Three Kingdoms

The breeze blew slightly, blowing the gauze curtains on one side, and under the gauze curtains on both sides, there were some wooden shelves, similar to the ancient shelves of later generations, with some bronze utensils placed in the empty space.

In the hall.

Zhuge Liang lowered his head and pondered for a long time, and finally sighed slightly: "I know..."

Fei Qian looked at Zhuge Liang, but shook his head and said: "No, no, although it is said that Kong Ming is not clear yet..."

Zhuge Liang raised his head unconvinced, somewhat angry. These days, joking about someone's name always seems like an insult.

Fei Qian smiled and pointed to the ancient shelf beside him, "When Kong Ming entered the hall, did he take a second look at the things around here?" 』

Zhuge Liang was startled, and couldn't help but turn his head to look, only to see some bronze wares on both sides of the archaeological shelves. However, these bronze wares were different from the general copper wares used for viewing and playing, but were some measuring instruments.

Ruler, bucket, scale, weight, balance...

Fei Qian stood up, walked to one side, picked up a ruler from the shelf, and said: "During the pre-Qin Dynasty, in the tenth year of Duke Xiao, Wei'an was made by Daliang. It was used to measure buckets, weigh buckets, and measure feet... This is it. For Qin ruler..."

Fei Qian turned his head and motioned to Zhuge Liang to stand over.

Zhuge Liang hesitated for a moment, then stood up and walked to Fei Qian.

Fei Qian handed the Qin ruler to Zhuge Liang, then pointed to another ruler next door, "This is a Han ruler, Kong Ming can balance it by himself..."

Zhuge Liang subconsciously took the ruler, then looked aside, but was stunned. Because in another grid, there is not only one copper ruler, but three.

"From left to right, it's the beginning of Han Dynasty, Xin Mang, the current ruler..." Fei Qian pointed.

"This... this..." Zhuge Liang did not go up to measure it stupidly, but looked at it, and then his eyes began to really inspect these things. "Qin Dou... Han Dou... Quan Liang..."

"In the second year of Guanghe, Da Sinong issued the Wuyin edict. On the day of the autumnal equinox, he unified the measurement, balancing stones, lifting buckets, and Zhengquangui. He specially named the states in bronze and followed Huang Zhong's calendar and nine chapters of arithmetic. All the lengths, weights, and sizes are equal, and Qi Qizheng is used to make them the same all over the country..." Fei Qian said calmly, "However, the imperial court has orders, and there are still big fights in and small fights out in various places. Why? 』

Of course, there have been opposite stories in history of "a small fight comes in and a big fight comes out", that is the pioneering work of the Tian family of Qi State, but in fact, that was just a cover-up, not really "a small fight goes in and a big fight comes out".

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the public measurement system of the State of Qi was based on the four-base system, with four liters being one dou, four dou being one district, four districts being one cauldron, and ten cauldrons being one bell. However, the private volume of the Tian Chen family was in the five-cent system, with five liters being the system. For a fight...

It seems that there is an extra liter for nothing. People naturally like to go to Tian Chen to borrow money. It seems that the people have also benefited. But in fact, as the saying goes, there is no interest-free loan. Borrowing naturally requires repayment of principal and interest. Yan Zi is not a businessman, and what he is analyzing is Tian's method of buying people's hearts, so he naturally doesn't care about the details of interest.

At that time, there were three types of loan interest rates in Qi. One was "Zhong Ye Yi Zhong", which meant that the interest rate was 100%. If you borrowed one Zhong, you would have to pay back two Zhong. Then there was "Zhong Bo Wu Ye", or "Zhong Zhong". Five cauldrons", that is, the interest rate is 50%; the least is "Zhongbo 20", the interest rate is equivalent to 20%, so even if Tian Chen lends it with five liters of bucket, the amount is four liters of bucket Enter, it's just a revised version of "Hai San Dui Si".

And those people who think Tian Chen is kind are just monkeys who do somersaults to show that they have received benefits...

Not to mention filling the scales with mercury and adding iron blocks to the copper weights. It’s just a novelty.

And is it a good thing to be clever in measurement?

If you can't even trust the most basic standards, then what can you trust?

In this world, humans are the race that likes civil war the most, and the internal fighting in China is even more exciting.

In the world where humans live, a very practical problem that we often encounter is where we come from and where we are going. In the eyes of later generations, this is more of a philosophical issue, but in the long history of mankind I don't know where I am, I don't know where I came from, I don't know where I'm going, but it's a real problem in life.

After ancient humans spread from East Africa, they mostly chased prey without a clear purpose, so the troubles in this area were not very obvious. However, after the agricultural society and settled life took shape, they found their own position and determined their position. Direction is already a very important issue.

To find a position, to tell future generations how to go and where to go, is it okay without standards?

If you want to find something, you first have to ask the little Fanggu Liang in the village. Then Xiao Fangguliang tells him to walk along the river and find the fisherman by the river. After finding the fisherman, the fisherman then tells him to look for the big locust tree in the east of the village. The old lady under the big locust tree reached out and pointed, and walked ten steps towards here. The thing was underneath...

If there is an error in any part of it, the thing will be gone forever.

As for China, many, many things have disappeared.

Maybe it’s because of the war, maybe it’s because of inheritance, but because of the inconsistency in measurement, the things that could be made and the technology that were created in the first place are just a pile of mud when later generations go hunting for treasures, and they just jump around and scold their ancestors for lying. It’s all rubbish, but I didn’t expect that the measurement units used by later generations are different from the previous ones. How can I find the essence of it?

So, I had to start the research again, walk the rugged road again, and go around in a big circle, and then I discovered that it was actually next to the dug hole...

"Things of measurement exist in ancient and modern times. ” Fei Qian continued, “Each generation is different. A foot is the distance between a man's fingers, and a foot is the distance between a woman's fingers... However, men and women of different generations have different heights, and there are many differences within a short distance..."

The original ruler refers to the distance between a man's extended thumb and middle finger, which is about 20 centimeters. The one that is closer to the ruler is the ruler. Ji is the distance from the thumb to the middle finger when a woman's hand is extended, so it is slightly shorter than a ruler, so later it was used together with Ji Chi to express a short distance, such as "close at hand"...

Therefore, the measurement of ancient rulers is reasonable.

In times of peace, when people have more nutrition and grow taller, the ruler will be longer; if there is war and instability, people eat less and become short, then the ruler will be shorter.

However, there is another very interesting thing. Fei Qian took out another ruler from the shelf and handed it to Zhuge Liang, "This is Yingchuan's private ruler..." The private ruler is obviously longer than the meter ruler. Although it's not much, it's obvious in comparison.

If in the later generations, this extra piece will be called a good life, uh, fire consumption...

Silk is also a kind of money, and most of the time people only borrow food, not cloth.

"So, do you understand?" Under his command, all the agricultural and engineering bachelors use this measure, and their entry and exit are the same, and the size is the same..." Fei Qian looked at Zhuge Liang, pointed at these things around him, and said, "These are the differences between him and his people from Shandong... ...It is also different from Jingzhou... Kong Ming, if someone sends troops to aid Jingzhou today, or exchanges the flag, will he become more generous? 』

Zhuge Liang held the copper ruler and felt it was heavy in his hands, and then his heart seemed to be equally heavy.

"There is no shortage of close proximity in the world, but there is only a shortage of measurement..." Fei Qian said with a smile, "However, the difficulty of measurement lies in the human heart." People's hearts have their own strengths and weaknesses, which need to be weighed. If the world can be unified, the natural world will be unified. 』

"If you have a measure in your heart, you will know where you came from and where you want to go...I was very happy to see Kong Ming today, so I gave this ruler to you. I hope you can measure the square inch of your heart, the rivers flowing thousands of feet, and the mountains ten thousand feet high..."

……(⊙??⊙)……

The river flows and the sun shines high.

The breeze is caressing the grass and trees in the wilderness, the cars and horses are bumping on the road, and the people are passing by like a shuttle.

When the New Year comes, Chang'an City seems to be more prosperous after suffering from the cold winter. Business travelers and pedestrians from other places fill the streets and alleys more lively than in previous years. People inside and outside the city come from different directions and with different purposes. Constantly gathering and coming and going.

The restaurant on the side of the street was full of people. On the stage in the middle of the restaurant, Hu Nu was playing the drums and spinning amidst the cheers. The colorful silk ribbons fluttered, reflecting her white belly and the skirt. The faintly visible thighs under the sway.

There were also some Qiang and Hu people coming and going, either wearing felt hats or showing pigtails, looking at them with a little fear. On the contrary, the Han people coming and going seemed to be indifferent to all this. They reacted calmly and did their things in an orderly manner, as if these Qiang Hu were the same as ordinary Han people.

In previous battles in the Western Regions, the Kushan people were either killed or defeated, and some fled. Therefore, there were a large number of vacancies in the Western Regions. Most of the power vacancies were replaced by Lu Bu, Li Ru and others, but There are still some vacancies for goods and trade left.

As a result, people from various countries in the Western Regions who were closer braved the wind and snow and came to Chang'an.

Behind, there were more people on their way to Chang'an.

Perhaps most areas in the Western Regions are not suitable for farming, so most people in the Western Regions are used to migration and the wind, frost, rain and snow on the road, so they are not afraid of the difficulties encountered on the road. Even death.

After arriving in Chang'an, these people from the Western Regions, who had been away from the Han Dynasty for decades or hundreds of years, were immediately immersed in the vastness and beauty of the Han Dynasty, and their minds were dazzled.

Passing by these people who were somewhat confused and fearful of the Qianghu was a crisp and delicious little white radish head, but now, the white radish was a little wilted.

Zhuge Liang took a look at these Qiang Hus who were completely different from the clothes of the Han people. They were somewhat out of place, but they seemed to be trying to blend in with the Han people with some awe and caution. Then his eyes stopped at the man in his hand. On a Chinese ruler, he was silent.

In a daze, Zhuge Liang arrived at Pang Tong's home.

Pang Tong was sitting in the hall drinking tea.

Influenced by Fei Qian, Pang Tong has basically given up the habit of drinking those rich and colorful tea soups, but he still has some of his own style, such as eating tea leaves from the bowl. Therefore, when Zhuge Liang arrived, Pang Tong was stretching his fat I'm picking up tea leaves with my paws and chewing them...

In fact, in the general's mansion, the tea leaves that Fei Qian discarded after brewing would be divided by the servants. Some servants were not even willing to eat them on the spot, and wanted to dry them before taking them back to share with their families.

When he met Zhuge Liang, Pang Tongyi immediately saw the copper ruler in Zhuge Liang's hand. He laughed, put down the tea bowl and said, "I told you before that you were wrong, but you still don't believe it..."

Zhuge Liang didn't say anything. He sat down next to Pang Yi, then put the copper ruler in front of him and was silent for a while.

"If it is crooked, it will be perfect; if it is wrong, it will be right; if it is hollow, it will be full; if it is weak, it will be new; if it is less, it will be gained; if it is too much, it will be confused." Therefore, the sage sticks to one thing and serves as the shepherd of the world. If you are not self-righteous, you will be outstanding; if you are not self-seeing, you will be enlightened; if you are not self-defeating, you will have merit; if you are not cautious, you will be able to grow. My husband doesn't fight, so I can't fight with him. What is the ancient saying that the music is complete? Pang Tong shook his head and muttered, then looked sideways at the white radish, and there was a humming sound in his nose.

"Is this... ruler... the "one"..." Zhuge Liang looked at the copper ruler and murmured.

"This is "one", this is "mu"! Pang Tong laughed and waved his fat paw, "What is animal husbandry?" Haha, but you said it was Pingcao! During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the ancient sages said it many times, and how clearly they said it, "Stick to the One". What "One" should you stick to? "Use the world to shepherd", this is "shepherd"! It's "mu"! Let me ask you, how should you write "Mu"? ! 』

Zhuge Liang suddenly looked up at Pang Tong.

"Think about Xiaozhuan!" Inscription! "Mu"! Pang Tong laughed so hard that he said, "You have been deceived by Jin Wen Jing!" Hahaha, hahahaha... This is not a "literary". Do you rely on "literary" to pastor, hahaha... Do you know why it was changed to this way? Fortunately, the changes have not been completely completed, leaving some tail... Hahaha, think about it, think about it carefully..."

Zhuge Liang's hands shook slightly and his eyes widened.

"Why do you think Hussar advocated "seeking truth and seeking truth" during his lecture at Qinglong Temple? Pang Tong looked at Zhuge Liang and continued, "It is to put an end to falsehood and get straight to the original intention!" How many years, how many years, if there is no hussar, how many years will it be in vain? How many more times will you keep pretending? How many people are like you who have been deceived by modern scriptures and have completely forgotten the true meaning of ancient times? ! 』

"The people of Shandong regard the people as farmers, and they cut crops for one season, and then again next year..." Pang Tong sat back again and said grumblingly, "But are the people really just farmers and leeks without saying a word?" It also hurts, screams, runs, and bites when it gets anxious! 』

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but sit up, and then looked at Pang Tong, thoughts tumbling and colliding in his mind.

"Why did you change it like this?" It's easy, you're lazy! If you are happy, just water the weeds. If you are unhappy, just let them wait until it rains. What about the cattle and sheep? Doesn’t that herdsman have to stock up on grass from the beginning of summer, and also has to watch this and that, for fear of freezing to death and getting sick? We need to find pasture and water sources for the cattle and sheep... Where is Zhuang He? Live and die wherever you plant, and don't move for the rest of your life! Pang Tong sneered and said, "The changes have been made for a long time and they have been repeated so many times that even they themselves believe it. So as long as their land is not touched, they think they can have crops year after year!" So they don't care what's on their heads, or whether Zhuang He is good or not, they just want the land! Burning Zhuang He is no big deal, as long as the ground is still there, it can be tolerated! 』

"But if you look at the shepherds, they usually eat cattle and sheep, but if you touch their cattle and sheep at will, try killing all their cattle and sheep?" They will fight hard! Pang Tong sneered, "But when have you ever seen someone fighting for Zhuang He?" They will cry, shout, and curse, but they will never pick up swords and guns and fight to the death! Because they feel that it is just a year's harvest missing, the earth! Still there! 』

"This is "One"! This is "mu"! Pang Tong suddenly stood up, then turned around and went into the back hall. After a moment, he came out again, holding a copper seal in his hand, "And this is "Zhi"!" Today I ask again, Zhuge Kongming, is he willing to "persist"? Do you dare? ! Do you dare to return to the ancient holy way and stick to it and shepherd it? ! 』

""Zhiyi"..." Zhuge Liang looked at the bronze seal and felt a little dazed for a moment.

"Why don't you dare?" ! Zhuge finally stood up and straightened his clothes. Perhaps he was inspired by Pang Tong, or perhaps he had such an idea in the first place, so he stepped forward to take the bronze seal...

In ancient times, many words originally had symbolic meanings. Zhi, in the oracle bone inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty, the left side of the font is a torture instrument, ??, and the right side is a kneeling person facing left, 丮, which means that the person's hands are fixed by the torture instrument, or the head and neck are bound together with the torture instrument.

Therefore, this "persistence" not only means that one is put in chains and loses freedom, but also means that one has the right to punish, which can be used to regulate others...

But later, it was changed to "seal"!

The word "print" in oracle bone inscriptions consists of two parts. The upper part is the image of a human hand with open fingers, and the lower part is the image of a half-kneeling person. The two parts taken together represent one person pressing another person with his hand. The original meaning of the word "print" is to press, to make someone submit.

Zhuge Liang is a talented person and very smart, but now he can no longer be appointed by Fei Qian himself, because who doesn't think he is a talented person? There is no problem with Pang Tong's appointment, because Pang Tong himself also has the responsibilities of Shangshu Ling. This is Pang Tong's own job...

"Wuguan Cheng?" ” Zhuge Liang took the copper seal into his hand and looked at its inscription.

"You don't know anything about military affairs. Why, do you still want to be a general?" Pang Tong complained, "If Jingzhou is in chaos, Wuguan will be the front line. We will know if we do well or not... When we get to Wuguan, we will go find Liao Yuanjian... Now, eat, haha, I'll treat you to a meal." ……a ha ha ha……"

Pang Tong smiled happily.

Zhuge Liang glanced at Pang Tongyi and said, "I can't believe I'll be the one to invite you in two years..."

Pang Tong categorically rejected: "This is absolutely impossible!" 』

"Is it? When I was under Lushan Mountain, I never thought you would be so fat..."

"This is not called fat!" This is called robustness! 』

"Hmph, I believe it..."