Chapter 29 Chapter 5 The Road to the King

In the first month of the 17th year of Jian’an (212), the fifty-eight-year-old Cao Cao returned to Ye County from Guanzhong. The expedition he personally commanded achieved a great victory, and Ye County was immersed in the joy of victory. The defeat of Chibi four years ago The haze gradually faded away. Emperor Xian Liu Xie, who was far away in Xu County, issued an edict to grant Prime Minister Cao Cao three privileges: praise and worship without fame, entering the court without tending, and walking on the sword.Their specific content has been introduced in the first part of this book. According to etiquette, when a minister meets the emperor, a master of ceremonies must stand next to him and call out the minister's official title and name.For example, if Cao Cao is going to see the emperor at this moment, the master of ceremonies will shout: "Marquis Wuping, the prime minister leads Jizhou Mu Cao Cao, see the emperor." Then Cao Cao will kneel down and say loudly: "Long live my emperor, long live." "It means to walk quickly in small steps. To show respect when seeing the emperor, one has to trot all the way from a long distance. This is "trend".In addition, seeing that the emperor could neither carry weapons nor wear shoes, he expressed his sincerity and sincerity.

Now Cao Cao has three major privileges. When the emperor's master of ceremonies shouts "Wu Pinghou, the prime minister leads Jizhou Mu", he can omit Cao Cao's name. , You can walk slowly with a shelf, this is "entering the court and not going"; when others are barefoot, you can wear shoes, and you can wear weapons, this is "swords on the palace". This kind of boring formalism was a major event in political life at that time. Those who won these honors must be the ultimate ministers. Throughout the entire ancient Chinese history, there were not many people with these privileges.

At the same time, Emperor Xian issued an edict to cut off the three counties of Dangyin, Chaoge, and Linli in Hanoi County, the four counties of Weiguo, Dunqiu, Dongwuyang, and Fagan in Dongjun County, and the Yingtao, Quzhou, and Nanhe counties in Julu County. The three counties, Rencheng County in Guangping State, and Xiangguo, Handan, and Yiyang counties in Zhao County, a total of 14 counties above, are all under the jurisdiction of Huawei County (Yiwei County).Wei County used to have fifteen counties, and it was already a large county. Now there are as many as twenty-nine counties in its jurisdiction, making it the largest super county in the world.

This matter should have been carried out under the leadership of Cao Cao, and there must be a greater meaning behind it.Sure enough, in October of this year, Dong Zhao, who served as the chief of staff of the Prime Minister's Mansion (Military Advisor Jijiu), suddenly put forward a proposal, which stirred up the political circles in Ye County and Xu County. As an unswerving follower and staunch supporter of Cao Cao's career, Dong Zhao has made great contributions to Cao Cao at critical moments many times, and won Cao Cao's trust.As a scholar who was not born in Ruying, although Dong Zhao's status is not particularly high, in Cao Cao's mind his status is unique.

Dong Zhao's suggestion is to restore the five-class nobility system before the Qin and Han Dynasties (the fifth class should be repaired in ancient times), and the emperor will make Cao Cao the Duke of Wei, and at the same time give Cao Cao the gift of nine tins. The fifth rank refers to the five different titles of duke, marquis, uncle, son, and male. The duke is the highest and the baron is the lowest.This kind of title system was implemented before the Qin and Han Dynasties. They are all hereditary. Only with titles can they be called nobles and enjoy different privileges. The biggest problem with the hereditary system is that it cannot reward diligence and punish laziness, which is a bit of a big pot meal.In the Qin Dynasty, in order to encourage everyone to fight bravely, the hereditary system was changed to the military merit system. The title of title could not only be hereditary, but also obtained through military merit. At the same time, the title of title was subdivided into 20 levels.This trick is very effective. Soldiers are not afraid of death on the battlefield, and they have this thing in their hearts to support them.The Han Dynasty followed the Qin system, and the titles were also divided into 20 levels. The lowest level was the first level called Gongshi, the second level was called Shangzao, the nineteenth level was called Guanneihou, and the twentieth level was called The highest level is called Chehou.

After Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty became emperor, he changed "Chehou" to "Liehou" in order to avoid taboo.Liehou is divided into three levels: Tinghou, Xianghou and Countyhou. Generally speaking, the title reaches the top when it reaches the level of Countyhou. Different from the title system before the Qin and Han Dynasties, the title of the Han Dynasty did not have the level of "gong", but there was a "king". These "gongs" such as Jin Wengong and Qin Mugong.After the Qin and Han Dynasties, there were emperors. Although there was no "gong" under the emperor, there was a "king".

Speaking of which, the title system in the Han Dynasty was richer and had more levels, but why do people always want to change back?Speaking of which, this was all caused by Liu Bang. After Liu Bang became emperor, he began to confer many kings with different surnames, such as Chu Wang Han Xin, Zhao Wang Zhang Ao, Han Wangxin, Liang Wang Peng Yue, Huainan Wang Yingbu, Yan Wang Lu Wan, Changsha Wang Wu Rui, etc., but the good times did not last long. Others except Wu Rui were involved in the rebellion one after another and were killed.Liu Bang later understood that daring to fight the country requires everyone to pick up firewood, but sitting on the country has a strong exclusivity, so in his later years he made a "White Horse Oath", agreeing that "people who are not Liu's family shall not be crowned king, and those who have no merit No marquis is allowed. Whoever does not abide by this covenant will be conquered by the people of the world (the king who is not the Liu family, if he has no achievements, the superior will not place him as a marquis, the world will punish him)."

Although this has done a good thing for Liu's descendants, it has cut off the hope of others to make progress.For example, Cao Cao, regardless of military merit or strength, was no worse than Han Xin and Peng Yue in the early years of the Han Dynasty, but he could only be named a lieutenant. This is the background of Dong Zhao's proposal to restore the five-rank noble system before the Qin and Han Dynasties.It's not that one set of methods is better, but the current one is too bad. By restoring the five-level nobility system, it is tantamount to abolishing the twenty-level military merit system in the Han Dynasty, and then overturning the "White Horse Oath" set by Liu Bang.

However, this is not a trivial matter. It will shake the national unification of the Han Dynasty for three or four hundred years, and it is an extremely sensitive topic in today's situation that it is actually a puppet. There is another item in Dong Zhao's suggestion, which is "nine tins". This set of things is more complicated and cumbersome, but it is more flocking to people. The "tin" here is not the metal represented by "Sn" on the periodic table of elements, but a pseudonym, which means "gift". "Nine tins" are the nine kinds of utensils given by the emperor to the princes, ministers and people with special contributions. They are used to express courtesy or privileges. Nabi, Huben, Axe, Bow and Arrow are all ancient times.

These nine kinds of ritual vessels are very special: the chariots are specially made, called "Golden Chariots" and "Soldier Chariots", and they are pulled by eight yellow horses; A pair of "red scorpion" shoes; musical instruments include instruments for tuning and tuning; Zhuhu is the gate that allows one's own house to be decorated with red paint; Nabi is a specially carved stage that can be used when entering the palace, similar to the VIP passage; The tiger is the guardian of the emperor; the bows and arrows include special red and black special bows and arrows, there are one hundred pair of red bows and one thousand pairs of black bows; the ax is a kind of big axe. A symbol of military power and national domination; Chan is a rare wine made from black millet and turmeric.

These things are not very valuable, but having them means enjoying extremely high honors and privileges. You can take the emperor's special car and wear the emperor's clothes when you go out. The guards are also transferred from the emperor. VIP access.In addition to these formalistic things, there are many real privileges. A dedicated bow and arrow means the right to conquer rebellion, and an ax means that you can kill lawless people, which is equivalent to having the right to kill first and then play. These nine things can only be rewarded by the emperor, no matter how rich you are, you can't buy them yourself.The Son of Heaven will not give people casually, but only reward those who have made outstanding contributions to the country, and these nine items are usually not rewarded together, because if a minister gets all these privileges, he will have no problem in form or content. It is almost the same as the Son of Heaven. Dong Zhao is the initiator of this proposal. We don't know whether he has asked Cao Cao for instructions or accepted Cao Cao's hints before.Cao Cao's reaction to Dong Zhao's proposal is recorded in two different ways in "Three Kingdoms", "Dong Zhao Biography", "Xun Biography" and "Xiandi Chunqiu". According to the "Three Kingdoms Dong Zhao Biography", Cao Cao expressed his opposition after learning of Dong Zhao's suggestion. He said: "The restoration of the fifth-class nobility system is a major event. Only a saint can complete it, not a minister. How can I face everyone?" What about (construction of the fifth class is a sage, and it is not controlled by human officials, how can I bear it)?" Dong Zhao persuaded: "Since ancient times, ministers have assisted the monarch. No one has ever established such an immortal achievement as you, Duke Ming. He is in the position of a minister. Now the Duke of Ming is unwilling to be uneasy about these matters. He hopes to protect his name and is unwilling to take on greater responsibilities (Le Bao's name is not a big responsibility), and his moral character exceeds that of Yi Yin and Zhou Gong. However, today's people are more difficult to educate. In the position of a minister, but let others doubt themselves in major matters, this really needs to be carefully considered (sincerely must be seriously considered). Although Ming Gong is a noble character and a master of magic, he can If you don't clarify the foundation at this time, and don't consider it for future generations, you still haven't done it (you don't know the foundation, it's for the future, it's still not here yet). The so-called clear foundation refers to the land and the people. build something in order to protect ourselves (in self-defense)." According to "Three Kingdoms Xun Zhuan", Dong Zhao and others secretly visited Xun for this matter, but Xun objected.Xun believed that the purpose of Cao Cao's righteous army was to help the government, and he had a heart of loyalty to the Han Dynasty, so the proposal of Dong Zhao and others was inappropriate (Taizu Benxing the righteous army to restore the dynasty and Ningguo, adhering to the principle of loyalty and chastity) Sincerity is the reality of retreat and concession; a gentleman loves others with virtue, which is not appropriate).Xun's point of view was soon known by Cao Cao, and Cao Cao was quite unhappy (the Taizu couldn't calm down because of this). According to "Xun Zhuan", this proposal may have been initiated by Cao Cao himself, and Dong Zhao was just running errands.Before it was formally proposed, Dong Zhao and others did a lot of work, so Cao Cao quickly knew Xun's objection. "Xiandi Chunqiu" supports the statement of "Xun Zhuan". It also includes a letter written by Dong Zhao to Xun specifically for this matter. , The great cause created by King Wu of Zhou, assisting the young King Cheng, the meritorious service is similar to that of Cao Gong now (the meritorious service is like that), they still accepted a high title, and gave the soil to open the frontier (Xitu Kaiyu). When Tian Dan was alive , led the powerful army of Qi State, attacked Yan State for revenge, captured 70 cities, and welcomed King Qi Xiang. Heroic officials are all rewarded so generously (recorded meritorious deeds in the previous life are so thick). Now Cao Cao is facing the overthrow of the sea and the ancestral temple of the Han Dynasty is burned. Ten years. He wiped out the gangsters, wiped out the evil for the people, restored the Han Dynasty, and Liu was able to continue to be enshrined by the people of the world. The people mentioned above are like mounds and mountains when compared with Duke Cao. They cannot be compared. But Now Cao Gong is only ranked with the generals, and the feudal marquis can only be given to a county, is this what the world hopes for?" But Dong Zhao still failed to persuade Xun.Cao Cao's attitude towards Xun was already mentally prepared. As early as the ninth year of Jian'an (204), someone proposed to restore the ancient Kyushu system. This was actually an attempt to indirectly break through the political system of the Han Dynasty by restoring the ancient system, but He was immediately opposed by Kong Rong and Xun Xun.With the experience eight years ago, Cao Cao was no longer surprised by Xun's position, but he felt extremely uncomfortable, so he "can't agree". However, the current situation is different from eight years ago. Cao Cao has a stronger ability to control the situation, and his reliance on Ruying scholars has decreased. The last time Xun Yi expressed his opposition, he immediately stopped his plan to restore the Kyushu system , this time he didn't intend to do that. However, Cao Cao knew that it was difficult for Xun to change his position. Cao Cao had to think carefully about how to deal with Xun's objections.