At the end of Qin, I became a son of the plane

Chapter 381: The First Group of Princes Relocated and the Division of the Desert
On the inner city tower of Pinglu Fort, Xu Fan looked down at the parade team slowly passing by his sight.

Han Xin and others sat on their war horses and simply saluted the emperor, and then continued their tour. They would patrol Pinglu Fort and let everyone see their achievements before returning.

Not only was there the Emperor Xu Fan on the city wall, but there were also princes from all over the place. They were all on the city wall watching the martial virtues of the Han Dynasty, and also watching their new companions.

Of course, more people still looked at Ying Bu, Ji Bu, Chen Xiao and others with envy. The distance between them and the emperor was the gap between their power and wealth. They wished they could replace Ying Bu and others, stand beside the emperor, and chat and laugh with him.

"Ji Xin, Lu Chen and the others are lucky. Why didn't I get such a good thing back then?" Ying Bu said enviously.

Because he had joined Xu Fan early, he was already a high-ranking official when the Han Dynasty held parades to boast of its achievements. Usually, he was the one who led the horse. Today, people like Han Xin were praised by the people and were sought after as their son-in-law. Ying Bu was extremely envious and jealous.

Xu Fan smiled and said, "Since you like being the center of attention so much, I will let you experience it later."

Ji Bu smiled and said, "It seems that you want to get some sisters for Wu Dan. Do you want me to ask your master Wu Rui later?"

Ying Bu immediately begged for mercy: "Ji Bu, you can't talk nonsense."

Ying Bu and Wu Dan had a very good relationship. Since they got married, Wu Dan had given birth to three sons for Ying Bu. Wu Dan was also very capable in domestic affairs. In Britain, Ying Bu spent most of his time hunting and solving wild animal problems for the people. The major policies for the development of Britain's domestic affairs were all managed by Wu Dan with the help of Ying Bu.

Therefore, Ying Bu liked and respected Wu Dan, but was also a little afraid of her. Ying Bu did not take a concubine for all these years.

Ji Bu smiled and said, "I envy you for finding a capable wife who can help you run the country. I didn't expect that although my country is getting bigger and bigger, the deficit is also getting bigger and bigger."

Chen Xiao said: "If Brother Ji Bu is short of money, I will support you with 200 million."

Ying Bu also said immediately: "I will give you 300 million. Money is such a useless thing, it is not worth a hero like you, Ji Bu, to sigh."

After several years of development, the princes in various parts of the Han Dynasty had developed completely differently.

Princes like Ying Bu in the Qianzhong area became rich quickly because of their fertile land and numerous local specialties.

For example, Ying Bu developed the tea, porcelain, sugar, textile, and brewing industries. In the absence of strong external enemies, there was little military investment and all the wealth was invested in land development and industrial construction. The country began to enter a positive cycle. Britain's primary and secondary industries grew at a rate of more than 2% each year, and these industries earned Ying Bu a lot of money.

In the past two years, the population in Qianzhong area has increased more than ten times. Several new towns appear almost every year, and a large amount of land has been reclaimed. It finally looks a bit like the wealthy areas in the south of the Yangtze River in later generations.

Chen Xiao and his men were in a similar situation. After he captured the capital of Yelang Kingdom, he no longer needed to build infrastructure. The industries that could be developed in Qianzhong could also be developed in Nanzhong. Nanzhong even had more economic crops like lacquer trees. At the same time, Nanzhong also had copper mines and silver mines.

Originally, Chen Xiao wanted to hand over the copper and silver mines, but Xu Fan thought about it and ordered Chen Xiao to use the profits from the mines to build a road in Nanzhong to connect Shuzhong.

Because what Nanzhong lacked was roads, Chen Xiao and his team were able to use roads to connect Nanzhong and Shuzhong, and the development of this land was then on the right track.

Of course, the situation is not bad now. Because of the many local specialties, the wealth of the princes in Nanzhong is only slightly lower than that of the princes in Qianzhong.

Although the vassal states in Liaodong did not have much money, they had the largest population among all the vassal states and the fastest development progress. There were already quite a few vassal states in Liaodong with a population of over 10.

Some capable princes, such as Lu Chen, Liu Bang, and Chen Ying, have begun to build small cities to accommodate the excess population.

Relatively speaking, the princes who followed Ji Bu were the most adept at fighting. Ji Bu and his comrades fully learned the Qin Dynasty's farming and warfare system. The more capable the soldiers were, the more land and grassland they obtained. Ji Bu and his comrades relied solely on their own strength to defeat the Dayuezhi people, who migrated westward to avoid Ji Bu and his comrades.

But also because of years of war, they invested all their resources into the military. In addition, there were not many special products in Hexi, only woolen cloth, but they had to compete with the inland counties of the Han Dynasty. Even if they had livestock, they had to compete with the Huns. The money they earned had to be invested in the military, and the national finances could not form a positive cycle.

The most critical thing now is that the Dayuezhi people are fleeing farther and farther. If Ji Bu and his men want to attack the Dayuezhi people, they have to march thousands of miles, which is extremely difficult for the Han Dynasty. This can be seen from the consumption of the Han Dynasty's attack on the Xiongnu.

The narrow terrain of Hexi restricted the expansion of Ji Bu and his companions. Expanding westwards meant the plateau was a barren land. Ji Bu and his companions found that the further they expanded westwards, the higher the mountains became and the poorer the land became.

As a result, the military costs of the princes in Hexi became extremely high, and they generally owed money for the development of money houses, which totaled more than 30 billion coins.

Although Chen Xiao and Ying Bu wanted to support Ji Bu, Ji Bu shook his head and was unwilling to accept it. He was very concerned about his reputation, so how could he ask Ying Bu and his friends for money?

After thinking for a while, Ji Bu said, "Your Majesty, last time we discussed selling the vassal states, I wonder how much money the court can give?"

Ying Bu was shocked and asked, "Ji Bu, you want to sell out the vassal states?"

Ji Bu said bitterly: "Hexi is still too barren and too narrow. I want to lead my brothers to explore the Western Regions."

Ji Bu and his men had a strong military force, but the other party had hid thousands of miles away, and they had no way to deal with it unless they moved their capital. However, the Great Yuezhi were a semi-nomadic people, and Ji Bu and his men had invested a lot of resources in Hexi to build cities and reclaim fields. These resources could not be moved. This was the embarrassing situation that Ji Bu and his men were facing now.

Before coming to Pinglu Fort, Ji Bu had discussed with his brothers that they believed that Hexi did not have much development prospect as it was either plateau or desert, and even the pastures for grazing were not as many as in the desert.

Seeing that the princes in other directions were getting more and more prosperous, they were almost degenerated into herdsmen. This was hard for the arrogant princes to accept. They now only wanted to go to the legendary Western Regions where gold, silver and gems were everywhere. They did not want to stay in Hexi where the wind and sand were blowing everywhere.

Xu Fan was enthusiastic about Ji Bu and his men's westward expedition. He thought for a moment and said, "The court can take over your debts and give you 30 billion coins of food and supplies to finance your westward expedition."

Now the Han Dynasty has expanded to its limits in all directions. Only the Western Regions and Southeast Asia have room for expansion. The actions of Ji Bu and others just fit in with the next strategy of the Han Dynasty.

Ji Bu and his men broke into the center of the world island and sinicized the Western Regions, while the Han court brought Hexi under the direct jurisdiction of the court. There was also the plateau, the roof of the world. Although this place was barren, it was a strategic location. Even if the Han Dynasty could not rule it directly, it must be able to influence this area.

"However, the Battle of Mobei has just ended. It may take some time for the court to allocate supplies."

Ji Bu said calmly: "I and others will also need some time to prepare."

When Xu Fan and Ji Bu were discussing the relocation of all the princes in Hexi, the parading team came back again, ready to be inspected by the emperor.

Xu Fan adjusted his armor and said loudly to all the princes: "Everyone is a guest of honor. Come and see if the heroes of the Han Dynasty are majestic or not?"

The princes said in unison: "Yes!"

"Ji Bu, Ying Bu, Chen Xiao, follow me to review the meritorious officials of the Han Dynasty."

Ji Bu and others said: "We obey your order!"

Then Xu Fan slowly walked down the tower. There was already an emperor's carriage under the tower.

Xu Fan said: "Chen Xiao, you will be the driver, Ji Bu will be the left driver, and Ying Bu will be the right driver."

As an emperor, he always has to bring something new to the world. Xu Fan’s review this time is to learn from future generations.

After receiving Xu Fan's order, Chen Xiao sat on the driver's seat, Ji Bu pulled out the long spear stuck in the chariot, and Ying Bu took the bow and arrow.

The three were extremely excited. The world wanted them to go together to review the meritorious officials, which meant that they wanted to share the glory of the emperor with them. This was something that only confidants could have.

"Drive!" Driven by Chen Xiao, four white war horses moved forward slowly.

The emperor's carriage slowly appeared in front of the parade.

"Hello, soldiers!" Xu Fan shouted.

The patrol team immediately cheered: "Long live the emperor!"

"Thank you for your hard work, soldiers!"

"Long live the emperor!" the inspection team cheered again.

The emperor's carriage stopped in the middle of the team. Han Xin and others looked at the emperor excitedly, while Lu Chen and Ji Xin looked at Ji Bu, Ying Bu and others with some jealousy.

Lu Chen even whispered to Ji Xin: "If I had known that Ying Bu and his men could ride in the emperor's carriage, I would not have gone to Kuajie."

Wu Sheng said angrily, "I am even more miserable. Logically, Ying Bu's position should belong to me, but now I can only hold your horses. You are all princes, why do you have the right to stand beside the emperor? The princes watching the ceremony on the city wall should be where you are."

Wu Sheng's words made Fan Kuai, who was sitting on his horse, a little uneasy.

Does the general have any opinion about me?
Deng Zong said calmly: "It's useless for you to be jealous. Even without Ying Bu and the others, you wouldn't be able to stand in that position."

Wu Sheng was speechless. It was well known that the emperor loved Ji Bu and Ying Bu. Even his old subordinates could not compare to him.

Xu Fan looked at these heroes of the Han Dynasty. Each of them was an elite of this era. Whether Mobei could become Han territory depended on these elites. Xu Fan hoped that the war between agriculture and animal husbandry that had lasted for thousands of years in the future could end in their hands.

Xu Fan said: "In the Battle of Mobei, our Han Dynasty won a great victory. You have lived up to my expectations, and you have not let down the expectations of the court and the people of the world.

It was you who allowed the Xiongnu, the blood brothers of the Han Dynasty, to return to Han civilization, and it was you who ended the war for the people of the world.

You are the heroes of my Han Dynasty.

I, the court and the people of the world are proud of you."

As soon as Xu Fan fell, all the heroes of the Han Dynasty shouted excitedly: "Your Majesty, long live your majesty!"

Infected by this atmosphere, hundreds of thousands of people around also shouted: "Your Majesty, long live the throne!"

After the cheers, the soldiers in the rear came to Xu Fan with the heads.

Han Xin knelt on one knee and said, "This is the head of Maodun, the Khan of the Xiongnu."

Due to the need for preservation, Maodun's head has turned grayish white and its original appearance can no longer be seen.

Later, the heads of the Xiongnu nobles were presented one by one.

These Xiongnu nobles became proof of the Han Dynasty's military achievements.

Xu Fan said: "The general trend of the world is unstoppable. It is the general trend of the world for the Han and Xiongnu brothers to unite and become one family. Maodun went against the will of heaven and deserved this disaster, but he is my Han brother after all. His death is a debt to be paid. Bury Maodun and the others properly."

Xu Fan disdains to use dead bodies to vent his emotions, and since he wants to occupy the desert, he still has to get the ethnic policy right.

At least he would not treat the people on an island like Niu Niu did, cheating and doing all kinds of evil.

Where there is oppression, there is resistance. If you don't treat others as your own people, they will continue to resist.

There was no assimilation for hundreds of years, and the people were even about to split again. Niu Niu's ethnic policy was extremely bad, so bad that a powerful empire on which the sun never sets was almost withered and became a third-rate country. After all, Niu Niu's family lacked the lesson of great unification.

Han Xin said: "Yes!"

Then Xu Fan looked around and said, "The war between Han and Xiongnu was a fight between brothers. After the war is over, we should look forward, work hard to live our lives well, and realize a harmonious world as soon as possible."

When the Han people of Xiongnu nationality heard this, they thought that the emperor did not discriminate against them and really treated them as their own. So they shouted excitedly: "Your Majesty, long live your majesty!"

The eighth year of the Han Dynasty, October 16. Pinglu Fort, the scene of the meeting of princes.

The theme of this year's conference of princes is undoubtedly to enfeoff the heroes of the battle of Mobei.

After all the princes paid tribute to the emperor Xu Fan.

Xu Fan said: "The Battle of Mobei completely defeated the only enemy in the world that could threaten our Han Dynasty, and let our Han Dynasty gain the vast desert. Our Han Dynasty has clear rewards and punishments, and it is also convenient for governing the desert. The court decided to use the entire desert to reward meritorious officials. The court will enfeoff more than a hundred vassal states in the desert, and more than a thousand earldoms, viscountdoms, and barondoms."

Then Xu Fan looked at Zhang Liang and said, "Prime Minister, show the court's plan for the desert to all the princes and meritorious officials."

"As you wish!" Zhang Liang stood up and ordered his servants to take out an extremely large map of the desert and then hang it up.

Zhang Liang saluted Xu Fan first, and then turned to the princes and meritorious officials of the Han Dynasty and said: "According to the emperor's wishes, I have divided the borders of the desert. According to the terrain and the fatness of the desert grassland, hundreds of vassal states have been divided. Each vassal state has 2-3 earldoms, more than ten viscounts and barons. Each vassal state in Mobei can be divided into 5000 herdsmen and a certain number of livestock. The earl can be divided into 500 households, the viscount 200 households, and the baron households."

The princes and heroes in front looked at the map and found that the dividing lines of the vassal states drawn by the court were all crooked. Each vassal state was managed so that there were mountains, rivers, grasslands and Gobi deserts.

Moreover, the vassal states closer to the south are smaller, and the vassal states closer to the north are larger. In particular, the vassal states close to the North Sea are more than ten times larger than the vassal states south of the desert. But considering the harsh climate in the north of the desert, this division is relatively fair.

Zhang Liang continued, "These animals are the spoils of war of our Han Dynasty. They should have been rewarded to the Han soldiers. However, the court considered that it would be difficult for herdsmen to survive in the desert without animals, so they gave these animals to you. However, you should return the money for the animals to the court, and the court will distribute them to the soldiers."

“Considering that you have just established a vassal state and have limited money, the court will repay the debt on your behalf, and you can repay the debt with the cattle, sheep, war horses, and wool from the desert.

The interest on this debt is set at 2% per year, so I advise you to repay it as soon as possible. If any of you have difficulty paying it back, it means that you are not capable of running a vassal state. The court has the right to take back your fiefdom, so don't be too cautious."

Xu Fan looked at the heroes of the Battle of Mobei and said, "Do you agree with the court's decision?"

Han Xin and the others bowed and said, "We approve."

Imperial Censor Chen Lin stepped out of the ranks and bowed, saying, "In the Battle of Mobei, there was one man who was worthy of being made a duke, ninety-eight marquises, one hundred and fifty-two earls, two hundred and thirty-four viscounts, and six hundred and fifty-five barons. I respectfully present this to your majesty for your inspection!"

Even though the princes present knew that the emperor was going to confer titles on many princes, they were still shocked to learn that thousands of people would be enfeoffed. This number had already exceeded the number in the founding period of the Han Dynasty. Although there were not many top-level nobles, the number of middle and lower-level nobles far exceeded that of the founding period.

Many princes thought in their hearts that if they had known that the reward would be so generous, they would have sent some of their own people to fight in the desert. Even if they could not become princes, getting a viscountship or a baronship would also be a foundation that could be passed down for thousands of years.

The attendant took over Chen Lin's memorial, and Xu Fan looked through it. The first meritorious person was Han Xin, followed by Fan Kuai, Jing Tao and other meritorious officials. Xu Fan knew the first dozen generals, but didn't know much about the others.

At the same time, among the heroes of this time, Lu Chen and his subordinate princes were fulfilling their feudal obligations and were not recorded. They only received some livestock rewards from the court. Of course, the remaining supplies from the expedition to the desert were rewarded to Lu Chen and other princes by the Han court.

Xu Fan said: "This list will be made public to the princes, meritorious officials and the people of the world to show the justice and fairness of the court."

Chen Lin said: "No!"

Then Xu Fan looked at all the meritorious officials and said, "The vassal states of the desert are displayed here. You have three days to consider which vassal state you want. Once you decide, you cannot regret it. Of course, if you don't want to suffer in the desert, the court will not wrong the meritorious officials. You can ask for fiefdoms within the Han territory, or virtual territories, and continue to serve the court."

Han Xin said: "Your Majesty, I still want to stay in the court."

Other meritorious officials also said: "We are willing to stay in the court."

Xu Fan waved his hand and smiled, "I understand your intentions, but the times are different now. Although the Han Dynasty cannot put its weapons into storage and its horses into the mountains, it cannot leave its weapons behind.

But within the known civilized world, there are indeed no enemies of our Han Dynasty. If you stay in the army, you will be useless. Now is the time for you to establish your own feudal state. This is good for both the court and yourself. This is the court's reward for your merits. You should rest assured to build your own feudal state, which is the best reward for the court."

"Okay, think about it on your own. This is something that will determine the foundation of your family for hundreds of years. You must think twice before acting. Think clearly and understand it clearly, so that you will have no regrets after making your move."

"We thank your Majesty for the generous reward."

Xu Fan said: "This is what you deserve."

(End of this chapter)