slaves, who have no rights to eat the melon.
The melon that Heifu was eating was relatively large at the moment. He liked to eat small pieces, so he cut ten pieces in one go. In the eyes of Confucian scholars, this was really a huge trespass!
But these are all antiques from the Spring and Autumn Period. After the collapse of etiquette, no one except the palace paid attention to it. Although Lu Jia was a Confucian scholar, he was not pedantic. He swallowed the words back and sat side by side with Li Cang.
, picked up a piece of melon and started chewing it. While eating, he listened to Heifu and Li Cang talking.
Heifu said to Li Cang: "The Wushi have been trading in the Western Regions for six or seven years. They traveled through thirty-six countries and brought back a lot of good things, including horses eight feet high at the shoulders, and many fruits and vegetables that are not available in the Central Plains.
, grapes that are sour and sweet, and melons that are a bit sweeter than melons despite their thick skin.”
Of course, there are more than these, there are also sesame seeds, walnuts, cucumbers and other products. It is a pity that Heifu has not returned to Xianyang for a long time and has not been able to see these exotic products with his own eyes. But I heard from Ziying that the farmers who had just moved their base camp to Guanzhong
When I saw these strange seeds, I was so happy that I started planting them immediately. After four seasons of cultivation, the first batch of vegetables has been produced, and the fruit trees have gradually grown.
I think in a few decades, the recipes of the Central Plains people will be greatly expanded...
Li Cang was still young and had a bit of a greedy mouth, so he couldn't help but yearn for it. Lu Jia also nodded and said yes. Seeing that he had finished eating a piece of melon, he talked about the reason for his visit today and said with a smile:
"Speaking of eating melons, do you know that there is a time limit for the replacement of melons?"
Heifu thought for a while: "I saw it when I was reading "Zuo Zhuan" a few years ago, but I don't quite remember the content."
Lu Jia was a little surprised to hear that Heifu had also read Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals. It seemed that he was a studious general, and he had a little more confidence in his persuasion.
"Dare to speak to the princes, this matter is said hundreds of years ago, Qi Xianggong sent Pai Lien, Guan Zhi and his father to guard Kuiqiu in preparation for the attack of the princes. The two generals asked Qi Xianggong when he could return? At that time
Qi Xiangzheng was also eating melons, so he said: "When the melons are ripe, they will replace them", which means that when the melons are ripe next year, people will be sent to take turns."
"But a year later, Duke Xianggang of Qi forgot the agreement, and Guan Zhi's father had no choice but to send back a melon and said, 'The melon is ripe, should we send someone to replace us?' But Duke Xiang of Qi broke his promise and asked them to go again.
After a year of guarding, the second doctor became furious, incited the servants to resent each other, led his troops back to Linzi, and killed Duke Xiang..."
"Just because of this little thing?"
Li Cang was dumbfounded. He didn't know that in the Spring and Autumn Period, regicide was just for fun. Not only did some monarchs commit regicide on their own initiative, but there were also those who couldn't eat Lao Turtle Soup and committed regicide.
He thought it was a bit exaggerated, but Heifu understood what Lu Jia meant.
It sounds like a melon is causing trouble, but in fact, it involves the government's public trust.
Lu Jia said earnestly: "Your Majesty, we went south in the autumn two years ago. Now the melons have ripened twice in Changsha. However, tens of thousands of garrison soldiers are still not able to return. The period has changed, and it has become
It goes back and forth indefinitely.”
Heifu Moran, one year old for garrison in the border areas is a garrison soldier, and one year old for military service in Xianyang is a regular soldier. This is clearly stipulated in the law, and it has not been changed for a hundred years since Shang Yang.
But the imperial court was dishonest and broke its promises, not just once or twice.
As early as more than ten years ago, after he led his troops to seize Yuzhang, Qin Shihuang asked his visitors to declare an edict that 3,000 Nanjun soldiers should be stationed on the spot and not allowed to return home. At that time, Gong Ao, who had a bad temper, almost drew his sword and was hacked.
The husband suppressed him and reluctantly stayed. The expeditionary force was transformed into a guard base.
Although over the past ten years, as the life of Yuzhang County has improved and the generals have less complaints, their trust in the court is no longer as strong as in the past.
Similar things happened many times in the entire Jiangnan area, and even in the New Qin Dynasty in the north of the Great Wall. Although the imperial court also moved permanent residents there, the first batch of garrison soldiers were forcibly left behind.
As the territory becomes larger and larger, the economic cost of taking turns to defend is huge. It is still more cost-effective to station permanently. The border needs talents...
But the higher-ups have forgotten one thing. Those soldiers and civilians who come and go as soon as they are summoned are also human beings and have their own ideas. They want to settle down and relocate, but they have no intention of defending the borders of the motherland.
Once upon a time, Shang Yang moved to Mu Lixin and established the trust of the government of Qin. With the conferment of military honors for a hundred years, all the people of Qin believed that the Qin Dynasty would be rewarded for its merits and punished for its transgressions. But now, with the successive changes,
Over time, the trust of the garrison soldiers and servants in the imperial court was gradually shaken and eventually exhausted.
Historically, during the Great War in the Central Plains at the end of the Qin Dynasty, the powerful Southern Army was incited by Zhao Tuo and directly cut off contact with the mother country and refused to return, probably out of disappointment with the government.
But now, it is the generals on the front lines who are paying for the imperial court's broken promises and laws.
Zhao Tuo handled things well and there was not much trouble in the army, but Jia He did not realize this. The Qin soldiers were resentful because they had not returned home for a long time. This resentment gathered on Jia He. To put it bluntly, his
Death is just to support the court's breach of trust.
Lu Jia said: "Although the king has killed Jia and vented the grudges between the three armies now, if there is no change, it won't be long until next year when things are ready, the newly appointed General Xin, and even you, the Marquis of Changnan, will not be able to do anything."
He will be resented by the soldiers! At that time, the subordinates are afraid that there will be a company commander in the army who will take care of the father's affairs!"
"Bold! Who dares to do this?" Li Cang was angry and wanted to draw his sword.
Heifu stopped him and looked at Lu Jia:
"Are you here to intercede on behalf of your fellow villagers? Do you want me to let them go home?"
Lu Jia bowed down and said: "The officials are also thinking about the king. In the past, Zigong asked Confucius about government affairs. Confucius said: If you have enough food and soldiers, the people will trust you."
"Zigong asked again: If we have to leave as a last resort, what should we eliminate?"
"Confucius said: Go to the army."
"Zigong asked again: If it is absolutely necessary, what two things should be removed?"
"The Master said, "Go away and eat. Since ancient times, there has been death, but the people cannot stand without faith."
"If the people have no faith, they cannot stand. If the army has no faith, how can they stand? How can they fight? I hope you will think twice!"
Citing classics and making progress step by step, he is worthy of being a famous speaker in history.
Hei Fu put his hands behind his hands and praised: "Good eloquence, but whether the soldiers return or not is an order of the imperial court. Even though I am a general, I can't change it."
Qin Shihuang has issued a death order. If Baiyue is not defeated, the soldiers of the three armies will not be allowed to return home. Of course, Heifu guessed that even if Baiyue is defeated, these hundreds of thousands of people will most likely never be able to return to their hometown. Most of them are Qin Shihuang
The Chu soldiers and civilians who want to be eliminated are the "poison" of this country, and they will naturally be transported outside, causing harm to more people...
The court, the soldiers and the people all have their own reasons, and the one who is caught in the middle and has difficulty being a good person is the general.
Heifu lowered his head to look at the remaining melon rinds on the table, and said with a smile:
"This melon is really not delicious."
…
"Lu Sheng is back!"
"How is it? What did Marquis Changnan say?"
Half an hour later, Lu Jia returned to the camp, and the Huainan soldiers, who accounted for the largest number of people in the army, surrounded him and asked questions one after another.
They all knew that it was Lu Jia's visit to the general, his words about Jia He's harsh treatment of Chu soldiers and the concealment of battle losses, which led to that happy beheading.
Now, Lu Jia has become the representative of Chu soldiers and civilians, and has been tirelessly petitioning Heifu on their behalf, expressing the soldiers' homesickness.
Lu Jia was surrounded and could only ask Li Cang and the officials who came with him to maintain order and announce to them the general's words.
"The Marquis of Changnan said that he knew that soldiers suffered from homesickness, and he also missed home, but as a general, he did not refuse when ordered, and he returned after the enemy was defeated. This is the courtesy of a general."
"Now the Hundreds of Vietnam have not been pacified and the war has not ended, so the general cannot release you directly."
As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers suddenly started shouting:
"To put it bluntly, you still won't let us go!"
"He is no different from Na Jia He!"
There were constant complaints, and Lu Jia had no choice but to ask them to be silent before raising the volume.
"No nonsense! The Marquis of Changnan loves his soldiers as much as his sons. Due to the strict orders of the imperial court, he cannot let his soldiers return home. But he said that he will not let his soldiers cross the three passes and fight with the Yue people. After winter, new soldiers will come to replace you.
, let those who have served for two years leave here and go to the camps in Hengshan and Nanjun to rest and farm. Once the south is conquered, you can go home nearby!"
"Is there anyone here to take the rotation?"
"My home is right next to Hengshan County!"
"Finally we can get away from this hellish place!"
This was an unexpected joy. The previous disappointment turned into joy. The resentment of the soldiers was rooted in homesickness, but the hot summer and hard work in the south were also the reasons why they couldn't wait to leave immediately.
Although I am not allowed to return home now, at least I have the general's promise to go to Nanjun or Hengshan. It is one step closer to my hometown and the climate is comfortable. It is much better than suffering from illness and going deep into dangerous obstacles to fight to the death with the Vietnamese.
Already.
The soldiers were overjoyed and cheered. Finally, after many failed attempts, they were looking forward to a glimmer of hope.
The Marquis of Changnan suddenly became a good general respected by everyone. His reputation was rising without limit, and there was no room for bad words about him in the military camp. Although Heifu was very secretive, he did not say that he "cannot send troops to return home."
reasons, but afterward some people complained about the black husband.
"Don't be dissatisfied. If you think about it carefully, even if the Marquis of Changnan disbands the army on the spot and allows them to return home with letters in hand, they will not be recognized by the government, and they will not be able to see their wives, children, and parents when they return home.
He will be arrested and punished as a prisoner! Because the Xianyang court issued a document saying that he will not be able to return until the southern expedition is decided!"
It is said that this was said by Lu Jia.
The so-called letter is a document that certifies that everyone has completed their service and has been legally released. This document is made in two copies. One is sent to the place of residence, and the other is for the guards to keep. Don't lose it.
You claim to have returned from service? That doesn't count. You must have a certificate issued.
But what if the local government receives the imperial order and refuses to acknowledge it? Then even if the general shows mercy, it will be useless.
It makes sense when you think about it. These words spread from one person to another, so the Chu soldiers and civilians were only grateful to Hei Fu, but their resentment began to turn towards the dishonest court and government...
When playing Total War, you still know how to pull back the demoralized troops. Heifu's judgment is that these demoralized soldiers and civilians are no longer available. Some experienced generals are left behind, and the rest are replaced by Wuchang battalion training
new army!
And everyone was too happy too early. Before winter, these tens of thousands of people still have a lot of work to do: farming to collect grain, logging and building roads, and even digging nearby iron ore to forge weapons. Even if they return to Nanjun and Hengshan, they still have to farm.
Farm until their labor is drained dry!
Heifu’s heart is dark!
Lu Jia didn't escape either. He was assigned an errand by Hei Fu and couldn't refuse!
"Lu Sheng, aren't you very eloquent? I'll give you ten days to persuade the rebels at Yangshan Pass for me. After ten days, if the door is closed, the army will capture the city and massacre them!"