Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 356 Strong Trunks and Weak Branches

"Han Chronicles: Chronicles of Emperor Zhaowu": In the 19th year of Jian'an, Zhongzu issued an edict: "In the six prefectures of Yi, Liang, Yang, Jing, Xu, and Jiao, the rent of eight liters of land was collected, and three bolts of silk and three pounds of cotton were produced per household. Even if the common people are rich or poor, other people should not tax others without permission."

Zhuge Liang was not the only one to think about the freshly baked household modulation in the Southern Han Dynasty. Huo Jun, Pang Tong, Fazheng and others also made suggestions.

‘The rented land is eight liters per mu, and each household produces three bolts of silk and three kilograms of cotton. ’ This is only part of the content of the household system in the Southern Han Dynasty. Not all people pay taxes in this way, but they need to pay taxes in this way only when they reach certain assets or when the number of household registrations reaches certain standards.

Under Huo Jun's suggestion, the rich and poor were divided into nine levels. The upper households paid five bolts of silk and five kilograms of cotton; the lower households paid one bolt of silk and one bolt of cotton... And in remote areas, the elderly and lonely people also had different taxes. Institutional treatment. Under this arrangement, we try our best to use the rich to supplement the poor, so that the poor pay less taxes.

As for the "yong" in the "yong" modulation, nowadays there are frequent wars, so there is naturally no need to implement "yong".

Generally speaking, every era has its own particularities. The rental system formulated by Zhuge Liang and others is already a version that is more in line with the Southern Han Dynasty.

Of course, this is not a permanent version. For example, in the details, Zhuge Liang canceled the carriage tax in order to help the prosperity of commerce in the southern states. When business prospered, the carriage and horse tax would be re-added and additional taxes would be increased.

Under the detailed rules of household modulation, Liu Bei quickly approved it and asked Wang Can to draft an edict and issue it to six prefectures and counties.

The finalization of the tax law does not mean that everyone agrees with the policies proposed by Zhuge Liang. Nationalizing Shu Brocade will inevitably lead to opposition from the Shu people.

The minister's servant shot Zhang Song, stood up and went out, saying: "Your Majesty, Song did not dare to agree with the words of the military advisor. In the former Han Dynasty official camp, the salt and iron wares were mostly of inferior quality, which was difficult for the common people to do. use."

"It's like a cast sickle. The blade is dull and useless, and it doesn't hurt to cut grass. The people have difficulty farming and suffer from it. Or the official salt is mixed with a lot of sand. The people buy the salt with a lot of money, and the officials and businessmen collude, making it miserable."

"Today's military expenditure calculation, salt and iron can barely be used as official camps to fill military supplies. However, Shu brocade is not the same. It is not necessary for salt and iron. If the officials engage in fraud and cover up the top and bottom, the Shu brocade will be inferior, the appearance is dull, and the officials will be noble. , An will buy it?"

"Chen Liu Xiangyi under Cao Cao has been weaving famous works in the Central Plains since the Qin and Han Dynasties. The military advisers tried to establish an official Shu brocade and circulate the Shu brocade in all directions to obtain money and strengthen the army. I am afraid that such a move is difficult to achieve and will be a waste of money and resources. It also hurts the hearts of the people.”

As he spoke, Zhang Song secretly sneered in his heart, cupped his hands and said, "If my lord loves the wealth of Shu brocade, he can collect the tax from the sale of Shu brocade and use it for national purposes. Under the official government, Song is afraid of encouraging the trend of privately buying Xiangyi weaving texts."

"This~"

Liu Bei showed hesitation, and it was not difficult to understand what Zhang Song said.

Chengdu is not the only one in the world that produces Shu brocade. In the Chenliu area of ​​the Central Plains, there is the world-famous Xiangyi weaving. Even the brocade weaving technology in the Bashu region came from the Central Plains region. It was not until the Eastern Han Dynasty that Shu brocade began to gradually emerge in the market.

If the nationalization of Shu brocade is adopted, the quality of Shu brocade will decline and no one will buy it. Unless the country is closed tightly and the brocade and silk from the Central Plains are prohibited from flowing into the south, Shu brocade can occupy the market in the south and extract taxes from the nobles and powerful people.

Otherwise, Shujin would not be able to extract the assets of powerful people. Some people even smuggle inscriptions from the Central Plains because of the poor quality of Shu brocade. After all, Shu brocade is not oil. Without Shu brocade, the nobles and powerful people would not be able to survive.

Zhuge Liang smiled while stroking his fan, and said: "How can you say that the official business will make the quality of Shu brocade inferior? Both the official business and the private business are run by others. The inferiority and beauty of Shu brocade lies in whether the people who manage it are diligent and thoughtful, just like an ignorant child. , No matter how much wealth a family has, there will come a time when everything will be exhausted!"

"Or the country is a metaphor for business, and the prime minister manages the government, just like Xiao He who provides military supplies so that the military resources are intact. It is also like those in Tianfen who enrich their own pockets and benefit themselves but not the public. Therefore, the foundation of management lies in people, not officials or private individuals. superior."

As he spoke, Zhuge Liang looked at the crowd and said with a smile: "As for the profits that can be made privately, the government only has a salary, so why can't we take the profits from the government and reward the people who run it?"

Huo Jun was quite surprised by these words.

Zhuge Liang's words already have the flavor of later generations of state-owned enterprises looking for professional managers. State-owned enterprises have indeed led to a rigid system, serious bureaucracy, and declining product quality.

But state-owned enterprises are not hopeless?

By reforming the system and introducing suitable managers, it has regained its vitality, and there are even many profitable companies such as coastal ports in later generations.

Zhang Song was a little panicked, but still retorted: "How should we deal with those officials who have embezzled money? And Military Advisor An can dare to say that such a person can be found?"

"Huo Du, the Zhang family in Shu County mostly makes profits from Shu brocade. According to local people, the Zhang family can account for one-fifth of the production and sale of brocade and silk in Shu. They are extremely wealthy."

Huang Zhong secretly said: "Since Zhang Song entered Wuhan, he has given many Shu brocades to high-ranking officials and dignitaries."

"Sure enough!" Huo Jun smiled contemptuously.

Based on Zhang Song's character of being unwilling to make early gains, Huo Jun had already guessed that Zhang Song must have a close relationship with Shu Brocade, otherwise he would not be so opposed to Zhuge Liang's suggestion.

With a slight cough, Huo Jun said: "Your Highness, if you look at it from a high perspective, it is not impossible for military advisors and officers to camp Shu Brocade. The Central Plains has experienced many times of chaos, people have been displaced, and merchants have withered. Today, Bashu has experienced few wars. If the officials run Shu Brocade, they will select brocade noodles and batch them. You might be able to make a profit by weaving it!”

"Huo Du's words are well versed in the knowledge of merchants!"

Zhuge Liang cupped his hands with his fan and said: "The Central Plains is full of waste and weaving in Xiangyi. Most of them are made by households and clans, and few merchants produce them. If there is a suitable method, Shu brocade can become popular in the Central Plains."

"Kong Ming has a method?" Liu Bei asked curiously.

Zhuge Liang smiled confidently and said: "With a little income, the official Shu Brocade may be able to benefit the country!"

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Song shouted.

Liu Bei raised his hand to stop Zhang Song from speaking, and said: "Since Kong Ming dares to speak like this, how can I not do it? Shu Brocade Textile is run by officials and is under the control and responsibility of Kong Ming."

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness!" Zhuge Liang said, cupping his hands.

Seeing Liu Bei's arrangement, Zhang Song was angry and annoyed.

He originally wanted to achieve a higher level by changing owners. Now I have been promoted, but my family's assets are gone.

Zhuge Liang proposed to verify the household registration and the number of acres in Bashu. Although Zhang Song was dissatisfied, he agreed with a pinched nose. But now that the nationalization of Shu Brocade has directly cut off Zhang Song's lifeline, can Zhang Song not be angry? When we welcomed Liu Bei into Shu, we never expected to welcome a tiger or wolf into Shu.

After chatting for a while, various matters were arranged. Before the meeting ended, Liu Bei said in a deep voice: "There is a shortage of grain and grass in the country today, so the priority should be to save grain. This year, alcohol is banned in the country, and wine is not allowed to be brewed from grain. Regardless of whether you are high or low, or close, any offender will be punished with a serious crime. ."

"I will remember the king's order!" Everyone responded with cupped hands.

Liu Bei got up from the couch and said, "Zhong Miao is here with me!"

"promise!"

Everyone stood up and left the hall, while Huo Jun followed Liu Bei.

Zhuge Liang greeted Ma Liang and said: "Ji Chang, the method of rice and wheat rotation has been issued by government decree a few years ago, but due to delays in the war, the implementation has been slow. Ji Chang will check the progress of this matter to see if it can benefit the country and the people. , implemented among the people.”

"No!" Ma Liang replied.

"Changxu, Yuantan, today's salt and iron details..." Zhuge Liang was calling Gu Yong and Sun Shao again to discuss the contents of the official salt and iron.

While Zhuge Liang was busy with political affairs, Huo Jun's work had just begun.

In the side hall, Liu Bei invited Huo Jun to take a seat, and the monarch and his ministers faced each other alone.

Liu Bei asked the maid to serve tea and said with a smile: "Zhongmiao not only has the knowledge of military strategy, but also has the ability of everyone. His article on the military system of the Han Dynasty is exquisite. Zhongmiao is thinking deeply about the current situation. Can he teach orphans about the new system?"

Huo Jun's writing of military books gradually became known to the upper-class civil and military officials of the Southern Han Dynasty. Liu Bei also browsed the completed manuscript and was amazed by its content. This is one of the reasons why Liu Bei entrusted Huo Jun to participate in the reform of the Chinese army.

Huo Jun pondered for a while and said: "His Royal Highness took charge of Wu and Chu. He suddenly rose up. In order to win over people's hearts, he took the soldiers of the generals for his own use, and also took the powerful soldiers for his own use. When he invaded Bashu, he relied heavily on Yuan Cong and the surrender of his troops. Horse, but looking at it from a high angle, this is not a long-term method. To correct this trend, Jun believes that the strategy should be to strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches."

"Please Zhongmiao teach me!" Liu Bei asked.

Huo Jun organized his thoughts and said: "Since the early Han Dynasty, the method of the North and South Central Army has been implemented, placing the heavy ones and controlling the light ones, so as to be on top of the four prefectures and counties. After Shizu, the capital was abandoned for trial production, with the five border camps and the North and South Central Army as the main ones. . Now Your Highness can follow this method and set up a forbidden army in the north and south, each with 20,000 soldiers."

"The Northern Army is based on Your Highness Yuan Cong, and the elite of the old army are recruited to guard the center of Wuhan; the Southern Army is to send warriors from the generals of the six southern states into the Southern Army to weaken the strength of the generals, and come to both sides of the Zhenjiang River. "

"With a battalion of five thousand people, the Northern and Southern armies each have four battalions, divided into eight battalions, commanded by generals with mixed numbers. For example, the camp names can be Shence, Tiger Step, Control Crane, etc. The Forbidden Army is divided into three cao and three prison guards, who lead the army in combat and train sergeants. , food, grass and baggage, ordnance equipment, issuance of military orders, military counselor, and guard of all armies."

"For the above eight battalions, after obtaining His Royal Highness's handwritten instructions and talismans, and the Third Supervisor issuing documents, the generals will be commissioned to set off for the expedition. When sitting in the center, the Third Cao will be responsible for commissioning the generals to conduct military exercises."

"The 40,000 soldiers are all selected warriors from all over the world. They are equipped with armor and are carefully drilled. They are enough to intimidate the six states in the south. When the Forbidden Army is built and can intimidate all directions, we can discuss the generals and troops."

When Liu Bei captured Wu Chu, he used many tricks and hastily assumed power, and adopted a tacitly reserved attitude towards the soldiers and horses of the southern generals. In order to resist Cao Cao's troops, Liu Bei relied on his trusted soldiers such as Huo Jun, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Lu Xun.

This phenomenon will inevitably not last for a long time. Therefore, only by strengthening the bones and muscles, enriching the central army, and intimidating the local area can we discuss the issue of local generals. Moreover, in the current confrontation between the north and the south, both the imperial army and the local army must be at the center, otherwise the place will be empty and dangerous.

"color!"

Liu Bei thought for a long time, couldn't help but applaud, and said with a smile: "Deploy the best generals to strengthen the imperial army. Zhongmiao's strategy of strengthening the branches and strengthening the branches is very ingenious."

This technique of boiling frogs in warm water has to be traced back to the Later Zhou Dynasty and the Northern Song Dynasty. Later Zhou vassal towns still existed, and the strength of local generals was still considerable. In order to form an elite Forbidden Army, Chai Rong recruited heroes from all over the world and selected elite soldiers to join the Forbidden Army, thus forming the prestigious Northern Zhou Forbidden Army.

Liu Bei took advantage of the power of pacifying Bashu and the trend of proclaiming himself king and founding a country, and recruited elite soldiers from the six southern states. Guan Yu, Huo Jun, and Zhang Fei took the lead. The generals would not deny Liu Bei face, and they did not dare not deny it. After all, they were not depriving them of military power.

After pondering for a while, Liu Bei asked: "To form the northern and southern armies, we need to select generals. I wonder if Zhongmiao has a candidate?"

"Jun dare not!"

Huo Jun lowered his head and said, "It is against military law for foreign troops to participate in the Chinese military. If I recommend a general again, I am afraid it will be suspected of violating the rules."

"Hey!"

Liu Bei showed displeasure and said: "How can Gu not know Zhong Miao's heart and An Hui have doubts? But it doesn't matter, Gu will not be offended!"

After receiving Liu Bei's permission, Huo Jun thought about it and said: "General Zilong is loyal and fair. Since he has served as the Central Guards, he can be ordered to select the North and South Imperial Guards."

"General Huang has outstanding bravery and outstanding achievements, so he can be given the responsibility of forming the Southern Army; General Shuzhi has been on the battlefield for a long time, is in charge of the White Guards, and is a close confidant of His Highness, so he can be put in charge of the Northern Army."

"In this arrangement, General Zilong will take the lead, and the two generals will serve as assistants to build the central imperial army. There will be three Cao Cao and three supervisors, including military officers and civil servants. Your Highness can think more about the candidates. It is inconvenient for me to say more."

Liu Bei stroked his beard and said: "General Huang, a post-official general, is he being used for trivial purposes by asking him to form the Southern Army?"

Huang Zhong had no children, so he was asked to form the Southern Forbidden Army, which gained Liu Bei's trust. However, considering Huang Zhong's status and official position, Director Zhao Yun, who assisted the General in the East Expedition, seemed a little unreasonable.

"General Zilong is the Central Protector, why not appoint General Huang as the Central Protector to assist the Protector in controlling the Southern Army." Huo Jun suggested.

"You can follow Zhongmiao's words!"

(End of this chapter)