Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3199 Nostalgia and empty chanting of music on the flute

Anyi.

Pei Mao is not young anymore.

But as people grow old, their hearts never grow old.

The same is true for most officials in the feudal dynasty. Unless they can no longer work, they will die in office. There is absolutely no such thing as early retirement.

Now Cao Jun invaded the Yuncheng Basin, fought four battles, attacked left and right, and pointed at Anyi.

Naturally, Pei Mao could not continue to stay in Wenxi and pretend to be stupid. He could only stand on the top of Anyi City wearing a battle armor.

He stood there wearing armor, not as if the armor was hanging on his body, but as if the armor was supporting his thin body.

"The horsemen sit back and watch the chaos in various counties, but they waste no time caring about the safety of the people!" ” Pei Jun muttered to the side angrily, “Before, I swore that I would protect the country and the people, but now? This Cao army came and didn’t come to protect the place. It’s really... damn...”

Pei Mao raised his head, his white hair and long beard fluttering in the cold wind. He seemed to be listening to Pei Jun's nagging, but he seemed not to be listening at all.

"How many years of hard work have led to the Pei family's current business!" What if... what if he was killed by Cao Jun? Wouldn't it be that decades of hard work would be ruined in one fell swoop? ! What a pity! 』

The original economic system of Hedong was the first to be affected by Cao's army's attack.

The reason why Pei Jun had such angry words was actually very simple, because his manor was damaged.

At the beginning, Cao Jun still had military supplies, and he expected that the Hedong nobles would take the initiative to "abandon darkness and turn to the light", jump in front of Fei Qian and give Fei Qian a kidney attack or backstab, so his attitude was quite friendly, and he expressed his intention to establish a Daheluo co-prosperity circle and so on... …

But later on, Cao Jun's food supply could not keep up with consumption, and on the other hand, Sima Yi burned a lot of it. As a result, when the army's food supply was insufficient, Cao Jun couldn't help but stretch out his claws.

No matter how friendly we are, we can't let Cao Jun have nothing to eat!

Is not it?

Therefore, in the Yuncheng Basin, the more remote manors were the first to become "extra" supplies for Cao's army.

Among them is Pei Jun’s Zhuangzi...

In the Hedong area, Zhuangzi is not much less than the area in Shandong.

You know, Hedong's "power" is famous among the Han people...

The so-called "rich man's house consists of hundreds of buildings, his fields are full of fields, and he has thousands of slaves and maids, and he has thousands of plans." In order to protect their land, these powerful landowners built Wubao Village walls on the edge of the land, forming relatively independent manors.

In the manor, "a forest of bamboos and trees, livestock grazing, fish and pear fruits, sandalwood, thorns, mulberry and hemp, and a market behind closed doors" can be said to have everything. His many years of production savings were often hoarded in the manor. Now that Cao Jun "accidentally" gnawed a few of them, it naturally made Pei Jun heartbroken and unable to sleep at night.

In fact, within the old Han economic system, the manor economic model of Hedong was not entirely a bad thing.

After all, under the threat of the Hu people in the north, the small-scale peasant economy and the self-cultivating structure of the self-cultivating farmers cannot resist the intrusion of the Hu cavalry from the north. Only by gathering together and building city walls and fortresses can we resist the robberies of the Hu people. plunder to ensure orderly production and life. Therefore, the manor economy can be said to have resisted foreign aggression to a certain extent and also guaranteed the stability of the local economy.

At the same time, because there is a large clan population gathered in the manor, in order to ensure the long-term prosperity of the clan, powerful families will also attach importance to the cultural education of clan members, especially the descendants of the clan. Things are always divided into two parts. Although the out-of-work clan members are in the position of exploiters, they also bear some responsibilities as inheritors of Chinese culture.

But……

Things have changed now.

After Fei Qian regained the Yinshan Mountains, he also educated, divided, or traded the Hu people in the desert, so that the original threat of the northern Hu people in Hedong basically no longer existed, but the powerful people in Hedong Instead of opening up the manor, they took advantage of the chaos in Heluo and the chaos in the Central Plains to gather the refugees...

Fei Qian had not said anything before about the powerful nobles in Hedong and their behavior of intercepting refugees.

After all, in times of war, being able to give the refugees a bite of food is a good deed. Even if it is for other purposes, it at least allows more people to survive.

However, as time goes by, it is obvious that the expedient measures adopted during times of war cannot be implemented like this forever.

"There were actually hussars coming before, but they just bypassed Anyi..." Pei Mao said slowly, "They will not come here..."

Pei Jun was stunned for a moment, then said dissatisfiedly: "Why?" Isn’t it true that our place is under the rule of Qiusi? ! 』

Pei Mao turned his head slightly and glanced at Pei Jun, "under the rule?" What is subjugation? 』

"..." Pei Jun wanted to blurt out, but looking at Pei Mao's eyes, "Is there some other explanation for this?" 』

Pei Mao sighed, "Have you paid the taxes in your village in full?" What I said is the real number, not the book number..."

"Of course I am..." Pei Jun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, but then he jumped a little, "Just for this?" ! Tell me earlier! I told you earlier..."

Pei Jun said it halfway before he reacted, clicked twice, and swallowed the rest of his words. Who is he, and who is Qianqi? What's more, even if Qiusi said it, would he really do it? There are policies from above and countermeasures from below, but this is China’s fine tradition!

"In that case, do you know what to do? Pei Mao sighed, "This hussar... is really powerful... I sent officials to Hedong to check and register... I thought it was just a formality, but I never thought... it turned out that it ended up here... You said, this qiao" Qi, how do you know Cao Jun... It's really... oops..."

"Then...then now..." Pei Jun asked, "How should we deal with it?" 』

Pei Mao pondered for a long time, "Gather everything that can be gathered into the city... As for the remote places in the suburbs... we can only abandon them..."

This is the only way. If you do it now, even if you are fine at the moment, it will be recorded in the ledger again.

I'm afraid then...

"Abandoned?" That's..." Pei Jun's eyes widened, but after a moment he went soft like a deflated rubber ball, "Well, maybe that's all it can do..."

But is he really willing to do it?

…

…

Pingyang.

Yang Xiu was about to go back, and he came to Fei Qian to say goodbye.

These two days in Pingyang left a deep impression on Yang Xiu.

Looking at the scene in the city of Pingyang, and recalling the situation in Luoyang before, Yang Xiu felt all kinds of feelings and pains in his heart.

Perhaps it was this kind of thinking that caused his expression to change somewhat when he saw Fei Qian again.

A little less pride, a little more admiration.

But only a little bit.

Yang Xiu was proud before.

Because Yang Xiu has never really experienced the tragedy of losing his family and being separated from his wife and children. In many cases, others respectfully call him Yang Langjun, and he still gets treatment that is beyond what ordinary people can get, so his The pride is still there.

Even if it is gone on the surface, it is still hidden in the bones.

Until he arrived in Pingyang and met Yuan Shang...

Back then, Yuan Shang was even more proud than Yang Xiu.

But what about now?

Just do some small things as a scholar and assistant to the school.

Fame is like a heavy burden, it is difficult to carry and extremely difficult to put down.

Yuan Shang has basically given up now, but what about Yang Xiu?

Looking at Jie Tang, Yang Xiu paused slightly, then his eyes flickered a few times, and finally he lowered his eyelids and moved forward.

"pass! 』

Feiqian's voice sounded in the hall.

Yang Xiu came forward to pay his respects. He was no longer as impassioned as he had been when he first arrived in Pingyang, nor did he continue to talk about "etiquette" with Fei Qian. He just reported, "I am about to return. If the hussar has something to say, I can't help you." Would you like to tell me? 』

Fei Qian was a little surprised, thought for a moment, and pointed to the seat next to him.

Yang Xiu thanked him and sat down slowly, his etiquette posture still perfect.

Fei Qian looked at it and was quite emotional.

The nouveau riche don't have three generations of experience, so there's no way they can have any upper-class temperament. Looking at Yang Xiu now, Fei Qian felt that there was indeed some truth to what he said. This kind of daily influence is by no means a habit of words and deeds that can be formed in just two classes or a few days of special training.

Human temperament, that is, these subtle movements, if it is more, it will be artificial, and if it is less, it will be rude. It is really difficult to get it just right. Even Fei Qian himself cannot be as elegant as Yang Xiu. And take your time.

The efforts of three generations may not be able to change the words and deeds of the tribe.

So what about changing your mind?

how long it takes?

"Dezu. 』

Fei Qian said slowly.

"exist. 』

Yang Xiu responded.

"The rise and fall of a dynasty does not happen in a day, nor does it happen in a day. Its foundation is everlasting, it is the destiny of destiny, the will of the people, wise kings and wise ministers, for thousands of generations. However, why are things in the world impermanent, why is destiny impermanent, why is the king so faint, why is the minister so mediocre, and how can the royal family's mandate be balanced? Fei Qian said slowly, "If the dynasty is like this, what about the aristocratic family?" Those who talk about the return of destiny are often full of ghosts, and those who talk about the success of man's plans are often conceited. Since ancient times, emperors, generals and prime ministers would rather have their own kind? How can the aristocratic family of the Spring and Autumn Period still exist today? Dynasties and families change, and there are many sayings that people's hearts are not as old as they used to be. But who is the heart of the human heart? Soldiers, soldiers, or people? Scholars often say that those who win the hearts of the people can win the world. If they talk about the people, do they call themselves the people, or... ordinary people? People who don't know how to read, don't know how to read, don't know etiquette, and don't understand things. Since there are many fools among the people, we allow them to be foolish. When we see that the people have many complaints, we let them complain. When we know that the people are in many difficulties, we find them annoying. How can the people's hearts come from this? Ask Dezu for advice. 』

Yang Xiu frowned.

He understood what Feiqian meant.

These are two completely different governance policies from those in Shandong.

The same is true for Fei Qianping in Pingyang, in Hedong, and in Guanzhong.

Shandong's people pay attention to the people in words, but in fact they attach great importance to the people.

Fei Qian verbally valued scholars, but in fact he also valued people.

So even if Yuan Shang is the loser, as long as Yuan Shang is really willing to come out and stop complaining and doing things, Fei Qian will let Yuan Shang come out and do things.

The reputation of a scholar is worthless in Fei Qian's eyes.

If it were before, Yang Xiu would have talked eloquently, saying that what Fei Qian said was all fallacy, saying that "people are all stupid by nature", etc., and then explaining that if a country wants to be strong, it must honor "wise men" , if you want to have order, you must rely on the "clan" and so on.

In later generations, many people also called beasts, which meant that they were the most punishing people in governing the country.

But in fact, if you think about it for a moment, you can understand that those who call animals are just raised dogs. Whoever gives the dog food is making a noise.

Even though they sometimes seem to be standing next to ordinary people wagging their tails, in fact they don't care about the wowotou in the hands of the people at all, and they are not really speaking out for the people, but they are greedy for the meat and bones thrown out by capital in order to achieve their goals. Some of the purposes of capital just bark.

At this moment, after seeing the prosperity and stability of Pingyang, if Yang Xiu said anything about "rituals" again, he would be falling into sophistry.

After all, Pingyang did not develop by relying on public knowledge...oh, it developed by relying on the Han gentry, not from the beginning. Even the academy was built by Fei Qian first. After Cai Yong was invited, the descendants of the gentry gradually came here and gathered in Pingyang.

"The desires of the human heart are insatiable." Yang Xiu said slowly, "The desire of one person is hard to contain, let alone tens of thousands of people?" Everyone is rushing forward out of greed, and they are not tired of seeking. 』

Yang Xiu said, his eyes drooping, "I know that Jian Jian is in trouble, so I can't bear to let him go... I will speak frankly today and hope that Hussar will forgive me." 』

Fei Qian smiled and said, "Please enlighten me." 』

Yang Xiu slowly raised his head, "I know that the hussar has great ambitions, but what if he was surprised by what he saw?" The contempt of aristocratic families is due to the desire of inheritance. Now I say farewell to Hussar and return, not because I don’t know what Hussar’s ambition is, but... Is there any successor after Hussar? 』

"The reason for the rise of Hussar in Guanzhong and Hedong is, firstly, because of Husband's great ambition, and secondly... Oh, secondly, it is based on fighting. When the army rises, many people are killed and injured. In the past, the thieves of power were busy fighting for it. Who could care about the life and death of the people? As a result, fertile farmland was abandoned, diseases and epidemics were rampant, and seventy-eight percent of the population was lost. Therefore, the first priority is to stabilize the people, just like when the Han Dynasty first emerged, cultivating literature and governing military affairs, maintaining peace and recuperating, and allowing the people to live and work in peace and contentment. 』

"The land is vast but the people are few, so those who survive naturally have vast fields, sowing and cultivating, but no help is given." Therefore, a great cause can be accomplished, and within twenty years, if there are no changes, it will definitely be managed and prosperous. The reason for this is that Guizhou is full, warm and worry-free, and can multiply and nourish. 』

"However, if this flourishes, it cannot last long. If it flourishes at its peak, it will eventually decline." Because the head of Guizhou is full and warm, he must think about lust, and he is also stupid by nature. He does not seek the way of saints and sages, and he behaves arrogantly and asks for too much. After several generations of reproduction, the number of descendants will increase, and every inch of land will become dirty. The sufferings of the past were the sufferings of the past, and the happiness of today is the happiness of today..." Yang Xiu sighed, "The children of noble families are like this, and the ordinary people in Guizhou are like this. During the Zhongping period, I was once a young man in bright clothes and angry horses, and he had a good time, but now... I bid farewell to Xiuqi now, because I don't know Xiuqi's good intentions, but all the villagers are in Heluo... The family is strict He is already old and has limited mobility, so he needs to use crutches to get in and out..."

Yang Xiu himself is not stupid. After arriving in Pingyang, he was a little confused at first, but then he slowly figured it out...

The aristocratic families themselves have the habit of betting everywhere, and in Feiqian, there are already many children of the aristocratic families who are betting. These may be active surrender or passive attachment, but in any case, these gentry children around Fei Qian have formed a huge political combination, making it impossible for the gentry rebellion in Guanzhong and Hedong that Cao Cao originally hoped to occur. .

At first, Yang Xiu was ashamed and angry because Fei Qian put him and Yuan Shang together, but after calming down his anger, he thought about it calmly and realized that he was indeed no different from Yuan Shang. They were both losers and generals. What qualifications do you have to be angry or to whine? If we look at it from another perspective, at least in Fei Qian, Yuan Shang, after surviving the early period of Fei Xiongxuan, was able to calmly appear among the ranks of subordinate officials under the command of Qiusi. Although he may not have any important positions, it also proves that Liao Feiqian would not deliberately make things difficult just because he was hostile.

But Yang Xiu still won't stay. It's not that he doesn't believe in Fei Qian, but that he doesn't believe in Fei Qian's next generation.

Just like Fei Qian felt that it would take three generations for the nouveau riche to become decent, Yang Xiu also felt that such a huge system reform as Fei Qian would be impossible without two or three generations. The biggest question for Feiqian is not whether it can win now, but how long it can last after winning?

Yang Xiu said that when he was young, he was young, wearing clothes and angry horses, and had no idea of ​​sorrow. He was not saying that Fei Qian has done so many things now, and when the next generation of Fei Qian comes, he will not be able to say that "today's happiness is now happiness."

This is an obvious question.

The feudal dynasty will gradually produce a powerful class, such as high-ranking officials and nobles, wealthy businessmen, and "real estate speculation" in any era is a sure profit. Therefore, when they have money, they will acquire large amounts of land. At that time, there was no effective land circulation restriction policy. Many poor farmers had no choice but to sell their land once they encountered natural or man-made disasters, and eventually became tenant farmers working for landlords. If this development continues, the situation of land annexation will become more and more intense, eventually forming a situation where "the rich have a lot of land and the poor have no place to stand". This goes on and on, with the country's consumption increasing and taxpayers decreasing, ultimately leading to extremely acute social conflicts.

Of course, every last emperor knew where the reason came from, but at this time, he was already in a dilemma. As the representative of vested interests, the emperor could never give up his own interests at any time.

The aristocratic families are like this, but what about the common people?

Same thing.

Just like Yang Xiu said, will ordinary people have memories after their ancestors and fathers have experienced pain?

Neither.

Thinking about lust after having enough food and clothing, vowing to be incompatible with gambling and drugs, seems like a joke, but in fact, like Valentine's Day, Goddess' Day, and the eternal bricks and stones, it is a trap carefully selected by the capitalists, just like a brain-dead person. Like gold, if you repeat it more often, it will be rooted in your heart.

Yang Xiu did see the strength of Pingyang and the prosperity of Guanzhong, but he didn't think that this kind of prosperity could last long.

"Dezu... you have undergone many changes." Fei Qian said with a smile, "Now that you have moved, how big will the world be? Will it not change?" 』

Yang Xiu was stunned.

Has he changed? Yes, he has changed a lot. Although he said he wanted to speak out, in fact he was no longer as sharp-edged as before, and would never stop talking without surprising anyone. Even when he gave examples, he often cited his own examples.

Yang Xiu took a breath, lowered his head and bowed, "The bream has its tail lifted, and the royal family seems to be in ruins." Although it is like being destroyed, my parents Kong Er..."

Fei Qian nodded, "Good." 』

After pondering for a moment, Fei Qian reached out and took out a piece of paper on the table, picked up a pen, pondered for a moment, wrote a few words, then used the seal and asked someone to hand it to Yang Xiu, "Since you insist on going, , It’s not difficult for Dezu, this book... is not in vain for Dezu’s hard work! 』

Yang Xiu took it with both hands, and after taking a look, his eyes moved, and his mind was slightly shaken...