A list of awards affects the hearts of everyone. If it is to be perfect, absolutely fair, and satisfy everyone, it is impossible. Among the top twenty-four people, it is still questionable and unconvincing, such as Wu Xingde and Li Shaoyou. Their achievements and prestige are weaker than others.
However, it would be too difficult for Emperor Liu to make the decision without partiality, and it was not something that Emperor Liu could decide with just a slap on his head. In addition to these twenty-four ministers, it seems that there are still many who are qualified to be selected.
For example, Han Tong, maybe he himself didn't understand why he was defeated. In terms of military exploits and qualifications, he was solid, but nothing particularly outstanding. In the process of leveling Jing Lake, he led a partial army to defeat Zhou Xingfeng. It was worth it. The special writing, however, is of a low level compared with the many magnificent wars of the Han Dynasty over the past ten years.
Perhaps the thing that Han Tong regrets most to this day is that he did not shamelessly and kowtow to seek a position in the Northern Expedition. He may feel a little disappointed in his heart, but he is not unbalanced. He has been promoted repeatedly from a small cavalryman, and now he is still the commander-in-chief of the Inspection Department of one of the three yamen of the Forbidden Army. He was also listed as the first person under the government. His son Han Hui was also highly regarded by the emperor and held an important position in the court. Both father and son were favored. Although it was a pity, there was nothing dissatisfied.
As for others, such as Shangdang Gong Guo Congyi, he was a Yuanchen of Hedong, with both civil and military skills, and a man of good taste. He was a vassal governor since the founding of the People's Republic of China. From Huawei to Wei Bo, he was once the most important general in the north of Kaifeng, guarding the capital. safety. After Yao Yuanfu passed away, he became an official in the court and served as a teacher for the princes.
When it comes to Yao Yuanfu, we have to say that in the early years of Qianyou, when he was more than sixty years old, he was still carrying a sword, leaping on horseback to attack, fighting in battle, killing enemies and making achievements, and made great achievements in consolidating Guanzhong and the southwest and northwest. made outstanding contributions. Later, he entered the imperial court with Zhu Jiedu and worked conscientiously from inspecting the capital to being the prince's teacher. The title of Duke of Fenyang was changed from Duke of Fenyang to Duke of Fenyang, and his eldest son, Yao Zhong, became the Duke of Fenyang.
There is also Wang Yan. Hou Zhang was greedy and lawless when he was the first righteous man in Shaanxi Province. He was finally manipulated by Wang Yan in Luoyang. Compared with Zhao Hui, Wang Yan's talents were more outstanding to a certain extent. Just because when he was stationed in Jinzhou, he had a conflict with Wang Jingchong, the military envoy at that time, and even acted against the imperial court. Although Zhao Hui's coordination was small and the matter was resolved smoothly, he was demoted because of it. Later, he was appointed as the left guard in Xijing. He made great achievements in governing Luo. He also presented the jade seal passed down to the country and was promoted to the Duke of Teng County. This time, he was changed to the Duke of Huaiyin County. People always have to pay the price for their actions.
Wang Quanbin, perhaps the one who felt the most depressed was him. In terms of qualifications, reputation, and ability, he was the best choice. If he had received Emperor Liu's consent and sent troops to destroy Dali early, he might have been among them.
Moreover, if Wang Quanbin is selected, then generals such as Wang Renfan, Li Jixun, Cui Yanjin, Guo Chongwei, Wang Yanchao, and Zhang Xun will all be eligible. For example, Cui Yanjin destroyed Meng Shu and Ping Lingnan.
As for the Mesozoic generals such as Shi Shouxin, Pan Mei, Yang Ye, Zhang Yongde, Zhao Yanjin, Cao Bin, and Liu Guangyi, their achievements are certainly worthy of praise, but their qualifications are a flaw, and not all of them have Zhao Da's fortune.
Compared with the comparisons and disputes over the merits of military ministers, civil servants who should have been more likely to cause disagreements caused almost no ripples. It's not that those who were selected were the ones who were popular, but the civil servants didn't have the qualifications and strength to ask for more. Looking at the fundamental rule, at the moment when the world was first decided, it was still the prosperous age of military ministers, and the spring for the civil servants had not yet come. Among the twenty-four heroes, military ministers were among the fifteenth. This ratio was only achieved due to Liu Chengyou's deliberate balance.
The one who is more unwilling is Tao Gu. After all, he is also an old minister who follows Emperor Liu and is now a central minister. It is understandable that he has expectations. However, after self-evaluation, compared with the civil servants among them, I was disappointed to find that none of them could compare. What was even more depressing was that in the end, I only got the title of Marquis of Xin'an. Perhaps, he will be embarrassed to be called "Tao Gong" from now on.
In fact, this was Emperor Liu's preferential treatment to Tao Gu. Even without mentioning some of his unsavory behaviors in the past, the imperial court had many generals, such as Bai Chongyun, Luo Yanyu, Wang Shenqi, Guo Jin, and Dang Jin. , Han Lingkun, Dong Zunjie, Han Chongyun, Kang Zaiyu, Kang Yanze, Liu Tinghan, Cao Han, Cui Han, Li Hanqiong, Ma Renyu... These people were only awarded the title of marquis according to the third level of county, township and pavilion.
Duke is a huge threshold, and it is conceivable that after the Year of the Treasure, it will be more difficult to advance.
There are also a group of frustrated people, that is, a large number of old nobles, including Duke Li Hongxin of the Yu Kingdom and other relatives of the emperor, who have either had their titles reduced or directly seized their titles. For example, Li Hongxin was able to retain a Yuci County official because of the face of the Queen Mother Li. In addition, the imperial uncle Murong Yanchao, whose surname was not Liu, was also demoted from the prince of Changli County to the title of Duke of Luan. Brother-in-law Song Yanwo was named Duke Hui Guo.
Even the dignified uncle was like this, let alone other people. Those who had no real and convincing achievements in the process of establishing and unifying the Han Dynasty were mercilessly targeted.
After such a rectification, Dahan's noble system has taken on a new look. The first is the issue of quantity. Although the number has not decreased due to the addition of new titles, the unreasonable titles have been basically eliminated, and the number of high-level titles has basically increased. He was cut in half. In addition to the twenty-four princes, there were only fifty-four foreign ministers who were eventually awarded the title of county prince or above.
Of course, the most severe adjustments are made to those with honorary rank. This is where Lord Han is most prevalent. If the aristocratic titles are to be radically rectified, the rank system will be completely reconstructed. Almost all the honorary and casual officials in the past three generations will be abolished, and redistribution will be carried out based on military merit, political achievements, and resume. Reward, this also affects the whole country.
It is conceivable that it will cause some shock, but the old ones are gone, and there is a new class of nobles to fill them. With these new beneficiaries to maintain, those old positions and titles should naturally be swept into the garbage heap of history.
In any reform and change, there will be winners and losers, even the new knights of the Han Dynasty, especially those who have been demoted. Perhaps in order to appease everyone's emotions, the treatment of honorable nobles has been significantly improved compared to the past.
Moreover, under Emperor Liu's adjustments, the importance of Han titles was increasing. Although there is no real title such as food and land, the salary is very generous. Just before that, Liu Chengyou asked the Third Division to promulgate a national lord's position and salary regulations, which had clear and detailed regulations on the treatment enjoyed by all lords and officials in the Han Dynasty.
Taking the Duke as an example, in addition to recognition of status and honor, as well as a series of benefits such as clothing, rides, and exemption from military service, he can receive a salary of two thousand guan, a salary of 500 shi, a hundred pieces of silk, and brocade from the court every year. Fifty paragraphs, thirty servants' salary, these are just typical salaries. As for other gold and silverware, miscellaneous colors, and rewards during festivals, they need to be given according to the actual situation, but they will never be too stingy. Compared with the "stinginess" during the Qianyou years, Emperor Liu and the court were already generous this time.
Of course, the most important thing is that the title is hereditary. Even if it is downgraded after three generations, it can still be passed down to future generations. But other honorary officers, rank officers, and position officers cannot do it. Moreover, those who hold a position without a title can enjoy double benefits, in addition to the title salary, there is also a salary, while other incumbents, no matter how many ranks they have added, can only receive one salary according to the highest grade. In addition, the Duke has one hundred hectares of land that can be exempted from taxes, and there are opportunities for his descendants to go to school and serve as officials. Basically, every aspect is considered.
It can be said that Emperor Liu put a lot of effort into the noble system, and he gave preferential treatment to the heroes of the Han Dynasty. Therefore, for most people who have been knighted, they are still very satisfied. There may be a decrease or decrease, but the most practical profit and income have increased greatly.
Liu Chengyou made these reforms and adjustments really not to reduce the financial pressure on the court, because according to the number of new nobles and the increase in salary, there has been a considerable increase in expenditure compared with previous years. This is also what he had previously said to his brother-in-law Song Yan Wu mentioned the reasons for the court's finances.
After this operation, Dahan's Lord System has been improved. Even if there are any unreasonable things, they only need to be adjusted appropriately in the future. At the same time, a noble group and ruling class that maintained the rule of the Han Dynasty were formally established, and the problem of nobles that had been rampant since the Tang Dynasty was solved, and redundant officials and redundant personnel were initially curbed.
