Xianxia version of Water Margin

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Jiang Hongfei has been in high spirits recently.

On the eve of Jiang Hongfei's decision to attack the Jin Dynasty, many civil servants and literati inside and outside the court were pessimistic. They believed that this move would inevitably lead to the loss of military strength, financial pressure, and even shake the foundation of the empire.

At that time, doubts and accusations were endless, pointing to Jiang Hongfei's decision, which was regarded as a move that would harm the country.

However, the wheel of history overturned everyone's expectations at an astonishing speed.

Not only did the Yuan Empire not fall into a financial crisis due to the war, but in the course of the war, the Yuan army soldiers fought to support the war, fully demonstrating their amazing self-sufficiency.

It can be said that except for the necessary military supply investment in the early stage, the Yuan court never used a penny of the national treasury, nor did it impose taxes on the people, nor did it forcibly recruit farmers to join the army.

On the contrary, whenever the mainland suffered from floods and droughts, the Yuan court was always able to allocate money and food in time to provide relief to the victims and ensure the safety of people's livelihood.

What is even more amazing is that under the dual pressure of war and governance, the economy of the Yuan Dynasty did not stagnate, but achieved a leap-forward growth.

The fiscal revenue of the Yuan Empire this year has increased by more than 30% compared with the pre-war period, and grain production has doubled. Infrastructure projects in various places are in full swing, especially the construction of several major transportation arteries, which have almost all been completed ahead of schedule, laying a solid foundation for the long-term development of the country.

All these achievements undoubtedly provide the most powerful support for Jiang Hongfei's decision-making. He not only calmed down the internal worries, but also won a great victory in the foreign war, incorporated the Northeast into the territory of the Yuan Dynasty, and accumulated rich wealth here.

These resources are not only sufficient to support the subsequent development and governance of the Northeast, but also provide a solid material foundation for the Yuan Empire's subsequent military operations.

When the Yuan Empire finally defeated the Jin Kingdom and took in the huge wealth plundered by the Jurchens from the Liao Dynasty and the Goryeo Dynasty, the entire empire seemed to have become rich overnight, and the increase in fiscal revenue could be used for at least five years.

And this does not include the priceless treasures added to Jiang Hongfei's private treasury.

What is even more exciting is that the territory of the Yuan Empire expanded by nearly 30% due to this war, and the problem of the Hu people that had plagued the Central Plains dynasty for a long time seemed to finally see the dawn of a complete solution.

Moreover, the conquest of the Northeast opened the eyes of the Yuan Dynasty's civil servants and literati.

They were surprised to find that this forgotten land actually contained such rich resources - vast arable land, fertile black soil, rich minerals and timber...

All of this was unbelievable, as if it was a treasure given by God.

With the exploration and development of the Northeast, Jiang Hongfei's foresight was further verified.

Those civil servants and literati who had once badmouthed him and the Yuan Empire have now changed their attitudes and begun to sing praises for Jiang Hongfei.

Especially in the decisive battle between Yuan and Jin, when generals such as Yue Fei defeated Jin Wushu, Yuwen Xuzhong led the army and civilians in Shangjing to surrender, and the demise of the Jin Dynasty was a foregone conclusion, Jiang Hongfei's reputation reached an unprecedented height.

It seems that wherever Jiang Hongfei goes, he can hear praises from all sides.

However, Jiang Hongfei did not choose to remain silent about the doubts and accusations in the past.

Jiang Hongfei wrote the article "Discussion on Opening Doubts" in a high-profile manner. In the style of a strategist, he explained his profound considerations for launching the war against Jin through the dialogue between the fictional Chunqiu Shuoru, Zhencheng Doctor and Xintian Master.

Jiang Hongfei emphasized that war decision-making is a major national event and must be carried out in secret and unexpectedly in order to win.

At that time, Wanyan Wuqimai passed away, but he did not do a good job of handing over the throne. He did not pass his throne to his son Wanyan Zongpan, who had rich political experience, but passed his throne to Wanyan Aguda's grandson Wanyan Tan, a young boy. The key point is that as soon as Wanyan Tan ascended the throne, he and his adoptive father Wanyan Zonggan and others could not wait to reform the Jin Dynasty, which led to many internal contradictions, internal fighting, and killing each other, wasting national strength and military strength. This was a godsend opportunity for the Yuan Empire to send troops to destroy the Jin Dynasty and solve the Hu problem.

But only people with a real strategic vision can understand this kind of thing.

Jiang Hongfei also said in public: "If I had not seized the opportunity and resolutely led the army north, how could I have eradicated the thousand-year-old Hu threat? If I was hindered by cowardice, wouldn't I be stupid and short-sighted, and ashamed of my descendants?"

Jiang Hongfei even expressed contempt for some civil officials: "You are lazy and don't know the difference between grains. How can you understand the importance of the northeast to our Yuan Dynasty?"

Jiang Hongfei successfully defeated the Jin Kingdom and expanded the territory by 30%. Such glory inevitably made him feel proud and dissatisfied with those civil officials who talked nonsense and harmed the country.

However, such emotions are also reasonable. No one can understand the troubles and pressures he suffered in the past.

Just imagine, if Jiang Hongfei's will was not as strong as iron, he would have been shaken by those paper talkers and missed the opportunity to defeat the Jin Kingdom. Even the future of the Yuan Dynasty and even China would be tarnished.

Now, Jiang Hongfei has not only silenced his doubters with a brilliant victory, but also demonstrated his outstanding foresight and extraordinary courage.

Under such glory, no one dared to refute those short-sighted people even if they were bluntly criticized, not to mention that Jiang Hongfei cleverly concealed his edge, which made everyone speechless.

In this way, Jiang Hongfei not only defended his authority, but also completely silenced those who tried to obstruct him.

However, after that intense emotional catharsis, Jiang Hongfei conducted a deep self-reflection in his heart.

Jiang Hongfei realized that his words and deeds might be too narrow-minded and lacked the tolerance and vision that he deserved.

After all, the worries of those civil servants and literati were not groundless. They had good intentions and hoped that the Yuan Empire could avoid repeating the mistakes in history that led to decline due to militarism.

For example, in the case of Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty, his glory in the first half of his life was in sharp contrast with his dimness in the second half of his life. This is not only a tragedy of personal destiny, but also a warning to the fate of the country.

In view of this, Jiang Hongfei decided to face criticism and suggestions with a more open mind.

The next day, Jiang Hongfei wrote "Seeking Talent and Receiving Advice" with a splash of ink.

What flows in Jiang Hongfei's writings is not only a profound reflection on history, but also a deep expectation for the current Yuan Empire. He knew well that although words are light, they can carry the truth, stir up the turbid and clear up the clear, and awaken the sleeping conscience and wisdom.

Therefore, he changed his writing style, cast his sights on a wider world, and continued to outline the blueprint of the utopia in his mind.

"Talented people are the foundation of the country and the pillars of the country. From ancient times to the present, there is no one who can thrive without relying on talents, and who can survive without being close to villains. I want to find talents in the world and use them. I will not stick to any one type, but only the talents. . I hope that all knowledgeable people from all over the world will embrace the opportunity to fly. Regardless of their background, they will rely on their true talents and knowledge to participate in great events. "

Jiang Hongfei's words are like spring breeze and rain, nourishing every soul eager to display their ambitions. He knows very well that the prosperity of talents lies in education; the prosperity of education lies in attention.

Therefore, he added another line in "Seeking Talents and Accepting Admonitions": "I will promote culture and education, establish a wide range of schools, based on Confucian classics, draw on the strengths of hundreds of schools, and cultivate people with both moral integrity and talent. Scholars can cultivate their moral character, manage their families, govern the country and bring peace to the world, and inject a steady stream of new power into our Great Yuan Empire."

At the same time, Jiang Hongfei did not forget to mention the importance of the rule of law.

He wrote: "The law is the basis of governance. I will clarify the laws and correct the principles and disciplines, so that all officials know what to fear and all the people know what to follow. The law is not noble, the rope is not bent, guilty must be punished, and meritorious service must be rewarded." In this way, the country will be stable, the people will be loyal, and the foundation of the Yuan Empire will be solid."

After expounding on domestic affairs, Jiang Hongfei turned his attention to border areas and diplomacy.

He knows that a strong country must not only have a solid internal foundation, but also have the ability and wisdom to respond to external challenges.

"I will strengthen border defense, train elite troops, and prepare enough food to prevent foreign invasion..."

In this article, Jiang Hongfei earnestly pointed out that the rise and fall of any dynasty was not accidental, but the result of the interweaving of internal and external factors. If internal affairs are not repaired, foreign troubles will come. This is an unchanging truth of history. He emphasized that the Yuan Empire was not only the domain of the royal family, but also the common home of thousands of officials and people. Its rise and fall was related to everyone's destiny.

Jiang Hongfei further elaborated that an ideal dynasty should be fair, clear, and orderly. It should give courage to the weak, fear to the strong, check power, promote good deeds, and protect the good from the evil.

Only such a dynasty can maintain long-term peace and prosperity.

To achieve this goal, we must open up our minds and accept advice with an open mind.

Jiang Hongfei admitted frankly that although he was the emperor, he still had shortcomings and needed the assistance and supervision of ministers.

When there are deviations in their decision-making, ministers should have the courage to speak out and make corrections promptly to avoid the country's decline.

Jiang Hongfei clearly put forward his governing philosophy in "Seeking Talent and Accepting Admonitions": "The sentiments from above must be communicated to others, the sentiments from below must be communicated to superiors, and foreign affairs must be heard."

Jiang Hongfei hopes that through this method, he and the ministers in charge can more truly understand social dynamics and grasp the aspirations of the people, so as to formulate policies and measures that are more in line with the actual situation.

Jiang Hongfei knew very well that as an emperor, if he could not broaden his talents and accept advice with an open mind, the dynasty would eventually be destroyed.

The lessons of the Sui Dynasty in history serve as a warning. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty refused to remonstrate and pretended to be wrong, which eventually led to the death of his second generation.

The reason why Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was able to become an emperor through the ages was precisely because he was able to open up a wide range of ideas and follow the good deeds.

Jiang Hongfei deeply reflected on the shortcomings of the political system of feudal countries, and then realized that although all dynasties have had positions such as supervising censors and admonishing officials, these institutions can often only supervise ministers and are not effective for the emperor himself. restriction mechanism.

This caused most emperors to lose the ability to restrain themselves in the face of power, and eventually became mediocre, corrupt and even tyrannical.

However, there are also a few emperors who work hard to govern and are aware of this. They not only pay attention to the role of supervisory and admonishment departments, but also actively ask their ministers to supervise themselves and humbly accept all kinds of advice.

Jiang Hongfei is determined to become such an emperor, and he must prove his determination and courage with practical actions.

Against the background that Jiang Hongfei had just achieved the glorious achievement of annihilating the Jin Kingdom, the release of "Seeking Talent and Receiving Advice" is undoubtedly of far-reaching significance.

It not only reflects Jiang Hongfei's mind and magnanimity as a wise king, but also demonstrates his deep concern and sense of responsibility for the country's future.

Compared with the previous "On Kaihuo Lun", "Seeking Talent and Accepting Advice" embodies more of a spirit of introspection and progress.

In the article, Jiang Hongfei expressed his clear understanding of power and his profound thinking about the fate of the country.

For civil servants and literati, the release of "Seeking Talent and Accepting Advice" is undoubtedly a shot in the arm.

They saw Jiang Hongfei's sincerity and determination as a wise king, and felt the joy of being respected and valued.

They all expressed their willingness to contribute to the prosperity of the country, and they had no complaints even in the face of Jiang Hongfei's criticism and correction.

Because they knew that Jiang Hongfei was a truly open-minded and wise monarch.

The group of loyal ministers represented by Chen Gongfu, Hu Quan, and Li Guang were greatly encouraged. They were like stars adorning the night sky, and they were not stingy with their honest opinions on state affairs and people's livelihood, and even on Jiang Hongfei's daily trivialities.

This trend spread rapidly, from the prime ministers in the court to the ninth-rank county magistrates in the local area, and even the queen, prince, and concubines in the deep palace, all offered suggestions, forming an unprecedented wave of political discussion. Inside and outside the court, everyone spoke together and conspired for state affairs.

Jiang Hongfei was well versed in the way of brainstorming. He humbly accepted advice, which enabled the Yuan Empire to avoid the mistakes of the previous dynasty's arbitrary rule, and its policies were stable and there were few mistakes.

What is particularly remarkable is that Chen Gongfu strongly recommended the policy of "giving equal importance to civil governance and military achievements, implementing benevolent policies, pacifying the people at home and subduing the barbarians abroad". Jiang Hongfei was very pleased to hear this and joined the ministers in the great cause, which led to the prosperity of the country.

At the same time, Li Guang, Hu Quan and others proposed a series of reform measures, such as merging counties to streamline institutions, optimizing the mechanism for selecting officials, strengthening the responsibilities of prefects and county magistrates, giving ministers more decision-making power, and strictly prohibiting eunuchs from interfering in politics. These suggestions were all adopted and implemented by Jiang Hongfei, and the efficiency of national governance was significantly improved.

In addition, Jiang Hongfei was even more resolute and severe in dealing with corruption. For a time, the wind of integrity became popular.

Therefore, under the wise leadership of Jiang Hongfei, the Yuan Empire had a clear political situation, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the country presented a prosperous scene.

However, under the halo of Jiang Hongfei, there were also complaints.

Some officials were worried about the huge size of Jiang Hongfei's harem, which already had nearly 12,000 people, and now had 3,000 more people, which might damage the foundation of the country.

Some people were even more outspoken, criticizing Jiang Hongfei for taking in wives and daughters from enemy countries, which was against the will of heaven.

Some officials even advised him to be restrained and focus on state affairs.

In response, Jiang Hongfei seemed quite open-minded. He said with a smile: "I am an emperor. How can you deprive me of such pleasure?"

--He also showed with practical actions that he had his own ideas on the affairs of the harem and was not moved by his words.

To put it bluntly, Jiang Hongfei was saying: "Other things, we can discuss them, but I am sorry that I insisted on playing with women. Are you going to bite me?"

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