Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3004 How many hozens are there in the Western Regions?

 Jia Xu actually didn’t have too many material needs. At least compared to the people in Shandong, Jia Xu was very simple. His biggest hobby is eating beef. And since Li Ru's death, Jia Xu rarely eats beef. He always feels that it doesn't have the same taste as before.

 The taste is not right.

But today, after Jia Xu came back, he had some beef stewed.

Today he returned to his small courtyard early and closed the door. He didn’t want to see anyone or do anything.

 It’s just a simple meal of beef.

The leaves on the trees outside the window have fallen off, leaving some bare branches trembling in the wind.

"This scenery is so beautiful..." Jia Xu looked out the window, "It will be even more beautiful in the future... The Western Regions are going to have something pretty to look at after all... right?" 』

The branches of the trees outside the window trembled slightly.

"Speaking of it...compared with these two, Dong Zhongying is really bad..." Jia Xu shook his head and clicked his tongue, "But there were no good fruits for you and me to choose from... If only my lord could have been a few years earlier... Tsk...sigh...』

Jia Xu patted the window lightly, then turned back to the table and sat down.

 He thought of Li Ru.

 Li Ru's requirements for materials are also not high.

　　When Li Ru died, he had nothing to live with, not much gold, silver, and no land assets. The only remaining books and stuff were left partly to Jia Xu and partly to Han Guo. But other people who were also born in Bingyongliang seemed to have only materialistic desires in their eyes and hearts.

Dong Zhuo is like this, Li Guo is like this, and Lu Bu and Lu Fengxian...

"Sure enough, I still have to study..." Jia Xu said halfway, but immediately shook his head, "But it's also not good to just study." 』

 When it comes to reading, it is obvious that people from Shandong are stronger, but look at what happened to the Han Dynasty in the hands of people from Shandong?

The smell of beef cooking in the backyard came faintly.

Jia Xu took a breath and sighed soothingly.

　　　『You can follow the laws of sages and sages, you may or may not follow the law. So you have to study and study... Just as the Lord said, you should keep pace with the times..." Jia Xu said with emotion, "It is better to have no method than to use the methods of the saints and sages. It is only now that the road to the Western Region has been taken..."

 Jia Xu agrees with Fei Qian’s concepts, especially the concept of “Han Standard” proposed by Fei Qian.

 For the Han Dynasty to become the standard for neighboring countries, first of all, this "standard" must be sufficiently attractive.

 Let people see the benefits, and others will follow.

 If a big man wants to be seen well by others, he must be strong.

If you want to be strong, you must have more talents, technology, and armaments. If you want to obtain more of these things, you naturally need to invest more money. Only through continuous investment can you continue to develop and improve, and where does the money come from? ?

 From the surrounding countries and tribes…

 This formed a huge circulation system, pushing the Han Dynasty towards the Han Empire.

 Sitting on the mountains and rivers, one can be called a king; if one spreads the sky, one can be called an emperor. Ying Zheng is like this, and so is Liu Bang. He who only knows how to sit in the Jinluan Palace cannot be a good emperor.

Of course, in this process, as long as there is power, corruption will inevitably follow.

There is no doubt about this, and most people cannot avoid it, except for a few truly great people.

 If you want to avoid this problem, you must meet some of people's needs.

 For example, if you provide spiritual satisfaction, your physical needs will naturally be reduced.

 It’s like the time of the wise.

 How to make this sage last longer, Fei Qian adjusted the official grade identification and has initially formulated an official ranking system similar to the twenty-level titles in the former Qin Dynasty. This kind of title will turn the officialdom into a battlefield to a certain extent, and veterans will also be valued by officers. Of course, there will be people who will do whatever it takes to get the title, just like those in the former Qin Dynasty who would risk their lives for their heads.

 That’s why we have the Youwen Division…

Some idiots always think that having Wensi is a matter of a while, but Jia Xu knows that having Wensi is for life. Anyone who becomes an official will have a Wen Si standing behind him, either openly or secretly. There are even some people who don't even get a penny from Youwen Division, nor do they take up a position in Youwen Division.

 Corruption can never be cleaned up.

 Youwen Division can only clean up and repair as much as possible, but cannot completely eliminate it.

what to do?

 The running water does not rot, and the door hinges do not move.

As long as you stop and don't move, no matter what it is, it will decay.

 The aroma of beef is getting stronger and stronger.

 There must be classes if there are people. This is an inevitable problem in most feudal dynasties.

"Someone who wants to eat meat must know how to eat it..." Jia Xu smiled, "Those who don't know how to eat... must learn it hard... If they are unwilling to learn... they are not qualified to eat meat." …』

 The servant brought the cooked beef.

 The aroma of fat spreads out.

"In the second year of Jianyuan, Prince Bowang arrived in the Western Regions, and the Han Dynasty knew that this place existed..." Jia Xu looked at the plate of beef on the table in front of him, slowly raised his knife, and cut out thin slices, laying them out one by one. Put it on another empty plate, "The Western Region Protectorate was established in the second year of Shenjue, and it lasted for sixty-nine years...sixty-nine years..."

In the records of Qing Dynasty, it may be a simple two-line character: Zhang Qian pioneered, Han Xuan established a government, and then disappeared. The reason why everything in between is omitted may be because there are too many things to record in detail, or maybe the historian feels that there are more important things than the Western Regions that need to be recorded, but no matter what, there are not many detailed records left for later generations.

 But this time, it’s different.

 The difference this time is a good thing.

  Chinese people like to be modest. This is a virtue, but it is also a shortcoming.

 After Zhang Qian, there was no more Zhang Qian.

 After Ban Chao, there will be no more Ban Chao.

Even their children cannot repeat the glory of their ancestors. This is not just a matter of differences between people, but also a lack of detailed information that can be provided to future generations. Later generations could not know the specific difficulties and strategies during the implementation process only by relying on brief written records in history books.

 This caused the foreign political strategies of the Han Dynasty to lose their unity, and naturally there was no way to effectively transmit them.

Now, Li Ru's disciples, or his successor Han Guo, are luckier than the previous envoys of the Han Dynasty, because Han Guo now has a clearer concept, a more complete model, and knows what he wants to do. What, what is the big man going to do...

 This is undoubtedly a huge leap.

 A huge improvement.

Jia Xu cut all the pieces of beef and lined up two plates. Then he put down the knife, pushed one of the plates in front of him, and then deliberately turned his chopsticks, with his little head He turned his head towards himself, facing the other end, then sat up straighter, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior brother, please go first." 』

 There was silence.

 No one responded to him.

After a while, Jia Xu reached out and grabbed a piece of beef and stuffed it into his mouth.

　　　『Ah haha…it’s still the same…the original taste…』

Jia Xu smiled, but as he smiled, a tear slipped down unknowingly.

 …

Facing the same plate of beef, King Yanqi had no appetite at all.

Of course, there is not only a plate of beef on the table, but also many things that he liked to eat before, but he has no appetite at all now.

　　　　The Han envoy just left like this? Just informing... No, not even informing, just saying it casually... He, he, he, how dare he? How dare you do this! 』

  King Yanqi was very angry.

Angry at not being respected by the Han envoys.

 The Han envoy must at least come to pay a visit and then have a dinner together. Then the ministers of Yanqi Kingdom can see him chatting happily with the Han envoy, and finally say goodbye.

This is the correct process!

 Why are they all gone now? The country of Yanqi also had its glory days.

Population, economy, culture, no matter from every aspect, the Yanqi Kingdom was once one of the best in the Western Regions. Even excluding Qiequ, the royal city of Yanqi, other cities in Yanqi prospered due to the majestic development of the Western Region, and once became the most prosperous country in the North Road.

 When the population develops and the country moves upward, it can always reap a wave of dividends. Just like when the stock market index keeps rising, almost everyone is a stock god. Whatever you buy will go up. You can buy whatever you want and it will go up. If it doesn’t go up today, it will go up tomorrow. Everyone’s face is red and full of energy. It’s all enough…

 But few people plan for a rainy day.

When the development of the Yanqi Kingdom reached a certain stage and went downhill, the total population began to decline, and the economic income reached a bottleneck. When the income was less than the expenditure, the nobles who were accustomed to eating and drinking and spending a lot of money would say that the current stage of Yanqi is relatively It’s difficult, so let’s cut expenses together and tide over the difficulties together?

How can it be?

 The common people suffer because the common people suffer. The nobles still have to drink, eat, and dance.

From the beginning to the end, Yanqi said that the people should continue to suffer. He had never heard of the nobles suffering. Of course, maybe just like the current King Yanqi, he felt that it was very "bitter" for the Han envoy not to stay and not have the dinner together?

Yanqi State neither grasped the opportunity to rapidly expand and reach the next level when it was at its peak, nor did it work together to resist when it fell, so it naturally slipped...

When the Cheshi Kingdom was torn to pieces by the Han and the Xiongnu, the Yanqi Kingdom became afraid. He neither dared to have too much contact with the Xiongnu nor fully leaned toward the Han. He hesitated and was in a dilemma. What was the result? Even though they failed to please him, the national power became increasingly weaker. During Lu Bu's western expedition, Yanqi State also tried its best to avoid disasters and let the people continue to endure. However, the long-standing strategy of enduring hardship caused many Yanqi citizens to defect to other countries.

Anyway, in the current era of the Western Regions, there is no so-called concept of nationality, and there are no national borders. It wasn't until the treaty concluded by Feiqian in Shanshan that it was determined that the city-state's territory within 20 miles of the oasis and 15 miles of it...

　　　What does it mean to be an envoy of the Han Dynasty? ” King Yanqi was angry and had to think, “Could it be that the Han people are going to attack us first?” We didn't resist at all! How can the Han people deal with us? This doesn't make sense! 』

The chief minister under King Yanqi lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, maybe the Han envoy is just in a hurry..."

 The chief minister's relative position was more objective. He knew more or less why the Han envoy did not stay and only informed him.

 Because it’s not necessary.

 King Yanqi did not even realize the seriousness of it, and was still angry because of the "impolite" behavior of the Han envoy.

 What is politeness between countries?

 When a tiger sees another tiger, and neither side crosses the boundary, they growl at each other and leave. This is called politeness. Because there are other weak foods, tigers will not fight easily between tigers, unless the territory is occupied, then there will definitely be a dispute.

 What if a tiger meets a sheep?

 Could it be possible to say "Beautiful Yangyang, you have crossed the line?"

The Han people are like tigers now. King Yanqi, you don’t want to rush over and kneel down to lick him, but you still think that the Han envoy is "impolite"? Can you still sit here and eat beef and mutton in peace? Do you feel that you are being looked down upon?

　　　　In a hurry? King Yanqi patted the table and said, "No matter how rushed you are, does it make any difference if you go one day earlier or one day later?" 』

 The chief minister took a breath and was not ready to say anything.

 When talking to a brainless person, you really don’t know what to say. The chief minister in charge meant that it was not the Han envoy but the king who was "in a hurry". However, because of the king's face, he did not say it clearly. As a result, King Yanqi failed to understand.

King Yanqi was spitting foam and venting his dissatisfaction, but he did not see that his ministers were already slightly distracted.

When the chief minister of governance left the Qiequ Palace, he stopped after walking a few steps, then looked back at the Yanqi Palace in Qiequ City, and then looked at it for a long time, and finally shook his head, turned around and left, walking faster and faster .

"Go and send a message privately, saying that the king has reached a consensus with the Han envoy. Everything is safe in Yanqi country, and the Han envoy also promised the king that he will support the construction and development of Yanqi country in the future... Remember, everything is heard. , don’t let people catch you in the real thing... Do you understand? 』

 One of his confidants took the order and left.

After walking a few steps further, the chief minister called his children again and whispered, "After you go back, hold a few banquets, deliberately lose some money, and then sell the land and properties in our names..."

"ah? Father, this is..."

　　　『Just do it if I tell you to do it! ” The chief minister of governance had a serious face, “Remember, you lost money in gambling, so you sold it secretly... I don’t know, do you understand? Then you take this money and go to the Han people's Xihai City..."

　　　『Father, what do you mean...』

The chief minister of governance looked back at the Yanqi Palace and remained silent for a long time. In the end, he said nothing. He just patted his child on the shoulder and said, "Go and stay hidden...you have to move faster..."

 The tree fell and the hozens scattered.

  Sometimes it’s not necessarily the whole forest that falls, but a certain tree that’s about to fall, so the hozens and the like naturally run out.

 The reason for running was of course because of fear.

 After all, they knew exactly what these hozens had done when they were dominating the trees.

If you don’t run while the tree is still standing, are you really waiting for the tree to fall?

 Will you still be able to run by then?

  King Yanqi, this tree, still feels that he is upright and upright...

 …

 The night wind howls.

In the middle of the desert, at the corner of a stone wall sheltered from the wind, there was a faint light from a bonfire.

Han Guo and his party rested in the wilderness.

 Han Guo could choose to be carefree, and he could comfortably let the Yanqi Kingdom or some other country provide him with food and clothing, and then slowly go abroad to inspect... er, go abroad as an envoy, but Han Guo did not do that.

 The habits of the Western Regions are very bad. The nomadic atmosphere in the Western Regions is still very strong. These countries value young people and despise or despise the elderly. These countries without cultural heritage are undoubtedly sad. Because there is no accumulation of experience and inheritance, you will not remember the lessons, and you will fall down again and again. Many people have fallen before, and there are still people following up...

 Hence, the countries in the Western Regions are destined not to last long.

Han Guo was sitting by the campfire, writing something by the light of the fire.

He will record everything he sees, hears, and thinks during his mission, and may one day compile it into a book for future generations to refer to...

 Among the North Road of the Western Regions, Kucha was undoubtedly the most powerful country before.

 What is the reason for Kucha’s strength?

The firelight was shining, and Han Guo frowned and thought.

“The reason why Qiuci is so prosperous is that it belongs to the central region, connecting the Central Plains to the east, Taipei to the west, and a road to the north that can reach Wusun. This can be called the prosperity of the land. 』

　　　Buddhism in Qiuci also flourished, and flourished in the countries of Northern Dao. The Buddha preached much about tolerance and kindness, taking pleasure in suffering without asking for rewards in this life. Therefore, the people are not afraid of suffering, and the soldiers are not afraid of death. It can be said that people are prosperous. 』

　　　『Kiuca is rich in natural resources, and peach wine is mostly produced here. In addition, there are rice, millet, bean sprouts, wheat, copper, iron, lead, fur bark, sand, salt green, orpiment, benzoin, benzoin, good horse, seal cow, etc. In addition, there is stone camel drown, which can cure carbuncle. , malignant sores, scabies, etc., it can be said that things are flourishing. 』

　　　Therefore, if the Han Dynasty wants to establish and consolidate the northern route, it should take Qiuci. If we get to Qiuci, we will have no worries about transportation on the North Road. 』

Han Guo was thinking.

If the Han Dynasty can replace Qiuci, then at least on the northern route of the Western Regions, it will be equivalent to a firm stand. Whether it is transportation arteries or property support, obtaining Qiuci is a very important strategic goal at the moment.

Perhaps Lu Bu thought so at the time?

Han Guo thought deeply, and then wrote: "In the country of Qiuci, the king is also the Buddha, and the Buddha is also the king." The former Western Region Protector was stationed in Qiuci, but he was hampered by the Buddha and later even destroyed the Buddha..."

Halfway through writing, Han Guo stopped writing and thought for a moment. He felt that Lu Bu might not have thought about it at all and just did it subconsciously, so Han Guo put the tip of the pen in his mouth to prevent him from getting into the desert of the Western Regions. The strong wind will quickly dry the ink, and then I took a knife and scraped off half of the sentence I just wrote.

As far as Han Guo knows, the political structure of the Qiuci Kingdom is actually basically the one written with four stars. Its king is the nominal supreme ruler, possessing administrative, military and religious powers. The reason why I say it is in name only is because there is another position in Qiuchi Kingdom called Da Sengzheng.

There are various official positions below the king of Kucha, including Zuohou, Youhou, Duhu, Wei, Cheng, etc. Among them, Zuohou and Youhou are officials in charge of military affairs, Duhu is an official in charge of administration, Wei is an official in charge of judicial trials, and Cheng is an official in charge of internal affairs. These positions are generally modeled on the political structure of the Han Dynasty in the Western Regions. , In terms of religion, the Kingdom of Kucha has a chief monk and a deputy monk, who are responsible for managing Buddhist affairs, and are also responsible for the preaching and governance of monks and believers throughout Kucha.

During the previous turmoil in Kucha caused by Lu Bu, the original king of Kucha, Bai Su, died, and his usurper Bai Shan obviously did not gain recognition in Kucha, so another Bai's son was elected as the king in Kucha. .

 The new king came to power in a hurry, and even some procedures were not completed.

 Young master.

 Strong minister.

 National chaos.

This situation seems a bit familiar!

Han Guo pursed his brush and raised his eyebrows.

He quickly thought of an idea and decided to find someone first...

 (End of this chapter)