Three Kingdoms

"You don't even want to call me father." Calling daddy is not a unique joke of later generations.

Just like Lu Bu had almost never called Fei Qian his lord before.

At the beginning, he was the virtuous brother, then he was Ziyuan, and then he was the official. The distance between them seemed to be getting farther and farther with the physical distance.

Lu Bu lowered his head.

Maybe they were really persuaded by Fei Qian, maybe they wanted to survive, or maybe there were some other reasons, but now, with the change in Lu Bu's title, all the guards and soldiers who followed Lu Bu naturally gave up their resistance. , was gathered up. These soldiers themselves had no intention of rebelling. After their weapons were confiscated, they stayed in the back camp and served as laborers for a period of time.

Fei Qian sometimes finds it a bit funny.

Lu Bu's character is such that he won't bow his head until the very end, unless he hits the south wall and is bleeding.

This kind of stubbornness would be unbelievable to those literati in Shandong who mock martial artists every day.

For some literati in Shandong, when the situation is bad, they immediately lower their heads and call daddy. This is almost a natural instinct.

Fei Qian's attitude toward Lu Bu did not change because Lu Bu bowed his head. He still called him brother Fengxian, and then asked him to rest first. He did not say any immediate verdict against Lu Bu, nor would he continue to accuse or abuse him.

Lu Bu has many problems and is guilty of heavy crimes. There is no doubt that Lu Bu is guilty. However, it does not mean that Lu Bu is guilty. Therefore, Lu Bu has no merit and denies all of them.

As for Lu Bu's guards and soldiers directly under his command, most of them did not have much direct responsibility for the Western Regions. In the feudal dynasty, most of the middle and lower-level officials, including these military academy non-commissioned officers in the army, were There is not much thought. The so-called yellow robe is just a trick played by a few upper-level generals. In fact, there are very few incidents in which the entire army participates.

Fei Qian was very cautious about Lu Bu's handling of the matter.

It's not because of Lu Bu's reputation, or because of the relationship between Lu Bu and Fei Qian, but because of Lu Bu's specific matters. After all, Lu Bu now represents the highest position that some poor generals can reach, and represents the top level of the world that an ordinary Han border citizen has achieved with his own strength.

Limited by Lu Bu's own knowledge and culture, as well as the influence of related three views, he did have problems in words and deeds, which led to disasters in the Western Regions, corruption of officials, and suffering for the people. But similarly, in the three to four hundred years of the Han Dynasty, During this period, like Lu Bu, among the governors or governors who caused the turmoil on the border, how many of them were actually punished, and how many of them had their major issues turned into trivial matters?

Is it because Lu Bu is too special, or is it because those whose names have been withheld are not special?

Why weren't those people hung up and beaten like Lu Bu?

By extension, why did subsequent feudal dynasty emperors become more and more wary of warriors and tolerant of literati?

Is it an advantage or a disadvantage to separate the civil and military branches?

These are all issues that Fei Qian must think about and try to solve.

Therefore, it is more appropriate to deal with the situation rather than the person.

Killing is easy.

It’s hard to really think about it.

The Jade Gate is closed, and Taishi Ci is patrolling the city with Fei Qian.

Tomorrow Taishi Ci will set off and then rush to Xihai City. As a vanguard, he will first face the Western Region Allied Forces.

"During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, when the Qin and Han Dynasties fought, military force was the most important thing. Fei Qian walked slowly and said to Tai Shici, "Whether the soldiers are brave or not, their numbers are the cornerstone of victory." 』

Not only before the Qin and Han Dynasties, but even in the later feudal dynasties, the bravery and quantity of soldiers were still an important factor in the victory of the war. Although it may not be absolute, it is at least the cornerstone of victory. Taishi Ci naturally had no objection to this point and nodded in agreement.

Fei Qian walked forward and said, "The method of sending out an army is to start with six villages, then send out six villages. If the tax does not stop, then send out six soldiers. If the tax does not stop, recruit troops from the public towns and the third class. If the tax does not stop, then recruit troops from the princes... Zi Do you know why it is used? 』

Taishi Ci thought for a moment and said: "The people of Liuxiang use it in the near future, and the people of Liusui use it in the wild." 』

Fei Qian nodded, "Why is that so?" 』

"This..." Tai Shici just knew this, but he really hadn't thought about it so much before.

What Fei Qian said was the military conscription system of the Zhou Dynasty. The so-called Liuxiangs were also called Guoren, which generally counted as urban residents, while the so-called Liusui were rural suburbs, also called savages. What Fei Qian said means that during the Zhou Dynasty, if the country needed to recruit troops, it would first select them from the Chinese, and then from the savages. Then when it was not enough, he conscripted troops from the princes and others.

During the Zhou Dynasty, it was obvious that the status of Chinese people was higher than that of barbarians. In other words, in the Zhou Dynasty, joining the army was an honor, and soldiers and soldiers enjoyed a higher social status. This was a common understanding among most people in the Zhou Dynasty. Whenever there is an opportunity to join the army, they will always actively participate and enter the ranks in order according to their status.

Taishi Ci thought for a long time, and then said: "Is it because the people of the country are loyal to you that I am reporting back to my lord?" 』

"Well..." Fei Qian nodded and said, "Yes. However, why should the people of the country be loyal and the barbarians suspicious? Then in Zhou Dynasty, the imperial family declined and the princes became prosperous? 』

Taishi Ci frowned, very distressed. He knew that today's conversation with Fei Qian was very important and might even determine many subsequent matters, but he still did not expect that Fei Qian would ask these questions instead of asking him how to conquer the Western Regions, how to suppress the rebellion, and how to kill the army. Formation, how to fight in the wild.

Fei Qian glanced at Taishi Ci and knew that Taishi Ci did not fully understand the root cause of the turmoil in the Western Regions, nor did he know what role the Western Regions played in the political status of the entire Han Dynasty. In this way, even if Taishi Ci served as the Protector of the Western Regions , and it is unlikely that there will be any progress on the original basis.

In other words, it is the kind of progress Fei Qian wants.

Reprimands and abuses cannot solve the problem, but only suppress the problem temporarily. The problem still exists, just like the problem in the Western Regions. Fei Qian believes that the Western Regions Allied Forces are not a problem, but what about after defeating the Western Regions Allied Forces?

Can Taishi Ci take up the important task of changing the Western Region and changing the Protectorate?

Compared with Lu Bu, Taishi Ci may be inferior in military force, but in terms of civility and governance, he is much better than Lu Bu.

The world is still very big, and what China needs is people who are versatile in both civil and military affairs, not those who are partial to wealth, or who cheat on their talents.

After the Han and Tang Dynasties, "valuing martial arts" gradually turned into "emphasis on literature." This was not a good thing, but it was still practiced consistently in the subsequent feudal dynasties. In terms of its origin, where did it come from?

"The Western Regions are to China what the Zhou Dynasty is to the countryside, and the princes are to the four directions." Fei Qian said slowly, "Zhou Yong's countrymen are brave, and those who are not from the country are brave enough to drive away. This is because they have more fields than wild fields." Just like the chieftain of a country in the Western Regions, if he knew that his death would mean that his family fortune would be lost, he would start a chaotic war. Without him, it is human nature. 』

"Martial arts were popular in the Spring and Autumn Period, especially during the Warring States Period. Shang Gong once said, "The reason why a country thrives is the war between farmers." Fei Qian looked at Taishi Ci, who nodded to show that he knew this, and then smiled, "Then... why do you only hear about "scholars, farmers, industry and commerce" now? Don’t you see the “battle”? 』

"ah? This..." Taishi Ci swallowed his saliva and couldn't answer.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, firstly, due to the common understanding of people in the original society, and secondly, out of the need for hegemony, princes from all walks of life enriched the country and strengthened the army. One of the changes in the Qin Dynasty was the reform brought by Shang Yang. He denied Qi's strategy and instead ranked military affairs at the level of agriculture. This shows that Shang Yang valued military affairs. Under his influence and encouragement, the Qin Dynasty, which originally advocated martial arts, became more focused on military merit and strived to move in the direction of "the whole country is responsible for the military."

Shang Yang said, "There is no such thing from ancient times to the present where a person becomes a king without victory, and a person who dies without defeat has never happened before. If the people are brave, they will win; if the people are not brave, they will be defeated." If he can unite his people in battle, the people will be brave; if he cannot unite the people in battle, the people will not be brave. When the sage king sees that the king has sent troops to fight, the whole country blames them on the soldiers. "Looking at this passage, it is enough to prove the momentum of Lao Qin. With this kind of momentum and belief that the whole country is fighting and all the people are soldiers, how can the Qin Dynasty not become the biggest winner?

And now...

A group of defeated Shandong bandits shouted every day, "A warlike spirit will lead to death."

Fei Qian said slowly: "The so-called reward comes from the military. There is no difference." Therefore, the people of Qin are brave enough to fight. 』

Taishi Ci nodded silently, thoughtfully.

In the Qin State, a person of ordinary origin could completely rely on his military exploits to become a prince or prime minister, and the size and quality of his military exploits would directly determine the future political and economic interests and social status of a sergeant. Shang Yang valued the law and regarded military service as an obligation and responsibility that citizens must bear. But on this basis, he did not forget to promise huge profits. You have to perform military service anyway, so why not actively participate and fight bravely, and you can change your background.

"The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system and was brave in military warfare. The military revolution was so prosperous that it was possible to expel the Xiongnu and pursue them in the battle of Mobei. Fei Qian raised his head and looked at the vast Gobi Desert, as if he was looking at the figures of Wei Qing, Huo Qubing and the other Yulin Guards among the dancing yellow sand.

After Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty conquered the world, he also inherited most of the systems of the Qin State. Military meritocracy was still a necessary way for many civilians to change their lives in the early Western Han Dynasty. Judging from the composition of the official class in the early Western Han Dynasty, most of those who held high positions in the court were descendants of meritorious generals. When the Western Han Dynasty faced the enemy the Xiongnu, it meant that the war would never end, and it was necessary to rely on military generals to go into battle to kill the enemy to maintain domestic security and stability.

"Until Xiaowu, he deposed hundreds of schools and only respected Confucianism..." Fei Qian said with a smile, "It can be seen from Ziyi that the hundreds of schools that Emperor Xiaowu deposed were not just the schools of Shen, Shang, Han, Su, and Zhang. But to depose the powerful landlords, military merit is high..."

Taishi Ci's eyes widened. What Fei Qian said was completely different from what Taishi Ci had known before. Taishi Ci could somewhat understand the suppression of powerful landlords, but wasn't the Hundred Schools mentioned by Dong Zhongshu aimed at literati? Is it about military merit?

"It's like the Western Region," Fei Qian pointed to the west and sighed, "It's like Lu Fengxian..."

Tai Shici was thoughtful.

Because at that time, the Han Dynasty went through the rule of Wenjing and cultivated one's health. The first generation of military lords who worked hard and forged ahead had already gone into decay and decline. Their descendants can no longer provide safety and security to the people, nor can they become the barrier and pillar of the country, and even hinder the development of society. The stability of the country has become a burden on the feudal dynasty, and not only cannot effectively strengthen the control of the ruling class , and it is not conducive to the monarch's strengthening of centralization of power.

Therefore, after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty came to power, he adopted a suppressive policy towards these fallen and meritorious generals. On the one hand, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty believed that "martial arts are valued and literary virtues are praised by conduct" and began to promote some "literary people" to serve as officials to supplement administrative needs, thereby changing the situation of meritorious generals in power. On the other hand, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty also The commoners were reused and some Han talents were promoted, such as Sang Hongyang, Sima Xiangru, Zhu Maichen, Wei Qing and others as important ministers to fight against the original nobles.

Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty had a deep understanding when he was fighting for the world. He knew that those who ruled the areas were warlords. Therefore, Emperor Guangwu also emphasized the importance of civility and restraint of military force, especially focusing on the prevention of the Kansai region. From then on, the generals and warriors of the Eastern Han Dynasty It is difficult to gain access to the inner ruling circle.

At this point, a pattern of emphasizing martial arts and emphasizing literature gradually formed. The pattern of emphasizing military nobility and emphasizing classics and aristocratic families continued until the end of the Tang Dynasty. Then in the midst of a massacre, the huge aristocratic family weakened and fell. More The emerging landlord class stood up again, and the reincarnation around land, the key means of production, continued for thousands of years.

The general trend of the world is that if it has been together for a long time, it must be divided, and if it has been divided for a long time, it must be reunited.

It would also make sense if this "general trend" were replaced by land ownership.

"Ziyi, what do you think of Lu Fengxian's affairs in the Western Regions?" Fei Qian asked.

Taishi Ci was startled, then raised his head and glanced at Fei Qian, "Of course this can be decided by my lord." Lu Fengxian was guilty and should be punished. 』

Fei Qian smiled slightly. What Taishi Ci said is interesting. Taishi Ci actually understood to some extent why some Feiqian still kept Lu Bu's life, because Taishi Ci himself was also a military general.

Fei Qian looked into the distance, "In this case, how should Ziyi secure peace in the Western Region and show the glory of the Han Dynasty?" 』

What Fei Qian asked seemed very simple, but Taishi Ci was sweating slightly.

Taishi Ci knew more than Lu Bu, so he knew more or less what Fei Qian meant.

Lu Bu is like those noble military generals in the early Han Dynasty, who then slowly became corrupted and degenerated, hindering the development of the country. Like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, he brought in Dong Zhongshu and deposed hundreds of schools of thought to only focus on Confucianism. Although it can be removed, but The impact is not that killing one or two people is enough.

What would Huo Qubing do if he lived a few more years?

It can't be said that he was just like the Wei family, who was killed by nine clans!

If there weren't those gentry and literati who were causing trouble...

Fei Qian glanced at Tai Shici but did not urge him.

Because this problem itself is very big, it really needs careful thinking.

It is indeed not feasible to leave the governance of a region to military men alone, but what if all the governance is handed over to literati?

Just like the subsequent feudal dynasties, which emphasized literature but despised military force, is it okay?

Neither does.

Fei Qian knows that this has been proven by history. Some literati in the feudal dynasty were even trashier and more harmful than the stupid warriors.

The Confucius family and Yanshenggong family in the feudal dynasty are like the epitome of the entire Chinese literati.

Fei Qian thought of some things he knew about Duke Yan in later generations.

What's very interesting is that these guys who claim to have noble blood are demanding and critical of people within China, but they are begging for mercy from external enemies.

During the Jin Dynasty, Kong Duanyou, the Duke of Yansheng, went south and became the Duke of Yansheng of the Southern Sect of the Kong family. However, Kong Duanyou's half-brother Kong Duancao took the initiative to surrender to the Jin army and became the founder of the Northern Sect.

Later, among the Confucian sects, the most authentic one was Beizong, and this tradition was then carried forward.

Whether it was Kong Kejian, who was willing to bow to the feet of the Yuan Dynasty and perform his duties, loyalty and filial piety, but put on airs about Zhu Yuanzhang's invitation, or Kong Yinzhi, who said that shaving his head was cool and had many benefits when the braided emperor came to dominate the Central Plains, Or maybe Kong Lingyi, who later received portraits of foreign emperors again and again, and Kong Decheng, who was very excited before the Japanese army invaded China, expressed their enthusiasm for poetry, saying that China and Japan "have the same culture and the same species", saying, "The rivers, rivers, Zhusi and Si origins flow together." , how can we be different people from the same state?"

Ha, this is Yan Shenggong.

The literati of the feudal dynasty worshiped such descendants of Confucius.

The literati can surrender and rebel again and again, but they can put a crown on their heads that "preserves the seeds of reading", and then turn around and criticize Lu Bu as a slave of the three surnames... well, a slave of the three surnames.

You must know that when the three families of Jin, Yuan, and Song coexisted, there were also three Confucius Yanshenggong. Later, in order to compete for who was the real and fake Confucius King, they even had a good show in front of the nobles and princes of the Yuan Dynasty, tearing their faces apart. The face, the one who pulled off the clothes, the one who played with the stick, the Yuan Taizu laughed loudly.

This type of literati is tolerant of themselves and harsh on others. On the surface, they do not value the origins of others. However, in fact, the class of scholar-bureaucrats formed by these literati are unwilling to ask the emperor for the issue of concubines in all feudal dynasties. concession.

However, there are exceptions. For example, the scholar-bureaucrats with braided hair did not dare to fart one more time. They even wrote books to praise, saying that the fight for the heir in Kowloon was good, and the elder brothers were so stylish. The real "Long Sheng Jiu" son"! After all, he is a noble chief and a genuine nobleman of the Three Banners. Since the scholar-bureaucrats did not mind that the Manchus of the Qing Dynasty were superior to the Han people, they naturally did not mind the origin of the noble Manchu emperor. After all, he was still half a foreigner.

There are also "foreigners" in the Western Regions.

How to deal with all these and how to form a set of rules that can be used as a reference is the task of Taishi Ci in the next stage.

Not just defeating these Western Region coalition forces...

It is impossible for aristocratic families to serve as guardians in the Western Regions, because for the class group formed by these aristocratic literati, their family interests are more important. As for the country... It doesn't matter who is the leader, as long as the salary is high That’s it.

Therefore, a general like Tai Shici who dares to fight and knows how to fight must be able to take charge of the Western Regions.

But how to prevent military generals from being corrupted in a stable period, how to build a sound rights system, and how to avoid fighting for power and gain are naturally a core focus of the governance of the Western Regions.

Taishi Ci was thinking and silent. The more he thought about it, the more things happened. The more things there were, the harder it was to grasp the key points.

He originally had some ideas, but now he felt that they were not applicable or not enough. Suddenly, sweat appeared on his forehead.

Fei Qian stood facing the wind with his hands behind his back, looking at the yellow sand rolling by on the Gobi.

Under the sky, the Yumenguan towers towering.

Above the closed door, the eternity is long...