Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 60 On the Reward for Merit (3000)

After Qian Yan occupied Youzhou, he moved his capital to Jicheng. Faced with the chaotic situation in Later Zhao, the Murong family adopted the strategy of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight, waiting for the decisive battle between Shi Min and Shi Zhi.

These two people, one represents the Han people of Later Zhao, and the other represents the Hu people of Later Zhao, are already in the same situation. Even if the former Yan is watching with eager eyes, the hatred between the soldiers and the people below is destined to make them decide the winner.

However, despite the good situation, a fierce quarrel broke out in Jicheng. The reason was that Murong Ke petitioned to implement the Land Equalization Order in Youzhou.

Huan Xi's implementation of the land equalization order harmed the interests of the gentry family. The Murong family would naturally not consider the so-called gentry's ideas, but this decree undoubtedly violated the interests of the Xianbei nobles.

Since the founding of Qian Yan, Xianbei nobles have been allowed to occupy land and population. Therefore, there have always been two local systems in Qian Yan, namely the military feudal system and the county system.

The so-called military feudal system refers to occupying a large number of people in a militarized manner.

These people are also called camp households. They are not on the national household registration, nor do they pay taxes for the country. They have separate military registrations. The young and old are engaged in war, the old, young, women and children are engaged in production, and their income is dedicated to the Xianbei nobles who occupy the population.

These camps are the dependent people of the Xianbei nobles.

Now Murong Ke wants to implement the land equalization order, collect ownerless land in Youzhou, and distribute it to the ownerless people. Doesn't this clearly prohibit them from continuing to occupy land and population?

A group of Xianbei nobles made a fuss over this, but they were afraid of Murong Ke's prestige and did not dare to break up with him.

But Murong Junke felt uncomfortable. He was bothered by a group of Xianbei nobles who all hoped that he could refuse Murong Ke's offer.

Murong Jun had no choice but to call Murong Ke over and said to him:

"Xuan Gong (Murong Ke) wants to implement the land equalization order, but now the material debate is boiling and officials are resentful. It is better to put it aside to calm public opinion. What does Xuan Gong think?"

Murong Ke respected his brother very much. It was his trust that allowed him to show his talents. However, in the face of his brother's persuasion, Murong Ke insisted:

"People's words should not be feared. Looking at the situation in the world, in the future, the world will definitely be divided between the king and the Huan family.

"Didn't your Majesty see that Huan Xi implemented the land equalization order, and the people in Guanzhong, regardless of Hu and Han, rushed to join him?
  “If two families compete for the Central Plains, one side will use the banner of dividing the land for the people, while the other side will continue to allow the nobles to invade the land and population.

"The people of the Central Plains, even the barbarians, would eat pots of pulp to welcome the Huan clan.

"The world has changed, and we cannot continue to stick to the old rules. In order to take over the Central Plains, the king must follow the footsteps of the Huan family and compete with them for the hearts and minds of the people.

"Besides, implementing the land equalization order can also restore production as soon as possible and increase taxes for the country. How can the king ignore the opposition of others and abandon this good policy that benefits the country and the people."

Of course Murong Jun knew the importance of the Tianjun Order, but he was just worried about internal unrest as a result.

He expressed his concerns, and Murong Ke said seriously:
  "The current civil strife in Zhao cannot be quelled in a short time. Don't worry, Your Majesty. If anyone dares to raise an army to rebel, I will seek peace for Your Majesty!"

Murong Jun had no doubt that Murong Ke could keep his word and quell the civil strife.

Of course, with Murong Ke taking the lead in the reform, the resentment of the Xianbei nobles could not fall on him, Murong Jun.

After careful consideration, Murong Jun decided to support Murong Ke in implementing the land equalization order in Youzhou.

But it’s only limited to Youzhou.

Liaodong, Liaoxi and other places were not within the scope of equalizing land, and the military feudal system was retained.

This move was also to ease the conflicts with the nobles in the country, so as not to push them too far and cause rebellion everywhere.

Today's Murong clan is still united, not the Xianbei Murong clan who later became famous for internal fighting.

With the support of Murong Jun, Murong Ba and other brothers, Murong Ke overcame all opposition and launched a land equalization movement in Youzhou.

Although the equalization of land in Qianyan was not complete, this book is for the people of Hebei and the Central Plains: Look! We can also divide the fields.

If it weren't for the strict barriers on the Yan-Zhao border, the refugees in Hebei would have to go to Youzhou to make a living, with their young and old in tow.

Compared with the Murong clan of the former Yan Dynasty who tried every means to strengthen themselves, the court of the Eastern Jin Dynasty did not have such big pursuits.

The news of Huan Xi's success and the memorial for 200,000 refugees have been sent to Jiankang. The Queen Mother Chu watched Huan Xi enumerating her father's sins on the memorial and was trembling with anger.

With a snap, the watch was smashed to the ground by her, and Empress Dowager Chu cried:

"Huan Xi made it clear that he wanted to punish my father. Now that my father has died of illness, why is he still so aggressive!"

It turned out that Chu Pei had been ordered to enter the court and passed through Jingkou. All he heard was the sound of crying.

Chu Su, who was ill, asked around and learned that they were all the family members of the soldiers who died in the Battle of Daibei were crying. Chu Su was so ashamed that he passed away before arriving in Jiankang at the age of forty-seven.

Empress Dowager Chu cried in the palace, and the courtiers were all filled with indignation, thinking that Huan Xi had gone too far.

Chu Pei enjoyed a good reputation among scholars. As mentioned before, he was just not capable, but in terms of virtue, he was a model.

After his death, the scholars all sighed sadly, mourned and longed for him. How could Huan Xi be allowed to hold such a deceased moral elder accountable for his crimes?

Huan Xi's memorial was naturally discarded by the court, but everyone had to be cautious about his success in taking over the four counties of Yongzhou and seizing Tongguan, Puban, and Wuguan. There was no rush to reward Huan Xi before, because he believed that his army was weak and he could not stop the counterattack of Hou Zhao.

However, with the current situation in Zhao's country, regaining Guanzhong is far away.

Huan Xi has already occupied the dangerous pass, and among the seven counties in Guanzhong, the four richest counties have been owned by him, and the remaining three counties will not be spared.

Now, it is time to appraise the merits of Huan Xi and his generals.

Huan Xi asked for the appointment of a military advisor general, and asked Bo Wangmeng, the leader of the shogunate, to take up this post.

He also asked for the establishment of Hedong County, to list Shen Jin's achievements in the Northern Expedition, and to request that the imprisonment of the Shen family in Wuxing be released, and that Shen Jin be appointed as the governor of Hedong, with jurisdiction over Puban and other places.

The rest of the generals were either prefects or generals. Even Zhu Xu, who stayed in Liangzhou, had made great achievements in containing Shi Bao. Huan Xi reported to the court and asked him to be granted the title of prefect of Hanzhong.

There is also another memorial written by the officials of Yong and Liang prefectures, asking Huan Xi, who is also the governor of Yong, Liang and Qin prefectures, to pay homage to General Zhengdong, to envoy Chijie, to open the government ceremony with the three divisions, and to supervise Liang. There are eight military counties in Yongzhou, seven counties in Yongzhou, and six counties in Qinzhou.

When Huan Xi applied for a title as a general, the imperial court agreed.

It is true that satisfying Huan Xi's request will make these generals feel grateful to Huan Xi, but if they refuse, these people will feel resentful towards the court. Sima Yu, Yin Hao and others still hope to be shown their loyalty. The generals who will win over Huan Xi privately in the future.

As for Huan Xi's reward, it is the focus of controversy.

Naturally, Sima Yu would not let Huan Xi serve as the governor of Yong, Liang, and Qin states.

Especially for Qinzhou, he has sent envoys to try to recruit Wang Tiao to surrender, and appointed Wang Tiao as the governor of Qinzhou and the military commander of the six counties.

The Eastern Jin Dynasty itself had a Yongzhou governor, but he belonged to Qiaozhou. Sima Yu originally wanted to follow Zhou Fu's old example of entering the pass as a Yongzhou governor and taking over Guanzhong.

But the Yongzhou governor was also a smart man. After learning that Huan Xi intended to serve as the governor of the three states, how dare he compete with him for the ownership of Guanzhong. After all, Huan Wen's 30,000 Jingzhou army is still stationed in Xiangyang.

Before the imperial edict was issued, the above form from the governor of Yongzhou had been sent to Jiankang. He firmly requested to resign, which caught Sima Yu and others off guard.

Of course, from then on, the Yongzhou governor would naturally find a place in the shogunate of Huan Wen and Huan Xi.

Sima Yu and Yin Hao discussed for a long time, and Yin Hao came up with a plan and said:
  "Only Qinzhou is not allowed. All other requests can be granted. I also ask the king to grant Huanxi a title and make him the Duke of Jingzhao County."

Sima Yu didn't understand why Yin Hao's attitude changed 180 degrees, from curbing Huan Xi's power to now having to reward him with a knighthood.

Yin Hao explained:
  "Previously, Huanxi served as the governor of Liangzhou and had the power to oversee the military affairs in Guanzhong. The imperial court had no control over Yongzhou and Liangzhou, so it was not allowed for him to serve as the governor of Yongzhou and Liangzhou.

"Now if Huan Xi is the general who conquered the east and the Duke of Jingzhao County, his rank will be the same as that of Huan Wen, the general who conquered the west and the Duke of Linhe County. How could Huan Xi obey his father's orders in everything? Huan Wen will also feel sad because of this. Unhappy life.

"Over time, there will inevitably be a rift between father and son.

"Huan Wen is not alone in his son. If the Huan family can be divided, why should the king begrudge the position of Duke of Jingzhao County?"

Sima Yu suddenly realized it and said happily:

"Shenyuan is really a wonderful idea."

The two then asked the Empress Dowager Chu to allow Huan Xi to serve as the governor of Yong and Liang prefectures, to worship the general who conquered the east, to open the government office with the three divisions, to envoy Chijie, to supervise the military affairs of the fifteen counties of Yong and Liang, and to be granted the title of Duke of Jingzhao County. .

Queen Mother Chu heard the two people explain their reasons and immediately agreed.

Sure enough, the matter reached Huan Wen's ears, making him unhappy. If Huan Xi made more achievements, wouldn't it mean that his official rank would be higher than his own?

When father and son see each other in the future, will they have to ask him to do so as a lower official?

However, Yin Hao and others only miscalculated one thing. It was true that Huan Wen and Sima Xingnan had five sons. However, Huan Wen had already failed because of the dull qualifications of Huan Ji, Huan Xin, Huan Yi, Huan Wei and others. Have no expectations.

Even if something unpleasant happened between Huan Wen and Huan Xi, it would not really lead to the split of the Huan family.

Sima Xingnan, who returned to Jiangling from Jiankang to visit relatives, saw Huan Wen getting angry about this and sneered:

"I only heard that there are people in the world who are envious of talents. I never thought that there are people like Lao Nu in the world. They don't want to see their sons rise to prominence. If this news spreads, I am not afraid of the ridicule of the world."

Huan Wen quickly apologized and said with a smile:
  "What did you say, madam? Xi'er can achieve what she has today, and it's too late to be happy for her husband, so how can she feel jealous."

When Sima Xingnan left, Huan Wen couldn't help but sigh sadly.

I don't know what Huan Xi wrote in the letter home to his mother. Since Sima Xingnan returned to Jiangling, he has been guarding him even more closely, giving Huan Wen no chance to steal anything.

However, Huan Wen was able to be reused by the imperial court, and Sima Xingnan, as the eldest daughter of Emperor Ming of Jin Dynasty, played an important role.

Now it was clear that mother and son were of the same mind, so even if Huan Wen perished and became a Han Dynasty, the status of his family would not be improved.

　The second chapter is here. Thank you to book friend Chang An Yiyi for the reward. Thank you everyone for collecting and voting. The perspective will return to Guanlong in the next chapter.

　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)