Qin Official

"Junior has met the king!"

After getting off the carriage and entering the mansion, Heifu saw Wang Ben's burly figure standing in the courtyard, dressed in mysterious clothes and wearing a Wu Bian crown, decorated with a mink tail.

Wang Ben was not Heifu's direct superior, nor was he the governor of Linzi County, but a "general" who guarded Qi and took charge of the military affairs of the four counties. His status was higher than that of Heifu. Of course, there was no need to greet him at the city gate and wait indoors. Just come. But considering this person's qualifications and title, Hei Fu couldn't neglect him and stepped forward to bow to him as a junior.

Although Wang Ben was nearly fifty years old and his hair on his temples was already stained with a layer of white hair, like frost and snow on the ground, Hei Fu still said against his will:

"I haven't seen you for many years, but you are still looking great!"

Wang Ben also stepped forward and raised his hand to Hei Fu. After Hei Fu raised his head, he looked at him and asked curiously: "Victor Wei has seen me?"

"Eight years ago, Hei Fu was the commander of the army in the Junhou Army. He participated in the siege of Daliang. He also transported grain and fodder from Waihuang County to the army. He witnessed the collapse of Liang City. It was really shocking. Later, he had the honor to watch the king of Wei. The fake meat is bound to itself, leading the sheep to hold the grass and surrendering it to the general. The general is brave and brave, how powerful he is!"

The battle to destroy Wei was Wang Ben's most proud battle in his life. He defeated a kingdom of ten thousand chariots without a single blow. In this way, Hei Fu not only fought under Wang Jian to attack Chu, but also served as his old corps. The relationship between the two is as follows. It's a lot closer.

"I never thought that you and my family have such a connection."

Wang Ben smiled and invited Hei Fu into the room to talk in detail: "It just snowed last night. Let's go in and talk."

It was snowing lightly outside. In order to rush for time, Heifu and the others basically traveled day and night after leaving Peixian County without stopping too much. The horse speed was very fast. Even in the closed carriage, it was freezing enough. Now that they entered the room, Suddenly a warmth came, and the source of the heat came from the earthen kang that allowed the two of them to sit opposite each other.

Heifu was delighted. Three years ago, he had someone in Beidi County invent a heated kang. At first, it was only used in his residence. Gradually, Ye Zijin treated it as a small favor and taught it to officials and officials in Beidi County. Two years ago, it was learned from Longxi and Beidi, which are also very cold. A year ago, living rooms with heated Kangs were all the rage in Xianyang. I never imagined that they would spread to Linzi so quickly.

Wang Ben invited Mr. Hei to sit on the Kang, and they sat across from each other: "I haven't been back to Guanzhong for several years, and it is really changing with each passing day. Almost every year, new things come to Linzi, first thin paper, and then high-saddle stirrups. , I heard that they are all made by Wei County Sheriff?"

Heifu said: "Heifu is just thinking wildly. The ones who actually made them were the ink writers and craftsmen, and the ones who proved that they are indeed useful are the swordsmen, pens, officers, generals and soldiers."

"Then what proves that this heated kang is useful is my injured old legs and feet?"

Wang Ben patted the kang under him and said: "My son asked Xianyang craftsmen to make this. He said he was afraid that my old injuries would relapse and I would be afraid of the cold."

He smiled and said: "Although this unscrupulous son was nicknamed the 'dishonored captain' and lost the Wang family's face in Saibei, he is also filial."

Meng Tian, ​​Li Xin, and Heifu were the biggest winners in the crusade against the Huns, while Feng Jie and Wang Li were the losers. Wang Li failed to support him in Henan due to wrongdoing and returned without success. He was demoted by Qin Shihuang, which was a big blow to him. Now he has not been appointed to a new position and is taking care of the old and frail Wang Jian at home. Field industry.

Heifu answered: "The young general is just a little unlucky. Your Majesty has something to do in the West, and there are plenty of opportunities to make meritorious deeds again."

"That's what I told him too."

Wang Ben said: "Men, don't get discouraged easily. General Li Xin suffered a great defeat, but he still knew his shame and gained courage and made great achievements, let alone him? When the governor of Wei County was a Langguan, he and Quanzi were colleagues, and there were more in daily life. Write a letter and persuade him for me."

"I'm not familiar with Wang Li..."

Hei Fu complained secretly in his heart, but how could he not hear Wang Ben's closeness and kindness to him on behalf of the Wang family's military sect? This little general Wang is as smooth as the old general Wang, but why didn't that little little Wang learn the way of doing things from his ancestors and father?

The Wang family, the most important contributor to Qin's destruction of the Six Kingdoms, was not living well now. Wang Jian became increasingly ill, Wang Ben was stranded in Qi, and Wang Li suffered another setback. For a time, there was no one in the court, although there were still some old troops in the army. Prestige, but compared to the rising star of Montessori, it is really declining day by day.

Thinking of this, Heifu had to admire Qin Shihuang's methods. His great achievements had always been a big problem after the founding and reunification of the country. If future generations were left alone, the founders of all generations would basically have to kill a wave of heroes before they could feel at ease. But Qin Shihuang only used some tricks, and the Wang family weakened like a falling star. Although it was slightly unfair to Wang Jian and Wang Ben, it was still countless times better than massacre.

In short, because the Wang family was in an unfavorable situation, Wang Ben behaved like a nephew when facing Hei Fu, who had some connection with the Wang family.

"The next step is to ask me what my impressions are of Qidi and Linzi, and then talk about the difficulties of administering Qidi and Jiaodong. Finally, I pat my chest and say, don't be afraid, little boy. I will protect you, general," Heifu said secretly.

Sure enough, after drinking the scalded warm yellow wine, Wang Ben asked a question.

"Weijun Shou, where can I see you when you enter Qi?"

Heifu smiled and said, "I entered Jibei from Xuejun, but I saw Mount Tai on the left and Kangfu on the right. The carriages could not fit on the square track, and the riders could not ride. A hundred people guarded the danger, but a thousand people did not dare to cross. It was really a dangerous and solid fortress. . When I was in Jibei, I was traveling along the Noon Road. Even though it was the coldest month of winter, with bursts of frost and snow, the road was still going east to west, and there was an endless stream of merchants. Coming east along the Jishui River, I saw beautiful mountains, forests, rivers and valleys, and a lot of natural resources. There are endless fireworks in Iron Mountain, and fish and shrimps from the seaside are sold to the inland. In short, if you talk about its shape, it is not as dangerous as Guanzhong; if you talk about its closed territory, it is not as wide as Jingchu. But its rich people are no less than two land."

Before Heifu took office, as usual, he obtained a lot of books about Qi from Zhang Cang, especially classics and documents about mountains and river geography. It turns out that when Qi was first sealed off eight hundred years ago, its population was very small. After all, this was a seaside brine land, and agriculture was not easy to develop. Thanks to Taigong Wang, who governed according to the customs, got along well with the Dongyi people, and encouraged them to learn the skills of weaving women, and to use fish and salt to benefit from their craftsmanship. So the barbarians from far and near came to submit to him, like strings of money, in an endless stream, and like the spokes of a cart, they gathered here.

So the Qi State began to wear clothes and clothes all over the world, and all the princes in Haidai relied on the Qi State and paid homage to him one after another.

Later, the state of Qi was in decline for a time, but Guan Zhong re-established the cause of Taigong Wang and established nine major and minor offices to manage wealth, goods and property. As a result, Qi Huangong was able to dominate, unite the nine princes, and rule the world. From that time on, the population of Qi State prospered, and its status as a great country was firmly established. By the time of the Tian Qi Wei and Xuan dynasties in the Warring States Period, Zhen Yu was at its peak. King Min of Qi was able to join King Zhao of Qin as emperors of the East and West, and almost divided the world. This was due to this strong national power.

In the past half century, Qin and the other five countries have gone to war every year, and the dog's brain is almost going to break out. Qi, however, pursued the principle of isolating the main force and staying behind closed doors. Fifty years of peace have made this place the most peaceful and prosperous area in the world. Qin destroyed Qi and reunified it peacefully, so the prosperity of Qi was completely preserved.

Heifu had observed the situation in Qi very well. Wang Ben nodded and said, "Yes, Qi has Mount Tai in the south, Langye in the east, Qinghe in the west, and Bohai in the north. This can also be said to be a country with four fortresses. If it weren't for the King of Qi who built it If the enemy surrenders without a fight, it will probably take a lot of effort to destroy Qi."

Heifu remembered that when he entered Xianyang more than four years ago, he happened to see the monarchs and ministers of Qi State being captured and brought to the court on Baqiao. It was very miserable, and a loyal minister who did not want to be humiliated was killed on the spot.

The surrendered King Jian of Qi also had a bad end. Qin Shihuang was not polite to the surrendered kings and ministers of the six countries. He placed King Jian of Qi in a remote common area, living among the remote pine and cypress trees. The local officials also despised him. The King of Qi did not provide food and eventually starved to death...

As for the final victory? Now that the whole world has returned to Qin, this guy is no longer useful. Li Si plundered all the gold, silver and silk bribed by Qin, demoted him to a commoner, and exiled him to Shu County, where he was never heard from again.

What Hei Fu was curious about was: "Do the people of Qi pity King Jian of Qi?"

"The Sheriff will know after listening to it."

As soon as Wang Ben clapped his hands, a music officer and a dancer came in from outside. The musician played the piano and the dancer sang loudly: "Song Ye Boye? Are you a guest of the Communist Party of China?"

The lyrics are simple and the tune is sad and helpless, but the meaning of the Qi people's resentment that King Jian of Qi did not join forces with the princes to attack Qin earlier and listened to the words of treacherous ministers and guests, leading to the destruction of the country, is very obvious.

After the music officer and dancer retreated, Wang Ben sighed:

"Although King Jian of Qi was mediocre, he died miserably. The people of Qi both hated and pitied him and still missed his homeland."

Hei Fu deeply believed that, he had always felt that something was wrong with what Qin Shihuang did. After destroying his country, there was no need to treat his emperor harshly. It was better to make him a peaceful and virtuous man, and to be put under house arrest like a pig, than to be tortured and starved to death.

Although the local people also hated the faint king, when the news came back, they would inevitably feel a sense of sadness and anger, and share the same hatred with the enemy. King Huai of Chu is the best example. It's a pity that others spoke softly at that time. At present, almost all the monarchs of the six countries are dead, but the resentment of the nobles and common people of the six countries has not disappeared, and the shame and sorrow of the country's subjugation still linger in their hearts. Naturally, they passively cooperate with Qin's rule.

At this time, Wang Ben asked again: "When the governor of Wei County entered Qi, he knew that the danger was about to be overcome. How could he see it when he entered Linzi?"

Heifu said: "Linzi is very rich and prosperous, and has a large population. My hometown, Nanjun, Jiangling City is known as the clothes in the morning are fresh and the clothes are covered in the evening. When I arrived in Linzi, I discovered that this place is far better than Jiangling and no less good than Xianyang. Although The weather was bad when we arrived. After entering the city, walking on the road, it was really like the wheels of cars hitting each other, people's shoulders rubbing against each other, the folds of clothes forming a curtain, and the lifting of arms and legs forming a curtain..."

It felt a bit like going to the ancient city attractions on the National Day in later generations. What scenery to see, just people to see, but Heifu had long been used to it, and he just pretended to be emotional in front of Wang Ben.

Wang Ben smiled and said, "It's just market day for County Sheriff Wei, but what you are passing through are only the peripheral streets that are not too crowded. If you leave the mansion and go north, you can reach the two most prosperous streets in Linzi, Zhuang and Yue. , every time the market opens, three hundred bells are beaten, and when the market is dismissed, three hundred bells are sounded, which is very spectacular. Even if it is not a market day, it is usually full in the morning and evening. The people here all play taro drums, pipes, and drums. Those who build, play the harp, fight cocks, run dogs, play six games, and play Cuju.”

Among these people, there were some who performed for free to entertain themselves, and there were also people who were similar to the buskers of later generations, who set up stalls to attract people to stop and watch and ask for a little reward.

The red lacquer feathers from Qin and Shu, the leather and bone elephants from Jianghan, Nanzi bamboo arrows from Wu and Yue, fish and salt fur from Yanzhao, and lacquered silk ruffles from Wei and Han all gathered and traded in the city of Linzi Zhuangyue, and people came and went. In the past, the sound was noisy and the dust was flying. Of course, all this is not free. It is said that within one month, the city of Zhuangyue can earn thousands of gold in rent, which is more than Xianyang and Handan...

"No wonder all the families I saw along the way were well-off, well-off, and high-spirited."

The people of Qi are wealthy, open-minded, and open-minded. This is the characteristic of the Qi people. They are usually citizens, businessmen, and fishermen who have been doing business for hundreds of years. They have less of a farming mentality and have rich imaginations. They do not like legal restrictions. They live in daily life. Life is rich and colorful, and they are simply the opposite of the Qin people who only know how to farm, fight, and behead people...

Just thinking about it makes you understand how difficult it would be for Qin to rule Qi.

So Heifu asked: "May I ask you, Lord, what is the population of Linzi?"

Wang Ben had guarded Linzi for five years, so he certainly knew: "There are 70,000 households in Linzi, with a population of no less than 400,000!"

Hei Fu clicked his tongue. After Qin Shihuang destroyed the Six Kingdoms, Xianyang moved so many people there and expanded a lot of land and houses. The city area is only over 500,000 people. Linzi is indeed the second largest city in the world.

He asked another key question: "Linzi has a population of 400,000, and how many officials from Guanzhong and Qin Dynasty came here from the west?"

"You're on to the right point..."

Wang Ben's eyes showed a trace of tiredness: "Although there are over 10,000 troops stationed in Linzi, most of them are garrisoned on a rotating basis every year, and most of them are recruited from counties in the Central Plains. Qin is too far away after all. As for those who come from Guanzhong, stay in their posts all year round, and have the title of official or higher. The officials of Qin who govern the people..."

He held out four fingers: "Only forty people!"