I practiced magic in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 76 I, Wang Jing, send money [revised]

Xu Huang swung his axe, and Zhou Rong's shouting and cursing stopped abruptly.

Wang Jing ignored what happened next and focused his attention on the gilt-inlaid Boshan furnace. He had no interest in appreciating antiques. What really attracted Wang Jing was the peculiar patterns on the gilt-inlaid Boshan furnace.

Seeing Wang Jing fascinated by it, Xun You said, "My lord, this furnace combines elements such as fairy mountains, the sea, divine dragons, and exotic beasts. It is meant to show the mind and generosity of the Yanhan Dynasty, which 'embraces the universe and encompasses the four seas.' As for these patterns, they should be about the time when Fang Xiandao was ordered by the Emperor to go out to sea to find the elixir of immortality during the reign of Emperor Wu."

"Elixir?"

Wang Jing was a little surprised. He didn't expect that the magic weapon in his hand was actually related to Fang Xiandao and the elixir of immortality.

If it were a normal historical time and space, Wang Jing would definitely scoff at the idea of ​​elixir of life, thinking that it was just something made up by scammers to fool people.

But the current time and space are obviously not normal, and various myths are probably not just myths.

Wang Jing couldn't help but ask, "Gongda, do you think there is really an elixir of immortality in this world?"

Wang Jing thought that Xun You, who came from a Confucian family, would not talk about supernatural things, but his answer surprised him. Xun You said firmly, "Yes."

"Is there really an elixir of immortality in this world? Then why has there never been anyone in the world who can achieve immortality throughout the dynasties?"

Wang Jing was very puzzled by this.

Xun You told him a cruel truth: "Because God does not allow it. Since the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty, the life span of people in the land of China has been determined by God. Even ghosts, gods and immortals are no exception. During the time of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu, immortals from overseas came to preach the Dharma. Even the elixir of immortality is not a lie. Unfortunately, immortality is tabooed by God. Therefore, even if you are an emperor on earth and rich, your life span is no more than that of an ordinary person."

This explanation shocked Wang Jing and he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

He had heard of God's will, but he could never understand the form of its existence.

"Gongda, what exactly is this destiny?"

"This... You also doesn't know. I only know that the will of heaven is the will of heaven, which controls everything in the world. It is the manifestation of order and cannot be violated, otherwise there will be disaster."

Xun You did not hide anything from Wang Jing, but the surviving classics of the Yingchuan Xun family were vague about the way of heaven and the will of heaven.

Seeing that Wang Jing seemed very interested in these, Xun You suggested: "My lord, the records of the Confucian school of prophecy and divination are the most complete regarding the will of heaven. It has inherited a large number of ancient witchcraft secrets, so it is very likely that it has mastered many unknown secrets."

"The School of Prophecy and Astrology?"

Wang Jing couldn't help but frown. The Yuan family of Runan was the leader of the school of prophecies and divination, and Yuan Wei's spiritual cultivation was also unfathomable. No one knew what the other party was secretly plotting in Luoyang.

Just as Wang Jing was lost in thought, the other five major families in Fenyin County also came with people. They came this time just to persuade Wang Jing not to take ruthless actions against the Zhou family. They wanted to discuss things properly.

But when they arrived at the Zhou family mansion, they saw Zhou Rong's head with his eyes open. They could not help but feel grief for the loss of the rabbit and the fox. They went to Wang Jing to complain excitedly: "North Zhonglang General, we need an explanation!"

"Explain what?"

Wang Jing looked calmly at the aggressive heads of the wealthy families in front of him, and said in a rather impolite tone: "I would like you to give me an explanation now."

"General Beizhong, what do you mean by this?"

"What do you mean? You still dare to ask me?"

Wang Jing sneered as he swept his eyes over the so-called local celebrities in front of him: "Zhou Rong intended to rebel, the evidence is solid, he has been executed on the spot, and his three clans have been exterminated. Now I suspect that there are still some of you who are in cahoots with Zhou Rong. If you don't give me an explanation for this matter, I will definitely investigate it to the end!"

In the eyes of these family heads, they still thought that they could find someone to go to the capital to file a complaint as they did before, and then have the court come down to reprimand Wang Jing.

But they didn't know that the situation in Luoyang City at that time had fallen into great chaos. The conflict between Dong Zhuo and the aristocratic families was intensifying, and they were even about to resort to force. Who had the time to care about such a trivial matter as the extermination of a family in Hedong?
Therefore, facing the questioning of several people, Wang Jing simply chose to ignore it: "If you don't agree, go and sue me. But before you sue me, I will continue to investigate the case of treason."

"That's unreasonable!"

"General Beizhong, you have crossed the line!"

"You actually accused us of rebellion? This is ridiculous! Do you think anyone would believe such a thing?"

"That's right. Don't think that you can cover the sky with one hand in Hedong just because you hold a high position. We are not without support in the court. When the time comes to report to the court, you can't escape responsibility!"

Wang Jing waited until they finished talking nonsense, then calmly ordered Xu Huang, "Gongming, go get the evidence and let the heads of the families have a good look."

"Yes."

When Xu Huang and his men threw the armor they had searched out of the Zhou family in front of the family heads, the scene suddenly became silent, and the atmosphere was as quiet as death.

"Come on, are you all speechless? Weren't you all quite eloquent just now? Why don't you continue talking now?"

Wang Jing scanned the faces of several family heads with contempt, and a scornful arc appeared on the corner of his mouth: "He privately stored more than a hundred sets of armor. Everyone, tell me, according to the laws of the imperial dynasty, how should this be sentenced?"

The five family heads looked at each other with sad expressions.

Before Emperor Wu of Han, Hedong had always been an academic sanctuary for the Legalists. Even though Confucianism is flourishing today, the laws of the Yanhan Dynasty are still a must-read for scholars in Hedong.

But precisely because they were familiar with the law, they understood the seriousness of the matter and dared not speak carelessly again.

What if I said a few more words and Wang Jing thought I was Zhou Rong's accomplice?
This kind of heinous crime of confiscating property and exterminating an entire clan can really cost someone's life.

"What, you have nothing to say?"

Wang Jing glanced at them one by one with a slightly mocking look.

Those who were caught in his sight behaved like ostriches, burying their heads in the ground and pretending to be dead to avoid being noticed by Wang Jing.

The demise of the Zhou family made Wang Jing's strategy of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys a success. The Zhou family was destroyed by surprise attack, and the other five great families in Fenyin County were now united in hatred of the enemy. Wang Jing could not continue to attack them for a while, but he still put forward a harsh condition: "Now the state affairs are difficult, since you are famous scholars, you should remember the teachings of the saints 'if you are successful, you should help the world'."

It sounds nice, but you're just trying to blackmail us, right?
Wang Jing could obviously have just robbed it, but he had to make it sound so righteous.

The five family heads looked at Wang Jing, and were so moved that they were about to cry.

The noble families and wealthy clans are either stingy and unwilling to spend a penny, or they are greedy and never give out. When it comes to taking advantage of others, they are eager and active, and are unwilling to be left behind. But when something really happens, and you want them to donate money and grain, it's like cutting their own flesh and blood. They all complain and make excuses in various ways.

But it is impossible not to give it now. After all, Wang Jing has a large army and does things lawless and without any taboos.

They were just a little late, and the entire Zhou family was wiped out.

If they don’t want to follow in the Zhou family’s footsteps, they can only choose to bleed heavily once.

"General Beizhong, how much money and food do you want?"

Wang Jing smiled slightly: "Not much, each family can provide 20,000 to 30,000 dan of grain."

"what!"

"30,000 stones!"

"Why don't you go and grab it!"

"So, you guys are unwilling?"

"General Bei Zhonglang, 30,000 dan is really too much. We really can't afford it. I think it would be more appropriate for each family to contribute 5,000 dan. What do you think?" "5,000 dan? You are sending beggars! I don't want your opinion, I want my opinion. 30,000 dan is 30,000 dan. I don't accept bargaining. Even if it's only one bushel less, I will personally bring people to investigate the case."

"But 30,000 shi is too much. We can't afford it!"

"That's right, we have to eat too. General Beizhong, please don't be too aggressive. You should leave a way out for us so that we can meet again someday."

Several family heads tried to play the victim and beg for mercy, but they just refused to give up 30,000 shi of grain. After all, there was unrest everywhere and the price of grain was changing every day. They could make huge profits by just sitting there with the grain, so how could they give it up?

Wang Jing knew very well that it was useless to present facts and reason with these people. Things like serving the country and the people, sacrificing one's family to help others in need, these great principles from the Four Books and Five Classics, were rarely practiced by people in the aristocratic families and wealthy clans.

To talk to them, you have to use absolute violence.

So Wang Jing threatened without hesitation: "I heard that Hedong is a martial arts country with salt and iron resources, so people often go to the grassland to trade with the Xiongnu and Xianbei. But the Hu people have always believed in the law of the jungle. I am very curious, don't you privately forge armor and weapons to promote trade?"

"..."

It was obvious that Wang Jing was good at chatting, and he could talk till the moment he opened his mouth.

Several family heads looked at each other in confusion. How could there be no privately cast armor and weapons?
Do I still need to ask?
When doing business with the Huns, who would dare to go over and deliver vegetables unarmed?
Even after many merchant groups were equipped with bows and crossbows and iron armor, they went to the Huns' territory and encountered some small tribes. Occasionally, they would act as horse bandits, killing people and robbing them without leaving any evidence.

This is the situation outside the Great Wall. The strong are wolves and the weak can only become cattle and sheep. It is about martial ethics rather than morality.

As a result, it turned out that almost every wealthy family and noble clan in Hedong secretly stored armor and weapons. No one was clean, and it was guaranteed that they would be found out once they were checked.

In the past, the imperial court did not dare to take this matter seriously, for fear of forcing the local people in Hedong to rebel.

But now the Baibo Army was already rebelling in Hedong, and Wang Jing had a large army under his command, and he defeated the Baibo Army and made them flee in disarray. Naturally, he could ignore the local noble families and wealthy clans.

The heads of several families also knew that they could not resist Wang Jing with their own strength. Rather than being wiped out like the Zhou family, it would be better to spend money to avoid disaster.

"Alas, why did the Northern General have to go to such extremes?"

"So, do you have a decision whether to give it or not?"

"Isn't it enough that we surrender? Thirty thousand stones is thirty thousand stones!"

If they didn't give up their meat, Wang Jing would kill them. They had no choice but to "voluntarily" hand over the food as protection money.

Want to fight to the bitter end?

The Zhou family is a bloody example!
Once we anger Wang Jing and mobilize his army to destroy our family, won’t our money and food be lost in the end?

Since resistance is meaningless, it is better to spend money to buy peace.

As a result, Wang Jingguang successfully collected nearly 200,000 shi of grain and fodder in Fenyin County, which was enough to feed 10,000 soldiers of the Northern Army for three or four months. The shortage of grain and fodder was temporarily alleviated.

After Wang Jing returned with the food and fodder, he was not blindly optimistic. He called together Wang Ling, Han Hao and Ren Jun to discuss the subsequent military supply issues with them: "The immediate emergency has been solved, but this kind of food collection is not a long-term solution. When it comes to military rations, the only right way is to be self-sufficient."

History has proven countless times that bandits can never achieve anything great. They do not produce anything and only know how to rob. It is nothing but a pipe dream for them to want to take over the world.

If Wang Jing wants to achieve hegemony, he must have a stable food supply system.

Wang Ling was well-versed in history books, so he naturally understood this principle. He therefore advised Wang Jing: "Second brother, what you said makes sense. If we cannot be self-sufficient in food and grass, the morale of the army will be easily shaken. Although collecting food locally can solve the problem temporarily, if we exploit too much, I am afraid that the officials will force the people to rebel, and eventually the whole world will become our enemy."

The "people" Wang Ling mentioned were not the poor common people, but specifically the wealthy and powerful families who had money, food and controlled a large population.

In the history of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao was stabbed in the back by the aristocratic family represented by Chen Gong, which resulted in the loss of Yanzhou and his nearly death.

Therefore, "public opinion" is also very important to the princes.

But Wang Jing knew that no matter whether it was the aristocratic families or the noble families in the county or township, they were all a bunch of unreliable ungrateful people. They were good at nothing and were the best at making trouble. Instead of thinking about how to please these insatiable Pixiu, it would be better to find a way to farm on your own.

This time, Wang Jing called Wang Ling, Han Hao and Ren Jun because he wanted to entrust him with an important task.

"Yanyun, I will submit a petition to the court to nominate you as the governor of Hedong, and then Yuansi and Boda will stay in Hedong to assist you in implementing the policy of military farming."

"Tuntian?"

After Wang Ling thought about it carefully, his eyes lit up: "This is indeed a good way to solve the problem of military food supply!"

In fact, the policy of military farming already existed in the Western Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of Han once sent Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to the north to attack the Huns. In order to reduce the consumption of military food, they chose to farm in the Western Regions and even set up a special military farming captain for this purpose.

However, the real master of military farming was Cao Cao of the Three Kingdoms period. He used Zao Zhi and Han Hao to scale up and institutionalize the military farming business, obtained a stable supply of money and grain, and laid a solid foundation for the Cao Wei regime to eventually seize the world.

Why was the military farming policy so powerful?
Because the income from military farming can be directly put into the pocket, it does not need to be exploited by wealthy families and local officials, nor will it be distributed through intervention by local officials.

Without middlemen to make a profit from the price difference, of course you can earn more.

You have to know that in all dynasties, whenever taxation was involved, the officials in charge would always take advantage of it, so that in many cases they would get more money than the emperor.

Take the salt tax of Emperor Jiajing during the Ming Dynasty as an example. After Yan Maoqing was in charge of salt inspection, Jiajing reviewed the data of salt inspection, totaling four million. Three million was paid to the national treasury and one million was paid to himself. On the surface, there seemed to be no problem.

But in fact, the salt tax was 6 million, of which 2 million was divided up by the Yan Party, to which Yan Song and Yan Shifan, father and son, belonged.

Wow, the emperor only got one million, and the Yan Party got two million?
You get more than the emperor!
And from this six million, the commission taken by other officials was deducted. Otherwise, if one really calculated it carefully, for every ten taels of silver in tax collected, at least six or seven taels of silver were taken away in the middle links under various names. Some even took away eighty to ninety percent of it, and only a small portion would fall into the hands of the court.

If this goes on, there’s no way the imperial court will have any money.

Engaging in military farming is like running a state-owned enterprise. No matter how much profit you make, it all belongs to the country. The income is very stable, and there is no corruption among the middlemen, which is conducive to concentrating resources to accomplish big things.

Considering these, Wang Jing entrusted the important task of farming to Wang Ling, and then taught him the method of making soil fertilizer: "After the rebellion in Hedong is quelled, I will let Xu Huang stay here to help you. He will be responsible for commanding the surrendered soldiers, and you will be responsible for managing the refugees. Through continuous exploration in practice, strive to formulate a set of effective farming methods for our army as soon as possible."

Being only seventeen or eighteen years old, he was appointed as a prefect and entrusted with such an important task by Wang Jing. Wang Ling was extremely excited: "Ling will study the art of farming carefully and live up to my second brother's trust!"

"Haha, you are the unicorn of our Wang family. If you work hard, you will definitely go down in history in the future."

Wang Jing has always been satisfied with Wang Ling's performance. He is a man of both civil and military talents, with no shortcomings in his abilities. He is the kind of all-round talent who can fight on the battlefield when on horseback and govern a region when on foot. He is also his cousin, and his character can stand the test of time. He can definitely become his right-hand man.

Now Wang Jing already has powerful generals such as Zhang Liao, Xu Huang and Yan Xing. In fact, he is not short of famous generals who can lead troops in battle. What he lacks is internal affairs talents who can govern the people after dismounting.

As for Wang Ling, Han Hao, Ren Jun and others, Wang Jing planned to train them in the direction of internal affairs, especially Wang Ling. He wanted him to manage Hedong so that the Northern Army could gain a stable base and rear area.

A few days later, Wang Jing submitted a petition to the court, requesting that Wang Ling be appointed as the governor of Hedong. As for the original governor of Hedong, Wang Yi, he was asked to move to another place to serve as an official.

Wang Jing didn't care whether Dong Zhuo agreed or not, and directly let Wang Ling move into the prefect's residence in Anyi County and take office immediately.

If your fist is strong enough, you can be so domineering in doing things.

At the same time, Wang Jing personally led the troops to force Guo Da and Hu Cai to retreat back to Baibo Valley, and then ordered Zhang Liao to lead the cavalry of the Hu Cavalry Camp to sweep the rebels and bandits in the counties of Hedong, constantly shrinking the living space of the Baibo Army to prevent them from causing damage everywhere.

Wang Jing knew very well how terrible the destructive power of this peasant uprising army was. Although the Baibo Army was not strong in combat, they could be easily infected and spread like a virus. If one was not careful, it would evolve into a larger-scale regional rebellion and turmoil.

Therefore, suppression is not the best method, blockade is.

(End of this chapter)