One is, of course, to enrich the military with moral integrity. A country cannot be built without military force. The army is the key means to ensure everything at any time.
For example, training cavalry will transform the solid infantry combat model into a cooperative and flexible guerrilla model with infantry and cavalry. This point actually had many applications during the Warring States Period. When Shang Yang regained Hexi, he used infantry and cavalry in the battle with Gongzi Xian, and the cavalry played a decisive role in this battle.
However, after the unification of the world, there were basically no wars in the Qin Dynasty. The cavalry on the northern border was not as good as the Huns, and the southern border was deep in the mountains and forests, so the cavalry was useless, so the Qin Dynasty still relied on infantry as its main force. In the guerrilla mode, after the cavalry training is completed, they will learn the combat modes of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty, and use the Huns' combat methods to deal with the Huns.
Another example is improving ordnance and improving some weapons for cavalry, such as sabers, saddles, horseshoes, etc.
There are many difficulties that need to be overcome, such as how to obtain excellent horses, how to train high-quality troops, how to obtain maps of the grasslands, and whether these weapons can be produced with current technology, etc.
The second is to trade with the Xiongnu civilians through things that the Qin Dynasty has but the Xiongnu do not have. Through trade, the Xiongnu tribes can be divided, and the things that the Qin Dynasty needs can also be obtained.
For example, silk, tea, farm tools were traded for horses, iron ore, leather, etc. But there are more factors to consider.
First of all, can Daqin produce so many things for trading? Productivity is low now, and it is impossible to ignore domestic needs for the sake of trade.
In the silk horse trade between the Tang Dynasty and the Uighurs, a serious problem arose in the end: "If you pay less silk, the other party will not be satisfied, and if you pay too much, the other party will apologize." To put it simply, there are too many horses in Uighur, and the silk produced by the Tang Dynasty cannot keep up with the demand. But if you don’t buy it, trade can’t continue. The Uighurs will cause trouble, and the Tang army will also cause trouble because they can’t get the horses they need. The Tang Dynasty was very troubled by the matter.
Secondly, you need to carefully consider what you can and cannot sell. For example, you can sell silk, but you cannot sell coarse cloth in large quantities, because silk is expensive and coarse cloth is cheap. The former can only be used by nobles for consumption, while the latter can be widely used by common people. , the military will also benefit from it.
If the Huns were so luxurious as to use Shu brocade to make clothes for their troops, then Da Qin could just surrender.
In addition, we must also consider that the Qin Dynasty cannot trade strategic materials such as salt, iron, and copper, and the Huns are not stupid. They will not use a large amount of their own horses, copper, and iron to buy your luxuries. In addition, everyone’s living habits are different, so Qin’s luxury goods may not necessarily be popular with the Xiongnu. Therefore, how to achieve a balance is also a headache, not only to avoid capitalizing on the enemy, but also to obtain benefits.
The third is differentiation.
Historically, the methods to solve problems are nothing more than the three methods in the most classic movie line: treat, behead, and accept as a dog!
If you can reconcile when your own strength is insufficient, then you can reconcile. For example, marriage can temporarily stabilize the relationship between the two parties and then seek development;
If you are strong but the other party is of no use and causes trouble from time to time, then destroy it directly;
If the other party is still valuable, and if the other party is destroyed and the spring breeze blows again, then accepting him as his younger brother is the best choice.
The first two methods also lay the foundation for the third method. Without a strong army, the younger brother will have other ideas, and without enough benefits, the younger brother will not be determined.
At present, the best way to deal with the Xiongnu is to win over a group and attack a group. The two tribes that had just surrendered to the Huns were good candidates to win over. The Xiongnu had food, and Da Qin also had food. Why didn't these two tribes choose to surrender to Da Qin, but chose the Xiongnu? Because "people who are not of my race must have different hearts" is the principle that everyone believes in. The Huns do not trust Da Qin, and Da Qin cannot trust the Huns.
This kind of mentality is understandable. How to win over these two tribes? I believe that people like Feng Quji, Li Si, and Meng Tian must have more experience than me. Don't underestimate the ancients. In the context of this era, they must not be ordinary people if they can be great ministers. If these people lived in modern times, they would not be ordinary people either.
Moreover, we need to think carefully about how to manage them after they win over them. Da Qin could not directly send troops to manage them. Even the Qing Dynasty two thousand years later could not do it. The long supply line would drag down the court. The only option was to use barbarians to control barbarians and let the Huns manage the Huns. people.
After listening to my words, the two of them hesitated. Feng Quji thought for a while and said: "Your Highness, we have considered these three strategies. When the six kingdoms were not unified, both Da Qin and Zhao had adopted these methods. , but the trade was not carried out in a systematic manner, and most of the businessmen came and went spontaneously, mainly by means of war. King Wu Ling of Zhao also promoted horseback riding and shooting in Hufu."
Feng Quji paused for a moment and continued: "Now that the world is at peace and the four seas are unified, our Great Qin's national power is booming and its troops and horses are strong, so I have never considered these things again. I think it is safest to defeat them."
Meng Tian followed up and said: "I think so too."
Looking at the two of them, I couldn't help but sigh. They still don't realize the problems that exist in the Qin Dynasty today. They still think that Qin is invincible and that human limitations cannot be changed in a short time.
I smiled and said, "You two are right, but I thought it was too simple."
Feng Quji said: "Your Highness has this idea because it saves the soldiers from bleeding. It is a blessing for the soldiers at the border. Then please ask General Meng to talk about the demand for ordnance and soldiers. Zhou Zhi, Meng Xingyuan, you two, listen carefully. Arrange what General Meng needs immediately."
Then Meng Tian talked about the current difficulties, the number of soldiers that needed to be prepared, and the reserves of ordnance and food, and Feng Quji made the arrangements one by one.
After the discussion, Zhou Zhi and Meng Xingyuan immediately went to prepare. It was also time to eat. Feng Quji arranged the meal, leaving Meng Tian and I to dine together.
Looking at the food on the table, I thought that even these nobles who were very popular in the Qin Dynasty could only eat some boiled or roasted meat and a small variety of pitiful vegetables. Then I thought about the various delicacies of later generations. , these foods are really hard to swallow.
Feng Quji made an invitation gesture: "Your Highness, General Meng, please."
Then several people started eating. Just as I was imagining the delicious food in the future, Feng Quji and Meng Tian suddenly put down their chopsticks, stood up and cupped their hands to me and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me."
I quickly put down my chopsticks, stood up and said, "Prime Minister, General Meng, why is this happening? Please sit down and talk."
Feng Quji glanced at Meng Tian, nodded slightly, then thanked him and the three of them sat down.
