Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 226 Premeditated destruction

At the beginning of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there was no Shu land, and there were disputes between Jingyang and Shanyue within the rule, which wasted national power.

Let alone the Northern Expedition, it is not easy to hold half of the country south of the Yangtze River.

It was under such a predicament that Wang Dao, the true founder of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, implemented Tujuan during the Xiankang period, with the purpose of clearing up examinations, setting taxes, and forcing wealthy families to abandon their secluded homes.

Although the Langya Wang family was the most senior sect in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and Director Wang himself was highly respected, the move was still opposed by many important ministers. Without the support of Yu Liang, it would have been difficult to make the move.

At that time, Yu Liang concurrently commanded Jingzhou, Jiangzhou, and Yuzhou, and commanded the military affairs of Jingzhou, Jiang, Yuzhou, Yi, Liang, and Yongzhou. He was undoubtedly the most powerful vassal in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

There was an old grudge between Yu Liang and Director Wang. The reason why he was able to take the overall situation into consideration, send Yin Hao from the press office to join the army, and publicly express his support was entirely because Yu Liang was determined to conduct the Northern Expedition. Any policy that could enhance national power would naturally be welcomed by Yu Liang. become.

When Yin Hao entered the capital, Director Wang cordially received him and talked with him about mysteries. Huan Wen was among the people present to listen.

On the second day, Huan Wen and his friends ridiculed Situ Zuo Changshi Wang Meng and Lantian Marquis Wang Shu, who were both in the audience, thinking that they did not know how to pretend to understand, and bluntly said that they were bitches with beautiful feathers.

Therefore, when Huan Wen was in Jiankang, he could be regarded as witnessing the entire process of Wang Dao's implementation of soil breaking, and he knew very well about the resistance Wang Dao faced.

Wang Dao died in the fifth year of Xiankang (AD 339), and on the first day of the first lunar month of the sixth year of Xiankang (AD 340), Yu Liang, who had supported Wang Dao Tu Duan, also passed away.

The reason why Huan Wen hesitated was because he was worried about the reaction of the nobles in Jing and Jiang states.

Seeing this, Xi Chao was worried for him and said:

There is a saying that things hurt their own kind. Once the nobles in Jiangdong and Huainan saw Huan Wen infringing on the interests of the nobles in Chu, they would probably worry that this sword would fall on them sooner or later.

Tuduan mainly targets the northern overseas Chinese, Si, Yi, Ning, Jiao, and Guangzhong. Sizhou is in the north, and due to geographical reasons, there are not many northern overseas Chinese in the other four states.

Xi Chao saw Huan Wen's concerns and hesitations, and he said seriously:

The power of the Huan family now far exceeds that of Wang Dao and Yu Liang back then. If Huan Wen really wanted to implement Tujuan in the Chu Kingdom, the nobles would only dare to complain a few times in private.

"Duke Chu! Xie Anshi didn't want to serve as an official. Duke Liang threatened him with death, so he didn't obey and went to Chang'an.

"Now the Duke of Chu is in charge of the three prefectures of Jing, Jiang and Si, and is also supervising the military affairs of the four prefectures of Yi, Ning, Jiao and Guang. There is also the Duke of Liang who is in Guanlong. He thinks that he can provide strong support. Even though the implementation of the territorial division has harmed the interests of the gentry, they I can only swallow my anger and don't dare to have an attack!

"In order to resolve the financial crisis, I have the courage to make a suggestion and ask for the implementation of land destruction in Chu State."

However, Huan Wen was unable to make up his mind because he was concerned about the reactions of the gentry in Jiangdong, Huainan and other places.

The results achieved by Wang Dao and Yu Liang, the central power ministers and the local powerful vassals, were lost.

What Xi Chao said was like a wake-up call, finally waking up Huan Wen.

The Chu State only had Jingzhou and Jiangzhou, so Xi Chao proposed to implement it only in the Chu State.

In the wing room, Huan Wen pondered for a long time, undecided.

Yu Liang's younger brothers, Yu Bing and Yu Yi, naturally had to make concessions to the scholars in order to inherit the family business.

"Mr. Chu, if you want to win the heartfelt support of the nobles, you must compromise at every turn and not compete with the nobles for profit. Otherwise, how can you compete with the Jin family for the hearts of the nobles."

"During the Xiankang period, with the power of King He and Yu, the nobles did not dare to disobey.

The reason why the Jin Dynasty was able to gain the support of the nobles was because the Sima family indulged the nobles. Especially in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there was a saying that the king and the horse share the world. Not only Huanxi, but also Huan Wen were not willing to repeat the same mistake.

He was determined to usurp the throne, not to become emperor in the future, but to live by the eyes of the nobles.

If you can't reach the level of the Sima clan, don't try to compete with them for the hearts of scholars. However, as long as the power of the Huan family is strong enough and can overwhelm everything, even if Huan Wen and Huan Xi treat the scholars as slaves, no matter how disgusted they are in their hearts, they will still have to pinch their noses and admit it and submit to the Huan family.

Huan Wen stared at Xi Chao, his eyes not hiding his inner love for him.

If what happened today were publicized, the scholars would naturally not dare to resent Huan Wen, but they would definitely blame Xi Chao for the fault.

It can be seen that Xi Chao is really dedicated to Huan Wen and has put aside his own honor, disgrace and safety.

Such behavior naturally moved Huan Wen deeply, and he sighed:

"Xi'er is assisted by Wang Jinglue, Xie Anshi and others, and I can have Jing Xing alone, which is enough for my wish."

There is no shortage of famous people around Huan Wen, but there is no one else who can serve him wholeheartedly like Xi Chao.

That night, Huan Wen and Xi Chao had a candle-lit night talk, focusing on how to implement Tujuan.

Fortunately, Huan Wen had personally experienced Wang Daotu's death and was familiar with some of his policies.

For example, all gentry tribes must be included in tax-paying households. Noble bureaucrats can be exempted from labor and military service, but they must bear the obligation to pay taxes. Their relatives can no longer be protected by aristocratic bureaucrats as in the past.

At the same time, Huan Wen decided to fully restore the land rent collection system promulgated by Wang Dao in the fifth year of Xianhe (330 AD) in Chu State.

The so-called land rent collection system means that land tax is collected according to the number of acres of land occupied. The more acres of land, the heavier the land tax, and the fewer acres of land, the lighter the land tax.

After Wang Dao's death, although the land rent collection system was not abolished, the tax-exemption benefits for aristocratic bureaucrats and their relatives were restored. This system naturally fell on ordinary people.

As the sky grew brighter, Xi Chao suddenly suggested:

"Why don't Duke Chu write to Duke Liang to discuss this matter?"

Huan Wen, Huan Xi and his son always communicated in advance whenever there was an important event. Of course, there was a post road between Xiangyang and Chang'an, so letters could be exchanged very quickly, so things would not be missed.

There is only a thousand miles between Xiangyang and Xi'an. With the expedited speed of 600 miles, it only takes two days for the letter to be delivered to Huan Xi. Even if Huan Xi needs a day to discuss with his confidants, and the round trip takes a total of five days, Huan Wen You will receive a reply.

Now that Huan Wen plans to implement Earth Break, he is not in a hurry in these five days.

Huan Wen naturally agreed with Xi Chao's proposal, but after nodding, he said:

"Jingxing, I want to transfer you to Zhongshu Ling, how about that?"

The Zhongshu Ling seems to have a high position and power, but in terms of actual powers, it is far inferior to the Shangshu Ling, which oversees the general affairs.

Huan Wen's arrangement was naturally to protect Xi Chao and did not want him to wade through this muddy water.

After all, if we really want to implement Tujuan, and Shangshu Ling takes charge of the common government, he must take the lead.

Xi Chao asked:

"Who does Duke Chu want to take over?"

Huan Wen asked:

"What do you think Jing Xing thinks of Yin Hao?"

(End of this chapter)