Qin State, Xianyang.
The Qin army had just returned to the city. Although they were defeated by Huai, the Qin army still gained a lot of benefits from this battle. The soldiers of the Qin Army were more concerned about whether their titles and meritorious deeds could offset their crimes.
Fortunately, Bai Qi fought two battles of annihilation before the war with Huai State, wiping out the 200,000 allied troops of Han and Wei. This brought huge benefits to the Qin army who needed their heads to record their merits. This is why the Qin army supported Bai Qi. .
After Shang Yang's reform, over several generations, the people of Qin paid more and more attention to military merit. This is because military merit can make people atone for their sins, exempt soldiers from all kinds of assessments, exempt them from corvee, and even get extra rewards.
This is also the reason why the Qin army can take the lead bravely in every battle.
Don't think that the Qin army can live a good life with rewards for military merit, because it is very likely that after a defeat, all these things will be taken back.
The Law of the Shang Dynasty clearly stated that rewards and punishments should be clearly defined, and this was implemented very thoroughly in the Qin State. The Huai State also had clear rewards and punishments, but it was far less harsh than the Qin State.
For example, after Shang Yang's reform, the king of Qin no longer carried out disaster relief. For example, a few years ago, there was a drought in Guanzhong of the State of Qin and the people had no food to eat. Therefore, the ministers asked the king to open the Five Gardens so that the people could go there to collect wild fruits and vegetables to satisfy their hunger.
As a result, this suggestion was rejected by the King of Qin.
The King of Qin said: "My Qin law enables the people to be rewarded for their merits and punished for their crimes. Those who grow vegetables and grass in the five gardens, the people will be rewarded both for their merits and for their inactions. If the people are rewarded for their merits and for their inactions, this is The way of chaos."
In the Shang Jun Law, mountains, rivers, and lakes were listed as royal property, and ordinary people were not allowed to enter to collect fruits, hunt, fish, or collect wood. It can only be said that this harsh system can only be endured by the poor Qin people. Treating hungry people as rewards for collecting wild fruits is a system that can no longer be described as harsh.
Although the Qin State did not provide relief to the victims, it instead adopted a work-for-relief method to relieve the victims, or let the victims work as laborers for the government. However, work-for-relief is actually hiring people to work at extremely low prices. After the work is completed, the money and food provided by the government will not be much. At the same time, there is no reduction or exemption for various labor taxes and so on, but only a postponement.
The people are already in poverty. After experiencing the drought, how can they have any surplus food? In the next few years, we will have to make up for the deferred taxes.
In the end, in order to pay back the taxes, the people had one and only one way to go, and that was to join the army and achieve military merit.
This system can indeed strengthen the country, but it is too cruel for the grassroots people. The consequences are also very serious, which will cause the people to have little sense of belonging, let alone much sense of the country. This is why in previous history, when Liu Bang entered Guanzhong, he only had three chapters to make the people of Guanzhong support him.
The Qin State's hundreds of years of rule quickly collapsed after just three chapters of agreement, and it quickly accepted the Han Dynasty and no longer called itself a Qin person. In the eyes of the Qin people, what they have obtained now is what they have worked hard for and fought in battle. They deserve it and have nothing to do with the monarch or the state of Qin.
This idea is very dangerous, but it is becoming more and more popular in Qin.
Xianyang Palace.
The tall and magnificent palace is very majestic. There are not many gorgeous and exquisite decorations on the palace, but it has a rough beauty.
Bai Qi slowly entered the hall. At this time, the hall was full of people. On the left were Qin's ministers, generals and ministers, and on the right were Qin's clan officials. Everyone was wearing court attire, so it was obvious that this was a formal court meeting. At this time, everyone in the hall lowered their heads and looked serious. The hall was silent and solemn, and the atmosphere was solemn.
Qin Wangji sat at the top, his face obscured by the crown and his expression could not be seen clearly. Bai Qi took a few steps forward and knelt down on one knee.
"Your Majesty, I failed to recapture Hangu Pass, and the army suffered tens of thousands of casualties. This is your fault. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Qin Wangji was silent for two seconds, then laughed and said: "Bai Qing, please get up quickly. In this campaign, you destroyed the allied forces of Han and Wei, seized the land east of the river, and expanded the territory for hundreds of miles. You are a hero of the Qin State. Although you were frustrated by the Huaihe River , But it’s just a small setback, how can I criticize the hero so harshly?”
"I should compensate you with gold and jade!"
After saying that, Qin Wangji stood up and came to Bai Qi. He took off the sword from his waist and handed it to Bai Qi. He said firmly: "Victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. You don't have to worry about it. I hope you can continue your efforts. When the time comes, you will take it." With this sword, I will lead the people of Qin to pacify the six kingdoms."
Bai Qi's expression became more resolute, and a ball of fire ignited under his eyes. He lowered his head slightly, took the sword with both hands, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I swear to you that I will be a victim of Qin in this life." , to repay the king for his great kindness."
As Qin Wangji gave Bai Qi a large reward, the original solemn air in the hall also dissipated.
Qin Wangji returned to his position, and then continued to ask: "My lords, this time we failed to capture Hanguguan, our Qin army was blocked from going eastward. I don't know how Qin will develop in the future. Do you have any good strategies?"
Bai Qi cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the reason why the eastward movement is blocked is because Le Yi's talent is not inferior to that of the minister. If we want to force a loss, our Qin country is no match. Therefore, I suggest that we attack other countries first, seize the land and population, and increase the population." National strength, as for Le Yi, he is already old, how many years can he live? When our Qin State becomes stronger, we will definitely be able to defeat its army in one battle."
Qin Wangji also understood that the Huai Kingdom was strong and had a famous general named Le Yi, so it would be difficult to defeat the Huai Kingdom, so he agreed with Bai Qi's statement in his heart.
"Your Majesty, the State of Zhao took advantage of my attack on the Western Chu State to unite with the Three Jins to attack our State of Qin and occupy Shangjun. Since Zhao is in civil strife, it is better to take the opportunity to attack Zhao and recapture Shangjun." One of the ministers said.
Shangjun is located in the north of Hexi, which is condescending to Qin. At the same time, it also gives Zhao a strategic support point west of the Yellow River. The threat to Qin is great. Once Zhao attacks Qin from Shangjun, Zhao's elite cavalry can rush to Xianyang in one day and night.
If Shangjun can be recaptured, it will not only clear Zhao's strongholds west of the Yellow River, but also harvest a large number of people and farmland, which can quickly enhance Qin's strength. Qin's defense in the north also has a support point, and at the same time, it can also go out of Shangjun to attack Zhao.
The civil and military officials in the main hall quickly decided to attack Zhao, and a hint of coldness flashed in Qin Wangji's eyes. You must know that when the Qin State was attacked by the Three Jin Dynasties, the Qin State was forced to seek peace with the Zhao State. Not only did it cede Shangjun, but it also made the current Qin Wangji, the early Zhao State, a hostage.
If it weren't for the overconfident King Zhao Wuling who wanted to use his identity to control Qin, he would probably never return to Qin in his life, let alone ascend the throne of Qin. Now that King Wuling of Zhao is dead and the country of Zhao is in chaos, it is Qin's opportunity.
(End of chapter)
