"Good news from Chengdu, Meng Shu surrenders!"
"Good news from Chengdu, Meng Shu surrenders!"
As the post horses came from the east, they entered the city and went straight to Nanya. The people who passed by along the way were delighted. After hearing the news, the scholars and common people opened many doors and windows, and looked around. Many people only had time to see the back of the Yiqi flying past, but this did not prevent the people of Tokyo from talking about it, and they couldn't help but sigh, how fast it was.
When the good news came, the bureaucracies in the Han Dynasty were also filled with joy. They ran around cheering and confessing their love. They thought it was National Day and they just had to set off firecrackers to celebrate.
After learning that Liu Chengyou, who was busy taking care of his children in the harem, immediately drove to the Guangzheng Hall and summoned the Privy Council to listen to the good news. The palace was also filled with deep joy, and Privy Councilor Chai Rong came to report in person.
"It only took thirty-nine days from the time when the troops were sent to Hanzhong for training to the time when Meng Chang surrendered. The speed of the troops' advance was far beyond the expectations of the officials!" Rarely, Chai Rong had a spring breeze on his face.
Fan Zhi also said: "The selection of officials to be transferred to Sichuan and Sichuan has not yet been completed, but the king's division has already been selected. This really catches the ministers off guard! Haha..."
As he said this, Fan Zhi couldn't help but laugh, very cheerfully.
Liu Chengyou also smiled and said: "In this case, Fan Qing should urge the officials to speed up!"
"However, when I try to think about it, it is not surprising." Chai Rong continued: "For the battle against Shu, our court was fully prepared and fully aware of its actual situation. Xiang Xun was trained in northern Shu for three years. Counting five years from now on, we have been preparing for the destruction of Shu for five years. With five years of hard work, wouldn’t it be a success to launch this thunderous strike?"
Murong Yanzhao followed up and said: "Based on the battle situation of the two armies, only the three battles of Lizhou, Jianzhou, and Kuizhou showed a little resistance, and the rest were swept away. What is the reason? The vitality and ambition of the Shu army, It was damaged in several early battles, especially in the battle between Qin and Feng, where the bones and muscles were injured and the spine was broken. Therefore, I believe that since the early years of Qianyou, when Fengxiang fought fiercely to resist the invasion of Shu, Ji The beginning of the great victory at Fengshan has already laid the foundation for the destruction of Shu today..."
"Our army's officers and men are dedicated to their lives and united as one, but the Shu army's generals are timid in fighting and the soldiers are disloyal. How can we be invincible?" Li Chuyun said.
Listening to each of them speaking and making a military summary, Liu Chengyou stretched out his hand to stop and said: "The summary of Ping Shu can be discussed in detail later!"
After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou looked at Fan Zhi and said: "I still say the same thing, destroying Shu is easy, and governing Shu may not be easy. The soldiers have completed their mission. Next, how to bring Sichuan and Shu prefectures under their control? It is up to the ministers to implement the ruling order of the Han Dynasty and transform millions of Shu people into Han people!"
"yes!"
"Your Majesty, can the several articles of Anshu proposed by the former minister be enacted?" Fan Zhi took the opportunity to ask for instructions.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's attitude became ambiguous again and he didn't answer for a while, which made Fan Zhi quite uncomfortable. After getting up and walking around in the palace for a few steps, Liu Chengyou pointed out: "Although our army has occupied Chengdu, Meng Chang surrendered, and the Kingdom of Shu was declared destroyed, there are still a large number of prefectures and counties in northern Shu, eastern Sichuan, and south of Chengdu that have not truly surrendered. . At this time, we should inform Xiang Xun to quickly complete the occupation of important states and cities in Sichuan and Shu, and realize the true recovery of Shu!"
After a pause, Liu Chengyou continued to give instructions: "First, the imperial court should send envoys to Shu to carry imperial edicts and flags to reward the troops and commend the soldiers who have made meritorious service in the battle.
Secondly, all the Meng clan moved north, and those below the general level should not be humiliated but should be treated with courtesy. Tell Meng Chang that I have prepared a house for his family in Tokyo, which is enough for them to live in. The imperial edict will be carried out as soon as possible.
Thirdly, in the tenth year of Qianyou's reign, all small people in Shu who owned less than twenty acres of land were exempted from summer tax; those who owned less than fifty acres were exempted from half of the summer tax; the rest remained as before; the rest of the landless and propertyless people were exempted from rent and taxes. waived. All miscellaneous taxes and nameless servitude in Shu will be abolished.
Fourth, there is a shortage of grain in Sichuan and the public sentiment is greatly disturbed. Grain and rice should be allocated to provide relief for the lack of food and stabilize grain prices. The price of salt is high, so it should also be reduced. The bandits in Shu should all return to their hometowns before ten months, all of them should return to their homes, be given acres of land, and resume farming.
Fifth, all officials at the prefecture and county level in Shu should be retained in their posts, and the laws, regulations, and political system should be rectified as soon as possible, and all should be based on the Han system. This should be the standard for imperial examination. The imperial court selects and transfers officials and supervisors to Shu as soon as possible, and selects and commends those with high moral standards, good conduct, and peace of mind for the people.
Sixth, collect the soldiers of Shu who surrendered, and select the best and strongest ones to supplement the armies of Shu. Among the generals of Shu, those who are capable of leading troops will be retained in the army. The remaining old and weak soldiers were each given money, grain, and acres of land.
As for the construction of the Sichuan-Sichuan military and political system, adjustments and implementation will be made after it has calmed down a bit, but we can start discussing it here in the Political Affairs Hall. Hmm...for the time being, these are the only things we should implement first! "
After listening to Liu Chengyou's instructions, Fan Zhi thought about it and figured out something strange. The emperor seemed to have ignored some people. Officials of the Chengdu court, dignitaries of Shu, and ordinary people were important. These people and families who controlled a large amount of social resources, Just as important.
After considering his words, Fan Zhi couldn't help but ask this question. After glancing at Fan Zhi, Liu Chengyou asked leisurely: "What contribution did these nobles and bureaucrats of Shu have to the Han Dynasty? Do they deserve their status in Shu?"
In fact, Fan Zhi has been aware of some of the emperor's attitudes during this period of time. Listening to the signal released in his words, his heart tightened. Of course, he couldn't agree with it, but he didn't argue. Instead, he thought about it and reminded: "Your Majesty, the first emperor of Sichuan and Shu, everything is to maintain stability. In addition, Although Shu has been pacified, Jiangnan, a corner of Wuyue and Lingnan are still undecided, so it is still very serious!"
Of course Liu Chengyou understood what Fan Zhi meant, but he had already made up his mind and smiled without saying a word.
Seeing this, Fan Zhi said again: "Your Majesty has said several things about pacifying Shu. This division of land still needs to be implemented by officials. Should it be postponed? In addition, the rewards for the generals who brought peace to Shu..."
He was not as fierce and forthright as before, but Fan Zhi obviously had the momentum to let Liu Chengyou speak out, giving Liu Chengyou a feeling of being forced.
But seeing his solemn expression and looking around, Liu Chengyou was silent for a long time, and finally said: "All the ministers here are all important ministers of the Han Dynasty. There are some words that I have to hide, and it is indeed inappropriate for me to hide them!"
"Zhao Pu, tell the ministers!" Liu Chengyou pointed his hand and ordered.
"Yes!" Zhao Pu accepted the order.
After thinking about it carefully, no matter what opinions Fan Zhi and the others held about the aftermath of Sichuan and Shu, they still should have a thorough discussion and reach a consensus, at least to make them prepared.
Zhao Pu quickly described his specific measures to "divide the cake". As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in Guangzheng Hall suddenly changed. After thinking about it for a while, Fan Zhi's face tightened. In his opinion, this was almost a disguised "destroying the Buddha".
"Your Majesty!" Fan Zhi insisted in his heart, but he couldn't help but speak.
"Fan Qing!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand to stop him: "I know what you want to say, and I also know what your concerns are. But I think that some things should be done sooner rather than later. The army is in Shu, so we should take advantage of the opportunity to make a decision! "
"I have always been stubborn and insisted on doing things my own way, and I have accomplished a lot of things. I have eliminated the old habits in Shu, and I can manage Shu calmly!" Liu Chengyou said.
Seeing that the emperor was resolute and irreversible, Fan Zhi finally sighed with regret, cupped his hands and said, "Yes!"
Regarding the conversation between Liu Chengyou and Fan Zhi, other ministers looked thoughtful, but Chai Rong understood it, but did not say anything, and seemed to be watching from the sidelines.
"Chengdu is the military and political center in the southwest. If Chengdu is safe, Shu will be in control. Who do you think should have the right to know the affairs of Chengdu?" Liu Chengyou added.
Quickly calming down, Fan Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Li Xinchen is the governor of Jinghu. With his status and talents, he is enough to control it. Why not use it to flow from Changsha to Shu and govern the affairs of Chengdu?"
As Fan Zhi said, this is indeed a good candidate. It is quite suitable to use Li Tao, the former prime minister, to preside over the government affairs of Chengdu and even Sichuan. However, considering Li Tao's political style, it is very likely that it will be difficult to meet his expectations.
Liu Chengyou didn't mince words and asked directly: "How is Zhao Pu?"
Hearing this question, Fan Zhi couldn't help but glance at Zhao Pu who was also a little surprised, then looked at Liu Chengyou, and responded in a deep voice: "I think it's okay!"
"Zhao Pu, pack up and go to your post as soon as possible!" Liu Chengyou said to Zhao Pu with a satisfied smile.
Zhao Pu quickly considered the pros and cons of going to Chengdu in his mind, and came to the conclusion that where he performed his merits, he used his services, and when he returns to the court one day, he can worship the prime minister. Immediately said: "Yes!"
After Liu Chengyou and others left, Fan Zhi couldn't help but said to Wei Renpu and Li Gu who had not left yet: "Wei Gong, Li Gong, I can't persuade your majesty, why don't you speak up?"
Wei and Li were both well-known benevolent gentlemen in the court. Fan Zhi spoke openly and did not have so many scruples.
After hearing what he said, Wei Renpu smiled calmly and said: "Xiang Fan, your Majesty has always been strong, how can he be persuaded to do something that he has made up his mind? His Majesty has obviously been thinking about the aftermath of Shuzhong for a long time, and has considered the pros and cons very clearly. , that’s why we have this discussion. Furthermore, don’t you know that there are many disadvantages in Shu? If we can take advantage of the situation to refresh it, it will be beneficial to the people of Sichuan and Shu and the rule of the Han Dynasty!”
Fan Zhi shook his head: "That being said, I'm afraid that if we act too hastily, there will be chaos in Shu!"
"Some things need to be done too hastily! Only Your Majesty can forcefully change the situation in Shu!" Li Gu said: "After all, Your Majesty is targeting only a few people. The army is there, and you can win the hearts and minds of the military, the people, and the Central Government." The lower-level officials can avoid disaster!"
"Moreover!" After a pause, Li Gu said: "Didn't Prime Minister Fan notice that the articles about Anshu that His Majesty mentioned did not directly mention this matter?"
"What do you mean by Mr. Li?" Fan Zhi came to his senses and frowned.
Li Gu said: "The army is more straightforward, decisive and easy to implement!"
His face changed slightly, and Fan Zhi immediately said: "If the army is in chaos, disaster will be great! Moreover, this goes against the current system of the Han Dynasty!"
Li Gu said: "Sichuan and Shu have not yet been completely pacified. We need to obey the authority in urgent matters!"
"Has your Majesty forgotten the lessons of previous generations?" Fan Zhi did not agree with this statement: "No! I must advise your Majesty again and think twice before you act!"
After saying that, he glanced at Wei Renpu and Li Gu and left the table.
Looking at his hurried away figure, Li Gu couldn't help but sigh: "Fan Xiang is still so upright!"
"Know that it's difficult, but try your best to do it!" Wei Renpu also sighed leisurely, not knowing whether he was talking about the prime minister or the emperor.
