Three Kingdoms

In war, consumption is always the first priority. Whether it is tents for ordinary soldiers, special-sized wood, wooden iron tools, or even torches and kerosene for night lighting, generally speaking, they need to be prepared in the rear and then transported. Go to the front lines.

Especially people like Jiangdong, who carried out destructive plunder in the Jiangling area, which caused great damage to the production in the Jiangling area, so much so that even daily supplies had problems, let alone replenishing military consumption. , and it is impossible for the large number of soldiers in Jiangling not to eat or drink, and there is no dry food reserve for the soldiers like the general Fei Qian of the Hussars. To some extent, the dry food reserves of Jiangdong soldiers are not even available to Cao Cao's men. If it can't be compared, it will rely even more on logistics and transportation.

Perhaps it was the difference between the north and the south. Even in later generations, the vegetable markets in the south and the bazaars in the north were still like two worlds in terms of vendor sales and purchasing habits. Or maybe it's because the weather in the Jiangdong area is hot, and even dry food is easy to spoil, so it's better to make a little at a time to avoid unnecessary waste.

And now this habit has led to Jiangdong having to load all kinds of supplies, whether they are what ordinary people can think of or unexpected, onto cars and ships, and transport them to Jiangling to provide for the needs of subsequent operations.

That's right, when Sun Quan discovered that Cao Cao and the Hussars had not truly united, he was not only furious, but also kicked Zhou Yu away, preparing to fight on his own...

Zhou Yu advised him to give up as soon as he could, but of course he didn't listen. He even drove him back to Jiangdong to self-province on the grounds that Zhou Yu made a command mistake on the spot. Lu Su almost fell out, and Sun Quan even felt that everyone in the world was fighting against him. When he was against him, he was thinking of all kinds of ways to deceive him. He directly drew his sword and chopped the desk, and said harsh words. Anyone who opposed his campaign would end up like the desk!

So what else can be said?

Sun Quan was so proud that he prepared to fight against Jingbei. However, in order to fight, the logistics supplies must be in place first. We couldn't just let the Jiangdong soldiers starve to fight in the north? Sun Quan naturally understood this truth, so he kept urging the rear to mobilize various materials to the front...

Wujun.

The city magistrate Mabo and his soldiers staggered around the corner, causing a commotion immediately. People buying items in the market just lowered their heads and left. Even some people who were bargaining with vendors quickly dropped their items and left without saying a word.

Ma Zai was obviously very satisfied with having such a great influence. He raised his head, looked ahead with both nostrils, and walked slowly with a swaying motion. This was his most glorious moment. It seemed that he had regained all his groveling in front of the county magistrate, and he was walking on the market street in a happy mood.

A vendor on the side offered some fresh fruits to quench his thirst, but Ma Chou slapped him to the ground, "What do you mean?" Want to bribe someone? ! 』

The vendor shivered with fright, then immediately knelt down and kowtowed. Then he was kicked away by the horse, "Get out!" 』

After getting the news, the mayor came over in a hurry. As soon as he saw him, he bowed his head to the ground and said, "I've seen the commander!" I didn’t know that when the commander arrived, he would be far away to greet him..."

"It's easy to talk, it's easy to talk..." Seeing the people in the system, Ma Bao put a smile on his face, "The market is really lively today..."

"Yes, yes, today happens to be the tenth day, so there is a big market..." The market scumbag stepped forward and followed Ma'an respectfully, bending forward step by step, "I don't know if the commander is here..." 』

The mayor coughed twice and said seriously: "Is this...cough cough, I see that there are many people gathered in the market today. I think they are all good citizens who are worried about the country and are willing to share their worries with the Lord!" 』

The city stalwart rolled his eyes and responded decisively, "That's definitely the case!" 』

The mayor nodded slowly, looking very pleased, then smiled, showing some yellow and white teeth, "That's great!" I feel so relieved! There is an order now! Now the lord is fighting in Jingzhou and is in urgent need of supplies. Today's gathering is to mobilize half of each party to honor the lord and support Jiangling! 』

As soon as the words fell, the surrounding vendors who were listening with their ears pricked up immediately began to wail...

"Very good, very good..." The city magistrate Ma Hao still smiled and nodded slowly in all directions, "After hearing this order, everyone was excited and donated enthusiastically. It is really a model for Jiangdong..."

Before the mayor finished speaking, a vendor fell at his feet and begged with runny nose and tears: "Shangguan, have mercy on me!" We just paid the levy last month, and now it’s not even ten months yet, and we are levied again... I am really overwhelmed... I beg you, Lord, to have mercy on you..."

The mayor smiled and helped the vendor up, and then said with a fierce look: "This is your order!" Do you want, resist, or order? 』

The vendor trembled and said, "I don't dare, I don't dare... I just can't, can I reduce it a little bit..."

The city's mayor laughed secretly in his heart, "Reduction or exemption?" Wouldn't it mean that if the tax is reduced or exempted, someone would have nothing to earn? Of the 50% of the levy, 10% will be sent to Jiangling, and the other 40% will be divided among the various levels. In addition to the filial piety given to the county magistrate and his gang, including Mabo himself, there are also the city chief and city officials.掾, city miser, city official, city assistant, city ping, guard, column leader, corps leader, guard, etc., which one is not allowed to have a better life? If this is reduced or exempted, wouldn’t we still have to pay it forward?

The merchant especially begged and begged, and the market leader Ma Hou felt a little impatient, so he smiled and pushed the merchant towards the market man. The market stalwart understood immediately, stepped forward and slapped the vendor so hard that he almost fell to the ground, "You bastard!" How dare you openly disobey orders! I want to die! 』

"Er..." As his voice rose, the city magistrate stretched out his hand slowly, "Why bother to use violence... I must be a good citizen, and they must be willing to support the lord... If there are enemy spies who intend to sabotage it... …It’s not too late to take action again…”

The city's stingy husband immediately raised his hands and bowed, "It's true what the commander said!" A little thought! 』

As the two of them were chatting, a vendor at the street corner secretly rolled up his goods and tried to escape into an alley unprepared...

The city stalwart turned his head and saw it. He immediately pointed his hand and said, "This is an enemy spy!" When his whereabouts are exposed, he wants to escape! Why don’t you win it with a certain speed! 』

Immediately, a market soldier rushed forward with a long sword like a wolf and a tiger, swiped his legs to make him fall to the ground, and then dragged him back with his head forked.

The escaping merchant opened his mouth as if to tell the difference, or to plead, but the merchant stepped forward and kicked him hard in the mouth. Blood spurted out from his mouth and nose, and several of his big teeth flew out. I couldn't speak clearly, I could only whine.

"Since he is an enemy spy, there is no need to send him to the court..." The city magistrate Mabo still said slowly, "Just behead him." 』

The mayor licked his lips, feeling inexplicably excited, and then motioned to the city guards to press the screaming vendor to the ground. He spat on his hands, rubbed them from side to side, and pulled out with a smile. The waist knife came, and after a few gestures, it was slashed with a sharp knife!

The vendor's frightened and painful expression was forever frozen on his face. His head beat a few times, and then he crashed into another vendor's shop. He was so frightened that the vendor kicked his head out again, and was in chaos at the entrance of the market street. roll……

The city magistrate looked around and saw that the effect of killing chickens to scare monkeys was good. Everyone was trembling and did not dare to say anything anymore, so they nodded, and a few tiny bytes popped out from the corners of their mouths. Sui Feng Dispersing is probably related to "fortunate drinking" and "troublesome people" in general.

The businessman wiped the blood from the knife edge on the headless vendor's body, then carefully looked at the knife to see if there were any gaps, and finally put the knife back into its sheath with some satisfaction.

"The sword is good... the swordsmanship is also good..." The mayor smiled and patted the mayor's shoulder, "I'll leave this place to you, I have to go to the next place... I'm doing it well, if there is any Given the opportunity, I will definitely recommend something to you..."

"Thank you, Commander!" The commander is someone's reborn parent, and even if he sacrifices his life to pieces, it's hard to repay him! ” The city stalwart was so excited that he was trembling all over. Even though there were stains and blood on the ground, he just lay on the ground and banged his head, “Please don’t worry, sir! 』

The mayor was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "It doesn't have to be like this, it doesn't have to be like this..." Then he looked the mayor up and down again, "If I remember correctly, do you call me Ma Erlang?" Is there a correct name? 』

Ma Erlang, the city's mischievous man, raised his head again, "I only have a nickname... I have overstepped my bounds, and I beg you to give me a correct name..."

"Oh..." Mabo waved his hand, with a serious face, "How can this naming matter be so casual?" Um? 』

Ma Erlang rolled his eyes and said, "Ah, ah, I understand, I understand! I understand!" Go and get ready now..."

"Well..." Ma Ma immediately smiled, "Don't worry... My lord, the great cause is the most important thing, and the great cause is the most important thing..."

"Yes, my lord, the great cause is the most important, the great cause is the most important..."

……(/□＼*)……

It was August 11th, the fourth year of Taixing in the Han Dynasty.

At this time, the Battle of Wancheng began, and Cao Cao tried his best to mobilize troops and horses to besiege Xu Huang. When Xu Huang wanted to assassinate Cao Cao in the battle, he was intercepted by Dian Wei and failed.

But at Wuguan Pass, the key pass in Guanzhong, people were busy and a little nervous, but they did not take the battle in Jingzhou too seriously. Here, the more important thing was not to prepare for the battle, but to distribute the refugees.

The soldiers who came from Guanzhong had already set up a large number of diversion camps close to Wuguan. After being washed and disinfected, the refugees from Jingzhou were all disrupted and arranged in temporary camps, waiting for distribution. The members of the Hussars, who have sufficient experience in resettling refugees, feel quite comfortable with this kind of thing. It is complicated but not confusing.

The first people to leave the refugee camp were those with skills, such as those who could read, do arithmetic, or be good at handicrafts. Even those who knew how to weave baskets and make straw sandals were selected first and then quickly put into work. Among all kinds of work, as for those who can do nothing but work hard in farming, they can only wait for the subsequent deployment and arrangements...

Fei Qian and Pang Tong were climbing the mountain.

General Fei Qian once again took Pang Tong to climb a mountain, this time climbing Shaoxi Mountain near Wuguan. The peak of the mountain is dangerous, and Feiqian has not completely climbed to the highest peak. Going higher may require professional mountaineering equipment.

This time I am planning to leave Wuguan and go south to resolve the dispute in Jingzhou...

"Lord..." Pang Tong was panting, but it was obviously better than the last few times, "This... this baggage is all ready... Huh..."

"Well, I'm not worried about the baggage. After all, I don't plan to fight for a long time..." Fei Qian smiled and reached out to help Pang Tong. "Compared with the baggage, I am more worried about other things..."

Pang Tong turned to look at Fei Qian and raised his eyebrows, "What's the matter?" 』

"Corruption. Fei Qian said.

"Corruption?" Pang Tong frowned.

Fei Qian nodded slightly, "Nowadays in Chang'an, there are many noisy people who claim that Shandong can be conquered in one fell swoop. Do scholars know whether they are public or private?" 』

Pang Tong gasped a few times and sneered twice, "It's all for personal gain!" 』

Most keyboard warriors always say justice and fairness, but in fact most of them just want to satisfy their own desires and seek a vent channel to enjoy themselves. As for whether it will cause subsequent problems, these keyboard warriors never Think about it, and don't want to take responsibility for it.

Just like in Chang'an right now, there are a lot of people clamoring to do it all at once, to do it once and for all, etc. But the problem is, when the army is mobilized and all the people are concentrated, where does the money and food come from? These people can spit it out Come out?

The soldiers' high-calorie dry food and fat substitutes did solve part of the problem, but what about the war horses? The fodder for the war horses has been accumulated during this period. If the whole army is really gathering, where will the fodder that must be consumed come from?

Is it necessary to recruit? Recruited from where? Will it be taken out of the pockets of these trolls?

And what about the expenditures to appease the refugees? What about the amount of rations that must be sustained for a period of time?

Is it possible to do some tricks like moving from left pocket to right pocket without putting it in the mouth?

Send you a cash red envelope!

But these noblemen didn't care at all. They just sprayed it and it felt good.

Well, it can't be said that these guys are all pig-headed. In some aspects, these guys are smarter than anyone else. If Fei Qian and Cao Cao went to full-scale war, the person who would benefit the most would not be Fei Qian, but these guys who look human but do nothing.

If Fei Qian wins, he must use Shanxi to restrict Shandong. Then these people can instantly create a lot of carrot pits. If Fei Qian loses, it doesn't matter, because in this process, these people have already made a lot of money. , my mouth is full of oil after eating...

So the question is whether to fight or not? These guys must be clamoring for a fight, frothing at the mouth, saying that if they don't fight, they are not heroes. Qingqi Feiqian has so many advantages, even Cao Cao can win! Anyway, it’s not them who go into battle, and it’s not them who die. The notoriety is still Fei Qianback’s, and these guys get the benefits. It’s so satisfying, who wouldn’t want to?

For most of the time, the Chinese army was very particular about logistical supplies. Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, there were some reasons for being suppressed and beaten by the nomads in the north. When the Han Dynasty had sufficient reserves of food and other materials, it defeated the nomadic barbarians. If you have no temper, especially in autumn and winter, you will weaken every time you attack the barbarians. In the end, the Huns had to flee west to harm Europe.

Among these logistics transfers, the most critical thing is not transportation. In other words, transportation is not the biggest pain point. The most important thing is corruption.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty fought against the Xiongnu, and recently Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty also fought against the Xiqiang for decades, but the results were completely different. Could it be said that Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty spent much less money and materials than Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty? Is that why I can’t win? Or would the transportation during Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty be better than that under Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty? Obviously not, but in the process, too many people gobbled it up, so that a lot of supplies were transported to the front line, and often not even a cent was left!

The fabric of the tent can be sold for money, and the repaired wood and iron nails can also be sold for money, not to mention the cost of food and grass that can be better resold. Soon, various terms and vocabulary are constantly being renovated...

So much so that in the later dynasties, various new words were created unprecedentedly, such as "fire loss", "kick fight", "drift", etc. The court even acquiesced to the loss involved, and even began to issue When loading luggage, this part of the "consumption" is calculated in advance...

In the feudal dynasties of ancient China, when "power" and "profit" were compared with each other, "right" obviously had more weight. With "right", there is naturally "profit", and the focus is on "right" Above all, "power" is fundamental. This is different from capitalist society. In capitalist countries, the bourgeoisie often first has a lot of "money", and then covets more "rights" to protect its "interests", or The core of gaining more "profit", whether it is becoming a local official, colluding with local politicians, or even gaining positions in the Senate and House of Representatives representing the people, is actually more about "profit".

In the feudal dynasty, corruption was a phenomenon that was difficult to eradicate because it was too closely linked to "power". Officials use the power in their hands and the convenience of their positions to extort property from others and accept bribes. They embezzle state property and use it for personal gain to satisfy their own desires that can never be satisfied.

Although in many feudal dynasties, the crime of corruption was specifically formulated, and there were even punishments such as those in the Ming Dynasty, which were not harsh, but in fact corruption still ran through the entire feudal dynasty. , covering all scopes, from the Western Zhou Dynasty, the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period to the Qin, Han, Wei and Jin Dynasties, from the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties to the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, history books have recorded a large number of facts about corruption and bribery by officials at all levels.

Moreover, the further the feudal dynasty developed, the more corruption and the degree of corruption became more visible. Bao Zheng of the Song Dynasty once said that six to seven out of ten officials in the Song Dynasty were corrupt. By the Braid Dynasty, basically all officials in the Song Dynasty were corrupt. Officials are corrupt, and a very few upright officials are rare.

"There is a country in the poem that criticizes its ruler for excessive restraint, cannibalizing the people, not repairing his government, being greedy and fearful of others, like a rat." Therefore, corrupt officials have existed since ancient times, but there are only five ways to make money..." Among the thin mountains and mist, Fei Qian looked at the sky and said slowly, "The Rites says, use people's benevolence and get rid of them. greedy. Now that Shi Yuan is appointed as Secretary-General, he should know that corruption is extremely difficult to eradicate, just like weeds, it must be eradicated at all times..."

"Using power to seize power and using laws to extort money are mostly done by local officials, either because of the remote location or through supervision, colluding with the gentry, and plundering people's wealth..." Fei Qian said slowly, "These are the cannibals. Although the benefit is small, it will accumulate over time and scrape the ground three feet away..."

"Second, taking advantage of taxation to engage in corruption. It may be important for existing matters, or it may be assigned for public affairs, or it may be assigned for small matters, or it may be assigned temporarily for a long time. The crime belongs to the government, and the profit belongs to the private person... These people all live for a fixed meal, covering up and down, stretching for thousands of miles..."

"Thirdly, construction of water conservancy projects, military expenditures, and building bridges and paving roads are all major expenditures. Initiatives that were originally intended to benefit the country and the people were only enriched by predators... Billions of dollars were allocated to deal with the problem of the Western Qiang. What is the actual geometry of Longyou? Large or small places, relatives and friends entertain, all go to the public house. Now that there are many soldiers under his command, weapons, armor, equipment, food and grass equipment are becoming more and more wasteful, haha, if no one is taking advantage of it, haha..."

"Fourth is the rat infestation in barns..."

"The Five Great Examinations: Respect Filial Piety..."

"For these five things, officials often indulge their sons and nephews, use their names to take advantage of them, but they themselves are able to gain a clear reputation... When a scholar is in power, he should not forget this..."

Pang Yi responded immediately.

"Now it's been the second time to fight in Xijing, and now it's the third time..." Fei Qian looked into the distance, "There are only three things that can be done... The first two times can be said that someone has not spoken before, and they are punished without teaching. Now Now..."

These corrupt officials were so corrupt and incompetent when foreign enemies invaded and civil strife broke out, but they were extremely efficient and extraordinary in intelligence when engaging in corruption and bribery, to the point of perfection, which is really amazing.

For these guys, any emperor with some sense in the feudal dynasty would severely suppress these officials. During the Warring States Period, the "Book of Laws" had regulations to punish corruption, and the "Han Code" of the later Han Dynasty and even later The Tang Code, the Ming Code, and the Qing Code of the Qing Dynasty all listed in detail the severe punishment for corruption and bribery. Not only are there strict legal provisions, but sometimes they are difficult to implement. Show no mercy.

But the problem is, even though there is an explicit order, it is still prohibited over and over again...

Although it is not easy to fight corruption in the feudal dynasty, Fei Qian wants to give it a try.

Who said that the heroes of the Three Kingdoms shining in the starry sky can only be used on the battlefield? Can it only be used to kill Chinese people? Now that the Han Dynasty has not been completely bound by the so-called righteousness of the monarch and his ministers, and has not fallen into the trap of Confucianism, is it possible to set some examples and change some of the criticisms of the feudal dynasty?

Greed is human nature. Objectively speaking, everyone, including any official, has the psychological desire to live a good life, improve the quality of life, and be superior to others. Therefore, the so-called "high" of high salary and integrity is a joke in the face of never-ending "desire".

"When someone leaves Chang'an, these arrogant people will be more relaxed..." Fei Qian looked at Pang Tong and said, "Shi Yuan, if you plan this year, you should keep it first, and don't make any moves... on all matters, Just wait until so-and-so comes back..."

Pang Tong's smiling face also revealed some murderous intent, "Lord, don't worry!" 』

Fei Qian nodded. On the battlefield, it is a good strategy to attack in the east and attack in the west. The same is true outside the battlefield. Everyone thinks that Fei Qian's target in this war is just Jingzhou, but is it actually...

At this age, whether it is Fei Qian, Pang Tong, or the generals who now control one side, they are still young and have small families, so it is relatively easier to govern. After waiting ten or twenty years to catch him again, even if Fei Qian had this intention, should he punish or not punish his comrades who have worked hard for many years but committed corruption?

In the Chinese feudal dynasty, there is a common saying that "all the land in the world is the king's land; on the shore of the land, are the king's ministers". On the surface, it is called the family world. The monarch is the monarch of all ministers, and all ministers must serve unconditionally. Sovereign Service. actually not. The relationship between the monarch and his ministers is actually a profit-trading relationship. The monarch pays his salary to buy the intelligence of his ministers to serve himself. The ministers earn their salary and power by selling their own intelligence to maintain the monarch's rule.

That is to say, the truth told by Han Feizi, "The master sells his official title, and the minister sells his intelligence" has basically nothing to do with the so-called "loyalty, justice, benevolence and filial piety".

Therefore, among the various levels of officials in feudal society, the political rights of each official were relatively temporary and unstable, and could be lost at any time. In the framework of feudal class rule, power occupies an absolutely dominant position. This kind of power has the conditions and ability to amass a large amount of wealth in a very short period of time through embezzlement from above and exploitation from below. Therefore, as long as conditions permit, these feudal officials will definitely use their power to make as much money as possible during their short tenure. Anyway, if you don’t make money, you will not make money. The position is temporary, and corruption and bribery are not allowed. Only the real money that comes is truly his own...

And this is a brand new battlefield that Fei Qian is about to face, a fighting place without smoke but more difficult and dangerous...