Han Zhen was a rebel, which Xie Ding had known for a long time.
From the day Zhuo Ben scolded Han Zhen and others, it was clear that he was not a kind person and regarded the court's laws as nothing.
But Xie Ding is not worried.
Just because although Zhao Ting and Chang Yukun are both greedy for money, they are not stupid people.
Especially Zhao Ting, after Fang La's rebellion when he was serving in Hangzhou, should be extremely vigilant about rebellion.
The reason why they were able to protect Han Zhen may be that these people reached some kind of agreement.
Xie Ding didn't know the details, but it was nothing more than recruiting people.
Because of the existence of the Recruitment Law, the views and attitudes of officials in the Song Dynasty towards rebels were not as fearful as tigers and wolves in the previous Sui and Tang Dynasties. Instead, they were somewhat ambiguous.
It's hard to say that one moment they were fighting and killing each other, and the next moment they were serving as officials in the same court.
What surprised him was Liu Qi's change.
In just one month, Liu Qi changed from a loyal and patriotic young man to a small rebel.
To be able to say such words as letting Han Zhen take over the world in front of him.
How could Xie Ding not be surprised?
Suppressing the fear in his heart, Xie Ding said sternly: "Zhu'er, how could you have such an idea? Your father is an important minister in the court, who lives on the emperor's salary and must be loyal to the emperor. As a son of man, how can you do such unkind and unjust things?" Disciple."
Liu Qi simply broke the jar and said what was in his heart: "I just feel that the Song Dynasty is completely rotten now. The officials are mediocre, the court is controlled by treacherous ministers, corrupt officials are rampant in the local area, and the people are living in dire straits. My uncle is already a doctor. Good officials, but even so, the people of Qiancheng County are still in dire straits. How miserable must the people under the rule of corrupt officials be?"
"My uncle often said that Zhuo Ben was a corrupt scholar. But my uncle knew clearly that the officials were fatuous and harmed the people of the world, but he remained ignorant and loyal. Isn't it the same as Zhuo Ben?"
boom!
These words were like a bell, and they made Xie Ding's head buzz, and he could not calm down for a long time.
yes!
He prides himself on being a clean-minded, self-denying, diligent person, but just as Liu Qi said, the people of Qiancheng County are still in dire straits.
This is true even under the rule of honest officials, but how miserable the people will be under the rule of corrupt officials.
He sneered at Zhuo Benchi for being stupid and stupid. He was a rotten scholar who was too stupid to read. But in the eyes of his nephew, he was just average.
For a moment, Xie Ding felt ashamed and ashamed.
I wanted to take the opportunity to educate my nephew, but I never thought that my nephew would lead an army.
After a moment, he smiled bitterly: "Did Han Zhen teach you these?"
"I thought of it myself."
Liu Qi shook his head.
"You really gained a lot of knowledge after going out for a walk this time."
Xie Ding sighed, then slowly stood up and walked back to the back room lonely.
Seeing that it was getting dark, Liu Qi took a shower and returned to his room.
Qiancheng County is a small county after all, and there are not many entertainment activities at night.
In fact, it's not just Chicheng County. Looking at the entire world, except for Tokyo City, this is the case at night.
Back in the room, Liu Qi was a little uncomfortable.
At this time in the past, I should have been taking night classes.
He was actually literate, and the reason why he went to night classes was because he simply liked the atmosphere.
It's also fun to watch Nie Dong and others make fools of themselves.
Lying on the bed in undressed clothes, Liu Qi put his hands behind his head, staring blankly at the ceiling above, and began to think wildly in his mind.
Is it possible that I really want to study for the imperial examination in the future?
But even if you become an official through the imperial examination, so what, the Jin people will go south in a few years...
The more Liu Qi thought about it, the more irritated he became. He turned over and came to the desk. After lighting the oil lamp, he took out a pen and paper and started playing the game.
There were not many pastimes in the army, so Han Zhen came up with a game.
Craftsman Xun made several large sand tables. On the sand table was a three-dimensional map of the states along Jingdong East Road. The mountains, rivers, cities and villages were all standard and clear.
Pairs play against each other, arranging troops against each other, simulating war under various situations.
Gambling is not allowed in the military, but when playing this kind of game, both sides bet some money as a lottery, and Han Zhen will not interfere, as long as the bet is not too big.
Liu Qi likes this game the most and never gets tired of playing it.
But there was no sandbox at the moment, so he could only draw a simple map on paper from memory and amuse himself alone.
…
Xie Ding held a book in his hand and sat quietly at the desk, staring at the light of the oil lamp in trance.
He has been in this position for a long time.
What Liu Qi said today had such a great impact on him that he felt uneasy.
I usually look down on Zhuo Ben, but I never thought that I was also Zhuo Ben.
How ridiculous!
At this time, the old servant's voice rang in his ears: "Alang, it's getting late, it's time to rest."
Hearing this, Xie Ding came back to his senses and asked, "When was it?"
The old servant replied: "It's almost Haishi."
"It's so late?"
Xie Ding was surprised. He only felt that he had only been sitting for a moment.
Putting down the book in his hand, he asked: "Is Zhu'er asleep?"
The old servant said truthfully: "There is still light in the small Yamene room."
"You go and have a rest."
Xie Ding waved his hand, sent the old servant to rest, and then walked towards the opposite wing.
He knocked lightly on the door and said, "Zhu'er, are you still awake?"
"uncle?"
Liu Qi's surprised voice came from inside the house.
Soon, the door opened from the inside.
Xie Ding stepped in, glanced at the ink-stained papers on the desk, and asked curiously: "Is Zhu'er practicing calligraphy?"
Liu Qi scratched his head and said with a slight embarrassment: "No... it's not calligraphy practice, it's a small game in the military."
"game?"
Xie Ding raised his eyebrows and said meaningfully: "I'm afraid it was Han Zhen who taught you again?"
When Liu Qi went out this time, he changed a lot, which surprised him secretly.
"yes."
Liu Qishan smiled and nodded, then changed the subject and said, "Why is uncle so late and still not resting?"
Xie Ding joked: "In the eyes of my nephew, I am actually another Zhuo Ben. How can I sleep?"
"I was temporarily blinded by lard and talked nonsense. Uncle, please don't take it to heart." Liu Qi apologized quickly.
"What you said is true. In the eyes of the people of Qiancheng County, there is no difference between me and Na Zhuoben." Xie Ding laughed at himself and came to sit down at the desk.
Liu Qi retorted: "How can it be the same? My uncle has a talent for managing the world, but he just has nowhere to put it to use."
Xie Ding sighed slightly, and then asked: "You said before that the people in Linzi County live and work in peace and contentment, and the subordinate officials are honest and diligent?"
Liu Qi nodded and replied, "That's true. My nephew saw it with his own eyes."
"Please tell me in detail."
Xie Ding gave an order and sat there leisurely.
After pondering for a moment, Liu Qi slowly told what he had seen and heard in Linzi County.
"The county magistrate doesn't restrict me. Although I stay in the military camp most of the time, I can go out at will when I have a rest. I often chat with the big soldiers in the army, and I can't be fake. Linzi County practices light corvee and low taxes. The common people only receive 20% of the land tax in summer and autumn, and there are no other taxes. They also encourage land reclamation, and farmers’ fields gained from land reclamation are tax-free for three years. Due to the severe drought in the summer, Changzhi County is building water conservancy projects and digging canals. In late autumn, the corn harvest If production is reduced, the autumn tax will be waived as appropriate."
"In addition, the county magistrate has also opened factories in each village. Even the most ordinary worker has a monthly salary of 300 yuan. A family of five, with the men working and the women plowing the fields, can not only meet their food and clothing needs, but also have a few dollars left over at the end of the year. .”
Hearing this, Xie Ding frowned and said, "How many acres of land can a woman cultivate alone?"
Liu Qi explained: "The county magistrate has put cattle, horses, donkeys and other livestock in every village. Farmers only need to pay some fodder and silage to rent cattle and horses to plow the fields."
"This is a great kindness!"
Xie Ding nodded approvingly.
Liu Qi continued: "As for the county government's recruitment of corvees, they also took care of food, housing, and paid wages. Therefore, the people in the county no longer rejected corvees. Instead, every time they were recruited, the people rushed to be the first. Commercial taxes were implemented in ten draws. First, it seems to be very high, but because the subordinate officials are clear-minded, there will be no problems such as repeated tax collection, and the actual taxes paid by the merchants are several times less than before."
hiss!
Hearing this, Xie Ding couldn't help but take a breath and said in surprise: "Chang Yukun actually has such a method to train a subordinate to this point?"
How could he not know the virtues of a subordinate official?
All of them are deceitful, cunning and cunning people.
When he first came to Qiancheng County, he also punished subordinate officials, but only for a few days.
After a few days, those subordinate officials returned to their original appearance.
Rectifying the subordinate staff is the top priority, and other frivolous corvee and insignificant gifts are secondary.
Because any policy is ultimately implemented by subordinate officials, who are the ones in direct contact with the people.
As a county magistrate, it is impossible to keep an eye on subordinate officials all the time.
Therefore, if the subordinate officials are not rectified, no matter how good the policy is, it will be in vain.
"About subordinate officials, I specifically asked the subordinate officials in the county government. It is said that Changzhi County and the county magistrate have increased the salary of subordinate officials. Even the subordinate officials have a lot of money every month, enough to support a family. At the same time, , they have instituted some kind of elimination system. If subordinate officials have poor ratings for several consecutive months, they will be fired. However, the subordinate officials with the best performance can participate in the lock-up examination, and once they pass, they can become officials!"
Liu Qi said he was a little thirsty, so he picked up the tea on the desk and took a big sip.
"Promotion?"
Xie Ding exclaimed.
After he came to his senses, he suddenly said: "I see, that's it. Chang Yukun is really talented, but I underestimated him."
All the crux of the problems for subordinate staff are because their upward channels are blocked.
No matter how you do it, whether you do it well or not, you will be a subordinate for the rest of your life, and even your children and grandchildren will also be subordinates.
If you can't be an official, you can't do business.
Chang Yukun opened up the upward path for these subordinate officials and increased their salaries, so that they could support their families with their salaries alone.
Coupled with strict regulations, it will naturally eliminate the cunning and loose tendencies of subordinate officials.
Thinking of this, Xie Ding could not help but feel a feeling of envy in his heart.
As the magistrate of the same county, he thought he was as talented as Chang Yukun, but now Chang Yukun was able to carry out drastic reforms and show his ambition.
But he was hampered everywhere, like being stuck in a quagmire. He could only watch the people living in dire straits.
Suddenly, Xie Ding realized something was wrong and said in shock: "No, Chang Yukun, the county magistrate, how can he promote subordinate officials? Even Zhao Ting, the magistrate of the county, cannot bear this responsibility."
Promotion of a subordinate official is not a trivial matter. Even if the official personally issues the order, he is afraid that he will be besieged by the courtiers.
This is competing for jobs with scholars!
Seeing Liu Qi's eyes dodge, Xie Ding immediately scolded: "You evil beast, you still don't tell the truth in front of me."
In desperation, Liu Qi had no choice but to say: "It was the order from the county magistrate."
"hiss!"
Xie Ding took a deep breath and said in horror: "Linzi County is already in Han Zhen's pocket?"
Liu Qi hurriedly advised: "Please keep this matter secret, otherwise I will become a two-faced villain."
"Don't worry, I won't harm you."
After Xie Ding finished speaking, he frowned and said, "Is this guy Chang Yukun crazy? He left the court officials alone and turned to the thieves alone."
After receiving his uncle's assurance, Liu Qi immediately felt relieved and said freely: "I don't know about this. Anyway, Changzhi County is very happy. He rushes around the villages and fields every day, or inspects the reclamation of rivers and canals. He is as tanned as an old farmer." generally."
"The people in the county are very touched and are ready to send the Ten Thousand People's Umbrella to him to express their gratitude when he leaves office."
"Did I misjudge him? Chang Yukun is not a greedy man, but a sincere person who is devoted to the people?" A trace of confusion flashed in Xie Ding's eyes.
Little did he know that Han Zhen had spent millions of dollars to pave the way for Changzhi County.
Having no worries and being able to express one's ambitions can be said to be both fame and fortune. That's why Changzhi County is so diligent.
Xie Ding asked again: "Do the people in the county know that Han Zhen is a rebel?"
"Uncle, I don't know. Now everyone in Linzi County knows that the county magistrate is a rebel, but no one is panicked. On the contrary, they are in awe of the county magistrate. Some time ago, thousands of people came spontaneously to recruit soldiers. I still remember such a grand occasion. First time seeing you."
Liu Qi grew up in the border army, so how could he not know the common people's impression of soldiers?
They are as afraid of tigers and wolves as they are afraid to avoid them.
Every time the border army recruits troops, except for those who really can't survive, there are only a few good family members who take the initiative to apply.
Therefore, the border army recruited troops compulsorily, adopting the method of drawing one out of ten or one out of eight.
That is, one out of every ten strong men will be selected to join the army.
Just like in Linzi County, thousands of people came to apply for the job just by posting a notice. Liu Qi never even heard of it, not to mention seeing it.
"In this case, I misjudged Han Zhen. This person is indeed very different from ordinary rebels. He understands the principle that the people are the water, and he manages the political affairs of Linzi County and makes everything prosperous. He looks like he is in peace."
Xie Ding first expressed a few words of praise, then changed his tone and said with a regretful expression: "But unfortunately, Han Zhen is destined to be unable to make trouble. Once the Western Army arrives, I'm afraid he won't even have a chance to surrender."
How could he not see Liu Qi's little thoughts?
I deliberately said so much because I just wanted to win him over to join Han Zhen.
"..."
Liu Qi looked strange and hesitated to speak.
After catching a glimpse of his little movement, Xie Ding frowned slightly and hummed slightly.
Seeing this, Liu Qi said hesitantly: "Uncle, I don't think the Western Army is his opponent!"
Xie Ding was immediately happy: "The Western Army has been guarding the border for many years, and they are all warriors who have experienced hundreds of battles. How many troops can Han Zhen have? Just a few thousand people. Did you know that when Fang La in the south was at its peak, there were half a million soldiers? , As a result, when the Western Army arrived, it was like a divine army descending from the sky, destroying everything along the way and putting down the rebellion."
Speaking of this, Liu Qi got excited and sneered with disdain: "We are just a bunch of rabble with an army of 500,000. How can we compare with our Qingzhou Army?"
Hey!
Does this evil beast really think that he is Han Zhen's person?
Xie Ding laughed angrily: "Okay, okay, tell me, what can your Qingzhou Army do?"
"It may be unknown whether we will take over the world, but it will be easy to conquer Shandong."
Liu Qi said enthusiastically: "Today's Western Army is ninety-nine times new recruits, and its combat power is no longer the same as before. Although our Qingzhou Army is still short-lived, every one of them is a carefully selected and well-trained elite. Working hard, the supply of three meals a day is several times that of the Western Army, and meat is provided every once in a while to replenish blood. What's more, there is..."
At the end of the story, Liu Qifan suddenly came to his senses and stopped in time, not daring to reveal the secret of the firearm.
Xie Ding pretended to be angry and said, "What else? Why don't you continue?"
Liu Qi gritted his teeth and said: "This...uncle, it's not that I'm unreasonable, it's that I really can't say it."
Xie Ding felt a storm in his heart at this moment.
Although my nephew does not like the Four Books and Five Classics, he has been familiar with the art of war since he was a child and is quite talented in battle formations. In addition, he grew up in the army and has extraordinary knowledge.
It will never be aimless.
He originally thought that Han Zhen was just a small fish in the shoal. He would die soon after the dark clouds dispersed and the sun was strong.
But I never thought that it was actually a dormant dragon!
Thinking of this, Xie Ding looked serious and said: "You said that Han Zhen took Shandong easily. Is this true?"
"really!"
Liu Qi nodded.
Xie Ding looked solemnly and asked again: "Can't the Western Army win?"
Recalling the power of firearms in his mind, Liu Qi shook his head: "The odds of winning are less than 20%, and the 20% is because the people leading the army are Han Shizhong, Zhang Jun and others."
The power of firearms is beyond human power.
Xie Ding fell into silence, his eyes flickering.
Seeing this scene, Liu Qi rolled his eyes and imitated what Han Zhen had said to deceive him before, and advised: "Uncle, failure is a traitor, success is an official. If Emperor Taizu had not succeeded, Aren’t they also rebels?”
Xie Ding was not him. He could see through this kind of sophistry without thinking, and scolded: "You evil beast, how dare you use such ghost talk to deceive me. How can rebellion be so easy to create? Today in Taiping For more than a hundred years, the Zhao-Song orthodoxy has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Besides, do you think Emperor Taizu’s original statement of ‘sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats’ was a lie?”
"What does rebellion have to do with this?"
Liu Qi looked blank.
"well!"
Xie Ding sighed and explained earnestly: "Don't think this is an empty talk, it contains great wisdom. Sharing the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, all the literati in the world are tied to Zhao Song's chariot. Zhao Song is here , scholars enjoy preferential treatment and status, so no matter who rebels, they will not be recognized by scholars."
"Martial men have conquered the world, but in the end it still needs men of letters to govern it. Do you understand now?"
Liu Qi subconsciously retorted: "Why do we need scholars? Subordinate officials can do the same!"
boom!
Another thunder exploded in Xie Ding's mind.
The impact of these words was greater than before, making him feel as if he had been struck by thunder.
After a while, Xie Ding murmured to himself: "Yes, yes. That's it, that's it!"
"Uncle, are you okay?"
Xie Ding's appearance made Liu Qi panic.
Xie Ding ignored him and continued to talk to himself: "What a move to drain the fire, what a ruthless Han Zhen!"
"Why are the county magistrate so cruel?" Liu Qi was confused when he heard this.
He is good at military matters, but when it comes to this aspect, he is blind.
At this time, Xie Ding had come to his senses and asked with a complex expression: "You just said that it was Han Zhen who ordered subordinate officials to be officials?"
"yes!"
Liu Qi nodded.
Xie Ding asked again: "Zhu'er, do you think subordinate officials can be officials?"
Liu Qi pondered for a moment and replied: "Of course it is possible. The subordinate officials are very familiar with everything in the yamen. On the contrary, many officials cannot even recognize all the people in the yamen."
Xie Ding laughed sadly and said faintly: "Zhao and Song Dynasty share the world with scholar-bureaucrats, so the rebels will never get the support of the literati. Han Zhen knew this a long time ago, so he found another way and started with subordinate officials. If he really started to rebel Well, what does it matter whether the literati support it or not? There are hundreds of thousands of subordinate officials in the world, so why worry about no one becoming an official."
"I'm afraid that if he raises his arms when he arrives, the subordinate officials in various states and counties will take the initiative to kill officials and welcome him into the city."
With just one move, all the subordinate officials in the world will be conquered.
Zhao Song shared the world with the scholar-bureaucrats, while Han Zhen shared the world with the subordinate officials!
Officials cannot do without their subordinates, but without them, subordinates can still keep all government offices running normally.
At that time, what will be the situation of the literati?
Thinking of this scene, Xie Ding felt his hands and feet were cold.
(End of chapter)
