Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 416: First Thoughts on the Change of Title

Jiang Qian was the envoy and secretly said that Huo Jun was the king of Huainan, which was a big event for Jianghuai.

Pang Tong understood what had happened and did not dare to neglect. He took the shining golden royal seal and Jiang Gan's head, took Huo Fan with him, and rushed to Wuhan by boat.

From Hefei to Wuhan, the Yangtze River waterway is thousands of miles away. Traveling upstream by boat is indescribably fast.

Many days later, Pang Tong arrived in Wuhan and told Liu Bei what had happened.

Liu Bei looked at the King of Huainan on the table and the wooden box containing Chiang Kai-shek's head, and sneered: "How can I say that rumors are spreading in Wuhan and persisting for a long time? It was Cao Cao who did it secretly."

"Your Majesty!"

Pang Tong raised his hands and said, "Jiang Qian secretly entered Hefei and wanted to accuse Huo Du of rebelling. Huo Du was unmoved and ordered Ding Feng to kill him and have Tong rush to Wuhan. It can be seen that Huo Du's desire to take over the king of Huainan was purely a trap by criminals. , is actually Cao Cao’s sinister plan!”

"First, he slandered Huodu's name and said that he was disobedient, so that the king would be jealous of him. Later, taking advantage of the rift between the king and his ministers, he sent envoys to talk about it as the king, luring Huodu to rebel and destroying the king's inheritance. Fortunately, the king is wise. , Do not doubt the general; Huo Du is loyal and respectful to the king, making it difficult for thieves to succeed."

Liu Bei was very pleased and said with a smile: "Cao Mengde, a treacherous man, used this despicable method to get close to the general. If he didn't fall for this treacherous plan, all the ministers would be deceived by the rumors. We should take this as a warning in the future. Don’t trust the general easily.”

Relief was Liu Bei's current mentality. Although Huo Jun had joined him for less than ten years in name, in fact Huo Jun had followed him for more than ten years. Help him go down to the east of the Yangtze River, enter Jingchu, and sweep through Bashu. Without Huo Jun, it would be difficult to say that he would be as prosperous as he is today.

Therefore, he deeply believed in Huo Jun as a human being, but Huo Jun also used practical actions to prove the friendship between the monarch and his ministers. Even Wang Jue can't change his ambition. What else can't be believed in the future?

In terms of trust, Liu Bei had 80% trust in Huo Jun before, but now through the Huainan King incident, his trust has increased to 90%, which is the same as Guan and Zhang.

However, in addition to this, Liu Bei secretly made a note of Cao Cao's poaching against him, and he would definitely retaliate if he had the opportunity in the future. Let him know how it feels to be betrayed by one of your subordinates, or how it feels to be deceived.

Stroking his beard, Liu Bei looked at Zhang Zhao and asked, "What does Zibu have to say about what's going on now?"

Zhang Zhao's face did not change and he said firmly: "The former general is fair and loyal, and Zhao is happy for the king. However, Jianghuai is far away from power, so Zhao does not think that his words are wrong."

After encountering a soft nail, Liu Bei was not angry but happy, saying: "Zibu speaks uprightly and is considerate for the country. I am very happy."

Although what Zhang Zhaogai said was influenced by rumors, behind the influence of rumors was actually Zhang Zhao's considerate heart for Liu Bei.

Thinking for the king, this is Zhang Zhao's way of being a minister, and it is difficult to make the king dissatisfied. Most of them just cursed secretly for being pedantic or short-sighted.

Then, Liu Bei turned his attention to Huo Fan and said with a smile: "I heard that the scholar was on a farm inspection in Jianghuai. He is not in Jianghuai now. Is there something important to report?"

Huo Fan presented thousands of words of "On Huainan" and said: "I would like to inform you, Your Majesty, that the Governor has wanted to revitalize the Yangtze River and Huaihe River for a long time. He ordered Fan to inspect the mountains, rivers and geographical conditions and propose strategies to revitalize Huainan agriculture. Now that I have gained something, I will serve the Governor. As ordered, I will accompany the deputy governor to the capital to pay a visit to the king for your approval."

Seeing Liu Bei opening the memorial, Huo Fan took the opportunity to say: "In the past, Cao Cao was a man of the Yellow Turban. He camped in the Central Plains and accumulated grain in Xuchang to control the troops from all directions. He flattened Hebei, lowered Guanlong, and conquered Wu and Chu. Most of the grain he used came from Xuchang. "

"From Xuchang to Shouchun, along the Si and Ying rivers, soldiers and grain can arrive in ten days. However, looking at our Jianghuai River, the people are withering, the population is scattered, and farming is in decline. Food and trains cross the river thousands of miles and go north to provide for the Jianghuai soldiers. Therefore, your Majesty will send a large army to the north, transporting 100,000 troops and spending a huge amount of billions. It is thought to be a big campaign, but it is not a long-term plan."

"Huainan has vast fields and little water, which is not enough to maximize the benefits of the land. It is better to open canals, divert water to irrigate the fields, accumulate military supplies, and maintain water transportation routes."

"Between Huaiyi and Shutong, the soil is fertile and the fields are good. The rice produced in the east of the Yangtze River can be saved. They can be cultivated by the water. There are 30,000 farmers in Huainan who have two days off from work. There are often 20,000 people working and guarding the fields."

"Encourage hard work, supervise farmers and make profits. After taking into account military expenses, about three million dendrobium can be used as military resources at the end of the year. In six or seven years, 20 million dendrobium can be accumulated in Huainan, which is enough for one hundred thousand people to eat for two years. needs."

"With farming next year and the year after Echigo, the Jianghuai River will be self-sufficient, saving food and supplies, which can be used for national savings. From now on, if the enemy attacks us, the food from the Jianghuai River will be enough to defend against the enemy!"

Liu Bei was reading "On Huainan" and listening to Huo Fan's story, he couldn't help but be surprised. In the memorial, Huo Fan listed various farm data clearly and clearly.

For example, the layout of 30,000 field soldiers, how much farmland can be cultivated at each location, how much food can be produced every year, and where the rivers and canals can be dredged are almost detailed.

An extremely rigorous memorial made it difficult for him to criticize mistakes.

Then, Liu Bei looked up at his second son-in-law Huo Fan, and then thought of his eldest son-in-law Lu Xun, and couldn't help secretly sighing at his good luck.

Although the eldest son-in-law Lu Xun has a Confucian style, he is actually soft on the outside and strong on the inside, capable of both civil and military skills.

Although the second son-in-law Huo Fan is still young, he has been trained by Huo Jun and Sima Zhi and has political talents. I don't know how good his father is in military strategy.

It seems that Huo Jun asked Huo Fan to enter Wuhan not only to express his sincerity, but also to report to him in a formal manner.

Liu Bei handed the memorial to Zhuge Liang and asked: "I wonder what Shi Yuan thinks of the "Huainan Treatise" written by Shi Zai?"

Pang Tong cupped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, I think it's feasible. We choose soldiers from Yangzhou to guard the border, join forces with the Central Plains to surrender soldiers, and farm in Huainan. They work for two days and have one day off. They will be rewarded with the rice harvest every year. If they please the soldiers on the border, they will surely make Huainan a better place." Farming is booming and we don’t have to worry about food supplies.”

Liu Bei nodded slightly and praised: "Shizai is thoughtful and proficient in farming. The details he presents are rigorous and accurate, which is beyond the comparison of ordinary people. This policy will be read carefully and approved by me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compliments. I am so ashamed of myself."

Huo Fan was flattered and said: "I wanted to go with you today, but because I was unprepared for the Zhengdan celebrations, I stayed in Jianghuai for a few days. I will arrive in Wuhan in a few days to pay homage to the king."

Liu Bei's face was slightly serious, and he pretended to be displeased and said: "Jiang Qian is dead, and Wang Yin has arrived in the capital. I already know that this is Cao Cao's plan, so why does Zhong Miao need to go to the capital in person?"

"Report to the King!"

Huo Fan was neither humble nor arrogant, and explained: "The first day of the new year is approaching, and I haven't seen the king for a long time, so I want to go to the capital to pay him a visit in person. Moreover, my father said that I have a clue about the deployment of defense in Huaidong, and I need to see the king to report."

"That's fine!"

Liu Bei showed a smile and said: "As expected, I miss Zhongmiao a little. But Jianghuai is unguarded, so it may not be appropriate."

Hearing this, Pang Tong knew Liu Bei's intention, raised his hands and said, "I would like to inform you, Your Majesty, that I still have official duties in charge of the Jianghuai River, and now I need to return to the Huaihe River to serve as director."

"Then there will be a lot of money running around!" Liu Bei said.

"promise!"

After everyone retreated, Liu Bei stared at the Huainan Wang Xi on the desk, and fell into a daze alone.

It's not that he thinks there's anything unusual about Wang Xi, but that he just feels that the current title is not enough. Since the Han Dynasty, it has been the norm for ordinary people to transfer titles to county princes. Dukes and kings cannot grant ministers lightly. Only the number of towns varies.

If you increase the number of towns without increasing the title, a thousand households can become a county marquis, and ten thousand households can become a county marquis. There is no distinction between them. How can you show the honor of a meritorious official?

After he became emperor, why would he grant titles to everyone?

When his descendants will one day prosper the great Han Dynasty, why should they be awarded the title of meritorious official?

If the county prince is promoted to the rank of Duke, how can any loyal minister dare to accept it?

Only those who are reckless are fearless and even eager to go further.

I wonder if it is possible to change the title system, remove the dukes, and divide them into dukes with the surname Liu, and dukes with different surnames, which can be used to reward meritorious officials.

"Your Majesty, what should I do with the Huainan Royal Seal?" the attendant asked.

Liu Bei's thoughts were brought back to reality, and he said casually: "Melt it into gold water, cast it into gold vessels, and reward the meritorious civil and military officials."

"promise!"
-

Not to mention that Liu Bei had the idea of ​​​​changing the nobility system because of the king of Huainan. Huo Jun has arrived at Lujiang Racecourse today to choose a Zhengdan gift for Liu Bei.

Lujiang Racecourse was established in the 12th year of Jian'an, and it has been around ten years since the 22nd year of Jian'an.

From the four to five hundred horses at that time, after breeding and expansion, there are now more than four thousand horses. It is the first military horse farm in the Southern Han Dynasty.

Of course, horses are not only raised in the Lujiang area, but also with military horse farms in Bashu and Jingnan due to Liu Bei's vigorous development. Jingnan Racecourse was established not long ago and has a small number of horses; Bashu is located near Longyou and Nanzhong, so the number of horses is in the middle.

Since last year, the three military horse farms can provide the Southern Han Dynasty with about a thousand qualified war horses every year. With the war horse sales from Nanzhong, Longyou and Liaodong, the Southern Han Dynasty can have nearly 2,000 war horses entering the army.

Of course, consider combat consumption and deployment to various armies. In reality, the number of war horses in each ministry was not large.

与曹魏较高2-10:1的步骑比相比，南汉的步骑比在10-20:1之间，两者相较，着实有不小差距。

Lujiang Racecourse, inside the stables.

The riding supervisor Zhang Cheng touched the white horse's thick mane and saw that it had slender limbs, strong bones and strong bones, and well-defined muscles. When he shook his head and fragrant, the mane spread out in all directions, making him look like a horse.

"Captain, in our Lujiang racecourse, there is no horse like this in terms of majesty and burliness. I wonder what the governor thinks?" Zhang Cheng said.

Zhang Cheng is good at horses and has experience in raising horses. In the early years when Huo Jun established a racecourse, Zhang Cheng was the person in charge.

In the past ten years, the establishment and expansion of Lujiang Racecourse were all done by Zhang Cheng. As Lujiang Racecourse gradually became famous, Zhang Cheng also became famous in the Southern Han Dynasty due to his good reputation for looking at horses. Every year, many wealthy families ask Zhang Cheng to help them choose horses, and their reputations are often high.

However, no matter how high Zhang Cheng's reputation was, he had to welcome his old superior Huo Jun in person.

Huo Jun shook his head and said: "There is a horse that looks ordinary, but is actually a thousand-mile horse. The ability of this horse cannot be understood by those who are not good at understanding the nature of horses."

"this?"

Zhang Cheng thought for a long time and said: "There is indeed a brown horse with a head, head and ears that are ordinary and unremarkable. It seems to be a horse that cannot be a horse. If you look closely at its eyes, muscles and bones, it can be said to be a five-hundred-mile horse; after looking at the tendons, skin and hooves, it is actually a thousand-mile horse." "

"However, the brown horse is not as majestic as the white horse, nor is it as burly as the white horse, and its temperament is more impatient. If the governor wants to give a thousand-mile horse to the king, he should give a white horse as a first-day gift. The brown horse is not in good condition, so many gifts are considered inappropriate. "

"It doesn't matter!"

Huo Jun smiled and said, "Where is the brown horse?"

"there!"

Zhang Chengshun pointed over and saw a brown horse that was neither tall nor handsome, grazing with its head lowered. It seemed that it was aware of the attention of everyone, and it glanced up, then lowered its head and grazed there.

"The result is mediocre!"

Looking at the brown horse that looked like an ordinary military horse, Huo Jun was a little doubtful and said: "Is this horse really a thousand-mile horse?"

"Don't dare to deceive the governor."

Zhang Cheng touched the mane of the brown horse and said with a smile: "This horse is a cross between a Liaodong horse and a Nanzhong horse. Although it is not as tall as the Liaodong horse, it has excellent endurance and can carry heavy loads, climb mountains and wade in water, and walk on flat ground." It may not be as fast as the white horse within a hundred miles, but it will be better than the white horse after a hundred miles.”

Huo Jun didn't know anything about horses, but when he saw what Zhang Cheng said, he believed it.

"I want to take this horse as a gift, what official documents should I prepare?" Huo Jun asked.

"The Governor is out of town!"

Zhang Cheng looked humble and said: "The Lujiang Racecourse was established by the governor. The governor wants to take the horses, so why do you need official documents?"

Caressing the horse's back, Huo Jun said: "How can public and private be confused? If someone knows this and says that public weapons are used for private purposes, it will damage our reputation."

It seemed that Zhang Cheng had gotten used to it, and he said with a smile: "I will take care of the official documents, and the governor will not have to worry about it."

Asking the attendant to lead the brown horse out, Huo Jun glanced at Zhang Cheng and asked. "I heard that Huolujiang often comes here to pick up horses. I wonder if this is the case?"

"It's true!"

Zhang Cheng said truthfully: "In addition to Huolujiang, many generals from the country came here to pick up horses."

Huo Jun sighed secretly, Jiang Huai's sergeants were often arrogant, and you could tell just by looking at Ding Feng. If we don't restrain it now, we don't know what trouble it will cause in the future.

Lujiang Racecourse is a national racecourse, not owned by the Jianghuai Governorate District. You must not condone their actions, otherwise, if outsiders find out, they will be afraid of spreading rumors.

After thinking for a while, Huo Jun said: "From now on, whenever Jianghuai generals come to the racecourse to pick up horses, they will not be allowed to give approval without official documents. If there is any dissatisfaction, just say it is my military order."

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)