Rebirth of Wu Ba Spring and Autumn

The two most powerful vassal kingdoms in Great Wu now are Wu Zhang's Liao Kingdom and Wu Fan's Sai Kingdom, with a population of more than one million under their rule. 20 more steps are no problem.

In a few more years, with Wu Zhang and Wu Fan's restless personalities, they will start a war against the surrounding barbarians, and if they expand their borders, the national strength will be further improved...

At that time, the vassal kings will really become irreversible.

"Ji'er, if you really want to cut down the clan, I will teach you a countermeasure."

"Grandson is all ears."

"Tweet order."

Qing Ji said with a smile: "Since ancient times, according to the patriarchal system, the titles, feudal states or fiefdoms of princes and high officials are all inherited by the eldest son alone, and the descendants of other concubines will not get the size of the land."

"This Tweeting Order can stipulate that after the death of the vassal king, the eldest son will inherit the throne, and the other children will divide part of the kingdom's land as lords, and the vassals will be under the jurisdiction of the county where they are located."

"As for those marquis countries, just find an excuse to dethrone them, and set them up as a county or several counties."

"Alternatively, the Hou country is divided into the Bo country, and the Bo country is divided into sub-states. In the end, the country is removed and only the title is retained."

"wonderful!"

Wu Ji could not help but shine his eyes, and said: "Grandfather, if such a favor order is promulgated, within a few generations, the current feudal kingdom will exist in name only!"

Qingji smiled and said nothing.

This is what he wants.

It is true that doing so might treat his disciples more or less unfairly, but Qingji had no choice but to do so.

Just like the Tweeting Decree promulgated by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in history, the land was redistributed to the princes’ children in the name of promoting the emperor’s favor. It seemed that the emperor treated them favorably, but in fact it reduced the area of ​​each feudal country to zero. , Gradually shrinking, no longer enough to compete with the imperial court.

There is essentially no difference between the Tweet Order and the reduction of vassals, but the actual actions are different.

One is indirect euphemism, which eventually weakens the entire vassal state layer by layer, and the other is compulsory enforcement, which does not give the vassal king any chance.

The Tweeting Order changed the land of the vassal king, which could only be inherited by the eldest son, to the fact that all the sons of the vassal king could inherit their respective fiefdoms.

Only a few words have changed, but the actual content has changed a lot.

The land that was originally controlled by one person was continuously divided into several people. In this way, each person got a small part of the original vassal state.

Although this method will be opposed by the eldest sons, other people who should not be given the fief will thank the emperor, because according to the previous decree, they have nothing after the eldest sons inherit the land.

Therefore, this decree is very beneficial to them.

Although the method of Tweeting Grace is more tactful, it is indeed very effective, and it is also very beneficial to the emperor's own reputation.

I have to admit that the Tweeting Order is much wiser and more effective than the reduction of feudal clans...

What if, like Liu Bei's ancestor, King Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng, he had more than 120 sons, and the country was not divided enough, what should we do?
simple.

Twenty favored sons were conferred the titles of princes in batches!
The sons of the vassal kings were named marquises, and the sons of the marquis basically had no titles, and they could only rely on themselves in the future.

To be honest, doing this made Qingji feel a little uncomfortable.

A few years later, among his descendants, it is estimated that there will be mat weavers and shoe sellers like Liu Bei.

There is only one royal status, and then it is useless.

According to the Tweeting Order formulated by Qingji, the feudal kingdom was followed by the Hou country, the Hou country was followed by the Bo country, and the Bo country was followed by the Zi country, and then the country was removed, and only the title of nobility was retained.

The children of Ziguo are common people.

A vassal kingdom is equivalent to a county, a marquis is equivalent to a county, an uncle is equivalent to a city, an uncle is equivalent to a township, and a sub-state is equivalent to a village.

By analogy in this way, there is no need for the emperor to take pains to cut down the vassal, and such a huge vassal kingdom will disappear immediately.

However, the premise of the Tweeting Order is that counties, states, or provinces should be established to manage Jiji.

After all, the Hou State after the Fan Kingdom is under the jurisdiction of the county level.

When the vassal kingdom was strong, the county was just a decoration. After a hundred years of the vassal king, the county began to play a role.

Qingji discussed the details of the Tweeting Order with Prince Heng and Wu Ji.

Prince Heng suddenly asked in confusion: "Father, I don't know when this order to extend grace will be promulgated?"

"At least 30 years from now."

Qing Ji said earnestly: "I still need vassal kings to sit on one side, promote Wuhua, and integrate the foreigners under the rule as much as possible."

"promise."

Thirty years later, that would probably be during Wu Ji's reign.

If Qingji were impatient to issue the Tweet Order at this time, it would be a bit of a crime.

After all, if the vassal kingdoms are strong enough, they can suppress the domestic rebellion, and there is no need for the empire to worry about "extinguishing fires" everywhere.

"Wu Ji, go down and order the waiter to bring you wine. Tonight, you, father and son, three generations of grandparents and grandchildren will have a good drink."

"Father."

Prince Heng advised: "Father, your body is not healthy yet, so you should not drink alcohol."

"Wu Heng, do you want to take care of my drinking?"

"My son doesn't dare."

"go with!"

"promise."

Not long after, Wu Ji asked someone to fetch a jug of wine and fill up three wine bottles respectively.

Qingji looked at the clear wine in the bottle, smiled, and said meaningfully: "Wu Heng, Jier, after I die, can you really protect Great Wu and keep the empire long-term?"

"Father, my sons dare not forget our original intentions. We must be self-restraining and diligent, and take the affairs of the world as our own responsibility. Just like the teaching of the father, worry about the world's worries first, and enjoy the world's joys later!"

"Grandfather, grandson is the same!"

"it is good."

Qing Ji nodded, and said again: "I think you all know that there are still evils in Da Wu, and they are not dead, trying to harm me, Da Wu."

"They dare not act rashly while I am alive. If I die, they will definitely not let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..."

"I, that's all for now. There are some things that I can't control, and I can't take care of them."

Hearing this, Prince Heng sighed and said, "Father, your children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, so you don't need to worry too much, Father. If the destiny is in Wu, then my Great Wu Empire will be the line of the eternal world!"

"Okay! Come on, Wu Heng, Ji Er, drink up to the full!"

"Please!"

Immediately, the grandparents and grandson drank the wine in the wine bottle in one gulp.

A strange look flashed across Qingji's eyes, he stood up suddenly, and walked towards the weapon rack on the majesty's platform as if no one else was there.

Qingji picked up a golden ax on the weapon rack, returned to the side of the dragon couch, threw it on the floor with a bang, and shouted angrily, "You can do it yourself!"

As soon as the words fell, Qingji fell onto the dragon couch.

"Father!"

"Grandfather!"

Both Prince Heng and Wu Ji had surprised expressions on their faces. They didn't know what kind of madness Qing Ji had gone into, so they rushed forward.

Qingji just said in a low voice: "Back off. I'm tired..."

"promise."

Seeing that Qing Ji seemed to be sleepy, Prince Heng and Wu Ji looked at each other, then slowly stood up and left Funing Hall.

Going outside, the servants and maids guarding the gate and on both sides of the palace road looked at the father and son in surprise.

After the two left, Gong'e and the eunuch dared to whisper to each other.

"Just now I saw the sound of the candle shadow and the axe, but I don't know why."

"I saw it too. Your Majesty even shouted 'you can do it yourself'. What exactly did you mean?"

"It is estimated that something happened between the prince and grandson offended His Majesty."

"This...why move the axe?"

"Be careful."