Ji Han Grand Commander

Chapter 310 304. Reflection

At noon, a Han army envoy came here saying that Ma Su asked Yang Feng to go over to continue discussing the next expedition into the mountains to clear out the Shanyue people, and asked Yang Feng to come over. He also emphasized that if he had not had lunch yet, he could come and have lunch with Ma Su and the others.

Seeing how enthusiastic the Han army was, and since he hadn't eaten yet, Yang Feng decided to go to the Han army to see what good food they had.

"Did Master Yang not get enough rest yesterday?"

Yang Feng walked a few steps and arrived at the Han army tent. Seeing Yang Feng's absent-minded look, Ma Su couldn't help but ask him.

"Ah? Oh, I was dealing with the Shanyue prisoners until late at night, so I didn't get enough rest."

Yang Feng laughed, and Ma Su also smiled like a man, saying he understood, and did not continue the topic.

"Have you ever had lunch, Master Yang? If not, come and taste the lunch of our Han army."

Ma Su asked Yang Feng politely.

"I came in a hurry and didn't have time to eat."

Yang Feng nodded. Ma Su did not delay and asked the guards to serve Yang Feng a lunch according to the military officer standard.

Soon, several guards came with two buckets and served the officers in the tent a wooden bowl filled with fragrant rice, and a wooden plate with stir-fried vegetables and meat.

Although this combination may be a home-cooked meal two thousand years later, it is extremely luxurious in this era, especially in the military.

“Sniff…it smells so good…”

Yang Feng smelled the stir-fried dishes in front of him, and felt an indescribable fragrance rushing straight to his head. This smell is commonly known as "wok smell", which is the kind that is difficult to describe and gives people a feeling of oil smoke.

Most of what we eat in Nanzhong is boiled wild vegetables or wild fruits, and grilled meat. Where have we ever eaten something like this? Yang Feng felt his appetite growling, and he ate up the bowl of rice and the stir-fried vegetables in a hurry.

"Did Master Yang eat well? If you are not full, you can have another portion."

Ma Su asked Yang Feng with a smile, which made Yang Feng blush slightly. His performance just now was really unbearable, as if he had not eaten for eight lifetimes, which was a bit embarrassing.

"Thank you, Master Lao Ma."

But Yang Feng still asked for another portion very sincerely, and this time he chewed it slowly.

It was hard for Yang Feng to imagine that the vegetables that tasted like chewing wax after being cooked could have such a wonderful reaction when mixed with meat. The fat from the meat brought a lot of fragrance to the dish, bringing out the flavor of the vegetables themselves. The fragrance of the vegetables just neutralized the greasiness of the meat slices, making the dish delicious.

"Master Ma, I'm afraid even you or the Grand Commander don't often get to enjoy such a good thing."

After dinner, Yang Feng sighed with regret and asked Ma Su a question intentionally or unintentionally.

"Haha, what are you talking about, Lord Yang? This kind of home-cooked meal is not only for me, but even ordinary people in Jingzhou can eat it occasionally. How can it be precious?" Ma Su laughed, but what he said made Yang Feng even more envious. This kind of delicacy is just a home-cooked meal, and the life of the Han people is really very desirable.

After the meal, Ma Su discussed with the generals the details of the next expedition into the mountains to wipe out the Shanyue. The other generals basically returned to their respective camps to make preparations, but Yang Feng was slow to move.

"Master Yang, do you have any comments on the plan?"

When Ma Su saw that Yang Feng was still in the tent, he knew that he must have something to say.

"Master Ma, I saw this thing in the camp this morning. I wonder what it is used for?"

Yang Feng took out a folded newspaper from his arms. Ma Su took a look at it, recognized what it was and smiled slightly.

"Master Yang, you don't know that this is a newspaper. It was created by the Grand Commander in person. The people of the Han Dynasty also need to know something about the government and the policies of the Han Dynasty, so that everyone can intuitively understand the effects of the policies of the Han Dynasty.

The stories above also have a moral purpose. The Book of Rites once said, "Therefore, plots are not formed, thefts and robberies are not committed, and the outer doors are not closed. This is called great harmony." The Grand Commander hopes that the people of the Han Dynasty can reach this level one day. "

Ma Su also explained it to Yang Feng with a sense of longing and hope, which made Yang Feng feel even more confused.

Yes, the Han people not only have enough food and drink, but also can constantly improve their morality. In comparison, life in the South seems barbaric, even a bit uncivilized.

Of course, although Yang Feng had some such feelings, he was unable to organize them systematically. He just yearned for this kind of "cultural" atmosphere.

"Master Yang may not know that it is our responsibility to educate the people. The Grand Commandant himself wrote the Three Character Classic, which also says that people are good by nature. There has never been a person born a thief or robber, it is just that their environment determines their future.

Now that the Han Dynasty has the conditions, it has also widely absorbed other tribes such as the Shanyue and Wuling barbarians. For example, the Wuling barbarians are now no different from the Han people in Jingzhou. They speak Chinese, wear Chinese clothes, and learn Han culture. How can there be any difference between them and barbarians? "

Ma Su continued to explain to Yang Feng, but the meaning behind his words was a little difficult to understand.

The Han cultural circle still has an overwhelming influence in this era. Whether it is the countries in the Western Regions or the countries in East and South Asia, the influence of Chinese language and Han culture is very great, and in some sense it is even a symbol of "civilization".

Now that he heard that the Wuling barbarians, who belonged to the same category as himself, could integrate into the Han people and become "civilized", Yang Feng also felt a little itchy in his heart.
"Well, Master Ma, I wonder if this policy is valid for everyone?"

Yang Feng didn't dare to be so open and just asked tentatively.

"Of course, the Grand Commander once said that knowledge is knowledge. No matter high or low, noble or of different races, as long as one is truly willing to learn, how can we, the Han people, stop them? The Grand Commander even hopes that one day, wherever the sun, moon, mountains and rivers shine, everyone can speak Chinese, everyone can know etiquette, everyone can be magnanimous to others and strict with themselves."

Ma Su repeated Feng Xi's words with a tone of yearning and admiration, which made Yang Feng even more silent.

Yes, the goal of the Han Dynasty was so ambitious that Yang Feng could not help but reflect on himself. He was hiding in a corner of Nanzhong, fighting with Meng Huo and several cave masters around for a piece of land. Was it too narrow-minded?
Now the Han Dynasty is thinking about the affairs of the world and the people, while I and Nanzhong are only thinking about some immediate interests, especially Meng Huo, who is fickle. For some petty gains, he rebelled last year, but admitted his mistakes when the Han army arrived...

Yang Feng always felt that Nanzhong should not continue like this.

(End of this chapter)